Today's MOZEN: Only the Tool

F LoBuono

In a highly critical, 6,000 word essay in the May 9th edition of the NY Times, Chris Hughes, who co-founded Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg 15 years ago, laid out his case against the internet giant, siting the damage he says the website has done to the American political landscape. Among his charges are that Facebook has failed to protect the privacy of its users for the sake of profit and that nefarious entities use its resources for their own illicit and often illegal purposes. Hughes claims the harm caused by Facebook so great as to be sufficient reason for its very dismantling.

Many, including Mr. Hughes, argue that Facebook has gotten so large as to be unmanageable. It has become impossible to filter the overwhelming amount of information that surges through its circuits. Much of that material is not only false or misleading, it's downright hateful. White Supremacists, Black Nationalists, Christian Fundamentalists, Islamic Extremists, Zionists, Neo-Nazis, Skinheads, Anti-vaccinators, Holocaust deniers, Neo-Confederates, Anti-LGBTers, Radical Right-To-Lifers, Anti-immigrant, and a host of other misanthropic organizations have used Facebook to spread not only misinformation but a polarizing doctrine of fear and loathing. This has caused great discord among the population. In fact, it may be argued that some of these sites (see Russian trolls) actually spread enough disinformation and discord as to have effected the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election.

Mr. Hughes and others claim it is Facebook's duty to recognize and eliminate these bad seeds before they have time to germinate on their site. If Facebook cannot accomplish this, it should be disbanded.

I see the urgency of recognizing and confronting this threat but I do not agree with the notion that it is solely Facebook's fault this is happening and is wholly responsible for countering it. Therefore, it should not be disbanded or even censured.

First, Facebook, when used properly, can be an incredible source of good, valid information. In fact, I'm using its platform at this very moment to share my thoughts with you. And, I look forward to your responses to this post - whether you agree with me or not. In other words, it can be an effective forum for the exchange of ideas. It's also a great connector. I have used it to rekindle relationships with many long-lost friends. Of course, there are those that I'd rather forget but that can be handled easily through your Facebook privacy settings anyway. I control my privacy!

Second, I am a HUGE supporter of the 1st Amendment, i.e. the right to Free Speech. No government has the authority to silence our voices. And, even though Facebook is a private entity, it still has a responsibility to protect our right to speak our minds. And, remember, so-called Hate Speech is still protected under the Constitution. However, at the same time, speech that encourages violence against groups or individuals is NOT allowed and must be regulated. Identifying these groups and combating their message is Facebook's greatest challenge.

Still, the bottom line is this: as my father once told me, Frankie, a tool is just a thing - it doesn't create anything. It is in the hand of the craftsman that it becomes something special. It is only as good as what you create with it. So it is with Facebook. It's just the tool. What we do with that tool is OUR responsibility! We can't rely on them to verify every piece of information that appears on the site. It's up to us to use our good sense and the means available to make sure the information we seek (and are shown unsolicited) is proper and accurate. We have to stop practicing Cognitive Dissonance and seek out only the material that supports our POV's. THAT'S how we fall prey to those who would feed us the misinformation that serves only their nefarious needs.

Don't be fooled. Remember, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

When You Think About It: Say NO to Violence

F LoBuono

In a discussion with a few co-workers, one who has school aged children, the question came up: why do these school shootings keep happening? What is is different today from when we were kids?

People claim that this is a complex issue with no simple answer.

My response is simple: BULLSHIT

The answer for me is that we live in a society that worships violence, that chooses the right to bear arms over the safety of its children. In other words, we are awash in blood.

Let me give you an example that you may have missed that sticks with me: have you seen the latest ads for Army recruitment? In a word, they a spectacular! The commercials are highly produced and, obviously, incredibly expensive to make: dozens of Humvees, .50 caliber machine guns blazing from their turrets, speed across an expansive field. Fighter jets scream overhead. Commands are barked, soldiers respond immediately, guns blazing. And, it all looks like one of the hundreds of video games played by millions of kids around the world.

Studies say that there is no direct link between violent video games and acts of mass murder. But, it must have SOME effect!  If we constantly normalize violent behavior, why should it not become, well, normal? In fact, it's more than normal for many - it's actually fun. And, they don't have the mental capacity to differentiate between the fantasy of a game and the reality of the violence it mimics. Let's get back to the Army commercials - young people need to understand the commitment it takes to serve in the military. One need to be willing to sacrifice their own lives and, potentially, take others. This is not a GAME. It is a deadly serious business and needs to be approached as such. If we treat it like a game, we will NEVER come to terms with the pervasive violence in out societies. The commercial looks like a glitzy video game on purpose - young people WANT to play.

