THE SANDS OF TIME

The beaches of southern Maine are blanketed with soft white sand.

Out on the Atlantic, along with an array of sailboats; countless buoys dot the horizon.  Most of them are attached to lobster traps on the sea floor.  A single-propeller plane, with a lettered sign in tow, pans the length of the beach advertising a local restaurant.   A gentle sea breeze carries the sound of gulls, waves crashing, children playing, and traces of Red Sox baseball on AM radio.

-     -     

Twenty miles north of the Port of Los Angeles, just north of the Palos Verdes peninsula; South Santa Monica Bay, California.  Sand ranges from fine to course; much imported by trucks over the years.  A fine grey dust coats the beach.  Tire tracks.  A power plant towers above to the east.  The area is host to three oil refineries;  three tanker ships are within eye shot on the Pacific.  International waters, where much of the city's waste is deposited, begin just 5 miles off the coast.  Helicopters chop north and south along the shoreline throughout the day.

-     -     

My mother grew up working on her family farm in Aroostook County, Maine.  On a visit home to New England few years back, I walked with her to a stream she and her siblings use to drink from.  Her enthusiasm with how cold and clear the water was had me immediately embrace this simple pleasure.  

Much of the surrounding farm land was quiet;  having not been harvested in years.  

Each time I visit, I hold close how much it feels like it must have fifty years ago . . 

Houlton, ME is as close as I've been to the way things were.

-     -     

The city of Chicago is America's best answer to the Pyramids of Egypt.  A man made marvel with each structure more unique and impressive than the last.  An amazing array of architectural variances from an incredible stretch of time. With a simply look, it's obvious how it earned the title; "City of the Century".  

My year here has brought me great perspective of past meeting present.  

From Boston, to Los Angeles, to Chicago; I've been living within cutting edge surroundings for over a decade.  From growing up in a small town in New Hampshire; my instincts had me looking towards the bigger and more extravagant.  Yet, something ancient in me has had me yearning for simpler times since the beginning . .  

My latest port of call has provided a greater sense of being.

The question: Are we better off today than we were in the past?

The debate will never reach a conclusion; there are too many valid points to each side . .  

Before the industrial revolution, the planet was a far cleaner, healthier place.  Before television and internet, parents had far more command of their children's education and exposure to the world.  Before personal electronic communication, people had more meaningful relationships with one another.  Before the discovery of oil and natural gas, our food was more natural and wholesome, and the population was sustainable.

On the other hand; industry has pushed medical technology to a stage eons beyond the imagination of previous generations.  Life expectancy has practically doubled over the past few centuries.  Children have access to unlimited volumes of information; well beyond the limitations of their local public libraries.  Electronic communications have enabled people to connect from all corners of the globe; given people the ability to remain a click away from those they'd like to keep in contact with.  Fossil fuels have not only created an unprecedented increase in population, but also kept it comfortable to this point.  Fuel has also enabled us convenient access to all nations on Earth via automobile, train, sea vessel, and airplane.    

Quality of life is not quantifiable . .

There is no way to properly score the advantage to disadvantage ratio of old versus new . . 

It's all a matter of opinion.

I like to think things were much simpler and less stressful before the information age went ballistic.  I fully embrace the modern luxuries I possess and recognize the great challenges of years long ago . .  

But at what cost?

As technology stacks upon technology, disinformation stacks upon information, commerce paves across earth, oil invades ecosystems, and distraction clogs television and radio waves . . 

I tend to believe less just might be more.

-     -

I'm heading back east in the morning for a week and a half.  I look forward to returning to the nature and personal who raised me.  I look forward to seeing the people who helped shape my foundation.

I'm thankful technology enabled me to get this message to you.

Sand continues to pass through the hourglass . . .

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/the-worlds-rubbish-dump-a-garbage-tip-that-stretches-from-hawaii-to-japan-778016.html

MAINSTREAM SUPERHIGHWAY

The road is paved from end to end.

There are streetlights every hundred yards.

Construction is perpetual; exits made fewer and further between with each passing day. The course is set; there are no alternate routes.

Speed limits are strictly enforced and staggered with traps. Just when a motorist finds a comfortable cruising pace, the limit drops, leaving him vulnerable to capture. There are cameras monitoring movement at every intersection and toll booth. The only real open space is found in extremely unpopulated areas, during the dark hours of early morning. Congestion; slow moving traffic is the general condition.

All information available on the mainstream superhighway originates from the same source. It is broadcast in several formats through a variety of channels. The music available is limited to the approved play list by the approved distributors. All news stories have been selected, filtered, and accepted for broadcast by the controlling interests. Television and feature films are subject to the same inspection and editing.

Human habits are obvious and alike on the Superhighway. Each person acts in accordance with the person in front of them. Everyone falls in line on the predictable path; paved smooth, brightly lit. All ingest the same diet of information, taking cues from the reactions of all the people around them. They encounter the same driving hazards at the same time and react in harmony. As the first person reacts, so too will the hundredth. There's no room for speculation driving along the Mainstream, no one dares to venture from the accepted interpretation, there's no room for original thought and behavior.

There is a better route.

It's known as the road less traveled.

The state does not provide light down this path.  You're required to provide your own. You're best prepared learning to operate under moonlight.

The path is not straight.

It isn't smooth.

There are no traffic lights or street signs; monitoring or interference by police. You'll rarely run into traffic; free to move at your own pace.

The news stories do not benefit corporations, or place false blame on innocent people or countries. Information does not surface to bolster patriotism, nor distract from international misdoing. News on this road less traveled does not avoid the on-going destruction of planetary ecosystems from the pillaging of earths remaining natural resources.

