No Laughing Matter

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No Laughing Matter Headerby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

It’s No Laughing Matter

Does anyone truly believe that John – “waterworks” – Boehner possess the testicular fortitude to even recognize a principled position… let alone hold on to one? The only thing that matters to John is what his father would think if only he could have seen his little Johnny grow up to become the Speaker of the House.

No Laughing Matter - Boehner's New Gavel

Boehner’s New Gavel

He is transparent as glass and that makes him easy to control. When Nancy Pelosi passed Johnny that over sized mallet – gavel – he started bawling and very nearly burst into a full blown crying and snotting fit. Yes, it means so much to him. It means so much that merely the threat of it being taken away causes him to panic and fall in line.

No Laughing Matter - Eric Cantor

Eric’s got plans…

The power and prestige have blinded him to the reality he’s already lost the speakership in all but name only. In just a short while, even that will be gone as well. Eric Cantor is grinning in his face and stabbing him in the back each and every chance he gets. Why you ask? Because Eric wants to be the first Jewish Speaker of the House.

You know? That whole being third in line of succession thing really goes to some people’s heads! What I find frightening is, anyone who will scheme, manipulate and commit what meets the very definition of treason, once they are third in line for succession… I believe they’d be capable of arranging the demise of the President and Vice President. Unbridled Ambition is a terrible thing.

Puppet Masters

No Laughing Matter - Lap Dogs

Attack Dogs? Lap Dogs?

We have been focusing our ire on the Republican front men who are doing little more than parroting talking points they’ve been given. Like well trained attack dogs, they will sit up, lay down, roll over and attack on their master’s command. There is no doubt that an attack dog bearing down on you will get your attention. Of course, that’s the point isn’t it? To get you to focus on and expend your energies fighting and trying to survive the dog instead of taking out its master.

No Laughing Matter - Attack DogIt is time we raised our sights. We need to target the men behind the curtain and stop watching the noise and light show. The Koch brothers and the other members of the billionaire’s boys club can purchase an endless supply of Republican zombies to keep us dazed and confused. They are quite alright with the possibility of America burning to the ground. Once the fire is fully engaged – it’s already been lit – they’ll simply hop on their private jets and head to one of their many villas in Europe and wait for the fire to burn down to ashes. At which point they’ll return offering themselves as saviors to rebuild America in their own image.

No Laughing Matter - Homeless FamilyAsk yourself, why should multi-billionaires give a damn about people making a living wage? Children receiving assistance that “Head Start” supplies? People being able to have affordable health care? Women having control over their own reproductive choices? The truth is, they don’t! These are merely incendiary devices they’re using to start their fire.

Instead of us putting that fire out, we’re busy dancing with their trained attack dogs. It is time we saw past the illusions of their smoke and mirrors. It is time we go after the masters of the dogs. The dogs are merely dumb brutes doing as their told. Other than the fact they were willing… no eager, to sell their souls for a morsel of porridge, it is not their fault. We can deal with them later. Perhaps force them to attend Sunday school all over again and learn the lessons they clearly missed out on. We need to shut off the water at the main. Once we do, the leaks will become easier to fix. When you look at the Koch brothers and others who seem to be laughing it up, remember, this really is no laughing matter!

 

Radical Republicans Carry On Osama’s Legacy

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Radical Republicans Headerby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

If you believe the official account of the events on September 11, 2001, Osama Bin Laden masterminded a plan to bring this nation to its knees. We lost 2,978 innocent civilians on that day by conservative estimates. Because of this, we launched two wars, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. We’ve spent trillions of dollars, ruined our economy and sacrificed 10’s of thousands of the treasure of this nation. Thanks to certain Radical Republicans, it turns out, Osama could have been more effective by simply donating to one of several Republican “Super-PACs.”

Radical Republicans

I am old enough to remember the political parties before the Republicans lost their damn minds. No, I’m not going to play the false equivalence game and pretend to be “fair and balanced” like FAUX News. Sometimes, one of the two sides in a dispute is clearly and unequivocally wrong! I can recall when the Republicans believed in fiscal responsibility. Now they merely pay lip service to it. Republicans used to believe in smaller government. Now, they’re fascist.

“Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power.”
– Benito Mussolini

They care more about the wishes of the corporations who own them than they do about the actual constituents they purport to represent. The Republicans I remember growing up, tended to be against wars and if anything leaned towards “isolationism.” The radical Republicans of today, haven’t seen a seen a war they’re not in favor of.

The only things they’re not in favor of are the very things that would make this nation stronger, energy independent and would boost the standard of living and quality of life for United States citizens.

Radical Republicans were against bailing out our automotive industry. Think about this for a moment. During WWII, it was our automotive industry that tooled up to produce tanks, firearms and many of the necessities that made it possible for us to prevail. Were it not for the manufacturing base provided by our automotive industries, we all might well be speaking German today. That is, those of us left alive to live under a totalitarian dictatorship.

Radical Republicans - Detroit

Not the Detroit I remember.

Even if we ignore the national security implications, think of all the jobs that would have been lost. Not just the direct jobs lost because of factory closings, but all the additional downstream jobs in the companies that produce the products the automotive industries require. Think of the small businesses that depend on the people in communities who are employed by the automotive industry. Mitt Romney’s Op-Ed entitled, “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt,” should be instructional. Detroit has indeed gone bankrupt. Look at Detroit. It is rapidly spiralling down into a “3rd World” experience. This began when the automotive industries began pulling out and relocating. Trouble is, many of these manufacturing plants are now in communities all around the nation. Possibly there are a few employing people in your community. Had we taken the advice of the radical Republicans, you might have been surprised to find your own community looking like Detroit.

