Marijuana causes global warming, uses 1% of U.S. electricity
San Francisco Business Times - by Steven E.F. Brown
Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 10:38am PDT - Last Modified: Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 10:46am PDT
Related: Health Care, Energy
The rest of the article is HERE, but it is not a must read by any means.
I did notice that this in depth analysis, or study, did not account for the CO2 converted to O2 by the plants under the grow lights. Nor did they take into account the often slowed rate of the users. Many potheads tend to relax rather than run around exerting themselves, breathing too hard, using up oxygen.
There is a point at which I honestly wonder where I was when the bulk of minds in this country were infused with a type of thinking as foreign to me as that of a rabid rabbit. Men and women in very expensive suits, with perfectly straight faces publicly explain that in order to keep things running in the federal government (and they assume that we all want it to keep running) the ceiling on debt needs to be raised beyond its present 14.3 trillion dollar limit.
We aren't talking spending limits here. This is just the amount owed, or some version of it. Those same well dressed, serious faced people often find ways to call things one thing and also call other things that thing. OK. So, out of the clear blue sky, these people spent 14 trillion more than they have?
Never mind. It just seems a bit odd that they argue that they need to borrow more in order to do who knows what. Wars of choice to achieve stability have obviously not achieved stability. The usual counter to that is that it is more stable that it would have been--even though the stability index appears to keep going more toward the unstable end of the spectrum.
They maybe borrow to spend more on education? That's working out well. If I detect a pattern, then if we double the money we throw at that we'll be number 150 or so in the world. Maybe the US will even end up the least competent in all educational measures. That's worth borrowing to achieve.
Something probably works out that justifies borrowing, and then borrowing more. The War on Drugs has certainly been cost effective. That's well spent money for sure. Since that effort started, drug use and organized crime formed for the drug trade have all but disappeared. That is true, isn't it?
Best thing to do is identify and destroy all things that produce CO2 since it has become the devil. Wait a minute. That means you have to shoot me and Sparky, the missing ferret. Just doesn't seem fair.
If they quit growing pot then the have to make up for the CO2 the pot plants would eat. I just don't think these things have been thought out.
Now Bolivia and some other highly enlightened countries want to get the UN to list a bill of rights for Mother Earth.
I'm not on the same page. I don't believe in destroying things or being cruel to animals--except the real jerks like park bears--but I can't get behind some of these bizarre efforts to treat the earth as a litigant in court and in law making. Obviously someone has to be the self appointed advocate, and that means lawyers. I'm waiting for them to put their client on the stand. I want to see that.
Everyone is entitled to their own diverse viewpoints, but that doesn't mean some of them are not crazy. They most certainly are, even if they do wear nice clothes..
PS. if you see the video of Biden sleeping during the President's sales pitch, check out the chick at the top of the screen--Black woman with glasses. She's fighting it too. She had one of those doze/nod head jerks. This actually makes me like Biden better than before. Not saying a lot, but it is something.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Cheap Land!!!
Here's the results of my info plugged into the carbon offset absolution calculator. It tells me how much rainforest to buy in order to be absolved of my carbon sins:
TOTAL metric tons CO2: 19.4 metric tons
Amount of offset needed: $237
Number of acres* saved by offset: 2.4
Donate your carbon offset value now: $237
*acres of rainforest saved. On the home page you can even see your piece of the pie on google earth.
Above data from world land trust-us.org
Who knew you could buy rain forest for 100 bucks an acre? If I buy my 2.4 acres, I'll not only be forgiven for being a member of advanced civilization, but I'll have some primo real estate to boot!!
I think I'll build a small resort, using only natural materials found on the land, like mahogany and stuff. We can have a network of tree houses, linked by swinging bridges, and an underground tank for diesel fuel to power generators so we can have air conditioning. It will be underground so that we don't make the ground above it look unnatural. We'll use diesel Hummers, too.
Maybe you can buy some, and we can be neighbors. We may need to arm heavily as I understand drug cartels are also buying up rain forest for their evil operations and maybe for a place to torture people. I'm sure the countries where this land is have no problem with the gringo buying in at $100/ acre. Most countries love us coming in to buy up land and dictate how it is conserved. After all it is clear those dumb bastards are ruining it to sell us wood, and for their own misguided use. It makes really lousy farmland but they don't figure that out until a year or so after they screw it up.
There are many natural medicines and drugs there. Many of them of varieties which produce visions and allow you to converse with ghosts and animals. That will be a central theme at my resort.
I can't wait to get started. This bargain is too good to pass up. Absolution needn't always be painful. In this case, it is obviously opportunity knocking. I think my land will be in Guatemala. I better get in on this before it is all bought up.
Fear of the Unknown
If you follow the money, and I admit that I have not done too much of that, I think there is a lot to be made in the industry of inciting fear of things we can't see.
Many people, especially children, have been educated to a point of panic over global warming. Despite the fact that causes, and even the actual evidence of the phenomenon are in some scientific dispute, the business of this item is huge. It has been used to promote some companies, ruin others, and create all kinds of laws. The statement that consensus in the science world is settled and all that ignores the many scientists who do not agree, have signed petitions and who have generally been silenced for political reasons. Maybe they are right, and maybe wrong. The point is that fear is the main product of the campaign. Many by-products from increased costs, decreased mobility, etc are also in the mix.
Lately the big fear is RADIATION. We can't see it which makes it that much scarier. We go from one disaster in Japan to a wholesale fear of nuclear anything. Despite this effort with air travel, the use of airplanes is still widespread. Although, there are many who fear it like crazy. But airplanes are visible. And the result of a crash is fairly self evident.
Radiation on the other hand is little understood by me or most of the public. The sun is a radiation factory and some of it zaps us daily. I heard that somewhere. I can't actually see or feel the different types, to my knowledge, but I have a feeling I should be concerned.
Personally I am more concerned with the electro-magnetic hooplah that comes from powerlines, cell phones and all the radio waves zipping around in the air. I can't see those either, but I know they are there. I boot my computer, and connect online via cell card, and my TV reception goes all to hell. I can see that one has an effect on the other. Just imagine what it does to brain waves and sex organs.
