E pluribus unum

From many, one. That's the motto of the United States of America.


I've been called a racist by a cowardly, mean, judgmental commentor

at CapitalistImperialistPig's.

This verbal assault isn't the first by "Dano" who apparently isn't brave enough to write his own blog but likes to leech onto other blogs and insult people like me who disagree with his limited world view. He calls me a racist because I'm sick and tired of the illegal aliens who shouldn't be here in the first place making demands like spoiled toddlers. He probably pays them to clean his house and do his yard work. But some parasites do sympathize with other parasites.

Sure, I know that many of them do work, but I'm sure that if you did a detailed comparison of what 'benefits' they bring to our economy (cheap labor, cheap produce, etc.) to the actual costs (lower wagebase, social services, loss of taxes, etc.) to our economy there would be no argument in their support. They cost each American at least $3000 a year in social services, lost taxes, etc. I'd rather pay $3000 a year more for groceries than for it to go to a leech on our economy. They don't pay any payroll taxes including Social Security. How many of the liberal idiots who are so protective of the ailing Social Security system have thought about that? In a few years if the liberals have their way there will be thousands upon thousands more people added to the Social Security rolls who haven't paid a cent into it.

And for those who don't know or have forgotten, legal employers contribute to Social Security too. When you have an employee and withhold those taxes from their paychecks, you don't just send the government that amount you withheld. You have to match the Social Security and Medicare portions. So if you withhold $50 from the employee's paycheck you also have to send $50 of your own money (meaning the employer's money). People never stop to think about that. It's very expensive to have legal employees. But that's the way it is. And all of these companies who hire illegals are getting out of paying their share. Someone look it up and tell me how much in lost taxes it amounts to when you have millions of people and companies not paying into the system. I would love a list of all the big corporations that hire illegals so that I can boycott them. Tyson Foods is one that is well-known. Just imagine how much our country is losing for the sake of cheap chicken. I can live without eating chicken.

Another thing that many people probably haven't even considered is that illegal aliens could be a health hazard as they most likely haven't been immunized against many diseases as well as could be carriers for diseases like TB. Certainly, this could add even more to the cost of to us tax-paying citizens.

So, am I a racist? I don't think so. I don't hate Mexicans. I don't discriminate against Mexicans. But I do have a problem with leeches and parasites whether they are from Mexico, Timbuktu, or right here in Knoxville.

Another point that Dano didn't like was my mentioning that Mexico seems to be trying to reclaim the territory that the US won and bought in the Mexican-American War. He's no doubt some miserable apologist who thinks that the very land he lives on should be returned to its rightful native owner. Oh, wait, probably not his very own land, if he actually does own anything and god-forbid pays taxes on it. That only applies to everyone else, right Dano? Only the ones who disagree with you and who you think have more than you?

I really shouldn't have put any time and attention into this silly man's comments. But I think it's good to expose people who think it's okay to throw stones when they live in glass houses.

Happy May Day

Inspired by kat's post of her pretty roses I wanted to post some pictures from around my yard, but blogger isn't wanting to upload them for some reason. Oh well. Blame it on the illegal aliens! (I haven't paid attention to the news today. Are they doing their big protest/boycott?)

I was going to do a post about the significance of May Day, but when I looked it up I found that the Commies have adopted it for their own purposes. Just like a bunch of socialist pigs to ruin a perfectly good fertility celebration.

I did read that the Maypole started out as a phallic symbol. Well, that's cool! Gotta love those phalluses!

I can't seem to gather my thoughts enough today to put anything together for a coherent post. I was thinking about my favorite archetypal symbol (well, other than a phallic symbol), the Sacred Spiral. I might still do that eventually, but I'm just not up to it right now.

My throat is feeling scratchy. It's probably allergy related, but who knows? I guess I'll take some Motrin and drink some more orange juice.

I don't know what's wrong with me today, other than it being Monday. I don't do Mondays very well.

I've heard Clyde the frog but haven't seen him. He's so small, and I suspect that he's hiding in one of the flower pots, maybe even under the dirt. I'd look up whether frogs do that (burrow under dirt), but I don't feel like doing that either.

A million things to do, but I think in spirit maybe I'm an illegal alien today and will sit on my ass and do nothing.

What am I protesting? Maybe a lack of phallic symbols...

Another Field Trip

Yesterday my fourth grader's class went to the Sam Houston Schoolhouse in Maryville.

Read the wikipedia article on Sam Houston.

I have several thoughts to share as a result of our visit to Tennessee's oldest schoolhouse. The first is a list of rules for teachers at the school. These rules are dated 1872 which is 60 years after Houston taught there. I'm not sure if the rules were different when he was teaching.

The second is a list of School House Rules. This list isn't dated, but I think it has some good, timeless advice.

Later I'll do another post on the history of the school and its importance in the community and Sam Houston's impact on the early years of Tennessee's statehood and how Tennessee's and Texas's histories are entwined in other ways in addition to having Sam Houston in common.


1872 RULES FOR TEACHERS

1. Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.

2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the day's session.

3. Make your pens carefully. You may whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils.

4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.

5. After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.

6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.

7. Every teacher should lay aside from each day's pay a goodly sum of his earings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.

8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barbershop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty.

9. The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of twenty-five cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.


SCHOOL HOUSE RULES

If it's Monday- be very patient.

If you get mad- count to 10.

If someone's new or lonely- be a friend.

If you forget your homework- be honest.

If you are late- be earlier next time.

If you don't understand- ask for help.

If your feelings are hurt- don't pout.

If you don't do well- keep trying.

If someone has less- share.

Treat others as you treat yourself.

If you talk out of turn- apologize.

When it's Friday- T.G.I.F. !!

Alien recycling (and Farm Day)

Luboš Motl's reference frame: Rae Ann: Alien recycling

Please read my guest post at Lubos Motl's Reference Frame. I 'won' that opportunity by being one of the four people who claimed being his 400,000th visitor.

Yesterday when I got home from a field trip to the Knox County Farm Bureau Annual Farm Day with my first grader I checked the progress of his contest and was amazed at the timing of my visit. I captured a screenshot and sent it to him. Thank you, Lubos!


More about Farm Day...

We saw all kinds of animals like horses, cows, chickens, goats, and sheep. There was an extremely cute miniature horse that the own said he'd sell us for $300. Of course, my daughter wanted it real bad. But I'm not ready for a new pet yet, and especially not one that requires even more care than a dog.

A group of bee-keepers had a display there too. While watching the bees busy in their hive I was telling my daughter that my great grandfather used to keep bees. The older lady at the table said, "And why doesn't his great granddaughter keep bees too?" Good question! So we talked a little about it and I'm now seriously considering it. She said that most bee-keepers are getting old and that they need some younger people to teach how to do it. I asked if the Africanized 'killer bees' have come here yet. She said not yet but that they will be here eventually and that bee-keepers have to learn new ways to deal with them. That's probably the only reason I'm hesitant about it.

We also learned how to make our own butter with heavy cream and an electric mixer. Of course, you can do it without electric appliances. They had assorted styles of churns on display also. I'm definitely going to try it with the mixer though.

On a side note, with our very warm spring weather so far the wild black raspberries are blooming early. Last year I made jelly from the berries. They are the best-tasting berries you can find. They are smaller and sweeter than true blackberries which also grow around the perimeter of the woods around our house. I'm a little stingy with the jelly I make because it's a lot of work to pick the berries and get enough juice for jelly. They grow on very thorny brambles that leave me looking like I've been in a fight with several cats. And to get enough juice for jelly you have to pick a lots of berries. It would be easier to make jam, but I like the smooth texture of jelly better. There will be a cold snap in the next month or so, and that is called 'blackberry winter.'

Amorous Amphibian Visitor

Sunday afternoon I heard a loud croaking sound outside my open office sliding glass doors. I looked out to see what was making such a racket but saw nothing. I thought maybe it was just a mockingbird making some weird sounds or something and left it at that. Then Monday I heard it again. I looked again and saw this little guy:


(photo taken Monday, April 24)

Isn't he cute? I'm pretty sure he's an Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris feriarum feriarum). He's tiny but makes a loud noise! You can see his throat all puffed up with air to help amplify his croaking. I wonder how he got all the way up here since this is a second story porch and there aren't any tall trees very near. I asked the kids if they brought him up here and they assured me that they didn't. With my shamanic inklings I tend to think that his presence is some kind of sign or message. (Frogs represent cleansing, especially in the sense of being washed clean and refreshed with water.) He has something to share with me somehow, even if it's only a reason to learn more about frogs or to give me something to write about.

