Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Stared at trash cans today
I have long forgotten what my life is about and what I do for a living. Today I inspected trash cans, I did not have to, I could have had someone else do it; but, I like to investigate things for myself. So, I walked in the cold to look at trashcans and what they had in them. What is your life about? Oh, I will check them again in the morning. LOL.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
They Never Learn
Now lets face it, the housing market has been and remains in a death spiral. The stakeholders include, homeowners, homebuyers, renters, realtors, mortgage companies, builders and the rest of us. All of us are effected by the housing market. The government has about 5 million foreclosed properties and their options on what to do with them are limited.
The government could sell them; but, that means that the construction market will not come back. Even if the government did sell them, the sell them at a tremendous loss which will need to be saved. The government has therefore decided that the best approach is to sell them and require the purchaser to rent them for five years. By taking this approach renters fill the houses and so buyers would need to have new houses built to meet their needs. This action will maintain home prices, making owners happy and help the housing construction industry happy making for more jobs. The people who don't benefit are the realtors because they would prefer to see foreclosures and resales as that is where they make their money.
The Realtors of this country sold us down the river. They promoted loans that they new their clients could not afford and promised that the properties would appreciate. We may have had many dumb buyers; but, the realtors were expected to know better. They haven't learned a thing, a healthy market is one that makes sense for the most people not one that just gives short term returns to realtors.
Wall Street Journal - Realtors Slam Obama Foreclosure-Rental Plan
What the realtors should be doing is moving into the arena of property management as all these rental will require maintenance. It is more work to manage properties than to sell them is the reason why they prefer to just sell them. If we sold all the foreclosed houses owned by the government we would destroy the value of housing even further hurting everyone who owns a house and driving even more people upside down on their homes. The problem is that everyone is still just looking out for themselves and that is what really drove all of the economic failures.
We need to find a new attitude of community if we are ever going to get out of the mess that we are in. It will come in one of two ways, things will just continue devolving until there is absolutely no choice between eating or working for the community good and our benefit rather than our benefit at any cost. The alternative is what I fear, noting works and people put a dictator in power. You can vote a dictator in willingly, the guy who promises to bypass the congress and supreme court in order to fix things and then does fix things, usually by rather harsh methods. People live a good dictator in times of need.
The government could sell them; but, that means that the construction market will not come back. Even if the government did sell them, the sell them at a tremendous loss which will need to be saved. The government has therefore decided that the best approach is to sell them and require the purchaser to rent them for five years. By taking this approach renters fill the houses and so buyers would need to have new houses built to meet their needs. This action will maintain home prices, making owners happy and help the housing construction industry happy making for more jobs. The people who don't benefit are the realtors because they would prefer to see foreclosures and resales as that is where they make their money.
The Realtors of this country sold us down the river. They promoted loans that they new their clients could not afford and promised that the properties would appreciate. We may have had many dumb buyers; but, the realtors were expected to know better. They haven't learned a thing, a healthy market is one that makes sense for the most people not one that just gives short term returns to realtors.
Wall Street Journal - Realtors Slam Obama Foreclosure-Rental Plan
What the realtors should be doing is moving into the arena of property management as all these rental will require maintenance. It is more work to manage properties than to sell them is the reason why they prefer to just sell them. If we sold all the foreclosed houses owned by the government we would destroy the value of housing even further hurting everyone who owns a house and driving even more people upside down on their homes. The problem is that everyone is still just looking out for themselves and that is what really drove all of the economic failures.
We need to find a new attitude of community if we are ever going to get out of the mess that we are in. It will come in one of two ways, things will just continue devolving until there is absolutely no choice between eating or working for the community good and our benefit rather than our benefit at any cost. The alternative is what I fear, noting works and people put a dictator in power. You can vote a dictator in willingly, the guy who promises to bypass the congress and supreme court in order to fix things and then does fix things, usually by rather harsh methods. People live a good dictator in times of need.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Measure of a Man
We live in a world of celebrity and shock. We fabricate events to gain the attention of prospective consumers. For the past week I have read about how the Academy of Arts and Science had told Sacha Baron Cohen that he could not come to the Academy Awards in costume. He was eventually given his tickets, arrived at the show and dumped ashes from an urn on Ryan Seacrest. Somehow the whole thing seemed contrived to me. How did the Academy know that Cohen planned on going in costume? Was it all done just to drive up viewership?
We live in a world where the truth no longer matters and image is everything. We have politicians who claim to be God fearing Christians publicly and yet live lives that are the exact opposite of what they claim to believe. Currently we are watching the highly orchestrated Republican primaries. While claiming to believe in "family values" we watch as Newt Gingrich campaigns alongside of his third wife. Does anyone really care about character?
So, here is my question. How do you judge others, what do you look at in determining what opinion you have of others? When someone is rich and powerful do you see them as better than those who are not? Is your opinion of others based on how you benefit from being around them, what you get from them?
We live in a world where the truth no longer matters and image is everything. We have politicians who claim to be God fearing Christians publicly and yet live lives that are the exact opposite of what they claim to believe. Currently we are watching the highly orchestrated Republican primaries. While claiming to believe in "family values" we watch as Newt Gingrich campaigns alongside of his third wife. Does anyone really care about character?
So, here is my question. How do you judge others, what do you look at in determining what opinion you have of others? When someone is rich and powerful do you see them as better than those who are not? Is your opinion of others based on how you benefit from being around them, what you get from them?
Disappointed and Saddened
Sorry for not posting more this week. I received a poison pen letter and it saddened me. I have a problem with justifications and self righteousness. I think we are all flawed, I have yet to find a perfect person or to become one.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Markstone Capital and Israeli Investments
I was searching and came across some interesting information. In December of 2009, Markstone's Chairman, Elliot Broidy, plead guilty to bribing New York pension officials. Now Markstone has received hundreds of millions in investments from CalPers, the state public pension fund. To this day, Calpers is still investing in Markstone.
CalPers Website - Markstone Capital You just have to scroll down a bit.
Now, according to Markstone's website, they were created to invest in Israel. Okay, fair enough. In addition, even Globes, the Israel Business Arena site, admits that many of the investments have turned out very poorly. Globes - Blackstone to make major investments in Israel states how Markstone is partnering in Israel to invest even more money in who knows what.
Now here is my question. Why is CalPers, a public pension fund, investing a company who plead guilty to bribing pension officials in New York and whose main interest is not in investing in America; but, is interested in investing in Israel especially when it has had such spectacular losses in Israel. And this is going on at a time when we are being told that the pension fund is in trouble. Shouldn't CalPers be making more careful investments like in, heck, how about Berkshire Hathaway, they have never lost anyone money have they?
Am I also wrong to point out that the CIM Group which is funded by public pension funds is also owned by two Israelis? Now personally I support Isreal's right exist; but, I don't want to fund it with public pension funds, that is not what they were created to do.
You might wonder why nobody cares about all of this. Well, here is an article from The Israel Democracy Institute - It's worth investing in the Jewish state. It talks about Mr. Broidy and Markstone (incorrectly spelled in the article) in 2006. The article says that while at a meeting of 4,000 Jews in Los Angeles "Mr. Wolfenson, no foe of Israel, reportedly cautioned his listeners that a new global situation is emerging in which America will find it more difficult to back Israel". Later the article says, "By making Israel stronger economically, American Jews will also help in making Israel less dependent on American aid. This will resonate well within Israeli-American relations as well."
Lets see if we can put these pieces together in one possible way. Israel and it's supporters knew that Americans were becoming less and less willing to provide the massive aid that we do to Israel. As an alternate way to get a cash flow, it was determined that investments would do the trick and that that would improve Israel-American Relations. In the United States, at the same time, we had public pensions that were vastly overfunded and needed to get rid of some money. Seems like a match made in heaven.
Just for fun, lets ask another question. Mayor Villaraigosa has just been chosen to be the chair of the Democratic National Committee in North Carolina and as a co-chair of Obama's re-election committee. He also got a very nice interview in the New York Times recently. He is the same person who appointed Elliott Broidy (you remember him) to one of the Los Angeles pension boards.
The question that keeps coming to my mind is, why does the name Andrew Adelman come to mind everytime I think about the pension funds. He wasn't on any of the boards. Maybe I am just old and muddle things together in my head. Ignore my foolish speculations, I haven't been well this week anyways.
CalPers Website - Markstone Capital You just have to scroll down a bit.