Radical Republicans Or Closet Terrorists?

Radical Republicans - Pear Harbor AttackWhat if a foreign power attacked the United States and killed 45,000 of our citizens? Men, women and children? I want you to actually consider this for a moment. What would you think ought to be done? When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 killing 2,402 of our sailors and wounding 1,247, we dove into WWII which resulted in nuclear weapons being used for the first – and hopefully the last – time in recorded history. When we were attacked on September 11, 2001, we counted 2,978 fatalities. We went to war with two nations – one of which had absolutely nothing to do with the attack – and spent trillions of dollars.

Yet, each year, 45,000 of our brother and sister American citizens die because they have no health insurance. That’s over 15 times the number of people we lost in the September 11 attacks… each year! Do you think we ought to do something about it? How can anyone claim to be a patriot and profess a love for this nation, be against a law that will potentially save 45,000 American lives? Radical Republicans are.

Radical Republicans make Osama Bin Laden look like a piker! He only murdered 2,978 of our citizens. The policy the Radical Republicans are doggedly pursuing will murder 45,000 of our citizens each year. We sent Seal Team 6 to get Osama. Who are we sending after these terrorists?

Backstabbing Our Troops The Radical Republican Forte`

Radical Republicans - Wounded Warriors

What about them? Can they stand a Government shut down?

If you’re old enough, you will remember when the Republican Party didn’t merely pay lip service to being pro-military. They actually respected and honored those who had served out country in uniform. Being a veteran put you at the head of the line for a job when you returned to civilian life. During the Vietnam war when there was a draft, many times employers would hold your job for you upon your return. Not so now. The families of many active duty soldiers depend on “food stamps” to feed their families during their loved one’s absence.

Radical Republicans in their zeal to stomp on minorities and people of color, are doing all they can to defund and under fund our food stamp safety net. Because of their policies, according to the Department of Defense, some 5,000 families of active duty servicemen will have their food stamps cut. Imagine what that does to the man or woman fighting in the field. How can he or she concentrate on their job while worrying about whether or not their children are going to bed hungry.

While we’re on the subject of hunger in America, 52.32 million people – 1 in 6 – many of them children, are struggling with hunger right here in this country which likes to boast of its “exceptionalism.” When Russian President, Vladimir Putin said that America was not exceptional, many of these same Radical Republicans took offense. Well damnit! The truth hurts doesn’t it?  How the Hell are we exceptional when 52.32 million of our citizens are going to bed hungry just like people in 3rd World Nations?

Radical Republicans - Bridge Collapse Minneapolis

The entire span of the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed in Minneapolis.

Our infrastructure is collapsing around our ears. We’ve got bridges all across this nation that have been marked as unsafe and closed. Some have even fallen down costing lives. We’ve got thousands of veterans, both men and women returning from war in need of jobs. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives under the leadership(?) of John Boehner have refused to pass a single jobs bill. They’ve refused to pass a single bill that would help our returning troops. Oh, by the way, they have voted to repeal Obama Care 41 times. They have caused the United States credit rating to be downgraded. At the time of my writing this, we’re headed for another Government shut down. Did I mention we have troops who are currently fighting a war? Might be nice if we paid them.

Who needs terrorist when you’ve got Radical Republicans doing everything in their power to destroy America. I’m sure Osama Bin Laden is spinning at the bottom of the sea saying, “Damn! If I’d only known!”

Mind Control – When Voices Are Real

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mind_control_when_voices_are_real_headerby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

“I’ve been told, “much learning has made me mad.” I doubt that is true, since knowledge is relative. In the ocean of knowledge, my thimble is barely damp.” _Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

Mind Control – The Early Years

Back in the early 50’s there was a top secret program known as “MKUltra.” You may have heard about it because it comes up regularly in so called “conspiracy circles.” Labels are such wonderful things! We can slap them on people, concepts and ideas and suddenly we know all there is to know about whomever and whatever is under our label. It is not unlike reading the cover of a book and pretending you know its contents.

MKUltra grew out of WWII. We employed some German scientist to bring us up to speed on projects that were already well under way at the close of the war. Ostensibly, the goals of the “program” were to break down human beings, modify and control their behavior by any means necessary. These means included but were not limited to, hypnosis, chemical, biological and radioactive exposure. Many of the test subjects were unwitting Canadian and United States citizens who were given LSD and other substances without their knowledge and then photographed and video taped in secret. Many test subjects died.

Mind Control - Ted Kaczynski

Ted Kaczynski – The Unabomber

The assassin of Senator Bobby Kennedy, Sirhan Sirhan was said to have been an MKUltra test subject. There is compelling evidence that Ted Kaczynski – the Unabomber – participated in the MKUltra experiments when he was at Harvard University in the 60’s. “The scope of Project MKUltra was broad, with research undertaken at 80 institutions, including 44 colleges and universities, as well as hospitals, prisons and pharmaceutical companies.”

Mind Control - Senator Frank Church

Senator Frank Church (D-ID)

The project came to light and was uncovered by the “Church Committee” in 1975. The project was promptly shut down and many documents were destroyed. Many say the project simply went deep underground, which does make sense. When you’ve invested that amount of time and money, you don’t stop because you get slapped on the wrists. Mind control technology and its perfection is something a certain group of people desperately want and in my opinion will stop at nothing to get. If you can control the minds of people without their knowledge, you in essence have the power of a god and humankind becomes your slaves.

