Butch The Rooster

[Humor sent from a cousin of mine...]

John the farmer was in the fertilized egg business. He had several hundred
young layers (hens, called pullets) and eight or ten roosters, whose job
was to fertilize the eggs. The farmer kept records, and any rooster that
didn't perform went into the soup pot and was replaced. That took an awful
lot of his time so he bought a set of tiny bells and attached them to his
roosters.

Each bell had a different tone so John could tell from a distance which
rooster was performing. Now he could sit on the porch and fill out an
efficiency report simply by listening to the bells.

The farmer's favorite rooster was old Butch; a very fine specimen he was
too. But on this particular morning John noticed old Butch’s bell hadn't
rung at all! John went to investigate. The other roosters were chasing
pullets, bells-a-ringing. The pullets, hearing the roosters coming, would
run for cover.

But to Farmer John's amazement, Butch had his bell in his beak, so it
couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the
next one. John was so proud of Butch, he entered him in the county fair
and Butch became an overnight sensation among the judges.

The result... The judges not only awarded Butch the "No Bell Piece Prize"
but they also awarded him the "Pullet Surprise" as well.

Clearly Butch was a politician in the making. Who else but a politician
could figure out how to win two of the most highly coveted awards on our
planet by being the best at sneaking up on the populace and screwing them
when they weren't paying attention?

Vampires and a Hit Man

I’m not exactly fond of living the “single life” as it were so I find myself trying to kill some of the lonely time either with reading, music, the Net, or by watching movies.

It has become a small rut in which about every weekend three or four movies are picked up at a local video store just to have something around through the week as a boredom buster measure.

A couple of titles picked up recently ended up surprising me somewhat and I thought I’d share a quick thought…

I have, for a long time, enjoyed Pierce Brosnan as an actor. Even slightly before his “Remington Steele” days I had taken note of him. Over the years, with a minor exception early on, I have not been disappointed. So, I see on the shelf a movie he did last year that I had not seen called The Matador. When you look at the front of the DVD case, you expect something more along the lines of a Bond or Taffin style action flick. You could not be more wrong. I won’t tell anything about the story line… no spoilers here. I will only say that this is a REALLY well done and well acted movie with some great comedic moments. It’s worth the rent, and come to think of it, would have been worth the price of admission…

I’ve also been recently drawn towards movies with a vampirism theme. Sometimes it is quite hard to really find a good one. So… I happen to look down towards the bottom shelf on the wall and I see cover that caught my eye. It looked cool enough that I went ahead, picked it up, and started reading the back. It basically read like a Sci-Fi meets Vampires type story, and I really didn’t expect much, but I figured what the heck. As it turns out, the movie is low budget as you would expect, the “acting” is way over done at times (especially by Michael Ironside, but that's normal for him), and the story line is fairly predictable… However, having said that, I would still suggest picking up Vampire Wars: Battle For The Universe, (a.k.a. Bloodsuckers) This movie too has a few really good comedic moments. And, if nothing else, Natassia Malthe makes black leather look GOOD.

Memories...

I've been thinking about my father recently.... I guess it started earlier in the week when I noticed that August was almost gone and that September was soon to arrive. September was a time of the year my father always liked, and it is also the month in which he died. My father, over the course of his life, had memorized many poems, speeches, etc., but the one I remember him quoting the most was one titled 'September' by Helen Hunt Jackson, and every year since his death I've always printed out that poem and hung it where ever I happen to be working.

But... Back to thinking... I was in the grocery store earlier in the afternoon and as I was picking through the produce, I saw some green beans in a bin on sale. I started thinking about a way that Dad used to fix green beans for Sunday dinner once in awhile...something he had learned from an Aunt that had helped to raise him and his brothers. It's very simple really... Take a pan big enough for how ever many beans you are going to fix... Put in enough tomato juice to cook the beans in without floating them, add some bacon, some chopped onion, a little garlic if you want (I use fresh), some salt, pepper, a couple of dashes of sugar (to cut down on the tomato), and bring those items to a boil and then simmer for about ten minutes or so. Then add the beans, lower the heat, and cook to how ever you like your beans...but long enough to flavor. If you need to thicken the juice a little before you're ready to server (it will thicken on it own some) you can add just a little flour or corn starch.

