tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129601792024-03-12T20:14:28.434-07:00The Edge of The WildernessThe political opinions, observations, and life experiences of a semi-retired recent college graduate.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-2087365406686374192023-07-09T07:30:00.003-07:002023-07-09T07:34:29.729-07:00July 9, 2023<p>So far, here, 2 weeks of no rain and sunshine every day. We had several days near 90 degrees at this location, about 15 miles southeast of Everett, Washington. . Very dry here in the forest now. No rain is in sight for at least 3 weeks. There are already several large wildfires, started on July 3, (likely from fireworks) in South central Washington state. There are many fires (hundreds) in Canada. The eastern part of the U.S. has been choking on smoke for several months from the fires in Canada. Maybe now something will be done about climate change and the negative effects humans are having on the environment. </p><p>/* begin sarcasm */ No, probably not. Keep those ice cars going, keep rollin' coal. Gotta keep the petrol kings in power. The orange clown is still denying just about everything, and it (yes i mean "it") wants to get back into office next year. /* end sarcasm */ <br /></p>Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-25627790526048295432021-02-08T19:02:00.007-08:002021-02-08T19:14:35.892-08:00<p> Wow, its now February 8, 2021. The orange clown is no longer in office. We've had an insurrection at the nation's capital, and people there were killed. A huge mob was urged on by mr Trump, and rudy giuliani. <br /></p><p>People falling for absolute insanity as though it is reality. Qanon, Pizzagate, Slender man, MoMo , Antifa, Flat earth. Gawd. I cannot believe this has been going on. </p><p>A bats@##$%% it crazy woman from the state of Georgia actually elected to serve in national government in the house of representatives. marjorie taylor greene. A nut job. Among her many insane rants, she denied school shootings on video, and then denied she said what she actually said. </p><p>Thousands of nut jobs running around with firearms claiming to be "taking back the country". </p><p> On top of all this, we have the worst pandemic in a hundred years here and in the rest of the world. The orange clown did nothing to slow it down, and he denied the whole thing for nearly a year, and at the same time, suggested people drink, or inject bleach to kill the Covid 19 virus. The man is a whack job. Vaccines are available, but trump did nothing to help organize the distribution. </p><p>It will take years to undo the massive damage mr trump and his cabal have done to this country. Over half a million people have lost their lives to Covid 19 in this country in the past year. It will take YEARS to recover from this madness trump and his idiots have created!!! God help us all. <br /></p><p>. <br /></p>Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-56509380204564895432018-01-29T23:04:00.000-08:002018-01-29T23:04:49.178-08:00Ok, time for another post, even though no one will read it. The current political situation in this country is, well; . . . the best way to describe it is this:<br />
elect a clown, expect a circus.<br />
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All that aside, this year (2017) has been crazy. Huge fires in the western US. . Deathly hot summer temps. Then horrific rain storms and flash floods in California at the end of the year and the beginning of 2018. Now more hot weather in southern California. Also horrific fires in Washington state, British Columbia Canada, and Oregon in 2017 summer time. We drove through California in late June, temps were between 105, and 110 in the shade; unbelievably hot in the sun. People going crazy with firearms. Large groups of people who claim the earth is flat. Racists. The rest of the world is appalled at the behavior of our orange clown so called president. He's an actor in the movie Idiocracy. Just too much. We have grandchildren on this earth. God help them, we sure aren't.<br />
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If someone had told me back in 1958 that our country would be in this situation now, I would have thought they were crazy. The incredible stupidity of the current administration is so far beyond anything imaginable it is mind blowing. We have our orange clown, who commands the most powerful military in the world including nuclear weapons, blithely spewing forth insults to another clown who also has nuclear weapons. Both of these clowns are indubitably insane. To make things worse, the news media spews forth garbage that is exaggerated in order to sell advertising and attain viewers: entertainment, at best. News is a farce. Public radio is caving in to the circus of news. Trump is right about one thing, there's lots of "FAKE" news. That's about all he's right about. We have whitehouse spokespersons suggesting "alternative truth". That's right up there with the flat earthers. Please, PLEASE, vote in the next election and please PLEASE try to sift through the crap and get to the truth before you vote. Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-90814822251797011022017-10-28T17:51:00.000-07:002017-10-28T17:51:00.901-07:00Another winter is arriving Its October 28, 2017; and we have, according to the forecast, 3 days of bright sunny weather left, and then into the abyss of a pacific northwest winter. Rain, 40 degrees and snow possible. Darkness mostly every day for the next 4 months. Most certainly, wind storms will hit us also.<br />
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Our idiot president, who has virtually no diplomatic or social skill, and even less military sense; and a large majority of Republicans, reportedly would like to have us go to war with North Korea. They want us to go full speed ahead burning coal and petrol, with no controls whatsoever. And furthermore, these politicians want to trash our national parks. Insanity has infiltrated. God help us.<br />
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There really is nothing else to say. I'll write more when and if I recover from shock and deep depression. We have given those of you who are less than 45 years old a huge mess. I apologize for all those my age (baby boomers) who are so incredibly ignorant and self centered.<br />
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<br />Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-71221682572339476282016-12-07T17:35:00.001-08:002016-12-07T17:35:44.672-08:00Winter is upon us againIts December 7, 2016. 30 degrees outside and will get down to about 23 here again tonight. Some snow on the way. No wind, thank God. Its 4:45 and its already dark outside. Very depressing.<br />
