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

The "real McCoy" McCain?

What has happened to the John McCain (that Republicans "thought", they knew)?

At a Washington rally a few weeks ago, John McCain leaned into the microphone and asked (in the tone of a dime-store pitchman), “Who is Barack Obama?”

Seems to me that the Republican presidential candidate ought to look into a nearby mirror, to ask that of himself (particularly following the Wednesday debate, last week).

What has become of the once dignified Arizona Senator?

- The active reformer?
- The gutsy “straight talker”?
- The former POW and survivor?
- Where is the man who investigated Republican party corruption?
- The guy who investigated involvements in the Indian casino mess?
- Where is the author of campaign finance reform?
- Where did the friend of the poor immigrant go?

Do "haters" now possess the soul of the onetime defender of tax justice?

McCain -- who waited for years to elbow George W. Bush out of the way -- appears to have lowered his own ethics and manners to those of the Republican insiders (whom he once despised):

= Richard Nixon -- the master of "dirty tricks", who tried to deploy the FBI to advance partisan purposes.

= Karl Rove -- the exploiter of religious, sexual, and reproductive "wedge" issues.

= Bush himself -- who would follow any calculating jerk’s advice (particularly if risky, hard right, and unyielding).

= And finally, the late Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, the infamous Republican from Wisconsin -- the grinning purveyor of the "patriotism smear".

The latest smearings...

“And you launched your political campaign in Mr. Ayers’ living room,” claimed McCain (in the third debate, referring to William Ayers, a onetime terrorist whom Obama repudiated). McCain went on, “Obama chooses to associate with a guy, who in 2001, said that he wished he had bombed more, and he [Obama] had a long association with him.”

McCain’s choice for vice president, Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin (as in, "pal-ing" ?), had already accused Obama of “pal-ing-around with a terrorist.” Overnight (on Friday), the McCain forces ramped it up. They began routing a recorded message (approved by the Republican National Committee) that said, in part: “Hello, I’m calling for the RNC and John McCain because you ought to know that Barack Obama has worked closely with domestic terrorist Bill Ayers...”

Obama debunked the smear during the debate (measurably, the worst ever heard from one candidate, delivered against another).

None of McCain’s, Palin’s or the RNC’s charges are true.

Nothing can make them so. Yet McCain & the RNC keep piling it on, broadening the fallacy, from “pal-ed around,” to “associated with” and now “worked closely.” That kind of big lie worked for McCarthy, Nixon, Rove, Bush and yes, Adolf Hitler. And it may work again in this era of chainsaw politics. It’s not funny or forgivable. Should it disqualify McCain on grounds of character?

Now that McCain himself has "rolled-in-the-gutter" (on national television), what will be left of presidential majesty, the demeanor of a chief of state -- were "M" to be elected?

In France, when the public votes "M", they mean Merde (shit), "a vote for no one"! Perfectly, à propos, Me Thinks.

McCain’s intellect and leadership qualifications quickly fell under world-wide scrutiny because of his dubious choice of, Palin. He didn't know her, and she was not vetted -- yet the act of placing Mrs. Palin on the ticket, was the biggest executive decision McCain had ever made during his civilian life. McCain didn't know that Palin's unmarried daughter was pregnant, nor that it's a bipartisan legislative body probing Palin’s abuse of power in Alaska. McCain did not know (that in July) Palin’s husband Todd, had lolled around the governor’s office behaving like her unelected Viceroy. McCain does now. Yet on Wednesday, McCain called her “a role model.” “She’ll be my partner,” added McCain, 72 (who has had two major bouts with skin cancer, and for whom "survivability" is anyone's legitimate concern).

Would Palin be up to the task of the Presidency of anything? And shouldn't she be impeached as the Governor of Alaska (talk to the AK State Trooper ...her ex-brother-in-law, for his opinion)?

There are many (including Republicans) who believe that McCain put the nation at risk by linking fate, to Palin. Just why he did it, is still unfolding. There are persistent reports that McCain was influenced by William Kristol (a New York Times columnist) who a decade ago, was a leading architect of the US invasion of Iraq. What is Senator McCain thinking?

Is this, the "real McCoy" McCain?

Universe & Creation

The more profound the revelations of SCIENCE ...the more certain one can be that there is a Great Spirit who made everything so.

Me Thinks

Presidential Debate - Obama

Articulate... brilliant, intelligent, holder of a Harvard, Juris Doctor degree (having graduated at the top of his class). A State Senator, a US Senator. A man from the people, for the People. One who has lived inside of, and outside of HIS country. A man of Peace, who will bring Peace. One who speaks of solutions that will improve the quality of life for the majority of Americans (the great Middle Class). He will bring healthcare, secured borders, law enforement, tax cuts, true relief, and real-world Help for the People who need it the most (the AMERICAN people). He uses straight talk, and remains focused on the matters that matter to MOST Americans. Smart, intuitive, insightful, savvy -- a young man, with the plan.

America needs CHANGE (intelligent change). Obama has the House, the Senate, and (soon) the White House. Mr. President will be a doer of getting things done! Our first BLACK President...