And, gun violence in the Black communities has reached epidemic proportions. A 15 year-old boy was just arrested in Yonkers, NY for the shooting death of an innocent 18 year-old bystander. And, this happens EVERY DAY. Why? Because guns and violence are seen as a right of passage in underprivileged communities - a gun makes you a big man, a power-broker, a force to be reckoned with. Again, we ask, why? Well, virtually every "hero" in too many African-American movies, man or woman, solves his or her problem with ultra-violence. Even great actors and role models like Denzil Washington have taken roles in extremely violent movies. They need to stop.

A a society, we have to start dealing with the hard reality that, until we acknowledge our obsession with both guns and the violence they bring, these horrible tragedies will continue to happen, if not increase.

Today's MOSTLY TRUE SHORT STORY: They're Back!

THEY'RE BACK!

I was on one of my daily sojourns from my apartment in South Nyack into the heart of town to run some errands. I deliberately call it a sojourn because it's more than just a walk. For me, it is a physical, mental, and emotional experience. I breathe. I see. I listen. I think. I rejuvenate.  As the word sojourn suggests, I tarry often, taking in all that is offered because the trip is more than just the destination.

And, it was a particularly beautiful late Spring day. They have been rare this year. So, the warm sunshine and mild temperature made the trip even more enjoyable. With everything in full bloom now, every garden and yard were just exploding with color. And, if that weren't enough, I could even smell the lilacs which were now at their height. Man, it made me SMILE!

I was just a few blocks into my jaunt when, out of nowhere, I heard it - the unmistakable, high-pitched clicking sound of a swallow. I looked up quickly to locate exactly where it was coming from and, sure enough, there she was, a swallow engaged in the flying acrobatics they are so well know for. I was simply delighted! I had almost forgotten that they make their appearance in Nyack around this time every year - mid to late Spring. It is one of the surest signs that, despite what the weather may say, Spring is here for good with Summer not far behind.

At first, I was a little alarmed that I had spotted only one. Swallows are known to fly in great numbers. In fact, there are usually so many that I call them squadrons. But, then I also remembered that they arrive gradually, in waves. She must have been from one of the advance parties.

Anyway, it sure made me smile and I continued my journey secure in the fact that things were as they should be.

On the way back, I started to hear and more of their distinctive calls, especially as I got nearer some of the church towers, one of their favorite gathering spots. Yes, the swallows were returning to Nyack, gradually, but still in great numbers. They always appear to me to have such great joy in their very existence. They remind me to be the same - to relish in the simple acts of just being alive and free.

I finished my sojourn under the dance of the swallows. Yes, they are back, indeed.

When You Think About It: It Ain't That Hard

F LoBuono

Folks, it just ain't that hard. You don't have to be a political scientist, an economist, or historian to get it. No advanced degree is necessary. All you need be is a decent human being with a reasonable sense of what is right and wrong. In other words, if you have any type of moral compass you must come to the realization that our Country is being run by an administration that sorely lacks one.

Day after day, tweet after tweet, lie after lie, the President gives real meaning to the term Bully Pulpit. It's obvious to me that this policy of trampling anyone or anything that Mr. Trump perceives as opposition, simply fits his personality. It flows right from his heart and soul. There is no pretense. It's what comes most easily to him. In other words, it's his nature. We all have one. And, it is often expressed in us from the very beginning, as infants. We've all met babies who we describe as having a wonderful disposition, easy going and affable while others are labeled difficult, taciturn, and gloomy, even before they can speak.

So, it is with this President and his Administration.

At their core is a mean spirit that is at the center of every decision they make. Think about it - from an immigration policy that is calculated to inflict maximum suffering on migrants by separating their families to rolling back environmental policies that would have insured us clean air and water for generations to come, the Trump Administration rules by its gut - one that is filled with venom and bile.

And, it's not just Mr. Trump. He surrounds himself with others whom have hearts as black and souls as vacant as his. The architect of the Administration's so-called Immigration Policy, Stephen Miller, a.k.a. The Man With Dead Eyes, was so loathed in his high school that he was named the least-liked boy of his graduating class. *

You can counter that the Country's economy is booming and many of our traditional foes like Iran are on the defense. But, even these positives come with caveats. Many would claim the economic boom is a carryover from the Obama Administration and Trump's foreign policy could lead us to another protracted foreign military engagement.

But, that is not what I am debating here.

