My Life as I Saw It

In This Garden

2011-03-17T09:53:00.005-04:00

In this garden the individual has been assaulted and touted as archaic. In his place a construct of a failed, yet tenacious, political theory has been put forward as the new man. This new man is not really one man but the collection of all men, thought of and treated as one man. This new concept is genderless as, according to the theory, we are all equal in every way, there is no need to distinguish between the genders. One world, one man, one law. Everyone is equal. No one is above another. And true to form, we will all crawl on our bellies before the one law to receive our equal due. And it will not be sufficient. There will be rebellion. For men are not ants, nor should they be made to be ants.

To Be an American

2011-03-05T19:43:00.011-05:00

I think this nation is in great peril. I know, I'm not stating anything new. We've been in great peril before, and never in as much peril as the years 1929 to 1945. We climbed out stronger than ever but we had to fight a World War to get through it. Some fourteen years later I was born.

The first two decades of my life saw the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassinations of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Senator Bobby Kennedy, Man's first steps on the Moon, the election and re-election of President Nixon, the first U.S. President to resign the office in disgrace, followed by the uneventful presidencies of Ford and Carter. All through this I was somewhat aware of the Cold War, though I didn't fully understand it until I began the first year of my third decade at RAF Lakenheath, England, where our only mission was to generate nuclear laden F-111F's to send east toward the Soviet Union to pave the way for the B-52's who would follow after us. Living in this world is serious business after all.

With Ronald Reagan at the helm we, I mean all us Americans, defeated the Soviet Union without firing a shot, though the Soviets didn't actually fold until after George Bush's victory over Iraq's invasion and criminal occupation of Kuwait. I don't know if you noticed it or not but, after that show of superior American arms over Soviet trained and equipped Iraqi arms, I figure the Soviets finally threw in the towel, though I have read elsewhere the failed Soviet economy is what finally broke the Communist Party's hold on power. Though it happened on Bush's watch, Reagan set it up.

Life under William Clinton was nowhere as exciting as it is today, yet it wasn't exactly boring. Of course, he was the President that signed into law an ineffective "Assault Weapons Ban" that never really lived up to its intended purposes, though some may disagree with that. At the time I was in the Air Force and had my mind on other things and really didn't study the subject much. In fact, I even made fun of one of my buddies who owned an Uzi, saying "the last time you went hunting you killed three deer and wounded forty-two." We all laughed about it in good fun and forgot about it. I'm a bit older and wiser now and see how a ban like that can turn into something no one wants or ever intended, even those who originally supported it in the first place. Anyway, moving on I never faulted Slick Willie's penchant for the ladies though politically I opposed him.

George Bush the Second's presidency started off well enough then came September 11th, 2001. Then Afghanistan. Then Iraq. Then Bush's second term. Then what...?

The Betrayal. The open and no longer cleverly veiled aims of politically left statists in this country. The outright denial of the first principles that made it possible for us, this nation, to survive the perils of the Depression and then World War Two followed by the Cold War. We have not only been steered onto the road to socialism but the accelerator is stuck down with a brick named Obama and lashed down with bits of rope whose names are Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Boxer, Feinstein, Pelosi, Napolitano, Holder, Traver and others who would make our nation into something less than our aspirations. Rush Limbaugh calls them the Blame America First crowd.

I knew we were in trouble when former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, with a straight face mind you, said of ObamaCare, "We have to pass the bill so we can find out what's in it." I have never heard a politician, or anyone for that matter, say anything as stupid as that. This is but one small sample of the mindset of our leftist opponents. If you get your information from many sources as I do you know what I mean. For the reader who accidentally stumbled here during the CNN, CBS, ABC or MSNBC news commercial break you probably won't have a clue to what I mean.

The most puzzling thing of all is the number of my fellow Americans who support the very political ideals that are so contrary to what it means, or meant, to be an American. Unbelieveable.

Billions and Billions?

2011-02-19T23:26:00.005-05:00

I read an interesting article today, you may read it here, stating that scientists have arrived at an estimated 50 billion planets exist within our own Milky Way Galaxy and that as many as 500 million of those planets could harbor life. Read the article for more details, but what I got to thinking about after reading the article was life in general and exactly what is life and what is it's purpose? At age 52, I thought I may as well think about these things now rather than later. I might not have later.

Is not the purpose of life to live? At least long enough to reproduce and then after that who cares if you live much longer? And if it is something else, what is it? In my struggle in life I do what I must do to trade my skill set for money which I then transform into paid bills, shelter and food and clothing and the occasional luxury item. Basically, life is just a struggle to survive, but you know there exists somewhere out there a personal time limit and everyone's got one.

Life is short but only for those who are not suffering. For the suffering there is no life short enough, for a day with suffering is like a lifetime of suffering every twenty-four hours. But we are getting away from the main point.

If in this galaxy alone there are 50 billion planets and of those 500 million could support life, why do the mere mortal inhabitants of this rock think we're so special?

Let's pick one of those planets and ask some questions, shall we?

Q:You, on Omicron Six, do you have religion?

A:Oh yeah! It's the opiate of the people don't you know.

Q:Mmm.. we've heard that somewhere before. Well then, on Omicron Six is there a One World Government over what used to be hundreds of individual sovereign nations sort of like our United Nations does in keeping the peace between civil nations?

A:Oh...Is that what you use that for? We thought...uh, never mind what we thought. Enough of the questions already. We only came here to smoke a doobie with you and chill around the campfire and eat munchies. You guys are so uptight. Anyone have any San Gria?

I guess we are not so special after all. What do you think?

Don't Know Much About Christine O'Donnell

2010-10-03T15:40:00.003-04:00

In an Op-Ed column by Frank Rich in the NY Times, titled The Very Useful Idiocy of Christine O'Donnell, Mr. Rich opined:

"O’Donnell’s value is the same as that other useful idiot, Michael Steele, who remains at the Republican National Committee only because he can wave the banner of “diversity” over a virtually all-white party that alternately demonizes African-Americans, Latinos, gays and Muslims." (Emphasis in italics mine.) Read here.

I don't know much about Christine O'Donnell, but I do know the Democrat Party is not now, nor has it ever really been, the friend of African-Americans. It took a while, about 30 minutes, but I did find a source for your perusal. Read here.

I also take issue with Mr. Rich's implication about the Republican Party representing the "Wall Street potentates and corporate titans" as if to contrast the good work of the Democrat Party to tax the rich into poverty as an essential strategy of its war on poverty.

There are a lot of points in Mr. Rich's Op-Ed column I would like to comment on, but I am but a simple man, not quite up to the intellectual level he is when discussing politics. Mr. Rich, there is a "real America" out here and it don't give a damn what you think about anything.

Scapegoat! Get your scapegoat here!

2010-10-03T13:57:00.007-04:00

In a story about books in prisons, ACLU attorney David McGuire hits a nail right on the head. Read here.

"This is yet another case of politicians scapegoating expression as the cause of serious violent crime," said ACLU attorney David McGuire.

Now, let's replace one word with a short phrase. Replace the word "expression" with the short phrase "inanimate objects" and ACLU attorney David McGuire would still be right, regardless of the inanimate objects involved. But, I would suggest that the inanimate object or objects collectively could be firearms or a knife or a rock or a pencil or a pen or a porcupine quill.

The point made by Mr. McGuire is correct. I don't know how many times I've heard someone contemptuously parrot, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people blah, blah blah..." and so on with whatever clever ending to that soundbite they have.

The fact of the matter is politicians do a lot of scapegoating and not a whole lot of anything else.

Been Rippin'

2009-11-29T00:39:00.004-05:00

What've you been doing?
Hey! Hey! Hey! It's like being stoned!
Where are you when the sun go down? So far away from me.
So far I just can't see. Money for nothing?
Where can you get chicks for free?

I can't live with or without you? Did U2 really sing that?
First time ripper here. Got it going on. Yep! Got it going on.

Been Rippin'
What've you been doing.

Complicity

2009-11-01T10:02:00.003-05:00

Involvement as an accomplice in a questionable act or crime. With emphasis on the "involvement as an accomplice" portion of the definition, I would say without hesitation that most of the popular major media outlets, and you know who those outlets are, without doubt are engaging in complicit behaviour when they publish "news" stories that somehow contribute to the growing paradigm that citizen is an antiquated term that has been superseded by a more "progressive" dismissive as "the masses."

The individual is dead and really exists only as a small part of a greater whole, whose welfare is determined by self appointed philosopher kings, known otherwise by such terms as Senator, Congressman, Czar and President. City Councilman, Mayor and County Sheriff are soon to be added to the known as also list, you just wait.

Just pick up a newspaper, if there are any still being published where you live, and read a few of the stories. Find one where the government is somehow involved and think about how the role of the government is presented in the story and how minimal the role of the ordinary citizen is portrayed, if at all. Now think to yourself how the portrayal of government squares with the idea that our "elected officials" are our servants.