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Dave started this blog when he was 57. Now he's 68 and feeling it. Spinal stenosis has caught up with him. Debilitating back pain for 14 months. Unable to do much at all. Now, due to diet modification, physical therapy, and healing time, the day to day pain is nearly gone. Back with the living.<br />
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My advice to anyone: give your back consideration. Don't lift heavy stuff. Even if you are in your 20s and really strong, the years will catch up with you and you'll be really sorry. A herniated disk can cause excruciating pain for days, weeks, and months; and that's if your really lucky.<br />
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That brings me to my next rant. Health care. The new administration, selected by the minority through the electoral "college" (which is nothing like a "real college") , has promised to repeal the health care act, medicare, and social security. I sincerely hope anyone over 55 has a way to take care of themselves, because medicare will be gone, and so will social security, and who knows what health care will be like. This scares the hell out of me. Environmental protection will be abolished. Millions of people will be deported, and a massive wall will be built along the US / Mexico boarder. The clean water act will be repealed, as will the clean air act. Will this all happen? Maybe. If people only knew what those regulations have actually done to vastly improve our planet, there would be a nation-wide uproar. But there is nothing. Well, all I can say is, I'm 68; by the time the roll-back of regulations has turned this place into a pile of garbage, I'll be dead and gone. . . but that makes me sick. What about our grand kids? Great grand kids? They will inherit a pile of garbage, if they even live that long. How can we do this to our God given paradise? I do not know. We were given this earth to take care of it, not to trash it. . . ... but; maybe; just maybe our new president will actually improve things here. He will protect national parks, keep clean water, keep clean air, encourage energy independence by subsidizing renewable energy instead of throwing billions of dollars a year at the petrol industry. He will improve health care so we all can afford it, he will make a college education available to every one without burdening them with a lifetime of debt. He will create jobs for everyone. He will force the rich to pay their fair share of taxes. He will keep the church out of politics. He will prevent racism, sexism, and provide equal pay for equal work. Hmmmm. I'm not holding my breath on that scenario. We'll see what happens. Sadly, there are a lot of things that really do need to be changed, that did not get changed in the past 8 years.<br />
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If the deportation were really accurate, most of us should be deported. The first peoples, who were nearly wiped out by small pox, tuberculosis, influenza, and measles (brought by the European invasion) are the people who really own this land. I am sure most will tell me I'm full of it for even saying that. It, however does seem reasonable to limit immigration. We can't pay for every one that wants to enter. That, said, we really need to be careful about where we send out bombs and troops, and how much collateral damage we create with our imperialist actions. We say we want to enable "democracy", when we really don't have a true "democracy" here in this country the electoral college proves that. It seems like we should clean up our act here first and set an example for the rest of the world. We are hypocrites. We live in a pseudo-democracy which is actually more of an oligarchy than any thing else. Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-9966430124852498212016-11-20T10:48:00.001-08:002016-11-20T10:48:49.694-08:00Mr. Trump, will you make America great again? It looks like the minority of the voting population has selected our new president, thanks to the electoral college and those who did not vote. Good job, people; you just delivered a smashing blow to anything resembling a democracy here in this country.<br />
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From:<br />
http://www.statisticbrain.com/voting-statistics/<br />
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Out of 218,959,000 people of voting age, 146,311,000 are registered, and out of that 129,235,000 actually voted. Clinton got 63,551,979 votes and trump got 61,898,584 votes. Trump got 306 electoral college votes, and Clinton got 232 electoral college votes. Trump was correct, the election was rigged, as are all presidential elections as long as the electoral college is used to determine the president. Trump got less than 33 percent of the total possible popular vote, and got over 50 percent of the total possible electoral votes. These numbers are not my opinion, they are facts. If you have a difference with that, let me know and I'll change things here, cite your source.<br />
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For those of you who did not vote, or register, mr. trump probably thanks you.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-18883869232071188672016-11-03T09:32:00.000-07:002016-11-03T09:32:07.221-07:00Well, time for another post. Its now November 3, 2016. We have had record rainfall in the past 4 weeks; nearly 11 inches. This is a record amount. Leaves are still green on the trees around here. Most of the garden is still growing. Some wind, but nothing destructive . . . yet. We had a scare last month, a very deep low pressure system, the remains of a typhoon, approached Washington / Oregon / B.C. / Northern California threatening to be worse than the Columbus Day storm. It missed us, just barely. Thank God.<br />
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This is election year. The campaign has been a circus. A mockery of Democracy. One candidate, in particular, is an absolute ass. He's a loose cannon and regardless of his past, he has shown, with his actions now, to be completely devoid of any skill or wisdom in dealing with public affairs, world class diplomacy, or management of government operations. He is taking advantage of people's anger and fear with regard to our country's problems, which are real (most of which are caused by the uber-wealthy). And to compound the already horrific issue, the media is having fun with it all.<br />
