And the theme music for this years' apocalyptic narrative!, 12/21/12 goes to...

APATECRACY?

: rule by deception or fraud.

APATE - was the spirit (daimona) of deceit, guile, fraud and deception. Her male counterpart was Dolos the daimon of trickery and wiles. She was also a companion of the Pseudologoi (Lies). Her opposite number was Aletheia the spirit of truth.

-CRACY - rule(kratos 'power, rule')

More or less the the general rule on planet earth for a good portion of human history.

Cartoon predicts the future 50 years ago. This is amazing insight!

Despotism & Democracy

We've certainly have come a long way!



Despotism & Democracy

Producer: Encyclopaedia Britannica Films - 1946

Measures how a society ranks on a spectrum stretching from democracy to despotism. Explains how societies and nations can be measured by the degree that power is concentrated and respect for the individual is restricted. Where does your community, state and nation stand on these scales?

Despotism & Democracy

Bob Altemeyer's - The Authoritarians

This is a must read if you are interested in gaining an insight into this social phenomena as laid out by Bob Altemeyer. Take the tests!

Here is the intro from the page where you can downlaod the book and also join the discussion group.

OK, what’s this book about? It’s about what’s happened to the American government lately. It’s about the disastrous decisions that government has made. It’s about the corruption that rotted the Congress. It’s about how traditional conservatism has nearly been destroyed by authoritarianism. It’s about how the “Religious Right” teamed up with amoral authoritarian leaders to push its un-democratic agenda onto the country. It’s about the United States standing at the crossroads as the next federal election approaches.

“Well,” you might be thinking, “I don’t believe any of this is true.” Or maybe you’re thinking, “What else is new? I’ve believed this for years.” Why should a conservative, moderate, or liberal bother with this book? Why should any Republican, Independent, or Democrat click the “Introduction” link on this page?

Because if you do, you’ll begin an easy-ride journey through some relevant scientific studies I have done on authoritarian personalities--one that will take you a heck of a lot less time than the decades it took me. Those studies have a direct bearing on all the topics mentioned above. So if you think the first paragraph is a lot of hokum, or full of half-truths, I invite you to look at the research.

For example, take the following statement: “Once our government leaders and the authorities condemn the dangerous elements in our society, it will be the duty of every patriotic citizen to help stomp out the rot that is poisoning our country from within.” Sounds like something Hitler would say, right? Want to guess how many politicians, how many lawmakers in the United States agreed with it? Want to guess what they had in common?

Or how about a government program that persecutes political parties, or minorities, or journalists the authorities do not like, by putting them in jail, even torturing and killing them. Nobody would approve of that, right? Guess again.

StatCounter - Free Web Tracker and Counter


Don’t think for a minute this doesn’t concern you personally. Let me ask you, as we’re passing the time here, how many ordinary people do you think an evil authority would have to order to kill you before he found someone who would, unjustly, out of sheer obedience, just because the authority said to? What sort of person is most likely to follow such an order? What kind of official is most likely to give that order, if it suited his purposes? Look at what experiments tell us, as I did.

If, on the other hand, you’re way ahead of me, and believe the extreme right-wing elements in America are poised to take it over, permanently, I think you can still get a lot from this book. The studies explain so much about these people. Yes, the research shows they are very aggressive, but why are they so hostile? Yes, experiments show they are almost totally uninfluenced by reasoning and evidence, but why are they so dogmatic? Yes, studies show the Religious Right has more than its fair share of hypocrites, from top to bottom; but why are they two-faced, and how come one face never notices the other? Yes, their leaders can give the flimsiest of excuses and even outright lies about things they’ve done wrong, but why do the rank-and-file believe them? What happens when authoritarian followers find the authoritarian leaders they crave and start marching together?

I think you’ll find this book “explains a lot.” Many scattered impressions about the enemies of freedom and equality become solidified by science and coherently connected here.

You think I’m pulling your leg? Push the button.

The Authoritarians

Pirates and Emperors - Schoolhouse Rock

Pirates and Emperors - Schoolhouse Rock

KUCINICH: Takes House Floor, Moves for Cheney Impeachment

Transcript:
Rep. Dennis Kucinich Privileged Resolution

Simple Mindfulness

Thich Nhat Hanh does a fantastic job on presenting the practices of Buddhism. In this video you'll find his lecture on mindfulness quite insightful, or at least I found it insightful!

In this first talk of a week-long mindfulness retreat for people of color, Zen Master the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh – whom Martin Luther King, Jr. nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize – gives instruction in the basic mindfulness practices of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and awareness of the present moment.

Some other lecture videos worth looking into:

Thich Nhat Hanh - Throwing Away
Thich Nhat Hanh - To Touch Life, Come Home to Yourself
Thich Nhat Hanh - Social Change at the Base
Thich Nhat Hanh - Peace is every Step
Thich Nhat Hanh - Cultivating Happiness, Relieving Pain
Thich Nhat Hanh - A Call For Collective Awakening
Thich Nhat Hanh - Birth and Death are Just a Game of Hide and Seek

All of these video lectures of Thich Nhat Hanh have been brought to you by:

deerparkmonastery.org

NAMASTE!

Mindwalk

A wonderful movie based on Fritjof Capra's book The Turning Point. I guess he was lucky his brother was a producer!

1990
berntcapra.com

A US politician (Sam Waterston) visits his poet friend (John Heard) in Mont. St. Michael, France. While walking through the medeival island ... all » discussing their philosophies of life they happen upon Sonja (Liv Ullman), a scientist in recluse, who joins in their conversation. The two men listen to the ideas of this brilliant woman and discuss how her ideas can work in their own politician and poet lives.

ENJOY!

