i see dead people

Funny thing about dead people.  They can’t talk.

Funny thing about us.  We talk about dead people.


Remember the deceased can’t talk nor talk back.  They can’t respond to the words we say nor the impressions we have.  They can’t affirm what’s right nor correct what’s wrong.  Hence, I wonder what they’d say…


Thinking back over the years… what would John F. Kennedy say?  By most historical accounts, it seems an inspiring sense of optimism evolved via JFK’s leadership.  There was something contagious in how this charismatic, young politician spoke… how he dreamed… how he challenged…


  • “Victory has 100 fathers and defeat is an orphan.”  


Yet after only an approximate 1000 days, JFK died in his political prime.  While for some this prompted increased reverence, romanticism, and historical rewrites, there’s much the public learned after Kennedy died.  There were reports regarding affairs with multiple women.  There were reports of serious health ailments and prescribed drug usage for those problems.  There were questions as to how the medications impacted his infidelity.


I wonder what Kennedy would say.  What was intentional?  What did his wife know?  What would you tell us if you could speak?


More recently, what would Joe Paterno say?  Among the NCAA’s winningest football coaches, Paterno led Penn State and contributed significantly to academic life, donating over $4 million to the State College campus.  There was something unique in how this career coach spoke… how he motivated… how he challenged…


  • “It’s hard for me to explain. I don’t have an ego. I’m going to work to give these kids a chance to win. If we win, it’s theirs.“


Yet after 46 years as the Nittany Lion coach, Paterno’s former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested on 40 counts of child sexual abuse over a 15 year span.  While Paterno passed away this past January, investigations continued at Penn State.  There are now reports of conspiracy and cover up.  There are questions as to what the coaching staff and administration knew.


I wonder what Paterno would say.  What did he know?  What other motivations were relevant?  What would you tell us if you could speak?


And finally, 3 days ago, Steven M. Covey died.  Covey wrote the The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  Unlike JFK and Joe Paterno, there is no residual scandal; hence, I think I know what he would tell us if he could speak…


  1. Be Proactive.  Take initiative in life by realizing that your decisions are the primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life. Take responsibility for your choices and the consequences that follow.
  2. Begin with the End in Mind.  Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals.
  3. Put First Things First.  Prioritize, plan, and execute your week’s tasks based on importance rather than urgency.
  5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood.  Use empathic listening to be genuinely influenced by a person, which compels them to reciprocate the listening and take an open mind to being influenced by you.
  6. Synergize.  Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals no one person could have done alone.
  7. Sharpen the Saw.  Balance and renew your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle.


Personally, I like #5 best.  We could all work to understand a little more…  especially understanding dead people… especially not assuming we know all.




tupperware, etc.

And then there was this…


“Michael Salman, a pastor from Phoenix, Ariz. who was fined and sentenced to jail, began serving his 60 day sentence on Monday.


Salman was found guilty of code violations for hosting Bible studies on his 4.6 acre property. He has been holding the Bible studies for 7 years. He was ordered to 60 days in prison and three years probation and was also ordered to pay a $12,180 fine.

He believes he was criticized for his religious faith and insisted the City of Phoenix would allow gatherings for poker or football…


‘They’re cracking down on religious activities and religious use. They’re attacking what I as a Christian do in the privacy of my home.’


Salman and his wife made a YouTube video which can be seen arguing their cause and how they violated codes no more than their neighbor who happened to have a lot of cars in his driveway and even on to the street.


The Phoenix prosecutor’s office said the violations were not about religious freedom, but about zoning and proper permitting. A lot of the dispute is whether a building in Salman’s backyard is a church or not.  City says yes, Salman says no.


Salman has fought the battle in court but has been ruled against many times, most recently in 2010 where the court stated that the state is not prohibiting him from running a church or worship services at the location, but rather the state just requires Salman to abide by proper fire and zoning codes.


Michael asked for prayers as he left his wife and kids Monday morning to begin serving his sentence at Maricopa County Jail.”


So where do we go with this?


How do we wrestle with the wisdom and/or lack of it?


Truthfully, I don’t know.  While this is seemingly one of those issues where pre-engrained opinion only becomes more affirmed, our perspective is limited.  We do not know all the details regardless of the passion of our opinion or the depth of our curiosity.


Some will cry discrimination.  The authorities are only enforcing the law because Salmon is a Christian.


Others will encourage ignoring that Salman is a Christian.  Laws are laws.  Zoning is zoning.  Let’s take the faith out of it.


Yet I wonder if we would “take the faith out of it,” so-to-speak, or overlook the primary purpose of the group’s meeting, if that group was…


… the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People?

