Great Depression II on the Horizon?

Many believe that under our failed, incompetent and blatantly corrupt leadership, America has become weaker and less respected around the world. This is unfortunate and discouraging, sad but true.

From foreign relations to domestic energy policy, the Bush Crime Family has rocked America to its very foundation. It is going to take a long time to repair our reputation, our treasury and the pride America once had in itself. Every day Bush is not impeached, our deficit soars, we lose more and more friends and our long-term problems increase. Quite timely, a world war is developing. Where is our military? We've got our hands in a different cookie jar, and a complete fool as a commander in chief. Short of a miracle, a full-scale world war and a US-wide economic collapse is bound to happen soon. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away this time.

I predict that we will face an unimaginable economic collapse in which the dollar is virtually useless. This will happen before 2008 if the Bush administration remains in power. Most Americans will scatter for some way to band-aid the situation and get further into debt, while desperately trying to maintain their consumer lifestyle. Others will starve and die. Some will do what they've always done: steal from others to survive. But some will be ahead of the curve, getting by on thriftiness, DIY skills, community, bartering, growing their own food and other long forgotten traditions. These people will have stories for their Grandchildren one day about the demise of dumb America.

Today, people in their 80s, 90s and beyond lived through the Great Depression and still know how to live simply. They make use of what they have, instead of throwing so much away as today's culture encourages. It seems glamorous to over-consume, waste and live below our potential. We are addicted to oil, television, fast food, alcohol, prescription drugs, and for many of us, conflict, drama and worry.

These times are coming to an end. Be a part of the reawakening that will inevitably come as a result of the great dumbing down since the dawn of television, capped off recently by the Bush years.

*If you're looking to buy your next vehicle, look for diesel or electric cars. Don't be suckered in to the hybrid craze - Hybrids prolong our addiction to oil. Don't get too excited about ethanol either. You can run a diesel on vegetable oil and bio-fuel if it's available near you. Wait a few years 'til the hydrogen car is on the market, once the oilmen are out of power. In the meantime, drive less, carpool... or better yet, start bicycling. Once you get used to it, it becomes easy and fun. This is coming from someone who is not an exercise enthusiast nor someone who is really in shape.

*Quit digging yourself deeper in debt on the credit card. Live below your means, not above. In other words, quit trying to be fancier than you really are.

*Take care of your health. The healthcare industry is a business; don't count on them to care for or about you. If you doubt this, make regular visits to what seems like an "average" nursing home.

*Have a Plan B, i.e. Canada, Europe... in my case Scandanavia or Iceland if those damned neo-cons rig the 2008 election, and the nation has that collective apathy like we did in 2000 and 2004.

*Quit supporting businesses like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and other corporations that pay into this Neo-conservative nightmare. (That includes just about every oil company.) Instead, make steps toward supporting local and progressive businesses, if not already. The most meaningful vote you have is with your wallet. If you can't beat em... still, don't join em.

*See how you can help with the impeachment process. Rep. John Conyers seems to be the only person talking seriously about holding Bush accountable. Impeachment is just the beginning of punishing Bush for the numerous travesties and crimes in which he has been a part. Even if it doesn't happen, as so many believe, as least you can say you tried. Click here to become a citizen co-sponsor of Conyers' demand to investigate the Bush adminstration's abuses of power.

On the Way Home...

I was riding the motobecane along 9th street and came across two men in their early 20s walking on the sidewalk near the red light. One wore a death metal t-shirt and the other wore sunglasses as dusk settled over the valley. As cool as I could, I said, "What's happenin' dudes?"

At that moment, a spotlight shined on me and a bunch of people wearing leather jackets and sunglasses appeared out of nowhere. A beat formed somehow and we all started dancing around. Just as everyone turned to run toward me and give me a high-five, the light turned green and they disappeared. The guy with the sunglasses asked me, "Aren't ya gonna go?" to imply that I move along.

