From the Village Square

Americans are “disinformed” about homelessness in this country.

It has recently been revealed that more than 400 teen-agers are separated from family and without a place to sleep or able to appropriately shelter themselves in the Milwaukee area.

What is this country all about? Sweden keeps track of its homeless people in order to determine the cause of their situation and for the propose of providing long-term remedies for these individuals as well as for immediate accommodation. 

In Anerica we don't often know who they are or how many, let alone determine the cause for their homelessness for remedy purposes.

The idea of rugged individualism does not come from any of the religions that I know about. Most religious groups in the U.S. want to intervene and to give care to these unfortunate individuals, especially the children. 

If we can't, as a nation, as a culture look after our children and their development, what are we all about? Most Americans are uninformed about serious social problems in our country.

But "disimformation" about social matters is ingrained in our culture of  “individualism”.  We need a balance to this idea of rugged individualism,  especially when it comes to making sure that children in this country, if not abroad are all to be viewed as the children of God and so treated.

The national political scene seems to be proving the old adage, that things are not always what they appear to be.

Supporters of politicians running for president try to use today's communication media for their proposes of bit by bit developing the image of what their future candidate will look like and how he will conduct himself once he's in office.

Yet no one knows what the future brings in relation to problems to be faced, not even the candidate, especially as to how he will conduct himself and as to which policies will be important to him at the time and which policies will be less significant under the circumstances.

Today's conditions are of course, war with a background of economic recession. War and economics the stuff of government.

Each of the two major candidates through their campaigns are trying to prove that he is the wisest of human beings and the only one to deal with these conditions.

Both use their party as the main political base for this, but as we have two parties rather equally split in numbers but not in distribution, each must win the vote of the majority of his own party and many of those who do not strongly associate themselves with party.

During this election process, there's a tendency to confuse country and government. The party in power seeking to regain power combines country and government as one entity. The one out of power, would prove government to be evil, functioning against the interest of the country.

This is a thesis that requires many more words, but in short the party in power would demonstrate that most of what they have done is good, right and and will be proved to be most wise. The party out of power must prove the opposite and criticize government.

However, in so doing, party representatives place themselves in danger of appearing unpatriotic if not treasonous. War heroes become the center of controversy.

On the one side, heroes are sacred and on the other their accomplishments are to be doubted. There remains a strong tendency for returning heroes, as of old, to become the emperors.

The concept of patriotism confuses those who would have less government, ending up defending government while those who would have government carry out many of their proposed policies finding themselves government's strongest critics.

If General Clark were running against Senator McCain, Clark would have to suggest that the experiences of a prisoner of war, no matter how much we admire McCain, do not surpass the experiences of a general when it comes to heading the government.

Today, this discussion appears to have become significant, with that subject being brought up by General Clark, not a candidate for president.

Things are not what they always appear to be, even less so when discussing presidential politics.

Within the last few years, we've gained two new Shorewood Village Board members, both by appointment.

All of our board members are individually and socially intelligent. Once they jump into the pot of Village politics they seem to acquire a coating, like M and M's in a variety of colors but difficult to differentiate. The Board's activities and their manner of  voting, is referred to as "consensus."

In Shorewood, it is more than mere majority, consensus is more often than not, unanimous This means that even the chocolate coating is the same color.

Individual board members choose to serve and of course do so individually. Once on the board, these individuals seem to loose the individuality which brought them there. They seem to become more combined than individual in their intelligence.

It seems there is something about the nature and consistency of chocolate and if all were put in the sun in a bunch, they'd all melt altogether. Re-election makes incumbents even more like what they already were as they were already in the pot.

The man-on-street's question or the philosophical one that might be asked applies to our legislature and our congress as well. What causes this strange phenomenon? The scientific answer is, “jumping into the pot of likeness” in the first place.   

Most bloggers are interested in more that one issue, but if my interest were only one, it would be that of society's obligation in developing a morality toward the elderly.