What I am wondering is why I am too dumb to make big money off of invisible threats. Al Gore has made mega bucks off of it. So have many others. I think I am a slacker for not understanding how to do the same.
Many people, especially children, have been educated to a point of panic over global warming. Despite the fact that causes, and even the actual evidence of the phenomenon are in some scientific dispute, the business of this item is huge. It has been used to promote some companies, ruin others, and create all kinds of laws. The statement that consensus in the science world is settled and all that ignores the many scientists who do not agree, have signed petitions and who have generally been silenced for political reasons. Maybe they are right, and maybe wrong. The point is that fear is the main product of the campaign. Many by-products from increased costs, decreased mobility, etc are also in the mix.
Lately the big fear is RADIATION. We can't see it which makes it that much scarier. We go from one disaster in Japan to a wholesale fear of nuclear anything. Despite this effort with air travel, the use of airplanes is still widespread. Although, there are many who fear it like crazy. But airplanes are visible. And the result of a crash is fairly self evident.
Radiation on the other hand is little understood by me or most of the public. The sun is a radiation factory and some of it zaps us daily. I heard that somewhere. I can't actually see or feel the different types, to my knowledge, but I have a feeling I should be concerned.
Personally I am more concerned with the electro-magnetic hooplah that comes from powerlines, cell phones and all the radio waves zipping around in the air. I can't see those either, but I know they are there. I boot my computer, and connect online via cell card, and my TV reception goes all to hell. I can see that one has an effect on the other. Just imagine what it does to brain waves and sex organs.
What I am wondering is why I am too dumb to make big money off of invisible threats. Al Gore has made mega bucks off of it. So have many others. I think I am a slacker for not understanding how to do the same.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Theater of the Absurd
I cannot stand letting the latest "crisis" over alleged government shutdown go. What a bunch of lies. It is absolutely insulting. Especially the deceptive talk about largest budget cuts in years. Maybe they mean least outrageous increase in months.
We are talking an outfit that somehow throws Trillions of dollars around, and owes a huge portion of it. No one is really sure about much. They don't even know where huge amounts of bailout and stimulus money went.
So, they fight over trying to spend 60 billion less than the most gregarious printers of money and spenders of public funds wanted to do. That is almost like a bag of chips to a family of four's weekly grocery bill, at most. It is a joke.
Oh, they are attacking women!! Gimme a friggin break. More cheap shot nonsense came out of this than sane people ought to be able to stomach. And the big pretense that this was some major victory for small government types. I am not fooled. It is not much of anything.
I know how people look at me and say, "Oh, so you would be OK with no infrastructure, fire, or police?", when I say let that mofo shut down!! Hell, they are only talking "non-essential services". Besides, fire and cops are usually local. In some cases, I'm not so sure I care if they reduce the police force or not, considering how and where they use such resources. There is little on the federal level I care about maintaining. Very few things. Military, yes. Nation building, Hell No!
My list of things government can let go of* would upset the average person so I won't even begin to list all the things that I think should be removed from government control or eliminated altogether.
*Never mind my use of grammatically odd but right sounding language. I never cared where the preposition appeared.
If the services are non-essential, what business does government have running them? You mean things like the special gas pumps for congressmen and such? Services like congressional investigations into steroid use in baseball? Please, make my day, shut that noise down!
I look around and it still just blows me away that seemingly smart people hate freedom, love authority, and can't seem to distinguish between what is theirs and what belongs to others--both in the realm of wealth and private property, and when it comes to individual rights. I find it freaky, so I have to ignore it again for awhile.
My mood swung back up and I plan to hit the road soon, despite the scum of the world ruining our gas price situation. They've been at it for years, and these fungal growths are both domestic and foreign--and have nerve enough to call themselves leaders and human beings.
We are talking an outfit that somehow throws Trillions of dollars around, and owes a huge portion of it. No one is really sure about much. They don't even know where huge amounts of bailout and stimulus money went.
So, they fight over trying to spend 60 billion less than the most gregarious printers of money and spenders of public funds wanted to do. That is almost like a bag of chips to a family of four's weekly grocery bill, at most. It is a joke.
Oh, they are attacking women!! Gimme a friggin break. More cheap shot nonsense came out of this than sane people ought to be able to stomach. And the big pretense that this was some major victory for small government types. I am not fooled. It is not much of anything.
I know how people look at me and say, "Oh, so you would be OK with no infrastructure, fire, or police?", when I say let that mofo shut down!! Hell, they are only talking "non-essential services". Besides, fire and cops are usually local. In some cases, I'm not so sure I care if they reduce the police force or not, considering how and where they use such resources. There is little on the federal level I care about maintaining. Very few things. Military, yes. Nation building, Hell No!
My list of things government can let go of* would upset the average person so I won't even begin to list all the things that I think should be removed from government control or eliminated altogether.
*Never mind my use of grammatically odd but right sounding language. I never cared where the preposition appeared.
If the services are non-essential, what business does government have running them? You mean things like the special gas pumps for congressmen and such? Services like congressional investigations into steroid use in baseball? Please, make my day, shut that noise down!
I look around and it still just blows me away that seemingly smart people hate freedom, love authority, and can't seem to distinguish between what is theirs and what belongs to others--both in the realm of wealth and private property, and when it comes to individual rights. I find it freaky, so I have to ignore it again for awhile.
My mood swung back up and I plan to hit the road soon, despite the scum of the world ruining our gas price situation. They've been at it for years, and these fungal growths are both domestic and foreign--and have nerve enough to call themselves leaders and human beings.
Everything for a Reason (Obesity Epidemic Saves the World)
It is the theory of many that everything happens for a reason. This concept is often a bit taxing as I see no reason for all kinds of things. However, I now see the reason for my suddenly convex gut, and otherside of belly.
I'm not hugely obese but I did notice I put it on lately.
It turns out that there was a reason for this. It was so I did not go over with the glass paneled door, smashing a very expensive thing on the concrete slab.
