I am the Hermit

2005-07-14T21:55:00.000+10:00

Whispers of the Call

The Call

2005-07-14T21:39:00.000+10:00

Carry the ways of the wise on your shoulders;
bear the burdens of your ancestors and
Deliver the exiles to their homes.

Create a new nation of wanderers
whose spark of the divine will light the path to eternity

Suppress the seeds of discord in your heart and
kill the desire of lust in your loins for those things
which are taboo

Instill the waves of harmony and love within you.
Cultivate the flow of truthful face so that shadows
of lies do not befall your countenance.

Go to the mountain. Do not let the mountain come to you.
Sit in its verdant valley of greens and yellows; let the
sparkling spring of summer soothe you.
Learn from its inhabitants then go out and share the wisdom.

Keep the secrets of the divine in your heart until the world
is ready to receive them. Only then, can you come home.

For now...rest when you can, for the days are long and weary.
In the ineffable name.
So mote it be.

2005-07-14T02:29:00.000+10:00

sisterhood

Here I am

2005-07-12T02:12:00.000+10:00

Portions of self
Contained replica, snatches of reality
Where did I go?
Who was I?
Lore of self a mask of people
Re-define my space
Upload my memory
Download my life
In a beamless bottle
Lightless, breathless

My Dignity

2005-06-15T06:25:00.000+10:00

My dignity.
My dignity is personal.

It doesn’t belong to you.
It belongs to me.

You have no right to injure
No right to condemn
No right to trample
No right to sneer

For the show of disrespect,
I will spit you out of my mouth
I will shun you in public
You are air to me.

What message shall I send
To make you understand that
I will not put up with your bullshit?.
That I will not cater to your insecurities?

My will is strong. My hatred runs deep.
Are you ready to reap the whirlwind?
Prepare yourself, for where I take you,
No one will stand beside you.

I take back the hand I held out in friendship.
I take back the compassion I gave.
I take back the understanding, when no one else did.
I take back the love.

When the hour of need is strong,
Do not look for me, for I will not be there for you.
You no longer exist in my life.
So mote it be.

2005-06-10T15:01:00.000+10:00

slaves in body and spirits of the past

Just As I am

2005-06-10T14:38:00.000+10:00

Just as I am
Is all the world will ever need of me
No long speeches
Dramatic gestures
Or hyperbolic ways

What you see is what you get
Nothing more; nothing less
My ways are transparent
My life, simple and sweet

Look for the tiniest grain of sand,
I am there.

Think the loftiest dreams of thought,
I am there.

Find the scum of the earth,
I am there.

For every song sung,
Every celebration of life,
Every tear of loss,
I linger there.

Do not betray my trust,
Do not betray my respect,
Do not betray my friendship,
Do not betray my love;
For in so doing, I will be destroyed.

In the cold of winter,
the heat of summer,
the cool of spring,
My presence will whisper to you
And you shall remember me,
Even when I am only a distant memory.

2005-06-02T01:42:00.000+10:00

Mark Felt revealed as "Deep Throat"

"Deep Throat" revealed after 30 years of secrecy

2005-06-02T01:25:00.000+10:00

The identity of "Deep Throat" has finally been revealed. Perhaps, one day, all speculation and controversy of the assasination of President John F. Kennedy will be revealed as well.

WASHINGTON -- Solving a mystery that lasted more three decades, a former top FBI official admitted that he was "Deep Throat," the secret source who helped expose the Watergate scandal. Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward confirmed Tuesday that W. Mark Felt, the FBI's No. 2 official in the early 1970s, was the mysterious figure who fed him tips about corruption in President Richard Nixon's White House. Full story, Detroit Free Press.

Does Viagra Cause Blindness?

2005-05-29T23:06:00.000+10:00

Millions of men take impotence drugs like Viagra. Now reports that 43 of them have developed a not-too-rare form of blindness have health officials examining if the drugs might play any role.

There`s no evidence yet that the drugs increase risk. Indeed, the same types of illnesses that lead to impotence are linked to this type of vision loss.

Still, "we take this seriously," said Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman Susan Cruzan, as the agency disclosed Friday that it was talking with the makers of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra about what the labels of those drugs should say about the reports. Cialis` maker recently, and voluntarily, added a one-line mention to its label.

At issue is sudden vision loss when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, a condition called NAION or non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Seven such instances were reported in a March case review by two University of Minnesota ophthalmologists. The report by Dr. Howard Pomeranz and Dr. Abdhish Bhavsar was one of the first warnings of a possible link, informs Twin Cities.

In a statement, Pfizer said that a review of 103 clinical trials with Viagra involving 13,000 patients found no reports of the sudden blindness, known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). "There is no evidence showing that NAION occurred more frequently in men taking Viagra than men of similar age and health who did not take Viagra," the statement said. Full story at PRAVDA.

2005-05-27T22:04:00.000+10:00

to capture the world in a thought

Political correctness shortchanges intellect

2005-05-27T21:12:00.000+10:00

How did it come to be that "political correctness" has become the social force of collegiate institutions? Rather than directing young men and women to be original thinkers, colleges and universities are sucking creative intuition from their minds and replacing it with "thinking that would bring accolades from the status quo."

There was a time when our college campuses were infused with creative thinkers. Young people spoke out against the social norms and blazed their own trails of social reform. What happened? Where is the fluent words of passionate discourse that moves a nation to change?

Today, the young intellectual is hesitant to express his or her views in writing or through dialogue for fear of rejection and ridicule. Furthermore, to do so would be misconstrued as a political stance against one thing or another. This is evident in collective think-tanks around the world. Many intellectuals of the day have traded in their professorship at some university to join this highly selective group that caters to government's dealings with foreign and domestic policies. And of course, these organizations are categorized as either liberal or conservative. The danger here is that intellectuals must adjust their basic beliefs to coincide with the ones who are buttering their bread. Yes, even genius can be bought.

As mankind moves forward in science and technology, is his individuality regressing back towards the dark ages? Will mankind experience another Renaissance? One would hope so.

May the passion of discovery and new ideas be the guiding light for those who repose at the feet of long-ago philosophers whose intense creative ideas shaped the thinking of today. Depose political correctness and force yourself to think creatively, answerable to no one or group other than your genius self!

The world in the palm of their hands: Bilderberg 2005

2005-05-26T22:02:00.000+10:00

Oh the theories and speculation about the infamous, super-secretive group, the Bilderberg. This group supposedly runs the world with full access to military arsenals, world armies, bottomless-wells of available funds. This group has always fascinated me. Here is an in-debth article on the Bilderbergs, with pictures. ONLINE JOURNAL

"The discussions they will engage in this year, from deciding how the world should deal with European-American relations, the Middle East powder keg, the Iraq war, the global economy and how to stave off war in Iran, and the consensus they reach, will influence the course of Western civilization and the future of the entire planet. This meeting takes place behind closed doors in total secrecy, protected by a phalanx of armed guards."

2005-05-26T00:53:00.000+10:00

saturate

I perceive my reality; my reality perceives me

2005-05-25T15:50:00.000+10:00

I find myself re-defining these words that have become a part of my life: to know, to dare, to will, to keep silent. There are times when a simple explanation isn't enough to understand a confusing or senseless thought- humans continue to re-create themselves to find their truth based on their perception of reality. This exercise is necessary for the survival of the individual for to ignore or fear new realities can result in a stagnant mind.

We are continually re-creating our reality, whether we are aware we are, or not. This is part of our intrinsic make-up. That man has the knowledge, indeed, the thought/ability/capacity to change, is remarkable and remains a mystery.

Can we then play a passive role in the environment that surrounds us? Are we able to change our world around us? Do we believe that we have the power within us to do so? Why is man dependent on a Supreme Being if he has the tools within him to alter his reality?

Can the bearer of bad news turn it into something that is pleasing to our pleasure center? When do we actually stop creating our reality? Is there anyone out there who has the answers to these questions? Does anyone care? I seek the questions because the answers are there. If a question is perceived, then there must be a corresponding answer. Don't you agree?

To know: to know that which is the make-up of my environment; all those sensory perceptions that affect me and those around me in a meaningful way-- for good or for bad.

To dare: to perceive these thoughts and their meaning in my life and what I choose to do with these thoughts. Will I risk all that I am, all that I believe, to search for a new truth?

To will: Shall I direct my thought to the next level in which I am aware of the ability to manifest my will so that it directly affects my environment? Do I perceive this to be a good or bad thing and even then, choose to direct my efforts towards an outcome?

To keep silent: And so, after I have directed my will towards that which is tangible-- that which I have manifested, shall I make my triumph known to my fellow men? Or shall I keep it to myself, safe in the knowledge that all that I am is a perception of my realities and all that which I manifest within my realm of dreams.

And then after this, what is the next step? Is there another realm that I can explore-- that I am able to perceive? How will I know I have reached a level of development that I am able to perceive, or is that new reality still a glimpse of dreams and possibilities not yet manifested?

Ahh... I love being human. I love the very act of thinking, of knowing. To know; to dare; to will; and to keep silent.

In Remembrance, Jason S. Cruz

2005-05-25T00:20:00.000+10:00

A neighbor's son who served in Iraq came home today... in a plain box and the American flag draped over it. He was a native son of Guam and a proud U.S. citizen-- a young soldier who served his country with honor. Maria, his mother, cried. She cried and cried and cried. He was only 21 years old.

Jason was attending the University of Guam and planned to major in business administration, when a thought entered his head... it was his duty to serve his country. He enlisted in the Army and provided for his mother and siblings by sending money home every pay day.

With his dream of a promised college fund from the military, after college, Jason planned to open his own car detailing business. A carefree, young man, Jason had a quick smile and a big heart. The oldest of three, he was the man of the house since his father passed away years ago due to a heart attack.

