The Anonymous Point of View...

The horizon of most people, is a circle with a radius of zero.

They call it their point of view.
-Albert Einstein

Execs TWITTER (your) time away?

If you run a business, you probably (also) OWN all of the servers and workstations at your company. Here's a simple (and virtually cost-free) suggestion for your I.T. SysAdmin: BLOCK all of the following websites...

TWITTER, FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, eBAY, CRAIGSLIST, YOUTUBE, FLICKR, MYSPACE, BEBO, IMDB, ROTTENTOMATOES, FARK, POGO, MOOLA, HOTORNOT, PATENTLYSILLY, DEL.IC.US, FURL, DIGG, REDDIT, SLASHDOT, SNAPFISH, MATCH, eHARMONY, MATE1, YAHOO PERSONALS, NETFLIX, BLOCKBUSTER, BESTBUY, TARGET, WALMART...etc.

It's HIGH TIME that your employees get down to business! Are your Execs "twittering" their time away (at YOUR expense)? Clearly, the rules of social networking engagement are still evolving, but does time spent at any of the above websites enhance your BOTTOM LINE? Either these tools are shedding light on business issues, or are they're just a distraction ...and I assert that all "distractions" ARE a total waste of time.

It's your call. Me Thinks.

The genetics of death: H1N1

The W.H.O. (World Health Organization) escalated the ongoing pandemic to a LEVEL 5 alert status, just yesterday (in an attempt at containment).

"Influenza A virus subtype H1N1", also known as "A(H1N1)", or simply "H1N1" - is a subtype of influenza virus A, and the most common cause of influenza in humans.

Discussion: In each time and each place, mankind has always sought to avoid disease. Historically, we've tried to limit the diffusion of diseases.

Surely, I am not alone to have taken notice of the fact that ALL of the deaths attributed to H1N1 (to date) have occurred in persons of Hispano American origin.

Let us also take note of the ethnological fact, that a very large percentage of the human populations alive today (from the Hispano American region)... is genetically speaking, descended from the aboriginal peoples who lived in isolation (from the balance of planetary populations) for at least 12,000 years, and possibly longer...

Genetic studies conducted by the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY have produced "genographic" mappings which describe the genetic-geographic origins of the peoples of the world (based upon DNA samples obtained from humans, all over the planet). Their statistical results connect (and disconnect) the "families" of the Planet, and span a sea of time...

It is clear, that all of Mankind has ties to the most ancient of the "Out of Africa" genealogies. Since anthropological times, the descendants of those "men" have bound all humans alive today to a common ancestry. But that same expanse of time served to produce the divergences of race, and the geographic isolation of entire populations. Both have fostered the evolution of immunities (and vulnerability) to specific types of disease.

Could it not be, that the H1N1 victims (Mexican descendants of ancient American peoples), have an inherent genetic predisposition (vulnerability) that other genetic groups may not share (carry)?

Are the "purest" aboriginal, Hispano Americans alive today, not part of a remnant population - the result of the varied geographic isolations of time? And does not such an inheritance, make them who they are today (from an immunology perspective)? And perhaps, particularly vulnerable?

Time will tell, and history is a wondrous teacher.

As the first Europeans arrived in meso-America (during the XV, XVI, XVII, and XVIII centuries), they also introduced an entire array of communicable diseases. Some of those ailments ultimately ravaged the indigenous aboriginal populations. Indeed, entire cultures were virtually obliterated.

Is it not true that disease became the most efficacious "Conquistador"?

The practices that were used to avoid disease (those 500 years ago), were derived from observation. And the only control measures were to stand clear from the contagious places, and to isolate sick persons (by means of the simplest of quarantines). There was merely implied epidemiologic surveillance.

The supply of safe drinking water, sewage disposal, and sanitary control of food were not habitual practices, as they are today. Food residuals - waste collection were not opportune. Those were the practices of ignorance. They favored the existence and proliferation of many parallel vectors that serviced to spread the tides of disease (including insect-borne ailments and through various animals).

Domestic waste did not simply disappear in a timely fashion. Society allowed an accumulation of excreta and waste near to dwellings. In some places, there were measures related to water supply, excreta disposal, handling of dead bodies, and environmental sanitation - but there was no knowledge of the risks, as we know them today.