Everything Evolves – Especially Technology

On August 7, 2013, Aaron Alexis told Rhode Island police that he was hearing voices. He further went on to say that he was experiencing microwave radiation pulses that were causing his body to vibrate. He indicated that these pulses and voices were coming through the walls, floors and ceiling of his room. As a result, he changed hotel rooms 3 times that night. A few days later he purchased the shotgun he would take to the Navy Yard.

Was he telling the truth? Is there any evidence that he might have been telling the truth? December 28, 1989 Oliver M. Lowery filed Patent No. 5159703. The abstract says it is for a “Silent Subliminal Presentation System.” Commonly known as “The Voice of God Technology,” this system can cause a person to hear voices and messages directly in their brain, bypassing their ears. You can’t stop it with earplugs or by burying your head under your pillows. The messages can be pre-recorded and played on a loop 24 hours, 7 days a week and depending upon where the signal is emanating from – satellite say – you cannot escape it. Once it is tuned to your brain waves, only you will hear the voices. People standing right next to you will hear nothing.

Mind Control - Old Skool Phone

Remember these? Wasn’t that long ago.

We know this technology is real. We know they have it. We know they’re a lot further along with it than this brief video presentation indicates. Think about cell phone technology. Back in the early 90’s, if you had a “bag phone” you had something. Then cell phones shrunk to the size of a brick with an antenna sticking out of it. Next we got the flip phones. “Beam me up Scotty!” We thought we had something then. Cell phones kept getting smaller and smarter and faster. Now we have cell phones with more computing power than all of NASA had when they sent men to the moon and brought them back. These phones slip quite nicely into a shirt pocket. They’ve got built in GPS, can take high definition videos and pictures. James Bond – Sean Connery – and Q would have turned in his bullet proof Aston Martin for one of today’s smart phones.

If cell phones have evolved in such a short time period, imagine what the technology to put voices into your head has become over roughly the same period. Get the point?

A Question Of Crazy

Yes, there are people who are actually suffering from actual chemical imbalances in the brain and who are legitimately diagnosed as being schizophrenic. The danger – this is what they’re counting on – is that anyone complaining of what seems to be symptoms associated with a commonly understood ailment will be assumed to be suffering from that ailment. Thus, what they’re doing becomes lost in the noise.

Mind Control - David Berkowitz Arrest.

Arrest of David Berkowitz – Son Of Sam Killer

So, the “Son Of Sam” says he hears “Satan’s Voice” and immediately we look at that ready made label and say, “crazy!” Aaron Alexis says he’s suddenly hearing voices and feeling what he called “microwave pulses” and thanks to that label we say, “crazy!” It’s so convenient. When you began to veer off the path and start to ask, why would he go and shoot a bunch of people who’d done nothing to him, someone will pull you back in line with a single word, “crazy!” The end result is, you will never get to the truth and perhaps the real villains will never be caught or punished. CRAZY!

Gun Control Unmasked

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Gun Control Unmasked Headerby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

Gun Control Unmasked

This past week we’ve experienced yet another massacre caused by a deranged gunman. I probably don’t need to describe the event because it follows an all too familiar script. Madman gets gun. Madman goes to public building where the people are unarmed. Madman shoots as many as he is able. Madman dies before he can be examined or brought to trial.

Gun Control Unmasked - Aaron Alexis

Aaron Alexis

The case of Aaron Alexis and the Washington DC., Navy Yard shooting is still unfolding. The paucity of actual facts has not in any way inhibited intrepid reporters and pundits from filling dead air with their theories and conjectures. I am not purporting to give you the facts. From my perspective, we really don’t know the actual facts. Mr. Alexis – possibly because of his work in the computer technology field – had no Facebook or Twitter accounts. His LinkedIn page was deleted some time before the shooting. To put it mildly, the absence of the normally plowed information sources, has frustrated news reporters who have forgotten how to really research a story. That whole “burn the shoe leather” thing seems to have most of them perplexed.

What Has Been Reported Thus Far

The picture we’ve been given has all the familiar disturbing elements. Like Adam Lanza of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, we’ve been told that Aaron Alexis was being treated for PTSD he acquired when he was a volunteer, searching for survivors in the aftermath of the 911 attacks. Thus both were under some form of psychiatric care. Like Adam Lanza’s addiction to video games, we’ve been told that Aaron Alexis was addicted to violent “first person shooter” video games. Both Lanza and Alexis were found with 3 guns. In both instances, the gun which supposedly did the majority of the killing was a semi-automatic AR-15 assault style rifle.

Why Aren’t They Vilifying The AR-15 This Time?

Here is the point that is unmasking the entire “gun control” argument! You see, according to current reporting, Aaron Alexis went and legally purchased a 12 gauge shotgun. Evidently, he was following Vice President Joe Biden’s advice?

What did he do with it? He traded up! When he arrived at the Washington DC., Navy Yard, he used his shotgun to shoot the guard, then relieved him of his handgun and his AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. This is a common strategy used in many “first person shooter” video games. Kill your opponent, take his weapons. At this point, properly equipped for mayhem, Alexis commenced his rampage. Because of the policy of not allowing the people working in the Navy Yard to be armed, it was like shooting fish in a barrel.

