Quick Updates For Those Georgia Citizens Interested...

Here are a few snippetts brought to you from Channell 13 WMAZ News . Please check out the full stories at their site.

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Hancock County Schools Closed

Governor Perdue: "Plenty of Gas"

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With regards to the second story, I am glad to hear that the state government plans to prosecute any and all gas station owners found to be pulling the old "bait-n-switch," which in this case would be having the price posted as one number on their sign and having the actual price on the pump set at something different. The same will be done for those who unreasonably jack up their prices, or so they claim. Now let's see if they actually do it.

The reason cited for the majority of the gas issues in Georgia at the moment stems from the loss of power to the pipeline that supplies us with most of our gasoline. Hopefully it will be taken care of over the weekend and things should be a little closer to normal come next week. I'll be counting the minutes, skeptically.

I Always Thought The End Of The World Would Start Off Like This...

Our country involved in a big war in one part of the world. A hurricane doing massive damage to three states. Having to almost come to fisticuffs over a tank of gas because almost all the gas stations in my home town are out and likely won't get more for some time.

Looks like I'm 3 for 3.

Man I wish I wasn't.

I'm sure its just like this all over the country. Literally overnight there was an 20 cent jump in the gas price and, apparently hearing that gas was going to be running out, everyone dashed out to fill up their tanks. I must admit that even I was not immune to this madness. I spent about $47 at 2 different stations to fill up my truck for the next week or so, doing my part to make this self-fulfilling prophecy come to pass.

Everywhere I turned just lines after lines of people waiting to get gas. Some stores had limits on how much one could purchase (the stations I went to had a $20 limit and one had a 20 gallon limit. Some places ran out in the morning even before the rush hit. Most all seem that they will not be able to get their usual orders filled. Some might not be able to get more gas for the next week. Some nearby towns in the area, Cochran and Sandersville in particular, apparently had already run dry if the any of the stories around here are to be believed. One rumor I heard that I would be greatly interested in ascertaining the veracity of is wether or not some dealers are not ordering / selling gas in protest to the prices at which they would have to order and resell to the customers at. Somehow I doubt such is the case, but in any event it would be nice to find out a definite thing one way or another.

In any event there was madness galore with some people trying to rush to the banks to withdraw enough to fill their tanks and others like myself trying to get between multiple stations to go ahead and get filled for the week. I managed to take enough time out of the insanity to drive a gentleman from one station t the car lot he worked at. Apparently the owners decided with an empending gas crunch that it would be prudent to fill up most of the company cars. Unfortunately the pick-up that this gentleman was in wouldn't start up again after he filled 'er up. So we pushed it out of the way and I took him back to the car lot to get some help. I was just glad to get my good deed for the day out of the way.

Makes me wish I could recieve the local station out where I live, but I can't even get it on my DishNetwork package. I would like to know the full extent of the "damage" in my area.

Just remember again tonight that you need to say another prayer (or whatever passes for one in whatever your religion is) for those hardest hit by the hurricane. Also say another for our economy, because if this is any indication we're all in for tough times ahead and can use all the help we can get.

"Skew"ered Like A Shrimp On The Barbie: Inaccuracies In The Mainstream Media

How can you get 400 out of 40? Send it to CNN!

Just kidding.

Mostly.

One thing I've really noticed since I started to pay attention to the world around me is that the media will never have the same numbers on anything whatsoever. I'm sure I don't need to remind anyone about the voting season from back in 2000 and 2004. Not having consistent figures on the number of people missing or dead during a storm, erpecially while its going on. But when figures about the dead in and from Iraq come out, maybe these figures need to include the troops sent to other countries and medical ficilities not in the immediate battlefield area. If a man dies in a hospital in Germany because of wounds and injuries sustained in Iraq, he died as a result of the war in Iraq. Its as simple as that.