That's it... Nothing fancy... Takes little time to prepare, an for me, about 1 ½ to 2 hours to cook as I like my beans cooked down.

Well... This all ran though my mind very quickly and right now, the apartment is full of an odor that I remember from my childhood. Thank you Dad, and thank you Aunt Grace.

Geek On

The year was 1995... It was August... I was a little over two months past a divorice and still reeling from the changing realities of my existance. And... I was pretty bored at work.

That's when I was asked if I would like to take the Technical Lead position for a new account that my company was bringing on-line. It was real high tech stuff... The company we would be providing support for was called Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI). They were located in Mt. View, CA, and made very high end Unix systems. And when they said high end, they weren't kidding at the time.

The version of Unix they had created was called Irix, an so was my introduction into the world of the uber-geek operating systems.

I had fun... I spent two weeks at their HQ in San Jose learning a lot of cool things, playing with a lot of cool toys, got to see Huey Lewis and the News live at their summer picnic (complete with catered food, big tubs of ice cold beer, and California girls), and over all had a pretty good time for the next twelve months working on that account.

But that was pretty much the last time I touched Unix... Until last weekend. I've finally loaded SuSE Linux on my laptop, and am doing the best I can to not touch the World of Microsoft in order to get back into the swing of things as fast as possible within the next two to three months.

Needless to say... I'm a bit rusty... But, it's amazing what's popping back into my head every day. And, I still love the pure geek factor... Like now, for instance, as I post into my blog directly from a little utility built into SuSE. I mean... It's no big deal really... There were utilities like this that I could have downloaded, installed into Windows XP Pro, and done the same thing... But... Since this is already here... What the heck...

Ok... Enough of my non-life for now... We now return you to your regularly scheduled program in progress... Michelle Branch and Santana... I'm Feeling You...

Liberalism Is A Mental Disorder

Anyone who spends the majority of their time listing to the AM dial and has an interest in politics should recognize the phrase “Liberalism is a mental disorder...” For those of you who might not recognize this witty combination of words, it is something coined by the conservative Independent talk-show host Michael Savage. It was also the title of the third book of a trilogy he has written regarding the cause and effect of the declining moral values in America.

As a registered Republican, but in truth, a political Centrist, I can appreciate several of the points that Dr. Savage raises from time to time even if I frequently am of the opinion that his fervor could be moderated a bit in order to make the points of his message more palatable to the masses. But, truth is truth and his points are backed by documented facts.

For a little over a month now, I haven't created a single post in my blog. I have tried to make a few posts in other blogs, but I've been busy (week business trip to St. Louis, increased work load in general, working with my new SUSE Linux 10.1 laptop, etc.). One thing I was able to do, however, is finish reading the book on whence this post is titled.

I'm not going to sit here and go through a whole book review. I am simply going to say that this book, along with The Savage Nation and The Enemy Within, are worth your time and attention.

What I am going to say is simply this... I am of the opinion that Dr. Savage is correct. Liberalism is a mental disorder, and the disorder is so profound and ingrained within the mind of the liberal, that nothing short of their complete and utter destruction to the sub-atomic level seems to have a chance of removing said disorder. Why would I say something like this? Because, people...or as Dr. Savage likes to say, “sheeple”...I listen to both sides, I observe both sides, I collect information from both sides, I process this information, I form my own opinion, and I keep my mouth shut until I feel I have the requisite facts necessary to share a then informed (key word... INFORMED), opinion.

I've listened to liberals like John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, John Murtha, Hillary Clinton, Dick Durbin, Barbara Boxer, Patrick Leahy, John Edwards, Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, and the rest of their ilk.

I've watched time after time the liberal push to undermine the security of this nation, to discredit a sitting president in a time of war, how they have treated one of their own - Sen. Joe Lieberman - because he happens to disagree on one point with the rest of the nut cases when it comes to the security of this nation and the war on terror and instead are now backing a true radical liberal, Ned Lamont, as a replacement.

I have read their articles on how America should cut and run once again when it comes to the war on terror. I've read the liberals words vilifying our troops (anyone remember Viet Nam?) in various hot zones around the globe. I've read the diatribe laid out on moveon.org which may be the single most dangerous organization ever conceived of in the history of the United States. I've read their words of appeasement, tolerance, and understanding when it comes on how to deal with the Islamic “freedom fighters.” (NOTE TO LIBERALS: Study your FREAKING history... See what appeasement did for Neville Chamberlain.)