We could start with something that I learned as a child, that we should honor our fathers and our mothers.

Because this expression seems too broad for our society and because the idea of honoring anyone not a star or a billionaire is too much to expect, I've been trying to keep it simple.

An indoor or outdoor coffee patio or both where seniors could hang out has been my fundamental and simple issue, a simple code for honoring father and mother. This is not too hard to understand.

Now that one of the leading opponents to this idea has removed himself from the Shorewood Village Board and has been replaced, we might again put some energy into this and if nothing else find who are for and against the idea.

Just as our schools are great places for recreation and sports as well as education, today we find that these facilities have plenty of room and room for senior coffee shops in which seniors can “hang out.”

This we must include in our intergenerational programs. Why not some effort in this direction by the two Boards? Most societies try to “honor their fathers and their mothers,” why don't we?

Ingrained within the Japanese culture, perhaps one of the outstanding ones, is their social feelings for making life as comfortable as possible for the elderly in their society.

Perhaps somewhat difficult to uphold in modern society, the moral is never-the-less there and attention is still called to this social obligation.

Can we in Shorewood call forth such a moral? I think we can. But can the politicians be counted on?

Now we have a new appointed Trustee at Shorewood Village Hall who won out over eleven others.

Each applicant usually submits a resume and gives other information that is reviewed by all the other trustees. The selection system seems a superior evaluation technique to the actual election process. For often the voters do not have that much information about the candidates and they usually vote by emotion, name association or position on the ballot or have no other choice.

As I mentioned in a previous posting, appointment seems to be a way of providing for superior types on the Board. According to this reasoning then the two appointed members here in Shorewood are superior to the other five, especially to those who ran without opposition, except for one who originally gained her seat by appointment first of all.  It seems that appointment is a better test than running without opposition.

What a state of affairs, trustees selecting other trustees superior to themselves. I think I suggested a systematic type of resignation that would bring more members to the Board by appointment rather  than by election. We could even have all seven members serving by appointment rather than gaining seats by election. What an elite system.

Perhaps we should select the president of the United States by establishing an elite group to evaluate candidates and then appointing a president. Wouldn't it be superior to the present system of party nomination, then selecting the one least likely to make too many wrong decisions, but more often than not, election by emotion.

We didn't seem to do too well at several of our last presidential elections, nominations made first of all by the two parties and then actually taking office through our election system, which in some cases left some doubt as to whom was really elected. Appointment seems a more positive option and we should celebrate it here in Shorewood and work toward its more extensive utilization.

This all proves that being too logical doesn't always make sense. Democracy can really function without elections. We don't always know to what degree democratic elections really are democratic or how good they are. Appointments are not as biased as party selections and appointments may beat election by emotion.

President Bush's unpopularity in European countries and in Pakistan, a neighboring country to Iraq doesn't seem to be diminishing according to new accounts in Europe where Bush is today.

Our occupation of Japan, as presidential candidate Senator John McCain often refers to, was more peaceful than our presence in Iraq and it didn't involve us in border disputes with other countries. It is possible however to compare our situation with Iran as similar to what we experienced with China when we were in Japan. Eventually it involved us in Korea and Vietnam.

The history of what took place in that part of Asia is more complicated than I can understand or explain even to myself and there are experts that know more about that I ever will.

However, as I try to keep informed as a layman, I see complications stemming from our involvement in Iraq taking us far beyond Iraq itself. Even a more popular president in 2009 may not be able to extricate our troops and our national involvement in this area. McCain does not put it this way, but he'd be pretty hard put to explain as to what we are going to do in this costly situation.

We have a tendency to get ourselves involved in “quicksand” type of situations in various parts of world, where the more we move the more we are drawn into the quicksand.

Of course, pulling out the troops immediately without considering the overall situation may seem only a political slogan but in the end wasn't that what the first president Bush did? Was that a mistake? But how to do it now?

I wouldn't want to be president either now or within the next eight years as things are going to be tough. Do either of the candidates really know how we're going to solve this one, I don't think so.

