What A Week Of War Cost Us?

I was watching Mark McDonald's Illinois Stories on WSEC recently. I usually watch it when I notice it's on, but I never really plan on watching it. Still it's a good program, and the local focus makes it well worth watching.

I believe it was two weeks ago there was an edition of Illinois Stories on, and I must admit that I was only partially paying attention to Mark's interview of a librarian of a small town library. The small town was very fortunate as virtually no new libraries are being built in the State of Illinois due to budget problems. This library was built with a one million dollar donation from a well to do family - I believe some rich farmer left it to the city in their will.

It was a nice little state of the art library. Any small town would be proud to have a beautiful little library like that.

I kept wondering why our nation can spend money on Iraq, but we are too poor to build libraries for our own towns?

Isn't it time to win some hearts, and minds right here at home?

One week of funding the war in Iraq would build 1500 "million dollar" libraries!

El Presidente Puts End To Traitorous Reporters!

Photo: El Presidente

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

In a most brilliant move El Presidente has decided, as he is the decider!

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

In our glorious battle against the evil doers we must now shift our attention to elements within the Press who have chosen to align themselves with the terrorist!

That's right, they support the evil doing terrorist! These dark elements within the Press by their revelation of state secrets, and the deliberate telling of lies have endangered all of our lives - including the lives of our little children! Think of the little children! El Presidente has!

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

All along El Presidente has warned that you are either with us, or you are with the evil doers. El Presidente has been exceedingly patient, but that time has come to an end. No great leader like El Presidente could be expected to wait forever as traitorous reporters lie, and reveal state secrets! State secrets which once revealed endanger the very lives of our elderly parents, and grandparents! Think of our beloved elders! El Presidente has!

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


Photo: Generalisimo Alberto Gonzalez

El Presidente has ordered Generalisimo Gonzalez to be begin prosecution of all traitors, and scoundrels choosing to report lies about El Presidente! We shall imprison all those traitorous reporters who by their very words have chosen to support the evil doers by revealing state secrets! State secrets, and lies which once uttered endanger the lives of your most beloved. Think of your beloved family! El Presidente has!

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

A dark cell awaits all those who insist on questioning the kindness, and goodness of El Presidente! No longer will freedom of press be a tool of the traitor! By order of El Presidente this shall end now!

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


Image: Beware Traitorous Scum!

Read this and tremble you traitorous lot! We will be listening to every word you utter! We will be reading your every keystroke! We will know of every step you take. Your days are over!

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales sa id Sunday he believes journalists can be prosecuted for publishing classified information, citing an obligation to national security.

The nation's top law enforcer also said the government will not hesitate to track telephone calls made by reporters as part of a criminal leak investigation, but officials would not do so routinely and randomly.

"There are some statutes on the book which, if you read the language carefully, would seem to indicate that that is a possibility," Gonzales said, referring to prosecutions. "We have an obligation to enforce those laws. We have an obligation to ensure that our national security is protected."

In recent months, journalists have been called into court to testify as part of investigations into leaks, including the unauthorized disclosure of a CIA operative's name as well as the National Security Agency's warrantless eavesdropping program.

Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said she presumed that Gonzales was referring to the 1917 Espionage Act, which she said has never been interpreted to prosecute journalists who were providing information to the public.

"I can't imagine a bigger chill on free speech and the public's right to know what it's government is up to -- both hallmarks of a democracy - than prosecuting reporters," Dalglish said.

Gonzales said he would not comment specifically on whether The New York Times should be prosecuted for disclosing the NSA program last year based on classified information.

He also denied that authorities would randomly check journalists' records on domestic-to-domestic phone calls in an effort to find journalists' confidential sources.

"We don't engage in domestic-to-domestic surveillance without a court order," Gonzales said, under a "probable cause" legal standard.

But he added that the First Amendment right of a free press should not be absolute when it comes to national security. If the government's probe into the NSA leak turns up criminal activity, prosecutors have an "obligation to enforce the law."

"It can't be the case that that right trumps over the right that Americans would like to see, the ability of the federal government to go after criminal activity," Gonzales said on ABC's "This Week."

Photos: Most likely under copyright, but not by me. I use them here under free use for literary purposes only. All images were modified by me for use in this posting. Do not use the images for commercial purposes without first obtaining permission of the copyright holder.

Whether English Or Spanish - It's Chinese for the U.S.

That the United States is rapidly becoming a hispanic nation is clear.

Under current demographic projections the entire nation will look ethnically, and racially very much like the state of California within only four decades. That's a huge change for any nation to accomodate in such a short period. Just how will the United States fair this huge demographic shift?

Most of hispanic culture is so similar to "Anglo" culture that any predictions for impending chaos is unfounded, yet the issue of language remains vitally important for it is at the crux of how any nation, and how any people organizes itself.

Previous generations of immigrants to the United States rapidly dropped the use of their native tongues, and adopted English, but they did so out of necessity.