And why do I call him a he? I read that usually only male frogs croak to attract female frogs and that "female frogs think croaking is very sexy." (click link for reference) Not to say that I find frogs or their croaking sexy, but I am a female and I do find frogs very interesting and their sounds very soothing (cleansing). I have to wonder if this little guy is just confused or very ambitious(!) to be directing his amorous exclamations to me. Do you think I should kiss him to see if he'll turn into a handsome prince? (not that I could do anything with a handsome prince if he did appear... David wouldn't like that one bit, lol)

My little frog suitor was here again on Tuesday. It was very warm, humid, and hazy yesterday as you can see in this picture:



Isn't he cute sitting there warming in the sun? I was gone most of the day yesterday so I didn't get to hear him croaking much. He hasn't made an appearance yet today. I hope he hasn't given up on me! lol If he appears again today I think I should give him a name. What name should I give him?

Sad News

Rest In Peace, Lovely



Lovely is the one in the background with the heart-shaped black spot on her side which inspired her name. Jewel, her sister, is the one in the front. Interesting 'orb' there, btw.

Lovely, one of our Jack Russels, died last night. Late yesterday she started acting sick with vomiting and diarrhea, soon followed by muscle spasms in her rear legs and loss of muscle control and collapse. I suspect she was bitten by a black widow spider because of her symptoms. I looked it up and it fits with what happened. And we have lots of black widow spiders around here. A black widow bite could easily kill a 14 pound dog.

This is especially sad for me because she is the one who so miraculously recovered from her severe injuries from getting hit by my car in December. She was such a sweet, loving dog who had a strong will to overcome her injuries. But she was no match for a poisonous spider. I think I'm more sad than the kids.

Test Yourself

Sample questions from the NAEP Science Assessment run by the National Center for Education Statistics:


1. Animals that reproduce sexually differ from animals that reproduce asexually in that sexually reproducing animals have

A) a larger number of offspring
B) more genetic variation among their offspring
C) offspring that are nearly identical to their parents
D) offspring that are perfectly adapted to their parents' habitat


2. X --> Y + Z + energy
The equation above represents a nuclear decay, in which nucleus X decays into particle Y and nucleus Z and releases energy. Which of the following can explain why energy is released in the decay?

A) The mass of X is less than the sum of the masses of
Y and Z.
B) The mass of X is less than the difference between the masses of Y and Z.
C) The mass of X is greater than the sum of the masses of
Y and Z.
D) The mass of X is greater than the difference between the masses of Y and Z.


3. Air in the atmosphere continuously moves by convection. At the equator, air rises; at the poles, it sinks. This occurs because

A) the Earth's ozone layer is thinner at the equator than
at the poles
B) the Earth's magnetic field is stronger at the poles than
at the equator
C) warm air can hold less water vapor than can cold air
D) warm air is less dense than cold air


Without CHEATING, leave your answers in a comment. I'll post the correct answers later.

Just remember if you cheat and google the answers then you're just a plain ol' idiot, but if you don't know then it just means that you haven't learned enough yet.

Even Better Than Toad Suck, AR

(by way of Tayster's World)

Here's a great place to go see just so you can say you've been there.

Big Bone Lick State Park
3380 Beaver Road
Union, KY

Failure

Update: Oh! All those aching toes out there! I just want to thank everyone for providing their own personal stories. I am amazed at how many people totally misrepresented what I've said here. I've been insulted and otherwise attacked for making a simple, modest prediction. I'm very tempted to take this experience as further evidence supporting my prediction. If you have a civil, reasonable comment please proceed. Otherise, please show some maturity and social development and refrain. Thank you.


(left)The Tower Card as I saw it a couple of years ago, but now I would probably do it differently.

(right) The traditional Rider-Waite Tower Card.


The Tower card ultimately signifies failure which opens the path for new growth. No one likes to fail, but some of us learn best by finding out what doesn't work first and then trying new things. I see the development of tarot over the centuries as more of a psychological and spiritual counseling tool than a divination tool. But this post isn't really about tarot.


In case you've missed it on the news lately there is currently a mumps epidemic. In the US the state of Iowa has been hardest hit, but it is happening in the UK also. The main reason for this is that about 20 years ago many parents began deciding not to have their children immunized. I know I'm stepping on some toes here, but facts is facts. I know parents who have not had their kids immunized because of several reasons which generally fall into the following catagories:

1. Unrealistic fear of side effects.

2. Erroneously thinking that mumps and other illnesses had disappeared from the planet because of the previous people being immunized.

3. Religious influences which used the previous reasons as their propaganda.


People will tell you that they know someone who knows so-and-so who had such-and-such happen because of an immunization. I am aware that there have been a few isolated cases of severe reactions to immunizations. I'm not denying that, but I do know far more people who have had no problems from immunizations. Statistically we know that the risk of severe side effects is very low. And now we are seeing that the risk of contracting mumps (and probably other diseases) is much higher without the immunizations, even when "most other people have been immunized so what are the chances of me getting one of those diseases?" (one of the comments I've heard from people who did not get immunized)

This leads me to the second reason. It's funny how quickly people become complacent. When we had a generation that avoided getting sick because they were immunized then people decided that the danger of getting sick must gone. They didn't stop to realize that the people didn't get sick because they were immunized; they assume that without people getting the diseases then those diseases just disappear or something. Wrong! These viruses and bacteria still abound in the environment, but we who have been immunized don't get sick because of the immunizations, not because we haven't had contact with the microorganisms that cause the diseases.

Almost invariably the people I know who have not immunized their kids have been influenced by their churches. Somehow some religious leaders have brainwashed their congregations that immunizations aren't necessary. They spread horrific stories of unusual side-effects that may or may not have been the result of the immunizations, and they told their congregations that if they pray hard enough they will be protected from these diseases that must surely be rare by now anyway. They suggested to the church-goers that the medical and pharmaceutical fields are just trying to make a bunch of money by giving their kids 'unnecessary' and 'dangerous' injections. Of course, most people who have spouted that view or have heard it spouted and believed it will not come forward to confirm this. But I have seen and heard it with my own eyes and ears, in church no less.

So, what does this have to do with failure (and the tarot Tower card)?

Well, we are seeing the results of a failed social experiment by those who tempted fate by not getting immunized. Certainly, there are some who still refuse to accept that their experiment failed. But it seems pretty clear to me that they were and are wrong. Sometimes the ripples of the church's influence spread like a disease. Lightning strikes the tower and knocks it down.


I'm going to make a bold prediction here. I see many parallels between the 'no immunizations' camp and the 'homeschooling' camp. Again, sorry for any toes I might be smushing here, but this is how it looks to this mediocre visionary. This home-schooling movement that has been going on for about a decade is going to prove to be another failed social experiment. I foresee that we'll have problems arise from it that most of us haven't even considered possible. What exactly those problems are I can't really say yet because my mediocre crystal ball is just that, mediocre. But I am sure that we will see problems directly related to it. Mark my words.

Firefox, Safari, Camino Users, please help

Visitors who use Firefox, Safari, and Camino have said that the page isn't displaying properly. If anyone knows how I can tweak the template code to fix it please leave detailed instructions because I really don't know code so well. Thanks!

From Senator Frist

Here's the email reply from Frist in regard to my email to him about illegal immigration. It's your typical blah, blah, blah government rhetoric which is meant to sound like they are working hard to solve the problem. I ain't buying it. But judge for yourself:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me regarding comprehensive immigration reform. It is an honor to serve you as the Majority Leader of the United States Senate and a privilege to respond to your concerns.

Today there are 10 to 12 million undocumented aliens living in the United States, and many Americans believe that our immigration policies are in need of serious review. As a nation of immigrants who honor the rule of law, I believe we must make it a priority to secure our borders as a part of any effort to reform our immigration policies.

In order to address this issue I have introduced S. 2454, the Securing America’s Border Act, a billion-dollar down payment that focuses on border security and interior law enforcement and will enable the Senate to pursue comprehensive immigration reform. My proposal will add resources to border protection, give our immigration-enforcement officials new legal tools, invest in physical barriers and electronic surveillance equipment at the borders and make it easier for employers to ensure that they hire only citizens and legal residents. We need to make these investments because maintaining a secure border ranks among the most fundamental missions of any sovereign nation

While our country needs security at our borders in order to slow the flow of illegal immigration and enhance our national security, we still need to do more. A majority of the people who enter America illegally, after all, come here to work. Among other things, the full Senate will need to address ways we can balance security interests with our economy's labor needs. In the long term, our government needs to work on policies that encourage democracy and prosperity abroad which will also address our immigration crisis by reducing the number of people who feel that coming to the United States is their only option.

Let me be clear, I do not support amnesty, but I do understand the labor challenges facing our nation, and, as Majority Leader, I will continue to work with my colleagues to address this critical problem in the 109th Congress. On the basis of sound immigration policy, we can protect our borders, and continue to welcome legal immigrants, and in doing both we will improve the lives of all Americans.

