Why? a snippet of personal history

Kurt heaton- top proficiency score(outstanding trainee)  May 1962   Co A 5th Bn 2D TRB 

Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri

On Friday of the last week of Basic Combat Training, the trainee joined the rest of his battalion in an impressive parade to pass in review before the Commanding General and visitors who had come to witness the occasion.

One trainee from each company was selected as the “Outstanding Trainee” in his unit, in recognition of his leadership ability, military bearing, and training proficiency. During the first part of this colorful review, the outstanding trainees marched “front and center” along with the national colors and regimental flags and guidons, and were presented a scroll by the Commanding General.

I received a trophy and one of my fellow soldiers offered to buy it from me to impress his father. I no longer have the trophy, but did keep the "Top Proficiency" plate from the trophy. I should add that I did not care for the military structure of the army. I would have and do prefer Athens to Sparta

Why? The Republican Crusade must end

I begin with a quote from a previous blog. " Enter the Republican Far right( the Tea Party). They have been conducting a political(but really religious) Inquisition and a purge of liberal and moderates. This new power relies on rule by minority and seeks to control the political process by preying on the masses who are not informed but merely trying to survive in a fearful economic environment and looking for scapegoats. The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer at an alarmingly increasing rate. The result of this divide of people was best described by Abraham Lincoln. 'A house divided cannot stand'".  In truth this Tea movement is rooted in the religious dogma of the Far Right and in truth these views are locked values that need to be either unlocked or removed from the political arena. Unlocking is unlikely and thus the Republican Party may be doomed. As a nearly extinct liberal Republican, I know or feel the Republican course of survival and actual impact in our nation's future is to return to the concept of Separation of Church and State.  If Church and State become one, the result in the extreme could be a Taliban type state. The combining of Church and State restricts freedom. The Separation of Church and State allows freedom. And freedom is the absolute core value of the United States of America.

Why? remembering 9-11

on September 9, 2001 I was recovering at home from gall bladder surgery. I was on line and saw a blurb and about an airplane hitting the World Trade Center. I went to the television and followed the terrible act of Terrorism throughout the day. My thoughts then and now are of the ultimate inhuman acts of humanity. The simple truth of terrorism is that it the murder of innocents. Terrorism is the ultimate crime and proves the insanity of humanity. There is not punishment great enough for terrorists and I might add a thought. "The greatest non-terrorist of all time was Gandhi". heaton

why? do people talk so much?

Went to grandson's ball game and this came up again - sorry for repeat, but this bears repeating

Why you?
Well I'm going to tell you what the problem is. Now not all of you, but some of you are talkers. Not ordinary talkers, but extraordinary. Let me explain. Some of you are constantly, now I really mean constantly thinking of something to say. and then you say it and on you go. If you could and you can, you would go on and on all day, my God even all night. Do you know the problem? YOU ARE NOT A LISTENER. You have no clue as to what other people are saying because you are always thinking about what you are going to say next. Now, thankfully there are not that many of you. But you are easily recognizable. and I'm afraid to say there is little hope for you. Are people avoiding you. Do they never answer your phone calls. If so, you are a talker. If so, there is only one way to cure yourself. Actually listen to people. Digest what they have to say. Take an interest in what they have to say. If two talkers met in a forest would anybody listen? the answer is NO. P.S. Really this is not a complaint, but merely an observation. The real why question here is why are some people not listeners?

Why? Can anyone survive the catastrophic future?

Of course, science says that in the end, the earth will be consumed by our dying sun and that is certainly catastrophic. But, in the mean time, there are other scenarios that await the human race. Global warming, asteroids, nuclear holocaust or a total economic meltdown are the primary candidates. In any case, I am reminded of a theory that the reason we have not been actually contacted by an alien intelligence is that all creatures of superior intelligence self destruct. There is currently proof in the pudding or rather lack of alien communication.
Do you realize the advances of humanity in the past 100 years. It is all a quantum leap and think of aliens a mere 100,1000, 1 million years ahead of us. Why? have we not been in contact?
Well, laying that thought aside consider the more immediate future in particular, the idea of an economic melt down. Consider the Great Depression multiplied beyond reason and you can imagine a lawless society ruled by gangs, warlords, fiefdoms and firepower. The weak would not survive, small groups would not survive.
You would have to have shelter, food, water, medicine and medical skills and the ability to defend against all comers. Imagine legions, planes, tanks, a total military controlled existence. It would be the new Middle Ages. Anyone who could gain the allegiance of a military leader could become a king.
Will you have anything to offer? Will your allegiance be needed. Do you have a true needed, skill? Do you know the old Boy Scout Motto "Be Prepared". I suggest you consider it all and perhaps prepare. Why?
And there is another theory as to why no alien contact. The distances are to far, contact is not possible.  Remember that after all theories are only theories and not fact. Do you take comfort in that? And why?  Chuckle

