Jack’s Winning Words 6/7/16
“It’s hard to hate up close.”  (James Comey, FBI Director)  Do you remember the song from The King and I?...“Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you.  Getting to feel free and easy When I am with you.”  Director Comey believes that police and citizens should have more face to face contact.  Studies show that most of us have a racial bias and use mental shortcuts when meeting “different” people..  The prejudice won’t be solved without a 1st step.     ;-)  Jack

FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  the country is sooo sick of this race stuff. it is created by politicians & the media. black lives matter, as evidenced by fakebook's fake "trending" status, does not matter... ====JACK:  When somebody's sick they usually try to do something to cure the illness.  Like it, or not, racism still infects many of us.  I'm really and benefiting from some of my face to facers.

FROM ST PAUL IN ST PAUL:  right on target, as usual, Jack.  sadly, members of our Congress don't even know each other any more.  they refuse to buy homes in DC,  many fly in on Tuesday mornings, sleep on futons on their offices, shower in the congressional office buildings,  vote the way  they have been "bribed" to vote, and then fly home again late on Thursday nights (from a recent Time Mag. article).   Reagan and Tip O'Neil (polar opposites politically), were good friends.  same true for Ted Kennedy and Oren Hatch, etc.   now,  they don't even dine together.  its a lot harder to be angry with an old friend than with a perceived enemy.  have a good one...====JACK:  There MUST be at least two opposites in Congress who enjoy one another's company.  Now, I've read an article by Trey Radel, a former member of Congress.  In part, he writes:  "Two influential Congress members hold a dinner once a month to bring people from both parties together. One, is Debbie Wasserman Schultz; the other is Daniel Webster, a highly respected conservative Republican. The dinner is by invitation only, and there was one requirement. I had to invite a guest, and that guest had to be from the opposite party."  There is still hope.

FROM DR JUDY:  YES!! So true. This is why I was a member of the board for WISDOM (Women's Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue & Outreach in Metro Detroit) for several years, organizing numerous activities for people of many faith and at the cities to come together and meet each other and recognize our similarities rather than just the differences. Interfaith wisdom.com.====JACK:  This week I learned of two friends who got "on the outs" over a misunderstanding that could have been resolved by sitting down and talking it over.  Somebody has to make the first step.

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY:  I thoroughly agree and I have my song of the day to sing with my little grandson Fip.====JACK:  In pre-school, how do you handle the situation when (if) a child says to another, "I hate you!"?

FROM COP MP:   Remind me to tell you about how some studies on how/when soldiers have personal contact with the enemy affects how/when they use force.====JACK:  I remember a story from WW 1.  On Christmas Eve, the soldiers on both sides climbed out of their foxholes and met in no-man's land to sing Christmas carols together.  They resumed fighting the next day.====MP:  The materials I have were from book by a former military officer named Grossman.  He has written at least two books, one called "On Combat", in which he details the historical and psychological impacts of how/when soldiers most frequently kill.  According to him, much less often when face to face.  But if you turn your back, you may not be so fortunate.

FROM RJP IN NAPLES:  There is a reason why marriage counselors have couples hold hands when they talk to each other. It is hard to be nasty when you have physical contact.====JACK:  I've never tried that one before...and I've had some nasty situations.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  These WW are so true!  Having portrayed "Mrs. Anna" in The King and I, I know the words to Getting to Know you" and the words certainly lend themselves to this thought today. Having visited many countries around the world, one gets the feeling that despite skin color and culture, we are so much alike in every way that counts! They are all "My Cup of Tea" when we get to know them!  We just need to reach out and take that 1st step toward unlearning prejudice!  And it's a two-way street!====JACK:  One of the positives that I've noticed with the passing of the years is how racial diversity is working with regard to families.====OAKS:  That would be ours...Mark's youngest girl married her College Sweetheart who is African American, and they have an adorable 8 mo. son whom we all adore.She has a year to go for Nurse Practioner, and he is a PR person (Master's degree) for St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis. His middle girl Krista married a Puerto Rican man, who manages apartment complexes. She is a nurse. They have a handsome son, 7 mo, and she is mother to two mixed race African American/Caucasian girls. Our family is very close and loving and all get along great! Fred's kids and John's, and favorite Aunt Sarah accept and love each one, and they in turn love us back !  It can work....

FROM BB IN ILLINOIS:  You are so right.  I made my first pro bono appearance in more than a decade today on behalf of a “neighbor”.  When it was over and we were talking about his relationship with the authorities, I mentioned an old book he might have had to read in school – the Scarlet Letter.  He was raised in church and knew the story.  I told him that unfortunately due to prior transgressions, officers see him with the Scarlet letter.  It’s an unpleasant reality and his conduct must be above reproach due to personal and racial prejudice.  Sad but true.====JACK:  I remember a similar story of a young man who was caught stealing sheep.  The custom at that time was to brand, S.T. on the forehead of the person as a lifetime remembrance that he was a Sheep Thief.  The man turned from his evil ways and spent many years doing good things for the people of the community.  One day a stranger came to town and saw the man with the brand on his head.  He asked someone what the S.T. meant.  The person replied, "It's been a long time.  I think it stands for, Saint."  I admire attorneys who do some pro bono work.  It's good for the soul.====BB:  We are supposed to do pro bono.  All of us.  Every other year when I have to fill out the form with continuing education for licensure and I get to that part it bothers me.  The week after filling out those forms this year, the neighbor told me about his concerns.  It was uncanny.  Not sure if you’d call it an “answered prayer” but it seemed pretty obvious that I should try to do something positive.  There will be more hearings in the weeks to come and this will also propel me to do more research/study.  All good!

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Mr. Comey had the right idea.  Loved that song!====JACK:  Try to imagine you having a face to face with Donald or Hillary.  How do you think it would go?

FROM TARMART REV:  We are seeing experimentation here in our county with the offender and with a designated social worker facilitating what is called 'circles'...the facilitator enlist a team of folk to meet, encourage, hold accountable and walk alongside the offender...made up of those who hopefully will influence this person to walk away from a previously addictive behavior to forming a better foundation to build their lives upon for better results.====JACK:  It sounds like the "intervention" program used to help the alcoholic "see" his/her need for help.