Once again, it comes down to how we wish to define ourselves as a Nation. Do we reflect the behavior of a bully? Do we want to bluster with our chest puffed out, pointing fingers at all who disagree? Do we want to be known for gaining respect through intimidation (if that's even respect at all)? Do we wish to be ruled by what's in our pockets instead of our hearts and souls? Or, do we wish to be known as a Nation with a conscience, a true heart, and a deep soul - one that creates rather than destroys, welcomes instead of excludes, and bases its doctrine predicated by decency and compassion.

The choice, again, is ours . . . 

*https://www.alternet.org/2017/02/21-facts-explain-exactly-who-stephen-miller/

Today's MOZEN: It Is What It Is

It really shouldn't surprise me. Perhaps, it's the optimist in me. But, I had the temerity to anticipate at least a modicum of honesty from Attorney General William Barr.

I was wrong.

After stating his name, in about 4 hours of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Barr did little beyond bloviate, prevaricate, equivocate, evade, elude, and generally bullshit his way through the questions relating to his handling of the recent Mueller report.

In other words, when he wasn't spinning his version of the truth, he was flat out LYING. Perhaps, the most glaring example to me was his complete denial of a conversation and correspondence he had with Mr. Mueller regarding Mueller's displeasure with Mr. Barr's controversial summary of the report long before it became public knowledge that he actually did.

Mr. Barr's laid-back attitude masked his deeply routed disdain for the Committee's authority and RESPONSIBILITY to ask serious, penetrating questions. Let's face it, he is very good at what he sees as his job - and, that is to protect the power and integrity of the Office of the President.

Now, it is important that I state here that Mr. Barr's legal stance is to support ANY President against the threat of indictment. I believe that he would hold this stance for any President he might serve. He has made that clear in earlier writings and statements. It just so happens that he was CHOSEN BY THIS PRESIDENT for this very reason! It's as brilliant a move by the Administration as it is evil.

Mr. Barr kept the panel at arms length by never losing his cool - even when pressed - while repeatedly reinforcing his ultimate position - that he will protect the President at almost any cost.

And, he ain't gonna' change. He is what he is. And, it is what it is.

It may seem simple for most to charge this Administration with ineptitude but that would underestimate the firm grip they currently have on how our Country is run. This is just another example. They will use any means necessary to consolidate their power and, where possible, expand it. And, I don't believe that Impeachment is the answer - that's a short term solution - VOTING is. Use your power in 2020 and VOTE THEM OUT - ALL OF THEM.

F loBuono

When You Think About It: Blind and Toothless

Words and photo by F LoBuono

It was one of the most shocking pieces of video that I have ever seen: security camera footage of a young man, tall, dark, and athletic enters a busy piazza in Sri Lanka. He is strides casually into the square, wearing a fully loaded back back. As he passes a young girl holding hands with her mother, he pats her gently on her head. He continues his sojourn seemingly without a care in the world. After he crosses through the square, he enters the side entrance of a church packed with Easter Sunday worshipers. Then, the video is abruptly stopped as the young man detonates the massive bomb he was carrying in his back pack.

How could a young man, seemingly so full of life, apparently without ANY fear or trepidation, so wantonly, so readily, blow himself and countless other innocent victims literally into smithereens?

By what means do we combat an enemy so ready to not only sacrifice their own lives but take so many others with them? How does another human being become so indoctrinated into a culture of hate that they would use the very words of their own Prophet to commit the most heinous acts? The people who perpetrate these acts are NOT monsters. They are human beings - they have mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. They are capable of not only feeling hate, but love, as well. AND, obviously, they are so committed to what they believe that they are not only willing to die for their cause, but to kill without remorse, too.

Well, it's easy to say, "kill them all". But, this just perpetuates the hate THEY use to fuel their doctrine of malevolence. Then, we are left with an endless cycle of violence. To paraphrase Gandhi in reference to the biblical definition of revenge: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth only leaves the world blind and toothless - not a very appealing prospect.

There just has to be a better way - if we have the courage to find AND, follow it. Jesus showed us when he said "turn the other cheek". Martin Luther King refined it by saying: "darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

We MUST find the light. It is our only hope . . . 

Today's MOZEN: We Just Lack The Will

Vanessa Pena/Associated Press

A fire recently devastated the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. Begun over 800 years ago, architecturally, artistically, culturally, and emotionally, it is one of the most important religious sites in the world, particularly for Roman Catholics. Its loss would be incalculable. Fortunately, although extensively damaged, the massive stone walls and much of the interior, including its famous stained glass survived, enabling the possibility of a complete restoration. However, the repairs will be massive and costly.

