𝐀𝐈 𝐈𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥

 

It seems from the news reporting that we are rushing headlong into the world of artificial intelligence. AI. Like kids with a new toy. Playing in the street. Parents admonishing us to be careful. Who said, "How ya' gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen Paree"? Kids can sometimes end run the Old Folks and sneak out the bedroom window. Shit happens.

Guardrails and guidelines we'll have. Plenty. Endless potential for argument and discussion right there. Maybe we'll use AI itself to come up with the rules? 

Even with the best of intentions, some malevolent asshole will find a way around. Even, a well-intentioned one too. Oh, you say, what's the difference? Since Adam and Eve decided back there in the Garden that they could do it themselves, study your history. Blind leading the blind. Mishap upon mishap. Oh, we have progress. Smartphones are a thing now. Hot water on tap is great. Like we're becoming so strapped to our devices, imagine how strapped we'll be when AI is there to always and in every way tell us what is the best thing to do? Heck, why not go all the way, and just plug in and be a robot acting at the will of a god-like intelligence. 

And, let's not even go into how Human error, regardless of good or bad intentions inevitably shows up in the mix. Unintended consequences. Failure to see down the road. If you're inclined to see a Nation of Sheep now, AI will be the slaughterhouse. AI and robots will make life a dream. Work? Does anyone even remember what that is?

Oh, sure, there are clearly benefits. Speedy access to information. Purchasing streamlining. MD makes housecalls right through your smartphone. Whatever you can imagine. 

But, inspiration and virtue. Not so much. If any, at all.

If you want to know the future, just extrapolate what's so and what's happening to its logical end point. Not to change the subject, but the wars going on now should give us a clue about what could easily be in our future. We always have the option to choose again. So choose. What kind of world do you choose to live in? Then, start living into it. You want peace? Become peaceful. Not like some politician, serving up just lip service to being peaceful. Real soulful peaceful. It is our birthright after all. 

How? Turn inside. Get acquainted with what's there. In fact, the truth is that meditating like that will give you access to the wellspring of creativity and knowledge. Makes AI look like the slutty pussy it really is. Don't get me wrong. A little strange is always appealing. But, as a regular feature of life, that stinks. No pun intended. Not.

Oh, you say, we have God on our side. The better question is, do we have God on our inside. Like a living relationship. Or, or is our best take on a higher power artificial intelligence? Just another Apple for Adam and Eve to chew on. Funny, huh? "Apple." [BTW I hear the new iphone is the shizz. With Apple Intelligence. The battle for AI dominance among the purveyors is on. Beta vs. VHS vs. CD vs. Steaming; you may recall.]   

You might guess the point. The antidote to AI is religion. Which one? Your choice. Like Pope Francis has stated, they all lead to God. If you don't wanna do religion, make generating loving compassion in your own heart your "religion". Come to think of it, if generating loving compassion isn't part of a religion, then that ain't no religion. 

The promise of AI seems to be based on the idea that information, and the right information put together in the right way will be our salvation. Or, at least it'll be a good way to make a buck. And, don't you know, keep the powerful in power. Global mass population management is what I would call it. Propaganda. Narrative control. 

So imagine a Brave New World where Alexa and those other smart machine bitches not only have all the answers, but know you and me down to such a granular level that they'll know what's good for us; what's best for us. Then we can be corralled into relying on them unquestioningly. Brave New World indeed. Did you think 1984 was gonna show up just like in the book.

Or, how about this. "Alexa, send a nice complimentary note to so-and-so thanking them for the wonderful dinner party last night." Alexa: "Done." How easy and convenient was that. It get you out of the rut of emoji's and heart icons in your text messages. Adds that creative flair. And, best of all, you don't need to really communicate personally. Pretty soon the whole social fabric can be managed by AI and all's we hoi polloi have to do is build popsicle stick lampshades and solve paper puzzles. Or, your choice, whatever distraction you prefer which helps while away the hours.

I have to add here amid all this pessimism that the human spirit is in the end indominable. Waking up in our own time, in our own way. There is Truth. Not for me to say; or you. Or, anyone. The truth that can be told is not the Truth. The mark of Truth is that it is self-evident. Not by my say so; or yours. Or someone else's. Just so. That.

Like in the above cartoon. Heck, Alexa will know if you want more salt already so you won't even have to ask. And, since we want to be healthy, how much Sodium, if you can have any at all. Maybe mix in a robot or two, and the wife won't even have to lift a finger. 

Really consider the prospect. Then factor in the tendency to invest huge amounts of energy and cash in how the narrative the populace is living in is manufactured. I don't trust that any sets of guidelines and guardrails will keep greedy, power-hungry assholes from using AI for their own purposes. And — OY! — that some of the best intentioned will see the opportunity to see to it that their best intentions will cloak us all in their best intentioned embrace. Pols already are pretty good at that. But, with AI mixed into the mix, the world is your Oyster. And, as easy to gobble up too. Press of a button. Problem solved. The masters of the future will be the nerds who developed AI from the start. Like electronic behind the curtain wizards, playing the tune we all dance to on their keyboards.

But, big BUT ... who defines the problem, and who defines the solution? AI is a machine. Someone's got to give it its marching orders. And, if you think that AI will somehow sort it all out in its smart-as-all-fuck wonderfulness, just remember that the foundation is man-made. What could go wrong?

