Spoonful

2012-02-03T19:52:00.001-05:00

Hate crime, constitutionally rationalized under the Commerce Clause and theThirteenth Amendment, is not viable when one references the Fourteenth Amendment. When our family plays games, the newest rules rule. Isn't that how the Constitution works? Wrap your head around this without trying to formulate clever rebuts while you are reading. I want you to concentrate.

EQUAL PROTECTION. Tell me what is EQUAL in sentencing based on motivation? Who is to judge which offender has a "better" motivation to assault and so double the minimum sentencing? The guidelines should be equal, across the board or the very heart of this amendment looses it's power. Prejudicial mistreatment is a horror, hence this addition to our mighty law. It is unconstitutional to fake a left attempting to get around this rock of an amendment.

Fire starters: motherly advice

2011-12-31T22:40:00.001-05:00

I remember fire when I was a kid. I used to lay under the dark and cool lattice porch. The sun dappled the dirt on the edges of my wooden cave sanctum. I would write my name in dupont cement, that rubbery glue in a tube, then I would light it with a match. Art, emotion, and super cool light effects.

Today someone might call me an arsonist and say I was a troubled child. The fact is, I grew up and became a superior welder. I love heat and understand it, in an intrinsic physics kind of way. I know that the metal gets excited by the fire and then starts stalking it. So one moves the torch and the metal will follow, like a well trained dog.

I digress.

A kid who starts fires may just be curious, wanting to learn fire. In a cave man sort of way control of fire is power.

So I wanted power. Who doesn't? Children ARE powerless and what kid worth their salt wants to feel like that, vulnerable and weak.

LOL, that a complete repudiation of my original claim. Or is a kid wanting to feel powerful wrong.

-- Post From My iPhone

Manarola Suicide

2011-09-30T22:54:00.004-04:00

These vineyards are lovely and hard.

Terraced rock.

The heat from below pours up

and drowns me.

Can I cliff dive from here?

The azure ocean calls.

Donna, bye.

2011-09-30T22:31:00.005-04:00

Like DNA, we weave close, then apart, then close again.

Donna Spence died after a long struggle with cancer. The last time I saw her, before I saw her dead body in the casket, was a while ago at the old WalMart. We talked about K Mart and Ames and the new WalMart. We both preferred Ames, which had closed to accommodate K Mart which had closed to accommodate WalMart. We met over these animal print and very stretchy, tight pajama gowns. Donna told me she had bought one and wore it as a dress, she suggested I also do so. I grabbed the leopard spotted one and I still have it although it does not look the same on me anymore, or I do not look the same in it, one or the other. Now I just wear it as a nightgown.

We talked for quite a while, catching up, as one does with these chance encounters. She asked what what I was doing and I told her I was a nurse. She told me she just found out she had cancer (I think uterine) and we talked about treatments, etc. It killed her. The words we spoke are all gone in the wind. My intermittant memory, the only record of girls who became women but never changed, really.

When I saw her at WalMart she was round and happy and womanly and filling out her nightgown dress beautifully. When I saw her in the casket she was skeletal and dead.

I choose to remember the spirit and personality that Donna was, servant to humankind, lively and vital and strong and wearing cool animal prints tight against her sexy body that turned it's back on her, and killed her.

Zaha Hadid-A Show for Academia, Not the World

2011-09-26T14:41:00.003-04:00

My mother, two other family members, and I attended "Zaha Hadid: Form in Motion" at the Perlman Gallery, Philadelphia Museum of Art on Sunday. I was looking forward to the day but was severely disappointed by this star architects show. Walking into the gallery, one is instantly disoriented, kind of like a fun house in a carnival. Several of the people I was with had to sit down as their equilibrium was affected. Personally, I find Hadids work, visually incongruent, almost dizzying (as it literally was for my companions). So, while impressive for their reach, her buildings are not for general consumption. In fact, her objects and buildings are so confusing in their flow that they are essentially disturbing. All sense of beauty is swallowed up by the visual discordance. My brain became too occupied with trying to find the glitch rather than finding the beauty in the form.

I also wonder as to her clearly obvious and impractical choice of form over function. From the smallest, an oddly shaped spoon that made me want to scoop some broth to see if I could actually eat from it, to the videos showing her largest buildings, I could only see a desire to impress with none, not one little iota, of practicality. These buildings are a legend in her own mind and will not stand the test of time.

Please, beauty and form can go hand in hand with practical considerations. Ms. Hadid seems to think that they are exclusive of each other and it shows in her work.

I am not a fan.

2011-02-15T19:04:00.002-05:00

Here is a photo of my bedside table. No arrangement or cleaning. Bedisde table raw.

As you can see my bed is not made. Why make it when I am going to mess it right up again. The sheets are clean. That is what matters. The book is a school leftover that I did not want sell on Amazon. The class was accelerated and left a lot of stories, plays and poems unread. I am reading through them. The bottom middle is an electric blanket controller. I had to get rid of my favorite down comforter. I cannot tolerate the down anymore, sneezy all night long. Boo Hoo. The lotion is this really great, minty foot cream with tea tree oil. I rub it into my feet at night. It feels so good. The black thing below and right of it is my sleeping mask. I used to use it when I worked nights. Below and to the right of that is a little piece of Hershey's chocolate with almonds. Chocolate needs no explanation. The white thing next to my phone is a never used in a toilet toilet bowl brush. A patient of mine had one with her in the hospital. She told me they are the best back scratchers around. She was right. National Enquirer on top of the books. OJ was beaten in prison. I wonder if he got even a little idea of how his dead wife felt when he beat her?

So tell me, what's on your beside table?

2011-02-15T18:08:00.002-05:00

Okay, here is a story about me. That IS what this blog is about...me and my perception of outside of me. That IS all I know, after all.

If you follow this blog,you'll know that I am a nurse. When I first started being a nurse I worked on the general floor in a small hospital. I cared for mostly wide awake people who needed much teaching in order to promote best outcome, health wise. I used to get a lot of elderly women who had urinary tract infections moving towards sepsis. Most of the women, when asked how much water they drank, would tell me something like "Not much, when I drink water I have to pee all the time." I would explain to them that it is important to urinate often because the urine kills and washes out the various bacteria that wants to climb up your urethra. (sometimes I would say pee and pee hole, depending on the patients sensibilities). Now, I am that old lady. So drink more water Susan. Your urethra is begging you to.

"Choke" by Chuck Palahniuk

2011-01-05T08:59:00.006-05:00

January 4, 2011

Choke

I am reading a book called "Choke" by Chuck Palahniuk. I'm on page 37 and I am crying. The reviews I read said it was "humorous", called it a "riot" and pointed out how "gritty and perverse" it was. The perversity IS the sadness. That the little boy who just wanted his mother to love him could have been mistreated into becoming the wretched protagonist of this book breaks my heart. This story, while fiction, is fact. This stuff happens every day and I do not find it humorous. It is gut wrenchingly sad. Self absorbed parents treating children like less than pets...Oh the humanity.

So our society encourages self expression even if the passion blasting the self into the nethersphere is born of pure pain inflicted on a child...even if that lust is nothing more than an insane repetition of an inhuman past craving resolution. I do not think it is okay to wallow in the shit that has been heaped upon us since birth. Shit contaminates, it is poison. Sexual perversion is not the result of a happy childhood. It is the result of pain, of sorrow inflicted on a child and any adult expressions of that pain are merely reenactments of the same. It is like a vortex that keeps one prisoner due to it's very lack of solution, like if one keeps putting oneself into that hell it will, one day, turn out differently. It will not.

We are God's. He wants to free us all from the chains that bind us, some literally. He wants to redeem our lives and allow us to become the person we were born to be, not the the person we became, endlessly looking for a different ending to the same play.

Homosexuals in the Military: just say no

2010-12-19T07:04:00.007-05:00

Were you in the military? I was. We take group showers, run around naked, and generally act with no concern as to who is watching us. We are all women right? Now, add into that mix a man. What is he thinking as we all shower together, surrounded by fifty wet naked female bodies? What is he looking at when I bend over in front of him to pull on my panties? Why does my choice to serve my country make me have to expose my self to him in this intimate way?

The above scenerio is what is wrong with allowing homosexuals to serve in the military.

I am not homophobic. It is not my place to judge what another human being does. God does that quite well without my help. My opposition to this law has nothing to do with the sexual choices of a small group of citizens and everything to do with respecting the youth who choose to enter the employ of the government in military service. What I am is a veteran with a REAL understanding of the situations that are presented in the sort communal living that is part and parcel of military life. I would not have wanted to have been forced to expose my genitals to a man on a daily basis yet allowing homosexuals to serve in the military is, in effect, assuring that will happen.

You see, boys and girls, homosexuals are sexually attracted to people of the same gender so it follows that the military should not place them in intimate situations with same sex individuals. That would be like putting men and women together in boot camp, in communal showers, sleeping next to each other, every minute of every day. Would you want that? Would you want your daughter or son to be exposed in such a sexual way by our government? The heterosexuals become unwitting victims of sexual voyeurism and it is condoned by the law. Whose civil rights are being tromped on...really!

I do not understand how such a small percentage of the population can dictate such ridiculous terms to the United States Government.

