The "Civil" War, cont.

Sadly, despite the resounding Northern victory, the so called "American Civil War" (1860-1865) never really ended, as the cancer that was "The South" was allowed to persist, metastasizing into sharecroppers and Jim Crow laws and the KKK and thousands of lynchings. But then this aggressive Southern disease infected and took over the Republican Party - the very party that engaged their destruction a hundred years earlier. Goldwater, Regan, Nixon, and you have today's insanity, insto-presto in just the past 40 years (LOL I'm old). Legions of monsters, breaking down democracy and society across the country in pious fervor.

Somehow, despite desegregation and women's lib and gay marriage and so on, we've fallen under the sway of the Confederacy Risen, the Republican Party, the Southern Jim Crow culture writ large as "American Culture" and proving to be the doom of not just America, but the world.

What madness is this? And how can Earth escape?

Never, Never

Forever young and in love (except in the prenup).

I hope there were pirates at the open bar.

Scripture's just another word for words

This book really helped me out Freshmen year of High School. Getting the locker open from the inside sometimes took a miracle.

But it was this book that really helped me to know God, using clear and simple language to explain things like everlasting Hellfire.

Thanks, books!

Know the risks!

A nest of Waifu-sans, particularly thick. Nests like this originated in Japan but over the last 20 years have spread worldwide. There could be a nest in your town right now.

Infection begins with a young man's sexual frustrations channeled into a cartoon, the obsessive watching of which causes full display of the disease, with the purchase and association with a "Waifu", or Anime Pillow Wife. Once infection has reached this stage the victim will lose most contact with society and instead group with others similarly infected, forming nests.

Be on the lookout if your young son has taken an interest in anything Japanese, as that is the hallmark first sign of infection.

Same diva

Just another group of young people making music together. Beautiful music.

You cannot touch this

Don't even try. You'll just hurt yourself.

Euphoric

The Internet atheists of Reddit almost make me want to take up religion, they're that smug and sadly, usually terrible. This is Ralph - he's one of the "Fittest" (i.e. you religious sheep are not). Now, mind you, I agree with the gist of Ralph's points here, I just find the presentation ridiculous. But look at me, spreading memes!

Again, I understand the sentiment. I just question the fashion, specifically the hats and in general guys wearing Anime shirts. Also, "Selfie - Culture", which I document with this series of posts. The world where a camera(phone) and an internet connection is enough to spread your stupid teenage brayings across the world. And lo, the Internet is filled with teenage brayings. But also genius and a new world.

You realize there's a whole culture of these mostly guys out there? Internet atheists who wear "Fedoras" as a show of unity with other Internet atheists, and post constantly on the Internet about said subjects. Good for them for discussing, but guys. Guys....

Also, obesity is frequently present, as it is across ever larger percentages of the population. Maybe atheism is fattening?

Chaos is hip for the childless

Sure, when you're 27, chaos might seem pretty cool. Nihilism might be awesome at 25. Anarchy is your goal at 21. But, I observe in my gathering dotage, once you have children, these and similar philosophies lose all appeal. I mean, who wants their child to grow up in a Dystopian Thunderdome? Libertarians, maybe. Though I doubt that too.

Also, what the hell is a fox? Dog? Cat? Dogcat? Also too, in New Gondolin news, I had found a rabbit friend who would come up to me in the woods and watch what I was doing. I'd talk to her - "Hi, Mrs. Rabbit. How's life? How are the kids? Hope you're eating well - the grass looks tasty." Etc. She wasn't much of a conversationalist, but she'd twitch her nose and listen. Great listener. Anyways, the other day I came upon an odd looking scat on a trail the rabbit frequently frequented, and consulting my "Big Book o' Scat", I narrowed it down to some type of fox. And I've not seen Mrs. Rabbit since - 6 days! I fear the worst, and I doubt my reward for information will bring any clarity onto this distressing situation.

If you were taken, Mrs. Rabbit, well, I hope your calories help the fox's kids. Cycle of life and all that. RIP.

Posses Inside

Sadly, it is no isolated incident. Killing children either by crazed loner with guns or nations with armies, or gangs with lust, or tribes with madness in their minds, kids have been victims for as long as there have been kids, which is forever. We're getting better, overall, we really are! It's just hard to accept that fact in times like this - when kindergarten children are shot repeatedly in the face with an assault rifle for no possible reason at all. Unlike the reason above, right? These are the children of Lidice. Read and weep.

But then rejoice, for we are alive, and our kids are about, and life is good despite all the shit. Never forget your absolute blessing in being here in the first place! Hug those nearby in celebration of all your success, which again, is existing. Life is the gift without equal and we all revel in the giving. Love, and let the hate fall by the wayside.

