woot! first!

Dont get to famous Brad!

Hi, people. Happy April!

Happy Birthday to me, happy Birthday to me!

Hi Peg C, whats that?

Woops. Sorry about that. I'll try again; but if it doesn't work this time, I give up.

GWB WON

LOL April fool

Well, Nana, it IS an image of mine stored at another site. But the site must be blocked. Too bad. It has that "April" flavor.

Oh my God, Mmix! You actually, really, for true (I kid you not) turned my blood to ice for a split second.

Happy B-Day Nana.

When you were growing up, did you get any grief about being born on April Fools Day?

What's your best/funniest B-Day/April Fools story???

It's April 1st
and the Fool is still in office.

How oppressive a realiztion is that?

Now I lost my 'a' again! yuk

Well I just got back from the streets where I saw a lot of overfed people gorging themselves further on expensive crap food, while some woman was shrieking and banging on the piano keys, and I decided that I prefer the brain nourishment of Bradville.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Nana!!!!!

An Aries.... YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Earlier today, when I was feverishly tapping away at this keyboard, attempting to put my chaotic world into perspective, I heard a clamor through newly-opened windows. A hauntingly, atavistically poignant clamor. The almost-surreal honking of skeining, migrating geese. I rushed to a window and saw the trailing edge of a lopsided vee, thirty feet above our roof, skull it's way north-eastward. Dashing to a northern window, I watched the non-linear "line" of living bodies skein towards the northeast and disappear over the horizon. Life on earth had asserted itself once again; and I was in tears.

This April, we have a choice (still). Life, and the real love which IS life; or Southern Comfort, which is the private, selfish abnegnation of all responsibily for the future of our dear, intricate soul, the earth. We are all of a piece, humans and Earth.
Please remember where your altar is and where worship is due.

Happy April

Beautiful. Peg.

A joyous April to you.

Notably presented the day before April Fools day, a new report indicates a massive 2004 exit poll whitewash may have occurred. It's analyses totally contradicts the theory that Kerry supporters were oversampled.

This report, by highly respected senior researchers and statiticians, also supports the theory that widespread vote counting corruption took place.

See my analyses and excerpts at:

Newsclip Autopsy
TRUTH LEFT OUT: Data Indicates a Massive 2004 Exit Poll Whitewash

and

The New Report (PDF file)

Peg C - thank you for that. It is often important for us to stop and reaffirm our faith in todays world. And you put it beautifully. April always bring to mind my love of the earth. Okay, since this is an open thread - I'll share this even though it may not be the site for it. But for those who enjoy poetry - I offer this as a welcome to spring. Peace be with each of you on the path that you walk.

He who walked before me
Upon this sacred, beloved ground
I follow in your footsteps now
Each with our own dreams to be found

Each of us draws power
From the ground beneath our soul
An ancient, eternal wisdom
With the power to teach us to be whole

Low though it lay beneath our feet
It raises us up to capture the sky
And gives us a place to safely land
After we learn to spread our wings and fly

From it springs eternal life
As it holds our dead in its care
The earth it is our mother
With all of her bounties for us to share

Okay everyone - be kind - I wrote this.

Thanks for sharing, Shadow and Teresa. The sun is shining warmly here in Prague, winter's troubling dankness finally put to rout. The forsythia is exploding, and the first hyacinths are about to burst forth. All is most surely not right with the world, but with the spring will come new strength for us all. Keep up the good fight, but keep the fine thoughts coming too!

Here in the mountains of Arizona, the flowers are blooming, the cardinals and the thrashers are singing their little hearts out, the jays and the cactus wrens are squawking their little hearts out, the eagles are soaring so high you can barely see them, the rabbits, bobcats, coyotes and other critters are nursing their young, and the bright eyed Kestrels are in the grasslands waiting for me to come for a visit.

So thank you Peg C., Teresa, Nana, Shadow, MMIX, ...CZARAGORN and all the other thoughtful caring inhabitants for making Bradville a nice place to be.

Wow, Teresa - that is fabulous. I really like that. I write music as well. It's really helpful when I'm feeling down. And thanks to everyone else for your great comments. I'm a little shy sometimes about sharing my poetry because people can think it's strange. But I find it helpful. Especially when I see the country and even the world going in the wrong direction. It's so great to see other people looking around and seeing the beauty in the world. Peace to all.

Peg C
No problem. I "get the picture" so to speak.
Genek
Oddly enough, no. When I was growing up, we had bigger issues, such as food and shelter I guess. I was in the cotton fields by the age of 5. But again, oddly enough, every day was "the best/funniest". For some strange reason, I have been surrounded by people who love and cherish me, since the day I was born.
But thanks for asking.
Teresa
Aries? Hell yeah!!! uh-oh, we might have passed on that street last night. My son took me out for Prime Rib, chocolate cake, and Margaritas. I was the one dancing on the table. Waaaahoo!!!!!!
Peg C, Teresa, and Shadow
Astonished. By your talent. Brilliant, beautiful, minds.

