Pity the Petty People

   It is said that it takes all types of people to make the world go around. That’s too bad really because there are just some type of people that the world can probably do without. At the top of the list are the truly evil at heart. Those that bring tragedy and senseless misery to the lives of others. More toward the bottom of the list are the haters and the petty. Those that should really seek help for their personality affliction, but instead seek power just to wield it against those without it. They walk big and talk big, but really couldn’t get any smaller.

   We are never going to live in a perfect world, although we dream of it and strive toward it and I think are constantly making the world a better place because of this drive. However, it’s not always the big sweeping changes or endeavors that make the most difference. Smaller pockets of personal initiative go a long way as well. I say all this to make a point about dealing with those people that we come across in our everyday travels that feel the need to impress upon others, the machinations of their will because of authority granted them by those they are impressing upon.

   Of course that’s not always the case as there are many that are self made successes and have positioned themselves to be over others in some shape or form. The real question is what influences a person on how they exercise power? Perhaps it’s just human nature to abuse power? There is a saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely...but just a little power can have the same corrupting ability. Let me rephrase that because it’s not the power that corrupts, it’s the manifestation of that power by the corrupted person.

   Not everyone in a position of power is abusive. Probably not even the majority of people in power are abusive of it...depending on what area of life we are talking about. I’d probably be hard pressed to sell anyone on the idea that the majority of our political system isn’t abusive of power.The question still remains what makes a person travel this road, and what can be done to deal with the repercussions?

   From my own personal experience, I can say that an exercise of abusive power upon me stems from the abuser not being able to fully come to terms with abuses had upon them. It is being carried with them like a large sack of dirty laundry, drug behind them like an un-hoisted anchor, and they revisit their hurt like the ghost of Christmas past. I suppose some effective counseling could help with this, but pride is the Gandalf that counseling shall not pass.

   When you really consider the situation, it’s very sad. “Because I’m in charge” is just an excuse to exercise petty machinations. Such a position does not foster respect or admiration but resentment and hostility. Since I’m enlightened about the background in my particular situation...I also feel pity. I’m left to wonder where the collateral damage ends, and the healing begin? Will there ever really be any healing at all, but instead just a rash of future conflict and destructive behavior?

   Dealing with the petty people goes beyond these types of people themselves. Sure, you can put them in their place (at possible future cost to yourself) and show them the truth of the consequences of their actions...but will someone so damaged even register the effort as a step toward resolution? Probably not. No, the true dealing of this starts in the mirror. Ultimately it will be the reaction to these people that starts a chain of calamity and although none of us can control how we feel, we certainly can control how we act.

   I choose not to feed the ravenous hunger the petty people have  for inflicting misery through corrupted power. I choose instead to exercise my own personal power of intelligent self control...and rob them of any meaning they place upon the misuse of their authority. Pity the petty people...

Movie Review: “Fast and Furious 6”

   I am an ardent fan of the cinematic arts. Although I have certain genre preferences, I don’t let that stifle my curiosity and close myself to different flavors of entertainment. That said...I am a huge fan of science fiction, super hero and action movies! Please visit my other blog The Boxed Office for reviews, exclusively, on these types of movies.

The Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, and Luke Evans.

   Vin Diesel reprises his role as Dominic Toretto, a tough-as-nails street racer leading a crew now living on easy street after ripping of a drug czar. Paul Walker also returns as Brian O’Connor, a cop turned criminal that has found a home as part of Toretto’s crew. Dwayne Johnson returns from the previous Fast film as CIA agent Luke Hobbs, needing Toretto and his crew to take down the untouchable Shaw (Luke Evans). Now having amnesia, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) runs with Shaw’s crew. Tyrese Gibson returns as Roman, in a role that sees him hit the nail on the head for comic relief. If you’re a fan of the Fast & Furious films, then you know exactly what you're getting...and everyone not only lives up to your expectations, but exceeds them! If you’re not a fan, watch this film and become one.

The Plot: 

   CIA agent Luke Hobbs is after one of the most powerful and elusive criminals to ever turn a wheel, Owen Shaw. Always a step ahead of the authorities, Hobbs needs help and turns to the only people good enough for the task, Dominic Toretto and his crew. .

