In the Belly of the Beast – Report from a Homeless American

As merely one of approximately 3 1/2 million Americans who have at some point experienced an extended period of homelessness, I’m queried from time to time by family members confessing, “I don’t understand why you can’t just ‘get a job’?” Human nature being what it is I suppose; although the history of our relationship certainly concedes the question’s redundancy, it’s nonetheless posed again, as an apparent means of testing reality.

Consequently, and recognizing that squabbling is rarely productive, I’m necessarily obliged to reiterate the mundane in facilitating their assessment of a mutually shared interpersonal landscape. However, due to their familiarity with many of the incidents with which I’ve dealt over just the last three years, my response usually helps direct the nature and extent of any assistance.

In contrast though, I’d assert others in my shoes rarely possess much incentive to even bother recounting or otherwise discussing such matters with others. Gauging from those with whom I chat regularly, I believe this reluctance is attributable to desires to contribute to the overall ‘solution’ rather than burdening others with the inequity of their own unique predicament. For me, this serves as one of the primary reasons for utilizing the internet to convey personal circumstances which are otherwise, practically incommunicable.

 

Stoning the Messenger

In the midst of a series of events surrounding the U.S. savings and loan collapse, George H. Bush’s September 11th proposal of the Gulf War in advancing

a ‘New World Order’, marital conflict preceding my mother-in-law’s succumbing to cancer, and just prior to Ross Perot’s 1992 campaign for President, I read Christian author, Larry Burkett’s, “The Coming Economic Earthquake”. — excerpt from A Crisis in American Leadership

On reflection and in various ways, these afore mentioned events occurring more than 16 years ago, seem to have had a significant impact on my destiny. Having initiated personal sobriety within a few months of separating from my (now) ex-wife, over the following year I’d originate between 5 to 6 million dollars (USD) in ‘government’ loans refinancing southern California homes. Regretfully, while this culminated in more than $47k of personal income during 1993, in retrospect, the toll of wreckage exacted primarily against my children, and ultimately measured in terms of broken promises and vanquished dreams, remains virtually insurmountable.

 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”  Luke 16:13

I guess, since I’m already baring my soul in this regard, examining the issue of ‘salvation’ would be an appropriate matter for consideration. What does this really mean though? Again, from my current perspective as a social outcast, religious leaders in my local community reiterate on at least a daily basis, the moral ineptitude to which my present conditions attest. Even more pointedly though, I believe their secernment is a scathing testament to perhaps a growing number like me, suffering unmerited, yet government imposed persecution inflicted by the hand of socioeconomic impropriety.

From my reading over the last year, no one has been anymore forthright in issuing admonishment concerning this ‘impropriety’ involving U.S. trade deficits, fatuous production, ‘free trade’, the loss of jobs, and banking bailouts than Patrick Buchanan (see “Day of Reckoning”). As for my own role in any of this, I’ve just read Judith Blau’s, Bailing Out a Leaky Boat and am presently watching events surrounding the upcoming G20 Summit on November 15th with guarded anticipation.

A Crisis in Leadership – Crimes Against Humanity

At this juncture in history, and as a nation, the United States is facing an unprecedented moral challenge–the outcome of which is sure, in one way or another, to prove ‘apocalyptic’.  Likewise, but as Parag Khanna has described, global affairs currently revolve around interrelations between three superpowers (China, the European Union, and U.S.) as their respective governments vie for assumably ‘scarce’ resources.  The most obvious example of this ‘demand’ at the moment is of course, evidenced in the spiraling costs of both oil and food.

Thus, the earth’s remaining countries comprised significantly of ‘second world’ states like Pakistan or Iran, are consequently left to fend for themselves, but always in relation to the controlling power of an imperious oligarchy.  No where is this balance of relationship any more contentious in the Middle East however, than in U.S. dealings with these same two nations.  Consequently, if the ‘international community’ has aspirations of sustaining global equanimity, it would be well advised to consider the following:

1) Pakistan possesses the ability to generate nuclear power while Iran is only nearing the realization of similar capacities.

2) Technically, Iran’s central bank is prohibited from charging interest (riba) in observance of the Qur’an’s precepts (Sharia).  Operating with a national deficit, the Pakistani government by contrast, borrows from its central bank and public debt there subsequently exceeds 50% of its GDP.  Its ties to the U.S. have also traditionally been bolstered through its dependence on financial aid.

Consequently, and for virtually the same reasons discussed previously in A Crisis in American Leadership, world populations remain subject to the brutish savagery of totalitarian force regardless of whether they’re Iraqi, Iranian, Pakistani, Zimbabwean, Burmese, Sudanese, or for that matter, American.

