Guide To Welcome Christmas Visits
I thought I'd write up a list of suggestions which I feel would help everyone around the holidays. This list of suggestions is the result of years of experience of either having visitors over for the holidays, or in being a visitor myself. So here goes - JeromeProphet's Christmas Visitor's Guide.
Call Ahead - preferably earlier rather than later. Calling up at the last moment or actually showing up on someone's door unannounced is a really big no-no. Show your host some common courtesy around the holidays. Christmas can be a stressful and demanding day, and showing up unexpectedly can create havoc.
Stay Polite - If you're visiting try not to make smart remarks about your host's Christmas tree, or holiday decorations. Try not to make jokes at the expense of your host either. Don't turn your visit into a sit down comedy routine, or a "roast the host" event - it leaves a bad and lasting impression. Your host may smile and laugh at your snide remarks, but probably only out of politeness.
Reciprocity - Ask yourself if you ever invite your host over for the holidays. If you don't then there's probably an issue that your host is painfully aware of too.
Be Honest - If you find yourself feeling like you have to visit, then don't. Your host will know if you really don't want to be there. Breezing in, and out of a visit just for politeness sake is both apparent, and insulting.
Don't Be A Pig - Leave some food for your host after you leave. Just because they offer you the tray doesn't mean you have to empty it.
Don't Be A Drunk - This applies for how you show up, and how you leave. Don't show up at your host's door drunk, or even tipsy, And don't stumble out drunk either. If you're inebriated then you're more likely to be rude - no matter how funny you think you are. And if leave drunk you probably overstayed your visit, and probably broke every rule in this list I've prepared. Additionally, drinking and driving is against the law.
Don't Overstay Your Visit - Around the holidays your host probably has many places to go, people to see, and things to do - it can't all be about you. Remember that your host might have attended church the night before, or woke up early to open presents.
Keep Your Promises - If you say you'll visit then do. Sneaking into town, and visiting one friend and not another usually gets around - and if you promised a visit and blow it off under such conditions - it makes you look discourteous and contemptible - a big no-no around the holidays.
Be Consistent - Don't "play friends" up until November each year only to find yourself looking for a way to get a good feud started so as to eek out yet another year without having to do an invite for the holidays. Sure by February you'll be on "good" terms with your "friend" again, but after a few years it become painfully obvious what the truth of the relationship is. This includes the "Holiday Disappearance Act". If you're in touch with a "friend" ten months out of the year, but find yourself just "too busy" to send an invite, or to return that RSVP - it's obvious - there's a problem.
Holidays create false expectations and demands for how people are supposed to act. After watching hundreds of hours of holiday programs, and holiday commercials, most people feel that at the very least they are required to visit, or take on visitors. This ritual, while intended to reaffirm familial bonds and ties of friendship can create stress, and sometimes do more harm to relationships than good.
How do you tell an old and beloved "friend" that he's obnoxious and you use him only because you're bored, or tell your neighbor that he's a loudmouth drunk at parties, or tell an Uncle that you don't like him because he fondled your cousin? How do you tell your "old buddy" that he's below you socially, and that your old friendship now makes you look bad in front of your wife, and new friends? How do you confess that your husband can't stand her husband? How do you explain that you feel disgusted that your friend has gained weight, and that you're ashamed of him? How do you tell the truth about the way you feel, when you feel guilty about how you feel - especially during the holidays?
Relationships which may have hung by a thread for decades can be put into danger due to the expectation that those relationships be more than they'll ever be.
The bit tongue, the tense smile, the rushed glass of wine may work well in the short run, but without some rules guiding how hosts and visitors should behave feelings can get hurt, and territory can be invaded leading to regrets.
The key to JeromeProphet's Christmas Visit Rules is politeness. The Golden Rule is at the heart of politeness. When hosting and visiting for the holidays ask how you would want to be treated if you were in the other guy's shoes? Would you want someone to show up announced? Would you want someone to make snide remarks at your expense in your own living room? The answers are obvious.
Being a good host or visitor is all about respect. If you don't have it, then don't try and fake it.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Writing With Priskers
Between my outstretched arms lay my cat Priskers. She has her left paw curled slightly so that her claws are gently pressing, anchoring, into my left thumb - but there is no pain. My left wrist pressed down ever so gently upon the side of her tail.
She and I are pals, we're family, we're warmth for each other on this frigid cold night, a night with howling winds so rough that they could kill.
Priskers always seems to know the best place to curl up, and positing herself just in front of the keyboard forces me to either push her out of the way, or to adjust to her presence.
She's a nice cat.
Oops, she is up now, and heading to her water bowl which I just refreshed an hour ago.
And now, it is time for me to crash.
She and I are pals, we're family, we're warmth for each other on this frigid cold night, a night with howling winds so rough that they could kill.
Priskers always seems to know the best place to curl up, and positing herself just in front of the keyboard forces me to either push her out of the way, or to adjust to her presence.
She's a nice cat.
Oops, she is up now, and heading to her water bowl which I just refreshed an hour ago.
And now, it is time for me to crash.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
World Economy on the Edge of Disaster
I don't believe many people understand just how close the U.S., and world economy, is to the edge of a very deep drop into what could turn into a protracted recession. When I say that I don't mean to sound like an expert, because I'm not, and I'm also aware that the U.S. has already been in a recession for a year now, but from everything I've read it looks like the most serious economic crisis in my lifetime - nothing compares - short of the Great Depression.
What really drove this reality home was watching a documentary made by, and broadcast last week on, the History Channel of all places. After months of personally talking with hundreds of people from all across this great nation of ours tell me how bad things were where they live, and after reading hundreds of articles dealing with the economic decline the truth came together watching the History Channel's, Crash: The Next Great Depression, an excellent documentary which compares the Great Depression with the situation we currently find ourselves in.
In fact the situation is so frightening that I don't believe most people know just how dire the situation is.
For several years I've shared my opinions about the Bush Administration, and how the economy was a "sham economy", and I knew eventually something had to give. I formed that opinion several years ago while watching an early morning CSPAN broadcast in which a writer took calls after a long discussion of Bush Administration economic policy.
The general message was clear, our economy was in high gear, and everyone was happy for the moment only because a flood of foreign investment was financing the Real Estate Bubble. The question was put - as to what would happen if that financing ever came unraveled, and at that time it was clear that no one even wanted to consider what would happen.
We now live in the worst case scenario, a scenario in which banks no longer want to loan out any money.
And at this point no matter how much money has been used to bail out these lending institutions, nor how low the prime interest rate is - no one wants to part with their cash - for fear of loaning money to an institution, company, or individual which might not be capable of paying back those loans.
And thus, the economy itself is grinding to a halt. We haven't seen it yet, but if not for the actions of the federal government the U.S. economy would completely collapse.
And that is not an exaggeration - which is scary as hell.
What really drove this reality home was watching a documentary made by, and broadcast last week on, the History Channel of all places. After months of personally talking with hundreds of people from all across this great nation of ours tell me how bad things were where they live, and after reading hundreds of articles dealing with the economic decline the truth came together watching the History Channel's, Crash: The Next Great Depression, an excellent documentary which compares the Great Depression with the situation we currently find ourselves in.
In fact the situation is so frightening that I don't believe most people know just how dire the situation is.
For several years I've shared my opinions about the Bush Administration, and how the economy was a "sham economy", and I knew eventually something had to give. I formed that opinion several years ago while watching an early morning CSPAN broadcast in which a writer took calls after a long discussion of Bush Administration economic policy.
The general message was clear, our economy was in high gear, and everyone was happy for the moment only because a flood of foreign investment was financing the Real Estate Bubble. The question was put - as to what would happen if that financing ever came unraveled, and at that time it was clear that no one even wanted to consider what would happen.
We now live in the worst case scenario, a scenario in which banks no longer want to loan out any money.
And at this point no matter how much money has been used to bail out these lending institutions, nor how low the prime interest rate is - no one wants to part with their cash - for fear of loaning money to an institution, company, or individual which might not be capable of paying back those loans.
And thus, the economy itself is grinding to a halt. We haven't seen it yet, but if not for the actions of the federal government the U.S. economy would completely collapse.
And that is not an exaggeration - which is scary as hell.
Stomach "Flu" Floating About Springfield, Illinois
First of all the term "flu" to describe an intestinal parasite or virus is a misnomer, but that's how I'll refer to it in this post. Starting early last week my teenage daughter said she wasn't feeling well. We suspected it was a hangover, but after several days when it wouldn't go away we suspected either a bacterial or viral infection.
My daughter being sick is nothing new. Her party girl lifestyle being what it is has made her our family's "Canary in a Coal Mine", and so if something is floating about Springfield, Illinois - she's had it.