A prominent example from the last few weeks are the reports from Crawford, Texas, with regards to the goings-on with Cindy Sheehan. For starters, every single mainstream source I have seen from CNN, CBS, MSNBC, FOX (News Fair and Biased) all talk about the assemblage being pretty much 50% / 50% for and against her cause.

I haven't seen any non-mainstream source quote these same figures. What I DO keep hearing over and over again is that most of the people there are supporting her and significantly outnumber her detractors.

But there are other things about this in particular being left out, or at best barely mentioned that disturb me. The incident surrounding one of Mr. Bush's neighbors firing his gun into the air was downplayed, especially when he was asked why he did it and later responded "Figure it out yourself" (or something to that effect). But I have scarcely heard mention of the truck running over some of the 1000+ crosses erected roadside in memorial of our lost troops, and another truck driving past / through towing a pipe on a chain from the rear bumper destroying more crosses.

I'd just like you to think for a moment: why are there such discrepencies? Why are some things being plastered all over the airwaves, and others being merely glossed over? And even more importantly, who decides what is shoved in our face and what is being hidden away? And on what factors do they base their decisions?

It would probably do people good to look at the people at various ownership areas of mainstream media outlets. Look at everything they own (media or otherwise) and the people they deal with and are related to? Look for convergences and maybe you can start to figure out what it is they're up to.

At very least, I encourage people to avoid mainstream media sources such as FOX, CNN, ABC, CBS, and MSNBC for the most part. Look at the newswires directly, and even look at other countries' news publications. Many have english translations of their pages, and with those that don't, its entirely possible to run their sites through an online translation service. Over the next few days, I'm going to try and update my links list to incorporate many such sites for you to peruse at your leisure.

Once again, examine everything you read and hear thoroughly. Never take anything at face value, not even what I tell you. Read for yourself, think for yourself, and judge for yourself.

Say A Prayer For New Orleans...

I dread every time a hurricane rolls around. You always fear when that time rolls around when they announce the death tools of such natural tragedies. Not just the deaths from the natural phenomena itself but from the emotional toll it takes on oneself. To hear of someone in the Superdome jumping to their death, apparently willingly, adds another layer onto it. To become that disheartened to give into total surrender when nearly 80% of the city now lies underwater is understandable, but still tragic nonetheless. Add on top of that FEMA and the Pentagon coming in to take control under martial law in these emergency areas and I am sure there will be more hurt to follow.

I realize that more than just Louisianna and New Orleans were affected by this. I just happen to have a certain soft-spot in my heart for the city.

So whatever your religion is, I ask you to say a prayer (or whatever passes for a prayer in your religion) to your God (or whatever passes for God in your religion) for those who have died because of this hurricane and to pray that no further tragedy should befall these states.

Remember to help look out for each other because sometimes we can't all look out for ourselves.

Questioning Self Part 2: Self-Denial

I think one main thing that is helping slowly ease me out of my current funk is my refusal to deny myself any longer. What I mean by this is that for a very long time, the entirety of the time I have been depressed, is that I have spent a long time denying the things that I find to be quintessential to my sense of self. Denying these things has atrophied a part of my soul.

But it is a part that I feel rebuilding itself.

My depression stemmed from many sources. More, in fact, than I am sure that I am truly aware of. A loss of control of my own life, mindlessly (and heartlessly) drifting from one activity to the next. All the evil and chaos and injustice unleashed on the world by governments that, at most all levels, seem to be bent on taking absolute control of each and every facet of their citizens' lives. It is too easy to feel that one has lost control in the midst of this chaos.

No more.

It was like I was denyig myself the opportunity to have this control. Like I somehow felt that I was less than human for allowing these things to keep me feeling this way. But perhaps my feeling this is proof of my humanity. I will not allow myself to be held down by these restraints that are imposed on me ultimately by nobody other than myself.

My life is mine to control as I see fit. I will live it according to my will and the will of God, and no one else.

I have taken a long time and put a lot of thought into this. I have documented those flaws in myself that I feel need to be changed. I will change those that I can. I will embrace thost that I cannot.

