Human Psyche of J.D. Crow

Measurement Updates (With Graph!)

2009-08-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

8/2/2009:
Neck: 17.5"
Bicep(unflexed): 16"
Chest: 50"
Hips/waist: 56.5"
Pants size: 44
Thigh: 31"
Calves: 20.75"

5/4/2009:
Neck: 17''
Bicep(unflexed): 18''
Chest: 52''
Hips/waist: 62''
Pants size: 46
Thigh: 28''
Calves: 20''

4/2009:
Neck: 18''
Bicep(unflexed): 18''
Chest: 54''
Hips/waist: 65''
Pants size: 50'
Thigh: 28.5''
Calves: 20''

Update on Toyama Seiko Sensei memorial

2009-05-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

I have recently gotten updates on the memorial, as well as pictures from the event. I am still quite sad to have missed meeting a true master of my art form, UechiRyu. I am eternally great full to those who have kept me up to date (Seizan Gordi Breyette) as well as a few others. I am also sad to report my current sensei is no longer in Las Vegas. So for the time being my lessons with Sensei McDonald and those who are helping me via the Internet. (Thanks youtube).

Here is an update straight from Okinawa, JP. As well I have posted pictures at the bottom for you to see. Have fun, stay healthy and live free.

Hello Friends, Students and Family,

I am sorry there is not so much time to write many individual responses to
your messages and letters. However I want to share two photos with you from
Sunday.

One is of the flower arrangement in the Zakimi Shubukan. The tied white
bundle below Toyama Sensei's photo is his burial urn containing his bones
and ashes. After the funeral, it was placed in the tomb behind his home.

The other photo is of the Zankai seniors and family members who attended
that day. Not all of them, but many of the principals.

Be sure to address any regular mailed cards, letters, or messages to "Naomi
Toyama", Sensei's daughter who is handling all arrangements and procedures:

Naomi Toyama
956 Zakimi
Yomitan-son, Okinawa
904-0301 Japan

Again thank you for your care and support in this sad time for the Toyama
Family. The 49th Day after passing is May 28; anytime during this ensuing
period is appropriate for letters or donations.

Deepest Appreciation from the Toyama Family and all ZanKyoKai members,

Seizan and Sumako
Okinawa KarateDo UechiRyu ZanKyoKai
Nagahama Shibu Dojo
Okinawa Japan

As Always, 聞くことをありがとう

My Endeavor into Digital Photography

2009-05-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

For some reason I decided to play with my digital camera at work today. I like how it would show the textures of surfaces up close. I took some random shots and just played around. Let me know what you think.

The Last three were the coolest to take. It is a regular Halogen bulb, I noticed that it changed colors when I was looking at it through the Camera. It took several tries to get each color. I think there might have been another color as well, but after 20 tries I couldn't get any more.

As always, Thanks for Listening.

My Weight Loss Measurements

2009-05-05T10:42:00.001-07:00

5/4/2009:
Neck: 17''
Bicep(unflexed): 18''
Chest: 52''
Hips/waist: 62''
Pants size: 46''
Thigh: 28''
Calfs: 20''

4/2009:
Neck: 18''
Bicep(unflexed): 18''
Chest: 54''
Hips/waist: 65''
Pants size: 50''
Thigh: 28.5''
Calfs: 20''

I think, therefore I am back.... well maybe.

2009-05-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

I understand it has been a while since I last really posted anything substantial on these pages. While many of you (if there are any left) may not know why that is, let me just say that life has been as complex, wonderful, crazy, sad and otherwise... life.

I am finally in a situation or rather position that I can freely write and post and contribute to the blogosphere. I am also going to be update my weight loss blog as well as the quote blog (that I have already posted to). I have also started writing for a food blog for the Las Vegas area. Once everything goes through (i.e. Paperwork) I will post a link to the blog and update here with links to some of my posts.

Anywho, I hope that the community will welcome me back with open arms or at least comments. I hope to share some of the wonderful stories and pictures that have happened to me. I promise I will not let you down. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know.

As always, Thanks for Listening

RIP Toyama Seiko Sensei, Hanshi Judan of Uechi Ryu

2009-04-23T02:16:00.000-07:00

Toyama Seiko Sensei was the last remaining practitioner to have trained directly under Kanbun Uechi and at a great loss to us all, has passed way at 81. He will be sorely missed among the Uecho-Ryu community, I only wish I could have met him. Below is a letter about the funeral and such. As well, here is a video of the Master doing the kata Sanseiryu.

To Friends, Family, and Students.

Toyama Seiko Sensei, Hanshi Judan, Founder and Owner of the
Okinawa KarateDo UechiRyu Zankai, passed away peacefully in
his home in Zakimi on Friday 10 April 2009 at 05:41. He was
81 years old.

Visitation is tomorrow Saturday 11 April. Funeral is Sunday
12 April. Both events will take place in the Zakimi Dojo;
Toyama Sensei's tomb was built adjacent to his home.

Messages or cards may be sent to the following address:

TOYAMA
Zakimi 946
Yomitan-son, Okinawa
Japan 904-0301

Or to this e-mail address (breyettg@ii-okinawa.ne.jp); your
message will be presented to the Toyama Family.

Respectfully,

G. Seizan Breyette
UechiRyu Zankai
Nagahama Branch Dojo

Muse?

2008-06-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Where are you muse? I miss you more than sun must rise and set, more than a supernova is awe inspiring... Where have you gone?

What have you done all this time?

I seek you out, for I am ready for your wisdom and inspiration...

I have nothing to offer but the pure and raw emotion I have, teaming with nothing but orgasmic creativity.

Rest not, for someday I will find you again. I hope that day will be sooner than before.

