Gene Cartwright's Posts - iFOGO Village

"Letter To My Old Master"

2012-01-31T22:02:54.000Z

I can take no credit for what follows, yet I feel inextricably connected. If you breathe, walk upright and eat with a fork, I invite you to read this in its entirety.

From Letter To My Old Master

In August of 1865, a Colonel P.H. Anderson of Big Spring, Tennessee, wrote to his former slave, Jourdan Anderson, and requested that he come back to work on his farm. Jourdan — who, since being emancipated, had moved to Ohio, found paid work, and was now supporting his family — responded spectacularly by way of the letter seen below (a letter which, according to newspapers at the time, he dictated).

Rather than quote the numerous highlights in this letter, I'll simply leave you to enjoy it. Do make sure you read to the end.

(Source: The Freedmen's Book; Image: A group of escaped slaves in Virginia in 1862, courtesy of the Library of Congress.)

Dayton, Ohio,

August 7, 1865

To My Old Master, Colonel P.H. Anderson, Big Spring, Tennessee

Sir: I got your letter, and was glad to find that you had not forgotten Jourdon, and that you wanted me to come back and live with you again, promising to do better for me than anybody else can. I have often felt uneasy about you. I thought the Yankees would have hung you long before this, for harboring Rebs they found at your house. I suppose... Read Complete Letter.

Gene Cartwright
iFOGO
GeneCartwright.com

If You Value Your Online Security...

2012-01-18T02:46:51.000Z

I have no vested interest in sharing this, except to provide helpful information you will likely not find on any other network.

Today, my bank alerted me to this free service/tool that helps web users add an invaluable layer of security to their online activity and transactions. Read the following:

____________

Rapport is a lightweight security software solution that protects web communication between enterprises, such as banks, and their customers and employees.

Rapport implements a completely new approach to protecting customers and employees. By locking down customer browsers and creating a tunnel for safe communication with the online website, Rapport prevents Man-in-the-Browser malware and Man-in-the-Middle attacks. Rapport also prevents phishing via website authentication to ensure that account credentials are passed to genuine sources only.

Rapport’s unique technology blocks advanced Trojans including Zeus, Silon, Torpig and Yaludle without the need to constantly update and chase the different variants of these Trojans. Its proprietary browser lockdown technology simply prevents unauthorized access to information that flows between customer and employee websites regardless of whether these attempts were generated by new or known Trojan variants. Rapport is also capable of preventing very targeted and under the radar phishing attacks.

Enterprises such as banks can easily configure the system to protect customers and employees and begin offering them Rapport software for quick download from their website. Following a simple one time installation process, Rapport begins securing browsers, works in the background and does not call for a change in user behavior – customers and employees can bank and use the internet as usual – thus enabling fast adoption. Rapport comes with a rich management application that enables enterprises to effectively trigger alerts, view and analyze data as well as manage security.

Rapport is focused on preventing online fraud committed by financial malware and differs from Anti-Virus and Firewalls because it:

Locks down access to financial and private data instead of looking for malware signatures
Communicates with your online banking website to provide feedback on security level and report unauthorized access attempts
Allows for immediate action to be taken against changes in threat

There is more. To learn more, and to download this free software, go here:

http://www.trusteer.com/ (main site)

http://www.trusteer.com/product/trusteer-rapport (for product download)

Gene

GeneCartwright.com

How to Improve Your Eye Health

2012-01-14T00:30:00.000Z

*Courtesy Diet Digest

Ocular nutrition and eye health is an important part of helping maintain our vision and eye health as we age. One can safely say that every part of the human eye needs ocular nutrition support and nutrition to improve eye health.

Healthy vision and the human eye is related to the health of the individual parts of the eye — the cornea, iris, macula, lens, optic nerve, pupil, retina and the vitreous humor. And ocular nutrition is one of the ways good vision can be supported.

As we age, many things can go wrong with our vision. Ultraviolet light from the sun can damage the lens and the cornea. Wind, dust, chlorine fumes, automobile fumes, freezing temperatures and physical injury are examples of threats to good vision.

Vibration from driving and hitting potholes has a cumulative negative impact on eye health as well as long hours spent in front of a computer screen. And certainly we need foods that help to promote healthy eyes.

Here is ocular nutrition information for nourishing the eyes:

Based on information provided by the U.S. National Eye Institute, results of nutrition and eye health food studies have shown that consuming certain foods provides ocular nutrition. In other words, using food to improve eyesight and nutrition to improve eye health has been proven by studies. Here is a list of food to improve eyesight:

Ocular nutrition with collard greens, kale and spinach.
Studies show that eating foods rich in

carotenoids

is associated with reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Foods rich in carotenoids are leafy green vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale. Macular eye nutrition becomes increasingly important as we age.

Ocular nutrition with green vegetables and corn.
Another study on ocular nutrition has shown a reduced likehood of developing cataracts for persons with diets higher in

lutein

and

zeaxanthin.

Foods high in these two carotenoids are broccoli, collard greens, corn, green peas, kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens and zucchini. Lutein is also found in egg yolks.

Persons with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin were also less likely to need cataract surgery. In another study, persons ages 40-59 with macular eye nutrition diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin may experience reduced risk of developing adult macular degeneration.

Ocular nutrition with blueberries, apricots and bilberries.
Besides the studies reported by the National Eye Institute above, other studies exist on ocular nutrition and foods that improve eye sight.

Eating blueberries has been associated with the reduction of eye fatigue. Blueberries are related to cranberries, and both also help the body resist urinary tract infections.

Apricots are rich in nutrients such as

beta carotene

and

lycopene

that help promote good vision. Beta carotene is converted as needed by the body to vitamin A, an important antioxidant that resists oxidative stress damage to cells and tissues, including the eye lenses. Continued oxidative stress may result in the development of cataracts or damage the blood supply to the eyes and lead to macular degeneration.

Bilberries grow on small bushes and were used by British pilots to improve their night vision and eye health night vision. Fresh bilberries and bilberry jams would be sources of this ocular nutrition food. Bilberry seems to improve eye health by increasing the blood supply to the eyes (smoking, for example, decreases the blood supply to the eyes). The substance in bilberry that nourishes eye tissue is called

anthocyanosides.

Ocular nutrition with cold water fish and Omega 3 fish oil.
Cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, cod, haddock as well as sardines are rich in the healthy

Omega 3

oils. For example, Eskimos have almost no incidence of open-angle glaucoma with their diet rich in Omega 3 cold-water fish which maybe is the best foods for optic nerve. Omega 3 is also associated with numerous other health benefits relating to improving heart health, arthritis symptoms relief and lowering chosterol. It is certainly one of the best foods for clear eyesight and eye health.

Here’s additional important ocular nutrition and vision information:

Besides the nutrients and ocular nutrition foods described above, the following nutrients are associated with vision and eye health.

Alpha Lipoic Acid – ALA improves the performance of other antioxidants in the body
L-Taurine – helps protect the eyes from UV light and helps strengthen the retinal cells
Lycopene – a strong antioxidant found in tomatoes
N-Acetyl Cysteine – helps protect the eyes from damage by UV light and strengthens the immune system
Quercetin – a strong antioxidant that helps maintain lens transparency; exists in small amounts in red wine
Vitamin C – helps the body resist damage by oxidation (damage from long-term exposure to oxygen and light)
Zinc – helps support macula and retina health; levels of zinc and eye health are definitely related

How can you obtain these ocular nutrition nutrients every day?

Great question! You have several options:

1 – Try to include the ocular nutrition foods in the daily meal planning. Consuming more whole foods and healing and eye health should be a goal of everyone. While using nutrition to improve eye health is a good idea, very large quantities of the eye-healthy foods are needed to provide meaningful nutrient levels.

2 – Take the various nutrients individually in supplement form.

3 – Take a vision and eye health specific nutritional supplement. There are ocular health vitamins and ocular health nonprescription supplements that help maintain or even improve eyesight. This can be a practical and cost-effective solution.

4 – Take a daily multiple vitamin/mineral supplement that includes the vitamins for ocular health providing the eye-healthy nutrients in meaningful quantities. This option can be the best way, assuming one can locate such a product. Most daily supplements either do not include all of the eye-healthy nutrients, or the quantities are so low as to be of little benefit.

We should never take eye health and good vision for granted. The fact that you were searching for the term "ocular nutrition" means you are already aware that nutrition and supplementation can help maintain or even improve your eye health.

Failing vision does not have to be a part of getting older - give your eyes the critical ocular nutrition and nutrients in meaningful quanties every day. This likely means including ocular health vitamins in your daily supplementation. Your future eye health may depend on it!

Gene

GeneCartwright.com

A Day In The Life

2012-01-04T18:30:00.000Z

A Day In The Life

Palm prawns prance in tradewind breeze.

Another day in Paradise.

Tropical creatures of the air soar and dive.

Another day in Paradise.

The gods smile and stay their thunder and rain,

to suit rich, tan bodies that rise at dawn,

to plant bare feet in shimmering white sand.

Another day in Paradise.

A boundless view of crystal blue waters.

Sleek, shiny, snow-white yachts anchored nearby,

vessels boasting captains and crews in smart attire.

Servants poised to answer every desire and whim.

French Bordeaux, world cuisine, meals for kings.

A bright, golden sun rules in an azure sky,

above this pleasure paradise—this Garden of Eden;

a Shangri-la worlds away from paupers and beggars,

natural calamities, war and such earthly hell.

Another day in Paradise.

Life seems forever.

Screaming sirens serenade sweltering nights.

Another day in the life.

Random gunfire crackles, signaling the dawn.

Another day in the life.