Conservation of time, and energy dictates that the vast majority of people will not put a great deal of time, or effort into learning a language, or any other skill, unless they need to do so. We don't see, for example millions of "anglos" taking crash courses in Spanish even though they know they will eventually need to speak that language. Hispanics will likewise wonder why they should waste their time learning English, if they can attain a high standard of living without learning it.

With the flood of hispanics into the U.S. it will become less, and less likely that immigrants will actually need to learn English, and fewer, and fewer will waste their time, and energy doing so. The United States will become a hispanic nation, but this should not become a national obsession Having a common language is important, yet having a common national goal of promoting the social good is much more important. Anglos it can be argued, have seemingly abandoned their commitment to future generations of Americans - hispanics certainly could do no worse.

As anglo history, and anglo culture in the U.S. becomes increasingly marginalized, and is eventually forgotten, the United States will reinvent itself - but into what?

The deliberate policy of flooding the nation with tens of millions of illegal aliens so as to further enrich the ruling class through the exploitation of cheap labor is only one of many factors shaping the fate of the nation.

Even without consideration of the inevitable ethnic shift the destruction of the American Middle Class, and the substitution of a large permanent underclass is inevitable. The United States is rapidly transforming into a nation not unlike modern China - not Mexico. Americans need to concern themselves less with language, and ethnicity, and more with sustained economic growth, and a continuing commitment to democratic, and republican ideology.

The United State's political system has been coopted by special interest to such an extent that the very system itself promotes, and sustains short-sighted, self-interested, and corrupt representation. Sadly, those individuals with the least concern for the very people they represent succeed best in a broken political system Americans have learned to accept.

It seems obvious that little will be done by America's "leaders" to address the nation's growing economic, and social problems.

Those living today in the United States have the unenviable position of knowing that their standard of living will decline, or at the very least become more difficult to sustain throughout their lifetimes. This is the first generation of Americans in history to have to accept this fate.

The Unites States faces some of its most trying days ahead, and the fracturing of the nation along ethnic lines is just one of the issues it faces.

Other issues even more important than ethnicity loom over the nation. These pressing issues question the very fate of the United States as a robost nation.

• How can any nation with an economy based almost solely upon consumer spending financed by foreign credit continue to finance itself?
• How can a debtor society continue to finance a huge military industrial complex - the crown jewel of the American Empire?
• How can any nation which fails to protect its manufacturing base, and watches passively as its services sector is outsourced remain economically viable?

All empires rise, and fall - not one has avoided this fate - The American Empire Will Fall.

It is clear that the U.S. is headed for troubled times. We the people have actively chosen this national fate through our ignorance, apathy, and greed. Our impluse to obtain pleasure now, and ignore the consequences of our bad choices has guided our moral, economic, and political path for too long. In the end our lack of concern for the future has doomed future generations of Americans to economic, social, and military declijne.

Ratchet And Clank

Dave of the11thhour recently commented that local bloggers have begun to cut back a bit in their posting.

It is obvious that I have reduced my postings lately. A few weeks ago I picked up a Playstation 2 game, and have spent my evenings progressing through various worlds of Ratchet and Clank - Up Your Arsenal. I beat the game this weekend, and I'm replaying the game in challenge mode. Tonight I spent hours earning enough bolts to purchase the RY3NO weapon.

There's something deeply wrong in all this, but I just had to know first hand about that weapon. I finally purchased it, and used it in the VR simulator against the dweebie robots there, but I haven't used it yet against anything more interesting.

I can hardly wait!

Anyway, there you have it. I'm sure I'll tire of the game after I've beaten it in challenge mode, and I then return to blog posting on a more regular basis.

Are All Red Sprites & Blue Jets Created Equal?

NASA (BW) Image: An Oblique View Of A Red Sprite (Edited by JeromeProphet)

The Red Sprite image above was taken from the Space Shuttle in 1993. The Red Sprite, approximately 1150 miles (1850 km) from the shuttle, appears to have originated from a thunderstorm just over the earth's limb. The portion of the Red Sprite that is visible (above the edge of the horizon) is approximately 29 miles (47 km) in length.

What can Red Sprites teach us about designing anti satellite weapons?

Are some Red Sprites actually the result of a covert particle beam weapon testing program?



Video (BW): Blue Jets ejected from a thunderstorm over eastern Arkansas July 1994.

To watch the video above you'll need Macromedia's Flashplayer installed on your browser.

Blue Jets also raise many questions. Since I've never seen, or heard anyone ask this question yet I'm going to do so here. Is the recently discovered phenomena of Blue Jets based entirely upon nature?


