Mind of Poe

Aw Snap! Could Chrome be Crap!!!!

2009-10-21T15:30:00.003-04:00

After a fairly lengthy love affair with Google Chrome (I installed it shortly after finding out about its existence, about a year ago), my warm-and-fuzzies might be wearing off. Today, for no apparent reason, every tab to which I tried to navigate, displayed the once comical Aw Snap pic.

Needless to say, I was fairly nonplussed at this turn of events. After all, I had been touting the speed and beauty of this browser for at least the last six months. And now I was being hamstrung into reverting back to my Firefoxian days.

I found a Google forum on which many people were having the same issue, but most of the solutions dealt with a conflict with Symantec Software, which I don't run.

So I'm a little peeved. I had gotten quite comfortable with Chrome and was not looking to change browsers, but WTF?

Live Your Passion?

2009-10-15T12:15:00.003-04:00

I was listening today to a NPR broadcast, I think it was there technology segment. And the interviewee was talking about how he has created his own niche in this economy and has made it possible to make a living from living his passion. This interested me to no small degree because I am very dissatisfied with what I am currently doing and feel that I am not where I am supposed to be in my life. I have a beautiful wife and two wonderful children, but my work life is unsatisfying. I want to find a way to live my passions.

So what are these passions? I have a passion for music, both playing and listening to it. I like to write about music. I love to read, especially Star Wars novels. I have a passion for Star Wars in general - games, books, figures, etc.

I love to play chess. I love to follow the ins and outs of politics. I love to discuss philosophical subjects, especially those of theology.

I love being silly. I love making up silly words.

How can I combine all of these into some sort of future from which I can sustain myself and my family?

Tequilla...pt.2 ?

2009-09-05T02:08:00.001-04:00

Well, I'm feeling that again.... it's a dopamine rush from what I can figure... that keeps me up and going.... even thought it's late... and I should be in bed.

Chicks....

2009-09-01T12:47:00.002-04:00

I'm not Vegan or Vegetarian, but this is the sort of thing that could drive me in that direction.... I mean damn...

Self Hypnosis - The Best Me

2009-08-04T08:36:00.003-04:00

I have just found this post which is an extremely interesting method of self hypnosis that I intend to try. It is called the "Best Me" method of hypnosis. It is basically in two parts - the first being the method of self-hypnotizing and the second being a method of imparting positive suggestions to your hypnotized self. I think that I'm going to try this and get back to you on its effectiveness.

The Mind of Poe - Family Mind - Poemind Music - Darth Poe - Poe-litics - Poemind A.D.D. - Poemind Affilliate Marketing

Tequilla...

2009-07-30T00:12:00.003-04:00

What is it about tequila? It seems to have an effect on seratonin or dopamine levels or something. But there is something about it. Can't put my finger on it. Maybe because I've been putting too much of my tongue on it.....

Sometimes....

2009-07-28T10:21:00.003-04:00

You just want to bury your head in the sand and forget the world is out there. This world that we've created - this incredibly complex, screwed up world. If you have found a career that is rewarding, pays the bills and in someway creates a better world for the rest of mankind, then consider yourself lucky, for I have not. I exist in a cubicle world that provides absolutely no succor for the soul. I exist to help my family exist and that is the sole thing that keeps me going - gets me up in the morning. Were it not for them and the thoughts of their sweet faces and voices, I don't know that I would make the effort.

Torsion Fields?

2009-05-26T08:56:00.002-04:00

I just returned from a conference with David Wilcock, and I'm mulling over all of the stuff with which I was presented there. Chief among these concepts was the existence of "torsion fields". These invisible fields are supposedly capable of incredible things: healing, stargates, etc.

So I'm wondering if there is any real evidence of such things. So I've started with the ol' Wikipedia even though that is a fairly weak starting place. But it serves it's purpose.

Torsion Fields on Wikipedia

I will post more as I find it.

Wolfram Alpha? For What Do You Use It?