Thoughts for the Weekend

I let the dog eat one... just one hunk of horse manure on the trail yesterday. I hear that horse poop is a delicacy for dogs.
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When I was 20 years old, I got pulled over twice that year after having drank a few beers. Both times the officers gave me a breathalizer, both times alcohol was detected, yet... both times I was let free without any charges of underage drinking or driving under the influence. The cops had no reason to let me go- it was the Grace of God.
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I will be going on vacation across Central and Eastern Oregon with the wife and dog. We will be gone for about a week in early August, back on the 13th, so check back for many vistas of forests, mountains, deserts and hopefully some wildlife.
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I haven't been keeping track of the new beers I have been trying like I used to. I am so overwhelmed with transferring the vast list from notebook paper to computer, not to mention stacks of paper scraps and napkins with beer names written on them. My unofficial count will be at least 850... at least. First, I have to get back to transferring and keeping track of ALL beers.
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I wish our country wasn't represented by war pigs like Condi, Bush and Cheney. Calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon is too much to ask of these war profiteering scumbags. They want death and destruction; helps their pocketbook. God forgive George and his followers. If the End Times battle between good and evil is upon us, I hate to see what side some of our nation has been lead to. God forgive George and his followers.
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Can anyone recommend some bland background music? Not necessarily jazz, New age or classical... just some wallpaper-esque elevator music will do.
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Does anyone think that by releasing a movie, that the public radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" will gain any listeners? Have you ever heard this god-awful show? It is painfully stupid to listen to. Time to hang up the hat!
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When I was a teenager and my mom would find empty lube containers under my bed, I said they were for my dry feet. She either believed me or just really wanted to believe me.

Goal for Christmas

Last year, I got frustrated with all the shopping and holiday rush, not to mention the price of buying gifts... I broke down and bought a significant number of gifts from K Mart and a store called ROSS. Not many local gifts like I had planned.

This year, I have less people to buy for (one perk of not having many close friends) and I am part of the Hour Trader Community, a local barter system with its own currency. Corvallis readers, I highly recommend signing up as an Hour Trader, or at least looking into it. When the Bush economy collapses and the dollar is no longer of value, you will be ahead of the curve if you are familiar with bartering.

But this Christmas, all gifts will be local and/or bartered. No crappy K Mart merchandise, no cliche'd gifts, no pocket gals for the guys this year! I may even obtain the gifts in the next month and get it all settled now. The holiday rush is nauseating, and I am less interested in the commercial perversion that Christmas (X-mas) has become. Just one year, I'd like to feel the peace that Holidays like Christmas should bring and enjoy the entire month of December.

Decembers out here look like this.

Higher elevations...


Lower elevations...

Forests of Cascade Foothills

This one is darker, but that's about as bright as it gets that deep in.




And this is not a forest at all. It is a lesbian couple who I deem glamorous.

Lame Attempts at Vulgarity

We are bombarded with filth and vulgarity on a daily basis. If you are going to make an attempt, at least make it funny; don't be lame about it. This is why the Jerry Springer show and Howard Stern suck, while filmmaker John Waters and comedians like Andrew Dice Clay and Bill Hicks are great!

Here are some examples of some really lame attempts at vulgarity I've encountered. Add yours.

*(Bumper Sticker) If you're going to ride my ass, at least pull my hair.

*When I was a kid, people would tell me to hold my tongue while saying, "I was born on a pirate ship with ashes all around me." Oooh... instead of "ashes" it sounded like "asses." How risque!

*Shows like "Married with Children" and tacky reality TV shows based on cheating on one another.

*My cousin was dating this really nasty chick whose IM screen name was, "Kizz this Cowgirlz Rebel Azz." No joke.

*My whitetrash neighbor occasionally has these drunken BBQs out back of his place. I call them "Jerry Springer gatherings." Whenever he talks, he can't say a sentence without swearing most of the way through. "Dude, I fuckin' got a tatoo that hurt like shit." You'd think 8 years in the Marines would have taught this punk some manners.

*Some junior high kids were walking down 9th Street. As I passed, I only caught part of the conversation which involved one of them saying, "What on Shit's earth is wrong with her?" "Shit's earth," huh?

Failed Blackberry Salesman

The other day I picked about 6 tupperware containers full of blackberries in less than an hour. They are blooming early this year and grow wild all over the state.

As I was bicycling back through the neighborhoods, I thought it would be a great idea to try and sell some to people who might be out in their yards. Then, I got an even better idea. I could bike to downtown Corvallis and sell little bags of them for a dollar each! People would buy 'em in droves and I could make an extra $30 or so on my day off.

I went home and bagged up most of the blackberries I had just picked, and put them in a portable lunchbag with an ice packet. I asked my next door neighbor if the bags looked worthy of a dollar, to which she said yes and even bought one from me. I was off to a great start, or so I thought.

I bicycled into town, and sold one bag to a guy at the auto parts store, on his break. I learned to cherish that sale, as he was the ONLY one to buy my blackberries. Riding around the downtown area for almost an hour, I looked for yuppie moms and grandparents, young hippies (who really are not true hippies in any sense) and other average people who may want fresh-picked blackberries. Not one person was interested. My earlier image of people saying, "Heck, it's only a dollar... and those look good..." crumbled after about 15 people said no.

Through downtown, the riverfront, onto campus and after asking about 50 people, I gave up. People either had their own blackberries to pick or just didn't want any. And plenty of them made me feel stupid for even asking.