Here are some questions I have about Blue Jets:

• Are all Blue Jets the product of a natural, and random force of nature, or could some Blue Jets be the byproduct, or even an intended result of a covert particle beam weapon's testing program?
• Is the matter being ejected in a Blue Jet made up of ionized particles?
• If the ejecta from a Blue Jet consist mostly of ionized particles where did those particles originate?
• At what velocity do the particles of a Blue Jet move?
• What altitude do the particles from a Blue Jet reach (e.g., Ionosphere, Orbit, or Beyond Orbit)?
• What effect does a Blue Jet have on the Ionosphere, or the Ozone Layer above it?
• Do Blue Jets have an effect upon radio communications, or radar?
• Do all Blue Jets point away from the ground, or do some point horizontally into nearby clouds, or even toward the ground?
• If some Blue Jets eject high velocity charged particles toward nearby clouds what effect does this have on those clouds?
• If some Blue Jets eject high velocity charged particles toward the ground what effect does this have on what is below?
• If Blue Jets are entirely random natural events caused by clouds of water vapor, could human beings reproduce, or trigger, Blue Jets through the use of high energy electrical devices?
• If Blue Jets can be produced, or triggered, by technology to what use can they be put?
• How can the phenomena of Blue Jets be modified so as to be put to use in solving economic, and military goals?
• Has any group within the U.S. Intelligence Community, Military, and/or Defense Industry examined Blue Jets - and to what effect?
• Are Blue Jets in any way the result of nature?

Just a few starting points of inquiry I'd like to see addressed.

The South Will Rise Again - Pam Furr?

I was listening to WMAY's Pam Furr Thursday morning. She was commenting on some statements which Jim Leach, also of WMAY, had made earlier that morning - stating that Jim Leach had crossed a line - and that Jim Leach was wrong because he stated that Confederate Memorials were flying in the face of history.


The Lie of Southern Heritage

Pam Furr (which is probably just a on-air-name) began a rant on what a down home southern girl she is, stating that the Civil War wasn't really fought over slavery - but for state's rights (this is code talk by racist southerners through the promotion of myths (lies) about the nature of the Civil War - myths started by the KKK, and their ilk after the failure of reconstruction).

The nation had been heading for a civil war since its founding, and it was always about slavery.

Anyone denying that is ignorant of American history.

Southern heritage is a myth created by segregationist designed to create sympathy for whites after reconstruction. The myth of galant southern men, and women defending "Southern Heritage" instead of the institution of slavery was created as an end run around the question of how to deal with a recently freed black population.

As northern commitment to southern reconstruction wavered whites in the South began to act in every way possible to throw blacks back into the shackles of slavery - this time through segregration, economic oppression, and disenfranchisement.

At the end of WMAY's Pam Furr's "Southern Heritage" rant she opened up the phone lines for callers. The very first caller started in with a supportive, and sympathetic comparison between southerners celebrating their "heritage" (read that legacy of slavery, and segregation), and some poor old misunderstood German WWII veteran wishing to proudly display a photo of Adolf Hitler pinning a medal on his chest.

As it turns out the modern youth of Germany just don't understand why this veteran of Germany's most recent world war would ever feel pride at being pinned by one of history's greatest mass murders.

The caller stated that the poor misunderstood World War Two veteran saw Hitler as his nation's leader, and that he did many great things for Germany (despite the fact that Germany was in total ruins at the end of the war), so why shouldn't the veteran feel pride swell in his chest, and why shouldn't he display his Hitler photos?

This poor ole war NAZI is understandibly proud of his moment of glory - supporting the fatherland in its triumpant destruction of Europe, and the killing of tens of millions of people - eventually leading to the very ruination of Germany itself. Yes, pride swells in the hearts of such brave blue eyed men - so why indeed should he hide his Hitler Photos, and his Hitler Medals?


Now Get This!

Pam Furr actually agreed with this lunatic Neo-Nazi caller by saying that his point was a perfect comparison which supported her ideas about how people need to feel the pain of the poor misunderstood white south - and their pride over "southern heritage" (Slavery, and Segregation)!

Yes, two groups of misunderstood martyrs - those who defended slavery, and those who wanted to create a world of slaves - there is indeed a commonality.


Is Pam Furr a Racist Nazi - Who Knows?

I don't know what Pam really feels about anything - radio is after all entertainment, and on air personalities do their schtick. For all we know Rush Limbaugh votes democrat.

We really can't trust what we hear on AM radio because in the end it's a business, and those folk working the airwaves are getting paid to get people to listen. Getting people worked up enough to call into their talk show is part of that business - but many people either don't know that, or don't care.

I'm not sure what Pam Furr was thinking when she agreed with the Hitler sympathizer, perhaps she was supporting what sounded like a conservative tone - just another right wing nutcase to stroke while keeping the calls coming in.

Yet the conservative caller was lamenting the end of the good ole days when blue eyed white men could proudly rule with an iron fist.

With swaztikas on their arms, iron crosses on their chest, and "Rat Jews"* under their storm trooper boots we must never forget that all things being equal being pinned by Hitler wasn't so bad. Yes, the good ole days of incinerators for the Jews of Europe, and segregation, and race based oppression in the U.S. really is a misunderstood time. Those poor ole white folk just wanted to have a good time.

