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Life without Gardeningby Mike Nowak
- Tags: #Humour #Mike Nowak
There's a famous New Yorker cartoon that pictures an old tire, a can, a bottle and a pencil on a flat, featureless landscape – save a few non-descript rocks – that stretches to dull gray clouds on the horizon. The caption reads, "Life without Mozart." The most chilling part of this drawing (if you're me) is that it uncannily evokes my own yard.
By the way, no matter how often I remove the tire, the can, the bottle and the pencil from my property, they reappear by the next morning. There's an episode of "The Twilight Zone" ready to be written here, or perhaps a reboot of "Groundhog Day." I would particularly welcome the latter, since I think I was the only Chicago actor who didn't land at least a walk-on part in that film, which is something else that I re-live over and over and over again. But I digress.
Getting back to the cartoon, it could also easily be called "Life without Gardening" for obvious reasons. Which got me to thinking, what if, instead of seeing dull gray clouds on the horizon, you see spring looming, and the thought of another year of germinating, buying, mistreating and ultimately killing plants doesn't exactly fill your heart with joy but makes you shudder? What if you decided that you'd had enough and you were going to opt out of growing things altogether?
Could you do it?
I'm not talking about how to explain it to your neighbors, who might actually welcome the news. I mean, how would you explain it to your scraggly lawn? Your accidentally exotically-pruned foundation shrubs? Your curiously sited and consequently sickly clematis? Grandma's apple-scab-ridden crabapple tree? They're already not particularly fond of you. And don't you even think about telling them via email or text. That's just plain rude.
Oh, I know. You assume you're off the hook because you grow just a few indoor plants. As if the pothos with 20 feet of vine between the two remaining leaves or the jade plant that you stopped watering in 1993 don't harbor thoughts of ill will toward you. You're the only person in the world who knows how to overwater a lucky bamboo. You know, the plant that grows in water. Yeah, I'm talking to you, too.
What makes you think that those long-suffering plants will let you walk away scot-free anyway? Have you even thought about making that long, dark journey from the back door to the alley to take out the trash late at night? Who do you think will be watching your every lonely step? And what about those faint cries of "Quitter!" and "Brown thumb!" and "Pruning saw murderer!" and "Be a real shame if somethin' bad happened to that nice car of yours!" followed by eerie laughter in the night?
I'm not even sure that you can quit gardening without violating clauses in the fine print. Heck, I don't even know where to find the fine print! I just know it's there.
Then there's the remorse and the backsliding. What happens if you change your mind? Once you're out of the game, you're going to try to get back in it. Hey, I'm a horticultural professional. I know what I'm talking about. Sure, you tell yourself that you're just cutting a little lemon grass for the cat. But you're not fooling anybody. You're gardening with scissors! Look in the mirror! Shame on you for making the cat an enabler for your gardening addiction!
Which brings us to the conclusion that, inevitably, once you're a gardener, there's no getting out. There is no off switch. There is no way to unwind the clock. There is no unspeaking the spoken. There is no unthinking the thoken. (Okay, time to give the parallel construction a rest. I think you get the point).
Gardening is a racket. It takes no prisoners. Or it takes all of us as prisoners. Choose your metaphor. And now, spring is here. Fasten your seat belts, kids. It's going to be a bumpy ride. It always is.


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Bonjour Slog et merci pour ce nouvel avis toujours aussi complet ! Vous êtes dans le Top 5 des WTFer en nombre d'avis :) A quand le prochain décollage ?
Overall, it was a good enough flight. Here are the pros and cons.
+ On-board comfort: no problems concerning the seat. The seat was comfortable enough and allowed me to sleep for one hour or two during this 10-hour flight (I sleep very little in airplanes, in general—I almost don't sleep at all…).
+ Service: excellent service on the ground (I arrived late at boarding and the ground agent, seeing my situation (I had forgotten my boarding pass in one of the airport's stores and had to run back to find it), was very comprehensive and didn't lecture me, saying that I wasn't the last passenger, a relief… ^^) and in the plane, where the flight attendants were very helpful. On the other hand, there was something rather unusual. We had to get on a bus leased by the airline to go to the airplane.
+ Entertainment: some entertainment in French, such as recent movies. Most movies, TV shows, etc…. were in either English, Finnish, or Japanese.
+ Punctuality: we took off with a 20-minute delay, due to passengers who arrived at the last minute. We largely caught up with this delay, because we arrived 10 minutes early at the Narita airport.
+ Take-off and landing: were just as expected. No shaking, as with the Nice-Helsinki flight… ^^
+ Announcements: made regularly, in English, Finnish, and Japanese to announce the position, turbulence, etc….
+ Safety: the flight attendants made sure that all of us had our seat-belts fastened when we went through zones of turbulence and also during take-off and landing.
- Meals: were disappointing. As for the meals, it was the minimum when it comes to quantity (starter, main dish, dessert) and not really of very good quality. I had been pleasantly surprised up to this, especially during the Seoul-Helsinki flight, where there was quality food, but on this flight I was rather disappointed. No Japanese or Finnish specialty was served, despite it being a Helsinki-Tokyo flight. A pity…because I was expecting something like that, as in the Seoul-Helsinki flight, where South Korean specialties had been served. I remained hungry, then…. ^^
Conclusion: it was a good flight overall, even perfect, if we ignore the food, which was really disappointing. Because of this, I'll give it 4 starts instead of 5.
I would very probably fly with Finnair again in the near future, because I have to go back to France next year.
Are you a representative of Finnair and would like to reply to this review or be notified by email when reviews are published about your airline company? Please contact us!
Bonjour Slog et merci pour ce nouvel avis toujours aussi complet ! Vous êtes dans le Top 5 des WTFer en nombre d'avis :) A quand le prochain décollage ?
Je dois encore publier un avis sur le vol Tokyo/Nouméa et pour le prochain vol, ce sera dans le courant de l'année prochaine, vers Mai/Juin...
Super ! J'attends de lire tout ça avec impatience. Bonne semaine.
Je dois prendre le vol Helsinki - Nagoya en janvier et je voudrai si la prise jack des écouteurs est simple ou double ?
Merci !
Il me semble que la prise jack des écouteurs est double sur les avions de la compagnie Finnair.
Désolé de vous répondre aussi tard, je n'ai vu le message qu'aujourd'hui...

subset: commoncrawl


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Without getting into details I found today that you CAN drill a larger hole in a hole using a larger forstner bit.
I had previously drilled a 1/2" hole thinking it would allow plenty of clearance for sliding up and down freely on a 7/16" dowel rod. NOT !!
I should say that the piece to be sliding was about 7" long with a hole on each end to accept the dowel rod. Nothing precise just wanted it to be smoother.
Solution without starting over ? I put a champfer on the top and bottom of the existing hole which opened the drilling area up. I then selected the forstner bit, a 5/8" and centered it on the existing hole. I then brought the drill press fence up tight on the material while still hoilding the bit in place. Again with the bit in place I started the drill press and preceeded to finish the drill thru into a donor board.
Forgot to mention that the champfer was wider than the bit I wanted to use therefore already somewhat into the material.
It was a big guess that I wouldn't get any tear out on the bottom with the champfer and I was right.
-- Dick, Malvern Ohio - my biggest fear is that when I die, my wife sells my toys for what I told her I paid for them


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The Downstairs Areas
Our drawing room, the library, the sunroom and ball room can best be described as cosy with an Edwardian country house feel. It has many little areas to sit together, talk, read, work or just enjoy being there. But in the same breath, there are also areas that can accommodate all the guests in one room at one time – be it for a meal together, a speech, a workshop or to share a space as a group.
The sunroom is a wonderful relaxing space – a wood burning stove creates a beautiful light and atmosphere, the floor to ceiling windows overlook the gardens and woodlands – a special space to chat and relax, read a newspaper, eat cake or drink wine.
The drawing & dining room is an open plan "country house" space able to seat 36 people around three table islands or 50 people in a t-shape table formation. There are large Edwardian bay windows overlooking the grounds, a few steps lead down to the sunroom.
The library is the perfect space for quiet or smaller activities, i.e. board or video games, reading – obviously – or making it into a little cinema for the children. This room is also used as the bar for large family parties of over 100 guests.
The ball or games room is the perfect large indoor space – to dance, play pool, play table tennis or other games, to run around, have a disco, céilidh dance, karaoke sing along and much more. Big double french doors lead onto a west facing decking area and the bonfire pit.


