, last night I was searching for something to watch. TV is soooo lacking in entertainment, so I went through my movies and decided to watch the movie "V for Vendetta" again.
Although I loved the movie when I first watched it, it was simply entertainment. But, as I re-watched this movie, I could not help making so many connections between what was going on in the movie "V" and what is going on within the government of the (US)A - my government.
In my younger days, I 'believed' that the gov''t was: 'For', 'By' and 'Of the People'. Now, as I am a bit older, I've changed my belief. I NOW believe that the gov''t: 'Uses', 'Takes' and 'Screws the People' ........ the people the gov''t is supposed to protect.
And to quote from the movie "V for Vendetta": " THE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR GOVERNMENT ........ THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE AFRAID OF THE PEOPLE."
Katrina, the hurricane, really did make it totally clear to all americans that we are not to rely on our gov''t for help in any way - when disaster strikes. For it just may be that they are responsible for the disaster. Maybe it's a game to see how different types of disasters are played out. Like watching a movie, wondering how it will end, we-the-people are the government's "movie". Who knows........
Here are a couple of articles in part:
http://harpers.org/archive/2007/08/hbc-90000742
The Boot is Descending
by Scott Horton
(snip)...
This weekend something of tremendous consequence happened. The attitude of the Bush Administration will likely be mirrored by that of the Democratic leadership: this is nothing, tend to your own work, just move along. The media will dish up some more Paris Hilton prolefeed (let’s call it by its proper, Orwellian name). But what happened was very important–another massive sledgehammer blow was taken to the foundations of our democratic institutions. And it was a thoroughly bi-partisan effort.
Here’s what occurred. The Bush Administration sought an amendment of FISA to overcome roadblocks that the FISA court threw in its way. It put its case to Congress in secret and sent its national intelligence czar to negotiate a deal. When he concluded an agreement, Bush rejected it. The White House replied with threats, essentially stating that as soon as another terrorist attack occurs, we will pin the blame on Democrats in Congress because of their failure to amend FISA to give us what we want.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
and then there is this article
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/137727-Bush+signs+new+Wiretapping+Law%2C+no+warrants+needed
Bush Signs New Wiretapping Law - No Warrants Needed
by James Risen of the NY Times, Sunday, August 5, 2007
President Bush signed into law on Sunday legislation that broadly expanded the government's authority to eavesdrop on the international telephone calls and e-mail messages of American citizens without warrants.
Congressional aides and others familiar with the details of the law said that its impact went far beyond the small fixes that administration officials had said were needed to gather information about foreign terrorists. They said seemingly subtle changes in legislative language would sharply alter the legal limits on the government's ability to monitor millions of phone calls and e-mail messages going in and out of the United States.
Comment: As evidenced by this new legislation, and once again by Gonzales' verbal squirming in recent Senate testimony, this administration and its minions hide their actions and true intentions behind a web of deceit. For lack of truth, governments develop the language of ambiguity, the interpretation of which is constantly altered to fit the end.
Truth has no need for crafty words and deceit.
They also said that the new law for the first time provided a legal framework for much of the surveillance without warrants that was being conducted in secret by the National Security Agency and outside the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the 1978 law that is supposed to regulate the way the government can listen to the private communications of American citizens.
"This more or less legalizes the N.S.A. program," said Kate Martin, director of the Center for National Security Studies in Washington, who has studied the new legislation.
Previously, the government needed search warrants approved by a special intelligence court to eavesdrop on telephone conversations, e-mail messages and other electronic communications between individuals inside the United States and people overseas, if the government conducted the surveillance inside the United States.
Today, most international telephone conversations to and from the United States are conducted over fiber-optic cables, and the most efficient way for the government to eavesdrop on them is to latch on to giant telecommunications switches located in the United States.
By changing the legal definition of what is considered "electronic surveillance," the new law allows the government to eavesdrop on those conversations without warrants - latching on to those giant switches - as long as the target of the government's surveillance is "reasonably believed" to be overseas.
For example, if a person in Indianapolis calls someone in London, the National Security Agency can eavesdrop on that conversation without a warrant, as long as the N.S.A.'s target is the person in London.......................
you can read the rest at the website.
So, when you are on the telephone, don't make an 'oopsie' and say the wrong word. That word can be taken out of context and used against you. Think I'm paranoid. Well, yes, I guess now I am.
Can you feel the 'boot' coming down on your head (or does it start with your wallet?).
~ The Mediator
Monday, August 06, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
THE SUNSHINE FACTOR
So, it's August. And, it's been a while since I posted to my blog. It's just that time has been passing by an incredible (to me, anyway) speed. It seems that I get up from a good night's sleep and it's time for lunch !
Having a new job (doing elder care) and as a single mom with a disabled child a-n-d an elderly mother to keep tabs on, the 24 hour day just doesn't work for me.
I've tried sleeping less (bad idea) and eating less (better idea) to make more time for those things that simply need-to-be-done each day. One thing I have made time for is walking. I'm going out and doing a lovely 2 mile face-paced walk twice a day.......once with my son and later on I'll walk either by myself or with a friend.
We have a lovely bike path and since apartment living is new to me, this walk makes for a wonderful change-of-pace and helps with the SUNSHINE FACTOR, which I have been reading much about lately. Seems alot of humanity's ills could be cured by spending more time outside. Vitamin D is absolutely essential for good health.
By the way, whoever started the rumor that the sun was bad for us??? Read this article and maybe, if you've been avoiding the sun (you know, with lots of suncreen and sunglasses) you'll let your skin, the largest organ on your body, get what it needs and deserves. Anyway.......................here's one article from Dr. Mercola's sight:
www.mercola.com/
"VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THE IMPORTANCE
OF VITAMIN D AND SUN"
Vitamin D deficiency is a major problem in the United States but many Americans are not aware that they may be lacking this important nutrient. Although word is beginning to leak out even among the traditional medical community, testing for vitamin D will not skyrocket like cholesterol or other testing because there is no expensive drug to push, thus making the public more aware.
It is essential to understand that in order to know how much vitamin D you should be taking, you should get your blood level checked. Unfortunately, very few doctors do the blood test for vitamin D. You can't rely on the media to expose the issue. If and when they do, it will be too late for most of you and you will have suffered decreased bone density and an increased risk of many cancers. But you don't have to wait for the media.
You can read my article on vitamin D testing and get up-to-date on this important topic before it is too late. Unless you are getting significant sun exposure on large amounts of your skin, in fact, I would advise reading the article right now.
Vitamin D is such an important topic that we recently conducted an exclusive interview with one of the top vitamin D researchers in the world, William B. Grant, Ph.D. Here you will get the insights of someone who is on the cutting edge of vitamin D research and knowledgeable about the importance of sun exposure for health. Taking a few minutes to read through the information below will broaden your understanding of this important issue to help you reach higher levels of health.
also, you can go to this article:
http://www.signs-of-the-times.org/articles/show/137333-Sunshine+%27protective%27+against+ms
or this article:
http://www.mercola.com/2005/jul/5/sunshine_vitamin_d_htm
and this:
http://www.mercola.com/2005/jun/7/sun_vitamind.htm
which says in part:
"CRITICS NOW ACCEPT THE SUN AS YOUR HEALTHIEST
SOURCE OF VITAMIN D"
Evidence continues to mount in support of the obvious link between vitamin D and getting the right amount of sunshine so the body can naturally produce it. And unlike other medical fads that boomed and bombed, this evidence is strong and keeps growing.
In fact, the concept questions the longstanding conventional belief that people need to coat themselves with sunscreen whenever they're in the sun.
The "Sunshine Vitamin"
Vitamin D bears the nickname the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin produces it from ultraviolet rays. Researchers believe slapping on sunscreen may actually contribute to far more cancer deaths than it prevents as doing so blocks this vital vitamin production.
Thus, while dermatologists and health agencies have long touted that such lotions are needed to prevent skin cancer, some scientists are now challenging that advice. Their main argument: Vitamin D is important for preventing and treating many types of cancer; studies have found it helped protect against lymphoma, as well as cancers of the:
Prostate
Lung
Skin
Colon
In fact, one Harvard professor offered such compelling evidence in a recent study -- vitamin D may prevent 30 deaths for each one caused by skin cancer -- that the American Cancer Society is now reconsidering its own sun guidelines.................
So, if you've read this far, hopefully your interest has been stirred up a bit to check out more on sunshine and vitamin d.
And, here's to your good health.
~ The Mediator
Having a new job (doing elder care) and as a single mom with a disabled child a-n-d an elderly mother to keep tabs on, the 24 hour day just doesn't work for me.
I've tried sleeping less (bad idea) and eating less (better idea) to make more time for those things that simply need-to-be-done each day. One thing I have made time for is walking. I'm going out and doing a lovely 2 mile face-paced walk twice a day.......once with my son and later on I'll walk either by myself or with a friend.
We have a lovely bike path and since apartment living is new to me, this walk makes for a wonderful change-of-pace and helps with the SUNSHINE FACTOR, which I have been reading much about lately. Seems alot of humanity's ills could be cured by spending more time outside. Vitamin D is absolutely essential for good health.
By the way, whoever started the rumor that the sun was bad for us??? Read this article and maybe, if you've been avoiding the sun (you know, with lots of suncreen and sunglasses) you'll let your skin, the largest organ on your body, get what it needs and deserves. Anyway.......................here's one article from Dr. Mercola's sight:
www.mercola.com/
"VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THE IMPORTANCE
OF VITAMIN D AND SUN"
Vitamin D deficiency is a major problem in the United States but many Americans are not aware that they may be lacking this important nutrient. Although word is beginning to leak out even among the traditional medical community, testing for vitamin D will not skyrocket like cholesterol or other testing because there is no expensive drug to push, thus making the public more aware.
It is essential to understand that in order to know how much vitamin D you should be taking, you should get your blood level checked. Unfortunately, very few doctors do the blood test for vitamin D. You can't rely on the media to expose the issue. If and when they do, it will be too late for most of you and you will have suffered decreased bone density and an increased risk of many cancers. But you don't have to wait for the media.
You can read my article on vitamin D testing and get up-to-date on this important topic before it is too late. Unless you are getting significant sun exposure on large amounts of your skin, in fact, I would advise reading the article right now.
Vitamin D is such an important topic that we recently conducted an exclusive interview with one of the top vitamin D researchers in the world, William B. Grant, Ph.D. Here you will get the insights of someone who is on the cutting edge of vitamin D research and knowledgeable about the importance of sun exposure for health. Taking a few minutes to read through the information below will broaden your understanding of this important issue to help you reach higher levels of health.
also, you can go to this article:
http://www.signs-of-the-times.org/articles/show/137333-Sunshine+%27protective%27+against+ms
or this article:
http://www.mercola.com/2005/jul/5/sunshine_vitamin_d_htm
and this:
http://www.mercola.com/2005/jun/7/sun_vitamind.htm
which says in part:
"CRITICS NOW ACCEPT THE SUN AS YOUR HEALTHIEST
SOURCE OF VITAMIN D"
Evidence continues to mount in support of the obvious link between vitamin D and getting the right amount of sunshine so the body can naturally produce it. And unlike other medical fads that boomed and bombed, this evidence is strong and keeps growing.
In fact, the concept questions the longstanding conventional belief that people need to coat themselves with sunscreen whenever they're in the sun.
The "Sunshine Vitamin"
Vitamin D bears the nickname the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin produces it from ultraviolet rays. Researchers believe slapping on sunscreen may actually contribute to far more cancer deaths than it prevents as doing so blocks this vital vitamin production.
Thus, while dermatologists and health agencies have long touted that such lotions are needed to prevent skin cancer, some scientists are now challenging that advice. Their main argument: Vitamin D is important for preventing and treating many types of cancer; studies have found it helped protect against lymphoma, as well as cancers of the:
Prostate
Lung
Skin
Colon
In fact, one Harvard professor offered such compelling evidence in a recent study -- vitamin D may prevent 30 deaths for each one caused by skin cancer -- that the American Cancer Society is now reconsidering its own sun guidelines.................
So, if you've read this far, hopefully your interest has been stirred up a bit to check out more on sunshine and vitamin d.
And, here's to your good health.
~ The Mediator
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
THE DESTRUCTION OF AMERICA
Next year I'll be 60 years old. I'm healthy, look younger than my age, have great work experience and for the first time in my life - I'm unemployed. I've been sending out resume's with 'no responses' to any of them. Just last night, I saw an old friend, we were both talking about the difficulties of becoming part of the 'senior' (whatever that means) generation. She offered me one good bit of advice that I had not thought of..............eliminate the DATES on your resume. Just list your work experiences. That's how she got her job.
Considering that most manufacturing has left the USofA and most other jobs are easily outsourced overseas and with immigrants offering up their services for less than us 'merican workers..............jobs are getting harder and harder to come by. And I don't think it all has to do solely with my a.g.e.
So read the following article. It can be read in it's entirety here:
http://www.counterpunch.org/roberts06252007.html
And to Its Fabled Economy
Goodbye to the City on the Hill
By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
America is being destroyed. Many Americans are unaware, others are indifferent, and some intend it.
The destruction is across the board: the political and constitutional system, the economy, social institutions including the family itself, citizenship, and the character and morality of the American people.
Those who rely on the Internet for information are aware that the Bush regime has successfully assaulted the separation of powers and civil liberty. Both Bush and Cheney claim that they are not bound by laws that impinge on their freedom of action or that interfere with their ideas of the power of their offices. Bush has issued presidential directives that permit him to make himself a dictator by declaring a national emergency. Cheney asserts that his handling of secret documents is not subject to oversight or investigation or bound by a presidential order governing the protection of classified information.
The foundation of social organization--marriage, family, and parental control over children--is disintegrating.
Mass unassimilated and illegal immigration has destroyed the meaning of American citizenship and forced large numbers of Americans into unemployment. For example, Steve Camarota at the Center for Immigration Studies reported on June 20 that state employment data show that in the first six years of the 21st century 218,000 high school graduates in the state of Georgia have been employment-displaced by immigrants. Moreover, wages have stagnated, putting the lie to the claim that there is a shortage of workers. If there were a labor shortage, wages would be bid up and rising.
Many Americans are unconcerned that the US government in behalf of an undeclared agenda has invaded two countries, killed hundreds of thousands of foreign civilians, produced 4 million Iraqi refugees, rejected the Geneva Conventions and reverted to medieval torture dungeons. It does not trouble them that their government blocked ceasefires and UN resolutions so that Israel could bomb and murder Lebanese civilians and destroy the country's infrastructure.
Americans, whose ethical behavior toward others was once reinforced by having to look oneself in the mirror, now have a different ethos. Many cannot look themselves in the mirror unless they have pulled a fast one and advanced themselves at someone else's expense. It is not only crooked prosecutors, such as Michael Nifong, who get their jollies from destroying their fellow citizens.
A google search will call up enough information to make the case for these points many times over. However, the destruction of the US economy, though far advanced, is still largely unknown. It is to this subject that we turn.
For a number of years Charles McMillion of MBG Information Services and I have documented from BLS nonfarm payroll jobs data that the US economy in the 21st century no longer creates net new jobs in tradable goods and services. In the 21st century, job growth in "the world's only superpower" has a definite third world flavor. US job growth has been limited to domestic services that cannot be moved offshore, such as waitresses and bartenders and health and social services.
