These creatures are among us, although morphologically they do not differ from us; we must not posit a difference of essence, but a difference of behavior.
Author, Philip K. Dick
Phil Dick was absolutely correct. There are things out there that look perfectly human, that eat the same things humans do, that sleep the same way humans do. However there is something missing in them, some great black void that separates them from humanity, that makes them, despite all appearances, utterly alien to humans.
The ghastly headline in the July 11th edition of The Oklahoman couldn't have illustrated it more. To quote directly, "Video of Carina Saunders' killing may exist, police say."
Apparently Bethany police have been chasing down rumors of the existence of such a tape for months. Finally last week they felt they had come across someone who actually had a copy. However the woman, after agreeing to an interview, was a no show. The story in The Oklahoman, written by Tim Willert, with assistance by Nolan Clay and Andrew Knittle, identified her as Mindy Cottier.
Cottier is a pro and proud of it. According to The Oklahoman she posted on Facebook that, "I'm a stripper/escort and I love my job. I make more than 90% of the college grads out there." Yes, well a lot could be said about that, mainly about how long a dancer/hooker can maintain her clientele after the age of thirty as opposed to say a CPA. Not to mention that most college grads don't have to swallow the penises of complete strangers five or six nights a week to earn a buck.
Bethany police tracked her down to a south side motel where she was staying with a guy named Christopher Banschbach. Banschbach is a convicted felon. Police found a gun sitting on a bed, wads of cash in Banschach's pockets, and, of course, meth and what is always called drug paraphernalia. They also seized a lap top, two zip drives, two cameras, and four cell phones.
The warrant application mentioned Saunders' name and the possibility of a tape documenting her murder. However, it was not among the actual list of items that Bethany police said they were searching for. The warrant application and warrant itself focused on drugs, money, paraphernalia, and records of drug transactions. One can only speculate that is because, at this point, the cops have to focus on the drug angle. The video, until it is actually found, remains nothing more than a rumor. It is, at this moment, a sort of urban legend circulating in the dark nether world of gangs, drugs, and women who, for a half a decade or so, make more than 90% of college grads.
The story went on to say that Bethany police chief Phil Cole declined to answer when asked if the video was found. Police are also unclear on what, if any, connections Cottier and Banschbach might have with Saunders, Luis Ruiz who has been charged with her death, or the others who are "persons of interest."
I am assuming the video, if it does exist, is meant to motivate other women into cooperating with these monsters. As twisted and horrifying as that is, to think it was made for entertainment purposes is worse. That thought makes the stomach knot and fills the mouth with the coppery taste of old pennies.
There are no circumstances that can explain away the actions of these beasts. There is no amount of psycho babble, child hood trauma, chemical imbalance, brain damage, or drug dependency that can mitigate the torture and dismemberment of Carina Saunders.
The complete lack of humanity and conscience, the terrible absence of empathy that infested those who perpetrated this crime and possibly filmed it has one name and one name only. That is evil. There is no other way to put it, no other explanation.
It is not us, but it walks among us.
When we do identify it let us exorcise it as quickly and completely as possible. It simply does not deserve a presence in this world.
7-12-12
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Another Year Another Corporate Scam
"It is deja vu all over again."
John Roe, co-founder of the Commodity Customer Coalition
Indeed, the word on the street, that would be Wall Street, is that Peregrine Financial Group, or PFGBest is done. Done as in its founder and CEO Russell Wasendorf is listed in critical condition in a hospital following a suicide attempt. Done as in the National Futures Association has frozen customer accounts. Done as in estimates are that the company is missing around $200 million that it claimed to have on account.
This sort of sordid practice is becoming all too familiar. Last October MF Global tanked when over a billion dollars went poof. Now PFGBest has done the same thing, although on a smaller scale. Still $200 million is not an insignificant amount unless you are someone like Mitt Romney.
MSNBC is reporting that regulators "have reason enough to believe the firm doesn't have enough assets to meet customer obligations." The FBI is investigating and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission is all ready filing suit. The allegations are fraud, customer funds violations and making false statements.
It is reported that employees are clearing out their desks at the Cedar Falls, Iowa company that sports the corporate motto, "The best thing about our technology is our people."
It was apparently a well run scam. Last year PFGBest was given the Iowa Character Award from the group Character Counts in Iowa. Too bad they didn't know what kind of characters were actually in charge.
