Just got back from being walked by the puppies. It's always been such a relaxing pleasure to walk in my neighborhood. Soaring Oak trees are everywhere. I think, Oak trees are the "Nails" of the Earth. They majestically hold it all together for us and we believe them. Such powerful and commanding appendages from the ground. And my all around favorite, the Crape Myrtle. They're in full bloom and you can't walk 20 feet without running into one, so to speak. I love to watch their metamorphism on display throughout the year. The 100 plus years old homes sit in quiet confidence, it's still their neighborhood...And they reign. It's as though you step right into the roaring 20's. Classic architecture, some three stories and still the chimneys. Antique brick rules the days. They built these things to last, back then. Where I live, the people have meticulously cared for their yards, their manicured hedges and neatly lined rows of flowers. Many of the rear 'Carriage Houses' are larger than most family size homes built today, and far more elegant.Things have been this way for as long as I can remember and I've been here for 25 years now. It's always been as though you took a photograph and then pulled it out every time you went outside, it never changed.   I am so familiar with my neighborhood, I know when a new tree has been planted in a yard 6 blocks away. I know when a young family gets a new pet, or looses an old one. Buys a new car or goes out of town for the weekend. Your first thought may be "Well, that's cause he's a nosy little shit!" No, not really...I just instinctively notice everything. I'm just this way. I will notice when someone has changed the curtains in their windows or rearranged their porch chairs. Everything. There's something about me that allows to simply look at these people, my neighbors, and by the 2nd or 3rd time I've seen them, I know them...through and through. By then, I am able to tell them more about themselves than they know..themselves. I may not know their name, or have ever talked to them, but I know them. I don't tell them of course, I just use this ability to learn. That's all. It only gets stronger and more accurate as time goes by. A gift of age, I suspect.   Over the last maybe year or so, I have noticed many subtle changes. Changes that should not and would not be taking place, under different circumstances. Slowly, but ever so surely, those manicured and pampered yards and gardens are wilting. They're having a death from deprivation of tender loving care. People are beginning to leave their yards to the elements for care. And the elements, these days, are unpredictable and unkind. The usual care-free, confident and contented look about my neighbors is being supplanted with the grimace of anxiety and concern. You can see it virtually everywhere. In all the faces. Even those who have somehow managed to remain "well off" are showing the strain of uncertainty. No one, it seems, is very sure about what tomorrow may bring...or withhold.   The many "For Sale" signs are rapidly being replaced with "For Rent" signs. People can't sell their homes, and they can no longer pay the unrealistic prices they incurred during the 'hey-days' of the last decade of prosperity. Hmmmm, when was that anyway? This morning I passed by a home that had been occupied for as long as I have lived in this neighborhood, by the same family. It is a beautiful home, with a swing set out in the front yard. It is now abandoned, the yard grossly overgrown and the home is already beginning to look like what it is, an abandoned home. No one, lives there anymore. They left during the night and no one has seen them since. They are just one family of many. It is happening all around me. I don't want to imagine the devastating wounds and hopelessness, having to leave one's home this way. Not having any other choice.   It is sad. And it's pathetic. And it's infuriating. To know that all these people played by the rules, worked hard and achieved their dreams. And because of something a handful of men cooked up, in some offices thousands of miles away, it is all being dismantled and destroyed right before our eyes, during our time. The blame has been laid at the feet of those who were drugged with hope, tempted with crafted opportunity, then dared to dream. Not the ones who created the nightmare and stole the dreams. Actually, that's "again."   Justice? Where is the justice? Why is all this supposed to make sense to us? For my part, I keep coming up with the same answers.

Visualize yourself as a 'Free Spirit' flowing, not floating, through the Universe. Through the Cosmos. Completely unencumbered, able to travel and traverse at your own free will. Not a "body" but a thrusted spirit- - literally.
Now, visualize a circular ball of sticky "fly-paper" and you, your 'spirit' has ventured too close for comfort. Blap!!!!! Your spirit is now entangled in the adhesion of matter and substance. You are caught. Struggle as you wish, you are caught.
Not all captured spirits are doomed to demise on the grasping and holding substance. Some break free and eventually, will continue the blissful expedition into what's there, what's beyond and more. It is the ones that are willing to struggle for freedom, to not give in and give up to the inevitable torture and subjugation of being trapped, that will prevail. There ARE those, you see.