April 2

Good morning all,

Peg C, beautiful description of spring returning on a wing.
Teresa, thank you. As your song says, I believe, never give up, better days are ahead.
Czaragorn, was wondering where you had gone, and here you are.
Shadowtwinchaos, a poet among us, and a fine one at that.
Nana, HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY!
Savanster, debater extrordinaire, thanks for articulating what I think and feel, yet have trouble expressing.

As for me, the coming of spring means that it is time for me, and my family to get to work on our boat "Kindred Spirit". She is an Olympic class, one design, racing sloop, a Soling, which explains my screen-name. A link is above, in my screen-name. She is twenty seven feet of wind driven speed and beauty. As I mentioned in another tread a while ago, I do custom paint work on offshore race boats, but would never own one myself. Anyone can get behind a steering wheel and push the throttles forward and find speed enough to win a race, but to win a race with a sailboat is something altogether more difficult, as my efforts just to keep in the middle of the pack would prove.

If you took Shadow's beautiful poem above, and replaced the ground with the sea, you would know how I feel about sailing. My boat doesn't float on top of the water, it becomes part of it. It becomes one with the wind and the tide. All the speed I need, is all around me, I just have to listen, to watch for a distant ripple, to feel it on my face, and in the sails of my boat. For anyone who thinks sailing is boring........well then, I invite you to sail with me when it's blowing 20kts. and Kindred is heeling 45 degrees, as one of thirty boats sceaming on a reach for the final bouy, hoping to be the first to make the turn for home.

Ahh yes, spring is here at last.

Peace

Thanks artists, for the uplifting considerations.

I missed you in cross posting Mark Lloyd Baker. I have been to the desert in Arizona when I was a child and it is a remarkably beautiful place, and shows that there are many, many places with diverss ecologies and landscapes that remind me of what I find here, at this gathering place, many, many diverss and interesting people, and that includes GeneK, and Manabanana :O)

I don't have a poem for us, but here is a link to an impressionist style view of a sweet valley in the spring or summer. Click on the thumbnail to enjoy a larger view.

I'm surprised no one has posted any commentary on today's news story about the so-called intelligence failure. Does anyone recall what Karen Kwiatkowski told us about how some of the personnel in those agencies were shuffled around and pressure applied on other intelligence officials in order to make that failure happen? Now they seem to be blaming the whole thing on the workers. They must think we're stupid!

Loved the lyrics, the poetry, and Really enjoyed the breath of Spring air blowing through here. Spring is the time for fresh outlooks, revitalization, growth and plenty of hard work. If we didn't find ways to renew ourselves, how could we keep fighting the good fight after all. Thanks everyone for sharing and lifting my winter-trodden spirits.

Supersoling: Wow, that just sounds amazing. I'm far more comfortable in a small craft (canoe) on a much smaller pond, or preferably a lazy creek...but...well, you made my heart sing. I've been daydreaming about getting out in the canoe for most of the winter now. The waters of the world are the lifeblood of our Earth...how could anyone not be awed by their beauty and strength?

Ok, In closing, I'd like to share two things with you all. Something to keep us thinking...

"They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it's worked
for over 200 years and we're not using it anymore."

And a little of my own poetry in keeping with Spring thoughts....

My Constant Mentor

High atop a windy hill,
boldly framed by the world’s eye.
A maze of roots, a carven trunk,
twig-tipped fingers brush the sky.

Silent scholar of the ages
anchored by matters of mortal weight,
Yet like a guardian and guide,
stretching toward Celestial gates.
Adorned with Muses’ hidden gems,
swaying branches bloom with thought.
Holding tight to realms above
where every dream is gently caught.

Thrumming, like an ancient harp,
Inspiration quivers along it’s limbs.
Stifled not by mundane cares,
bowing only to Nature’s whims.

‘Twixt mortal and immortal realms,
as all of Life hurries by,
‘neath Sun or Stars or Storm’s dark wings
dwells this quiet sage, you, and I ...

Wishing Everyone Laughter

I am so moved. You people are wonderful. Now I know why I hang out here.

I love you.

Oh, Shadow, how wonderful. You know there are many artists on this site. To me, it is the most important thing in life.. the way to endure the ugliness... to transcend it.
Please keep sharing your talent with us.

What has struck me reading all of these beautiful poems and thoughts of Spring and impressions of your worlds where you live is the diversity of all of us in this "group" that we have come to call ours - thanks to Brad for pulling it all together! It is a wonderful bi-product of the horrific state of affairs we now call the US Government.