People can squash your optimism within a matter of minutes. They can turn dreams into wasted time. I remembered why I hate sales that day. It's because I don't like the word "no" especially when I have a heck of a deal to offer. I also don't like putting on a smile and asking politely if people want something, just for them to say no. As it turns out, most people these days have a total contempt for being approached by someone who is trying to sell something.

I like to think I could survive if I ever lived on the streets, but this modern day unfriendliness and cheapness would hamper that greatly. I thought Corvallis still had a place for that old fashioned, man-to-man sales, and it does... you just have to seek it out. Luckily, I have a few trades lined up this week and my blackberries will not go to waste. I will be trading with one woman for her natural soap, and I'll get half the blackberry mead that my blackberries make, from another guy on the barter system. That will require 5-10 lbs. of blackberries, and about a 5 month wait for the mead to ferment.

Corvallis readers, interested in bartering for blackberries?

Rosa the Housemaid

I don't have a solid idea for a TV show at this time, but I have a great character in mind.

A Hispanic housemaid who speaks very broken English, who occasionally tries to give the children of the house good advice. She is never able to form a complete sentence, and often says the wrong word at the wrong time. For instance, if the children were running around the yard during an electric storm, she might hang her head out the door and say, "Go outside!"

The children might gather around her toward the end of the show after they've learned their lesson about cutting class. This would be Rosa's take on the situation:

Rosa: "Well... school. Necesita...uh... you... need to ... schoool in. School in. You... you go...to the school." The children walk away confused, but the background music implies they've just learned an important, wholesome lesson.

Rosa and the parents have an iffy relationship. Whenever they come around, she acts overly busy. She fears them, and they occasionally make subtle racist remarks.

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I thought of this in a matter of 5 seconds last night while watching the Brady Bunch. It was the best laugh I had all day.

On 2nd thought, maybe I DO have an idea for a sitcom. A Republican family that is implied as wholesome, but only through creative use of lighting, music and choice of words. They are super rich, and the parents never have much time for the children, so the kids either get into trouble or spend hours in fron of the TV/video game console. The entire show would have kind of a "Leave it to Beaver" vibe, with an underlying darkness that only part of the audience understands. A lot of the situations would be based on current socio-political events. Occasionally, the mother (modelled after June Cleaver / Lynne Cheney) would explain "the solution" in a way that seems innocent and peachy, but is really based on greed, racism and/or neo-con loyalty.

Example: "Well, Jimmy... if the president decides to bomb parts of California, we don't question him. This country was not founded on the will of the people. This is America. What the president says, goes."

Again, cheerful music would be used in this scene, sort of an implication that "mother knows best."

I may be onto something here...

Screamy Neighbor Brat

A few units over lives a Mexican family with 4 children. Their youngest, about 3 years old, is a non-stop screamy little brat! From about 9 AM when the little bastard goes outside until as late as 11 PM, these high pitched screams ring out throughout the day. Worsening the situation, his brother and sisters constantly poke at him, chase him and pick him up, twirling him around.

A couple weeks ago on a particularly loud night, I asked his older brother, about 11, to please stop making him scream. I told him that neighbors around me and even a building over complain about it. He acted like he understood and would at least try to stop. Not even a moment later when I was all ready to brag to the neighbor that I finally got my nerve up, the we heard the screeching once again. It continued on into the late evening.

I have reported these people once, to no avail; I've even tried reasoning with the brother who I thought was respectable... still, I and everyone else in the unit have to put up with the screams of a little brat who is babied by his entire family. Instead of getting his massive pear shaped ass on a bicycle, they pull him around in a wagon. Or they push him in a stroller, all the while he screams playfully. If you saw this kid, you'd agree... he's too old for the damn stroller.

The other night, it was 10:38 and screams were coming from their apartment. The windows were open and the playful screaming was at the usual volume. Instead of stewing about it like usual, I put my head out my window and yelled, "SHUT UP!" as loud as I could. While my wife was annoyed, that did the trick; one of the parents shut their window, and I heard the faint screams dissipate. I think I've found a solution. Now, to get up the gall to do that during the daytime hours...

I also would like to write the family a letter about how inconsiderate they are. I will reinforce that nobody but them enjoys that damned screeching and if it keeps up that I will report them. But I will be nice about it. If that doesn't work, I will just start storming their front door each time to pound and yell, "Shut up!"

Neo-con Rock / We Don't Support This Liar!

While doing the occasional surf through blog wasteland (right-wing blogosphere), I came across this video of some untalented band singing "Bush was right." This was touted by someone who encouraged her readers to "Send... to your favorite liberal. It will make his/her head spin."