The movies rarely reach blockbuster status, and never make the list of "biggest opening weekends". They come it all shapes and sizes, from an endless collection of tremendously creative forces. The stories have meaning; heart.

The music is not judged based on its position on the pop-charts, or number of albums sold. It comes from all corners of the globe from infinitely varying people, instruments, and methods. The sound is what determines music's quality, not popularity.

The television programs are found mainly late at night, many on public broadcasting, many uncensored and available only through premium channels. The perspective presented is often considered "fringe" or "counter-cultural". There are no liberal or conservative platforms; only a clear distinction between right and wrong.

The Mainstream Superhighway was designed to funnel the masses into a predictable, stable state of normalcy. American history is written following it's signs, guidelines, and limitations. Riding the superhighway requires no thought; decisions are limited . .

Won't you join me in breaking this fragile eggshell that has contained us for so long?  Won't you look at things for what they are, rather than as they appear?  Could you look at your existence through new eyes, exploring the unlimited possibilities and potential you hold?  

For every hill you climb, every crooked path you explore; strength is built, knowledge is gained.  

Each obstacle you face, all challenges beckoned; yield priceless experience and insight.

We are the creators; we are the individuals with the power to determine the future of this nation, and our planet.  Earth gives us all the lessons we could ever need, if we've only the wisdom to listen.  Sustainability requires us all to stray from the Mainstream Superhighway.  New methods are required; the great awakening will not come about following the old norms.  We are too incredible a species to be simplified into categories; herded like mindless, voiceless sheep.  If you're ever feeling insignificant, powerless; drop me a line . . . I will always make time to explain your infinite strength, contribution, and potential.


"Do not follow where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail" -Ralph Waldo Emerson

ORIENTATION

Being human is like a guest house.
Each morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all.
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice; meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. 
-RUMI


Personal communication has advanced to a point where we're able to remain in touch with as many people as we like; to whatever extent we choose. As our collections of "friends" on the web continue to grow, how are the depths of our relationships affected? Is it possible that the easier it is to keep in touch, the more remote our connections become?

Each who reads this message has left a valuable, impacting impression on my life in some way. Through the miracle of modern technology; two weeks back, I was able to lift over 100 of your e-mail addresses with the click of a button.

I was unexpectedly pleased, in a unique and unfamiliar way, from a single click.

The Smog Chronicles began nearly a year ago. Prior to this posting there were around 50 recipients, more or less comprised of anyone who's phone number I've had.

There isn't any advertising or product placement here. No donations requested or surveys to be filled out. No "groups" to join, "becoming a fan", "likes", or "friend requests".

Here I share discovery, insight, and truth.

I'm not reaching out to each of you because I want something; I'm reaching out because I have something to give you.

Love.

With the mass increase of recipients, there's a good chance this letter, and ones to follow, will be automatically routed to your spam folders. It's possible that some of you might feel my words right at home with the rest of your "junk mail". Others might simply find difficulty processing and accepting what I have to share. Though I sincerely hope you read this message and embrace it's singular calling, if you'd prefer not to be bothered with it, please let me know . .

By no means would I attempt to add water to a glass that's already full.

You are reading these words because you mean more to me than can be relayed through the generic confines of Facebook. As I continue to craft entries, the knowledge that you might take time out of your day to check in with me and my perspective will provide great inspiration for me to shine light as best as I can.

The first 16 entries are accessible in the blog archive on the right side of your page should you choose to absorb the foundation of this effort.

Those who've been along since the beginning; thanks for your perpetual endorsement.

Everything is connected.  

Everyone is connected.

THE SMOG WARRIOR

On the day I was born into this world, four of our planets were separated from each other by square aspects, 90 degrees apart.  There was one planet in each astrological element; fire, earth, air, and water.  In astrology, this is known as a Grand Cross.  Each sign, represented by a planet's position, contains the same strength of quality, working to nullify it's counterpart.  This effect pulls a person in many directions, generally leading to indecisiveness and inability to produce concrete achievements.  It is said to require extraordinary efforts to overcome the conflict generated in a Grand Cross . . . Those who succeed are known to achieve remarkable personal growth and self-fulfillment.

Los Angeles; 2004.

Green Jeep Wrangler Sahara hauling through the city on the 110 South at 80 miles per hour. 

No top. 

Soundtrack: a blistering electronic dose . . Each night from Pasadena to Redondo Beach . . The skyline, the energy of the city, bright shining lights.  Strong winds.

Smog is invisible when the sun goes down.

I'd just picked up a Fuji 24 speed; the South Bay was too inviting to live long without the freedom of spinning 2 wheels on the bike path along the shore . .

Pacific sunsets.

Midnight rides.

Techno.  Film Score.  Hard Rock.  Push-Ups.  Hip-Hop.  Trance Blues.  Heavy Metal.  Pull-Ups.  Tenacity.

For the first time in my life, I was able to taste the air around me.

I had become The Smog Warrior.

I knew my situation would ultimately prove beneficial in my understanding the way of the world; the fabric of my surroundings. 

I was exploring who I was; where I was.

Seasons dissolved . .  Life without weather . .  Wildfires . .

I developed a feeling that the poor air quality could be transformed from hazardous, to constructive, by building immunity.  My respiratory system would strengthen to help combat the toxic air.  I took pride in the fact that my open-air means of transportation was both unique and extreme.  The way I saw it, no one in the city was taking in oxygen, or pollution, at the same rate, speed, or volume that I was.

