The Invisible Caucasians Of North America - 7300 B.C.

Image: Edited Photo of Kennewick Man Sculpture*


Image: Spirit Cave Mummy/Nevada - Another Ancient North American Caucasoid**

I read an interesting CNN.Com article today focusing on Kennewick Man. The Kennewick Man is actually a ninety percent complete pile of bones currently under study by anthropologist, archaeologist, and forensic pathologist. The Kennewick pile of bones is in fact one of the most complete sets of skeletal remains of an ancient human living in North America from that date.

As I read the CNN.Com article I kept waiting for a mention that Kennewick man couldn't jump (apparently not fast enough, as he still had a clovis point lodged within his hip). Kennewick man was a Caucasian living in North America during a time from which only Caucasian remains have been found. Yet the article in no way ever touches upon this non-politically correct revision of our understanding of human migration to North America.

CNN(AP):

A team of 20 forensic scientists has been studying the skeleton, he said, and have concluded that the skull doesn't match those of Indian tribes living in the area.

"We know very little about this time period. Who the people were that were the earliest people that came to America," Owsley said. "We are finding out they were coming thousands of years earlier than we had thought," arriving not just over the Bering Strait but by boats and other means.

"This is a very rare discovery. You could count on your fingers the number of relatively complete skeletons from this time period," Owsley said.

Following discovery of the bones in 1996, the Umatilla, Yakama, Nez Perce and Colville tribes urged that the skeleton be reburied without scientific study. They argued that the bones were covered under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Scientists sued for a chance to study the remains and a federal court ruled there was no link between the skeleton and the tribes.

Reality Check:

Let's look at the first sentence of the article quoted above:

A team of 20 forensic scientists has been studying the skeleton, he said, and have concluded that the skull doesn't match those of Indian tribes living in the area.

Not only is there no mention that Kennewick Man was Caucasian, the sentence above fails to mention that no skulls matching those of Indian tribes have been found dating back to this early date. That's sort of a non-politically-correct little nugget that modern Indian tribes wanted to cover up so badly that two tribes fought legally to prevent Kennewick Man's bones from ever being scientifically studied. Instead the tribes demanded that this Caucasian man's bones be buried as soon as possible! They lost out in their attempt after a federal court judged that the modern tribes were not related to Kennewick Man.

The Next Line in the Article:

"We know very little about this time period. Who the people were that were the earliest people that came to America," Owsley said. "We are finding out they were coming thousands of years earlier than we had thought," arriving not just over the Bering Strait but by boats and other means.

Quoted above is Douglas Owsley, an anthropologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. This is about as close as the article comes to revealing that something is not quite right about the way which we've previously viewed human migration to North America.

Once again no reference to Caucasians are made, instead the ambiguous word "they" is used. Also, the time frame is vague enough to lump together the relatively recent migration of "Indians" to North America with the much earlier migration of Caucasians to North America.

"They" came to North America thousands of years earlier than we had thought. But the sentence could factually read that Caucasians migrated to North America thousands of years earlier than any other group! There simply is no way for this anthropologist to state this in a politically correct way - and therefore he uses academic double speak.

At issue here isn't political correctness which is a form of thought, and speech control used by both liberals, and conservatives, it's the racist way in which this subject has been handled.

From the Indian Tribes which desparately tried to suppress the study, to the politically correct anthropologist (not wanting to offend the tribes), to the journalist handcrafting their articles (so as not to offend anyone) we see one concerted effort - to suppress the truth that Caucasians lived in North America thousands of years earlier than any other group discovered so far!

At this point there are approximately ten instances of ancient Caucasian remains discovered in North America - one dating to 11,000 years ago. Indian tribes rapidly descend upon these finds insisting that the remains be reburied without scientific study! All throughout the Clinton Administration several government agencies helped Indian tribes cover up the growing evidence that their ancestors were not the original human inhabitants of North America.

While I understand the fear which Indian tribes may have at the loss of status which this revision in history must usher in, it is important that we do what is honest, and scientifically validated. Truth must not be held captive by one ethnic minority in the name of religion. Study of these important remains, as they become available must be allowed to proceed, and the U.S. government must stop assisting those Indian tribes in their efforts to stop this important science, and historical discovery.

*Image Source for Kennewick Man

elementy.ru/news/164584:

I edited the photograph of Kennewick Man Sculpture.

**Image Source for Spirit Cave Mummy

http://www.fundamentosdeprehistoria.homestead.com/files/Ken_MAN.jpg

Civil Unrest In Babylonia Today

Civilization isn't your ordinary computer game. It is not a game based upon gore, or sex, but it does involve destruction, and creation - on a global scale. It's design has lessons to teach. I'll share some of those lessons, despite their non-politically correct nature, as they sadly seem to reflect the world in which we live. Although hopefully not the world we must settle for.

Civilization?

In Civilization human players are presented with the opportunity to build their own civilizations from scratch. Players can spend enormous amounts of time, and intellectual energy making a never ending number of decisions. Decisions as basic as installing a sewage system in a city, or starting a secret program to develop the Atomic Bomb.

AI

AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, and at the heart of Civilization is it's AI. AI is the program component within Civilization which assumes the role of all other Civilizations which the human decides to play against. Civilization can be played via the Internet against other human players as well.

AI, despite it controversial nature (some insist that it cheats), does a remarkable job.

War! What Is It Good For?

The AI also consistently pressures you to become an interventionist. No matter how much you'd rather be a peace loving hippy, start a peace, and love commune you'll find yourself embroiled in the darker side of human nature.

Pacifist will lose immediately. Even those players fortunate enough to develop their civilization on an island continent, far from other civilizations, will eventually through the passing of time, and the advancement of technology, end up confronting other civilizations - not all of them willing, or able to make compromises.

In the end war is the means of grabbing up the space, and natural resources any civilization needs to grow powerful. Eventually, as trade develops resources can be obtained in this manner, but trade doesn't seem to solve all problems in a world filled with civilizations hell bent on territorial acquistion.

Those Unprepared Get Wiped Out

No matter how much one may want to develop economically, scientifically, and socially unless one has a kick ass military of a large enough size your civilization is doomed.

Compromising Ethics Advantageous

My first reaction to another civilization's attempt to blackmail me into paying homage was an ideologically based refusal, but as I became a better player I recognized that paying tribute to other civilizations is a nifty way to avoid conflict, and to buy "friends" who otherwise would attack my civilization.

There were always aggressor civilizations hell bent on world domination, and eventually no amount of tribute would work, and so an attack was inevitable.

However, waiting for such an attack was rarely fun, or in one's own civilization's best interest. In fact by quietly waiting your turn you just allow your opponent to become stronger.

Bad Alliances & Unprovoked Wars Vital

Alliances always lead to war there really is no other way of looking at it, but without them your civilization may never survive for long.

Starting wars was always a messy thing, but inevitable even against other civilizations that have caused you no harm. In some cases you simply can't risk allowing another civilization's territory, and resources to fall into the hands of another aggressor civilization. In the end stabbing your best friend in the back becomes inevitable.

Good Guy Wears Black Hat

Total war is messy. Vast cities which took hundreds, even thousands of years get razed in wars. Economic development is wiped out, and take decades to rebuild.

Genocide A Temptation

Once your weapons are sufficiently advanced using airpower, or nuclear weapons to destroy whole cities becomes tempting, but it has drawbacks. Drawbacks which only democratic civilizations, and those that care about the environment consider. Dictatorships possessing such weapons of mass destruction use them without much consideration.

Differences Lead To Conflict & Nothing More

Religion, Racism, Nationalism, Heredity, Imperialism, Idealism, Paranoia, and Greed were motivating factors within the AI justifying war, and conflict. War was never ending no matter at what level of technological development even when prosperity was achieved for all civilizations. With weapons of greater killing capacity in a world of competing Civilizations only greater levels of misery, and bloodshed resulted.

