WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: Greed and Gluttony - American Values

F LoBuono

BLACK FRIDAY is to greed what the NATHAN'S FAMOUS HOT DOG EATING CONTEST is to gluttony.

Unfortunately, both of these co-called American traditions show us at our worst.

Black Friday is an orgy of unfettered consumerism. People will wait for hours, often in the cold or other inclement weather, to shop until they drop. And, it is not unusual for virtual stampedes of shoppers clawing and climbing over one another when a store opens, just to make sure that don't miss out on a bargain. What's so ironic about it is that, with a little searching, most of those discounts can be had in other stores on other days. But, with the guileless help of the local media, the day is hyped as a SHOPPING DAY LIKE NO OTHER.

Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, which takes place every 4th of July at the site of the original Nathan's, Coney Island, is a Bacchanalian excess of consumption. Contestants ram hot dog after hot dog into their mouths within a time limit to see who can shove the most tube steaks down their gullets, often spewing the half-chewed contents out of their noses and other orifices. And, the crowd roars!

Many take no issue with these events. Some Black Friday shoppers actually look forward to the competition of shopping in such an aggressive environment. Others, often people of limited means, see it as their only opportunity to purchase high-end items that they would not normally be able to afford. And, the hot dog eating contest has become so popular that it is actually carried live by ESPN to millions of viewers watching along with the thousands actually in attendance.

Perhaps, it is really harmless. I live by the credo of to each their own. But, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, it may be an indication of something a little more insidious - that at the core of American values lie two that, perhaps, we shouldn't be so proud of: GREED and GLUTTONY.

Today's MOSTLY TRUE SHORT STORY: A Thanksgiving Day Memory.

All words and photos: F LoBuono

A few years ago I got lucky and drew a plum assignment: Cover the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for CBS News. Making the assignment even more attractive to me was that I was to shoot B-roll, i.e. the video that would be used to support the narrative of the report. That meant I would not be tethered to a fixed "live" position but, rather freelance along the entire parade route. This allowed me a great deal of creative freedom to show the parade as I was seeing it. And, because of the access granted to me by the NYPD to complete my assignment, I had virtual carte blanche to roam wherever I liked.

And, it was awesome!

I could walk between the handlers, who were doing their best in keeping the huge balloons tethered to Central Park West, and give the unusual perspective of having the massive images fly right over the top. They are so gigantic that it was almost frigthening to be so close to them.

Well, I was executing one of those shots when disaster almost struck. I was on one knee and arched my back to follow the movement of the balloon as it passed directly overhead. I completed the shot and began to stand to get my next shot when I realized that my camera was being pulled out of my hands - and, I couldn't understand why. It was then that I realized it was happening because one of the ropes between a handler and the balloon had caught the eye piece of my camera and was taking it along with them! I recovered just in time to untangle it before it was gone forever.

I was relieved to find their was no damage to my camera and began shooting again. There was plenty of parade left. I guess that some days, you just get lucky. I sure did that Thanksgiving many years ago.

Yes - there is always something to be grateful for!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today's MOZEN: The Door to the Soul

F LoBuono

They say that the eyes are the windows to a person's soul. When we look deeply into another living creature's eyes (and, that includes animals) we see the full range of emotion that all sentient beings are capable of of. We can sense happiness, fear, anger, joy, intelligence, ignorance, assurance, doubt, wisdom, love, empathy, sorrow, greed, desire, remorse, despair, ecstasy, warmth, grief, and virtually every other feeling that makes one, well, ALIVE. When we are happy, our eyes shine. And, when we are without inner life, that is also reflected. In fact, when the eyes lack the expression of these emotions we often refer to them as dead -  literally. So, when we really want to know what someone is feeling, we look deeply into their eyes to get our answer.

But, there is another portal into a person's soul - our hands. We can tell a lot about someone by simply observing the relative condition of their hands. Big, rough, gnarly ones, their skin often stained by the jobs they preform, are logically associated with working people. Those with long, slender fingers, and smooth skin are usually referred to as having delicate hands and indicate a lifestyle that does not require much physical labor. Most athletes have huge hands and, depending on their sport, carry the marks of their profession (have you ever seen a baseball catcher's hands?). A piano player's hands generally feature long fingers enabling them to reach the keys more easily. We often adorn them with rings and bracelets making their own statement. Others, like me, prefer projecting a simpler image by wearing nothing on their hands. But, we do make a statement with how they look, and, how we use them.