"One of Thousands" - Hometown Baghdad

Winning Hearts and minds the medevil way! The crimes continue and none dare stop it. I guess we should all just be honest with ourselves and admit that we live within the context of tyranny, though not nearly as brutal as the one Ausama lives in!

The severely upsetting climax to Ausama's videos in Hometown Baghdad. The final video in HTB will be coming in the next few days. Please subscribe and keep an eye out.

Hometown Baghdad was shot by an all-Iraqi crew and tells the stories of three young people trying to survive in Baghdad.

To view all videos in this series, go to http://www.youtube.com/chattheplanet

Please rate and comment on the videos. And please subscribe to our channel to see more videos in the Hometown Baghdad series. Our brave Iraqi cast and crew risked their lives to make this series. So please help us make sure the world listens by helping us spread the videos. Embed them to your site, email them around, favorite them.

And visit http://hometownbaghdad.com to learn more about the series and to leave comments for the cast members.

The only thing that has progressed in the last thousand years has been time and the lies they use to hide their crimes! Don't worry though, we'll all be enslaved soon enough. The so called rulers will never escape from the prison of the mind they created for themselves and they seem hell bent on trapping us in their fallacies of logic!

What we are!

Just to help put things in perspective! ;)

ZEITGEIST

"They must find it difficult...
Those who have taken authority as the truth,
rather than truth as the authority."
-Gerald Massey

www.zeitgeistmovie.com


Zeitgeist is originally a German expression that means "the mind of the age", literally translated as "time (Zeit) mind (Geist)". It describes the intellectual and cultural climate of an era. The German pronunciation of the word is [ˈtsa͡ɪtga͡ɪst].

Its a funny f*kin planet

This little piece is a great compliment to Boetie!



Circus Fantasticus!


When it suits you, check out what the gang found out!
Scooby Doo and the Tricky Teroorist!

The Fix is In!

Well for those who have wondered whether the Good 'Ole U.S. of A. could succumb to a dictatorship, well wait no longer! Our glorious decider has taken upon himself to take complete control of the Federal Government in the event of a 'National Disaster or Emergency' and of course he gets to decide what constitutes such a circumstance!

Straight from the White House website!
National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive

NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/NSPD 51

HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE/HSPD-20

Subject: National Continuity Policy

Purpose

(1) This directive establishes a comprehensive national policy on the continuity of Federal Government structures and operations and a single National Continuity Coordinator responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of Federal continuity policies. This policy establishes "National Essential Functions," prescribes continuity requirements for all executive departments and agencies, and provides guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector organizations in order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated national continuity program that will enhance the credibility of our national security posture and enable a more rapid and effective response to and recovery from a national emergency.

LINK TO THE REST

So remember everyone, when a national emergency is declared this country will no longer be the republic for which it stands! Good luck everyone!

Iraq For Sale!

Just in case you wonder how well your money was being spent in Iraq!

Iraq For Sale Website



So America, since it is OK for the politicians to LIE TO YOU in order to start a war, DESTROY YOUR CIVIL LIBERTIES, STEAL YOUR MONEY, INCOMPETENTLY MANAGE EMERGENCIES, then I don't think you'll mind when there is another 'TERRORIST' strike you'll have any problem marching off to the slaughterhouse to die for your country! You only deserve the best!

The Money Masters - How International Bankers Gained Control of America

"The powers of financial capitalism had a far-reaching plan, nothing less than to create a world system of financial control in private hands able to dominate the political system of each country and the economy of the world as a whole...Their secret is that they have annexed from governments, monarchies, and republics the power to create the world's money..."

THE MONEY MASTERS is a 3 1/2 hour non-fiction, historical documentary that traces the origins of the political power structure that rules our nation and the world today. The modern political power structure has its roots in the hidden manipulation and accumulation of gold and other forms of money. The development of fractional reserve banking practices in the 17th century brought to a cunning sophistication the secret techniques initially used by goldsmiths fraudulently to accumulate wealth. With the formation of the privately-owned Bank of England in 1694, the yoke of economic slavery to a privately-owned "central" bank was first forced upon the backs of an entire nation, not removed but only made heavier with the passing of the three centuries to our day. Nation after nation, including America, has fallen prey to this cabal of international central bankers.

The Money Masters Website

This is perhaps by far the best historical documentary I have seen in a long time. What better lens to perceive the events of the past except through the most important aspects of those events: Who is holding the purse strings! Fantastic and well worth the 3 1/2 hours!

A Public Service Announcement!

For the world public at large. To consider the motives behind the current American regime one only has to go so far as to follow the money, as often said! So, cui bono? Well that isn't difficult! HERE is one place to start to see who is profiting from the bloodshed!

The Project for a New American Century(PNAC) You can thank these folks for the wonderful state of affairs we find ourselves in at the moment! Of course the signatory list will show who is who!

Thanks to Knife Party for this PSA!

Improbable Collapse : The Demolition of our Republic

“Improbable Collapse: The Demolition of Our Republic”is the first film to look at the events of September 11, 2001 from a scientific perspective.

On September 11, 2001 the World Trade Center Twin Towers disintegrated in a manner that scientists say resembled deliberately calculated implosions. The facts open for discussion include: at 5:20 p.m. that same day another building, the 47 story WTC 7, completely collapsed within 70 feet of its footprint in 6.6 seconds. These three buildings became the first such structures to ever suffer complete collapse due to fire and damage.

The film closely examines one of the world’s worst catastrophes from a civil engineering perspective. Using photo and video footage as well as expert scientific testimony, the film thoroughly examines the official reports, offering varied criticisms of the official findings, while raising a more plausible hypothesis. The findings from these scientific experts have been quietly ignored by both government investigations and the mainstream media.