This post is dedicated to Jason S. Cruz, a native son of Guam, who died in Iraq.

A son who loved his family and cared for them.
A man who loved his country and died for it.
A soul whose faith sustained him in his hour of need.
R.I.P. my friend. You will be missed.

2005-05-22T23:03:00.000+10:00

sacred lights

I will triumph over mine enemies

2005-05-22T20:50:00.000+10:00

The heckling, the jeering voices,
Trapped in my head
Fatigued thoughts jostling
against the sharp walls of memory

passages of visions contort my face
cannot escape the carnage of emotions
that threatens to wither my peace

hide it behind my wall of silence
until another day, where the pain is endured
I remember the faces whom I sought to destroy
for they shall never forget mine

time I shall store until the moment is right
then shall I rise and smite my foes
passage of years will not detract my goal

I shall never forget the taking of my spirit
shall never forget the breaching of my soul
What is left but despair and revenge?

After the hunted season is through,
Then shall I earn the right to peace
I shall embrace my half-life and
Seek what happiness is left.

Other seasons will come, but this one, ah.
My heart will answer to the whispered one
Who will show me the way to freedom
I shall not falter, for strong is my faith

I shall render what is due them who caused me harm
I shall slay them, besmirch their words,
And triumph in my moment of glory.
Selah

Bush vetoes stem cell research; concern over cloning in South Korea

2005-05-21T18:25:00.000+10:00

President Bush on Friday said he would veto legislation that would loosen restrictions on embryonic stem cell research and expressed deep concern about human cloning research in South Korea.

"I'm very concerned about cloning," the president said. "I worry about a world in which cloning becomes accepted."
White House deputy press secretary Trent Duffy said the work in South Korea amounted to human cloning for the sole purpose of scientific research. "The president is opposed to that," Duffy said. "That represents exactly what we're opposed to."

South Korean researchers, funded by their government, reported producing human embryos through cloning and then extracting their stem cells. It is a major advancement in the quest to grow patients' own replacement tissue to treat diseases, tells the Washington Post. For more info on South Korea's efforts on stem cell research, click here (earthtimes).

According to the Guardian Unlimited, The president also threatened a veto of legislation that would clear the way for taxpayer money to be spent on embryonic stem cell research. Full story at Pravda. Click here for an Op-Ed piece on stem-cell research from the Ayn Rand Institute.

2005-05-18T23:34:00.000+10:00

Author Dan Brown. Jordanian authorities reportedly confiscated copies of the controversial bestseller, The Da Vinci Code, for slandering Christianity.

"Da Vinci Code" confiscated in Jordan

2005-05-18T23:24:00.000+10:00

For what it's worth, I enjoyed reading the "Da Vinci Code". However, readers in Jordan will not have the pleasure of reading it after copies of the book were confiscated.

AMMAN--Amman's daily Al Ghad said that copies of the book were seized from a publishing house in the Jordanian capital and its owner, Ahmed Abou Tawk, was summoned for interrogation.

The paper quoted the president of the state's Publication Department, Ahmed Kodat, as saying that other titles were confiscated in addition to The Da Vinci Code for undermining religions.

"This book is largely harmful for Christianity and was banned from many countries, including Lebanon," Kodat said, noting that Christian clerics in Jordan demanded the ban.

Jordan, a mainly Muslim country, has a Christian minority. Full story at Middle East Times. Visit author Dan Brown's website.

2005-05-16T22:07:00.000+10:00

Illustration of Chamorro women fishing with surround nets

The Plight of the Chamorro; My People

2005-05-16T21:57:00.000+10:00

Gather round my children and listen closely to my words,
The story of my people of long ago
who lived and died on this island we call Guahan

My Chamorro ancestors were tall and strong
Proud bearers of Micronesian and Polynesian descent
These hardy people traveled by flying proa, guided by the stars
An island they saw in the distance and knew it was their home
They settled and bore strong children,
tradition and culture were born.

Their ancestors, the aniti and taotaomonas,
the ancient spirits of past
watched over the people--the proud ones
From the land, they harvested taro, papaya and tapioca
From the sea, they gathered fish, eel and crabs
Every evening, they came together
and praised the gods for their good fortune
But it was soon to end.

One day, the Spanish with their Bibles and guns,
sailed into the harbor
They killed the mighty warriors
and taught the villagers to deny their gods
And replaced them with a man named Jesus Christ

With the Spanish came the plague that killed half of the Chamorros
The strong grew weak in health, heart, and spirit
The women were dying at childbirth
and the children lived with the manamko
Then the Spanish left,
but indoctrinated their Catholic legacy.
But it was soon to end.

One day, soldiers from the Land of the Rising Sun
flew warplanes over our sky and dropped deadly bombs.
Many islanders were in Church,
worshipping the Legacy of the Spanish priests and soldiers.
All ran to save their families, but alas, many died,
and many more marched as sheep to slaughter
to live in concentration camps.

Women were raped and men were humiliated in front of their family,
just to see a smile on a Japanese soldier’s face.
But it was soon to end.

Uncle Sam came and took Guahan from the Japanese,
driving them away
And the Chamorro people cheered. The war was over.
The Americans stayed and inculcated their western ways
Today, we eat hotdogs, drink beer, drive Chevrolets
Our children’s Chamorro heritage is learned in books,
Strangers to their language and culture

Our children see the old Chamorro ways
as backward and old-fashion
The ways of the ancient ones have been replaced
by televised ads of slim bodies,
white skin, and perfect teeth.
This is the way of our culture, of our heritage,
from our once proud ancestors
whose generation grows weak and die young, day by day.

The Chamorro people, a distant memory in my mind;
the distant echoes of the ancient ones lament,
for the spirits no longer protect and bless us.
Ancient Chamorro lands desecrated with impunity
in the name of economic growth.

Listen well, my children and re-learn the ways of the forgotten ones.
Their blood runs deep within you. Reclaim your heritage.

Massacre in Uzbekistan, 500 feared dead

2005-05-15T23:54:00.000+10:00

"The Independent" - - Hundreds of protesters are reported to have been gunned down in bloody clashes with government forces that have ravaged eastern Uzbekistan.

One human rights observer in the eastern city of Andizhan said that up to 500 people may have perished in the shootings and the gun battles that followed. A doctor spoke of "many, many dead", witnesses said 200 to 300 people were shot dead, and an AP reporter saw at least 30 bodies in Andijan. As night fell, tension was high, with armoured vehicles positioned at crossroads and trucks blocking main thoroughfares. Terrified demonstrators tried to flee the country, seen as a key ally by Britain and the US in the war on terror. Full story at ICH.

A Note from the Hermit

2005-05-14T16:18:00.000+10:00

I lost the entire contents of my blog a few days ago... actually, somehow, it was partially deleted. Blogger managed to retrieve it, but alas, I lost all my links. I'm making a list of all lost links and posting them back to my site. This is a tedious process. I hope I don't forget anyone.

Now I realize how addicted I am to blogging. Surreal depression quickly set in and honestly, I felt like I had lost a loved one. Hmm.. this is one for the books.

2005-05-14T15:58:00.000+10:00

Technology reveals the face of King Tut

King Tutankhamun's Face Re-Created

2005-05-12T06:25:00.000+10:00

The famous boy king, Tutankhamun-- has a face, thanks to the reconstruction efforts of forensic artists and physical anthropologists. Fascinating.

National Geographic--Scientists have created the first ever bust of the ancient Egyptian King Tutankhamun based on 3-D CT scans of his 3,300-year-old mummy.

Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, led the effort, joined by forensic artists and physical anthropologists from Egypt, France, and the United States. Three independent teams created busts of Tut.

"In my opinion, the shape of the face and skull are remarkably similar to a famous image of Tutankhamun as a child, where he is shown as the sun god at dawn rising from a lotus blossom," Hawass said.

The study will be featured in the June issue of National Geographic magazine.
Full story, National Geographic
Another story of the reconstrution process, National Geographic
Related story, "Egypt's 'King Tut Curse' Caused by Tomb Toxins?

2005-05-11T16:20:00.000+10:00

Surreal tapestry of a fallen angel

K is for Kill (or be killed)

2005-05-11T12:39:00.000+10:00

Oh man, shed blood, life
think murder or be murdered
better him than me.

Kill: To commit murder. Murder or be murdered. There is no other way to describe war. The shadow of Americans dying in Iraq haunts the family table as military recruiters hustle to convince young men and women to enlist, indeed, sometimes even bribe. But even the incentive of a $20,000 bonus is not enough. It is ironic that now, more than ever, the opportunity for men and women to enlist is easier than before, the benefits are better, and the military as a whole, seems more human… and desperate.

The National Guard is hurting especially and can’t seem to convince even the older folks to join. Even young folks from low-income families aren’t convinced. They’d rather take their chances on the streets where they grew up than in a war zone far away from home.

Does this imply that Americans are cowards? That they are not patriotic? No, of course not. Mom and Dad worry about their children dying in a foreign country. Young people know they have a future ahead of them and by going to Iraq, well, that future is cut in half. Furthermore, Americans now believe that the situation in Iraq is a protracted war and can only lead to more deaths and eventual failure.

Is $20,000 enough to kill, or be killed? Only if the soldier is fortunate enough to survive. And if they do, is the emotional and mental abuse worth it? Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is proliferate, on the rise, and is affecting the entire family in a very negative way. Our servicemen are coming home without an arm, a leg, an eye, missing half a brain…can the United States put a price tag on these missing extremities? But more importantly, can the United States fix the damage and make it all better like it was before they left to fight a war far away from home?

The kill zone... kill or be killed- but at what price?