Sincerely,


William H. Frist, M.D.
Majority Leader
United States Senate

Looking into the mind of a killer

Look Who's Tattling Now: Kevin Ray Underwood


To see into the mind of a killer read that post which is an excellent examination of Underwood's blogosphere presence. It is clear that he was a deeply disturbed person who knew he was disturbed. I know that when you are in the pit of Depression that your ability to think and act can be diminished, but I do not believe that his mental condition should ever be used as an excuse for what he did to that little girl. He did not have to act on his sick thoughts. If he had the 'strength' to plan and carry out this horrific murder then he also had the 'strength' to get the medical treatment that he knew he needed.

Update:

After learning on Saturday that Underwood committed his horrific crime it occurred to me that he killed her on the very day of my posting Full Moon Fury. While Underwood might not be considered a 'true' pedophile, most pedophiles share many characteristics with him.

How many of them are out there harboring fantasies like Underwood's?

How many of them are out there planning on acting on their evil, immoral thoughts?

Protected vs. Unprotected Speech

From http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/410/410lect08.htm

Since much of Free Speech law is confusing, and perhaps the most confusing part of it is the criminal law aspect, the following table attempts to summarize what is not a crime and what is a crime.

NON-CRIMINAL

Words may be offensive, profane and vulgar...but not be fighting words.

Words may be insulting and outrageous...but not be fighting words because there was no face-to-face confrontation.

Words may make a person or audience angry, and be impolite, rude, or insulting...but may be protected by the First Amendment.

If the person to whom the words are addressed is not angered and an immediate violent response is unlikely, there is no "fighting words" violation.

Obscenity is a different concept than "fighting words"

"Fighting words" and obscenity are considered to cause different reactions in people; anger v. sexual arousal.

Graphic sex scenes and things that are absolutely disgusting...are not necessarily obscene.

Nudity in itself is not obscene...but a community can regulate it in places where liquor is sold and when local ordinances apply.


CRIMINAL

Verbal Crimes & Elements of the Offense:

"Fighting words" (1) insult, (2) face-to-face, (3) likelihood of immediate violent response.

Obscenity (1) prurient interest*, (2) patently offensive, (3) lacks literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Inciting unlawful conduct (1) language directed to producing or urging, (2) imminent lawless action, (3) language likely to produce

Obstruction of justice (1) language that hinders, delays, or makes more difficult, (2) defendant knew the person obstructed was an officer, (3) physical interference, at least in part (some states only)

Defamation (libel or slander) (1) words that are false and untrue, (2) injury of character and reputation, (3) communication to third person (in some states libel deals more with accuracy and slander more with malice) - When victim is public official, reckless disregard must also be shown.

Harassment (1) telephone call deliberate, (2) intent to frighten, (3) any local ordinances that apply.

Loud Noise (1) meant by volume to disturb others, (2) clear and present danger of violence.


*for anyone who doesn't know what 'prurient' means, here's the definition:

marked by or arousing an immoderate or unwholesome interest or desire ; especially : marked by, arousing, or appealing to unusual sexual desire

Splendid Anomaly

Last night was the opening reception and awards presentation for the Dogwood Arts Festival Art and Photo Show. I got all fixed up, not too dressy, just nice jeans with a beaded design down the sides of the legs and a new springy green satin shirt. I went alone because David stayed home with the two younger kids, and my friend who was going to go took her boys and my oldest to a movie. I was just going to see the show and didn't expect to stay long.

There are about a dozen categories of photos ranging from 'black and white architecture' to 'color animal world.' They hang the first place winners of each category in the first section of walls. In the past they informed winners before the reception, so I assumed that they did the same this year. Then I saw one of my pictures (category, 'Computer Enhanced') with a big blue ribbon on it, I just stopped and said, "Oh! Oh! Oh!" I went back to the lobby and called David to tell him that I got a first place. I was so excited! What a nice surprise!

There's nothing like some validation and recognition to sooth the savage beast. LOL I'm in a much better mood today! And I'm $50 richer too! Each first place wins $50 in addition to the big blue ribbon. So WOW! I can't believe it!

Here is my winning picture:


Splendid Anomaly 

Is this better??

This is basically the same template but different colors. Is it better? Does it work better on the browsers that the pink didn't work with?

I'm still working on some other changes, but for now this is it. I'll be restoring my links, etc. asap.

Full Moon Fury

I've noticed that my hormonal cycle seems to have aligned itself with the lunar cycle. This hasn't always been so because my cycle isn't as regular and predictable as the lunar cycle. But what this does mean while they are in alignment is that the combination seems to make for a very volatile situation. So you better watch out!

This explains why I might be especially vicious lately. My apologies if anyone has felt assaulted. Please be assured that it's not personal, unless you are a pedophile.

That being said, here goes:

Google's blogger.com has hosted a pedophilia blog. Being the vicious momma that I am, and especially vicious this week, I commented on the offending blog because they tried to use the First Amendment and 'freedom of speech' as their justification for promoting their bullshit.

How much of this ignorant and vile 'freedom' do we have to put up with? I'll say that if as many people who put their time and energy into arguing about 'global warming' would put that time and energy into fighting pedophilia, which is a more true, undeniable problem, then we might actually make progress in stopping these sick bastards.

I'm more concerned about my children being assaulted by some predator than about some chimerical climate disaster. The way I see it, if they suffer from some climatic event that is more of an 'act of Nature' than if they are raped by some asswipe criminal. And I'd say that statistically, though I haven't looked this up, they are much more likely to be the victim of a pedophile than of some climate disaster.

Call me what you like, but I think that too many people have very wrong priorities. If you are concerned for the future of y/our children then take a stand against the people who are directly and unrelentlessly trying to fuck them. Nature can take care of herself. She has done that for billions of years.

But our children can't take care of themselves. They need our care and protection in a real and tangible way.

"No Representation Without Taxation"

Yes, that's the inverse of the famous slogan from our REVOLUTIONARY WAR,

"NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION."

Does anyone remember our American History? Does anyone remember why we fought for INDEPENDENCE from England? I'm not going to review that here because it should be COMMON KNOWLEDGE.

But I'm so mad about all the ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION bullshit that I'm spitting venom.

They sneak into our country illegally, leaving huge, litter-strewn trails along the borders, trespassing on TAX-PAYING AMERICANS' property. And now just because they 'peacefully' demonstrate on our streets they think they have a RIGHT to citizenship and 'respect.'

SORRY! I have no respect for someone who comes here and expects to have all the same rights as a LEGAL resident without going through the proper processes.

I see them as no different from a MOB OF BULLIES who think that they are above the law. They are just like that selfish person who tries to jump ahead of others when there is a long line at the bank or whatever. We're all in line here, folks. It is NOT the American Way to cave to a mob of criminals.

If our Congress gives in to the demands of the ILLEGALS then we all should

VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE BECAUSE THEY OBVIOUSLY ARE NOT REPRESENTING THEIR TRUE CONSTITUENTS, REAL AMERICAN CITIZENS.


Article Three, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution:

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in
levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them
aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open
court."

Well, I'm sure many will object to my calling ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS our 'enemies', but they are AN INVADING FOREIGN FORCE, and if that's not an enemy then what is??


I have no qualms about accusing any US CONGRESSMEN of TREASON if they are "adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort," which certainly seems the case if they are putting ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS' demands ABOVE their CONSTITUENTS', American Citizens, needs.

Call me mean-spirited, non-compassionate, whatever. I don't care. MY TAXES pay the salaries of my so-called REPRESENTATIVES, and if they aren't doing their job then they need to at least be fired, if not convicted of aiding criminals.

Hugh Hefner Is the Devil

Update, 1-19-07: This post is experiencing a huge amount of traffic today. I'm curious as to how people are landing here. It would be great to read comments explaining how you got here. Thanks!

He is responsible for the modern commodification (interesting that 'commodity' and 'commode' have the same Latin root, commodus) of women that has resulted in the disfigurement (physical and emotional) of an entire generation of women. He takes the power of female sexuality and compresses it into an unnatural yet potent form, somewhat like the distilling of extracts and essential oils from plants but more like a pharmaceutical chemical created to mimic those natural substances but is much stronger and more likely to have negative side-effects. Yes, he makes female sexual power equivalent to a drug.

When I first had this thought I wondered if I was being hypocritical by condemning a man for doing that when at the same time I admire women, like Mae West, who have exploited the female sexual power for their own benefit. I asked myself, "Why is it okay for a woman to use her sexuality for gain but wrong for a man to do it?"

