Our Dependencies

   / Our Dependencies #141  
Ranchman, it seems to me you yourself are trying to tear down individuals and refusing to see the point being made. My earlier posts were indeed more harsh ,I was reacting emotionaly to what was said ,sometimes I will tend to listen to my heart,for that I am wrong, I believe I went back and fixed that by saying "SOME" - I noticed you did'nt hold other people responsible when they were speaking in terms of absolutes. You just keep on trying to discredit me -I can take it- heck I am suprised you hav'nt attack my grammer yet ./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gifAs far as CEOs' christmas list ,one guy every single year without fail and if we miss each other he makes sure to give it to me , some people are very diff. at home, it is a place to be real and be yourself -the one you were when you were a kid- I try to always keep that feeling when entering someones home, then their are others who wont even wave or say hi when you walk right by them while they are gardening. Poeple are people to me, same thing happens when I go to lower income neiborhoods. My feelings about an educated man were based on fear and responsibility, My friend I was talking about going through school, has been going through school for so many years I don't even know how many degrees he has, over the years he has expressed his feelings of becoming a judge -like his sister - and I fully believe he will be one, he has never to my knowledge held a taxpaying job, his schedule since we got out of school has been go to school and play volleyball . I am sorry but I am going to take the fear standpoint on that one. I do believe there is no such thing as an educated person. By the way I have a really cool guy on my route who won an emmy for best cinematography on the work he did with the movie series starwars, showed me what he is working on for the next generation of cameras, all you digital and film camera buffs out there will soon be trading in those cameras./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / Our Dependencies #142  
Bird:
As usual your statements make much sense.

As this thread continues I have been wondering how genetics would factor in.

Using myself as an example there is no way I could have become an airforce pilot being only five ft. six inches tall and having very much less than 20/20 vision. The height factor alone would have excluded me from being considered officer material and from many other postions in the normal working world.

Raw intelligence may be influenced by genetics, birth conditions, diet and a myriad of other factors. The development and use of this intelligence may also be affected by these same factors.

Consider an athelete. Do they have high O2 uptake, fast twitch or slow twitch muscle orientation, what is the length of their thigh bone in relation to the rest of thier leg. All these are factors determining which sport the athelete may excell at.

My last thought is about "The Butcher, The Baker and The Candlestick maker " for without these people the King and his Court may be partaking of very unpalative food in the dark.

Egon
 
   / Our Dependencies #143  
Hello Bird -

I had planned on making a response earlier, but Cowboydoc beat me to the punch. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Oh well, I'll try and make a couple of points anyway. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I understand where you are coming from in that some "adversities" in life are insurmountable. (e.g. Christopher Reeves will not become an Olympic figure skater in the next few years).

That being said, I think this entire discussion all boils down to attitude. A positive one vs. a negative one - e.g. one of "I'll do the best with what I have and try to make things better" vs. "Life has treated me unfairly, I can't, and even if I can, I'd most likely fail, so why even try."

I don't think Cowboydoc or anyone else is giving an absolute, saying "Anybody can do anything, no matter what." I think what is being said is that far to many folks choose to use some of the things you mentioned in your earlier post (luck, timing, God, etc.) as an excuse because they have an attitude of entitlement. (Perhaps it was instilled by an event in their life, instilled by a parent, a teacher, the media - whatever.) In other words a lot of folks say they can't when the real issue is that they won't. All goes back to that "choices we make" and responsibility for ones actions thing. That’s why companies hire motivational speakers - not to teach or give extra skills, but to change “I can’t” to “I can.” ‘Course the military has a much more “interesting” way of motivating new recruits to change their attitude. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif - Call it carrot vs. stick if you like.

Another interesting point is the question of what one defines as success - Most of the thread seems to be talking about money in this regard - but Cowboydoc raises a very good point. Does "success"="money" or the accumulation of material things, or is it something else? Christopher Reeves is certainly not pulling down the big bucks he could have (I saw something on TV a while back where they interviewed him and apparently, financially at least, the family wasn’t doing that hot.) - But yet he can still certainly be defined as “successful.” His attitude has constantly been a positive one - whether it be for promoting awareness and research or trying to do what has been stated as the impossible - reverse his condition. “Success” is defined by whatever yardstick we choose to use.