  Obviously, you do not share my sense of urgency when it comes to government and corporate corruption and their combined culpability in the destruction of America, indeed..the world. Granted, you are not alone, most no one else does either. But the inexplicable absence of public outrage and  'no holds barred' demands to get it right- - NOW!! Or get the phuck outta the gawd-damn way, does not mitigate the reality of rapidly deteriorating government power- - as a "whole", for the good of the people. More and more, individual agencies and departments within the government are being infiltrated by "revolving door" politicians/corporate-CEO's, directors and board members, guns, drugs and sex dealers, etc., and the most prevalent and tenacious of all- The Lobbyist! And they are being allowed, by the voting American Public, to wreck our economy, our landscape, our cradles of resources and our country-  as we have known it.
  They go back and forth between high (often, the highest) government positions and then back to the boardroom- - again and again. Currently most all of our government is literally run as separate "businesses" within our government. When's the last time you remember something 'Great' and 'Good' and sincerely helpful and beneficial to ordinary American's being enacted into law or public policy??? When's the last time something from government didn't 'COST' ya??? When's the last time American's got a "Social Security Act" or a "Medicare" bill? 
  No, what we got was a lopsided, watered down, stink to 'High-Heaven' 'healthcare' bill that undeniably stuffs ever more private and public funds straight into the busted-out-all-over vaults of the health "INDUSTRY." Think about that word for a sec'--"Industry"...Insurance companies, pharmaceuticals-medicine! , lobbyists and their 'lap-pets,' the U.S. Congress. You don't find any doctors or nurses or hospitals- or patients- making out in grand fashion with what passed as something "Revolutionary" and "Historic." Not anything like the "INDUSTRY." Welcome to the now permanent 'New Paradigm."
  While you're being inundated with the trials (literally) and tribulations of Lindsay Lohan, the majesty of King.....Queen Elizabeth and the marital circuses of the rich and famous.....Do remember that we also have the worst oil related disaster in history---ONGOING! Oh, and that the foreign corporation responsible for the catastrophe, refuses to allow any tangible press coverage (By journalists they deem un-worthy) They apparently have the power to have reporters, photographers arrested for daring to expose any of the devastation and it's unspeakable consequences. Oh I don't know, there's probably something else to be concerned about... lemme see now..Afghanistan. Yeah, Afghanistan.(=$$$$$$$$$$$$)
Militia, anybody?? 

When you intricately "back engineer" life, as we know it, you will ultimately arrive at it's source- - "Energy!" If you don't give things much thought, you could catch yourself wondering, which came first? Life or Energy? But of course, the correct answer is obvious and apparent at first glance, but did you see it? It's easy, and incorrect, to presume only "life" as a consideration, not part of an equation. Life would not and could not form or exist, without first having "Energy" as a beginning. And then, "Energy" must be present within 'life' continuously, to exist.

This reveals that "Energy" entered the equation as the predominant factor, then the process of "Life" could begin. Without "Energy" there is no "Life." However, when life itself 'ends' the never-ending, indestructible "Energy" will continue on it's individual journey, as part of a whole. To where? Well, that's probably a good question, but it is unanswerable. And frankly, it is our "body" and "brain" asking this question. Not the "Energy" itself, the consciousness it has formed. In truth, the "Energy" will most certainly "know" where it will travel to next. "You" are not relevant to this information, in your current "State" of existence. Cat, Dog, Rock, a tear, Jizz, Turd, The Next President, A Star, a drop of water, a beam of light, an alien, part of a molten lava stream in a far away galaxy....could be anywhere, anyhow, anything. It could very well be, off to yet another Universe...right next to you, right now.

Do you ever step outside of yourself and just look around at all the stuff? What do you think about what you are seeing? I mean....what do you really think? Can you see down the road clearly enough to make anything out- - any shapes or forms? Anything you recognize? Are you just a little skittish about traveling down that obscured and uncertain venue of your future? These are the questions I grapple with these days. When even the 'good' things that might happen, now and then, are impostors of the "real things." I am a good, pretty much regular American citizen and I feel humiliated and abused by the powerlessness I have come to feel, as a  seemingly permanent appendage. A burdensome, snickering, and irrational logic has replaced sanity and the positive interactions of mankind- - for the good of mankind. It is overwhelming, isn't it? Seems as though many of the still hopeful are merely hanging on to past memories of a different paradigm, searching in vain for it's rediscovery. I wonder, is it gone? Are we on an unstoppable, runaway and uncontrollable realignment of "life here on earth?" Are all these 'things' simply destined? And if so, can destiny ever be changed?

