Recently, I was researching my former employer, 21st Century Systems, Inc., on the worldwide web. I had heard that there was much information in the public domain which disputed my favorable view of the corporation; so, I decided to investigate what my friends, colleagues and others were talking about.
Now, I had heard the chatter from my colleagues about "the woman" who had been hired and then fired... then re-hired (after negotiations from her discrimination lawsuit)... then re-fired... this among an office (in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri) of 10 men...
And I had heard the Office Administrator speak of how women "could never" do certain jobs because they were simply incapable of the strength required to do them...
And I had heard Warren Noll -- the office administrator -- state (when he returned from another base, in Arizona, I believe) how crazy it was on that base... how one "lesbo" had a poster of a bikini-clad woman over her desk and how it would have caused problems if one of the men had had a similar poster...
And I was shocked when, after inviting me (along with 2 other co-horts) to join him for a telephone interview with a female, this same "manager" of 21CSI loudly proclaimed, "That's my quota for the year!" when it was revealed that this particular candidate was not qualified.
And I was saddened when I heard him call the next candidate "George" repeatedly, even though his name was clearly not "George." Then I was angered when the event rolled around the office even to the point that a Korean-American exclaimed, "I'm calling him 'George', because this is America!"
So, somehow I was not surprised to learn (from the Seattle Times) how 21CSI has earned earmarks seemingly in direct response to their consistent depositing of federal dollars back into the pockets of politicians.
But I am more amazed at the wording on its "careers" page of its website which reads:
"21CSI has a strong commitment to diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer."
I know, from direct, first-hand experience that this is the most inaccurate statement that could be made by this company about itself!
When I filed formal complaints about the lack of professional demeanor in the Fort Leonard Wood Office and was sent a reply stating that a "thorough investigation" had been conducted and my claims were unsubstantiated... and further stating that it had brought to their attention that additional training *was* needed on the topic of conducting a non-hostile office... I recalled that, when I had spoken informally about similar incidents weeks before, I was told exactly the same thing...
So, it is clear... that is one company which is "perpetually" stepping up to the plate to train its managers and its employees how to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner... as long as "it is going to happen sooner than later," it can always rely on the same defense... year after year... harassment after harassment...
Is this the way of legally defending against harassment? After 13 years in business, one would think that this company would have addressed this issues at least a decade ago, no?
Oh well... the best thing that I can say is... thank God for gall bladder surgeries which provide a reasonable excuse to be terminated...
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Meet me in Saint Louis
Click the link above to enjoy the lovely day which I shared on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, with a couple of road warriors trying to make it back to Arkansas... I picked them up in Saint Robert (next to the Road Ranger) and dropped them south of St. Louis after we enjoyed the Arch.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Welcoming all of God's children...
Since my childhood when I actually learned to read from the Bible in a home which was influenced by the Baptist church, I have yearned to seek the Truth. The Truth about God's creation, the Truth about God's evolution, the Truth about humankind's role within this context.
I attended Sunday school with my cousin (prior to moving in with my parents later at the age of 6 or so). After moving home with Mom and Dad, I continued seeking the Truth. I attended church with my neighbors (since Mom and Dad did not actively practice their faith). My neighbors were, I believe, of the Methodist faith.
I went with them on long journeys from our home to the "tent revivals." My neighbor's mom taught that it was good to be baptized in "the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." I observed the mass baptisms which would happen at these revivals when the revivals literally hosted river-baptisms, emulating the baptism of Jesus as closely as possible.
Throughout the years when I was 9 and 10, I attended -- again without influence of my siblings or my parents -- a Baptist Sunday school. Somewhere between the ages of 7 and 10, my mother noticed the thirst which was demonstrated by my older sister and myself. As a good mother will do to nurture this unquenchable thirst, she ordered and installed an encyclopedia of the Bible in our home. It held Bible stories in the form which were presentable to our young minds.
Janice and I would compete through the 10-or-11 volumes... reading... and testing ourselves for having learned the lessons being taught. This search for Truth has continued over the past 30-some years.
