Norming

[SARKY]

How many of you have even heard of the term? Norming started out as a marketing scheme. ie, if you make your product sound like it is the norm then everyone (or at least the majority) will want to get it in order to be like the rest and not left behind.
Well when the government took norming to heart it was to control and indoctrinate us into good little citizens/serfs. A prime example is the BS TSA groping. If it is made the norm, what comes next? How many of you have flown to Europe? Do they have the porno machine or the groping of every other passenger? Does everyone have to take their shoes off? You have to do that when you enter any state or federal building now. Norming has been dumped on us to tell us that guns are bad and that the government can protec us. Just how many pro-gun articles or stories have you seen compared to the anti-gun stories? So when people on this forum defend this process I am appailed. The government is NOT mommy and NOT daddy, they don't have your best interests in mind, only their own.
Look around you and see just how many things have been normed into our lives, things that in reality don't really benefit us.

[Trabitha]

Speaking to the choir, my friend.

[Rick]

Actually, I've never heard the word norming associated with marketing. Of course, I could be behind the times as well.

What is the alternative to searching people when they fly or enter a government building? I don't care much one way or the other, personally. But what is the solution?

[Alaskan Survivalist]

Actually, I've never heard the word norming associated with marketing. Of course, I could be behind the times as well.

What is the alternative to searching people when they fly or enter a government building? I don't care much one way or the other, personally. But what is the solution?

The answer to that is not politically correct to the degree it can not even be said. Get used to it. Isn't that the point?

[Rick]

Well, it was sort of tongue in cheek. Sort of. Any of us can call out a problem but how many can offer up a solution to it? It's sort of the old adage are you part of the problem or the solution.

I learned early on that when I went to my boss with a problem I also offered up one or more solutions at the same time. If I didn't have a solution then I didn't complain about it. After a while I was sort of the "go to" guy for solutions 'cause I offered stuff in a positive light rather than just bish about it.

This new concept of "norming" as Sarky defined it really isn't anything new. Government offered propaganda has been around in one form or another since this country of founded. Very often the print media was manipulated to get a particular message across. Other times it was hand bills or posters (Uncle Sam Wants You!)

Anyone ever heard of the U.S. Information Agency? How about its successor, the Bureau of International Information Programs? They all serve to provide information and disinformation not only to us but worldwide.

[Trabitha]

Well, it was sort of tongue in cheek. Sort of. Any of us can call out a problem but how many can offer up a solution to it? It's sort of the old adage are you part of the problem or the solution.

I learned early on that when I went to my boss with a problem I also offered up one or more solutions at the same time. If I didn't have a solution then I didn't complain about it. After a while I was sort of the "go to" guy for solutions 'cause I offered stuff in a positive light rather than just bish about it.

This new concept of "norming" as Sarky defined it really isn't anything new. Government offered propaganda has been around in one form or another since this country of founded. Very often the print media was manipulated to get a particular message across. Other times it was hand bills or posters (Uncle Sam Wants You!)

Anyone ever heard of the U.S. Information Agency? How about its successor, the Bureau of International Information Programs? They all serve to provide information and disinformation not only to us but worldwide.

And as usual...Rick is the voice of reason.

While I feel exactly the same way as Sparky, I think it really does come down to doing SOMETHING rather than nothing at all. We've given our government so much power over the years...that we've forgotten that originally one of the ONLY jobs we WANTED the government to have...was to keep us safe.
Now...because we're so frustrated over the fact that the government has so much power, we get too worked up over things like security.
Just my opinion...

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I learned early on that when I went to my boss with a problem I also offered up one or more solutions at the same time. If I didn't have a solution then I didn't complain about it. After a while I was sort of the "go to" guy for solutions 'cause I offered stuff in a positive light rather than just bish about it.

Excellent advice, I do the same without thinking. Thanks for pointing it out I plan to pass it on to my employees! Thanks for that peice of wisdom Rick!

[Alaskan Survivalist]

My "solution" is to buy beans and rice.

[Rick]

Well, it's a good solution, AS.

CS - When one of my employees would come to me with a problem I'd always ask them, "How would you fix it?" Those closest to the problem generally have a better perception of how to fix it. I may not like or be able to implement their solution for any number of reasons but I always tried to incorporate the employee into the solution or the reason it had to be a certain way. Hope that made sense.

Trabitha - The fundamental purpose of government is security and public order. We submit ourselves to the governance of those in charge so we can be secure and live in some semblance of civilization. The Greeks, on the other hand, said that government only served one purpose and that was to improve the lives of its citizens.

[BENESSE]

We've given our government so much power over the years...that we've forgotten that originally one of the ONLY jobs we WANTED the government to have...was to keep us safe.

The government has gotten so much power because the WE is no longer the same we, we think we are.
The original "we" has become marginalized and that's just part of the evolution of a multinational, multicultural society that has forgotten (or never learned) what has made this country unique enough to want to become part of it in the first place.

[LowKey]

I posted a link on this in the TSA thread that Rick shot down as coming from a marginal source.

There is some opinion that the UN engages in Norming and uses it to pressure the US into ignoring, or attempt at ignoring, its Constitution. If it is the norm in 70% of member countries not to own firearms, why isn't the US conforming to that norm? Another issue it is applied to is Abortion, though I hear that one go both ways as to which is the norm. We've had years of Norming here in MA on the gun issue. Now, if you say out loud that you own a gun people look at you in disbelief (inside the Boston hub where you should have a LTC). The gut reaction here to even the word "gun" conjures up images of what can only be described as the stereotypical NRA redneck (which could start another whole rant of mine on how the NRA needs to change that image...). It's hard to believe now that the American Revolution started here in this state.

Each year another state falls to the gun norming as people believe you can legislate crime out of existance. No, you actually have to DO something about it.