Like in the Allstate Insurance commercial: Confused? Don't be. That is the paradigm I speak of, where government is everything and we are nothing. It is the paradigm that the popular major media outlets have been complicit in supporting for decades. It is the paradigm they want you to become comfortable with. It is the paradigm that will be used to enslave you and your family, your neighbors and friends. In the end, government will be the Queen and We, the people, will merely be worker ants.

Complicity: Involvement as an accomplice in a questionable act or crime. But the good news is, all the reporters and talking heads who helped bring about the great ant mound will also be worker ants too. Not even they will be spared the disgrace, and in the great crime of enslaving millions in the once land of the free, that may be the only justice one can point to.

What's So Special About H1N1?

2009-10-24T18:48:00.004-04:00

Headline on CNN.com "Obama declares H1N1 emergency." Whoopee-doo! According to the article about about 1000 persons have died from the H1N1 virus yet if you look up, here, how many deaths are caused by the regular annual flu in the United States it is estimated at 36,000. Where was the declared emergency for that this year. Or last year? Why only declare an emergency for H1N1?

Because it's sexy and it upsets the public more than worse news about a regular flu would and it makes things easier to usurp more power (for the Federal government, that is) because now we are in an emergency which is bound to scare even more crap out of an already crapped out scared bunch of dependent on the government for everything people. Whew! That was a lot.

When Obama was elected I told a couple of folks I work with, Democrats of course, that he was going to be dangerous to the liberties we all enjoy. Neither of them believed me. But lately neither of them have said a word about the great job Obama is doing being our President. Hmmm....

The Liberties of our Forebears

2009-01-25T21:56:00.004-05:00

In a note to myself I scribbled the words "The liberties enjoyed by the generation of the Founding Fathers may well amaze most of us and, in fact, be deemed by us as too much liberty."

Is there such a state of being defined by the exercise of too much liberty? This seems to be the paradigm of the modern American citizen. We are used to the prospect of being stopped by the police for sundry reasons, most notably as a result of how fast we drive our cars. In fact we are probably more fearful of that inconvenience than being "inconvenienced" by a criminal act by someone we've never met and would never see coming anyway.

And that says volumes about where we are as a society than anything else. Are we more afraid of our government institutions than we are of complete strangers who share our habitat? In essence, are we afraid of our government? And if we are, why?

Perhaps many of us go about our business never giving a thought to this question, but it is worth asking. If we live in a society in which our worst nightmares are of arrest by authorities for "crimes" that were mere misdemeanors yesterday, and not even misdemeanors the day before, then we should begin finding out where that crazy idea that we are free came from.

When I was twelve years old my dad gave me and my younger brother each our own 12 gauge shotguns. We were permitted to carry our shotguns from the home, down the street, in broad daylight, with ammunition and then into the woods where we would load them and hunt or just shoot stuff. No big deal. That was 38 years ago.

I doubt that would be allowed to happen today. But why? What has changed since then? I never took my shotgun to school. In fact I never thought I should or even could. I never used it in a criminal manner and never thought to do so. But, something has changed in 38 years. Now anyone, especially a young person, is so suspect if in possession of a firearm that the whole scenario seems to draw way too much response and way too much judiciary review.

This is so not the same place in which Sam Adams sojourned. I have never lived there, even though I have lived here all my life.

Please, Stop Lying to Me!

2009-01-12T05:22:00.006-05:00

It is apparent to me that since all gun control is proposed as a means to lower the crime rate and yet areas where guns are most severely prohibited have the highest rates of crime, the argument is a failed argument. So, what is the real goal of firearms prohibitionists?

The Brady Campaign voices its main concern as "gun violence" yet seems completely unconcerned about violence committed by other means. Why just gun violence? The same can be said about the Violence Policy Center and a host of other organisations bent on prohibiting the ancient right of free men.

Since the Supreme Court decision DC-v- Heller, Mr. Heller was "allowed" to register his weapon and be issued a license so he may have a firearm in his home to protect himself and his family from gun violence, and violence by other means, at the hands of an uncaring home invader. However it was not that simple. He was not allowed to register the weapon of his choice since it was by a cleverly structured definition a machine gun, but only considered as such by Washington DC authorities, he could not lawfully even possess it and had to settle on a revolver instead of the more utilitarian semi-automatic handgun he had in mind.

Now, Mr. Heller is a "Special Police Officer" in the District of Columbia and while on the job is required/permitted? to carry a firearm in order to fully execute his duties. Now, I ask, what is the real purpose of the gun prohibitionists when the law is used to prohibit handgun ownership of not only a law abiding citizen, but a law enforcing citizen? I can only conclude that the ultimate goal of all gun control schemes is to strip us all of our civil liberties and then, and only then, may one speak of "all we, like sheep."

Oh no! Not this crap again.

2008-12-31T23:41:00.003-05:00

Paul Helmke, a contributing writer to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence Blog, and officer of same, wrote a piece of propaganda that would even impress Joseph Goebbels. In fact, without even reading any of his other work I could probably say that as propaganda, they are all just as good. As an aside, I just noticed that Goebbels and Goering have only one word between them in my dictionary. If that has no significance for you read Inside the 3rd Reich.

Back to Paul Helmke. Paul's latest treatise seems to be about how well the Brady Instant Background Check system protects us by having denied 135,ooo dangerous people the ability to purchase a firearm in the last year and from one dangerous person in particular. You should go and read the entire article and then come back here.

http://www.bradycampaign.org/blog/?p=684

Did you read it? Good. Now, I concede that in the one case of Mr. Drew Douglas Grant, whose real name is Andrew Golden, that everything worked like it was suppose to. I think you would agree as well. However, where Mr. Helmke wanders into the deep end of deceit and lies, which is where the entire venture called The Brady Campaign originates, is his insistence that all 135,000 persons denied to purchase a firearm are really the dangerous persons he thinks they are or, rather who he wants you to think they are.

You see, not all Brady Denials are because Joe Criminal, who just got released from Sing-Sing for murder, went into a gun store and tried to buy a gun from a federally licensed firearm dealer and got denied because his background check failed. In this context James Jay Baker, Wayne LaPierre and Richard Gardiner, all spokesmen for the NRA, are correct in the statements they made that Mr. Helmke seems to be calling them on simply because he now has proof that at least one convicted killer did in fact attempt to apply for a concealed carry permit and got caught. Not the same thing as getting denied a gun purchase at a gun store but the background check for a concealed carry permit is the same as that for a gun purchase. Plus the investigation for a concealed carry permit requires checking fingerprints against the FBI finger print database.

Did a light just turn on in your head?

Question 1. Did Mr. Grant already possess a firearm and was just seeking a permit to carry it on his person? If so, did Mr. Grant already "pass" an instant background check to purchase the gun? Or was the gun acquired by other means? In any event Mr. Grant's scheme ended in disaster not because of the Brady Instant Background Check but because of the fingerprint analysis portion of his concealed carry permit application.

Question 2. Does Mr. Helmke realize that it was not the Brady Instant Background Check that busted Mr. Grant? If so, why does he go on and on and on trying to convince you that the Brady Instant Background Checks are all that stand between you and certain death?

I cannot say I know the answers raised by Question 1. But, for Question 2 I can speculate that Mr. Helmke is purposely being deceitful in order to get you to believe things that are not completely true.

Even I, after first reading the article, thought that Mr. Grant's scheme ended with a negative result from a Brady Instant Background Check. I had to read it more than once to realize the trick Mr. Helmke played on me. If you look around the Brady Campaign web site take a few notes and try to substantiate some of the claims they make, especially their statistics. They seem to be a little vague in their sourcing so you may have a hard time of it. I know I did.

After the Election

2008-12-30T23:19:00.003-05:00

It's after the election, Obama got himself elected and now what? Probably nothing much since he is inheriting a complete cluster fuck but I guess he'll just love it since it was brought to us by the Democratic Party anyway. The Mother of All Bailouts has already been extended to the auto industry and since I haven't heard much more about any of it I guess the Bailouts worked. Or did they? I just don't know.

Israel is kicking butt in Gaza. I say more power to them. The last I heard anything they were considering a 48 hour recess. I say press on.

Anyway firearms sales in this country are up, way up. I got my Hi-Powered Semi-Automatic Assault Weapon Rifle Gun That No One Needs Anyway, because I need it in case Obama gets elected and signs into law a ban on Hi-Powered Semi-Automatic Assault Weapon Rifle Guns That No One Needs Anyway, back in October before the election on just a hunch Obama would get elected. Now everyone is out to get them a Hi-Powered Semi-Automatic Assault Weapon Rifle Gun That No One Needs Anyway before the next ban on Hi-Powered Semi-Automatic Assault Weapon Rifle Guns That No One Needs Anyway is made into law.