It would be refreshing- a 'People's Win,' and a long over-due "breather" from the onslaught of opposition victories- - Both substantive and ideological. My memory is beginning to slip in my waning years, but for the life of me I can not recall a "change" or a positive advancement for America, or Americans in at least the past 9 years. Not one. Even the ballyhooed "HCR" and so many other 'achievements' and alleged societal reforms ring hollow, almost empty. A victory for the soul, would mean so much for our ravaged hopes.

I have forgotten that feeling one gets when something positive and truly helpful for people, people like me....is established. A favorable resolution, a piece of legislation that actually relieves any of the burdens shared by the real people of America. We have devolved into distinct, undeniable classes of wealth, comfort and immunity from responsibility...vs. those with no parachute, no savings, no security and a name that's only used to tally one's debt. We are the 'skin' that absorbs the vicious wounds of evil and insidious cartels, around the world. It has left us scarred and battered. "Nice" is not going to fix any of this.

Not nice, not hope, not patience....Nor will a completely correct reading and understanding of our constitution and anticipation of it's appropriate or proper application- -
as it pertains to how America is to be governed and by whom.

I fear we have carelessly ventured into territory with no backdoor, no exits, no windows, no fresh air. I feel suffocation may indeed be the intention of the owners of this territory, because it seems no one is coming to help me or us survive. Methinks I may have to determine how badly I want to survive. And what measures I may find inescapable, if I have any hope of breathing freely again.

                  gggggggggggggggggg    "GOD"     ggggggggggggggggggg

"GOD." Now there's a complex issue, if there ever was one. If you learn and always know and remember that the version of 'God' as Christians and other religions have chosen to manifest "Him" is for the most part, a completely man-made concept. Today, it's use is fundamentally deceitful and quite simply the only version people have been taught- for the past 2,000 years. First, it was an understanding of the then still fresh memories and events regarding man's 'creation' some 6,000 years ago, this is also when mankind's inexplicable 'enlightenment' occurred. Think of it as man's enhancement by 'others.'

Eventually, as is mankind's apparent and unfortunate destiny, the whole original concept of "God" and the knowledge used as the basis became a manipulating tool, for use by the "church" and by extension- governments. A correct interpretation and accurate understanding of actual written history, the TRUE text of written history, reveals what today's "God" is actually based on. Today's "God" is, at best, a "Frankenstein" of true reality. This is by ancient, man-made design as a perceived necessity to gain and maintain control over man-kind-- by man-kind. And this perversion of truth has robbed mankind of much. So very, very precious much. Our intended 'expedition' has been hi-jacked and replaced with an  convenient impostor. The true "God" has been intentionally unlearned and mis-taught, but still not unknown nor un-felt. 2,000 years of secrecy and twisting truth(s), evil frankly, for the sole pleasure and enrichment of those still in possession of the viciously guarded and hoarded evidence of what is true, and much more.

That being said, to deny the existence of the omnipotent "Creator" is shortsighted. However, "God" as the name assigned to this creator can be misleading, but not all together inaccurate. It just needs further clarification- a "better' and more accurate definition.

People are confused and rightfully so. They have been forced to choose between things that do not exist. Most of the beliefs held by Christians, especially Catholics, were created and perpetrated by man alone--- for control. Believe this, it is easily provable. Just look. That's all you gotta do, look. There is alot of 'fear' associated with the only kind of "God" that churches and accepted convention, will allow contemplation of. If you allow yourself the "divine" ability we all have, naturally, to know true "God" then it will be, and you will-- without ANY doubt, begin to know and feel what is already there. It is everywhere. The knowledge of who and what you are, what we are, what everything is, will become a torrent of wisdom and you will love it. You will feel it and it is Glorious!

