President Obama has demonstrated that the failure of leadership in the United States involves more than just GOP politicians. The entire political machine of the US is miserably out of touch and out of control. All Obama is concerned with is the politics of being able to say what he did in the first 100 days. He's all politician and doesn't bring much hope to any but his own self interests. As citizens, we each have the responsibility to not only see to our own needs, but to educate ourselves on sustainable lifestyles for everyone.
The first solution is to admit that globalism and the exportation of jobs from industrialized nations of the western hemisphere to poor countries is not sustainable. It's not even a long term benefit to the developing country as the US can not maintain its role as strictly a consumer nation. the whole strategy is flawed and eventually disastrous.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Working it out.
Although I am recovering from what I hope is a brief setback from an injury, I have begun a journey to a level of physical fitness that I have never experienced before. Frankly, the discovery and it's potential is worth the risk of injury.
My personal trainer is an energetic woman whose zest for life is contagious. Along with the toughness and discipline a personal trainer needs, my trainer is also one of the more compassionate persons I have had to pleasure to meet. She is extremely talented at her work. It is the best money I have ever spent. As far as the money, people spend more money on video games and junk food than what it cost for these sessions. It's not what you have, but how you use it, really.
My personal trainer is an energetic woman whose zest for life is contagious. Along with the toughness and discipline a personal trainer needs, my trainer is also one of the more compassionate persons I have had to pleasure to meet. She is extremely talented at her work. It is the best money I have ever spent. As far as the money, people spend more money on video games and junk food than what it cost for these sessions. It's not what you have, but how you use it, really.
Friday, February 6, 2009
H. H. the Dalai Lama: How to See Yourself As You Really Are
A funny thing happened while I was getting my truck worked on today...
The whole story started last night at the gym, with me forgetting my workout sheet and having to go back after dark to get it. That sheet had all of the workout notes that I needed to do the session on my own. "Sarge", what my personal trainer jokingly calls herself from time to time, would not have been pleased if that sheet was lost. My head was spinning with endorphins and I was focusing on stretching out and staying hydrated so I would be less sore. My mind just blipped and I didn't put the sheet in my pack. It was on a table by the gym floor station. This set up the series of events that followed, and ended up marking an important re-emergence in my life. One more major step to recovery.
On the way back home, the left front tire on my truck shredded from dry rot. It was on my "to do" list, but I messed up. So, in about 5 seconds I go from being 5 minutes from home to being stranded in the dark on a twisty country road, in frigid weather. One guy turned around to make sure I was OK and had a cell phone, good man. I had nothing available for the repair, more of that "to do" list, but at least I wasn't so negligent as to not have some cash, plenty of gas for heat and a charged cell phone. If I hadn't gone back for my workout sheet, the tire would probably have not blown out at lower speed and where I had room to get off of the road. It would have also probably been light and actually harder to see my flashing hazard lights. The whole scenario would have been more risky. Controlled chaos was what I experienced.
The road service people were decent locals and I was back on the road in about an hour. The odd part was the gentle nature of the tire failure and the fact that I was almost delivered precisely to one of the very few places on that road to avoid getting rear ended on a blind curve. If I had to pick a place myself, I couldn't have done much better. That wasn't just luck. Luck is more random than that. This was an organized and sequential series of events that led to an important realization about my life direction.
At the repair shop...
Being on a Friday, the shop was swamped with work, so I spent the whole day getting two new tires for the front and getting my snow treads transferred to some original rims, and getting the spare checked. They did a good job and the price wasn't that bad. I'd gone to the place years ago, but it was under new management. They delivered what I paid for. Besides that, the shop folks were decent local people who spoke my language, small town rural Virginian. He even introduced me to his adorable daughter, about 8 and all grins safe by her father's side, at the end. It was like the old days, 30 years ago, when people could talk and trust each other a lot more, when we had a lot less government and less social experimentation in our lives.
Guess whose business cards were on the desk of the repair shop? They were from the guy who came and rescued me the night before. It's called a community, folks, remember those? Benefit one: reliable repair place that just opened and a reliable tow service that are close to home. Benefit two: emphasis on emergency preparations in my personal truck, no matter how many miles per year I put on it. Each trip was so short, I'd convince myself that the tire was OK for a little longer. What I also forgot was that I was driving a lot more back and forth to the gym.