Click here for: Iraq War: Cheating for Enlistments
Click here for: Army, Marines Miss Recruiting Goals Again

2005-05-10T16:43:00.000+10:00

Unveiling

Most Beautiful Mummy

2005-05-10T16:33:00.000+10:00

Archaeologists have unveiled "the most beautiful mummy ever found in Egypt," according to Zahi Hawass, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. Revealed Tuesday, the 2,300-year-old male mummy was discovered two months ago under 20 feet (6 meters) of sand near the pyramids at Saqqara.

Its pigments still vivid, the mummy's nearly intact wooden sarcophagus offers a glimpse of ancient rituals and everyday life: The mummification process is depicted in detail, for instance, while, Maat, goddess of truth and balance, hovers above with wings outstretched.

One thing the paintings don't reveal is who lurks inside the sarcophagus. The gold mask and the mummy's location, a royal burial complex, suggest the deceased was a man of great wealth. The rest is up to science. Hawass, a National Geographic explorer-in-residence, told reporters that an upcoming CT scan should unlock secrets of who the mummy was and how he lived. More information on Egyptian mummification at Smithsonian Institution.

—Ted Chamberlain, National Geographic

2005-05-09T14:22:00.000+10:00

Isn't this gorgeous and mystical? The famous Horsehead Nebula sits amid the Orion molecular cloud complex. It's a protrusion at the edge of a larger region of dust. The dust obscures background stars, some of which light the fringes.

2005-05-09T14:18:00.000+10:00

I'm awed by the universe. Reminds me that I am just a speck in the entire cosmos. This photo is inspiring. Perhaps the most famous nebula of all is the Eagle Nebula, or M16, immortalized in this 1995 Hubble photo. The Pillars of Creation in the image contain dense, compact pockets of interstellar gas called evaporating gaseous globules (EGGs). This is where stars are born.

Extreme Makeover- Home Edition sets its sight on run-down classroom

2005-05-09T09:12:00.000+10:00

The extremely popular, "Extreme Makeover-Home Edition," has its eyes set on a Washington D.C. classroom that has been selected for a makeover this fall, along with its teacher who will also be treated to a personal makeover. Teachers from schools in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta will also be chosen within the coming months and may submit an entry. The show's sponsors said nominations will be accepted starting Tuesday on the website for "O", the Oprah Magazine (www.oprah.com/omagazine), and the winner selected over the summer. Full story at the Washington Post.

Leave Your Politics At the Door, All Ye Who Enter This Church, Or Be Voted Out

2005-05-09T08:53:00.000+10:00

Extreme politics creates division and misunderstandings, but should it cause the same in one’s local Church? Rev. Chan Chandler of East Waynesville Baptist Church led the charge to vote out nine members of the congregation because they did not vote for George W. Bush, voting for John Kerry instead in last year’s presidential election.

"This all started over politics and our right to vote for whoever we wanted to," said Thelma Lowe, who has been attending the church for 42 years. She and her husband Frank, a deacon at the church for 35 years, were among those voted out. Full story at CNN.

2005-05-09T01:04:00.000+10:00

daemon est deus inversus

A Story

2005-05-08T16:26:00.000+10:00

One day, a kind and good king took off his splendid robes and dressed himself in beggars’ rags and left his palace with an alms bowl in his arms.

Walking for several miles, he entered the city walls and began wandering the city square in a slow, uncertain manner, holding out his bowl in a show of mercy. Men and women of stature who had dined with him on several occasions in his kingly palace gave him looks of distain and even his lowliest subjects scoffed at him and showed him no compassion.

With a downtrodden spirit, the king left the city and walked back to his palace. Days went by and the citizens of the country were alarmed. They had heard that their beloved king was sickly. Palace pages pronounced that the king had contracted a mysterious disease.

The Palace seers said that the king was feverish and delirious, proclaiming that every sin in his countryman’s heart produced a diseased black spot that appeared on the king’s skin, causing him great pain and suffering.

The king’s citizens were sad for they loved their king. He was a fair and generous man. At the announcement, hundreds of people trekked to the palace to pay their last respects to their beloved king.

As they paid him homage, they recognized the beggar man in the square who had begged for alms. Ashamed and weeping, they begged for forgiveness. His royal highness in a somber and measured tone replied, “I will always love you, no matter if your heart is hard. Do not weep for me for where I go, beggars and thieves will dine with princes and kings. Never forget this.”

After his death, the country people became the most compassionate and patient people in the land. The End.

2005-05-08T15:26:00.000+10:00

Happy Mother's Day

Israeli linked to AIPAC probe to leave post

2005-05-07T20:55:00.000+10:00

The significance of this story and others that are soon to follow will no doubt be a question of national security. Will the hard questions be asked? It seems unlikely according to this story. The article can be found at ICH. Another related story may be found at CBS News.

By Nathan Guttman
WASHINGTON - Naor Gilon, the head of the political department at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, whose name has been linked to the Pentagon analyst charged with passing classified information to unauthorized personnel, will leave his post during the summer.

Gilon has been at the embassy for the past three years, and a spokesman in Washington said that he was leaving "for personal reasons." No employee of the Israeli Embassy has been quizzed in the affair, U.S. authorities have not notified the embassy itself about the inquiry and no one there has been asked to cooperate with detectives. That said, Israeli officials in Washington say that since the affair was made public last year, work relations with their American counterparts have become strained, and there is a new guardedness in conversations with U.S. officials.

Officially, the Israeli Embassy in Washington has been at pains to stress that it is not part of the investigation, and that its employees have never broken the law in their contacts with officials in the capital.

© Copyright 2005 Haaretz

Pentagon Analyst Larry Franklin Arrested in Probe

2005-05-07T20:49:00.000+10:00

It wasn't a barely kept secret. An investigation began, talk generated and finally Larry Franklin was arrested. How deep is the probe and will major players be named?. According to Franklin's attorney, Franklin is expected to plead not guilty. What will this man reveal? Stay tuned. This story is presented in its entirety and may be found at Newsfactor Technology News Another related story may be found at Yahoo! News.

Larry Franklin, a 58-year-old Air Force Reserves colonel who once worked for the Pentagon's No. 3 official, is the first person charged in a long-running investigation into whether Israel improperly obtained U.S. secrets.

Twice last year, FBI agents searched the offices of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying organization influential on U.S.-Israeli relations.

It was once thought AIPAC might be a target of the probe, but that's not the case, according to two knowledgeable people. They spoke only on condition of anonymity because the probe is still under way.

One of the people is someone familiar with the group's role in the probe; the other is a federal law enforcement official. They said the FBI is focusing on whether any classified information reached Israel.

An FBI agent's affidavit that accompanied the criminal complaint against Franklin does not suggest that the disclosure endangered U.S. troops, but said intelligence sources could have been compromised.

There is no allegation of espionage by Franklin. He faces a single count of disclosing classified defense information, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said his country was not involved.

"Israel does not carry on any activity in the United States which could harm, God forbid, its closest ally," Shalom told Israel's Channel One TV.

Israel has said it imposed a ban on espionage in the United States after the scandal over Jonathan Pollard, a civilian intelligence analyst for the Navy who was caught spying for Israel in 1985.

AIPAC declined comment Wednesday on the Franklin case. Previously, the group has said it had done nothing wrong and was cooperating with the investigation.

Franklin turned himself in Wednesday morning. He made a brief appearance in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., and was released on $100,000 bond.

A preliminary hearing was set for May 27. Franklin's lawyer, John Richards, said he expected his client would plead innocent.

Franklin, who specialized in Iran and Middle Eastern affairs, had clearance to review top-secret documents. He gave classified information to two people without such clearance at a luncheon meeting at a restaurant in Arlington, Va., in June 2003, FBI Agent Catherine Hanna said in the affidavit.

Franklin's top secret security Latest News about Security clearance was suspended in June 2004, the Justice Department said. He formerly worked in the office of policy undersecretary Douglas Feith.

Japanese Outcry Over Blood Type Prejudice

2005-05-07T04:52:00.000+10:00

Adolf Hitler’s premise of race distinction predicated on one’s blood type lives on in Japan and is negatively affecting the lives of many Japanese. It doesn't get more fundamental than this: "Type A's are perfectionists and make good accountants; Type B's are sociable but selfish." The classification of the individual's strengths and weaknesses based on blood type is causing some groups to protest.

Ryoichi Kikuchi of the Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization, says his watchdog group has fielded hundreds of complaints.

"Viewers are now complaining about their children being bullied at school, couples breaking up and bosses treating underlings unfairly -- all because of blood type prejudice," he said.

The theory has been around for decades, but its dark past is little known.

The discovery of blood types in 1901 was one of the greatest advances in medical history, but the breakthrough was then perverted by the Nazis to claim the superiority of Germans -- mostly types A and O -- over Jews, Asians and others with a larger proportion of type B blood.

The theory reached Japan in a 1927 psychologist's report, and the militarist government of the time commissioned a study aimed at breeding better soldiers.

The craze faded in the 1930s as its unscientific basis became evident. But it was revived in the 1970s with a book by Masahiko Nomi, an advocate and broadcaster with no medical background. The rest of the story at Newsday.

2005-05-06T08:10:00.000+10:00

Karte-Sakhi, Kabul- Reminder of War- One of the saddest things is that many women and children who are mourning the loss of their loved ones are coming to graveyards on Thursdays.

Taliban rises from the ashes, more resources, more money, better organized

2005-05-06T07:48:00.000+10:00

The United States, if human, would have many nightmares, and one of them would be the re-emergence of the Taliban, which is exactly what's happening today. What does this mean for the U.S. and its containment efforts to fight terrorists in the Middle East? Read the full story at Asia Times, Online.

KARACHI--The US, content in the belief that all support systems for the Taliban had been withdrawn and their financial lifelines completely dried up - and with moderate Taliban being drawn into the mainstream political fold in Afghanistan - has been shocked by a new phase of fierce Taliban resistance this spring.

