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Moral Inventory

Taking a bit of a cue from my friend's post at 4th Avenue Blues I have decided to take a "moral inventory". Apparently this is a part of the 12 Steps that is much a part of many addiction groups. I found this out when I submitted the phrase "Moral Inventory" to Wikepedia, the on-line socialist encyclopedia (a side note to my students who may read this.... NO, it is NOT permissible to use Wikepedia as a resource in a science paper that you write for any of my classes. Wikepedia is best reserved for casual knowledge... and perhaps for K-9 education... not college). Since I have never been part of any type of "12 Step Program", I needed at least some sort of framework to understand what is meant by the phrase.

As best as I can tell, the "Moral Inventory" is a listing of resentments, fears and sexual conduct (again, this information is gleaned from Wikepedia). To me, this seems an odd grouping at best, but here it goes:

RESENTMENTS

1. I resent that my mother has died. I want her here physically.

2. I resent ludicrous politicians that blather on about inconsequential matters and pander to the foolish to win votes with "catchy" phrases and "sound bites".

3. I resent that our nation does not have a fair, equal, NATIONAL HEALTH CARE plan for all its citizens. Health care should not be determined by your job.

4. I resent the misguided people who support and belong to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (a true Orwellian phrase if I ever heard one). They have made science and science research a beuracracy with damnable piles of paperwork that is useless and deadens the scientific mind.

5. I resent most administrators. Not I said MOST, not all. I feel most administrators simply do not give much of a damn about anything except keeping their job, and hence they create mounds of b*llsh*t paperwork for people under them.

6. I resent people with "attitudes". I do not need or want anyone to be attitudinal towards me, and almost immediately if a person is that way, I dig in my heels and get obstinate towards them.

7. I resent that our government has been so ruled by "big oil" that they have made absolutely no progress (and actually a decline) in the Fuel Efficiency Standards of vehicles we drive. Gas mileage of vehicles is the same (if not worse) than it was in the late 70s when these laws were first enacted. The projection was that by this day and age, the average fuel economy would be in the 45-50 MPG range. But, unfortunately, administrations like Reagen, and Papa Bush and Baby Bush (and actually Clinton as well, since he did not do a helluva lot to reverse it) allowed the laws to grow lax.

FEARS

1. I fear that I will become completely alone.

2. I fear that at death, I will be completely alone.

3. I fear that my belief in heaven may be false.

4. I fear the deaths of those I love.

5. I fear being humiliated.

6. I fear hurting other people's feelings.

7. I fear people hurting my feelings.

SEXUAL CONDUCT

1. I enjoy copulating greatly. It is a grand pastime.

2. The feelings of LOVE that are a part of copulating in a committed relationship are beautiful.

3. I have been 100% faithful to my beautiful wife and will always be.

4. I believe a person's sexual orientation is determined biologically (a mix of the genes and the hormonal environment the person experiences in utero).

5. I believe that sexual activity in the form of a "one-night stand" or "casual" sex is not healthy for a person emotionally even if it feels pleasant physically.

6. While I feel artificial contraception is perfectly acceptable for many, many people... my own personal conviction... for myself is that I feel uncomfortable with the practice (for myself, not for others). I never have used any form of artificial contraception... for I enjoyed the *possibility* of my physical love producing a child.

7. For me, sexual activity is not selfish... not all focused on "me" while I engage in it. Instead, when my wife and I am able to make love sexually with each other, it is more akin to play.... I enjoy pacing myself so that I can stimulate her (and she, me) for as long as possible, for then we both can reach intense climaxes. If I were to think only of my needs, I could perform quickly and vigorously to obtain my climactic release... but that is not particularly fulfilling. Instead, it is more valuable to take my time and stimulate my lovely wife through several climaxes prior to my own release. In this way, I feel much more a part of a love that goes beyond simply me.

I doubt the above is what is meant by the "Moral Inventory" according to a 12 Step group. But, hell, it was fun writing the above... using my own interpretation of the idea.

PipeTobacco