The Linear Canvas

I wrote Hard Change about the influence of corporatist power over government in America. In our case the corporatists have seized the power of religion and the media to keep the fear of fear in the weakest among us. Always keeping us fearful of all the Emmanuel Goldstein’s out there. Real or imagined.

The truth is it will never change. There’s something about being mega-rich and powerful that makes men want more riches and more power. Some would say communism would be the answer, but the truth is men are men and behave the same no matter the style of government. The common citizen is always left holding the check at the end.

“Hard Change”

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“When fascism (corporatism) comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” 
–Sinclair Lewis, in 1935

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military (and congressional) industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."
-President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R) in 1961

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”
-President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D) in 1932

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The analog tracks were originally recorded in about 1994 (?) on a Yamaha MT-100 II 4 track cassette recorder using high speed (3.75 IPS) and dbx noise reduction.

I think the acoustic guitar I played was a Takamine. I played electric guitar on a Fender Stratocaster and maybe an Ibanez Les Paul (?). The bass was a Rickenbacker 4001. I recorded the percussion more recently using my Paiste and Zildjian cymbals and because of my ankle injury, I had to add the drum parts using a Yamaha MIDI drum pad and Session Drummer 3.  I also added some cow bell.

There was a story in the news recently about Wal-Mart managers being told that the Democratic party taking over in the November 2008 election would be bad for all of them. They were advising them to vote Republican instead.

 

This is very typical of their behavior towards their employees. The reasons that I do not buy anything from Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club are because they have abused their employees so much in the past. Stories about locking up their employees in the store while they were working so they could not leave, forcing employees to work overtime for no pay, and passing over women and minorities for job advancement are just some of the reasons that I want nothing to do with them.

I won’t shop at Wal-Mart. I have gone into a Wal-Mart three times in the past four years, but did not buy anything once, bought a wallet in Kentucky, and bought some clothes for my great-niece, who loved Wal-Mart, the other time. Within the last six months, I almost gave in and joined Sam’s Club, just because there is one real close to me. But within a few days I read a news story about Wal-Mart once again abusing its employees in some manner. That put a stop to that.

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This report came from the "INTERNETS"

Report: Taser Use In Man’s Death Did Not Violate Policy

An investigation by the Butler County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office has found that an Oxford police officer did not violate policy when he used a Taser gun on an intoxicated man who later died.

Click here to read the original story >> 

Shouldn’t part of the policy be, "Don’t kill anybody"?

It’s pretty obvious that law enforcement is given the benefit of the doubt most of the time when there are casualties.  This is probably because they are involved in so many more incidents that might result in harming someone.  In the heat of the moment, anything can happen.  There are some pretty dangerous people out there and no officer could ever know the intentions of others they encounter.

A little is probably the familiarity with the officers by those that make and enforce the rules.

It’s not this one incident really, it’s my perception, so that is my reality.  Maybe, if they ever seemed to find an officer guilty of something my perception would be different.  Maybe it does happens. But if it does, they don’t give it enough publicity.

Taser’s can be dangerous weapons. The way they are marketed makes them seem mostly harmless.  I can see their use by the public as opposed to a gun, but I just think they have become weapons of convenience for security guards and law enforcement and some don’t hesitate to use them when maybe they should, just to think about the harm they might cause.

I do not support any FISA legislation that includes telecom wiretap immunity.  If the telecom companies get away with this, then most likely the administration will get away with any and all of the crimes they are guilty of. I assume that they will find a way to pardon all of the law breakers in the end, but this was too big, so they need congress to do their dirty work.

You know this is wrong. You probably went to the same public schools I did and learned the same American History. How can this be reconciled with what we know about the ideals that the United States of America was founded on?

With the building scrutiny about other matters concerning the current presidents, their policies,and their decisions, I beg you to find yourself on the correct side of history and contact your representative in congress. In history’s rear view mirror, those that stood by the constitution during this time, including yourself, will be seen as a savior of our constitutional democracy.

Please standup for what you know is right and do not support any FISA legislation including telecom wiretap immunity.