tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73101234314250454932024-02-20T14:41:00.911-08:00Ranting EssaysRantings, Musings, & IdeasLies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-23076732489029953192009-07-20T17:13:00.000-07:002009-07-20T17:15:02.317-07:00Throwing Money at the ProblemInstead of just admitting that throwing money at national problems (like security, disaster relief, social injustice, environmental posioning, healthcare, etc.) doesn't work, rich people have endeavoured (through various irrational government initiatives and corporate magical thinking) to create a system whereby all problems are only discussed & evaluated in terms of monetary substantiation.<br />In such world, where money is the bottom line of all quantifiable entities (IE. The Primary Resource), the appropriating of more money towards a problem can actually be termed a success! How very convenient!<br /><br />Inside the moneyed elite's mind:<br />Yeah, instead of trying to actually indentify the resources we have and admitting that some of them are completely intangible, lets just make up our own fantasy resource that has an unlimited supply and then make sure everything is re-defined in terms of it! WooHoo! That should work! Then we could solve all the worlds problems! Yeah, that's the ticket! Why just 2 decades ago, we only had a national value in the billions, and now our value is in the trillions! Amazing, we must be worth at least a million times what our parents were worth! Yeah that’s what it means! We are super valuable! So valuable, infact, that we don't have to actually do anything or manage anything or think anything, just write a check and the world is saved! How awesome are we? I'm not sure but its really freakin' awesome!<br /><br />The idea that one can increase the balance sheet of any entity (individual, corporate, governement, bank, social program, school, hospital, etc.) in order to solve any problem is nothing more than 'self-fulfilling prophecy!'<br />The truth is, only people solve problems.<br /><br />The elusive combination of ((proper critical thinking)+(meticulous management of resources)) x (calculated risk taking) = the only proven way to solve problems<br /><br />Is this so tough to understand?Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-34237231049447372732009-04-13T20:16:00.000-07:002009-04-13T22:03:55.542-07:00Liberatationalism IMeet 'Pope Ron Paul Jones', the fresh new face of American culture:<br /><br />Pope Ron Paul Jones went down to Washington DC one day, looking for the government. Luckily there were many signs directing him and he followed them for a few days. Unable to find the actual government, but nevertheless convinced that it actually does exist, PRPJ began to form a favorable opinion of the government. He started to talk animatedly to people about the good things the government in his mind stood for.<br />He exclaimed things like,"Look at how great this country is...that shows our government is top notch!"<br />and,"Look at how patriotic our people are...that shows our culture is strong!"<br />and,"Look at how impassioned the political debates are...that shows we are inclusive!"<br />and,"Look at how wealthy our leaders are...that shows our people are prosperous!"<br />Everyone he met agreed with Pope Ron Paul Jones. He was filled with a swelling pride to be a citizen of America. What a lucky, happy man. It was beautiful day and the sun was glinting off of the reflecting pool at the mall. PRPJ looked deep into the pool and contemplated all the wonderful things about America. How could life be any better?<br /><br />Pope Ron Paul Jones went down to wall street one day, looking for the economy. Luckily, there were many economic indicators and he analyzed them for a few days. Unable to find the actual economy, but nevertheless convinced that it did actually exist, Pope Ron Paul Jones began to gain great confidence in it. He was compelled to share the confidence in his mind with everyone he met.<br />He exclaimed things like,"Look at how great these markets are...this shows the genius of our financial system!"<br />and,"Look at how confident the traders are...this shows our how robust our economy has become!"<br />and,"Look at how much money is here...this shows the incredible value of the financial institutions!"<br />and,"Look at how so many people of the world trade with us...this shows the fairness of the markets!"<br />There was little disagreement with Pope Ron Paul Jones, and he became filled with awe and inspiration at such a magnificent system. What a remarkable situation the markets created. What a lucky, happy man. It was a beautiful day, and PRPJ decided to have lunch at the four seasons restaurant. He looked deep into the pool and contemplated all the amazing feats of wall street. How could life be any better?<br /><br />Pope Ron Paul Jones went down to hollywood one day, looking for entertainment. Luckily, there were many beautiful people who all gave him excellent advice towards his search. He followed this advice for a few days, but was unable to find anything other than distractions. Nevertheless, he was convinced that entertainment actually did exist and began to become very excited. He was determined to share the excitemnet in his mind with the people of hollywood.<br />He expounded,"Look at how great these studios are...this means the product is top notch!"<br />and,"Look at how beautiful these people look...this means they are all working very hard on their acting!"<br />and,"Look at the multitude of special effects that can be created...this means that imagination can come alive!"<br />and,"Look at the apparent wealth of the culture...this means that entertaining can truly lead to happiness!"<br />The good people of southern california were ecstatic to have such a wonderful audience, and they took Pope Ron Paul Jones out for a night on the town. They wined him, dined him and he had a wonderful time. What a lucky, happy man. The next morning, PRPJ took a long walk on the beach, gazing longingly out across the ocean. How could life be any better?<br /><br />Pope Ron Paul Jones went down to the art gallery one day, looking for beauty. Luckily, there were many guides there to direct him and he followed them around for a few days. Unable to find beauty, but nevertheless certain that it existed in art, PRPJ began to become very upbeat about the prospect of of beauty in art. He shared his upbeat state of mind by making many statements to the art show community.<br />He intoned,"Look at how great this show is...this means that the art is top notch!"<br />and,"Look at how intense the artists are...this shows that beauty will be pursued with vigor!"<br />and, "Look at this incredible gallery...this shows that art has an important, special place!"<br />and,"Look at how the art dealers prosper...this shows how the quest for beauty can be successful!"<br />The people all agreed with Pope Ron Paul Jones. What an astounding community of warmth and possibilities. He was filled with the spirit of the muse. What a lucky, happy man. The day was perfect, and PRPJ decided to meditate. How could life be any better?Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-10785342218877217272009-03-05T09:48:00.000-08:002009-03-05T10:20:24.335-08:00New Foreign Policy ProposalWe are an awesome and overwhelming power for good in the world, but we can't keep people from being stupid and violent. We can only help those who want to escape the stupid violence and hope that the violent stupid people will decline.