Sunset Park Walk/Run

2008-05-28T15:11:00.001-07:00

Sunset Park Walk/Run
Find more Walks in Las Vegas, Nevada

Bike Ride Commute

2008-05-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Commute
Find more Bike Rides in Las Vegas, Nevada

Just wanted to say something

2008-04-30T23:54:00.001-07:00

I truly have not written enough lately... to say the least.

though I have things on my mind, I just can't seem to find the words flowing to my fingers. I think my well was a bit dry and I am filling it back up. Soon a torrent of posts and letters, poems, and other semi-conscience streams of articulated verbiage will explode upon this blog and my many others. Please stay tuned. I promise you won't be disappointed. Even if it is shite it will be like watching a car wreck.

SuperBowl Party Recipe Question

2008-02-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

To all my reader(s) I would like to pose a serious question. Ok ok so maybe not serious but sort of weird. I have been preparing for this SuperBowl game party that my fiance is throwing by trying to figure out some tasty food to serve while not being too complicated with it. If you know me, I tend to go for the complicated. Anyhow, I had a friend tell me about a recipe for cocktail weenies (Lil' Smokies) that is CRAZY but really tasty. He couldn't remember the entire recipe but he said it had Grape Jelly and Maybe Cocktail sauce.... Yes you did read that correctly. My reaction was the same.. WTF!?

So today I decided to give Google a shot and see what kind of mystery it reveals. Well lo and behold I have found several recipes that call for Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce (not cocktail). I am going to post them below to 1. See what you think, and 2. To see if you all have any of your own version or what you think of the recipe in general.

Do you have an off the wall disgusting sounding recipe that tastes AMAZING? If so, do share... I would LOVE to try it out. Without further ado here are the recipes I have found. Please vote on the Best one!

#1

Little Smokies w/ Crazy Sauce
1 - 32 oz. jar Smucker's Grape Jelly
3 lb. Little Smokies cocktail-size sausages (any flavor)
2 bottles Heinz Chili Sauce (it's a funny shaped bottle-NOT canned)
Place all the above in your crock pot and simmer on medium-high heat for a
couple of hours until sauce has blended and jelly melts.

--------------------------------------
#2

Lil' Smokies n' Sauce

1 cup or 10oz grape jelly
2 pkgs Little Smokies sausage
1 12oz bottle chili sauce

Mix all ingredients. Cook in Crockpot for 1-2 hours or longer until sauce thickens
and clings to sausages.

--------------------------------------
#3

BAR B QUE SMOKIES

1 lb. or more of Little Smokies or wieners cut in 1 inch pieces
3/4 c. mustard
1 c. grape jelly
1/2 c. brown sugar

Mix mustard, jelly and brown sugar. Heat to simmering. Stir in smokies or weiners cut in 1 inch pieces. Keep hot. Serve on toothpicks.

My thoughts on Ron Paul

2007-12-20T16:19:00.000-08:00

I, like many Americans, face a tough decision ahead. It is a decision that should not be taken lightly and one in which all things should be weighed and measured. As some of you know I am an Atheist, so I support separation of church and state, but much more than that I support personal liberty, individuality and the right to have control over oneself. Some of you may not know my other stances, such as the right for a woman to choose, notably though I believe on in the first trimester, the second trimester only when medically necessary, and the third only if life and death are at stake. I also support the second amendment and the right to protect ones person and property.

The issues that I am unsure or have yet to read enough and learn about are immigration, health care, property rights and taxes.

I could go on... but the purpose of this article is to show my thoughts on Ron Paul. I have listened to the man speak about issues and I find it refreshing that we have someone running who is at least honest and straight forward. I find it heartwarming to see a politician taking this seriously and listening to his followers.

So I decided to read more on Dr. Paul and I have found a few MAJOR reasons why I can NOT vote for Ron Paul for President. The reasons are as follows:

His "Life and Liberty" stance, in which he believes life starts at conception and therefore abortion in ANY case is illegal and wrong... I can not and will not support someone with this stance, period.
His ideas that "church and state" should not be separate. He even goes on to state the following:
Moreover, there is ample evidence that most of our Founders were deeply religious men who never imagined a rigid separation between religious beliefs and governance. Indeed, our national documents, symbols, currency, and buildings are replete with religious symbolism. Our national motto, "In God We Trust," is an obvious example. These symbols are entirely inconsistent with the religion-free government supposedly mandated by the First amendment.
I can only say that he either is lying or he doesn't know the truth, in which the founders were merely deists/atheist/agnostics that also strongly wanted a separation of church and state and that our "motto" was not added/changed until the 1950's and not by our founding fathers but by the Congress in the McCarthy Era.
Immigration, though I am not sure what the right thing to do is, I am almost certain his solution is not it.
Last but not least, while I agree we should pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan I do not believe we should become closed off to the rest of the world and be so ego centric... because, honestly.. we don't need any more ego than we already have.

After all of this I was reading some more stuff about Ron Paul and in my research I found an article in which, Noam Chomsky was asked about Dr. Paul's positions and his own and what he thought of them. Below is a transcript of that interview:

I'm assuming you know who Ron Paul is. And I'm also assuming you have a general idea about his positions.

Here is my summary of Mr. Paul's positions - He values property rights, and contracts between people (defended by law enforcement and courts).

Under all circumstances? Suppose someone facing starvation accepts a contract with General Electric that requires him to work 12 hours a day locked into a factory with no health-safety regulations, no security, no benefits, etc. And the person accepts it because the alternative is that his children will starve. Fortunately, that form of savagery was overcome by democratic politics long ago. Should all of those victories for poor and working people be dismantled, as we enter into a period of private tyranny (with contracts defended by law enforcement)? Not my cup of tea.