   Toretto, now living a worry free life abroad after heisting 100 million dollars in the previous film, won’t be easy to convince. Fortunately for Hobbs, he has the perfect carrot...surveillance photos of Letty, Toretto’s lover who is supposed to be dead. Sticking together like a true family, the entire crew agrees to help Hobbs provided they receive full pardons for their crimes...a move that could let them all go home again.

   What happens next is a flurry of high octane action with amazing stunts, and surprising plot twists that will have you on the edge of your seat, unwilling to miss a single frame.

   

The Verdict: 

   From the very beginning this film screams “fun.” It opens with the character credits, taking you on a montage of cut scenes from the previous films leading right into the remnants of carnage left by Shaw. Dwayne Johnson’s onscreen presence is formidable and a great segway into the personalities of Toretto’s crew.

   The crew’s chemistry really adds the extra flavor to the film. As good as it has been in the past films, it seemed more refined in this one...like they really all had been together for a very long time. Kudos to the writing that had Tyrese getting all the laughs as he became a punchline that wasn’t silly, just entertaining.

   The story was a bit complicated, but the chase made that aspect of it irrelevant. The raw action underscored the fact that the crew was dealing with an absolute criminal genius with ample resources. I expected scene after scene of ridiculous stunts, but instead there were only two parts that really strained credibility...which says a lot about how the presentation was packaged as I’m sure looking at it objectively, every stunt probably wasn’t credible.

   This movie does just what it was intended to do, pump your adrenaline,  tickle your sense of humor, and keep you enthralled. With maximum RPM’s, it never runs out of gas and chases down 4 cinnamon sticks, out of 5, in my cup of tea.

Rating: 4/5

The Thin Line

   Job dedication seems to be a rare occurrence in most occupations. Perhaps I’m looking at the wrong jobs or are just being showed bad examples...all the time, but it seems to be the rare occasion when someone steps up to the plate, and bats a home run in the name of just doing the job.

   Now, before I even get into the meat and potatoes of what I’m going to talk about, let me take note that there are exceptions to the rule...and indeed, the rule may not even be an accurate measure, especially if you look at the recent response and professionalism of Boston’s Finest (and all our first responders) during, and in the wake of, the recent tragedy in Boston. No...I’m talking about the ordinary facing extraordinary circumstances (and no...I don’t consider those that serve to protect us ordinary people).

   I read a recent article about a reporter that is facing serious jail time for being a good journalist. My initial response was astonishment that there are reporters still practicing journalism (especially considering this particular reporter works for Fox News). My next response was profound contemplation about the moral and ethical dilemma this situation presents.

   In a column that originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times, I read it in the April 12th (2013) edition of the Boston Herald. Judith Miller wrote about Jana Winter and the possibility that she could be ordered by a state judge to reveal the confidential sources she used in reporting about the Colorado movie theater shootings...or spend time in jail if she refuses to do so once ordered.

   Revealing her sources would be a career ending act. Think about it...who is ever going to talk to a reporter that promises confidentiality, but then doesn’t deliver? Nobody, that’s who. A reporter that can’t get people to talk to them isn’t a reporter anymore. So here we are, teetering on a very thin line between the freedom of information, and the law as defined by a state judge, and to a larger extent, our government.

   I’ve said before how dubious “news” has become, and this is a large part of the reason. Accurate reporting by dedicated journalists are becoming a thing of the past (or has already become perhaps?)because of the controlling of information by those that have interests other than that of informing the public. I’m also aware that this particular sword cuts both ways as I’ve also said that some stories just aren’t news (in my opinion)...but those cases were also motivated by the desire to inform the public. It cuts deeper when the freedom to inform comes up against the right to privacy...but that’s for another post.

   I think it should all be reported and we, the public, should be able to decide if it means anything to us or not. I worry when I see things like...

“Fewer and fewer news organizations can afford to fight for the right to publish information in the public interest that the government does not want them to know” - Judith Miller

...it’s disturbing, to say the least, as our right to information is eroding before our very eyes. It’s bad enough when news organizations refuse to cover certain stories. It’s worse when they try and aren’t allowed to.

   There is a thin line that our society is performing a balancing act on and should we fall off, there is no safety net to catch us. We have to decide now, together, the importance of free information or the matter will be decided for us and I doubt we’ll like that decision.

   “A nation cannot remain free if the government alone decides what information it’s citizens are entitled to have” - Judith Miller.

Let that marinate...

