Archive for Ohg Rea Tone
Ohg Rea Tone is all or nothing. He is educated and opinionated, more clever than smart, sarcastic and forthright. He writes intuitively - often disregarding rules of composition. Comment on his posts - he will likely respond with characteristic humor or genuine empathy. He is the real-deal.
Bush or Bin Laden – All or nothing
Son, The problem with partisan politics is the ‘all or nothing’ mentality. Even the all or nothing mentality gets distorted – for instance, can we oppose George Bush and Osama Bin Laden at the same time? Are we either for George Bush or for Bin Laden – are they opposites? They are not opposites – […]
13Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Bush or Bin Laden – All or nothing | Continued
Patraeus, Chris Matthews, and Bin Laden
Son, General David Patraeus is a noble man. A man of honor, courage, and integrity. He is in a tight spot. Even Senators who know better are asking him to opine on issues that are not his to decide. The General was asked if the War in Iraq was making the United States ‘safer.’ The […]
13Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Forgiving self
Son, I have been writing about humility and learning from mistakes – that sort of thing. It brings me to think about forgiveness. It feels to me that at least two of my three children forgive me for being me – One still has a burr under their saddle. That is OK with me. The […]
12Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Humility in parenting
Son, Some wacko California Hippie commented on my parenting post, I will address them: – I can make mistakes as a parent if I want to. I don’t know who you are but you are almost correct. Well, you are correct – but be careful. I know several people my age who beat their children […]
12Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Humility in parenting | Continued
Denial – Outdated Mythology
Son, There is a huge mistake by Addiction Treatment Professionals, law enforcement, and the courts in addressing the problem of alcohol and drug addiction. The dominant philosophy the past thirty years has been that the central problem is one of denial. That is to say, the belief that alcoholics and addicts have abnormally robust denial […]
12Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Denial – Outdated Mythology | Continued
Shifting Paradigms – Obama is On Track!
Son, What is the driving mission, vision, philosophy, whatever, of the United States of America? We look to our Constitution for the how-to’s; we look to our leaders for the why-for’s. The national media continues to look to our candidates for office for specific logistical solutions to problems. They continue to look at how-to’s. I […]
12Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Shifting Paradigms – Obama is On Track! | Continued
Addictions – Losing Control
Son, Dante wrote The Inferno. I am not sure about this – anyone can correct me if they wish, but I think Dante described the greatest sin as giving up control of your life to something external – gluttony, sloth, envy, greed, power, or addiction. The punishment for violating the greatest sin was total loss […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Addictions – Losing Control | Continued
Same turkey, different flavors
Son, As you are well aware, I like to bake a turkey. Not so much the turkey – but the turkey dinner experience. When I bake a whole turkey I like to prepare my favorite oyster dressing ( my own recipe.) While the turkey cooks I like to make my own bread (I have developed […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Same turkey, different flavors | Continued
Christianity and Capitalism
Son, Is there a conflict between Christianity and Capitalism. I rather think that these philosophical elements make a nice marriage. This country was founded on two basic principles. The Pilgrims at Plymouth were seeking religious refuge. The tradesmen at Jamestown were seeking economic prosperity. Today we marry these ideologies – the product is a prosperous […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Mistakes in parenting
Son, I feel a little embarrassed about giving advice on parenting. Your mother and I were talking last week and we both felt that our children turned out pretty well – in spite of us. I talk today about acting out of love – but that was not really my style. I was a parent […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Protecting children from themselves.
