No longer a melting pot.

In a melting pot anything added becomes infused into the bulk contents and changes it's properties, usually for the better. For example, by adding a small amount of carbon, iron becomes steel, which is harder with better properties for use. It should be noted that adding too much can have the opposite case, and more than 2% carbon makes it pig iron, which is more brittle and weaker. Now, if we add some chromium to the steel it becomes stainless steel, which is even harder and resistant to rusting as well. Likewise, adding different cultures into the culture established in the United States has improved and strengthened us as they became infused into our national culture. Unfortunately, during the twentieth century, particularly since 1950, we have increasingly cooled and become more resistant to incorporation of different cultures. Likewise, immigrant cultures have increasingly been resistant to infusion into the U.S. culture. It is increasingly more comparable to pouring oil into water. In the example above, if the steel has cooled too much before chromium is added they will not mix properly and, instead of becoming stronger, their different chemical and physical characteristics result in "conflict" and weakening of the whole. This is the situation we are in now. Our capacity to accept immigrants is being exceeded and those arriving too often want to maintain their culture in the new environments. We are no longer a melting pot, having become a mixture of conflicting cultures. This is progressively weakening us and creating conflict. A sad situation, although certain other countries view it gleefully.

72 Virgins??

Muslim men (and others) are baited to become ISIS fighters by the promise of 72 virgins if they are killed while fighting for Allah. I don’t know whether this promise is from the Koran or not, but let’s think about it for a moment. What do men take away from this promise? I am sure the thought is in terms of physical activity for eternity. The problem is that his physical presence is still on earth – it is not suddenly gone with his spirit into the afterlife. So, how will he be able to conduct any physical activity? 

First of all, where do all these virgins come from? Think about it – if 1000 fighters lose their life in battle, 72,000 virgins would immediately be required. The number quickly becomes astronomical in terms of possible reality. I have seen a comic containing a newly arrived fighter surrounded by 72 nuns – humorous, but hardly probable. 

Returning to the concept of eternal physical activity; in response to a marriage question, Jesus said (Mark 12:25): “When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” In other words, there will be no physical relationships in the afterlife; all indications are that there is no sexual differentiation among angels. This seems logical. If our physical being remains on earth, then it is only our intellect, or soul, that goes on to the afterlife. Indeed, Steve Hawking implied this when he claimed that no knowledge is lost, even if physical components disappear into a black hole. 

What aspect of our being, then, does go on to the afterlife? Have you dreamed? Scientists claim this is brain activity that continues during sleep. Perhaps, but my dreams frequently have nothing to do with experiences. Yet they seem real. (At least they do until I awaken.) Are dreams really a preview of existence in the afterlife? It is said that any question you may have in the afterlife is immediately answered. This is certainly similar to dream experiences, although the answers often don’t seem logical once I awaken! 

Back to the 72 virgins – is it possible that they will be dreams, to be seen but not touchable? Even worse, will they be demons teasing for eternity? Perhaps young men should consider these things before they commit themselves to ISIS.

Our six senses -- what do they tell us?

Who has not heard the old question, "If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?" The average person will probably say, "Of course it does." Others, however, may say, "No, it does not." Who is correct? Perhaps both are! It all depends on how one views what might be considered a sound event.

What has happened? Sound is caused by a difference in air pressure. When the tree drops to the ground it displaces some air molecules and a pressure wave travels through the air in the same way that, when something drops into water, a wave is developed and travels outward in the water body. When the air pressure wave reaches an ear it creates a vibration within the ear, and nerve endings detect this vibration. The nerve then transmits the information to the brain, and the brain interprets the vibration as a sound. Therefore, technically, if there is no brain in the area to interpret the event, there is no sound - only a air pressure wave. However, the pressure wave itself is usually referred to as a "sound wave," so of course it makes a sound whether or not someone is near enough to hear it.

