I'm Grateful for Investigations into Justified Killings

   More than a month has passed since his killing. Today, supporters of LaVoy Finicum gathered at the state capitol to protest his death and rally for the cause he had fought for. I mourn with them. From what I read, he was a wonderful person. I largely do not agree with what he advocated, though. And, I certainly do not feel the take over of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was justified.
   Now, of course, whenever someone is killed, there should be an investigation. It does not matter that the FBI was involved. Human life is precious. Anytime there is a killing, the life lost deserves at least to have someone look into whether the death was justified and necessary.
   And, in the Finicum case, there is an investigation underway, it being by the county attorney and sheriff's office. I do not know whether the two agencies involved in the shooting, the FBI and Oregon state troopers, are conducting internal investigations, but they should, and I would guess they are.
   Tonight, I just post saying I am grateful we have these investigations. I hope each is as thorough as can be reasonably expected, complete with questioning all potential witnesses and those who might know pertinent facts, with no investigation so limited that it does no more than wait for an autopsy report.
   

If it Elicits Feelings of Disdain, it is not Welcome Humor

   Cutting humor, biting humor, stinging humor.
   No better than dirty humor. Or, at least, it is also bad.
   If Salt Lake City were to seek acclaim for hosting a venue with clean humor, clean humor would not be enough. Mean humor would have to go, as well.
    And, that is one of the most common forms of humor. So dominant is is, in fact, one almost wonders if it is possible to have humor without picking on someone. I see a distinction, however, and wonder if I can verbalize it right now. That humor which evokes feelings of hatred, contempt and scorn would not be welcome. You can find humor in the situation of another person, but your joke needs to be fashioned so that it does not draw feelings of disdain for that person.
   If it does, it has crossed the line.
 

Anti-Establishment can also Mean not being Rich

  Not all so many years after Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz rode an anti-establishment wave into office, they are being painted as the establishment and washed aside by a newly minted anti-establishment figure, Donald Trump.
   I guess it depends on what you define as the establishment. All I can say, if it were me picking an anti-establishment figure, it wouldn't be one of the richer people in America, and it wouldn't be someone who has been a television star.

Why the Name Calling?

   The Donald isn't the only one. Politicians can be very demeaning of each other. It is a trait we Americans respond to. I believe it helpful to look at the candidates backgrounds, and who they are, and what they do, and what they have done.
   But, when you call a man a "con man," and a "fake," as Mitt Romney called Trump, I would like a little more of an explanation. Name calling, most of the time and maybe always, is better left out of the debate.
   I think on all the castigation we give to President Obama, and Hillary Clinton. We, as Americans, are very demeaning of politicians, ourselves. It is a trait I think we need to curb.  Yes, be concerned about who are candidates are, very much so, but there is a line where things become out of line, and that line often starts where the name calling begins.

If We are a Nation that Loves to Scorn, We have Found our Hero

    A nation's character can sometimes be reflected in the leaders it elects. Usually, the electorate concentrates on the politics of the candidate, but there are those times when the persona of the office seeker lifts the candidate as much or more as his stands on the issues.
   Enter Donald Trump. There are few with such a strong personality.
   Part of what he is, is a person who lashes back at anyone who questions him. He responds to opposition with hatred. He matches criticism with belittlement. He berates any who dare speak against him. He serves up personal attacks for those with challenging questions.
   Donald Trump, the viper of American politics. If America values zingers, here is the king of them. If America's people value zingers more than being respectful of each other, here is their king.
  His contentious. spiteful personality is not seen as a fault, but is embraced by many, maybe even by enough that he shall be elected the next president of our country. If we are a nation that loves to hate, we have found our leader.
 

For Health's Sake, not all Laughing is Created Equal

   Skip the gym. Head straight to the comedy club -- for your health's sake.With the thought that laughing reduces stress and benefits health, it could be argued watching television sitcoms and taking in other forms of comedy is a health benefit, same as going to the gym.
   My feeling, though, is that not all laughing is created equal. There is certainly a difference between the laughing that comes from a truly funny joke and the laughing that comes with enjoying the unfortunate plight of others. I suppose I picture in my mind a wicked witch laughing as she rides away on her broomstick. She laughs not at a joke, but at the damage she causes to others.
   That type of laughing, it is my guess, is not beneficial. It is my guess that mean-spirited humor is not a tonic like more strict forms of humor.

E-cigarretes and the Lungs

   Maybe it's not the water, but the flavor of the water. There is little regulation on what goes into e-cigarettes, and different companies use different flavorings, many of which irritate the lungs.
   Perhaps more significantly, nicotine, itself, has been determined to cause inflammation in the lungs.