Monthly Archive for June, 2006

Terrorism

Published
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Meta
on June 29, 2006
in Current Events
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I just read this.

Specifically of interest:

‘The resolution "condemns the unauthorized disclosure of classified information" and "expects the cooperation of all news media organizations in protecting the lives of Americans and the capability of the government to identify, disrupt and capture terrorists by not disclosing classified intelligence programs such as the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program."’

So then I hit Wikipedia for their definition of "Terrorism".

And I quote:

"Terrorism refers to a strategy of using violence, or threat of violence to generate fear, cause disruption, and ultimately, bring about compliance specific political demands. The targets of terrorist attacks typically are not the individuals who are killed, injured, or taken hostage, but rather the societies to which these individuals belong. Terrorism is designed to subvert existing political landscapes, often with the dramatic spectacles amplified by the mass media’s influence."

I think the most recent example of pure terrorism (by definition) is the invasion of Gaza by the Israeli’s. Second to that would be the Warning Bush gave to North Korea regarding their missile-launch test (to which I think they have as much Right as any other nation.)

Third are the threatened sanctions against Iran for developing peaceful nuclear energy sources.

But finally, the whole "War in Iraq" is the greatest act of terrorism the world has ever seen. I mean, the U.S. military seems to have little respect for civilians not involved and kills them without remorse to further the political objectives of the White House.

Leaders of other nations should accept the "War on Terror" as valid and just, but turn their targets toward the Bush Regime… probably the most powerful terrorist organization in the world.

Ok, I’ve got it…

Published
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Meta
on June 29, 2006
in Personal
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…but I might need some help.

I tried to figure out MySpace, but after figuring out the basics of personalizing how my profile looked, I was quickly bored. All I really wanted to do was join the "social network", but publish my real blog (this one) there so that I didn’t have to duplicate my efforts. Same goes for Xanga. What I was really looking for was a way to centrally publish my blog and auto-magically have it available on various social networking sites.

Same goes for comments. I’d like to collect comments posted to all the various social networking sites and compile them into a single compilation.

Effectively, I want one place to go, a social-network-portal, to get/publish everything. As there’s nothing like it that I can find… I wonder if I could write it?

Take the quiz, post your results

Published
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Meta
on June 29, 2006
in Current Events
. 2 Comments

I found that MSNBC has a Civics Quiz that isn’t just there to make you feel stupid, but consists of 20 questions off the actual test immigrants must pass before being granted citizenship to the United States. I missed 1 question about which INS form is used to become a citizen. As I’ve never had to use the form, I don’t feel so bad.

Here are my results:

You answered 95% of questions correctly. Here’s your rating:

0-20%: Maybe you’re still thinking too much about the Old Country — and that’s where you should probably be.

25-40%: Mmmm. Do you really want to be a citizen? This kind of performance isn’t going to impress those nice immigration folks.

45-60%: Not too bad, but you really need to break out the civics books again — word is, the INS is looking for an 80 percent score.

65-80%: Hey, you may make a good citizen yet! Look at your wrong answers and a little revision should do the trick.

85-100%: Welcome to the United States! (And, truth be told, you know more about this great land than most Americans.)

If anyone would care to take the quiz and post their results here as a "comment", I’d be interested in seeing how the average Metaphysx.com visitor fairs. And please be honest… if not with me and the others, at least with yourself.

If you take the quiz and don’t do so hot, don’t sweat it. Read up on your American History. Understanding our history is what keeps us from making the same mistakes twice, whether from the perspective of a nation or that of an individual.

How to make an origami Yoda

Published
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Meta
on June 28, 2006
in Personal
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I haven’t tried it myself yet… but it doesn’t look that hard.

How to make an origami Yoda.

Confucius once said…

Published
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Meta
on June 28, 2006
in Personal
. 0 Comments

Several months ago, after getting interested in China’s modernization, I started doing some informal research into Marxism, Maoism, the history of Communism and Socialism in general, and how it all differs, in history and fundamental ideals, from Republican Democracy, Representative Democracy, a true Democracy and Capitalism.

Anyway… to the point… I happen to have a copy of "The Analects of Confucius". Confucius’ philosophy has been a source of contention throughout modern Chinese history.

I doubt this is the right way to read it, but I decided to read each day until I came across something appropriate to whatever I was feeling at the moment. I would then try to incorporate that into my life the following day.

Today’s reading is from Book VII: Verse 22.

"The Master said, ‘Even when walking in the company of two other men, I am bound to be able to learn from them. The good points of the one I copy; the bad points of the other I correct in myself.’"

No doubt… words of wisdom.

Helmet laws

Published
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Meta
on June 28, 2006
in Personal
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As a motorcycle rider (and still one, since I didn’t sell it), and one who’s crashed a bike, bumped my head and lived to tell about it, I’m still opposed to helmet laws.

