Guns and Freedom

Freedom means carrying a gun?

I've been off line for a few weeks with travel obligations and when I arrived back, I read the horrible news of two police officers basically assassinated while eating their lunch in a public restaurant.  And in Las Vegas, Nevada no less!

A friend shared a post on Facebook in memory of the fallen officers, which I thought was very touching.  However, it did not take long before gun control and abortions were mentioned in comments, e.g. if you are for gun control, you will also slay innocent unborn babies!!! How rude and inappropriate this was, bringing in politics when so many people were in shock and saddened by this incident.

So the militia at Bundy Ranch are there to fight for our freedom and Bundy was quick to point out that the 2 cop killers were asked to leave the ranch, due to their inappropriate behavior.  Well I have to state that I DO NOT feel a sense of freedom around a bunch of gun wielding want'a be patriots! To me, it's like lighting up a cigarette in a dynamite store!  One wrong move and something's going off!  Now don't get me wrong, my father made sure that I not only knew how to shoot but also became a damn good markswoman!

No, I'm not packing in my purse and so far, have not felt the need for one.  But don't get any ideas about pushing me too far, there many other ways to defend oneself with out the need of a gun.  What my father drilled in to my head was the responsibility that goes with using a gun for protection--when to pull the trigger and not kill an innocent person.  Having relatives that were in law enforcement, I realize how much training it takes to know how and when to use the gun.

No, my freedom comes when I can dress as I please and go out as a lone woman.  Just because I might feel in a sexy mood and dress that way does not give a man the right to force me to have sex with him.  However, if I so choose to have casual sex, it is only right that we both prevent a pregnancy from happening.  I don't believe in taking a chance on getting pregnant unless the woman is ready to make an 18 year commitment! 

Furthermore, I sure do not understand why there is such a big issue with people using birth control.  Either use birth control or do not have sexual intercourse--it's that simple!!! 

Well, I've blown off enough steam with this Pondering and now I will go outside a have a nice bottle of wine.  Oh and just maybe I'll light a candle on the bottle and see how far I can still extinguish it with my 357!!

Koro, the Overpowering Fear of Genital Retraction

 Shrinking or Shriveling, in Constant Fear! 

I think I have a valid reason for why little boys and little girls should not be showing each other their privates.  I've been pondering this ever since I came across the Koro syndrome. 

Koro is a culture-specific syndrome where the person has an overpowering fear that his or her genitals are shriveling up and will disappear.  Know as shrinking penis it is a real disorder and is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders!

 The shrinking penis disorder is a worldwide phenomenon with a history of mass hysteria in Africa, Asia and Europe.  It is also known to occur in the U.S. and is classified as genital retraction syndrome which can also affect the female gender in that of shrinking nipples. 

People who have been suffering from the syndrome have been known to go to drastic means to prevent their penis from retracting.  One man tied a rope to his penis at night while he slept and hung the rope from the ceiling.  Women have been known to invest small fortunes in products that apply suction to the breasts to prevent retraction.  There are other documented cases where males have been injured and even suffered death by having the penis pulled with too much force.

So how does one become afflicted with such a horrible and embarrassing syndrome, you might ponder?  I believe it happens when children view each other naked and the poor boy discovers the girl has no penis.  And this also might explain why so many of the human males go though out life constantly checking to feel if it's still there.

Non Conformity is a No No Nowadays!

You'd better not be odd today or you might be labeled: ODD

I think I've just come across another Dumbing Down of society.  It seems that modern psychiatry has a new disorder that has been installed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM.

 Just what might this be you ponder; well it appears that anyone who deviates from the Norm can be declared mentally ill!  Or, if someone does not conform to what those in charge defined to be Normal, they can be declared mentally insane or having "oppositional defiant disorder" ODD.  Don't you just love labels with abbreviations!!  So now it's not PMS but ODD....

The DMS does give a little latitude with the diagnosis in that there needs to be an ongoing pattern of disobedient, hostile and defiant behavior.  However, this brings back memories of a time when people were forced in to submission with electroshock therapy.  I remember my aunt's sister-in-law was  turned into a drooling 50 year imbecile after so many electric shocks when her husband had her committed.  I was too young to know the details but I'm pondering if menopause might have had something to do with it. 

What is frightening is that children who throw temper tantrums or fight with siblings could be declared mentally ill and subjected to who know what kind of treatment.  As a child, if I tried to throw a tantrum or cause a fuss, I was sent to my room and privileges were taken away.  Since I had rather be outside playing, I learned early on that tantrums didn't work.

  At what point will someone exercising freedom of expression be silenced like in the USSR with mind-altering drugs.   Furthermore what will become of inventive minds like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell whose unconventional ideas seemed crazy in their day. 

This ODD is definitely something scary to ponder and sounds like we might be getting even closer to Orwell's 1984.

Cattle vs Horses, the Saga of the New West!

Plenty of room for all that cattle, but horses are overgrazing?

This Cliven Bundy issue has so gotten out of hand and even Sean Hannity and U.S. (R) Senator Dean Heller have defended Bundy as a patriot.  BTW, too late to back peddle now, you're out of the closet!

Bundy is a Nevada rancher who illegally grazed his cattle for 20 years on thousands of acres of public land, totaling up to $1 million in unpaid grazing fees.  What many people are overlooking and should be outraged about is that American taxpayers are footing the bill.  Oh yes, I've heard that the IRS should be closed down and their terrorists incarcerated.  But that's future pondering as I wonder how this country will function without our tax dollars!

As distasteful as BLM appears, they and the U.S. Forest Service manage approximately 250 million acres of public land. And what do they do to manage the public land, you might ponder?  Fire and resource management, trail and roads, parks and recreation, plus educational and scientific research, to name a few.

It seems that one month's grazing on federal land is a fee of $1.35 per cow/calf, which is substantially below the present-day cost of $16-$20 per month to graze livestock on private land.  So if the ranchers refuse to pay the grazing fees, the direct loss to taxpayers is around $123 million a year.  According to Wild Earth Guardians, the indirect but related costs push the total to as high as $1 billion, all to produce less than 3% of the nation’s beef supply.