And so when she started puking her guts out and missing school, and after we eliminated hangover, we suspected a virus or bacterial infection.
It has been here, at least in our household, ever since.
I've felt it deep within the pit of my stomach - or is that an ulcer, and I've felt it in my sense of fatigue - or is it just stress, and in the lingering tingling sensation of warmth upon my skin. Yet for the most part it has subsided without doing any damage to me. I suspect I must have been visited by this bug before, perhaps in another strain, but that I have some degree of immunity to it.
However, this morning my wife has been sick as a dog. It is probably related to her experience of having to worry about her daughter coming back home last night, and then dealing with a drunken, high, and abusive teenage girl. That's a lot of stress to handle at five in the morning.
My prior post relates our story of having to wait until four thirty in the morning for our teenage daughter to show up home after a night of drinking and pot use - and - realizing that this party girl drove back from her latest motel party while under the influence of alcohol.
So now my wife is showing all the signs of this stomach flu, and it has proven to me that this intestinal flu was just smoldering, and waiting for a chance to rear its ugly head again.
My wife has called a pharmacist for some quick, free, and unofficial medical advice, and it turns out that other folk in Springfield, Illinois have been hit with this stomach flu too.
So folks make sure to keep your stress levels down, get plenty of sleep, and wash your hands before putting them in contact with your mouth or anything that is heading that direction.
It might be an airborne pathogen so I'd suggest some other measures as well - but it involves not kissing on the lips, turning your vents on to bring a greater level of fresh air into your house, and generally acting like a germ freak, which probably beats hanging out at the toilet with diarrhea, and vomiting a lot.
My daughter being sick is nothing new. Her party girl lifestyle being what it is has made her our family's "Canary in a Coal Mine", and so if something is floating about Springfield, Illinois - she's had it.
And so when she started puking her guts out and missing school, and after we eliminated hangover, we suspected a virus or bacterial infection.
It has been here, at least in our household, ever since.
I've felt it deep within the pit of my stomach - or is that an ulcer, and I've felt it in my sense of fatigue - or is it just stress, and in the lingering tingling sensation of warmth upon my skin. Yet for the most part it has subsided without doing any damage to me. I suspect I must have been visited by this bug before, perhaps in another strain, but that I have some degree of immunity to it.
However, this morning my wife has been sick as a dog. It is probably related to her experience of having to worry about her daughter coming back home last night, and then dealing with a drunken, high, and abusive teenage girl. That's a lot of stress to handle at five in the morning.
My prior post relates our story of having to wait until four thirty in the morning for our teenage daughter to show up home after a night of drinking and pot use - and - realizing that this party girl drove back from her latest motel party while under the influence of alcohol.
So now my wife is showing all the signs of this stomach flu, and it has proven to me that this intestinal flu was just smoldering, and waiting for a chance to rear its ugly head again.
My wife has called a pharmacist for some quick, free, and unofficial medical advice, and it turns out that other folk in Springfield, Illinois have been hit with this stomach flu too.
So folks make sure to keep your stress levels down, get plenty of sleep, and wash your hands before putting them in contact with your mouth or anything that is heading that direction.
It might be an airborne pathogen so I'd suggest some other measures as well - but it involves not kissing on the lips, turning your vents on to bring a greater level of fresh air into your house, and generally acting like a germ freak, which probably beats hanging out at the toilet with diarrhea, and vomiting a lot.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Springfield, Illinois Saved From Ice Storm
The December 19th 2008 ice storm that has hit Springfield, Illinois devastated surrounding communities in Central Illinois wreaking havoc on transportation, communication, and electric transmission lines. However, the city of Springfield's electric grid was left mostly intact while millions in surrounding communities find themselves in fear of being cast into the dark and freezing cold of winter.
The difference that residents of Springfield, Illinois enjoys is its municipally owned power company (City Water Light and Power or CWLP for short) which years ago made the tough decision to decline building a new coal burning 200 megawatt power plant to replace its aging coal burning plants. CWLP opted instead to subsidize the installation of tens of thousands of housetop solar power generators, and a mega state of the art greenhouse to produce the city's growing electric and fuel needs.
Over 90 percent of homes and businesses produce solar or wind generated electricity with most selling power to CWLP during the day, which in turn allows CWLP to sell surplus electricity to other communities.
Even smaller homes in poor neighborhoods generate enough power in winter to heat their homes and provide hot water for bathing and cleaning, and this is true due to the way that homes are connected to the electric grid, and because City Water Light & Power spent the last decade spending over a hundred million dollars helping homeowners, and landlords insulate their homes.
The project is expected to pay for itself over the next two decades as energy prices rise throughout the state. CWLP is able to sell most of its surplus electricity to other communities which still rely upon coal generating plants.
CWLPs Phase II initiative set to begin in 2012 will see the installation of wind turbines which combined with the CWLP solar farm will allow for CWLPs coal fired power plants to be decommissioned by 2020 making Springfield one of the first cities in Illinois to go carbon free.
Additional heat containment facilities are already being planned in order to store the hundreds of tons of salt that is electrically heated during the day, and then used to create steam at night to power CWLPs electric turbines.
CWLP also produced enough heat to power and heat several massive greenhouses which are used to produce hundreds of thousands of gallons of biodiesel which are used by the city's state of the art mass transit system.
Springfield, Illinois' commitment to reducing its carbon footprint has earned it an international reputation, and has increased its tourism industry bringing millions of dollars from so called eco-tourism which has lead to a revitalization of its historic city center.
The difference that residents of Springfield, Illinois enjoys is its municipally owned power company (City Water Light and Power or CWLP for short) which years ago made the tough decision to decline building a new coal burning 200 megawatt power plant to replace its aging coal burning plants. CWLP opted instead to subsidize the installation of tens of thousands of housetop solar power generators, and a mega state of the art greenhouse to produce the city's growing electric and fuel needs.
Over 90 percent of homes and businesses produce solar or wind generated electricity with most selling power to CWLP during the day, which in turn allows CWLP to sell surplus electricity to other communities.
Even smaller homes in poor neighborhoods generate enough power in winter to heat their homes and provide hot water for bathing and cleaning, and this is true due to the way that homes are connected to the electric grid, and because City Water Light & Power spent the last decade spending over a hundred million dollars helping homeowners, and landlords insulate their homes.
The project is expected to pay for itself over the next two decades as energy prices rise throughout the state. CWLP is able to sell most of its surplus electricity to other communities which still rely upon coal generating plants.
CWLPs Phase II initiative set to begin in 2012 will see the installation of wind turbines which combined with the CWLP solar farm will allow for CWLPs coal fired power plants to be decommissioned by 2020 making Springfield one of the first cities in Illinois to go carbon free.
Additional heat containment facilities are already being planned in order to store the hundreds of tons of salt that is electrically heated during the day, and then used to create steam at night to power CWLPs electric turbines.
CWLP also produced enough heat to power and heat several massive greenhouses which are used to produce hundreds of thousands of gallons of biodiesel which are used by the city's state of the art mass transit system.
Springfield, Illinois' commitment to reducing its carbon footprint has earned it an international reputation, and has increased its tourism industry bringing millions of dollars from so called eco-tourism which has lead to a revitalization of its historic city center.
Finding: Spore Is Stupid
Here's an update on Spore. It's a dumb game. I like the concept. I like the graphic editor. And I like some aspects of the game, but overall the game is boring.
You end up doing the same thing over and over and over again.
Definitely needs some expansion packs, and they'd better be really good ones or else I'll probably never play it again.
However, having said all that I think it was worth the purchase price, but I don't play it much anymore.
I'm now playing Morrowind - well, sort of - I just started. Love the graphics, and the concept.
We'll see how long it takes me to become bored of it.
I'm playing an older version, and I could I guess find newer version selling in some discount bin, if I need to. Also there's Oblivion, which I believe is the newest advancement in this series.
You end up doing the same thing over and over and over again.
Definitely needs some expansion packs, and they'd better be really good ones or else I'll probably never play it again.
However, having said all that I think it was worth the purchase price, but I don't play it much anymore.
I'm now playing Morrowind - well, sort of - I just started. Love the graphics, and the concept.
We'll see how long it takes me to become bored of it.
I'm playing an older version, and I could I guess find newer version selling in some discount bin, if I need to. Also there's Oblivion, which I believe is the newest advancement in this series.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Favorite Verizon Wireless Online Feature
I love the "new" self service feature on the Verizon Wireless website!
Which feature is that?
Deactivati0n!
That's right, if you have Verizon wireless you can deactivate one, or more, of your phone lines right from your PC.
