Mayor Bloomberg spread the word: “evacuate low lying areas, including the Brooklyn waterfront, and head for the hills.”

We thought he said “Catskills.”

“Hey,” our friends, Jack and Judy suggested, “why don’t you use our home upstate? It’s near the town of …and  has a hot tub.”   

We didn’t hear the name of the town as we were too busy grabbing towels and candles.

We gather other essentials, as well:

Then we hop in the jeep, and head north.

Prison break!

After a bit of a ride, we end up at Jack and Judy’s mountain-top abode.  It was more than we could have hoped for.

The skies were clear, the sun was out…

We took some precautions, bottling water and unbottling the rest.

Then we headed out for some local flavor, and settling on the local Walmart, found it strangely quiet.

Quiet, in light of their reputation, that is.

That night, we were awakened by a pitter patter on the roof. We looked outside, where everything seemed fine. The electricity was out, a minor inconvenience.

No internet, no cell phones, no email…

Tired of roughing it, we took a drive. There were a couple of felled trees, and several downed power lines.

We headed up to the local town, a mile or so up the mountain, to get breakfast.

Wait–what was the name of that town again?

Oh, that’s right, Windham.

Click here for more images  Flickr: Your Photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67129322@N08/

POSTSCRIPT

Upon our return to Brooklyn we were shocked by the extensive water damage to our apartment parking garage, located below sea level:

All our best to the true survivors of Irene and other disasters. Our thoughts are with you!

WHO IS AT FAULT FOR THE COUNTRY’S TROUBLE AND WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

“Sarah Palin is not the enemy, she is an agent of the system. The enemy is the nameless, faceless people who are pulling the strings behind the scenes, the ‘puppetmasters,” says my friend.

“When you have a political system where a company, a corporation, can buy an elected official and ask for favors, the system is corrupt. It’s not democracy, it’s criminal. Why are we not rioting in the streets about this??”

Myself, I wonder why we care more about the Patriots game than the root evil of the system which rules us, one which we support by casting ballots.

My friends says it’s because we either don’t know or don’t recognize the truth:

Both sides of the divide play for the same masters. Republicans and Democrats are one and the same.

“You can’t blame the republicans for anything without blaming the democrats alongside them. They are all to blame,” he explains. “We are taught to point fingers to fight amongst ourselves instead of looking at the real problems, and causes of these troubles.”

I maintain that the democrats are us. The republicans are us.  Liberals are us, conservatives are us, James Carville, Glenn Beck, Don Imus…even, heaven forbid, Howard Stern.

They are ALL us.  To divide is to conquer.

The ones we need to point fingers at are those whose agendas are at odds with our own, and who control those officials who are supposed to be representing us.

“The bottom line is that every single politician is an agent of a corporation because they take money to campaign. They are funded,” my friend stresses. “The most successful of these politicians, such as our president, are the ones who are funded the most by the corporations.”

We know this, and still we sign on to it. We accept it  because some official source tells us this is the way it must be. Are we in Rome? Are we at the mercy of our master, our voices only allotted for the things the masters have told us are important? Things like mortgage payments, who’s winning Dancing with the Stars,  who’ll make it to the playoffs, what Kim Kardashian is wearing…?

Who told us this is the way it has to be? More importantly, why do we accept it?

That’s why they can take trillions of dollars and build up the military in order to attack countries they have no right to attack.

These same politicians say, ‘we don’t have enough money for education or health…’ The situation is absurd,” he continues.

It’s a form of cognitive dissonance:  we know the system is corrupt yet we buy into it, voting for one corrupt official over the other. The only voting that really counts is the one that says we will not abide by the parameters they have set up.

“Who would allow this? This is not democracy—it has nothing to do with democracy. IT IS A LIE.”

We are not slaves—or are we? Why do we accept a system that is not working for us?

“The truth is, the only people to blame are ourselves if we’re not smart enough to see that the situation is corrupt.”