<br />We should concentrate on the message of:<br />'we can come and rescue you from violent stupidity and give you a better life in America (or other stable regional power) if you want it'<br /><br />This would be truly heroic, a lot cheaper, and much more effective. Let our best military minds reorganize our military/industrial resources to try and accomplish this task. Work together with other powerful countries & cultural entities like NATO and the red cross. Refuse to work with powerful non-cultural entities like terrorists and multi-national corporate raiders. Forget about grabbing resources from stupidly violent people as this is historically proven a colossal waste of time and lives and resources.<br />Train regional powers to help good people escape tyrrany and assimilate those people into the productive culture of their choice. This could result in a huge military industry upside. We might even become the visionary heroes of the world, rather than our current status of bullying policemen.<br /><br />The military industrial complex is an essential part of organized society, but we do not have to put up with the misuse, waste, and abuse of the current model. Giving them a new mission target and a mandate to reorganize will keep them busy for decades and could bring notoriety back to the organization. It could also bring alot of relief to suffering people around the world.<br /><br />As for bringing refugees to our country or other stable countries, this is not a problem since America is a nation of refugees and is the strongest human culture ever conceived. We know ho to manage refugees and assimilate them into peaceful productive citizens. Lets just use what we know and export it to the world. Here is something we are very, very good at and it has a real chance to change the world for the better. Use the tools we have in our military industrial complex to achieve a truly heroic goal of getting the intelligent, peaceful people together and letting the violent stupidity play itself out.<br /><br />The ideas of systematic elimination of the violent stupidty are naiive and unsustainable. In this short-sighted process of elimination we inherently create more anger and violent stupidity. This cycle is self-evident. Let's just admit that it is untenable and move on.Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-7781264602367074192009-03-05T09:41:00.000-08:002009-03-05T09:46:45.165-08:00Iraq & the KurdsThe kurds are expanding their territory in Iraq. It seems to me that this kurd situation is a microcosm of the bigger picture, and we will see more and more of this. Plus, my opinion is as good as any other, since we have had no clear objective in Iraq, nor any assurances of progress. Even after all these years and lives and money, the generals are still saying that the 'gains' we have made could easily be reversed. The kurds are an armed coalition who will fill any power vacuum around them (there are many groups like this in the world). Its not our fault and we should leave Iraq immediately. Even our founding fathers wrote about how an armed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny. The factions in Iraq do not want to work together in a peaceful way. Let's just admit it. The majority of the regions' cultures believe in oppression of women and slave/master relationships between men. It is a brutal tragedy, but it is not america's fault. Also the kurdistan situation has become worse even though American forces are in Iraq. As occupiers, we are basically having zero positive effect on the kurd/iraq situation. Mostly because an occupying force of 150,000 can't keep an eye on 26 million people.Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-42341903640394785152009-03-05T09:35:00.000-08:002009-03-05T09:40:13.352-08:00Thoughts on the Middle EastI have never lived in or been to the middle east, but it seems to me that power vacuums in that region get filled fairly quickly by local militias. Every so often there is a conquering force that attempts to unite the different tribal regions. Usually, the conquering force wants control of the resources and/or people. Each region wants to be autonomous, in my opinion, but they can't or won't work together. Uniting them is a lofty goal, but it means a paradigm shift in the thinking of the people, and I do not see that as the overwhelming majority's philosophical position. It is, from my perspective, very sad, and especially tragic to women. Unfortunately, no outside force has ever been able to change the philosophy of the people in the region. This, by the way, was my argument from the beginning when friar bush and his merry band of thieves were trying to convince us that occupying Iraq would by a great way to take revenge for the attacks on 9/11. I think we should leave immediately and stop counting the resources of the middle east as part of our strategic planning. We have plenty of resources here in America and at our disposal in South America, Africa, Europe, Australia, etc. The best way to help the middle east is to give an escape path and refuge to anyone who wishes to leave that society. That’s all we can do. The stupidity of the brutal oppression of women and the subsequent slave/master relationship of the majority culture there will eventually resolve itself. It is extremely wasteful & hubris to pursue any other method of dealing with them. I am sick of seeing the deaths caused by my tax dollars and the correlating decline in our own culture. Adding death and destruction can never result in a positive turn for the middle east.<br />We can't control the middle east, let's just admit it and move on.Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-84876300937759722432009-02-25T11:42:00.000-08:002009-02-25T11:55:07.728-08:00Clues to Successful Resource Management<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So what is the answer to successful resource management? I suggest looking at nature. Nature is the best resource manager we know of. It even manages us! Lets use our abilities of abstract thought and higher understanding to study & participate in nature. <br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As a start, and i mean right away, we need to do the following: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Instead of using the analogy of the dog pack to shape our national resource management strategy (competition as the grail), lets look at the redwood tree or the coral reef (competition as an important footnote). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We can use keynsian economics to argue over widgets, but not the level of poison in the air. We can use competitive ideals to compel our development of technology, but not in the decision making behind how to use that technology. The competitive part of natural processes that our culture concentrates so much on is actually a lesser part of the bigger resource management strategy of nature. Thats why relying on this competitive spirit to guide everything we do results in a lesser culture than we would like to have. (and lying about how great our competitive school system is, does not make us better educated, it just makes us a bunch of dirty liars)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Let the dog pack thinkers argue and steal and cheat and profit over parts of our economy that can go boom & bust without too much suffering to the lowest class of people in the culture. Always use that as a yardstick to evaluate which processes can be allowed to go to market culture and which processes must be relegated to long term, non-market planning.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This isn't that hard, people, we all intuitively understand it.