Well-worn, war zone pathways to school,

littered with human rejects, and their refuse:

blood-dipped needles strewn along the way.

Another day in the life.

Funeral bells toll for young lives gone too soon,

in a place where young hearts dare to dream,

but of only the next heart beat, the next breath.

Shuttered windows, barred doors, cluttered streets.,

children at play under their mothers’ watchful eyes.

Their neighborhoods? Little more than cemeteries,

home to the living, the dead, and the living dead.

Even nature afflicts the afflicted, damns the damned

in this garden of evil in the midst of pure hell.

Another day in the life

One dream realized, another still-born, if at all.

One life ascends to what seems a birthright

of power and success, while another falls

farther into the abyss.

Yet, the dispossessed must cling persistently to hope,

a hope that endures, a hope that rises like leaves

of grass through narrow cracks

in their concrete wasteland.

Though beaten down, the young must also rise

each day, determined that, despite all,

and through their striving,

the dark fate bequeathed them will not repeat…

another day.

__*___

from "Still Dreaming"

a book of poetry by Gene Cartwright

'White Christmas' Like You've Never Heard!

2012-01-02T23:30:00.000Z

White Christmas?

Okay, I know the Christmas Holiday season is over but I could not resist sharing this with everyone. While sending eCards to family and friends (using PixApple, of course) I used a version of 'White Christmas' I had recently added to the 'music choices' on PixApple. I confess that I had not listened to the complete file. I soon learned something.

In a response I received from one of the card recipients, the person went on and on about the well-known carol. So, I had to listen to find out what I had missed. I listened and was 'blown away' by this piano rendition of the Christmas favorite. Now, I know that purists may not take to this version but they will definitely appreciate the virtuosity.

So go here and give a listen.

'White Christmas'.

Gene

You and Google: Did you know...

2011-12-29T04:00:00.000Z

Please read the following:

Happy New Year!!

I am almost certain many do not yet realize just how powerful the tools are here on iFOGO Village—tools to help you market yourself and your books.

How We Will Change in 2012: Read Alert Below.

You and Google. Your content on iFOGO Village is searchable on across the web.

Check it out: GOOGLE iFOGOVillage + 'Your Name.'

Did you know that your content on iFOGO Village, iFOGO.com, and Books For Film is searchable on Google, Yahoo, and Bing + countless other search engines? Google ifogovillage + your name

Did you know that the more content you provide (blogs, etc), the more your name and material is catalogued and made available?

Did you know you can use the RSS Feed tool here to spread the word about you and your books through your blogs? (Learn about RSS Feeds)
See the ‘RSS’ add link on the bottom left of your ‘My Page.’ Add your blog links there.

Did you know that inactivity in providing substantive content lowers your web visibility?

Did you know that by supporting iFOGO Village, Books For Film, and all our efforts, you are promoting yourself?

$0.0249 Cents/Day. Did you know that we provide much more in value than the $8.99 per year support? It’s true.

NOTE:

In 2012, we must determine the net effect of what we do to help authors promote themselves. Our hope is that all our current members who are presently not supporting us will do so.

Includes iFOGO Village + Books For Film & PixApple.

On January 10, iFOGO Village will be a 100% member-supported network.

Members who have joined since October, are exempted.
We recognize that our membership numbers will likely plummet. However, we will know whom we are serving and will be inspired to offer even more.
Those who are already supporting us through various subscriptions and donations, and are otherwise exempted, need not respond.

So, is what we do worth 0.0249 Cents per day to you?
We will soon know.

**Here is the link:**

We wish you all great success in 2012.
Remember. You get more back when you contribute your insight, ideas, questions, discoveries, experiences, and challenges with others.

What have you contributed this year?

Happy New Year!

Gene

4 Risky Places to Swipe Your Debit Card

2011-12-26T17:14:01.000Z

Reprinted w/permission from Yahoo Finance:

4 Risky Places to Swipe Your Debit Card

Claes Bell
Thursday, December 22, 2011

Debit Cards Are Different

Would you give a thief direct access to your checking account?

No? Unfortunately, you may be doing just that by regularly using your debit card. Debit cards may look identical to credit cards, but there's one key difference. With credit cards, users who spot fraudulent charges on their bill can simply decline the charges and not pay the bill. On the other hand, debit cards draw money directly from your checking account, rather than from an intermediary such as a credit card company.

Because of that, even clear-cut cases of fraud where victims are protected from liability by consumer protection laws can cause significant hardship, says Frank Abagnale, a secure-document consultant in Washington, D.C.

He cites the example of the The TJX Companies Inc.'s T.J. Maxx data breach that exposed the payment information of thousands of customers in 2007. The incident resulted in $150 million in fraud losses, and much of it was pulled directly from customers' bank accounts. While credit card users got their accounts straightened out and new cards in the mail within a few days, the case created major problems for debit card holders who waited an average of two to three months to get reimbursed, Abagnale says.

While debit card fraud is always a possibility, being careful where you use it can help keep your checking account balance out of the hands of criminals.

Skimming ATMs

The idea that outdoor ATMs are among the most dangerous places to use a debit card seems a little bit absurd. But some ATMs present a perfect opportunity for thieves to skim users' debit cards, says Chris McGoey, a security consultant based in Los Angeles.

Skimming is the practice of capturing a bank customer's card information by running it through a machine that reads the card's magnetic strip. Those machines are often placed over the real card slots at ATMs and other card terminals.

"Any transaction you do outdoors at an open ATM is going to be higher risk exposure," McGoey says. "If the public has access to it, then someone has the ability to add skimming devices to it, position cameras on it and position themselves in a way where they could surveil it."

He says you're better off using an ATM inside a retail outlet or other high-trafficked, well-lit place.

Julie McNelley, senior analyst for Aite Group LLC, a Boston-based financial services research firm, says even the card terminals that card users must swipe to get into ATM vestibules are being used as a skimming site by criminals. You can spot ATM skimmers by checking for ATM components that look beat-up or askew, she says.

[See also: Money Checklist for 2012]

Stealing PINs at Gas Stations

Gas stations are another danger zone for debit card use.

"You go to a gas station and you stick your debit card in there, and you swipe it through a machine," Abagnale says. "I'm sitting across the street with a laptop and an antenna. I put a skimmer in there, and I'm picking up all the information. Before you even get home, I've debited your account."

Gas station payment terminals have many of the characteristics card fraudsters love, McNelley says.

"In a gas station where you do have a whole bunch of pay-at-the-pump kinds of things and minimal supervision, it's pretty easy for a bad guy to put a skimming device on and put a little pinpoint camera there and compromise debit cards that way," McNelley says. Thieves often use small cameras to capture footage of debit card users entering their PINs so they can have free access to their money.

She says even if the thief doesn't manage to get your debit card personal identification number, or PIN, from such a device, he still may be able to duplicate the card's magnetic strip and use it for "sign and swipe" Visa or MasterCard transactions.

With the high potential for fraud in pay-at-the-pump debit transactions, it might make sense to use an alternative such as cash or credit cards the next time you fill up.

The Web Is a Risky Place

Debit cards are a convenient way to buy products online, especially for those who don't like to use credit cards. Unfortunately, the Web is one of the most dangerous places to make purchases, McNelley says.

"Online is the No. 1 place where consumers should not use their debit cards," she says. "It's susceptible at so many points. The consumer could have malware on their computer, so it could be at their endpoint that the data get compromised. It could be a man-in-the-middle attack where somebody is eavesdropping on their communications via the wireless network. And then at the other end, that data goes into a database at the merchant. As we've seen with some of the higher-profile breach events over the last year or so, that data is going to be vulnerable if (they're) not properly cared for."

Aside from the potential for hacking at many different points in a transaction, Abagnale says a fundamental problem with using debit cards online is it's impossible to know who is handling your information.

"Buying stuff online, you have to be careful because you have to know who you're doing business with. When you buy things online, what always kills me about that is people say, 'This is a safe site,'" Abagnale says. "Who works there?"

Restaurants Keep Customer Data on File

"Would you care for a side of debit card fraud with that?"

Restaurant servers don't ask that question, but they might as well with the standard practice of taking customers' debit cards to run them behind closed doors.

"Any place where the card is out of hand" can increase the chances of fraud, says McGoey. "The guy comes to your table, takes your card and disappears for a while, so he or she has privacy," giving the person the opportunity to copy your card information.

Even restaurants without sit-down service can present a threat. McNelley says using debit cards to order delivery can be risky because cashiers tend to keep customer payment information on file. That may make future orders more convenient, but small businesses rarely take the steps necessary to safeguard payment information, she says.

Overall, she says, regardless of whether you use your debit card at a small restaurant or a big-box store, the possibility of fraud is always there. She cites the example of Michaels Stores Inc., which saw its customers' debit card information stolen in May by debit card terminals doctored by thieves.

"Even if you do exercise caution ... there are still the Michaels-type incidents that will happen," McNelley says.

This article is part of a series related to being Financially Fit

We Now Give Rewards to Your Book Buyers

2011-12-19T23:25:01.000Z

We Now Give Rewards to Your Book Buyers.

Like most author-centric networks, our focus has been on encouraging authors to share their knowledge, aspirations, and experiences to the benefit of others. Still we recognize that the goal is to sell books to book-buyers. That is goal number one, right?

With that in mind, we are modifying our goals to attract readers/buyers to iFOGO Village. We do that by launching a Buyer Rewards Program. We will keep it simple:

When buyers validate they have purchased a book from one of our *participating members, we give them a Buyer Reward.
Presently, that Reward is a Premium PixApple Membership ($9.00 value).
More Rewards will be added.
*Participating Authors are those who display our "iFOGO Reward button on his/her 'My Page.'
Promote to your potential buyers on Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, etc., by using your iFOGO Rewards Button!

