Blog! October 2007

Cost of the War in Iraq

(JavaScript Error)

October 31, 2007

I wish the following news article was a ghostly tale of make believe - it isn't. It's a real threat, and it is a disturbing turn of events.
Missing Nukes Please read this. As a researcher, I appreciate good work. I have said this before; if I can find corroborating evidence from two diverse and unrelated sources, then there has to be a grain of truth to it. Michael Salla, Ph.D. is regarded as a crackpot. He believes that the real motivations behind many political situations deals with covering up the truth about extra-terrestrials (aliens from space) and their involvement in the Military- Industrial Complex. No matter what you think of his views, his research is impeccable. This article collaberates the former;
Will a Missing Nuke be used in a Simulated Terrorist Attack I respect this man's work. That is why I have a link to a site that tracks his articles on my home page. [You can't help but see the little grey dude.] I don't swallow everything he says, but his perspective on the NeoCon Agenda is dead on. For what it is worth, I present this ghastly story of death, deception, and mayhem. Happy Halloween!

I will be practicing my bass, working on my keyboards, and tracking some music. Come Spring, I should be back in "fighting" shape. I still envision the prospect of creating a small karate class catering to the middle aged. My present job is a bridge between my present mundane life, and a life that has meaning. The idea of writing a grant proposal to help make this possible is something I have to explore. Time to make my little corner of the world livable. The NeoCons will have to answer to a Higher Power for the Evil they have wrought. Let others dwell on what they do. I will continue to be vigilant, but as far as documenting their exploits further here on Time To Blog ... it is time for me to step aside. I need to focus on my life, and what I want to create. I have tried to step away from it, but always find another article that sucks me back in. Let the Sorcerers work their Magic. I will work mine.

October 30, 2007

Where did this year go? I blinked, and it was Halloween! This lapse in time is a real wake up call for me. The more I ponder what I should be doing with my life, the less time I spend actually living it. I am not finished. I could throw my hands up in the air, and make more excuses as to why this waste isn't REALLY my fault. In the final analysis, it is. I don't care what the circumstances are. I have the power to change anything I put my mind to. I lost my way. I don't know how this happened, exactly. But that doesn't matter. The importance lies in recognizing this, and rectifying the situation. I believe I have done that, and I am moving forward. Here is a good article. I have been holding on to it, but am now posting it for all to read. If you disagree with the things I post here, that is your prerogative. I figure if you don't like what I write about here, you won't be coming back anyway. Political Wickedness and Moral Bankruptcy

October 29, 2007

Following up on the David Copperfield allegations. Here is the latest news story: Grand Jury Investigates Copperfield Allegations. I also read last week that the FBI says, "two million dollars was not confiscated from Copperfield's ware house in Las Vegas." I also noticed a news article that says Copperfield had offered this woman $2 million to keep quite about the assault. Not that I give a rat's ass about David Copperfield, but I do enjoy watching how the media spins the story from one week to the next. I wouldn't doubt that Copperfield will get a number of high powered attorneys, and a private PI working on his defense. The PI will dig up dirt on this woman, and the defense team will portray her as a whore and a gold digger. I seriously doubt that Copperfiled will see jail time.

Beautiful day here in Stoughton, WI. I plan on getting outside and enjoying the weather before it turns dark, snowy, and cold. I drove to my P.O. Box to check my junk mail. I have got so many irons in the fire right now I am having difficulty focusing on how to organize everything. I have so many thoughts running through my mind, I get buried. When this happens, I shut down. This isn't a productive approach to creating success. I am going to put a schedule together and follow it. Road maps are useful.

October 28, 2007

Went to the music store I ordered my bass from and picked it up today. It really is a fine starter instrument. I did my homework and bought a guitar that is great to start learning on, and high enough quality to actually play in a band with. It all depends on the artist. A true musician can make any guitar sound fantastic. I also have a good beginner book that will guide me through the basics; tuning, tabs, working the frets, etc. The rest depends on my desire to master it. I downloaded a huge amount of music theory! I need that for my tracking. In the process, I will develop a style of playing the keyboards too! And, I can sing. I was a tenor in my high school choir for years. All I need is to tune up my vocal chords. It is a journey. This project will help keep my sane.