It was over at the place where I do menial tasks, like search for Sparky ferret.
If I had not developed a substantial ballast, I'd be in trouble. This is all diagramed and explained in these photos and computer graphs.
Ever have something go just past that point where you cannot counterbalance it from going over forward, taking you with it if you don't let go? That was the situation with the door. Gave me quite a scare, but I was able to save with an once of force to spare. Thanks to those extra chips and tortillas.
Here's the scientific explanation.
So, there was reason I began to add the weight. To save that door. It is a version of the John Irving story, A Prayer for Owen Meany. All this seemingly needless stuff leads to one miraculous event which saves the day. In my case a door was saved. That may be different than saving a life or the world, but who knows, the ripple effect may have done just that and we just don't know it.
Admittedly the math is arranged to make the point. Otherwise I'd have to have put D < D + D/4 OZ
It still works out.
I'm not hugely obese but I did notice I put it on lately.
It turns out that there was a reason for this. It was so I did not go over with the glass paneled door, smashing a very expensive thing on the concrete slab.
It was over at the place where I do menial tasks, like search for Sparky ferret.
If I had not developed a substantial ballast, I'd be in trouble. This is all diagramed and explained in these photos and computer graphs.
Ever have something go just past that point where you cannot counterbalance it from going over forward, taking you with it if you don't let go? That was the situation with the door. Gave me quite a scare, but I was able to save with an once of force to spare. Thanks to those extra chips and tortillas.
Here's the scientific explanation.
So, there was reason I began to add the weight. To save that door. It is a version of the John Irving story, A Prayer for Owen Meany. All this seemingly needless stuff leads to one miraculous event which saves the day. In my case a door was saved. That may be different than saving a life or the world, but who knows, the ripple effect may have done just that and we just don't know it.
Admittedly the math is arranged to make the point. Otherwise I'd have to have put D < D + D/4 OZ
It still works out.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Another Reason to Put BallisticTour 2011 On The Road
Blues harp people can drive you nuts--bring ear plugs But---I can't resist it when three of the best players ever are there; Jason Ricci, Adam Gussow, and my all time favorite, Sugar Blue.
You only live once and when you get old enough, it is easy to say, Screw It! I could drop tomorrow. Plus I know the area a little bit. Culture shock won't freak me--I be Southern, (btgog**) and I think I played that place one time.
This means I better be real quick about taking care of essential business here on Ballistic Mountain. I am wanting to make it a rather extensive tour. Now if the creepiest of powers that be will quit screwing with fuel prices in order to manipulate mankind...
**by the grace of God (btgog)
That's my version of the pbuh they write any time They mention, you know who---He (peace be upon Him) who shall never be represented in cartoon or WE KILL YOU!!! Never even say His (pbuh) name in the wrong way or WE KILL YOU!!!--or whoever is handy if you are too far away
Spare Tires and (allegedly) Male Apologists
Recently I noticed that I have a belly which seems to wrap around. The spare tire syndrome. This is totally unacceptable. Maybe it is from my rediscovery of grits, or it is from four day periods of near comatose meditation. Whatever the cause, I think I can manage the cure. It is not as extreme as it could be, but these things can develop a momentum which is hard to stop.
In my circumstances it would be unwise to become too much of a slouch. If I had a wife who would find it tough to leave due to all kinds of enmeshed finances and social confusion, then I might go ahead and become the blob I would be happy to become. Maybe I would apologize and pretend to care.
But I would never apologize like what I saw on youtube.**posted below** Unbelievable.
These guys are apologizing to all women on behalf of all men, even those who are not "fully conscious", like me.
I can tell you right now, I do not apologize -- except for my spare tire physique. That is it.
I like women but that doesn't require bizarre cultish behavior.
Lunatics, I swear.
What women should realize is that whenever men play that game of kissing up by some pretend worship of your inner wisdom and feminine power, they are simply trying to sidestep what they perceive as your wrath, and they are hoping for sex.
They are actually bigger liars and have less true respect and love for women than the most blatant patriarchs on the planet.
This is such an indication that western society has gone absolutely nuts. This groups is called Conscious Men. A misnomer if every there was one. The ones who aren't gay are definitely trying to get into the pants of feminists.
Hey, maybe if we apologize for all men ever and kiss up, the women will put out!
enjoy!! But watch out. If you are woman, these guys are scamming you for sex.
http://youtu.be/K_uRIMUBnvw --Dear Woman
This boggles my mind.
In my circumstances it would be unwise to become too much of a slouch. If I had a wife who would find it tough to leave due to all kinds of enmeshed finances and social confusion, then I might go ahead and become the blob I would be happy to become. Maybe I would apologize and pretend to care.
But I would never apologize like what I saw on youtube.**posted below** Unbelievable.
These guys are apologizing to all women on behalf of all men, even those who are not "fully conscious", like me.
I can tell you right now, I do not apologize -- except for my spare tire physique. That is it.
I like women but that doesn't require bizarre cultish behavior.
Lunatics, I swear.
What women should realize is that whenever men play that game of kissing up by some pretend worship of your inner wisdom and feminine power, they are simply trying to sidestep what they perceive as your wrath, and they are hoping for sex.
They are actually bigger liars and have less true respect and love for women than the most blatant patriarchs on the planet.
This is such an indication that western society has gone absolutely nuts. This groups is called Conscious Men. A misnomer if every there was one. The ones who aren't gay are definitely trying to get into the pants of feminists.
Hey, maybe if we apologize for all men ever and kiss up, the women will put out!
enjoy!! But watch out. If you are woman, these guys are scamming you for sex.
http://youtu.be/K_uRIMUBnvw --Dear Woman
This boggles my mind.
Slogan Ideas
Besides the fact that I no longer think elected officials are so much elected as put in place, I was trying to think of slogans which would make people feel warm, fuzzy, and OK. Not sure if feeling fuzzy is actually a plus. They always say, "warm and fuzzy", and THEY must be right. Still, I am wondering if fuzzy would itch or get in your eyes or be a nuisance if it got just the least bit wet.
