Polls? Polls. Polls!

A day without a new public opinion poll is like the month of January in North Dakota without snow. It is what it is. All the media giants (to include Faux News) love analyzing the latest poll numbers. One political poll feeds into yet another poll.

Between December 7-11, 2011, the Pew Research Center asked voters the question, "is there too much power in the hands of a few rich people and large corporations?" 77% of those surveyed said YES, while 19% stated NO.

While the #Occupy Wall Street Movement has lost its original momentum, it's clear the widespread demonstrations in September and October changed the language of the political landscape in 2012.

Kool-Aid still comes in more than one flavor?

"It would be nice if the Food and Drug Administration stopped issuing warnings about toxic substances and just gave me the names of one or two things still safe to eat."
~ Robert Fuoss
FDA: A History (DVD)

Coup d'état on the Moon?

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
~ Albert Einstein

Command-in-Chef Update: President Gingrich deploys Texas National Guard to the moon to put down rebellion in the 51st state? To keep illegals off the moon, Secretary of Defense Herman Cain proposes building an electric fence around the "Sea of Tranquility"?
Read More...

"Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."
~ George Eliot

The Absurdity of the Idiotology?

Ten months after releasing his original, official, long-form birth certificate, the clogosphere is still buzzing with various conspiracy theories regarding President Obama's citizenship. Why? Since some folks still have a bad case of selective memory, here's a little CNN reminder from April 2011:


Senator John McCain's was born at the Coco Solo Naval Air Station in the Panama Canal Zone. His eligibility to run for the White House in 2008 was never questioned. Mitt Romney's father, who ran for the Republican nomination in 1968, was born to American parents living in the Mormon colonies in Mexico.

Are there racial and religious undertones to the 2012 Presidential Election?

Sadly, even when presented with a new truth, people will continue to believe what they want to believe. Read More...

Indeed, how does Donald Trump, who embarrassed the country by hitching his political wagon to the Birther Movement, still receive serious media attention from ALL the major news outlets?

Operation Restore Hope

American Soldier, Mogadishu, Somalia (January 1994)
Photo by Peter Rimar

"Conservatives define themselves in terms of what they oppose."
~ George Will

George Carlin ~ The American Dream

While Bill Gates & Warren Buffet are well-known Billionaire philanthropists, behind the scenes, the Koch Brothers have spent millions upon millions of dollars to change the way Americans think. Is it wrong? Perhaps. It all depends on your flavor of Kool-Aid. READ MORE...

...life in contrast...

Hong Kong, S.A.R. (May 2008).

Click on image to open in a new window.

A Chinese New Year's Story

For those that remember the movie A Christmas Story, Ralphie's father takes everyone out to a Chinese restaurant for Chinese Turkey. Part of the joke being that Chinese restaurants are usually the only businesses open on Christmas Day. Anyhow, back in 2009, my wife and I decided to go out for lunch. The streets were completely empty. Changsha is a city of over 7 million people!

I felt like Tom Cruise standing in Times Square in Vanilla Sky. 

Did the apocalypse happen while we were sleeping? ALL the Chinese restaurants were locked up. Everything was closed. Then it hit us. Logically, the ONLY restaurants open on Chinese New Year's Day must be American. Sure enough, Subway, KFC, McDonald's & Pizza Hut were ALL OPEN for business. 

So where did we eat?

In China, believe it or not, Pizza Hut is considered a high class, gourmet restaurant. Why? Because Pizza Huts in China look and taste NOTHING like the States. The service, atmosphere and food are a complete 180 degrees from the Lower 48. Koh and I had Salmon Pasta, Shrimp, Garlic Bread, Salad & a Pepsi.


It was our American Peking Duck Chinese New Year Dinner.
TABASCO Brand Pepper Sauce ~ Original Red Gallon

Inspiration for the planet Pandora in the movie Avatar

(see mountains behind Chinese girls)

Zhangjiajie, P.R.C. (March 2009).

"Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks." ~ Warren Buffett

Neighborhood Gasoline Pump, Sierck-les-Bains, France (October 2005)
Photo by Peter Rimar

Google keeps recommending links selling...

Plastic Bifocals, Constipation Remedies, Flatulence Treatments, Depends Underwear, Low Dose Aspirin, Pink House Slippers and the NRA.
Should I be worried?

"Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint on it you can." 
~ Danny Kaye
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (DVD)

Is it just me...

or do the morning TV talk shows sound like a mind numbing chorus celebrating the Freudian joys of human dysfunction?

Why, if you type the word "numbing" in Google's search box, it suggests "numbing condoms"? I'm almost afraid to click on the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button.

‎Life's all about product placement?

Marketing For Dummies (Paperback)

SOPA & PIPA? "We are Devo"?

(█ ) ███ ██████ ██ ██ click "Share" ██ ██ ████ ██████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ██. This posted blog comment has been found in violation of H.R. 3261, S.O.P.A and has been removed.

Google Rallies Opposition to Anti-Piracy Bill Backed by Murdoch?
Read More...

Update:
SOPA + PIPA + Public Opinion = D.O.A.
Read More...

Possible Definition of Cre·a·tiv·i·ty?

[kree-uh-tiv-i-tee]

"Mona Lisa is the only beauty who went through history
and retained her reputation." ~ Will Rogers

Fenghuang, China (April 2009)
Photo by Peter Rimar.

The mosquitoes are so BIG in North Dakota the Department of Fish & Game could issue hunting licenses.

A rural life is better: 
Living in a concrete jungle is stressful and makes you vulnerable to depression?
The Daily Mail
By David Derbyshire
June 23, 2011


"Scientists have confirmed what every urbanite has long suspected – life in the city is more stressful."
READ MORE...

Photo by Peter Rimar of Grain Elevator in Hunter, North Dakota (August 2010).

"I force myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste." ~ Marcel Duchamp

Random image of trash in a street gutter in Baghdad, Iraq (April 2005).
Photo by Peter Rimar.

Feeling depressed? Try hunting with Dick Cheney?

Remember when the word Google wasn't a word? Remember when the acronym W-M-D meant Waste Management Disposal? Remember when "corduroy pants" were cool? This status update was brought to you by the makers of Hostess Twinkies.


Corporate insider rumors that Bain Capital is planning a hostile takeover of this American snack food icon are untrue? Mitt Romney plans to announce his economic strategy to save us from a Twinkie apocalypse? Rick Perry wants President Obama to call out the Texas National Guard? Donald Trump demands to see the Twinkie's Original Birth Certificate?
Read More...
The Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food

Kabul Marketplace

If you look closely at the above photograph of a marketplace in Kabul, Afghanistan (July 2003), you may notice something missing (not WHAT but WHO is missing from the image). Before reading any further, please take a quick moment to look at the photograph itself. If it helps, you can enlarge the picture into a new window (i.e. just click on the image). When I first developed the negative, I viewed it as just another photograph of a typical 3rd world marketplace. People just going about the daily business of business. Then it dawned on me...

Go to any shopping district in Seoul, Tokyo, New York or Paris...
Visit a marketplace in Bangkok, Mexico City or Sarajevo...
Walk through a Shopping Mall in Beijing, Dallas or London and a you can't help but notice the sounds and faces of women & small children.
Sometimes, what is missing from a photograph actually reveals more than what it seems to contain.

Paris Hilton. (Pause) Why?

But then again, how does a Hollywood Socialite, who's only claim to fame is her family name, a reality television show and an explicit home video, has a higher approval rating than the 112th U.S. Congress?


Confessions of an Heiress:
A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose (Paperback)

Dancing with Turks?

Dear Governor Rick Perry ~ Why is Texas Pete Hot Sauce made in North Carolina?

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each new year find you a better man.” 
~ Benjamin Franklin





The Wines of New Mexico (Paperback)

Memories are Recycled?

"When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained." ~ Mark Twain

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Tea Party

From website The Tea Party.net:
"The U.S. Constitution was written by our founders to limit the powers of the federal government, instead, giving the power to the people and the States."

Just out of curiosity, do people actually believe this absurd bit of revisionist history? Seriously? Somebody should have stayed awake in that freshman U.S. History class. Instead of drinking beer and playing Frisbee in the park, a few minutes reading those boring textbooks might have actually educated folks on the so-called original intent of the Founding Fathers. The U.S. Constitution was written to create a federal system (with checks and balance between the branches of government) which could respond to the needs of one, unified nation:"...in order to form a more perfect union..."