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-85279561929728345632009-02-25T09:51:00.000-08:002009-02-25T11:42:13.121-08:00Decades of Mismanagement Finally FailedThe criminal mismanagement of America's resources has finally failed. Unsustainable growth and destructive/ridiculous management models are now proven to be useless fantasies. Let's just admit it and move on. <div>We know that the educated morons who blew up our financial markets and stole our national resources can never properly manage a recovery. Lets just admit that too. These same criminal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mismanagers</span> have temporarily hobbled financial stability around the world and permanently stolen a portion of the global resources from our children. Giving more chances to people who have proven that their theories of resource management are invalid is quite literally, lunacy. Americans aren't lunatics. We are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">alot</span> of things, but we are not stark raving mad. The path to continued failure is in front of us. The change we hoped for is still in the wind. <div><br /></div><div>Who is going to manage the incredibly ambitious programs of the so called progressives?</div><div>Who is going to oversee the resource management, procurement, planning, and problem solving that comes with these grand ideas of restructuring our financial, energy, infrastructure, health, defense, & manufacturing models?</div><div><br /></div><div>Who among us is capable of (and willing to) managing the monetary expenditure outlined by any of these bailout/stimulus programs? Just the money going in and out and what it was spent on is nearly impossible to track. Recent history proves me right, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Paulsen</span> has no accounting of the first half of the bank bailout, the IRS has only a partial accounting of the stimulus from last year, nobody knows what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">AIG</span> spent their buyout moneys on, etc. And <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">thats</span> JUST THE MONEY! Not the programs created, their effectiveness, the analysis, the people helped, the assets unfrozen, my god people, we can't even count the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">frickin</span> money! Do you think that the new (and not so new) Congress people are super-geniuses who can do the impossible? They didn't even read the stimulus bill.....what a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">frickin</span> joke! These people can't even manage to read the biggest expenditure bill ever passed in the history of our country, how in the hell are they going to manage the execution of it? They can't. Lets just admit it. This cannot be done. Seriously, we need to admit that this way of managing a country is not realistic, is not working, has never worked in history, and will lead to more suffering.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, watch who gets control of the reins of these sectors of federal government that are tasked with managing our national resources. Look at their backgrounds. These people are not reformers who work towards systemic change and the greater good. For each legitimate reformer (sanders), there are about 20 actors posing as reformers (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">mccain</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">schumer</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">pelosi</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">rangel</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">dodd</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">boehner</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">jindal</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">feinstein</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">biden</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">lieberman</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">geithner</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">mcconnel</span>, franks, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">clinton</span>, holder, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">emmanuel</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">romney</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">frist</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">palin</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">gingrich</span>, dean). Having a few good ideas and hiring someone else to pursue them is not going to reverse decades of the same. This is going to be just a continuation of failed philosophies.</div><div>I can't imagine that the people who have the ability and aptitude to make actual reform happen would want to or be able to interact with the system of criminal mismanagement we have fostered. They are personalities who would be diametrically opposed to the rationale of a central government saving the world. It is even possible that we have all been poisoned to the point where the right people to properly manage the recovery of America are not even in America! Is any of us capable of getting this done? I have serious doubts. </div><div><br /></div><div>For example: I know damn well that i couldn't oversee the restructuring of our country's energy situation. Even if i had all the power one would need to do it, i couldn't get it done. Plus, think about how much power that is, the power to direct substantive change in Americas energy programs. Think of the sensitive knowledge one would need to do it right, think about how long it would take to gather the data on our energy consumption and how much trust the society would have to put in me to have that information. Think about how much negative information you would have to absorb. Think about how many lies you would uncover. Think about how many people would want to keep you from uncovering the lies. Does anyone want me or anyone else having that much power, without some checks and balances? Can you say Enron? I knew you could....<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>At least we are having a conversation about some of the disastrous mismanagement of the last 3 decades, thank you Mr. Obama. I really do appreciate it, and i believe that this will be the only time in my life when the federal government will attempt to address the situation with some degree of transparency. Unfortunately, we are not yet on the path to any kind of substantive resolution to the troubles we face.</div></div>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-4513029819635043352009-02-17T13:50:00.000-08:002009-02-17T13:59:32.910-08:00Gloom & DoomG<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>overnment of elites<div>L<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>ost decades</div><div>O<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>h my!</div><div>O<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>oversight lacking</div><div>M<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>assive unemployment<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span></div><div><br /></div><div>A<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>nother broken promise<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span></div><div>N<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>o opposing party</div><div>D<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>ebt is the master</div><div><br /></div><div>D<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>ow in free-fall</div><div>O<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>utlook is bleak</div><div>O<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>wned by the bank</div><div>M<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>ob rule is coming?