And you can reactivate the phone line using the same page.
And it's very simple to do.
Nothing more thrilling than deactivating a teenager's phone service after they repeatedly ignore your text messages, and voicemails.
Sure has put the power back in the hands of the account owner (i.e., Mom and Dad).
Which feature is that?
Deactivati0n!
That's right, if you have Verizon wireless you can deactivate one, or more, of your phone lines right from your PC.
And you can reactivate the phone line using the same page.
And it's very simple to do.
Nothing more thrilling than deactivating a teenager's phone service after they repeatedly ignore your text messages, and voicemails.
Sure has put the power back in the hands of the account owner (i.e., Mom and Dad).
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Let Go Of My Blago!
I wonder if the town's folk of some Serbian village - a village of once proud Blagojeviches - now live in shame?
Once Proud Relatives
That's my Uncle's grandson!
My second cousin is a very powerful man in the U.S.
He got his hair from his mother's side of the family.
And Now
Don't remind me.
Who knew?
He's your side of the family, not mine!
Once Proud Relatives
That's my Uncle's grandson!
My second cousin is a very powerful man in the U.S.
He got his hair from his mother's side of the family.
And Now
Don't remind me.
Who knew?
He's your side of the family, not mine!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Dear Online Diary Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I don't mean to neglect you, it's just that I've been so very busy of late.
Work has been intense. It seems like a perfect storm - economic - has hit.
People are having troubles financing their Christmas, and so they have chosen to take loans, and withdrawals from their nest eggs.
And so nonstop work.
It won't end there as there is a mad rush at the end of each year to meet certain IRS deadlines which will result in more stress, and then the forth quarter financial statements go out, and then tax filing statements go out, and then - the cycle repeats itself.
So I come home tired - each day.
And that's when the hell really begins.
Tonight the Princess has cramps. Princess has cramps because she ate an entire bag of Sun Chips.
A big bag of Sun Chips.
And now it is late, very late, and Princess has her mother scrambling around fetching a vomit bag, and Tylenol just as if Princess were four years old - when in fact Princess is a self centered party hardy teen age girl that plans to blow off her Psychology final tomorrow.
And laughed about it when I told her she needed to go to sleep, and go to school tomorrow.
Oh well. So now I blog to tire myself out, and fall asleep.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Work has been intense. It seems like a perfect storm - economic - has hit.
People are having troubles financing their Christmas, and so they have chosen to take loans, and withdrawals from their nest eggs.
And so nonstop work.
It won't end there as there is a mad rush at the end of each year to meet certain IRS deadlines which will result in more stress, and then the forth quarter financial statements go out, and then tax filing statements go out, and then - the cycle repeats itself.
So I come home tired - each day.
And that's when the hell really begins.
Tonight the Princess has cramps. Princess has cramps because she ate an entire bag of Sun Chips.
A big bag of Sun Chips.
And now it is late, very late, and Princess has her mother scrambling around fetching a vomit bag, and Tylenol just as if Princess were four years old - when in fact Princess is a self centered party hardy teen age girl that plans to blow off her Psychology final tomorrow.
And laughed about it when I told her she needed to go to sleep, and go to school tomorrow.
Oh well. So now I blog to tire myself out, and fall asleep.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Winter Lawn Mowing
As strange as this might sound I must report that as I write this post I am listening to the drone of a lawn mower. At first I barely noticed the sound. That summer sound that drifts through the walls in a low drone - a sound that is reassuring and yet nagging at the same time.
About five minutes into the experience it dawned upon me - that same feeling of guilt - of fear - that my wife would begin nagging me to mow our lawn too.
Hey, the neighbors are out mowing their lawns so I better damned well get out there and mow the lawn too! And my mind scrambled for excuses - our lawn doesn't need mowing yet - it was just last week -
no it was several months ago - hey, wait a moment - what the hell is our neighbor mowing his lawn for?
So I got up out of a perfectly warm bed, and walked over toward the window, and carefully peeped out. And there one of our neighbors was (still is) bundled up in winter coat and hat mowing the lawn.
I notice he is mowing over leaves.
"Maybe that's it?" I thought, maybe he's mulching up his leaves, but he's not using a mulching bag, and the leaves are flying back onto his lawn - in smaller pieces, of course.
Maybe he's trying to clear his yard of leaves?
But that couldn't be it either could it? Our yard is covered with a sea of leaves and so too is his other neighbor's yard.
With winds gusting up to 50 MPH today it is nothing short of insane to think that he could keep his lawn free from leaves today.
Is my neighbor insane - or just terribly terribly bored?
I wonder if he'll be out using his lawn mower on the snow that is expected for tonight?
About five minutes into the experience it dawned upon me - that same feeling of guilt - of fear - that my wife would begin nagging me to mow our lawn too.
Hey, the neighbors are out mowing their lawns so I better damned well get out there and mow the lawn too! And my mind scrambled for excuses - our lawn doesn't need mowing yet - it was just last week -
no it was several months ago - hey, wait a moment - what the hell is our neighbor mowing his lawn for?
So I got up out of a perfectly warm bed, and walked over toward the window, and carefully peeped out. And there one of our neighbors was (still is) bundled up in winter coat and hat mowing the lawn.
I notice he is mowing over leaves.
"Maybe that's it?" I thought, maybe he's mulching up his leaves, but he's not using a mulching bag, and the leaves are flying back onto his lawn - in smaller pieces, of course.
Maybe he's trying to clear his yard of leaves?
But that couldn't be it either could it? Our yard is covered with a sea of leaves and so too is his other neighbor's yard.
With winds gusting up to 50 MPH today it is nothing short of insane to think that he could keep his lawn free from leaves today.
Is my neighbor insane - or just terribly terribly bored?
I wonder if he'll be out using his lawn mower on the snow that is expected for tonight?
Friday, December 05, 2008
Real Men's Rock
Michael - Franz Ferdinand
This group rocks. From what I've read we need not make any assumptions about the band member's sexual preference - one way or another, because we'd probably be wrong. Supposedly a few of the band members were really wasted one night, and started dancing with each other in a most homoerotic manner thus leading to the creation of the song. Love the style of this group as it reminds me of early 1980s alternative rock.
The tame video version lyrics
This is where I'll be so heavenly,
so come and dance with me Michael
So sexy, I'm sexy,
so come and dance with me Michael
I'm all that you see, you wanna see,
so come and dance with me Michael
So close now, so close now,
so come and dance with me, so come and dance with me, so come and dance
with me.
Michael,
you're the boy with all the leather hips,
sticky hair, sticky hips,
stubble on my sticky lips
Michael,
you're the only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
Beautiful boys on a beautiful dancefloor
Michael,
you're dancing like a beautiful dance whore
Michael,
waiting on a silver platter now ... and nothing matters now
This is what I am, I am a man
so come and dance with me Michael
So strong now, its strong now
so come and dance with me Michael
I'm all that you see, you wanna see
so come and dance with me Michael
So close now, its close now,
so come and dance with me, so come and dance with me, SO COME AND DANCE WITH ME
Michael,
you're the boy with all the leather hips,
sticky hair, sticky hips, stubble on my sticky hips
Michael,
you're the only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
Beautiful boys on a beautiful dancefloor
Michael,
you're dancing like a beautiful dance whore
Michael,
waiting on a silver platter now ... and nothing matters now
Michael,
you're the only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
only one I'd ever want
(twice)
Beautiful boys on a beautiful dancefloor
Michael,
you're dancing like a beautiful dance whore
Michael, waiting on a silver platter now, nothing matters now, nothing
Matters now but you
YEAH
Discography
Albums
- Franz Ferdinand (2004)
- You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
- Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (2009)
| "Darts of Pleasure" · "Take Me Out" · "The Dark of the Matinée" · "Michael" · "This Fire" · "Do You Want To" · "Walk Away" · "The Fallen / L. Wells" · "Eleanor Put Your Boots On" · "Lucid Dreams" · "Ulysses" |
Group Members
Alex Kapranos
Nick McCarthy
Bob Hardy
Paul Thomson
Origin
Glasgow Scotland
Sources for much of this: Wikipedia, with images being lifted off the net - so assume it's all copyrighted just like the video, and lyrics certainly are. I'm free-using them here for a type of promotional review.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Judging Divorce
As divorce rates have soared during the last half century so too has the finger wagging about who, and what was at fault. Much has been said about the damage that divorce has upon those families affected by marital dissolution. In fact I have blogged about the subject myself, sharing my concerns over the often abrupt disruption and cessation of stepfather-stepchild relationships.