There Can Be Only One (New World Order)

In the end it is possible to take over the planet through military means, and create one world order in which peace, and prosperity are finally achieved.

Game Evolution

The game's evolution continues. FireAxis is currently selling Civilization 4, and with each version it becomes more realistic, more complex, and more troubling.

Under the Influenza of a Bad Star!

I'm about to advocate necklaces of garlic be passed out to everyone in the city of Springfield, the Village of Jerome, Leland Grove, Southernview, Grandview, Pleasant Plains, Chatham - heck why not all of Central Illinois!

Not everyone, but around one in three people, at work are currently struck with the dreaded influenza!

CDC Link

I ran out, and did the correct thing last Fall by getting vacinated, and it probably did two things:

A. Delayed onset.

B. Reduced Severity.

C. Did I say just two things, well here's a third, lessened duration.

In fact if I hadn't insisted on running a fan during the winter I probably would not have become dehydrated (overnight on the night it was so darned cold, and the air so darned dry) to the point where my immune system became overcome - leaving me prey to the dreaded influenza.

This flu was misery! Chills, aches, weakness, sore throat, lung congestion.

But I suspect that I didn't have it as bad as other's I've heard from, and about. Many of those folk were hit with higher temps, while I barely broke a sweat. I was out for three days, essentially ruining my three day (paid holiday) weekend, while many of those folk who skipped out on the shot are still struggling after nearly ten days!

That doesn't mean I should have gone to work today, but I did take a sick day on Tuesday, and actually wanted to get back into the world of the living today - odd of me?

In the meantime I guess I'm immune now, but while on the phone today I talked with folk from around the nation (USA), and I can say this virus is everywhere!

It's not going away, and more than likely it will have its way with you - if you get just a bit overtired, dehydrated, or stressed out. I'm assuming all of us have had, or will have contact with the virus itself, so it's just a matter of giving it a chance to overwhelm.


Image: Ahhh Cream of Wheat

So stock up on all the medicines, and comfort foods, and if you come under the influenza of a bad star don't panic it will most likely pass in a week - leaving you a wisp of what you were, but someone definately more convinced of the frail nature of your own life - a lesson we all can use from time to time.


Image: Ahhh Chicken Noodle Soup

It might also scare the crap out of you to think what would have happened to you if you kept getting worse over the course of just a day or two.

That thought crossed my mind. What if this was bird flu? When you're weak, and in pain, and only want to sleep, its very easy to imagine how easy it would be to slip out of life's embrace without much of a fight.

If it had been a mutation of the bird flu my chances would have been fifty-fifty that I'd be alive today to write this. I sure hope the government that gave up the underwhelming response to Katrina, and who still have not secured our ports, or borders years after 9/11 are trustworthy enough to follow through on the bird flu issue! Because otherwise there's going to be a very big drop in the cost of real estate - globally!

Oh yes, this whole influenza experience explains why I haven't posted in awhile.

But I'm back my loyal readers, I'm back!

Here's an interesting Influeza related link:

FluWatch.Com


Image Source Info:

Used under "freeuse" for scientific, and literary purposes only, and without express permission of originating source. Copyright restrictions may apply. Use of these images on this blog does not imply that they are in any way included in the copyright that covers other materials within this post, or on this blog. For additional information I've included the following links.

Cream of Wheat: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA01/White/kitchen/Crwheat.jpg

Chicken Soup: http://www.fineartsite.com/images_mysql/66.jpg

Why Is Central Illinois So Flat?

Image: Global Warming Art - Illinois State House

Few people seem to understand that global warming will actually lead to an abreviation of the current interglacial period. It's never been a matter of debate whether or not the current interglacial period would end, for that is as sure a bet as the coming of the next ice age.

The vast majority of Earth's recent past (in geological terms) has been a period of very long ice ages, puntuated by very brief warm periods.

We are currently living within one of those brief warm spells. Statistically speaking we should be at the end of an average interglacial period - aproximately ten thousand years, and will soon be heading into another ice age lasting approximately one hundred thousand years. There are mini-ice ages, but let's not get complicated here, as I'm just speaking in general terms.

By releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at the levels which we have over the last one hundred years, the immediate effect is an increase in global temperatures. As we have witnessed in just our lifetimes glaciers which are thousands of years old are melting at an incredible rate.

One might conclude that this global warming should result in a warmer future, but by melting glaciers we will change the ratio of salt water to freshwater layers within the North Atlantic. This change is cyclical in nature - we are only accelerating it.

As this change occurs warmer waters carried by the gulf stream will no longer travel as far north as we currently see, nor will colder waters be carried back south along the gulf stream.

The result will be a rapid plunge in ocean temperatures in the polar regions - a change which has always in the past ushered in yet another glacial age.

There really isn't anything humans can do on the scale we are talking about to prevent this massive climate shift into the next glacial period. However, it is noteworthy that the rise of human civilization, and all of recorded history has occurred in the brief interglacial period in which we now live.

North America, and Europe will once again become covered in ice hundreds of meters thick, and life will be forced to retreat into the southern hemisphere.

One would think that with our current understanding of the consequences of our actions that we would do something to curb the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Nations around the world have heeded their scientist warnings, but in the United States the government is corrupted by energy industry lobbyist, and corrupt politicians have chosen to lie to the public by denying global warming even exist.

If future generations could speak in this time, I'm sure they would decry the greed, corruption, and irresponsible behavior on the part of our political leadership in this important matter.

Hopefully, as the American people become educated to the truth of climate change they'll begin to recognize their responsibility to the future, and pressure politicians to shift this nation's economy away from its addiction to fossil fuels.

Photo: I've included a fantasy image of my own creation showing the Illinois State Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois surrounded by a barren ice landscape. I doubt any of our historic buildings would still be around by then, unless someone in the future decided to move them farther south, but I thought this was a nice image.

Springfield Illinois Ghost Story

Excellent Extemporaneous Blog Posting!

Marie at DisarrangingMine shares her reactions to a recent Discovery Channel presentation. The presentation portrays the story of a ghostly haunting at Springfield, Illinois' Lake Club.

I haven't seen the video, but from Marie Carnes' reaction it sounds very scary, and therefore interesting.

I'm a fairly skeptical guy when it comes to the supernatural. By definition categorizing an event as supernatural forever places such an event above, and outside of nature.


Ghost and Science

A scientific approach to understanding the natural world assumes that no such realm is possible. The supernatural realm, by its very definition, must always fall outside the reach of skeptical inspection, objective analysis, and dispassionate understanding as is demanded by the scientific method.

Therefore, embracing the concept of the supernatural is antithetical to scienfific rationality. I must therefore reject its existence as a rational scientific human being, and remain focused upon that which can be studied, and understood in a scientific manner.

Yet, what are we to make of the stories recounted by people who say that they have encountered phenomena for which there is no currently verified scientific explanation (e.g., U.F.O.s, E.S.P., Ghost, After Life Experiences)?

My personal belief is, that as science advances, many of the ideas about the nature of perception, and reality itself, which have been rejected as impossible by the scientific community, may in fact come to be seen as reasonably possible.

Human beings have only approached consciousness with scientific discipline acting as their guide for an excruciatingly short historical period. In fact today the vast majority of humanity, even in the West, still experience their realities firmly muddled within the embrace of scientfic illiteracy.


Time will tell whether "ghost" find a place in future Physics 101 textbooks.

The human brain is essentially an electro-chemical computer, and perceptions of what we believe to be an outside objective reality may in fact be significantly influenced by quantum forces.

This is not to say that ghost are, or are not, spirits of departed souls, but it suggest that human consciousness may be capable of percieving other times, other places, and other events besides those which make themselves immediately obvious through the five recognized sensory pathways.