And, I have formed my opinions. Liberalism is a mental disorder and needs to quarantined if this country is to be preserved. Not since the 1940's has this country faced so grave of a threat as the fifth column growing within our boarders knows as liberalism. We think that radical Islamic terrorists are a threat to our society, and make no mistake, they are, but when compared to several of our own Senators, Congressmen, and organizations like moveon.org, the terrorists are nothing.

Maybe you have noticed something as you have been reading this post... I have frequently used the term liberal but not once have I used the term Democrat. Where it is true that liberalism springs from the Democratic party, I do not believe that all Democrats are liberals. But what has happened to the Democratic party since the end of Jimmy Carter's presidency is simply this... The radical liberal elements of the Democratic party have taken control and usurped that which the Democratic party once was. In other words, this isn't the Democratic party of men like Franklin Roosevelt, or Harry Truman, or JFK. No... This is now a party controlled by degenerates. (And I think if you will look closely enough, you will find that a lot of the people now in control of the Democratic party have something in common... It's called the 1960's.)

This is a party that is not interested in the United States being a Republic, but instead would like us to be Socialist. This is the party of Political Correctness, Historic Revisionism, tolerance for Islam but not Christianity, the belief that killing an unborn child is good and killing a convicted child rapist/murderer is bad. This is a party that will tell you the ACLU is the next best thing to come along since buttered toast but the National Rifle Association is worse than the anti-Christ.

Just as I would not want to see the Republican Party controlled by the Christian Coalition, neither do I want to see the Democratic Party being controlled by the lunatic fringe currently in power. Even though I think that Pat Buchanan is a good man, and one who is contemplative and makes several good points a lot of the time, I would not want to see him as President of the United States because I find him to be too far to one side. I'm not even going to get into what I've thought about liberal candidates over the past 25 years.

This is really quite simple... The American people need to take back control of their country from the far left and the far right. We need to step in and say enough. We can not afford to have this country run by inmates. We can NOT afford to have knee jerk reactionaries playing God with our country. We can not afford to buy fully into the “party line” and expect this country to survive. But what does this mean? It means people need to get involved. They are going to have to become informed on issues and then act with the information they have at hand. But the key to this is being informed. (Let's face it, the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was well meaning, but has done a great disservice to our country. The simple fact is that a vast majority of the citizens of this country are simply to ignorant to be out voting for the future of our society.)

If you are a Democrat, I implore you to reconsider your allegiance to your party as it currently exists. Either take it back, or help the rest of us who prefer common sense to help define this country.

If you are a liberal... You have my sympathies. Maybe you can change. Maybe some day research will lead us to a cure for your malady. Maybe you will “move on” out of the country to a place where your ideologies (no matter how well intentioned they may be) will no longer harm this country and cause me grief. Maybe you will wake up and realize that once again, you are on the wrong side of history and if you stay your present course, your ultimate destruction will be as assured as the rest of us you are dragging down with you.

Another Week Closer To Death

Well, a least the past week has been, well, um, it's been.

Spent last weekend with my son which is always cool. Lost a tire on the car. Had another tire put on the car. Found out an old friend wasn't going to make it into town after all - because of a car. (Maybe it's like 'Devil Car' or something...) Haven't been able to sleep very well, which leaves me tired an in a foul mood. And... Just when I think that maybe progress is being made with my estranged significant other, I manage to, once again, do something to irritate her.

And this morning I get up, start dressing for work, go to put my dress shoes on, and found out a cat had yakked in one of them.

I wonder what next week will be like...

Neo-Shakespeare Concept

Cry Havoc!!! And let slip the Marmosets of Malevolence...

South Park Caricature

Ok... Thanks to The Lonely Infidel, I had to try this site he posted that allows you to make South Park caricatures. So, the following would be me in South Park...




Hit the link above to his site if you'd like to try this for yourself...

My Theme Song........???

I "stole" this off of Winter's Blog, and it seems to be geared towards women, but... It fits... I was actually thinking "Veteran Of The Psychic Wars" myself...

Your Theme Song is Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd

"There is no pain, you are receding. A distant ship's smoke on the horizon. You are only coming through in waves. You haven't been feeling a lot lately, and you think that's a good thing. The comfortable part is nice...but you should really work on numb."