Now, according to Markstone's website, they were created to invest in Israel. Okay, fair enough. In addition, even Globes, the Israel Business Arena site, admits that many of the investments have turned out very poorly. Globes - Blackstone to make major investments in Israel states how Markstone is partnering in Israel to invest even more money in who knows what.
Now here is my question. Why is CalPers, a public pension fund, investing a company who plead guilty to bribing pension officials in New York and whose main interest is not in investing in America; but, is interested in investing in Israel especially when it has had such spectacular losses in Israel. And this is going on at a time when we are being told that the pension fund is in trouble. Shouldn't CalPers be making more careful investments like in, heck, how about Berkshire Hathaway, they have never lost anyone money have they?
Am I also wrong to point out that the CIM Group which is funded by public pension funds is also owned by two Israelis? Now personally I support Isreal's right exist; but, I don't want to fund it with public pension funds, that is not what they were created to do.
You might wonder why nobody cares about all of this. Well, here is an article from The Israel Democracy Institute - It's worth investing in the Jewish state. It talks about Mr. Broidy and Markstone (incorrectly spelled in the article) in 2006. The article says that while at a meeting of 4,000 Jews in Los Angeles "Mr. Wolfenson, no foe of Israel, reportedly cautioned his listeners that a new global situation is emerging in which America will find it more difficult to back Israel". Later the article says, "By making Israel stronger economically, American Jews will also help in making Israel less dependent on American aid. This will resonate well within Israeli-American relations as well."
Lets see if we can put these pieces together in one possible way. Israel and it's supporters knew that Americans were becoming less and less willing to provide the massive aid that we do to Israel. As an alternate way to get a cash flow, it was determined that investments would do the trick and that that would improve Israel-American Relations. In the United States, at the same time, we had public pensions that were vastly overfunded and needed to get rid of some money. Seems like a match made in heaven.
Just for fun, lets ask another question. Mayor Villaraigosa has just been chosen to be the chair of the Democratic National Committee in North Carolina and as a co-chair of Obama's re-election committee. He also got a very nice interview in the New York Times recently. He is the same person who appointed Elliott Broidy (you remember him) to one of the Los Angeles pension boards.
The question that keeps coming to my mind is, why does the name Andrew Adelman come to mind everytime I think about the pension funds. He wasn't on any of the boards. Maybe I am just old and muddle things together in my head. Ignore my foolish speculations, I haven't been well this week anyways.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Bored, Bothered and I don't know what
Like most of us I had the day off today, I laid in bed most of it. I read the news and it was boring. I would not say that I am melancholy, not sure what I am, just sort of apathetic perhaps. I tend to get this way when I finish long term projects, I sort of lose interest in things until I find my next goal and I don't have one right now.
I look at the world around me and the nonsense that passes for news. In the past few weeks there has been a rash of high level bankers quitting their positions and that barely makes the news. Venus is slowing down it's spin and that barely makes the news, though nobody knows why it is slowing. The sun seems to be acting strange with it's magnetic poll wobbling and that barely makes the news. Six trillion dollars in fake bonds result in eight arrests by Italian police and that barely makes the news.
When World War II ended there was a lot of enthusiasm for the future. It seemed like every year we were finding new cures for disease and new ways to improve our lives, we created a massive middle class and people actually cared about their neighbors. Things were not perfect, prejudice was promoted or ignored; but, that is now a mere fragment compared to what it used to be like.
I read an article today about how Gloria Allred had won a court case allowing people to publicly trash their ex-lovers. You know, my ex may have cheated on me; but, I would never post her name or personally identifiable information, it just seems wrong to me. Hey, people that know me and her already knew and people that don't know us personally don't need to know who we are. I promise you this, my real name is not Pimpernel.
Sometimes I get this feeling that I just want to get in my car, drive down to Baja California and take a job as a busboy at some restaurant in Cabo San Lucas. Do you ever feel that way, you know, just get up and leave, try something new. Now, don't go feeling too bad for me, I am generally very content; but, being human I get down sometimes also. There is nothing horrible going on, I will eat tonight and if I feel like talking to someone I just have to call out; but, that is the thing, I don't feel like talking to anyone.
In the Netherlands a scientist has found a way to grow beef from bovine stem cells. Some people think this is great because it could drastically reduce how many cows we need to raise; but, I find it sort of disgusting and disrespectful to the cows. There is a line in the bible that says in the end times the eating of meat will be outlawed. Maybe I am just tired of the selfishness and stupidity. Genetically modified bread and circus, how very Roman of us.
I am not sure that anything matters to me at present. I have no plans for my life, I would say I am just going from day to day, trying to help others; but, not fully engaged anymore in anything. I remember a few years ago when I should have died, thinking that I had pretty much accomplished what I set out to do. Now, I sort of feel like I am just spinning my wheels and waiting. Problem is that I don't know what I am waiting for.
I would have to say that the highlight of my week was dinner with a friend, seeing a relative and giving my sermon on Sunday. I am doing a series on one of the books in the bible and I enjoying going through it again. Perhaps this is merely the calm before the storm. Perhaps, I am just lonely. Perhaps it is just a Monday off.
I wish online poker were legal, it would give me something to do. I will file my taxes soon and should get a return, maybe I can use it to take a trip; but, where and will I come back if I go far? What would happen if I just got up and left and never came back? No, somebody would track me down. I am a prisoner to alimony.
On a lighter and totally unrelated note, on March 8th there is a good chance that the FBI will shut down a number of servers that make up part of the internet. It should not take long and is needed because some servers had been infected with a computer virus. On that same day, Greece will be involved in a series of debt swaps. I wonder if the computers being down will effect the debt swaps or at least keep some people from being involved in them.
This is most certainly a rambling post, see, nothing has me engaged, just random thoughts. Most people seem to fill their lives with urges and wants for meaningless things. Perhaps that is a way to spend your time; but, I just can't go down that road. By the way, as I have been writing this, I have also been posting on a forum and it engaged my mind for the moment. Peace.
I look at the world around me and the nonsense that passes for news. In the past few weeks there has been a rash of high level bankers quitting their positions and that barely makes the news. Venus is slowing down it's spin and that barely makes the news, though nobody knows why it is slowing. The sun seems to be acting strange with it's magnetic poll wobbling and that barely makes the news. Six trillion dollars in fake bonds result in eight arrests by Italian police and that barely makes the news.
When World War II ended there was a lot of enthusiasm for the future. It seemed like every year we were finding new cures for disease and new ways to improve our lives, we created a massive middle class and people actually cared about their neighbors. Things were not perfect, prejudice was promoted or ignored; but, that is now a mere fragment compared to what it used to be like.
I read an article today about how Gloria Allred had won a court case allowing people to publicly trash their ex-lovers. You know, my ex may have cheated on me; but, I would never post her name or personally identifiable information, it just seems wrong to me. Hey, people that know me and her already knew and people that don't know us personally don't need to know who we are. I promise you this, my real name is not Pimpernel.
Sometimes I get this feeling that I just want to get in my car, drive down to Baja California and take a job as a busboy at some restaurant in Cabo San Lucas. Do you ever feel that way, you know, just get up and leave, try something new. Now, don't go feeling too bad for me, I am generally very content; but, being human I get down sometimes also. There is nothing horrible going on, I will eat tonight and if I feel like talking to someone I just have to call out; but, that is the thing, I don't feel like talking to anyone.
In the Netherlands a scientist has found a way to grow beef from bovine stem cells. Some people think this is great because it could drastically reduce how many cows we need to raise; but, I find it sort of disgusting and disrespectful to the cows. There is a line in the bible that says in the end times the eating of meat will be outlawed. Maybe I am just tired of the selfishness and stupidity. Genetically modified bread and circus, how very Roman of us.
I am not sure that anything matters to me at present. I have no plans for my life, I would say I am just going from day to day, trying to help others; but, not fully engaged anymore in anything. I remember a few years ago when I should have died, thinking that I had pretty much accomplished what I set out to do. Now, I sort of feel like I am just spinning my wheels and waiting. Problem is that I don't know what I am waiting for.
I would have to say that the highlight of my week was dinner with a friend, seeing a relative and giving my sermon on Sunday. I am doing a series on one of the books in the bible and I enjoying going through it again. Perhaps this is merely the calm before the storm. Perhaps, I am just lonely. Perhaps it is just a Monday off.
I wish online poker were legal, it would give me something to do. I will file my taxes soon and should get a return, maybe I can use it to take a trip; but, where and will I come back if I go far? What would happen if I just got up and left and never came back? No, somebody would track me down. I am a prisoner to alimony.