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-death-of-journalism-rise-of-spin.html

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-perk-by-any-other-name.html

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2013/02/propaganda-is-not-useful-information.html



*Boston Herald quotes taken from the April 12th edition

Big Brother is Looking to Watch

   The unspeakable horror of the terrorist acts of the Boston Marathon bombings have had profound and lasting effects on all of us...especially those of us here in Boston. Inevitably, the question arises about the preventability of similar acts of terror in the future...which of course, sparks a debate that has been around long before the recent events brought it back in the forefront. 

   I remember having to read a book in high school (and also being lucky enough to be required to watch the movie adaption...in class!) called “1984.” What I remember most from the book is that “big brother is watching.” The government surveillance was everywhere in this future (now distant past in reality) society and was instrumental in the control of human behavior (although it’s virtually impossible to curb the human factor). I remember the movie more than the book, since I was a very visual child. I remember being freaked out by the movie, and the seeds of being against absolute government control (as seen in the movie) were firmly planted.

   Living in an open society as we do, leaves us open to all sorts of heinous acts by deranged individuals and groups. The question of what can be done to protect ourselves is asked daily, and it seems the response, in the passing of prohibitive and infringing laws, is also done daily. With all the laws passed that restrict the rights of the average citizen, have we become more safe? It doesn’t seem like it.

   So if the laws being passed aren’t working, what’s next? What is the answer to keeping us safe? Some have suggested that more surveillance will do the job. After all...it worked in “1984.” I should note, it worked to catch the “criminals” after the crime was committed. Read the book...see the movie, and understand what passes for a criminal and a crime in that society. We are not quite there yet, but I have to wonder if the road to that society starts with the increased surveillance that is being proposed.

   Not only is it being proposed, it’s being made business friendly. The suggestion is that local businesses be given tax breaks to install surveillance equipment outside their establishments. Sounds like a great idea, considering recent events, to catch criminals. Again though...that would be after the crime is done, and cameras, as a tool to catch the bad guys when they’re finished doing bad things, don’t have a great track record.

   The Boston Herald has quoted Glenn Reynolds (law professor at University of Tennessee) as saying “The record of cameras in catching terrorists has been really lousy.” He goes on to say “If in fact they caught these guys through the cameras, it’s pretty much the first time.”

   He isn’t alone in this opinion. The Boston Herald also quoted Matt Welch of Reason Magazine “You can’t sneeze in London without being on six cameras, but that didn’t stop the bombings.”

   So cameras as a preventive tool...just doesn't make sense. Taking away my privacy, won’t stop crime. Of course, after realizing this, the next logical suggestion has been to deploy domestic reconnaissance drones. I have nothing against the Boston Police Commissioner for suggesting this, he thinks it’s a good idea. I just want to know where we draw the line at the beginnings of a totalitarian society?

   I know some of you reading this might think my views extreme. Surely we are not even remotely reflective of such a lifestyle. I would caution you against willfully putting your good sense to sleep...and ask you to simply think back to how things used to be, and how they are today. Growing up, I never dreamed things would be as they are now...and I just hope that when my great-grandchildren grow up, their view isn’t one of never imagining having all the freedoms we do today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4rBDUJTnNU

* Boston Herald quotes taken from the April 24th edition

When Pigs Fly

   I may not consider myself old...but I know I’m getting older. I know I seem old when I remember and use sayings that were old when I was young. In particular, I remember being told that something would happen “when pigs fly.” Essentially being told that whatever it was I was enthralled with at the time, just wasn’t ever going to happen...since pigs will never sprout wings and fly. I used to think the same about cars, but now it seems I have to change my thoughts as such a thing has gone from impossible...to unlikely...to just around the corner!

   Imagine my surprise to open the local newspaper and read a small blurb about the development of a flying car. I felt a small swell of pride to hear the company developing the TF-X, Terrafugia, is from my home state of Massachusetts (Woburn to be exact)...but then a sense of dread as I imagined all the people that can’t seem to understand the basic tenets of driving (and yet have a license), flying around in the air!

   I can only surmise that if such a car ever becomes available to the general public, it would be with serious restrictions. Driving is a privilege, not a right...and I would suspect that driving a car that can fly would be a privilege reserved for those that are also pilots. I would love to own a flying car, and fly around and away from traffic and bad drivers, but I honestly can’t see myself becoming a pilot. Fortunately for me...the good people at Terrafugia have thought of nearly everything.

