More Fun From Elitists Who Know Best

Artificial sweeteners just don't do it for me. Some are better than others, but I avoid diet drinks, and that's that.
I caught some news bit about how some legislative body is seriously considering a "soda tax" on the ones that have sugar, like regular Coke. So much per once.

A Duke professor of some kind was quoted as saying he thought this was a step in the right direction. "Our national health" and all that. Once again, my own way of life gets threatened for the "greater good". Or some elitist's opinion of the greater good. Someone knows best what everyone should do, and in order to be sure people comply, institutes a tax to modify behavior. I wonder who the sugar industry pissed off.

I go on the theory that artificial sweeteners cause odd behavior in laboratory animals. That's enough for me. Besides, I am not fat, so a few extra calories, empty or not, won't hurt me or affect the "obesity crisis". That is why I do not like the collectivist philosophy; it is complicated, and usually involves minding my business or altering it when I am bothering no one with my habits and hobbies. In the world of totalitarianism, they just never stop with these things. First you have random road blocks, for the public good, then they tax old school pop drinkers who still like the kind with sugar.

Almost always, if not 100% always, there are special interests behind these things who stand to gain monetarily or in power, at the expense of competitors or other threatening groups. Usually said groups are companies or well placed individuals. It is corrupt, in any case. Some of those scams in the past were well clouded, publicly, and beyond belief in the real. Unfortunately I happened to stumble into one or two such things, and it shed light on the process. Once you see it, other things that come up are more transparent. Like a magic trick involving a fake thumb I was once shown. Once you know, it stands out. Before you know, it is not obvious at all.

Per Doug, 7 things I like that don't require people

Thanks Doug, for the award.
Apparently the seven things only loosely don't require people. Most of what I like involves something people made in some way.

1. I like to drive through mountains and on back roads.
2. Reada a book.
3. Sleep, when sleep is good.
4. go hang out at Mt Laguna
5. Write my rebel thoughts, hoping that one day I can state it so that smarmy elitists actually get it and see the point.
6. Make things that actually come out OK.
7. Dream dreams, sometimes involving music, sometimes new ways of doing things, sometimes just things I hope come to pass.

This may have been a pass it on thing, but I am not too good at figuring out how to do that without making trouble.
I'd list, Bobby, Breath-e, Factotum, and Scribbler, were I to list the four people.
Oh, and give them the Kreative (with a friggin K?) blogger award.
Bobby because he is living the good life, and scratching it out the whole way. He earns it, and he plays music and likes his family. Always something to learn there.
Breathe because I am forever surprised and totally partial.
Factotum because she is brilliant and nuts, and very kind.
Scibbler because I have my reasons and he is my friend and a hotshot writer.

That is all if I were to pass it on, name people, and include a blurb about each stating why, which I'm not doing because I am almost a hermit.

Fishing is a Privilege

You have to have a license to fish, and if driving, which also requires a license is a privilege, then there you have it. I've often argued with fascist friends about that concept---to no avail. Admittedly, many drivers are terrible at handling a motor vehicle. That should help my point, but my fascist friends somehow think the police and heavy handed state can somehow make them better. The license certainly has no influence on it.

I consider driving a right, obviously subordinate to the rights of others. You have to be reasonably safe and follow the conventions of the road or you are hindering others in exercising their right to be mobile. Usually my discussions on the subject find me fielding questions like, "So, does Stevie Wonder have the right to drive then?" My fascist friends tend to piss me off. Obviously that is not the point, or even a reasonable question. Stevie can do whatever he wants as long as he doesn't pose an undue hazard to others. Unlike the CA Highway Patrol. They do what they want regardless of the consequence to others. At least the El Cajon crop.

So, you can get a license to fish without taking a test or even knowing how to fish. I like to think of it as a privilege. Do it wrong and your fishing privileges could be revoked. The idea of it comes down to the same thing; control and money.

These are the little things that seemed like a good idea, after all we are only protecting ourselves and our fish, and keeping track of everyone at the same time. I tend to think the purpose could have been served more creatively and without restricting freedom on a wholesale basis. These little things led to the "us vs them" mentality of law enforcement. "Them" being anyone who isn't a cop or a government official that could make trouble if subjected to the tyranny the rest of us enjoy.

It is a bucket that was filled a drip at a time. Until they got impatient and started dumping in a cup load at a shot, and now simply put the hose in and turn it up full blast. It almost makes me mad at the people who are dissenting. You could see this coming for fifty years, minimum. That's if you were half blind.

Now, if you disagree with the fascist totalitarian proposals they call you racist. Jimmy Carter does, anyway. It is the new technique being used to kill examination of principles and bring it back to personalities. Total bullshit and he knows it. Hell, more people absolutely despise Nancy Pelosi than they do Obama, even if they vehemently disagree with his policies, appointments, friends, colleagues and general philosophy. Does that mean they are sexist? Or maybe that, too, classes them as racist. They keep people ignorant so that they can play on that ignorance at times like this.