What is it that people want to feel? This puzzles me some. Mostly they want to feel no pain, don't want to feel alone, and don't want to feel like anyone can see how irresponsible and weak they really are. And they want to feel somehow included. Like they wanted to think they were part of the crowd crossing that Bridge to the 21st Century or flowing into the lovely future on the Obama logo.
These are old buttons, but more interesting than most of the '08 litter.
Obviously, the Obama logo was superior to the other graphics in the campaign. Others from both parties all had predictable stuff, except for McCains militaristic one which looked like a Russian army generals emblem or something--balck and gold with a star. Grim. Other graphics were mostly renditions of the flag or things like Romney's post office eagle. Bland, uninspired and similar. This logo was the difference.
My candidate has to do better than this. Quite a challenge, but that's how you win--good logo--effective slogan. Remember, substance and reality have no place in the campaign.
There's a lot of talk about "giving back" and "making a difference", often attached to things that may or may not be more trouble than they are worth. The intrinsic value is secondary. The real goal is to feel important and hopefully get recognition. Then you say things like, "Oh, I get sooo much more out of this altruistic endeavor than the little people I am helping", or words to that effect. Nonetheless, the speaker of such words rarely resists the limelight and the chance to be publicly humble and modest. That is apparently much of the appeal of "giving back".
This is coming from one who has done more benefits than I can count, in one form or another. I do things I enjoy and feel fake if I describe them or even pretend I am giving anything back. For one thing, I haven't stolen or taken anything to give back. In the case of being the recipient of the goodwill of friends, I suppose I could find ways to repay. It is not necessarily financial. Kindness, hospitality, etc. Friends have gone out of their way for me on their own volition. So, in that way, there could be some giving back. As far as events and activities in the community, I do what I do because I feel like it. Often it involves playing music so it is tough to act like I'm doing anyone a giant favor.
So, it may pay to somehow make people feel like they can claim to be giving back when they do nothing other than what they like to do. That is already in place I suppose, but worth looking for some quality in that realm which can be exploited in a new way.
OK. I am still wondering what slogan would put our hypothetical candidate in the running. As far as 2012 president, I get the idea the slogan "Hope and Change" will give way to "Win the Future". Have to hand it to them. Another meaningless, yet inspirational piece of drivel which threatens no one, and doesn't make the average Joe nervous. Hell yea, let's win. Same emotion as when you sit home and watch your team win the super bowl. You did nothing, but You WON!!
I'm wiondering if it would be too nervy for my candidate to gamble on this wave of modern messianic hysteria. If not, then I think, "Let Go And Let Me", accompanied by the right logo might work. Maybe the logo could give the idea of happy people secure in their own happy house. It would need to be simple, but somehow give the right impression--like your home is safe and you won't have to worry about foreclosure.
Remember, the reality is unimportant. It is the emotion that counts. Make people feel like backing your team is effortless and leaves their stomachs full and the TV capable of pulling in a zillion cable channels. And it is not your fault if your kids are thugs, if you are incompetent, and if your bills for luxury items go unpaid.
An Orgasmic Tomorrow is another possibility, but that could raise some resistance. It is so tricky. A good slogan can't imply any action on the part of the voter, and it can't imply the individual's ultimate success or failure. Success scares people, so if they think they might achieve it, they inwardly get scared that it will be obvious they don't deserve it. Just like freedom scares people. What they want is security, and justification for their shortcomings. Part of it is natural, and part of it is because that is how we've been conditioned for so long that we know little else. Path of least resistance.
Slogans need to be short. Three words work best, yet that is what makes for the challenge. Perhaps One With You is a viable phrase. It is an offshoot of the solidarinosc craze. Or, We Are One(maybe We Are Won)--and then my candidate would be instructed to agree with the opponent, then directly contradict whatever is said, prefacing it with "Of course we want the same things for the American people, so I agree that xyz". XYZ is of course nothing even close to what the opponent said. "We all have but one vision..." That is a good one to add in there during the so called debates. Or is that now called "conversations"?
Then my candidate goes on to explain that since he/she is the most acutely aware of our oneness, he/she is best suited to lead us all into our orgasmic tomorrow. Even the worthy but somewhat confused opponent.
Got to keep working on the slogan. I can almost see the logo, but don't have a handle on it yet. When I do, I'll have everything I need, except a candidate to run with it. The more I think about it, the more I realize that is the least important aspect of the whole process. I'll find someone who is not damaged beyond hope, and who can appear cool without coming off like a person pretending to be hip, like those goofs who attempt to makes kids think they are cool by dropping a bit of mostly passe slang at inappropriate and forced times. We'll find someone.
Any good slogan ideas welcome. Non-threatening, meaningless, but catchy and evocative of positive imagery and nothing whatsoever required of the voter. Other than voting and shunning all who aren't with the program. It worked in '08. It could work in 2012. But we have to win over much of the cult faction who still think Obama is going to turn their unpaid bills into new houses and full gas tanks.
***holy smoke! An obvious impostor has written this guide, POLITICAL CAMPAIGN PLANNING MANUAL A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO WINNING ELECTIONS By J. Brian O'Day National Democratic Institute for International Affairs...
Lying punk. Let him pick an unknown and I will pick one, and see who wins. Two random college graduates with equal everything. No felons or famous people.
++++++an alleged list of presidential campaign slogans throughout American history---although they don't so much go with the Hope and Change tag for Obama, but the Yes We Can, among others. Hope and Change was the message people got. The Yes We Can was also highly effective.
Apparently GW Bush had Yes America Can! as a slogan. Who knew? Very close to Yes We Can. My theory is that with the sentiment among so many in this country that the Word America was unsophisticated and therefore was not inclusive of them, changing it to "We" proved more effective. I know people who cringe at the sight of the flag because they see it as something only for meanies who will shoot you if you break into their homes.