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Change is needed NOW: Campaign finance reform (keep corporate money out of politics), education reform; make college free for all, forgive all college loans; our democracy will die unless we are educated, health care reform (make all pharma and health care non-profit), make our military defensive and not offensive, keep church out of politics, re-instate the Glass–Steagall act and enforce it, send corporate crooks to jail after making them pay all of their money back. Eliminate lawsuits unless criminal intent is first proven No more "civil suits". Limit lawyer's income to the national average. Double the salaries of police officers, fireman, and teachers. Make child care affordable. Stop the destruction of our environment caused by the use of petroleum products, and corporate greed. Eliminate the wealth inequality in the U.S. (its really really bad, just google it and don't believe faux news). Force the rich to pay for it all; its time for them to pay the piper. None of this will happen in my lifetime, for sure. If you're a 30 something reading this, probably won't happen in your lifetime either. The way things are however, will not go on indefinitely. The longer it takes to fix this mess, the worse it will be. Sooooo much needs to be changed. <br />
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At 68 years old, the fragile nature of human life is becoming painfully obvious. This is what I want to say:<br />
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<b><i>"My advice to anyone: if there is someone you love; TELL THEM before it is too late. Look for the glass to be half-full. Look for the good. Look for the truth. </i></b><br />
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<b><i>Hatred, lies, anger, fear, uncertainty and doubt are conditions of the mind that will ruin your life and the lives of those around you; avoid those conditions like the plague.</i></b><b><i>"</i></b><br />
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However the blatantly obvious facts say this: "It is an unprecedented tragedy, that most of us alive now, will die leaving this earth to be trashed in the name of money (greed)." How the heck can people be so darned blind? Is this really what we want to leave our grand children? Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-57021449893171778362015-10-30T10:05:00.003-07:002015-10-30T10:06:19.826-07:00Another winter is approaching Well its now October 30 2015. Winter is upon us once again. This summer we had a strong windstorm that blew down a large piece of a huge big leaf maple tree at the edge of our property. Wind was stronger elsewhere, and more trees downed elsewhere. The power was out for about 8 hours here, and several days elsewhere. It happened the last week of August. In 66 years of living here I've never seen any wind like that in August. Now we have another wind storm coming up today and yet another tomorrow. More trees down are likely. Climate change? Methinks yes. The leaves are still green on about half of the trees here. Green peppers are still growing in the garden. We harvested cucumbers last week, along with some tomatoes. Scientists report this has been the hottest year globally ever recorded. We'll see. I hope the grand kids children can deal with what we are leaving them. This summer was one of the hottest and driest on record here in Washington state, where drought was declared back in April. Hmmm. On the positive side, it sure was nice having sunny day after sunny day this summer. Very cheerful, indeed. The garden did very well. Got to stop now. The wind is picking up big time. Will have to leave.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-70541951689509853812015-02-05T11:04:00.002-08:002015-02-05T11:07:35.623-08:00Winter has lasted too longIts now February 5, 2015. Its raining hard and more to come, along with much wind. So far we've not had much snow this year. However, the windstorms have taken out 3 trees here. One huge fir tree about 100 feet tall was ripped out of the ground, and two other smaller trees snapped off at the base. A large part of a huge maple tree fell on our storage shed damaging the roof. That branch was a big as some trees, about 10 inches in diameter. The maple was rotten on the inside and had to be cut down. It was 100 years old and about 5 feet in diameter at the bottom.<br />
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So far, the 2015 winter weather has brought forth mild temperatures and "average" rainfall. 2014 was a near record rainfall year at this location; 52.135 inches total for the year:<br />
<a href="http://www.enlight-inc.com/total_rainfall_2007.html">http://www.enlight-inc.com/total_rainfall_2007.html</a><br />
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Flu season has been rough on us here: 4 weeks down time, and 1 trip to urgent care.<br />
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The water filters are still working here. Info on them can be found at <a href="http://slowsandfilter.org/">slowsandfilter.org</a>, <a href="http://roofwaterharvesting.org/">roofwaterharvesting.org</a>, <a href="http://enlight-inc.com/blog">enlight-inc.com/blog</a>, and<br />
<a href="http://shared-source-initiative.com/biosand_filter/biosand.html">shared-source-initiative.com/biosand_filter/biosand.html</a><br />
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With all the rainwater harvesting going on now across the nation, its too bad most people don't know about slow sand water filtration. If you read the info at the links above, you will see how easy and inexpensive it is to set one up. They are totally sustainable technology, and can be built from mostly recycled material. The sand in them never needs to be changed. In spite of all the benefits of these filters, few people use them. Although the city of Walla Walla Washington is switching over to slow sand filtration for a number of reasons:<br />
<a href="http://union-bulletin.com/news/2014/jun/21/ww-bit-35-million-bug/">http://union-bulletin.com/news/2014/jun/21/ww-bit-35-million-bug/</a><br />
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We have 2 new kitties. Alfred, and Tigger. They manage the rodent problems we have here.<br />
When you live in a forest, there will be mice that will get into your house. Cats are good companions.<br />
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<br />Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-43446362276537209182013-08-19T16:06:00.000-07:002013-08-19T16:12:24.898-07:00After reading numerous articles and reports about Mr. Snowden, I must admit to becoming very, very angry; mostly because now; I am aware that anything I post here on this blog, or any other blog is recorded. . . . Well . . . as a computer technician, and electronics technician, I must admit that I knew all along that the gov't was doing some monitoring of communications. That has been going on for years, many years. As a citizen of this country, I am part of the "we" I speak of shortly.<br />