My head started to spin alright, but not for the reason that one might expect. Sure, I was amazed that rock music can take such remarkable spins into the dirt, but mostly, I have been thinking of my own version. If you watch the video, you will notice that this band ripped off the melody to Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire" while adding in their own brand of cheese-rock. Very primitive lyrics, so the young neo-cons can understand. I think I can do a little better, and fill in the situation a little more realistically.

(in the tune of Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire")

Osama bin Laden still not found,
American troops are on the ground-
In Iraq, what the heck?
We may as well have bombed the Czechs.

Dumbass George says, "Stay the Course."
We'll spread democracy by force
to every man, child and their mama,
But we forgot about Osama.

30% believe the lies
While Americans and Iraqis die,
The rhetoric is really cheap,
the cost is getting pretty steep.

The neo-cons are all so pissed,
but they sure as hell will not enlist!
"Let someone else go fight the war!
I don't have to; I'm not poor!"

CHORUS
_________________________________________
We don't support this liar!
We didn't elect him, but we'd love to eject him!

We don't support this liar!
His inauguration was a curse to our nation.
_________________________________________


The Bush gang outted Valerie Plame,
but they'll find someone else to blame.
The liberal media? What's his name?
Their lies are sounding all the same.

Gay marriage, flag burning,
issues for attention turning.
Ways to keep Americans scared-
Operation "Look over there."

But most of us are not so dumb
to believe this lying scum.
We're going to impeach this clown
once November rolls around.

Bush is wrong at every turn,
Forever in hell he's gonna burn!
He and his friend Karl Rove-
2 Texan devils in a stove!

REPEAT CHORUS

Bill O'Reilly, Hannity,
Neo-con insanity.
Fox presents that crap as news
when all it is is right wing views.

The only audience they have left
are living results of incest.
People without half a brain
whose arguments are really lame.

"USA! Support our Troops!"
Really dumb American dupes.
Even if Dubya fucks a gent,
they'll still be his 30% !

REPEAT CHORUS
________________________________

By the way, I sent the right wing band a copy of my lyrics and will post their response if they send one.

Bike Accident, Corner of 99W and Conifer Blvd.

At around 3:29 PM on Wednesday, an accident occured at the corner of 99W and Conifer Boulevard in Northeast Corvallis. The bicycle was travelling northbound and sideswiped the back end of a moving car in the turning lane, headed west. According to the driver of the vehicle, a mid size 80s model blue sedan, he (the driver) had a green arrow that had been green as long as he could see it. Arriving at the intersection, the driver saw the bicyclist once it was too late and even tried speeding up to avoid the accident. Alas, the 13 year old male bicyclist slammed into the rear of the vehicle, damging his front tire.

The cyclist complained of shoulder pains and had a moderatrely small scrape on his knee. He was wearing a helmet which saved him a head injury; he said that he hit his head. He claimed, "I'm more upset about the bike. I just got it!"

I arrived about a minute after the accident occurred, so I am not a material witness. I immediately walked up to him as he sat at the curb with his bike and its mangled front tire. He was shaken and upset. When I asked what happened, he exclaimed, "A raving lunatic!..." followed by a deep breath of rage.

As I took photographs, I was told by some guy on a powertrip that I was not allowed to take photos, "Just because." That was my reason when he asked: "Just because." I listened as the swarm of paramedics questioned the boy. Next to the loud highway, I couldn't make much out, but from what I could tell, the kid is going to be just fine. The woman who called the authorities was driving a van of children, blocking traffic and was spazzing out on her cell phone, yelling at the dispatcher to hurry up. She came over to the boy and said, "Don't move. Don't move, OK? Just stay here. What's your name?" He had the look on his face of, "Chill out, lady. I'm not paralized... jeez!" She was also trying to be the voice of comfort over the loud scream of the police car siren that just arrived. The cops and paramedics asked all kinds of questions, took him in the ambulance and the circus left town about 10 minutes after the ambulance was gone. All the snazzy Corvallis emergency vehicles went their separate ways, and I came up here to break the latest news.



The driver is the guy in all black, standing next the passenger. They were on their way to work at a fast food place. The driver showed true remorse but at the same time, drivers must be aware of bicyclists. More importantly, cyclists need to be completely aware, drive defensively, and follow the rules of the road. Expect that motorists are not paying attention (because really... many are not) and always wear a helmet.


The motorist of the accident looks on as the paramedics tend to the young cyclist that collided with his vehicle.


The paramedics prepare the kid for the ambulance. Mr. Powertrip is holding the notebook on the right of the photo, blocking my shot and questioning my motive.

Prayer in Public Schools

Congress spends 4 days on debating the flag burning issue... we can discuss unimportant topics here too.