About 1998, while living in Colorado Springs... home to Focus on the Family -- the mission of James Dobson -- and home to other leaders of the religious right movement and the so-called Christianists, whose work sometimes appears to be more focused on Americanism or American Politics than on Christianity (and, yes, home to the fallen evangelist Ted Haggard); while living in this beautiful city on the plateau of the Great Rockies, I discovered the Metropolitan Community Church.
One thing which I read while researching MCC was a reference to John 3:16... the MCC publishes literature which calls attention to the fact that, in John 3:16, no reference is made to include heterosexuals exclusively. I remember how it had seemed so simple... that W-H-O-S-O-E-V-E-R shall believe in God, shall have life everlasting. Simple. Whosoever did not indicate that only the heteros who believed... not only the Americans who believed... not only the Catholics who believed... but WHOSOEVER believes... Beauty in simplicity.
I joined the MCC congregation in Colorado Springs where then-Elder Reverend Nori conducted sermons. I remember how I had felt on Sundays, listening to Reverend Nori deliver her thoughts... I remember that I participated in a Gay Pride event for the first time ever in my life, marching alongside members of the Colorado Springs MCC congregation. And I remember how I thought, "so THIS is what Gay Pride is about." I had not, until that moment, understood the phrase "Gay Pride."
I remember that as we walked toward the park in downtown Colorado Springs... how members of Dobson's groups and others spoke from the sidewalks condemning our souls to Hell. How Reverend Nori had spoken back to remind the hypocrites that we were to love one another... not torment and torture each other... It was a powerful moment in my life. For the first time, I *WAS* proud... proud that I did not have to hide... proud that I did not have to die... proud that I was doing something positive to address the topic in public... to quote from the Harry Potter series, "To speak about that which cannot speak its name..." or something like that.
Between 1992 and 1998, I had remained at home... reading as much as I could to try to understand how I could reconcile my sexuality with my spiritual search. I read books, including:
After leaving Colorado Springs, I had, again, looked for a church where I could experience the Holy Spirit... where I could walk in... and know... that those present had no malice... no anger against me... no hatred... but simple love. Love for God... love for Godkind... and love for humankind.
The search finally ended a few months ago when Missouri State representative, Jeanette Mott Oxford, invited me to her church, Epiphany United Church of Christ. Again, I am happy to worship regularly with others who practice acts and perform deeds which exemplify God's love for humankind.
My journey for enlightenment is far from over. I only wanted to share that it is, indeed, a never-ending struggle throughout our lives... the Truth is hard to discern. It is often unpleasant. But it always releases us and lets us move freely forward... to accomplish more... to handle more... to overcome more. In short, it fulfills the cliche: The Truth will set us free.
I have compiled a list of books which appear interesting and which I hope to read one day:
I attended Sunday school with my cousin (prior to moving in with my parents later at the age of 6 or so). After moving home with Mom and Dad, I continued seeking the Truth. I attended church with my neighbors (since Mom and Dad did not actively practice their faith). My neighbors were, I believe, of the Methodist faith.
I went with them on long journeys from our home to the "tent revivals." My neighbor's mom taught that it was good to be baptized in "the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." I observed the mass baptisms which would happen at these revivals when the revivals literally hosted river-baptisms, emulating the baptism of Jesus as closely as possible.
Throughout the years when I was 9 and 10, I attended -- again without influence of my siblings or my parents -- a Baptist Sunday school. Somewhere between the ages of 7 and 10, my mother noticed the thirst which was demonstrated by my older sister and myself. As a good mother will do to nurture this unquenchable thirst, she ordered and installed an encyclopedia of the Bible in our home. It held Bible stories in the form which were presentable to our young minds.
Janice and I would compete through the 10-or-11 volumes... reading... and testing ourselves for having learned the lessons being taught. This search for Truth has continued over the past 30-some years.
About 1998, while living in Colorado Springs... home to Focus on the Family -- the mission of James Dobson -- and home to other leaders of the religious right movement and the so-called Christianists, whose work sometimes appears to be more focused on Americanism or American Politics than on Christianity (and, yes, home to the fallen evangelist Ted Haggard); while living in this beautiful city on the plateau of the Great Rockies, I discovered the Metropolitan Community Church.
