/about/PARADIGMSHIFT-56a4e29f5f9b58b7d0d9b6e0.jpg)
Fascinating article... ;) - Explanation of the commonly used phrase "paradigm shift"
Monday, July 31, 2017
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Nature's awesomeness... ^_^
Nature's awesomeness... ^_^ - From a fire hole nicknamed the Door to Hell to Superman’s ice cave, these 25 surreal landscapes will amaze you.
Wow, you have to hand it to those Republican, Christian, 'conservative' people who believe (in their own minds) they are the moral majority and who elected this subhuman into the White House for allowing America to parade its finest politicians ever to (dis)grace public office. Of course they are the most outstanding citizens. Of course they are realistic and never put on a fake face in public and act like this in private - while claiming everything else is 'fake news'. Of course everyone else is a 'snowflake' and is not trying to make this planet better for all humans - not just American trailer trash and wealthy, elite hedonists who would walk over the skulls of their own countrymen to make a bank withdrawal. Of course they are not fascist, nationalist hypocrites who say one thing and do another (may as well be the Chinese Government). Of course - despite the fact that the 'President' and the Republican Party are the most laughed at, derided and pathetic they've ever been in the history of America - the country is still doing fine and these moronic Americans who put them in office have no reason to be ashamed of themselves. (I call bullsh!t...) These people are going to regret this. In the long term, they are condemning themselves just like the misogynists who prevented women voters, racists who prevented civil rights, the Klan, financiers and Americans who supported the bailout of the banks who are now screwing them ten times worse than they were before, etc. and everyone else who has held back the progress of America and getting stuck in the past like a bunch of old cats covering up crap in a catbox. They will go down in History as some of the worst citizens ever to populate this great country (did you get that - it was ALREADY great before this decomposed, furry tangerine decided to 'make America great again'). Good luck with all that, folks...and what proud Americans you must be. I certainly hope you can live with what you are doing to the country you claim to love so much - turning it into a Reality TV show. Maybe, next time, you'll go shopping at WalMart instead of visiting a voting booth. Doesn't this just make you proud to be an American? :/ Another scumbag in the White House...just what we need! (SmH)
Wow, you have to hand it to those Republican, Christian, 'conservative' people who believe (in their own minds) they are the moral majority and who elected this subhuman into the White House for allowing America to parade its finest politicians ever to (dis)grace public office. Of course they are the most outstanding citizens. Of course they are realistic and never put on a fake face in public and act like this in private - while claiming everything else is 'fake news'. Of course everyone else is a 'snowflake' and is not trying to make this planet better for all humans - not just American trailer trash and wealthy, elite hedonists who would walk over the skulls of their own countrymen to make a bank withdrawal. Of course they are not fascist, nationalist hypocrites who say one thing and do another (may as well be the Chinese Government). Of course - despite the fact that the 'President' and the Republican Party are the most laughed at, derided and pathetic they've ever been in the history of America - the country is still doing fine and these moronic Americans who put them in office have no reason to be ashamed of themselves. (I call bullsh!t...) These people are going to regret this. In the long term, they are condemning themselves just like the misogynists who prevented women voters, racists who prevented civil rights, the Klan, financiers and Americans who supported the bailout of the banks who are now screwing them ten times worse than they were before, etc. and everyone else who has held back the progress of America and getting stuck in the past like a bunch of old cats covering up crap in a catbox. They will go down in History as some of the worst citizens ever to populate this great country (did you get that - it was ALREADY great before this decomposed, furry tangerine decided to 'make America great again'). Good luck with all that, folks...and what proud Americans you must be. I certainly hope you can live with what you are doing to the country you claim to love so much - turning it into a Reality TV show. Maybe, next time, you'll go shopping at WalMart instead of visiting a voting booth. Doesn't this just make you proud to be an American? :/ Another scumbag in the White House...just what we need! (SmH) - They're almost too good to be true.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Expedition 52 Soyuz Launches to the Space Station
Expedition 52 Soyuz Launches to the Space Station -
I still remember kicking soda machines and fighting gumball machines to extract the purchases we made that just didn't want to come out - and I'm sure there are people reading that are older than I am who remember back before vending machines... But look for far we've come now!
I still remember kicking soda machines and fighting gumball machines to extract the purchases we made that just didn't want to come out - and I'm sure there are people reading that are older than I am who remember back before vending machines... But look for far we've come now! - Vending machines used to just hold your favorite snacks and drinks. But a luxury car vending machine? Singapore you've outdone yourself.