It was believed that (through) ceremonials, sacrifice, processions, and prayers to various gods - prevalent diseases could be avoided.

It is certainly true that hygiene (or lack of same) is still a contributor to endemic illness across the Hispano American region, but that the larger more logical vulnerability may simply be tied to the acquired genetics - that is to say, the mere genealogical make-up of the victims. Logically, all descended from native peoples who were present 500 years ago (and perhaps as much as 20,000 years ago).

A genetic predisposition (vulnerability) to specific, albeit evolving flu strains, may well explain why the deaths are occurring inside of selected populations, but not in others...

Me Thinks

Every Woman's (Public Restroom) experience?

(The author of the "original" is unknown to me, but this piece HAD to have been written by a woman! Here's my re-write of a version that was emailed to me.)

If you are female, you are sure to have empathy for this story...

-ooOoo-

Whenever we (ladies) are compelled to use a Public Restroom, we typically find a line of women waiting at the entrance. So, we smile politely and take our place. Once it's our turn, we check for: feet protruding from under the stall doors. Naturally, every stall is occupied.

Finally, a door opens and you (let's switch to 2nd-person) dash in - nearly knocking down the woman who was leaving the stall.

You get in, only to find the door won't latch.

It doesn't matter, the wait had been so long, that you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern 'seat covers' (invented by someone's Mom, someplace) is handy, but (of course) it's, empty. You would hang your purse on the door-hook, if there was one, but (uh-uh) there isn't. Next, you carefully (but quickly) drape your purse around your neck (Mom would have a fit, if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume 'The Stance'.

In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold, 'The Stance.'

To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, 'Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!' Your thighs begin to shake even more.

You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, but it's in the purse hung around your neck, that now, you have to hold up, while trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail .

Then, suddenly -- someone pushes your door open (because the latch doesn't work). The door hits your purse (still hanging around your neck) on your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet.

'Occupied!' you scream, as you reach for the door, thereby dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue - straight into a puddle on the floor - losing your footing altogether, as you slide-down, directly onto the TOILET SEAT (plop). The seat is wet (of course). You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ that resides on the uncovered seat (because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try). You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew any of this, because you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat and because, frankly dear, 'You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get.'

Yes, Mom (you think to yourself), I know.

By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes - propelling a stream of water (like a fire hose) against the inside of the bowl (it sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes). Sweet. Water everywhere (now it does look like you wet your pants, for sure). The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too.

At this point, you give up.

You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat.

You're exhausted.

You try to wipe with a gum wrapper that you found in your pocket and then slink out of the stall (inconspicuously, more or less) to the sinks.

You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.

You are no longer able to smile politely to them.

A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it? Eh?) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, 'Here, you just might need this.'

As you exit, you spot your man -- who has long since entered, used, and left -- the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, 'What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?'

You smile wryly, guarding your silence for Mom's sake.

Yes, this piece was written by a woman (anonymously, due to obvious reasons). It is dedicated to women everywhere who must deal with Public Restrooms. (Rest? You've GOT to be kidding!). It successfully explains (for all the men) what really causes we ladies to take so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom, in pairs.

It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand Kleenex to you, under the door!

-ooOoo-

Have a good one...

Restroom Experience, that is.

EARTH DAY (The River of Life) in 3 parts...

Part-I

The longer we live, the more brief does this life appear.
We breath-in its varied and succeeding stages,
When a day taken from childhood does seem a year,
And all the years, like the passing of ages...

The carefree currents of our youth,
Ere in passion and in disorder,
Steal and linger like a river smoothed,
Along its verdant borders...

But as the care-worn cheek grows wan,
And sorrow's shaft flies slower, thicker...
As stars, measure life up to every man,
Why seem our courses quicker?

When joys have lost both bloom and breath,
And life itself sublimes, ...vapid.
Why, as we reach the Autumn of life, towards death,
Feel we, the tide, current, and tow more rapid?

It may be strange -- yet who would change,
Time's course to a slower speeding?
When one by one, our friends have gone,
And left our bosoms bleeding...

The heavens bestow years of fading strength,
Indemnifying fleetness,
And those of youth, the semblance of length,
Misproportion'd to their sweetness...