I know, you're thinking no one is going to take your guns away. But I know better and so should you. I know, you're thinking it's not that important. But I know better and so should you. Did you know that in the last 100 or so years, governments, not citizens, killed over 170,000,000 men, women and children through various means. This does not include soldiers killed in combat. It only includes civilians who were killed by a government entity. They were killed by such means as "being shot, beaten, tortured, knifed, burned, starved, frozen, crushed, worked to death, buried alive, drowned, hung, bombed from the sky or killed in any other myriad ways governments have inflicted death on unarmed, helpless citizens." Source: The Seven Myths of Gun Control by Richard Poe, paper back edition copyrighted 2001, Three Rivers Press, New York, page 21.

But first, they all had to be disarmed. So the next time you hear a politician pushing for a new law that has anything to do with restricting or registering firearms or firearms owners, ask yourself, why? And remember what you just read and gun control means controlling you, not guns.

What if Obama wins the election?

2008-09-11T23:11:00.005-04:00

Instead of an Atheist Thought of the Week, and since this is my blog, I would like to ask a question. I have read an article or two on the consequences of Obama losing the election, with a hint there may be some rioting in some or all of the major US cities. That would certainly be a less than a favorable outcome under this premise. In one article it was put as perhaps being like the rioting after Rodney King was beaten by police. But what if he won? And then some ignorant, deep south, raving racist lunatic from perhaps Mississippi or Louisiana, though not limited to just those two states, managed to kill him. What kind of rioting would come of that? One can only hope it won't come to that. But I fear, though we as a nation have made great strides in learning to live together as civilised peoples, it has not been so long as to be certain there is not one or more determined racist that will not brook a black man as President.

The premise just outlined to you is not original with me. A friend who has more time to think of such things as I do put this in my head. It is something to wonder about and prepare for if only somewhat minimally however you may think you should where you live. Where I live I doubt anything will happen as I live in a very rural area of Middle Georgia, but the Cities of Macon and Atlanta a little north and just a bit farther north of me respectfully could see some outcries of injustice. And let's not discount the power and ability of Jesse Jackson and Louis Farrakhan to exacerbate any situation to deadly proportions.

As it gets closer to November we should all think about this and prepare accordingly. Hopefully the election will go smoothly and the loser will be graceful and nothing else will come about as a result either way. But chance favors the prepared mind and perhaps that is all I am really saying here.

Good night, Gracie!

Atheist Thought of the Week

2008-09-05T05:41:00.003-04:00

I've been thinking about Atheist Quote of the Week and have decided to change it to Atheist Thought of the Week. I've done this to emphasize that I'm not merely trying to present a quote by an atheist writer or thinker, which is what I am doing precisely but, I do this more for the hope anyone reading the offer would also think about what is being said.

This week's offer comes from Sam Harris. It is from his book "The End of Faith." Amazon.com Choosing something by Harris was difficult. He has many interesting thoughts and insights throughout his book but I am forced to parse and paraphrase somewhat in order to get the idea across here but in fewer words than Sam used in his book. It is not to say that he is long winded but rather that the kernel of the thought I wish to get across here doesn't need the entire 300 words of the paragraph he used, hence the late posting here, usually on a Thursday has taken me into Friday this week. So without further ado, here's Sam with an interesting thought about religion and how, and why, it affects us all.

"Our situation is this: most of the people in this world believe that the Creator of the universe has written a book. We have the misfortune of having many such books on hand making an exclusive claim as to its infallibility....All are in perverse agreement on one point of fundamental importance, however: "respect" for other faiths, or for the views of unbelievers, is not an attitude that God endorses....Intolerance is thus intrinsic to every creed....Certainty about the next life is simply incompatible with tolerance in this one." Page 13, Paperback Edition, Copyright 2004

The ellipses indicate I have skipped an entire intervening sentence to get on to the more supportive statements made. It is worth your while to acquire the book and read the whole of it, the book that is, and not just the paragraph.

The Epitome of Stupidity

2008-08-30T23:13:00.002-04:00

Wow, I mean, wait a minute. Let me catch my breath. Folks, I just learned something that may shock you. Yes, when I first learned of it I could not breath for a full 12 seconds.

I just learned that atheism is the epitome of stupidity and, from no less a scholar than Ray Comfort at that. It seems that when Ray witnesses to atheists it is demeaning to him to have to do it since he has to resort to such a low intellectual level in order to reason with the twits. This is just earth shattering news. I only hope I don't misspell any words in reporting this to you, my dear readership. For the whole nine yards you may read the entire intellectually demeaning article on Ray Comfort's blog here.

Atheist Quote of the Week

2008-08-29T10:53:00.002-04:00

In a post at Pharyngula, titled 'Matthew Cobb and Jerry Coyne write a letter,' a letter written to Nature magazine is sported with a link to the article. The last sentence of the letter is this weeks quote and is highlighted by Mr. PZ Myers himself as a distinguished sentiment and I concur.

And here she is:

"In reality, the only contribution that science can make to the ideas of religion is atheism."

So much for reconciling science with religion.

A Little Short Story

2008-08-24T12:56:00.005-04:00

I sat down at a table in the back of the bar. The waitress, a curvy young girl and dressed seductively, came up to the table and stopped so that I when I turned my head to speak to her I looked right into her cleavage. I really liked what she had and she knew it, too. When I finally looked up to her face she was already smiling at my look of disbelief.

"What'll you have, Honey?"

"I'd like a Sam Adams lager unless you haven't any or may recommend something."

"A Sam Adams lager it is."

She smartly turned around and I was hopelessly lost in lust as she walked away toward the bar, her ass and my eyes bouncing the whole way until she disappeared in shadow. I could still make out her white short shorts but only vaguely. After a few minutes she returned with my beer. I paid with a ten and she gave me five back after I told her to keep the change.

"I haven't seen you in here before. Is this your first time here?"

"Yeah, I usually just stay home and read or surf the Internet or whatever. I live across the street at the Marlborough Apartments. I was bored a little and thought maybe I should stop in for a while."

"I live at the Marlborough, too. Apartment 235.

"Apartment 204. I've lived there for over a year. How about you?"

"Just a couple of months. Say, I've got to get busy or Mike will have a cow. Maybe you could stay a while. Only two hours till closing. We should get together after."

Maybe you'd like something to eat. There's a Waffle House just a block away."

"I'd like that. I haven't eaten out in a long time."

I sat there for two hours. I only had one more beer, slowly sipping them. I almost couldn't finish the second one it was so warm. I didn't want to get drunk. I've never liked being drunk and tonight was my first alcohol in several months. I'm not against drinking alcohol, just being drunk. Since I was in a bar and I do enjoy a beer, I drank a couple. Slowly though. I didn't want to become drunk for two reasons. One, I hate being drunk and two I figured...I suddenly realised I don't know her name yet, and she doesn't know mine. Oh well, after she is off work we'll get to the introductions. Oh, and two, I thought maybe she had seen her fair share of drunks.

Occasionally over the two hours she would stop by for a second and wink at me or ask if I needed anything. I just shook my head no and she would whisk on by. I thought to myself maybe she doesn't drink on duty as a lot of bar waitresses learn to do, especially strip bars. This bar wasn't a strip bar but it sure had a lot of very good looking, young and seductively dressed young ladies as waitresses. I saw a few of them drink from a glass from behind the bar, but I never saw her doing it. Besides, when we did get to the Waffle House, a first date sort of, I didn't want her to be turned off by me being drunk. If she was a little tipsy it wouldn't mean so much to me as I thought me being drunk might mean to her.

I had to wait outside for the bar to close. It was a fair part of town. I wasn't afraid of being mugged so much as being arrested by the cops for hanging outside a closed bar for whatever reason they might imagine. Anyway, I wasn't arrested and she came out with the rest of the crowd of employees after just ten minutes.

I recognised her only by her figure. She had changed clothes, as did everyone before coming outside, but I could tell it was her even in the jeans and light black jacket she had over her tanktop. I offered her my arm and she took it pulling my arm close to her tightly. I could feel her shivering. And I could feel the warmth of her breast on my arm. It was a bit cold for an August morning in Atlanta, but I began to feel a rush of warmth come up my chest into my face. I wondered where the night may go, and if she would be a part of it with me unto morning.

Hindu by the Grace of Vishnu

2008-08-23T11:48:00.005-04:00

I was at Walmart the other day and saw an otherwise intelligent human wearing a T that said, "Country by choice...Christian by the grace of God." I immediately thought how narrow the thinking of the witticism on her T-shirt really is. Anyone not a Christian is just fucked, huh? Or, by the same grace of the same God, merely screwed but then, just a little. Maybe?

I'm sure somewhere in the world there is another otherwise intelligent human who may be wearing a similar T declaiming, "Slum Lord in Overcrowded City by choice...Hindu by the Grace of Vishnu." Only Thor knows, or Jupiter, or maybe Wotan, just to name a few.

Atheist Quote of the Week

2008-08-21T22:41:00.002-04:00

This week's quote will be short and sweet. It comes from the book "Atheist Manifesto: The Case Against Christianity, Judaism, and Islam" by Michel Onfray. I loaned my copy to a friend so I can't tell you what page it is on but it is in there, somewhere. Amazon.com
And without further delay, here it is:

"The last god will expire with the last man."