Hmm, I thought this was a pretty cool find - until I noticed the last few items that came along with the purchase (which are somewhat distressing and probably illegal): "The FBI surveillance van even contained left over surveillance tapes of people being observed and cars being followed."
Hmm, I thought this was a pretty cool find - until I noticed the last few items that came along with the purchase (which are somewhat distressing and probably illegal): "The FBI surveillance van even contained left over surveillance tapes of people being observed and cars being followed." - An old FBI surveillance van kitted out with monitors, sound equipment, a toilet and extra batteries has sold on eBay for close to $19,000.
A 2,500 year old invention from China that's saved a lot of lives! 😊👍
A 2,500 year old invention from China that's saved a lot of lives! 😊👍 - Ancient Chinese wood bricks built 2,500 years ago have a bracket system called dougong that survives modern day shake tests.
Great! Now...if only we could fix white-collar crime (I mean capitalism), employment, homelessness, poverty, education, the way people treat each other, social responsibility, mental illness, bigotry and all the rest of the issues in this world... ...it might be an attractive idea - rather than a frightening one. ;)
Great! Now...if only we could fix white-collar crime (I mean capitalism), employment, homelessness, poverty, education, the way people treat each other, social responsibility, mental illness, bigotry and all the rest of the issues in this world... ...it might be an attractive idea - rather than a frightening one. ;) - Scientists managed to extend mouse life spans by up to 15%.
Wow! Definitely a step in the right, progressive direction... Unfortunately, I don't think 'there's an App for that'. ;)
Wow! Definitely a step in the right, progressive direction... Unfortunately, I don't think 'there's an App for that'. ;) - Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a working battery-free cellphone prototype that can make and receive calls.
Whew...talk about a BUZZ! :O This buzz would probably KILL ya'! :/
Whew...talk about a BUZZ! :O This buzz would probably KILL ya'! :/ - Image by Immanuel Giel, via Wikimedia Commons It’s an old TV and movie trope: the man of wealth and taste, often but not always a supervillain, offers his distinguished guest a bottle of wine, his finest, an ancient vintage from one of the most venerable vineyards.
This is an excellent article - and very accurate! By the way, DISH Networks, I'm an INFJ (which says much about your business). Good thing I always work for myself and have a back-up plan! ^_^ "This is not the 'safe job economy' you are looking for..." (Jedi hand wave)
This is an excellent article - and very accurate! By the way, DISH Networks, I'm an INFJ (which says much about your business). Good thing I always work for myself and have a back-up plan! ^_^ "This is not the 'safe job economy' you are looking for..." (Jedi hand wave) - A place that is systematically inefficient would push an ENTP to the edge.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Will Smith can act in just about anything. He's had a few that went sideways but, mostly, he's a high roller and has had countless hit movies. I can't wait to see how this turns out and I'm glad a lot of actors are doing TV and Cable shows, which should force Hollyweird to play a little more fair. Check this one out, it'll be funny and action-packed: 😎👍
Will Smith can act in just about anything. He's had a few that went sideways but, mostly, he's a high roller and has had countless hit movies. I can't wait to see how this turns out and I'm glad a lot of actors are doing TV and Cable shows, which should force Hollyweird to play a little more fair. Check this one out, it'll be funny and action-packed: 😎👍 - Humans, Orcs, Elves... everybody is just trying to get along. Get ready for the world of Bright, a new Netflix Original Film, starring Will Smith and Joel Ed...
This is a very informative and useful way for business folks to get the latest news - by email. It is much easier to review than taking a lot of time surfing web pages. I've been enjoying it for quite a while. You should at least check it out to see all the info available and how simply and easily digestible it is. I think you'll be glad you did. Of course, it's primarily for busy people who spend a lot of time with email, have little time to surf and who still want a business market 'snapshot'. If this is you, go take a look:
This is a very informative and useful way for business folks to get the latest news - by email. It is much easier to review than taking a lot of time surfing web pages. I've been enjoying it for quite a while. You should at least check it out to see all the info available and how simply and easily digestible it is. I think you'll be glad you did. Of course, it's primarily for busy people who spend a lot of time with email, have little time to surf and who still want a business market 'snapshot'. If this is you, go take a look: - Morning Brew is your one-stop shop for everything business news. Cut through the bullsh*t and join a community of 150,000+ business leaders! Why haven’t you signed up yet?