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So how do we view Mr. Snowden? A traitor? A hero? Perhaps he is neither.<br />
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But consider this: If I say he is a hero here on this blog, I am taking a big chance. If I say he is a traitor, I am taking a big chance. Once my communication and statements are recorded, anyone with enough power can get access to them, either way someone will not like what I have to say, and if they have lots of guns and lots of power I am basically screwed. This is now true for anyone and everyone who uses any kind of electronic communication. So this is really a "catch-22" situation. Damned if we do, and damned if we don't.<br />
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We have gotten ourselves into a terrible situation. My guess is that the only way out will be very, very painful. Are you a veteran? Did you give 6 years, or more, of your life for this?<br />
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The more we deceive and the more we lie, the worse it gets.<br />
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Probably two of Benjamin Franklin's quotes sum up the situation quite well:<br />
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Benjamin Franklin quote: "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." (What are the chances that you will be blown up by a "terrorist"?<br />
high enough to make you approve of total gov't monitoring? Maybe. . . I don't know - it is a very dangerous world now.)<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Benjamin Franklin quote: "Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants." (the multi-billion dollar data mining and storage facility somewhere in Utah - lots of investment and returns there.)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Now I've really done it, both conservatives, and liberals will be mad at me. Too bad. I am not screaming fire in a crowded theater, so deal with it. </span></span>Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-73221555519528889482013-08-16T10:25:00.002-07:002013-08-16T10:42:57.623-07:00It is now August 16, 2013. Nearly 2 years since the last post on this blog.<br />
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The summer here has been idyllic; sunshine, very nice and warm, and enough rain to keep things green. We even had time to take a short trip to the coast to see Cape Flattery during sunny weather:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NP4-63ggK8s/Ug5jbIeEFfI/AAAAAAAAAIE/r_duS7-xuIw/s1600/cape_flattery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cape flattery" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NP4-63ggK8s/Ug5jbIeEFfI/AAAAAAAAAIE/r_duS7-xuIw/s320/cape_flattery.jpg" title="Cape Flattery located on the Makah Reservation in western Washington state" /></a><br />
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Here we now have lots of veggies in the garden; and have already canned berries we found in the garden and surrounding wilderness.<br />
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<a href="http://www.enlight-inc.com/blog/">The water filter endeavor</a> here is going very well. Just in case anyone is reading this who has not read the other blog available in the above link; it might be interesting to check out slow sand water filtration. Google it. Stuff is all over the web. Set up a rain barrel and filter the water with a slow sand filter. <a href="http://www.harvesth2o.com/incentives.shtml">Contrary to popular rumor, rain barrels are legal in most states</a>.<br />
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We use slow sand water filtration here to filter roof water, and shallow well water. There is a cistern that holds 2500 gallons of water for emergency situations. There is no public water supply system here. Not needed. Doesn't matter, it rains here a lot. More later. Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-32635494060851269692011-11-25T21:58:00.000-08:002011-11-25T22:47:03.156-08:00Ok, now what?Wow, no comments and only 900 or so views in the past 7 years, and only 2 spams. So why continue? Probably the same reason someone puts a message in a bottle, and sends it off on a journey at sea - maybe someone will read it. . . . . The difference is, here, it is possible to know if your stuff actually gets looked at - well sort of; anyway.<br /><br />Apparently, none of the stuff I put here is relevant to anyone's interest. <a href="http://www.enlight-inc.com/blog/">My other blog,</a> has lots of comments and has only been up for several years - but its totally relevant to other's interests even if they don't know me. So here we have it. If you happen to be a person who is reclusive, or maybe somewhat shy, or maybe just busy and you really don't "know" anyone then nobody gives a *!@$#@ about you. Its like the rest of society is saying: if you don't want to initiate and push yourself on others then you must be a self centered, spoiled, attention whore. But, hey, lots of people hit up my other blog and say nothing to me, but sure spend time reading the information I have provided for free, now if that's not self centered then what? <br /><br />Have you ever had this happen:<br />You're at the food market and someone chooses to try to strike up a conversation with you. What do you do? Depending on where you live, most people will just give the cold shoulder and refuse to engage. The problem is that there will always be that thought "What is this person after"? If you're a guy and another guy does that you will probably assume he is gay. If you are a woman and a guy does that you will probably assume he is "after" something. If you are a guy and a woman does that you may assume she is "after" something. Now if you are a woman and another woman does that you may assume that she is trying to one-up you. Hang-ups and misconceptions - maybe . . . . Sadly there is a lot of truth to those scenarios. What if we could have a world where there would be no pre-conceived notions and every social interaction was actually what it seemed to be, and there were no hidden self-indulgent motives. Gawd, life would be easy then. You could say what you mean and mean what you say. Naahhhh, that makes too much sense. It seems as though, we, as adults, have the neurotic need to make life complicated, stressful, confusing, painful, fearful and at times, meaningless.