On bookshelves right now is a publication that was literally thirty years in the making. Originally published in 1972 by a group of scientists from MIT, it computer modeled global resource consumption and production. What they wrote shocked the world and created vigorous conversations about the concept of ‘overshoot’ or resource use beyond the carrying capacity of the planet.  Back then, the book was optimistic about the future of humanity as even the most dire computer model showed things would not start to get bad until 2015 or so.

Now, The Limits to Growth: The 30-year update, has taken on the tone of a dire warning, citing that many of the  ‘tipping points’ have now come and gone with even the more ‘optimistic computer models’ portraying a very bleak and sad future for men and women who are just now coming of voting age. This piece of work is a must read for us all, especially those who might what to prepare for what is to come.

Now, another case is hitting the airwaves concerning a new mother Lana Kuykendall who is fighting for her life from the same kind of infection. She gave birth, went home and then in just two hours was back in the hospital with an unusual spot on her leg the size of a palm print. Just six hours later, it was the size of a sheet of paper! A day later she was listed as critical, but stable condition after doctors performed over four surgeries in just six days, removing large amounts of tissue from her leg in an attempt to save it.

So, what’s going on? This struck home to me big time when a person came to a recent garage sale that I had with exactly the same problem. What are the odds? He too developed a small rash on the thigh of his left leg which resulted in a surgery that has left him in a wheel chair. This is scary stuff to say the least; especially, if you do a little additional research on other emerging bacterial infections like MRSA that also have become highly resistant to treatments by existing antibiotics.

Let’s put away those Sci-Fi books kiddies!

There’ll be no more of that nonsense anymore. No talk about exploring space or going to other planets and any such thing. America, you see, has bowed out. And even though a smattering of countries are still making attempts at developing missile technology, ergo North Korea and Russia, you’ll note that they are still experiencing some difficulties. Russia, it seems, is even having a hard time flying its airplanes these days. (I can tell that the twenty one minute ride those expectant buyers took into the side of a mountain did not do very much to help sell planes)!

So, for now, we can all stop looking upwards and get down to the business of going FORWARD! A catchy campaign slogan Obama hatched that reminds me so much of Marx. Yes, let’s all prepare to move forward from spotty islands of individual poverty to one great big festering mess of a country where eating shoe leather will be considered haute cuisine.

Speaking of food…..

Has anyone been paying attention to the rising cost of groceries? Well of course you have because you’re all out there paying for it! Duh! Anyway, it now looks as though that will be one trend that will keep on rising to the proverbial ceiling and beyond. That is until someone who understands capitalism gets into office and straightens things out. Seriously, Mr. President, socialism just doesn’t cut the mustard (or buy it for that matter). That is, unless you happen to be one of the uber-rich. You know, those rich elitists who re above it all. Oh, wait a sec. You are one of the uber-rich aren’t you? Well, never mind….

Did you ever wonder??

What Obama and his minions are up to while you are sleeping? I do. It seems there is no stone too small that a tax can’t be applied to it. Take your local newspaper. That time honored daily publication that, while suffering, is still run hot on the press each and every day. But wait! My gawd! The Feds, give them all the credit, are now embarking on a way to finish off that business sector too….by taxing it. Yes, my dim-witted but fun loving friends of the net. They are getting the bills ready to launch a slew of new taxes, even on daily publications which had been tax free for hundreds of years. And, as if that were not enough, some local states are actually joining that bandwagon also. Right now, even my home state of Missouri is preparing to pass a tax bill on not only newspapers, but on ink and some office supplies. How great is that? What, with all these new taxes, perhaps they’d even consider a change in the state’s name – then we could aptly call ourselves Miseryions. Yeah, that’d fit quite nicely.

Some things, you really can count on……………………….…………………

Disclaimer: This is intended to be a humorous post and does not mean to reflect on how much fun it may be to fly with this or any airline. The stock market graphic is likewise fake. Having said that, did you guys really intend to screw a dying vet out of $200?

Every once in a while some one hands me proof that our government is being run by individuals who are at best uneducated and at worst somewhat retarded. That happened to me recently when I was handed a pamphlet on the growing and uses of hemp (see side panel). Most of the other westernized countries are actively growing and utilizing this very useful plant. But, that’s not true in the United States. You see, it was lumped together with marijuana as the same plant by the DEA which it is most assuredly not! While marijuana contains as much as 3 to 15% of the active psychoactive chemical THC, industrial hemp has only .2 to .3 percent! To state someone could get ‘high’ by smoking hemp would be the same as saying a person could get drunk by drinking near beer!

Now be honest, you DEA officials. What the heck are you smoking?

Elderly Drivers Beware!

It seems the gears of regulation are looking in your direction. At least as far as driving privileges are concerned. Seems a group of well meaning legislators have gotten it in their heads that older people have more accidents. Perhaps, they reason, we need new laws to get them tested yearly or even monthly! Maybe, dare I say it, we could even regulate them out of driving existence. Make it illegal to drive beyond the age of 80 or 70 or..