I believe this one sentence of just nine words sums up rather concisely the entire argument for an atheistic view of the world. It gives so easily to me, with a little thought, the very foundation of religion and the very foundation of irreligion. It seems to speak of two concepts at the same time without mentioning either one directly and exposes so elegantly the true relationship of man with his gods.

Atheist Quote of the Week

2008-08-14T09:01:00.003-04:00

A new feature at My Life as I Saw It will be an atheist quote gleaned from some of the books and web pages I read. Please note, due to the busy nature of my life, a week may be skipped and maybe two or more quotes will be posted in less than a weeks time.

Just one quote from among the countless available, posted here this week for your amusement, is by Victor J. Stenger and is right out of his book "GOD The Failed Hypothesis... How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist," pages 188-189. Amazon.com

"The Bible reads as an assembly of myths fashioned by ancient authors who had no concept of historical accuracy. Its description of the world reflects the scientific and historical knowledge of the age in which the manuscripts were composed. The information and insights contained in scriptures and other revelations look just as they can be expected to look if there is no God who revealed truths to humanity that were recorded in sacred texts."

I would have to agree.

Fisherman? Or Fish?

2008-08-04T09:17:00.013-04:00

As some recent posts may indicate to those of you who read this blog, if there be few who do at all, I have taken up the cause of a world without religion and have declared myself to be atheist. Over the course of the last few months some thoughts about religion occur to me from time to time and today I will share one with you.

In at least one of the gospels Jesus calls out some disciples declaring to them he will make them "fishers of men." I think we all can remember that without specifying book, chapter, verse. What struck me with some irony is that indeed the apostles were fishers of men just like Jesus promised, for they, according to the what is written in the New Testament, caught lots of fishes. Peter caught 3000 in just one day, I think, and Paul caught a bunch more all over the Middle East throughout his career. And since then billions of fishes have been caught. And, like fish, they were devoured and the bones thrown out. Think of the Dark Ages, the inquisition, the crusades, the witch hunts and any bit of church history the Pope, as well as your pastor, would surely love for you to forget.

There are some truly great and successful fishermen in the world today. Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, Pat Robertson and Oral Roberts just to name a few from of old. They are, or were, truly good fishers of men. They had them coming in the front door of unsubstantiated religious belief by the thousands every week, and accepted, without shame, all the wealth the new fish bestowed upon them.

Today we have a new bunch of fishermen, some you may have heard of some you may haven't. Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Benny Hinn and John Hagee. All chief fishermen of enormous fisheries from which untold wealth and health is reaped for the fishermen and his family. But being a fisher of men is not limited to just men. There are many women, Joyce Meyers is just one, getting in on the action. Just surf through the few church channels available on cable or Directv to see a few. I caution you that you may view some bizarre fishing techniques but, as many of them are so ridiculous as to be scandalous, you may get a laugh or two.

On a smaller scale there are many new fisheries being created right before your very eyes. Just in my small area of the world I've noticed many humble beginnings in rented buildings that may have at one time been an auto parts store or the remains of a small fishery building the previous tenants left for larger headquarters, a sign of the truly good fisherman in our midst.

In many of these fisheries resides the "want to be" fisher of men in all of us. You've seen at least one example of what I mean some time in your life. That guy at the Waffle House with the "Got Jesus?" T-shirt talking mainly to the waitresses, a captive audience if there ever was one, about the need they have for Jesus in their lives. I know a guy like that and it is he who is the inspiration for this post. So, I simply ask without malice, is he a "fisher of men" or, is he just a little fish in someone else's really big net? You already know what I think.

The Pope in the Land Downunder

2008-07-19T08:56:00.007-04:00

The Pope, that icon of infallibility, loaded up the popemobile and went down under. Austrailia, that is. White beaches, blues seas. Sound familiar?

While there he said many interesting things including an apology for the sexual abuse committed by his clergy. I would hate to have to do that everywhere I go but, there you have it. According to the news reports I received the apology was not necessarily the first thing he did which I think should ought to have been. Should ought to have been? That may not be correct grammar but I'm writing this, not you.

It seems his main message was for all religions to "unite against those who use faith to divide communities" and according to AP writer Victor L. Simpson, the paraphrase in quotations above was an apparent reference to terrorism in the name of religion.

Again, AP writer Simpson quotes the Pope saying that creating harmony between religion and public life was "all the more important at a time when some people have come to consider religion as a cause of division rather than a force for unity."

Well, no shit! Religion has always been a divisive force among communities of peoples for all the time it has existed in all its forms since the dawn of its creation. The defining doctrines of Islam are at odds with the defining doctrines of Judaism which are at odds with the defining doctrines of Christianity which are at odds with the defining doctrines of Islam and so on. And within Christianity itself, as well as Islam and Judaism, there are divisions within each at odds with all the other divisions. Those most familiar with Christianity can list a few major divisions right off the top of their heads, and a short list would include Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Pentecostals, Mormons and Seventh Dayers. The list could go on and on since I am aware of many divisions just among Baptists and Pentecostals and at least two divisions among the Mormons. Of Islam you have the Sunnis and the Shiites and there may be more for all I know. In short, what the Pope has requested is impossible since the sub communities within each major community can't even get there shit together.

A long time ago, in a galaxy not far away, Christianity picked up the sword and in the name of the God they worshipped, killed thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, if not millions. If you don't believe this do a little research on the history of the Catholic Church and some of its children since the reformation. Luther, by the way, harboured an anti-semitism you would not believe if you hold him up as a great example of what a Christian should be.

There are Christians now in America working to make this nation a theocracy where the state executes homosexuals. What else they have planned for the rest of us unsuspecting atheists and unchurched souls I know not. If you think I'm joking just Google 'dominion theology' or, just click the Wikipedia link here. And if you are against Sharia Law, which this is, just from the Holy Bible and not the Koran, and from Christians, not fanatical Islamic suicide bombers and Imams, then be aware of what the churches around you are doing and saying.

Is the Pope concerned about harmony among the religions for nothing? No. He sees the end of all faith as more and more people begin to see all religions as dangerous to their health. His words are a call to repentance for the survival of all faith itself. As I would like to remind any reader, it was not just the fanaticism of the suicide pilots of 9-11, it was the basis, that is the religion, for that fanaticism that gave us that particular tragedy. Fanaticism knows no bounds and is contained not in just one place. It can come from anywhere and from any religious belief.

I'll leave you with one universal truth, true as anything I've ever heard. The words came from the mouth of fallen former President John F. Kennedy and are as follows, "For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."

A Most Liberating Experience

2008-07-13T09:13:00.003-04:00

In solemn reflection I would have to say that I have, for the most part, lived my life as if there were no god. Sure, if anyone asked I would claim a belief in a god and tell you I was of the Christian persuasion. I even attended a Pentecostal Church as recent as two years ago, preceded by a brief attendance at a Baptist Church, but have not been back for about a year, give or take. It just wasn't my idea of something I needed to do and for the most part the services were, more often than not, mere fundraising events as evidenced to me by the repetitious mention of tithing as a Christian duty in nearly every sermon regardless of context. I will admit though they put on a good show and that is all it became to me, a show. In fact, they got to where they put on two shows every Sunday due to the increase in attendance.

Couple that with my long lived opinion of most, if not all, televangelists and you can see how it came to pass that I rejected religion altogether. I was attending religious services that soon became to me indistinguishable from what anyone can find on the Church Channel. The nail in the coffin, so to speak, came when I read "God is Not Great" by Christopher Hitchens quickly followed by "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. It all suddenly made sense to me.

I have lived most of my life as if there is no god simply because that is what all men, and women too, would do if left uninfluenced by parents or guardians to take up a religion. My only flirtations with religion were as the result of the urging of a coworker or friend to turn from my backsliding ways. Of course I would oblige, at least for a little while, then I would make my escape back to where I felt most comfortable.

I have finally made the needed adjustment in my life to remain in an "escaped" environment for the remainder of my tenure here on this Blue Planet. When invited or encouraged to attend Church with a friend or coworker, I can now proudly say that since I am an atheist it would be illogical for me to attend any church service. This is most liberating indeed.

How to logically assess this

2008-02-24T11:27:00.010-05:00

Of late I have been considering the merits of an atheistic outlook toward life and living. I have read Richard Dawkins' book "The God Delusion" twice and a couple of other books on the subject including Christopher Hitchens' "God is Not Great." Also, I have spent several hours at a time on more than one evening exploring the Web on this subject and have noticed, also more than once, inferences to the rights of homosexuals as a concern or part of the atheist platform as represented on the several atheist websites I visited. Since I failed to annotate those Websites I feel terrible since without some great luck and good fortune a reader may never see what I am speaking of. I will concede here that it may have been 2 or 3 websites which contained text expressing support for the homosexual life as part of their overall atheist strategy. I'll not fault them for that.