However destructive divorce may be there are millions of divorced couples who feel that they have no other choice but to put an end to their personal suffering - a suffering brought about by their continued relationships. In that regard alone it is easy to argue that divorce allows a sort of rebirth for those involved.
Living in a marriage in which one, or both, parties feel that their lives would be better off simply by being apart isn't a feeling restricted to those who have or will divorce. Many couples suffer for years before one or both parties come to the conclusion that there is simply no other way to end their suffering, yet many of those couples stay together despite their suffering.
Couples often stay together "for the children", for financial reasons (i.e., too poor to separate), for fear of being alone, or a combination of reasons. These couples live in their personal hells biding their time, hoping for a change that will end their despair.
After years of suffering, and perhaps quiet planning, and prayers, some type of triggering event, or series of events takes place which allows one or both members of the marriage to rise to action - to end their suffering through the creative act of divorce.
I am certain that most of those who have divorced faced tough times initially. Divorce in the U.S. carries with it stigmas, and assumptions that still persist despite the divorce rate. People who divorce are often seen as tainted goods in religious, and social circles. Divorce is often seen as a sign of moral and ethical immaturity - that in some sense those who entered into the marriage were not developed enough as individuals. And while this is true in many cases it isn't always so, and yet the perception persist.
While divorce shouldn't be seen as lightly as moving from one home to another, or leaving one job for another, those who yearn for it, or who have already achieved it, should not be judged harshly for their situation. Despite the numbers of failed marriages one only has to look at the percentage of those who have married again to know that it isn't marriage that is being rejected; it is the specific marriage that is the problem.
However destructive divorce may be there are millions of divorced couples who feel that they have no other choice but to put an end to their personal suffering - a suffering brought about by their continued relationships. In that regard alone it is easy to argue that divorce allows a sort of rebirth for those involved.
Living in a marriage in which one, or both, parties feel that their lives would be better off simply by being apart isn't a feeling restricted to those who have or will divorce. Many couples suffer for years before one or both parties come to the conclusion that there is simply no other way to end their suffering, yet many of those couples stay together despite their suffering.
Couples often stay together "for the children", for financial reasons (i.e., too poor to separate), for fear of being alone, or a combination of reasons. These couples live in their personal hells biding their time, hoping for a change that will end their despair.
After years of suffering, and perhaps quiet planning, and prayers, some type of triggering event, or series of events takes place which allows one or both members of the marriage to rise to action - to end their suffering through the creative act of divorce.
I am certain that most of those who have divorced faced tough times initially. Divorce in the U.S. carries with it stigmas, and assumptions that still persist despite the divorce rate. People who divorce are often seen as tainted goods in religious, and social circles. Divorce is often seen as a sign of moral and ethical immaturity - that in some sense those who entered into the marriage were not developed enough as individuals. And while this is true in many cases it isn't always so, and yet the perception persist.
While divorce shouldn't be seen as lightly as moving from one home to another, or leaving one job for another, those who yearn for it, or who have already achieved it, should not be judged harshly for their situation. Despite the numbers of failed marriages one only has to look at the percentage of those who have married again to know that it isn't marriage that is being rejected; it is the specific marriage that is the problem.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Watch These Morons Insult The Prophet
When Prophets Speak The Insults Fly And To America's Peril
Links to several 4th Quarter 2006 interviews in which Peter Schiff warned of the coming economic collapse (Imagine going back in time, and moving your money out of the market within a few months of these interview). Watch how the other analyst are openly laughing at Mr. Schiff.
- Fox News Cavuto on Business 12/31/06
- CNBC Kudlow & Company 12/29/06
- Bloomberg Market Pulse 12/28/06
- FOX News Bulls and Bears 12/16/06
- Bloomberg Market Movers 12/6/06
- CNBC Kudlow & Company 11/20/06
- CNBC Morning Call 11/15/06
- CNBC Morning Call 10/20/06
- CNBC Morning Call 10/4/06
Ben Stein, you and your buddy Arthur Laffer (remember Stein's description of the Laffer curve in Ferris Beuller's Day Off) were totally and absolutely WRONG!
Look how the world has changed in just the last year since money manager Peter Schiff was being laughed off the talk show circuit for the crime of accurately stating the inevitable - a global economic meltdown.
While Mr. Schiff is not a prophet, and while I hope his latest prediction that Barack Obama's attempt to rescue the U.S. economy will only result in a deeper recession, it is obvious from the video (above) that alarm bells were ringing years before the global economic meltdown - and no one was listening.
The point to this post is that there were voices out there telling it like it is (years ago), and no one in a position of authority wanted to listen. This is most important as history has a way of repeating itself.
Vow
Vow
I did it for love
I did it for the touch
Of a kindred soul.
I did it to gather
A oneness
With you
Forever
My sweet burning
Fire.
Not for immortality
Nor protection from
Your incantations
Nor your flirtations
An irresistible darkness
Which beckons 0ur broken souls
.
.
Vow - A thought or two from the tortured mind of jerome prophet
I did it for love
I did it for the touch
Of a kindred soul.
I did it to gather
A oneness
With you
Forever
My sweet burning
Fire.
Not for immortality
Nor protection from
Your incantations
Nor your flirtations
An irresistible darkness
Which beckons 0ur broken souls
.
.
Vow - A thought or two from the tortured mind of jerome prophet
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Pakistan: A Nuclear Armed Terrorist State
The U.S. move toward improving relations with India has been a wise one. For decades the U.S. attempted to "punish" India for having developed nuclear weapons in violation of International non-proliferation treaties, but that only helped the Soviet Union.
In 2002 India and Pakistan were at the brink of a nuclear war, and if not the for the diplomatic efforts of the U.S. it is likely the world would have witnessed a nuclear exchange.
While coastal Pakistan has long ties to the U.S. and the rest of the developed world Pakistan's northern territories have over the course of the last half century become a breeding ground for Islamic fundamentalism and Islamic radical groups (i.e., terrorist).
While the most recent terrorist attack upon India has caught the eye of the international media the sad fact is that India, the world's largest democracy, has been a victim to a continuous procession of deadly terrorist attacks launched upon it by terrorist groups based in Pakistan.
U.S. attempts to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden, and end Al Queda attacks in Afghanistan, have been stymied by Pakistan's reluctance to allow U.S. troops to launch attacks across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border - this is true despite the billions of dollars in international aid that the U.S. has provided Pakistan since 9/11.
While name calling may not be constructive it is important to recognize that by not acting to stamp out terrorist groups, and by not addressing rampant poverty in northern Pakistan, the government of Pakistan has become complicit in the spread of international terrorism.
The U.S. should take every step necessary to assist India in increasing its level of preparedness in defeating terrorism within its borders and beyond, and must continue to encourage Pakistan (by any means including military) to bring economic development to its impoverished regions, and bring terrorist to justice.
I wouldn't have a problem with the U.S. continuing hit and run attacks by special forces within Pakistan, as well as executing air strikes against known terrorist. I would pair such actions with the implementation of a well financed economic development program for Pakistan which would specifically target those regions within Pakistan which harbor terrorist.
In 2002 India and Pakistan were at the brink of a nuclear war, and if not the for the diplomatic efforts of the U.S. it is likely the world would have witnessed a nuclear exchange.
While coastal Pakistan has long ties to the U.S. and the rest of the developed world Pakistan's northern territories have over the course of the last half century become a breeding ground for Islamic fundamentalism and Islamic radical groups (i.e., terrorist).
While the most recent terrorist attack upon India has caught the eye of the international media the sad fact is that India, the world's largest democracy, has been a victim to a continuous procession of deadly terrorist attacks launched upon it by terrorist groups based in Pakistan.
U.S. attempts to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden, and end Al Queda attacks in Afghanistan, have been stymied by Pakistan's reluctance to allow U.S. troops to launch attacks across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border - this is true despite the billions of dollars in international aid that the U.S. has provided Pakistan since 9/11.
While name calling may not be constructive it is important to recognize that by not acting to stamp out terrorist groups, and by not addressing rampant poverty in northern Pakistan, the government of Pakistan has become complicit in the spread of international terrorism.
The U.S. should take every step necessary to assist India in increasing its level of preparedness in defeating terrorism within its borders and beyond, and must continue to encourage Pakistan (by any means including military) to bring economic development to its impoverished regions, and bring terrorist to justice.
I wouldn't have a problem with the U.S. continuing hit and run attacks by special forces within Pakistan, as well as executing air strikes against known terrorist. I would pair such actions with the implementation of a well financed economic development program for Pakistan which would specifically target those regions within Pakistan which harbor terrorist.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Καλώντας τον Γιώργο Γκιώνη Θεσσαλονίκης Ελλάδα
Αυτό είναι μια ανοικτή επιστολή προς τον Γιώργο Γκιώνη Θεσσαλονίκης Ελλάδα.
