Lexidiem: Word of the Day

To me — absurdity is the only reality.
~ Frank Zappa

The legendary Frank Zappa (1940–1993) was a prolific American composer, musician, record producer, and film director. In a career spanning more than thirty years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, electronic, orchestral, and musique concrete works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed album covers. Zappa produced almost all of the more than sixty albums he released with the band Mothers of Invention and as a solo artist. 
  
But he was also a philosopher, and is today perhaps one of the most widely quoted musicians of the 20th century. He was also a keen observer of the absurd in much of what he saw in the world, and wasn't afraid to speak what was on his mind. Here are some of his best thoughts and reflections: 

On Parenting:

• The first thing you have to do if you want to raise nice kids, is you have to talk to them like they are people instead of talking to them like they're property.
  ~ Appearance on the Howard Stern Show (1987)
    
• Parents have more to do with making their children weird than TV or rock and roll records. The only other thing that makes them weirder than TV and parents is religion and drugs.
  ~ Zappa & Occhiogrosso: The Real Frank Zappa Book (1989)
     
• The more boring a child is, the more the parents, when showing off the child, receive adulation for being good parents — because they have a tame child-creature in their house.
  ~ Interview with Ben Watson, Mojo Magazine ( 1993)

On Politics:

• When God created Republicans, he gave up on everything else.
  ~ Appearance on Thicke of the Night (1984)
    
• I have four children, and I want them to grow up in a country that has a working first amendment.
  ~ Appearance on CBS Morning News (1985)
    
• The biggest threat to America today is not communism. It's moving America toward a fascist theocracy, and everything that's happened during the Reagan administration is steering us right down that pipe ... When you have a government that prefers a certain moral code derived from a certain religion and that moral code turns into legislation to suit one certain religious point of view, and if that code happens to be very, very right wing, almost toward Attila the Hun...
  ~ Appearance on Crossfire (1986)  

On Scientology:

• Scientology, how about that? You hold on to the tin cans and then this guy asks you a bunch of questions, and if you pay enough money you get to join the master race. How's that for a religion? 
  ~ To a concert audience at the Rockpile, Toronto (1969)

On Rock Journalism:

• Being interviewed is one of the most abnormal things that you can do to somebody else. It's two steps removed from the inquisition.
  ~ Interview on the UK's Channel 4 (6/1/1983)
        
• The rock and roll business is pretty absurd, but the world of serious music is much worse.
  ~ Interview on London Plus (1984)
    
• 
    
• Rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, in order to provide articles for people who can't read.
  ~ Interview with Ben Watson, Mojo Magazine (1993)

On Music: 

• I'll tell you what classical music is — for those of you who don't know. Classical music is this music that was written by a bunch of dead people a long time ago. And it's formula music, the same as top forty music is formula music. In order to have a piece be classical, it has to conform to academic standards that were the current norms of that day and age... I think that people are entitled to be amused, and entertained. If they see deviations from this classical norm, it's probably good for their mental health.
  ~ Television interview (1983)
    
• I'm probably more famous for sitting on the toilet than for anything else that I do.
  ~ Interview on Nationwide (1983)
     
• A composer is a guy who goes around forcing his will on unsuspecting air molecules, often with the assistance of unsuspecting musicians.
  ~ Zappa & Occhiogrosso: The Real Frank Zappa Book (1989)

On Life:

• Remember there's a big difference between kneeling down and bending over.
  ~ Lyrics to the song Dumb All Over on the album You Are What You Is. (1981)
     
• The most important thing to do in your life, is to not interfere with somebody else's life.
  ~ Appearance on the Howard Stern Show (1987) 
    
• Take the Kama Sutra. How many people died from the Kama Sutra as opposed to the bible. Who wins? 
  ~ A&E Biography
    
• It isn't necessary to imagine the world ending in fire or ice – there are two other possibilities: one is paperwork, and the other is nostalgia.
  ~ Zappa & Occhiogrosso: The Real Frank Zappa Book (1989)

On Stupidity:

• Let's not be too rough on our own ignorance, it's what makes America great! 
  ~ Appearance on The Tonight Show (1988)
    
• Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe.
  ~ Zappa & Occhiogrosso: The Real Frank Zappa Book (1989)

On Music Censorship:

For years Frank Zappa was clearly worried about open musical exploration, artistic integrity, and free speech. He released his ambitious ''Joe's Garage'' in 1979, which questioned what would happen if music were illegal. Six years later, the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) recommended voluntary album labeling. Joined by John Denver, and Twisted Sister's Dee Snider, Zappa went before the U.S. Congress and accused a Senate committee of fostering censorship. The PMRC had been co-founded by Tipper Gore, wife of Sen. Al Gore. Mrs. Gore's group had compiled a list of what they determined to be the worst offenders in music, dubbing them the "Filthy Fifteen."
  
It was Prince's "Darling Nikki" that set Tipper off on her crusade when she bought the artist's 'Purple Rain' album for her 11-year-old daughter and discovered (much to her horror) that the lyrics were about a teenaged girl masturbating. Zappa became Tipper's most open critic, calling her a "cultural terrorist" and branded the PMRC ''a group of bored Washington housewives'' who wanted to ''housebreak all composers and performers because of the lyrics of a few.'' 

At the hearing, he said, "the PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to children, infringes on the civil liberties of people who are not children, and promises to keep the courts busy for years." He later celebrated the event in ''Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention,'' which included 12-minutes of audio excerpts from the hearing.

**********

In the years that followed, Zappa continued to explore various levels of musical expression. In 1982, he released "Valley Girl" on his own Barking Pumpkins label as a satire of California's shopping mall culture, which he correectly saw becoming a trend that he felt would follow for years... as it did. The recording reached #32 in the Billboard Hot 100, and featured his then 14-year-old daughter, Moon Unit.

Frank Zappa died as a result of prostate cancer on December 4th, 1993, a few days short of his 53rd birthday. He was probably the most changeable and audacious American composer of his generation. He was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1994, and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, the first (and to date only) artist to be inducted into both.
 
 

Far from ordinary or commonplace...
  
First became aware of Company of Thieves when they made their television debut on Carson Daly's show earlier this year, when they performed "Oscar Wilde", and I was immediately fascinated by the explosive performance by singer Genevieve Schatz. Then saw them Philadelphia's NBC affiliate, where they performed "Pressure" which was a bit more toned down, but still made this viewer take notice of the upbeat sound of this group. 
  
Ordinary Riches is the debut album from  Company of Thieves, an indie rock trio based in Chicago. Genevieve Schatz does the vocals, backed up by guitarist Marc Walloch and drummer Mike Ortiz. The most noticeable quality of this album is that it doesn't sound like a debut offering. There's not a track where the trio doesn't sound like they're quite polished, and really have their act together. After listening to the album it's quite apparent that Company of Thieves is not the stereotypical "girl singer with a backing band" type of group. The songs were all composed by Genevieve Schatz and Mark Walloch, and it's good to hear such good, originally material being performed so well. 
  
They won the New York Songwriter's Circle contest in 2007 for "Oscar Wilde," and it will probably be known as their signature song for some time to come. The album was initially released almost two years ago, and it's getting quite a bit of attention since it's been re-released on the Wind-Up Records label. 
  