The first 'correction' that needs to be made is that "God" is not a "divine" somewhat human-like entity, or deity. One that demands- unconditionally- reverence, obedience and most importantly, to be worshiped or idolized before and beyond any and all others. (What "others?") No questions asked or taken. "God" is not that kind of god. To follow, fear and obey, worship and give over your life to, here on earth, to an unseen, all-powerful, loving, merciful, but at the same time, fearful, vindictive and punishing-- but possibly, if you stay in line, "redeeming "God" figure-- is not the purpose of life. Nor is it the intent, design or requirement of the "Creator." One can not easily put their finger on what is truly "God", the Creator. It is not a "figure" so to speak. Not a "He" or a "She." But more accurately, and simply put, "God" is an "It."

"God" is indeed our masterful "Creator." But people must realize "God" is within the process of life. Among all other things, "God" is the process of life. Not the all-powerful, worship-addicted, often fairly demented punish-er-- and reward-er. Do you worship a light bulb? Do you worship lightning? Do you worship your microwave oven? Probably not. Regardless of the importance and value some place in these 'things' it would be a foolish and futile exercise in wishful thinking. As it is today, with people worshiping an almighty "God" figure. People have been led to misinterpret what "God" actually 'is.' And they waste their time, their effort and their hopes and prayers. If only we could all know and understand the "Truth." Obviously, it is another part of design that we are forced to explore, to learn, to seek out the light and the truth. Is this important? Honestly, I think this is for each of us to decide for ourselves. And it should be our decision based on what we feel in our hearts.

Truth speaks to each and every one of us, constantly. We have only to listen. If you have the overwhelming desire to worship "God" then be more on target-- and worship a tree, a river, a child's smile of innocence, a loving pet. There, is "God."

My comment may not convince many of the true realities of our existence. Fears are too perpetrated and powerful, ingrained and wrongly prioritized. But while you are, correctly, trying to decide what "God" is to you, understand we are all "ENERGY" and 'energy' can not be created or destroyed, not ever--period. Another BIG period! Just one more.....Okay. So when your body has reached it's individual maturity, usefulness and purpose, it will be discarded, like just so much well worn clothing. But your "ENERGY" -- your soul, your spirit, will go on, and on, and on. Let no man tell you otherwise. What is 'You' is infinite.

This is just what is, it doesn't matter to me one iota whether any other humans understand this, or not. It will not change anything. What is.....is.

Peace, R. Chase

I like Joe Biden. I mean I really like the guy. I have great respect and admiration for his bare-knuckles approach, when dealing with political adversaries. I think he has received an unfair and undue rap, from the 'right' as well as cynical members of his own party. Frankly, to be honest with you I thought Joe Biden was far more qualified to be on the top of the ticket...and still do.

Here's a relatively tame example of Biden's honesty and frankness, when it comes to Dick Cheney. This is a clip from Sunday morning's "Meet the Press." Don't ya love Joe Biden?
Click here to watch: watch
If that link doesn't work copy and paste this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35390969#35390969

Thursday, Chris Bartkowicz of Denver Colorado was proudly showing off his home-growing operation of healthy, medical-marijuana to a Denver news station. And why not? It is perfectly legal to grow, and sell, medical marijuana in Colorado. It is technically a violation of federal law for anyone to grow or sell marijuana of any kind within the United States, unless you ARE the United States. The government maintains fields of marijuana for scientific purposes. (Yeah, right)

Bartkowicz's confidence and assurance he was not doing anything illegal, was officially boosted last October when President Obama publicly promised his administration would cease to prosecute or pursue those in compliance with their own states medical-marijuana laws. Seems pretty cut and dried, to me. Not too much ambiguity in that promise, is there?

The Denver branch office of the DEA, sees things differently. On Friday they raided Bartkowicz. They took his crop of medical-marijuana, his growing equipment, money and him- into federal custody. Special agent in charge of the Denver office, Jeffrey Sweetin, say's Obama's statements do nothing to change federal law.

In an interview from his jail cell, Bartkowicz said, "If I knew what I was doing was illegal, I would have never made a public display of myself. "I would not have put myself in the line of fire if I was knowingly violating the law." In a memo from Deputy U.S. Attorney General David Ogden in October, agents were informed not to target people in "clear and unambiguous compliance" with existing state laws providing for the use of medical-marijuana. Again agent Sweetin said, the memo did nothing to change federal law. "It's still against federal law. It's not medicine.We're going to continue to investigate and arrest people." He promised to go after dispensaries, the buildings that house them and arrest everyone connected. In spite of any "Presidential Announcements."

