Lincoln Home Historic Area - Image Bright Spot

Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom One - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

The Coincidence

Today as I was walking with Randy Reynolds for our lunch time constitutional, and photo blogging romp, we had this exchange (kind of a paraphrase - with some time compression used for presentability):

JeromeProphet: I've noticed that Marie Carnes Isn't Posting Comments on my blog.

Photo-Etc: What?

JeromeProphet: Yes, I think she's angry at me, or something.

Photo-Etc: Why would she be upset with you?

JeromeProphet: Well, I think she feels that I made fun of her.

Photo-Etc: In what way?

JeromeProphet: Well, she wrote a post on an "Orb".

Photo-Etc: An Orb, what are you talking about?

JeromeProphet: She said she saw something like Saturn only as small as a basketball.

Photo-Etc: Really, I never saw that post.

JeromeProphet: Yes, it was several months ago, it's not on her main page anymore.

Photo-Etc: O.K.

JeromeProphet: I wasn't making fun, but I just responded "Strange, yet not".

Photo-Etc: Really?


Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom Two - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

JeromeProphet: And Dave (The11thhour) Said it couldn't be Saturn.

Photo-Etc: O.K.

JeromeProphet: Saturn's gravity would suck the Earth into it if were that close.

Photo-Etc: Why do you believe she feels you made fun of her?

JeromeProphet: I posted a video with someone faking an Orb visitation.

Photo-Etc: Really, I haven't seen that post either.

JeromeProphet: It's a lame attempt to fake people out.

Photo-Etc: Really?


Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom Three - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

JeromeProphet: They used a laser pointer - it's really easy to spot.

Photo-Etc: I'll have to check that out.

JeromeProphet: Now Marie doesn't make comments on my post anymore.

Photo-Etc: I haven't noticed.

JeromeProphet: Well, it might not be the explanation.

Photo-Etc: Sure.

JeromeProphet: We all see things if we live long enough, it's how we interpret them.

Photo-Etc: O.K.

JeromeProphet: I'd never slight a person for saying they saw something like an orb.

Photo-Etc: Uh Huh.

JeromeProphet: But I prefer to use science as the means of interpreting experience.

Photo-Etc: Right.



Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom Four - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

JeromeProphet: That looks like an interesting photo.

Photo-Etc: Yes, back there?

JeromeProphet: I like all the little mounds, and trees back there.

Photo-Etc: Does look nice back there.

JeromeProphet: I wonder why they made it look like that?


Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom Five - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

Photo-Etc: What?

JeromeProphet: It's not like the Victorians wouldn't have leveled it all out.

Photo-Etc: Right.

JeromeProphet: They'd see nature, see a mound, and want to level it out.

About The Photo

When I snapped the photo featured in this blog post I just pointed the camera in the little wooded area located just west of Ninth in the Lincoln Home Historic Area. I really didn't take the time to observe what I was photographing at the moment I took the photo, and so I can not claim to have seen the light source which features so prominently in the images above.

After uploading the image to my PC I noticed the bright spot on the image, and I decided to zoom in to see it more closely. The more I zoomed in, and looked at the image, the stranger it appeared to me. I even brought in some family members to help me interpret the image. It's a real stumper.

I have no idea what it is. I guess it could be a reflection, which seems to be the most probable explanation, but I'm keeping an open mind. While I would never accept a paranormal explanation for the light source I still have questions.

Special Note:

I wanted to add that while yes, I usually make some "adjustments" to my digital images, by:

• Increasing/Decreasing Contrast
• Increasing/Decreasing Color
• Occassionally Brushing Out license plates, serial numbers, identifying info, stains on clothes & walls & rugs, offensive looking power lines (I detest overhead powerlines)

I have never claimed that my photographs were absolutely pure from alteration - I consider them to be mini-works of art, and spend a lot of time making them look presentable. Most of my photos are simply that, but we live in the digital age folks.

Despite this technical ability I did not in any way alter the image associated with this post - not even for sharpness, contrast, or color because I was worried that someone would assume I made some alteration - which I did not.

Does anyone want to share their ideas?

Note to Dave: I'm expecting a smart remark - so hit me with your best shot.

A Quiet Departure At Buffet City?

Photo: Buffet City - Springfield, Illinois - Early Sunday Evening 09.24.06

It appears that the contents of the popular Buffet City are quietly being hauled away.

Several Aisan Males were hauling boxes down a ramp at the rear exit of Buffet City, and loading them into the Van, and the SUV pictured below.



Photo: Van And SUV Used To Haul Away Boxed Contents of Buffet City

Jerome, Illinois may not see the return of Buffet City to operation. Buffet City was closed last week after a federal immigration raid resulted in the arrest of sixteen employees, including one owner. Buffet City was recently voted 2006 Best Buffet in Springfield by Illinois Times readers.

Koshi Kat Zen Master Meditates On Nature Of Napping

Photo: Koshi Kat Recovers From Hard Day Of Napping

Some Semi-Directed Thoughts

It's funny how cats begin to grow on you. Three years ago we adopted our first cat from Pass Pets out at White Oaks Mall. My daughter had asked for a cat for years, and finally I relented. I wasn't much of a cat person, and it took me a year to figure out why. I was too much like my old man. Some people are meant for dogs. Dogs are designed by nature to want to fit into a social order, and that works well with most people. Cats on the other hand live in dual worlds, they can take people, or leave people.

When I realized how much I really desired to control our first cat I finally realized I either had to grow as a person, or eventually I would end up tossing our cat outdoors - or worse.

Every once in awhile I'll still get angry at one of our four cats, but it passes in a moment, and then my understanding of how fantastic cats are takes over. I just can't stay angry at any of our cats for more than a second. They're just great little creatures.

Anyway Koshi sleeps a great deal, just like all cats. They are great teachers of how I'd probably live if came into a great deal of money. Sure I'd waste all that money having fun, and donating to charity - but I'd spend the first year just catching up on all the sleep I've lost playing the role of corporate slave, good father, and husband.