I was waiting in the waiting room for about 2.5 hours, but I had something to read and my computer if I wanted to get online for some reason. I had snacks in the truck, so I was good to go. Being caught stupid last night, I thought the least I could do was be prepared to wait on my truck repairs. The book was How to See Yourself As You Really Are. While I was reading about love and compassion and my responsibility to set an example for the world, the boy from hell flew into the waiting room. Benefit three: always have food and water in addition to emergency food.
The little brother was about 6 and the older boy was about 8. The older boy was the anti-social one. The first thing he did was turn the radio in the waiting room up way too loud, so that it was disruptive adn left the room. He was showing me who was in charge. That's a classic mental disorder symptom, with roots in self-hate and frustration from no one providing any productive direction. In other words, nobody gave a damn and he knew it.
As the older boy and I did some light jousting wth the volume control on the radio, he came real close to taking a swing at me as he left, the smaller child played happily and the mother pretended she was exploring the surface of Mars for cotton candy, or some such thing. She sure wasn't with us here on planet Earth. I think she was on some strong medication, like Xanax.
Long story short, the mother and older boy end up frustrated and the younger fellow pulls up a plastic chair next to mine and starts showing me pictures of Mustangs and Porches. I liked that boy the second I saw him. Of course, these days, I was concerned how close he got with the way the world is. But, he kept his distance and we did all right. He had positive energy. Here I am reading a book on how negative energy finds negative energy and positive energy does likewise and it all unfolds right before my eyes. The picture of the younger boy sitting quietly next to me reading, imitating me, was too cool for words. He was seeking positive energy and completely ignoring his brother's negative behavior. Benefit four: the power of a cool head and kindness is unlimited and positive energy does yield the same.
Given that episode and the last 24 hours, something very significant is taking place. There's this balance occurring between the physical and spiritual. Though I was more like the younger brother when I was little, I also grew up with parents who didn't give a damn when they thought no one was watching. I have some of that older brother in me, still. After 40+ years, it feels really good to know that I still care and that I can still see reality and not the fabrication put forward by ignorance. The question is how I am still like this and why did those last 24 hours happen the way they did? In 24 hours ago, I went from giving up to going onward with a renewed faith.
More later on this book. I recommend it very much. Benefit five: I don't have to tell "Sarge" that I lost my homework.
The whole story started last night at the gym, with me forgetting my workout sheet and having to go back after dark to get it. That sheet had all of the workout notes that I needed to do the session on my own. "Sarge", what my personal trainer jokingly calls herself from time to time, would not have been pleased if that sheet was lost. My head was spinning with endorphins and I was focusing on stretching out and staying hydrated so I would be less sore. My mind just blipped and I didn't put the sheet in my pack. It was on a table by the gym floor station. This set up the series of events that followed, and ended up marking an important re-emergence in my life. One more major step to recovery.
On the way back home, the left front tire on my truck shredded from dry rot. It was on my "to do" list, but I messed up. So, in about 5 seconds I go from being 5 minutes from home to being stranded in the dark on a twisty country road, in frigid weather. One guy turned around to make sure I was OK and had a cell phone, good man. I had nothing available for the repair, more of that "to do" list, but at least I wasn't so negligent as to not have some cash, plenty of gas for heat and a charged cell phone. If I hadn't gone back for my workout sheet, the tire would probably have not blown out at lower speed and where I had room to get off of the road. It would have also probably been light and actually harder to see my flashing hazard lights. The whole scenario would have been more risky. Controlled chaos was what I experienced.
The road service people were decent locals and I was back on the road in about an hour. The odd part was the gentle nature of the tire failure and the fact that I was almost delivered precisely to one of the very few places on that road to avoid getting rear ended on a blind curve. If I had to pick a place myself, I couldn't have done much better. That wasn't just luck. Luck is more random than that. This was an organized and sequential series of events that led to an important realization about my life direction.
At the repair shop...
Being on a Friday, the shop was swamped with work, so I spent the whole day getting two new tires for the front and getting my snow treads transferred to some original rims, and getting the spare checked. They did a good job and the price wasn't that bad. I'd gone to the place years ago, but it was under new management. They delivered what I paid for. Besides that, the shop folks were decent local people who spoke my language, small town rural Virginian. He even introduced me to his adorable daughter, about 8 and all grins safe by her father's side, at the end. It was like the old days, 30 years ago, when people could talk and trust each other a lot more, when we had a lot less government and less social experimentation in our lives.
