Last week I was returning to my Hotel in Columbus OH and exiting the highway I was directed by a motor officer to make a turn. One that was in the opposite direction from the direction I desired. So I pulled into a gas station to get turned around before the traffic back-up grew too long. It was about ten minutes which was not bad at all. The amazing and mildly pathetic activity that occurred next is nothing but government waste.
First off roughly ten motor officers shot through the intersection followed by three squad cars. Eventually two or three Suburbans cam on through followed by two white fifteen passengers utility vans. Finally another five or six motor officers.
There are a couple of items here. First to Paul's credit, he turned down service protection earlier in the year saying it was a form of welfare. Guess he has taken another look at that one. He also made the statement that it costs around fifty thousand dollars a day for candidate protection by the Secret Service. Some sources have the 2012 candidate protection will cost at least 113 million dollars. Somehow I doubt all this is being picked up by the individual campaigns.
I am sure a sufficient level of bodily protection can be maintained with one eighth the man power I witnessed last week. Certainly there can be some savings in this area. It will take every department of our government taking serious cuts to stop the bleeding of our treasury dollars.
Enough of my soap boxing. Have a great weekend, and take care... Doug
So with a tittle like that, there must be some juicy content in this blog post. Well, yes and no. I will say this post will be very political in nature as it deals with a threat to our way of life. So why a political posting on a photo blog? First it is my blog and I actually can control the content, but secondly and most importantly the subject matter is so important, so impacting that I am compelled to share this information with you.
This last Tuesday, there was a serious message sent to our governing body of this great nation. It is pretty clear the average American did not like the direction (and speed) the Administration was taking the country. The only way to stop it was to take control of half of the legislative branch of our government. The result will be gridlock in any expansion of government. Unfortunately this will stagnate the country for the next two years which might just be what it needs. The worst place a capitalist society can find itself in is an environment of unpredictable regulatory control.
This is a video written and produced by Curtis Bowers in 2008, he had been a Congressional House member from the state of Idaho. It deals directly with a systematic process since the late 1800's to defeat capitalism from within rather than an overt frontal attack in war. Not to dissimilar than the story about how to boil a frog. If you put a from in hot water he will jump out but if you put him in warm water her will remain in the water while it heats up until the from realizes he is too weak to jump. Oops!
In watching this video, I realized I had lived through the most striking and aggressive advances in socialism since Marx started the ball rolling. Now with that 20-20 hindsight i can look forward with trepidation as this movement goes forward.
The following is the trailer form the movie Agenda, take a couple of minutes and watch it.
There are some illustrations in the movie that really connect the dots and can look like an old Amway circle and lines presentation if you look at it too hard.
Click on the image for a larger view and take some time and do some Google searches on some of the name and organizations and you will be amazed at the level of social radicalism there is in our society.
As you can see in the diagram above it all points to the democrat party. This is not a personal indictment of anyone who claims to be a democrat but it is simply where all these socialistic movements align their efforts towards. I think we can all agree the entire political posture has moved left over the last 40 years.
So how has socialism infiltrated our social structure. Marx determined there were six areas that need to be taken in order to take the United States down socially. Take a look at the following diagram.
The bottom portion of both diagrams are the same. The first diagram shows the ties of socialism in our political structure while the second diagram illustrates the areas of our society that have been infiltrated to bring us to a point of unwitting submission. We will literally do what ever the government tells us to. After all 708,400,522 that's right almost three quarters of a billion of us took off our shoes and put little bottle in one quart plastic bags in 2006 (that's the latest TSA data). So don't tell me we will not buy anything else they sell.
Does this concern me. Nope! My hope and trust is not in some nincompoop sitting in a lofty position in Washington. I have a higher hope in Jesus Christ that I know will not fail. I am sure all this that is going on has not caught God off guard so I am not going to let it get to me. It is just very interesting to see what is happening to our society and how it is apparent how it will finally fit into Biblical end times prophesy. Now that's something to get excited about!
Take care and I'll be back next week Lord willing... Doug
No... 415 is not a hotel room anymore than 911 is an emergency number. They both are in fact though very significant days of the year. While the events of 911 far exceed tax day, tax day comes every year and hopefully we will never experience a 911 event in our country again.
Here is a question. What do the following five items have in common?
