Sunday, April 30, 2006

Forget Being An American... It'll Help...

"Through nationalism you can never come to human unity, to world unity. By your beliefs, ideals, prejudices, the unity of man is ever being broken up. There must be organized planning for the well being of man, and that can be brought about only when nationalism and class distinction, with their exploitation, no longer exist. If you really felt for the whole of mankind, you would then see the immense necessity for a complete human action, which can come about only when you cease to talk in terms of nationalities, of classes, of religions."
-Jiddu Krishnamurti

Friday, April 28, 2006

LEONARD PELTIER: LET HIS SPIRIT FLY FREE...

THE GRAND FORKS HERALD reports that Leonard Peltier has lost yet another appeal in his murder case of two Federal agents at Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975...

No surprises here. Would you set someone up and then let them off the hook? I know... all stories have many sides. Maybe he DID do it, but probably not... Do the facts matter? Somehow, I hope there is a parallel universe where people like Leonard Peltier are free and offering the gifts of wisdom their situations have given them. In that parallel universe, every sneaky history re-write from Pearl Harbor to Waco to 911 is out and obvious to all... and with the awareness of those stories, some sort of bizarre grace sets in, so that revenge never crosses anyone's mind. In that universe, folks UNDERSTAND TheDesperate and why they do what they do... they understand AND they say "enough". It is a place of the WideAwake... and everything's OK. Hey I can dream can't I...???
Vim

---QUOTE---

BISMARCK, N.D. - The government had the right to prosecute American Indian activist Leonard Peltier for crimes that occurred on a South Dakota reservation, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Peltier is serving two consecutive life sentences for the deaths of two FBI agents during a 1975 standoff near Oglala, S.D., on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He has filed numerous appeals since he was convicted by a jury in Fargo in 1977.

In the latest appeal, Peltier and his lawyers argued that federal courts have no jurisdiction over Indian land.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

The Immigration Psy-Op... FWIW...

This is in response to the post by mailbag at RMN entitled: EMAIL FROM AMERICAN WHO LIVED & WORKED IN MEXICO-UNBELIEVABLE

Are you suggesting that you approve of this kind of scrutiny and the bribery and the jumping through hoops necessary just to make a living across an artificial "border?" Or is this sour grapes... I have to suffer, let "them" suffer too...

I am wondering if in the long run, all of this is pointless. If indeed this whole immigration "problem" is merely thrown out as a distraction from what is happening in Iran, etc., then every ounce of breath we give it contributes to "their" successful distraction attempts...

How much of what we THINK is important, actually IS important? How many of the thoughts we think are OUR thoughts, OUR concerns? Why didn't we fuss over immigration a year ago??? When did we get so hooked on it? How many of us are all of a sudden screaming "spic" at the TV news broadcasts... I know some are, for I have heard it...

This is all very sad...

Our "loyalties" may be our greatest addiction and the biggest hindrance to the solutions we claim to seek...

Perhaps we ARE our own worst enemies...

Some things I think I think,
Vim



Some Thoughts on the Immigration Thing...

This is in response to the post by mailbag at RMN entitled: EMAIL FROM AMERICAN WHO LIVED & WORKED IN MEXICO-UNBELIEVABLE
-------
Are you suggesting that you approve of this kind of scrutiny and the bribery and the jumping through hoops necessary just to make a living across an artificial "border?" Or is this sour grapes... I have to suffer, let "them" suffer too...

I am wondering if in the long run, all of this is pointless. If indeed this whole immigration "problem" is merely thrown out as a distraction from what is happening in Iran, etc., then every ounce of breath we give it contributes to "their" successful distraction attempts...

How much of what we THINK is important, actually IS important? How many of the thoughts we think are OUR thoughts, OUR concerns? Why didn't we fuss over immigration a year ago??? When did we get so hooked on it? How many of us are all of a sudden screaming "spic" at the TV news broadcasts... I know some are, for I have heard it...

This is all very sad...

Our "loyalties" may be our greatest addiction and the biggest hindrance to the solutions we claim to seek...

Perhaps we ARE our own worst enemies...

Some things I think I think,
Vim

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Ode to a TV News Anchor...