There is a point which on air professionals like Pam Furr should not cross while on the air - which after all is a public resource (but controlled by corporate interest), and it was crossed that morning alright, but it wasn't by the intelligent, and thoughtful Jim Leach.


The Civil War Has Yet To End Here In The U.S.

A recent report was published, not sure by which organization, but it shows that 45% of children under the age of five in this country are minority - not white.

That's the future of this nation. By the time those reading this now (2006) are old enough to be rocking in their rocking chairs at the old folk's home this nation won't be the white nation it is today.

It might still be controlled by whites (barely), but it won't be a white nation.

The south will rise again - only it won't be racist white men in the red states calling the shots then. On that day I hope we as a nation have clearly stated our commitment to minority rights, and put to rest the notion of "southern heritage" which is nothing more than racist code talk.


Explanation of Anti-Jewish Phrase Use Above.

*My use of the term "Rat Jew" above is indeed offensive. I use it only because it illustrates just how revulsive the NAZI regime was. It illustrates the degree of insanity present within the social fabric of Europe, and even the U.S. during that time (and even now to some degree). Jews were being villified, and portrayed as if they were a type of plague similar to rats, which had to be taken care of. There simply can be no compromise, or advocation of this type of thought in any way shape or form. Not only is it evil to do so, it is irrational thinking, and extremely dangerous to everyone in this age of nuclear weapons.

Here's a link to Pam Furr's Blog (not a lot of material).

Here's a link to Pam Furr's MySpace Link (for you tweenie boppers).

Here's a link to Springfield, Illinois radio station WMAY

Take The "Mayor & Sheriff Test" On NSA's Domestic Spying

Ask yourself the following questions,

Do I want my town's Mayor to have the county Sheriff collect a list of every phone call I have ever made, or will make?

Do I want my town's Mayor to have the county Sheriff listen to my phone calls without asking a Judge first?

While it is true that a police state affords a greater level of safety it also entails a greater level or risk. Police states usually foster, and promote states in which violence is directed in state sanctioned ways.

Hysteria following 9/11 allowed a group of presumably well intentioned individuals within very powerful governmental institutions to bring the United States closer to being a secret police state than it has ever been during a time of peace.

The fact that a "War on Terror" is a never ending war dictates that any changes in the power equation between the individual and the state be made permanent. This should concern anyone who loves freedom, and democracy.

Please ask yourself what kind of nation you wish to live in. Do you want to live in a society in which you, your family, and everyone in your community is under constant surveillance?

Do you want to be considered a criminal until proven innocent?

What would you want your Mayor to do?

Do not allow words like "President", "CIA", "NSA" confuse the situation.

Is It Time For A Paradyne Shift?

Image: Video Capture Of Particle Beam Weapon Testing Over Oklahoma?

The image above is a high contrast capture nineteen seconds into a NASA video (see below) of a thunderstorm over Oklahoma. The lower cursor points to a linear ejecta of "lightning", while the upper cursor points to an area of synchronized lightning.

Could this particle ejecta have originated from a particle beam weapon?

It certainly doesn't look like normal lightning - looking far more like a spray of ionized particles - similar to what one might see ejected from a rocket.



Video: NASA Video Of Thunderstorm Over Oklahoma

Is the thunderstorm simply a natural phenomena, or has it become a manmade phenomena? In the NASA video above (you'll need a current version of Macromedia Flashplayer Installed) we see a "god's eye" view of either a purely random natural phenomena, or perhaps you'll see the deliberate manipulation of a thunderstorm through the use of particle beam generators (artificial lightning generators).

We live in an age of such incredible possibilities!

We live in an time in which stealth UPVs equipped with artificial lightning generators can deploy into thunderstorms with the mission of covertly altering weather.


Is It Time For A Paradyne Shift?

Is it time to ask, can thunder make it rain?

Hardee's Steak N Egg Burrito

Image: Hardee's Steak & Egg Burrito Windows - Jerome, Illinois - 05.06.06

I rarely go to Hardee's early in the morning. But Saturday I did. Friday night was rare for me, I actually went to bed early, and awoke early Saturday morning fully rested. What a treat!
So with a lawn to mow, and tons of little projects to do what other choice was there?
I took off to Hardee's to start the day. I took a photograph of the west facing wall of windows, and processed it. The right corner is filled with a poster facing opposite the camera. It advertises Hardee's Steak N Egg Burritos.



Image: Hardee's Steak N Egg Burrito Woman - Jerome, Illinois 05.06.06

I went with my daughter, and spotted an older woman eating alone.
I include an image of her above. Her long flowing white hair looks magnificient after digital processing doesn't it?

Saturday was a fun day.

Neil Young's Prairie Wind & Living With War

Image: Dedicated To Neil Young's Prairie Wind & Living With War

Dave from The11thhour provided this link to Neil's latest release titled LIVING WITH WAR.