… the National Rifle Association?

… the American Association of Retired Persons?

… the International Gay and Lesbian Association?

… the Council on American–Islamic Relations?

… the National Football League Players Association?

… or, the International Tupperware Alliance?


(Ok, so I was kidding about the Tupperware.)


Friends, from our limited perspective, it’s difficult to discern the wisdom of the enforcement in Phoenix; it’s even more difficult to discern the wisdom of the law.


But can we “take the faith out of it”?  Probably not.





The things that make you go hmm

Things that make you go hmm

The things that make you go hmm, hmm, hmm…


More things.  Current events that make the Intramuralist go hmmm.  Truthfully, there are a lot of them lately…


… Yesterday — with all eyes on the Supreme Court, awaiting the ruling on the Patient Affordable Care Act/Obamacare/Mandated-Health-Insurance/Or-Whatever-You-Want-to-Call-It-Act — the justices passed on healthcare, ruling instead on Citizens United and the Arizona immigration law; they will release their ruling on the “all of the above healthcare act” Thursday.


The controversial Arizona ruling struck down 3 of 4 parts, but said the most controversial (and yes, popular) aspect was constitutional, meaning that it is lawful for state and local law enforcement to verify immigration status on routine stops.  What makes me go “hmmm”?  Both sides claimed victory.


Wait… if both sides feel victorious, does that mean the issue is finally done?  Ha…  Friends, an editorial note here…  There is a reason the first word of illegal immigration is “illegal.”  But we have to find a humane way to deal with the issue that doesn’t saturate the employment pool nor pave a path for terrorists.  Terrorism is still, sadly, alive and well on planet Earth.  Too much rhetorical spin is already involved in this Supreme Court ruling.



… Lest you are unaware, Pres. Obama and Gov. Romney are in race to solicit the largest stockpile of dinero.  Cash.  Money.  Etc.  What makes me go “hmmm”?  The latest gimmick by the Obama campaign is the Obama Event Registry.  “Got a birthday, anniversary, or wedding coming up?” asks the re-election campaign.  “Let your friends know how important this election is to you — register with Obama 2012, and ask for a donation in lieu of a gift.  It’s a great way to support the President on your big day.  Plus, it’s a gift that we can all appreciate — and goes a lot further than a gravy bowl.”


Geepers.  With all due respect to the Obama campaign, with my birthday arriving in a few short weeks, I’d enjoy a few gifts.  And I’m expecting far more than a gravy bowl.



… Venus Williams lost in round 1 of Wimbledon yesterday.  What makes me go “hmmm”?  The talented Williams sisters never lose that early.



… In the “Furious & Fast” or “Fast & Furious” gun smuggling mess, Pres. Obama has claimed “executive privilege,” thereby allowing Att. General Eric Holder the freedom not to turn over subpoenaed documents.  Holder has turned over approximately 7,000 of the requested 70,000 documents.  What makes me go “hmmm”?  70,000 documents??  Are you kidding?!  How could anyone want 70,000 documents?  How could anyone be expected to turn over 70,000 documents?  And what’s buried in those 70,000 documents that no one wants us to see??


Another editorial note here:  More respect and honor should be given to the family of Brian Terry, the federal agent who died on the opposite end of those smuggled weapons.  In all the discussions… in all the exertions of “privilege”… he should be remembered and revered.



Ah, current events…


The things that make you go hmm

Things that make you go hmm

The things that make you go hmm, hmm, hmm…


They always do…


… noting the lack of wisdom and integrity in this world…




on Wisconsin





“The Final Battle In The War Against Unions Is Underway”

“Wisconsin Can’t Wait”

“Governors Declare War on Nurses and Teachers”

“Governor of the Year:  Scott Walker”

“We Hate Walker!”












Stop.  Take a deep breath.  Refrain from emotional argument.












Thus, the question:  what is the longterm impact?






discerning what is wise



First, briefly, the basic facts:


  • Large protests occurred; protestors hailed from multiple states.
  • In March, the bill was signed into law.
  • This coming Tuesday, June 5th, is that election.


Here’s what the Intramuralist finds foolish in this process…


















frequently NOT asked questions

As FAQ’s are supposedly commonly asked in some context, the Intramuralist has determined that it’s not answers to “the common” that I desire.  My questions aren’t common in any context; that’s part of the problem.  I wonder what would happen if they were asked…


To those who claim it’s racist to vote against someone due to the color of their skin…

Is it not equally racist to vote for someone due to the color of their skin?  I mean, isn’t the primary idea that skin color shouldn’t matter, yet in both cases it clearly does?


