Sikhism - A Primer for the Unenlightened

It is obvious from the events of last week, in which a gunman and possible accomplice, shot and killed several people in a Sikh house of worship, that the public needs to be educated about the Sikh religion. They are perhaps the most peaceful, although strict, of all the religions on the planet. They strive to offend no one.

Their belief system is based upon the existence of 10 Gurus, beginning with Nanak in about the 15^th century. They have no affiliation with the Islamic community as far as their religious beliefs, or requirements. The public’s confusion about this distinction between the two regions became abundantly clear after 9-11, when some gas station attendants were murdered at work for wearing Turbans, which have no relation to any type of Arab garment. The dynamics of this tragedy, at the present time, appear to be similar. An ignorant group (it is not clear yet if this was a group action, or a lone gunman, though there is a person of interest being sought in connection with the murders) with no knowledge, or tolerance, of people who are different have once again shown the lack of what freedom means.

So, for the unenlightened, here is a brief re-cap of the Sikh religion based on my own knowledge. Please feel free to correct me if I have it wrong.

The religion is based upon the beliefs of a man known as Nanka; who was the first Guru; followed by 9 others. Their practice consists of 3 basic tenets; the Sikh Rehat Maryada ; which consists of the Prohibitions, much like our own 10 Commandments. They also believe in Ardās; or, Kirtan Dasvand; which is akin to the Baptismal ritual. Their final belief is in the 5 Evils vs. the 5 Virtues, much like our own 7 Deadly Sins. So, you see, they are very much like us in the Judeo- Christian sphere of worship. It is the 5^th largest organized faith in the world today, with something like 25 million adherents. They are mostly congregated in the Punjab region of India.

To be sure, this is a very brief and possibly slightly inaccurate portrait of the Sikhs, based upon my own travels and experiences, but you get the picture. This was a senseless crime, allegedly committed by a man who could not even earn an Honorable Discharge from the Army; which is like obtaining a GED. Whether or not the “person of interest”, who is being sought at present, is related to this crime, there is surely a problem in America today. There is no longer any tolerance for anyone who looks different, acts different, or believes in something you do not. The man being sought; and who filmed the events; wore the same 9-11 tattoo as the shooter did, which points to some possible connection.

This is the same crowd that brought you the Oklahoma bombing several years ago at the Murrah Federal Building. That tragedy was at first blamed on the Islamic community. But the big secret is this; when it comes to killing in the name of ignorance; it’s a tie score between our side and “theirs”. With neither side willing to tolerate the other, there is likely to never be peace.

To educate yourself further on the Sikh religion; or just to reinforce what you already may know; hit up Wikipedia at this link and then pass it on. Communication is the only answer to the ignorance which prevails in today’s society. Here is the link; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh_beliefs

Please excuse any inaccuracies in my brief overview of the religion. I was writing from my own memory of the religion as I have encountered it in my travels. The only assistance I drew upon was the spelling, and identification, of several, well, all of the names except Nanka.

Tenders Fresh Food Winner

Well, it’s taken a long time, but I have finally won something larger than a free $1 lottery ticket. Well, that’s not quite true, I did once win $10 on Keno in Maryland, but that was so long ago that I almost forgot about it. So, you can imagine my surprise when I won the 1^st prize at Tender’s Chicken in Cornelius the other night.  That's $500 worth of my favorite food.

I eat there 6 out of 7 nights a week; or I should say, I get my food to go, and then I eat it on the side of one of the most beautiful roads in the state, Westmoreland Road, between Route 73 and Mayes Road. There, among the rows of corn and other various crops, I eat my dinner each night, except on weekends.

Tenders Fresh Foods is a growing chain. They currently have establishments in Tampa, Florida as well as here in North Carolina. They have big plans for the future, and you should look for their brand to spread in the coming years. Currently, I believe they are planning an opening in Raleigh this year.

What makes Tenders different than other medium priced restaurants is the fresh food. There is nothing frozen; everything is fresh and cooked to perfection. Even the potatoes are piled in sacks, waiting to be cut and fried. While that may seem sad for the potatoes, it’s great for the customers.