This is a very informative and useful way for business folks to get the latest news - by email. It is much easier to review than taking a lot of time surfing web pages. I've been enjoying it for quite a while. You should at least check it out to see all the info available and how simply and easily digestible it is. I think you'll be glad you did. Of course, it's primarily for busy people who spend a lot of time with email, have little time to surf and who still want a business market 'snapshot'. If this is you, go take a look:
This is a very informative and useful way for business folks to get the latest news - by email. It is much easier to review than taking a lot of time surfing web pages. I've been enjoying it for quite a while. You should at least check it out to see all the info available and how simply and easily digestible it is. I think you'll be glad you did. Of course, it's primarily for busy people who spend a lot of time with email, have little time to surf and who still want a business market 'snapshot'. If this is you, go take a look: -
I may not be impressed by either political party, these days, and I may take issue with a lot of political statements I see but, in fairness, I believe we - Americans, both citizens and government servants - are all good (and bad) people. We all have the capacity for both. What we do defines us. Even though many people, past Presidents and representatives had questionable beliefs and made arguable choices, we all have our moments of cooperation and greatness. We all have our moments in the sun. I think this is one of Senator McCain's moments in the sun. The speech he gave on the Senate floor was a very necessary, truthful and (based on intuition) heart-felt speech. It is unfortunate that it took a tragedy like a terminal brain cancer diagnosis in order to provoke and afford the audience of such a speech, however, it is very welcome and timely...nonetheless. I think everyone in America should watch this, regardless of political affiliation (or even interest). And, of course, I wish Senator McCain the best in what is probably the most difficult battle of his life...
I may not be impressed by either political party, these days, and I may take issue with a lot of political statements I see but, in fairness, I believe we - Americans, both citizens and government servants - are all good (and bad) people. We all have the capacity for both. What we do defines us. Even though many people, past Presidents and representatives had questionable beliefs and made arguable choices, we all have our moments of cooperation and greatness. We all have our moments in the sun. I think this is one of Senator McCain's moments in the sun. The speech he gave on the Senate floor was a very necessary, truthful and (based on intuition) heart-felt speech. It is unfortunate that it took a tragedy like a terminal brain cancer diagnosis in order to provoke and afford the audience of such a speech, however, it is very welcome and timely...nonetheless. I think everyone in America should watch this, regardless of political affiliation (or even interest). And, of course, I wish Senator McCain the best in what is probably the most difficult battle of his life... - Sen. John McCain made an emotional return to Washington as Republicans moved ahead with their health care legislation
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
For all you wonderful people who want to buy into the Trump 'B$' about 'making America Great Again', 'bringing jobs back' and 'playing hardball with China' - let me give you a dose of reality: I used to work with this company in China - a company that makes iPhones for Apple and has killed through toxic materials and explosions (via hazardous workplace conditions) or caused to commit suicide (and had to put nets on the roofs of their buildings to keep their employees from jumping off) hundreds of Chinese workers whom I met, knew and worked with, from the assembly line to mid-management and HR. Furthermore, when the company's some 800,000 Chinese workers decided they deserved more pay (a gross understatement), they decided to automate the entire workforce. Whether or not that happened, I don't know. What I do know, however, is that they are planning to build factories here and, when they do, they're not going to be bringing many jobs to America, if any. They will either automate here or bring over/employ hundreds of Chinese workers (getting the Chinese citizens lucrative American Visas to displace more America workers) and pissing off a lot of Americans by taking jobs that should be going to them. In the meantime, Apple will be making out like a bandit...as usual. A big 'Thank You' to all those Trump voters (sarcasm). Once again, you will learn the hard way...let's just hope you survive the crisis and are able to maintain your lives when it is all over. It seems there is never a shortage of ignorant people who make very poor, uninformed decisions in this country. Read the article - and don't let it happen! Trust me, you will regret it. You've been warned... ;)
For all you wonderful people who want to buy into the Trump 'B$' about 'making America Great Again', 'bringing jobs back' and 'playing hardball with China' - let me give you a dose of reality: I used to work with this company in China - a company that makes iPhones for Apple and has killed through toxic materials and explosions (via hazardous workplace conditions) or caused to commit suicide (and had to put nets on the roofs of their buildings to keep their employees from jumping off) hundreds of Chinese workers whom I met, knew and worked with, from the assembly line to mid-management and HR. Furthermore, when the company's some 800,000 Chinese workers decided they deserved more pay (a gross understatement), they decided to automate the entire workforce. Whether or not that happened, I don't know. What I do know, however, is that they are planning to build factories here and, when they do, they're not going to be bringing many jobs to America, if any. They will either automate here or bring over/employ hundreds of Chinese workers (getting the Chinese citizens lucrative American Visas to displace more America workers) and pissing off a lot of Americans by taking jobs that should be going to them. In the meantime, Apple will be making out like a bandit...as usual. A big 'Thank You' to all those Trump voters (sarcasm). Once again, you will learn the hard way...let's just hope you survive the crisis and are able to maintain your lives when it is all over. It seems there is never a shortage of ignorant people who make very poor, uninformed decisions in this country. Read the article - and don't let it happen! Trust me, you will regret it. You've been warned... ;) - No exact location for plant has been chosen – but southeast Wisconsin under consideration, according to a source.