Yes, that's what I'd do - sleep - then travel.

Twisted Rain

Photo: Springfield, Illinois - Jefferson & 7th - Route 66 Festival Traffic Jam In The Rain

Twisted Rain
jeromeprophet

Stallin crawlin
Fallin oblin
Soarin roarin
To the ground

Never ever
Ever never
Make or break
A sound

Titter patter
Pitter tatter
Splatter Splatter
No matter
Never found
.
.
.

Becky McVay's 2006 Route 66 Festival Mural - Part I

Photo: Becky McVay - Route 66 Festival Window Mural - Springfield, IL


Photo: Becky McVay - Springfield, Illinois Route 66 Festival Window Mural

I'll post more of this mural in my next post. The mural can be seen at the Alamo in downtown Springfield, Illinois. The two images in this post are high contrast close ups of two portions of the mural.

I have some details to share on each of the images above - which I'll add to this post soon!

Photos: Jerome Prophet
Artwork: Becky McVay

Randy Reynolds Shoots Downtown Springfield

Randy Reynolds of Photos-Etc Photographs A Route 66 Festival Window Mural

Central Illinois photo-blogger Randy Reynolds took a romp around downtown Springfield this afternoon. The weather was late Octoberish, yet there was enough light beaming between the clouds to capture some interesting images. The photo above is of Randy taking a photograph of a Route 66 Festival window mural. The image shows Randy's reflection, with the north face of the Illinois Old State Capitol Building in the background.

Randy has posted a self portrait on his blog. Randy has also posted a photo of the mural on his website.


Randy Reynolds Comes In For A Closeup - Springfield, Illinois

I spent a few hours this evening tweaking the mural art just wee bit - see below. I dedicate this alteration to the mural artist who painted the original mural. I wish that I had your talent, and as soon as I find out your name I'll most certainly give you credit for your work.

As for my alteration of your work - I just felt like I had to do it. It's dark, and it's kind of evil looking, but I like it.


Altered Art By Jerome Prophet - Dedicated To Original Mural Artist

The Best Blog In The Whole Wide World!

Competition - Brings Out Best & Worst In People

I've noticed local blogosphere post of late which pertain to Illinois Times' Best of Springfield edition. Folks, just who in their right mind believes that one blog could be the best? Some actually believe they have the best blog in Springfield. I won't name names, but you know who you are. Are any of you serious? I suspect some may be, and it frightens me - I'm a sensitive kind of guy. Seriously, it's time to run to the mirror, and ask who is fairest blogger of them all, for you are not it - and neither am I!

No matter who won the Best of Springfield In The Blog Category we should wish that blogger well, whether we agree with the vote or not. There is always next year - you Cubs fans will understand what I'm getting to here. Blogging is just as much process, as it is product. We are all winners in the sense that each of us grows in our skills as writers, photographers, analyst, censors, researchers, etc. Which Blogger is the winner? We all are!



Treasures Of Thought & Experience Shared Freely

I've enjoyed Jim Leach's blog enormously as he is a good writer, and he is very good at political satire. I want to see him continue to post as his perspective is badly needed in this community.

I'm amazed at how Dave, at the11thhour manages to post in such volume - he really is rippin, and readin! His news, and writing experience, and that great sense of humor he conveys makes for great reading. Oh Boy don't I get depressed when he's on vacation, and not blogging!

My buddy Randy is snapping, and sharing incredibly beautiful photos at photos-etc. Needless to say he forces me to work harder at the images I share. If you're not checking his site out you're missing something.

Blogfreespringfield's post are indepth, and interesting. Now there's the stuff that makes a blog credible.

SpfldNet is a great find, and everyone needs to check in to read some political reviews you won't find anywhere else.

Palmer Blevins has just redesigned his blog, and continues to write "in your face post" that may one day get his head chopped off. So read him while you can!

Thirtywhat has openned doors to a personal side of blogging, and in a manner which invites all to participate.

DisarrangingMine consistently post little slices of her life's observations, and in such brevity that it is always worth a link, and a wink over to - not to mention the photos! Marie always seems to be willing to lend a supportive comment too.

There are many others I have not mentioned for brevity's sake, but check out my links, and read them regularly - you'll be glad you did.

There are many local blogs which I know exist, and have yet to link to them, and many of them are very good blogs. And yes, some of them aren't so good.


Blogs - As Unique As Bloggers

You can't compare a photo oriented blog like photos-etc, to a text oriented blog like Jim Leach, and you can't compare an almost always serious blog like blogfreespringfield to an often sarcastic blog like the11thhour. You can't make these comparisons if you want to be fair.

Every blogger brings something different to the mix.

Ask yourself this question, if you had to pick just one blog to read from now on which one would it be? Now ask yourself, just how long you would continue to read that blog, or how long you would blog yourself if you knew only one person would ever read your blog.

It's the diversity that makes blogging interesting. The fact that there are so many blogs to read is what makes blogging such an incredible resource.


Blogging - A Transformational Process

We've seen how blogs can change into "official websites" such as Springfield Rewind. or how blogs have been turned into publicity tools for local media.

We've seen perfectly excellent blogs shut down overnight.

We have also seen how the local blogging community has slowly grown in confidence of their ability to tell a tale, share who they are, what they want the world to know, and what they want the world to be. Blogging breaks down much of the sense of alienation, and distance, which we all feel living in this modern society.

Blogging allows bloggers to grow in communication skills, by allowing bloggers to convey thoughts to others, and by reading, viewing, and listening to the ideas of others. Through our comments to each other we also experience the give, and take that form of interaction allows - which Main Stream Media often ignores.


Bloggers - We Are Media

Bloggers are on the front line of a new media. We collect original information, and present it. We collect old information and represent it. We can interpret, and redigest news stories, and make them more interesting. We accomplish this using words, images, graphical content, and audio & video!

We may not be taken seriously, but we are not going to go away.


Why We Blog

Most importantly, blogging is fun!

