The Chinese People Are Leaving

The Chinese People Are Leaving

I didn't really know them well.
But they seemed alright enough to me.
They lived just across the way.

We shared some interesting moments.
The night of the tornado they discovered that the carpet layers had sealed up their crawlspace.
They were headed to our place for shelter when another neighbor offered shelter too.

Like any traditional Chinese family they tried to stay close.
The eldest daughter had moved out and I guess shacked up with an American.
She became pregnant, but they never married.
They had the most beautiful little Amerasian baby.
The little baby is now a little toddler romping around.

The younger daughter graduated from High School last year.
She was quite popular and had a nice little graduation party.
She is quite heavily into smoking the Mary Jane - or so I've been told
by someone who shouldn't know these things, but does.

The elder father never spoke a word of English - except maybe Thanks - in my presence.
I believe he thanked me the day I helped him change his tire.
It was very cold, and in the snow we worked together - Chinese and American.
To get his family back on the road.

He was always kind of fun to watch in the summer time.
He has an electric lawn mower.
He would go out and try to mow his lawn when his lawn was still wet from the rain.
I saw him do this over and over again.
I kind of thought it was funny that he didn't seem to get it.

Sometimes I'd go out and mow my lawn in front of him.
There I was the big American with a gas mower (thanks to Dave of the 11th hour)
With no trouble at all while he was there trying to get his mower to work.

My secret is how high I set the mower - and years of experience mowing.
But I didn't believe he knew any English so I never really went over to give him tips.

The mother worked at the Mall I believe - in a restaurant.
She spoke English quite well. She told me she was from Taiwan.
Native Taiwanese - not so much Chinese.

She wanted my daughter to baby set her little baby grand daughter.
But it never seemed to work out.
She brought us hamburgers at least once from a cookout - nice lady.

She told me she didn't like the Chinese food at Buffet City, or several of the other Chinese restaurants in town because they added way too much sugar.
Everything there is too sweet - this is not authentic Chinese cooking - she told me.

They dug up nearly their entire backyard, and side yard too.
They planted these incredible gardens. Such dedication.
The mother showed me her gardens with pride.
She was also a chain smoker.

I photographed their daughter's graduation ceremony.
The mother was very proud, but she was honest about how teenagers do what they want.
She was a bit disappointed that her eldest daughter didn't go directly to college.

I don't know if her youngest is in college - maybe.

For the last several days they've been packing a large moving van.
The younger daughter and her boyfriend. The older daughter and her boyfriend and father of their little child (I believe they have two now).

They are Chinese in the sense they are pitching in together as a close family.
They will move together and stay together as a Chinese family would.

But the girls are completely Americanized - rebellious and American.

And off they will move to Florida.

Sunny Florida where it is warm, where there are jobs.

I believe they'll be moved out by the end of the weekend - maybe even tomorrow morning.
They must have decided to let their lease run out at the end of April.

I never really knew them, but I did like them.
You will be missed Chinese Family!

Best of Luck!
And may you experience no more snow, and no more tornadoes.
May your daughters mature, and turn out as you have dreamed.

And watch out for the hurricanes!

Oh yes, and make sure to raise the wheel height on your lawn mower so you can mow when the grass is a bit wet - that's a modern American secret.

Ignorance - It's Hard To Understand

Ignorance - It's Hard To Understand

I have lived in a peculiar time. As I write this the vast majority of scientist on the planet are either entirely ignorant of or barely cognizant of the ramifications related to the growing experimental and theoretical knowledge base called quantum theory.

It is entirely acceptable for scientist in the social sciences to remain entirely ignorant of such incredibly important aspects of quantum mechanics as: entanglement, non-locality, the probabilistic nature of reality, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, MultiVerse Theory, the multi dimensional nature of the MegaVerse as propounded by String Theory, etc.

The discussion began just a little over one hundred years ago. Those few who dared to push past the boundaries of the classical world to reveal the underlying fundamental mechanics of reality discovered a reality so at odds with what people believe to be true, so counter intuitive, that it took most of the twentieth century for their discoveries to be formalized.

The general public has been exposed to snippets of the remarkable findings, and many wonder if any of it really matters at all - aside from the development of thermonuclear weapons, lasers, computer chips, solar cells, nano scale robotics, quantum computers, and artificial intelligence - does any of it matter?

And the answer very much depends upon whether one wants to live in ignorance or one seeks enlightenment based upon scientific research.

I for one am looking to science as a means securing an end to a cycle of war which goes back to the dawn of man.

I'm hoping that science helps to end world poverty, and hunger.

I'm optimistic that science will lead to an end of sickness, and short lifespans.

And I'm praying that knowledge will lead to an end of a world culture based upon ignorance, greed, and selfishness.

Perhaps I'm asking for too much, but we have a choice - we can make a better world through science, or we can devolve into chaos and self destruction. I guess I'm only asking for what is needed to insure a future for mankind, and the path to that future is through science.

Black Orb of Hate

Black Orb of Hate
A Prayer By JeromeProphet

Black Orb of Hate
Embrace me not
Protect me from your minions
And your servants of Evil
The millions which infest your sphere
So dark and untrue.

Black Orb of Hate
As this time and place unravels
May insanity touch me kindly
Blinding those who have betrayed me
Wrenching those who would flay me
Infecting my soul with their madness too.

Black Orb of Hate
Let me run from your darkness
Which has fallen all those others
My transgression driven brothers
Possessed of justifications for their actions
Inciting greed and hate full interactions.

Black Orb of Hate
Set me free from your bondage
Break the shackles which enslave me
From this nightmare called life
From this prison planet of strife
Set me free
From this never ending night.

Our Morning Earth Quake Report

Those unfamiliar may say, from looking at the maps below, that Springfield, Illinois appears very far from the epicenter. And that is true in a California sense, but because of the nature of the bedrock (very solid), and the type of fault (very deep), the energy from this fault travels almost completely undisturbed right from the Wabash fault to our location here in Springfield, Illinois. So it was quite a ride this morning.


