Happiness and Other Jokes

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'Democrats, [Andy Stern] says, think presidential elections are like the quiz show "College Bowl." They think it is important to put forward someone like Al Gore or John Kerry, who can demonstrate mastery of minutia. Republicans understand that presidential elections are like "American Idol": It is best to put forward someone people actually like.' -- George F. Will

Andy Stern is the head of the Service Employees International Union, struggling with trying to find that middle way between capitalism and democracy. Good luck! Next, we can try squaring the circle.

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Monk had to make another book run to Walgreens, and he picked up something that actually has a little meat on it while still being a fun page-turner, about Custer's fatal last stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn of the Indian Wars, An Obituary for Major Reno by Richard S. Wheeler.

Though, walking through the poor area continues to be depressing, with the shabby houses and yards, the crumbling sidewalks, and the utilitarian spareness of the landscape, but on his way back, he felt as though something fell in place, allowing for a deeper level of serene acceptance, feeling a mortal calm over all the disappointments and frustrations, feeling that none of it matters - death, where is thy sting? Maybe it was the occasional paltry Christmas display that some of the families still have out, that will to make the best of life under humbling and even hopeless circumstances.

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Like the cycle of the seasons, our emphasis on mirth may seem timeless, as though human beings have always made merry from beginning to end. But in fact this preoccupation with perpetual happiness is relatively recent. As Thomas Carlyle observed in 1843, " 'Happiness our being's end and aim' is at bottom, if we will count well, not yet two centuries old in the world." -- Darrin M. McMahon

Mr. McMahon, with the help of Carlyle and John S. Mill, gives us a reminder on the obsession with narrow personal satisfaction and the elusiveness of that heavenly ideal of happiness, and whether it is better to give than to receive, after all. Personally, whatever happiness may mean to people, I've been a big believer in simply relishing the little joys in this world of war of all against all.

( McMahon article )

xXx

Happiness and Other Jokes

♠
'Democrats, [Andy Stern] says, think presidential elections are like the quiz show "College Bowl." They think it is important to put forward someone like Al Gore or John Kerry, who can demonstrate mastery of minutia. Republicans understand that presidential elections are like "American Idol": It is best to put forward someone people actually like.' -- George F. Will

Andy Stern is the head of the Service Employees International Union, struggling with trying to find that middle way between capitalism and democracy. Good luck! Next, we can try squaring the circle.

***********

Monk had to make another book run to Walgreens, and he picked up something that actually has a little meat on it while still being a fun page-turner, about Custer's fatal last stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn of the Indian Wars, An Obituary for Major Reno by Richard S. Wheeler.

Though, walking through the poor area continues to be depressing, with the shabby houses and yards, the crumbling sidewalks, and the utilitarian spareness of the landscape, but on his way back, he felt as though something fell in place, allowing for a deeper level of serene acceptance, feeling a mortal calm over all the disappointments and frustrations, feeling that none of it matters - death, where is thy sting? Maybe it was the occasional paltry Christmas display that some of the families still have out, that will to make the best of life under humbling and even hopeless circumstances.

***********

Like the cycle of the seasons, our emphasis on mirth may seem timeless, as though human beings have always made merry from beginning to end. But in fact this preoccupation with perpetual happiness is relatively recent. As Thomas Carlyle observed in 1843, " 'Happiness our being's end and aim' is at bottom, if we will count well, not yet two centuries old in the world." -- Darrin M. McMahon

Mr. McMahon, with the help of Carlyle and John S. Mill, gives us a reminder on the obsession with narrow personal satisfaction and the elusiveness of that heavenly ideal of happiness, and whether it is better to give than to receive, after all. Personally, whatever happiness may mean to people, I've been a big believer in simply relishing the little joys in this world of war of all against all.

( McMahon article )

xXx