I feel darned sad for anyone who blogs who isn't experiencing that sense of fun.

Many of us have yearned for a way to express a part of ourselves through writing, photography, art, and even audio, and video. Blogging allows the writer, the pundit, the philosopher, the artist, the poet, the historian, the photographer, the joker, the child, and the wise old sage in us all to find a voice - a voice we can share with the world.

To say that one of us has the best blog is utter folly, and anyone who puts forth the argument that their blog should "win" a vote for best blog is either joking around, or deserves to be laughed at.


Time Is Short

I decided not to vote in the Illinois Times Best Of Springfield - Best Blog Category. People we only have so much time! Let's use it wisely, and get to blogging!


Note: None of the photos used in this post are mine, and some may be copyrighted.

September Shadows & Light

Photo: The Yard Shopping Center Parking Lot - Springfield, Illinois 9.16.2006

There's something about shooting an image of an area illuminated by the sun when it is approaching sunset. When the sun hangs low, and its glare is brilliant across the field of view the lighting creates a sense of space. The little reflections of the sun across the asphalt leading right up to where the image was captured reinforces the camera's perspective.

I decided not to go with a multi-color image since the glare washes the color out anyway, and it was shape, shadow, and perspective which I was interested in conveying.

The moment is captured - in space, time, shadow, and light.

How significant is this photo, or the moment it pretends to share?

That I can not answer.

NASA "Discovers" Thunderstorm Ionosphere Link

HAARP Represents The U.S. Unclassified "Bone" Of Disinformation

CNN Article (With Questions)

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Thunderstorms on Earth can lead to storms in the outer reaches of the atmosphere that disrupt radio transmissions and other electronic communications, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

The discovery could lead to more reliable global-positioning satellite (GPS) navigation and short-wave radio transmissions by improving forecasts of high-altitude disturbances that can disrupt them, said University of California-Berkeley researcher Thomas Immel".

Question: Could such a "Discovery" lead to the development of a technical means of manipulating the ionosphere, and therefore the GPS, and shortwave broadcast?

"Using data from NASA satellites, Immel and other researchers discovered that thunderstorms over South America, Africa and Southeast Asia can create turbulence in two bands of electrical gas that hover 250 miles (402 kilometers) above the equator in part of the upper atmosphere known as the ionosphere.

These plasma bands are far too thin to be directly affected by wind from thunderstorms, but researchers found that the wind can shape the plasma bands by generating electricity in the layer of atmosphere below them".

Question: If wind can generate electricity which alters the ionosphere, then what about lightning? Could lightning alter the ionsphere?

"Three of the densest sections of plasma were located directly above areas with frequent thunderstorms -- the Amazon Basin in South America, the Congo Basin in Africa, and Indonesia.

But researchers found another dense section of plasma above the Pacific Ocean, far from thunderstorm zones -- evidence that tropical thunderstorms have a global influence".

Question: Could manipulation of thunderstorms via particle beams generators (i.e., artificial lightning generators) also have a global influence on the ionosphere, and could this manipulation be used to alter global weather patterns?

"That may explain why the ionosphere above North America is more turbulent than other areas, disrupting radio transmissions that travel through it."

Question: Could a covert weather modification program which utilizes particle beam generators explain why North America's ionosphere is more turbulent than other areas?

"We now know that accurate predictions of ionospheric disturbances have to incorporate this effect from tropical weather," Immel said in a statement.

Researchers now hope to determine if the plasma bands shift with the seasons, or during large events like hurricanes".

Tell Them Why You're Mad Even If You're Not Mad

Hey kids check this out!

Regular readers to this blog may have noticed that I often post "conspiracy related" rants. I've always believed that "paranoid thinking is just good thinking when people are out to get you" (Joseph Heller - Catch 22), and I've never trusted Big Brother (or those who make him tick) to not to cross the line in the name of national security.

For others such paranoid thinking is simply untidy, and uncomfortable thinking - to be avoided at all cost as it makes one a bit nervous.

So it came as a bit of a shocker to see Dave of the11thhour descend into sheer madness!

Has Dave gone Mad?

I'll let you decide by surfing here to read Dave's article on non-lethal weaponry.

Silicon Valley's Tesla Roadster Puts Detroit To Shame!

The Silicon Valley Tesla Roadster

Drinking Liberally writes a stirring dream car post which reminded me of this mean machine. It makes one shudder. The Telsa Auto Company puts Detroit to shame. It quite literally blows anything sold at Isringhausen Imports away. You're looking at the future of automobiles.

Sadly, it won't be coming from Detroit anytime soon, as the failing auto companies in the U.S. are devoid of heart, mind, and soul, and would rather churn out SUVs, and monster trucks for the billy bob sector - oh yes, while bragging that they will get twenty miles per gallon soon!

Let's hope these small silicon valley based electric auto companies tell the first Detroit company which offers to buy them out, and shut them down, to stick it down an oil well!

Watch How Electric Dragster Whips Your Daddy's Favorite Gas Guzzlers!

Note: The video works fine for Firefox.

Major Robert A. Byrd Hi-Rise Demolition II

Major Byrd Hi-Rise Demolition - Springfield, IL 09.11.06

The mighty crane that demolished the Major Byrd Hi-Rise!


Springfield Illinois Housing Authority Hi Rise Demolition


A Horrible Video of Major Byrd Hi-Rise Demolition

The Effect - Part III

I-72 Overpass From Recreation Drive - Sangamo, Illinois

It was now or never he told himself as he raced into the kitchen to grab a flashlight. Taylor could hear the sounds of the desparate chaos approaching as he grabbed for his shotgun, and a box of shells. He then turned, and dashed down the hall, openned the door to his backyard, and looked up into the sky. He could see its glow. It was only a block away at most, and there was no way to outrun it.

The sounds of gunshots, and cars crashing, of screams for mercy, and agony filled the air. There was no outrunning it he knew that, just as he understood the shotgun was not for protection.