“The dramatic collapse of World Trade Center 7 is something everyone ought to see . . . It really does have the characteristics of an explosive demolition.” – Dr. Steven Jones, physicist, author of “Why Indeed Did the WTC Buildings Completely Collapse?”

DIGNITY IS NOT NEGOTIABLE!

Dignity: A Universal Right

The U. S. Declaration of Independence asserts that “all men are created equal.” Many have struggled with the meaning of that phrase. While people are easily seen as unequal in health, wealth, looks, talent, skill, and other qualities, we obviously exhibit a wide range of differences. Our differences are in fact a source of the delight we take in each other.

The Declaration of Independence tasked the nation not only with protecting life and liberty but also with embodying fairness and justice. While people are equal not in their endowments or attainments, they have intrinsic value as human beings, in their dignity.


1. adj. a condition in which the dignity of all people is honored and protected
2. n. a person who advocates for a dignitarian society, one whose conduct and attitudes are dignitarian

Each of us has an innate sense that we have the same inherent worth as anyone else. Every religion teaches us so. We experience this as a birthright—a cosmic fact that cannot be undone by any person, circumstance, institution, or government.

That is why rankism is experienced on the deepest level as an affront to dignity. Like any animal vulnerable to being preyed upon, we’re supersensitive to threats to our well-being. We’re alert to subtle attempts to determine our relative strength, from “innocent” opening lines such as “Who are you with?” to more probing queries regarding our ancestry or education.

In proclaiming a right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” the Declaration of Independence touched on making dignity a fundamental right. Liberty means freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control. Therefore, the right to liberty, by militating against rankism, affords a large measure of protection to our dignity. Likewise the right to pursue happiness is meaningless in the absence of the dignity inherent in full and equal citizenship.

Given the remarkable achievements of the identity-based liberation movements, it’s not unrealistic to imagine a day when everyone’s equal dignity will be as self-evident as everyone’s right to own property or to vote.


1. n. abuse, discrimination, or exploitation based on rank
2. n. abusive, discriminatory, or exploitative behavior towards people who have less power because of their lower rank in a particular hierarchy

BREAKING RANKS

First Responders On The View

Well I am not really a fan of The View but this little expose is important and finally has perculated into the mainstream! Thanks Rosie! The first responders got the shaft in a major way by the criminals in charge of our country! First they were LIED to regarding the hazards associated with their job! Next they were dumped and forgotten about by the administration who no longer found them to be politically convenient. I bet many would have done the job anyway regardless of the hazards. That is the kind of true grit these people have and our leadership is certainly lacking!

Mount Sinai Findings

Factor Fiction

Yes, the intrepid and fearless Bill O'lielly just keeps piling it higher and deeper! It think he should have his PhD in Rhetorical Effusement! At least then he could pretend he is worth his exuberant salary. We all know how hard he works making all that hot air so he can't be lazy!

Media Matters write up on ole Bill!

Sen. Mike Gravel at SC Debates 04/26/07

Admittedly I did not watch the debates because personally I found most of the candidates part of the same old tired three ring circus that is the farce of our political system. Does any one else find it odd that the democratic debates are happening a year and a half out from the election? Anyway, there did appear to be one voice that caught my attention from the net and that has to be the one of Mike Gravel. Instead of grandstanding and doing the usual diatribe of barely palatable sound bites that only a smooth brained simian could tolerate apparently he made quite a few cogent statements that put a monkey wrench in the business as usual claptrap that passes for political discourse. He had the balls to stand up and say something intelligent and thoughtful. Good for him and all of us! Of course that won't make our overlords very happy and that will spell his demise! But to hell with our invisible overlords, they live in a fantasy land anyway and don't have the guts to live in the real world! Of course they can afford not too. But for the rest of us.....?!? So hats off to you Sen. Gravel, you may have ended your career but making your voice heard was far more important! You'd have my vote in '08, but that is so far off and a lot will probably happen between now and then! Hopefully the Republic will survive long enough for another election. I just have doubts!

Here he is straightening out the pundits!

Senator Mike Gravel talks about Iraq

60 second campaign spot!

Gravel For President!

We need more brave souls like yourself, sir!

Kucinich Introduces Impeachment Articles Against Cheney

From the WP

CQ Transcripts Wire
Tuesday, April 24, 2007; 6:09 PM

REP. DENNIS J. KUCINICH, D-OHIO: Thank you very much for being here.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that, among these, are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the government; and, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.

These words from the Declaration of Independence are instructive at this moment. Because not only whenever any form of government, but whenever any government official becomes destructive of the founding purposes, that official or those officials must be held accountable.

Because I believe the vice president's conduct of office has been destructive to the founding purposes of our nation. Today, I have introduced House Resolution 333, Articles of Impeachment Relating to Vice President Richard B. Cheney. I do so in defense of the rights of the American people to have a government that is honest and peaceful.

Read the rest!

Text of Resolution as Introduced in the House of Representatives

LIST of supporting Documentations for Resolution

And for those who have forgotten, which I know there are a lot out there, a little reminder of what country's laws actually apply:

United States Constitution

The Collapse of Intelligent Design!

This is a wonderful presentation. It lasts about two hours and is worth watching if you have the time. If we had more of these kind of presentations in media we actually might get critical thinking working in the general populace! Imagine that! People actually using their brains instead of parroting soundbites!

THANK YOU Ken Miller!

Momofuku Ando: A Pastafarian's Tribute

Perhaps one of the first pastafarians to come out and help spread the word of his noodly appendage! Thank you Momofuko! You feed me a many of times the true truth!


Now for those of you who have yet to convert to the one and only true religion, well I only have to say:


If you haven't been touched by his noodly appendage then you better hurry and start HERE! Your redemption is only two neurons away!

NOW become a pirate and STOP GLOBAL WARMING!