Γιώργο Γκιώνη αυτό είναι το παλιό κολέγιο φίλε, Eugene Knox, από το ημέρες σε πανεπιστήμιο Southern Illinois στο Carbondale, Illinois.
Εάν συμβεί να έρθουν στην Ευρώπη αυτό του blog παρακαλώ με όλα τα μέσα προσθέτω ένα σχόλιο, ή στο email μου φίλε!
Το email μου διεύθυνση είναι αποσπασμένος σε αυτό το blog κάπου, αλλά εδώ είναι:
jeromeprophet@gmail.com
After a brief search it appears that I have found you!
Only one problem - this could be your son!
The Advantages of Hybrid Architectural Approaches for the Integrating Middleware
George Gionis
Γιώργο Γκιώνη αυτό είναι το παλιό κολέγιο φίλε, Eugene Knox, από το ημέρες σε πανεπιστήμιο Southern Illinois στο Carbondale, Illinois.
Εάν συμβεί να έρθουν στην Ευρώπη αυτό του blog παρακαλώ με όλα τα μέσα προσθέτω ένα σχόλιο, ή στο email μου φίλε!
Το email μου διεύθυνση είναι αποσπασμένος σε αυτό το blog κάπου, αλλά εδώ είναι:
jeromeprophet@gmail.com
After a brief search it appears that I have found you!
Only one problem - this could be your son!
The Advantages of Hybrid Architectural Approaches for the Integrating Middleware
George Gionis
Monday, November 24, 2008
Just Thinking About Marianne Faithfull
An 18 Year Old Marianne Faithfull (1965)
What a beauty, and such a shy thing too. It's odd to think that if she had just been a bit less sure of herself she probably never would have made a career for herself as a singer.
Marianne was dating, and having songs written for her by, Mick Jager of the Rolling Stones at the time this video was recorded, which explains why some readers may recall having heard this song played by the Rolling Stones.
She is introduced by, Beatles Manager, Brian Epstein "The Fifth Beatle" who would die of a drug overdose just two years after this video.
Marianne Faithfull (1968)
Something about late 1960s styles that lighten my spirits. Those eyelashes totally remind me of the way young women used to wear their makeup back then.
I tried to locate a video of her performing during her stint in the Yardbirds, but so far have failed to locate any.
Marianne Faithfull - (1979) Broken English
Notice the Space Invaders sounds (with a quarter being fed into the extremely popular video game) at the beginning of the video?
This song is how I was introduced to Marianne Faithfull. Marianne claims that she was continually harassed by the police after this song became a hit.
Marianne Faithfull Interview In Israel (2007)
Marianne Faithfull is sixty two years old, and living in Ireland now.
And she's still performing!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Inevitable Bombing Of Iran
The government of Iran will not reverse course on their headlong pursuit of building an atomic arsenal. The petty attempts that the U.S. and Europe make at punishing Iran will fail utterly in persuading Iran to cease its nuclear ambitions. And most important of all, those in power in Europe and the United States will come to the inevitable conclusion that Iran must be stopped militarily.
The question is when this attack will happen, not if the attack will happen. With George W. Bush's historically low approval ratings it is doubtful 'W' will launch an attack before he leaves office. This was a real possibility up until the 2008 Presidential election results came in. A quick bombing run just before a hand off to the McCain administration was certainly possible, however, the Bush Administration lacks any remnants of credibility on either the domestic or international front.
Despite any belief that an Obama Administration will lack sufficient backbone to deal Iran's nuclear ambitions a fatal blow it is more likely that Iran's nuclear program will become the center of an Obama Middle East policy once U.S. troops leave Iraq. Despite the proximity of troops within Iraq the U.S. presence in Iraq is more a hindrance to the U.S. in terms of forcing an Iranian capitulation.
Despite any increased diplomatic pressure the U.S. puts upon Iran after the U.S. leaves Iraq the simple fact remains - Iran considers acquisition of nuclear weapons paramount to all other considerations. Acquiring nuclear weapons is more important to the Iranian government than feeding its own people, and nothing short of the destruction of its military will stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
I would expect a full scale air assault of Iranian radar installations, air bases, missile facilities, navy, communications facilities, select governmental facilities, and of course nuclear assets, within the next eight years - most likely at, or near the end of Barack Obama's second term or perhaps sooner.
By then the U.S. had better be much less dependent upon oil imports from the Middle East. For that reason I suggest that the U.S. expand it's strategic oil reserves so as to be able to support transportation, heating, and industrial needs for one year at current usage. The U.S. also needs to rapidly replace its inefficient automobiles.
The reason for this course of action is that Iran will launch missile attacks against oil facilities in neighboring states.
Iran will also attack Israel. This much is anticipated, and will result in the need for a sustained series of massive air assaults against Iranian governmental and industrial facilities - on a scale not seen since the Iraq war - with the difference being that no attempt at holding territory will be made.
Do I really believe this will happen? Yes, because any sane and rational individual would realize the absolute necessity of making certain that Iran doesn't become a nuclear state.
There is little doubt that a nuclear armed Iran would initiate an attack against Israel which would of course lead to the nuclear destruction of Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and possibly Egypt.
The surviving military of Israel, witnessing the incineration of its population, would no doubt carry out a final solution to the Islamic problem - and there is little the U.S. or any other state would be able to do to stop it.
One of the greatest disasters of the Bush Administration is its attempt to occupy Iraq, instead of attacking Iran. Containing Iraq, and attacking Iranian nuclear sites would have been far less expensive and resulted in a better long term outcome than the debacle the neocons within the Bush Administration have created.
The question is when this attack will happen, not if the attack will happen. With George W. Bush's historically low approval ratings it is doubtful 'W' will launch an attack before he leaves office. This was a real possibility up until the 2008 Presidential election results came in. A quick bombing run just before a hand off to the McCain administration was certainly possible, however, the Bush Administration lacks any remnants of credibility on either the domestic or international front.
Despite any belief that an Obama Administration will lack sufficient backbone to deal Iran's nuclear ambitions a fatal blow it is more likely that Iran's nuclear program will become the center of an Obama Middle East policy once U.S. troops leave Iraq. Despite the proximity of troops within Iraq the U.S. presence in Iraq is more a hindrance to the U.S. in terms of forcing an Iranian capitulation.
Despite any increased diplomatic pressure the U.S. puts upon Iran after the U.S. leaves Iraq the simple fact remains - Iran considers acquisition of nuclear weapons paramount to all other considerations. Acquiring nuclear weapons is more important to the Iranian government than feeding its own people, and nothing short of the destruction of its military will stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
I would expect a full scale air assault of Iranian radar installations, air bases, missile facilities, navy, communications facilities, select governmental facilities, and of course nuclear assets, within the next eight years - most likely at, or near the end of Barack Obama's second term or perhaps sooner.
By then the U.S. had better be much less dependent upon oil imports from the Middle East. For that reason I suggest that the U.S. expand it's strategic oil reserves so as to be able to support transportation, heating, and industrial needs for one year at current usage. The U.S. also needs to rapidly replace its inefficient automobiles.
The reason for this course of action is that Iran will launch missile attacks against oil facilities in neighboring states.
Iran will also attack Israel. This much is anticipated, and will result in the need for a sustained series of massive air assaults against Iranian governmental and industrial facilities - on a scale not seen since the Iraq war - with the difference being that no attempt at holding territory will be made.
Do I really believe this will happen? Yes, because any sane and rational individual would realize the absolute necessity of making certain that Iran doesn't become a nuclear state.
There is little doubt that a nuclear armed Iran would initiate an attack against Israel which would of course lead to the nuclear destruction of Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and possibly Egypt.
The surviving military of Israel, witnessing the incineration of its population, would no doubt carry out a final solution to the Islamic problem - and there is little the U.S. or any other state would be able to do to stop it.
One of the greatest disasters of the Bush Administration is its attempt to occupy Iraq, instead of attacking Iran. Containing Iraq, and attacking Iranian nuclear sites would have been far less expensive and resulted in a better long term outcome than the debacle the neocons within the Bush Administration have created.
A Love Deep, Dark and Beautiful
Lacuna Coil - Enjoy The Silence (UK Version)
Deep, Dark and Beautiful is Lacuna Coil's rendition of Depeche Mode's Enjoy the Silence.
I've been in a place so filled with pain that words would only lead to more injury, a place in which the soft embrace of the one I desired would have been the only thing capable of ending my despair. And conversely I have been in such states of happiness and contentment within my lover's arms just gazing into their eyes that words would have broken the totality of the union. Love is a form of telepathy, and in this sense it goes beyond words.