Authors may copy and paste this image anywhere on the Internet, including emails.
Authors may change the link to direct user directly to their 'My Page.'

See Buyer Rewards Page For Buyers! Buyers Bo Not Have to be Village Members.

That's it!

Gene

From CDC: Is Bottled Water Safe? A Must Read.

2011-12-14T21:20:34.000Z

Commercially Bottled Water

Basics

Americans spend billions of dollars every year on bottled water. People choose bottled water for a variety of reasons including aesthetics (for example, taste), health concerns, or as a substitute for other beverages.

If you have questions about bottled water, make sure you are informed about where your bottled water comes from and how it has been treated. The standards for bottled water are set by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA bases its standards on the EPA standards for tap water.

For basic information on bottled water, see EPA’s brochure on Bottled Water Basics [PDF - 1.39 mb].
Read the label on your bottled water. While there is currently no standardized label for bottled water, this label may tell you about the way the bottled water is treated.
Check the label for a toll-free number or Web page address of the company that bottled the water. This may be a source of further information.

Top of Page

Bottled Water & Immunocompromised Individuals

People with compromised immune systems may want to take special precautions with the water they drink. In healthy individuals, the parasite Cryptosporidium can cause illness; however, for those with weakened immune systems, it can cause severe illness and possibly death. Look for bottled water treatments that protect against Cryptosporidium, which include:

Reverse Osmosis
Distillation
Filtration with an absolute 1 micron filter

For further information on Cryptosporidium, visit CDC’s Cryptosporidiosis: A Guide to Commercially-Bottled Water and Other Beverages.

Top of Page

Fluoride and Bottled Water

Some bottled waters contain fluoride, and some do not. Fluoride can occur naturally in source waters used for bottling or be added. Most bottled waters contain fluoride at levels that are less than optimal for good oral health. To learn more, check out the CDC's Fact Sheet on Questions About Bottled Water and Fluoride

Top of Page

Safety and Regulation

The FDA regulates bottled water under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and sets standards for bottled water that are based on ones developed by EPA. If these standards are met, water is considered safe for most healthy individuals. The bottled water industry must also follow FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) for processing and bottling drinking water.

Top of Page

Bottled Water Outbreaks

Although bottled water outbreaks are not often reported, they do occur. It is important for bottled water manufacturers, distributors, and consumers to:

Protect and properly treat water before bottling
Maintain good manufacturing processes
Protect bottled water during shipping and storage
Prevent contamination at the point of use (after purchase by the consumer)

The presence of contaminants in water can lead to adverse health effects, including gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. Infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people whose immune systems are compromised because of AIDS, chemotherapy, or transplant medications, may be especially susceptible to illness from some contaminants.

Reported Outbreaks* Associated with Bottled Water

Outbreaks associated with bottled water by point of contamination:

Contamination at Water Source

2000: acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) caused by the bacteria Salmonella Bareilly

Contamination During Commercial Bottling

1980: AGI caused by an unidentified agent
1989: AGI caused by an unidentified agent
1994: AGI caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae
2003: AGI caused by the chemical bromate

Contamination During Shipping, Hauling, or Storage

2003: AGI caused by an unidentified chemical cleaning product

Contaminated at Point of Use

2000: AGI caused by the bacteria Shigella sonnei Type D
2003: AGI caused by an unidentified agent

Unknown Point of Contamination

1973: AGI caused by an unidentified agent
1999: AGI caused by an unidentified agent
2001: AGI caused by the chemical ethylbenzene
2004: AGI caused by gasoline byproducts
2007: AGI caused by an unidentified agent

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety of bottled water. If you suspect an illness resulting from the consumption of bottled water, you should contact your local public health department.

For more information on water-related diseases, see the Water-related Diseases and Contaminants page.

* Based on tracking of waterborne outbreaks from 1971-2008. Outbreak reporting is dependent on detection, investigation, and reporting of the outbreak. This requires health effects to be measured and these health effects to be linked to water exposure. However, many contaminants (i.e., many chemicals) in drinking water may not cause easily recognizable outbreaks because they require a long chronic exposure period. As a result, they would not be part of waterborne disease outbreak reporting or part of this list.

GeneCartwright.com

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My Father's Son

2011-12-14T21:00:00.000Z

My Father’s Son

From The Book of Poetry: Still Dreaming

and novel, I Never Played Catch WIth My Father

Who am I?

I am my mother’s child,

plucked from her womb, bathed in her blood,

wrapped in her warm love, unending.

I am the tree planted by the river’s edge.

I am a jewel in the crown of all creation.

I am my mother’s child.

But, I am my father’s son.

Who am I?

I am my mother’s child,

nurtured from her breasts, cloaked with her care,

soothed by her sweet voice, unfailing.

I am a seed sown deep in rich, black sod.

I am the rich harvest of past generations.

I am my mother’s child.

But, I am my father’s son.

When I have walked in dark, foreboding places

and stood in danger’s path, my mother’s calming voice

comes to me on the wings of the wind and I am at peace.

Who am I?

I am my father’s hope,

born in his shadow, held in his grip,

heir to his iron will, unbending.

I am either a force for good or a tool for evil.

I will regale in praise or suffer damnation

I am my mother’s child. But, I am my father’s son.

Who am I?

I am my father’s hope,

keeper of dreams he yet dreams,

imbued with his faith, affirming.

I am the rainbow arching over green meadows.

I am day unmasked by the sun’s revelation.

I am my mother’s child.

But, I am my father’s son.

When I have walked in dark, foreboding places

and stood in harms way, father’s silent strength

comes to me like quiet thunder-and I am not afraid.

Who am I?

I am my mother’s child.

But, I am my father’s son.

Yes, I am my mother’s child.

But, I am my father’s son

This site powered by theworld's best web host.

GeneCartwright.com

The Ugly Truth About Consumer Book Reviews: Part One

2011-12-08T18:39:32.000Z

You must read this.

Normally, I avoid simply posting a link as a blog entry. I am making an exception, because of this "must read" article on Huffington Post.

Your comments and thoughts here will benefit dedicated authors who have some interest.

Read Here!

Who's In Your Mirror?

2011-11-29T00:00:00.000Z

When was your last conversation with your mirror?

In almost any pursuit,

we proceed with a set of expectations. Often, those expectations are realistic, even more often, they are not. Yet, this is understandable and not meant to be critical. Key questions we authors must gaze into our mirror and ask ourselves are:

Why am I writing?
Is my decision to write tantamount to purchasing a lottery ticket, and crossing fingers?
Is my goal one of simply writing a single blockbuster and retiring to my private island?
Do I take seriously the notion that being an author is not a get-rich-quick scheme?
Is my first book my only writing goal?

Of course, there are many other important questions I have left out, but let's look at my brief list, and recognize one basic thing: writing requires unadulterated dedication, persistence, and very thick skin.

If one is easily discouraged, writing is not the profession to pursue. Writing a book is only the beginning. You already know this to be true. Unabashed marketing and promotion is essential.

It is also essential that authors network, network, network, not only with fellow-authors, but with media, and industry-types at all levels.

Question: When was the last time you reached out to offer your thoughts, ask questions, seek advice, emulate another's success, offer congratulations or a constructive critique? It is unfair to expect to receive benefit but not to reach out to offer same.

We all need encouragement, and therefore offering sincere encouragement is the currency that enriches us all.

So, I encourage you to become a serial giver, a consistent congratulator, an avid advisor, and a master motivator. I work at these things everyday, as do many of you. I congratulate you, if you may be so described. If you cannot be, I encourage you to make the effort, for your own benefit and success.

These are difficult times for so many. If writing is your passion, abandoning it is not an option. Remember, a book is forever; it will always exist. Unless you only create calendars, your writing is never truly out-of-date. If you have written your first or fiftieth book, your next book should have already been underway. If a law is made making writing a capital offense, real writers will be found in prison—writing, all the way to the gallows. You get the point.

Keep writing.

Thanks for reading,

Gene

GeneCartwright.com

Querying with PixApple?

2011-11-28T01:00:00.000Z

Querying with PixApple? Really?

Yes, you read correctly. I have always subscribed to the dictum that familiarity breeds contempt (more often than not). So, with that in mind, I've decided to take a novel (pun intended) approach to querying a few agents regarding my recent novel (eBook)"Quietkill."

As you may or may not yet know, PixApple is the 'Rolls Royce' permanent replacement for Coverblast. It blows away every aspect of the aforementioned. If you have Coverblast and have not taken us up on our offer to replace it this week at ($0.00), then shame on you.:-) It's as easy as going to PixApple.com and registering, we'll do the rest.

Back to my purpose in writing this piece. Today, I had this idea that I would send out some queries using PixApple. There are several great advantages to this approach, despite being a bold and total break with convention:

It is a break with convention, and sure to get noticed.
The 'from' in the email address placement reads: Query 'Quietkill', instead of my name, although I still use my email address.
I can send out 15 queries at a time. Each recipient receives the message in their name. (In 'admin' I could set the system to any number I choose)
I can chose the date to send, up to one year in advance
I will instantly receive notice when the 'Query' is received and opened up to the hour, minute and second. Cool, because I do not ever have to wonder if the info was received and opened.
My query is succinct and to the point.
It eliminates the problem of blocked images, because the image and the entire message is stored on our PixApple servers.
I offered to send the complete manuscript in any eReader format plus Word and PDF.
Despite what agents say, they appreciate and will often give credit to creativity when ti comes to queries.
Of course, the book still has to stand on its own.
See My query below:

<<->>

It May Already Be Too Late

(Note: The Image I sent was larger than this.)

