Weblog
Saturday, 01 August 2009
-
The Weak In Review
No, I didn't mispell anything. The last seven days have seen three of the most appalling events in the history of the obviously flawed Obama regime. (#1) - Beers at the White House - what in the hell is the President doing getting involved in what should be a simple event and turning into a commentary on Racism? I was a San Diego Police Reserve officer in the 1970's, and one of the basic instructions we received in the academy was to document and verify everything we did. If we were called to a residence for a possible burglary, it was obligatory that we verify the identity of anyone we found on the property. Otherwise, you could be leaving a burglar to finish his work (at best)! There were no racial implications in the officer's mind. And I would think a professor ought to be savvy enough to understand that the officer was attempting to protect his property. President Obama: You are not the Black President - you are the American President. You are obligated by your office to stand for ALL Americans, not merely those of color. What you have done is to make a statement of intolerance and prejudice that will continue to haunt your term in office! (#2) CARS (Cash for Clunkers) - So the auto industry gets a pick me up that lasts for a solid 4 days? Please. How many consumers (not commercial clients) actually had a chance to participate in this "benefit"? The fact of the matter is if you couldn't afford a new car before the CARS program, you probably couldn't afford one when it became a program? So who did benefit from all those CARS that were traded in for a government check? How about the commercial fleet owners and businesses that had no restriction on the amount of vehicles they could trade in to take advantage of the program. Oh, that's right, they didn't tell all the "common folk" that commercial vehicles could be exchanged at a flat $3,500.00 rate, and that bank rates would not be affected by bad credit. The people who really needed a reliable vehicle to get their kids to school, get to work, buy the groceries, etc, never had a chance of getting an even break. (#3) And last but not least, the specifications of a Health Care Plan that reduces the services available to the "common folk" but does not affect the "haves" in the least. Bottom line here is that Obama, like every President before him for the last 20 years (at least) is protecting exactly one group of people in this country (the rich) while pretending to be a friend to the minorities, and therefore instilling a new wave of racial unrest and discontent.
Saturday, 27 June 2009
-
The Tragedy of Michael Jackson
Michael's passing has sparked a literal flood of information and missives about him on the internet. Everything from his rise to fame to his court battles and his inability to manage his money. And the real tragedy is that no one has bothered to comment on what we really lost.
Oh, yes, the man was mortal and loved by many. But it was his message that was first lost in the media coverage of his child molestation accusations, and continues to be lost in his death. His message of hope for humanity, of individual responsibility for change, of getting past the bonds of racial hatred and learning to accept one another for who we are.
We`re takin` over
We have the truth
This is the mission
To see it through
Don`t point your finger
Not dangerous
This is our planet
You`re one of us
We`re sendin` out
A major love
And this is our
Message to you
(Message to you)
The planets are linin` up
We`re bringin` brighter days
They`re all in line
Waitin` for you
Can`t you see...?
You`re just another part of me...
"Another part of me" is only one example...one of my favorites is "Black or White"
I am tired of this devil
I am tired of this stuff
I am tired of this business
So when the going gets rough
I ain`t scared of your brother
I ain`t scared of no sheets
I ain`t scared of nobody
Girl when the goin` gets mean
Protection
For gangs, clubs, and nations
causing grief in human relations
It`s a turf war on a global scale
I`d rather hear both sides of the tale
See, it`s not about races
Just places
Faces
Where your blood comes from
Is were your space is
I`ve seen the bright get duller
I`m not going to spend my life being a color
Michael Jackson was reaching out with dynamic lyrics that had true meaning and purpose, and setting a tone for life that defied the traditional. The real tragedy is that his meaning is now lost, and that our memories will always be tainted with show biz glitz and media spin.
I will miss you, Michael, for the good you tried to do.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
-
Contemplating the Human Condition on a day of rest
Working on a car lot means you have different hours and work schedules. My days off are Thursday and Sunday, and that means that once a week I can actually take the time to assess the current tenor of my life and make some adjustments if I need to....and I always do.