Yes The NRA Is Crazy Too

Just this past week, Iowa gave a concealed carry permit to a blind man. Although I am definitely pro-second amendment and a strong advocate for gun rights… I do believe that whole “…shall not be infringed part.” Nevertheless, I tend to draw the line at people who are incapable of perceiving a “sight picture” carrying firearms. It was a golden opportunity for the NRA to express some rationality by addressing this issue in a mature and intelligent manner.

That said, unless you have training in “Special Ops” particularly, “Search and Destroy Combat Training,” had you been armed and at the Navy Yard that day, your best bet would have been to barricade yourself in as safe a place as possible and with gun in hand, wait for either the cavalry to arrive or for the shooter to come to you. Armed, at least you would have a fighting chance. It is not about being Rambo, it is about having a say in whether or not you’re a victim.

In Other News

Gun Control Unmasked - Times Square Shooting

Yes, the “walker” belongs to the victim.

This week two of “New York’s Finest” shot two innocent bystanders while shooting at an “emotionally disturbed” man who was running away from them. Why is it that Gun Control advocates who have touted the need to make ordinary citizens jump through all sorts of arbitrary training and licensing hoops, are mute about this case? Had this been some “gang bangers” doing a “drive-by” and shooting two innocent bystanders, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell would have been all over this ad nauseum. They both would have been banging their drums and ringing tambourines in their shamanistic rituals to conjure up the minor deities devoted to public disarmament. Unfortunately, they fail to realize those deities wear two hats. Their other hat identifies them as the demons of the totalitarian State.

This Is Gun Control Unmasked

The simple truth is, the ultimate objective of the “gun control” movement must be an outright banning of all firearms. Even those in the hands of our military and law enforcement officers. Guns are simply tools. Like any tool they may be misappropriated by people you never intended to have them. I close by leaving you with one of the best music videos Joe Biden was ever featured in. The musical version of his “buy a shotgun” advice. Enjoy!

GOP Shown To Be Keystone Cops By President Obama

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Gallery - GOP Keystone Cops Memeby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

GOP Shown To Be Keystone Cops By President Obama

Somebody help me out here. Are the Republicans for war with Syria or against war with Syria? When it appeared that we might be dropping bombs on Syria all I heard from the Republican party was “Tyranny,” “Dictator,” “Impeachable Offense,” “Unconstitutional” and “Highly Illegal.”

Not surprising since they are functionally illiterate and don’t read their own resolutions… like the one the Congress signed stating that Syria’s possession and use of chemical weapons was against the “Interests of these United States.” Details, details, surely that was under a different President and it doesn’t matter now… Of course it does!

What A Difference A Day Makes

Now that President Obama’s pressure is forcing a diplomatic solution, Republicans again are outraged! They’re tripping all over themselves with no clear idea of what their stance should be. Did we drop the ball? Is Putin getting all the glory for brokering a peace? It would be simply hilarious if you didn’t stop and realize, these idiots are in a position where the safety and welfare of this nation depend on their having good judgement.

It’s a good thing they already have “Obama Care!” It will pay for the psychiatric help they need. What they’re suffering from is commonly known as Schizophrenia. They don’t know which of their multiple personalities to bring to the fore on this issue. You can see them moistening their fingers and putting them in the air to see which way the wind is blowing. When our children’s lives are at stake, whether I disagree with your ultimate conclusion or not… it would certainly be nice to know as an elected official, you made the best choice possible under the circumstance. Right now? Everything they do, they measure against their own personal political gain. That’s not putting country first.

Syria’s Consequences – The Obama Dilemma

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Syria's Consequences - Obama's Dilemma Headerby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

We do not live in a world without consequences. Syria’s consequences for using chemical weapons needs to be quick, decisive and comprehensive. Had the world responded when Hitler invaded Poland, WWII may never have happened. If we do not learn from history, we will be doomed to repeat it. Everything has consequences. It is one of the universal laws that governs the Cosmos.

Not Just America’s Responsibility

[KJV] Proverbs 16:18 
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Syria's Consequences - Super Power CertificateThe world has come to expect and rely on the United States taking a leadership role in solving International crises. In point of fact, we have encouraged, cultivated and taken pride in our status as the world’s lone “Super Power.”  The reality is, the American Empire has no clothes and the designation of “Super Power” is merely a certificate taxpayers can hang on their mental walls to help distract us from the reality that we’re paying through the nose to sustain nation States who would throw a party upon our demise.

Syria's Consequences - High Speed Rail

High Speed Rail?

Unless you have ambitions of conquest, you only need a military capable of defending your own borders from any reasonable threat. You do not need to be able to project power around the world. Because the United States has been so willing to do this – at a cost to its taxpayers – other nations have not seen the need to invest a lot of their money developing their own military/industrial complexes. Instead, many of these developed nations have spent their money on providing better healthcare to their citizens, improving their infrastructure with high speed rail and improving their educational systems.

Meanwhile, here in the land of the lone remaining “Super Power,” on a quiet night, you can hear us turning into a third world nation. Our infrastructure is collapsing. Our educational system is failing and our cities are quickly turning into sets for the casting of the next post apocalyptic movie. Put simply, we cannot afford to carry the rest of the world on the backs of the American taxpayer.

Syria’s Consequences

Thus far I have laid out what I believe to be a compelling case for us to stay out of Syria. Unfortunately, loath as I am to say it, this may be the exact wrong thing to do. World Wars occur when multiple nations are drawn into a conflict that began between two nations. In addition to bloodshed and destruction, war creates refugees. Displaced civilians fleeing the conflict. Where do these people go? They flood across the nearest borders into the surrounding nations creating a humanitarian crisis that in many cases, particularly now given the global economic state, these receiving nations are simply not financially equipped to deal with.