This is a message from Quietkill Query to Mollie Glick

Ms. Glick - I know this is not your normal query but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

___

QUIETKILL - approx.78,848 words.

For nearly twenty-three years, some in the U.S. government have kept a deadly secret, causing the innocent deaths of Americans here on American soil. The Cold War never really ended, despite the high-fives and celebrations. The KGB never disappeared, just as the CIA remains, and will always remain.

Over the years, we have not focused on the real enemy; we have squandered vital strategic resources, and may have sealed our fate as a nation. Witness the growing strain between the U.S., Russia and China.

What follows is a warning. If we are lucky, and heed the signs, there may be one final chance to ensure the long-term existence of the United States of America, as we know it.

Complete manuscript available in any eReader format, plus Word and pdf.

- Gene Cartwright

see bio at: genecartwright.com

###

So, I'll continue to use this query format in a considerable sample size, and will let you know how it goes. One thing is for sure, it pushes the envelope, and presents a format agents have likely not seen before.

PixApple is for a lot more than sending great images on your computer as eCards. Its promotional and informational uses are limited only by your imagination.

Gene Cartwright

genecartwright.com

My Open Letter Response to Starbucks CEO

2011-09-19T13:30:00.000Z

A few weeks ago, I received an open letter from Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz. While I understood Mr. Schultz's frustration with the state of the political process, I took issue with his solution, in my unsolicited response letter. Weeks later, and understandably, i received no response. So, I posted my response in the following press release. I invite you to read.

For the post part, I avoid, and encourage the avoidance of purely political discussions but we are all grownups here. We live in a community called The United States of America.

And since the Supreme Court, in its questionable wisdom, decided to legislate from the bench by expanding the Citizen's United case, our speech is less than that of the uber-wealthy and their lobbyists.

Therefore, we must must speak out by whatever means we have at our disposable. To do otherwise would be tantamount to capitulating, and unilaterally disarming, in the face of never-before-seen challenges to our Republic.

When you click the link below, you will be able to read my response and Mr. Schultz's original letter.

PRess release:

Gene Cartwright Responds to Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz's Political Crusade

Thanks,

Gene

What About Missed Opportunities?

2011-08-30T22:38:11.000Z

What opportunities have you missed today?

Fellow authors, Far too often, it is the "opportunity missed," not the action taken, that dramatically affects the outcome of our pursuits. I do not wish to overstate this but there is one opportunity I will focus upon today.

Some time ago, I sent a message (likely not read by many) that suggested creating your self-named group, that would provide the following:

A focal point for you to invite friends, family, strangers, in-laws, outlaws, and others to learn about your work and invite yet others.
A place to announce your upcoming books. (along with other Village venues)
Build a following
More. Be creative.
Send focused invitations to others to join.

Finally, if you are not blogging, and syndicating your blog in syndicators like Feedburner (and others), you are missing another opportunity to promote yourself and your work.

While we are necessarily focused, and consumed by our need to simply survive while living the best lives we can, do whatever you can to make your dreams realities.

Gene

GeneCartwright.com

@GeneCartwright

My Mother's Voice

2011-08-12T16:00:00.000Z

Today is my mother's birthday. It is also the day she left us.
Her circle of life was both figuratively, and literally complete.

I always make a point of saying: the best thing that ever
happened or will happen to me is that I was born at the right address:
the home of my mother and father, Marie and Elmer Cartwright
of Baytown, Texas. That one, seemingly ordinary event, over which
I had no control made all the difference in my life. The road that led
me to become an engineer, author, inventor, composer, screenwriter,
tinkerer and 'thinkerer,' began with them and the invaluable lessons
they taught.

My Mother’s Voice

She spoke to me in a calming, melodic voice,
though I yet longed for first breath.
Even then, my heart beat to the rhythm of her soul;
It marched to the cadence of her pure spirit.
It flourished in the still comfort of her being.
And I heard my mother’s voice.

She spoke to me in a quiet and sure voice,
though I had yet to touch her sweet face.
Even then, my heart beat to the rhythm of her soul;
Her blood flowed to the reaches of my own eternity.
Her breath filled me with life, everlasting.
And I heard my mother’s voice.

She spoke to me with an endless, eternal truth,
though I had scarcely seen first light.
Even then, my heart beat to the rhythm of her pulse;
It soared with the lift of her tireless wings.
It rejoiced in the glow of her guiding light.
And I heard my mother’s voice.

Know this. I am the fruit of shared love,
brought forth by unseen, yet unfailing hands
that shaped the universe.
I am a solemn song of ceaseless prayer,
voiced without end; an answer bestowed long before the
Amen, granting my own Genesis, and even my Revelation.

She spoke to me in a thousand tender ways,
though I answered with only needs and wants.
Even then, she gave beyond her own possessions,
with the eternal love and vision of an angel;
without a want for merit or mention
And I heard my mother’s voice.

And still she speaks, in a voice that fills my being,
though her face eludes my sight and touch.
Even now, my heart beats to the rhythm of her soul;
It marches to the cadence of her pure spirit.
And I still hear my mother’s voice.
Yes, in deepest dark or brightest light,
I still hear my mother’s voice.

And when I am no more, and not even my deepest
footprints remain for young eyes to see,
Even then, hearts will beat to a rhythm they did not compose.
They will march to a cadence, not their own.
And they will hear their mother’s voice
Yes, even they will hear their mother’s voice.

###

(from book of p0etry, "Still Dreaming")

GeneCartwright.com

GBlog.genecartwright.com

Where The Winding Road Ends

2011-08-09T19:05:14.000Z

During the past several days, my focus has been on things political, even as I complete the edit of my sixth novel and seventh book. My last 'post' was 'An Open Letter to The President.' Let me reiterate the fact that I admire and support President Obama.

Few can imagine the weight the president feels upon his shoulders. Yet, his supporters—and even his detractors who have some modicum of love for this country—owe it to America to desire his success. He has the potential to be a great president. But as I just 'Tweeted' (@GeneCartwright): Greatness is earned, not bestowed. Victory is seized, not granted.

Today, I offer a poem, 'Where The Winding Road Ends,' from my just released book of poetry: 'Still Dreaming, After all These Years.' I want to spur introspection about those things that matter to heart and soul; to encourage focus on the quest for purpose, and the pursuit of meaning in this all too brief life.

So, for the moment, set aside thoughts of the economy, politics, overdue bills, taxes, debt-ceilings, political rancor, world crises, and see only your inner horizon, and feel only the beat of your own heart.

Where The Winding Road Ends.
© Gene Cartwright

Where The Winding Road Ends

Who can say where the winding road ends,
where the dark night fades, and the light begins
to reveal the path to places unknown,
and the promise of harvest for seeds long sown?
Who can say where the winding road ends?
Who can say?

Who can say where the winding path leads,
where the cold heart cries, and the blind eye sees
the arc in the road give way to a view
that confounds the many and rewards the few?
Who can say where the winding path leads?
Who can say?

Teach me,
of leaves of gold, crimson and yellow–once green.
Inform me,
of naked branches and limbs laden with virgin snow.
Enlighten me,
of white ice that clings stubbornly to bending bough.
Humble me,
to glorious Spring that emerges triumphant,
then soon gives way, in the inexorable march of seasons
that ends where it all began, yet never ends until...

Who can say why the winding trail bends,
why the songbird dies, and the silence descends,
muting the eternal cries of countless lost souls,
leaving fools and the wise to only suppose?
Who can say why the winding trail bends?
Who can say?

Who can say where the winding road ends,
where the dark night fades, and the light begins
to reveal the path to places unknown,
and the promise of harvest for seeds long sown
but not forgotten?
Who can say where the winding road ends?
Who can say?

http://gBlog.genecartwright.com

GeneCartwright.com

Why Should You Blog? Are You Serious?

2011-08-09T05:11:41.000Z

To blog or not to blog,
that is not really the question. If you are an author and are not taking advantage of the benefits of blogging, you are not doing all you can to promote your writing.

Here on iFOGO Village, and elsewhere, 90 to 95 percent of network authors have never, and will never blog consistently, if at all. The tools are provided. In fact, in our more recent offer to members to obtain their own iFOGO Web site, blogging is an integral part of the features built in.

Here are a few of the advantages:

You get to publish your thoughts and ideas in realtime
You create an Internet footprint
Demonstrate your thinking and writing abilities
Promote yourself and your books
Establish your expertise
Your words may serve as a beacon attracting writers and readers
Publishers may see your work
Film producers may see your work
Use Twitter, Facebook and other social media links to promote your blog
Write about any subject you choose, anytime you choose
Inviting others to comment helps create your own followers
Announce future works
It is crucial that you syndicate your blogs by placing them in RSS Feeds such as Google's Feedburner. This permits anyone to subscribe to your blog.

There is so much to say here, it would take pages, and pages. My purpose in writing this is to encourage you to research the benefits of blogging, and how to syndicate your blog. However, these benefits will not accrue, nor will success come by inaction. You must be involved.

Additionally, make 'Comments.' There is great benefit to be gained by commenting on other blogs and discussions. This also helps create a web footprint.

If there is interest, I will later post links and tutorials to help you may obtain a wealth of information on blogging.

Given what I have stated above, I would be remiss if I did not promote, not only this blog but my independent blog: GBlog.GeneCartwright.com.

Gene Cartwright

http://GeneCartwright.com

GBlog.GeneCartwright.com

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ifogo

@GeneCartwright (Twitter)

At Least One of Your eBooks Should Be $0.99

2011-07-13T20:30:00.000Z

Have you published your titles as eBooks?