When you walk in, you are greeted by name, and that alone makes you feel special. My favorite order is the Grilled Salad, which contains cran raisins and sliced almonds over a bed of fresh lettuce and red cabbage with sliced carrots. There are at least 6 different dressings to choose from for the salads.


Quick riddle: What’s better than Tenders Chicken?

Quick Answer: Tenders Chicken for free!

Thanks to everyone at Tenders for making me a winner! And you can visit them at; http://tendersfreshfood.com/

Looking at the Insanity Plea

Much has been written of late concerning the use of the Insanity Plea as a defense in general and, in particular, in the case of James Holmes.  Holmes is the young man accused of multiple homicides in the shooting at a midnight showing of 'The Dark Knight Rises' in Colorado, which resulted in 12 people being killed and another 59 wounded. Police say the suspect acted alone and had no prior criminal record or ties to terrorism. He had, though, been under the care of a Mental Health professional at the time, and his case was reviewed, at the direction of his doctor, by a crisis management team just days before the killings took place.

Now the deed is done, and the Monday morning “Quarterbacking” has begun in earnest. The talking heads on my TV all say that the Insanity Plea is a dead end, as Mr. Holmes clearly planned this attack beforehand. This line of thinking, in determining whether Mr. Holmes is sane or not, is like comparing an orange to a watermelon. It makes no sense.

If, for example, I were to plan a murder for profit; and then say I was crazy; that would be a ridiculous plea, which would carry no merit. I would, in that case, be “crazy as a fox.” Obviously my crime would have had a criminal purpose; I was driven by greed. But what about the Holmes case? Let’s take a look at it.

Here’s a young man; with known mental difficulties; whose own doctor even questioned whether or not he was a danger to himself and others. He has planned, in meticulous detail, a crime too heinous to imagine. And then he actually carries it out, resulting in the deaths and injuries mentioned above. He hopes to gain no profit from his act. He doesn’t even have a sense of reality about the whole event; he even asked a deputy, after the shooting, how the film ended.

When considering an Insanity Plea, the question is not whether we believe that the subject was capable of premeditation in the crime for which they stand accused; the real question is how sane was the plan to begin with. What possible gain was there for Mr. Holmes to attain, even if he had gotten away with the crime? The answer is patently obvious. There was no gain, no real motive other than to commit the crime. That’s insane. Just like the guy who contemplates whether or not he can fly by jumping off the roof, he’s clearly insane.

Is this a plea to spare Mr. Holmes life? Not a chance. I believe in the death penalty. I just believe in being honest with ourselves about why we execute people when we do. The law says we do not execute people who are insane. So, in order to execute Mr. Holmes, he must be found to be sane.

No matter how much we kid ourselves to the contrary, Mr. Holmes is damaged, and likely will never be “fixed”. I mourn for the families of those who lost loved ones by his actions. If he is found guilty, I support the application of the death penalty for his crimes. Just don’t expect me to believe that he is sane.

" Indomitable Will" by Mark K. Updegrove (2012)

This is an unusual biography in that it is more of a “talking” history of the man by the people who knew him best. The book is written by Mark Updegrove; who is the Director of the LBJ Library and Museum in Austin, Texas; so you do have to take that into account. It is, however, very candid on most subjects. In some ways, as in LBJ’s relationship with his wife, there is new material here that is of great interest in understanding a man who may have been one of our country’s most complex Presidents.

As with any biography, particular attention should always be paid to the author, as well as any relationship he may have with his subject. That said, I did find this to be a pretty fair portrait of President Johnson; unflinching in any credit due him for things both good and bad during his time in office.

As I said earlier, one of the more interesting parts of this book dealt with LBJ’s relationship with his wife Lady Bird; born Claudia Alta Taylor; and her behind the scenes support of her husband as President. Although aware of his philandering nature, she was secure enough on her own to simply disregard it. And, at the same time she would critique his speeches and act as a sounding board for him during his 5 years in the White House. Mr. Updegrove does a wonderful job of giving her credit for her efforts. He paints a new portrait; more accurate than any previous; of Lady Bird as she really was.