This phenomena doesn't need to be frightening, or seen as anti-religious just because it is approached in a rational manner.

While the scientific approach may take much of the fun out of the study of such a subject it would seem the prudent approach from the standpoint of funtionality.

I suspect that much of our fear of ghost is in fact rooted in our conscious, and subconscious fear of our own mortality. We fear death, supress the realization of that fear, yet fear it still. This fear finds expression in our deepest nightmares, and supersticious beliefs.

Our beliefs prime us for percieving, or not, paranormal phenomena - whether those perceptions are based upon actual stimuli or not.


Do We Make Our Own Ghost?

Imagination is a powerful thing. The question which quantum theory is forcing upon a reluctant scientific community is whether by the process of priming perception through imagination if the observer actually shapes (without direct contact) the physical world in such a way as to actually bring events into existence.

As an example, by our very observation of light wave-particles originating on the other side of the "Universe" (light which originated fifteen billion years ago) we change, or guide the nature of the photon's origination, and form.

It is currently scientifically accepted, and laboratory demonstrable, that simply via observation we (the observer) change (or pilot) time-space distant originating quantum events to either produce electromagnetic particles or waves (photons) upon observation, and that the form in which photons reach us (whether particle or wave) is within our control.

Read that last sentence again, and wrap your mind around it because the principle behind it applies to more than just photons, and elementary states of subatomic particles - it applies to everything - including you the reader - at your scale of existence.

By simply observing an event with which we have no direct physical contact (except through observation), even an event originating in a distant place, and time, we shape that event's nature, and origin! This brings into question the very notion of chronology, causality, locality - and the very nature of reality itself.

Confused? Intrigued? Join the club!

The "Universe" of which we are a part is not the safe, and comfortable Newtonian reality "Universe" in which we trust.

Profound questions about the nature of reality, as viewed through the prism of quantum theory, are not new to the twenty first century. What is new is the certainty that reality as we have traditionally approached it is out of synch not only with quantum theory, but with an ever growing amount of evidence gathered from laboratories confirming even the queerest aspects of quantum theory.

Physics laboratories are now delving into the magical world of bi-location. Scientist are bi-locating elementary particles into two places, and two states at once! Imagine placing the very same particle into two locations (time-space) at once, and placing the same particle into two physically opposite states at once!

This isn't theory, this is laboratory validation of the very most basic, and profound rules of reality - a reality of which most people are blissfully unaware.

And there is no proof, no tangible evidence at all, that what takes place at the quantum level doesn't apply at a scale which we humans percieve. The implications are profound to such a degree that it is hard to overstate their importance.


Ramifications?

What this says about the nature of reality, perception, the evolution of the brain, consciousness, and the soul is just beginning to be contemplated by western science, but certainly these questions open the door to the possible validation of phenomena which were previously categorized as supernatural.

One day what we fear the most may in fact come to be accepted as just another aspect of nature. An aspect to be understood, and perhaps manipulated through technology as a means of studying distant places, and times, or even utilized as another means of communication? Time will tell.

Note: Under the opinion that all this is the stuff of philosophy, or fringe science? Run a Google search on quantum computer chips. The next round of superfast, supersmall computer chips soon to be introduced by IBM. Study up on the principles, and physics behind why they can be so much smaller, and faster. My suspicion is that the design of the human brain is similarly dependent upon dual quantum states.

Carter Bros. Lumber Delivery to Union Station

Photo: Carter Bros. Lumber Delivers Plywood to ALPLM's Union Station Renovation


Photo: Carter Bros. Lumber Delivery Man Unstraps Plywood for Delivery to ALPLM


Photo: Plywood Delivery for ALPLM's Union Station Renovation Project 02.15.06


Photo: Hydrolic Lift Carries Stack of Plywood for Union Station Springfield Illinois


Photo: Carter Bros. Lumber & Construction Foreman Sign for Plywood Delivery


This series of photos features a delivery of plywood to the Union Station Restoration Project.

Carter Brother's Lumber of Springfield, Illinois delivers plywood sheeting at the corner of Sixth, and Madison in downtown Springfield. The plywood is being used in the Union Station Renovation Project. Union Station is part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM), which is located in downtown Springfield.

About the Photos: A Carter Bros. Lumber delivery man unstraps stacks of plywood. A hydrolic lift is brought in to carry the stacks of plywood from Carter Bros. flatbed truck into the Union Station construction area. Two large stacks of plywood were unloaded. There's no doubt that this delivery is just one of many deliveries of construction material which has been made to this ongoing renovation project.

All Photographs for this post were captured Wednesday afternoon, February 15th, 2006. Wednesday's weather was unseasonably warm for Central Illinois, with the high reaching into the sixties, and not a cloud in the sky. A remarkably beautiful day for the middle of February.

Does Thunder Make It Rain? Revisited

Image: Google Result: Posting Ranks As The First & Only Relevant Result

After a decade of explosive growth in the number of Internet pages (in the billions) not one has the phrase, Does thunder make it rain?


Image: MSN Search Result: Am I the only one to have pondered upon this?

This post refers to a previous posting on JeromeProphet, and now on WeatherProphet in which I ask if shock waves from thunder passing through storm clouds cause water droplets to condense, and then fall from clouds - does thunder make it rain?

After running several Internet phrase searches using MSN Search, Google, and Yahoo, I couldn't find any other pages with this question. Perhaps it's phrased differently. I'll keep searching.


Image: Yahoo Search Result - Nothing Is New Under The Sun?

2006 Lincoln Symposium & Goodwin Book Signing

Photo: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (Interior) - Springfield, Illinois



Photo: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library - Springfield, Illinois



Photo: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library - Interior - Springfield, Illinois



Photo: Doris Kerns Goodwin @ Book Signing - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library


Doris Kearns Goodwin Visits Springfield, Illinois' Lincoln Symposium

Doris Kerns Goodwin visited Springfield, Illinois February 11th, and February 12th 2006. On the evening of February 11th Ms. Goodwin was the subject of an extended interview held within the Union Theater. Union Theater is located in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The two hour long interview was recorded in front of an audience, and was recorded for telecast on the Illinois Channel.

On Sunday, February 12th, Doris Kerns Goodwin hosted a booksigning in Illinois' historic Old State Capitol, and immediately following within the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

Large lines of history fans brought their copies of Ms. Goodwin's most recent publication titled, Team of Rivals - The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.

I attended the booksigning. My moment with Ms. Goodwin was well worth the hour, and a half it took to make my way through the line to obtain Ms. Goodwin's autograph. She's truly an excellent writer, and historian.

Lincoln Symposium February 2006

Photo: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Etched Glass


Photo:Abe Lincoln Presidential Library Window


Photo:Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Window


Photo:ALPLM Derived Art Work - Springfield, IL 02.12.06

I took several photographs within the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library today while standing in line at a book signing. The signing featured Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of Team of Rivals - The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.

The ALPLM is located in downtown Springfield, Illinois. Photographs presented in this post are from several which I took of etched glass windows separating the atrium, from the research, and reading area.

I was lucky in the sense that most of the lights in the research facility were turned off thus allowing some very beautiful colors to reflect through the etchings. These images are derived from prarie grass etchings, and are very reminescent of Frank Lloyd Wright designs.

I have several more photographs I intend to post of the booksigning so stay tuned history fans.

Sex, Religion and Human Survival

Photo: C.M.S. @ 2nd & Washington - A Reflection of Illinois State House

Orgasm

In the moments leading up to, during, and after orgasm the intense pleasure produced, coupled with the focus of the lover upon the object of his or her affection acts to create, and reinforce, a significantly important, and long enduring, hardwired-neural connection between pleasure, and further perceptions, and recollections, of the object of affection.

A very long sentence indeed.