The answer I came up with is that it is wrong for a man to use what is not intrinsically his for his own advantage. Mae West was only doing what was natural for her. She used the female sexual power that she was born with. But Hugh Hefner does not naturally possess female sexual power. He extracts it from the young women who surround him. He manipulates and exploits and adulterates that female sexual energy for his own gain. I see it as similar to stealing.

You might say, "How is that like stealing? Those women volunteer themselves." Not all stealing is that obvious, gun-in-the-face robbery. Sometimes people get misled by someone claiming to do all these things for them, caring for them and providing for them, etc., but at what price? These girls are seduced into a degrading lifestyle and pretty much sucked dry of all their youth and beauty and then they're disposed of and replaced with new girls, just like a commodity. He's a fraud and a user. Very few of those women really gain anything from all that they've invested in Hugh Hefner.

I know many men find his lifestyle enviable and ideal and perfect. But that mindset is immature and evil because it doesn't value women as equal partners but as a commodity to use and dispose of. The men who 'buy into' Hefner's offerings are just as misled and seduced as the young women he uses. And our society has suffered more than most men (and many women) would like to admit. It's no coincidence that the rise of Hefner's image of the ideal woman has corresponded to the rise in plastic surgery, especially breast implants, to make women try to attain that impossible ideal. And look at all the aging women, like Sharon Stone, who have built their lives on that image and are now going to extremes to try to maintain it. It's insane, and it's wrong.

Hefner just celebrated his 80th birthday. He doesn't look like your typical 80 year old man. Obviously, he's a vampire, forever youthful because he sucks the life-force and female sexual power from all of these young women. And that's why he's the Devil.


I googled Hugh Hefner and found these articles. I've only skimmed them so I'm not sure if they support or contradict my thoughts.

Hugh Hefner's Hollow Victory

Blows Against the Empire

Mae West Quote For This Week

"When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better."

OH! My Eyes! My Eyes! (please vote)

Okay, now I've been thinking about this pink thing and I'm about 78% sure that I want to change this color template. I got a book about color theory and now I'm thinking that I need to change from this flirty pink to a more mellow yellow.

So what do you think?

Yes or no for the color change?

If not mellow yellow then suggestions?

Friday Meme

I got this from kat.


1.Last kiss? This morning, telling David bye.

2. How do you flush the toilet in public? Usually with my foot

3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car? Always

4. Do you have a crush on someone? Always

5. Name one thing that you start to get tense about if you are close to running out of it: eh, I'm skipping this one. lol

6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble? Nobody.

7. Favorite pizza topping: bacon

8. Finish this sentence: if my life was a sitcom my theme song would be... "Drop It Like It's Hot" by Snoop Dogg.... I'm KIDDING! Really, maybe "She's a Lady" by Tom Jones.

9. Do you pop your knuckles? no

10. What song do you dislike the most when it gets stuck in your head? Walking on Sunshine

11. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head? No, I'm listening to Tom Jones.

12. What are your super powers? Despite all the skeptics I really can read minds sometimes...

13. Peppermint or spearmint? Spearmint

14. Where are your keys? In the ignition.

15. Who's answers to this questionnaire do you want to hear? Everyone's.

16. What's your most annoying habit? Sighing loudly.

17. Where did you last go on vacation? earlier this year, Green Valley Spa, St. George, UT

18. If you could punch one person in the nose and get away with it, who would it be? CapitalistImperialistPig, ;-)

19. What is your best physical feature? I have no idea.

20. What CD is closest to you right now? the first Fleetwood Mac album

21. What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator? milk, Dr. Pepper, mystery leftovers

22. What superstition do you believe/practice? Knock on wood.

23. When you're in a public place and your underwear gets up your crack do you sit there and take it, or do you dig it out and let the world deal with it? Dig it out baby!

24. If you could murder 5 people and get away with it, who would they be and why? Wow, I can't think of anyone I personally hate so much that I'd kill them, but I'd kill some of the Muslim terrorist extremists with no remorse.

25. Do you talk on your cell phone when you drive? Not usually.

26. What are your favorite sayings? "Do it right!" (from a Thomas the Tank Engine dvd that my 5 year old has)

27. What song(s) do you sing most often in the shower? I don't usually sing in the shower.

28. If you could go back or forward in time would you and where would you go? I do this all the time in my mind to lots of different places. I just observe.

29. What is your favorite Harrison Ford movie? Star Wars I guess, but I'm not a big fan of his.

30. What CD is in your stereo? the previously mentioned Fleetwood Mac cd

31. What OCD qualities do you have? Mostly I have excellent 'place memory' which means you better not touch my stuff and move it because I'll notice even the slightest changes and get really pissed.

32. how many kids do you plan on having? 3, can't physically have any more, but I have thought about adopting an older child at some point

33. If you could kiss anyone famous who would it be? George Bush, lol

34. Would you really want to kiss someone you didn't know? Maybe.

35. What do you do when no one is watching? Sing out loud and sometimes dance around.

36. If they made a movie about your life, what actor/actress would play you? I have no idea.

37. Would you rather die in a blaze of glory or peacefully in your sleep? It doesn't really matter if you're dying anyway.

38. What candy, from when you were a kid, do you miss the most? Can't think of any.

39. What is your favorite movie? Just one? This is stupid, but Little Nicky always makes me laugh and cheers me up when I'm depressed.

40. Favorite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert? KISS when I was a kid, Robert Plant as an adult.

41. Have you ever been in love? Of course!

42. Do you talk to yourself? All the time. Sometimes I'm the only one who'll listen.

43. Is there anybody you just wish would fall of the face off the earth? Only one? Where do I start? All the pedophiles in the world should just die right this minute.

No Surprise

Sharon Stone Flops with Larry the Cable Guy!

From cnn.com:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.

1. "Ice Age: The Meltdown," $70.5 million
2. "Inside Man," $15.7 million
3. "ATL," $12.5 million
4. "Failure to Launch," $6.6 million
5. "V for Vendetta," $6.5 million
6. "Stay Alive," $4.58 million
7. "She's the Man," $4.57 million
8. "Slither," $3.7 million
9. "The Shaggy Dog," $3.5 million
10. "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector," $3.2 million (tie)
10. "Basic Instinct 2," $3.2 million (tie)


While this is probably great news for Larry, it's terrible for Sharon Stone. But really, why can't aging stars accept that they must move on to a new stage of life? This is what happens when a woman makes her fame and fortune only by exploiting her youth and beauty. And youth and beauty are fleeting and not something that make a firm foundation for anything - career, marriage, or whatever. Stone is 48, ten years older than I am. I'm not saying that women can't stay beautiful as they age, but I am saying that artificially produced youthful beauty isn't attractive in an older woman. And I find it sad that these women who are hailed as the 'most beautiful in the world' when they are young can't let go of that as they age.

This is another reason why I, as a more 'plain' woman, feel more freedom to be myself as I age instead of feeling pressure to maintain some impossible facade of youth and beauty. I have much better things to spend my time and energy on than trying to defeat the natural process of aging. I can't imagine how horrible it must be to wake every morning and begin to worry about wrinkles and all of that. What a waste of time!


Oh, how this reminds me of the 1950 film Sunset Boulevard about an aging star's refusal to accept that her youth and beauty had faded. Sharon Stone on the set of Basic Instinct 2.

The 53 year old Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard.

From the Chimerical Mailbag

Hey Rae Ann,

I hate pink! Why do you keep that horrible pink template?

No Pink Please


Dear No Pink Please,

I love pink, and I always have. But my mother was one of the first feminists and she didn't allow pink, not even if I begged. So now that I make my own choices I choose pink. It's a very powerful, feminine color.

Pretty in Pink,
Rae Ann

PS If it bothers you that much try right-clicking and selecting all. At least then there is some blue and white.


Hello Fruitloop,

Why and how can you take horoscopes seriously and call yourself 'psychic'? I think you're just another fruitloop.

Raisin Bran Is Better


Dear Raisin Bran,

Of course you're entitled to your opinion and can call me whatever you like. I don't care. All of these things are very personal and not especially conducive to a scientific kind of validation. Indeed, it has taken my husband nearly 15 years of living with me to recognize and accept that I just know things sometimes. I keep most of my 'visions' to myself because I've found that most people just can't deal with (or are very frightened by) someone who can see right through them. This has taught me to be more forgiving and understanding of other people's dark sides and insecurities that they'd rather deny exist. However, at the worst it can make me very suspicious and sad to know "what evil lurks in the hearts of men (and women)." But make no mistake, I do know what you're thinking and I try to overlook it. In this way I might be the best friend you could ever have.

As for horoscopes I only like the thought-provoking ones that give me a new way of looking at things. I certainly don't live by them, but they are entertaining and interesting.

And be careful in a crowd as you are going to fart and embarrass yourself.