At age 56 (57 in a mere 13 days), I am slowly beginning to realize that we are all works in progress for the entirety of our lives. Any destination we perceive while in this mortal shell is an illusion, a mirage of an oasis. The moment we find ourselves with nothing to achieve, nothing to accomplish, nothing to share...that is the moment we begin to fade. This is the moment we begin to die.
An interesting concept. Can the converse be true? Is it possible that we limit our lives, instead of our lives being limited by the physical restraints of flesh and bone? Is there a moment in our lives where we are faced with two choices; one that will lead to virtual, if not physical, immortality, and one that begins the descent into oblivion?
From a Christian standpoint, the decision is to accept or deny Christ as Savior. For Muslims, the decision is one of compliance with a lifestyle of strict adherence and self-denial. For Catholics, an adherence and submission to the Church. But these are all based on the acceptance of an abstract, spiritual existence. Is there a separate standard that can bind all of us, regardless of individual faith or belief?
Is there a definitive good when it comes to our lives?
Saturday, 06 June 2009
-
For my daughter, lian
A poem composed in 1988, while attending San Diego State University under the tutelage of Steve Kowit.
Memorium
A friend of mine, a well-known poet,
has asked that when he dies we place a pillow 'neath his head,
encase his body in a glass top coffin,
and cause the world to cease because his light will no longer
shine upon us.
Why not, I say...after all, it's his funeral...
But as for me,
take my body and place it in the driver's seat
of whatever beat up wreck I happen to be driving at the time
fill the trunk with pyrotechnics you'll find behind the two
refrigerator boxes in my garage filled with rejection slips from publishers (a testament to my stubborn disbelief I had no talent)
drive me out to some gravel pit, light the fuse, then stand and witness the display...
so you can testify...
I left this world the way I lived...
in search of fame and glory...
and finding only the occasional flashes in the night.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
-
Springtime in Peoria 2009
So here we are again in Peoria, Illinois, USA, and the spring has arrived, in spite of the overabundance of rain. We are usually past the storms by now, and the farmers in particular are very concerned that the dry days are far outnumbered by the wet. Really hard to get a crop in the ground when the tractor can't maneuver in the field.
But there are some advantages, and I'll show them rather than tell you about them. The pics below were taken in the backyard last weekend.
That last photo is my my wife, Sandra, standing behind the house. As you can see, the lawn is getting quite long, and hopefully today will be dry enough to cut it.
Weblog
Saturday, 01 August 2009
-
The Weak In Review
No, I didn't mispell anything. The last seven days have seen three of the most appalling events in the history of the obviously flawed Obama regime. (#1) - Beers at the White House - what in the hell is the President doing getting involved in what should be a simple event and turning into a commentary on Racism? I was a San Diego Police Reserve officer in the 1970's, and one of the basic instructions we received in the academy was to document and verify everything we did. If we were called to a residence for a possible burglary, it was obligatory that we verify the identity of anyone we found on the property. Otherwise, you could be leaving a burglar to finish his work (at best)! There were no racial implications in the officer's mind. And I would think a professor ought to be savvy enough to understand that the officer was attempting to protect his property. President Obama: You are not the Black President - you are the American President. You are obligated by your office to stand for ALL Americans, not merely those of color. What you have done is to make a statement of intolerance and prejudice that will continue to haunt your term in office! (#2) CARS (Cash for Clunkers) - So the auto industry gets a pick me up that lasts for a solid 4 days? Please. How many consumers (not commercial clients) actually had a chance to participate in this "benefit"? The fact of the matter is if you couldn't afford a new car before the CARS program, you probably couldn't afford one when it became a program? So who did benefit from all those CARS that were traded in for a government check? How about the commercial fleet owners and businesses that had no restriction on the amount of vehicles they could trade in to take advantage of the program. Oh, that's right, they didn't tell all the "common folk" that commercial vehicles could be exchanged at a flat $3,500.00 rate, and that bank rates would not be affected by bad credit. The people who really needed a reliable vehicle to get their kids to school, get to work, buy the groceries, etc, never had a chance of getting an even break. (#3) And last but not least, the specifications of a Health Care Plan that reduces the services available to the "common folk" but does not affect the "haves" in the least. Bottom line here is that Obama, like every President before him for the last 20 years (at least) is protecting exactly one group of people in this country (the rich) while pretending to be a friend to the minorities, and therefore instilling a new wave of racial unrest and discontent.