Having said all that first it seems to me that from one viewpoint it looks like atheism may be being used as a front to defend and promote the homosexual lifestyle. I really hated to use the word lifestyle just then but I could not think of another way to say what I mean. Check out any atheist web page and you may see links to pages that will offer reasons for the nonexistence of a God or any gods and somewhere you will eventually see something that involves homosexuality as it relates to the issue of atheism. Usually the text describes support for the homosexual lifestyle.

Is homosexuality the single most identifiable issue in the debate? Granted, evangelicals seem to target homosexuals more any other class of godless behaviour. But when you think about it most of the molesting of children by the clergy is of the "man on boy" type. Another useless yet interesting correlation?

I work with a man whose adopted son is gay and we shall call him Wayne to protect his identity. Wayne told his father once, "Daddy, no one would choose to be homosexual." Well would they? Many of the religious mindset in concrete would say that it is a choice. I say it must be genetic because in my life I was never confronted with a dilemma of having to choose with which gender of my playmates I most desired to have intimate relations. I always chose the females and never once entertained thoughts of the choice being male. For me, it was just something inside me telling me to go for the girls!

I imagine the experience is something along those lines for those in the world who hear "go for the guys!" If homosexual behaviour is genetic then we have a long way to go before we actually reach a level of sophistication that can be called civilised. We still live in a world where gay men and women are killed because of this variation among the modern homo sapiens that now inhabit the planet. Convincing some of those inhabitants that Albert is gay because of genetics may be impossible to do in the prevailing environment of ignorance we find ourselves shaking our heads at.

You may live in a nice place and work in an even nicer place and you may very rarely see an ignorant homo sapien but from where I live and work I rarely see an intelligent homo sapien. Having all that behind me I am reminded of the ditty that goes something like this; "When they were after the Homosexuals I said nothing because I was not a Homosexual...." Eventually they will come after you.

The Refuge

2007-10-28T16:32:00.000-04:00

On Highway 41 going north out of Perry, Georgia, on the left is a place called The Refuge. It is a church of some denomination, exactly which is unknown to me, though I percieve the folks whose cars are parked around the outside would call themselves Christians. It is the name of the place that interests me and as I drove further north I pondered what meaning the name may have and what are they trying to tell me, the often passerby.

I've heard others, I mean other religous folk, speak of the evil in this world and how this thing or that thing is evil. I just smile a little smile, tickled a bit by the roots of ancient superstitions being manifest in a person of today, and feel the sensation inside my body as I laugh behind my smile. Sometimes it is hard to contain and a laugh escapes my mouth and I have inadvertently hurt someone's feelings. Oh, well.

The Refuge. It says it all. All about what it is to those inside. I imagine they think of The Refuge as a refuge from the world and all the evil in it. Yet I smile and perhaps laugh a little laugh inside because I know there is no evil in and of itself in any object or place and I know that evil certainly does exist. I also know there is no refuge from evil anywhere except where you can be alone and maybe not even there. Where ever mankind goes evil soon follows, and sometimes arrives at the same time. It may even be found in The Refuge.

Then, in what place is there refuge from ourselves?

Sea Salt

2007-10-25T21:58:00.000-04:00

I put the green beans in the corning ware dish with the sliced portabella mushrooms and the three-quarter cup of water, placed the lid on and put the dish in the microwave for fourteen minutes. I put the large non-stick pan on the stove top and put the dial on five and a whole stick of garlic butter in the pan and the tablespoonful of sesame seeds with it and browned the seeds and then the microwave sounded and it was fourteen minutes already. Whew!

So I removed the corning ware dish from the microwave, removed the lid and spooned the green beans and sliced portabella mushrooms into the hot non-stick pan less the water, turned the dial to about seven or eight and sauteed them, stirring occasionally to get the beans and mushrooms on top to the bottom and then again and again. Near about when I thought they might be done I reached in with careful fingers and plucked a bean out and put in it my mouth and immediately I knew I forgot one ingredient.

One tablespoon of sea salt!

A Letter of Complaint to Mr. Chips

2007-10-22T21:39:00.000-04:00

Dear Mr. Chips,

I have been sitting under the willow tree in my front yard for some time now and you still haven’t showed up for our appointment. I am very distressed at this situation as I have already run out of beer two times and had to postpone my waiting for you several hours while going out to buy more beer.

If you did not wish to see me you should not have made the appointment. I have in my calendar set an appointment for you to see me on Tuesday, the Twelfth of October, 2007, which by my calculations was ten days ago and you have yet to appear or call to cancel, postpone or reschedule.

I shall no longer consume my time waiting for you as I have other appointments to wait for. Should you finally decide to appear, at this late date I must say, I’m afraid I shall not be able to see you. However, I am ever so needful of more beer I may reconsider a walk in appointment if you arrive not empty handed.

Thank you,

Mr. Charles Doodlebug

P.S. I like Budweiser but will accept a full bodied light beer if you must.

What Time is It?

2007-10-17T08:52:00.000-04:00

Alas, I have come to the moment. Not a moment ago but this very moment. There, it is gone and a new moment overcomes me once again and as before it is gone and now I have come to the moment again.

We are reminded in scripture that today is the time of our salvation, not tomorrow or post sunrise of a morrow many years from now. Today is the first day of the rest of your life and tomorrow will be that day again for as long as it lasts and then another day yet to arrive will be that special day.

It is true the wheel in the sky keeps on turning and our place on the wheel is always right now, this very moment and not a moment ago or a moment from now but this very moment right now and is now gone but is replaced by another moment, right now.

When Did I Last Have Time for That?

2007-10-07T14:15:00.000-04:00

I see it has been January since I have written anything here. I tell you the truth it is more from a life of work and not enough sleep in between than anything else. I know when I begat this blog I posted routinely and some of my posts were enjoyed by at least someone. I have been besieged by work and the endless cares of this world so much that I rarely even think of this blog.

I do like to write, but I have terrible luck in finding the time. I would like more than anything to have the leisure time it takes to write but even the time I have on days off from work is consumed by activities not always easy to put off or ignore. Mow the lawn. Wash the clothes. Eat a friend for lunch. When does anyone find the time to write? I just don't know.

Pocket Notebook: Cure or BandAid?

2007-01-05T19:45:00.000-05:00

Today the gang at work was busy talking about the weather outside. It was raining fairly good with a little thunder and talk of tornado watches and warnings and what to do in a tornado was on every one's lips. One of the blond girls declared that hiding under an interstate bridge was the wrong thing to do. The boss, rather nicely and well done, corrected her. All I could think of in that moment was the blond has done it again.

On another road, one less travelled, (metaphor?), not all blonds are dizzy. We have two blonds where I work and only one of them says really funny stuff. "I sometimes forget to eat." She really said that once.

Right turn! I really had a good idea for a really short story about a week ago. I failed to make a note of it. I was at that place where you can't just stop what you are doing to jot down a good idea = work. I remember trying to remember what it was but as you can tell, I forgot. It was funny and probably somewhat original. In that it was somewhat original was the best part. It need not have been funny as long as it was original. I do wish I could remember what it was.

Yesterday I bought a pocket composition book. It looks just like the real big ones except it fits in a shirt pocket. To go with it I found a pen made by Zebra that can be configured to fit in a small pocket and yet is a full size pen when in use. It is the Zebra F-301 Compact. I use the Zebra F-301 with blue ink at my job and I like the Zebra line of pens. I've used them for years.

Carrying a small notebook and pen in my pocket is one way to avoid forgetting a good idea, and bad ideas too. Anyway if I should be at work, or some other place, and another good idea pops in my head I hope I can steal away from what I'm doing and jot a little down about the idea so as to not forget. Only time will tell.

Today

2006-10-06T22:17:00.000-04:00

Today I did not see or hear anything exceptional, nor did I think of anything extraordinary. I was at work and thinking only about what I had to do there and not about thinking or seeing or hearing of anything exceptional or extraordinary. Work does that to you. I do recall seeing a woman who had exceptionally experienced looking hands. All I could think of was how her hands came to be so experienced. They looked strong yet old, you know, experienced. I tend to look at people's hands a lot. It's just me.

I did think at some point today, maybe it was after work, that I should begin a study of words. I wonder how one does that effectively. How does someone increase the size of their vocabulary. I could look up words I don't know every time I read one in a book. I would never finish reading a lot of books doing it that way.

I finished "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway today. I also learned a new word. Puttee or puttees. A strip of cloth wound spirally around the lower leg. Ernest uses that word many times in "Farewell" so I looked it up. From its context everywhere in the book I knew it was at least a sock or something so I waited till I finished reading the book to look it up.

There were many words in his book I did not know and I do not know now. I didn't look them up. I suppose I should have. Oh well, a lost opportunity; I'm not going to re-read the book to find those words now. Most were Italian anyway.

