Saturday, August 26, 2006
AFTER NINETEEN YEARS You may not have noticed that a war came to an end as of this past week. We are quick to notice when another one get started, but we seldom get to witness the actual “completion” of a real war. They usually just sort of fizzle out with with a kind of political whimper after which they are, more or less, forgotten – except by those few remaining persons who were physically a part of the actual fighting. They, I dare say, may never, actually forget how it was in the pinching inner folds of their feelings – the shy tissues of their soul This rather small, unknown war ended, it seems by means of a telephone call from Juba, a town in southern Uganda along the border with the Sudan in Africa. A government spokesperson by the name of Paddy Ankunda said that an agreement had been reached at the talks to cease all hostilities... (quote) “when the rebel leader Joseph Kony announces a cessation no later than Tuesday.” We assume they found Kony in time and that the agreement was made officially binding. The rebels have three weeks during which they are to gather at assembly in southern Sudan and Northern Uganda where “they can be monitored.” They will be given food and safe passage, official said, but too where and for how long is not mentioned. Trust is a rather a thin layer on the latest plan because seems the Rebel group had already announced a cease fire and Uganda force has killed three of their fighters. This War Lord's Army, as it has been called, was a sort of remnant – never really large numerically – possibly five thousand or so- from a rebellion against Uganda President Museveni in 1986. They specialized, it is claimed, in kidnapping Ugandan children and of forcing them into becoming fighters, servants or sex slaves. The road to understanding has been a troubled one. Serious talks actually began in July resulted in a quick series of delays and temporary walkouts by both groups. Such little wars come and go and are often almost lost in the larger scene. We might find it wise to start examining these “junior” class wars. The true cause may be far more visible in the smaller version than in the more complex “Adult” disagreements. Peace, after nineteen years of war – is, I would imagine, most welcome this week in Uganda. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 8-26-06 [c414wds]
Friday, August 25, 2006
B. Y. O. B(ATTERY) Not very long ago, it was quite common for just about any moving toy you purchased for children to have a notice prominently appended which warned you, the buyer, of an essential which was not there. It read:"Batteries Not Included." Currently headlined difficulties of several of the largest makers of adult toys in laptop computer shapes, are, no doubt, printing up large stocks of cards showing that future shipments may arrive without any means of making them "go" as actively advertised. Of course, we parents used to try to 'save face by pushing those powerless toys around on the living room floor until we could get to the right store to buy the proper size battery required and in sufficient quantities to keep the toys on the move. There is no reason for you for you to discard your handy, dandy laptop, just because your one wrist beginning to feeling baked, or your thigh simmering a bit, if you are one of those purists who insist that "laptops" be placed on one's lap. Your computer came with a short electric cord which plugs in to an ordinary wall socket. Such "extra" cords are, invariably, too short so you can sit on the living room floor and keyboard away, until you can get to the right store...and so forth. You will need to stock up on "Lithium-Ion" batteries. They are not at all like the little round, oblong or chunky things you see cluttering the "Whim Racks" at cashier waiting areas where you shop. You have to ask for them. You might even have to describe them. Better still take a used one (cooled, of course) with you. Show and Tell. These are favored by computer makers because they are light in weight, getting smaller all the time, because they are, as the engineers say: "energy dense" - whatever that means. Sales people like the fact that they can say L-I's are "rechargeable"- evading the "but what are batteries gonna cost me each month?" buyer's evasion. Dell was first in line with a recall and 20% of their total laptop production for the period being questioned. Apple made their announcement a week later showing 30% but for several other products well. Seriously, I prefer looking at all of this tremendous loss of money, Time, and impetus of the industries involved rather than list of million of items which can be confusing, subject to many errors, miss-interpreted by devious characters, and, at times, causing costly dislocation of funds and competent people. It is important to notice that all of the offending batteries are made by Sony and it is critical too, that we read on and find that the Sony unit is being used without difficulties by other makers of electronic products - H-P, Lenova, Gateway, and others. The true difficulty seems to be with engineering people in the troubled firms who continue to use unstable, configuration . What pressures, what determining conditions and circumstances would cause a technically trained mentality to even in think of working a such low levels? Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 8-25-06 [c527wds]
Thursday, August 24, 2006
NEW PLANETS? It must appear to any non-Earth person - if such an individual exists - would think of us as a rather shallow, eternally childlike set of residents for what appears to be such a fine planet. This has occurred to me often during the current concerns which have developed about re-naming the planets - demoting little Plato - way out there - and making it a sub or quasi planet of some sort. The plan would, I understand, increase the total number of planet by four, at least. Think what kind of ruckus that change alone would cause in the Halls of Learning where potential planetization persons proliferate. How do we go about, naming new planets, anyway? Do we simple name them after various God and Goddesses from some extinct religious faith? Or, do we just tag then with the name of anyone who claims to have been the first human being to see one of them? Of course, there are the old Numbers Systems. Dull. Too subject to error. Some suggest name new planets after rising stars of the entertainment world, In that case: Planet:"Mayberry" could note the date the start of Andy Griffith re-runs started on that particular orb. Others might include: "Gunsmoke", "Ponderosa", "Hoss", or "Arnold, the Pig. " I can recall that there was, at one time, a mathematical formula which enabled a determined man or woman to show the nature of and the number of planets in our solar system 0each in its proper location. They were, according to the plan, located at "regular" or "constantly irregular " sites along the space-way. At the time, as I remember reading about it happening, some smart stargazer looked at were one was supposed to be, looked and found the "thing" we now call "Pluto". Quick checks were run on other suggested sites. Nothing. This,in turn started a whole new idea going the rounds about "hidden", "unseen", even "unseeable" planets being our there and many went out looking. When "just looking" came to sound silly, it stopped. So we'll have to re-resuscitate the old "science" magazines we read years ago and re-hash those ideas a bit. Just because we can't see them does not mean they are not there! You've never seen a lottery pay-off, but you still buy a ticket. Just think of the things which maybe out there in space which we have not seen. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 8-24-06 [416wds]