Love songs are so beautiful when they capture just one moment or just one aspect of a relationship and expand upon it. Many pop love songs treat love in a trivial puppy love style, and some in a flowery romantic way, but Enjoy the Silence is asking that we look a bit deeper and darker. The nature of love and its connection to addiction, the psychological and physical pain that is felt by lovers to be with each other is both beautiful, and frightening - both magical and evil.
Communion of two lovers is an act of consumption without destruction, or at least it can be. In those moments of closeness words can fail to express the intensity of desire, and the level of ecstasy felt by the couple. Enjoy the Silence is a song that describes those moments.
Lacuna Coil - Enjoy The Silence (US Version - My Favorite)
While Depeche Mode originated Enjoy the Silence Lacuna Coil's version is much better in my opinion. Depeche Mode presented an innovative sound in the 1980s, and certainly should be credited for the many excellent songs which they so generously brought forth, but Lacuna Coil's advantages are many.
From the much higher production values, and better technology, to their brooding and intense style Lacuna Coil's sound craft creates a multitude of layers within the song that lends it a luxurious yet honest feel. Lacuna Coil transforms Enjoy the Silence into a mastepiece, whereas Depeche Mode invites one to take to the techno dance floor.
The lyrics below are a simple chant asking us to enjoy the pleasures of a sexual and romantic coupling without all the complexities of a commitment.
Enjoy the Silence
Words like violence
Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world
Painful to me
Pierce right through me
Can't you understand
Oh my little girl
All i wanted
All i needed is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
Vows are spoken
To be Broken
Feelings are intense
Words are trivial
Pleasures remain
So does the pain
Words are meaningless
And forgettable
All i wanted
All i needed is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
All i wanted
All i needed is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
All i wanted
All i needed is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
Enjoy the silence
Enjoy the silence
Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence (The Original)
The techno style of Depeche Mode's Enjoy the Silence has a cheap and silly sound, but that's due to the primitive keyboards and mixing. The lyrics and vocals are great. The video is bizarre, and actually funny to look at.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Durbin Sheds Tears For Joe Lieberman
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin Crys For Traitorous Senator Joe Lieberman
Hey Dick I want my ten dollars back!
Needless to say my recent emailed recommendation to my Senator, Dick Durbin, was given all the consideration it was due - none at all obviously.
Watch Joe The Traitor Lieberman In Action Attacking Barack Obama
At least that is what I thought as I watched the honorable Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois warmly bob his head in agreement as he stood behind the traitorous Senator Joe Lieberman during Tuesday's news conference announcing that Mr. Lieberman had not only been allowed to continue to caucus with Senate Democrats, but will keep his committee chairmanship over the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Watch As Dick Durbin Sheds A Tear For Joe Lieberman
It is simply unbelievable how Obama and crew has taken on a traitor within their midst just to reach the magical and illusory number sixty.
Now Joe Lieberman can issue subpoenas against the Obama administration in any witch hunt he desires to create from his Homeland Security Committee, and there's no way the Dems can remove him to stop him if the Republicans fillibuster - a fillibuster Liebermann would obviously snake in the grass style allow.
Watch As Senator Joe Lieberman Tongue Kisses With George W. Bush
My latest emailing to Senator Dick Durbin:
Senator Durbin,
In my recent email to you I had requested that you not welcome Senator Joe Lieberman back into the Senate Democratic Caucus, but it appears you have chosen to throw your support behind this most unwise course of action.
I have been a Democrat my entire life, and won't abandon the party, like some have, but unlike Joe Lieberman you will be punished for your decision - I had made a decision to start contributing to your campaign fund on a regular basis, but have decided not to do so.
I know I would have only been a small time donor, but the choices we make in life do ultimately have an effect.
I have also posted a blog piece critical of your support for Joe "The Traitor" Lieberman which you can find here:
http://jeromeprophet.blogspot.com/2008/11/durbin-sheds-tears-for-joe-lieberman.html
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Republicans to American Industry - Screw You!
Republicans to American Industry - Screw You!
Is it any wonder that the Republican party has lost its soul?
For it certainly has lost its heart, and its vision.
Republicans, hear this clearly, there are not enough millionaires, and billionaires in this great nation of ours to buy the Senate, the House, and the Presidency.
You must change or perish - it's as simple as that.
Your politics of division and hate has failed.
Is it any wonder that the Republican party has lost its soul?
For it certainly has lost its heart, and its vision.
Republicans, hear this clearly, there are not enough millionaires, and billionaires in this great nation of ours to buy the Senate, the House, and the Presidency.
You must change or perish - it's as simple as that.
Your politics of division and hate has failed.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Ancient Wisdom
Ancient Wisdom
by Jerome Prophet
If I wrote a thousand pages and sealed them in a book
And if my predecessors cast my works as divinely took
Would you quiver as you read those thoughts believing every word
And would you revere it as old wisdom and act as if you've heard
Would you preach it every Sunday and whip your children well
Justified in every act and curse and sacred spell
Would you kill the children and women too if discovered unbelievers
And cast your sins off lightly as if you're God's chosen creatures
For if that could be possible I'd burn this very sentence
I'd cast away my thoughts no more for fear of your intentions
For the smattering of this consciousness I've claimed for my pitiful self
Could not bare responsibility for mankind's self made hell
And so I beg those so inclined - you takers of beliefs so blind
That faith has damned those adopting her and could every single time
Oh employ your goodly senses and cast doubts to shield yourselves
For it's your true and loyal protector and not Kings, or Gods, or Elves.
.
.
.
Photo: A photograph of Lizzie Borden which I modified digitally
Senator Lieberman Must Go!
Senator Durbin:
I'm a big believer in building coalitions, and transcending partisanship - when it works, however, it is time to give Senator Lieberman his walking papers.
Senator Lieberman might just be the nicest guy in the world, but he should be denied a committee chairmanship. He's not a member of our team, and he has actively worked to defeat our side.
I've been a democrat my whole life, and I've been a precinct committeeman. I donated money I could barely afford to your campaign and Barack Obama's campaign, and I can tell you it incenses me to no end to think Senator Lieberman will be rewarded for his support of McCain, and Republican Senatorial candidates. This makes no sense at all.
We can get sixty votes elsewhere. We don't need him.
Will you vote to strip Lieberman of his committee chairmanship?
I'm a big believer in building coalitions, and transcending partisanship - when it works, however, it is time to give Senator Lieberman his walking papers.
Senator Lieberman might just be the nicest guy in the world, but he should be denied a committee chairmanship. He's not a member of our team, and he has actively worked to defeat our side.
I've been a democrat my whole life, and I've been a precinct committeeman. I donated money I could barely afford to your campaign and Barack Obama's campaign, and I can tell you it incenses me to no end to think Senator Lieberman will be rewarded for his support of McCain, and Republican Senatorial candidates. This makes no sense at all.
We can get sixty votes elsewhere. We don't need him.
Will you vote to strip Lieberman of his committee chairmanship?
Friday, November 14, 2008
A Message From My Parallell Universe
This Youtube Video Is Hilarious!
A Message From My Parallell Universe
Those silly "Europeans" are playing around with mother nature.
And..,
Look what some joker (third down) posted in the comments! LOL! We all know around these parts that it's the thunder which causes it to rain!
Here's the recipe:
Use lasers to generate lightning, which causes thunder, which forces condensation and then it rains. That way we can control where it rains. Every grade school child knows that - right?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Illusions of Importance
HIM - When love and death embrace
Illusions of Importance
by JeromeProphet
Your smiling face looks out from the crumpled page
My coffee cup marks the edges and I feel guilt
You are history to be forgotten despite our vows
Of honor and remembrance
You were busy shadows, an unknown name, fleeting faces in other places.
I thought I recognized you, but probably not
it was just a thought.
I wad up the paper, and toss it into the garbage
it falls to the side
I didn't spend the time to read your story
And now it is too late
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
George W. Bush Isn't Responsible
George W. Bush Isn't Responsible
That's true he isn't responsible for a damned thing.
But he should be (bring up a pdf version of the chart above).
No one is saying that the Republican and Democratic (last two years) Congress didn't play a role in the problems the country is currently facing, but the Executive Branch carries out oversight - or in this case failed to do so.
Grandfather - The Sleeper Has Awakended
Awoke from a dream about my grandfather - well sort of.
In the dream I am visiting, or touring, my grandfather's home. There are many small rooms off to the side which are private rooms. Some hold mysteries, or perhaps ghost are lurking about.
I am warned, but I brazenly enter, and pass through each room.