It makes you wonder who is keeping an eye on all this chicanery, or I suppose, who isn't. These three card monte games are run by the same people who scream about too many government regulations and restrictions. They are the ones who want to be given free reign so they can go utterly amok, completely unfettered and obviously unindicted.
It is starting to look like it is more sensible to send your bank account number to some guy in Nigeria with the hope he'll deposit funds in it rather than deal with these greed heads.
Do you have to check your morals at the door when they award you that MBA? How many millions are enough? I guess we haven't reached that number yet.
No, it is just another two bit street con only on a much bigger scale. The only thing separating the people at PFGBest and that carny inducing you to knock over the metal milk bottles on the midway is the softball the barker's hand.
At some point, as these crimes continue to mount, everyone is going to reach the same conclusion. Capitalism simply cannot be trusted to capitalists.
When that bell tolls the guys who ran places like MF Global, PFGBest and Enron will have no one to blame but themselves. They'll try of course, but by then no one will listening.
By then it will be good riddance to them all.
7-10-12
John Roe, co-founder of the Commodity Customer Coalition
Indeed, the word on the street, that would be Wall Street, is that Peregrine Financial Group, or PFGBest is done. Done as in its founder and CEO Russell Wasendorf is listed in critical condition in a hospital following a suicide attempt. Done as in the National Futures Association has frozen customer accounts. Done as in estimates are that the company is missing around $200 million that it claimed to have on account.
This sort of sordid practice is becoming all too familiar. Last October MF Global tanked when over a billion dollars went poof. Now PFGBest has done the same thing, although on a smaller scale. Still $200 million is not an insignificant amount unless you are someone like Mitt Romney.
MSNBC is reporting that regulators "have reason enough to believe the firm doesn't have enough assets to meet customer obligations." The FBI is investigating and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission is all ready filing suit. The allegations are fraud, customer funds violations and making false statements.
It is reported that employees are clearing out their desks at the Cedar Falls, Iowa company that sports the corporate motto, "The best thing about our technology is our people."
It was apparently a well run scam. Last year PFGBest was given the Iowa Character Award from the group Character Counts in Iowa. Too bad they didn't know what kind of characters were actually in charge.
It makes you wonder who is keeping an eye on all this chicanery, or I suppose, who isn't. These three card monte games are run by the same people who scream about too many government regulations and restrictions. They are the ones who want to be given free reign so they can go utterly amok, completely unfettered and obviously unindicted.
It is starting to look like it is more sensible to send your bank account number to some guy in Nigeria with the hope he'll deposit funds in it rather than deal with these greed heads.
Do you have to check your morals at the door when they award you that MBA? How many millions are enough? I guess we haven't reached that number yet.
No, it is just another two bit street con only on a much bigger scale. The only thing separating the people at PFGBest and that carny inducing you to knock over the metal milk bottles on the midway is the softball the barker's hand.
At some point, as these crimes continue to mount, everyone is going to reach the same conclusion. Capitalism simply cannot be trusted to capitalists.
When that bell tolls the guys who ran places like MF Global, PFGBest and Enron will have no one to blame but themselves. They'll try of course, but by then no one will listening.
By then it will be good riddance to them all.
7-10-12
Monday, July 9, 2012
That Old Time Religion
The video out of Afghanistan was brutal and simple. A woman who was crouched in front of about 150 cheering onlookers was shot multiple times in the back and back of the head. She had been accused of adultery. In the tape, obtained by Reuters, the enthusiastic onlookers continually called the shooter and his pals mujaheddin. The Taliban denied it was their doing, but no one is buying that bull shit. Especially not your average Afghan who had to put up with these beasts for too many years.
Since the bearded ones were kicked out of power Afghan women have made strides in education and employment, both of which were banned by the Taliban regime. They also have the right to vote now, which much drive those goofs into frothing fits. Although, to be quite honest, it is hard to think of any situation that doesn't drive them into frothing fits. Frothing fits seem to be a permanent emotional and mental state for them.
Beyond the murder itself the other shock is that it happened only a few kilometers outside of Kabul. The act has sent a terrible chill right into the heart of those, who after being forced to live in 6th century tribal slavery for years, are finally starting to see the light of day. It also highlights a slow downplay of women's rights as a priority of the Kabul government. Indeed, there are more than a few women in Afghanistan afraid that the regime of Hamid Karzai is willing to sell them out in order to obtain peace with the Taliban.