Living in the media capital of the world with intent to fill one of the the most coveted positions of all, in a pool of competition, odds against me stacked through the roof . .

During a rough time half-way through my California tenure, an older friend of mine laid the following quote on me: "Christ Benny, you're like me, you see a smooth path between the mountains and choose to head straight into the steepest, most difficult climb over them."

Is it any surprise that after 5 years spinning my wheels, shifting focus from one arena to the next, a calling comes into clear focus, and is possibly the greatest challenge one could imagine?

How do you go about coaxing an entire population to unlearn most information conditioned upon them since birth?  How do you invite someone to revaluate everything they think they know about history, life, Earth, and their nations role in it?  How can you illustrate the necessity of a great awakening in order to fix the planet and protect all its inhabitants?

Just as I've catalyzed smog infected air into respiratory vaccine, my job is to ingest smog-ridden media, and yield pure uncut truth . .

The public, by in large, is in fear of or overwhelmed by, such a potent dose of truth . . it is so different than all they've come to assume as their reality.

It's easy to understand folks; life on our planet can only resume for some time to come if we play an active role in protecting her natural cycles.  The lifestyle we've come to know as "normal" must be reevaluated and adjusted based on a new energy structure and medium.  Oil, natural gas, and all other combustable fossil fuels are made of ancient life . . . Just as manure is rotated from waste to the key component of new food growth, natural resources must too exist in a cycle.  But for generations, they have not. 

These resources are finite.  Presently, our energy use is infinite.

Each person who reads this holds irreplaceable value.  Regardless of your opinions, allegiances, and beliefs, your merit is unmatched.  If I am to supersede the odds and reach the greatest of all accomplishments, you will be principally responsible . . . and deserving of much credit.

It's not easy to remove yourself from the crowd and stand up for what you truly believe in.

The Chronicles have only just begun. 

THE INFORMATION

"There's a war out there, old friend.  A world war.  And it's not about who's got the most bullets.  It's about who controls the information.  What we see and hear, how we work, what we think . . it's all about the information! 

Pollution.  Crime.  Drugs,  poverty,  disease,  hunger,  despair - we throw GOBS of money at them and problems only get worse. Why is that?  Because money's most powerful ability is to allow bad people to continue doing bad things at the expense of those who don't have it. 

The world isn't run by weapons anymore, or energy, or money. It's run by little ones and zeroes, little bits of data.  It's all just electrons".  

-BEN KINGSLEY as "COSMO" SNEAKERS 1992

The greatest obstacle facing human sustainability is ignorance.  Well past the ignorance towards the laws of nature and the facts of life; in the digital age, ignorance has mutated into its deadliest form.  From radio airwaves to cable television, dial-up to wi-fi, cell phone to iPhone; disinformation has gone viral, and infected our nation like a plague.  

Over the past decade, It's become clear that the overwhelming majority of American citizens view what's seen on television, read in newspapers, and received on-line as raw truth.  

Those that control this information command the most powerful hand at the table.  The more faith we put into instant news and technology, the further removed we become from actual events and their implications.  The most impacting stories in the history of our nation are organized and delivered to the masses in an easy to digest outline.  There are generally very few loose ends attached when the public is briefed on these most trivial events.  After the two largest attacks endured on American soil, the step by step explanations were delivered to the public within hours of impact.  Official stories are issued to the people and dry like cement in a single afternoon.  Aside from a rare, unforeseen inquiry or concern voiced by the people, the instant reactionary story compiled remains unchanged for the rest of time.  It's become our nature to thirst for information, clutch the first explanation we find, and spread it as far and wide as we can as soon as we can.

How would you feel if that precious, sought after, held so dearly story, was not true?  What if the attacks on our nation were blamed on parties who weren't involved?  How would you feel if you discovered the actual guilty parties were being protected by the outlet feeding you your news?  What would you think if you discovered a plot to kill Americans was designed and funded by the same people who created and distributed the "official story" in the press?

Welcome to: Reality 101. 

The natural disasters that have taken place over the past several years . . . Perpetual U.S. military conflict in the Middle East . . .

Worldwide chaos documented daily by media outlets urging all to prepare for something major . . .

The scenereo I'm about to present is as dark and as real as it will ever get.  

Please pause for a moment to clear your mind. 

Imagine a hot, lazy Sunday afternoon in late July . . .  A family is spending time together around the pool in the suburbs . . .  friends gather in the city for a roofdeck barbeque, ball game on the radio as 40,000 fans pack the stadium for a mid-summer showdown between division rivals . . .  kids playing in their yards, parks, and streets . . .  a young couple is showered with rice as they walk down the cathedral steps, hand in hand . . .  a baby is born, oblivious, into this world, at the county hospital as the sun begins to set . . .

-FLASH-

The sky is split by 5 seconds of brilliant, blinding flourecent light . .

-KA-BOOM-  

The earth shakes as if it were struck by a meteor . .

A wave of energy sounding of a thousand freight trains, moving like the hounds of hell races through the city, laying waste everything in its path . .

The sky grows dark as the sun is shielded by the formation of a mile high mushroom cloud over Metropolis.

Within 15 minutes, the emergency broadcast system is put to use and all media outlets are commondeared by the White House . .

The President comes on and addresses the nation with a very breif, direct announcement, vowing to find out just who was responsible, and "make them pay" for what they've done . .

Within hours, the President once again addresses the nation.  This time in a formal, prepared speech, live from the Oval Office.

Blue suit.  Red tie.