To those who claim gay marriage erodes the institution of holy matrimony…

Hasn’t marriage been defiled for centuries — considering the societal acceptance of adultery, no-fault divorce, irreconcilable differences, etc.?  I mean, isn’t the primary idea that the earthly concept of marriage has long veered from what was historically presented as God’s design?


To those who claim that we need to accept all people as they are…

Are you accepting of the persons who don’t believe we need to accept all people as they are?  I mean, if not, aren’t you contradicting your own argument?


To those who claim that “fairness” is a justification for economic policy…

How do you wrestle with the fact that the full manifestation of economic fairness equates to socialism and then Marxism?  I mean, are you comfortable with that reality — or do you feel government will always limit the extent of its control?


To Hollywood…

Do you really believe you’re in touch with the American values as to what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable?  I mean, if so, how does that impact your movie content — and for those of you who are often rude to persons holding contrary opinion, do you believe that’s noble, too?


To those who believe George Zimmerman, the Neighborhood Watch shooter of Trayvon Martin, is innocent…

Do you realize that reportedly, Trayvon Martin had only Skittles and iced tea in his possession?  


To those who believe Trayvon Martin is innocent?

Do you realize that reportedly, George Zimmerman had multiple injuries to his eyes, nose, and back of head? 


And to those who believe that either Zimmerman or Martin is completely innocent?

Do you realize that since none of us were there, we may never know exactly what happened?  I mean, could you… would you… be ok with that?  Are we as a public ok with not knowing all?


To Pres. Obama & Gov. Romney…

What are you planning on doing during a 1st or 2nd term that you’re not sharing publicly?  I mean, what kind of rhetorical spin are you utilizing that’s intended to make your desired policy more popular than it really is?


And our concluding, FAQ lightning round…


Washington:  why haven’t you passed a budget in 3 years?

Supreme Court:  are you ever politically motivated?

Pres. Obama:  if VP Biden & Co. hadn’t put pressure on you, when and what would you have said about same-sex marriage?

Gov. Romney:  how do you feel about gay marriage?

John Edwards:  what were you thinking?

Ron Paul:  will you ever stop running for president?

Hillary:  are you satisfied being Sec. of State?

Greece/California:  did you really believe you could continually spend more that you took in without ever experiencing a negative consequence?

U.S. law enforcement:  why are you using drones for surveillance on American citizens?

Mary Kennedy (estranged wife of RFK, Jr.):  why did you kill yourself yesterday?

Junior Seau:  why did you kill yourself?


Some questions will never be answered.  Others are just far too uncommon.




the pursuit

While May Day came and went last week, one movement is attempting to stay — to stay relevant, that is.  First taking their message to the streets last September, the Occupy Wall Street protest seemingly lost momentum and attention in recent months, as winter weather and erratic behavior obscured the message behind the movement.


Hence, the Occupiers are hoping to now recapture what was lost.  They called for convergence on May 1st, International Workers’ Day, a day historically associated with opposers to capitalism.  Yet with vocal but sporadic response last week, OWS is calling for more organized demonstrations next Saturday.


The Intramuralist believes it’s important to look at the root of the Occupiers’ pursuit.  As first discussed here last fall, here is the movement’s purpose — in their own words:




We demand, firmly but without violence: social justice, wealth distribution and an ethic of commons. We condemn poverty, inequality, environmental devastation and corruption as tools of subjugation by the powerful on society.”


In order to minimize the emotion of this movement, I will refrain from addressing the erratic protestor behavior — the violence, the destruction of public property, and the negative impact on multiple small businesses.  Allow me to address the following instead.  Here are my questions…


How can you assume that the so-called 1% is greedy?

Do you know their hearts?

How is the individual wealth of others an obstruction for you?

Are you not able to work or do you not desire to work?

Are any of the so-called 99% greedy?

Where is the value of personal responsibility?

What about hard work?

What role, if any, does religion play in your pursuit?

Is there any submission to the God of the universe?

Is there submission to anyone?

How do you embrace the Arab Spring concept but distance yourself from the violence that accompanied the approach?

What are the limits of wealth distribution?

Are your protests truly socially just?

What do you believe you’re entitled to?


Note that suggested entitlements have included college, cars, housing, medical and dental care, etc.  Many also desire a guaranteed living wage regardless of employment.  All debt also should be forgiven.


Now… my 17 cents…


While some of the demands and expressions of the Occupiers seem outlandish and arguably extreme, the reality is that there is a segment of society which has become disillusioned with capitalism.  I believe it’s wise to ask why.  From my perspective, some have equated “happiness” with its pursuit.  The Occupy Movement is the manifestation of this equity error.