The ranchers are lobbying BLM to remove the wild horses at the public's expense. Their claim is that horses are overpopulated and degrade the land upon which the cattle graze.  However BLM's estimate of 33,780 free-roaming wild horses and 6,825 burros seems almost insignificant when compared to the millions of cattle and sheep that graze at the public’s expense.  Furthermore, BLM allocates less than 20 % of forage for wild horses, but over 80% going to cattle and sheep!

Yes the rangeland is suffering, but if the truth be known it is due to overgrazing of cows and sheep. The horses are only affecting the greed of wealthy ranchers.

Wildlife ecologist Craig Downer, states: "wild horses are flight animals that exist in family bands, ranging widely from diverse riparian areas, where they drink before moving on to forage in areas sometimes as many as 15 miles away. There’s a reason helicopters are needed to round them up.  In addition to their environmentally efficient migratory patterns, wild horses repair western ecosystems by not lingering in riparian areas, consuming dry forage that would otherwise ignite destructive brush fires, and distributing undigested seeds through their manure, which reseed grassy plains, deserts and mountains. Additionally, their feces add significant humus to the soil, making it more nutrient-rich and water-absorptive".

Anyone who has spent much time around cattle and horses should know there is a big the difference in behavior between bovine and equine. Cattle will drink, forage, defecate and urinate in the same area.  
 Nonetheless, ranchers are focused on removing wild horses and pretty much refuse to cut back on the large number of cattle grazing on public land.  And I guess as long as Americans feast on the almighty hamburger, more and more cattle are needed.

Well, as a native of the American West and lover of horses, I take great offense to Bundy being made into an icon of an American patriot and his posse the heroes like with Paul Revere. 

Patriarch or Domestic Terrorist, the News Media Will Decide

Hate, the U.S.'s Newest Chemical High

Today, I'm pondering the quote by José N. Harris, “There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.”

What brought this to mind was last night when I clicked to another channel to avoid the commercials and accidentally landed on Fox News.  So against my better judgment, I watched for as long as my bowels would allow.  Talk about drama queens and do they have the hair flick down! 

I know of a person whose TV is stuck on Fox News most of the day and night.  For my own sanity, I can not visit with this person any more.

 And I ponder, how many home-grown terrorists like Frazier Glenn Cross Jr. are we incubating with constant threats coming from the NRA, the insane rants of Rush Limbaugh and the paranoia from Glenn Beck?  Is our society seducing certain individuals with anti-government delusions and right wing fantasies, thus paving the way for more Timothy McVeigh’s to crawl out from under the dark shadows? 

I have never been one to favor BLM's activities toward the wild horses and burros.  However I do have some friends who are BLM rangers and also very nice people.  Nonetheless, this drama at the Bundy Ranch has left a very bad impression of the U.S. Government and law enforcement.  Protesting is the America's freedom of choice, but I can bet my bank account that if I showed up at my state capitol armed to the teeth, using children and women as shields that I would be locked away in a manner of seconds. 

Freedom of speech is a wonderful privilege that we Americans enjoy.  I use the word "privilege" because where does freedom end and terrorism begin when hate is used as a drug more powerful that meth, heroin or crack? 

If the drama of suspicion, paranoia and intolerance continues at what point will innocent people be able to walk away from the drama, I ponder?

Pondering During the Blood Moon

Predictions, Folklore and Moonlight 

Awaiting the occurrence of the Lunar Eclipse on April 14~15, 2014, has got me pondering why some people identify this event with malevolence and why it is known as the Blood Moon.  The moon's red color can be explained by scientific principles, if I dare mention science in today's society.  The sunlight is scattered through the Earth's atmosphere and as the moon is shadowed by the earth, the reflected sunlight appears as red or orange.

Since this Blood Moon coincides with Passover, Tabernacles and Easter Sunday, it brings much religious significance.  In the book of Joel and also in Revelation, predictions are stated regarding blood and the moon with the Coming of the Lord and the Great Tribulation.  Furthermore, this is the first in a series of four Blood Moons within the next 18 months and some people are anxiously waiting what might be heading our way. 

Moonlight in general has brought fears and played on people's imaginations as far back as recorded history.  Moonlight has always believed to have a powerful influence on people.

  In 1486 the “Malleus Maleficarum” warns that “The stars can influence the devils themselves… Certain men who are called lunatics are molested by devils more at one time than at another; and the devils… would rather molest them at all times, unless they themselves were deeply affected by certain phases of the moon.”

In 1621, a guide to healthy living gives warnings “When thou goest to thy bed… draw close the curtaines to shut out the Moone-light, which is very offensive and hurtfull to the braine, especially to those that sleepe.” Furthermore, "Those careless enough to sleep under a full moon risked insanity, blindness, or even being turned into a werewolf."

Late as the 1950s, the Moira Tatem’s classic “Dictionary of Superstitions” mothers are warned not to hang their baby's nappies out in the moonlight for fear of bad luck.

If the moon can affect even supernatural beings, then surely ordinary people are no match for moonlight!

Well due to this moon turning red and the color of blood while in eclipse it must have sinister meaning.  Not only is our present day Blood Moon coinciding with religious events, it also marks the Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  The R.M.S. Titanic struck the iceberg at 2340 hours (ship time) on April 14th, 1912 and sank two hours later at 0220 hours on April 15th or 0518 hours GMT!

So maybe there is significance as to why people fear the Blood Moon.  I mean, death is related to the color of blood and in ancient times, people were known to be sacrificed on a blood moon.  In medieval Japan, a blood moon predicted the coming of spilt blood and war.

And what about the belief that a woman came into her full power with her strongest magic when her cycle fell on the full moon. 

Well, I must admit that this Blood Moon was pretty eerie looking as I watched while sipping my Bordeaux for good luck.  However so far the only bad luck has been to a lizard that my cat decapitated and one of my fish who passed during the night.  And more red wine sounds like a good omen for their passing.