Guess whose business cards were on the desk of the repair shop? They were from the guy who came and rescued me the night before. It's called a community, folks, remember those? Benefit one: reliable repair place that just opened and a reliable tow service that are close to home. Benefit two: emphasis on emergency preparations in my personal truck, no matter how many miles per year I put on it. Each trip was so short, I'd convince myself that the tire was OK for a little longer. What I also forgot was that I was driving a lot more back and forth to the gym.
I was waiting in the waiting room for about 2.5 hours, but I had something to read and my computer if I wanted to get online for some reason. I had snacks in the truck, so I was good to go. Being caught stupid last night, I thought the least I could do was be prepared to wait on my truck repairs. The book was How to See Yourself As You Really Are. While I was reading about love and compassion and my responsibility to set an example for the world, the boy from hell flew into the waiting room. Benefit three: always have food and water in addition to emergency food.
The little brother was about 6 and the older boy was about 8. The older boy was the anti-social one. The first thing he did was turn the radio in the waiting room up way too loud, so that it was disruptive adn left the room. He was showing me who was in charge. That's a classic mental disorder symptom, with roots in self-hate and frustration from no one providing any productive direction. In other words, nobody gave a damn and he knew it.
As the older boy and I did some light jousting wth the volume control on the radio, he came real close to taking a swing at me as he left, the smaller child played happily and the mother pretended she was exploring the surface of Mars for cotton candy, or some such thing. She sure wasn't with us here on planet Earth. I think she was on some strong medication, like Xanax.
Long story short, the mother and older boy end up frustrated and the younger fellow pulls up a plastic chair next to mine and starts showing me pictures of Mustangs and Porches. I liked that boy the second I saw him. Of course, these days, I was concerned how close he got with the way the world is. But, he kept his distance and we did all right. He had positive energy. Here I am reading a book on how negative energy finds negative energy and positive energy does likewise and it all unfolds right before my eyes. The picture of the younger boy sitting quietly next to me reading, imitating me, was too cool for words. He was seeking positive energy and completely ignoring his brother's negative behavior. Benefit four: the power of a cool head and kindness is unlimited and positive energy does yield the same.
Given that episode and the last 24 hours, something very significant is taking place. There's this balance occurring between the physical and spiritual. Though I was more like the younger brother when I was little, I also grew up with parents who didn't give a damn when they thought no one was watching. I have some of that older brother in me, still. After 40+ years, it feels really good to know that I still care and that I can still see reality and not the fabrication put forward by ignorance. The question is how I am still like this and why did those last 24 hours happen the way they did? In 24 hours ago, I went from giving up to going onward with a renewed faith.
More later on this book. I recommend it very much. Benefit five: I don't have to tell "Sarge" that I lost my homework.
More Gym Stories
To all personal trainers out there, God bless you. The amount of skill it takes to run a person through a program and target the muscles so precisely, while protecting that person against injury, is incredible. It's a tough job and requires huge amounts of energy. Thanks.
I got the roughest work out of my entire life yesterday, and I feel like a million dollars today. Not only did I survive it, but I'm hardly sore at all and that trainer ran me all over that studio for a solid hour, core training. My body was fighting with all it had to let me know what I was doing was strange to it.
Towards the end, I was wasted. The signals of my brain were getting all scrambled. It was actually a lot of fun. Next week, session six of six. The trainer says there's no way to know for sure, but she mentioned 3 months as a time I may want additional routines or an evaluation from her of where to go from there. I was thinking 3-6 months, so that fits in with what I already had in mind. BTW, I'm 45+ years old.
For anyone considering a personal trainer, I think a lot is luck. It's my impression that the more family-oriented places draw the better trainers...the ones who are really on a mission to make a difference. If America had its priorities straight, gym and trainer expense would be tax deductible and physical education would be a higher priority at schools. I'm living proof that someone doesn't have to be the class jock to be more healthy. It just takes effort and a teacher who knows what they are doing. Most PE teachers I knew were kind enough, but hardy role models for fitness. They all had pot bellies from beer.
To find a good trainer, picking a good gym is a start. I'd suggest staying away from places like Gold's, with all of the hype. A small community gym is my favorite, YMCA or similar.
I got the roughest work out of my entire life yesterday, and I feel like a million dollars today. Not only did I survive it, but I'm hardly sore at all and that trainer ran me all over that studio for a solid hour, core training. My body was fighting with all it had to let me know what I was doing was strange to it.