Whenever we meet someone, a new friend or old, in addition to looking them in the eyes, we extend our hand to meet theirs in a gesture of peace and acceptance. In essence, it becomes an indicator of our intentions.

In Western culture we present ourselves through a firm and hardy handshake. It is believed that we convey a sense of our self-worth by clutching another person's hand with authority and conviction. Extending our hand helps to provide a clue to our inner life. And, we expect the same from them. We often judge that person by the enthusiasm in which our gesture is received and returned.  The strength in our hand is perceived as a proxy for the fortitude in our souls. In a sense, it sends the message; we are worthy. By contrast, a weak handshake is often perceived to indicate a feeble personality.

And, our hands come in not only a huge variety of sizes, shapes, and conditions, they also have a range of abilities to convey a vast spectrum of emotions, too - as sublime as a Michelangelo brushstroke or as brutal as a Mike Tyson uppercut. We can make a fist with them and punch someone in the nose.  But, we can also use them to gently stroke someones hair or handle a fine paint brush and create a masterpiece. 

And, the message sent is so important that it can effect the future of our relationships.

When I was shooting a documentary in China in the early '90's, I noticed that whenever I attempted to shake a person's hand there, I received the proverbial dead fish. They would barely touch my hand, much less grab it. It was so obvious to me that I asked our translator if that it was, indeed, being done deliberately. Her answer was in the affirmative. She explained that in their culture giving up that much of oneself in an initial meeting was way to aggressive. It's a trust that can only be learned over the course of time.

Our hands can also provide a link to our ancestors. How many of us have said, they have the same hands as their mother or father? I know that when I look at mine, I see the same general shape and idiosyncrasies of my father's. I'm sure that others in my family feel the same way.

So, the eyes may indeed by the windows to the soul but, assuredly, our hands may be the door.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT. Worth Its Weight in Gold

It's worth its weight in gold.

. . is a phrase that virtually everyone knows and has probably used on more than one occasion. In fact, it is so often used that, as writers, we generally file it away under Hackneyed Phrases.

Personally, however, I still find it interesting and use the phrase - frequently. It usually refers to a useful and relatively obscure object whose function far outweighs its shelf value - think of some tool in your kitchen - something weird looking but has never failed in accomplishing the task it was designed to do. Various wine and can openers are certainly in this category. So, in a sense, it can be both whimsical, as well as functional.

Another interesting tidbit (at least in my mind), is the incredible value we put on gold. For most people, when they think of wealth, such as that had by a king, it usually means dripping in gold. It is a symbol of power and glory. Even religions keep their most valuable items in containers of pure gold. Egyptian Pharaohs were buried in sarcophagi made of it. Spanish Conquistadors slaughtered and enslaved entire Native populations in their relentless quest to have it. It is seen as the ultimate Status Symbol for the wealthy. We even call it a precious metal.

And, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT - why?

Gold has some interesting characteristics, of course, that make it valuable. Part of that value is that it is not terribly abundant and takes great effort to procure it in nature. Also, because it is the least reactive of all metals, it will never tarnish or rust - obviously great traits to portray wealth and power, as well as commitment (wedding rings) and longevity. It has other useful traits such as its conductivity, too. Beyond that, however, there are other materials that, at least from a functionality standpoint, are much more valuable.

This brings us back to our kitchen implements that are worth their weight in gold. Let's use the lowly can opener and funky corkscrew as simple examples. You saw them in the Dollar Store and figured, what the heck - they're a buck each. What do I have to lose? Since that day you put them in your kitchen drawer, you've used them hundreds of times. And, still do. When was the last thing useful you did with gold - besides wear as an ornament?

I feel the same way about people - some of them may not glitter like gold. They may even be obscure or even funky. But, they are far more valuable than gold. In their own simple, effective way they make the world a better place for whomever they may encounter.

So, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT - shouldn't we be saying, gold is worth its weight in can openers,  cork screws - and, people?

That is all. . . 

Today's MOZEN: Teflon No More

F LoBuono

As a 2nd generation American with deep roots in Sicily, I am very familiar with The Mafia and its tactics and traditions. EVERY Sicilian, regardless of it they were affiliated with it or not, has been effected by its ruthless ways. It is foolhardy to deny it. It has been part of Sicilian culture for centuries.

