Paul’s Opinion


This article is a personal opinion, and does not necessarily represent the views of The Reunion Friendly Network, its employees, customers, or reunion planners.


there are lawsuits preventing the display of the Ten Commandments, and religious scenes at Christmas time. It has gotten to the point that wishing someone a Merry Christmas is frowned upon. What is wrong with me? I wish my Christian friends a Merry Christmas, and my Jewish friends a Happy Hanukah, and I’m in trouble. Yet, prominent people go on TV and talk about living the good life with alcohol, drugs, and even brag about their marital infidelities.


Is It Me?


An editorial by Paul Spiewak Is It Me?


As I look around and observe, as I see it on TV, as I read it on the Internet, I’m beginning to believe that we live in a state of surrealism!


My early college training was in Accounting where things had to add up, and the books had to balance. I went on to be trained as an engineer, and like Accounting, things had to adhere to precise mathematical formulations and the forces had to achieve a state of equilibrium. As a systems designer and computer programmer for forty years, systems had to create order, programs had to perform precisely. As a result my world was one of logic, system integrity, and the unambiguous. Even when dealing with reunions, the instant contracts were involved, it was clear that it “says what it says, no more no less!


So, what’s the problem? Let’s start with Congress. If you go before Congress and do not tell the truth, it’s a crime. At the same time if Congressmen lie to us, that’s merely politics!


Is It Me?


TV programs use an incredible amount of gutter language, and displays of a near pornographic nature, and appear to be acceptable. At the same time,


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We spend billions in a futile effort to protect our borders and to keep out drugs. At the same time, we also spend a bundle quite effectively helping to enforce the 38th Parallel border between North & South Korea.


Is It Me?


We’ve spent billions in what appears to be a futile attempt to force Afghanistan and Iraq to adopt our version of democracy, while the people of those countries do not seem to want it. At the same time, we permit our government to take over the banks and the financial system, the largest insurance company in the world, General Motors which once was the largest company in the world, and even the two mortgage agencies which control more than 90% of the residential financing in the country. Our so-called democratic government is taking over the commercial facilities in a classic socialistic style.


Is It Me?


There is a continuous effort on the part of our governments, both Federal and State, to raise the amount they take from those who earn it, while increasing the amounts they give to those who cannot or will not work.


Is It Me?


When it comes to freedom of speech, if we disparage a black person, we are


labeled as a racist (bad), but if a black person disparages a white (okay), it is his First Amendment right of free speech.


Is It Me?


The people who are against abortion, who believe that abortion is murder, seem to have no problem in enforcing the death penalty.


Is It Me?


You have to be careful about denouncing the President these days, because you might be called a terrorist. At the same time, the Supreme Court has ruled that it is okay to burn the American flag.


Is It Me? Somehow, it’s good for the govern-


ment to go deeper in debt by taking over the nation’s health care system, and even forcing people to buy insur- ance, and at the same time labeling those who protest as demented, and those who want to reduce govern- ment as seriously racist.


Is It Me?


There are many more cases, including people decrying the use of animals in an effort to save people’s lives, but at the same time condoning research using fetuses. George Orwell, in his well-known book 1984 defined this as “doublespeak.” People laughed about it when the book came out in 1949, but is sure looks like Orwell’s book was much more than a science-fiction novel. Indeed, Orwell was a prophet!


While I view the amazing array of inconsistencies, including our claim to be a peace-loving people, while supporting and making war; I have come to the conclusion that it is NOT me. What do you think?


PAUL paul@reunionfriendly.com R E U N I O N F R I E N D L Y N E W S • Winter, 2011-2012


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