I recently received one of those email petitions that you sign, then copy and paste the entire list of signatures to send along, as if that keeps accurate count. First of all, those kinds of email petitions are void of logic. They do not keep track of every signature by any means; there are at least a thousand of that same petition floating around, each with a different number of signatures. Not surprisingly, I've only seen these types of petitions for right-wing causes.

Anyway, this petition was to call on Bush to reinstate prayer in public schools. I sign no petitions that are intended for that cretin unless it is a call for him to resign or withdraw troops from his illegal terror operation. I also think that if prayer were to be reinstated in public schools under his terms, it would be peppered with the oppressive flavor of the radical religious right. For instance, prayer would likely be state sponsored and lead by school faculty, or the rule would declare that only Christian prayer would be tolerated. It's a slippery slope when puppets of such radical zealots reinstate anything religious.

Cutting Bush and his dumb ideas out of the picture completely, I think prayer should be allowed in public school. If some kid wants to bow his head before lunch or a big exam, the school has no right whatsoever to deprive them of that right. If students want to assemble for student-lead prayer during passing period, before or after school, that should be fine. However, there should be limitations.

*No faculty or staff will take part in or lead any prayer session. If there are after-school gatherings, faculty can only supervise and not take part in any of the activites. Faculty and staff cannot teach or discuss their personal faith with students during school hours, or on school property

*Prayer should not disrupt the class, and students can not pray out loud or use class time as their prayer marathon. A quick bow of the head and closing of the eyes is fine.

*If Christian prayer is allowed, EVERY student of EVERY faith is allowed to pray as long as it is not disruptive. This means that kids can pray to Allah, Satan, even Bob Dobbs if they want to.

*Prayer and faith should never be used to threaten, intimidate, coerce or have power over other students. In other words, the right wing hick student cannot stand in the hallway praying for the "fag student's soul" or the "misguided Muslim who is on his way to hell." When prayer is used in this manner, the student will be expelled.

*Students can discuss faith issues unless they are one of those proscelatizing big mouths. When students use their faith to oppress others, they will be banned from discussing the issue altogether. In other words, no calling each other "infidels" and no telling others that because they reject a certain faith, they are "going to hell."

Bottom of the Barrel Healthcare

I've heard time and again that America has the best healthcare in the world; I still have yet to see any evidence of that. Especially for those of us unfortunate enough to have Kaiser Permanente as our healthcare provider. They are lazy, slow, ineffective and way overpriced.

I pay over $200 a month and wait at least 20 minutes on the phone to make an appointment, just so I can see a "doctor" who tells me that I'm fine and too young to be worried about anything.

Yesterday, I went for an annual physical and hoped to have several things checked out. I've had chest pains for quite some time, a lump in my right armpit, and a list of other ailments I won't go into. After waiting an HOUR and a HALF to see this bozo named Lichter, I explained that I would like a chest exam. I have had pains that come and go and occasionally, my heart beats irregularly. Completely disinterested in even performing an exam, he looked me in the eye and told me I was worrying for nothing. "This is not a common problem for people your age. You really shouldn't worry." More and more, people are developing diseases at younger ages in this chemical culture. Hasn't this overpaid moron heard of preventative measures?

I grew up in the armpit of the nation, Northwest Indiana. I smoked like a fiend throughout my junior high and high school years and breathed tons of secondhand smoke, years after I quit. My body has been through the ringer, breathing in car fumes and unescapable air pollution, not to mention, I've eaten plenty of garbage food and drank many gallons of beer. My heart probably isn't in the best shape. For what I pay into this scam, I am entitled to get tests I think are necessary. Instead, I'm supposed to be comforted by this quack's ignorant assumption that "Everything's fine." ???

I insisted to have the problem looked at. "Fine." he snarled. Then he fed me a line that when tests for abnormalities are administered on unlikely patients, the likelihood for misreadings increases. In other words, "It's more likely that the tests will come out inaccurate." And? Is that the best you can do, "Doctor?"

I stripped down to put on the hospital robe, only to wait 20 more minutes as he puttsed around in the hallway. He came back to perform his tests, then ordered a tetnus shot, and (big surprise here) set me up to come back for another appointment. It wasn't enough to drive 40 miles to Salem, wait an hour and a half and be treated like a moron who doesn't understand my own body. I get to do it all over again, since Dr. Genius waited until 5:00 to see me, when the entire staff was ready to go home. My appointment was at 3:30. And as it turns out, my chest will not be looked at. Instead, I am getting a liver function test (something I had to request more than once), and a cholesterol level exam. A prostate exam is out of the question. I'm "too young," so if there is a developing problem, I have to wait until I'm old enough and it's a full blown fuckin' disease!