Saturday, 27 June 2009
-
The Tragedy of Michael Jackson
Michael's passing has sparked a literal flood of information and missives about him on the internet. Everything from his rise to fame to his court battles and his inability to manage his money. And the real tragedy is that no one has bothered to comment on what we really lost.
Oh, yes, the man was mortal and loved by many. But it was his message that was first lost in the media coverage of his child molestation accusations, and continues to be lost in his death. His message of hope for humanity, of individual responsibility for change, of getting past the bonds of racial hatred and learning to accept one another for who we are.
We`re takin` over
We have the truth
This is the mission
To see it through
Don`t point your finger
Not dangerous
This is our planet
You`re one of us
We`re sendin` out
A major love
And this is our
Message to you
(Message to you)
The planets are linin` up
We`re bringin` brighter days
They`re all in line
Waitin` for you
Can`t you see...?
You`re just another part of me...
"Another part of me" is only one example...one of my favorites is "Black or White"
I am tired of this devil
I am tired of this stuff
I am tired of this business
So when the going gets rough
I ain`t scared of your brother
I ain`t scared of no sheets
I ain`t scared of nobody
Girl when the goin` gets mean
Protection
For gangs, clubs, and nations
causing grief in human relations
It`s a turf war on a global scale
I`d rather hear both sides of the tale
See, it`s not about races
Just places
Faces
Where your blood comes from
Is were your space is
I`ve seen the bright get duller
I`m not going to spend my life being a color
Michael Jackson was reaching out with dynamic lyrics that had true meaning and purpose, and setting a tone for life that defied the traditional. The real tragedy is that his meaning is now lost, and that our memories will always be tainted with show biz glitz and media spin.
I will miss you, Michael, for the good you tried to do.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
-
Contemplating the Human Condition on a day of rest
Working on a car lot means you have different hours and work schedules. My days off are Thursday and Sunday, and that means that once a week I can actually take the time to assess the current tenor of my life and make some adjustments if I need to....and I always do.
At age 56 (57 in a mere 13 days), I am slowly beginning to realize that we are all works in progress for the entirety of our lives. Any destination we perceive while in this mortal shell is an illusion, a mirage of an oasis. The moment we find ourselves with nothing to achieve, nothing to accomplish, nothing to share...that is the moment we begin to fade. This is the moment we begin to die.
An interesting concept. Can the converse be true? Is it possible that we limit our lives, instead of our lives being limited by the physical restraints of flesh and bone? Is there a moment in our lives where we are faced with two choices; one that will lead to virtual, if not physical, immortality, and one that begins the descent into oblivion?
From a Christian standpoint, the decision is to accept or deny Christ as Savior. For Muslims, the decision is one of compliance with a lifestyle of strict adherence and self-denial. For Catholics, an adherence and submission to the Church. But these are all based on the acceptance of an abstract, spiritual existence. Is there a separate standard that can bind all of us, regardless of individual faith or belief?
Is there a definitive good when it comes to our lives?
Saturday, 06 June 2009
-
For my daughter, lian
A poem composed in 1988, while attending San Diego State University under the tutelage of Steve Kowit.
Memorium
A friend of mine, a well-known poet,
has asked that when he dies we place a pillow 'neath his head,
encase his body in a glass top coffin,
and cause the world to cease because his light will no longer
shine upon us.
Why not, I say...after all, it's his funeral...
But as for me,
take my body and place it in the driver's seat
of whatever beat up wreck I happen to be driving at the time
fill the trunk with pyrotechnics you'll find behind the two
refrigerator boxes in my garage filled with rejection slips from publishers (a testament to my stubborn disbelief I had no talent)
drive me out to some gravel pit, light the fuse, then stand and witness the display...
so you can testify...