One thing which I read while researching MCC was a reference to John 3:16... the MCC publishes literature which calls attention to the fact that, in John 3:16, no reference is made to include heterosexuals exclusively. I remember how it had seemed so simple... that W-H-O-S-O-E-V-E-R shall believe in God, shall have life everlasting. Simple. Whosoever did not indicate that only the heteros who believed... not only the Americans who believed... not only the Catholics who believed... but WHOSOEVER believes... Beauty in simplicity.
I joined the MCC congregation in Colorado Springs where then-Elder Reverend Nori conducted sermons. I remember how I had felt on Sundays, listening to Reverend Nori deliver her thoughts... I remember that I participated in a Gay Pride event for the first time ever in my life, marching alongside members of the Colorado Springs MCC congregation. And I remember how I thought, "so THIS is what Gay Pride is about." I had not, until that moment, understood the phrase "Gay Pride."
I remember that as we walked toward the park in downtown Colorado Springs... how members of Dobson's groups and others spoke from the sidewalks condemning our souls to Hell. How Reverend Nori had spoken back to remind the hypocrites that we were to love one another... not torment and torture each other... It was a powerful moment in my life. For the first time, I *WAS* proud... proud that I did not have to hide... proud that I did not have to die... proud that I was doing something positive to address the topic in public... to quote from the Harry Potter series, "To speak about that which cannot speak its name..." or something like that.
Between 1992 and 1998, I had remained at home... reading as much as I could to try to understand how I could reconcile my sexuality with my spiritual search. I read books, including:
- What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality
- In the Courts of the Lord: A Gay Priest's Story
- Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past-Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives
After leaving Colorado Springs, I had, again, looked for a church where I could experience the Holy Spirit... where I could walk in... and know... that those present had no malice... no anger against me... no hatred... but simple love. Love for God... love for Godkind... and love for humankind.
The search finally ended a few months ago when Missouri State representative, Jeanette Mott Oxford, invited me to her church, Epiphany United Church of Christ. Again, I am happy to worship regularly with others who practice acts and perform deeds which exemplify God's love for humankind.
My journey for enlightenment is far from over. I only wanted to share that it is, indeed, a never-ending struggle throughout our lives... the Truth is hard to discern. It is often unpleasant. But it always releases us and lets us move freely forward... to accomplish more... to handle more... to overcome more. In short, it fulfills the cliche: The Truth will set us free.
I have compiled a list of books which appear interesting and which I hope to read one day:
- How to Make the World a Better Place for Gays & Lesbians
- Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church
- The Children Are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-sex Relationships
- Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America
- Homosexuality: Good and Right in the Eyes of God?
- Coming Out While Staying in: Struggles and Celebrations of Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals in the Church
- Sex and the Sacred: Gay Identity and Spiritual Growth
- Queer Quotes: On Coming Out and Culture, Love and Lust, Politics and Pride, and Much More
- Coming Out As Sacrament
Monday, July 14, 2008
God is still speaking...
Yesterday, I was able to finally get back into church... It had been several weeks (since before the surgery), although one of my cohorts there said that it had seemed like months!
The sermon, as always, was excellent. We had a group visiting from SE Missouri (who had worked with the leaders of Epiphany UCC for the past week)... and four people from the youth group sang "Sanctuary" which literally brought tears to my eyes... very powerful message coming from the mouths of children... What a blessing this group shares...
After services, we were scheduled for a pot luck luncheon... (doh! I had failed to bring my contribution!) Rev. Mary suggested (in her persuasive way) that I stay to join in the meal... which I was very happy that I did. As usual, Houston got to have his run-on-the-turf out in the garden area of the church. He seemed as happy as I about having returned!
Afterward, John had let me know that he and Fred would be attending a play at St Louis University... one based on a woman's visit to Palestine... I asked if tickets were still available... and he told me "surely they are... it's just a $10 donation fee with the proceeds going to a youth artist group in Palestine."