Campaign Candidate Slogan
1840 William Henry Harrison Tippecanoe and Tyler Too
1844 James K. Polk 54-40 or fight
1844 James K. Polk Reannexation of Texas and reoccupation of Oregon
1844 Henry Clay Who is James K. Polk?
1848 Zachary Taylor For President of the People
1856 John C. Fremont Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men, and Fremont
1860 Abraham Lincoln Vote Yourself a Farm
1864 Abraham Lincoln Don't swap horses in the middle of the stream
1884 Grover Cleveland Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine, The Continental Liar from the State of Maine
1884 James Blaine Ma, Ma, Where’s my Pa, Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha
1888 Benjamin Harrison Rejuvenated Republicanism
1896 William McKinley Patriotism, Protection, and Prosperity
1900 William McKinley A Full Dinner Pail
1916 Woodrow Wilson He kept us out of war
1920 Warren G. Harding Return to normalcy
1920 Warren G. Harding Cox and Cocktails
1924 Calvin Coolidge Keep cool with Coolidge
1928 Herbert Hoover A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage
1952 Dwight Eisenhower I Like Ike
1956 Dwight Eisenhower Peace and Prosperity
1960 Richard Nixon For the future
1964 Lyndon B. Johnson The stakes are too high for you to stay at home
1964 Barry Goldwater In your heart you know he’s right
1968 Richard Nixon Nixon's the One
1976 Gerald Ford He’s making us proud again
1976 Jimmy Carter Not Just Peanuts
1976 Jimmy Carter A Leader, For a Change
1980 Ronald Reagan Are you better off than you were four years ago?
1984 Ronald Reagan It’s morning again in America
1984 Walter Mondale America Needs a Change
1988 George Bush Kinder, Gentler Nation
1992 Bill Clinton Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow
1992 Bill Clinton Putting People First
1992 Ross Perot Ross for Boss
1996 Bill Clinton Building a bridge to the 21st century
1996 Bob Dole The Better Man for a Better America
2000 Al Gore Prosperity and progress
2000 Al Gore Prosperity for America's families
2000 George W. Bush Compassionate conservatism
2000 George W. Bush Leave no child behind
2000 George W. Bush Real plans for real people
2000 George W. Bush Reformer with results
2000 Ralph Nader Government of, by, and for the people...not the monied interests
2004 John Kerry Let America be America Again
2004 George W. Bush Yes, America Can!
2008 John McCain Country First
2008 Barack Obama Change We Can Believe In
2008 Barack Obama Change We Need
2008 Barack Obama Hope
2008 Barack Obama Yes We Can!
2012 Ballistic Candidate An Orgasmic Tomorrow
What is it that people want to feel? This puzzles me some. Mostly they want to feel no pain, don't want to feel alone, and don't want to feel like anyone can see how irresponsible and weak they really are. And they want to feel somehow included. Like they wanted to think they were part of the crowd crossing that Bridge to the 21st Century or flowing into the lovely future on the Obama logo.
These are old buttons, but more interesting than most of the '08 litter.Obviously, the Obama logo was superior to the other graphics in the campaign. Others from both parties all had predictable stuff, except for McCains militaristic one which looked like a Russian army generals emblem or something--balck and gold with a star. Grim. Other graphics were mostly renditions of the flag or things like Romney's post office eagle. Bland, uninspired and similar. This logo was the difference.
My candidate has to do better than this. Quite a challenge, but that's how you win--good logo--effective slogan. Remember, substance and reality have no place in the campaign.
There's a lot of talk about "giving back" and "making a difference", often attached to things that may or may not be more trouble than they are worth. The intrinsic value is secondary. The real goal is to feel important and hopefully get recognition. Then you say things like, "Oh, I get sooo much more out of this altruistic endeavor than the little people I am helping", or words to that effect. Nonetheless, the speaker of such words rarely resists the limelight and the chance to be publicly humble and modest. That is apparently much of the appeal of "giving back".
This is coming from one who has done more benefits than I can count, in one form or another. I do things I enjoy and feel fake if I describe them or even pretend I am giving anything back. For one thing, I haven't stolen or taken anything to give back. In the case of being the recipient of the goodwill of friends, I suppose I could find ways to repay. It is not necessarily financial. Kindness, hospitality, etc. Friends have gone out of their way for me on their own volition. So, in that way, there could be some giving back. As far as events and activities in the community, I do what I do because I feel like it. Often it involves playing music so it is tough to act like I'm doing anyone a giant favor.
So, it may pay to somehow make people feel like they can claim to be giving back when they do nothing other than what they like to do. That is already in place I suppose, but worth looking for some quality in that realm which can be exploited in a new way.
OK. I am still wondering what slogan would put our hypothetical candidate in the running. As far as 2012 president, I get the idea the slogan "Hope and Change" will give way to "Win the Future". Have to hand it to them. Another meaningless, yet inspirational piece of drivel which threatens no one, and doesn't make the average Joe nervous. Hell yea, let's win. Same emotion as when you sit home and watch your team win the super bowl. You did nothing, but You WON!!
I'm wiondering if it would be too nervy for my candidate to gamble on this wave of modern messianic hysteria. If not, then I think, "Let Go And Let Me", accompanied by the right logo might work. Maybe the logo could give the idea of happy people secure in their own happy house. It would need to be simple, but somehow give the right impression--like your home is safe and you won't have to worry about foreclosure.
Remember, the reality is unimportant. It is the emotion that counts. Make people feel like backing your team is effortless and leaves their stomachs full and the TV capable of pulling in a zillion cable channels. And it is not your fault if your kids are thugs, if you are incompetent, and if your bills for luxury items go unpaid.
An Orgasmic Tomorrow is another possibility, but that could raise some resistance. It is so tricky. A good slogan can't imply any action on the part of the voter, and it can't imply the individual's ultimate success or failure. Success scares people, so if they think they might achieve it, they inwardly get scared that it will be obvious they don't deserve it. Just like freedom scares people. What they want is security, and justification for their shortcomings. Part of it is natural, and part of it is because that is how we've been conditioned for so long that we know little else. Path of least resistance.