It's at this critical juncture where the president lays blame, draws the ultimate line in the sand.

Start; World War III.

A nation so utterly devistated, terrified, desperate; clings to the words of the commander in cheif as if witness to the voice of god.  Whoever received credit for the attack in this address now holds a 0% chance of clearing their name to the American people forever.

IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO COMMITS A CRIME AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  IT ONLY MATTERS WHO IS BLAMED.  MEDIA HAS THE ULTIMATE AND FINAL SAY IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE ON PLANET EARTH.

There is a map . . . if we only have the strength and wisdom to read and understand it.  Patterns have formed over the past few centuries in our nation, many trends have been set.  

If you don't know the past, you can't know the future . . those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.  

The great issue is that our history has been dictated to us since the invention of the printing press.  Reporters, news outlets, and networks and are bought and sold like all elements of entertainment.  As a society, we've gone so far in the directon of trust in reguards to mass media, it has become inconceivable, to most, that news stories could be slanted to serve an agenda.

Read between the lines and discover the reality of your world.

It is your duty as an American citizen.

This has been your atomic wake up call.

GLOBAL POSITIONING

The more often I hear about how cold it is outside, the more frequently I see people shuttering, wide-eyed, proclaiming; "it's freezing out there", the more inspired I am to take a walk. The overwhelmed public's fear of cold is just part of the motivation for my urban-arctic excursions. I learned at a very young age that apparel was available that would enable me to thrive in nearly any environment for nearly any length of time. Did you ever spend a full day sledding as a kid? Have you ever been on a chair-lift heading up a mountain only to have it stop, suspending you in mid-flight for a series of minutes?  It's getting colder out there folks, and the summers seem to be getting hotter. 

Years prior to my move, I'd been mentally preparing for re-entry into frozen conditions. Getting fully outfitted for said conditions was far less expensive than expected, and was quite a good time. Though I am excessively warm blooded, the fact remains that if you are overpowered by cold, you are not properly dressed. As Uncle Ebenezer one said; "These are garments Mr. Cratchit. Garments were invented by the human race as a protection against the cold. Once purchased, they may be used indefinitely for the purpose for which they are intended. Coal burns. Coal is momentary and coal is costly". 

Not a day passes when I don't recognize and give thanks for the luxury I possess with heat and hot water in my home. Each time I take a shower, I think of how fortunate I am to have the power to turn a knob and receive instant heat. What percent of the world's population has the ability to do this? 

Technology is crucial towards the advancement of the human race. It is also hugely responsible for preservation of life on this planet of diminishing natural resources, increasingly turbulent weather, and geopolitical chaos. With advancements taking place in nanotechnology, it seems the synthesis between biology and technology is closer than we might realize. Artificial organs are just the beginning, soon, most of the human construct will be available for recreation by way of science. Clearly, the gifts received through scientific advancement are invaluable. 

Elements of the original Global Positioning System were the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Maps of the stars date back as early as 16,500 BC. Maps of land date back as far as 3,800 BC. The earliest surviving map of the world, the Babylonian World Map, is dated 600 BC. The compass was invented in China between 1,000 BC and 200 AD, and was first put to practical use in navigation during the 10th century. Sixteen years ago, complete consumer coverage of the globe was established through a matrix provided by a network of 24 satellites in orbit. Increasingly these days, it seems without a digital GPS navigation device, people are having trouble making it from home to their local 7-Eleven. 

Through the course of history, man has had the opportunity to grow closer to nature, and the planet as a whole. The natural evolution of our minds and bodies have built a fundamental intuition. This intuition not only allows us to read and interpret all life on earth, but also in which direction we travel, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Only by our own volition are we able to stray from this course of bonding. The same micro-technology available to lengthen and preserve life, has been allowed to create a divide between man and nature. 

In the decade surrounding my birth; VHS, audio cassette, and the compact disc format were introduced to the general public. Laser-discs were conceived, born, and died before my 21st birthday. The second job I ever held was at Circuit City; May '97 through January '99. During this brief stint, two major advancements in consumer electronics were sprung on the fine people of New England. First came Digital Video Discs (DVD), next, digital personal wireless telephones. True analog cellular telephone technology came to light in 1973, and remained the industry standard for over twenty years. The switch to digital (2G) came in the late '90s. Digital mobile phones enabled the consumer with an average income the means to take part in "personal communications". Talk time became cheap. A life long movie and technology buff, I fast became the first person I knew with a DVD collection. After my first year of college I purchased a Nokia digital phone, and once again became the only person I knew that had one. 

For the sake of this entry, "Generation Y" will refer to those born between 1974 and 1980. We the members of Gen Y have witnessed and been a part of the greatest advancements in the history of micro-technology. We have the widest understanding of personal electronics at work. In addition to maturing in phones, music, and movies; think about television, video games, computers, Internet, and wireless electronics. We have been here, living the evolution of all technology, hands on, in real time. It is our generation that has the ability to separate genuine from artificial. We have the vision to identify "flash in the pan" gimmicks from real progress. 

3G personal telephones, and personal GPS navigators, are the two devices that seem to have entranced our nation. The WWII generation has pretty much left these alone, they also seem to be the only ones with their feet still on the ground. So we'll divide the living into these 4 categories for this study. WWII, baby boomers, the gens (x/y), and teenagers. Through personal research and discovery; the baby boomers and teenagers seem to stand on common ground when it comes to personal electronics. Though the gens use these devices as much as the boomers and teens, we use them far more practically. They are viewed as accessories, useful tools in communication. The boomers and teens have placed such value and loyalty into these gadgets, it has prompted closer review. 