What's Your Theme Song?

Let Freedom Ring!

“Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
The Star Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key

On July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, PA, a document penned by Thomas Jefferson was approved by the Continental Congress. The original ideal of the Continental Congress was to draft a letter that declared the United Colonies to no longer be subject to the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain, and to stipulate that said colonies were free and independent. This document became known to the world as The Declaration of Independence. If you know anything about American history, then you know what followed over the next seven years. And if for some reason you don’t know, please go and educate yourself about the American Revolutionary War.

The Fourth of July… Independence Day… Maybe the greatest secular holiday celebrated in this country. A day that passed with little fan fare a year after the original document was signed. In fact, it was only celebrated in Philadelphia with a ceremonial dinner, bells, bonfires, and…fireworks. (In 1788, Philadelphia held a grand celebration on the Fourth of July as this year also marked the ratification of the Constitution.) Boston had adopted the celebration in 1783, and eventually, this patriotic celebration spread throughout the land with parades, patriotic displays, picnics, and fireworks. In other words, it continues to be celebrated much as it was over two hundred years ago.

Ask yourself, now, why you celebrate this particular holiday. I hope that your answer isn’t something as simple as you like to see fireworks make pretty colors in the sky, or that you like it just because it’s another day you don’t have to go to work, or because you like stuffing your face with Carnie food. (FYI… I like the color displays, I like not having to work, and I like a smothered foot long hot dog as much as anyone else.)

But, in my not so humble opinion, this holiday should not be about food, or fun, or taking the day off. This holiday should be a day for reflection, for appreciation, and for thanks. This is a day in history that a minority group stood up and said, “Enough!! We’re not going to take this unjust treatment anymore! We’re through! It’s our turn now!” This little band of rebels stood up to the Empire against all odds and fought. They fought for freedoms they had never had before, for ideals that were not approved of by the government, and for a way of life that was fair and just. They fought… Men died… And a new nation was born… “…conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

And two hundred and thirty years later, I was able to take my son to see a fireworks display in small town America so he could see the colors in the sky, and listen to his father whisper in his ear about how his country came to exist. Does he remember that right now? No… All he remembers are the “pretty colors.” But some day, he will know, and he will remember, just like his father does now because of how my father raised me, and taught me from a very early age.

Many have died over the course of this countries history to ensure we still enjoy the freedoms we have today. I would imagine that many more may die to ensure it is never taken away from us. From Lexington & Concord, New Orleans, Bull Run & Gettysburg, San Juan Hill, through France & Germany, Korea, Viet Nam, Kuwait & Iraq, and Afghanistan, American's have fought and are fighting to keep our country free. Support them, honor them, and most importantly………thank them!

Remember this the next time you hear that the United States has no business fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by foreign forces. The last official count I saw on the deaths caused was 2,819. To find a single day death toll greater than this number you would have to go back to the American Civil War and revisit Antietam where we lost about 4000 men (Union and Confederate – Americans either way). To compare, the United States lost 2,403 lives the last time the She was attacked by surprise at Pearl Harbor.

Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” The truth is that price exacts even a greater toll. It also needs sacrifice, honor, and dedication. And it needs the support of the American people.

My Fellow Americans!!!! Join me on this day, July 4, our Independence Day in celebrating our Country, our Flag, our Troops, and OUR FREEDOM!!!!

I leave you with a quote from a most controversial person... Think long and hard about what he says and how correct he was:

"What luck for the rulers that men do not think..." -- Adolf Hitler

Dragons of Autumn Twilight

It was 1984. It was an interesting year for me to say the least and one that had profound impact on the course of my life.

But in this entry, I will only focus on one small event from that period 22 years ago; the beginning of something that has left an indelible mark on the literary world and continues to have relevance.

The first book in the now infamous DragonLance series, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, was released in April of that year. Already an avid player in the worlds of AD&D, it was only fitting that I procure this tome as it was a new world with new adventures set within the growing AD&D universe. The authors, Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, did not disappoint.

Why the sudden mention of this, you might inquire? The answer is simple… I was just reading my daily dose of SCI FI Wire News and noticed an article dealing with the emenint release of an animated motion picture in the fall of 2007. True, that a movie was in the works is not “new” news, but I now consider it a given since SCI FI has made mention of the event.