I absolutely believe we are headed toward a form of fascist state. Under Bush, we saw more of the framework set in place; homeland security dept, harassment of citizens who travel, etc. But it was not a cult of personality thing going then. Enter Obama and we have the charismatic leader who gets away with playing savior, dictating policy to private firms, heading up nationalization of any number of industries, etc. And his cronies plant little media seeds to villainize dissenters, and spread outright lies. People like me would be lumped in with religious right and God only knows who else.

I'm for legalizing freedom, and limiting the hell out of the power of any government. If we functioned under the constitution it would help. It leaves a lot to the states and I'd be wanting to find the one whose power was the most restricted. No state is within bounds at this time. They all got sold out, or bought out, due to the feds extorting them with their own money.

For many life will continue to be good even if the executive branch assumes pretty much all power. They are well on their way. The long term result and the consequence to many will not be so pleasant. It will be fine for those who play ball. But freedom as we used to think of the word will be dead. Some people just can't live in a world where being asked for credentials and to prove innocence at random is accepted. On top of that, even if the state is OK with you smoking a joint the feds come and raid the legitimate suppliers. Makes me think they are tied in with the foregn drug cartels and like the way it works; gangs and all that.

I just had to get this out, again. Obama was making a speech about how HE was going to make this and that against the law for the insurance companies. What gives him that power? Making laws? And telling private firms who they can do business with and how? I guess he'll force them to keep their doors open if they find his way to be highly unprofitable. Maybe he's a racist.

I threw that in for anyone who wanted something irrelevant to spice up the argument, like Carter claiming racism is behind the dissent. Turning the tables with equal justification in the assertion.

Real Life is Good

Unlike the subject matter of the last post---things "they" create and butcher---real life, as lived by me, is not bad. No way to be too down when driving from here to the Duke's in the most perfect weather ever, with mountains and blue sky and breeze. When my spirits are high, people smile at me, even young pretty people. It is really amazing how that works.

In early Oct I get to journey north again, and I do like journeys.

Funny how I lose a bit of optimism when I ponder the police state, whether it is the one in which I live or the national hoax. I feel obligated to remain aware because that is how it happens and has in all the famous fascist or totalitarian states; people were stupid and compliant. Yet, the nature of that insanity is such that it causes me to lose sight of the real opportunities for the good life that are in my world. By good life, I don't mean the stuff of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Just pleasant life filled with ideas and good people..

Things We (I) Ponder

I remember when I first read the "we" bit which has a name I don't know. It is the same we they used in the Playboy advisor, like, "we think the FSU coeds are the hottest". How do I know that? When I was maybe 15 or so, I thought Playboy knew something. They could get good looking babes to hang out in the buff--more than I could do. Back then plastic parts were rare or non-existent. Air brushing was rampant. I'm glad I developed a taste for the real and more plentiful.

Anyway, we wonder how many in America have the slightest clue how cause and effect, quid pro quo, and even gravity work. It may be that there is some kind of hard wired need for humans to be led and exploited, even if they are robbed so that the exploiters can carry out their control. The cash for clunker debacle was an example of this. People being bribed with their own damned money.

The way many mafia figures are revered and held in high esteem is another example where people sell out cheap to those who hold the guns and have no hesitation in using them should their path get cluttered by things such as values and individual rights and freedom. Always there are those who benefit from this tendency in average people to serve unworthy masters.

Back to quid pro quo and all that. The term "health insurance" has come to mean "health assurance" in public debate and legislative halls. The fact that most bills are passed by people who don't even read them is another matter. Insurance counts on one thing; that the average person will pay more in during their lives than they take out. How else could such a company exist? Why would they exist? In the case of large insurance, they also use that money to invest in any number of things that yield a profit of some kind. That is only smart, and it helps keep premiums down. So does competition.

Almost all large corporations look like they are made of money and must be reaping obscene profits but the reality is that they do not make even double digit profits in most cases. The IRS influence bastardizes the basic market principles more than any other factor, excluding direct government payments and control. How you can expect an organization which enforces its will with guns and force, and which has no intrinsic expertise in any business other than the military, to provide a better service at lower price is beyond me. They have no competition and can smash any competitor because they play by one set of fluid rules while enforcing other rules on normal organizations and people.

Health insurance does not equal a healthy life. It just means a contract whereby the agreed amount is paid if you find yourself in need of medical services. Some people pay as they go, and some don't go due to religious reasons or disgust with the corrupt AMA. They bet a different way. It was once their right.

Every now and then I get a little worked up when I see or hear the thuggery of unlimited government being sold as intellectually sound, beneficial to the little people, and good. People are being bribed with their own money, and at the cost of better opportunity and often better technology. Half the things the green zealots are trying to force would have been in much better condition but for the influence of a government which has overstepped proper limits for at least 100 years.