These are not jobs that comprise ladders of upward mobility. Income inequality is worsening, and education is no longer the answer.
The problem is that middle class jobs, both in manufacturing and in professional occupations such as engineering, are being offshored as corporations replace their American workforces with foreigners. I have called jobs offshoring "virtual immigration."
The latest bombshell is that even those professional jobs that remain located in America are not safe. There is a vast industry of immigration law firms that enable American corporations to replace their American workers with foreigners brought in on work visas............................
~ The Mediator
Considering that most manufacturing has left the USofA and most other jobs are easily outsourced overseas and with immigrants offering up their services for less than us 'merican workers..............jobs are getting harder and harder to come by. And I don't think it all has to do solely with my a.g.e.
So read the following article. It can be read in it's entirety here:
http://www.counterpunch.org/roberts06252007.html
And to Its Fabled Economy
Goodbye to the City on the Hill
By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
America is being destroyed. Many Americans are unaware, others are indifferent, and some intend it.
The destruction is across the board: the political and constitutional system, the economy, social institutions including the family itself, citizenship, and the character and morality of the American people.
Those who rely on the Internet for information are aware that the Bush regime has successfully assaulted the separation of powers and civil liberty. Both Bush and Cheney claim that they are not bound by laws that impinge on their freedom of action or that interfere with their ideas of the power of their offices. Bush has issued presidential directives that permit him to make himself a dictator by declaring a national emergency. Cheney asserts that his handling of secret documents is not subject to oversight or investigation or bound by a presidential order governing the protection of classified information.
The foundation of social organization--marriage, family, and parental control over children--is disintegrating.
Mass unassimilated and illegal immigration has destroyed the meaning of American citizenship and forced large numbers of Americans into unemployment. For example, Steve Camarota at the Center for Immigration Studies reported on June 20 that state employment data show that in the first six years of the 21st century 218,000 high school graduates in the state of Georgia have been employment-displaced by immigrants. Moreover, wages have stagnated, putting the lie to the claim that there is a shortage of workers. If there were a labor shortage, wages would be bid up and rising.
Many Americans are unconcerned that the US government in behalf of an undeclared agenda has invaded two countries, killed hundreds of thousands of foreign civilians, produced 4 million Iraqi refugees, rejected the Geneva Conventions and reverted to medieval torture dungeons. It does not trouble them that their government blocked ceasefires and UN resolutions so that Israel could bomb and murder Lebanese civilians and destroy the country's infrastructure.
Americans, whose ethical behavior toward others was once reinforced by having to look oneself in the mirror, now have a different ethos. Many cannot look themselves in the mirror unless they have pulled a fast one and advanced themselves at someone else's expense. It is not only crooked prosecutors, such as Michael Nifong, who get their jollies from destroying their fellow citizens.
A google search will call up enough information to make the case for these points many times over. However, the destruction of the US economy, though far advanced, is still largely unknown. It is to this subject that we turn.
For a number of years Charles McMillion of MBG Information Services and I have documented from BLS nonfarm payroll jobs data that the US economy in the 21st century no longer creates net new jobs in tradable goods and services. In the 21st century, job growth in "the world's only superpower" has a definite third world flavor. US job growth has been limited to domestic services that cannot be moved offshore, such as waitresses and bartenders and health and social services.
These are not jobs that comprise ladders of upward mobility. Income inequality is worsening, and education is no longer the answer.
The problem is that middle class jobs, both in manufacturing and in professional occupations such as engineering, are being offshored as corporations replace their American workforces with foreigners. I have called jobs offshoring "virtual immigration."
The latest bombshell is that even those professional jobs that remain located in America are not safe. There is a vast industry of immigration law firms that enable American corporations to replace their American workers with foreigners brought in on work visas............................
~ The Mediator
Monday, June 25, 2007
GREAT ANALOGY OF 'WHAT IS A SOCIOPATH'
Sometimes I find it difficult to explain OR introduce a new concept to people about that "other species" we share this planet with: sociopaths/psychopaths.
The article below gives a great visual for anyone wanting to get a better grip on understanding what humanity is up against. Think of it as the 'end-times' games that are being played out by a group of so-called people who have NO CONscience.
Now I have also read this wonderful book: The Sociopath Next Door, by Martha Stout. And would highly recommend this book to anyone - and to your children before they start dating, go off to college, or if you just want to prepare your family for the inevitable: YOU WILL, AT SOME POINT (IF NOT ALREADY) INTERACT WITH 'THESE PEOPLE' who make up at least 6 percent of our population.
This article below, "If The Sociopath Is Next Door - Move Upstairs" is reproduced in it's entirety. But, for a more rounded education on sociopathic behavior/psychopathic behavior, you can visit this well informed website:
http://www.sott.org/
But now..............read on:
If The Sociopath Is Next Door - Move Upstairs
by Keit,
SOTT editor
Sun, 24 Jun 2007 04:22 EDT
I recently finished reading "The Sociopath Next Door" by Martha Stout Ph.D. and wanted to share with you some realizations. I hope they are helpful.
Before reading the final pages of the book, I was sure that the idea that psychopaths are NOT like most of other people was pretty much "accepted" in my mind. I was sure that I "understood" it intellectually, even if I did not "believe" it 100% yet. Well, somehow, those few final pages organized everything in my mind, and the realization is profound and shocking: psychopaths ARE different. I'll try to explain what I've understood.
First, some words from Laura Knight-Jadczyk about the importance of "believing":
"Today it came to me: The biggest problem most of us have (yours truly included) is BELIEVING that there can be human looking beings that are simply not human inside, or are deviant from normal humans, or cannot be fixed, or whatever.
We keep wanting to try this or that or the other thing because in our heart of hearts, we do not WANT to believe it. We do not want to acknowledge that our reality is that cruel, that human beings are not at the top of the food chain, that there ARE different sub-species of human beings that prey on other sub-species.
It's just too damn far out.
And that is because we have been taught something entirely different from infancy, and so we can't BELIEVE it.
What is so important about understanding it this way?
What I notice is that many of you still do not "believe" it and you have not reached that point where you have nothing to lose to try a different hypothesis of reality. You continue on every day in low-level interactions with teensy tinesy petty tyrants and don't really believe that quite a number of them could, just possibly, be intra-species predators... It's all theoretical and interesting and all that, but not really real. It is not part of your BELIEF.
And your belief about reality which is shaped by psychopaths seeking to conceal their existence and reality and control is still a LIE. And as long as you continue to believe a lie, you are blocked from the cascade of events that can transpire if the "truth" binds to your psychic receptors.
When I first read the above comments, I hadn't yet read the book, and I have to admit that my understanding of psychopaths being "different" was mainly theoretical, even if I had lot of opportunities to observe their nature and experience it in the flesh. But it didn't "click" until I finished "The Sociopath Next Door".
Here is a quote from the book that made all the difference. It is a story about Tillie - the female psychopath next door. Notice her thinking processes.
Fred takes the light out of his pocket, holds it close to the ground, and turns it on. After a few moments, they find the melon-size rock, somewhat more easily than they could have hoped, because the rock is smooth and white and the surrounding earth is dark. Catherine exhales and pushes a loose strand of hair behind her left ear. She and Fred bend down and lift the rock together, revealing a surprisingly small hole in the ground, considering it is used by a fat little groundhog.
Catherine has an impulse to shine the penlight into the hole to check on its occupant. But then she realizes that she will not see much and that she may scare the animal.
Arm in arm, whispering and containing their laughter, she and Fred stumble home.
Tillie does not see them. As they return from their mission, she has already been drinking and sulking for several hours, as usual. She sits on a sofa in her living room and pours herself glasses of Glenlivet, trying to drown out the monotony of her life and the idiots she continually has to deal with. The only thing that makes this evening different from any other is the accumulation of packing boxes now stacked around her.
Inside her drunken fog, she congratulates herself on her brilliant idea not to put up a "FOR SALE" sign this time. She thinks, "I'll take those cretins by surprise. Their stupid mouths will gape."
The good-for-nothing real estate agent keeps telling her that not using a sign is shooting herself in the foot, and that he really thinks she should wait for a higher offer. This buyer came in under her price. But Tillie cannot wait. She has never liked waiting. She will have her moment, and her moment will be tomorrow morning. And then everyone in this whole horrible neighborhood will be in complete shock about her move. She is sure of it. The agent does not understand why secrecy matters, but he is a fool, so why listen to him? She has taken losses before when she wanted to get out of the house fast. "It's all in the game", she thinks to herself, "All in the game. You can't stay in a place where people won't listen to you. And giving them a parting shot is extremely important."
Nothing is very interesting, really. Suffocating the rodent [by placing a rock over the burrow opening] was okay for a few minutes, and she hopes Catherine was watching. Catherine would have a stroke. But then that project was over, and there was nothing else to do. She cannot imagine what these absurd people on all sides of her do that seems to occupy them so completely as they scurry about their little lives. They must have brains the size of peas.
In the house up the hill, Greta has the weekend off, and she and Jerry sleep late. When they slowly rouse themselves and go out to the sunroom to drink their coffee, they notice a big moving truck in Tillie's driveway.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" Jerry asks, staring at the truck. "Or are we in bed, dreaming?" "Got to be dreaming," says Greta, also staring. "I never saw a sign. Did you ever see a sign over there?" "Nope"
Just now, two men wearing canvas coveralls come out of Tillie's house, each carrying one end of a sofa. Greta and Jerry look at each other and begin to laugh. Jerry laughs so hard, he spills some of his coffee.
Greta asks him, "Why do you suppose she kept it a secret?" "Why does she do anything? But it doesn't matter anymore, does it? Unbelievable."
Greta is thoughtful for a moment, and then says, "How old do you suppose she is?" "I don't know. Not young." "I wonder whether she ever had any children. Oh wow. Can you imagine being one of her children?" "Worse yet, can you imagine being her?" "So do you think we should feel sorry for her?" Greta asks.
Jerry grins and waves his hand dismissively at the furniture-moving scene in the distance, "Well, I am not sure sweetheart. But if we're going to feel sorry for her, let's do it over breakfast, okay? Remember that strudel?"
"Yes!" says Greta, smacking her lips. She picks up both coffee mugs, and they abandon the view from the sunroom, for the pastry in the kitchen.
Since they are in the house next door to Tillie's, Catherine and Fred also notice the activities of the men from the moving truck, and wonder why they never saw a FOR SALE sign or heard from Tillie that she was moving. Fred rolls his eyes again, and Catherine shakes her head. But then they are distracted by another phone call, this one from their daughter and son-in-law, who say that in two weeks they and four-year-old Katie are flying out for another visit. Catherine is beside herself with excitement, and Tillie's moving day, still in progress outside is forgotten.
As Tillie said: it is "all in the game". All thinking capabilities are busy observing and calculating the outcome. There are no disruptions from those silly and foreign "things" called emotions. Tillie saw emotions as buffers, interferences, something her stupid neighbors didn't know how to get rid off. Tillie's thinking process is so drastically different from her neighbors, the only thing they can do afterwards is shake their heads while witnessing such absurdity.
But for Tillie this thinking is not absurd. It is crystal clear and obvious. She sees everything around her as a game, chess maybe. And all the people are chess pieces, and her life goal is to win the game and gain the maximum power she can gain. There is nothing above this goal.
And there is this boredom. Tillie must be so frustrated that those stupid neighbors don't "dance" to her tune, and she gets only short pleasure from time to time.
But what does she do, and how does she see it?
Imagine a very strange and lazy person sitting near an ant hill. He has been sitting there for a very long time and is extremely bored (too lazy to get up and go somewhere else). He takes a small tree branch and sticks it into the middle of the ant hill and thinks: "Oh, cool! Those tiny creatures started to move. Not boring! Lets see what will happen if I do this", and he disrupts the hill structure a little bit more. "Oh, this is just great! All this action, and I am the one who controls it. Definitely not boring. What a great way to spend time". And he continues to play with the ants, each time inventing new ways to torture them and entertain himself. After a while all the ants are either dead or have left the place. It is boring again.
Luckily for this person, some tourists just happen to be in the area, and this strange person decides to see if he can play with them as with the ants. Apparently it is so easy, they don't have a clue! Not boring again.
So from Tillie's point of view it was very important that Catherine would watch Tillie throwing the stone onto the groundhogs burrow door, without it there is no fun, only boredom.
Catherine's strong reaction is fun, because Tillie is the one who makes her squirm and feel this emotional chaos inside. "Oh, this is so invigorating!" It is the game, and Tillie is the master player. She knows exactly what makes people tick. This is easy for her, and she cannot understand how stupid others can be for not getting it. The thrill of winning is all that counts.
So after realizing this, it is very easy to understand why she decided to keep her moving as a secret.
She wanted to poke the human ant hill one last time. She wanted to make them run frantically, with confusion in their minds. And Tillie as a "game master" is the reason for this chaos. She introduced this unexpected event into their lives, and now she will enjoy seeing them coping with the consequences.
If Tillie was less lazy, she could be some municipal clerk, making decisions on who will get registration papers and who will not. Oh, it could be a thrill. To see people crying after telling them that their papers are lost and the date for appeal is expired! What chaos, what fun! She could hold the control keys to their lives in her hands. She could do even so much more if she could be president.
And this in fact is what is happening. We are those ants, at the mercy of strange bored creatures, who are not able to grasp the thing called "emotion" or "conscience" or "empathy". This is who they are - soulless game masters. We cannot outsmart them in direct confrontation, because all their thinking capabilities go into calculating and analyzing our natures - we just will make them more thrilled from an opportunity to play the game with engaging ants. But we can fight them still, by learning their natures and avoiding being their "ants" - learning not to play the game. We must learn how to be above the game, a concept that they simply cannot grasp.
Maybe that is why psychopaths have an ability to "sense" wounded souls, people who were hurt in childhood and are generally more susceptible to manipulation. They are much more fun than "healthy" ants! Every tiny suggestion creates chaos in a wounded mind, they can be shaped so easily - a rich source of "fun".
All of this reminded me of a dialog from a great movie "The Fifth Element", between the psychopathic character of Zorg, and the Priest:
Zorg: It's nice to see you again, Father.
Priest Vito Cornelius: Ah, I remember you now. The so-called art dealer.
Zorg: I'm glad you got your memory back. Because you're gonna need it.
[directs his men out of the office]
Zorg: Where are the stones?
Priest Vito Cornelius: I don't know. And even if I did know, I wouldn't tell somebody like you.
Zorg: Why? What's wrong with me?
Priest Vito Cornelius: I try to serve life. But you only... seem to want to destroy it.
Zorg: Oh, Father, you're so wrong. Let me explain.
[closes office door, places an empty glass on desk]
Zorg: Life, which you so nobly serve, comes from destruction, disorder and chaos. Take this empty glass. Here it is, peaceful, serene and boring. But if it is...
[pushes glass off table]
Zorg: destroyed...
[robot cleaners move to clean broken glass]
Zorg: Look at all these little things. So busy now. Notice how each one is useful. What a lovely ballet ensues so full of form and color. Now, think about all those people that created them. Technicians, engineers, hundreds of people who'll be able to feed their children tonight so those children can grow up big and strong and have little teeny weeny children of their own, and so on and so forth. Thus, adding to the great chain... of life.