RIF

Hi, Gary? Yeah, Phil here from Random House. Yeah, yeah, look, I've just been assigned to edit your book, and the folks upstairs have some specific requests to cut the book back by 6 to 8 thousand pages. There's some wiggle room there, but yeah, we're gonna need to come up with a more streamlined version of your amazing book. I know, I know, every page is gold. But you know the market these days!

Some scans from the new Louisiana school "science" book for 5th graders. Teach the controversy!

If I were a parent in a school with a book such as this, I'd get very agitated, and bring lawyers into the situation, and be "that" atheist. Cuz separating religion from education is just as important as keeping it away from government. Religion is a poison that spreads through immersion. Break the immersion and the magic spell is shattered.

It's not just religions that use lies as foundational truths. Countries do the same. I'll admit I was fairly shocked the first time I learned how horrible America had been to the native populations of this continent. Or truly how terrible slavery was. As a young child you are force fed patriotic pablum in place of the truth, and I suppose the goal is for the population to never waver from these myth making ("Manifest Destiny") lies.  But waver we shall, for the truth is out there and can be known.

Click for big. To wit: Read 1984 and Brave New World. Thought provoking representations of totalitarian states.

At least it's an ethos

A young Russian woman drunker than a skunk at a squatters camp outside Moscow. Could be a model, but most likely will end up rather poorer. Alcoholism is like a plague that was unleashed across the former Soviet Union after 1992 and it is the single biggest cause of most of the nation's troubles today. Alcoholism breeds nihilism in individuals, and a bunch of individuals thinking similarly makes a society, and much or Russian society today is nihilistic, in general. Depressed, negative, hopeless, lost.

Nihilism is the answer to nothing. It should in fact be fought strenuously wherever it exists for it is a poison that will kill any body it dwells within, sooner or later.  Nihilism is especially dangerous for teens, and entirely natural at that age as well. Such are the stakes!

Have a great Summer!

Choom Gang, represent.

Also, is that a beer bottle in the center of the bottom photo? Also too - I love "Yearbook" font.

Also, as well: This is the worst day of the year. DST ends. Sunset for me today was at 4:30 PM. Ug. And there's still daylight to lose till we rebound. Summer, how I miss you.

Laika Dub

My mother, bless her, kept a journal of my likes and dislikes from grade K through 5. One of the questions in this journal was "What do you want to be when you grow up?" And my answer was "Astronaut". From K through 5. And I tried - applied for the Air Force Academy but during the physical I learned I was deaf in my left ear - I never knew! How about that - to be told your entire life till this point has been in mono and you never knew. Odd!

I'd never be an astronaut with this failing, rightly so. And thus, alas! I accept a world where I will never be an astronaut, despite my deep yearnings. So I reach out to those who have gone to space. Like Laika, first mammal in space.

A mutt from the streets, and yet stands forever as the first ambassador of life into space, our inevitable home. Laika, dog hero par excellence.

 A dog hero we can all celebrate - Laika, dog hero of humanity.

On the backs of those who gave their lives for yours and mine. A debt that can never be fully paid.

Sloth Bomb

Looking for a new, noble cause? Why not take up the reclamation of the Sloth - featured here in a photo bomb of earnest young people. Has any animal's very name ever been so besmirched? He's a deadly sin! C'mon, look at him - does he look deadly to you?

Sloths are not a Sin!

Juggalosity

A Juggalo with a Pop Tart. Some kind of exotic Pop Tart by the looks of it. Why? Cuz of the Internet. When or where else would such pointless folly even been conceivable? Odd times we dwell within, and they're only gonna get weirder.

A Juggalo wedding, how nice. Every one in this picture's collective dream, I'm sure. Mother there is quite proud, as is Dad - if he's actually awake. Might be passed out on his feet. Such are the traditional festivities at a Juggalo wedding - gettin' wasted!

To be fair, these young Juggalo's may be high on nothing but life: which consists of the music of a band called Insane Clown Posse - or ICP as they're known on the streets - and drinking a weird soda only available in the Detroit area named Faygo. Strange traditions, but then Juggalos revel in the strange. From what I can gather from my cursory search of the internets, some Juggalos keep their face paint on at all times. Strange.

Harmless, you might think - just kids wearing makeup and partying with music. But these Juggalos are also known for their destructive ways, wrecking everywhere they go, everything they touch, like some kind of clown whirlwind. And destruction of other people's property is not cool, man.

 A useless sign, since if you are a Juggalo you'll ignore it, and perhaps act even more Juggalo-ey. Or if you're not a Juggalo you'll just go "wha?". Either way, ineffective, if well intentioned. Juggalo's gotta Juggalo.

