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It’s sad but true in the end cruelty works. Throughout history those tyrannical leaders who are the most cruel appear to be hold on to power. For example it took major wars to eliminate Hitler and Saddam Hussein but Iran’s Shah and England’s reign over it’s colonies occurred with much little bloodshed.  Just the illusion of being able to do whatever it takes to keep power insure the dictators reign of terror but when challenged the more cruel his/her response the more likely they will hold onto that power. The only way such evil can be eliminated is either by totally destruction of that source of evil (ISIS) or some spark of humanity to seep through (Soviet Union) and watch the whole process slowly crumbly from within.  We can try and contain it like Cancer but overtime that evil can seep through and kill more people then if we didn’t initially act.

How many good opportunities have we obliterated? Maybe we were too busy to give them a chance, or maybe they were to good to be true either way those opportunities vanquished in the manner of the lifting of a rainbow. Or maybe we were too much of a perfectionist that the opportunity didn’t hit all our buttons.

I can honestly say I let one opportunity for fellowship dissipate. It was during the college orientation and I met this great group of guys but they had this wild and crazy party. A party where I fell asleep on the floor a few hour later. When this group asked to become suitemates I secretly backed out fearing that I would never get any work  done with such a group.  Needless to say my initial suitemates were less then likeable and when I came to visit my “should have been” suitemates they were studiously at their books.

I can honestly say that I have taken many dips  in the water that others would have felt was “to cold” although many left me cold and wet some still hold some continual warmth (see below).  Nobody has offered me the opportunity to invest in the next “Apple” or sell a few coins for the NY Skyline but I’ll keep eyes and heart open. For when opportunity knocks I swing it open.

(1) I was offered the opportunity for an all expense opportunity training session in becoming a speaker including hotel and airfare (by the internet). I took this chance and was rewarded with one of the greatest learning experiences of my lifetime.

(2) My friend asked me to invest a few (a bit more) dollars in a short that he was producing.  This film didn’t make it to the big or small screen but was an opportunity for my whole family to participate in the film process.

(3) When joining my new Shul they offered me the opportunity to be President of The Men’s Club. This position has lead me in different and exciting directions that I never would have expected when this position was first offered.

My weekend reading of the Wall Street Journal gives me a new  perspective on people, places and things. These were some of the stories that made me think and wonder in a way that I hadn’t before.

(1) I was able to discover what it was like to be treated as an Ebola Patient in the United States and more about the sickness as a whole.

(2) Jeffrey Fowler gave me insight into what led him to leave a bible in North Korea (even though he knew he would go to jail if discovered) and how he would implement this act.

(3) The movement to enable students to see a ROI(Return on Investment)  on potential colleges and how some colleges are trying to prevent this information from getting out.

(4)  New insight was provided on Burkina current rebellion and how the forces are vying for power.

(5)Skirmishes between India and China are occurring more frequently on the mountainous border between those countries.

(6) Autobahn will now be charging fees for the use of this roadway and how this is a nationalistic move.

(7) American Rugby is coming to it’s own as they battle to become part of the 2016 Olympics.

(8) Peggy Noonan described her mothers path from Ellis Island to being allowed into the U.S. and how being quarantined was an expected part of this journey.

(9) New efforts for tolerance are new threats to our rights to free speech.

(10) Chimps have a high premeditated murder rate.

(11) The Finnish people have a unique way to find and keep high standards for the teachers that could be implemented in the U.S.

(12) Eating protein for breakfast will make you less hungry later in the day.

(13) Martin Short reveals how comedy helped him get through some very difficult moments in his life.

The smell infiltrated my suite on a daily basis yet it never entered my lungs. I not only didn’t inhale but never tried this substance although my suitemates used it on a daily basis.  For them it was a job they went to and didn’t leave until the effect went away. For me it waste of time for someone who was trying  to change the world,  not just how I felt living in that world.  I was shocked to find that one of my best friends was also a user and unlike my suitemates tried to persuade to take a puff or two. I had all the psychological reasons to try this substance low self esteem, wanting to fit in and curiosity, yet the pressure never got to me for several reasons(see below) that I hold on till today.

(1) It pays for a drug dealer to buy bullets that can kill an innocent person in the drug war cross fire.

(2) Pot and other illegal drugs might come from unsanitary conditions since they are hidden in any spot to get to the end user.

(3) Marijuana is not regulated so it can be laced with other substances that might do more serious harm to my body.

(4) Pot has been shown to make many individuals  lazy, paranoid and can even lead to schizophrenia which I don’t want in my life.  I have one brain and I want to keep it as healthy as possible.

(5) Bringing smoke to your lungs can’t be healthy.