Blog number 292 **** 23 March 2009
I bought this book called, "The Best American Nonrequired Reading". It's a collection of eclectic writings - even has a few comix type stories. The story that caught me up on this book is a comix that details an adventure an American had in North Korea when he went over there to work with a French animation company.
The very first sentence in the story reads, "There's a banner on every building, a portrait on every wall, a pin on every chest." The portraits are all of the illustrious leader, one Kim Jong Il. That last name - the "Il" is capital "Eye" little "L". No other message of any kind is to ever hang on a wall where Kim's picture resides.
Kim's first foray into golfing resulted in eleven holes-in-one.
The author noticed that he never saw a handicapped person. When he commented upon this to his guide, the guide replied that all North Koreans are born strong, healthy, and intelligent. The author commented that from the way the guide said this, it seemed as if he really believed that.
I won't go on with more, but you get the idea.
The very first article in the book is a list of the "Best American Headlines" and reads like headlines taken from one of those trashy "newspaper/magazines" like the National Enquirer. And just as entertaining. Why anyone would publish such a list, I cannot imagine. I can make up my own fake headlines if I wanted to read something like that.
And next there is "Best Ringing Defeat of Religion Masquerading As Science" and I couldn't tell from reading the article which side was defeated, but from the title, I imagine it was religion masquerading as science. The article had to do with the controversy between those who follow Creationism and those who believe in Darwinism.
Next comes "Best American Answers to The Question, "What Do You Believe is True Even Though You Cannot Prove It?" This one also I consider a waste of space. I really don't care what other people believe. Other's beliefs have nothing to do with my life except when it impinges due to some real power the believer has over my life.
All of the beliefs stated agree with mine except one, where one Stephen Kosslyn, psychologist, Harvard University, author of "Wet Mind" states that "These days it seems obvious that the mind arises from the brain." It seems obvious to me that it does not. In fact it seems obvious to me that the brain (and every other physical thing) arises from Mind.
I have had complaints that my Blog entries are sometimes too long, and I agree. Therefore I am going to pause here and maybe I'll continue this critique on another entry and maybe I won't.
You be the judge.
Not of whether or not to continue, but whether or not I did continue.
I'm the boss.
Blog boss.
That's me.
Monday, March 23, 2009
IF I THINK I AM, I AIN'T
Blog number 291 **** 23 March 2009
When I wrote in a previous Blog entry that I got angry when people who were stupid tried to act smart, my nephew Mark E-mailed me that it wasn't their fault that they were too stupid to know that one wasn't supposed to act smart. God's fault, if anyone's.
I immediately saw the irony in what he said, but it took me a few more seconds to see the brilliant truth of his reasoning. How could anyone be faulted for being what they are - whether male or female, gay or straight, smart or stupid? That's crazy. And we all know I ain't crazy. Stupid, maybe. But not crazy.
When I wrote in a previous Blog entry that I got angry when people who were stupid tried to act smart, my nephew Mark E-mailed me that it wasn't their fault that they were too stupid to know that one wasn't supposed to act smart. God's fault, if anyone's.
I immediately saw the irony in what he said, but it took me a few more seconds to see the brilliant truth of his reasoning. How could anyone be faulted for being what they are - whether male or female, gay or straight, smart or stupid? That's crazy. And we all know I ain't crazy. Stupid, maybe. But not crazy.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
HEADLINES
Blog number 290 **** 19 March 2009
"ECONOMY RESPONSIBLE FOR DROP IN SHARK ATTACKS" Sharks taking pity on humans?"
"CASA GRANDE HOSPITAL LAYS OFF EMPLOYEES DUE TO POOR ECONOMY." Poor people don't get sick as often?
"ECONOMY RESPONSIBLE FOR DROP IN SHARK ATTACKS" Sharks taking pity on humans?"
"CASA GRANDE HOSPITAL LAYS OFF EMPLOYEES DUE TO POOR ECONOMY." Poor people don't get sick as often?