God's Plan

2010-12-03T10:40:00.006-05:00

I love my job. It is not what I thought I would be doing when I was a kid. At first, when I was very small and in Miss McConnell's dance school, I thought I would be a ballerina. Then, I realized my true calling was movie star. Every day of my life was an act...I acted like nothing was wrong and everyone believed me. I used to practice my Oscar speech over and over. It was so humble yet profound. Then, in high school, I realized I had to DO something so I figured I would be an artist. I had lots of natural talent and always drew. I have a good eye and it was easy for me. Unfortunately, I was too into the party and not the study and college dropped away, just like all of my childhood dreams. Lost in the 70's, like many of use were then, I waitressed. It was good money. I partied and worked and smiled at the rude people who expected the world for a 50¢ tip. I had to migrate. Knowing I was too hyper to sit still and that I needed to make a living AWAY from small town USA, I joined the Navy and became a metal worker. Loved it, made money at it and when I left the USN I got a job making good bucks. I could weld ANYTHING because I understood heat (having been a fire bug from way back) and was a hard worker. Then along came my sons. I stayed home with them (thank you God) to raise them and be with them and give them every little bit of love and life and whatever it is that Mom's give to son's and I worked so hard to not make the mistakes my parent's made and to give them all the good things that my parents gave me. Then I had to go to work. I prayed. I went to nursing school.

All of this, all of the false careers that were mere blips in His true intention for me, all of this and I really, really love my job. Thank you God, you have been faithful and true while I have been skeptical and unbelieving. I hated you for letting me be so hurt and destroyed (the suffering made me a more compassionate nurse). I learned how to act like I wasn't dying inside ( that made me a rock of a nurse). I feared that You would see how rotten I felt (That made me a humble nurse). I felt I had to do it all myself (that made me an efficient nurse). I learned how to trouble shoot (that made me understand the human body). I mothered (what patient doesn't need a little motherly love?). I doubted you but You never doubted me. You had a plan. You always do.

Autumn Poem

2010-11-26T23:36:00.000-05:00

Fearful of the coming winter

the cowardly yellow leaves let go

and fall in heaps

the

ground.

Barack Obama is tired of your motherfucking shit

2010-06-08T20:25:00.000-04:00

Barack Obama is tired of your motherfucking shit

hahaahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha this just cracked me up but I don't really know why

An Offering

2010-05-15T20:43:00.007-04:00

A male friend asked me why women apologize when we haven't done anything wrong. Here is what I told him:
I say "I am sorry" because I am polite and choose to diffuse. I do not apologize for myself except when I am truly at fault. Sorry does not only mean apology. As a matter of fact, apology is only a small portion of the definition of sorry. I won’t bore you with all the meanings here. Look it up.
Back to sorry…When I say I’m sorry you are upset, I am not apologizing, I am stating a fact. I am sorry that you are upset. Firstly, as an empathetic person, I really AM sorry you are upset. Upset is not a good place to be. Happy is a good place to be. Mellow is a good place to be. Upset, not so good. I feel your suffering in your upset place and am sorry FOR YOU. Secondly, when you are upset it colors the atmosphere around you and I happen to be in that atmosphere of your upset. Consequently, I am affected by your upset in an existential way.

I will continue to say I am sorry. The world is a place full of hurt and I am very sorry for those who suffer, even if it is at the hands of their own twisted psychs.
I think the woman’s sorry you speak of is part of who we are, empathetic, nurturing, caring. These are generally not traits associated with men.
I’m sorry if you have had difficulties in the past with understanding the nature of the female sorry. I am sorry for you because it caused you to view women as other than they actually were. What you apparently perceive as weakness is actually giving, loving and caring.
I hope I have helped you see our sorry for what it is, a selfless (sometimes) verbal pat on the back.

The Racist Census: More questions than answers

2010-04-22T10:32:00.006-04:00

I was thinking of how much I despised filling out the 2010 census. I felt insulted by the questions and had considered not sending it in. Today I realized why it bothered me so much. In our country, where we are supposed to treat everyone the same, no matter what color or nationality they are, the government is enforcing it's own racist policies via the US Census.

On the census there are many different kinds of browns to choose from, many different sub groupings of non-whites, non-European peoples. I had considered leaving the areas requiring racial information blank. What did the government care what color I am? What difference did it make? Why are all non-browns, non-latinos lumped together? When I investigated the necessity of this information to the government I found it was, in part, a way to decide voting districts as well as dispensation of government monies. Voting districts are designated along racial lines? Government handouts go by racial heritage not need? Are certain races more needy by dint of their color or language? Is the government perpetuating a welfare race by it's application of racial profiling? Look what the US did to the indigenous peoples. They hobbled them through forced dependence. Why is the issue of one's Latin heritage so important to the census? Could it be related to the 57% democrat versus the 23% republican partisian allegiance that Latinos claim? When will our government stop being racist in order to further it's own subversive agenda?

True Healthcare Reform From a Healthcare Professionals Perspective.

2010-03-23T20:13:00.006-04:00

AMA sold out the physicians in backing this bill which is not reform at all, only a government take over of the health industry, with no REAL changes made to improve the system. TRUE reform would have included tort reform and sliding scale clinics available for preventative care, a move which would allow hospital emergency departments to triage and refuse care to non-emergent cases, referring them to the clinics. Another big change to the present system, which unfairly puts the burden for free medical care on the hospital system, would be to allow hospitals to refuse care to illegal aliens. The fact is, the government has been legislating acute care into bankruptcy and long term care into mediocrity. Real reform means real changes and this bill does not present them. It only puts another nail in the coffin that is the American economy through higher taxes and encouragement of the "entitlement" mentality by redistributing wealth from middle class people like me to those who feel entitled to the fruits of my labor.

Letter to my Sisters: from an aging feminist

2010-03-05T10:21:00.008-05:00

As a nuclear welder and brazer in the late 70's and early 80's I put up with the insults, the verbal abuse, the never getting ahead or never getting comparable pay for the work I excelled in. I had to work twice as hard as a man but, I finally earned the respect I deserved. When I left the trades I was running jobs. The men who worked with me and around me stopped making rude comments. They even stuck up for me when new contractors started in with the same tired cracks.

I busted my butt to overcome the male stereotype of women, to be more than just an object and now I see women using their bodies to get what they want, becoming nothing more than objects, booties going to the highest bidder. Hooker clothes de rigueur, under wear on the outside, fake breasts, crotch shots, all of it designed to devolve women into nothing more than objects of lust and you "modern" women are falling for it. You've even talked yourself into believing that it was all your idea and not that of the male media machine. You have walked right back to the place where men would keep you, under their thumb, and you call it sex positive feminism.

I was a part of a movement of women with a mission and I felt like those who came after us would be better off for our fight. Now I am not so sure.

yuck

2010-02-02T14:21:00.007-05:00

I am so tired of being sick walking around like everything is fine when I feel like puking sweating fevers eyes burning can't see hurting sinus pins jabbing then sneezing inflamed urethra hurts to pee parts that I never knew could pain so obnoxious and constantly unpredictable from this stupid rheumatoid arthritis.

Let me collect myself and clear the knot from my throat, I have work to do.

Mohammad Cartoon worth killing over?

2010-01-03T11:40:00.010-05:00

Here is the hard to find and never seen on television news cartoon that has radical muslims ready to kill an old grandfather and his five year old granddaughter.

Here is a piece of "art" that is a crucifix of Jesus Christ submerged in urine. This image has been shown on major news and television shows and is a winner in an art exhibition of the National Endowment for the Arts, an entity of the US government.

I am wondering why the news media bows to Muslim threats and supresses a political cartoon yet the same news media, along with the US gov't, encourages and rewards this obvious insult to Christians?

James Thurber said: Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.

addendum: When I originally wrote this post the real cartoons were impossible to find on the internet and I posted what had been labeled as "the" cartoon. I was wrong. Strangely, the images of mohamad as dog are readily available now. This is one of the series.

Harvard Brilliance or The Importance of Being Happy

2009-08-11T22:59:00.006-04:00

I met a woman. Harvard educated, masters, certified in landscape architecture, she had a very well paying career when she was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. She decided that she wanted to do something more fulfilling so she quit her job and became a furniture maker.

When we met, she happened to be complaining about her health insurance. She was going to have to start paying for a Cobra policy which she could not afford. She was complaining that since she had a pre-existing condition she was unable to purchase a regular policy and that to add her onto her partners policy the cost was once again prohibitive.

I asked if she considered her health and the insurance implications when she left her job. She said yes, but that her happiness was more important. Now she wants me to pay for her care through nationalized health care. She thinks it is her right. She loves HObama's current proposed health care initiative. It absolves her of her less than common sense decisions. It makes me pay for her quest for happiness.

She had a very well paying position which she gave up, voluntarily, having full knowledge of the effects her leaving would have on her health insurance which, as a cancer patient, was rather important to her. Now she was complaining because she got what she knew she would get.

Harvard spits out some real smart cookies huh?

A healthcare conversation among nurses

2009-07-29T22:52:00.003-04:00

Re: Health Care: The Ticking Time Bomb

Originally Posted by tewdles

welfare–noun - the good fortune, health, happiness, prosperity, etc., of a person, group, or organization; well-being

I would respectfully submit that our constitution does address this "right"

My Response: LOL, so what do we do about all the unhappy people, force them to take valium? What about those with who lose in Vegas, they certainly do not have good fortune. I say they should get all of their money back double, on me and my tax dollar.

Since you etc.'ed some of the words in your definition of welfare I have posted the definition again. Welfare- well-being, health, comfort, security, safety, protection, prosperity, success, fortune; interest, good.

Do you really think that taxpayers should pay for the government to provide all of these things or only the ones you select? Can the government assure prosperity for all? On whose dime?

The constitution specifically states "general welfare" not the welfare of each and every person. So, knowing that only 18% of the population is without healthcare coverage, and knowing that only about 14% of those are naturalized citizens (from National Coalition on Health Care), I offer that implementing the proposed health care initiatives negatively affects the prosperity of many more people than it helps, health wise. Since the constitution allows for the "general welfare" of the people not the specific welfare of the minority, this proposal is unconstitutional.