Friday, April 18, 2008 at 09:36:56 UTC

Earthquake Location

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

Major Tectonic Boundaries: Subduction Zones -purple, Ridges -red and Transform Faults -green

USGS Topographic Map, Resolution: 16.0 meters/pixel

1 km

USGS Aerial Photo, Resolution: 16.0 meters/pixel

1 km

Preliminary Earthquake Report
U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center
World Data Center for Seismology, Denver

Magnitude 5.4 - ILLINOIS

2008 April 18 09:36:56 UTC

Versión en Español

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Earthquake Details

Magnitude	5.4
Date-Time	Friday, April 18, 2008 at 09:36:56 UTC Friday, April 18, 2008 at 04:36:56 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	38.520°N, 87.873°W
Depth	5 km (3.1 miles) set by location program
Region	ILLINOIS
Distances	12 km (7 miles) E (90°) from West Salem, IL 13 km (8 miles) NE (53°) from Bone Gap, IL 14 km (9 miles) W (266°) from Allendale, IL 36 km (22 miles) WSW (241°) from Vincennes, IN 67 km (41 miles) NNW (335°) from Evansville, IN 206 km (128 miles) E (93°) from St. Louis, MO
Location Uncertainty	horizontal +/- 4.1 km (2.5 miles); depth fixed by location program
Parameters	NST=135, Nph=135, Dmin=31 km, Rmss=1.61 sec, Gp= 32°, M-type=moment magnitude (Mw), Version=8
Source	USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
Event ID	us2008qza6

• This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.
• Did you feel it? Report shaking and damage at your location. You can also view a map displaying accumulated data from your report and others.

Earthquake Summary

Tectonic Summary

EARTHQUAKES IN THE ILLINOIS BASIN - OZARK DOME REGION
This large region borders the much more seismically active New Madrid seismic zone on the seismic zone's north and west. The Illinois basin - Ozark dome region covers parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas and stretches from Indianapolis and St. Louis to Memphis. Moderately frequent earthquakes occur at irregular intervals throughout the region. The largest historical earthquake in the region (magnitude 5.4) damaged southern Illinois in 1968. Moderately damaging earthquakes strike somewhere in the region each decade or two, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once or twice a year. In addition, geologists have found evidence of eight or more prehistoric earthquakes over the last 25,000 years that were much larger than any observed historically in the region.

Earthquakes in the central and eastern U.S., although less frequent than in the western U.S., are typically felt over a much broader region. East of the Rockies, an earthquake can be felt over an area as much as ten times larger than a similar magnitude earthquake on the west coast. A magnitude 4.0 eastern U.S. earthquake typically can be felt at many places as far as 100 km (60 mi) from where it occurred, and it infrequently causes damage near its source. A magnitude 5.5 eastern U.S. earthquake usually can be felt as far as 500 km (300 mi) from where it occurred, and sometimes causes damage as far away as 40 km (25 mi).

FAULTS
Earthquakes everywhere occur on faults within bedrock, usually miles deep. Most bedrock in the Illinois basin – Ozark dome region was formed as several generations of mountains rose and were eroded down again over the last billion or so years.

At well-studied plate boundaries like the San Andreas fault system in California, often scientists can determine the name of the specific fault that is responsible for an earthquake. In contrast, east of the Rocky Mountains this is rarely the case. The Illinois basin - Ozark dome region is far from the nearest plate boundaries, which are in the center of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Caribbean Sea, and in the Gulf of California. The region is laced with known faults but numerous smaller or deeply buried faults remain undetected. Even the known faults are poorly located at earthquake depths. Accordingly, few earthquakes in the region can be linked to named faults. It is difficult to determine if a known fault is still active and could slip and cause an earthquake. As in most other areas east of the Rockies, the best guide to earthquake hazards in the Illinois basin – Ozark dome region is the earthquakes themselves.

Earthquake Information for Illinois

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---

• Preliminary Earthquake Report
• U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center:
  World Data Center for Seismology, Denver
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Here's what the local newspaper SJ-R has to say:

Updated: 5.4 earthquake rocks Illinois; also felt in Ohio and Indiana

Last Updated 4/18/2008 5:35:40 AM

By JAYETTE BOLINSKI
STAFF WRITER

Hundreds of Springfield-area residents were shaken awake this morning when they felt the rumblings of a 5.4-magnitude earthquake centered near West Salem.

No damage and no injuries have been reported here. The trembling, just before 4:37 a.m., lasted about 15 seconds.

Dispatchers at Sangamon County 911 and local police departments received numerous phone calls from residents wondering what was going on or reporting someone was in their home.

911's phone lines temporarily went down after the earthquake, but it was not immediately known if that was a result of the trembling.

The quake was centered 6 miles from West Salem, Ill., and 66 miles from Evansville, Ind.

The quake shook tall buildings in Chicago's Loop, 240 miles north of the epicenter, and in downtown Indianapolis, about 160 miles northeast of the epicenter.

Residents in Cincinnati and St. Louis also reported feeling the earth shake.

"It shook our house where it woke me up," said David Behm of Philo, 10 miles south of Champaign. "Windows were rattling, and you could hear it. The house was shaking inches. For people in central Illinois, this is a big deal. It's not like California."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Earth Quake Hits Southern Illinois!

That was a nice way to be awakened.

Such tremors are common in say southern California, but are rare in Central Illinois.

My experience?

Just the rocking back and forth in bed, until I realized something was going on - and I awoke.

My wife said what's going on?

So I went to the window and looked out.

Nothing.

Then my daughter was like - sp0oked.

Was that an earth quake?

Yes, I believe it was.

So right now everyone is up.

I said, this kind of thing happens a lot in Southern California.

I'd say the orientation of the waves was from south to north.

So I'd place the epicenter in southern Illinois - OMG New Madrid - I wonder how their doing?

It was a fairly big one - due to the long wave - moving the entire mattress back and forth like that.

I'd say anyone close to the epicenter might have some damage.

That's it.

I'm going to check the news now.

Oh, my wife said the last one was back on June 10th, 1986 or 1989.

She doesn't remember which year exactly, but she said she's sure of the day.

