Have you turned off the TV yet?

On the LAUSD and Public mis-eduaction.

2010-03-13T13:32:00.000-08:00

I read many opinions regarding ways to make the current system better. Regulate this, change that, more parent involvement, better pay for teachers, etc.

Did it occur to anyone that the entire educational system itself is designed to fail?

I believe that in this day and age, especially in a megalopolis like Los Angeles, The ONLY option if you want your children to receive a real education is either private schooling or home schooling.

I grew up traveling a lot and attended schools in Los Angeles, Oregon and Mexico City. In large cities and small towns. The worst schools were the ones in Los Angeles. The best were in Mexico City where I attended 2 different private schools and in Oregon where we lived in a very small town and I attended the local public school. I learned the most in elementary school in Mexico and Oregon. Middle school and high school were a complete waste of time and I honestly cannot say I learned anything there. However, my parents always took the time to teach us at home. They taught us geography, world literature (he would read to us almost every night, not childrens books but adult literature) and world history.

To this day I remember most of the lessons my parents taught us. I remember literally nothing of the nonsense I learned in school because school is not meant to teach you to think...it is meant to teach you to repeat. The exception to this rule were the schools in Mexico City which while flawed in their own way, were easily 2-3 years ahead of the same grade level in the US.

This is just my opinion based on my experience. The modern US educational system has nothing to do with educating children to think and reason. Its only purpose is to guide them down a path of "servitude acceptance" which they will walk the rest of their lives.

Some may say: "Well you went to public schools and you turned out fine" or "you have public schooling to thank for the person you have become". To them I say that "I made it IN SPITE of the brainwashing I was exposed to in the American educational system".

I do have some positive things to say though. For example, I would like to thank Mr. Mays. He was my Middle School English teacher for 2 years and a man I respected greatly because he used big words and was a genuine good person. He's the only teacher I remember fondly from that school. High School was fun but I learned nothing there that I did not already know.

At present, LAUSD is beyond repair. The standards will continue to be lowered as more immigrants continue to overfill our schools. The media will continue to rot the brains of the young with materialism, violence and pornography (one and the same). In a couple decades this country will be just another third world nation with an intellectual minority running everything and majority of ignorant debt-ridden slaves doing their bidding, this cannot be avoided. The so-called educated marxist fools that are churned out by universities have been brainwashed to the extent that it is now the norm for them to riot DEMANDING more entitlements like what happened in Berkley recently.

It was always the plan of course. The only light at the end of the tunnel is that we are still free to opt out from participating in this system. The caveat being that sacrifices, both financial and lifestyle related must be made.

Living truly free is not easy but nothing worthwhile is.

Half Life meets Coast 2 Coast AM

2010-02-06T11:50:00.001-08:00

Brilliant!

Cinnamon Chasers

2010-01-18T21:55:00.001-08:00

One of the best music videos I've ever seen. Great storytelling, all shot on a Canon 5d DSLR camera.

Cinnamon Chasers - Luv Deluxe (Music Video) from Saman Keshavarz on Vimeo.

Teargas Jazz

2010-01-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

Great song. A bunch of Swedes playing heavy music in India. Some reference to the Danish-Muslim cartoon scandal are included. Anyway, it's just a good song.

Vibram Five Fingers + TMZ = Me on TV.

2010-01-04T19:50:00.000-08:00

Like the video says, I'm the guy who wears his Five Fingers to work....I've been meaning to do a review of these but in the meantime I'll say that they are everything you've heard and more.

Happy Nuevo Año...

2010-01-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

AK, 7.62 Saiga and S&W.357.....Angeles Range

Pic of the day...

2009-11-24T07:42:00.000-08:00

"Get that Feeling of Doing Something"......

We are SO Doomed!!!!!

2009-11-11T18:15:00.001-08:00

We're doomed.....

2009-10-26T19:37:00.000-07:00

Steadicam + Segway + Skillz = Amazing shot.

2009-09-30T20:14:00.000-07:00

.....And check out this contraption...

Bill Clinton...his life?

2009-09-28T17:56:00.000-07:00

Death and Taxes

2009-08-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Acetaminophen as an abuse deterrent and why exercise does not make you thin

2009-08-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

Interesting article by an MD regarding the Acetaminophen content in Vicodin.

Read it HERE

The government figures it (Vicodin) has a lower potential for abuse because you will be dissuaded from taking enough of it to "get high' by the potential for hepatotoxicity due to the added acetaminophen! The manufacturer responds to the incentives of the Drug Control act by adding the acetaminophen to get a schedule III classification. This makes it less onerous for the prescribing physician, and easier for the patient, resulting in greater sales for the drug company.

And THIS ONE about exercise and whether it really makes you thin. Basically, the author believes exercise makes you eat more and if you eat more of the wrong foods (carbohydrates) you will just gain more weight, no matter how much you work out. Seems logical to me.