Part-II

Running, flowing -- never stopping;
Begun as a trickle -- joining eddies, forming a stream;
The spring follows valleys -- thru rock, mud, sand, 'n moss;
Becoming mighty, strong -- widening the course.

Gathering pebbles along the way -- tossing, turning, rolling;
Toying with them; dropping each off -- then forgetting when.
Showers fall into it, and join as one within it.
Heat evaporates it, and carries it back up into the sky.

Ever flowing, changing -- never meandering the same way.
Never regretting, having been here or there, nor where.
Once Love lived along the banks of the River of Life.
Love grew amdist the floods and flows.

There Love floated, carried by life's sweetest waters.
Love rained to awaken the seeds of Spring,
And to nourish all life and growing things.
Love grew.

This fleuve was born of storms and wind,
blown to traverse the Good Earth.
The river runs deep, like molten fires that make and shake,
Continents, and one's Worth.

Love had all that was needed for happiness and joy,
But was plagued by demons,
the triple-headed beast of:
Greed, Hate, and War.

Greed swallows-up generosity, locked inside of dungeons.
Hate severs connection and teaches peoples to fear each other.
War threatens to rain destruction upon all who oppose...
Monsterous rule.

And the people were separated, and afraid, and poor.
The threads of unity became frayed.
The fabric of care, unraveled.
As love thirsted.

And War took the young, marching them off to slaughter,
To meet the Reaper, in places far, far away.
Greed steals and seals their future...
Ended.

Their River of Life, run dry.
Families witness heart springs fallen into dust,
New sprouts fail, and tall trees die.
And the hills turn brown.

And the mothers wept and mourn, and do not know what to do.
The families too are divided.
Some have more and some had less.
All was lost.

Old wounds and present injustice kept the loved apart.
But as War shook both fists,
Threatening to unleash destruction upon the Earth...
The wise turned to each other and they say:

We are but scraps of a torn fabric, but if we tie them together,
We can bind wounds, dry tears, and weave a net to carry heavy loads."
"We must amplify love, and throw off dread,
Take back our power and spin new threads."

"A life-line, held in strong hands,
A living web of shining strands."
"Make our fingers remember how to spin.
Freedom that may ring on the rising wind."

"As we sew the threads of life, the cords of fate,
We combine our love into a river, that can overrun all hate."
"We may apply justice, burning bright like shooting stars,
We can make Peace into a river, that can overcome all War."

Part-III

And if you want to know where true power lies,
Turn and look into your brethren's eyes.
So come Mothers and Fathers,
Sons, and daughters.

Come spinners and weavers,
Tool makers, potters,
Dancers and dreamers...
Fixers, changers,

Singers and screamers...
Forget all dangers.
Come ancestors, guardians,
Gods and goddesses too,

You who teach us,
You who speak only truth, true...
You who plant, and you who reap,
You who soar and you who creep,

You who cook, and you who drum,
You who have been, and you yet to come...
You who do battle with hand and sword,
You who resist using plume and words.

All unreasonable women,
All unmanageable men.
Come Harpies, Banshees, Gorgons, and Witches;
Come courageous warriors, and furious bitches!

Break the chains that have kept us bound.
Weave a web to pull the Monster down.
In the face of truth, no lie can stand.
Weave the vision, strand by strand.

We are the water flowing, we are the seed,
We are the storm winds, here to blow away all greed.
We are the new world, we bring to birth;
All rivers rising, to reclaim...

This Good Earth.

-ooOoo-

O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream

My great example, as it is my theme!

Though deep, yet clear, though gentle, yet not dull,

Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full

--John Denham (1615-1669)

(From the poem, "Cooper's Hill", first published in AD 1642.

This one's for U! (Anonymous)...

"Verbal Abusers"

Needless to say, gender does not determine whether a person is verbally abusive. It does, however, affect the possibility and the style of abuse that may occur. Since female cultural stereotypes dictate that girls and women should be: "nice", "good", "pleasant", "polite", "passive", and "conforming" - it takes a rebellious woman to become an abusive one.

She must rebel against all of the norms. But (unlike boys or men - who are expected to use anger to hide what is considered any sign of weakness, such as: fear, hurt, disappointment or sadness) - women are supposed to express these feelings with vulnerability (and hide their anger).

