Shedding Light On The Dark Side Of The Moon, Or NASA(irbrush)

Shedding a little light onto the dark side of the moon:

You all know how there's a delay in broadcast TV, so network censors can edit out controversial content...

Well, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) not only has a delay, they also have separate, scrambled, encrypted communications channels and highly-skilled photo editors at their beck and call busily editing 'controversial content' out of broadcasts/images sent back from space.

Hmm...  Could something in NASA's original, unedited content be the reason why, at one time, the U.S. gov't. planned - unilaterally - on launching and detonating a nuclear bomb on the moon... all without checking with anyone else, first?

I kid you not.  Feel free to look it up, if you don't believe me.

CIA Enhanced Interrogation Report
(Summary: Duh, They Lied.)

(Please click on the above link to open a new window and watch a bitingly funny clip from The Colbert Report)

The top news stories/ national news headlines cry out as if in agony:

"CIA misled Congress on enhanced interrogation (i.e. torture)".

Well... Duh!!!

I called the CIA's claims B.S. back then and - surprise! surprise! - they were utter and total B.S.!

How is it that I - with my total number of D.C. insider friends at "0" - am able to see right through all the official disinformation, misrepresentation and blatant lies... and, yet, hundreds (nay, thousands) of people who do have numerous D.C. insider friends Can't??

The only question everyone should be demanding an immediate answer to is this:

"When are we extraordinary rendition-ing George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld to the Hague to stand trial for war crimes and/or crimes against humanity?".

If we don't make them face Justice, we - as a nation - won't have a leg of 'moral high ground to stand on... Ever!

Mississippi Deer Cam Captures Multiple UFO Images (WLOX)

UFO? Mysterious floating light caught on camera in Cumbest Bluff - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

"If a tree falls in the woods and no one's there to hear it fall...?"

Forget falling trees for a moment.

What if a UFO/UAP appears on a trail camera in the woods and no one's there to see it, but the deer?

Well... and the camera.

An actual UFO/UAP has made an appearance on a trail cam in the woods in Mississippi. Multiple images. Each one better than the last.

Check out the above link and let me know what you think...

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,Video Archive

Check out this brief interview by Stephen Colbert of filmmaker Errol Morris ("The Thin, Blue Line", "The Fog Of War").  I think you'll find it surprisingly, sublimely awesome.

Morris' newest documentary, "The 'Unknown Known's" is opening "in theatres and on demand" this week.

My Favorite Parts?  The clip of Donald Rumsfeld saying they weren't all "torture memos"; Admitting that he, as then-Secretary of Defense, "... never read them." and,
oh, of his being proud of how he 'won' that round of questioning.

No responsibility.  Not an ounce of respect.  And, absolutely no sense of all that was lost.

What a loser!

Gas Fracking/Oil Drilling In North Dakota: What Could Possibly GLOW Wrong?

Gas Fracking & Oil-Drilling: "It's not just about earthquakes, anymore".

Oil companies overjoyed with their massive fracking/drilling boom in North Dakota are celebrating by throwing confetti... er, no... they're celebrating by throwing socks.

No, I'm not kidding: They're throwing socks away.  Which wouldn't be all that noteworthy if the socks I'm speaking of weren't industrial filter "socks" that are loaded with RADIOACTIVE WASTE.

And, no, of course they aren't throwing them into sealed, radiation leak-proof containers (if such things exist - I don't think so.) and placing them in official radioactive-waste dumps (cringe).

No... These brain-donors are dumping radium-contaminated filter socks - by the many thousands - into industrial waste bags full and then dumping those inside unsuspecting businesses' dumpsters, inside Native American Reservations, inside abandoned vehicles and - in the worst case (sigh), thus far, they filled an abandoned gas station with them.  That one ranks as the worst, human-caused radioactive accident in N.D.  And, again, I say "thus far".

Because these gas/oil guys don't quit.  And (obviously) they don't care.

When you're making that much money, hand over fist, the chorus line goes:

"Drill, baby... Drill...".

*Hey! I have a great idea: Since we all know they won't stop fracking/drilling/polluting, let's make each and every company that does so account for each and every sock filter they purchase!

Taa-daa... Another Problem Solved!

Check out this Happy Fracking video from The Rachel Maddow Show...

*F.Y.I.*
"There were 5,135 inventions that were under secrecy orders at the end of Fiscal Year 2010. (Yes, it's a little dated, but that's not the point.)