The eBook phenomenon is here to stay. Be prolific!

Authors who depend solely on printed books sales are denying themselves a significant portion of the overall book-buying revenue stream. Consider the fact that last year, Amazon reports it sold more eBooks than printed books.

While I will not herein discuss all the pertinent aspects of the eBook market, as I understand it, I will discuss one aspect: pricing. When I entered the eBook market place, via Smashwords, my biggest decision was choosing the right price for my eTitles. Quite frankly, pricing is all over the place, and there is no sure-fire guideline for arriving at a price.

What to do: Find bestselling titles in your genre (traditional and independent sources) and compare. Look at book-length, publisher, etc. Still, you will have questions. One thing is sure: the digital publishing revolution has leveled the playing field for independent and self-published authors. It is also true, that quality will be varied. Major publishing houses have a lot at stake. They have marquee authors whose eBooks will range from $9.99 to as much as $14.99, and even higher.

EBuyers will choose to read eBooks from many of these authors but will now also more quickly opt to read unknown authors whose eBooks sell for 99Cents and up. As bestselling author, John Locke (1.1 Million eBooks sold in 5 months) points out, for the price of the eBook of one known author ($9.99) one can buy 10 eBooks of little known or unknown authors.

More on all this later. Let's get to the point:

Why do I say you should have at least one ebook priced at 99Cents?

Three reasons:

It serves as your intro—your 'loss leader' in retail terms. Yet, you still make money on it, so there is no real loss.
In your 99Cent eBook, you include a detailed introduction to yourself, and market your other titles.
You are able to reach a wider audience willing to give you a try. If they like your work(s), you gain a reader wiling to spend more on your other titles.
You provide a gateway to your printed books as well. You can't lose!

So, if you have eBooks priced at 99Cents, separate yourself from the crowd by becoming a part of eBooks99Cents.com. By its very name, it will attract buyers looking for great writing by new authors, and t an affordable price.

So, what are you waiting for?

Thanks,

Gene Cartwright, author

Founder, eBooks99Cents.com eBooks99Cents.ning.com

author, GeneCartwright.com; On Smashwords; My Kindle Store

iFOGO Village Author/Reader Network. Founder, iFOGOcom

Google us to see our web presence.

EBooks 99Cents

2011-07-05T17:00:00.000Z

EBooks for $0.99 cents | Currently in Pre Launch

We love printed books. Let’s make that clear.

Printed books will always be with us; that’s a good thing. There will never be buildings in any city marked: EBook Library.

For authors and devoted book lovers, books are living things that can be held, and appreciated for the creativity, hard work and dedication obvious by their very existence.

Still, Amazon reported that it sold more ebooks than printed books last year. One thing is certain, digital publishing has leveled the playing field, and provided authors, especially self-published authors a chance to successfully compete with traditional publishers and mainstream authors, and get their books to eager book-lovers. Of course, quality content is the key.

Most authors can speak about the enormous difficulty in getting through to agents—the “gatekeepers” for traditional publishers. And very few, if any mainstream publishers will accept a manuscript directly submitted by authors.

However, we will not dwell on that here. We want to tell you about the unprecedented opportunities we are affording writers and readers of ebooks, both fiction and non-fiction.

Note:

Mainstream eBooks sell for between $9.95 and $14.95; some for more.
eBooks are available for $.99 cents (with links to authors' full catalog).
Readers are able to discover great new authors and get 10 ebooks or more, for the price of 1 mainstream ebook.

JOIN OUR ONE-OF-A-KIND SOCIAL NETWORK: EBooks 99Cents

EBooks99cents.com goes one great step further: reader and writers may now connect via our new Social Network that provides a powerful platform for developing a lasting connection.

Get Notice of Our Author’s New Releases
Join Authors’ Personal Group
Communicate with authors
Join your favorite Author’s Blog

*** TO BE NOTIFIED OF LAUNCH of EBOOKS99CENTS.com, CLICK HERE!

Gene Cartwright

E-Book Formatting: Having Problems?

2011-05-23T15:30:00.000Z

Are Your Books available on the following:

Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, iPad (iBooks), Kobo, iScroller, Palm, Droids, iPhone, Stanza, and more?

I and my iFOGO.com team have been very successful in getting e-books published and available in all e-book formats. In fact, my books, seen here: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ifogo, are available in all formats, thanks to a one-stop process at Smashwords.com. We have also helped others. Microsoft Word is the desirable tool for creating the file for e-book creation.

These books are available on Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, iPad (iBooks), Kobo, iScroller, Palm, Droids, iPhone, Stanza, and more. This makes the books available everywhere, and on any device.

The key is properly formatting your e-book so that Smashwords' can distiubute your book without your having to format and approach each retail entity on your own. That would be a daunting task.

We use Smashwords because they do that, and handle sales for you, including payments. You set the price.

Once Smashwords accepts your properly formatted e-book, you want to be approved for Premium Distribution, as well as Standard Distribution. They provide you a Style Guide which you may carefully follow to a successful conclusion.

If you have difficulty, it may be worth it to have someone, like us format your book for you. In that event, you may weigh that cost. Some top formatters charge as much as 1.70 per manuscript page. Our rate is .95 (based upon a minimum 200 pages)

You may do this yourself, and save any additional costs. Smashwords is completely without cost to you.

I hope this helps.

If you have further needs, and answers, contact Jane Austen Dickey or me at: JaneDIckey@ifogo.com | gc@ifogo.com

Gene

iFOGO.com

Smashwords Group on iFOGO Village

2011-05-12T00:30:00.000Z

SMASHWORDS MARKETING TOOL:

In our effort to ceate additional tools to help our authors market their books and e-books, we've created the Smashwords Group on iFOGO Village. You are encouraged to not only join but to post the critical details from your Smashwords listing.

Hopefully, you have been successful in acquiring your Smashwords Premium Listing. If so, you know that your titles are available via all the major e-book sellers, and on virtually all e-readers.

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Apple
Diesel
ScrollMotion

Visit the Smashwords Group on The Village, and post your e-book data.

An author can never have enough well-crafted tools and venues for marketing. However, they only work if the are properly and cosnistently used.

One big question: how consistently do you do relevant cross-linking on sites where your material appear? It is easy to do, and most often overlooked.

Be encouraged. Do not become apathetic due to a lack of immediate success.

Promote, promote, promote!

Need Help Formatting your book for Smashwords?

contact: info@ifogo.com

Gene

iFOGO Author Wins Prestigious Award

2011-04-03T23:57:14.000Z

Family,

Pleas read the following, and help us congratulate Carolyn on this notable achievement.

______

M E D I A R E L E A S E

Contact: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

E-mail: HoJoNews@aol.com

Fax: 818-790-4299

Phone: 818-790-0502

For Immediate Release

National Fraternity Names Author Oxford Award Winner

Glendale, CA—Carolyn Howard-Johnson, was given her fraternity’s Oxford Award Sunday (April 3, 2011) at the group’s Founders Day celebration at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, CA. It is given for “devoting her talents” to improve the quality of life around her.

The award was presented by Lynne White Shelby of Burbank, CA. Both women were also celebrated in a small ceremony for fifty year members and both are longtime members of Glendale/Burbank Delta Gamma Alumnae.

The award focused of Howard-Johnson’s efforts to promote tolerance with her writing. She is a multi award-winning novelist and poet and the author of two HowToDoItFrugally series of book, one for writers, one for retailers.

She was named Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment by the 43^rd and 44^th Districts of the California Legislature. She speaks on Utah's culture, tolerance and subjects relating to writing and publishing and has appeared on TV and hundreds of radio stations nationwide. She is also is an instructor for UCLA Extension’s Writers’ Program.

Delta Gamma was founded in 1873. It is a fraternity of more than 142,000 women worldwide with 146 collegiate chapters and more than 250 alumnae groups across the United State. They support blind projects and, in Southern California, focus on the Blind Children’s Center in LA. It is now associated with USC.

Howard-Johnson may be reached at (HoJoNews@aol.com). Complete information is available in downloadable media kits in the media room athttp://www.howtodoitfrugally.com .

The Founder’s Day event was planned by Christina Held of Pasadena, CA.

The Willie Lynch Letter: ("lynching" from his name)

2011-02-11T17:28:32.000Z

Willie Lynch letter: The Making of a Slave

By FinalCall.com News | Last updated: May 22, 2009 - 12:45:37 PM

This speech was delivered by Willie Lynch on the bank of the James River in the colony of Virginia in 1712. Lynch was a British slave owner in the West Indies. He was invited to the colony of Virginia in 1712 to teach his methods to slave owners there.

The term “lynching” is derived from his last name.

[beginning of the Willie Lynch Letter]

Greetings,

Gentlemen. I greet you here on the bank of the James River in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twelve. First, I shall thank you, the gentlemen of the Colony of Virginia, for bringing me here. I am here to help you solve some of your problems with slaves. Your invitation reached me on my modest plantation in the West Indies, where I have experimented with some of the newest, and still the oldest, methods for control of slaves. Ancient Rome would envy us if my program is implemented. As our boat sailed south on the James River, named for our illustrious King, whose version of the Bible we cherish, I saw enough to know that your problem is not unique.

