Tomorrow Remedial PT begins again as does regular PT. The basic drill is the remedial group has PT at 6am Monday - Friday, except 520am on Wednesday. The others have PT Monday-Wednesday-Friday. I caught myself complaining about remedial PT, not that I have to do it, but that I am in charge of it. Again, it is not the exercise, but it is a piece of human nature that I don't like.
So when that happens I am complaining against God. The piece of human nature I am complaining against is the universal tendency of people who know a subject but don't do it to be experts in it in their own mind.
So as soon as members of the remedial group knew they actually had to do a certain exercise, they immediately have their own grand ideas about what they should be doing for an exercise program. It makes no difference that they consistently have failed to meet the standard of fitness the Army expects--they know better.
Their view of the world extends to every part of life. Who is more strident than a fat, inert couch-potato fan about what the players on the field should be doing. Players know those decisions are complex and they are much less likely to condemn other players.
No one knows more about faith than people who talk about it, but do not actually suffer, sacrifice, care for orphans, and the other things that every faith holds in common as virtuous.
Is there anyone on earth who knows more than a political talk show host about how to run the government? It is interesting to watch the commentators who actually held office versus the ones who never held office. The former office holders may howl about their favorite topic, but they also know the limits of politics--they are former office holders and generally lost an election before becoming a talking head.
Since the tendency is universal, I am guilty of it myself whenever my knowledge exceeds my practice in any given field. Most every human tendency has a good and bad side. I would like to know the good side of this one.
In the meantime I will be hearing soldiers grumble that PT is to hard, too early, too much aerobic, not enough, etc. On the bright side, they do not have pulpits and radio shows to make their ignorance influential.
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Your epistle got cut off in mid-sentence. Since you're in Kuwait I'll assume it wasn't due to an incoming round.
ReplyDeleteI admire your self-discipline at PT. The most I manage is 15 minutes on a stationary bike while I watch the morning news. But I guess when it's part of your job description you find time for it.
You are officially a minority in Lancaster County. Read this:
http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/236532
-Julian-
Hi Neil!
ReplyDeleteI'm David Johnson's grandmother in Ohio. I so enjoy reading your blog every day. We prayed for all of you in church Sunday. Davey has quite a large support system in the U.S. Tell him hi for me.
I like your new bike.
I hope this goes through, I'm new at this.
God Bless,
grace
So well put: "On the bright side, they do not have pulpits and radio shows to make their ignorance influential." Especially right wing preachers (not so sure about their Christianity) who bear false witness against their enemy du jour - feminist, communists, Obama, gays and lesbians. Arrgh!
ReplyDeleteJulian--I cleaned up the orphan phrase.
ReplyDeleteGrace--your comment came through fine. I'll say high to David for you.
Debbie--In Christianity, the saddest offenders are the preachers who specialize in the ends of the Bible and forget the middle--they pretend to know how the world began (correcting Einstein on the way) or how it will end--contradicting Scriptural warnings. You will not find that same person caring for widows and orphans, suffering for the Faith, etc. And you will never find more Chicken Hawks (draft dodgers from the Viet Nam era who became conservatives after the war) in one place than at the Republican National Convention.
Thank you so much for this day by day, blow by blow description of what is going on over there. I enjoy your blog! And what a wonderful idea to give the bike to someone who needs it. Take care!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog today and am so happy I did. My significant other (2LT Greg West) is there along with you for this long ride. It's good to hear something from someone, as I've had no contact since Friday night before boarding the plane. Thanks for the peace of mind, and God bless.
ReplyDeleteSusan
I had to laugh when I read this post. It *is* human nature: so many of my fellow Peace Corps volunteers are experts on war, and are not big fans of my recent decision to join the military. Whatever
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