Mysterion's Postulates

Jupiter Mitt Mormons!

2012-01-27T14:05:00.000-08:00

Newt wants the Moon to be the 51st state.

Well, it's time to raise that bet! Mitt can do it with Jupiter!

MORMON MAGIC

Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum are two of the greatest men ever to cross the Utah state line! Joseph Smith was a "glass looker" that was arrested, tried, and convicted in Bainbridge, N.Y. in 1826. Joseph Smith used a stone placed in his hat to "locate buried treasure."

In 1974 Dr. Reed Durham, president of the Mormon History Association, made a discovery that what had previously been identified as the "Masonic jewel of the Prophet Joseph Smith" was in reality a "Jupiter talisman." This is a medallion which contains symbols related to astrology and magic. Dr. Durham announced this important find in his presidential address before the Mormon History Association on April 20, 1974:

. . . I should like to initiate all of you into what is perhaps the strangest, the most mysterious, occult-like… practice ever adopted by Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith the Prophet possessed a magical… talisman, which he worked during his lifetime and which was evidently on his person when he was martyred.” (Mormon Miscellaneous, vol. 1, no. 1, October 1975, pages 14-15).

A photograph appears after page 106 in Francis Barrett's book, The Magis (facsimile reprint by University Books, Inc., 1967).

The shape of this object is almost identical to a drawing found in Barrett's book (originally printed in 1801).

The books The Greater Key of Soloman and Raphael's Ancient Manuscript of Talismanic Magic show a number of similar talismans.

Hot Damn! The Newt can kiss my grits! I bought a replica of my own!

I can wear this proudly and let everyone know that among the republicans I support Mitt Romney! I say, let every educated voter know I am backing the King of Bain! In the GOP primary, that is...

"The fix is in for Romney, which just means when he is crushed by Barack Obama a lot of Republicans will have a lot of explaining to do. Newt may not be able to win. But Romney sure as hell can’t beat Obama either if Newt can’t win. The problem remains — Gingrich supporters intrinsically know this to be so and are happy to die fighting. Romney’s supporters are still deluding* themselves."

Republicans in general have delusions of adequacy.

Icons of Right-Wingnuts

2012-01-26T09:01:00.000-08:00

'Fess up to it! When it comes to right wingnuts, there is nothin' like an ikon - dead or alive - to get 'em to rally round the Bar-B-Que!

Why pork fat is better 'n Frog Legs!
Yes, Virginia, republicans WORSHIP IKONS!

Besides, republicans don't have presidents, they have KINGS.

King Richard.

A pair of Kings? NOT!

King George I.

King George II.

King Mitt?

or

King Newt?

Wait, and see.

The Merry Wives of Newt!

2012-01-23T08:33:00.000-08:00

Newt Gingrich’s first wife, Jackie, has rarely spoken on the record about her marriage — because she started dating Newt when he was only 16* — and she was his 25-year-old high school geometry teacher.

Newt" Gingrich taught history and geography at West Georgia College. Clear water runs shallow.

Newt’s second wife, Marianne, accused Newt of having an affair, wanting an “open marriage,” and asking for a divorce after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She claims she was coming forward now because she was about to be smeared.

Marianne Ginther, whom he divorced in 2000. During this marriage, he was having an affair with Callista Bisek at the same time he had Kenneth Starr investigating President Clinton over Monica Lewinsky for impeachment!

- - - - - - - Duh! Is anyone surprised? Really?

You know what "they" say: "Boys will be boys."
And "they" certainly seem to know what "they" are talking about!

*Don't confuse consent with fornication. Consent in Georgia means "can agree to wed." It is illegal for unwed people in Georgia to play banking - where one makes and the other receives the deposit! Wall Street did this to hundreds of thousands of people with a single stroke!

Our Main Man!

2012-01-22T08:19:00.000-08:00

Open Marriage* advocate Newt did it!

Big Time!

"In Newt, the South Shall Rise Again." (or not)

Good old Newt is the LEAST ETHICAL politician we have seen in decades! This is JUST what the Dr. (see previous post) ordered!

There is even some bathroom reading for all to do. "In the Matter of Representative Newt Gingrich"

"Gingrich earlier admitted he had violated House rules and was prepared to accept the committee's recommendation for punishment."

In the end, the House voted overwhelmingly, 395-28, to reprimand Gingrich and to fine him $300,000.

The Republican party is what it is:

"Although the nomination is decided by delegate counts, and not by the preferences of rank-and-file voters, ultimately the nominee is determined by ... the party elite..."

*Newt Gingrich's second wife, Marianne, says the GOP presidential candidate asked her for an "open marriage" after he became involved with the woman who became his third and current wife.

Religion and Politics do not mix.

2012-01-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

click on picture for larger view

Dr. Juma can treat, solve many problems such as:
- Bewitched Piple
- Swollen Body
- Lost Lover
- Insanity
- Diarrhoea
- Madness
- To Make Mens Pennis Strong
- Woman With Pregnacy Problems
- Vomiting All The Time

- Misfortunes
- Demand Debts
- Removs Misunderstanding With Anybody
- Court Casss
- Casino Specialist
- Bad Luck
- Customer Attraction
ETC..... (Congressional Ethics Violations?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAWM7E_WMfo

Support the Goddess of the Religious Right-wing Nuts!
(HINT: this is oozing with sarcasm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

And, there is that little disclosure requirement! $375524.72 for the quarter! Only 4 people from Alaska made a donation. Telling!

SOURCEThis is the Iberian Goddess who is like Ashtart (Easter) of the Phoenicians, Tanit of Carthage, Palin of the Tea-baggers, Isis of Egypt, Demeter of Greece, Ataecina, Las Damas de Galera, Elche, Baza, Alicante, and many more.

And take the class!!!

You too might be given a samurai sword to strike down enemies of the lord. (A nutty fruit cake would be a more honest gift.)

These 11th cent. thinking Xtian Taliban piple* call Buddhism "witchcraft."

Wake up! Is anybody home?

*piple - Dr. Juma knows!

Under the sign of the cross...

2012-01-20T08:44:00.000-08:00

The cross, we learn, predates Christianity. Perhaps by 3,000 years. Ledge Altar, approximately as found.

As reconstructed:

It can even be tied to the great pyramid in Egypt!

Naturally, many of us have been aware of the cross-sun worship connection for decades.

When Constantine created his universal religion to unite the eastern (Byzantine) empire, his minions naturally brought this symbol along - replacing the two fish!

Even Papa Joe showed interest... as it was swept under the carpet.

An aside:

Above: Hitler's altar from His Berlin bunker.

Do not attempt...

2012-01-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

to engage a Republican in a reasonable conversation.

600 years ago, a classical education was made up of the trivium and quadrivium. The trivium was 'grammar, rhetoric, and logic.' The goal of classical education was to teach “how” to think, not “what” to think. No wonder the Republicans oppose the liberal approach!!!

Unfortunately, this morning I listened to a republican who was attempting to speak at me.

"Government exists," he said, "to take your money."

"What about the common defense?" I asked.

"What's that?" said he.

"The Army is one example. The Navy is another." I replied.

"Oh, well we need an Army." said he, "But we don't need a government."

"What about the Post Office?" asked I.

"Oh, we don't need that." replied he.

"Have you read the constitution?" I inquired.

"Of course." said he, "In the eighth grade."

**********************************************************
The Constitution of the United States:
(Note: The following text is a transcription of the Constitution in its original form.)

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article. I.

Section. 1.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section. 2.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three. (see AMENDMENT XIV, Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.)

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section. 3.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section. 4.

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section. 5.

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section. 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section. 7.

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section. 8.

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section. 9.

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section. 10.

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article. II.

Section. 1.

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Section. 2.

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section. 3.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section. 4.

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III.

Section. 1.

The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section. 2.

The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;-- between a State and Citizens of another State,--between Citizens of different States,--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section. 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Article. IV.

Section. 1.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section. 2.

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.

Section. 3.

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section. 4.

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.

Article. V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article. VI.

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Article. VII.

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, the Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

Attest William Jackson Secretary

done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independance of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

G°. Washington
Presidt and deputy from Virginia
*********************************************

Annotated form from Senate HERE

"She does what I talk about..."

2012-01-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

Developed by Elsa Gindler in Germany and later brought to the U.S. by Charlotte Selver, Sensory Awareness would also appear under Mindfull Meditation and other monikers. Erik Fromm popularized the form.

From: Dancing in the Dharma: The Life and Teachings of Ruth Denison By Sandy Boucher

See also: Reclaiming Vitality and Presence: Sensory Awareness as a Practice for Life By Charles V. W. Brooks, Charlotte Selver

There has to be a SFZC Connection, somewhere.

and theropy for returning Iraq/Afghanistan War Veterans. Just don't call it RAPE.

Hell, the republicans have been raping the working class in the U.S.A. for YEARS and few noticed.

The WORD of Adonis... or other gods

2012-01-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

IMO, Xtian radio is just another waste of bandwidth. But, with Fox being another waste of bandwidth, Xtian radio has plenty of company. Here in the Bay Area, we have 41 stations on which almost* nothing worth listening to is broadcast. We not only have Xtian Radio, Xtian radio, and Xtian Cult Radio, we have Cathaholic Radio! Here is a directory of CA Xtian radio.

Well, I have some bad news for them both individually and as a group... It's that "the genre of Dying-Rising gods has become somewhat thread bare" in the last three or four centuries. Oh, I'm not claiming that Adonis, Attis, Bacchus, Dionysus, Heracles, Ishtar, Jesus, Kore, Krishna, Mithras, Osiris, Persephone, and the others were the ONLY dying-rising gods (or goddesses), I'm just saying that we understand the tilt behind springtime. And I concede that Easter is such an important event that we named the female hormone estrogen after it!

*accidents happen - something worthwhile might just slip by...

Was it Pliny the Elder?

2012-01-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

Who said: "A shipwreck at sea can spoil your weekend."

We were not informed of the soap with which they thereafter bathed.

Our future rests on...

2012-01-15T10:32:00.001-08:00

Is this man really going to be our next compassionate president?
You decide, please.

Mitt Romney. Was he a job creator or a corporate raider?
That's the question this film answers.

Also available at: When Mitt Romney Came To Town — Youtube complete version (with full-screen feature for group viewing): youtube.com/watch?v=BLWnB9FGmWE

Pass it on... before you job is gone, your children's jobs are gone, and your hope for any decent future is gone... gone to greed.

Who is Grover Norquist?

A virgin forest

2012-01-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

A virgin forest, I am told, is: "Where the hand of man has never set foot."

Faith, Hope, and Charity

2012-01-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

If America's founding fathers were anything, they were critical thinkers.

Note: f = German "s" so fenfe = sense &c.

Old Ben Franklin was at the top of his game when America was being hatched.

Some of his most creative writings - as published in the Pennsylvania Gazette or Poor Richard's Almanack - were collected in the above book which I recommend to everyone who is not recovering from a recent surgery.

An excerpt is posted for your edification. Click on each image for a larger view.

Ever the wise-guy, Franklin declared the timely death of his competition in the "Courteous Reader_," (forward) of:
Poor Richard's Almanack, 1733
Poor Richard's Almanack, 1734
Poor Richard's Almanack, 1735
and
Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
a joke that lasted FOUR YEARS running!
“Richard Saunder” was an astrologer and almanac writer of the previous century in England! Even THE AUTHORSHIP was a twisted parody. It's not Leeds, but Saunder that is dead!