If one is fairly healthy, years after “retirement age,” aging can then be comfortable and even entertaining, especially if one does not need to worry too much about her or his economy.

On the other hand, older adults who are not too well and whose economic situations are not too lusty, cannot get much pleasure from their end-of-life circumstances.

Children and grand children and other relatives, if living nearby and who are heedful, concerned and attentive can bring various levels of comfort to most circumstances. Living in familiar places or in long term accommodations, shared over long periods of time with loved ones can also contribute to levels of self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-satisfaction, bringing a great deal of pleasure to living.

Living on ones own can be appreciated by some, but loneness however, presents another factor contributing to unhappiness.

Shorewood is discovering some of the best elements of community through some younger members living here in the village,and who are taking the time to strengthen this elder component and working toward developing the benefits found in functioning intergenerational communities.

I see this as a splendid contribution being made by those who have become so dedicated and actively involved in bringing about this type of unique community. The benefits to both young and old are recognized and it is here in this recognition that we have formed this fundamental component of this new community.

Much is going to result from the energy that has emerged here and I'm grateful to be living here at this time observing and on the fringe of what is taking place.  Perhaps functioning as a small atom or cell of this larger organism that I can consider  what is fundamental in the American character.

I extend my thanks to everyone involved. Soon the whole community will be as grateful, as members begin to understand what has begun to take place here. We are only at the beginning of something outstanding.

Recent watery weather combined with inadequate sewer systems has resulted in flooded basements in Shorewood.

These are long-standing problems that pose negative sanitary conditions.

Who represents these citizens of Shorewood and can speak of solutions? What are the proposed plans for handling these sewer situations in the future?

Along with an aging population, we also have an aging drainage and sewer situation, all requiring the attention of would-be local and state officials. Let's get some answers from them.

Affected citizens would like to hear from those presently in office and those running later this year, as to  the long term plans or approaches that are going to be taken relative to these and other aging elements of our community

In the most positive sense, let's hear about the present backup solutions for flooding basements and the long term plans for upgrading our sewers.

I've been reviewing a number of essays that I have not posted. I think that the reason that I have not is they seem to be too negative in tone.

Any analysis or disagreement with policy can produce some opposition or a surprising perspective of the facts.

Therefore reports can prove over-critical or extremely negative but the results of much analyses, especially in the political realm lend themselves to both these inclinations.

I cannot say, that I move into this field innocently. Because I played my role in local politics for a long time within my profession as an urban designer. “It comes with the territory” as they say, except in England and other European countries, where the politics are left to the politicians and the design solutions to the professionals.

Today I find local politics in the United States to be a microcosm of all politics and close day-to-day observations keep one in touch with the efficacies of real politics.

It is quite definite that most things suggested by individual citizens or people outside the circle are usually not with the political power that energizes proposals perhaps as well as those supported by the leading political groups or members on the boards.

Therefore, even this discussion presents a critical and negative tone. So it is quite natural and seems unavoidable to develop negative attitudes toward government. Perhaps just as it is natural for those who attain power to often ignore those whom they are supposed to represent,

Can this last statement be classified as too critical or too negative?

Nature constantly reminds us of how tenuous our situation is here on this planet as we stand on these floating masses of land that we call continents, sustained by plenty of hot molten stuff that is often displayed in the form a volcanic emission.

Yesterday, the atmosphere also engaged in proving that nature is not so happy with us, blowing down our buildings and inundating our streets, basements and sewer treatment plants, even right here in Shorewood.

Beyond our atmosphere is outer space, not a very friendly place either, especially when the toilets in those metal balloons back up. So what are we to do?

We have to make the best of it, for the earth was here, long before we were and shall perhaps be for many years longer than we survive as individuals and even survive as a human race. Meanwhile, we continue to "back up" a lot of stuff here on nature's surface.