Else where in the laugh a minute world of Islamic fundamentalism militants in Mali have destroyed a number of 15th century shrines dedicated to Islamic saints. The group, Ansar Dine has taken over the ancient crossroads city of Timbuktu and gone about destroying mausoleums it considers idolatrous. The U.N. and World Court have condemned the destruction of what it considers priceless historical sites, even going so far as to calling the acts war crimes. Ansar Dine spokesman Oumar Ould Hamaha issued a statement saying that his group didn't recognize either the U.N. or the World Court. Ansar Dine, he said, is only answerable to the divine court of Shariah.. Ansar Dine translates into English as, what else, defenders of the faith.
It isn't like it is the first time Muslims have gone out and destroyed or co-opted another religion's relics, or holy sites. More than a couple of the mosques in Istanbul were once orthodox Christian churches. The Dome of the Rock sits on the site of the great Jewish temple in Jerusalem. In March 2001 the Taliban blew up 6th century statues of Buddha in Afghanistan. Ask any Hindu living near the border with Pakistan how much fun these guys are.
Of course, as with anything, it is dangerous to condemn an entire culture or faith for the acts of a few. There are millions and millions of Muslims who, like the rest of us, are just trying to get through the day while treating others with the decency they expect in return.
Besides, here in the U.S. we have our own crowd of fanatics who claim religion is on their side. On August 6th, 2011 Texas governor Rick Perry held a rally called The Response Prayer Event. He was getting ready to run for president of the United States. Several of the clergy involved were apostles of one C. Peter Wagner's New Apostolic Reformation movement. Brother Wagner has repeatedly written that true believers need to burn, smash, and or flush down the toilet profane and idolatrous religious texts or symbols. These would include the Books of Mormon, statues of Roman Catholic saints, Buddha and Hindu gods. He also sees the need to rid ourselves of African tribal masks, Hopi Kachina dolls and totem polls.
I suppose all this rock 'em sock 'em fervor works for these guys, no matter what their faith. Obviously it doesn't for the vast majority of the rest of us. Murder, mayhem and crude vandalism are pretty much what they are, no matter what the excuse.
As a friend of mine said, "once people are convinced God is on their side, they are capable of anything."
It would seem he was right.
God save us from all these holy men, for they are a deadly lot. And they are certainly not worthy of a Supreme Being. At least not one that I know.
7-9-12
Since the bearded ones were kicked out of power Afghan women have made strides in education and employment, both of which were banned by the Taliban regime. They also have the right to vote now, which much drive those goofs into frothing fits. Although, to be quite honest, it is hard to think of any situation that doesn't drive them into frothing fits. Frothing fits seem to be a permanent emotional and mental state for them.
Beyond the murder itself the other shock is that it happened only a few kilometers outside of Kabul. The act has sent a terrible chill right into the heart of those, who after being forced to live in 6th century tribal slavery for years, are finally starting to see the light of day. It also highlights a slow downplay of women's rights as a priority of the Kabul government. Indeed, there are more than a few women in Afghanistan afraid that the regime of Hamid Karzai is willing to sell them out in order to obtain peace with the Taliban.
Else where in the laugh a minute world of Islamic fundamentalism militants in Mali have destroyed a number of 15th century shrines dedicated to Islamic saints. The group, Ansar Dine has taken over the ancient crossroads city of Timbuktu and gone about destroying mausoleums it considers idolatrous. The U.N. and World Court have condemned the destruction of what it considers priceless historical sites, even going so far as to calling the acts war crimes. Ansar Dine spokesman Oumar Ould Hamaha issued a statement saying that his group didn't recognize either the U.N. or the World Court. Ansar Dine, he said, is only answerable to the divine court of Shariah.. Ansar Dine translates into English as, what else, defenders of the faith.
It isn't like it is the first time Muslims have gone out and destroyed or co-opted another religion's relics, or holy sites. More than a couple of the mosques in Istanbul were once orthodox Christian churches. The Dome of the Rock sits on the site of the great Jewish temple in Jerusalem. In March 2001 the Taliban blew up 6th century statues of Buddha in Afghanistan. Ask any Hindu living near the border with Pakistan how much fun these guys are.
Of course, as with anything, it is dangerous to condemn an entire culture or faith for the acts of a few. There are millions and millions of Muslims who, like the rest of us, are just trying to get through the day while treating others with the decency they expect in return.