One of the things that makes its leaders, i.e. capos, so difficult to stop is their ability to control their empires without a DIRECT connection to the nefarious activities being committed by their so-called soldiers. The Don (often called  Godfather as a show of submission and respect) NEVER directly orders a murder. That is accomplished through well-calculated suggestions and innuendo. He will NEVER utter the words, "so and so must be killed." Instead he suggests in a private meeting "how much better their world would be without so and so." And, mysteriously, the deed is done.

John Gotti, the infamous Teflon Don had that moniker because he earned it. Everyone in law enforcement KNEW that he was ordering these killings. But, they could never tie him DIRECTLY to these crimes and prosecute him. Instead, they had to use specially crafted legislation (RICO*) to bring him down. He eventually died in prison. And, let's not forget the legendary mobster, Al Capone. EVERYONE knew that he ordered the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre, but they could never directly tie him to the crime. Instead, he was brought down through tax evasion laws. He also died in prison.

The Art of the Deal, if you will, with people like this is perfectly illustrated in the award winning film, "The Godfather". On of the most famous lines in the movie is when the godfather (Marlon Brando) utters, "I made him an offer he couldn't refuse". He never threatened violence directly. Instead, the mere suggestion of it was enough to make anyone capitulate.

So, it is with the latest round of Congressional Hearings on the impeachment of Donald J. Trump. Witness after reliable witness has sworn that even though they never heard the words directly from the President to hold aid to Ukraine until they did the President's personal/political bidding, they KNEW it was a direct order from Mr. Trump. This is the entire focal point of the bizarre Republican defense of the President - he never SAID it. But, it was perfectly clear to all of them that Mr. Trump is making them an offer they couldn't refuse. It was the proverbial horse's head in the bed image - do it or suffer the consequences.

It couldn't be more obvious. The Godfather and his cronies are running our Country. We've stopped them before - and, we will again.  Don't let him off the hook!!!

*Passed in 1970, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is a federal law designed to combat organized crime in the United States. It allows prosecution and civil penalties for racketeering activity performed as part of an ongoing criminal enterprise.

Today's MOZEN: Impeach NOW!

F LoBuono

Like millions of Americans, I have tuned into the current TV broadcast of the hearings on whether or not to impeach Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States. The crux of the complaint against Mr. Trump is that he used his considerable influence to hold essential military aid to bully the president of Ukraine into conducting a public inquiry of alleged corruption committed in Ukraine by Trump's chief political rival, Joe Biden, and Biden's son, Hunter, before he would release the vital assistance to that country. This is the so-called Quid Pro Quo. I have another name for it: thuggery. This was done, obviously, to advance Mr. Trump's own political aspirations and, if proven, is considered an Impeachable Offense.

Now, as with most of us, I don't have the time to watch every minute of the hours-long procedure. And, I've tried to view it with as impartial a perspective that I can muster. I've had my suspicions as to how it might turn out but was still willing to listen to WHATEVER evidence was presented. However, I have now seen enough to be convinced of what I suspected all along: Donald J. Trump and his closest advisers operate this Country in the same fashion that Mr. Trump ran his various enterprises, i.e. like GANGSTERS and THUGS. This is what he knows and thus, this is what he does - the consequences be damned. Perhaps, he got away with it in business, but I'll be damned if we will let him get away with it while running OUR Country!

What is equally infuriating as the wanton greed of Mr. Trump and his henchmen are the Republican legislators who are spinning the damning testimony targeting the Trump Administration as a mere vendetta against their President and Party for their 2016 election victory. In fact, it's so outrageous that I find myself shaking my head in complete disbelief. The evidence is as shocking as it is coercive. When the ranking Republican, Devin Nunes (R- Ca.), opens his mouth to counter the compelling, and quite damning,  testimony of creditable witnesses like Ambassadors Volker and Sondland, Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman, Dr. Fiona Hill, David Holmes, and others, ALL of whom had intimate knowledge of the affair, he sounds like a character from Shakespeare's Macbeth relating a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Even though every political entity works in their own best interests, the Republican defense represents party loyalty at its worst. They have chosen allegiance to their political agenda rather than do what is necessary for the good of the Country - and, that is to remove a man who is no more than a thief, liar, bully, and thug from the honored position of the most powerful man in the world, i.e. The President of the United States.

IMPEACH NOW!!