[Desk prepares a glass of water and a bowl of fruit]
Zorg: You see, Father, by creating a little destruction, I'm actually encouraging life. In reality, you and I are in the same business. Cheers.
[drinks water with cherry, only to choke on cherry stuck in throat. Zorg frantically presses all buttons on his desk in an attempt to get something to clear his throat]
Priest Vito Cornelius: Where's the robot to pat you in the back? Or the engineer? Or their children, maybe?
[Desk brings out Zorg's pet Picasso; Zorg motions it to try and help him]
Priest Vito Cornelius: There, you see how all your so-called power counts for absolutely nothing? How your entire empire of destruction comes crashing down. All because of one little... cherry.
[Slaps Zorg in the back, causing him to spit the cherry at Picasso]
Zorg: [opens doors, throws Cornelius to guards] You saved my life, and in return, I'll spare yours... for now.
Priest Vito Cornelius: You're a monster, Zorg.
Zorg: I know.
[directs guards to take Cornelius away]
Zorg: [snaps fingers] Torture who you have to. The President, I don't care. Just bring me those stones. You have one hour.
The article below gives a great visual for anyone wanting to get a better grip on understanding what humanity is up against. Think of it as the 'end-times' games that are being played out by a group of so-called people who have NO CONscience.
Now I have also read this wonderful book: The Sociopath Next Door, by Martha Stout. And would highly recommend this book to anyone - and to your children before they start dating, go off to college, or if you just want to prepare your family for the inevitable: YOU WILL, AT SOME POINT (IF NOT ALREADY) INTERACT WITH 'THESE PEOPLE' who make up at least 6 percent of our population.
This article below, "If The Sociopath Is Next Door - Move Upstairs" is reproduced in it's entirety. But, for a more rounded education on sociopathic behavior/psychopathic behavior, you can visit this well informed website:
http://www.sott.org/
But now..............read on:
If The Sociopath Is Next Door - Move Upstairs
by Keit,
SOTT editor
Sun, 24 Jun 2007 04:22 EDT
I recently finished reading "The Sociopath Next Door" by Martha Stout Ph.D. and wanted to share with you some realizations. I hope they are helpful.
Before reading the final pages of the book, I was sure that the idea that psychopaths are NOT like most of other people was pretty much "accepted" in my mind. I was sure that I "understood" it intellectually, even if I did not "believe" it 100% yet. Well, somehow, those few final pages organized everything in my mind, and the realization is profound and shocking: psychopaths ARE different. I'll try to explain what I've understood.
First, some words from Laura Knight-Jadczyk about the importance of "believing":
"Today it came to me: The biggest problem most of us have (yours truly included) is BELIEVING that there can be human looking beings that are simply not human inside, or are deviant from normal humans, or cannot be fixed, or whatever.
We keep wanting to try this or that or the other thing because in our heart of hearts, we do not WANT to believe it. We do not want to acknowledge that our reality is that cruel, that human beings are not at the top of the food chain, that there ARE different sub-species of human beings that prey on other sub-species.
It's just too damn far out.
And that is because we have been taught something entirely different from infancy, and so we can't BELIEVE it.
What is so important about understanding it this way?
What I notice is that many of you still do not "believe" it and you have not reached that point where you have nothing to lose to try a different hypothesis of reality. You continue on every day in low-level interactions with teensy tinesy petty tyrants and don't really believe that quite a number of them could, just possibly, be intra-species predators... It's all theoretical and interesting and all that, but not really real. It is not part of your BELIEF.
And your belief about reality which is shaped by psychopaths seeking to conceal their existence and reality and control is still a LIE. And as long as you continue to believe a lie, you are blocked from the cascade of events that can transpire if the "truth" binds to your psychic receptors.
When I first read the above comments, I hadn't yet read the book, and I have to admit that my understanding of psychopaths being "different" was mainly theoretical, even if I had lot of opportunities to observe their nature and experience it in the flesh. But it didn't "click" until I finished "The Sociopath Next Door".
Here is a quote from the book that made all the difference. It is a story about Tillie - the female psychopath next door. Notice her thinking processes.
Fred takes the light out of his pocket, holds it close to the ground, and turns it on. After a few moments, they find the melon-size rock, somewhat more easily than they could have hoped, because the rock is smooth and white and the surrounding earth is dark. Catherine exhales and pushes a loose strand of hair behind her left ear. She and Fred bend down and lift the rock together, revealing a surprisingly small hole in the ground, considering it is used by a fat little groundhog.
Catherine has an impulse to shine the penlight into the hole to check on its occupant. But then she realizes that she will not see much and that she may scare the animal.
Arm in arm, whispering and containing their laughter, she and Fred stumble home.
Tillie does not see them. As they return from their mission, she has already been drinking and sulking for several hours, as usual. She sits on a sofa in her living room and pours herself glasses of Glenlivet, trying to drown out the monotony of her life and the idiots she continually has to deal with. The only thing that makes this evening different from any other is the accumulation of packing boxes now stacked around her.
Inside her drunken fog, she congratulates herself on her brilliant idea not to put up a "FOR SALE" sign this time. She thinks, "I'll take those cretins by surprise. Their stupid mouths will gape."
The good-for-nothing real estate agent keeps telling her that not using a sign is shooting herself in the foot, and that he really thinks she should wait for a higher offer. This buyer came in under her price. But Tillie cannot wait. She has never liked waiting. She will have her moment, and her moment will be tomorrow morning. And then everyone in this whole horrible neighborhood will be in complete shock about her move. She is sure of it. The agent does not understand why secrecy matters, but he is a fool, so why listen to him? She has taken losses before when she wanted to get out of the house fast. "It's all in the game", she thinks to herself, "All in the game. You can't stay in a place where people won't listen to you. And giving them a parting shot is extremely important."
Nothing is very interesting, really. Suffocating the rodent [by placing a rock over the burrow opening] was okay for a few minutes, and she hopes Catherine was watching. Catherine would have a stroke. But then that project was over, and there was nothing else to do. She cannot imagine what these absurd people on all sides of her do that seems to occupy them so completely as they scurry about their little lives. They must have brains the size of peas.
In the house up the hill, Greta has the weekend off, and she and Jerry sleep late. When they slowly rouse themselves and go out to the sunroom to drink their coffee, they notice a big moving truck in Tillie's driveway.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" Jerry asks, staring at the truck. "Or are we in bed, dreaming?" "Got to be dreaming," says Greta, also staring. "I never saw a sign. Did you ever see a sign over there?" "Nope"
Just now, two men wearing canvas coveralls come out of Tillie's house, each carrying one end of a sofa. Greta and Jerry look at each other and begin to laugh. Jerry laughs so hard, he spills some of his coffee.
Greta asks him, "Why do you suppose she kept it a secret?" "Why does she do anything? But it doesn't matter anymore, does it? Unbelievable."
Greta is thoughtful for a moment, and then says, "How old do you suppose she is?" "I don't know. Not young." "I wonder whether she ever had any children. Oh wow. Can you imagine being one of her children?" "Worse yet, can you imagine being her?" "So do you think we should feel sorry for her?" Greta asks.
Jerry grins and waves his hand dismissively at the furniture-moving scene in the distance, "Well, I am not sure sweetheart. But if we're going to feel sorry for her, let's do it over breakfast, okay? Remember that strudel?"
"Yes!" says Greta, smacking her lips. She picks up both coffee mugs, and they abandon the view from the sunroom, for the pastry in the kitchen.
Since they are in the house next door to Tillie's, Catherine and Fred also notice the activities of the men from the moving truck, and wonder why they never saw a FOR SALE sign or heard from Tillie that she was moving. Fred rolls his eyes again, and Catherine shakes her head. But then they are distracted by another phone call, this one from their daughter and son-in-law, who say that in two weeks they and four-year-old Katie are flying out for another visit. Catherine is beside herself with excitement, and Tillie's moving day, still in progress outside is forgotten.
As Tillie said: it is "all in the game". All thinking capabilities are busy observing and calculating the outcome. There are no disruptions from those silly and foreign "things" called emotions. Tillie saw emotions as buffers, interferences, something her stupid neighbors didn't know how to get rid off. Tillie's thinking process is so drastically different from her neighbors, the only thing they can do afterwards is shake their heads while witnessing such absurdity.
But for Tillie this thinking is not absurd. It is crystal clear and obvious. She sees everything around her as a game, chess maybe. And all the people are chess pieces, and her life goal is to win the game and gain the maximum power she can gain. There is nothing above this goal.
And there is this boredom. Tillie must be so frustrated that those stupid neighbors don't "dance" to her tune, and she gets only short pleasure from time to time.
But what does she do, and how does she see it?
Imagine a very strange and lazy person sitting near an ant hill. He has been sitting there for a very long time and is extremely bored (too lazy to get up and go somewhere else). He takes a small tree branch and sticks it into the middle of the ant hill and thinks: "Oh, cool! Those tiny creatures started to move. Not boring! Lets see what will happen if I do this", and he disrupts the hill structure a little bit more. "Oh, this is just great! All this action, and I am the one who controls it. Definitely not boring. What a great way to spend time". And he continues to play with the ants, each time inventing new ways to torture them and entertain himself. After a while all the ants are either dead or have left the place. It is boring again.
Luckily for this person, some tourists just happen to be in the area, and this strange person decides to see if he can play with them as with the ants. Apparently it is so easy, they don't have a clue! Not boring again.
So from Tillie's point of view it was very important that Catherine would watch Tillie throwing the stone onto the groundhogs burrow door, without it there is no fun, only boredom.
Catherine's strong reaction is fun, because Tillie is the one who makes her squirm and feel this emotional chaos inside. "Oh, this is so invigorating!" It is the game, and Tillie is the master player. She knows exactly what makes people tick. This is easy for her, and she cannot understand how stupid others can be for not getting it. The thrill of winning is all that counts.
So after realizing this, it is very easy to understand why she decided to keep her moving as a secret.
She wanted to poke the human ant hill one last time. She wanted to make them run frantically, with confusion in their minds. And Tillie as a "game master" is the reason for this chaos. She introduced this unexpected event into their lives, and now she will enjoy seeing them coping with the consequences.
If Tillie was less lazy, she could be some municipal clerk, making decisions on who will get registration papers and who will not. Oh, it could be a thrill. To see people crying after telling them that their papers are lost and the date for appeal is expired! What chaos, what fun! She could hold the control keys to their lives in her hands. She could do even so much more if she could be president.
And this in fact is what is happening. We are those ants, at the mercy of strange bored creatures, who are not able to grasp the thing called "emotion" or "conscience" or "empathy". This is who they are - soulless game masters. We cannot outsmart them in direct confrontation, because all their thinking capabilities go into calculating and analyzing our natures - we just will make them more thrilled from an opportunity to play the game with engaging ants. But we can fight them still, by learning their natures and avoiding being their "ants" - learning not to play the game. We must learn how to be above the game, a concept that they simply cannot grasp.
Maybe that is why psychopaths have an ability to "sense" wounded souls, people who were hurt in childhood and are generally more susceptible to manipulation. They are much more fun than "healthy" ants! Every tiny suggestion creates chaos in a wounded mind, they can be shaped so easily - a rich source of "fun".
All of this reminded me of a dialog from a great movie "The Fifth Element", between the psychopathic character of Zorg, and the Priest:
Zorg: It's nice to see you again, Father.
Priest Vito Cornelius: Ah, I remember you now. The so-called art dealer.
Zorg: I'm glad you got your memory back. Because you're gonna need it.
[directs his men out of the office]
Zorg: Where are the stones?
Priest Vito Cornelius: I don't know. And even if I did know, I wouldn't tell somebody like you.
Zorg: Why? What's wrong with me?
Priest Vito Cornelius: I try to serve life. But you only... seem to want to destroy it.
Zorg: Oh, Father, you're so wrong. Let me explain.
[closes office door, places an empty glass on desk]
Zorg: Life, which you so nobly serve, comes from destruction, disorder and chaos. Take this empty glass. Here it is, peaceful, serene and boring. But if it is...
[pushes glass off table]
Zorg: destroyed...
[robot cleaners move to clean broken glass]
Zorg: Look at all these little things. So busy now. Notice how each one is useful. What a lovely ballet ensues so full of form and color. Now, think about all those people that created them. Technicians, engineers, hundreds of people who'll be able to feed their children tonight so those children can grow up big and strong and have little teeny weeny children of their own, and so on and so forth. Thus, adding to the great chain... of life.
[Desk prepares a glass of water and a bowl of fruit]
Zorg: You see, Father, by creating a little destruction, I'm actually encouraging life. In reality, you and I are in the same business. Cheers.
[drinks water with cherry, only to choke on cherry stuck in throat. Zorg frantically presses all buttons on his desk in an attempt to get something to clear his throat]
Priest Vito Cornelius: Where's the robot to pat you in the back? Or the engineer? Or their children, maybe?
[Desk brings out Zorg's pet Picasso; Zorg motions it to try and help him]
Priest Vito Cornelius: There, you see how all your so-called power counts for absolutely nothing? How your entire empire of destruction comes crashing down. All because of one little... cherry.
[Slaps Zorg in the back, causing him to spit the cherry at Picasso]
Zorg: [opens doors, throws Cornelius to guards] You saved my life, and in return, I'll spare yours... for now.
Priest Vito Cornelius: You're a monster, Zorg.
Zorg: I know.
[directs guards to take Cornelius away]
Zorg: [snaps fingers] Torture who you have to. The President, I don't care. Just bring me those stones. You have one hour.
Monday, June 04, 2007
JUST A LITTLE VENTING.....IN A BACKWARDS UNIVERSE
I have a new job. I work in a Group Home for the physically and mentally challenged. I've come to enjoy the ladies I work with and the residents of the home I am working at. For the last few months that I've been working there, the job has provided me with some 'eye opening' information.
Part of me hoped that working for a non-profit organization would, in and of itself, be satisfying to my personality type. But sadly, it has proven to be an experience in total frustration. Here's why.
-The non-profit expects it's staff to integrate the individuals
into the community.
-The non-profit expects it's staff to find activities for the
individuals they work with.
-The non-profit expects it's staff to help the individuals they
work with to lose weight.
Now since I've had a good five months to observe how the organization runs, and have been told what is expected from me in the position I hold, let me tell you how I CANNOT SUCCEED AT MY JOB:
-Each individual I work with has a different level of functioning. Their verbal skills are still a challenge to me, never mind someone who has met them for the first time. Therefore when you live in a small city, with absolutely limited activities, where do you integrate 40, 50, and 60 year old people??? I have talked with my supervisor and mentioned that it would be so nice to have the non-profit rent, buy, a hall where these ladies and gentlemen can get together with their friends from work. How exciting for these individuals to be able to get out of the homes and visit in the evenings, on weekends with those that they are MOST comfortable with - their FRIENDS. But no, the non-profit says that is not their goal for these individuals........some of whom were raised in institutions. The goal of the non-profit is to integrate.