Thomas Jefferson writing on the portion of the constitution to which you refer.
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/found...a1_8_1s25.html

An Immoral Co-dependance - the Church in America

2009-07-12T01:06:00.001-04:00

The US Christian “tolerance” doctrine, which posits that one must accept and tolerate everyone no matter what they do, is a lie used by satan to destroy the Christian church. Firstly, Jesus roared through the temple and turned over the tables of the money lenders. He did not look at them and say, “Whatever you do is okay because I will love you anyway.” He did not say, “Well, as long as you love God then you keep on doing what you want.” He said “It is written...my house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers” and then he tore it up! The idea that we must accept everyone no matter what they do sort of makes us into our own gods. It is we who decide who gets forgiveness, it is we who decide what is sin and what is not sin. God’s law, which Jesus came to fulfill, becomes irrelevant. Christians find personal forgiveness in God through Jesus by the grace of God but with this new American pseudo christianity, we are the forgivers and the forgetters that God always was. We are told forgive and forget even though the sinners have not asked for it, even though they do not accept their immoral acts as sinful and since they don’t think it is sinful than neither should we. It is like a whole big step is skipped and God is not even a part of the equation. Their immoral acts become simply lifestyles and God’s word regarding sin becomes disconnected from many American churches today. By accepting and allowing whatever the people want, the church is becoming a part of the disintegration of America.

LGBT Pride Month

2009-06-03T11:43:00.006-04:00

Obama is such a hater. He leaves out so many human beings in his close minded declaration for June as LGBT month. What about the Z's (zoophiles ot those who like to screw animals) or the P's (pedophiles or those who like to screw kids). I am sure the K's (klismaphiles or enema lovers) don't really give a shit but it must be making the E's sick (emetiphiles or those who love vomit). Anyway, since a whole month is being devoted to LGBT's then I think that at least a day should be devoted to those who REALLY care about the elderly, the G's or gerontophiles.

Oh, and by the way, why did they leave out the H's (heterosexuals) or you could call us S's (straights). We have sex too.

As an addendum: Okay, so you say that LBGT is a lifestyle, not a sexual preference. No difference, The big O is still a hater as he leaves out so many lifestyles, so many human beings with no special month or even day to be appreciated. Take for instance the H's (Hobo's) they have summer homes (jungles) a written language (http://www.angelfire.com/folk/famoustramp/signs.html) and their own convention in Britt, Iowa, yet there is no real government appreciation of their contribution to the US. Supreme court justice William O. Douglas was once a hobo, as was that other famous traveler Jack Kerouac.

Ya know, it is just not fair.

Another Nephew, a different conversation

2009-04-28T11:51:00.004-04:00

The following is the transcript of a conversation I had with my Nephew (not the one previously posted). This young man is such an irreverent, thinks for himself kind of guy. I love him and our back and forths.

To Nephew:

What's up kiddo? Ready for a global economy?

Nephew's reply,April 22 at 5:04pm:

hell yea, godspeed to the evolution of collective will. i wouldn't mind some euros or yin right about now--actually they should create a new world wide currency that is fail safe--u know something that will also be safe from this domino effect of nations knocking down nations economies. i think a micro chip carrying all one's public and private info would be nice---save alot of lives stop alot of crime--a house divided against itself cannot stand suzie--let the world unite as in the tower of babel. paul basically instituted a practical socialist society. christ preached it. the new kingdom draws near--we'll realize the christian ideal in our own way. maybe a global war and global warming first but maybe that'll open our eyes to our need to unify the world in a common cause like our failing global economy only half way did--we haven't even begun to see hard economic times--i revel in it. get on board suzie. obama in the highest. LOL. seriously though, i am trying to get everyone to start calling "people" --"sheeple"... both lefties and righties push their evil agendas to the masses. blind faith in anything without critical judgement is extremely dangerous. . bush paved the way for obama. think about it. u should google "george washington's vision." it's in the library of congress. he saw the outcome of the revolutionary war, the civil war, and another war that hasn't come yet which is worse of all. all these wars he saw are on american soil. no shit, it's in the library of congress--i think he saw it in gettysburg or somewhere?????.

H. R. 1913 Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 or More Stupid Laws

2009-04-28T10:55:00.006-04:00

Copy and paste the below letter and send it to your congressman.

Please vote against H. R. 1913. Firstly, we have no need for further legislation regarding violent crime. Laws are already in place to handle violent crime. Secondly, this law would only cost the taxpayers more money in prosecution of court cases while giving higher value and sentencing to specific violent crimes which is prejudicial in and of itself. And lastly, the 14th Amendment to the Constitution provides for equal protection under the law. This law gives absolute unequal protection for a very specific population.

Yeast Colony for Homemade Bread

2009-04-17T07:09:00.013-04:00

Every morning, I wake up and start a pot of coffee. Next I start a loaf of bread. Have you ever eaten homemade bread? It is so delectable, so full of perfect texture and satisfying flavor. If you eat it when it is fresh out of the oven, as we do, topped with drippy, melting butter you will never want store bought bread again.

The ingredients are simple, yeast, sugar, flour, butter, olive oil, milk and salt. The yeast is the most expensive addition, running upwards of $9.00 per 4 oz. With the budget crunch in mind I started experimenting with making my own yeast starter. I figured it would not be too hard based it on the fact that I make my own sourdough starter. Why couldn’t I just start a batch of yeast and go with it. It works. I have not gotten to the place where I need to put the yeast to sleep. I will try that though, putting it in the refrigerator or freezer, and I will let you know if it works.
Here is what you do to make your own yeast. I do not measure so use your judgement as these amounts are just estimates for those of you that need the cup:
Day 1- Use a gallon zip lock baggie. Add about 3 cups of flour and maybe one half cup sugar. Add about four tablespoons of dry yeast (this is the only time you will have to add the yeast). Add whole milk to make it thick and mushy, between thick milkshake and sticky dough consistency.

Day 2- Add another cup flour and tablespoon of sugar and enough milk to keep it mushy. Mush the bag to mix it well.

Day 3- Repeat day 2

Day 4- Repeat day 3

Day 5- Use 1-3 of cups of the yeast mush in your favorite bread recipe with these changes (vary amount added to rise time you prefer, a longer rise time means tastier bread, similar to artisan bread)- on first mix, do not add the salt, adjust your liquid and go a little light on the flour, leaving the dough a little sticky, let it sit about 15 minutes. The yeast will start doing it’s thing. Then knead, adding the salt and more flour until it is the right consistency. You can change the amount of yeast mush to alter the rise time. You can basically use your favorite recipe from here on in. I leave mine to rise over the whole day (maybe 4 hours first then fold then 2 hours then bake) if I add less mush. If you work all day just fold it when you come home and rise it another hour or two then bake. When using a long rise time, take care that the top of the bread does not dry out. I have a ceramic dish with a glass lid that is the perfect size for me. I flour the loaf and the dish and do the rising and baking right in it. This is so inexact, so work it like you have to.

The mush needs replenishment so just add more flour sugar and milk in appropriate proportions each time you take some. I keep mine on the kitchen counter and if I’m not making bread that day I just add a little of the flour sugar milk to feed the yeast until the next day. You don’t need a lot of mixture to keep it going. Over time it might take on a bit of a sour dough flavor which is alright with me. If you don’t like it then start afresh.

Enjoy.

Update: May 7th, I've had a nice sponge of yeast in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. It is in a big plastic container rather than the baggie. I used it to make dinner rolls last night and they rose just great. Next I will try the freezer.

Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment

2009-04-14T20:36:00.004-04:00

What do YOU think?

IA-0257-09 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (U) LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION NOTICE: This product contains Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) information. No portion of the LES information should be released to the media, the general public, or over non-secure Internet servers. Release of this information could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities. (U) Warning: This document is UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (U//FOUO). It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). It is to be controlled, stored, handled, transmitted, distributed, and disposed of in accordance with DHS policy relating to FOUO information and is not to be released to the public, the media, or other personnel who do not have a valid need-to-know without prior approval of an authorized DHS official. State and local homeland security officials may share this document with authorized security personnel without further approval from DHS. (U) All U.S. person information has been minimized. Should you require the minimized U.S. person information, please contact the DHS/I&A Production Branch at IA.PM@hq.dhs.gov, IA.PM@dhs.sgov.gov, or IA.PM@dhs.ic.gov. (U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment 7 April 2009 (U) Prepared by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division. Coordinated with the FBI. (U) Scope (U//FOUO) This product is one of a series of intelligence assessments published by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch to facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the United States. The information is provided to federal, state, local, and tribal counterterrorism and law enforcement officials so they may effectively deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks against the United States. Federal efforts to influence domestic public opinion must be conducted in an overt and transparent manner, clearly identifying United States Government sponsorship. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 2 of 9 (U) Key Findings (U//LES)