Sounds pretty darned good for an old man, and he has much to say about our great "decision maker" G.W. Bush, and the lies that led this nation into war.

Here's a link to a site on Living With War.

Here's a link to an interview with Neil on NPR.

And another NPR Living With War Link.

A Prarie Wind Link.

Weather as a Force Multiplier - 1996

Weather as a Force Multiplier:
Owning the Weather in 2025

A Research Paper
Presented To
Air Force 2025

by

Col Tamzy J. House
Lt Col James B. Near, Jr.
LTC William B. Sheilds (USA)
Maj Ronald J. Celentano
Maj David M Husband
Maj Ann E. Mercer
Maj James E. Pugh

August 1996

Some Excerpts:

Page 15: "If this UAV technology were combined with stealth and carbon dust technologies, the result could be a UAV aircraft invisible to radar while en route to the targeted area, which could spontaneously create carbon dust in any location".

Page 19: " One area of storm research that would significantly benefit military operations is lighning modification. Most research efforts that would significantly benefit military operations is in lightning modification. Most research efforts are being conducted to develop techniques to lessen the occurrence or hazards associated with lightning. This is important research for military operations and resource protection, but some offensive military benefit could be obtained by doing research on increasing the potential and intensity of lightning. Concepts to explore include increasing the basic efficiency of the thunderstorm, stimulating the triggering mechanism that initiates the bolt, and triggering lightning such as that which struck Apollo 12 in 1968. Possible mechanisms to investigate would be ways to modify the electropotential characteristics over certain targets to induce lightning strikes on the desired targets as the storm passes over their location".

Here's an Air Force PDF version of the document.


My take on the weather modification document:

This document is a good primer on the subject of weather modification. It lays out general topics associated to weather modification's advantages, disadvantages. The report is unclassified, and dated to 1996, and so it is possible that what is being portrayed as a future possibility had in fact already been achieved at least a decade before its publication. I have argued in past postings that not only does the U.S. possess the ability to trigger lightning, but to precisely target it. I've also asked if thunder makes it rain?

One day nineteen years from now (2025) we may discover that the United States has magically obtained the ability to modify the weather. Then again maybe it will take a covert program using science & technology several decades to provide that capability. If the latter is true we would very likely be living in one of those decades in which weather is being covertly modified.

A Prophet On The Edge

Image: Google Results on "Particle Beams Artificial Lightning"

At least I'm not the only one discussing this subject.

Yet there is something strange about just how far up the Google Search Results list my humble little blog has climbed relating to the subject of Particle Beams, and Artificial Lightning.

Perhaps it takes a paranoid person to distrust Google?

Sure Google works hand in hand with the oppresive government of China to censor Google search results which are provided to the people of China, but Google would never do anything remotely similar for the U.S. government - would they?

The United States after all is a freedom loving democracy, and Google has vowed "To do no harm".

So perhaps I am paranoid, and my mad ramblings pertaining to a covert weather modification program are simply that - mad ramblings. That would seem to explain why my posting related to this subject are rated so darned high on Google. My ideas are so off the wall that no one else has thought of them, and for good reason - they're just plain crazy talk!

Still being a paranoid prophet means I have my doubts, and my lingering concerns.

I recall an incredible story in which a psychiatrist discovers two psychotic individuals who each believe they are Napoleon Bonaparte. They live within the same psych ward. The psychiatrist attempting to force one of these patients to confront their delusion ask how both could be Napoleon Bonaparte. Instead of confronting any previously held beliefs the patient responds, "Well, that other guy is just plain crazy!".

It's a funny story which illustrates the power of the mind to maintain a sense of balance even under the most incredible of circumstances.

I'm using the story here in another way though, for even abnormal thoughts fall into predictable categories. There really aren't that many original thoughts. Even those society deems based in mental illness are repeated in various forms the world over.

So I am stuck having to ask that if indeed I am insane, and my ideas are so out of synch with normal reality - so off the wall that the very rarity of their appearnce on the Internet is responsible for their high Google ranking then shouldn't there be at least a few other mentally ill individuals with the same insane fascination?

Shouldn't I be able to locate these insane people using Google's incredibly sophisticated search engine service so as to communicate with, and form associations with these like minded people?

By statistical probability there should be at least a few such individuals who have posted on the subject of using artificial lightning as both a weapon, and for altering rainfall patterns - shouldn't there be? The world wide web is made up of BILLIONS OF PAGES OF CONTENT created by hundreds of millions of people over the last decade, and so the odds are pretty good most searches will result in some type of valid response.

Yet it appears that I am all alone. I am unique, and alien in my thoughts. That's right folks for I AM NEW UNDER THE SUN!

Alone, and quite mad is what I must be. It's time for me to give up my search for other like minded people who hold a similar interest in the covert weather modification program being operated over the skies of the United States. The program which answers the question: CAN THUNDER MAKE IT RAIN?

