“It is now highly feasible to take care of everybody on Earth at a higher standard of living than any have ever known. It no longer has to be you or me. Selfishness is unnecessary. War is obsolete. It is a matter of converting our high technology from weaponry to livingry." BUCKMINSTER FULLER
It's been 8 years since I last shared my thoughts, but all the while I've been recording my impressions, personal aspirations, and self exploration in my notebook. So much has taken place in this time; personally, nationally, and globally. This blog was born from my distrust in the information being presented to the masses. My move from Los Angeles to Chicago was propelled by motivation to spread my truth to a greater audience. My foray into radio evolved into a generally light-hearted podcast focused on our favorite pastimes and distractions; baseball, cinema, television, popular culture, etc. I express myself with humor on "High & Tight", and through music in "Cloud City & Echobase Sessions". I expressed my frustrations and exposed some truth through the written word in "The Smog Chronicles". I've worked to keep positive and focus on my blessings. I've worked towards inner peace, focusing on things within my control, tuning out unnecessary noise, worries, and news that does not effect my life. Since we last spoke, the state of things and the accuracy of how they've been reported has unfortunately taken another step in the wrong direction.
In the months ahead I will look forward to presenting researched, focused reports providing the best possible insight into world events that shape our reality. We will take a giant step back to see a larger picture and gain greater perspective on the times in which we live. The information that engulfs us today leaves less room for doubt than ever before, independent thought and alternative views have never been less acknowledged in our history. Fortunately, some of us remain with our feet firmly on the ground, rooted in the common sense forged from a lifetime of reading between the lines and embracing the true nature of what brought us to this point.
On that note, here's a short recap of North American history:
Norse Vikings were the first European settlers, setting up camp around present day Newfoundland around 1000AD. Columbus and his Spanish expedition arrived in the late 1400s, beginning a long history of European colonialization and spread of Christianity on the native population. The first recorded African slave arrived in 1502 from Spain. Over the next century, slaves are sent sporadically to Spanish Colonies in all three Americas. The Portuguese, and French were the next players, also claiming lands in all Americas. The British arrived in the early 1600s which is where commonly "our US History begins". The first record of slaves in the colonies is 1619, over the next 250 years the nation is built through African slave labor coupled with the extortion and removal of Native Americans and their way of life. In the middle 1800s, the nation is split on the subject of slavery, a divide is created between the North and South, The Civil War begins. 1862, the Emancipation Proclamation is issued by Abraham Lincoln, northern slaves enlist and support the Union Army, widely credited with securing the Union victory in the war. 1865: Ratification of thirteenth amendment, slavery abolished in the United States, leading to new labor requirements and practices, segregation remains. A working wage is established for American laborers, just pennies more than what was offered to newly freed slaves (the original minimum wage).
In 1892 Ellis Island opens to the next generation of American laborers who will take on the heavy lifting previously held by those in bondage. The American Dream is born; a safe haven from famine and war, a place where you find religious and political freedom, opportunities around every corner. Over the next half-century, 12 million new Americans are processed. Today, an estimated 40% of Americans can trace at least one member of their families to Ellis Island. What other purpose might this mass influx of humanity serve aside from the tireless construction of a nation's infrastructure? War. The American Indian Wars were wrapping up, the US sets her sights set elsewhere. Enter the Banana Wars and formation of the United States tropical empire. The first of the American funded rigging of elections and appointing leaders in countries of value to the US. Next: the Mexican Revolution, and the World Wars leading to the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since its inception in the middle 1900s, the CIA has had a hand in 81 international elections, purchasing politicians and votes, replacing unwanted leaders with agreeable actors promoting American interests. Next up: the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War on Terror etc. As a result, a US military base can be found in 85 out of 194 foreign countries around the globe.
At some point around the American declaration of independence from English rule, the future of our nation was planned and a course was set by those in positions of power. A government was designed with the image of a democratically elected body of representatives of the American people. The greater the population, the greater the representation. In truth, the greater amount of wealth and land owned, the greater influence you'd have on the government of this new nation. This design, although far more advanced and complex, is still in play today. The illusion of choice, the feeling of involvement in the democratic process, the power wielded with the right to vote, all cherished and celebrated.
This is our official reintroduction. We have to learn who we are before we attempt to process the world in which we currently reside. If we fail to acknowledge where we've been, it's impossible to understand where we are, and where we're going.
Is the smog starting to clear? Is the population beginning to wake and see things as they are versus what we're being told? I guess we'll find out.
"The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie." ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN
