Book Review: The Dark Splendor

Not for the faint of heart, this is a fantastic fictional tale (What better way to tell the truths of the matters?) by Les Visible. It since has been republished under the title The Darkening Splendor Of An Unknown World.

This book laid about the apartment unread for a couple of years because of a close encounter of the too-close kind with a drug dealer in my moderately short tour through youthful indiscretion. The penalties and pitfalls were known to me and right from the start of the book, it was clear that Visible knew all about the penalties and pitfalls as well. This fact made it difficult to proceed; however after falling paralyzed to a dental eruption, I was looking around for something fictional to read and there it sat - waiting to be reopened. It was worth facing the fear.

A warning to those interested in a vicarious thrill: This book is not for you. Bad ju-ju will follow. (Visible would use a different term and though not closely attached to the term ju-ju myself, the point is made.)

Here we have a master weaver of tales who swoops in with ferocity. The characters leap from the first page and spark a journey into their lives in a world that is as petrifying to the naive as it is alluring to the naively adventurous. By chapter three it is hard to put down, even to fetch a cup of tea. By then, the players are introduced from opposite sides of the American continent and one can sense an impending connection and becomes eager for the unfolding. By chapter twenty-one, the decision must be made as to whether or not to keep reading through the night (and perhaps continuing on to tow it to work the next day)!

The story opens with Corrina, the hapless wife of Royce, a west coast supplier to street dealers who fancies himself a big-time operator. Soon one is immersed with others: Alan, the New York City cop lost in the bottle after his wife is murdered; CarryAnn and her mother, Anise, a well-known television actress; Balfire and Malcomb, criminals with perverse dreams of grandeur; Ben the upright Los Angeles cop; Dr. Abadon, expert witness and learned researcher on the criminal mind; and the terrifyingly commissioned Billy Joe, a mastermind, a genius of the occult, whose continued successes keep him him emboldened and confident down the road to controlling all who come within his sphere.

The jacket cover description of The Dark Splendor calls the book, "One part crime novel and one part occult thriller". Perfect.

Ron Paul: Dishonored Savior-In-Waiting

Let us not be fooled again.

Calling to mind the Obama 2008 campaign, there we had our hope and change. A political outsider, a pup - a young(ish) man with a beautiful wife and two beautiful children. One-term senator. Do-gooder. Speech-maker extraordinaire. Affirmative action came-of-age.

Not a gd thing changed since then insofar as the general direction of the nation.

Now we have Ron Paul. Collecting millions from the people. Soaring in the polls. Ignored by the traditional media outlets. "Blacked out" as the Paul website proclaims.

Come, let us reason together: Exactly how does Ron Paul propose to make the changes to government that he insinuates he will? Executive Orders? Bullying Congress? He can't even make up his mind whether he's a Republican or a Libertarian. Both, of course, depending on who's doing the writing or the talking.

We'll get him, if that's what the global machine must acquiesce to. Then we'll be happy, won't we - listening to all those excuses about why he can't do this or that, swallowing the medicine of the next financial order (anyone who really believes the fed isn't dead anyway needs to re-examine the facts).

Ron Paul on the issues. Start with the "Honest Money" section and happy reading for all of us with the desire to join him on the "journey of imagination".

Freeman's Latest Perspective

Freeman has a new idea. Apparently the magazine he's been promising to publish for a year or more (through donations) is not to be. His community garden project evidently didn't capture his long-term interest either. In fact, the "Out Grow Your Gov't" ChipIn campaign has been wiped from the website and the Google cache links.

His latest announcement:

"We're going to bust out and take this revolution to the streets! We have so many homes to visit and joy to share, we want to live in a Tour Bus. It has been my life's dream to revive the Merry Pranksters and dance, drumming into office buildings to see how many people we can spring from the work force penitentiary."

Freeman poetically describes his idea of, and a name for, his revolution. But first, he poses a few questions:

How will human culture change in the next millennium as a result of conscious evolution?
Will we feel it proper to cater to our earth so that beauty supplants blind ambition?
Will our technological advancements be turned to providing free time for the inhabitants of earth?
Can everyone participate in a giving and receiving interaction that perpetuates an exchange of information that would become everyone’s new work, our new economic orientation?

The Type One Road Show

Get on board with the Type One Movement
– Social Media With Purpose -
Never before has the individual had the powers of the mass media.
The 21st Century has opened the doors to a new style of communication

– Type One Media --
Type One is a Globally Communicative Social Structure of Individuals

Bringing Power Back To The People Through Independent Media

Type One Artists Resonate With the Global Consciousness

Expressing the True Loving Nature of Humanity

From here, he goes straight for the wallet:

To start this interplanetary trip, we need a Type One Roadshow Tour Bus. This will be easy. All we need is $27.50 from 200 people and we will have the sweetest ride.

His pitch:

Now, what is worth $27.50 to 200 people? That's about the price of a Cheap Trick concert or a DVD. DVDs I have. How about a concert? A lecture tour? 200 talks along the way may way [sic] on my soul a bit. 200 visits to see the people that supported the trip...that might be possible.

I plan on seeking all that wish to be sought and creating shows of great amazement and joy. Highlighting the strange and presenting the impossible; a solution to our world's plight. Is this too much to ask?

Yes, it is, Freeman.

Reading between the lines it appears that they plan to visit the 200 people who donate the money to buy that Type One Roadshow Tour Bus. Obviously it would not be in Freeman's best interest to spring his donors from the confines of the work force penitentiary until after he and his wife drive off from their visit. This is because they expect to be further supported by these kind folks on the visiting list:

We’d be paid by the people we touched.

And here's why:

Our gifts should go to the people who have brought us spiritual truth. When people come into our lives at just the right moment to give us the answers we need, we should give them money.

Do you hear that, Granny? You should be supplementing your social security by collecting money each time you give advice and share your wisdom. No more worries about a tight budget!

Freeman boasts that he has never had a 'regular job' - ever. In 2005, he hit the airwaves courtesy of a Project Camelot whistleblower (won't name him because I can't find the reference). By season two of the Freeman Perspective he was advertising his "internationally known" self (he interviewed Michael Tsarion by phone), he was selling DVDs, and was out on the radio guest circuit. Following that he had a website donated to him by whynotnews.eu, and he went a-travelin' to Australia with those fellows. Upon his return, he peddled the same old DVDs - despite promises, promises, of tons of research just waiting to be media-fied as soon as the donations poured in. Next he begged for money to go to Europe to see David Icke. Somewhere around that time he married. (Congratulations to him but who's putting the food on the table and keeping a roof overhead?) Then he made a member subscription area on the (donated) website. At last, he hatched the garden plot.

Freeman has seemingly worked his way up to the priesthood as evidenced by his ability to sell contradictory notions to his followers, to-wit:

They should give him money and they should be free from the work force penitentiary.

