Month: April 2024

Sanctuary Cities

On By scottpetersenIn Sanctuary citiesLeave a comment

[A timely update of April 30, 2017] Federal law mandates the enforcement of immigration laws.  Though the Supreme Court requires states to make social services available to all residents irrespective of immigration status.  The high court also prohibits the federal government from forcing states to enforce federal law (at their own expense).  Thus in America, some municipalities (and states) openly defy federal law.  And there’s the rub. . . . .

Millions of people around the world would love to move to the United States.  The poor. Homeless.  Uneducated.  Unemployed.   The question is — should we open our borders to them?  All of them?  Those who sponsor “sanctuary cities” say “yes.”  Those who favor open borders say “yes.”   And lately, we have.

Some communities require no showing of legal residence to receive drivers licenses, free education, free hospitalization, food stamps, welfare, unemployment compensation, subsidized housing, the right to sue and so on.  Even the right to vote. We seem to be opening America’s arms (and wallets) to everyone.  Without limitation. This leads to the logical question of who’s gonna foot the bill?   

Some well-meaning though politically-motivated people are fine with open borders — without addressing the underlying problems faced by immigrants in their own countries.  And our own. This has led to the divisive and costly (and potentially dangerous) dilemma we face today.   So what’s the answer? You tell me. . . . .

[Post script – Chicago – a sanctuary city – is enraged at having 25,000 immigrants to deal with. Yet Texas has to deal with millions of immigrants — and Texas gets criticized for sharing this crisis with other states. Wouldn’t it be more productive to work together to address the underlying problem?]

Typing

On By scottpetersenIn TypingLeave a comment

[A repeat from August 9, 2018] I had some good courses in college.  But the most useful was a year long course on advanced first aid which ended with a Civil Defense medical responder card (remember – this was 1966).  I thought – I’m an Eagle Scout – this’ll be a snap.  It was not.  But the knowledge gleaned from this course has come in very handy over the years.   

Of all the subjects I endured in high school — the most valuable course was typing.  It was called “touch typing” – a skill developed by Frank Edward McGurrin (a Salt Lake City court stenographer) in 1888.  Thank you, Mr. McGurrin!  I use this skill every day.  In abundance. . . . . 

I am able to type the way one was meant to type. Accurately. Fast.  Fingers flying (whooosh!).  None of this two finger business.  I often type my own letters, lengthy reports and loquacious emails at a speed of perhaps 60 words a minute with minimal error.  Rarely looking at the keyboard.  Typing.  What a value-added learning tool for a young person today.  But do schools teach typing the way they did?  I dunno but if not, it belongs on the menu. 

By the way – do you know the longest word in the English language that you can write using the letters on the top row of a typewriter or keyboard?  “Typewriter.”  Yep . . . .

Did you ever use a bad word?

On By scottpetersenIn Did you ever use a bad word?, I Corinthians 13:11Leave a comment

[A repeat from February 10, 2019] Did you ever use a racial, religious, ethnic, body shaming, gender or other epithet when you were in 3d grade? 8th? 12th?  Did you ever call someone a “name”?  Or use such a term in a joke?  Or while talking with others?  If you say “no” – I’m not sure I would believe you.   Either way, it leads to the vexing question of whether a man or woman should be judged by the worst thing they ever said (or did) when they were young?  Yet that seems to be the demand of some individuals who are quick to condemn others for things said or done in their adolescence.  

As time goes on, and the maturation process continues, we learn.  I am not the “boy ” I was when I was 17.   I’m probably guilty of using bad words when I was 9 years old.  Or 18.  You want to see what happened to me when I used a slur when I was 12 years old?  Check out my post of July 30, 2017.  But the child of then is not the “me” of today.   Yet the current demand for adolescent accountability begs two serious questions:  what if at the time (60 years ago), such commentary was viewed differently.   Is it appropriate to judge people for words and deeds in the past by the selective moral compass of today?  Then there is the question of whether there should be forgiveness for words or deeds done in one’s adolescence — when one’s current life is exemplary — and does not reflect the “bad words” uttered in ages past.  We forgive criminals when they get out of prison.  Christians seem to forgive Saint Paul for once being Saul of Tarsus.  Why not forgive those who use bad words in adolescence?  How about forgiving those older folks who are contrite and repentant about stupid comments?  Is there a difference between an “offense” and “insensitivity”?      

I have grown up.  Maybe you have too.  While you and I said and did stupid things when we were 12 years old – or 18 – we are not the same person today.  This notion of maturation is even Biblical (I Corinthians 13:11):   When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  Question — should your son or daughter or grandchild be condemned forever and denied occupation — because of some ill-chosen words spoken or acts of stupidity when they were in grade school, high school or college?  How about an ill-tempered word in adulthood?  If you believe they – and others – should be condemned, then perhaps you – who are without sin – should pick up the first rock.   And let ’em have it. . . . .  

23

On By scottpetersenIn 23, EstorilLeave a comment

Donna and I were on a 3 week honeymoon jaunt – driving around Spain and Portugal. Staying in paradors. Eating chocolate and churros. And following famed matador Diego Puerta at Sunday corridas around Spain.