The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing* terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment. —
(U//LES) Threats from white supremacist and violent antigovernment groups during 2009 have been largely rhetorical and have not indicated plans to carry out violent acts. Nevertheless, the consequences of a prolonged economic downturn—including real estate foreclosures, unemployment, and an inability to obtain credit—could create a fertile recruiting environment for rightwing extremists and even result in confrontations between such groups and government authorities similar to those in the past. —
(U//LES) Rightwing extremists have capitalized on the election of the first African American president, and are focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters, and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning.
(U//FOUO) The current economic and political climate has some similarities to the 1990s when rightwing extremism experienced a resurgence fueled largely by an economic recession, criticism about the outsourcing of jobs, and the perceived threat to U.S. power and sovereignty by other foreign powers. —
(U//FOUO) During the 1990s, these issues contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks, and infrastructure sectors. —
(U//FOUO) Growth of these groups subsided in reaction to increased government scrutiny as a result of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and disrupted plots, improvements in the economy, and the continued U.S. standing as the preeminent world power.
(U//FOUO) The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks. *
(U) Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 3 of 9 — (U//FOUO) Proposed imposition of firearms restrictions and weapons bans likely would attract new members into the ranks of rightwing extremist groups, as well as potentially spur some of them to begin planning and training for violence against the government. The high volume of purchases and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition by rightwing extremists in anticipation of restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primary concern to law enforcement. —
(U//FOUO) Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to rightwing extremists. DHS/I&A is concerned that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to boost their violent capabilities. (U) Current Economic and Political Climate
(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that a number of economic and political factors are driving a resurgence in rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalization activity. Despite similarities to the climate of the 1990s, the threat posed by lone wolves and small terrorist cells is more pronounced than in past years. In addition, the historical election of an African American president and the prospect of policy changes are proving to be a driving force for rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalization. — (U) A recent example of the potential violence associated with a rise in rightwing extremism may be found in the shooting deaths of three police officers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 4 April 2009. The alleged gunman’s reaction reportedly was influenced by his racist ideology and belief in antigovernment conspiracy theories related to gun confiscations, citizen detention camps, and a Jewish-controlled “one world government.” (U) Exploiting Economic Downturn
(U//FOUO) Rightwing extremist chatter on the Internet continues to focus on the economy, the perceived loss of U.S. jobs in the manufacturing and construction sectors, and home foreclosures. Anti-Semitic extremists attribute these losses to a deliberate conspiracy conducted by a cabal of Jewish “financial elites.” These “accusatory” tactics are employed to draw new recruits into rightwing extremist groups and further radicalize those already subscribing to extremist beliefs. DHS/I&A assesses this trend is likely to accelerate if the economy is perceived to worsen. (U) Historical Presidential Election
(U//LES) Rightwing extremists are harnessing this historical election as a recruitment tool. Many rightwing extremists are antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues, including immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, and restrictions on firearms UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 4 of 9
(U//FOUO) Perceptions on Poverty and Radicalization
(U//FOUO) Scholars and experts disagree over poverty’s role in motivating violent radicalization or terrorist activity. High unemployment, however, has the potential to lead to alienation, thus increasing an individual’s susceptibility to extremist ideas. According to a 2007 study from the German Institute for Economic Research, there appears to be a strong association between a parent’s unemployment status and the formation of rightwing extremist beliefs in their children—specifically xenophobia and antidemocratic ideals. ownership and use. Rightwing extremists are increasingly galvanized by these concerns and leverage them as drivers for recruitment. From the 2008 election timeframe to the present, rightwing extremists have capitalized on related racial and political prejudices in expanded propaganda campaigns, thereby reaching out to a wider audience of potential sympathizers. —
(U//LES) Most statements by rightwing extremists have been rhetorical, expressing concerns about the election of the first African American president, but stopping short of calls for violent action. In two instances in the run-up to the election, extremists appeared to be in the early planning stages of some threatening activity targeting the Democratic nominee, but law enforcement interceded. (U) Revisiting the 1990s
(U//FOUO) Paralleling the current national climate, rightwing extremists during the 1990s exploited a variety of social issues and political themes to increase group visibility and recruit new members. Prominent among these themes were the militia movement’s opposition to gun control efforts, criticism of free trade agreements (particularly those with Mexico), and highlighting perceived government infringement on civil liberties as well as white supremacists’ longstanding exploitation of social issues such as abortion, inter-racial crimes, and same-sex marriage. During the 1990s, these issues contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks, and infrastructure sectors. (U) Economic Hardship and Extremism
(U//FOUO) Historically, domestic rightwing extremists have feared, predicted, and anticipated a cataclysmic economic collapse in the United States. Prominent antigovernment conspiracy theorists have incorporated aspects of an impending economic collapse to intensify fear and paranoia among like-minded individuals and to attract recruits during times of economic uncertainty. Conspiracy theories involving declarations of martial law, impending civil strife or racial conflict, suspension of the U.S. Constitution, and the creation of citizen detention camps often incorporate aspects of a failed economy. Antigovernment conspiracy theories and “end times” prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons. These teachings also have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations and extremist members of the militia movement. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 5 of 9 (U) Illegal Immigration (U//FOUO) Rightwing extremists were concerned during the 1990s with the perception that illegal immigrants were taking away American jobs through their willingness to work at significantly lower wages. They also opposed free trade agreements, arguing that these arrangements resulted in Americans losing jobs to countries such as Mexico. (U//FOUO) Over the past five years, various rightwing extremists, including militias and white supremacists, have adopted the immigration issue as a call to action, rallying point, and recruiting tool. Debates over appropriate immigration levels and enforcement policy generally fall within the realm of protected political speech under the First Amendment, but in some cases, anti-immigration or strident pro-enforcement fervor has been directed against specific groups and has the potential to turn violent.
(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremist groups’ frustration over a perceived lack of government action on illegal immigration has the potential to incite individuals or small groups toward violence. If such violence were to occur, it likely would be isolated, small-scale, and directed at specific immigration-related targets. —
(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A notes that prominent civil rights organizations have observed an increase in anti-Hispanic crimes over the past five years. — (U) In April 2007, six militia members were arrested for various weapons and explosives violations. Open source reporting alleged that those arrested had discussed and conducted surveillance for a machinegun attack on Hispanics. — (U) A militia member in Wyoming was arrested in February 2007 after communicating his plans to travel to the Mexican border to kill immigrants crossing into the United States. (U) Legislative and Judicial Drivers
(U//FOUO) Many rightwing extremist groups perceive recent gun control legislation as a threat to their right to bear arms and in response have increased weapons and ammunition stockpiling, as well as renewed participation in paramilitary training exercises. Such activity, combined with a heightened level of extremist paranoia, has the potential to facilitate criminal activity and violence. —
(U//FOUO) During the 1990s, rightwing extremist hostility toward government was fueled by the implementation of restrictive gun laws—such as the Brady Law that established a 5-day waiting period prior to purchasing a handgun and the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act that limited the sale of various types of assault rifles—and federal law enforcement’s handling of the confrontations at Waco, Texas and Ruby Ridge, Idaho. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 6 of 9 —
(U//FOUO) On the current front, legislation has been proposed this year requiring mandatory registration of all firearms in the United States. Similar legislation was introduced in 2008 in several states proposing mandatory tagging and registration of ammunition. It is unclear if either bill will be passed into law; nonetheless, a correlation may exist between the potential passage of gun control legislation and increased hoarding of ammunition, weapons stockpiling, and paramilitary training activities among rightwing extremists.
(U//FOUO) Open source reporting of wartime ammunition shortages has likely spurred rightwing extremists—as well as law-abiding Americans—to make bulk purchases of ammunition. These shortages have increased the cost of ammunition, further exacerbating rightwing extremist paranoia and leading to further stockpiling activity. Both rightwing extremists and law-abiding citizens share a belief that rising crime rates attributed to a slumping economy make the purchase of legitimate firearms a wise move at this time.
(U//FOUO) Weapons rights and gun-control legislation are likely to be hotly contested subjects of political debate in light of the 2008 Supreme Court’s decision in District of Columbia v. Heller in which the Court reaffirmed an individual’s right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but left open to debate the precise contours of that right. Because debates over constitutional rights are intense, and parties on all sides have deeply held, sincere, but vastly divergent beliefs, violent extremists may attempt to co-opt the debate and use the controversy as a radicalization tool. (U) Perceived Threat from Rise of Other Countries (U//FOUO) Rightwing extremist paranoia of foreign regimes could escalate or be magnified in the event of an economic crisis or military confrontation, harkening back to the “New World Order” conspiracy theories of the 1990s. The dissolution of Communist countries in Eastern Europe and the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s led some rightwing extremists to believe that a “New World Order” would bring about a world government that would usurp the sovereignty of the United States and its Constitution, thus infringing upon their liberty. The dynamics in 2009 are somewhat similar, as other countries, including China, India, and Russia, as well as some smaller, oil-producing states, are experiencing a rise in economic power and influence. —
(U//FOUO) Fear of Communist regimes and related conspiracy theories characterizing the U.S. Government’s role as either complicit in a foreign invasion or acquiescing as part of a “One World Government” plan inspired extremist members of the militia movement to target government and military facilities in past years. —
(U//FOUO) Law enforcement in 1996 arrested three rightwing militia members in Battle Creek, Michigan with pipe bombs, automatic weapons, and military UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 7 of 9
(U//FOUO) Lone Wolves and Small Terrorist Cells (U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that lone wolves and small terrorist cells embracing violent rightwing extremist ideology are the most dangerous domestic terrorism threat in the United States. Information from law enforcement and nongovernmental organizations indicates lone wolves and small terrorist cells have shown intent—and, in some cases, the capability—to commit violent acts.—
(U//LES) DHS/I&A has concluded that white supremacist lone wolves pose the most significant domestic terrorist threat because of their low profile and autonomy—separate from any formalized group—which hampers warning efforts. —
(U//FOUO) Similarly, recent state and municipal law enforcement reporting has warned of the dangers of rightwing extremists embracing the tactics of “leaderless resistance” and of lone wolves carrying out acts of violence. —
(U//FOUO) Arrests in the past several years of radical militia members in Alabama, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania on firearms, explosives, and other related violations indicates the emergence of small, well-armed extremist groups in some rural areas. ordnance that they planned to use in attacks on nearby military and federal facilities and infrastructure targets. — (
U//FOUO) Rightwing extremist views bemoan the decline of U.S. stature and have recently focused on themes such as the loss of U.S. manufacturing capability to China and India, Russia’s control of energy resources and use of these to pressure other countries, and China’s investment in U.S. real estate and corporations as a part of subversion strategy. (U) Disgruntled Military Veterans
(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists—including lone wolves or small terrorist cells—to carry out violence. The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today. — (U) After Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991, some returning military veterans—including Timothy McVeigh—joined or associated with rightwing extremist groups. — (U) A prominent civil rights organization reported in 2006 that “large numbers of potentially violent neo-Nazis, skinheads, and other white supremacists are now learning the art of warfare in the [U.S.] armed forces.” —
(U//LES) The FBI noted in a 2008 report on the white supremacist movement that some returning military veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have joined extremist groups. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 8 of 9 (U) Outlook
(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that the combination of environmental factors that echo the 1990s, including heightened interest in legislation for tighter firearms restrictions and returning military veterans, as well as several new trends, including an uncertain economy and a perceived rising influence of other countries, may be invigorating rightwing extremist activity, specifically the white supremacist and militia movements. To the extent that these factors persist, rightwing extremism is likely to grow in strength.
(U//FOUO) Unlike the earlier period, the advent of the Internet and other informationage technologies since the 1990s has given domestic extremists greater access to information related to bomb-making, weapons training, and tactics, as well as targeting of individuals, organizations, and facilities, potentially making extremist individuals and groups more dangerous and the consequences of their violence more severe. New technologies also permit domestic extremists to send and receive encrypted communications and to network with other extremists throughout the country and abroad, making it much more difficult for law enforcement to deter, prevent, or preempt a violent extremist attack.
(U//FOUO) A number of law enforcement actions and external factors were effective in limiting the militia movement during the 1990s and could be utilized in today’s climate. —
(U//FOUO) Following the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, the militia movement declined in total membership and in the number of organized groups because many members distanced themselves from the movement as a result of the intense scrutiny militias received after the bombing. —
(U//FOUO) Militia membership continued to decline after the turn of the millennium as a result of law enforcement disruptions of multiple terrorist plots linked to violent rightwing extremists, new legislation banning paramilitary training, and militia frustration that the “revolution” never materialized. —
(U//FOUO) Although the U.S. economy experienced a significant recovery and many perceived a concomitant rise in U.S. standing in the world, white supremacist groups continued to experience slight growth.
(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months to ascertain with greater regional specificity the rise in rightwing extremist activity in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the political, economic, and social factors that drive rightwing extremist radicalization. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Page 9 of 9 (U) Reporting Notice: (U) DHS encourages recipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to DHS and the FBI. The DHS National Operations Center (NOC) can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9685 or by e-mail at NOC.Fusion@dhs.gov. For information affecting the private sector and critical infrastructure, contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element of the NOC. The NICC can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9201 or by e-mail at NICC@dhs.gov. The FBI regional phone numbers can be found online at http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm. When available, each report submitted should include the date, time, location, type of activity, number of people and type of equipment used for the activity, the name of the submitting company or organization, and a designated point of contact. (U) For comments or questions related to the content or dissemination of this document, please contact the DHS/I&A Production Branch at IA.PM@hq.dhs.gov, IA.PM@dhs.sgov.gov, or IA.PM@dhs.ic.gov. (U) Tracked by: CRIM-040300-01-05, CRIM-040400-01-05, TERR-010000-01-05