I have grown so weak in my resolve to open up a dialogue about this off the wall subject - ESPECIALLY NOW THAT GOOGLE HAS PRONOUNCED ME INSANE!

Then again Google is doing its best to create the exact same feeling of isolation, and alienation in the hearts, and minds of millions of Chinese - those yearning for freedom, and democracy in China!

So just why in the hell would I ever put my trust a corporation like Google? Well, I guess I can't now can I? I'd have to be insane to do so.

And just in case you think that I'm blaming Google, and not MSN, or Yahoo, let me add that all the major search engines are being rigged by the companies which run them on behalf of the oppressive Chinese government.

An Unauthorized Portrait Of Squinting "L"

Image: An Unauthorized Portrait Of Squinting "L" - Springfield, IL

Mr. "L" is a regular reader of JeromeProphet. Mr. "L" works in downtown Springfield, Illinois, but I won't say for whom - that's a secret. Mr. "L" has made several intriguing suggestions for possible post to this blog over the last ten months, but I'm waiting for Mr. "L" to begin his own blog.

I'm sure it would be an interesting read.

Flowers Ephemeral

Photo: A Beautiful Flower - Horace Mann Plaza - Springfield, Illinois 04.27.006


Flowers Ephemeral
-JeromeProphet-

Flowers ephemeral.
You live a life of beauty.
An essence in a sense of innocence.



Image: A Beautiful Flower - Gives More Than It Takes.

In the borrowing of a moment.
Your existence is to share.
Not to capture, control, or possess.



Image: A Beautiful Flower - It Must Perish But It's Gift Remains

But to experience all at once.
With never a true understanding.
Of your gift.

The Incredible Lockheed/Martin ABL/IRSS

The Airborne Laser (ABL) is the U.S. Air Force's radical new approach for disabling or destroying threat ballistic missiles immediately after launch, during their vulnerable boost phase of launch. Onboard a Boeing 747, the ABL will use the Infrared Surveillance Subsystem (IRSS) to detect and precisely locate threat missiles for engagement by the ABL's megawatt class laser. IRSS leverages some of the latest Infrared Search and Track (IRST) and Active Ranging Sensor (ARS) technologies to perform the real-time detection and precise target tracking functions.

The ABL team is comprised of Boeing, responsible for building the 747 aircraft and the BMC⁴I computer; TRW, responsible for building the laser; and Lockheed Martin, responsible for Beam Control/Fire Control and the IRSS. Employing six IRSTs, IRSS is capable of rapidly searching a large airspace volume, generating precise two-dimensional tracks on threat missiles during both their boost and post-boost phases of flight. The IRST system can generate detections at very long ranges, then handing off to a CO_² laser ARS for track refinement and precise range measurement. The ABL project is currently in the Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR) phase. Live fire testing of the entire ABL system is scheduled for 2003.

Caption: Airborne Laser (ABL) is an aircraft-mounted laser weapon system that is capable of destroying chemical, biological, and nuclear missiles almost immediately after launch and before they would pose a threat to civilian populations and military assets. This beam control system provides autonomous acquisition, pointing, and tracking capabilities against the theater ballistic missiles.

CREDIT: "Lockheed Martin photo"





CAPTION: Airborne laser (ABL) is an aircraft-mounted laser that is capable of destroying chemical, biological, and nuclear missiles.

CREDIT: "Lockheed Martin photo"


ABOUT THE MATERIAL ABOVE:

Both the written, and graphic material above was reproduced from the LockheedMartin website. It's facinating to me, and so I reproduced it for my readers - for scientific purposes. I'm sure it's copyrighted, but I can use it here under FAIRUSE Copyright rules. I cropped, and resized the two larger "photos" above to fit those images on my blog page.


MY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

If the U.S. could deploy dozens of these airborn ABM systems, once they are fully functional, they might prove worthwhile. They could find an immediate role in shielding Japan, and the U.S. from a nuclear missile attack from North Korea.

Despite the promise of this program I'm hoping that U.S. foreign policy never comes to depend upon this type of defense system. All it takes is one warhead to make it past such a system to incinerate millions of people.

I've always believed that it's best to promote positive relations with all nations, and hopefully reduce the chances of conflict in the first place. Having said that I believe that such a program is vital to the interest of the U.S.

Bar Stools On Table

Image: Clyde's Bar Stools On Table - Springfield, Illinois 04.25.06

A little color to pick up your spirits on a cold rainy April day?

CIA Agent Visits Downtown Springfield, Illinois!

Photo: CIA Agent - Umbrella Man - Springfield, Illinois

This was one scary dude! Randy at Photos-Etc has another photo of this CIA agent on his blog!