Why? The push for “self esteem” and the abuse of "self esteem" and the failure of America

I looked at my grandsons's bedrooms the other day.(ages 13 and 7). First of all pretty messy but that is not the issue or is it? Trophies every where, medals, ribbons, these kids must be the greatest young athletes in the world. Well, they are very good and perhaps deserving, but as I looked at a picture of my youngest in a graduation cap and gown in a preschool graduation ceremony I realized that this has all gone to far. This "push for self esteem" is creating people with an image of themselves that may not allow them to compete in a tough world.
Attending a machine pitch, Eight and Under baseball game is quite a treat. Some parents, grandparents are polar opposites. The players were pummeled with exclamations of how good they were as they struck out, made bad throws and had their backs to the action. Or, these poor kids took a barrage of constant corrections and criticisms and were adhering, cowering to every demand. What a show. I actually thought of videoing some of this magnetic action and putting it on You Tube. It might go viral. Abuse either way, these types of actions are creating people who are not grounded in true reality. Our children should be raised to be confident, self assured, mentally balanced individuals. There must be a balancing act between praise and criticism. And this is not an easy task. But the failure of this task may be leading to the failure of America itself.

Why? Some quotes not famous or infamous

Kurt Heaton’s most famous quotes(ok, not famous but quotes nonetheless and even maybe a few more).

"You may beat me, but I am not beaten. I cannot be defeated or beaten by anything or anyone. I will never,ever give in or give up. Even in death I am not defeated". heaton

"High expectations are the bane of many sports fans. Often winning is not enough". heaton

"'We are what we think' if you reflect misery on the world, it will reflect back on you. So, reflect happiness not misery. Think good thoughts and they will be reflected back to you. A sort of Confucian view". heaton

"The world is made up of doers, do nothings and naysayers. The rarest are the doers. 'Never was so much owed to so few'(Churchill)". heaton

"Doers, do nothings, and naysayers. 'Never was so much owed to so few'(Churchill). The doers do, the do nothings do nothing and naysayers say nay". heaton

“A Toast. The great teams find their chemistry, avoid injury and have luck. This is to Kansas State University. Seek greatness, create luck”. heaton

“Adversity shapes character and character enables you to deal with adversity. This describes life". heaton

“Remember"We are what we think". If you want to think misery, sadness that will be you. I choose to lift myself up not down and so should you”. heaton

“Just because you have the ‘right to speak’ does not mean you are right”. heaton

“Ah politics. remember Lech Walesa, Poland became democratic. Labor unions represent true democracy in action. Outlawing unions is outlawing democracy. Who would be against democracy? The RICH fear democracy”. heaton

“My father killed in train wreck(I was 5) My mother raised 3 kids by herself, worked 2 jobs, moved entire family for my college. A great mom”. heaton

“Recommend on a clear day a drive on the Kansas Turnpike through the Flint Hills at sun set. It is a Wow!” heaton

“Remember with sadness, but look for the gladness of lives and life”. heaton

“In the midst of the political cesspool that is American Politics and in the midst of what may be another Depression I'm thinking FOOTBALL EMAW” heaton

“Democracy allows, actually demands freedom of expression. The ability to hear and consider viewpoints allows the collective mind to excel”. heaton

“America is the most admired and feared country in the world. Admired by the downtrodden and feared by those doing the trodding”. heaton

“ah! politics, played as a game, but this game has real consequences”. heaton

“A reminder and in case you did not know Lech Walesa, Poland became democratic. Labor unions represent true democracy in action. The Haves(rich) are against against unions.” heaton

“Sadly, a basic rule of politics, supported by the current political contribution system is ‘don't bite the hand that feeds you’”. heaton

"Once, I had a momentary vision of the future and it was totalitarian". heaton

“It has happened many, many times in golf. One small concept, one small change and you game is back. Watson, Hogan, Tiger is still seeking.” heaton

“Remember the study of Olympic gold medal winners, non winners were thinking ‘gold medal’, winners were thinking ‘technique’. This applies to today's game Go Cats, think ‘technique’ and DO ‘technique’ EMAW” heaton

“From a locker room wall 55 years ago and still true, ‘statistics are for losers’ EMAW” heaton