LAX Police Repeatedly TASER Unarmed Senior Citizen

LAX Police Repeatedly TASER Unarmed Senior Citizen

This video shows Los Angeles Airport Police repeatedly TASERing an unarmed 78 year old senior citizen.

Officer Corrington can be seen holding William Lamb in place. Officer Rios approaches Mr. Lamb from the front and repeatedly fires a M-26 TASER gun while making direct contact with Mr. Lamb's chest and right leg. Although the TASER gun cannot be clearly seen in the video, it is described in police reports. TASERs are powerful electro-shock weapons that are designed to incapacitate by conducting 50,000 volts of electricity to an individual's body. It induces skeletal muscle spasms that immobilize and incapacitate the individual, causing the victim to fall to the ground. After Officer Rios exercises deadly force, Officers Corral and Corrington can be seen lowering Mr. Lamb to the floor.

The victim, William Lamb is a California State licensed Civil and Structural engineer who resides in Lancaster, California. Mr. Lamb, who was 78 years old at the time of this incident, entered the LAX Police station because his vehicle was impounded during an international trip. He becomes upset when officers refuse to release his vehicle, and threatens to sue the police. In the complete video one can see that although Mr. Lamb is visibly upset, he is not a threat to other citizens in the police station nor to the police officers. Citizens continue to conduct business at the police station counter.

...

LINK

Aren't the Boys in Blue doing a great job! Protecting us from such dangerous people! They are making the world such a great place. Why would we even dare question their power, glory and righteousness. They never do wrong! We don't need a constitution! We need more of these kind of fine men who are willing to risk their lives protecting all of us from such monsters as shown in the video! These omnipotent crusaders of justice should be just given complete control of everything so we can all be safe from those who would do us harm! With LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS like these why would we need criminals!


DISCLAIMER: To all the 'good' C.O.P.s out there, I want you to retain that moniker and live up to it's full meaning: Citizen On Patrol! I want you to do your job with dignity and respect. You are first and foremost human beings and need to know that. You are not automatons that are here solely to enforce laws, you are a citizens that are here to help the rest of us and that is why you were hired. As for your brethren who abuse their power and destroy the credibility and dignity of your job I plead with you to stop them! We cannot have justice if police officers are no different than criminals. We all know your job can be tough but that is no excuse. If you do not stop the the bad cops and uphold the blue wall of silence then you are just as guilty as they are! Not to mention sooner or later that wall will come tumbling down. So please help! Lives do not need to be destroyed because of your unwillingness to stop some bullies who have decided they are the law! The choice is up to you!

Americans are NOT stupid - WITH SUBTITLES

Need I say more?

911: Press for Truth

9/11 PRESS FOR TRUTH - The Story

The Family Steering Committee (FSC)

Paul Thomspson's Complete 911 Timeline

The FBI NON-Indictment of USAMA BIN LADEN

911 Research

Journal of 911 Studies

There is too much here to ignore but if you choose to do so I say you do it at your own peril! Whatever really happened that day is still anybody's guess. I can say that it certainly is shrouded in lies and that more than anything lies will destroy a free society! If free is what want to call ourselves!?!

"I have a dream"

In honor of MLK Jr.! Though it is a little late, the speech is nonetheless inspiring!



For those who cherish and revel in the founding principles and ideas from those rational enlightenment philosophers who laid the groundwork for United States and its constitution I want to remind you what you are really up against. This man, IMHO, diligently followed the ideas that were implored and can be deemed a worthy custodian of that inheritance. But ultimately it came with a price that I am sure he was more than willing to pay. We only have to consider his fate and those of some of his contemporaries, such as JFK and his brother, to realize what kind of men lurk behind the halls of power and closed doors in this country. That is what we are up against and don't fool yourself into thinking that every last one of us are a target if we dare defy those would be tyrants who are hell bent on nihilistic delusions. It is a dream at the moment to think men could submit to reason and not the cruel unjust hand of autocratic aspirations.

I am of the disposition to think that if we do not submit ourselves to the course of actions that reason can clearly reveal then we are truly on a road to extinction. The hand of biological selection does not forgive and once it has acted there is no turning back! The course of human events has the freedom to choose it's own fate and extinction is only one of those realizable possibilities. For those of us who desire to help realize the infinite possible futures must be cognizant that we are acting against a force of sorts that is destined for a dead end that will furiously take us all down with it. Some may describe this as the evil in this world and their characterization is correct. What else can we say to describe the vicious, sadistic, and nihilistic penchant displayed thus far in our histories? The difference now is our fate is up to all of us as well as the overwhelming responsibility that comes with it! We are still a young species and we must learn or otherwise the invisible hand known as selection will do it's work. Perhaps it is time to realize we are in the midst of Extinction Level Event and whether our species survives or not is primarily an unknown at this moment.

Sooner or later each and everyone of us must individually and consciously choose what that fate will be or it shall be chosen for us! This is the burden of responsibility we all must face, like it or not it is ours. There is choice in the matter though some of those decisions do have most disagreeable results.

The rest is up to you!

The End of Reason

By David Morris, AlterNet. Posted March 31, 2005.

Organized religion elevates superstition to an entirely new level, so let's call its institutions by their proper name: superstition-based institutions.

For Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, until 2003 the deputy head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican's most powerful office, seeing The DaVinci Code in a Vatican bookstore was the last straw. In early March he lashed out at Catholic bookstores for carrying the book, and directed Catholics not to read it. Why? "There is a very real risk that many people who read it will believe that the fables it contains are true."

Fables?

Dan Brown's phenomenal bestseller suggests that Jesus was an immensely popular and prophetic leader who married one of his closest associates and had a family. Archbishop Bertone and the Church maintain that Jesus was at the same time a man, the son of God, and God himself, that a virgin woman gave birth to him and remained a virgin, that a few days after he was killed he came back to life and shortly thereafter was taken up to heaven to spend an eternity directing the destinies of billions of people.