The visits of Lieutenant-General David Barno, commander of US troops in Afghanistan, and chief of US Central Command, General John Abizaid, to Islamabad and their insistence that Pakistan restart a powerful campaign against al-Qaeda and the Taliban is the result of a new realization that the Taliban problem is back to square one.

Not only are the Taliban primed in the latest techniques in guerrilla warfare, they have also got their hands on fresh resources - both in terms of personnel and supplies - which the US had believed were choked off.

2005-05-05T16:52:00.000+10:00

77th Plenary Meeting of the 59th General Assembly session

The United Nations- can the international community live without it?

2005-05-05T16:40:00.000+10:00

How effective is the United Nations in international affairs particularly in disarmament and peace keeping missions? The answer is, not effective at all. It has proved virtually ineffective to prevent endemic skirmishes between neighboring nation-states and among international nation-states.

Here is another question: Is the United Nations necessary in spite of its failures? The answer is yes and the reason is because there is no other international forum of comparable importance and almost global representation. The United Nations is effective only if its member nation-states obey its edicts and participate within set parameters.

Members continue to employ the United Nations as a useful conduit in diplomatic issues and debate at government levels, and although this is the case, the United Nations has no practical power or influence in matters dealing with war and peace.

What is the reason for its ineffective role? It is because of the egoism of member power nations- the United States, the Soviet Union, China, Japan, Italy, France, and so on- that deprives it of the power to operate decisively. The veto power held by members of the Security Council hinders the United Nations in fulfilling it role and gives license for powerful countries to invade weaker ones with impunity. Furthermore, the Second United Nations Special Session on Disarmament held in June, 1982, is a pathetic failure as witnessed with the proliferation of arms trades around the world.

No matter what critics espouse about the United Nations, it must be strengthened from within no matter how dismal its record for peacekeeping and other such issues. Today, the United Nations must re-gain the trust of the international community, and the only way to achieve this is to demand reform from top to bottom. Its members must abandon pride and work together to bring about peace. There is still hope for the United Nations, an institution that, even with its impropriety and failures, world leaders continue to address debate and discuss issues affecting their nation-state and its role in the international community.

2005-05-05T09:58:00.000+10:00

Illustration: Michael Leunig

2005-05-04T12:16:00.000+10:00

Remember

Remembering Kent State, May 4, 1970

2005-05-04T12:13:00.000+10:00

Kent State University was placed in an international spotlight after a tragic end to a student demonstration against the Vietnam War and the National Guard on May 4, 1970. Shortly after noon on that Monday, 13 seconds of rifle fire by a contingent of 28 Ohio National Guardsmen left four students dead, one permanently paralyzed, and eight others wounded. Not every student was a demonstration participant or an observer. Some students were walking to and from class. The closest student wounded was 30 yards away from the Guard, while the farthest was nearly 250 yards away.

The divisive effect of the Vietnam War on American society was especially evident on campuses throughout the country. At Kent, the day after the announcement to send U.S. troops into Cambodia marked the start of a weekend of anti-war protests that began on campus and spilled into the city of Kent's downtown. Broken windows and other damage to a number of downtown businesses prompted fear, rumors, and eventually a call by the city's mayor to the governor for assistance.

The National Guard arrived Saturday night. That day some students assisted with the downtown cleanup. That night some other students set fire to the campus headquarters of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Sunday morning the governor came to Kent and in the city's firehouse held a press conference saying the University would remain open. After a Sunday of relative calm, an anti-war rally at noon on Monday brought 2,000 to 3,000 people to the University Commons area. When the Guard gave the order to disperse, some in the crowd responded with verbal epithets and stones. The Guard answered with tear gas, but when the spring winds altered its effect, the Guard attempted to enforce the Ohio Riot Act with raised bayonets, forcing demonstrators to retreat. The Guard then changed formation. As the Guard approached the crest of Blanket Hill, some Guardsmen turned toward the Taylor Hall parking lot and between 61 and 67 shots were fired. Four students were killed and nine wounded. That afternoon, University President Robert I. White ordered the University closed.

The University continues to remember the four students who died -- Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder -- through scholarships in their names and in the words inscribed on the May 4 Memorial: "Inquire. Learn. Reflect." The Memorial site is next to Taylor Hall, on a hill overlooking the Commons, near the site of the shootings. Pamphlets are available at the site. (Kent State Massacre)

This link (informationclearinghouse) takes the reader to another insightful post of the Kent State massacre. Well written and profound.

2005-05-04T09:36:00.000+10:00

"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange even to the men who used them." The World Set Free. H.G.Wells 1914

Report says U.S. unprepared to defend its citizens from nuclear attack

2005-05-04T09:03:00.000+10:00

Does the fact that the United States is not prepared to defend its citizens from a nuclear attack frighten you? It should. This report from the Washington Post discusses the failure of Homeland Security to devise a comprehensive, full-proof protocol for the United States and its citizens in the event of a terrorist nuclear attack. Furthermore, Homeland Security's website for U.S. citizens, Ready.gov gives ambiguous advice on how protect onself from a nuclear attack and experts say its advice is misleading.

To the Point:
· …more than 3 1/2 years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the U.S. government has failed to adequately prepare first responders and the public for a nuclear strike, according to emergency preparedness and nuclear experts and federal reports.
· Although hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved by rapidly evacuating people downwind of a radiation cloud, officials have trained only small numbers of first responders to prepare for such an event, according to public health specialists and government documents. And the information given to the public is flawed and incomplete, many experts agree
· Members of the public who seek information from Homeland Security's Web site, Ready.gov, may not be getting the best advice, experts said.
· U.S. officials say they are only in the first stages of planning ways to communicate with endangered downwind communities, via radio, television or cell phones.
· Homeland Security officials point with pride to the nuclear response training given to 2,200 first responders. But domestic defense experts point out there are 2 million such firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel nationwide.
· The government also has failed to communicate well with the public about nuclear dangers, terrorism experts said.
· In late 2003, months after the debut of Homeland Security's Ready.gov Web site, Rand Corp. released a detailed study advising individuals on responding to various attack scenarios - but with starkly different recommendations. Ready.gov gave almost no information on which to base a hide-or-flee decision, beyond advice such as to "Quickly assess the situation" after a nuclear blast. In general, it advised going inside, underground if possible, and fleeing by car rather than on foot. Rand, which in the 1950s was an architect of U.S. nuclear doctrine, said going indoors "would provide little protection in a nuclear attack." It said Ready.gov's suggestion that people in the blast zone head underground after a blast is "misleading" because few people would have time to take that step. Ready.gov made no mention of the critical factor of wind. But Rand advised that if wind is carrying smoke and the mushroom cloud toward people, they should immediately head perpendicular to it, on foot, for at least a few miles, to get out of the plume's path. Driving would be futile because of impassable roads, Rand said.
· "Guidance from Ready.gov fails to indicate the time urgency involved," said Lynn E. Davis, a former undersecretary of state for arms control who was the Rand study's lead author. "We must act in a matter of minutes to survive."
· "Ready.gov treats a nuclear weapon in this case as if it were a big truck bomb, which it's not," said Ivan Oelrich, a physicist who studies nuclear weapons for the nonprofit Federation of American Scientists. "There's no information in Ready.gov that would help your chances" of surviving a nuclear blast or the resulting mushroom cloud, he said.

Full story written by John Mintz (Washington Post)/Story appeared in the "New Hampshire Union Leader"

2005-05-03T23:59:00.000+10:00

Prisoner No. 777

Planned US-Israeli Attack on Iran

2005-05-03T23:30:00.000+10:00

Here is an important site regarding US-Israeli plans to attack Iran. This site contains various articles from various sources. If interested, check it out. Click US-Israeli Attack on Iran.

1 in every 138 Americans behind bars

2005-05-03T22:59:00.000+10:00

This article deals only with numbers; even then, it is an interesting read. The numbers reveal the decay of societal structure in the United States and other countries.

By Alex Jones--The US prison population, already the largest in the world, reached a new high of more than 2.1 million last year, with one in every 138 residents of the country now behind bars, according to new government statistics.

The data, made public by the Bureau of Justice Statistics on Sunday, put the US far ahead of countries like China and Russia, whose combined population is about five times that of America.

"The numbers are pretty consistent with what they have been in the last few years," Justice Department statistician Paige Harrison, a co-author of the report, said. "We are seeing continued growth in prisons and jails, but at a lower rate than we had about 10 years ago."

The study shows the number of inmates across the country rose an estimated 48,452 people, or 2.3 per cent, in the 12-month period ending on June 30, 2004.

In other words, the system was adding to its ranks on average 932 individuals every week. The rate of incarceration reached a record of 726 inmates per 100,000 residents — up from 716 a year earlier.

By comparison, the current incarceration rate in Britain is 142 per 100,000 citizens, in China 118, in France 91, and in Japan 58, according to the Justice Policy Institute.

US federal prisons that house most drug offenders accounted for the largest increase of the prison population — 6.3 per cent. (Infowars.net)

2005-05-02T13:59:00.000+10:00

Monument to Party Foundation (Sickle, Hammer and Brush), P'Yongyang, North Korea/ Notice the hammer (middle) resembles a concrete phallus.

What's Up, North Korea?

2005-05-02T12:48:00.000+10:00

North Koreans are proud nationalists which defines the unique way they interact with other people. North Koreans take themselves very seriously, do not take criticisms lightly, and are easily offended. Furthermore, they trust no one. North Koreans believe that the United States is trying to “push them around”; that the U.S. has “no respect”; and that the U.S. is “trying to take over the world”. The North Korean government believes that the U.S. is a terroristic country, with its own terrorist network, worldwide.

North Korea is the center of attention once again, after apparently testing a short range missile, Sunday.