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The program is distributed in the US by Public Radio International. You can also drop in on a continuous stream of shows at the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound.
A fast-talking, wisecracking Midwesterner, Eddie Condon epitomized Chicago Jazz and his Greenwich Village nightclub was the heart of the New York jazz scene in the '40s.
Listen to Hank O'Neal's full interview here.
Listen to Maggie Condon's full interview here.
Maggie paints this picture of her father at the height of his career: "A couple facts about Eddie: he didn't own a watch; he never did, never carried a wallet and had absolutely no ID on him wherever he went. When he went to Toots Shoors, or to any bar in NYC in the '40s and '50s they knew who he was. Inside his Cavanaugh (hat) his name was inscribed in the hat band— Eddie Condon. He'd order a couple of drinks, he'd take his hat off, he'd show it to the bartender and that was it, he was good to go. His hat was his ID. That's what it was like for Eddie in New York in the heyday."
Eddie Condon was a renaissance man of jazz—a guitarist, bandleader, nightclub owner, author and first-rate wit. He won the Down Beat poll for "Best Jazz Guitar" in both 1943 and '44. When he passed away at age 67 in 1973, Condon left a rich legacy in his extensive catalogue of recorded music, and in his jazz lore collected in his autobiography, We Called It Music.
Albert "Eddie" Condon was born in 1905 in Goodland, Indiana. Based in Chicago for much of the 1920s, he played banjo with the Austin High Gang along with Jimmy McPartland, Gene Krupa and Frank Teschemacher. Condon switched to guitar and moved to New York in 1929, where he worked with Red Nichols' Five Pennies and Red McKenzie's Mound City Blue Blowers.
Throughout the '30s, Condon organized and contracted musicians for New York recording sessions, many were racially mixed—a rarity at the time. Record collectors prize Condon's incomparable 1932 Rhythmakers sessions with {Red Allen}}, Zutty Singleton, Pee Wee Russell, Fats Waller and Joe Sullivan, among others.
Hank O'Neal says: "From the time Eddie Condon arrived in New York at the age of 22 on the eve of the Great Depression, he was a guy who could get things done. He always had tremendous energy. He talked fast and moved fast and jumped at every opportunity to put bands together and make records. And, Eddie couldn't care less whether a musician was black or white."
In the late '30s and early '40s, Eddie Condon led recording sessions for Milt Gabler's Commodore label, had a nightly gig at Nick's in the Village, and then produced a stellar series of live sessions at Town Hall for broadcast weekly on national radio. In the process, Eddie Condon became a star of the Manhattan jazz scene.
Condon opened his first nightclub in 1945 on West Third in the Village. Simply called Condon's, the club featured the foremost soloists of the era—Bobby Hackett, Wild Bill Davison, Pee Wee Russell, Edmond Hall, Peanuts Hucko, Bob Wilber, Bud Freeman, Ralph Sutton and a host of others.
To this day, to describe a jazz band as playing "in the style of Eddie Condon" means that the band has a guitar and string bass in the rhythm section, and that it plays in a swinging 4/4 rhythm more closely related to a swing band than to a traditional New Orleans ensemble with banjo and tuba playing in 2/4. The "Condon Style" is synonymous with "Chicago Style," and Condon's nightclub was at the heart of that scene.
Hank O'Neal says about Condon's nightclub: ...it was a cauldron where wonderful people came together on a nightly basis. Not only the customers but the musicians came there. If you look at the photographs and the scrapbook that Eddie and I did all those years ago it was a Who's Who of movie stars and writers and painters and musicians. And it wasn't just jazz musicians, it was pop musicians, it was classical musicians. It was as famous as the Stork Club was uptown… Eddie wanted to make people feel good with his music and I think he succeeded admirably.
Eddie Condon lived in the same Greenwich Village flat for much of his adult life. Every afternoon, he'd make the five-minute walk across Washington Square Park to his nightclub, a hot spot for the Manhattan "in crowd." Kirk Douglas, John Steinbeck, Bing Crosby and Johnny Mercer were among the regulars.
When Condon wasn't busy setting up concert and recording dates or making the rounds at his club, he was raising his two daughters with the love of his life, his wife Phyllis. In this week's show, Maggie Condon shares her mother's musing on life Condon-style and her own reflections growing up in their unusual household. Here Maggie describes visits to her father's nightclub when she was a kid: "We usually went to the club when they were preparing to open, early in the afternoon after school. Making Shirley Temples with all the cherries was a big deal. Liza and I would just take over the long bar while the guys were cleaning up getting ready for the night. Then we'd go down to the basement. That's where all the action was 'cause that's where the house cat lived and there was often a litter of kittens. The other thing we used to love was the electric train set. Wild Bill Davison was an electric train lover and collector, so they had an electric train in the room where the guys used to take their breaks."
When Maggie was asked by host David Holt how her famous father would like to be remembered, she replied: "I think Eddie's small band was like a democracy. Every player was equal. Every player had a unique voice that they expressed when they took their solos—except Dad—who never took a solo. He was the spark plug. I think that's how he thought of himself. It was a different band when he was there and when he wasn't. Everyone was equal in the band. There was no 'leader.' He thought of himself as one of the guys. I think that's how he'd like to be remembered. And the music. He lived for the music. That was probably number one."


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Commonwealth games bronze medallist P Kashyap and young shuttler Sourabh Verma also registered contrasting wins to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the men's singles category.
World number four and top seed Saina staved off a challenge from Lu 21-17 14-21 21-18 in the first round women's singles match which lasted around an hour.
India's top men's singles player Kashyap, seeded 14th, also brushed aside Poodchalat Pisit 21-17 9-21 21-11 in a 52-minute match first before going past Indonesian Sukamta Evert 21-13 21-14 in the second round.
Kashyap will next take on Mohamad Arif Abdul Latif of Malaysia tomorrow.
Sourabh also made a resounding start to his campaign, beating Andre Kurniawan Tedjono 15-21 21-19 22-20 in an hour and 11 minutes match in his first round.
The Madhya Pradesh then saw off Jen Hao Hsu of Chinese Taipei 21-17 20-22 21-16 to set up a clash with Malaysian qualifier Beng Hong Kuan in the third round tomorrow.
His countrymate RMV Gurusai Datt, however, could not make it to the pre-quarters after losing a gallant battle against 16th seed Choong Hann Wong of Malaysia 13-21 21-19 12-21. Guru had defeated Malaysian Kwong Beng Chan 21-10 20-22 21-10 in the first round.
Ajay Jayaram too failed to cross the second round after going down to fourth seed Jin Chen of China 12-21 21-15 18-21 at the CU Sport complex.
He had beaten Chinese Taipei's Tien Chen Chou 21-14 21-17 in a 35-minute first round match.
Arundhati Pantawane, who had won the Gold Medal in National Games at Ranchi, registered wins in the first two qualification rounds but failed to get across her third round opponent Hung Yung Chan of Hong Kong yesterday.
Saina, Kashyap, Sourabh in pre-quarters of Thailand Open
Commonwealth games bronze medallist P Kashyap and young shuttler Sourabh Verma also registered contrasting wins to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the men's singles category.


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Beefy Bow Ties
- Yield: 6 servings
- 1pound boneless sirloin steak
- 1pound asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 (10 1/2-ounce) can beef broth, divided
- 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato puree
- 1teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4teaspoon pepper
- 1 (12-ounce) package bow-tie pasta
- 2tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Trim any fat from steak. Cut steak into 2-inch strips and cut strips crosswise into 1/8-inch slices.
- Coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat until hot and cook asparagus, onion and 1 cup beef broth, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes, or until liquid has almost evaporated; remove asparagus mixture from skillet. Put steak in the same skillet. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until steak is no longer pink. Return asparagus mixture to skillet. Stir in remaining broth and tomato puree, basil and pepper. Cook 2 minutes longer, stirring frequently, until mixture is hot.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, omitting any oil and salt. Drain. Serve steak and asparagus mixture over pasta. Sprinkle Parmesan over top.
Nutritional Info *per serving
- Calories 376
- Fat 6.9g
- Saturated Fat 2.6g
- Cholesterol 47mg
- Sodium 242mg
- Carbohydrate 52.4g
- Protein 25.6g