Truth be told, older drivers have about the same number of accidents as the 18 to 21 year old crowd! Opps. Well, what’s good for the goose must also be good for the gander. Let’s then consider changing the driving age to say 21 or to be even safer let’s tell em to hold off until they’re 30! Yeah, that would work out just swell.

No mention is ever made, by these groups of very concerned legislators, that the equivalent of a jumbo jet-load of people die EACH DAY on our highways and byways. Yep. Over 300 souls perish in accidents seven day a week each and ever week. You ask me, I’d say we should make driving illegal for everyone! Let them ride horses I say!

Obama’s Secret Vision for the Future!

Right in line with the progressive restriction of driving privileges I outlined above is the notion that our great and all powerful Leader Obama may have plans for the elimination of all vehicles. Think of it! A country that would depend solely on windmills for its energy. A country where the heretofore hectic pace of life would slow down as we all went back to horses as a means to get to and fro. An idyllic kind of existence that you can find today in many other countries like Burma or Somalia where peasants shuffle along quaint little dirt paths as they make the daily transit from hovel to meager planting field. You know, like where Obama originally came from…

So, why am I pulling the plug? In a word – advertising. Really, really bad advertising. Advertising not meant to sell you anything but to scare you into buying something. Here’s a small (abet slightly altered) sampling of the ads currently running 24/7 on this channel:

‘Got bladder cancer ? – Are you tired? Run down? Is there copious amounts of blood in your urine? Then, sorry buddy, you need to see a doctor and buy our product.. And yes, maybe you’ll even be able to cash in on our company once we get sued years from now!’

‘Hi I’m a Mesothelioma victim and more than likely you are too! While there is little that can be done, you can still benefit by suing the be-jesus out of the asbestos industry.’

‘Is your complexion less than perfect Bubba? Well, we can help you out with a product that is pretty much guaranteed to give you a big dose of life threatening conditions while it clears up the old faceroo!’

‘Got COPD, because you smoked three packs a day for just about ever? (Hey, who doesn’t these days)! Ask your doctor to give you some of our Advairent crapolla so you can achieve marginal results while at the same time opening the door to other medical complications!’

Those ads ran in just the last fifteen minutes of programming! (If you’re no totally suicidal by the end of an hour, please let me know). I want to take whatever drug it is you’re on. Please, let’s get these drug as off the TV and let your doctor figure out the proper medications.

Cmdr. Amy Derrick-Frost of the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet stated that this second force was going to support the American military operations in Afghanistan and anti-piracy efforts off Somalia’s coast and in the Gulf of Aden. OK…sure.

Interestingly, this also puts major naval powers into a much better strategic position should anything untoward happen in North or South Korea. North Korea has now moved all three stages of a long-range rocket into position for a controversial launch, vowing to push ahead with their plan in defiance of international warnings against violating a ban on missile activity. In addition, rumors are surfacing that a new underground tunnel is in the works in preparation for yet another nuclear test.  This only reinforces speculation that the North may be attempting to master the technology needed to mount a warhead on a long range missile.

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a most engaging summer.

“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”

—————————————

Easter comes each year and people of Christian faith, flock to churches all over the world in memory of Jesus Christ.  The ‘Son of Man’ who, despite welding powers beyond belief, allowed himself to suffer a most tortuous death at the hands of non-believers. So reads the beginning of Matthew 27:27-28:8.

That’s a story found in the Bible; a story I believe fully in my heart of hearts. A story of a Man and of a Bridge that He offered. A Man who was part us and yet part God; a Man who lay before humankind a way to we might realize an existence far beyond that which is the drudgery and pain this short life on earth.

Who among us, rich or poor or in health or sickness has not seen an end to this time on this earth? The highest of the high and the lowest of the low shall all come to a time of passing where all that was done before means little to nothing in that penultimate moment when death comes to claims us forever.

It is with some regret and apology that I do not share the comfort found in a church. I would prefer, on this day, to go out and seek the solitude of nature and to watch the sky and sun and to think. I wear my ‘own clothes’ and reinforce in my ‘own heart’ my commitment to God and to my fellow man. I seek not a way to raise myself above others. Rather, I seek to be a servant to those who suffer and hurt. In this regard, I fail almost daily. I strive to absolve myself each day of the selfish desires of self fulfillment and vanity as I know they are shallow and without worth. I fail daily in this also.  I take small baby steps. One step forward and then, sometimes, a bunch backward.  Each day I arise to the challenge of self fulfillment, balanced against the suffering of so many around me. Each day I realize and feel the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. I say this prayer daily…

Lord. Please hear me. I’m a poor man who is frightened and alone.

I pray that you give me bread that I might survive even one more day,

and that you give me the courage to overcome the doubts and fears inherent inside.

Lord please help and nurture those who are blind, to see  a way to do your work.

Lord, please help and bless the poorest and the sickest that they might not suffer.

And God, please help me to be to make You proud. For I was made in your image.

So it is that, at the falling of each night, I pray to have spread some happiness and light.

In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.