On CNN, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card said this,

“North Koreans "are living in poverty -- many in concentration camps. They do not have any exercise of democracy or freedom. They are not allowed to contact the outside world. [Kim] is not the kind of leader that is comfortable with the rest of the world."

On NBC's "Meet the Press," Card portrayed North Korea as a target of U.S. efforts to inspire democracy around the world.

"We're doing everything we can to make sure that the people of North Korea recognize that they're being cheated and denied opportunities that come with freedom and democracy," he said.

Card’s statements exemplify the extreme ignorance of the Bush Administration about North Koreans. Americans will never understand the reasons behind the madness that North Koreans exhibit—will never understand the nationalism that North Koreans pride themselves. The very idea of nationalism has been openly challenged by Americans for decades. But even then, Americans do not push the envelope. They question authority, but do not seek to undermine it. (With the exception of the Oklahoma City bombings and a few others and even then, these were Americans killing Americans. A tragedy which leaves many with one fundamental question: Why? Was Timothy McVeigh’s “inalienable rights” being threatened? Was democracy being threatened? Will we ever know?)

To North Koreans, nationalism is their foundation of tradition; the basic principles of their family way of life. They are saying, “if you want us to work with you, you must treat us with respect, accept our way of life and leave us to run our country the way we see fit.”

North Korea acts this way because its government feels threatened by extinction of its values--its people—its way of life; therefore, the government is compelled to show that it will not be pushed around by another “foreign” country.

Bush knows that the United States cannot incur another war-- but he should have looked ahead and planned his foreign policy accordingly. Today, his aggressive (arrogant) foreign policies have polarized the U.S. from other countries and their leaders. The U.S. has made itself a self-appointed “watch dog” of the world. The constant drivel of “in the name of democracy/a better future/freedom from the oppressed, is bulls+++.

North Koreans ask, if the U.S. is the shining example of democracy, then why are millions of Americans living in poverty; why are there tens of thousands of homeless Americans; why is crime high and cannot be contained; why do Americans defraud their government; why does America have a drug problem; why can't Americans take care of their elderly; why is the suicide rate high in America; why is racism still an issue; why is AIDS rampant in America; why do Americans pay so much for healthcare and what happens to Americans who can't afford healthcare; why are millions of Americans unemployed; why is there an overflow in American prisons; why do Americans fight about unborn fetuses; the right to live or die; why do political candidates spend multi-millions of dollars on campaigns, then argue about poverty. KISS... keep it simple, stupid... and lastly, "if America thinks it can fix other countries problems, why can't it fix its own?"(a 10-year-old niece of mine contributed this last piece). Do these social and economic issues define democracy?

Bush is now aware that the United States has to fight many wars, topple many governments, kill and destroy many lives, all in the name of “Democracy”, but really, the agenda is to take over that country's natural resources. Does the U.S. have plans to bring democracy to North Korea? What does the U.S. have to gain if it invades North Korea? We all know what's at stake in Iraq and Iran.

As the U.S. continues to foot the bill of the Iraqi War and drive itself to ultimate bankruptcy, other countries, even those that are pro-U.S., are finding lucrative ways to finance their government coffers and this means making deals with countries that are anti-U.S.

Today, North Korea prepares for war against the U.S., if the U.S. decides to “bring it on” the shores of North Korea.

Canada approves cannabis-based painkiller; U.S. unlikely to follow

2005-05-02T03:01:00.000+10:00

Congress should review federal regulations, lighten strict laws, and give this drug a chance. Granted, protectionist laws play a heavy hand for U.S. pharmaceutical companies, however, there are drugs manufactured outside the U.S. that are on the cutting-edge that should be available to U.S. health consumers. This move will drive down the price of medications and force U.S. pharmaceutical companies to lower their prices.
Another interesting story about this "liquid marijuana" can be found here.(Colorado Libertarian Party)

By Aaron Smith, CNN
NEW YORK -- A cannabis-based painkiller for sufferers of multiple sclerosis is expected to be in Canadian pharmacies this summer, but whether it appears on U.S. pharmacy shelves is a key question. But if the past is any indication, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration might go tough on a cannabis-based drug.

Sativex, which is sprayed into patients' mouths, is produced by the British firm GW Pharmaceuticals. It was approved by the Canadian government on April 19.

“A great number of multiple sclerosis sufferers have experimented, sometimes illegally, with herbal marijuana in the past," said Mark Rogerson, spokesman for GW Pharmaceuticals, whose scientists extract cannabis from greenhouse-cultivated plants. "We are confident that many patients will prefer a pharmaceutical or a scientific solution to the problem rather than crude herbal marijuana." Full story at CNN.

2005-05-01T22:16:00.000+10:00

I could sell this

Firm investigated for bilking millions from U.S. government

2005-05-01T19:57:00.000+10:00

Custer Battles LLC, a contract security group in Iraq, is under investigation by the U.S. government for allegedly scamming millions of dollars from the federal government. Did this company undergo a background check? Is it a well-established company? Were its customers happy with its service? Were any of these questions asked before awarding the bid to this wild-west-mentality security group? What's not acceptable is that Amercians in Iraq exhibit neanderthal acts against each other... they are all far away from home, but they don't seem to give a damn. It's enough that they have to live, survive in a hostile country. Where's the support for each other? Uberdorks, thy name is idiot. How many other contractors in Iraq bilk the U.S. government? Halliburton, of course, but how many more. Land of the oppressed, home of thieves (Iraq).

This information was taken from Yahoo! : Custer Battles wants its customers to understand the risks of doing business in difficult environments. The company provides security services, risk management consulting, and other services including business intelligence, litigation support, and security-related training. It has provided security services to companies involved in reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Co-founders Scott Custer and Mike Battles are former US Army Rangers.

By DEBORAH HASTINGS

His career in Baghdad was brief. And it ended badly.

On a blistering July afternoon, three MP5 submachine guns were pointed at Robert Isakson. The men carrying the weapons wanted his money and his security pass.

As Isakson tells it, they also wanted his guns, leaving him unarmed in a mess of a country and banned from its safest haven.

``We were defenseless,'' says the former cop and FBI agent. He had come to Iraq to help rebuild the devastated country, accompanied by his 14-year-old son, Bobby. Now, after less than a month, they were being expelled at gunpoint.

By Americans.

The gunmen and Isakson all worked for Custer Battles LLC, a Rhode Island-based contracting firm now mired in lawsuits and a criminal investigation by the Pentagon. Isakson claims company employees ordered him out because he refused to help defraud the U.S. government.

It is one allegation on a long list.

Custer Battles security guards have also been accused of firing at unarmed civilians. They have been accused of crushing a car filled with Iraqi children and adults. They have been accused of unleashing a hail of bullets in a Baghdad hotel, only to discover, when the dust literally settled, that they had been shooting at each other.

The company is under investigation by the Department of Defense for allegedly overcharging the government millions by making up invoices for work never done, equipment never received, and guards who didn't exist. Full story at CBS.

2005-04-30T22:04:00.000+10:00

centerstage

J is for Justice

2005-04-30T21:43:00.000+10:00

Oh man, look beyond!
Lady Justice cannot see
You must seek the truth.

What is truth? Truth is relative. What is true for one, may not be true for another. One’s truth may not be the truth of another. Does this pose a dilemma? Only if unbearable pain causes one to lash out.

One’s truth is subject to change, too. New ideas, new experiences, new knowledge brings new truth. The awareness of this change comes to mind years later as the contemplative mind reflects on life’s journeys.

This is the point. Lady Justice’s truth will never change, for she is in blindfold. Notice that even her ears are covered. The dynamics of law, ever changing, means nothing to her. For her, black and white are her exact laws. There are no estimates in grays. The letter of the law remains absolute. Spirit of the law does not exist.

By contrast, the legal system has many truths and many lies. Lawyers are highly paid actors whose purpose is to project their client’s “truth” in the name of Lady Justice. Pity Lady Justice! Judges are political appointees whose career is subject to political pressure from all sides. Poor woman! A lucrative and politically correct career, thy name is law. What’s left in the sanctimonious courtrooms once truth is sung on high? Lies, of course. And it’s those lies turned truths that wins in the end.

The fundamental essence of Justice can never be attained. Justice is the Holy Grail that the legal system seeks, but will never find.

2005-04-30T00:21:00.000+10:00

You pull, you pray, or pay.

Belgian Doctors Bill U.S. for Treating Iraqi Girl

2005-04-29T23:18:00.000+10:00

Who will pay the bill?

International agreements between nation-states should be honored. These Belgium doctors don't think the U.S. will pay this young girl's medical bill. Will other cases such as this pop up? Imagine if the U.S. had to pay for medical expenses for every Iraqi civilian who died under its hands? Astronomical and unimaginable. Gives a whole new spin to "collateral damage". Stay tuned.

Reuters- Belgian doctors sent an Iraqi girl home on Thursday after treating her for leg wounds caused by a bomb during the U.S. invasion -- and sent the 51,570 euro ($66,650) bill to the U.S. embassy.

"We haven't heard from them yet," said Bert De Belder, coordinator of the humanitarian agency Medical Aid for Third World which brought the girl to Belgium.

"I'm curious to know their reaction," he told Reuters. "We're giving them 10 days to respond ... I don't think they will pay it."

The girl, 15-year-old Hiba Kassim, smiled to reporters as she waited for her flight to Jordan to meet her father.

"Thank you, Belgium," she said.

Doctors brought Kassim to Belgium last year to try to save her left ankle, seriously injured by a cluster bomb that also killed her brother in Baghdad in 2003.

After five operations and weeks of physiotherapy, Kassim is able to walk again, but with a slight limp.

