Miscellaneous: May 2007 Archives

Have you ever talked with someone who presents you with something they read about, then proceeds to tell you their opinion of what they read? Of course we all have. But then, when you start to give your opinion of the issue, you realize that they aren’t really even listening to you? They have basically shut you down and are not open to what you have to say. You know this by the expression on their face -- you know, the eyes shifting as though they are going through the list of what they must do on this very important day of theirs, or the world will surely end, or the simple gesture of picking up their breakfast items to place them in the garbage while you are still trying to make your point on the subject that they brought up. But, that is apparently more important than any point you wanted to make. Or perhaps you have simply been mentally reduced to one more little item in the list of things that they have to cope with today?

So I guess the question is, why spend the energy talking about it in the first place?

This happens all the time. It happens every time The President talks. He talks, we listen... but when we disagree, you might as well be talking to the bathroom wall.

I’m not sure if some groups are more susceptible to this than others. I know that scientists do it all the time. They talk, make their point, but then they aren’t interested in hearing opposing views, or actually, any opposing view at all. They have made up their mind. So why waste energy bringing it up for discussion in the fist place?

Is it any wonder then why that they find it hard to tackle the issue of “true science” versus “creationism”? I happen to believe in evolution. But, you aren’t going to change anyone’s opinion who believes in creationism if you aren’t willing to at least try to understand where they are coming from, without simply dismissing them as being naive or deranged.

I see this happening a lot. It happened to me just this morning. It happens on the gay marriage issue. It happens on the issue of the war in Iraq. Always two sides to every issue, but at any given time, only one side talks -- the other side dismisses.

The older I get, I wonder more and more if talking to people is just a big waste of time. If you are going to present an argument to someone, you should at least give them the courtesy of LISTENING TO THEIR SIDE.

It’s been a really busy and intense week at work. Some emotional things (at work) going on also, but I can’t talk about that. Suffice to say, it’s a new week, and I had a nice weekend, starting with being able to sleep until 9:00 Saturday morning.

My last entry was a wake-up call for me. I always knew that there were nut cases out there, and over time many of them have voiced their dislike for gays and the like. I don’t know one gay person alive who hasn’t suffered verbal or physical abuse in their lifetime at the hands of intolerant people. The thing that is hard to take is when some individual wants you dead. But, it would be naive of me to think that many of the people who beat up gay people wouldn’t go that extra step, if they thought they could legally get away with it.

At any rate, I’m putting this behind me. I’ve filed a report and the police said that if this individual does this again, they will pursue it through the channels. Apparently, it involves a lot of red tape -- getting a warrant for Comcast to release the user’s information, and involving the police in his area. I’m fine with that as long as the nut case leave me the hell alone.

We are getting ready for a vacation to Olympic National Park in Washington State. It should be a lot of fun and an opportunity for some great photography. We will start our vacation in one of our favorite cities, Seattle.

And as long as I’m talking about photography, I have finally posted Kent’s photos of his trip to Iceland online. Here’s one of them. Click on the link below to see the entire set.

Happy Monday!

The water falls at Gulfoss, Iceland

Kent’s Iceland collection

SHANGHAI, May 8 — A second industrial chemical that regulators have found in contaminated pet food in the United States may have also been intentionally added to animal feed by producers seeking larger profits, according to interviews with chemical industry officials here.

Three Chinese chemical makers said that producers of animal feed often purchase or seek to purchase a chemical called cyanuric acid from their factories to blend into animal feed.

Chemical producers said that it was common knowledge that for years cyanuric acid was used in animal and fish feed in China. In the United States, cyanuric acid is often used as a disinfectant in swimming pools. (source)

What the hell is this crap doing in animal feed? Now I have to read the labels for wheat gluten, melamine, and cyanuric acid?