Your Fruitloop Oracle,
Rae Ann


Dear Rae Ann,

Are you a feminist or not? You send mixed messages, and you seem to have a deep hostility toward men.

Confused


Dear Confused,

I consider myself a 'New Feminist.' As I stated above my mother was one of the original feminists who were rebelling against the oppression they experienced in the 'June Cleaver' 1950s culture, etc. I was brought up to not trust men and to not depend on them for anything. Indeed, these women were confused themselves because they tried to be more like men instead of asserting their feminine power in a more natural way. Childhood influences can be difficult to overcome. I'm not blaming or resenting my mother's approach, but I'm finding my own. I am quite bothered by all the oppression of women over history (and that continues today) by men who I know are at the most basic level envious of women's ability to create and grow life within their bodies. And some men even know and deeply resent that they (and their seed) are plentiful and 'disposable'. They try to say that women are the 'weaker vessel' or whatever, but I'd love to see a man go through pregnancy and childbirth. There would be no population problem! lol Both sexes have their strengths and weaknesses, and we are intended to complement each other instead of be adversaries.

Anyway, no, I don't hate men. I love them, most of the time, except when I'm hormonal. They are funny creatures to study and experiment with. And I do try to forgive them for fearing strong women. I've found that their egos are like bubbles. The bigger they get the more fragile they are.

Hope that helps,
Rae Ann

I'm Just A Girl, part 1

I have no credentials, that is, no string of letters following my name and no impressive Curriculum Vitae. All I have is my experience.

I've always attracted a motley group of friends, people on the fringes of other groups. I've never been in any kind of sorority (organized or spontaneous) of homogenous friends with whom I had everything in common. Think of the cliques in school and how they were usually groups of practically identical people. I never fit into any of that, even as a young child. I was in the 'clique of oddballs' if I had to label it.

Interacting with lots of different people has given me insights and perspectives that many other people don't have because they know only people who are just like them. By having friends who are on the fringes of these groups I get more of an 'inside view' of their lives and lifestyles. When you're more 'in' the group then they let you in on their real selves. It breaks the barriers of stereotypes. In a sense maybe this gives me some 'street creds'.

Immigration

I've been pretty pissed, yet a little amused, at the talking heads on TV who have absolutely no idea what is really going on with many of the illegal immigrants. They've never spent any time with them getting know why they're here, how they got here, how they live, or what they really think of America. Going to the border and ambushing them with questions doesn't count. These reporters have no street creds. Of course, having street creds isn't 'politically correct.' And they don't want street creds because they'd rather believe their own notions than deal with reality.

One of my really good friends (who has a PhD but isn't 'using' it) met an illegal Mexican, and they fell in love. As you can imagine this was quite a shock for almost everyone she knew. But love is rare and precious, and you often find it in the least expected places. He did what he had to do to 'get legal' which can be a very complicated process, especially if the person is here illegally first. But this is good because people should be willing to jump through hoops to become a legal resident or citizen. And marrying someone first does not make any of the process easier or faster. My friend and her love did not marry until after he was finally legal.

Knowing someone personally who has gone through all of that has shown me how things really work. And it has also given me some insights into the world of illegal Mexicans, particularly in the Southeast which might vary somewhat from the border states of the Southwest. I've personally seen the small houses where 20 young Mexican men live together to keep their expenses as low as possible so that they have more money to send back home to their families in Mexico. I've heard the stories of Pablo or Juan who came here only for a few months, long enough to make a little extra money. These young guys aren't in America because they crave freedom and American citizenship. They are here because they want to make some quick money. They almost exclusively do landscaping and construction work (carpentry, masonry, etc.) that is easily paid in cash. They don't pay income taxes or into the Social Security system. They are uninsured, both in Worker's Compensation and health. They might appear to be living in abject poverty, but it is more often than not by their own design. The fewer things they have the easier it is for them to move quickly.

It is a huge exaggeration for people to think that every Mexican worker has brought their family with them to America so that they can all become citizens. I've heard some ridiculous arguments from both sides of the political aisle that assure me that these people have no earthly idea what is really happening with illegal Mexican immigrants. One even said, "for every illegal worker there is also a family that needs services, etc." (that's paraphrased and I didn't bother to remember who said it because it was so stupid) Sure, there are families involved, but most of them are not in the US but are in Mexico. If there are any vast conspiracies going on here it's that these illegal Mexicans have figured out how to exploit the 'wealthy' Americans. Most of them don't care about America except for how much money they can make. Call me 'mean spirited' or cynical or whatever you like, but I'm just reporting my own personal experience which I'm willing to bet is much closer to reality than what you hear from the suits and ties.


to be continued...

Sounds rather ominous...

Jonathan Cainer's Aquarius horoscope for today:

Are you going too far or are you going just far enough? How can you know? You are following an extremely strong impulse and it is doubtful whether you could resist this even if you wanted to. As it happens, you neither want to nor need to. Others can sit in judgement of you if they wish to. You can even disapprove of yourself if you so desire. It makes no difference. There's a date with destiny on your horizon and with each passing day you grow closer to a fulfilment of a promise made long ago.



Curiously enough, I've been reading Cainer's horoscopes for some time and he is often spookily on target with them. This one concerns me for that very reason. A date with destiny sounds like a good thing, but I've lived long enough to know that those things are usually like double edged swords.

Porn Industry in Perspective

via suzie

Part of the transcript of Nancy Grace's show last night:


... the size of this global porn industry, $57 billion.

If you take Toys R Us and Mars company -- they make Snickers and M&Ms and Milky Way -- add them together, it`s half that amount of on-line porn.

ABC, NBC, CBS combined, $6 billion-- That`s one tenth of the on-line porn industry.

And lastly, you take the gross domestic product of Jamaica, Bermuda, Aruba, Jordan and Bahrain, that`s a little short of the GDP of the porn business.


And related, DHS Press Secretary Arrested on Child Seduction Charges

Someone tell me why a 55 year old man is soliciting sexual contact with a 14 year old girl. Are there still older men who are stupid enough to think that a 14 year old girl is really going to want to do things with them?

This makes me ill. I think that men who want sex with young girls must have very tiny dicks. If any man tries something with one of my kids he'll be losing that tiny dick of his in the most unpleasant way.

I Was Wrong

I'm sorry, if you are looking for a picture of daffodils, that link has been disabled. Sorry for any inconvenience.








What a pisser! Wah, wah, wah, boohoohoo. Nobody likes to be wrong, let alone admit publicly that they were wrong. But being who I am, I will swallow my pride and admit to being wrong. (Much like the way that I had to laugh off my hilarious tripping and falling in front of a bunch of people at my son's baseball practice last night. How embarrassing!)

I had to go pick up my rejected picture today. Well, much to my disappointment it wasn't the only one. There were two others. I hate when my bubbles get burst like that, but I did secretly suspect that this would happen. (just another example of why it's not good to be 'psychic') So my percentage did not rise to 80% acceptance and my level of 'presence' in the show did not double. :-(

So does this make me a liar? I don't think so, but Dr. Pig probably will because he is certain that President Bush is a liar because he happened to repeat 'wrong information.' So, Dr. Pig, am I in the same category of malicious liars as Pres. Bush (according to you) just because I believed and repeated wrong information?

Anyway, I guess I should be pleased that I still have two pictures in the show, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I am let down that it is only two instead of four.

Now I need something to cheer me up.


Update 8-22-2006: A new post with a video of Democrats 'lying' can be seen here. And can you believe that the song "Would I Lie To You?" by the Eurythmics just came on the radio. I shit you NOT!

Mae West Quote for the Week

"When caught between two evils I generally pick the one I've never tried before."

Ha Ha!

You Are 60% Evil

You are evil, but you haven't yet mastered the dark side. Fear not though - you are on your way to world domination.

How Evil Are You?

Whoo Hoo!!

I'm so happy! Four of my five entries into the Dogwood Arts Festival Photo Show were accepted! Yay!! I had been hoping to continue my trend of doubling my accepted entries. In 2004 I got one entry in the show. In 2005 I got two entries in the show. And this year I got four! And my percentage went up to 80%.

So if you find yourself in Knoxville the show will be on exhibit from Thursday, April 13th through Saturday, April 22nd at TVA's West Tower, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, downtown Knoxville. The Tower will not be open on Easter weekend, April 15th and 16th.

There is a Preview Reception (open to public) on Wednesday, April 12, 6:00-8:00 pm at the TVA West Tower.

Here is the rejected picture (Computer Enhanced/Special Effects catagory):

"Charity" This is a modified version of my 6 of Orbs tarot card. Now I'm thinking that for the purposes of the photo show I should have cropped it so that there was less clutter in the background. But for the tarot cards the background is important for the meaning of the card.