Syria's Consequences - Syrian Refugees

Syrian Refugees fleeing into Turkey

Refugees create economic and political crises for the nations surrounding the initial conflict. Suddenly, these nations now have a vested interest in the initial conflict and this creates a powder keg that often explodes. In addition to murdering hundreds of innocent men, women and children through the use of chemical weapons, the other result is, this act has exponentially increased the number of Syrian refugees flooding across the borders of the surrounding nations.

The Whole World Is A Stage

Guy walks into a bar spots a beautiful lady and propositions her. “Would you sleep with me for a million dollars he asks?” Without hesitation, “sure!” she says. “How about for twenty five dollars?” Indignantly, “what kind of a woman do you think I am?!?” “Well, we’ve already established that. Now we’re just haggling over price.”

Syria's Consequences - Kim Jong Un

“Dear Leader” of North Korea Kim Jong Un

Just like nuclear weapons, chemical weapons are weapons of mass destruction. Suppose the Assad Regime had detonated a small tactical nuke? Would it make a difference to you? Fundamentally it’s the same thing. Make no mistake about it, Iran is watching to see what happens and more importantly, North Korea is watching. Doing nothing may be the exact worst thing we can do. Why the worst thing? The world is a jungle that operates on the principle of “Survival Of The Fittest.” You are either predator or prey. If weakness is sensed, a predator can quickly become the prey.

When the United States and the rest of the world indicate that they have no stomach to enforce UN resolutions against the use of Chemical weapons, the hands of State sponsored terrorist are loosed.

Syria’s Consequences – Facing The Harsh Realities

The question is simple, but the answer is not. What do we do? The story is told that at the beginning of WWII, the German army had orders to fall back if they met even the least resistance invading Poland. Theoretically, a single 12 year old armed with a single shot .22 rifle could have stopped the entire German army by simply firing a shot in their direction.

Poland put up no initial resistance and 2.5% of the total global population or over 60 million deaths later, WWII came to an end. Dare we repeat this mistake again? If we refuse to learn the lessons of history, we certainly might.

Syria's Consequences - WWII Cemetery

WWII Cemetery

The world has changed. We are all connected in our global community. What happens in Vegas, doesn’t stay in Vegas. It can be known on the other side of the globe within seconds. Fear mongers have for some time been floating the notion of the United States going to war with China. Here’s why that won’t happen. First, China is holding a sizeable portion of the US debt. The last thing you want to do is harm the person who owes you money or from our perspective, we don’t want to blow up our bank. Second, the main export of the United States is food followed by technology. Taking out the United States would tip the world into global famine.

Of course, there are nations working on the problem of increasing their own domestic food supplies, but right now? The global community needs the United States in tact. The United States is the 3rd top oil producing nation in the world, behind Russia who is first and Saudi Arabia who is second. The bottom line is that WWIII even if no one launched a single nuclear device, would take most of the world back to the stone age. Nations not even participating in such a war would suffer from famine and economic collapse.

Syria's Consequences - Hurricane Katrina Refugees

Hurricane Katrina Refugees

The problem again is, if we do nothing our inaction may lead to the conflict spreading which would draw other nations into what might well turn into WWIII. Right now the United Nations puts the cost of the Syrian refugee crisis at about 3 billion dollars. If you live in the United States, it is easy to forget how hundreds of thousands of refugees would affect much smaller nation States. When hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf and Louisiana in particular, we had a lot of refugees. We looked like a 3rd World Nation. It took us a lot of time to sort things out. People were spending weeks in various sports stadiums and it wasn’t pretty. We were big enough and wealthy enough to absorb our displaced citizens – some were sent as far away as Alaska – but we still have not fully recovered to this date. Now imagine what it would be like for countries some of which are no larger land mass wise than some of our States.

Conclusions

I don’t know what we should do specifically and in particular, but I know we must do something. The longer this conflict continues, the more destabilized and dangerous the region becomes. The more dangerous the region becomes, the higher the probability it will lead to global calamity.

Syria Is Not Iraq – Don’t Get It Twisted

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Syria Is Not Iraq - Headerby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

Syria Is Not Iraq

Have you ever noticed how our Presidents seem to age right before our very eyes? These are the problems and issues that cause this apparent rapid ageing. As President Obama once pointed out, all the easy decisions are handled before they ever reach his desk. The problems that reach the “Oval Office” are the ones only he can make a decision about. What to do about Syria’s use of chemical weapons on its own people is just such a decision. Contrary to what some of the pundits would have you believe, Syria is not Iraq.

 This Is Not His Daddy’s War

Syria Is Not Iraq - GW BushThere is no doubt the shenanigans of “Bush 43” left a very sour taste in the mouths of the  American people when it comes to military operations in the “middle east.” The analytical amongst us figured out early on, the primary reasons for going into Iraq following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, had more to do with the oil cartels wanting to get their grimy mitts on the 2nd largest oil reserves in the world and our military industrial complex looking to loot this country. Add to these facts, G.W. would get to finish the job his daddy only started, and it was a done deal.

The United States is still paying for the criminal incompetence of G.W. Bush. In the words of Obi Wan Kenobi, “who’s the bigger fool? The fool or the fool who follows him?” I think we’ve answered that question and at an extremely high cost.

