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~ USA Headed for a 5th Revolution! Why?

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Monthly Archives: November 2015

#170 Big Cat Clydesdale

25 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Jordan Abel in Personal Stories

≈ Leave a comment

First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020).  Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution.  More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1.  List and general description of entries to date.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations.  Profile of characters.  You’ll catch on quickly.  Thanks for your time and interest…and comments. 

Scene: JC, Greenie, and Jordan sitting outside at a restaurant near Jordan’s office.  Con’t from #169.

092615_2031_Characters2.jpgGreenie: “Boy, you were away a long time. JC and I thought you didn’t love us anymore.”

Jordan: “Apologies for the interruption. Two calls.”

JC: “Good ones, I hope.”

Jordan: “One good and one bad.”

Greenie: “By the look on your face, the bad one was personal. Wanna talk?”

Jordan: “The news was not unexpected and you know what’s going to happen…but still.”

092615_2031_Characters1.jpgJC: “Anyone we know?”

Jordan: “You know Mr. Clydesdale, right?”

JC: “The one you call ‘Nine Lives’?”

Jordan: “That’s the one. He’s in hospice care and that’s never a good sign.”

Greenie: “Why do you call this guy ‘Nine Lives.’? He sounds fascinating.”

TurtleneckJordan: “He’s also known as ‘Big Cat.'”

Greenie: “I love it. ‘Big Cat Clydesdale.’ What a great name. Tell me more about him.”

Jordan: “You really want to know?”

JC: “Yes. Greenie, hearing about Big Cat sounds a lot more exciting than listening to the usual drivel from the male companion in our presence.”

Jordan: “You know, JC, you have a way of making a guy feel great.”

Greenie: “First, how’d you meet Big Cat?”

Jordan: “Our Chavurah. And since that group meets at least once per month, we’ve had a chance to hear some stories.”

JC: “OK, so tell us a couple of stories. I mean, like what kind of jobs has Big Cat had?”

PoliceJordan: “The ones I remember – policeman in Miami. A nurse, I think in the south as well.”

Greenie: “A male nurse? When? Big Cat’s how old?”

JC: “In his eighties for sure.”

Jordan: “Probably 85, 86. He was a nurse more than 50 years ago.”

Greenie: “Way ahead of his time. But why a nurse?”

Jordan: “Never has said but it might have been as a way to meet women.”

Greenie: “Keep going. What other jobs?”

Jordan: “Hospital administrator – upstate New York, I think. I know there are more jobs but I don’t remember the details.  He was also a certified master gardener and participated in local theater.”

JC: “Wow.  What a range of skills.  Was he married?”

Jordan: “Yes, and his last marriage lasted 40+ years.”

Greenie: “So there were other marriages I take it?”

Jordan: “Several others.”

hand-hiGreenie: “Just how many is ‘several’?”

Jordan: “Hold up your hand. How many fingers do you see?”

Greenie: “Five…as in five others?”

JC: “I thought I pushed the envelope for the number of marriages. Big Cat is in a different league.”

Greenie: “I do find it fascinating that the sixth marriage lasted so long. She must be quite a woman.”

Jordan: “All in the Chavurah agree. Somehow they were the perfect match.”

JC: “I take it there are some interesting stories associated with those other marriages. Anything you can share?”

Jordan: “One that sticks out but I’m not sure the situation ever resulted in a marriage.”

Greenie: “Do I really want to hear this?”

gas station_~u19028267Jordan: “It’s clean…and besides JC asked. Scene: gas station in south Florida and woman refilling tank. Not sure if Big Cat the attendant or another customer. Anyway, Big Cat and woman start a conversation with him asking ‘Where you headed?’ She responds Michigan…no I think Wisconsin. Then in short order, she asks if he wants to join her on the trip.”

JC: “Of course, he agrees, right?”

Jordan: “He parks his car in a grocery store parking lot and off they go.”

Greenie: “How many stories are there like this?”

Jordan: “Endless. By the way, I just got a text that he didn’t make it.”

122913_1337_14BringingU2.pngJC: “That’s too bad. What a wonderful character and what a life. Here’s a toast to Big Cat Clydesdale. May his memory be a blessing.”