(I tried to upload the accepted entries but blogger isn't cooperating right now. I'll try again later.)

Missing Neutrinos Found!

As Lubos reported yesterday some neutrinos were lost.

I'm happy to report that I have found them here in Tennessee. Apparently, the mischievous little buggers were the ones responsible for my computer problems yesterday. I've managed to capture a picture of them....




Happy April Fool's Day!

April Fool's a Day Early

My ten year old and I believe that our calendar is more off than most people realize. Today is one more piece of evidence that supports that idea. I am 'celebrating' April 1 today, March 31, with a series of fantastic blunders.



First, this morning David was enraged when he discovered that the younger kids and one of their friends, who spent last night here (because his mother, my good friend, was recovering from outpatient surgery), destroyed about $400 worth of 'flex duct' in the garage. This was not the first time that they had played on some of this stuff and crushed it, so we were especially angry about it. So I had 'court' with the kids this morning. This court might more resemble Saddam's trial than a typical American court, but since I'm the Judge, Jury, and Executioner around here so what I say goes. Oh, sure, that's just my story-telling bravado. I didn't really execute anyone. ;-) Anyway, the culprits were lectured on the law that says, "If it's not yours then don't touch it unless you ask first." And also the law that says, "When in Rome (my house) do as the Romans do (follow my rules)." And I threw in a little guilt-trip by telling the visiting boy, "Your mother is one of my very best friends and I would do anything for her. I don't like being put in the position of having to threaten her kid with banishment (a little too strong a word). How do you think it will make your mom feel knowing that you've embarrassed her this way?" After hearing each child's testimony (admissions of guilt) I sentenced them to no PlayStation all weekend. I'm sure I'll think of some other things too. lol

So after starting the day with a bang I've spent the rest of it cussing out and threatening with serious harm my stupid computer and printer. I'm trying to get my pictures finished for tomorrow, and my computer has taken today as sick day. It seems to be missing much of its memory, hmm, a little like its owner. Maybe the TSA came in the night and abducted some it my computer's memory to go with my brain that I'm convinced they still have. (When they 'reconstructed' my head a while ago they must have used some cheap aftermarket reproduction parts.) All day I've been getting a message "not enough memory to perform task..." (printing large files that haven't bogged it down before today). I'm just about ready to go to Circuit City and buy a brand new computer! Or run away... Or both...

Story of 1

Last night on PBS I watched part of a fascinating show about the history of numbers. It was very entertaining as well as informative. There was a lot of humor and cute graphics that helped illustrate the points. I missed about the first half of the show, but when I started watching it ONE was in Greece with Archimedes but was abducted by the 'backwards' Romans. I've never been a fan of Roman numerals, and now I understand why. They are cumbersome and limited, though they do look nice on clocks and watches. Not to disrespect the Romans, however, who achieved great feats of engineering despite their numerals.

I've often wondered about how numbers came to be and how they have affected the intellectual development of humanity. There probably were brief lessons on this somewhere in my education, but maybe not because most math classes focused on using numbers and not how they evolved.

And it was in India that ZERO was 'invented'. Until then 'nothing' wasn't counted. The show explained the cultural, and often religious, concepts that influenced the evolution of numbers at different times in history. In Indian thought very large amounts of things were commonplace so it followed that they would want to develop a way of 'counting' these huge numbers. It was there that 'Arabic' numbers really came to be, in addition to the revolutionary Zero.

The show also discussed Leibniz who 'invented' the binary (using only One and Zero) system on which all of our cyber communications are based. I won't pretend to totally understand how the binary system works, but boy am I glad it does!

Anyone who is interested in the history of thought and the cultural influences that spawned revolutionary ideas in counting and accounting and calculating, as well as how those ideas in turn revolutionized the world, would enjoy this show. Order it or look for it a your local library or video store.

Shopping Spree

Monday morning I was out and about and did a little art and craft supply shopping. I first went to Jerry's Artarama. I had a 20% off coupon that was going to expire at the end of this month, so I wanted to use it. It can be dangerous for me to go shopping there, especially with a coupon, because I love art supplies. I went there specifically for some nice mats for some photos I'm entering in the Dogwood Arts Festival Photo Show. Well, I'm entering them this Saturday, but it is a juried show so they might not be judged into the show. Last year I got two pictures in and the year before that I got one in.

In addition to the mats I bought:

1. "Micro Mini" 12 brush set, I really like these tiny brushes for precision work. They were made in China. I wonder how much they get paid per hour to make these brushes.

2. "Colour Shaper" 5 piece shaped silicone brush set, these are also good for precision work and corrections. Made in England. I wonder how much they are paid to make these in England as compared to China.

3. "Scrubber" 3 brush set, these are supposed to 'erase' paint. Made in China. Again, I wonder about the hourly wage for making these.

4. Staedtler "Mars" Plastic eraser, this is good for removing smudges, etc. Made in Germany. I wonder if Germany has the market on this kind of thing.

5. Staedtler "Mars" Dry Cleaning Pad, another tool for removing smudges, etc. Made in the good, ol' USA. I wonder if union workers make these and how much they get paid per hour compared to the other countries.


It's no accident that 80% of those products I bought are eraser type items. I make lots of mistakes! Or maybe it's just that I change my mind a lot? lol

Oh, how could I forget?! I also bought these ultra-cool Crayola "Spider Writers" which are marker pens with a stringy ink. When you touch the tip to paper and lift it again the ink trails along and forms a strand between the two points. Kind of like building a spider web, thus the name I guess. lol I got the metallic set, but I think there were 'plain' colors too. Made in Korea. I don't see many things made in Korea anymore. I wonder how their unemployment rate is these days.

Million American March

Okay, here's an idea. Why can't someone organize something like a Million American March on Mexico? I'm not a leader or organizer. I'm just a thinker. But if someone would organize this thing I think it could make a big point. We could go to Mexico City or somewhere down there and bring our American flags and march on their city streets in protest. (And while we're at it we can stake out where to start our retirement communities. Florida is already overcrowded and overpriced, as well as most other popular retirement areas in the US, so we could find some nice warm places in Mexico. One of their supposedly abandoned towns, maybe?)

ABC's

I've been tagged by kat.

Accent ~ East Tennessee Twang.

Booze of choice ~ not much of a drinker anymore, but usually vodka in a White Russian

Chore I hate ~ Paying bills.

Dog or Cat ~ grew up with a cat, but now have two dogs forced upon me

Essential Electronics ~ computer, tv, dvd player, Sonicare toothbrush

Favorite perfume/cologne ~ anything by Givenchy

Gold or Silver ~ either

Hometown ~ Knoxville, TN

Insomnia ~ not often

Job Title ~ vicious momma

Kids ~ two boys, 10 and 5; one girl, 7

Living Arrangment ~ family of five in an almost too big house

Most Admired Trait ~ kindness (and honesty, but if you're truly kind you don't lie)

Number of Sexual Partners ~ one at a time, lol

Overnight Hospital Stays ~ 4

Phobia ~ making phone calls

Quote ~ "When the gods want to punish you they answer your prayers." (from movie, Out of Africa)

Religion ~ my own weird mix of things

Siblings ~ older sister

Time I wake up ~ When I have to

Unusual talent/skill ~ sometimes I can read minds

Vegetable I refuse to eat ~ turnips

Worst Habit ~ procrastination

X-rays ~ lots

Yummy foods I make ~ Ooey Gooey (sinfully rich dessert thing)

Zodiac sign ~ Aquarius (sun), Sagittarius (moon, rising, Venus)

I'm supposed to tag people, but I'll leave it up to anyone who wants to do it or leave their answers in a comment.

Say What?

By way of Tayster, Sharon Stone about Hillary Clinton:

I think Hillary Clinton is fantastic. But I think it is too soon for her to run. This may sound odd, but a woman should be past her sexuality when she runs. Hillary still has sexual power, and I don't think people will accept that. It's too threatening.

Is that not the most sexist comment you've ever read? And from a liberal woman, no less!

Groove Is In The Heart 2

Warning: Anyone who is easily offended by religious questions should skip this post.

note: This a 'continuation' of some thoughts in February.

Well I ain't no new messiah,
But I'm close enough for rock and roll.

38 Special, "Rockin' Into the Night"

What is love? The Bible tells us, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." (KJV) 1 John 4:7

Anyone who gets to know me finds out that I'm not usually a Bible quoter, I do believe that God (or the Divine, or the Universe, or the Great Unknown, or Whatever you choose to call It) is the source of love. What else but some omnificent, omnipotent, omniscient omnipresence (did that cover all the 'omni's?) could create such a thing? Surely it can't just be the result of chemical reactions. As much as we try to recreate love with chemicals we ultimately fall short. When I was younger (college age) I began to doubt the existence of the "Omni-" although I'd grown up in a Christian (Lutheran) home and had been baptized and confirmed and all that. I never thought of myself as an atheist but more as an agnostic at that time.