October 26, 2007

Came home feeling dragged out. Went to bed and watched some TV, but didn't fall asleep. So, I am back up and have decided to wrote a little something about a lot of nothing. I got a phone call from the music store. They have my bass and I will pick it up Sunday. Looks like a new chapter in my life is beginning. I have learned more about the Mad Tracker, and a similar product I downloaded called Mod Tracker. In time, I will be producing music. I also have a piano chord learning program I found. It was free. Even though it was free, it is a great product. With the materials I have plus this gizmo, I will learn approximately 200 chords. I will be able to look at a piece of sheet music and know the staff and the key signatures. With this knowledge, I can play. I never figured out how to play the piano when I was young and was being forced to practice. Now, I for see a style of playing that I can accomplish. I need this skill to track the music I will create. The bass is a means to express myself musically. Music is part of my soul. This is good. All I have to do is get my financial/work life straight. The Goth Club I visit occasionally is having a big Halloween bash tomorrow night. I won't be going. I plan on getting through tomorrow, and kick back here at the house for the next two days. I have a full plate. I feel good about what I see on the horizon. I have added a music section to ©webstonne; WebSoundPro. It is an infant today. The company slogan is, "If you can Dream it, you can Create it." Edison said, "genius was 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration." I say, "I believe in the power of Magic."

October 24, 2007

The American discussion about Iran has lost all connection to reality. Norman Podhoretz, the neoconservative ideologist whom Bush has consulted on this topic, has written that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is "like Hitler … a revolutionary whose objective is to overturn the going international system and to replace it in the fullness of time with a new order dominated by Iran and ruled by the religio-political culture of Islamofascism." For this staggering proposition Podhoretz provides not a scintilla of evidence.

Read the Full Article by Fareed Zakaria
Newsweek

I have included links to all the suporting documents. Read these articles, espeically the piece written by Norman Podhoretz declaring his desire that Bush bomb Iran. Since I have not been following the presidential races, I didn't know that Podhoretz is senior foreign policy advisor to Republican canditate Rudy Giuliani. Zakaria says in his article "Stalin, Mao and … Ahmadinejad?"

In a speech last week, Rudy Giuliani said that while the Soviet Union and China could be deterred during the cold war, Iran can't be. The Soviet and Chinese regimes had a "residual rationality," he explained. Hmm. Stalin and Mao—who casually ordered the deaths of millions of their own people, fomented insurgencies and revolutions, and starved whole regions that opposed them—were rational folk. But not Ahmadinejad, who has done what that compares? One of the bizarre twists of the current Iran hysteria is that conservatives have become surprisingly charitable about two of history's greatest mass murderers.

I was under the impression from sound bytes and newspaper articles in the main stream media that the current presidential race was being presented in this following manner; who ever has the balls to pull the atomic trigger is going to get the nod. I dismissed this notion as paranoia on my part. After reading these articles, my gut feelings may have been correct. They usually are ...

October 22, 2007

Magician David Copperfield has axed his shows in south-east Asia after the FBI raided his warehouse at the weekend. FBI agents took a computer hard drive, a digital camera memory chip and $2m (Ł937,000) in cash from the building in Las Vegas. It follows allegations he "forced himself" on an unidentified woman. His lawyer has denied the claims. Copperfield, 51, is known for his stunts, such as apparently walking through the Great Wall of China. His other feats include escaping from the infamous Alcatraz prison and seemingly making the Statue of Liberty disappear.

I find this article intriguing. I don't know if the claim that Copperfield "forced himself" on this woman is true. Having lived in Vegas, I know the routine. It could be a gold digger saw an opportunity, and went for it. On the other hand, the rich folks I saw treated the rest of us "common folk" like cattle. They took what they wanted when they wanted. The fact that David Copperfield had $2 million squirrelled away in his warehouse is the real story. I am sure this will raise some eyebrows at the IRS, Homeland Security, and other governmental agencies. You have to think that perhaps this loot is unreported income. The allegations of sexual misconduct may be a diversion in a larger political/legal agenda. Seeing how they operate in Washington, I wouldn't doubt it.

