frankly - I find this 'blog' to be a self serving itany that professes to be an 'open letter' to "those in financial trouble" from "..us who are doing well financially"......and 'we' should get off our collective high horses! WHAT!!! Really neat; "attitude of gratitude"....." Who is sitting in judgement, not I!!

While your message bears fruit in the fact that we all face difficulties, yada, yada, yada.......perhaps getting your successful ass out of Santa Clarita and into East LA and let a hard working father who is trying to find a way out tell you how thankful he should be....and how great our Nation is and our high standard living....hell forget East LA - just walk down San Fernando into Newhall. But thanks for the uplifting message...I guess I have become "cynical, fearful, and bitter".

jpsval,

WHAAAAT are you talking about? I think that jpthesignal is just saying to not lose sight of what is important and remember those that are less fortunate. Isn't that what America was built on? It's easy to lose sight of those less fortunate when you are in a place of being very fortunate. Kind of like, don't discriminate based on income.

I am not sure where you were going with your reply relative to what was said.

lachawkfan~

I 'think' I understand your point - but 'WHOA' American was not built remembering the less fortunate, America was built by the leass fortunate!!

These type homilies filled with frilly sentiments and 'rah rah' catch phases rub me wrong......

I love God to much to sit in judgement of anyone 'and' when someone asks me for a dollar - I give it.....for help - I give it.....a smile - I give......common courtesy - I give it.

So here's my point - this country, this state, our city doesn't need those that are doing well financially to remind us to keep our chin up - we need them to share!!

See you at the Homeless Shelter or the Food Pantry - now thats an "attitude of gratitude"

Agreed, and I think that is exactly what jpthesignal was saying.

America was built by the less fortunate and also those that remember the less fortunate....ever heard of a "barn raising"? This where the community gets together to help a new neighbor build a barn to help them get started in life. Ever heard the expression, "neighbors helping neighbors" or maybe, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country"? These are selfless sayings that used to be backed up by community, or the American community at large, people helping each other.

I don't think that having empathy for a human being's situation is judgement. I think jpthesignal was saying not to judge people by their circumstances, because you absolutely do not know why they are in the situation that they are in.

OK fine - agreed we should not judge - I am uplifted. 'Neigbors helping neighbors' good stuff....tonight for dinner we can have a big old plate of empathy. Hmmmmmmm - doing my part!!! Maybe I'll help my neighbor clean his pool.......I apologize for my sarcasm and I'm sure jpthesignal is of strong moral fiber and good intentions........it is good to be reminded to be greatful for having......but it should not stop there; it should start there....."An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wow! what a difference a day makes! Lachawkfan you abviously "get it" thanks for your thoughts, you were right on the money I couldn't have communicated my own position any better!

Hi jpsval thank you for your perspective it is passionate. A couple of years ago If you were to look up the word sarcasm in the dictionary you would have found my picture next to the word because I was the unofficial King. I found however that my sarcasm was just an indirect way to state my point but in many ways not the most effective. People would just focus on the sarcastic remark and forget about the overall message I was trying to convey. Every now and then I slip up because I don't have the edit/delete button on my mouth. With that said I am no better or worse than you(I don't even know you) but if I did the saying would still apply I'm no better or worse. You qouted Dr King here is one man, one vision, who changed this nation. I guess some back then may have thought he was just a dreamer yada yada rah rah easy for you to say you don't live in my neighborhood, I have to deal with reality. Well much of that dream is being realized today. Although we still have work to do we have made tremendous progress. Now I am not in no way shape or form implying that I am remotely a Dr King. Forgive me but I also have a dream as insignificant or offensive to some. What is it that you are involved in jpsval to better our community/humanity/the world perhaps I can help you achieve yours?

May the source be with you

jpsthesignal~

Amen - I understand your point...and you are, I am sure, pure in heart and this is good. You are correct sarcasm is not the most effective way to make a point - my apologies. I was by no means chastising you the individual more the message.....