They did it because all you have to do is paint the opposition as uncool, usually singling out one vocal opponent. Twist the words and focus on the personality--forget the principles in question. It works like a charm. I remember the way the opponents to adding fluoride and other non essential chemicals to water were painted as wacko extremists. Now the same general group who pushed it through buy bottled, purified, chemical free water. They do it because it is hip. They think and do everything according to whether it is accepted by their group, which sees itself as elite and superior.

This current coup is a pack of lies, from the bailouts, to the airport and border security, to health care, to cap and trade. It has gone on for a long time. Now it is in the open and heading toward the police state at full steam.

I know there has been a lot of dissent and much is not reported or minimized. Hundreds of thousands marched on Washington. Not much of stir there. They also took their trash with them when they left, from what I heard. Even the inauguration crowd left mountains of trash behind, and they weren't even protesting. Yet that crowd of dissenters is labeled as nazis and worse. No possible justification for that. I think anyone wanting a national security force run by government, independent of military and police, is more nazi-like than people who oppose nationalizing industries and who oppose restricting speech and other rights.

It is good to see some backlash. Soon the bogus homeland security method of protecting against terrorists will label such activity as a threat to national security. I'll bet Obama and Pelosi secretly thank the Bush crowd for that on a daily basis. He didn't let a crisis go to waste, a la Rahm Emanuel.

I'm just spouting off because I can, because I am glad to hear rumblings of rebellion to this insane path we are on, and because the alleged debate on these issues does not exist, is not allowed, and almost never allows a full accounting of the real motives for proposed action, or the true long term causes of the alleged crisis that is claimed to need fixing.

We have heard over and over that we are in a health care crisis, yet we don't see John Edwards and others who directly raped the medical industry in ways that raised the cost for all forced to answer for their actions. I don't know if there is a crisis. It will be a crisis if I can't go in, pay cash and let a doctor poke where she (hopefully) will. I don't care to pay a man to poke me. You do what you must when in pain so who knows.

Everywhere in which people think they have a great, free system, things have deteriorated and the wealthiest come here to save time. Nothing is free. Air used to be, but not the labor, skill, products and expertise of others. They have needs too, so they take payment. If you don't pay, someone does. If you pay tax then you pay thousands of other people to pay for what you get. It is not just the middle man you pay, it is the middle multitudes.

People hate freedom, especially the freedom of others. They'll sacrifice their own just to feel the power rush of limiting someone else's freedom. It is a sick trend.

Like The Moon; Waxing and Waning

t must be the way of life, cycles. If you lrack a point on a wheel rolling along, depending on the location of the point and the angle of the viewpoint, it can trace a curvey track that loops back on itself, or just an up and down yoyo, or maybe something akin to a sine curve(not too sure about that one.--doesn't matter). The one that curves up and down and loops back on itself seems the most accurate. It is the way of progress toward something. Three steps forward, one or two back, if you are lucky. Being lucky is the way to go when you can, but it does take a little effort. I call it luck, but I don't actually believe in luck in the usual sense of the word.
Good fortune, and being open to it, I can understand. Then there are circumstances some just have to experience that others don't. I don't know why; whim of the Gods is my guess. Or factors beyond this dimension. Whatever it is, I believe it is out of the reach of lawyers and police, which that gives me comfort.

Once again, the babble is a bit vague. There is an obscure Donavan song that puts a little clarity to the real subject at hand.

Whatever the meaning, I think I now know what I'm shooting for in a general way. It is all possible, even though it is about like building a bridge out of cardboard boxes. It is possible to do that and make it strong enough to hold a car. Got to be corrugated cardboard. I've seen it done. Still, it is a fragile and somewhat tenuous endeavor. OK. Maybe that is a stupid comparison. The point is, things like this are fragile and strong and the same time. The goal is to build toward the goal, fragile bit by fragile bit, and if it is done well, all those bits combined make for a structure as strong as you need.

Hopefully the Chargers will prevail over the dreaded Oakland Raiders tomorrow. I expect they will.

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The Script

The bane of my existence is that I don't know the lines and continually miss my mark. Oddly enough, there are those who are aware of this, and keep track of each deviation from the script. Nice people, sometimes. It is not a thing I can help.

That Terrible Thing; the mind

Many pathways in the mind are so well traveled that they form an indelible groove which, seemingly, cannot be changed. It’s as if an entire array of stimuli all go to the same roundabout, and instead of taking any number of roads out which make sense, they all get off at the one which ends with some inner voice announcing, “You ain’t right, Son, an’ you ain’t never gonna be neither”. On a good day, it adds, “But no need to worry none, cause nothin’ you do gonna make no never mind no how, so relax.” The voice is not a grammar specialist.