Cracker Jack
Lincoln Highway (US-30)
Crossword Puzzle
Assembly Line
16th Amendment
They all happened in 1913 and they all remain to this day. Cracker Jack still has the toy in the box (ok they are really lame now), Lincoln Highway still runs from New York to San Francisco, there is a crossword puzzle in laterally every newspaper in the country, and all mass-production is done on an assembly line. So what is with the 16th amendment. Well it too remains in existence to the disapproval of the majority of americans. It was the year that "We the people" gave our government the authority and power to take what is ours and do with it what they, our elected officials want to.
February 3, 1913 16th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration."
Not many words, but words that would grow over time. Not in the actual amendment, but in what has become one of the most convoluted, misunderstood, complex pieces of documentation in the history of man. The U.S. Tax Code. In 2005 the Tax Foundation reported the size of the tax code had reached 9,097,000 words. That is 303,233 words per each of the words in the amendment. Hello? The bible only has like 775,000 words or so and that has works for thousands of years. Not just about money but all of life at that. That brings me to a sidebar thought. The bulk of the tax code demonstrates the ineptness of man to take care of itself while the much slimmer Bible demonstrates the wisdom of an omniscience God to provide us with the tool and roadmap to life.
Here is the 1040 for from 1913. It looks as confusing for 1913 than as ours does now. When will the madness end? Click here for a closer look at the form.
Yes there was taxation well before 1913. It was used back in the 1860's to pay for the Civil War. But really now. It does not take a mental giant to see the ridiculousness of spending from Washington, the willy-nilly programs that are authorized to spend OUR hard earned income. They don't even have the cahones to try and raise taxes but rather quietly increase our deficit spending limits. If I tried that it would not be too long before I was in jail. What gives them the right?
I'm not sure I could come up with the a right answer but the road we are on is not the right one.
Again my apologies for the non-photo centric blog post. Take care... Doug
If you have been following the blog for any amount of time you know that I try to focus on photography. A couple of weeks ago a friend of ours gave us a DVD set to watch. Specifically the second DVD as it was a sermon set with Charles Stanley of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta GA. The speaker was David Burton is a well versed (pardon the pun) historian on our founding fathers.
If you have any interest what so ever about the history of our founding fathers that has been missing from our schools since the late 50's and early 60's, you will want to view these videos.
All in all they it comes to about 50 minutes but once you start viewing them is seems like 20. There are two ways to view the video. First is to view the entire video on the InTouch Ministries site [here] and click on November 2009 and select the video (to the right) of November 8th. It is titled Is America a Christian Nation; or you can view the youTube videos right her in order.
Video 1 (Skip to 1:50 to start with David Burton) Video 2 Video 3 Video 4 Video 5
I certainly hope these videos were as enlightening to you as they were to me. Granted I am no historian but I really do not like the way history has a way of changing in the last 30-50 years. I don't know, maybe it's just me.
Anyhow, thanks for letting me use this space for a moment of photo-deviation.
Cya Tomorrow... Doug
P.S. I am told that my search engine ranking goes up when I link to my website so I will be adding the following to each post from now on. That is until I find out it doesn't help.
For more information of our photography, visit us at peekfoto.
So here I am wanting to put an ecologically friendly page on our the peekfoto.com website. To convey our responsibility to the world and environment we live and work in. The problem is that I am not exactly your model of political correctness. It is not that I am opposed to taking care of our environment, I am opposed to placing our environment before us as Gods creation.
Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. Extending this to humans, it is the study of the interaction of people with their environment.
Lets face it, with this issue, there is a right and a wrong. But this value is also based on a belief of the individual. John Muir as founder of the Sierra Club in 1892 may have been the origin of the nations movement towards an ecological bent. I really think Muir’ motives were probably pure from a responsibility perspective. Years of growing idolatry and fanaticism has taken those ideals and perverted them to the gain and promotion of more political issues. Once again the power of the few over the many and the attraction that ideal has on people creates the corruption of pure thought.
A problem with many of todays eco-organizations is that they hold to a pantheistic belief that man and nature are of the same essence. This I believe is just wrong. Not that we do not have a responsibility to care for what has been created for us. I am just saying that priorities are wrong when people walk on sidewalks because they think a blade of grass has the same priority in existence as human life.
Yes I believe the Word of God when in Genesis 1:26 states for man to ...have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (KJV)
Along with this dominion comes a great responsibility to correctly manage our environment. Is it good to search for better more efficient energy? Yes, but not at the expense of an economic system. It just is not going to happen over night.
So here it is… We at Peek Digital Photography will endeavor to:
Recycle where possible
Make use recycled goods when economic feasible
Use more efficient means to consume energy and products
This is a start of what we will have on our Earth Page of peekfoto.com. It is not because I think that we are going to “save” the earth or extend its existence one day but rather because it is the responsible thing to do from a Christian perspective.