“I give thanks for what was and what is and what will be”. heaton

“The difference between winning and losing in basketball? ‘SHOOTING NOT TO MISS’ VS ‘SHOOTING TO MAKE’ notice in first, 2 negatives EMAW”. heaton

“You cannot practice the experience of great pressure, but you can practice for the experience of great pressure. Do your routine and hit it”. heaton

"”Big headed’ players will sometimes not respect their opponent and the arrogance of winning creates fans that don't respect opponents. Beware”. heaton

“Life without adversity is life not lived”. heaton

"The brush of time, the brush of life, the first infinite, the second, brief tinged with sorrow and joy." heaton

“Just want to say, ‘the thrill of victory’ beats the heck out of the ‘agony of defeat"’EMAW heaton

“I was asked to describe my kidney stone pain was it ‘dull’?, was it ‘sharp’? The answer is an extremely sharp, dull pain, like losing to KU EMAW”. heaton

“Fear not nervousness before the game. Nervousness will elevate your game. It prepares you for battle. Remember, ‘we are what we think’. EMAW”. heaton

“One of the few people who can plan to shoot a very low round is Tiger Woods. I always asked my players, ‘What is your best score and did you plan to shoot that score?’ Without exception, no one ever planned to shoot their best score, it just happened. So I say to you, plan to hit a ‘good’ shot not a ‘great’ shot. A ‘good’ shot might turn into a ‘great’ shot, but trying to hit a ‘great’ shot can turn into really bad shot. Expect to play well, but don't expect to play ‘great’. Just let it happen and ‘stay in the moment’. ‘Think ahead to the next shot’ but ‘don't think ahead to what your final score might be’. And when all is said and done golf is really not a ‘good’ game, but a ‘great’ game.” heaton

"Those who are against freedom are afraid of freedom and rightfully so. So they try to literally "kill" freedom. Will freedom prevail? Iran" heaton

"As we go right on the political spectrum we move toward totalitarianism. Some will claim freedom from government, but dogma will dominate". heaton

"We are here and then we are not, briefly here and then forgot. But know when my time is due that I will be remembering you". heaton

"A chorus of voices swirling through history, with cries of anguish and joy and almost always the hope for tomorrow". heaton

"Of course, of course, diets of the body are important, but diets of the mind reign supreme.  But what would that be? Imagine imagination, humor, dark brooding thoughts, the forms of art and war, love and hate, drama, history, on and on. Consume it all because there is thankfully an infinite list and room for it all. An infinite feast, consume it all, consume it all." heaton

"diets of the mind reign supreme. Consume an infinite list and room for it all. An infinite feast, consume it all, consume it all." heaton twitterized

"wisdom - the harvest of the inquiring mind over many seasons. a harvest shared but not always accepted. many have to harvest for themselves." heaton 

"Unscripted, unfilmed daily life is the true reality. Enjoy the moment" heaton

"The race against father time, you can't win, but worth running. so walk,run,get in the race. COME ON IN" heaton

"Some do then brag, some brag and then try to do, but the best is 'let your play do the talking'" heaton

"We make life choices inside the universe of fate. To direct our fate is the ultimate freedom, the freedom of choice." heaton

"scars have stories some big, some small, but all healed and that is a lesson not small, the healing may not be perfect but better than none at all" heaton

"walked among stones thinking memories of those gone All had crosses to bear, some large some small and we were grateful for their lives, all" heaton

"Scars on the body,scars in the mind, in the end scars tell a life story. A life without scars is really no life at all. here's to scars" heaton

"Aging memory, some have none, most have some. 'The good, the bad and the ugly' Which do you choose to dwell on. We are what we think." heaton

"It is mathematical, sum up all the purposes of life and you have found the meaning of life" heaton

"Nuclear proliferation is ABOUT the power to destroy the future , Global Warming is the power that WILL destroy the future" heaton

"Add this to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. All people have the RIGHT to health care. Equally, Rich or Poor". heaton

"I am walking on a well trodden path. My steps are careful and slow. It is simple, I don't want to stray, but stay until the end". heaton

"You may see me and have despair but know my thumb is up, you may not see but it is there.You may not see the smile on my face, but it is there. So in the end do not despair". heaton

"The fragmentation of America is caused by forces of extremism both Left and Right. Who will stand for the Middle? This elevated divide must cease." heaton

"Ah sweet youth, don't waste it, oh, ok waste a little. Life with no fun is life wasted." heaton

"Laughing, I hear Laughing. This whole existence must be a joke. Wait, do I hear crying, crying? Is this only in America or the whole world?" heaton

"#Confederate the roots of the Civil War are still alive.The division, racism still in our "hallowed ground". The premise harmful say no,no!" heaton