In many cases the well worn grooves help people be more productive and balanced. Maybe they make you get up early every day of your life, or prevent you from getting sloshed and ending up with that very disgusting person. The one you would never normally even consider, in the Biblical sense, without barfing. Or you never let things get unorganized to the point of total chaos. Things like that.

My well worn grooves seem to lead to the grammatically impaired guy who says the things described above. I know better. Knowing better and forcing the thoughts to take another exit from the roundabout are two different things.

Blind, or not so blind, faith tends to provide the most relief. Not faith of the variety that people tell you how to have. It is different and no one can tell you exactly how to do it, or what to have faith in. Except that it is all OK. The details aren’t someone else’s to provide. So, if that crazy well guy(who cut power to your cottage, without notice, and parked in your driveway) asks accusingly, “YOU A CHRISTUN?”, I wouldn’t assume he has much to offer other than a quick contrast to show you that you aren’t as crazy as some folk.

The main thing is that the roads in the mind most traveled can often lead to reactions and conclusions which are at odds with your desires and needs, and which make no sense in the context at hand. Situationally inapropriate and irrelevant. It happens all the time. It can be the result of the famous “baggage” people allegedly carry, things ingrained in you at an early age or who knows what. Doesn’t matter. Those habitual grooves can be life inhibiting and depressing, not to mention costly on many levels. Very annoying.

I don’t know how to effectively counter this syndrome. Faith is the best I can do on that. What that means is probably something only the individual can half way know.

If I Could Explain, I Probably Wouldn't

Since I can’t explain it, the question is moot. What a dumb sounding word. It’s the one that fits, though, so there you have it.

My horizons broaden. Must be something in my horoscope.

Another great and adventurous week to add to all the other good weeks this year has offered. It amazes me.

You almost kicked my tennis butt into next week, however I remain the greater 212th place champion. The nerve of those school kids, playing sports after school, hogging the court instead of showing initiative by holding up liquor stores, 7-11s, and tourists. Serious trouble there.

I’ve got a piece of the Douglas fir, just in case.

It was a very close call in the enchanted forest, as night fell and the bread crumbs disappeared. I thought trolls would be making trouble and asking difficult riddles. They did make mischief with the signs. Good thing I have an inner compass that is as reliable as a sun dial in Seattle or who knows what might have happened. Glad I could rescue you. Just doing my job.

I’m pretty sure Bogart actually Bogarts in Key Largo. I didn’t catch it in CasaBlanca.

That Save the Children guy accosted me again but remembered me from last week. I promised to check out their web site. They pay those people to do that, but I don’t think they pay much. He was into it so what can you do. Anyone that cheerful and concerned at the same time can’t be faking it, I don’t think.

I hope you got the message on the little square of paper closest to where you keep your brain at night. It was as comfortable a flight as I’ve ever had, except I wouldn’t have minded if it got put off a week or 3, dontcha know, I tell you what..

I do tell you what—if you think a squirrel can kick your butt (and they can. I know first hand), those raccoons could tear a person into such little pieces they’d never be able to put it back together. Not like the wood cube. More like a jigsaw puzzle but with no picture to go with.

My blue bag from the 80s will last until 2012, minimum. Nice repair work assures this. I know the people at the airport were all wishing they had a cool suitcase that gets bigger and smaller and can fit in the overhead or be easy to identify if some interloper doesn’t have the only other one like it in existence. Was that guy my doppelganger?

Slept like a baby. Probably one who makes a racket.

That’s life, and now back to work. Yes, I have work. Not everyone does. I can’t believe it.

Never was Casa Blanca so enjoyable, even though Boggie did not Bogart in that one.

Summertime Blues

Maybe if the DMV hadn't made me three months younger I'd feel differently. Probably just a matter of maturity, or lack thereof.

Tomorrow is a day of much work so I hope the energy is there. Good thing they are the kind of jobs I like. The result is visible and easy to define. Time is short, since in just a couple of days it's off to see my friend who never ceases to confound amuse and astound. Hell if I know. It will be good. Let's hope it is cold enough that no AC is required. At least the plane has that essential element.

Universal health care? Forget it. What about universal Air Conditioning? Better yet, I guess I could save up and buy my own. Landlord would not be keen on the idea, no doubt. Maybe I could be real ambitious and just buy a place with AC. Or live in my car and leave the engine and air running 24/7. Maybe not. Oh yea. I can make my own version of a swamp cooler, except it will be art as well. I forgot. That was supposed to be done by now--been too hot to work on it.

The coast does not have this issue to the same degree. The heat that is. The lack of air conditioners is as widespread there, even in the nicest areas. And I wonder why they say people are nuts out here. At least we have something in common. I like them but I have to do something about this resistance to real climate control. They think they can control the weather but won't control the temp in a building, which is a proven possibility. I don't get it.