Why Do Men Wear Those Awful "Rugs"?

Have you ever been in a room, and it is almost difficult to concentrate, because of the number of men who seem to find it necessary to wear toupees? As if that was not disturbing enough, most of these toupees are so obvious, and often so hideous, that it would be laughable if it was not so strange looking.

Why do these individuals feel the need to wear "rugs"? Do they really believe it makes them look better? Are they afraid that losing their hair makes them look older? Do they see themselves in the mirror?

I've often felt that if someone was compelled to wear a "rug," at least they could wear one like Sean Connery used to wear, or like Frank Sinatra wore. At least those toupees looked normal and could even be considered flattering if one feels a bald head is unflattering. Maybe because I have that age- appropriate balding spot (s), and it doesn't bother me, I don't understand the vanity, or whatever it might be, that drives someone to put "one of those things" on ones head.

The worst "rugs" are the ones where the color doesn't make any sense. When a man over 55 has a toupee with solid black thick hair, and no gray, it doesn't look real. When the color of the toupee contrast dramatically with the remnants of the color of the man's real hair, that looks silly. When the toupee is combed in such a seemingly silly way, that can be somewhat disconcerting.

If the individual wearing the "rug" doesn't realize how ridiculous his toupee looks, doesn't he have a mate, a spouse, children or friends, that might let him know? Are all the people close to this individual "afraid" to say something, for fear they will offend?

Next time you are in a crowd, on a bus, on a train, on the street, or at a party or event, look around you. Observe how many men wear these things, and how few of them look even decent. Observe how easy it is to spot these things most of the time.

Some of them look like they are "alive." They look like they are so full of spray, and have not been properly cleaned (or whatever you are supposed to do to a "rug" - - is it shampooed?) or they look like the wearer forget to "connect" the toupee properly, or they are rotated, or look out of place, or just look silly or hideous. I ask men who wear toupees to consider removing them. In the privacy of your own home, in your own bathroom, remove it, and look in the mirror. Then put it back on, and look at yourself objectively. Then, many of you might begin to believe that "bald is beautiful."

Global Climate Change + Environmental Challenges

Those who have opposed environmentalists positions about the relationship between pollution and "global warming" have pointed to this winter's cold weather as proof that it doesn't exist.. They have been smugly stating during these cold streaks and snowstorms, "Global warming, hah?" Certain evidence that indicates that some of the studies that the environmentalists pointed to as "proof" of "global warming" were tainted adds fuel to the anti-global warming argument.

I have always felt, and previously written that the "green" side erred by referring to the pollution/ environment link as "global warming" instead of "global climate change." While it is true that the last ten years were significantly warmer, on average, than previous ten year periods, that, in and of itself, does not prove that there is "warming." Far more significant is the fact that weather conditions have become far more extreme. Hurricanes and tsunamis have become more devastating, major snowstorms more "major," and earthquakes more deadly. We have had summers that were unsummer-like, and winters that were very warm. Then we have had extremely hot summers, and extremely cold winters. Traditional warm weather geographic areas have had extended cold periods, and traditional cold and stormy areas have been mild.

Whatever one calls it, there can be little argument made that pollution is unhealthy. There has been demonstrable proof that air pollution has direct relationships to such conditions as lung conditions, allergies and certain types of cancers. Pollution and toxins in the ground have been directly linked to conditions such as childhood disorders, maternity difficulties, cancers and other diseases.

The "green" side, in their attempt to dramatically alert the world of the dangers of pollution, felt a strategic need to name the result of the condition something, and chose "global warming." While this was probably a strategic error, the fact that the only effect is not warming but many other side effects, should not dismiss the need for the world community to take actions to reduce air, ground and water pollution. The fact that a few zealots misrepresented or exaggerated evidence in their quest to "do good," should not dismiss the need for action.

Like in most things, once something gets politicized, sides begin to "spin." While the end result may not accurately be referred to as "global warming," certainly something is going on environmentally. Regardless of what one calls it, there is still a pressing need to examine, investigate and do something about pollution. FOR OTHER PUBLISHED ARTICLES BY RICHARD BRODY, go to: www.associatedcontent.com/rgbrody

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Budgets Can Be Important

Very few individuals, corporations, organizations or government entities either prepare or evaluate budgets properly. All too often, budget creators have the attitude that a budget is just something they have to do, and it can easily be changed throughout the year. However, if created and evaluated properly, a budget can be a very important "road map" for fiscal responsibility, financial guidelines, and proper and appropriate spending.

When most entities create a budget, all they do is "work off" the previous year's budget, and then make minor variations either to add a project or program, or to do an "across the board" cost of living increase. Those voters who vote on things like school budgets are often asked to vote on a budget based on the percentage increase and how it might impact real estate taxes. Many organizations have Boards that prepare and approve budgets, simply to haphazardly approve additional expenditures throughout the year, effectively making the budget meaningless.