</div>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-68399907632286903052009-02-16T14:52:00.000-08:002009-02-16T15:00:48.371-08:00Funny Thing About Conspiracy TheoriesConspiracy theories tend to increase in number and ridiculousness as trust decreases. <div>As we all know, the way to increase trust is to tell the truth, substantiate it with irrefutable facts, and invite anyone & everyone to challenge those facts (which should serve to re-affirm the original expression of truth). </div><div>As lies increase, so then, do conspiracies and a self-fulfilling prophecy is perpetuated.</div>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-20505080477723215092009-02-16T14:41:00.001-08:002009-02-16T14:42:54.071-08:00The Main Difference Between Humans & PrimatesPrimates have an innate sense of right & wrong, where this sense only exists in humans as a learned behavior.Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-73041929948721313982009-02-04T13:12:00.000-08:002009-02-04T13:53:02.226-08:00Financial EngineeringWhen a person or group of people claims ownership & management <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">privileges pertaining to the assignment of </span>an artificial value to the necessary functions of a culture.<div><br /></div><div>AND</div><div><br /></div><div>When a person or group of people claims ownership & management <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">privileges pertaining to the assignment of </span>an artificially high value to the non-necessary functions of a culture.<br /></div>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-82226186600636439002009-01-29T14:36:00.000-08:002009-01-29T16:24:06.805-08:00RepresentationIn 1776, the United States was founded. We became a country. <div><br /></div><div>In 1790, the first official census was taken and the country consisted of 3.9 million people. In 1790, there were 15 States, 30 Senators, and 105 House Representatives for a total of 135 Representatives and an estimated 3.9 million people.</div><div><div><div>So, in 1790, there was a ratio of one congressional representative to each of 28,889 represented.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state. The 1960 census recorded 180.67 million people. In 1960, there were 50 states (plus the district of columbia), 100 Senators, and 435 House Representatives for a total of 535 Representatives and an estimated 180.67 million people.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, in 1960, there was a ratio of one congressional representative to each of 337,703 represented.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2008, the census estimates were about 303.76 million people. The number of representatives has not changed since 1960 (535).</div><div>So, in 2008, there was a ratio of one congressional representative to each of 567,781 represented.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Wow, think about that for a moment. Since the first days of our republic, our level of representation in the American government has decreased by a factor of 19. So, my representation has a statistical value of 5.26% with respect to its original worth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Does this make me less of an american? Debatable, but it does mean that my vote is statistically equal to 5.26% of the value of the votes of 1790 era americans. My elected representatives understand this and because of lobbying and other nefarious policies that are 'widely accepted' in washington, my vote is probably worth less. How could i ever hope to get any representation in the congress? If 567,000 people were to march to the capital, it equates to one congressperson. One. That's less than one fifth of one percent of the representative body. To compare to recent events, it is estimated that 1.8 million people turned out on the mall for Obama's inauguration. This would be about 3 legislators (or less than 1 percent of congress).</div><div><br /></div><div>What's the point?</div><div><br /></div><div>First point: I am paying about 34% of my income in american (federal) taxes and receiving a value equal to 5.26% of the representation elicited by the Constitution. That's not fuzzy math. That's a rip-off.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Second point: I do not feel properly represented in congress and i do not believe that any change in my taxes (up or down) would result in any change (better or worse) in my congressional representation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Third point: I think most people understand this math, or at least agree that they are not properly represented by the congress. I also believe that this discrepancy between representation and taxation is the root cause of poor voter turnout. (FYI- even in the latest presidential election, only 56.8% of eligible voters or 132.6 million people actually voted).</div><div><br /></div><div>I also believe that it is not really possible for the congressional caucuses to actually represent us. How could they? I am sure that they are doing their best, but the task is an improbable burden. 535 people representing 300 million people? It doesn't work. The sooner we all admit to this, the sooner we can get on with the business of advancing our culture and perfecting our republic.</div><div><br /></div><div>We need to change the ratio of representatives to the represented. Start right away. Constitutional amendment. Change it back to something reasonable, spread the power out a little bit, as the creators of the republic intended. The only way to do that is to increase the number of representatives, and i would argue that we should increase them by a factor of 19. Throw away the districting that exists right now and redistrict the entire country based on simple population statistics. 1900 Senators or 38 from each state. 8,265 in the House. Recreate a house and senate that represent the people. We need somewhere around 10,165 congressional representatives.</div><div><br /></div><div>At least.</div></div></div>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-73380988973988544602009-01-28T12:49:00.000-08:002009-01-28T15:03:21.277-08:00Act II - The EconomyCast: Hungry Class, Elite Class, Slaves, Salesmen<div><br /></div><div>Scene I</div><div><br /></div><div>Slaves: We made something.<br /></div><div>Salesmen: Explain?</div><div>Slaves: We took nothing, worked really, really hard, and turned it into something.</div><div>Salesmen: Cool! Can i have it?</div><div>Slaves: We didn't make enough of it to share...</div><div>Salesmen: Can you make something more?</div><div>Slaves: Of course, but we don't need something more. We need something else.</div><div>Salesmen: You made something from nothing! What else do you need?</div><div>Slaves: We need safe & reliable shelter, food & water.</div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HC</span>: Yeah food and water!</div><div>Salesmen: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span>. You give me something now, and i'll give you something else later.</div><div>Slaves: Sounds good. Here you go.</div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HC</span>: About that food & water...<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Scene 2</div><div><br /></div><div>EC: I'm bored.</div><div>Salesmen: I have something for you.</div><div>EC: I don't want something, i want something new.</div><div>Salesmen: I have something new for you.</div><div>EC: Really? What is it?</div><div>Salesmen: It's really, really cool. You are gonna want it.