I remember that too. I got up so fast during the rocking and rolling that I hurt my thumb.

I thought it was ironic that the news cast said no one was injured, and my thumb had a broken nail and was smarting me for days.

That time I went outside for a walk and looked around. Some minor cracks appears in the building I lived in - and it made me nervous.

O.K. That's my Earth Quake report.

Oh yes, all of our cats seemed somewhat upset by it, but none predicted anything.

THIS IS ALL I COULD FIND RIGHT NOW:

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/apr/18/earthquake-rattles-tri-state/.

See my next post for more details!

U.S. Bush War Economy Unraveling

Screw The Poor! More War!
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The False U.S. Economy Floats On Foreign Debt and Cheap Labor

As the rich get richer, the middle class, and poor in the U.S. get poorer.
We in the middle class might as well bend over and start whistling while the rich, and upper middle class take their pleasures - because we are screwed.

By electing George W. Bush and his Cronies in Congress this is what has resulted. The country has moved from peace and prosperity to non stop war, and economic recession. The nation has moved from a budget surplus to the greatest deficit it has ever seen.

Economic growth during Bush's years in office has been built upon bad loans financed by foreign debt. And now as the false economy of the Bush years unravels we must reap what we have sown - High Oil Prices, Foreclosures, Unemployment, Increasing Debt, and Recession.

U.S. Bush War Economy Unraveling

This from CNN:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Poor and middle-class families are entering the recession in a precarious situation due in part to declining or stagnant income growth, a study released Wednesday has found.

Incomes, on average, have declined by 2.5% among the bottom fifth of families since the late 1990s, while inching up by just 1.3% for those in the middle fifth of households, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Economic Policy Institute, two liberal think tanks.

The wealthiest slice of Americans, however, saw their incomes rise by 9%.

The average income of the bottom fifth of families was $18,116; the middle fifth, $50,434; and the wealthiest fifth, $132,131.

Unlike what happened during the economic boom of the 1990s, lower- and middle-class families did not share in the prosperity of recent years, the report found. In fact, the United States has had its longest jobless recovery and slowest rate of payroll growth during this decade.

"We're worried about the impact of the downturn on the families whose incomes haven't recovered from the last recession," said Jared Bernstein, Economic Policy Institute senior economist and co-author of the report.

Wages have not kept up with inflation, families have loaded up on debt and homeowners have seen the value of their largest asset decline, he said. The situation will only get worse during the economic downturn.

"Families are uniquely economically exposed to the costs of recession," he continued. "As we head into a recession, their incomes will take a further hit."

The income gap between the rich and the rest of the population is widening. In 22 states, the top fifth of families made more than seven times what the poorest fifth took home, according to the report. In the late 1980s, only one state - Louisiana - had such a spread. Meanwhile, in more than two-thirds of the country, the wealthiest saw their income grow more than twice as fast as the middle-class over the past two decades.

State governments, however, can step in and help mitigate this growing inequality and insecurity, said Elizabeth McNichol, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the report's co-author. For instance, they can extend the amount of time workers receive benefits during an economic downturn. Also, they can offer or improve support services, such as child care, health insurance and transportation services.

Governments can also put resources into public services and infrastructure projects, which will help create jobs and stimulate the economy, said James Galbraith, professor at the University of Texas at Austin and income gap specialist. The federal government may also have to funnel more money to the states so they can maintain services at a time when tax revenues may decline.

The study is based on U.S. Census Bureau income data that have been adjusted for inflation, the impact of federal taxes and cash value of government subsidies. It does not factor in capital gains or losses. It compares data from 2004 to 2006 with that of 1987 to 1989 and 1998 to 2000.

"American Idiot"
-Green Day-

Don't want to be an American idiot.
Don't want a nation under the new mania
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind fuck America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.

Well maybe I'm the faggot America.
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along to the age of paranoia.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.

Don't want to be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information age of hysteria.
It's calling out to idiot America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.
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Have a Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend - A Punk

MELODY

Johanna drove slowly into the city
The Hudson River all filled with snow
She spied the ring on his honor’s finger
Oh oh oh

A thousand years in one piece of silver
She took it from his lily white hand
Showed no fear she’d seen the thing
In the young men’s wing at Sloan-Kettering

CHORUS

Look outside the raincoats gone, say oh!
Look outside the raincoats gone, say oh!


MELODY

His honor drove southward seeking exotica
Down to the Pueblo huts of New Mexico
Cut his teeth on turquoise harmonicas
Oh oh oh

I saw Johanna down in the subway
She took an apartment in Washington Heights
Half of the ring lies here with me
But the other half’s at the bottom of the sea

CHORUS

Look outside the raincoats gone, say oh!
Look outside the raincoats gone, say oh!
Look outside the raincoats gone, say oh!
Look outside the raincoats gone, say oh!

END

Vampire Weekend reminds me of some of the Ska bands that were popular back in the 1980s. The lyrics don't make much sense, but they don't have to with a beat like this. The video is quite entertaining. I especially like the little fishes near the end.

The Madness of Accepting the Truth

Undoing The Suicide Pact Which Is Human History

For most of my life I've thought, and sometimes rather deeply, about the true nature behind the human experience.

My earliest memories are those of being indoctrinated into Christian thought as a child.

I quickly came to understand that superstition and authoritarianism could not substitute for the cold harsh reality which Science illuminated - one which provides many answers, but one which left even more questions.

I came to suspect that I was living in a time, and a place surrounded by others who had cut themselves off from the cruel realization that the reality we created for ourselves was the reality we deserve.

I have learned of World Wars in which tens of millions of people were killed in the name of this idea, or that idea, but quite obviously were fueled by sheer animal lust for territory and power.

I have learned that the planet's most intelligent life forms - humans - have in fact placed themselves upon the precipice of self extinction. Each and every step of the way they have justified their actions with this idea, or with that idea - yet it is obvious that their self destructive behavior has been driven by greed, and the desire for power.