While Rome used cords of wood as crosses for standing human bodies along its highways in great numbers, you are here using the tree and the rope on occasions. I caught the whiff of a dead slave hanging from a tree, a couple miles back. You are not only losing valuable stock by hangings, you are having uprisings, slaves are running away, your crops are sometimes left in the fields too long for maximum profit, you suffer occasional fires, your animals are killed. Gentlemen, you know what your problems are; I do not need to elaborate. I am not here to enumerate your problems, I am here to introduce you to a method of solving them. In my bag here,

I HAVE A FULL PROOF METHOD FOR CONTROLLING YOUR BLACK SLAVES. I guarantee every one of you that, if installed correctly, IT WILL CONTROL THE SLAVES FOR AT LEAST 300 HUNDREDS YEARS. My method is simple. Any member of your family or your overseer can use it. I HAVE OUTLINED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENCES AMONG THE SLAVES; AND I TAKE THESE DIFFERENCES AND MAKE THEM BIGGER. I USE FEAR, DISTRUST AND ENVY FOR CONTROL PURPOSES. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies and it will work throughout the South. Take this simple little list of differences and think about them. On top of my list is “AGE,” but it’s there only because it starts with an “a.”

The second is “COLOR” or shade. There is INTELLIGENCE, SIZE, SEX, SIZES OF PLANTATIONS, STATUS on plantations, ATTITUDE of owners, whether the slaves live in the valley, on a hill, East, West, North, South, have fine hair, course hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences, I shall give you an outline of action, but before that, I shall assure you that DISTRUST IS STRONGER THAN TRUST AND ENVY STRONGER THAN ADULATION, RESPECT OR ADMIRATION. The Black slaves after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self-refueling and self-generating for HUNDREDS of years, maybe THOUSANDS.

Don’t forget, you must pitch the OLD black male vs. the YOUNG black male, and the YOUNG black male against theOLD black male. You must use the DARK skin slaves vs. the LIGHT skin slaves, and the LIGHT skin slaves vs. theDARK skin slaves. You must use the FEMALE vs. the MALE, and the MALE vs. the FEMALE. You must also have white servants and overseers [who] distrust all Blacks. But it is NECESSARY THAT YOUR SLAVES TRUST AND DEPEND ON US. THEY MUST LOVE, RESPECT AND TRUST ONLY US. Gentlemen, these kits are your keys to control. Use them. Have your wives and children use them, never miss an opportunity. IF USED INTENSELY FOR ONE YEAR, THE SLAVES THEMSELVES WILL REMAIN PERPETUALLY DISTRUSTFUL. Thank you gentlemen.”

LET’S MAKE A SLAVE

It was the interest and business of slave holders to study human nature, and the slave nature in particular, with a view to practical results. I and many of them attained astonishing proficiency in this direction. They had to deal not with earth, wood and stone, but with men and, by every regard, they had for their own safety and prosperity they needed to know the material on which they were to work, conscious of the injustice and wrong they were every hour perpetuating and knowing what they themselves would do. Were they the victims of such wrongs? They were constantly looking for the first signs of the dreaded retribution. They watched therefore with skilled and practiced eyes, and learned to read with great accuracy, the state of mind and heart of the slave, through his sable face.

Unusual sobriety, apparent abstractions, sullenness and indifference indeed, any mood out of the common was afforded ground for suspicion and inquiry. Frederick Douglas LET’S MAKE A SLAVE is a study of the scientific process of man-breaking and slave-making. It describes the rationale and results of the Anglo Saxons’ ideas and methods of insuring the master/slave relationship.

LET’S MAKE A SLAVE “The Original and Development of a Social Being Called ‘The Negro.’” Let us make a slave. What do we need? First of all, we need a black nigger man, a pregnant nigger woman and her baby nigger boy. Second, we will use the same basic principle that we use in breaking a horse, combined with some more sustaining factors. What we do with horses is that we break them from one form of life to another; that is, we reduce them from their natural state in nature. Whereas nature provides them with the natural capacity to take care of their offspring, we break that natural string of independence from them and thereby create a dependency status, so that we may be able to get from them useful production for our business and pleasure.

CARDINAL PRINCIPLES FOR MAKING A NEGRO

For fear that our future generations may not understand the principles of breaking both of the beast together, the nigger and the horse. We understand that short range planning economics results in periodic economic chaos; so that to avoid turmoil in the economy, it requires us to have breadth and depth in long range comprehensive planning, articulating both skill sharp perceptions. We lay down the following principles for long range comprehensive economic planning. Both horse and niggers [are] no good to the economy in the wild or natural state.

Both must be BROKEN and TIED together for orderly production. For orderly future, special and particular attention must be paid to the FEMALE and the YOUNGEST offspring. Both must be CROSSBRED to produce a variety and division of labor. Both must be taught to respond to a peculiar new LANGUAGE. Psychological and physical instruction of CONTAINMENT must be created for both. We hold the six cardinal principles as truth to be self-evident, based upon following the discourse concerning the economics of breaking and tying the horse and the nigger together, all inclusive of the six principles laid down above. NOTE: Neither principle alone will suffice for good economics. All principles must be employed for orderly good of the nation.

Accordingly, both a wild horse and a wild or natur[al] nigger is dangerous even if captured, for they will have the tendency to seek their customary freedom and, in doing so, might kill you in your sleep. You cannot rest. They sleep while you are awake, and are awake while you are asleep. They are DANGEROUS near the family house and it requires too much labor to watch them away from the house. Above all, you cannot get them to work in this natural state. Hence, both the horse and the nigger must be broken; that is breaking them from one form of mental life to another. KEEP THE BODY, TAKE THE MIND! In other words, break the will to resist. Now the breaking process is the same for both the horse and the nigger, only slightly varying in degrees. But, as we said before, there is an art in long range economic planning.

YOU MUST KEEP YOUR EYE AND THOUGHTS ON THE FEMALE and the OFFSPRING of the horse and the nigger. A brief discourse in offspring development will shed light on the key to sound economic principles. Pay little attention to the generation of original breaking, but CONCENTRATE ON FUTURE GENERATION. Therefore, if you break the FEMALE mother, she will BREAK the offspring in its early years of development; and when the offspring is old enough to work, she will deliver it up to you, for her normal female protective tendencies will have been lost in the original breaking process. For example, take the case of the wild stud horse, a female horse and an already infant horse and compare the breaking process with two captured nigger males in their natural state, a pregnant nigger woman with her infant offspring.

Take the stud horse, break him for limited containment. Completely break the female horse until she becomes very gentle, whereas you or anybody can ride her in her comfort. Breed the mare and the stud until you have the desired offspring. Then, you can turn the stud to freedom until you need him again. Train the female horse whereby she will eat out of your hand, and she will in turn train the infant horse to eat out of your hand, also. When it comes to breaking the uncivilized nigger, use the same process, but vary the degree and step up the pressure, so as to do a complete reversal of the mind. Take the meanest and most restless nigger, strip him of his clothes in front of the remaining male niggers, the female, and the nigger infant, tar and feather him, tie each leg to a different horse faced in opposite directions, set him afire and beat both horses to pull him apart in front of the remaining niggers. The next step is to take a bullwhip and beat the remaining nigger males to the point of death, in front of the female and the infant. Don’t kill him, but PUT THE FEAR OF GOD IN HIM, for he can be useful for future breeding.

THE BREAKING PROCESS OF THE AFRICAN WOMAN

Take the female and run a series of tests on her to see if she will submit to your desires willingly. Test her in every way, because she is the most important factor for good economics. If she shows any sign of resistance in submitting completely to your will, do not hesitate to use the bullwhip on her to extract that last bit of [b----] out of her. Take care not to kill her, for in doing so, you spoil good economics. When in complete submission, she will train her offsprings in the early years to submit to labor when they become of age. Understanding is the best thing. Therefore, we shall go deeper into this area of the subject matter concerning what we have produced here in this breaking process of the female nigger. We have reversed the relationship; in her natural uncivilized state, she would have a strong dependency on the uncivilized nigger male, and she would have a limited protective tendency toward her independent male offspring and would raise male offsprings to be dependent like her. Nature had provided for this type of balance.

We reversed nature by burning and pulling a civilized nigger apart and bullwhipping the other to the point of death, all in her presence. By her being left alone, unprotected, with the MALE IMAGE DESTROYED, the ordeal caused her to move from her psychologically dependent state to a frozen, independent state. In this frozen, psychological state of independence, she will raise her MALE and female offspring in reversed roles. For FEAR of the young male’s life, she will psychologically train him to be MENTALLY WEAK and DEPENDENT, but PHYSICALLY STRONG. Because she has become psychologically independent, she will train her FEMALE offsprings to be psychologically independent.

What have you got? You’ve got the nigger WOMAN OUT FRONT AND THE nigger MAN BEHIND AND SCARED. This is a perfect situation of sound sleep and economics. Before the breaking process, we had to be alertly on guard at all times. Now, we can sleep soundly, for out of frozen fear his woman stands guard for us. He cannot get past her early slave-molding process. He is a good tool, now ready to be tied to the horse at a tender age. By the time a nigger boy reaches the age of sixteen, he is soundly broken in and ready for a long life of sound and efficient work and the reproduction of a unit of good labor force. Continually through the breaking of uncivilized savage niggers, by throwing the nigger female savage into a frozen psychological state of independence, by killing the protective male image, and by creating a submissive dependent mind of the nigger male slave, we have created an orbiting cycle that turns on its own axis forever, unless a phenomenon occurs and re-shifts the position of the male and female slaves. We show what we mean by example. Take the case of the two economic slave units and examine them close.