Note the "year of publication" above. From the beginning, Franklin was making a parody of both the "errors in astrology" and "since the creation" beliefs.

Catnip!

2012-01-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry!

But stupid republicans are just freaking catnip to me.

I'm not saying ALL republicans are stupid. Nor am I saying MOST republicans are stupid (although that would not amaze me). But, apparently many republicans ARE stupid.

A case in point: Today, I went shopping at Trader Joe's. I parked adjacent to a handicapped parking place in between the lines - as a reasonable and prudent driver would park.

Now I realize that a republican might read this (do they read anything?) so I drew a picture. The BLUE X indicates the space in which a White Chevy Tahoe (10-12 MPG, to be honest) was parked. The WHITE X indicates where my Tacoma (18-24 MPG) was parked.

Since we were remodeling the kitchen, I happened to have a tape measure in my glove compartment. (cat grin)

When I came out of the store with my groceries, some confrontational obese 5'6" tall (short?) WASP male asked me: "Excuse me, it this your truck?"

"Why yes it is!" says I...

"Well, you are parked too close to me!" says the little fat man.

So, being of a scientific nature born of a nurtured innate curiosity, I got the tape measure out of my Tacoma and, as he witnessed that which now transpired, measured the distance between the blue/white line on the driver's side and the front and back tires of my little Tacoma. 8.5" +/- 1/16th ". The distance between the white line on the passenger's side and the front and back tires of the Tacoma was about 8.25" +/- 1/16th".

The distance between the BLUE/WHITE line on the passenger's side and the front and back tires on his Tahoe was about -2" +/- 1/16th". He was obviously parked ON THE BLUE LINE. Caught unawares, it was just not obvious to HIM that it was HE who was parked too close to me (except I didn't care).

"Excuse me, but you are a [catnip!!!] republican, aren't you?" asked I in a playful mood...

"What has THAT to do with anything?" asked the little fat man.

"Well, you accuse me of the very thing that you have done!" I commented in an erstwhile effort to educate the little man...

"You seek mote in my eye while ignoring the beam in your own!" "Do you read your bible?"

"Of course!" says the little fat ball of catnip.

"Well try paying a little attention next time." I commented, offering kind and gentle council (claws extended in play) to his deafened ears.

The panting little (now red) fat man, with considerable effort on his part, next climbed into his big white pig and departed my jovial (as I am laughing) company in a rude and abrupt manner. Republicans, it seems, are so right that they cannot be wrong!

And they all lived happily ever after!

What matters...

2012-01-02T11:14:00.000-08:00

"What matters," said Miyamoto Musashi [who was no saburai], "is only within the reach of your Katana." [a PDF]

By the 12th century, saburai (retained person) had become largely synonymous with bushi (way of the sword) but that was somewhat of a misnomer. A saburai/samuria was actually a gentleman's attendant [another PDF] who was responsible for taking a sword strike intended for his master. To use the christian term, he was just another sacrificial lamb among so many. At least the saburai were not consumed as a flesh food.

But, getting back to the point: "Nothing matters that is beyond 5 feet in distance." If it's radiation, it matters to many young. If it's water, it matters to the many thirsty. If it's food, it matters to the many hungry.

But each of those groups is suffering the consequences of desire. The many young desire a life free of radioactive fallout. The many thirsty desire water to drink. The many hungry desire food to eat. Compassion requires a moment of thought about this.

Ready?

[.....]

O.K., we've done our compassion for 2012.

Now, what really matters?

Is the puppy warm enough when he's napping?

About the water, food, and radiation issues, all I can say is: "Picky, picky, picky."

Wake the "f" up!

2012-01-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

Will anybody wake up this year?

I doubt it.

Corporate interests have taken over entire governments [also HERE].

World-wide, 0.1% of the population has more wealth than the "bottom" 99.9% (Greed is Good!). AMEN

The Pacific Garbage Patch is growing faster than your retirement account.

the source
The benefits of nuclear power (actually NOT nuclear but rather atomic power plants) outweigh the risks.

the source
Global warming is a Hollywood movie plot.

Jesus will save you despite your greed, violence [a PDF], selfishness [another PDF], and bigotry [yet another PDF].

The world will end on 12-21-12 so don't worry, be happy!

And just slumber another year or decade...

It really doesn't matter. Not one bit. Not 1/65,535th of an option.

Look! Up in the sky!

2011-12-30T19:50:00.001-08:00

It's SuperMitt!

I predict* that when all is said and done [following the Republican Presidential Debates], the GOP presidential candidate of choice will be will be Bush look-alike Gov. Rick Perry!

CLICK ON ANY OF THE ABOVE FOR A LARGER VIEWING

*You should hope that I am wrong. The only logical GOP choice is HERE.

Northern Sky

2011-12-27T18:02:00.000-08:00

If you are standing in the Northern Hemisphere and looking at Polaris, the sky appears to rotate counter clockwise. That is because the Earth is rotating toward the East.

You see, the sun does not come up in the East, the horizon goes down.

Who was Milutin Milankovitch and why should we care? I don't know and we don't care!

Now, back to the topic at hand.

The ancient academic Buddhists put a design in coins [very rare] which represents the apparent rotation of the northern sky.

Above is the complete design (reconstructed from my microscopic examination).

Below is a rather good photocopy of the charcoal on parchment facsimile taken in the field (somewhat magnified).

I was put onto the trail of this astronomical representation by a so-so book called "Hamlet's Mill." It remains one of the most rewarding books that I have ever read. However, it it a long and laborious read.

I could throw in something kinky here by mentioning that "Lishu Darling was born a woman, wrote many texts then changed herself into a man via gender bending self initiation and ritual empowerment." But I won't. This post is not, after all, about Unbounded Wholeness. It's about the northern sky at night.

Half Astrology was behind the myth of the Magi. We know that the Manger, with its northern ass ans southern ass, was visited by Jupiter (Dios P'ter - the heavenly father) who seeded us 'Jesus' of IXEUS (the fish man) fame. Born in Pisces. What a concept!

BTW: Who knows how many asses have visited the manger since? Just wondering.

And what do Astrologers have to say about the birth of IXEUS?

Star Chart 1

Star Chart 2

Star Chart 3

Star Chart 4

What we have (not) is agreement!

You know what they say: "From half-assed beginnings..."

But (not butt) for our coin from Taxila and the Buddhist design? Well, it shows that - at least on a clear night - the Buddhists didn't have their heads in a cloud! Get my point?

What if...

2011-12-22T19:06:00.000-08:00

everything you thought you knew was wrong?

What if... things handed down through tradition were wrong?

Oh well...

"Be well."

The swastika is Hindu.

The Buddhist version is neither Hindu nor related to solar worship. The Buddhist version is more intellectual and almost Dionysian in design. As almost a lifetime of research has gone into my present thinking, I can state - with 85% certainty - that the Buddhist version is based on the rotation of the northern sky about the pole star!

So what?

I had it (the Buddhist design) silk-screened onto coffee mugs. That's all.

BTW: From the inside (of Buddhism) there are eight 'fold' paths and from the outside there are eight 'fold' paths. Both lead to the four truths...

Cheers.

Return of the sun...

2011-12-18T08:47:00.000-08:00

The Evangelical Rejection of Reason

2011-12-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

"THE Republican presidential field has become a showcase of evangelical anti-intellectualism. Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann deny that climate change is real and caused by humans. Mr. Perry and Mrs. Bachmann dismiss evolution* as an unproven theory. The two candidates who espouse the greatest support for science, Mitt Romney and Jon M. Huntsman Jr., happen to be Mormons, a faith regarded with mistrust by many Christians." MORE...

and the Newt???

*Evolution's five intermediate forms.

Only Turkey is behind the United States in science education... and WE certainly have our problems with belief.

Kamakura added the Kitchen!

2011-12-11T08:50:00.001-08:00

SOURCE
A communal meal is a good way to get folks together and build a sense of community. There are only four or five things we need to do to live:
1) Breathe
2) Eat & drink
3) Poop, fart, and pee
4) Sleep
5) Stay warm & dry in winter and cool and dry in summer (not listed here)

The sixth (sex) is an option if you want to be hot and wet in winter and hotter and wetter in summer AND (perhaps) subject another generation to suffering.

All that being said, the kitchen cannot be overlooked.

from RICH IN SHEEP to WELCOME

2011-11-27T12:49:00.000-08:00

A few people have questioned me about how the Teachings of the Buddha could be transliterated into the Gospels. An example of butchered (pardon the pun) 'rich in sheep' becoming 'welcome' is given in Chadwick:
Any number of things - neck of a turtle ---> yoke of an oxen - were transliterated by the Greeks (Gospel of Matthew) from the wrinings of the Buddhists of Bactria to be thereafter harmonized into gospels of Byzantium (325 CE). One easy place to look is jesus is buddha. Yes, there's Spinsky.

Scholars noticed these 'cultural borrowings' in christianity well before 1875 when publications on the subject began to appear. Why, after 135 years, is this information not widely circulated? With the advent of the internet, there is are trickles that may become streams. What, therefore, are internet surfers, at long last, starting to clearly see?

1) That the Moses myth is based on Akhenaten. [a PDF]
2) That myth of Jesus is based on the Buddha. (c. 1882)
3) That myths are the rule rather than the exception.

Is this a wake up call that the many sleeping will answer?

No.

The slumber of their sleep is beyond hypnotic, it is a crystallized belief.

Revisiting Rebirth

2011-11-14T07:16:00.001-08:00

O.K. Some people don't get it.

Try reading a little. THIS book is a start.

Hell, even THIS article is a start. [a PDF]

What would cause young children to think they remembered living before—and dying before? For the past forty years, doctors at the University of Virginia Medical Center have tried to answer that question. Researchers have investigated more than 2,500 cases of young children who reported memories of previous lives. Now, Jim B. Tucker, M.D., a child psychiatrist who currently directs the research, shares these studies with the general public.
Children who report past-life memories typically begin talking about a previous life when they are two to three years old. The children tend to show a strong emotional involvement with the apparent memories and often cry to be taken to the previous family. In many cases, parents have taken their children to the places they named, where they found that an individual had died whose life matched the details given by the child. During the visits, some children have recognized family members or friends from that individual's life. Many children have also had birthmarks that matched wounds on the body of the deceased individual.

This isn't voodoo mojo Feng Shui. It's science. Thinking allowed is thinking aloud.

Don't believe* it, consider it.

The Boy Who Lived Before: This documentary screened in 2005 as part of the television series ”Extraordinary People” broadcast in the UK. “The Boy Who Lived Before” featured the investigation of the case of Cameron Macaulay by Dr. Jim Tucker, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia.

*Belief is an emotional disease in my lexicon - akin to pork for the Jews and Muslims.

Wecome to hell - now suffer!

2011-11-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

Women don't get it. Newborns have big eyes and they look so cute.

But what is going on is that the wheel of dharma is being turned by desire and yet another salient being is condemned to the continuance of hell (the seemingly endless cycles of birth-death).
In just one city, there are three babies born every hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That's actually a bit more at 75 babies a day and 27,375 a year.