I was expected to accept that all of human history has driven humanity to this breaking point, and yet I have been asked to believe that somehow at the last possible moment that human beings would realize their dire situation and would wisely choose life over death, cooperation over war, understanding over rage, order over chaos, and a bright future over oblivion. I was expected to believe this.

Yet as the decades pass I am at a point in my life where I have become rather frightened, and disturbed. I see the growth of religion's, and nationalism's influence in the world, and wonder just how long it will be until doomsday.

I see a rejection of principle and reason, and the substitution of the worship of material possessions, and ancient deities, and I wonder how long it will be until the next and final World War. Mankind's final solution.

I see the same old tendencies of humanity to divide itself into simple groups along this division or that division, only now the weapons and the means of delivering them are no longer bows and arrows, or even machine guns and bullets, but are a million times more powerful, and a million times more accurate.

And I know that this fact of our godlike destructive abilities instills paranoia not only within me, but also within all of those individuals who are in charge of preparing an end to humankind.

And it frightens me.

I also know that this madness and the fate it drives us to is entirely avoidable.

If only,

If only we could find a way to communicate and build connections within ourselves, and between each other that allows us resist the temptations of the flesh, and the primitive ape madness that has always driven humans to kill, rape, torture, enslave, and subjugate one another.

And I hope.

And I hope.

And I hope that we find a way.

Before it is too late.

El Presidente Bush Disgraced

Not Everyone Appears Supportive Of El Presidente?

El Presidente George Bush had the honor of throwing the first pitch at Nationals Park.

Some verminous rats within the audience showed their disrespect for the President of the United States of America, our beloved Commander in Chief, a man beloved by nearly 20% of the population!

Viva El Presidente
Viva El Presidente
Viva El Presidente


El Presidente Bush's Pitch A Bit High

Secret Service, and FBI agents have ordered all video records of the event, and have tapped into the ticket service database to determine the identity of any individuals who participated in this treasonous act.

Viva El Presidente
Viva El Presidente
Viva El Presidente

Detention facilities at various undisclosed locations in the Middle East have been warned that hundreds more detainees may be in route.

Viva El Presidente
Viva El Presidente
Viva El Presidente

Water boarding has been approved for all those determined to have brought disgrace to El Presidente in this time of war.

That is all.

Darkness Envelops Us

HIM Kiss of Dawn
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Darkness Envelops Us

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Ninety percent of Matter in the Universe is Dark Matter.

Seventy percent of the Universe is Dark Energy.

Ninety Six Percent of the Universe is INVISIBLE.




This is the Universe You Inhabit.

This is the Universe which Inhabits You.

You are a Creature of light living in a Sea of Darkness..
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Forbidden Love

Forbidden Love
by JeromeProphet

Eyelashes brushed across my cheek
And tasted soft trembling lips
Hold me in your sweet arms forever
Then kiss my finger tips

Now our hearts skip beats together
Your sins within me now
Bodies joined and locked forever
You and I have drowned

We've fallen to love's intoxication
In oneness eyes to eyes
Never forsake this intimation
But whisper more sweet lies

And if our union ever separated
Upon a broken tomb of love
May then our souls be liberated
And take flight as light my dove.

The TSA Air Marshal Illusion

Sacrifices Made Post 9-11

Immediately after the 9-11 terrorist attack various measures were adopted in hopes of decreasing the likelihood of such an attack ever happening again.

Despite the cost, and inconvenience to the public those measures were both embraced, and believed to be in place by the vast majority of the citizens of the U.S. Adoption of these measures was viewed as a demonstration that the Bush Administration had competently employed new broad sweeping federal police powers, and billions of dollars in additional funding in the war on terror.

Stronger cockpit doors would keep the terrorist out of the cockpit, the TSA would prevent weapons, and suspicious people from boarding flights, and most, if not all, flights would include an armed air marshal. The public accepted a new reality of long lines at airports, higher ticket prices, and higher taxes in the belief that they were safer - both in the air, and on the ground.


Smoke and Mirrors

Nearly seven years has past since that dreadful day in September of 2001, and fortunately the U.S. has not seen another such attack. The absence of such an attack is viewed by the public, and touted by the Bush Administration that the new safety measures adopted after 9-11 are working.

Periodic testing has shown that it is possible to sneak explosives, and weapons past airport security screeners. A recent incident in which a passenger managed to bust into a cockpit despite the "toughened" cockpit door indicates that those doors are still not tough enough. Calls to end profiling at airports also pose a very real threat at airports. And now it has been revealed that practically no flights include an Air Marshal make it obvious that many of the so called safety measures are in reality based upon smoke and mirrors - an illusion of safety meant to keep the public confident enough to fly.

The Transportation and Safety Agency website says this about their Air Marshall program:

The Federal Air Marshal Service promotes confidence in the nation’s civil aviation system through the effective deployment of Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) to detect, deter, and defeat hostile acts targeting U.S. air carriers, airports, passengers, and crews.

Federal Air Marshals must operate independently without backup, and rank among those Federal law enforcement officers that hold the highest standard for handgun accuracy. They blend in with passengers and rely on their training, including investigative techniques, criminal terrorist behavior recognition, firearms proficiency, aircraft specific tactics, and close quarters self-defense measures to protect the flying public.

Federal Air Marshals have an ever expanding role in homeland security and work closely with other law enforcement agencies to accomplish their mission. Currently, air marshals staff several positions at different organizations such as the National Counterterrorism Center, the National Targeting Center, and on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces. In addition, they are also distributed among other law enforcement and homeland security liaison assignments during times of heightened alert or special national events.

Successful accomplishment of the Federal Air Marshal’s mission is critical to civil aviation and homeland security.

The TSA Believes that Federal Air Marshals are critical to homeland security!

Fewer Air Marshals Than Before 9-11

However, as CNN reports Air Marshals are virtually non existent.

This from CNN:

One pilot who crisscrosses the country and flies internationally told CNN he hasn't seen an air marshal on board one of his flights in six months. A federal law enforcement officer, who is not affiliated with the air marshal service and who travels in and out of Washington every week, said he has gone for months without seeing a marshal on board.

Neither individual wanted to be identified because neither is authorized by his employer to speak.