De Belder said he sent the bill to the U.S. embassy because international law dictated that an occupying force was responsible for the well-being of the country's people. U.S. embassy officials were not immediately available for comment. ($1=.7737 Euro)

2005-04-29T21:18:00.000+10:00

Divide, conquer, until big fish stands alone

I is for Ignorance

2005-04-29T20:39:00.000+10:00

Oh man, art thou slow!
perfect thy mind and grow rich
knowledge is power.

An ignorant leader leads his country by folly and sheer luck! Ignorance lacks the polish of wisdom. It is good that such a leader would hire those who are smarter than he, for his sins are covered. Even better, when his sins are revealed, his ignorance is forgiven for he is not aware that his decision carries great consequences. Oh man, ignorance sustains thee!

The ignorant leader brainwashes his citizenry that it’s “us” against “them”. The threat is imminent! We must do something! Let us look at the United States. Years past, it was “democracy” against “communism”. Today, it’s us, (Christianity), against them (Islam). This ignorant mindset spawns intolerance and fear. Prior knowledge and history is thrown out, and the masses follow the words of their leader. This leader has deep pockets, the trust of the people, and a well-oiled political machine.

After he has tested his military might, he is greedy for more. Consumption and the will to survive. More importantly, the leader intuits that if he doesn’t secure his nation-state as the ultimate super-power, he knows that his country is doomed. So he puts in anal-retentive men and women in powerful positions to represent his nation-state- ignorant men as he, whose sole purpose is to ensure the survival of their country, and to push their agenda, indeed, shove it down other countries throats. But even in his ignorance, he is just an animal, for animals survive on pure instinct. Many qualify this as brilliance! Unfortunately, the leader of this nation-state learns later, that other leaders of other countries do not share his “vision” and world tension mounts.

The big fish may indoctrinate other nation-states with its ideology, but it cannot rule the world. The balance of peace is thin, the world on the brink of chaos, all because of the ignorance of world leaders.

2005-04-29T13:43:00.000+10:00

education gives them a life

Roma children suffer at hands of Czech Republic

2005-04-28T21:17:00.000+10:00

Roma living in the Czech Republic have a history of poverty and persecution. The Roma, dark in complexion, are thought to have migrated to Europe from India centuries ago. Their nomadic life set them apart from other groups. They are the poorest and largest minority group in Europe, with large numbers concentrated in former Communist countries. Roma children, especially, suffer stigmatization at the hands of the education-run Czech government.

Up to 75 percent of the Roma children attend schools intended for the mentally disabled and are receiving what human rights groups contend is a substandard education that can lead to a lifetime of unemployment, dependence on welfare and even crime. Now, advocates for Roma rights have begun legal action to change the situation.

What a heinous violation of human rights! The government fires back by saying that the parents are responsible for their children's education. This is an ignorant response. The plight of these children is unacceptable.

The country's 120 "special" schools, the term traditionally used to describe the combined elementary and middle schools for the mentally disabled in the Czech Republic, were created by the Communist government in the 1960's. Their graduates are largely ineligible to apply to college or to obtain a job beyond the most basic manual labor.

According to the State Department's annual human rights report issued in March, 90 percent of the children in Czech special schools are Roma. Critics of the government's education policy charge that this is the result of bias, and lawyers representing Roma children have filed the first systematic legal challenge against school discrimination in Europe.

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, is considering whether to hear the case of 18 teenagers from Ostrava who argue that their placement in special schools in the late 1990's violated their right to protection against discrimination granted under Czech and European law.

The degradation of these children at the hands of their government must not be tolerated and the Court of Human Rights must hold the Czech Republic government accountable. Full story here.

2005-04-28T12:15:00.000+10:00

4squaresNSEW

Worldwide terrorism jumps; Bush administration trys to suppress data

2005-04-28T10:44:00.000+10:00

Ivan Eland
"Independent Institute" - - The Bush administration is attempting to suppress key data showing that its Global War on Terrorism (or GWOT as government bureaucrats have dubbed it) likely has been counterproductive. According to Larry Johnson, a former CIA analyst and State Department terrorism expert who still has many sources within the intelligence community, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s office is suppressing data showing that the number of major terrorist attacks worldwide exploded from 175 in 2003 to 625 in 2004, the highest number since the Cold War began to wane in 1985.

Iraqi attacks increase; insurgents better coordinated

2005-04-28T10:34:00.000+10:00

Iraqi insurgents have shown improved co-ordination and greater tactical sophistication in a new surge of attacks following a sharp decline after national elections in January, US defence officials said. Donald Rumsfeld went on record to say funding for the Army is slowing down and is telling Congress to push for the approval of the budget bill. Another glitch that U.S. soldiers must bear while Congress does what it does best: plays politics.

The increased violence comes amid a stalemate over the formation of a new Iraqi government, which US officials worry is dissipating an opportunity opened by the January 30 elections to undercut support for the insurgency.

Attacks fell from about 90 a day before the elections to about 40 a day for several weeks after the vote, Pentagon officials said. But then about two weeks ago the number of attacks rose to about 50 a day.

More significant than the number of attacks is that the insurgent attacks are better co-ordinated than in the past and more sophisticated, said a senior defence official, who asked not to be identified. Moreover, he said, members of the former regime have been re-establishing links with foreign fighters led by militants such as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Full story here.

False alarm sends Bush underground

2005-04-28T03:10:00.000+10:00

An unidentified aircraft entered restricted air space near the White House. A UFO, perhaps? There is a possible conspiracy theory here. Beam them up Scotty, all of them.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Fears that an unidentified aircraft had entered restricted space near the White House prompted security officials to move President Bush from the Oval Office to an underground shelter Wednesday.

The brief scare lasted only a few minutes before officials determined it was a false alarm, White House counselor Dan Bartlett said. Some White House staff members were moved out of the West Wing and tourists were rushed from the East Wing. Full story, CNN.

2005-04-28T00:09:00.000+10:00

European Airbus A380 makes first flight

Airbus A380 makes flying debut with no hitches

2005-04-27T23:50:00.000+10:00

TOULOUSE, France (CNN)--The world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, landed safely in Toulouse, France after making its first test flight.The double-decker "superjumbo" touched down on the runway at 2:22 p.m. (1222 GMT) Wednesday after a nearly four-hour flight with six crew members aboard. The Europeans designed and built the A380. This plane is expected to compete with Boeing's 747. Full story at CNN.

2005-04-27T22:34:00.000+10:00

untitled

Today's youth and the people they emulate

2005-04-27T13:36:00.000+10:00

The act of thinking is difficult. This would explain the mediocre views of this world. Who are the true leaders of today? The great intellectuals are gone; those who manage to eck a miniscule spark of genius have no impact in this world. Is George W. Bush an intellectual? What about Condoleeza Rice? Or Donald Rumsfeld? Bill Clinton? Tom DeLay? John Kerry? Ann Coulter? Colin Powell? Jimmy Carter? Dan Rather? Peter Jennings? Add your own names to this list. The point is.. intellectuals are rare in this age. Pity.

Ask a young person whom they would like to emulate. Their leaders, their heroes, are in your viewing box. Sean "Puffy" Combs; Will Smith? Jennifer Lopez? Paris Hilton? Again.. add your names to this list. Young people live in hyper-reality. They dedicate half their life to a made up, scripted character, funny, flawless... the other half is living a life that is a disappointment to them, so they develop a humdrum attitude towards life.

These young people should be thinking of the great intellects of old! Albert Einstein; Jean Paul Sarte; Malcolm X; Nietzsche; Noam Chomsky; Simone de Beauvoir; Martin Luther King Jr.; Umberto Eco... these greats took a stand for what they believed with no compromise! They risked the alianation of public opinion that would cause them great embarrassment and sometimes, great personal pain. Their time came when the world needed a voice of reason; of redemption; of anger and contempt! Where are the leaders of today!

Young leaders must cast aside the stench of compromise and stand for their beliefs. They must examine what once was, what is now, and what is to be. They must develop their minds to question all that is said from world leaders and find the motives behind the lies. Then they must stand.. stand and be heard, no compromise, no apology.

2005-04-26T23:39:00.000+10:00

This is A Cartoon, a cartoon by Mr. Fish, published Friday, April 22, 2005. It is part of The Cartoons of Mr. Fish: a Selection , which is part of Features, which is part of Harpers.org .

Human Rights group calls for an independent special investigation on Iraqi abuse

2005-04-26T22:05:00.000+10:00

I'm tired of reading about how these high ranking officials get away with murder, literally. This is just one of many FUBAR episodes in the heinous comedy of errors of Bush & Company. Stay tuned.

Human rights groups recently expressed dismay over the Army's findings exonerating U.S. generals of prisoner abuse in Iraq, and renewed requests for an independent probe to examine the culpability of senior military and civilian defense officials. (ICH)

In a report released recently, the New York-based Human Rights Watch called on U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the roles of all U.S. officials "who participated in, ordered, or had command responsibility for war crimes or torture." Human Rights Watch also asked Congress to launch an independent and bipartisan probe -- similar to that of the 9/11 commission -- to investigate the roles of senior leaders in abuse, including President Bush, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and former CIA director George J. Tenet. Full story here.

2005-04-26T15:57:00.000+10:00

pleasurable moment

H is for Hedonism

2005-04-26T15:38:00.000+10:00

Oh man, take heart, breathe.
receive, laugh, and be thankful
celebrate life, now.

Hedonism: describes any way of thinking that gives pleasure a central role. Hedonism can be generally summed up as "Pleasure is the highest good", or in an ethical formulation, "whatever causes pleasure is right." (Wikipedia)

Hedonism is the God of our age. Pleasure motivates man to create, to build, to destroy. This tenet creates a dilemma for pleasure in excess is disruptive, even life-threatening.