As of the writing of this post, hundreds of thousands of people, if not millions, plus some of the richest people in the world, have already pledged nearly a $ billion to the cathedral's rebirth. And, the amount is growing even as I write. It demonstrates the emotional connection people from all over the world had to this church. It cannot be ignored and the effort to save it is to be applauded.

However, at the same time, we need to put things in perspective here. Think about the outpouring of support. In a matter of hours, aid was pouring in for, ostensibly, a building. I know more than JUST a building, but a physical "thing" non-the-less. It cannot feed or house the poor. It cannot repair the damage to Puerto Rico. It cannot provide clean water for the children of Flint. It cannot end the famine in Yemen. Think of all the human beings who could be saved with that kind of money and attention. HUMAN BEINGS.

I suppose my point is that we always seem to find the money and make the effort for the things we deem MOST important. It's WHAT we deem such that is worth looking in to. Events like this show us that NO ONE need go thirsty or hungry. NO ONE need be homeless. NO ONE need live in fear. We simply lack the will to make it happen . . . 

Today's MOZEN: The Dead Horse

Just because you haven't heard enough about the Robert Mueller Report on Russian interference in the 2016 election and what role, if any, Donald Trump and others in his administration may have played, I thought that, just for a change (nod-nod-wink-wink), I might add my two cents worth to the debate.

I suppose how you view the 448 page report depends on what side of the so-called aisle your sentiments lie. And, since the report is heavily redacted and somewhat difficult for a novice to read, ones' opinion of it is colored by the lens in which it is viewed.

In what is certainly an over-simplification, supporters of Mr. Trump claim that since the President was not indicted for collusion by the report, he has been vindicated. As he put it, the illusion/collusion is no more. However, Mr. Trump's opponents rail that this is NOT the case - Mueller presented ample examples of possible collusion and, furthermore, obstruction of justice in his attempts to derail the investigation. Apparently, Mr. Mueller felt his duty was to report on the President and not indict him, leaving that for an act of Congress.

I am not a legal scholar, lawyer, or political scientist. Therefore, I will not debate the legal ramifications of the document. I'll leave that to others. However, I feel safe to say that the report did not change a damned thing for me. In fact, if anything, it reinforced my opinion of this President: he is a bully, a braggart, liar, and thief. He ran his campaign like he runs his administration - with fear, confusion and intimidation. A culture of lying became de rigueur within the White House and continues to this very day. The President's Press Secretary, Sarah Sanders, was specifically mentioned for her bald-faced dishonesty. His minions either ignored him or covered him on more than one occasion to save his sorry ass from self-inflicted damnation! It paints a picture of a man in so far over his head that he is actually looking out of his ass.

Even if he is eventually shown by Congress to have perpetrated illegal acts or not, it will never change, at least for me, the fact that he is a person of poor character and low moral fiber. He is willing to break any rule to win, at least as he sees winning. Sometimes something may be legal while at the same time being immoral. And, in my opinion, all we are doing now is beating the proverbial dead horse. He was a poor excuse for a human being then and still is. The report really changed nothing.

Today's MOSTLY TRUE SHORT STORY: Goodbye Old Friends.

F LoBuono

It was like losing a bunch of old friends, ones that I had spent so much of my childhood and young adulthood with. They taught me many things and took me on countless adventures to exotic locals all over the world. They made me laugh and they made me cry. They entertained me when I was lonely and filled me when I was empty. They made me think and, most importantly, they made me FEEL. There was Jack, Ernest, F. Scott, William, Virgil, Kurt, Hunter, Alan, Mary, Carson, Harper, Robert, Herman, Thomas and too many more to mention. I am a lucky man to have so many to call "friend".

Yet, I never met any of them personally, but still felt like I knew them all intimately. Each one contributed to the man I am today.

But, there came a point when I simply could not keep them anymore.

Of course, I'm talking about my books.

Recently, I sold my house which means downsizing. Even though I hadn't lived in the house for nearly 7 years, I was still storing some of my personal belongings there. And, that included my rather extensive collection of books. I had so many covering topics from history to motorcycles. Many were paperbacks but still others were rare bound editions. They encompassed a lifetime of learning and mental stimulation. I knew I could count on them to comfort me in times of trouble and make me laugh when I needed it most. The answered my questions and peaked my curiosity. But, at some point, physically, they simply take up space - a luxury I no longer had. In the years since I moved to my apartment I had already filled it to near maximum. Priorities needed to be set or there would be no living space left to have. Storing boxes of books, already read many times over and mostly collecting dust now, could not be justified. They just had to go.