Like, somewhere in all that computational power some mofo or other had to put in the parameters. The basic definitions. Call it the "devil" if you want. Works out to the same thing, name aside. Don't they say, "The devil is in the details"? AI is all about details. Chew on that.

The interesting irony, in our time of global warming, now there's the need to solve the problem of the heating up due to all that computing chip power. So, what is really the progress? All us hoi polloi working to make a living shoveling coal into a raging furnace cooled down by the collected sweat of our brows? Nothing new there. Rise of the Machine. Don't say you weren't told.

If you've made it this far, then maybe there is something in this that resonates. Here's a read that adds immeasurably to the subject.

𝐎𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ...

 

In case you might have missed the point, the idea is that the thrust of Human evolution is in the direction of standing upright. Not what passes for standing in general population, however'; i.d., carrying a history of built up imblances and unaware of how that contributes to chonic pain and stress. And, that living in true balance according to the demands of Gravity is easily at hand. It's a choice. The potential in Human design is for a normal architectural arrangement in the makeup of the body which is in line with the simple demands of Gravity. Stacked up nicely in a straight vertical line, with everything level and even.

𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡?

DILGO KHYENTSE RINPOCHE

Our suffering is proportional to the intensity of our attachment to the ego. In this world, someone who has suffered a serious mistake by someone will certainly think: "I am a victim of his criminal actions, I have to make him focaccia bread; he should be put to death, or at least imprisoned! May you pay every penny! "

If the victim succeeds in his undertaking, he will be considered an important and courageous person, right? We've been shot in the ego, and that's where the resentment comes from.

It is only when we finally make a firm resolution to this attachment (which has plunged us in suffering since ages) that we can say we are on the path of [ellumination, enlightenment].

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 ...

 

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡 ...

 

It's tough to find parking in their lot. You have to keep driving around and around until a spot opens up. 

It's worth the effort. The chow is delicious. Ambiance, dark and plush.

Then there's another situation altogether ...

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 ...

Memories of my Rolfing Teacher Stacey Mills ...

Some background ...

In 1981 I changed careers. From a 12 year stint as an Ad Biggie on Mad Ave to Certified Rolfer; within a year's time. Quite a change, no? 

From a white collar field centered on visual and verbal parameters, to one based on manual labor. And, most certainly, way more soul. In Rolfing the manual labor is used to help move the Human body from a place of random imbalance to one of balance in alignment with the force of Gravity. Literally, like sculpting living clay. Hands on.

Interesting that from a career in marketing communications I go into a brand new, widely unknown career path with the built in challenge to communicate its benefits. It's one thing to introduce a new shampoo, or a new food product; quite another to birth the never before heard of; not just the identity "Rolfing", but the idea upon which it is based.

It's a clear moment when you realize your daily career activity will be putting your hands directly on people. As I said, especially when the previous career was all mental. But, with some nice lunches thrown in I will admit.

It did help that I had graduated with a bachelor's in Human Biology. My first academic love. 

At the time my career in advertising ended — I had a moment of honesty with myself and admitted that I didn't want to be that Can't Miss Top 10 World Class Mad Ave Ad Biggie no more. Everything changed around that one simple, clear admission; and fast — it seemed that the Universe had conspired to take me from a work centered on getting people to part with their cash to one of service and personal growth. "Rolfing!"

My Teacher Stacey Mills ...

Let me tell you about my Teacher, Stacey Mills. At the time she was the Grande Dame and Doyenne of the Rolfing community. A senior teacher at the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration which was headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. That's the school founded by the originator of Structural Integration, Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Now you know where "Rolfing" comes from.

Stacey was a Lady. Hair neatly coiffed close to the head. Just enough makeup; nails perfectly polished. Silk blouses. Simple, comfortable slacks. Precise, knowing, gentle touch. A cool, cool Scorpio. With a presence emanating depth and understanding. Very self contained, private. That's Scorpio. Funny, my ex-wife is a Scorpio and all the teachers in my training led by Stacey were also Scorpios. Kismet? Better behave around Scorpios ... stingers.

She was held in a kind of ga-ga high esteem in the Rolf community. It seemed a bit much, and that made me question it. My comment, "But, can she get down on all fours and bark like a dog?". I hope she could. But, the Lady was dignified and serious always. Wouldn't dare say that to her face.

Meeting Stacey ...

On the very first day of class in New York City I met Stacey Mills for the first time and presented her with a highly shined red Apple. She accepted it from me, without any trace of affect. Like you handed a mechanic a wrench needed for the job; or, a surgeon a scalpel. Whether my attempt at being endearing with my gesture of clever irony registered with her, who knows. I enjoyed it. It was a nice Apple. And, the class was in the Big Apple. 

Dancing with Stacey ...

Some of us called her "Spacey Stacey". Though she didn't talk about it, she was definitely one of those rare "psychic ladies". You know the kind who could read you deep into your karmic roots, with a library of study at her fingertips in the arcane; such as astrology, metaphysics, and other esoteric subjects. She had a knowing way. What she knew, who knows. 