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-13206818839921349252010-03-13T09:38:00.000-08:002010-03-13T10:02:04.823-08:00Yet another rant<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>, time for another long-winded musing. Have you ever read a news story (like the ones about the "horrifying runaway <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Prius</span>" reports that have hit the airwaves and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">internet</span> lately) and found it so far off from the truth that it was just screaming out for a comment - only to find that there is no place for comments, or the place to comment is so hidden that few can find it? Probably you have, they are all over. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Faux</span> news is really good at this little trick. Then, there are the comment spaces where 3 or 4 people have an argument about something that is totally off topic or so inane than you wonder how the people even learned to type, and they go on for several days with hundreds of posts? I have read the ones about the Prius. Some of them are so stupid they are funny. . . people who obviously know nothing about electronics making comments that would make an apprentice electronics tech laugh, people who claim to be engineers making comments about electronic parts and circuits that are so far off its not even funny. Ok enough.<br />Faux news, ABC, and all you r. murdoch subsidiary ceo's , your tactics suck. This is the internet, you don't own it and you never will. Your supposed-subtle-yet-obviously-lame attempts at mind control only work on sheep people. And hiring shills to post crap is also so obvious it is funny. Now just get outta here and go sit at the retirement home with rupert and enjoy your ugliness together, leave the rest of us alone. Got it?Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-32324333043180669992008-01-06T15:57:00.000-08:002008-01-06T16:09:39.765-08:00how long do we have?As we continue to pollute our environment how long will it be until we (humans as a species) kill ourselves off? How much will it take to make this earth so toxic to human life that we either die, or live in miserable conditions? Can we go on for 1000 years, 100 years 10 years? What are we leaving future generations? These are questions most people don't want to answer. One thing is for sure, I am damn sick and tired of hearing the characteristic bs from hedonistic pigs that we have nothing to worry about. They use the same science that is telling us we need to make changes to justify their greed by showing "proof" that there really is no problem with pollution. Give me a freakin' break. GOD! what is wrong with these jerks. If there is any history to be read years from now these jackasses will be viewed with contempt for sure. Just hope that some future civilization finds a way to bring these idiots back to life and punish them.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-39124344569272226442007-05-28T19:58:00.000-07:002007-05-28T20:01:00.720-07:00how many more<div class="groupone"> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"> and they never listen</span> </div><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;"><br />I stood screaming<br /> the message of wrongs<br /> I had seen with my eyes -<br /> Peace signs. Burning monks.<br /> Dead students.<br /> Guardsmen they were<br /> defending the peace<br /> in the west<br /> and in the east.<br /> They think I'm crazy,<br /> an ole man gone nuts.<br /> I wasn't really there<br /> when it happened.<br /> Be quiet they whispered<br /> you don't know<br /> you can't know<br /> you're not like us,<br /> we can see for ourselves with our own eyes<br /> they are clear and bright.<br /> We don't need yours<br /> they are old and slow -<br /> and its true, I know.<br /> We don't want to hear<br /> the unbearable sorrow<br /> of which you speak;<br /> its of your time not ours.<br /> Again bombs explode,<br /> again bullets pierce young eyes<br /> that are clear and bright.<br /> They can see for themselves.<br /> And they never listen.<br /> Now i will go -<br /> they can see<br /> for themselves.<br /> i stand screaming.<br /></span><br /> <span style="color:#ffffff;"> ......Dave T June 2005</span>Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-86628779792529344492007-05-28T19:54:00.000-07:002007-05-28T19:55:45.636-07:00what is freedom<div class="groupone"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Freedom</span></span> </div><span style="font-size:130%;"><i>Tempest or gentle breeze<br /> She alone chooses<br /> Playful child<br /> Unencumbered by some concern<br /> Of where she may sojourn<br /> To arrive and depart<br /> In any season<br /> With no violence incurred<br /> For the sails of youth<br /> Collect their life<br /> Preserving the essence<br /> Of renewal unfettered<br /> As it must be<br /> With no measure applied<br /> No prevarication<br /> Freedom is<br /> Our precious entity<br /> </i><br /></span><br /> ......Dave T November 2004Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-89471751090167088992007-05-28T13:18:00.000-07:002007-06-05T08:15:54.789-07:00Thought Criminal"Free speech" is gone. It is understandable that there are reasonable limits - a person can't yell "fire" in a crowded theater without dire consequences but the paranoia and fear that exists now is insane and nothing like the obvious problem of the theater full of people. Whatever a person says here will be stored somewhere. If someone says things that people in power do not like and consider threatening, they will be watched if their statements are found in a search. Certain things people may say will get them arreseted and thrown in jail. When I went to gradeschool in the 50s we were taught that we lived in a free country. . . and I believed it. My father and mother both fought in WWII, my uncle was killed in WWII, I am a vietnam era vet, and so is my brother. Still, the wrong words will get me on a "watch list" or arrested. If I question the President - I am branded as "unpatriotic". There is confusion between the concept of "President", and the "Presidency". These concepts have been bastardized by zealous politicians. The president is a person, questioning that person's judegment is not questioning the nation or the nation's governmental system or society or rule of law. Look, its my freakin job to question the President - its everyone's job to question the President and all authority exercised by others - and make changes in a civilized, nonviolent dialogue. That is the basis of a representitive democracy. I thought we lived in one. Never in my wildest nightmares did I think this country would be in this situation - after all we have been through. Somebody, please wake me up! Until then I must watch very closely what I say. Even if I am only expressing my feelings and have no intention whatsoever of acting on them it makes no difference. Big Brother IS watching us now. What's next, the thought police . . . count on it.