Yet another pilot, who wanted to protect his identity because he carries a weapon in the cockpit, said he regularly flies in and out of New York's airports and almost never encounters an air marshal.

"I would have to guess it's fewer than 1 percent of all my flights," the pilot said. "I'm guessing by the coverage of when I go to those cities, fewer than 1 percent."

Air marshals who spoke with CNN anonymously in order to protect their jobs are especially troubled by the lack of coverage on flights in and out of Washington and New York, the two cities targeted by the 9/11 hijackers. Marshals, pilots and other law enforcement officials told CNN these flights are protected by far fewer air marshals than in the past.

That's fewer than 1% which is actually a lower percentage than before 9-11. The Bush Administration has been so transfixed on Iraq, a war which it started on false pretense, that it now risk another real attack upon this nation.


Conservative Ideology Denys Americans True Safety

Hopefully the next administration that takes control of the Federal government can do more than the smoke and mirrors shuffle which the Bush Administration has substituted for real security.

The lesson for the public is this: elect a group of right wing ideologues who are antagonistic to the role of good government (conservative Republicans) and you will get the poor service, the lies, and a lack of true national security which you will still be forced to pay for.

Click Link & Go To Prison

Can Anything Be Worse Than Child Porn?

What if I said that I, or even you, could you set up an anonymous blog and then write a post which included a harmless looking link which would result in the arrest, conviction, and incarceration of anyone unfortunate enough to simply click on that link?

Sound Impossible?

Read on - because it's possible in the United States of America.

Somewhere out on the darker side of the Internet, and remember 80% of the Internet is Porn, is a link created by the FBI. The link goes nowhere that actually provides illegal content - it's there for one reason - entrapment of those sad enough, curious enough, stupid enough, or even just unlucky enough to press the link.

Some might argue that this is great. Why not toss anyone interested in child porn in prison, but this new entrapment racket by the FBI is scary stuff to anyone who fears the state - and all who love freedom should fear the state.

Let's look at how easy it would be to abuse the power of the state

Just by tracking down that forbidden link, and copy/pasting it into an anonymous blog site would be all that might be necessary to ruin the lives of hundreds, even thousands of completely innocent people.

Wouldn't it be simple to rewrite the text associated to the forbidden link so that it said: "Get Your Free Disney Video Here", or "Get Your Free Carton of Cigarettes Here"?

People would surf to the forbidden link believing they'd be getting a free video, or free cigarettes only to find themselves confronted by a group of heavily armed jackboots one morning on the way to work.

But getting the evil child molesters is worth trading in civil liberties

Back in the day it was witches, and then there were minorities, the communist, and then the evil terrorist. Now it's the child molesters which are used to justify the erosion of privacy, and anonymity on the Internet. There simply is no aspect of human activity outside the control of the state at this point in human history.

Each new bogey man has resulted in an ever more powerful state, one with the power to:

1. wiretap phones
2. wiretap computer networks
3. break into homes
4. spy on church meetings
5. infiltrate grass roots political groups
6. access bank records
7. access library records
8. access credit card records
9. access travel company records
10. access hotel records
11. access atm machine and bank surveillance videos

And now to use entrapment techniques which can easily be used to set people up

As technology seeps into every room of every house, as the modern home becomes a "smart home" with microphones, and ccd cameras in every appliance and every wall, as telephone systems become "Internet Phones", as every cellphone call is recorded by the NSA, as we recreate, communicate, vote, work, pay our bills, purchase our goods and services, organize politically, and even worship over the Internet is it a comfort to the populace of a free people to know that their every move is being watched?

Is this the society we want?

Think you live in the land of the free, and home of the brave?

Want to risk your freedom - then click here - go ahead punk - what's the matter, scared?

Are you afraid that by simply clicking your mouse that you'll end up in prison?

Then you're pretty smart indeed - now go hide in your closet you coward.

I'm Seventeen!

More drama?

I'm 17!

Will you get more hours at your job this summer?

I'm 17!

Will you stop doing drugs every day?

I'm 17!

Will you abide by a family curfew?

I'm 17!

Will you pay for any of your own bills?

I'm 17!

Will you work harder on your grades?

I'm 17!

Will you show me any kind of respect?

I'm 17!

Will you listen to me at all?

I'm 17!

Will you calm down and stop screaming?

I'm 17!

Will you even pick up after yourself?

I'm 17!

Will you talk to me about your plans for the future?

I'm 17!

Will you join the military?

I'm 17!

Will you go to college?

I'm 17!

Will you move out?

I'm only 17!

Palmer Blevins To End It !

In a dramatic turn of events local Springfield, Illinois blogger, Palmer Blevens has chosen to follow the path of Dave of The11thhour, and call it quits!

Palmer states:

"Personally, my life is in a tail-spin right now. It seems every time that I turn around there is something new trying trying to drive me insane; and it is working. There comes a time in a man’s life when he must accept defeat, say fcuk it, and just quit.

For over a year, I was at the pinnacle of happiness; now, I am at a point in my life where the struggle just does not seem worth it. I cant fight anymore. Thank you to everyone in the blogosphere who has sent me words of encouragement, who have visited this site, etc. But I must go. I always vowed that I would never let “them” win, but even I know when it is over. I will be shutting down this site in a couple days.

Peace.

Palmer Blevins"

Palmer Don't Do It!

First Dave, and now you?

Oh well, you'll be back - and so will Dave - just come back soon!

The Trouble With Steroids

I have a friend who has a medical condition. His health was seriously affected by this condition, and he was quite certain he would be needing some rather scary surgery to deal with this problem. But he was given a prescription for a hormone, a steroid, and his condition has been alleviated - not cured, but alleviated enough so that he doesn't have the symptoms anymore, and he can go on and live his life, for now, without surgery.

Everyone was really happy at this positive turn of events.

However, there was a little problem.

Though the steroids were not the kind usually associated with body building and "roid rage" they did in fact have an effect upon this friend of mine.

He had been a gentled middle age guy. He was even tempered, and considerate, and kind.
His wife, his children, and he lived in a nice home, and everything seemed wonderful.