The real argument is not whether the democrats will do this or that, or will the republicans do this or that, it is: who the hell is working for us at all?”

• The would-be politico with no voice because he has no funding, that’s who.
• The one who has had his personal life turned inside out because his message rang too true and because it would have become a call to action if too many people heard it.
• The one who died in the mysterious  plane crash before he could oppose a certain bill with hidden provisos.

If these ideas seem outlandish do the research.

Can you find a single politician who is not funded by a corporation of any sort?

You can’t, because those who are not funded disappear, or somewhere along the way they receive money and become corrupt. It is the nature of the system.

What do we do about this?

Boycott voting?

Speak out about injustice?

Stop being afraid of being ‘politically incorrect’ –in fact, stop being afraid?

Become the oversight board since there isn’t one in operation, not a real one, anyway?

Make them answer to you for their behavior?

Yes, yes, yes.

But, how??

1. Stop accepting everything as if is your only option.

2. Turn off the damn TV.

3. Seek out the truth.

4. Listen to your inner guidance, instead of what anyone tells you is  fact.

“By nature a corporation is going to do everything it can to make money, not do what’s good for the people,” my friend continues. “If you are going to protest anything it has to be CAMPAIGN REFORM. You should not vote for anyone who takes money. Period.   The system of election must be changed.

Politicians can not sit on the board of ANY CORPORATION before a reasonable period of time has elapsed after leaving, or before taking office.

John Majors left office and joined the Carlisle Group, one of the largest dealer’s of weapons in the world.” Not to mention James Baker and George Bush Sr.

Can you say, conflict of interest, or back-end pay- off?

Let’s make it a rule:

NO ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIAL SHOULD TAKE MONEY FROM ANYONE WHO REPRESENTS A CORPORATE INTEREST. NEITHER SHOULD THEY SIT ON THE BOARD OF, NOR MAKE MONEY FROM, ANY CORPORATION EVER.

NEVER EVER.

“Hank Paulson was a CEO of Goldman Sachs. Obama appointed him to office, and when they needed bailout money for Goldman Sachs and AIG Paulson gave it to his friends. Obama, who was funded by the corporations, appoint people to his cabinet to move money to the corporations. I would say this is a conflict of interest.”

Yes, I would say so.

From Wikipedia:

During 2008 Goldman Sachs received criticism for an apparent revolving door relationship, in which its employees and consultants have moved in and out of high level U.S. Government positions, creating the potential for conflicts of interest. Former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson was a former CEO of Goldman Sachs. Additional controversy attended the selection of former Goldman Sachs lobbyist Mark Patterson as chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, despite President Barack Obama‘s campaign promise that he would limit the influence of lobbyists in his administration.[71]

In 2010 Goldman Sachs was criticized for its involvement in the 2010 European sovereign debt crisis. Goldman Sachs between the years 1998-2009 has been reported to systematically help the Greek government to mask its national true debt facts.[72] In September 2009, though, Goldman Sachs among others, created a special Credit Default Swap (CDS) index for the cover of high risk national debt of Greece.[73] The interest-rates of Greek national bonds have soared to a very high level, leading the Greek economy very close to bankruptcy in March 2010 and yet again in May 2010.

Paulson, bipartisan support:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703757504575194502882068296.

Exposed: The Carlyle Group

Shocking documentary uncovers the subversion of Americas democracy.

Translation of the first one minute forty seven seconds of this program.

“The war in Iraq does not seem to be over al all, but in the meantime the rebuilding has already started. This has unleashed fiercecompetition for contracts, which are mainly awarded to American (ed: U.S.) companies.

What is remarkable about these companies, is that they have people on their payroll from American politics and the military. Is this a conflict of interest, or is this the new global way of doing business?

One of the companies that operates in this manner is the Carlyle Group.”