</div><div>EC: Lemme see!</div><div>Salesmen: Its rare, and wonderful, and very new. Nobody else has anything like it.</div><div>EC: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ooooo</span>! Tell me more!</div><div>Salesmen: Its expensive.</div><div>EC: So?</div><div>Salesmen: I'll show it to you, then you can bid on it.</div><div>EC: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ok</span>.</div><div>Salesmen: Plus i get a commission.</div><div>EC: Whatever.</div><div>Salesmen: Here it is.</div><div>EC: Wow! That really is something new! I have to have it!</div><div>Salesmen: What's your bid?</div><div>EC: I bid one live salesmen.</div><div>Salesmen: Explain?</div><div>EC: You keep your life if you leave something new here.</div><div>Salesmen: Deal!</div><div>EC: I win!</div><div>Salesmen: I win!</div>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-5688095270496939842009-01-20T12:30:00.000-08:002009-01-20T13:31:50.250-08:00Act I - The Hungry & The DeafCast: Hungry Class; Elite Class; Slaves; Salesmen<div><br /></div><div>Scene I</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: We're hungry</div><div>Slaves: You should get to work<br /></div><div>Salesmen to HC: I can loan you a stove to cook on, just agree to these terms of repayment, and these terms of indemnification.<br /></div><div>EC: Did you hear something?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>HC: We're hungry</div><div>Slaves: I can't help you unless you help yourself</div><div>Salesmen to HC: I can loan you this self-help book, just agree to these terms of repayment.</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: We're thirsty</div><div>Slaves: Here, i have a little extra to share, but i expect you to stop complaining after this great generosity i am showing you.</div><div>Salesmen to HC: I can loan you a nice vessel to carry water, just agree to these terms of repayment, and these terms of indemnification.</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: We're hungry & thirsty</div><div>Slaves: I already gave you all i can give. Sorry, you are outta luck. Maybe some great fortune will come your way soon and save you.</div><div>Salesmen to HC: I can loan you this instructional manual on how to woo great fortune to your life, just agree to these terms of repayment, and these terms of indemnification.</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: We're hungry and thirsty, and getting weak.</div><div>Slaves: Did you know that the Elite Class has lots of food & water? Maybe you should check with them.</div><div>Salesmen to HC: I have a great book, written by an award winning salesman, about how to communicate with the elite class. I can loan it to you if you just agree to these terms of repayment, and these terms of indemnification.</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: We're dying</div><div>Slaves: Better you than me</div><div>Salesmen to HC: I want you to make good on all those loan agreements before you go...</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>Scene II</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (We're dead)</div><div>Slaves: We're getting hungry</div><div>Salesmen to Slaves: I can loan you a refrigerator, if you are working, and you agree to these terms of repayment, and these terms of indemnification.</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div><div>HC: (We're dead)</div><div>Slaves: We're hungry<br /></div><div>Salesmen to Slaves: I can't help you unless you help yourself, but i can loan you this self-help book, if you are working, and you agree to these terms of repayment, and these terms of indemnification.<br /></div><div>EC: Did you hear something?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (We're dead)</div><div>Slaves: We're thirsty</div><div>Salesmen to Slaves: I can loan you a nice vessel to carry water, if you are working, and you agree to these terms of repayment, and these terms of indemnification. </div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (We're dead)</div><div>Slaves: We're hungry & thirsty</div><div>Salesmen to Slaves: I can change the terms on your loans so that you can borrow more books/appliances/dishes/etc, if you agree to these new fees, and these terms of indemnification.</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (We're Dead)</div><div>Slaves: We're hungry and thirsty, and getting weak.</div><div>Salesmen to Slaves: Did you know that the Elite Class has lots of food & water? I have a great instruction manual i can loan you about how to communicate with the elite class - its actually on sale! Just agree to these terms of repayment, and these terms of indemnification.</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (We're dead)</div><div>Slaves: We're dying</div><div>Salesmen to Slaves: Better you than me. I'm going to raise your interest rates.</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>Scene III</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (still dead)</div><div>Slaves: (We're dead)</div><div>Salesmen: We're getting hungry</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (still dead)</div><div>Slaves: (We're dead)</div><div>Salesmen: We're hungry & thirsty</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (still dead)</div><div>Slaves: (We're dead)</div><div>Salesmen: We're hungry & thirsty & getting weak. </div><div>EC to Salesmen: Where are the slaves?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (still dead)</div><div>Slaves: (We're dead)</div><div>Salesmen to EC: They died. We're dying.</div><div>EC to Salesmen: What happened?</div><div><br /></div><div>HC: (still dead)</div><div>Slaves: (still dead)</div><div>Salesmen: (We're dead)</div><div>EC: Did you hear something?</div></div>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-6164938998067354402009-01-13T13:47:00.000-08:002009-01-13T14:13:10.240-08:00Keep Your Hands Off the Levers of Power<div>If you believe money has an intrinsic value</div><div>If you believe in Religious Segregation</div><div>If you believe that corporations deserve more rights than people</div><div>If you want to consume more than you can produce</div><div>If you believe in Racial Segregation<br /></div><div>If you believe that human lives are quantifiable<br /></div>If you believe in the Draft<div>If you believe in Presumptive War</div><div>If you believe that competition breeds only excellence</div><div>If you believe that the ideas of people are more important than the people</div><div>If you believe that violence can solve problems</div><div>If you believe that prisons can effectively modify behavior</div><div>If you believe that you can change my mind</div><div>If you believe that you can save us</div>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-76797381851988832662009-01-09T09:38:00.000-08:002009-01-09T09:54:31.700-08:00Violence is the tool of the Arrogant and Impatient<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">War is the study, implementation, & coordination of violence.