Well its been a long time since my last post. As usual life has plenty of diversions and excuses. I didn’t get involved with the presidential campaign since I had all but given up on Americans ability to make the right choice. I hope we have in this case. I believe (and hope) that Mr Obama can deliver on his intent to do good things. I am cynical enough to think the corruption and stagnation in Washington will thwart his efforts. Since they have totally mucked up the country, it may be too much to expect him to work miracles. But he has good backing and support, I wish him all the best.

I’ve been working on starting an Internet business that actually makes money. Blogging for dollars is not the only ripoff out there. BEWARE! all you Internet entrepreneur wannabees, there are far more scams out there than actual bargains. I have read and seen the number 86% of “opportunities” are scams. Believe it! Most of the information on SEO, Pay per Click, affiliate marketing, dropshipping, ebay, etc is available for little or no cost. In fact, I will give anyone that emails the Sage and asks, all the ebooks I have. I can’t name them since most are copyrighted, but as long as I don’t sell them, not much they can do. Not that it’s impossible, you just need to keep your expectations realistic and be patient. I have started to trickle in a little cash and will keep all you ones of readers out there informed.

That’s about it for now, I will try to be more regular in my posts. Even if you and me are the only ones that read it. Keep the faith.

PEACE!!

The Sage

Well I finally finished that #%$@#^&%$%& deck and here is the proof. The dog is not my idea.

I’m getting to old for this shit, but Mrs Sage approves so I guess its all worth it. It certainly is comfortable to relax in our little oasis.

Anyway I know all you avid readers have wondered just where the hell I’ve been so this it the reason.

But I’ve got another project on the front burner as it looks like I’m going to try and go mainstream with a commercial web site. I’ll be working on that for a long time but will try to write more often now as much of what the web development involves is writing.

I haven’t started to bash McSame yet either and will wait till he really does some ridiculous crap before I blast him. I’m glad the dumbocrats got their minds made up. I have to admit I’m a little worried about Barack. Some stupid redneck or nazi might take a pot shot at him. Lord I hope not. Who knows what shitstorm that would start.

Anyway, I plan on standing behind our guy as much as possible. Go Barack!!

PEACE!!
The Sage

Economy, environment, education or 3E if you will. While seldom at the top of the page with all the death, destruction, and deceit that seems to dominate the headlines, 3E should be the most important topics of our time.

Consider economy, do you feel like you are being paid what you are worth and how much you need to survive. If a major recession hit, would your job be in peril? Without the JOB or small business opportunities, over 90% of the US is vulnerable to some degree or the other. Since W and his henchmen have managed to mangle our economy through that bottomless pit in Iraq, and secure his families fortune through high oil prices don’t you think they should think about the rest of us. Sure they should but get real, ok.

Consider environment, if we don’t have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, adequate food supply, and a temperate climate, what chance to we as a species have? Look at Africa and all the suffering. That region of the world is so strife with violence, poverty and pestilence, it is amazing that anyone lives there. And if we believe the more gloomier forecasts on global warming, you ain’t seen nuthin yet. Have you ever seen the movie Day After Tomorrow?

Consider education, if We the People are to remain competitive in this quickly changing world economy, reverse the effect of pollution and global warming, we must provide our people with adequate training and education. Note that I have training and education separated and indeed they are two distinct needs. Training for specialized jobs and specific fields that require a much more detailed and hands-on regimen of instruction. Universities and centers of learning are useful for higher levels of research and scholarly endeavors but reliance on them as a means of adequately training every person for the job force is not only impractical but not realistic. For many years now it has been incumbent on the employer to hone and fine tune the detailed job skills needed for that particular industry. Most of the menial jobs are shunned by Americans and left to the “lower” class. But we aren’t training our people to do the high tech jobs. The enrollment in Computer Science and technology training is at an all time low in this country. Technical jobs are outsourced to India and Asia. The good old USA will no longer be the “leader” in so many ways.

How do fix this? Like anything worthwhile, it won’t be easy but we must find a way to get these essential E’s to the top of our political agenda. I know, I know our greedy, self-centered politicians aren’t interested in addressing the absolutely critical needs of We the People. The only realistic solution that I can see is to vote them all out. We need to figure out how to enable our political system to return to the roots and concepts that once made this country great. We need to enable visionary citizens who are not interested in being a career politician but as intended, a public servant. We have to somehow take the money out of politics so that ordinary moral and decent people can once again serve the public. Strict term limits are absolutely necessary.

I could go on and on but by now you get the idea. You will see this theme in many of my posts. Bottom line is You have to involved. You have to take action, You have to or no one else will. I hope if nothing else through my ranting and raving, it motivates at least one person capable of rising to this challenge then all then I can die a happy man. Think about it.

PEACE!!

The Sage

I’ve been reminded lately that the human body needs rest and relaxation in order to cope with the stresses and pressures of modern living. Back in the old days when Man (gender neutral ladies) had to work every day to survive they still had down times after dark, during rain or bad weather to take a load off, sleep late or have some time with family and friends. Me and the missus have found ourselves more married to the JOB than each other. Working together has its own separate stresses involved, but the main downside is that we get so wrapped up in work, we forget about taking it easy and relieving those stresses. Even our “vacations” turn out to be stressing -  going through airports, driving in strange cities, strange hotel rooms with uncomfortable beds and the whatever that comes with all that.

