WestWingWonderers

Please note: The following is random thoughts and observations of my own, based on my experiences in life, readings of historical documentation, and general scuttlebut picked up from different areas of the world. I present them as such and not documented fact, although much of it is documented in the older history books. History teaches us that expansion of one group means displacement or absorption of another group. Nature verifies this as well. Just ask Alabama about kudzu.

This is my country. One group of my people ran others out of the country way back when and were run out in turn by others. Been going on for the past 3 or 4 millennia. 

European and Nordic ancestors have been in and out of the country for better than a millineum, many of which settled here over the past 4 centuries, no, make that the past 5 centuries now. 

Just so you know, some were slave "owners" some weren't. I'd say no to that kind of foolishness but no one asked. Hasn't been an issue in my lifetime. I'm against the idea in general when we are talking about people.  

If you don't know, slavery still exist in this country and many other places in the world. Many false religions fully support and enforce slavery. Race is now only a flavor in current slave markets. Fact of the matter is that this has most always been so from ancient times. Black, white, yellow, even red have all been slaves and were the owners of slaves. The "American" that we now call native often kept slaves, although sometimes the difference could be hard to tell. North, Central and South American tribes, nations, confederations, empires and other groupings took slaves as the natural course of things as conquest and defeats were made. Same thing in the european area as well, for many centuries. The African continent has been in the same such turmoil as far back as history is written. Asia and India have had and still have their own slave markets though as with many other countries not always as an open market as it used to be. 

Slaves now are seldom bought for the agricultural purposes that they once were, as machines have replaced them and enabled the agricultural expansion to the point that we now have the capability to feed the world from a relatively small area of farmland. Now is the time of the sex slavers and similar service oriented tasking. New Orleans, Mobile, and other southern cities are no longer the centers of this illegal and immoral trade. Look rather to Los Angeles or New York for the slave blocks and not just in the chinatown areas. Slave labor hasn't died out nor shall it till judgement falls on all. 

Many people are now slaves of the government ruling over them, although the governments won't call it that, but what is the difference? Name only.   And it is not just communist countries but all countries, especially those who have a socialistic leaning. If the government is feeding you and the government is giving you "free" income, then you become dependent on the government for living unless you manage the money more wisely than my current observations indicate. You have chosen to become a servant of politics and you will be looking at starvation or criminal activity just to eat if you displease the government. 

The setup is complete now. The world will soon be disrupted by the coming anarchy that will pull today's "civilization" back to pre-dark age terror and isolationism. Look carefully at the past century. Check out this short list

National Socialist Party (Germany, 1930's)
United Soviet Socialist Republic (aka  Russia)

Both rose to power on fear and force. Do you think things will be different for us if we follow those same footsteps? How do you not see the repetitions of history? I figure to die about 2042 at 89 like my father and his father before him. 2043 will be left to you to decide, anarchy or common sense. Have fun yall.

Juicin'

This in not a reference to steroids.

This is a reference to real juicing, as from fruit of the vine, specifically from muscadine grape vines. Now you know we are talking jelly (or syrup) juicing. Instead of the old way that I learned growing up which was more labor intensive I invested in a steam juicer and I have to say I like it a bunch. Different type of labor but a serious reduction of mess that needs cleaning. I'm talking about saved labor over the course of years more than pays for the couple of hundred buck you might have to lay out. In my research I found that the best price-range was between 2 and 3 hundred. Those under 2 seem to be lacking in durable construction and other quality points, and over 3 you are paying for a name or something and paying too much, unless you are semi-commercial and need volume. Also if you are a "gourmet" you have a show to put on, so I get it. If you are like me, a home user, the names aren't a guiding factor, composition of the pots is the greater concern. Given current Alzheimer research it makes sense to go with stainless steel as I have seen no recent research that indicates troubles from the material. I would consider cast iron but haven't seen it available anywhere especially at a price I'd consider. And cast iron maintenance would involve more labor than the stainless steel variety, so I think probably not unless it was (really) made in the USA and under $300, then maybe it would be given consideration. If you are wondering about what you can juice this way, I have juiced the following:

Grapes
Mayhaws
Dewberries
Plums
Blueberries (I think) - BIG CAUTION ON STAINS
Blackberries

In my future plans I am also looking at peaches, apples, and most other fruits when I can get enough of them to fill the basket. Does anyone know of a test you can get to check for arsenic or other poisons that some fruit might have in their seeds? (Old Emergency episode with peach pits: lesson learned, don't eat them.) Found some groups on faceplantbookie that discuss interesting things within the group, one of the few intelligent uses of the format.

AND COUSINS, the fourth is not that far away, so start your planning now!!! Plane tickets would make a great Christmas/Hanukkah, New Years, President's Day, MLK Day, Easter, Graduation, BIRTHDAY present, no? 


  

It's HOT in the shade.

Looking like triple digit temps this weekend so be ready fellow rats. Lotsa water, not beer. Reduce caffiene intake and upgrade hydrogen hydroxide intake. Minimize carbon dioxide intake as well. Don't eliminate dem eggs though, fried or scrambled is fine.

Non-salsemen

In short, no such thing. Those familiar with Wynedom  (misspelled on purpose, you know who you are) know that the "advisors", "consultants", and other such names use all the same approaches, annoyances, tactics, and pressures that you find in all salesman training programs. But if it quacks like a duck, etc.; yup, duck. Pressure salesmen (and women) are programmed to get you to buy, no matter what they call the procedure. Things like "Dominate Buying Motive" are what they seek in use as a lever to move you into a more vulnerable position. Compassion as a tool, ""fear of losing" pressure, and a whole host of other psychological games are what they have in their tool box to part you from your hard earned money and time. Reason I say this is because the scams of the internet are just the latest in a long series of scams perpetrated by people and corporations for centuries, all depending on the gullibility, insecurity, and/or depression of people every where. It is a control game at it's heart, one that attempts to get you to give in as a final attempt to end the game, which is their goal. Once you have been ground down, salespeople then renew the game in order to bleed as much money out of you as possible and as long as possible, pushing you into the spiral of debt that they hope to continue inflicting on your children indefinitely. 

But what can we do to disengage these people? Whether at the store, on the phone, or in the streets you have the power and right to say "NO". Whether you are being robbed by someone with a gun or a clipboard and pencil understand that your right to life, liberty and happiness remains unimpeded. Of course, if facing someone with a gun or knife, I do not recommend engaging them if you do not have special combat training. But a salesperson, feel free to cut them with eye-daggers, or just turn around and walk away. If they pursue, turn around again. If that doesn't work ask them if they know Jesus. If they don't, then sit with them and explain sin and salvation if you can. If that proves to be too much of a challenge for you, which it is for many people, tell them of how the Lord has affected your life. If they do know Jesus, ask them why they aren't following His teachings? Over the phone you can just ask them the same questions they ask you, however, if they have a recording device they may record you to be cut and pasted later to give proper responses to "bad for you" questions. Really the best thing to do is say nothing, just like a hung up computer. Lay your phone down and come back five minutes later to see if they have hung up yet, if they are still talking, just hang up. There are so many ways to deal with it that you really need not concern yourself with them. I generally chose to let unrecognized numbers go to the voicemail box and if a message is left, go from there. If it is directv in walmart or that other one in target, I just pass them by like a payroll wagon passing a tramp, {for you Louis L'Amour fans.} We are not under any sort of obligation to buy anything from anyone, including our government, nor are we required to assist anyone on the street corner. We have the freedom to choose what we will do regardless of the desires of other people, but we also are required to live (or die) with the consequences. 

And you thought the Random Man could spread it thin.....