On a lighter and totally unrelated note, on March 8th there is a good chance that the FBI will shut down a number of servers that make up part of the internet. It should not take long and is needed because some servers had been infected with a computer virus. On that same day, Greece will be involved in a series of debt swaps. I wonder if the computers being down will effect the debt swaps or at least keep some people from being involved in them.
This is most certainly a rambling post, see, nothing has me engaged, just random thoughts. Most people seem to fill their lives with urges and wants for meaningless things. Perhaps that is a way to spend your time; but, I just can't go down that road. By the way, as I have been writing this, I have also been posting on a forum and it engaged my mind for the moment. Peace.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Pension Truths
Los Angeles Times - San Diego tackles municipal pensions
The above article talks about public pensions in San Diego. Now, I have never lived in San Diego and have never worked there, so, on many levels it doesn't effect me; but, it is evidence of San Diego's poor municipal government and their residents and politicians insincerity when making agreements.
San Diego is a very conservative city which has tended to elect Republicans (I belong to no party by the way). Part of their agenda was to reduce the number of government workers and they actually attempted to contract out all computer jobs, that went really badly for them. Their relationship with their contractor soured and they didn't have their own people as a back up.
In regards to their pensions, during the happy days of a strong stock market, the City of San Diego negotiated with the unions to allow the employees a bigger retirement in exchange the City would not be required to contribute as much to the pensions. Let me explain how this worked, before the crash, public pensions were overfunded. Pension funds are only allowed to keep so much more than it is anticipated that they will need to pay out. I think it used to be 125%. Okay, the investments that the pensions made did so well that many municipalities stopped making their contributions or reduced them in exchange for letting people have bigger pensions (3% accrual a year rather than 2 1/2%). Now rather than putting aside the money that was to be paid by the municipalities into the pensions, many delayed their payments because the funds were already overfunded and spent the money on other projects.
When the market crash, the pensions ceased being overfunded, according to the Government Finance Officers Association the public pensions are not currently underfunded; but, they are no longer overfunded and the municipalities are now expected to make their contributions that they had previously promised and they don't want to. The public pensions were used by politicians to fund alternative investments to those with close ties to them. These investments lost hundreds of millions in California alone and are currently the subject of multiple FBI investigations.
Now here is where the politicians are just misrepresenting the situation. They claim that half the municipal budgets or even more will need to go to the retirees; but, this is only if they catch up on all delayed payments in one year and that is unnecessary. This is easily negotiated with the public unions, spread it over ten, it doesn't really matter as the pensions are not spending all their money now, these are projected losses if they don't increase their worth.
There was a time when government worked better, part of the reason was because there were no term limits and a career politician would have to live with his decisions, you couldn't just kick the can down the road. The politicians would actually attempt to fix problems rather than raid the budgets to pay for flashy projects to impress the electorate. They also became more familiar with the civil servants and would become educated in what the rules were. Now most elected officials are ignorant of how things work administratively.
Now, lets return to discussing pensions. If you are an elected official with a municipality or state and are subject to term limits then you can get a lot more votes for cutting pensions and destroying morale and commitment because, you won't be there to deal with it. Lets face it, we have two decades of term limits and the politicians have only gotten worse.
Let me ask this simple question, nationwide the bridges are in disrepair, many are dangerous; but, how many were fixed? Now, how many new bridges were built in the meantime? You get more applause for making new toys then for fixing old ones; but, the most cost effective thing is to fix old first. It is cheaper to replace the engine in your car then to buy a new car.
Now lets look beyond public pensions to where we are headed. The politicians blame everything on the civil servants (except the politicians write the laws and not the bureaucrats), the citizens follow along behind them crying that the civil servants should not have the pensions that they do because private industry has moved away from them and the workers lose. Here is the thing, we don't make anything any better by making it worse for anyone. We should be promoting pensions for everyone or we are advocating what is coming, pensions for nobody.
Don't think I believe that the public unions are on the right side of the issue. They are happy to negotiate lower pensions for people in the future so long as the current members don't have to take the hit and many current members are also good with that; but, it is equally wrong. The problem is the same, we are all looking to make the next guy pay for our mistakes rather than ramping back.
We have become a world of people who only look out for themselves and we have politicians who feel the same way. How many politicians do you hear saying that they should be meeting the promises that they made to these employees and if they did, who would vote for them? Not enough to get them elected. Too few seem interested in meeting their obligations in marriage, mortgages or government. Private industry doesn't believe it has obligations anymore, not to the employees and not to the nation and certainly not to the people who elected them.
The above article talks about public pensions in San Diego. Now, I have never lived in San Diego and have never worked there, so, on many levels it doesn't effect me; but, it is evidence of San Diego's poor municipal government and their residents and politicians insincerity when making agreements.
San Diego is a very conservative city which has tended to elect Republicans (I belong to no party by the way). Part of their agenda was to reduce the number of government workers and they actually attempted to contract out all computer jobs, that went really badly for them. Their relationship with their contractor soured and they didn't have their own people as a back up.
In regards to their pensions, during the happy days of a strong stock market, the City of San Diego negotiated with the unions to allow the employees a bigger retirement in exchange the City would not be required to contribute as much to the pensions. Let me explain how this worked, before the crash, public pensions were overfunded. Pension funds are only allowed to keep so much more than it is anticipated that they will need to pay out. I think it used to be 125%. Okay, the investments that the pensions made did so well that many municipalities stopped making their contributions or reduced them in exchange for letting people have bigger pensions (3% accrual a year rather than 2 1/2%). Now rather than putting aside the money that was to be paid by the municipalities into the pensions, many delayed their payments because the funds were already overfunded and spent the money on other projects.
When the market crash, the pensions ceased being overfunded, according to the Government Finance Officers Association the public pensions are not currently underfunded; but, they are no longer overfunded and the municipalities are now expected to make their contributions that they had previously promised and they don't want to. The public pensions were used by politicians to fund alternative investments to those with close ties to them. These investments lost hundreds of millions in California alone and are currently the subject of multiple FBI investigations.
Now here is where the politicians are just misrepresenting the situation. They claim that half the municipal budgets or even more will need to go to the retirees; but, this is only if they catch up on all delayed payments in one year and that is unnecessary. This is easily negotiated with the public unions, spread it over ten, it doesn't really matter as the pensions are not spending all their money now, these are projected losses if they don't increase their worth.
There was a time when government worked better, part of the reason was because there were no term limits and a career politician would have to live with his decisions, you couldn't just kick the can down the road. The politicians would actually attempt to fix problems rather than raid the budgets to pay for flashy projects to impress the electorate. They also became more familiar with the civil servants and would become educated in what the rules were. Now most elected officials are ignorant of how things work administratively.
Now, lets return to discussing pensions. If you are an elected official with a municipality or state and are subject to term limits then you can get a lot more votes for cutting pensions and destroying morale and commitment because, you won't be there to deal with it. Lets face it, we have two decades of term limits and the politicians have only gotten worse.
Let me ask this simple question, nationwide the bridges are in disrepair, many are dangerous; but, how many were fixed? Now, how many new bridges were built in the meantime? You get more applause for making new toys then for fixing old ones; but, the most cost effective thing is to fix old first. It is cheaper to replace the engine in your car then to buy a new car.
Now lets look beyond public pensions to where we are headed. The politicians blame everything on the civil servants (except the politicians write the laws and not the bureaucrats), the citizens follow along behind them crying that the civil servants should not have the pensions that they do because private industry has moved away from them and the workers lose. Here is the thing, we don't make anything any better by making it worse for anyone. We should be promoting pensions for everyone or we are advocating what is coming, pensions for nobody.
Don't think I believe that the public unions are on the right side of the issue. They are happy to negotiate lower pensions for people in the future so long as the current members don't have to take the hit and many current members are also good with that; but, it is equally wrong. The problem is the same, we are all looking to make the next guy pay for our mistakes rather than ramping back.
We have become a world of people who only look out for themselves and we have politicians who feel the same way. How many politicians do you hear saying that they should be meeting the promises that they made to these employees and if they did, who would vote for them? Not enough to get them elected. Too few seem interested in meeting their obligations in marriage, mortgages or government. Private industry doesn't believe it has obligations anymore, not to the employees and not to the nation and certainly not to the people who elected them.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
We Shall Post Comedy
I am enjoying some time with a relative and friends; but, you shall have humor. Here you go.
Carol Burnett Show outtakes - Tim Conway's Elephant Story
Comedy Tonight
You have no right to complain, I have nothing in my head and I have no right to complain for I seek nothing in my head, I like the nice cool air that travels from left to right and cools the empty space in between.