The individuals I work with constantly ask if they can see their friends, who also live in Group Homes owned and run by the same non-profit, but we are supposed to take those we are caring for and drag (sorry for my choice of words) them through Wal Mart, Mc'Donalds, etc.
One week, I found an Art Exhibit in our city that was free. I took the ladies there. We were all so out-of-place. But, the non-profit was happy that these individuals got to look at pictures and eat a cookie.
How would you like to spend your time after work, your weekends, with people you have NOTHING IN COMMON WITH ??? What if after work, after saying bye to your friends, you went home and staff said, we're going out tonight to spend time with people who only speak Pig-Latin. How much fun do you think these individuals have doing this week after week???
I know, only because I have a son with a disability. It has been hard to find places to integrate him into. And, my son is lucky because he has found a small nitch in our community where he is happy. But I don't think that a Group Home would be a safe and nurturing place for him.
Of course, the individuals I work with have the 'option' of NOT going out into the community. And, most of the time, they opt to stay home. They do not want to go somewhere just for the sake of 'going somewhere'.
-Next is the issue of 'loosing weight'. The individuals that I work with are older, they are ladies going or have already gone through menopause. They are overweight. They all visit the doctor twice a year for weight checks. At their last visit, they all put on two to four pounds. The manager of the house is upset, asking staff to make sure they discourage the ladies from eating between meals and no eating after supper. But ....... the key, in my humble opinion, is the meals they get. Most of the time, lunches are bologna sandwiches, sometimes tuna, and egg salad. Breakfast is always toast with artificial butter or generic cereals. And supper is rice-a-roni, noodles in boxes with cheese sauces, and a meat and a vegetable. That's it. Oh, they do get their fruit, it comes in little cans.
Now these ladies do not have desserts. They sometimes have granola bars for a snack in their lunches but that's about it. On rainy Saturdays I will bake cookies with the ladies, but that has been discouraged by the house manager, saying that we don't want to get them into any bad habits. I look for recipies that are low in fats & calories, but tasty. But I'm totally discouraged.
The ladies do not exercise. On weekends, we will take them for walks, but most of them will walk 50 feet and cry that their knees hurt, or are just tired and won't walk anymore. It is an exercise in frustration only.
So, what do I do. I have ideas, I present ideas to the appropriate people, the ideas are always po-poo'd as those in charge say they know better. They (those in charge) keep coming up with more and more rules.....more and more paperwork/documentation.
Like the title of this blog says, I'm venting. I left a job that was being overrun with narcissistic managers/bosses. And here I find myself faced with the same thing again - just different.
Sooooooooo, I just heard about this book, "Snakes in Suits", and I'm going down to the bookstore to get it pronto. I wanna know what it is I'm up against in this backwards world of ours ..... a world run by psychopaths.
~ The Mediator
Part of me hoped that working for a non-profit organization would, in and of itself, be satisfying to my personality type. But sadly, it has proven to be an experience in total frustration. Here's why.
-The non-profit expects it's staff to integrate the individuals
into the community.
-The non-profit expects it's staff to find activities for the
individuals they work with.
-The non-profit expects it's staff to help the individuals they
work with to lose weight.
Now since I've had a good five months to observe how the organization runs, and have been told what is expected from me in the position I hold, let me tell you how I CANNOT SUCCEED AT MY JOB:
-Each individual I work with has a different level of functioning. Their verbal skills are still a challenge to me, never mind someone who has met them for the first time. Therefore when you live in a small city, with absolutely limited activities, where do you integrate 40, 50, and 60 year old people??? I have talked with my supervisor and mentioned that it would be so nice to have the non-profit rent, buy, a hall where these ladies and gentlemen can get together with their friends from work. How exciting for these individuals to be able to get out of the homes and visit in the evenings, on weekends with those that they are MOST comfortable with - their FRIENDS. But no, the non-profit says that is not their goal for these individuals........some of whom were raised in institutions. The goal of the non-profit is to integrate.
The individuals I work with constantly ask if they can see their friends, who also live in Group Homes owned and run by the same non-profit, but we are supposed to take those we are caring for and drag (sorry for my choice of words) them through Wal Mart, Mc'Donalds, etc.
One week, I found an Art Exhibit in our city that was free. I took the ladies there. We were all so out-of-place. But, the non-profit was happy that these individuals got to look at pictures and eat a cookie.
How would you like to spend your time after work, your weekends, with people you have NOTHING IN COMMON WITH ??? What if after work, after saying bye to your friends, you went home and staff said, we're going out tonight to spend time with people who only speak Pig-Latin. How much fun do you think these individuals have doing this week after week???
I know, only because I have a son with a disability. It has been hard to find places to integrate him into. And, my son is lucky because he has found a small nitch in our community where he is happy. But I don't think that a Group Home would be a safe and nurturing place for him.
Of course, the individuals I work with have the 'option' of NOT going out into the community. And, most of the time, they opt to stay home. They do not want to go somewhere just for the sake of 'going somewhere'.
-Next is the issue of 'loosing weight'. The individuals that I work with are older, they are ladies going or have already gone through menopause. They are overweight. They all visit the doctor twice a year for weight checks. At their last visit, they all put on two to four pounds. The manager of the house is upset, asking staff to make sure they discourage the ladies from eating between meals and no eating after supper. But ....... the key, in my humble opinion, is the meals they get. Most of the time, lunches are bologna sandwiches, sometimes tuna, and egg salad. Breakfast is always toast with artificial butter or generic cereals. And supper is rice-a-roni, noodles in boxes with cheese sauces, and a meat and a vegetable. That's it. Oh, they do get their fruit, it comes in little cans.
Now these ladies do not have desserts. They sometimes have granola bars for a snack in their lunches but that's about it. On rainy Saturdays I will bake cookies with the ladies, but that has been discouraged by the house manager, saying that we don't want to get them into any bad habits. I look for recipies that are low in fats & calories, but tasty. But I'm totally discouraged.
The ladies do not exercise. On weekends, we will take them for walks, but most of them will walk 50 feet and cry that their knees hurt, or are just tired and won't walk anymore. It is an exercise in frustration only.
So, what do I do. I have ideas, I present ideas to the appropriate people, the ideas are always po-poo'd as those in charge say they know better. They (those in charge) keep coming up with more and more rules.....more and more paperwork/documentation.
Like the title of this blog says, I'm venting. I left a job that was being overrun with narcissistic managers/bosses. And here I find myself faced with the same thing again - just different.
Sooooooooo, I just heard about this book, "Snakes in Suits", and I'm going down to the bookstore to get it pronto. I wanna know what it is I'm up against in this backwards world of ours ..... a world run by psychopaths.
~ The Mediator
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
NIGHTMARE 101.....
In my book, it's official....we're living in full 3D Nightmare 101. Don't need no stinkin 'reality tv' to entertain you, cause not too long from now, you'll be freakin living in all to real-reality.
Imagine you're working. Life seems good. Don't wanna rock the boat. Don't wanna get noticed. Keep quiet, keep your opinions to yourself. Be careful what you say, what you write, who you say it to, where you surf the net, what magazines you subscribe to, and what organizations you donate money to. EVERYTHING IS A SET-UP FOR FAILURE.
The World is being run amuck by psychopaths. If you want to understand more about how they have come to RUN_THE_WORLD, ya gotta read to the end of this article.
Guess I'm just feeling frustrated because of the following article I read at:
http://pressesc.com/01180202266_eevs also at:
http://www.sott.net/
(article (#1 below)
No jobs for US citizens without Homeland Security approval
Canada IFPMon, 28 May 2007 07:12 EDT
US citizens who apply for a job will need prior approval from Department of Homeland Security under the terms immigration bill passed by the Senate this week.
American Civil Liberties Union pointed out that the DHS's Employment Eligibility Verification System (EEVS) is error plagued and if the department makes a mistake in determining work eligibility, there will be virtually no way to challenge the error or recover lost wages due to the bill's prohibitions on judicial review.
Even current employees will need to obtain eligibility approval from the DHS Within 60 days of the Immigration Reform Act of 2006 becoming law.
"EEVS would be a financial and bureaucratic nightmare for both businesses and workers," said Timothy Sparapani, ACLU Legislative Counsel. "Under this already flawed program no one would be able to work in the U.S. without DHS approval - creating a 'No Work List' similar to the government's 'No Fly List.' We need immigration reform, but not at this cost."
The act allocates US$400 million for the implementation of the EEVS, but the Congressional Budgeting Office estimates the system to cost in excess of a billion dollars......................
What are you going to do when your name 'inadvertently' get on the NO WORK LIST??? How will you survive?? How will you support yourself and your family/children?? If you remember, it is almost impossible to get your name removed from the NO FLY LIST - nevermind the NO WORK LIST. That, my friends, will be IMPOSSIBLE.
And then I heard this on the radio this morning ... a story about three critically ill people who are doing a reality tv show in the Netherlands. They are competing for a terminally ill person's KIDNEY. You can find the entire article here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18918794/#storyContinued
(article # 2 below)
Dutch Show Has Kidney Donation Contest
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - A Dutch reality show that claims to be trying to draw attention to a shortage of organ donors said Tuesday it would go ahead with a program in which a terminally ill woman will choose a contestant to receive one of her kidneys.
The program, "Big Donor Show," has been attacked as unethical and tasteless. One member of the Dutch parliament suggested the government should block Friday's broadcast.
"We know that this program is super controversial and some people will think it's tasteless, but we think the reality is even more shocking and tasteless: waiting for an organ is just like playing the lottery," Laurens Drillich, chairman of the BNN network, said in a statement...................
Well, for further research on 'Ponerology' you can order the book "Political Ponerology by Andrew Lobaczewski published by Red Pill Press or check out:
http://ponerology.blogspot.com/
http://www.cassiopaea.org/cass/political_ponerology_lobaczewski.htm
http://www.sott.net/
~ The Mediator
Imagine you're working. Life seems good. Don't wanna rock the boat. Don't wanna get noticed. Keep quiet, keep your opinions to yourself. Be careful what you say, what you write, who you say it to, where you surf the net, what magazines you subscribe to, and what organizations you donate money to. EVERYTHING IS A SET-UP FOR FAILURE.
The World is being run amuck by psychopaths. If you want to understand more about how they have come to RUN_THE_WORLD, ya gotta read to the end of this article.
Guess I'm just feeling frustrated because of the following article I read at:
http://pressesc.com/01180202266_eevs also at:
http://www.sott.net/
(article (#1 below)
No jobs for US citizens without Homeland Security approval
Canada IFPMon, 28 May 2007 07:12 EDT
US citizens who apply for a job will need prior approval from Department of Homeland Security under the terms immigration bill passed by the Senate this week.
American Civil Liberties Union pointed out that the DHS's Employment Eligibility Verification System (EEVS) is error plagued and if the department makes a mistake in determining work eligibility, there will be virtually no way to challenge the error or recover lost wages due to the bill's prohibitions on judicial review.
Even current employees will need to obtain eligibility approval from the DHS Within 60 days of the Immigration Reform Act of 2006 becoming law.
"EEVS would be a financial and bureaucratic nightmare for both businesses and workers," said Timothy Sparapani, ACLU Legislative Counsel. "Under this already flawed program no one would be able to work in the U.S. without DHS approval - creating a 'No Work List' similar to the government's 'No Fly List.' We need immigration reform, but not at this cost."
The act allocates US$400 million for the implementation of the EEVS, but the Congressional Budgeting Office estimates the system to cost in excess of a billion dollars......................
What are you going to do when your name 'inadvertently' get on the NO WORK LIST??? How will you survive?? How will you support yourself and your family/children?? If you remember, it is almost impossible to get your name removed from the NO FLY LIST - nevermind the NO WORK LIST. That, my friends, will be IMPOSSIBLE.
And then I heard this on the radio this morning ... a story about three critically ill people who are doing a reality tv show in the Netherlands. They are competing for a terminally ill person's KIDNEY. You can find the entire article here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18918794/#storyContinued
(article # 2 below)
Dutch Show Has Kidney Donation Contest
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - A Dutch reality show that claims to be trying to draw attention to a shortage of organ donors said Tuesday it would go ahead with a program in which a terminally ill woman will choose a contestant to receive one of her kidneys.
The program, "Big Donor Show," has been attacked as unethical and tasteless. One member of the Dutch parliament suggested the government should block Friday's broadcast.
"We know that this program is super controversial and some people will think it's tasteless, but we think the reality is even more shocking and tasteless: waiting for an organ is just like playing the lottery," Laurens Drillich, chairman of the BNN network, said in a statement...................
Well, for further research on 'Ponerology' you can order the book "Political Ponerology by Andrew Lobaczewski published by Red Pill Press or check out:
http://ponerology.blogspot.com/
http://www.cassiopaea.org/cass/political_ponerology_lobaczewski.htm
http://www.sott.net/
~ The Mediator
Monday, May 21, 2007
A SIMPLE TRUTH
There is a video I came across (always these things happen by accident - but there are no accidents !) which helped to brighten my day.
Not trying to be overly mushy about this one, but the one minute movie is called "The Simple Truths of Service" and is based on a true story of a young man who was born with Down's Syndrome. His job is a bagger for a grocery store and by his inspiration, transformed the way business was done where he worked.
As I have a son who was born with Down's Syndrome AND who is a bagger in a grocery store, I remind him every day - and this is something I have been doing since he was a child - that he is an Ambassador for all people who were born with Down's Syndrome, that his actions speak volumes and he must always be aware of how he conducts himself........with the utmost respect and responsibility.
Hope you will view this video and find the ability within to transform something about your life that you want to change. No act goes unnoticed.
http://www.stservicemovie.com/
~ The Mediator
Not trying to be overly mushy about this one, but the one minute movie is called "The Simple Truths of Service" and is based on a true story of a young man who was born with Down's Syndrome. His job is a bagger for a grocery store and by his inspiration, transformed the way business was done where he worked.
As I have a son who was born with Down's Syndrome AND who is a bagger in a grocery store, I remind him every day - and this is something I have been doing since he was a child - that he is an Ambassador for all people who were born with Down's Syndrome, that his actions speak volumes and he must always be aware of how he conducts himself........with the utmost respect and responsibility.
Hope you will view this video and find the ability within to transform something about your life that you want to change. No act goes unnoticed.
http://www.stservicemovie.com/
~ The Mediator
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Wake Up, Wake Up
Below is a great, great article. I am posting it here, because I want to read and re-read this again and again........to remind myself to WAKE UP.
Published on Friday, May 4, 2007
by CommonDreams.org
ONE DAY YOU'RE GONNA WAKE UP
by David Michael Green
One day you’re gonna wake up, America.
And, like every other one since last you can remember, it’s gonna be an ugly morning.
One day you’re gonna wake up and go to your lousy job with its lousy salary and non-existent benefits. You might even remember the good job you once had. Or that the government you once supported gave tax breaks to companies like the one that exported that good job of yours to the Third World (which is what they’re now starting to call your country). Or that that same government undermined the labor unions which fought to get you your good wages and benefits.
One day you’re gonna wake up and be furious at the monstrous tax burden you are carrying, a tab which accounts for fifty of the seventy hours you must work each week just to eke by. You might even figure out why your tax bill is so high. You might remember that the government you once supported shifted the tax burden from the rich onto people like you, and from the taxpayers of the time onto those of today. And that they borrowed money in astonishing quantities to fund their sleight-of-hand, so that you work thirty hours a week just to pay the interest on a mountain of money borrowed decades ago.