Slogans need to be short. Three words work best, yet that is what makes for the challenge. Perhaps One With You is a viable phrase. It is an offshoot of the solidarinosc craze. Or, We Are One(maybe We Are Won)--and then my candidate would be instructed to agree with the opponent, then directly contradict whatever is said, prefacing it with "Of course we want the same things for the American people, so I agree that xyz". XYZ is of course nothing even close to what the opponent said. "We all have but one vision..." That is a good one to add in there during the so called debates. Or is that now called "conversations"?
Then my candidate goes on to explain that since he/she is the most acutely aware of our oneness, he/she is best suited to lead us all into our orgasmic tomorrow. Even the worthy but somewhat confused opponent.
Got to keep working on the slogan. I can almost see the logo, but don't have a handle on it yet. When I do, I'll have everything I need, except a candidate to run with it. The more I think about it, the more I realize that is the least important aspect of the whole process. I'll find someone who is not damaged beyond hope, and who can appear cool without coming off like a person pretending to be hip, like those goofs who attempt to makes kids think they are cool by dropping a bit of mostly passe slang at inappropriate and forced times. We'll find someone.
Any good slogan ideas welcome. Non-threatening, meaningless, but catchy and evocative of positive imagery and nothing whatsoever required of the voter. Other than voting and shunning all who aren't with the program. It worked in '08. It could work in 2012. But we have to win over much of the cult faction who still think Obama is going to turn their unpaid bills into new houses and full gas tanks.
***holy smoke! An obvious impostor has written this guide, POLITICAL CAMPAIGN PLANNING MANUAL A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO WINNING ELECTIONS By J. Brian O'Day National Democratic Institute for International Affairs...
Lying punk. Let him pick an unknown and I will pick one, and see who wins. Two random college graduates with equal everything. No felons or famous people.
++++++an alleged list of presidential campaign slogans throughout American history---although they don't so much go with the Hope and Change tag for Obama, but the Yes We Can, among others. Hope and Change was the message people got. The Yes We Can was also highly effective.
Apparently GW Bush had Yes America Can! as a slogan. Who knew? Very close to Yes We Can. My theory is that with the sentiment among so many in this country that the Word America was unsophisticated and therefore was not inclusive of them, changing it to "We" proved more effective. I know people who cringe at the sight of the flag because they see it as something only for meanies who will shoot you if you break into their homes.
Campaign Candidate Slogan
1840 William Henry Harrison Tippecanoe and Tyler Too
1844 James K. Polk 54-40 or fight
1844 James K. Polk Reannexation of Texas and reoccupation of Oregon
1844 Henry Clay Who is James K. Polk?
1848 Zachary Taylor For President of the People
1856 John C. Fremont Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men, and Fremont
1860 Abraham Lincoln Vote Yourself a Farm
1864 Abraham Lincoln Don't swap horses in the middle of the stream
1884 Grover Cleveland Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine, The Continental Liar from the State of Maine
1884 James Blaine Ma, Ma, Where’s my Pa, Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha
1888 Benjamin Harrison Rejuvenated Republicanism
1896 William McKinley Patriotism, Protection, and Prosperity
1900 William McKinley A Full Dinner Pail
1916 Woodrow Wilson He kept us out of war
1920 Warren G. Harding Return to normalcy
1920 Warren G. Harding Cox and Cocktails
1924 Calvin Coolidge Keep cool with Coolidge
1928 Herbert Hoover A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage
1952 Dwight Eisenhower I Like Ike
1956 Dwight Eisenhower Peace and Prosperity
1960 Richard Nixon For the future
1964 Lyndon B. Johnson The stakes are too high for you to stay at home
1964 Barry Goldwater In your heart you know he’s right
1968 Richard Nixon Nixon's the One
1976 Gerald Ford He’s making us proud again
1976 Jimmy Carter Not Just Peanuts
1976 Jimmy Carter A Leader, For a Change
1980 Ronald Reagan Are you better off than you were four years ago?
1984 Ronald Reagan It’s morning again in America
1984 Walter Mondale America Needs a Change
1988 George Bush Kinder, Gentler Nation
1992 Bill Clinton Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow
1992 Bill Clinton Putting People First
1992 Ross Perot Ross for Boss
1996 Bill Clinton Building a bridge to the 21st century
1996 Bob Dole The Better Man for a Better America
2000 Al Gore Prosperity and progress
2000 Al Gore Prosperity for America's families
2000 George W. Bush Compassionate conservatism
2000 George W. Bush Leave no child behind
2000 George W. Bush Real plans for real people
2000 George W. Bush Reformer with results
2000 Ralph Nader Government of, by, and for the people...not the monied interests
2004 John Kerry Let America be America Again
2004 George W. Bush Yes, America Can!
2008 John McCain Country First
2008 Barack Obama Change We Can Believe In
2008 Barack Obama Change We Need
2008 Barack Obama Hope
2008 Barack Obama Yes We Can!
2012 Ballistic Candidate An Orgasmic Tomorrow
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sometimes You Just Want to tell Them, F--- You!! [a rant]
Considering I am not borrowing money, and living pretty damned frugally, a quote like this from an elite blood sucker, living large on tax money, working for another blood sucker who will never have to be the victim of half his own initiatives due to built in exemptions, not to mention their pensions and other perks, pisses me off:
"Americans have to make tough choices about how to live within their means while still investing in their future, and the president's choices are no different. The president is looking forward to talking directly to the American people and sharing his commitment to making deep cuts, so that we can continue to invest in areas like innovation that will help our economy continue to grow," said Adam Abrams, a White House spokesman.
Oh? Americans have to make tough choices about living within their means? Who the hell are you to be spouting this patronizing pap, Mr. Abrams? I've been making tough choices for a long time, while your holy church, the US Federal government (along with state and city versions), has been going deeper into debt, misusing and abusing the military in bizarre wars of conflicting definitions and goals, while ensuring that we suffer scarcities in various energy sources, etc. And always FOR OUR OWN GOOD. Or the better good, or to stick it to the mythical evil corporations--who in fact are actually you. Only the evil ones are in partnership with you guys. You've done a good job running most others out of the game.