That's 5 Woodsides or almost an entire Monterey added to the planet each and every year!

Play the VIDEO

And the photographer, not to be outdone, was seven months pregnant when she visited Delhi's baby factory! It's up to the men in the world to detach from fathering children. Women can't do it alone and a monastic order of monks (who swear and keep an oath not to touch a woman) is just a small start on the right path.

Am I saying that EVERY man should reject the idea of fathering children?

YES!
Looking for the tabernacle [body] maker,
through the many cycles of birth.
And in not finding him,
painful are the cycles of birth.

No more, maker of tabernacles [embodiments],
for you [Mara] have been seen.
You shall make my tabernacle [body] no more.

The rafters [ribs] are broken
the ridge-pole [spine] is sundered
the mind [understanding] approaches the Eternal.

[For] I [now] understand peace is the extinction of desire.

Zen Practice is Zazen

2011-10-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

"Studying Zen (sanzen) is zazen. For zazen, one should have a
quiet place. Spread a thick sitting mat. Do not let in drafts or
vapors; do not admit rain or dew. You should secure and maintain
the spot where you place yourself. There are traces from the past
of those who sat on a vajra [seat] or sat on a rock; they all spread a
thick layer of grass to sit on. The place where you sit should be
bright; it should not be dark either day or night. The technique is
to keep it warm in winter and cool in summer.

Cast aside all involvements and discontinue the myriad affairs.
Good is not thought of; evil is not thought of. It is not mind,
intellect or consciousness; it is not thoughts, ideas or perceptions.
Do not figure to make a buddha; slough off sitting or reclining.
You should be moderate in food and drink. Hold dear the passing
days and nights, and take to zazen as though brushing a fire from
your head." source

academic source

Truth-on a sliding scale

2011-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

The above is my favorite illustration from any book that I have ever encountered.
Perhaps I will delve into it just a bit. At one extreme, you have "hot" emotionalism which leads people to _scream_, _cry_, _shout_, _fart_, and dance with snakes. At the other extreme you have "cold" rationalism where people reflectively think, reason, and dare to understand. Revelation comes not from emoting but rather from reflective thinking.

Emotionalism knows no wisdom. Rationalism needs no wisdom.

Now I am not addressing ENTJ personality types here. Nor am I addressing INTJ folks. Nor am I even referring to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®. There is some value to the MBTI® assessment. Especially where you are trying to cure a "sick company" or dysfunctional board of directors.

I am talking about a party of one - YOU. And I am talking about how you are going to cope in an increasingly difficult world - one where poverty is the norm.

"The prognosis for the next few years is bad with a chance of worse."

Today I am a:

slightly expressed Extravert
slightly expressed Sensing personality
moderately expressed Thinking personality
moderately expressed Judging personality

Other days, I am other things than slightly ES and moderately TJ... personality is dynamic and, like everything else in nature, subject to change. I am most often ENTJ. Not that it matters because it doesn't. I'm retired. If my conversation at PEET's offends thee, rip out your ears. But, please, go somewhere else to do it.

It's the "T" part - THINKING over emoting. I recall one incident at the SFZC when Brad gave a talk about Shobogenzo (and his book Sit Down and Shut Up). During the questions period, a woman went on and on in a testimonial about how sitting Zazen had brought her compassion to full fruition. I studied the absence of reaction in the room and eventually she noticed it also. This was clearly not a cry-in.

Thinking people have to throttle their ability somewhat to get along with groups. Emotional people have to curb their emotions to get along with groups. It's like the ANS and Nishijima... balance.

Sick joke:

What do 5,000 battered women have in common?

(Pounding fist on table and screaming) "They just won't learn to listen!"

Analysis: Battered women are often paired with insecure men who lack emotional maturity, coping skills, and often have severe anger control issues (the anger arises from a general lack of ability to compete in the job market, gain and keep the respect of others, hold one's own ground in a conversation, and a propensity to self-medicate with alcohol or narcotic substances). These women often have serious issues of their own - co-dependence being one.

Battered voters have an instrument of revenge - the ballot. If and when these voters wake up to the realization that they have been battered by the emotionalism of right wingnut radio and other republican thugs, they will tune them out, cast them out, and never return their support.

the Oxford Comma

2011-09-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

Why the Oxford comma is important. The Oxford comma is found before the final "and" in a series of nouns, e.g., "We bought apples, oranges, and pears." The Oxford comma is even more important in a string of nouns such as this, "We like soup and sandwiches, peaches and cream, and cookies and milk."

Besides following some in-house "book of style" or "accepted practice", there's no reason not to use the Oxford comma, unless it's to confuse readers!

<< http://unlikelywords.tumblr.com/post/10316821782/why-the-oxford-comma-is-important-via-peterc >>

In the translations of archaic languages, the matter of punctuation, usage, and context do matter. Punctuation, by use of additional little marks or character embellishments, was used by the ancients. The use of ancient (archaic) punctuation is not well understood.

Let's face it. Subtle changes in punctuation can make profound differences in meaning (cognitive content).

The full zipper

2011-09-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

What does this drum have to do with me? The stitches. They look good on the drum! Wednesday evening at 6 pm, after I demonstrated my proficiency at climbing 3 stairs without teetering, I was released from the TCU to go home. Automobile traffic between "San Jose" and "the East Bay" was slow. But after a time, ot two, we arrived home safe and sound.
Shiro was excited to see me: so we are just kickin' back & taking the time necessary to restore things as they were around July of 2011...The above picture was taken in July of 2011. Shiro weighs 14.5 pounds and I am not allowed to pick him up or carry him for 4 - 6 weeks!
Then, my buddy and I will go to Peet's again...
"Life goes on, until it doesn't."

Monday, Monday

2011-09-22T06:37:00.000-07:00

You know what they say:
Physical Rehab!
They need to get your sorry ass outa bed and walking around. First, a good walk helps the BM. Ever walk a dog? Well it the SAME for people - with less sniffin'.
Remember, I rejected pain medication from Sunday on, so I was a bit sore*. They offered me a walker or a cane. RIGHT!
This rehab is serious stuff. They want you outta there and on your own. (This is single-payer, not-for-profit health care, and it is damn good stuff!!!)
A lot of things that never made sense to me started to make sense. Heart rehab patients, while they do need exercise, cannot climb 15 steps in a row for a few weeks. I had three steps to climb to get into the house from the sidewalk and we practiced this twice a day ( progressing to three and four) for the remaining of my stay in the TCU. They do not want you to fall down and return to the hospital! What I concept. Neither did I.
Today, it seems like I breezed through the TCU like poop through a goose. Somehow, some remember pain and suffering - even to the point of dwelling on it. Others focus on life's pleasures - a big old donut. I dwell on neither: "Remember, wherever you are going, when you get there, there you are!"

Learn to live with it.

*Sore, not to be confused with THOR
Thor, the Germanic god of thunder, was feeling restless so he decided to have a weekend fling. Taking a handful of jewels from the Valhalla petty cash department he slipped down to earth, got himself an elegant disco suit and a few gold chains, and began hitting the Saturday night dance bars.

After a big night on the town he finally took home the most beautiful woman he had seen and spent the rest of the night and morning satisfying his heroic libido. When he got out of bed and began dressing he realized that the exhausted girl on the bed lacked his godly sexual stamina. By way of explanation, he leaned down over her and whispered, “Honey, I think you should know – I am Thor.”

Wide-eyed, the girl exclaimed, “Thor! You big thon-of-a-bitch, I can’t even thtand up!”

Saturday - graveyard (shift)

2011-09-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I awoke in the TCU and saw a drop-dead beautiful young nurse who looked something like THIS (the 7th girl to the right) tending to my needs.

I remembered that this was the graveyard shift (midnight to 8 a.m.) in the cardiac transitional care unit. I wanted to make a good impression on her. I wanted to see her smile. I wanted her to like me. I threw up.
Remember? I have GERD. She brought me an Aspirator connected it to mild suction and left me alone to regurgitate the one thing I had eaten in the ICU since waking up - 1/2 a tuna fish sandwich.
I chuckled myself to sleep: [DUDE! Way to go!]

SUNDAY

You know you are getting old when constipation consumes more of your thinking than flirting with pretty women.

Postoperative constipation is common. And I had it. And it exacerbated the GERD.

By Sunday, the doctor had ordered a water enema. And you know how I am about enemas.

By noon, I sat on the toilet (yes, a regular toilet) and gave birth to a republican. Now the medical staff grades your dumped mud on "small, medium, & large." But this rating system is inadequate. It should be "small, medium, large, legendary, and epic." And the product of my labor was EPIC. It looked like a seven foot anaconda had curled up in the toilet to hide!
After a few of the nursing staff viewed my EPIC BM, the supervisor walked in and flushed the toilet!

"My god!" I said: "Do you have any idea what kind of nasty letter you are going to get from the Santa Clara Department of Sanitation? They are going to say 'what in the hell did you just send us?"

Everyone went back to their business/rounds/stations laughing, smiling, or shaking their heads.

Now I felt A LOT better. Although my debonaire, suave, urbane image was gone forever, at least I would be remembered only as the old GERD sufferer with the EPIC BM.

Next, I could shift my focus to silly walks.

Tomorrow: "I can walk!"

Change!

2011-09-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Like all patients, I was in the cardiac ICU department after surgery. I did not allow any visitors for any reason! Why gross people out? [LOL]

After an ICU repose of two evenings (Thursday & Friday), I was sent to the Transitional Care Unit.

But it's not QUITE that easy.

In ICU, you have a Registered Nurse (RN) to care for you alone. Once you are stable and taken off the ventilator, the nurse may care for you and another patient close by.

The Ventilator: you wake up with a breathing tube in place. You are not able to speak or drink anything while this tube is in place. The breathing tube is attached to a "ventilator" that helps you to breathe until you are awake enough to breathe on your own. The machine and tube are then removed. This is a normal and necessary part of major surgical procedures.

Around 2 p.m. on my afternoon in ICU (Friday), a guy comes in to remove the breathing tube. You practice the procedure. You try to take a deep breath (yeah, right) and cough. On the second or third practice, the tube came up. So did half of the lunch that I had eaten the day before surgery (Wednesday). The reason that you 'cough' is to protect your larynx which can be damaged by the moving tube!

Then they give you four hours rest before even more even tubes come out. Changes, these are little - albeit uncomfortable - changes.

This guy had bypass surgery. I had a valve & descending aortic artery repair. I dunno... maybe not so different... he has WAY more energy than I did at this point.

But four hours after the breathing tube comes out, you get the neck catheter and PICC removed! Oh, and the Foley is removed. Don't touch my JUNK! (except, what's the alternative?)

So, now that you are stripped down to 'fighting weight' they move you to a transitional care unit - with three drain tubes still attached.

A few patients seriously needed a cup of STFU. Of course there are discomforts, of course there are pains (plural) but just friggin live with it. O.K.? They didn't say "Beach Volleyball a day after surgery! "How do you think those folks in Japan feel with their children exposed to radiation while the politicians debate moving the capitol to safer ground (at their expense)?

In the transitional care unit, there are 3 RNs 24/7 for every 3 patients. This is where you either make grade or keep other people awake with code blue or other interruptions.

When I woke up after midnight in the TCU (Saturday)...

well, tomorrow.