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Disney Frozen 2 Stationery Set
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Frozen fans will love this stationery set, inspired by the upcoming hit film Frozen 2. Includes 8 pencils, 2 pens, a ruler, rubber, and notepad.Additional DetailsN/A.CareWarning! Not Suitable For Children Under 36 Months Due To Presence Or Potential Release Of Small Parts (Choking Hazard).Product IDS2762024_C000
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Decades of Duping the Trivia-Obsessed American Public The consequences of the problems described at this site and in the not-for-profit documentary books have been repeatedly observed by a group of former government agents and insiders--the coalition--that required keeping the public uninformed and dumbed down. With the public's obsession with trivia—becoming worse—and refusal to exert the effort needed in the American form of government to stay informed, the same people have suffered worsening harm, deadly occurrences, a continuing series of catast6rophic events, and the greatest increase ion the world's history of people wanting to kill Americans. And all the enabling causes made known to the American people by a group of people that suffer the retaliatory consequences because of the same public indifference. Harm Caused or Enabled by Corruption Easily Discoverable Among the areas of harm suffered by the American people, suffered by the nation itself, harm inflicted upon people of other countries, from the culture of corruption, would be the following tragic, deadly, or catastrophic events: Series of repeated forewarned and preventable airline disasters resulting in thousands of preventable deaths, especially during the period from 1960 to 1980, reducing thereafter, but several major terrorist attacks on airliners that were easily preventable. (Details in History of Aviation Disasters: 1950 to 9/11.) Series of catastrophic terrorist successes, often where advance notice was received. Culture of false criminal charges against innocent people, often times using paid perjured testimony and planted "evidence." Culture of seizing assets from innocent people who never get the assets back. Financial frauds repeated over and over again, such as the savings and loans, Enron, the 2007 and 2008 housing and financial frauds. Culture of corruption in Congress, in the FBI-DOJ offices, the courts, the non-government sectors and other key government positions, all contributing to great harm to national interests and the lives of the American people. Escalating pattern of corruption and criminal activities of people in key government positions in the United States. To intelligently understand at least the basics of the corruption requires reading several of the dozen-plus not-for-profit documentary books written by and with former professionals in the intelligence, law enforcement, or aviation sectors. However, to get sufficient information to recognize that the entire American population has become victimized can be obtained by clicking on the following links and their links: The most sordid and riddled with criminal acts is the conduct by people in the FBI-DOJ, and their enablers, that shifted the blame for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 from the actual parties to two innocent parties. This was done for political reasons required planting of evidence, bribing witnesses, and other criminal acts. And in, the process, the same culture made possible other terrorist successes, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa, the 9/11 hijackings, and others. Sordid shifting of blame for 270 murders to two innocent parties: classic example of how low the integrity of U.S. leaders, especially in the nation's highest law enforcement agency, has sunk. And how this culture made possible today's accumulation of threats and harm. www.defraudingamerica.com/lockerbie_index.html. Bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 despite knowledge of the bombers and where the bomb was being fabricated. www.defraudingamerica.com/world_trade_center.html. Advance notice received by FBI agents from a Mafiosi mole in the most important al Qaeda cell of the planned bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa. www.defraudingamerica.com/embassy_bombings.html. Combination of many enablers making possible the easy hijackings of four airliners on September 11, 2001. www.defraudingamerica.com/911_index. Primary books addressing these samplings of self-induced catastrophic events: Lockerbie to 9/11: Massive Fraud and Consequences. History of Aviation Disasters: 1950 to 9/11. Crimes of the FBI-DOJ, Mafia, and al Qaeda. The books are available in print, e-book, and Kindle formats from amazon.com and other internet sources, and can be ord3ered from printers in the United States and Britain. Other areas of self-induced areas of great harm suffered by the uninformed and blissfully happy American: Repeated series of financial frauds by people in the financial sectors, enabled by members of Congress and others. Widespread corruption in the so-called war on drugs, including federal prosecutors planting evidence and using perjured testimony to charge innocent people, some of whom receive life-in-prison sentences. See the book, Drugging America, and www.druggingamerica.com. And too much more to list here. Half Century During Which Courageous Insiders Have Provided Information to the American Public Concerned competent people, insiders or accurate investigators, have been providing information on much of this corruption to the America people for the past half century. This writer has been doing that since 1978, in published books and during over 3,000 radio and TV appearances. Many others have provided information on some particular area of corruption. Public response: nil! Egyptian and Tunisian protesters, help, we need your type of courage here in the U.S.!! Why Most Americans are Illiterate About Important Matters Among the reasons why most American adults are illiterate about the extent of the corruption and harm being inflicted upon them are the following: Censorship or the history of media people and media corporations withholding the information from the public; their alteration of the facts; their withholding of comments when political figures appear and make blatant lies, such as the lies used to invade Iraq. Among the reasons for deceiving the American public−and covering up for corrupt or criminal activities−has been the secret funding by the CIA and other government entities; or the furnishing of "new" that assists in the career of the particular newspaper reporter. Many sophisticated articles, and some books, have described this serious problem. Dumbing down the American people by focusing on trivia, such as day-after-day coverage of Michael Jackson, Nicole Smith, O. J. Simpson, while major events are occurring that affects the very survival of the United States. Or, the public is already dumbed down, and the media feels they must reduce the caliber of the material to maintain their ratings. Media selection of what the public sees, avoiding areas of corruption in key government positions. Among the high-level rampant operations covered up by U.S. media was the rampant drug smuggling by CIA assets during the 1980s. Among the many detailed books proving the existence of this criminal operation were Drugging America and Defrauding America. Lack of easy availability of the type of books describing hard core corruption. System wide Retaliation Against Courageous Whistleblowers— While Americans Remain Silent Retaliation of people in the media who expose the real serious forms of corruption of people in key government positions. Producers of the television documentary on Operation Tailwind lost their positions. (Operation Tailwind was the operation hunting down defecting GIs during the Vietnam War. The book, Defrauding America, detailed this operation, based upon information provided to the author by one of the participants in that operation. San Jose Mercury series of articles on CIA drug smuggling was retracted after other newspapers attacked the newspaper, and that was followed by the firing of the investigative reporter, who was later found dead. Highly respected reporter Dan Rather lost his position after reporting the irregularities of President George H.W. Bush while a pilot for the Texas National Guard. Other media chastised Rather, claiming he produced a false document, when the woman who typed the document repeatedly stated that the contents were exactly as she had typed. Dumbing down the American people by media personnel and corporations, and political pundits. Retaliation by America's Top "Protectors" The following are awesome examples of what liberty and justice, and human rights exist in the United States: America's unrecognized fallen heroes. American Public's Learning Culture Among the many reasons why most Americans are so illiterate about the massive amount of corruption affecting their lives would include the following: Lack of time due to the daily task of worm and survival. They would not be among those that share blame for ignoring these problems. People whose mental capacity is so low that it is beyond their ability to comprehend anything of any complexity. People who have no interest in the need to do continuing intensive reading of serious articles and books. People obsessed with trivial matters, Hollywood gossip-type of material, novels, sports, etc. People relying on political pundits for their information, receiving opinions and slants rather than the facts, and then, only very limited. People who read about certain areas of corruption but feel powerless to do anything about it. People who do read, but feel it is the responsibility of their leaders to correct these matters. That is true, but their leaders are the ones that are either directly involved in the corruption of involving in covering up. Where protests do exist, they are of relatively minor matters−compared to the severity of the corruption−and involved matters that do not require intensive reading and understanding. Anybody, with the most limited knowledge, and without any requirement for serious reading, can protest, and that is what we have today. And much of the protesting is of the bullying type! For males, the most important non-work past time is watching sports. Until a significant amount of the American adult population develops the habit of constant reading of books on matters material to national events, That appears unlikely. Consequences of All-of-the-Above It the corruption did not exist, if the cover-ups did not exist, and if a sufficient number of people had read and acted upon the information that has for decades been available for the American public, the following very limited examples of resulting tragedies would probably have been prevented: Years of preventable and forewarned airline disasters, and the deaths and family sorrow that comes with such terrible events. Several major terrorist events would not have occurred. These include the terrorist hijackings of 9/11, the downing of TWA Flight 800, and even Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie. (The ugly truth behind all three of these can be found in History of Aviation Disasters: 1950 to 9/11, and Crimes of the FBI-DOJ, Mafia, and al Qaeda. The recent housing and financial debacles, which will continue for years to have devastating financial impact upon millions of America families. Nature of Consequences of the High-Level Corruption Many factors motivated former federal agent Rodney Stich to continue fighting the seemingly hopeless David vs. Goliath battle to halt the corruption and resulting tragedies. In the beginning, when the primary consequences were the steady stream of preventable and usually forewarned aviation disasters, the motivation included concern over the horrors experienced by people involved in the actual aviation disaster, and the lifetime of emotional and financial pain suffered by family members. As a result of the widespread corruption in overt and covert government operations, the systemic cover-ups that treat high-level corruption as the "third-rail," and the retaliation against whistleblowers, great American tragedies have repeatedly occurred, and will continue to occur. Sampling of Early Consequences Progression of Consequences These few examples of the horrors associated with airline disasters enabled to occur by documented corruption withheld from the American people. The standard culture of cover-ups in the United States enabled the corruption, cover-ups, to mutate into different areas. In the aviation area, although the continuing series of airline disasters eventually came to a halt for other reasons, the culture continued, and enabled to occur a number of easily preventable airline disasters. The inbred culture created the conditions that enabled four groups of terrorists to easily hijack four airliners within a few hours of each other and kill nearly 3,000 people. One of Over 200 Victims Choosing This Way to Die— Made Possible by Many Enablers in United States Victims of Less Catastrophic Events There were many other forms of victims from the systemic high-level corruption. These included for instance victims of the: Department of Justice prosecutorial misconduct, people being falsely charges with crimes in order to improve the prosecutors' career. The explosion of violent crime related to drug smuggling into the United States, in which CIA assets were major players. Series of financial frauds appearing every few years, with the latest housing and financial implosions surfacing in 2008. Seizure of assets from innocent people. These offenses are described in the books written by insiders. Harm to People Overseas From High-Level Corruption in the United States In addition to the decades of harm resulting from the systemic corruption of key people and groups in the U.S. government, affecting aviation safety, financial, human rights, in the United States, there is the harm from outside sources brought about by the actions of U.S. politicians affecting people in other countries—such as the history of invading and killing foreigners—there are the successful "terrorist" attacks made possible by high-level corruption, and then there are the foreigners who are also victims from the same high-level corruption that adversely affects the American, but in a different form. Remains of a girl—about the age of the 9-year-old Killed in Tucson in January 2011. In criminal law, people are accomplices, and guilty, if they know of a criminal act and fail to report it to proper authorities and also to take efforts within their capability to halt their continuation. And there are endless numbers of accomplices that are complicit in these crimes and enablers of the consequences. Harm to the American public in non-violent areas. Harm to people of other countries. Harm to the few people in the United States fighting the high-level corruption in a meaningful manner. Harm in general. Suggestion to people outside the United States. Become familiar with the documented systemic corruption in the United States and show the outrage lacking of people in the United States, and: Help expose the endemic corruption that seem to be acceptable to the American people, and maybe wake them up. Help to protect yourselves against the decades of ham inflicted upon people of other countries by the actions of U.S. politicians—supported by much of the American public. Examples: Serial lying by U.S. politicians to use as a pretense to invade Iraq and Afghanistan, killing tens of thousands of innocent people. U.S. politicians shifting enabling blame from their own corrupt actions that encouraged and enabled four groups of terrorists to simultaneously hijack four airliners, and shift the blame to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan—with the help of a dumbed-down American public that is mostly too lazy to learn the truth. List of Documentary Books On Endemic Corruption in the United States All of the books are available at amazon.com, in print and on the Kindle, and at many other Internet sites. They bring together the various pieces of the puzzle to better understand the overall picture, and why the same conditions continue year after year. Information on the books by former government agent Rodney Stich Sampling of early books reviews Sampling of complimentary letters/faxes to author/activist Rodney Stich. More information about these books by clicking here. What of the Future? If the history of the past 50 years is any indication, all of the above will continue to occur, along with a worsening of the consequences. With suitcase nuclear bombs being available, worldwide outrage about the actions of U.S. politicians, the sudden surge of people wanting to kill Americans, and the inherent financial problems, the future is very foreboding. Unless, of course there should arise a sudden awakening of a sufficient number of people that will become informed, outraged, and show courage that is sadly lacking today. Moral and Legal Responsibilities Not Met Insiders have been providing information to the public in the form of books and radio and TV appearances for years, making the public aware of major corruption involving key people in control of key government entities. The public response has been dismal, enabling to continue the corruption and the harm inflicted upon the America people, upon the government, and upon people in other countries. See misprision of felonies. Protesters with Vague Complaints With no Fear of Blowback The people who protest loudly, but rely on superficial issues that don't require more than a fifth grade education. People protest against the wars ordered by lying politicians, knowing that their protests have virtually no effect. If those same people had taken the effort to understand the hardcore corruption made available to them by government insiders, they could force changes in the culture of the people in control of key government entities that are far beyond their wildest imagination. It requires effort, effort to read the details, effort to understand the significance, to protest about hardcore documented corruption that is far more serious, far more capable, of bringing about changes to the endemic corruption and endemic cover-ups. Virtually no one in the American public is willing to do that. Instead, they have such senseless (that is be being kind) protests with no chance of bringing about meaningful changes. The massive and documented corruption detailed at this site and in the related documentary books provide the tools to fight this scourge that has been inflicting great harm upon the American people and the United States. BUT it requires energy to ready and understand. Probably the stupidest protests are those that routine occur at the University of California at Berkeley, where protests continued for over a year against the cutting down of a tree so that the learning institution could expand. The protests against the war in Iraq are fine; but the results so far have been negative. However, if the massive corruption, the massive cover-ups, that enabled the great harm and catastrophic events to occur, were addressed, whole areas of the corruption could be attacked. The areas being protested, when they are not ludicrous, are usually a part of the overall corruption that doesn't occur in a vacuum. Address these, with the massive evidence in the 1000-plus pages at this site, and in the related documentary books, and changes could be forced that are beyond the imagination of any of the protesters. Flag Waving Patriot The person who remains ignorant about the corruption in government, doesn't read extensively about these matters, if at all, supports the very people in government