Besides, here in the U.S. we have our own crowd of fanatics who claim religion is on their side. On August 6th, 2011 Texas governor Rick Perry held a rally called The Response Prayer Event. He was getting ready to run for president of the United States. Several of the clergy involved were apostles of one C. Peter Wagner's New Apostolic Reformation movement. Brother Wagner has repeatedly written that true believers need to burn, smash, and or flush down the toilet profane and idolatrous religious texts or symbols. These would include the Books of Mormon, statues of Roman Catholic saints, Buddha and Hindu gods. He also sees the need to rid ourselves of African tribal masks, Hopi Kachina dolls and totem polls.
I suppose all this rock 'em sock 'em fervor works for these guys, no matter what their faith. Obviously it doesn't for the vast majority of the rest of us. Murder, mayhem and crude vandalism are pretty much what they are, no matter what the excuse.
As a friend of mine said, "once people are convinced God is on their side, they are capable of anything."
It would seem he was right.
God save us from all these holy men, for they are a deadly lot. And they are certainly not worthy of a Supreme Being. At least not one that I know.
7-9-12
Friday, July 6, 2012
Alina Fitzpatrick: Still Out In The Cold
After a deadly fall and winter it would seem the birds have all come home to roost except in the case of Alina Fitzpatrick. Her's is the only death out of five brutal murders in a breathtakingly short span last year where no charges have been filed, or persons of interest have been identified.
Of course it doesn't help the police technically don't consider her death a murder because of the amount of meth found in her system during an autopsy. On January 20th of this year, in a story written by The Oklahoman's Matt Dinger, OKC police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow was quoted as saying the department was keeping an open file on the case, but didn't consider it a homicide. Nine days later in a story by Bryan Dean, OKC police Capt. Dexter Nelson tried to smooth over that apparent cold blooded attitude toward Fitzpatrick's death by saying police were still investigating it as suspicious. "Homicide is just a legal term," he said. "You investigate them in the same way."
In today's Oklahoman, a front page story written by Carmen Foreman and Matt Dinger, says Bethany police have charged one Luis Ruiz with the murder of Carina Saunders. She was the first of the women to perish last fall. Her dismembered body was found in a duffel bag in a field behind a grocery store.
Luis Ruiz, who is 37 is the only person actually charged with Saunders' death, at least so far. Two other men, Francisco Gomez and Jimmy Lee Massey have been named as persons of interest. They are being held on separate charges, although it is reported, Massey has confessed to kidnapping and forcing an unnamed woman to watch Saunders' gruesome murder.
Foreman and Dinger report, Ruiz's brother, Jorge told them he guessed Luis was in a drug ring. He also was quoted as saying he "might" have seen his brother hanging out with Saunders, but couldn't be sure. The police are being mum on any hard evidence in the case.
Two people are being held in the Kelsey Bransby murder. She was found shot in a south side apartment and died a short time later. Cole Hopper and Danielle Cooley have been charged in connection with the case. Hopper is looking at murder two and Cooley is being charged as an accessory. They were friends of the victim.
Jaymie Adams' husband was charged with her death. Her body was found out by Lake Stanley Draper. She went missing after going to meet a "friend" at a Midwest City McDonald's. She had four kids and a fifth was on the way. To make ends meet she had advertised on Craig's List as a massage therapist, but in reality was pulling down tricks with the seeming approval of her spouse. He was into "the swingers lifestyle" and had a taste for wife swapping and Lord only knows what else.
Finally Emily Matheson and Fabion Brown were accused of hiring Brodric, Savage, Glover to kill Brown's estranged wife, Jessica Lynn Brown. Glover's year end close out sale price for the hit was reportedly $250.
So, it appears the police in both OKC and Bethany have their suspects in hand. No one has gone to trial yet and there is no telling what plea bargaining has and will take place. The families of Saunders and Bransby, while never attaining the mythical status of closure, because there can never be complete closure when it comes to losing a child, can at least begin to see an end to the ongoing nightmare of not knowing who and why.
Only the third and youngest victim's death remains a dreadful mystery. Make no mistake about it, for the family of Alina Fitzpatrick, even as the summer heat settles down onto this dusty burg, their daughter is still out in the cold. And until they too find out who and why, she will, tragically, stay there.