Some of the behind the scenes maneuvering by both the Soviets and the Americans on the eve of the Israeli 6 Day War in 1967 were of special interest. The Soviets, after having instigated the whole thing with Syria and Egypt to make war on Israel, realized that the situation was moving too quickly and attempted to put a stop to it. The Americans, on their side, wanted Israel to wait and be attacked, thus taking the high road. Instead, Israel, acting unilaterally, pre-empted the attack by Syria, Egypt and Jordan with an attack of her own, slicing through the opposing armies and capturing the West Bank, Golan Heights and Jerusalem in the process. These territories are still in dispute today, with Israel having held them as an example of the consequences of being attacked by her neighbors.

If you’ve ever seen the “Andy Griffith Show” where the Soviet and American negotiators meet in Sheriff Taylor’s kitchen for a summit, you will enjoy the account of the “Glassboro Summit”, in which the President met with Premier Kosygin in the living room of Glassboro State College President Dr. Robinson’s home in New Jersey. The setting was similar to the way it was portrayed on the “Andy Griffith Show”, worn furniture and all. In this atmosphere, the two world leaders were able to bond over talk of their grandchildren; Johnson had just become a grandfather; much as Jimmy Carter and Anwar Sadat would later do at Camp David.

The book is basically an oral biography in that most of it is taken up by the quotes of the people involved in the incidents the author writes about. When he writes about a typical cabinet meeting, it is done with quotes by the people who were there, and who have gone on record with these recollections. This gives the book a sense of immediacy, as if you are being spoken to by the participants, rather than just reading about distant events. Harry Truman was portrayed in just such a way by Merle Miller in “Plain Speaking”, which is still one of my favorite Presidential autobiographies.

President Johnson was not the greatest foreign policy leader we have ever had, but domestically he was the most far reaching. His completion of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; which began with President Kennedy; would have been enough for one administration to tackle, but Johnson went further, giving the law its teeth with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That legislation went beyond mere words; it ensured that there would be no more obstacles for blacks to overcome in order to vote. That act did more to help change the politics of this country than anything since Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. It empowered a whole demographic to exercise their rights for the first time.

Under Johnson’s Presidency, and with his instigation, the minimum wage rose from $1.25 per hour to $1.60 per hour, a 28% increase for the lowest paid of Americans. While walking through the White House and seeing a group of tourists in the hall, he was asked about that increase. His response was eloquent; he told the visitors that the law was for “that little charwoman who scrubs the floor at that hotel”, and “the waitress that’s got three kids at home, that goes in there in the morning before daylight to be ready to serve coffee when they drop in at six o’clock, and usually stays until dark.”

It is easy to remember President Johnson for the Vietnam War, social disorder here at home, and a myriad of other problems. This book focuses more on some of the better things which grew from that Presidency. Sometimes, when we look back, it is easiest to remember the turmoil. But, it is also equally important to remember the steps which were taken in the right direction, if only to inspire the leaders of the present and future to further heights.

"Donald's Happy Birthday" with Donald Duck (1949)

In this classic from 1949, Donald really screws things up when he takes too strict a stance with his nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie. When the three devoted nephews take on extra chores in order to buy him a birthday present, he thinks they are going to squander the money. So, he takes it from them, only to have them take it back. But, boys being boys, the money is recovered just in time to get Uncle Donald something special for his birthday; and Donald Duck, being Donald Duck, manages to misconstrue the whole affair, finally looking for a hole to crawl into. A great cartoon which speaks to the issue of “trust” with the ones whom you love.

"Lung of Love" by Amy Ray (2012)

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, who first met as students in elementary school in Georgia, have been together for a long time now as the Indigo Girls. They began performing together in high school, and continued in college, releasing their first album in 1987. That album, and all the ones which came after it, are insightful, witty and strong. And, so it is with Amy Ray’s first solo effort, “Lung of Love.”