Most movies are just plain good because of their entertainment value. Others lack the quality in content and acting that really qualify them as box office bombs. The Day The Earth Stood Still fall into that unique category of suspenseful political science fiction movie. Foul language and sexual content was non-existent for once which mad the movie enjoyable on its own. From a science fiction and suspense standpoint it was a fantastic movie. From a politically correct movie... Well all I can say is that the Sierra Club probably has its stamp of approval on it.
There is one scene where there is a dialog referring to "our planet" and "it is not your planet". The point of the alien invasion is to eradicate humanity in order to protect the planet. This clearly fall into the humanist/environmentalist/tree huggers activists alignment. Must we really put a tree before man?
We as a society have slowly drifted into a belief that we are to decide what is moral and absolute. As we change these definitions change with the times. Unfortunately our mind has a slow degradation in its capacity to do the right thing when held to the ultimate absolute. That being defined by our creator. God clearly states in Genesis 1:26-29 the position in the "food" chain creation takes in relation to mankind. Having given man dominion over all the earth and its creatures does not abate mans responsibility to be wise and conserve the resources God has provided for us. Do we search for alternative forms of energy. Absolutely! Do we try and find ways to lessen the deforestation of many areas of the globe. Again absolutely, how about we start using aluminum studs in residential construction.
It is when we start to take what God has set in motion and make changes to it that we begin to see our small mindedness adversely effect our own well being. Is there any wonder why there are so many fires every year in Southern California when the state has banned the clearing of downed wood and under brush. BTW this stuff is just superb kindling for a nice fire!
Ok... Rant is over. Back to the movie. If you go into this movie with your eyes open to the PC environmental slant, it is a good clean and fun movie to watch. In other words it fits the bill for which the industry is named. Entertainment.
We have a right in this great country that few people on this planet enjoy with the freedom from persecution that we have. It is the right to vote. Not only is it a right, it is a responsibility. The last couple of weeks have been very taxing on the public with the bombardment of attack ads from one party towards the other and vis-a-versa. One attack has been that of patriotism. Here is a quick cut and paste from my dictionary:
Yes the news on Wall Street was and is not good. How bad is it, how bad will it get. Du-know? The photo to the right is actually the backside of the bronze Bull that defines Wall Street. It kind of says it all. Bottom line is greed, self centeredness, and pride. Both individual and corporate. I have no doubt that our economy will survive, there will be billions and billions of dollars lost in order to come out the other side. The money is there, the shell that it is under is unclear.
Along with the financial bad news there is another item I would like to rant on for just a minute and it has to do with the photography profession. If you are not aware a professional photographer by the name of Jill Greenburg was hired to do a photo shoot of John McCain for the Atlantic Magazine. If you do an image Google search on Jill Greenburg you will find many images of very nice photos using a unique technique that gives her photos a metallic/wet look. There are some ridiculous photos of crying children which Greenburg used in an anti-Bush image.
Here is the cover photo for the Atlantic Magazine.
Part of a professionals portrait photographers responsibility is to make the subject look as good as they can while preserving the reality and individuality of the person being photographed. Such as remove a zit, soften a wrinkle, adjust the tonality in spots but keep the birthmark, wrinkle, and color. Unless an individual is asking for more, it becomes an artistic venture without the subjects knowledge. Make it artistic that complements the person and all is well. On the other hand there is that fringe that must allow a certain hatred to reveal itself. This is the case with Ms. Greenburg.
Without speaking a word to anyone, she has shown her political hand and venomous positions regarding anything conservative. It seams to be a deep seated hatred that is unable to accept another view unless it happens to be inline with their own. Tolerance seam to be only one direction.
The following three images are some of the images that Ms Greenburg has produced in the name of portraiture.
The problem I have with this type of photography is not in the end result. That is art in some demented form. The problem I have is the photo shoot was on behalf of a client, in this case the Atlantic Magazine. While I am sure Ms. Greenburg did not release all rights to the Atlantic Magazine I do not feel it gave her permission to use the images for a personal agenda. This is crossing a moral and professional line that I can only hope the industry that has been so good the Jill Greenburg will come back and bite her in the fanny. Shame on you Jill Greenburg.
Let's call out inappropriate behavior as an industry so that others may hire true professionals. I have had the opportunity to see the good, the bad, and the ugly side of many well known individuals. I would not think to cross the line that provides them the privacy that they pay dearly.