   According to their website, the TF-X will be able to fly and land...all by itself! I suppose this is the way they must go if they plan on making it available to “everyone.” Dare I say, if such technology exists, then why not put it in cars right now? I can’t believe the number of drivers I come across that could benefit from not being the one in control of the vehicle!

   Really though, I’m impressed with the number of safety features this vehicle is purported to have. They should just say “idiot drivers welcome” as it seems that someone is paying attention to the things I see, and are thinking smartly of how to avoid that behavioral replication in the sky.

   I remember I used to watch The Jetsons as a child and I never dreamed, not for a second, that I would be alive to see the beginnings of that cartoon begin to come to life. That’s what this is...the future made real. Fantasy made into reality. A bold step to  make what could be into what is. Kudos to the brilliant minds working on this idea...and may they have continued success at thwarting the one thing they really can’t control or even rightly prepare for: human nature.

   Flying cars...what will they think of next?

http://www.terrafugia.com/tfx-vision

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2011/06/unwritten-rulesof-road.html

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2011/08/on-road-againthe-horror.html

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2011/04/then-now-and-far-beyond.html

Movie Review: “Gangster Squad”

   I am an ardent fan of the cinematic arts. Although I have certain genre preferences, I don’t let that stifle my curiosity and close myself to different flavors of entertainment. That said...I am a huge fan of science fiction, super hero and action movies! Please visit my other blog The Boxed Office for reviews, exclusively, on these types of movies.

The Cast: 

Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling

   Josh Brolin does very well as the no-nonsense, in-you-face, upholding-the-law...while breaking your face police officer, Sgt. John O’Mara. There isn’t much range to the constantly brooding one-man-wrecking crew Brodin portrays, but he doesn’t make it feel hokey. Ryan Gosling comes off smooth as warm butter in this film. He is well suited to play the silver tongued, easy walking Sgt. Jerry Wooters. Sean Penn is the bad guy. He plays Mickey Cohen, and plays him well for a role that calls for a warped sense of justified depravity.

The Plot: 

   Mickey Cohen owns Los Angeles in 1949. Every police officer in a prominent position, judges, politicians...all paid off or duly intimidated to ensure Cohen does exactly what he wants to do. He won’t let anyone tell him differently...not the law, and not rival mobsters from Chicago.

   Enter John O’Mara, a cop that’s not afraid to uphold the law...and doesn’t care about the delusions of grandeur of Mickey Cohen. A war veteran that hasn’t really come home, and recognizes the war raging in his city. Tasked by probably the last decent high ranking policeman, O’Mara recruits Wooters and four more willing souls (Anthony Mackie, Michael Pena, Robert Patrick, Giovanni Ribisi) to take the fight to the Cohen empire.

   Taking themselves off the grid, with orders not to arrest Cohen, but utterly destroy everything he’s built, Los Angeles becomes a backdrop for blazing gun battles, in a war that will have profound consequences before it’s even close to being over.

The Verdict: 

   A film set in the 1940’s doesn’t have too much need for big budget special effects. Although I did spot some CGI, specifically the old classic cars as they raced across the dessert in a rampaging gun battle, it wasn’t on the scale of  some of the blockbusters that always hit theaters in the summer.

   The story is not unlike the classic tale of Elliot Ness. Honest cop wants to fight crime and bring down the local crime boss...honest cop recruits other honest cops and wages a campaign of justice. The only differences are the actual players, which simply can’t stray too far from what’s expected given the subject and time period the story is set in.

   The story seemed a bit rushed to me, probably because with so many complex players on the field, they had to leave enough room to insert the action, and grisly gangster scenes...that weren’t too vivid, but alluded to as being as bad as we envisioned. Gosling had the most interesting character in the film, and being the only one in a dangerous romance, added a smooth edge to the roughness of the film.

   This film wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be and fell short of really breaking from a mold that has already been cast. I suppose it couldn’t be helped as it’s based on true events...but it still only had me dipping 2 1/2 cinnamon sticks, out of 5, in my cup of tea.