I find a scrapbook, or perhaps it is a yearbook with photographs that have been placed between the pages.
I flip open the book, and find a photograph which includes a photo of some members of my family including myself. There is a loving inscription by my mother, which I had never seen before, and I am amused, and amazed.
I then step outside and look around the house. I decide that the house is "too close" to other homes in the neighborhood - that is, I wouldn't want to live there, as there is not enough privacy.
Yet the old home is large, and spacious, and I walk through it again on my way to the back yard.
I notice the fence in the backyard needs work. One of the neighbors has a small work area in his backyard and has trespassed onto my grandfather's backyard - I make a note that if I buy the home I will rebuild the fence and end the trespassing.
Although I do not really seriously plan to buy the home - for it is haunted.
I awaken, and hear myself saying - Grandfather, the sleeper has awakened - which is a line, slightly modified, from DUNE.
In the dream I am visiting, or touring, my grandfather's home. There are many small rooms off to the side which are private rooms. Some hold mysteries, or perhaps ghost are lurking about.
I am warned, but I brazenly enter, and pass through each room.
I find a scrapbook, or perhaps it is a yearbook with photographs that have been placed between the pages.
I flip open the book, and find a photograph which includes a photo of some members of my family including myself. There is a loving inscription by my mother, which I had never seen before, and I am amused, and amazed.
I then step outside and look around the house. I decide that the house is "too close" to other homes in the neighborhood - that is, I wouldn't want to live there, as there is not enough privacy.
Yet the old home is large, and spacious, and I walk through it again on my way to the back yard.
I notice the fence in the backyard needs work. One of the neighbors has a small work area in his backyard and has trespassed onto my grandfather's backyard - I make a note that if I buy the home I will rebuild the fence and end the trespassing.
Although I do not really seriously plan to buy the home - for it is haunted.
I awaken, and hear myself saying - Grandfather, the sleeper has awakened - which is a line, slightly modified, from DUNE.
"Senior General Than Shwe Is Foolish With Power"
The title to this post landed a Burmese blogger in jail for fifteen years.
Here's the story from the BBC.
But He Has So Many Medals
Here's the story from the BBC.
But He Has So Many Medals
Monday, November 10, 2008
U.S. Economy - I Smell A Rat
The Cars - Dangerous Type
O.K.
What in the hell is going on?
Quite obviously I have stepped into the twilight zone.
Suddenly, or so it seems, the entire world economy is tittering on the brink of meltdown.
And while I have been screaming for years about how the Bush Economy is an economy based upon fraud - doesn't it just seem odd? That I was right - well, that is, that those I've chosen to believe were right?
Damn it folks what in the hell is going on?
Let's see how this whole scam was operated.
First comes - Deregulation - which means that the people who are supposed to keep this from happening are removed, or corrupted, or actually just don't care. The foxes are put in charge of the hen houses.
Deregulation - which floats the economy far higher than it should have since it was based upon a mountain of bad (unregulated debt).
Then as the Bush Clown and his merry band of thieves leave office the house of cards comes crashing down.
And everything is hitting the dirt.
We are in effect being asked to bail out nearly every major sector of the U.S. economy - except big oil, and big pharma - which are perfectly fine since they've been allowed to ream out the entire population for eight long years.
Is anyone going to jail over this?
It's as if all those millionaires and billionaires who profited off of this did so in fact with tax payer money - just in a delayed fashion.
These ultra well paid CEOs, and their henchmen who ran their companies into the ground, who would claim to be Republicans and Conservatives and Freemarketers, and Capitalist are in fact stealing from the U.S. Taxpayer like no other group of scum in the history of this nation.
And no one is talking about impeachment, or about anyone being rounded up and tarred and feathered, or lynched? Or stuck in some jail cell to rot. No one is talking about this at all.
Instead many of the main culprits will find themselves hired as consultants to help in the "bail out".
It's just really really odd.
And while it thankfully has led to a new administration it speaks loudly of why it is that people like GWB go into public office in the first place.
People who hate government go into it for the profit, not the service. They go into government to ruin government and to sac the treasury, and steal from the people.
The Bail Out List - So Far (From CNN) Folks This is CRAZY!!!!!!!
SAVING WALL STREET
The government has taken these steps to aid financial institutions.
Term-auction facility: $1.4 trillion in loans to banks so far in exchange for otherwise unwanted collateral. The Fed increased its monthly auction limit to $300 billion in October, up from $20 billion when the Fed began the program.
Dollar swap lines: Unlimited dollars to 13 foreign central banks to provide liquidity to foreign financial institutions. The Fed lifted its cap after raising it to $620 billion in October from $24 billion in December.
Bear Stearns: $29 billion in a special lending facility to guarantee potential losses on its portfolio. With the lending facility, JPMorgan was able to step in to save Bear from bankruptcy.
Lending to banks: $77 billion lent on average every day to investment banks, after facility opened to non-commercial banks for first time in March.
Cash injections: $250 billion to banks in exchange for equity stake in the financial institutions in the form of senior preferred shares.
Mortgage-backed securities purchases: Up to $450 billion allotted to purchase troubled assets from banks.
Fed rate cuts: Down to 1% in October 2008, from 5.25% in September 2007.
SAVING MAIN STREET
Consumers are benefiting from the government's actions in recent months.
Stimulus checks: $100 billion in stimulus checks made their way to 140 million tax filers to boost consumer spending and help grow the economy.
Unemployment benefits: $8 billion toward an expansion of unemployment benefits, to 39 weeks from 26 weeks.
Bank takeovers: $11.4 billion drawn down so far from the FDIC's deposit insurance fund after 19 bank failures in 2008.
Rehab foreclosed homes: $4 billion to states and municipalities in assistance to buy up and rehabilitate foreclosed properties.
Student loan guarantees: $9 billion so far in government purchases of student loans from private lenders. Higher borrowing costs made student loans unprofitable for a number of lenders, many of whom stopped issuing the loans.
Money-market guarantees: $50 billion in insurance for money-market funds. The Fed then began to lend an unlimited amount of money to finance banks' purchases of debt from money-market funds. The Fed then agreed to purchase up to $69 billion in money-market debt directly. In October, the Fed said it would loan up to $600 billion directly to money-market funds.
Housing rescue: $300 billion approved for insurance of new 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages for at-risk borrowers. The bill includes $16 billion in tax credits for first-time home buyers. But lenders have been slow to sign on.
Deposit insurance: $250,000 in insurance for interest-bearing accounts, up from $100,000. The FDIC also issued unlimited guarantees on non-interest- bearing accounts and newly issued unsecured bank debt.
SAVING CORPORATE AMERICA
Uncle Sam has intervened to help companies in the following ways.
Business stimulus: $68 billion in tax breaks to corporations to help loosen the stranglehold on businesses trying to finance daily operating expenses.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac: $200 billion to bail out the mortgage finance giants. Federal officials assumed control of the firms and the $5 trillion in home loans they back.
AIG: $152 billion bailout, including initial $85 billion through a direct loan and a $38 billion lending facility. On Nov. 10, new deal announced that includes a direct investment through preferred shares, easier terms on a $60 billion loan, and new facilities meant to take on the companies exposure to credit-default swaps.
Automakers: $25 billion in low-interest loans to speed the industry's transition to more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Commercial paper facility: $243 billion in corporate debt purchased so far by the Fed since its so-called Commercial Paper Funding Facility openned.AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!!!!!!!
The Cars
The Cars - Let's Go 1979 - I bought this on vinyl right when it first came out
This song has me betwixt.
Dave of The11thhour wrote a post about The Fixx, which has me thinking about the late 1970s, and early 1980s. Damn you Dave! Just joking buddy. Man the 1980s were weird - but in a nice way. By the way Dave and I were into New Wave much earlier than most here in Springfield, Illinois. Early enough to catch some flak about it. Ha. Remember Apple Tree Records?
This song could now be about my teenage daughter, which I find amazing.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
A Conservative Wonderland Gone Bust
Waiting For End Times In The Land Of Obama
One distraught conservative who seemed to be taking Obama's victory hard shared with me her desire for the world to come to an end via - The Rapture.
That's right, this rather sensitive woman, who I both like and respect a great deal is hoping for the end of the world now that Barack Obama has been elected as President.
I wanted to suggest that maybe in the meantime she could move to Idaho or Alaska, two states that are like Heaven right here on Earth, and are in the solid Red category, but I decided not to suggest that, as I fear she might take my advice - and friends aren't so easily replaced.
Waiting For The Great Depression With Determination
This afternoon I spoke with a real live conservative over some Fox News. He was sharing with me his concern that the economy was on the brink of collapse, but that he didn't feel that the Government should prevent it - for philosophical reasons.