On the Road to Wellsville...

2011-09-19T07:06:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned, during surgery, I felt, sensed, and was aware of nothing. The anesthesiologist takes you down to deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and keeps you there - just minimal brain activity indicating life - as in vegetation.

"Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is used in neonatal cardiac surgery. Recent work has suggested improved neurologic recovery after deep hypothermic arrest with pH‐stat cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) compared with alpha‐stat CPB."

Only PIGS will tell...

The backgrounder (hintergrund) is HERE.

After 4 or so hours of slicing, dicing, [extremely graphic - do NOT watch]sawing, surgery, [extremely graphic - do NOT watch]closing, cutting, and stitching, I was wheeled off to the cardiac intensive care area for a 2 day repose. It is there that consciousness is restored.

The first awareness I experienced was not a bright light or other silliness, it was a faint orange-brown glow. This emerged into a sepia sphere something like this:

Then, what appeared to be really skinny trees grew in three dimensions except with extremely thin branches, twigs, and no leaves:

Eventually there was a massive interconnection of all these tiny twigs and they started to touch in micro-flashes of blue light.
Then I noticed some voices (the ICU nursing staff) and opened by eyes.

I was not the happiest camper on the block. I had the concentric breathing tubes. - little one to pump oxygen in and bigger one for exhaust, a couple of IVs, and three drain tubes emerging from my chest and the Foley catheter (indwelling urinary catheter) - all standard stuff.

Now that I have naturally grossed you out to the point that you must have lost your breakfast/lunch/dinner, let me just say:
"If you want to dance, you have to pay the piper."

All of this is standard procedure. And remember what I said about procedure.

I came up with a procedure.

1) The banana must be sliced into 18 to 24 slices of 1/4" each.
2) The banana slices must be evenly placed in a circle on top of the oatmeal.
3) the soy milk...

If the procedure is not followed, then the banana slices must be returned to the banana skin. The reassembled banana must then be put in a paper bag and returned to the store.

TOMORROW: Moving from ICU to the Cardiac Care Unit.

On the Road...

2011-09-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

So, today at Peet's Coffee (I had Mormon Coffee - 10 oz hot water with steamed soy milk) the discussion came up - from a fundie nearby - about whether I had "been on the road" and "seen God" during my heart surgery.

My answer was: "Well, I was in the road but I didn't even see Jack Kerouac!"

What I saw during surgery was nothing. The anesthesiology department straps these electrodes around your forehead - temple (no pun intended) to temple - and they take you down to ALPHA.

I once said: "Even though a carrot is my favorite vegetable, that doesn't mean I want to be one." Don't forget to have a current Advance Health Care Directive on file - especially if you ride a bicycle or motorcycle.

Zen brother Jerry Brown at CSDoJ has it: "While state law requires certain provisions to appear in your health care directive, there is no single form in use to document your wishes"

This (sample form) is the one I used and you can fill in one online & then print it.

Don't keep it a secret. Your brother/sister or son/daughter or accountant/attorney or all of the above should have a copy.

This is an older FORM of the AHCD.

THIS DOC is one for mom or dad that you can fill in the blanks with "Word."

TOMORROW: Comments about the experience.

Welcome home!

2011-09-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

So, aside from the little bout with an Aortic valve stenosis, I've had GERD for a while. GERD is acid reflux. If I eat fried food - especially deep-fat fried food - I throw up like a vulture over a road kill.

So what greets me when I get home? LOL.

Cheers!

the Zen of Pain Management

2011-09-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

I do not know if you have watched the movie - or DVD - of The Aviator. In this movie, there is a scene - based on a true Hughsism - in which he dictates into an audio recorder the procedure for purchasing and delivering a quart of milk from the store. The point is, that unless the procedure is followed, the milk must be returned to the store and the entire procedure repeated again.

Well, the last three days in the hospital, I had oatmeal, banana, and soy milk for breakfast. So to focus on the external, and avoid any 'pain' medication whatsoever, I came up with a procedure.

1) The banana must be sliced into 18 to 24 slices of 1/4" each.
2) The banana slices must be evenly placed in a circle on top of the oatmeal.
3) the soy milk...

If the procedure is not followed, then the banana slices must be returned to the banana skin. The reassembled banana must then be put in a paper bag and returned to the store.

Now the background of the banana is this. They give you a fairly strong diuretic to reduce water retention and swelling. And this diuretic can dangerously reduce an electrolyte - potassium - in your blood. Aside from popping another pill, you can restore the potassium by eating, for example, bananas and/or melons.

OF COURSE, I was kidding and the a.m. nurse got a real chuckle out of the episode (which I repeated on Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning). BTW, have you ever attempted to uniformly slice a banana with a plastic knife... (?) Silly to the point of the ridiculous.

By moving my focus to the supposed procedure of slicing my banana methodically, I attenuated the sense of self to the point there was NO PAIN whatsoever. To keep the nursing staff happy, I said on a 1 - 10 scale that my pain level was about three (which it wasn't - there was no pain).

That is one of the purposes of koan practice - to attenuate "self."

In so doing, you are able to focus your attention on something external - like tea, a garden, medicinal herbs, and things which can mitigate the pain and suffering of others.

5 days later, I feel just great...

2011-09-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Face it. I always look better with a banana on my head.

I posted the WORST picture... because I could! LOL

And now, a valve job...

2011-09-06T19:03:00.001-07:00

It turns out that 10% to 15% of the people my age (63!) developAortic Valve Stenosis and about half require surgery within 3 years. Some die before it is diagnosed or die as a result of corporate death panels telling them their insurance refuses to cover the procedure.

$200000 Heart-valve replacement or $10000? [a PDF]

Well, it turns out my insurance DOES cover the procedure. And, after monitoring it three years, it's no longer elective surgery. The co-pay is $600.

So... a pig valve? Nope. Besides the failures, there are so many diseases that people on four feet carry to humans. The porcine list here is highly abbreviated.

Mechanical? Nope. No rat poison in my future.

There are other options! (Plural) Nuff sed.

So on the 8th, I get a valve job and after I recuperate (5 to 7 days) I'm back home.

Buddhism is NOT a conversion...

2011-08-31T16:46:00.000-07:00

Everyone - almost - is born awake (budh). Then, over the next six or seven years, they are lulled off to slumber the sleep of culture, religion, superstition, fear, and violence.

Buddhism is a rejection of violence and fear. For many, it also becomes the rejection of superstition and religion. Culture is something that is resilient to change.

"To awaken is to:
learn the art of living
master the mind and bring it back to... the present moment
to unite mind, body and reality.

To awaken is to:
bring the reality of the present moment to life
become aware of the present moment
live the present moment." source

Majik Mormon Underwear

2011-08-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Make no mistake about it, I support Mitt Romney's right to wear Majik Mormon Underwear!
This is an issue separate from gold plates or the Jupiter Talisman. This is pure, 100% unadulterated politiks!

Some folks have a chip on their shoulder about the occult.

"Occult" means hidden. For example, you could witness a Solar or Lunar Occultation of Venus. Of course you could witness a god if you experienced a sunstroke.

There is a lot to be said of Joseph Smith and his Mormons. But _I_ will not say it.
A link to the above book is HERE

White Salamander Society
Besides, a lot of Mormons are well endowed.

Movie day in Elementary School!

2011-07-31T20:26:00.001-07:00

Even Kempo and Mumon did not know

2011-07-27T12:28:00.001-07:00

A student monk once asked Master Kempo, "I understand that all Buddhas enter the one road into Nirvana. Where is this one road?”

Kempo, raising his walking stick, drew the figure "one" and said, "Here it is."

Later, the student monk went to Umon to ask the same question. Umon, opening his fan, said; "This fan will reach the thirty-third heaven and hit the nose of Sakra Devendra, the highest deity in these heavens. It is like the giant carp of the Eastern Sea tipping over a rain cloud with its tail to make the rain pour down."

Mumon's Comments:
One master walks on the deep ocean and raises dust. The other, standing on the tip of the high mountain, fills the heaven with white waves. The one holds the point, while the other liberates everything; together each supports the teaching with one hand. Kempo and Umon are like two powerful camels colliding. Seen from the truth, even Kempo and Mumon did not know where this one road really is.

They reach the goal before taking the first step.
They complete the speech before their tongue moves.
Even if they had foresight long ago, the origin of the road lies ahead of their foresight now. (e.g. they lost 'beginner's mind.')

the CORRUPTION of Public Education

2011-04-10T13:41:00.000-07:00

Sadly, the Fundies in Texas have too g*d damned much to say about what gets into textbooks for State-supported Public education.
In this case, the illustration carries a qualifier: "...one of the books of the Hebrew Bible." The implication here is that there are other - non-Hebrew - bibles. Obviously there are many bibles (books) which are not Hebrew.
In the second case, there is no qualifier. To make matters worse, this second citation comes from a Biographical Dictionary - as if Naomi were a real (v. mythological) person. There is no evidence outside of Hebrew Folklore that most of these Biblical characters were anything other than inventions, cultural borrowing, or renamed non-Hebrew historical characters. For examples, read The Bible Unearthed.

Texas Fundamentalists are deciding what to include in the content of California textbooks. California should write, edit, and publish their own textbooks.

For those of you who believe archeology supports the bible, HERE is a general statement that might help you out.

MORE lunacy.

The secret of life...

2011-04-04T09:04:00.001-07:00

Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more.

Buddha light is not Buddha lite.

2011-03-19T16:17:00.000-07:00

"You're a republican, aren't you?*"

Buddhism [a PDF] is the first developed science of meta-cognition (thinking about thinking).

As a group, conservatives tend to act on emotion (e.g. fear) rather than reason.

As a group, progressives tend to act on reason (e.g. consequences to the food chain) rather than fear.

Koan practice [a PDF], which nearly all Buddhist Sects encourage, is about developing reasoning. And Zazen provides an opportunity to think sans the interactions that ignite emotions (DUH!).

As you have already been informed, there are few graduate schools of psychology which do not explore some of the concepts developed and tested by the early Buddhists. I don't know if Pat Robertson's college or Jerry Fall-Well's College, or Jimmy Swaggart's College even have graduate programs in psychology. Like LRH, they might just be more interested in washing the brain than developing it.

Buddha light is not Buddha lite.

*A question asked to confirm a suspicion.

Mysterion?

2011-03-09T15:19:00.000-08:00

Click on the image above for full size...

break wind

2011-02-27T17:19:00.001-08:00

First and foremost, I concede that one can not know anything remotely called 'truth' at all about Hebrew unless one is born and raised a Moabite or Ammonite.

But about breath, spirit, wind, and the like:

Who, me? Zazen Doggie.

2011-02-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

You know, when the sunshine is just right and the temperature out-of-doors is warm, I (of all doggies) am willing to go along with my daddy to Peet's providing:
1) Somebody remembers my pillow,
2) Somebody saves me a chair, and
3) I am allowed to sun my face in peace.

Is that asking too much? It it?

Best regards,
Shiro

p.s. I am NOT sleeping.

Letting some light back in...

2011-02-11T20:54:00.000-08:00

Well, something was going on in the Levant and it was not traditional!