I personally hope for an IMAX release… It would be well worth shilling out the cash for such an experience.
____________________________________________________________

'Hope is the denial of reality. It is the carrot dangled before the draft horse to keep him plodding along in a vain attempt to reach it.'

'Are you saying we should just give up?' Tanis asked, irritably tossing the bark away.

'I'm saying we should remove the carrot and walk forward with our eyes open,' Raistlin answered.

____________________________________________________________

Should you like to read more about this movie, you may visit the Official DragonLance Movie Site.

But What To Say...

I have never had cause to correspond with an incarcerated individual. In retrospect, I am thinking this is a good thing as it would seem, prima facie, that during the course of my life I have made wise decisions in those I call friend. This is not, however, to say that I have not the occasional lapse in good judgment or at the very least, my perceptions and intuitions have failed me, but all in all, the odds have favored me.

Twice so far, someone I called friend has committed an act that has greatly offended my sensibilities.

The first time this happened, the betrayal was against me personally, and my only thought was to remove the person from the planet. And to be totally honest, I still feel the same way every time I pause to think about the incident. The motto of the Montresors in Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado – Nemo me impune lacessit (No one provokes me with impunity) – has always been a personal favorite of mine. But I digress… Needless to say, the “friendship” was, is, and forever shall be dead to me.

The second time this happened, the betrayal was against me, but not personally. It was against my perceptions of someone I have known for more than a quarter of a century and it was the actions against others – of the type most reviled in our society - that I could not condone. And at present, their lack of control and judgment is being punished in the form of a multi-year incarceration.

Letters have been sent by this person to those of us who are known friends. To date, I know of no letters that have been drafted from us and returned in kind. The most recent letter received today indicates a high level of despair, longing, and need from our friend for some means of moral support. And yet… What do I say?

How is life behind bars suiting you? Made friends with any of the other offenders there yet? Anyone made you their “personal” friend yet? What is the shower scene like? How is the food? Heard from anyone else in the family, or have they pretty much disavowed you? What the HELL is wrong with you?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Well… We are friends… Nothing is going to change that simple fact. There is no requirement of friendship that stipulates one must like, understand, or condone any action taken by the other. So, I have been remiss and I need to make amends.

But what to say…

Sui Caedere

"...But everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I've stretched myself beyond my means..." -- Staind

No, these lyrics in It's Been Awhile by Staind aren't about suicide... But they could, I think, make up a core feeling in a song about suicide. I mean, it's not like there aren't enough songs out there on the subject, but still...

Anyone ever thought about suicide? No, I don't mean, have you thought about offing yourself. Have you just ever simply stopped to think about suicide, what it is, and why it has a presence that transcends all cultures, religions, and philosophies?

If for nothing else, it is an interesting concept in that in all of the species known to the world, suicide is only practiced by humans. No other creature known will kill itself simply for the sake of having the desire to cease to exist. Let’s try that again… No other form of animal or insect known by man will act to kill itself simply for the sake of ending its existence. Why?

Isn’t man supposed to be at the very top of the food chain? Are we not the most intellectual species know to the planet? We use tools, we have created vast civilizations, we can adapt to live in any region on the planet, we can split the atom, and we’ve walked on the moon…. And yet… We are the only living things that will also terminate our own existence in the universe.

Some cultures reject suicide for legal reasons, or religious reasons, or for whatever reason. Some cultures consider it to be honorable. Some consider it acceptable when ‘X’ is the reason, but not because of ‘Y’ or ‘Z.’ Some could care less…

What do we think of people who commit suicide? That they are: selfish, stupid, enlightened, depressed, unbalance, evil, damned, saved, better off, worse off, brave, cowards, vindictive, hopeless….what else?

How do we feel about the person who wants to commit suicide to get back at his ex-wife for having to pay so much money in support?

How do we feel about the 95 year old in the nursing home in pain most of the waking hours, who can no longer see well enough to read or watch TV, or hear to listen to radio or music, and is confined to a wheelchair, but is to weak to move themselves around and wants to commit suicide?

How do we feel about the person who simply has had enough of life and living in this world and is tired of plodding through life day after day after day after...

Tired… Tired of thinking… Tired of feeling… Tired of the endless struggle… Tired of… Consequences...

Balo!!! Eat My Freaking Shorts!!!!