But, the question remained: how could I dignify the passing of so many good friends?

Simply dumping them was not a viable option.In fact, the thought of treating them with such disrespect was anathema to me. They deserved a better fate.  I considered taking them to the old book store in town or to the local library but it seemed to me that they had their own issues with recycling books. Then, it occurred to me that I live in a village loaded with erudite people. And, my apartment is located very close to a busy bus stop. So, I took 2 crates loaded with my friends and placed them near the bus stop. Of course, I added a sign "FREE BOOKS TO GOOD HOME" to further entice perspective takers.

Well, in less than a day, the crates where empty. And, for good measure, the crates where gone, too! I can only hope that my good friends did, indeed, find their way into new, worthy homes where they will experience new life providing those families with the same life lessons I hold so dear.

Today's MOZEN: Let's Be Real

F LoBuono

Recently, former Vice President, Joe Biden, was accused of inappropriate touching by at least two women. Even though neither suggested that Mr. Biden's behavior was sexual in nature, the women felt that their personal space had been violated in a way that made them uncomfortable to say the least. The act involved Mr. Biden holding their shoulders and planting a kiss on the back of their heads during public events they attended together.

Perhaps, a few years ago, these incidents may have been seen as if not insignificant, then certainly harmless. But, we are now in the era of the #MeToo Movement, a time for zero tolerance for any type of sexual predation. And, some women saw Biden's behavior within that paradigm. However, many others saw it in a different light, i.e. his behavior may have produced an awkward moment for those women but questioned if it rose to the level of abuse.

Although I can see this from both points of view, I tend to side more those who see it as awkward or even inappropriate, but hardly abusive. And, I believe that a reasonable compromise can be reached.

I do empathize with the women. No one should be touched if they do not want to be. As a matter of fact, growing up, my parents emphasized to me that no one was EVER to touch me without my permission. Ever. They felt so strongly about it that it is one of the reasons I was never tattooed - NO ONE was to mark my body. So, if you touched me without my permission, we were going to fight. Plain and Simple.

However, I also came from a Sicilian-American family, i.e. a culture that is built upon open displays of affection. ALL the women in my family were huggers and kissers - so much so that we often tried to hide from them to avoid the constant barrage of lips and arms! And, the men were almost as dedicated to physical affection as they were. My father was always pinching or prodding me, one of my cousins, or friends as a way of conveying his friendship and love. His teasing was NEVER sexual in nature and most people saw it for what it was - a simple display of warmth and tenderness. But, not EVERYONE did and my mother constantly reminded him of this saying, "Joe, stop it! You don't know what the kid's reaction will be." He would respond, "I'm just having fun." She countered, "well, that's YOU - not them".

And, she was right.

Some kids screamed with laughter and glee while others seemed to almost recoil in horror. Adults (whom he often responded to in similar fashion) might react the same way. Obviously, it is NOT for everyone. Therefore, EVERYONE'S personal space should be respected - not just girls and women, but boys and men, too. But, remember, my father and Mr. Biden (Biden is 76 and my father, if he were alive, would be 100) are from different eras when the way we saw these moments were viewed very differently. So, they were expressing THEIR reality in a way they were taught was basically harmless, at least in their own minds.

Furthermore, let's be real here: there is no moral equivalence between what Joe Biden and Joe LoBuono (my father) did and that perpetrated by the likes of Harvey Weinstein (allegedly) and Bill Cosby (convicted). They used their power and influence to take advantage of their victims. Tenderness, affection, and support, I believe, never entered their minds. My father and Mr. Biden may be described as impish while predatory more accurately describes the others.

Look, times change and they SHOULD. What may have been funny and harmless a few years ago now may seem insensitive and boorish - wearing Blackface as a costume or joke immediately comes to mind. So it is with touching. It is now (if it EVER was) inappropriate, even with the best of intentions, to lay your hands on another person without their permission. And, it's not really hard to do. It just takes a little bit of mindfulness exhibited by ASKING if its OK or, alerting others that if you do make that mistake, they should please inform you IMMEDIATELY that it is making you uncomfortable. In this way, BOTH people may be satisfied. If you are naturally affectionate and show it through touching, you may do so while at the same time respecting another's personal space and needs. Because we need both: the human connection brought on by a gentle, reassuring touch and the respect for others by knowing that others may not feel exactly the same way.