Genevieve's voice is outstanding, and she has a wide variety of vocal styles that seem to express many different emotions. She always sounds pitch perfect and she sings full out. Her expressions range from buoyant confidence to almost haunting. For this listener, she seemed to be able to express the same upbeat optimism as found in Regina Spektor's Begin To Hope album, especially as heard in Regina's "Better" track. Yet there's also a small bit of Fiona Apple's occasional anxiety, perhaps even a bit of true angst, as found on the latter's Extraordinary Machine. Listen to Genevieve's voice and lyrics in "Pressure" and see what I mean. I've posted their new song "Oscar Wilde" here in my videos. 
  
There's not a bad or even mediocre song to be found on this offering from the group. The beginning track is "Old Letters" and the final is "New Letters." Between these two are a series of excellent songs that seem to make up the contents of a most interesting vocal book. All three musicians perform as a cohesive, polished unit, perhaps due to the excellent production, engineering and mixing by Sean O'Keefe. 
  

  
I have the CD version of this album, and the liner as not only all of the lyrics, but some interesting photographs that are credited to Wallo Villacorta, with the band photographs done by Ray Lego. 
  
The liner closes with the following quote: 

Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you. 
~ Oscar Wilde 

That sounds quite appropriate for this excellent debut re-release on the Wind-up Records label, and this listener must admit to be quite taken by Genevieve Schatz's amazing voice. I'll be following Company of Thieves to see what they come up with next. The group is currently on tour, so look out for them.
  
Technorati tags: company of thieves, ordinary riches, oscar wilde, genevieve schatz, indie, lexidiem, jargontalk, buzznet 
  
 

History of the US Marines

On November 10th, 1775, the US Marine Corps was founded by the Continental Congress at Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Since that date Marines have been in uninterrupted service to our country for 233 years and have distinguished themselves "in every clime and place" in such far off lands and on distant remote beaches "from the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli", in France at Belleau Wood, on the infamous Iwo Jima and throughout the Pacific islands, at Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, at Khe Sanh and Hue City in Vietnam, and now throughout Iraq in such outposts as Fallujah and the Anbar Province, and in Afghanistan.

Marines historically have heroically, without hesitation, answered our country's call never faltering in their dedication. "Semper Fidelis" ("Always Faithful") is our motto and "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" our creed.

On this special day, I raise a toast to those Marines, past and present, who have risked their lives for their country and I will especially never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice; their memory bolsters my faith in our youth, our steadfast values, and our blessed nation.


Famous Marines you may know...
 
Many famous Americans, such as the composer John Philip Sousa who directed the United States Marine Band for 13 years, have served in the Marine Corps. Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino's Pizza, is a Marine. In politics, Democrat pundit James Carville, Secretary of the Navy and U.S. Senator Jim Webb, Senator Zell Miller and military analysts Anthony Zinni, Joseph Hoar and Bernard E. Trainor are Marines. 
 
Donald P. Bellisario the creator of Quantum Leap, Magnum P.I., JAG and N.C.I.S. is a veteran Marine. Baseball Hall of Fame members Tom Seaver, Ted Williams, Rod Carew, Roberto Clemente, Eddie Collins, and Bill Veeck all served in the Marines. Professional boxer Barney Ross served in the Marines, and so did former heavyweight champions Gene Tunney, Ken Norton & Leon Spinks. Football coach Vince Dooley served as well. 
 
Six astronauts, including Senator John Glenn, Charles F. Bolden, Jr., "Story" Musgrave, and Fred Haise, are Marine aviators. Several have succeeded in the entertainment industry, including Drew Carey, actors Steve McQueen, Tyrone Power, Don Adams, Gene Hackman, Harvey Keitel, Lee Marvin and talk show host Steve Wilkos.

Reggae musician Orville Burrell (Shaggy), former Ramones member Christopher Joseph Ward (C. J. Ramone), and classic rock singers the Everly Brothers all served in the Corps. 

R. Lee Ermey and (surprisingly to some) comedian Jonathan Winters were both Marine drill instructors prior to their renown. Oliver North is a veteran Marine, implicated in covert military actions not specifically authorized by Congress. Smedley Butler received two Medal of Honor awards and spoke out against war profiteers once he retired in War is a Racket. And these are just a few of a much larger list.


Once a Marine, Always a Marine...

The philosophy of "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" has led to the objection to the use of the term "former Marine" or "ex-Marine," leading to a myriad of forms of address for those no longer on active duty:

• Veteran Marine can refer to anyone who has been discharged from the Corps.
• Prior-service Marine is also appropriate.
• Retired Marine refers to those who have completed twenty or more years of service and formally retired.
• Sir or Ma'am is appropriate out of respect.
• Jarhead is only appropriate between Marines as a term of comradeship.

According to one of the "Commandant's White letters" from Commandant Alfred M. Gray, Jr., referring to a Marine by their last earned rank is appropriate.


Birthday Celebration
 
Traditionally, the first piece of Birthday cake is presented to the oldest Marine present and the second piece to the youngest Marine present. When and where this tradition began remains unknown. Some records indicate this practice, and others vary it depending on the dignitaries present at the ball. First pieces of cake have been presented to newlyweds, the Secretary of the Navy, governors, and others, but generally speaking, the first pieces of cake go to the oldest and youngest Marines at the ball.
  
At present, celebrations of the Marine Corps Birthday differ at posts and stations throughout the Corps. All commemorations include the reading of Marine Corps Order No. 47, and the Commandant's message to those assembled. Most commands sponsor a Birthday Ball of some sort, complete with pageant and cake ceremony as prescribed in the Marine Corps Manual.
 
Like the Corps itself, the Birthday Ball developed from simple origins to become the polished, professional function that all Marines commemorate on 10 November around the world.
  
Happy Birthday, Marines... Semper Fi. 
 

I saw a candle of hope lit in Chicago tonight, and heard the words flow forth:
 
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
 
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
 
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
 
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
 
It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
 
I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nations promise in the months ahead.
 
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nations next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
 
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
 
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.
 
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
 
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generations apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
 
I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctors bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
 
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.
 
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who wont agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government cant solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
 
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
 
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
 
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, We are not enemies, but friends, and though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
 
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if Americas beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
 
For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
 
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
 
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
 
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we cant, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can.
 
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes, we can.
 
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes, we can.
 
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes, we can.
 
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes, we can.
 
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes, we can.
 
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
 
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
 
Yes, we can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
~ President-elect Barack Obama, in Chicago, November 4th, 2008
 

(Photo courtesy of Obama for America)
 
Barack Obama's discourse has to be one of the best speeches I've ever witnessed. I parallel his words with those of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King's that were delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28th, 1963. Dr. King's words were a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement, and President-elect Obama's words may well define a new beginning for our great country.
 
"Yes, we can!" And yes, we will.

You've probably seen those signs for a "free stress tests" or "free personality test" on the street or in a shopping mall somewhere, and maybe you were even tempted to take one of them. For those who are unfamiliar with them, the Church of Scientology gives people free 'e-meter' tests to show that their personalities are ' broken' and can only be fixed by the Church. 

The Norwegian press, including the tabloid Verdens Gang, has reported that Kaja Bordevich Ballo, daughter of Norwegian Parliament member Olav Gunnar Ballo, reportedly took her own life (English translation here) after scoring poorly on a Scientology personality test. There is some uncertainty as to the validity of the report, but the results of the test were time-stamped just hours before Kaja’s death. The family blames the Church of Scientology (Co$) for her death. They waited two weeks and decided to go public with the story, after the test results and a suicide note were discovered.

The personality test, also called the Oxford Capacity Analysis (OCA), or American Personality Analysis, is offered free by the Co$ and comprises an integral part of their recruitment efforts. The test however, has been extensively criticized as it almost exclusively yields negative results. 