I guess my attitude is one that is that of a quote sold on some posters & such out there - "Success is a journey, not a destination." To me, success isn’t necessarily measured in dollars and cents - it’s setting goals for oneself, and then pursuing them. I see much more honor and “character” that comes with tackling such goals - even if one fails to achieve them (e.g. they are unsuccessful) - than someone who refuses to even set them and constantly looks to place blame on someone/something else for their situation. (e.g. "life isn't fair" - so what? Quit whining and deal with it!) No, not everyone will become a billionaire, or a star athlete, or President - but if folks would spend their energy trying to better themselves instead of trying to beat those who have been "successful" over the head for a handout, the world would be a better, and more honorable, place.

My post is longer than I had intended, and I guess we’ll probably have to be in the “agree to disagree” pool too. But to hit one more time on that attitude thing - another favorite quote of mine is "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!"

Take care -
 
   / Our Dependencies #144  
<font color=blue>I guess we’ll probably have to be in the “agree to disagree” pool </font color=blue>

I don't think we're really disagreeing./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif I certainly agree that a positive attitude, desire to succeed, and making a real effort are the most common keys to "success" (by whatever definition), as long as your goals are realistic. It's just that, as you've acknowledged, there are some things that the most positive attitude in the world cannot overcome. Egon mentions genetics, and I agree. Trying to figure out why people do or act as they do can be fascinating studying, although I doubt anyone will ever really totally succeed at that./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif You know there have been many theories as to why some people become criminals; with some thinking it's hereditary, some thinking it's environmental, some thinking it's poverty (or the theory of "relative deprivation" - I like that one), etc. Personally, I think many of the same factors, in reverse perhaps, determine how successful in life a person is, and I don't think any one factor alone is necessarily the determining factor.

My point is simply that there is no single, simple answer (wish there was)./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
 
   / Our Dependencies #145  
putty -

Well, I'll go back on my word a little here and respond to your latest post. (Something that honestly bothers me quite a bit, as I try VERY hard never to do that.) I don’t think it will change your perspective or anything like that - just more of a “for the record” thing.

<font color=blue>Ranchman, it seems to me you yourself are trying to tear down individuals</font color=blue>

Nope. My latest post to Bird (which I was busy writing when you posted your latest message) I believe it was (and it was intended, by the way) to be very civil and explain my point of view vs. what I understood to be Birds. I can be very civil to those I respect.

That example being put forth, I will admit though, yes, I can have a very venomous tone - especially when arguing with folks who do not use fact & logic to make their case, but instead rely on feeling, misdirection, inconsistency, and most importantly, fire the first volley with regards to disrespect (e.g. you "shooting" at Cowboydoc.) To me, I see that as not playing by the rules, and I have little respect for those who make up stuff (e.g. lies or deceit) to make their case. Is my tone “over the top” at times? Some would definitely say absolutely! But I ***NEVER*** sacrifice my facts & logic when I “go off the deep end” and have emotional tones come through in my messages.

<font color=blue>...and refusing to see the point being made. </font color=blue>

Nope. I see the points (and there are a lot of them) very clearly.

- Handouts are not just OK, they are good.
- The “unfortunate” in life don’t have to take responsibility for where they are because it “isn’t their fault.”
- Management types are self absorbed, arrogant, and since they really do very little work at all, undeserving.
- College was a joke and folks who made a better life for themselves by going down that path “had it easy” because there wasn’t any “real work” involved.
- There is no such thing as an educated person (implies disdain for those with degrees - at whatever level).
- Jobs that require unskilled labor can, and often are, easily just as stressful and demanding as an executive position.
- Doctors don’t have any more stresses in life than a logger.
- You’re not anti-education Uhhh /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif wait - doesn’t that go against something earlier?
- You’re “buds” with LOTS of executive types (who are GREAT folks) - Uhhh - /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif I’m starting to get confused here....maybe I should stop.

The problem is the consistency in arguments. Again, as I stated earlier, it is fruitless to try and argue against someone who flip-flops on their core arguments. CEO’s are bad - wait, I have TONS of CEO friends! Etc. etc. etc... /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif At heart, I think you believe pretty much what you stated initially and not the revisionist posts as it seems to be more in line with your general attitude.

<font color=blue>My earlier posts were indeed more harsh ,I was reacting emotionaly to what was said ,sometimes I will tend to listen to my heart,for that I am wrong, </font color=blue>

I guess if someone does something out of emotion, it’s “OK” then. No, while there are some cases where I can see that as a factor in ones defense, I generally don’t accept it as a “get out of jail free” card.