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Vilify<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Instigate</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Oversimplify</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Lie</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Entrap</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Nullify</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Coerce</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Embroil</span></div>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-56194073739169799402008-11-05T06:11:00.000-08:002008-11-05T07:10:06.511-08:00Goodbye Old PartyGoodbye old party of 'protect democracy' while disenfranchising the voters<br />Goodbye old party of 'defend freedom' while operating gulags<br />Goodbye old party of 'pro life' and pro capital punishment<br />Goodbye old party of 'support the troops' but we can't fund the VA<br />Goodbye old party of 'country first' and civil liberties never<br />Goodbye old party of 'fiscal responsibility' and endless credit<br />Goodbye old party of 'contract with America' while corporations take record profits<br />Goodbye old party of 'respect the law' while torturing prisoners<br />Goodbye old party of 'no child left behind' while high school drop out rates increase<br />Goodbye old party of '9/11' with no capture of bin laden<br />Goodbye old party of 'the brave men and women in uniform' as they suffer from 'classified,' untreatable ailments<br />Goodbye old party of 'terror threat level orange' with no attacks<br />Goodbye old party of 'let the market breathe' while choking the workers<br />Goodbye old party of 'free trade' and 'globalization' while our jobs disappear<br />Goodbye old party of 'cut social welfare' while bailing out multinational corporations & banks<br />Goodbye old party of 'champions of the meek' while people drown in the gulf<br />Goodbye old party of 'trickle down' & 'ownership' while our economy crumbles (again)<br />Goodbye old party of 'higher standard of living' while infant mortality skyrockets<br />Goodbye old party of 'privatize services' while services disappear<br />Goodbye old party of 'hire my friends' while my country apologizes<br />Goodbye old party of 'god above all' while forsaking the people<br />Goodbye old party of 'prayer in schools' as long as its christian<br />Goodbye old party of 'tax cuts' and soul crushing debt<br />Goodbye old party of 'level the playing field' while short-changing women<br />Goodbye old party of 'everyone is equal' unless you are gay<br />Goodbye old party of 'practice abstinence' while teenage pregnancy rates rise<br />Goodbye old party of 'everyone deserves a house' as foreclosures abound<br />Goodbye old party of 'a gun in every house' while domestic violence is alive and well<br />Goodbye old party of 'finding a cure' but not with t-cells<br />Goodbye old party of 'AIDS relief to Africa' but no funding for stem cell research<br />Goodbye old party of 'war against drugs' while pharmaceuticals are advertised on television<br />Goodbye old party of 'cut spending' unless its for the military<br />Goodbye old party of 'i am the decider' without all the information<br />Goodbye old party of 'preemptive war' while my 'former' company triples in size and moves to another country<br />Goodbye old party of 'presidential legacy' while destroying all records of it<br />Goodbye old party of 'vocal minority' at the expense of the majority<br />Goodbye old party of 'every life is sacred' unless it's collateral damage<br /><br />Goodbye old party of 'policing the world' and 'nation building' and 'evil doers'<br /><br />....and good riddanceLies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-7363629789337300992008-11-04T14:30:00.000-08:002008-11-04T14:37:19.183-08:00The Legacy of TortureThe act of torture creates the everlasting suffering embodied in a living martyr.Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-5861136776607645042008-10-31T11:23:00.000-07:002008-10-31T11:48:20.003-07:00Special Whorehouse (parable)<span style="font-size:100%;">This whorehouse is special for many reasons, but the most striking consistency is its never-ending stream of loyal visitors. They like to be called Taxpayers. Taxpayers are a special group of people and they are also the best kind of customers for this particular whorehouse. When Taxpayers come to the whorehouse, they work themselves into a frenzy over the establishment’s fine tricksters, and it makes sense, because these are the finest tricksters money can buy. The Taxpayers are characterized by a constant struggle to position themselves on top. In fact, they actually prefer to be on top, so all of the tricksters at the whorehouse just lay around on the furniture to maximize the pleasure for the Taxpayers. Its what they call a ‘win-win’ situation. Taxpayers also like doing all the work, sweating and grunting and pumping themselves to ecstasy. Taxpayers never complain about waiting their turn, and they make certain to pay their fair share everyday, even when they don’t get a chance to swing by the whorehouse because of other distractions. Taxpayers never complain about catching diseases or getting sick from the food, water, and activities available at the whorehouse. Like I said, they are a loyal group and defend their whorehouse access rights to the death. Once in a while, you will get a lazy Taxpayer who wants the trickster to be on top or who refuses to pay. In this case, the whorehouse will graciously give them service and then politely ask them to leave and will not allow them to return without demonstrating a serious change of attitude.<br />The proprietors of the whorehouse are special too. These people have a different lifestyle from the Taxpayers, but are none-the-less committed to the non-stop operation of the whorehouse. They like to be called the Owners. The Owners have fiercely loyal protégés who keep the tricksters looking nice, the premises clean, the booze flowing, the biscuits fresh and the whorehouse safe from harm. The Owners have full access to the whorehouse and take advantage of that access to their great pleasure. If an owner takes a rare interest in one of the Taxpayers, it is seen as a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Taxpayer to become a trickster. Much to the Taxpayers’ collective confusion, the Owners don’t typically waste much of their time at the whorehouse, though, and tend to spend their well-deserved profits on other endeavors. Many favorite pastimes of the Owners involve high-stakes death-match style competitive sports. There are many versions of these events, too numerous to go into here in a story about the whorehouse. The other curious addiction of the Owners is the accumulation of things and pets. This particular pursuit is (amazingly) of widespread fascination to the Taxpayers and provides endless distraction to both groups.<br />This special whorehouse also enjoys rigorous inherent protections that stem from its widespread acceptance in society. It has been proven that even when an entity poses a legitimate threat to the whorehouse, it only serves to remind society how much the whorehouse needs to be protected. There are many in the culture who have been disenfranchised by the whorehouse. Some of these will continue try to threaten the whorehouse, but such threats are just distractions. Distractions of enormous magnitude can, temporarily, shut down the whorehouse and are often referred to as ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime” events. As such, they are easily recognized. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The only true threat to the whorehouse and its fine tricksters is the threat from lack of interest, which is, understandably, not possible.