I predict that once he's on the road to visiting all the $27 Americans who are not homeless or unemployed (the already free people), he'll be reporting back that the penitentiaries are heavily guarded. He won't be able to spring those slaves. Unless of course, he gets enough donations to retain a lawyer or start a PAC to assert the right to free the slaves. . .

Perry, Paul & Romney

No, that's not the back of Romney in the photo, it's a security guard. To be a fly on the wall. . .

Eagle Scout Perry is being catapulted to the top by the talented newsreaders and conscientious news re-writers of the journalistic profession. Perry's state is on fire worse than it should be because he gave authority to the feds in their beige cars to send the fireman home. His Executive Order mandating the vaccination of twelve-year-old girls was unconscionable though highly profitable for all the big bidness boys concerned.

Ron Paul (who has never been asked to explain why he thought to give Shrub more power) cannot get a headline, a byline or an honorable factbox mention - no matter what he says or how many citizen dollars or positive polling numbers come his way. He did rate a Yahoo News blog entry wherein the blogger explains, in the two-questions-one-answer form we Americans have come to be educated, enlightened and advised in:

"But is the news media right to dismiss Paul's candidacy as a sideshow? Was his near-win in Iowa really irrelevant?

One way to answer the question is to look at prediction markets like Betfair and Intrade. These sites are updated in real time by traders who are wagering on the likelihood of each candidate winning the Republican nomination. These traders are jockeying for an information edge as events and non-events unfold. If traders bid up the price of laying a bet on Paul immediately after the straw poll, they were calling it out as a noteworthy event for the candidate. If, on the other hand, his price barely budged, then the traders would be validating the news media's dismissal."

Leveraged buyout magnate Romney earned his riches the new-fashioned way: loopholes in the financial system. And it didn't hurt that Poppa was a governor. His new palace (who says there's no aristocracy in the Republic?) will surely be a green sweep of a demolition leaving no footprint behind.

Conclusion: Romney already owns the odds.

Good Night Irene?

Vermont ain't singing that song yet.

Dog Days Musings

A social experiment for the twenty-first century: Take a 16-year-old working class kid and offer him the gift of a higher education. If the idea catches on, we can send our youngsters to corporate-public training schools where they will learn to manage less-educated human resources in the fine fields of food microwaving, cleaning bathrooms in a convenience service station, stocking shelves at China marts, and communication-wringing the last cent out of the public. It's either that or the military (which includes cops, border patrol, security and every other fancy-named law enforcement official). Sure, some lucky youngsters will go elsewhere and beyond but not many and we all know it.

Libya. Jesus Christ. (Yes, you read me right - and I ask Christians everywhere, WWJD?). They must think us fools to believe that NATO is not the new face of the U.S. military aka the new world order.

Homeland Security. Is everyone aware that a citizen can no longer enter a federal building with out pre-approval? Should a foreigner glance at the rights being curtailed by the American government under the guise of national security or dignitary protection, could they not build a case every bit as newsworthy as those built against 'rogue nations'? A protester in the land of the free must be prepared to be arrested and pay a fine while crossing their fingers that a home-sec employee didn't have a bad morning with their significant other. One wonders why law enforcement has increasingly become more armed and bullet-proofed rather than trained in martial arts non-violent defense and disarmament techniques. Little money to be made from the latter - pure and simple.

It's official: Torture works.

Iceland. Land of the free for a moment or two.

Madame Secretary's man is still his old crafty self.

Buffoonery.

Social Security is not an entitlement. We paid for it.

Poor Arnold

After all the work by Congresses and all the ravings of conspiracy theorists, he screwed up (or around to be more accurate) and lost out on his chance to become president.

Looking at the congressional records online since the 107th Congress, below is a list of attempts to change the 22nd Amendment. The list of articles that attended the 'Arnold as President' meme are as numerous as the stars in the sky and therefore won't be referenced.

107^th Congress (2001-02)

H.J.RES.47

Latest Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to make eligible for the Office of President a person who has been a United States citizen for twenty years.
Sponsor: Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] (introduced 5/2/2001)

108^th Congress (2003-04)

H.J.RES.59

Latest Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to permit persons who are not natural-born citizens of the United States, but who have been citizens of the United States for at least 35 years, to be eligible to hold the offices of President and Vice President.
Sponsor: Rep Snyder, Vic [AR-2] (introduced 6/11/2003)

August 07 2003: Schwarzenegger announces bid for governor

S.J.RES.15

Latest Title: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to make eligible for the Office of President a person who has been a United States citizen for 20 years.
Sponsor: Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] (introduced 7/10/2003)

H.J.RES.67

Latest Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to permit persons who are not natural-born citizens of the United States, but who have been citizens of the United States for at least 20 years, to be eligible to hold the Office of President.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 9/3/2003)

H.J.RES.104

Latest Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to make eligible for the Office of President a person who is not a natural born citizen of the United States but has been a United States citizen for at least 20 years.
Sponsor: Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] (introduced 9/15/2004)

109^th Congress (2005-06)

H.J.RES.2

Latest Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to permit persons who are not natural-born citizens of the United States, but who have been citizens of the United States for at least 20 years, to be eligible to hold the Office of President.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 1/4/2005)

H.J.RES.15

Latest Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to make eligible for the Office of President a person who is not a natural born citizen of the United States but has been a United States citizen for at least 20 years.
Sponsor: Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] (introduced 2/1/2005)

H.J.RES.42

Latest Title: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to permit persons who are not natural-born citizens of the United States, but who have been citizens of the United States for at least 35 years, to be eligible to hold the offices of President and Vice President.
Sponsor: Rep Snyder, Vic [AR-2] (introduced 4/14/2005)

110^th Congress 2007-08

Hold Everything! No more attempts – Look this way instead:

S.RES.511

Latest Title: A resolution recognizing that John Sidney McCain, III, is a natural born citizen.
Sponsor: Sen McCaskill, Claire [MO] (introduced 4/10/2008) Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 4/30/2008 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

McCain first ran for the republican presidential nomination in 2000 and the Bush folks used false rumors to knock him out but citizenship wasn't one of them.

111^th Congress (2009-10)

Citizenship Bills:

This subject term is no longer used. In 2009, the Congressional Research Service, an arm of Congress that classifies bills, changed the way they categorize bills. Some subject terms used before 2009, including this one, are no longer used and will not apply to bills on GovTrack anymore.

Presidents bills:

This subject term is no longer used. In 2009, the Congressional Research Service, an arm of Congress that classifies bills, changed the way they categorize bills. Some subject terms used before 2009, including this one, are no longer used and will not apply to bills on GovTrack anymore.

H.R.1503

Latest Title: To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the principal campaign committee of a candidate for election to the office of President to include with the committee's statement of organization a copy of the candidate's birth certificate, together with such other documentation as may be necessary to establish that the candidate meets the qualifications for eligibility to the Office of President under the Constitution.
Sponsor: Rep Posey, Bill [FL-15] (introduced 3/12/2009)

Hat tip to rumormillnews.com for posting this video which I used for research.

Interesting, no? - Democrats using their influence to help republicans Arnold and John?

Nothing so far for the 112^th Congress but they sure aren't making it easy for folks to research.

In Defense Of Alex Jones

A fresh expose on Alex Jones is circulating on the alternative news circuit, courtesy of Redacted News. Jones has been "exposed" numerous times and usually* the reasons are the same:

1. His wife is Jewish and they have children, making the family eligible for Israeli citizenship.
2. His lawyer is Jewish and represents a member of the Bronfman family.
3. The owners of the radio station from which he broadcasts are Jewish.
4. He has program sponsors who are Jewish.
5. He publicly denies Israeli involvement in the September 11 fiasco.

Given that Jones married a Jewish woman, of course he would have personal, community and business relationships with Jewish people. Similarly, his wife would now have personal, community and business relationships with Christian people. That the family is eligible for Israeli citizenship based upon the wife's racial heritage is hardly a conspiratorial issue, unless one dares to presume that Jones married for that reason. Who among us is in a position to advance such a ridiculous speculation?

Jones' lawyer, E.M. Schurig, is a solo practitioner in Austin, Texas with an annual revenue of less than $500,000. That makes her one of the billionaires upon whom Obama intends to levy more taxes. Obviously the Bronfman family member that retains her is not sending much business her way. $500,000 per year is barely enough to pay for taxes, licenses, dues, fees, insurance, salaries, office space, and incidentals required to run a law office in a city.

Moving on to numbers 3 and 4, are we to condemn a man for doing business with Jewish people? If so, then the movement for change is in vain because once we start separating people based on race or creed we have proven ourselves unfit for critical thinking.

As to number 5 - Jones' refusal to accuse Israel for nine-eleven - this is the heart of the argument against him and against others targeted as unworthy to call themselves revolutionary seekers of the truth. Who among us has proof that Israel was involved? Guiliani had the evidence trucked across town under tarps to the pier where it was shipped far, far away before any investigation could be carried out. As with all government inquiries, nothing came of the one begrudgingly permitted by Bush. What we know for a fact is that on that date, simulated war games were conducted that mimicked the attack and prevented the military from responding. It was not an Israeli in charge of those war games, of that we can be certain. Whether or not an Israeli influenced the person in charge of the games, we can not say.

The men allegedly flying the planes were trained on small aircraft at a flight school in Florida, not Israel.

Israeli involvement is said to be affirmed because an Israeli company was responsible for security at the airports, five Israelis were caught filming the Trade Centers, Odigo employees received forewarning of the event, and an Israeli spy ring was uncovered and the story was spiked by Fox News. Granted, these are suspicious implications of co-conspiracy or collaboration. However, we are far from proving that Israeli spies are the responsible culprits for the events of that day. The blame for what happened lies with Americans; be they dual citizens, shanghaied, blackmailed, or bought and paid for.

Blaming Israel is like blaming Iraq or Afghanistan for the deed.

Let's not kid ourselves or each other - "blame" is exactly what Jones is being asked to assign to Israel.

We should continue to investigate as best we can from outside the walls of National Security which protect Israel as much as they protect the American government. No doubt, the two are hand in glove. In the meantime however, if Jones chooses to withhold accusations, that's his prerogative.

Funny thing is, the same alternative news sites that run the Jones exposed stories are also the sites that link to Jones' sites for other articles which they deem pertinent to the cause. The simple solution to this is, if you don't like Jones, or don't trust him, then don't link to him - ever.


*One exception comes to mind and that is the time that Jack Blood attacked Jones for not supporting Texas gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina.

Bilderberg 2011 Nature Walk

"I don't understand," said Alsan. "There are politicians inside. Why are we not allowed to know what you're talking about?"

Enders smiled and said: "I don't have to tell you, and you don't need to know."

Well, there we have it, folks. Enders shoots off that blessed retort we first hear as children from parents and priests. Contrary to childish expectations, it didn't go away once we came of age; next we heard it from the boss or the drill seargent. As we gained in knowledge and experience and became informed citizens of the republic, we continued hearing it from politicians citing National Security. Under the Patriot Act, we are guaranteed to hear it from just about any bozo with a plastic badge.

This predictable exchange between a Bilderberg attendee and a protestor was reported by Charlie Skelton of the UK Guardian.

Luckily for the wise, we don't have to accept his news report as authentic because it is hidden behind a shower curtain labeled "blog". His article begins with a sarcastic charade of nature in revolt which is quickly juxtaposed against a sickly sweet depiction of the countryside landscape and a mysterious woman in white. The woman looks like Hillary Clinton if you ask me.

Since 1954, certain ones of the rich and influential hold an annual meeting, dubbed Bilderberg because that is the name of hotel where the first meeting was held. Approximately 140 powerful people are invited by a steering committee to meet and discuss issues that effect the bottom lines of profits and supremacy in the upcoming year's global environment. The Bilderberg Group maintains a website and advertises in Wikipedia. Nothing to see here folks, move along home.

Journalist Jim Tucker of American Free Press has been covering the meetings for 20 years and is labeled a political conspiracy theorist by the mainstream media. However, this quote of his may be a more realistic assessment of what drives him: "They exist and they're not playing pinochle in there." A few years ago, radio reporter Alex Jones began interviewing Tucker. This year Jones' site is linked by the Guardian. The disinformation crowd gets thrown a bone.

The news media would like us think that the nature walk was unscripted. It was simply a opportunity for a special issue Bilderberg anorak to get some fresh air, or making the Bilderberg bus driver earn his salary, or giving the protestors what they needed. What they needed was a lesson is what's what, who's who, where its at, and why they will never know what goes on behind closed doors.

Key Psychological Level

Dow Plunges Below 12,000

"Key psychological level" - sounds like a 'core value' - one of those fancy terms that's supposed to mean something to those of us who read the paper after a hard day at the salt mines.

I remember when the university switched over to using 10-page forms for staff appraisals - sometime in the late 1990s. It was all about core values. It was around the same time some fellow in town (Asheville, NC) got vanity plates that read "Dow 100000". They were on his black sports car, of a make and model that my friend Penny could identify with ease but I could not distinguish from any other black sports car on the road - other than to say that it was new.

Penny - if you ever read this, please know that I heard some of what you said. My daughter appreciates the best of both worlds - Amazing Grace.