About in the middle of the multi-week class schedule we all went to the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan for an evening of dancing. I danced with Stacey. It was probably some bouncy pop tune and she was grooving to the vibes. Eyes closed, hands waving in the air; off in her own reverie. Like, we weren't grooving together. Just her. Perhaps in her own experince she was dancing with me, but it didn't seem that way to me. I stopped dancing ... cold. She opened her eyes and stopped too. It was abrupt. But, I too have dance in me. Not always groovy, but always in the groove. If you know what I mean. What do I mean? Believe me, I sure don't know. Who knows, I might have brought her back and saved her from floating off into the ethers.

Stacey's lecture assignments to the class ...

The Rolf Structural Integration format is taught as a 10 session process. Typically, a client comes once a week. I was given the class assignment to give a talk on the 6th session. I didn't know at the time what I knew. The 6th session I would characterize as having the theme, "Level". Remember, the main goal of the work is to balance the body — the whole Human being actually; but, you can get your hands on that body as a grounded surety — in respect to the dictates of Gravity. That means the segments of the body are stacked up easy on a simple vertical line. For that, things need to be symmetrical and level. It's at the point of the 6th session that things need to get level. The next session focuses on the upper head area, so you want to be sure there's a place to put a level head. Kapische?

My talk featured emphasis on "vectors". Tensional imbalances in the fabric of the body that pull away from the central vertical. It's a whole thing to discuss what that's about; suffice to say that we accumulate the slings and arrows of living and store them in the body. Insufficient learning, bad habits, accidents, traumas, modelling after our significant others; like that.

After I gave my talk I saw Stacey raise her eyebrows. Maybe with some eyes, like you make when you have a reaction to something. What her reaction was, who knows. Inscrutable as she was. I don't think it was a response to my brilliance. After several decades in this craft I look back and in fact see the truth of it. But then, I was stabbing a bit in the dark with my concept. My take at the time was her response had something to do with how full of shit I was. Or, maybe — mirabile dictu — it was over her head? Our teachers sometimes can seem to be as gods. But, like any good teacher knows, your students teach you too. Maybe she was amazed at my brilliance after all?

If that transaction left me with anything, it was what Stacey would say to me at the end of my training. In essence, some things are better left unanswered. So, I'll let go wondering about how she took it. Like I said, those Scorpios don't seem to show their cards much. 

Graduation dinner ...

At the successful end of the training the students and the teachers got together for a dinner party. At the assistant teacher Rosemary Feitis' sprawling Upper West Side West End Avenue apartment. 

Stacey prepared the meal. Braised Pig Feet. A kulinary koan if ever there was one. Pig's feet? Huh? Truth be told, I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. What, if anything the others at the table thought of it, I don't know. We didn't gossip about things after the fact. But, as you would think, a celebratory dinner with Pig's feet? Not exactly the first thing that comes to mind planning for such an event. As was usual for me, it did cause me to wonder whether there was some message buried in that stew. And, back to the main lesson. Let the question go. I didn't have a sense of relationship enough with Stacey to ask her what she was thinking. Simply remember a delicious dish.

The class party ...

We had the class party at Anatomy Teacher Louis Schulz's apartment in the Village. Teachers, students, class models, friends and family. 

Stacey gifted the newly certified Rolfers T-shirts with

tiger and zebra stripes printed on the full fronts. I imagined the image could be interpreted as a finger print. The hand of God? Maybe. Who knows.

At the time somehow I was taken with making jewelry with brass safety pins. There were six students in the class. I affixed six small pins to one larger and made it into a decoration you could wear as jewelry. I told Stacey it was a puzzle [six students, one teacher]. She replied, "Some puzzles aren't meant to be solved". Another teaching moment, for sure. Swaha! Let it go!

As I said, Stacey dressed well. Stylish, but not too showy; quality choices. At the party she wore a black velvet cat suit, with large red roses dotting here and there. On her backside a very large full bloom red rose covered the entirety. Not to be missed. What that was all about, again, who knows. Stacey at the time was a woman of a certain age. I think she still had it going on. But, I wasn't inclined to open that trick box. My own psychic chops hadn't yet been cooked enough to suss that puzzlement. To this day, can't say.

My cry for help ...

Early in my Rolfing career it wasn't going swimmingly. All my own bridges were burned, and the friends and colleagues from my previous life weren't exactly the sort that would embrace something as radically new as Rolfing. So much for creativity in the so-called creative world of Advertising. Geez! Much less, that all of them didn't embrace me much to begin with. Not much fertile soil in my section of the farm. Mostly rocks to be cleared. Like I said, this career has a lot to do with personal development. When life gives you karmic rocks you learn to rock your karma. I'm still at it. Thankfully, now. Back then, it was a difficult challenge.

I called Stacey on the telephone to make contact. Not sure what I wanted, or how to even express it. When she answered and I identified myself she asked, "What can I do for you?". A little stunned at the directness and flatness of how she put it, I said, "I just wanted to tell you I love you". I don't recall what, if any, response she had to that. It did seem to soften my sense of relationship with her, however.

A Rolf Institute annual meeting ...

A few years into my career as a Rolfer I attended a workshop at the school in Boulder, Colorado. Followed by a big party at the conclusion of the membership annual meeting. Afterward Stacey thanked me "for sharing myself". 

Lovely acknowledgment. Thank you. And bless you.

Our last time together, planetary-wise ...