How time truly slips away… I actually enjoy taking part in the phenomena of the blogging. It is a good way to get some of my thoughts out of my head. It is a good way to “hear” the thoughts of people who matter to me. It is a good way to find out what other people have on their mind… Which usually ends up having the result of putting more thoughts in my head; filling up the space I emptied in the first place. No wonder I can’t keep my head clear these days.

I’ve noticed for a long time now, however, that I haven’t been paying attention to the World of Blog. It’s not because I’m not interested… It’s not because I have no desire to participate… I just simply haven’t had the energy. That’s actually strange for me as I’ve always maintained a very active on-line presence going way back before the time of the Internet. (Anyone remember FIDO Net?)

No… It’s been a matter of energy. And it has been impacting far more than my blogging. It’s been noticeable all over the place. And there’s been this damn dizziness… And other things… So… I figured it was about time to try and find out what the problem might be which required a little trip to the doctor.

[/INTERLUDE] I’m sitting here watching an old Billy Idol video, “To Be A Lover,” and I can’t help but notice… Just how totally cool 80’s music videos really were. I mean, I remember seeing this when it came out in the mid-80’s on MTV. When MTV still ran music videos. [/INTERLUDE OFF]

So Dr. Howse (no affiliation with, or resemblance to, Dr. House) sends me off to the vampires so they can run a few blood tests. General stuff… And those came back in and now it’s off for more targeted tests. I’m like, OK, so what are you targeting? (Talking to the nurse at the time…) And she’s being a little vague on the specifics… Having that whole, “Well… Let’s conduct the tests and see what the results are before we draw conclusions…” attitude and tone in her voice, which was starting to annoy me, but hell, right now, almost anything and everything is annoying me… And I had an epiphany… And I said, “You think I’m diabetic…” Pause in conversation… Response, “Well, yes, that what it looks like but we don’t want to alarm you…”

Now, I was at a client site working on some communications issues and had walked outside to take this call… It’s hot… It’s humid… I had just gotten off the phone about three minutes before the docs office called after getting into a screaming match with an idiot working for Ameritech, uh, SBC, uh, AT&T…yeah, AT&T now, because they hadn’t properly punched down a new T1 at their Central Office…a line that is already FIVE FREAKING WEEKS OVER DUE…and we had been PROMISED that it would be ready and operational before 10:00 a.m. this morning…and now here I am hearing that I most likely have a disease that is the number six killer in the U.S. All I could say was simply… “Well…. FUCK!”

Of course, I apologized, but she told me that it was quite alright and how a good number of patients say something very similar when hearing something like this, and that, in fact, she’d most likely utter about the same.

[/INTERLUDE II] Still watching videos… B.O.C.’s Burning For You. Love It!!! They did this song during the last concert I saw. [/INTERLUDE II OFF]

Well… The good thing is I can look forward to feeling better…eventually. Which would be good, since it’s been way, way, way, dare I say once again, way…to long since I took the time to bore anyone with my little corner of the multi-verse. I have a few other things I could go into… But that’s another entry for another day.

Horrible Sci-Fi At It's Worse!

Please note this image is brought to you complements of a thought another random slacker put into my head. Enjoy!

There are those who believe… That life here… Began out there.

And so began the narration to, at the time, what was the biggest budget pilot episode of a television series ever to air: Battlestar Galactica

I remember the day very well… September 17, 1978. It was a Saturday. When the show started, I was enthralled and became an instant loyal fan…one might even say fanatical. Yeah, the show had similar story line problems of a lot of 70’s shows, but still… It was cool, I loved the look of the Galactica (still one of my most favorite space ship designs) and I really hated when they canceled the show. (I won’t even mention the disaster known as Galactica: 1980… We had high hopes, but it simply sucked scummy pond water.)

For many, many years I had dreamed of somehow this show being brought back. As the years went by, however, it seemed less and less likely that we would ever see more of this show. Then, I saw where Richard Hatch was trying to revive the franchise by doing a continuation of the original show set many years later with the fleet still searching for Earth. I understand that several of the original cast were interested, and then… Bam! It was announced that indeed, Battlestar Galactica was coming back!!!!!! As a re-imaged production…

I wasn’t sure what to think of that at the time since many of these “re-imaged” shows end up not being very good… Witness Planet of the Apes… But… Still… After over twenty years, it was coming back. To the Sci-Fi channel.