The current list of technology areas that is used to screen patent applications for possible restriction under the Invention Secrecy Act is not publicly available and has been denied under the Freedom of Information Act. (*This* is the point.)

The 1971 list indicates that patents for solar photo-voltaic generators were subject to review and possible restriction if they were more than 20% efficient.  Energy conversion systems were likewise subject to review and possible restriction if they offered conversion efficiencies “in excess of 70-80%.”

D'ya think "There's Nothing New Under The Sun..."?

Well... you'd best think again.*

*Just don't let the U.S. Patent Office know what you're thinking about.

Oh... and read the rest of this fantastic yet brief article (by Steven Aftergood at the Federation of American Scientists), here: http://blogs.fas.org/secrecy/2010/10/invention_secrecy_2010/

No Money for Bold Men - The Shame-O-Meter

On February 28th, Senate "Support Our Troops!" Republicans killed a bill which would have expanded education and healthcare for America's veterans.

When questioned about their decision, they claimed they had no choice, since the VA had such a poor track record concerning services and spending.  The funny (funny strange, not funny Haha) thing about that...  Congressional Republicans didn't find it an obstacle, back in 2008, when they agreed to continue funding the Iraq War - despite the fact that the Pentagon couldn't account for a $15 Billion (with a "B") worth of goods and services.

As an alternative, to prove that they weren't unsympathetic of our troops, those same Senate Republicans offered to pass the bill if they could make one change: add on a bill in support of sanctions against Iran.

'Cause as every Congressional Republican will show you, it's our future veterans that we need to focus on/create a conflict for... not our past millions of them.

That's not all, folks.  Kansas GOP Senator, Jerry Moran, blocked the long-delayed floor debate on the issue of sexual assault in the military, insisting that the debate should be linked to new sanctions against Iran...

What will it take for enough good people to get so fed-up and/or angry and/or disappointed with these piss poor excuses for used car salesmen and fire them for incompetence??  War-mongering??  Dereliction of duty??  How 'bout Fraud??  Fraud sounds good...

No Money for Bold Men - The Shame-O-Meter: The Senate uses Iran sanctions to bring shafting veterans to a whole new level.

The Daily Show: Third World Health Care: Knoxville, Tennessee Edition

Can't afford decent healthcare because you're poor?

Fox TV Business Commentator Todd Wilemon's solution: "If you're poor, just stop being poor.".

*Taa-Daa!  Another problem solved.  You're welcome, (don't-have-to-be-)poor people.

The Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi investigates America's "We're #37!" (in World Healthcare) status...

Third World Health Care - Knoxville, Tennessee Edition: Aasif Mandvi visits an impoverished, underdeveloped locale with shocking health care conditions.

Richard Dolan: UFOs and 9/11 (Understanding The 2 Greatest Conspiracies...

Richard Dolan: UFOs and 9/11 (Understanding The 2 Greatest Conspiracies Of Our Time)

Go ahead and groan, shake your heads and/or roll your eyes all you want...

Richard M. Dolan is an iconoclastic scholar with legitimate/significant educational credibility (MA in History/University of Rochester; BA/Alfred University; ‘Certificate’ in Political Theory/Oxford University; Rhodes Scholar Finalist).

So, go ahead and keep clinging to that fervent belief that we - the #1 Super-Power in the World - were caught with our pants down, unawares.  Do that - if you must.
And then, please, listen to his lecture with an open, critical mind.
Please.

Thank You.
)

What Not To Buy Or W(hat)W(ould)J(esus)S(oil)?

President Obama signed the Farm Bill into law.

Thanks, Mr. President.  You shouldn't have.  No, I really mean that: You Shouldn't Have.

Why??  Because, that p.o.s. legislation is going to cut $8.6 Billion from America's Food Stamp Program over the next 10 years.

"What's the problem with that?", you might ask.

Well, in case you've been asleep from eating so much food of your choice... More and more people are relying on Food Stamps so that they can afford to buy - What? - FOOD.

Contrary to what the (shite-for-)brain-donors over at Fox TV have been soiling their diapers about...

1.) You cannot buy iPods with Food Stamps.  2.) You cannot buy fitness classes with Food Stamps.  3.) You cannot buy prepared foods, like giant turkey legs at Disneyland. and 4.) Seafood/Fish actually is Healthy FOOD that poor Americans have a right to have access to and need just as much as rich ones!

What can you buy with Food Stamps, Fox TV??

Repeat after me: F. O. O. D.!

Sigh...  So many morons... So little common sense and compassion.