He wants to take away the unfair advantage corporations have (via the dismantling of big government)

"Dismantling of big government" sounds like a nice phrase. What does it mean? Does it mean that corporations go out of existence, because there will no longer be any guarantee of limited liability? Does it mean that all health, safety, workers rights, etc., go out the window because they were instituted by public pressures implemented through government, the only component of the governing system that is at least to some extent accountable to the public (corporations are unaccountable, apart from generally weak regulatory apparatus)? Does it mean that the economy should collapse, because basic R&D is typically publicly funded -- like what we're now using, computers and the Internet? Should we eliminate roads, schools, public transportation, environmental regulation,....? Does it mean that we should be ruled by private tyrannies with no accountability to the general public, while all democratic forms are tossed out the window? Quite a few questions arise.

He defends workers right to organize (so long as owners have the right to argue against it).

Rights that are enforced by state police power, as you've already mentioned.

There are huge differences between workers and owners. Owners can fire and intimidate workers, not conversely. just for starters. Putting them on a par is effectively supporting the rule of owners over workers, with the support of state power -- itself largely under owner control, given concentration of resources.

He proposes staying out of the foreign affairs of other nations (unless his home is directly attacked, and must respond to defend it).

He is proposing a form of ultra-nationalism, in which we are concerned solely with our preserving our own wealth and extraordinary advantages, getting out of the UN, rejecting any international prosecution of US criminals (for aggressive war, for example), etc. Apart from being next to meaningless, the idea is morally unacceptable, in my view.

I really can't find differences between your positions and his.

There's a lot more. Take Social Security. If he means what he says literally, then widows, orphans, the disabled who didn't themselves pay into Social Security should not benefit (or of course those awful illegal aliens). His claims about SS being "broken" are just false. He also wants to dismantle it, by undermining the social bonds on which it is based -- the real meaning of offering younger workers other options, instead of having them pay for those who are retired, on the basis of a communal decision based on the principle that we should have concern for others in need. He wants people to be able to run around freely with assault rifles, on the basis of a distorted reading of the Second Amendment (and while we're at it, why not abolish the whole raft of constitutional provisions and amendments, since they were all enacted in ways he opposes?).
So I have these questions:

Can you please tell me the differences between your schools of "Libertarianism"?

There are a few similarities here and there, but his form of libertarianism would be a nightmare, in my opinion -- on the dubious assumption that it could even survive for more than a brief period without imploding.

Can you please tell me what role "private property" and "ownership" have in your school of "Libertarianism"?

That would have to be worked out by free communities, and of course it is impossible to respond to what I would prefer in abstraction from circumstances, which make a great deal of difference, obviously.

Would you support Ron Paul, if he was the Republican presidential candidate...and Hilary Clinton was his Democratic opponent?

No.

I leave now for you to make your own choice, as you can tell I have made mine.

This Week in America

2007-12-18T13:12:00.001-08:00

I have come to the realization that there is quite a lot of things going on in this country that little or no one is talking about. Sure things are abuzz on the blog-sphere, Digg, StumbleUpon, and various other outlets, but I am talking about the rest of the world. (I know, it is hard to imagine a world outside of the Internet). Everywhere I go, no one know anything about what is truly going on in this country and at large. How we are loosing our rights, day by day... just look at the state of habeas corpus or as Olbermann puts it "The death of Habeas Corpus"... am I one of the few who weeped that day?

There are startling things happening in America that I am beginning to wonder if something big is imminent. If there is someone afoot that will drastically change the face of America. We have true heroes, like Senator Chris Dodd, who stand up against the overwhelming majority and defiantly said "

Today we have scored a victory for American civil liberties and sent a message to President Bush that we will not tolerate his abuse of power and veil of secrecy."

Dodd Stood for 10 hours to Filibuster the amnesty bill brought by Senator Harry Reid (unfortunately from my state). Though it did not defeat the bill, it did postpone it until after the holiday's in which I hope we can truly defeat another shameful act of this presidency.

Then of course we have the the Religion / Atheism front (which I assume many of you are aware of). Where you have events like those at Normandale Community College where
the school supports a 'meditation room' which is not only 'just' Muslim, but it also segregates the sexes, discriminates against other religions.. but ALSO is a PUBLIC institution where any form of religious acceptance or persecution is forbidden by law.. i.e. Separation of church and state.

In the same topic and same week you have former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow who appears to be groomed by Bill O'Reilly, in which he says there is a 'War on God' and a 'War on Christmas' and went further to say that

“The average Iranian is more Pro-American than virtually any college faculty in this country.” And with serious talk about the war on terror and “the second war in this country, the war on God.” […]

You have got to be fucking kidding me. I mean for one, this is some of the stupidest backwater bullshit I have heard in years... no wait I take that back... Bush is still in office.

On a good front in looks like Scientist are on the Brink of yielding new life from Synthetic DNA. I guess that is another blow for religion... showing that god is merely created in our image and not vice-versa.

I hope you have enjoyed 'This week in America'. I hope to do more of these are the time comes. Now go watch Keith Olbermann and instead of just reading something online and maybe passing it to another blog friend, try talking about it in public. They need the truth more than ever.

Next week, maybe I will talk about all the religious bullshit coming out of the candidates and see why you need to read more into each, even the ones you think you like. Until next time, think for yourself and stay safe.

Never fuck with an angry American...

2007-12-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

Never fuck with an angry American......

(Stolen from http://archive.facepunchstudios.com/showthread/?id=143648 and edited by me)

52 year old welder Marvin Heemeyer lived in Granby, Colorado. fixing vehicle mufflers. His small repair shop was located near a concrete factory called Mountain Park. To Marvin and his neighbors horror, the owners of Mountain Park decided to expand the factory, forcing the people living near-by to sell their land to Mountain Park.