For me, I see no greater proof of this fact than in my video documentation of Benazir Bhutto’s dedicated efforts this last year to restore a democratic government to her homeland.  Though already suspicious as a result of my own research however, after reading Michael Shaw’s article, Who Killed Benazir Bhutto? I can only describe the Bush administration’s complicity in the leader’s death as reprehensibly criminal.

As someone who has offered himself–heart, mind, and soul as a teacher in service to the betterment of his fellow man, I can no longer excuse, rationalize, or otherwise justify the acts of lawless cowards.  I pledge then, I will not, because I can not, go through the motions of celebrating a defiled freedom this 4th of July that bestows tarnished privilege on an unconscionable few at the expense of the less fortunate but nonetheless, suffering multitudes.

I only pray God will be merciful.

Truth, Justice and the American Way!

My message to a fellow patriot:

For me personally, 9/11 marked a milestone of spiritual awakening.  To that juncture, with about 6 years of ‘recovery’ under my belt, the event served to shake me from a disquieted slumber.

Reflecting on my own experience since then, the extent to which those like you and I have impacted American culture is nothing less than astounding.  Tragically however, and as time passes, I think there’s also a growing consensus that despite our influence, the magnitude of evil we’ve exposed is disparagingly pervasive.

Similarly then, but on a global scale, I find it fascinating how many like ourselves appear to recognize that the issue of ‘human rights’ too, is perhaps under its greatest assault from any time since the mid-19th Century (American Civil War).  Sadly however, while this puts in abidance virtually everything we hold sacred in our understanding of human truth, justice, and freedom, it’s also levying a perceived threat against an archaic status quo.

To varying degrees then, but at the level of everyday sustenance, this has the practical effect of pitting brother against brother, and neighbor against neighbor.  Thus, this same scenario becomes all the more nightmarish when a ‘bourgeoisie’ consigned with the ‘divine’ power to arbitrarily criminalize, ‘pathologize’ [sic], or demonize; begins to carry out its societal duties as a ‘coup de grace’ upon a mindlessly conditioned, but unsuspecting proletariat.

My best advice . . . ?

Against those without qualms about sacrificing your soul (life) for theirs, be wary of all embracing the Apocalypse!

Dear Mr. President – Pink

I’m sharing a live performance video of a song I heard on Naomi Wolf’s MySpace.  Nearly 7 million people have experienced this posting at YouTube . . .

 

Why Do We Need a Central Bank?

I’ve edited a clip from an interview (see entire segment) conducted with Alan Greenspan on the FOX Business network shortly after publishing, The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World.

Special thanks to Pat Cloud for allowing rogue pirates like myself to share this rendition of Django Reinhardt’s, Douce Ambiance (‘Soft Envirnonment’) with the world’s ‘intelligentsia’.

Capitalism and Slavery – Rogue Economics

Loretta Napoleoni on “Rogue Economics: Capitalism’s New Reality”

 

“Italian economist, journalist and author Loretta Napoleoni argues that recent events on Wall Street indicate a much larger upheaval and could “signal the end of the ‘Roaring Nineties,’ nearly two decades of easy money, cheap credit, and soaring global debt.” It’s an argument Napoleoni develops in her latest book called Rogue Economics: Capitalism’s New Reality.”

read a transcript of the interview . . .

Revolution, Anarchy, or Madness?: A Crisis in American Leadership

For me, Steven Kazmierczak’s shootings at NIU last week, is only the most recent in a series of recurring nightmares over nearly a decade now. As a 57 year-old educator with a strong background in Counseling Psychology and father of two college age youth myself, once again, I’m dismayed by the inattention of friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even family members, who insistently ignore or otherwise discount those like Steven (and myself).

Rather than fostering greater compassion or understanding between us though, this incident is likely to further cement the need for tightened ‘security’ and additional ‘surveillance’ to quell the irrational fears and likelihood, that those just mentioned could themselves, be future victims. Yet, while the incidence of psychological disorder amongst the public remains endemic, it’s unlikely anyone will be presumptuous enough to attempt to address or rectify this actuality.

Read the complete article . . .

You’re also invited to read, A Crisis in American Leadership: Exploiting Our Moral Vagrancy.