In her last years Stacey Mills lived in an assisted living community in New Jersey. She probably would have been medically diagnosed with dementia. We visited. I was eager to show her the piece I had written for prospective clients. No purchase on that. She seemed to be on some other plane. "Spacey Stacey." We took a walk together around the sprawling facility. At one point we got lost. She said "You are going to embarrass yourself", going off like we were in the wrong direction in the maze of corridors at the facility. I said nothing. Knowing that just being there was all there was ... and, being there with her. 

Concluding thoughts ...

Sometimes I can see Stacey looking through my eyes. I hope she enjoys the view. Who knows. Not for me to concern about her experience. But, my own. Knowing and trusting that that will please my Teacher.

PS There emerged in this recollection a theme. Not knowing. There was so much about Stacey Mills which to me was inscrutable. As I have matured it is dawning on me that not knowing is the true condition. That we confuse and complicate in our quest for so-called understanding. Yet, in not knowing, we can look at a situation in the present moment with fresh, unfiltered eyes. And trust in our ability to respond appropriately and effectively. To be responsible. That's what the field of Rolf Structural Integration is all about. Learning to live in a healthy balance, a balance based on the universal principal of the Law of Gravity. Appropriate. Responsible ... able to respond.

Some Teacher, huh?

𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐓 ...

Q: If I use my will to control the mind, it only strengthens the ego.

M: Of course. When you fight, you invite a fight. But when you do not resist, you meet with no resistance. When you refuse to play the game, you are out of it.

Q: How long will it take me to get free of the mind?

M: It may take a thousand years, but really no time is required. All you need is to be in dead earnest. Here the will is the deed. If you are sincere, you have it. After all, it is a matter of attitude. Nothing stops you from being a gnani here and now, except fear. You are afraid of being impersonal, of impersonal being. It is all quite simple. Turn away from your desires and fears and from the thoughts they create and you are at once in your natural state.

Q: No question of reconditioning, changing, or eliminating the mind?

M: Absolutely none. Leave your mind alone, that is all. Don’t go along with it. After all, there is no such thing as mind apart from thoughts which come and go obeying their own laws, not yours. They dominate you only because you are interested in them. It is exactly as Christ said ‘Resist not evil’. By resisting evil you merely strengthen it.

— from I AM THAT, chapter 72

𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ~ 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐢 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐮 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐩𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞

The only source of every kind of benefit for others is awareness of our own condition. When we know how to help ourselves and how to work with our situation we can really benefit others, and our feeling of compassion will arise spontaneously, without the need for us to hold ourselves to the rules of behaviour of any given religious doctrine.

What do we mean when we say, becoming aware of our own true condition? It means observing ourselves, discovering who we are, who we believe we are, and what our attitude is towards others and to life. If we just observe the Limits, the mental judgments, the passions, the pride, the jealousy, and the attachments with which we close ourselves up in the course of one single day, where do they arise from, what are they rooted in? Their source is our dualistic vision, and our conditioning. To be able to help both ourselves and others we need to overcome all the limits in which we are enclosed. This is the true function of the teachings.

— from the book "Dzogchen: The Self-Perfected State"

𝐋𝐲𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 — “𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐮𝐩.”

First, the rules that apply. The universal one. A big one: Gravity. We all generally know about how the force of Gravity keeps your feet on the ground. Downward pull ... grounding. Let go, and it falls down. That’s called “centripetal”.

There’s also the opposite and equal force. “Centrifugal”. Upward ... lifting. That latter one, the upward movement, that one we don’t really appreciate in an every day, directly experienced way.

Here’s something you might not know. When your body is aligned in its makeup in respect to the demands of Gravity that upward movement is an empowering, healing agent. You feel it. It’s a lived experience. It’s alway there, just now to pay attention.

Big thing to know: There’s always an up and a down. An upside, and a downside.

Then there’s bombs.

What does Gravity have to do with bombs? Bombs go BOOM. Also, they go down. No surprise there. Is there an upside? What goes up from bombs? Nothing good. Reading the news should fill you in on the details.

Same for rockets, and bullets. While those mostly go horizontal — call them vectors —the force of Gravity which always exerts its downward pull. Again, what comes of it, it’s a downer. Down and out when they strike their mark.

Maybe it’s time to evaluate things on just how they perform on the scale of up and down? Just sayin’.

Bombs, rockets, bullets are violent. They bring nothing constructive. Unless, of course, your idea of things is that you have to use them to get what you want. I refer you again to the news of the day. Or, to prevent someone else from getting what they want at your expense of what you want. Or, it’s how you make a living. A living from dying. Does anyone see the irony in that?

Net, net ... war/death and destruction/militarism, that whole indigestible Enchilada, it’s a downer. And, add to that any other way the ingenuity of mankind can figure how to kill their fellows. Unless, those so-called fellows are sub-human. Then, it’s pest control. You have read the news ... Oh Boy!

So, where do we go from here? Ask yourself. What’s it gonna be boy? Yes, or no? To war?

If you’re in a position to do something on a geo-political level, and you want war to end, then work on that. Your smart enough to have got yourself in that high seat; so, you go! That is, if you’re not beholden to interests who want war for political and/or pecuniary reasons. No new news there. Then, you have a hard choice to make. Put bread on the table, or find a new line of work. Or, wait until it all blows up, then pick of what pieces you can. Of course, using your guns to keep others from taking what’s yours. Skip the news, read Human history.

