Tag: freedom

Christmas, Celebrate, Contemplate…

Posted on by Dr. Bacon, PhD in Freedom & Responsibility

Anne Lewis from Lewis-Heaton Books, a magnificent source for books of true importance, mentioned an idea of true importance, “The Christmas tree…from now on will be decorated with pics of people past and present, that we love, objects that mean something special to each of us…and if no one gets it…pfffff, that is just the way it goes…after all, it is our family tree, and it will be filled with love and memories…” Her comment sparked thoughts of the bottom line importance of the Christmas holiday. Importance that is currently being forgotten and discarded.

I’m currently involved in a study of the history of Christianity about which I’m writing a book..  Should be done in ten years or so… But the importance of the man, Jesus has become stunningly apparent. There is no question, in spite of the arguments, that such a man existed. There is no question that the man was magnificently inspirational, even in his own time. The arguments from the time are not whether he had extraordinary powers, the argument was, where does the power come from.

It is certain that the Canonical references to Jesus are not actually historic observations of what actually occurred, but they are certainly, unquestionably important historical observations of the mentality of the times reflecting the “soul” of humanity. When blended with other accounts from the day, Jewish, pagan, and otherwise, one gains a very good reference to the importance of the man and his life which creeps into everything today. There are tremendous and thought provoking arguments pertaining to the truth and relevance of the stories, but the protocol taught by the man was, I think, addressed most appropriately by my hero, Benjamin Franklin, “I think his system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see…” Franklin doubted the divinity of the man, but absolutely respected the wisdom, goodness and nobility of his philosophy concerning the proper behavior of man.

Thus, the celebration of his birth is perfectly appropriate as the celebration of the most important birth in history, whether you be Christian or not, leaving us with the question as to how the this birth should be celebrated and remembered.

The giving of gifts, celebration, singing, gathering together in social shows of appreciation, are absolutely historical and proper, even Biblical. What is slipping from our modern celebration of the event is thought and observation of the original philosophical roots. The idea Anne provides is perfectly appropriate to the core importance of the event. Including in the ornamentation, representations of actual objects and persons of worth. Indications and memories of the times, events and people of importance and worthy of our own commemoration. Reminders of the principles taught by the most historically significant person in history.

We are losing nobility. Humanity is losing its humanness. Jesus, whatever he may actually have been, indeed left us a tool which can be used to strengthen the important core of humanity. Christmas is far more than interesting, entertaining, fun, expensive…  Christmas is expansive. Contemplate! Celebrate!

~Bacon

Lobbyism Is the Reason I…

Posted on by Dr. Bacon, PhD in Freedom & Responsibility

Lobbying (the attempt to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of, or against a specific cause) is proper enough and totally natural. The tendency to attempt to profit from moving a political, governing attitude is pure capitalism and natural as well.  What we define as lobbyism is actually nothing more than effectively taking advantage of our representative republic system. There is absolutely nothing wrong with lobbying, not even professional lobbying. However the fact is that it emphasizes the importance of proper, principled behavior on the part of..  nope… not the lobbyist, rather it is the governing official whose behavior should be monitored and controlled.

Should it be illegal for me to offer Obuma a million dollars to see things my way? Should it be illegal for me to offer Obuma’s gay lover a million dollars to try and influence him? Should it be illegal for a person to hone the skills and qualities necessary, and apply them on a professional level, to influence governing? Nope. Lobbyism is a perfectly legitimate right in a free society (which we, unfortunately, the U.S. no longer are).

What has actually happened is, the people who really are responsible have found, in lobbyism a perfect whipping post upon which to hang the blame that belongs on themselves.  Thus we have Obuma spewing lies (his specialty) about ending lobbyism, which he would never, ever, not in a million and two years, actually do.

Focusing the blame on lobbyism has absolutely zero (or less) chance of affecting the way things operate in DC, including lobbyism. It does have the magnificent result of generating a very large amount of focus on not-the-problem. Focus intensified by the mass propagandia, and we see demonstrations such as OWS which is a comedy of errors focused on the successful who, in all actuality, are paying for everything Mr. Average enjoys, including well over 80% of the total tax burden, the dirty bastards!

So what, Bacon, is the answer? Hard core enforcement of the constitution! Desperate support of liberty! Fair is a fantasy. Freedom is everything!  Be painfully careful who you vote for, and DO vote! NO MORE commielibs. No more theocracies. The penalty for abuse of power should not be light and easy. It should be tremendously painful. Were Bacon king, we’d skin the crooked politicians alive, salt ‘em and sing chorals as they bleed to death in screaming agony…  It would solve the problem. Trust me on this! I’m right!

Paypal? No Way Pal!!

Posted on by Dr. Bacon, PhD in Useful Resources?

I’ve been a computer junkie since the days of Commodore 64. I was on the internet before Al Gore invented it. On the crest of the wave all the way. I was one of the pioneers who tested the ebay and Paypal waters. Both of these were, and still SHOULD be, magnificent! My ebay activities were revelatory (to me, at least) I was constantly running several items and the Paypal option made it very easy to take care of the money flow.

I became a self appointed spokesman for both. I utilized Paypal as a payment option for personal web sites (ipanic.com, weimaranerhunter.com, and others). I wrote articles praising their operation and tackled opposition on an almost daily basis. My internet presence flourished and life flowed on.

Out of the blue came a full on personal attack, outside of the internet, in the form of an SUV which hit me, going 75 mph. Wish I could remember it. I woke up 4 months later, minus my left leg, sense of balance and memory. In trade I received indescribable pain. As a result of this I was relatively non-functioning for a fair while.