I thought

2009-04-07T06:32:00.004-04:00

I thought I would be able to retire in comfort but now that the government printers in Denver and Philly have kicked into overtime the future is clear. The money I saved MIGHT pay my rising property taxes for a month...maybe. The investments I had hoped would assure a pleasant end to a raucous life (no I did not loose in the recent crash, things were moved around appropriately before that) are the victim of the new governments uncontrolled spend and print mentality. I am just amazed at the absolute lack of pretense regarding the unbalanced budget. Throw money here, throw money there but from whence comes the cash? Yet, the sheep look towards their leader, with stars in their eyes.

The Wise

2009-03-05T22:23:00.003-05:00

by Countee Cullen

Dead men are wisest, for they know

How far the roots of flowers go,

How long a seed must rot to grow.

Dead men alone bear frost and rain

On throbless heart and heatless brain,

And feel no stir of joy or pain.

Dead men alone are satiate;

They sleep and dream and have no weight,

To curb their rest, of love or hate.

Strange, men should flee their company,

Or think me strange who long to be

Wrapped in their cool immunity.

Gadgets-Panasonic Lumix TS1

2009-03-04T07:10:00.007-05:00

My last waterproof camera, a Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1, bit the dust one month past it's year guarantee. It is sitting in some Sanyo executives office in Japan. He vowed to replace my camera but I have yet to see another. I liked the camera for the conditions in which I used it, it took decent movies for a still camera and I could take it kayaking with me which was the reason I bought it in the first place. The macro mode took very good close ups, an example is the flower above. On the con side, it took very poor low light photos, did not have a built in lens cover, no optical view finder, oh and it broke at one year and one month. I have been looking at other weatherproof still/movie cameras but have not felt excited enough to replace my old one (plus I am waiting on Mr. Hiroshi Fuji and the long lost replacement). There is a new offering in this market and I am now just waiting for it's release in order to scour actual use reviews. Specs that I care about: Waterproof to 10 feet, dustproof, shockproof to 5 feet, macro 5 cm, HD video recording at 1280 x 720 hd plus quicktime and vga, 12.7 megapixels, uses sd cards (I already have a few of them, why switch?). It performs well in low light without flash. The specs are impressive. Unfortunately it has no lense cover (as far as I could see) nor does it have an optical viewfinder. I will wait, though, until it has been out a few months, to see if it performs as promised...we all know about promises. Maybe I can have one by the summer. I am excited.

1/3/10 I bought the lumix and have had it about six months and am really disappointed. Lot of distortion in the photos, obviosly the lens is glitchy, stretches out a face here, there. Color is okay but not great. Macro is not very macro, I can get maybe 2" away before it blurs. If I had it to do again I wouldn't buy it.

Empty Nest

2009-02-26T06:36:00.015-05:00

Alien teen, disconnected. I never felt a part of, more like I was a bystander, analyzing, trying so hard, never feeling inside, out out out, always out. What is that game they play? What are the rules? With my children, now that was different. Things just flowed, we had real fun and I gave and they took and didn't expect me to fit, or conform, or, unagreeing, agree. I was a we except not anymore. They are grown and I am alone again, making the same choices, trying to figure out how to traverse relationships. And the analyzing, I still do and wonder do I really want to sniff out the cheese? Are the sacrifices, twists and travails worth the social rewards of having friends? F. Scott Fitzgerald said "It is in the thirties that we want friends. In the forties we know they won't save us any more than love did." Now that, I agree with.

Here I sit, waiting for grandchildren so I can have someone to play with. Is this my "Empty Nest"?

2009-02-18T22:29:00.003-05:00

busted bird bath becomes

a remnant of ancient greece

as I walk along the rip-rap, rivers edge

beautiful brokenness

My Stimulis Package

2009-02-12T17:20:00.003-05:00

Here is my idea. Kill NAFTA. Raise tariffs. These two things would bring us back to being a manufacturing nation (rather than a service nation as we have become) and all that that implies. They would also add money to the coffers so maybe we could start paying back the Chinese.

A Cool Poem that is shaped like a pig

2009-01-27T07:03:00.005-05:00

Saint Francis and the Sow

by Galway Kinnell

The bud

stands for all things,

even for those things that don't flower,

or everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing;

though sometimes it is necessary

to reteach a thing its loveliness,

to put a hand on its brow

of the flower

and retell it in words and in touch

it is lovely

until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing;

as Saint Francis

put his hand on the creased forehead

of the sow, and told her in words and in touch

blessings of earth on the sow, and the sow

began remembering all down her thick length,

from the earthen snout all the way

through the fodder and slops to the spiritual curl of the tail,

from the hard spininess spiked out from the spine

down through the great broken heart

to the blue milken dreaminess spurting and shuddering

from the fourteen teats into the fourteen mouths sucking and blowing beneath

them:

the long, perfect loveliness of sow.

The New Patriots

2009-01-25T08:26:00.006-05:00

I read more and more comments about new found patriotism thanks to Obama's election. Are you one of those? Listen...Patriotism that is based on the whim of the electorate is not patriotism at all. It is maybe pride in having voted for the winning candidate or a gas bubble trapped in your stomach...it IS NOT patriotism. A patriot , according to the dictionary on my computer, is a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors. Patriots love their country through thick or thin. Their passion is not the fanciful feeling of the moment, it is a part of who they are. It comes from within not without. Great patriots support their country and its constitution, not some vague smarty pants acadamians interpretation of it. Real American patriots do not wait for satisfaction from without, they are a part of a grassroots population who are doing, not getting. They are all around you, giving their time and resources to other Americans because they love our nation and want every citizen to feel that too. A patriots commitment is to their country, not their president, because he is just a man and not a nation.

Winter = Death

2009-01-20T19:00:00.006-05:00

The death of winter is slowly taking over...no walks in the sun and swimming and kayaks. Chill grey winds have left me panting on the frozen sand, a fish out of water. The birds that leaf the barren trees fly away at the sound of my plodding steps. I search for light and there is none, only the cold blue pulse of arctic currents whisking away the last yellow motes of summer.