Can you say the Articles of Confederation? 
That's right, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written to FIX the economic and political mess created by the issue of states' rights. Why did George Washington have problems supplying his troops in Valley Forge? Hello? Knock, Knock. Is anybody home?

Indeed, if it wasn't for the whole states' rights debate, believe it or not, this country may not have needed a BLOODY Civil War to finally resolve the question of slavery. Don't believe me? On March 21, 1861, in Savannah, Georgia, Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens gave what's become known as the Cornerstone Speech:

"Our new Government is founded upon exactly the opposite ideas; its foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and normal condition."

These are the actual words of one of the central figures in American politics at the start of the Civil War. Speaking of revisionist history, while he's NOT a darling of the Tea Party, no one talks the political psychobabble game better than Congressman Ron Paul:


And since we're on the subject, why was there a Civil Rights Movement in this country? Why were some Americans forced to sit in the back of the bus? Skin pigment? Can you say states' rights? During this dark period in American History, the political theme of States' Rights was code for the fight to protect and preserve over 100 years of institutionalized racial segregation:


In the aftermath of 9-11, Americans waved only one, unified flag. IF you're an active contributor to the Tea Party, here's a challenge: the next time you go shopping, buy Made in the USA. 

Observation: For everybody who thinks a majority of this country's university professors are left-wing socialists never sat thru a lecture of the History of the Constitution at Mayville State University in North Dakota.

Free At Last: A History of the Civil Rights Movement and Those Who Died in the Struggle (Paperback)

...Americana...

Mesilla, New Mexico (September 2009).

Could you pass a US citizenship test?
Read More...

Could somebody PLEASE turn on the "Nothing but Blue Skies" & "Walking on SUNSHINE" machine?

"If we are to remain a decent society we must treat one another decently."
~ Jerry DeMartin



Ice Cream: The Full Scoop (Paperback)

Πολιτικά?

"It's so easy for propaganda to work and dissent to be mocked."
~ Harold Pinter





Photo of DPRK Painting, 798 Art District, Beijing, P.R.C. (May 2008).

Photo of peaceful government protest in Seoul, R.O.K. (July 2009).

Karl Rove's Answering Machine?

Rick Perry: Hey Karl. This is Rick again. After our Vail meeting with the Koch Brothers back in June, this whole running for President sounded like a sure thing. Heck, waiting until after the debt ceiling crisis to announce the campaign was outstanding advice.

[PAUSE]

I'm not sure why no one is answering my calls. I've left a dozen messages with the folks over at Faux News, but they keep telling me you're out. Anyhow, it'd be great buddy if you could call me back. The wife's cooked up your favorite brisket and potato salad...

[BEEP]

Hello? Karl? You there? Hello?

[CLICK]

Astroturfing versus Occupy?
Wikipedia: The Boston Tea Party was a direct action by colonists in Boston against the British government and the monopolistic East India Company that controlled all the tea imported into the colonies. Can you say corporate greed in bed with an unresponsive government?

Bilingual Sign in Burger King Parking Lot, Socorro, New Mexico (September 2009).
Burger King Deluxe Latex Mask

Bloomberg Markets Magazine
Koch Brothers Flout Law Getting Richer
With Secret Iran Sales
By Asjylyn Loder and David Evans - Oct 3, 2011
Read More...

The following comment was posted by an anonymous reader regarding Bloomberg's featured exposé on Koch Industries:

"As a Kock employee I know for a fact that if you call their compliance line to report anything that violates their code of coduct that you will end up being fired. I've seen it happen with several former employees, and they are in the process of trying to fire a person who just reported illegal activities.

So maybe you should look up the facts first. I live the horror of the Koch brothers everyday. They only believe in liberalism for themselves and their billionaire friends. The rest of us are just ants that need to be squashed."


"The culture of investment banks was conveyed to commercial banks and everyone got involved in the high-risk gambling mentality. That mentality was core to the problem that we're facing now." 
~ Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize-winning economist (September 19, 2008)

Suggested Reading Links:
Glass-Steagall Act
Astroturfing
Echo Chamber
Nation of Whiners?
Health Care Reform Fact Checker