If you’re an average citizen of the world what can you do? Purify your heart. Take the war out of yourself. Didn’t the Dalai Lama and others essentially say, “No peace without inner peace”?

How to do that. Gravity can be helpful. Very. It’ll help you take those conflicting vectors out. The inner struggle. At at war with Gravity itself. 

“Some individuals may perceive their losing fight with gravity as a sharp pain in their back, others as the unflattering contour of their body, others as constant fatigue, yet others as an unrelentingly threatening environment. Those over forty may call it old age. And yet all these signals may be pointing to a single problem so prominent in their own structure, as well as others, that it has been ignored: they are off balance, they are at war with gravity.” 

–Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.

Just by sitting still and easy, Gravity’s uplifting way will clear out what’s in the way. But, do it regularly. Commit. You’ll see.

𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

 

Previously I had generously offered both candidates some tips going into the debate. Some — mirabile dictu! — were put to use last night. Read here. 

I'm gonna riff on this, since parsing things to the bones from what was said would take probably a PhD dissertation to complete.

So, here goes.

On TRUTH ...

A wise man once told me, "Anything you say, someone can prove you wrong. So, now that you know I'm wrong[ski], we have nothing to disagree about". Ha-ha. 

But, it does seem that the truth is not something that was on the agenda last night. Heck, when you live in a bubble where truth is what I can convince you it is, then theatrics and crafty wording is the name of the game.

Kamala scored big in that category.

And, there's the matter of how framing works. A closed fist in one frame is menacing and dangerous. In another, it's a defense of justice. Maybe, just someone who caught a bug. Get it? How you frame it makes all the difference.

Boo, Kamala for taking the point of view that would give the worst interpretation. And, let's not even get how quoting out of context is a very often used big gambit. Look up "bloodbath". That's to my eye an aspect of how the Dems consider themselves — maybe just portray themselves via narrative spin? — as being on God's righteous side; so much so that anything goes to win the day, including bending the rules. Witness how the "process" unfolded dumping Joe and crowning Kamala. And, again, let's not get into how leaving out some important context is such an old, but still effective spin. Like "good people on both sides". Or, [how come she missed this zinger] injecting people with bleach as a cure for Covid. Or, Trump remarking that that "War Criminal-Mass Murderer-Butcher" Putin is smart. Making that last thing like a compliment to a bad guy. How could you Donald!?

Donny took one on the racist label about his talking about how she was now Black. He tried to make it clear, but didn't. His point, as I take it, was that she's whatever she needs to be to get your vote. Why not just say it. You did say that Joe is the worst, and she is too. You're not known to pull punches.

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. But, get the label of terrorist to stick on a freedom fighter [Hamas?], and you command the narrative from then on. How many times has the idea of Hamas as terrorist organization been drilled into the Western world public's mind? Never mind the gross injustices and indignities, not to mention the brutal cruelties inflicted upon the Palestinians over the entire history of the establishment of the Zionist state of Israel ... how that has left that population with no recourse other than brute force resistance and retaliation. Yet, they're "terrorists". So, not nice. Bad people. The label discredits them from the get go. Then, of course, how the leadership of Israel considers the Palestinians to be sub-human. Vermin? 

Neither candidate really got into the weeds on that issue. Call it what you will, let's not quibble. Thousands are being slaughtered and maimed as we speak. It is arguably the defining moral imperative of our time. But, Israel has a right to defend itself. What about Palestinian rights? Oh, sub-human. Never mind.

Bravo Trump for wanting war(s) to end. And, indicating he'll get on that right away. How? Would be nice to hear more on that. But, in realpolitik, it's all about sitting at the table and hashing it out. Trump is THE guy for that. Harris, same old, same old. Keep sending stuff for them to defend themselves. But, boo-hoo, the suffering is a concern. Like the parent whose child is a gambling addict; lamenting the situation, but still funding the jones.

Kamala! A two state solution? Let's get real. Bibi don't want that. Hell, don't even want any Palestinians period. Hitler had a final solution. Seems Netanyahu do too. Does anyone see the irony there? And we know what Bibi wants, Bibi gets. Damn, Yankee? He was educated in the US of A; so maybe that's where he met the devil? And, of course, being assured that he's the one to hand things over to Mashiak. God is on his side. Or, so he wants us to think.

Kamala Harris, Oscar winning performance. She started off asserting that we were going to be hearing a lot of lies from The Donald. The frame. The clincher was how in every non-mike moment her face and gestures at everything Trump said were a thespians best method acting performance of someone hearing bold faced lies. Bravo! Job well done. Interesting how they didn't have open mikes, but did have open lenses. Sneaky distinction. Harris took advantage. Trump, kept his poker face, mostly. But, then he showed his tell; getting hot under the collar. Donald!

Okay, so me saying that she reacted to everything Trump said as if they were lies. Not everything. So sue me. Call me a liar. C'mon. But enough and so consistently often that way to make it seem like she was taking everything he said as false. And, bravo again at all the variations. Would someone make a video edit of just her reactions to his speaking? Master class.

Donald, I told you not to react to her putting you on the defensive. Granted, she dished everything ... everything. Major trolling. Anyone would need a month of Sundays to clarify on all that. She dumped on you big time.

And then you had to do the migrants eating cats and dogs thing. What the F were you thinking?