Son, Parenting is difficult. Your sister was in the Rainbow Honors Program in elementary school. When she was preparing for middle school she told me that she no longer wanted to be in the honors program. I asked, “Why not.” “Well”, she said in her 12 year old wisdom, “I don’t have enough time to […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Protecting children from themselves. | Continued
George W. Bush Presidential Library
Son, People can be funny, creative, facetious and sarcastic. Our local newspaper has a column called “It’s your call.” They allow people to call in and leave comments. There is little editing and the column gets heavy criticism from local officials. Today there is a clever comment: How about putting the George Bush Presidential Library […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on George W. Bush Presidential Library | Continued
Pit Bulls and Republicans
Son, The attack dogs are breeding. The muffling process of the Primaries disguises the Machiavellian mentality of self proclaimed leaders. Only restricted by fear that they might harm their pack, the Republicans are frustrated. They are off stride. The Democrats are well ahead in the money game. An unpopular President George Bush holds the leash […]
11Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Pit Bulls and Republicans | Continued
Liberals and Conservatives
Son, We have received comments from both the left and the right. My observation is that both are irrational. The left present themselves as more witty, more creative, more interesting. The right presented themselves as angry, frustrated, attacking, and belligerent. Such is life. Dad
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Liberals and Conservatives | Continued
My Opinion on Convictions
Son, I admire your determination. Opinions are the fodder of intellect, just academic talk until applied. Conviction is the result of integrating opinion with life experience. Our life experience will test our opinions – if we come out the other side with the same opinion then we call it conviction. We know many things – […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on My Opinion on Convictions | Continued
Bush says ‘Never!’ how smart is that
Son, I know a lot of people my age who, over time, have violated their own principles. They said “NEVER!” They were wrong. They were wrong to say never and they were wrong to violate their own principles. “Never” is a word that denies our own humanness. George double-u Bush is one of those folks […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Voting for Republicans…
Son, I voted for one Republican for President – and he quit. I have never voted for another. I was conflicted in 1980. I did not like the choices. I voted for the independent John Anderson. I have difficulty imagining the circumstances that would convince me to vote for any Republican for any national office. […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Ike Skelton asks one question…
Son, Ike Skelton states he will ask but one question, calling himself a country lawyer and qualifying that the leadership of Iraq appear “to be sitting on their thumbs…” So, “Mr. Ambassador, why should we expect the next six months to be any different?” Ambassador Crocker, “These are extremely complex endeavors…it is going to be […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Ike Skelton asks one question… | Continued
Ambassador Crocker Continues…
Son, Ambassador Crocker says, “Iraqis are struggling to come to terms with a society that does not punish…I believe that Iraq’s leaders have the will to face the challenges before them…they approach the task with a deep sense of patriotism…The commitment of Iraq’s leaders to work on these issues is encouraging…Iraqi Provincial gains have been […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Ambassador Crocker Continues… | Continued
Ambassador Ryan Crocker, on ‘the surge’
Son, United States Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, is giving testimony to the Congress. He just said, “Iraq continues to be a traumatized society.” Well, I guess he might be right. Dad
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Ambassador Ryan Crocker, on ‘the surge’ | Continued
Patreus is calling for a drawdown of troops
Son, General Patreus has just called for a ‘drawdown’ in U.S. Troops in Iraq. He is trying to explain what he means – I am getting confused with all of the details. That is the problem. This is a complicated issue with huge consequences…. Now Patreus is reiterating the dire consequences of a rapid retreat…. […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Patreus is calling for a drawdown of troops | Continued
Listening to General Patreus
Son, I am listening to General Patreus right now. The hearing opened with partisan statements by two Democrats and two Republicans. I wish those folks would just keep their faces shut so we can hear what the man has to say. They already threw several protesters out of the hearing – the partisan showmanship should […]
10Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
The question – What did I learn from my Dad
Son, In an earlier post I recounted an experience with my father. I was robbed, he reacted with anger and violence. I asked in the post, “What did I learn?” The post was titled “1963 – parenting in a tough world.” It is only with forty-five years of processing that I can answer the question. […]
9Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The question – What did I learn from my Dad | Continued
Enabling Our Children to Fail
Son, Please forgive me. You mentioned in an earlier post that you “…occasionally found myself in trouble.” I share in the fault. I will give you the notion that you were an adolescent, seeking independence and control of your own life. I will give you that adolescents make some bad choices. But I have to […]
9Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Enabling Our Children to Fail | Continued
Parenting, mythology and reality
Son, The Navy finished a job that I was unable to accomplish. You transitioned from an adolescent into a young man. Joseph Campbell might say this was a normal process. The mythology of parenting over the recorded history of man suggests, according to Campbell, that the mother and father each have roles, but the village […]
9Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Parenting, mythology and reality | Continued
1963 – Parenting in a tough world
Son, I was out collecting money from my paper route patrons. It was the week after John F. Kennedy had been assassinated. I was walking in the 1800 block of Felix Street when three older boys approached me; they were about 19 – I was 13. They told me to give them my money. I […]
8Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on 1963 – Parenting in a tough world | Continued
Finding Acceptance – The Beginnings of Discrimination
Son, Four year old children see the world as we do – but they do not have the same life experience. She goes to school and feels the nuances of acceptance and rejection. We are inherently social creatures and have a need for acceptance in a group. This need fits the category of survival instincts. […]
8Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Finding Acceptance – The Beginnings of Discrimination | Continued
Comments on Courage
Courage is not acting blindly – without regard to consequences. Courage is action on behalf of conviction – even knowing the consequences may be painful. We see courage in our everyday lives – people regularly sacrifice something of themselves for a higher cause.
7Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Comments on Courage | Continued
The pain of cultural frontiers
Son, You are exploring cultural frontiers. You have left the safe harbor of familiarity to seek new ideas about living. Like Lewis and Clark, you find fear and uncertainty. I admire your courage. What is courage, Son? When people act on their convictions, even knowing that there will be pain associated with their behavior, we […]
7Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
The Right to the Faith of Our Choice.
Fortunately for all of us – we have a government of laws, guided by a constitution. Keep your own faith and be active in the political process. Have faith that the world is actually getting better – some days it doesn’t feel like it – but humanity is progressing in the concept of civilization.
7Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Right to the Faith of Our Choice. | Continued
Imposing Our Culture On Others
Son, Sometimes we are a little hard on contemporary Christian fundamentalists. We don’t like their aggressive evangelism – their attempts to force their culture on us. That is a statement of perspective – their perspective might be that they are trying to save us from going to hell. Christianity has as rich history of abusing […]
6Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Imposing Our Culture On Others | Continued
Non-traditional families – what is that?
Son, You note that yours is a ‘non-traditional’ family. I don’t quite get it. There is a loving, married, mother and father, a daughter and a son, all living under one roof. You and your spouse worry about the health, safety, and future of your family. The description of your family describes the traditional family […]
6Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Non-traditional families – what is that? | Continued
On being a Democrat
Son, You happen to live in a state that has a presidential primary. Thus there is a practical need to declare a party affiliation. I like your choice for the Democratic candidate – but like many others I have reservations. Like most others, I want the corruption of a very good government system to end. […]
6Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on On being a Democrat | Continued
Have I overwhelmed my Son?
Son, As you know, I am an animated and verbose person. Those traits have served me and hindered me. I have used my personality to convey meaning, to articulate finer points, to debate, and to WIN. I fear that I have also used my wordiness to overwhelm, as a defense mechanism to keep others at […]
4Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Have I overwhelmed my Son? | Continued
All Politics is local – candidates for President
Son, Speaking of Social Security – who has the best plan? When Franklin D. Roosevelt came up with the idea he cleverly gave his plan a name that few could argue with. Who could argue with the idea of being socially secure – everyone wants that! Forty years later Lyndon B. Johnson added Medicare. Another […]
4Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on All Politics is local – candidates for President | Continued
Family Support
Son, I was at a Bantam League Football game yesterday, watching your nephew play. This is his first year of tackle football – he is in the third grade. Your Mom and older sister were there. We had a nice chat. Your younger sister and her husband just closed on a new house on Friday. […]
2Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Family Support | Continued
On My Tombstone – “He Tried.”
Son, OK. Let’s assume for a moment there is a God and there is an afterlife. I have been searching since before you were born for some safe and sane ideology; trying to know the unknowable. Now I am an aging man. I have learned that I don’t know very much. My expectation for myself […]
31Aug2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Fear and Faith
Son, I hear people say things like, “Faith is the opposite of fear.” If one has faith, one will have no fear. To this I say, “Fear Faith!’ Question your faith! Challenge your faith! If your faith is true and just it will withstand any challenge – if it does not withstand challenge then it […]
30Aug2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Fear and Faith | Continued
Faith and Grief and Jesus
Son, What is the inspiration that compels the contemporary ‘followers of Jesus?’ My simple mind can only assume that if a person acts on love, forgiveness, and kindness – then I can assume that person is a follower of the Jesus that I understand is described in that one Book. (Note here – I do […]
30Aug2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Faith and Grief and Jesus | Continued
I think I’ll have a seat
Son – I have read your introductory entry. You have addressed the reader – so shall I. My son has asked me to write with him. With him, to him, at him – something, I’m not quite sure. I read his first post, the introduction to this blog. He said the purpose was not a […]
22Aug2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on I think I’ll have a seat | Continued