2009-01-20T18:31:00.003-05:00

Haiku

Ode to the Mighty Delaware

The hard ice tinkles

Sounding cold winter wind chimes

Frozen river song

Oops

2009-01-03T09:11:00.007-05:00

RE: Youtube kiddie porn

2008-12-26T22:09:00.005-05:00

There is a new viral video on youtube, along with a whole rash of copycats, that shows a little girl dancing like Beyonce in her hit video "All the Single Ladies". I was so appalled watching little girls bump and grind that I made many comments on these videos. This blog is a compilation of the comments, emails, etc. If you want to see the videos you will have to find them yourself, they are in poor taste and I will not put them here.

Please forgive the repetition.

Comment:
She's a little girl mimicking a burlesque style dance that she should not even be watching in the first place due to it's sexually charged nature. Beyonce has become adult entertainment. Unfortunately, many adults don't have the education or perception of basic human psychology to understand the effects of porn on society, especially on children, as in this case.

Comment:
The media would have us believe that this sort of dancing and sexual posturing are not harmful to young children. Research shows us that the opposite is true. This video is not appropriate in light of this knowledge. There are also issues of self worth as it is tied to sexuality. As a feminist I understand that the male dominated media would like to keep women in a position of subservience and, if our value is derived from our sexuality, we will never be considered equal.

Comment:
If you liked "IT" then you should have put a ring on "IT". Absolute objectification of the female, exactly what porn does. That is the message this little girl is getting, like it or not.

Comment:
Kiddie porn. Why would you post a video of a baby dancing like a hoochie mama? You know all the perv's are getting off on this one.

So, you would subject this baby to the cum stained computer screens of perv's everywhere??? It is NOT okay. And this child is not innocent, she has been stained by the perverted male media machine.

From BluYu42:
I see where you are coming, but my point was that those people shouldn't be calling her a whore/stripper in training, or something like that. I can understand if they don't like this video, but to me it seems so mean to say that about her, just because of a video. I think she will most likely forget about dancing like this when she gets older. Also, if she were uncomfortable doing this, I don't think she would have done it. But, it's just that these people who don't like it don't have to let everyone know using names and the language they use.

My Reply:
I agree. It is not the child's fault that she is encouraged in this sort of activity. Those who call the child names like slut or ho do make a point of perception. The reality of the situation is that some men cannot separate the child's actions from the child's intent. Instead they ascribe her mimicry to sexual promiscuity, a tragic mistake.

Shante328 said:
you must be a perv get ur mind out the gutter she is three ,think about it they all had someone they looked up to before they got started. she has no idea what the media or pervs like yourself think. it is dancing and she loves it. maybe it is you who is so worthless that you feel this way.

and another from Shante328:
do not post comments on my page if you are a perv which you obviosly are if you talkin bout a three year old connecting self worth to sexuality. she has no clue. i guess her modeling and commercials and dance recitals are wrong too. there are pervs like you everywhere so what diff does it make. as long as she is educated as well. all the dancers ,singers and actors got started somwhere.

My Reply:
The media would have us believe that this sort of dancing and sexual posturing are not harmful to young children. In fact, research shows us that the opposite is true. Maybe you should read some of the studies.

I can tell you love your child and are very proud of her. I just want you to understand that this video is not appropriate in light of what professionals in the field know.

I am not a perv, I have seen the damage done to little children. They are brought to the hospital after the harm is done. The adult victims come to us with major problems.

There are also issues of self worth as it is tied to sexuality. As a feminist I understand that the male dominated media would like to keep women in a position of subservience and, if our value is derived from our sexuality, we will never be considered equal.

I Love Peoples brains

2008-12-12T21:42:00.003-05:00

A Postmodern Religious Sentiment

The seeker starts out on the spiritual path thinking, “I want liberation for myself—I want to be an enlightened human being.” But sooner or later, anyone who seriously pursues that aspiration in an evolutionary context comes to a point where it becomes glaringly obvious that there is something infinitely bigger than their own personal spiritual desires that is calling them. It's no longer “I want that” but rather, “That wants me.” And that is a truly religious feeling—an authentic religious sentiment in a completely postmodern sense. That's the beauty of it: the arrogant postmodern ego always wants for itself, and the only thing that can really turn the tables on its unending craving is the startling recognition that the very thing you were searching for wants everything from you. It turns your whole world upside down. And I can't imagine anything that could be more appropriate for those of us at the leading edge at this pivotal moment in our cultural evolution.

Andrew Cohen

NJ Paid Ponzi Scheme...er...a...I mean NJ Paid Family Leave Act

2008-12-12T21:29:00.002-05:00

2008-11-10T22:38:00.006-05:00

Fall Colors (a haiku)

Orange-red fire leaves

Burn white thoughts of winters chill

Golden summer dies

My Nephews Blog...Bravo Chris

2008-11-04T18:28:00.002-05:00

My nephew posted this on a blog. I have reposted it here and I give kudos to this budding lawyer.

In response to:

Friends and Family:

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada supports Barack Obama for President. The following quotation is taken from their site:

On January 9, 2008, the United Association became the first International Union to endorse Senator Barack Obama as its candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. This endorsement was discussed with the General Executive Board and they concurred. (source: http://www.ua.org/ua_endorses.asp).

These are the real plumbers who make sure your hospitals have medical gas lines, your amusement parks and businesses have upgraded facilities, and your housing repipes are done by the highest trained professionals in the industry.

"Joe the Plumber" needs to stop talking for all of us. Please vote on Tuesday.

I write:

I think you're missing the point about what "Joe the Plumber" ("Joe") did. He doesn't claim, nor does anyone, that he speaks for all plumbers. Joe got Barak Obama to effectively admit that he is a socialist with the phrase "spread the wealth around"...:

Whether you agree with Mr. Obama or not has no relevance to this matter. America was not intended and is not supposed to be a socialist nation. The reason we are known to be a "free" country is because we have the freedom to succeed, fail, live, die, speak, defend ourselves, etc. without government interference. You can refer to the arguments of our founding fathers in favor of revolution to clarify any confusion about the truthfulness of my statement.

What boggles my mind about the media's representation of recent events that tipped public opinion in Obama's favor, namely the collapse of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, is that they failed to mention that Bill Clinton was responsible for signing the bill that deregulated these companies to promote home ownership in the USA. Immediately after Mr. Clinton signed the bill to deregulate, housing prices stopped rising and falling with the dollar's rate of inflation and deflation. Housing prices began to increase at an unprecedented rate due to the increase in demand. You see, the people who were newly inducted into the home loans market were previously denied by banks for a reason. They couldn't be relied upon to pay their bills and banks, unlike the government, traditionally don't like taking "sure thing" loss risks. I repeat they were denied loans for a reason; they couldn't or wouldn't pay their bills in a manner that earned the confidence of the companies that rely individuals to repay their debts. Republicans warned that deregulating Freddie and Fannie would cause a problem like we recently encountered and blamed on Bush. Bill Clintons actions were that of a socialist.

You can take the wealth from all the rich people and dump it into the bottomless pit of poverty and you'll see a difference for what, a month? Then you have no more rich people and all poor people. But, without the rich people running businesses and producing the products we need and want, the poor are poorer and we, the middle class, are right beside them in misery. No matter how much we envy or are jealous of the rich, we do need them. They need us. We currently have the freedom to become them if we're intelligent enough and they have the freedom to become us.

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins. God aside, it's not respected by current US popular culture individually. So, I ask you to apply your disdain for envy/jealousy to this socialist sentiment of "spreading the wealth around".

Joe didn't intend to speak for all plumbers. Joe spoke for patriotic Americans who love this country and what it stands for. These Americans see the change that Barak Obama is proposing as reminiscent of Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, Cuba, China, etc.

Don't be upset because I mentioned the Nazis. They are a part of world history and their leader was a great public speaker who took Germany from the brink of ruin and transformed it into a successful nation. He used words like "change" and "hope". I'm curious, what changes Barak Obama will make, will they pass the test of the Constitution, and at what expense are we putting our hope in this man that Louis Farrakhan calls the Messiah? Is Obama's relationship with Bill Ayers any indication of what kind of mentality he tolerates? What kind of mentality doesn't Obama tolerate?

You have to understand, I'm a common American who makes less than the variable $250,000 - $150,000 that Obama promises won't see a penny of increased taxes. But I understand that if you raise taxes on my employer and the guy I buy stuff from (companies), I'm going to pay for it anyway. I don't want government healthcare. No one should pay for me if I'm sick. There are risks in life and, if you're going to go on living, you have to take them. If I get into a car accident, I don't want driving to become illegal. If I become injured hiking, I don't want hiking to become illegal. I want the freedom to succeed or fail. I want the freedom to be rich or poor. Just because some people don't see a way out of poverty other than stealing money from the fortunate doesn't mean there is no way out.

By the way, I hate unions. There was a time when they were useful, but now they're obsolete, corrupt, and a hindrance to growth and prosperity.

I'm sick of the liberal elite, like Barak Obama, trying to run my life. My countrymen and I are patient, but we all have our limits.

Alan Keyes is awesome and he's more intelligent than Barak Obama. Why not write him in this Nov. 4th.

If you want, visit me on myspace. You can send me comments and messages that bash or thank me. I'm not afraid of criticism, so sound off. My url is: myspace.com/cromansky

An Ode to Jay: greasy eggs and blog spam

2008-10-04T10:13:00.005-04:00

My friend Jay

Jay-my-friend

That Jay-my-friend

I so much like

that Jay-my-friend

Do you like

greasy eggs and blog spam?

I do not like them

Jay-my-friend

I do not like

greasy eggs and blog spam.

Do The Math

2008-09-29T20:36:00.003-04:00

My Meadows

2008-09-22T09:42:00.009-04:00

Sunday school over, I head to the river with my kayak. A cormorant couple is diving for fish and I hold my breath, waiting for them to surface. Seagulls float overhead in a clear blue sky punctuated by the remains of last nights moon. Gentle swells carry me up and down as I begin my trek. Crabbers wave then pull in their tasty haul. The tide is coming in so I paddle against the current until I reach the creek mouth. Then I use my paddle as rudder and just float along under the warm september sun.