We all know of our unsubstantial nature, but don't like to think of it.  Perhaps that's best.  Instead we often create and dwell in false memories, try to celebrate the present and deny that there shall ever be an end.   If there is to be, we'll invent other places and even develop new illusions.       

But nature, our host, very nervously likes to remind us from time to time that we are not all that welcomed here. And we certainly do not like to pay too much attention to her. But really is there any place else to go?

When I arrived in Milwaukee, long before most people in the world who are living today were born, I tried in my public talks, in English tailored suits and accent, to convince social intellectuals here that sidewalk cafes added something special to living, something festive.

I lectured that we should work toward developing that type of culture for ourselves here in America, yes in Milwaukee.

That was almost half a century ago. Many millions of people of the world have died since.

Over the years those who have traveled to Europe have increased in numbers because of air travel. They have learned a bit of the festive nature of Europeans and their cities. We've seen it and developed a yearning for it but soon forget about it unless we live in New York.

This is a city that superimposes its culture on the underlying American one.  New York is our Rome, our Paris, a world cosmopolitan city.

Today, some of what is coffee shop and some of what is sidewalk cafe has entered our culture and has begun taking on a life of its own. People of the Milwaukee area would have understood what I was talking about today, even if they did not a few generations ago.

Then why, in the redevelopment of our business district here in Shorewood has no one been able to lead us further into that festive direction so that we will attract people onto these fancy sidewalks?

Are the new lamps, planters and brick cross ways going to do it on their own? And what if we throw in a few tables and chairs with umbrellas? Is that going to be enough?

Honoring the linear street and fast moving auto traffic ain't going to do it. Linear characteristics are for moving. These are the very opposite of clustering festive activities.

The grouping of our new buildings should encourage clustering, adding to a sense of enclosure and inspire and promote people gathering. Let's take another look at how the Europeans do it.

The same people that pay village taxes pay school board taxes.

There's plenty of unused space in our schools and the seniors of this community are in need of space for their activities.

Let's make space available for older adult meetings and for many of their activities. It seems that the idea is timely. Where to start? Ideas need public support and I suppose the the right type of marketing.

A couple of weeks ago, in one of my postings, “Sooner rather than later.” I suggested the design and development a solar energy tree, a rather improbable idea for lighting our streets and heating crosswalks in the winter.

The other day I came across Time's summer edition of Style and Design in my dentist's office and there was an actual “Solar tree,” designed and built in Europe, being installed in Austrian, German and Italian cities.  Designers and manufacturers are already involved,even before I suggested the concept.  The tree is on actual display in Florence, in front of the opera house.

Ten percent of Europe's electric power goes for lighting of its streets.

Ideas do become realities, Mr. Johnson.  Maybe you should see a concept of Mangiamele's solar energy tree.  Perhaps others should design their own backyard energy trees. 

"I think that architects will be designing highrise buildings influenced by the need to capture solar energy."

A recent review of nursing homes highlights serious failures in care that causes residents to suffer unnecessary pain, injury, trauma and death in its June 2008 report by the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

These accommodations, not as rosy as they might appear. Shorewood elderly should form an overseeing group to check in on our elderly as they seek these accommodations.

I think we should form an overall central group made up of our senior members. One of its responsibilities should be representing those who will be in these senior homes - - I'm suggesting calling our group the Shorewood Senior Academy., what do you think, Mr. Johnson?

Echio Sato an 81 year old Japanese woman lived with her son and his family in Tokyo but they did not talk to her, or involve her in family life. And she could not afford to move to a retirement home. She wept every day.

“My food was left in the kitchen for me and I ate on my own... I would have liked to be happy for just one hour a day.”

These excerpts are taken from a story on aging and the increasing suicide rate in Japan, reported by the British Broadcasting Corporation..

Government has been shocked by the suicide statistics and some money is being put into raising awareness. The elderly are being encouraged out of their homes into new community centers, which hold special activities for them.

Now Echio Sato, this 81 year-old great grandmother attends a “keep-fit class” at the community center once a week.

