Wake Up People, the Bell Is Tolling

George H.W. Bush famously said, "I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good." Today I speak of a thousand points of light from musicians, bloggers, alternative news reporters, overpass protesters, whistleblowers, and people who are hip to what's really going down and are taking a stance. It gives me hope, but it also makes me afraid. Standing alone or together, the government has the resources and is currently using those resources to systematically put out these lights by "legal," quasi-legal and black-op operations. I don't like seeing people hurt and KILLED and ruined, but I for one will not give up until I'm six feet under, and even then I have hope that my legacy will live on in those who know me, and those who read my works.

My son, a true info-warrior, of whom I am very proud, sent me a link for a music video titled I Am American-Official Video. It was this song that actually inspired this piece. I contacted Jeremy Dodge, who graciously gave his permission for me to link the song. For more information and videos please visit jeremydodge.com.

We are at war with our government and their multinational corporate puppetmasters, whether you want to acknowledge it or not, but before you decide, remember that our government has already declared US to be the enemy. Every ONE of us. They go after animal sanctuaries, organic farms, internet entrepreneurs, journalists, legally operated medical marijuana outlets. I read online that the official motto of the TSA Air Marshall Training Center is "DOMINATE, INTIMIDATE, CONTROL." I couldn't believe that a federal agency could have such a blatantly provocative motto, so I went to the TSA's own webpage and sure enough, that is the OFFICIAL slogan. The government is not even bothering to hide its disdain for us. The government sees every man, woman and child in this country as a terrorist and enemy combatant. And they have the plans for dealing with every one of us. "Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

"It's time to stand up! It's time for less Government! Politicians and THEIR  choices for what THEY think is best for you and me, are doing more damage to our country right now than at any other time in history and it is up to us, "The People" of America to "Stand Up" and speak out with boldness. We are still a Government of the people, by the people and for the people!"

Jeremy Dodge

Here's Soap In Your Eye

All I can say is, when I was a kid, and said a 'bad' word, and got my mouth washed out with soap, I wish my parents had used one of these flavors--Vanilla Bean Dream, Coffee Vanilla Bean Mocha, or Soymilk -N- Honey. Of course, if that were the case, they would have never gotten me to stop swearing.

I am paralyzed from the waist down due to a neurological condition. As you can imagine, showering is a very difficult but greatly appreciated task. Additionally, my skin is very sensitive.

My wife recently bought some all natural shampoo bars from Mouga Soap. I just tried the Seaweed Shampoo w/Tea Tree and Moroccan Argan Oils "flavor" and it was fabulous. I use a crocheted scrubbing mitt and the soap lathered up beautifully, felt fantastic on my skin, and rinsed off easier and cleaner than any soap or shampoo I've ever used. My hair (what there is of it) feels soft and clean and my body feels fresh and wonderful. Plus my wife says I smell great!

We will not be using commercial soaps or shampoos again in this house.

Although this is my 201st post on this blog, this is my first product endorsement. And no, I do not get any free bars of soap (hint, hint).

You can find more info at:

Mouga's Facebook Page
Mouga's Etsy Store

Seaweed Shampoo w/Tea Tree and Moroccan Argan Oils

"All-natural, vegan, soaps and shampoos lovingly made by hand. Original blends and mixes for your hair and body."

The Best of Both Worlds

This is Sarge, a Savannah cat, who resides at the WildCat Haven Sanctuary. When they posted this picture on my News Feed, I was sure it was a wild cat, and not legal to own, even though it looks like a domestic cat. I looked it up online and these are some of the most interesting things I learned.

Sarge

A Savannah cat is a cross between a domestic cat and the serval, a medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat. The unusual cross became popular among breeders at the end of the 1990s, and in 2001 the International Cat Association accepted it as a new registered breed. Savannahs are much more social than typical domestic cats, and they are often compared to dogs in their loyalty. They can be trained to walk on a leash and taught to play fetch.

Savannah cats are the largest breed of domesticated cat. The Savannahs' tall and slim build gives them the appearance of greater size than their actual weight. A Savannah's wild look is due to the presence of many distinguishing serval characteristics, including the various color markings; tall, deeply cupped, erect ears; puffy noses; and jade-colored eyes. The bodies of Savannahs are long and leggy. The small head is taller than wide, and it has a long, slender neck. 

Savannahs will follow their owners around the house. They are very social and friendly with new people and other cats and dogs. An oft-noted trait of the Savannah is its jumping ability. They are known to jump on top of doors, refrigerators and high cabinets. Savannahs can leap about 8 feet high from a standing position. Savannahs are very inquisitive, and have been known to get into all sorts of things. They learn how to open doors and cupboards, and anyone buying a Savannah will likely need to take special precautions to prevent the cat from getting into trouble.

Many Savannah cats do not fear water, and will play or immerse themselves in water. Some owners even shower with their Savannah cats. Presenting a water bowl to a Savannah may also prove a challenge, as some will promptly begin to "bat" all the water out of the bowl until it is empty, using their front paws.

Vocally, Savannahs may either chirp like their serval fathers, meow like their domestic mothers, both chirp and meow, or sometimes produce sounds which are a mixture of the two.

Savannah cats have no known special care or food requirements, although a very high quality diet with no grains or byproducts is recommended.

Laws governing ownership of Savannah cats in the United States vary according to state. The majority of states follow the code set by the United States Department of Agriculture, which defines wild and domesticated hybrid crosses as domesticated.

A government report on the cats has warned that the hybrid breed may introduce enhanced hunting skills and increased body size into feral cat populations, putting native species at risk.

As with any animal, and especially exotics, much consideration should be given before taking on the commitment that these amazing creatures deserve.