Towards the end, I was wasted. The signals of my brain were getting all scrambled. It was actually a lot of fun. Next week, session six of six. The trainer says there's no way to know for sure, but she mentioned 3 months as a time I may want additional routines or an evaluation from her of where to go from there. I was thinking 3-6 months, so that fits in with what I already had in mind. BTW, I'm 45+ years old.
For anyone considering a personal trainer, I think a lot is luck. It's my impression that the more family-oriented places draw the better trainers...the ones who are really on a mission to make a difference. If America had its priorities straight, gym and trainer expense would be tax deductible and physical education would be a higher priority at schools. I'm living proof that someone doesn't have to be the class jock to be more healthy. It just takes effort and a teacher who knows what they are doing. Most PE teachers I knew were kind enough, but hardy role models for fitness. They all had pot bellies from beer.
To find a good trainer, picking a good gym is a start. I'd suggest staying away from places like Gold's, with all of the hype. A small community gym is my favorite, YMCA or similar.
A Word About Nevada Brothels
I will always be supportive of some form of regulated/legalized prostitution, primarily a minimal system in place to help prevent the spread of diseases and stealing or violence against clients or providers. The working girls and customers both should be registered and regularly tested for STDs and AIDS. I include the customers because it makes no sense to me to insist that a working girl be tested weekly, but an asymptomatic or lice-ridden client can walk into the room of a "clean" worker. That's nuts. We have credit checks before credit is gven, so a health verification twice a year for a brothel customer isn't asking too much. A sound system would work like a private social club in which all parties are regulated to maintain some order and control.
Prostitutes could be certified like electricians, car mechanics, or plumbers. They could then work for any licensed business or clubs. That means they could arrange their own incall and be self employed, or they could work for someone else who takes care of security and compliance. Both situations would involve announced and unannounced regulatory inspections for cleanliness and compliance. With my system, prices would have to be posted, current video would be required. The practice of posting pictures that are 10 years old is nothing less than fraud. Also, it is unconstitutional to impose extra taxes on someone because they are engaged in a particular business.
No where in society do we permit secret pricing, punitive taxes based on occupation and the misrepresentation of a product status, except the corrupt propane and heating oil industry. The LPIN system is comparable to Wal-Mart not letting you know a price until you get to the register, then the cashier insists on a high price which you are expected to "negotiate" with frustrated customers waiting for you to make your mind up and move on. The women all talk about pricing and the customers are not allowed to or their service form the providers is terminated, so it's a rigged game from the start.
LPIN exists as it does because there is no competition. It's time for people to stop kidding themsleves into thinikng LPIN is anything but a rigged game against the customer, and that state religions must be removed from state law. I ask once more, get religion out of my government. I know it doesn't belong there and the KJV Bible, which all fundies supposedly know so well, also makes a clear distinction.
Prostitutes could be certified like electricians, car mechanics, or plumbers. They could then work for any licensed business or clubs. That means they could arrange their own incall and be self employed, or they could work for someone else who takes care of security and compliance. Both situations would involve announced and unannounced regulatory inspections for cleanliness and compliance. With my system, prices would have to be posted, current video would be required. The practice of posting pictures that are 10 years old is nothing less than fraud. Also, it is unconstitutional to impose extra taxes on someone because they are engaged in a particular business.
No where in society do we permit secret pricing, punitive taxes based on occupation and the misrepresentation of a product status, except the corrupt propane and heating oil industry. The LPIN system is comparable to Wal-Mart not letting you know a price until you get to the register, then the cashier insists on a high price which you are expected to "negotiate" with frustrated customers waiting for you to make your mind up and move on. The women all talk about pricing and the customers are not allowed to or their service form the providers is terminated, so it's a rigged game from the start.
LPIN exists as it does because there is no competition. It's time for people to stop kidding themsleves into thinikng LPIN is anything but a rigged game against the customer, and that state religions must be removed from state law. I ask once more, get religion out of my government. I know it doesn't belong there and the KJV Bible, which all fundies supposedly know so well, also makes a clear distinction.
Friday, January 30, 2009
US Realty Woes; Banks Hiding Real Damage?