Kaja Ballo was a 20-year-old student at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis located in Nice, France, and according to family and friends she was in good humor, had many friends and was enjoying her French studies. But on March 28, 2008, she was invited into a storefront Scientology center near the student housing complex where she lived, where she took the Scientology personality test. 

A few hours later she reportedly killed herself by jumping from the window of her dormitory. 

Her friends and roommates claim she was in good spirits and showed no signs of a mental break down or depression prior to taking the test. The test was stamped and dated by the Church just hours prior to her suicide, and said that she was "unbalanced, withdrawn and destabilized."

A fellow student claimed on national television that she "changed" after the meeting and the receipt of results of a controversial personality test she was given by the Scientologists. 

"I believe Kaja would have been alive today if she had not gone to the Scientologists," says friend and fellow student Henrik Møinichen, 19, to Dagbladet.

"The information about the Scientology test has been made public through the priest's speech at the memorial service. I can confirm that. Due to the recency of her death, I don't wish to elaborate on or comment on other matters now," said Olav Ballo in a statement to the press.

The Church, which is located only meters from Kaja's dormitory, states that their test results had shown Ballo was "depressed, irresponsible, hyper-critical and lacking in harmony." They also state that it is "unfair to blame Scientology" for Ballo's death and that the test had nothing to do with it. Kaja left behind a note telling her family she was sorry for not "being good for anything."

The incident has generated criticism against the Co$ from friends, family members and politicians. Inga Marte Thorkildsen, one of the members of Norway's Parliament, told the Oslo newspaper Dagbladet that "All indications are that the Scientologist sect has played a direct role in Kaja's choice to take her own life."

Her uncle, Heljar Ballo, said, "We can only relate the facts, that she was doing well in France, was happy and had many good friends, and that she took this test." He confirmed that his niece had suffered a serious eating disorder when she was thirteen years old, and had received both professional help and help from family and friends.

Matthias Fosse, information chief for the Co$ in Norway, rejected any links connection between Scientology and Ballo's suicide, and denied that the personality test was "dangerous", saying "millions" of people have taken it. He claimed no one lured Ballo into taking the test, and that he was told she'd walked on her own into the Scientologists' locale in Nice. He also pointed to Ballo's earlier eating disorder and suggested that she had a history of psychiatric problems.

This is amazing in concept to this writer, since the Church of Scientology has been publicly, and often vehemently, opposed to both psychiatry and psychology since the foundation of Scientology in 1952. It offers itself as an alternative to psychiatry, which Scientologists believe to be a barbaric and corrupt profession.

Kaja's uncle claimed she had fully recovered from problems that she had as a young teen seven years ago. Her father (below) blasted Co$ information chief Fosse's remarks, telling newspaper VG that the Scientologists were tarnishing his daughter's memory and showing utter disregard for her private medical history.

Psychologist Rudy Myrvang said a test like the one administered by the Scientologists is not constructive, and rather aimed "at breaking you down, and then they'll offer to build you up again." It's a recruitment tool, he said, and a means of generating future income for the church.

A Co$ critic, Andreas Heldal-Lund agreed, claiming the Scientologists viewed people like Kaja as "'raw meat from the street.' You're told you're worth nothing."

The Co$ has removed the OCA test from it's website at www.scientology.org/ocanor.htm although main site is functioning normally. 

Heljar Ballo said his family had opted to go public with Kaja's suicide in an effort to shed light on what happened. He said the family "had confidence" in the French police, and their investigation. Kaja's father, the Norwegian MP, has also hired a lawyer to pursue the matter.

Kaja was buried at Grefsen Church in Oslo on Friday, April 11th. A large group of nearly 500 friends followed her to the grave. Many were also in support during a memorial held in the Stortinget (Norway's Parliament) the same afternoon.

French police have asked Scientologists in Nice in for questioning.

How many more times are we going to see needless deaths that seem to be related to this cult? Remember Shawn Lonsdale, whose one-man crusade against Scientology made him an enemy of the church, and was found dead at his home an apparent suicide just a couple of months ago? Have we forgotten another vibrant young woman by the name of Lisa McPherson?

Sources:

• Police probe suicide linked to Scientologists. Aftenposten April 15th (English)
• Family blames Scientology for daughter's death. Wikinews April 15th
• SV-toppen Olav Gunnar Ballos datter Kaja ble bare 20 år. Dagbladet April 15th (Norwegian)
• Tok sitt liv etter test hos scientologer. Verdens Gang April 15th (Norwegian)
• Scientology blamed in high-profile suicide. United Press International, April 16th
• L'Eglise de la scientologie... suicide de Kaja Gunnar Ballo. Bakchich April 16th (French)
• Lærere bør advare elevene mot Scientologikirken. NRK Nyheter April 17th (Norwegian)
• Innkalt til politi-avhør. Verdens Gang April 17th (Norwegian)
• Kaja, 20 ans, se suicide à Nice... scientologie. April 17th (French, English translation)

Anonymous never forgives
Anonymous never forgets
 

Here on the very day of the global Operation Reconnection protests by Anonymous comes the following news report, verified by a number of sources as noted below:

According to reports, authorities in Belgium have seized documents, financial records and computer equipment from the local branch of the Church of Scientology and then sealed off the building.

The reports state that the Church in Belgium is being investigated for extortion and fraud for allegedly posting false job openings in newspapers and then attempting to get those who applied to join the Church. Several ex-members of the Church have also reportedly approached authorities with accusations of intimidation and extortion.

Police in Belgium have been investigating the Church for nearly ten years which resulted in the raid on Thursday.

In a statement to the press, the Church says that the police "violated their fundamental rights" as a religious organization and accused the police of "malicious justice operations." The Church plans to contest any charges filed against it. They also state that the postings were requests for volunteers and not employees.

So far no arrests have been made, but some employees of the Church were detained and questioned by police.

The building is reported to remain closed as of this publication.

Domestic Sources:

• Wikinews: Authorities in Belgium Raid Church of Scientology
• Enturbulation Forums: Breaking News Belgium Raids Church of Scientology
• Mens News Daily: Authorities in Belgium Raid Church of Scientology
• KCAL-TV: Belgium - Scientology Charged with Fraud & Extortion (YouTube video)

International Sources:

• Mister Info (HK): Authorities in Belgium Raid Church of Scientology
• Perquisition au siege de l'Eglise de scientologie en Belgique - Le Monde, (French)
• Huiszoeking op hoofdzetel van Scientology Kerk - De Standaard, (Dutch)
• Onderzoek tegen Scientology - Vlaamse Televisie Maatschappij, (Dutch)

More info and updates as they become available.
 

Google and Virgin announce Mars expedition and colony

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and LONDON, England (April 1st, 2008) – Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Virgin Group today announced the launch of Virgle Inc., a jointly owned and operated venture dedicated to the establishment of a human settlement on Mars.

"Some people are calling Virgle an 'interplanetary Noah's Ark,'" said Virgin Group President and Founder Sir Richard Branson, who conceived the new venture. "I'm one of them. It's a potentially remarkable business, but more than that, it's a glorious adventure. For me, Virgle evokes the spirit of explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo, who set sail looking for the New World. I do hope we'll be a bit more efficient about actually finding it, though." 

The Virgle 100 Year Plan's milestones will include Virgle Pioneer selection (2008-2010), the first manned journey to Mars (2016), a Virgle Inc. initial public offering to capitalize on the first manned journey to Mars (2016), the founding of the first permanent Martian municipality, Virgle City (2050), and the achievement of a truly self-sustaining Martian civilization with a population exceeding 100,000 (2108).