involving min the corruption, and the places a flag on their cars, in the windows of their home, or wears a flag label emblem. And they think they are patriotic and meeting their responsibilities under the form of government in the United States. Obsessive State of Denial For years the American public has remained indifferent to the corruption, indifferent to the sufferings and deaths, indifferent to anything other than simplistic self-interests. In almost every tragedy affecting the American people, and the United States, ample information was available prior to the ripple effects. Information has been made available to the public for decades about these corrupt activities. This information was available in newspaper articles; magazine articles; radio and television programs; books written by government and other insiders, and by courageous government insiders who have appeared on talk shows. Instead of showing some form of interest, outrage, and patriotic response, various segments of the public: Taken an attitude that it didn't effect them. Persisted in the pathetic state of denialmaking it easier to cope than to show concern. Have shown a "loyalty" to their political party, regardless of the corruption in that party's leadership in the White House or Congress. Have attacked the insiders who had the courage to speak out and fight the corruption mutating throughout government and society. Most Americans are seriously uninformed about serious corruption in government, for various reasons. These include: Cover-up by media people and media corporations. People relying upon television pundits that censor, distort, or openly misstate the facts. Being deceived, or manipulated, by politicians, including members of Congress, mouthing empty symbolism or outright lies, with most media people covering up for them. People unwilling to exert the mental energy to absorb information on material matters, reacting to political pundits and their spinning. If the decades of corruption, cover-ups, and worsening tragedies are to change, it won't be from within the system but from the people, from the bottom up. All of the above made possible past, present, and future tragedies. Surely, things will not change! Earning What Their Apathy Had Brought Upon Them With an amazing dedication, most Americans act in such a way that they make it easy for almost any con artist to make them victims. For instance: Most of the tragic and even catastrophic events occurring in the United States, including the 9/11 hijackings and the start of a bloody war with Iraq on the basis of serial lying, would not have occurred but for the illiteracy of most Americans a about the extent of the corruption and the extent of the cover-ups. Remaining illiterate about serious matters by not reading books on serious matters. What book that the small percentage of people do read, are of the level of sophistication as Harry Potter. Statistics show that half the adult population read no books, and the other half may read one book or year−and that is of trivial matters. Sole source of information for most adults are television political pundits−such as the Russ Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, and others spouting misstatements and lies with almost every breadth. Despite the statements on radio and television shows by insiders reporting some segment of the corruption, no one responds. An example: Former federal aviation safety inspector Rodney Stich, with massive amount of documented material on specific corruption related to specific airline disasters and thousands of related deaths, couldn't even get a response from the next-of-kin of those who died in air disasters related to the corruption and that occurred in his direct area of federal air safety responsibilities. Those who rant and rave against government, but who are too lazy to read to discover real reasons to get mad, rather than the trivial matters they complain about that requires no more intelligence or effort than a moron. Examples of Pathetic Ignorance Examples of the naïveté or ignorance of most Americans are endless, but here are a few examples: Supporting the invasion of Iraq, with the expected deaths of thousands of Iraqi men, women and children, on the basis of serial lying, which could be immediately recognized by anyone not too lazy to read books on the subject or scan the sophisticated articles by knowledgeable people. Voting the second time for George W. Bush, after the serial lying was known far and wide. Showing large segments of the American public will never learn, the invasion and wars against the people of Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, also on the standard pattern of serial lying. The millions of people who listen to such political pundits as Russ Limbaugh, totally unaware of the pattern of slanted talk, outright lies, and then praising the person doing the deception. The millions of people who considered Sarah Palin qualified to be vice president and then president of the United States, when her stupidity was illustrated by such statements as Africa was a country (rather than a continent), or that she was qualified for international relations on the fact that she could see Russia from her house in Alaska. Believing that Iraq had a role in the hijackings of four airliners on September 11, 2001, years after that was totally disproved, when the only reference to that was the same lying politicians and supporting political pundits that lied about the cause for invading Iraq. Believing that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and that Iraq had planes that could reach the United States to deliver the weapons. Believing that Senator John McCain was a war hero because he was shot down. This writer was a Naval Aviator during World War II and he was not a hero either as a Naval aviator or if he had the misfortune to have been shot down. Praising Bill and Hillary Clinton, ignorant of the sordid conduct in which they were involved while Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas. Details in Defrauding America. See New York Times article on state of literacy of the American public. History of Indifference While Responsible of Millions of Deaths The history of the American public's indifference to lying politicians, corruption in government, and resulting tragedies, leaves no hope that the present record-setting corruption will be addressed. Let's look at the history: U.S. invasion of Korea on the basis of lying, and also the civil conflict between North and South Carolina, a division that the United States politicians caused to occur, resulted in 38,000 deaths and over 100,000 maimed and injured U.S. military personnel (plus over 100,000 Koreans. U.S. invasion of Vietnam on the basis of lying, that North Vietnamese gunboats attached U.S. destroyers. Not only was that a lie, but even if such attach had occurred, it would not have threatened the United States and support the costly invasion of a far away country. This political deception resulted in 58,000 dead U.S. GIs and over 200,000 maimed and injured (plus 60,000 murdered Vietnam under the Phoenix program and over 200,000 civilians and others). October Surprise, where people undermined U.S. government by paying money to Iranians and furnishing Iran with huge quantities of military equipment stolen from national guard armories and elsewhere, to delay the release of the American hostages under after the election between President Carter and Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan. The U.S. undermining of the government of Nicaragua by furnishing money and arms to rebels, and dealing in drugs, many of which were brought back to the United States by the mercenaries flying military equipment from the United States to the Nicaragua rebels seeking to overthrow the government. CIA funding and orchestrating the overthrow of the Iranian government in 1953. Secret funding and arming of Iraq during the Reagan-Bush administrations, which enabled Iraq to invade Kuwait, starting the Gulf War. Indifference to the five-hour-long attack by Israel upon the U.S.S. Liberty, which killed and maimed dozens of navy personnel. Massive corruption in the federal bankruptcy courts that strips innocent people of their life assets who naively exercise the statutory protections of Chapter 11, seeking a delay in the payment of major indebtedness that had suddenly come due. Decades of drug trafficking into the United States by people associated with the Central Intelligence Agency, which required assistance of other government entities. Decades of corruption by members of Congress, in full view of the public, demanding bribes either outright or implied, lobbyists bribing member of congress with various forms of bribes. FBI agents involved in murders, with particular attention to those in the Boston and New York area, the murders continuing for years with the knowledge of FBI and Justice Department top people in Washington. The practice of seizing assets that are never returned from Americans, who are either never charged or are found innocent. The exorbitant length of prison for minor offenses, legislated by members of Congress, whose crimes are often far greater than people sentenced to prison. Assassinations, and planned assassinations, of foreign leaders and foreign personnel by U.S. forces, including the CIA. The planned and initiated invasion of Cuba, a country that had not committed any offense against the United States. Invasion of Iraq on the basis of lies, where even if the lies were true, the country posed no threat to the United States. Giving key elements within the Central Intelligence Agency carte blanche authority to inflict horrendous harm upon innocent people throughout the world, including the United States. These outrages which have inflicted terrible personal, social, financial and physical harm include for instance: The invasion of foreign countries, brutally killing hundreds of thousands of people, sometimes entire families, "justifying" their actions on many gullible Americans on such absurd theories as (a) we cannot allow them to select the form of government that they want and which U.S. leaders disapprove; (b) that failure to invade will result in the "domino theory" in which people of other countries may also select some similar form of government. Most Americans paid the price for these corrupt acts, including the hundreds of thousands who lost husbands or sons in Indochina (58,000 dead), the loss of previously recognized freedoms and constitutional protections on the sham argument of fighting the "war on drugs," the drug-related killing of thousands of people, turning entire neighborhoods in war zones, the use of paramilitary forces against innocent people, and much more. The CIA has been given carte blanche to engage to engage in overseas activities that destabilized governments, responsible for millions of deaths as a result of direct CIA wars and CIA-funded and generated wars. The actions that resulted in these deaths, such as the cowardly slaughter at Mai Lai, were made possible by the funding provided by the American people and their indifference to the acts taken with their approval. Remember, the United States has a government of, by, and for the American people. The drugging of America, commencing in the early 1950s, as proven by many insiders who have revealed these criminal and subversive acts, and further proven by the many highly detailed and supported books on the subject. The escalation of the drug crisis was associated with the CIA-engineered war inflicted upon Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, the CIA-backed war upon the people and government of Nicaragua, the many other covert wars including the invasion of Panama, the constant destabilization of foreign countries, the bribing of foreign officials (and those in the United States), the arming of subversive, the teaching of torture and assassinations, and much more. Until the CIA commenced its role of drug trafficking into the United States, the drug problem in the United States was relatively minor. The CIA's key role in looting the savings and loans, the looting of HUD programs, the heavy involvement in financial fraud, its drug-money laundering, and for organized crime elements that are in unison with CIA activities. Many of the same people, members of Congress and others, enlarged on the 1980s savings and loan frauds that culminated in the start of the financial crisis in 2007. Bringing about a cadre of "political" prisoners, consisting of government agents and private citizens who sought to expose the crimes by government personnel. By having no public support, corrupt Justice Department employees and federal judges routinely imprison hundreds of government agents and people who seek to report the corruption involving government personnel, and especially related to CIA criminal activities, such as CIA-DEA drug trafficking. Bringing about the destruction of former personal liberties and constitutional protections, some of which under the guise of the so-called war-on-drugs, a deception perpetrated by those government personnel who are directly involved in the CIA drug trafficking and indirectly involved through such acts as cover-ups and obstruction of justice. Making possible the paramilitary arrogant invasion of people's homes and churches, often resulting in the deaths of innocent people. Again on such phony excuses as the "war-on-drugs." Making possible the widespread seizure and forfeiture of people's assets, sometimes of innocent people, and often seizing assets that have a value far beyond the nature of any alleged offense. Making possible the judicial and Justice Department corruption in the nation's Chapter 11 courts, where people exercising the statutory protection of Chapter 11 are criminally stripped of their life's assets by corrupt federal judges, judge-appointed trustees and the all-too-willing law firms and attorneys. Making possible the conversion of neighborhoods into drug-related battle zones, the drug-related killing of thousands of people in the United States, the spreading of fear throughout the United States, the spreading of a culture of arrogance and contempt for the rights of others. In turn, the American people suffered the loss of 58,000 Americans, husbands and sons of people who met the test of illiteracy about government corruption, laziness, state of denial, or apathy. These conditions exist today, and many unpublicized people suffer the consequences of the widespread corruption in government, the massive broadcast and print media cover-ups and disinformation, continues at an accelerated pace today. Major Cultural and Integrity Problems Adversely Affecting the Nation Based upon many decades of insider experiences, and with the yet-unrecognized dire situation faced by Americans, it is time for introspection or addressing of serious cultural problems in certain government and non-government segments of the United States. Left undressed, these can only continue prior calamities arising from the problems and in today's nuclear age, result in calamities unprecedented in the world's history; including the nuclear destruction of U.S. cities and society. Included in some of the major cultural problems are the following, which have caused to be inflicted within the United States, and worldwide, enormous human tragedies. Culture of arrogance. Latest example being the start of a brutal war against the Iraqi people that has already left several hundred thousand dead Iraqis and Americans; destabilized the entire Middle East; generated a never-before-seen growth of people wanting to kill Americans; and many other personal and financial tragedies. Filthy music (Music? Noise!); filthy music; filthy movies; with no redeeming value other than the pathetic of integrity overwhelming the United States. Failure of people to recognize liars and con artists, and separate the lies from the facts. Culture of ignorance of matters that affect the integrity of government and the lives and deaths of people in the United States and foreign countries. The pathetic failure of segments of the American people to read and learn from courageous insiders who foolishly suffer great personal and financial harm for their attempts to protect the people and U.S. interests by exposing high level corruption. Part of this ignorance of events arises from the cover-ups, disinformation, and lying of media people and political pundits. Culture of deception by media people that covers up for corruption in high government places. This is partly due to wanting to continue their access to government handouts, partly due to fear of media corporations from adverse government actions, and partly out of sympathy with the corruption. Culture of deception and outright lying by political pundits, who cover up for misconduct in government, engage in disinformation, and engage in outright lying. Culture of corruption endemic of members of Congress, which is described in most of the books listed here. The pathetic deterioration of integrity and honesty of many people in the United States, which plays a role in the arrogance displayed time and time again, including the invasions of Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Grenada, Iraq, and now threatening Iran; the brutal torture of detainees, most of whom are innocent of any crimes; the subverting of countries and governments throughout the world. Fanatic devotion to such trivia as professional sports; video games; Twitter; You Tube, and other social sites, leaving no time for reading of meaningful matters adversely affecting the nation and its people. High crime rate with murders of innocent people no more significant than going to the local pizza parlor; drug usage of a major segment of the population, including presidents, knowing that the money they pay for illicit drugs is responsible for thousands or murders (Mexico experiencing over 6,000 drug-related murders in 2007), fueled almost entirely by money spent for drugs by Americans). Acceptance of the murders of over one million Iraqis as a result of the invasion of Iraq on the basis of serial lying by President George Bush and his shills in and out of government. Have Americans Gone Berserk! A Nation of Barbarians! They invaded a country and killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, including infants, that were no threat to the United States. While continuing this slaughter, America's leaders and their shills threaten to start another war, this time with Iran. Simultaneously, America's leaders threatened Syria. Simultaneously, America's leaders provoke Russia, a country that has thousands of nuclear missiles aimed at the United States. It proposes a nuclear shield in Eastern Europe on the phony excuse that it is to protect America. Simultaneously threatens to bomb Iran, where China and Russia has personnel and equipment, including the construction of nuclear power facilities, a combination that can easily result in a nuclear war with China, Russia and Iran against the United States. Simultaneously chastises Cuba, a country that had been invaded by the United States and against which the United States had inflicted a damaging economic embargo for the past 50 years. Threatens China with retaliation if it attempts to claim the breakaway province of Taiwan, risking war with China−while China is funding the credit card binge for Americans and their reckless politicians in Washington. Continues to support the brutal oppression and occupying of another country by Israel−while ignoring the fact that these policies have bred the violence throughout the Middle East for the past half century, and ignoring the fact that Israel has committed crimes against the American people (The hours of bombings of the U.S. Navy ship, U.S.S. Liberty, and continues to