A verbally abusive woman, therefore, is a bold woman who has dared to become a rebel. Societally, she becomes unattractive to "nice", "good", "pleasant", "polite" men (and other women).

How unfortunate that the rebellion tends to take an abusive path.

Women need to rebel against the limitation and oppression of the stereotypes - they need to dare express anger as anger, but the last thing they need is to become abusive. Yet, very often those women who have the fire to rebel, have also had the misfortune of having abuse and violence to rebel against. This is a formula for becoming an abuser as well. Knowing only the pattern of attack or counterattack - rebellious, abused women quickly learn the lesson of "destroy or be destroyed". Does that sound familiar?

Having rejected the role of victim - they frequently take the only other role available in all of this destructive duel: that of victimizer. Since they are often not the physically strongest opponent, the weapon of choice of abusive women is usually verbal assault, and they often become skilled "lashers" - crushers of spirits.

A son is a common target of an abusive woman. But sometimes, the anger and resentment that abused women carry in their hearts provide the fuel for directing those feelings at themselves and at their daughters. This phenomenon can easily cascade from one generation, to the next. Being female, a woman puts herself (at the the least risk) by targeting their daughters, because daughters are the most vulnerable. And as women, it is the most natural outcome of abuse, to be angry at and abuse ourselves for not being able to make others love us enough to treat us well instead of abuse us.

When the question is raised, "Are women masochistic?" ...the reply is that no one is born masochistic, but some are taught to face in that direction. The traps of the gender stereotypes teach us all (men and women) to believe that: if we are good enough and nice enough, everyone will like us and often even love us, also teaches that if we are mistreated and abused " it's " our fault because we didn't do " it " right.

Abuse by women is justified by the belief they failed the test of goodness and niceness. It is about fault, somehow, and she is blamed and, in turn, blames herself. If she were only more patient, more giving, more loving, more tolerant - she would be more desired and loved. Masochism is the natural outgrowth of this genderized legitimization of abuse. It, of course, spills over onto daughters of abused women. It is their lot.

In the end, they represent both the failure and the threat.

It is not surprising, therefore, that in some cases, the threat for a daughter is even more damning to a woman than her own perceived failures. If a daughter is prettier, smarter, marries better, is treated better (and, God forbid) - is seen as happier, as successful, or more talented - she represents everything an abused and/or abusive mother wants for herself, but feels she can never have (never had).

This daughter is, of course, envied and often seen as deserving of all of the anger and abuse that gets aimed in her direction.

If the daughter fails in her marriage(s), or if she is abused by her husband(s) - or herself, then she is, (psychologically) viewed as deserving of MORE punishment - until she changes. The cycle of women as the abused and the abuser is a very painful and tragic one, that goes on basically unnoticed and unattended in society.

Unless physical harm results - psychological battering of and by women is tolerated and often condoned. Sarcasm and ridicule are seen as a natural part of their relationships. Cutting remarks and cruel put-downs are excused, and crushed self-images and bleeding spirits do not count as punishable crimes. There is no public outcry. It's just the way life is. Pretend it doesn't hurt, pretend you don't feel, pretend you didn't see or hear it. Pretend you didn't mean it. Pretend, pretend, pretend.

The acceptance of verbal abuse depends entirely on pretense and self-deception. The corruption of lies and denial is the key to any abuse, but especially of verbal abuse. The only way out of this destructive pattern and the violence it condones, is integrity.

Liberation begins and ends with truth, with integrity. Oppression is built on lies.

To be liberated:

- Do not pretend to have the right to verbally abuse yourself or others.
- Do not pretend to be justified whenever you are abusive.
- Do not pretend that you aren't angry and hurt when you are abused.
- Do not falsely accuse others of behavior that was not abusive.
- Do not pretend that you are justified when you retaliate.

- You cannot pretend that you don't care.
- You cannot pretend that you can't help it.
- You cannot pretend that you don't see what's going on.
- You cannot pretend that you don't see what's happening.
- You cannot pretend that you are powerless.

It does matter. It is not all right to pretend. If you are to be liberated you cannot pretend.