Norming can also apply to any law, program, or policy. Each law passed erodes some little freedom somewhere. Taken as individual changes, they don't amount to much. As a whole, over time, you wonder how you lost your way.

[Trabitha]

My "solution" is to buy beans and rice.

LOL!!

Rick: Exactly. I think it's expanded to such a degree that we've forgotten what they are SUPPOSED to do. I find that people are upset about everything now...even the things that the government was meant to provide.

B: Say that 5 times fast. LOL!!
I totally agree. We've allowed the government to get to the size that it is. Sadly it seems that we were complacent for far too long. The level of power our leaders have is unprecedented...and the fight to get it smaller hasn't even begun. We've allowed our leaders to put laws in place to protect their pay regardless of the fact that they don't work. They've protected their pay INCREASES regardless of economy and they've protected their retirements...while many of us will get none.
You're right, WE'VE allowed for this to happen, and we've opened our eyes far too late. To get our government back may take the rest of OUR generation and most of our childrens...if we're lucky.

[LowKey]

Don't hold your breath Trabitha. The days of protests and sit-ins are long over. People these days decide they have too much to lose if they protest things as they are going. And the last thing anyone wants these days is to be incarcerated as a threat to Homeland Security.
That threat is out there, more visible than ever, and it doesn't play by the rules of the general courts.

[Trabitha]

Don't hold your breath Trabitha. The days of protests and sit-ins are long over. People these days decide they have too much to lose if they protest things as they are going. And the last thing anyone wants these days is to be incarcerated as a threat to Homeland Security.
That threat is out there, more visible than ever, and it doesn't play by the rules of the general courts.

You're totally NOT wrong about that. They are using our government against us and eliminating our right to voice discontent. The Tea Party and the like, are STARTING to move in the right direction, but if they go away or become as corrupt as the other branches have become...we'll back slide.

Like I had said a while ago. A friend of mine was blogging, (and yes, I've read it since then and there is nothing worse than what I blog) Homeland Security or someone claiming and showing ID for that department, basically told him to stop or face punishment. They threatened to harass him through his family, and frightened him to such a degree, he no longer uses a phone OR the computer. Our tax dollars are not meant for that crap.
Since then, my husband has wanted me to stop my blog...but I simply don't have it in me. IMO, if someone wants to come here, and take a 5'2" 120lb. Stay at home mother, to jail for speaking the truth, pointing out facts, and doing so without inciting violence...more power to them. I just hope that I get to see their faces when it hits the media.

It's too bad that we have to fear our government...I hope it changes.

[BENESSE]

What concerns me most, is a serious lack of brain power and integrity out there.
You know you're in trouble when your choice, more often than not, is the lesser of two evils.
The best "man" can't possibly win if he/she can't even afford to be counted.

[Rick]

LowKey - I didn't shoot it down. I just said I didn't buy into it. That was my opinion just like yours was to believe in it. I can respect that without buying into it.

Ladies - You can, of course, run for office. Then you can change things for the better. As I said, you can be part of the solution or part of the problem.

[2dumb2kwit]

LowKey - I didn't shoot it down. I just said I didn't buy into it. That was my opinion just like yours was to believe in it. I can respect that without buying into it.

Ladies - You can, of course, run for office. Then you can change things for the better. As I said, you can be part of the solution or part of the problem.

Women go nude, to bring attention to the issues concerning PETA.
It seems to work, for them.

Just sayin'.

[Trabitha]

What concerns me most, is a serious lack of brain power and integrity out there.
You know you're in trouble when your choice, more often than not, is the lesser of two evils.
The best "man" can't possibly win if he/she can't even afford to be counted.

I hear ya!! Very bad situation indeed!

Rick...didn't you know? Republican WOMEN can't run for office without being run through the ringer.

I would honestly love to run...sadly...running takes a large bank account that I do not have and the possibility of a no name getting anywhere is very high.

[kyratshooter]

Why are we running? Did we run out of ammo?

I agree with you Trabitha. I have refused to run for local offices due to the mud slinging involved with politics. You make a slip of the lip in high school and someone is pointing their finger at you when you are 60.

That is the key, intimidate the good people and all you have left to vote for is scum.

I often listen to the congressional proceedings on TV and I am appaled at not only the lack of knowledge exhibited, but also in the low IQ presented as the norm by U.S. Senators and Reps!

Repitition seems to mean reality to these people. If you repeat it enough it will become reality.

And we get into the same habit with our own claches.

"You are part of the problem or part of the solution."

Unless they do not want to accept the solution! Then you are simply a problem to the problem. An "enemy of the people" that needs to be eliminated because you were a henderance.

What is the answer to our economic problem?

You don't know? It is very simple.

You back the government out of the system and let the free market run as it should. That is the simple solution that is totally unacceptable to the powers as they exist.

How about getting them out of our airports and our gardens and our chickenhouses and off our computer lines.

But we got to be protected!!!!

Protected from government corruption? NO.
protected from invasion of our borders? NO.
Protection from foreign attack? NO.

but:

We must be protected from someone hurting our feelings,
from saying the wrong thing to someone else,
we must be protected from the "rich" (who are supposedly out to get us)
and, above all, we must be protected from our own failure

How come the two things the government was intended to do, protect and defend, they do the worst?



I've got a dollar around here somewhere so you can get a cup of coffe to go with my opinion.

[crashdive123]

And as usual...Rick is the voice of reason.

While I feel exactly the same way as Sparky, I think it really does come down to doing SOMETHING rather than nothing at all. We've given our government so much power over the years...that we've forgotten that originally one of the ONLY jobs we WANTED the government to have...was to keep us safe.
Now...because we're so frustrated over the fact that the government has so much power, we get too worked up over things like security.
Just my opinion...

Hehehehehe. You said Sparky.