Chemical Weapons Actually Used

Unlike the cobbled together justification for going into Iraq, Syria has actually used chemical weapons on its citizens. We’ve seen the videos and the dead bodies have been examined. Did Saddam use chemical weapons on the Kurds? Yes he did. We sold him the chemical weapons he used. However, this occurred back in 1988. At the time of this writing, Syria used chemical weapons against its citizens just 10 days ago. Syria is not Iraq.

Mission Is Not Regime Change

Syria Is Not Iraq - Saddam Statue Pulled DownPresident Obama is not interested in changing the Syrian regime. Not only does the United States have no Constitutional authority to go around changing the regimes of sovereign nations, who is to say that the regime replacing the current one would be any better? Although many nations in our global community are expressing trepidation about taking action, it has been long established policy – global policy – that the nations of the world will not tolerate the use of weapons of mass destruction. Chemical weapons fall under this prohibition. Had Assad detonated a “tactical nuke” I suspect there would be no hesitation in the global community for taking action. The reality is, using chemical weapons is philosophically no different.

Syria Is Not A Major Oil Producer

Syria Is Not Iraq - Graph Of Oil Producing NationsIn point of fact, Syria has not been able to export any oil since the 2011 sanctions. If Syria were a major oil producer, you’d best believe the Republican lap dogs would be getting calls from their corporate masters and they’d be itching to go into Syria. Syria is not Iraq.

Destabilizing Civil War Already In Progress

When we went into Iraq under George Bush 43, Iraq was not at war and was relatively stable. You may not have liked Saddam’s administration, but his people had food, they had electricity and there was law and order in the streets. We went in and destabilized Iraq, seized their oil production and destroyed their infrastructure. As Colin Powell advised Bush 43, “it’s the pottery barn rules; you break it you bought it.” We’ve been paying to keep Iraq together ever since.

Syria is already in the middle of a civil war that is destabilizing the region. If tomorrow you awoke to tanks rolling down your street and bombs falling, what would you do? If possible you’d take your family and get the hell out of Dodge. Those in Syria who can are doing that very thing. Where are they going? They’re going across their borders where possible and that means the surrounding nations are inundated with refugees. Over time, this will serve to destabilize those nations. Thus, the longer this conflict continues, the more dangerous it becomes for that region. Syria is not Iraq.

What To Do?

What should we do in Syria? Frankly, I don’t know. I’m not the President and I’m damn glad I don’t have to make this decision. I’m definitely not an advocate for “boots on the ground.” We can’t simply blow up his chemical weapons stock piles because that would release them into the environment.

I also am not naive enough to believe we shouldn’t do anything. We’ve seen what happens when despots get away with even the least bit of genocide. It always grows and it sets a precedent for all the tin horn dictators watching to see what the consequences might be.

I might recommend what I call the “Moore Doctrine” of modern warfare. Under my doctrine, when dealing with a nation that refuses to see reason, you take out one third of their military assets. You then give them the opportunity to negotiate. If they remain recalcitrant, you take out another third and so on. Assad wants to maintain power. If he loses his military, he’s done for. Reduce his military by one third, you haven’t removed him from power, thus further destabilizing the region, but you may have taught him a valuable lesson and a lesson, more importantly, that those watching will appreciate.

Evidence Of Jesus Being Married Grows.

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Jesus Married - Papyrusby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

THE EVIDENCE OF JESUS BEING MARRIED CONTINUES TO GROW

I don’t know why Christians find the idea of Jesus being married so repugnant. Why shouldn’t he have been married? Being married was a requirement for being a Rabbi. Jesus was a Rabbi. The Bible says he was tempted in all points such as is common to man. There are some temptations one simply cannot experience if they’re not married.

According to a newly discovered papyrus, Jesus mentions his wife. Scholars are now debating its authenticity however as one scholar pointed out, hoaxing a papyrus that old written in Coptic is not trivial. Although the canonized Gospels do not mention Jesus having a wife, they also don’t say he did not. Even Paul when suggesting that his followers live celibate as he claims to have been living, does not point to Jesus as an example of celibacy.

If anything, Jesus being married would make his sacrifice much more meaningful. Speaking personally, I do not fear death. My objection to dying has much more to do with the impact it would have on my family and loved ones. I simply do not want to leave them without my protection. I would not want to cause *them* to grieve.

A person without those obligations is much more free to take risks and do as they will. Why? Because their decisions only affect themselves. For example. I *think* I’d like to ride a Harley. I’ve ridden a motorcycle a time or two in my youth and thoroughly enjoyed it. My wife says, “HELL 2 THE NO!!!” I will not overrule her on this because my life is no longer my own to do with as I wish. My life belongs to her.

When we first got together, I was doing Bodyguard work. My fault for talking too much… but during dinner one day she asked how my day went. “I told her not bad, I was shot at twice… but they MISSED!” Didn’t matter. She told me I was done and she forcibly retired me. I loved her enough to abide by her wishes. Again, the point is, she has a say in what risks I take and what happens to me.

Jesus Married

Thus, when we propose that Jesus was married and yes, may have had children, shouldn’t that make his sacrifice – for Christians – even more meaningful? Or is it the whole notion that… dare I mention it, Jesus may have actually had SEX??? Oh my! What a concept! Here you’ve been taught that sex was dirty and come to find out… Jesus had sex! Yes, I see the problem. Perhaps Christians should rethink things? We know that whole “celibacy” thing isn’t working out too well for the Catholic Church.