That something was, of course, Buddhism. And Buddhism was not about making war - or making a lot of sons so that they could go to war for you at a later date. Buddhism was about here and now (Luke 17:21) - and peace (Matthew 5:9).

For a backward population of caravan robbers and nomadic goat herders, all THIS peace talk was a totally alien concept. But it was there (in Jerusalem [here is a PDF]) and it had the ruler's support. It was as if the anchor of Seleukos II was on one side of the coin and the wheel of Dharma was on the other. Did I mention, THAT is exactly the case?

A century or two later the folks were still talking about it - through the distortions of time, space, and culture. And that alien monasticism was re-branded the Essenes.
Click on above article for a clearer view.

Thereafter, what scholars started to see in ever more clarity was that Christianity - once thought to be the Hellenization of Judahism - was obviously the Hellenization of Buddhism. In short, the old school was wrong - dead wrong - yet again for yet another time yet (&c.)! (and Yet, yet, yet.)

Matthew 13:31 – 33, 44 – 49 is a retelling of old Buddhist teachings.

Rather than go on, I'll recommend a book as a starting point.

A Pix sez 1,000 words

2011-01-25T18:30:00.001-08:00

Please click on the above and study the full-size graphic!
There ARE remarkable exceptions to the norm. And right wingnut hate radio touts them frequently. 1 in 300,000,000 (one out of three hundred million) CAN beat the odds. But the odds of you winning the local Super Lotto are 10x greater! How weird are they?

See my post on stupidity - there are no limits!

Perfection

2011-01-23T20:47:00.000-08:00

We should be careful about using the word 'perfect.' However, I have the perfect little dog. When I call him, he acts like I do not exist - even if I am in the same room. Without this interaction, my sense of self might become inflated.

Why Evil Lurks in Some of The Nicest People

2011-01-11T12:21:00.000-08:00

Posted by Cliff Lyon in
"Obedience to Authority on June 10th, 2007"

I’ve written about this before, and I’m writing about it again because I find it keeps coming up again for me over and over again in conversation.

...in the quest to understand why so many people are so willing to accept at face value whatever they are told by people on TV and have been convinced to vote against their self-interest. Today those same people are the ones who have been unwilling or unable to grasp the evidence and reality that Bush, the neocon movement, his administration, have been feeding us a pack of lies in the most criminal fashion.

John Dean, Republican adviser to Richard Nixon has written a deeply disturbing book about the conservative right’s growing move toward authoritarianism and blind loyalty. Its an old concept. It worked for Hitler and others. It is at work today.

General obedience in not always a bad thing. Blind obedience however is possibly responsible for all the most horrific acts ever perpetrated on this planet by our species. The research Dean refers to in the book is largely the life work of Robert Altemeyer who is himself writing an online book called The Authoritarians.
Dean’s book is called Conservatives Without Conscience.

Translation?

2011-01-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

I received this 'cult metal' a while ago. Can anyone translate the Thai on the back for me? Thanks.

The reason for the season - Mithra

2010-12-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

"Christianity entered a Rome undergoing dramatic transition. At the same time that the Romans were conquering the Mediterranean world, cultural and religious change was sweeping across the region. The result was, to paraphrase Horace, a conquest that conquered the conquerors. When their traditional virtues began to crumple, having been rooted in Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, the Romans turned for solace to mysticism, philosophy, and new religions. Three faiths rose to prominence: the cult of the earth-mother Cybele (Ceres - cereal), the worship of the Egyptian goddess Isis and, the mysteries of Mithras which were entrusted to a secret fraternal order. Through the study of ancient astrology, scholars have shed new light on the riddle of Mithraism. All this illuminates the reasons a morphed Christianity ultimately succeeded." after

The reason for the season? Sol Invictus.

Breaking the Code

2010-12-29T19:25:00.000-08:00

Thom Hartmann's book got me thinking about words and how they are used as tools of power by people in power.

Once upon a time, when we borrowed money (say, to buy a house) the borrowed money was a debt. But the word debt has a problem - in the Biblical sense (Matthew 6:12). The people in power NEVER forgive debts - thus a debt become a "financial obligation."

Now many blind right-wingnuts like to thump their Bibles because they do not know (OR CAN NOT KNOW) what is expressed therein. President "W" Bush signed the biggest rewrite of U.S. bankruptcy law - taking away the possibility of anyone keeping a roof over their head when the real estate bubble popped!

So with the Tea-Baggers and the Moral Majority we get nothing short of a rewrite debt forgiveness [PDF] in the Lord's Prayer! What power they have!

ROFLMAO

And Rush, puffin' cigars with the junk bond king.

The Last Teaching Of The Buddha

2010-12-27T22:37:00.000-08:00

"The demon of worldly desires is always seeking chances to deceive the mind. If a viper lives in your room and you wish to have a peaceful sleep, you must first chase it out.

"You must break the bonds of worldly passions and drive them away as you would a viper. You must positively protect your own mind."
source

Almost 30 years ago, I first gave this lesson. And today, I give the lesson again. Where you have a corrupt and perverted churches harming children and youth, you must avoid supporting them in any way. Do not let their representatives into your house, let alone your family life. They are really after more than just money, they want to take over your mind or those of your children! Just as you find chanting "hare Krishna" distasteful, so too should you find "Hail Mary."

Most people can see this in the cult of the Hare Krishnas or the JWs but miss it in the Cult of Mary.

"Following 70 years of intensive excavations in the Land of Israel, archaeologists have found out: The patriarchs' acts are legendary, the Israelites did not sojourn in Egypt or make an exodus, they did not conquer the land. Neither is there any mention of the empire of David and Solomon, nor of the source of belief in the God of Israel. These facts have been known for years, but Israel is a stubborn people and nobody wants to hear about it." MORE HERE

Contrast the above paragraph with the Discovery of Lumbini

If you have managed to retain some modicum of control over your own mind - WAKE UP!

the trinity of physics

2010-12-21T22:24:00.000-08:00

1) Mass and Energy are one and the same thing in different states - like ice and water. Ice is like the matter (particle) and water is like the energy (electromagnetic).
2) Time (or the convenient myth of time)
3) Space (or the convenient myth of space)

Let us take space as a given. The farther away - in distance - we are from singularity, the greater is the elapsed time. Let us take time as a given. The the greater the elapsed time, the farther away - in distance - we are from singularity. Thus, time and space are inseparable.

A long time ago, I commented on the 'shadows on the wall' in the COBE temperature map. I theorized that as the big crunch was finished, our particular big bang passed through at least a few galaxies that had not yet reentered the singularity point - or barrier of black hole collisions (as far as that goes).

Then, there was the question of the singularity crunch - in which (outer ring) black holes were colliding. Particle physics would have to break at that period of time and then quark physics would take over. Next, quarks (sub-particles) would be bound in tightly packed collisions (inner circle) so that singularity (the inner dot) could occur. Time would break down and only space - singularity - would remain. Proof? Here it is:

This cosmic worm hole is the space to all space, devoid of time altogether. HERE is an alternate theory (which I address below).

Spin? In the big bang?

So, at one extreme, you would think we would go to an ultra cold-dark still entropy (all mass, no energy) and at the other extreme an ultra hot-bright spin (all energy, no mass). But alas, not all of the energy is converted to mass in the cold-dark still phase (some motion remains) and not all of the mass enters singularity in the hot-bright spin phase (some mass lingers). Without some mass, spin would lack a critical dimension - length* (it's perpendicular to the red 'line' in the dot. In true singularity, there would be only a point with no length/width/depth dimension. The overall conceptual model is somewhat akin to this. Hot - bright - spin and cold - dark - still are extremes that, in our universe, simply do not quite exist. The secret to the big bang - to - big crunch is in the endless motion...

Hmmm... spin without mass (~pure energy) passing through singularity and rotational creep (~pure mass) without any heat (energy) at maximum expansion. Could it be?

Space is likely toroidal - like a donut. The "Dot" is just the tiny center of the donut hole. As matter is accelerated faster than the speed of light, space folds back on itself and the big crunch follows. Therefore, there is no time of a beginning and no time of an ending. We are endlessly recycled - in a somewhat sloppy manner. The three quanta states entering/leaving singularity are just the breakdown of (1) nuclear physics, the breakdown of (2) sub-particle quarks, and the breakdown of (2) time/space passing through space alone [singularity]. Time is created anew and it is time alone that separates the [unseen] parallel universes (dark matter?).
Big bangs are constantly happening - in quantum time. Parallel universes are constantly expanding while others, moving faster 'than the speed of light'*, are collapsing through singularity into yet more big bangs.
We are clusters of quantum consciousness within an incremental time. There is no reason to doubt that there are countless other clusters of quantum consciousness within other not quite countless parallel universes. We can estimate the mass of the whole system - 95% of the mass being shared in perhaps 20 parallel universes not altogether unlike our own (e.g. ~5% per universe +/- 0.025%).

*length exists because there is motion without time - or motion between time quanta at the moment (for lack of a better word) of singularity. Singularity moves (spins) in the absence of time - within the interval between two time quanta.

All of this aside, there is another model besides the toroidal model.

A Buddha in the closet?

2010-12-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

"The forms of Buddhist writings are not simple. Their forms of composition and meaning(s) are respectively immeasurable and infinite." source

I often paraphrase this concept. Buddhism teaches nothing. Buddhism shows you how to teach yourself. It is the earliest known form or metacognition.

see definition 1
Now you know why Real Psychologists® are either openly or closeted Buddhists.
see definition 2
see definition 3

Not the Accordion

2010-11-29T17:20:00.000-08:00

But I confess, I like this song.

An obvious embellishment...

2010-11-09T13:48:00.000-08:00

The cast of characters below is an obvious (and common) embellishment used to make a 12" story 10 feet tall. Historically, it is far more reasonable to assume that there were 125 followers - a huge crowd in that day and age.

Furthermore, regionally minted punch-mark coins that were specifically minted to support Buddha and his mission still exist today.
So, in his life, the Buddha had a huge following and monastery - numbering well over 100.

Thumbnail Time-line

This I have heard...

2010-11-08T12:35:00.001-08:00

Baby pictures!

2010-10-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

People wanna show baby pictures.

Now THIS is a baby picture.

The LOST Decade

2010-10-12T18:31:00.001-07:00

Nothing illustrates the lost decade (thank you, republicans) more than this NY Times Graphic.

If you want to NAME names... notice republicans increase the national debt while democratic administrations tend to reduce the national debt. Why support someone (e.g. a republican) who will HURT you?

Evolution of Scientology

2010-10-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

So, who was Mr Crowley? A few claim he was a freemason. The record has him as irregular as constipation.

But, to his credit, Jack Parsons - of JPL fame - was his student!

Enter one Navy Dude.

Together, they worked to make a "Rosemary's Baby."

Notice the Commodore? LOL

Americans are ignorant about religion.

2010-09-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

Researchers from the independent Pew Forum on Religion phoned 3,400 Americans and asked them 32 questions about the Bible, Christianity, world religions, famous religious figures, and constitutional principles governing religion.

Those who scored the highest were atheists and agnostics. The results were the same even after the researchers controlled for factors like age and racial differences.

“I have heard... that atheists know more about religion...,” Mr. Silverman said. “Atheism is an effect of that knowledge, not a lack of knowledge...”

source

Aghhh!