Carol Burnett Show outtakes - Tim Conway's Elephant Story
Comedy Tonight
You have no right to complain, I have nothing in my head and I have no right to complain for I seek nothing in my head, I like the nice cool air that travels from left to right and cools the empty space in between.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The FBI, City of L.A. and Andrew Adelman
The City of Los Angeles, Department of Building and Safety seems to still have problems. Why is this not surprising? Look, the FBI does not get involved in every building inspector in the country who takes a bribe, people would have to be stupid to think that.
L.A. Weekly - Corruption at Los Angeles Building and Safety
Couple of questions, one, why does the LA Weekly mention Andrew Adelman so many times when he has been gone for years? This is the same newspaper that I had contacted and notified that there was a very good chance that the loft conversions were being done without proper asbestos removal procedures in place and I had told them to look into Building and Safety, never worked there but knew people who did. Do you really think that the Pimpernel does not bring up such things, I write such things.
Lets be very clear, if I had first hand knowledge, I would send people to jail. As it is, I can only link to news sources. I can only tell you how I believe it is systemic in Southern California and many other places. I can only link to sources that show that the CRA, the unions, the politicians and the developers are all working together while using public pensions to fund their political agendas.
So who should watch the people who change zoning, award permits and approve what the City will look like? This is a good question for any city, county or state. As it is, the system is controlled by politicians that write one law and promote another, a law of privilege. When do they get arrested or is this all one big joke?
L.A. Weekly - Corruption at Los Angeles Building and Safety
Couple of questions, one, why does the LA Weekly mention Andrew Adelman so many times when he has been gone for years? This is the same newspaper that I had contacted and notified that there was a very good chance that the loft conversions were being done without proper asbestos removal procedures in place and I had told them to look into Building and Safety, never worked there but knew people who did. Do you really think that the Pimpernel does not bring up such things, I write such things.
Lets be very clear, if I had first hand knowledge, I would send people to jail. As it is, I can only link to news sources. I can only tell you how I believe it is systemic in Southern California and many other places. I can only link to sources that show that the CRA, the unions, the politicians and the developers are all working together while using public pensions to fund their political agendas.
So who should watch the people who change zoning, award permits and approve what the City will look like? This is a good question for any city, county or state. As it is, the system is controlled by politicians that write one law and promote another, a law of privilege. When do they get arrested or is this all one big joke?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
No Post Tonight
Hah, I was kidding and if all you do is read the titles then you shall not see this post, pitiful thing that it be. I had dinner with a dear friend and one of my favorite places, no, not the heart attack grille, I didn't like their burgers. It was a deli and the best ever been too. Nice waitress, old school and lots of service. I will eat the rest of the sandwich tomorrow.
We talked about birds and bees and many things. I am always happy when I am with my friends and family. I am very simple creature in the real world. I love my quiet time, just reading and thinking. I asked myself what I wanted today, out of life, you know. I couldn't come up with much, what I did come up with was really for others rather than me. Everything ends, heck, Jimmy cracks corn and I don't care, I mean I think I have done more than has been asked for me, what is worthwhile now, is there anything for me in the mixture?
I have been trying to decide what I might like, what might bring me pleasure. My friend said that maybe I should write a book; but, I don't feel like the restrictions that I would be on me in writing a book, it would be like work. I thought that I might just like to wander and meet people and write about it in my blog. That would take a lot of stuff, I would have to get an RV and a small car to tow. Lots of things would be involved and I feel lazy, I don't want to plan for anything, God will provide what I need, it says so and he has.
I like where I am, I am totally good with dying here, I will take a two bedroom if I can get it; but, it doesn't really matter. I am happy where I am and need nothing more than to pay my bills and eat. Nope, I am as happy as I have ever been, owning nothing and owing little. LOL. Life is just fine. I cannot think what would make it better except the dead one, the one that loved me. I guess I shall remain alone or learn more. Peace.
We talked about birds and bees and many things. I am always happy when I am with my friends and family. I am very simple creature in the real world. I love my quiet time, just reading and thinking. I asked myself what I wanted today, out of life, you know. I couldn't come up with much, what I did come up with was really for others rather than me. Everything ends, heck, Jimmy cracks corn and I don't care, I mean I think I have done more than has been asked for me, what is worthwhile now, is there anything for me in the mixture?
I have been trying to decide what I might like, what might bring me pleasure. My friend said that maybe I should write a book; but, I don't feel like the restrictions that I would be on me in writing a book, it would be like work. I thought that I might just like to wander and meet people and write about it in my blog. That would take a lot of stuff, I would have to get an RV and a small car to tow. Lots of things would be involved and I feel lazy, I don't want to plan for anything, God will provide what I need, it says so and he has.
I like where I am, I am totally good with dying here, I will take a two bedroom if I can get it; but, it doesn't really matter. I am happy where I am and need nothing more than to pay my bills and eat. Nope, I am as happy as I have ever been, owning nothing and owing little. LOL. Life is just fine. I cannot think what would make it better except the dead one, the one that loved me. I guess I shall remain alone or learn more. Peace.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Dumb People Should Not Become Believers in God
Because they make him look bad. So I read this really short article from AFP on Yahoo News. It is a whopping seven sentences. Basically, Oliver Stone's son Sean has converted to Islam while filming in Iran. It says that his mother is Christian and his father is Jewish. I guess he is now covered regardless of who is right, covering all the basis. What bothers me is what he said. He said he was born Jewish and Christian and he still is; but, now he says he is accepting of Muhammad and the other prophets. The article is linked below:
Oliver Stone's son converts to Islam in Iran
One is not born into Christianity or Judaism (as a religion), these are beliefs. Now you may be more likely to accept the beliefs or at least claim to if your parents raise you in a certain faith; but, it is still a belief and not genetics. His understanding of the bible and the Koran is clearly so weak that he does not understand the most basic principles of religion. The biggest attack on true faith is not atheism, it is people who have no true belief and think they do. They think of it as just believing someone was good and that God is only a good feeling.
I wrote about this once before I think; but, it may have been on one of the prior versions of the blog. Faith does not mean simply thinking something is more likely than not, it means that you are willing to take risks because of your belief. In one part of the bible it says that Moses had faith in his staff and leaned on it. He didn't just believe, he acted as if it would hold him up, he trusted that it would hold him up.
Someone who believes all religions has faith in none. Having said that, I would really question his commitment to Islam, I wouldn't be surprised if he "converted" for the sake of making the documentary.
Oliver Stone's son converts to Islam in Iran
One is not born into Christianity or Judaism (as a religion), these are beliefs. Now you may be more likely to accept the beliefs or at least claim to if your parents raise you in a certain faith; but, it is still a belief and not genetics. His understanding of the bible and the Koran is clearly so weak that he does not understand the most basic principles of religion. The biggest attack on true faith is not atheism, it is people who have no true belief and think they do. They think of it as just believing someone was good and that God is only a good feeling.
I wrote about this once before I think; but, it may have been on one of the prior versions of the blog. Faith does not mean simply thinking something is more likely than not, it means that you are willing to take risks because of your belief. In one part of the bible it says that Moses had faith in his staff and leaned on it. He didn't just believe, he acted as if it would hold him up, he trusted that it would hold him up.
Someone who believes all religions has faith in none. Having said that, I would really question his commitment to Islam, I wouldn't be surprised if he "converted" for the sake of making the documentary.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Pastor Carol Daniels Tribute
I had just finished posting when I decided to check the stats on the blog. I saw a lot of traffic on Pastor Daniels and decided to search her name and see if anything new had happened. Turns out that her church has placed a monument to her where the church used to be. For those who come here because of the posts about her, I thought you might like to see this.
KFOR - Community remembers pastor with monument
Certainly a day of remembrance for me. A day to remember one that I will not see again and a day to remember one that I was never fortunate enough to ever meet. Perhaps someday I will be fortunate enough to be in Oklahoma, I will stop by the monument in the same way that I stopped my darlings grave today.
KFOR - Community remembers pastor with monument
Certainly a day of remembrance for me. A day to remember one that I will not see again and a day to remember one that I was never fortunate enough to ever meet. Perhaps someday I will be fortunate enough to be in Oklahoma, I will stop by the monument in the same way that I stopped my darlings grave today.
A Visit to a Cemetery
I don't visit cemeteries often. I have buried many, many people; but, rarely go back to visit. I am much more likely to think about those who have passed away rather than visit the place where they are buried. I visited a grave today, I had promised myself that I would do it and I did.
