Monday, July 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Politics: The war between mind and heart
It is politics as usual, with no holds bared. A war, it is waged in the hearts and minds of the populous like religious fanaticism.
Our standards are taught at mother’s knee, and with experience we attempt life with confident bearing. But as we look upon the world, we find joy and foreboding on one hand, happiness and quiet desperation on the other, and ask why.
Our standards are taught at mother’s knee, and with experience we attempt life with confident bearing. But as we look upon the world, we find joy and foreboding on one hand, happiness and quiet desperation on the other, and ask why.
We grapple with what is perceive to be good and bad and right and wrong, with decisions based on what is speculated to be the greatest. Torn by the facets of politics, ethics, and the meaning of life, our strength is our constant need to balance.
In our daily process of living, we judge others who are not like us. We justify reasons for being based on the assumptions of the facts we are fed, true or false. Confused and fearful, we give control of our lives to others, where duel-concepts are composed for the man behind the curtain to point the way.
Everyone, even presidential hopefuls will find flaws in the opus of life, and eventually held accountable.
We have watched women and children burn after a month of standoff, using words like “compound”, and “cult,” and ultimately found our understanding was based on lies. With acuity of what is universal, eternal, and justifiable Truth, we watched people jump from the fires of twin towers, and in the midst of horror we search for explanations. Ancient texts are manipulated by man-made agendas, separating and isolating us into a one truth at the exclusion of all others, and in that process domination is born, with another collection of slaves.
As we grow older we find ourselves obtuse, stubborn and uncompromising, adamant and fixated, with defensible labels for all others who are different, be they liberal or conservative, religious or secular.
Mental manipulation is now a science, and the war that wages between our minds and hearts are used for the schema of those who understand that power, as they have found even original thoughts can be despoiled. Dominated and maneuvered by prejudiced idealism, blind faith, and myopic fundamentalism, it seems at first glance that as collective human beings we are herded like sheep to the slaughter ...but this is not our true nature.
Men resist the shackles of mind and body, and when we see the light of raison d’être, we are drawn to it as one. Truth and Love lends hope as a beacon of reason, where we may someday stand on our own two feet, united ...and knowing is half the battle won.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Freedom of Speech might be lit in Lafayette
Freedom of Speech might be lit in Lafayette
By: Ken LaRive
For many years Lafayette’s The Advertiser newspaper has been called overly biased toward the left and both a manipulator and destroyer of free speech. Though they deny this, those accusations have cost them both subscription and advertising revenue.
Conservative writers say it is because The Gannett Corporation has sent agenda based instructional mandates to all of their local papers superseding the predilection of local residents. Conservative values are in the majority in Acadiana, and writers question why their home-town news-paper is not a reflection of this, and why they are so reluctant to state their point of view.
“Blackballing” seems real but hard to prove, but there are positive indications Conservatism might be getting more voice.
There is growing concern for government’s tendencies toward spending, nationalism and socialism, and the so called “Silent Majority” is organizing as never before. A second Tea Party for Acadiana and the surrounding areas indicate a new push for individual responsibility, and this has gotten their attention.
In the United States, the Gannett publishes 84 daily newspapers, including USA TODAY, and nearly 850 non-daily publications, so they are a formidable voice and an influencer of ideas.
Attempting to move online, they may be realizing that giving the public the free press they demand might be a pay off in the long run. Truth, that is, both sides of an argument, might indeed be profitable now that the bottom line has hit rock bottom, and change may be for the good of both Free Speech and liberty.
Some say hard copy newspapers will find it increasing difficult to stay in business and experimenting with an on line presence. Whatever direction they choose, they may find that truth is both in great demand, and profitable.
For many years Lafayette’s The Advertiser newspaper has been called overly biased toward the left and both a manipulator and destroyer of free speech. Though they deny this, those accusations have cost them both subscription and advertising revenue.
Conservative writers say it is because The Gannett Corporation has sent agenda based instructional mandates to all of their local papers superseding the predilection of local residents. Conservative values are in the majority in Acadiana, and writers question why their home-town news-paper is not a reflection of this, and why they are so reluctant to state their point of view.
“Blackballing” seems real but hard to prove, but there are positive indications Conservatism might be getting more voice.
There is growing concern for government’s tendencies toward spending, nationalism and socialism, and the so called “Silent Majority” is organizing as never before. A second Tea Party for Acadiana and the surrounding areas indicate a new push for individual responsibility, and this has gotten their attention.
In the United States, the Gannett publishes 84 daily newspapers, including USA TODAY, and nearly 850 non-daily publications, so they are a formidable voice and an influencer of ideas.
Attempting to move online, they may be realizing that giving the public the free press they demand might be a pay off in the long run. Truth, that is, both sides of an argument, might indeed be profitable now that the bottom line has hit rock bottom, and change may be for the good of both Free Speech and liberty.