steal secrets from the United States. In addition, as detailed in the book, Defrauding America and Drugging America, Israel's Mossad personnel were heavily involved in smuggling drugs into the United States during the Reagan-Bush administrations−along with CIA assets). Tolerates and even supports the serial lying by the president of the United States, his cabinet, and the political pundits that act as shills. Accuses other countries, that had never invaded another country, terrorist states, ignoring its own history of invasions and subverting foreign countries. Seeks to force other countries to change their form of government to that used in the United States, ignoring the fact that the United States form of government has been riddle with corruption, most of which has been kept from the American people. Ignorant, or oblivious, of the fact that the United States can be hit at any time by thousands of nuclear missiles, released because of the arrogance of its war-mongering leaders. Ignorant, or oblivious, of the fact that their conduct has produced the world's greatest growth of people hating and wanting to kill Americans. Ignorant, or oblivious, of the fact that their conduct has caused what will be over $2 trillion dollars in debt, funded by the same communist countries that the military-industrial complex used as the "communist card." Ignorant, or oblivious, of the fact that suitcase nuclear bombs that were smuggled out of the Soviet Union have yet to be set off in U.S. cities. (Described in the book, Defrauding America.) Ignorant, or oblivious of the fact, that the downing of U.S. aircraft all over the world by surface-to-air missiles has yet to occur. Ignorant, or oblivious of the fact, that the ingredients for a financial collapse of the U.S. financial system are in place, which, if a 1930-like depression occurs, which is very possible, the country will be reeked with rioting people, unlike the peaceful depression days of the 1930s. Proudly proclaiming the United States the bastion of freedom and due process, when the country is riddled with corruption, taking of freedoms, and where due process is a mockery. Willingly, like sheep, falling for the lies of their leaders and political pundits, when older and wiser people would recognize as con-artists. David vs. Goliath and 9/11−and the "I-can-care-less" culture in the United States. Article in the New York Times about the intelligence of most Americans. Delusional Proclamation of The United States as the Land Of Freedom and Justice for All The self-proclaimed righteousness of large numbers of people in the United States is that they live in a land that protects freedom and provides justice for all. They sign patriotic-sounding songs and recite the pledge of allegiance, as if the protections actually exist! While in plain sight, if they would read, is evidence that the very beliefs they utter are the very same rights and protections being trampled. At the same time: The murder rates throughout the United States approach that in war-torn countries. The brutality of many Americans is shown by their enjoyment in killing animals, dog and cock fights and pit bulls mauling and killing each other. boxing matches in which one boxer inflicts bloody injuries on the other−thrilling the spectators. The high incidence of policemen killing citizens at the slightest provocation, when such force is totally unnecessary under the circumstances, and being excused as authorized by their positions. Widespread gang violence and killings, including random street murders, with some cities approaching the violence of war zones. The large numbers of people who injure or kill someone in an auto accident and flee the scene, letting the victim die for lack of help. The large percentage of American who consume illegal drugs, knowing that the money they spend for them fuels the brutal murders among those cartels fulfilling the drug demand of the American population. In 2008, in Mexico alone, American's drug money was responsible for over 6,000 murders. The American GIs that killed hundreds of defenseless women and children, as typified by the Mai Lai incident in Vietnam and by Americans in Iraq. The widespread practice by prosecutors filing false charges against Americans, often using known perjured testimony−sometimes testimony for which the perjurer is provided compensation. That practice improves the prosecutor's standing and pay. Willingness of most of the American public to kill thousands of Iraqis, including children and infants, that they knew would be killed by using America's immense military against an almost defenseless country. And then continuing to support the invasion after recognizing that hundreds of thousands of Iraqis killed and maimed. That is, until they start suffering the consequences. Members of Congress legislating long prison sentences for citizens committing relatively minor acts, while they themselves routinely engaged in different forms of corruption that enable to occur great harm upon the country and upon the American people. The recognized widespread overt and covert bribing of members of Congress, and the public's acceptance of such offenses. The widespread seizing of assets from people innocent of any crime, and sometimes, never charged. The widespread corruption in the bankruptcy courts involving federal judges, federal trustees, lawyers and law firms, and those acting in concert with them, the unlawful and unconstitutional taking from people their life assets after exercising the statutory protections of Chapter 11. Decades of killing of thousands of often-destitute people in countries invaded by the U.S. military, including Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Panama, Grenada, Iraq. Includes the slaughter of women and children, some cluttered in groups, machine-gunned into bloody pulps by murdering American soldiers. The blatant pattern of serial lying by White House and other politicians, with deadly consequences, and the toleration, and even support, by many citizens. Widespread media cover-ups, deception, and even support, for the arrogant and corrupt acts of high government officials. The most classic example being the support of the citizens for President George Bush and the members of Congress who served as a platform for the lying. Media includes the political pundits that almost entirely supported the serial lying that plunged the United States into a bloody quagmire that will continue for generations. And these are only a few examples. Many books have been written on these matters, which are read by only a minute fraction of the American public, a public that is sometimes too lazy, too indifferent, to care. The Pontius Pilate Attitude Among Many Americans Pontius Pilate, the governor of Jerusalem, presided over the trial of Jesus and ordered his crucifixion. According to some scriptures, Pilate was forced to condemn Jesus to crucifixion due to pressure from the crowd, after which Pilate reportedly said that he washes his hands of the matter saying that he was innocent of Jesus' blood and that the blame was upon then people. There appears to be some similarity between Pontius Pilate claiming he had no responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and that segment of the American public that support or remain cowardly mute to the corruption by key people and the catastrophic harm they inflict upon others. The sheer number of corrupt activities, continuing for decades, with overwhelming evidence, reflects why the system will never correct these matters, in which they are complicit. Even if the public learns, they won't do anything. Only if a group emerges from among the American public that will exert the energy to learn the facts, and will show outrage beyond that shown by people protesting matters that require no exercise of mental energy. Sampling of Reasons Why Good Americans Fail to Protest There are reasons why some good Americans remain mute about these outrages. For instance: Some lack the intelligence to read about these matters; or lack the intelligence to understand the gravity of the information. Can't blame someone who is too ignorant to know! Affected by political pundits lying for those perpetrating the wrongful acts, made possible by the listener being too lazy to read and research the matter. The almost total cover-ups and even support by virtually every government check and balance for the corruption. The almost total cover-ups and support by media people and media groups. The lack of knowledge of the many books written by government and other insiders seeking to inform the public of these matters. The false impression gained by many people who rely upon television, and the political pundits, to be "informed" of important matters. A person's lack of time to find out about these matters due to the need to earn a living. Poll Takers and The Intelligence of the People Cited Poll takers and political pundits frequently cite the percentage of the America public that the polls indicate are either for or against some particular policy or action of government political leaders. Included in those polls referred to as the "American public" are the following (who have the right to vote): The criminal element in the United States, including those inclined to or who commit murders, violence, robberies, thefts, and other crimes. Those who are not inclined to consider themselves in the above type of crimes but who purchase drugs for personal use knowing that they are enablers to the thousands of murders occurring every year in Mexico, and the thousands in the United States. Most of the immigrants who have become citizens and are counted among the voters are too busy trying to assimilate into life in the United States to show any concern for matters for the overall good of the United States, but more interested in who can provide them with special benefits. The matter of corruption in government is the furthest from any effort they may make in response to it. Those with a simpler mind, totally uninterested or incapable of understanding the amount of corruption and lying in government to make an intelligent decision on virtually any matters involving government and politicians. Their vote is based more on emotions, such as those ardent followers of talk show host Russ Limbaugh, and certainly not based on an understanding of the facts. Those who are capable of understanding, but who are obsessed with trivial maters, such as professional sports, video games, social networks, their grandchildren, and other trivia. Those who are capable of understanding, but who are too busy with making a living and taking care of important personal matters and matters affecting their family. Those, especially the younger generation, who have grown up with filthy music/lyrics, filthy movies, that are totally devoid of any redeeming value, which established their code of conduct, morals, and responsibilities. The current obsession among the young with pacifiers, either "music" blaring in their ears, movies on the screens, etc. Those who read a limited amount and who fail to get a broad picture, making they prey to the con artists among the politicians and political pundits that repeat over and over again outright lies, relying upon the gullibility (or stupidity) of certain segments of the public. Then we have those who do show an interest in reading, who are capable of showing outrage, and who try to do something about the mutating corruption in the United States, in and out of government. Those very few courageous insiders who discover corruption and who risk great personal and financial harm in seeking to defend the country against the literal Trojan horse corruption. No one comes to their aid and to help in defending the country against the harm being exposed by these very few people. Is it any wonder, then, that serial liars like Russ Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly have millions of listeners and viewers. Is it any wonder the President Bush and his shills have been able to engage in blatant serial lying, recognized by anyone who avails themselves of the true information, can talk a majority of the American people into inflicting war upon Iraq, knowing that thousands (now hundreds of thousands) of innocent people have been killed and brutally mutilated, and not feel shame for what they had made possible. Political Liars Making Fools of the Illiterate Masses Large segments of the media controlled by the CIA and other government entities, political pundits paid to promote a particular line, politicians that had long mastered the art of lying and deception, prey upon the unread and unsophisticated American public. With the bankruptcy of more newspapers, there will be even less investigative reporting, making the public even more susceptible and gullible. Victims and Enablers Duping the Germans Under Hitler Versus Duping The People Americans for Decades by Their Leaders The Germans under Adolf Hitler were duped with repeated lies, like the American people have been repeatedly duped, for decades by serial lying. The American people don't have the excuse that the Germans had, since massive information and evidence was available to show they were being taken for fools by their leaders and many of the political pundits. A poem was written by Martin Niemoller that depicts a fact of life that most Americans have yet to learn: First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me. Pastor Martin Niemöller Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) first supported the rise of Adolf Hitler, and then upon learning the truth, and objecting, he was imprisoned. He wrote a poem about the state of denial of Germans about what Hitler was doing. Probably no better example could be shown than what has been done to the American people, in their name, while they lazily ignored the outrages. Victims and Enablers of Their Fate: The American Public The American public has been victimized, has suffered incredible harm, being used as a feeding trough by politicians and others. The horror, the personal and financial losses they have suffered−including what they are now enduring as a result of the housing and financial frauds−is of course tragic. But, they have brought it on to themselves. Sometimes, innocently, and sometimes not so innocently. For instance: Some refuse to read the books that courageous insiders have written, or the newspaper or Internet articles by reliable people. Some are too indifferent and lack the courage or integrity to care. The deterioration in values in the United States during the last 20 years. Although one excuse is that the time required to earn a living and take care of basics do not allow time for the reading of books and related material. But they find the time to spend hours watching professional sports, or on other trivial matters. Return to www.defraudingamerica.com The ultimate ignorance is the rejection of something you know nothing about, that is inflicting great harm upon others, and refusal to investigate!
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text: Finesse News Network: The Art Of Customizing Ned Kehde - March 28, 2013 Stretching across many decades, Midwest finesse anglers have customized untold number of soft-plastic baits.The late Chuck Woods of Kansas City created the two most notable ones: the Beetle and Puddle Jumper. He crafted the first Beetle from a well-worn Creme Scoundrel Worm. He used the tail of an Ensley Reaper to create the first Puddle Jumper.Nowadays, many Midwest finesse anglers use and customize several of the soft-plastic baits that Z-Man Fishing Products manufactures. These baits are made from a material that Z-Man calls ElaZtech, which is incredibly durable. In fact, several Midwest finesse anglers have reported that these ElaZtech baits are so durable that they have caught more than 100 largemouth bass on a 2 1/2-inch ZinkerZ or four-inch Finesse WormZ or Finesse ShadZ before it disintegrated.In addition, scores of Midwest finesse anglers proclaim that the ElaZtech baits in their bass-fishing repertoire are the most beguiling soft-plastic baits that they have ever used in their pursuits of largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass On the best of days, some of these anglers tangle with as many as 25 largemouth bass an hour. On average, they catch about nine largemouth bass an hour. And more than 90 percent of those black bass are caught on a Z-Man's ElaZtech bait. Several of the ElaZtech baits that the Midwest finesse anglers employ are customized. For instance, about three-quarters of an inch is usually cut off the head of the Finesse WormZ. The five-inch ZinkerZ is cut in half, making it into a 2 1/2-inch Senko-style bait. Two inches are removed from the head of the Saw Tail WormZ, and the curl is removed from its tail, which makes it a three-inch cut-tail worm (see footnote No. 2 below for a photograph of a customized Saw Tail WormZ). The five-inch FattyZ is cut in half, and a six-tentacle tube is created out of the top segment of the FattyZ. The tail portion of the FattyZ becomes a Senko-style bait, and it is employed on a jig and fished the same way the 2 1/2-inch ZinkerZ is fished, but it has a different contour than the ZinkerZ, which causes it to undulate differently than the ZinkerZ does during the retrieve. At times, three-quarters of an inch is removed from the head of the Hula StickZ On Feb. 12, Daniel Nussbaum of Z-Man and Ladson, South Carolina, reported on the Finesse News Network that he had created a three-inch FattyZ by removing the torso of the five-inch FattyZ. Then he used Loctite's Super Glue Gel Professional to affix the head and tail of the FattyZ. He affixes this three-inch rendition to a jig and uses it to catch red fish and sea trout. Nussbaum's Super-Glue revelations has spawned a new customizing motif among some Midwest finesse anglers. This new phase epitomized with the ZinkerZ tactics of Dave Weroha of Kansas City. The two photographs below display some of the handiwork that Weroha has recently accomplished with a pair of scissors and some Loctite's Super Glue Gel Professional. After Weroha clips and assembles the ZinkerZ, he affixes them on a Gopher Tackle Mushroom Head.Jolee Myers, who is the Operations Manager at Z-Mans, noted in a Mar. 20 e-mail that "watermelon and green-pumpkin solid colors will bleed yellow onto pearl-colored Z-Man baits. On some color combinations anglers won't be able to tell if the second part is dark enough, but it will still bleed. Because of the nature of the pigmentation we use to make these colors, there is nothing that can be done to prevent this from happening."As 2013 continues to unfold, we will post more details about this new phenomenon, and about its effectiveness for inveigling largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. ********************************************************************************Footnotes:(1) For more information on the FattyZ and customization see:https://www.in-fisherman.com/2013/03/07/finesse-news-networks-gear-guide-z-mans-three-inch-fattyz-prototype/https://www.in-fisherman.com/2012/07/23/finesse-news-network-gear-guide-z-mans-fattyz/(2) The photograph below is the Saw Tail WormZ that Dave Weroha customizes.(3) During the last week of March, the Finesse News Network has featured the insights of various finesse anglers about the color of soft-plastic baits, and debating if color is an important element in finesse presentations. Perhaps in the weeks to come, we will transcribe and edit many of those insights and comments and post them on this blog site. Until then, we would like readers of this blog to post their observations about how color affects finesse presentations. We would also like to know readers' ideas about the effectiveness of glitter and flakes in soft-plastic baits.