2009-05-20T08:53:00.002-04:00

Ok, I don't know if you've heard about this yet, but this is a new sort of search engine. WolframAlpha is billed as a "computational knowledge engine". Instead of giving you long list of websites that contain the search term entered it gives you a concise view of the actual information for which you are searching.

I'm just wondering who is using this right now, and how they are using it.

So far the primary use I've found for it is figuring out how many days I have until a given date. Just type a date in and it will give you any pertinent information relating to that date. Including the aforementioned calculation. That is moderately useful, but not by any means earth shattering. So what uses, if any, have you found for this new search engine? Please comment!

My Beginning with jQuery

2009-05-14T15:06:00.002-04:00

I recently taught a class in JavaScript, and while I still don't consider myself an expert in the subject, I now feel fairly proficient in it. Be in an effort to furthe my knowledge of JS, I stumbled across jQuery. jQuery is a JavaScript framework that enables a developer to get more done in shorter amount of time.

So I've been looking for good examples of jQuery in use, becuase it is always easiest to learn a new language by seeing practical applications of it.

Here is the first that I've found.

Here is another.

The Mind of Poe - Family Mind - Poemind Music - Darth Poe - Poe-litics - Poemind A.D.D. - Poemind Affilliate Marketing

Cheap Books?

2009-05-08T13:00:00.003-04:00

Well, I'm on a search for a web reseller that traffics in cheap used books. Now, I'm not talking about used books that can be sold 'like new' or 'great condition'. No, I'm looking for books that are in 'fair' 'acceptable' or maybe even 'poor' condition. You see, when I want to read a book, and that is all that I really want to do, then I would like to buy that book very cheaply. I was wondering if there is a web site that caters to such a need.

I'm starting my search here - at Student Hacks.

I like this one.... BookFinder.com

I will update this as my search progresses.

Christ - The Yogi

2009-04-13T15:37:00.003-04:00

This Post is fantastic. Tara Stiles hits it on the head when she speaks of the Gopspel of Thomas and the fact that it was most likely excluded from the Canonical texts of the Bible because it advocated "knowing thyself" and that the kingdom of God is "within". The last thing that the church of Rome wanted you to believe is that the kingdom of God is "within you" when it was spending tons of gold to create kingdoms and catehdrals "without" you.

Diddling?

2009-03-13T23:53:00.002-04:00

Poe once wrote a short story entitled, "Diddling: Considered as One of the Exact Sciences".

"Your diddler is minute. His operations are upon a small scale. His business is retail, for cash, or approved paper at sight. Should he ever be tempted into magnificent speculation, he then, at once, loses his distinctive features, and becomes what we term "financier".

So, here is Poe pointing out the connections between the common swindler, and our bankers and loan officers. Now, how timely is it that the thought should occur to me to think about this story right now? On the day after Jon Stewart so impaled Jim Cramer on a very related subject.

Curious how things work together in such a seemingly synchronistic way.

Gordon Ramsey, Jumping the Shark?

2009-02-06T12:50:00.002-05:00

You know, I've always enjoyed Ramsey's shows. I've defended him against those who would say he was a total asshole, by pointing to his "Kitchen Nightmares" show where he helps out struggling restaurants to stay afloat. But last night may have been the end of my defense of Ramsay.

Now, it has always been clear that Gordon has no love affair with people who are overweight. But I've always seen that disdain as an outgrowth of the problems he sees with them performing in the intense heat and stress of a fast-moving kitchen. You know - sweat, close-quarters, lack of agility. that sort of thing.

But last night, after the men had won a challenge, he first calls Robert, the fat chef, into his office to tell him that he won't be able to fly on the helicopter because of insurance restrictions. But then he seemingly gives him the good news, in that he will still be able to go, just by ferry. Robert seems to cheer up then.

Then they switch to clips of all the other men on the helicopter and then on the island enjoying the sites. Robert is in transit all this time.

When he gets there, Ramsey, tells him that there is good news and bad news. And the bad news was that they were done and that they were heading back. Robert didn't get to enjoy the reward at all. It just seemed so mean-spirited and childish. I've alway enjoyed the show, but I'm seriously thinking about not watching it again.