7-6-12
Of course it doesn't help the police technically don't consider her death a murder because of the amount of meth found in her system during an autopsy. On January 20th of this year, in a story written by The Oklahoman's Matt Dinger, OKC police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow was quoted as saying the department was keeping an open file on the case, but didn't consider it a homicide. Nine days later in a story by Bryan Dean, OKC police Capt. Dexter Nelson tried to smooth over that apparent cold blooded attitude toward Fitzpatrick's death by saying police were still investigating it as suspicious. "Homicide is just a legal term," he said. "You investigate them in the same way."
In today's Oklahoman, a front page story written by Carmen Foreman and Matt Dinger, says Bethany police have charged one Luis Ruiz with the murder of Carina Saunders. She was the first of the women to perish last fall. Her dismembered body was found in a duffel bag in a field behind a grocery store.
Luis Ruiz, who is 37 is the only person actually charged with Saunders' death, at least so far. Two other men, Francisco Gomez and Jimmy Lee Massey have been named as persons of interest. They are being held on separate charges, although it is reported, Massey has confessed to kidnapping and forcing an unnamed woman to watch Saunders' gruesome murder.
Foreman and Dinger report, Ruiz's brother, Jorge told them he guessed Luis was in a drug ring. He also was quoted as saying he "might" have seen his brother hanging out with Saunders, but couldn't be sure. The police are being mum on any hard evidence in the case.
Two people are being held in the Kelsey Bransby murder. She was found shot in a south side apartment and died a short time later. Cole Hopper and Danielle Cooley have been charged in connection with the case. Hopper is looking at murder two and Cooley is being charged as an accessory. They were friends of the victim.
Jaymie Adams' husband was charged with her death. Her body was found out by Lake Stanley Draper. She went missing after going to meet a "friend" at a Midwest City McDonald's. She had four kids and a fifth was on the way. To make ends meet she had advertised on Craig's List as a massage therapist, but in reality was pulling down tricks with the seeming approval of her spouse. He was into "the swingers lifestyle" and had a taste for wife swapping and Lord only knows what else.
Finally Emily Matheson and Fabion Brown were accused of hiring Brodric, Savage, Glover to kill Brown's estranged wife, Jessica Lynn Brown. Glover's year end close out sale price for the hit was reportedly $250.
So, it appears the police in both OKC and Bethany have their suspects in hand. No one has gone to trial yet and there is no telling what plea bargaining has and will take place. The families of Saunders and Bransby, while never attaining the mythical status of closure, because there can never be complete closure when it comes to losing a child, can at least begin to see an end to the ongoing nightmare of not knowing who and why.
Only the third and youngest victim's death remains a dreadful mystery. Make no mistake about it, for the family of Alina Fitzpatrick, even as the summer heat settles down onto this dusty burg, their daughter is still out in the cold. And until they too find out who and why, she will, tragically, stay there.
7-6-12
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Dancing Mitt: You Say Taxes, I Say Penalty
That sound of tap dancing you hear is coming from the talented, yes, magical, feet of Mr. Mitt Romney. He is trying to explain why he was all for a state wide mandate on health care in Massachusetts, but is now steadfastly opposed to one on the national level.
He is also trying to explain the difference between a "tax" and a "penalty" when it comes to such things. Unfortunately as the words come tumbling out they tend to eddy into whirlpools of confusion and double speak, but that certainly shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.
His staff started this warped ball rolling downhill when senior advisor Eric Fehinstrom called the federal health care mandate a "penalty." A campaign press release followed shortly there after expanding on that thought, calling it an "unconstitutional penalty".
The problem with all that "penalty" stuff is that in Massachusetts then governor Romney enacted a law which required people without health insurance to pay a "penalty." You can see his problem. His campaign people are condemning his opponent in language he framed himself in order to avoid saying he "taxed" someone in the Bay State.
The Wall Street Journal, an arm of the right wing Rupert Murdoch propaganda machine, jumped his ass immediately. They drug him over the coals for not openly repenting for that liberalesque lapse in Massachusetts and for failing to say the Obama mandate was a "tax" on the middle class.
You can say many things about Mitt Romney, but one of them isn't that he doesn't know whose pocket he is in. He quickly issued a statement that said in part: "Well the Supreme Court has the final word and their final word is Obamacare is a tax. So it is a tax."
Then the mad little jig went into over drive. Romney, in an effort to explain the difference between Mittcare's "penalties" and the Affordable Care Act's "unconstitutional penalties," which are actually "taxes," said this: "Actually the Chief Justice in his opinion made it very clear that at the state level, states have the power to put in mandates. They don't require them to be called taxes in order for them to be constitutional."