The first thing to realize regarding a budget is can be the most important financial tool one has, if used appropriately. Budgets should not simply be based on past expenditures, and revenues. Instead, at least every three year, an entity should use a technique known as "Zero Base Budgeting." What that means is that every expenditure line item to evaluate: (a) if it is a proper and needed expenditure; (b) if yes, then is the monies spent being spent most effectively; and (c) if the desired results can be achieved with the same line item monies, or if more or less funds are needed in that area. In preparing a budget this way, one looks for efficiencies, evaluates the needs of the entity, discusses creative ideas, and determines if more or less monies need to be spent, and how is the best way to spend those dollars. Very often, it is not the amount of monies spent that might be the problem, but how those monies are spent. For example, in terms of school budgets, items like: (1) energy costs and potential impact of using alternative energies, changing thermostat settings, etc; (2) class size- the impact and cost factors related to change; (3) individual class lengths, and weather altering length of a period might impact costs by altering staffing needs, etc; (4) creative contract negotiations to optimize results; (5) construction projects - costs of outsourcing versus having staff do project; (6) supplies and furniture purchasing, including joining with other school districts for economies of scale savings, and vendor pricing evaluation; etc.

Another major item that most budget preparers need to rethink is their approach to cost savings. All too often, the attitude that a potential savings is insignificant as related to the overall budget, neglects to understand that in many budgets, there are numerous areas to realize small savings, and that the overall result of all these small savings, is often quite significant. Paying attention to small areas also fosters an overall attitude of making the overall operation far more efficient and effective.

Results- oriented budgeting states that one should always look at the goal or what the desired result might be. By doing that, one can better adapt to "zero base" principles, and ask what this money accomplishes. Many bureaucrats simply act by "throwing money" at an obstactle, rather than spending the time to evaluate the more effective and efficient way to handle the situation.

Budgets are potentially extremely valuable tools. If used properly, a budget has the potential of avoiding pitfalls, identify shortfalls, evaluate policies, and give important guidelines. Anyone with the fiduciary responsibility owes it to both themselves and their organization to adequately and fully evaluate a budget, instead of simply giving it a cursory review.

Judaism's 5 Different Movements

While Judaism is generally considered one of the oldest non-pagan religions, there a numerous movements that have evolved as society has. The most traditional and most observant movement in the Jewish religion is the Orthodox. Orthodox Jews strictly interpret the Torah (also referred to as the Old Testament or the Five Books of Moses). These Jews strictly adhere to all aspect of Kashruth (keeping Kosher) dietary requirements. Kashruth not only requires not eating meat and dairy together, but is a strict code which specifies how a cow, chicken, lamb or turkey is to be slaughtered and by whom, what parts of a cow can be used, rabbinical supervision of the food preparation process, etc. Their is also a strict code regarding Shabbat (or the Jewish Sabbath, celebrated from Sundown on Friday evening through Sundown on Saturday evening). This code clearly prohibits items that are work-related, and has come to include driving or riding in a car during Shabbat, turning on or off lights, etc. Even in a movement as traditional and adherent as the Orthodox, there are several sub-movements including Lebavitch, Chabbad, Modern Orthodox, Chassidic, etc.

The Conservative movement believes in many of the traditions of the Orthodox, but has made certain modifications for their followers. while Traditional Conservatives adhere to the rules of Kashruth and Shabbat, some Conservative synagogues has made modifications related to driving on Shabbat, and egalitarianism (the Orthodox have strict rules regarding women's place within the community, including codes for a woman's clothing- what parts must be covered, and where women sit in a synagogue (Orthodox do not permit women to sit with men at services). Some Conservative synagogues have adopted a larger role for women as part of the service while others have not, and it has caused internal controversy in many synagogue communities.

The Reform movement was started because many Jews felt a need to maintain their Jewish identity, but did not feel that they wanted or needed to observe many of the other requirements. While Reform synagogues at one time were extremely liberal in their Judaic interpretation, in recent years, many have re-adopted several of the more traditional aspects of the religion. For example, while in some Reform synagogues, most men do not wear head coverings (known as Kippas, or Yamulkes), many Reform congregations encourage the use of Kippas.

A newer movement, only about 6o years old, is Reconstructionism. Reconstructionists define the movement as "Judaism for the evolving Jewish society," and has made numerous adjustments based on that premise. Originally begun by a former Orthodox and Conservative Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, this movement originally developed to offer women equality in the Jewish religion. An off-shoot of the Conservative movement, Reconstructionism lets its followers decide many things for themselves, based on understanding and learning. Rabbis in the Reconstructionist movement often decribe themselves as well- trained and educated "tour operaqtors," whose function is to help the congregation better understand issues so as to make an intelligent decision.

Kabbalah is an interpretation based on many spiritual writings, and is a deep study of an ancient viewpoint that looked extensively at spiritualism. There are major Kabbalah centers, and one of the most famous is located in Los Angeles.

Unlike some other religions, this multi-faceted look at Judaism permits people with considerably different belief levels to still participate at a level that is comfortable to them. While some prefer one movement over another, and certain movements have at time been intolerant to members of other movements, the many movements permit wider participation. There is extensive writing on all of these movements, and anyone intrigued by one movement or another, can gain considerable understanding and knowledge by further study.