The first step, therefore, in freeing yourself form this horrendous cycle of abuse (being abused, and then abusing) is to stop pretending. Whether you are the abused or the abuser you must stop any and all pretending. Your protection is the Truth. You must let in The Truth and acknowledge your use of pretense (as a way of escaping the harsh reality). As this is happening, you must protect yourself from using the enlightenment of "clarity" as a weapon, and abusing yourself for having been a pretender.

Liberation must be free of all violence and abuse. Judging and blaming must be transformed into self-reflection and accountability. That is of course, where the problem lies. It is easier said than done.

A woman who is used to reacting by violating either herself or others, is out of control.

She is not reflective, fair and accountable, and to make that shift she must make Herculean effort to stop herself before she reacts. And that means catching herself while her automatic reaction has taken over, and there seems to be no space or time for reflection. The only way this can occur is by a dramatic intervention within her pre-programmed system (the elimination of denial). She must place herself on "alert" and every time an assault-like reaction gets triggered. She must step in front of it and stop it, even if she's in mid-sentence.

Only a strong confrontation of herself at that point will stop the verbal abuse (only a willing reactor can be stopped). Rather than a duel, there needs to be a truce, and then the reflective persona and the reactive persona have to agree on what's fair to say and what has integrity.

For this to transpire, she must find the courage to face down the out of control reactor/abuser behavior. She must be committed to the integrity of accountability and fairness. She must marshal the discipline it will take to stop herself from automatically reacting, and finally. She must use her brains to process complex information coming from within herself and from others.

People are not masochistic by nature, but anyone can learn masochism from the stereotypic lessons along "genderized" empowerments (that girls are taught from birth).

Women who are verbally abusive of others (male or female) are first and foremost abusive to themselves. Just as women learned these lessons, however, a woman can unlearn them, and any woman who is verbally abusive to herself and to others can liberate herself from this destructive pattern. It will take courage, commitment, discipline and brains, but it is not only possible to stop this destructive pattern, it is the greatest accomplishment and most valuable gift you can ever achieve and receive.

The best part of this gift is that it is within YOUR power to attain, and it doesn't depend on others.

Needless to say, it is much easier with the loving support of others, but even if some try to sabotage your efforts, they can never stop them.

Only you can stop abusing yourself and others. It is likely that you will become "depressed" (that will have come as no surprise to this author). Psychological liberation is in your own hands. So, join a support group, get into therapy, and go for it - as if your happiness and your life depended on it.

Because, both do! Me Thinks.

White on Black

Ever notice...
That there is not one shred of evidence that supports the notion that life is serious?

Ever notice...
That it is wisdom not to worry about what other people "think", 'cause most don't do it very often?

Ever notice...
That for every "action", there is an equal and opposite "Government Program"?

Ever notice...
How "bills" travel through the mail at twice the speed of "checks"?

Ever notice...
Anyone can eat well, stay fit, yet die young anyway?

Ever notice...
How "opportunities" always look BIGGER - once they've been missed?

Ever notice...
Experience is a wonderful thing. "Experience" enables us to recognize a mistake whenever it happens again?

Me Thinks.

Black on White...

Ever notice...
How self-important people consider themselves "experts" in just about everything that THEY choose to introduce into THEIR conversation? How their pomposity reigns, as an incessant stream of tasteless diatribe (and sometimes, while unethical or illegal inviction is imposed), as they attempt to rule? And how their listeners reject the impositions [and quickly], by dropping all of the unwelcome gifts?

Ever notice...
That whenever someone demands "frank" and "open" communication (from you) - once provided (to them), the same person tries to get YOU to stuff "Pandora" back into the "Box"?

Ever notice...
That the enchantment in our lives, is not necessarily shared by everyone?

Ever notice...
How many people are sure that they will go to "Heaven", albeit that they've yet to spend any of their due time in "Hell"?

Ever notice...
How I think you - just beside me, and how I miss you - just the same?

Ever notice...
The degree to which, "play" is very serious business, for a child?

Ever notice...
That "depression" can be the "sand" that makes the "pearl"?

Ever notice...
All who aren't busy livin', have already begun their dyin' ?

Ever notice...
It is said that the true test of maturity, is the ability to have empathy for the suffering of another?