Grab Your Guns, Defend Your Freedom

Take Back the First Amendment, Showed BLM Who's  Right!

After trying not to absorb all the opinionated "B.S". and I do not mean Bachelor of Science regarding the Bundy Cattle Siege, I came across a post that brought the issue some clarity.  I have  condensed the words from Richard Rowe, April 11, 2014, In Breaking News Grab the Gun Control Debate .

In 1848 Mexico ceded Nevada to the United States.  The U.S. then was the title holder to these lands, unless said lands were purchased from the government. Some time around 1850, Cliven Bundy’s family bought a small ranch in the area, and began grazing cattle on the nearby public lands. They did not OWN the lands, never purchased them from the government and did not have squatter’s rights because no taxes were paid. However, they were permitted to graze cattle on them.

 The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was formed in 1948 in order to monitor the land thus preventing illegal fencing or over-grazing. To regulate usage, 10-year leases were issued for cattle grazing. The owners of the Bundy Ranch paid the lease fees up until 1993.  At this time, Cliven Bundy believed that he did not have to pay because he had a right to use the land since his ancestors had always grazed there. 

In 1998, a section of Nevada lands in Clark County was designated as a habitat for the federally protected endangered desert tortoises, which included the public land where Bundy's cattle were grazing.

The other ranchers in the area complied but not Bundy, he continued to claim his right to the lands under preemption.  The following 15 years, he continued to allow his 400 head of cattle to illegally graze on the 600,000 acres of protected land.

Over the decade, the courts tried to work with him, giving him plenty of warning but he refused to pay the leasing fees.  Finally after all these years of negotiating without result, the government came to enforce the law and remove the cattle that were illegally grazing on a federally protected habitat.  

So now Bundy has a call for arms to come forward and protect the First Amendment for life, liberty and property. As he stated: "The loss of freedom happens slowly, so slowly that we often do not recognize the loss right away, not until we need to use that freedom that is no longer there but can’t. In this case the federal government is not recognizing that the State of Nevada is even a state. It is being treated as though it was a territory, and its people are not being afforded their Constitutional rights. Will you be next?"

I find it so amazing as I ponder how many people have rushed in to side with a rancher who is abusing the First Amendment to leverage his right not to abide by the law and to get by without paying federal fees.  As long as he waves the flag threatening loss of freedom, people will jump in to defend him without knowing all the facts or caring whether he has violated the law. 

 I ponder how many Americans realize or even care what our taxes and fees are used for?  You want smaller government and to be your own militia! That seems real reasonable to me, let's go back to the days of lynching and mob rule.  Let's just take what we can get by force and call this freedom. 

http://aattp.org/right-wing-terrorists-poised-to-spark-2nd-american-revolution-video/

Pithovirus sibercum, the Ancient Virus

 

Other-worldly or from our Ancient History?

 

 

Truth is stranger than fiction is what I'm pondering tonight.  Or at least after reading an article by April Holloway in March 6, 2014, Ancient Origins. 

 A virus so large that it can be seen under an ordenary microscope was recently discovered  in a 100 foot deep sample of permanently frozen soil from the costal tundra in Chukotka, near the East Siberian Sea.  

 

Along with its large size one of the strangest characteristics is that  "Pithovirus sibercum"  does not resemble any other virus found on Earth.  Hummm, all those "B" rated sci-fi movies might just come back and really haunt us.

Pithovirus sibercum's origin dates back to the time when mammoths roamed the Earth and this presents a number of concerns for medical science.  What harmful pathogens could be released on humans with the revival of this ancient virus? 

The  Siberian permafrost is rich in oil, gold and key minerals so more explorations will be taking place in the near future.  What other secrets might be locked away in this ancient bed of ice, I ponder.

Well, just keep on tampering with Mother Nature and us invincible humans might be in for some sci-fi horrors coming to even the playing field!

Selfies or Selfish, The Perfect Image

Capturing the Perfect Look

Along with the fun and convenience of the digital age and social media, health care workers are beginning to see a new trend of health conditions that focuses on a person's obsession with their looks.

 Termed "Selfies" or Body Dysmorphic Disorder, the camera phones are to blame because there is the desire to capture the perfect photo to post on social media.  One person, a British teenager tried to commit suicide after he tried and failed for 10 hours to take his perfect selfies. 

Well, I've never considered myself a narcissist but I do like to look presentable when I leave the house.  And I'm not above using some Photoshop to cover blemishes. 

Guess I'd better be careful of admitting to using Photoshop or people might think for sure that I am a Catfish.  Yes someone called me a Catfish when I refused to send him more photos of me.  If you aren't familiar with the term Catfish that will be pondered in an additional post, so check back later.

A Real Live Apatosaurus?

Dinosaurs Roaming the Earth in the Next Ten Years!

British Scientists have reached a milestone in genetic engineering.  A living, breathing dinosaur has been cloned at Liverpool's John Moore University.  Or so was reported on March 28, 2014.  The dinosaur is a baby Apatosaurus, nicknamed "Spot" and is currently being incubated at the University College of Veterinary Medicine. "Spot" was cloned by extracting DNA from preserved Apatosaurus fossils. Once the DNA was harvested, it was then injected in to a fertile ostrich womb because ostriches share genetic traits with dinosaurs. 

The Apatosaurus for those who are pondering, is a mid-sized sauropod dinosaur reaching 30 feet tall, 67 feet in length and weighing 66,000 pounds; that lived in the Late Jurassic Period, from 154 to 144 million years ago. Apatosaurus were omnivorous, meaning they ate plants, animals and eggs.  It's also thought that they might have been scavengers.  

So what's the College of Veterinary Medicine to do with this creature that will grow to such enormous size, I ponder?  Well, animal right's organizations including PETA are having fits over this endeavor, and fear that Spot will become a huge lab rat, with a life of experiments and torture. 