Sooner or later the factory's neighbors gave up, except for Marvin. Having tried every way possible, the owners of the factory failed to acquire his land. However all the surrounding land was now owned by the factory, which resulted in Marvin's shop getting cut off from the rest of the world.

Marvin tried everything in his powers to restore justice. Obviously, the city council and other politicians of the state were on the factory owners' evil capitalist side.

It's not surprising that Marvin lost the case to the owners, in court. After that Marvin was also given a $2500 fine for not having a connected sewer line. When paying the fine, Marvin attached a note to the check and ticket that read "Cowards".

He was just one of those who would not give up.

On the 4th of June, 2004 during a rainy day Marvin rolled out into town on a bulldozer reinforced with metal sheets. He started with the concrete factory, destroying building after building, until the factory was demolished. Then it was the city council's turn followed by the town hall, then the bank, the public library, the fire station, a warehouse, the local paper and other buildings belonging to the mayor.

Having tried to stop Heemeyer, the police finally understood that Marvin's bulldozer was unstoppable. More than 200 bullets were fired at the vehicle, causing no harm at all. The police force then decided to battle the titan with hand grenades. Once again their efforts were useless. Later a vehicle rigged with explosives was put in Marvin's path to destruction, it also had little luck in stopping him.

Marvin returned fire using two semi-automatic .23 caliber rifles and a single .50 caliber semi-automatic rifle through specially designed holes in the vehicle's front, left and right sides.

All the police were able to do, was evacuate 1500 inhabitants (the town's population was 2200) and block all the roads, including a federal highway that lead to the town.

Marvin's war ended at 4:23 PM.

Having reduced the Gambles Hardware store the bulldozer got stuck in the basement and was unable to get out. The only thing that could be seen coming form Marvin's kill dozer was smoke out of a damaged radiator.

At first the police officers were too afraid to approach the thing. Trying to get Marvin out of his fortress, they had to make a hole in the armor. When they finally got through, Marvin was already dead. He had shot himself with a .357 caliber handgun.

Despite the great damage to property (13 buildings were destroyed, most requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to be replaced), no one besides Heemeyer was injured; observers noted that Heemeyer appeared to go out of his way to avoid injury to bystanders.

The governor said that the city looked as if a tornado had just gone through.

Later an investigation was carried out. It was discovered that Marvin's creation was so strong that even a powerful artillery blow would only cause minor damage. The bulldozer was totally covered in sheet metal, with each piece being at least half an inch thick. In places, the vehicle's armor was over one foot thick, consisting of concrete sandwiched between sheets of steel to make ad-hoc composite armor.

To fit the bulldozer with this shell, Marvin had to use a self-made crane. "Lowering the protective armor onto the vehicle, Marvin knew he wouldn't be able to get out"- said police officials.

Although Marvin packed the interior with supplies such as water, food, ammo and a gas mask. To control the kill dozer, Marvin used 3 monitors and a couple of video cameras. In an event of the cameras being blinded by dust, they were fitted with air compressors.

It took Marvin 2 months to design the Kill dozer, and according to sources, 1.5 years to build it.

"He was a fine lad", - said the people that were close to Marvin. "They shouldn't have made him angry". "If he was your friend, he was your best friend. And if he was your enemy, well he was your worst and most dangerous enemy." - said Marvin's friends.

Here are some videos about the incident:

Video 1, Video 2, Video 3

Enjoy!

Taking a mohamed... (Warning! Offensive)

2007-12-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

In a recent post over at Mojoey's blog "Deep Thoughts" we were discussing the story about Gillian Gibbons who was found guilty in Sudan for her students naming a stuffed teddy bear "mohamed" and we all know how those freaks are about their precious fucking mohamed... Give me a break. Your religion is a piece of shit just like christianity. Even if I did believe in a god, why the fuck would I want a religion so shitty and outright despicable? Like I said in the comments, no matter how many roses you try to cover it up with it still is a pile of shit.

So I am making a proclamation that every time someone takes a Poo, a Shit, a Dump, or whatever it was called, it shall now be known as "taking a mohamed" ... or if you prefer, "taking a christ/jesus"

For your enjoyment (and to piss off as many as possible) I have made a picture to illustrate my point:

Ahhh! Doesn't that feel better? I mean fuck, there is nothing like taking a big mohamed and feeling 5lbs lighter...

On a side note. I am a writer and editor (or have been) by trade. So when I spell the names of jesus, mohamed, christianity, islam, god, allah, etc., etc. I do so with the first letter in lower case because in reality they are nothing but figments and about as real as a unicorn. As much as it pains me to make errors on purpose. I do so with the knowledge that it probably pisses a lot of people off and that makes me that much happier.

I hope you enjoyed my little word ~~dump~~ mohamed (pun intended).

Create your own Atheist Gift Cards

2007-11-29T15:04:00.000-08:00

I came across a site (GiftCardLab) that allows you to create your own Visa gift cards. I love buying these types of cards, especially for online purchases and such in order to keep my own accounts more secure. However, I noticed that this place allows you to put your own photos on the cards... so long as it is withing their guidelines. Ok, so what are their guidelines you ask?

Well...

GiftCardLab will not accept any images which contain any of the following:

Company names, trademarks, logos, slogans, works of art, copyrighted materials or brands of any third party and their likeness.
Celebrities, actors, cartoons or computer games figures.
Advertising or promotional materials or branded products.
Phone numbers, addresses, URL addresses, account or PIN numbers.
Violent, bloody, indecent, nudity or semi-nudity, obscene, maltreatment under 18 content.
Culturally or socially insensitive texts or images, or those show alcohol, tobacco, gambling, firearms or other anti-social behaviors.
Texts or images that display the views, opinions or beliefs of political groups or religions.
Libelous or derogatory or defamatory content.
Discriminative content.
Provocative content.
Numbers, texts or images that might induce misunderstanding.
Instigate anti-government, overthrow government, or content which is in violation of any rules, regulations or laws.
Texts or images that might result in card acceptance confusion by merchants.
Other texts or images that are deemed not suitable for any reason for use as a GiftCard face by GiftCardLab.