What do you all think? Was this over the line?

The Death of Chewbacca...

2009-01-14T15:47:00.001-05:00

Damn! I new that this was coming sometime within the New Jedi Order series, because, being the SW geek that I am, I listen to podcasts and read things online, but I had managed to avoid enough detail not to know that it happened in the very first book! Chewbacca is dead! I haven't even finished the book yet, so I don't even know how everything is going to play out, but wow. I mean, I could see it coming at the beginning of the chapter in which it happened, but I kept thinking, "Nah, this is going to happen in the first book, surely?" But I was wrong. It seemed so abrupt.

I've read some harsh opinions of this. Some of them have more to do with how things play out afterwards then with the event itself. I can' comment to that end, given that I've not yet finished the first book, but I found this to be a very powerful moment personally. Sure, you hate to see a fan favorite go, but everything has to go eventually, right? It's not as if we don't have all the past books and movies within which to relive our favorite Chewie moments.

I find the rift that has opened between Han and Anakin particularly emotional, being a father myself, I can't imagine what that sort of thing must feel like. But I think Salvatore takes a pretty good stab at it.

So, I look forward to the rest of this series. I've heard review that down it for being too dark. Good. Just the way I like it!

Poemind.

UML Modeler for More

2008-12-15T16:08:00.001-05:00

At the prompting of a co-worker I went looking for a UML modeler that could generate Perl code. I had been using StarUML, but I thought I would give it a shot. So, I came across this little number:

http://uml.sourceforge.net/index.php

I haven't used this yet, but I plan to see how it handles PHP. Let me know if you have any experience with this piece of software.

George Lucas Needs a Padawan....

2008-12-12T12:44:00.002-05:00

Yes, I'm a Star Wars geek. It is a fairly recent obsession honestly. And it was prompted as much by the EU (that's Extended Universe, for the Geekly-impaired) novels as the movies themselves. I read "Darth Bane: Path of Destruction" and it hooked me. But what sucks is the fact the Lucas vows that he will make no more live action SW movies. But the Darth Bane novels are screaming to be made. I think they would make great screenplays.

So, I understand that George is getting up there in years and he doesn't want to cheapen the SW legacy by making movies that might not be received well. But my idea is this: George Lucas should take on a padawan! He needs to find a young director who is a huge Star Wars fan and wants to study the Lucas way. Lucas can train this director to take over for him upon his passing. I think this is a great idea and I think that I'm going to put a petition online for it.

Tell me what you think!

Poe Was Right...

2008-12-12T12:42:00.003-05:00

or so it would seem. An article in The New Scientists http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20026861.500-did-our-cosmos-exist-before-the-big-bang.html?DCMP=NLC-nletter&nsref=mg20026861.500

Would seem to support Poe's theory that the universe continually recycles itself, "At every beat of the heart divine". Poe reached this conclusion in his treatise "Eureka" in 1848. It was way ahead of its time but now it seems as if his view has some high profile adherents.

Poe's Full-text "Eureka" is here:
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/POE/eureka.html

The Mind of Poe indeed!

On the Universal agglomeration and dissolution, we can readily conceive that a new and perhaps totally different series of conditions may ensue -- another creation and irradiation, returning into itself -- another action and reaction of the Divine Will. Guiding our imaginations by that omniprevalent law of laws, the law of periodicity, are we not, indeed, more than justified in entertaining a belief -- let us say, rather, in indulging a hope -- that the processes we have here ventured to contemplate will be renewed forever, and forever, and forever; a novel Universe swelling into existence, and then subsiding into nothingness, at every throb of the Heart Divine?

Super Ants to Take Over Europe

2008-12-03T13:24:00.001-05:00

Here is an interesting article about a species of ant, L. neglecticus, I think it is called, that is threatening to invade Europe.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081203/sc_livescience/superanttakingovereurope

Sometimes...

2008-11-23T02:12:00.002-05:00

life is good. It is good to you. Those close to you .... care. Those far from you.... well.... do they matter? Maybe....

Is Obama the AntiChrist? That's a question that should get me a Google look or two....