Here is the first "pattern" I made using Mad Tracker. I learned a great deal experimenting with this. Walking in the Shadows

October 21, 2007

Here is a writer/author worth looking at. He has invoked the ire and rath of many people, especially Christians. I had book marked his site some time ago, but never went back to further investigate what he was all about. I think for those of us interested in examining and defining our belief systems, this man has a great deal of knowledge to share. Here is an interview he did back in August of 2005. Excellent background information including links. John Lash Interview.

My work situation is a joke. I have no doubts that my current supervisor is a psycho. The only person I blame for being in this situation is myself. If I had the balls to follow my passions, I wouldn't be wallowing in the shallow end of the gene pool with boobs and morons. I will keep my head down, my mouth shut, and play the role of the complaisant, happy worker bee oblivious to the patronizing I hear. I am the better man. And, I will prevail in creating a professional life of my own creation. I can not and I will not shrug my responsibilities further. I am taking the steps necessary. Because of my deplorable neglect, it is going to take some time before tangible progress is realized.

I downloaded some free VST plug-ins for my Mad Tracker program. I have EVERYTHING to manipulate and create sound I need. The only thing I don't have is the know how on how to incorporate this technology into the creation of music. My Peavey bass hasn't arrived at the music store, but the dude I talked to on the phone said he expects it to come any day now. I got a great deal on it, so I have no complaints. I also registered my Mad Tracker, upgrading it to professional status. The $56 registration fee allows me to use it commercially, and I got lifetime web hosting with e-mail (50MB hosting & 20MB e-mail). Not a bad deal, and the software is well worth in excess of $56. I will approach this tracking project one step at a time.

I continue slacking on the foundation that will provide me with the focus, will, and health I need to sustain the pace required to make all this happen. That is another story. As I have said, slacking is unacceptable. I have reached rock bottom. The only place lower to sink is into the grave. That isn't going to happen.

October 20, 2007

I had a bunch of articles I was going to comment on, but never got around to it. Does it really matter what I think? It matters to me, but to the world? I realize I am small potatoes in the vast cosmos of political thought. My life has little to no bearing on being anything resembling a vehicle of change. My grandiose plans and ideas have resulted in nothing concrete. I have given a great deal of thought as to why. Why am I here in 2007 in the present mental condition I find myself in. Do I feel good about myself? What decisions have I made that bring me to the road I walk? I have answers. I do not like the conclusions. I have known for sometime that I have drifted, but was unwilling to accept the reality of failure. I have failed miserably to for see the consequences of my actions. In this respect I am no better than the maggot who finds itself born in filth and becoming nothing better than a fly buzzing around shit. I speak of morons and fools, yet I have lived no better. My only distinction is this; I know what I am. I see the mistakes made. I seek to correct this. The main obstacle blocking my Path to rectification has been admission. I remove this. Through a conscious effort to change, I accept responsibilty for the mistakes of my past life. I hold only myself ultimatly responsible despite the reality that I have been a victim of circumstances that were in many respects beyond my control. I reject this. I am the master of my fate. I take control over this life. I do not seek aproval for my existence. I am a universe onto myself. The glory I achieve is mine alone. The praise I seek is mine alone. My accomplsiments are personal triumphs. I owe no one an explanation!

I have skill. I have knowledge. I take the first step. I can not look back. I know my demons by name. I'm sick and tired of living the life I have. When I look back on this predicament, I can say this ... "I had the Will to create a life of my own volition."

October 17, 2007

Cashmore Alexander

It's been awhile since I put up any candidates for the Wall. The wall is a gallery of those individuals who have earned infamy through stupidity, shame, or other reasons that earmark them for this inclusion. Time To Blog! has a great many individuals that have been featured over the years. Photos are also presented of people who have earned the right to be praised and emulated also. The distinctions are clear. Here is the story of today's clowns.

Charles Cashmore told a Vegas judge Monday he would plead guilty to a felony and testify against O.J. Simpson and four others in an alleged robbery of sports collectibles at a Vegas casino. Cashmore faces up to five years in prison. He was introduced to Simpson and most of the others in the group for the first time minutes before the alleged robbery.