I'm sure that makes sense somewhere in galaxy far, far away.
Now you know why it took so long for this guy to win the nomination and why there isn't an arch conservative alive in this land who trusts him any further than he or she can throw him.
I'm sure by the debates this fall he'll have all the kinks worked out and the dog and pony show will be performed with breathtaking precision. After all, these things take a lot of work. Rehearsals must be held, costumed fitted, and the choreography finalized.
In the mean time, proving once again he is completely in touch with the struggling working class, Mr. Romney took time out from the campaign to be photographed with his wife cruising on a jet ski. They were spending the fourth of July at Lake Winnpesaukee, New Hampshire where they own a vacation home.
All work and no play makes Mitt a dull boy. Besides, doesn't everyone have a vacation home in New Hampshire?
I suppose they do in his world.
Too bad 99% of us don't inhabit that planet.
7-5-12
He is also trying to explain the difference between a "tax" and a "penalty" when it comes to such things. Unfortunately as the words come tumbling out they tend to eddy into whirlpools of confusion and double speak, but that certainly shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.
His staff started this warped ball rolling downhill when senior advisor Eric Fehinstrom called the federal health care mandate a "penalty." A campaign press release followed shortly there after expanding on that thought, calling it an "unconstitutional penalty".
The problem with all that "penalty" stuff is that in Massachusetts then governor Romney enacted a law which required people without health insurance to pay a "penalty." You can see his problem. His campaign people are condemning his opponent in language he framed himself in order to avoid saying he "taxed" someone in the Bay State.
The Wall Street Journal, an arm of the right wing Rupert Murdoch propaganda machine, jumped his ass immediately. They drug him over the coals for not openly repenting for that liberalesque lapse in Massachusetts and for failing to say the Obama mandate was a "tax" on the middle class.
You can say many things about Mitt Romney, but one of them isn't that he doesn't know whose pocket he is in. He quickly issued a statement that said in part: "Well the Supreme Court has the final word and their final word is Obamacare is a tax. So it is a tax."
Then the mad little jig went into over drive. Romney, in an effort to explain the difference between Mittcare's "penalties" and the Affordable Care Act's "unconstitutional penalties," which are actually "taxes," said this: "Actually the Chief Justice in his opinion made it very clear that at the state level, states have the power to put in mandates. They don't require them to be called taxes in order for them to be constitutional."
I'm sure that makes sense somewhere in galaxy far, far away.
Now you know why it took so long for this guy to win the nomination and why there isn't an arch conservative alive in this land who trusts him any further than he or she can throw him.
I'm sure by the debates this fall he'll have all the kinks worked out and the dog and pony show will be performed with breathtaking precision. After all, these things take a lot of work. Rehearsals must be held, costumed fitted, and the choreography finalized.
In the mean time, proving once again he is completely in touch with the struggling working class, Mr. Romney took time out from the campaign to be photographed with his wife cruising on a jet ski. They were spending the fourth of July at Lake Winnpesaukee, New Hampshire where they own a vacation home.
All work and no play makes Mitt a dull boy. Besides, doesn't everyone have a vacation home in New Hampshire?
I suppose they do in his world.
Too bad 99% of us don't inhabit that planet.
7-5-12
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The Declaration of Independence and Revisionism
It was a dicey time 236 years ago in Philadelphia. A group of men, most of them wealthy, many of them owners of fellow human beings, were about to commit an act of high treason against what was arguably the most powerful nation in the world.
A declaration had been drafted by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. It had suffered through an extensive editing process by committee and other individuals within the gathering. Some of it is still quoted and revered two plus centuries later while other parts are largely ignored by the vast majority of people who populate the country which it, in effect, founded. Indeed, when was the last time you heard someone quote this complaint against George III found within the body of the declaration: "He has excited domestic insurrections among us and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages whose known rule of warfare is the undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions." No, that one doesn't get a lot of play now days.
As with many important, radical, documents it has been interpreted to support a vast spectrum of political views. Both it and those who signed off on it have been subjected to increasingly fanciful historical revisions, especially by those on the religious right wing fringe of American society. If you believe their version of events and the people the nation was founded by, you've bought into the tenets of every wild eyed TV evangelist currently fouling the airwaves. Yes, you see Pentecostals drove the whole revolution.