Ever notice...
One ought to know how to give-out HOPE (by carrying dark chocolate in one's pocket)?

Ever notice...
While he (a man) thinks that she's playing "hard to get", she (a woman) thinks that he is playing hard to get rid of - because some women need a man about as much as a fish needs a bicycle. And because some men, "bite" - far more frequently than, fish?

Ever notice...
How simply "saying nothing" - can provide for an Oasis of Peace, in a Desert of Turmoil?

Ever notice...
How everyone is on their way to somewhere?

Ever notice...
H2O - it's always the same water, and there are many wells?

Ever notice...
In the pursuit of TRUTH - the Goal and the Destination, are One and the Same?

Ever notice...
The most important thing to SEARCH-for, is ANSWERS-from?

Ever notice...
There ought to be something grammatically, "Eternal" about a poem written for a woman, you know -- both, Past and Present?

Ever notice...
True "togetherness" - it's when you can sense the movements of the hand of the other (without touching), like "his and hers" hands immersed in warm water?

Ever notice...
Raindrops on Roses, are akin to Whispers and Kisses?

Ever notice...
The best Apology is to: have Even; having Forgiven?

Ever notice...
That LOVE ...is the most effective Anti-drug, Drug?

Ever notice...
When your Heart "opens", your Mind "opens up" -- when Tibetans refer to the Mind (one's thoughts), they gesture towards the Heart... ever notice?

And so it is,
Me thinks

Changing times... "Tinkertoys, Tribes, and Art"

It seems to me, that the hard facts of our changing economy mark a dramatic equivalent - one that is (for the student of history) all too reminiscent of the panic that set-in, subsequent to the collapse that led into the Great Depression.

We now know that an "Era" has ended for the United States of America …but we don’t know what is going to come...

It remains that we all have two choices:

We can lock ourselves behind facile rationale (by promoting happy-talk, or by ignoring the news).

or

We can join into challenging conversation (to decide what needs to be done, and do it).

Change is never perfect. Change means re-invention.

And until something that "works" has been re-invented, we will have no idea what the specification may be. As for me, I am quite capable of feeling a strong preference for something entirely NEW (admittedly, for reasons which reflect my own ignorance), and that is likely to add greater risk to the formula.

We all need to become "good" at disguising that gloomy scenario to ourselves -- to overcome fear. Because most of us automatically tend to create a rational cover-story - which we (then) learn to believe. The stance doesn’t solve problems nor author the diplomacy of mediation and middle ground. We are (after all), ALL in this together.

Meanwhile, what we see on TV is not vulgar, and prurient, and dumb because the people who compose the audience are vulgar, and prurient, and dumb. Television is the way it is, simply because people tend to be extremely similar in their vulgar, and prurient, and dumb interests (and wildly different in their refined and aesthetic and noble interests, or the absence of same).

History teaches. History repeats itself.

Art, including the Performing Arts (all culture) will be first to take the hit. Not unlike Tinker Toys and Tribes, the assemblage is weak, and the few survivors were quite naturally, all the more vulnerable in the first place.

Me Thinks.

Decision Makers - Making Decisions

Seems to me that selling is all about...

Psychology.

Oddly enough, most "sellers" aren't paid anything extra for their respective roles as therapists. Indeed, sales people are supposed to be good therapists. "Sellers" play shrink all day, every day (isn't it so)? Just "how" people make decisions is the real topic. That's not fluff.

As a "seller" (if you are one, you'll know this), have you ever observed how a prospect will listen (far more seriously) to strategies that talk about pain (losses), as opposed to gains (advantages)? Hence, it's inherently an error to taunt the benefits of your product or service, in first position.

It is far more likely that a "seller" will get more of a person's attention by discovering what "hurts", first - by creating a studied position. That's a smart initial stance, and one that can't lose by adding to the "hurt".

Consequently, I always try to posture myself (when performing the business of "selling") so that I may ask my prospect (or customer), that one essential question:

"What is really important to you?"

Generally speaking - what is or isn't a good investment position (from the buyer's perspective) has much more to do, with LOSS - than any ADVANTAGE that a "seller" might suggest (or concoct)...

Allow me to leave you with one other thought:

Have you ever noticed - the degree to which "dissent" needs to be (and is) a curious part of effective decision-making? Moreover, people remember what they "felt" last. Yes, emotion has as much to do with it, as logic.

