Short Term and Long Term Memory

  As one ages there is an inevitable decline in abilities, but is there also a possible concurrent improvement in one’s insights? When short term memory declines, long term memory sometimes improves. Long term memory improvement is not because short term memory seems to be diminished, but rather because both occur more or less simultaneously as part of the aging process; short term memory because of declining ability and long term memory because of nostalgia, a longing to understand the currents of one’s life. An understanding of History, in this case the history of one’s life, provides insights not available to those who depend on the immediate: who depend on short term memory for insights into the verities of life. Older adults are often considered conservative, but that is not necessarily conservative relative to politics or economics. It has more to do with being conservative relative to societal norms and social issues.   

The Loyal Opposition

By Harry E. Berndt

 

Where is the “loyal opposition”? One wonders if there was ever a loyal opposition, but today’s Republicans represent the antitheses to such an idea. Often one hears comments about how Tip O’Neill and Ronald Reagan worked together to make government work. Chris Mathews beat that idea to death in his book Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked, and on his program Hard Ball. This was true as far as the public statements made by either party, but in reality they favored different policies. Tip O’Neill was the ‘Loyal Opposition’.

 Present day examples of the loyal opposition are the remarks by Republican Congressmen and Senators that undermine the very office of the President. One Republican Congressman called the president a liar during his State of the Union address; Michele Bachmann, who talks with God, has called the president anti-American; Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, stated that his priority is to roll back successful Obama legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act., and Senator Marco Rubio accused the President of “Presidential malpractice”.

A Republican Governor, Mitch Daniels, in response to the president’s State of the Union speech stated, “The status of loyal opposition imposes on those out of power some serious responsibilities; to show respect for the Presidency and its occupant, to express agreement where it exists.” It seems evident that the Republican controlled House doesn’t agree. Speaker John Boehner and the Republican leadership have consistently turned down invitations to attend White House functions and have generally snubbed the President. They often insult the President by innuendo when interviewed and in public speeches. Their conduct is disrespectful of the President and of the Office he holds, and their statements damage the President’s credibility in the world of diplomacy. The victor in a presidential election becomes ‘Our President’, not just the President of those who agree with him. When our elected officials fail to publicly support our country’s stated policies, the enemies of our country benefit. We live in a world where communication is global. The Republicans failure as a loyal opposition is the real mal practice besetting our country. Their opposition to the policies of the President should remain in the halls of Congress and in their meetings with the President. 

The Loyal Opposition --edited

Thoughts Along the Way By Harry E. Berndt Thoughts along the way that seem to say that strife is with us all the way and not the way it ought to be for if it was we would be free Can I be free and you a slave – a slave you say – yes I work for pay and I am free at least that is what they say RAIN by Harry Berndt I am sitting here on my porch while it is raining - a soft steady rain coming down. I love a steady rain – soft without a sound. My heart cries out for those who suffer without rain. I ask why I have rain - and not others - who without a doubt have equal claim. There is no reason why I have rain and they have none. The blessings of this world are for all and not just for some – If there is a god? The Deer By Harry E. Berndt From the porch it did appear to be a dog it was not clear through the fog and below the pond too far for me to see it was not a dog but a deer. how lucky for me to see this deer a world of beauty opened to me away from fear and the home of the free away from guns away from death which always seems to be the very breath of the home of the free Unhyphenated Me By Harry Berndt I am unhyphenated ; not counted, and of no account. no parades for me, no toasts of beer or wine; no festivals, no old langsyne. people take no notice that I am here. My being here is unexplained if I am pained I never make a fuss -- I am a one not an us you see I am unhyphenated and free, yes free --- but Yet I am here On summer days I roam the streets and seek those feasts of pies and cakes and different meats. I fear I am the only one who knows that I am here. The Egret By Harry E. Berndt An Egret came my way Today He just stopped by to fish I couldn’t help but wish That he would stay awhile But that’s not his style Another brother Egret came And stayed to fish and eat And he lived in the tree Above the pond for over a week Room and board for free Brooding By Harry E. Berndt I have been sitting on my front porch most of this morning and early afternoon, and I marvel at the beauty that surrounds me; the tall Oak trees, smaller Dogwoods and Redbuds, and the medium height Tulip and River Birch. The weather today is the closest to perfection that it ever gets, and sitting on my porch on such a day is just that – perfect! Sitting here on my porch, watching the birds and the squirrels scrambling around for food and whatever, being very well at 88 years of age, I couldn’t but wonder why I am so blessed. It certainly is not due to anything that I have done or not done, although I have participated in my society, as have most people. It obviously has nothing to do with worthiness, since I am not more worthy than other humans. If I am not more worthy than those others who suffer from war, poverty, lack of food and potable water, and closer to home the unemployed, and those suffering from the injustices endemic in our society, what about you? Are you more worthy? I suspect Not! THE NEST By Harry E. Berndt There’s a mother in the tree Outside my door She sits and looks at me And nothing more It must seem odd to see Outside my door A mother who looks at me And nothing more

War against Hamas

Based on Israel’s right of self-defense, the American people seem to overwhelmingly support Israel in the war against Hamas. In its efforts of self-defense Israel killed almost 2000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and wounded over 9000. In addition, destruction of infra-structure and manufacturing will insure pain and suffering of the people of Gaza for years to come. Israel suffered a loss of 64 soldiers, mostly from street fighting in Gaza, and 3 civilians from rockets. The defense was mostly from rocket attacks, which required civilians to seek shelter many times daily, causing the Israeli people great discomfort.

 Our government provides Israel with billions of dollars in direct support, and an unknown amount through tax deductions to American organizations providing financial assistance to Israel. The President just signed an emergency appropriation of 225 million dollars for maintenance of the Israeli Iron Dome antimissile system. One might wonder when Israel will begin to support itself and its wars. It might also cross our minds that we might be complicit in a war not of our making, but one that is morally questionable.

THE NEST

                        By Harry E. Berndt

 

There’s a mother in the tree

Outside my door

She sits and looks at me

And nothing more

           

It must seem odd to see

Outside my door

A mother who looks at me

And nothing more

Unhyphenated Me

By Harry Berndt

 

I am unhyphenated ; not counted, and of no account.

 no parades for me, no toasts of beer

or wine; no festivals, no old langsyne.

people take no notice that

I am here.

 

My being here is unexplained

 if I am pained.

 I never make a fuss. I am a one

 and not an us. you see.

I am unhyphenated and free, yes free --- but

Yet I am here

 

On summer days I roam the streets

and seek those feasts

 of pies and cakes

and different meats.

 I fear

I am the only one who knows that

 I am here.

 

 

September 8, 2013

RAIN

by Harry Berndt

 

I am sitting here on my porch

while it is raining - a soft steady

rain coming down.

I love a steady rain – soft

without a sound.

 

My heart cries out for those who suffer

without rain.

I ask why I have rain - and not

others - who without a doubt

have equal claim.

 

There is no reason why I have rain

and they have none.

The blessings of this world are for all

and not just for some –

If there is a god?

 

 

 

 

 

The Egret

By Harry E. Berndt

 

An Egret came my way

Today

He just stopped by to fish

I couldn’t help but wish

That he would stay awhile

But that’s not his style

 

Another brother Egret came

And stayed to fish and eat

And he lived in the tree

Above the pond for over a week

Room and board for free