“Happiness” is not a right; it is not included in the unalienable rights boldly outlined in our Declaration of Independence.  Rather, it is the pursuit of happiness which is our prerogative.  We are a free people.  We are free to pursue our individual callings, callings that allow for both risk and reward.


Capitalism encourages that pursuit… to be successful… to seek and thus find… to be responsible… to realize the value of hard work… to submit to a divine reality.  People have opposed capitalism — and instead advocated for increased entitlement (and less individual liberty) — because they have failed to realize that the pursuit of happiness is sometimes wiser and better and more life-transforming than happiness itself.  The pursuit is good.


Ok, make it 18 cents.





Far too wonderful for me…


Recently I was struck by that phrase.  Perhaps you’ve noticed it embedded in a few semi-humble posts.  I must admit:  the concept is often a little inconsistent with how I think.  I mean, I’m not a rocket scientist nor student of microbiology.  But I do have 2 B.S.’s and a fairly decent grasp of contemporary culture.  The Intramuralist is a pursuer of wisdom.  And as a current events observer, I now concede that yes, there is much that is far too wonderful for me.


I pondered the meaning of wonder… wonderful…  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand…  stronger than me…  so high I cannot reach it…  beyond me…  lofty.  I can’t attain it.


We think of “wonderful” as good.  “Wonderful,” however, instead equates to the extraordinary — extraordinary and thus incomprehensible… too difficult to understand.  As I survey the news of the day, that could be good.  Sometimes tis not…


From the most recent headlines:




Seau was well-respected and had young children.  He was the founder of the Junior Seau Foundation, established in 1992 for the purposes of educating and empowering young people through the support of child abuse prevention, drug and alcohol awareness, recreational opportunities, anti-juvenile delinquency efforts and complimentary educational programs.  And yet yesterday, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his chest.


It’s incomprehensible to think of what actually drives a person to kill oneself.  A life with no hope.  Period.  It’s grievous.


“Buccaneers Sign Paralyzed Ex-Rutgers Football Player LeGrand.  Eric LeGrand, the former Rutgers University football player who was paralyzed from the neck down during a 2010 game, was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 90- man offseason roster by coach Greg Schiano.”


Playing in the NFL was once LeGrand’s dream.  The dream was shattered instantaneously.  And yet yesterday, one coach had the gracious compassion to reach out in an unprecedented way.


It’s incomprehensible to think of how much that had to mean to the former football player.  Great love.  Unparalleled grace.


And then in what can only be described as a slow news week, I observed the Bin Laden brouhaha, the on-again, off-again, who’s using what for political gain…


Obama’s campaigning… Obama’s not campaigning… He’s using Afghanistan as a campaign backdrop… he’s not…


Geepers.  Sorry, but the back-and-forth wears me out.  It’s too wonderful for me; it’s hard to discern between fiction, fact, and valid perspective.


The reality is that we live in a country in which politicians are constantly engaged in impression management.  They go to great lengths in order to be well-liked by a clear majority of voters.  Hence, they use what they can to create the impression they can.  Hence, if there’s fault with the Afghan political backdrop, there’s greater fault with the evolution of the system.  Impression management is never pure.


Just a few musings this day…  an observance of current events…


Many, which yes, are far too wonderful for me.




bin laden

Osama Bin Laden died one year ago.  Kudos to the Obama administration for leading the efforts which seized the terrorist leader.  Kudos to the Bush administration for implementing the effective strategy.


On this day my desire is to revisit why Bin Laden attacked us.  I must tell you now, this will not be politically correct.  We will water down nothing, but we will also be respectful and factually accurate.  The Intramuralist believes that political correctness often evades wrestling with the complexity of the truth.  Hence, that will not happen here.  Wrestling is wise.


Let’s allow for little interpretation.  Here are Bin Laden’s own words:




Osama Bin Laden pursued the obliteration of America and Americans based on his Islamic faith.  Not all Muslims believe that.  Bin Laden did.  He hated Americans, Jews, and Christians.  His hatred was directly tied to Islam.


“I’m fighting so I can die a martyr and go to heaven to meet God. Our fight now is against the Americans.”


He believed that his efforts were blessed by God, that God would look upon his intentional, vengeful killing as appropriate and necessary.  He believed he would go to heaven, meet God, and that encounter would somehow be good.




He considered Americans terrorists.


I have no insight into the intelligence of the fully-named Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden.  He studied econ, business, and possibly also civil engineering and public administration; attainment of a college degree is disputable.  Regardless, the Intramuralist will continue to assert that wisdom and intelligence are two totally distinct attributes.  I do not see any semblance of wisdom in Bin Laden.