I left this world the way I lived...
in search of fame and glory...
and finding only the occasional flashes in the night.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
-
Springtime in Peoria 2009
So here we are again in Peoria, Illinois, USA, and the spring has arrived, in spite of the overabundance of rain. We are usually past the storms by now, and the farmers in particular are very concerned that the dry days are far outnumbered by the wet. Really hard to get a crop in the ground when the tractor can't maneuver in the field.
But there are some advantages, and I'll show them rather than tell you about them. The pics below were taken in the backyard last weekend.
That last photo is my my wife, Sandra, standing behind the house. As you can see, the lawn is getting quite long, and hopefully today will be dry enough to cut it.
Videos
Saturday, December 08, 2007
-
Christmas Trains, Part 2.wmv
My second attempt at a video, better than the first.
Friday, December 07, 2007
-
ChristmasTrain.wmv
My first experiment with the video feature on my Polaroid i633. Too dark, too much background noise, not well focused....and fun.
Friday, February 02, 2007
-
1943 American Propaganda Cartoon.mpg
Classic Propaganda from the USofA -
shopping_israel.wmv
to true, I'll bet
Videos
Saturday, December 08, 2007
-
Christmas Trains, Part 2.wmv
My second attempt at a video, better than the first.
Friday, December 07, 2007
-
ChristmasTrain.wmv
My first experiment with the video feature on my Polaroid i633. Too dark, too much background noise, not well focused....and fun.
Friday, February 02, 2007
-
1943 American Propaganda Cartoon.mpg
Classic Propaganda from the USofA -
shopping_israel.wmv
to true, I'll bet
Profile Info
- First Name: Fred
- Birthdate: 6/24/1952
- About Me: Well, I've been around, ya know!
Custom Module
HTML Inserted Here
Weblog
Saturday, 01 August 2009
-
The Weak In Review
No, I didn't mispell anything. The last seven days have seen three of the most appalling events in the history of the obviously flawed Obama regime. (#1) - Beers at the White House - what in the hell is the President doing getting involved in what should be a simple event and turning into a commentary on Racism? I was a San Diego Police Reserve officer in the 1970's, and one of the basic instructions we received in the academy was to document and verify everything we did. If we were called to a residence for a possible burglary, it was obligatory that we verify the identity of anyone we found on the property. Otherwise, you could be leaving a burglar to finish his work (at best)! There were no racial implications in the officer's mind. And I would think a professor ought to be savvy enough to understand that the officer was attempting to protect his property. President Obama: You are not the Black President - you are the American President. You are obligated by your office to stand for ALL Americans, not merely those of color. What you have done is to make a statement of intolerance and prejudice that will continue to haunt your term in office! (#2) CARS (Cash for Clunkers) - So the auto industry gets a pick me up that lasts for a solid 4 days? Please. How many consumers (not commercial clients) actually had a chance to participate in this "benefit"? The fact of the matter is if you couldn't afford a new car before the CARS program, you probably couldn't afford one when it became a program? So who did benefit from all those CARS that were traded in for a government check? How about the commercial fleet owners and businesses that had no restriction on the amount of vehicles they could trade in to take advantage of the program. Oh, that's right, they didn't tell all the "common folk" that commercial vehicles could be exchanged at a flat $3,500.00 rate, and that bank rates would not be affected by bad credit. The people who really needed a reliable vehicle to get their kids to school, get to work, buy the groceries, etc, never had a chance of getting an even break. (#3) And last but not least, the specifications of a Health Care Plan that reduces the services available to the "common folk" but does not affect the "haves" in the least. Bottom line here is that Obama, like every President before him for the last 20 years (at least) is protecting exactly one group of people in this country (the rich) while pretending to be a friend to the minorities, and therefore instilling a new wave of racial unrest and discontent.
Saturday, 27 June 2009
-
The Tragedy of Michael Jackson
Michael's passing has sparked a literal flood of information and missives about him on the internet. Everything from his rise to fame to his court battles and his inability to manage his money. And the real tragedy is that no one has bothered to comment on what we really lost.
Oh, yes, the man was mortal and loved by many. But it was his message that was first lost in the media coverage of his child molestation accusations, and continues to be lost in his death. His message of hope for humanity, of individual responsibility for change, of getting past the bonds of racial hatred and learning to accept one another for who we are.