It was my perception of these flaws and this lack of control that held me back from happiness, something that I thought long ago would be forever denied to me. To be such a wreck, useless to myself and those around me, what right do I have to happiness? But over time, I came to "understand" that this lack of happiness was to be my destiny, and in a wierd way, found contentment in that fact. I found an almost twisted sort of satisfaction in that. But then I realized that this too was a complete nonsense. More illusory restraints strapped to me by a damaged psyche.

I can be happy, and by God, I will be happy! I will reclaim that last missing part of myself and become the person that I was always meant to be. I will tear down that last barrier, the dam holding back that last part of my soul I felt to have been long buried and lost to myself: my art. The expressive essence that allows me to pour out my true soul to the rest of the world. I gave up drawing for a long time. I felt to depressed to draw... or perhaps I was depressed because I did not draw? I does not matter which it was, the end effect was the same: more depression, more loss of control, more self-loathing.

No more.

If you live in Georgia, try and keep your ear to the ground for news of an up-and coming comic book penciler. And more particularly if you live in Laurens County, pay closer attention. Who knows, a certain someone might be running for a County Commissioner seat very soon...? At very least there might be a few rumblings on the political horizion...

I Want A New Term, One That Won't Make Me Sick...

Big Brother.

It is the term from George Orwell's classic novel 1984 we hear often used to refer to the encroachment of an ever-growing government. Especially as it lecherously worms its way deeper and deeper into every facet of our lives.

I am so sick of this phrase.

You know what I think every time I turn on the news or surf the web and see the term? That apparently the entireity of America thinks its just sooooo smart because it has apparently read this ONE book.

Don't take this the wrong way. I think that 1984 is a good book and one can learn a lot from it, and see a lot of parallels between the events in the book and the trends in our society (especially over the last 20 years). But I hope nobody has a real Big Brother like that. A big brother is supposed to be someone that really is looking out for you and trying to protect you from the dangers of the real world.

And I am sure everyone is out there saying "but its the irony of the way a big brother is classically perceived and the way that Big Brother / government is portrayed." "You just don't get it."

No, I do in fact get it.

I just wish I didn't get it so often.

Pat Robertson: Rewriting Reality Through The Tool of Denial!!!

Please tell me what is or is not going through that strange man's mind.

Seriously.

How can that man be so deluded as to think getting on his show and denying after he gets this national buzz started that he did not say what he in fact said? Is he honestly so mentally defecient that he does not remember saying it, or did he realize the potential legal ramifications for openly calling for the assassination / murder of another human being!!! Maybe he's just trying to cover his butt on this one.

Sorry. I realize this isn't really an opinion or legitimate post or anything. I just heard the news about that nutball's refusal to accept the reality of his own actions. I just had to vent for a few.

Questioning Self Part 1: Taking Five Against Take 2

This is going to be the first in a series of twice-weekly posts where I chronicle how I feel I am changing and what happens that really makes me question myself and my beliefs.

I've been really depressed and in a deep funk for the past few weeks. I've grown to question values I once held very closely and am really changing my views in ways I never expected. I've become much more conservative in areas I once considered myself to be very liberal and more open to ideas I had once been very closed to. Still, there is one thing in the news the past few months that has really made the new self I am becoming question my old self.

Video games. In particular, the violence and sexual content therein. Even more in particular is the complaining about how these things "are proving to be detrimental to our society." I stayed up late last night / early this morning watching a special on G4Tv about sex in video games, and this has finally pushed me to espouse my views on this. By the way, this special is being rebroadcast several times throughout the week, and I highly suggest watching it if you get the chance. It is very informative.

There were many valid points raised on all sides of this issue but I really am tired of some of the things I keep hearing on the issue and the things I'm not hearing about the issue. As loathe as I am to admit it, there probably is a viable link between violence and sex in video games encouraging violence and a skewing of society's sexuality and views thereof. I used to think that it this was a complete crock of $hit (if you'll pardon my french), but now I can see how there is some degree of validity to this.