Oh look! The 'slow people' (Ivy League educated, self-professed experts, bankers, business leaders, CEOs and all the rest of the corporate and Wall Street scum) finally caught up with what I've been saying for...probably, about 2 decades. I wonder what took them so long. It's likely because they don't give a rat's (_|_) about human lives or the plights of the people they treat as disposable (employees and customers) - but are dreadfully afraid of losing the ability to make / increase sales as a result of technology (they created) displacing their customers' ability to purchase (not that they gave a $h!t about their employees' or customers' health care, work-life balance or futures). It is interesting how, when patient enough, the far-sighted eventually get proven right - even if it is a sad state of affairs by the time these 'slow people' finally catch up and even less likely that the mistakes made along the way can be corrected. I guess time will tell...time is really good about that. So is Karma! ;)
Oh look! The 'slow people' (Ivy League educated, self-professed experts, bankers, business leaders, CEOs and all the rest of the corporate and Wall Street scum) finally caught up with what I've been saying for...probably, about 2 decades. I wonder what took them so long. It's likely because they don't give a rat's (_|_) about human lives or the plights of the people they treat as disposable (employees and customers) - but are dreadfully afraid of losing the ability to make / increase sales as a result of technology (they created) displacing their customers' ability to purchase (not that they gave a $h!t about their employees' or customers' health care, work-life balance or futures). It is interesting how, when patient enough, the far-sighted eventually get proven right - even if it is a sad state of affairs by the time these 'slow people' finally catch up and even less likely that the mistakes made along the way can be corrected. I guess time will tell...time is really good about that. So is Karma! ;) - A top Peter Thiel adviser on the failures of the billionaire class.
RoFLMaO! ^_^
RoFLMaO! ^_^ - As we learn in Taylor Swift's hit single, there's a Blank Space for a new lover, just as George R.R. Martin has a Blank Page for our favorite characters to m...
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Very cool! ;)
Very cool! ;) - Al Brooks found security camera footage of a levitating bird that was caused by a stroboscopic effect due to the frame rate syncing up with the bird wings.
- Human nature is what we should all be focused on. It is the same, whether we are in one country - or another one on the other side of the planet. We all eat, sleep, love, get angry, want to be happy, work, play, laugh, cry, etc. They are the common things we all do to survive. Secondary to this is identity - otherwise known as 'Culture'. Culture is nice, but it is not as critical for us to consider as human nature. It is the people who place culture ahead of human nature who have caused more pain and misery in this world than any other. These people have obviously not learned very much. The intriguing thing is that, whether or not you're from a developing nation, where education is difficult to obtain or of poor quality...or whether you're from a developed country where education is available and of decent quality, you will always find these 'subhuman' people. That is the real tragedy...but here is something happy! Subhumans, take note:
Monday, July 24, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Well, if you wanted to know how to understand reasons for the failure of our global financial system, what people refer to when they say that banks and the 1% are destroying the lives of nearly everyone on Earth, what is the source of failure for global economics, employment, what is causing poverty, homelessness, failure of education and its wildly upward spiraling costs or the root of just about every other survival problem in modern history...then you can learn it from this 12 year old Canadian girl who is very intelligent. This problem has manifested in every country on Earth (as a result of the Rothschilds, etc.), except for Syria, North Korea and Cuba (and we can all see what is happening in those countries...and will not end until they are also commandeered by the white-collar banking criminals and their enablers). And, if you can't understand it coming from her, you are forever going to be a victim of the problem you help create, are sustaining and do nothing to change. This is not just dangerous for your future - but a threat to everyone else's (who understands). You don't want to be that guy... (Your time is short) 🙄
Well, if you wanted to know how to understand reasons for the failure of our global financial system, what people refer to when they say that banks and the 1% are destroying the lives of nearly everyone on Earth, what is the source of failure for global economics, employment, what is causing poverty, homelessness, failure of education and its wildly upward spiraling costs or the root of just about every other survival problem in modern history...then you can learn it from this 12 year old Canadian girl who is very intelligent. This problem has manifested in every country on Earth (as a result of the Rothschilds, etc.), except for Syria, North Korea and Cuba (and we can all see what is happening in those countries...and will not end until they are also commandeered by the white-collar banking criminals and their enablers). And, if you can't understand it coming from her, you are forever going to be a victim of the problem you help create, are sustaining and do nothing to change. This is not just dangerous for your future - but a threat to everyone else's (who understands). You don't want to be that guy... (Your time is short) 🙄 - 12-year old exposes the immorality of the global banking system and why sound money is essential to freedom and stopping the spread of misery on this planet.