I say.... .Who gives a shit!

I know that sounds harsh.... but I've been looking for something of the sort for many a year, and at this point, I think maybe an antichrist is just what this fucking world needs.

Now, ..... I don't see 'Antichrist' as many/most of you probably understand the term.

More later.... perhaps when I'm sober......

maybe......

Life, a crazy parade....

2008-11-11T08:59:00.003-05:00

Life is crazy. It gets way to busy sometimes to really enjoy the passage of time. You see those roses on the side of the road but you must get to work. You see the chocolate laid out there on teh table but your break is over. You want one more hug or kiss from your child but it's time for school. Time marches on. You sit and watch as it flies by.

I'm taking an online class towards getting a master's degree in software engineering, but it is kicking my ass. I'm not sure anymore about anything. What am I doing? What am I supposed to be doing? I'm just not sure anymore.

Going back to school??

2008-08-15T16:16:00.001-04:00

Well, I was to begin teaching a class at Pitt Community College starting next Thursday, but I found out a few hours ago that it didn't make the required enrollment minimum, so it has been canceled. Kind of sucks, but I guess it will give me the opportunity to try and get back into school and work towards a master's degree in Software Engineering. That would be nice because I could then possibly get a job full time teaching at the community college level.

So, the first couple of days next week will be devoted to finding out what I need to do to execute such a plan.

So Close?

2008-08-04T09:15:00.003-04:00

I don't understand how the polls have Obama and McCain running so closely... It seems that Obama should be far ahead, yet here it is, a virtual dead heat. I'm thinking/hoping that the polls are not taking into account the vast numbers of young people that I believe Obama has brought to the table. If the young voters actual get out and go to the polls this time, it could be a different story altogether.

So, I hope that this election shows us for once, that young people care enough to actually get the hell out and vote!

Looking Ahead...

2008-07-10T14:44:00.001-04:00

Sometimes you just look at your life and wonder if you are headed in the right direction. Sometimes you think you should take another path. That is where I am right now. I stare at this code and my eyes seem to cross. Why am I doing this? Is this all there is to be of my life? No creativity, no passion? Just and endless stream of logical expressions, signifying nothing.

So choices need to be made. New paths have to taken or not. It both scares and excites me.

Alanis Morissette - Flavors of Entanglement

2008-06-10T16:11:00.002-04:00

Alanis release her first new studio work in four years today. I am listening to it right now. Here is the play by play, after two listens... more to come:

1) Citizen of the Planet
starts a little subdued but then chorus just kicks you between the eyes
Wow, this really kicks. Love it.
Love the strings in the breakdown. They meld perfectly with the crunchy riff.

2) Underneath
Poppy but good lyric... I like it. Not as good as the first track.

3) Strait Jacket
This one might have to grow on me. Doesn't grab me immediately.

4) Versions of Violence
Darker song. Danc-like groove, but with dark undertones. Pretty Cool. 4 *

5) No as We

6) In Praise of the Vulnerable Man
Nice cool groove here. Although it is poppy, there is something very sad about the song.

7) Moratorium
Title track here... in the way she creates title tracks... the title appears within this song.
dark dance groove.

8) Torch
such a sad and beautiful song... makes one want to cry... what else can I say...

9) Giggling Again for no Reason
something about this haunts me.. kind of like Stings... So Happy that I can't stop crying...
don't know why...
or the Motels Last Summer

10) Tapes
I'm too exhausting to be loved... wow, moody, wonderful... blessed...

11) Incomplete
Little acoustic song, another about the breakup... But not completely acoustic... A little bit of power in the chorus

12) Orchid -
13) The Guy Who Leaves -
14) Madness - Probably the most somber tune in the collection
15) Limbo No More - talking about being ready to be moving on... and how hard it is
16) On the Tequila - Fun little song about, you guessed it - drinking tequila

Grad School p.2

2008-06-05T14:52:00.005-04:00

So apparently I can basically take the GRE anytime because there is a center here where I can take it on computer just about any day of the week. So, toward the goal of full preparation, I will post links to practice tests online here.