The reward for sexual activity is found in its immediate pleasure, but the bond that is created, and sustained between the object of affection, and the lover serves to reinforce "the coupling" at a very primal hardwired level.

Keeping mates together long enough to successfully raise children is obviously tanamount to all other evolutionary purposes behind orgasm, and the powerful bonding it creates.

The sublimation, and generalization of sexual bonding at a subconcious level is also an important mechanism which has allowed human beings to survive, and thrive.

Some see sublimation, and generalization of the sexual bonding process as the foundation of civilization itself - Freud did, and I agree with that assessment.

Human evolution conservatively utilized existing physiological mechanisms including pleasure centers withing the brain. Thus orgasm was annexed in pursuit of human survival.

What lover has failed to experience sexual tension so great as not to utter, "I love you more than anyone, more than life itself", or "You are everything to me, etc.,"?

Society has codified these orgasmic phrases into marriage vows lest anyone forget their obligations during life's less exciting moments.


Worship

Let us look now at religion, and worship - and its relationship to sex, and sexual bonding.

In monotheistic religions we may "worship" (bond) one god. We adore, and worship that god above all else - loving that god more than life itself.

In spiritual moments of rapture we feel elated, more connected to the moment, and to our relationship with god. We feel more focused, more in tune to the beauty, and meaning of our existence.

In love making we feel more focused upon our loved one, more aware of their beauty, more connected to the moment (especially at orgasm), more aware of our relationship's meaning, and purpose than in other moments (or so it seems at the time).

One can see similar patterns in sporting events. The rise of tension, the rhythmic chanting, the elevated focus, the triumphant scoring, the elation. The release of tension. The bonding. The territoriality, the possession.

The underlying neurochemistry, and physiological processes of pleasure, and bonding - whether eating a favorite food, having sex, running a touchdown, or in finding god, depend upon the same pleasure centers in the brain.

Violence too can be a form of behavior linked to sexual release. We see it in the rapist, but we also see it in other forms of dominance behavior. We see acts of violence in many forms, but individuals raised within most societies have learned to associate guilt with violence - except in self defense, and war.

Therefore pleasure in violence is sublimated into sports, economic competition, consumerism, and less socially acceptible forms (e.g., sexual perversion, terrorism, and arson).

The orgiastic rampage seen recently in Islamic nations protesting cartoon drawings of the Prophet Muhammed illustrates the power of the sexual sublimation process - and how in more sexually repressive societies sexual urges find release not just in the domination of women, but also in the diversion of sexual energies into religious worship.

As human beings attempt to survive in a future which promises an ever increasing level of nuclear proliferation the threat of religious zealotry to the survival of mankind will become ever more apparent.

In the West individuals spread their worship to their lovers, material goods, political ideology, pets, family, music, art, actors, themselves, and god.

This diversion of sexual energies, while roundly criticized by religionist, has acted in a manner to allow human beings to develop individually, and socially.

Although the freedom to express sublimated sexual energy into the various forms taken in the West entails risk of social breakdown which religion acts to prevent, it has also spurred economic, scientific, and cultural evolution to great heights.

In poorer-less-democratic anti-western nations, religion not only acts as the opiate of the masses, but a whirlpool into which worship spirals, and festers. Religion not only stabilizes these societies, but it also has turned them into dangerous powderkegs of concentrated sexual rage.

The anger, and hatred of hundreds of millions of Islamist for the West is not only based in fear and ignorance, it is intrinsic to the very nature of human beings.

Jealous of the West' enormous social, and economic development, but too frightend to allow themselves the freedom to grow they thrash out in an attempt to bring everyone down to their own level. A simple basic territorial response, but one that is more self destructive, than constructive.

Whether in the name of communism, or anti-westernism, the same pattern repeats itself again, and with ultimately the same result - the collapse of those societies denying basic human nature.

As the world's reserves of oil become depleted, the West will utilize its enormous resources, and freedoms to change, and adapt to the changing situation.

Repressive, anti-western societies depleted of their only form of barter (oil) will descend into chaos, and self destruction - made all the worse by their overpopulation (caused by opposition to birth control), and their subjugation of women.

This will happen within fifty years.


Human Survival

Simply stated, Sexual Oppression Leads To Aggression - not just in Islamic nations, but in all societies.

The more sexually oppressive a society, the more likely that society is male dominated, and warlike.

Sexual repression stems from high levels of adherence to authoritarian male created religions. While adherence to rules of conduct espoused by religions has allowed for the creation, and stabilization of societies it is the inability of religions to adapt that raises questions.

The disparity of power of the male over the female is based in the desire of the male to achieve orgasm, and to possess and control the means of achieving further orgasms.

The male possessing greater upper body strength is able to physically dominate females, and has used this advantage to do so for millenia.

This disparity of physical power of males over females has been institutionalized within male created religious doctrine, and subsequent legal codifications created by males, and for male advantage - thus keeping females in the role of living property.

In the West, within just the last century females have slowly begun to take their place as equals (legally, but not economically) despite religionist objections.

Yet in most non-western societies (e.g., Islamic, et. al.) females are maintained as second class citizens.

It is my belief that only through the creation of societies based upon equality, democratic rule, and tolerance of diversity will humans have a chance to survive an increasingly dangerous future.

The beast must be tamed, but through civil institutions - not caged in religious guilt, doubt, and fear.

Violence, the politics of violence, high degrees of religiousity, authoritarianism, nationalism, and militarism are all closely linked to the baser instinct of territoriality and pursuit of dominance.

Societies which are based upon slavery of any kind are dangerous not only to themselves, but also to the fate of humankind as well.

Wednesday? No Tuesday!

Photo: Underpaid - Springfield Illinois Police Radio Tower Repair


Photo: Electrician Wiring Union Station Square - ALPLM


Photo: Toys Stoves & Cooking Utensils - Springfield Illinois


Photo: Chess Anyone? Ameren King - Hilton Queen & Pawns - Springfield IL

Took a lunch time walk with Randy of Photo-Etc. Snapped up some photographs, of which I posted four.

Not much more to add except it was a cold, and windy day in downtown Springfield, Illinois.

Thunder or Jet Engines?

Thunder or Jet Engines? is article #10 in the WeatherProphet series on weather modification.

In prior post I reviewed the origin of SuperStrobes, super bright strobes, which were used by Allied aerial photo-reconnaissance missions to illuminate ground targets during World War II,

SuperStrobe flashes emit more candlepower onto a surface target in the middle of a stormy night than is provided by a noon time sun under a clear blue sky.

I've questioned whether SuperStrobe technology has been advanced in the subsequent six decades since World War II, and have speculated whether SuperStrobes have continued to play a role in the top secret world of "National Technical Means" (i.e., high-tech spycraft).

I've asked what role SuperStrobe enhanced aerial photographic surveys could play in an age of LookDown Radar, and Infrared imaging devices.

I've pondered upon what possible advantages SuperStrobes offer which would justify their development, and continued deployment. I susggested that one major advantage over radar imaging systems is the covert nature of SuperStrobes.

Despite a SuperStrobe's brilliant flash, when emitted within heavy cloud cover, a SuperStrobe's flash would almost certainly be perceived as a natural, and random result intercloud lightning. In contrast sidelooking, and lookdown radar imaging systems clearly show up on military radar detection systems used across the globe.

Paradoxically despite their brillant flash, when used as a covert tool for capturing light enhanced digital images the SuperStrobe holds an advantage over radar - deniability.

A SuperStrobe if flashed horizontally through a layer of cloud cover will dispurse light vertically across a greater surface area, and at a lower altitude. Flashing SuperStrobes within clouds also reduces the possibility that a SuperStrobe equipped aircraft will be spotted.

A SuperStrobe equipped stealth aircraft flying within the upper edges of a thunderstorm can illuminate hundereds of square kilometers below it.