Here he was explaining how he himself is on the brink of financial disaster and that the company he works for is just a shadow of what it was when he started with it years ago, yet he was committed to the idea that the entire U.S. economy should crash - based upon his conservative philosophical convictions.
I smiled, and listened, but I knew I was in the presence of a madman - yet, there are tens of millions of Republicans who are just like him in the U.S.
Thank god they lost the election.
This gentleman thought it was perfectly o.k. that the U.S. auto industry completely crash and burn, and be replaced by the Chinese auto industry, etc.
I thought this was ironic as we were at a local auto dealership at the time - watching Fox News, and sipping on complimentary drinks - with absolutely no one buying any cars.
One distraught conservative who seemed to be taking Obama's victory hard shared with me her desire for the world to come to an end via - The Rapture.
That's right, this rather sensitive woman, who I both like and respect a great deal is hoping for the end of the world now that Barack Obama has been elected as President.
I wanted to suggest that maybe in the meantime she could move to Idaho or Alaska, two states that are like Heaven right here on Earth, and are in the solid Red category, but I decided not to suggest that, as I fear she might take my advice - and friends aren't so easily replaced.
Waiting For The Great Depression With Determination
This afternoon I spoke with a real live conservative over some Fox News. He was sharing with me his concern that the economy was on the brink of collapse, but that he didn't feel that the Government should prevent it - for philosophical reasons.
Here he was explaining how he himself is on the brink of financial disaster and that the company he works for is just a shadow of what it was when he started with it years ago, yet he was committed to the idea that the entire U.S. economy should crash - based upon his conservative philosophical convictions.
I smiled, and listened, but I knew I was in the presence of a madman - yet, there are tens of millions of Republicans who are just like him in the U.S.
Thank god they lost the election.
This gentleman thought it was perfectly o.k. that the U.S. auto industry completely crash and burn, and be replaced by the Chinese auto industry, etc.
I thought this was ironic as we were at a local auto dealership at the time - watching Fox News, and sipping on complimentary drinks - with absolutely no one buying any cars.
Welcome Indiana To The Blue States!
To the wonderful people of the State of Indiana, I welcome you to the Blue States Club!
Check here for details on the date and time of our next meeting.
Check here for details on the date and time of our next meeting.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
My 2008 Presidential Election Prediction
First of all - vote - if you are an Obama supporter. If you support McCain, or are undecided then it is perfectly o.k. for you to stay home this time around.
Here's my prediction: Election goes to Obama with 311 electoral votes.
I won't review the solid red or blue states here - just the contentious states.
Obama takes: PA, VA, CO, NV, and OH (just taking PA will win it for Obama).
McCain takes: FL, GA, NC, MO, IN, ND, and MT (although I predict these states will be close).
Essentially, McCain will fail to take the states Bush won with, and Obama will have helped to move several Red states in the Blue state category (possibly for years to come).
I based my decision on the following: Using www.pollster.com (I find this the best source) I gave 3/4 of undecided votes to McCain which tosses all tossup states back into the Red category. However, in PA, and OH, the small portion of undecideds who chose not to vote on racial lines, and who will vote for Obama are critically important to my scenario working out.
I simply accepted the argument that most undecideds are white, and will vote along racial lines - which is what the McCain camp is hoping for. McCain, however, has failed to take any of Obama's already decided votes away, and his dirty campaign has failed in this regard.
There you have it. McCain's attempt to scare people away from Obama fails, and not all undecideds vote along racial lines - which ends McCain's long nightmarish bid for the presidency.
My prediction for the future
Also, due to the slow and inexorable changes in the demographic makeup of the nation we will see how the states I listed above as tossups will shift Blue over the next decade. The all while Republican party is in grave trouble unless it becomes more inclusive, and less anti good government.
Where I Might Be Wrong
Florida might just go for Obama, and Ohio might go for McCain. These states are very close, although Obama could still lose both, and handily win the election anyway.
Here's my prediction: Election goes to Obama with 311 electoral votes.
I won't review the solid red or blue states here - just the contentious states.
Obama takes: PA, VA, CO, NV, and OH (just taking PA will win it for Obama).
McCain takes: FL, GA, NC, MO, IN, ND, and MT (although I predict these states will be close).
Essentially, McCain will fail to take the states Bush won with, and Obama will have helped to move several Red states in the Blue state category (possibly for years to come).
I based my decision on the following: Using www.pollster.com (I find this the best source) I gave 3/4 of undecided votes to McCain which tosses all tossup states back into the Red category. However, in PA, and OH, the small portion of undecideds who chose not to vote on racial lines, and who will vote for Obama are critically important to my scenario working out.
I simply accepted the argument that most undecideds are white, and will vote along racial lines - which is what the McCain camp is hoping for. McCain, however, has failed to take any of Obama's already decided votes away, and his dirty campaign has failed in this regard.
There you have it. McCain's attempt to scare people away from Obama fails, and not all undecideds vote along racial lines - which ends McCain's long nightmarish bid for the presidency.
My prediction for the future
Also, due to the slow and inexorable changes in the demographic makeup of the nation we will see how the states I listed above as tossups will shift Blue over the next decade. The all while Republican party is in grave trouble unless it becomes more inclusive, and less anti good government.
Where I Might Be Wrong
Florida might just go for Obama, and Ohio might go for McCain. These states are very close, although Obama could still lose both, and handily win the election anyway.
Racism - McCain Campaign Depends Upon It
An interesting article in the New York Times illustrates just how critical racism is the the McCain campaign. Promoting, and using racism is critical to John McCain's chance of winning in the 2008 Presidential Election.
Read how a McCain staffer refers to lower class elderly white Catholics who live in all white neighborhoods:
Presumably that would mean that the wealthier whites in Central Philadelphia who back Barack Obama, and the black voters in Philadelphia too - have no values. I doubt that is what is being said. No, the phrase is code for white racist voters.
Again, from the NYT Article:
Read how a McCain staffer refers to lower class elderly white Catholics who live in all white neighborhoods:
“I’m spending a lot of time in Philadelphia,” said Robert Gleason, the chairman of the state Republican Party.
“We’re working the Northeast,” he said, referring to a largely white part of the city. “We’ve got values voters up there, Catholics. My people up there say they can carry four to six wards this year, and four years ago, they carried none.”
Presumably that would mean that the wealthier whites in Central Philadelphia who back Barack Obama, and the black voters in Philadelphia too - have no values. I doubt that is what is being said. No, the phrase is code for white racist voters.
Again, from the NYT Article:
“Hillary won some of those white wards by 10 to 1,” said Shanin Specter, son of Senator Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, and a lawyer who is steeped in local politics. “Obama is likely to significantly underperform Kerry and Gore in those white row-house wards.”
The state Republican Party has begun running advertisements highlighting Mr. Obama’s ties to the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., his former pastor, which could tap into concerns among white voters.
The Obama campaign is fully aware of the challenge.
“This is a tough ward,” said Paul Rossi, 61, a data processor who lives in the neighborhood and is helping out at an Obama office that opened Saturday not far from Marconi Park. “It’s a matter of convincing people culturally that they won’t be harmed by Obama.”Sunday, November 02, 2008
The Movement
Barack Obama - The Movement
Getting kind of nervous. We're up in the polls in all the key states, and even some no one would have imagined. Still I've seen what happened in 2000, and 2004.
Which is why I keep donating.
Go to www.barackobama.com to donate, and it's not too late to do some volunteering.
The Fate of the World
Fully one in four registered voters, those who will vote for John McCain, and support George W. Bush, are so willfully uninformed, and so corrupt at heart that they hope and pray for things to stay the same as they have these last eight years.
These folk know they are the real Americans, and the rest of us are supporters of a Muslim terrorist socialist.
Think.
This is the state of America today, this November 2nd, 2008.
The rest of McCain's supporters, about half, no longer support Bush, and actually believe that McCain is a better alternative than Obama.
Think.
This is the state of America today, this November 2nd, 2008.
The fate of the world hangs in the balance, and it depends upon just a little more than half the electorate in the U.S. to stop the other half from ruining the nation, and harming the world any more than they have already.
These folk know they are the real Americans, and the rest of us are supporters of a Muslim terrorist socialist.
Think.
This is the state of America today, this November 2nd, 2008.
The rest of McCain's supporters, about half, no longer support Bush, and actually believe that McCain is a better alternative than Obama.
Think.
This is the state of America today, this November 2nd, 2008.
The fate of the world hangs in the balance, and it depends upon just a little more than half the electorate in the U.S. to stop the other half from ruining the nation, and harming the world any more than they have already.
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