At a book store today I saw some notebooks that claimed some fame as being the brand made famous by Hemingway. I can't remember the name now but they were $10 if they were $9. A small, pocket sized, notebook for $10. For $10 I can get a lot of less costly notebooks. I outlined this post in one. I did not buy one. I guess I better go get one.

Tomorrow, I would like to go to a coffee shop and sit and watch, pretending to be busy but really I'll be watching the people as they come and go jotting down interesting observations in my new Hemingway notebook that I will inevitably use in a story someday. Now that is what I call fun. What do you call it?

In the cold of the morning night

2006-09-28T19:29:00.000-04:00

I was just laying there, in bed, and I knew it was late. I could just make out the distant whistle of the Norfolk Southern over the moderately loud crickets outside my open bedroom window. The cold and damp breeze from the window slithering over my bare legs gave me the feeling of being in a graveyard at midnight.

Just a moment ago I was sound asleep dreaming a nice dream though now I can't remember what it was about. The crickets must have woken me up. I can still hear the train whistle now and again. Out here in the country there aren't many roads it crosses. But, within a few miles of my home there at least three places where the engineer must sound the whistle.

If I stretch my neck up a little I can see the clock. I bet it's only 3 am. Yep, I was close. I'll never get back to sleep now. I have to get up in two hours and get ready for work. What a bummer. Let's see, I fell asleep around 9 pm and it's nearly 3 am now. That's about 6 hours. I think I can handle a day on only 6 hours of sleep. I've done it before but I'm not 30 any more.

I'll put on some coffee, grab a guitar off the wall and strum a few chords for a couple of hours with a coffee break or two in there for good measure. I've done this lots of times. It'll be time to get moving soon enough. I'll just enjoy the peace and quiet.

Hemingway Had Paris

2006-09-17T15:41:00.000-04:00

All one need do to be a writer is write. So with this premise foremost in my mind I set out to be a writer. Indeed, the discovery of blogging and the creation of this, my blog, is a result of the desire, no, need, to write and to express.

But, how does one go about being a writer? The inspiration to write what one will write may be a better question. I've learned that Hemingway composed his stories while seated in a French cafe, somewhere in Paris, scribbling out his words with a pencil on a page of a notebook he kept in his coat pocket. Throughout the day he would observe the people he saw there and what they were doing. In this manner he may have spent whole days enjoying himself quite well, and indeed I believe he did, yet may only have constructed one or two paragraphs in a days time. If we are to believe the critics of his work some of those paragraphs have stirred changes in the world yet unknown.

Today it is the thing to tap out our words on a computer keyboard, watching to see when our words will begin to form the sentences that are part and parcel of our story, hitting the backspace key almost as many times as the e. And just now I find myself tapping a keyboard, anxiously spying my monitor, insuring each letter falls in the correct sequence forming each intended word in its place to form the sentences of this composition. But is this the place where we write?

Something is missing in the process. I think it is the pencil and paper. I think it is the watching of people and, on occasion, interacting with them. I think it is the experience of living what you will write before you write it. These are the very things I believe must be done. Life has a way of getting in the way dealing a preemptive blow to our creativity.

Am I not also seated in a Parisian cafe? No. Hemingway alone had Paris. I have the rest of the world. I can write from anywhere. I can see the look of a young girl's eyes upon her lover. The love and devotion of her feelings toward him are in her eyes as surely as the light of the Moon is in the Sun. I can then put that in a story set anyplace I choose. But I could not do that if I had not first seen it. The realization that living in the cocoon of my existence will certainly bring about the failure of my creative side to enjoin the rest of me in life has brought about a certain awareness that the job I do to earn a living can kill me just as easily as a bank safe falling from a great height. In each case I won't know what's coming until it is too late.

But to have lived in Paris as he did I cannot do, that Paris is gone. The modern world has no place for serenity. You can search high and low and you will not find it. There is no place where one can loiter the day by. You will not be left alone. Someone will inevitably molest your peace as you watch and loiter and enjoy and learn and see the things about which you will write and the characters that will live out their lives in your imagination. Maybe I'm wrong. Let's hope so.

So...You want'a go hunting?

2006-02-16T18:30:00.000-05:00

The news is abuzz with Dick's marksmanship with a shotgun. Too bad a lot of it is just bull manure from the left, nit-pickin' about every little, and I mean little, detail. Who cares whether or not he had all the right licenses and duck stamps and/or migratory bird stamps or whatever.

You can't impeach a president because:

the vice president was hunting without a proper license
that while hunting he accidentally shot one of his hunting partners
some time delay was noticed by the media that it had not been reported soon enough

Anyway, I still have to laugh when I imagine Mr. Cheney in front of George's desk, with a little pout on his lips and the Prez is saying, "Who said you could go hunting anyhow?"

Any one heard from Teddy boy?

Who is Allah, anyway?

2006-02-03T23:37:00.002-05:00

In the news recently there seems to be a misunderstanding that I believe needs to be discussed. It seems to me from listening and reading the news lately that everyone accepts that Allah, the god of Islam, is also the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Judaism, the Father Of Jesus the Christ, the God of Christianity. This is just not so and the proof is so easy to see.

As I understand it, in Islam Jesus is just a prophet, but with less authority than Mohammed. In Judaism He is nothing special, yet. In Christianity he is the Son of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the savior of the whole world. But here is something that puts Judaism and Christianity closer to the same page. The Jewish God is the Father of the Christian God, making Jesus equal to God. Here is the tie that binds Judaism with Christianity that is missing between Islam and Judaism.

So, Allah cannot be Yaweh. The two systems of religious thought are in such opposition to each other they could not have arisen from the same source. The Prophet Yeshua Meschiach, Jesus to you, once said, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined...," Matthew 12:25.

So, since we see with our own eyes the followers of Allah hating and pursuing the destruction of the followers of Yaweh, it seems logical to me that Yaweh and Allah are not two names for the same Creator of us all.

So I ask the question, since I know who Yaweh is, who is Allah? And another question might be since all gods are imaginary, who cares?

My Paper Cup is Half Empty

2005-02-02T22:45:00.001-05:00

Optimists; can't live with them, can't shoot 'em. Luckily the world has darn few of them left. It seems the grind of life turns many optimists into pessimists in a damn hurry. Usually by the time they are 30 years old, their paper cup, having left glass years ago for the ease of throw away, is half empty.

I still got my half empty paper cup. I keep it in an old shoe box up in the closet right next to my unopened box of condoms I bought 3 years ago. At least something is still full.

There is a silver lining, though. I got a good deal on the condoms.

Wheel in the Sky keeps on turning

2004-10-29T21:28:00.000-04:00

I think it was Journey that wrote and produced Wheel in the Sky, which I think is a tribute to the cosmos and its movements, hence the wheel, and its use by man as a clock, maybe? And maybe that is a little deep for the members of Journey, which for all I know simply liked the way the words sounded when sang to the music they had "in their heads."

But for me it has always stood for the clock in the cosmos thing. I mention this because time can move along at its normal rate, which it always does regardless, and seem to stand still to the casual observer. I mention this twist because I am anxious to get something done for a particular reason I'll not go into here, and though I look at the clock and the second hand is moving along like it should, time is standing still for me.

Isn't it always that way? I can't seem to get done the things I need to get done, mainly because the timing here is important. As I lean ever more forward to the point where it will all slide down hill and, maybe quicker than I can handle, for me time seems to move ever more slowly.

In the context of this post, there are a few constants in the universe I would like to mention. The Wheel in the Sky will keep on turning, the stars will always amaze me, and so does the one I love.

Laughing all the way to the cemetary

2004-10-24T18:56:00.000-04:00

That part of life about being nice and mindful of the feelings of others is okay and all, but the simple truth of the matter is we have become a nation of bored people because of it. Now that I have your attention, let me explain.

Have you ever been asked, "Does this dress make me look fat?" Or maybe something along that thread. That's right up there with, "Does my stuck foot in this trash can, that is also on fire, make me look stupid?"

Now, I've never been asked a question like those before by anyone, and God help the fool who does. I was just thinking about such questions during my lunch today and the "make me look fat?" one sort of just stuck in my head. I had a really good laugh then. And later today going into Wal-Mart, in front of me was a woman with a really huge pair of shorts on, striped vertically of course, and I did laugh my ass all the way off. I couldn't help thinking she had asked someone, "Do these shorts make me look fat?" After I picked my ass up off the floor, I went my merry way into Wal-Mart, she never the wiser to what I thought was so funny.

I imagine in real life no one really asks such questions, do they? Or, do they? Someone did ask me the other day at work, a customer on the phone that is, "Can taking prenatal vitamins make me pregnant?"

"No ma'am, only sex can do that," I said.

I guess it is the kind things we do that are important, and we should feel a little bad when we make fun of other people just so we can have a laugh or two. But, I think life would be so boring if we never took advantage of the opportunity to have a laugh now and then. If we step on someone's feelings we can always apologize and explain to them that we just couldn't help ourselves. And maybe, just maybe, they'll get a good laugh at themselves as a result.