One day you’re gonna wake up in anger at the absurdly poor education your children are receiving. You’re gonna remember that it wasn’t always that way, that even after the military’s voracious appetite was temporarily sated, your country still managed to find a few bucks to at least educate a workforce. No more. And you’re gonna remember how you applauded when your educational system was twisted in to a test taking industry that is careful, above all, not to teach children how to think.
One day you’re gonna wake up literally sick and tired. You’re gonna want treatment for your maladies but you won’t be able to touch the cost. You’re gonna wonder what you were thinking when believed your country had the best healthcare system in the world, even though it was the only advanced democracy in the world that didn’t provide universal care, even though it devoted fifty percent more of its economy than those other countries to pay for a system that left fifty million people uninsured, and even though there were massive layers of unnecessary and harmful private sector bureaucracy skimming hundreds of billions of dollars of profits out of the system in the name of free enterprise.
One day you’re gonna wake up too tired to go to work anymore. You’re gonna want to retire in dignity but will be left instead to laugh bitterly at the cruelty of that joke. And you’re gonna wonder what in the world you had been thinking voting for a president who’s primary goal was to allow Wall Street to raid Social Security, destroying what had once been considered the most successful domestic program in human history.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wish that it wasn’t so bloody hot, and that there weren’t so many diseases and species eradications and violent storms lashing the planet. And maybe you’ll even remember that you once supported a government that lied about the very existence of global warming - back when it might have been curtailed - a government that scuttled the barest remedy for the problem in order to protect oil company profits.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wish you had a government that could simply and competently do the basic things it was designed for. A government that could protect you from foreign attack, that could come to your rescue after a devastating hurricane, that could properly manage a new program or other people’s security. An administration that didn’t pervert the purpose of every agency within the government to its opposite, using civil rights lawyers to fight civil rights, for example, or the EPA to protect polluters.
One day you’re gonna wake up and cry out for simple justice, blindly applied without bias. And perhaps you’ll remember when that principle died. When your country stood by and watched the politicization of its judicial system for purposes of partisanship, and said nothing. When it stood by and watched its highest law enforcement officials in the land lie about their failing memory of events and pretended to believe that was acceptable.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wish that you weren’t being drafted to go fight wars you don’t believe in. You’ll remember how soldiers were sent to their deaths for lies. You’ll remember how badly they were treated when they came home maimed and twisted. You’ll remember how real, patriotic, former soldiers were mocked and humiliated by dress-up, unpatriotic, former non-soldiers. And suddenly you’ll understand why no one would volunteer for the military anymore, and why people like you had to be drafted.
One day you’re gonna wake up and want very badly to run outside and scream in anger about a government that long ago stopped serving your interests in favor of the narrow interests of a tiny oligarchy. But instead you’ll stay inside and keep your scream tucked safely in your belly. Because you’ll know that in your country dissent has long since been outlawed, on pain of torture and death. You’ll remember concepts like due process, limitations on government search, seizure and wiretapping, habeas corpus, trial by peers, legal representation and prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment as historical artifacts no longer even taught in schools.
On day you’re gonna wake up and want so badly to change governments. You’re gonna treasure the concept of democracy like no Soviet dissident ever did. You’re gonna crave the opportunity to own your own government, to make your own societal choices, to make a change of direction never before so desperately necessary. And you’re gonna wonder why you didn’t speak up as you watched first-hand the dismantling of the democracy you had been handed by previous generations of patriots. You’re gonna wish you had been patriotic enough yourself to demand, above all else, free and fair elections, and you’re gonna shake your head in puzzlement at how you stood by watching in silence those that patently were not.
One day you’re gonna wake up and want to get the hell out of your rotting, repressive country. You’re gonna remember a time when that wasn’t true. But, oddly enough, you’ll find that other countries remember too. They’ll remember your country’s arrogance, its unilateralism, its walls, its racism, and its politicized abuse of immigrants. And they’ll remember how your government undermined and violently replaced theirs whenever corporations from your country had their profits threatened. You’re gonna want to leave, but there will be nowhere you’ll be welcome. You’re gonna find out that walls can face both directions.
READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE AT:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/04/962/
or you can go to:
http://www.sott.net
and read this, and additional fascinating topics from round the globe.
~ The Mediator
Published on Friday, May 4, 2007
by CommonDreams.org
ONE DAY YOU'RE GONNA WAKE UP
by David Michael Green
One day you’re gonna wake up, America.
And, like every other one since last you can remember, it’s gonna be an ugly morning.
One day you’re gonna wake up and go to your lousy job with its lousy salary and non-existent benefits. You might even remember the good job you once had. Or that the government you once supported gave tax breaks to companies like the one that exported that good job of yours to the Third World (which is what they’re now starting to call your country). Or that that same government undermined the labor unions which fought to get you your good wages and benefits.
One day you’re gonna wake up and be furious at the monstrous tax burden you are carrying, a tab which accounts for fifty of the seventy hours you must work each week just to eke by. You might even figure out why your tax bill is so high. You might remember that the government you once supported shifted the tax burden from the rich onto people like you, and from the taxpayers of the time onto those of today. And that they borrowed money in astonishing quantities to fund their sleight-of-hand, so that you work thirty hours a week just to pay the interest on a mountain of money borrowed decades ago.
One day you’re gonna wake up in anger at the absurdly poor education your children are receiving. You’re gonna remember that it wasn’t always that way, that even after the military’s voracious appetite was temporarily sated, your country still managed to find a few bucks to at least educate a workforce. No more. And you’re gonna remember how you applauded when your educational system was twisted in to a test taking industry that is careful, above all, not to teach children how to think.
One day you’re gonna wake up literally sick and tired. You’re gonna want treatment for your maladies but you won’t be able to touch the cost. You’re gonna wonder what you were thinking when believed your country had the best healthcare system in the world, even though it was the only advanced democracy in the world that didn’t provide universal care, even though it devoted fifty percent more of its economy than those other countries to pay for a system that left fifty million people uninsured, and even though there were massive layers of unnecessary and harmful private sector bureaucracy skimming hundreds of billions of dollars of profits out of the system in the name of free enterprise.
One day you’re gonna wake up too tired to go to work anymore. You’re gonna want to retire in dignity but will be left instead to laugh bitterly at the cruelty of that joke. And you’re gonna wonder what in the world you had been thinking voting for a president who’s primary goal was to allow Wall Street to raid Social Security, destroying what had once been considered the most successful domestic program in human history.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wish that it wasn’t so bloody hot, and that there weren’t so many diseases and species eradications and violent storms lashing the planet. And maybe you’ll even remember that you once supported a government that lied about the very existence of global warming - back when it might have been curtailed - a government that scuttled the barest remedy for the problem in order to protect oil company profits.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wish you had a government that could simply and competently do the basic things it was designed for. A government that could protect you from foreign attack, that could come to your rescue after a devastating hurricane, that could properly manage a new program or other people’s security. An administration that didn’t pervert the purpose of every agency within the government to its opposite, using civil rights lawyers to fight civil rights, for example, or the EPA to protect polluters.
One day you’re gonna wake up and cry out for simple justice, blindly applied without bias. And perhaps you’ll remember when that principle died. When your country stood by and watched the politicization of its judicial system for purposes of partisanship, and said nothing. When it stood by and watched its highest law enforcement officials in the land lie about their failing memory of events and pretended to believe that was acceptable.
One day you’re gonna wake up and wish that you weren’t being drafted to go fight wars you don’t believe in. You’ll remember how soldiers were sent to their deaths for lies. You’ll remember how badly they were treated when they came home maimed and twisted. You’ll remember how real, patriotic, former soldiers were mocked and humiliated by dress-up, unpatriotic, former non-soldiers. And suddenly you’ll understand why no one would volunteer for the military anymore, and why people like you had to be drafted.
One day you’re gonna wake up and want very badly to run outside and scream in anger about a government that long ago stopped serving your interests in favor of the narrow interests of a tiny oligarchy. But instead you’ll stay inside and keep your scream tucked safely in your belly. Because you’ll know that in your country dissent has long since been outlawed, on pain of torture and death. You’ll remember concepts like due process, limitations on government search, seizure and wiretapping, habeas corpus, trial by peers, legal representation and prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment as historical artifacts no longer even taught in schools.
On day you’re gonna wake up and want so badly to change governments. You’re gonna treasure the concept of democracy like no Soviet dissident ever did. You’re gonna crave the opportunity to own your own government, to make your own societal choices, to make a change of direction never before so desperately necessary. And you’re gonna wonder why you didn’t speak up as you watched first-hand the dismantling of the democracy you had been handed by previous generations of patriots. You’re gonna wish you had been patriotic enough yourself to demand, above all else, free and fair elections, and you’re gonna shake your head in puzzlement at how you stood by watching in silence those that patently were not.
One day you’re gonna wake up and want to get the hell out of your rotting, repressive country. You’re gonna remember a time when that wasn’t true. But, oddly enough, you’ll find that other countries remember too. They’ll remember your country’s arrogance, its unilateralism, its walls, its racism, and its politicized abuse of immigrants. And they’ll remember how your government undermined and violently replaced theirs whenever corporations from your country had their profits threatened. You’re gonna want to leave, but there will be nowhere you’ll be welcome. You’re gonna find out that walls can face both directions.
READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE AT:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/04/962/
or you can go to:
http://www.sott.net
and read this, and additional fascinating topics from round the globe.
~ The Mediator
Friday, May 04, 2007
DON'T READ THIS BLOG - IT'S TOO DEPRESSING
I am depressed. Not in the medical sense, but just from reading about what is happening to our beautiful planet, and what is going to be in store for our children - if not ourselves too.
BILLIONS AT RISK FROM WHEAT SUPER-BLIGHT by:
Debora Mackenzie, New ScientistFri, 04 May 2007 07
Billions at risk from wheat super-blight
Was Bristol Channel hit by a tsunami?
As drought worsens, Australian cattle scour roadsides for food
Hurricane force winds blow through north Texas
Reality hits! Honeybee Die-Off Threatens Food Supply
"This thing has immense potential for social and human destruction." Startling words - but spoken by the father of the Green Revolution, Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, they are not easily dismissed.
An infection is coming, and almost no one has heard about it. This infection isn't going to give you flu, or TB. In fact, it isn't interested in you at all. It is after the wheat plants that feed more people than any other single food source on the planet. And because of cutbacks in international research, we aren't prepared. The famines that were banished by the advent of disease-resistant crops in the Green Revolution of the 1960s could return, Borlaug told New Scientist.
The disease is Ug99, a virulent strain of black stem rust fungus (Puccinia graminis), discovered in Uganda in 1999. Since the Green Revolution, farmers everywhere have grown wheat varieties that resist stem rust, but Ug99 has evolved to take advantage of those varieties, and almost no wheat crops anywhere are resistant to it.
The strain has spread slowly across east Africa, but in January this year spores blew across to Yemen, and north into Sudan (see Map). Scientists who have tracked similar airborne spores in this part of the world say it will now blow into Egypt, Turkey and the Middle East, and on to India, lands where a billion people depend on wheat.
There is hope: this week scientists are assessing the first Ug99-resistant varieties of wheat that might be used for crops. However, it will take another five to eight years to breed up enough seed to plant all our wheat fields.
The threat couldn't have come at a worse time. Consumption has outstripped production in six of the last seven years, and stocks are at their lowest since 1972. Wheat prices jumped 14 per cent last year.
Black stem rust itself is nothing new. It has been a major blight on wheat production since the rise of agriculture, and the Romans even prayed to a stem rust god, Robigus. It can reduce a field of ripening grain to a dead, tangled mass, and vast outbreaks regularly used to rip through wheat regions. The last to hit the North American breadbasket, in 1954, wiped out 40 per cent of the crop. In the cold war both the US and the Soviet Union stockpiled stem rust spores as a biological weapon.
After the 1954 epidemic, Borlaug began work in Mexico on developing wheat that resisted stem rust. The project grew into the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym CIMMYT. The rust-resistant, high-yielding wheat it developed banished chronic hunger in much of the world, ended stem rust outbreaks, and won Borlaug the Nobel peace prize in 1970.
Yet once again Borlaug - now 93 and fighting cancer - is leading the charge against his old enemy. When Ug99 turned up in Kenya in 2002, he sounded the alarm. "Too many years had gone by and no one was taking Ug99 seriously," he says. He blames complacency, and the dismantling of training and wheat testing programmes, after 40 years without outbreaks.
Now a Global Rust Initiative (GRI) is under way at CIMMYT. It's head, Rick Ward, blames the delay on cuts, starting in the 1980s, in CIMMYT's funding for routine monitoring and maintenance of crops and pests.
"CIMMYT was slow to detect the extent of susceptibility to Ug99 [because] it didn't have the scientific eyes and ears on the ground any more," says Chris Dowswell of CIMMYT. "Once it did, it had to start a laborious fund-raising campaign to respond."
Ward is now being promised adequate support as fears grow in rich wheat-growing countries, but meanwhile Ug99 has got worse. It was first noticed because it started appearing on wheat previously protected by a gene complex called Sr31, the backbone of stem rust resistance in most wheat farmed worldwide. Then last year it acquired the ability to defeat another widely used complex, Sr24. "Of the 50 genes we know for resistance to stem rust, only 10 work even partially against Ug99," says Ward. Those are present in less than 1 per cent of the crop.
The first line of defence is fungicide, but the poor farmers who stand to lose most from the blight generally cannot afford it, or don't have the equipment or know-how to apply it. CIMMYT is considering "fire brigade" spray teams armed with cheap, generic fungicides in poor areas. However, they will be competing with the rich for fungicide, and depending on where Ug99 strikes, stocks could be limited.
Even rich countries face problems. The US has been fighting soybean rust with fungicide ever since spores blew in on hurricane Ivan in 2004. If Ug99 arrives as well, the US could be in trouble because it doesn't make enough fungicide for both crops. Kitty Cardwell of the US Department of Agriculture says there might be enough if the US fights Ug99 the same way as it is tackling soya rust: spotting outbreaks with a fast DNA-based field test and posting the results on an interactive website (www.sbrusa.net), so farmers spray only when danger looms. Ultimately, says Ward, the only real answer "is to get new, resistant varieties out there".
CIMMYT has been working on this by taking countries' top-yielding varieties and crossing them with wheat from its seed collections that does resist Ug99. For two years now the crosses have been tested for resistance at field stations in Njoro, Kenya, and in Ethiopia, where it is safe to release Ug99 as it is already there. Resistant strains are sent back to CIMMYT in Mexico and assessed for yield and other qualities, then sent out again for further tests. Resistant lines are now being grown on 27 plots in Nepal, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
So far so good, but the real challenge is multiplying up enough resistant seed so that if Ug99 hits, there will be enough to plant the next crop. This takes time - and it will only happen if the new resistant varieties match or exceed existing yields. Nor is it an exact science. No one knows why wheat that looks good in Mexico might grow as well in Egypt, say, but fail in China unless it is crossed with a local variety.