As he stood at the door he remembered what the old woman had told him so many years ago. Everyone else had laughed at her stories. He recalled how his own mother, and father had warned him that every town has its share of crazies, and that the old woman was Jerome's. Still he had liked the old woman, and would sit with her on her porch, and listen to her speak of days long before there had even been a Jerome, Illinois.

It was on a summer night, back in 1977, when the old woman in the middle of one of her stories had abruptly stopped, and asked the boy to wait while she went down to her basement. She'd bring the money she was to pay him for cutting her lawn earlier that day.

He had grown used to such delays. She always paid him for the work he did, but not without forcing him to listen to one of her stories first. Taylor had learned to accept her offers of rootbeer, and lemon cookies, and although he never ate the stale cookies which tasted like cardboard, she never seemed to mind. It was the stories which she wanted to share the most.

When the old woman returned from the basement she paused at the screen door. She looked troubled, as if she were in the midst of a great decision. She pushed the door open, and stepped onto the porch, her gleeming eyes never leaving his. She walked past her granny chair, and looked down upon him. Was it alright for her to join him on the porch swing? Her frail hands grabbed the swinging chains, and the swing came to a stop.

She looked older, and more frail than he had ever seen her look before. Perhaps it was the deepening shadows, but he felt as if he were looking at a skull instead of her face, and bones instead of fingers, and arms. He moved over, and she sat down next to him.

It was dark now, it was time to go home, he told himself. His mother would surely be wondering why he hadn't come home yet. Taylor wanted to jump off that porch swing, and run as far, and fast as he could, but instead he sat frozen on that swing with a woman who looked like a monster, a crazy woman everyone in town told him to never talk to.

It was then he noticed she had something in her hand, it was his lawn mowing money. He wanted to take it, but he still felt as if his body wouldn't do what he told it.

She then began to tell the boy the most incredible story he had ever heard. A story which she told as true, but which no one would ever believe, except him. A story about a place called Sangamo, before there was a Jerome, or even an Illinois.

The Effect - Part II
The Effect - Part I
o
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Rainbow In A Mirror - Chatham & Wabash - Springfield, IL

Photo: Rainbow In A Mirror - Wabash & Chatham - Springfield, IL 09.06.06

Marie, at Disarranging Mine, posted a photo of the same rainbow on her blog.

This photo was snapped at the corner of Wabash, and Chatham, an intersection which was vistited by two F2 tornadoes back in March (2006).

The sky above was blue, and the sun directly in front of me. A bit of rainfall to the east provided just what was needed to produce this golden hour double rainbow.

I believe this rainbow is a sign which promises no more tornadoes for the rest of the year - at least at this intersection.

Rainbow Video - Skateland South (parking lot) - Springfield, Illinois

Discovery's Disturbing Series Comes - A Haunting

Discovery's A Haunting Series - Any Haunted Houses In Your Neighborhood?

Has anyone happened upon the Discovery channels A Haunting?

I've caught a few episodes. I'm not a big fan of ghost stories, but this series is disturbingly interesting.

It could just be the imaginations of families living in those homes, or it might be something a lot spookier.

The series itself is spooky even you don't believe in such phenomena.

High Tech Toys To Install In A Haunted Home

• Remote Controlled Digital Video Cameras
• Motion Detectors
• Infrared Cameras
• Trip Wires Attached To Alarms
• Electro Magnetic Field Detectors
• A Whole Slew Of Other Sensors
• Broadband Internet Connection
• Wireless Network
  

All sensors, microphones, and cameras, would be connected to a broadband connection, and would upload data to a website!

A "Spot The Ghost" online contest would challenge web visitors to keep an eye on things.

There are millions of people that would love to prove the existence of the paranormal. Most of these families seem isolated, and struggle to handle the haunting themselves - but this is no longer necessary in the age of the Intranet. Boo!

On the other hand the very technology which might shed some light on what ghost are is being used for money making purposes.

Check this spirit orbs video out (not from A Haunting):



What is a lady with a weight problem, a laser pointer, and a video camera set to monochrome capture mode?
o
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Quantum Entanglement Stressing You Out?

Perceptions of "Connectedness" Have You Confused?

Let Rocky, and Bullwinkle take you down the rabbit hole - again? And into the world of quantum entanglement.




Rocky: Can more than one entanglement state occur simultaneously bridging for example two "source" spinors with a "target" spinor?

Bullwinkle: First it's important not to get trapped in the linear causality mode of perception when it comes to entanglement. Quantum Entanglement acts to create a temporal singularity between quanta, and as such the term "source", and "target" are not only misnomers, but create a fundamental obstacle to answering the question.

There are no sources, and targets when it comes to entangled quanta. All quanta is essentially entangled, and yet not entangled.

Rocky: Without sources and targets, cause, and effect become impossible to work out doesn't it? We see linear causality at work at the Classical scale don't we? So at what point does linear causality take over, and quantum entanglement end?



Bullwinkle: Linear causality is in fact bound to perception. Play the movie in reverse, and we see the very same event only from a different point of view. Percieved temporal sequence does not dictate that the time line is ordered in one way, or another.

Rocky: How can entanglement exist, and not exist simultaneously? How can there be a singularity, and yet locality?

Bullwinkle: No events occur simultaneously.

Rocky: How can everything be entangled, and yet not?

Bullwinkle: Singularity implies entanglement, all at once, and everywhere. We're talking all time, and all space. Can we imagine such a time, and place?

Rocky: No, it sounds impossible.

Bullwinkle: What about the Universe before the Big Bang?

Rocky: So the Universe has operated at that state in the past?

Bullwinkle: Not a perfect singular state, or else that state would still exist.

Rocky: What does the Big Bang, and the primordial Universe have to do with quantum entanglement?

Bullwinkle: At what point did entanglement begin?

Rocky: Shortly after the Big Bang?

Bullwinkle: What about before?



Rocky: Before the Big Bang?