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Tbolt wrote:That is the kind of crap that help destroy my sister's marriage, yet for some bizarre reason, this is deadly important "free speech". Conversely, ancient rules of wisdom are an affront to the eyes, and must be erased from public view. *sigh* I guess that makes sense, in a society where the former is valued, the latter would have to be despised.
Sixty X Celph wrote:(o.o) How did a commercial end your sister's marriage?!
Sixty X Celph wrote: And what words of wisdom are you talking about?
Sixty X Celph wrote:Hm. I've a feeling I'm going to need to learn to agree to disagree around here, haha. [How many times can a man say "to" in a single sentence? (o.o)]
Indigo4789 wrote:I guess I'm old-fashioned then... I prefer a fan to the cigarettes. Especially during the renaissance fairs.
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Beta Boys (Kansas City, MO)
Lysol (Seattle, WA)
Soda Boys
@ Bonerville
9 p.m. / all ages
If you're afraid of ruining that cool black tee but still want to look punk as fuck, this band will eat those sleeves clean off. The barely-Tumblr-famous Beta Boys brings stripped down punk rock with a snotty vibe. Hate everything and everyone -- even yourself? Great, now do it in the good company of others. This is allegedly Burners' last show, a case of sudden infant death syndrome for the young punk band.
Anybody But the Cops (MI)
Guppy (MI)
Trauma Harness
Double God
@ Melt / 2712 Cherokee St.
8 p.m. / $5 / all ages
Anybody But the Cops has been under strict lock-and-key in the DIY scene of Kalamazoo (birth-place of the ever prolific but now New York-based label Already Dead). ABtC comes drunk on Fugazi riffs with heady beats and a schizophrenic mish-mash of subgenres. Trauma Harness is a beloved trio of post-punk hometown heroes and Double God invites audience participation by asking people to punch them in the face (for real).
The Brainstems (album release)
Little Big Bangs (album release)
Black Panties (ep release)
@ Blank Space / 2847 Cherokee St.
9 p.m. / $5 / all ages
Two 12" records are being released on the same night by two of south city's busiest and most beloved. Little Big Bangs and Brainstems both share common ground in their odd psych-tinged punk. While the Brainstems employs more ass-shaking and locked grooves, Little Big Bangs tears through melodic indie-rock with a sordid style that feels like each member is playing with something to prove. Bring extra cash for all that wax.
Anodes (split release)
Laika (split release)
Path of Might
@ Foam / 3359 S. Jefferson Ave.
9 p.m. / all ages
This split has been a long time coming and it finally sees release at this show. Anodes suffocates with its relentless riffing, only letting up to make space for ear-shattering screaming. Laika is similar but darker, bringing a post-post-hardcore all blackened and burnt.
Stephen Houldsworth Photo Exhibit: 12 Drummers
@ Box / 3350 Ohio Ave.
6:30 p.m. / free
Stephen Houldsworth and his husband Graham Matthews have been stalwarts of the local music scene for several years. Through their Youtube video channel (which documents a huge range of musical acts throughout the city) and Stephen's photo stream on Facebook, the couple keeps tabs on lesser-known bands and hyped acts alike. On this night, Stephen shares a special selection of photos featuring local drummers performing shirtless. The exhibit will be accompanied by live performances from CCDS - Death Squad, Sean Ballard and Drew Gowran.