Hardly.
In the declaration there are three references to a deity. First is "nature's God, second is "their Creator", third is, the "Supreme Judge of the world." There is also a mention of "Divine Providence," if you want to count that. The name Jesus is not invoked, neither is there any reference to the new, or old testament. So much for those biblical and Christian values the evangelicals are claiming the nation was based upon.
In truth, Jefferson's views of Christianity were closer to agnosticism than anything else. In a letter to his nephew, Peter Carr in 1787 he wrote, "Question with boldness even the existence of God, because if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." In fact, although he admired the teachings of Christ as "...a system of most sublime morality which has ever fallen from the lips of man," he flatly rejected the notion of Jesus' divinity.
John Adams was a Unitarian who also rejected the divinity of Jesus and the concept of the holy Trinity.
Benjamin Franklin was a confirmed deist, although a moderate who was tolerant of those who did profess Christian beliefs. In that regard he was unlike Thomas Paine who despised all things religious and went out of his way to satirize and ridicule those of faith.
George Washington, who missed the signing because he was commanding an army in the field, never referred to Jesus Christ in any of his writings and refused to accept communion.
Tomorrow is a time to study the document and reflect upon how it shook the existing world political order to its very core. After July 4th, 1776 nothing, especially in the western hemisphere, would ever be the same again.
It was a gutsy move by a bunch of people who had everything, including their lives, to lose. We dishonor their memory and accomplishments if we try to portray them as something they weren't simply to facilitate our own ends.
That Orwellian concept is perhaps the greatest internal threat to the republic and democracy as a whole that the nation faces today.
It is something to keep in mind as the fireworks go off and the brats sizzle on the grill.
Veritas Omnina Vincit
7-3-12
A declaration had been drafted by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. It had suffered through an extensive editing process by committee and other individuals within the gathering. Some of it is still quoted and revered two plus centuries later while other parts are largely ignored by the vast majority of people who populate the country which it, in effect, founded. Indeed, when was the last time you heard someone quote this complaint against George III found within the body of the declaration: "He has excited domestic insurrections among us and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages whose known rule of warfare is the undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions." No, that one doesn't get a lot of play now days.
As with many important, radical, documents it has been interpreted to support a vast spectrum of political views. Both it and those who signed off on it have been subjected to increasingly fanciful historical revisions, especially by those on the religious right wing fringe of American society. If you believe their version of events and the people the nation was founded by, you've bought into the tenets of every wild eyed TV evangelist currently fouling the airwaves. Yes, you see Pentecostals drove the whole revolution.
Hardly.
In the declaration there are three references to a deity. First is "nature's God, second is "their Creator", third is, the "Supreme Judge of the world." There is also a mention of "Divine Providence," if you want to count that. The name Jesus is not invoked, neither is there any reference to the new, or old testament. So much for those biblical and Christian values the evangelicals are claiming the nation was based upon.
In truth, Jefferson's views of Christianity were closer to agnosticism than anything else. In a letter to his nephew, Peter Carr in 1787 he wrote, "Question with boldness even the existence of God, because if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." In fact, although he admired the teachings of Christ as "...a system of most sublime morality which has ever fallen from the lips of man," he flatly rejected the notion of Jesus' divinity.
John Adams was a Unitarian who also rejected the divinity of Jesus and the concept of the holy Trinity.
Benjamin Franklin was a confirmed deist, although a moderate who was tolerant of those who did profess Christian beliefs. In that regard he was unlike Thomas Paine who despised all things religious and went out of his way to satirize and ridicule those of faith.
George Washington, who missed the signing because he was commanding an army in the field, never referred to Jesus Christ in any of his writings and refused to accept communion.
Tomorrow is a time to study the document and reflect upon how it shook the existing world political order to its very core. After July 4th, 1776 nothing, especially in the western hemisphere, would ever be the same again.
It was a gutsy move by a bunch of people who had everything, including their lives, to lose. We dishonor their memory and accomplishments if we try to portray them as something they weren't simply to facilitate our own ends.
That Orwellian concept is perhaps the greatest internal threat to the republic and democracy as a whole that the nation faces today.
It is something to keep in mind as the fireworks go off and the brats sizzle on the grill.
Veritas Omnina Vincit
7-3-12
Monday, July 2, 2012
The Som Sabadell Flash Mob, Hope and Sentimentality
Sometimes, no many times, it is easy to lose all faith in humanity. Especially when you dwell on the news and write about what you see on a daily basis.