I for one would love to see just what a cross-section of the population we all are. What do we do in our lives when we are not consoling ourselves over this miserable predicament - one that was thrust on us by unscrupulous politicians who stole not only the Presidency but other House and Senate seats to give themselves a majority by which to control all facets of our lives? (Sorry, I had to get that one off my chest - read the report that came out this week that Stop_George mentioned in #15 above - I'd like to start another whole thread just to discuss what we as "mere" citizens can do to get this wrong righted - Brad, are you listening? - but I digress...)

So we know that we are a group composed of poets, songwriters and other artists - I am a graphic designer and I have a product I designed for crafters and jewelry makers on the market. Maybe we can compile a list of all of our "talents" and maybe we can come up with a way to do something - of course, there's the incredible work being done by VR, but maybe we can all pool our intellectual resources and come up with something - which leads to a major question I have been thinking about for some time now:

If something comes out that proves that the elections were stolen, what would happen to the present administration? This is America, after all, can the president be removed from office without an impeachment by the Republican-controlled legislative body - strictly on the grounds that he was put there illegally? Can the same be done for the "suspicious" elections of several of the Senators who we know don't belong there - see THEIR exit polls? How can we take back the government that is rightfully ours? Is there not ONE single Republican legislator that will stand up and agree that something is dead wrong with all of this?

I want to scream and shout. I want to find someone with a voice loud enough to be heard over the MSM to let the rest of the country know what is going on, those who don't get the real story from the MSM. I'm not only talking about the internet - this is great, but we're not reaching everyone.

With all of our talent, is there a Michael Moore or an author or someone like a Whoopi Goldberg in our midst that can get the word out for us by going the talk show route - like Bill Maher, only more mainstream, not HBO which is not available to everyone? Can a bestseller be written about all of this - perhaps a mystery novel based on the truth - is there a Dan Brown out there - look at the success of the DaVinci Code amidst all the debates over what's real in the book?

By letting us know what our talents are, perhaps we can come up with a collaborative work that can be published and talked about and debated to bring the issues to the forefront.

Sorry for the long thread but I've been thinking about all of this for so long and I think we all need to think seriously about what to do.

Ilene, yes, total agreement. artists have always been an integral part of political change. They thrive in times of oppression.
We can do something.

We are "Adorned with Muses’ hidden gems" (Quinn).

We can trade them in.

An excerpt from my song, "The Wheel Will Come Around":

Since I've been around I've always heard you complain
You say that life is a losing game
You are the only one that remains
You've got nothing more to lose, you've got everything to gain

The drunks, and the dreamers, and the drifters, too
Did they see a vision somewhat like you
The painters , the players, the weavers of dreams
In this cruel world it's so hard to believe

The years come through and the years drift away
You're growing older with each passing day
Even the gypsy can't really say
What fortune is coming your way

Did you go down deep in the ground
Did you find riches all around
Did you find rubies and gold
O a river of emeralds, yeah

The water flows in a silver stream
Diamond stairs that you can't believe
The ground is made up of rubies and gold
Take your shovel and pick it up now

So spin the wheel round one more time
The Spinner, and Cutter, and the Measurer cry
You can't play with fate, you can't be the one
You've gotta get down there before you get back up

Spin the wheel if you want to play the game
You're gonna get pleasure, and you're gonna get pain
Spin the wheel till it comes up right
The wheel's gonna come around into the light.

In light of this, that and the other thing, I'd like to recommend this link.

Thanks, all you wonderful people, for just being here. Ilene, Teresa, Stop_George - I think that this post by a Canadian writer, is just what you're talking about.

> If something comes out that proves that the elections were stolen, what would happen to the present administration? This is America, after all, can the president be removed from office without an impeachment by the Republican-controlled legislative body - strictly on the grounds that he was put there illegally? Can the same be done for the "suspicious" elections of several of the Senators who we know don't belong there - see THEIR exit polls? How can we take back the government that is rightfully ours? Is there not ONE single Republican legislator that will stand up and agree that something is dead wrong with all of this?

The beauty is that there was no stolen elections. Nothing was dead wrong. The government "is" rightfully ours, the middle to the right, not the left.

Paul #34

You aren't answering the question, and you aren't stating a fact. The question was, what can be done "if"..

We won't know for a 'fact' if the election was stolen until we are allowed to review all the materials from the elections.. though, as time wears on, the coverup can ensue.. The validity of the elections fails the "reasonable doubt" question implying someone is guilty of tampering. Without being able to delve deeper, we'll not get a just verdict.

If you honestly believed that there was -no- hanky-panky, you would be all FOR opening up the machines. That's what honest people with nothing to hide do.. PROVE they are being honest.

The people on the political right so often break the magic spell. They desecrate the beauty.

Hi, Teresa. A few spatters of mud on a lovely face. The features are still recognizable.

Thank God, Peg. Water will wash it away.