I was inspired to write this bit of humor by a good friend of mine, who sometimes pokes a little fun at people then feels really bad about herself. Don't be so hard on yourself. Though you are still quite young, that final move to the cemetary will come soon enough, and you might as well let yourself have a good time while on the way there.

I don't know what it is exactly

2004-10-19T23:50:00.000-04:00

That's been my problem for a long time. Not knowing what it is exactly. Do you know what it is exactly? I've never met anyone who knew what it was exactly. I knew a guy once who said he knew what it was exactly, but he got run over by a drunk driver on a Honda. So much for meeting the nicest people......

Anyway, to know what it is exactly is the quest of science, religion, alchemy, astrology and Mrs. Peterson's 3rd period home economics class. Einstein probably knew what it was exactly but was unable to explain it in English. Too much math, not enough nouns.

I figure I'll be dead about a week when someone finally figures out what it is exactly and can tell everyone. By then it will be too late because I'll have been dead for about a week.

I really don't care if anybody else ever finds out what it is exactly as long as somehow I find out what it is exactly. But if I knew, I would tell everybody. You know what, there is probably some guy in the world who does know what it is exactly, but oh no, he's not telling a soul. We ought to find this guy and make him tell everyone what it is exactly. But we don't exactly know who this guy is, do we? Damn it, now there's two things we don't know exactly. One, we don't know what it is exactly, and two, we don't know who it is who knows what it is exactly, exactly.

What makes a woman tick?

2B or not 2B

2004-10-18T22:47:00.001-04:00

What was the question?
Whether it is far nobler to suffer the slings and arrows blah blah blah....

Shakespeare, can't live with him, because he's dead, don't know where he's buried. Not necessarily true, I think the location of his grave is known, I just mean I don't where it is. My favorite Shakespeare is the bit about "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother....." and so on, really a great bit. I can't remember it all, but if you want to read the whole bit, look for it here.

Enjoy it as I have over the years since I first heard it recited in a Danny Devito movie called Renaissance Man. I could tell you all about Shakespeare but,... I failed that course.

Things were certainly different back in his day. Again, I could tell you all about it but,... I failed that course too. Men played all the parts in the play, even in Romeo and Juliet. Now, we have women on the stage playing the female parts, and doing a damn fine job of it I say. Here!, here! I wonder why it took so long for it to catch on.

I can see it now.....

All in English accents;

"I say there, William. Why don't we cast Lillian here as Juliet. I think it to be a smashing good idea."

"No, and besides, dear Rupert so has his heart set on it."

"Bummer, I say."

And so, a really good idea got back burnered for centuries, all because Rupert was a drag queen. Well, it could have happened that way. But not likely.

To each his own perspective

2004-10-15T07:56:00.000-04:00

Have you ever thought about how something appears to others or what others may consider if in your shoes at a particular point of time in your life? I sometimes try to see things as others might be seeing them. It is difficult to really be accurate but it must be conceded that although we are all unique in the world, we are all flesh and blood beings and in that manner not that different from each other.

Is everything subjective to each individual? Yes, I believe so. I don't think anyone can be truly objective because we all have an opinion about everything and no matter what one attempts to do in a given situation, subjective tendencies will encroach on the attempt to be objective.

For instance, it may be abundantly evident to the friends of a man who is a cocaine user that he uses entirely too much cocaine and should cut back by a kilo or two a week. In the man's mind, he isn't getting enough cocaine as it is and wonders why there isn't enough time in the day, and money in the pocket, to get enough. And so on ad infinitum.

But here is where I digress continually to the dissatisfaction of many, and hopefully to the amusement of some. Having stated all the above, I now consider the possibility that something I write here I will see again. Maybe as evidence where someone is trying to prove how truly insane I am. Now don't get me wrong, I am not questioning my own sanity as much as I am questioning what others may consider about it from what I write. Can one write himself into a sanitarium?

I have lived long enough to have first hand experience in seeing a fellow human being believe something that was not true at all simply because of the group of friends she identified with. So I know my fellow humans out there in the real world can certainly champion a cause that has no foundation. People involved in the political arena do it all the time. Environmental extremists, anti-abortion protestors, Democrats, Republicans, and so on believe things that are not necessarily true to support their causes. The Communists were really good at it. Disprove the stated assertions, (outright lies?) and the basis for the cause goes away one would think.

Easier said than done. It might be possible to disprove an untrue, (outright lie?), assertion made by an organized group to you or any rational human being, but you will never disprove it to those who made it. Why is this?

For me the world can be a confusing place. It has taken a long time for me to begin seeing the grays in between the black and the white. Sometimes there is more gray than black and white combined.

To summarize, the world is, at the same time, a wonderful and awful place, and you are going to step in the shit once in a while. Get used to it and carry plenty of paper towels. Also, think hard and long about what you are willing to believe and why.

A Day Off In the Life

2004-10-14T19:49:00.000-04:00

I had a day off today. Not much to say about it except I really needed it.

I still got up at 6 am, after 6 hours of sleep, put on some coffee, surfed the net while waiting for the coffee to brew, drank some 3 cups of coffee while surfing the net some more, went to the bathroom at least twice, took a shower, never shave on my days off, I don't care who you are, got dressed, went to town and ate breakfast, picked up a buddy to see how much devilment we could get into all before 8 am. Well, we had to wait till about 10 am before we got into any real devilment. Shit slows down as you get old. I used to be able to get into some real devilment really quick, usually before I left home, but that was way back when I was 35. It's not that I've slowed down so much as it is that I've gotten a little wiser.

Think of it this way. There's a papa bull and his yearling son grazing at the top of a hill and at the bottom of the hill are a bunch of cows all around a watering hole. Well, the yearling says to papa, "Hey papa, let's run down there and kiss one of them cows." Papa bull looks into his son's eyes and says, "Why don't we walk down there and kiss them all?"

What do you mean I can't say "kiss" on the internet?

And now, for something really apolitically correct. Have you been feeling a little apolitical lately? Perhaps what you need is a trip to Communist China, where the people have to vote in every election yet the same guys keep getting elected. By contrast, in The People's Democratic Republic of the United States, no one has to vote and, many there are that do not, yet the same guys keep getting elected here too. Do you see a trend developing here? MMmmmmm....

Since it has been demonstrated that the same thing happens in two different places with two different governments, may we now be able to expand Robert's Fundamental Theorem of SSDD to also include Robert's Fundamental Theorem of SSDPS. Seeing that we have stumbled over an amazing coincidence, may we now claim to have solved Einstein's Unified Field Theory to some miniscule degree, and may we simply rename it Robert's Fundamental Theorem of SOSE?

All right, the Kim-chee is deep now, and hot. Put a soup bone in it.

Abbreviations Explained:

SSDD Same Sh*t Different Day
SSDPS Same Sh*t Differing Political System
SOSE Same Old Sh*t Everywhere

Don't forget to vote! It really does make a difference. Keep the faith, baby!

SSDD Number 16697

2004-10-13T23:34:00.000-04:00

Like a rock, the truck commercial, remember? Like a rock, huh? I always thought I'd rather drive a truck that was more like a truck. Well, don't let me stop you from driving a rock, but I'll keep my truck, thank you.

Let's see whats in the news, shall we. Here's a headline for you. "Cities Raise Property Taxes" Well, no shit, Sherlock. I like a headline like that. After reading that headline I already know all I need to know. No need to read the article. Sort of like an obituary. If the son of bitch is dead I don't need his phone number anymore.

Here's another one. "Flint Rates Flat Through 2012" Yeah, flat like an inclined plane.

And "What About Those Tax Cuts?" Enough said.

That's it. Well it was a small paper. Only three really good headlines in the whole joint.

I've got to get out more and take some digital pictures, but in the area where I live there isn't exactly an abundance of beautiful vistas, let alone a beautiful vista with a sunrise or sunset available. Have you ever taken a bunch of photos thinking these are the best photos you've ever taken in your life only to find out later you captured every piece of shit parked car or garbage truck in Georgia right in there with the rest of your subject?

Or better yet.... No one in my pictures has a head.

I used to be interested in local geology until I moved to Georgia. All you need to know about Georgia, at least where I live, is that Georgia is covered in red clay. The answer to every geological question about Georgia is "red clay."

"What is the surface and subsurface geology of Georgia?" "Red clay."

"What is the most abundant surface mineral outcrop in Georgia?" "Red clay."

"Are there any rocks in Georgia." "No, only red clay."

Instead of "Georgia on my mind" on the license plates it ought to say "Georgia on my shoes." I was disappointed. You have to dig through a lot of red clay to get a rock in Georgia. Or just go buy one, you know, like a truck.

Plan A, or B, From Inner Space, Scene One

2004-10-12T22:30:00.000-04:00

Scene One

Robert: "All right sports fans, it's time to move on."

Trevor: "It's about time, asshole!"