It would be a very good idea for everyone to read this article! (Thank me later, LoL!) ;) (y)
It would be a very good idea for everyone to read this article! (Thank me later, LoL!) ;) (y) - 14 Different Methodologies of Mind Control These are the most necessary to understand because they are the most influential over mass con…
Very cool stuff! ^_^
Very cool stuff! ^_^ - By: Dominic Bertolami The finalists of the 2017 Wellcome Image Awards have been announced showcasing the best science-relate…
Friday, July 21, 2017
Enhanced Color Panorama Above 'Perseverance Valley' on Mars
Enhanced Color Panorama Above 'Perseverance Valley' on Mars -
Thursday, July 20, 2017
It really is tragic to see so much death and personal hardship coming to those who many of us believe have been given a 'golden ticket'. Maybe it's not what it seems...maybe it is better to keep a low profile, keep your head down and show gratitude for what you have than to 'put yourself out there' - regardless of the benefits. Life is balance, so there will always be a price to pay for wild success. And to think that Bennington was so close to Chris Cornell, died the same way as Chris did (supposedly) and did so on Chris's birthday...really magnifies the loss. Anyway, may they find the peace in eternal rest they obviously found elusive in life. Rest in peace, Chester Bennington...you were far too young to go so early.
It really is tragic to see so much death and personal hardship coming to those who many of us believe have been given a 'golden ticket'. Maybe it's not what it seems...maybe it is better to keep a low profile, keep your head down and show gratitude for what you have than to 'put yourself out there' - regardless of the benefits. Life is balance, so there will always be a price to pay for wild success. And to think that Bennington was so close to Chris Cornell, died the same way as Chris did (supposedly) and did so on Chris's birthday...really magnifies the loss. Anyway, may they find the peace in eternal rest they obviously found elusive in life. Rest in peace, Chester Bennington...you were far too young to go so early. - The singer leaves behind his wife and six children.
It's a shame when people (media? police?) want to turn real problems into a reverse race thing (which is...still...a race thing) the moment those issues fall outside the confines of their 'bigotry script'. It probably has a lot to do with 'the powers that be' and their enablers (the mainstream media) wanting to control the direction of the fallout when people within their shameless, irresponsible group of bigots violate the larger social ethics code - in order to protect the criminal cops (or clergy or politicians or doctors or whoever else is using this excuse to escape justice). At any rate, society is becoming a lot more skilled at exposing this BS and seeing that those who fall afoul of what is right answer for it - even if it does take 'exceptions' of what seems to happen far too often to bring it to light. Situations like these have no possible alternative cause, so they are much harder for bigots and people trying to cover their asses to frame into anything other than someone who just wasn't doing their job (and ended up murdering someone instead), rather than what happens in the more common and regularly seen violations of ethics that many people and groups have been trying to bring to light for a long time - which are buried in bigoted rhetoric and excuses. In this case, it is clear what is going on, since [*and I am not stereotyping or race-baiting, just pointing out what would usually happen*] a muslim policeman shot a white woman...and gave no clear reason...for days. However, since the muslim was a police officer, the fact that he was muslim (a common focal point of bigots) and the fact the woman was a white Australian woman (crime against white people often result in prosecution which favors white people) were not even considered in this case - in favor of 'the policeman's code' or defending another crime committed by a failure of a law enforcement officer. Maybe we will see some progress now...but it is a shame it has to come to this and that the truth couldn't have been seen well before hundreds of black folks (many unarmed) lost their lives.