Cell phones in many cases have replaced; imagination, face to face relationships, hand written letters, patience, attention spans, and independence. These days, if you don't immediately respond to a persons call or text message, you must be ignoring them. Just a decade ago, you had a home phone and answering machine. You'd come home, look for a flashing light, and listen to your messages. At times, several days would pass before you received a return call. These days, cell phones frequently take precedence over real people in your life. While growing up I was taught that it is impolite to watch television when someone is talking to you. Over the past several years, it has become commonplace to check your cell phone frequently during conversation. Cell checks sometimes indicate boredom, sometimes illustrate a greater interest in people outside, often, they simply make one feel special, e.g. "someone must be trying to get in touch with me" or "oh, someone texted me earlier, I'll text back right now". 

Most of us have a personal computer at our fingertips for a good stretch of each day. For several decades, e-mail has provided the ability to send a message to the other side of the planet in a matter of seconds. The birth of the Internet brought people together in a way inconceivable years before. The tremendous value of the written word gained the ability to travel at the speed of light through cyberspace. Just think, 100 years ago, a written message could only travel as fast as steam locomotive and horseback could carry it. Time put into fashioning a quality e-mail, in your own time, is a wonderful thing. 

The age old sentiment about men refusing to ask for directions has taken on greater meaning than ever before. GPS has replaced the dog as mans best friend. When I was growing up, access to orbiting satellites was at the exclusive disposal of our government. Here in 2010, pre-teenagers can carry that same technology in their lunch-boxes. People have a new found "freedom" in not having to think while traveling from point A to point B. In addition, no more empowering the gas station attendant by letting him point you in the right direction. I've seen a friendly Chicagoan walk up to a tourist with his GPS/phone in hand, scratching his head. He asked the man, "Hey, can I offer some assistance?".  The man responded with a scowl, "No, I'm fine!". To me, this translated to; remote machines give better directions than the locals. 

Whatever happened to exploration? Trusty old maps and compasses? Looking at a map generates an irreplaceable feeling of independence; seeing the places we can go, viewing the world as our canvas. We need to take time out and recognize that some advancement is not necessary and can even diminish a portion of our god given abilities. The notion of personal electronics being connected to a satellite feels like wearing a leash to me. On the subject, the way people walk down the street with phone in hand leading the way always reminds me of a dog being walked. Whether you are the master and your dog is the phone, or your phone is the master and you are the dog, something is definitely out of balance. 

Our relationships, both personal and professional, have never enjoyed so many channels of communication. Recognition of these luxuries and their temporary, fleeting nature must always be kept close at hand. Last May, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report warning that some GPS satellites could fail as soon as 2010. Much like appreciating the ease and convenience of hot water from the tap, we must be able to imagine a world without such digital communicative distraction. We need to recognize our place in nature and never let our true connections diminish. 

Exploration starts within us.

ALPHA 184

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.  We can no longer afford to worship the god of hate or bow before the altar of retaliation. The oceans of history are made turbulent by the ever-rising tides of hate. History is cluttered with the wreckage of nations and individuals that pursued this self-defeating path of hate".      -MLK


Early 2009. Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club. Redondo Beach, CA.  Standing at the desk, reviewing the list of arriving guests, scanning the list of VIP's, one name stood out. I'd gone my whole life without seeing or hearing of anyone with this name, such a common word in our language, but as a surname it struck me as peculiar, unique. Dr. & Mrs. Pepper spent several nights at the hotel, I didn't see them until the day of their departure. Face to face with Dr. William Francis Pepper, bearing no concept of the man or his achievements, yet feeling something, something familiar . .

A week later, I received a customary e-mail from a fellow patriot announcing the upcoming guests on his weekly radio show. Among the names, William Pepper. A year spent since, learning about and speaking of Dr. Peppers work, I wish I had seized the opportunity to shake his hand when I had the chance.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed April 4, 1968. He was considered one of the most influential leaders in American history. By my own account, he was the greatest, and most important man America ever produced. From Baptist minister, to the African-American civil rights movement, to human rights activism leading to a Nobel Peace Prize, no citizen has had a stronger influence on the events of our nation. Incredibly, at the time of his death, his work had only just begun.

Spring 1967. A young journalist named William Pepper had just returned from time in Vietnam. He had thoroughly documented his time and experience through photographs and written articles. The war seen through the lens of Pepper's camera centered on the damages inflicted on the civilian population. Images of children badly burned by napalm and phosphorus, villages ravaged and burned to the ground. It was upon his return that he met, and became friends with Dr. King. For several years King had been in a state of limbo on whether or not he would take a public stance on the war in Vietnam. Upon reviewing Pepper's work, in particular, a piece in Ramparts magazine titled, "The Children of Vietnam", Dr. King was moved to stand against the conflict.

"After reading that article, I said to myself, never again will I be silent on an issue that is destroying the soul of our nation".

King was planning a march of 500,000 impoverished men and women to the streets of Washington during the summer of 1968. He had spent the previous year building an opposition to US involvement in Vietnam. The inability to satisfy the requested addition of 200,000 troops to the war effort by General Westmoreland signified the calamity that would be created by an influx of half a million men and women into the nation's capital. King's proposed march was deeply threatening to the federal government. What if the people took a page from Thomas Jefferson's playbook, formed a revolution and demanded Washington be held accountable for their actions?  What if they demanded a solution for poverty in America?  What would happen if they demanded we end our involvement in Vietnam?