The detection of sound waves is one of the five senses - hearing, taste, sight, feeling, and touch - used by humans to interpret their surroundings. The presence of a "sixth sense" is often mentioned, and is a bit controversial. However, have you ever felt strongly that you need to depart your current location - and quickly? Have you ever felt that you should not pursue a particular action? Has anyone ever come up quietly behind you, and you knew the person had done so even though none of your five senses confirmed the knowledge? If any thing similar to this has happened to you, mark it up to your "sixth sense." It is not really explainable, but it is strong in some people and weak or non-existent in others. 

The combination of these senses creates a "back up" safety protection system. A blind person cannot see danger, but can hear, feel, or sense danger. A deaf-blind person can still sense danger. I can think of only one environmental aspect that has no personal backup, that being color - the function of which is pleasure only. One who has been blind from birth can feel and smell a tree trunk, branches, and leaves, and even hear the wind blowing through the branches. In this way, a concept a tree's nature can be developed - but there is no way to conceive of a tree's beauty. Others may explain and describe color, but while someone having become blind later in life can enjoy a mind picture, the person blind from birth has no way to understand. So far as they are concerned, color does not exist.

Similarly, at a larger scale, we are trapped in a three dimensional space and unidirectional, irreversible time world. That is our reality. We can envision nothing else, so no other reality exists. But does it? Let's travel back to the event scientist currently call "The Big Bang." Dr. Steven Hawking has calculated this to occur is nothingness - no space, no time - simply nothing. What would that have been like? A complete vacuum? No. A vacuum implies an empty space, and he says there was no space. We simply cannot conceive of such a reality. We are like the blind-from-birth person considering color: we reject or ignore the possibility. Yet, his calculations say it is true.

Could there have been some kind of intelligent force in that nothingness - a force that created the entire universe and everything in it? Some say, "Absolutely not! It all happened by chance!" Others say, "Yes!" and that force is called the Holy Spirit, or God Almighty. What do you say? Do you reject anything you cannot feel and understand? Or do your senses detect something beyond the reasoning of the reality in which we live? 

Be curious my friend!

To paraphrase a TV commercial, "Be curious my friend." There is no better advice that one can give. Children are born curious. Did you ever think about the reason most children are always asking, "Why?" Adults, particularly parents and teachers, have a very effective way of killing the question. They tend to be irritated by the constant question - often because they don't know why, or because they can't be bothered to stopping what they are doing to explain. I am guilty of this charge! (Fortunately, I did not kill all curiosity.)

Children who survive the rejection of their questions may well grow up to be doctors and scientists, both professions which require constantly asking "why." In school I was often accused of being "nosy." Maybe I was, but I have always been curious about everything around me. I can remember my first "research projects." Dad had thrown several old wrist watches into a drawer. At age of around 11 or 12 I asked whether I could take they apart to see how they worked, and he granted my request. I was fascinated at what I found under the covers, and it quickly became apparent that an engineering career was not in my future . . . I could never figure out how to put them back together!

I did grow up to be a scientist. A person of this profession cannot continue to ask "why" about everything, and must focus attention on one area of "whys." I became a Soil Scientist, more specifically a Soil Chemist, and ended up with a 30 year career as Professor of Soil Chemistry. That type of career requires associated research activity which usually is even more focused. My research was primarily in the area of reactions at soil-solution interfaces. I like to believe I made a contribution to the understanding of chemical reactions in soils, but that is for others to evaluate. I have no illusion that I will be remembered long, though. As King Solomon wrote,
"No one remembers the former generations,
    and even those yet to come
will not be remembered
    by those who follow them." ~ Ecclesiastes 1:11 (NIV)
Rarely, today, are remembered the writings of such men as Justus von Liebig, considered the "father" of both modern Chemistry and Soil Chemistry. My writings are certainly not in their class, and are destined to be soon forgotten, if not already forgotten.

Have you ever heard someone say, "I am busier in retirement than I ever was when working!" It's true! But why? Simply because the person is now free to pursue all the "whys" that appeared in their mind prior to retirement. They are now free to pursue whatever they wish, and are no longer restricted by expectations. One must always remember, though, that energy level has decreased so it takes longer to reach results. (And one must factor in an afternoon nap.) Life becomes more interesting than ever before.

