What is third world county about?

THIS PAGE HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY A NEW PAGE AT http://www.thirdworldcounty.us/ Note: This blog, TWC2, has one overriding purpose: as a front page for all my "permaposts" at third world county such as this. While it may contain other information from time to time, its primary mission remains: as a "sticky-post" blog for TWC. The second set, "what do I blog about at TWC" is easy: darned near everything. Political and social issues and trends? Yep. Computer stuff? Uh-huh. Personal events in my life? Yeh, I do some "journal" type blogging at TWC, too. Music, books, other arts? Of course. Plain old silliness? Mais certainment, mon amis! Science and technology, philosophy and theology? Of course. IOW, as I frequently say, I blog at TWC to silence the voices in my head. :-) And then there are the other voices I blog about. What's going on in the blogosphere in general, sometimes, or specifically with blogbuds. I do not do this for the money. There is none, as far as I have ever seen. No one "owns"—or ever will own—or rents my words. Everything here is my observations, my thoughts, my opinions, pure and simple, except where I indicate I am quoting or referring to others' thoughts, words or deeds. And even then, I'll attach my own perceptiions of those thoughts, words or deeds, if only in how I present them. Anyone, and I do mean anyone, who attempts to censor TWC had better have a darned good right to do so. As far as I can tell, only Blogspot has that right. If the FEC or some other governmental agency attempts to in any way regulate my speech, I'll spit in their faces. And I might just mean that literally.

Who am I?

Short stats: In my 50s somewhere Bachelors and Masters degrees in seemingly unrelated fields. PhD.B.S.—yes, a doctorate in "bovine scatology" that preceded my B.M. by several years. :-) Married for 27 years to my Wonder Woman 2 children: empty nest. Interests? Nearly everything except for pop "culture"—and even there the subject piques a certain morbid curiosity in me. I play several instruments and used to sing, though not so much any more. Less and less performance as the years wear on. Have taught in public schools, built, managed and directed music and performing arts programs, both ongoing in churches and in special venues. I read widely and in topics too diverse to list. In fiction, probably the majority is still science fiction, but even there, wide range of tastes. History, arts, philosophy, religion, p-sych, sociology, real science (as opposed to poly-sci, sociology, p-sych, etc.) and more are among my nonfiction reading interests. Heck. I'll read a soup can if that's all that's available. Currently tune bit-buckets for income. I blog "to silence the voices in my head" Call me Ishmael. ;-)

Note on singing dogs and children on display

[This is an off-blog note for this Third World County post.] *Note: I have my sound pedagogical reasons for NOT wanting childrens music education centered around just prepping a Christmas program and a Spring Concert, as is all too often the case nowdays. I may expand on that another time in a front page post at TWC™. Meanwhile, google the MENC website for some sound music pedagogy.

Santa's Reindeer

"You know DASHER, and DANCER and PRANCER and VIXEN, COMET and CUPID, and DONNER* and BLITZEN. but do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all? RUDOLPH, the red-nosed reindeer... " OK, that's nine. But who's the TENTH reindeer? Her name's in the song, you know. "Olive, the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names... " The meanie. *snirk* Bad pun found at Bloggin' Outloud and inflicted on you here cos I like bad puns. So there. Oh, and *"Donner, party of 12... Donner, party of 11... "

Stop the ACLU image code

For those who have difficulty coding to insert linked images, here are the forms from John's post. <a href=" http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2005/10/27/operation-nativity"><img src=" YOUR MEDIA URL HERE " alt=" YOUR COMMENTS HERE " /></a> <a href=" http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2005/10/27/operation-nativity"><img src=" YOUR MEDIA URL HERE " alt=" YOUR COMMENTS HERE " width="200" height="300" border="0" /> </a>

"camel passing through the eye of a needle"

This refers to Jesus' statement that it is easier for a rich man to pass through the eye of the (a) needle than it is for him to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. My Baptist preacher grandfather used this image, which some archaeologists confirm and some dispute. he told of a gate—a kind of "postern gate"—in the walled city of Jerusalem supposedly called "the eye of the needle". It was a small portal, used only when the main gates of the city were closed for the night. If a trader (and Jerusalem was a major trading city in ancient times) came late to the gates and wanted entry for the night (for protection, of course), he'd have to pass through this small gate which was too large for a mounted man to enter, just large enough for a man walking or a horse without rider. A camel would have to kneel and kind of crawl through. So it is with the "rich man" entering the Kingdom of Heaven: can do so humbly, on his knees. And so with Jean Fraud sKerry: he could grow some integrity, but only by humbling himself and acting honestly, actually KEEPING his word, instead of arrogantly acting as though anything he says is good enough, regardless of whether he actually means what he says or makes good on his word.

Footnote: "In another context"

Here I mean the instance when Jesus turned to those who accused him of doing miracles by the power of Satan and told them they were of their father, the Devil and that slandering the works of the holy Spirit was an unforgiveable sin. The parallell is obvious: when those who call the truth a lie do so, they are behaving as little satans, since that is the primary nature of Satan as revealed in the Bible: a slanderer, false accuser, liar. When the media wittingly (and given the fact that they have access to the same materials the Congress and the President had at the time, it IS witting) accuse George Bush of "lying us into war" they are slandering him and calling the truth a lie.

Extended entry for "A question of intelligence"

OK, this is more a test of my intelligence than yours. But you've already followed this far, go ahead and play along a lil fuether, 'K? I found the video here at a site run by some guys named Alex Jones and Paul Joseph Watson. It was accompanied by the following text. Please read and answer the questions that follow: Video: General Corrects Rumsfeld On Torture Crooks and Liars | December 2 2005 In a surprising event, General Pace actually corrected Rumsfeld publicly over policy. Let's hope his job isn't in jeopardy. General Pace: "It is absolutely the responsibility of every U.S. service member, if they see inhumane treatment being conducted, to intervene to stop it," Rumsfeld: "But I don't think you mean they have an obligation to physically stop it; it's to report it." General Pace: "If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place, sir, they have an obligation to try to stop it ." Thank you General-for demonstrating how a true military man should behave in a time of war while once again exposing Rumsfeld as the buffoon that he is. Kevin Drum: "This is why Abu Ghraib happened: because of people like Rumsfeld, who insisted on cutting corners, using clever circumlocutions in place of plain language, and refusing to take a firm stand on doing the right thing. Pace is having none of it, and good for him." 1.) What video did Alex Jones and/or Paul Joseph Watson see?!?!? 2.) What planet is Kevin Drum from? Thank you. Please answer these questions at THIS LINK.