King was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers strike, he was shot and killed while standing on the balcony outside his room at The Lorraine Motel. After an unexplained trip around world, a man named James Earl Ray confessed to the murder, and was arrested by authorities in London. Ray changed his story 3 days after his confession, and was denied trial 7 times before his death.

In 1977, longtime friend of Dr. King, Reverend Ralph Abernathy, asked Dr. Pepper to interview James Earl Ray. Pepper went in believing Ray was the assassin, only to become his legal representation a decade later. He agreed to represent Ray only when completely convinced he was simply a patsy, and "used by forces well beyond his comprehension to carry our this murder".

In 1993, HBO aired a program titled "The Trial of James Earl Ray". I was in middle school at the time, and remember watching portions of this show, and my surprise with how different it was from everything else I'd ever seen on television. This was a mock trial of course, and the guilty verdict reached a very small crowd, the news traveling a very short distance through the mainstream media. The program was perceived, at the end of the day, as little more than entertainment.

In 1999, Dr. William Pepper was finally granted a real trial.  The King Family filed a wrongful death civil action suit against, "Loyd Jowers and Other Unknown Co-Conspirators".

Seventy witnesses took the stand and painted a multi-faceted, cohesive time-line of the crime as it was actually conceived, carried out, and covered-up. Ranking among the accused were J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI, Richard Helms and the CIA, the US military, Memphis police, and organized crime members from Memphis and New Orleans. Loyd Jowers, a local restaurant owner, stated that Lt. Earl Clark, MPD's best marksman, handed him a smoking rifle through the back door of his restaurant just after the shots were fired. Clark was hired by local organized crime members to carry out the act, but a back-up plan was in place at the assignment the US Army. Strategically placed around the scene of the crime; 20th Special Forces team Alpha 184. During the trial, each member's name, rank, serial number, and place of origin were brought to light. Further detailed; the briefing held at 4:30am the day of the assassination, and individual location points at the time of the shooting. If the first chain; government - intelligence - mafia - Memphis police failed, a crack squad of Army sharp shooters was in place to insure completion of the job.

It took just one hour for a verdict to be reached, at which point The Honorable James E. Swearengen stated to the jury:  "In answer to the question did Loyd Jowers participate in a conspiracy to do harm to Martin Luther King, your answer is yes. Do you also find that others, including governmental agencies, were parties to this conspiracy as alleged by the defendant? Your answer to that one is also yes."

From my perspective, this was the single most damming verdict in a long history of American conspiracy. Yet, each person I've ever addressed with this information, had no prior knowledge of the case's existence. The deafening silence generated by this monumental achievement is a true testament to the selective information made available to the American people by the mass media.  Dr. Martin Luther King was murdered by the same people who designated a day to commemorate his memory.  It's been proven in a United States court of law.  

So once again, I must inquire . . . Where is your outrage?


"He is depicted on King Day as a civil rights leader. And that's the way you're going to see him probably forever. But he was much more than a civil rights leader and that's what no one in official capacity wants you to know. He had moved well beyond the civil rights movement by 1964-65 and he had become effectively a world-figure in terms of human rights people and particularly the poor of this earth. That's where he was going. That's the area you don't really get into safely when you start talking about wealth, redistributing wealth. Taking, diverting huge sums of money into social welfare programs and health programs and educational programs at the grass roots. When you start going into that you begin to tread on toes in this country, in the United Kingdom, and in most of the western world.
Perhaps the lesson of the King assassination is that our government understands the power of nonviolence better than we do, or better than we want to. In the spring of 1968, when Martin King was marching (and Robert Kennedy was campaigning), King was determined that massive, nonviolent civil disobedience would end the domination of democracy by corporate and military power. The powers that be took Martin Luther King seriously. They dealt with him in Memphis".    -WILLIAM F. PEPPER

"For a quarter of a century, Bill Pepper conducted an independent investigation of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. He opened his files to our family, encouraged us to speak with the witnesses, and represented our family in the civil trial against the conspirators. The jury affirmed his findings, providing our family with a long-sought sense of closure and peace, which had been denied by official disinformation and cover-ups".     -CORETTA SCOTT KING

http://www.williampepper.com/audio.html
https://www.thekingcenter.org/KingCenter/Transcript_trial_info.aspx  

ALL-PRO

Do you remember 1986?

I was six and a half years old on new years day. The Patriots were gearing up for a Super Bowl XX battle with the "Monsters of the Midway". The Celtics were running the Eastern Conference, well on the way to their sweet 16th World Championship. The Red Sox boasted a balanced, veteran ball club, spearheaded by the hottest young pitcher in baseball. And the NHL Bruins were playoff bound, only to be swept away in the first round by the rival Canadians. Three of four major franchises in the final round of their respective post-seasons. These were my first conscious memories of professional sports.

Fast forward a quarter century and the names have changed, but the status remains largely the same. Fellow New England sports fans and I were born into a special set of circumstances, never to be taken for granted. Over the past decade, we've earned somewhat of a "New York status". By this I mean a magnetic dislike generated by a winning atmosphere accompanied by an over-confident, under-educated fan base. Unfortunately, this is simply a symptom of the times. Though my New England pride is unparalleled, to suggest that our sports fans are the exception to the rule would be absurd. That said; I do hold fast to the belief that we possess some of the greatest and most loyal sports fans on the planet. But, when things start heating up, and we head closer to the championship title, the fair weather fans will spring from the woodwork. Each will have their defense ready to deliver upon any questioning by the true fan.

