click to enlarge
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Saturday, February 12, 2011
Tahrir Square: Lost Horeseman of the Apocalypse, or Lens Flare?
Thanks to jeff clinton.. for discovering this. . .
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Happy Birthday, Lanky Link
by Jack Brummet
Executive Branch Editor
Happy Birthday to Abraham Lincoln!
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Egypt's 18 Day Revolution: Free At Last? Maybe. Hopefully?
By Jack Brummet
Arab Affairs Editor
I had to laugh when I saw this headline, especially the sub-head "Military In Control." Either we've drastically lowered the bar, or Hosni Mubarak was an even bigger S.O.B. than I ever thought.
When before have we ever decided a country was free when the military took control? Granted, the military showed far more wisdom and foresight than Ex-President Mubarak. . .at least at the end. They too, however, were flummoxed by the country's reaction to Mubarak's "hand over power" ruse. But when the masses once again arose in anger, the army knew it was game over. In the next day they apparently (no one knows for sure yet what exactly happened) made it clear to the President he no longer had their support, which set the stage for his resignation. So it is not a junta or coup d'etat, but hopefully a caretaker military government that will arrange for elections, and hand over their own power to a newly-elected leader. We hope.
Arab Affairs Editor
I had to laugh when I saw this headline, especially the sub-head "Military In Control." Either we've drastically lowered the bar, or Hosni Mubarak was an even bigger S.O.B. than I ever thought.
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Friday, February 11, 2011
The Poor Little Rich Kid: The Transit and Eclipse of John Paul Getty III
By Jack Brummet
Social Mores Editor
This is one messed-up story. Whenever I think about the grandfather after all these years, it makes my blood boil. The grandson of the richest man in America (at the time) died in England last week. John Paul Getty III is mainly known for being JPG's grandson, and for being kidnapped in Rome in 1973, having his ear mailed to a newspaper, and eventually being freed. For some reason, I remember it well. It happened in the summer of 1973, just as I was about to depart for college.
JPG3 spent most of his childhood in Rome where his dad ran a European division of Getty Oil. His parents divorced in 1964; his father remarried and lived in England and Morocco during the '60s.
JPG3 was kicked out of seven private schools, and was booted from St. George's English School, in Rome, Italy, in what I think was his last go round with school. Paul was often called the Golden Hippie, and was frequent fodder of the press and gossip columns--people were fascinated that the grandson (and, presumably, heir) of one of the richest families in the world became a hippie.
In July, 1973, Getty was kidnapped in the Piazza Farnese in Rome. His family soon received a ransom note demanding $17 million for his safe return.
Social Mores Editor
John Paul Getty III with his then wife
This is one messed-up story. Whenever I think about the grandfather after all these years, it makes my blood boil. The grandson of the richest man in America (at the time) died in England last week. John Paul Getty III is mainly known for being JPG's grandson, and for being kidnapped in Rome in 1973, having his ear mailed to a newspaper, and eventually being freed. For some reason, I remember it well. It happened in the summer of 1973, just as I was about to depart for college.
JPG3 spent most of his childhood in Rome where his dad ran a European division of Getty Oil. His parents divorced in 1964; his father remarried and lived in England and Morocco during the '60s.
JPG3 was kicked out of seven private schools, and was booted from St. George's English School, in Rome, Italy, in what I think was his last go round with school. Paul was often called the Golden Hippie, and was frequent fodder of the press and gossip columns--people were fascinated that the grandson (and, presumably, heir) of one of the richest families in the world became a hippie.
In July, 1973, Getty was kidnapped in the Piazza Farnese in Rome. His family soon received a ransom note demanding $17 million for his safe return.
"This is Paul's ear. If we don’t get some money within 10 days, then the other ear will arrive. In other words, he will arrive in little bits."
In reality, however, is that it was no hoax. JPG3 was tethered to a stake, blindfolded, and held in a mountain hideout. John Paul Getty II begged his father for the ransom money. JPG Senior refused. The skinflint, cheap-ass bastard said that he had 14 grandchildren "and if I pay for one, then I'll have 14 kidnapped grandchildren." At the time, JPG was worth roughly $6 billion. This guy was so cheap, he installed a pay telephone in his home so family and friends would not be able to place long distance calls on his nickel.
The kidnappers were now desperate, and. in November 1973, an envelope containing a lock of hair and a human ear was delivered to a daily newspaper. The note threatened further mutilation of Paul unless $3.2 million was paid.
Now, when it was finally clear that the kidnapping was real, and that it was Paul's ear, Getty Sr. agreed to pay a ransom. But get this. . .the black hearted miser would only pay $2.2 million. Why, you ask? Because that was the maximum amount that was tax deductible (I have not looked into the tax code to see how they handle ransoms). So, Getty Sr. paid the $2.2 million. And the balance, he loaned to his son JPG2. But JPG2 had to repay the money with 4% interest! Getty Sr. He ended up getting his grandson back for $2.7 million.
