...and because they're related to one of the High-and-Mighty, they must ipso facto be unqualified! String 'em up! Shoot 'em down! Evil! Evil! The Quincy Nepotism-Witch Trials!
Yeesh. You people need to get a grip. Figure out the fights that NEED to be fought and leave the ancillary issues alone.
I have lived in truly corrupt communities--Quincy ain't even close. Insular, yes, provinicial in may ways, yes. But corrupt? You ain't seen nothing, my friends.
Hmmmm, I just had an interesting thought apropos of the discussion.
I work for STARadio. STARadio is media sponsor for the Quincy Community Theater 2009 season. I am cast in a big role in Miracle on 34th Street.
Nepotism? Whaddaya think?
Buy a ticket and come see whether I am truly qualified to play Kris Kringle, or if it is clear that I only got in because of my "privileged relationship".
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
A little something from a wise statesman
In light of recent developments in some areas of Quincy government, here is a reminder of just what a representative should be doing in serving.
Thank you, Edmund Burke.
------
Edmund Burke, Speech to the Electors of Bristol
3 Nov. 1774
I am sorry I cannot conclude without saying a word on a topic touched upon by my worthy colleague. I wish that topic had been passed by at a time when I have so little leisure to discuss it. But since he has thought proper to throw it out, I owe you a clear explanation of my poor sentiments on that subject.
He tells you that "the topic of instructions has occasioned much altercation and uneasiness in this city;" and he expresses himself (if I understand him rightly) in favour of the coercive authority of such instructions.
Certainly, gentlemen, it ought to be the happiness and glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the closest correspondence, and the most unreserved communication with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him; their opinion, high respect; their business, unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasures, his satisfactions, to theirs; and above all, ever, and in all cases, to prefer their interest to his own. But his unbiassed opinion, his mature judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. These he does not derive from your pleasure; no, nor from the law and the constitution. They are a trust from Providence, for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
My worthy colleague says, his will ought to be subservient to yours. If that be all, the thing is innocent. If government were a matter of will upon any side, yours, without question, ought to be superior. But government and legislation are matters of reason and judgment, and not of inclination; and what sort of reason is that, in which the determination precedes the discussion; in which one set of men deliberate, and another decide; and where those who form the conclusion are perhaps three hundred miles distant from those who hear the arguments?
To deliver an opinion, is the right of all men; that of constituents is a weighty and respectable opinion, which a representative ought always to rejoice to hear; and which he ought always most seriously to consider. But authoritative instructions; mandates issued, which the member is bound blindly and implicitly to obey, to vote, and to argue for, though contrary to the clearest conviction of his judgment and conscience,--these are things utterly unknown to the laws of this land, and which arise from a fundamental mistake of the whole order and tenor of our constitution.
Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from different and hostile interests; which interests each must maintain, as an agent and advocate, against other agents and advocates; but parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole; where, not local purposes, not local prejudices, ought to guide, but the general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole. You choose a member indeed; but when you have chosen him, he is not member of Bristol, but he is a member of parliament. If the local constituent should have an interest, or should form an hasty opinion, evidently opposite to the real good of the rest of the community, the member for that place ought to be as far, as any other, from any endeavour to give it effect. I beg pardon for saying so much on this subject. I have been unwillingly drawn into it; but I shall ever use a respectful frankness of communication with you. Your faithful friend, your devoted servant, I shall be to the end of my life: a flatterer you do not wish for.
-----------
My favorite political quote is from this:
Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
Thank you, Edmund Burke.
------
Edmund Burke, Speech to the Electors of Bristol
3 Nov. 1774
I am sorry I cannot conclude without saying a word on a topic touched upon by my worthy colleague. I wish that topic had been passed by at a time when I have so little leisure to discuss it. But since he has thought proper to throw it out, I owe you a clear explanation of my poor sentiments on that subject.
He tells you that "the topic of instructions has occasioned much altercation and uneasiness in this city;" and he expresses himself (if I understand him rightly) in favour of the coercive authority of such instructions.
Certainly, gentlemen, it ought to be the happiness and glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the closest correspondence, and the most unreserved communication with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him; their opinion, high respect; their business, unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasures, his satisfactions, to theirs; and above all, ever, and in all cases, to prefer their interest to his own. But his unbiassed opinion, his mature judgment, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. These he does not derive from your pleasure; no, nor from the law and the constitution. They are a trust from Providence, for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
My worthy colleague says, his will ought to be subservient to yours. If that be all, the thing is innocent. If government were a matter of will upon any side, yours, without question, ought to be superior. But government and legislation are matters of reason and judgment, and not of inclination; and what sort of reason is that, in which the determination precedes the discussion; in which one set of men deliberate, and another decide; and where those who form the conclusion are perhaps three hundred miles distant from those who hear the arguments?