But something began to happen.

I noticed it at first last Fall. An odd comment or two.

It just wasn't him - not the person I knew.

I tried to ignore it, but I knew something had changed.

He had somehow become more aggressive.

When I say this I mean to say, dangerous sounding. He had made this really odd comment.
We were at the store together and we were over in the section where all the axes and sledge hammers were, and he picks up this tool that's half sledge hammer, and half Ax and puts it in his cart.

I asked him what he was going to use that for, and he said if he ever needed to remove some tree roots he had the perfect tool. I asked if he had a spot in his garage for it, maybe on the wall between his sledge hammer, and his ax, and he said, "No. I'm going to keep it in the house".

I asked, why in the house, and that's when he said something most scary, "No. I want to keep it where it's needed". And he let out this evil little laugh - but not a laugh which consoled me at all, but a frightening little laugh, like a - I'll get even kind of laugh.

I was most disturbed by this, but let it slide, because well, everyone makes a really bad joke, or at the worst everyone has has a really bad day - still it was disturbing.

Another thing I noticed was that he was collecting things - to be prepared.

To be prepared?

To be prepared for some kind of event - some disastrous future event.

I figured it was a guy thing, but it did sound a bit obsessive, a bit more macho than he had been in the past. Most guys probably would collect tools, and survival related gear if they could afford it money-wise, and space-wise, but he had become much more concerned about it.

I shrugged it off. I figured he must be hanging out with an old buddy of his again who is in the military.

The next time I saw him - there was a definite change.

What had been a beautiful night was spoiled by some back and forth comments between my friend and his spouse. I had NEVER heard even one impolite quip between these two before, but there it was hidden within their most civil exchanges.

Still such things happen in marriages, but from that point on I knew something very definitely had changed.

Then not long ago I was shocked and saddened to hear of their break up.

And it centered around an incident.

I won't go into the incident, but it didn't involve violence, so much as it did rage.

I told this friend that I was concerned that he might not be aware of the subtle but very real side effects that steroids have on personality.

I pleaded with him to get some help, but he completely denied that steroids had anything to do with the rapid disintegration of his life since taking them.

He called steroids a miracle drug - a miracle drug that had changed his life.

Now he lives in an apartment complex, all alone, in contact with his wife only to plan their upcoming divorce.

In one year of steroid use this rather remarkable gentle intelligent middle aged man's life was turned completely upside down - destroyed really - and he's in total denial about it.

That's quite a miracle really, but not the kind one hopes for.

I'm hoping and praying that all those taking steroids take the time needed to learn of the subtle, but real side effects such drugs can have upon personality - while the gentler steroids which doctors prescribe for inflammation may not be associated to "Roid Rage" they do in fact have significant psychological side effects. Side effects which can ruin relationships built over the course of a lifetime.

Please continue your search here

Self Importance

Self Importance
by Jerome Prophet

We're granted one moment
One fleeting chance to see
But instead choose to chase a false and distorted reality

Out hot molten blood sets fire to our hearts
Rushing with hate and pounding its fate
Setting our course toward damnation and rape.

We see ourselves at the pinnacle now
Yet running and scampering away with the crowd
We're thinking and scheming, believing and dreaming
Telling ourselves it all matters somehow

Betrayers of self and selves yet unborn
We red blooded beast we're weary and worn
We'll destroy all we have in the name of our gods
It's all for the taking the stealing and raping

One precious moment built upon greed
We gather and gather more than we need
And then we return to darkness and mud
Believing ourselves immortals and good.
.
.

"Grant thou me a peaceful life, for I am truthful and just. I have uttered no falsehoods nor acted deceitfully."
-Egyptian Book of The Dead-
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.
.

Springfield Illinois Blogger Calls It Quits

Springfield, Illinois blogger "Dave" of The11thhour announced yesterday, March 20th, 2008, his decision to retire from the local blogging scene. For over three years (2005) Dave's blog had become a local stop for those interested in his unique mix of humor and skepticism.

Most of Dave's posts consisted of portions of local, state, and national news stories often quoted from the Illinois State Journal-Register with which he mixed short, but entertaining personal comments. Dave's experience as a former news producer, reporter, and radio talk show host was evident in his style of writing - often time inviting reader comments.

Dave often shared snippets of his personal life revealing that he was married, had a young son, and two daughters. He also revealed that he lived on Springfield's prosperous West Side, which he advocated calling New Springfield, but never revealed where he was employed.

He occasionally wrote of a former spouse, with whom he appeared to have a negative relationship - stating that she was one of the factors behind his decision to remain an anonymous blogger.

Dave wrote often of his concerns for the U.S., and was highly critical of the Bush Administration, and the Iraq War. Although admitting that he voted in the recent Republican Primary he recently endorsed Democratic presidential candidate and Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

Dave's final post hints that he may resume blogging at some point spurring several of his regular readers to post comments pleading for him to resume posting.

Dave's final post gives no hint as to why he chose to stop posting, but a recent post reveals that Dave has been suffering with the chronic, and for some debilitating, disease Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

He had also revealed his sense of betrayal by a lifelong friend JeromeProphet another Springfield, Illinois blogger. A link to JeromeProphet, which had appeared on Dave's blog since June of 2005 was removed only days before Dave's announcement.

UPDATE: Dave has left a comment in which he states that his health was not the reason behind his decision to cease blogging. Other corrections appear within his comment, and this post has been updated to reflect those corrections. No bad intention were behind the errors. And I only speculated that health might be the reason. And of course I wouldn't be so foolish as to believe that anything I could ever write would trigger a decision on Dave's part to cease blogging.

The reason I didn't indicate how many daughters Dave has is because I wasn't sure if he ever indicated just how many he had from his post, and was too tired at the time to search his blog to confirm. Also, while I knew he had written about having a daughter I felt that it was better to err on the side of safety, and not give away any facts that had not already been published.

Thanks to Dave I have added the letter "s" to the end of the word "Quits" which I misspelled. I have been criticized for having pointed out similar mistakes on Dave's blog, and I only did so to help Dave, but it appears my good intentions have been interpreted along with every other aspect of my blogging as some sinister attempt to bring Dave down.