“Virgle is the ultimate application of a principle we’ve always believed at Google: that you can do well by doing good,” said Google co-founder Larry Page, who plans to share leadership of the new Martian civilization with Branson and Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

"We feel that ensuring the survival of the human race by helping it colonize a new planet is both a moral good in and of itself and also the most likely method of ensuring the survival of our best – okay, fine, only -- base of web search volume and advertising inventory,” Page added. “So, you know, it's, like, win-win."

The original contingent of Virgle Pioneers will be selected by numerous criteria, including an online questionnaire, video submission, personal accomplishments, expertise in scientific, artistic, sociological and/or political fields of endeavor, and inadequate Google and Virgin personal performance reviews.

About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top Web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall Web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

About the Virgin Group
Virgin, a leading branded venture capital organisation, is one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow very successful businesses in sectors ranging from mobile telephony to transportation, travel, financial services, leisure, music, holidays, publishing and retailing. Virgin has created more than 200 branded companies worldwide, employing approximately 50,000 people, in 29 countries. Revenues around the world in 2007 exceeded £11.5 billion (approx. US$23 billion). For more information, visit www.virgin.com.

Virgle Home Page

Media Contacts:

Andrew Pederson
Google
650-450-9456
a.pederson@google.com

Virgin Group
Christine Choi
mail.virginusa.com

Source: Google Press Center 
 

Join us for Operation Party Hard! 

This is the latest info from Enturbulation.org, and all links should be accurate as of March 14th. They have been getting a lot of traffic from people looking to attend the protest in their area, but digging through the forum to find information on where to go can be difficult if you aren't used to navigating forums. 

Below you'll find the location of the March 15th events listed according to global region, and each link for more detailed info (maps, meeting places, etc.) will open in a new window. 

Regions

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Japan
• Switzerland
• Sweden
• Finland
• Austria
• Netherlands
• Ireland
• Puerto Rico
• Norway
• Brazil

Wanted to include all of the links for each country here, but when you see all of the links, you'll see why it was rejected here. If you're a member of the private We Are Anonymous group, you'll find the entire up to date list posted in the forum under Global List - where we'll be on March 15th!

Things to Remember

On February 10th, over 7,600 people attended peaceful pickets in front of 108 Church of Scientology locations across 17 countries. This was the largest organized picket against this cult ever!

Nobody was arrested... except two Scientologists.

With that in mind, thought this would be a good opportunity to share some suggestions: 

• Follow your local laws and the directions of any law enforcement officers you may encounter. They have turned out to be allies in most cases. And follow any local ordinances about masks.
   
• Make your signs legible from a distance... and double-sided is great. Use big fonts, preferably in one color. Keep the message direct & short. Avoid using any slang terminology. You're attempting to get a message across to the general public about a dangerous cult, not indulging your own ego.
    
• You're representing a cause, not an image board. If you do attend a picket thinking otherwise, you may need to think about your motives. 
    
• Remain Anonymous - think about that word & what it means. If you're at a picket in a city where wearing a mask/covering your identity is illegal, putting yourself into full view of someone's video camera and saying "I'm anonymous!" is rather counter productive. Don't do this.
    
• Learn why you are there!  Gain some knowledge about why you're attending the picket. Sprouting off "Xenu!" or "lulz" at random people is going to make you come across as a real nutter. The public will be curious, so know how to engage them & do so in an articulate manner.
   
• Do not fraternize with the enemy. Don't not accept food, beverages, bathroom breaks, whatever. Simply put, it gives them a huge PR boost.
   
• Have fun out there, but remember our cause. Before you do something, ask yourself "if they get this on tape, how can the Scienos spin this to their favor"... because they will certainly be asking themselves that question while working a video editor later. 
   
•  You can either get the cheap laughs now or get the epic win and ultimate laugh when the cult actually falls. Its simple math... so decide now!
   

So join us on March 15th, and follow your local laws!

We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
We will be heard.
Expect us.

And beware the Ides of March!
 

Speaking for Anonymous, this primary, fundamental question is the one we receive the most, as all our efforts are meaningless without proper fundament. We’ll attempt to answer it here, as simply and concisely as possible.
 
We are not against Scientology.

Scientology, like all religions, is a belief system, a way of perceiving and decoding the world around us. We believe in the basic, inalienable right to a personal religious creed. A man, or woman, can believe whatever he or she chooses to believe; it is their prerogative, and they should never be attacked, persecuted or discriminated for it.
 
Likewise, it is also their right to associate with others who share the same beliefs, so that they may express their devotion in whatever way they see fit. We would never consider acting against such an activity; doing so would be intolerant, shortsighted and immoral. Any considerably sized group of people gathering with a purpose needs some sort of organization in order to achieve its goals. This is just common sense; we would never oppose this.
 
However, one must always make the distinction between the belief system and the human, fallible institution built around it; specially when those institutions generate a power structure that acts both inwards into the community and outwards toward society.
 
These human constructs can be criticized. This does not mean the belief system is being attacked or ridiculed. The observation of the religious institution differs in no way to the observation of any other social institution. We have observed the institution at length. We have formed an opinion about it and decided to take a course of action. This does not mean we are against Scientology.
 
We are against the Church of Scientology.

The CoS (Church of Scientology) is harmful to society, and to its own members. Its institutional purpose is, as stated by its founder, its own prevalence and expansion, mainly in an economic way. It considers the religion, the belief, the faith to be not an end, as it should, but a means, a mere tool. Indeed, it is degrading towards its own religious base and all those who believe in it. 
 
This humiliating manipulation alone is enough to consider it insulting at best, malign at worst. But its crimes do not stop there. It has attacked freedom of expression routinely; it has attacked freedom of religion by going against those who follow the faith but not the institution; it has attacked freedom of movement, of association, of thought.
 
Furthermore, it has attacked the right to life, the right to the pursuit of happiness, and all other fundamental human rights.

You will find ample proof of these facts in this journal & the many others we link to.

The Church of Scientology has a psychopathic disregard for the life and well-being of others. Under this light it becomes clear that not opposing it would not be simply cowardly or uncompromised. It would be immoral.
 
Do the right thing, for you are not attacking anyone’s beliefs; you are defending everyone’s rights. 
  

How Scientology Differs From Other Religions 

Scientology treats it’s doctrine as a corporate asset, rather than as the property of a community 

Faith and spirituality are open-source. The core doctrines of any respectable faith can be acquired from the community of practice at either no charge, or at very near the cost of publication. While supplemental literature and the like is often sold by members of that community in a profitable fashion, the core doctrines and texts are made as available as possible. Scientology does not treat its core doctrines in such a fashion; it sues and issues take-down notices to those that openly share it’s central belief system. 

Scientology actively conceals doctrine and beliefs 

Many of the core beliefs of Scientology are not available until after progressing within the organization, investing capital, and otherwise changing one’s life. Which places an unfair and unwarranted pressure on the membership - those who do not choose to believe the doctrine after it is revealed will unravel the life that they have invested in the organization. This is not true of healthy communities of faith; while you may not know everything “going in”, the concealment is not active; if you ask, you will be told. 

Scientology isolates members 

Scientologists are isolated from society regarding open access to information (they are not to read some books and websites; a net-nanny is often used to further this isolation), linguistically (Scientology is loaded with words altered from common use, making communication difficult), socially (through ‘disconnection’, the practice of breaking relations with anyone in their lives that criticizes Scientology itself), and sometimes physically (through varied means including closed camps and the “Sea Org”).