To deliver an opinion, is the right of all men; that of constituents is a weighty and respectable opinion, which a representative ought always to rejoice to hear; and which he ought always most seriously to consider. But authoritative instructions; mandates issued, which the member is bound blindly and implicitly to obey, to vote, and to argue for, though contrary to the clearest conviction of his judgment and conscience,--these are things utterly unknown to the laws of this land, and which arise from a fundamental mistake of the whole order and tenor of our constitution.
Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from different and hostile interests; which interests each must maintain, as an agent and advocate, against other agents and advocates; but parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole; where, not local purposes, not local prejudices, ought to guide, but the general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole. You choose a member indeed; but when you have chosen him, he is not member of Bristol, but he is a member of parliament. If the local constituent should have an interest, or should form an hasty opinion, evidently opposite to the real good of the rest of the community, the member for that place ought to be as far, as any other, from any endeavour to give it effect. I beg pardon for saying so much on this subject. I have been unwillingly drawn into it; but I shall ever use a respectful frankness of communication with you. Your faithful friend, your devoted servant, I shall be to the end of my life: a flatterer you do not wish for.
-----------
My favorite political quote is from this:
Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
From my brother
This is a post that my brother Matthew made on Facebook today. For a Christian, what he has done is supposed to be something we are open to doing everyday, but I expect we all worry about--both the doing and the "whether" we should do it.
Anyway, Matthew Payne shares about:
Sincere or scammed?
I did something yesterday you are not supposed to do. I picked up a hitchhiker.
I was returning to Appleton from Fond du Lac and a morning in the archives. As I was going down the ramp, I saw a hitchhiker at the bootm. Female, about late 30's, early 40's. She had nice clothes on, a small black travel bag and a red purse. She seemed out of place, so I figured "Oh, why not." I believe in carpooling.
When she got in I could tell she was wearing perfume, had some tasteful jewelry. She looked like she was going to a job interview. She told me she was going to Appleton to apply for jobs at the mall in Appleton.
I won't bore you with the entire story, but the trip was spent trying to assess was this person sincere, or was she scamming me. She lost her job in Indiana, had spent her savings, decided to try things out in a different part of the country. She had her luggage stolen and her laptop was gone too. I checked to see if she had friends in Appleton. Nope. Did she have someplace to stay? Did she need some clothes? Nope and yep. But she never asked for these things.
I felt pretty confident this was a person down on their luck and not a scammer. I paid for her motel room for one night (cash...I am not naive enough to give out credit card info to a stranger), took her to a mall and left her with enough money for something to eat and bus fare. I wished her luck.
I woke up this morning wondering how she was doing. She was a person needing help, but not a person in need. I offered to get her into contact with the usual agencies for assistance, but she wasn't interested, probably felt it was beneath her.
It has been a while since I helped a complete stranger like that, outside of planned activities through church or another service organization. This was just me, one on one. I am not sure what the whole experience means, but it's one that seems to be sticking with me.
Thanks bro, for the reminder.
Anyway, Matthew Payne shares about:
Sincere or scammed?
I did something yesterday you are not supposed to do. I picked up a hitchhiker.
I was returning to Appleton from Fond du Lac and a morning in the archives. As I was going down the ramp, I saw a hitchhiker at the bootm. Female, about late 30's, early 40's. She had nice clothes on, a small black travel bag and a red purse. She seemed out of place, so I figured "Oh, why not." I believe in carpooling.
When she got in I could tell she was wearing perfume, had some tasteful jewelry. She looked like she was going to a job interview. She told me she was going to Appleton to apply for jobs at the mall in Appleton.
I won't bore you with the entire story, but the trip was spent trying to assess was this person sincere, or was she scamming me. She lost her job in Indiana, had spent her savings, decided to try things out in a different part of the country. She had her luggage stolen and her laptop was gone too. I checked to see if she had friends in Appleton. Nope. Did she have someplace to stay? Did she need some clothes? Nope and yep. But she never asked for these things.
I felt pretty confident this was a person down on their luck and not a scammer. I paid for her motel room for one night (cash...I am not naive enough to give out credit card info to a stranger), took her to a mall and left her with enough money for something to eat and bus fare. I wished her luck.