Selling is about how the buyer buys, not about how the seller sells.
Me Thinks

The USA - a nation of laws? (or of lawyers)?

How much hope is there for the simplification of government and a return to "common-sense" ... when the majority of the legislators who create the laws of the land, are lawyers?

(Rhetorical, Me Thinks)

Armageddon (the end of the World)!

What happens if a big asteroid hits Earth?

Well ...judging from realistic simulations (involving a sledge hammer and common laboratory frogs), we can assume it will be pretty bad. The ONE THING that is certain? You can throw-out all the visual stereotypes based-upon the images popularized by disaster-movies and television Nature programming...

When (not, "if") another mass-extinction event aligns itself on a collision-course with Mother Earth (and astrophysicists have shown that such objects tend to travel very, VERY fast), it's not going to be a mountain-sized rock likely to linger long enough to be "watched" (as though it were going to lumber slowly into a broadside with our planet). There'll be no, "Slow-Mo"...

When (not, "if") some massive object from space collides with our (mostly) water-covered home, everything and everyone in the line of FIRE will be v-a-p-o-r-i-z-e-d (virtually instantaneously)! All else won't be quite as lucky. That scenario will be a TRUE "Hell on Earth", and science can almost promise it, as a statistical certainty:

Billions of Souls, Trillions of tons - turned into plasma. One and all will go, "poof" like a puff of smoke. Don't worry, be happy - you won't feel a thing ...

Me Thinks.

P.S. In any case, I've always suspected that DEATH must be a lot like a non-memory, akin to a faded recollection from before we were born...

Ask Your Doctor!

"ASK YOUR DOCTOR"

It's the chewable-vitamin, almost-morphine of marketing! Yep, if bullshit is right for you, do as you're told: "Ask your doctor!"

Ask, ask, and ask again. Ask about the little blue pill. Ask about pink ones to control reflux. Surely there is "something" wrong with you that a pill can "cure"? Drive your doctor crazy. You are dying (or so the pill-makers would have you believe). There's a pill to make it all well - but you have to "ask your doctor". Your doctor wants to know EVERYTHING about you. Just ask.

The pharma companies want to be certain of two things. First, that if you (or yours) sue someone (due to the side-effects of their product, or even your death), they can lay claim to having recommended nothing, per se. Second - since YOUR DOCTOR wrote the prescription - all of your headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and so forth would become the doctor's doing and your doctor's responsibility. And THAT is what malpractice insurance is for, n'est-ce pas?

A sweet deal. Works for them (the pill makers, of course)...

We've all seen the mindless prescription drug adverts on the boob-tube. Those have become more and more insulting to our intelligence: a talking bee, scowling bubbles, blobs of green snot, and smiling people going about their "daze" like contented cows - apparently "cured" of all their ills.

The one thing the pharma companies have in common, is THEIR "new" (over-priced) drug - the same one that is being force-fed (as hype) onto the open marketplace of your TV screen!

Had anyone ever hear of P-A-D, or "Restless Leg Syndrome" before those miracle-drugs appeared on the scene to "heal" the same? When a limb "fell asleep", weren't you wondering - "Gee, surely there's a pill to cure this?"

None of those companies give a rat's ass about anything but their BOTTOM LINE.

Sadly, there is obvious "method in their madness". The advertising works.

Have you ever wondered why so many "mainstream" drugs have been linked to dependencies the equal (or worse) to street narcotics? There should be an END to those horrible trends, and soon.

On top of that, there's a clear "push" in the form of propoganda designed to negate the values of herbal and homeopathic remedies (as if those were completely insane, akin to being home-grown at a hippie colony that cultivates cannabis sativa AKA "magic weed"). Their proganda promotes an approach to wellness, that is "curative", as opposed to "preventive".

Advertisers can't SELL cure-medications to healthy people, right?

Herbal supplements may not have been created in a lab, but that doesn’t mean they don’t provide the same treatment (without the side effects that can kill). Let's keep in mind, that no herbal supplement is regulated to say that it will "treat or cure a disease".

The word "disease" is the "pharma word" of the decade...