STOP_George:

Thanks for the new report, the statistical analysis of the E-M report.
People were waxing poetic on the threat, which is ok, but this report is important and I hope Brad makes an open access to it. It has direct relevant to what he is doing.

I think cover-up was going on long before the election ever started and was - and is - and essentially part of the current process. But they missed some things. The fact that the senatorial races results and raw exit polls matched well within the allowable variance, it only pointed up the convergence between the presidential polls in the battleground states with senatorial races. They were from the SAME exit polls and data - and historically there is little ticket splitting in senatorial/presidential race. This is a giant red flag.

Thank again for the find.
And to the rest, happy spring. It just happens I am an artist, too, but with a background in statistics. Perhaps you could reconcile this as a little bud of truth emerging. Water it well.

Thanks, WalksHills. I read that when it first appeared (Thursday? - gosh, it seems awhile back already). Pretty conclusive, but then, who EVER had any doubt?

We've got to get up on our collective hind legs and YELL!

Thank you everyone for sharing the joys of spring on this beautiful earth. And Supersoling #23, my dear departed father would understand exactly how you feel when sailing - he just loved sailing - thank you bringing me such happy thoughts everyone. I'm sitting here smiling and feeling very peaceful. If we keep on working hard and speaking out for justice, we will eventually prevail. God bless you all.

I was thinking about your comments concerning the senator/congress election results which are also suspicious.

If we focus on those and identify links between people, like what was done for Lemme, we might even be able to hone in on the actual people in government, or their connections, who are spear-heading the manipulation of the voting results.

Create the "ladder" or a flow-chart of the people who won suspicously and people involved in their campaigns, or the voting machines used, etc. You all did a great job with the Lemme research.

Kira, Nina, Miss Persistent, Dredd, RLM - are you interested?

First, thank you Quinn for your lovely poetry. It brightens my day to read it. And all the other vies into people's thoughts and passions. It is beautiful. And I also agree that we are a very diverse group that has strength in its diveristy. Maybe we could find a way to use these powers for good.

It was nice to come in here and get such a fresh breath of spring air in such a time as this. It is often important not to forget to smell the flowers. For that is what we are all fighting for - freedom.

So, take pause, catch our collective breaths and move forward. As for whether we can oust a president without the congressional seal of approval? We can do whatever it is we chose to do as a majority. If the majority of Americans want something - it is our government - we can take it back and demand it be run as we chose. Now, before all the right wingers claim I am staging an overthrow or anything radical like that- that is not what I mean. What I do mean is it is time that we stand up and let our voices be heard as a majority. Wake up those who have become lazy and uninterested. Let the truth ring from sea to sea. Let our voices come together and be heard that we will no longer stand for what has passed as a government for the people. To be corny - Let Freedom Ring!

Peace

You guys need Bumper Stickers
eg." EVOLVE=WWW.BRADBLOG.COM " , "QUESTIONS=WWW.BRADBLOG.COM" , " THE RED PILL=WWW.BRADBLOG.COM " ya know what I mean.
Spread the word .

_________here the leafs are leaving the trees
Down

Bye Summer Hello Winter (dang that come around fast)

Sailing sounds cool and with the net wow !

I really agree with you MMIIXX --- we really need to get the word out. I honestly think that until Americans decide that enough is enough, no change is going to occur. Many Americans take no action at all because they are misinformed, ill-informed or simply chose not to believe that there is anything wrong. I hope to myself that it is not the fact that most Americans don't care. And if not WHY NOT!!! Or maybe it simply is the belief that one person can't change anything and they don't know where to start. So - here is my call to arms. Tell 5 friends who don't post here about this site. If each of us can get 5 people to at least stop by and look around, maybe we can each get one or two to look honestly at what's going on. And with each person who joins, that is one more voice for the truth. The truth is a virus - let's spread it.

You can e-mail everyone the info on Bradville along with a link to the site.
Enthusiasm always wins them over.

Shadow -

I've spread the word about this site REPEATEDLY to a goodly crew of so-called "committed" progressives, and I've yet to detect the presence of even a measly one. We are an elite, I'm afraid.

Below is a rant I'm posting in multiple places. First and foremost, we MUST combat the neologism of "entertainment news."

One of my favorite episodes of all-time American humor occurred "back-when," with Saturday Night Live's Chevy Chase reporting weekly that "Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead." MSM needs a shot of 20th-century irony.

I am not in favor of death, as an antidote for something else, but I must say that John Paul II's death is the greatest thing to come down the pike for W since 9/11. PERFECT photo-ops of him and the missus being solemn and "sorrowful" (and "broad-minded," need we add, since the Pole had branded * as the Anti-Christ). MSNBC faithfully reproduces ribbons of Bush tripe about the "extraordinariness" of the Wojtila papacy. Perfect. A major objective study has proved that the election of the "pretender" was rigged; but the media mouthpieces have a convenient "entertainment event" to preclude media attention. And the pope is still dead.