I woke up this morning wondering how she was doing. She was a person needing help, but not a person in need. I offered to get her into contact with the usual agencies for assistance, but she wasn't interested, probably felt it was beneath her.
It has been a while since I helped a complete stranger like that, outside of planned activities through church or another service organization. This was just me, one on one. I am not sure what the whole experience means, but it's one that seems to be sticking with me.
Thanks bro, for the reminder.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
John Tripp: Memory Eternal
I was deeply saddened today to learn of the death of John Tripp, aged 59.
I cannot say John was among my friends, for he was not. He was an acquaintance, with whom I conversed a few times first as a news reporter and second as a guy involved in music who performed in a couple of shows with his daughter Meredith. But without hesitation I say, I would have been proud to have been his friend.
If there was ever a man who could have borne the mantle of Mr Quincy after the passing of Joe Bonansinga, John Tripp would have been a prime contender. Perhaps he could even be called Mr Tri-States, for his involvement and committment extended far beyond the border of Quincy. Take his many years of devoted service to Culver-Stockton College in Canton, for example.
John is an example all of us could do to emulate. Certainly he blogged far more than I ever seem to find time to do. His weekly "Up Down and Around our Town" was routinely cheery, thoughtful, and well worth the few minutes it took to read each Monday. If I may, John displayed great wisdom, the kind that few of us attain. John was blessed.
I will miss him and his quiet optimism.
It is appropriate that his final posting on Monday May 11th was about the departure of Culver Stockton president Bill Fox. It is appropriate that the new president looks rather like John Tripp (to the point of "separated at birth?"). John surely got a chuckle out of being told the resemblance was uncanny.
It is even more appropriate that he began that posting thus:
"So many of us die with our music still in us", as Oliver Wendell Holmes so aptly put. His words were designed to make sure that we share all of our gifts as often as possible with those that are close. It speaks of making sure that those special talents are developed, shared and most of all, improved upon. Such is the challenge of living in a fast-moving society. Reality tells us that there will always be starts and stops; it's the journey that really counts the most.
John, your music was lovely and not long enough, but you shared your talents freely with the kind of largesse made famous in song and story. Your journey will be remembered by the many whose lives you touched.
Memory eternal. Memory Eternal. Memory Eternal.
I cannot say John was among my friends, for he was not. He was an acquaintance, with whom I conversed a few times first as a news reporter and second as a guy involved in music who performed in a couple of shows with his daughter Meredith. But without hesitation I say, I would have been proud to have been his friend.
If there was ever a man who could have borne the mantle of Mr Quincy after the passing of Joe Bonansinga, John Tripp would have been a prime contender. Perhaps he could even be called Mr Tri-States, for his involvement and committment extended far beyond the border of Quincy. Take his many years of devoted service to Culver-Stockton College in Canton, for example.
John is an example all of us could do to emulate. Certainly he blogged far more than I ever seem to find time to do. His weekly "Up Down and Around our Town" was routinely cheery, thoughtful, and well worth the few minutes it took to read each Monday. If I may, John displayed great wisdom, the kind that few of us attain. John was blessed.
I will miss him and his quiet optimism.
It is appropriate that his final posting on Monday May 11th was about the departure of Culver Stockton president Bill Fox. It is appropriate that the new president looks rather like John Tripp (to the point of "separated at birth?"). John surely got a chuckle out of being told the resemblance was uncanny.
It is even more appropriate that he began that posting thus:
"So many of us die with our music still in us", as Oliver Wendell Holmes so aptly put. His words were designed to make sure that we share all of our gifts as often as possible with those that are close. It speaks of making sure that those special talents are developed, shared and most of all, improved upon. Such is the challenge of living in a fast-moving society. Reality tells us that there will always be starts and stops; it's the journey that really counts the most.
John, your music was lovely and not long enough, but you shared your talents freely with the kind of largesse made famous in song and story. Your journey will be remembered by the many whose lives you touched.
Memory eternal. Memory Eternal. Memory Eternal.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Great Lent begins Monday, March 2nd
Yes, I know Roman Catholics and Protestants began on Wednesday. We figure the date of Easter differently, which means we start Lent differently as well.
But that's not why I'm posting this.
My friend Ron Fritts has a decent article about "giving something up for Lent" over on QuincyNews.Org. You can find it here.