GRE Practice #1
GRE Verbal Tests

PS2 Games for Young Children

2008-06-04T11:24:00.007-04:00

I'm looking for PS2 games that will be suitable for my 3 year old son to play. His sister is soooo into the PS2 but he gets frustrated because most of the games are too advanced for him at this stage.

This article suggests a few

Another here

I just found out that Lego Batman is due out in September. That will be a must have for my son! Definitely!

Grad School?

2008-06-04T08:39:00.003-04:00

Well, I think I'm going to try going back to school to get my masters. I'm going to pursue a master's degree in Software Engineering at ECU. In pursuit of this I have to take the GRE.

Here is a link to the GRE site. Have to figure out what the dates are.

This is the address for ETS here in Greenville, NC
Greenville - 1607

Prometric Testing Center
1925 A Turnbury Drive
Greenville, North Carolina 27858
United States Of America
(252)756-0342

Adult A.D.D.

2008-06-02T15:50:00.004-04:00

For the past several years, I've come to the conclusion that I am likely to be, and probably always have been, A.D.D. But when I was young (early 70's) the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD wasn't the commonplace thing that it is today.

I've found this blog that discusses Adult ADD.
http://adultaddstrengths.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KACQuZVAE3s

I've joined this forum:
http://www.addforums.com

More later----

The Sixty One

2008-05-30T14:44:00.004-04:00

I've recently been turned onto a very cool website. It is a music/social site called The Sixty One http://www.thesixtyone.com
It works kind of like a game, where the listeners earn points by trying to pick the songs that they think will be popular. You pick these songs by 'bumping' them. But the catch is that you have to spend points to bump a song - and the earlier in a song's life cycle the more points it costs to bump, but also the more points you earn should it become a popular song.

The site sports a wide variety and quality of music. I have heard everything from classical to metal, from ambient to dance. And you can pick the styles that suit you most, although I like to dabble in a bit of all of it. So check it out when you get a chance, if you like experiencing new music that is.

Lately,

2008-05-29T16:38:00.001-04:00

I've been battling with a bit of depression. Not sure what is bringing it on. Maybe partly do to my brother-in-law's untimely death and how that has made me think about my own estranged brother. Maybe has something to do with my turning 37 and seeing 40 up in the near distance. Feeling that I'm reaching mid-life and that I haven't done very much with my life. Sometimes it seems that life is just speeding on by and everything that I had ever dreamed of doing is past due.

So, I don't know. I'm feeling so uninspired.

Maybe it is something else.

Javascript Graphics Library and SSI in IIS

2008-05-27T16:36:00.001-04:00

I am working on an idea for a Javascript game and I have found this library for Javascrip that allows you to draw geometric primitives with Javascript:

http://www.walterzorn.com/jsgraphics/jsgraphics_e.htm

Also trying to figure out how to get SSI work in IIS, think this might provide a clue.. Haven't tried it yet:

http://forums.iis.net/p/1146884/1859241.aspx

BWI - Blogging While Intoxicated - Drunkeness, the New (Old) Frontier

2008-05-23T23:30:00.004-04:00

Hey, I'm getting drunk...

I'm interested on how many people blog while drunk.

RESPOND please!

Do you blog while drunk?

Abolish Marriage Altogether?

2008-05-23T16:18:00.001-04:00

In the wake of California Supreme Court's decision to allow gay marriage, I am reminded of a possible solution that has been floated for some time now. Get rid of all legal marriages by the state. Make the only state sanctioned arrangement be a domestic partnership, and leave the rite of marriage to religious / spiritual institutions. Just cut the whole religious aspect out of the state sanctioned item all together.

Of course, the religious right will balk loudly at this, given their determination to wed the church and the state. But screw them.

Looking for My First Chainsaw

2008-05-22T16:59:00.001-04:00

I think I'm going to get a chainsaw for Father's Day. So I'm looking a comparisons online.
Here is one:
http://forestry.about.com/cs/chainsaws/a/best_first_saw_2.htm

PHP and JavaScript

2008-05-22T09:17:00.001-04:00

I've been looking for information on the best way to marry the PHP language (my web dev language of choice) and JavaScript (the language necessary to make Web2.0 a reality).