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-19128553985889728162007-05-22T07:48:00.000-07:002007-05-22T09:10:03.494-07:00Should the Electoral college be modified or abolished ?To consider this in an intelligent way consider how many people actually vote in an election in each state . . . a very complicated consideration. Take a look at the gov't stats if you really want to see how complicated it gets. How about the national voter turn out history in the past 40 years? Directly from the government records the best we have had in the past 40 years is 63 percent in 2000 of <i>registered</i> voters and 63 percent of <i>voting age turnout</i> in 1960. Do we live in a Democracy? Does the constitution specify that we live in a "direct democracy". No. We live in a representative democracy, a "republic". These two words are almost interchangeable. Do not confuse republic with "republicans" or the republican party. They are completely different. Today the republican party is probably closer to a hegemonic oligarchy run by aristocrats that it is to a republic. The same may also be true of the democratic party. Do not confuse it with "democracy". The electoral college was intended to prevent tyranny of mob_like rule caused by an ill informed perhaps uneducated public. At the time of the writing of the constitution this was a very real concern and still is, as long as the public remains ill-infomed and uneducated, or mis-informed. The news media can be guilty of mis-information either for financial gains or because of inept reporting, and this could cause people to vote in a very unresponsible way. But how many people actually vote? At best 63 percent. at worst 36 percent (in 1990). This constitutes the tyranny of the minority, precisely what most people want to avoid? Can the electoral college help this ?<br />If people are not voting because they feel like their vote does not count then the electoral college is adding to the problem by its very existence. My sources here:<br /><br />http://mwhodges.home.att.net/voting.htm#trend (voter turnout)<br />http://www.eac.gov/election_resources/htmlto5.htm (government records of turnout)<br />http://www.eac.gov/election_survey_2004/statedata/StateLevelSummary.htm (gov't records 2004)<br />http://elections.gmu.edu/turnout_rates_graph.htm (Dr. Michael McDonald)<br />http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul226.html ("hands off the electoral college")<br />http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/faq.html#history (reasons for electoral college)<br /><br /><br />More later. . .Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-74647939409521546422007-05-14T08:26:00.000-07:002007-05-14T08:44:44.016-07:00open source infringes on microsoft patentsAre these people from the evil empire serious? The next thing you know they will say they have a patent on the quadratic formula, addition, subtraction, for loops, while loops, if then statments, TCPIP, all forms of email, all forms of word processing, books, the printing press, pencils, RF communications, morse code, all number systems, and most of the languages of the world, what the hell lets just say all things known to mankind are now the property of MS. My point is, they have reached the point where they have become ludicrous, and I would laugh were they not also treacherous. MS copied most of what they supposedly developed. Read the book: "The Making of Microsoft" ISBN 1-55958-071-2 if you really want to know how much code they copied and how much they wrote; and how many people's lives got destroyed in the process. The two kids who started ms were from the wealthiest part of Washington state and were among the very few elite who had access to a computer. In the beginning of software development nearly everything was "open source" They used code they got from this open source community of the time and modified it to run differently, then eventually patented the code and made millions off or their (and nameless others) work. To be fair, most of ms $ should be redistributed among all of the programmers who came before them. Those who wrote C and C++ and Fortran, and Basic. Remember DR Dos? Anyone who has really looked into this can tell you how much bs this company pulls. They already tried this "we did it first" crap through the lame mouthpiece of SCO and their phony FUD . . . any one remember Mr McBride and his asinine song and dance? . The courts put that scam to rest and SCO's stock is now worth less that $1 per share. Somebody, please just make monkey boy and his dancing minions go away.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-30710831592198509962007-05-06T11:08:00.000-07:002007-05-06T11:59:36.322-07:00Bats: Cats, windmills and other hazardsThe ignorance of many people who spew forth right-wing scripts they assimilate from their fearless oil-company-executive-trained leaders' rants on any form of energy that they cannot control is downright scary. The current debate on the "horrific mind-numbing impacts" of wind power on the environment is a good example. Bats and birds are reportedly being "killed off in horrific numbers by the huge whirling, deady, razor sharp blades of these monstrous machines." In their lemming-like scurrying to the cliff, these sheep-people seem to avoid the obvious fact that human activity will have some impact on the environment regardless of what we do, and most improvements are not perfect. The media-hyped reporter's foray of the scientist from Berkeley who's study found that ethanol puts slightly more ozone in the atmosphere than gasoline is a good example of the spread of fear, uncertanty and doubt. This report conveniently fails to mention that ethanol is carbon neutral and puts less particulate matter into the air than petro-fuels and helps us avoid dependence on energy from parts of the world where we are now not welcome.