Donald, darling, you have to learn to be specific in your rebuttals. Just asserting that the election was stolen isn't cutting it. You did attempt to clarify that the cases you brought on that point after the 2020 election were deemed without grounds. If you have grounds, then specify. But, you got your hat handed to you then, and they're still reminding everyone that your cases "failed" in court. 

Is it me, or does anyone recall Nancy Pelosi's performance behind President Trump's State of the Union address where she had the brass balls to tear up the transcript of his speech? Classic playbook body language stagecraft. Gotta hand it to the Dems, past masters. With Harris, the cornucopia of withering and disbelieving facial expressions was Emmy worthy.

Donald, good zinger and point well made: Let's wake up Joe at 4pm, and close the border; don't need no legislation to do that. Why didn't you explain why you were not in favor of the Immigration Bill? But, it was brilliant how you shooshed her with her own "I'm speaking now" schtick. And, sticking it to her, that he was on to her schtick.

Kamala had the line of the night on Donald's supposed nixing the Border Security Bill saying you prefer to run on a problem rather than fixing a problem. Low blow, Girl. Like he's so vaingloriously self-interested he'd scuttle doing good to keep the immigaration ball in play as a football election issue. I bet he has his reasons. Donald, what say you?

That last bit is like so many accusations on being against bills. Which, if you haven't noticed typically and reliably are larded with items which for some make said bill untenable. But, pols keep you focused only on the bill title, not the particulars. Never mind that the proposed legislation was umpteen pages long and went for a vote almost as soon as it was put into print. With some arguably objectionable bits to boot.

And, moments after the debate little miss Taylor Swift endorses Kamala. With a statement which might as well have been written by Kamala's campaign staff. When a pol says, "I trust the American people" keep in mind that Taylor Swift to a lot of those people is their voice. Trust Taylor. After all, she looks pretty, and sings nice. So, it's whatever she says. And, she's done the research. How much, and how's the quality of it ... not specified. Leaves it to your imagination. And confirmation bias.

But, that's me. How about you?

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩... 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬 ... 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞

Dear reader: If you have any additional ideas, or if you have some other point of view ... please, comments are welcome. 

Some things for the two candidates to chew on leading up to the upcoming debate. [BTW there are other candidates, but they don't get to debate.]

For President Trump:

Okay, Mr. President, we know you have your way. Ways. The nation is in a love/hate relation with you on that. All that. Let's see you turn a page. Stay focused. Don't swat like a pussy at every feather flutter on a string at the end of a stick. Or, have to fill every rabbit hole with words. An old dog like me knows how to tell if you're lying: those lips are moving. Think about that. Maybe dial back the superlatives too. It's a joke now. HUGE ... joke. And, we give you this ... nobody does it better. Verbum Sap Sat!

While we're mentioning particulars, maybe dial down the scattin' and jivin' off-script riffs. Some love it, but there are those who heretofor don't. Go for their vote too. Tighten it up, Sir. 

And, lose the insults. Again, even though there may be a fit, to many ears it comes off as just plain mean. And, low. The advantage is from the high ground.

We love you for the character you are [well, your base does] but we want to know your character. Specifically, are you a megalomaniacal bossman like the oppostion keeps framing you in their narrative? Gonna take all the power and raw dog the Constitution? Let's clear that one up. Maybe more specificity in the languaging. Like I said, tighten it up.

If the recent past has taught you anything it is that the Dems like to put you on trial. Kamala is a prosecutor. She's good at putting people on trial. Don't become the defendant. Okay, okay, you come from the "good defense is an offense". You be the past master. We're looking for the Statesman in you. Bring it. 

But, that combative way is business. There's the Business of State. Not quite the same. But, we do appreciate the experience in management that you bring. Just know there is a large, large swath of the voting public scared shitless over you going full on BOSS mode. If you don't know what that means, just look at our boychik Bibi. He even thinks he's gonna shake hands and turn over the keys to Mashiak. Who could argue with that? We know you've been persecuted; even took a potential kill shot. But, don't go branding yourself as the Messiah-like victim. Just be a good Donald.

I digress. Read on ...

In the debate Ms. Harris will be sure to pose questions for you to answer. If you react. Don't. Also, state facts about you. Throw shade, major shade. Goosing you to react. Don't.

To repeat. Don't rise to the bait! If Kamala poses any question, say this: "I don't answer to you. If the moderator chooses to ask that question I would be happy to answer."

If she says something you disagree with, or tries to put you in some shade, respond with something similar to the above: "I'm not here to check your facts, or to correct them." Maybe toss in, "And, knowing you and how you like to bend the facts." Finish with, "If the moderator has a fact question for me, I will be happy to answer."

For Vice President Harris:

You are a prosecutor by trade and temperament. We want to see you as Presidential. Not just a sock puppet spouting canned confections. Unless, of course, the only and ever strategy option is to crap on Trump. If you think that'll get you to the Oval, you go Girl. That gambit is so old it stinks, and intelligent people see it coming a mile away. But you Dems like to stick to your guns. Hillary is still raking it in dissing on The Donald. You and Joe pretty much skated the entire 46th term with the excuse that everything that went wrong was Trump's fault. And ... you need another one to finish the job. C'mon, man! Really?