But I need to stand in defense of the video game companies that have entertained me for so many years. Most games are not mis-marketed by their makers. The ESRB rating system is an effective tool when used properly. The only flaw I see in the system is that there should be someone on these review panels for games to actually play through some of the games, but still as far as an "independent commission" set up by the video game industry to regulate itself and point out its flaws, at it least does a better job than certain other "independent commissions" ( 911 Committee appointed by George Bush *cough*cough*). Sorry, must've had a little something in my throat there. Maybe when all this "Hot Coffee Mod" stuff got started, Take 2 should not have come out and said it was a complete hack, and then rescind that statement and say that the hackers unlocked disabled content. But as the game stood, it was a "Mature" game and was marketed as such. Had the disabled content been active, I'm sure then it would have recieved an "Adults Only" rating and been marketed thusly.

There are other things that need to be considered when people complain about these games getting into the hands of children. You need to admit that once its rated and on the shelves, a lot of it is out of the developers' hands. And A few people aren't going to like what I'm about to say, so don't say you weren't warned. Okay, here goes.

If a game is rated as "Teen", "Mature", or "Adults Only" then retailers and renter services need to check ID. I'm sorry, I don't care if the person is your friend or if you would feel uncomfortable doing so. I got over it towards the end of my 4.5 years (some of the worst years of my life) working at a video rental store and carded. I made a lot of people mad, but it needs to be done.

Parents and gaurdians, you need to read the labels and ratings of what you are buying for your kids. Despite what you might want to think, game companies accurately depict game content and the little box around the ratings symbol on the back of the box tells you what you or your child will encounter during the course of the game. Coarse language. Sexual conetent. Violence (cartoon and realistic). It's all there. There really is little excuse. Unless you think your child is mature enough to handle it, do not buy it or rent it for them. You might say "Well, I can't monitor my child 24-7 and they might encounter the stuff at their friend's house or the guy at the store might sell it to them or rent it to them anyway." That's true. But then those are issues to take up with those friends (or their parents) and the stores in question, not an industry that has made great efforts to try and make sure that their products are used by and sold / rented to their intended audience for said product. That's what my parents did for me. I grew up on cartoons and comic books, and as I started to grow up and mature and my intrests changed, my parents guided me through a lot of the new concepts and subject material I was going to encounter. They made sure that it was slowly introduced to me as they thought I was mature enough to handle it. They did not let T.V. and the media raise me. And that is what parents today need to do. I'm sorry if that means that you have to spend time with your child and take a more active roles in their lives, but they are your children and it needs to be done.

I'm sure a lot of people have a lot to say about the points I've addressed here. Comment and I'll respond. But if you take one thing away from everything I've said today, let it be this: if you feel that society is degenerating and becoming more detrimental to everyone, you're going to have to take a more active hand in reshaping your world than just complaining about it.

Utah Rave Shut Down: Looks Into An Impending "Rave"nous Police State

I'm not much of a rave person. But like a lot of things, it's kind of a "to each his own" deal. The music I'm kind of into, the crowds... not so much. I do concerts and large public gatherings on rare occassions, but I'm starting to digress. Back to the issue at hand for a moment.

At 11:30 p.m. this past Saturday in Utah, a legal outdoor music event reffered to as a "rave" was shut down by law enforcement. There was no apparent reason for the law enforcement to be there in my opinion. It seems to me that the law enforcement heard the word "rave" and ran in guns ablaze (metaphorically speaking, of course) because of the stereotypical associations with the word. You know, youth, drugs, lawbreaking, etc...

