CHRISTMAS - A NEW PERSPECTIVE

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Christmas has not always been the Rhino’s favorite holiday. It seems so contrived. An old roman holiday that was used as Jesus birthday so more people might celebrate it. Almost like and old times marketing campaign. The Rhino is a Urantia Book reader and the UB dates Jesus birth as August 21 0007B.C. A few times the Rhino has joined Urantia readers to celebrate the August birthday but it seemed a little stiff.


Here in the USA there are businesses that would fold with out good sales for Jesus birthday. There are many marketing campaigns real and implied designed around guilt to get you out and shopping. Here in Colorado a major snow storm closed the malls for a couple of days. You would have thought people were headed to a worship service before they died the way they lined up for hours to get into the mall parking lots just to be sure they did there Christmas duties when the storm abated. "Aunt Frizzy always sends a gift and if we forget her she will think we don’t love her." The media (making a pile on advertising) beats the drum.

At work, home, and social organizations one is expected to fall in lockstep with whatever pagan ritual is current for the group. If you don’t you are some kind of odd ball atheist who surely is not on the right side of God. The dynasty of Christianity that brought you the George Bush encore, demands you pay homage to Christmas. The faithful are taught to love and forgive the recalcitrant that avoids Christmas but the poor thing is probably goin to hell.

Guilt and fear are the primary motivators for Christmas in the twenty first century.
With all this in mind the Rhino tries to find a way to miss the Christmas hoopla without offending his Christmas loving friends. So he has slowly worked to let folks know he does not want to be involved. It would be interesting to hear what miss manner would say to do. This year my daughter said she wanted the Rhino to join her and Thomas, the Little King ( www.bighornmusic.com/Johnny/Rhino/ ) and Sue for dinner. She wants to make it a tradition.
It was difficult to agree, but the Rhino knew she wanted to create a tie to family. When I arrived there was the Little King who wanted time with the Rhino Thomas and Amber made a great meal but did not make it look like a lot of trouble. As The Rhino watched the Little King play with his new sound board toy. He realized it was not so bad and he felt comfortable.

So what does this all mean? Christmas is ok and at last the Rhino loves Big Brother? That the only value to Christmas is to celebrate interpersonal relationships? God is conspiring with the church to make sure everyone celebrates his sons birthday on the 25th using a whole plethora of emotions to bring them rebellious in line? Christmas has turned into a tawdry side show?

The Rhino doesn’t know what do you think?

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE AMERICAN WORKER

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There has been a lot of foucus on illegal immigration lately. Here is a letter to the editor sent by the rhino and the download address for his song on the issue BUSHTON:

It is important to frame the debate in terms of the American worker. That is the person who is being used for his output to increase wealth for employers. The reason there is and immigration system is to be protect the integrity of the American worker.

Land

Labor

Capital

Businesses goal is to get all three as cheap as possible. When their pursuit is oppressive we use laws to bring employers in line. Immigration laws, monopoly Laws, Zoning, Lending Practices and the central bank.

In this mix all people participate, some legally some illegally. It is the job of the government to referee. On immigration the ref has swallowed the whistle. He is trying to retake control of the court but business keeps fouling. Some suspect the referees are being bribed.

Turning anger toward working people will not solve the problem. Calling names is only an alienating and destructive force. In all matters the American citizen worker comes first he is the economic engine. Comprehensive imigration reform is a code phrase for amnesty, rewarding illegal behavior.

Foreign aid is foreign aid not a jobs program and should not become a tool to subvert American labor by government unions or religion. The focus is, as it has been, on employers and government officials. both should be held accountable.

www.bighornmusic.com/bushton/

Let the Rhino know what your thoughts are....

TIRED OF THE BLUES

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Does it drive you crazy to go to a club where musicans are jamming and listen to hour after hour of mindles three chord noodling they like to call the blues? One of the songs on the Rhino's CD SWING SHIFT MACHINE OPERATOR is TIRED OF THE BLUES. While this song has gotten more air play than any other, it was inspired by the Rhino's early days in bands.

Gigs were often four hours long and when material ran out there was nothing like a slow blues to kill time. Often the Rhino would make up lyrics, two verses, then let the guitar player play a solo of one or two times around the three chord music track. Like a race of fat guys it would lumber on until time was up.

If someone complained the reply "Why it is the blues! sacred music of the black man." Of course you would leave out that the black man had made it an art form not an exucuse for musical laziness.

Today the contemporary musician slinks out to the car, Gets blasted, then comes in an bores everyone with his pentatonic noodling. Sign up group or individual after sign up group or individual boring there spouse and friends to tears. There associates want to encourage there love of music but secretly wish the were home watching the washing machine.

The club, of course, just wants there group of friends to buy drinks and food. So they put up with it and even bring in the leaders of the snooze. They would not ask if they could jam a song or and extended idea. "Thats not the blues you just don't understand."

The Rhino loves a good blues song in the mix. It can get the toe tappin and be very clever. But, as for Jam night, "I've paid my dues and I'm Tired of the Blues.