Since you claim to be so high minded do you really want to keep cultivating an electorate that snaps to with every pander toss to their confirmation bias. It might get votes short term. But, I do know you too want to make America great. Of course, you don't put it that way for obvious reasons. Not just a painted on, papered-over great. Great with a clear head and a courageous loving heart. In our leaders, and in the citizenry too. That kind of great. 

(And, Donald, you might want to also flesh out "great" beyond it being a great sounding thing to say. I know you have put out some policies, but a whole complete picture on "great" would be, well, great. "Worldview.")

And, KH, maybe don't go after The Donald the way you showed your stuff at various Congressional hearings. Just seemed mean, and out to partisan win regardless of any higher perspective. By the way, so sorry you don't get to pull out your "I'm speaking now" gambit. 

And cut the clichés and generalities. Brass tacks. What you gonna do? What are the specific outcomes you envision? And, for Pete's sake ... why? Don't leave it at just that you have a vision, and go off and talk about your solid loving family upbringing.

Mr. Trump will in his inimitable fashion throw some zingers. Your handlers will have given you a list of back-at-you one liners. Cut that. Take it like a man. Move on. Or, fall back on something like, "Listen to that jail-bird chirp!". "Can you trust a felon?" And for the win, "Consider the source". Interesting how DT has been claiming witch hunt and solid legal minds have stated that all those indictments are specious; "trumped" up. Don't even let's go into the impeachments. Overplayed your hand, you Dems did, on all the foregoing legal chicanery. Or, so some say.

You might be getting the idea that in this one's view you have a reputation for canned words. I have experience from years as a Can't Miss Top 10 Major Market VP Mad Ave Ad Biggie. Don't bullshit the bullshitter. You know what I'm talkin' bout, Sister! Everyone is woke-hip to narrative propaganda spin and control. It's not Presidential, Sis. Add that to your joyful vision, why don't you.

Talk straight. If you wanna talk vision, be specific. If you want to express joy, be joyful. And, please tell us what is the basis for your joy? And that "unburdened" business. Just what are you unburdened from? What, however, are you still packing in your bags? Truly unburdened would indeed be joyful since you'd be standing in the unalloyed present moment, empty handed; ready to take a fresh take on what's so. Can you do that? Is that something you want to do? Is that something you even know is something to do? Or, is it just another something that rings true from the sound of it. You wanna break that glass ceiling as a woman? Wonderful! Seems you'll get lots of votes just on account of that. And the ethnic-race bits too. How about breaking through the bullshit as a Human being? That would be Presidential. 

For both candidates:

There is death and destruction plenty in the world right now. When and how is it gonna end? What can you do? What will you do? 

And, while we're at it, perhaps someone [PLEASE!] explicate how the State of Israel is so sacrosanct. Messianic Evangelicalism? The US foot in the Middle East? Guilt over the Holocaust? AIPAC? All of the above? Something else that hasn't come to light?

Some say that the Ukraine/Russia war is a Western proxy [read USA] figuratively led in Ukraine by a comedian puppet. Elsewhere, that whatever is the correct thing to call it as of the moment between Israelis and Palestinians, it's led by an individual who's made America his bitch. What say you's?

There's talk that American empire is waning. That it's hegemony — even though it is well known that the USA interests have always only been for the good of all regardless of the messes it has created on account of evil doers resisting —  is coming to a close. Then there's BRICS to deal with. Are we still gonna be in a world of zero sum game? Winners and losers? Good versus bad? Or, are we considering a paradigm where we all just get along? Cooperate?

Lastly, does it really all come down to narrative propaganda control? Sure, we do have to keep the hoi polloi happy and keep a lid on mass chaos. But, what informs your worldview? By what light do you go into the unknown future. Or, is your future already plotted out, and now it's just more same old, same old getting your way?

I don't know if you heard, but Mr. Dylan put it out there some time ago.

One last thing: Wisdom. Bring it!

𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 ... 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐭?

 

I've been reading into the history and keeping up with the news since the unfolding events from October 7, 2023 which have brought the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to dead center world stage. Deadly center.

For shizzle ... end times, apocalyptic potential.*

Here's my short historical analysis ... and prognosis.

Since it's founding in 1948 the State of Israel has been in a conflict relationship with the peoples displaced by its geographic founding. The Palestinians. And, being there also with the animosity of most of the Middle Eastern Arab world. 

Western interests support the State of Israel out of their own hegemonic self-interest(s) in the region. Let's not even open that can of worms with the influence of the so-called Israel lobby over our government officials. Much less, how that support is garnered. 

Bad behavior on both sides. All sides. Old Testament vs.Third World. The Chosen Ones vs. the Amalek. C'mon, the Book of Samuel clearly states that God had commanded Saul to kill every one of them [Amalek]. "Eye for an Eye" ethos with deep mythic roots. And, c'mon, when the Lord speaks a good Jew obeys. Or, is it, a bad Jew interprets the Holy Book to their advantage? We have seen before how arch-radicals appropriate their faith to justify ungodly behavior. Okay, don't start throwing stones. I well know any criticism of the State of Israel is anti-Semitic. In fact, I'm pro-Semitic. But, let's be clear, a beard doesn't make a Jew. There's a Heart to it, Judaism. Not showing much that I can see over there in the Holy Land. Holy shit's more like it.