This is all pretty amazing since the scientist's goal is to repopulate the world with dinosaurs within the next ten years.  And that is, if the super volcano at Yellowstone doesn't erupt and bring about another period of mass extinction!

http://news-hound.org/british-scientists-clone-dinosaur/

Costco Dumps Peanut Butter in Land Fill

 Who Should Be Eating Contaminated Peanut Butter?

The scuttlebutt today is centered on the large membership shopping store Costco Wholesale, which will be dumping nearly a million jars of peanut butter in to a New Mexico landfill. 

The reason for such extreme measures is the food comes from a bankrupt peanut-processing plant that was at ground zero of a salmonella outbreak in 2012.   Costco Wholesale refused to receive shipment of the Sunland Inc. product and declined requests for it to be donated to food banks or sold to food supply institutions for prisons. 

So people are outraged and pointing fingers at Costco who has a proud reputation for how they treat employees.  So I'm pondering if it's better to pay $60K to dump the peanut butter and cover it with dirt or allow it to make any number of people sick, if it is in fact contaminated with salmonella.  Feeding prisoners the contaminated food might be a deserving punishment, but not food banks! 

My concerns are:

1.  If the peanut butter is dumped without being removed from the plastic jars, it may be discovered by a fleet of passing UFO's long after humans have vanished from the earth and will perhaps be recorded as the prime factor in the demise of human civilization.

2.  How in the name of reason did such a large salmonella contamination occur with Sunland Inc?

3.  It sure is a shame that entities like Sunland can file bankruptcy and escape any future obligation.
 
4.  If Costco allowed the peanut butter to be consumed and people got sick, guess who would be liable! 

Wild Horses as Invasive Species Compared to Pythons

Just Send Them to Slaughter!

Well followers, I am totally outraged by how narrow minded, uninformed people can get attention in the news media today. 

Chuck Klosterman’s "The Ethicist" is supposed to be a thought-provoking column in The New York Times magazine.  One of his readers (name omitted but I shall call him Mr. Opinion for want of better names) wrote his opinion of the wild horses as being an invasive species that are not much different from pythons in Florida or the Asian long-horned beetle.

 What I gather from Mr. Opinion's view point is the only reasonable alternative with the horses destroying all the grasslands and ruining the water sources, is to send them to slaughter.  And that needs to be done before they starve in a harsh winter or die of thirst from the summer drought.    

Very logical thinking Mr. Opinion.  Let's ponder this:  wild horses are able to eat and digest native desert plants that are unsuitable for cattle and furthermore, horses favor steep hilly areas.  Unlike a cow that grazes by pulling the grass out by the roots, a horse's teeth are built to clip the grass where it will easily grow back.

Additionally, the horse's digestive system does not fully degrade the vegetation. The pooped out seeds are then able to become replanted and continue growing.   For this very reason, in the 1950's the state of Nevada passed the first wild horse protection law to keep horses on the range to help prevent brush fires.

As for destroying water sources, I beg to differ with Mr. Opinion.  It is a proven fact that cows are the ones who trample, defecate in and destroy water sources.  Horses drink from a water source and then warder off as they graze. 

And in conclusion Mr. Opinion, as far as horses being an invasive species, there is a 25,000 year old horse head fossil that was discovered by one of the Tribal members and can be seen on exhibit at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Museum in Nevada.

  http://wildhorsepreservation.org/wild-horses-and-ecosystem

On Staying Positive

 Enjoying Life as a Responsible Adult

Some people question why in my Pondering's am I always looking at the negative side of things.  And I reckon it does appear that I am not a fun-loving, laughing and joking kind of gal!

 I enjoy life to the fullest and appreciate the beauty of the world in which I live.  It makes me sick when I hear how "entities", for better use of the word, manipulate and prostitute principles that should be improving life for all of us on this planet that we call home. 

The other evening when the temps had cooled down and a wind was blowing out of the north, I watched two neighbors spraying Round Up.  They were standing right in the spray while talking and laughing.  Such irresponsible behavior from two middle age adults just made me sick.  No regards for their health or where the wind might be carrying the spray to contaminate plants, wildlife or water features. 

The next day when I expressed concern, I was told by one of the neighbors that Monsanto guarantees that when the Round Up dries, it is so safe, you can eat the grass if you want!  I can only hope that this person did try and eat the grass.

Then there is the issue with food and what I observe people consuming.  Why in the name of reason would anyone buy a child a soda that is too large for them to lift to their mouth?  Or what about a sandwich that has more calories that a 12 piece bucket of KFC greasy fried chicken!  Furthermore, I am sorry but what goes in must come out and if you consume all those calories you are going to get fat.  Obesity is something that a person has control over, it is called willpower!

Lastly is the right to bare arms.  Maybe I'm luckily because I have never wanted a gun or felt the need for one.  Nowadays, everyone must have a gun and stand their ground, regardless of the innocent people that are being killed. 

So maybe it does appear that I am negative.  However I prefer to live as a responsible adult and make sound decisions that will not haunt me for the rest of my life.  I take control over my happiness and health, as much as I can in this whacked up, calorie laden, gun toting Round Up society.

Chemtrails, Sulfates and Geo-engineers

 Where is Humanity Heading?

The latest "news" that I've been reading sure has me pondering about our future on this planet.  I came across two articles in The Guardian that are more nightmarish than thought provoking.

 For the one, it seems that Geo-engineers are coming out of the "chem trail closet" with Bill Gates as the sponsor of a project for controlling global warming.  This would entail releasing sulfate particles in to the atmosphere at 80,000 feet from a large balloon over Fort Sumner New Mexico.  The goal of this endeavor is to reflect sunlight back into the atmosphere, thus cooling the planet. 

Never mind the potential for harming humans and ecosystems across our planet.  Why in the name of reason would anyone propose to add more toxic substances that will contribute to the air pollution, thus causing respiratory damage in humans as well as animals?

Oh now I get it!  The other article that I mentioned is a soon to be released research paper sponsored by NASA that theorizes human's reign of this planet might be coming to a finale, and sooner than was first realized.  As of very recently, humans are using up resources faster than the earth can provide.