Oath of Office

NOTE: This is a satirical comment. I am expressing under protection of the First Amendment my frustration with the current state of government. It should not be construed as a threat of any kind against any person or office, either private or governmental. I have no intent or means to harm anyone now or in the future. That is, with the possible exception of my sister, Da Lawyer, who made me include this disclaimer.



"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Now remove the words "office of."

My next stop?

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it*

These are actual handcuffs used by the U.S. government to restrain Native American children when removing them from their families to send them to the Indian boarding schools where their identities, culture and right to speak their Native languages were forcibly stripped away from them.

The Cultural Center & Museum located on the campus of the Haskell Indian Nations University, tells the full, and often cruel, story of Haskell’s painful past. Opened in 2002, the Center features the permanent exhibit 'Honoring Our Children Through Seasons of Sacrifice, Survival, Change and Celebration.' Among the artifacts currently on display is a heavy lock and key from the on site jail used to punish unruly students. Soon the handcuffs will be included among the artifacts, adding their own chilling testimony to the practices used by early educators to 'kill the Indian and save the child.'

The diminutive handcuffs, used to restrain captured Indian children, were donated to the Cultural Center by a white man who had the handcuffs for years but said that he no longer wanted to have them in his possession. “He seemed relieved to get rid of them,” said the Museum curator. 

The curator continued, “I was shocked and afraid to touch them."

A number of elders and leaders, conducted a modest ceremony the next day around a medicine fire blessing the painful reminder. Women from the Creek and Choctaw Nations, provided a tiny handmade quilt in which the handcuffs were reverently wrapped.

The handcuffs are a tangible example of the history between Native people and the U.S. If those handcuffs could talk, they would tell some terrible stories.

A spokesman for the Museum said, "It’s good to have these sorts of things on display in the Cultural Center. They tell the REAL story of who truly paid the price.

*George Santayana

Snakes In the Grass

Vipers are a family of venomous snakes found all over the world. All have relatively long, hinged fangs that permit deep penetration and injection of venom. During a strike, the mouth can open nearly 180°. The jaws close on impact and powerful muscles that surround the venom glands contract to inject the venom as the fangs penetrate. This action is very fast. Vipers use this mechanism primarily for immobilization of prey. Experiments have shown these snakes are capable of making decisions on how much venom to inject depending on the circumstances. In predatory bites, factors that influence the amount of venom injected include whether the prey is held or released. In defensive bites, the amount of venom injected may be determined by the size of the antagonist, as well as the assessed level of threat. A viper bite is often a very painful experience and should always be taken seriously, though it may not necessarily prove fatal. Even with prompt and proper treatment, a bite can still result in a permanent scar. A victim's fate is impossible to predict, as this depends on many factors, including the condition of the victim before being bitten.

America’s illusions of freedom are becoming more and more transparent, with the federal government’s now standard practice of deploying armed agents to actively roam public venues and conducting “suspicionless searches.” The TSA sends out its Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams to set up unannounced checkpoints used to “Dominate, Intimidate, & Control” American travelers. The purpose of VIPR teams is to maintain a presence in public areas and force travelers to submit to searches.

TSA records show that the teams ran more than 8,800 unannounced checkpoints outside of airports last year alone. These included searches at train stations, bus depots, the Indianapolis 500, the Super Bowl, the Democratic and Republican national conventions, political speeches, and sports stadiums. The TSA conducted an estimated 9,300 “suspicionless” spot searches of travelers in 2011.

VIPR teams have checked people at the gangplanks of cruise ships, the entrance to NASCAR races, and at ferry terminals. The Feds are also deploying “TSA assets” in and around sporting arenas. Fans may encounter VIPR teams on local transportation venues and mass transit. TSA assets will also work with law enforcement during high-profile games. Fans had their clothing searched, their bags X-rayed, and their persons sniffed by dogs. In one shocking story from New Mexico, TSA agents were scheduled to conduct warrantless searches of high school students attending their Senior Prom.

TSA has also made their presence felt on America’s roads, setting up VIPR teams to perform checkpoints in the middle of highways. As one TSA official pointed out, “We are not the Airport Security Administration.” Vehicles at Federal roadblocks were subjected to VIPR agents inspecting them for terrorists and terror-related materials.

To justify their unconstitutional infringements, they claim the checkpoints are “administrative searches” that are exempt from probable cause, therefore conveniently impervious to constitutional protections.

TSA now has 56,000 agents. “We have to keep terrorists on edge.”

[This blog was written with the assistance of an article published by Police State USA at: www.policestateusa.com]

“Uncontrolled search and seizure is one of the first and most effective weapons in the arsenal of every arbitrary government. Among deprivations of rights, none is so effective in cowing a population, crushing the spirit of the individual and putting terror in every heart.”— Justice Robert Jackson, chief U.S. prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials

“Dominate, Intimidate, & Control”

Official motto of the TSA

For more discussion on this topic, please read the excellent article by John W. Whitehead at the Rutherford Institute. Linked by permission.

Domestic Pooch Admits Ties to Mideast Ruminant

I just came across this picture from Wild and Wonderful, a Facebook page that publishes "Amazing Photos of Animals Across the Planet." The caption read: "A family took in an orphan deer whose mother was killed. The family dog hasn't left her side."

My immediate response was--Better not let the Wisconsin DNR find out or they will send a SWAT team to kill it. Fortunately, the location of the fugitive fawn was not revealed, however due to the threat this animal poses to national security, I'm sure that its apprehension and termination with extreme prejudice, is only a matter of time. Perhaps a call for political asylum to Mr. Putin would be in order.

Unnamed fawn raises terror level