Diana Olick writes some great articles. She's a very strong reporter for CNBC. Olick recently reported that banks are holding back on revealing the number of foreclosures they are saddled with. I have thought all along that this entire credit crisis is so huge and potentially castostrophic that no one in leadship roles has any clue where to go from here. The US version of capitalism has proven itself a dismal failure as far as I am concerned. I'm all for freedom, but anarchy is another matter entirely. The US is a rudderless ship with no captain of worth.
The moral of this story is to not buy a house anytime soon. I think the solution is going to be to try and spread out the damage to as much of the population as possible. They want people to buy homes in phases, knowing all along that there's a lot more downside to come. The sooner one buys, the more they risk. Another factor coming into play is the value of the homes on the market. It is said that foreclosed homes are often vandalized, which costs even more to repair. If someon trashes a home they no longer own, they belong in jail for 6-12 months to cool off some. If we need room for them, let the non-violent offenders off on early release. I do not consider vandalism under these circumstances to be non-violent. The situation is bad enough without spoiled adults wrecking a property in some temper tantrum, when they had no business buying beyond their ability to pay in the first place.
The moral of this story is to not buy a house anytime soon. I think the solution is going to be to try and spread out the damage to as much of the population as possible. They want people to buy homes in phases, knowing all along that there's a lot more downside to come. The sooner one buys, the more they risk. Another factor coming into play is the value of the homes on the market. It is said that foreclosed homes are often vandalized, which costs even more to repair. If someon trashes a home they no longer own, they belong in jail for 6-12 months to cool off some. If we need room for them, let the non-violent offenders off on early release. I do not consider vandalism under these circumstances to be non-violent. The situation is bad enough without spoiled adults wrecking a property in some temper tantrum, when they had no business buying beyond their ability to pay in the first place.
The Real Problem with US Economy
The US politicians and their largest campaign contributors, big business, have transported most of the jobs and production overseas to where there are labor and environmental conditions that the US has outlawed within it's own borders. This provides an overwhelming competitive advantage. Globalism is code for cronies buying each other off and shafting the average citizen.
The US must refocus on domestic resources, infrastructure and production. It's sheer stupidity and manipulation to scream "isolationist" each time someone suggests that US politicians are expected to have primary allegiance to the American people and to institute sustainable policies. Cheap goods from China are not a long term solution.
Instead of empty promises, social experimentation and political correctness in education, America needs a reformed public education for its citizens. Teaching people to read, write, do math, and think critically is not that hard if the desire is their. Finland seems to manage. Put Americans first for a change in US policy, just as the French and Russians expect their own leaders to have all national interests as a top priority.
We could start by stopping the insane military build-up and the insane "war on drugs." Enough talk from politicans. It is time for positive results or the replacement of the RNC and DNC by political enitities that won't destroy the world.
The US must refocus on domestic resources, infrastructure and production. It's sheer stupidity and manipulation to scream "isolationist" each time someone suggests that US politicians are expected to have primary allegiance to the American people and to institute sustainable policies. Cheap goods from China are not a long term solution.
Instead of empty promises, social experimentation and political correctness in education, America needs a reformed public education for its citizens. Teaching people to read, write, do math, and think critically is not that hard if the desire is their. Finland seems to manage. Put Americans first for a change in US policy, just as the French and Russians expect their own leaders to have all national interests as a top priority.
We could start by stopping the insane military build-up and the insane "war on drugs." Enough talk from politicans. It is time for positive results or the replacement of the RNC and DNC by political enitities that won't destroy the world.
Same Ol' GOP; Hiding Behind New Face
It's insulting how the GOP leaders keep thinking that all they need is the right marketing gimmick and they can get back lost support. The fact of the matter is that the GOP is losing precisely for that reason, as it stands for nothing but the latest gimmick. Eric Cantor fell right into line each time G.W. Bush had a big program to fund. When the GOP thought the Cuban vote was important, speeches were given in Spanish. Cantor fell right into line for the $700 billion bailout to Wall Street millionaires who received $18 billion in bonuses this year, supposedly for doing such a great job. The GOP is not truly conservative fiscally or socially and it does not represent the best interest of most Americans, thus they have lost a significant amount of support. There is also nothing conservative about the extreme religious views of much of the current GOP base and their maniacal approach to the issue of abortion, while cheering for torture and economic sanctions that starve and inflict emotional and physical abuse on innocent men, women and children in foreign lands.
Incoming RNC Chairman Michael Steele says he's ready to knock people over. Women and children in Iraq and Lebanon and Cuba are well aware of that, Mr. Steele. The hostility and abrasiveness of you "Christians" is why millions have fled your morally-crippled party.