Jordan: “Thanks, JC. I’m sure Big Cat would appreciate the toast.”

(Conversation at restaurant to be continued.)

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#169 1,000,000 Years and It’s Still New Year’s Day?

14 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by Jordan Abel in Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Societal Issues

≈ 5 Comments

First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020).  Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution.  More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1.  List and general description of entries to date.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations.  Profile of characters.  You’ll catch on quickly.  Thanks for your time and interest…and comments. 

Scene: JC, Greenie, and Jordan sitting outside at a restaurant near Jordan’s office.

Greenie: “Here’s to our good health.”

122913_1337_14BringingU2.pngJC: “May the year ahead be filled with happiness.”

Jordan: “May we all live in peace.” (All raise glasses in a toast.)

Greenie: “I’d love to live in peace but I can’t imagine it ever happening. We all seem so uncivilized. Will we ever change?  Terrorists are horrible.  But look at people in Washington.”

Jordan: “I think Washington after the Revenge Revolution will get better but I hear you.”

JC: “On a lighter note, you know what popped into my mind when you asked ‘Will we ever change?'”

Jordan: “Back to the future?”

JC: “No, but close. The Woody Allen movie ‘Sleeper.'”

122813_2140_15Education2.jpgGreenie: “That movie was hilarious. There are two scenes I remember the most. The first is when he learns that eating foods with lots of fat and cholesterol are not bad for you, good for you. And the second was…”

Jordan: “Let me guess. The second was the orgasmatron.”

JC: “I could use an orgasmatron right now.”

Greenie: “Now, JC, be careful. We don’t want to hear about your sex life.”

122813_2140_15Education1.jpgJC: “There isn’t any sex life. That’s why I could use the orgasmatron.”

Jordan: “Guys, let’s change the topic, but only slightly. Take a look up at the stars. What comes to mind?”

Greenie: “Gorgeous evening, good friends, good wine. And who knows what’s really out there. Look at all those stars.”

JC: “Billions and billions, as Carl Sagan said. And how far away are they? A million light years or something?”

TurtleneckJordan: “OK, take a million years. How old is the earth?”

Greenie: “What, at least 5 billion years…maybe 10 billion?”

Jordan: “Call it 5 billion just to be safe. What percent is one million of five billion?”

JC: “Where are you headed with this question? Another math game? But one million is 0.2% of five billion.”

Jordan: “In other words, barely enough to register. If we equated the 0.2% to a calendar year, it would still be New Year’s Day and still in the afternoon.

Greenie: “I’m confused. Where is this conversation going? Or trying to go anyway?”

starry nightJordan: “Greenie, you said people are too uncivilized in order to have world peace. I agree…but what if it were one million years from now? Or…”

JC: “…what if one of those planets out there has life like earth. But life on that planet started one million years before earth?”

Greenie: “One million years seemed like a long time until you compared the one million years to calendar days. One million years and it’s not yet dinner time New Year’s Day.”

JC: “Do you guys think there could be life on another planet…you know, life as we know it?”

Greenie: “What are the chances?”

Jordan: “You both had statistics, right?”

JC: “Basic course. Nothing advanced.”

Greenie: “Me, too. Just a basic stats course.”

Math formulaJordan: “You’ve had enough statistics to make a good guess. Let’s start by saying there are say 50-100 billion stars and plants in the galaxies.”

Greenie: “You think there are that many?”

Jordan: “Probably many more. Every time we turn around, the astronomers seem to find another galaxy. No one has any idea how big the universe is.”

JC: “Alright, of the 100 billion stars and planets, what are the odds of another earth-like civilization?”

earthGreenie: “Well, if the odds are 1,000,000,000:1, then there would be 50-100 earth-like planets.”

Jordan: “And what are the odds that of the 50-100 earth-like planets, earth was the first to develop life?”

JC: “100:1, which makes earth being first highly unlikely.”

Jordan: “Whatever one’s beliefs about religion, random development, evolution, creation theory…all those theories…the odds are earth is not the only game in town.”

Greenie: “When you walk through the logic as you just did, I understand what you mean.”