Some say hard copy newspapers will find it increasing difficult to stay in business and experimenting with an on line presence. Whatever direction they choose, they may find that truth is both in great demand, and profitable.
New Orleans crime overflows Louisiana
New Orleans crime overflows Louisiana
By: Ken LaRive
By: Ken LaRive
For a generation at least, New Orleans has been appraised to be one of the most violent cities in America, and several imply it is now number one.
Law abiding and responsible Louisiana inhabitants have demanded authority to put a stop to this, but little or nothing can be done. Organized crime has such a stranglehold that honest Cops will not travel through certain sections of New Orleans and Baton Rouge at night, for fear of their lives.
Some estimate the proceeds coming from drug sales to be greater than the entire Louisiana free market, including agriculture revenue, but nowhere can the truth be found, as information such as that is dangerous to the tourist industry and new business.
Port of New Orleans brings in a lot of taxable revenue; and tourism is growing fast after the crime-cleansing of Katrina, and should be protected. Sure enough, the word on the street is that organized crime mandates those who work for them never to harm an average citizen, and that those who do be punished. Now this is good business sense!
It might be comforting to know that they care. If you do get mugged for your wallet, it will be done by a person high on drugs, and not a savvy business man, like a drug dealer.
Why this is allowed is anyone’s guess, but even a limited worldly imagination could figure out why and who.
No sir, martial law can not be considered as it may endanger their rights as Americans!
America must be so proud of their southern neighbor, uneducated but caring, the true heart of our new banana republic.
The real answer for Louisiana's coastline
The real answer for Louisiana’s lost coastline
By: Ken LaRive081009
Acadiana has been lucky with hurricane damage. There are others just twenty miles south who were devastated.
Looking at maps only ten years ago will show the amazingly fast erosion of our Louisiana coastline once giving us protection.
Many ideas have come forward, from the use of Christmas Trees to dredging up bottom sand, but the trend continues unabated.
There is an answer, but few want to consider it.
Coastline is maintained by sediment, mostly form the Mississippi River. Naturally, the Mississippi river changes course every few hundred years or so, diverting to the Atchafalaya.
A topical map indicates that water level is much shallower at the base of the Atchafalaya, and drops off sharply at the base of the Mississippi. With the Mississippi redirected, a good portion of the basin was washed away, quickly building and maintaining marshland, our primary protection from storm serge. After time, sediment built up to a critical point, and the Mississippi diverted back, as it has for millions of years.
The building of levies and inland canals inhibit the free movement of sediment too, showing another incompetent decision.
The answer is difficult to consider. Most of Morgan City would be washed away, and the port of New Orleans would be a quarter of a mile from what water was left, if any.
A lot of very expensive studies have formulated many scenarios, but this idea is hardly mentioned.
Another, post Katrina feasibility study, as most will agree, must weigh cost as the primary consideration, as hurricane damage is now approaching the price of a new port, and the loss of a major town.
Whatever the decision, it would indeed be an expensive proposition, and it is one that grows more serious as it is set aside.
By: Ken LaRive081009
Acadiana has been lucky with hurricane damage. There are others just twenty miles south who were devastated.
Looking at maps only ten years ago will show the amazingly fast erosion of our Louisiana coastline once giving us protection.
Many ideas have come forward, from the use of Christmas Trees to dredging up bottom sand, but the trend continues unabated.
There is an answer, but few want to consider it.
Coastline is maintained by sediment, mostly form the Mississippi River. Naturally, the Mississippi river changes course every few hundred years or so, diverting to the Atchafalaya.
A topical map indicates that water level is much shallower at the base of the Atchafalaya, and drops off sharply at the base of the Mississippi. With the Mississippi redirected, a good portion of the basin was washed away, quickly building and maintaining marshland, our primary protection from storm serge. After time, sediment built up to a critical point, and the Mississippi diverted back, as it has for millions of years.
The building of levies and inland canals inhibit the free movement of sediment too, showing another incompetent decision.
The answer is difficult to consider. Most of Morgan City would be washed away, and the port of New Orleans would be a quarter of a mile from what water was left, if any.
A lot of very expensive studies have formulated many scenarios, but this idea is hardly mentioned.
Another, post Katrina feasibility study, as most will agree, must weigh cost as the primary consideration, as hurricane damage is now approaching the price of a new port, and the loss of a major town.
Whatever the decision, it would indeed be an expensive proposition, and it is one that grows more serious as it is set aside.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Acadiana Tea Party July the 4th, 2009
The Acadiana Tea Party in a banana republic
BY: Ken LaRive
In 101 degree heat, several hundred concerned citizens came and went for four hours, silencing summer locusts with speeches of questionable idealism like individual responsibility.