I've just found this site:
http://www.phpbuilder.com/columns/kassemi20050606.php3
and it looks promising as a starting point.

http://www.ajaxf1.com/tutorial/ajax-php.html

A Toolkit
http://www.modernmethod.com/sajax/

A list of Toolkits
http://ajaxpatterns.org/PHP_Ajax_Frameworks

Going to try this one:
http://sacratee.com/jpop/

Simplicity PHP
http://wiki.simplicityphp.com/

phpAjaxTags
http://www.4al.pl/phpAjaxTags/

I'm going to look into these and I will get back to you on my thoughts as to which one best suits my needs.

In Court...

2008-05-20T11:46:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I spent in court. The first time that I have ever provided witness in a criminal proceeding.

Some of it was quite interesting while the rest was intolerably boring.

Lyric of the Day

"I still recall the effort to forget" - Big Wreck 'Between You and I'

Thoughts...

2008-05-08T15:32:00.001-04:00

What do I think about programming in general?

What do I think about music?

Did you know that computers and music are both binary languages? Very interesting that. I think there is something very revealing in that fact. Despite the fact that many people have found my two career paths as oppositional I have always seen them as extremely compatible.

Music
I'm listening to The Eagles "Waiting in the Weeds" from their latest double album effort. It is a good song. One of the best on the two disc set. The set was a little disappointing honestly.

There are many songs that were written by others. With so much writing talent within the band, I found it surprising that it would be necessary to go outside of the group for material.

"Frail Grasp on the Big Picture" is a great song. Classic Henley. Political gold.
"And we pray to our lord, who we know is American" Great stuff.

I've been getting into a lot of female artists lately. It started with me going back and picking up Alanis Morrisette's "Under Rug Swept" which I wanted to get when it was released but for some reason I never got around to it. I loved it so I bought the other stuff that I was missing.

Politics
Still waiting to see what Hillary is going to do. She will definitely stick around for West Virginia, maybe then she will get the hell out. We shall see.

Just heard the term "Islamofascist" from Bill O's lips. God I hate that term. It is just meaningless to me. Completely contrived. Check out the Wikipedia entry for it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamofascism

I think you will agree with me on the misuse of the term fascist to describe these radicals.

Seriously! Get Out Hillary!

2008-05-07T16:47:00.001-04:00

Last night, when Hillary gave her 'victory' speech, I was wondering what she was going to say. I mean, even at the time she had won by what could only be described as a narrow margin. And then as the night wore on, it became clear that she might not win at all. So now that it is official that she won by a whopping 2% of the Indiana electorate, what does she do now.

Well, near the end her speech last night she seemed to starting the beginning of a way of stepping out. So we shall see. She was thanking everyone for their help in the campaign.

Just get out and do us all a huge favor!

The Slip

2008-05-05T09:14:00.002-04:00

Hey, Nine Inch Nails just released a new album called "The Slip" and it is available completely free of charge from NIN.com. I'm just listening to the first song right now. Check it out! So far it is very cool!

New Dreams

2008-04-25T12:09:00.003-04:00

Sometimes the dreams that we have for ourselves don't pan out. When that happens we must learn to revise our dreams, dream new dreams, somehow find new sources of inspiration. This is what will keep us alive and vibrant. This is what will give us a new sense of purpose.

Desire is a prison.

My Wife's Birthday!

2008-04-24T14:52:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Honey!

She knows that I love her even though I can be a real big jerk sometimes. I'm a very lucky man indeed.

Failures

2008-02-29T10:51:00.001-05:00

I've just been turned on to very funny blog. So go have a laugh at someone else's expense.

FailBlog

I guarantee you'll laugh out loud.

Mike Doughty's New CD

2008-02-28T13:26:00.002-05:00

Entitled "Golden Delicious" Doughty's new offering is filled with the witty, catchy, stick-in-your-ear sort of tunes that he so well known for. Starting with the politically tinged "Fort Hood" he sets off to rage against the idiocy that is the Iraq War and war in general.