Rating: 2.5/5

Stay in Your Lane

   A very wise person wrote these words (at least there are some people that think the words are wise...even if they think the  author isn’t):

“Social interactions are not unlike cars on the highway. Some are going fast, some are going slow, some are new, others are old. Every once in a while, there are some lane changes and exits to other frontiers. That said...we all have some social boundaries. The next time somebody crosses them, simply tell them to stay in their lane...and keep it moving.”   - The Pontificator

   Human interaction is complex. A lot goes into the relationships and bonds we form with each other. There is also much happening when bonds don’t form and when people don’t seem to click. That said, there seems to be some sort of social etiquette  that most of us find acceptable...and others just can’t seem to grasp.

   Looking at the highway analogy, it’s easy to see the correlations. For example, “Hello my name is John Doe, would you like to go out Friday night?” (too fast). “Hello, pleased to meet you” (new). “I’ve known her for 34 years” (old). “I’ve stopped drinking and started going to church” (new frontier). When you really take the time to look at our interactions, we seem to all be on a super social highway.

   Now, like a real highway, sometimes there are some lane changes that just shouldn’t be made. Simply put, there are just some people that can’t seem to mind their own business. I can’t begin to understand the affliction some have with being preoccupied with business that isn’t their own. I suppose we can just chalk it up to human curiosity...but at some point, the line between innocent (and controllable) curiosity and outright social awkwardness bordering on rudeness gets blurred. Like driving for long hours and succumbing to fatigue, these types of people swerve...and if you are the subject of their interjection or inquiry, then it’s your lane they are swerving into.

   Ever been in a conversation, and because of someone else being able to hear the conversation, they take it as an invitation to join it? What was your reaction to that? Where you gracious about their rudeness, or were you harsh in your response? Let me offer an alternative...four simple words that will stop anyone in their tracks, and get the point across: “Stay in your lane.”

   How about that person that likes to ask awkward and personal questions beyond the scope of their familiarity with you? Do you answer the question? Embarrassingly change the subject? Again, there is an alternative with four simple words: “Stay in your lane.”

   Some reading this might find it funny, but I can tell you that those four words work...really. People don’t know how to react or what to make of them, and inadvertently are forced into self reflection upon pondering what their lane actually is. For those individuals that just have this trait as a personality defect, it may become necessary just to let them know that they are swerving when they border on intruding into your business.

   Lest I forget another segment of the population that often swerves and needs a reminder to stay put...in their lane, the hater. You’re doing something they can’t do, or being something they can’t be...and that drives them to try to interject their misery into your life, often by running their mouth about you behind your back. Such behavior is analogous to driving down the highway at night, and turning your headlights off. It’s reckless, stupid, and can get many other people hurt. Without lights, it’s a sure bet than many lanes are crossed. To these people, it can’t be stressed enough...illuminate and see what’s really happening, and above all...stay in your lane!

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2011/02/being-hater-viral-societal-infection.html

Sharing...Crime or Conscious?

   If you read the last post, then you might know where I’m going with this. From early childhood, we are taught to share. Interesting that we have to be taught that, since children instinctively share what the wish to share, and covet what they wish to keep. The lesson taught to us is that sharing is a good thing, and not sharing is bad. I really don’t agree with that, but society at large seems to have bought into this...and I don’t know why. I doubt many have even thought of the circumstances that seem to make sharing a crime in some cases, and an act of good conscious in others.

   Sharing food is often seen as a positive act. Indeed, not doing so (as evidenced by my own pizza story), can incite a gathering of peers to adopt a mob mentality. Suppose it wasn’t pizza but half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? It would be all good...until a newfound peanut allergy was discovered (uh-oh). That would be a hard lesson learned, especially in the case of peer pressured forced sharing the mob mentality tries to enforce. 

   The accusation that follows a decision not to share is, to me, so true that it’s silly. People are quick to throw out the label of being selfish...but every human being on the planet is selfish, in one way or another. The very same people that would easily hand over a slice of pizza (or readily offer the pizza belonging to another), won’t be as quick to hand over their car keys or keys to their home with the intent on “sharing” all they own. No, there seems to be limits to what can be shared.

   The share advocates don’t seem to be too keen on the idea of sharing their significant other. Refusing to share food makes you selfish...and it’s not alright to be that way, but refusing to share your boyfriend or girlfriend is just as selfish (heck, more so, as they have free will)...but that’s perfectly fine. Huh...?