A movie was shown that gave historical significance to the event, and children in period costume said Yes sir!” as they open doors. Their laughter gave the gathering a glow of sensitive servility. How civilized.
All opinions were tolerated, including several young Communist students with homemade signs like “Power to the People,” next to a hammer and sickle. An old man with a veterans ball cap for WW2 service said quietly, “God bless you.” But they could only stare a collective blank, not understanding the significance.
Men took off their hats for the prayer, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance... Several were crying, and it was evident that few wondered why.
A father picked up one of his children during the pledge, and he put his head on his father’s shoulder with a hug. His other three stood at attention, put their hands to their hearts, and looked down with reverence during the prayer... Every trace of the event was picked up and not one tax dollar used...
Some overt pragmatist might observe how futile it might seem, to stop fascism by a child waving a flag, and a parent who teaches them love, respect, and reverence. Although one might speculate the realistic ability to stop a government ignoring our constitution, inscribing us in into the slavery of dept, and the further loss of liberty, would bend to the waving’s of a child with hope.
Indeed, America is a country built on hard work and the powerful elements of faith and hope, concepts rekindled from the ashes of our new banana republic.
Communists thoughts were tolerated...
BY: Ken LaRive
In 101 degree heat, several hundred concerned citizens came and went for four hours, silencing summer locusts with speeches of questionable idealism like individual responsibility.
A movie was shown that gave historical significance to the event, and children in period costume said Yes sir!” as they open doors. Their laughter gave the gathering a glow of sensitive servility. How civilized.
All opinions were tolerated, including several young Communist students with homemade signs like “Power to the People,” next to a hammer and sickle. An old man with a veterans ball cap for WW2 service said quietly, “God bless you.” But they could only stare a collective blank, not understanding the significance.
Men took off their hats for the prayer, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance... Several were crying, and it was evident that few wondered why.
A father picked up one of his children during the pledge, and he put his head on his father’s shoulder with a hug. His other three stood at attention, put their hands to their hearts, and looked down with reverence during the prayer... Every trace of the event was picked up and not one tax dollar used...
Some overt pragmatist might observe how futile it might seem, to stop fascism by a child waving a flag, and a parent who teaches them love, respect, and reverence. Although one might speculate the realistic ability to stop a government ignoring our constitution, inscribing us in into the slavery of dept, and the further loss of liberty, would bend to the waving’s of a child with hope.
Indeed, America is a country built on hard work and the powerful elements of faith and hope, concepts rekindled from the ashes of our new banana republic.
Communists thoughts were tolerated...
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Happy 4th of July America!!!California: The National Petri Dish
Posted July 2nd, 2009 at 5.38pm in Energy and Environment, Enterprise and Free Markets, Entitlements.
Supposedly, trends start in California and then spread to the rest of the country, a notion that seems to be confirmed by the latest economic news. In May, California’s unemployment rate hit 11.5 percent—the highest it has been since 1941. This morning we learn that unemployment for the entire country hit 9.5 percent in June—the highest rate in 26 years.
Will the country close the economic-death-spiral gap with California? Very possibly it will, if the federal government continues to follow California’s example of crushing its economy with ever-increasing government spending, taxing, and regulating.
The latest from California is that state lawmakers cannot reach agreement on a new budget for the fiscal year which began on July 1. That failure prompted Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of fiscal emergency and to order a third furlough day for state employees. The state’s comptroller is now preparing to send IOUs to 28,000 California taxpayers who are owed refunds. Central to the budget impasse is the problem of closing a budget deficit that by latest estimates has grown to $26.3 billion. Some experts think California’s deficit will top $40 billion next year. Because of these budget maladies, Standard & Poors has put the state on notice for a lowering of its credit rating, which is already the worst in the nation (tied with Louisiana). California has the fourth highest foreclosure rate in the country. Of the cities with unemployment rates exceeding 15 percent, nearly half are in California. Continue reading…
Quotes of Power
1. "Well done is better than well said."Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790)
2. "A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on."Winston Churchill(1874-1965)
3. "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."Mother Teresa(1910-1997)
4. "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."George Washington(1732-1799)
5. "The time is always right to do what is right."Martin Luther King, Jr.(1929-1968)
6. "All the adversity I've had in my life, has strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."Walt Disney(1901-1966)
7. "Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today."Abraham Lincoln(1809-1865)
8. "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."Vince Lombardi(1913-1970)
9. "It is better to light the candle than to curse the darkness."Eleanor Roosevelt(1884-1962)
10. "A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."Dwight Eisenhower(1890-1969)
11. "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."Nelson Mandela(1918 - )
12. "We must become the change we wish to see in the world."Mahatma Gandhi(1869-1948)
13. "The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen, not touched, but are felt in the heart."Helen Keller(1880-1968)
14. "Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently."Henry Ford(1863-1947)
15. "Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music."Ronald Reagan(1911-2004)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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