Waging Resistance Against a Fascist America

In revolutionary periods, (counter)leadership is a dangerous venture, to be sure.  It nevertheless beckons, I suppose, those lacking the imagination, social graces, or common sense, to realize viably acceptable alternatives.  In this same regard though, there’s little question I find myself in relatively good, and certainly sufficient, company.  At this present juncture, but in relation to a larger, overall picture, I believe two areas of American experience warrant our primary focus and concentrated efforts.  Because both disciplines are under the assault of rather momentous forces of change however, it makes the risk of lives and futures at stake, all the more critical.

The first of these two fields involves the role and relationship of a worldwide internet in helping to preserve the integrity of ideological freedom(s), particularly on our college and university campuses.  A recently written article entitled, Repress U by Michael Gould-Wartofsky, offers a remarkably insightful view of upper division education under the auspices of current legislation intended to monitor and regulate against, ‘Using the Web as a Weapon’.  Only a few minutes review of the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 is necessary to raise significant concern as to either its intent or capacity, to effect or otherwise influence, ideological indoctrination.

 

The second of the fore mentioned, and somewhat related areas of concern, involves the Fed.  Along these lines, Federal Reserve Under Increased Scrutiny After Huge Interest Rate Cuts by Alex Newman raises legitimate and well articulated misgivings involving the Board’s motives behind its announced intent to continue ongoing rate cuts.  Newman’s mention of ‘a bill in Congress’ to abolish the institution, is especially interesting.  Jim Jubak at MSNBC raised similar qualms earlier today in, The Fed isn’t fooling anyone.

The ‘Great Commission’: A Response to InGodWeTrust

Here’s a blog drafted in response to comments posted to a thread entitled, Buchanan rips John McCain:

“I certainly don’t wish to be argumentative with this topic, but assuming that ‘freedom’ and ‘justice’ can be preserved by observing merely one of the ten commandments is recklessly sophomoric.  While you’re on the right track however, Divine (Godly) authority emanates from loving ‘the Lord’ with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and similarly, . . . your ‘neighbor’ as yourself (Mark 12:30 & 31) .

Tragically, America’s great failing to this point has been its unwillingness, and subsequent failure, to do just this.  If we recognize however, that because these same values (‘freedom’ and ‘justice’) originate with God; they can only be sustained in relation to God, it puts the focus of the responsibility to do so, back where it’s really always been.  In this regard though, I believe the historical record in respect to the consequences for not doing so, is quite clear.

Pre-World War II Europe provides a vivid example.  When Mankind, in mass, turns its back on the responsibility to adopt ‘Godly’ ideals, or practically integrate them into daily life, the eventual outcomes must ultimately prove devastating.  Nonetheless however, but in such times as these, God’s Word and Will as revealed in Scripture, is more than sufficient for our instruction. From my own personal perspective, the parallels between the Roman Empire, the first century Church, and ourselves is really, rather astounding.  Yet, as Jesus himself instructed the twelve disciples before commissioning them to the world:

“And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against [their] parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matt. 10:21 & 22)

All things considered, my Psych training and background suggests to me that the American people collectively, are at various stages of the ‘grief process’ in respect to the ‘loss’ they’re currently facing.  Ironically enough, but in many ways, the ‘political hoopla’ surrounding us is little more than a temporary diversion, a ploy of ‘bread and circuses’ to deflect our disillusionment.  Consequently, many of us have already addressed our own ‘denial’ of the present conditions, indignantly expressed our outrage (‘anger’) as to their injustice, attempted to ‘bargain’ or otherwise negotiate their resolution, only to find ourselves in the depths of (a coming?) ‘depression’ . . .

It makes me wonder what ‘acceptance’ will subsequently entail.”

‘The Great Betrayal’ – Prospects of a McCain Presidency

Lance Adams at the Political Inquirer recently posted a blog entitled, Buchanan rips John McCain: The Great Betrayal.  His comments in turn, were born in response to an article Pat Buchanan had published at The American Conservative entitled, The Great Betrayal.  Somewhat in accompaniment of his endorsement of Ron Paul’s presidential candidacy then, Buchanan plainly detailed the glaring inconsistencies of McCain’s own political orientation by concluding:

“Now McCain is running on a platform that says your jobs are not coming back, the illegals are not going home, but we are going to have more wars. If you don’t like it, vote for Hillary.”

As for my own role in all this, socioeconomic practicalities don’t really afford me either the time or resources to express my views concerning our nation’s leadership.  Nevertheless, for someone with my training and background, the prospect of dialoguing with others about the finer aspects of our cultural landscape is, well, irresistible.

Given the present circumstances, it’s similar to discussing the appropriateness of rearranging deck furniture on a sinking Titanic . . .