Friday, March 6, 2009
THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Blog number 288 **** 06 March 2009
I first run into this little known fact several years ago and again today while reading one of my wife's favorite books by Robert Anton Wilson. I thought it might be useful knowledge to have if I were ever put in a position where it could be used. Then I thought it might be a good idea to inform others who might at some time find it useful.
First,
"The jury has the power to bring in a verdict in the teeth of both the law and the facts."
- Supreme Court Justice Oliver Holmes, Jr. (1920)
Second,
"It is not only the juror's right, but his duty, to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment and conscience, though in direct opposition to the court."
- John Adams"
That is, the jury - not the judge - is the final arbiter of both the facts and the law. Thus, if a jury believes a law is unjust, it may find the defendant not guilty, despite the law (and despite judicial instructions to the contrary). This doctrine is known as "Jury Nullification."
- Robert Anton Wilson
I first run into this little known fact several years ago and again today while reading one of my wife's favorite books by Robert Anton Wilson. I thought it might be useful knowledge to have if I were ever put in a position where it could be used. Then I thought it might be a good idea to inform others who might at some time find it useful.
First,
"The jury has the power to bring in a verdict in the teeth of both the law and the facts."
- Supreme Court Justice Oliver Holmes, Jr. (1920)
Second,
"It is not only the juror's right, but his duty, to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment and conscience, though in direct opposition to the court."
- John Adams"
That is, the jury - not the judge - is the final arbiter of both the facts and the law. Thus, if a jury believes a law is unjust, it may find the defendant not guilty, despite the law (and despite judicial instructions to the contrary). This doctrine is known as "Jury Nullification."
- Robert Anton Wilson
SLICK!
Blog number 287 **** 06 March 2009
We went to see "Watchmen" today. We (my wife and I) both loved it. It got some not so good reviews, but then after hearing of "Singing In the Rain" being judged funniest American movie ever, and after hearing that two of my favorite movies plus some of my favorite TV series are junk, I don't pay too much attention to other people's opinions or judgments about what I like.
It's art, I guess. I know what I like, and since I am the only one inhabiting my reality, I get to choose what's good and what's bad.
"Watchmen" is good. Very. very good. Excellent, in fact.
One "throw away" line I missed in the comic book was Rorschach's comment, "She didn't recognize me without my mask." I loved that!
We went to see "Watchmen" today. We (my wife and I) both loved it. It got some not so good reviews, but then after hearing of "Singing In the Rain" being judged funniest American movie ever, and after hearing that two of my favorite movies plus some of my favorite TV series are junk, I don't pay too much attention to other people's opinions or judgments about what I like.
It's art, I guess. I know what I like, and since I am the only one inhabiting my reality, I get to choose what's good and what's bad.
"Watchmen" is good. Very. very good. Excellent, in fact.
One "throw away" line I missed in the comic book was Rorschach's comment, "She didn't recognize me without my mask." I loved that!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT
Blog number 286 **** 03 March 2009
I had a small epiphany today from watching Judge Judy. Who says TV can't be educational? Not me.
I have always thought that my "button" for getting angry was stupidity. I could never really define it though, for sometimes stupidity is immediately forgettable, sometimes humorous. But today, when Judge Judy said, "I hate when a stupid person tries to act smart." I realized that that statement hit the nail on the head. THAT'S what I meant.
That's why whenever someone spoke in a cryptic manner, it made me angry. When people talk in a cryptic manner, they invariably have a smirk on their face, as if the person they are talking to is not intelligent enough to figure out what the cryptic saying means. Well, I say, "Duh!"
I had a small epiphany today from watching Judge Judy. Who says TV can't be educational? Not me.
I have always thought that my "button" for getting angry was stupidity. I could never really define it though, for sometimes stupidity is immediately forgettable, sometimes humorous. But today, when Judge Judy said, "I hate when a stupid person tries to act smart." I realized that that statement hit the nail on the head. THAT'S what I meant.