 So how will this affect the people living on the planet?  Well, the common people will be left to die off, while the "elite" inherit the earth.  Once the commoners are gone, the elite will enjoy a utopian life in paradise! 

And I am really pondering this since the Bible has promised that the meek will inherit the earth!

Females with Male Chromosomes

Being More  Selective Might be a Good Choice

I recently ran across an interesting article that really has me pondering.  An article by Alanna Ketler in collective-evolution.com entitled "This Study Will Make You Think Twice About Who You Are Getting Into Bed With" has come up with some interesting findings.

It seems that scientists have made a discovery that many women possess the Y-chromosome male gene in their blood.  So if maybe you are pondering why, the obvious answer would appear to be from being pregnant with a male son.

Women carry cells from the fetus in their bloodstream and organs, regardless whether the pregnancy was terminated or if there was a miscarriage. The gene remains with the mother throughout her life. 

However, surprisingly the Y-chromosome gene is also showing up in women who have never been pregnant. 

In a 2004 study by Immunologists at the Fred Hutchinson Caner Center, it was concluded that women carried the male Y-chromosome gene from having sexual intercourse. Yes, through intercourse women can hold on to male genes and DNA in their organs and blood stream for their entire life!

Well, this sure opens up an entire new topic for discussion over a glass of wine!

TransCanada Pipeline, More Oil for U.S.?

 

Politics, Viagra and Debates, Who's Getting the Oil?

So we anxiously await President Obama's final decision regarding the TransCanada pipeline, which is rumored to come soon.  I ponder how much of this oil is actually going to benefit the American public?  There is so much debate over jobs, environmental issues and whether the oil is actually staying in the U.S. or going to China.  And with spring drawing near, the gasoline prices are creeping up. 

I believe that like with climate change this pipeline has become such a political issue and more and more, Americans are being drawn apart almost like with the Civil War in the North vs. the South.  I heard someone remark that politics are just for the older crowd and like with Viagra it keeps them erect and aroused.  Young folks are too busy living and trying out new experiences so whatever is decided, they will just go with the flow--or not!

Maybe it's true, the younger generation should run this country and turn the older, mature political leaders out to pasture with all the Viagra they need.

Climate Change, Fact or Fraud?

Global Warming, Political Snake Oil?

Climate Change is like religion you either believe it or you don't. However, a new study on climate change issued by NASA finds that the climate’s sensitivity to carbon pollution is on the high side. What this indicates in plain language is that if there are not rapid reductions in greenhouse gases, global warming is likely to be high enough to destroy a livable climate.

The old phrase "them's fighting words" comes to mind when climate change is mentioned in certain circles.  I have seen people get so riled up that I don't think they would spit as much venom if I was blaspheming the Pope!  Even my neighbor got all in my face and told me that we were just having a hot spell.  But what about temperatures over the last few summers that continue to break heat records?

 One of the U.S.'s top climatologists, Michael Mann fears that the threat of future warming may have been underestimated.  Nonetheless, I ponder that his credibility may be in question since he is "One of Them" Climatologists. 

One bit of evidence that I must agree with is, the more ice the planet has, the cooler it will be.  With less ice to reflect the sun, the dark oceans absorb more heat and therefore the climate gets hotter.  This makes perfect sense to me and the proof is between a white car and a black car sitting in the hot sun. 

So while we fight over who's wrong or right, the planet keeps on changing and this summer of 2014 is predicted to be hotter with more wildfires. 

Snowden Leaks Plans to Infect Computers

Gumfish can Foggy our Bottoms, but Who Will Tell!

Well, good ole Snowden leaks more of NSA plans to infect millions of computers.

 In files recently published by Journalists Glenn Greenwald and Ryan Gallagher, it appears that NSA will be relying on malicious software sent to targets through surreptitious means, by using “implants” that have been developed “to break into targeted computers and to siphon out data from foreign Internet and phone networks.”
 It is even rumored that NSA has been disguising itself as a fake Facebook server to intercept connections, and then to send the unsuspecting Facebook users to a real site embedded with malware with the ability to infect the user’s computer.

Even YouTube is not above suspicion with spying conducted on the habits of unknowing subjects by giving the users what they think is a more "personalized" browsing experience.

And the list goes on and on:

An intercept named CAPTIVATEDAUDIENCE can take over a targeted computer's microphone and record conversations. 

GUMFISH can covertly take over a computer's webcam and then take photographs of the unsuspecting user. 

 FOGGYBOTTOM records internet browsing histories, collects login details and passwords.

 GORK logs keystrokes.

And SALVAGERABBIT removes data from flash drives connected to a user's computer.

A NSA worker was rumored to so proudly admit that "If we can get the target to visit us in some sort of web browser, we can probably own them.”

So what's an innocent user to do, well Snowden believes that Encryption is the only way to go! 

And from now on, I will be careful to place my computer in a separate room where that is all I do and when I am on-line I make sure that I am fully clothed!

Assist the Search for Malaysia Flight MH370 via Crowdsource

 

Search from Home by with DigitalGlobe Technology

An American satellite imaging company is enlisting the assistance of the public to get involved with the search for the still missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

 How would this work, you might be pondering?  DigitalGlobe, based in Longmont, Colorado has trained cameras from five orbiting satellites on the Gulf of Thailand. 

The public can help by clicking on the link and begin searching images to tag anything that looks suspicious.  Each pixel on a computer screen equals 0.5m on the ocean's surface.  Experts would then follow up on any leads. 

If you are interested in searching, follow the link:

http://www.tomnod.com/nod/challenge/malaysiaairsar2014


To read more:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/us-satellite-imaging-firm-helps-to-crowdsource-search-for-mh370

Dark Secrets in Fast Food

 Don't Ask Because They Probably Won't Tell  

I'm out for my morning run when I get the urge for a quick pick me up, so I ponder what would be a good choice?  And then I remember like a cold slap on the face what I read on the Huffington Post!

McCafe my favorite drive through treat is out since it's rumored that they do not clean the machines and "five plus inches of unlearned liquid bullshit buildup may be coated inside the parts"!

