Hmmmm

      Almost every day of my life I am bombarded with concepts that are

sometimes so incredible, my jaw drops and I am left in dazed

wonderment.  Sometimes the things I learn are so "out there" that I ask

myself "why?"  Three things that I always felt were inexplicable was the

rise of the neo-Nazi party in Germany.  The "I'm the victim" mentality

of incarcerated inmates.  And finally, why many people won't accept

responsibility for their actions.

      Firstly, one of the worst things that ever happened to Germany was

the rise of the Nazi political party.  The Nazi's brought out the worst

of humanities aspects in a culture that is normally very friendly and

open.  So why are the new Nazi's being allowed to rise in the political

structure?  Haven't the German people learned from the past?  In today's

world, no culture can subscribe to isolationism; also, it's been shown

that all cultures have something to offer, that there are bright,

articulate people in every part of the world.

      Secondly, I have found that most of the inmates I've encountered

are victims,  at least in their own minds.  The usual excuses are "It's

not my fault I had to steal, I didn't have any job skills" and "everyone

is against me."    It is never the individual's fault that he or she was

involved some kind of criminal activity.  If the so-called "victims of

the state" acted in a sensible manner and as adults, they never would

have been incarcerated.  The simple truth is, if one acts in a

delinquent manner, no matter of social standing, one will be treated

accordingly.

      Finally, the most incomprehensible idea I've encountered is that

many people won't accept responsibility for their actions; it is always

someone's fault, but never one's own.  The plain fact is, if I want to

be regarded as a mature adult, I must take the punishment for anything I

might do.  But in the world today, it seems that putting the blame on

someone else is a regular past-time.  "He makes me crazy!"  "She pushed

me over the edge."  "If only she had stopped, I never would have done

that."  Since when have others controlled the way a person acts in such

ways as those listed?  Instead people should say "I let him get me

upset."  "I allowed  my temper get away from me."    And "I granted her

the power to control me."  Outside influences will create situations

that I may not be able to control, but I will accept the responsibility

for the actions I perform.  That is what being an adult is about.

      There will always be influences in my life that will stupify me.

The important thing is that even if I can't control what is going on

with those events, I can control how I act, for I am the "master of my

ship."  Whoever can't, might as well never leave his or her home.