Do you think that facebook creep or any of the others kiss up to politicians due to some altruistic desire to see alleged "visions for the future" become law of the land? Hell no. The more of a Washington insider you become, the more your industry can prevent competition, skirt around matters of ethics and honesty, and the more raw power you get to wield in various ways.
Become wealthy enough and you can join the puppeteer club, and you can be one who pulls the strings while the rest of us watch the marionette show believing it is real.
So, Adam Abrams, you, and those whom you represent, make me sick and I would love to punch you in the nose, confiscate your wallet, strip you of any tax paid salary or pension, then have your creditors harass you because you can't pay.
Those who live within their means have watched their means dwindle in value. Food prices are up, utilities in many places are up, rent is high, and it costs more to travel a mile than it did not long ago. These things are traceable to government poicies and various restrictions. So, screw you, Adam, you hypocritical bastard.
And for God's sake, do not come back with some tale of George Bush. The problem is now you and your gang. He is gone, and your gang held many of the cards before he left. I will say I find it amazing that anyone could make me long for him to be back in power, or even Bill Clinton, but you guys have managed to make me pine for the good old days when we only had a few wars going, but we could still afford to fill the gas tank at least half full.
Of course you, Adam (and your gang), and they are all nuts from the same tree.
"Americans have to make tough choices about how to live within their means while still investing in their future, and the president's choices are no different. The president is looking forward to talking directly to the American people and sharing his commitment to making deep cuts, so that we can continue to invest in areas like innovation that will help our economy continue to grow," said Adam Abrams, a White House spokesman.
Oh? Americans have to make tough choices about living within their means? Who the hell are you to be spouting this patronizing pap, Mr. Abrams? I've been making tough choices for a long time, while your holy church, the US Federal government (along with state and city versions), has been going deeper into debt, misusing and abusing the military in bizarre wars of conflicting definitions and goals, while ensuring that we suffer scarcities in various energy sources, etc. And always FOR OUR OWN GOOD. Or the better good, or to stick it to the mythical evil corporations--who in fact are actually you. Only the evil ones are in partnership with you guys. You've done a good job running most others out of the game.
Do you think that facebook creep or any of the others kiss up to politicians due to some altruistic desire to see alleged "visions for the future" become law of the land? Hell no. The more of a Washington insider you become, the more your industry can prevent competition, skirt around matters of ethics and honesty, and the more raw power you get to wield in various ways.
Become wealthy enough and you can join the puppeteer club, and you can be one who pulls the strings while the rest of us watch the marionette show believing it is real.
So, Adam Abrams, you, and those whom you represent, make me sick and I would love to punch you in the nose, confiscate your wallet, strip you of any tax paid salary or pension, then have your creditors harass you because you can't pay.
Those who live within their means have watched their means dwindle in value. Food prices are up, utilities in many places are up, rent is high, and it costs more to travel a mile than it did not long ago. These things are traceable to government poicies and various restrictions. So, screw you, Adam, you hypocritical bastard.
And for God's sake, do not come back with some tale of George Bush. The problem is now you and your gang. He is gone, and your gang held many of the cards before he left. I will say I find it amazing that anyone could make me long for him to be back in power, or even Bill Clinton, but you guys have managed to make me pine for the good old days when we only had a few wars going, but we could still afford to fill the gas tank at least half full.
Of course you, Adam (and your gang), and they are all nuts from the same tree.
Campaign Advice
I think I should hire out as a campaign manager. It is clear that most politicians don't know how to win.
Number one thing a presidential candidate is going to need is a good logo. This is the realm in which the Obama crowd really broke ground. Obnoxious as it sounds, we've entered an era in which everything and everyone is considered a "brand".
Without that logo, I doubt Obama would have been elected.
So, you need a pleasant logo which means absolutely nothing but somehow implies moving into the happy utopia beyond.
The other thing you need is a meaningless, yet noble sounding slogan. Again, Obama's people nailed it down with the "Hope and Change" phrase. And, of course, "Yes We Can". In reality it means absolutely nothing. In practice it meant, even more military personnel fighting abroad, more debt, higher cost of personal mobility, etc. Instead of a change, as in slowing momentum or turning things around, we have experienced an acceleration in the same direction, and by design more than not. It is simply true.
Even so, there are always talking points. "Talking points" has become the politically correct term for propaganda and misinformation. Half-truths. It is important to realize that half-truth has become the new truth, if you plan to win elections. Of course, that is one of the items which has been a major factor for many years. Not like the logo and slogan advancements, the big lie, half-truth, has won the day since before the time of Lincoln.
So, if anyone is to put on a good showing, that candidate must be identified with a good logo. It has to be good on any scale--small or large. That's one of the defining points in logo design. Obama's logo people nailed it. The only place he screwed up on that was not claiming his daughter or some poor inner city youth drew it up and voluntarily gave it to him.
Slogans can be tough. Things have changed since the days of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" or however that went. "I like Ike" is the only other one I remember.
Oddly, Obama's slogan wasn't about him. Everything else he does or says is. It implied messiah without saying, "He's the One". They left those comments to others.
If anyone hires me, I am going to be hard pressed to compete in the slogan and logo arenas. What so few realize is that the substance of the message means zilch. All you get by trying to honestly explain what you think should be done and how, is support from those who are already on your team, and ridicule from those on the other team. The trick is to say nothing, and make it sound noble.
So far, it doesn't appear like anyone's catching on. Maybe the Ron Paul people are closest to having a brand with that lovelution stuff. It's a bit complex, and he's too old and serious. If you actually try to explain things in truth and detail, you are like a sitting duck. Got to imply what's in it for the voter. Sometimes it is just the promise of being cool, and that the French won't hate you any more. Obama nailed that one as well, although some believed he was going to pay their mortgages and fill the fuel tanks on their cars. He never set them straight. That is how it is done.