   I can hear some you now, thinking that these two examples are as far apart as examples of sharing can be...but when you really think about what it means to be “selfish”...to put yourself before others, there isn’t any difference at all. I mean, some people are serious share advocates, but refuse to toss the car keys, open their homes...or let other personal friendships romantically flourish, because they are putting their needs and desires before the needs and desires of someone else. I’d say those people are advocating the wrong philosophy.

   I’ve said it before, sharing is an option, not a mandate. Being selfish means we get to choose what we share, and when we share it. We are even so selfish and naive to believe we even get to choose who we share...without realizing that such a decision isn’t ours to make as everyone chooses for themselves who they share themselves with. Many will cry foul on this point, but would still have something negative to say about a single man or woman intent on spreading themselves around...in the name of sharing.

   I think I feel a cold coming on. Perhaps I’ll share it with some close friends? I mean, it’s rather selfish of my friends to revel in my sharing good fortune with them, but want no parts of the other end of the spectrum. I believe in balance, and this scale is a bit off. 

   The next time you hear someone claim they are not a selfish person and that they believe in sharing...task them with the truth, or lack thereof, of their words. The truth is they will choose, like everybody else, what they are willing to share...and retain what they do not wish to share. By virtue of all of us being human, nobody is qualified to judge the decisions each of us makes on what we will and will not share (and yes, take that to the extreme...because life can be very at times).

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2013/04/understanding-republicans-through-pizza.html

Understanding Republicans Through Pizza

   I have always been an independent thinker, and so my political preference is to be associated with no particular party, but to instead be an Independent. I’ve always joked that when my income bracket changes to a much higher one, I would become a Republican. I thought it was all about the money (and it is), but today I got a very simple lesson in an old argument conservatives have been using...and I get it, finally.

   Nothing has ever been taken from me since I was a small child (besides the confiscatory taxes Uncle Sam steals from me weekly). So the conservative argument that there is a group of people in America bent on taking something from me has never really resonated. Honestly, I’ve never had much to take anyway (hence waiting until my income bracket climbs significantly before adopting the elephant). All that changed today at lunch. 

   I wouldn’t have called it a pizza party, cause it wasn’t. Call it a gathering of co-workers to celebrate the service of one leaving the fold. Everyone bought pizza for the occasion, their own pizza. There was no pooling of resources (except we all pitched in to buy the honored guest their meal), no preordained understanding of a shared bounty, just good food...with good company (or so I thought).

   Enter the employee with only a salad for lunch, and an appetite far in excess of the abilities of that salad. Understand...I ordered a large pizza, for me. I didn’t order a salad, nor was I responsible for not getting the dressing right in the order to cause said employee distress. Looking at my pizza with a hungry eye can only lead to bad things...but nevertheless, when they asked for a slice of my pizza, I shared a small slice (reluctantly). When they decided they wanted more, and I declined...that’s when I became the room villain.

   Now here I am, in America...the land of free choice, choosing to buy a pizza, eat it...and not share anymore of it than I already have. Where did I go wrong? Was it the “being in America” part...or exercising my freedom of choice? Saying I was shocked at the reaction of the room is an understatement...which only grew more hostile as the begging began and the understanding of the word “no” somehow disappeared from English vernacular of the person begging. It got worse when said person asked others for slices of their pizza, got them...ate them, and still turned back to me in hopes that my mindset regarding my food had changed.

   Folks...when I tell you the room became hostile, you could cut the disdain with a knife. All directed at me for making a decision about a pizza I bought with my hard earned money. I nearly fell off my chair when someone said “We should take it from him.” Wait...what? Take my pizza from me and give it to the person displeased with their culinary decision simply because after tasting it, they want more? It was at that moment I understood the Republican.

   Here I was, eating a pizza I had bought with money I had earned, faced with the machinations of a mob mentality fueled by empathetic feelings for someone that was a victim of their own decisions and circumstance. Then someone said “Aren’t you the guy that goes around the office asking everyone for food?” Of course, I am...and my retort was “Doesn’t everyone have the same choice to exercise the decision I’m making now?” Of course they do.

   I even heard “You probably aren’t going to finish that, so you might as well give it up” as if taking my pizza home and finishing it later is some alien idea (I actually think it was). Let me break it down...sharing is an option, not a mandate. Apply that nugget liberally in all aspects of life.

   Oh...and now that person vows payback for not sharing more of my food, completely disregarding the fact that I shared at all. Unbelievable...you just can’t make this stuff up.