Martin Luther King must be smiling: Free at last! Free at last -- from the Republican strangle-hold on the Economy, abusive use of a proud world-class Military force. Free at last from a shameful posture within world Politics, yet "there" for the average Joe. Let's HOPE that he will succeed at "spreading the wealth" (of America) into the pockets of ALL Americans, and wherever help is needed.

Me Thinks

Presidential Debate - McCain

From the "same", "old" candidate (who graduated at the BOTTOM of his class)...

Joe the Plumber. Joe, Joe, Joe. More Joe. Another Joe. Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, and Joe. Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe -- mentioned more than twenty (20) times over, Joe.

But, as it turns out:

Joe "the Plumber" isn't a licensed plumber.
Joe is likewise not a Union member.
Joe doesn't own a business.
Joe doesn't earn a fat salary.
Joe is not a wealthy man.

In fact, Joe doesn't earn enough to be negatively impacted by the Obama Tax Plan at all.

So McCain (the same), spoke the same name, same Joe -- many times the same. And true to the same, not much of the same story is true.

"Joe Six-pack" can spot a liar...
Me Thinks

Politics & Physics (Hadron Collider scatter-matter)?

Eureka! A major research institution has just announced the discovery of the densest element yet known to science!

The new element has been named "Bushcronium."

Bushcronium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 311. These particles are held together by dark forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

The symbol for Bushcronium is "W."

Bushcronium's mass actually increases over time, as morons randomly interact with various elements in the atmosphere and become assistant deputy neutrons in a Bushcronium molecule, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe that Bushcronium is formed when morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "critical morass." When catalyzed with gold or platinum, bushcronium activates Foxnewsium, an element that radiates orders of magnitude more energy, albeit as incoherent noise.

Foxnewsium has 1/2 as many peons [but twice as many morons.]

The physical properties of "W":

"W" has no natural CURIOSITY.
"W" is naturally BORING.

The "cure" for BOREDOM, is still CURIOSITY.
There is STILL no "cure" for CURIOSITY.

Meanwhile, Foxnewsium reached HALF-LIFE. Whereas, the peons and the morons reached END-of-LIFE. The combined phenomenon produced an ISODOPE that has been named, McCainium-08.

The symbol for McCainium is "M."

It has more of the same (upside-down) properties of, "W".
Me Thinks.

P.S. Hadron Collider (CERN)

Ballsie Big Bail (What a Difference a Week Makes!)

A week ago, GW went on TV and referred to "the problem" as, "adjustments to our financial markets". Yesterday, GW was seen on Worldwide TV, using the phrase (referencing to the same "problem") as, "Americans could slip into a financial Panic". (His first use of the "P" word.)

A week ago, Fed Chairman Bernake was interviewed, and quoted as saying, "we are facing dire straights". Yesterday, Fed Chairman Bernake used the phrase, "a grave threat to the world's financial stability".

Someone ought to tell GW that an adjustment isn't a visit to a chiropractic clinic.

Similarly, it's not something to do (in public) with his "bolas" -- when dressed in a sweat suit, and whenever the family jewels have fallen out of his "Fruit of the Loom" under-garment.

I just loved a remark made this morning by a CNN correspondent (speaking of the Big-Bail-Boondoggle)... "There is definitely 'division' -- particularly with the Republicans and especially with the Democrats." Wait a minute, didn't GW come up with that tagline earlier this year? Yes, he did!

Here are a few of the economic "labels" (extracted from my 'TV' note taking) about the creative verbiage being used by the medias, and politicians (to describe the impending Recession). Yes the "R" word is out, as in, economic PANIC. Yes, the "P" word, has now raised its Pertinent, Poignant, Pointed head).

Economic-label words (for our Recessionary Panic economy, as of today).

You may PICK ONE that suits your fancy:

- adjustments to the financial market
- reaching for disaster
- dire circumstances
- downward spiral
- disaster stage
- off the cliff
- dire straights (Bernake)
- difficult period (H. Paulson)
- a financial Pearl Harbor (elder US Senator, name not cited)
- the shock market (I like this one)

In vogue this week...

- financial crisis (Biden)
- this crisis (Obama)
- crisis mode (Palin)
- crisis of our own (McCain)
- Grave threats to world financial stability (Bernake)
- A step into a financial Panic (GW Bush)

Ah yes, it's all about semantics these days, but just look at the power of words wielded by those very powerful men (and woman)!

Consequentially, I for one can't sleep at night, and feel like I'm about to hurl (anxiety attacks oblige). My preference? The word that says the Truth -- the whole truth and nothing but the Truth?

RECESSION

That's almost a replacement acronym for Post-Traumatic-Disorder. How much has YOUR 401K lost? And what is the value of YOUR home (if you still own one)? Fortunately, I know how to build an Igloo, sleep on pine boughs, trap rabbits, hunt and fish with a bow, and make fire from rubbing sticks together -- just in case.

The news gets worse by the hour. 'Tis also time to install a wood-burning stove, and to split more logs.
Me Thinks.