Bullwinkle: If the "Pre" Big Bang Universe had been a perfect singularity, then the Universe as we know it would have never come into existence. It would have remained a perfect singularity with no pertubations. More than one energy state must have existed prior to the Big Bang, and those energy states would have been connected via entanglement.

Rocky: Are we talking "Multiverse"?

Bullwinkle: It's Possibly the best explanation.

Rocky: A Universe outside this one, or before it?

Bullwinkle: Both, or either, and perhaps even a Universe after it as well.



Rocky: If the Universe was entangled to another Universe before the Big Bang, is the Universe still entangled with this other Universe now?

Bullwinkle: One Multiverse Theory views the Multiverse as a cloud of uncollapsed probabilities, and views each possible Universe as a subset of the range of probabilities. In this type of Multiverse in which all possible Universes exist, and yet do not exist, quantum entanglement not only connects quanta within a Universe, but also all possible Universes.

There's More - But Later

Use of Rocky, and Bullwinkle Images without permission.

Cigar Shaped Craft Hovers Over Springfield, Illinois!

Photo: Cigar Shaped Craft Glides Over Springfield, Illinois 08.30.2006!

I have several more incredible images, and even video of this cigar shaped craft hovering, and gliding over Springfield, Illinois this Wednesday evening!

I followed it in my car (don't worry folks, I kept my distance), and captured the image above from the corner of Macarthur, and Ash!

Altering A Hurricane's Path 101

GOES Image: Hurricane Katrina and Jet Stream 29.08.2006

Can Humans Alter A Hurricane's Path?

While stopping a hurricane may not be possible, changing its path may be possible.

The paths of hurricanes which spin through the Gulf of Mexico towards the gulf states are greatly effected by North America's continental weather fronts.

Would it be worth the effort to deploy an already existing covert weather modification progam in the hope of even slightly modifying the path of a hurricane away from a major city?


GOES IMAGE: Hurricane Rita (IR) and Jet Stream 24.09.2005

• Hurricane Path Modification Toolkit
• Particle Beam Generator Equipped Stealth UPVs
• A Week's Advanced Notice Of Tropical Storm Path
• Contrail Generating Aviation Fuel
• Carbon Dust Equipped UPVs

• Hurricane Path Modification Chronology
• Along the west coast of the US create thousands of contrails
• As Contrails cross the continent they grow into regional overcast
• Carbon Dust Equipped UPVs deploy into overcast and seed clouds.
• Clouds build into a large series of thunderstorm fronts.
• Particle Beam Equipped UPVs modify electrical properties of storm.
• Ionosphere is lifted, and shaped over modified weather front.
• Jet Stream follows modified (lifted) Ionosphere pattern.
• Front is guided, and timed to alter atmospheric gradients.
• Regional pressure gradients modify path of hurricane.

A Little Dust With That Wine?

Photo: Springfield, Illinois Municipal Garage Resurfacing - Noisy & Dusty Operation

It sounds like a jet aircraft at takeoff, and has the rumble of a freight train. It leaves a fine coating of cement dust on your lips from a block away. It has been in non-stop operation for several days, and right in the heart of downtown Springfield, Illinois' Hotel, and Convention district.

What is it?

Two bobcat type vehicles equipped with spinning rotor brushes. The brushes not only cause a tremendous amount of noise, but they are also stirring up huge plumes of cement dust.

While all the noise created by this resurfacing project may cause some irritation with those visitors to the nearby Ramada who paid extra just to stay at such a fine accommodation the dust has to be causing problems for Ramada's housekeeping staff.

At the corner of Washington, and Seventh Street I noticed the taste of cement on my lips. A fine film of cement dust filled the air. I couldn't see it, but I could taste it.


Photo: High Contrast B&W Shows Looming Dust Trail Created By Resurfacing Project

Why are no dust abatement procedures being employed? Spraying dust plumes with water is the standard practice used to eliminate this problem. Do the contractors really believe that no one will notice?

There are two large hotels, and a large office building which overlook the garage, which makes it rather unlikely that people won't notice.

Note: Breathing cement dust is considered hazardous to the health - especially for people who have respiratory problems.

Also: What precautions are being taken by the workers in those bobcats?

Good Bye Major Byrd Hi-Rise

Photo: Major Byrd Hi-Rise Demoltion - Springfield, Illinois


Photo: Springfield, Illinois Major Byrd Hi-Rise Demolition


Photo: Demolition Of Major Byrd Hi-Rise - Springfield, IL 08.23.06

I'll continue to post some additional photographs of the ongoing demolition of the Major Byrd Hi-Rise. It should be completely demolished within two weeks - according to a crewman.

Springfield Cop Allowed Mugger To Keep Victim's Property

Photo: Security Guard At Walgreen's On Sangamon - Final Day 2006 Illinois State Fair

In my prior two post I recount several eye witness accounts of how a Springfield teen was mugged outside Walgreen's Drugstore directly across the street from the Illinois State Fair last Friday evening.

Friends of the victim tell of how a Springfield (Illinois) Police Officer watched the assault, and robbery, and yet failed to offer assistance to the victim either during the assault, or after.

Another witness tells of how she tried to recover the victim's stolen cellphone. Her plea fell on deaf ears.

The following is a paraphrasing of a conversation which took place yesterday afternoon. I have named this witness "Girl Two" so as to distinguish her from "Girl One" which I quoted in the post just prior to this entry.

JP: You were in the Walgreen's parking lot that night?

Girl Two: Yes.

JP: Did anyone ask the police officer there for help?

Girl Two: Right after **** was mugged I tried to find his cellphone by calling it.

JP: That's a great idea, so what happened?

Girl Two: Well every time I'd call ****'s number a phone would ring.

JP: You could tell who had the stolen phone?

Girl Two: Yes, it was one of the boys who beat **** up.

JP: What did the boy do?

Girl Two: He kept taking the phone out of his pocket, and hanging it up. Finally after the fourth time he turned the phone off.

JP: So you felt that you had a good idea which kid had ****'s cellphone?

