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The Garden of Eden existsThe Garden of Eden exists it's just that one has to look within to find it. . .
Legend has it we are all people from the same clay, molded from the same dirt, divine breath and now we work. Although we hope for better days will that ever come our way? Battles and wars over race, religion and politics, none of this makes sense. Do Utopia, Atlantis and Eden have to be of the same region? Why did we loose our way, how did we loose our way, people from the same clay? Between the elite and the beggar whose soul is better? How much is ravaged when we are all really savage?? The question is how to end when all is said people from the same clay!! A quote worth reading Dr. Henrie M. Treadwell to President Obama "Men need your help, too"Article, here
If I may, a word of adviceWhen you burn bridges in life be damn sure you can build one on your own!! Political zealots – Do similarities exist between Tea party protesters & President Obama's true believers?
When reflecting on the large crowds of hopeful people that were attending President Obama’s campaign events, similarities to the April 15th Tea party protestors seemed evident, despite these groups being polarized as opposites on the political continuum. In fact various media showed Tea party protestors saying they were as tired of Republicans, as they were of Democrats. And there are many whom it would be easy to assume support Obama, yet are not buying all the hype around the President either. At times when I see President Obama his smile gives me the impression he's in disbelief as well about all the hype. On top of these I am guessing that at least half of eligible voters if not more do not vote because they believe there is no use in voting. Many on all sides are upset and angry, everyone wants change and to still believe hope is not an exercise of futility.
There are more things in common to be pointed out but they come from a jaded and cynical place and in essence are denigrating. There is no use in that and there are enough people already putting down the American people at this point. And I do not believe any attempts at humor are appropiate. I’ll just say I do not vote because I have little faith in the abilities of humanity. Until divisive labels are dropped and angry and hurt feelings set aside and rigid ideologies sacrificed, WE cannot get to the business that makes life better for US ALL. As it is now we may have neglected our business to long, especially environmentally.
Tne most important thing we all have in common, The Constitution of the United States, one of the greatest documents ever insprired in man, almost rings as irrelevant as the words of Rodney King, “Can we all get along”. How many soccer Moms & Seniors were at TEA Party protests?
While watching TV coverage and looking at various websites, I noticed that in several of the crowds of TEA Party protesters there seemed to be a considerable number of what is popularly called soccer moms and senior citizens. These groups are largely consistent and reliable voters, core constituencies of the Democratic and Republican parties. Politicians and other relevant institutions I presume have taken note of this as well if this observation is correct.
If soccer moms and seniors are angry enough to take the streets I know it gives little ole me some reasons to pause and question what if any ramifications or implications this can have. I make no secret of being concerned about issues that challenge America and the world. And if a lot of moms and senior citizens are concerned and angry, I take it as another red flag that we as a society are headed for even more turbulence. I hope and think that we should soon begin holding a series of national town hall style meetings to have dialogue exchanges and open discussions so we can get back on the path America was once on.
If it were up to me a top issue on the agenda of the national town hall forum would be what is happening to American men and the relationship, if any, between societal life for American men and violence. I say this because it has been clear to me for a long time now that men are way past “concerned and angry” in America.
Another thing I heard by way of word of mouth is that in Harrisburg, PA the turnout appeared to be larger for TEA Party protests than for at least one of President Obama's presidential campaign events.