2010-09-22T14:45:00.001-07:00

Hisako and I went to one of those Jewish/Catholic Wedding Thingies - I will spare you the details. She insisted that I let my hair grow out, so I did... Aghhh!

Shiro and I at Forge in the Forest - our fav.

Iconoclasts v. Iconophiles.

2010-09-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

In a late score, the Iconoclasts remain locked in a tie score with the Iconophiles.

Byzantine iconophiles, or image-lovers, believed that the icons were holy, and not solely devotional objects. Iconoclasm, or destruction of images, was the most significant issue affecting Byzantium between 717 and 787. Today, we no longer find images in Xtianity. You could not buy one if you wanted to.

Don't forget Our Virgin of the Grilled Cheese.

A Declining Celebration of Stupidity.

2010-09-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

“Stupidity is infinitely more fascinating that intelligence,” Mr. Chabrol once observed. “Intelligence has its limits while stupidity has none. To observe a profoundly stupid individual can be very enriching, and that’s why we should never feel contempt for them.”
source

“The Whole Shebang” (1997)

2010-09-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

“Religious systems are inherently conservative, science inherently progressive.”

Religion and science don’t have to be at war, but we can stop setting them up on blind dates.

“This may be an instance where good walls make good neighbors.” source

Another reason to keep our "Wall of Separation" between church and state.

Coming to terms with terms...

2010-09-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

satori

kensho

enlightenment

Satori - understanding - when you have digested some conflict the wave it once made will never crest so high again.

Kensho is the Japanese term for a sudden realization. This is more of a resolution for some conflict than just a general understanding.

Enlightenment - this is what you may get when you die. Gautama, in death, became enlightened - the Buddha.

As I stated before, it has long been my understanding that to ask a monk: "Are you enlightened?" is very closely akin to asking: "Will you die (immediately)?"

A Bodhisattva, for example, is someone on the path to enlightenment or Buddhahood.

So, by definition, a Bodhisattva is not enlightened.

Then I thought about Dhyāna: or the stages of concentration in meditation. The Buddha passed through successive jhanas before he reached enlightenment - that is he even ate the spoiled meat and subsequently died of food poisoning. His consideration was not for his own health or well-being but rather the rudeness he would be showing his host by rejecting an offering of food.

Finally, before passing away, the Buddha said:
"Perishable are all conditioned things, but the Truth will live forever! Work out your Liberation with diligence!" source

Thus, Gautama became the Buddha. In this story, Gautama is spoken of as the Buddha because we are not living in the moments before his death. He is already dead and he will not return. Gautama is, at this moment, the Buddha.

Consider the following fable:

An old monk asked a young monk: "Are you enlightened?"

The young monk responded: "Why, yes!"

The old monk rolled his eyes and asked: "Already?"

Enlightenment is a journey more than it is a destination. The journey ends when the journey ends and not before.
Last night, I was ask: "Do Buddhists believe in an immortal soul?"

I replied: "Although I only speak for myself, as a liability, yes."

It is strong support...

2010-09-01T18:10:00.000-07:00

In 133 years of record keeping, this has been the hottest June, July, and August on record in Japan. more The recorded data matches the predicted data for global warming and a runaway greenhouse effect.

Well, it will be an interesting end to our lack of population control.

If you are under 30, don't worry. The odds are it will be the temperature that gets you and not war, terrorism, earthquake, or disease. You might also get swept away by a flood, tornado, or hurricane but unless you live in those effected areas, it will just be high temperatures. It (increased heat deaths) will all come to a close in the next 25 or 3o years... wait and see. (But don't plant a tree!)

“the Faith element.”

2010-08-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

There is an issue beyond ignorance and stupidity - it is called militant stupidity. And there is enough militant stupidity to find a home in every corner - even fringe Buddhi$t corners.

We need to lay a foundation by first reading: "Jesus killed Mohammed: The crusade for a Christian military."

Next, before I react further, we need to read the reaction of another, non-Buddhist, commenter. It is here: Among military chaplains, fundamentalism is taking hold

This is a serious matter. The very first amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America guarantees us BOTH the freedom of religion and the freedom from religion.

Recently, a friend returned from Nepal and he brought me this Buddhist Shrine. It is from Tibet where religion is contrary to the law of China. People live in fear of being discovered. Some in Islam (Northern India, Pakistan) demand conversion (to Islam) or death (of the infidel). Here's a picture:

Here is another picture of that same shrine (next to a dime).

Click on picture for bigger view.

Think on this. "Whay is the difference between fundamentalism and militant stupidity?" Is it a big difference? I seriously doubt a difference.

Teabonics - a new Lingo!

2010-08-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Teabonics is a new language. These folks just ain't gonna get it nohow!
Some Politicians go along with these folks!

And the Religious Right-wing nuts are in the mix.

If you think there is an easy way out, I have some bad news:

Ham Salad, revisited.

2010-08-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, there was a culture that borrowed things. This culture borrowed objects, people, and stories. This culture shined the objects, reinvented the people, and localized the stories (folklore). This culture was the everyculture, dating bback to the last ice age of around 12,000 years ago. We were only saved from freezing by Mammouth farts!

What has this to do with Ham Salad, you ask?

Well, the Buddhists borrowed from the Hindus (Harrapan Culture). Many Mohenjo-Daro sculptures are meditating in the lotus position. As you were previously told, "The Jewel is in the Lotus of the Heart." So, let us put the 'jewel' (Buddha) in the Lotus (flower).
Next (after counting the five semi-circles at the top of the Lotus Flower) we will substitute a sacred Buddhist fruit (pomegranate) for the Buddha and call it Hamsa!

All that work was no work at all!

Om Mani Padme Hum

2010-08-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

"Om Mani Padme Hum" is variously translated. What it means to you depends upon what you want it to mean.
It roughly means "The Jewel is in the Lotus of the Heart."

Om ma ni pad me hum is an important mantra in Buddhism. It is the six syllable mantra of Avalokiteshvara - the Bodhisattva of compassion. The Dalai Lama is said to be an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara, so the mantra is revered by his followers.
* Om purifies bliss and pride (the realm of gods)
* Ma purifies jealousy (the realm of jealous gods)
* Ni purifies passion and desire (the human realm)
* Pad purifies ignorance and prejudice (the animal realm)
* Me purifies poverty and possessiveness (the realm of the hungry ghosts)
* Hum purifies aggression and hatred (the realm of hell)

It is often found written on antique Swastikas.

The word Swastika is Sanskrit: su, meaning well, and asti, meaning to be. (Be well.)

Be well.

deo vindice: 'an absurdity in bronze.'

2010-08-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

How does one translate the phrase deo vindice? It is engraved on the Confederate Seal. Most Southern Folks think it means God will vindicate. But it doesn’t.

Vindex (of which vindice is a form) could mean "protector" or "champion." And it could have been that the intended meaning was "with God as our champion."

But in classical Latin vindex often means "punisher." In this light, deo vindice becomes "with God as our punisher."

The term Deo Vindici was the creation of a House resolution fixing the motto as 'Deo Duce Vincemus'. Mr. Semmes moved to substitute ' Deo vindice majores aemulamur.' 'Deo vindice' was finally triumphant."

In the speech made by Mr. Semmes on that occasion: "MR. PRESIDENT…The committee has been greatly exercised [emotional] on this subject, and it has been extremely difficult to come to any satisfactory conclusion. This is a difficulty, however, incident to the subject, and all that we have to do is to avoid what Visconti calls 'an absurdity in bronze.'

The Great, Mysterious Mantra

2010-08-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

The Maha-Prajna-Paramita-Hridaya Sutra

This have I heard, at one time the Buddha - with many Bodhisattvas and a company of Bhikshus - was staying at Rajagaha on Mt. Gridharakuta. The Buddha was sitting apart absorbed in Samadhi. The Ven. Sariputra, influenced by the Buddha, spoke thus to the Noble Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara:

"If a son or daughter wishes to study Prajnaparamita (perfect wisdom), how is he to do so ?

The noble Avalokitesvara replied to the Venerable Sariputra:

"If a son or daughter wishes to study Prajnaparamita, he must first expel the idea of ego-selfness. Let him think thus: Personality? What is that? Is it an enduring entity? Or is it an element that will pass away? Personality is five grasping aggregates: form, sensation perception, discrimination, consciousness, all of which are by nature empty of substance.

Because form is emptiness, emptiness is not different from form. Also, sensation is emptiness, emptiness is not different from sensation. Indeed, emptiness is sensation.

Also, perception is emptiness, emptiness not different from perception. Indeed, emptiness is sensation.

Also, discrimination is emptiness, emptiness is not different from discrimination. Indeed, emptiness is discrimination.

Also consciousness is emptiness, emptiness is not different from consciousness. Indeed, emptiness is consciousness.

Thus, O Sariputra, all things having the nature of emptiness have no beginning and no ending.

They are neither faultless nor faulted; they are neither perfect nor imperfect.

In emptiness there is no form, no sensation, no perception, no discrimination, no consciousness.

There is no eye, no ear, no nose, no tongue; no sensitiveness to contact, no mind.

There is no sight, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch, no mental process, no object, no knowledge, no ignorance.

There is no destruction of objects, there is no cessation of knowledge, no cessation of ignorance.

There is no Noble Four Truths: no pain, no cause of pain, no cessation of pain, no Noble Path leading to the cessation of pain.

There is no decay and no death, and no destruction of the notion of decay and death.

There is no knowledge of Nirvana, there is no obtaining of Nirvana.

Why is there no obtaining of Nirvana? Because Nirvana is the realm of nothingness.

If the ego-soul of personality was an enduring entity it could not obtain Nirvana.

It is only because personality is made up of elements that pass away, that personality may attain Nirvana.

So long as man is seeking highest perfect Wisdom, he is still abiding in the realm of consciousness.

If he is to realize Nirvana, he must pass beyond consciousness.

In highest samadhi (meditation), having transcended consciousness, he has passed beyond discrimination and knowledge, beyond the reach of change or fear; he is already enjoying Nirvana.

The understanding of this and the acceptance of this is Prajnaparamita.

All the Buddhas of the past, present and future who attain samadhi, (Budh) awake to find themselves realizing Prajnaparamita.

Therefore, O Sariputra, anyone seeking self-realization of Prajnaparamita, the Transcendent Truth, the Truth that spans the troubled ocean of life and death: that safely carries all seekers to the undiscovered country, from whose bourn* no traveler returns must listen to the Mantra, the Great, Mysterious Mantra: O'om gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi, svah!

Gone, gone to that other country; safely passed to that other country, wake up there, with a cheer."

O Prajnaparamita !

So mote it be.

*There are two derivatives of bourn. Bourn from old French means "boundary" which is often the attributed meaning of bourn in Shakespear. However, the old English meaning is "river".

Country is also variously translated into 'realm' or 'shore.' All that is being communicated on and about this point is the passage from here to not here or perception to no perception - or specifically from form to emptiness. (There is no distinction among any of them.)

Other readings: one, two, three.

सप्फिरे ऑफ़ व्हिते

2010-08-06T22:30:00.001-07:00

This is a 4.5 ct white sapphire in a 925 silver gypsy setting.

कापितोलिस्म फॉर Weenies

2010-08-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

It's time you had some fetchin' up about capitalism for Weenies.