That's why whenever someone spoke in a cryptic manner, it made me angry. When people talk in a cryptic manner, they invariably have a smirk on their face, as if the person they are talking to is not intelligent enough to figure out what the cryptic saying means. Well, I say, "Duh!"
STRANGER THAN FICTION
Blog number 285 **** 03 March 2009
During WW II a battle took place in the Argonne Forest, located in Eastern France when a supposedly beaten German army surprised a weak American force with a vastly superior army and created the famous "Battle of the Bulge."
In that same forest, in WW I, during a battle, a group of Americans got trapped behind enemy lines. This group became well known as the "Lost Battalion."
Headquarters didn't know where they were, and American artillery was shelling them.
The only communication the men had with headquarters was two homing pigeons.
One of the pigeons was released by a nervous and confused Private Richards without an attached message. The second pigeon, "Cher Ami" was released, but flew into a nearby tree and settled there. They threw stones at him, but he wouldn't move. Private Richards climbed the tree under fire and scolded the bird until he flew off.
Upon arrival at it's "home," Cher Ami's message was read and a major made a telephone call to the artillery battalion, but the telephone operator told the calling officer that that line was busy and nobody but the Chief of Staff could interrupt it. The major told the operator that he was the acting chief of Staff, but she didn't believe him. The major then asked to speak to the signal chief and was put through to him and when the signal chief heard what was happening, he rushed to get the shelling stopped.
The telephone operator overheard the conversation and began crying uncontrollably.
Cher Ami lost a leg and an eye en route. He was given an honorable retirement and died a year later. He was stuffed and now resides under glass in the Smithsonian Institution.
Sergeant York won his Medal of Honor when he assisted in the battle to break through to the "Lost Battalion" by killing 25 Germans and capturing 132 more, including four officers.
Another hero of this famous battle was Captain Frank Williams, an ex-sheriff from Montana who had performed as a fast draw artist in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
Reconnoitering a hill he came upon five Germans escorting an American prisoner. Williams sauntered toward them, his pistol in its holster. His empty hands might have put the Germans off guard because he shot four before they could raise their rifles. The one survivor surrendered.
During WW II a battle took place in the Argonne Forest, located in Eastern France when a supposedly beaten German army surprised a weak American force with a vastly superior army and created the famous "Battle of the Bulge."
In that same forest, in WW I, during a battle, a group of Americans got trapped behind enemy lines. This group became well known as the "Lost Battalion."
Headquarters didn't know where they were, and American artillery was shelling them.
The only communication the men had with headquarters was two homing pigeons.
One of the pigeons was released by a nervous and confused Private Richards without an attached message. The second pigeon, "Cher Ami" was released, but flew into a nearby tree and settled there. They threw stones at him, but he wouldn't move. Private Richards climbed the tree under fire and scolded the bird until he flew off.
Upon arrival at it's "home," Cher Ami's message was read and a major made a telephone call to the artillery battalion, but the telephone operator told the calling officer that that line was busy and nobody but the Chief of Staff could interrupt it. The major told the operator that he was the acting chief of Staff, but she didn't believe him. The major then asked to speak to the signal chief and was put through to him and when the signal chief heard what was happening, he rushed to get the shelling stopped.
The telephone operator overheard the conversation and began crying uncontrollably.
Cher Ami lost a leg and an eye en route. He was given an honorable retirement and died a year later. He was stuffed and now resides under glass in the Smithsonian Institution.
Sergeant York won his Medal of Honor when he assisted in the battle to break through to the "Lost Battalion" by killing 25 Germans and capturing 132 more, including four officers.
Another hero of this famous battle was Captain Frank Williams, an ex-sheriff from Montana who had performed as a fast draw artist in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.
Reconnoitering a hill he came upon five Germans escorting an American prisoner. Williams sauntered toward them, his pistol in its holster. His empty hands might have put the Germans off guard because he shot four before they could raise their rifles. The one survivor surrendered.
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