Zecharia Sitchin Attacked By Cowardly Bully

[Update: Bill Ryan has removed the name of his source for the information regarding Zecharia Sitchin. Out of respect for Mr. Sitchin and the researcher, I do the same. The replacement is made in (green parentheses) for Ryan's quoted remarks. Green type is used by me where I had used the source's name. The link is removed (ye old dead giveaway) proving that the researcher respected Sitchin and a few sentences removed which further identified Ryan's source.]

Zecharia Sitchin passed away on October 9, 2010. Two days ago, Bill Ryan aimed his keyboard at Sitchin's reputation. Ryan writes:

"According to Zecharia Sitchin (recently passed) - who 'translated' many ancient Sumerian texts - and whose work has been dismissed by conventional archeologists but widely accepted among the alternative community - one reason the Anunnaki came to Planet Earth was to mine gold, which they had a strong desire for and attributed a great deal of value and importance to. It's possible that our own love and value and fascination for gold in the present day is a throwback to the attitude introduced by the Anunnaki.

(One veteran researcher), who Kerry Cassidy and I also know personally, knew Zecharia Sitchin very well. (He) told us that Zecharia had told him that his books were NOT translated from the Sumerian - but were actually channeled products of automatic writing.

(We were also told) that Zecharia Sitchin was paid on a retainer basis by the NSA, who always wanted to be kept up to date by Sitchin about what the Anunnaki were up to - because it seemed that Sitchin had a direct telepathic line to the Anunnaki in real time. (Note: there is quite a lot in Sitchin's books that is certainly disinformation - possibly deliberately inserted by the Anunnaki themselves). But quite a lot of the basic story is probably quite true."

Ryan ducks behind the skirts of Kerry Cassidy after using the veteran researcher as his instrument of destruction against Sitchin.

The veteran researcher respected Sitchin. Furthermore, he is extremely careful not to name names or point fingers. Public betrayal is not - definitely not - his style. Ryan has accused the veteran researcher of betraying Sitchin. On the contrary, it is Bill Ryan who has betrayed himself.

Ryan refuses to disclose that he had a relationship with the researcher following the Project Camelot interview (led by Cassidy in which Ryan was co-interviewer). Ryan and Cassidy, as Project Camelot, split soon after that interview. Subsequently Ryan, operating solo under his Project Avalon venture, invited the researcher to Europe. One wonders what happened as a result of the invitation and visit that prompted Ryan to place the researcher on the hot seat.

Ryan writes about Sitchin under the guise of issuing a "concise report" on the Annunaki. The "report" consists of 618 words in 24 sentences arranged in 10 paragraphs (plus an artist's representation of an Annunaki space ship). Fully one-third of the report - the finale - is an underhanded attempt to destroy Sitchin.

It is curious that Kerry Cassidy left the country on business on the same day Ryan posted this.

To recap, Ryan reports that Sitchin's work was:

1) Dismissed by conventional archeologists;
2) NOT translated from Sumerian;
3) Channeled via automatic writing; and
4) Contained "quite a lot" of disinformation.

Plus the kicker:

5) Sitchin was on retainer by the National Security Administration.

In other, clearer, words: Sitchin was an instrument of extraterrestrials and a pawn of the U.S. government.

In new age terms, channeling via automatic writing is a method of composition that ostensibly precludes research and scholarship. Granted, some of Sitchin's Sumerian translations are in dispute and much of his writings rely on storytelling as the method of presentation. However, as any writer knows, there is a big difference between channeling for extraterrestrials and having a story form in the mind based on one's research interests. Sitchin was not a conventional scholar; nonetheless, his efforts can not be disparaged as pie-in-the-sky nonsense when in fact the gentleman relied unceasingly on the historical records.

What Ryan has done is proven himself to be a cowardly bully. What better explanation for this pathetically disguised and disgusting expression of authoritative bravado?

Manana Es Cinco De Mayo

Our town had its Cinco de Mayo celebration this past weekend. Plenty of festive costumes, a parade, music, good food, and the usual array of street vendors (with extra color!) perched in the parking lots near the blinking light. The cost of an ear of corn went up to four bucks this year. One can't help but wonder how much the cost per ear will be in the grande cuidad where the president is scheduled to celebrate tomorrow. Obama will bask solo in the glory of capturing Osama under option one* of Bush's dead or alive proclamation:

(Reuters) - Former President George W. Bush has declined an invitation from President Barack Obama to attend a New York ceremony on Thursday to mark the killing of Osama bin Laden, Bush's office said.

"He appreciated the invite, but has chosen in his post-presidency to remain largely out of the spotlight," said Bush spokesman David Sherzer.

Obama is to speak at New York's "Ground Zero" and meet families of some of the victims of the September 11 attacks by Al Qaeda in 2001.

Obama called Bush on Sunday night to inform him of the successful raid on bin Laden's compound, and Bush issued a statement congratulating him and the U.S. military and intelligence agencies for a "momentous achievement."

Sherzer said Bush "continues to celebrate with all Americans this important victory in the war on terror."

Bush began the campaign to hunt down bin Laden after the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington but was unable to do so during his time in office.

Actually, The Decider decided within six months after 9/11 that capturing the mastermind (not to be confused with the other mastermind) was "not a top priority use of American resources". The then second-in-deciderhood Cheney seconded the notion by underscoring the more profitable opportunity to keep Americans "safe".

As a 2008 presidential contender, Obama found focus in the northwest territories of Pakistan wherein lay plotting terrorists among whom lo and behold was Osama. 2008 republican contenders McCain and Romney did not see it that way at the time but that was then and this is now. Then, McCain said,

"I'm not going to go there and here's why: because Pakistan is a sovereign nation."

Said Romney:

"[Obama] went from going to sit down to tea with our enemies, but then he's going to bomb our allies. I mean, he's gone from Jane Fonda to Dr. Strangelove in one week."

Now, McCain is overjoyed and says that "justice has been done". Romney agrees that "justice has been done". Because Romney is also a 2012 candidate, he goes all-out by posting a photo of Osama captioned with the famous Time Magazine headline of Saddam's demise, "We got him!". Romney also says that he knew the announcement was coming, making one speculate less wildly about the spontaneous gathering outside the White House which "triggered a massive emotional release".

Even greater emotional release is anticipated tomorrow when Obama lays a wreath at Ground Zero.

Cinco de Mayo celebrates freedom and liberty. It is also the birthdate of Karl Marx whom Bill Kristol was reminded of after hearing of Obama's 2008 lament about winning over small-town working-class voters. Said Obama:

“It’s not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

Speaking of frustrations, Attorney General Eric Holder blamed Congress for the Obama Administration's sharp reversal regarding the trial of the other mastermind, Khalid Sheik Mohammed. Holder proclaimed:

"In reality, I know this case in a way that members of Congress do not. Do I know better than them? Yes."