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Last week-end Zimbabweans voted in a referendum to ratify a new constitution. The new Constitution limits the president to two terms, a crucial provision given that Mr. Mugabe, 89, has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980. But Mr. Mugabe's previous terms will not count, so he is free to run twice more.
To learn more click here.


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SKCC Crits:
E grade only had two riders, and after a little while, it becoming obvious that there was a difference in their fitness and abilities. I rode with the faster dude, and when the time came for 3 laps to go, I told him to grab my wheel and drove the pace to see how he'd fare around the course at speed. He'll do just fine in D grade.
Talking of D grade, to get my kms up, I started out with them, but when there was continued overlapping between them and B, I rode on the back of B to police anyone taking a sit. Still, even at the higher pace, I got a bit bored, and rolled off to go find some food and another coffee.
Then, after a ham and cheese croissant had been devoured, and a flat front tub had been discovered, it was time to race. The buttery French pastry required no thought, but the tyre worried me. I'd put in a bit of latex, and pumped it up, but I wasn't confident it would survive. After a few laps, tentatively going through corners on what I was convinced was softening rubber, I took a lap and borrowed a spare wheel.
Once back in the race I found my team mates, and ensured everyone was kosher. Bing and Lui were playing up and off the front, Ritchie was down the back contending with jet lag, and DK was somewhere in between. I watched it all happening for a while, and got the sense that this was a 3 team affair, Stay True, O2 and my own Rush. The other two teams looked to be trying to isolate DK, to force him to push air on the front, and I wasn't convinced he looked as dominating as normal, so I tried to help out as best I could. I went with a move early on, sat myself on the front tapping tempo around midway, and even offered a hand of god at one point.
Attacks kept coming, but they also kept coming back. The right combination was never really created, and it just felt like the sprinters of the bunch had decided that a break just wasn't going to win this week. Perhaps the recent spate of small group and solo wins had been too much to bear. With that in mind, at some point I switched to trying to keep Ritchie protected, and move him up to the front. I wanted to have us inside the top 20 for the last 10 minutes, and into the top 10 for the last 5 minutes. I figured if it was just he and I, that I didn't want to waste our legs by pulling him past a heap of riders when things started to heat up.
Then DK put himself at our service. He'd been marked hard all day, and figured he was never going to get up the road, so wanted to do the next best thing. Rip legs off on the front. I slotted in between him and Ritchie, and was happily lead towards the front. No wait, to the front! I paniced for a moment, we hadn't even seen the 3 lap sign. Then I relaxed, if anyone could hold on for some solid time on the front, it was DK. We caught Bing and I let him slot on DKs wheel for a couple of laps, but we still weren't being shown the lap sign. I started to hurt, then a quick glance said we were off the front. I was excited, but knew I'd need the sign pronto. We didn't get it that lap, and on the next one someone made it across to my wheel. My legs were threatening to cramp when finally we got the sign.
DK pulled off around the back, but I was well past my use by date, and the bunch quickly closed. Thankfully Ritchie wasn't on the front, he'd found a wheel to sit on, but I vowed to finish the job I'd meant to be doing. I fought to get onto one of the wheels whipping past. Then I somehow cajoled Ryan Cotrell to help get me up the bunch with the last of his energy. I made it to about 10th wheel, but that was the last of what I had to. Ritchie had to fend for himself.
I'm relatively happy with what occurred. We didn't time a sprint train, but we tried something, and can learn from it. My legs weren't fantastic, but I put myself out there and got some quality time in the box. I'm genuinely excited about the prospect of the crit champs.
Strava link.
D: 112.3km
A: 136m
PMPW: 95kg