<br /></span>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-21128555426637613332008-10-26T16:10:00.000-07:002008-10-29T08:19:57.812-07:00Liberty & SecurityBoth of these abstract concepts are important and emotional. We spend a good deal of time debating the strength of different public policies, using the ideas of liberty & security as 'yardsticks' to measure the projected success of those policies. These concepts are highly subjective, though, and i suggest we beware of anyone who tries to use either security or liberty (or both) to promote an opinion. We can all agree that a successful society has a 'healthy' balance between the two concepts, yet we can never agree what that balance ought to be. Politicians use this fact against us to gain votes, sway the public discussion, and increase their control of the cultural reins. Unfortunatley, so does the media. We have to stop believing anyone who tends to bend every discussion towards these highly emotional and subjective concepts. It is rare to find anyone who completely agrees with you on both subjects, so it follows that it is more important that we preserve the <span style="font-style: italic;">right to disagree</span> on these concepts.<br />America has always been a place where disagreement is allowed and respected and I hope this will continue to be the case. If you have an opinion on something, from gay marriage to the color of my drapes, please do not invoke freedom or 'the enemy' in expressing it. Let me give you a simple fable which I hope will help illustrate my thinking:<br /><br />There are two cows walking together in a pasture, Liberty and Security. Upon reaching the fence line, they notice that there is an opening between two posts. Liberty continues to wander on, crossing the fence line, and Security turns back towards the rest of the herd. The next morning, the rancher rounds up all the cows for transport and notices Liberty is missing. With the folks down at the slaughterhouse waiting for his delivery, the rancher decides to finish loading up Security and the herd. The ride to the slaughterhouse is always a rough one, and this one is especially tough because on the way, they pass Liberty's mutilated carcass on the trail.Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-35861775190541878232008-10-21T23:40:00.000-07:002008-10-22T01:07:06.729-07:00American PrisonersEstimate: 2,299,116 prisoners were held in federal or state prisons or in local jails as of June 30, 2007.<br />Estimate: US population as of Dec 2007 is 301,621,157 residents.<br /><br />This means that about 1 out of every 132 residents in the US last year resided in a prison or a jail. The average prison sentence is about 3 years. If you live in anything other than a rural area, you pass many residents on your way to work every morning. At least one of the people you pass everyday has likely been incarcerated. These numbers seem severe, but what does this really mean? It means that there is a concentrated effort in our society to capture, and hold people in detention facilities. It also means that this capture program is successful. Extremely successful.<br /><br />I refuse to believe that one out of every 132 US residents deserves to lose their freedom. There is no way to claim we have a responsible society if that many people need to be removed in order for it to function. This is a symptom of a greater, complicated cultural defect in our society. We want 'bad' people to disappear. This makes us feel safe. The out-of-sight/out-of-mind tactics might work when dealing with appetite control, but it is wholly unrealistic with regards to criminal justice. This is the equivalent of the 'time-out' strategy of child punishment. At some point we are going to have to admit to ourselves that incarcerated people don't actually disappear. When we don't or won't have a conversation about obvious problems in our society, we foster the culture of denial. This massive, concentrated effort to capture and hold citizens is, unfortunately, part and parcel of our culture of denial.<br />What we are tacitly approving is the idea that freedom from capture & detention is a priviledge to be earned and protected through administration of the criminal justice codes. This is a disturbing reality in our culture. The criminal justice codes are contained in multiple books. In fact, we have multiple books for each jusridiction. A person lives under the laws written in the federal criminal justice codes, under more laws written in their state's criminal justice codes, and at the very least under more laws written in their county's criminal justice codes. Most of the population also lives under a group of laws that is written in their city or town's criminal justice codes. It would be difficult (likely impossible) to read all the laws that govern a person's life in the span of a single lifetime.<br />It is assanine to assume that any of us knows all the laws we are beholden to. These unknown (and often changing) laws, however, can be used against us to take away the most precious thing any individual has - their freedom. I have been asking myself how this system exists for a long time and I still have no answer. I have heard many arguments for pieces and parts of this system, but taken as a whole the system is fatally flawed. We write millions of pages of statutes, then we expect each person to live explicitly by each and every word of each and every page of each and every statute. This is an impossible and untenable expectation to live up to!<br /><br />Criminal justice & statute reform has to become part of our national conversation. We cannot continue this absurd practice of capturing and holding each other in detention facilities without cause. It is truly disgraceful, and, more importantly, is a symptom of our culture of denial that we have to come to grips with. I am sure there are more fertile minds out there who have decades of experience with criminals who have great ideas about how to reform the system. I hope to see them coming forward in the very near future to help us shape the conversation and enact real reform.Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-64564171039291818632008-10-20T16:56:00.000-07:002008-10-20T16:59:28.032-07:00Camp Grenada RemakeHello Mother<br />Hello Father,<br />Greetings from the<br />Oval Office.<br />I'm the chief here,<br />'tis the season,<br />I eavesdropped on your cell phone calls...<br />But its not treason!<br /><br />-GWLies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-91315491452797747932008-10-15T09:31:00.000-07:002008-10-15T09:33:17.359-07:00I Learned A New Word Today<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 20px; "><dl style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; "><dd class="hwrd" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: bold; color: black; "><span class="variant" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">klep·toc·ra·cy</span></span></span></dd><dt class="pron" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; clear: left; float: left; padding-right: 0.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Pronunciation:</span></span></dt><dd class="pron" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="pronchars" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">\klep-</span></span><span class="unicode" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">ˈ</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">tä-krə-sē\</span></span></span></dd><dt class="func" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; clear: left; float: left; padding-right: 0.