Then I fell in love. I couldn't explain love in any other way than that it had to come from some great "Omni-". Surely, anyone who has loved can relate. And when I had my children my knowing of the "Omni-" was even more confirmed. And that maternal love also gave me the purest and strongest glimpse of the "Omni-" that I've ever had. Looking at my firstborn I literally felt my heart open and fill with something that had never been there before. I was never the same.

To be sure, love comes in as many forms as our imaginations and nature can create. There is romantic love, parental love, friendly love, etc. Maybe it seems different only because we each filter and express it differently with different people. Maybe it's like light and sound that travel differently through different substances. But let us not be confused as to love's source even though it seems to exist in so many various forms.

The Divine Feminine

My problems with Christianity lie largely with the Father and the Son. Yeah, I know that's huge. The Lutherans believe in the Trinity, the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead. That always bothered me, even as a child. Where was the Mother? Where was the feminine aspect of divinity? It didn't make sense. Was the Holy Spirit feminine? Not according to the church's teachings. Can't you see how this oversight would concern a thoughtful little girl?

Even as encompassing as the Trinity tries to be it seems still incomplete. And I've wondered why the concept of the Holy Spirit wasn't enough in itself. Any time that we try to limit the "Omni-" with names and personifications we are limiting our own understanding of It. Of course, we do want to name things. That's what we do. We like to identify our surroundings and give things names so that we can communicate about them. But isn't there some scripture that tells us not to name God? Or am I suffering from another false memory caused by too many random thoughts (some old and feeble) bumping into each other and getting confused?

Doesn't it seem like it's time for another Reformation? Doesn't it seem like the way-it-is has been somewhat dysfunctional? And no wonder, there is no balance. Hold the groans, yes, I'm going to make a Star Wars reference here. Anakin was the promised one who was going to bring balance back to the Force. In his wisdom George Lucas chose not to have that happen with ease and happiness (where's the material for 6 movies in that?). The balance to the Force came only after much pain and suffering, all connected in some way to Anakin's love for his mother and Padme. Where am I going with this? I'm not sure, but I do have a point somewhere. Maybe I'm trying to say that we need a new messiah, a female who can give the world a new, more complete perspective on the Divine. Despite an occasional delusion of grandeur, no, I'm not suggesting that I'm some new messiah... I'm not even close enough for rock and roll.

So, what's love got to do with it? Well, over the last couple of thousand years the masculine concept of the Divine hasn't been terribly successful in promoting 1 John 4:7, has it? Maybe if males grew lives inside their bodies they would revere it more? "...and every one that loveth is born of God..." Born of God. Born of woman. You make the connection. I'm being facetious; I'm not saying that God is a woman. I'm saying that by denying the feminine aspect of the "Omni-" we are limiting It. If it truly is "Omni-" then it is everything, not just the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The problems with love are due to our own limitations. Love inevitably causes us pain, so how can it be from the Divine? Asking that is the same as throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It's not the love itself that causes the pain. It's the denial, withdrawal, or blindness to the love that hurts us. Love really is like a drug in that way. Once you have a taste of it you want it over and over and over again. The trick is to learn to access that love on your own and not rely on it coming from others. Oh, yes, I know what a difficult trick that is! And anyone who has loved, really loved, has felt their heart break, if only from the thought of their love going away. But we don't have to rely on others to connect to the flow of love that comes from the "Omni-".

Some say that we can only do that through the Son, Jesus Christ. Frankly, and I know this is a heresy, but I think that what Jesus said was misinterpreted or even that his own language was limited by his time and place.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (KJV) John 14:6

I guess Jesus was brought up with the prevailing Jewish views of the time. And that was Father-based. Maybe you can only get to the Father by way of Jesus, but what about the "Omni-"? Is it possible that what Jesus meant was that he knew the meaning of love and that people needed to listen to his words in order to learn that truth? I know these are uncomfortable questions and statements.

And what happens when our hearts get broken anyway? That answer is probably as variable as the different people in the world. My heart has been broken many times, even in the 'protection' of marriage. David says I'm way oversensitive. Maybe so, but maybe sensitivity is a tool people can use to access (open up to) the love from the Source, the "Omni-"? Either way, I do know that Groove is in the Heart, and if people want to be some kind of a conduit for it they need to reinforce their insulation somehow because it can burn like a bare, hot wire. Or maybe like light reflected from a mirror (you really can burn things that way):

There's a mirror moving inside my mind
Reflecting the love that you shine on me
Hold on now to that feeling
Let it flow, let it grow, yeah, yeah

My heart is on fire
My soul's like a wheel that's turnin'
My love is alive, my love is alive, yeah...

Love Is Alive by Gary Wright

But just because it is hot and possibly dangerous, much like the electricity that runs through our wired world, doesn't mean that it's not worth the risk in order to have our lives lit up and powered from within.

So I'll close with the Aaronic Benediction that traditionally closes Lutheran services. This is a vast improvement over my first draft (that blogger lost) which ended with a link to a song that celebrates a very different, yet just as valid, way of finding that God/love connection.

The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Mae West Quote of the Week 3

"Too much of a good thing can be wonderful."

One Year Ago

I've been trying to delete my old aol journal for some time now, but I find it difficult to let some things disappear into the cyber oblivion. This is a day early, but here's the entry from one year ago:

Monday, March 28, 2005
Subject: Shocked and Rocked
Time: 7:33:00 PM EST
Author: ramskates
Mood: Worried
Music: I'm at a loss as to what I need to hear right now.


Well, as for commenting on that horoscope all I can say is that yeah, change occurred today, but not in any way that I ever imagined. And not in a good way as far as I can tell at this point. How could having your beautiful, perfect dream car smashed be a positive change? Is it some kind of punishment for loving a thing so much? It's not like I loved it more than my kids or husband or anything like that. And why was I so quick to blame myself for being in the wrong place at the wrong time in the wrong car? I know that I think that I should know everything that is going to happen and therefore be able to avoid or prevent them. But this was something that truly took me by surprise. I had general feelings of anxiety and concern this morning and debated taking the Corvette out. I decided that I would take it because I was planning on driving a good bit getting some stuff to get my pictures ready for the Dogwood Arts thing. With gas so expensive I thought I would save a little gas by not driving the Expedition. HA!! Saved a little gas for sure. Stupid reasons for doing things. I'm so disappointed. Shook up. Shocked. Heartbroken. Sick. This really rocked my world, and not in a good way.

So tonight I'm on my way to pickling myself with White Russians. I might just add a little herb to the mixture too. I know it doesn't solve anything or accomplish anything other than probably making me sick. But sometimes you have to pour fuel on a fire. Sometimes you have to put salt on the cut. And sometimes you have to say what the Fuck?!!

So what the fuck!

I do feel sorry for the woman who hit me. She's having a run of really bad luck. She was so apologetic and she even called this afternoon to see if I was okay. I know she's probably worried that I'm going to try to sue her or something. But I'm not that kind of person. I'm not hurt and I trust that the insurance will cover things. She just moved here from Texas and is having a disaster every day. I hope she's going to be okay.

Anyway, so yeah, this week has started out with a bang and I'll definitely remember it for a long time to come. I wonder what other surprises are in store. Please, if there are any others let them be pleasant. What was that sign I was asking for? I'll have to look back and see what I was wanting. I'm going to stop asking for anything.

The irony of asking for signs and getting what you'd never imagined is a humbling experience. It's that same idea that your prayers are always answered but that sometimes those answers come in forms we don't recognize or don't appreciate or like. In the weeks before this entry last year I had been musing about changes and signs and had "asked" for something big and surprising to happen. In my hubris I expected that I could challenge the Universe and win. HA! Well, like in all the old cartoons and things that have the mischievous genie granting wishes in some off-hand way I got my big surprise. But all's well that ends well. I learned some hard lessons from that experience, and isn't that the point of life anyway?

And the Wind Cries, Mary

Update:Mary's Cries, 7-2-06


(Lubos has a thoughtful post on the Winkler murder. For the complete lyrics to "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix click the title above. Actually, did Hendrix write this song or was it a cover of an old blues song?)

After all the jacks are in their boxes
And the clowns have all gone to bed
You can hear happiness staggering on downstreet
Footprints dressed in red

And the wind whispers, MARY

A broom is drearily sweeping
up the broken pieces of yesterday's life
Somewhere a queen is weeping
Somewhere a king has no wife

And the wind, it cries, MARY

Many of us have speculated about the motive for Mary Winkler to shoot her husband dead. Did the wind whisper her name and tell her that murder was the only way? Did she hear the happiness staggering down her street and wish that it was hers?