For example, see this video where Jenna Miscavige, the niece of Scientology leader David Miscavige, speaks out about isolation and disconnection. 

Scientology indoctrinates members 

At each and every level of Scientology, a member is promised specific benefits. In order to obtain those benefits, however, the member must take part in regular activities, express themselves in specific ways, and must be able to pass what amounts to a cheap lie detector test while showing that they are doing so. There’s no option to stand up during the hymns and mumble “rhubarb, rhubarb” in order to fit in; if you can’t twist your mind into imagining ridiculous and contradictory situations (breaking down your viewpoint of what is and is not real), without showing tension on the E-meter (below), you cannot progress. 

Scientology exploits the faith of members for profit  

Above and beyond charging for knowledge of doctrine, Scientology also charges ridiculously high prices for simple electronics (the E-meter, below), offers actual commissions for introducing new converts (leading to many cries of “pyramid scheme!”), and charges internally for the basic and most common practice of the faith - the action of auditing.
  


These charges are not negotiable; they are “fixed donations” which are required. You try telling a Muslim that he needs a special $500 compass to point the direction he should face for prayer, or proposing to the Catholic church that they should install “holy water dispensers” at the door, at a dollar a shot. See how far you get. Let's put it this way...

• What if the bible cost $300 per verse?
• What if the Torah scrolls were charged by the inch?
• What if the poetry of the Koran was accessible only with a credit card?
• What if meditation was charged by the hour?

Religion is free - Scientology isn't.

Scientology creates a false internal image of charitable action 

Hearing Tom Cruise say that when a Scientologist sees a car accident, “you’re the only one that can really help” is merely the tip of the iceberg. Scientologists are trained to respond to disasters and crises by using them as centers for recruitment. They are further trained to honestly believe that this IS a way of helping, which means that opposition on this point paints the person in opposition as ignorant in the mind of the Scientologist. This differs from other communities of faith significantly - while you might need to listen to a sermon to get your soup at a fundamentalist soup kitchen, at least the soup is real. 

Scientology aggressively suppresses criticism 

Even in the general press, Scientology is described as “Famously litigious”. Anyone that takes the time to look further will discover numerous examples of “fair game”, an express policy of actively seeking to not only silence critics, but ruin their lives. L. Ron Hubbard described legal practices as a useful way of bludgeoning critics into silence. Amending doctrine within Scientology is considered “squirreling” - a major offense. In short, the organization is hostile to criticism of any sort, for any reason at all, to a degree that is not considered acceptable in any other community of faith. For example, see the following:

• A list of scanned Cease-and-Desist letters issued by the Church of Scientology 
• Scientology leader David Miscavige “clearing things up” on Nightline 

Scientology actively and covertly lobbies and pressures for gain 

The CCHR lobbies to disrupt psychological practice on behalf of Scientology; Narconon preaches drug rehabilitation on their behalf, WISE promotes their version of business management. Scientology won a tax-exempt status that is better than that of other faiths by harassing the IRS in court for over ten years. The overall organization of Scientology works under so many names and towards so many purposes, and so many of them plainly for gain, that exposure to it often causes the reaction of “This is too strange. It’s like a B-movie conspiracy brought into reality”. And in many ways, this is one of their significant defenses - it’s just so very mind-boggling, and the reporting so tinfoil-hat sounding, that it seems unbelievable. Yet it remains true.

• YouTube video of David Miscavige, addressing their 2007 summit regarding “efforts to stop psychiatry” 
• A CCHR anti-psychiatry ad, themed around “school shootings” 

Scientology actively promotes incorrect and dangerous medical and psychological practices 

Scientology teaches that by reaching sufficient levels within their practice, and by “making your own reality”, a member can overcome illness by will alone. It teaches that mental instabilities caused by chemical imbalance, and illness, should generally be treated with vitamins and auditing rather than medication - including, in several cases, schizophrenia and cancer. People die as a result of following these teachings - and, as icing on the cake, remember that last point; Scientology lobbies to ruin the reputations and practices of those that would prescribe such medications and offer clinically tested and peer-reviewed treatments. 
 

Scientology commonly abuses the private and personal trust of members  

The practice of “auditing” can be likened to the confessional or the psychiatric couch in so far as it is a place where members share personal experiences, often intensely private and painful ones, in order to alleviate problems (granted, methodology of “how the relief comes” are radically different). However, unlike psychiatry and the confessional, the controls on this information are neither strict nor scrupulous. For a priest to break the seal of the confessional is a shocking and horrible thing from a Catholic viewpoint. For a psychiatrist to blather about patients by name is worthy of a lawsuit. No such controls exist on the Scientology practice; “peeking” at the file of someone below you is fairly common. 

• Video clip of news article, with interview. 

Note: this journal has been created in order to assist people with information concerning the organized protests against Scientology that are going on around the world. It will hopefully provide concise and unbiased reporting and documenting of the protests, as well as providing details on how others can contribute if they choose to do so. 

Anonymous...
 
Anonymous is not a ‘group’ in the traditional sense. There are no leaders, there is nobody who represents us – Anonymous is a collection of individuals, all thinking and operating according to their own moral compasses, who have decided to work together for a common good. The name itself has a rather more important meaning in this case, though, as the vast majority of us must remain ‘anon’ while protesting to prevent Scientologists identifying and harassing us. 

Just google ‘Fair Game Policy’ for details of exactly why this is so important. 
 
Anonymous is not the rag-tag mob of Internet nerds and bored students that the Church of Scientology (CoS) might have you believe it is. It is made up of people from all over the world and from all walks of life: teenagers, parents, teachers, doctors, the old and the young. This is the beauty of Anonymous – your best friend could be one of us and you’d probably never know. Yes, many are what the media terms ‘young’, but that is only to be expected as it was discussion on the Internet that has allowed this protest to gain so much support. We hope that this particular protest will bring the Church’s actions further into the public eye and, in doing so, allow more people who are not as active on the Internet to become involved.
 
We are also supported by a great many ex-Scientologists, many of whom have only built up the courage to speak out against their former Church as a result of the efforts of Anonymous. Others, however, have been campaigning against the CoS for years and it is thanks to their bravery and hard work that we have the facts and know-how to have achieved what we have so far.

Anonymous is compromised of people from all walks of life, all faiths, all occupations, ages and sexual orientation from all corners of the globe. It has no leadership or structure and no authority. It is a movement self directed by each member’s own moral compass, and every individual walks in the same direction because that compass points to what is universally and inalienably considered to be right. 
 
Anonymous is not now, nor will it ever be, opposed to any true religion, belief system, government, law, or public institution. Anonymous is singularly the uniting of countless people with one common goal: The exposure of the Church of Scientology – a known dangerous and criminal cult that not only masquerades as a religion but also lies to, profits from and actively controls every aspect of its members lives, while seeking to viciously destroy anyone who questions it by suing, lying about, intimidating and attacking them at every available opportunity – in the interests of the greater public good. 

Are you Anonymous too?

We are Anonymous. 
We are Legion. 
We do not forgive. 
We do not forget. 
We will be heard. 
Expect us. 
  

• Anonymous is just a label.
  Some websites and bulletin boards do not require individual registration to view or post. Those who elect not to identify themselves on these sites are given the pseudonym of Anonymous. 
    