Such covert imaging missions could be deployed over areas of interest in durations measured in seconds, minutes, hours, or even days.

The advantages of capturing full spectrum enhanced-light images from multiple angles over target areas are many. However, paramount among those advantages is the creation of interpolated image data sets upon which the creation of three dimensional imaging (virtual reality) depends.

The large amount of image data collected by such means can be burst transmitted (shared at very high speeds via radio, or laser), processed either onboard, at a central location, or in a distributive fashion.

The end product of such a surveillance system would be extremely high resolution three dimensional renderings of targets provided in real time!

But this is only an introduction to the array of possible uses a covert weather modification platform would enable.

Thunder or Jet Engines?

As a ground observer listening to a thunderstorm it might become more difficult in the future to tell the difference between thunder, and jet engines.

Thunder, and jet engine sound patterns sound similar, and with modification of jet engine exhaust bafflings such sound patterns could be made even more similar.

I ask, if an entire generation which has grown up listening to jet engines flying within thunderstorms, always assuming those sounds to be thunder, who among us could judge what natural thunder sounds like?

I propose that trianglulated audio recordings of thunderstorms be made, and accustical analysis software be employed in an attempt to divide the needle from the straw - so to speak.

Far fetched idea?

During World War II the Japanese, who hadn't developed radar at that point in the war, developed large conical sound collection devices which they used to detect incoming Allied aircraft. Made obsolete by radar, such a device may one day find use again in the age of the stealth aircraft.

In the upcoming WeatherProphet article #11 titled, Triggered Thunder Imaging System, we'll exam the development of, and advantages to a "thunder" based sonar system!

Stealth SuperStrobe Delivery

Covert Horizon to Horizon SuperStrobe Aerial Photography

Stealth SuperStrobe Delivery is article #9 in the WeatherProphet series focusing on the development of a covert weather modification program. In article #8 Lightning Or SuperStrobe I introduced the idea that perhaps not every flash of light in the sky during a thunderstorm may in fact be a random natural event.

I briefly reviewed the deployment of SuperStrobes in Allied Aerial Reconnaissance Missions during World War II. Aircraft equiped with SuperStrobes, and cameras were used to illuminate, and photograph ground targets prior to (and after) bombing missions.

I also note the disappearance of SuperStrobes at the end of World War II as the victors of that war immediately descended into the Cold War.

I then asked whatever became of SuperStrobes? Did this device see no further development, or use? If SuperStrobes were further developed covertly during the Cold War how far were they advanced?

I also asked how any super brillant flash of light which is produced by a SuperStrobe could ever escape detection, and what role SuperStrobes could possibly play in the age of Lookdown Radar, and InfraRed CCD based imaging systems.

I suggested that SuperStrobe Flashes could be hidden in thuderstorms. That hiding such flashes in plain view would be possible during thunderstorms as average citizens would never expect that such flashes of light could be anything but natural, and random events.

Undetected @ 10,000 Feet Above AnyTown USA & Beyond

The central consideration of developing, and deploying a covert intelligence gathering system is the need to remain undetected. If an average aircraft takes to flight, whether it is flashing superbrilliant SuperStrobe flashes, or not, it most likely will be detected.

The chief means of detecting aircraft is radar. Most aircraft reflect radar waves which are transmitted from radar detection systems. Some aircraft have smaller signatures than others, but most aircraft are easy to detect. However as is now known there are means of defeating radar detection.

The two methods used (that we know about) either electronically fool radar systems by producing spurious radar signals which make the task of accurately pinpointing an aircraft's location difficult, or through the design of the aircraft. In the latter case radar waves are either absorbed into the airframe surface, or radar waves are reflected at angles which don't return back to the radar detection system. Both deflection, and absorption is utilized in the Stealth Fighter.

A covert deployment of SuperStrobe enhanced digital imaging collection would most certainly require the use of either, or both of the aforementioned radar evasion technologies.

The use of radar "jamming" in thuderstorms raises an interesting set of questions as to how valid civilian weather radar images are? Are radar signatures of thunderstorms deliberately intensified, or distorted by airborn radar jammers in an attempt to hide the residual radar signatures of covert intelligence gathering aircraft?

Weather Intensification* As Political Tool

The development of any technology, and methods of this sort would certainly find use in warfare, and not just in a covert role. Import questions must be asked about covert deployment however. In the past most people would simply step outside, and look up in the sky to help make important weather based decisons. Today most people make those decsions based upon media reports which are based upon information collected by the National Weather Service.

What If The National Weather Service's Doppler Radar System Is Being Fooled?

It is a well know fact that both the poor, and elderly tend to vote in a more liberal fashion than those with means, and younger voters. It is also true that the poor, and elderly have greater difficulty in reaching polling places, and tend to be effected the most by inclement weather.

We also know that conservatives tend to get a greater number of votes from those in the military, and those working in the military-indusrial-espionage complex. And so the question must be asked, if technology, and methods exist to intensify a weather pattern signature what would prevent such a covert deception from being employed during an election?

Who would protect any nation, including the people of the United States from this sinister manipulation? It would be interesting to do a statistical analysis of weather patterns for the last thirty years to see what effect weather has played upon elections - not just in the U.S., but in Europe, and South America as well.

In my next post, number ten in the WeatherProphet series on weather modification titled, Thunder or Jet Engines?, we'll examine means of detecting PhotoStrobe equiped stealth aircraft flying above thuderstorms even on the darkest of nights!

*Note: I will define "Weather Intensification" as either the actual triggering of a lighning-thunder complex, and its subsequent triggered precipitation event, and/or the manipulation of radar signatures by EMF jamming in an attempt to create radar signatures more closely associated to intense thunderstorm activity.

Local Signs of Global Warming

Photo: Trees Budding In First Week of February 2006


Photo: Jerome, Illinois Trees Effected By Global Warming

While temperatures continue to seesaw between Winter, and Spring the overall trend has been warmer temperatures. Warmer temperatures have been so persistent this winter that trees have already started budding.

I can not recall ever having seen trees in this area of the United States budding this early in the year. The photographs included with this post show buds on an elm tree in Jerome, Illinois.

Saturday, February 4th, 2006 it snowed, but only very lightly - with no recorded precipitation. My daughter asked me why it snowed. I explained it was Winter, but she responded by saying that it was already February!

In her generation's perception February is starting to look like the start of Spring!

My brother, on the other hand, said to me last weekend, "When we were kids it snowed".

That comment struck me as interesting, because Dave of The11thhour said exactly that same thing recently.

Children just thirty years ago would go out with shovels during the winter, walking from door to door we'd offer to shovel driveways, and sidewalks for five dollars each. By the time we'd return home, slightly frostbit, our pockets we be stuffed with money. This was common activity for this part of the Midwest - that and helping push cars back onto the road, and out of snow dunes.

Still there are those who insist to this day that global warming isn't taking place - including a Bushite I know who insist that global warming is still being debated.

Folks, the only people still debating whether global warming is taking place are corrupt, on the take politicians who are in the pockets of oil-coal-auto industry lobbyist.

For the rest of us who have lived long enough to know better global warming is as real as the buds on the trees this February of 2006!

Early Spring For Springfield - Let's Hope Not

Image: Springfield Illinois Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Tree

Dave at The11thhour recently posted an article relating how warm this winter of 2006 has been. One of the warmest on record! This unusually warm winter seems to be having an impact upon our local trees. As you can see in the photographs below several varieties of trees are already budding in the first week of February. This may seem like an innocent enough sign of an early Spring, but it also leaves trees vunerable to diseases, and damage.

It seems to suggest something is not quite right with mother nature.

Why has it been so warm lately?

I spoke to a gentleman who abides in southern Texas just last week, and he expressed concern over the high temperatures effecting his locale this early in the year.