And so is this guy.

Crapola

Published
by
Meta
on June 25, 2006
in Current Events
. 0 Comments

I just read this.

I don’t really subscribe to the conspiracy theories rolling around. However, when you see a lot of weird things going on, when you put 2 and 2 together across arenas that you wouldn’t normally consider conjoined… and they fall into place… it makes you wonder.

It all just seems a few inches from being obvious. I mean, there’s nothing concrete… but circumstantial, definitely. Bush seems insistent and persistent upon bringing about his concept of the end-of-days. The Bush Regime is determined to create distrust and armed warfare where feasible for what? For world peace? LOL. How about access to oil? Or, worse, because he thinks he’s fulfilling Biblical prophecy?

I still challenge anyone reading this to tell me why we’re in Iraq. We’ve forgotten, haven’t we? Oh, that’s right… silly me.

Actually, I still don’t remember. WMD’s? Saddam caused 9/11?

Need some advice/confirmation

Published
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Meta
on June 25, 2006
in Home Projects
. 0 Comments

Last summer, Nancy and I took a trip to Washington, DC, where we had dinner at this restaurant. While waiting for our table, we sat at the bar. I pointed out that I thought it was really cool how they took one large, wide-open space and managed to separate it into several (dining area, bar, lounge) just with the colors on the walls. Though it was one big room, each area had it’s own function, and you could definitely tell the separation.

I wanted to do something similar, as I have one large, wide-open space that encompasses my living room, dining room and kitchen. I just couldn’t figure out how.

So here’s my idea: (and hopefully the links to the pictures will help you visualize it)

1. Finish the texture on the south, east, and north walls.

2. Leave the wood-paneling on the south-west walls.

Here is a view of the kitchen from the entry.

Since the room is so big, and to get more efficient use of it and the rest of the house, I thought I’d put my "den" in the south-west corner, where my dining area is now (this also allows me to reclaim a bedroom). I’d move the "dining area" into the south-east corner, under the ceiling light-fixture/fan. Then I’d put my TV back where it’s always been, in the north-east corner and make that the "living room".

So the effect would be that my "den" would be dark/subdued and not overly distracting, as the wood-panel walls would separate it into a different space. The "living room" and "dining room" would share color and both be bright, but separation of the spaces would be achieved through placing of furniture and a nice rug on the wood-floors in the "living room". And the kitchen, which is really just an extension of the larger room, would appear distinct by leaving the paneling in-place.

<time lapse>

Ok… I orginally started this with the intent of asking for advice, but in trying to convince the reader of my reasoning, I have convinced myself. This is the route I shall follow.

Just waiting now for things to dry so I can finish up. Then primer, paint and glaze. And I’ve got to find a contractor to do the floors. I’ll be damned if I’m doing THAT myself again!

Crisis averted

Published
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on June 24, 2006
in Personal
. 1 Comment

The other day, a friend of the neighbors noticed I hadn’t had my motorcycle out this year, and asked if I’d be interested in selling it. I told him I’d consider it and we talked for a bit. I told him to come back today (Saturday) and I’d have it charged up and ready for him to take for a spin.

Luckily, he hasn’t shown up and I’m hoping he doesn’t. I took her for a ride into town to get a full tank of gas… and what fun that was. When it got too hot to do anymore inside work, I got on the bike and spend the late afternoon just cruising around going nowhere. I think I’ll plan to do the same tomorrow afternoon.

So… phew! I think I’d have been really mad at myself had I sold her.

A little progress

Published
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Meta
on June 24, 2006
in Home Projects
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After fighting with it, and facing the same frustrations I did in the bar, I gave in on having flat walls. The people who hung this drywall did a horrible job (well, they hung it and covered it with brown wall paneling, and probably weren’t expecting anyone to want to paint it). Plus, the adhesive left after ripping down the paneling is a ***** to get off. So I decided to just go with a faux-stucco texture, similar to what I did in the bar, but much less dramatic.

Pictures here.

So I did that on part of the wall, ripped down more paneling, and got another big section taped and puttied (over the seams and nails). Once that dries, I’ll ’stucco’ it and move on to the next section. I’d do more, but I started working at 6am this morning. It’s terribly hot right now, and I’m pooped.

Maybe I’ll do more as it cools off this evening, but the goal for tomorrow is to at least rip down ALL the paneling and rip up ALL the carpet. I’ll be getting started early again.

I must say, though, I’m really shocked at how big the room is. I mean, that dark-brown paneling really sucked. I will eventually prime and paint over the white joint-compound, but it’s amazing how much bigger and brighter the room seems with light color on the walls. I wonder what color I should paint it.