Carol (may he rest in peace in spite of himself) militated mightily in defense of humankind's right to destroy its substrate in the name of "life." But I give him the benefit of the doubt. He was an old, superstitious campaigner who'd survived one hell. He didn't have the intellectual energy to explore possible others. Has it occurred to us that this immediate beatification is political and dangerous? Turn off the feeding tubes. Keep blogging.

Love,
Peg C

Well, here's a sign that things might be changing soon..

Montana is pissed

Only problem is, people like this moron are still in government (Rep. Bob Lake).. he says "s it a sacrifice of personal liberty to not be able to take a gun on an airplane? he asked. Is that the kind of thing this resolution objects to?" when it's CLEAR that what's objected to is the Feds getting a list of books you've checked out and not telling you, or sneaking into your house and rummaging around and not telling you.. People like Lake make me sick.. what a moron..

I'm not so sure, Peg. I'm not sure that the Pope's death will help cover up the vomit that was just released in Florida in the name of Jesus. It was shocking and I think it got through to some people how disgusting they are... shrieking and selling hot dogs while people are trying to die with dignity. And banjo music thrown in for entertainment.

And Bush stepped right in it.

There is grandeur, class, and a certain dignity in the Catholic Church's rituals. Big theater. This should come out in the next weeks.
Bush and his two bit, phony, cheap, hypocritical brand of religious hucksterism and his fucking new culture of life sound bit, might not look to good in comparison.
Plus he has already used the Pope's death for his politcal agenda, and people are starting to smell it.

Crap on my typos!

Savanster #49

YES, MONTANA!! The place where I have always planned on ending my life.

I live out West and we do not like restriction. Hell, we're even still allowed to smoke cigarettes!

Nana! I'm an Aries too! On Monday I will be 47 years young! Happy birthday to you and happy birthday to me. Isn't it great being Spring "babies?"

Peg, Shadow, Teresa, Quinn and all you wonderful artistic people - you rock!

Super - sailors are cool! Nothing better after a long, miserable, cold winter than drifting away.

Czaragorn - our forsythia is done; the hyacinths are done; tulips and pussy willows going strong and blossoms on the fruit trees. I guess we're a little ahead of Prague. Ain't Spring grand?

Love all you guys (especially you, Dredd). Carry on. See you after our election.

What a joke

And the coverup and distraction from real responsibility starts. By the time they are done with this, no one will remember the -facts- that Bush lied about, and had NOTHING to do with some "drunk informant".. Bush and his shit-bag crew knew full well they were lieing, and did it with no regrets. Now they are covering it up by shifting the blame back on the Iraqi's..

This whole thing makes me sick

Very strange.. I lost all the text above.. lol must have forgotten to close the

General gist is, I can't believe these guys are shifting the blame to some lone source when it's painfully obvious Bush knew all along the info was bullshit.. but here they go sliding out from under any wrong doing again.. Nice revisionist history here..

Great thread!

But hey, where are the trolls? Perhaps the commited manabanana doesn't work weekends?

Very Orwellian, I agree. Downright creepy the longer you think about it too.....which Might account for me still being awake at 4am on a wet and somewhat snowy morning. :crazy: Or maybe I'm just over-caffeinated. :blush: :rolleyes:

LOL, Quinn! Thanks for that. Savanster, that's troubling indeed. It's mind-boggling that they're still getting away with this stuff - the tipping point can't be far off, so get ready, everyone, for they'll surely pull something of great enormity soon in an attempt to pull their feet out of the fire. I shudder to think of what these criminals will come up with. And Cheryl, when spring comes really isn't all that important, it's simply that it comes that's important. It's not surprising you get it sooner, as we're a good 400 miles or so further north than you are! I do find it interesting that we're usually ahead of Boston, but once again it's no race. What's key is savoring it whenever it arrives...

One last song for the day...

Supinatin Blues

I got achin balls, on my soles
No arch supports, under my toes
I slide to the right, I shuffle and I roll
Flat feet are ruining my life

I supinate, when I walk
Mt feet are wigglin all around the block
My fascia are stiff and taught
Flat feet are ruining my life

People always watch me walkin down the street
They think I fairly glide
But those in the know, know it isn't so
I can't keep my feet straight
To save my soul

My balls hurt, when I sqeeze
The bottom of my weary feet
All the way up to my knees
Flat feet are ruining my life.

Happy Daylight Savings Time one and all!

spelling correction: "taut"

That'll teach me!

Oh shit! and "squeeze".

Savanster #53

Sick is how I felt when I began to read that. I couldn't even finish it to tell the truth. Whether or not this is the latest escape pod isn't what concerns me. You see, I still maintain a small, yet beaten down sense of pride in being an American, and sickened doesn't begin to describe how I feel about what these fucks have done to my country and how it is percieved around the world.

