Ethics and Technology-My Favorite College Class-Reposted from June 2010

One of the best classes that I ever took in college was a philosophy course called "Ethics and Technology" Now, one of the most beautiful things about ethics and philosophy, there are no right and wrong answers. The only catch was the instructor insisted that we be able to intelligently defend the position that we took. He was a killjoy that way.

This class was one of those night classes that was worth three credit hours that met for three hours once a week. I don't know if any of you guys ever took a class like that, but they can be kind of fun because they tend to be more informal. The instructor for my class was probably the best teacher that I ever had. He was an ex-Jesuit priest with degrees up the Yazoo. He was a brilliant lecturer and extremely funny. He would stand in the middle of the room and just talk, never once using lecture notes.

His humor was delightful. For example, on the first night of class, he introduced himself and told us his credential, He said" and I have a Master's degree in philosophy from Berkley and a Master's degree in theology. I am also a former Jesuit priest, so I can talk God, or not." (My kind of humor.)

It seems like every night class that I ever took had the obligatory religious fanatic who felt it is their obligation to make the rest of us feel like we are on our way to hell. This class was not an exception.
It was right before Christmas, and this young lady felt it was her sacred duty to inform the entire class that "she keeps Christ in her Christmas" Not missing a beat, our instructor quipped"not us, we're Lutherans"

I laughed until my gut hurt. It was one of those things that you needed to be there for, but his face was so straight and the way he said it was like a master comedian.

The beautiful thing was that one learned to think and defend what we did believe. It also forced us to give up the beliefs that we had from our parents, our childhood, etc.. and to form our own thoughts.
I would have taken that class again and again if it were possible.

Toward the end of the quarter, we were on a break outside, and our instructor walked up to me to pass a few words, With a straight face I told him that I had finally figured out this ethics and philosophy thing. He said ,"and what is the answer?" I said " it is all a bunch of bullshit" He laughed and told me that I was the only one on the class who "got it". I got an "A" in the class.

The Real Night Before Christmas Story

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. ² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) ³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) ⁵ to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. ¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Carlton Hotel Revisited-Tommy and the Fudge

When I was working at the Tacoma Carlton Hotel in the early seventies, the once beautiful hotel had deteriorated to the point that the former grand lady was little more than a huge flophouse. But, it was my first hotel job, and I loved working there.

There was an old man with wispy white hair and a smile that could light up the darkest room, who walked up to me and shook hands with me on my first day on the job. He stuck out his hand and said that his name was Tommy. Tommy was dressed in an old overcoat that had seen much better days, but I could tell that Tommy still had a lot of pride by the manner in which he dressed. Yes, the white shirt cuffs were badly frayed, and the dress slacks needed pressing, but overall his appearance was that of a dignified old grandfather.

It was the week before Christmas, and the air definitely had a Jack Frost feel. The owner had put up a Christmas tree in the lobby, and there was a certain holiday feeling, but it was mixed with the feeling of something long past and something that could never be again.

My mother had sent me a care package from home. Ah yes, my favorite, homemade fudge. You know the kind. None of this store-bought mix. Nope, genuine, fudge made from the richest, darkest, chocolate.

Oh, it was so good. I took some to work with me that evening. As was his usual custom, Tommy walked up to the desk to greet me. We had developed a friendship in the week since I had started working there.

I decided to ask Tommy if he would care for a piece of homemade fudge. Flashing that 1000 watt smile, he said that would be nice.

I cut off a large square of my prize and gave it to Tommy. I watched in amazement as he took a bite, and tears filled his old eyes. It was as if the windows of his past were laid open for me to see, and in those tears, I saw Tommy's flashback to his own childhood, and a warm kitchen, a Christmas Tree decorated with homemade decorations, and a fire in the old wood stove that spread its warmth and holiday cheer through the old house.

Tommy ate every crumb of that fudge with great care and dignity. When he was done, he smiled at me and said that was the best present that he had in years.

I never saw or heard from Tommy after I left the Carlton. I heard a rumor that he had pneumonia and was very ill. Of course, that was years and years ago. But, last night, Tommy visited me in my dreams and was still talking about that fudge.

Christmas Essentials-The Cookie Jar-

Christmas was about fudge and cookies when I was growing up. Mom would start in November baking and freezing all the goodies that we loved so much. Then, they were placed every year in this Dutch Boy Cookie Jar. I loved this old cookie jar, and low and behold, I found out about 15 years ago that my mom still had it. She knew how much I loved it, so she put my name on the bottom of it, meaning that when she passed, that it would be mine. It now proudly sits on top of my refrigerator, and is awaiting the cookies that will fill it this coming weekend.

The old boy is still in perfect shape. I found out that it is an antique. It, however, is not for sale. Some memories just can't be bought.