I visited the resting place of the love of my life. It was not meant to be, outside forces and the world got in the way. I left her flowers and candy cane, her sister had left her candy canes so I figure she must have liked candy canes. I left them for valentines day just before the place closed so I would know that they would be there in the morning for her. Stupid, right? She will never see them nor taste the candy canes. I just felt a need to do it.
She is buried in a little hill in front of a little white church, it is a very pretty place. While I was placing the flowers and candy, a car pulled up in front of mine, the person looked at me and then drove to the other side of the hill and parked; but, never got out. The driver was a woman of about my age. I left the things on the grave which still looks very recently dug. I then got in my car and drove away. I wondered why the woman in the car had parked next to me and then moved on, I wondered if it might be my love's sister. I am never not an analyst.
It is possible that the woman was scared of me; but, I was just some guy placing flowers and candy canes on a grave at 4:30 in the afternoon the day before Valentine's day, I don't think I looked that scary, just sad. Maybe she was there to visit someone's grave that was nearby where I was and she wanted to be alone; it is a new part of the cemetery and there cannot be more than three close by. Perhaps I shall never know. Life is like that sometimes.
I have felt that there was something left for me to do in order to completely be free of my past and I didn't know what it was. I have had the feeling that there was some unfinished business and I think this was it. My elders are all dead, my house and prior life are now gone never to return. Saying goodbye to her was a finality, it was the last attachment that is gone that needed to be recognized.
So now I am free to do as I wish, I am free to date, free to move where I wish, free to do whatever I want. I don't wish to move, I like where I am. I cannot say there is anything in particular that I wish to do other than write. I do not think I wish to date, I think I am done with that. I think I will focus on work more. I only have to work a couple more years and there are some things I would like to see happen.
I don't know where my life will take me; heck, I cannot believe where I have been and how I got here I will never know. What I do know is that there are certain people that I will not see again and certain things that I will not do again. Closing doors and new roads are a fact of life if we are lucky enough to see them. I think I have shut off the lights and closed the doors to parts of my life that are never to return.
The Beatles - In My Life
I visited the resting place of the love of my life. It was not meant to be, outside forces and the world got in the way. I left her flowers and candy cane, her sister had left her candy canes so I figure she must have liked candy canes. I left them for valentines day just before the place closed so I would know that they would be there in the morning for her. Stupid, right? She will never see them nor taste the candy canes. I just felt a need to do it.
She is buried in a little hill in front of a little white church, it is a very pretty place. While I was placing the flowers and candy, a car pulled up in front of mine, the person looked at me and then drove to the other side of the hill and parked; but, never got out. The driver was a woman of about my age. I left the things on the grave which still looks very recently dug. I then got in my car and drove away. I wondered why the woman in the car had parked next to me and then moved on, I wondered if it might be my love's sister. I am never not an analyst.
It is possible that the woman was scared of me; but, I was just some guy placing flowers and candy canes on a grave at 4:30 in the afternoon the day before Valentine's day, I don't think I looked that scary, just sad. Maybe she was there to visit someone's grave that was nearby where I was and she wanted to be alone; it is a new part of the cemetery and there cannot be more than three close by. Perhaps I shall never know. Life is like that sometimes.
I have felt that there was something left for me to do in order to completely be free of my past and I didn't know what it was. I have had the feeling that there was some unfinished business and I think this was it. My elders are all dead, my house and prior life are now gone never to return. Saying goodbye to her was a finality, it was the last attachment that is gone that needed to be recognized.
So now I am free to do as I wish, I am free to date, free to move where I wish, free to do whatever I want. I don't wish to move, I like where I am. I cannot say there is anything in particular that I wish to do other than write. I do not think I wish to date, I think I am done with that. I think I will focus on work more. I only have to work a couple more years and there are some things I would like to see happen.
I don't know where my life will take me; heck, I cannot believe where I have been and how I got here I will never know. What I do know is that there are certain people that I will not see again and certain things that I will not do again. Closing doors and new roads are a fact of life if we are lucky enough to see them. I think I have shut off the lights and closed the doors to parts of my life that are never to return.
The Beatles - In My Life
Saturday, February 11, 2012
In What Way Shall I Be Imperfect
This is a message strictly to Christians. If none of us is perfect, if all of us are sinful, which sin should I be guilty of? Which sin should you be guilty of? If we are all sinful, do we get to pick which sin we are guilty of and is there a hierarchy of sins? At what point do the sinners get accepted, or is it just me that is never is accepted? How does love and forgiveness work, is it about the sinner or forgiveness and grace? Peace. Does it ever become about love or is it always about self?
Friday, February 10, 2012
Preparing to Rest
I worked outside today, had to visit some locations and look at some things. I don't work in the field often, it happens a few times a year; but, I spend most days in the office. It was a beautiful southern California day and those are pretty hard to top. After I got home I walked to the store and just enjoyed the twilight, I am very fortunate to be where I am.
It occurred to me yesterday that I was better off alone for the rest of my life than I had been with my ex-wife. I hate to say it; but, it is true. I don't miss anything I lost, not the house, not the Benz, not the stuff and not even the money. I have gained a peace and now I can rest when I get home, it feels pretty good to know that all the pressures that I felt for so long are going away.
I must cut the posts short, a relative has arrived. Peace.
It occurred to me yesterday that I was better off alone for the rest of my life than I had been with my ex-wife. I hate to say it; but, it is true. I don't miss anything I lost, not the house, not the Benz, not the stuff and not even the money. I have gained a peace and now I can rest when I get home, it feels pretty good to know that all the pressures that I felt for so long are going away.
I must cut the posts short, a relative has arrived. Peace.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Under Your Skin
Two articles and two issues. The first article is from the Telegraph and is about a new requirement that EVERY dog in England be chipped. Microchips for all dogs to hold owners to account Here is a quote from the article, “Surely anyone who cannot control their dog should not have one,” he said. The "he" was a Lord Renton and the where is England.
Now I had been told that in Australia, rather than license the dog, the person has to get a license to own a dog. What I did not know is that most areas limit you to two dogs and two cats. Oh, and they all have to be spayed or neutered. Now the claim is that viscous dogs need to be monitored; but, why would all the cats need to be chipped? Also, wouldn't it be enough to just neuter all the male animals? I mean if you neuter all the males, they still cannot breed. Not long ago an Australian politician called for paying girls to get fixed. I didn't think that Australia was overcrowded because it is NOT overcrowded.
In China they simplified it in two ways. Firstly, you cannot own more than one dog and secondly, at least in the downtown Luwan District in Shanghai, you have to go to a public hearing and get your neighbors approval to own a dog and if anyone doesn't approve then you cannot own a dog. What is the deal with these crazy dog laws?
There are some crazy laws out there regarding animals, especially dogs. In Sweden they have a law that you have to visit your dog at least twice a day; but, unless it has changed it is still legal to have sex with a dog. There are a few countries that have not allowed having sex with animals; but, many of them require that your dog be spayed or neutered. What is the real issue. Oh, in Canada it is illegal to own a pit bull and a few other breeds.
What is it about dogs that governments hate but people love? They love us back; but, that cannot be it. Oh, I know, they will protect us with their lives. Yes, that is it, they would die for us. My little dog wouldn't even think about it, heck, he won't let anyone in my room when I am asleep, he flips out. I read this article from a Russian site about a particular breed and how it had been labeled dangerous. The author flipped because apparently the breed is known for not being wild; but, protective perhaps. Hmmm.
They have told us in the United States that we should chip our dogs for their protection. The chip doesn't work like a transformer as far a I know. They also require people to spay or neuter their dogs in most places. If your dog is fixed then surely chipping it does nothing to prevent it from breeding. Oh, it is in case our dogs run away; but, why. If the dog is neutered or spayed it will not be breeding wild packs of dogs that are also spayed and neutered.
I love my dog, heck, I love dogs. Dogs think the world of us. My dog still cries sometimes when I go to work. I have been told that it is quite pitiful. The darn dog sleeps in the bed with me every night and never leaves my side if I am in the house, not even to eat until he cannot stand it and sometimes not even then. If I walk outside and the dog is not on a leash, it doesn't really matter because he won't walk five feet from me (he is always on a leash outside anyways).
I don't trust people who don't like dogs. I mean I understand people who are afraid of dogs especially if they had been bit, that is a reasonable response; but, that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about people who just don't like dogs. It has been my experience that dogs usually don't like them. I have also found that they people who don't like dogs usually have something to hide or a certain kind of cruelness to their nature.