Here's a brief, bitter, yet funny clip from The Daily Show With Jon Stewart:

What Not To Buy: The Fox News network points out the fishier side of welfare benefits.

SAN FRANCISCO: Heartbreak Expressed Over Evicting of HYA / Homeless Youth Alliance In Haight-Ashbury

The above video clip is courtesy of KTVU.

My deepest "Thanks!!" goes out to: Mr. David Stevenson; the good folks over at KTVU; Michael Xavier; Mary Howe - Director of Homeless Youth Alliance; Staff and my fellow volunteers at HYA!

As for "the landlords" mentioned in the video: Dr. David Smith (Founder of Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic!) and some thing called "Happening House Ventures"...

Shame!... Shame on You!  And... to evict 'em on Christmas-Freaking-Day!? You gotta be kidding!? (Or, perhaps...) You must be HIGH!

Hello?! Dr. Smith? San Francisco? Haight-Ashbury District residents and merchants?:
If HYA is evicted... Where the Hell are all the homeless kids of the Haight going to find something we ALL take for granted: A Shower - now?!!  Or pick up their mail?  Or get counseling?  Or gather to get off the street and watch a movie?  Or participate in an art or health group?  Or be given clean, dry clothes/socks/shoes/coats/blankets at no charge? ...  Maybe at your home, Dr. Smith?

Is anyone out there willing to open up their home so a few kids who live outdoors can have a shower once in a while? No?? (For the record: I used to do exactly this. A lot. Can't anymore.)

If they put a (yet another) pizza place there!... or... God!... (yet another) Stupid Thing (ie. sunglasses; t-shirts; minimalist boutique)!...

Well, let's just say that it doesn't bode well...

*And, B.T.W.
~ Great job making countless young and unimaginably difficult lives that much more difficult, rough and in need of a shower, "landlords".

The Justice vs. The Student * Or * Out With The Old In With The New

In response to a question from the honorable Duncan Hosie (freshman at Princeton University) during the question-and-answer period following his speech, SCOTUS associate Justice Scalia doubled-down on his then- and still- stunningly intolerant, inflammatory, ignorant and illogical dissenting opinion from the Lawrence vs. Texas Supreme Court decision.  In that 2003 case, the High Court struck down (6-3) a Texas ban and ruled that states could not outlaw sodomy between consenting adults of the same sex.

If doing so at this time - when a significant majority of Americans support marriage equality - makes Scalia look/sound like an unapologetic bag of hot, fetid wind who may be showing early signs of dementia... What's the big deal?

Well, the problem is that - as an active member of the ultra-exclusive club that is SCOTUS - Scalia ought to refrain from giving speeches.  Especially if, in doing so, he reveals his own personal (discriminatory) opinions on issues which directly pertain to upcoming Supreme Court Cases.  Actually, in this instance, to *Two* upcoming Supreme Court cases (one pertains to the unconstitutionality of California's Prop. 8 and one pertains to striking down DOMA).

Since Scalia's behaved similarly before, one could say: "At least he's consistent."

And, here's hoping that he remains consistent when these two historic cases are heard and that - when the Court's equal rights- and equal protection-based decisions are finally announced - Scalia, yet again, finds himself (alone, hopefully) in the minority, dissenting opinion.

From The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell (the delightful Alex Wagner guest hosts):

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Why The GOP Plan To Raise Medicare Eligibility From 65 To 67 Is A Really Bad Idea

The GOP's Plan To Raise Medicare Eligibility From 65 To 67 Years Of Age Is A Really Bad Idea.

Why?

Answer: Simple Math.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation's Center On Budget And Policy Priorities: Although the net federal savings from raising Medicare's eligibility age by two years would be: $5.7 billion, in the final analysis, there would also be an increase in costs somewhere in the range of $11.4 billion across the economy for doing so.

Short & Sweet: Raising Medicare's eligibility age from 65 To 67 would end up costing twice as much as the initial savings.

So, Congress, don't do it. 

*Oh... and, please: Stop Negotiating With Terrorists (Including Domestic Ones Embedded In Congress.)

From The Rachel Maddow Show. Guest Host: Ezra Klein.

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The Fiscal Cliff Notes Courtesy Of Mr. Burns / The Simpsons

And now... A Public Service Announcement From Mr. Burns:
(He's Homer's boss on "The Simpsons")

In this brief, yet remarkably educational video, Mr. Burns explains "The Fiscal Cliff"...

Smells Like GOP Secession: Mmm! Mmm! Good!

