Where do you think laws come from?

The Digital Switch

Nice article on NPR.

Opens up an interesting debate:  Do Americans have a basic inherent right to receive TV broadcasts?

Some people may believe so.  I'm inclined to say no.  And this innocuous issue can help shed light on HOW people think.

Some people truly are free-market and commerce driven in their genetic code.  Others are more community based with an "everyone chips in, everyone benefits" conceptual design.

Rather than vilify one or the other as each does, why not simply understand that some people ARE different.

Even in economics, the purest of philosophy, it is foolish to ignore "the way things actually are."

And, whether some people like it or not, there are differing perceptions of HOW people should cooperate and progress. 

Perhaps taking a moment to pause and have a moment of empathy for the person who disagrees with you will be the step we all need in order to get along and find the best solution.

Just some chilled out thoughts on a Saturday Morning.

I understand David's concern about some underpriviliged people losing access to a modicum of "free" educational TV.  But the small window of those left in the dark will likely be outweighed by the greater benefit to society as a whole.  There will always be a lag in technology.  It's good to be aware of it. But we shouldn't take on arbitrary guilt.

As I see it, a world that isn't resorting to a little BOX to empower children isn't so bad.  How about a book?  Or, heaven forbid, a caring parent?

Perhaps this small "problem" is murmuring the solution to a bigger problem.

YouTube Version:  Click Here

Good Morning.  Sixty-Five years ago something amazing happened.  On the morning of June 6th, 1944 thousands of brave soldiers from the Allied Forces began Operation Overlord :  What we now know as D-Day.

A day which reminds each and every one of us that yes, there is something worth living for, fighting for and ultimately dying for.  The common good of mankind. 

It is a day which reminds us all that each and every person is vitally important to the mysterious and magical tapestry woven upon this pale blue dot in a lonely corridor of the limitless universe.

We are reminded that no human being is perfect.  But regardless of the sum-total of our collective imperfections, we can all face the present moment afresh with a simple and all-powerful choice.  The good decision.  The right decision.  The honorable decision.

Those brave souls who first tasted the salty beaches of Normandy understood that the right decision for mankind, for their loved ones and even for themselves, was to press on and to thwart the worst of human decisions. 

Hitler wasn’t merely a monster.  He was also a human being.  He was a symbol of how awful and destructive  the power of deliberate human decisions can be. But being human, like it or not, Hitler was one of us.  He had a mother he loved very much.  He despised the doctor who could not save her life.  He was an aspiring artist.  An idealist.  He was shaped by a myriad of dysfunctional relationships.  Somewhere along the way, he witnessed the narcissistic value of selfish gain.   He foolishly came to believe that in myopic terms, taking advantage of others would benefit himself.  He “got ahead”  in this world.  Hitler was wrong.  And the results of his decisions were horrific.

What is it that separates each and every one of us from tacking toward one side of the spectrum or to the other?  
 
Our thoughts. 
Our decisions. 
Our actions.

Each moment, we tack one way or the other as each moment we are presented with a decision.  Which is the better decision?  Most decisions can seem trivial in our mundane lives: which restaurant to go to, what movie to see, what color car should we get.  But the decision is the most powerful tool we possess.  One decision can shape the world.

That fact can be witnessed in the liberty Americans exercise with their right to vote.  The unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is inexorably fused with the God-given power to  free-will.  And to the individual’s decision making. 

No war is ideal.  No war is romantic.  No war is without it’s own collection of negative aftershocks.  It is not the conflict that makes men and women  Heroes.  It is their capacity to make the good decision.  The capacity to sacrifice their own unique and God-Given life to ensure the betterment of the unique and God-Given lives of the rest of mankind. 

Today is a day to honor heroes - both living and dead, both recognized and forgotten.  So as we honor the brave souls of D-Day, we ask ourselves how best to honor their legacy.  And today, every day from now on, in every moment - we can honor these heroes by becoming one.  We can become a hero in every moment.

It is for each of us to decide.

If our destiny is the sum-total of our decisions, then our God-given free will imbues each of us with the capacity to add, subtract, multiply or divide. 

On this day sixty five years ago, the world witnessed the true measure of the human spirit.

The ability to make the best decision, even though it is the toughest decision.

To the heroes of D-Day I say:

Thank you for protecting my life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.  Today I renew my vow to honor your legacy with better decisions at every opportunity.

Thank you.

http://www.amazon.com/D-Day-June-1944-Climatic-Battle/dp/0743449746/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244302037&sr=8-1

Hello Everybody out in Internet-Land!

I am curious as to how many congressional districts are represented with members of this site.

If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to take a census to see what districts and who are representaives where you reside.  Post it in the comment below.  I'm wanting to start a group around knowing our districts.  But I thought I'd fire this out before I get the ball rolling.  Measure twice, cut once!

What's your district?

i.e.

Mine is:

Post yours.  Or if you want to find yours?

http://nationalatlas.gov/natlas/Natlasstart.asp  click the FIND tab

Let's find out how far and wide the #tfree movement goes

#tfree

The Punch List 04 17 09  spokeup.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBFqCuw_2zY
#tfree #spokeup

The only way to truly separate from the pack of L/R attack hounds is to keep your cool. 