Incoming RNC Chairman Michael Steele says he's ready to knock people over. Women and children in Iraq and Lebanon and Cuba are well aware of that, Mr. Steele. The hostility and abrasiveness of you "Christians" is why millions have fled your morally-crippled party.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
I'm Exhaling Too
I've never been a Hillary Clinton fan, but I don't have much to complain about yet. I think she was dead on about certain "narco states". Bush and Rice had the foreign policy rubber band stretched to the breaking point. So far, Obama has done a great job with gradual, yet steady reversal of what was essentially a suicidal foreign policy of the last 8 years.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Limbaugh's Response; Regarding the Wisdom of Ignoring Him
Rush Limbaugh was an integral support component of the Bush machine. I was trying to categorize Limbaugh's response to President Obama's requests that people not let Limbaugh remain an obstruction to needed reforms. Limbaugh makes his money on advertising, plain and simple. If he wants the maximum pay, he needs to keep people listening. If saving the US from ruin were his greatest calling, Limbagh has the means to retire and do that as a citizen. The fact that Limbaugh is still spewing his fare over the airwaves after having great wealth and influence is the sign that he has made his choice of whether money or public service is the most important thing in his life.
Keep Voting GOP Out of US Senate
I think everyone is exhausted from the GOP double standard and obstructionism in the US Senate. They approve of the Treasury Secretary and are just messing with Obama by dragging out the confirmation process. I personally don't think Chief Justice Roberts made a mistake with the oath. He made sure Obama was linked with Calvin Coolidge and Arthur Chester as the only US presidents in history to repeat the oath of office. As far as I am concerned, the GOP has become an evil monster that must be disbanded and completely reorganized.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Done Deal!!; BushCo Finally Out of the White House
The end of the most miserable presidential administration in US history. Let us hope we do not repeat that disaster, ever.
Monday, January 19, 2009
US System of Injustice
I was reading the "This Day in History" feature on this page and came across the presidential pardon of a woman convicted of treason, for being Tokyo Rose. Investigating reporters found exposed that many witnesses had were liars. Gee. What'd the original investigators do, if not confirm facts. It's a damn same when reporters have to do the job some political hacks are already paid to do. The question remains as to whether the US legal system is little more than a political show production to create whatever result is desired for the next election.
It Won't be Long Now; Bush on the Way OUT!!!
Let us not fully rejoice until the fumigation has officially begun, noon 01/20/09, but we are indeed close. Never in my life have I ever witnessed an individual more deserving of public disgust than George W. Bush, 43rd US president. Let us pray that the next 8 years are better than the last.
Ben Lichtenstein; Dow 12000 by March, Whaaaa???
I don't know why CNBC airs some of this stuff. Ben Lichtenstein, a trader interviewed on CNBC's Squawk Box predicted a possible Dow 12000 by end of March? Is that in the same world as the $200 a barrel oil, which is now predicted by some to go to 17?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Kill the Birds?; They're Hitting Our Airplanes
I had to pass on this incredibly questionable article that implies we should eradicate birds to cut down on airplane hits. Here's a marvelous idea...transform the incredibly obsolete mass transport system in the US to an efficient rail system. It might hurt at first, but using the brain is actually healthy.
Has Hillary Clinton Found Her Niche?
I had to go "hmmmm" when I read about a recent statement made by Secretary of State designate Hillary Clinton. She is absolutely right. The same standard goes for the failed drug war in the US. There is not logic behind allowing government corruption when the business can be taxed and regulated as a separate entity or at the very least decriminalized to take out the big profit, allowing honest people back into government police forces.
State governments should not be allowed to hide behind failed efforts or corruption and still claim they are the solution. Clinton may have found her calling. Let us hope she does not wimp out with an apology and begging for forgiveness. However, Clinton will have difficulty in standing by her position on Afghanistan while denying that a similar situation from the demand side exists in the US government and it's prison system. The only thing the drug war has done is eliminate most US competition for hash, marijuana, ecstasy, and methamphetamine coming in through Mexican criminal syndicates and create drugs that are more dangerous and powerful than ever.
The drug war is really about preventing people form self-medicating and having to go through Big Pharma. Bottom line. Nothing about the US drug war is keeping anyone safe. It's only making certain criminal gangs and politicians and police and military very reach. Making it a felony for someone to grow a few marijuana plants without any evidence of distribution is insanity.