I don't hold any preconcieved ill wishes toward drunks in general so long as they hurt no one but themselves, but how ironic is it that Bush's justification for war was delivered to him by someone who shares his ability for self inflicted stupidity?

Peg C #48

The Anti-Christ? Now that explains a lot ;O)
I also noticed Bush using the "opportunity" (see Schiavo) of the Pope's death to get in a plug for his "culture of life" garbage. But you know what? Kofi Annan did it too, in his remarks about the Pope's death. He said that he remembered the Pope's wish that the U.N. would become a family of nations. While I agree with that sentiment, and support Annan's efforts to mitigate Bush's lunacy, it wasn't necessary for him to get in his plug for the U.N.. I'm just sick of politicians of all stripes.

What to make of Tom Delay, openly threatening state and federal judges? Judge not, lest ye be judged. I think he has finally passed the point of no return. This guy is truly the face of evil, and I would love to get him alone in a room so I could just slap the shit right out of him until he cries like a baby. I'm not a violent person, but that man has so infuriated me that this is what I am left with. He defiles our country and our Constitution on a daily basis.

Cheryl #52 Happy Birthday young lady! I have missed your comments and especially your links to all the far flung and hard to find information that is buried deep in the web. Hurry back when you can.

Happy April to everyone. I am saddened by Pope John Paul II's death because he loved all people. I happened to be channel switching and turned on Fox last night, and it made me sick how they tried to connect the Pope with this sad administration. But you know what, people can detect a phoney, and this Adm is full of em...

OH, and since this Is a Fool's thread...I thought maybe I should throw a joke in here...

At an international medical conference, several doctors find themselves in a conversation.

An Israeli doctor says, "Medicine in my country is so advanced that we can take a kidney out of one man, put it in another, and have him looking for work in six weeks."

A German doctor says, "That is nothing, we can take a lung out of one person, put it in another, and have him looking for work in four weeks."

A Russian doctor says, "In my country, medicine is so advanced that we can take half a heart out of
one person, put it in another, and have them both looking for work in two weeks."

The Texas doctor, not to be outdone, says, "Well shooot, y'all are way behind! Why heck, we just took a man with no brains a'tall out of Texas, put him in the White House, and now half the dang country is looking for work!"

:hehe: :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

The circles of life always come full circle. It is the way of the seasons, life, everything. Nothing is an end - it is only another step in the circle. I was saddened to hear of the loss of what I felt was not only an excellent Pope, but a great man. It also makes me ill the way everyone jumps on the bandwagon to get their 15 minutes of press time by being seen supposedly mourning the loss. However, the world will be a sadder place for the loss of Pope John Paul II.

Why Can't I Cry?

The fatal news
A silenced clock,
Family members
Gather in shock.

Why can't I cry?

The church bells toll,
The mourners come,
The grave is filled,
The deed is done.

Why can't I cry?

The widow's weeds.
Black, long, lace.
Tears of grief
On every face.

Yet I can't cry.

My Grandma told me
Tears wash the soul
But can it make
What's broken whole?

I wish I could cry.

The hushed tones
Of a loved one's wake
Darkened rooms
For the living's sake.

Why should I cry?

The tears, the pain
The sense of grief
The loss, the love
The religious belief.

I won't cry.

This is all
For those left behind.
Not for the deceased,
But to ease troubled minds.

I shouldn't cry.

He has gone on
To a new place
With out pain or tears
To mar his face.

I am happy he is no longer in pain.

You know who scares me? Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld. They have been scaring me for a long time. The old boys have been pushing for this war and many other things that I disagree with for many years. The Pit Bulls of the admin. They are a big part of the Rep. Machine. And Condoleeza Rice - what is that shit? Where is it that she could ever be qualified to fill that position?

Oh, and for those of you who have never seen it (per chance) there is a great show called The Daily Show that has some of the best political commentary, besides being very funny. It's scary how spot on he can be sometimes. Okay, I'll stop going on and on. This post is way too long anyway. Sorry - Peace

Read this and seeth. "Infinite Injustice" indeed.

Another good one, Shadow.

Don't worry. Both Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz are in the doghouse. Kindasleazy never had any power.
She's a pretend political pinup girl.

Maybe this is a way to get at Rumsfeld, Gonzalez, and ultimately Bush.
Gen. Sanchez has perjured himself, period. Where are the media? I posted a different link to this story a few days ago and got no responses. I have e-mailed my Senators and Congressman............nothing. It's f@*king perjury before Congress for crying out loud. This shit came from Rumsfeld, after Bush was given the go ahead by Gonzalez. WTF

Supersoling #62

Cheney is trying to cut DeLay out of the group now too. I"m guessing he hung himself when he pushed the zealots to kill judges.. (it's at the end of the article, but it shows that Shrubman and his cronies can see the messes starting to unfold too.. and want to distance themselves)

Hi, everyone. MMIIXX #44 - Brad has some VR bumper stickers. I bought one - tried to buy more than one but couldn't get paypal to change the number and didn't want to press my luck in case I ended up with 6000 or something.