Interesting... so the only problem I can see is "Texts or images that display the views, opinions or beliefs of political groups or religions." However, taking this literally atheism is neither a political or religious opinion or belief, rather it is a lack of belief. So TECHNICALLY we are covered. Also it may be considered a violation of the first or copyright infringement, unless we get permission to use a photo or one that has fair use.

So what did I do? I decided that the "A" for the OUT Campaign would be perfect. So I formatted a picture that would fit you can get it here. So I uploaded it to the site and it fit like a glove. Here is what the outcome looks like:
So now I can order this (for a nominal fee) and make purchases anywhere that accepts Visa and also show my support for the campaign and perhaps piss off a few fundies and make a few atheist smile... cause in our community, we need more things that make us smile.

20 Logical Fallacies (Or how to debate idiots)

2007-11-29T12:14:00.000-08:00

I found this article (via stumbleupon) about logical fallacies, which is great to know when you want to put an idiot in their place, and wanted to share it with fellow atheist, skeptics, and debaters. It is Copyright 2007 - The New England Skeptical Society, Inc. and can be viewed here on it's original page:

The Skeptics Guide to the Universe Presents our Top 20 Logical Fallacies

(Link to a more thorough article on Logical Fallacies.)

What is a logical fallacy?

All arguments have the same basic structure: A therefore B. They begin with one or more premises (A), which is a fact or assumption upon which the argument is based. They then apply a logical principle (therefore) to arrive at a conclusion (B). An example of a logical principle is that of equivalence. For example, if you begin with the premises that A=B and B=C, you can apply the logical principle of equivalence to conclude that A=C. A logical fallacy is a false or incorrect logical principle. An argument that is based upon a logical fallacy is therefore not valid. It is important to note that if the logic of an argument is valid then the conclusion must also be valid, which means that if the premises are all true then the conclusion must also be true. Valid logic applied to one or more false premises, however, leads to an invalid argument. Also, if an argument is not valid the conclusion may, by chance, still be true.

Top 20 Logical Fallacies (in alphabetical order)

1. Ad hominem An ad hominem argument is any that attempts to counter anothers claims or conclusions by attacking the person, rather than addressing the argument itself. True believers will often commit this fallacy by countering the arguments of skeptics by stating that skeptics are closed minded. Skeptics, on the other hand, may fall into the trap of dismissing the claims of UFO believers, for example, by stating that people who believe in UFO's are crazy or stupid.

2. Ad ignorantiam The argument from ignorance basically states that a specific belief is true because we don't know that it isn't true. Defenders of extrasensory perception, for example, will often overemphasize how much we do not know about the human brain. UFO proponents will often argue that an object sighted in the sky is unknown, and therefore it is an alien spacecraft.

3. Argument from authority Stating that a claim is true because a person or group of perceived authority says it is true. Often this argument is implied by emphasizing the many years of experience, or the formal degrees held by the individual making a specific claim. It is reasonable to give more credence to the claims of those with the proper background, education, and credentials, or to be suspicious of the claims of someone making authoritative statements in an area for which they cannot demonstrate expertise. But the truth of a claim should ultimately rest on logic and evidence, not the authority of the person promoting it.

4. Argument from final Consequences Such arguments (also called teleological) are based on a reversal of cause and effect, because they argue that something is caused by the ultimate effect that it has, or purpose that is serves. For example: God must exist, because otherwise life would have no meaning.

5. Argument from Personal Incredulity I cannot explain or understand this, therefore it cannot be true. Creationists are fond of arguing that they cannot imagine the complexity of life resulting from blind evolution, but that does not mean life did not evolve.

6. Confusing association with causation This is similar to the post-hoc fallacy in that it assumes cause and effect for two variables simply because they are correlated, although the relationship here is not strictly that of one variable following the other in time. This fallacy is often used to give a statistical correlation a causal interpretation. For example, during the 1990's both religious attendance and illegal drug use have been on the rise. It would be a fallacy to conclude that therefore, religious attendance causes illegal drug use. It is also possible that drug use leads to an increase in religious attendance, or that both drug use and religious attendance are increased by a third variable, such as an increase in societal unrest. It is also possible that both variables are independent of one another, and it is mere coincidence that they are both increasing at the same time. A corollary to this is the invocation of this logical fallacy to argue that an association does not represent causation, rather it is more accurate to say that correlation does not necessarily mean causation, but it can. Also, multiple independent correlations can point reliably to a causation, and is a reasonable line of argument.

7. Confusing currently unexplained with unexplainable Because we do not currently have an adequate explanation for a phenomenon does not mean that it is forever unexplainable, or that it therefore defies the laws of nature or requires a paranormal explanation. An example of this is the "God of the Gapsâ" strategy of creationists that whatever we cannot currently explain is unexplainable and was therefore an act of god.

8. False Continuum The idea that because there is no definitive demarcation line between two extremes, that the distinction between the extremes is not real or meaningful: There is a fuzzy line between cults and religion, therefore they are really the same thing.

9. False Dichotomy Arbitrarily reducing a set of many possibilities to only two. For example, evolution is not possible, therefore we must have been created (assumes these are the only two possibilities). This fallacy can also be used to oversimplify a continuum of variation to two black and white choices. For example, science and pseudoscience are not two discrete entities, but rather the methods and claims of all those who attempt to explain reality fall along a continuum from one extreme to the other.

