Hit of the Ball, and random critique

The highlight of the festivities for me was Stevie Wonder. Also that chick Beyonce can sing. The Sting and Stevie thing wasn't bad either. Poor Ray Romano fell flat. This was not a crowd looking to laugh at that kind of humor even though it would have been funny in some circles at a different time. They were still in awe struck and didn't want to take O down from the pedestal so soon. You'd have thought he'd have known that.

The neighborhood Ball did have some pretty good acts like the Anti-Gravity group from NYC. That was rather wild. I had to check out the music. Couldn't help it. A few were lame but Stevie and a few others made up for it.

Where Do They Get These Holy Men?

It was an innaugeration, almost a coronation. It would be the seating of dictator for life if some had their way. That's OK. Mostly it was civil, with a few low class moments and a few very bizarre ones.

The first holy man rambled on with what I assume to have been a prayer. I wondered if someone was going to have to shoot him to shut him up. Where did they get that guy? An embarrassment. If you want to give a holy man that sort of press, please don't pull him out of an animated cartoon.

Then, the guy at the end had his few minutes in the sun. Holy smoke. Racist or what? Come on man, what is your problem? So, amid messages of unity and the usual platitudes, we have this guy separating and pointing fingers. He obviously has a low opinion of white people. That's his right, but it was not the best venue in which to vent. They just seated a president who carried a strong majority of the white vote, and I assume the holy roller wanted Obama to win.

Hysteria ran high so not that many people were as offended as I was. Those who oppose the president may have picked it up, but even when their points have a some validity I think they kill their case in the delivery.

I've never liked the trend toward more and more pomp and circumstance when it comes to presidents. I am not a monarchist. I do not approve of making the office akin to supreme ruler. That is not what this country is supposed to be. Clearly most people disagree with me on that.

We are in the age in which it is assumed that government is there to handle everything. I always wished they'd handle less. Much less. That goes for domestic matters as well as foreign. Big authority is something I do not trust. It gives me the creeps. I'm glad if a lot of people are happy but I fear their zeal is based on a personality rather than on substantive principles.

After today, I can certainly see why many point to religions and their leaders as the root of much of the world's evils throughout history. Those guys were useless. Completely empty bags of wind who have neither reason nor ideals to justify their position in this ceremony. It also brought to mind how easily large numbers of people are swept into movements which ignore true rights and have caused a great deal of pain and suffering throughout the ages. Hopefully this mob's mentality is somehow directed in ways that lead to autonomous thought--thought of any kind.

Meet the Beatles.

It is Not Always Easy to Know When I Joke

Sometimes I'm not even sure. So, it is OK if others don't know.

Wouldn't it be great if all the people who are high on the new president would go out a buy stocks like crazy? If that enthusiasm spilled over into the market, it could be a good thing. Maybe it will happen. Spend that beer and wine money, and part of the dope money on stocks because you are optimistic and happy. It's just crazy enough, it might work.

Dancing for Dames

It seems better to not say what I said. So, I deleted it.

That's the trouble with being online, people can misunderstand or assume things and get feelings tangled up, especially if they know you. Not always worth it.

I'll just say that I think those various dance class things are probably a good place to meet middle aged women. I consider middle aged just about any age that is still breathing and able to get around on their own.

Ramos and Compean finally Released!!!

I'm not sure it was the full pardon it should have been, but their sentences have been commuted as near as I can tell from the news bite.

Something is better than nothing. That W had to wait until his last day is a shame. It makes me think he was playing to someone else's tune, most likely whoever is pulling the strings on the entire immigration smokescreen. There are some very odd arrangements between the US and Mexico that serve to create animosity where very little existed. The general public has allowed themselves to be played like pawns, both Mexicans and Americans. It is a very dirty business.

The incredible way in which those two agents were railroaded and all the various players from Johnny Sutton on up the chain all the way to the White House boggles the mind. Obviously insiders of both parties had motive to stop short of blowing that thing wide open. It seemed to imply ties between our Justice department, the White House, the Mexican government, and drug cartels.
I think it goes beyond that, and beyond obvious money motives into some sort of big power madness.

Many of the corrupt scams that get played seemed to go beyond money as the average person can conceive it. All that is left is pure power and a wish by a few to control the many. I still don't get why. One scam after another has been shotgunned into the affairs of state, with the ultimate desired result always more control.

All else aside, I am very relieved that these guys will finally be freed. Their families have suffered needlessly. Financial ruin, difficulties for their children and beyond. All because they did their job in a case in which it rubbed the corrupt alliance between Mexican government, cartels and US Justice department the wrong way. It proves that prosecutors can break every law in the book to create a kangaroo court in which facts are suppressed and justice is a joke. How anyone like Johnny Sutton can accept a paycheck and sleep at night is beyond me. Sociopaths with a title and the backing of the US government.

