O. Henry might have been jealous reading this fine short story, Garrison. What's missing is this poor guy's angst. There's a few notes short of a full chord with this poor fellow. He truly needs help, but his tonic or meds are not in a bank safe. This poor fellow seems to fall into that group we all talked about last week....the "de-institutionalized," in short the hundreds of thousands, dare I say millions, who can't make it on their own.
Here in what Steve Cannon, another radio star, used to call "the tundra", we have dozesn and dozens of those in need of more than booze and drugs and a sleeping bag, maybe a tent and someone to lay next to, so as to not freeze to death.
No, O. Henry could not write a story around this tragedy. What we need, as the Sheriff in that classic movie, "Cool Hand Luke," is what he called "a failure to communicate."
No, we still aren't connecting, and like that old title on a fine novel read, "You can't go home again," perhaps we can get a proper room for them, a bed, the right meds and some needed help. That needed help is not in a bank safe. And God knows cuss words won't help. But maybe, just maybe, we might "do" instead of 'tell."
It has show by others much wiser than myself that anger interferes with thinking. Through much of my life I have routinely justified my angry outbursts as righteous indignation, forced upon me by the words or actions of others or circumstances beyond my control. Had I been less prone to react with anger, I might have been able to understand that I was choosing to be angry, and in doing so I was foregoing the opportunity to better understand and cope with whatever it was I found provocative.
A quote from Charles Swindoll, a radio preacher, is "Life is 10% circumstances and 90% how we react to them". You seem to be tapping that bit of wisdom.
Re: giving up the anger, it can be so hard to do but ever so necessary. Anger seldom hurts the thing or person one is angry at, the only person that it really hurts is you. And that can often lead to doing or saying stupid things as you pointed out. The feeling of freedom and liberation that you from giving up the anger is truly healing. At least this has been my experience. 
Garrison, If you haven't already, you can buy the workers across the hall some good donuts or pastries (from a bakery please) and apologize. It will make you feel good. It will delight them. 'Been there, done that.
Don't you find it odd that the hapless idiot who robbed the bank in Minneapolis had his bail set at $500 K, the exact bail amount which was set for Charles McGonigal, the former FBI counter-intelligence official who was just indicted on charges of violating US sanctions, conspiracy, and money laundering? McGonigal is charged with taking money from an Albanian intelligence employee and also from Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a crony of Vladimir Putin.
Never into 73 years have I seen so many people so determined to publicly make absolute fools of themselves. I could aficionado a name and a date to this phenomenon, but why bother. Although there are so many outrages and so little time, I’ve learned that nursing anger is low drinking poison in the hopes that it will kill your enemies. It is a nasty, contagious condition, and cheerful acceptance is the antidote. I thank you for yours, dear sir.
Also... All that construction noise means a bunch of folks are earning a living. I love that noise. Who imagines they get to go through life absent any intrusion by folks doing work that's absolutely necessary and that no one else seems to want to do?
We think alike! Especially during the summer when highway construction is in full bloom! My girlfriend always complains about the long delays but I always say "what's to complain about?" These guys are making tons of money and we're getting our roads fixed!!
Rereading this after stewing on it for a couple hours, I have had a fun time recalling my rages, and the feeling of it.,and living with it in a healthy way.
Don't stop getting angry! In recovery they say HALT. Do not get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. They do not say stop any of the above!
How do you reconcile your attitude toward anger and recovery with this famous statement? “And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life—unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly that way it is supposed to be at this moment.”
You mention of the poor choices the bank robber made and many would think he is dumb. It makes me think of the second or third grade teacher who did a test with her students. Each was given a marshmallow and told they could eat it right away or save it or what ever they want to do. She then told them she was going to the principles office for about 10 minutes and when she returned anyone who had not eaten their marshmallow would receive two more. When she returned some had eaten their treat and some had waited.
I think this is important to think about because I suspect those who waited were able to do more advanced thinking and planning of their future. Those who immediately ate theirs just responded to feelings and quick thinking. My guess this doesn't come from training but is about how their brain is wired up and they don't really have a choice. Maybe someone would call this dumb, but I call it unfortunate. I feel sorry for those who have difficulty thinking deeper, but I suspect they don't have a choice.
I have know a lot of "one marshmallow" people and life is more difficult for them because of choices they make. I suspect prisons are full of "one marshmallow" people.
Such an important point, John. “One marshmallow” people frequently have an issue with what’s called executive functioning, that is, the ability to plan long-term, or follow sequential instructions. This is frequently the result of a developmental disorder of some type, or pre-natal exposure to drugs or alcohol, all of which result in life-long issues.
And as you correctly point out, John, our prisons truly are full of “one marshmallow” people.
O. Henry might have been jealous reading this fine short story, Garrison. What's missing is this poor guy's angst. There's a few notes short of a full chord with this poor fellow. He truly needs help, but his tonic or meds are not in a bank safe. This poor fellow seems to fall into that group we all talked about last week....the "de-institutionalized," in short the hundreds of thousands, dare I say millions, who can't make it on their own.
Here in what Steve Cannon, another radio star, used to call "the tundra", we have dozesn and dozens of those in need of more than booze and drugs and a sleeping bag, maybe a tent and someone to lay next to, so as to not freeze to death.