Even on weekends we always seem to have some project, housekeeping or gardening that keeps us going until suddenly its Monday morning again. Well the missus finally had enough and went out and bought us a tent camper. I have never lost my love of the outdoors, but it always seemed such a hassle to drag out the tent and other camping supplies and then work like a dog to setup all the tent, tarps and kitchen. Now we have this handy tent on wheels that most people refer to as a Pop-up.  Not the same as one of those huge, expensive motor homes or 50 foot campers, but a small trailer that you’re  able to move around by hand (if you’re not on a big hill mind you) and put a bunch of your camping stuff in all the little compartments.

My wife was so excited to go through all the drawers and cabinets since the couple we bought it from left much of their camping stuff inside. Ah the smores maker, a fondue set, popcorn popper, toaster oven and, wait a minute. Fondue set?  That ain’t campin’.  I been campin’ 40 some years and not once did any of the old timers bring out a fondue set. As a matter of fact we didn’t even have s’mores. Back in the day, a big old iron pot, a huge blue coffee pot, 3 or 4 iron skillets, a tarp, some rope and groceries was all we used to take.

Then we got us one a them white gas, pump-up coleman stoves AND a lantern! Next was the canvas tent and later nylon varieties. Then when propane became widely available, a propane stove and lantern tree and heater and fish cooker and on and on was what you needed. Let’s face it, even campin’ ain’t campin’ no more. The modern world has invaded a once sacred practice of the old school, ain’t nuthin’ should be easy school.

But wait a minute I came up here to relax. I actually had the camper setup in 15 minutes and that was after a major correction born from unfamiliarity with our newly obtained piece of modern technology. In 15 minutes it was open, beds in place, power and water connected, air conditioner going, awning setup and I was barely sweating. That was easy.

We actually played Scrabble last night, I haven’t played Scrabble in 30 years or more. As I write we sit in the comfort of a reclining lawn chair with my laptop on, connected to the wireless Internet offered by the boat dock across the cove (for a fee of course), hoping my blackberry doesn’t go off , oh wait did I forget that thing? Drat, oh well I guess they can’t call me

Back to the point of relaxation, I actually slept a total of 18 of the last 24 hours. I’m still drinking coffee at 10:20am and don’t have to worry about mowing the yard.  I have only in a few weak moments even thought about work. I feel like a new person after one of these little getaways. So take it from someone that just recently re-discovered how to relax, buy yourself a popup and hit the road. Remember Monday will come anyway so do yourself a favor and take a break. Go AWAY, do not stay home or those pressures will never fully disappear. Camping is a reasonably inexpensive distraction that even with a tent can be easy and relaxing at a nearby State park or private campgrounds. Nice clear campspots, clean bath houses, electricity and water at the campsite affords almost all the comforts of home at a nominal fee. Even if you like the primitive, work-at-it style camping, most parks have that available as well.
One word of caution, make sure your chosen campground isn’t full by calling ahead or making reservations where able. It can be frustrating to get there only to find there is no availability. You can meet new friends or take along some old ones. The food always tastes better on a camping trip and really thats the only thing you even need to worry about.  What and when for the next meal?  And oh yeah, don’t forget to forget the blackberry.
Peace!
The Sage

I believe that we are at a crossroads of the American dream and that We The People are in danger of losing our freedoms. The democracy that our fore fathers dreamed of during the American revolution is grave danger of failing. We The People don’t run the country anymore, instead it is ruled by an elite class of politicians and bureaucrats that have through privilege and power created a closed world unattainable by We the People. A few individuals with iron will, dogged determination and resources $$$$ can achieve this status but only by selling their soul to the gods of power.

Lord Acton said “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Those men and women in power now are no exception. The temptations of privilege, the intoxication from power coupled with the pressures, hoop jumping and politics of our sadly deteriorated bureaucracy leaves little room for the needs of We The People.

I believe we need to get back to what our fore fathers intended which was the citizen politician, someone who had a real job and only went to Washington when needed. Which is why I ask: do they have to go to Washington anymore?

The advantages of technology today provides a logical alternative for routine business through telecommunications and computer links. This would result in a tremendous savings in travel expenses, and keeps our homegrown heroes away from the cesspool of corruption that is Washington DC. Our leadership should be here with us representing our needs instead of being pampered and privileged by lobbyists and special interests with fat wallets.

How do we get back our government? Do we expect that those privileged individuals running the US Government to change themselves. Why would we think they would volunteer to give up that good life of power and privilege? If you believe that then do I have a deal for you I believe the only solution requires We the People to raise the alarm and spread the word. We must raise awareness, educate voters and apply pressure to the elected representatives of We The People. I believe this is going to be more difficult than anyone imagined but if we are to take back our freedoms and ensure them for future generations then we must succeed.

I believe dark times may be upon us if the NeoCons succeed in creating their version of “Utopia”. I believe that we have been fed the biggest lie in recent history with the public account of 9/11. The are many reliable sources of FACTS that go ignored by big media. If you have not had exposure to the NeoCon threat and an absolutely excellent reference sight is WWW.WHATREALLYHAPPENED.COM. Michael Rivero’s sight is a gold mine of information that you don’t see on the network news.

I Believe if we don’t exercise or constitutional rights then We the People will loose those special freedoms that have already begun to slowly disappear. Take action, write your congressman, start a blog, vote for anyone other than the incumbent; push your representative for mandatory term limits; investigate the National Initiative for Democracy (www.nationalinitiative.us); but in the final analysis We The People must become more personally involved. I could go on and I will in future posts but for now lets keep it short and I hope interesting. As always, responsible comments and critiques are welcome.

Keep the Faith & PEACE
The Sage