Walter Alexander, 46, of Mesa, Ariz., told a judge he will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, a felony. He could face between one and six years in prison.

The plea agreements up the ante in the prosecution of Simpson. Cashmore can testify that guns were involved in the Sept. 13 confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas casino hotel room, his lawyer said.

"He can establish who was in the room, what was said, who had guns, who didn't have guns, potentially who may have seen guns, who didn't see guns," attorney Edward Miley said outside court. "I think he wishes he would have never met O.J."

Simpson claims at least some of the items taken from collectors Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong belonged to him, and his lawyers have maintained that no guns were used. Simpson and the others are charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, assault, burglary and conspiracy.

Looks like OJ's gravy train has entered the station. I am sure the Goldman family can find some closure in this. I am not afraid to speak my mind. I think Simpson is nothing more than a killer and a psychopath. He lied about not killing two people all those years ago, and he is lying about what went down at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. If anyone deserves to rot in the stench of his own stink, it is Orenthal James Simpson.

October 16, 2007

Got out of bed earlier than normal to do some laundry I didn't get to these past couple days. Rising early and accomplishing goals I set is important in getting on the right track. I currently work from 12 noon to 8PM. This gives me time to read, study music, and physically train before I have to report to the salt mine. If I don't become self sufficient, I will end up working in a place I don't belong in. I will be working with people not of my choice. This is not how a master conducts his business. It all boils down to passion. I haven't had it for a long time. I may not have ever really had a passion for creating a life. I have drifted from one situation to the next. This is how fools conduct themselves. I am not a fool! Time to walk the walk. I am going to come up with a schedule. At certain times, I am going to be doing specific things. If this is what I have to do to remove my head out of my ass, then this is what I will do. It is time to get serious before I reach the point of no return.

My new Bass Guitar. This is a picture of a right handed instrumnet. Mine is a lefty.

October 15, 2007

I configured my Mad Tracker program and my Yamaha keyboard so they work together. I actually entered in some notes into the tracking program and got them to work. Today, I couldn't reproduce the same effect. I don't know what I am doing that is different than yesterday, but something isn't clicking. I also was able to link up the Crystal synthesizer with my keyboard. It did add some interesting sounds to the large repertoire of sounds already in the Yamaha data banks. I can see that this tracking project is going to be a long term endeavor. Once I figure out how to use all the features, and there are 100's, I will have the capacity to create a virtual symphony! I think this is something I will enjoy doing as long as I get it through my thick skull it isn't going to happen today. This is a VERY long term project. I have to take it one day at a time.

My bass guitar should be arriving at the music store this week or early next. I know I have to master a huge amount of musical theory, but I have the rest of my life to enjoy the journey. That is the key. Step back, enjoy the moment for what it is. I still think it would be a great idea to continue studying the technical side of computer programing like TCP/IP, wireless protocols/configuration, and other general computer hardware know how. Add this to my physical fitness program and my quest for knowledge; this is a lifetime of work. I feel good about the prospects. It is my personal responsibility to become self sufficient, and the mastery of this knowledge will accomplish this. I see what I want. Nothing else matters. This is my sword. A short note: I went back and figured out why I was not able to get notes to tabulate in my tracker program. I also figured out a general scale of what value the notes are stuck in; quarter-half-whole. It's coming along. I have neglected my digital camera too. I am a good photographer. I have a eye. I have to accept this conclusion; I have been depressed for some time now. I function, but I am not living a full life. This is unaccceptable. I deserve better.

October 14, 2007

The world needs Sy Hersh. Like Feingold, his is a lone voice of reason forcing a ray of reason into the political darkness that has griped the nation. Here is his latest article from the New York Times. The Administration’s Plan for Iran

I will continue to stay up on current matters, but I can not dwell on it to the point of obsession. I read another article on the plight of veterans coming back from the Middle East. It is a deplorable situation. The damage this war is inflicting morally, physically, and spiritually on a global scale is beyond comprehension. The song "We Don't Need No Nuclear War" by the late Peter Tosh says it all.