Faith Based Skepticism

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Faith Based Skepticism Headerby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

Faith Based Skepticism

For some time now I have pondered the dichotomy between the mission statement of scientific skepticism and its actual practice. On the one hand, a healthy dose of skepticism is essential for finding truth. However, taken to extremes, skepticism can become every bit as irrational and delusional as the faith based perspectives.

skep·ti·cism also scep·ti·cism  (skpt-szm) n.

1. A doubting or questioning attitude or state of mind; dubiety.

2. Philosophy

a. The ancient school of Pyrrho of Elis that stressed the uncertainty of our beliefs in order to oppose dogmatism.

b. The doctrine that absolute knowledge is impossible, either in a particular domain or in general.

c. A methodology based on an assumption of doubt with the aim of acquiring approximate or relative certainty.

3. Doubt or disbelief of religious tenets.

There are few who would find anything objectionable with skepticism based on its definition. However, the way skepticism is actually practiced now borders on religious fervor. First, let me state, I am a devout Agnostic. A friend once defined that as being a “weak atheist.” Actually, there is a distinct difference between atheism and agnosticism. The root of “atheism” is theism. Atheism is the disbelief in gods or God and in particular God as a “personal saviour.” Agnosticism leaves that door open and is not inextricably linked to religious philosophy. The Agnostic simply says, “I do not know.”

Who Debunks The Debunkers?

Faith Based Skepticism - James Randi

The Amazing Randi

While I could certainly focus on matters of religion, the focus of this article is on the cottage industry of skepticism that has sprung up over the past few decades. One of the better known ones is the “James Randi Educational Foundation” founded in 1996. It’s expressed purpose is “to help people defend themselves against paranormal and pseudo-scientific claims.”  While this mission statement certainly seems laudable, we must remember Randi himself admits to being a cheat, trickster and a charlatan. I’m not sure if those are the best credentials for someone who purports to uncover the truth about claims of the paranormal and extraordinary.

I have followed James Randi over the years. I actually saw his appearance on the “Tonight Show” when the inimitable Johnny Carson was the host. On the night in question he was demonstrating how spoon and key bending is done and damnit if the key didn’t break. Thinking quickly he immediately stomped on the broken piece to conceal it from the audience. Of course, this was done so clumsily, everyone noticed him do it.

As a magician, Randi really isn’t all that exceptional. Thus, his foray into debunking did not come as a surprise. Not unlike the “Masked Magician” who has made his living revealing how magic tricks are done, Randi has figured out a way to generate revenue as a professional debunker. That may be his best “magic trick” to date!

Don’t get me wrong. Exposing the pariahs of society which feed like parasites on the fears and superstitions of the ignorant is a good thing. I’m all for unmasking, exposing and defaming hypocritical religions and their leaders who have turned a gullible public into their personal cash cows. I feel equally malignant towards medical quacks who are giving people false hope while looting their bank accounts. A pox on them all!

CSI – Committee for Skeptical Inquiry

Faith Based Skepticism - Joe Nickell

Dr. Joe Nickell

This organization does a slightly better job at suppressing its biases.  Nevertheless, those biases are exposed by the experts they send out to speak to various issues. One such expert is Dr. Joe Nickell. I’ve seen him sent out to debunk everything from UFOs to Bigfoot to paranormal claims. He’s a credible debunker right? He does have a Ph.D after all… Yes he does! He has a Ph.D from the University of Kentucky in English with a focus on literary investigation and folklore. In other words, he’s an expert at evaluating books on the customs and myths of indigenous peoples. He does not have a background in science or the scientific methodology. His opinions on these matters is no more valid than the Janitor’s down the hall.

Occupationally, Dr. Nickell has been a carnival barker, private detective, blackjack dealer, riverboat manager and a stage magician. While he might certainly make for an interesting dinner guest, there is nothing in his background that would qualify him to speak to the matters he often is seen debunking.

What Is The Scientific Method?

Perhaps we need some clarity regarding just what the “scientific method” entails. The “Cliff’s Notes” on the scientific method or methodology are as follows:

  • Hypothesis. Your idea as to what is going on.
  • Null Hypothesis. What you should find if your hypothesis is wrong.
  • Experimental Design. The experiment you design to test your hypothesis.
  • Experiment. You run your experiment and collect your data.
  • Data Analysis. You analyze your data producing a “finding.”
  • Acceptance or Rejection of your hypothesis. Your results.
  • Repeatability. You and others should be able to follow your methodology and reproduce the same results.

In a nutshell, this is the “Scientific Method.” If I am measuring acceleration caused by gravity and drop a 2 kilogram lead ball from 10′ feet and take the measurements, I should get similar results if I perform the exact same experiment in Russia, China, Australia or Brazil. Repeatability is one of the hallmarks of the “Scientific Method.”

Faith Based Skepticism - Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann

Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann

In 1989, Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann announced that they had discovered “Cold Fusion.” This is nuclear fusion at room temperatures. The Sun is powered by nuclear fusion but clearly not at room temperature. It created quite a stir as you might imagine. Cheap, clean, abundant energy without the danger of nuclear radiation or radioactive waste? Oh yes, they made quite a stir. Instantly laboratories around the globe began trying to replicate their findings. Some were successful, many were not.