On their payroll are people like : George Bush (Sr.), James Baker III and old premier John Major.  The Carlyle Group is a private investment bank which doesn’t come to the publics attention very often but it is one of the biggest American (ed: USA) investors of the defense industry, telecom, property and financial services. What is the Carlyle Group? Who are the people behind the name? And how much power does Carlyle have?

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article3995.htm

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/oct/31/september11.usa4

Who Who owns the Federal Reserve Bank?

The following is a conversation with Mr. Ron Supinski of the Public Information Department of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank. Original site:  .http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=25847

CALLER: Mr. Supinski, does my country own the Federal Reserve System?

MR. SUPINSKI: We are an agency of the government.

CALLER: That’s not my question. Is it owned by my country?

MR. SUPINSKI: It is an agency of the government created by congress.

CALLER: Is the Federal Reserve a Corporation?

MR. SUPINSKI: Yes.

CALLER: Does my government own any of the stock in the Federal Reserve?

MR. SUPINSKI: No, it is owned by the member banks.

CALLER: Are the member banks private corporations?

MR. SUPINSKI: Yes.

CALLER: Are Federal Reserve Notes backed by anything?

MR. SUPINSKI: Yes, by the assets of the Federal Reserve but, primarily by the power of congress to lay tax on the people.

CALLER: Did you say, by the power to collect taxes is what backs Federal Reserve Notes?

MR. SUPINSKI: Yes.

CALLER: What are the total assets of the Federal Reserve?

MR. SUPINSKI: The San Francisco Bank has $36 Billion in assets.

CALLER: What are these assets composed of?

MR. SUPINSKI: Gold, the Federal Reserve Bank itself and government securities.

CALLER: What value does the Federal Reserve Bank carry gold per oz. on their books?

MR. SUPINSKI: I don’t have that information but the San Francisco Bank has $1.6 billion in gold.

CALLER: Are you saying the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has $1.6 billion in gold, the bank itself and the balance of the assets is government securities?

MR. SUPINSKI: Yes.

CALLER: Where does the Federal Reserve get Federal Reserve Notes from?

MR. SUPINSKI: They are authorized by the U.S. Treasury.

CALLER: How much does the Federal Reserve pay for a $10 Federal Reserve Note?

MR. SUPINSKI: Fifty to seventy cents (0.50¢ to 0.70¢).

http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=25847

A varied spectrum of good and bad cheer

One phalanx whispers “The end is near”

Another the platitudes you’d  rather hear

(To both we shed a worried tear)

Through stagnation deep our worries steep

Our highest aims in twilight sleep

Or moving at a lowly creep

Lost among the bleat of sheep

The rousing cries of woes do  leap

Yet a wondrous cheer is circling round

Rising upward, gathering ground

Leaving darkened spirit drowned

Our brightest glory forever crowned

And highest self in  evolvement profound

The cry is simple, we know it well

Love each other more than self!

Not just those of similar wealth

Love every child, giant or elf

Love those who are unlike yourself

Love one and all of every name

Despite their label, sin, or shame

Love those in barren weary chains,

Love religious sects who defy your grain

Love every Adam–for you are Cain

Through love of all, God’s will prevails

Our highest hopes will never fail

He who loves beyond the pale

Knows no more fear and tips the scale,

Toward Peace On Earth And Good Will Toward Men

Happy Holidays to One and All

A seeping current that infects your perception then reveals you as a fool for holding your earlier beliefs in the first place. That breath’s real name? It is truth. Truth not as it is known in modern times but in hearts and sighs and in the eyes of the young who have been untutored by life and society. Truth that knows no other name for it just IS. Truth, though it be melded and murked up and dyed and submerged and changed –truth has no other cause to live except to be simply and in earnest belief to become someday, somehow, into being in every breast of every man and woman on the planet, if there is a planet.

Truth, it lives in the mind of children and infants are in no doubt the wisest. For we go through a process of untruth as we grow older, accepting that society’s lies ARE the truth and we can see no longer see a larger pattern, living by absolutes, no longer tell wrong from right. Is it right to bomb Iran? Of course! They are trying to nuke us. Us, the biggest gorilla on the block. As if we don’t have the technology to stop those weapons in their tracks or bomb the miscreants to smithereens the moment their first device is trajected.