Jerome Illinois' Barrel Head Is Demolished

Photo: Barrel Head Demolished - Victim Of Jerome, Illinois' 2006 Tornado

Owners of The Barrel Head located on Wabash Avenue in Jerome, Illinois demolished the severely damaged eatery six weeks after an F2 tornado ripped it's roof off.

According to an article in the Illinois State Journal Register the building is to be rebuilt. Where, and when exactly that rebuilding takes place are two questions I'd like to ask the owners.

Being a resident of the Village of Jerome, I sure hope the rebuild right here in Jerome!

I took several photos of the demolished remains of the Barrel Head. In the photograph above, under the arch of the demolition crane, Steak & Shake can be seen across Wabash Avenue. It's sign is still damaged, and actually looks better - being brighter.



Photo: Jerome, Illinois Barell Head Demolished - A Last Reunion?

A table and several chairs were assembled next to the debris. It looked as if a small group of people had come, and sat down at that table - perhaps for one last get together at the old Barrel Head.

Barrel Head Jingle

Barrel Head.
Good Times, and Good Friends.
Barrel Head.
Where The Party Never Ends.

The Barrel Head is now just as much of a memory as is the Wabash Curve. The Barrel Head Jingle which played for decades on radio, and television spots to residents of Central Illinois had historically included a reference to the Wabash Curve. The Wabash Curve was a section of road in which Macarthur Blvd. curved into, and became Wabash Avenue. The Wabash Curve was converted into an intersection with the recent completion of the Stanford-Wabash road project.

Weed or Flower - It's Spring 2006!

Photo: Jerome, Illinois - Dandelion - Spring Has Arrived - 2006

For several weeks I have been holding back my enthusiasm over the coming of Spring. As anyone who lives in this Central Illinois community knows there have been several (at least four officially) tornados to visit the area since early March. The tornados, and a late blizzard left me a bit weather worried, and I have been left with the feeling that Spring was more of a enemy than a welcome friend.

Finally, it appears that Spirng is here to stay, and despite my lingering fear that Mother Nature has a final zinger to launch at Jerome, and surrounding communities, I'm officially in the celebration mode.

My wife insisted this weekend that I go out, and mow the lawn. This would be the first time for 2006, and the grass looked fine to me, but that's a long standing debate between my spouse, and me - and I won't go there in this post.

Going out, and mowing the grass sounds like an innocent request, but the tornado which struck Jerome left hundreds of little projectiles in the lawn. Including sticks, sycamore balls (and I don't even know where the closest sycamore tree is), and small pieces of roofing tiles from other people's homes, and garages.

As I ran the mower I was reminded of the sound which this debris made as it hit the house at one hundred, and twenty miles per hour - cast there by the swirling tornado. Quite a frightening melody.

Despite my spouses claim that I was only delaying the inevitable I grabbed my camera to snap some photos of various flowering plants just before I mowed them suckers down.

I present some of those photos here as a reminder of the beauty of Spring 2006 which I found just outside my door on a beautiful blue sky day - and get this - it was a Saturday!

Lion's Tooth

Photo: A Dandelion - Spring Has Arrived In Jerome, Illinois - 2006


Lion's Tooth
-JeromeProphet-

I'm out of time.
I sit and stare.
I've prayed for more.

But you won't dare.

For a future.
For a past.
Into which I'd cast.

I'm out of rhyme.
My wit is bare.
I plead for mercy.

But you don't care.

For a love.
For a fate.
Which I could make.

I'm out of line.
My trip is snared.
I've begged for more.

But you're unaware.

Of a life.
Of a state.
That awaits.

You won't dare.
You don't care.
You're unaware.

Are you there?

Spring Fever 2006 Report

Photo: Jerome, Illinois - 2006 Spring Floral Display

Redeem me oh Spring! Redeem me!

Is Spring only as good as it seems because of Winter?

Probably.

Yet, there is no time of year in which trees blossom, and flowers adorn our yards like they do during Spring. The thick perfume scent which fills the air, the blue sky, and growing warmth all seem to rejuvinate my soul.

I'm sure it has the same effect on most people.

I always come down with a bit of Spring Fever. I yearn to be somewhere else, but I'm not quite sure where. Just closer to the sun perhaps. Closer to the warmth, and to the light.

But it's coming! Yes, it's coming!

Here Comes The Sun
- The Beatles -

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right

The Beatle's Song Lyrics In Apple Green (above) are under copyright. I reproduced them here for artistic purposes only as they capture perfectly what many of us feel around this time of year.

The Effect - Part II - The Way To Go

Photo: Stanford Overpass - Springfield, Illinois - Looking West Toward Jerome

At least for a time I felt like I knew just what I should do. There was however one important obstacle to my plan. I had measured out exactly how many steps to take, how long it would take me to execute each step. Knowing the cost of failure I had planned carefully. I had however failed to take into account one minor detail - one little detail which would very likely cause me to lose my life.

As the effect slowly crept across the Village of Jerome I could hear the screams - the blood curdling screams of those under its grip. The sound of gunfire, cars revving up, tires screeching, cars crashing, and the howling of a fierce wind.