Well folks, this doesn't leave me speechless, exactly. I do indeed find it a little incredible. But I really see no alternative, but to go find some place and ponder what all this really means- with a little herbal assistance. Jeezzz......


Thanks RawStory for your reporting!

Wall Street is not happy with the negative rhetoric, coming out from a couple of their most productive franchises. In particular, The White House, and their paid for democratic senate. Well- I did say they were unhappy with the 'rhetoric.' Not any actual reform or new regulations to stop the massive looting bleeding.

The Wall St. Bankers are shamelessly demanding more "civility" from their owned prodigy. No more of this talk of finance reform or gutting favorable "non-regulations." Or they will take their bribes to someone more responsive, to turning a blind eye to mass-thievery- The Republicans! Here's an excerpt from a N.Y. Times article, relaying the message to Obama, Inc.
If you wanna read the entire article, it's here.
 

Republicans are rushing to capitalize on what they call Wall Street's "buyer's remorse" with the Democrats. And industry executives and lobbyists are warning Democrats that if Mr. Obama keeps attacking Wall Street "fat cats," they may fight back by withholding their cash. "If the president doesn't become a little more balanced and centrist in his approach, then he will likely lose that support," said Kelly S. King, the chairman and chief executive of BB&T. Mr. King is a board member of the Financial Services Roundtable, which lobbies for the biggest banks, and last month he helped represent the industry at a private dinner at the Treasury Department."I understand the public outcry," he continued. "We have a 17 percent real unemployment rate, people are hurting, and they want to see punishment. But the political rhetoric just incites more animosity and gets people riled up" . . . "If the president wanted to turn every Democrat on Wall Street into a Republican," one industry lobbyist said, "he is doing everything right."

Well heck. This kind of not so veiled threat presents quite a dilemma for Rahm, Dave, Valerie and uh...oh yeah, Obama. You wonder, 'how will they interpret and respond to this public extortion?' Do you think he'll "pay 'em off" in secret? "Pay 'em off" in plain view? Or do the honorable thing, like some of his most revered predecessors?Will he stand up to them, by demanding meaningful, effective and populist "leashing?" And then mercifully 'neuter' them, so they can't reproduce anymore of their kind?

I  have involved myself in protestations to virtually every wacky action these guys- Obama et al, have churned out- before and after the '09 election. I have argued the legitimacy, their increasingly suspicious, dubious motives. And against the predictable, head-shaking outcome(s). I have never spared, what I considered, appropriate criticism. And much of my protest has been necessarily laden with biting and angry vitriol.

It hasn't made me feel proud of my actions. Nor has any of it been the least bit effective in swaying my president, or even one of my congressional representatives (representative: standing or acting for another especially through delegated authority). Each of which were unquestionably, undeniably, elected by substantial majorities (with my help!) to right our dangerously listing ship. There was no ambiguity, no doubt in our demands, of what we expected of our new government caretakers. We demanded, undeniably, CHANGE! We were undeniably promised results.

The people of this country were impatiently adamant-  We were not satisfied with the methodology of governance- that had been unauthorized, unwelcome and foreign to our collective sensibilities. We knew in our heads and hearts it was wrong, in very basic ways. We the People- the 'incidentals'- knew instinctively, these violently aggressive, imperialistic-minded guardians of our  'American Control Panel'- would destroy the durable threads we were carefully, meticulously woven from- centuries ago.

We were duped, top to bottom. In a most egregious fashion, we were marginalized and virtually poo-poo'ed by the very people we, first, trusted with our future. Secondly, the marching orders we handed our newly elected rescuers and democracy constables, was to re-visit the past administration's criminal, insidious and frightful "reign of terror." Unfortunately, shockingly, the inexplicable manipulation and destruction, from within our own government, continues unabated, unaddressed and with the rabid determination, of the devil himself.

Folks, fine people, abused citizens--- The Time Has Come! I am disgusted, and frankly, completely unimpressed with polished and orchestrated speeches, followed immediately by unfulfilled promises- damned near every single one!!!! I am more than sick, of never ending war, with no believable, workable or sustainable prospect of definable victory. Not to mention, wars we were lied into- By a president of the United States and unapologetic and hopelessly corrupt congressional accomplices. All of whom are having a Bar-B-Que, today!