<br /><br />There are studies that will show the harm that other types of electrical power generation have on birds and bats; and those that show how much of an improvement windmills are to our environment by lowering the overall impact we have as a result of their use. These are ignored. Simply showing the pros and cons of windmills is far to narrow and not a complete enough picture. For example how do the emissions of coal fired power plants effect bats, and people? How do salmon and bats connect in the web of life? (this we have already studied extensively - salmon have an enormous impact on the forest ecosystem and hydroelectric power generation has not helped them) How many bats are killed each year by coal mining operations? When we flood another valley, like the Hetch Hetchy was flooded (now used for water supply) in the early 20th century without consideration for the destruction it caused, or build a dam like the Elwa dam in Washington state (now being removed) for a power generation utility, how many bats will be killed? Where do bats live? In open fields on windy slopes (with the windmills) where there are no insects for them to eat? In the studies, where bats are attracted by the ultrasonic and electromagnetic emissions of wind turbines do those involved in the study import the bats to the location to "see" if they will seek out the windmills? When all of this is taken into consideration, the viability of windmills can be shown to be far greater than what the skeptics would have people believe.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-50936714323450321522007-04-28T14:57:00.000-07:002007-04-28T14:59:34.537-07:00Regarding the situation in Iraq:A couple of metaphores apply here: "When you take a mouthfull of scalding hot coffee; anything you do next is wrong" and "we are up to our behinds in alligators when our original intent was to drain the swamp". Our president is the Commander-in-Chief of the military - that means he should either completely understand all aspects of military operations or be able to hire those who do (and be the best manager in the country). Our current president has shown clearly that he has none of these skills in sufficient quality to be president. The American people who voted for him are responsible along with him - and the rest of us are along for the ride. Democracy is the "tyranny of the majority" - deal with it - change the electoral college and fix the voting process so each persons vote really counts, then we can re-elect Al Gore.<br /><br />Although we should have the right to defend ourselves, do we have the right to retaliate against an enemy before we are 100 percent sure who they are? If we are going to defend ourselves we need to do so solidly and with good judgement. As anyone (our current president excluded) who has experienced first hand the death, destruction, and residual hatred that war brings can tell you; there are no winners in a war, only loosers and those who get to write the history books about the war. Read your history books, including those not written by the "winners" of the wars if you want the truth. Iraq and Iran are in an area of ancient civilizations (where we got most of our math and Thomas Jefferson got many of his ideas for government and human rights from Cyrus the Great - read your history books before you bash me on this one) and are "countries" whose boundries and governments have been created (imposed) by Western European civilization in the last 100 years and have very little to do with the Iranian or Iraqi populations. If the government of Iraq was responsible for attacks on the U.S. then we have ourselves to blame because we (the U.S.) installed that government. Again, read your history books. There are many pictures of a smiling Rummy shaking hands with Saddam in the 80's. These are truths. You can bash me all you like I don't care. The sooner we deal with the truth of these matters the better off we will all be.<br /><br />It is my belief that (before we invaded) most Iraqi people had as much dislike for radical so-called "muslims" as we do for radical right wing so-called "christians". "Any religion that advocates the killing of other human beings is most certainly evil". The radicals on both sides accuse the others of that which is not true to perpetuate their own selfish purposes that have nothing to do with their religion at all - and thus we have war. What a waste. Sad.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-1167682611540620482007-01-01T11:02:00.000-08:002007-01-01T12:21:47.980-08:00monopoly and CO2 are bad for youA doomsday rant (sort of):<br /> Ford has a new car. It has a 400 horsepower power plant which means it will go real fast. . . . Where will it take you real fast and WHAT WILL YOU BREATHE when you get there? Who cares; it impresses the "babes", feels cool when you accelerate and gives you "status" and power which is necessary to survive; right? Survive to do what? Get rich; be safe; start a family; have power; have food; have a house; get attention from the opposite sex to boost your ego; make a "name" for yourself; compensate for your lack of maleness / femalness . . . this list goes on and on. Come on children, GET REAL. What do you really need to survive? Think now . . . this is a real challenge: Air, water, food, shelter, emotional support, love, spiritual health, a sense of belonging, laughter, safety and the knowledge that you will be remembered when you pass away. So you're getting all this from a machine? . . .Ok.<br /><br />Now consider this: As a culture, we use things to support our images of ourselves, but this gluttonous binge that started soon after the original agreements in 1776 is way out of control and has long since passed the point of absurdity. A large portion of the population of the US has become so hedonistic and self indulgent that they are blinded to all avenues of inquiry. When it is suggested that petrochemicals may be harmful, the messengers are routinely burned in effigy by the laissez-faire as if, as harbingers of impending disaster, these messengers are members of some kind of criminal organization daring to even suggest that unrestrained gratification of the senses might be harmful. I think the size of the hedonist culture is gradually shrinking, but not fast enough; and as those of you who have taken the time to read will know, the rich are getting richer faster now than any time in the history of the US, while unemployment statistics are manipulated and communicated specifically to mislead the "average" US working person . . . anyone out there ever read 1984 by Orwell? The unemployment news is doublespeak. Not all is lost, however. If (and this is a big IF), as a culture, we can somehow promote equal educational opportunity for ALL by vastly improving the public education system (by funding it instead of war) and making college education available to ALL outside of the internet; we stand a pretty good chance of turning things around. This change combined with the fact that through instant communication via the internet people can collaborate things can change for the better . . . unless, of course, some large gluttonous self serving idea stealing software corporation run by a loud-mouthed jackass who dances around like a monkey gains complete control of the internet and educational institutions through software patents, bribery and legalistic techno-babble. Ok, so I'm digressing - deal with it.