My time away has earned me an objective view on New England and many other sports markets. In southern California there is such a spectrum of people from such different backgrounds that I was able to get a great feel for sports nation. In a true sports market, stuck with losing atmospheres for stretches of time, you'll find hard nosed, well versed sports enthusiasts. Between '86 & '04, Boston sports had a long run of mediocrity with very few highlights. Though rich with history, we faced a great many losing seasons and shattered hopes. Along with an 86 year drought between World Series championships, stretches like 86-04 created a crash course education in professional sports. A "keep your friends close and enemies closer" approach has enriched true fans with a greater understanding of entire leagues; a wider body of coverage. In addition to Boston; Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit are prime examples of this case.

Professional sports are our nations strongest pastime, at the same time, one of our most lucrative businesses. Perhaps above all else, sports are our greatest distraction. In a media-driven society such as ours, sports serve as one of our healthiest diversions from an otherwise contaminated news feed. Personally, baseball serves as my greatest avenue to peaceful timelessness. Between the World Series and Spring Training I find myself more susceptible to irritability . . more easily drawn to frustration.

Where I'm from, sports are an incomparable unifying factor in our lives, sometimes, even to a fault. The highs and lows of our beloved teams often have a stronger effect on New England's morale than do the extremes of weather. Literally. When I say "to a fault", I don't at all mean to belittle the die hard fan. In fact, true fans are some of the most noble, stand-up, fun to hang with people around. The fault comes when mood, stress, attitude, blood pressure and overall health are impacted by a teams performance. Healthy distraction=good. Living & dying by your team=bad. To whatever degree our dedication amounts, we must be served the most upstanding competition possible. I wish this requirement went without saying . . I wish it didn't require a second thought . . but as with all things; we must seek an all encompassing view.

Do you know anyone who places regular bets on sporting events? Have you been exposed to sports bars consisting of single men sitting alone watching three or more games at once? How about fantasy football? Now, please consider player salaries, television & radio time, advertising, endorsements, merchandising, and ticket sales.

1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is the root of all evil.

The "Black Sox". Pete Rose. Tim Donaghy.

Cases like this survive media filtration by the uncovering of indisputable evidence by unflinching investigative journalism. These events are detrimental to the guilty organization, and send shock waves to the very top. Though sadly, much like the "once in a blue moon" athlete caught cheating on his wife, society agrees to isolate these instances rather than recognize the icebergs lying beneath. I understand the comfort felt by the ignorance is bliss crowd, but recently, I've been insulted repeatedly by pro sports, in particular; the National Football League.

I've grown accustomed to the uncanny popularity the league has enjoyed over the years, it's impossible to ignore. I've been neck deep in crowds whose lives have been dedicated to fantasy football . . glued to the ticker, stat-tracker, and mobile updates. NFL is the only league I know of that has its own show airing each day of the calendar year. From where I stand, nothing in American entertainment is so glorified and spotlighted as this mighty league.

At this point, on field officiating is almost entirely for show. Calls made unavailable for review are generally so bad, they are impossible to predict. And if a play, or ruling, is challengeable . . look for the red flag . . it's coming. One of the great aspects of baseball is the long duration of game play between short commercial breaks. Being away from New England as long as I have, many of the games I've watched have been at sports bars with little control over conditions. This consistent hassle of watching my game while having to listen to the audio feed of another, has truly brought NFL Sunday viewing into perspective. In my estimation, roughly 40% of all football coverage, during a game, is advertising. The world's biggest day for commercials is Super Bowl Sunday . . and during the season, many of the largest campaigns launch during football games. Just when you think they've maximized the number of game-break/advertising opportunities, they surprise you and come up with a few more.

Money makes the world go round. The huge sums of money claimed by professional athletes is proportional to the revenue generated by their performances. Sports are a good thing. Healthful distraction is a good thing. The concern I raise is a simple question of integrity. Are we getting what we pay for? Are all events transpiring on the field of play clean and fair? Are the athletes whom we idolize and make rich, focused on doing all in their power to propel their team to victory? At the end of a season, or career, which carries more weight . . . the contents of your trophy case, or of your bank account? I believe that any professional athlete, motivated by anything other than the relentless pursuit of victory, is a sellout, and void of credibility.

I am a life long sports fan. I don't know what I'd do without the wonderful gifts I've been blessed with over the years from the wide world of sports. From my foundation in "The Hub", to Vin Scully and the Dodgers, on to Chi-town and it's rich history and legendary clubs. I am better versed and more involved than ever before. My understanding and compassion for professional athletes is at its peak. In competition, heart is immeasurable.

Invaluable.

Everything.

THE YEAR WE MAKE CONTACT

The turn of the decade. The end of the '00s. I trust a fresh start is a welcome sight for all, and what a sharp year for us to begin anew . . just look at the number . . fresh & clean. For decades we've looked towards this moment as the future . . depicted in literature and film as a far off, often post-apocalyptic setting with society assembled in a far different formation, holding vastly different values. As the world turns, the numbers we use to quantify time are held in different esteem by different people. Time is relative. Yet, as we've discussed before, our interpretation of time is measured largely by the time we've spent here on earth, and upon turning 30, I gained new perspective of our portion on the timeline.

Currently, we find ourselves smack dab in the center of the information age, and like so many other quantifying charts and measurements, information and technology are increasing at an exponential rate. This, of course, includes the information available to us, and served to us. As efforts increase to secure and control information about American agenda, so too increase the number of breakthroughs by investigative minds. The quiet scientific research commissioned to further state understanding of our universe, our planet, and life at large is slipping little by little into the mainstream. People are getting better and better at reading between the lines of corporate controlled news feeds. As economies and societies fall to new lows, the ruling class is beginning to feel a loosening of their grip. A person, class, or nation with nothing to lose is difficult to control.