Big ups to Norm who endured Susan fro CNN with lots of class. 

Big Ups to Cody who handled a tacky editing smear job from an "alleged" funny man with class.

Big Ups to everyone who can see the future...  a hilltop, not too far away that is above the wretched abyss of partisan warfare.

The Punch List
Unfiltered, Unscripted, Unshaven.
Our world today in about a minute. News, Commentary, Hangover
http://www.punchnetwork.com
Today's List:
* Ashton Kutcher wins Twitter battle with CNN - c'mon, is that really a fair match? I mean, Ashton is very likable. CNN, not so much.
* Deal Brings TV Shows and Movies to YouTube - why would people watch TV & movies on YouTube when they can bitTorrent them? I mean, other than the legal issue.
* GM CEO warns bankruptcy more probable - Really? I think you might be the last person to realize that.
* 3 Million Fitness Balls Recalled - There's a funny visual... Lot's of Husbands have some apologies to make...See Harry, I told you it was defective!
* Apple trumps Windows PC makers in customer experience study - but the findings might be skewed as some of the PC's used to administer the survey unexpectedly froze up.

----i decided to repost my bookmark as a blog ----

In case any of you feel like drafting a document, here is the example from my home state.

"Texas is a free and independent State, subject only to the Constitution of the United States"

Texas understands that a "voluntary" decision in joining the Union is equally yolked to the right to "voluntarily" leave said Union.  Technically, it isn't secession. 

Texas is a Free Republic.  It is not beholden to the federal government, POTUS, the 49 other states - only the U.S. Cnstitution (and voluntarily so).  Texas is voluntarily a member of the United States. 

All the brouhaha about Texas Seceding is really more Mainstream Media Gestapo nonsense.  If someone picks a political argument with you... just ask them if they've actually read the Texas Constitution.  It should end the "conversation" right there.  People should be less concerned about Texas or any state leaving the Union and more concerned with the Union leaving it's guiding principles in the dustbin. 

The Constitution is a Contract we keep with ourselves and each other.  It's kind of like a promise.   But few people keep those anymore.  So why should we expect a Constitution to be upheld ?

The Battle Lines are in the Lexicon.  Definitions.  He who controls the definition, controls the contract.  The ability to manipulate words and their meanings is the front lines of the real culture war.  It can be illustrated in a simple relationship between two people.  What one person "means" is wholly independent from what the other person "understands."  Communication is thus reduced to arbitrary subjective intersections of definitions.

Heavy, I know.  But here is a Test to prove my point:  Within this blog there is no indication of MY preference to Texas' staying or leaving the Union.  Merely noting the issue.  However, the perception of my position can be construed one way or the other when infused with the views of the reader.  Someone Pro-Secession might see this as reinforcing their beliefs.  Someone anti-secession might bristle at the topic and marginalize me.  And yet, MY intent is somehow lost in the transaction.  Or should I say, translation?

Next time you feel like getting in to  a hot debate.  Ask the other person to define their words.  Seriously.  Stop on every word that has significant meaning to you.  Ask them for their definition.  I'd bet my house it won't match yours.  Make it a drinking game.   Everyone is a walking dictionary.  There are Six Billion dictionaries walking around on this little blue ball and not a single Rosetta Stone.  Instead of throwing rocks at each other,  pick up your chisel.  Be that Rosetta Stone. 

He asked, "Where are we going?" 

She replied, "We're on our way to Understanding."

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Index.aspx

The Punch List  04/16/09  SpokeUp.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nWHM7JAY7E
#tfree #spokeup

Extremists?  As in, Extremely noble?  Extremely honest?  Extreme Integrity?   Extremely civil?  Extremely nice?  Extremely law-abiding?  Okie Dokie

I think the real Tin Foil Hat Fashionistas came out of the woodworks this week.  And they work for MSM @ CNN & MSNBC.  But I refuse to vilify, marginalize & demonize them as is their M.O.  I believe it is our responsibility as free thinking and empathetic human beings to reach out and save these emotionally broken people.  Just as Martin Luther King, Jr. Dreamed for healing, Free Thinkers can Dream for a culture to rise above the irrational dualism of Left vs. Right Ideologies.  #tfree promotes an end to Political Bigotry.

God Bless The 1st Amendment.   Stay on message.  Think Free Free Thinkers.

I'm proposing a Bill of Rights Festival.  Who wants to help me get it started?

mildly concerned with MSM engaging in all-out cultural gestapo-esque tactics.  Remember the Bill of Rights?  #tfree

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grabbed the vid with more "context" for any of the Left-Wing Tin-Foil Hat Fashionistas out there...
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offensive message? perhaps.  But  no one seemed to ask that question when it was Bush's image on such a protestors poster for the past few years. 

Journalism has truly gone the way of the dinosaur....  not only does America have a dysfunctional Two-Party political system.  It has a Two-Party Media Beast.
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Left & Right is the New Black & White.  End Political Bigotry.