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
AT THAT TIME - LONG AGO As we advance in so many scientific ways to make this world a better place for Mankind, we are, at the same time, constantly honing those terrible blades of destruction which cause death and rob us of us of the fruits of our labor. We have, in recent times, witnessed the return of beheading as as a part of of wartime activities. We have never made use of it in our history insofar as we have no records would show it having used as a means of[ punishment. We have, it seems, long associated beheading with savagery. One could argue, of course, that he is very little difference between been beheading and hanging insofar as end results are concerned. We have had instances of both in our dealings – the Aztec, Mayan and other earlier tribal divisions who must have been in disagreement at some time or other. One tribal unit living in the Timor region of south Asia – the “Mauberes” - had a well-established custom of severing the human head from the human torso as an act of love, respect and faith. Mauberes tribesman were never head hunters. Their general practice of cutting off of heads was never used a symbol of victory or conquest or as token marking a time of armistice. They did it as a religious act. They believed that the head was the resting-place of the soul. If the head remained attached to the body the soul would be abandoned fore It was a religious act and it was done with much ceremony. It was done whenever there was a dead adversary. The warrior had to stand erect, feet widespread and raise his sword and with one mighty blow he severed the head from the body He then cleaned the head, placed above he smoking flames facing the sun and the ceremony became a dance for those attending. The ceremonies were enriched with more prayers, more dances and endless chants. The name of the dead man was intoned and final prayer was made asking that he might find a peaceful dwelling place. The onlookers were exhorted to join as a frenzied chorus repeating that prayer so people other islands in the Great Sea might share in honoring the dead warrior. If a time of peace was being established the collected heads were were returned to their proper family group. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 8-22-06 [c420wds]
Monday, August 21, 2006
CLOSER AGAIN! It’s true. Local listeners, readers and viewers do, indeed, take a much more attentive stance in relation to news items featuring the possible presence of unbalanced, insane or otherwise uncontrollable persons among us. Anyone who has broken man's laws and those of common sense; have committed murder, mayhem of any type, or just just simply to have done work related to a killing, have caused death by violence is eligible to take part. It has been quite a few years since the area in which I live was under such a state of such a siege. That was way back when the so-called “Beltway Killers” were killing people at filling stations, bus stops, parking lots - without setting up any preferences, it seemed. Yet, here at about one hundred miles south of the sites of such crimes, people grew edgy. More than one person hesitated to buying gas when alone lest a sniper might have bullet ready for just such a victim. Do you remember what took place when the killers were captured? A great feeling of relief came to those immediately concerned and those of us here in the Valley of Virginia as well. One can still read about the “Beltway Killers” in some D.C. Papers. There have been trials and hearings, and sentencing s and nothing has really happened to the accused so far other than dungeon time. We were awakened this morning of Monday, August 21, 2006 by TV sets blossoming forth in every room with cheerful news that a murderer - having killed a lawman and a hospital worker - was, even at that moment ”running amok” in the Blacksburg, Virginia and the and the Virgina Tech Campus area. It was the first day of operation of '06 at the University which is complicated and confusing enough by itself. Students were instructed to stay where they were in whatever school building they happened to be until told to move elsewhere. A further instruction said if they could get to their apartment, to do so, lock the doors and stay there until the criminal was apprehended. Judging by the pictures which followed, most students decided in favor of going home for the day. Steady departure were evident, rather serious, too. They seemed to be clearing the building in loose twosomes rather than in milling bunches or clusters of bodies. The search with full Fox Network Coverage plus others and statewide stations. It ended when it was announced that the killer had been captured. To me,it seemed well-handled, too. Not too hyped. Factual police statements at intervals. It is obvious that some of our Home Defense lecturing has been heard and heeded. Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 8-21-06 [c459wds]
Sunday, August 20, 2006
MORE OF THE SAME. I have a special advantage in being able to find out exactly what I was thinking about of on a date selected at random or with a set date in mind. It is a temptation to do so, and it can be rewarding, but let me tell you, it can also be an humbling experience as well. I have turned to the pages dated August 19, 20, 21 in the year of 1978. That was twenty eight years ago. I have to admit to have, just now, been tempted to make a quick, visual check of the copy to see if held any hazards for me. Temptation denied. In '78, it seems, we were concerned with the use of labels in political life. I mentioned having read a series of articles from the “Antioch Review”. It was, of course, opposed and critical of any Conservative thought as being ”hindsite thinking” and noteworthy of attention. Their sentiment deals with perfections but hey never explained how anything perfect can be improved by changes. Too often I fail to see any improvement in such changes when affected. Liberal views do change but without affecting their basic correctness. I noticed what saw as a less obvious use of direct accusative terms such as “communists””socialists”.”fascists”, an d “radicals in the print media and on TV. Radio, however, seems to be going the opposite direction, with more and more afternoon and night talk shows - some of them developing “personalty status – enough to merit syndication. We seem to have been having and abundance of polls in 1978, too. Their reports were being greeted with the utleast enthusiasm. They are closed followed by bank cards which now pay for 90% of their owner's expenses through service charges alone. Am. Ham. Pub. Still hanging in there, too! Nil Desperadum! Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 8-20-06 [c320wds]
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