I see so no competition in that race. Unless they hire me to groom the candidate for public appearances, and learn how to pretend to be the "Chosen One", these people have no shot. Now, if Hilary really wanted it, I suppose she and Bill could have some people offed, and she'd get there by playing on the victimization of everyone. Encouraging everyone to be victims works, but I think we saw how the logo, the slogan, and the air of mysticism worked even better.
Complaint will not work. Not in a presidential race. You cannot win by purely pointing out that the other side is raping and pillaging. You have to give that illusion of "vision". The only way to do that is to not actually define any vision that makes sense. It has to be vague, glorious, misty and mystical. Kind of like that "Bridge to the 21st Century" that Clinton promised. What did that mean? Nothing. But we envisioned a beautiful bridge, on a sunny day, with everyone walking effortlessly over the arching throughfare, Bill in front, leading us to the other side, where all was well. Not unlike the Obama logo
Maybe I'll work on a winning slogan and competitive logo. It is a challenge. Many candidates simply appear to be impossible to effectively brand with a good logo and slogan. Gingrich, for instance. The epitome of a waste of time and money if anyone really supported his candidacy. I don't care what your views, he has no chance, even with my help. Some of the others, I could help, but they would have to hide out and shut up for awhile, and make no move until I get there to fix their candidacy problems.
I suppose a logo full of sexual innuendo might not work out. Perhaps if the candidate is female, you could get away with a powerful phallic logo. Have to be well done, and at least appear to be subtle. Only a female could get by with that.
I guess I better rebrand my own life before I seek my fortune in campaign management. I do think I may be just what is needed. Besides, I want to see someone new in there. Not sure who, but a person who doesn't recoil at the thought of personal freedom and mobility, and who is not stricken with guilt because we aren't europe would be an improvement. The self hate in this country needs to change or there will be nothing left of us.
Number one thing a presidential candidate is going to need is a good logo. This is the realm in which the Obama crowd really broke ground. Obnoxious as it sounds, we've entered an era in which everything and everyone is considered a "brand".
Without that logo, I doubt Obama would have been elected.
So, you need a pleasant logo which means absolutely nothing but somehow implies moving into the happy utopia beyond.
The other thing you need is a meaningless, yet noble sounding slogan. Again, Obama's people nailed it down with the "Hope and Change" phrase. And, of course, "Yes We Can". In reality it means absolutely nothing. In practice it meant, even more military personnel fighting abroad, more debt, higher cost of personal mobility, etc. Instead of a change, as in slowing momentum or turning things around, we have experienced an acceleration in the same direction, and by design more than not. It is simply true.
Even so, there are always talking points. "Talking points" has become the politically correct term for propaganda and misinformation. Half-truths. It is important to realize that half-truth has become the new truth, if you plan to win elections. Of course, that is one of the items which has been a major factor for many years. Not like the logo and slogan advancements, the big lie, half-truth, has won the day since before the time of Lincoln.
So, if anyone is to put on a good showing, that candidate must be identified with a good logo. It has to be good on any scale--small or large. That's one of the defining points in logo design. Obama's logo people nailed it. The only place he screwed up on that was not claiming his daughter or some poor inner city youth drew it up and voluntarily gave it to him.
Slogans can be tough. Things have changed since the days of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" or however that went. "I like Ike" is the only other one I remember.
Oddly, Obama's slogan wasn't about him. Everything else he does or says is. It implied messiah without saying, "He's the One". They left those comments to others.
If anyone hires me, I am going to be hard pressed to compete in the slogan and logo arenas. What so few realize is that the substance of the message means zilch. All you get by trying to honestly explain what you think should be done and how, is support from those who are already on your team, and ridicule from those on the other team. The trick is to say nothing, and make it sound noble.
So far, it doesn't appear like anyone's catching on. Maybe the Ron Paul people are closest to having a brand with that lovelution stuff. It's a bit complex, and he's too old and serious. If you actually try to explain things in truth and detail, you are like a sitting duck. Got to imply what's in it for the voter. Sometimes it is just the promise of being cool, and that the French won't hate you any more. Obama nailed that one as well, although some believed he was going to pay their mortgages and fill the fuel tanks on their cars. He never set them straight. That is how it is done.
I see so no competition in that race. Unless they hire me to groom the candidate for public appearances, and learn how to pretend to be the "Chosen One", these people have no shot. Now, if Hilary really wanted it, I suppose she and Bill could have some people offed, and she'd get there by playing on the victimization of everyone. Encouraging everyone to be victims works, but I think we saw how the logo, the slogan, and the air of mysticism worked even better.
Complaint will not work. Not in a presidential race. You cannot win by purely pointing out that the other side is raping and pillaging. You have to give that illusion of "vision". The only way to do that is to not actually define any vision that makes sense. It has to be vague, glorious, misty and mystical. Kind of like that "Bridge to the 21st Century" that Clinton promised. What did that mean? Nothing. But we envisioned a beautiful bridge, on a sunny day, with everyone walking effortlessly over the arching throughfare, Bill in front, leading us to the other side, where all was well. Not unlike the Obama logo
Maybe I'll work on a winning slogan and competitive logo. It is a challenge. Many candidates simply appear to be impossible to effectively brand with a good logo and slogan. Gingrich, for instance. The epitome of a waste of time and money if anyone really supported his candidacy. I don't care what your views, he has no chance, even with my help. Some of the others, I could help, but they would have to hide out and shut up for awhile, and make no move until I get there to fix their candidacy problems.
I suppose a logo full of sexual innuendo might not work out. Perhaps if the candidate is female, you could get away with a powerful phallic logo. Have to be well done, and at least appear to be subtle. Only a female could get by with that.
I guess I better rebrand my own life before I seek my fortune in campaign management. I do think I may be just what is needed. Besides, I want to see someone new in there. Not sure who, but a person who doesn't recoil at the thought of personal freedom and mobility, and who is not stricken with guilt because we aren't europe would be an improvement. The self hate in this country needs to change or there will be nothing left of us.
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About Me
- John0 Juanderlust
- Ballistic Mountain, CA, United States
- Like spring on a summer's day