Besides, John's daughter was in charge of lighting... How could I resist? At 3:00, I arrived for the play... which began the moment that a patron got in line to get a ticket... er, "passport"... for entering the staged performance area... From beginning to end, the show was entertaining... thought-provoking... and quite a welcome event given my current state of mind... I enjoyed it much.
John, Fred, and I met up after the show (having arrived at different times)... when John introduced me to his daughter... and went around meeting the various actors, the producer and... wow!... even the author upon whose life-event the play (named Beautiful Resistance) is based. Anyway, Fred and John invited me over for a discussion at their place... which was a lovely home.
I learned that the two had been together for almost 2 decades... so I quizzed them on the "secret" to a successful relationship... and the most striking answer was that the couple should have "no secrets." Well put.
Later, they invited me to spend the night... so that I did not have to journey back to St. Robert that late... and I accepted the invitation where I rested the best that I have for some time. Wonderful Hosts. So H-O-S-P-I-T-A-B-L-E... that even Lot and his angelic visitors would have been impressed!
I awakened... kidded around some with John... who reminded me of the time... that I'd have to jump in the shower and pack and all if I were to make my 1:45 appointment with Dr. Karen Tabb in Lebanon... Speaking of which (Lebanon)... the locals pronounce it as if it has been spelled "L-E-B-A-N-O-N-E"... Just FYI for those, like myself, who are not well-informed of such things...
It's been a wonderful past 30+ hours... despite the pain (quite reduced from 2 weeks ago)... Dr. Tabb took me off the Protonix... and suggested that I remain Narcotic-free... while we assess the remaining pain... which has her baffled... as it does me as well... Let's just leave our faith where it belongs... and I'll keep my readers informed of any changes in status.
p.s.
Despite the fact that my 21CSI issue has moved on to legal grounds... Warren Noll, the FLW Office Administrator of 21st Century Systems, Inc. (and 21CSI PAC Board Member and employee who had someone else take his technical exam on his behalf) sent me a disconcerting email... to my personal email account and followed up this morning with a harassing phone call...
The nerve of this not-so-gentle man! I immediately informed Mr. Noll of the fact that he and I should refrain from contact while the attorneys sort this all out... and followed up with a call to Marcia who admitted that -- despite best practice otherwise -- she had not notified employees that, since litigation may be imminent, no one should directly make contact with me...
Hmmmmm.... Inefficient? or Incompetent? This is the question which came to mind... She's such a nice person, otherwise.
The sermon, as always, was excellent. We had a group visiting from SE Missouri (who had worked with the leaders of Epiphany UCC for the past week)... and four people from the youth group sang "Sanctuary" which literally brought tears to my eyes... very powerful message coming from the mouths of children... What a blessing this group shares...
After services, we were scheduled for a pot luck luncheon... (doh! I had failed to bring my contribution!) Rev. Mary suggested (in her persuasive way) that I stay to join in the meal... which I was very happy that I did. As usual, Houston got to have his run-on-the-turf out in the garden area of the church. He seemed as happy as I about having returned!
Afterward, John had let me know that he and Fred would be attending a play at St Louis University... one based on a woman's visit to Palestine... I asked if tickets were still available... and he told me "surely they are... it's just a $10 donation fee with the proceeds going to a youth artist group in Palestine."
Besides, John's daughter was in charge of lighting... How could I resist? At 3:00, I arrived for the play... which began the moment that a patron got in line to get a ticket... er, "passport"... for entering the staged performance area... From beginning to end, the show was entertaining... thought-provoking... and quite a welcome event given my current state of mind... I enjoyed it much.
John, Fred, and I met up after the show (having arrived at different times)... when John introduced me to his daughter... and went around meeting the various actors, the producer and... wow!... even the author upon whose life-event the play (named Beautiful Resistance) is based. Anyway, Fred and John invited me over for a discussion at their place... which was a lovely home.
I learned that the two had been together for almost 2 decades... so I quizzed them on the "secret" to a successful relationship... and the most striking answer was that the couple should have "no secrets." Well put.
Later, they invited me to spend the night... so that I did not have to journey back to St. Robert that late... and I accepted the invitation where I rested the best that I have for some time. Wonderful Hosts. So H-O-S-P-I-T-A-B-L-E... that even Lot and his angelic visitors would have been impressed!