Sure, we are killing them for peace. Ask a child about this, and he’ll set you to rights. We are killing them because we can. It’s for no good reason at all.

I’m sending this because I just found out that the H1N1 is being included in the standard flu vaccine. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention, but I don’t think this is not something that has been particularly advertised. Considering that they are pushing the shots on campuses and doubling the dosage for those over 65, I think people should be aware of what they’re getting. I am not a fan of vaccines in general, but the H1n1 has proved  even more overtly alarming than usual , and coupled with the all-out push to make the shots available everywhere you go– even at drive through windows ( Flu shots will protect against H1N1 | Salisbury, NC – Salisbury Post)– I was forced to assemble some quick facts that may have escaped your memory or notice.

For those of you who may not have heard this–and considering how those who stand to profit have clogged the internet with “spin”–there is massive evidence that the swine flu vaccine, especially the adjuvants, and specifically, squalene, cause serious injury and death ( http://www.theflucase.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=353&Itemid=100&lang=en) see below for more on this.

The first thing to ask yourself when confronted with propaganda that the shots work, is who conducted the studies?  Vaccine may be more dangerous than the swine flu – Powered by Google Docs

ADDITIONALLY:

The swine flu vaccine being offered to children has not been tested on infants , children or pregnant women, with little to no data regarding their safety or effectiveness BBC NEWS | Health | Flu jabs not tested on children

It is linked to a killer nerve disease:  Swine flu jab link to killer nerve disease: Leaked letter reveals concern of neurologists over 25 deaths in America | Mail Online

After they began administering the vaccine Sweden reported an epidemic of VACCINE RELATED ILLNESS that was immediately “spun” by pharma PR (sorry, article is in Swedish. Use Google translate) De blev sjuka av vaccinet – Hälsa – Hälsotips Träningstips Friskvård Träning | Expressen

Baxter, which released the vaccine has serious issues of integrity:  Vaccine may be more dangerous than the swine flu – Powered by Google Docs

Multiple sclerosis and Lupis also linked:  Vaccine may be more dangerous than the swine flu – Powered by Google Docs

There’s much, much more, but in the interst of understatement I will stop here.

Be aware. Be  discerning. Stop believeing the company line, and for the love of God, throw out your TV’s. More on  that to come.

It’s more of an anti-issue issue, a little sideways punch against establishment thinking, an attempt to expose the truth:

that there is NO ONE PLACE TO GET THE PERFECT ANYTHING.  Well, sort of.

Those uppity, pie-in-the-sky top ten lists that purport to name the best of things — whether it be pizza, beaches, brunch spots, places to live (wait, did someone say pizza?)– in my opinion, instead create the following:

IWANTTHISNOWUS

That must-have feeling, as in, If I don’t get this ChocolateLychee Moji-tini NOW, my life will stop completely.

HESAIDITSOITMUSTBERIGHT

Too much trust in someone else’s thinking. As in,  Remember that Seinfeld episode? This is apparently the ONLY place to get soup in America…

HEYYOUCUTINFRONTOFMEIDIOT

Long lines by people attempting to get said object.

WHATDOYOU MEAN YOU HAVENT BEEN TO_______
a keeping up with the Jones’ effect, as if such-an-such is the only place in the world to get said object.  But this is WRONG. You’re in  NYC . There is no one place for anything, uness you’re talking about canolis. But that’s another story.

So back to burgers, and  trusting in other people’s  viewpoints.  Unfortunately, it seems my notes have somehow been, uhh….misplaced.

Various images come to mind, such as black-coated spies sent from Shake Shack or Jackson Hole, desperate to maintain their place at the top of the heap or to move up from the bottom…

But I also remember:

Devouring succulent yummies at Shake Shack, just before closing after successfully eluding the lines.