“I also do origami and love dancing!” she giggles.

She is happy when she sees her friends. “I can talk to other old people when we meet up. I know that we share the same problems.”

But Japan has a long way to go before it reduces its suicide rate, as you know, Mr. Johnson. 

It is a society going through a major upheaval, with lessons for all aging and graying societies and for those of us concerned about our elders in Shorewood.

Recently I re-read parts of a book written about 50 years ago by Hannah Ardent.

In it she spoke of the infinite improbability of a universe, the infinite improbability of a planet like ours forming within it, the infinite improbability of a human race developing and accommodating itself to the conditions on it and the infinite improbability of a civilization developing, now having an impact on this planet and nearby space.

This casual review of her ideas and terminology seemed to help give definition to my own inclinations. These inclinations of mine have led me toward the “improbables” of creating new human environmental settings within our cities.

I have for several years now, been trying to define the type of “improbable community” for Shorewood that would include its older citizens as significant elements of that community.

Yes, Mr. Johnson, just as I've experienced many “improbables” become realities as a city planner, and seen many other cities overcome “improbables,” not infinite improbables, but never-the-less improbables, it seems that today, I'm beginning to witness right here in Shorewood, one of the most improbables, the formation of a community impelled by the “improbable energies” of its elderly citizens combined with the energies of many community interested citizens of lessor age.

The term self-generation perhaps is as aptly applied to community as it is to any form of organic development.

“Community” when used biologically generally  refers to a collective form of life on which the individual organisms are dependent.

Human beings even with all their qualities of individuality find enrichment within the protective restrictions of broader community relations, out of which arise our laws, our sense of morality and own human culture.

I have for the past several weeks been observing this organic development of community here in Shorewood.

Its spontaneous impulses appear to be unrestrained except when sometimes rubbing against the stultifing energies of certain atrophying agency and institutional processes.

We are beginning to observe the birth of real and spontaneous community, an age-balanced community, where seniors are one of  its real components. The stimulating energies being evidenced are as significant as those who are involved.

Please take note Mr. Johnson, “caring community partnerships" are on the move.  Real caring community is on the way.

Americans have set aside one day in the year when we honor those who have died in our wars.

I believe that during my lifetime that I've experienced only part of a long period between the end of the first World War until the second one when we had no real involvement in war, one generation of peace.

I was to meet my younger brother at a New Jersey military base when I was returning from Europe and he was on his way to Korea.

It seems that now  we have had men and women dying in a non-purpose war for far too many years with no end in sight.  Is it to be one year more or two years more?  No one really knows when. But does anyone know why, Mr. Johnson? What is its justification?

Nor do we know how to extricate ourselves from a war that we cannot justify. We might question what winning a war or being victorious might mean.

It seems that all of our would-be leaders haven't the slightest idea what winning or being victorious means. Yet they want to lead. Why?

I think, Mr. Johnson,  that those running for the presidency should show how realistic they are. They should first of all gives us justification for remaining their another day, unless it's the safe extrication of our troops.

"Yes, I/m thinking about it, but I believe that all other explanations are collective illusions."

Shorewood's snow removal problem, especially in our business district is being viewed at an appropriate time in history. At a time when there's some concentration on solar energy.

Major crosswalks become problems in the winter because of the snow accumulation: partial solution: develop sculptured canopies over the crosswalk areas that will also support solar energy collectors, not the regular rectangular type but visually artistic products.

The energy can be used to heat the walks at these points sufficiently to keep ice from forming and snow from accumulating. Any excess energy and that produced during other seasons could be diverted to relieving other energy needs.

If protective canopies at crosswalk can be appropriately designed to melt snow and light up these areas, we can also design solar energy trees, which would be tall public art pieces designed to support solar energy collectors in artistic ways.

This would give us a unique business district. We could capitalize on these ideas by establishing an unique enterprise that would allow us to patent these concepts and instruments so that we could produce revenue for the community. Our village president who is administratively involved in UWM's business school, I'm sure could come up with an appropriate way for doing this.