I awakened... kidded around some with John... who reminded me of the time... that I'd have to jump in the shower and pack and all if I were to make my 1:45 appointment with Dr. Karen Tabb in Lebanon... Speaking of which (Lebanon)... the locals pronounce it as if it has been spelled "L-E-B-A-N-O-N-E"... Just FYI for those, like myself, who are not well-informed of such things...
It's been a wonderful past 30+ hours... despite the pain (quite reduced from 2 weeks ago)... Dr. Tabb took me off the Protonix... and suggested that I remain Narcotic-free... while we assess the remaining pain... which has her baffled... as it does me as well... Let's just leave our faith where it belongs... and I'll keep my readers informed of any changes in status.
p.s.
Despite the fact that my 21CSI issue has moved on to legal grounds... Warren Noll, the FLW Office Administrator of 21st Century Systems, Inc. (and 21CSI PAC Board Member and employee who had someone else take his technical exam on his behalf) sent me a disconcerting email... to my personal email account and followed up this morning with a harassing phone call...
The nerve of this not-so-gentle man! I immediately informed Mr. Noll of the fact that he and I should refrain from contact while the attorneys sort this all out... and followed up with a call to Marcia who admitted that -- despite best practice otherwise -- she had not notified employees that, since litigation may be imminent, no one should directly make contact with me...
Hmmmmm.... Inefficient? or Incompetent? This is the question which came to mind... She's such a nice person, otherwise.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
A Time for Letting Go... and Letting God...
This past week brought me some news which, at first, was very distressful. However, after consulting with friends I was reminded that I must continue focusing on recovery.
With that in mind, I visited a couple of agencies (here in Missouri) which offered some positive advice and direction.
I post this quick note for other of my friends to know that all is well... and the healing continues. We shall never know what God has planned... why this path is laid out before us...
But, we must continue walking the path... and putting our faith where it belongs... and remembering to count our blessings...
Joy and Love to all my friends!
Chris
With that in mind, I visited a couple of agencies (here in Missouri) which offered some positive advice and direction.
I post this quick note for other of my friends to know that all is well... and the healing continues. We shall never know what God has planned... why this path is laid out before us...
But, we must continue walking the path... and putting our faith where it belongs... and remembering to count our blessings...
Joy and Love to all my friends!
Chris
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Lawyers, Shmlawyers!
Like most of the American public, I have no affinity for having to resolve issues through lawyers. Recently, however, my employer, 21st Century Systems, Inc., issued me a letter letting me know that it had terminated my employment due to my failure to get Security Clearance.
The interesting thing is that I had been prevented from submitting my application to get the clearance. The very person who blocked me was the person who sent the letter/email which terminated me. Sound confusing? It was to me as well.
Let me explain. I spent a few weeks going through all the forms for preparing my application for Security Clearance. This, despite the fact that the Office Administrator for the Fort Leonard Wood office advised that we had no security documents at our site.
Anyway, when I was finally prepared to submit, I went through the online application with a fine-toothed comb. On the very first page (the page that 21CSI's so-called Security Officer initiated), my birthplace was listed as UNKNOWN. However, I had submitted my birth certificate to Mr. Morse. So, the best answer (per the instructions for filling out the form) would have been to put the data which was on my birth certificate.
Further, the instructions (either on this very screen or the preceeding screen) had suggested that the applicant is to contact the agency requesting the security clearance for any information on this page which was incorrect; only the requesting agency (21CSI in this case) COULD change the data inputted on this screen.
What did I do? Well, I followed the directions. I emailed Mr. Morse... and I called him to discuss the discrepancy between having UNKNOWN and having Williamson, W.V. (which is my place of birth). He shrugged it off. This occurred somewhere between the end of April and the beginning of May...
So, I thought that I was awaiting his action on that form. What else should I think?
Most of my readers know that I went to have a gall-bladder-ectomy on May 22 which resulted in this and additional surgical procedures which left me unable to return to work (until even this very day)... So, I was shocked when, on July 9, I received a letter sent via FedEx (with backup email sent to my personal email account) explaining that my position had been terminated effective July 8!
