Manifestos are In All of Us

Maybe its because I think that we all have something to contribute. But really, Karl Marx and Frederich Engels, who penned the Communist Manifesto, cannot be seen as intellectual giants or two that had the power to change the favour and fortune of millions. They certainly were applied. All great people throughout history seem to be applied in their efforts. Look at musicians who are uncompromising and work towards their craft, or aerospace engineers, who work tirelessly to create new technology to take us further. Or those trying to cure AIDS, or cancer.... Or that great athlete who devotes his/her time to being the best they can be. Are these people better than all the rest? Certainly not, they are simply applied.

And application comes with discipline. and discipline, well, that doesn't come easy. That's why it is discipline. 

I often feel that there is within myself, and within people that I observe, the ability to be great, not for fortune or fame, and not for some vain conceit, but for the betterment of society and humanity in general. Whether they end up being a positive influence is another issue. We are all conditioned by our biases and beliefs, which is why Hitler thought he was doing something for the benefit of the world.

But you see my point: It is in the application that we find within and without ourselves that ability to affect our surroundings. This is what makes us human, what makes us adaptable, and, sadly, what many of us lack the courage to confront. Our application, our discipline.

5 Reasons I love Denmark

5 Reasons:

1. My father immigrated from Denmark along with his older brother and parents circa 1958.

2. Today I learned about Danish civil policy of Jews in World War II. Even after being invaded overnight on April 9, 1940, only (if I can even say only) 52 Jews were killed in Denmark throughout the war. This statistic comes from a powerpoint slide from my History class today. Less than 1% of the Jewish population (approximately 8 000) in Denmark were murdered. Remember that Denmark is directly connected to Germany, they had very little defensive prowess and virtually no practical resources to resisting the German juggernaut. Yet what they did have was free will. Despite nearly the entire population qualifying as "Aryan" by the Nazi's, the Danes vehemently resisted Jewish persecution in their country. While under occupation, they did their jobs, they cooperated with the Germans in so far as they continued to produce, presumably in direct support of the war effort. Yet nearly the entire population was in opposition to Nazi policy towards Jews. Gestapo administrator, Werner Best, who essentially controlled Denmark during the occupation, argued with upper Nazi officials that any attempt to interfere with Danish Jews would be 'politically unacceptable'. Danes were, generally, in opposition to German occupation in the first place, and upon arrival and throughout the conflict, the majority of Germans would find a sense of discontent at their presence from Danish people. 

     I was so amazed to hear such a tale. Such a small country had the cajones to stand up for what they knew was right and in the end were successful. Consider that countries such as Canada, The USA, and Britain, placed limits on the number of Jews they would accept prior and during WWII. Also remember that anti-semitism was not merely a German phenomenon. And yet the Danes saw beyond religious affiliation, beyond even racial separation, and saw their Jewish population as "DANISH". Love it.

    What did The Danes do with their Jewish population? Ingeniously, they smuggled them out of the country right under the Nazi's noses..... into neutral Sweden.

3. If you have a chance, read something about King Christian X, the Danish king during WWII. An amazing monarch who provided the Danish population with a moral compass in a time of confusion and fear.

4. Have you ever been to Denmark? Amazing place.

5. Danishes, and pastry from Denmark in general....

A Hot Topic

A hot topic. Hot topic; gossip? Gossip; depends on the motive. Motive; depends on the context.

And context is always the uncontrolled variable.

Ergo, no matter the context, the imperative is that you think about what you say before you bring it up, and be sure that your intention doesn't stem from malice, but from either curiosity, or in the pursuit of peace. Not all hot topics are gossip, but gossip typically stems from it.

Maiden Voyage

Thanksgiving was interesting this year. If only for this simple fact: I learned an age old adage. My sister and cousin were talking with each other, and my mother (lovingly) referred to their communication by stating that "those two are just wagging their jaws". I thought this was hilarious, for two reasons:

1. That's literally what talking is. 

2. It suggests that the communication is nothing more than a physical procedure.

My Jaw wagging is disclaimed. I am not seeking approval, and I am not attempting to disprove anyone else. Alls it is is a little bit 'o jaw waggin.

SJRA