Presumably Obama's security gods are every bit as confident about their missions tomorrow. Wonder how much it's gonna cost us per ear?


*Option one taken at face value.

Oprah Scoops Trump's Flush

The White House website released Obama's "original" birth certificate and within hours, Oprah Winfrey recorded an exclusive interview with the president. According to CNN White House Producer Shawna Shepherd, the president told Oprah, "We do not have time for this kind of silliness."

There seemed to be plenty of time and money for silliness in the years since the question became an issue.

Not unexpectedly, doubters are examining the evidence. Michael Rivero, editor/publisher of What Really Happened (number 18 according to DBKP ratings) has advanced the "love child" theory. This suggests that Obama is actually the product of his mother's affair with Frank Marshall Davis. Rivero doesn't want to talk about this 'birther' foolishness anymore he tells his readers today. Apparently he got tired of seeing his own entries on the topic, because a previous article he had posted and commented on and which I read yesterday, is gone.

Obama told Oprah: "We are living in a very serious time". That certainly explains why The Oprah Winfrey Show was the chosen vehicle for the president's disclosure.

A Piece Of God's Work: Ted Haggard

"I did not have a homosexual relationship with a man in Denver".

With these words on 1 November 2006, Ted Haggard - presidential adviser, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, and Christian pastor - began his journey into the wilderness, with pay:

"Over a 14-month period ending Dec. 31, 2007, New Life Church paid the Haggard family $309,020 in salary and benefits, according to a church document obtained by The Associated Press.

The payout included $152,360 in salary for Ted Haggard, $62,177 in salary for his wife, Gayle, $26,426 for counseling, $11,168 for legal fees and $26,000 to help care for the couple’s special-needs son, who is in his early 20s."

Plus, it should be noted: A pickup truck, health insurance, and moving expenses, and he got to keep his ranch. Surely Moses and Jesus would agree that the wilderness ain't what it used to be.

Haggard hails from Yorktown, Indiana. His father was a veterinarian as well as (reportedly) the founder of a church and an international charismatic ministry. Young Haggard's born-again epiphany occurred at age 16 under the spell of Bill Bright. One can only imagine the enchantments added by age 22 when he graduated from Oral Roberts' University. Six years later came the vision of Colorado Springs and the birth of his now scandalized New Life Church.

Haggard's new church describes his ministry career thusly:

"For thirty years Ted Haggard has effectively equipped strong leaders in the body of Christ and this he continues to do at Saint James Church."

Saint James is a church incorporation, and Haggard's new holy pulpit ordained by God. Saint James seems an odd name choice for an evangelical's home-ranch-church establishment, given that Protestants do not worship saints. No matter the name, as a church it excavates non-profit revenue from the smallest of purses to the largest of investments. Saint James' encourages donations in the form of offerings ("Blessing Others") and tithes ("The Storehouse"). Haggard also has a 'random acts of kindness' gimmick that he perfected early in his career. He calls needy people to stand before the congregation so that church members can put money at their feet.

(As one who occasioned herself of church 'gifts' to supplement a secretary's income that was supporting two children, I say that this practice (and any variation on the theme) is humiliating and degrading for the recipient. Quite the opposite of course for the good Samaritans secure in the knowledge and glances of their fellows that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As for the good shepherd-choreographers, who's to guess their rewards?)

Sans the "Saint" title, one can understand Haggard's inspiration for his church's name. The opening statement in The General Epistle of James:

My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations.

Haggard has plenty of joy behind him and plenty ahead - now that he has admitted he is a bisexual who is old enough (age 54) to "exclusively have sex with my wife and be perfectly satisfied". The bisexual aspect of his nature is a recent revelation. In February 2007, after initial evaluation and therapy for his confession, Haggard was reported to be completely heterosexual. In December 2008, he said that he never claimed to be heterosexual. His latest assessment of himself as a bisexual-under-heterosexual-commitment is not discussed at Saint James' website. Presented instead are "Crisis Facts" (It wasn't that bad) and a "Healing Overview" (He was tricked out of his empire). The difference in tone and content between his website disclosures and his press pronouncements bears witness to the fact that he can, somewhat capably, talk out of both sides of his mouth.

The press and entertainment corporations were more than happy to enable Haggard in his God delusion (curtsy to Dawkins). If faith-based initiatives are what government wants, well then that is what shall be, using the most shareholder-profitable methods of system delivery available. Fortuitously, Haggard was camera-ready to chronicle his slip into exile, from the moment his agent of enlightenment, Michael Jones, tossed the banana peel at him.

The media blessed Haggard and sent him forth into print and film.

Haggard's access to the press was obvious eight months into his wilderness journey when he issued a public appeal for support of his indulgences scheme. This was the beginning of the Haggard restoration period, an era of self-promotional junkets on the celebrity circuit (GMA, Oprah, Larry King et al.). Ted Haggard peddled Ted Haggard projects. His wife, Gayle, had a Ted Haggard book to sell. Alexandra Pelosi had a Ted-Haggard-in-exile movie to plug (starring Ted & Gayle, natch). (This effort is not to be confused with Pelosi's 2006 production which featured Haggard as a Friend of God during his secret sinning days.) The Learning Channel had a RelativelyReal Ted Haggard projection to promote. Even the Wall Street Journal opened its pages to Ted Haggard.

Media blessings were not the only ones Haggard received. One year after his public confession, God blessed Haggard with a Voice-to-heart communication. God "called" Haggard back to his home in Colorado Springs; to the $700,000 ranch with the barn that now serves as Saint James Church.

Whose exile blessings have been the greater portion according to Ted Haggard - man's or God's? Guess no more.

British Prince Secures British Wife

The Royal Wedding of the 21st Century is afoot. His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales, Knight of the Garter (a/k/a Flight Lieutenant William Wales, a/k/a Prince William) shall marry Miss Catherine Middleton (a/k/a Kate to her fans) on the 29th of April, the Friday after this Easter Sunday.

As the press would say, the young couple are under epic pressures as the big day approacheth. Their royal calendars overfloweth with appointments and last-minute details. Royal guards braceth for security threats of every kind.

These two very privileged young folks are confirmed to take stage for the benefit of the monarchy, the crown, and most importantly, Grandma. This despite the watchdog press discovery that the among the wedding planners "no one had the sense" to check the date.

Father of the groom-to-be, Prince Charles, and his wife, a tattooed Camilla, have relaxed into their roles as hosts of the affair. The parents of the bride, Carole and Michael Middleton, have submitted their very sweet contribution. Best man Prince Harry is struggling while maid of honor Pippa Middleton shed her qualms.

Predictably and as per cue, Kate has the jitters and William has knocking knees. Neither condition will halt the production at Westminster Abbey or prevent the issuance of official merchandise and currency.