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😀 Thanks to EBookBump for featuring my book on your blog!
Here's all the places to purchase Captive Hope:
Amazon US – Amazon UK – Amazon France – Amazon India – Amazon Germany
Smashwords – Barnes & Noble – Kobo – CreateSpace – Apple iBooks/iTunes
The Twelve Realms seems an idyllic nation, but behind locked doors there are sinister powers at work. Not even the royal family of High Castle is outside their reach, and Lady Idra has unwittingly placed herself in the crosshairs of a shrewd mercenary.
Idra is noble by birth and lady-in-waiting to the future High Queen of the Twelve Realms. Yet she's unaware of her true value and strength. From her youth she has been pledged in service to the crown, and though accepting of her duty, she inwardly longs for more. But in her wildest dreams Idra never imagined the terrible future devised for her by forces unknown.
Sir Ahmad, a knight of the realms, admires Lady Idra from afar. But when he finally has the courage to tell her, it may be too late. He could lose Idra forever because of one man's devious ploy to gain revenge and…
View original post 49 more words


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Back to the rainy day project at hand ,more like rainy month for us here in NW Ohio but I digress. With a few simple hand tools and a file (or Dremel or even better a belt sander) we can make our own precision powder dipper for only the cost of time. You've probably seen these charge dippers before made out of fired cases but I'm going to offer some insight into making these that you may have not considered before. First we want a thin tall case not a fat one like a 40 S&W but something like a 30 carbine is perfect. The reason is a tall skinny case can give you better accuracy with smaller volumes of powder. Think back to your chemistry lab days and how quickly a tall skinny graduated cylinder would fill up vs a flask. Our 30 carbine case can be filed to our exact needs where as a short fat case would give us consistency issues with smaller volumes. Plus it will be easier to dump the powder straight into our pistol cases (in this case...no pun intended .38 SP +P loads).
|Shortened .30 carbine case, a .32ACP case might also work if you have those on hand.
|Stripped copper wire and my legs.....
Pro tip- In the back of the Lee load manual there is a table that you can multiply the number of grains by the known volume 1gr of said powder takes up. The resulting number is the volume of your powder charge in CC's . Lee also lists the case capacity in the load manual of each of the cases in CC's, this might save one some time and effort if you find a given straight wall pistol case may be closer than another option you were thinking about. Also keep in mine a long narrow measuring device can be more exacting than a short fat one, although a powder bridge may occur easily if you are using a powder that has course grains.
|Handle installed and everything ready to go
|Marking the new dipper is important for safety and sanity.
This little project is a component of another post I'm working, Lyman 310 dies and tongs. I recently got a set for .38/357 and am working on loading ammo with it this week and hopefully will have something posted on that experience before too long.
Here is another homemade dipper I came across in a lot of reloading stuff from an estate, looks like a large nail was soldered onto a very old balloon head .44 Special case. Made for 20gr of 4756 which is a powder I'm not familiar with.


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Martial love
by Rowan Cahill I found Anzac Day 2003 disturbing. The theme was "From Gallipoli to the Persian Gulf". From the Returned Services League (RSL) came the message that War is the price we pay for Peace. From Prime Minister John Howard we heard that the Anzac tradition is the most powerful force shaping Australian history. From the mouths of selected youngsters interviewed by the mass media came the nonsense that Australia's political freedom is due, historically, to Australia's battlefield prowess. In all of this there was no acknowledgement whatsoever that only during World War II was Australia's freedom ever threatened; no recognition that War should be the last resort, signalling the tragic failure of diplomacy and politics; no awareness that the impetus to establish Anzac Day began with the Christian Churches in Queensland in 1916, an expression of 'war theology', the widespread belief of non-Catholic clergy at the time that War gave the British Empire the God-given opportunity to spread the Christian Gospel to some dark heathen places. Anzac Remembrance 2003 was highly selective. So, for example, there was no reference to the tactical and strategic stupidity that Gallipoli represents; no reference to the abattoir slaughter of the Western Front in 1916; no reference to the way Robert Menzies lied to the Australian people and Parliament to manipulate Australia into the Vietnam War. Scant attention also to the fact that during the 20th century some 102,000 Australians died as the direct result of War. Part of the Anzac Myth is the proposition that Australia is a Peace-loving nation, that Peace is the preferred option of the Australian people, that as a nation, Australia only reluctantly goes to War. Sadly, and disturbingly, history suggests otherwise. Australia's military history begins with colonisation. The European occupation of the continent did not go unchallenged by the Aborigines. A state of war existed from Governor Phillip's time, right through the 19th century, as the invaders met with Aboriginal resistance. The defenders strategically employed guerilla type warfare against the superior military might of industrial Britain. Because this resistance was effective, and the enemy elusive, a bloody and vengeful military campaign was conducted in retaliation. There were punitive raids on camps, and terror was officially used to bring about Aboriginal submission. This protracted warfare resulted in the violent deaths of an estimated 20,000 Aborigines and 2000 Europeans. Before Federation in 1901, thousands of enthusiastic Australian volunteers participated in three imperialist military ventures overseas; against the New Zealand Maori tribes (the Maori Wars, 1863-72); against the Islamic rebellion in the Sudan (1885-86); against emerging Chinese nationalism (Boxer Rebellion, 1900-01). In each case the involvement was presented in adventurous, jingoistic terms, and the enemy portrayed as heathens devoid of human rights. This was a recipe for callous and criminal military behaviour. Australia's emergence as a nation was marked by the involvement of 16,175 troops in the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa, on behalf of British gold interests. It was a brutal war in which the British used scorched earth tactics and concentration camps to crush Boer resistance. Twelve years later Australia was at war again. The Great War (1914-18) realised the dream of those Federation polemicists who maintained that the nation should be born in the heat of battle and blood sacrifice. Out of the blood-fests of the Western Front, and the impossibilities of Gallipoli, the Anzac myth was crafted, telling of larrikin heroes, imbued with mateship and derring-do. Somewhere in this myth-making process the slaughter and senselessness of the War, so apparent to many participants, and to those who hoped it would be The War To End All War, was lost. Possibly deliberately so. In 1919 Australian troops were at it again, fighting the Red Army as part of the anti-Bolshevik North Russian Relief Force. Australians won two Victoria Crosses in this bloody and useless British initiative. The campaign aimed to advance British interests in the Baltic region and in Persia and, of course, to "strangle the Bolshevik baby in its bed" as Winston Churchill declared. The Force was withdrawn after British capitalists decided it would be better to develop trade links with the infant Soviet Russia. After an interlude of peace, conflict continued: World War II, the only time Australia was actually threatened with invasion; Korea; Malaya; Borneo; Vietnam; and more recently, Gulf Wars 1 and 2, with the "social worker with a gun" Timor Intervention sandwiched in between. Conspicuously missing from Anzac Day commentaries is reference to the use of the armed forces against trade unionists. This tradition reaches back to the Maritime Strike of 1890, finding fullness of expression with the Chifley (ALP) Government's use of troops as strike-breakers during the 1949 Coal Strike. Thereafter Coalition and Labor governments variously used the armed forces against trade unionists in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1967, 1981, and 1989. The jury is still out on possible military involvement in the 1998 War on the Waterfront. The Vietnam War and conscription temporarily halted Australia's love affair with War. Since then, however, powerful forces including media organisations, the RSL, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Armed Forces and weapons industry lobbyists, have variously worked hard to blunt anti- war sentiment and encourage the martial spirit. Youth in particular have been targeted, and the fostering of the Anzac legend is central to the project. Dewy eyed celebration of Anzac Day 2003, politically heightened by the emotion of an ongoing war, coupled with the apparent electoral appeal of the repulsive 'war-leader' posturing of Prime Minister John Howard, suggest the martial spirit is alive and well in 21st century Australia, and probably will be for some time to come. I hope I am wrong.


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am i the only one shocked by the most recent splits?!?!
i realize that yes, it's hollywood, but some couples just seem so lovely together.
makes me go whaaaaat?!
and this broad is pregnant.
i made a special picture of her future!
how nice am i??
i guess that's really all the gossip i can handle for today.
maybe a lovely picture of jessica simpson will be a good closer...
or not.
in other amaaaaaazing gossip:
hank is making a delicious, healthy dinner as i type this and i could NOT be happier about it.
that's the scoop!


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Tripawds Podcast Episode #81: "Shark Tank" deal winner Wild Earth is on a mission to make the world a better place for pets, people, and the planet. Tune in as we speak with Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Ernie Ward to discover the benefits of this plant-based protein pet food, learn all about the fungal protein "Koji", and debunk misconceptions about so-called "vegan dog food" - an all too common misnomer for this sustainable alternative to current pet foods containing factory farmed animal products.
Ernie Ward, DVM is an acclaimed pet obesity expert and author who first appeared on Tripawd Talk Radio in Episode #56: Help Your Tripawd Get Slim with Dr. Ernie Ward
Learn more about healthy nutrition for three legged dogs and cats in the Tripawds Nutrition Blog and find a special gift for listeners in the Tripawds Downloads Blog.
Support the show (https://tripawds.com/support)