I have taken the first step in creating a world of music in my life. Music is more than just food for the soul; Music is SOUL. I won't go into a deep philosophical tirade on music, soul, and the human spirit. But I know this; I need it. I have configured Mad Tracker 2.5 with a synthesizer plug-in called Crystal. These two programs are powerful tools in creating any kind of sound or song I can imagine. I also have a Yamaha PSR-235 keyboard that has computer compatibility. With it, I have a fantastic bank of sounds and samples to use. I really need to start learning how to play it, but my dexterity is not great. I can still learn the chords and play them. I have the ability to become a musician. Because my dexterity probably isn't up to playing the keyboard, I can still play bass, and I ordered a Peavey today! I have a program written by Miller Puckette called Pure Data (Pd), and his book on electronic music entitled "The Theory and Technique of Electronic Music." Everything I need to know about the science of computer generated music is in the book. From what I have read, this Pure Data program itself is all you need to create music using your computer. Like I said, I have EVERYTHING I will ever need to become a musician, a song writer, and composer. The most important piece of the Foundation I need in my life remains my martial art background. I have neglected it. This is inexcusable. Without a strong physical and spiritual base, I have nothing.

October 10, 2007

The existence of three memos was revealed in a New York Times article (“Secret US Endorsement of Severe Interrogations,” by Scott Shane, David Johnston, and James Risen) published on Thursday. None of these opinions or memos have been released to the public. The article reports the CIA are still holding people in "black sites" overseas. It goes on to say that torture is a key interrogation tool. One memo authorized the use in combination of several torture techniques. It also

... expressed an open contempt for international law and constitutional constraints on executive power. They asserted, among other things, that the Geneva Conventions did not apply to the “war on terror,” that the president can detain anyone (including a US citizen) indefinitely and subject him or her to drumhead military commissions, and that the president can spy on the population without a warrant.

Read the full article: Bush Administration Memos Authorizing Torture

A nice follow-up article using the facts of the former for impeachment procedings:
Why Not Impeacment?

I know I shouldn't dwell on this carp, and I don't. But I refuse to stick my head in the sand and pretend that everything is beautiful. It isn't. When the shit hits the fan, I want to see it coming. This is my way of keeping sane in the face of this insanity we are living in. Ignorance may be bliss, but I refuse to play the fool.

October 8, 2007

Today has been something of a waste. I just haven't had the energy to get going. My mind is torn. Leaving Las Vegas and my gaming career behind has proven more difficult than I have cared to admit. Gaming was the only opportunity I have experienced where I was able to create personal wealth. I was financially stable but personally miserable. I didn't belong there. The only reason I ended up in Vegas was due to my ex-wife's wish to relocate there. What seems a mistake is really just a realization. I still remain optimistic. The world isn't going to stop and wait till I catch up. Lost time is wasted opportunity. Lost time is dissipated energy. I deserve a better life. The time to forge my sword is long past due. I plead guilty.

October 7, 2007

Time heals all wounds. I believe this. But what about the interim? If you sit around and wait till you are feeling better, or wait till time corrects the wrongs in life, you end up laying on your death bed saying to yourself, "I'm glad that was fixed. I can die now." Life is short; another pithy yet totally correct saying. Anyway, time has corrected some wrongs that I have been following. The first deals with Marion Jones. I have some nice data here somewhere in the Blog about BALCO, Victor Conte, and the main players in the steroid scandal. I can't remember what month or year, but the information is here. Victor Conte has been vindicated. I knew he was telling the truth about Marion Jones and her usage of his miracle, performance enhancing products. In her recent apology to the world, Jones admits she used steroids prior to the 2000 Olympic Games. She still insists she didn't know she was using them initially. She still claims her coach told her it was flaxseed oil. When do you inject flaxseed oil? She continues to openly deny her full participation. If you look at the charges brought against her, it is obvious that her agreement to plead guilty to her involvement with BALCO isn't totally genuine. The Government has substantial evidence she and her one time boyfriend and BALCO miracle drug recipient, Timothy Montgomery, were running counterfeit checks through the banking system. Timothy Montgomery Pleads Guilty on Money Laundering Charges

It's obvious she is cutting a deal to save her ass from heavy prison time. USA vs Marion Jones
Here is the plea agreemnet. A fine example of celebrity justice. Marion Jones Plea Agreement
This leads us to the last main player in the BALCO drama. I predict it is only a matter of time before the weight of truth crushes the denials of Barry Bonds. I just searched my archives. Here are my thoughts on Victor Conte, Marion Jones and the other major players in the BALCO investigation from December 2004. If I may toot my own horn ... my conclusions at the time have proven to be dead on.