That took care of the issue for me… I wouldn’t be watching. I haven’t subscribed to cable T.V. for about three years now. I was spending over $1000 and still sitting around going, “There’s nothing on T.V.!” And, I was never around the house to watch a lot of T.V. anyway, so I had ditched it and went back to the good old fashion antenna. Local programming only…

Ok… So two seasons of the new Galactica has come and gone, and I have seen every once in awhile stories on how great this new show is, how well it is doing, and I’ve wondered… What is it really like… So, I finally decided it was time to find out.

I researched the episode guide, and I settled on three that dealt with a Battlestar Pegasus story arc. Using today’s technology I, uh, “acquired” these three episodes and watched them tonight. All I can say is, WOW! Once again I felt like a little kid, enthralled by the magic that is known as science fiction. Here are solid story lines, with exceptional characters, good effects, and it simply reaches out, takes hold of you, and draws you into their universe. SO… Maybe it’s time to get cable again. Even if it’s only for this one show.

For now, I’m currently, uh, acquiring more episodes to view until I can get the DVD’s.

Invasion Of The Low Paying Job Seekers

I have, until recently, been divided in my thoughts regarding a popular topic: Illegal Immigration. I was going to discuss the history of cheap labor in this country, and even look at the social economics of the issue. But at present, I'm feeling a little more emotional about the issue...

First of all, I am no longer inclined to look at the predominant peoples in question, citizens of Mexico, as immigrants – if they are here illegally. After all, the definition of an immigrant is one who comes to a country to take up permanent residence. They come, as is customary with past immigrants to this country that you hear them talking about, to adopt their new country as their own. They come to embrace the culture of this country as their own. They come and learn how to speak the language of this country, which is English. They come to help build the country as well as prosper in what is arguably the best country on the planet. Does this mean they have to forget where they came from, or the culture they were raised in and have nothing to do with it? NO!!! But it does mean that America and all that she is should come FIRST if they truly have immigrated.

No, I now refuse to refer to these people as Illegal Immigrants. I am not going to talk about “Guest Workers” either. I will, however, reference illegal migrants (those who move around looking for work) who are becoming quite bothersome. In fact, I am now over the middle mark leaning toward rounding every last freaking one of them up and throwing them back across the boarder. Two recent developments have me feeling this way: the proposed boycott on Monday to cause as much disruption as possible and the new Spanish version of our national anthem.

I have long understood why we have illegal migrants from Mexico. I know what these people are facing if they stay in Mexico. I have spent enough time in that country, gotten off of the beaten path and looked around, and have seen first hand the abject poverty that so many are forced to live in down there. I have seen families - families with small children, babies, the aged, living in shacks that are so shoddy most Americans wouldn’t store their garden tools in them. I have seen the working conditions down there in a lot of places. I have watched so many of these people trying to catch a ride miles away so they can get to their jobs, and if they can’t find transportation, they walk for miles to try and make a living. Yes indeed, I know why they come here, why they bring (or want to have) their children here if they can. I also realize why they are important to this country, but at the same time, a drain on this country that should not be tolerated forever.

Where I understand all of this, it does not change the fact that they are here illegally. Period. They are a slap in our face, and in the face of those who have come here before them legally. And now, they are acting as if they are entitled to be rewarded for breaking our laws, violating our sovereignty, and mandating that we accept and embrace their culture within our own boarders. This does not sound like someone who wants to blend into our society.

I have compadres in Mexico. I like Mexico. I like the culture down there, I like the food down there, I have had MANY great times and experiences down there. I know these are good people, they are hard working people. However, I can not sanction putting them above the interests and well being of my fellow Americans.

If you want to immigrate to this country, please do so, but do it legally. Embrace our culture, our society, learn our language, and become one of us. We welcome you. If you want be in this country for awhile working, with the intent of going back home, which is fine as long as you are doing it legally. If you do not fall into either of these categories, then I think it is time for you to leave. We will get along without you. Maybe wages will have to rise for certain jobs, with the cost being passed along to the consumer, but that is acceptable. In the long run, it should still save the citizens of this country the cost of supporting people who want the American dream – without being a true part of America.

A Mundane Political Type Ramble...