According to recent Public Policy Polling, 25% of Republicans support their state seceding from the Union simply because President Obama was re-elected/their side lost.

In seven states - AL, FL, GA, LA, NC, TN, TX - the number of signatures has forced the White House to respond.

Apparently, threats of secession have ceased to be the exclusive secret weapon of your crazy, Fox TV and fringe-fried uncle - twice removed.

(Needless to say, empty) Threats of secession are being thrown around like so much primate poop (Indeed, they're all primates).

Some pro-secessionists, like Ron Paul, are even educated.  Paul declared secession to be "a deeply American principle."  (You know, Ron, you're absolutely right. Secession from the Union did amazing things for the South that last time.)

And, Alan Keyes said, "The true right to secede comes from God, not the Constitution."  (I... uh, no. Never mind.)

Allow me to retort (and I'd LOVE to hear the White House say this): "Go ahead. We won't even try to stop you. And, please, don't let the door slam on your way out."

*Hmm... Wait!  It's not that I give a damn, but - what the heck, I've still gotta ask just one question:  "Where is it, exactly, that would you go?"

From Hardball With Chris Matthews:

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Jordan Davis (R.I.P), Michael Dunn (S.O.B.) And Stand Your Ground: Further Proof That Florida Still Sucks

Heartbreaking News:

(*Sigh.)  There's been yet another senseless murder of an unarmed, African-American teenager committed by a gun-toting, middle-aged, white man in everybody's favorite "Sunshine State" of Florida.

The previous and, similarly, cold-blooded murder garnered much national attention, especially when the defendant cited Florida's chicken-fried "Stand Your Ground" law in his defense. In that case, the young victim had been taking a walk and was pursued - without cause and after being told not to by 911 operators - by his attacker.

In this recent incident, the young victim was simply sitting in the back seat of a car with three friends, listening to music while another friend went into a convenience store for some snacks.  The shooter was in an adjacent car.  He told the young men to turn down their music.  They ignored him - not a bad choice - at which point, without warning, the man raised a gun and fired eight bullets into the car.  A car with four young men sitting, unarmed, inside.  Somehow the shooter, Michael Dunn 45, missed three of them (perhaps it was due to the alcoholic beverages he'd enjoyed at the wedding he'd just left?).  Tragically, two of the bullets struck Jordan Davis, 17, and killed him.  Dunn then did what any murderer would do... he fled the scene.

The prior incident took place in south Florida.  This heinous act occurred in the city of Jacksonville - on the state's northeast coast.  I literally cringed when I heard Lawrence O'Donnell identify the town.  And, I cringed when I typed its name.  * Why?  Because I know Jacksonville very well.  I grew up there.  Not by choice, of course.  Toddlers don't get choices.

It took many long, grueling and challenging years, but I was finally able to escape from J-ville (Thank Gd!).  I jumped on a plane and went west... To Cali and to my beloved San Franpsycho (Blessed Be).  Ah, but, I digress...

Jacksonville, Florida is - among other things - the largest city in the United States in square miles. Yet, as I learned early on, much of its geography is populated by people burdened - or perhaps not - with rather small minds.  This deficit may be the result of some environmental factor (i.e.- something in the water?) or societal (perhaps a tradition that's passed from generation to generation?)... I simply don't know.

What I can say is this: I'm ecstatic and eternally grateful that - whatever it was - it wasn't anything contagious.

Fascinating and Fun Trivia: One of Jacksonville's previous "15 Minutes Of (Newsworthy) Fame" which you may or may not have heard about occurred when the decision-makers in charge of this 21st Century American city -- Banned Harry Potter Books From Its Public Libraries  -- because (get this!) they were disturbed to discover that author J.K. Rowling's wildly-popular Works Of Fiction... "Promoted Witchcraft".

In the words of Sarah Palin: "I kid you not."
And, with this lil' bit of (hopefully) humiliating history... I rest my case.

From The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell:

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Domestic Economic Terrorist Boehner Backtracks On Debt Ceiling Responsibility

One year ago, Republican members of Congress refused to raise America's debt-ceiling.  It was a "First".  They did it single-handedly, intentionally and with complete awareness of the great harm their action would inflict on America's economy and the world's.  Led by House Speaker Jon Boehner, strutting around full of boastful pride and undeniable malice aforethought, they forced the downgrade of the United States' credit rating.

Simply put, the GOP's unconscionable and irresponsible action led to an inevitable, predictable and avoidable economic disaster.  Which was was also a "First" and a terrible one, at that.  In fact, the consensus was and is that it was a serious error in judgement that America must never let happen again.