They were ultimately denounced and censured. Why? Well, largely because they violated the orthodoxy of the Scientific Community. There was more outrage at their violation of the orthodoxy than there was interest in what they may have discovered. According to the orthodoxy, they were supposed to have submitted their discovery for “peer review.” Instead of doing this, they published their results to the world. In typical debunking fashion, the labs that were able to replicate their experiment were largely ignored and only the labs who could not were focused on.

The result was, Cold Fusion was considered to be a hoax or an error and the public largely forgot about it. Think about what it would mean to have a small fusion reactor powering your home or your car. Not only would it mean an end to carbon emissions, all the fossil fuel industries would collapse. World poverty could be ended and the wars over oil and resources would end. The military industrial complex would go broke. We can’t have that now can we? Fortunately there have been scientist working quietly behind the scenes to realize the potentials of “Cold Fusion.” Some have been wildly successful.

The Higgs Boson Does Not Exist

Faith Based Skepticism - Large Hadron Collider

LHC – Large Hadron Collider

If we hold the discovers of the Higgs Boson – the so called “God Particle” which gives mass to all other particles – to the same standards as Pons and Fleischmann were held to, we must similarly conclude that the Higgs Boson does not exist. Why? Because you cannot replicate the experiment unless you happen to have the equivalent of the – Large Hadron Collider – LHC. Yet, scientist around the world believe that the Higgs particle has been discovered. Text books are being rewritten and this new discovery is now being factored into the mathematical equations used by physicist around the globe. Evidently, they all take it on faith!

Faith Based Skepticism - Philip J. Klass

Dr. Philip J. Klass – Member of CSI

Yes, the Scientific Community, just like any church organization, has it’s own orthodoxy, it’s own recognized Apostles – Albert Einstein for one – their own Bibles – peer reviewed journals – and they meet all the definitions of a faith based community. If one of their Apostles says that UFOs don’t exist or are not visiting Earth, they all fall in line with the orthodoxy. Never mind the reams of data, eyewitness testimony, photographs and videos to the contrary. Two old farts over in the UK are making all those crop circles around the globe.

If one of their Apostles says Bigfoot is a hoax, they all fall in line. Never mind the fact that the Roger Patterson film was never sold, nobody has yet attempted to profit off of it and if that’s a man in a monkey suit, they should have got the same fellow to make Chewbacca’s suit. We even have DNA evidence for Bigfoot. Foot prints have been found in such out of the way locations, the likelihood of anyone coming upon them would make it pointless for a hoaxer to plant them. Yet, because the orthodoxy does not accept their existence, I guess they don’t exist.

Even in the face of scientific evidence that jet fuel does not burn hot enough to melt steel – if it did, what would you make jet engines out of? – the scientific orthodoxy believes that jets brought the twin towers down on September 11, 2001. If you point out that “Building 7” was never hit by a jet this doesn’t seem to bother them. Never mind the fact that immediately following the “attacks” when the entire nation was under a “no fly order” our government was rounding up family members of Osama Bin Laden and flying them out of the country, nobody asks how or why our government was doing this when presumably they did not yet know whom they were going to blam… excuse me, whom was responsible for the attacks.

Faith based skepticism for some strange reason is rarely applied to whatever the official government approved party line is. I find that not only odd, but extremely disturbing. If we cannot rely on our Scientific community to use the tools of the Scientific Method to ferret out the truth, how are they any better than the pastor of that “mega-church” who sells heaven for a price to his gullible followers?

Evidence is always defined by the persons requiring it. _Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

Should We Stop Talking About Racism?

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Should We Stop Talking About Racism?by Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

Because Not Talking Has Worked So Well…

Should We Stop Talking About Racism? - Ted Nugent

Ted Nugent

It is always amusing to me when certain white people attempt to designate a Black person and suddenly make him the spokesman for all Black people in America. It is about as cheerful as Black people declaring Ted Nugent to be the spokesman for white people in America. Get the point?

Black people are no more monolithic than white people. This strategy of declaring “leaders” and then only dealing with those handpicked few is another form of racism. Who are the white leaders? Who speaks for ALL white people?

We are not aliens and neither are white people. Thus this whole “take me to your leader” shtick needs to be retired. Most recently it has reared its ugly head with a meme being circulated quoting something Morgan Freeman said during an interview. Morgan says that his policy is not to discuss racism. I think he should probably stick to that policy. On the day in question, he proffered a solution to the racial problems in this country as to simply stop talking about it.

What a novel idea? Of course, not talking about a problem has always been effective right? Following this logic, we could solve all the ills on this planet simply by not talking about them! World hunger? Stop talking about it! Global poverty? Stop talking about it. Violence against women? If we stop talking about it, it will go away! Our declining educational system. Don’t mention it and suddenly all our students will begin getting straight “A’s.”

Should We Stop Talking About Racism? - Fukushima

Radioactive Seawater

If we simply stop talking about the Fukushima melt down, all that radiation that is being continuously released into the ocean ecosystem and the environment will stop. Want terrorism to end? Simply stop talking about it! What about the economy? Out of work? Under water on your mortgage? Just stop talking about it and everything will be fine!

Of course this is utter nonsense! One of the keys to our successful survival on this planet has been our ability to communicate to solve problems. Talking about our problems has always been the preferred solution. Talking about our problems has prevented and ended wars. The Internet wasn’t invented so you could update your relationship status on Facebook or post happy pictures of your feline. It was originally invented as a way for scientist to collaborate and share their research with other scientist around the globe. The quickest path to progress is through talking. Never forget this simple truth! Should we stop talking about racism? Hell no!