THE NEGRO MARRIAGE

We breed two nigger males with two nigger females. Then, we take the nigger male away from them and keep them moving and working. Say one nigger female bears a nigger female and the other bears a nigger male; both nigger females—being without influence of the nigger male image, frozen with a independent psychology—will raise their offspring into reverse positions. The one with the female offspring will teach her to be like herself, independent and negotiable (we negotiate with her, through her, by her, negotiates her at will). The one with the nigger male offspring, she being frozen subconscious fear for his life, will raise him to be mentally dependent and weak, but physically strong; in other words, body over mind. Now, in a few years when these two offsprings become fertile for early reproduction, we will mate and breed them and continue the cycle. That is good, sound and long range comprehensive planning.

WARNING: POSSIBLE INTERLOPING NEGATIVES

Earlier, we talked about the non-economic good of the horse and the nigger in their wild or natural state; we talked out the principle of breaking and tying them together for orderly production. Furthermore, we talked about paying particular attention to the female savage and her offspring for orderly future planning, then more recently we stated that, by reversing the positions of the male and female savages, we created an orbiting cycle that turns on its own axis forever unless a phenomenon occurred and reshifts positions of the male and female savages.

Our experts warned us about the possibility of this phenomenon occurring, for they say that the mind has a strong drive to correct and re-correct itself over a period of time if it can touch some substantial original historical base; and they advised us that the best way to deal with the phenomenon is to shave off the brute’s mental history and create a multiplicity of phenomena of illusions, so that each illusion will twirl in its own orbit, something similar to floating balls in a vacuum. This creation of multiplicity of phenomena of illusions entails the principle of crossbreeding the nigger and the horse as we stated above, the purpose of which is to create a diversified division of labor; thereby creating different levels of labor and different values of illusion at each connecting level of labor.

The results of which is the severance of the points of original beginnings for each sphere illusion. Since we feel that the subject matter may get more complicated as we proceed in laying down our economic plan concerning the purpose, reason and effect of crossbreeding horses and niggers, we shall lay down the following definition terms for future generations. Orbiting cycle means a thing turning in a given path. Axis means upon which or around which a body turns. Phenomenon means something beyond ordinary conception and inspires awe and wonder.

Multiplicity means a great number. Means a globe. Crossbreeding a horse means taking a horse and breeding it with an ass and you get a dumb, backward, ass long-headed mule that is not reproductive nor productive by itself. Crossbreeding niggers mean taking so many drops of good white blood and putting them into as many nigger women as possible, varying the drops by the various tone that you want, and then letting them breed with each other until another circle of color appears as you desire.

What this means is this: Put the niggers and the horse in a breeding pot, mix some asses and some good white blood and what do you get? You got a multiplicity of colors of ass backward, unusual niggers, running, tied to backward ass long-headed mules, the one productive of itself, the other sterile. (The one constant, the other dying, we keep the nigger constant for we may replace the mules for another tool) both mule and nigger tied to each other, neither knowing where the other came from and neither productive for itself, nor without each other.

CONTROLLED LANGUAGE

Crossbreeding completed, for further severance from their original beginning, WE MUST COMPLETELY ANNIHILATE THE MOTHER TONGUE of both the new nigger and the new mule, and institute a new language that involves the new life’s work of both. You know language is a peculiar institution. It leads to the heart of a people. The more a foreigner knows about the language of another country the more he is able to move through all levels of that society. Therefore, if the foreigner is an enemy of the country, to the extent that he knows the body of the language, to that extent is the country vulnerable to attack or invasion of a foreign culture.

For example, if you take a slave, if you teach him all about your language, he will know all your secrets, and he is then no more a slave, for you can’t fool him any longer, and BEING A FOOL IS ONE OF THE BASIC INGREDIENTS OF ANY INCIDENTS TO THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SLAVERY SYSTEM. For example, if you told a slave that he must perform in getting out “our crops” and he knows the language well, he would know that “our crops” didn’t mean “our crops” and the slavery system would break down, for he would relate on the basis of what “our crops” really meant. So you have to be careful in setting up the new language; for the slaves would soon be in your house, talking to you as “man to man” and that is death to our economic system.

In addition, the definitions of words or terms are only a minute part of the process. Values are created and transported by communication through the body of the language. A total society has many interconnected value systems. All the values in the society have bridges of language to connect them for orderly working in the society. But for these language bridges, these many value systems would sharply clash and cause internal strife or civil war, the degree of the conflict being determined by the magnitude of the issues or relative opposing strength in whatever form.

For example, if you put a slave in a hog pen and train him to live there and incorporate in him to value it as a way of life completely, the biggest problem you would have out of him is that he would worry you about provisions to keep the hog pen clean, or the same hog pen and make a slip and incorporate something in his language whereby he comes to value a house more than he does his hog pen, you got a problem. He will soon be in your house.Additional Note: “Henty Berry, speaking in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1832, described the situation as it existed in many parts of the South at this time: “We have, as far as possible, closed every avenue by which light may enter their (the slaves) minds. If we could extinguish the capacity to see the light, our work would be complete; they would then be on a level with the beasts of the field and we should be safe. I am not certain that we would not do it, if we could find out the process and that on the plea of necessity.” From Brown America, The story of a New Race by Edwin R. Embree. 1931 The Viking Press.

____________________

Gene Cartwright

GeneCartwright.com

Ceo, iFOGO Inc. iFOGO.com

iFOGO Village network

http://ifogovillage.ning.com

Why Offering A Free E-Book Can Increase Sales

2011-01-18T22:30:00.000Z

Increase your book sales by offering free ebooks

The following is based upon, and paraphrased from a blog by Amanda Fazani of Blogger Buster and printed on Blogging Tips.

________________________________

By writing and offering ebooks for free distribution, you offer potential buyers a great incentive to visit your site(s) and buy other books you offer. What’s more, ebooks have the potential to become viral marketing tools, enhancing visibility of your site and your status as an “expert” in your field.

Learn why you should consider writing an ebook to offer for free to your readers, along with details of how to create this publication with little (or no) expense.

Why offer an ebook for free?

Let’s be honest here: in the current financial climate, most people would prefer something for free, than something for which they have to pay.

While you could easily write an ebook for readers to purchase (to potentially increase your earnings in the short term), this may not actually increase the number of people who visit your site(s) (which potentially creates increased earnings over the longer term).

By offering your ebook for free (while licensing appropriately), you offer the means for readers to recommend your ebook (and your site) to others. Ebooks can become viral: they can be forwarded by email, recommended as downloads from other sites and also by word of mouth. Provided you include a link to your website in the ebook and the suggestion that firther information on this subject may be found in your blog posts, you can ensure that your free ebooks become effective marketing tools which attract new readers, subscribers and possibly referrals for any paid services you offer.

How ebooks can increase readership

There are two principal ways in which free ebooks can be used to increase readership of your blog:

To raise awareness of your writings
To encourage people to spread the word

If you offer a free ebook through your site which anyone can download (and distribute) you create a means for your ebook to raise awareness of you as an author. Those who enjoy your ebook may write about this on their own sites (with a link to you); recommend it to friends; forward to colleagues by email… By increasing the chances of people reading your publication, you increase the chances of these people discovering your site.

Offering a free ebook can increase the number of people who view and purchase all your works.

What to write about? Are You a Blogger?

If not, you should be. An ebook used to promote your books and your blog should be relevant to your blog’s target audience. Focus on a subject specific to your blog’s niche to provide value for your ebook’s potential readers, while enticing them to visit your blog in the future for more information.

For example, if your blog offers advice on parenting why not write a short ebook describing ten useful parenting skills, or ideas for entertaining the kids in the holidays? Foodies could offer an ebook of selected recipes, while web designers could offer a breakdown of the skills used in creating a live site.

An ebook (especially a free publication) need not be exhaustive or take months to write. Here are some examples of ideas you could use to create an ebook this weekend:

Collect your 10 most popular posts and repackage with a little extra commentary
Expand on the concept of your most popular blog post
Create a directory of resources which are useful for your target audience
Write an FAQ to answer popular questions from readers of your site
If you write fiction, write a short story.

How to create your ebook

The most popular format to distribute ebooks is PDF (portable document format). PDF files can be opened using Adobe Acrobat (or any other PDF reader), and are easily distributed online.

You could initially write your ebook using your favorite word processing program (such as MS Word), then convert this to PDF format.

However, most free PDF converters are limited. You may be restricted by file size, or any links included in your PDF may remain inactive. While Adobe Acrobat is an excellent program for creating PDF files, it is incredibly expensive to buy (particularly if you don’t plan to use this often).

My personal recommendation is to download Open Office: a free, open source office suite. Contained in this suite is Open Office Writer: a fully comprehensive word processor which includes the option to convert your document to PDF at the click of a button. When converting to PDF, there are a multitude of options available; all links remain intact, and you can create a table of contents for your document to ensure a professional appearance.

If you would sincerely prefer to convert your rich text documents rather than use Open Office, you may like to try Adobe’s Create PDF service (for up to 5 small documents) or Primo PDF, which is a down-loadable program to convert documents offline.

You may also use Smashwords to format and create downloadable links for your Free E-Books.

Include links to your blog!

In order to use your ebook as a means of promoting your blog, you need to reference your blog and encourage readers of the ebook to visit your site too!

The ideal means of promoting your blog through your ebook is to include a link to your blog on every page, such as the header or footer.

It is also advisable to include an “about” section, either before the main content of your ebook or right at the end. Your “about” section should include some information about you as the author, as well as information about your blog and a link to yoru home page/relevant further reading.

Without links to your blog, your ebook will not become a useful promotional tool for your site!

License your ebook

When offering free ebooks for readers to download, it is advisable to license your ebook to prevent others claiming this as their own work, or distributing in a manner with which you are not comfortable.

The best means of licensing free content is to use a Creative Commons license. The most basic Creative Commons license ensures attribution of the original author. You can also specify whether your documents can be used commercially, have derivative works created from them and the jurisdiction to which the license pertains.

