Sheryl O.'s Comments

Will You Be Dancing in the New Year 2010? by Mariana T.

Dec 31, 2009 | recommended: 4 | comments: 33

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 2:29pm EST

Beautiful card, Mariana! We are meeting old college friends for dinner and dancing tonight - a swing band a la Brian Setzer! Should be fun. Don't know if we'll make it till midnight, but we'll have fun anyway.

Happy New Year!

Does trying hard count? by Leo Lemmer

Dec 31, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 21

in reply to a comment by Rebecca [Future Teacher]

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 2:26pm EST

As a former experienced teacher, Rebecca, may I just interject a bit of advice? Kids are very quick to understand that praise is false. From the beginning, they seek to succeed and know the difference between reaching the goal and not. Be careful what you praise as a teacher and how you do it, or your students will very quickly learn that your praise is worth nothing. Recognize hard work, but reserve your true praise for reaching the goal. Believe me, you will inspire your students to work harder and achieve by doing that.

Re-post: A lesson in sensitivity by Leo Lemmer

Dec 31, 2009 | recommended: 7 | comments: 21

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 2:20pm EST

It's because once you were a cute little kid - now you're not. :)

This reminds me of the insurance company commercials on TV that ripped off a video done by an atheist group - acts of kindness, passed on. They are remembered a lifetime, and so are the ones that aren't so kind. Makes you think twice about how you treat strangers of any age. Thanks for the reminder, Leo.

To All My Friends and a Few of my Foes by Dexter S.

Dec 31, 2009 | recommended: 15 | comments: 70

in reply to a comment by Sheryl O.

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 1:14pm EST

And just a reminder of my previous offer - you're welcome up in the blue northeast anytime you want to take a break from that right-wing hell you live in. Lots of kindred spirits up here. And snow. :)

Limbaugh rushed to hospital with chest pains, now recovering. by Chris W.

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 3 | comments: 21

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 12:54pm EST

I hope part of his lifestyle change is retiring and becoming a decent human being. Might I suggest that his last show on the air be one long apology for everything he's said and done over the past years to hurt this country? That would be good for his conscience.

THE OLD MAN AND ME – Farmed Out (1265 words) by Chuck L.

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 24

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 12:49pm EST

I was waiting to read that after that everybody called you Captain Hook. :)

Nice read, Chuck. I enjoy your prose as much as your political articles. Happy New Year.

To All My Friends and a Few of my Foes by Dexter S.

Dec 31, 2009 | recommended: 15 | comments: 70

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 12:36pm EST

Couldn't resist ending with that little gem of a paragraph, could you, Dexter? ;)

Thank YOU for your wonderful pieces, whether political or personal. I have enjoyed them immensely. And the best to you in the coming year. Hope to read more.

Does trying hard count? by Leo Lemmer

Dec 31, 2009 | recommended: 5 | comments: 21

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 12:33pm EST

I think you pretty much got that right, Leo. Unless you try something, though, you will not have any chance to succeed. And if one tries and fails, then hopefully one will learn from that experience, adjust their method, and try again. It is the person who does not learn from that failure who is really doomed to failure in the future.

The Aughts are running out (end of messy first decade of 21st century) by Chris W.

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 3 | comments: 12

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 12:29pm EST

At least in the US, I like to think of this as The Decade of Fear and Stupid. I think you covered it well otherwise, Chris. Happy New Year.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutalib ..."You Big Dummy." Terrorist attack in Detroit fails. How dare you try and pull such a stunt? by Lloyd C. - Proud Democrat. c.

Dec 26, 2009 | recommended: 6 | comments: 140

in reply to a comment by Sheryl O.

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 11:58am EST

And I say your answer is useless and detrimental to us all, including economically. Anyone can strap on a bomb and walk into any crowded place and detonate. Bombing their country of origin is not going to deter that. We have tried that already - are you actually seeing results?

It's Not Over Till It's Over--The Truncated Decade by Nippy Katz (not his real name) Patriotic Troll of Gather Freedom

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 3 | comments: 33

in reply to a comment by Roy ☯ Hilbinger

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 11:30am EST

"I say 0-10 just to irritate people."

Works for me.

Religion and Politics: Do Not Touch! by Kathy W.

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 13 | comments: 279

in reply to a comment by Nippy Katz (not his real name) Patriotic Troll of Gather Freedom

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 10:31am EST

"When narrow minded people get mixed up with absolute truth the result can be anywhere from annoying to life threatening for the people around them."

Too long, I suppose, to be a bumper-sticker, but it should be to get exposure. Maybe on a stretch limo? :)

Religion and Politics: Do Not Touch! by Kathy W.

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 13 | comments: 279

in reply to a comment by Aniko

Sheryl O. Dec 31, 2009, 10:30am EST

I think it's a matter of degree, Aniko. Some religious groups are less authoritarian, but they all seem to follow the same paradigm - there is a trained (or super-inspired) leader who others follow, who claims to have more insight, knowledge, grace, whatever, than their followers. Whether it pretends to be a totally leaderless org, it still divides into people 'in the know' and who are the teachers/leaders and those who follow.