There are some dogs that can actually smell cancer in their masters. I have no idea how many peoples lives have been saved by their dogs and under any circumstance that you can imagine, dogs don't care if their master is at risk no price is to great. You may have seen that picture a few weeks back and the story about the dog who a soldier had in a war zone, the soldier returned and died and when they buried him the dog stayed at the grave. They love us even once we are gone.
So what is behind all this dog shenanigans? Aside from the fact that England really doesn't have a dog problem (they put down about 6,000 a year in a country where they have 8.3 million), why should you need to chip every dog, they already have licenses attached to them.
If you could pull up a satellite image of every chip in every dog in the world, you would know where there masters were and the owners information, including their name, address and whatever other information they keep on owners. Just think, all the technology needed to track people who were chipped has already been tested on dogs.
Now I had been told that in Australia, rather than license the dog, the person has to get a license to own a dog. What I did not know is that most areas limit you to two dogs and two cats. Oh, and they all have to be spayed or neutered. Now the claim is that viscous dogs need to be monitored; but, why would all the cats need to be chipped? Also, wouldn't it be enough to just neuter all the male animals? I mean if you neuter all the males, they still cannot breed. Not long ago an Australian politician called for paying girls to get fixed. I didn't think that Australia was overcrowded because it is NOT overcrowded.
In China they simplified it in two ways. Firstly, you cannot own more than one dog and secondly, at least in the downtown Luwan District in Shanghai, you have to go to a public hearing and get your neighbors approval to own a dog and if anyone doesn't approve then you cannot own a dog. What is the deal with these crazy dog laws?
There are some crazy laws out there regarding animals, especially dogs. In Sweden they have a law that you have to visit your dog at least twice a day; but, unless it has changed it is still legal to have sex with a dog. There are a few countries that have not allowed having sex with animals; but, many of them require that your dog be spayed or neutered. What is the real issue. Oh, in Canada it is illegal to own a pit bull and a few other breeds.
What is it about dogs that governments hate but people love? They love us back; but, that cannot be it. Oh, I know, they will protect us with their lives. Yes, that is it, they would die for us. My little dog wouldn't even think about it, heck, he won't let anyone in my room when I am asleep, he flips out. I read this article from a Russian site about a particular breed and how it had been labeled dangerous. The author flipped because apparently the breed is known for not being wild; but, protective perhaps. Hmmm.
They have told us in the United States that we should chip our dogs for their protection. The chip doesn't work like a transformer as far a I know. They also require people to spay or neuter their dogs in most places. If your dog is fixed then surely chipping it does nothing to prevent it from breeding. Oh, it is in case our dogs run away; but, why. If the dog is neutered or spayed it will not be breeding wild packs of dogs that are also spayed and neutered.
I love my dog, heck, I love dogs. Dogs think the world of us. My dog still cries sometimes when I go to work. I have been told that it is quite pitiful. The darn dog sleeps in the bed with me every night and never leaves my side if I am in the house, not even to eat until he cannot stand it and sometimes not even then. If I walk outside and the dog is not on a leash, it doesn't really matter because he won't walk five feet from me (he is always on a leash outside anyways).
I don't trust people who don't like dogs. I mean I understand people who are afraid of dogs especially if they had been bit, that is a reasonable response; but, that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about people who just don't like dogs. It has been my experience that dogs usually don't like them. I have also found that they people who don't like dogs usually have something to hide or a certain kind of cruelness to their nature.
There are some dogs that can actually smell cancer in their masters. I have no idea how many peoples lives have been saved by their dogs and under any circumstance that you can imagine, dogs don't care if their master is at risk no price is to great. You may have seen that picture a few weeks back and the story about the dog who a soldier had in a war zone, the soldier returned and died and when they buried him the dog stayed at the grave. They love us even once we are gone.
So what is behind all this dog shenanigans? Aside from the fact that England really doesn't have a dog problem (they put down about 6,000 a year in a country where they have 8.3 million), why should you need to chip every dog, they already have licenses attached to them.
If you could pull up a satellite image of every chip in every dog in the world, you would know where there masters were and the owners information, including their name, address and whatever other information they keep on owners. Just think, all the technology needed to track people who were chipped has already been tested on dogs.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Just to be Clear
I believe in what I believe and will live for it. Risk is as meaningless as reward, doing what is right for the right reason is the answer. We don't hear that promoted a lot. Nope, we hear that we are meaningless, irrelevant and self aware for but a moment and it is all wrong.
Every sentient being matters, even the dumbest and most selfish of us. We all matter because we are all alive. Priorities are only understood when one has to face the consequences at the end of a question, make the final determination as to who we are and what is really important. Just some thoughts and cheap post. Peace.
Every sentient being matters, even the dumbest and most selfish of us. We all matter because we are all alive. Priorities are only understood when one has to face the consequences at the end of a question, make the final determination as to who we are and what is really important. Just some thoughts and cheap post. Peace.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Another Poor Post
Sorry my dear readers, a friend was hospitalized and I have a headache. In addition, I didn't see anything in the news I felt like passing on. As for my voice, it is coming back but still pretty weak. As for my friend, seems he will be well; but, boy is he going to hear some things from me when he is better. You don't con me into something and then get out that easy and he has not finished his job as I am not ready to take over some things for him, just yet. Everybody deserves some time off, even the Pimpernel (by the way, he reads the blog and now has some free time).
Cryptic words from a cryptic fellow, they chase him here, they chase him there, that darned elusive Pimpernel.
Cryptic words from a cryptic fellow, they chase him here, they chase him there, that darned elusive Pimpernel.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Off to the Witch Hunts
As the average person becomes aware of how the world is controlled, as the average person becomes aware that they are sheep and have not participated when they could have, as the average person becomes aware of the fact that they do not make the decisions; but, merely chase the cookies of this world, what is their reaction? It is anger and it leads them to making even worse decisions. It leads to things like the French Revolution, rage, not thought.
The world is no longer run by Shepherds or Sheep Dogs, it is run by predators and they devour the sheep. The predators don't care about the sheep; but, they will do everything possible to keep them from moving in mass. They will make sure that they make big splashy promises and make a big deal about doing the right thing; but, the predators do not know what the right thing is; therefore, like the sheep, they overreact. That is their nature. I always bet on the Shepherd and the sheep dogs in the long run.
Two predators were arrested in Los Angeles recently. They were arrested for molesting children at the same school. They were teachers. If guilty they will no doubt be found guilty and serve very unpleasant terms in jail. We are all in agreement and happy with that result. The school; however, has decided to put ALL of the staff of the school, all 150 on a paid leave while they investigate if any of the others is guilty.
Many will say that this is fine, no hurt, no fowl. The other teachers are given some paid time off, the children are safe and they school and police can do a thorough and fair investigation. WRONG, what happened to innocent until proven guilty? What does it mean when you suspend staff that haven't been accused of anything? Why couldn't less offensive means, less expensive means and more rational means have been employed? Couldn't a few people have been hired to check on the different classrooms during the day, unannounced? If there are any more molesters in the school, do you really think that they will be very active while they know a police investigation is going on? Is there any sanity left in the world?
Instead, the school will bring in 150 people who they know NOTHING about, how is that safer for the children? The sheep want draconian and easy answers and the predators provide them with them. The problem with the world and how it is run is extremism, that is what causes war. I think this is turning into a rant.
This is basic algebra, some pedophiles are priests and teachers and therapists and you name it. That does not mean that all priests, teachers or therapists are child molesters. This approach hurts the children, it teaches them that they cannot trust their teachers, their priests or their therapists. Do you get it? Extreme examples are over-publicized to scare people into making bad decisions that result in their children trusting nobody and not listening to anybody.
Some of the people who read this blog know me personally and what I am about to say will make them sad. When I was 8, I was molested. I didn't talk about it until I was in my 40s and I told my then wife. It only happened once and was someone I didn't know. I would not have told anyone, I got over it, I learned to mentally deal with it decades ago and decided that I didn't need to talk about it. When Roger Moore wrote about his experience (hey, he was James Bond), I was able to tell my wife and then I put it back to bed. Little could I know that eventually I would also have to get over my wife's infidelity; but, I did that too.
Here is the point. Some relationships are toxic. Some experiences are bad. We cannot create a world where there is no risk unless we eliminate all freedom and monitor everyone non-stop and guess what, then all of the decisions are in the hands of the few and they can do even greater damage. The issue is a question of balancing risk versus trust. There is always risk; but, what happens when there is no trust? How much can you grow if there is no trust and no risk, what lessons can be learned?