You know, sometimes I can't even read the articles written about this sickening Anti-Christ administration. Since we have so much evidence against them, I wish we could just have a court find them guilty and haul them off to jail. But, patience is a virtue. We must stick in there and keep sticking it to them. They will eventually collapse. Hope we don't have to wait much longer.

I read in the newspaper today that recruitment for the military is down dramatically. Hope so. If there aren't enough soldiers, then the idiots can't start another war. Wish the current soldiers could come home and stop fighting and dying for the greedy corporate leeches controlling the government. If the neocons are planning another disaster for America like 911, let's hope they miss and blow themselves up instead.

I'm sure the Pope was a nice enough person, but I'm certain Jesus Christ would not have chosen to live at the Vatican. Also the policies about birth control (especially as it relates to poverty stricken people, countries, and the environment), women priests, homosexuality, etc., are unacceptable to me. At this point in my life, I do not believe in life after death. There is no reason for the belief whatsoever, except man's fear of his own mortality. That does not mean I reject the existence of a creator, who created a beautiful earth, with beautiful creatures. And I do believe, regardless, that we should lead moral lives, differentiating between right and wrong, and sharing and advancement for all, versus selfish lawlessness. But anyway...what do I know...not too much!

Peggy #69

I agree with all, except the"what do I know...not to much" part.

Peggy #69

I agree with all, except the " That does not mean I reject the existence of a creator" and "what do I know...not to much" part.

re: Bumper Stickers
are they really easy to read the web address , I think it's important that they can be read at a glance, "bradblog.com" is memorable .
another one I like is "http://whatreallyhappened.com"

Well, firstly, let me say that I do believe that it's all unraveling faster and faster. I do wish we could all just take them to court and expose them completely for the money grubbing assholes they are. That said, I will mention that I do believe in reincarnation amongst other things. If there is any justice in this life or the next - these guys will come back as dog shit on the bottom of a shoe.

I do not follow the Catholic religion I was born into. However, I still think that the Pope did attempt to right some of the wrongs that have been done by the Catholic church throughout history. Better late than never. What I really can't stand is people like Bush who claim any kinds of belief and then turn around and do things like sanction the abuse of prisoners. Hypocrites really burn me up in any form they come in.

Anyone who championed socialism in the face of a rampantly captalistic planet deserves our praise - and John Paul II is one of many flailing souls seeking to re-define the HUMAN soul. I am sorry that his voice for human justice is lost; but I am NOT sorry that his intolerance of anything that limits human infestation is silenced. He has done some good in the past 27 years; but he has also done irreparable harm.

I'm conflicted on the "immortality" issue, because I have a strong feeling that "pattern" has much to do with the workings of the universe. Consciousness is "pattern" replcated. Please continue to develop your own and the expansion of that of your neighbor.

Peggy - your patterns are not necessarily mortal. Keep thinking!

"replicated"

Morality and religion worn as a shield against the realities of man cause them to be nothing more than blinders to the real world and man's existance in it.

Far too often I feel that people use their beliefs and morals as a justifaction for hate and exclusion. Strangely enough, or maybe not strange - it is that same blindess and deafness that I feel holds many Americans blind to our government and their wrong doings. I think there are people out there who are sitting at home in their recliners watching the news and relaxing thinking to themselves - it can't be true - our government wouldn't do that - it's not right. Or maybe they think - it doesn't touch my life so it must not be that bad. And this is what keeps them complacent in their roles of citizenship. Citizenship isn't a given - it needs to be active to be kept. It isn't a right so much as a privilege. But it's not going to stay that way if people don't take care of it. Our rights as citizens of the US will continue to lose those rights if we don't fight for them.

Actually, I think bacteria and viruses are the rulers. Man is particularly impotent against the virus. A pandemic can occur at any time that would wipe out masses. Probably no entity we know of is really in charge.

I live in a modern city of several million people. I have a small abode in a natural enclave within. The wildlife is thriving. The land is zoned to stay natural forever. Foxes cross my path as I drive my home. Coyotes and racoons pick through the garbage. The woodpeckers are mad at us but they prevail and drive us crazy. The people here will not harm them.
We have one of the best park systems in the country where the geese and ducks live undisturbed.
We have a highly educated futuristic mayor, a scientist, who we rarely see.
We've grown tremendously lately, but I can still cross town late Friday night, and rarely see a car.

We haven't ruined the land. The people here love sports and the outdoors, and will preserve the beauty at all costs.