Obama gave another rousing, motivating speech the other day. He said he did, in fact, realize our anger, frustration and growing distrust of him and the rest- all of it. He reassured Americans, once again, that he heard us and this time, he was definitely going to take every available action to finally counter the right-wing onslaught. And by golly, many believed him, again. I think it took about 45 minutes for him to renege on this promise- again. It's become a predictable and maddening pattern of his- Bait and Switch!

He's a "Bull-Shit Artist." Admit it. If you don't believe this by now- why not? And...he's a gut-less Bull-Shit Artist. Accept it. Believe it.  I am not willing to accept yet more unfulfilled promises, wild (undocumented) tales of "We're doing Everything We Can--Don't Blame Us." Do they think we are all incredibly stupid? Do these self-important cowards and flim-flam 'carny-barkers' think we don't realize what they are doing, and keep doing? Is it they, who are so amazingly naive- or is it us- the 'serfs?'

Everyone keeps screamin', "But How Can We Stop it. What can WE do?" The essential first step to successfully countering this sad circus is, for us- The Liberals, The Progressives, The Independents and any other- still hopeful Americans- to establish an effective and viciously dedicated "Think-Tank." (Yeah, yeah. I know we already have some of these. But then again, not really. As "Liberal Think-Tanks," they have shown themselves to be an oxymoron.) They've not been, even minimally effective, in formulating a single successful counter-attack. Our 'tank' must consist of nothing but a very, very, very carefully and diligently selected group of men and women- that understand and have no reservation of the urgency. People who can and will design an effective plan to turn this crap around- Like the ones 'they' have. The right-wing tanks come up with these evil manifestations, to control and conquer..US! ......Does anyone reading this, doubt their success?

"Attack!" What? Too strong? Too not politically correct? Too suggestive of tactics we would never consider? Aren't 'we' the civilized half? "That's the kinda stuff they do." If you are among those that still subscribe to this sissy-fied, 'perhaps- sometime in the distant future' failed concept---Then you are, probably unknowingly, a huge, huge, part of the problem.

Take off the velvet-gloves, finally realize, this ain't no referee'd skirmish. It is a (there's no better, other way, to say it) decisive, definitive, WAR- to restore and keep our democracy, the way we rightfully expect it to be. As The Citizenry of this country, we do not have to beg and plead for sanity and honesty in and by our government. It's our government! We own the broken piece of crap! We make it and WE can break it- Never, never forget this. We Must Demand IT!! We must never- ever be forced to hand over our rights, our Constitutional guarantee to Life, Liberty and the un-negotiated Pursuit of happiness. Goddammit! It's Ours. Let us begin in steadfast earnest- for real-    to seriously begin to take it back- however we have to. Unless you like it this way, and I doubt that.

These are important, powerful people we have mistakenly placed in charge of us. They have shamelessly demonstrated they haven't the slightest concern for this country, or the people that made it, make it, and finance it's existence. So, we urgently need equally important and powerful people, to develop an effective fight-plan- distasteful or not, to kick this vermin out of our lives.

We need not apologize for "taking to the streets" or rattling the gold-gilded cages of the liars and crooks in congress, to take back what is ours. If it's all gonna get fixed, it is now perfectly obvious, we're gonna have to do it
.
Stop denying this... and Yes, We Can, We Are Capable!

 


 



 

If you just can not fathom straight and gay people successfully meshing into harmonious co-existence, then maybe it's the result of all the "space noise." The stuff that pervades and lingers, just above every solution and conscious understanding of what you actually can accept and readily find mutually helpful. It's the liars, the bigots, the hypocrites, the ever present 'serpent.' Once you rise above this stuff, you find what you'd expect- Heaven.

I often find myself tasked, with trying to better clarify how might, the illusive aspirations of world-wide human respect, willful cooperation, non-negotiable demands for everlasting peace- A universal conviction and deeper understanding for the need to love each other---How might these things look to us, if they were? Would we know this figurative and literal 'Eden?' Certainly we would! If not for that damned "Space-Noise."