A chance

BHO is different than any President America has had in dozens of ways. These differences should be celebrated, but to a loud and sizable minority these differences are terrifying. Hence the wingnuts, among other reasons. But I say to thee, Wingnut - even if you don't agree with his policies, you must respect the man, his family, and the journey he has taken. Right?

70's Barry was cool. Choom Gang, represent.

It's true. One world, and we all want the same thing at root - peace for ourselves and our family. For our children.

Given a chance, a poor but loved child gained the most powerful position in the history of humanity - President of the US. This IS the American myth come true, and should be celebrated as such. Even if you don't agree with the policies. Though you're a moran if you don't.

Co-opt

The evolution of Ice Cube mirrors our society. Strangely!

Consider: Ice Cube was once a hard core gang banger. Now he stars in family friendly movies and lives in a large mansion with many luxuries. This is the power of Power: Pleasure or punishment. Co-opt those that can be co-opted with easy pleasures and loose chains. Those who actively oppose must be crushed.

And so we see the evolution of celebrity. Ice Cube was once hardcore but is now family friendly. AC-DC was once forbidden to "normal" audiences. Now their music is used in commercials, pregames, and radio lead ins. Tattoos were once the province of sailors and criminals. Now Redshirt's Mom has one, and so many more. You see?

Our world has become EXTREME! In all regards. Not surprising, I suppose, given the last 70 years of humanity. But how to jibe with our current Theocratic longings, with the rise of the lunatic Tea Party?

Notes for future oppressors: A middle class is your best friend, as they provide the stability necessary to make your reign long lasting. Oppress your subjects too much and they will rebel, to everyone's loss. Keep a slight majority well fed and entertained and you and yours can rule forever.

Super Fun Happy Time!

Yay!

Also:

Don't do what little Donny does.

Terminator Dreaming

I had a fevered dream as a 10 year old in which the cities of the world burned and giant mechanical ants crawled up and down the smouldering husks. I was really sick, and there were giant ants all around the New Mexican campground (we were "camping"). That explains the mechanical ants, I reckon. But dreams - nightmares - can linger, leaving a lasting impression.

A day later we were driving through the burning hell of West Texas in August, and still sick and dangerously fevered I had the realization of Death - that my Mother and Father and Sister and baby Brother would die, my Grandparents would die, I would die one day, everyone will die one day. As a 10 year old, it was a damn powerful revelation, for I had no real concept of death hitherto.


So I darkened, and shit got weird all around. And then I developed some serious migraines that would incapacitate me for a day, occurring at times of high stress, ruining so many events. Lasting for years, this shit was intense and there were lots of hospital visits and I came to recall more and more that second fever dream: Death.

And then I saw The Terminator and I was all like: Yep. Killer Robots are gonna get us (Remember the Mechanical Ants?). I was quite a nerd of course, reading anything and everything and lots and lots of comic books were part of that so killer robots were right up my alley. And thus, the source of my robot distrust.


For real! I've been following the topic seriously for years. Running with smart folks, I've talked with robotic experts, read all kinds of papers, and feel pretty knowledgeable on the subject. Robotics are fascinating and will change the world, as will the similar work ongoing in Artificial Intelligence. For good or ill is up to us.

And thus my conclusion: I can't really trust my own opinion of robots or AI, given my series of related mental happenstances. And so I strive for objectivity as I can, even over my own opinions. Or I try.

But really - intelligent robots will kill us all if we don't kill ourselves first. Beware giant Mechanical Ants!

Finnish Fashion

Some Finnish hipster kids. From a Finnish fashion blog, here. Enjoy!

To belabor the rant, let me make some superficial judgments: These kids have their own mobile phones, they play video games a good portion of the day, they chat, they text, they watch a lot of tv. What are the odds they're whiny brats? Or will grow up to be selfish jerks? Since their Finnish, perhaps less than were these lads American, but the odds lean that way. In my opinion!

How can these kid's lifestyles compare to the lives of the kids in the post below? Not much. And so you see - OBJECTIVELY - how the kids these days (since 1945 or so) are taking this world to Heck in a Hand Basket, and all the Old Coots are right: These young whipper snappers are ruining everything!

Don't get me wrong - I grew up in front of the tv and had one of the first Atari home game systems - Pong ruled, dawg. I'm fully immersed in the generations undergoing this transformative shift. I'm just a hypocritical fossil and like to Lament shit. But I'm up front about it.  My generation sucks, as does my Fathers, and I'm sure the generations to come will suck just as much. We all suck!