<font color=blue>I believe I went back and fixed that by saying "SOME" - I noticed you did'nt hold other people responsible when they were speaking in terms of absolutes.</font color=blue>

As far as adding the word “some” - well, again, that doesn’t make sense to me. You go from the ‘CEO types are EVIL’ attitude to the ‘SOME CEO types are EVIL’ attitude to ‘I’m the BEST OF BUDS with LOTS of CEOs - They’re GREAT FOLKS!” /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif The other folks, well, unlike you, they haven’t changed their stance 180 degrees. Yes, I’ll give them some latitude in their posts because they are hitting on a consistent theme instead of being all over the board and deliberately utilizing misdirection to make their case.

<font color=blue>You just keep on trying to discredit me -I can take it- heck I am suprised you hav'nt attack my grammer yet .</font color=blue>

I think you’re doing a fine job by all by yourself! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

As I said in my earlier post to you, this is a “no win” situation with regards to discussing this subject with you. I can’t argue against points someone makes when they turn them 90 degrees out of phase with each successive post or if someone doesn’t use fact but relies solely on feeling to make their case. Hopefully you’ve had fun responding to me (and others) because for substantive philosophical discussion on the subject, I can’t say responding to your posts has really been a valued exercise on my end. A time waster? Sure - but advancing the subject matter? Hardly. ‘Course I suspect a lot of your posts come from a “stir the pot” perspective anyway with the “go ahead - I can take it” verbiage. Too bad that legitimate discussion has evolved in to trying to “get a rise” out of folks. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif
 
   / Our Dependencies #146  
Bird -

<font color=blue>I don't think we're really disagreeing.</font color=blue>

For the record, I hear ya and I agree we aren't really disagreeing. Agreed? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
 
   / Our Dependencies #147  
>>The liberals are merely trying to implement politically the moral principles of the conservatives

Had a good laugh at that one :)...very good.
 
   / Our Dependencies #148  
>>I agree with Cowboydoc that we are each responsible for our own decisions and actions, and of course, in many cases those decisions and actions determine where we are in life, but other people's decisions and actions, accidents, luck, timing, politics, heredity, environment, acts of God, etc. have an even greater effect. It just ain't a simple matter.


Good post Bird...I agree, it just not that simple. People are responsible for their own actions, but as you say, many things are out of their control.

I worked hard, saved harder, and now enjoy the fruits of my labor...but not a day goes by that I don't either think, or more likely, say out loud to my wife "how lucky we are". Yea, I worked hard, yea I made a lot of good decisions, and yes I worked 80 hours a week for about ten years, but many bad things could have happened along the way that could have completly changed things: death of a spouse, car accident, long-term illness, a lawsuit, a big client stiffing me on a bill etc etc etc....we were *lucky*...not everyone is as lucky.

The other thing to keep in mind is everyone *can't* have the same success. As a nation we need people to work at walmart, drive trucks, dig holes, etc...i.e. all those jobs that don't pay all that much, but are honest jobs to have and jobs that need to be done.

Everybody can't make $100K salary...its impossible...and if they did, a loaf of bread would cost about $100.

So everyone that is successful, enjoy what you have :), but don't let it go to your head; don't think that somehow you are being rewarded solely for your genius and or hard work...some people are...and some are just plain lucky and for most of us that have had some degree of success, it was a little of both: a lot of luck and a lot of hard work.
 
   / Our Dependencies #149  
You raise many good points Bird. Read your PM.
 
   / Our Dependencies #150  
Ranchman , again my post was mistaken and the context changed- you asked about my knowledge of CEO's , I tell you, you hit me over the head and call me a liar , that was directed at me was'nt it? I told you that in responce to earlier questions, I also said I go to the poorest neigborhoods in many cities( I am buddies with them also) in an attempt to explain the amount of people I am in contact with. Maybe it is my communication skills? I guess what I am trying to say is I see the best of the best and the worst of the worst ,many times in one day, and it has nothing to do with class or education. A liar I am not.
 
   / Our Dependencies #151  
Nice try putty - but I ain't gonna bite on the latest lure you threw out. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

You know what I'm saying- acting like you don't won't get you anywhere. I'll be happy to stand on my posts as they were written- interpret them however you'd like.
 
   / Our Dependencies #152  
You are certainly right Egon. Some dreams have to be realistic but on the other hand if we only did what people said we could do then we would have never made it to the moon.
 
   / Our Dependencies #153  
<font color=blue>...That’s why companies hire motivational speakers - not to teach or give extra skills, but to change “I can’t” to “I can.”... </font color=blue>

So true... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I am my kids motivator... and slowly and surely as they mature and get older... they will become their own...