What a scam the American "Healthcare" system is! We are the only industrialized developed country that doesn't have universal coverage. As bad as it is now, I hate to imagine how much worse it will get if we do go to universal coverage. The laziness and doctoral incompetence will increase tenfold. In our "healthcare" system, instead of dealing with the disease or the problem, they prescribe garbage in a pill, which only makes the problem worse. Or like the bozo I saw yesterday, they say that everything's fine, without even looking into the problem. I want out! Save this expensive scam for some other dupe, and give me Holistic Healthcare.

The untitled photo

Maybe you HAVE seen me around Corvallis.

Revivin' the Clothesline

Thanks to a recent suggestion from The Corvallist, we have been hanging our clothes on the clothesline instead of using the dryer. I haven't even thought of a clothesline since I was about 4 years old. Aside from saving at least $4.50 so far on the pay-dryer down the hall, we have also saved a good deal of energy.

It takes extra effort to set up a clothesline or wire and it takes a little longer to dry, but the clothing feels crisper. It doesn't cost anything. It's a step in the right direction and the dog days of summer are the time to do it. The heat does have its advatages.

Hack #1 or Hack #2?

Oregon's upcoming debate between our current Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) and Ron Saxton (R) is not some earthshaking event. In fact, it's a chance for too canned hacks to recite speeches and maybe attack one another effectively enough to sway more votes.

Who cares about these two? Kulongoski has had many years as Governor to do nothing. Saxton has been smeared by the Republican base for being too liberal. I still haven't seen a single yard sign for Kulongoski, and only a handful of Saxton signs and bumperstickers. In short, nobody really cares about either one.

Thanks to the small-mindedness of the debate sponsor, the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, the upcoming debate will be between only Saxton and Kulongoski with no 3rd party candidates invited. There are 3 or 4 candidates that are being left out, including Mary Starrett, a Constitution Party candidate, Joe Keating from the Pacific Green party, and Richard Morley, a Libertarian. Former Republican Ben Westlund is still collecting signatures.

According to Keating's website, studies show one-third of Oregon voters choose independent candidates. In addition, Kulongoski and Saxton said they believe it is important to hear from all sides, and are open to a debate with the other candidates. I know I want to hear from the 3rd party candidates! Neither Saxton or Kulongoski is getting my vote, as neither one are that impressive. For instance, Kulongoski claims to be a champion of renewable energy, while stating that Oregon will use 25% renewable energy by 2025. Too little, too late! We shold be above 25% now! Sure, he has stood up to Bush and has done some other good things, but not enough! Saxton... well, he's a Republican. Enough said.

Oregonians, contact the office of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association at 503-624-6397. Let them know that this upcoming debate between only Hack #1 and Hack #2 is unacceptable to our democracy. By sponsoring a debate that allows just 2 voices when there are 3 or 4 more who could speak the truth and bring hope to our state, the Oregon Newspapers Foundation is part of the problem. Leroy Yorgason, executive director of the organization says the debate would be limited to the two candidates in order to give them more time to answer questions in depth. "We'd rather ask more probing questions of two candidates who represent the major parties and find out what they think..." What about the significant number of Oregon voters who don't care what either of them has to say? What about those of us who have evolved beyond the 2-party joke and want to at least give the 3rd party candidates a chance?

It should not be the media's job to determine or limit the number of voices we hear when we the people are to decide who our governor will be. But, what's new?

Political Disengagement

From time to time, in order to keep my sanity I disengage from most or all political news. I see or hear it as background, but don't think too deeply into it. When I get to thinking about it is when it runs its course as a destructive force.

I haven't followed this week or last week's events too closely, as may be evident by the lack of a political rant. Instead, I have been posting photos and other ideas that may be meaningless and in turn, nobody seems to get it. I realize though that most of our society is politically disengaged like this ALL of the time, and we can thank that kind of mindset for where we are today. A government doesn't get this far into blatant crimes and doing the opposite of the will of the people unless the people stop paying attention. And we have.

I am still striving toward a simple life more free of clutter and distraction, and I continue to live in opposition to the modern American dream of greed and domination, but if I were to hit up some political news sites or blogs, I wouldn't have a grasp on the subject matter like usual. This is fine; I am tired of being so angry and in awe of the stupidity of today's "conservative." Plus, I haven't heard Bush speak since his little breakdown... "This is diplomacy... uh...uh... it's a slow process and you're seeing diplomacy." He spoke this nervous tard panic when referring to North Korea. On that note, I hope that something is worked out with them since we don't have the resources to deal with any real problems or threats. It's all being wasted in Iraq, and on not finding Osama bin Laden. Yep, the last unit of the CIA assigned to find Osama has been dismantled. Strong terror policy, let me tell ya. What's worse are the blood hungry right wingers who once wanted to kill Osama with their bare hands; they've become comfortable with the "Osama is just a symbol" mantra. They too are not too concerned about him. Getting drunk on one political party's kool-aid is the farthest thing from patriotism.