As living beings, do we naturally seek pleasure?; or should we seek pleasure as the highest moral good? One thing is certain, what is pleasure to one, may be pain for another. An act which brings an anticipated reaction is pleasure. Flogging is pleasurable to the one who enjoys it, anticipates it. A corporate takeover is pleasurable to the one who enjoys it, anticipates it. Eating an ice cream cone is pleasurable to the one who enjoys it, anticipates it. Hedonism is subjective and is not always for the higher good.

Even if one assents that the highest good is pleasure, it is still difficult to ascertain what it is that brings the most pleasure. For example, a night of pleasurable heavy drinking can lead to painful consequences that outweigh the initial pleasure.

2005-04-25T20:02:00.000+10:00

internet speed: no boundaries

Internet speeds of up to 1,600 percent faster, just around the corner

2005-04-25T07:30:00.000+10:00

Imagine the fastest speed internet service providers serve up to customers now. It's not nearly as fast as the much anticipated-soon-to-be-launched internet connection of speeds of up to 1,600 percent faster. Although a price for the improved service has yet to be determined, it's expected to cost more than current price packages.

The industry's standard-settings unit, CableLabs, plans this month to endorse technology that will let operators boost speeds 400 percent to 1,600 percent above current levels.

Motorola and Cisco are among companies offering alternative methods to increase broadband speeds by linking together the bandwidth used for four or more conventional TV channels.

"There'll be a speed arms race," says RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser. Read more at Trends.

iPod giveaways at college campuses

2005-04-25T07:22:00.000+10:00

Apple Computer's aggressive launch and marketing strategy are paying off as the iPod forges ahead in the college market. Last year, Duke University gave away the digital music players to its freshman class. This year though, the giveaway is targeted for classes that would benefit from the device.

Educational uses for the iPod and other similar devices are just the beginning as technology advances and expands its markets to other traditional sectors. Trends has the full story.

2005-04-24T23:32:00.000+10:00

old fashioned tonic

More amusing Home Remedies that work

2005-04-24T22:40:00.000+10:00

Home remedies are quite popular and are also entertaining to read. Here are some interesting home remedies that you will enjoy reading. Check out the remedy for a hickey. Normal posting commences tomorrow. Is there a home remedy for brain drain?

SMELLY FEET: Soak feet in strong tea for 20 minutes every day until the smell disappears. To prepare your footbath, brew two tea bags in 2 1/2 cups of water for 15 minutes and pour the tea into a basin containing two liters of cool water.

SMOKING HABIT: Lick a little salt with the tip of your tongue whenever you feel the urge to smoke. This is said to break the habit within 1 month.

SORE THROAT: Mix 1 tsp. lime juice and 1 Tbls. honey. Swallow tiny amounts slowly 2-3 times a day.

GUM IN HAIR: Soak the gum-coated hair in Coke® and it should wipe out easily.

HAIR LIGHTENER: To lighten hair, use 1/4 cup chopped fresh rhubarb to 2 cups boiling water. Cool, strain, and apply as a rinse.

HANG-OVER: Eat honey on crackers. The fructose in the honey will help to flush out the alcohol in your system.

HAY FEVER: Steep 1 tsp. fenugreek seed in 1 cup water, covered, for 10 minutes. Drink 1 cup a day to help hay fever symptoms.

HEADACHE: Eat 10-12 almonds, the equivalent of two aspirins, for a migraine headache. Almonds are far less likely to upset the stomach.

HICKEY: Coat area liberally with lotion. Rub with the back of a cold spoon vigorously for as long as you can stand to, changing out spoon for new cold one every 10 minutes. Recommended time for this treatment is 45-60 minutes.

SPLINTERS:

Lay scotch tape over the splinter and pull off.
Soak the area in vegetable oil for a few minutes before removing with tweezers.

STOMACH ACHE: A simple cure for a stomachache is to dissolve 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon in 1 cup warm water, cover and let sit for 15 minutes, then drink it like tea. This remedy can also ease diarrhea and flatulence.

STOMACH ACIDITY:

Drink coconut water 3-4 times a day.
Have a plateful of watermelon and/or cucumber every hour.

SUNBURN: Mix 2 tsp. tomato juice and 1/4 cup buttermilk. Apply to affected area. Rinse after 1/2 hour.

TOOTHACHE & MOUTH PAIN: To ease toothache or other mouth pain, make a tea by boiling 1 Tbls. fresh peppermint in 1 cup water and adding a little salt. Peppermint is an antiseptic and contains menthol, which relieves pain when applied to skin surfaces.

VARICOSE VEINS: Take 2-3 tsp. black strap molasses orally daily. This also treats all kinds of circulatory ailments.

VOMITING AND NAUSEA:

Sucking a piece of ice controls vomiting.
Eat 1/2 tsp. ground cumin seeds.
Cinnamon and sliced ginger work by interrupting nausea signals sent from the stomach to the brain. If you are an herbal tea drinker, simply sprinkle cinnamon on the tea and drink. To make ginger tea, simmer a few slices of ginger in hot tea water.

WARTS: Try taping a slice of garlic to the wart. Be sure to first protect the surrounding skin with petroleum jelly.

WEAK NAILS: To strengthen and shine nails, combine 2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. castor oil, and 1 tsp. wheat germ oil and mix thoroughly. Pour into bottle. Shake before using. To use, rub a small amount into your nails. Leave on 3-5 minutes and tissue off. Follow up with more plain castor oil, if desired.

WRINKLES & SKIN FRESHENER:

Combine 2 Tbls. vodka, 1 Tbls. fennel seeds, and 1 1/2 tsp. honey. Stir well and allow to sit for 3 days. Strain mixture. Use full strength or add 2 Tbls. water to dilute. Use a cotton ball to apply to face as a toner.
Apply coconut oil on the portions of skin and face where wrinkles set in and gently massage every night at bed time.

YELLOW TEETH: Mix salt with finely powdered rind of lime. Use this as toothpowder frequently.

Gorbachev criticizes U.S. on nuclear arsenal, hypocrisy

2005-04-23T21:56:00.000+10:00

Heads of nation-states navigate blindly as they ponder the capabilities of nuclear weapon programs or the number of nuclear weapons of other nation-states. Intelligence reports are flawed, so a best guess is all one has to predict nuclear armament. Mikhail Gorbachev, recently interviewed, speaks on these issues and shares his interpretation of U.S. nuclear practices.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev warned the United States on Wednesday "to cure itself" of hypocrisy over nuclear arms and be prepared to cut its atomic arsenal and take it off "hair-trigger" alert.

Addressing a news conference with Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, Gorbachev said the United States should not suggest other nations disarm and make no move to do so itself.

"I think the United States is sick. It suffers from the sickness, the disease of being the victor and it needs to cure itself from this disease," Gorbachev said.

"I think Russia is ready to cooperate. Now the question is, is the United States -- which is the only remaining superpower -- is the United States ready to do this? I think not," he added.

There are an estimated 34,000 nuclear warheads in silos in Russia and the United States. About 5,000 are on hair-trigger alert, in which they could be fired on 15 minutes' notice.

The United Nations in May is holding a five-year review of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the cornerstone of atomic disarmament, which came into force in 1977. So far, a preparatory committee has failed to agree on an agenda because of divisions between the nuclear powers and those without atomic weapons.

"They (United States) say other people don't need (nuclear weapons), but what kind of law is this that they are advocating?" Gorbachev asked. "It's the law of the jungle."

"We don't need to kiss each other, we don't need to flirt with each other," he said. "We need leadership through partnership, not by dominating and being a policeman."

Gorbachev, credited with helping end the Cold War, led the Soviet Union for six years until its 1991 collapse.

He was at the United Nations to present Turner the Alan Cranston peace award, named after the late U.S. senator who advocated nuclear disarmament. The award was sponsored by the Global Security Institute, a San Francisco-based group that focuses on disarmament.

Turner said the United States had not lived up to its obligations to reduce its arsenal substantially.

"It is easy to understand why other countries felt that if the United States, Russia, China, Israel, Pakistan, India and France could have nuclear weapons, then why couldn't they?" Turned said.

2005-04-23T11:29:00.000+10:00

past memories haunt the future

G is for Govern

2005-04-23T10:57:00.000+10:00

Oh man, lead wisely!
your people seek your advice
crave wisdom, always.

Throughout history, heads of states imposed their ideas on their citizenry and many developed their craft of cunning, leading their subjects to doom. If it is true that to govern takes more daring than knowing, then we are all doomed.

It is possible for a head of state to govern wisely. He has only to employ the knowledgeable, the cunning, the wisest of men and women, whose total loyalty is unquestionable, but he must test their loyalty in subtle ways so as not to be obvious. This depiction describes the benevolent leader who is kind, yet firm; compassionate, yet unforgiving, but whose sole purpose is to ensure a long lasting reign. The collective input from his cadre ensures a sound decision a majority of the time. A faulty decision must be swiftly contained and covertly repressed.

Then there are leaders who govern with power and might, who have a steady stream of monies taken from their ignorant citizens under the guise of “taxes”, to be used at their will. Even if this leader has opponents, the tide always turns his way and his governance is absolute. His citizenry support his cause under the empty pathos of nationalism. His intelligence network has no loyalty to him, and information with the ability to change the course of a nation can be tainted and unsubstantiated. In this condition, lies and distrust rule. The leader is forced to make decisions based on faulty information, but make them he must. Should we empathize with the misinformed leader? Absolutely not. He determines the ultimate outcome. If the decision leads to a mistake, this brand of leader dares not apologize to his citizenry, for to do so is a sign of weakness and stupidity.

Those who write history must begin the slow process of destroying all literature that has propagated lies of their country and its leaders, and begin to write the truth. Only then will future heads of state learn the true art of governing that is best for their citizenry.