Will the marriage last? The gurus and professionals aren't asking.

Donald Trump In 2012?

La Donald:

Business magnate, socialite, author and television celebrity;
Partner in the Miss Universe Organization;
Apostle of Chapter 11; and
Double Billionaire.

Trump ignited headlines using the issue of Obama's birth certificate. Funny that he ignores evidence compiled and political initiatives undertaken by fellow New Yorker Pastor James David Manning, who conducted a Tenth Amendment trial on the matter.

No signs that Trump's been tapped for a Bilderberg meeting, so the answer is probably not.

Exopolitics

"Exopolitics is the study of the key individuals, political institutions and processes associated with extraterrestrial life."

"The concept of Exopolitics was formulated by Michael Salla."

Many years ago I became acquainted with a woman who believed herself to be an alien contactee. She was bright, earnest, kind, and honest. Her story was sincere but (I later realized) typical. On numerous occasions she was transported to a ship where she engaged in conversations and tours with alien beings. Her trips were by instant invitation only. After a few excursions, she was able to begin channeling thoughts from the aliens which she dutifully wrote down. These aliens claimed to be stationed in the solar system on a humanitarian mission to remind earthlings of our divinity and assure us that their support is at the ready. This was my first introduction to the concept of alien presence on (or near) Earth.

Recently another individual's other-worldly story struck me as a sincere account, that of Jesse Marcel, Jr.. Marcel examined exotic materials as a youngster that were discovered by his father. His story concerns Roswell and that is where the UFO fun really began. War of the Worlds was a pre-game warm-up.

Like the horse and carriage, you can't have UFOs without aliens. However, 'they say' it is metaphysically possible for aliens to travel without ships. Therefore we'll set the ships aside and zoom in on the aliens and their earthly associates. Here's a look at some of the human spokespersons for the intergalactic hide-and-seek jet-set:

The reluctant Alex Collier - Andromedans
The late Edgar Cayce - Arcturians
Laura Jadzyck - Cassiopaeans
Barbara Hand-Clow, Barbara Marciniak, and Michael Horn for Billy Meier - Pleiadians
Sheldon Nidle - Sirians
Nancy Leider - Zeta Reticulans

The Annunaki are the latest group of aliens making the scene as revived and re-animated by the late Zechariah Sitchin. Sitchin did well in introducing the old Sumerian stories to the public because he at least gave us a few references. Michael Heiser's Sitchin is Wrong campaign furthered our education just a tad more with alternate interpretations for some of Sitchin's translations. Both men kept their bouys anchored close to the podium; however both indicated - at least a time or two - that scholarly research is available regarding the Sumerians and their tablets. Sitchin eventually sidelined his research in favor of storytelling. Heiser is headed in that direction but first is demonstrating his prowess in evangelical-jesuit-jewish argument. (An irreverent quirk of mine - refusing to capitalize words I consider common rather than proper.)

Thanks to Sitchin, the Annunaki have as much publicity as all the others combined. The History Channel has "green lighted" a third season of Ancient Aliens. The series presents a mishmash of theories, myths and legends wrapped with tiny ribbons of fact. Folks such as Robert Bauval, Graham Hancock and Erich von Daniken offer coherent thoughts, albeit one sentence at time after editing. Examples such as George Noory and David Wilcock toss cow patties in the air like surfers on a mushroom hunt in southern Florida.

Sitchin's theory is spelled out nicely in the episode "Genesis Revisited" of the television series Phenomenon: The Lost Archives.

Musician Paul Christopher did an interesting study of UFO history and alien contact, the findings of which he presented at a Prophecy Club talk. His conclusion was not unexpected given the venue; he posited that demons may be disguised as aliens. Graham Hancock's post-ayahuasca theory of aliens and angels is an unorthodox proposal along the same lines.

Press releases have been issued by the Vatican, the Royal Astronomer and Stephen Hawking elaborating on their respective firm convictions about vague notions of alien existence. Steven Greer lobbies for retired and ex-military members with unexplained encounters to relate. His efforts are rated hmmmm.... but any publicity is better than no publicity.

Given that there is publicity on the topic of aliens and their crafts, we are -- whether conscious of it or not -- being entertainingly compelled to develop 'my opinion' on aliens. Opinions based on the pontifications of key individuals under the influence of key institutions and processes.

How Many Soldiers Will Die?

The geniuses of motivational science modified the 'support the troops' model for use in the media's role-playing skit, loosely titled as the 2011 government shutdown threat. The Army Times front page report (yesterday) howled:

No death benefits for military during shutdown.

So many questions pop to mind. How many soldiers are expected to die during the next days, weeks, or months of shutdown? Where are the numbers? Why was this dreadful threat scenario introduced to the military families? Are we to believe that soldiers will not receive proper burial due to lack of insurance money?

Where are the Not One More spokespersons?

To buttress the shocking news of being unable to bury fallen heroes, the following headline was also broadcast:

Government shutdown would delay military paychecks.

Now there's news to get the rank and file up in arms. Enlisted military often have financial obligations in the form of allotments which, if not timely met, will result in hefty charges per account and for some, repossession of their vehicles and other high-ticket goods. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates feels the pain and can relate -- as we see from a CBS news report.

Over at USA Today, foghorn leghorns of Congress pimp their measures, bills, calls, and efforts, carelessly shattering the illusion of equality between those who fight and those who order the fighting. John Boehner and friends vowed to return their pay to the Treasury, while others vowed they will donate their salaries to charity. The latter shouldn't be too much of a paperwork problem because by necessity those with a $174,000++ salary maintain charity relationships.

As to the question of how many soldiers will die, we can only estimate based on the Department of Defense's official press releases, which require us to do our own tallying. Based on these under-reported casualties, congressional salary donations would more than cover the funeral expenses of soldiers killed during government shutdown.

Suggestion: Those protected by a generous interpretation of the Twenty-Seventh Amendment donate their salaries to enlisted military personnel and their families who require assistance with burial expenses, or for other emergency funds to float them in case their salaries are interrupted by government incompetence.

So, dear Congress members: Pick up a crowbar and use it on your money boxes. Start a fund for just such a purpose as assisting the enlisted personnel who fight and die for you but do not get paid when you fail to do your job in a timely manner. There's always room for slush and it will look good on your bios.

Kerry & Bill and Bob

Kerry Cassidy and Bill Ryan, founders of Project Camelot, released a reunion video with their old pal, Bob Dean. Everyone looked the same; Bob still has his ponytail, Bill had his hat on and Kerry remains fond of military fashion.