Sorry, the bloodshed and mayhem and death is currently well past Biblical, Holocaust label proportions; and the mass protests in Israel as we speak are all up in arms over six dead. If you want to understand that metric, I refer you to the "Amalek" narrative. In short, those Palestinians being killed by the tens of thousands are sub-human anyway. And, we in the free world seem to react to the slaughter like they were just killing Chickens and Goats. No big whoop. Of course, we decry such, but the guns and money keeps coming. Human life, just a commodity to be traded. One Jew is worth more than the human value of all Palestinians. Don't gasp. That's the current metric. Oy!

And, speaking of the Holocaust, the Prime Minister in the face of strong advisement against from his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant — Defense Minister! — matter of factly states that his decision to march on in the big muddy is his to make. That his decision(s) is final. Let's hope our boychik has his heart in the right place. We also learn that a strong voice in his advisory group [Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security] urging to go harder and faster. 

What could go wrong there?

I know I'm skating on thin ice. The conversation has many, many sides and the sides on each of the sides have taken strong sides.

Net, net. The Palestinians want the Israelis out the territory. The Israelis want the Palestinians out the territory. It does seem to boil down to that. Positions hardened over time immemorial. Fight to the death. 

Yet we argue over whether it's a "genocide" going on. Look for a 'Two State' solution when the parties seem to not even want it anyway. Ever. Let that sink in. Israel doesn't want a two state situation. Are the investigations and cease fire negotiations just giving time to a "final [Palestinian] solution". Interesting isn't it that the same ones who experienced the Holocaust are now perpetrating the same? But, that's just a debate of words. The bombs and bullets still fly. Our leaders decry the innocent caualties, while sending more guns and money to produce more casualties. Even argue over whose to blame for all the death and destruction. Adding in war-horny members of the US Congress itching to go to war with Iran. 

WTF

WTF

WTF

* The world esteemed late Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson told a young Netanyahu that "... he will be Israel's Prime Minister who will pass the scepter to the Messiah". With a blessing like that, who's to argue. Bring it Bibi. Lots of Messianic Christians are on board too. 

CONSIDER THIS: When the Mashiach has finally arrived, or for Christians, it'll be the Second Coming ... just how do you imagine that's gonna look on TV? Some good looking, divine vibing guy, dressed for success? Maybe. Or, maybe just His arrival in your own heart. Even if it is a flesh and bones Messiah, still need to open your heart. Let's not quibble over appearances. In the end, love is all you need. Why wait?

 

“𝐔𝐧𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝”

 

You’re no doubt aware of candidate Kamala Harris using the term “unburdened” in context with vote getting for her joyful vision of wonderful future possibilities.

Sounds pretty good. Of course it does. It's supposed to. At least in terms of how it sounds. 

But, let's unpack that. Shall we?

Who doesn't want to be unburdened? Everyone would vote for that. But, here's the tricky part. Just what does unburdened mean? Specifically, for Kamala? Beats me.

To my ear this platitude is just a slick way to tack her star to a generality everyone buys into. Like, everything I do is with "love". Shucks. And, hell yes!

Please tell us, Ms. Harris, just what are we gonna be unburdened from; and, what will that look like moving forward? It almost takes away any disagreement if she even ever states any specific(s). After all, her way forward will be unburdened, and we've already signed on for the unburdened part as nothing but good can come of that. Kapische? 

Kind of like that other wonderfulness, "JOY". Like, since we're joyful, we must be on the right track. Maybe. But, mostly I'm reading it as a slogan for vote getting. If she were truly joyful, I'm wondering if she would even be in politics. Politics is all about offering you reasons to be joyful. When, in fact, that's the underlying natural God-given reality, and pols are just stealing our souls with promises to give us what we already have — but mostly it seems we're unaware of that rare fact — in exchange for votes and compliance.

As for "unburdened", there is such a thing. Read Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now to understand that from a true perspective. To be truly unburdened you stand in a place of silent not-knowing; able to see what's so with a fresh view. That's the smart stance. Harris' "unburdened" is just a nice comforting word image covering up whatever she and her administration may already have in mind to do. Boils down to voting the personality. And, putting our trust in that they'll do the right thing. Which, by the way, brings up yet another subject: just what the fuck is the "right thing"? Let's leave that for another time. Seems to be a lot of differing opinions on that. But, from ones who are so full of ideas and agendas that it's highly doubtful that any of them are truly unburdened, or joyful.

Don't make me out that because I'm criticizing a Dem that I'm for Trump. "Make America Great Again" is a brilliant crafting in the same way. What do we mean by great? And, who's idea of great are we strapping ourselves onto? In fairness to The Donald, however, he does list some plans on what to do that underpin his slogan.

What do I recommend you do? You and me?

Let's get to being great! In our own right. Let's be unburdened! Within ourselves. It's your birthright after all. Do we need a politician to sell our birthright to us in exchange for a vote? To sell us on their vision of reality? Sell us on what you're going to do. How you see things. That's something to vote on.

That last bit. It would be good if the candidates did flesh out their world view. Not just keep going on about how the opponent is so bad. They're both doing that. Which means they're both rather bad for doing that; and we're to choose the one less so. 

Oy!

And, by "Oy" ... let's hear something concrete about the Middle East situation. As you know, it's dreadful there. For all concerned. They only seem to be on each side hard wired for the other's extinction. How are our condidates gonna play into that? Decry the unnecessary dying while sending guns and money and pledging undying support to continue to do so? Oy!