Buddsism as Moral Science

2010-08-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Consider the third of the Five Precepts:
Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
I will train to refrain from wrong-doing with respect to sensuality.

To recycle from 2 posts ago:
The Latin word mōrālis relates to individual manners. Moral virtue is the middle way between excess (hedonism) and deficiency (complete deprivation). Being moral is conforming to a personal value system and having consistency in your decisions based on a mechanism with foundations in responsibility and balance.

Nature of Bias III

2010-07-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

Lets scan the previous two posts for other factors which bring disharmony to society.

1) The cheater worked for a prestigious law firm.
2) The cheater went to a prestigious law school.
3) The cheater had a more prestigious income.

Do you notice a pattern here?

Golden Gate is a fine law school with many noteworthy graduates. And yet, within the primitive caste system of pretentiousness, one can seemingly assume 'a higher authority' for having attended a Yale, Harvard, or Hastings.

This is the same failing which created the apparent need for punishment. As many as 1/3 of all people in California Prisons are there because they need help, not punishment. And that statistic is from conservative sources. In many cases, prisons are the problem, not the solution. Like our cheater who networked his way into a better life, many of those interned network their way into bigger crimes.

Where there is no individual pride, there is 'herd mindedness.' If you run with a pack of prestigious lawyers, you hope others will think of you as one. If you run with a pack of notorious gangsters, you hope others will think of you as one.

What's the difference?

So in the example, we had the born-again herd, the unknowns, and the Islamic herd. The metering of forgiveness or punishment was determined not on moral grounds (or more specifically ethical grounds) but rather upon the turf your particular herd was grazing. Think on this.

Nature of Bias II

2010-07-27T10:37:00.000-07:00

There is a distinction between morality and ethics. And that distinction is not quite dictionary simplistic.

We find that the Latin word mōrālis relates to individual manners. Moral virtue is a middle way between two vices, the one of excess, the other of deficiency. Moral is the middle way. Moral is a personal value system; our decision mechanism regarding personal actions.

Ethics or Latin ethicus is of character, culture, and custom. These are the cultural and collective principles which govern right and wrong within a tribe, village, city, state, &c. Ethics are a social value system; the decision mechanism of the governing regarding actions that effect the governed.

It seems what you do which benefits self is moral and what we do collectively that benefits others is ethical. What you do individually that benefits others is called charity.

Now, back to the case presented yesterday.

What if the cheater had converted - no to being a born-againer - to a branch of Islam that requires him to pay half of the difference to the wronged individual? A bit of quick math would show the difference as $135K -$70K = $65K. Half of that is $32.5K so the wronged individual would now have an income of $102.5K and the cheater $102.5K. Does this make everything right? (the answer was often presented as "no.")

But clearly, both received equal compensation. In a biased point of view, the tort is not the issue; the religion is the issue. Do you see how bias plays a part?

It seems that, in the absence of born-again conversion, the cheater must be punished. In the presence of born-again status, all is forgiven forthwith. This is classical dualism.

But did the cheater benefit himself and therefore commit a moral act? Some republicans would say: "All is fair in love, war, and business."

Buddhism advocates the abandonment of dualism. The cheater is neither wrong nor right. He is just a cheater and he will pay the price in his own karma with which we need not be overly concerned. The wronged is worthy of compassion but not necessarily compensation. Life is suffering. He who was wronged is actually fortunate - for he has the opportunity to show compassion toward the cheater. The cheater carries the burden of his agency and will be reborn into this place of shadow and light (Buddhist concept of hell) to again suffer. In turning the wheel of dharma there is no end - until the realization that desire alone turns the wheel. And, an amplification of desire called greed keeps the wheel of dharma lubricated.

But for karma to work and the wheel of dharma to turn, a transmigration across the death barrier is necessary? Can such transmigrations exist? You decide. To me, the question is irrelivant.

The Nature of Bias

2010-07-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine used to teach a philosophy class in a learning lab environment. The strong attribute of this room is that each student station had four (4) buttons - red, yellow, green, and black. Responses were immediately counted. Multiple responses were also immediately counted (computerized response recording).

Red = no (binary 01)
Yellow = neither yes nor no (binary 11)
Green = yes (binary 1o)
Black = recluse (prefer not to answer) (binary 00)

He would sometimes tell a tale about how, in high school, two students took the SAT test and one of the two cheated. The student who cheated got a slightly better score and went to Hastings School of the Law while the honest student with the slightly lower score went to Golden Gate University. Their ability to enter one or the other law school was (hypothetically) based only upon the SAT score - all other factors being approximately equal.

As a result of the connections made at their alma mater, the cheater ended up at a prestigious law firm with a $135,000 starting salary while the honest student ended up in a $70,000 starting job (e.g. better networking a.k.a. proximal opportunity). Over the first decade, the cheater made $1 million more than the honest student.

Was this fair? (easy answer)

Now, assume that the cheater became a born-again Xtian* and confessed his sin to the congregation. Was he then entitled to his $1 million in better compensation? (not an easy answer)

What my friend (having now taken an early retirement) actually discovered was that philosophy could not be taught in this ass-backward community! You see, the geographical area in which his college was located was a fundie haven. And being a born-again thereabouts immediately erased any misdeed one had ever committed with no ifs, ands, or buts about it. And that bias carried into the classroom, even among the young. (MORE tomorrow)

Moral to the story: Not every story has a happy ending.

*Actually what being born-again really means is far from clear.

more

Cut from a different bolt of cloth...

2010-07-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

A Kesa is a symbolic robe made from discarded sheets once used to wrap bodies before cremation. These were found along the banks of the Ganges River, where the dead were cremated and the soiled sheets discarded. A kesa made in this way represents the transformation from the lowest of fabrics to the most holy (sacred). It's a kind of spiritual alchemy for the cloth.

A Kolomo is a wide sleeved monk's robe. Traditionally the kolomo is hand made from the cheapest material - hemp cloth - that has been discarded. The kolomo is very personal to the monk since each monk stitched the patches of hemp cloth (a coat of many colors) together and died it in indigo (indigo aigi or kasane aigi).

"The Joman period (before 300 A.D.) had kimono which were made of hemp and were loosely fastened with no distinction between male and female clothing."

Kasane aigi is the inner layer of a kimono set, of two or more pieces, worn traditionally in Japan. The practice of wearing aigi, however, ceased with the criminalization of hemp farming following WWII. Hemp Kasane aigi last for centuries and they become softer as the centuries pass.

The Rakusu is a small kolomo/kesa worn during work periods. The rakusu may also be worn for zazen.

Words often have two meanings: kesa is Sanskrit for hair.

And, if you don't like it, you can kesa my asu.

Japanese word Asu means tomorrow.

From Deva to Devil to Jesus

2010-07-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

When the Levitican Law Cult was demonizing a Deva of India they could not have known that, in later years, Byzantium would bring Mithras back as Jesus.

But Karma works like that - in ironical metaphors. And, as long as you keep a liberal education out of the classroom, no one is the wiser.

Mithra (or Mitra) is often paired with the deity Varuna.

Kipling was a fan of Mithras.

So, let us first demonize Mithras:
Isaiah 14:12 (KJV): “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”

Lucifer is not a proper name, but is merely a Latin word for ‘morning star.’ And the morning star being refered to is the planet Venus. Lucifer means light-bringer, from Latin lux "light" + ferre "to bring." The word Lucifer is found in only once in the Bible -- Isaiah 14:12!

And then, let's bring him back:
Rev 22:17: “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (David here refers to the planet Mercury* or 'house of DwD' delta invert delta).

Rev. 22:16 and 2 Peter 1:19 clearly state that Christ Jesus (oiled fish) Himself is the “morning star” and the “day star.” Both the NIV and the RSV attribute the Lord’s names to the Hindu Deva Mithra! But, having borrowed it from the Zoroastrians, it makes sense - and dollars too.

There is even a conspiracy theory drifting (as a fart in the wind).

There is much to be hidden from the profoundly ignorant lest it destroy them altogether - and diminish the magnitude of cash flow as the offering plate passes.

There are two morning stars (planets) Mercury and Venus. Mercury's transits scribe out a hexagram. Venus' transits scribe out a pentagram. It's just plotting planets - astrology. Vedanga Jyotisha is a 13th c. BCE Hindu document which gives the methods of calculating the two shapes. Even that ancient indigenous work refers to Surya (Venus) and Chandra (Mercury).

Mercury (the house of DwD - Hindu Chandra) is closest to the heavenly father - deus pter (the sun) later corrupted into Zeus and Jupiter. Surya, Mitra, Lucifer, Jesus, or the ‘morning star’ is Venus - not a star (which generates light) but a planet (which reflects light).

The Universe is a Donut

2010-07-17T18:27:00.001-07:00

I'm not talking about Dunkin Donuts here, I'm talking about a universe with no beginning, no ending, and the illusion of a big bang and expansion. Arthur M. Young was confused - but sorta on to something. This toroidal model for the universe solves a lot of perceived problems. What was there before the big bang? It was the same thing - call it the dharma wheel - turning or passing through the various phases.

The possibility exists that all elementary particles are resonant patterns of spatial energy in a grand toroidal universe. All "matter" may be NOTHING more than a harmonious organization of the nothingness of space arranged in specific acoustical patterns by consciousness. At this moment, it is not an entirely open and closed case.

Jumping Josaphat!

2010-07-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

Philip Hitti mentions in "History of the Arabs" that during medieval times in Europe, there was a widely-circulated religious romance fable called "Jehoshaphat and Barlaam". Based largely on this fable, both the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches canonized Jehoshaphat, a "Hindu Prince". Apparently the fable actually described events in Siddhartha Gautama's life, who is known to occidentals as the Buddha. Jehoshaphat, it seems, is none other than the Buddha himself, which actually means that Buddha has been canonized twice as a saint in the christian religion.

see also: Barlaam and Josaphat in the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Zen

2010-07-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

Shooting the Bull since '53

2010-07-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

It says 19 SCHIESSEN 53. And the rare bronze is of a Brahma Bull (actually two of them). In the tradition of words having multiple meanings, schießen means "to shoot" while ein Tor schießen means to score (shoot) a goal. And in colloquial American English shoot the bull means merely to bullshit. However, the knowledgeable are able, through bullshit¹, to score points in conversations with the unlearned without so much as raising an eyebrow. This elevates bullshit to an art form worthy of appreciation in my crowd. Hint: it's the WIG.

Ah yes, the Brits and the Americans - two peoples separated by a common language - and the catastrophic failure in the gulf.

Now I think this is worth mentioning today because so many 'would-be Zennies' bullshit² - not out of that simple joy so often found in twisting the 'common language - out of the sheer weight of their ignorance. This latter type of bullshit is an effort to plug that pot hole of ignorance. It works well wherever the gene pool runs shallow. Now ignorance is not all bad. In a beginner's mind, we are told, many possibilities exist. Unfortunately the possibility of picking up and reading a few books a month is not one of them. Thus, many folks choose to dwell forever in ignorance and THAT is different from "Beginner's Mind." Therefore, in the hand that has yet to set foot into the virgin forest, ignorance is a universal starting point. Why more than a few find ignorance a suitable point of termination is a mystery to me. Wait and see.
There's more than one way to herd an ox. 1935 version.
Ignorance is a tremendous burden to carry. Read a book, any book, and a different book every week (or two) throughout your remaining time. Who knows, you might learn something worthwhile.