Since the parting of the ways between Kerry & Bill, he went on to work as Project Avalon and she called her new enterprise Project Camelot Productions. Kerry's individual work continued with gusto, while Bill seemed to dawdle on his own. At the start of the new year, Bill unleashed the Rulers of the World interview which he followed up by creating the Charles/BMW/Atticus forum star. The repercussions of that adventure were disastrous. One good thing did come from Bill's having gained the confidence of Charles the confidence man. Bill was able to assemble some hows and whys of the deliberately engineered rift between he and Kerry.

Lately Kerry & Bill have been appearing side-by-side for conferences and interviews. Clearly the healing has begun and seems evidenced by the interview with Bob Dean. However, Bill still uses the 'viewers out there' (and other abstracts) for cover. Kerry does not take cover. Furthermore, she did not fall for old tricks. This does not bode well for the future of joint interviews.

Bob Dean had the best advantage in the situation, he being the elder statesman and delightful weaver of tales. Bill was content with the stories however Kerry pursued information. When Bob declared that humanity wasn't ready for disclosure of alien presence on earth, Kerry argued for the right-to-know. Bob had a story for that, the one about the kid from the jungle who was taken to the big city, after which he suffered psychic trauma and died. Kerry pressed on until sidelined by the next story while Bill attempted to play Mr. Nice Guy. Kerry's second-most request of Bob (after the right-to-know) was did he have any secrets to tell. Of course he did - and maybe, just maybe - if they would serve up some Jack Daniels next time he might let one or two out.

For one hour, Bob philosophized about nothing new. His biography was recounted; well-connected retired military with experience in alien interaction and exposure to alien and reverse-engineered technology, subsequent personal alien encounters, past life remembrance as a follower of Yeshua, and leader and beloved speaker on the UFO business class circuit. Bob assured us that he could tell his secrets if he wanted to because he is not afraid. Unfortunately, despite Kerry's arguments to the contrary, he maintained that humanity is not ready.

All in all the interview was flat. The former partners may have reached an understanding between them but the interview with Bob Dean suggests that a future as co-interviewers may not be in the cards.

John Labruzzo Wants

Michael Luke of WWLTV, Eyewitness News, New Orleans reports:

LaBruzzo wants drug tests for welfare recipients

The Louisiana House of Representatives is the current employer of John F. LaBruzzo, Jr. and it has in the past been regaled by his knowledge of the welfare program and recipients' needs. The poverty rate in his parish is 10.8%.

Jefferson Parish is considered part of the Greater New Orleans area and is home to three state senators, four former state representatives, one former congressman and governor, the chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, and Steven Seagal, Reserve Chief Deputy of Jefferson Parish (yes, the actor, and disciple of the Dalai Lama). Jefferson Parish is also home to the juvenile correctional facility for boys known as Bridge City Center for Youth. (This must be the only business in town because it is the only item listed under the Wiki "Government and Infrastructure" entry.)

Jefferson Parish was treated kindly by Hurricane Katrina, however there was controversy in its aftermath.

The forty-one-year old LaBruzzo has been the parish representative since 2003. He serves as member of four House committees; Civil Law and Procedure, Health and Welfare, Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. His official website presents a handsome fellow engaged in serious business. As with most politicians' websites, it offers lots of information packets as well as 'submit request/download form here' depots. According to the website, LaBruzzo's former profession was "Medical Equipment Representative". This must be a new description because other biographical references state "Salesman, Medical (Surgical) Devices".

Exactly who it was that employed LaBruzzo as a medical device salesman remains a mystery.

LaBruzzo's aim to drug test welfare recipients is set to line pockets, create profits, and fill government data banks with supplemental information. Working Americans are already under legislation to provide bodily fluids to their employers (in addition to personal, financial and medical histories). Adding the non-workers' drug test results to the database will complete the picture. The penalty for testing positive will result in children denied assistance because of the actions of their parents. This looks like a handy-dandy set-up to separate children from parents unable to provide for them. Should his proposal take wings, the other side of the aisle will insist on protecting welfare recipients' right to medical care. Policies will be installed to insure that drug test failures are given opportunity for treatment and rehabilitation. This will boost profits for medical and social services providers and enrich the temporary and foster care systems.

The timing couldn't be more curious. LaBruzzo wants publicity for this now, while unemployment is at critical highs with no relief in sight.

I have a better idea, one offered back when Nancy Pelosi was being tested for her Speaker skills: Drug test our elected and appointed state, national and international officials. The U.S. Department of Interior offers a presentation which could be easily tailored to fit taxpayers' demand to drug test public servants in Congress, the White House, the Supreme Court, and all the other institutions of grandeur. (Let us not exclude employees at overseas embassies.) 'National Security' is our justification and priority. In addition we will address the need for professionalism, productivity and safety, while "capturing savings" on health care and compensations -- those benefits promised by drug-testing programs being foisted on the rest of us.

If John LaBruzzo wants drug testing, let him start with himself and his colleagues.

The Storytellers

Jeff Rense and Jordan Maxwell had a little chat recently and summarized the state of national and world affairs. The gents agreed that humanity is doomed and that resistance is futile. The reason for this deadly prognosis is that the world is controlled by dark side aliens.

Here we have one of the oldest stories in the world, as admitted by Maxwell in the clip. Said dark side aliens have been known by different names throughout the ages and so too their origins stem from different earthly and heavenly locations. Their raison d'etre has generally been consistent in the telling: To control, enslave, abuse, and otherwise instigate as much violence and destruction as possible on earth and its inhabitants.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch: Good will ultimately triumph, love is all we need and the next life will be better.

Like politics, the spirituality business has its left, right, forward and backward representatives. These are our storytellers. (Interesting insights from and about storytellers can be found in the PBS documentary, The Kingdom of David. There is also some good historical information in the film.) Spiritually-labeled male and female storytellers captivate listeners, viewers and readers using the stories of our ancestors. Unfortunately for the narrators, audiences get tired of the same old routine, so the storytellers are always in search of fresh admirers or a new angle. The search and angle requirements brought about the conversion craze witnessed over the past few decades. It began in earnest in the 1970s with a tsunami of foreign philosophical and religious gurus. Perhaps the 1960s Human Potential Movement lacked sufficient and proper historical references (not to mention followers) to support its continued existence. Dropping the baby boomers headfirst into an agnostic new age didn't quite gel according to recipe. Therefore a new -- yet old -- set of stories needed adding to the mix. One must multiply before dividing.

So it was that the Judeo-Christian United States of America welcomed the Pied Pipers of Karma. Those of us too conservative or confused by the new ways to consider such a leap of faith found ourselves recruited or re-enlisted for Christian evangelism. The various denominations began to form missionary enterprises akin to the establishments of the great giants. Some managed over the decades to tune their microenterprises to a fine pitch.