State governments should not be allowed to hide behind failed efforts or corruption and still claim they are the solution. Clinton may have found her calling. Let us hope she does not wimp out with an apology and begging for forgiveness. However, Clinton will have difficulty in standing by her position on Afghanistan while denying that a similar situation from the demand side exists in the US government and it's prison system. The only thing the drug war has done is eliminate most US competition for hash, marijuana, ecstasy, and methamphetamine coming in through Mexican criminal syndicates and create drugs that are more dangerous and powerful than ever.
The drug war is really about preventing people form self-medicating and having to go through Big Pharma. Bottom line. Nothing about the US drug war is keeping anyone safe. It's only making certain criminal gangs and politicians and police and military very reach. Making it a felony for someone to grow a few marijuana plants without any evidence of distribution is insanity.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Tick-tock, Time Running Out on BushCo
I hear Orkin is on standby to fumigate the White House and take care of the asshole infestation before Obama takes office. It is not likely that more people in the world have ever been so glad to see a US president leave the White House. No more speeches or excuses, just put the tail between the legs and get the hell out of there.
I'm still looking for Bush to pull something to get himself in the news one last time. He'll probably give Madoff a pardon or something equally outrageous that a "man" like him would enjoy doing.
I'm still looking for Bush to pull something to get himself in the news one last time. He'll probably give Madoff a pardon or something equally outrageous that a "man" like him would enjoy doing.
Sheri's Ranch; Sheri's News Showing Some Vegas Attitude
Although I have never been keen on the fact that Sheri's Ranch is owned by a former cop, if there is such a thing, someone certainly had a great idea to have some ladies of the ranch give a brothel-style news cast each week. Mia the weather girl is a real cutie. It's a great way to introduce the ladies and provide potential clients with updated information on their lady of choice. I always did think that video lineups were much more dignified for the ladies than lining them up like prize hefers in the parlor. I hope video lineups replace the more traditional, and often awkward, lineup in the parlor.
If everyone doesn't already know, this site is for adults, 18 plus years, and Sheri's site is too.
If everyone doesn't already know, this site is for adults, 18 plus years, and Sheri's site is too.
New Year Resolutions; First Six Months
I actually got a start in the right direction over 5 months ago, when I finally ended a 40 year effort in personal disaster when constantly trying to salvage relationships with my parents and siblings. In the last 5 months, I have experienced kindness I didn't even realize was still possible.
Abusive people tend to influence their targets to believe that ALL people are abusive monsters, that normal is abnormal. That is not true, of course. Even in these troubling times, there is incredible kindness within many and people willing to assist without fostering new forms of manipulation for past abuse. My personal suggestion for a break from the battle is natural food stores and preparing natural food from home. It seemed logical to start with basics, a healthy body and mind. Shedding excess weight is a fast and easy way to make big gains. Yes, I said easy. An overweight person can usually shed 20 pounds in 3 months without trying that hard, especially by cutting out most meat, cheese, soft drinks, and refined sugar items. Those gains fuel the mind for more significant challenges. One word of caution is to still keep the guard up and beware of some stores which may be looking for recruits for a religion.
During the first few visits, I'd suggest making a conscious effort to not behave as one does in more aggressive settings. One quickly realizes they are in a different place, one where everyone there is taking a break, smiling and enjoying that little island of civility. It's amazing. Not all natural food stores are equal, but most are reasonably-priced and very laid back. It's just that some Bush republicans have discovered that organic and natural foods are in demand and they are trying to do to the natural foods industry what they did to the mainstream grocers and Wall Street.
Shifts can occur with grocery and other expenses to finance any adjustments. What would it be worth if someone got so depressed that they couldn't go to work? The stakes are high, especially those first 3-6 months of detoxifiction. I suggest expanding benefits of organic foods, buy what doesn't result in excessive overall expense increases, maybe being only 30%-40% organic at first. The savings of not buying beer, soda, and junk foods add up. It's all in the more efficient allocation of resources, or increase in revenues. However, it is true that food more likely to tear down your health and your life will be less expensive and may even be more familiar or seem tastier. Consumers need to realize that the taste is really just chemicals pretending to be that flavor. Given that, my taste buds have never been more alive than they are now. Sometimes something I cook taste so good and so different that I sit in the kitchen laughing like a madman, as I munch on my latest creation.