All hell was breaking loose just blocks away. Those poor souls had no way of knowing where to go, or what to do. They were running blindly in panic for their cars, or scampering to their basements to hide, not knowing that they had only moments to live.

But I had listened to the old woman's stories when no one else would. I had listened to her, and believed. She had grown up in Jerome before it was Jerome, when Jerome was just farm fields. Her parents farmed the land, and her grandparents before them. She had first heard the stories she had shared with me when she was just a child. Stories which were handed down quietly, which many denied had any truth to them, but stories which never seemed to disappear - not entirely.

The stories were ancient. They had in fact predated the first log cabins in Sangamo. They were told even before the first french traders made their way here.

It was in the details of the mad ramblings of a woman who had been found dead only one night before that I was venturing out into the raging insanity that was now Jerome, Illinois to seek refuge in the only place refuge could be found.

It was a small unassuming house. So small in fact that many made jokes about it, and questioned why such a small house rested within such a large field surrounded by so many trees. Few had ever seen its owner, and over the years many stories sprang up that the small house was haunted.

To be continued..,

Bush's Nightmare

........................Bush's Nightmare
...................................- Jerome Prophet -

Peace Peace Peace Peace Peace Peace Peace Peace
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Winter Sunshine Yields To Spring

Photo: First Christian Church @ Sunset - Springfield, Illinois 03.21.06


Winter Sunshine
- Jerome Prophet -

I see you coming.
From miles around.
You're radiance.
You're Love.
Astound.

Glide Glide Glide.
Upon this little frown.
Ride Ride Ride.
Lift up this down.

I saw you coming.
From miles around.
Your radiance.
Your Love.
Abound.

You're way up high.
I'm way down low.
Show me your pace.
The way to go.

Glide Glide Glide.
Down upon me.
Ride Ride Ride.
You're up on me.

I saw your love.
You saw mine.
Never leave.
Sunshine.

Eostre Day 2006

Photo: First United Methodist Church - 501 East Capitol, Springfield, Illinois

I was raised as a christian in a predominantly christian society in the last half of the twentieth century. I found that once I was mature enough to question all that I had been taught about my christian faith that holding onto that faith wasn't simply a matter of casting out unholy thoughts.

I knew most of my friends really didn't care one way or another about their faith to question it, but I felt doubts creeping in from about the age of twelve.



Photo: First United Methodist Church - 501 East Capitol, Springfield, Illinois

At about the age of twelve the average human brain has developed enough so as to allow for more complex, and abstract thought formation. At this age children who believe their parents are beyond reproach begin to question them, and their authority. They also begin to question other aspects of their lives - including their faith.

For me it meant sneaking out of church service, and hanging out on the front steps of the church with other lost boys - talking about anything, and everything, but not about God.

Jesus at about this age most likely started to question his beliefs, and started hanging out in those sections of the nearby temples in which average believers were allowed.

The priests of our church would joke with us boys a bit, and then remind us that service was starting soon. He'd then walk inside to begin the church service. I suspect he believed that it was just a phase, and that one day we'd realize the importance of attending church service each, and every Sunday.



Photo: First United Methodist Church - 501 East Capitol, Springfield, Illinois

I often wonder if Jesus had been raised in a time of democratice ideology, scientific discovery, and material progress, if he would have kept questioning his faith for as long as I have. Would Jesus have affirmed his faith? Jesus is often seen as a revolutionary, but he also accepted his faith, and it is here that I suspect that Jesus would have had a problem with our modern secular society - and perhaps me.

Studies show that Baby Boomers drifted away from the church, and many have returned in recent years as they near their inevitable appointment with death. Yet, how many who strayed, and came back, returned in affirmation of their faith? I suspect most returning have done so for a variety of reasons including those not related to Christianity itself. Mother church is a comfort in many ways beyond dogma.

I myself am still searching, and like a voyager out to sea my spiritual side is often thrown into stormy passages of doubt. Yet I am not drifting, but sailing for ports which I have chosen. I assume both the responsibility, and the spoils provided only to those who embrace free thought, and the doubt it allows.

Some view doubt as a temptation offered by the devil to persuade we mortals to join him against God, but I don't accept that argument, and never have. Perhaps that is why I found myself on those steps outside the church - listening to the voices raised in praise - but from the outside.

Still, despite my doubts, I believe that the story of Jesus' mortal sacrafice warns perfectly of the ugliness, and brutality of our human nature. That the story speaks truly of our inherent willingness to dominate, plunder, subjugate, enslave, rape, and kill those unable to defend themselves from our baser instincts.

The Christian holy week speaks to this modern secular age of the futility of living a life without moral limits, without justice, and without reason as loudly now as it ever has - of this I have no doubt. It's a lesson the whole world can learn from no matter what faith, or doubts one may subscribe to.