10. Inconsistency Applying criteria or rules to one belief, claim, argument, or position but not to others. For example, some consumer advocates argue that we need stronger regulation of prescription drugs to ensure their safety and effectiveness, but at the same time argue that medicinal herbs should be sold with no regulation for either safety or effectiveness.

11. The Moving Goalpost A method of denial arbitrarily moving the criteria for "proof" or acceptance out of range of whatever evidence currently exists.

12. Non-Sequitur In Latin this term translates to "doesn't follow". This refers to an argument in which the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises. In other words, a logical connection is implied where none exists.

13. Post-hoc ergo propter hoc This fallacy follows the basic format of: A preceded B, therefore A caused B, and therefore assumes cause and effect for two events just because they are temporally related (the Latin translates to "after this, therefore because of this").

14. Reductio ad absurdum In formal logic, the reductio ad absurdum is a legitimate argument. It follows the form that if the premises are assumed to be true it necessarily leads to an absurd (false) conclusion and therefore one or more premises must be false. The term is now often used to refer to the abuse of this style of argument, by stretching the logic in order to force an absurd conclusion. For example a UFO enthusiast once argued that if I am skeptical about the existence of alien visitors, I must also be skeptical of the existence of the Great Wall of China, since I have not personally seen either. This is a false reductio ad absurdum because he is ignoring evidence other than personal eyewitness evidence, and also logical inference. In short, being skeptical of UFO's does not require rejecting the existence of the Great Wall.

15. Slippery Slope This logical fallacy is the argument that a position is not consistent or tenable because accepting the position means that the extreme of the position must also be accepted. But moderate positions do not necessarily lead down the slippery slope to the extreme.

16. Straw Man Arguing against a position which you create specifically to be easy to argue against, rather than the position actually held by those who oppose your point of view.

17. Special pleading, or ad-hoc reasoning This is a subtle fallacy which is often difficult to recognize. In essence, it is the arbitrary introduction of new elements into an argument in order to fix them so that they appear valid. A good example of this is the ad-hoc dismissal of negative test results. For example, one might point out that ESP has never been demonstrated under adequate test conditions, therefore ESP is not a genuine phenomenon. Defenders of ESP have attempted to counter this argument by introducing the arbitrary premise that ESP does not work in the presence of skeptics. This fallacy is often taken to ridiculous extremes, and more and more bizarre ad hoc elements are added to explain experimental failures or logical inconsistencies.

18. Tautology A tautology is an argument that utilizes circular reasoning, which means that the conclusion is also its own premise. The structure of such arguments is A=B therefore A=B, although the premise and conclusion might be formulated differently so it is not immediately apparent as such. For example, saying that therapeutic touch works because it manipulates the life force is a tautology because the definition of therapeutic touch is the alleged manipulation (without touching) of the life force.

19. Tu quoque Literally, you too. This is an attempt to justify wrong action because someone else also does it. "My evidence may be invalid, but so is yours."

20. Unstated Major Premise This fallacy occurs when one makes an argument which assumes a premise which is not explicitly stated. For example, arguing that we should label food products with their cholesterol content because Americans have high cholesterol assumes that: 1) cholesterol in food causes high serum cholesterol; 2) labeling will reduce consumption of cholesterol; and 3) that having a high serum cholesterol is unhealthy. This fallacy is also sometimes called begging the question.

Olbermann: the beginning of the end of America

2007-11-26T11:52:00.000-08:00

On CNN Keith Olbermann (One of my heroes) recently talked about the Military Commissions Act of 2006 in which we have lost one of our essential liberties, the writ of Habeas corpus. What has American become? I am saddened deeply by this, but more so I am angry at a world in which people think it is ok to due such vile and despicable things, so long as it is in the favor of Country. It truly is a sad day, when we are coming closer to a world where we will live in a police state, not have the rights to be as we are, and to defend ourselves accordingly. We as people need to stand up and make a difference. First we loose our right to Free Speech & Privacy with the USA Patriot Act, Now we loose our right to have our selves a fair trail in front of a judge, with a lawyer... and soon and very soon, we may very well loose our right to keep and bear arms.

I can tell you this... if it comes down to where we have no freedoms or liberties. I will make it my mission to seek out those liberties at any cost, defending my life and my way of life by any means necessary.

Here is a video you should watch with full attention. Enjoy... as much as you can.

A Cypherpunk's Manifesto

2007-11-25T11:33:00.000-08:00

Via www.activism.net/cypherpunk/manifesto.html I bring to you something that is still true today as it was in 1993 when this was first written. Enjoy.