I completely understand anyone's difficulty in creating this unfamiliar, seemingly fantasized vision, of Utopia in their mind's eye. It will have to be born from dreams.

Imagine if you will, two people on a faraway, deserted island. One gay, one straight. They are the only two people on the island. How long is it going to take for these two people to realize, there is no one else to look to for safety, companionship, accomplishment of otherwise impossible endeavors and to share the human experience with. Are you going to ridicule, abuse, demean and ultimately drive the person away, if they happen to be gay-or straight? Is it going to matter, in the least? I think not.

You both, will unquestionably embrace the other (so to speak...) with cooperation, equality and affection for their being. You will achieve, you will share and assist each other because it is so obvious there is no better way. If you want to survive and explore what you can be, working and living and being together, as one society, you will not need an alternative plan. This ideal would enhance our progress into the future. Allow for irreplaceable resources to used for mankind's benefit and  deeper expeditions into the mysteries of knowledge.

If not for the man-made distractions, man-made hate, the man-made propensity to classify- we could get along. If we'd listen to the truth that rests in every human's heart, instead of  man-made- immensely flawed, wisdom arresting perceptions- perpetrated by purveyors of human stagnation and thieves of the 'Light.' We could get along.  

'1968.' Seems like just yesterday. I was "Undesirably Discharged (with dishonorable conditions)" for being gay. So much has changed. Yet in many ways, some things haven't changed much at all. At least not in a good way. Gay men and women can not openly and honorably serve the country and have an equal opportunity to access the benefits of that service- unless they agree to covertly adhere to officially demanded, sanctioned rules of deceit. This take-it-or-leave-it requirement to deceive, is abhorrent. 

The military's official position then, was much as it has been all along, and up to today. National Security, safety and welfare of the heterosexuals, and a too close proximity to the core, of all that is deviant. In the Marine Corps, in the not too distant past, they 'handled' things like "queers" a little differently than today- but not much. I mean, as official policy the process is still undeniably demeaning. Let me share some of my experience with actual fellow marines- before and after I was "outed."

I wasn't accused of actually doing anything involving gay sex. But I was anonymously reported for having been seen in some Hollywood "Gay" bars. They asked me, I didn't deny it and was immediately taken into custody, rendered un-dangerous then escorted, none too ceremoniously, to the brig (marine corps jail). To be confined until further notice. In a comically ridiculous rush to separate me from healthy marines and lock me away, they didn't make everything clear to the Military Police at the brig. They just threw me in amongst the general population- charges pending, not realizing I had 'The Gay.'

20 years old, having just returned from my second tour in Vietnam (isolated with all those men and never having a single "incident" occur as a result of my being gay-), being locked up with, largely green, basic "offenders of protocol,"  wasn't a serious consideration. As is basic, human nosy-ness, we discussed with each other what we "were in there" for. When I un-apologetically told them what my 'crime' was- the virtually unanimous first reaction was, "Wow! Really? What's it like? What's it all about? etc, etc, etc?". Followed by never ending "inquiries" about gay life. Just normal, natural questions they felt 'safe' enough to ask. With no judgmental negative influences around; no one felt threatened. There were no 'points' to make.

No hate, no rage, no insults, no exclusion....none of that. Only questions, lots of questions. And this went on for three days, while I was misplaced. I am not- nor was not, an imposing figure at 5'7". There is nothing particularly remarkable about me now and maybe less at 20 years, as I was then. In other words, if anyone had a problem with my being gay, it would not have been too risky to express it. I sincerely believe it was simply a basic human interaction amongst equals. No one had to make any special or conscious effort to communicate. I think people can do this if others don't insist they do otherwise.

But then after three days it was official. I was charged with violation of article:125 of the UCMJ (more details here). Kinda a catch-all for "unspeakables." They discovered I had not been properly classified and caged. So this necessitated my immediate separation from the living and placement in solitary seclusion- fairly draconian accommodations. I got along great with all the other "segregated" marines, for months, while awaiting the inevitable "Undesirable" discharge. It was the only discharge option available for gayness. No appeal, no veteran's benefits, no nothing!- For life.