• Anonymous believes in freedom of expression.
  When a name is attached to an argument, it is too easy for those who disagree with that argument to attack the speaker rather than the message. By speaking or posting as Anonymous, emphasis is returned to the value of one's words. 
    
• Anonymous is open.
  There are no tests to become Anonymous. There is no official badge, theme song, secret handshake, entry fee or initiation ritual. Anyone can be Anonymous simply by adopting the name for themselves. 
    
• Anonymous is diverse.
  Because the Anonymous label is applied freely, without requirements, anyone can be Anonymous. Anonymous represents all ages, all faiths, all nationalities, all political stances, all levels of computer literacy.
    

What Is Anonymous Not?  

• Anonymous is not an organization.
  There is no centralized hierarchy of power, no chain of command. When Anonymous acts in a consensus, it closely resembles a grassroots political movement, with participants drawn together by the strength of their shared message.
    
• Anonymous is not a hacker group.
  The majority of Anonymous has little or no experience in computer hacking. While some hackers are drawn to Anonymous for obvious reasons, and their actions are sometimes inspired by Anonymous' collective beliefs, each Anonymous is ruled by his or her own morals and conscience and is solely responsible for any illegal activities.
    
• Anonymous is not a bunch of religious bigots.
  With Anonymous' recent stance against the Scientology Organization, some have leveled this charge against Anonymous. As stated earlier, the label of Anonymous transcends barriers of faith and is used by members of all religions. Furthermore, while individual members of Anonymous might disagree with the beliefs of Scientology -- as is their right -- the current protests are not directed against the faith but against the so-called Church of Scientology itself, along with it's corrupt policies. 

Anonymous is not a collective "Internet hate machine", "hackers on steroids" or "domestic terrorists". The goal of Anonymous is to get the attention of the people. Anonymous employs ongoing real-world demonstrations and continues using online video resources to that end. These videos often mention little-known facts, such as Project Snow-white, an attempt by Scientology to infiltrate the government. They bring up events, aspects of Scientology's corrupt system, and individuals whose deaths are blamed on Scientology.

Anonymous is calling on the members of the Church of Scientology to stop intimidating dissenters and to cease charging practitioners of the religion to learn its teachings. Anonymous wants the Church of Scientology’s tax exempt status revoked.

Knowledge is free.

We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not Forgive.
We do not Forget.
Expect us.
We are coming.

Beware the Ides of March...
3.15.2008

Sometimes you come across a journal that just knocks your socks off. 

What I'm referring to was called Heroes, and was posted by IkkyG on February 22nd, yesterday evening. Please, before you go any further, click on the link above to read what she wrote. It will open in a separate window.

First read her words while very bleary-eyed late last night, wanted to comment then, but as I thought about what she had written, the more profound the thoughts she had expressed seemed to become. And the laudatory comment that I was going to leave became too long.

So I'm posting this as a direct and personal response...

Kristyn, you've put into words here what so many have thought, and considered expressing themselves, but for one reason or another have failed to do so. And you did it so beautifully, so eloquently, that it made this reader go back, at least half a dozen times, as if to distill your words.

Have to agree with you that the vapid illusion of becoming e-famous has replaced the concept of striving to emulate meaningful role models for so many. The people that you mentioned: the paper figures created from television and movie roles; the arrogant and self-centered sports personalities; the idolized and offensive people who pass as musicians; the putrid and disgusting so-called scene queens, who delight in offending others with their empty and usually profane vocabulary... each of these and all of them collectively contribute to a social malaise that seems to spread like a cancer throughout our society. 

I wish that I could have disagreed with you on some of them, that I could have found some shred of good to point out, but I couldn't. And I have to agree with you on all counts, and especially so regarding that self-proclaimed Queen of Buzznet and Queen of MySpace, wallowing in his own disgusting rhetoric and dragging so many down to his putrid level with him.

Jeffree Star videos on Buzznet

One of the sites that promotes his tours, music and media says this: 

"What can you say about Jeffree Star that hasn't been scrawled in blood and other assorted bodily fluids in dirty bathrooms all over the southern United States, or said by the whorish super promoter himself, or written in countless internet paparazzi blogs, or dreamt about by millions of teenagers and just as many adult closet mannequins?" 

One can read it in its entirety here, if they like, but it's pretty much as you see above.

Kristyn, you asked: "So what then makes a good human being?", then suggested these splendid attributes:

• Being gracious. 
• Accepting advice and criticism. 
• Supporting friends, family, complete strangers. 
• Doing the right thing by others, not just yourself. 
• Making Sacrifices. 

Read each of them, thinking how magnificent your list was, yet something so simple that each one of us could easily follow, if we each paused for a moment and thought about those words.

You mentioned Australia's High Court Justice Michael Donald Kirby, not as your so-called hero, but as someone whom you admire. Hadn't heard of him of him, admittedly, so I followed your link, and then discovered why you held him in high esteem. But you planted a seed of curiosity within me about this interesting man who is still going quite strong, championing all that you wrote about.

It didn't take long to find out that he had appeared alongside hip-hop impresario Elf Tranzporter at the launch of Melbourne's Victorian Arts Law Week in 2007. And there, wearing not his normally conservative dark suit, he performed a rap of William Butler Yeats' poem He Wishes for the Cloths of Heavens, with Elf Tranzporter providing a "beatboxing" background.

Anyone who can pull this off in his late 60s is indeed a man to admire.

I smiled quite broadly when you wrote that you admire Oscar Wilde's writing skills and Billy Corgan's musical skills, but that you don't want to be like them or idolize them. Yes, they were/are hugely flawed people, as are we all.

Some of your closing remarks hit home so well, especially where you suggested:

• You don't need a hero or an idol to give your life direction or meaning. 
• Be master of your own destiny. 
• Set your own goals and aspirations.
• Aim to be better.

But Kristyn, it was that final one, suggesting that people aim to be better, that made me realize something. For all of the bashing that your generation takes for not having values, for being morally bankrupt, for being clueless as to the world around you, there are some of you willing to step forward and take the reins of leadership into your own hands, and to try and make this world a better place.

And in some ways, it's people like you who may just do a far better job than other generations before yours have done.

Well, will you look here now... 

This is Fredo, and he has a face you might want to remember.
 


He calls himself infamousfredo! He's only been on Buzznet a very short time, yet he's already making a name for himself here. 
 
Actually, is seems to be no surprise that he came to us by way of Tila's Hot Spot, so maybe we should call him THE Infamous Fredo. 

According to Fredo's profile, his credentials say that he's a TilasHotSpot.com Member from The Bronx, NY, and has been a member since 02/18/2008. And he sports one of those fancy new badges. You can see him over here on Tila's Hot Spot, if you like. 

Fredo is trying to impress us, so he's posted a few photos that he want to share with us...


when i used 2 live wit my brother 


used to b a skater lol 

And a few additional one's to show us that he's a pretty normal 17-year-old.

  

Looks like any normal aspiring young man trying to make his mark on Tila's Hot Spot, right? 

But maybe Fredo wants to really impress us... 


Here is one of his profile photos... 

But there is more... lots more. 

Maybe he can't be Big on Buzznet, but it looks like he's trying to be Big on Tila's Hot Spot, as you can see here:

Fredo is a Weenie-Wagger!


WARNING: the unaltered photo may still be online here.


WARNING: the unaltered photo may still be online here.

His caption on the original was: Wow imma big boii =] 

Couldn't resist commenting, and my response was: 
 
Don't you mean, "Wow, I gotta a big boil on this nasty, diseased thing!"

Didn't your momma ever teach you to wash?