Most amusing is the fact that Christian missionaries were dispatched within America. Trinity Broadcasting Network and Christian Broadcasting Network molded holy entertainment and news to cultivate domestic conversions and donations. There's nothing like a storm-ravaged backwoods church in the Smokies to vacuum in the revenue. Collect a cool million, order an out-building from Lowe's, let the congregation assemble it, buy some flowers for the pastor's wife, order a cold buffet from Sam's, bring along a camera crew, make 'em bow and say thank you, and declare with godlike thunder: It Is Good!

As far, far away as are those hillbillies in need of a church, even farther are the little children starving to death somewhere in a jungle or a rice paddy. The stars of TBN and CBN, with tears gushing, implore us to help the hungry hopeless little ones in the photo or clip. Rarely is offered a map or a description of the country. "Everybody knows" that people come to church for their souls, not their brains. This is not a social studies lesson - It's Story Time!

Roman Catholics and Jews were the first targets of the new evangelists but the ambitious lovers of Jesus did not capture as many of these as the projections had indicated. Catholics were healing in tongues in church basements before the evangelists bookmarked their bibles for touring. Jews were too well-educated in biblical history to fall easily for a new story. (For what it's worth, evangelists did manage to get Jews for Jesus up and running with a hundred offshoots of five members a piece.) Eventually the evangelists settled for rounding up a good portion of disillusioned flock from the take-the-money-and-run gurus, then went on to steal each others sheep and raise money for jumbo jets to take their leaders to view suffering souls far, far away.

After all these decades (1960-2011) of spiritual searching - nay, study and research! - we're still arguing over the cast, crew, script, and location of the oldest stories ever told. Curiously unnoticed within the museums and libraries not conveniently or easily accessible, there are innumerable writings related to those few ancient tales offered for public consumption. Humanity is dissuaded from exploring the history behind the rules inspired by God or designed in heaven, and amended on earth by a dead prophet, a living oracle, or one who has "heard the voice of God".

Indeed, voice communication seems to be God's preferred method of contact, second only to the dispatching of his angels. There is one unarguable reference in the Bible stating that God assumed physical form and that was when he wrestled with Jacob. Other recorded instances of physical appearance are debatable. God's last manifestation was at Jesus' baptism. That is 2,000 years without an audible peep from God. In those 2,000 years God changed his mind about slavery, women, sexuality, ritual and ceremonial obligations, along with a host of other minor issues. The continuing education of human beings is facilitated by the chosen few who are 'inspired by God'. The intellectually-inspired ones extract a quote or two from a scholarly source, add a few random bible verses, then build an entire presentation (or series) complete with rules of engagement. (Traditionally, the work of scholars is sequestered and subordinated to storytellers for public dissemination.) The spiritually-inspired chosen of God rely heavily on bible verses to erect their constructs. Both the intellectually-inspired and the spiritually-inspired representatives of God have been known to advance a vision, dream or voice heard to undergird their agendas.

After a half-century of Americans-gone-wild-for-a-higher-power, our double-honored rulers secured us under the arms of the ordained powers that be through faith-based initiatives. The crown and the cross reunite to refine the process of extracting pence and penance from all men. Political and religious storytellers now share (and report to their superiors) secrets to human resource attraction, securitization, and exploitation. This joint venture was not designed to solve the problem of world hunger or reduce the deaths of innocents. It will not investigate the sources or causes of inequality and injustice. It will however, come up with some stories like we've never heard before. John Hagee's CUFI platform springs to mind, as do UN initiatives.

Not to ignore the philosophical non-religious new age (and the I'm-not-new-age) storytellers, it must be said that they employ the same shepherd's tactics as their step-siblings but on a smaller budget. Several weeks ago one of the alternative storytellers was lamenting on air about the fact that he had much research material but insufficient financing to package and deliver the goods. Not only that, he was distressed at the unfairness of having to think about things like paying rent. He went on to say that if everyone who came to the website (the hits) would donate five dollars, his world would be perfect. This past week he announced an upcoming overseas trip to meet with a master storyteller. There has been no release of new research material. Apparently his five-bucks-from-every-hit routine (the cost of a restaurant tip he said) caused a spike in revenue. Either that or a benefactor slid in the back door. Whatever happened, apparently rent is no longer a problem. Now he can afford an overseas trip (with his girlfriend?) in pursuit of 'truth'. A video will be made rehashing the pet theories of both storytellers and, with a little planning and some good showmanship, buried somewhere in the story promises to be something new, must-know and mind-melting. The traveling junior storyteller will - no doubt - also do some sight-seeing for the purpose of confirming the symbolism rampant in merry ole England. (I give him 3 weeks after he gets back before he throws up a show repeat, followed by a live episode where he laments woe-is-my-bank-account and heavy-are-my-gifts-for-you.)

While our various and sundry storytellers dazzle forth, earth's human, natural and man-made resources are undergoing a final inventory down to the last electron. Claims are being staked. The super-rich are entrenched in and entranced with their play-offs. The rest of us are under orders to keep working and wait for the story at eleven, or in the Sunday sermon, or in the DVD in the mailbox.

Whistling Past The Graveyard

"Dow rises for seventh straight day".

Book Review: The Origin Of God by Laurence Gardner

"Do we read what the Bible says, or do we see what we expect it to say?"
Laurence Gardner, Page 129, The Origin Of God

This book is a delightfully mischievous tour through the scholarly history of God, encouraging a high-stakes game of Pascal's Wager.

Geneology being a research passion of the author, the chronicles of God are traced from flesh to aether with just enough branches to balance the landscape. From Adam to Jesus, God's relationships with specific human beings are explored and comparisons made between biblical writings and ancient manuscripts. Biblical translations of God's name are expounded upon and attention is paid to details such as Joseph's Coat of Many Colors and Noah's cargo.

There are 300 subject pages with easy-to-stop-and-start chapters and subchapters, 50 pages of notes and references, 11 pages of bibliography, and an index.

The introduction takes a brief look at the question of God's presence in recent human catastrophes, clergy apologetics included. Chapter 1 begins "The Creation Debate" with the story of the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky as an instance of society's confused notions of biblical history. From here Gardner leans back to tell the biblical tales from the earliest Hebrew Scribes to the Church Fathers. He sorts out the portions of the texts that describe the life and times of the monotheistic deity, emphasizing those records that tell of first-hand experience and observation.

Cultural, geographic and familial ties of the patriarchs and kingship line are charted with meticulous reference to the historical records including dating, mapping and archaeological evidence. The various manifestations of God along the timeline of history demonstrate that God began as a being having two feet to walk on in the garden, and evolved into an heavenly ineffable being. Gardner scrutinizes the process.

By the end of the book, this reader was persuaded by the author's research. It is an interesting read and a superior logical account of the literary evolution of the biblical God.

I also applaud Gardner's courage in pursuing questions about God (and soon to come, The Devil) during his own final years of life; this book is a posthumous publication.