Caliber????

2009-08-03T21:55:00.000-07:00

2100mm x 300mm.....non-corrosive, I hope.
Image courtesy of TallShips from GIM.

Hiking Wahtum Lake and vicinity.......

2009-07-19T11:22:00.001-07:00

Hood River, OR

2009-07-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

In Oregon for a few days......Grandpa had some bone spurs removed from his spine.....he already appears to be in less pain. Time will tell. Enjoy the pics, more to come in the next days.....the one in the bottom is Mt. Hood.

Barefoot stuff.....

2009-07-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

I've been looking into the case for bare feet....

http://www.barefooters.org/

Some basic tips from the book Barefoot Hiker:

--Always step straight down. Never shuffle!
--Always scan the path ahead of you.
--Keep your weight on the balls of your feet, not your heels.
--Pay attention to the various sensations coming from your soles--both for safety and stimulation.
--Try to walk barefoot on as many surfaces and textures as possible to sensitize your bare soles. --A well-developed sense of touch is important, both for safety and for enjoyment.
--Be careful when you cannot see the ground because of grass or leaves. Step lightly and carefully under these conditions.
--Take good care of your feet.

And now, after reading THIS, I really want to try a pair of these:

July 1st random stuff......

2009-07-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

Well, California has no budget.......oh well........bring it on! Even better, why don't YOU try to balance the budget of this once-great state?

Wanna do some ESP? I sense......that........you DO! I also sense you are going to click the banner below.......................... So, can you figure out how this little "trick" works?

Finally, a pic from the latest San Diego open-carry meetup....

What exactly is Open Carry? http://www.californiaopencarry.org/faq.html
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Regarding the "health" INDUSTRY

2009-06-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

I wrote this on a forum I frequent.....worth repeating IMO.

I have spoken with atheists who are quick to look down on believers and their faith, yet these same atheists will put all their faith in MAN and his fallible nature. Off topic I know, but it highlights the peril of putting all your faith in "scientific research". To trust the research means you must also trust the man.......I don't know about you folks, but I don't trust anyone unless I have personally met and interacted with them at the very least. .....And I have not even introduced the PROFIT variable into this equation. Medicine is a BUSINESS before anything else. Moral men have done unspeakable acts under the spell of "bigger profits". We all know what the road to Hell is paved with, right? So, who do YOU really trust, hmm? I trust MYSELF and those who have EARNED MY TRUST. The medical industry, based on my research in several fields, is far from deserving of my trust.

My Personal DIY Electrolyte Drink Mix

2009-06-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

Gatorade is all sugar. Powerade is the same paint-water as Gatorade. I'm not impressed by emergen-C either.

That's why I personally make a DIY version of them.

The ingredients are:

1--Calcium Ascorbate powder (mineral ascorbate) with Rose Hips, Acerola and bioflavinoids...2 grams of Vit C per teaspoon.....no fillers. also contains 230mg of calcium.

2--To this I add around a 2 grams of QUALITY Sea Salt.....this is where you get your sodium and other minerals.

3--Add around a gram of magnesium aspartate and 400mg of potassium aspartate powder. I have not found a good source of powdered Mg/K so I'm currently using:

4--Finally, I add a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar

5--Mix all ingredients with 32 oz of water and drink.

This is my standard drink whenever I go hiking, lift weights, etc.....

I love it because I know exactly what is in it.

No guns for Negroes

2009-06-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

From the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership site, found by transsylvaniaphoenix

Like the phrase implies, "Gun Control" has NOTHING to do with crime reduction and EVERYTHING to do with CONTROLLING THE POPULACE. We are all prospective slaves in the eyes of the State. Oh, you don't consider yourself a slave? Try not paying your income and property extortion (taxes) and let me know how it goes for you. Either you end up in jail or you end up homeless.

Part 1

Part 2

Half way through the year........

2009-06-01T23:37:00.000-07:00

The past few days in photographs. From http://www.militaryphotos.net

Aftermath of the crash....

2009-05-25T21:06:00.001-07:00

Oh how I weep every time I lay my eyes on her......but we'll rebuild her and might even keep her naked. The story began here.
Brother in Law is staying with us.....after 15 days in the hospital. He'll be on a high fat, high protein diet to help speed healing and promote muscle re-growth. Laying for 15 days straight on a diet of sugar-water and electrolytes can be quite catabolic. (he did get to eat real food the last few day) Anyway, I gave him some witch hazel and cotton balls to cleanse the incision on the stomach ....then a liberal application of Tocopheryl Acetate oil to hopefully help minimize scarring.
For those of you with a tough stomach, click here for the rest of the gruesome pics.

Creative Base Jumping

2009-05-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

The Legend of Ruby Ridge

2009-05-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

I don't know enough about this tragic "event" to form an opinion yet. If this is true....well, I don't even know what to say. This video was found by Striped Bear on GIM.