In a rational world the burden of proof as to which is fable would fall on the Church. But there's the rub. For when it comes to organized religion, no burden of proof is required. On the contrary, by definition, religion requires faith and faith renounces evidence. Taking a proposition "on faith" means to consciously and willfully refuse to examine the facts.

There is a word for this type of thinking: Superstition. Many dictionaries define superstition as "belief which is not based on human reason or scientific knowledge." The American Heritage Dictionary defines superstition as "a belief, practice or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature" and "a fearful or abject state resulting from such ignorance or irrationality."

Of course, we all have our superstitions. I may refrain from walking under a ladder, or throw salt over my shoulder after a salt spill to avoid bad things from happening to me. But organized religion elevates superstition to an entirely new level. It demands that we govern our lives with superstition, promises us eternal salvation and bliss if we do, and threatens us with eternal damnation and pain if we do not.

It is long past time we stopped giving a free pass to organizations that refuse to be guided by reason and would force their unreason on the entire society. A first step would be to stop calling these "faith-based institutions" and start calling them by the synonymous and much more instructive term, "superstition-based institutions."

LINK to read more!

SACRIFICE!

Edward R. Murrow would be proud!

Bush 'to reveal Iraq troop boost' - BBC article referenced in special comment.

Christmas in Bethlehem - 2006

A recent NPR show really caught my attention. OK, more like shocking!

Christmas Tourism Lags in Bethlehem

...
Mr. MAHA AL-BUNDEK (Receptionist, Bethlehem Tourist Center): I think everybody is sad. All the people are sad, maybe for death, maybe for this economic situation. The people doesn't have work, no money. I think the people are sad a little bit.

GRADSTEIN: Shopkeepers in the town say there almost no tourists around and the hotels are empty. In the year 2000, when the Pope visited Bethlehem, there were 1.25 million tourists here. Last year, says the mayor, just 20,000 came. And this year it will probably be only a few thousand. Those who do come will have to cross the controversial barrier Israel is building in and around the West Bank.

The barrier, which here is a tall, gray concrete wall, cuts the town off from Jerusalem, just a few miles to the north. It also separates hundreds of families who live in the town from their land outside.

Maxim Sansour of Open Bethlehem, a group that tries to increase world awareness of Bethlehem's difficult situation, says the barrier is ruining life here.
...

Merry Christmas!

Track Santa through the night!

NORAD Tracks Santa

It's goofy but fun for the kids!

Merry Kwanukahsatmithsticemas!

Yule Brynner Seasonings to all!!!

What I really want for Christmas!

JETMAN!!!

How would you like this under your tree?!

NET NEUTRALITY - Hackers of the world, UNITE!

..and I don't mean those hackers that make net life worse!

Save the Internet is putting out it's PSA to the world, the battle is still not over. Spread the word and follow the instructions on the page!



As shown in the video, Bill Moyers did a real nice presentation on this issue plus some periphery aspects at play in the game. The Net@Risk is part of the Moyers on America series and once again a great use of public funds! Every now and again someone actually gets to make something that is to the benefit of the public at large. Imagine that! Now if can only get the scumbags to crawl back down that series of tubes they kept lauding as the reason foe disavowing net neutrality!

Gaining Perspective from a 10-D point of view!

Here is a little something to really give you some perspective on the nature of reality!



"Imagining the Tenth Dimension" looks like it will make some great light reading!

YOU are the Person of the Year!

That's right, you, oh dear netizen, you are Time's person of the year for 2006! Congratulations, by using the new frontier and experiment in communication and computation you have now been named person of the year and isn't it about time! The revolution of the internet has change the dynamics of the world in ways that have yet to be fully ascertained. We are only at the begining of a new phase of social dynamics that will transform humanity for better or worse. Just too think, a decade ago only nerds and pervs used the net now anybody and everybody is jumping on board.

Global Orgasm!

OK, I thought this will more than anything put a little perk into your holiday spirit! The wonderful people down at GlobalOrgasm.org have taken it upon themselves to solve the world's problems with this simple method: Have a great Orgasm on the Winter Soltice while thinking about peace. Albeit the methods of the Global Consciousness Project I find to be somewhat questionable, I have to say I like the method of this madness for trying to come up with a way to make the world a peaceful place! What could be better? Let's face it, orgasm is something of an alpha/omega for all of us! Would any of us be here if it weren't for orgasm? I seriously doubt it! You don't get far as a furry mammal without some kind of gratfication!

Participate and ENJOY! ;)



It won't hurt to try!

Science for Sale!

I couldn't help myself but I thought this musical accompaniment by the Talking Heads to be just too appropriate!


The corruption of science is one that I take quite personally as well as find to be extremely disappointing to say the least. Science as a practice is about the ordering of knowledge not the the tool to be used by vested interests to persuade the public on certain social-economic-politcal issues. In this regard science is co-opted by sophistry in order to win arguemnets and persuade. It is no longer used as a means to ascertain the truth of a subject of inquiry. In this regard it becomes a seething blight upon the whole of the subject, well beyond the measure of an honest mistake that any person or scientist could make. To begin, lets us take a cursory examination of the subject of global warming. If you have been following this topic, as if you could avoid it, you could easily walk away from a discourse with the average person either confused or not the much wiser to say the least. Perhaps you have heard many of the arguements presented by the so called skeptics on the topic. But wait a second, aside from the skepticism that is the usual practice of research there appears to be more than just scientists practising their usual business:Exxon spends millions to cast doubt on warming! So for a topic that is immensly complicated and very specialized here we have a vested interest intentionally muddying the waters of an already complex topic. The question one must ask regarding the topic is simple: WHY? Why is a major oil company paying to cast doubt on the topic?