Well, it doesn't surprise me... after joining 21CSI, I learned (through colleagues) how we had had several incidences over the past 18 months about official impropriety... one of which concerned having the close relative of an elected Federal official on staff... another which acknowledged that 21CSI had failed an "audit" conducted by the government and required of all contractors with the federal government...
Normally, those would be reasons to begin looking for a new employer... but I had resisted, thinking that I would give this company the benefit of the doubt.
Today, I called the H.R. Workhorse, Marcia, to ask her about information for wrapping up this nightmare... and she provided me with the information for the company's attorney who is based in Colorado Springs...
What a small world! My attorney is also based in the Springs... I wonder whether I should seek another counselor? I trust my attorney very much. He has done excellent work in the past (not directly on my behalf; but I am aware of the quality of his work)...
However, others have advised me that you want an attorney who does not belong to the same Bar Association... So, I will ponder this... and seek more advice on the matter.
For those of you who have expressed concern for me over the past several weeks, be assured that I am getting the best medical attention... and now, I shall seek the best legal advice as well...
The main thing? Please do not waste your time worrying for my sake. I am capable of taking care of myself in whatever ways that I need to. Thanks for your love, however... It is greatly appreciated!
p.s.
Houston says "Woof!" Some of you can translate this... others, just know that he is keeping me very good company! LOL
The interesting thing is that I had been prevented from submitting my application to get the clearance. The very person who blocked me was the person who sent the letter/email which terminated me. Sound confusing? It was to me as well.
Let me explain. I spent a few weeks going through all the forms for preparing my application for Security Clearance. This, despite the fact that the Office Administrator for the Fort Leonard Wood office advised that we had no security documents at our site.
Anyway, when I was finally prepared to submit, I went through the online application with a fine-toothed comb. On the very first page (the page that 21CSI's so-called Security Officer initiated), my birthplace was listed as UNKNOWN. However, I had submitted my birth certificate to Mr. Morse. So, the best answer (per the instructions for filling out the form) would have been to put the data which was on my birth certificate.
Further, the instructions (either on this very screen or the preceeding screen) had suggested that the applicant is to contact the agency requesting the security clearance for any information on this page which was incorrect; only the requesting agency (21CSI in this case) COULD change the data inputted on this screen.
What did I do? Well, I followed the directions. I emailed Mr. Morse... and I called him to discuss the discrepancy between having UNKNOWN and having Williamson, W.V. (which is my place of birth). He shrugged it off. This occurred somewhere between the end of April and the beginning of May...
So, I thought that I was awaiting his action on that form. What else should I think?
Most of my readers know that I went to have a gall-bladder-ectomy on May 22 which resulted in this and additional surgical procedures which left me unable to return to work (until even this very day)... So, I was shocked when, on July 9, I received a letter sent via FedEx (with backup email sent to my personal email account) explaining that my position had been terminated effective July 8!
Well, it doesn't surprise me... after joining 21CSI, I learned (through colleagues) how we had had several incidences over the past 18 months about official impropriety... one of which concerned having the close relative of an elected Federal official on staff... another which acknowledged that 21CSI had failed an "audit" conducted by the government and required of all contractors with the federal government...
Normally, those would be reasons to begin looking for a new employer... but I had resisted, thinking that I would give this company the benefit of the doubt.
Today, I called the H.R. Workhorse, Marcia, to ask her about information for wrapping up this nightmare... and she provided me with the information for the company's attorney who is based in Colorado Springs...
What a small world! My attorney is also based in the Springs... I wonder whether I should seek another counselor? I trust my attorney very much. He has done excellent work in the past (not directly on my behalf; but I am aware of the quality of his work)...
However, others have advised me that you want an attorney who does not belong to the same Bar Association... So, I will ponder this... and seek more advice on the matter.
For those of you who have expressed concern for me over the past several weeks, be assured that I am getting the best medical attention... and now, I shall seek the best legal advice as well...
The main thing? Please do not waste your time worrying for my sake. I am capable of taking care of myself in whatever ways that I need to. Thanks for your love, however... It is greatly appreciated!
p.s.
