"Why I am not a conservative"

I know many people and I enjoy people. I am a social creature. I also enjoy good political conversation with thought-provoking dialog. Some of the folks I know and with whom I have good intelligent conversations are Democrats, some are Republicans, some are liberal, some are conservative, and there are some who are anywhere within that range. I, myself, can lean right or left depending on the subject matter. In some areas, I am a liberal; in other areas, I am conservative; and still, in other areas, I am moderate.

Unfortunately, not many people can have a good intelligent conversation when it comes to politics. A lot of people have political thoughts and love to cram them down other people's throats. Those folks are generally strongly opinionated without having any factual bases for their opinions.

I have a high regard for anyone who can discuss any subject intelligently and with knowledge of that about which they are speaking whether it be current events, social sciences, natural sciences, technical stuff, religion, politics, or whatever. But lately, I have had some terrible, horrible attempts at political conversation with some moronic conservatives who have absolutely no clue as to how the government works, how politics works, or how laws are enacted and by whom.

I have no problem at all with thinking political conservatives; and, in fact, I enjoy discussing politics with them. It is the idiots with whom I have a problem.

I recently read an article in the Arizona Republic written by Richard Nilsen about political conservatives that pretty much hits the head as to my own thoughts. Following below are a few excerpts from that article:

"What was once an intellectual movement, ...... has decayed into a kind of anti-intellectual populism built on a foundation of bumper stickers."

"Hard-line conservatives everywhere want to keep what they have."

"In the United States, that means holding down 15th place in the United Nations Human Development Index (a sort of standard-of-living measurement."

"The U.S. is only 16th in its poverty rate, 17th in literacy, 30th in life expectancy, 33rd in infant mortality, and does not even make the list of top-20 nations in student performance in math, science, or reading."

"The conservative has always been suspicious of other nations and cultures, but such suspicion was once based on a belief that human nature ...... Now, that suspicion seems based in nativism, jingoism, and know-nothingism."

"I am not making my point against Republicans, per se. Party politics has almost nothing to do with political philosophy; it is a dog-eat-dog struggle for raw, bloody-clawed power."

"... modern conservatism seems to have regressed into a kind of infantilism."

Click on over to read the article "Why I am not a conservative" in its entirety.

I could not have done better in espousing my own views on this subject.

Toledo Mayor. Bell or Wilkowski?

The 2009 municipal primary election in Toledo, Ohio is now history.

The candidates for Mayor of Toledo have been pared down to the two who will face off in the November general election. They are Michael Bell and Keith Wilkowski.

Wil kowski b mayor or wil the bell ring in?

Any nonflaming thoughts you may have regarding these two mayoral candidates are welcome here. Now, then, what's on your mind?

The Toledo Jewish Community and Christian Association

In the past month or so, there has been a lot of controversery concerning the Toledo YMCA and its CEO Robert Alexander.

I find it extremely interesting that Robert Alexander, several of his supporters, and several of his opponents have brought up the Christian religion in their ongoing disagreement that has been very public.

I also found it extremely interesting when I saw costly paid advertising in the local daily newspaper touting the Christian aspect of the Toledo YMCA/JCC.

Quite frankly, I am very dismayed and disgusted in what I perceive as hypocrisy when in comes to the Toledo Jewish Community in its role, or lack thereof, in this whole fiasco as well as in its entire relationship with the Young Mens Christian Association. Why? - you may ask.

Quite simply put, I have a problem with the "cozy" business relationship with the Toledo Jewish Community and the YMCA of Greater Toledo. Together, they are known as the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo. Along with my simplistic mindset concerning that business relationship that I personally think is an affront to the intended purpose, philosophy, mission, and goals of each entity, I am troubled by the free use of phrases in the dispute about Christianity. Why has no one mentioned the Jewish Community in all this? Why hasn't the Toledo JCC voiced its position on all this? Why are the leaders of the JCC not being held accountable? Why are the JCC as an entity and its leaders not being called to task?

I say shame on the JCC for being a part of all this. I call upon the Toledo Jewish Community Center to disavow any connection with the YMCA of Greater Toledo. Don't tell me about business concerns. The two organizations should disaffiliate from one another and focus on each of their own individual organization's mission. The Toledo Jewish Community Center should bite the bullet.

Toledo JCC:
Do the right thing! Break the formal ties with the YMCA. Assert your Jewish identity.