That is why I trust private citizens to possess arms more than those in government.

edit: as it turns out, full pardon, reinstatement, and payment of lost wages was not part of the package--as it should have been. Geo W is a wuss and has little comprehension of what damage means in lives of "little people". At least he let them out of jail. but it still won't happen for a couple of months. To go further, I suppose he'd have to admit the trial was a sham and that would cast suspicion on him and his crew in the justice dept. This way he doesn't have to give Sutton and others in the government what they deserve. He can let Comean and Ramos out, still convicted of felonies, "Hey guys, you're free, but your lives are screwed forever to further political agendas of people you don't even know".

The hard nosed law and order stance often wins votes, but just as often it leads to barbaric abuse of human rights and freedom. A government which can so easily imprison people for dubious reasons is a dangerous thing and one to be contained and limited.

HE has risen

Catching bits and pieces of news and hysteria, for one who just landed on the planet, yields but one conclusion: The Second Coming is upon us, America is crowning a new king. My nephew would accuse me of being a hater for such an observation.

Edited: I think the original was too likely to not be representative of what I think if not read in detail.

That is how it is in this thought controlled world in which emotional hysteria trumps reason. The 21st century, the Age of Hysteria.

Anyway, I wish Obama expressed a philosophy I think would yield a freer world rather than one made comfortable in the sort of way which constantly being stoned would make tolerable. It is a simple difference. I do not believe in Rulers as the key to a good life. Most of what pass for issues of the day have no business being debated in governmental bodies.

He doesn't express that view. He doesn't address the fact that the IRS terrorizes middle and low middle income people. The myth that "the rich" slide is not quite the case. The mega rich who own government slide. Those who many consider rich pay the lion's share. In any case, a progressive tax is corrupt and contrary to promoting incentive for independent enterprise, especially when coupled with regulations which supposedly protect the public. Much of that sort of regulation drives away competition and ensures the big boys get bigger.

No need to belabor that point.

I find it a little bit heartening, and depressing at the same time, that the Obama PR paints him as the messiah, as a savior. Ladies on the View were swooning about his academic record and not only did they have it wrong but didn't even have Barack or his wife in the right schools.

One guy was gushing that his "IQ is off the charts", but when asked what his IQ is, he didn't know. It is great to be happy about who is president of the USA, but it is better to remember that we eschew monarchy and titles of nobility. I know that slipped the minds of those who created the Camelot mythology around Kennedy, after his death. There wasn't Camelot talk until after. He was elected in one of the closest presidential elections but he has been painted as king. He was likable, at least judging by the number of chicks who were ushered in and out of the White House, but savior, no. None of them are or have been.

I've yet to see the one who managed to revamp the structure that creates the corruption that steers foreign policy and domestic regulations. None of them will go that far. Their supposed "reforms" always take the form of more power, and more regulation which only those pulling the strings can navigate, driving the outsiders out of the running.

I'd probably like Barry. Maybe not. If I played basketball I guess that would be a fun thing; me vs the big O.

Hysteria always worries me when large groups of people are involved. Mobs are dangerous and the majority can be a terror. Just think of the things done by those in power bulldozing their way over those with less power. It is not a good thing. That's why jails are full of people who haven't done much to hurt anyone. And why many who hurt people regularly are walking around, often with an official title. It's why slavery was considered a way of life worldwide for many hundreds of years, and in some parts of the world it still is. People go along, and people can't resist power or the idea that they need a king, or absolute ruler.

I hope people can be thrilled and have their party without any lunatics or those who feel it will further their cause, creating a scene of violence or worse. I also hope they don't push to give more power over to the head of state than has already been done.

Class Action Goose Suit

At first I thought of it as one of those absurdities that often crosses my mind. Then I realized it is probably already being discussed in some form.

When the US Air plane turned into a boat after ruthlessly slaughtering a few geese, I thought, "Someone needs to sue on behalf of the gooses, since they can't speak for themselves, and, after all, geeses, and/or ganders are people, too". My mind is a wondrous place to dwell. The really strange thing is that I worry about myself and get depressed when my inner self(s) is absent of such dialog.

I've not yet checked to see what PETA has to say about this issue. I do know they often combat the efforts of airports to chase away birds and keep them from setting up house in places where they pose a threat to aviation--human aviation.

One thing this incident does do, and I'm glad; it silences those who often smugly comment that the floatation devices and discussion of same are a waste of time. This is a case in which it is clear why flight attendants are there, and why they give that talk before a flight. Maybe it is not evident, but I guarantee you that half the people would still be fumbling around on the plane if the FAs weren't there to get them in gear and out.

So it is possible for an airliner to go down in water, and everyone lives. I'm not happy they went down, but I am thrilled at the outcome. Maybe this will temper the cynical smirkers for a day or two in commercial aviation.

On Another Note

My old band, Memphis Snake Doctors, has a new website. It did my heart good to see that all the music there which contains harmonica includes only harp I played. They may have changed personnel, seeing as I moved a couple thousand miles away, but they still use the tunes I played on the website.

I'm also happy to see they included the session with Mizz Rose of West Memphis. That EP is called Mizz Rose and the West Memphis Imperials. I'm her favorite Imperial I hope. I liked playing with her. We got along well.