Girl Two: Yes.

JP: So what did you do next, did you confront the kid?

Girl Two: I went up to the cop that was there, and I told him what I did.

JP: You told him you'd been calling the phone?

Girl Two: Yes.

JP: He must have been pleased!

Girl Two: No, he told me to leave.

JP: Didn't he go, and talk to the boy?

Girl Two: No.

JP: That's simply incredible.

Girl Two: Cops suck!

JP: I can see why you believe that.


Implications Of The Police Officer's Failure To Protect & Serve

This police officer needs to be identified, and reported. This one bad cop has destroyed the image of the Springfield Police Force in the eyes of several local teens.

Several of the witnesses, and the victim himself attends a fundamentalist Christian high school here in Springfield. I'm not saying these kids are angels, but they were raised to believe that "good" exist, and that "evil" exist. They were raised to believe in "Right versus Wrong" - heck that there is a "right", and that there is a "wrong".

Tens of millions of kids today have never heard their parents profess a belief in anything. These parents essentially "sick" their children upon the world, but these kids, who were victimized that night, were not raised like that. They have parents who cared enough about them to sacrifice, and send them to schools where they received a faith based - a morality based education. They were dragged to church every Sunday - come rain, or come shine in the hope that it would make a difference.

These kids have been taught that there is a consequence for stealing. That "Thall Shall not Steal" was a command from God. TThese kids were raised to be respectful of the police as they are guardians of society, and enforce laws which were based upon the Bible.

The lesson which these kids learned last Friday night will not be one they'll likely forget. Thanks to the cowardice of a local police officer several local teens will most likely never trust the police ever again. A lesson many of us learned long ago - and sadly it appears one that each generation learns anew.

City Cop Ignored Teen's Mugging Outside Fairgrounds

Image: SPD's Moto "Professional service is our personal commitment"

State Fair Mugging Part II

In my last post I stated that a lack of police presence allowed an unsafe environment to exist in the Walgreen's parking lot just across the street from the Illinois State Fairgrounds Friday night.

I believed at the time that a thunderstorm had flushed all the police off the streets, and into their squad cars, or perhaps even home - leaving fairgoers, and nearby businesses vulnerable to attack from a gang of juveniles hanging out at the Fairground's busiest intersection.

But I was wrong!


A Shocking Accusation!

Several witnesses have now indicated that the robbery, which I reported in my prior post, took place in close proximity to a police officer. These witnesses have stated that not only did the police officer witness the assault, but also that he failed to assist the victim in any way!

The following is a paraphrasing of a conversation which took place tonight (August 19th, 2006) as I drove my teenaged daughter, and her friend (who witnessed the attack), home from the Mall.

JP: Were there really twenty guys in that parking lot?

Girl One: Yes.

JP: Why were there so many kids in that parking lot?

Girl One: I don't know why they were there.

JP: You just got out of the Fair?

Girl One: We were waiting for our ride home.

JP: Did they just get out of the Fair too?

Girl One: I don't know why they were there.

JP: How did the actual attack start?

Girl One: They surrounded ****, started punching him, and stole his phone.

JP: Were there any words exchanged?

Girl One: They called him "Bitch".

JP's Daughter: Didn't I tell you dad?

JP: Tell me what?

JP's Daughter: I told you they probably called him a bitch!

JP: When did this gang take off?

Girl One: They took his phone.

JP: Did they take off when the cops arrived?

Girl One: There was a cop there.

JP: I mean't when did they take off, not what they took off of ****?

Girl One: A cop was there.

JP: Are you serious, a cop was there while this was happening?

Girl One: Yes, right there in the parking lot.

JP: Do you think that the cop saw what was going on?

Girl One: Everyone could see what was happening - he was right there.

JP: Are you saying the cop just stood there, and watched?

Girl One: He screamed really loud, but that's all.

JP: Was he screaming for people to stop beating **** up?

Girl One: Just for everyone to leave the parking lot.

JP: That's all he did - scream?

Girl One: He was just screaming really crazy loud.

JP: Did people leave?

Girl One: Yes.

JP: How does **** look, does he look beaten up?

Girl One : No, but he says his jaw, and back hurt him.

JP: And they got his cellphone?

Girl One: Yes.

JP: And the cop didn't do anything?

Girl One: The cops in Springfield suck.

JP's Daughter: He was probably just protecting Walgreen's donuts.

JP: Probably so.

Gang Assaults Teen Outside Illinois State Fair

Photo: Macarthur Blvd @ Night In Rainstorm - Springfield Illinois 08.18.06


Race Against Storm

Last night I found myself racing across town to pick up my teenaged daughter from the Illinois State Fair (2006). A thunderstorm was bulldozing across Sangamon County, and it looked as if Springfield, Illinois would be effected. I barely convinced my teenaged daughter that it was time to call it an evening, but she reluctantly agreed to let me pick her up in front of the Walgreen's Drugstore at the corner of 9th street, and Sangamon Avenue.

I hydroplaned over rain covered streets at speeds far higher than I dare admit. It was a race between me, and the storm. As I drove into the parking lot of the Walgreen's Drug Store located just across the street from the Fairgrounds the rain, and wind, began to intensify.

My daughter jumped into the car wet, but not soaked - I had beaten the storm!

Conversation

ME: Is it just you? What about your friends?

DAUGHTER: Oh, they're going to stay. You should have seen the look they gave me when I said I was going to go home because of the storm.

ME: Well that's not too smart with all this lightning in the sky.

DAUGHTER: They're dumb.

ME: Yes, they sure are, but I raised a smart kid.

My thoughts shifted to the road, the rain, and the large number of cars exiting The Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Gang Attacks Teen Outside Illinois State Fair

About the same time my daughter, and I arrived back home my daughter became quite upset. She was on her cell phone, and speaking to one of her friends that had decided to stay.