In my case, questions have migrated to such as: "Who are my ancestors?" "Could I run a business?" "Was the beginning really a Big Bang, and, if so, how did that really happen?" "Could I be a successful photographer?" And so on and so on. Of course, there are also those remaining Soil Chemistry questions that I never managed to address. To this is added: "Sure, I can write you something on that subject." "Sure, I can help you get that on the internet." and a variety of other "Sure, I can . . .") Retirement life is interesting, and I am beginning to become tired -- not ready to give up, though! I still have too many who, why, where, when, how questions to ask. My mind still go on non-stop, but my body is saying it is time to embrace the fact that you will soon be 80 years old, and I am wearing out. I don't wanna embrace that!

Choosing the correct path . . . or not!

In 1967 I was living in New Haven, Connecticut. A group of us decided to spend a weekend hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Our goal was to climb at least one “4000 footer,” and we chose to climb Mount Madison on Saturday. Our decision was to park along US-2, north of the mountain, ascend via Kings Ravine and descend via ridge trails. The head wall of Kings Ravine is very steep, and at some places one could touch hand to trail by leaning slightly forward. Any steeper would have required roping in for safety. At the time I was pretty close to peak condition. A couple of weeks earlier I had taken a back pack trip over the last 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail, followed by climbing Mountain Katahdin. I was hiking with an equally fit partner. When we reached the ravine head we looked back and noted the rest of the group just entering the ravine, at least an hour behind us.

My partner said, ”Why don’t you pick up Mount Adams while you are here. I have already climbed that mountain, so I will let the group know where you are.” The day was overcast, but comfortable above timberline, so I headed toward Mt. Adams. It was around noon by the time I got there, so sat down and ate my lunch while enjoying the view of my next objective, Mount Madison.

I didn’t dare sit there too long, though, so soon headed across to catch up with my friends. When I reached the peak of Mt. Madison I saw a small group just disappearing into the timber. Assuming this was my friends, I quickly followed them – a VERY bad decision! When I caught up with them I discovered it was a group of Boy Scouts heading east down the Daniel Webster Trail into Dolly Cop Campground.  At this point, I had no choice but to continue downward. I knew I did not have enough remaining energy to climb back up the mountain in order to descend the agreed upon trails.

I had no excuse! Earlier in the day I had purchased a White Mountain Trail Guide, and it was in my day pack. I did not consult the book maps to be certain of the trail I should follow. I did not even look at the trail markers to be certain of name and direction. My mind was closed: it "said" my friends were disappearing into the timber, so I must follow them. As my college roommate would sometimes say, “Don’t confuse me with the facts. My mind is made up.”

Have you ever had similar experiences? Have you started out with a specific goal in mind, along with a route to meet that goal, only to be distracted by something that led you off your path?  Our lives are like that. I am convinced that we each have an ideal life path, and if we stay on that path we will arrive, content and happy, at the end of our days. However, our path is not always easy and we so often become distracted by side roads. Too often we arrive carrying a “bucket list” of unfulfilled wishes. These wishes are probably the result of either wanting something not on our intended path, or taking a side trip just when that wish would have been fulfilled . . . or perhaps a simple assumption that this is the correct path to take. Sometimes we can even be so intent on reaching a goal that we bypass things along our path. For example, at one point my path took our family to Europe for a year. One day we were on the Autobahn, probably no more than 15 to 30 minutes from the East German border. I was so intent on reaching a goal that I by-passed a teaching opportunity to take our children to the fence separating East and West Germany.

One of the best books ever written on this subject is John Bunyon’s  A Pilgrim’s Progress. He presents one ideal path of life, but it is not always an easy path. Pilgrim is always being lured off the path for one thing or another and must search his way back to his life’s path. If we really examine our life, every one of us is Pilgrim. We are always coming to an intersection in the path. Instead of evaluating the pros and cons of each intersection as it is encountered, we tend to take what appears to be the easiest or more attractive path. Once there we tend to lose our way back and must ether bushwhack through unknown area, or just follow the new path wherever it takes us. There are rarely situations in which we can retrace our life tracks, but we must find that side road that returns us to our correct life path.