A Cypherpunk's Manifesto
by Eric Hughes
Privacy is necessary for an open society in the electronic age. Privacy is not secrecy. A private matter is something one doesn't want the whole world to know, but a secret matter is something one doesn't want anybody to know. Privacy is the power to selectively reveal oneself to the world.
If two parties have some sort of dealings, then each has a memory of their interaction. Each party can speak about their own memory of this; how could anyone prevent it? One could pass laws against it, but the freedom of speech, even more than privacy, is fundamental to an open society; we seek not to restrict any speech at all. If many parties speak together in the same forum, each can speak to all the others and aggregate together knowledge about individuals and other parties. The power of electronic communications has enabled such group speech, and it will not go away merely because we might want it to.
Since we desire privacy, we must ensure that each party to a transaction have knowledge only of that which is directly necessary for that transaction. Since any information can be spoken of, we must ensure that we reveal as little as possible. In most cases personal identity is not salient. When I purchase a magazine at a store and hand cash to the clerk, there is no need to know who I am. When I ask my electronic mail provider to send and receive messages, my provider need not know to whom I am speaking or what I am saying or what others are saying to me; my provider only need know how to get the message there and how much I owe them in fees. When my identity is revealed by the underlying mechanism of the transaction, I have no privacy. I cannot here selectively reveal myself; I must always reveal myself.
Therefore, privacy in an open society requires anonymous transaction systems. Until now, cash has been the primary such system. An anonymous transaction system is not a secret transaction system. An anonymous system empowers individuals to reveal their identity when desired and only when desired; this is the essence of privacy.
Privacy in an open society also requires cryptography. If I say something, I want it heard only by those for whom I intend it. If the content of my speech is available to the world, I have no privacy. To encrypt is to indicate the desire for privacy, and to encrypt with weak cryptography is to indicate not too much desire for privacy. Furthermore, to reveal one's identity with assurance when the default is anonymity requires the cryptographic signature.
We cannot expect governments, corporations, or other large, faceless organizations to grant us privacy out of their beneficence. It is to their advantage to speak of us, and we should expect that they will speak. To try to prevent their speech is to fight against the realities of information. Information does not just want to be free, it longs to be free. Information expands to fill the available storage space. Information is Rumor's younger, stronger cousin; Information is fleeter of foot, has more eyes, knows more, and understands less than Rumor.
We must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any. We must come together and create systems which allow anonymous transactions to take place. People have been defending their own privacy for centuries with whispers, darkness, envelopes, closed doors, secret handshakes, and couriers. The technologies of the past did not allow for strong privacy, but electronic technologies do.
We the Cypherpunks are dedicated to building anonymous systems. We are defending our privacy with cryptography, with anonymous mail forwarding systems, with digital signatures, and with electronic money.
Cypherpunks write code. We know that someone has to write software to defend privacy, and since we can't get privacy unless we all do, we're going to write it. We publish our code so that our fellow Cypherpunks may practice and play with it. Our code is free for all to use, worldwide. We don't much care if you don't approve of the software we write. We know that software can't be destroyed and that a widely dispersed system can't be shut down.
Cypherpunks deplore regulations on cryptography, for encryption is fundamentally a private act. The act of encryption, in fact, removes information from the public realm. Even laws against cryptography reach only so far as a nation's border and the arm of its violence. Cryptography will ineluctably spread over the whole globe, and with it the anonymous transactions systems that it makes possible.
For privacy to be widespread it must be part of a social contract. People must come and together deploy these systems for the common good. Privacy only extends so far as the cooperation of one's fellows in society. We the Cypherpunks seek your questions and your concerns and hope we may engage you so that we do not deceive ourselves. We will not, however, be moved out of our course because some may disagree with our goals.
The Cypherpunks are actively engaged in making the networks safer for privacy. Let us proceed together apace.
Onward.
Eric Hughes [ hughes@soda.berkeley.edu ]
9 March 1993

Pan seared jumbo scallops w/roasted butternut squash ravioli

2007-11-24T15:15:00.000-08:00

Below is a recipe that I have gathered together from a few separate recipes in order to create the most amazing dish I have had in a long, long time. I had the dish at Mimi's Cafe here in Las Vegas, NV and wanted to get the recipe. However, they don't offer in, nor have I found a complete one online. I have found various other recipes like "Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter" . It is just not the same (though still good). So here is my compilation of recipes that ultimately make up something very close to the original.

(Note: If you happen to be a Chef or someone who has worked for Mimi's and would like to share the REAL recipe. I would call you a friend for a very long time. e-mail me and let me know.)

Pan seared jumbo scallops served atop a bed of roasted butternut squash ravioli, tomatoes, garlic mushrooms and roasted tomato cream sauce

Pan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops (And Garlic Mushrooms)

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbsp. - Olive oil
10 each (about 1 pound) - Jumbo sea scallops (sized at under 10 per pound)

1 Hunk of Smashed Garlic
1 Handful of Mushrooms (to suit) any kind

1. Season scallops lightly on both sides with fresh ground black pepper and salt.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat until hot but not smoking.

3. Add the scallops and sear on each side for 2-3 minutes until rich golden brown on each side and moist, yet cooked through in the center. Remove scallops from pan to avoid over cooking while plating. Set aside until ready to plate.

4. Use oil when finished to caramelize garlic and to sauté chopped mushrooms until crisp.

5. Drain on paper towel until dry.

6. let set until sauce is ready, Toss with sauce once warm.

~~~~~~~

Butternut Squash Ravioli

Ingredients:
15 ounces durum flour
15 ounces high-gluten bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup water
3 butternut squash, roasted, pureed
3/4 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste
1/2 cup bread crumbs
egg wash as needed

1. Prepare pasta dough by mixing flours and salt. Add eggs and oil, then water, mixing until smooth; knead. Allow to rest 1 hour.

2. Mix squash puree, cheeses, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and salt. Mix in bread crumbs. Place in pastry bag.

3. Using pasta machine, roll out pasta. Lay out 2 pasta sheets, cut to 12-in. by 6-in. Pipe 1 Tbsp. filling into 2 in. of space, 3 across, 6 down.

4. Brush second pasta sheet with egg wash; carefully lay over bottom sheet. Cut into squares with pizza wheel. Repeat with remaining pasta sheets.

5. Cook ravioli in boiling, salted water about 4 minutes. Per serving, plate 6 ravioli, top with sauce.

(Note: There are two ways to cheat on this portion. 1. Buy pre-made Butternut squash Ravioli or 2. You can buy pre-made pasta and still make your own version of butternut squash to add to the pasta.)

(Note 2: You can change or make your own to suit your own taste see also this recipe w/o the sauce)

~~~~~~~

Roasted Tomato Cream Sauce
Original Recipe courtesy of Chef Geoff Gunn at the 2006 Taste of Tillamook County

Ingredients:
2 lbs. Ripe Roma Tomatoes, quartered
1 1/2 Cups Garlic Cloves, whole & peeled
1/4 Bunch Fresh Thyme
1/4 Bunch Fresh Oregano, stemmed
1/2 Bunch Fresh Basil, stemmed
1 Tablespoon Ground Black Pepper
1 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Cups Olive Oil
1 Pint Heavy Cream

1. Toss tomatoes, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil together in a bowl. Pour out onto a sheet pan, and roast in oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer into food processor and puree until smooth. Strain and chill in refrigerator until cool.