There is nothing for it but to do the tests, says Ravi Singh, the GRI's chief wheat pathologist. The resistant lines must be just as good as the ones people are growing now, he says, or farmers won't use them, and government-owned seed companies that dominate the wheat industry in developing countries won't sell them, no matter what new disease the scientists say is coming.
Singh calculates that if he can get countries to devote 3 to 5 per cent of their wheat-growing area to resistant varieties, the seed harvest will be enough to plant the whole country with resistant wheat if Ug99 hits.
So it's a race, and who wins depends on what Ug99 does now. Stem rust can arrive in a new area and lurk for years before it gets the right conditions for an outbreak. "It won't suddenly explode everywhere. It will be like a moving storm," says Dowswell.
However, Ug99 has another ace up its sleeve. The spores blowing in the wind now are from the asexual stage that grows on wheat. If any blow onto the leaves of its other host, the barberry bush (Berberis vulgaris), they will change into the sexual form and swap genes with whatever other stem rusts they find. Barberry is native to west Asia. "As if it wasn't challenging enough breeding varieties that resist this thing," laments Ward. "All I know is that what blows into Iran will not be the same as what blows out."
What's more, Ug99 will find agriculture has changed to its liking in the decades stem rust has been away. "Forty years ago most wheat wasn't irrigated and heavily fertilised," says Borlaug. Now, thanks to the Green Revolution he helped bring about, it is. That means modern wheat fields are a damper, denser thicket of stems, where dew can linger till noon - just right for fungus.
Another worry is that travel has exploded in the past 40 years. There have now been several documented cases of travellers carrying rust spores on their clothing. Some fear Ug99 will hitchhike as much as it flies - and its spread need not be innocent. New Scientist has learned that the US Department of Homeland Security met in March to discuss the possibility that someone could transport Ug99 deliberately.
Even at 93, Borlaug is looking to the long term. Eventually, scientists will have to create wheat with a wide spectrum of resistances. The genes may be hiding in other grains and grasses. "Why has rice had no rusts for millions of years?" he asks.
For now, Borlaug says, we have to rely on fungicides, wheat breeding and luck. "We're moving as fast as we can now, but we started three years too late," he says. "We'd better have some good luck. Governments think this is still small and local, but these things build up."
From issue 2598 of New Scientist magazine, 03 April 2007, page 6-7
{{Comment: Add this to the bee die-off and we're in for some serious trouble, folks.}}
So, my friends, things, our future......not looking good. Please note, comments are from the article posted at SOTT.
~ The Mediator
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Weather - Giant Dust Storms
Gotta go to the website to actually see the picture. AMAZING ! !
http://www.sott.net/
~ The Mediator
Giant Dust Storm Blows Over Khartoum
Wed, 02 May 2007
12:12 EDT
Giant Dust Storm Blows Over Khartoum
and these other stories:
Survey to pinpoint moths' decline
Ebola-like virus killing fish in Great Lakes
Over 160 homes flooded, 750 people evacuated in Urals
Pacific whale decline 'a mystery'
Images show a gigantic cloud of dust billowing over an African city.
The dust storm - known as a "Haboob" - gathered over Khartoum, the capital of Sudan in north east Africa yesterday.
©AP
They are caused by downdrafts created when a thunderstorm reaches its final phase. These downdrafts cause descending air to hit the ground and pick up large amounts of dust.
The gathering dust clouds then travel forward at a speed of 30 mph, creating the frightening spectacle. The dust storms can reach a height of 3,000 feet and contain a wall of sand up to 60 miles wide.
The word Haboob comes from the Arabic for "phenomena".
The Haboob also occurs in America, especially in hot dry states such as Arizona and Texas.
http://www.sott.net/
~ The Mediator
Giant Dust Storm Blows Over Khartoum
Wed, 02 May 2007
12:12 EDT
Giant Dust Storm Blows Over Khartoum
and these other stories:
Survey to pinpoint moths' decline
Ebola-like virus killing fish in Great Lakes
Over 160 homes flooded, 750 people evacuated in Urals
Pacific whale decline 'a mystery'
Images show a gigantic cloud of dust billowing over an African city.
The dust storm - known as a "Haboob" - gathered over Khartoum, the capital of Sudan in north east Africa yesterday.
©AP
They are caused by downdrafts created when a thunderstorm reaches its final phase. These downdrafts cause descending air to hit the ground and pick up large amounts of dust.
The gathering dust clouds then travel forward at a speed of 30 mph, creating the frightening spectacle. The dust storms can reach a height of 3,000 feet and contain a wall of sand up to 60 miles wide.
The word Haboob comes from the Arabic for "phenomena".
The Haboob also occurs in America, especially in hot dry states such as Arizona and Texas.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Studying the Subject of Psychopaths
Lately I have been reading as much as I can. Having been introduced to the subject of psychopaths and narcissist's, I have found some books to be quite helpful to my life situation.
I 'suffer' from not being able to remember my childhood. Not only that, I don't remember high school either. Of course, I do have glimpses and memories of events that happened. But my brain just cannot pull memories out - as much as I have tried.
The reading I have been doing has been quite helpful, and so, I thought I'd pass some of it on. My way of 'giving back' should anyone be interested.
Anyway, I just completed reading (for the second time) The Myth of Sanity by Martha Stout, Ph.D. Great read. Not a lot of psycho-babble but lots of real-life examples to explain some of the reason's why we don't remember.
But I thought that if someone is NOT up for reading an entire book, that maybe you'd prefer a shorter read - like an article.
So, if that be the case, there are sooooo many wonderfully written articles at this site:
See THE PSYCHOPATH - The Mask of Sanity
Read on,
~ The Mediator
ps. And the above site title "The Mask of Sanity"....... isn't that what we do every day of our lives, put on a mask for our family, friends, co-workers, strangers, and especially ourselves.
I 'suffer' from not being able to remember my childhood. Not only that, I don't remember high school either. Of course, I do have glimpses and memories of events that happened. But my brain just cannot pull memories out - as much as I have tried.
The reading I have been doing has been quite helpful, and so, I thought I'd pass some of it on. My way of 'giving back' should anyone be interested.
Anyway, I just completed reading (for the second time) The Myth of Sanity by Martha Stout, Ph.D. Great read. Not a lot of psycho-babble but lots of real-life examples to explain some of the reason's why we don't remember.
But I thought that if someone is NOT up for reading an entire book, that maybe you'd prefer a shorter read - like an article.
So, if that be the case, there are sooooo many wonderfully written articles at this site:
See THE PSYCHOPATH - The Mask of Sanity
Read on,
~ The Mediator
ps. And the above site title "The Mask of Sanity"....... isn't that what we do every day of our lives, put on a mask for our family, friends, co-workers, strangers, and especially ourselves.
Monday, April 30, 2007
CLIMATE CHANGE....GET THE REAL SCOOP
The topic of weather is something we discussed with each other every day. For me, right now, I'm always saying "Glad it's not snowing !" because Spring is supposed to be here. But, when you go from 15 degrees Farenheight to 82 degrees Farenheight in less than a week, and the temps stay in the 70's for a week......well, that's something to take notice of.
So, reading further I find this article: Climate Change Swindlers and the Political Agenda by author Laura Knight-Jadczyk to be full of useful information AND comments. Sometimes I enjoy author's comments in their articles, sorta makes it more personal for me.
Anyway, click on the link below if you would like to read the article in it's entirety. Also, there are also a few other links from this wonderful "world news website".
~~~~~~~
Climate Change Swindlers and the Political Agenda
Laura Knight-Jadczyk
Signs Of The Times
Wed, 14 Mar 2007
07:15 EDT
SOTT Focus: Signs Economic Commentary for 30 April 2007
SOTT Focus: Psychopathic Morals And The Fantasmagorical War On Terror
SOTT Focus: New Podcast! Interview With Richard Sauder: Underwater and Underground Bases
SOTT Focus: To Bee or not to Be
SOTT Focus: Signs Economic Commentary for 23 April 2007
SOTT Focus: Beware The Ides of April: Cho Seung-hui and the Mosaic Distinction
(begin article).............
What is the truth about Climate Change?
Some time ago I wrote about Climate Change as being probably the most pressing problem facing humanity today. It is so pressing that I am convinced that possibly 90% of the human race - over 6 billion people - could be at risk of certain death in the very near future - like within ten years - if this matter is not addressed adequately and appropriately very, very soon by our "glorious leaders" who seem to have little on their mind other than blowing up innocent people.
But then, that war-mongering has a hidden agenda behind it: to grab and hold resources.
But rest assured that the intent is not to grab and hold those resources for you and me; it is to get them for the "elite," that 6% of humanity that is on the top of the heap and intends to stay there regardless of the fact that those genes should never be passed on.
Well, the Climate Change Confusion factor is heating up.
Channel 4 recently broadcast a special on the "Climate Change Swindle," that was intended to "expose the myths about climate change that have been promulgated in order to hoodwink the world into accepting the man-made theory of global warming."
As far as it went, this special wasn't too bad. However, it didn't really tell the whole story which is that, yes, Climate Change is real and a serious threat, but not for the reasons given.
As it happens, one of the experts included in the presentation has now announced that he was badly mis-quoted, or quoted out of context, and he is back-pedaling like mad.
Keep in mind that this is really just a distraction, something to keep the masses busy so that they don't see the real agenda: that it is intended that they should be "left out in the cold" because they didn't act to get rid of corrupt leaders in time to do anything to prepare for what is coming.
To make the point, let's look at this little debacle a bit more closely.
Expert in oceanography quoted in Channel 4's debunking of Global Warming says he was 'seriously misrepresented'
It was the television programme that set out to show that most of the world's climate scientists are misleading us when they say humanity is heating up the Earth by emitting carbon dioxide. And The Great Global Warming Swindle, screened by Channel 4 on Thursday night, convinced many viewers that it is indeed untrue that the gas is to blame for global warming.
But now the programme - and the channel - is facing a serious challenge to its own credibility after one of the most distinguished scientists that it featured said his views had been "grossly distorted" by the film, and made it clear that he believed human pollution did warm the climate.
{Comment: This sentence right here is the first "twist." If the reader will go to Professor Wunsch's website and read his actual comments, they will discover that he did NOT say the "human pollution did warm the climate" in the sense that this writer is trying to convey - as if that was all there was to it. What Dr. Wunsch actually said will be discussed further on.}
Professor Carl Wunsch, professor of physical oceanography at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said he had been "completely misrepresented" by the programme, and "totally misled" on its content. He added that he is considering making a formal complaint.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: "The film was a polemic that drew together the well-documented views of a number of respected scientists to reach the same conclusions. This is a controversial film but we feel that it is important that all sides of the debate are aired. If one of the contributors has concerns about his contribution we will look into that."
Any complaint would provoke a crisis at Channel 4, now recovering from the Jade Goody Big Brother storm. It had to make a rare public apology after the Independent Television Commission convicted previous programmes on environmental issues by the same film-maker, Martin Durkin, of similar offences - and is already facing questions on why it accepted another programme from him.
The commission found that the editing of interviews with four contributors to a series called Against Nature had "distorted or misrepresented their known views".
.......................(need to go to article to read the rest)
~ The Mediator
So, reading further I find this article: Climate Change Swindlers and the Political Agenda by author Laura Knight-Jadczyk to be full of useful information AND comments. Sometimes I enjoy author's comments in their articles, sorta makes it more personal for me.
Anyway, click on the link below if you would like to read the article in it's entirety. Also, there are also a few other links from this wonderful "world news website".
~~~~~~~
Climate Change Swindlers and the Political Agenda
Laura Knight-Jadczyk
Signs Of The Times
Wed, 14 Mar 2007
07:15 EDT
SOTT Focus: Signs Economic Commentary for 30 April 2007
SOTT Focus: Psychopathic Morals And The Fantasmagorical War On Terror
SOTT Focus: New Podcast! Interview With Richard Sauder: Underwater and Underground Bases
SOTT Focus: To Bee or not to Be
SOTT Focus: Signs Economic Commentary for 23 April 2007
SOTT Focus: Beware The Ides of April: Cho Seung-hui and the Mosaic Distinction
(begin article).............
What is the truth about Climate Change?
Some time ago I wrote about Climate Change as being probably the most pressing problem facing humanity today. It is so pressing that I am convinced that possibly 90% of the human race - over 6 billion people - could be at risk of certain death in the very near future - like within ten years - if this matter is not addressed adequately and appropriately very, very soon by our "glorious leaders" who seem to have little on their mind other than blowing up innocent people.
But then, that war-mongering has a hidden agenda behind it: to grab and hold resources.
But rest assured that the intent is not to grab and hold those resources for you and me; it is to get them for the "elite," that 6% of humanity that is on the top of the heap and intends to stay there regardless of the fact that those genes should never be passed on.
Well, the Climate Change Confusion factor is heating up.
Channel 4 recently broadcast a special on the "Climate Change Swindle," that was intended to "expose the myths about climate change that have been promulgated in order to hoodwink the world into accepting the man-made theory of global warming."
As far as it went, this special wasn't too bad. However, it didn't really tell the whole story which is that, yes, Climate Change is real and a serious threat, but not for the reasons given.
As it happens, one of the experts included in the presentation has now announced that he was badly mis-quoted, or quoted out of context, and he is back-pedaling like mad.
Keep in mind that this is really just a distraction, something to keep the masses busy so that they don't see the real agenda: that it is intended that they should be "left out in the cold" because they didn't act to get rid of corrupt leaders in time to do anything to prepare for what is coming.
To make the point, let's look at this little debacle a bit more closely.
Expert in oceanography quoted in Channel 4's debunking of Global Warming says he was 'seriously misrepresented'
It was the television programme that set out to show that most of the world's climate scientists are misleading us when they say humanity is heating up the Earth by emitting carbon dioxide. And The Great Global Warming Swindle, screened by Channel 4 on Thursday night, convinced many viewers that it is indeed untrue that the gas is to blame for global warming.
But now the programme - and the channel - is facing a serious challenge to its own credibility after one of the most distinguished scientists that it featured said his views had been "grossly distorted" by the film, and made it clear that he believed human pollution did warm the climate.
{Comment: This sentence right here is the first "twist." If the reader will go to Professor Wunsch's website and read his actual comments, they will discover that he did NOT say the "human pollution did warm the climate" in the sense that this writer is trying to convey - as if that was all there was to it. What Dr. Wunsch actually said will be discussed further on.}
Professor Carl Wunsch, professor of physical oceanography at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said he had been "completely misrepresented" by the programme, and "totally misled" on its content. He added that he is considering making a formal complaint.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: "The film was a polemic that drew together the well-documented views of a number of respected scientists to reach the same conclusions. This is a controversial film but we feel that it is important that all sides of the debate are aired. If one of the contributors has concerns about his contribution we will look into that."
Any complaint would provoke a crisis at Channel 4, now recovering from the Jade Goody Big Brother storm. It had to make a rare public apology after the Independent Television Commission convicted previous programmes on environmental issues by the same film-maker, Martin Durkin, of similar offences - and is already facing questions on why it accepted another programme from him.
The commission found that the editing of interviews with four contributors to a series called Against Nature had "distorted or misrepresented their known views".
.......................(need to go to article to read the rest)
~ The Mediator
Thursday, April 26, 2007
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ALL THE BEES - EXTINCTION??