Robert: "Yes, it has been fun but, for the time being yours truly, Robert L. Stevenson, shall now move on with his life and press with Plan A or B, which ever it has to be. I'm not at liberty to tell you what either plan is just yet, for I don't know myself, except that one or both of them may involve a security deposit. Well, shit! If that don't give it away I don't know what does."

Trevor: "That's funny. I don't care who you are."

Robert: "Look for the party around January, subject to change as conditions dictate."

Trevor: "Git'r Done!"

Robert: "We'll be right back after these messages from your local sponsor. Trevor, put your monkey wrench down before you put your eye out."

Trevor: "Damn! I never get to have any fu....Oh Shit! I just put Henry's eye out. Aww.. Gross me out man! Oh Henry, I told you to stand back anytime I'm playing with my monkey wrench, didn't I?"

Robert: "That's funny. I don't care who you are."

The End

TV Sucks, but it's better than doing something...

2004-10-06T01:16:00.000-04:00

Remote controls. Can't live with them and can't find it when you need it. What is the average life span of a remote control? Have you ever had one long enough to change the batteries in it? "Uhh, there's batteries in them things?"

Where have you been? Not fixing the remote control I see. How long can you sit watching TV without having to fight the urge to change the channel even while wanting to watch what was on? Five minutes, five seconds and every five seconds thereafter? I always have the urge to change the channel, no matter what is on right now and whether or not it is in full swing or during a commercial.

There just isn't much left on TV to hold my interest. I'm beginning to think that if it ain't on the History Channel it ain't shit, and ain't much on the History Channel lately been much better than shit. Thank God I have a brain and have found other means to entertain myself. Well, I've never actually seen it. My brain that is. Since I can tie a knot in my tennis shoes without getting any of my fingers caught in it, I figure I probably got one. It's a vicious circle type of argument. Sometimes I win that one and sometimes I don't.

I have caught myself thinking while watching the TV. Oh my God, call the thinking while watching TV police. Thinking while watching TV? What will I do next? Anyway, I've often noticed that while watching TV I am mostly just remaining motionless looking at the electronic moving picture box with what I imagine to be a blank, dumb yet content, emotionless stare.

Now, here is where the thought process must be utilized. Imagine, if you will, yourself watching TV, sitting or laying motionless, just staring at the electronic moving picture box as always. Now, take away only the TV with everything else remaining the same and imagine what an alien observer would think if he saw you sitting or laying motionless, just staring at nothing, with a dumb yet content, look on your face.

That freaks me out every time I try it. What does it do for you?

Life in the Lois Lane

2004-10-02T20:51:00.000-04:00

Where is Superman when you need him? Out passing speeding bullets or being more powerful than a locomotive? What was it he could do in a single bound? Something about tall buildings. Leap! That was a toughy, eh?

My recollection of Superman was that he was pretty thick and incompetent when incognito as Clark Kent. More prone to slay the maiden and save the dragon kind of thick. That outfit must have imputed to him some mental powers that sort of vanished when it was under his street clothes and not in the full light of the sun. Where did he hide the cape? Sort of roll it up and puff up his shoulders under his t-shirt?

One thing that always puzzled me about Superman. If he wore his outfit under his street clothes all the time, how come he couldn't fly until he took them off?

Too many subway tokens in his pockets.

Where does Gorilla Glue come from?

2004-10-01T22:43:00.000-04:00

I was in the hardware store a week or two ago and I saw some stuff called Gorilla Glue. I asked about it and was told that it was some kind of glue. Well, being the inquisitive type I asked, "Is it made out of real gorillas?"

I was disappointed as the lady said "No, of course not, silly." Oh well, I got some Ultimate Glue at home that works just as good I'll bet. However, I don't know what it's made out of either, but it's some kind glue, too.

I just looked up the word media in a dictionary and no where did it define the word as meaning CNN or the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. However, a usage note at the word medium explained that while many do use the word media to describe the media, it did not indicate to me that the use is correct. So I guess you can make a glue and call it Gorilla Glue and it not be made out of real gorillas.

Bubba: "Hey Forest. Have you ever been on a real shrimp boat?"
Forest: "No, but I've been on a real big boat. I gotta pee."

Paula Ticks

2004-09-30T23:34:00.000-04:00

The presidential election is just around the corner. I would urge all Americans who will be voting to vote Republican. I am not going to try to justify this position with a lot of information specifically designed to persuade you. 90% of it would be Republican Party propaganda anyway. I merely appeal to your common sense and ask you to think about it long enough prior to the election to make a wise choice.

I realize this may be difficult for those of you who are "Democrat then, Democrat now, Democrat forever!" But please try to filter through the propaganda of your own party long enough to see that most of what either party tells you is propaganda, specifically designed to persuade the public into an uninformed decision.

Forget about personalities. It doesn't really matter who the Republican candidate is for the most part. The Republican/Democrat platforms are what you will be deciding on in the final analyses. This is where you say, "Oh, I didn't know that!"

The media, thinking we are all stupid to some degree, report the campaign news as if it all centered on the personalities of the candidates. The sad fact is, for the most part we are all stupid to a large degree because we do think it is about personalities. And we think that because that is how the media reports it. Huh? What was the middle one? There was no middle one, was there?

Hey! Let go of my tail!

Pharmacy Culture

2004-09-28T03:02:00.000-04:00

I have been a pharmacy technician at a large chain drug store for about 14 months now. I like it except that sometimes we get butthead of the month about ten times a day. Days like that are best forgotten as soon as you can. Get it over and forget about it. Yeah!

Anyway, the day of a pharmacy technician can be pleasant or it can be hell. Our customers control this. If it is a day when all our nice customers are visiting us it will be a pleasant day. However, if it is a day of the same ten or twenty customers calling on the phone every ten minutes to see if doctor so and so has called in their prescription of Vicodin yet then it will be a day of hell on earth. Usually days like that are also accompanied by the five or ten customers you will have to explain to over and over many times that their insurance will not pay for their Valium today because they just got enough to kill an elephant 5 days ago and they should have plenty of Valium to last another 25 days. Offering to pay cash won't work either because no Pharmacist eager to keep their license will allow them to have it that early either. Also offering to pay cash instead of waiting for the insurance to pay is a sure sign of abuse, or they are selling the stuff, and most of our customers don't realize we suspect what they are up to.

I offer the following advice to all who want a smooth and friendly rapport with their pharmacy staff the next time they need a prescription filled.

1. Always have the information you know they are going to ask you for already written somewhere on the prescription where it does not interfere with what the doctor wrote, like on the back side.

2. If you can't read the doctor's writing we can't either. So don't get mad when we have to take extra time to call him to ask him what he wrote. PS: Never leave the doctor's office not knowing what he wrote.

3. Your insurance is your insurance. We don't know anything about your insurance. If we did it would be our insurance and not your insurance. In other words, we don't know why your copay is so high this month. Your pharmacy might accept your insurance but really all they know is how to make the claim for you, and not much else. It is in your best interest for you to know everything about your prescription coverage.

4. If your pharmacy has a drive thru, don't use it every time you visit. Get out, go inside and stretch your legs, chat with the pharmacy staff, if they are not too busy and forgive them if they are. You will get better service most of the time if you let them get to know you and you seem understanding of what they must be going through to get your prescriptions ready. Also remember, a pharmacy drive thru is not intended for speedy service. If you want something at a drive thru in just a few minutes, go to McDonalds. If you need your medicine right now, go inside and wait for it.

5. I can't speak for every pharmacy, but most of the time where I work we haven't been sitting on our asses until you showed up. In other words, I understand you need your medicine right away, but you aren't the only person I am filling prescriptions for at the moment. Even if the waiting area is empty, there is usually a queue or list of prescriptions to be filled on my computer screen behind the counter where you can't see.

6. If I tell you that the insurance I have on record for you has just refused to pay for your prescription because they say you are no longer covered, arguing with me about it is not going to get them to pay. However, providing me with the updated insurance information you got in the mail two months ago might get them to pay.

These six bits of pharmacy customer advice should enable you to better enjoy your future visits to the pharmacy. I know if every patron who comes to our pharmacy would adhere to them a lot more of my days there would be a lot less stressful.

What a Bloggy Idea!

2004-09-27T02:06:00.000-04:00

Tonight I was actually "search spying" and the term blog scrolled up and I clicked on it to see what this was. I had seen the term before somewhere, but where, I don't remember. Anyway, after checking it out and not ever in my life done much in the way of taking a risk, I decided to start my own blog. I kind of liked the idea of letting the world know about me without the risk of letting the world know who I am exactly, though with the state of affairs in the computer hacking field I was probably discovered right away. It does not matter really, but if I can maintain the mystery of anonymity the better. I decided to name this blog "My Life as I Saw It" because I'm just a funny guy and like to make plays on words and their meanings.

I intend to express my thoughts, mostly of the humorous kind, on this page. I may get serious now and then but not very often. I hope the occasional interloper will enjoy and I would entreat anyone to post any comments they feel are appropriate to them. Life is short, too short in fact to be too serious too much of the time.

Enjoy