By the way, thanks and kudos to John (ounceofwentz) for having the guts to notify me on this one.  

OK, my problem with crap like this here on Buzznet is that we are a community that is made up of wuite a number of members who are under 18 years of age, and it seem that since the Tila's Hot Spot site went online, we've begin to see not only an increase in spam, including messages and links to porn sites, but more and more inappropriate material, such as this displayed by this immature weenie-wagger that you see above.

Ever since the infamous incidents regarding photos of P33T's Peen hit here and the rest of the 'Net in 2006, it seems that many have used this as an excuse to display their nether regions in public with the excuse, "Well he can do it, so why can't I!"

And for those who don't know, weenie-wagger is American slang for (1) a male masturbator and/or (2) a male sexual exhibitionist.

'Nuff said!
 

What has happened to our sense of values? 
 
Was watching the news today and this evening, appalled by what I was seeing again, by history repeating itself.
 
On Thursday, Valentine's Day, Steven Kazmierczak, armed with three handguns and a brand-new pump-action Remington shotgun he had carried onto the Northern Illinois University campus in a guitar case, stepped from behind a screen on the stage of a lecture hall, and opened fire on a geology class. 
 
Kazmierczak killed five students and then himself. 
 
University Police Chief Donald Grady said that the 27-year-old had become erratic in the past two weeks after he had stopped taking his medication. But that seemed to come as news to many of those who knew him, and the attack itself was positively baffling. 
 
Investigators learned that a week ago, on February 9th, Kazmierczak walked into a gun store in Champaign and picked up two guns, the Remington shotgun and a Glock 9mm handgun. He bought the two other handguns at the same shop, a Hi-Point .380 on December 30th and a Sig Sauer on August 6th. 
 
All four guns had been bought legally from a federally licensed firearms dealer. At least one criminal background check had been performed... Kazmierczak had no criminal record. 
 
Most of us have seen this story plastered all over the media, so I'll go no further about it, but it did get me to thinking on multiple tracks; about history repeating itself, about media coverage, about my own beliefs in the Second Amendment (the right to bear arms), and thought about why such things happen. 
 
Had been writing an angry reaction to this entire story when I happened upon LeeV's journal on this topic... and it stimulated another thought, and that had to do with values. This is the reaction as I posted as a comment, with a few additions:

Maybe if we who are parents would put down the remote controls to our television sets for an extra ten minutes a day and discuss values. with our children, it might make a difference.
 
It really wouldn't be that hard to do. Values could come from many different sources... things that shaped our own lives when we were young; spiritual things if a religious family; our success (and failures, being honest); even silly pranks that we may have pulled at a young age (this from J.R., who's reading this with me)... it's your own choice here.
 
Values are not chuckling over the latest episode of Family Guy or The Simpsons, or who was the best talent on American Idol. If one wants to find values to discuss from television, there's always the Discovery Channel, A&E, the History Channel and such.
 
Right now one of our local channels is running the film Hotel Rwanda, the true-life story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda, when almost 1,000,000 Rwandans where massacred in a 100 day period. You can see the trailer here, but it's a pretty brutal subject.


 
My son had seen the previews for this film, we talked about it (I've seen it before), and it was his choice to watch... and yes, we will discuss it later. It's been called an African Schindler's List, another film that he's already seen. And yes, this one will help shape his own values.
 
We agree on many things and differ on others, for he's always been encouraged from a very young age to not follow the crowd, but to shape his own opinions, his own sense of values.
 
Without values, we end up with situations like the tragedy we saw at Virginia Tech and the others that we've been seeing in the news. And values like this have to be taught from home, and not from our school systems.
 
It takes just a few extra minutes each day to do this, that's all.

The news today reported that Steven Kazmierczak's father, Robert Kazmierczak, appeared on the porch of his Lakeland, Florida home and pled for privacy, telling a reporter “Please leave me alone. I have no statement to make.” Reporters had been trying to contact Robert Kazmierczak after it was discovered his son was responsible for the killing of the five students before taking his own life. 
 
The Polk County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department had been requested to notify Robert Kazmierczak that his son had died, and shortly after being notified Kazmierczak found several reporters in his yard. 
 
He made a brief appearance, saying “It's a very hard time. I'm a diabetic.” Kazmierczak requested that the reporters leave, then broke down in tears and went back inside the house. It has been reported that he recently lost his wife as well. It's very hard imagine putting one's self in this grieving father's shoes.
 
From all that we know, all that has been reported, Robert Kazmierczak had instilled a sense of values within his son, so maybe my thoughts above are only a partial solution to this ongoing problem. 
 
Many years ago, as young Marine, I took an oath that I would l support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and have lived by that oath... once a Marine, always a Marine. I was raised with firearms, and learned to shoot at an early age, skills that I proudly carried into my adult life. Was at a certain point fulfilled by my shooting skills as a expert and sharpshooter, both with pistols and rifles. Times change, though, and I gave away my last personal firearm, a 9mm Beretta automatic pistol in the early 1980s as I just hadn't fired it in a number of years, even on a range.
 
But now my own beliefs in our right to bear arms as outlined in the Second Amendment to the Constitution are in grave doubt, and as a result of all of these wanton acts of firearm violence, am now looking more closely at the Brady Campaign to prevent Gun Violence.
 
Sometimes we all have to take stock and re-examine our own values.
 
And now I have a film and its values to discuss with my son...
 
 
Posted earlier on JargonTalk (Beta 2.0) - Values

Happiness
 
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren’t old enough and we’ll be more content when they are. After that, we’re frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation or when we retire.
 
The truth is there’s no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges.
 
It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with… and remember that time waits for no one.
 
So, stop waiting…

... until your car or home is paid off,
... until you get a new car or home,
... until your kids leave the house,
... until you go back to school,
... until you finish school,
... until you lose ten pounds,
... until you gain ten pounds,
... until you get married,
... until you get a divorce,
... until you have kids,
... until you retire,
... until summer,
... until spring,
... until winter,
... until fall,
... until you die.
 
There is no better time than right now to be happy.
 
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

By Crystal Boyd, from Midnight Muse, 2000

Thought for today:

Work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like no one's watching.

Technorati tags: Funksteena, Crystal Boyd, dance, Lexidlem, Jargontalk, happiness, Midnight Muse

» Blogs that link here
» View my profile

 

America's most famous groundhog emerged from his burrow his shadow shortly before 7:30 AM, saw his shadow, and that means that winter will last another six weeks. This occurred before a crowd of more than 30,000 people from as far away as Alaska and Texas, one of the largest crowds in the 122-year history of the event in the central Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney. 


 
According to lore, if the groundhog emerges from his burrow on February 2nd and sees his shadow, he will be frightened back into his hole, signifying another six weeks of winter. If it's a cloudy day, and no shadow, that means that means winter will end early. As luck would have it, the crappy weather of the preceding few days gave way to glorious sunshine.
 
Phil was taken out of a tree stump on a hill called Gobbler's Knob, and delivered his profound thought to William Cooper, President of Punxsutawney's Inner Circle, who organizers say is the only person in the world who can speak Groundhogese (the officiallanguage of the groundhogs). 
 
Cooper read a scroll containing the groundhog's prediction. It said: "As I look around me, a bright sky I see, and a shadow beside me. Six more weeks of winter it will be."
 