Societal scapegoats in America
The scapegoat was a goat that was driven off into the wilderness as part of the ceremonies of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, in Judaism during the times of the Temple in Jerusalem. The rite is described in Leviticus 16. The word is more widely used as a metaphor, referring to someone who is blamed for misfortunes, generally as a way of distracting attention from the real causes. Wikipedia Why yes the infamous scapegoat! I also heard a story once that the name scapegoat came from a breed of goats that faints when startled or threatened. The story I heard was that these goats would be mixed in with the flocks of sheep, then when the wolves came looking for an easy meal of lamb, the goats would faint and thus be easy prey for the wolves giving the more favored sheep time to escape. Rather ingenious I would say, cold though I think too. These are not the scapegoats of which I am referring though. I am thinking about the people that are considered members of the so called subgroups in the U.S. and of the various other "civilized societies" around the world for that matter. I speak of the skateboard kids, the black kids in baggy clothes that are hip hopped-out, POOR WHITE PEOPLE, the gay communities, ex-cons, drug addicts, the welfare recipients, bloggers of late are being increasingly targeted, the long hair types, movies, rock n roll, political dissidents, activists, the outspoken, the free spirited etc. Any and all that are targeted for ridicule, scorn, beatings, pushing around, embarrassments, plain old hate and death because of the way they look or personal philosophies, life styles, etc. Those who are subjected to vigilante style law enforcement from certain officers of the law. Those that get targeted and vented on by teachers, principals, rent-a-cops, disgruntled citizens and neighbors, the news media, and the various other mainstream "authority" types, i.e. probation officers and correctional staff.
All these people in the aforementioned so called subgroups and a few more are easy targets for people higher up on the food chain, the mainstream "authority" types to vent their rage on. Rage, I would humbly assert that they are afraid to target at those whom are really responsible for them feeling powerless, overwhelmed, trapped and increasingly miserable. As I have wrote before I don't know whom declared that the practice of human sacrificing as archaic practices of barbaric and primitive peoples of the past because clearly this is not so. There are many people in a lot of societies across the world being mistreated and sacrificed for things that are not their faults and beyond their control. Many people are being sacrificed daily around the world for various reasons, mainly greed though; cowardice is a close second as many people fight wars of and for those who would never engage in mortal combat. For there to be so many self proclaimed religious nations in the world there sure is not a lot of what religion teaches going on in the world.
According to the Judeo-Christian tradition, Jesus Christ died being crucified with a thief and murderer and associated with a prostitute and other "deviant" people and or subgroups in his society. "There were also two others, criminals, led with him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left" (Luke 23:32-33). Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Luke 23:42 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:43 Judge Andrew P. Napolitano calls Dept. of Homeland Security leaked document terrirfyingI was watching Andrew P. Napolitano on Fox News Live Desk during an interview at about 1:30 today. He called the recently leaked document by the Dept. of Homeland Security quote, "terrifying".
In his Honor's opinion, the groups identified in the document as threats to national security grossly violate basic constitutional principles. As far as I am concerned the only thing new in this situation is the agency involved. We are absolutely, in my humble opinion headed down a scary road in America, guessing just how long or how scary this road will turn out to be causes significant anxiety in me. I worry for my son and all children in the coming generations and our environment as well.
I told my 13 year old son upon hearing the news of the woman in California I believe it is, Melissa Huckaby, that killed the eight year old girl and hearing all of the other the horrible news of late. That he should think like a cop, in that everyone is a suspect until proven otherwise. That he should be very observant always with people and places. That he should examine all people from the soles of their shoes, to the top of the head. Assess people's weaknesses and strengths in terms of physical ability and to think in terms of having tactical advantage if an emergency occurs.
It is very disconcerting to have to tell my son essentially no one is to be trusted, from the teachers, to the doctors, judges, lawyers, or cops, to the usual suspects in the growing high crime and poverty stricken areas.
We are indeed living in times that get scarier and scarier by the day! We can land a rover on mars but can't make alternative energies affordable for the 'Masses'
While in college a couple of semesters ago I did a paper on the feasibility of solar power as an alternative energy form. My conclusion was that large industrial solar farms run by giant energy companies are not as feasible as every home having its own solar panels. Large solar farms use large tracts of land for starters, which alters ecosystems. They can cause erosion and pose other environmental issues related to manufacturing the technology. However, if individual homes had solar panels on them solar energies environmental impact is mitigated quite a bit.