Today's MOZEN: Speaking Truth to Power

f lObUONO

Make no mistake about it - I write provocative, controversial, and, perhaps, even contentious shit. At least, I hope that I do. Maybe, you've noticed I even swear a bunch, too. That's because I don't want people to just read. I want them to react. I want to get inside your head and walk around for awhile. I want you to respond.

And, with that in mind, I NEVER forget how fortunate we are to live in a Country that allows me to do this without fear of retribution or reprisal. I regularly attack President Trump and his administration for what I see as their ineptitude. I speak truth to power. And, I do so with vigor - because I CAN.

Despite Mr. Trump's ill-advised attacks on the media, I write this blog unfettered by his threats. No Secret Service inquires have come my way. No warnings have been issued by any governmental agency (not that they would stop me anyway). I continue to enjoy the freedom of expression guaranteed me by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

THIS is the freedom that makes America Great. Many have sacrificed everything to make it so. I honor them by my willingness to KEEP it so. We must remain vigilant and prepared to fight any and all who would deny us this right.

I am. Are YOU?

Today's MOZEN: The Measure of a Man

It is said that a man can be judged by the quality of his friends and associates -

- Michael Cohen           CONVICTED
Former Trump Attorney

- Michael Flynn             CONVICTED
Former Trump National Security Adviser

- Rick Gates                   CONVICTED
Former Trump Campaign Official

- Paul Manafort             CONVICTED
Former Trump Campaign Chairman

- George Papadopoulos  CONVICTED
Former Trump Adviser

- Roger Stone                  CONVICTED
Former Trump Adviser


I rest my case . . . 

F LoBuono

Today's MOZEN: Thug-In-Chief

Photo courtesy "Marketwatch"

It's an exercise in futility - trying to convince a Trump supporter that the President is unfit for the job. Despite the mounting evidence that most New Yorkers have known for years; specifically that he is a thug and gangster and always has been, his minions are unshakable in their faith in his abilities.

It begs the question, WHY?

The only possible conclusion that I can fathom is that they see a lot of themselves in him. We've heard many a follower say, "he talks just like us" or, "he reminds me of my Uncle Ralph."

Well, this is not intended to be an insult to you or your Uncle Ralph, but unless you or your uncle are proud of talking like an idiot, you should give up that argument.

We need a leader who not only possesses a brilliant mind, above average communication skills, and a worldly intuition, but also a sense of decency and honor.

Roger Stone, leaving the courtroom today.

I am here to say that Mr. Trump is not endowed with ANY of these attributes. he doesn't write or speak well. He lies. He bullies. He steals. And, if a person can also be judged by the company he keeps, Mr. Trump fails there, as well. The conviction today on ALL charges of Roger Stone, one of his innermost circle, is just the latest example of his thuggish empire.

And, there are more to go - think Rudy Giuliani.

Rudy Giuliani (Politico)

So, I'll end this post with a question: if you continue to support an administration that is rife with corruption, gangsters, and thugs, what does that make you?

F LoBuono

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: The Rise of the Machines

The Terminator (1984)

Most people are familiar with the ground breaking science fiction film classic, The Terminator (1984). It is a dystopian vision of what the future might hold if Artificial Intelligence (AI), i.e. The Machines, overcome the human race and destroy civilization as we know it. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as a virtually indestructible man/machine sent from the future to assassinate the woman who would give birth to the man who would grow up to turn the tide in favor of humanity. Eliminating the threat would seal our doom. It was so popular that it has actually become a franchise with a new sequel currently in movie theaters.

Of course, films are entertainment and not necessary reality. But, the question remains, could it happen? 

The simple answer is, YES.

And, it many ways it has already begun.

Robots, and robot-like machines, are already replacing humans in the work force in many ways. For example, hundreds of thousands of factory assembly line workers, particularly in the automotive industry, have already been replaced by machines who do the work efficiently, silently, and without complaint or need. No health care costs here!

And, it's spreading.

Now, when we shop, either at the food market or big box store, many, if not ALL, of the cashiers have been replaced by Auto Checkout stations where you can scan, pay for, and bag your own items - no human interaction necessary.

I have even seen it my profession - TV News. Our newscasts now contain a multitude of interviews conducted with the Internet service, Skype. It streams the video from a personal computer which is then recorded in the newsroom. You've seen them EVERYWHERE - they are the ones that look and sound like they were shot inside of a fish tank! The quality is just awful because it was NEVER designed for broadcast. It was made for grandparents to talk to their grandchildren over the Internet - and it looks it.