For, only prescription-based products are "able" to treat diseases - according to the FDA. Might we then wonder, just "why" so many FDA-approved drugs have been recalled due to violent (if not fatal) side-effects? Who would have guessed that an FDA-approved drug for depression, could actually trigger suicide? Indeed, the FDA-approved anti-depressants that are out on the market now, carry a warning - that they "may" CAUSE suicidal thoughts.

Just watch those drug commercials. Take note of their fine print and their fast-talking schmooze. Note how many products have side-effects that include: thoughts of suicide, insomnia, dizziness, dry mouth, dependency, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, rectal bleeding, loss of memory, bloody noses, more vomiting, blood in vomit, blood in stool, etc.

The alternate list of un-expected "pleasures" is long!

The prescription drug companies have only one word on their minds.

It's not the word, "cure". The word is MONEY!

Why else would anyone pay $100's for pills that might relieve their woes - when they could opt to take a simple supplement, or possibly a generic medication from Canada (rendered illegal in America, by none other than the competition on the US side of our international boundary)?

Surely there is much that is very WRONG in all of this?

Me Thinks

Good riddance to Bad rubbish!

"Blago Son-of-a-bitch" AKA "Blag-oye-oh-gate" AKA "Hot Rod",

Without any due respect from me, I am DELIGHTED to learn that you were impeached and now, convicted. As the latest ex-Illinois Governor, you were the most illegitimate 3-dollar-bill, and staunch liar ...that we've seen in a long time.

While every circus needs its clowns, Joe Sixpack and the rest of the USA has been watching (and dismissing) your insane B.S. (vomiting all the while). You will NEVER hold a Public Office in Illinois again (and my bet is, that your political career is kaput).

[ I wonder just how long it will take to to remove ALL of the remaining ego-maniacal, politicially-empowered, shit-heads (like you) across this GREAT country? ]

For now, as a legacy to you (and the long-arm of your influence), those self-promoting signs bearing your name (posted at every Tollway plaza across northern Illinois) have got to go! Tonight would be good.

Scumbags like you are going to "fall" all across America. Leave now (Serbia would be a wise destination). I've been there, but I'm not at all sure that Serbs (anywhere) will be rolling out a red carpet for you any time soon...

Shame on you Blago.
SHAME on YOU!

P.S Eight (8) state governors have been Impeached (across US history), as a point of fact, two were Serbs.

P.P.S. A lot of men would like to have a head-of-hair like yours, but not attached to your head.

2012, the RNC ultimate solution?

From the Republican "lair of despair", picture this...

The face of Abraham Lincoln. Then, that of Ronald Reagan. Now, "morph" the two faces into one. Then place that bearded visage onto the muscular body of "Mr. T" (gold chains and earrings included). What do we get? Sure enough...

Reagraham LINCOOL !!!

Next, recycle this celebrated label (as the campaign slogan): "The Great Communicator II."

Sounds like a "come to Jesus" moment to me...

And morph's for the Veep? Limitless...
Me Thinks

Ninety-Eight, going on Ninety-nine...

Mother, at 98 years, 03 months, and 25 days (circa Jan 2009), has reached that age when life stops giving "things". It's a time when existence begins taking every "thing" away. It is thus also, that time, when "Family" becomes (truly) EVERYTHING!

Me Thinks,
RK

Illinois Voting Precincts

Chicagoland and Illinois -- it's where 4 out of every 2 voters, voted for Barak Obama...

;-)

Shoes thrown at GW Bush during Press Conf in Iraq

Watching our lame duck, duck -- really quacked me up.

;-)

Money for Nothing, Kicks for free...

Show me the Money. I'm a businessmann, but what the heck, it's just money... Sit down. Quietly and calmly count, then recount all of your blessings. Are you healthy? Do you have love? How many children do you have? Grandchildren? Safety? Freedom? A warm bed? A roof over your head? Food? Clean water? What are your gifts?

When people ask me, "How are you doing?" (the knee-jerk standard greeting in American language culture)... I respond with this, "I'm ALWAYS good! How about you?"

That's the time to fall silent and to listen -- these days, someone you know might need far more than the positive attitude. Me Thinks.

RK

Soul Mates

Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you.
They are not perfect, but are always perfect for you.

Me Thinks