For my own liking, I think I'll go ahead and give the credence to The Federation of American Scientists on this topic. BTW, that site is quite a resource in trying to wrap your mind around the topic. Either way, we are going to find out who is correct sooner or later. My guess is it is going to be sooner than most think!

But the corruption of science doesn't stop there! On this week's Living On Earth, actually a good use of public funds IMHO, the topic of global warming and conflicts of interest is addressed in the show titled:AN INCONVENIENT CONTROVERSY. You can dowlaod and listen to the show from the link! No matter your persuasion, this topic is a serious one and we certainly do not need vested interests and opportunists muddying of the waters of this complicated topic. Thanks for your contributions to humanity, JERKS!

But hey it gets even better! According to an American Journal of Industrial Medicine article it seems that the ties between science and industry can have an effect on the outcome and conclusions of research! From SpinWatch: Secret ties to industry and conflicting interests in cancer research. You can also listen to the Living on Earth broadcast from a couple of weeks ago titled:Conflicting Interests. The article outlines how Monsanto, the wonderful company that brought such products such as hebacides,'terminator seeds', and as outlined by the article, Vinyl chloride. Yes, their greatest consern is the bottom line, why should a few lives get in the way of that!

So be warned all you would be scientists of the world, corruption can seep into any human endeavor because, well we are all human after all. The real problem is cleaning up the mess created by those who are willing to corrupt in order to garner influence and profit. In the case of science, we all risk losing valuable researches and discoveries that some would prefer to keep from the public at large. They gain at our detriment! Once again, thanks for your contributions to humanity, JERKS!

America’s Injustice System Is Criminal

by Paul Craig Roberts

The United States has a large number of wrongfully convicted. There are many reasons for this. One is that the US has the largest percentage of its citizens imprisoned of all countries in the world, including China. One of every 32 US adults is behind bars, on probation or on parole. Given a wrongful conviction rate, the larger the percentage of citizens in jails, the greater the number of wrongfully convicted.

LINK

For anybody that cares to notice, this is a disturbing development and is historically a red flag for all to heed! Not only does it flaunt the enlightenment values of reason that set the basis for this country but it also leaves every single one of us vulnearable to the injustices wrought through the ambitions of lesser creatures. If this is the kind of country we live in then it seems we have only a few choices:

1) Cower down, ignore it, and pretend everything is all right!

2) Acquiesce and hope someone else will do what it takes to set the system straight.

3) Become part of the system in hopes we can avoid it's harsh and injust dealings. Still the risks run high because there is no honor amongst theives!

4) Fulfill the civic obligation we have as outlined by one of those radicals from a long forgotten time:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Perhaps this course of thinking is far too radical for our now sedentary and sedated society. Perhaps we should divulge ouselves of such idealistic notions like justice and equality and let loose those rabid dogs to completely devour the land! Will you choose? What will you choose? Will you be a boiled frog or will you choose to jump from the pan? You are not free from the obligations that you have inhereited but if you shrink from it, just remember I told you so when it comes breaking down your doors to hall you away!

America is under attack!

I've been wondering where Henry has been hiding! You tell'em!

Henry's home in cyberspace

IRAQ STUDY GROUP REPORT

In short, Jr. made a mess! As if that wasn't obvious 3 years ago!

Richard Dawkins: You Ask The Questions Special

Well here the man many would love to hate just because. I have found most of what he has to say to be erudite and right on track. Here are some of the Q&A's I liked:

Richard Dawkins: You Ask The Questions Special

Our pub quiz team is named The Church of Richard Dawkins. At a recent Oxford quiz night, we were told to change our name in case it was deemed offensive to any churchgoers present. Have you any suggestions for a " less offensive" name?RICHARD O SMITH, Oxford

And they call me intolerant! I am shocked that this happened in Oxford, of all places. I hope you win the tournament so resoundingly that you can dictate terms and call yourselves whatever you like. "Offensive" my foot.

Are people who advocate intelligent design stupid, and do you think natural selection will operate to remove them from future generations?ADAM KHAN, The Hague, Netherlands

The majority are ignorant, which is not the same thing as stupid. Natural selection will not remove ignorance from future generations. Education may, and that is the hope to which we must cling.

LINK

SO who wants to place some bets on how long it will take creationists to go extinct???

www.RichardDawkins.net

Busted - The Citizens Guide to Surviving Police Encounters

This is a must see! If you or anyone you care about ever has the misfortune of encountering police officers anywhere it is incumbent upon you to be prepared to handle them because if you are not it may very well be to your detriment. Even then there may be cases where you or them will not be able to do anything about it! It is a sad state of affairs in a country when you have to be just as fearful of police officers as you should be of criminals! But of course the founders faced the same problem as well.



Some other web resources that you find may useful:

Flex Your Rights!
ACLU

It helps to know who is really watching your back, I personally can't say the police have your rights and best interests in mind. As matter of fact they can be downright brutal and ruthless! Of course this should not really surprise anyone because of research such as the Stanford Prison Experiment. You could also interject with some learning theory to try to explain this behavoir but I tend to reduce it down to a simple description, RANKISM!