So, why would the news services use it?

Because it is not only CHEAP, it's FREE.

The rationale is why send an expensive professional crew to conduct that interview when you can get at least something that looks like one for free?

The problem is not only that the quality is so poor, we miss the human interaction provided by a professional film crew that makes us, well, human.  On TV, we are presented with an image that often looks less than real. In my opinion it looks robotic - literally. It lacks the warmth and honesty provided when a professional crew conducts the interview. At the store, there is no need to meet and great another person at the checkout counter. No conversation is necessary. It may be efficient, but lacks humanity.

And, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Self-driving cars/taxis, trucks, and buses are well on the way to becoming a reality. This can be seen as exciting in some ways, especially if they live up to the claim that they will make our roads safer. However there is certainly a downside as well. What will the millions* who drive those trucks, buses, and taxis do for a living? 

As long as we accept these small intrusions into are humanity, we will continue to head in the direction where machines WILL take over most, if not ALL, human endeavors. Machines will clean for us, drive for us, work for us, turn on the lights for us, AND, think for us. In fact, they already do. How long will it be before they even feel for us?

I had a discussion with a coworker on this topic and he raised an interesting point. The concept of a future where machine do most of the physical work will free us to pursue other, so-called higher endeavors like thinking and creating. We will not longer be burdened with mundane physical labor. And, isn't this a Utopian vision of what COULD be?

Perhaps.

But, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, what of the beauty created, literally, by the HAND of man? Perfect art can easily be created more simply and effectively by machines. And, what will happen to the simple human interaction of greeting a cashier, bus/taxi driver, or, even, cameraman? These are the connections that make us HUMAN.  There is an EXCHANGE of our humanity.

Additionally, what will happen to our economy? There will be tens of millions of people who will now struggle to earn a living. Some will adapt to the changing environment and learn new skills to meet new demands. But, certainly, this will not be everyone, if not even the majority. And, No work means No money which means No spending which means No economy.  It will leave us bankrupt in so many ways.

So, be careful what you wish for. Sometimes, you get it . . . 


*Heavy-duty truck drivers (1.8 million; 19.7 percent) Light-duty and delivery truck drivers (878,000; 9.9 percent) School bus drivers (507,000; 5.7 percent) Driver/sales workers (427,000; 4.8 percent)

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT: Small Things Can Make a Big Difference

Words and photo by F LoBuono

With the complexities of living in the computer age where massive amounts of information is being processed at a dizzying pace, it's easy to become emotionally lazy. We are so wrapped up in dealing with the pressures of work, home, children, aging parents, health, and wealth, etc. that we lose our sense of mindfulness, i.e. the ability to meet even the simplest of challenges that present themselves to us on a daily basis. It all just seems too much. We are overwhelmed. So, we tend to nothing - even when the most elementary of measures can make a significant difference now, and into the future.

Let me give you an example.

I was shopping at one of my favorite stores the other day (The Dollar General, of course) and cued up to check out with the few items I had gone there to buy. In front of me was a woman, whom by the type and amount of items she was purchasing, was obviously the mother of a large family. After she paid for her items, the cashier helped her to bag them - using at least a half dozen doubled up plastic bags.

Now, I'm sure that the mother of a large family has other things on her mind than the fact that the environment can't stand to have any more plastic, including bags, heaped upon it. I'm sure that she is more worried about how she is going to keep feeding all of those hungry mouths!

And, this is what I mean by loss of mindfulness - she was thinking about everything else BUT the impact using so much plastic will have on her CHILDRENS' futures.

Well, if she wants to save the planet FOR hers and other children, she needs TO think about it. 

And, the solution is SO simple - just bring reusable canvas bags - like I do. I never leave my apartment to go shopping without at least one stuffed into a pocket. It's become such an integral part of my shopping routine that all the merchants in town now know not to bother offering me a plastic bag, usually saying: "oh, you always have your own bag."

When You Think About It, it's one of the easiest and most effective ways to create positive change, not only in your own lives, but in the world at large. We don't need for the law to solve this. We just have to be mindful enough to make it a part of our regular routine. Not everyone can create sea change, like Greta Thunberg, but we can do the SMALL things that when added up, make a BIG difference.

Let's start now.