If you want to check out a few tunes, they have mp3 for free download at http://www.snakedoctors.org/tunes.htm
This made me feel like finding some people to play, although when it comes down to it, I often think it is more trouble than it is worth. My ballistic Mountain friends aren't trouble though. Maybe we'll discuss it at the next neighborhood fire safety meeting.

More Words From State of Emergency

Wise men avoid the news. Comedians use it for research and inspiration. Lately, comedians seem to be making the news and reporting it.

Everyone from Obama and Bush down to condo board chairpersons are parroting the same dire exclamations. Arnold says Caleefour knee ya is in crisis, a state of emergency. He is claiming "tough choices" must be made which will require "sacrifice". San Diego's mayor says the same thing--tough choices, we all have to sacrifice. Obama is using the same language. Screw them all!!

I would think wage earners would be furious. Not those who work for government (which is the case in CA---government workers are all wound up). The people who support the government and government workers HAVE sacrificed. What portion of a dollar earned goes to tax by the time you figure income tax, sales tax, intangibles tax, excise tax, extra tax for who knows what, etc. It is huge. I resent the hell out of people who live off of tax money, and use that money to harass the public in a myriad of ways, who can't even set a budget and stick with it, telling me to sacrifice.

By the way, I said it before, and probably no one believes me, but Kennedy did not invent that "Ask not what you can do for your country.." line. The wife of a speech writer for Sen Smathers, and Kennedy insider at the time, wrote it. It was a slogan that did not mean much at the time. Now I have to say I heartily disagree with the sentiment and how it applies today.

I ask neither what I can do for my country (read government) nor what my country can do for me. I can sure as hell tell you what I think my country could do for most good people--Get out of their way, and leave them alone. Don't stop citizens at random road blocks as part of a Homeland Security exercise, or because someone somewhere may be drunk. Get rid of traffic cameras, the purpose of which is actually to increase revenue into the government coffers.

So, it's a state of emergency and Ahnold thinks bleeding the people of the state a little more will help. People are leaving the state faster than they are moving in. No doubt they'll bring this form of insanity to your town soon.

Totalitarian states kill incentive and useful creativity. It is happening. They also give rise to revolt, which is the up side, and I can only hope...

It astounds me that when Ahnold talks about cutting anything, there are demonstrations of government workers and their unions. Government was never supposed to be that big. Somehow unions in the so-called "public" sector make no sense to me. It could be argued that things like teacher's unions and such, if they have their way, constitute a form of taxation without representation.

That is where I most disagree with John McCain. He claims public service is the most noble pursuit. I think that is garbage. Number one, if they get paid it is debatable whether it is actually a service. It is a trade. It is also highly suspect that extorting money from innocent citizens in order to pander and keep your job is noble. Honest work of any kind is the noblest calling. That applies to almost no one in elected office. Actually the very highest calling, John, is to be a good parent, so screw off.

mofos

I just finished a definitive treatise on current affairs and it vanished.
Blogger annoys me far more than JS ever did.

Hell with it.

Let me highlight:
The economy is not an animal that gets sick and needs colon work.
Government is the player who, by extorting the fruits of the labors of others at gunpoint has caused the problem. They spend more than they take, on things most people don't even want, then they complain because they don't have enough, tell you You need to sacrifice, and take more. Currently they are giving it to a select few elite.

They could just let people keep the 850 billion and do more for "the economy" than this bailout hoax will do. Or divide it equally among every adult in America. It comes to a couple thousand each, maybe a bit more. I could use it, and so could many people's creditors.

I'm in disbelief that people imagine higher taxes on normal businesses would be beneficial. Don't most people work for, own, and buy from businesses? It all washes out at the retail end. It is not like they can really pay more tax without charging more and that has a multiplier effect, the same way that putting money in the hands of consumers does, except one is to negative benefit for economic activity.

How can people who appear intelligent in so many respects not see the problems here? Had rules against fraud been enforced, rather than legislated in through very detailed specific regulations which make it possible for crooks to operate immorally, yet legally, while running normal people out of business, the bad rap they lay on capitalism would be much less.

That bit of pretending that capitalism is to blame or conversely that the mega corporations which own government are real capitalists, is BS. Another of the very obvious sucker ploys being foisted on an eager population. It is inconvenient to be uncool and go along with none of it, but the truth is the truth. This coup has been in the works for years. The lie is simple but the process is complex and tangled.

It is similar to the international policy hoax in general, and in the Mid East specifically. Anyone could see that we had no long term hope of anything sane there when we put guns in the hands of those people, and supported or condemned religious states. It is never going to make sense until we turn our back on all of them. We need to let them know that we absolutely do not respect their religion and their implementation of it in matters of state. It always brings blood.

Todays allies are tomorrow's enemies and we arm the bastards, educate, and enrich them. Screw it. But saying that thirty years ago yielded the same response that, now, saying that the feds need less involvement with the money people earn not more will get you. "Oh, it's not that simeple, and bla bla bla". I don't think so. The bailout is the same thing as arming those crazy bastards in seriously backward brutal cultures then saying the resulting problem is because we aren't more involved.


By the way, I managed to get the user name "john" on the new JS. Maybe I'll use it and maybe not.