John Paul Getty III was found alive in southern Italy on December 15th, 1973, just after the ransom was paid. Some of the kidnappers were caught-- a carpenter, an olive oil dealer from Calabria, and a hospital orderly. Several of the kidnappers were acquitted, but were then convicted on narcotic charges. The ransom money was never found.
In 1974, JPG3 married German Gisela Zacher, who was 5 months pregnant. He knew her and her twin sister in Rome before his kidnapping. They had a son named Balthazar, who is an actor in a series on TV currently.
Paul had drug and alcohol problems over the next decade. He was in treatment in 1981, when, at a party, he ate Valium and methadone, along with drinking. He fell asleep and experienced liver failure and a stroke which left him a quadriplegic and almost blind. Although his father (JPG Jr.) gave away hundreds of millions of dollars to charity, he refused to give a penny to help care for JPG3, and only relented when his first wife (JPG3's mother) sued him.
Understandably, Paul faded from the public view after his illness, until last weekend. He was in poor health his entire life after the stroke. He died this week, in his home in Buckinghamshire, England.
The kidnappers were now desperate, and. in November 1973, an envelope containing a lock of hair and a human ear was delivered to a daily newspaper. The note threatened further mutilation of Paul unless $3.2 million was paid.
Now, when it was finally clear that the kidnapping was real, and that it was Paul's ear, Getty Sr. agreed to pay a ransom. But get this. . .the black hearted miser would only pay $2.2 million. Why, you ask? Because that was the maximum amount that was tax deductible (I have not looked into the tax code to see how they handle ransoms). So, Getty Sr. paid the $2.2 million. And the balance, he loaned to his son JPG2. But JPG2 had to repay the money with 4% interest! Getty Sr. He ended up getting his grandson back for $2.7 million.
John Paul Getty III was found alive in southern Italy on December 15th, 1973, just after the ransom was paid. Some of the kidnappers were caught-- a carpenter, an olive oil dealer from Calabria, and a hospital orderly. Several of the kidnappers were acquitted, but were then convicted on narcotic charges. The ransom money was never found.
In 1974, JPG3 married German Gisela Zacher, who was 5 months pregnant. He knew her and her twin sister in Rome before his kidnapping. They had a son named Balthazar, who is an actor in a series on TV currently.
Paul had drug and alcohol problems over the next decade. He was in treatment in 1981, when, at a party, he ate Valium and methadone, along with drinking. He fell asleep and experienced liver failure and a stroke which left him a quadriplegic and almost blind. Although his father (JPG Jr.) gave away hundreds of millions of dollars to charity, he refused to give a penny to help care for JPG3, and only relented when his first wife (JPG3's mother) sued him.
Understandably, Paul faded from the public view after his illness, until last weekend. He was in poor health his entire life after the stroke. He died this week, in his home in Buckinghamshire, England.
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Thursday, February 10, 2011
The revolution in Egypt and the 2nd Amendment
By Jack Brummet, Social Mores Editor
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
Most proponents of the 2nd amendment in America do not really believe that we need arms to protect us from foreign intruders or to defend ourselves in case of an invasion. We have one of the largest and best-equipped armies world. And yet, whenever the debate erupts, they bring up the well-regulated militia as the last bulwark against invaders, and even our own government.
The people of Egypt, and Tunisia, have shown us the way to unload an amendment that really no longer applies in the modern United States.
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Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Digital art: When Johnnie strikes up the band
Painting By Jack Brummet:
When Johnnie Strikes Up The Band
[pen sketch--> Virtual Painter--> Paintshop Pro]
When Johnnie Strikes Up The Band
[pen sketch--> Virtual Painter--> Paintshop Pro]
click to enlarge
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Twisted Employee Evaluations: The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.
- Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom and has started to dig.
- I would not allow this employee to breed.
- This employee is really not so much of a has-been but more of a definite won't-be.
- Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.
- When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet.
- He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle.
- This young lady has delusions of adequacy.
- He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
- This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.
- This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better.
- Got a full six-pack but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together.
- A gross ignoramus -- 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus.
- He does not have ulcers, but he is a carrier.
- I would like to go hunting with him sometime.
- He has been working with glue too much.
- He would argue with a signpost.
- He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room.
- When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell.
- If you see two people talking, and one looks bored, he is the other one.
- A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on.
- A prime candidate for natural de-selection.
- Donated his brain to science before he was done using it.
- Gates are down, the lights are flashing but the train is not coming.
- Has two brains: one is lost and the other is out looking for it.