One more step towards Big Brother...

2007-09-17T12:45:00.001-04:00

This article speaks about many new develops that are bringing us ever
more closer to realizing Orwell's dark vision:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6995061.stm

John Edwards Puts W. In His Place

2007-09-14T14:54:00.001-04:00

John Edwards bought time last night on MSNBC, after the president spoke,
to rebut the points that W. was trying so feebly to make. I think John
did a great job. Check it out.

The Draft IS an Option!!!

2007-08-13T16:00:00.001-04:00

Guiliani Slapdown!

2007-07-31T09:54:00.000-04:00

Regarding capital gains!

2007-07-31T09:30:00.001-04:00

This is a good rejoinder for the whole 'focus on the haircut thing'!

John Edwards...

2007-07-30T16:52:00.001-04:00

We're not safer now???

2007-07-18T12:01:00.001-04:00

The national intelligence estimate is in, and the report is not good. Apparently, Al Qaeda has restrengthened and is as strong, if not stronger than they were before 9/11. How can that be? Was it not the strategy to fight them over there so that we did not have to fight them over here? Have we lost 3000 citizens and around 3000 soldiers just so that Al Qaeda could reform and come back at us again? What the HELL is going on here?

How can the administration say that it has made us safe on the one hand and then play the fear card on the other, by saying the Al Qaeda is stronger now? Either we are safer or we are not. I am so tired of these fear mongering bastards that want us to give up all of our liberties for what they call safety. Their ineptness at all things has become evident over the past six years and I can't wait to vote these sacks of excrement from office.

Poe Quote of the Day

2007-07-17T09:28:00.001-04:00

"I have great faith in fools; self-confidence my friends call it."
Edgar Allan Poe

Being a fan of self-deprecating humor myself, I hold this quote in very high regard! I couldn't have said it better myself Edgar!

The Debate that Wasn't

2007-07-16T09:42:00.001-04:00

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/07/13/what-if-you-held-a-debate-and-almost-no-one-came/

Unbelievable! The NAACP held a debate for the GOP and only one of the nine candidates even bothered to show up, Tom Tancredo. I did not hear anything about his on the news. Why not? I would think that the entire field of Republican candidates dissing the NAACP would rise to the level of news, but I'm just a lowly citizen. What do I know?

This needs to be made known to the populace at large.

Poe Quote of the Day

2007-07-11T09:03:00.000-04:00

"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."
-- Edgar Allan Poe

Poe Quote of the Day

2007-07-10T08:57:00.001-04:00

"It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we
shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream."
-- Edgar Allan Poe

Poe Quote of the Day, Monday, 9 July 2007

2007-07-09T10:42:00.001-04:00

"I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago."
-- Edgar Allan Poe

This is a rather bleak assessment of the human condition, but it is
quite hard to argue with. Mankind seems to be dead set on destroying
itself. At each point in history when we have a chance to step away
from the brink, it seems we just edge even closer to it. I hope that
Poe and I are wrong. But I fear that we are not.

Strangely enough, after posting the above quote, Kurzweil.com sent me an e-mail about this story in the NY Times. I think you will notice the synchronistic nature of this.
NY Times on The Case Against Perfection

The Benefits of Big Brother. Seriously!?

2007-07-08T23:20:00.000-04:00

I can't believe what I just saw. On an ad for Anderson Cooper 360. Tomorrow night he will air his show with the theme, "Eye in the Sky: Why Don't We Have More?". The ad starts with a bit about how the British cameras have stopped so much crime, and has a stripe title at the bottom that reads "THE BENEFITS OF BIG BROTHER". I can not friggin' believe it! They just come right out and say it! It seems that they've already won if they can announce it to very little fanfare!

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!! YOU WILL NOT BE FREE FOR MUCH LONGER!!!