Here's a sign I posted recently throughout our home for them to see in the bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms...



If you expect the best, you'll get it.

If you expect the worst, you'll get it.

Your mental attitude determines your outcome.
 
   / Our Dependencies #154  
How about we change the direction of this thread to a discussion of "motivational speakers"? I'll go first! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif I think they're all conmen! Then, of course, one of you will turn out to be one, and I'll have to back track and say I didn't really mean you, only those guys like the SNL commedian. Or maybe we could discuss manure spreaders or some other totally non-controversial subject.

Chuck
 
   / Our Dependencies #155  
John and all,

Here's one that's burned in the back of my head somewhere:



Good, Better, Best

Never let it rest

Until the good get better

And the better get best!



/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bill in Pgh, PA
 
   / Our Dependencies #156  
Evening John,

With the kids and friends, coworkers too, I say this, "they will rise to your expectations".

Of course the obvious is the downside if we expect less.

Chuck, it's good to see you back here in the trench/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif.

I'll cover any of your bet on motivational speakers you need covered. I was just profiled by one. He tried, well he didn't make any of my friends mad. I know he means well....../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Of course there are some locals who are going to be really critical now, oh well, we all have a cross.........

I'm seriously thinking about going into that field myself. After all, everything's easier said than done./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
 
   / Our Dependencies #157  
Macher:
1) Killing the messenger won't alter the reality of the message.
2) Language is a "labor saving" device to simplify the complexities of the perceptual. Word symbols represent reality, they are not the reality itself.
3) Ad Hominem doesn't answer anything.
4) If the individual themselves is not to define their own standards and hence right and wrong, who is? "society" (whatever that is), "majority rule", who decides your standards?
5) If you think you know an intrisic definition of the word symbol "moral", without a standard of value, define it. You can't. It is always applied using some standard, even if only implied or implicit.
6) I repeat, words symbols represent reality, they are not the reality itself.
7) I agree, the entire thread is far removed from tractors. But I did not start the thread-read the whole thing. It wanders about. My response dealt with the thrust of other comments on a broader level.
8) I repeat, killing the messenger will not alter the reality of the message.
9) Don't be afraid.
JEH
 
   / Our Dependencies #158  
Putty, Putty, Putty .... sigh .... your show is slipping ... the freudian one. I have no problem with my brother being a truck driver ... although I want to know his schedule so I won't be on the same raods /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif .... it so happens that I made the suggestion in a list of other suggestions of what he might be suited for. Ashamed of him? Heck no .... ashamed is what I'd be if he was on unemployment or welfare.
I'm sorry you feel so put upon because I, personally, think that unions are for the lazy and incompetant. I don't recall mentioning "you" ... so that must've been between the lines ... or did you think perhaps I put your name at the top of the list when I explained why I despise unions? Did you actually read the line when I mentioned that I included union workers amongst some of my friends? Did it sink it?
There is a difference in people between the collective and the individual.
Why on earth would you think that I have a distast for people who work with their hands? I'm here on a TRACTOR website, discoursing with others who work with their hands. All my listed hobbies are hands-on stuff ... I have a big word- and metal-working shop that I would love to be better in ...

I'm not in the habit of flaming people fo rtheir beliefs ... I defend mine ... on occasion ... and if you offend me then I find it much simpler to simply ignore you. You will know you have annoyed me ... when you do not see any responses from me. Bye now.
 
   / Our Dependencies #159  
I was going to stop contributing to this thread since I stir things up a little too much ... but I find your question and W_H's comment interesting:
<font color=blue>Yes, I'm pro union to the max. The biggest reason it doesn't work all the time is not the workers. It's the management</font color=blue>
The question I have is the "management" part. Which management are we referring to ... the management of the company or the management of the union?
There was a senator elected in Michigan during the November elections .... and he is very, very pro-union. And he is very, very anti-union-management. He stated that he sees no differenet in the suits running the companies and the suits running the unions. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm ....

I always thought the best way to solve some of the strike problems is to subject the union management to the same rules as the rank-and-file ... let the president and the "business agent" and the shop stewards get strike pay instead of their regular salary (which is pretty much as ridiculous as CEO salaries) ... and let's see if "compromise" enters their vocabularies.

pete
 
   / Our Dependencies #160  
Harv,

I always pictured you, too, as a "self-made man", a "rugged individualist", perhaps? On the other hand, can a liberal qualify? Maybe a "compassionate rugged individualist"?

Chuck
 

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