Gallup Finds 53% Feel Iraq War Not Worth It

2005-04-22T19:20:00.000+10:00

Another poll reveals that the war in Iraq was not worth it. The politicians, the President, Sec. of State Condoleeza Rice, have gone silent. The media has put the war on the back burner... after all, what's new? More bloodshed, more deaths. There are other stories around the world that capture top news coverage-- to many, the war in Iraq is old news. The United States should begin troop pull outs and allow Iraqi officials to navigate its way through its new government. Greg Mitchell has the Gallup poll story.

NEW YORK- With the conflict in Iraq seemingly stabilizing, a new government elected and American deaths declining, media coverage has dropped considerably. Perhaps that is partly based on feeling the public now has a more favorable view of U.S. involvement there. But a new Gallup poll, released Wednesday, firmly disputes that.

It found that only 45% of all Americans now feel the Iraq invasion was “worth it,” with 53% saying it wasn't. Full story at Editor & Publisher.

2005-04-22T18:38:00.000+10:00

Politically incorrect Victoria's Secret catalogs

Victoria's Dirty Secret

2005-04-22T17:28:00.000+10:00

Environmentalists and others who shop from Victoria's Secret catalogs shouldn't roll their eyes or throw away their thongs after reading this humorous, yet serious article. With global deforestation issues, even this up-scale lingerie company is not exempt from environmental scrutiny.

By Josh Mahan, Missoula, Montana- The cat is out of the bag, Victoria has a dirty, dirty secret. The pretty pages of her catalogues are printed on the pulp of Canada's Boreal forest, one the largest wildernesses left in the world. And we're not talking just a couple of glossy pages here, folks. Over one million Victoria's Secret magazines are shipped out to consumers every day. 395 million per year.

Recently, in Missoula a group of protesters gathered at Victoria's Secret in the Southgate Mall to try to convince the lingerie powerhouse to maximize post-consumer recycled content in their catalogues, as well as reduce their paper usage in general. The protest was the only one in Montana, but it was synchronized with 99 other protests at Victoria's Secret locations across the country.

Holding signs with phrases like, "Forest Destruction Is Not Sexy" and handing out fliers of supermodels with chainsaws, the Missoula group engaged shoppers, but also drew the ire of mall security guards. They were particularly upset with Jake Kreilick's bladeless chainsaw, though it did go well with his zebra-striped nightie. Nevertheless the crew held tight and insisted upon a right to point a critical finger at the lingerie superpower.

...what do you think Angel Tyra Banks has to say about this seemingly gross negligence?...

Jeanette Russell of the Missoula-based National Forest Protection Alliance said, "It's not very sexy to know that Victoria's Secret catalogues contain paper made from one of the largest wilderness areas in the world. Customers don't feel good about supporting businesses that are leaders in forest destruction, whether it's in the Boreal or on our national forests here in the

U.S.

Ted Fellman of the Native Forest Network was also on hand. "Our endangered forests are far more valuable providing critical wildlife habitat, clean water, and hunting and fishing opportunities, than they are cut down for cheap throwaway products such as Victoria's Secret catalogues."...

Come on Victoria's Secret, and corporate America, wake up!

In the era of the Internet and fiber alternatives to tree pulp it is ridiculous to liquidate one of the world's last true great forests for a product that will be in the landfill within weeks. One day soon we'll have to put a serious check on our resource consumption. Let's hope we have forests like the Boreal around when that happens.

2005-04-21T20:43:00.000+10:00

mysticdreams

F is for Freedom

2005-04-21T19:19:00.000+10:00

Oh man, seek the sky!
Look up and enjoy freedom
kings and queens forget.

Stop and think on this statement: Freedom, when taken for granted, is precious when it is taken away. Conversely, Freedom means nothing when a people never lived it. What happens when nation-states with different ideologies collide, each subject to the same rules of warfare, both possessing military parity. A protracted war ensues.

A “free” nation-state invades a country, imposes its ideology, and people die. If “freedom” were desirable, why would citizens of the nation-state fight to the death against those who desire to “save” them from oppression? Do they die for freedom? Of course not. They die to protect an invading enemy who seeks to consume that nation-state’s natural resources.

A first-year history course reveals that the United States Civil War was not fought for freedom, but rather, for economics. The South’s cotton industry was threatening the balance of power in the North.

Is freedom worth the price of a life? If the answer is yes, what is the cut-off number? 10,000?; 100,000?; 200,000? Can the price of freedom in lives be quantified? I’ll leave that equation to the mathematicians. For those who value their freedom, let its meaning be true. Let freedom not be used as a cover for an invading nation's state true purpose: the need to consume and feed off another being.

2005-04-20T19:53:00.000+10:00

bluegreen petal in black

E is for Empathy

2005-04-20T18:51:00.000+10:00

Oh man, sorrow comes!
will the master leave his sheep?
Empathy draws nigh.

Empathy: The action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also : the capacity for this (Merriam Webster)

The sharing of these feelings with another is attributed to past life experiences in the receiver. One cannot escape pain and suffering no matter how desperately one tries. In order to truly appreciate freedom, one must suffer at the hands of tyranny- otherwise, the majority who have not, take freedom for granted.

It is striking that the higher an individual’s level of development, the more he is able to forego empathy and replace it with hard logic, willfully closing off his past life experiences in the process. On the other hand, those in the majority who fall within the normal realm of development are inclined to empathize with another who is suffering.

The danger to the highly developed individual is the absence of connectedness with the human race, thereby isolating himself into a world of his own making. If such is the case, these individuals should not marry and have children for the expected pain and suffering within his family would not be understood.

For those with this elevated sense, it is not impossible to find a balance between objectivity and sensitivity. Constant interaction with others- sharing ideas with different factions, contributing his talents to those less fortunate are good first steps.

Finding a balance in fact, is the standard all should strive to achieve. I imagine these individuals would perform well as philosopher kings. Leaders should be so lucky.

2005-04-20T11:20:00.000+10:00

Pope Benedict XVI gestures to the crowd in St. Peter's Square, Tuesday evening.

German cardinal Joseph Ratzinger elected new pope - Apr 19, 2005- named Benedict XVI

2005-04-20T11:17:00.000+10:00

A new pope is elected. Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was elected to lead the Catholic church after the death of Pope John Paul II. Ratzinger is the 265th pontiff. He chose Benedict XVI as his papal name. He is the sixth German to serve as pope. He is a staunch conservative, analysts predicting that the new pontiff will remain true to the policies of Pope John Paul II and forge his own conservative policies that will affect over one billion Catholics around the world. Read more, CNN.

2005-04-20T01:10:00.000+10:00

pieces of mind

D is for Discipline

2005-04-19T23:40:00.000+10:00

Oh man, frolic well
Control thy urges and stay
discipline is gold.

Discipline of the mind is achieved when the inner voices are at peace. The un-anticipated silence can be frightening at first, but the individual’s psyche, if strong, should adjust and begin a state of meditation. A disciplined life can be achieved.

If given license, man’s unchecked desires will quickly lead to chaos. This is why we have laws- to keep man’s desires at bay while still acknowledging his freedom of choice. Have you ever been at a party permeated with an air of danger? Did you feel uncomfortable? These feelings are conditioning of what is acceptable behavior, brainwashed in each person’s psyche and imposed by man-made laws.

However, because man is a thinker, a creator, his thoughts are able to transcend these social norms and when manifested, are categorized as deviant, which causes conflict between man and his environment. But is this bad behavior? No, just unacceptable. Ultimately, man is responsible for his actions and this quiets the cynics who would grant prejudicial comments, all of which are just subjective bitching.

The world does not strive for a utopian society, and why should it? Free will prohibits one, as man struggles to understand himself and his purpose in life. Conflict is necessary for man’s survival.

Discipline conditions the mind to respond in a logical manner that separates the Self from other behavior that seeks to destroy the psyche. Go beyond social standards, but discipline the mind.

2005-04-18T23:46:00.000+10:00

A soothing memory for Megan

Megan's poems, series of 9

2005-04-18T22:56:00.000+10:00

The daughter whom I never had is leaving tomorrow to Texas. She will be checking into a residential treatment center. She was diagnosed with bipolar level 1 a few years ago. I will miss her. I have great hope that her cure is near and that she will come home soon. She is a wonderful writer, poet and artist. She has great potential. She will turn 15, May 31st. I promised her that I would share her poems. They are nine in all. Please post comments to her here as she will be reading this. Thank you. Here they are.

Megan, I love you.

I.
For love so pure deceiveth thee.
thou hast spoken of thine lover's true bliss,
and ended with life's deadly kiss.

II.
Taken by the roaring seas, thine true soul
love so great and bold,
so powerful and full of strength, ten thousand
times more. "Oh. Aye!" Let Satan take his course!
Dance with him! Show off thine self a little more!

III.
Art thou stupid? Does thou not knowest what thou
touchest? That thou touchest what thou knowest to be thine?

IV.
Benvolio:
For thou art beseiged by love
taken upon thee by love's foe;
so art thou by love's first kiss.

V.
I have not said much thereof; but I
know that in the end; the greatest sin
would be to go against God.

VI.
For thou art of a remnance of heaven
for thou art mine only love.
I shall never hear of hurting you.

VII.
Is life so envying and so unforgiving as to take away
my only soul?
Is life so hard that I have no love; the only evil I have
in my heart?

VIII.
Do you not see mine lover's fate?
Condemning him to death?
As the great book says, there is a time to be born,
and a time to die! When!? When!? Will you act as
the ideal justice?!
When?! When will you understand?! There is no repentance!
As I will take no repentance! Look at my affliction!
Does thou thinkest thou art satisfied?!

IX.
Oh where is the dawning of this new day?
Where is the sun!; and the meaning of our purpose?!
Where has it gone?

2005-04-18T22:29:00.000+10:00

"Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality." -Abraham Lincoln