Sharing a deliciously gargantuan burgersaurus at McAleer’s Pub on Brodway.

Being underwhelmed at Union Square Coffee Shop, though our seat under the big yellow unbrella afforded the perfect viewpoint for watching mid-day tourist  hoard-a-ristas.

Carne al-fresco at Robert Moses beach. Sea air, perfect fries…

Now I’m getting hungry.   The hunt resumes. Back soon.

According to my research, I have found that there are several subtypes of vegetarians:

Broccolarians: those who prefer veggies to meat, recognized by the slightly greenish cast to their skin

c

Toocoolforbeefians:  those who follow societal waves, recognized by the slightly-worn grey, high-tops (hey, they must be grey, and though they can be low top this is getting into sub-sub genres here)

c

Barackatarians:  those who take a stand against meat  for political reasons. Recognized by the Willy-burg beard or pierced lower lip (pierced upper lips apparently implying a different sort of stand, for instance, against the global warming agenda. )

cc

cc

Fermentiarians:  those who avoid flesh for health reasons. Recognized by anemic hunch and natural-dye t-shirt reading “Vegans Rock”

c

Petatarians:  the vigilantes. Recognized by the picket and bag of blood they are waving in your face.

and the group I am most fond of:

c

Veggie Marians: those who feel it’s wrong to kill animals to feed our gluttony but are too cool to say anything about it, though they will sometimes eat fish because they haven’t entirely “made the switch.” Recognized by the martyred glare as you stuff your face with a spare rib.

c

My partner, I confess, falls into the last group. which is why I feel really bad about announcing this survey.

THE SUMMER ’10 SEARCH FOR THE BEST NYC HAMBURGER.

c

Sure, we’ve read the reports; 5 Napkin Burgers are amazing, Jackson Hole lost quality, Shack Shack has long lines, PJ Clarkes’ are yummy but small…

But truthfully, Jackson Hole makes toppings like no other.

5 Napkin Burgers are delicious, but  not extraordinary.

And unbeknownst to most surveyers, Williamsburg’s DBA’s  summer outdoor visiting chef’s cajun burgers for $6 may be the best thing on the planet.

Plus three thousand other cafes, holes-in-the-walls, shacks, four star restaurants and gourmet trucks that have escaped reviewers’ gullets serve a damn good burger.

I don’t profess to be able to create the definitive survey, but at least it will be one I can trust  because it will be according to me.

My testers will be my friends, out of town guests, and once again, me. Any convincing posts will be duly admitted to the survey or tried out first hand.

My Veggie Marian will have to stay out of it, although he will be welcome to weigh in on tuna and veggie burgers.

c

c

The standards:  Whatever makes us feel good, and keeps us coming back for more.

The hunt is on.   Posts will be coming to you live.

kwispy, #mce_temp_url#

I should have immediately called the police and told them a strange whiny man had broken into the building and was calling himself a census worker, he said.

The fact that I had answered any questions at all infuriated him.

My partner’s politics center around a loathing for fascism in its many deceptive, and seemingly innocent, forms. Intimidation that appears harmless, he says, is the most virulent, for people don’t see it for what it is:  measured dissolution of our civil rights, and of the federal constitution that was enacted to protect us.

The fact that he is a British born son of two Eastern-European World War II escapees may have something to do with his feelings, but I believe he is right. What does that make me? Someone who doesn’t want to do her civic duty, or does it make me a patriot? I assert that it is the latter.

We are quick to brand those who take sides, or who bring to light harsh realities that we’d rather not face with unpleasant names:

Liberal.
Anti-government.
Anarchist.
Foreigner.
Right-winger.
Left-winger.
Loudmouth.
Malcontent…

The world is upside down. It’s so much easier to dismiss those who are saying something unpleasant than having to face the facts, that there is something intrinsically wrong with an unknown individual coming to your door and asking personal and highly intrusive questions, whether they wear a badge or not.