"The Dilemma-Right to Life vs Religious Freedom. Right vs Belief. Of course add in unemployment. Plus First Responders, Health Care Top to Bottom. So which is it, Right or Belief? Actually I Believe in the Right Scientists(proven Right by science). SIGH" heaton

"Build new cities. Cities that will  have a cosmopolitan and racial equality theme. That look like a city with suburbs but actually no inner city. Really spread out. Maybe a little like the concept of Magnet Schools. Different central type concentrations of occupations. Well, maybe something like that. "(heaton)

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Why? the new Inquisition, Purge and Middle Ages

Many or most of the so called informed people of this country are seeped in a brew of biased information. They see and hear what they want to hear, seeking reinforcement for their political stance and the vast majority are under informed and miss informed. Most are ruled by controlled brevity - mere snippets of information, sound bits and controlled photo opportunities. Enter the Republican Far right( the Tea Party). They have been conducting a political(but really religious) Inquisition and a purge of liberal and moderates. This new power relies on rule by minority and seeks to control the political process by preying on the masses who are not informed but merely trying to survive in a fearful economic environment and looking for scapegoats. The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer at an alarmingly increasing rate. The result of this divide of people was best described by Abraham Lincoln. "A house divided cannot stand".
America and the world are treading on thin ice. The economic earth environment is fragile in many ways. A major economic tsunami of unemployment and subsequent unrest is a distinct possibility. Governments may fall. Lawlessness may rule. Fiefdoms may rise and fortresses built. The new Middle Ages may arrive. Keep your powder dry, you may need it.

Why? Frank Martin

As I gaze at my Frank Martin signed Kansas State basketball, housed in a trophy-like glass case, I ask, does this ball mean anything now? Did the 5 years that Frank Martin coached at Kansas State really mean anything? I followed the Martin saga closely on the Wabash Message Board. The feelings on the board mirrored shock, anger, conspiracy, hatred, distrust, disloyalty, on and on. In the end, Frank Martin is gone to South Carolina and I am left with a basketball. The signature on that basketball is indecipherable. In the end of this eventful few days that really says it all. The national face of Kansas State basketball was the decipherable faces of Frank Martin, the intensity of Frank Martin and his teams. A great debt is owed to Bob Huggins and certainly Frank Martin, but Kansas State University is bigger than any one person and I take comfort in that thought. EMAW

Why? empathy vs selfishness

There are many forces at work in the world. Today I am thinking of the forces of empathy and selfishness. Empathy(thinking of others), well think of a puppy, hit by a car and lying beside the road whimpering. Do you feel its pain? Of so, that is empathy, to feel the pain of other things and people.
Consider the opposite of empathy. A home invasion, shooting the family dog, threatening the lives of people and going beyond even that threat. There are inhuman humans out there with absolutely no empathy.
Selfishness(thinking of self) is self evident. It begins with the wailing infant, crying for food and attention. It progresses through life with the words "I". "me". "mine" and so on. It is the force that made America great. Why seek freedom? Why start a business? What about love? All involving self.
And now comes the question, aren't empathy and selfishness polar opposites? No, empathy, feeling the pain of others is nothing more your own self interest at work. That suffering really would not be pleasant would it. In this world the forces of empathy and selfishness are one and the same and they can be both a force for good or evil.
"Eat or be eaten", "survival of the fittest", "love of family", "vote on Tuesday", "etc"all motivated by self. It is a force like the sun, all powerful. The key is harnessing that force for the good of humanity. We, I and you(I can feel it)will benefit.

Why? Blue Light

I was thinking as the pain reached 9.8/10, would I do this again? At that moment, no, but in reality, yes. This "Blue Light" treatment on my forearms was to stop future cancers. Now I must tell you that I have had 8 operations for skin cancer and many, many freezings of precancerous skin conditions. Blue Light is a treatment involving a chemical rub, 4 hours of waiting and then 16 minutes of a blue light, activating a chemical burn. In the end it is like a severe sunburn. Outer skin cells are burned and peels, ridding precancerous conditions on your skin. The pain is absolutely intense. It is now several hours later and it is still a 7/10.
I had this treatment on my face a year ago and in truth, I had forgotten the actual pain. Now for the reason why I did it and would do it again. I have had all those operations for skin cancer with a couple of slight disfigurements and scars. Two years ago, as I was in the dermatologists office waiting on an exam, I noticed a man, standing in profile at the counter and he HAD NO NOSE. I realized that my condition was nothing at all and that I must do everything possible to keep myself well.
I suggest to all, use sun screen, use sun screen, use sun screen.