If we allow our emotions to control us then those who control our emotions make our decisions. This is the point of the bible. We should do everything in love; but, to know what to do, what the options are requires thought, emotion won't get you there alone. The two least rational emotions are rage and love, of the two I prefer love. Which do you prefer?
I cannot live without anger and I cannot live without love. They are emotions within me, the question is which I allow to be my final determining factor in my decisions. That is the message of Jesus in essence. Will you take the risk of love or take the supposed certainty of hate? You might get hurt on this ride, life might deal you some bad cards; but, there are no good cards if there is no risk.
Someone, a relative, told me something when I told him that my wife had cheated on me. He said that there were some lessons you wish you never had to learn, he had been cheated on. He also told me that he never gave 100% of his heart again, I have heard that from many people. I made the decision, for myself, that I would make sure that I was able to give 100% of my heart if I chose to be with someone again. I play Texas No=Limit Holdem, you are all in or all out or you can never win.
Since my divorce I have not found anyone who wants to give me a 100% of their trust, nor have I found someone that I can give 100% of my trust to. I have met and been on dates with many wonderful women; but, not the one. If I decide that true love is impossible, for how much less should I settle. If I never trust anyone at all, it will be fairly shallow relationships for me. Bed and breakfast at best. Would any of my dear readers wish that for me or themselves?
Teach children to be strong, to overcome and not to ever think that they will live a life with no challenges. They could be molested, they could break an arm, they could get beat up or they could die in a car accident. Many things could happen to them. We can monitor them 24/7 in the classroom, we can make them wear safety suits all day, we can give them a body guard, we can build cars that drive themselves, we can give them pills that make them as smart as anyone else, we can give them no autonomy, no decision making, we can control them like prisoners is a guilded cage, a virtual reality where they never learn real pain. Would you do that to your children?
When a baby is a baby you allow it very limited freedom, it may even sleep in your bed or a bassinet next to your bed. Would you put a 20 year old in the same bassinet? Growing up we were told that there were some crazy hippies who reportedly were putting razor blades in apples and giving them out at Halloween. Guess what, it didn't happen. In response, parents stopped allowing kids to go for trick or treat without them, parents had to inspect each peace of candy we received, we were told to fear our neighbors and eventually Halloween became more important for adults than for kids.
It used to be that Halloween was the one day of the year when kids could go out at night, getting candy, seeing all their friends in their costumes and just enjoy their first taste of freedom from supervision, the freedom to express what they wanted to become and nothing was too scary. That is gone. People are sheep and they being terrorized by the media, it warps the mind of the sheep; but, they will not listen to reason because they are sheep. Most horrible economic situations end is totalitarianism because the sheep like safety and do not understand doing the right thing for the right reason.
Ramblings from a madman, someone who thinks that the sheep are sheep and that it is okay; but, they need to do their role. All have a role. Peace.
The world is no longer run by Shepherds or Sheep Dogs, it is run by predators and they devour the sheep. The predators don't care about the sheep; but, they will do everything possible to keep them from moving in mass. They will make sure that they make big splashy promises and make a big deal about doing the right thing; but, the predators do not know what the right thing is; therefore, like the sheep, they overreact. That is their nature. I always bet on the Shepherd and the sheep dogs in the long run.
Two predators were arrested in Los Angeles recently. They were arrested for molesting children at the same school. They were teachers. If guilty they will no doubt be found guilty and serve very unpleasant terms in jail. We are all in agreement and happy with that result. The school; however, has decided to put ALL of the staff of the school, all 150 on a paid leave while they investigate if any of the others is guilty.
Many will say that this is fine, no hurt, no fowl. The other teachers are given some paid time off, the children are safe and they school and police can do a thorough and fair investigation. WRONG, what happened to innocent until proven guilty? What does it mean when you suspend staff that haven't been accused of anything? Why couldn't less offensive means, less expensive means and more rational means have been employed? Couldn't a few people have been hired to check on the different classrooms during the day, unannounced? If there are any more molesters in the school, do you really think that they will be very active while they know a police investigation is going on? Is there any sanity left in the world?
Instead, the school will bring in 150 people who they know NOTHING about, how is that safer for the children? The sheep want draconian and easy answers and the predators provide them with them. The problem with the world and how it is run is extremism, that is what causes war. I think this is turning into a rant.
This is basic algebra, some pedophiles are priests and teachers and therapists and you name it. That does not mean that all priests, teachers or therapists are child molesters. This approach hurts the children, it teaches them that they cannot trust their teachers, their priests or their therapists. Do you get it? Extreme examples are over-publicized to scare people into making bad decisions that result in their children trusting nobody and not listening to anybody.
Some of the people who read this blog know me personally and what I am about to say will make them sad. When I was 8, I was molested. I didn't talk about it until I was in my 40s and I told my then wife. It only happened once and was someone I didn't know. I would not have told anyone, I got over it, I learned to mentally deal with it decades ago and decided that I didn't need to talk about it. When Roger Moore wrote about his experience (hey, he was James Bond), I was able to tell my wife and then I put it back to bed. Little could I know that eventually I would also have to get over my wife's infidelity; but, I did that too.
Here is the point. Some relationships are toxic. Some experiences are bad. We cannot create a world where there is no risk unless we eliminate all freedom and monitor everyone non-stop and guess what, then all of the decisions are in the hands of the few and they can do even greater damage. The issue is a question of balancing risk versus trust. There is always risk; but, what happens when there is no trust? How much can you grow if there is no trust and no risk, what lessons can be learned?
If we allow our emotions to control us then those who control our emotions make our decisions. This is the point of the bible. We should do everything in love; but, to know what to do, what the options are requires thought, emotion won't get you there alone. The two least rational emotions are rage and love, of the two I prefer love. Which do you prefer?
I cannot live without anger and I cannot live without love. They are emotions within me, the question is which I allow to be my final determining factor in my decisions. That is the message of Jesus in essence. Will you take the risk of love or take the supposed certainty of hate? You might get hurt on this ride, life might deal you some bad cards; but, there are no good cards if there is no risk.
Someone, a relative, told me something when I told him that my wife had cheated on me. He said that there were some lessons you wish you never had to learn, he had been cheated on. He also told me that he never gave 100% of his heart again, I have heard that from many people. I made the decision, for myself, that I would make sure that I was able to give 100% of my heart if I chose to be with someone again. I play Texas No=Limit Holdem, you are all in or all out or you can never win.
Since my divorce I have not found anyone who wants to give me a 100% of their trust, nor have I found someone that I can give 100% of my trust to. I have met and been on dates with many wonderful women; but, not the one. If I decide that true love is impossible, for how much less should I settle. If I never trust anyone at all, it will be fairly shallow relationships for me. Bed and breakfast at best. Would any of my dear readers wish that for me or themselves?
Teach children to be strong, to overcome and not to ever think that they will live a life with no challenges. They could be molested, they could break an arm, they could get beat up or they could die in a car accident. Many things could happen to them. We can monitor them 24/7 in the classroom, we can make them wear safety suits all day, we can give them a body guard, we can build cars that drive themselves, we can give them pills that make them as smart as anyone else, we can give them no autonomy, no decision making, we can control them like prisoners is a guilded cage, a virtual reality where they never learn real pain. Would you do that to your children?
When a baby is a baby you allow it very limited freedom, it may even sleep in your bed or a bassinet next to your bed. Would you put a 20 year old in the same bassinet? Growing up we were told that there were some crazy hippies who reportedly were putting razor blades in apples and giving them out at Halloween. Guess what, it didn't happen. In response, parents stopped allowing kids to go for trick or treat without them, parents had to inspect each peace of candy we received, we were told to fear our neighbors and eventually Halloween became more important for adults than for kids.
It used to be that Halloween was the one day of the year when kids could go out at night, getting candy, seeing all their friends in their costumes and just enjoy their first taste of freedom from supervision, the freedom to express what they wanted to become and nothing was too scary. That is gone. People are sheep and they being terrorized by the media, it warps the mind of the sheep; but, they will not listen to reason because they are sheep. Most horrible economic situations end is totalitarianism because the sheep like safety and do not understand doing the right thing for the right reason.