 Taco Bell is not a good choice due to the dehydrated beans looking like something the cat threw up and the beef don't rate much better.

Oh and there's always Wendy's chili, but is it true that the meat comes from expired left overs?

So maybe KFC's BBQ chicken would be a nice treat, however I read that it is made from the chicken that has become too old and stale so they soak it in sauce that would make old vinyl flooring taste great.

Well, I could stop for a nice cold slurpee but all that mold growing in the machines might just do me in! 

Oh dear I ponder, so maybe I'll just wait till I get home!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/foodbeast/14-fast-food-and-restaura_b_4921256.html

Springing Ahead Once Again

 Pondering On One Less Hour of Sleep

How fast time goes by, seems like only yesterday that we were moving our clocks back.  I enjoyed having that extra hour and now what is given is then taken away! 

So I ponder, why must most of the U.S. endure these changes?  Well if you think it's due to the farmers, you are miss-lead!  Up to 1966, the farmers blocked daylight saving time and then Present Johnson gave in to the lobbyist,  signing DLST into law.

Research has found that changing our sleep schedule does us no good and contributes to a higher risk of car accidents, increased work place injuries and a spike in coronary risk.  However, pressure from the lobbyist for the industries that benefit financially from this law far out weight the disadvantages affecting the American public.  

 And who might these lobbyist be, I pondered?  In a March 4, 2014 report by Gail Bambrick entitled "The Cost of Daylight Saving Time" it is stated that the main businesses profiting from extra sunlight at the day's end are oil, energy, golf, commercial recreational parks e.g. water parks, plus patio and grill suppliers.  Bambrick summarizes that although studies show that changing the sleep schedule is not good for us or for the extra energy demands, we are still forced to comply. 

So while you are enjoying that extra day light just be reminded that you are also paying for that privilege.


https://now.tufts.edu/articles/cost-daylight-saving-time  

Internation Women's Day

Celebrating the Achievements of Women across the Globe

Today, March 8, 2014 is a special day for all women across the globe.

 Each year on March 8th. since 1911 women are celebrated for their achievements.  Whether it is with students, mothers, home makers, scientists,  professionals and all women,  we mark this day to pay special tribute to those who have inspired positive change.  This year's theme is Inspiring Change.

So thank you to all our special women who have nurtured us, lead us and inspired us.


 http://www.internationalwomensday.com/theme.asp#.UxspFc6NK8A

Milking the American Public

   More for Them, Higher Prices for U.S.

   
Today I am pondering about the rising price of milk in the U.S. 

One news agency recently reported that increased prices were partially due to the demand for milk overseas, which has reduced the supplies in the States. 

Does it appear to anyone else that our own country is selling its citizens out?  Gas prices have been outrageously high due to the demand for gasoline in other countries and now Milk!!  What about us, the Americans?  Just keep bleeding the host while the parasite keeps growing!

As long as we continue to work for Master and pay these high prices, we will only get what's left over.  Does this begin to sound familiar?

Key Words to Stack the Deck

 

 

Deflecting Attention to Minimize Mistakes

Today I am pondering about a conversation that I watched on Facebook that transpired over Apple telling Limbaugh where to stick his money. 

Several people were commenting back and forth about the climate change with their pros and cons.  On the last comment, the man who was so adamantly against climate change accused the woman of being pro-choice and then went on to write that her priorities were so out of whack.  He continued with, "It's a federal crime to disturb a bald eagle egg but aborting humans is desirable?" 

I read back over all the comments thinking that I had missed where the discussion changed from climate change to pro-choice, because it had not.

What I find interesting is how certain key words are used to stack the deck and throw the attention off the issue.  Key works like pro-choice, abortions, child killers, same sex marriage, and my all time favorite--second amendment rights. 

Well Mr. Right to Lifer, I ponder if you are as concerned with the growing number of children deprived of their right to life due to being killed by handguns? Or is it just with abortions?

And I'm starting to ponder if maybe some people join political parties  because they have a grudge to pick and this is their socially accepted way to spew hatred.

The Psychology of Hate

 Dangling the Shinny Object to Manipulate Us

My pondering's of recent have been over a comment that I read from Patty Culhane where she wrote that "to stop a small child from having a tantrum, just hold up a spinning disco ball, it works every time".  Culhane further states that when she wants to describe how to easily distract someone, she says: "Look! Something shiny!"  I can imagine how well this distraction works on a small child, furthermore I see it being used in America today to manipulate adults.  Unfortunately with so many adults, the psychology of hate is being used in place of the shinny disco ball. 

Just consider these examples: 

One such individual has cleaned himself up to appear as the average straight laced dude who wears the baseball cap and is a spokesman for NRA.  He publicly decries: "I'm terrified by where Barrack Obama and his radical America hating leftist goons are leading this great country."  So many see him as a defender of the Second Amendment and our Freedom that they over look the fact that he was once a draft dodger who urinated and defecated on himself to avoid the draft.  And if that is not enough, he was known to advocate enslaving underage females as sex slaves in the lyrics through his music. 

The other example is the Duck Dynasty, which to me in reality would be considered White Trash.  Nonetheless, they are portrayed as a God fearing family that love and care for each other while speaking openly about their faith.  Oh! and their faith just happens to condone intolerance and judging others, while making excuses for them selves.  I recently saw a post on Facebook and was appalled at some of the people who are Liking and identifying with these characters--and in the real world just happen to be clean cut yuppies and nothing like the characters they are portraying. 

Yes, The Psychology of Hate is alive and useful in American society.  In the words of Nichlas Epley, "... we deny human beings their humanity.....from slavery to genocide, society has shown a terrifying ability to disregard the person-hood of others.”

  So the shinny object is dangled to the people using the psychology of hate and many are just too foolish or naive to recognize that they are being used or manipulated for an ulterior agenda.

Secret Killing of the Wolves in Idaho

 Fish and Game Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

The good ole guys at Fish and Game strikes again and this time it is to protect the elk population from hungry wolves. It seems that the elk population has been declining since 1989 and wolves must be to blame.  No worries that it might be illegal poaching or change in habitat. 