The word debilitating was used to describe the disease, which it often is for those who suffer from it, not to describe Dave's personal condition, and the original wording of the sentence was structured in a way which could have been misinterpreted, I have modified the sentence to prevent that - except in the case of those most determined to find malice where none has ever existed.

As for those who have spewed their uninformed bias, and hatred, even referring to me as the Devil, I could respond in kind, but I can only suggest that you find other activities in your life to fill the void that so obviously exist so as to motivate you to comment in such a way.

I have no need to apologize for any of my posts, the long list of false accusations directed at me which were included in Dave's recent post about his health problems constituted one of the most obviously "passive aggressive" examples of blogging I have ever seen in text.

To drop that bomb, and then close up shop, instead of staying around long enough to cite sources for his allegations in fact makes a matching bookend for the post that Brian Pierce ended up retracting.

I call you to task Mr. Dave. Cite your sources, or be revealed for what you have done.

Show me a post in which I accused you - specifically - of being a racist.

As to your problem about me writing about the West Side - learn to live with it. Not all bloggers live in the same economic class, and not all see things as you do. What you have done is to take comments I make about class in the U.S., and locally, and have decided it's all about you.

I write about race, and it's about you. I write about class and it's about you. I write about gas guzzlers and it's about you. It's all about you. Get this, it's not all about you. My post are about what I want them to be, and they're rarely with you in mind.

And that is my last word on this. There were years where you and your first wife and three sons lived in town where I never heard from you or saw you, and we did just fine. We never see each other now, but the expression familiarity breeds contempt can sometimes prove true. Maybe if we never knew about each other's blog we'd still be alright with each other? And maybe that's the lesson here. Because no matter how good the group, be it the Beatles, or the Who, eventually egos tend to flare, and it all comes to an end. I hope that's not the case, but I'm requesting for the sake of what remains of our "friendship" that you cease from reading my blog.

Love and peace to Dave, his wife, one ex-wife, two daughters, four sons, and any pets too.

What About Dave?

A recent post on TEH:

Eosinophilic Esophagitis is Teh Bad

Reason 452 why my life hasn't been entirely fabulous (despite what a grossly uninformed and judgmental "friend" thinks): I have Eosinophilic Esophagitis. I've suffered with it for a long time and am now, finally, getting some good treatment for it.


I wish this on no one, it can be hell.

Of course, this thing will not prevent me from laughing at the self-proclaimed Po' Man over gas prices while simultaneously being a bad parent, bad blogger, bad voter, owner of an evil truck, occasional typo scofflaw, someone completely undeserving of my income or the home in which I live, racist white-flighter, etc, etc. Cuz, you know, I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.

Note: Sorry about that last paragraph but I'm using my blog (arrogantly and because I'm filthy rich) to call someone whose been acting like a complete asshole lately an, well, asshole. I'm sure he can take as well as he dishes. Apologies sincerely welcome.

Update: Yes applying for sympathy before going on the counter-attack is a cheap ploy but this blog, like the Bush administration, is not bound by the Geneva Convention.

Posted by Dave at 12:00 AM 1 comments Links to this post



THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW IS IN RESPONSE TO THE POST ABOVE

Jerome: What do you have to say for yourself Mr. Prophet?

Prophet: About what?

Jerome: You know damned well what, about the post above by TEH!

Prophet: Well, I'm happy, very happy for Dave.

Jerome: You're happy? You're happy that Dave has an incurable disease?

Prophet: No, that he said he's found a treatment.

Jerome: Well that's pretty odd isn't it?

Prophet: Odd?

Jerome: Why pretend? I mean it's obvious you are not really a friend at all.

Prophet: That's a pretty rude thing to say, where do you come off saying that?

Jerome: Did you actually read his post?

Prophet: Well, let me take another look. Let's see he's obtaining a new treatment for a chronic disease, and.., and.., and.., WTF?

Jerome: Exactly you, you, "friend"!

Prophet: That is one of the oddest things I have ever seen in my life.

Jerome: How so?

Prophet: Well, he starts off talking about a disease he has, but uses the post to slam me?

Jerome: It is after all his Blog, and he has the right to do anything he wants you bastard!

Prophet: Still it's odd, isn't it?

Jerome: I'll be the one asking questions here!

Prophet: O.K.

Jerome: So why is he saying you said all those horrible things about him?

Prophet: Well, you notice he provides no citation?

Jerome: So what?

Prophet: It's a joke! He's joking. He's always had a funny sense of humor.

Jerome: Right. I'd say he's just liberated himself from a fake friend!

Prophet: One would have thought he'd have sent me an email, or called me.

Jerome: This is a public forum here. Blogging is very much the way to end it!

Prophet: Well, I guess. It's not how I'd have done it.

Jerome: That's the difference between being a fake friend and a real friend.

Prophet: What's that?

Jerome: I told you, I'd be the one asking questions here.

Prophet: Then ask me a damned question!

Jerome: Testy now aren't we? You feeling pretty bad are you?

Prophet: Well yes I am. I really liked Dave, and for many years too.

Jerome: Then why did you post all those horrible things about Dave?

Prophet: That's just it, I never did.

Jerome: Right! You stinking ugly liar! Do you think Dave would lie about this?

Prophet: No.

Jerome: Then why would he say these things?

Prophet: He's gone mad?

Jerome: Next time you ask a question we'll end this interview.

Prophet: Well he did say he was on some new medication.

Jerome: I've had enough of this. You only prove your guilt with every word.

Prophet: Well long ago when Dave and I were "friends" he had a sense of humor.

Jerome: So you admit you were just "friends"?

Prophet: No I just used the "" to emphasize my disappointment, I feel betrayed.

Jerome: You feel betrayed?

Prophet: Yes. It's like bizzaro world or something. To see this kind of allegation.

Jerome: Well let's look at what he alleges then - we'll prove what you've done!

Prophet: Go right ahead, because if I've done those things well maybe I'm insane.