JC: “So we’re saying there’s probably life out there somewhere and that civilization could be easily 1,000,000 years more advanced than earth. Is that what we’re saying?”

Jordan: “Yes. Now, let’s break down the last 1,000,000 years on earth and see what’s happened.”

early humans_clubGreenie: “Was man even around then?”

JC: “Certainty more ape-like than today, although I wonder if some men have made any progress.”

Greenie: “Remember, no more comments about your sex life.”

JC: “People were probably just hunters and gatherers.”

Greenie: “The Stone Age ended what 50,000 to 100,000 years ago. And the Bronze Age maybe 5-10,000 years ago?”

JC: “What if we said 10,000 years ago was the start of the modern era of civilization. How far into the year would we be?”

Jordan: “10,000 divided by 1,000,000 times 365. In terms of development compared to development on the other plant, we’d be at January 4, just after noon.”

januaryGreenie: “All the development for the last 10,000 years and we’re only at January 4th into the year? Wow!”

Jordan: “Question back to you, Greenie. You said people are uncivilized. In terms of being civilized, do you think people are more, less or about the same as people were 10,000 years ago?”

Greenie: “Probably not much more, if any. We still have de facto slavery, still have many people who are hungry, pollution is worse and people are still killing each other for now logical reason.”

JC: “Greenie, that’s depressing. All those years and no progress with the fundamentals of civilization. Jordan, could you refill the wine glasses, please?”

(Continued)

#168 Black Women as Change Agents

07 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by Jordan Abel in Possible Solutions, Rebranding Black Community, Societal Issues

≈ Leave a comment

First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020).  Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution.  More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1.  List and general description of entries to date.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations.  Profile of characters.  You’ll catch on quickly.  Thanks for your time and interest…and comments. 

Scene: coffee shop near Jordan’s office.  Matt, a reporter for a major newspaper, had interviewed Jordan for an earlier series of articles. Jordan and Matt having a conversation about Matt’s upcoming book, the causes of the Revenge Revolution.  This general conversation starts Entry #165.

092615_2031_Characters11.pngMatt: “I understand your argument about taking personal responsibility, but…”

Jordan: “…but what?”

Matt: “Blacks came to this country as slaves. Other ethnic groups volunteered. There’s a big difference.”

Jordan: “Matt, I’ve heard that argument before. Now, let’s analyze it.”

TurtleneckMatt: “Doesn’t involuntary servitude make blacks different?”

Jordan: “Why do you think other ethnic groups came to this country?”

Matt: “Opportunity for a better life.”

Jordan: “And what was wrong with their life that they needed to seek a better opportunity?”

Matt: “Probably because life was bad in the old country.”

Jordan: “Bad like famine, war, genocide, and overt discrimination – de facto slavery. Lots of reasons for leaving – and none positive.”

Matt: “But those people left voluntarily. Blacks didn’t leave voluntarily. No other ethnic group has been enslaved.”

chinese-railroad-workersJordan: “Excuse me? What about the railroad workers from China in the mid-19th century. You think they came voluntarily? What about people facing death threats in their own country?  Do they qualify as coming here voluntarily?”

Matt: “Well, no. Guess, I never considered why other people came to the US.”

Jordan: “Alright, so we agree that blacks are not the only ethnic group that came to the US under extremely adverse circumstances and faced discrimination for many years. Have all those other groups remained at the bottom of the economic ladder?”

Matt: “No. Your examples sort of take away the argument that blacks faced special circumstances.”

Jordan: “Look, I’m not trying to beat up on blacks. I look at data. When say 9 out of 10 groups arrive under crappy circumstances and manage to improve their lot, you have to ask, why can’t #10?”

Matt: “One more issue that makes blacks different. The tribal culture of Africa.”

African tribal chiefJordan: “Huh?”

Matt: “In some tribes the chief had multiple wives.”

Jordan: “Were these tribal chiefs Mormons? I couldn’t resist. But so what if the chief had multiple wives. What am I missing?”

Matt: “Having multiple wives helps explain why there are so many black families where one mother has children from multiple fathers.”

Jordan: “You’ve lost me. Blacks have fewer single-father households because of some tribal custom?”