Houston says "Woof!" Some of you can translate this... others, just know that he is keeping me very good company! LOL
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
A Ghost, A Homeless Man, and One Who Happens to be Houseless: an analytical survey
Q. What do you call a soul with no physical body?
A. A Ghost, for one thing.
Q. What do you call a soul with a body who has no home?
A. A homeless person; a nomad.
Q. What do you call a soul with a body who owns land but has no house?
A. Most likely, a Native Hawaiian. Native Hawaiians have tens of thousands of acres of land held in trust for them. Who holds it in trust? Why, the government of the state of Hawai`i, of course.
Hence, a Hawaiian can never be homeless, since he/she is most likely *not* a nomad. But this person *can* be houseless, simply because the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (who presumably administers the trust on behalf of Hawaiians) cannot effectively perform its functions efficiently. Thus, Hawaiians who are not homeless are indeed houseless because of the inefficiency of state government.
This is a tragic scenario. It reminds me of a statement made in a Presidential Commission Report (that was published in 1876):
It's not much different today... except that, today, the majority of Americans lack trust in our respective governments (e.g., municipal, state, and national). It is not a characteristic uniquely attributed to the First Peoples of this continent.
We could be sad. But we should choose to be glad... glad that we can benefit positively from hindsight when we negotiate our collective and respective futures.
HYPOTHESIS: We need some essential changes to our democracy -- changes which will require constitutional amendments.
Who (among us) will be the bold ones... the courageous ones... the patriots who will effect these needed changes?
EXERCISE: Can you think of an amendment which needs to be made to our U.S. constitution?
EXAMPLES
Can you think of more examples? Please share them with me... either by commenting on this entry... or by emailing me at Kameaha`aweikaponia.
A. A Ghost, for one thing.
Q. What do you call a soul with a body who has no home?
A. A homeless person; a nomad.
Q. What do you call a soul with a body who owns land but has no house?
A. Most likely, a Native Hawaiian. Native Hawaiians have tens of thousands of acres of land held in trust for them. Who holds it in trust? Why, the government of the state of Hawai`i, of course.
Hence, a Hawaiian can never be homeless, since he/she is most likely *not* a nomad. But this person *can* be houseless, simply because the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (who presumably administers the trust on behalf of Hawaiians) cannot effectively perform its functions efficiently. Thus, Hawaiians who are not homeless are indeed houseless because of the inefficiency of state government.
This is a tragic scenario. It reminds me of a statement made in a Presidential Commission Report (that was published in 1876):
While the Indians received us as friends, and listened with kind attention to our propositions, we were painfully impressed with their lack of confidence in the pledge of the Government.This was a prophetic quote, to be sure. In hindsight, we might credit these so-called "Indians" with the gift of foresight. If not because of events which happened to them during their own contemporary times, then because of their keen foresight -- minimally -- were they apprehensive about the politicians with whom they were dealing at the time.
It's not much different today... except that, today, the majority of Americans lack trust in our respective governments (e.g., municipal, state, and national). It is not a characteristic uniquely attributed to the First Peoples of this continent.
We could be sad. But we should choose to be glad... glad that we can benefit positively from hindsight when we negotiate our collective and respective futures.
HYPOTHESIS: We need some essential changes to our democracy -- changes which will require constitutional amendments.
Who (among us) will be the bold ones... the courageous ones... the patriots who will effect these needed changes?
EXERCISE: Can you think of an amendment which needs to be made to our U.S. constitution?
EXAMPLES
- I propose an amendment which would prohibit the restricting of human rights to any identifiable minority. Since the U.S. Constitution was adopted in 1789, no constitutional amendment has explicitly sought to restrict the human rights of an identified minority.
- I propose an amendment to allow ballet initiatives to be enacted at the national level, whereby we citizens can re-gain control of our government and take it back from the Financial Institutions, Big Tobacco, Big Oil, and Big Pharmaceuticals.
Can you think of more examples? Please share them with me... either by commenting on this entry... or by emailing me at Kameaha`aweikaponia.
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