If you get your news from the TV or newspaper, you probably have not read much about the current "bee crisis" that is going on all over the world.
If you read every word I have written and assembled here, you will know more about global agriculture than you probably ever thought you WANTED to know, but just now, you had BETTER know it because YOUR life depends on it!
The fact is, the disappearing bees are giving you a gift, right now, a choice if you will only take the time to read and learn.
(snip)..
There are so many useful "links" throughout this article that if you want a thorough education on what's up with the bee's, read all the way through.
To read more go here:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/130784+To+Bee+or+not+to+Be
~ The Mediator
Researchers seem to be playing down the significance of the situation, calling for more studies. But honestly folks, we are screwed if the bees are dying.
Doesn't matter WHAT is causing them to die ...... or does it. Like the canary in the coal mine, could it be that so goes the bee's, goes humans???
This article says way more than I could ever explain to you. But, if you are at all interested in what is really happening in the REAL WORLD (no, that is not a reference to a new TV series) just get yourself a cup of coffee or tea and read on..........
(snip article)..
Over the past couple of months we here at SOTT have been following the Bee crisis with some interest. It caught my eye when I read the first media article about it that was brought to my attention; I knew this was important.
As Albert Einstein observed:"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."
This really is BIG, people! Do you realize how CLOSE you are to the total collapse of whatever lifestyle you have, including having food on your table (let alone having a table to put it on or a house to keep the table in!) Don't yawn because the habits of bees might be boring and it certainly isn't as entertaining as TV or whatever mindless thing you do and call it entertainment.If you read every word I have written and assembled here, you will know more about global agriculture than you probably ever thought you WANTED to know, but just now, you had BETTER know it because YOUR life depends on it!
The fact is, the disappearing bees are giving you a gift, right now, a choice if you will only take the time to read and learn.
(snip)..
There are so many useful "links" throughout this article that if you want a thorough education on what's up with the bee's, read all the way through.
To read more go here:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/130784+To+Bee+or+not+to+Be
~ The Mediator
Friday, April 13, 2007
It's April, but the Snow Has Not Stopped
This was today's weather report on our local tv station:
http://wbztv.com/
"If you thought Thursday's weather was bad, wait until this weekend. A major nor'easter is expected to hit the area on Sunday, but the good news is the worst may be over by the time the Boston Marathon starts Monday morning." (end)
Today was April 13th (actually, Friday the 13th!) and as I went about my day, many people commented on how weird the weather has been for this time of the year.
We, who live in New England, have a saying: "Wait ten minutes and the weather will change." Well, I'm waiting for the weather to change. Since April 1st, it has snowed or we've had snow fluries every day - except for one.
In my neck of the woods, the big Spring Event is the traditional Boston Marathan - a 26 mile race for runners of all caliber. But even though we're expecting a Northeaster of a snowstorm on Sunday night, the marathon has not been cancelled.
To add to the weather mystery of 2007 is this article (which is lengthy, but full of information.....)
Title: Climate Change Report Warns of Increased Hunger and Species Extinction
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/04/06/climate-un.html
"An international global warming conference approved a report Friday warning of dire threats to the Earth and to mankind — from increased hunger to the extinction of species — unless the world adapts to climate change and halts its progress.
"Agreement came after an all-night session during which key sections were deleted from the draft and scientists angrily confronted government negotiators who they feared were watering down their findings. "
So, has anyone notice the price of FOOD GOING THROUGH THE ROOF. And, with all these problems with the weather and crops endangered from frost and a late planting season and other weather anomalies that are sure to make their presence known ---- is anyone out there concerned?????? And I'm just thinking about the weather here in the good ole usofa.
You can read the rest of this article at the above link......but if you go to the signs-of-the-times page, you'll also find this article with the most interesting comments at the end of the article which says:
http://www.signs-of-the-times.org/articles/show/130024-Climate+change+report+warns+of+increased+hunger%2C+species+extinction
(comment below has been added from Signs-of-the-Times)
"Comment: There it is, folks. Life on the Big Blue Marble in a microcosym. Let's separate out the facts and the players. Let's start with the data:
"Global warming is real. It is here. It will "affect billions of people" and will lead to the extinction of many species, storms, drought, and the possible cutting by one-half of food production in certain countries. The model used doesn't include, from what we can glean from this article, any research into the effects of a sudden global drop in temperatures leading to a new ice age. So keep in mind the report, as dire as it is, could be optimistic.
"Next we get the governments who don't want to admit publically that the situation is so bad. That is to be expected, and anyone who still thinks that governments have the best interests of their citizens at heart is delusional. Global warming and the war on smoking while filling the Middle East and the atmosphere with depleted uranium... yeah, these people really care about humanity.
"Then we come to the explanation for why the Earth is warming. Of course, it is our fault! Get out the whips and the guides to self-flaggellation. "I'm bad! I'm bad!" and beat yourself because of the SUV in the driveway.
"The problem isn't that you are driving the SUV. The problem is that you are a self-centered, narcissistic, mechanical robot, inbided with a pathological culture, who is incapable of seeing the ramifications of even the smallest and least important of your acts. That's why you drive the damn SUV.
"People! We are so screwed! Do you get it yet?!
"What does that have to do with global warming? Check out the following articles to learn more:
"What does that have to do with global warming? Check out the following articles to learn more:
Climate Change Swindlers and the Political Agenda
Forget About Global Warming: We're One Step From Extinction!
The Hope
The Body Snatchers
Environment of Evil
(end comments)
People, people, my friends, what are we going to focus on from here on in. How distracted our lives makes us from recognizing what is looming before us in all of it's horror. What are you going to tell the kids when there are no more chips to be bought, no more pepsi, no more mcdonalds, no more bread.
Gotta start thinking outside the box - gotta read more.
~ The Mediator
http://wbztv.com/
"If you thought Thursday's weather was bad, wait until this weekend. A major nor'easter is expected to hit the area on Sunday, but the good news is the worst may be over by the time the Boston Marathon starts Monday morning." (end)
Today was April 13th (actually, Friday the 13th!) and as I went about my day, many people commented on how weird the weather has been for this time of the year.
We, who live in New England, have a saying: "Wait ten minutes and the weather will change." Well, I'm waiting for the weather to change. Since April 1st, it has snowed or we've had snow fluries every day - except for one.
In my neck of the woods, the big Spring Event is the traditional Boston Marathan - a 26 mile race for runners of all caliber. But even though we're expecting a Northeaster of a snowstorm on Sunday night, the marathon has not been cancelled.
To add to the weather mystery of 2007 is this article (which is lengthy, but full of information.....)
Title: Climate Change Report Warns of Increased Hunger and Species Extinction
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/04/06/climate-un.html
"An international global warming conference approved a report Friday warning of dire threats to the Earth and to mankind — from increased hunger to the extinction of species — unless the world adapts to climate change and halts its progress.
"Agreement came after an all-night session during which key sections were deleted from the draft and scientists angrily confronted government negotiators who they feared were watering down their findings. "
So, has anyone notice the price of FOOD GOING THROUGH THE ROOF. And, with all these problems with the weather and crops endangered from frost and a late planting season and other weather anomalies that are sure to make their presence known ---- is anyone out there concerned?????? And I'm just thinking about the weather here in the good ole usofa.
You can read the rest of this article at the above link......but if you go to the signs-of-the-times page, you'll also find this article with the most interesting comments at the end of the article which says:
http://www.signs-of-the-times.org/articles/show/130024-Climate+change+report+warns+of+increased+hunger%2C+species+extinction
(comment below has been added from Signs-of-the-Times)
"Comment: There it is, folks. Life on the Big Blue Marble in a microcosym. Let's separate out the facts and the players. Let's start with the data:
"Global warming is real. It is here. It will "affect billions of people" and will lead to the extinction of many species, storms, drought, and the possible cutting by one-half of food production in certain countries. The model used doesn't include, from what we can glean from this article, any research into the effects of a sudden global drop in temperatures leading to a new ice age. So keep in mind the report, as dire as it is, could be optimistic.
"Next we get the governments who don't want to admit publically that the situation is so bad. That is to be expected, and anyone who still thinks that governments have the best interests of their citizens at heart is delusional. Global warming and the war on smoking while filling the Middle East and the atmosphere with depleted uranium... yeah, these people really care about humanity.
"Then we come to the explanation for why the Earth is warming. Of course, it is our fault! Get out the whips and the guides to self-flaggellation. "I'm bad! I'm bad!" and beat yourself because of the SUV in the driveway.
"The problem isn't that you are driving the SUV. The problem is that you are a self-centered, narcissistic, mechanical robot, inbided with a pathological culture, who is incapable of seeing the ramifications of even the smallest and least important of your acts. That's why you drive the damn SUV.
"People! We are so screwed! Do you get it yet?!
"What does that have to do with global warming? Check out the following articles to learn more:
"What does that have to do with global warming? Check out the following articles to learn more:
Climate Change Swindlers and the Political Agenda
Forget About Global Warming: We're One Step From Extinction!
The Hope
The Body Snatchers
Environment of Evil
(end comments)
People, people, my friends, what are we going to focus on from here on in. How distracted our lives makes us from recognizing what is looming before us in all of it's horror. What are you going to tell the kids when there are no more chips to be bought, no more pepsi, no more mcdonalds, no more bread.
Gotta start thinking outside the box - gotta read more.
~ The Mediator
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Moments in my Life where Time has Stopped
This is probably a strange title for something I am having a hard time putting into words.
Have you ever had moments in your life where you heard some news and then TIME for you just seemed to STOP?? These moments have happened to me. They all live somewhere in my mind, although I cannot be sure where in my mind they reside.
But they all tend to pop up when another 'time stopping' event occurs.
For each and every one of these 'time stoppers' I can recall where I was, what I was doing, thinking, feeling. I even remember saying a prayer once when I was young asking god to take years off my life and give those years as my gift to someone else to help him live.
My 'time stopping' list is as follows:
*President Kennedy Dies
*Jim Henson (the Muppet's creator) Dies
*Princess Diana Dies
*911 (here many people died)
and today, I have added to my list (and an odd one it is)
*Don Imus fired from MSNBC and CBS Radio (free speech has died).
The first four memories, everyone will recognize those events. The fifth time stopper, well I'm not sure how many people know who Don Imus is.
To learn more about him, just google or alltheweb, his name. He is/was not your typical radio talk-show host.
Imus would, on live tv and radio, verbally badger congressmen and authors, his employers at MSNBC and CBS without shame or regret. He (at least it seemed to me) was trying to get at the truth. This radio talk-show host (of more than 30 years on air) had no problem mentioning the names of the famous, calling them to task on any given issue he had taken up as a cause worth investigating.
He was very vocal on some issues like: thymerisol (a toxic mercury additive in children's vaccines - possibly connected to the cause of autism), SIDS (sudden-infant-death syndrome) and has helped in raising money to build a state-of-the-art Veterans Rehab Center in San Antonio, TX (whatever you thoughts on the war are, this rehab center is what our returning injured vets desperately need). He also has invested much of his time and money in his Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer.
I've been a long-time listener to Imus in the Morning radio show. He's rude, crude, but has what seems to be honorable intentions to do good in the world. And, like Borat, his raw honesty makes me laugh. He makes fun of everybody, including himself. His staff, also continually poke fun at him, calling him old and shriveled.
Why you say, does the firing of such a controversial figure make a 'time stopping' memory for me. It basically is not WHO Don Imus is but WHAT has happened as a result of something inappropriate that he (Imus) said on air. And, that resulted in him loosing his job - that is what has me freak'in out.
Don Imus was not shy, was controversial and always came out with 'comments' that, in my opinion, most of us were probably thinking but afraid to say. You most likely either loved his show or hated it/him.
Today, I'm afraid, free speech has died a painful death here. Although this is nothing I can prove to be true, I know it to be true with every cell of my body. And, unfortunately, time will tell what happens next.
I think we all knew IT (losing our ability to speak freely) was coming. You have probably even experienced moments of it yourself - wondering just how far you should go in a discussion with co-workers, friends, family. Holding back a comment that you are not sure how your friend will react to (or possibly he will remember this comment you made and use against you in the future). But knowing the loss of your ability to speak freely is coming and then actually emotionally experiencing the death of this, another of our freedoms, has me feeling like a basket case tonight.
Gotta go put on the tv and numb my mind (oh, just kidding).
Everyone..............heads up. Something wicked this way comes.
~ The Mediator
Have you ever had moments in your life where you heard some news and then TIME for you just seemed to STOP?? These moments have happened to me. They all live somewhere in my mind, although I cannot be sure where in my mind they reside.
But they all tend to pop up when another 'time stopping' event occurs.
For each and every one of these 'time stoppers' I can recall where I was, what I was doing, thinking, feeling. I even remember saying a prayer once when I was young asking god to take years off my life and give those years as my gift to someone else to help him live.
My 'time stopping' list is as follows:
*President Kennedy Dies
*Jim Henson (the Muppet's creator) Dies
*Princess Diana Dies
*911 (here many people died)
and today, I have added to my list (and an odd one it is)
*Don Imus fired from MSNBC and CBS Radio (free speech has died).
The first four memories, everyone will recognize those events. The fifth time stopper, well I'm not sure how many people know who Don Imus is.
To learn more about him, just google or alltheweb, his name. He is/was not your typical radio talk-show host.
Imus would, on live tv and radio, verbally badger congressmen and authors, his employers at MSNBC and CBS without shame or regret. He (at least it seemed to me) was trying to get at the truth. This radio talk-show host (of more than 30 years on air) had no problem mentioning the names of the famous, calling them to task on any given issue he had taken up as a cause worth investigating.
He was very vocal on some issues like: thymerisol (a toxic mercury additive in children's vaccines - possibly connected to the cause of autism), SIDS (sudden-infant-death syndrome) and has helped in raising money to build a state-of-the-art Veterans Rehab Center in San Antonio, TX (whatever you thoughts on the war are, this rehab center is what our returning injured vets desperately need). He also has invested much of his time and money in his Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer.
I've been a long-time listener to Imus in the Morning radio show. He's rude, crude, but has what seems to be honorable intentions to do good in the world. And, like Borat, his raw honesty makes me laugh. He makes fun of everybody, including himself. His staff, also continually poke fun at him, calling him old and shriveled.
Why you say, does the firing of such a controversial figure make a 'time stopping' memory for me. It basically is not WHO Don Imus is but WHAT has happened as a result of something inappropriate that he (Imus) said on air. And, that resulted in him loosing his job - that is what has me freak'in out.
Don Imus was not shy, was controversial and always came out with 'comments' that, in my opinion, most of us were probably thinking but afraid to say. You most likely either loved his show or hated it/him.
Today, I'm afraid, free speech has died a painful death here. Although this is nothing I can prove to be true, I know it to be true with every cell of my body. And, unfortunately, time will tell what happens next.
I think we all knew IT (losing our ability to speak freely) was coming. You have probably even experienced moments of it yourself - wondering just how far you should go in a discussion with co-workers, friends, family. Holding back a comment that you are not sure how your friend will react to (or possibly he will remember this comment you made and use against you in the future). But knowing the loss of your ability to speak freely is coming and then actually emotionally experiencing the death of this, another of our freedoms, has me feeling like a basket case tonight.