Bush's voice puts a wet blanket on my day, and I'm sure it does the same or worse for others. I can't imagine how military families of fallen soldiers (the ones that are not still in the "honorable mission" denial stage) feel when they hear this guy's blatant lies. To keep my sanity, I shall stay somewhat disengaged for a while. Just thinking about it gets me upset.

Gone swimmin'

3rd Shift Spite

Living near train tracks has its pros and cons. Pros: You will likely pay less in rent... aside from that, the rest are cons. Late at night when the monstrous machines pass by, the whole place shakes. We are blasted by the sound of the horn at all hours of the late night and early morning. Tippy howls and occasionally yipes from her chair, as if she is answering the call of the wild.

I wonder if the prick driving the train is intentionally trying to wake everyone up. I know that, by law, they have to honk the horn when approaching a crossway. Sometimes, the horn blows for 2-4 seconds, and as I wake up agitated I am still half dreaming. But I never cast off the likelihood that the train engineer is bitter about his crappy shift, and just thinks it's funny to wake up the neighborhood.

Forest of Blue

The Half Ton Man

Last night as I was falling asleep, I happened to catch part of the "Learning Channel's" special on this morbidly obese blob, known as the Half Ton Man. I put Learning Channel in quotes because I hardly look to that channel as a beacon of learning. The Learning Channel has gone to hell as far as being an educational network. They should change their name to "The Shallow Image Channel" or "Dumb America's Learning Curve." But that's not what this post is about.



I don't have much to say about this program except there was one point where the guy's wife was being interviewed about the blob's food intake. This mammoth freak had the nerve to get testy with the interviewer. He was in the kitchen (no surprise) and came woddling into the living room where the interview was taking place. "You're asking these questions like she's just gonna say, 'oh, he ate tons and tons and food.' It's not like that!" said the half ton man, in an agitated manner.

One question. Can you blame the interviewer for assuming that you eat truckloads of food each week? Look at you! You're as big as a damn elephant! Your left tit is bigger than most people's entire upper body, yet you react aggressively to speculation that you eat excessive amounts of food?? This and other remarks from the guy left me with no sympathy at all.


Once you hit 400... maybe 500 pounds, isn't that somewhat of a wakeup call?

In the Wrong?

Yesterday while biking through downtown Corvallis, I rode my bike slowly onto the sidewalk to park it at one of the bike racks. The situation in downtown Corvallis is this: Bicycles are allowed to share the regular road with cars and are not allowed on sidewalks. However, bicycle racks are on the sidewalk, so at some point, bike tires will touch the sidewalk. Anyway, I passed by some fat 12 year old kid and his grandparents, as I slowly glided to a halt. "No bikes on the sidewalk, dude!" yelled the kid, in a real smartass tone. I turned around and said, "Oh, thanks for letting me know, Chubby." Two older women who heard me started laughing, the kid's grandparent yelled, "Hey!" and Chubby had nothing to say.

Afterward, my wife frowned at me and said I should not have said that. If anything, I should have said, "Oh sorry..." according to her. The way I see it, technically, bikes aren't allowed on the sidewalk. That I will admit. But, I was watching where I was going and wasn't cruising on the sidewalk. I was going slowly and looking for a place to park. But ultimately, I don't need to take that from some smartass kid. The way he shouted, it seemed that he may be used to one-upping his peers with smart remarks, or being a little loudmouth who isn't regularly put in his place. I thought it was appropriate to bring him back down to Earth... and to call him "Chubby." My wife disagrees, and an argument ensued.

What do you think? While you are deciding, here is a picture of the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon Coast.

Cascadia, OR -

Don't let the shabby post office fool you. Cascadia may be a quiet, small town but it has the greenest forest I have come across yet. Maybe it's just this time of year or its location in the Cascade Mountains, but this forest was more like a fairy tale than reality. Then again, reality is losing its 'normal' feel these days.









Came across this lil damn thing.


Then I arrived at the waterfall, a mere 3/4 of a mile from the trail entrance.





As I left the area, I realized that I haven't been connecting as frequently with the Spirit. My mind is too occupied, honestly. I am really worried about our country, and I wonder why this destruction is allowed to continue. Worldwide, we are destroying one another and our planet. I need to find the positive news, the good in people and a solid hope in the future. I need to let go every once in a while; Sometimes a day trip just isn't enough.


A view of the above pictured forest from afar.

Derek Hain's Decision

Thanks to no real votes or suggestions, Derek has decided to stay in Bellfountain, Oregon.


He claims to love the beautiful views...


and the nightlife...