As my understanding of the concept goes, "raves" are typically underground music events held in abandoned warehouses / buildings and the like, occassionally clubs. Posting and espousing a mantra of peace, unity, respect... and something else that escapes my mind at the moment. Sometimes raves get a loose association with the anarchist movement (that part seems pretty much like bollicks to me). Drugs and drug use don't seem to be actively promoted but usually is kind of overlooked. But mostly its just a lot of people getting together and enjoying trance / techno / rap music. That's my limited understanding of raves, and a more extreme version of this is likely what the law enforcement was operating under at the time. I'll try and go to a few one day and revisit the topic in the future. I'm sure I'll get a lot of comments about this, trying to correct me on the nature of raves, and I wholeheartedly encourage the submission of such comments. I genuinely would like to learn more about these events.

Back to the event in particular, it seems to me that it was simply an outdoor promotional concert that just capitalized on the word "rave." To my knowledge, the organizer had a business license, got an outdoor gathering permit from the county, took out a $2 million insurance policy for the event, hired security for the event to "keep the peace" and confiscate drugs and other contraband. But for some reason law enforcement clad in what looks more like military gear and fatigues even than SWAT gear and broke up what seemed to be Woodstock-light.

The thing that distresses me more than the event itself is the utter lack of mainstream news coverage. I've only noticed a few cordial nods at some places, but overall the almost police-state-like nature of the approach to it. Instead, they all seem to be ratings-milking the Cindy Sheehan protest and polarizing it and throwing it all about the political spectrum since it seems that everybody under the sun can find something from this to use and further their own cause, whatever that cause may be.

You can find some pictures from the rave raid as well as a compilation of related articles here at Infowars.com.

Apologies In Advance

As I am very new to the "art of blogging," and am hard at work customizing the site to my tastes and filling out my profile, the site will probably be changing a lot for the next few days. Bear with me, hopefully it'll all be ironed out by the end of the week and I'll have everything set to a format that I can live with (for the next few months at least).

Pat Robertson: Assassinate *Good Times* C'Mon!

I'll admit that I wish something else would have spurred me into blogging. I really do. I'm not entirely sure why this did it for me, but sometimes something just so mind-numbingly strange just spurs you to do something you didn't think you would ever do.

I noticed when I logged onto CNN.com today and noticed that, well here's what the headline for the article read...
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Robertson: U.S. should assassinate Venezuela's Chavez
State Department says comment 'inappropriate'


Tuesday, August 23, 2005; Posted: 3:20 p.m. EDT (19:20 GMT)


Robertson, shown here in a file photo, said Venezuela's Chavez "is a dangerous enemy."
(CNN) -- Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson has called for the United States to assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, calling him "a terrific danger" bent on exporting Communism and Islamic extremism across the Americas.

Here is a link to the article in it's entirety.

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I have personally disliked Pat Robertson for a long time now. He shares a new type of arrogance and dislike for anyone who does not share a xeroxed copy of his beliefs that I find disconcerting to see among many of today's tele-evangelists. He also seems to operate under some new variant of Bizarro-logic that allows him to... well, let me try this another way. Do you remember the concept of double-think from George Orwell's 1984? He seems to be kind of like that... except for no, or at least very little, logic seems to be involved. He decides he does or does not like something, slaps a "Christian values" label on it and calls it a day.

Before this goes any further and I get people screaming at me, I am in no way, shape, or form, anti-Christian. I am a Christian myself. I just have a severe dislike for hypocrites and bigots who blindly embrace any rhetoric or belief / belief structure without doing any research themselves.

What Christian value is it that gets a man to stand in front of the world on television and directly call for the United States to assassinate another world leader? Seriously. Unlike others, I will go ahead and say I don't know much about Hugo Chavez and what he has done to his country, but there have to be other legitimate avenues to persue first before assassinating someone. Of course, that might be the last shred of my altruistic optimism rearing its ugly head again.

Apparently I am not the only one who shares theses sentiments. Along with the seemingly endless fountain of information in the mainstream and non-mainstream media sources, a Venezualan lawmaker has voiced similar opinions about Mr. Robertson, also posted on CNN.com.

Here is a link to that article in its entirety .

More on this later. Class time approaches ever so closer now...