Whatever your interpretation of Mayan predictions, it is impossible to believe all is well on our planet. From extreme weather events to political and social unrest, life is certainly out of balance. The question raised by earthly chaos is simple; What is our role? What can we do? Does this pondering relate to you? Do you consider yourself part of the fabric of all life on earth? Do you recognise your impact and potential? Thankfully it is becoming more and more popular for Americans to face reality, to think for themselves. Of course it's not easy to transition from prescription existence to actual fact. Fiction is broadcasted in full color HD while truth is black and white. The static between the two comes exclusively from the messenger. The truth is ever present, yet a challenge to obtain. The first step, in my experience, is to discover oneself. To acknowledge your own strength and capacity for good; your potential footprint.

I began this platform at a pivotal point in time. Personally, it was the start of a brand new chapter in my life. Globally; I signed on as the wave was truly building strength and momentum. 2012 or not, the momentum will continue to build . . this must be distinctly understood. The mission is simple; when the wave begins to break, have as many surfers as humanly possible upright and balanced on their boards. As my friend Mike once said; "When you're at a campsite, and a bear attacks, you don't have to be faster than the bear . . you only have to be faster than the slowest camper". It is my mission to have all those I care about to be ready, and faster than that slowest camper.

Those I had the great honor of spending some time with over the past few weeks heard me speak of "The Line" I've effectively drawn in the sand. Years of reading between the lines has brought me to a great understanding of how the world truly operates. I wouldn't expect anyone to take each and every word of mine as fact . . at the same time I would expect mainstream press to receive the same scrutiny. Those on the other side of the line are not my enemies; in most cases far from it. The line was drawn to separate those committed to reality from those who prefer to be fed what they know. To separate those whose minds and lives are aloft; subject to head whichever direction the wind blows, from those who know how to use a compass, and have the ability to read a map. People who navigate their own way through space and time. The line divides the people who can accept hard truth from those with a strict diet of comfortable, familiar falsities. On one side: appearance, the other: substance.

The debate is ever present; do people change? or do we mature then remain fundamentally the same for the rest of our time? It's a person to person case by case scenario in my view. Like most things in life, the power to change comes from within. When it comes to belief and interpretation however, we always have the ability to change, and it's our responsibility. As more information becomes available, as scientific and spiritual developments advance, it's our duty to open our minds and embrace discovery. Many ills of this world can be strictly contributed to antique perspectives and stubborn unwillingness to evolve with the times. Most American military activity over the past hundred years has been based on the perpetual pursuit of profit. Our entire infrastructure has been built of the consumption of a finite supply of fossil fuels. Why didn't we emphasise and promote renewable resources since back when they were first developed? Because like so much else, the decisions are made by dinosaurs at the top of the pyramid whose income is based on the sale of antiquated energy sources. Many businesses, one time leaders of industry, fail due to refusal to grow and mature with changes in society. Countless relationships and friendships are broken from the same inability to adapt. My dream is to live in a society of transparency, based on truth and discovery. A world that exploits and celebrates advancement in scientific development and natural understanding. A world that shuns secrecy and monetary based political and military conflict.

My friend Mike, who I cited earlier, is Mr. Michael C. Ruppert. Those who know me best are likely already familiar with Mr. Ruppert and his work. His influence on me and my quest is unparalleled. I met up with him last May, we spoke for several hours on a variety of topics. His film, "Collapse" is in limited release in theaters across the nation and into Canada, and available on-demand from cable providers coast to coast. He brought the following story to my attention, among many insightful observances. Visit collapsemovie.com for directions to this very important film.

The 100th Monkey by Lyall Watson

The Japanese monkey, Macaca fuscata, had been observed in the wild for a period of over 30 years. In 1952, on the Island of Koshima, scientists were providing monkeys with sweet potatoes dropped in the sand. The monkeys liked the taste of the raw sweet potatoes, but found the dirt unpleasant. An 18 month old female named Imo found she could solve the problem by washing the potatoes in the salty ocean water, improving the taste of the potato. She taught this trick to her mother. Her playmates learned this trick and taught their mothers too. This cultural innovation was gradually picked up by numerous monkeys in the troop and observed by the scientists.

Between 1952 and 1958, all the young monkeys learned to wash the sandy sweet potatoes and make them more palatable. Only the adults who imitated their children learned this cultural improvement. Other adult monkeys kept eating the dirty sweet potatoes. In autumn of 1958, something startling took place. A certain number of Koshima monkeys were already washing their sweet potatoes, the exact number is not known. The hypothetical number given was 99. Then it happened. The hundredth monkey learned to wash the sweet potatoes. The added energy of that hundredth monkey somehow created an ideological breakthrough. Almost everyone in the tribe was washing their potatoes before eating them, but a surprising occurrence was observed by these scientists. The habit of washing the sweet potato had jumped overseas. Colonies of monkeys on other islands and the mainland troop at Takaskiyama began washing their sweet potatoes.

Although the exact number may vary, this Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon means that when only a limited number of individuals knows a 'new way', it remains the conscious property of those individuals. However, when one more individual manifests this new awareness, the field is strengthened, a critical mass is reached, and the awareness becomes the conscious property of all. This new awareness is communicated mind to mind.

We're looking for the 100th monkey.

"Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers" -VOLTAIRE