Or was she killing a monster only she (and her daughters?) knew? It's hard for me to 'get into her head' because she was indoctrinated with a belief system very different from mine. But we do have things in common. We both have three young children. We both chose to live in a marriage with 'traditional' gender roles (but put into practice in very different ways). We both are from Tennessee.

I first heard about this story when the Amber alert came on TV. At that time they hadn't even said that Mary was a suspect. But I've watched too many crime shows and knew that the spouse is usually the first person to suspect in a murder at home. And the thought that he was molesting one or more of those little girls 'popped' into my head, probably because that is the only thing that would cause me to kill someone intentionally.

Another clue for me is that the police won't tell the motive even though they know it. The delay could be due to their need to gather more evidence (interview the children) and take steps to protect the children as much as possible. When there are accusations of incest there must be extreme care taken in how the children are treated. And I will admit my personal feeling that if he was molesting one or more of his daughters then my views of Mary are much more lenient. Would it justify her actions? Not in the eyes of the law, but in my motherly eyes it does. I know that is wrong, but as a "vicious momma" that's just how it is.

Of course, I could very well be wrong (some of you tell me that often enough). For the sake of those girls, I hope I am.

Country Questions

I saw this over at Kat's.


1. Have you ever been muddin’? Does that mean four-wheeling? (yes) Or rolling around in the mud? (not intentionally)

2. Have you ever been on a dirt/gravel road? We do now, well, this is even worse... it's half paved and half gravel.

3. Ever been swimmin’ at the river? Yes, as a child, but I didn't like it. My hand brushed up against some long, stringy moss or something under the water that felt just like long hair and that creeped me out so bad I still get chills thinking about it.

4. Ever had a bonfire party? Yes.

5. Have you ever driven a tractor? Yeah, we have a John Deere, but I think it's scary to drive.

6. Have you ever been on a horse? Yes, and I love it even though I'm not that good at it.

7. Call a kiss “sugar” (Gimme some sugar)? All the time.

8. Get stuck, in a 4WD, in mud up to the windows? No, but I have been four-wheeling in a truck.

9. Do you say fixin’, reckon and ya’ll? fixin' not so much, but reckon and ya'll all the time

10. Ever done 90 mph down a dirt road? No, not a dirt road. ;-)

11. Worked/Lived on a farm? No, but we are surrounded by them and I had relatives with a farm when I was a kid.

12. Been to a rodeo? No

13. Do you own cowboy boots? Not now but in high school I did

14. Have you ever went rollin’ yard? No.

15. Have you ever said “git er done”? I wrote it the other day!

16. Does your town have a “Drive A Tractor to School Day”? No.

17. Have you ever had a party in a barn? Not hosted one but been to one.

18. Do you think tractors are sexy? Uh, no, but erectors (cranes) are cool... lol

19. Ever rode a 4-wheeler? No.

20. Are you from the country? Yeah, I guess so.

21. If so, are you proud of it? Of course!

22. Gone hunting? No, but I've run over a variety of critters.

23. Gone fishing? Yes, I love fishing as long as the fish are biting. And I'm pretty good at it.

24. Can you clog or have you been clogging? No.

25. Been on a hay ride? yeah

26. Have you ever line danced? A few times, but I don't enjoy it.

27. Camped under the stars? No, I'm not a camper.

28. Ever been cow tippin’? No

29. Ever owned a pick up truck? Many, currently we have a huge Ford F350 dually, club cab that's about 50 feet long (well, maybe 20). I can drive it, but I don't like to.

30. Had a pig for a pet? No. But we had a goat for a while until it ran away or was stolen.

31. Own a pair of overalls? No, not my style.

32. Pee’d on the side of the road? Many times.

33. Made homemade wine? No, I'm more into growing things...

34. Had a party at the creek? No.

35. Milked a cow? Yeah, when I was a kid.

36. Ran across round bails of hay? No, but I love to see them lined up in fields.

37. Must have sweat tea? Absolutely!

38. Been to a race? No.

39. Drink fresh milk, straight from the dairy farm? I tried that once when I was a kid, but it was gross because the milk was still warm from the cow. Ick.

40. Include the word “yonder” in your vocabulary? Not usually.

While I'm at it...

talking crazy and offending people, let me say that I think Hell just froze over: Hillary is using the Bible in her arguments against an immigration bill!

Hello? Why is everyone babying illegal Mexicans? They are ILLEGAL! Since when did an entire group of CRIMINALS become the poster children for the Democrats?

Or did I miss the memo that changed the meaning of ILLEGAL? Jesus! (or Hey-sus, if you prefer)

Yes, this is a mindless rant so don't bother with telling me about the good of immigration, blah, blah, blah... I totally support the good of LEGAL immigration.

But there is one way to solve this whole mess.

Let's just take over Mexico.

All the Mexicans are coming up here anyway, so let's just open the border both ways and tell them, "Move over we're in charge now."

Put that in your taco and chew on it.

Mae West Quote of the Week 2

"Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often."

Jose', can you see?

And so the Constitutional debate continues over at CapitalistImperialistPig.


Here are some annotations on the Constitution and the Fourth Amendment:

Valid Searches and Seizures Without Warrants

Detention Short of Arrest: Stop–and–Frisk
Search Incident to Arrest
Vehicular Searches
Vessel Searches
Consent Searches
Border Searches
Public Schools
Government Offices
Prisons and Regulation of Probation
Drug Testing


Click the following link for an in-depth, though dated because it cites no cases beyond 1982, examination of Electronic Surveillance and the Fourth Amendment.

footnote 153 from that link:

The case [Katz v. United States, 1967] contains a clear suggestion that the Court would approve a congressional provision for a different standard of probable cause in national security cases. “We recognize that domestic security surveillance may involve different policy and practical considerations from the surveillance of ‘ordinary crime.’ The gathering of security intelligence is often long range and involves the interrelation of various sources and types of information. The exact targets of such surveillance may be more difficult to identify than in surveillance operations against many types of crimes specified in Title III. Often, too, the emphasis of domestic intelligence gathering is on the prevention of unlawful activity or the enhancement of the Government’s preparedness for some future crisis or emergency. . . . Different standards may be compatible with the Fourth Amendment if they are reasonable both in relation to the legitimate need of Government for intelligence information and the protected rights of our citizens. For the warrant application may vary according to the governmental interest to be enforced and the nature of citizen rights deserving protection. . . . It may be that Congress, for example, would judge that the application and affidavit showing probable cause need not follow the exact requirements of Sec. 2518 but should allege other circumstances more appropriate to domestic security cases. . . .” Id. at 322–23.

Mr. Pig says that our founding fathers, among others, "distrusted unlimited executive power." Well, sure, we all do. Their concern was that America didn't become another England. But they also restricted voting rights to white, male property owners and had 'good' reasons for doing that considering their time and place. But we have grown as a country and things change. The Constitution and its interpretation has changed too (and will continute to evolve). I don't see how people can logically conclude that Bush has exercised "unlimited executive power." I'm reminded of Truman's famous sign, "The buck stops here." The Executive Branch has got to have some final say about some things, especially if we are to call the President The Commander in Chief. What does that imply? Simply, it means that in issues of war and national security there must be a strong, singular leader who can cut through all the bureaucratic bullshit and willy-nilly political crap and say, "Git-R-Done!" (thanks to Larry the Cable Guy).

Ignorant dumbass or not, I do feel safer today than I was on Sept. 10, 2001. I ain't no feminazi. I like to be taken care of by a strong man (or men if that's what it takes). As for Bush setting some slipperly slope precedents that will lead our country into some totalitarian regime, that's just ridiculous, except coming from someone who has such a low estimation of all our government branches that he thinks they all will fail. Is that what you think Mr. Pig? Is your faith in the American way and the American system and the American people so low that you honestly believe that we are in danger of losing all of our freedoms? For someone who sees the world that way I guess it is a natural response to cry, "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"

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, thro' the perilous fight'
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets 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?...

Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand,
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that has made and preserved us as a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust";
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

First and last stanzas of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Constitutional Study Part 5

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.


I think the key word there is "unreasonable."

Someone show me where in the Constitution that it says a wartime President cannot wiretap foreign terrorists' incoming calls without a warrant when taking the time to get that warrant might cost lives.

Assorted Babble: Hinson another reminder of Recidivism

Assorted Babble: Hinson another reminder of Recidivism


Please read suzie's post about that subhuman monster in South Carolina. Honestly, I think we need a new Constitutional Amendment that specifies that anyone who has been convicted of sexual crimes against children has forfeited all rights and protections of the Constitution upon the obvious committing a another such offense.