It's a shame when people (media? police?) want to turn real problems into a reverse race thing (which is...still...a race thing) the moment those issues fall outside the confines of their 'bigotry script'. It probably has a lot to do with 'the powers that be' and their enablers (the mainstream media) wanting to control the direction of the fallout when people within their shameless, irresponsible group of bigots violate the larger social ethics code - in order to protect the criminal cops (or clergy or politicians or doctors or whoever else is using this excuse to escape justice). At any rate, society is becoming a lot more skilled at exposing this BS and seeing that those who fall afoul of what is right answer for it - even if it does take 'exceptions' of what seems to happen far too often to bring it to light. Situations like these have no possible alternative cause, so they are much harder for bigots and people trying to cover their asses to frame into anything other than someone who just wasn't doing their job (and ended up murdering someone instead), rather than what happens in the more common and regularly seen violations of ethics that many people and groups have been trying to bring to light for a long time - which are buried in bigoted rhetoric and excuses. In this case, it is clear what is going on, since [*and I am not stereotyping or race-baiting, just pointing out what would usually happen*] a muslim policeman shot a white woman...and gave no clear reason...for days. However, since the muslim was a police officer, the fact that he was muslim (a common focal point of bigots) and the fact the woman was a white Australian woman (crime against white people often result in prosecution which favors white people) were not even considered in this case - in favor of 'the policeman's code' or defending another crime committed by a failure of a law enforcement officer. Maybe we will see some progress now...but it is a shame it has to come to this and that the truth couldn't have been seen well before hundreds of black folks (many unarmed) lost their lives. - “Some white people don’t feel the tragedy until one of them is murdered.”
The modern face of propaganda... (Don't let it happen!)
The modern face of propaganda... (Don't let it happen!) - Conservative broadcaster Sinclair continues to grow, and has flirted with the idea of a national news network.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Don't get caught with your pants down if you have a 'smart home system' (and that means literally OR figuratively)! For those who do, you might want to read over this article (fortunately, we're safe). It pays to be vigilant! ;)
Don't get caught with your pants down if you have a 'smart home system' (and that means literally OR figuratively)! For those who do, you might want to read over this article (fortunately, we're safe). It pays to be vigilant! ;) - An obscure bug in 34 companies' physical secure gadgets could leave them open to hackers.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
NASA Evaluates How Crew Will Exit Orion Spacecraft
NASA Evaluates How Crew Will Exit Orion Spacecraft -
Monday, July 17, 2017
It could very well be the end of an era... :O
It could very well be the end of an era... :O - (Tech Xplore)—RethinkX, an independent think tank that analyzes and forecasts disruptive technologies, has released an astonishing report predicting a far more rapid transition to EV/autonomous vehicles than experts are currently predicting. The report is based on an analysis of the so-called techno...
Now people are thinkin' smart! Time to get rid of all these idiot fossil fuel dinosaurs who would rather kill everyone and the planet they live on while they provide us with power than consider and invest in a more healthy, sustainable replacement. (y)
Now people are thinkin' smart! Time to get rid of all these idiot fossil fuel dinosaurs who would rather kill everyone and the planet they live on while they provide us with power than consider and invest in a more healthy, sustainable replacement. (y) - (Tech Xplore)—A system designed to harvest electricity from ocean waves is in the news.