To complete my story, I did continue to Dolly Cop Campground. It was deserted except for a few hiker cars, so I had to hike out to the road I knew my friends would be using to return to our cabin. Once there I encountered a driver who took me the several miles to our parking spot. As I got out of the car the first of my friends emerged from the woods. They hadn’t even had time to miss me, and all was well . . . except that I began to shake with hypothermia. My resources had been completely exhausted.

We have choices, and not all choices are wise or even comfortable. We are prone to explore things as we go through life, and we often loose our way in the process. We can easily become exhausted, discouraged, and depressed. No matter how far off our life path we may wander, however, God is always available, ready and able to rescue us and get us back onto the correct path. Our task is simply to accept His help and direction.

Has science confirmed the Bible?

This video is fascinating! My position is that Scientists may differ and argue with Christians, but at bottom line, Science and the Bible must agree. The problem always comes in interpretation. I have heard of a "planet X" having been discovered, but have seen little description of what it is. This video is an "eye opener" on the subject. Some of the assumptions related to geology and time may be questionable, but if there is such a heavenly body as here described, the earthly repercussions explained are likely right on. This may also explain some of the very strange stories in the Bible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6ftTm34xfk&feature=youtu.be

2016: A Political "Earthquake"!

We have a modern version of Tammany Hall! (Never hear of Tammany Hall? There is a good summary at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammany_Hall). The modern version is called the United States Political system. Right now it is rearing its ugly head in the Republican Party, but the Democrat Party is just as bad. There is rebellion within the Republican Party, and those in control are not going to give up their position easily, because it yields power and money. Yet, the power of Tammany Hall was finally broken, and we may be witnessing the beginning of the destruction of the U.S. political power system. Unfortunately, the result of power destruction could also mean the destruction of our two party political system. One thing that history tells us, is that it takes a powerful person to break up a power structure. FDR had the strength to destroy the Tammany Hall power structure – what about today? I am not a Trump supporter, but the people are speaking! They see him as having the strength to break up the Republican Party power structure. Will the Democrat Party power structure follow? Sooner or later, I predict that it will! It is becoming obvious that American Republican voters have had enough and are in full rebellion; party leaders had better take notice! The U.S. election process is a competitive event, and that is fine. However, the attempt to destroy an opponent is not acceptable! And that is the tactic in use by the Republican Party right now.

As I said, I am not a Trump fan, and I believe Ben Carson is the best person for the job. Again, however, the people have spoken (assisted by the mass media!) and most do not agree with me. Cruiz and Rubio are fighting like sixth graders, and showing no signs of being ready for presidential diplomacy. Maybe they will “grow up” a bit in the next four or eight years, but for this year their “anti-Trump” activities certainly shows they are not ready for nomination as POTUS candidate.  As for Kasich, he seems to be living in the past. I have voted and expressed my feelings, but others are not agreeing with me. Trump has many faults, but so do we all! Would he make a good president? I don’t agree with those who say he would be a disaster – probably in large because he is a threat to them! One thing is certain, he will not be bought, and therefore money also will likely being drying up for those who can be. He may be “rough around the edges” as a politician, but he is likely to make some needed changes and could become one of the best presidents (horrors!). He says he is a Christian; this may be true, but, if so, he should note some Bible stories of what happened to persons who thought they were all powerful. Two good examples are Daniel 4:28-32 and Acts 12:21-23. Maybe a bit of humility is in order, but I suppose Trump thinks humility is not what voters want to hear. Perhaps he is correct – there was only fleeting interest in Carson, who is definitely a humble man!

One thing is for certain: if the Republican Party leaders continue on their current path and manage to wrest the nomination away from Trump through “negotiations” during the convention, their party will likely be destroyed and a Democrat will be elected as POTUS. I suspect, however, that this will not be possible. I think the more they try to destroy Trump, the more people will become convinced he is their only hope for change. He is likely to go to the convention with a majority for first vote. If so, any attempt to alter this will be immediate party suicide! If he does get the nomination, any subsequent refusal to support him, as has been threatened, may also be suicide but probably more like slow strangulation.    

           

We may not like or support what is happening, but THE PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING; THE POLITICIANS BETTER LISTEN, AND LISTEN WELL