Upon arrival at our hotel in Lisbon, we learned there was a casino – Estoril – outside of town. They offered meals and a theater production that sounded interesting. Soooooo. . . . we hailed a taxi and headed off west from Lisbon along the coast. It was a 45 minute ride. We went in the magnificent entrance and soon learned that you had to walk through the casino to get to the restaurant and theater. Having enjoyed a few casino stops in Las Vegas and Reno with my old friend Ox, I slowed as we approached the roulette table. I looked at Donna and said “give me just a few minutes.” She rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, exhaled a heavy breath and gave me a slight “okay” nod.

I bellied up to the table, got about twenty dollars of chips in escudos (the old currency of Portugal) and I dropped a few on number 23. And on red. And on “odd.” The wheel spun – for what seemed like an eternity. The ball bounced and settled on number 23. Red. Odd. The payoff was about $160.00. Donna looked at me, smiled and gave the “let’s go” sign. And we did. That lucky number paid for our dinner, the theater, the cab and a few other things on our trip. Since then, number 23 has been the “go to” number – and no it is not used for passwords. . . . .

Streets and Sanitation

On By scottpetersenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

[A repeat from October 28, 2012] I was in the Felony Trial Division of the States Attorneys office for several years.  My daughter was born in the middle of a brutal two week murder jury trial in Room 504 at 26th & California. Donna went into labor at about 2:00 a.m. on a Thursday morning.  I called my friend and partner in the case and said “Charlie – Donna’s having the baby. You’re gonna have to handle things today.” His response “Congrats but be here tomorrow.”   

The next day, I showed up at the office with my arms packed with files and three boxes of cigars.  So picture this — I’m in my office passing out cigars, smiling, yabbering, guys wandering in and out when suddenly a large chap appeared at my door.  He was wearing bib overalls, high rubber boots, thick shirt and a hat.  He leaned against the door frame.  “Is there a Scott Petersen here” he asked.  We all turned.  I raised my hand.  “Yeah.  That’s me.”  “You missin’ anything?” he asked.  I felt pockets.  Jacket.  My checkbook!  It’s gone.  “My checkbook” I said.  He held it up waggling it between two fingers.  “I found it on the street.”    Oh my gosh!  “THANK you” – I said taking the checkbook.  I pulled out my wallet and started to pull out a twenty. “Here – I really apprec. . . “ “No.  That’s okay,”  he held up his hand.  “I’m with Streets and Sanitation.  I want you guys to know” he paused and looked around “we have a lot of good people at Streets and Sanitation.”    I then said “My wife just had a baby.  Can I offer you some cigars?”  He looked at the open box.  “That I will take.”  He grabbed a large handful of stogies and disappeared.

It’s funny how things happen – and there are moments of intense clarity.  Obviously I’ll never forget the birth of my daughter (I was there :). I’ll never forget the trial (guilty all counts). But I’ll also never forget the integrity of that stranger.  Streets & Sanitation . . . . .  

Shuji Shuriken

On By scottpetersenIn Kenjutsu, Shuji ShurikenLeave a comment

[A repeat from June 9, 2016] Kenjutsu is the overarching term for all schools of Japanese swordsmanship.  Swords.  Very important in the martial arts in Japan.  And to the samurai class.   The study of kenjutsu has been a sub-culture in Japan since feudal times.  For practice, they used the bokuto (solid wood stick) or shina (bamboo pole).  For battle, they used the real McCoy.    And only the most disciplined of swordsmen could repeat and internalize the magic words of the Shuji Shuriken — “the cutting of the nine ideographs.”  Only the most devout of Japanese swordsmen could give life to these nine words.  

U – Being 

Mu – Non-being 

Suigetsu – Moonlight on the water     

 Jo – Inner security 

Shin – Master of the mind  

Sen – Thought precedes action 

Kara – Empty:  the Void.  Virtue       

Shinmyoken – Where the tip of the sword settles.   

Zero – Where the way has no power. . . .

It was not enough to merely think or speak the words.  The words and their meaning must be summoned from deep within.  The thought was – if you get through the first one while meditating and contemplating, you’re doing pretty well . . . . .

Clearbrook 3 -75_ _

On By scottpetersenIn Clearbrook 3, Wrong numberLeave a comment

[A repeat from June 16, 2016] When I was about 10 years old, my pal Darryl M. lived across the creek from my home. Darryl and I would walk across a narrow foot bridge to play catch or just hang out. Darryl’s telephone number was CLearbrook 3-75_ _ .  Sometimes I would call him.  We’d chat.  And hang up. 

One bright day, I called Darryl’s number.  (Ring) (Ring) (Ring) And a woman answered “Hello.”  I said “hello is Darryl there?”  Sounds pretty innocuous.  Eh?   Well it was the wrong number.  This woman began screaming into the phone “you #$&*$X. . .  you have the wrong $%@&@X number!”  I sat there listening.  Mouth open.  Mesmerized.  I realized I’d dialed a “6” instead of a “7.” 

I got on my bike and rode over to Darryl’s.  Darryl opened the door and I pushed inside.  Grabbed Darryl, picked up the phone and said “listen to this. . . .”  And I dialed the wrong number again.  (Ring) (Ring) (Ring) And a woman answered “Hello.”  I said cheerfully “hello is Darryl there?”  And she began screaming again.  This was really something special.  We shared the “wrong number” with our pals.   It seemed entertaining (at the time) and we all learned new four letter words in the process.  Mind you — these were the days before caller ID. . . . .