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-1167596243888678462006-12-31T11:31:00.000-08:002006-12-31T12:17:25.060-08:00Some loosely connected musings:<br /> Now its winter 2006, the author of this blog has finally finished college, and we have had a severe windstorm that has damaged 2 buildings here and blown down three 100 year old trees... the worst storm since the inaguration day storm in the early 90's - not even close to the Columbus day storm and this one shut off the power to 1.5 million homes. Climate change is upon us people.<br /><br /> I am frequenly haunted by overwhelming sadness combined with buring anger at the blatant ignorance and unabashed hedonistic actions of the bush oligarchy which has a terrifying grip on our nation and our culture. It scares the hell out of me. Why can't we just be happy to be warm, dry and not hungry? Why do we have to have new cars, SUVs that spew filth into the air we breathe, 500, 000 dollar mansions (there are plenty where I live and I am being taxed out of my small home because of them), toys, toys, and more toys, sex, drugs, rock and roll, vacations in mezo-america where indiginous people act as our servants, power lawn mowers, power windows, automatic everything... and on and on and on. This whole life of excess we have created for ourselves is screwing up our perception of reality. Where does your food REALLY come from? EARTH OK, PLAIN OLD EARTH. And what about cloned meat? Whats wrong with that? ILL TELL YOU: As business developes more and more efficient (= profitable in USAspeak) meat producing animals by cloning the "good" ones, the gene pool becomes smaller and smaller. Remember the potato famine in Ireland? It happened mainly because of a monoculture of potatoes. They were all attacked by a virus and the whole crop was destroyed and millions of people starved to death. Now what happens if a virus gets into these "good" meat producing monocultured animals in say 30 years or so? Sure just use antiboitics to fix it... WRONG. We already know that causes huge problems. Well, if you have any brain cells you get my point.<br /><br /> Our military is our protection and should be a weapon of self-defense only - bush has destroyed this image. The people in the military are to be commended for tolerating a commander in chief who has repeatedly put them in harms way. And yes I am a veteran - a Vietnam era veteran - so don't give me any crap about not knowing military life.<br /><br /> The OFFICE OF PRESIDENCY is to be honored but the president is elected and should not be considered one in the same. Don't blame me for this mess in Iraq: 80 billion dollars a month to kill, bomb and terrorize people in the name of freedom - I did not vote for bush - he must go and to say that IS PATRIOTIC. If you voted for bush then, for God's sake in this next election PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELF and don't fall for bullshit. Yes caps - I am screaming that, ok.<br /><br /> Just because someone holds up a Christian bible or a Quaran or any holy book and uses it to justify violence of any kind does not make them morally and ethically right. To knowingly cause suffering is not the same as good. If you can't figure that out then get thyself to college and learn about philosophy and ethics from people who have spent their lives studying such things. They know more than you do. Trust me, they do. You may be a mechanic or a carpenter, or a banker, or a mason, or a factory worker but if you don't collaborate discuss and read about ideas others have pondered you will be ignorant. Notice I said ignorant, not stupid. No one is stupid. That is just an insult. To say one is ignorant is to say they have not yet learned. Children are ignorant but they are blessed indeed; for they are our future.<br />more later....Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-1134794481567020052005-12-16T20:18:00.000-08:002005-12-16T20:41:21.593-08:00Christmas breakOk, now finals are over. Its dark by 4:30 and cold. Ice on the roads and people drive 2 feet from my back bumper. I can't figure this out. I've wondered how many of them realize what can happen? I know I'm an irritating driver, because I always drive really, really slow. You know the type... holding every body up at only 5 mph over the legal limit. Imagine the audacity of it. Only going 60 in a 55. ( I am being sarcastic here ). And every night on the local network news there is inevitably some horrifying picture of smashed up cars where people were killed or maimed for life. For those of you who are reading this and think I'm just a wuss, go smash your fist into a brick wall. Now, how fast do you think your hand was moving when it hit? 90 mph, 80 mph? Unless your very unusual, it might be 40 or at the very best 45 mph if you are in real good shape. Ask any EMT and they will tell you that anything above about 35 mph and your dead, period. Did you know that most fatal motorcycle accidents happen at under 25 mph? So the next time your flying down the highway at 65 mph in winter driving conditions in your 4 wheel drive SUV with anti skid brakes and all the electronics, 10 feet behind that asshole in front of you; think about that one. Even with an airbag, if someone t-bones your vehicle at 45 mph with you in it, its good bye almost for sure, or worse in a wheel chair for the rest of your life.Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12960179.post-1118597868119514362005-06-12T10:33:00.000-07:002005-06-12T10:37:48.123-07:00Well, its summer, graduation is almost done for many students, and its pouring down rain! Here, there has been 15 inches so far since March 30. That's actually very good because this area was headed for a critical water shortage this summer. This has helped.<br /><br />An opinion from a conservative in this area, that came to light yesterday, was that Bush has not been honest and wants only power: this conservative opinion would not have existed a year ago. Funny how time changes everything somehow. Does time heal all wounds or does time wound all heals?<br /><br />Does absolute power corrupt absolutely? Can we, as a nation, make ethical judgements that reflect genuine compassion for potential victims who are referred to with the Orwellian slant as "collateral damage"?Icarushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08952600930551974753noreply@blogger.com0