Gotta go put on the tv and numb my mind (oh, just kidding).
Everyone..............heads up. Something wicked this way comes.
~ The Mediator
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
FROGS FLY and OTHER WEIRD WEATHER
Today I came across a couple of strange weather/climate anomalies and thought they might provide 'food for thought' for someone. I know it made me stop and think what would cause thousands of frogs to be picked up by wind and fly through the sky. What the hey???
Article is entitled:
Frogs Rain Down on Serbia
Date: April 10, 2007
and it begins........
"Traffic came to a halt and locals fled inside after thousands of frogs fell from the sky onto a Serbian village.
"Residents in Odzaci told local daily Blic they thought the world was coming to an end.
"Aleksandar Ciric said: "I saw all these small frogs just start raining down. There were thousands of them."
You can read more here...........
http://www.sott.net
just scroll down to the header: "The Living Planet".
and then there is THIS:::
Volcano's Fury Throws Up Mystery Fish
from: The Scotsman
Date: April 10, 2007
"SCIENTISTS on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion have discovered hundreds of fish of unknown species, floating belly-up in the sea, following a spectacular volcanic eruption over the past week.
"It's crazy.
Yes my friends, c.r.a.z.y is the word of the day ! Don't you just love a good mystery. And you can read more here on the mystery fish. Reminds me of high school on Fridays, when we always had our 'mystery fish' meal.
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=548442007
Now I know, you're probably saying something like this: "Weird stuff happens all the time. This is nothing unusual. You can't scare me."
No my friend, I'm not out to scare anyone. I am out to make you see that things in life, in climate, in history circle round and, unfortunately, come back to haunt us in our personal lives, on our planet, and in those events that we recognize as history.
It's the circle of life ........ and death. Can't be avoided unless you (yes, I said YOU) open your eyes and take note of what is really going on on this big blue marble - our home.
~ The Mediator
Article is entitled:
Frogs Rain Down on Serbia
Date: April 10, 2007
and it begins........
"Traffic came to a halt and locals fled inside after thousands of frogs fell from the sky onto a Serbian village.
"Residents in Odzaci told local daily Blic they thought the world was coming to an end.
"Aleksandar Ciric said: "I saw all these small frogs just start raining down. There were thousands of them."
You can read more here...........
http://www.sott.net
just scroll down to the header: "The Living Planet".
and then there is THIS:::
Volcano's Fury Throws Up Mystery Fish
from: The Scotsman
Date: April 10, 2007
"SCIENTISTS on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion have discovered hundreds of fish of unknown species, floating belly-up in the sea, following a spectacular volcanic eruption over the past week.
"It's crazy.
Yes my friends, c.r.a.z.y is the word of the day ! Don't you just love a good mystery. And you can read more here on the mystery fish. Reminds me of high school on Fridays, when we always had our 'mystery fish' meal.
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=548442007
Now I know, you're probably saying something like this: "Weird stuff happens all the time. This is nothing unusual. You can't scare me."
No my friend, I'm not out to scare anyone. I am out to make you see that things in life, in climate, in history circle round and, unfortunately, come back to haunt us in our personal lives, on our planet, and in those events that we recognize as history.
It's the circle of life ........ and death. Can't be avoided unless you (yes, I said YOU) open your eyes and take note of what is really going on on this big blue marble - our home.
~ The Mediator
Friday, April 06, 2007
Our Climate is Changing - Oops, no it's not, go back to sleep
Well, it is Easter and we here in New England have 20 degree weather to wake up to with snow on the ground and temps rising to not much more than 40 degrees during the sun shining days. It was noted on the news last night, that the weather for Easter is the same exact weather we had here on Christmas 2006.
Go figure, with there being no difference in weather from December to April what is is that our weather anchor men and women are NOT telling us. Well, if you read the article below, you'll begin to understand WHY we're not being told.
As I have said in my previous post, 'something wicked this way comes'. And for some reason, the PTB don't want us to know / be prepared / panic (???). Only thing is, I don't know why.
Found this article from the PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY@
*Any “fundamental research communication” must “before the communication occurs” be submitted to and approved by the designated “head of the operating unit.” While the directive states that approval may not be withheld “based on policy, budget, or management implications of the research,” it does not define these terms and limits any appeal to within Commerce;
*National Weather Service employees are allowed only “as part of their routine responsibilities to communicate information about the weather to the public”;
*Scientists must give the Commerce Department at least two weeks “advance notice” of any written, oral or audiovisual presentation prepared on their own time if it “is a matter of official interest to the Department because it relates to Department programs, policies or operations.”
“This ridiculous gag order ignores the First Amendment and disrespects the world-renowned professionals who work within Commerce agencies,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch.
Then there is this from the article entitled:
Climate Change Swindlers and the Political Agenda
dated: March 14, 2007
by: Laura Knight-Jadczyk
"Some time ago I wrote about Climate Change as being probably the most pressing problem facing humanity today. It is so pressing that I am convinced that possibly 90% of the human race - over 6 billion people - could be at risk of certain death in the very near future - like within ten years - if this matter is not addressed adequately and appropriately very, very soon by our "glorious leaders" who seem to have little on their mind other than blowing up innocent people.
"But then, that war-mongering has a hidden agenda behind it: to grab and hold resources.
But rest assured that the intent is not to grab and hold those resources for you and me; it is to get them for the "elite," that 6% of humanity that is on the top of the heap and intends to stay there regardless of the fact that those genes should never be passed on.
"Well, the Climate Change Confusion factor is heating up. "
More of THIS ARTICLE here:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/128521-Climate+Change+Swindlers+and+the+Political+Agenda
I know, i know, DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. Don't think about tomorrow. Turn on the TV and watch ' American Idol'. You probably don't really want to know what's going on, cause if you did you wouldn't sleep for weeks.
Time for bed little one's. What - you're all grow'ed up ! ! Then start acting that way and begin to read/learn and be concerned for your children.
~ The Mediator
Go figure, with there being no difference in weather from December to April what is is that our weather anchor men and women are NOT telling us. Well, if you read the article below, you'll begin to understand WHY we're not being told.
As I have said in my previous post, 'something wicked this way comes'. And for some reason, the PTB don't want us to know / be prepared / panic (???). Only thing is, I don't know why.
Found this article from the PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY@
http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=841
in part it says this............
*Any “fundamental research communication” must “before the communication occurs” be submitted to and approved by the designated “head of the operating unit.” While the directive states that approval may not be withheld “based on policy, budget, or management implications of the research,” it does not define these terms and limits any appeal to within Commerce;
*National Weather Service employees are allowed only “as part of their routine responsibilities to communicate information about the weather to the public”;
*Scientists must give the Commerce Department at least two weeks “advance notice” of any written, oral or audiovisual presentation prepared on their own time if it “is a matter of official interest to the Department because it relates to Department programs, policies or operations.”
“This ridiculous gag order ignores the First Amendment and disrespects the world-renowned professionals who work within Commerce agencies,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch.
Then there is this from the article entitled:
Climate Change Swindlers and the Political Agenda
dated: March 14, 2007
by: Laura Knight-Jadczyk
"Some time ago I wrote about Climate Change as being probably the most pressing problem facing humanity today. It is so pressing that I am convinced that possibly 90% of the human race - over 6 billion people - could be at risk of certain death in the very near future - like within ten years - if this matter is not addressed adequately and appropriately very, very soon by our "glorious leaders" who seem to have little on their mind other than blowing up innocent people.
"But then, that war-mongering has a hidden agenda behind it: to grab and hold resources.
But rest assured that the intent is not to grab and hold those resources for you and me; it is to get them for the "elite," that 6% of humanity that is on the top of the heap and intends to stay there regardless of the fact that those genes should never be passed on.
"Well, the Climate Change Confusion factor is heating up. "
More of THIS ARTICLE here:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/128521-Climate+Change+Swindlers+and+the+Political+Agenda
I know, i know, DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. Don't think about tomorrow. Turn on the TV and watch ' American Idol'. You probably don't really want to know what's going on, cause if you did you wouldn't sleep for weeks.
Time for bed little one's. What - you're all grow'ed up ! ! Then start acting that way and begin to read/learn and be concerned for your children.
~ The Mediator
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Global Warming - Want To Know the Truth ?
Tonight, as I was driving home from work, our local "talk radio" station was discussing the topic of 'Global Warming'. Now I'm no expert on this subject, but I've been reading all that I can get my hands on, as I find it an extremely IMPORTANT subject due to the fact that I have children and I want to be sure that their future is going to be a safe one (and that fact still is up in the air).
Just like I've investigated and read about alternative medicines due to the same reason, being that my children are the world to me and I want them to be as healthy as possible. But this is another subject for a later discussion.
Well, back to Global Warming and 'talk radio'.......what I heard said by the host of 96.9 FM was that global warming had nothing to do with us humans, nothing to do with our air conditioners, our cars, our pollution. But it had everything to do with cycles of the universe and that MAYBE our scientists should take another look at what might be coming our way (and I don't me more lazy, hazy days at the beach).
Ever heard the phrase, "Something wicked this way comes"? Well if you go to where I found this article on global warming you just might pick up some useful information.
It's time to get the truth out..............
FORGET ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING: WE'RE ONE STEP AWAY FROM EXTINCTION
Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
"Often, some of the most important news comes from local papers, stories that don't make it up the feeding chain and onto the news wires or major newspapers or nightly network news. It can be news that at first glance wouldn't appear to have a national or international impact. Second glance, and a good memory, can reveal that the impact may well be quite significant.
"The other day a reader sent us an article link that he found on another alt.news website: Bad news - we are way past our 'extinct by' date
"Since we had run the same story back when it first came out, we thought "yeah! Flashback!" After all, with all the talk about Global Warming, it served to remind readers that human caused CO2 levels are not all there is to what is going on here on the BBM today.
.................to read the rest of the article, you can go here:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/128992-Forget+About+Global+Warming%3A+We%27re+One+Step+From+Extinction%21
Have a nice summer. And keep looking up ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
~ The Mediator
Just like I've investigated and read about alternative medicines due to the same reason, being that my children are the world to me and I want them to be as healthy as possible. But this is another subject for a later discussion.
Well, back to Global Warming and 'talk radio'.......what I heard said by the host of 96.9 FM was that global warming had nothing to do with us humans, nothing to do with our air conditioners, our cars, our pollution. But it had everything to do with cycles of the universe and that MAYBE our scientists should take another look at what might be coming our way (and I don't me more lazy, hazy days at the beach).
Ever heard the phrase, "Something wicked this way comes"? Well if you go to where I found this article on global warming you just might pick up some useful information.
It's time to get the truth out..............
FORGET ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING: WE'RE ONE STEP AWAY FROM EXTINCTION
Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
"Often, some of the most important news comes from local papers, stories that don't make it up the feeding chain and onto the news wires or major newspapers or nightly network news. It can be news that at first glance wouldn't appear to have a national or international impact. Second glance, and a good memory, can reveal that the impact may well be quite significant.
"The other day a reader sent us an article link that he found on another alt.news website: Bad news - we are way past our 'extinct by' date
"Since we had run the same story back when it first came out, we thought "yeah! Flashback!" After all, with all the talk about Global Warming, it served to remind readers that human caused CO2 levels are not all there is to what is going on here on the BBM today.
.................to read the rest of the article, you can go here:
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/128992-Forget+About+Global+Warming%3A+We%27re+One+Step+From+Extinction%21
Have a nice summer. And keep looking up ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
~ The Mediator
Monday, April 02, 2007
SURVIVAL OF THE HUMAN RACE - READ THIS
I've been away too long from my blog, and now I'm gonna try and make up for some lost time. There is sooooo much going on in this world that is extremely important to know about (remember I love the phrase: "Knowledge protects") that I came across this article by a lady who is, in my opinion, a brilliant writer/researcher, Laura Knight-Jadczyk.
http://laura-knight-jadczyk.blogspot.com/
So whatever your position in life is, whether you are wealthy, intelligent, secure in your job, think that nothing of a negative sort could affect you or your life, you must read this article in it's entirety.
It just might save your life and, save your children. And if you have children, think to the future my friend.
The article I am referring to is entitled "The Hope" and can be found here:
http://laura-knight-jadczyk.blogspot.com/2007/03/hope.html/
the article begins here:
THE HOPE
~ Laura Knight-Jadczyk
"My last contribution to the Blogosphere was pretty scary, wasn't it? Geeze! You shoulda seen my mail! People going bananas and writing "what to do? what to do!?"
"Well, this one's not going to be any better. But let me say in advance that today's particular collection of items will lead us to a certain point of HOPE which I wish to elucidate at the end.
IT is 7.17 am, Eastern Standard Time, on the thirtieth of June [some year in the not-too-distant future]. Suddenly the power fails.
"The basement centre of the Defense Communication Operations Unit adjoining the White House is plunged into darkness, and only the distant rumble of early morning traffic reminds the duty officer that another day has already begun. There have been power failures before, however, and there is no hint of impending crisis
"Almost immediately, an automatic switch brings in the emergency supply. But now the duty officer observes that something is wrong. Telephone links to the outside world have gone. These include the open links, via commercial cables, to NORAD's bunker a thousand feet under Cheyenne Peak in Colorado, and to the Offutt command post near Omaha.
"Within seconds it is ascertained that neither the President nor Vice-President, both of whom are out of town, can be contacted: radio communications are blacked out, on all frequencies. .......................
There's tons of information in this article. More than you can imagine only if you read it to the end.
~ The Mediator
http://laura-knight-jadczyk.blogspot.com/
So whatever your position in life is, whether you are wealthy, intelligent, secure in your job, think that nothing of a negative sort could affect you or your life, you must read this article in it's entirety.
It just might save your life and, save your children. And if you have children, think to the future my friend.
The article I am referring to is entitled "The Hope" and can be found here:
http://laura-knight-jadczyk.blogspot.com/2007/03/hope.html/
the article begins here:
THE HOPE
~ Laura Knight-Jadczyk
"My last contribution to the Blogosphere was pretty scary, wasn't it? Geeze! You shoulda seen my mail! People going bananas and writing "what to do? what to do!?"
"Well, this one's not going to be any better. But let me say in advance that today's particular collection of items will lead us to a certain point of HOPE which I wish to elucidate at the end.
IT is 7.17 am, Eastern Standard Time, on the thirtieth of June [some year in the not-too-distant future]. Suddenly the power fails.
"The basement centre of the Defense Communication Operations Unit adjoining the White House is plunged into darkness, and only the distant rumble of early morning traffic reminds the duty officer that another day has already begun. There have been power failures before, however, and there is no hint of impending crisis
"Almost immediately, an automatic switch brings in the emergency supply. But now the duty officer observes that something is wrong. Telephone links to the outside world have gone. These include the open links, via commercial cables, to NORAD's bunker a thousand feet under Cheyenne Peak in Colorado, and to the Offutt command post near Omaha.
"Within seconds it is ascertained that neither the President nor Vice-President, both of whom are out of town, can be contacted: radio communications are blacked out, on all frequencies. .......................
There's tons of information in this article. More than you can imagine only if you read it to the end.
~ The Mediator
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