Another day in the meadows. My meadows are fields of marsh grass and fragmites, with an occasional bunch of purple loosestrife, growing out of ripe and slimy, black sucking mud, hence the scientific name muck (mud + suck = muck). I’ve been prisoner to that muck up to my thighs and the smell…it takes a good scrubbing to get it off. The detritus of our civilization, the black mounds and the water runoff that is filtered here are teeming with wildlife.

Huge carp jump for an unlucky fly while minnows sparkle and splash silver like a handful of coins thrown into the brackish water. The shy blue heron alights then flies away just as I float near, always staying two steps ahead while the even shyer fiddler crabs, with their muscle bound claw, quickly scramble sideways into their burrows. The muskrats too are rarely seen but their myriad tunnels through grass and mud are everywhere, and are the roots of many small side branches of this creek.

Overhead swifts jet through the air and the blackbirds surprise with their flash of red wing. Monarchs are out and about. Their orange wings a beautiful contrast against the sky. A yellow butterfly flits at the edge of my vision, as does the knowledge that I must return home.

OOOOOO I Want One

2008-09-17T12:42:00.004-04:00

This looks so fun. Much better than the jet ski. You can land or take off in 750 feet from water or land. It takes regular gas, getting about 20 miles a gallon with a range of around 350 miles. The toys that are coming to fruition now are the things I dreamt about as a kid. I guess I'll just keep dreaming because the price tag is $140,000.00.

Click on the title to go to the company website.

God IS Nice

2008-09-12T08:40:00.003-04:00

I prayed with my son while driving him to school just as I always do. This day I included myself and my need for relief from chronic pain as it has been especially restricting and really affecting me mentally. I usually don’t pray for things for myself except in the heat of the moment or as it relates to my work of caring for others and the things my patients need from me.

After dropping him off I went to the gas station. I pulled in and asked for “forty dollars cash regular” from the ubiquitous smiling Pakistani with the thick accent and a turban on his head. While gassing up, I was reading my devotions, electronically stored on my Treo. Today’s bit was titled “Friendship with God” and it went on to explain what a true friendship with God means as referred to in Genisis 18, how a right relationship with Him brings a life of “freedom, liberty, and delight.”

The gas handle clicked and the pump man came over to me and took my money and smiling, he said “God is nice.”

And do you know what? He REALLY IS nice. He let me know that He was my friend, that He was with me and told me twice in only a few minutes, first in written words and then, right after, spoken by a smiling messenger with a thick accent pumping my gas.

This Morning I Was Reading

2008-09-09T18:00:00.005-04:00

This morning I was reading poetry. My mind kept wandering down a path of regret and here is what I was thinking:

All those poems gone, I wrote for years, through high school and beyond into my 20’s and I littered notebooks with all the screaming sorrow and confusion and isolation that filled me until I exploded, or rather imploded, and began again as an empty vessel. Now I know my writing was good, like my drawings, but all of it, the drawings and the writings, I kept in secret shame just as I did my life. One day I got married and the next day (well almost…6 months later) divorced and that dark, storm cloud of a man destroyed all the pieces of paper...the spiral bound, loose leaf, bright white, stationary...that told the tale of my prior existence, the story of a girl who wasn’t me, a girl who was only a figment of a life I left rotting in a dank basement because it wouldn’t burn and all attempts to drown it failed because it could swim very well. It did bleed, but not enough to kill it. I tried slow annihilation but it finally just had to get lost, somewhere, like the poems and pencils and pieces of a person. I hope it leaves me alone.

2008-09-06T18:13:00.007-04:00

My Summer Vacation

2008-08-26T11:03:00.016-04:00

Gino kayaking around Seal Cove

Dad and I cooking fish 1960's

Vacation this year was to Mt. Desert Island. An almost perfect place, Acadia is a refreshing release from the sweltering sauna that is South Jersey in late August. This trip is a family tradition. I remember the long drive up, the thrill that I felt passing by the Manhattan skyscrapers. And the Isle, giving me gifts from the sea, the rapture of reeling in a slippery, wriggling fish that was all mine for dinner that night, early morning tidal pooling and running up to Dad with each and every sea urchin and star fish I found, "Look Dad, I found a BIG one". I remember one chill afternoon, we were standing on a cliff listening to the crashing, fog obscured sea below. I was shivering, and my Father gave me his jacket. I felt his warmth when he wrapped his battered suede around my shoulders, I felt his love, I felt that he could always take care of me, he was so strong.

The trip this year was bitter sweet. Dad hung back in the car or camp, his body too frail to make most of those long hikes. He tried and only got frustrated with his aching, failing shell. He is old. His battered marathoners knees are not dependable anymore. His heart does strange things and he thinks he will never see Mt. Desert again. The idea that he will not be standing there, holding out his jacket...

I love my father. He is smart, kind and loving. He can fix anything and has a solution to any problem I lay at his door. He loves God and country. Total strangers are drawn to him like moths to a flame and it is a family joke that he has a friend everywhere, because he does. It is his love of traveling that has infected me, his love of nature and this island that draws me back, year after year.

Dad at Seawall 2008

Mushroom Lovers

2008-08-26T10:44:00.007-04:00

I want to be your mushroom lover

A part of you, but not you

Safe under your umbrella

Close against your bine

Spore of your spore

A Move Beyond Hybrid Cars

2008-08-05T07:29:00.009-04:00

A recent headline regarding the "I am better than you are" campaign for presidency of the United States has Obama decrying McCain as in the pockets of the oil companies in that he does not have a wonderful energy plan that includes massive subsidies to the auto manufacturers. I immediately thought of how ridiculous the whole premise is. Hybrid cars are an already antiquated concept. They still need gasoline and projections show that by the year 2025 we will be using the same amount of fossil fuel even if all vehicles are hybrid. Consequently, the claimed reduction on oil dependance that we would gain by going hybrid is really no reduction at all and the "Better Than You" platform that HObama stands upon shows itself made of polenta and built on sand.

If subsidies for big business are what one desires to propagate in order to reduce our dependance on foreign oil, then get with it and subsidize hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV) manufacturing. These vehicles are zero emissions. That's it. Brilliant huh?

Maybe I should run for President.

A Night of a Thousand Deaths

2008-07-28T02:06:00.008-04:00

Another night at work, keeping the dead alive for another day or week or month...waiting for them to become really dead, not just mostly dead. And while waiting for their honest to gosh death we turn them every 2 hours and suction their mouths and gently, oh so gently, bathe their bruised and broken bodies that we have penetrated with ghastly devices intended to keep them alive; foley's and chest tubes and endotracheal tubes and nasogastric tubes and PEG tubes and central lines through which we pump the life sustaining drugs that keeps the blood moving oxygen to the dying cells and keeps their bodies alive and on earth for another day or week or month so we can turn them....

Haiku on a Bike

2008-07-18T12:33:00.000-04:00

Biking today I found Amelia Earhart's plane, lonely, in a ditch.

Change is Good

2008-07-17T07:30:00.000-04:00

I've traded out the Klimt Kiss that hung on my wall. I have wanted to change it for years and finally have but only because I painted the walls. What kind of justification for change of art is that? Why do I need justification to change the art anyway? Why do I have to justify anything I do? Who am I making excuses for and to whom? Who cares?

Now Murnau by Kandinsky hangs against the freshly golden wall. It looks good.

Change is good.