One of the three teenagers which my daughter had attended the Illinois State Fair with had just been attacked by a mob of nearly twenty black teen males!* The location of the attack was at the very spot which I had picked up my daughter only a half hour earlier!

The gang descended upon the victim repeatedly punching the boy. The attack continued for several minutes with several boys attacking at once. The victim was unable to defend himself. They took the victims cellphone.

Two of the victim's friends, a teenage girl, and her little brother, witnessed the assault. Although the Walgreen's Drugstore was still open for business the entrance was locked.


Most shocking allegation of all

This story is just getting started. Please read the next post which continues my blogging on this event! A rather disturbing allegation has been made by several witnesses about the way the assault was handled by police.


*NOTE: Identifying the race of a group of individuals isn't racist. It is providing important information about the event. Why is race important? When one individual is attacked by a large group of individuals of a different race it does raise the possibility of that attack being motivated by racial hatred.

Triggering Lightning Using Rockets & Copper Wire

Photo: Triggered Lightning*


Using Rockets To Trigger Lightning

The University of Florida conducts lightning research out of Camp Blanding by shooting small rockets into clouds which are just on the verge of lightning generation. The rockets carry a long copper guide wire which acts as a "leader". The leader triggers lightning (skyward), and return strokes (groundward).
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Photo: Vaporized Guide Wire*
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If only this unclassified triggered lightning research project could:

1. Seed clouds to increase their lightning generating capacity
2. Fly above clouds instead of waiting for a cloud to reach its ground based rockets.
3. Use radio waves, microwaves, laser beams, and particle beams to prepare clouds.
4. Trigger lightning bolts using lasers, or even high velocity jets of carbon filament.

One can only wonder what a well financed covert project could accomplish if given decades to develop technologies necessary to generate lightning strikes.

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Questions

1. Where would a covert program test this type of technology - field or lab?
2. Would testing take place in a clear blue sky, or during a thunderstorm?
3. Would conventional aircraft, or stealth aircraft be used?

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Image Source: http://skydiary.com/gallery/chase2002/chase2002g.html
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Now A Word About Triggered Lightning From SPIE

The International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE) has an interesting article on triggered lightning. Note that infrared, and ultraviolet laser beams can not be seen by the unaided eye. Only the resultant bolt of triggered lightning can be seen.


Image: Not a very good illustration*

SPIE Excerpt:

Therefore, researchers (mostly funded by electric companies) would like to devise a method to trigger lighting and guide the discharge to harmless spots. In the March 1999 issue of Journal of Optical Technology, researcher Jens Schwarz at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque) explained the process: "The idea is that the laser light creates a conducting path between the cloud and the ground, triggering the lightning discharge."

Groups in Japan, Russia, and the U.S. are using different laser wavelengths and powers to create conductive paths between the ground and thunderclouds. Most of the work is still laboratory based, but one group in Japan reported successfully triggering two lightning strikes using their laser system.² Shigeaki Uchida and colleagues at Osaka University in Japan, appear to have initiated the lightning strikes during field experiments on the shore of the Sea of Japan.

During thunderstorms, a large electrical field between the ground and clouds develops. High conducting points, such as the tops of towers built specifically to draw lightning, are usually surrounded by a corona discharge. When this discharge is quenched (such as when there is an abrupt change in the field under the clouds), an electrical leader starts from the top of the tower. If this occurs when the clouds are beginning to discharge, this leader initiates a lightning strike. By using laser beams to create plasma channels at the tops of the towers, Ushida's group has, to the best of their knowledge, reported the first laser-plasma-triggered lightning.

More

The group of researchers in New Mexico that Schwarz works with use 248-nm UV lasers, rather than the combination of IR and UV beams. This method is expected to have the benefit of allowing much lower powers to be used -- tenths of a joule rather than hundreds or thousands of joules per pulse. Even when using these low energies, the very short pulses (about 500 fs) cause very high peak powers; at the moment, peak powers of 20 GW are being used for lab tests.

In the atmosphere, the ionizing power is leveraged. Schwarz said, "The UV beam creates a path of electrons that can move in the ambient electric field (the one between cloud and ground) and multiply via avalanche ionization."

In addition to studying the properties of air under the influence of intense laser beams and plasmas, the New Mexico group is primarily focused on two main areas: improving the laser system (by increasing the reliability and power), and making a more portable system, which will be useful for field experiments.

My Take

The material above is conveying a story about non classified research, but one can only wonder about what must be happening in the world of black-ops.

What could a well financed covert operation develop if given decades to advance such technology? What would happen if such technology were placed on board stealth aircraft, or stealth UAVs, and then flown into inclement weather? Could weather be covertly modified? Could a laser triggered particle beam weapon be developed?

Remember this?

MOTIVE
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MEANS
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OPPORTUNITY
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Who, or what has the motive, the means, and the opportunity to develop technology capable of triggering lightning?

According to the article above electric companies do.

Would the U.S. Defense, and intelligence community possess the motive, means, and opportunity to covertly develop technology to trigger lightning?
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I posted the following material several months ago. This seems to suggest that a motive exist.
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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.
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*Image used above is not mine. It was used without permission from the SPIE website.
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We Can See Your Heart Beating

DARPA: RADAR Is Used To Create 3D "X-Ray" Maps Of Urban Area


Revealing State Secrets In A Secretless Society

In several of my previous post I've claimed that an extensive program of domestic surveillance predates 9-11 by several decades. I've claimed that the NSA, and CIA, has used the cover which thunderstorms provide to:

• Develop particle beam weapons (artificial lightning generators)
• Photograph urban areas using superbright strobes from low altitudes
• Develop SONAR systems using sonic booms (i.e., thunder)
• Develop EMP weapons
• Develop Anti Ballistic Missile High Energy Weapons
• Develop RADAR spoofing technology
  
• Develop Weather Modification Technology and Methods

In this post we'll exam how lightning is used to play cover for the testing, and development of unconventional forms of RADAR which are used to scan the interiors of buildings.