Poe Quote of the Day

2007-07-06T10:48:00.001-04:00

"The nose of a mob is its imagination. By this, at any time, it can be
quietly led."
-- Edgar Allan Poe

For those unfamiliar with Poe, he was politically aligned with Socrates in that he was not a big fan of democracy. He, like Socrates before
him, thought that democracy was akin to mob rule. While I in general
share this belief, I also realize that democracy IS the best form of
government yet to be devised. However, I think it is time for a major revision for, as most know, we don't live in a democracy, but a republic. A
republic in which the representatives are from the financial elite and
no one from outside the financial elite can gain access. This is
morally unjustifiable and I think it is crying out for a change.

A Free Energy Machine?

2007-07-05T15:48:00.001-04:00

I know, we've heard it before. But what if? The Steorn Company claims to have created a device that creates more energy than it uses, thereby creating 'free energy'. If this turns out to be true it would obviously be one of the greatest discoveries in the history of mankind.

We will wait and see.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/article2737932.ece
Steorn Company
Here is a skeptical viewpoint:
BBC

"I didn't vote for him, but he is my president, and I hope he does a good job"

2007-07-05T11:19:00.001-04:00

Keith Olbermann's special comment tonight was incredible. He began with the aforementioned quote from none other than John Wayne.

Clip Here

This is the way that I grew up thinking of the presidency. It was how my father taught me to view the president and how he viewed him. But W has turned that all on its head. He does not listen or respond to the will of the people whom he is supposed to be serving. He is an island unto himself and he cares not what the people who elected him think of what he does. At this point it has become clear that he will do what he wants and there is none to stop him. We have merely to wait until he leaves office. What a long wait that will be!

Why I support John Edwards...

2007-07-03T12:06:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know many people have a problem with this candidate, but I really don't understand their viewpoints. Yes, of course he could be as much of a scheister as the rest of the field, but I just get the feeling that he is actually the most competent one for the job. Here's why:

1) He comes from humble beginnings. Yes, he is rich now, but he did not start out that way. When he talks of poverty, he has personal experience to back up the talk.

2) He is rich. Some Repubs really like to play this up as a negative, but they never bring this up if it can be applied to one of their own, which it almost invariably can. In fact, name me one politician who hasn't made a fortune in one way or another. The fact that he is a trial lawyer doesn't bother me either, and it only bothers Republicans because he is not the RIGHT type of trial lawyer, i.e. he sues the rich bastards instead of representing them. That's not their cup of tea at all.

3) He has actual plans, on paper and online. While a few other candidates have come up with health care plans recently, he was one of the first. Dennis actually had one first, but his will NEVER pass, because it mandates a one payer, government sponsored system. And while John leaves open the possibility for this in the future, his plan doesn't grasp at it in the immediate term, because he knows that he won't be able to get it passed! Grand rhetoric is one thing, ideas that can make it through both houses of congress are quite another.

4) The media, and big business HATE him. This alone has to make you wonder why they so vilify him. Could they believe him to be the most electable of the current Dem candidates? I believe this to be the case, and that is why they have released the hell-hound known as Coulter on him.

5) His wife is intelligent, charming, and personable, and not backed by Rupert Murdoch.

These are my reasons that I hope John Edwards wins the Democratic nomination. While I know I may be being played, I still think he is the most competent candidate in the field.

Marion Barry ... revisited...

2007-07-03T08:18:00.000-04:00

Remember Marion Barry? The crack smoking mayor of D.C? Well, I've just stumbled across some great quotes from this great beacon of American virtue. Check them out for a great laugh!

Aspartame.... Deadly!

2007-07-02T14:28:00.000-04:00

I was watching Free Speech TV last night and saw a special entitled "Sweet Poison" about the artificial sweetener aspartame. They claimed that this sweetener had caused all sorts of maladies in humans who had ingested it in great quantities.

http://www.sweetpoison.com/
http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/
http://www.wnho.net/aspartamenews.htm

My First Blog

2007-07-02T14:13:00.000-04:00

Hello, Blogworld! I've named my blog, Mind of Poe because I am a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan. Not just of his fiction and poetry, but of his critical philosophical works as well. Here I will discuss my views on anything that comes to mind. Politics, philosophy, religion, current events. You name it.