Q: How would a disinterested third party tell bullshit¹ from bullshit²?
A: A disinterested third party does not engage in the exercise to begin with.

1) Pulling one's leg. Chumming a fish (Xtian).
2) Speaking with authority out of ignorance (see a republican, speaking at all).

ABC: Anywhere but California

2010-07-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

There is a closely kept secret in California - people are leaving in droves. It seems that it is 30% more expensive to live here while the pay is only about 10% more than neighboring states. But what really did it was the greedy republicans who thought they could buy and flip a house for big profits but got trapped when the bubble broke. Officially, 1 in 8 is unemployed. If you count all the illegals hired by republican contractors, it's closer to 1 in 5 people are out of work. We don't have an illegal worker problem, we have an illegal employer problem! These illegals exported their earnings to Mexico - unlike the legals who would have spent it locally. Besides, for the next decade, our most talented and educated need to relocate - overseas. That's where the republicans (e.g. Jack Welcher) - starting with Reagan - outsourced the core jobs, engineering work, and manufacturing.

Although no definitive studies have been done to date, it seems the most conservative areas were the hardest hit. The eastern valley folks in Modesto, Turlock, and Fresno drank the investment cool aid and now are off to points east, south, or both. And many of those republicans are leaving simply to avoid the embarrassment of being wrong (again) and flat broke to boot! People with real wealth did not risk much - if any - on speculation.

Finger, pointing at the moon.

2010-06-26T15:35:00.001-07:00

Hotei (a fat Chinese Santa Claus character), pointing at the moon. In ancient China, a fat belly was the sign of prosperity and good fortune. That was before diet soda and high-fructose corn syrup.

Dogen, ultimately, is just another finger pointing at the moon. Dogen presents an approach (actually, quite a few) to holding one's finger while pointing at the moon. Dogen wrote, in addition to Shobogenzo, Eihei Koroku, Shinji Shobogenzo (a.k.a Shobogenzo Sanbyakusoku or tMana Shobegenzo), and other works.

There are many superstitions regarding pointing at the moon.

Lest we all forget, it's not about the finger, the approach, the person who points, or the moon.

My Fan Club

2010-06-24T18:06:00.001-07:00

This is a complete photo essay regarding my fan club.

The 1987 S-VHS Roll Out Fan. The advertising doesn't matter, the picture is nice.

Shiro likes this one the most (Dogs only see shades of gray).

This one is too traditional, somehow.

Republican oil industry loyalists...

2010-06-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

Democrats say Republicans would rather apologize to BP than hold company accountable. By The Canadian Press (CP)

WASHINGTON — The Democratic National Committee says Republicans are oil company loyalists who would rather apologize to BP than hold it accountable.

The Democrats' ad includes a clip of Republican Rep. Joe Barton apologizing to BP. The Texan apologized to BP executives after they met with President Barack Obama.

Barton took back the apology and Republican leaders have distanced themselves from it, but Democrats have painted Republicans as being oil industry loyalists. The DNC says Republicans should stand up to oil, not show sympathy for a company whose destroyed oil rig is spewing tens of thousands of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico every day of the week.

Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Yes, one must go to Canada to get real news.

Note: While in Congress, Barton has received $27,000 in campaign contributions from BP and $1.4 million from the oil and gas industry.

Plop!

2010-06-20T10:16:00.001-07:00

As reality sets in, and it is far far away from the twisted neo-CON view, people slowly wake up. Not a lot of people, but a few people.

A great journey begins with the first step.

Recognition of the demon feeder is but the first step. Why would anyone vote for someone who will only hurt them? There are masochists in the world. Plenty of them. Religion is part of the problem. GREED is ultimately the foundation of all problems.

Ass kissing republicans are an embarrassment to all of humanity.

Where is the new oil located? Where is the old greed located?

But it's too early to label it "Chaney's Katrina." I suspect it may only be "Cheney's Rita" and that his Katrina has yet to be revealed. May the utterance "Cheney" never again be used. Amen.

Touchdown Jesus (a.k.a. Big Butter Jesus)

2010-06-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

That odd statue in Ohio known as Touchdown Jesus - because of the statue’s arms - will be rebuilt after it was struck by lightning and destroyed. Officially called the "king of kings statue" by the Solid Rock Church (a franchise?), burned to the ground after being struck by lightning - an act of god. Church officials announced a plan to resurrect Touchdown Jesus . The obnoxious Jesus statue was also called "Big Butter Jesus" by locals because of the creamy color of the decaying plastic coating. Following a second erection, touchdown jesus will be back.

There is another, older, touchdown jesus.

Big Corp. Knows best!

2010-06-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

If'n you ain't no CEO, then shut up. You don't know where of you speak. CEOs get paid big bucks BECAUSE they are smarter than you are, so shut up. Sarah Palin is smarter than you are so shut up. Republicans are destined by god to lead so shut up.

Get it? Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Or, VOTE.

People can speak - in silence. The silent majority is perceptive deception. We are neither helpless nor are matters hopeless. CAST YOUR VOTE Well, you know what I really mean...

Hellow? Another WAKE UP call?

2010-06-15T14:51:00.001-07:00

Why was this statue, known as "touchdown jesus," destroyed by lightening?
*God, whether he goes by the name of Allah, Jehovah or Tinky Winky, hates ostentatious displays of faith. This 62-foot statue was an aesthetic abomination, an anathema to true spirituality. (The end-time abomination includes an idolatrous image at a new temple.)
*The Almighty was upset because Jesus was constructed out of styrofoam and fiberglass instead of marble or gold.
*The Supreme Being was furious that a million bucks was wasted on a styrofoam statue, instead of the money being used to feed the hungry and heal the sick (raise the dead, cast out republicans).
*The Heavenly Father doesn't do a good job protecting his children. He is incapable or unwilling to prevent earthquakes, floods and hurricanes that kill millions, he can't even prevent lightning from destroying a kitschy statue.
*There's no deity looking down on us, and the rain falls in equal parts on the just and the unjust. Lightning sometimes destroys orphanages and hospitals, and sometimes it destroys brothels and cheesy representations of Jesus. Bad things happen to good and bad people with the same random probability as good things happening to good and bad people. There is no coin; there is no finger to flip the coin.

These merchants of stagecraft weep not for their lost statue, but for their lost market share. (Ezekiel 27:36).

If anyone wuz 2 ask me, I'ld say: "I think the attic was empty."

Know what I mean?

Stay in school. There is nothing else to do.

2010-06-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

In October 2009, 70.1 percent of June 2009 high school graduates were enrolled in college. Recent high school graduates not enrolled in college were in the labor force (well, 70% of them).

Recent High School Dropouts

Between October 2008 and October 2009, 383,000 young people dropped out of high school. The jobless rate for recent high school dropouts is 55.1 percent, compared with 30 percent for high school graduates not enrolled in a college or trade school.

From the Bush crash of October 2008 to October 2009, the real unemployment rate rose from 11.9 to 15.6 percent. The convoluted numbers you hear on radio & TV [LOL] have happy spin on them and so those numbers are artificially low.

The unemployment rate for high school students, at 25.8 percent in October 2009, was about twice the rate for college students (12.2 percent). In other words, 87% of the college students that want to work can find employment.

"Graduating from college proves nothing!" (said one who would not know).

"Graduating from college proves you finished something that you started."

"Graduating from college proves a point about diligence, maturity, and the ability to complete what you start."

That follow through has value to a potential employer.

THAT Shot a Hole in THAT Myth.

2010-06-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Now I had a fair to middlin' fetchin' up as a First Christian - until I was 11 or 12 and could think just a bit on the independent side.

So for a moment, ever so briefly, as a youth, before I knew what hypothetical even meant, I considered the creationist view in Genesis (which, btw, I found out later was one of the last chapters written in the OT). [p.s. Heads up on "Deo Vindice."]

Then I became a minor fan of things that fall out of the sky - polycrystalline black diamonds (a.k.a. carbonado). When you want to carbon date these things, you can't. They are too old. They predate creation. Here's one, now. You might want to click on the above picture for a closer look.

Besides Carbon (which is abundant throughout the universe) there are other elements inside. What you might want to do to date the carbon and captured gasses is just BLAST some of that stuff out of the black diamond using a very high speed focused particle beam. You know, a 600 microsecond long proton beam at 100 Million electron Volts should do the trick. Then all that vaporized material in the ejected tiny plasma cloud could be quickly analyzed inside the target chamber and an estimation of the age of aggregation could be made. Well, there is a pin hole 'entrance wound' and a real blast of an exit wound.
Proton Beam Entrance Hole (above).

Proton Beam / Carbon + Hydrogen Plasma Exit Hole (above). [Ouch!]

Well, that little gem (which could have ended up no more than a puff of vaporized dust (had the beam struck a slightly different spot) is somewhere between 5 billion and 5.2 billion years old. That's 5.1 bya +/- 100 million years within a certainty of 97.5% - for those who care. I care. I like it - it is physical evidence that the old boys who composed the two creation myths in Genesis 1 & 2 were just spinning a bedtime yarn. And that certainly works for me. Zzzzzzzzzzz....

Here's a detail of that little hole for the optically challenged. Click on above picture for bigger view.

Freedom of Religion

2010-06-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

Freedom of Religion is alive and well in Arizona.

Thank whatever gods may be that Darwinism is being practiced by people with a craving for inbred stupidity. Now I am not being critical. Darwin himself (or hisself, for the illiterate among you who are unable to read this) observed the phenomena.

"Darwin could have published his theory of evolution in the early 1840s, but something stopped him in his tracks. In 1844, Robert Chambers anonymously published Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation, a quasi-scientific book supporting evolution. The reaction to it was fierce. Even one of Darwin's own mentors, Adam Sedgwick, wrote a scornful review. Historians differ on whether this episode caused Darwin to put his own manuscript on hold. Besides the harsh response to Vestiges, another factor in Darwin's thoughts may have been the tumultuous political landscape in England's mid-19th century. Chartists (members of a working-class empowerment movement) were demanding such radical concessions as the right for every adult male to vote, and the abolition of property-ownership requirements for membership in Parliament. Landed gentry, if Darwin and his friends could be called as much, were nervous, and progressive-sounding theories didn't help." source

In short, if one is a republican and one THINKS, the thinking part must be secreted for a more politically correct opportunity in which to reveal [gasp] the thinking.

"Darwin observed his children as closely as he monitored "apes in the London Zoo," to see which inherited traits they displayed. Sure enough, all of them fell victim to his own defective digestive condition. His eldest daughter died at age 10 with severe gastrointestinal problems, and one after another, the remaining seven children fell ill at about the same age. "Over a period of 15 years, Darwin discovered how heredity works when first cousins marry," says Moore.

Darwin's five surviving sons became actively involved in the eugenics movement. His son George compiled statistics on the offspring of first-cousin marriages and also checked lunatic asylums for traits of inferior human beings. His youngest son Horace, the sickliest of the lot, started an engineering company to make anthropometric instruments used in measuring body parts to assess genetic quality. And both sons worked closely with Francis Galton, founder of the eugenics movement in the 1880s, which was hailed as "a new basis of moral obligation." source