Waking Up Your Sleeping Foot

This one is going to sound strange but please bear with me. You know that annoying sensation of your foot 'going to sleep' and you are left to wait, often limping and tripping, until it wakes up. This happens when you are sitting for an extended period of time, perhaps doing something like surfing until you find the last page of the internet, researching what happens when you mix soda and mentos as a possible means of future space propulsion, or maybe you were doing some calculations on the power laws and political blogs. Whatever the reason you had for sitting in a position that leads to this annoying discomfort wait no longer, I may have the remedy. But first a little background for this unusual discovery. Way back when in a long forgotten centruy as a physics student I was talked into attending some martial arts classes known as the Grandmaster "Iron" Kim style school of Oom Yung Doe. I was intimately introduced to pressure points and how those could be used in fighting. Needless to say I am not that familiar with the whole concept of pressure points nor do I really want to delve into the mystagogical(is that a word?) aspects of accupuncture. Neverless I did soon realize that knowing about these points could be quite useful. Nothing like an instructor hitting those points to demonstrate how effective they can be when hit. I digress! Around the same time I came across an article discussing why one's appendage's 'fell asleep'. It was attributed to the pinching of the nerve which inhibited ion transport down the nerve channel. As usual during one of my physics classes that dreadful sensation came up again. Then an intriguing idea occured to me: If the hypothesis of appendage sleep was correct then what I needed to do in order to 'wake up' my sleeping foot was find a way to pump those ions through the nerve channel in order to get sensation in the foot and not have to deal with that annoying sensation plus avoiding tripping or falling because of it. So there I was in class and I said to myself, hey there is a pressure point that I might use to initiate the pumping action. So I reached down and began searching for the point which is located on the back of the calf and began pressing it a few times to pump those ions. Lo and behold IT WORKED! Within moments I lost that annoying feeling, or lack thereof, and could use my leg again. The pressure points I am talking about can be located very easily if you know where to look. Here is a link to a site that has this mapped out and where I got the image in this blog. The point I am talking about is what that site calls BL57( I assume BL means Back Leg) or BL56. I have found it a little difficult at times to determine which point works best so you may have to figure that one out for yourself. Nonetheless, give it try and you may be surprised at the results. It works for me and I use it often when I am anchored here at my puter or some other place where I tend to put my foot to sleep. It may be difficult for you to find those points but when you find them you will know when you press it, it can be a little painful. Please let me know if this works for you. Thousands of years of ancient asian wisdom can be put to practical application to something as mundane as waking up you sleeping foot! ;)

The Symbiosis of Choas Theory and Jungian Psychology?

Here is an interesting one I crawled across, it seems to have some unusual uses for choas theory and Jungian psychology to describe symbiosis.

Complex Systems and Symbiosis

by Gerald Schueler, Ph.D. © 1997

Abstract

The concept of symbiosis is extended to Jungian psychology, where the ego and Self are considered as two living symbiotic systems. The ego and Self appear to form a symbiotic relationship of continuous and obligate mutualism. The ego and psyche are both considered to be dissipative systems as defined in modern chaos theory. Dreams are shown to be feedback loops from the Self to the ego. Phase locking or entrainment is one possible outcome of the symbiotic relationship between the ego and the Self. During the first half of life, the ego develops relative independence. The primary feedback loop operating is the dream and the ego is drawn back to the Self during the second half of life through entrainment. Mental health, during the second half of life, can only be maintained by the ego becoming conscious of this relationship, and deliberately encouraging and enhancing it. An optimum level of conscious awareness is required because too much can result in inflation, while too little can result in alienation, and both of these extremes can easily become pathological. The ultimate goal of this symbiotic relationship is individuation.

As intriguing as it sounds there may be some gaps one would have to fill in order to make this line of thinking work. Like perhaps some measurements that are quantifiable!

Perhaps Cosma down at Three-Toed Sloth could chime in on this line of thinking! Maybe not, as suggested by this blog: Origin of the Fermi Surface in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind (I Don't Know You People, Part III). Perhaps he has checked over the work of Julian Jaynes and hence the title of his blog. I personally found 'Origins of Consciousness...' a very interesting investigation into an area that we have yet to fully fathom and understand, IMHO.

If you are interested in complex systems, stochastics, and other ramblings of another madman, then Three-Toed Sloth may be worth looking into. If you really want to crawl down the rabbit hole then might I suggest looking into some of Cosma's work on Stochastic Processes (Advanced Probability II). WARNING: Not for the faint at heart if you have not looked at his website yet.

If you feel you need a primer I would suggest looking into the site of Dr. John Evans or HyperPhysics. He can get you started down that long pristine path known as complex systems.

A little something from the masters!

The masters of Jazz that is! The first one is titled:charlie parker - sessions I. Nothing like seeing the Buddha on a sax in action with the likes of Hawkins, Fitzgerald, etc.

Of course I like the 2nd youtube posting of the sessions:

Articles of Impeachment against Bush and Cheney

What remains to be done is for us to work out articles of impeachment against the President. Others may surface after the Democrats begin their job of investigating and getting to the bottom of the matter. If the Bush administration obstructs or lies to the Congressional Committee chairs, those could in and of themselves be grounds for impeachment and removal of Bush and Cheney.
In the meantime, here are the following 14 possible articles of impeachment against the President and Vice President.

Thanks to the DAILY KOS and

Eternal Hope's diary :: ::

1. Leaking classified information by disclosing the identity of Valerie Plame to reporters.
The President and Vice President unlawfully leaked classified information, the identity of a Non-official Cover, Valerie (Wilson) Plame, to a person or persons not authorized to receive such information, namely, Robert Novak, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, and Matt Cooper, a reporter for Time Magazine.
Law violated:
National Security Act of 1947.
Whoever, having or having had authorized access to classified information that identifies a covert agent, intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent’s intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

(b) Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identity of a covert agent and intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such covert agent’s intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
© Whoever, in the course of a pattern of activities intended to identify and expose covert agents and with reason to believe that such activities would impair or impede the foreign intelligence activities of the United States, discloses any information that identifies an individual as a covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such individual and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such individual’s classified intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
(d) A term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be consecutive to any other sentence of imprisonment.
2. Lying to congress -- passing false information about Iraq's WMD capacities.
George Bush and Dick Cheney passed false information to Congress about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capabilities, to wit, their possession of chemical weapons, biological weapons, and delivery systems. Furthermore, George Bush and Dick Cheney passed false information to Congress by falsely stating that Iraq was an imminent threat to the United States and that military action was therefore necessary.
Law violated:
18 USC 1001.
Whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact, or makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations, or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