I’ve refrained from making too many comments about social issues… Partly due to some of the “spirited” debate that can be generated, but mostly due to how furious…yet powerless…I feel when reviewing yet again some totally asinine thing our government has done. And, for a large part, it is the Democrats that I find to be totally out of their freaking minds… But on occasion, some Republican will join them.

Yeah, I’m a registered Republican, but that is only due to there being no other party out there at the moment that I can totally identify with as I am a Centrist when it comes to politics. I could care less where a good idea comes from, or how a good compromise is derived, as long as it is good for the people of this country. I find it a total shame that we are nothing more than a two party body politick given that was not the case during the early history of our country. Yeah, yeah, yeah… Libertarians, Labor Party, Grassroots Party, Communist Party… Blah, blah, blah… We also have the American Nazi Party, Marijuana Party, Peace and Freedom Party, and the Green Party just to name a few. Woo Hoo…

Last time I checked, there were two or three Independent’s in Congress, one in the Senate (?) with everyone else being a Republican or Democrat. Face it… Two Party System! And at the moment, I can’t exactly say I like any of them.

I’ll go on the record right now and tell you I voted for George W. not only once, but twice. Both times it was not because he was a Republican, it was not because I thought the man would make a good president, it was simply that I felt he was the lesser of two bad candidates. Let’s face it… Al Gore???? John Kerry???? NOT!!!!!!! But I would also have liked to be able to say, George W. Bush???? NOT!!!!!!! But I can’t… There were only two candidates. And yeah, I mean viable candidates.

So… Here we are, second term, a little under three years to go. And then what? For the Democrats, Mr. Chappaquiddick is saying he would endorse Kerry again. (Ted… Wake up Ted… You went senile back in 1969… Someone since then has had their hand sticking up your anus using you like a Muppet.) Let’s see… Hillary? Howard Dean??? (That would be good… He’s pretty much insane too…) OH, OH!!! I’ve got it!!! Maybe Reverend Al will lead the donkeys to victory! Of course, on the Republican side, things look pretty bleak as well. The only possible bright spot might be if Rudy Giuliani were to go ahead and run.

There are days when I look at the state of affairs and wish that Hale Bopp would come back, that Applewhite as right about the UFO, and that pretty much every politician in Washington D.C. would become an instant resident on the mother ship. There are times when starting from scratch isn’t the worse thing to do… Well, I don’t really look for that to happen, so we’re stuck with what we have…until the next elections…assuming enough people take interest and take action. Which should happen right about the time that big UFO comes by…

Up next... Observations on immigration...

Forward...

I have been quiet for almost a month again. It is not because I haven’t had a lot of things on my mind that I could have shared. On the contrary, had I been selecting topics to post on I would have had difficulty in selecting just a single point to focus on given all of the things going on in the world that I am quite incensed about these days.

No… I think I have been decompressing over the past weeks. I have been purging myself of days, months, and years of angst. I have been, in doing little, accomplishing much in letting stress flow from my being and finding calm in my life.

Of course, not all is still right, but at the moment, things are looking up, not down, and that alone is sufficient. I think it is about time, now, to resume other activities that I enjoy.

A Cockeyed Optimist...

I learned an appreciation for music from being exposed to it ever since I came into existence. My mother taught music, had started playing the piano (correctly by ear) around the age of five, and afforded me the opportunity to learn about music - especially musicals from the 40’ & 50’.

I’ve been somewhat introspective since the beginning of the year, and I’ve been thinking about my propensities for viewing many things from the negative side of the fence… (That, in turn, reminded me of one particular song that get’s on my nerves whenever I hear it… A Cockeyed Optimist from South Pacific.) But, as I have often pointed out, if you expect the worse from the beginning, you can not be disappointed; you can only be pleasantly surprised.

In reality, I do not consider myself to be pessimistic; nor am I an optimist. Instead, I feel myself to be an analyzer. I analyze anything, everything, at all times… I look for what could possibly go wrong; I look for what could possibly go right… I want to know the immediate impact, the short term impact, and the long term impact. I immediately start trying to find an answer to everything. It’s what I do for a career, which I started working towards when I was 10 years old. It is so much what I am that there seems to be no switch for it…

Of course… It does present problems from time to time… And every so often, even with all the careful contemplation I can muster, I still find myself flipping a coin. Maybe there is something to being an optimist. Maybe I should have taken lessons from an old love of mine who was in real life, at the time, the epitome of A Cockeyed Optimist.