We`re takin` over
We have the truth
This is the mission
To see it through
Don`t point your finger
Not dangerous
This is our planet
You`re one of us
We`re sendin` out
A major love
And this is our
Message to you
(Message to you)
The planets are linin` up
We`re bringin` brighter days
They`re all in line
Waitin` for you
Can`t you see...?
You`re just another part of me...
"Another part of me" is only one example...one of my favorites is "Black or White"
I am tired of this devil
I am tired of this stuff
I am tired of this business
So when the going gets rough
I ain`t scared of your brother
I ain`t scared of no sheets
I ain`t scared of nobody
Girl when the goin` gets mean
Protection
For gangs, clubs, and nations
causing grief in human relations
It`s a turf war on a global scale
I`d rather hear both sides of the tale
See, it`s not about races
Just places
Faces
Where your blood comes from
Is were your space is
I`ve seen the bright get duller
I`m not going to spend my life being a color
Michael Jackson was reaching out with dynamic lyrics that had true meaning and purpose, and setting a tone for life that defied the traditional. The real tragedy is that his meaning is now lost, and that our memories will always be tainted with show biz glitz and media spin.
I will miss you, Michael, for the good you tried to do.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
-
Contemplating the Human Condition on a day of rest
Working on a car lot means you have different hours and work schedules. My days off are Thursday and Sunday, and that means that once a week I can actually take the time to assess the current tenor of my life and make some adjustments if I need to....and I always do.
At age 56 (57 in a mere 13 days), I am slowly beginning to realize that we are all works in progress for the entirety of our lives. Any destination we perceive while in this mortal shell is an illusion, a mirage of an oasis. The moment we find ourselves with nothing to achieve, nothing to accomplish, nothing to share...that is the moment we begin to fade. This is the moment we begin to die.
An interesting concept. Can the converse be true? Is it possible that we limit our lives, instead of our lives being limited by the physical restraints of flesh and bone? Is there a moment in our lives where we are faced with two choices; one that will lead to virtual, if not physical, immortality, and one that begins the descent into oblivion?
From a Christian standpoint, the decision is to accept or deny Christ as Savior. For Muslims, the decision is one of compliance with a lifestyle of strict adherence and self-denial. For Catholics, an adherence and submission to the Church. But these are all based on the acceptance of an abstract, spiritual existence. Is there a separate standard that can bind all of us, regardless of individual faith or belief?
Is there a definitive good when it comes to our lives?
Saturday, 06 June 2009
-
For my daughter, lian
A poem composed in 1988, while attending San Diego State University under the tutelage of Steve Kowit.
Memorium
A friend of mine, a well-known poet,
has asked that when he dies we place a pillow 'neath his head,
encase his body in a glass top coffin,
and cause the world to cease because his light will no longer
shine upon us.
Why not, I say...after all, it's his funeral...
But as for me,
take my body and place it in the driver's seat
of whatever beat up wreck I happen to be driving at the time
fill the trunk with pyrotechnics you'll find behind the two
refrigerator boxes in my garage filled with rejection slips from publishers (a testament to my stubborn disbelief I had no talent)
drive me out to some gravel pit, light the fuse, then stand and witness the display...
so you can testify...
I left this world the way I lived...
in search of fame and glory...
and finding only the occasional flashes in the night.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
-
Springtime in Peoria 2009
So here we are again in Peoria, Illinois, USA, and the spring has arrived, in spite of the overabundance of rain. We are usually past the storms by now, and the farmers in particular are very concerned that the dry days are far outnumbered by the wet. Really hard to get a crop in the ground when the tractor can't maneuver in the field.
But there are some advantages, and I'll show them rather than tell you about them. The pics below were taken in the backyard last weekend.
That last photo is my my wife, Sandra, standing behind the house. As you can see, the lawn is getting quite long, and hopefully today will be dry enough to cut it.
etrnlronin
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- Name: Fred
- Birthday: 6/24/1952
- Gender: Male
- Member Since: 1/7/2007
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About Me
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Well, I've been around, ya know!
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The point of learning Russian? To learn more about a former enemy. To Communicate. To Understand.
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