2. Once chilled, transfer sauce back into food processor and add basil and oregano. Puree until smooth.

3. Add sauce to one quart of heavy cream in pot. Bring to a simmer. Serve pasta.

~~~~~~~

Last but not least, add Ravioli to Dish, pour tomato cream sauce on top w/ mushrooms added and plate scallops on top, garnish as desired.

This says what I Feel

2007-11-13T13:22:00.000-08:00

(Thanks to xkcd.com )

It's been long while

2007-10-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

Wow! it sure has been a while since I have posted on here, but as I look and read some of my favorite blogs so to has it been slow for them. Weird really, but I am not gone from the blogosphere nor shall I be for a while.

I have a lot to share. I have been to Texas and back, I have done a lot with the Citizens Police Academy, I have done a ride along that was out of this world and much much more. I can't share it all at this exact moment, but I promise that I will give you everything I can.

I will also be doing some book reviews... some that I have neglected for a while and some that I will be doing shortly.

That is all for the moment. I will be back shortly with a lot more to say! Take care for now.

365 and many more to go!

2007-09-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

Is the number of days Kelly and I have been together as a couple. One year dating and nine years as friends... later we will add eighty years as a married couple ;-). So Happy Anniversary to us! Wo0t!

Even though today we have to work, we have a wonderful dinner planned (Carrabba's) and possibly a movie (though we haven't figured that part out yet). It will be a nice evening where we can exchange gifts and more. (She already got one from me!). Then tomorrow... well actually I have no idea what we are doing tomorrow, but I am sure we will figure something out. Then Sunday, she got us tickets (her gift to me) to see Penn & Teller at the Rio! I can't wait... it will be sooo amazing! Not only that, but they are FRONT ROW! AA seat 1 & 2! I am SOOO Freaking Excited. Then we get to meet them after the show to take pictures and sign autographs! Probably one of the best gifts I have ever gotten.

This has been a crazy and wonderful year for us both and I am glad to finally be able to share my life with someone who is understanding, compassionate, funny, amazing, crazy smart, loving, and so beautiful - inside and out. I can't wait for the next eighty years.

I have a lot more to share about things going on recently, it's just been so crazy that I haven't had the time or patience to write. I promise you will all be updated about things soon! Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

Unexpected Surprise

2007-08-31T11:22:00.000-07:00

So yesterday seemed to be an interesting enough of a day, when Kelly (my fiancé) finds out that one of her best friends was unable to go to the Céline Dion concert since she had to fly out to Hawaii unexpectedly. Of course her second choice (which in reality wasn't really a "choice" ) , her sister, couldn't go because she had class. So low and behold I went with her to see Céline in her last year here at Caesars Palace.

She got the tickets for her birthday from her parents. Needless to say this is like 5 holidays wrapped in one event for her. It was so cute to see her all excited. Any who, so the tickets are for the front of the house on the floor four or five rows back. Some pretty freaking awesome seats.

The show was pretty amazing with ballet dancers and other performers in some "avant-garde" style show. I am sure there was a lot of symbolism in the performances but there were a few that left me wanting to know if I had taken drugs at some point before the show. I digress though, it was a beautiful show, some wonderful and amazing talent on stage and behind the scenes.

I think the only things other than the acid trip fish and moving picture frames things that I didn't like was the super tall guy with a comb-over in front of me, but better me than her. At the beginning the camera crew was toying with the audience and showing them on the big screen and letting people do some crazy stuff. It was quite funny and amusing. The show started off with a bang, with song after song. All in all it was a well orchestrated and performed show. It even made me want to see a traditional ballet or Opera.

I suppose in the end the only thing I could NEVER figure out in the show was the appearance of a completely white performer. He was there 95% of time, almost like he was the person she was singing to or something. It turned out to be an unexpected and very wonderful evening.

Citizens Police Academy Update

2007-08-30T15:09:00.000-07:00

If you remember back in July I mentioned I would be a part of the 3rd 2007 class for Citizens Police Academy (CPA) here in Las Vegas.

Yesterday was my first day of the 12 week program. I have to tell you, going into I didn't know what to expect. After last night, I believe it is one of the best programs any law enforcement agency has conceived. The program has been around since 1991 and has seen a little over 1,100 students graduate the class. This class is a Stew pot of society; I don't know if I have seen a more diverse group. The class starting off with a wonderful surprise of Sheriff Doug Gillespie making a guest appearance. The man is truly a genuine and nice guy, I truly can not wait to work as an officer if he is the Sheriff. Then Assistant Sheriff Flynn came in and gave a highly informative lecture about the history of the police, the stages of policing in America and our current system today. He gave a great Q&A, and was knowledgeable and thorough in his answers. There were quite a few prominent people in the class, including Undersheriff Roderick Jett, though he never spoke.

All in all it promises to be a class and experience I will never forget. I am anxious to learn about all of the departments areas of work. I have already signed up for a ride along, as well as the gun range. I will soon make an appointment to spend 2 hours at the 9-1-1 center and seeing it from their side.

I have already learned so many valuable facts, I will share more that is appropriate and talk more about my experience in the coming weeks.

(Img via lvmpd.com)