Matt: “That’s what I’ve been told.”

Jordan: “Then why in say 1960 was the percentage of black families with two parents two times what it is today?”

Matt: “Can’t answer that but refutes the argument about the tribal influence.”

Jordan: “I’ll tell you a simple fact that refutes all the reasons…really excuses…why blacks remain at the bottom of the economic ladder.”

Matt: “The fact is?”

Emancimation ProclamationJordan: “The fact is the Emancipation Proclamation was more than 150 years and 7+ generations ago. Seven generations. Give me one valid reason why a group can’t change in 150 years?”

Matt: “What about profiling? It’s biased against blacks?”

Jordan: “Really? How?”

Matt: “Because statistics show blacks are arrested more than whites.”

Jordan: “Do you hear black leaders or politicians ever asking why blacks might be arrested more frequently?”

Matt: “They claim the statistics and profiling are proof of discrimination.”

nba-logoJordan: “Using those kind of logic, does it mean the NBA is discriminating against white guys? What about the NFL? Blacks are disproportionately represented in both leagues.”

Matt: “You know what I mean.”

Jordan: “I know what you mean. First, let’s agree on what profiling is.”

Matt: “Behavior that is predicted based statistical patterns.”

Jordan: “Very good. Profiling targets groups of people based on previous patterns of behavior.”

Matt: “You mean like those ads that appear on my browser after I do a search on Google.”

Math formulaJordan: “Exactly. The politically correct explanation is ‘Based on algorithms, we believe you would be interested in…whatever.’ In reality, the ads are based on profiling.”

Matt: “In your former life, did you ever profile prospective buyers?”

Jordan: “In my marketing job, I was an early adopter of profiling. We used a combination of geography and demographics to predict interest in certain models of cars. We even introduced a specialty car based on ‘profiling.'”

Matt: “Was the launch successful?”

Jordan: “Sales exceeded our expectations…and was very profitable for the company.”

Matt: “So companies use profiling all the time. Why does profiling have such a bad name?”

blameJordan: “Claims of profiling are an easy excuse to blame someone else. Blame profiling rather than taking personal responsibility.”

Matt: “Don’t blacks still have an argument about being the subject of profiling…really negative profiling?”

Jordan: “If data indicated the black population committed less crime, do you think police would spend as much time profiling blacks?”

PoliceMatt: “Probably a lot less. I understand profiling is used to increase productivity. Why would police spend time with a certain group if the likelihood is low that someone is breaking the law.”

Jordan: “Why do you think police don’t profile older drivers as drug runners?”

Matt: “Because not many grannies are drug runners.”

Jordan: “Success. He understands.”

Matt: “Is that why you keep harping on personal responsibility if blacks want to succeed?”

Jordan: “Personal responsibility for individuals and personal responsibility for the black mirror-clipart_jpgcommunity. Both need to look in the mirror.”

Matt: “How long will the change take?”

Jordan: “Most every other ethnic group has realized major change in 2 generations — 3 generations at the most.”

Matt: “Who needs to lead the charge?”

Jordan: “My recommendation might seem counter-intuitive. I used to think a black man. I’ve changed my mind. I think a middle-aged black woman…but no media star.”

Matt: “Interesting idea. Why?”

Jordan: “Chances are the black woman has experienced some real challenges and woman-clipart-zyikqxpcEhardships in her life. She can relate to other black women. And I think the change needs to be led by black women, not black men.”

Matt: “What about black churches?”

Jordan: “Black women can encourage the ministers.”

Matt: “Won’t black men resent that a woman, really women, are taking the lead?”

Jordan: “Might. I also know with younger black men, the mother rules the roost.”

Matt: “So no one like Oprah or some black woman who’s been a star in government?”

Jordan: “From my perspective, the most effective change agent will be a middle-aged black woman. Exactly who I do not know but I know she’s out there.”

Matt: “I need to leave. Thanks for taking the time to help me with the book on the Revenge Revolution. Remember, one of these days you’re going to teach me how you approach solving problems.”

Jordan: “You have a deal. I enjoyed the conversation Matt. Good luck with the book.”

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