Over the years there have been legit and some not so legit technological reasons why solar energy was not available for mass production. Now in my opinion the reasons that keep solar power unavailable for broad use are not so legit. In fact I have concluded that large financial interests that will lose market shares if every home in America has solar capability are the only ones that benefit by keeping the status quo. As long as a majority of people keep getting their power from the large industrial power companies, the powers that be are content.
Any technology that provides independence from the mega-companies in the power industry just seems to lag behind and never seems to come to full fruition. This seems to apply to the auto industry as well. What a coincidence, I guess is all I can say!
I grew up on a farm, I have fished and hunted all my life, I worked outside all my life in construction. For several of those years I built bridges and had the chance to see many water habitats as well. In the last decade I have witnessed an alarming loss of habitat and wildlife species. I think we are in more trouble than we realize because of our impact on nature, enough so that I am very concerned about the impact of blindly polluting and the killing off species and ecosystems.
I think it is quite ridiculous that I am to believe that we can a land a rover on mars. Yet solar and other forms of alternative energy some how ends up just not quite technologically advanced enough so that is feasible and sustainable for mass use. I am not buying it.
Fonzworth Bentley, entertainer, musician, author, fashion icon for next Mayor of New YorkI am so impressed with Mr. Fonzworth Bentley I think he would make an out standing next Mayor of NY or some other major city in America. What an impressive individual!! In my humble opinion of course. . . 'Street' people can change, proof is MTV's show, From G's to Gents
From G's to Gents is an MTV Reality television series that features misdirected young men willing to change their lives and become gentlemen. The show is hosted by Fonzworth Bentley, and premiered on MTV on July 15, 2008. The objective of the show is to make the transformation from a roughneck to a sophisticated gentleman within the given time. In the end, Thaddeus (a.k.a. Creepa) was decided upon to be the most transformed and refined gentleman, winning the cash prize of $100,000 and membership in "The Gentleman's Club." The second season, From a G to a Gent 2, premiered on February 10, 2009. My interpretation of Obama's taxation planGovernement tax redutions puts money in the left pocket, larger tax increases in other areas (tobacco taxes for example), takes even more money out of the right pocket. . .
In other words, we $till OWE. . .
Ending government “entitlement” programs
I have been listening to and watching the momentum building to end government “entitlement programs” as the economy continues to suffer after shocks from “the great economic collapse of 08 - 09”. Various TV commentariat, economists, government automatons, etc. have been increasingly advocating cutting such programs as medicaid, social security, etc. Welfare benefits in most states have been cut long ago. I know from personal experience that it is also hard to get dental service and medical treatment while on any kind of disability insurance and in a lot of cases even with paid job related insurance. Although I will say I have been given a good portion of quality medical help, sometimes only after some kicking and screaming but I was helped nonetheless.
The mantra gaining momentum though is to cut various people related expenses as much as is possible.
The only question I have in response to this, like many others, is can we also then abolish and put some checks and balances in place to the entitlements of taxation by the various governing bodies and other institutions with authority to tax Americans? Cutting banking fees and usurious interest rates would be helpful to Americans as well.
If they plan on making even less services available, logically then people will need more money to pay for these services. The best way to do this is to abolish the dozens of taxes, layers of levies, fiefdom of fees, etc. that are collected so Americans can pay for these services out of pocket. Rawstory.com - Havard economists "legalize drugs" & former DEA agent says "fix system"Story here, rawstory.com Can the alleged acts of Somalian piracy be caused by desperation?
When I first heard some time ago about alleged Somalian piracy I dismissed it on the premise that Somalian’s had minimal capabilities in the way of weaponry, technology and boats. And now that alleged Somali pirates are in the news and I have to reexamine this as a possibility, I still have questions. I question, for instance, how do dirt poor people acquire ships, weapons, etc. to engage in piracy? Where do they hold ships when they capture them? I guess I am still finding this one some what hard to believe.
Then I contemplate the act of piracy itself and think it is a bold and probably desperate act. It is ultimately criminal like several other circumstances that are occurring in Africa.