The brute ugliness of humans is spread across newspapers, tv screens, and the Internet to the exclusion of all else on most days.
As the man in a quite mediocre film once said, "If it bleeds, it leads."
Indeed there is this terrible fascination with all things bad and it starts from this keyboard and works its way to those who read the blog and watch cable and local news.
Murder, war, rape, buggery of all sorts, abject greed, dangerous alliances between the corporate world and political parties, and an absolute absence of common sense and decency appears to be the norm. In fact many times it easy to assume these terrible sins are all we are capable of as a species.
Sadly, much of the time that is true. Some escape into alcohol and drugs, others into fantasy world memories. Memories of times and places that never really existed, or if they did were tinged with a dark underside none of us will admit to in our recollections.
However, once in a great while something comes across the screen that reminds us we are capable of more. I'm not talking about a heroic rescue or acts of great bravery and kindness although when those occur they do inspire. I'm talking about simple things that suddenly remind us of the brilliant hope and wonder that dwell deep within most of us. The simple things that make us different from the beasts in the fields and jungles.
I will admit up front that I have an affinity for classical music. It is by no means what I listen to exclusively, but be assured that as I am composing these posts documenting all manner of depravity and expressing my thoughts regarding them I am listening to anyone from Mozart, to Beethoven, and more. Sometimes as I'm typing I think of Malcolm McDowell's character in "A Clockwork Orange," being forced to listen to Beethoven's ninth symphony as he watches endless reels of death camp footage.
I will also admit that, as with every cynic, if you scratch me you will find hidden away the bruised soul of an idealist. There is also a streak of rank sentimentality tucked away in there somewhere. I like to blame my Irish great grand parents for that bit of DNA.
That is why when I do, once in a while, stumble across something that reminds me that deep within much of the human race there is something akin to holiness I get the proverbial lump in the throat.
I would suggest that you now exit this blog and go to YouTube. Once there search out "Som Sabadell Flash Mob." Listen to the music, but pay attention to the reaction of the crowd, especially the children.
Trust me, it will be the best five minutes and forty one seconds of your day.
It will remind you, for a few moments at least, we are better than we seem.
7-2-12
The brute ugliness of humans is spread across newspapers, tv screens, and the Internet to the exclusion of all else on most days.
As the man in a quite mediocre film once said, "If it bleeds, it leads."
Indeed there is this terrible fascination with all things bad and it starts from this keyboard and works its way to those who read the blog and watch cable and local news.
Murder, war, rape, buggery of all sorts, abject greed, dangerous alliances between the corporate world and political parties, and an absolute absence of common sense and decency appears to be the norm. In fact many times it easy to assume these terrible sins are all we are capable of as a species.
Sadly, much of the time that is true. Some escape into alcohol and drugs, others into fantasy world memories. Memories of times and places that never really existed, or if they did were tinged with a dark underside none of us will admit to in our recollections.
However, once in a great while something comes across the screen that reminds us we are capable of more. I'm not talking about a heroic rescue or acts of great bravery and kindness although when those occur they do inspire. I'm talking about simple things that suddenly remind us of the brilliant hope and wonder that dwell deep within most of us. The simple things that make us different from the beasts in the fields and jungles.
I will admit up front that I have an affinity for classical music. It is by no means what I listen to exclusively, but be assured that as I am composing these posts documenting all manner of depravity and expressing my thoughts regarding them I am listening to anyone from Mozart, to Beethoven, and more. Sometimes as I'm typing I think of Malcolm McDowell's character in "A Clockwork Orange," being forced to listen to Beethoven's ninth symphony as he watches endless reels of death camp footage.
I will also admit that, as with every cynic, if you scratch me you will find hidden away the bruised soul of an idealist. There is also a streak of rank sentimentality tucked away in there somewhere. I like to blame my Irish great grand parents for that bit of DNA.
That is why when I do, once in a while, stumble across something that reminds me that deep within much of the human race there is something akin to holiness I get the proverbial lump in the throat.
I would suggest that you now exit this blog and go to YouTube. Once there search out "Som Sabadell Flash Mob." Listen to the music, but pay attention to the reaction of the crowd, especially the children.
Trust me, it will be the best five minutes and forty one seconds of your day.
It will remind you, for a few moments at least, we are better than we seem.
7-2-12
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