- If he were any more stupid, he would have to be watered twice a week.
- If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you would get change.
- If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean.
- It is hard to believe that he beat out 1,000,000 other sperm.
- One neuron short of a synapse.
- Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled.
- Takes him two hours to watch 60 Minutes.
- The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.
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Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Alien Lore No. 192 -- UFOs over Jerusalem
By Jack Brummet, Paranormal EditorA glowing craft over the skyline of Jerusalem has left UFO experts and even a few skeptics baffled.
In fact, some UFO-heads think these widely viewed videos are definitive proof that our cousins have returned for a visit. Some scholars and observers of a more religious bent say that the UFO is the Hebrew god Elohim.
"Erets Yisrael is the navel of the world, and Jerusalem is its center, and the Bet ha Mikdash is at the center of Jerusalem, and the Holy of Holies is at its center, and the Holy Ark is at the center of the Holy of holies, and in front of it is the Foundation Stone on which the world was founded." -The Midrash
One thing that is certain is that the pilots of the UFO are not Muslim. Flying over the Dome of the Rock landmark, an Islamic shrine, is prohibited.
A former Ministry of Defense UFO investigator, Nick Pope, says "If these are real, they are some of the most incredible videos ever shot. If they are not, then this is a very well-planned and coordinated hoax designed to eliminate elements of doubt." Pope says "the way it shoots up into the sky suggests it is unmanned, because no living thing could survive those kinds of G-forces."
A total of four clips filmed from different viewpoints were posted online.
A news clip of the report of the UFO:
A third view:
A synced version of the Jerusalem UFO video (two videos from different perspectives):
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"Enewetak" by The Posies - video and Lyrics
This is a live performance (with lyrics below) of Enewetak, my favorite song from The Posies latest album, Blood/Candy.Some 43 nuclear tests were fired at Enewetak from 1948 to 1958. The first hydrogen bomb test, code-named Ivy Mike, was held in late 1952 as part of Operation Ivy, and it vaporized the islet of Elugelab. After those 43 tests, the U.S. returned the islands to the islanders.
"Enewetak"
by Ken Stringfellow and Jonathan Auer
Ah, this could have been Enewetak
Stressed, embattled, irradiated, evacuated, and
Something’s on in those isles a foreign power said
Ah this could have been Enewetak, now bathed in comet spray
So many devils were called out now cast in concrete
The land was vapor after Operation Ivy
Hydrogen Megatons Medical 4.1
Has anyone else read HG Wells Shapes have come?
Try to find Enewetak
They say
Man will bury you, but I hope God takes you back in his arms and says “Earth Air Fire + the Sea:
Physics stole them all from me.
But I will try to keep Enewetak out the rising waves”
And all the mothers loved their babies tho they weren’t like us no more
Lay out a heading for the homeworld of a species on parole
Dust in the atmosphere 24,000 years
A radioactive trail of tears in the sand
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"Enewetak"
by Ken Stringfellow and Jonathan Auer
Ah, this could have been Enewetak
Stressed, embattled, irradiated, evacuated, and
Something’s on in those isles a foreign power said
Ah this could have been Enewetak, now bathed in comet spray
So many devils were called out now cast in concrete
The land was vapor after Operation Ivy
Hydrogen Megatons Medical 4.1
Has anyone else read HG Wells Shapes have come?
Try to find Enewetak
They say
Man will bury you, but I hope God takes you back in his arms and says “Earth Air Fire + the Sea:
Physics stole them all from me.
But I will try to keep Enewetak out the rising waves”
And all the mothers loved their babies tho they weren’t like us no more
Lay out a heading for the homeworld of a species on parole
Dust in the atmosphere 24,000 years
A radioactive trail of tears in the sand
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Monday, February 07, 2011
"Smut" in the yellow pages: some not so subliminal advertising
This is a subliminal advertising classic . To really discern the image, you need to look at it upside down. Subliminal ad theorists suggest that you can somehow perceive this other image without actually consciously knowing it.
It is clearly intentional. Flooring and a woman in a toga holding a champagne glass? There are other examples of the same image being used for the same effect (see the matchbook, below). The banner--"Laid by the best" also gives a bit of a clue as to the advertiser's intent.
The D.J. Flooring company does exist in England (Brighton, East Sussex), and they did run that advertisement many years ago, according to Snopes.com.
It is clearly intentional. Flooring and a woman in a toga holding a champagne glass? There are other examples of the same image being used for the same effect (see the matchbook, below). The banner--"Laid by the best" also gives a bit of a clue as to the advertiser's intent.
The D.J. Flooring company does exist in England (Brighton, East Sussex), and they did run that advertisement many years ago, according to Snopes.com.
a matchbook advertising a bar in Geneva, Switzerland
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