Slowly and against all odds I began to recover. I’m still a long ways from 100%, but I am once again writing, making music, and back on ebay in an attempt to pay for living. It’s amazing how much getting your leg tore off and your brain scrambled can cost!

All was well and good. The transactions flowing nicely until I offered a large Mackie powered sub-woofer. This bad boy was heavy, valuable and not to be cheaply shipped. In the auction I included the shipping costs. The auction went well, the speaker sold to a feller in New Orleans! Perfect location for my old sub. Unfortunately, the payment notification came along with a message that the money was being held by Paypal! Go ahead monkeyboy ship that puppy without money! Had I a history of undependability I could understand but…

I called ebay, not knowing it was Paypal that was responsible for this. The tech looked at my record and said the only thing she could see was a several year gap in my activity. That maybe this was the reason. She referred me to Paypal, saying she expected that in view of my history, they’d simply release it.

Ha ha haaaa…  No such luck. Turns out I’m at fault for listing an Item that I can’t afford to ship. Instead of clearing the payment, giving the purchaser’s money to me, I must wait 21 days… ?? In effect this gentleman who was depending on Paypal to exchange his money, get’s the knife because Bacon2 might be dangerous…

Naturally being the mild mannered biker type that I am, I calmly shrugged my shoulders and said, “oh dang.. live and learn Bacon…” ‘er somethin’.  So… what to do now??

I’ve got it!! I will make it my life’s endeavor to damage Paypal in whatever way possible. Whatever pennies they made from holding on to MY money will be far outweighed by the expense.. So the research began. Turns out the truth about the magnificent Paypal folks should bury them nicely.

Typical of the hundreds of complaints I stumbled onto were:

    •   Limited or Frozen Account
    •   Money removed from Paypal Account, bank or credit card account with no permission. (Me too.)
    •   Money withheld for no apparent reason. (Me too!)
    •   Paypal protecting scammers.
    •   Paypal customer support being rude and condescending. (Me too!!)
    •   False allegations made by Paypal against user.

Even the Paypal Community Help Forum is full of such complaints and is where I found reference to many anti-Paypal resources.  For example, under the heading “Horrible Idea to Hold Funds for 21 Days!!!” I found 544 comments. These included references to many other anti-Paypal resources:

So what to do…  Well COMPLAIN! to:

There are a host of other avenues as well.

So..  Let’s say you’d like to see an absurdly self centered construct such as this one is, go down the drain, yet you have a need for the type of “service” they “provide”..  Are there alternatives??

Well, as a matter of fact:

and more…

Paypal…  Yooouuurrr  tiiimmmeee iiissss gooonnnaaa ccooommmmeee!  ‘er somthin’.

Support your local businesses this Christmas!!!

Posted on by Dr. Bacon, PhD in Freedom & Responsibility
Proof that Bacon Does Good Things (sometimes)
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high
gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods —
merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This
year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine
concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift
giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes
there is!It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in
a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates
from your local American hair salon or barber?Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a
book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down
the Benjamines on a foreign made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift
receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about
a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this
isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town
Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is
struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin
their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery
and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at
your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand twinkle
lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about
fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our
communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list — post it to discussion
groups — throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in
your city — send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations,
and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other,
and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

Jeremy Nivison
NIVISON multimedia
www.nivisonmultimedia.com
(435)363-6336

What’s Goin’ On?!

Posted on by Dr. Bacon, PhD in Freedom & Responsibility

The land of the free and the home of the brave. The founders of which were revolutionaries who, against all odds freed the American people from the governmental control and taxation of “the mother land”. They produced a document which has been viewed as the epitome of freedom, but which is now being used to justify the implementation of governmental control far beyond that which the founders rebelled against.

America ELECTED Barrack Hussein Obama, or Barry Soetoro or whoever he is, as President of the United States of America. Kenya’s minister of lands has complemented America for having elected a “Kenyan-born” man as President. Canadian Press has ventured where the American Mainstream Media fears to tread, in making note of the miserable result of Obama’s election as well as the fact that he was never required to prove his citizenship prior to election. The results of which they predict will be felt and paid for throughout the western world.

Financially successful Americans are being forced to pay for the health, education and welfare of the unsuccessful because welfare is a “right”.  In America you have a “right” to express your opinion and beliefs. A right guaranteed by the First Amendment, unless you’re a school teacher or a Country singer who performs for E.S.P.N. or some such radical element trying to communicate something which isn’t considered “politically correct”. The President of the United States of America, and his Democrat allies and some Republicans as well, are working with the United Nations to implement “International Gun Control”. The United Nations? Implementing gun control in America? Yep. Not done yet, but in the works. I could go on, but I’m afraid I’d run out of paper.

Is this the America Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and a host of other brilliant, freedom and independence oriented people had in mind when they inspired the country to take up arms and risk their very existence against tremendous odds, in the name of freedom? They were men who already had security, but they valued liberty more. Their very signatures on the declaration stood them under threat of death.  Five were actually tortured to death. Others lost their homes and property. Nine of the signers fought and died. Their pledge, “For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence,, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” Did Washington enjoy the benefits typical of todays “leaders”? He helped finance the war with his own money and served without pay. Do our current leaders walk this path? I think they’d need a powerful telescope to even see it.

Obama may be right about the need to update the constitution, but the need is spurred by those like Obama himself who are twisting its intention to fit their self serving desires. You can bet your ass and firewood the founding fathers had no notion of a “United Nations”, nor an “American Union”.  What our founders stood for was Independence, which springs from the combination of freedom and responsibility. America was not intended to become the cuddling mommy to its citizens. America was intended to become and remain the land of the free and the home of the brave!

~Bacon