3. Extraordinary Renditions.
George Bush and Dick Cheney authorized the arrest and transporting of prisoners to secret jails in Morocco, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Eastern Europe for detention and torture without trial.
Law violated:
6th Amendment of the Constitution.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

4. Detentions without Trial.
George Bush and Dick Cheney detained thousands of people at Guantanamo Bay without the possibility of trial and without access to effective counsel.
Law violated:
6th Amendment (see above).
5. Torture.
George Bush and Dick Cheney either ordered or caused other foreign countries to perform torture on suspects illegally detained under sections 3 and 4 of these articles.
Law violated:
8th Amendment.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
6. Misappropriation of Funds.
George Bush and Dick Cheney diverted funds from Afghanistan to Iraq as documented in Bob Woodward's "Plan of attack" and failed to notify Congress of such appropriations.
Law violated:
Iraq Liberation Act of 1998.
The President shall notify the congressional committees specified in section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 at least 15 days in advance of each obligation of assistance under this section in accordance with the procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications under section 634A.
7. Bombing Iraq without Congressional Approval.
George Bush and Dick Cheney authorized over 21,000 bombing missions on Iraq without Congressional approval before passage of the Iraq War Resolution in October 11th, 2002.
Law violated:
Article I, US Constitution.
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;
8. Conspiracy to pass false information.
George Bush and Dick Cheney conspired to pass false information about the nature of the intelligence on Iraq to the US Congress in conjunction with British Prime Minister Tony Blair for the purposes of triggering a war with Iraq as documented in the Downing Street Minutes.
Law violated:
18 USC 1001 (see above).
9. Lying about Niger connection.
George Bush and Dick Cheney lied to Congress at the State of the Union and elsewhere by falsely stating that Iraq had procured Uranium from Niger.
Law violated:
18 USC 1001 (see above).
10. Contempt of Congress.
George Bush and Dick Cheney showed a contempt of Congress by stating their intentions to violate laws passed by Congress or cause others to do so over 750 times.
11. Illegal wiretaps.
George Bush and Dick Cheney repeatedly bypassed the court system by ordering wiretaps without authorization from judges and without obtaining a warrant.

Law violated:
4th Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
12. Concealment of the existance or nature of Domestic Intelligence Programs.
George Bush and Dick Cheney concealed the nature and extent of the JPEN program, used for the purpose of domestic intelligence.
Law violated:
18 USC 1505
Whoever, with intent to avoid, evade, prevent, or obstruct compliance, in whole or in part, with any civil investigative demand duly and properly made under the Antitrust Civil Process Act, willfully withholds, misrepresents, removes from any place, conceals, covers up, destroys, mutilates, alters, or by other means falsifies any documentary material, answers to written interrogatories, or oral testimony, which is the subject of such demand; or attempts to do so or solicits another to do so; or
Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication influences, obstructs, or impedes or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede the due and proper administration of the law under which any pending proceeding is being had before any department or agency of the United States, or the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which any inquiry or investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either House or any joint committee of the Congress—
Shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both.
13. Destruction of Evidence.
George Bush and Dick Cheney destroyed evidence in conjunction with Plamegate.
Law violated:
18 USC 1505 (see above).
14. The use of White Phosphorus in Iraq.
George Bush and Dick Cheney authorized the use of White Phosphorus in Iraq in November 2004 during the Fallujah offensive.
Law violated:
US Army Field Manual, Chapter 5, section 3.
(4) Burster Type White phosphorus (WP M110A2) rounds burn with intense heat and emit dense white smoke. They may be used as the initial rounds in the smokescreen to rapidly create smoke or against material targets, such as Class V sites or logistic sites. It is against the law of land warfare to employ WP against personnel targets.

It's That Time of Year!

If you want to do this yourself, it mught help if you look into something like Iguana Labs! It may not be too late! They make a great product, I KNOW!

Thanksgiving Prayer - William Burroughs

Ole' Bill really had a way with words! I could have not said it any better!

Tahnks Steve O

More W. S. Burroughs HERE! The rest is up to you!

The solution to all your problems!

Head in! Apply directly to the ass!


If our leader beans do it, than so shall we! ;)

Unfortunately the content hogs have made this funny little skit unavailable for the time being. You can find and download a copy of it HERE!

MORE POLICE ABUSE! UCLA UCPD

So this is how it is! A confrontation with the police in a library no less turns into torture! I don't know what to think is worse: The fact the police were blantantly abusing a citizen or the crowd of spectators that did nothing to stop it!

Report Police Abuse Here

Time For A Big Ol' Cup Of 'Shut The F*** Up'

November 13,2006 20:40 EST

Now that the Democrats have taken back the Congress and 51+ percent of America finally has a voice in government again, I think it's time to seriously let fly. So at the risk of sounding contentious in this all-too-genuine era (several days) of bipartisanship, here now is a roll call of people who must officially shut the f*** up.

Children of the Universe

A little theme music for thoughts echoing across cyberspace!

9/11 Forgotten Heroes

The following was produced by Brave New Films in association with Sierra Club

Sierra Club
Brave New Films



The terrorist attack on 9/11 was one of our country's most horrific moments, and the damage continues. Told there were no health hazards in ... all » the aftermath, the truth shows there was and many first responders are now afflicted and ignored by our government.

HELLO WORLD!

HELLO WORLD! Try again!