The Trick is to Say No: An Argument Against Prostitution

2008-07-14T09:15:00.001-04:00

Prostitution is demeaning and degrading to the prostitute and should not be made legal. While some would have you believe that legalized prostitution empowers women, that argument fails in every way. The case against legalized prostitution involves many points that those who favor legalization cannot successfully argue in light of the facts.
Firstly, there is the thought that becoming a prostitute is a choice, that a person who is a prostitute has made their career decision as a matter of free will. I contend that prostitution is not a choice, but that a prostitute is just doing what she was raised to do, comply with any necessary perversion in order to assure survival. The fact is, a very large percentage of prostitutes were sexually abused as children with figures ranging from 65% to 90% ( the higher numbers coming from clinicians who are studying legal prostitutes in Nevada ) (Farley 1). These women are groomed to be the sexual sacrificial lambs of our society. The physical and emotional abuse they suffer only compounds their feelings of worthlessness. Hope is not a part of the vocabulary of their growing up. Their lives hold no choices for them and they accept their status quo as a means of survival.
That the age of 13 is the average age for a girl to begin prostituting herself says a lot regarding the lost childhoods and the lost people that populate this so-called profession. Abuse is its own dehumanizer and from there, the only way to go is down. To quote Catherine Mackinnon:
[In the past, we had a women's] movement which understood that the choice to be beaten by one man for economic survival was not a real choice, despite the appearance of consent a marriage contract might provide. Yet now we are supposed to believe, in the name of feminism, that the choice to be fucked by hundreds of men for economic survival must be affirmed as a real choice, and if the woman signs a model release there is no coercion there."
Women who are prostitutes have said repeatedly that they want out of the business but they had nowhere to go and nothing else to do. 89% of prostitutes said they would rather be doing something else (Farley 2). Why do they remain prostitutes if so many want out? Because they have no other choice. They are groomed for this, the oldest of "professions", and they have not been given the financial means or the skill set to escape. If prostitution were made legal, do you think that there would be any incentive for the government to offer these lost souls the actual help that they need? Of course not. Why look a gift horse in the mouth?
Prostitution can be quite a source of income for local and regional governments…at least that has been the claim. However, it is important to understand that the long-term expense of legalizing prostitution may be greater than the income. For, example, the German government has found that their dream of income based on the taxation of prostitutes to be much different from the reality. Catherine Mackinnon tells us that:
German lawmakers thought they were going to get hundreds of millions of euros in tax revenue when they legalized prostitution and brothels in 2002. However, keeping with criminal nature of prostitution, the newly redefined 'business owners' and 'freelance staff' in brothels will not pay up. Germany is suffering a budget deficit, and the Federal Audit Office estimates that the government has lost over two billion euros a year in unpaid tax revenue from the sex industry.
Therefore, although some have argued that the financial windfall that prostitution brings is reason enough to legalize it, the claim that it is a windfall is a questionable one. We can ignore the German governments dilemma and continue with the premise that income can be generated for governments were prostitution made legal. Since income and not ethics is the basis of this argument then it is only fair to look for other sexual modes of income that can be considered for example, why stop with adults when legalizing the prostitution of children can also generate income. The question here then is whether the income is worth the harm to society. The answer is no. Neither the children nor the abused women have really made a choice to prostitute yet those proselytizing for legalization of prostitution would have you believe otherwise.
By exploiting marginalized women in order to fill our coffers we hurt more than the hookers we canabalize. We also hurt their children by keeping their mothers in a place of low self-esteem, not the best place from which to mother. Children are also hurt by the illness and premature death of their parent, part of the “profession” of prostitution, legal or not. Who then has the burden of support for these mothers and their children? The taxpayers of course.
Despite claims of healthier prostitutes via mandated physical checkups; studies, and a logical examination of the true facts of prostitution show us that there are many occupational hazards involved in selling oneself for money legal or not. Higher than average rates of sexually transmitted disease’s (STD’s), repetitive stress injuries to hands, wrists, knees and jaws, bladder infections, physical violence, rape, and murder are all associated with prostitution. When one factors into account all of the illegals who participate in prostitution, then it is clear too see that attempts to enforce disease and violence prevention are moot. The government cannot enforce laws to protect people who, legally, do not exist (as is the case with undocumented or illegal aliens) along with unregistered prostitutes (many prostitutes in countries where it is legal do not register in order to avoid taxes and fees, working under the table so to speak). In regards to STD’s, it has been stated that condoms can decrease their rate among prostitutes. However, that idea is merely wishful thinking. The reason this point fails to hit home is quite simple; there are many clients who will pay a prostitute extra money to forgo use of a condom. To say that prostitutes care too much about their heath to engage in such risky behavior is missing the whole reason these women are prostitutes in the first place, low self esteem, lack of self worth, victim mentality, extreme subservience, violence and financial need. In regards to violence and murder towards prostitutes; that again goes with the territory and its reasons are myriad, including those mentioned earlier in regards to non-use of condoms. Think about it, everything that a woman is taught not to do in order to avoid being preyed upon is everything that a prostitute does. One former prostitute tells us:
There are thousands of books and classes that provide women with information on self- defense and rape “avoidance” strategies. Some of the basic lessons they teach us are not to walk alone at night on dark deserted streets, not to get into cars with strange men, not to pick up guys in a bar, not to even let a delivery man into your home when you’re by yourself. Yet this is what the “job” of prostitution requires; that women put themselves in j eopardy every time they turn a trick. And then we ask, “How do you prevent it from leading to danger?” The answer is, you can’t. Count the bodies. (Farley 3)
Regarding the lack of worth, self-esteem and helplessness felt by those who become prostitutes I think Andrea Dworkin put it best when she said:
When men use women in prostitution, they are expressing a pure hatred for the female body. It is as pure as anything on this earth ever is or ever has been. It is a contempt so deep, so deep, that a whole human life is reduced to a few sexual orifices, and he can do anything he wants…I want you to understand…It's true. He can do anything he wants. She has nowhere to go. There is no cop to complain to; the cop may well be the guy who is doing it. The lawyer that she goes to will want payment in kind. When she needs medical help, it turns out he's just another john. Do you understand? She is literally nothing.”
I previously mentioned illegal aliens and I would like to examine that issue further. Studies have shown that where legalized prostitution exists the rates of trafficked illegal aliens, along with child prostitution and pornography, increase exponentially. In the Netherlands, where prostitution is legal, “80% of prostitutes are foreigners and 70% have no immigration papers, suggesting that they were trafficked” (Louis). In fact, the Netherlands, often held up as a model for legalized prostitution, is one of the top five destination countries of women trafficked for prostitution. Revenue estimates upwards of $42.5 billion (Tiraspol times) make trafficking the fastest growing sector of organized crime and their leading source of income. Organized crime and legal prostitution go hand and hand. It is common knowledge that legalized prostitution is a boon for organized crime in that it gives crooks a cover under which to operate. The criminals don’t have to worry about getting arrested as much as they would have to if prostitution were illegal, they can blend in with the “regulated” sector of “sex workers” and their “managers”. Prostitutes are everywhere, so who is going to notice the difference. The Swedish government (2004) states that it is precisely the legal prostitution markets that allow human trafficking to thrive. In other words, the buyers are already in place, and they demand and are willing to pay for more exotic, more perverted, and younger sex objects while organized crime is right there with the goods, no matter how illegal or repulsive. Any argument for legalized prostitution that makes it’s case based on monitoring or regulation fails from it’s onset due to the huge unregulatable population that is embodied in trafficked humans.
It is never ethically or morally right to exploit the weakness of another. If our government takes part in the demoralization and dehumanization of women by legalizing and encouraging prostitution then it also has a hand in the negative effects of prostitution on our society, organized crime and child prostitution just to name a few.

Works Cited

Dworkin, Andrea. Prostitution and Male Supremacy. 1993. Retrieved 16 May 2008 from http://www.nostatusquo.com/ACLU/dworkin/MichLawJourI.html
Farley, Melissa. 1. “Prostitution: Factsheet on Human Rights Violations”. 2 April 2000. Prostitution Research and Education. Retrieved 16 May 2008 from http://www.prostitutionresearch. com/factsheet.html
- - -.2. Isin Baral, Merab Kiremire, Ufuk Sezgin, “Prostitution in Five Countries: Violence and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder “(1998) Feminism & Psychology 8 (4): 405-426, Prostitution Research and Education Retrieved 19 May 2008 from http://www. prostitutionresearch.com/factsheet.html
- - -.3. (quoting Evelina Giobbe, The Vox Fights, VOX, Winter 1991). “Prostitution, Trafficking, and Cultural Amnesia: What We Must Not Know in Order To Keep the Business of SexualExploitation Running Smoothly”. (5 March 2006). Prostitution Research and Education Retrieved 19 May 2008 from http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/pdfs/ FarleyYaleLaw2006.pdf
Louis, Marie-Victoire. “Legalizing Pimping, Dutch Style”. Quoted in Le Monde Diplomatique. 8 March 1997. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. Retrieved 16 May 2008 from http://www.catwinternational.org/factbook/Netherlands.php
Catharine A. MacKinnon. “Liberalism and the Death of Feminism”. Quoted in Dorchen Leidholdt and Janice Raymond (eds). The Sexual Liberals and the Attack on Feminism. (1990). Teachers College Press, New York. Prostitution Research and Education Retrieved 16 May 2008 from http://www.prostitutionresearch.com/factsheet.html
“Moldova: Lower prices behind sex slavery boom and child prostitution”. The Tirospol Times and Weekly Review. Retrieved 19 May 2008 from http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/node/653
Swedish Ministry of Industry, Employment, and Communications. 2004. Fact Sheet: Prostitution and Trafficking in Women. Retrieved 19 May 2008 from http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/01/87/74/6bc6c972.pdf

NJ State Park Closings

2008-04-05T00:36:00.000-04:00

I suspect that Governor Corzine (d. NJ) sustained some brain damage when he was in that car accident. You all remember, don't you? He was not belted in a speeding car (when the NJ law requires seat belt) and was severely injured. Now he takes a state police helicopter to functions so he won't get in car accidents. Anyhow, for a supposed lack of $4.7 million he plans on closing every state park in our South Jersey area and then some. Now here is why I think Corzine is touched in the head. At the same time he is closing the parks, he is giving away about $15 million in grants and financing private industry to the tune of $270 million to encourage stem cell research. Part of that money is going to build a privately owned multi-million dollar research facility. The residents of NJ, who paid out of pocket, will not get any discount when new treatments are developed despite the fact that our tax dollars paid for it. Don't get me wrong, I applaud the strides that have been made in autologous stem cell research (fetal stem cells being a total bust...I don't support their use anyhow). I am not begrudging a few bucks for grants and the like but to give such a ridiculously large free ride to private industry to the detriment of the citizens is a bit much. We are all quite aware that Mr. Corzine can afford to vacation anyplace in the world but for many New Jersey families, the State Parks are all that their budget allows.

2008-04-04T00:24:00.000-04:00

Key West

photoshopped, cropped, popped,

sketched, etched,

fudged, nudged, budged,

beautiful

2008-04-03T08:01:00.000-04:00

I would be a Caribbean snail

if only to bask in the salty sun

until the end of my days

or until i got eaten up

Man Man- Top Drawer

2008-03-11T22:22:00.001-04:00

Song...download and listen. Will be released April 2008.

Download Top Drawer

Andrews Creek Haiku

2008-02-18T22:56:00.000-05:00

Long summers hike up

The cold creek quenches my thirst

An alpine eden

2008-02-18T19:46:00.001-05:00

Magnetic Curtains

2008-02-18T18:46:00.000-05:00

These are so cool!!

Magnetic Curtain

A curtain which you can shape to any form. Through the incorporated structure and magnets, it stays in the shape you push and pull it to.