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">Function:</span></span></dt><dd class="func" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-style: italic; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">noun</span></span></em></dd></dl><div class="defs" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; clear: left; float: none; display: block; "><span class="sense_content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;">:</span></span></span></span><span class="sense_content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"> government by those who seek chiefly status and personal gain at the expense of the governed</span></span></span></div></span>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-91582021202715466892008-10-13T14:33:00.000-07:002008-10-22T01:11:22.716-07:00Slaves & Zombies<p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 9px Monaco"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am starting to perceive a simple division between the majority of American voters and there are two main factions. For purposes of this thought, I will call them the zombies and the slaves. Neither group is in any especially good position, and they are both easily manipulated by fear and greed. The factions, en masse, have the power to do many things, but they are pitifully unaware of this. The main 2 things that represent common ground between the two factions are the ease of manipulation and the suffering they are party to. The main distinctions between zombies & slaves shows up in their philosophy or world view:</span></span></p><p style="MIN-HEIGHT: 12px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 9px Monaco"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 9px Monaco"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The zombies believe that America is moving in the direction of the all powerful military, economic, & democratic global reorganization. Zombies believe this movement is the greatest single force for liberation and freedom in the history of the human race. The zombies want to believe that our country exists as it is portrayed in the movies. Zombies tend to believe anything that they repeatedly hear and this is the message we have been getting for about 20 years from our culture. The zombies typically fantasize about the future and are therefore intrinsically in denial of the current situation. This is a rampant symptom of the post modern malaise. Zombies want to be omnipotent, fearless, & they always win.</span></span></p><p style="MIN-HEIGHT: 12px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 9px Monaco"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 9px Monaco"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The slaves believe that America is misusing its vast wealth and military power chasing rainbows. Slave mentality wants to know why they are being asked to save the world when they see what they they think is suffering here at home. Slaves are always looking for dual meanings in everything that the government does and often believe in conspiracy theories. Slaves have no choice but to make the distinction between hollywood and reality, because they don't know anyone who lives one of the hollywood lifestyles. Slaves recognize their own suffering, project it out onto all situations (magnifying it) and it makes them bitter. This, too, is a rampant symptom of the post modern malaise. Slaves spend a lot of time gambling, trying to game the system, and hoping for a better future. Slaves want something for nothing, to be treated like a god, & they always end up with their hands dirty.</span></span></p><p style="MIN-HEIGHT: 12px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 9px Monaco"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 9px Monaco"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm not making a judgment as to which faction is better, just trying to analyze the two so I can try to see through the deceptions of those who might want to take advantage of us. When a politician says, "I'm gonna help you by helping America," they are playing to the zombie crowd. When a politician says, "I'm gonna help America by helping you," they are playing to the slave crowd. Its a dicey time right now, because both factions are pissed (and rightfully so). There is a slim chance that the factions could unite and that makes this particular campaign cycle even more exciting! </span></span></p><p style="MIN-HEIGHT: 12px; MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 9px Monaco"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 9px Monaco"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The main point I want to make is that you might fall into one of these categories or you might at least lean towards one of these factions (I certainly do). If you are a slave, then you need to make a concentrated effort to ask yourself - am I making decisions based on my sardonic bitterness, or on an attempt at an objective evaluation of the situation? If you are a zombie, then you need to make a concentrated effort to ask yourself - am I making decisions based on my fantastical vision of the future, or on an attempt at an objective evaluation of the situation?</span></span></p>Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310123431425045493.post-87709333507257489582008-10-12T00:39:00.000-07:002008-10-12T00:46:55.294-07:00Different Perspectivei like the idea of combining environmental factors and predisposition into one theory - very smooth. I have always thought of those ideas as polar opposites and i can see how, in a larger context, they could be bedmates.<br />There is some contradiction in wanting to then think about how could we positively affect the outcome of our civilization. I don't think that it would be possible for us to affect the future under this model because the premise is already set that we are predisposed to do our thing within this giant biological machine.<br />Mentally, i definitely have trouble with the whole concept because i believe in consequences. Based on my life experience and observing others i have seen positive and negative consequences that are undeniable to me. Within this model we are talking about, there is no morality, no positive and negative, no consequences, no rewards, etc. I really believe that human beings are bound by their actions. I also believe (again based on my experience) that the reactions of others and the condition of our environment are at the very least indirectly related to what we do.<br />The other interesting thing that occurs to me, just suspending my beliefs for a second and thinking about the possibilities, is that there must then be a purpose for our civilization. This is an intriguing idea that we could be part of a whole that is creating something wonderful and we have no concept of it because of our perspective. Similar to the life of a butterfly where they flit around from flower to flower sucking up the sweet sugary juices (all the while pollenating the plant and making sure the life cycle of the flower is intact). Many butterfly's life cycles are less than a month, so because of their perspective, they would never be able to understand the plant's cycle of the flower closing up, the seed pod forming and dropping to the ground, the seasons changing, the seed waking up and germinating, the oxygen that the plant gives to the atmosphere, etc. The individual butterfly has no idea !<br />Ok, so back to the point that we must have some purpose. Figuring out that purpose would then be a goal of our race and i definitely agree that we have to have some education and common communication methods in order to keep the information moving on to the next generation, since we have to assume that it might take thousands of years for our purpose to actually come to fruition. Also, i am a believer that education and communication don't get very far without decent nutrition, shelter, and at least rudimentary creature comforts (in that order).<br />There is another point that i also believe in, which is that we need to be able to provide a wide majority of people with this basic living standard in order to accelerate our civilization and our race.Lies and Propagandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06838542417590989596noreply@blogger.com0