Of course the human race is destructive, but it is creative as well. With the greed and hubris come renewal, humility, and a desire to have a productive life on earth.

I think the jury is still out as to what part of us wins.

I know you're feeling blue, Peg. It will pass.

Wow Teresa - where do you live and how can I move there. I live in your typical depressed area. Once called the Crown Jewel of Pennsylvania - it is now filled with the working poverty, the unemployed, the people who slipped through the cracks, beautiful old homes going to seed and yes, even here, wild life. We see the gulls, we see the squirrels (the raid our garden), we hear the songs of the birds. They call to me now as I type this. There are several large parks within walking distance and we go there often to thank the world for her beauty and bounty. But this town is run by corrupt politicians and people who only see this town as a way to make money. But we are working to change that - to wake them up to the reality that if we don't take care of our nation and our world - it will slip away. The battle seems never ending and maybe it is. Maybe it isn't what political party will win - but how soon before the world decides that we are a thorn in it's side and wipes us all out. Sheesh, I need my morning coffee - maybe it's too early to be posting. LOL

Hi, everyone! I was just wondering why Bush likes having Karen H. and Condi R around him so much? What role do they play?

So, the following scienario comies to mind:

(a) The neocons, Cheney, corporations, "religious" right, are always telling Bush what they want and how they want to do it, and Bush is the front man to sell it to America;

(b) Then Bush tries out his sales pitch on Karen and Condi; he receives criticism and feedback, relays this to his "bosses", and the sales pitch is modified;

(c) Then Bush gives a "speech" announcing, etc.

Karen and Condi are his/their "test" population (to see how well you can fool people) along with his wife, Laura. The girls probably don't realize they are the "test" population for the front man's "story".

Also, K and C have the added benefit in that they probably make him feel more like "King George" than the guys do; the guys probably just call him "George" and tell him what to do all the time.

Just wondering...

We are to worship the Creator, not His creation - not the birds, animals, people, etc. See verse 25.

1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

1:6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

DFTTs

A real-world update:

We have been visited by the annual "fall-out" of fox sparrows, those far northern nesters with rich minor voices and extremely elusive life-styles. They are shy birds who breed in northern Canada; but every spring they descend upon our coastal feeding station and sing their huge, hopeful song of wildness, wilderness and the far north.

They are wild; and they will be gone within a week. To a northern wilderness that is threatened on all sides - by human exploitation and by human pollution. How many more years will this trustworthy visitation be trustworthy? How much longer can we count upon natural nature to continue in its normal course, when we have tampered with that course so drastically? How much longer can we trust that our springs will not be silent?

The difference between winter and spring is not the salient between cold and warmer. It is the echoing question mark separating a silent morning and an awakening filled with raucous, jubilant birdsong.

Oh people, SAVE this glorious world.

Yeah, Shadow.

It's not that the people in their recliners can't believe it, it's that facing it would mean getting up out of those recliners. Life might have to snatch those push button chairs from them dropping them hard on their asses, whereupon they will have to use all those atrophied muscles to try and get up!

Humans do not dominate the world, you know.
Insects do.

The better proclamations would be:
Glorious World SAVE us.

No Teresa -

We've shifted the balance, through hubris and overpopulation and greed.

???????????

Um, Okay Paul I think I get your point. Not quite my style, but thanks for sharing. But you may want to explain yourself a bit more as to who you are accusing of being vile.

Yep, looks like another candidate for a lawn shooting.

Shadow #82

I grew up in a depressed town on the Pennsylvania/New York border.
I now live in Colorado, which has always been a place for free spirits.
There is very little prejudice, the sun shines 300 days a year, and boom or bust, the people are friendly and high spirited. We had a black mayor before this one, and a Hispanic one before that, even though the minority population was under 15%. The people don't seem to care about these things. We have yet to have a woman, though.
The current mayor isn't even a politician. He came here as a geologist, then that industry went bust, and he opened the first brew pub in town, before it was a national trend. It took off, he was successful, he fell in love with the place, and decided that he wanted to be its mayor. Fine with us. We like him.
His wife is especially intelligent and erudite.
He's a nice man.
I'm sure there is corruption here, but I never hear about it. It certainly doesn't dominate. The people are very civilized and love nature and beauty. A Polish born aunt of mine says it reminds her of Europe.
It's an easy town to live in, and the people pretty much want to have a good life.
I hope it stays the way it is.

I think Montana is going to be the next Mecca in America. Bozeman and Missoula are fabolous places to live, I hear.

The West is wonderful.

Yep, looks like another candidate for a lawn shooting.

ROFL

Plus...

This place was always been known on the hobo circuit as a good place to hang out. Now, we are known for taking good care of the homeless. They are given food and shelter, and they are even allowed to live along the creek that runs through the town in their makeshift abodes. And they can beg and scream about Jesus undisturbed if they want. And certainly drink liquor freely.