I'll apologize for this before I even get started. I wrote this awhile back after watching David Johnson anchor the evening news on a Pittsburgh TV station. It made me wonder how a person ends up reporting news. It also made me realize that all news IS bad news. Doesn't he get tired of all the blood and gore and the dark side of humanity? The underbelly of the city? Are news anchors born with a rush that must be maintained?

This is partly auto-biographical too, because my earliest memory ofthe 11 o'clock news show was on Friday nights that I stayed overnight with my grandmother. She's the one who gave me Johnny Carson, too. Three cheers for comic relief. I don't watch news shows anymore. There's enough fear and adrenaline for the predators without my contribution. Anyways, this is what it is. Take what you will from it... And remember... Good news DOES happen, even if ya have to look for it...
Vim

ODE TO A TV NEWS ANCHOR

Johnny was a baby
Not so long ago
Babblin’ and smilin’
Grabbin’ at his toes
In total isolation
Wallowing in bliss
Never realizing
The news he daily missed
No one thought to tell him who was
Killed and arrested
Killed and arrested
There ain't any good news anymore

Johnny’s world got bigger
At Grandma’s Friday nights
News show at 11
Faces big as life
His little heart a pounding
As sirens pierced the night
And Grandma’s snowy TV screen
Brought the world to life
Listen
And they’ll tell you who was
Killed and arrested
Killed and arrested
There ain’t any good news anymore

Now he’s off to college
Pencil on his ear
Tablet in his pocket
He’s got a new career
Suzie won the contest
Panthers won the game
None of that for Johnny
Borders on insane
Listen
And he’ll tell you who was
Killed and arrested
Killed and arrested
There ain’t any good news anymore

Now he’s hit the big time
Wears a suit and tie
Sitting oh so pretty makes me wanna cry
Shuffling his papers
Ever in the know
Cuz Johnny’s now the Anchor
On his own TV news show
Listen
And he’ll tell you who was
Killed and arrested
Killed and arrested
There ain’t any good news anymore

Monday, April 10, 2006

Our Two Most Important Investments...

I cannot remember who wrote this or said this. It has been many, many years since I heard it. But when asked what the most important investments are that a person can make in light of the coming changes and economic instability, the answer that was given was this:

The two most important investments a person can make are:

1.) KNOWLEDGE

2.) TOOLS

Learn how to DO things. And buy the tools you need to do them. Not everyone can buy silver. Not everyone has cash on hand for gold. But when plumbing goes bad, the man or woman who can fix a leak will be the millionaire. We will be bartering for services some day... probably sooner than later. But if we KNOW things, like how to grow medicine, bake bread from scratch or how to fix a car engine, then we will have something valuable to trade.

It isn't only about precious metals, although by all means, go that route if you can... But it is also about learning a new way of functioning in smaller networks. Make a list of everything you know how to do. Make a list of the tools you have to do it with. Buy what you need while you can. And then be willing and ready to offer what you have to the people around you.

And above all, don't panic. All the elements are present. They will rearrange a bit and then proceed. We are all important cogs in the new wheel... remember that!

Yours,
Vim

Friday, April 07, 2006

Read It Here! Gospel of Judas...

I grew up in a religious tradition that insisted the Bible to be totally inspired and complete. I often doubted it. And asked of those supposedly 'in the know,' "but what if more scriptures are discovered, and they say something different?" I was assured it would never happen... all that being said with the Nag Hammadi lying around being translated/published as we spoke. And now the Gospel of Judas surfaces. I'm delighted! I'm sure my professor is mortified... Oh well. Bring on the gospels.

For a full treatment of the Gospel of Judas with some great links, check out Michael St.Clair's post over at RumorMillNews... Here's the link...
SPIRITUAL THRILLER: TRUE JUDAS GOSPEL PUBLISHED
To read the text of the gospel, click the link below. Here's how it all begins...
Enjoy... or not.
You choose,
Vim

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THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS

Translated by Rodolphe Kasser, Marvin Meyer, and Gregor Wurst, in collaboration with François Gaudard

From The Gospel of Judas

Edited by Rodolphe Kasser, Marvin Meyer, and Gregor Wurst
Published in book form complete with commentary by The National Geographic Society.

Copyright (c) 2006 by The National Geographic Society.
All rights reserved. No part of this translation may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the National Geographic Society.


INTRODUCTION: INCIPIT

The secret account of the revelation that Jesus spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot during a week three days before he celebrated Passover.

THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS

When Jesus appeared on earth, he performed miracles and great wonders for the salvation of humanity. And since some [walked] in the way of righteousness while others walked in their transgressions, the twelve disciples were called.

He began to speak with them about the mysteries beyond the world and what would take place at the end. Often he did not appear to his disciples as himself, but he was found among them as a child.

SCENE 1: Jesus dialogues with his disciples: The prayer of thanksgiving or the eucharist

One day he was with his disciples in Judea, and he found them gathered together and seated in pious observance. When he [approached] his disciples, [34] gathered together and seated and offering a prayer of thanksgiving over the bread, [he] laughed.

The disciples said to [him], “Master, why are you laughing at [our] prayer of thanksgiving? We have done what is right.”

He answered and said to them, “I am not laughing at you. are not doing this because of your own will but because it is through this that your god [will be] praised.”

They said, “Master, you are […] the son of our god.”

Jesus said to them, “How do you know me? Truly [I] say to you, no generation of the people that are among you will know me.”

Thoughts on "The Enemy"...

The average Joe Citizen believes Arabs are the enemy…we are fighting for freedom.

The enlightened citizen believes Bush/Cheney are the enemy…we are fighting for oil.

The really enlightened believe the reptilian ETs are the enemy… we are fighting for star gates.

The liberated know that they themselves are the enemy… and are no longer fighting at all.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Some Things I Wanna Know...

When did God become a Republican?
When did the USA become the Kingdom of God?
When did a person's opinion of Bill Riley become the standard by which a person's love for God is measured?
When did God start hating Arabs?
When did they become "the devil?"
When did it become a just thing, to consider nuking Iraq and enslaving the Arab world.
When did Jesus's followers become so starved for blood?
How gallantly we "wave the banners of God while weilding the weapons of hell."
And WHY?
Why do we NEED to WIN?
Why are we so obsessed with exterior "purity?"
What do we hope to gain by obliterating our "enemies?"
Isn't the real enemy within? ...our own hatreds? ...our own fears? ...our own failures and insecurities?
We can kill off the entire population of the planet and still never come close to the truth of our pathetic selves...
We hold the key to peace in the palm of our hand...
...if we want it...

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God...

COUNTDOWN: Only Ten More Days...

Only ten more days til one of the surest things in life...at least for the moment. Times change.
Sing it George...

-------
TAXMAN
by
George Harrison

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don't ask me what I want it for (ha ha Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more (ha ha Mr. Heath)
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.

-------
Bits o' this 'n' that about Taxman:

--George Harrison wrote this. The music was inspired by the theme song for the popular 1960s TV series Batman. George loved the show. (thanks, Brett - Edmonton, Canada)

--This is a bitter song about how much money The Beatles were paying in taxes. People with high earnings pay exorbitant taxes in England. Many successful entertainers leave the country so they can keep more of their money. As a result, The Beatles - as well as The Who and The Rolling Stones - spent a lot of time in America and other parts of Europe as "tax exiles."

--Harrison: "Taxman was when I first realized that even though we had started earning money, we were actually giving most of it away in taxes."

--"Mr. Wilson" and "Mr. Heath" are mentioned in the lyrics. They are British Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and Edward Heath, who were being scorned in the song for contributing to English tax laws.

THOT: We feed the beast, we can starve it, eh?


TAXMAN

Monday, April 03, 2006

Bob Dylan & A Possible UFO Connection...

OK...take it or leave it... There are some who read here who know what this article is talking about first-hand, either by experience or observation. Dylan himself says he does not know how some of these tunes/lyrics came to him. This article mentions "The Band" too. I have spent some time with their drummer Levon Helm and he is otherworldly for sure. Read and see what you think... anything's possible:

There have been innumerable attempts to see past the artistic guise of Bob Dylan's lyrics and poetry to what underlies his genius-what the actual creative process is that results in Dylan's lyrical outpouring and what the bedrock of inspiration is that he seems to have drawn on so effortlessly for more than 30 years.

I am here to suggest an explanation that has, to my knowledge, never been previously offered-UFO contact. I base this on a fairly rigorous study of UFO interaction with humans and a listener's fascination with Bob Dylan that I began as a 12-year-old in 1970.

Let me first give some background...

---MORE AT LINK---