The other wrong that has been corrected is the killing of Cha Vang. It was obvious from the start of this trial that James Nichols was guilty. It was only a matter of time, and the necessity for the wheels of justice to grind slowly forward. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison. The Hmong community is upset that he wasn't convicted of the first degree charge and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. I can understand why this charge was levied. The courts wanted to cover their ass on the appeal end. This second degree charge guaranteed a conviction with no appeal option. It isn't right in the true sense of justice, but this is the reality of the present judicial system. I pray the Vang family finds peace.

This past work week was interesting. I had to bring several complaints to management concerning "the creation of a hostile work environment." When you are working with adults with the intellectual capacity of six year olds, this kind of situation is going to be a problem. State and Federal laws are specific. There is a zero tolerance policy. I refuse to ignore this behavior. I will continue to raise a stink till it stops, or the people responsible are held accountable. No one crosses my path. I refuse to ignore injustice in my personal life. I am not a mark. You can only do so much, but people in the workplace will come to understand they need to dump their shit on another doorstep. My current job is only a stop along the journey. I know I don't belong where I am, and I hold myself responsible for having put myself in a situation where I have to deal with morons and idiots. On the other hand, I will use the options the law provides in order for me to create a workable, harmonious work environment.

One last story that has to be mentioned. The world needs heroes. The definition of hero is subjective. Hollywood has it's version. Politician pursuing their personal agendas have theirs. My idea of a hero is an individual who does what he thinks is right with no regard to fame or fortune. A hero walks alone. Senator Russ Feingold fits this description. He is a lone Congressional voice of reason in the present climate of fear, hatred, and manipulation. It's Time to Redeploy Our Troops from Iraq

October 1, 2007

I always put up the dancing skeleton for the month of October. It reflects the Halloween spirit, and I feel it symbolizes the current world political situation. I reorganized my homepage today. It is still basically the same, but I added a new banner and shuffled the old ones. I like the look of the main site page. It serves a purpose, is functional, and unique in it's own way. I added a link/banner to a news source I visit. I have many. The crap in the newspaper, and on the TV is a national disgrace. But, that is another issue. We have the choice to search further for real news, or we can watch Fox, CNN, and the other tools of ZOG (Zionist Occupational Government) propaganda.

I am not a white racist. I do not follow the philosophy of the Aryan Nation, or any other "white power" organization. But I do believe that Israel has it's own political agenda. Read the Protocols of Zion. The White Power Movements don't want to overthrow the US Government. They want to stop the Jews, who they see as unlawful and dangerous occupiers, from destroying our nation. This destruction is on many levels; economically through control of the world banking systems, politically through their vast lobbying apparatus, morally and spiritually through their control of the entertainment and media industries. Who Rules America?

I can understand the concern of these "fringe" white power groups. But, they have an odd way of trying to rectify the situation. I don't see how killing innocent non-white people is going to change what they perceive to be a Jewish conspiracy to rule the world. Hey, the world is slowly going insane. Nothing really makes sense anymore. The war machine is in high gear. Nothing is going to stop those in power from doing what they want when they want. So, let us all join hands and dance with our friend Mr Death. Does that sound crazy? Then how do you explain the lack of will to stop the neo conservatives? They have been totally open about their goals and intentions. I have provided links to the "NeoCon Bible." I have provided links to Presidential Executive Orders. It's all there in black and white. As Ingo Swann so aptly put it, "information outside of the comfort level of the human psyche is not integrated, and the spin doctors know this." We are victims of our own biology. Maybe that is the best explanation as to why we have become a nation of sheep.

In the end, there is only one question you have to answer to; "did you make a difference?"