Bin Laden advocated hate, vengeance, and murder; those are not compatible with wisdom.


Allow me to say that first part again:  Bin Laden loudly and vocally advocated hate, vengeance, and murder.  He justified that support based on his interpretation and application of Islam.


Hence, I ask the following:


Does the Quran, the central religious text of Islam, encourage violence?


How far-reaching was Bin Laden’s interpretation of that violence?


And as Americans, does our political-correctness in how we currently address insane acts of violence prompted by any religious interpretation impede our ability to wisely wrestle with the truth?


In July of 2009, 4 men in the Bronx plotted to bomb 2 synagogues and shoot down an American military aircraft with a missile.  When authorities and then media became aware of the criminal machinations, very little attention was publicly articulated in regard to the religious background of the 4 men.  While in prison for either theft, drug-related, or other charges, each converted to Islam while incarcerated.  There was significant evidence that “Islamic fanaticism” stoked their strategy.  In other words, their religion was relevant to their crime.


The question that our country continues to struggle with this day, is:  how relevant was the religion of Osama Bin Laden?  And if relevant, is such still in fierce opposition to the serenity and stability of America today?


The war on terror, dear friends, is not yet over.  That’s what we need to remember today. Sadly, we also need to remember that still tomorrow.




at war

Sometimes my penchant for sarcasm must be suppressed.  Sorry.  I believe in transparency.  Can someone please share with me why in the last 2-3 years, our nation continues to go to war?  We keep engaging in brand new “military conflict.”


There is the war on drugs, war on labor, war on terror, and war on teachers.  Not to mention the war on education, war on guns, war on Catholics, and war on Christmas.  Lest we forget the war on poverty, war on Wall Street, war on faith, and war on freedom.  Ladies and gentleman, we are a nation at war!


I have wondered for some time why the verbiage has regressed to such sensational standards.  Interestingly, after the shooting of the congressional representative in Arizona 15 months ago, many called for the ceasing of rhetorical combat; however, many of those who called for the cessation have quickly learned to reload and refire.  I therefore conclude that there exists something unique in the utilization of war terminology that stirs the emotions to a level that prompts action.  In particular, it prompts votes.  Sadly in this society — more than adhering to a nonporous standard of integrity — when words prompt votes, the appropriateness and exaggeration of the words seem irrelevant.


Our newest war?  A war on women.


My sarcasm is again tempted, folks.  A war on women?  A war?


Last I knew a “war” was when 2 different nations or states picked up their arms, attempting to blow one another up, because they had different desires for what the end result should look like.


The roots in the latest round in this feminine “war” began months ago with talk of contraception.  Should the government provide it for free?  Should one taxpayer subsidize it for another?  Women were divided.


The “war” advanced again this week when one powerful pundit, strategist Hillary Rosen, referred to Gov. Mitt Romney’s wife, Ann, as having “actually never worked a day in her life.  She’s never really dealt with the kinds of economic issues that a majority of the women in this country are facing in terms of how do we feed our kids, how do we send them to school and why do we worry about their future.”  Ann Romney, a survivor of both multiple sclerosis and breast cancer, was a stay-at-home mom, raising 5 boys.


Let it be known that Rosen later apologized for her “poorly chosen” words.  Prior to that apology, however, she initially reaffirmed her claims via the world of Twitter.  (My keen sense is that most likely, the pundit failed to initially recognize the unpopular military conflict she was just responsible for escalating.)


Thus, the Intramuralist is left with 2 questions:


  1. What are we doing?  And…
  2. Why do we keep acting as if this is “war”?


What are we doing?  We are dividing people.


As best I can discern, we are challenged as a nation to respect those who are different than us.  Hence, most either accept all difference as equally good and healthy (when it might not be) — or we look down on others, thereby creating division.  Rosen — albeit arguably unintentionally — was communicating in a way that gave the impression she looked down on Ann Romney.  I don’t know Rosen nor Romney’s hearts, but we would be wiser if we wouldn’t minimize the perspective of another primarily because their circumstances are different than our own.


So why do we keep acting as if this is “war”?  When Rosen apologized — no doubt also motivated to move past her personal role in the “war” escalation — she said, “Let’s declare peace in this phony war and go back to focus on the substance.”  Amen.  I agree.  There is no war against stay-at-home moms in this country.


But there also is no war against poverty, against labor unions, against education, or Christmas.  Remember that “war” means picking up our arms and attempting to blow up one another.


We could thus better “focus on the substance” if people would quit acting as if this was war.