According to the tradition that may have links with the European festival of Candlemas, if the groundhog sees his shadow, it will mean six more weeks of winter. If not, there will be an early spring. This tradition may have been brought to the United States by German immigrants

Here are the facts (with maybe a little fiction) regarding Groundhog Day:

• Punxsutawney Phil weighs 20 pounds (9 kg) and is 22 inches long. Although groundhogs live for six to eight years, legend has it that Phil, who is named after King Philip, has been making predictions for over 120 years now, thanks to a magic elixir that he drinks every summer to get seven more years of life.
    
• Groundhog, woodchuck, land beaver, and whistlepig are all names for the same rodent, the Marmota monax. Related to the squirrel, for the most part they eat green plants like dandelion, clover and grasses. They grow to weigh roughly five to nine pounds (2 to 4 kg) in the wild, but can grow much bigger in areas with fewer natural predators. 
    
• Like many similar animals, groundhogs hibernate during the winter. They often emerge from their underground burrows in early February, when Groundhog Day is marked.
    
• The groundhog has not seen his shadow only 14 times since 1887, compared to 96 times when he saw his shadow. There were no records in nine of the early years. 
    
• The buildup of marking this special day formed the basis of the 1993 film Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott.

And don't blame me about the prediction for six more weeks of winter... I'm only the messenger.

More info and photos at the official Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, and don't miss the FAQ about this internationally famous celebration.
 
From a prior posting on the JargonTalk (Beta 2.0) blog.

They've been out there in force this weekend... 
 

 
Took a couple of days off and came back to find that the porn spammers have been on the attack here again... and I'm using the term attack lightly, that's for sure. 
 
First off, checking my messages, found one from my friend Christine at swanktrendzvanc, who commented that she had become incensed with the daily assault of SPAM (as well as with the general havoc hackers create) that she becomes overwhelmed and then feels powerless. She also expressed that she was wondering if anyone is actually buying what they're selling. 
 
She also took the time to pass on a some spam that appeared in the comments of this Buzznet page: 
 
Brandon Phillips from The Architects' plans for Valentines Day 

There in the comments I found this gem, which was totally unrelated to the posting there:

banban694: 02/02/2008 4:22 AM
WATCH ME NAKED IN MY ROOM,PLAYING SEX
WITH MY BOYFRIEND,I AM WEETTYY AND HOT,
PLZZ MEET MY HOOTTEESSTT DESIRE ...
just click my link
just click my link

While there, I found this one as well:

bamba69 said
click and watch me naked==want to watch my naked 
video!? plus my collection of sex scandals from the 
young celebrity of asia.. plus an album of porno 
pictures of FHM models FREE!!!!==

click and watch me naked
click and watch me naked 

Class act, isn't it?
 
Then I received a number of notes and/or messages from ikkyg, miseryslifeofdoom, anapinkf, crash13, kassady and jillypeppa regarding these attacks, to name a few. It is now clear that Buzznet is receiving the full effects of a porn spam attack. 

Most of these spammers are people who are doing this for pure personal profit, and nothing more. They change their names and add new profiles here as fast as their old one is taken down, and in many cases are running multiple profiles here. 
 
But doing a bit of quick tracking on the 'Net, we aren't the only site getting his hard by them. Spent a few hours researching this, and found that along with the Movies journals here on Buzznet, users on Stage6, Bebo, Hi5, GoFish, Dailymotion, VideoJug, Xanga, Fotolog, Metacafe, some adult sites and other places on the 'Net are getting hit with the exact same or very similar messages that we're seeing all over the place here. 
 
Now there are some interesting things that I found during my digging. It seems that most of these point to a particular site known as ajboy.com. It seems that the Domain name ajboy.com shows a Registrant, Administrative and Technical Contact as follows:

Ajalon Membrere (ajmemebrere@yahoo.com)
0063 75 576 02 93
Fax: 
Brgy. Road Bantug
Umingan, Pangasinan 2443
Philippines 

But since these are often fronts, or referring sites for others, I decided to do a little more digging, and found that most of their links on ajboy.com were going directly to another site, glozy.com. Checking that site turned up info that the Registrant, Administrative and Technical Contact was this individual:

Gloman M. Merritt (glomanm@yahoo.co.uk)
+31.641800284
Fax: 
Jan van Riebeekstraat 240
The Hague, ZH 2595 WZ
Netherlands

Obviously this was getting to be very interesting, as it seemed to have developed global perspective at this point, but it was still worth digging a bit further. That's when I found that they were just one of a number going by the domain name of palzz.com. Checking further into palzz.com that showed that the Registrant, Administrative and Technical Contact was none other than:

Gloman M. Merritt (glomanm@yahoo.co.uk)
+31.641800284
Fax: 
Jan van Riebeekstraat 240
The Hague, ZH 2595 WZ
Netherlands

As you can see, the Registrant, Administrative and Technical Contacts for both glozy.com and palzz.com, are listed as the same individual.
 
So for what it's worth to Buzznet, there are now a number of referring sites that can be blocked as needed... at least for a start. And again, for what it's worth, the Registrar of the three above sites is an outfit known as eNom, Inc., which is a very large outfit with headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, and was acquired by Demand Media, Inc., a company headed by none other than former MySpace.com chairman Richard Rosenblatt. It might also be interesting to see the mix of adult Web hosting sites that are tied in to this outfit, but I'll leave that to others at this point.

Please note that some of the links in this journal have been intentionally disabled.

Do you remember that old rhyme that summed up the difference between the sexes? It went something like this:

What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice,
And everything nice,
That’s what little girls are made of.
 
What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails,
And puppy dog tails,
That’s what little boys are made of.

It was cute, back in preschool days, and it was said to help help youngsters understand that there was a difference between boys and girls, a fact that we would have all found out by ourselves as we matured... with or without the rhyme. 
 
Was thinking about this a couple of weeks ago when I heard a well-meaning grandmother repeating it to some young children. Then I found this riveting photo posted by none other than MiseryXchord, an image so powerful that it made me stop and reflect on something that any reader of my pages here knows : 
 
 
MiseryXchord: that's what little girls are made of...  
 
There's a powerful message in Misery's photo, and one that should be seen by every under-30 female here on Buzznet... hell, everywhere on the 'Net. And please do click on the link above and see the message and the link that she posted there under the photo.
 
And from this male's perspective, skinny is not sexy... period. The female form is one of the distinguishing marks between the sexes, the basic differentiation between the male and female of the human species. Women need a backside, the curve of the hips, real breasts... and I'm not talking about silicone-because-the-boyfriend-demanded-it, either. The truly feminine body comes in all sizes and shapes, and each can be appreciated for it's own merits, and not because a medium-boned young woman can starve herself down to a size-0.

Pardon my rant, but it's an issue that I've personally waded into here on Buzznet before. See the video entitled Daughters, which was posted here in conjunction with the award winning Evolution video, and the newest Onslaught video, which was picked as a Buzznet Featured Video on 10/6/2007. These were all part of the Real Beauty Campaign promoted by the Dove beauty products company. One of the promos for their videos noted: “Only 2 % of women feel comfortable describing themselves as beautiful.” and “Things won’t change until we change them.”

Said it then and I'll repeat it again: it's about time that we changed our narrow contemporary definition of beauty and encourage women and girls to build stronger self-esteem, to build a better explanation of beauty and positive self-image among women and girls of all ages, shapes and ethnic backgrounds. We need to stop teaching women of all ages to emulate that ridiculous Barbie-doll look, and that Star magazine ( founded by Rupert Murdoch in 1974) does not define beauty. 
 
Misery, you hit the nail on the head with this most compelling image...

And congrats on the Featured Photo... one of your most powerful yet!