Distributing your ebook

Once you have written your ebook, you need to think about how this should be distributed.

The first step is to upload your ebook to a web hosting service. If you already pay for web hosting, you can simply upload this along with your regular files. Alternatively, try Scribd (which has proved among the most popular hosting sites for ebooks and other publications) or Cnet’s Download.com.

Next, work out how you would like your ebook to be distributed.

If you want your ebook to become a viral marketing tool then offer the ebook for anyone to download. Create a landing page/announcement post on your blog with specifics about your ebook and of course the download link. Ask readers to download and offer their opinions on your ebook; to distribute or recommend it to their peers. Include a link to the download/landing page in your email signature, forum signatures and anywhere else online where your ebook could be publicized.

If you want to increase subscribers as a result of distributing your ebook, offer the download link through the footer of your RSS feed. Both WordPress and Blogger offer the means to add content to the footer of your blog feed. Alternatively, create a Feedflare to use with Feedburner which includes the link to your free ebook.

Be sure to publicise your ebooks!

Once you have written your ebook, uploaded to your host and enabled a means for download, be sure to let everyone know about it! Tell your readers, email other bloggers who may be interested to learn of your ebook and add a banner to your blog’s sidebar which links to the download location or landing page.

Final thoughts

Offering ebooks for free to existing or potential readers offers extra value: a means of discovering information relevant to your niche offline, which can be distributed or referred to with ease. In distributing your own ebooks, you are providing a gift to your readers and an expression of expertise in the subject you write about. While the benefits may not be instantaneous, the long term effects of increased readership are more likely to outlive any short-term earnings for having offered the same ebook for a price!

Remember, If you are a member of iFOGO Village, we wil lplace your free e-book, with links, on a unique section of iFOGO.com.

Please watch for announcements on iFOGO Village.

You Are All Now On iFOGO.com

2011-01-18T21:32:51.000Z

We've made Big Changes For You On iFOGO.com

New Members Invited

Effective January 13, 2011

__________________________________

Many of you know what iFOGO.com is about. We not only offer authors strong presence on iFOGO Village—our social/promotion network for authors—but our parent iFOGO, Inc and iFOGO.com provides lasting, 24/7/365 web presence for our authors.

NOW WE HAVE MADE MAJOR CHANGES:

1. ALL IFOGO VILLAGE AUTHORS ARE NOW ON IFOGO.COM

We have now placed direct access to all iFOGO Village authors via this page on iFOGO.com. Under the top menu link, See: "Genres & Authors" the sub-menu link is "iFOGO Villagers"

2. Now all iFOGO Village Authors may have their books placed in our new "Premium Bookstore". Changes have also been made to our "BooksForFilm Bookstore."

See Time-Sensitive Book Placement Details Here.

3. "The Wall" is now our center-piece, and "Premium Authors" are featured on our highly-viewed and rated iFOGO.com "Main Street". page.

__________________###________________

If you have not yet done so, Google "ifogo." There is a lasting benefit from your connection to us, if you take advantage by including your links wherever you can.

We all wish you great success, and are always working to help you make that happen!

Thanks,

The iTeam

Gene Cartwright, et al.

My Meeting With Director Mark Rydell

2010-09-12T18:30:00.000Z

Funny how things happen. Last Tuesday, I searched for a new and interesting place to work, and drove through Long Beach, and San Pedro (CA). I found my way to Palos Verdes ending up at a Starbucks overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

An hour into sipping coffee, writing, and staring out at what is a captivating site, I met a booklover and struck up a conversation. She introduced herself as Mari-Anne Kehler, wife of actor Eddie Kehler.

Mari-Anne and I talked about books; I shared about my books, iFOGO Village (reader/writer network), the world of publishing, and the state of films today. Near the end of our nearly half-hour exchange, she invited me to a very special Q&A session Eddie was scheduled to host with famed director, Mark Rydell. The small, informal gathering was to be held Saturday, 9/11 at the New Collective LA in Hollywood. Of course, I accepted.

For those of you unfamiliar with the work of Mark Rydell, the following:

The New Collective LA presents An afternoon with Mark Rydell

Q&A with Mark Rydell, the Oscar nominated director (On Golden Pond, The Rose) and

actor, at the New Collective LA. Mark is also the Co-Artistic Director, along with Martin

Landau, of the Actors Studio West.

His career spans some six decades and encompasses his

training (with Sandford Meisner, Lee Strasberg),

Broadway and film work with artists such as Steve

McQueen, John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn,

Bette Midler, James Caan, Robert Altman, Woody Allen, Sissy Spacek and many

others.

After meeting, and briefly chatting with Mr. Rydell, I joined roughly twenty other invitees in a remarkable, informative, and enlightening session lasting nearly three hours. The wide-ranging discussion not only focused on his amazing career but on the craft of acting, and more.

Following his comments on one of his favorite directorial assignments, "The Cowboys," starring John Wayne, I had a chance to pose a question. Mr Rydell mentioned that 'The Cowboys' was adapted by Irving Ravetch (of HUD fame and others) from an unpublished book.

My question: Mr. Rydell, as a writer I would like to know how you reconcile any potential differences with the intent of the novelist, and your vision of the book's adaptation for film. (paraphrased)

Mr. Rydell: (paraphrased) I always try to stress the importance of collaboration. I have a deep respect for writers, and am awed by their ability to turn a blank page into something so alive and captivating. So, I always approach this as a partnership. Of course, I am responsible for making final decisions. (smile)

While both the question and the answer were a bit more complex, that is the substance of the exchange.

Needless to say, I came away inspired and informed in more ways than I can express here. At the end of the session, I presented Eddie with a copy of my newly-released softcover of "I Never Played Catch With My Father." It is only incidental that he was clutching the book, as he and Mr. Rydell (who is still working) continued their conversation.

Funny how things happen.

Gene Cartwright

Chair/CEO, iFOGO, Inc.

iFOGO.com

genecartwright.com

Could Online Hackers Steal Your Cash?

2010-08-29T20:48:07.000Z

Could Online Hackers Steal Your Cash?

Saturday, May 15, 2010

When you access your bank account online you probably don't think that at that exact moment there may be a hacker, somewhere in the world, trying to steal your bank information and your money.

Your bank offers secure online banking, so why should you worry, right?

Despite banks' efforts to protect accounts from the online crooks, hacker attacks remain a serious threat that cost Americans millions of dollars each year. The Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that Americans lost about $559 million to Internet thieves in 2009. That is more than twice the 2008 figure, when $268 million was stolen on the Internet, according to the center.

"Last year there were more online bank robberies...

Read Complete Article

The Wall

2010-08-18T07:00:00.000Z

Are You On The Wall?

Go to "The Wall!"

Book Marketing: A Great Web Site is Crucial

2010-08-05T21:28:34.000Z

Authors face many decisions in striving to market their books n an efficient and productive way. One crucial element of that marketing is developing a great web site. However, that is just the beginning; search-engine optimization (SEO), linking, interactivity, dynamism, and more are crucial.

This is my site.

click image

Just as important is having a great web host. My company owns more than 24 web sites, all hosted by this host. They are the best we have found.

The best web host on the planet. They host iFOGO.com

Gene Cartwright's Posts - iFOGO Village

"Letter To My Old Master"

If You Value Your Online Security...

How to Improve Your Eye Health

Here is ocular nutrition information for nourishing the eyes:

Ocular nutrition with collard greens, kale and spinach.

Ocular nutrition with green vegetables and corn.

Ocular nutrition with blueberries, apricots and bilberries.

Ocular nutrition with cold water fish and Omega 3 fish oil.

Here’s additional important ocular nutrition and vision information:

How can you obtain these ocular nutrition nutrients every day?

A Day In The Life

'White Christmas' Like You've Never Heard!

You and Google: Did you know...

4 Risky Places to Swipe Your Debit Card

4 Risky Places to Swipe Your Debit Card

We Now Give Rewards to Your Book Buyers

From CDC: Is Bottled Water Safe? A Must Read.

Commercially Bottled Water

Basics

Bottled Water & Immunocompromised Individuals

Fluoride and Bottled Water

Safety and Regulation

Bottled Water Outbreaks

Reported Outbreaks* Associated with Bottled Water

Outbreaks associated with bottled water by point of contamination:

Contamination at Water Source

Contamination During Commercial Bottling

Contaminated at Point of Use

Unknown Point of Contamination

My Father's Son

The Ugly Truth About Consumer Book Reviews: Part One

Who's In Your Mirror?

Querying with PixApple?

My Open Letter Response to Starbucks CEO

What About Missed Opportunities?

My Mother's Voice

Where The Winding Road Ends

Why Should You Blog? Are You Serious?

At Least One of Your eBooks Should Be $0.99

EBooks 99Cents

E-Book Formatting: Having Problems?

Smashwords Group on iFOGO Village

iFOGO Author Wins Prestigious Award

The Willie Lynch Letter: ("lynching" from his name)

Willie Lynch letter: The Making of a Slave

Why Offering A Free E-Book Can Increase Sales

Increase your book sales by offering free ebooks

Why offer an ebook for free?

How ebooks can increase readership

What to write about? Are You a Blogger?

How to create your ebook

Include links to your blog!

License your ebook

Distributing your ebook

Be sure to publicise your ebooks!

Final thoughts

You Are All Now On iFOGO.com

My Meeting With Director Mark Rydell

Could Online Hackers Steal Your Cash?

Could Online Hackers Steal Your Cash?

The Wall

Book Marketing: A Great Web Site is Crucial