Few of us here in the Midwest want to endure a long cold winter, and we sure hate to pay to heat our homes during the winter, but despite this desire to somehow escape winter we also must recognize that if temperatures continue to rise that agricultural production in the Midwest may suffer.

My guess is that the common cause must be global warming.

Thank goodness I don't work as a climate scientist under the Bush administration, I'd probably be unemployed already. The corrupt Bush administration, made up of oilmen, and on the take from oil interest, are currently running a campaign of intimidation of scientist at NOAA, and NASA - attempting to keep the word quite on global warming!

Try telling that to the trees!


Photo: Horace Mann Plaza - Trees Budding In February 2006

Trees are amazing things really. Here in the Middle West people tend to take them for granted I had the opportunity recently to speak to a young gentleman from Mainland China. He expressed how concerned he was at the lack of trees in Beijing (his home town is the Capital city of China). He told me of how dusty his city has become, and that no matter how much dusting he would do before he'd leave for the day, that by the end of the day everything would be covered in dust. He felt that despite the incredible economic growth of his city in the last decade that more trees were needed to make his city a place worth living in. He very much appreciated how Springfield, Illinois has trees lining each street.


Photo: Horace Mann Plaza Springfield IL Signs of Global Warming?

Trees provide shade, create oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, clean air of pollution, and slow winds that would otherwise turn our towns, and cities into dustbowls. They also look nice, and create a more survivable place to live. We need to pay attention to nature simply because we can't afford not to. It seems obvious that something just isn't right when trees start to bud in late January, and early February here in the Midwest.

Something doesn't seem quite right with our weather, and we all must wake up to this fact.

ALPLM Union Station Renovation North Face

Photo: Buzz Of Activity On The North Side Of Union Station - ALPLM - Springfield, IL



Photo: Roofers Apply Masonry Tiles to North East Side of ALPLM Union Station


Photo: ALPLM Springfield, Illinois January 30th 2006 Union Station Renovation


Photo: ALPLM - Engineers and Cement Workers on Scaffolding Pour Concrete Into Cast


Photo: Crew Pour Concrete Into Four Cylindrical Cast Along Madison Street. Springfield IL

The photographs above are just four photographs which I took recently from the ALPLM Garage. From across the street one can get a very good view of the buzz of activity on the north face of Union Station which is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. Union Station is part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum located in downtown Springfield, Illinois.

I've been extremely impressed with the non-stop pace of activity on the Union Station Renovation, and Union Station Square Project. There have been very few days in which there hasn't been some type of progress on the project. Even on days when it was bitterly cold I have seen construction continue.

Letter to Dick Durbin - Save NASA as we knew it!

I sent the following email to Senator Dick Durbin:

Dear Senator,

A recent series of articles appearing in the New York Times revealed that the Bush administration is attempting to squelch free speech, and scientific discourse at NASA and NOAA.

It has been reported that when a "climate scientist" is asked for information about global warming at either of these agencies these scientist must obtain permission to talk with members of the press, must have PIOs present, or on the phone with them during interviews.

The scientist must provide their lecture schedules in advance to the PIOs.

This is without a doubt a scene out of Orwell's 1984!

These are scientist for goodness sake!

We pay these scientist a salary, expect them to be open, and honest with us. We want them to keep us informed - without having to fear for their jobs because of political pressures.

Now we have political officers (PIOs) being employed as censors, and being used to intimidate these climate scientist.

I have no trouble using analogies, and I will - it reminds me of the Soviet Union. Yes, the Soviet Union!

Senator, I've voted for you in every election in which I could, and I believe you are a man of honor, and a person who cares about this nation's future, and the fate of our planet Earth.

I'm no tree hugger, I'm just a working stiff, and a proud Democrat!

I must tell you that it seems as if the Bush administration is bent on the destruction of the nation I remember growing up in.

Please see what you can do about helping prevent the intimidation of scientist at NASA, NOAA, EPA, by executive branch operatives.

Sincerely, and Respectfully,

JeromeProphet - though I didn't sign it JeromeProphet.

I sure hope I get a response, as I'll post it here on this blog.
I let the Senator know that I was posting a copy of this letter to the blog.

Begin The End

Image: Hell In Springfield, Illinois

Begin The End
By Jerome Prophet

Footsteps crash down upon the dirt.
Each step an invasion.
Each step a desecration.
Your devastation.

Waves of destruction slam the turf.
Each wave an onslaught.
Each wave Hell's wrought.
A lesson taught.

Dark messengers sweep upon Earth.
Shrieks upon the wind.
Agonies convulsed in sin.
Time to Begin.

The End.

El Presidente Liberates NASA

Viva El Presidente!
Viva El Presidente!
Viva El Presidente!

El Presidente has worked tirelessly to liberate government agencies of subversive elements!. El Presidente has liberated subversive bastions such as PBS, EPA, NSA, CIA, FBI, and the Pentagon of their burden, and now El Presidente has liberated NASA!

Viva El Presidente!
Viva El Presidente!
Viva El Presidente!

Do not forget what El Presidente has generously taught,

"Whenever someone has the courage to speak - control them. If that doesn't work, destroy them." Instruction #148.

Nor should you overlook this further reading from El Presidente's Book of Truth,

"Scientific truth doesn't matter, and freedom of speech doesn't matter, not when oil money is involved." Instruction #243.


Scum was retrieved from the toilet of the Infamous New York Times - an article titled, Climate Expert Says NASA Tried to Silence Him. For examples on what can happen to you if you fail to stay current on El Presidente's views on the fiction of global warming you may read the following excerpts:

Article Snippet:

The scientist, James E. Hansen, longtime director of the agency's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said in an interview that officials at NASA headquarters had ordered the public affairs staff to review his coming lectures, papers, postings on the Goddard Web site and requests for interviews from journalists.

Dr. Hansen said he would ignore the restrictions. "They feel their job is to be this censor of information going out to the public," he said.

El Presidente's political officers must now approve interviews, and be present when any such questions might arise about global warming. Only El Presidente's most enlightend views on the fiction of global warming must be heard!



Image Source: www.the-fifth-hope.org

El Presidente must put to a stop these subversive scientist speaking without the approval of El Presidente.

More from the Traitorous NYT article:

"The fight between Dr. Hansen and administration officials echoes other recent disputes. At climate laboratories of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for example, many scientists who routinely took calls from reporters five years ago can now do so only if the interview is approved by administration officials in Washington, and then only if a public affairs officer is present or on the phone."

"All Must Speak With One Voice - And That Voice Must Be El Presidente!"
Instruction #5


Viva El Presidente!
Viva El Presidente!
Viva El Presidente!

Lightning Or Superstrobe?

Lightning Or SuperStrobe is Post #8 in the Weather Modification Conspiracy Series.

In Post #7 Mission Possible - Covert Strobe I ask if there could possibly be a way to hide the flash of a very powerful strobe installed aboard aerial reconnescence aircraft. I introduce a bit of history on the use of superstrobes which were employed during WWII as a means of illuminating ground areas during photographic surveys of potential bombing targets.

I stated that it would be an obvious giveaway of any aircraft's location if it flew over a reconnescence target, and started flashing very powerful superstrobes. I also question the role of superstrobes in the age of look down radar, and satellite based infrared imaging systems. Both of which would seem to have consigned superstrobes into history.

Yet, there remains one possible means of hiding a super bright flash of light from a superstrobe, and that would be in a thunderstorm. Extremely bright flashes of light which illuminate hundreds of cubic kilometers, including ground surface areas is common place during thunderstorms.

People seem to take it for granted that each, and every flash of light during a thunderstorm is an act of nature - a random act of atmospheric electric discharge, and nothing more. During thunderstorms entire cities, and regions are illuminated with hundreds of flashes of illumination from every possible angle, over the course of hours, and people on the ground assume that every single flash is of natural origin. Absolutely no thought is given to the possibility that technology might be behind at least some of those flashes.