Last Friday I was stuck in Toms River New Jersey. Nice area with little or nothing to do if you don't have wheels. The Holiday Inn was flanked by and oil change place and a Pep Boys store. With hurricane weather on it's way north I called to see if I could go somewhere a little more logistically suitable. So off to Newark, Cinci and Columbus. Opps, mechanical on the EWR-CVG flight. Rebooked on Newark, Atlanta, Columbus. Sounds all fine and good but it took eleven hours to do it. The thought of renting a car and making the drive crossed my mind earlier in the day and I should have, I would have gotten to the hotel a couple hours earlier. "Got time to spare... Go by Air!"
Anyhow... I was picked up at the hotel and we got on the road to EWR. The limo driver was a very nice black man from Canada that was now a U.S. citizen. So politics came up and we had a very nice discussion as he was at this point unsure which way he was going to vote. Of course we got on the race and gender track and I told him of my change in thinking from my younger days that I talked about the other day (click here to read). The driver said he just did not get the "race thing" in this country and told me a story that I bring to you here.
He was dating a gal (same race) before he got married and had taken her on a fishing trip while he was still in Canada. At the time he was Canadian and the girlfriend was U.S. Once the group was all together (15 or so people) his girlfriend commented that they were the only blacks in the middle of these "white people". He told me that was the end of that relationship because he did not want to deal with or perpetuate that thinking in his children. I say good for him!
The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln on September 22, 1862. Let's see that is, Hmmm... One hundred and forty six years ago. I can not begin to understand the pain and suffering people have gone through at that time or for that matter the jews during their Egyptian captivity. But just like a death of a loved one there is a mourning period, and then life goes on. To dwell in the past is not a healthy thing to do. Yes remember, Yes respect, Yes observe, but when can we move on?
People change... I have changed. There was a time where I would only vote for a white male for president. Really, that was one of my criteria... How ridiculous. In my own defense, that was a good number of years ago.
Last night confirmed in my mind that my personal biases are in fact, in the past. It is not race or gender but the individuals values, positions, and ability to lead a governing body.
Governor Sarah Palin demonstrated the ability to deliver a high stakes speech that blows anything away that I have seen in a number of years. We are today the culmination of what we have been in the past. No where was that more evident than Sarah Palin's speech last night. Be it her beauty pageant training, news broadcasting experience, being a chair person, a city council member, mayor, or governor, and oh yes... let's not forget being a mother! She commanded the stage like no other in this election. Granted the election is rarely decided on who the running mate is, but it does reflect on the decision process and judgement of the presidential candidate.
If there is one thing you need to do is VOTE!
It is not just a right that we have in this country, it is our civic responsibility. By not voting, you might just as well be desecrating the graves of the men and women who have died in the efforts to provide the very freedoms we enjoy.
Ok... I think that should be the end of my political rant for a while. Back to photography!
I hope you don't mind if I take the liberty of this blog to explore a political slant occasionally during this presidential political season. For the most part this blog is apolitical and I try not to slant one direction or another as my focus is mostly on photography. Yes, I am a conservative, I am a republican, but more so I am an individual that wants more than any to see the right actions being taken to strengthen our country and the rights of its legal citizenry.
With the announcement by John McCain of Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin the news media has generated a firestorm over any aspect of Governor Palin's personal life. The despicable, low life, sludge in the blogosphere and the media that perpetuates the mud slinging in the direction of Governor Palin's personal life during her nomination is revolting. Regardless of the motives Senator McCain had for selecting governor Palin as a running mate, it was his and his alone to make.
As an American, I am appalled at the public and visceral slander that individuals and press organizations spew in a public forum. The competitive spirit in this country has gone from gentlemen and sportsmanship the anything goes and win at all cost, even if that cost is our own civility and decency as a people. We should be ashamed at ourselves as a political body.
Attorney turned Actor turned Senator turned Actor (again) turned Presidential Candidate turned McCain supporter has had a colorful career in both Hollywood and politics. Yes he is a conservative but this post is not about politics or political biases.
On Tuesday evening Senator Thompson presented a speech to the Republican National Convention that should be edited and made required viewing in every high school in this country.
Why such a strong statement? It was a speech describing an individual that so exemplifies what service to our country is. What sacrifice of self for a larger purpose is all about. Yes it was in a political platform, and yes there are political jabs being thrown in the speech but if you can look through those items you must admit it describes one strong, principled individual. Yes it is about John McCain but get over that and witness this wonderful summary of a dedicated American Patriot.
The speech is broken up into three parts and you can view it on YouTube at the following links:
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