It is no global secret that much of Africa is in deplorable circumstances with famine, genocide, drought, and plague being just the tip of the iceberg. There have been horrible crimes committed against Africans. By many accounts crimes against humanity continue to be committed against them. Somalia is as shattered as any civilization can be, there appears to be no end in sight to this either. It is just as hopeless it appears that any members of the international community of nations will give anything more than pretentious gestures toward any substantial assistance to Somalia or larger Africa. From what I have read this is because to many members of the international community benefit from the misery of Africa.
I am not justifying any alleged piracy by Somalian’s, however given that I am aware of the crimes committed against Africa. Another question I have to ponder then are the acts of piracy rooted more in desperation, rather than in wanton criminality? Detroit, Michigan & the Homestead Act of 1862, a potential match made in heaven
I have been reading statistics, seeing TV news stories and movies and hearing people talk about the hard times the city of Detroit, Michigan is and has been going through for the better part of two decades now. In fact recently Jay Leno of the Tonight Show and I think The Morning Joe Show has even adopted the city as an effort to show support.
Detroit at one time led the country in murder rates, drug addiction, homelessness, job losses, etc. and still ranks high in almost all categories that indicate a city is under severe stress. Verifying the statistics is easy enough but the following website maybe a good place start, thecomingdepression.com, which characterized Detroit and the surrounding areas as follows,
"Property abandonment is getting so bad in Flint that some in government are talking about an extreme measure that was once unthinkable -- shutting down portions of the city, officially abandoning them and cutting off police and fire service.
Because I like to offer solutions and not be part of the problems or only complain all the time. This led me to thinking about possible ways turn around this trend for Detroit and many other cities that used to be bustling industrial centers in America. One of the first things that came to mind for me was the Homestead Act of 1862.
I question why a city like Detroit could not offer home ownership for free and without tax duties of any kind for 10-15 years. I mean the homes already sit empty and generate no income as it is so why not rebuild the city by using the Homestead Act or a variation of it? Obviously this type of thing has been done before. It would be a good idea to partner with organizations like Habitat for Humanity who has developed and maintained an ideal way of community development. Low interest home improvement loans and other funding, like community block development grants could possibly be obtained as well.
As far as employment, people moving into Detroit itself would generate some income. Home improvement brings construction, construction workers, who have needs for construction materials, lodging and more for instance.
As far as industry and jobs, cities across America already have all kinds of incentives and strategies to entice industry and other business sectors that Detroit could copy. So I say Detroit, Michigan and the Homestead of Act of 1862 could be a match made in heaven! Tobacco taxes - Smokers are smoking mad
The increase in tobacco taxes has a considerable number of people angry or so it seems. I do not smoke myself but I go to a neighborhood tobacco store to buy lottery tickets and the local newspaper. While in line at the store yesterday a gentleman ahead of me bought four cartons of smokes, paying almost two hundreds bucks. Another guy in line commented that he thought the state should be more than satisfied with current levels of taxation and that it was ridiculous that government thought we should believe that it does not receive enough taxes already. He also said he thought it outlandish that government wants us to believe it is broke. I noted several people nodding, as if in agreement, as the commenting gentlemen continued by saying that he was f*ck*ing tired of the price of tobacco and of everything else. As he continued commenting he grew a little louder and cussed a few more times. He actually got to the level that the store clerk asked him to calm down or be refused service and or be banned from the store altogether. As this brief incident occurred I continued to watch the faces and responses of the other five or six people in the store and they all appeared to agree with guy being warned by the clerk. I am not exactly sure that the clerk disagreed with the guy herself but she was doing her job. The fellow piped down and the situation returned to the business at hand.
The anger lingered in the air though and was still very readable in expressions as folks exchanged looks. Every where I go any more I hear comments of this nature and can feel the anger and tension in the air. There seems to be a palpable bitterness and growing resentment over how bankers and corporations get bailed out and average Americans keep getting the bills! |
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