It was the system. My problem was the system. Not! With my fellow marines, not once. Not even at war- and they knew. Not stateside either. When I returned to Camp Pendelton, my hooch-mates (of which there were 24) always had to decide which four could go with me for a "Hollywood Weekend."  We were an otherwise unremarkable, effectively cohesive unit. Until I was removed by military headmasters, [mis]guided by across the board military policy and protocol. One size fits all- everyone knows this isn't true.
This hasn't changed much. Not the camaraderie, or the unjust and undue punishment.

PUNISHMENT!!!????? I can't wrap my head around that. 

It's never been about "morale" issues. Or the inability of service-members to react intelligently to a human, adult, educated interaction with fellow service-members, regardless of the details of their private lives. Whatever 'it' remains about, 'it' still destroys lives. And 'it' can still have lasting effects. I have spent my adult life without the security of housing benefits, educational assistance or V.A. hospital benefits- generally extended to heterosexual military veterans. 'It' has been an education of so many things, on so many levels. Frankly, I am thankful for the resulting alloy- this seems to be the inevitable result of "What doesn't kill ya, makes ya Stronger!" But 'it's' an intolerable, completely unnecessary compromise for a human being to be compelled to make and accept.

It remains an enigma to me, how government- all of it, devotes so many resources to creating problems where none existed. Inexplicable roadblocks to the inevitable. It should be embarrassing to those who publicly profess their ownership of others' human rights. But it's not. They and 'others' consider human rights, their "expertise." They write the laws, we live the life. They try their devious best to minimize the air we breathe, we say 'PhuqueEm'. Good luck with that. The "Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease."

I realize this post is as much about my experiences as about the issue of gays serving openly in the military. But it had to include a subjective account of just some of the treatment this gay ex-marine found out about, at the hands of the government/military machine. Not by super-macho, turf-protecting, masculinity-reaffirming fellow marines. They actually, could care less. There is nothing unique in what I have experienced. And all allowed because of the ongoing official, radiated perceptions of a gay person's worth. That's what this is all about, really. It's about people, and what we are all endowed by nature with; human standing, unfettered human interaction, and the same human rights afforded equally and fairly to all. The basic human attributes that should not be negotiated, to live here.
 

According to a report Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal, Emanuel told a liberal strategy group in August that a plan to run advertisements against conservative Democrats who were "balking at Mr. Obama's health-care overhaul" was grossly unwise.

"F--ing retarded," Mr. Emanuel scolded the group, according to participants cited by the paper.

"He warned them not to alienate lawmakers whose votes would be needed on health care and other top legislative items," the reporter said.

Today we have Senator Bill Nelson (Fla-dem) shamelessly blaming the "far-left' for the demise of health care reform. Nelson is of course a democrat (in name only). This paradigm is gaining steam, "Blame the Left, the liberals and progressives- for everything!"

I strongly suggest that members of the "left, the liberals, and progressives" go out and get some rusty, jagged spikes to plant on the bottom of their "Nike's." Cause, we're gonna need 'em.

It's on! The onslaught of manufactured and concocted blather to blame and discredit all "non-right-wing androids." Lest we, again, get caught with our proverbial pants down, we had best "arm" ourselves and prepare to put up a successful counter-attack.

You have been warned! So don't say "nobody saw this coming......."

Those danged old republicans just never stop, do they? It seems as though, it's just one body blow after another. After a while, you begin to wonder if you are on a team with winning potential- or not. You begin to wonder if your "defensive line" is actually doing any blocking, at all. You keep getting sacked by a clearly unqualified opponent. And back in the huddle, your defenders don't seem to notice- or care, that you're getting pretty bruised and bloodied up.

And the huge mystery is that you personally picked these guys to keep the other side away long enough for you to score. At least make a decisive field goal or two. They seemed to be cut out for the job. They said they could do it and, dang it, you believed them. But the facts are, your team has lost too many games and at this rate, the losses will soon outnumber the wins to a degree, the big game, the "Championship" may not be in the cards any longer. That's not the way everyone saw this season working out, in the beginning. These guys had so much potential, so many possibilities to win, in the beginning.

What the hell happened with your team?? Well, you know, there's really not enough time to figure that out right now. You gotta turn these guys around pronto. You gotta let them know how easily they can be replaced, if they aren't doing the blocking the way they are supposed to. You gotta tell them that you don't score by turning around and running the other way, That's the other teams goal post, you idiots!