Sometimes, as they always warn us, people who go to Bellfountain get way too caught up in the fast times and party-hardy lifestyle the city offers. Let's hope the best for Derek as he has chosen to live the 'Bellfountain life.'

Derek Hain at a Crossroads

This is Derek Hain standing at a crossroads in BellFountain, Oregon. Which way should he go?

4th of July Leftovers

On the 4th of July, something seemed empty amidst all the explosions. The story of North Korea testing its missiles went under the radar, as not to alarm or disrupt any proud patriots setting off China-made explosives. Most of us didn't take time to think of the true value of American independence, and just how close we are to losing it all, if not already.

As some are enjoying fireworks even days after the 4th, I bring to you familiar sentiment of Independence Day. This is an excerpt from Beth Quinn's letter to King George, published in New York's Middletown Times-Herald Record. In presenting this to you, I hereby declare independence from King George and his regime, and ask that you join me by contacting your Congressman and demanding impeachment.
Senate switchboard: 202-224-3121
House switchboard: 202-225-3121

******************
The history of the present King George of America is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts about the excesses of King George of America be submitted to a candid world:
*He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. By use of a device called the "signing statement," he has placed himself above more than 750 laws enacted since he became king, including the anti-torture law passed by Congress to correct a most grievous wrong.
*He has appointed Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices and, in so doing, he has created a Supreme Court to be an arm of his government absent the usual and customary checks and balances.
*The Supreme Court of his Land has removed the protections of the Fourth Amendment by allowing unlawful police searches of our homes, all evidence thus obtained to be used against us in a Court of Law.
*He has erected a multitude of New Offices and sent hither swarms of Incompetent Officials to run up our spending without producing services for those Citizens in need, such as the victims of the tempestuous storm that pounded our Southern Shores.
*He has affected to render the Military independent and superior to Civil power, thereby creating a netherworld of despair at Gitmo, in which prisoners are held without charges, isolated from their families, deprived of a trial by jury, and subject to abuses against humanity.
*He has abrogated the Citizens' right to privacy by ordering Officials of the Crown to monitor our phones, track our e-mail, demand to know our reading habits and examine our banking records.
*He has censured and attempted to silence the Free Press for revealing his excesses, such as those enumerated above.
*He has plundered the nation's land and air and picked the pockets of the Common Man, even as he has filled the royal coffers and called for Legislation to protect the riches of the Upper Classes.
*He has desecrated our Constitution's Bill of Rights - our most sacred freedoms - by attempting to subvert that document's purpose and instead use it to limit rights through amendments that would ban marriage for certain of our Citizens and to criminalize certain expressions of Free Speech.
*He has cut off the Good Will extended us in all parts of the world.

We, therefore, the citizens of these United States, do solemnly publish and declare that we wish to be free and independent of this monarchy. And for the support of this Declaration, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor, we mutually pledge to call for his impeachment by the Congress of these United States.

Showers? / Tippy at the Nursing Home

Looking out the window this morning, it looks like showers may be moving across the valley. No problems here.


On an unrelated topic, I took Tippy to the nursing home yesterday, where we visit with the residents. She is always nice to the people who are still somewhat active, and will lick their hands and faces. But the real sick and weak... the people who are literally on their last leg, she won't even look at them. I have to force her paw out as she does everything in her power to look away. I can sense that this kind of interaction makes these poor old folks feel more in despair. Quirks of nature.

Independence Day

Back then, they celebrated their independence from an oppressive, puritanical Great Britain.

Today, we are grasping what may be the last of a true democracy, while spending money we don't have on an illegal, unjust resource war.

What would the Founding Fathers say if they were alive today? Can you imagine the dismay, not only of our unelected leaders, but of what we the people have become in the political process? Things only get like this when the masses disengage, and stop caring about their country.

Instead of blowing up fireworks and eating charred goo, here are some suggestions:

1. Read the Bill of Rights.

2. Stop being afraid.

3. If you value your freedom, thank a dissident.




Today's true keepers of our freedom.

The Joe Harchanko Memorial Bike Rack

The town of Muncie, Indiana boasts a beautiful Ball State University campus, a middle of the road, hometown feel and some genuinely good people. It now has a memorial of Dr. Joseph Harchanko, thanks to Rod Crossland, owner of Wishbone Gifts. This is not some park statue or dull brick in the sidewalk. Instead, the memorial is one of few bike racks in the downtown Muncie area.


Dr. Harchanko left Muncie, where he was an Assistant Professor of Theory and Composition at Ball State University. He is now Assistant Professor of Theory and Composition/ Violoncello at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, but will be remembered in downtown Muncie, thanks to the bike rack. Visit Dr. Harchanko's site and check out some of his work. And Muncie residents, ride your bike to his memorial and park it there for a while.