If there are groups where that doesn't happen, I would like to know of them.

Religion and Politics: Do Not Touch! by Kathy W.

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 13 | comments: 279

in reply to a comment by Aniko

Sheryl O. Dec 30, 2009, 5:37pm EST

"that what unites these murderous movements is not religion but authoritarianism. "

Ah, now we get to the heart of the matter. When you look at who belongs to a religious congregation, you can usually break it down to two separate groups - those who were brought up from an early age to believe, and those who 'found' religion because they were 'lost'. The ones who were habituated, well, I can understand because it's like anything else they were taught from an early age to believe and do (i.e., a certain way of making stuffing). But, it's the 'lost' that truly show what religion does 'for' people - it provides answers that they seek - easy answers, and authority figures for them when they are at loose ends and cannot guide themselves. How comforting is it when you are 'lost' to have someone swoop you up into their symbolic arms, promise you paradise, and say they will love you and take care of you for eternity? And there you are within a social group of supporters, all looking up to the same leader? All thirsting for the same comfort?

It's the same psyche that works for any leader/follower scenario, whether in politics or religion or social situations. The needy 'follow' hoping to be taken care of, to be guided, to be told what to do each step of the way, to be loved by the leader, just like a parent would do.

Religion and Politics: Do Not Touch! by Kathy W.

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 13 | comments: 279

in reply to a comment by Sheryl O.

Sheryl O. Dec 30, 2009, 5:30pm EST

How did they keep going to mass their whole lives when it was said in a language they didn't understand? (Latin) I have no idea. It's the overall experience of the mystical, Kathy. It's the being indoctrinated by one's parents without question - Sunday, you go to church and you stand and you sit and you intone these words you don't understand, and you confess everything you think is bad to a priest once a week, and you, and you, and you... It's like anything else people are habituated into doing from birth.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutalib ..."You Big Dummy." Terrorist attack in Detroit fails. How dare you try and pull such a stunt? by Lloyd C. - Proud Democrat. c.

Dec 26, 2009 | recommended: 6 | comments: 140

in reply to a comment by Sheryl O.

Sheryl O. Dec 30, 2009, 5:19pm EST

This is what I've been trying to get across to both of you, but this journalist does it SOOOOOO much better.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab and Airport Security Theater by Wil B.

Dec 29, 2009 | recommended: 6 | comments: 34

in reply to a comment by EM JAY (Gather Director of Chaos & Uprisings) W.

Sheryl O. Dec 30, 2009, 5:13pm EST

You know, usually unions have stricter hiring standards. Wouldn't people want decent workers in the TSA jobs, not illegal immigrants who can't read or write or understand English, checking their bags? Makes no sense to me, EM Jay.

Religion and Politics: Do Not Touch! by Kathy W.

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 13 | comments: 279

in reply to a comment by Sheryl O.

Sheryl O. Dec 30, 2009, 5:01pm EST

I have heard a few men say that they just attend church to keep their wives happy. That they really don't believe in it all. I wonder if some women attend just to make their parents happy about exposing their children to religion.

I know that in my 20's, I would never have told my parents how I felt. They are pretty devout Catholics, though they disagree with many of the church's teachings. I think it's more a habit with them, and now I think they are getting so old that the thought of dying scares them and religion is comforting.

Religion and Politics: Do Not Touch! by Kathy W.

Dec 30, 2009 | recommended: 13 | comments: 279

Sheryl O. Dec 30, 2009, 4:19pm EST

"We hem while they haw."

Love that, Kathy. :)

Don't count on me to convert anybody. I don't share my atheism, any more than I share my not believing in witches. It's not an important part of my life, and I figure nobody else wants to hear it. I don't shy away from it when asked, though, like you did. Sometimes, people will try to suggest that it isn't God I don't believe in, it's that I just don't belong to a church. I say, "No.", politely and explain that I don't believe there is any 'god' in the universe. Some just cannot fathom that and stare at me like I have three heads.

The ones I enjoy the most are the people I've known for quite awhile who smile and say that they are atheists, too. That's always a pleasant surprise for some reason. It's like finding someone in a foreign country who speaks your language. And I seem to have that happen a lot now. For all the hoopla about religion in this country, I think there are many, many more closet atheists than we think.

I'm going to check out the book, Kathy. Thanks for the recommendation. Sounds interesting.

three days later by misty y.

Dec 29, 2009 | recommended: 4 | comments: 36

in reply to a comment by Sheryl O.

Sheryl O. Dec 30, 2009, 4:05pm EST

Tough thing for everyone to live with, Misty. I can understand his mourning the loss of his wife, but not his feelings towards you, his daughter, nor his depriving you of at least one parent. I don't understand how anybody could hold such a thing against an innocent child.

Yeah, and I don't believe in god, good or bad. These terrible things just happen, to humans as well as to other living things. It's how we deal with it when it does happen that makes us who we really are, that defines our lives. I feel sorry for your dad - to miss out on a close relationship with such a special daughter. Perhaps one day he'll realize it. And I hope it won't be too late for you.