Ramblings from a madman, someone who thinks that the sheep are sheep and that it is okay; but, they need to do their role. All have a role. Peace.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
On Being and Bad Science
It is a little later than I had planned; but, once again my sermon ran long. I don't like to stop in the middle of a thought and that meant that I got home late. Before I left for church I had read some news articles and this one in particular caught my attention. Oh, for those who are wondering, yes, I mostly have my voice back, it is still weak; but, mostly functional and I spoke very little all weekend in order that I might be ready for my sermon tonight.
Anyways, here is th article. CNN - Ted Network - Unraveling the mystery of consciousness
In the article it says, "On the side of understanding, we can point to the process of sensory representation as an important part of consciousness. Most of what we are conscious of (conceivably all that we are conscious of) consists of representations of objects and events in the sensory modalities in which our brains trade, for example, vision, hearing, touching, smelling, taste, sensing the state of our body's interior." I want you to think about that, is it true? I would disagree with his premise because it does not fit the facts that we know. If you would like an example, I will give two. First we have Helen Keller, born deaf, dumb and blind, yet AFTER she learned language she was able to tell the rest of us what it was like to be purely emotion. The second one is achieved by using an isolation tank, that is a tank with a saline solution that allows you to float, within the tank you are denied all sight, sound and feeling. They refer to this as sensory deprivation. Anyone placed within one of these tanks will begin hallucinating within minutes and the hallucinations are vivid. We are sensory beings by nature.
The writer continues on and comes to an amusing backwards conclusion. He finally says, "I believe to be conscious of our perceptions is to have ongoing representations of streams of events that affect our bodies, cause feelings, and become felt representations." His premise is that because we have bodies we are capable of having experiences, that our minds "map" there experiences (we organize them via thoughts) and that it results in an emotional response. He is wrong. We have emotions, we organize them with symbols or language and that is how we control our actions. He has it backwards, now the question is why? What is the premise that he is operating under?
So, if the most basic part of our consciousness is emotions, why does he assume that the most basic part of us is thought (symbolism to describe emotions)? Why make that assumption? The answer is because he hates the consequence of the opposite? His most basic assumption is that we are merely a mechanical response to stimuli. He does not believe in a soul and individuality, a true self. He believes that there is no self will. He does not find us unique merely consequences. His philosophy is garbage and his science is worse.
For all their efforts they cannot understand how we can have emotions prior to learning how to organize thoughts, they see thoughts as creating emotions rather than emotions having been the reason that we needed to create thoughts. I do hope you understand that it is a question of which came first and that the writer has given the least likely answer because of his bias. You matter, we all matter and only evil people would try and convince you that you do not matter, that life is not important because once they do that they then begin determining which lives are more meaningful. Peace and I wanted to post something heavy after having posted lighter fair.
Anyways, here is th article. CNN - Ted Network - Unraveling the mystery of consciousness
In the article it says, "On the side of understanding, we can point to the process of sensory representation as an important part of consciousness. Most of what we are conscious of (conceivably all that we are conscious of) consists of representations of objects and events in the sensory modalities in which our brains trade, for example, vision, hearing, touching, smelling, taste, sensing the state of our body's interior." I want you to think about that, is it true? I would disagree with his premise because it does not fit the facts that we know. If you would like an example, I will give two. First we have Helen Keller, born deaf, dumb and blind, yet AFTER she learned language she was able to tell the rest of us what it was like to be purely emotion. The second one is achieved by using an isolation tank, that is a tank with a saline solution that allows you to float, within the tank you are denied all sight, sound and feeling. They refer to this as sensory deprivation. Anyone placed within one of these tanks will begin hallucinating within minutes and the hallucinations are vivid. We are sensory beings by nature.
The writer continues on and comes to an amusing backwards conclusion. He finally says, "I believe to be conscious of our perceptions is to have ongoing representations of streams of events that affect our bodies, cause feelings, and become felt representations." His premise is that because we have bodies we are capable of having experiences, that our minds "map" there experiences (we organize them via thoughts) and that it results in an emotional response. He is wrong. We have emotions, we organize them with symbols or language and that is how we control our actions. He has it backwards, now the question is why? What is the premise that he is operating under?
So, if the most basic part of our consciousness is emotions, why does he assume that the most basic part of us is thought (symbolism to describe emotions)? Why make that assumption? The answer is because he hates the consequence of the opposite? His most basic assumption is that we are merely a mechanical response to stimuli. He does not believe in a soul and individuality, a true self. He believes that there is no self will. He does not find us unique merely consequences. His philosophy is garbage and his science is worse.
For all their efforts they cannot understand how we can have emotions prior to learning how to organize thoughts, they see thoughts as creating emotions rather than emotions having been the reason that we needed to create thoughts. I do hope you understand that it is a question of which came first and that the writer has given the least likely answer because of his bias. You matter, we all matter and only evil people would try and convince you that you do not matter, that life is not important because once they do that they then begin determining which lives are more meaningful. Peace and I wanted to post something heavy after having posted lighter fair.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
You Shall Get a Post; but, Will it be Worth it?
Crazy stuff is what you shall get. Lets start with this, they found what looks like a couple of flying saucers at the bottom of the Baltic sea. Search it, look it up. Crazy stuff, plenty of crazy stuff. Hey, what happens if Greece doesn't condemn their people to austerity for eternity? Lets get back to basics, lets listen to some music.
YouTube - Linda Ronstadt - Long, Long Time
YouTube - Fleetwood Mac - The Dance-1997-Silver Springs
YouTube - Pink Floyd - Pigs (Three Different Ones)
YouTube - Steely Dan - Home at Last
YouTube - Happy Together - The Turtles
Nothing on my mind, how nice, well, maybe one thing; but, that is mine. Peace.
YouTube - Linda Ronstadt - Long, Long Time
YouTube - Fleetwood Mac - The Dance-1997-Silver Springs
YouTube - Pink Floyd - Pigs (Three Different Ones)
YouTube - Steely Dan - Home at Last
YouTube - Happy Together - The Turtles
Nothing on my mind, how nice, well, maybe one thing; but, that is mine. Peace.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
I Have Lost My Voice - No Applause Please
Well dear readers, I have lost my voice quite literally. I thought it was just my allergies; but, it turns out that I was in fact sick and it finally took out my voice. To make matters worse, I had to talk to an auditor for three hours and it only made my voice weaker.
On a lighter note, I logged into blogger and found someone had wanted to post a comment. They commented on my post about Stephen Hawking being a douche and said that people like me were a cancer. I posted the comment. In all the time that the post has been up and the hundreds of people that came here to read it, this is the first negative response to it and it was so poorly organized.
One of the people who actually did come up with the idea of string theory was Dr. Michio Kaku who in fact I do respect; but, I have no idea what his religious beliefs are and actually don't care. Dr. Kaku sticks to science and doesn't appear to use it to prove some agenda and that is what science is for. Hawking however I find wants to be the final word on everything and if he says it others are not to question him.
We live in a world ruled by experts and most of them will sell out for money or fame. It was scientists who were paid by the tobacco lobby that denied that cigarettes could harm you (I smoke and I know they can) and then other scientists who lied about second hand smoke being more dangerous than first hand smoke (that doesn't even make sense and was based on tests of children whose mothers smoked while they were pregnant rather than true second hand smoke). We have all read how statistics were intentionally perverted to prove "global warming". Bad science is bad science and I don't care if it helps someone's argument.
Sorry, I was responding to conversations on other posts and lost my train of thought. Peace and good night, I am sick.
On a lighter note, I logged into blogger and found someone had wanted to post a comment. They commented on my post about Stephen Hawking being a douche and said that people like me were a cancer. I posted the comment. In all the time that the post has been up and the hundreds of people that came here to read it, this is the first negative response to it and it was so poorly organized.
One of the people who actually did come up with the idea of string theory was Dr. Michio Kaku who in fact I do respect; but, I have no idea what his religious beliefs are and actually don't care. Dr. Kaku sticks to science and doesn't appear to use it to prove some agenda and that is what science is for. Hawking however I find wants to be the final word on everything and if he says it others are not to question him.
We live in a world ruled by experts and most of them will sell out for money or fame. It was scientists who were paid by the tobacco lobby that denied that cigarettes could harm you (I smoke and I know they can) and then other scientists who lied about second hand smoke being more dangerous than first hand smoke (that doesn't even make sense and was based on tests of children whose mothers smoked while they were pregnant rather than true second hand smoke). We have all read how statistics were intentionally perverted to prove "global warming". Bad science is bad science and I don't care if it helps someone's argument.
Sorry, I was responding to conversations on other posts and lost my train of thought. Peace and good night, I am sick.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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