Lightning emits visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet light, radio waves, gamma particles, electro-magnetic pulses, and XRAYs. The ability to generate artificial lightning from within a thunderstorm would therefore allow for the creation of powerful burst of light (seen and not seen), radio waves, electromagnetic pulses, gamma particles, and XRAYs in close proximity to American cities for extended periods. Most importantly this could be done in a covert fashion.

Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with particle beam generators (artificial lightning) could be designed to generate short burst of XRAYs (or Microwaves, and other Radio Frequencies). Other UAVs could be equipped with XRAY (or RF) sensors. These UAVs could be used in tandem to scan building exteriors, and interiors.

Several UAVs working together during the course of a thunderstorm could be used to scan an entire city.

Digital Information Obtained would include:

• High resolution low-altitude strobe-enhanced images (visual range).
• High resolution infrared, and ultraviolet strobe-enhanced images.
• Thunder-SONARGrams of exteriors & interiors of buildings.
• Thunder-SONARGrams of underground structures, tunnels and mines.
• EM signatures of electrical, computing, and communication grids.
• RADAR, and Reflected Radio Frequency mapping data.

Such information would be fused into three dimensional high resolution maps.


The Role Of Lightning As Cover - Winning War In The 21st Century

Lightning is still considered by the official mainstream scientific community to be a profoundly mysterious process (this in the age of particle beam accelerators), and so a great variety of EM & RF frequencies could be covertly transmitted in burst simultaneously with lightning generation. Not only would the scientific community not be looking for such artificial transmissions during a thunderstorm, but due to the "profoundly mysterious nature of lightning" it would most likely be labeled as yet another mystery of lightning be studied one day in the future.

The general population would be completely oblivious that they were deliberately being treated to additional forms of radiation on a periodic basis.

It is the perception of lightning as an act of nature which allows it to be exploited in such an incredible number of ways over such a long period of time (decades). The thunderstorm is the greatest real time intelligence gathering, and weapons development platform in the history of humankind.


XRAY VISION - It's Not Just For Superman Anymore.

This post includes images obtained from DARPA. The images have been included to illustrate the type of research, and development which is being conducted in the area of urban surveillance (although particle beam generators are never mentioned). The goal of the research reviewed is the development of scanning technology which will enable a type of XRAY VISION based upon RADAR, and radio wave detection.

Every home is bombarded with radio waves from RADAR stations, radio stations, television transmitters, and cell phones (to name just a few). In the past these sources of radio waves were considered spurious, but with increased computational power put to the task of the retracing such "multipath" radiation sources "seeing through walls" is believed to be possible.

Please surf to the DARPA presentation (see link below), and read the associated research proposal. At no point is the ability to develop such a technology questioned - it is considered just a matter of effort (no scientific reason why it won't be developed). Also, at no point are ethical concerns raised about what such technology in the wrong hands (or even in the right hands) will have for society.

Already rudimentary forms of XRAY VISION are being introduced for use in the military. This includes the RADAR FLASHLIGHT which was just introduced for use in Iraq. Soldiers place the flashlight near a wall while the device listens for breathing, and even heartbeats on the other side. No matter how quite a person remains that person can be detected even from behind concrete walls!

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DARPA: RADAR "Flashlight" Detects Heatbeats Up To Fifty Feet Behind Walls


NSA's MOM - The Mother of All Maps.

The ultimate goal, which I believe has already been attained is to develop technology which can scan the contents of most buildings - a type of XRAY Vision (similar to what one might see on an episode of StarTrek). The long term goal behind the deployment of such a surveillance system would be to gather data for the creation of a high resolution three dimensional digital map of the entire United States. The map would include interiors, as well as exteriors of buildins. Information would be obtained from a multitude of sources, and would need constant updating. The map would be available for counter terrorism units at Homeland Security, the FBI, and CIA. It would also be available for the U.S. military, and would be created by, and maintained by the NSA.

The full range, resolution, and scope of the map would be held as a closely guarded secret, and even those making use of it from within other agencies wouldn't have complete access.

The map would never be a "finished product", but would always be a work in progress. Most information on the map would be available elsewhere, but drawing all data points together would take incredible computational, and archival power (rivaling Google) which would demand a huge very well funded covert facility (most likely driven by CISCO). This all suggest NSA must be the keeper of the map.
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DARPA: Recently Deployed Hand Held RADAR Scope


Why Surveillance On This Level - The Atomic Bomb.

This national high resolution surveillance program would rescan as much of the United States as possible on a continual basis. A central goal would be to detect atomic weapons, but many other weapons, and adversaries would be targeted as well. Since high resolution images would be archived they could be used at a later date should they need to be retrieved (for example after a terrorist incident).

Imagine being able to peer into the home of a known terrorist months before the terrorist acted. What might one see? Huge archives of digital imagery probably exist. Some archives are probably held for years, others only months, or weeks.



DARPA: Vehicles With "XRay Vision" RADAR Scan Inside Urban Dwellings


The Implications For A Free Society - Less Privacy.

Certainly the implications are great for any free society when a branch of its government already exercises domestic spying on such a level.

To what extent the concept of personal privacy will be redefined in coming years is the question. While national security rest squarely on the ability to collect accurate, and timely information about those who threaten it, it is equally true that an all knowing government presents the greatest threat to a free society.

Certainly it can be argued that whether or not such a capability exist today, or a decade from now those methods, and technologies which are being developed for the war on terror will have a dramatic effect upon society. America has been a nation which fiercely defended its freedom, and privacy. It will be interesting to see how much privacy its citizens are willing to relinquish in the name of freedom.

Knowing that their government scans the interiors of their homes on a regular basis may not concern the average American, but it will certainly concern those worried about the incredible growth of the powers of the state versus that of the citizenry.


"The price of freedom is vigilance, but freedom from vigilance is priceless."
- JeromeProphet-

LINKS:
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DARPA Link

XRay Vision.


About the images: I modified the first two DARPA images by enhancing color and contrast. Surf to the sites listed to find source of images.