#tfree

Oh man oh man oh man...

I haven't felt too bloggy lately.  I'm in the midst of A) regaining actual strength and B) prepping my yard so that it won't die a miserable death this summer.

For all those nincompoops who actually "believed" in the "change," I hope last night was a kick in the teeth.  I've grown so used to our President and every other politician dodging questions, that I feel it is somewhat normal.  Albeit unacceptable!

Not once did Obama answer a question directly.  And if I hear, "and that's not just my opinion," one more time I might throw my remote at the TV.  Or how about this one, "I inherited this problem."  I thought the blame-game was over.  A "new-era" in politics.  That change materialized much like the 5 day waiting period to sign legislation oh, and those pesky earmarks!  Not to mention former Lobbyists in the administration.  Lies Lies Lies!!

I'm sure I'd love to shoot around with the guy.  And he'd be fun to hang out with at an Otis Day tribute show.  But I'm really beginning to wonder if this guy even comprehends what the eFF is going on.  Can you say overwhelmed?

His teleprompter reading is becoming unbearable.  The hurkyjerky stop start is more than annoying.  It's amateur. 

For all the tin foil hatters out there who think he's on his way to world domination...  nope.  The Europeans see through his B.S.  Even the visually impaired Gordon Brown can see through it.  It will simply be a matter of time until the MSM and TwitterNation swallows it's collective pride and calls it like it is.

Here's an Economics Lesson right quick:  If the market shoots up 100% and the inflation doubles... has any actual wealth been created?  Nope.  The Physics of Economics is Bigger than Geithner and the shell game Congress is playing with POTUS.  Valuation will find itself.  One way or another.  If you won't let housing prices fall... guess what... inflation will surge to devalue those very "dollar values." 

If a house was 100,000 and was supposed to collapse to 50,000, then by maintaining the 100,000 price the purchasing power of said fiat unit "the dollar" will fall proportionately.  It's the physics of economics.  You can't outrun it.  House values are going down one way or another.  Tough toenails!

And that leads me to a final point:  Shifting away from the US Dollar will ease the pain of those Carrying Huge Debt in US Dollars.  When a debt load gets too burdensome, the valuation of that debt collapses eventually.  It is the one bright side, actually.    The future crisis for America will be... what will the valuation of our treasuries... our "obligations to China" be after the collapse?  Basically, a firesale of U.S. assets.  And that is the major suck fest.  By nationalizing the banks... the U.S. govt owns the mortgages...  meaning that when the U.S. defaults... China et al gets to renegotiate our debt (your mortgage and mine!) in a new currency.  Or foreclose. Yippee!!

Left & Right is a ruse to distract the masses.  The politicians have enacted the perfect Divide and Conquer of it's own constituents.  That's why I propose shedding all Party Affiliations.  Taking sides with pundits bashing one another IS  exactly what they want.  Because it prevents the people from focusing their attention on the real problem.  The yahoos we've been conned into electing.

They will never reach across the aisle.  I say, let's throw a Tea Party right smack dab in the middle of that aisle.  We still have the power.  We own our votes.  We Control Them!  Don't you forget it.

Okay... now for some giggles...

The Punch List
Unfiltered, Unscripted, Unshaven.
Our world today in about a minute. News, Commentary, Hangover
http://www.punchnetwork.com
Today's List:

The Punch List! 03/25/09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaNdZOA1pqo
Czech Mate!  #spokeup #tfree

*US focuses internally in war on drugs - cause it's like super dangerous in those Latin American countries. Yikes!
* Czech PM attacks Obama economic recovery plans as "a way to hell" - Czech Mate! Oh, and the Czech Government collapsed, FYI.
* Catholic faithful face church closures - Big Ups to Sister Christine Schenk of futurechurch.org - she's the only one in the article that mentioned Jesus... and noone mentioned God. Hmmm... correlation?
* Bobby Jindal defends those who want Obama to fail - Hey Bobby, wanting it more doesn't make it more likely... just like wanting it less won't prevent it either. Let it happen naturally, like for every other politician.
* YouTube Blocked in China - Again -- That sucks, over half my hits were from China.

If this keeps going on, every night might as well be like St. Patrick's Day.  Drink up.

Cause every morning feels like the day after St. Patrick's Day.  Huzzah!

Happy Day After Beer Day!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYkNQtlQvk0
#spokeup #tfree

The Punch List
Unfiltered, Unscripted, Unshaven.
Our world today in about a minute. News, Commentary, Hangover
http://www.punchnetwork.com
Today's List:

* Hamas not budging in negotiations - No kidding?  Really?
* Iran Rejects UK Pressure to End Uranium Enrichment Program - I'm pretty sure finger wagging at the middle east became passé in the 1930's
* Alcopops tax defeated in the Senate after second vote - Now that's a G'Day!  Drink up!
* Apple unveils App options in iPhone software - cut & paste!  Oh, and picture messaging... no need to be left out of all that teen sexting controversy!
* Treasury Dept. to dock AIG executive bonuses - We can officially declare the U.S. Government incompetent.