I respect your dreams.....and hope they are realized. .......I will re-examine my heart. Stay well, and in the moment.....it's in the moment; 'The Now' where you will find, peace, joy and love.

jpsval,

No need for apologies. I respect your views as well. Just to clarify something in my post when I refer to "Us" I am referring to my neighbor, my community, my fellow man/woman. (I am personally in the "financially challenged" group at the moment)so if you still don't agree with "my message" that's O.K. My aim is not to hit you over the head till you submit to my views we can agree to disagree. I appreciate opposing views because I learn from them. Life would be pretty boring if we all agreed (Case in point below)

My sentiments are the same as yours with the exception of one phrase "Stay well, and in the moment.....it's in 'The LORD' where you will find, peace, joy and love"

May the source be with you

On August 4th, jpsval mentioned an "attitude of gratitude." I must remind him that Joseph Stalin stated, "that gratitude is a dog's disease." I do not even say "thank you" whenever I receive a gift. I, my dear jpsval, do not bark nor do I wag my tail and neither did "Uncle Joe."

On the other hand, I do share my earnings with the Democratic Party, which I trust will pass the much needed legislation to provide jobs for those who are willing to work.

I think stephenwinkler has been huffing again.

hey stephenwinkler - do they give you computer access daily or do you earn it for good behavior??? Keep taking your medication.......

Thank you for your thoughts stephenwinkler I never thought of it that way. I do not share the same reverence that you have for your "Uncle Joe" but that's a topic for another blog. I am curious as to why you would not thank someone (gratitude) for receiving a gift? I am certain in most cases that the person took the time out to think of you and is letting you know they care.

On another note I happen to love dogs for their "traits" loyalty, companionship, and unconditional love come to mind. They are also so easy to read. I would much rather wag my tail than the alternative.

May the source be with you

jpsval,

I use the computer at the internet cafe, at the university, at my gym, and at my brother's place of business. On the other hand, I do not know what you mean by good behavior. I will continue to use my medication, because if you are at my age, that is what keeps me alive. On the other hand, I find my peace and joy from Samuel Adams and I do not believe in love. There is duty to my country and my political party.

Incidentally, stop using your computer as a Sunday sermon. Some of us are very offended by your use of the word, "Lord."

jpsthesignal,

I have no time for people, who think of me or show that they care about me. Instead of buying me a gift, take your money and donate it to the re-election of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Instead of thinking of me, think of writing a letter to your state legislators, asking them to oppose the Governor's cuts to health care and education. Instead of doing me a favor, contribute your time to the Democratic booth at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona.

I believe in the trait of loyalty. I'm neutral on the trait of companionship. I'm opposed to the trait of love.

I like big dogs. I like strong dogs. I like the giant breeds. My favorite breed is the Newfoundland and my second favorite is the St. Bernard.

I suppose that you can enjoy the companship of smaller dogs, but you have to follow the example of President Lyndon Johnson for that one. However, dogs are men's servants and I would not want to put myself in that category, unless I'm in the service of my country or my political party.

stephenwinker~

hmmm, first I don't beleive I used the word 'Lord' but if I did I meant no offense to anyone.....however you have bigger issues ...you believe in the trait(?) of loyalty but not love....huh??

Loyalty is a feeling or attitude of devotion and affection.

Without love there is no good purpose, no life can be loveless.....if you believe in loyalty and you admitt to being ambiguous on companionship and do not believe in love....what is your purpose and where is your heart? Who can you be loyal to and yet still be trusted?

My goals are peace, joy and love and I beleive jpsthesignal and I share some common ground - but I think you need to re-examine your heart.......

I also don't believe you should be drinking Sammual Adams on your current medication!

stephenwinkler:

You're showing your true Democratic colors. If someone wants to use the word "Lord", they may. It's called freedom of speech. Like most liberals, you only believe in your point of view and have no tolerance for anyone else's viewpoint. Freedom of speech is what made this country great...this is not a government sponsored blog..Lord, God, Jesus,Lord,Lord,Lord.