So, guess what Republican members of Congress are threatening to do now, after being called on to raise the nation's debt ceiling before the end of 2012?

That's right, Virginia!  You guessed it!  They're hell-bent on causing America to go into default, AGAIN.

*Ugh!*  We should look up which idiots voted such patently anti-American saboteurs and extortionists into Congress and revoke their voting privileges.  Those same people should probably also be prevented from making any other potentially life-altering decisions without the assistance of a sane, rational parent or guardian.

From The Rachel Maddow Show:

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So ~ Bill O'Reilly, Pat Robertson And Ricky Gervais All Walk Into A Bar...

In this brief video clip, The Last Word's Lawrence O'Donnell reveals exactly how and why it is both utterly irrefutable and Just Plain True that "Happy Atheist" and actor, Ricky Gervais, is not only naturally and innately more "Christ-like" than either "The 'War On Christmas's" Pappa Bear Bill O'Reilly, or the long-time Evangelical TV personality and phenomenally judgmental Pat Robertson...

But the talented and very funny Mr. Gervais is infinitely more "Christ-like" as well.

P.S. ~ This is Awesome!  (Enjoy.)

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Sharing Some Unexpected And Timeless Gifts From Sir Winston Churchill

I was suddenly and unexpectedly showered with a number of previously unfamiliar and, yet, (immediately recognizable as) truly magnificent quotes.
Despite originally being spoken by someone who died long before I was born and who lived in a world that - at first glance - appears to be exponentially different from the world in which we live today...
The utterly-palpable, gut-borne power, conviction and raw courage that infused these words when they were spoken more than sixty years ago... still struck a chord in me... today.

The Speaker: (Sir) Winston Churchill.
(And, here are but a few of my newly-discovered and newly-favorite quotes)

“If you’re going through Hell... Keep going.” 

“Never, never, never give up.”

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”

(With Credit and Thanks to Geoff Loftus' Forbes.com article of 05/09/12 entitled: "If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going - Winston Churchill".)

Following the end of W.W. II, Churchill's writings revealed that he knew in his own mind - with complete certainty - that Hitler and the Nazis would, eventually, be defeated. Despite knowing this, for nineteen long, bloody months, Churchill had the unenviable and seemingly impossible job of rallying his fellow blitzed and beaten country-people against what - from every angle - appeared to be an unstoppable foe.

How did one man accomplish this utterly insurmountable task?
Winston Churchill understood his country-people and what they wanted. Not only that, he understood what it was that the Nazis were hell-bent on destroying.

And, regarding these things, Churchill said: “All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: Freedom. Justice. Honor. Duty. Mercy. Hope.”

(Er... "Wow!" just doesn't cover it. But it will have to suffice.)

What Is News-Worthy? Obama, Ole Miss, Racism, Protests, Cultivating Change

I don't watch "The News".
Not ever...  Not for many years...  Not even on "Election Night".
I'd passionately encourage everyone to take a "News-Break" -- even for a little while.

As a result of not watching "The News":  Once in a great while, the weather catches me off-guard. But, I live in San Francisco and:  "If you don't like the weather in San Francisco - - cross the street.".

Since I don't watch "The News", it's been years (thankfully) since I had to sit through a C.S.I. script-worthy, graphically-detailed story of a real-life, violent crime with no "Happy Ending" and in which the perpetrator may or may not be in custody and/or dead.

The result of which:  I sleep better.

Well - "better" being a relative term - I sleep "better" than I did when I would watch the news.

And, not watching "The News" also means that - occasionally - I don't hear about a truly news-worth story when it breaks.  If it breaks.

So, Thank Whomever for the Internet(!), because I've just found one of those truly news-worthy stories...

The Incident: A racially-fueled protest that broke out at Ole 'Miss (The University of Mississippi) after President Obama won re-election.

Needless to say, I haven't a clue if the incident ever "broke" as a news-story in the national media or network news.  

But, it's a story that's well worth your time.

Why?  Because, this is no robotic, dispassionate announcement of some unfortunate event.

There is a very brief description of the protest.  After which a small group of thoughtful citizens from different backgrounds engages in a calm, rational, meaningful discussion in which they offer some real-life, achievable actions - and describe, exactly, whom needs to take those actions - the result of which would be the initiation of change in some of those variables which lead to the protest.

This is what "The News" could... nay - Should be.

From Melissa Harris-Perry:

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