No, O. Henry could not write a story around this tragedy. What we need, as the Sheriff in that classic movie, "Cool Hand Luke," is what he called "a failure to communicate."
No, we still aren't connecting, and like that old title on a fine novel read, "You can't go home again," perhaps we can get a proper room for them, a bed, the right meds and some needed help. That needed help is not in a bank safe. And God knows cuss words won't help. But maybe, just maybe, we might "do" instead of 'tell."
It has show by others much wiser than myself that anger interferes with thinking. Through much of my life I have routinely justified my angry outbursts as righteous indignation, forced upon me by the words or actions of others or circumstances beyond my control. Had I been less prone to react with anger, I might have been able to understand that I was choosing to be angry, and in doing so I was foregoing the opportunity to better understand and cope with whatever it was I found provocative.
A quote from Charles Swindoll, a radio preacher, is "Life is 10% circumstances and 90% how we react to them". You seem to be tapping that bit of wisdom.
Re: giving up the anger, it can be so hard to do but ever so necessary. Anger seldom hurts the thing or person one is angry at, the only person that it really hurts is you. And that can often lead to doing or saying stupid things as you pointed out. The feeling of freedom and liberation that you from giving up the anger is truly healing. At least this has been my experience. 
Garrison, If you haven't already, you can buy the workers across the hall some good donuts or pastries (from a bakery please) and apologize. It will make you feel good. It will delight them. 'Been there, done that.
The only thing I would add would be "The suspect faces an uphill legal battle."
Don't you find it odd that the hapless idiot who robbed the bank in Minneapolis had his bail set at $500 K, the exact bail amount which was set for Charles McGonigal, the former FBI counter-intelligence official who was just indicted on charges of violating US sanctions, conspiracy, and money laundering? McGonigal is charged with taking money from an Albanian intelligence employee and also from Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a crony of Vladimir Putin.
Indeed.
Great advice for my golf game and my response to the daily news!! I will save it for my votes in 2024. 🤗
"He was bearded." Gosh, I was thinking of growing a beard. That's out now! What's the problem Keillor, did your beard have bare spots? Carpe diem.
I seem to recall a Buddhist quote somewhere that said “Anger is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die”. Well done GK!
Never into 73 years have I seen so many people so determined to publicly make absolute fools of themselves. I could aficionado a name and a date to this phenomenon, but why bother. Although there are so many outrages and so little time, I’ve learned that nursing anger is low drinking poison in the hopes that it will kill your enemies. It is a nasty, contagious condition, and cheerful acceptance is the antidote. I thank you for yours, dear sir.
One used to be able to hide from being a fool publicly, but now, cameras/tech/etc are everywhere watching.
"You can't fix stupid"....some guy said. Wait...Ron White. He's the guy.
Also... All that construction noise means a bunch of folks are earning a living. I love that noise. Who imagines they get to go through life absent any intrusion by folks doing work that's absolutely necessary and that no one else seems to want to do?
We think alike! Especially during the summer when highway construction is in full bloom! My girlfriend always complains about the long delays but I always say "what's to complain about?" These guys are making tons of money and we're getting our roads fixed!!
Rereading this after stewing on it for a couple hours, I have had a fun time recalling my rages, and the feeling of it.,and living with it in a healthy way.
Don't stop getting angry! In recovery they say HALT. Do not get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. They do not say stop any of the above!
Thanks for letting us in to
your daily life full of crazy moments.
L Keller,
a raging fan.
How do you reconcile your attitude toward anger and recovery with this famous statement? “And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life—unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly that way it is supposed to be at this moment.”
Al-Anon literature, not AA or other recovery literature.
“Be angry. And. Sin not.”
You mention of the poor choices the bank robber made and many would think he is dumb. It makes me think of the second or third grade teacher who did a test with her students. Each was given a marshmallow and told they could eat it right away or save it or what ever they want to do. She then told them she was going to the principles office for about 10 minutes and when she returned anyone who had not eaten their marshmallow would receive two more. When she returned some had eaten their treat and some had waited.
I think this is important to think about because I suspect those who waited were able to do more advanced thinking and planning of their future. Those who immediately ate theirs just responded to feelings and quick thinking. My guess this doesn't come from training but is about how their brain is wired up and they don't really have a choice. Maybe someone would call this dumb, but I call it unfortunate. I feel sorry for those who have difficulty thinking deeper, but I suspect they don't have a choice.
I have know a lot of "one marshmallow" people and life is more difficult for them because of choices they make. I suspect prisons are full of "one marshmallow" people.
John Schoepke, age 83
Bath, MI
Such an important point, John. “One marshmallow” people frequently have an issue with what’s called executive functioning, that is, the ability to plan long-term, or follow sequential instructions. This is frequently the result of a developmental disorder of some type, or pre-natal exposure to drugs or alcohol, all of which result in life-long issues.
And as you correctly point out, John, our prisons truly are full of “one marshmallow” people.
I love this example. 100%.
"I have a gub. Apt natural." ~ Take the Money and Run
I remember it well; he starts to argue with a cashier, and she calls over a co-worker who agrees: it's "gub".
That scene steered me from a life of crime.