Lord Almighty, stephenwinkler, you are one sarcastic human being (I think that you are human). It's too bad that none of your points get through because of the sarcasm. And why would I give money to The Mayor of Los Angeles? A) I don't live there and that would be helping to fix an election in which I cannot vote (George Soros), B) He would just spend the money campaigning in Mexico.

One good reason to give money to the Mayor of Los Angeles is, there is nobody to give it to in Santa Clarita. Maybe, Hannan Beth Jackson, but for the rest of the crop of candidates, give me a break!

The words, "Lord and Jesus" are offensive to me. I could tolerate "God," because it has wider connations. For example, JBL is my wrestling god. Who is your wrestling god?

I should not be drinking Samuel Adams on my current medication. It makes me think of lachawfan all the time.

Loyalty is the feeling that the followers of Mao had for him. Loyalty is an attitude of devotion to Joseph Stalin. Loyalty is the affection that was given to Kim II Sung.

My loyalty is to my political party and to my country. I would be willing to sacrifice both family and friend to these two superior forces.

Has anyone gone to that site scvtrashtalk.com ? Very interesting!

Stephenwinkler,

We have something in common! In the near future we are going to get a Burmese Mountain Dog. I also like large dogs, I am certain we have other similar interests as well.

I am always interested in other points of view, I don't have to agree with you but the only time I would be personally offended is if I were tied down, my freedoms taken away, and force fed a viewpoint, political, social, ideology, etc... If I don't like what I hear, I can tune it out, if I don't like what I see, I look elsewhere, if I don't like where I live, I can move to another country. It is a testimony of our Democracy and at the core of what our founding fathers invisioned.

On another note, it was I by the way not jpsval who used the term "lord" and I am sorry you are offended by it's use. I will place a disclaimer on future blogs that use these words/terms to describe my loyalty, etc.. to the ultimate force. We all know who I'm talking about. John 3:16

May the source be with you

jpsthesignal:

Why are you apologizing for believing in Jesus. I really don't care if you believe in Allah or Zeus as you God or Savior. Let stephenwinkler be offended all day long. If we couldn't speak for fear of offending someone every time that we spoke, we would never utter a word. I am offended by the references to Joseph Stalin but you have the right to say it or are you trying to take one more freedom away from me. I am not posting something on a government website and even if I was, it is "The separation of church AND state" not, "The separation of church FROM state". The intent of this was to make sure that our government wasn't run by any one religion, it was never meant to remove religion. So, you be offended all you want, I still have the right to say whatever I want. But, like I say, that is the liberal viewpoint....you can't say it if I don't agree with it. Go away now, little child and come back when you have grown up.

Notice stephenwinkler is willing to "sacrifice both family and friend" but not himself for his family and friends or for his principles!! Isn't this what people like Osama bin Laden do? They sacrifice everyone else's children. They have you get your child to strap on a bomb so he can sit in his cave and watch. They would never place themselves in that position. Narcissist!

Stephenwinkler,

I'd like to make something crystal clear. I will NEVER apologize for believing in Jesus nor am I ashamed of my faith and how I have changed as a result of his word. I never said I would stop sharing my faith and how the Lord has influenced me. No one can stop me from doing that except him. Unfortunately there are those who are offended by God and any reference to him. The "Word" will offend and I as a Christian should not INTENTIONALLY offend those who I know are offended by it. Thus the disclaimer.

Now I think you have me confused with stephenwinkler regarding your reference to Stalin. I was just sharing my common interest in dogs with stephenwinkler but it ended there. I happen to agree with your viewpoint regarding church and state.

You lost me with the "little child stuff"???

May the source be with you

jpthesignal......the Stalin reference and the little child stuff was directed toward stephenwinkler, in reference to what he wrote. Sorry about the confusion.

No Problem