- Something to think about... (Please read below) ________________________________________________ Russell Fuller - July 15 at 6:14pm JFK drew me into a consciousness of politics and the idea that I might become a warrior for peace, that I might really make a difference. I began sun-fishing, with a single sail, in a river of hope. Then I saw leaders I admired get assassinated and roll down the banks, one by one, and into the bloodstained water. I saw leaders in the Civil Rights movement gunned down as Jim Crow laws had long prevailed and whites were doing their best to prevent integration. I saw so many people beaten, treated worse than junkyard dogs, in both the Civil Rights and Antiwar movements. Saw some of the "best minds of my generation"... On and on and on it's gone, the homicides, suicides, the killing of one another—racial fratricide, the constant purchase of more guns after every national tragedy, as if having more guns than citizens will protect anyone. I saw "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" become an afterthought to safety, better safe than sorry, see something say something, just fuckin' rat out anyone you can 'cause everyone's suspicious. The neighbors all said of one serial killer after another, one kidnapper or rapist after another, "He seemed like such a nice man," "He seemed to keep to himself a lot, but we didn't think anything of it," "He seemed" like this or that because we neighbors didn't know, never got to know him, but from a distance, "He seemed ... normal." We have sold weapons to almost every nation and rebel group who could pay, perhaps the most to Saudi Arabia, the country that most strictly observes Sharia Law. And We the People are scared nearly to death of Sharia Law but don't know much about it. We frightened citizens don't protest that every president in memory has annually sold many billions of dollars of weapons to Saudi Arabia. Jimmy Carter TRIED not to do it but was completely overrun by all the deals already in place. We don't sell to Israel. Israel's our special friend, our pet project, our pet, our proxy. Call it Little America. Because we know it's so blessed to GIVE, to Israel we have given aid in the form of an Air Force, nuclear weaponry, training and so on, enough to dominate the Middle East from the Jewish perspective, as we've helped Saudi Arabia dominate from the Arab perspective. There was some Cold War-like balance until the Christians, with their banner raised high behind George W. Bush, who pronounced God to be on His side and proceeded to destroy Iraq and loose every demon from Pandora's Middle Eastern Box. I felt like I was the only one sickened to my soul to see George W. Bush, the dunce we installed as president for not one but TWO terms, KISSING the King of Saudi Arabia and holding his hand at Bush's ranch in Texas. Oh, plenty of others were outraged, I'm sure, but their collective voice was too muffled for anyone in Congress, for example, to hear. We love the violence, the guns, the bombs, the drones. We eat it up all day long. "Bomb the shit out of them," says the postman and the presidential candidate. No matter how many millions of foreign citizens we've driven from their homes as our killing machine stalked them at close range, we're not keen on taking on any refugees. Just ask that guy at the gym, your baker or banker, your Congressman, your presidential candidate. If they got in the way of our bombs, well, whose fault is that? Stupid rag-heads. Instead, We the People buy more guns to keep us "safe." Ka-ching. This country was born in massive violence; we fought each other over slavery (mostly), calling on even brother to kill brother and father to slay son, and now with blood in our mouth from the taste of endless wars that once ended in "Victory!, we now think the Militia Amendment gives us the right to buy military assault weapons to "hunt" (that is, blow up animals) and "protect my family." Letting your family fend for itself might cut our annual gun deaths from thirty thousand to five, but we'll hear none of that. That's pussy logic. We're killing people all over the world so we "don't have to fight them here," but of course they're not coming here; we're just constantly ginning up the Offense Department and calling it Defense to keep funneling untold billions of dollars into the bottomless pockets of the rich. We go easy on the contraceptives. We use drones and moderate rebels to control world population. So we don't like Planned Parenthood. We need more soldiers. And what's to plan? You're either a mother or a murderer. Just have the kid, get a job, stay off welfare, and keep your mouth shut. Hey, your husband would be around to help if he didn't sell weed. Not our fault. Some fool, I guess it was Bill O’Reilly, King of the Fools in fact, tried to start the rumor that racism was a thing of the past in this country. Fox News, not The Onion. Not that Fox News is any more on the level than The Onion. And I guess all the dunces who receive the King’s trashy pranks as wisdom got right to work on that. But everyone familiar with our reality and history knows what we’ve done to blacks over the span of 400 years. We know racism is America’s original sin; it’s neither over nor going anywhere … anytime soon. And so we overcame our initial shock when O.J. Simpson beat the system, when ONE “ni***r” FINALLY beat the system the way whites had done for centuries, and black folk turned out by the millions, not just here but in Africa as well, to cheer and sing and dance deep into the dark-black night. They knew O.J. was guilty of course. What was important was that he beat the system, a black man beat the system, and we whites who knew they knew just had to stand there and suck it up—suck up centuries of grief and frustration and self-hatred, suck up all the voodoo fevers, howls, cries and whispers, all the blues songs ever written—and maybe force a smile. Used to be able to drink the water in the River of Hope. It was fresh, clean, healing. It was water to be baptized in, and it sparkled with promise, with hope. The river's down to little more than a trickle now, and it's poisoned with pesticides and other chemicals, with outdated medicines and runoff from one or another leaking well, with piss and shit and blood. JFK drew me into a consciousness of politics and the idea that I might become a warrior for peace, that I might really make a difference. Rest in Peace if you can, JFK. Rest in Peace if peace is still possible. And keep your powder dry. ________________________________________________
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