I don't always agree with Ron but he pretty much has this one down pat.
Fasting and prostrations (the two big Orthodox penitential activities) are meaningless without a heart that is willing to change, and an attitude of repentance and intention to do better, and a firm resolve not to observe the letter without embracing the spirit.
The Orthodox during Great Lent generally refrain from meat, dairy, fish, wine, and olive oil. On Saturdays we are allowed fish, wine and oil, usually. On Wednesdays and Fridays we are asked to fast all day (and that actually applies all year round, not just in Great Lent) and break our fast in the evening with very simple fare.
The point is not to obsess over "oh I can't buy this product at the store because it has milk by-products!" The point is to use the time you would usually spend preparing and eating on spiritual food--reading Holy Scripture, or the writings of our Christian fathers and mothers, or in prayer, or in helping others. The point is to use these ancient spiritual practices to help YOU to grow to be more like God: loving, forgiving, calm, full of grace.
If you miss a day, move on and try to do better. If your non-Orthodox parents offer you a meal that includes your favorite steak and blue cheese, do not insult them by refusing, but accept their hospitality humbly and with a glad heart. Fasting from food doesn't mean you fast from right treatment of others.
We say a special prayer during Great Lent, and we say it often. It's meant to focus us on the real meaning of what we're doing--not as a duty to be borne, but as a means to "deification", an aid to that "narrow way", a staff (if you will) upon the path to "theosis".
It is the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, and it is replete with prostrations. But look past that to what it says, and what we are saying when we submit to God and to letting His power help us overcome the things which hinder us:
The Great Lenten Prayer of St Ephraim:
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust for power and idle talk.
(Prostration)
But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.
(Prostration)
O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters. For blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Prostration)
O God, cleanse me a sinner. (12 times, with as many bows, and then again the whole prayer from the beginning throughout, and after that one great prostration)
Perhaps if you say this prayer you will not do a single prostration. Personally I think you will be missing an incredibly powerful spiritual exercise (not to mention physical :), but just focus on the words all the same.
Therein lies a great gift of God's grace.
One other thing, the Orthodox don't do the Ash Wednesday thing. But we do have Forgiveness Vespers. This Sunday after the Divine Liturgy (although more properly at sundown) we will pray the Vespers service and end by going to each member of the congregation, embracing them and saying "Brother (or sister), forgive me."
This simple act begins our Lenten walk, and the spirit in which we participate colors the entire season.
May God grant that I freely and openly forgive anyone I have offended, and that I humbly and with great compunction request their forgiveness for my many faults.
Glory to God unto the ages of ages.
Reader Nikolai Kevin Payne
But that's not why I'm posting this.
My friend Ron Fritts has a decent article about "giving something up for Lent" over on QuincyNews.Org. You can find it here.
I don't always agree with Ron but he pretty much has this one down pat.
Fasting and prostrations (the two big Orthodox penitential activities) are meaningless without a heart that is willing to change, and an attitude of repentance and intention to do better, and a firm resolve not to observe the letter without embracing the spirit.
The Orthodox during Great Lent generally refrain from meat, dairy, fish, wine, and olive oil. On Saturdays we are allowed fish, wine and oil, usually. On Wednesdays and Fridays we are asked to fast all day (and that actually applies all year round, not just in Great Lent) and break our fast in the evening with very simple fare.
The point is not to obsess over "oh I can't buy this product at the store because it has milk by-products!" The point is to use the time you would usually spend preparing and eating on spiritual food--reading Holy Scripture, or the writings of our Christian fathers and mothers, or in prayer, or in helping others. The point is to use these ancient spiritual practices to help YOU to grow to be more like God: loving, forgiving, calm, full of grace.
If you miss a day, move on and try to do better. If your non-Orthodox parents offer you a meal that includes your favorite steak and blue cheese, do not insult them by refusing, but accept their hospitality humbly and with a glad heart. Fasting from food doesn't mean you fast from right treatment of others.
We say a special prayer during Great Lent, and we say it often. It's meant to focus us on the real meaning of what we're doing--not as a duty to be borne, but as a means to "deification", an aid to that "narrow way", a staff (if you will) upon the path to "theosis".
It is the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, and it is replete with prostrations. But look past that to what it says, and what we are saying when we submit to God and to letting His power help us overcome the things which hinder us:
The Great Lenten Prayer of St Ephraim:
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust for power and idle talk.
(Prostration)
But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.