No shade is pulled, no blinds are drawn shut, no important documents laying atop a desktop is covered as people assume each brilliant flash of light is an act of God, and not of man.

Yet it is precisely because the public assumes that such flashes of superbright light are always natural that thunderstorms provide an excellent cover for the collection of light enhanced high resolution digital imaging of ground areas, and structures even at night, and in adverse weather conditions.

Still there are many unanswered questions. Why would superstrobes remain useful in the era of lookdown radar? Why would digital photographic imaging be the choice over radar?

There is one obvious answer - radar can be detected - and from a military sense there is constant vigilance in the detection of radar based surveillance. As a covert imaging system radar lights up brighter than a superstrobe!

Any radar detection system (military or civillian) might detect lookdown radar employment (AWACS), but as long as flashes of light during a thunderstorm are assumed to be one hundred percent natural in origin superstrobes when coupled with digital photographic imaging systems could play a significant role in covert intelligence collection.

In Article #9 Stealth SuperStrobe Delivery, I'll explain how it is possible for superstrobe enhanced photographic digital imaging systems to evade detection even when deployed in close proximity to closely guarded military bases, and major metropolitan areas.

In future articles we'll look at why satellites can't make such a covert intelligence method obsolete, and we'll speculate about the possible future of such a program.

Richard Norton Smith

Photo: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum January 2006 Sunset

Some have compared Richard Norton Smith to the Pale Rider who rides into town, and finds himself cast as savior. He takes advantage of the town's hospitality, and then rides off on the day of the big gunfight leaving the town to face its just punishment.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and Museum isn't about Richard Norton Smith, it's about Abraham Lincoln, and the United States which began in earnest with the Union victory of the Civil War.

Those flocking to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are not doing so to meet Richard Norton Smith, they are pilgrims of Abraham Lincoln.

The Sun has not set on ALPLM - this institution is too busy being born to die.

The WeatherProphet Has Arrived!

I've decided to create another blog just for post focusing on the covert weather modification program. Crazy? Or Crazy as a fox? As I slowly introduce a variety of topics related to this conspiracy theory (or is it an urban myth) I'll let you decide for yourselves.

I'll be using weatherprophet.blogspot.com as a means of consolidating all of my prior, and future post on this controversial subject. This will make it much easier to gain an overall view of my ideas on the subject - and monitor my current level of madness all in one stop. Look for the link along the left hand side of this page.

I've also corrected a link in my Illinois Blogroll which I discovered wasn't working anymore. The Springfield Rewind link now works! And what an incredible site it is! Everytime I visit I step away feeling like a time traveler - a very nifty experience, and it's free!

I've added a link to Photos-Etc, a buddy of mine started his own blog after seeing mine - I'll have to get on him about not posting for a month now, and for not allowing anonymous comments! Randy, way to go! But we need more content soon.

I'll also be rolling out another blog in the coming weeks dedicated to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum - that blog too will mainly act as a collection point for post which I have already, and will one day post on that subject here at JeromeProphet.Blogspot.com!

To Blog Post 200 & Beyond!

Image: CIPS Building - Downtown Springfield, Illinois

Everyone sells their soul in one way or another. For some it is a trade of doing what they know is right for riches, for most it's a trade of pride, and dignity for sheer survival.

We've all kept the smile on the face long after we knew it should have faded, or should never have been there at all. At least half of those happily married can't be all that happy after all, and a good portion of us would leave their jobs at the drop of a hat - if they could.

As the moments pass, and life is squandered in quiet desperation we hear the modern oracles whispering of great times to come if we only keep quiet, if we just settle until everything is alright - until everything works itself out.

One day we'll have that perfect spouse, that perfect house, that perfect car, that perfect job, and that perfect life. One day, we are told, we'll all fly to nirvana in the first class section, soaring never ending towards a golden warm rising sun.

Perhaps it will be with Jesus, perhaps with Allah, or Buddah along for the ride, but we are promised that we'll reach that place - if we're good, docile, and compliant.

We bide our time.

We grow old.

We die.

We get our pictures in the obits.

We get processed.

We are forgotten.

We turn to dust.

The 200th post is over turn out the lights.

Mission Possible - Covert Strobe

Mission Possible - Covert Strobe is my latest article in a series of post delving into the speculative black-ops world of weather modification.

Any weather modification program worth the time, and money expended on its development would need to justify the expenditure upon it.

Making any such program a mulitasking work horse would be a sensible goal from both a practical, and economic standpoint.

Superimposing an intelligence gathering role upon a weather modification program would seems likely.

In my latest weather modification related article, Turning Day Into Night One Second A Time I mention the use of strobe lights deployed upon air recon missions during world war two.

During nightime air-recon missions these intensely bright photo-strobes (super-strobes) replaced phosphorus flares (but not entirely).

Flares were attached to parachutes and tossed out of aircraft prior to allied bombing missions. The flares allowed nighttime photography of targets during the target selection phase of bombing missions.

Such flares are still used to illuminate ground areas as they are difficult to shoot down, and can drift over specific areas of interest for up to a half hour. As we'll soon see once a technology has proven itself useful in intelligence collection it is rarely eliminated from an arsenal - even if it is little known of, or rarely if ever mentioned.

As world war two came to an end the U.S. rapidly shifted it's focus on fighting the Cold War. Before the development of ICBMs allied bombers played the critical role as the means of delivering nuclear bombs upon the Soviet Union.

The team which developed super-strobes during World War II also played an important role in the development of the Atomic Bomb. Super-strobes have remained classified along with any other important intelligence gathering technology, and methodology in the U.S. spy arsenal.

Whatever became of these powerful strobes? Did their development, and deployment end shortly after World War II, or perhaps with the deminishing role of strategic bombers during the Cold War?

Obviously any aircraft in the midst of a clear sky deploying (i.e., flashing) a super bright super-strobe would readily identify its position thus making use of such a device impractical (or it would seem).

If super-strobes remain in the U.S. spy arsenal then in what capacity?

What possible air-recon role could the super-strobe find in the current era of look down radar, and infra-red imaging?

Is there any way to hide a super bright flash of light? And if there is, what advantage could doing so lend to the collection of intelligence?

I'll attempt to answer those questions in my coming article,

Lightning or Super-Strobe?

Under The Strobe Light

Summary of Previous Weather Modification Postings

In several of my previous post I proposed that thunder plays a significant role in triggering rain events. I argued that shock waves (e.g., thunder) which radiate from the paths of particle beams (e.g., lightning) can initiate condensation events within clouds resulting in precipitation - in other words thunder can cause it to rain.

I also speculated upon the possibility that the relationship between thunder, and rainfall could be exploited via a weather modification program.

I argued that the technical means exist to develop a weather modification program, and that any such program would necessarily include both weather modification technologies, and the various methodologies of employing those technologies. A variety of important weapons, and techniques could be developed under the umbrella of a covert weather modification program.

I argued that triggered lightning results in triggered thunder which in turn results in triggered precipitation.

I also concluded that any government involved in the development, and deployment of such a program would desire to keep such a program in a covert phase for as long a period as possible.

Keeping a weather modification program covert offers the chief advantage of denying public and scientific debate regarding the merits of such a programl.

I argued that other nation's intelligence agencies would be able to detect the existence of an operational weather modification program, and therefore the chief motivation for maintaining the covert phase of such a program would bo hinder public debate over the cost, and risk of operating a weather modification program.

Turning Night Into Day One Second at A Time

During World War II, prior to Allied aerial bombing runs, air reconnescence missions were deployed over potential bombing sites. Collecting target information (photography) was a crucial first step in planning a successful mission.