From the opening polish of “When You’re Gone, You’re Gone”, followed by the slightly poppish “Glow”, the album goes through a number of musical changes and styles, yet all deniably Ms. Ray.  The Christian- Rockabilly number “The Rock is My Foundation” is a real winner, as it begins in an old revival manner, ending up solidly in the 21^st century, both technically, as well as lyrically.

There is aggression, contentment and everything in between on this album. Lyrically, Ms. Ray is as strong as ever. And musically, she has grown in a way which enables her to stretch her wings a bit, trying on a new hat here and there. It’s hard for an audience to accept change, but this album is worth the time. When Amy Ray hits Charlotte again, I’ll be there!

The Kingsway Theater - A Love Story (1947)

In early 1947 my father was working as an usher at the Century Kingsway Theater on Kings Highway and Coney Island Avenue. He was just past 16 years old, and I’m not sure what they were paying him, but he was about to come into something more valuable than financial reward. When he went to work that night in early 1947, he had no way of knowing that his life was about to change forever. This was the night he met my Mom; but for whom I would not be telling this story.

My Mom had gone to the movies with her friend Judy; remember, I’m pulling this up from the deep recesses of my mind, so it may have been Doris instead. This was their usual routine on a Saturday night in the late 1940’s, when women wore headscarves and gloves; well, at least my Mom did. Also, she was Jewish, and just shy of her 18^th birthday. She was studying voice and auditioning for parts in the chorus of various  Broadway Shows.

My Dad, on the other hand,  was only 16 and a half, Irish Catholic, and apparently; according to my Mom; a bit lacking in the social graces. He was just ready to graduate from Maritime High School  aboard the SS Brown in Manhattan, and then ship out as a Merchant Marine Seaman; something I would later do myself.  Instead of asking her out on a proper date though,  he told her he’d be working the next weekend if she wanted to see him again! My Mom, of course, went home, and in the only diary entry she ever showed me wrote that “if he thinks I’m going back and pay to see him again, he’s got another think coming!” Strong words, but the next week she was back to see him; albeit still with her friend; and this time my Dad did ask her out for a date. They went to Prospect Park and fed the squirrels. These photos are from their 3rd date, as noted.

My friend John posted the picture of the Kingsway Theater on Facebook the other day, bringing back many memories; all good; of the good old days. And looking back, I don’t think that there was ever a time that I saw a movie at the Kingsway without recalling the story of how my parents met, and I came to be. Thanks, John.

The Concert for Bangla Desh (1971)

It was 41 years ago today when the Concert for Bangla Desh was held at New York's Madison Square Garden. I never knew how, but Michael Held got tickets to this concert. For weeks the city had been abuzz with rumors of a hastily arranged concert for the victims of the disasters which were then taking place in Bangladesh (originally spelled as two separate words) a province located in India. Together with the fleeing refugees from Pakistan, there had also been a devastating cyclone in 1970; and coupled with these two tragedies, there was a Civil War going on, with massive atrocities committed against innocent civilians.

After seeing the power of Woodstock in 1969, George Harrison’s friend Ravi Shankar; who was originally from the affected area; approached him, asking if he thought that something could be done within the world of entertainment to help alleviate the misery and devastation being experienced by the hundreds of thousands of victims.

There were two concerts held that day, which was a Sunday. The first show was at noon, with the second show beginning at 7 PM. 40,000 lucky people got to see this historic event, and contribute to the relief of the people in Bangladesh.

The stage was alive with all of rock and roll’s royalty. But the intimate video above is one of my favorite parts of the concert. Bob Dylan being backed by Leon Russell on bass, with George Harrison on his white Fender Stratocaster, accompanied by Ringo Starr on a tambourine, playing Dylan’s “Just Like a Woman.” Does it ever get better than that?

This concert was the blueprint for all of the benefit concerts since then. From Live Aid to Farm Aid, all have their roots in this one event. The immediate effect was over $250,000 being administered by UNICEF, for relief in Bangladesh. After some of the initial problems had been ironed out, the concert continued to generate revenue for the agency, through movie and recording royalties, all of which found its way to the victims for whom it was intended.

But I still don’t know how the hell Michael got that ticket!