I've had good luck with natural food stores in college towns, less luck around large urban centers where people may use "natural" as more of a slogan or bait than a way of life. As far as mainstream grocers, Kroger is my favorite. Whole Foods is fine for some hard-to-find bulk goods, but tends to attract people not quite ready for a different life, and people just wanting to be trendy.
This initial strategy should work for most forms of domestic abuse, terminate abusive condition and seek nurturing interactions. I believe I will look back on this time as the most difficult, the journey into a complete unknown from 40 years of the known. Actually leaving one life for a mere promise of a better life is very difficult. One leaves friends, personal possessions, a usually pays a significant price both financially and in escaping the normal Stockholm Syndrome mentality that long-term abuse creates, similar to struggles of a witness protection program.
Trust me, the abusers will pursue a fleeing target. The process of a recovering target is almost identical to the 7 Stages of Grief. One realizes they did the right thing as they see their body healing physically and emotionally almost immediately. We often do not realize the physical toll of abuse. In so many words, abuse murders our soul and results in less quality of life over fewer years. The probability of a longer and more content life is far greater with the stress of the constant emotional turmoil delivered by abusive individuals. If I have to sacrifice or get another job to finance a better life, a life I will be pleased with living, so be it.
More later...
Abusive people tend to influence their targets to believe that ALL people are abusive monsters, that normal is abnormal. That is not true, of course. Even in these troubling times, there is incredible kindness within many and people willing to assist without fostering new forms of manipulation for past abuse. My personal suggestion for a break from the battle is natural food stores and preparing natural food from home. It seemed logical to start with basics, a healthy body and mind. Shedding excess weight is a fast and easy way to make big gains. Yes, I said easy. An overweight person can usually shed 20 pounds in 3 months without trying that hard, especially by cutting out most meat, cheese, soft drinks, and refined sugar items. Those gains fuel the mind for more significant challenges. One word of caution is to still keep the guard up and beware of some stores which may be looking for recruits for a religion.
During the first few visits, I'd suggest making a conscious effort to not behave as one does in more aggressive settings. One quickly realizes they are in a different place, one where everyone there is taking a break, smiling and enjoying that little island of civility. It's amazing. Not all natural food stores are equal, but most are reasonably-priced and very laid back. It's just that some Bush republicans have discovered that organic and natural foods are in demand and they are trying to do to the natural foods industry what they did to the mainstream grocers and Wall Street.
Shifts can occur with grocery and other expenses to finance any adjustments. What would it be worth if someone got so depressed that they couldn't go to work? The stakes are high, especially those first 3-6 months of detoxifiction. I suggest expanding benefits of organic foods, buy what doesn't result in excessive overall expense increases, maybe being only 30%-40% organic at first. The savings of not buying beer, soda, and junk foods add up. It's all in the more efficient allocation of resources, or increase in revenues. However, it is true that food more likely to tear down your health and your life will be less expensive and may even be more familiar or seem tastier. Consumers need to realize that the taste is really just chemicals pretending to be that flavor. Given that, my taste buds have never been more alive than they are now. Sometimes something I cook taste so good and so different that I sit in the kitchen laughing like a madman, as I munch on my latest creation.
I've had good luck with natural food stores in college towns, less luck around large urban centers where people may use "natural" as more of a slogan or bait than a way of life. As far as mainstream grocers, Kroger is my favorite. Whole Foods is fine for some hard-to-find bulk goods, but tends to attract people not quite ready for a different life, and people just wanting to be trendy.
This initial strategy should work for most forms of domestic abuse, terminate abusive condition and seek nurturing interactions. I believe I will look back on this time as the most difficult, the journey into a complete unknown from 40 years of the known. Actually leaving one life for a mere promise of a better life is very difficult. One leaves friends, personal possessions, a usually pays a significant price both financially and in escaping the normal Stockholm Syndrome mentality that long-term abuse creates, similar to struggles of a witness protection program.
Trust me, the abusers will pursue a fleeing target. The process of a recovering target is almost identical to the 7 Stages of Grief. One realizes they did the right thing as they see their body healing physically and emotionally almost immediately. We often do not realize the physical toll of abuse. In so many words, abuse murders our soul and results in less quality of life over fewer years. The probability of a longer and more content life is far greater with the stress of the constant emotional turmoil delivered by abusive individuals. If I have to sacrifice or get another job to finance a better life, a life I will be pleased with living, so be it.
More later...
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