At that time satellites did not exist, and these aerial "recon" missions were the primary means of collecting such important information within NAZI occupied Europe.

One aspect of collecting photographic reconnesance that hindered the U.S. military was poor weather, while another was the darkness of night. Today infrared photography, and look down radar allow imaging of ground conditions even in poor weather conditions, and at night.

During World War II Phosphorous flares were hung from parachutes, and tossed out of air recon aircraft. The flares emitted a very bright light thus illuminating the ground below until the parachute finally landed. The use of these flares helped light up the ground below thus allowing night time recon missions to push back the night to some degree.

One group of weapons developers led by E.G. Eggerton, the man who developed the strobe light, realized that strobes could be developed which would produce much more light than any flare. Strobes had the advantage of allowing the recon aircraft to fly at higher and therefore safer altitudes, while obtaining better artificially illuminated night time photographs.

At the end of World War II any programs related to the collection of air reconnescence remained classified as the victors found themselves embroiled in the Cold War, and thus darkness, and secrecy befell the powerful strobes developed for air recon missions.

In a nuclear age delivery of nuclear weapons would depend upon precise targeting, and therefore collection of accurate target information.

With the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles, satellites, radar, infrared film, and eventually digital imaging chips (CCDs) the age of the strobe would seem as distantly removed into history as the flare, but is it?

Stay tuned for my next post on this subject.

Mission Possible - Covert Strobe

Dedicated to Jan!

Barnes&Noble Observation

I stopped at Barnes & Noble tonight, and spent about a half hour trying to locate several books I was interested in purchasing.

I ended up going home without buying anything.

Why?

I couldn't find the books. Just before Christmas I bought several books at Barnes & Noble, and saw several books I wanted to purchase for later. Now I can't find these titles!

It's not that the books I want are out of print, or that they're not popular enough to stock.

I'm becoming disappointed with Barnes & Noble. In a way they're the Macdonald's of the bookstore industry. There aren't a lot of bookstores in the Springfield, Illinois area, but still we deserve better than this.

I guess it off to Amazon.com I go!

D' Bears D'Feat

I had a feeling it was going to turn out like it did. I found myself squinting, and turning my head to, and fro - perhaps I was jinxing D' Bears by even watching the game?

Perhaps.

But in the end the lack of a consistent passing offense put too much pressure on the running game (which is never a good thing), and the "vaunted defense" (which I never really felt was particularly that good) just wasn't good enough to carry the game.

N'uff said.

My Kitty is Sick

Photo: Priskers Under The Weather


Photo: Priskers Under The Covers

Priskers, our tabby has come down with a virus. It most certainly is an awful feeling when one of your children are sick, and now for the very first time I have experienced a quite similar feeling with my cat Priskers.

Cats can be quite affectionate, but they also are well known for their independence. Some might call them aloof. Yet little miss Priskers has acted in exactly the same way a child does when they don't feel good.

She has chosen to hang out under some covers with me all day. She usually doesn't like having covers on her, but seems to like the extra warmth. As it is my day off, and I'm pretty much doing nothing all day Priskers has been my constant companion.

We have four cats, and Upper Respiratory Infections in cats are usually quite contagious to other cats.

I'm still wondering why Priskers came down sick? Stress plays an import role in illness in cats, and right now Priskers needs a quiet place to recover.

I've included two photographs of Priskers - her first ever on this Blog. As you can probably tell, she's just wanting a chance to sleep.

In case your wondering she has an appointment with the vet, and I have her on Claritin, and a decongestant.

To El Presidente's Credit

Image: Still Don't Have Your's?

I was reading a NYTimes article on Thursday about the how the size of yachts have grown so large that they are now called super yachts. These mega sized yachts have grown so large that in many cases they can't even find ports which can accomodate them. Imagine that!

In some cases after laying out two hundred million dollars for a super yacht the proud skipper then finds that he can't sail his noble ship into waters simply because the ship will run aground - his hull is too deep!

Coming to the rescue are newer ship building methods which rely upon designing these super yachts to meet the needs of the individual skipper. If the proud captain intends to sail to Island locations with shallow waters hulls can be designed that are wider, rather than deeper.

This new technological advance in super yacht design is really a credit to the growing concentration of wealth in the hands of the mega-wealthy.

So I must ask, why do some people still refuse see the good that this Congress, and the El Presidente has done in passing tax reforms which have obviously helped to solve this pressing issue?

Why is it that these types continually harp on El Presidente's every flaw, but fail to see the good that he, and his congress have done?

You just can't please some folk!

Photocredit: http://www.find-yachts.com

Goodwin Goodloss

When I discovered that my favorite author, well at least recently, is visiting Springfield, Illinois I excitedly told my wife to call, and find out the details on Doris Kearns Goodwin's planned visit.

Next month Goodwin will be speaking at a Banquet, but sadly I won't be attending - due to money, yes money.

Sorry, but at seventy five dollars a ticket I'd rather go to the bookstore, and walk out with a few good books - and a triple mocha.

Still, for at least a day or so I had imagined myself lucky enough to attend, and wanted to let Ms. Goodwin know how much I appreciated her recent book, Team of Rivals. I guess I could just put that in a fan letter one day.

And so it goes, another sad story from the life of the working poor.

Hunting Deer @ Govs. Mansion

Having just read an autobiography titled, Sketches of Early Life, and Times - Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois written by one of Springfield, Illinois' founding father's Elijah Iles. I found several passages memorable - one of which I wanted to share.

Iles mentioned that a grove exusted where the Illinois Governor's Mansion is now located, and that it was a great place to hunt deer. Kind of amazing to consider how much Springfield life has changed since the early 1800's!

Iles was a state repesentative when his district (I believe there was only one, or two) extended all the way north of what later became Chicago. He led a squad of volunteers, including Private A. Lincoln during the Black Hawk War.

Excellent book. To obtain it visit the Iles house, and make a donation!

Try tapping on the New Springfield bloglink for some excellent Springfield history.

Winter Sun Day

Image:Christmas Tree Sunset Jerome Illinois 01.08.06


Image: Christmas Tree & Sunset Jerome Illinois 01.08.06

Today was an incredible day for Central Illinois - weatherwise that is. I hadn't been feeling well this weekend (see previous posting), and slept most of Saturday. This led me to an early rise on Sunday morning. In fact I was up before dawn, and stayed up with just a few naps the entire day. It was in fact a long, productive day.

Productive for a Sunday meant visiting the doctor's office, and then the pharmacy. Stopping by Macdonald's with my spouse. Taking a drive on the west side of town with no particular place in mind - with the window rolled down!

Going to the grocery store to pick up a few items. And reading a good book while sitting outside on a lounge chair!

Not to mention football playoffs!

One would think this day was an ordinary day if I was living in Arizona this time of year, but this is Central Illinois, and it is only January 8th!

The weather gods conspired to make this a rare treat, and many automobiles were out on the road today - I suspect with people getting out just for the sake of enjoying this rare good weather day.

As the sun started going down, I wanted a reminder of this day. I have other photos from today, but I thought I'd post just two. We go a little overboard in the Christmas tree department - having three trees. I know some people have more, but we tend to toss our living tree out after New Years, but we keep our artificial trees up longer than most people - so as to help defeat the utter gloom of January.

Today's Winter sunset was spectacular, and I took these shots from inside our home. Another sad beauty which portrays the passing of time. Yes, every moment is fleeting, and you can't get it back - ever, so enjoy it, because you never know which may be your last.

Celebrating life seems to come easy on days like today. In summer a day like today would have been considered a cold, and horrible day - but to get into the sixties temperature-wise for this time of year, and in this part of the United States is certainly something to celebrate - especially with a much blue sky, and strangely "summerish" looking clouds floating above.

Ahhh.., just four more months until the weather starts to look like this everyday.