So in February US DA Wildlife Services went on a secret helicopter wolf hunt, shooting down over 20 wolves. 

Oh and for safety concerns, it was deemed best to not notify the public due to safety concerns. 

I am pondering also about a humor going around with wild horse advocates that proposals are being drawn up to eradicate starving wild horses that have become too overpopulated and infringe on grazing cattle. 

Let's see, shoot all the predators and then when the prey become over populated we can just go out and shoot them too! 

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2014/mar/02/idaho-fish-and-game-defends-silence-on-killing/

Global Seed Vault or Doomsday for Those Who Can Not Pay

Are Frankenseeds Allowed in the Mix?

This week will mark the opening of Norway's Svalbard Global Seed Vault or "Doomsday" seed vault as is referenced by some.

Located in the Arctic, the published intention of the seed vault  is to serve as a back-up network for preserving seeds from around the world which would be used for survival purposes due to a global disaster.

However, when I hear the names of Bill Gates mixed in with the Rockefeller Foundation and the Monsanto Corporation I begin to shutter in my stilettos. 

So I start to ponder, is this in truth a benevolent  endeavor to preserve the world's seeds in case of climate changes brought on by volcanic eruptions or asteroid strikes like with the demise of the dinosaurs?  Or is it  the continuing work of a long focus to bend science to the service of eugenics? 

http://www.globalresearch.ca/doomsday-seed-vault-in-the-arctic-2/23503

Capturing the Photo, at what Cost?

Respecting the Law's of Nature

An article that I just recently came across has got me to pondering on this rainy day.  I was reading where  wildlife photographer, Jim Neiger has entered a plea of guilty to violating the Endangered Species Act in Kissimmee, Florida for harassing nesting snail kites. It appears that over 6 times a group of scientists observed Neiger wedge his pontoon into the reeds where the endangered raptors were nesting, thus frightening the birds so they fly off their nests and he can then take photos of the birds in flight.

 According to federal court papers, Neiger also brought “students” in who were taking his Flight School Photography course to demonstrate how to photograph birds in fight. 

 In exchange for a guilty plea for violating the federal Endangered Species Act, Neiger can get a one year maximum in prison plus up to $100,000 in fines.   Unfortunately Neiger was allowed to pay $9,000 in lieu of relinquishing his camera and boat. 

In this new age of digital photography, I see a bunch of "want’a bees" clamoring for success and going to any length to capture the image.  The Want’a Bees are no longer satisfied with learning from mentors, taking accredited classes or gaining experience from hard work.  No way! Not when they can pay someone to take them to the location, whether it is a game farm or out in the wild to disturb nature. 

I appreciate the true nature photographer who upholds nature's laws, uses proper etiquette and has a little common sense in obtaining their photos.   

http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/osceola-county/wildlife-photographer-pleads-guilty-to-violating-endangered-species-act/24700816

Carl Sagan on Finding out the Truth

 

Are we being Bamboozled to Identify with the Aggressor?

 

 

This day, I'm pondering one of the insightful quotes from Carl Sagan, which is:

“One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.”

And this also reminds me of a post from a Facebook friend who said:  
"It's interesting how some allow jealousness and envy to affect their loyalty".

In psychology these behavior patterns are known as "Identification with the Aggressor or Stockholm Syndrome" ... where a person adopts the perspective or behavior patterns of a captor or abuser.

I'm beginning to ponder, are some of the political leaders using this psychology toward acquiring more followers and then turning them in to mad and mindless zombies......
 

America Scores Mediocre in Basic Science

So Does the Earth Revolve Around the Sun?

Once again I've come across a news article that has me pondering and what might that be I hope you are wondering?  Well I have a question, does the earth move around the sun or is it the opposite, the sun evolves around our planet?  I find it totally amazing that 26% of the American public  in a science quiz answered that the sun revolves around the earth! I guess this might seem a logical answer since the sun does appear to move across the sky from sunrise to sunset. 

In a 2012 survey conducted every two years by the National Science Foundation of over 2,200 people in the U.S. 5.8 of the questions on basic science were answered incorrectly, with an overall grade of 65% which was considered a failure when I was in school. 

The basic science questions are as follows:

1.  True of False, the center of the Earth is very hot?

2.  True or false, the continents have been moving their location for millions of years and will continue to move.

3.  Does the Earth go around the sun, or does the sun go around the Earth?

4. True or false, all radioactivity is man-made?

5. True or false, electrons are smaller than atoms?

6. True or false, lasers work by focusing sound waves?

7. True or false, the universe began with a huge explosion?

8. True or false, it's the father's gene that decides whether the baby is a boy or girl?

9. True or false, antibiotics kill viruses as well as bacteria?

10. True or false, human beings, as we know them today, developed from earlier species of animals?

Now granted I understand that some answers may be controversial based on one's religions beliefs.  However, most of these questions are almost pure logic. 

Well, I invite you to participate and have fun, oh and to make it more challenging, I haven't supplied the answers--that's to Google if you aren't sure. 

Frankencrops Invade Human DNA!

Or Will We Become What We Eat?

After reading a post on Facebook from a publication in the Natural Revolution Empowering Natural Living, entitled: "Confirmed:  DNA From Genetically Modified Crops Are Transferred Into Humans Who Eat Them", I am reminded of older SF movies that my father loved to watch--“The Swamp Thing”, “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman”, “Enemy from Space”, “Invaders from Mars” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”.

 In the aforementioned article there are scientific concerns based on research which reveals that meal-driven DNA fragments can complete genes that enter into the human circulation system through an UNKNOWN mechanism. 

Based on an analysis of over 1000 human samples from four independent studies, this study was published in the Public Library of Science.  What is feared by the science community is that they have no idea of the long term effects that GMO crops and food will have on humans.  Recent advances in genome science indicate that organisms have been discovered to share their genes not only through reproduction but also through consumed and digested food products. 