(Prostration)
O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters. For blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Prostration)
O God, cleanse me a sinner. (12 times, with as many bows, and then again the whole prayer from the beginning throughout, and after that one great prostration)
Perhaps if you say this prayer you will not do a single prostration. Personally I think you will be missing an incredibly powerful spiritual exercise (not to mention physical :), but just focus on the words all the same.
Therein lies a great gift of God's grace.
One other thing, the Orthodox don't do the Ash Wednesday thing. But we do have Forgiveness Vespers. This Sunday after the Divine Liturgy (although more properly at sundown) we will pray the Vespers service and end by going to each member of the congregation, embracing them and saying "Brother (or sister), forgive me."
This simple act begins our Lenten walk, and the spirit in which we participate colors the entire season.
May God grant that I freely and openly forgive anyone I have offended, and that I humbly and with great compunction request their forgiveness for my many faults.
Glory to God unto the ages of ages.
Reader Nikolai Kevin Payne
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Finding old friends
I resisted as long as I could, but some insistent friends finally convinced me to sign up on Facebook. Or actually, since I signed up about 4 years ago, they convinced me to actually USE Facebook.
I have, in the space of about two weeks, reconnected with a host of old friends from high school through college to today.
It's amazing.
People I haven't thought of in years but instantly remember when I see their name (although the pictures tend to be a bit off :), and it's as if the intervening years hadn't happened, we're yacking and laughing as if we'd just stepped away for a few.
Of course I keep getting "OMG you don't look any different!" which I actually hate to hear, probably because for the most part I can't reciprocate. I find most everyone looks older, and that's not always polite to say.
Still, linking up again with so many people I remember with great affection is a real blessing.
Thanks for the push, my friends.
I have, in the space of about two weeks, reconnected with a host of old friends from high school through college to today.
It's amazing.
People I haven't thought of in years but instantly remember when I see their name (although the pictures tend to be a bit off :), and it's as if the intervening years hadn't happened, we're yacking and laughing as if we'd just stepped away for a few.
Of course I keep getting "OMG you don't look any different!" which I actually hate to hear, probably because for the most part I can't reciprocate. I find most everyone looks older, and that's not always polite to say.
Still, linking up again with so many people I remember with great affection is a real blessing.
Thanks for the push, my friends.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Living up to one's name
I am laid up today after taking a tumble last night while covering a story. Then I made it worse by standing around for an extended period after that meeting talking shop with one of the confraternity of local media folks.
I'd already had a twinge of gout in my left ankle yesterday and made a doctor visit to get something done for it. Of course in my "king klutz" routine I also bunged up my left hand.
Anyway, I'm off the foot for today, propped up and working on blood flow since the gout has kicked in big time. I will spare you a description of the swollen glory of my ankle. The wrist isn't too bad, though.
The killer is I can't take ibuprofen because of my high blood pressure medicine, and tylenol doesn't relieve much of the pain. I am reminded of Bill Cosby describing his wife's "natural child birth": I WANT MORPHINE!
I also hate missing work since it means an exta load for Jim and Mary, and today it also means an extra call for something I was to cover this morning as well as figuring out how to get coverage at the 1844th homecoming tonight (after 5:30 p.m. at the armory for those who want to go and thank these great folks for their service).
At least it is a good opportunity to rest and recuperate, and spend some time in prayer and meditation on dealing with adversity. Practice on that last is sometning we could all use these days, I daresay.
Have a good one, my friends. And may God bless you and keep you.
I'd already had a twinge of gout in my left ankle yesterday and made a doctor visit to get something done for it. Of course in my "king klutz" routine I also bunged up my left hand.
Anyway, I'm off the foot for today, propped up and working on blood flow since the gout has kicked in big time. I will spare you a description of the swollen glory of my ankle. The wrist isn't too bad, though.
The killer is I can't take ibuprofen because of my high blood pressure medicine, and tylenol doesn't relieve much of the pain. I am reminded of Bill Cosby describing his wife's "natural child birth": I WANT MORPHINE!
I also hate missing work since it means an exta load for Jim and Mary, and today it also means an extra call for something I was to cover this morning as well as figuring out how to get coverage at the 1844th homecoming tonight (after 5:30 p.m. at the armory for those who want to go and thank these great folks for their service).
At least it is a good opportunity to rest and recuperate, and spend some time in prayer and meditation on dealing with adversity. Practice on that last is sometning we could all use these days, I daresay.
Have a good one, my friends. And may God bless you and keep you.
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