Sooner or later inventive minds will be coming up with these ideas. Why don't we, sooner rather than later?

Of course I remain interested in what takes place publicly in Shorewood, in its street life and in the emanating aspects of social and political activities.

There are some parts of the world I'd like to visit again that are not on “travel film,” nor that can be experienced in a personal way. There are places that I'd like to revisit in Sweden, in England, in Italy and especially in London.

I'm interested in some new places, but I don't care to “travel” there by air today, but there are few other ways. Air travel presents images of the most unpleasant of circumstance,especially in relation to the events that  I could be experiencing here in Shorewood, near home.

Travel used to be more fun, when flying was fun. To put it simply, I hate airports and the anxiety of arriving at a specific time, not that punctuality makes much difference at airports anymore, especially after the established search processes.

I think that  what appears to me, as so many people, going wild in one large enclosed structure and the uncertainties of departures and connections and the concrete of the airport itself, this unidentified space and activity is what I really hate. It's far from a pleasant place of a peace loving human being, don't you think, Mr Johnson?  

I experienced concrete and asphalt fields serving with a troop carrier outfit during the war in Europe, where “hurry up and wait” was a common expression. Flying would be nice also, if one didn't have to have luggage, during the war, it was a packed parachute.  

How about it Mr. Johnson, if one were picked up in a limo, served exotic bits of food and drinks while driving to a very pleasant room at the airport, and then as though a guest at a party, boarding pleasantly at a rather leisurely pace and setting, we'd now have the beginnings of a pleasant trip, won't we? 

"If  your referring to me of course, if we didn't have assigned seats lined up in rows and all was first class and the service on board  excellent as in this dream and if one didn't have to sit next to someone, wouldn't that be grand? I'd prefer to stand most of the time while flying, much like at a cocktail party."

You of course we know,  Mr. Johnson, that some, not all of these services are still available to some. However, even first class is limited on some flights. If you're a billionaire, you can have you're own airplane. Even, if I were a billionaire, I'd still hate airports. And then there remain, all those concrete surfaces.

And after all the arranging, even when others are doing it for you, there's that feeling of being detached from your roots at this port of separation and then the sudden unfamiliarity at the port of destination after an unpleasant trip. These are not everyone's feeling, but they're mine.

These are some of the reasons, Mr. Johnson,  why family in California don't see much of me these days. Even a country or summer home in Wisconsin that involves too much car travel is not appealing anymore.

A friend used to fly me to a small town near a lake place in northern Wisconsin and then we'd transfer to a water plane and finally arrive at the lake and “land” on the water and at his pier.  It was all arranged, but I'd rather stay here close to Shorewood rather han take one more trip up there. Being in Shorewood is more fun than traveling, don't you think, Mr.Johnson?

"I believe that the airlines have too many customers to ever establish innovative ways of making travel pleasant again."

In the past the elders recalled the world that they had lived. They became the respected historians, the wise men.

Today history is already recorded and interpreted by young historians. The elders no longer have any worth except as to the value of their holdings. And these are usually only of family interest.

Society has no place for them. Except that they become commodities of their care keepers and those who will bury them.

Some cultures developed high respect and gave comfort to these the frail people as each family knew the contribution they had made.

Today the everyday relationships of young and old have been dissipated. Few members of the family live together. Even with today's communications, members become strangers without the feeling and sensitivity of daily contact.

The poorest are seen as the most costly to society, with their undeserved Social Security and Medicare. They are as returned soldiers from war, only symbols of past glories, social display pieces only at ceremonies. Many times, they are much in the way.

Yet they are part of what we proudly describe as the great accomplishment of longevity.  Where is the usefulness of longevity? The answer is in the question.

So the old must walk slowly and sit if they cannot walk and wait until they become frail in their final states, their death God preparing them for their return to the earth from which they came.

They must cease looking to the future and learn to forget the past. Their past was their only reality and their future now only illusion.