Prior to 2013, our government concluded that the transfer of DNA from GM crops/food was unlikely to occur.  However, I’m pondering if they did in fact have prior knowledge of this potential and are we just one huge science project?

Maybe there was some insight into these older SF movies and the truth is just coming out, Frankencrops altering human DNA to glow in the dark zombies.  

America, Land of the Free?

 Beware of  Looking too Closely at Her Shadows

America, home of the brave and land of the free, but as you wander across this land of wide expanse and equal opportunity, don't go poking around too much or you might find some skeletons hiding behind her shadows.

And yes, Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant is getting all the attention and almost every day I see more warnings about eating pacific seafood or even surfing off the shore of California.   But what about the third largest nuclear disaster in world history that occurred in New Mexico?  Just less than 4 months after the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor meltdown in 1979, a spill at a uranium mill at Church Rock, New Mexico released 3 times as much radiation that eventually flowed in to the Puerco River. 

So I'm pondering how many U.S. citizens are aware of Church Rock as they are Chernobyl and Fukushima?  Maybe because it was located in the Navajo Nation where there are over 500 abandoned uranium mines with in their reservation? 

But travel a little further south to the great state of Texas, between Poth and Falls City and you will find miles and miles of drilling rigs, crude oil storage tanks and flares burning with trails of black smoke hazing the deep blue sky.   This area is the Eagle Ford Shale, 400 miles long, 50 miles wide, where gas and oil is extracted all the way to the Mexican border. 

Well, America must have her gasoline and as state Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, a Republican from Central Texas, so proudly proclaims: "I believe if you're anti-oil and gas, you're anti-Texas.”  

However like with Church Rock's uranium mill we citizens are desensitized to the health issues on humans and the environment.  I also ponder if we Americans are being molded into a bunch zombies who are no longer free thinkers.

I’m really pondering why we continue to pay out over $3.00 a gallon for gasoline and around the same amount for propane when we have so many resources?  Well, it's better to just go along, eat more Hot Pockets and listen to the latest breaking news, because zombies are immune to any pain or emotional discomfort.

Foie gras, Straéca or Hamburger

When is a Delicacy to Inhumane for Dinner?

In the news was an interesting controversy that forced the cancellation of an event at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, Nevada on February 15th.  It seems that people were upset due to a foie gras tasting at an art museum because the delicacy of duck and geese liver is inhumane to the birds.  They are force fed so that the liver will grow larger. 

However also in Nevada, the town of Elko's county commissioners have voted to give $10,000 to NACO Nevada Association of Counties and the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation toward a suite filed with a federal court in Reno, arguing even though wild horses and burros have long been a part of Nevada’s landscape and heritage, their populations have grossly exceeded appropriate management levels.  Wild horse advocates fear that this is a measure to eliminate more horses and eventually send them to slaughter.  Many questions and rumors have been surfacing about what is actually done with all the horses that BLM has been rounding up over the years--at Tax Payer's expense. 

So I guess it's inhumane to raise fowl for foie gras but not to stampede horses with helicopters and then do who knows what with them.  This really has me pondering!

Regarding Artists

On Respecting Art 

There's been much discussion within my artists group of friends regarding the actions of Maximo Caminero in breaking Weiwei's $1 million vase to protest what he supposedly stated was the museum’s favoritism for international rather than local art.

Although many works of art have been vandalized throughout the ages, including Rembrandt's, Eriksen's, Da Vinci's just to name a few, I solemnly hope that the Miami authorities will punish Mr. Caminero to the full extent of the law. 

Defacing art has been happening like forever and I've heard on numerous occasions of local artists having their work vandalized, e.g.: glass scratched, paintings defaced, so on and on.....with no repercussions, most likely due to the vandal not being caught. 

However, once the news media makes a field day of such actions, then all the "free thinkers" come out of the shadows to make their mark on art history.  So Maximo, congratulations, you are now an internationally famous artist!! How many times have I heard it said that bad publicity is better than good news!  I just hope that you do not gain popularity from such a selfish lack of respect for other artist’s works.

Good morning Friends,

I came across some thought provoking news this morning by Mike Adams in  Natural Health News & Scientific Discoveries. In his article, Adams states that he has noticed through atomic spectroscopy analysis that the diets in the U. S. are intentionally designed to end human life, rather than nourish it. 

I find this very interesting when recently a conversation with friends over wine turned to similar speculations. 

Adams concludes that fast food, processed food, high carbohydrates and high sugar content not only rob a body of nutrition but may be a leading factor with mental and emotional problems.

 

 Furthermore,  foods processed in China are so highly polluted, do you ever question why China has taken over production of so much of our food products and supplements?

 

As I ponder over Adams article, I'm wondering what would be the benefit in poisoning our own citizens?  Is this a means of ending over population or weeding out the worker bees?  Oh yes bees, that leads to other pondering's!   

So what is the solution, well Adams encourages us to grow our own food or buy from local farmers.  And you may be questioning how can one grow their own food with limited space?  That my followers leads to a new blog post--container gardening for limited space.

To read more from Mike Adams, follow the link: 

http://www.naturalnews.com/043995_human_civilization_processed_food_stealth_war.html

Hello again,

I just can't help not passing this little bit of Ponderings on.   From the New York Daily News, French Police in Roubaix are suffering from headaches and nausea as well as failing drug tests caused by a 100 pound stash of confiscated cannabis stored in the station.  

And here I thought Hawaiian Gold was the best, LOL!!

Good afternoon,

Walmart's newest promo campaign has me pondering about their products.  "Let’s make great things. U.S. manufacturing is coming back, creating new jobs for American workers."  Is this really true and when can I expect to see Made in the USA on the labels? 

Oh yes and what about the chicken that will be processed in China?  This whole thought is totally absurd and maybe I'll just eat more rattlesnake since it tastes like chicken!

Off to see what's shaking.....

Hello, my name is Jackie and this is my first post.  I love exploring the world so through my blog, I will share ideas, concerns and just interesting concepts.

You are welcome to make comments so I hope that you will follow along.