Jerome: Did you, or did you not recently post on backyard swimming pool accidents?

Prophet: Yes.

Jerome: And was it not about Dave?

Prophet: Well, not entirely. Some of it actually.

Jerome: Ha! You bastard! You made up that horrible story about knowing someone, that their children drowned just to stab at Dave!

Prophet: No! I actually did work with a couple who lost a little girl, and nearly lost their son!

Jerome: But why for God's sake use that story to publicly embarrass Dave?

Prophet: I never even mentioned him by name.

Jerome: Surely others in the blogging community would know who you were talking about?

Prophet: How?

Jerome: You wrote about visiting an old friend and his son didn't you?

Prophet: No, I changed all of that.

Jerome: Then how in the hell did the blogging community find out?

Prophet: Dave came out and made a big deal about it, acting all insulted.

Jerome: Still, you wrote the post - and your intent was to hurt Dave!

Prophet: No. Actually, I wrote the post because I care about Dave's son.

Jerome: Bloody Bastard! You've never been anything but a "Friend" so stop it!

Prophet: O.K.

Jerome: And you called Dave a racist!

Prophet: Well, I guess.

Jerome: You admit this?

Prophet: Well I've made myself pretty clear from all of my post about race that I believe everyone is.

Jerome: A racist?

Prophet: Yes.

Jerome: Well, any good American would dump your ass right there. Dave's not a racist!

Prophet: Whatever.

Jerome: You smug bastard, what I'd love to do if only I could! And what about gas prices?

Prophet: I don't even know what that means!

Jerome: Sure you don't. You recently wrote about gas prices!

Prophet: Yes.

Jerome: So there! Yet another one!

Prophet: I'm totally lost now.

Jerome: Yes you have lost, and what a friend he was too.

Prophet: This is all a bit confusing.

Jerome: You're telling me?

Prophet: Look the Dave I knew loved a good conversation, and some disagreement.

Jerome: You fool. You never knew Dave at all. Blogging isn't about dialog it's about..,

Prophet: But it is a dialog. It's just another part of life, and life is about learning from..,

Jerome: Your mistakes?

Prophet: Yes. I say some things to piss Dave off, but he gets all pissed about it.

Jerome: Well what did you expect?

Prophet: I didn't post about the swimming pool to piss him off, but he needs a bit of a kick.

Jerome: How so?

Prophet: Well, blogging is in my mind a lot like MASTURBATION!

Jerome: You disgusting pervert!

Prophet: No seriously, we're all out here in our little worlds doing it alone.

Jerome: Gross!

Prophet: But in a way even though we're doing it alone we want to believe we're not.

Jerome: What a warped little mind you have. But what does this have to do with Dave?

Prophet: I've noticed that Dave does his blog like a radio talk show.

Jerome: And?

Prophet: He throws out topics, and waits for callers.

Jerome: And?

Prophet: Well if he never gets a comment it's sort of like..,

Jerome: MASTURBATION?

Prophet: Well yes, but no more than other bloggers.

Jerome: So what's your point?

Prophet: To make the show more interesting it's always good to get someone to call in.

Jerome: And?

Prophet: Disagree.

Jerome: Disagree?

Prophet: I thought Dave knew that.

Jerome: You bastard! Don't you tell us what Dave should know!

Prophet: Well, I've come to believe Dave doesn't take criticism very well.

Jerome: Who in the hell does?

Prophet: There are some accusations he made that are totally off the wall.

Jerome: Are you saying he has a thin skin?

Prophet: I'm saying he's warped many post into being about him when they weren't.

Jerome: So he's thin skinned, and wrong?

Prophet: Well not entirely. But it's obvious he's made a decision he needs to justify.

Jerome: Or a just decision!

Prophet: I suspect if I were black and I made a comment about whites he'd take it personally.

Jerome: Many would.

Prophet: Because it seems to me that if I write about the upper middle class he believes I'm writing about him - personally.

Jerome: Perhaps he should? Maybe that's how you're sticking it to him!

Prophet: Or if I talk about people living on his side of town he believes I'm talking about him.

Jerome: It's understood. You're just jealous of him!

Prophet: Or even if I talk about a social phenomena, like white flight, I'm talking about him.

Jerome: Certainly! That's because you are a "friend" you bastard!

Prophet: Maybe so, but I'm the same bastard I always was.

Jerome: Then maybe Dave's changed, and he's done with you?

Prophet: Maybe. I rarely see him. So I don't really know.

Jerome: Whose damned fault is that?

Prophet: Now that's a can of worms I won't open.

Jerome: It's you're fault isn't it? Just admit it!

Prophet: O.K. It's my fault. And it's had a chilling effect over the years.

Jerome: You're uncomfortable saying that?

Prophet: I can't really even discuss why I don't visit Dave. I'd see him on neutral ground if possible.

Jerome: This interview is over. You're fake, fake, fake, fake fake!

Prophet: Agreed. I am indeed.

Jerome: Just one last thing.

Prophet: What?

Jerome: Why now? Why not before Christmas?

Prophet: Christmas?

Jerome: Yes, Christmas.

Sir Arthur Charles Clarke Has Died

Arthur C. Clarke


Arthur C. Clarke had died. He was ninety.

Read the CNN Story here.

Many years ago I was quite fond of reading paperbacks. Paperbacks were very popular back in the 1970s. Censorship in America had for the most part come to an end, as far as most books were concerned, and the paperback was the means by which authors could reach an eager public.

Before 200 channel cable television, or Internet there were magazines, AM/FM radios, and books.

For an impressionable boy with a strong interest in Science Arthur C. Clarke held tremendous sway with me. Reading his short stories, and books was a way to see a future too distant for me to live long enough to actually experience.

Of course Arthur C. Clarke is known for writing 2001 A Space Odyssey, and for his "invention" of the geosynchronous communications satellite, but for most of those who listened to, and read his futuristic pronouncements we will know him for his faith in the potential for human beings to create a more prosperous, and peaceful world through the careful use of technology.

Thank you Arthur C. Clarke for entertaining me, for teaching me, and inspiring me. You are not forgotten sir.