Where We Are Now: Pearl Harbor II

"How did a nation such as Germany, with a history rich in the cultural achievements of the individual man, succumb to the Nazi wave of despotism and murderous superstition? We cannot here search for first causes, but surely it will be written that liberty and decency in Germany were the victims of a collapse of leadership. Jurists, doctors, professors, civil officials, business magnates--in Germany most honored of all--generals, alike proved insensitive to or flinched before the warning signals of approaching tyranny and crime, and sold themselves, their callings, and their country into slavery" (Chief Counsel for the Prosecution at the Nuremberg Trials, Telford Taylor, Sword and Swastika: Generals and Nazis in the Third Reich).

Is our leadership selling us to the highest bidder? The problem is that after we are sold we won't see a penny, and will be the ones paying to be slaves.

Do our elected representatives represent the voters or rather, those with the biggest wallets? And if these representatives are so spineless and easily tempted by money and manipulation, then what good are they?

Do our local hospitals and health representatives represent what is best for us, or instead sell themselves to the highest bidder?

In the Bard's little corner of the world, the hospital has become a towering temple on a hill overlooking the cemetery. It grows exponentially every year and wants to create a commune neighborhood in which everyone lives like sterile little slaves.

The Bard has been perusing Dr. Matthias Rath's Health Foundation site the past couple days and is currently reading one of the historical books listed there, Rockefeller Medicine Men: Medicine and Capitalism in America by E. Richard Brown. It, along with several of the other books and documents posted on Rath's site are fantastic and highly enlightening.

So far, this Bard finds there is more to like than not at Dr. Rath Health Foundation.

The Bard does feel bad for Rath because he really did believe that a coup was going to ocurr during the last presidential election that would prevent our current president from gaining the White House and implementing the hope and change that Rath so dearly wished for. Who knows, maybe, Rath's theory of a coup was correct, but not in the way he thought. So much for hope and change, and here's to a bigger dose of more of the same.

I've noticed lately, that those who saw and warned of the dangers of the Bush administration are now silent on the present administration. I suppose, many of them were somehow deceived and really did want so dearly to put their faith in one person as savior, that they cannot believe that what they thought was good is not. I would surmise that they are silent because they are still hoping, waiting for a sign to confirm their waning faith, hoping that it's not more of the same. It must be a bit embarrassing and sad.

In a way, the electing of the latest president was one of the smartest moves ever pulled off. It essentially silenced and paralyzed certain groups of people who once fought so hard against the previous administration and were aware of its unsavory moves and motives. These people are now in a state of stasis, of silent watchfulness, no longer fighting--exactly at the moment when they should be the most active. This Bard has often pondered upon this observation.

The Bard is only over a hundred pages into Rockefeller Medicine Men, but he has learned quite a wonderful amount of history in this easy-reading book. He has learned that medicine and education as we know them were developed by the great industrialists as a way to create a workforce compliant and cheaply kept under giant industry control. These giant corporations and their philanthropies think of us as cattle.

When the people stand up for themselves and demand a little more, the corporations get frightened and agree to concede to more humane treatment. These giant corporations are deathly afraid of losing their power and of a class structure that is not highly stratified.

But it must be wondered, when the people unify into unions and other groups and demand such things as more pay, fewer hours, better treatment are they really moving up in the world? Sure, one can demand more pay and other benefits, but they're still working for the company and dependent upon them--still feeding the monopoly which lobbies elected officials who pass laws against the people.

Wouldn't it be better if instead of unions who rally for false rights (as if the company or government is God and can give us anything!), who want humane treatment, if people demanded human treatment and freedom to work when and where they wanted?

The Bard's perfect little utopia is one that looks a bit rough and unpainted, but has lots of old men and women sitting around watching, smoking pipes, reading, and talking; and where children run around in the dust at their feet playing in the sun with holes in the knees of their pants, rather than in a daycare with a bunch of other little snotty-nosed and unloved little inmates.

The Bard's perfect world isn't a commune or higher pay. His world is one that accepts that the Joneses aren't worth wasting time to keep up with, and where people compete fairly with each other. The Bard's world is one of farmers, small businesses, shops, free time, compassion for the sick, and lots of healthy arguing and disagreeing; and again, children out and about rather than hidden away "off-the-streets" in those industrial mills we call public schools. The Bard's utopia looks a bit like the United State before and after the Revolutionary War, but with washing machines, and telephones.

I think, we forget that our rights, our lives are not granted by a government or a corporation. We are born with them, and as we grow, these entities take our inborn rights away and train us in a false idea of freedom and rights in order to keep us quiet and paralyzed. It has been so long since we have known what freedom feels like that we cannot even imagine surviving in a world in which benefits and rights are not supplied by our workplace or the state. How would one support them self without a job?

In our current time it is nearly impossible to imagine not working for another. We are compelled to it because we are slaves. If a slave doesn't produce, doesn't work, he is beaten and punished. A slave will lose their home, wife, children, and owe back taxes and be locked away if they don't benefit the master. If a slave tries to work for themself, they will find that there are rules against it, such as neighborhood covenants, county and city zoning, permits, hearings, regulations and other prohibitions.

During Prohibition it was not illegal to drink alcohol. It was illegal to buy it or possess it. Our modern system of self-sufficiency is nearly this way. It's not illegal to work for one's self, but it's prohibitive to obtain land and the right to commence upon such an endeavor. We have been purposely forced to work for others, for large companies who use the money made off of us to get laws passed to make it harder for us. It is nearly a crime to not have a job in the United States of America.

It shouldn't be a crime not to have a job that creates a constant flow of cash. The Bard has figured out that he could actually live fairly comfortably on a minimal amount of money if he were not compelled to pay such high property taxes. The Bard would actually have time to find out what he could do on his own if he wasn't worried about the taxes.

More and more the Bard sees what amazingly advanced people those crazy American colonists were. They saw what we won't see. They petitioned their government for years and went unheeded and unrepresented, much as we do now. They saw that the root of their problems was monopoly interests who held more sway with Parliament than they because of a mixing of state and corporate power interests. And so, they attacked the root of the problem, the corporation.

The American colonists boycotted East India tea even though it was actually cheaper, patronizing instead the Dutch black market. They tossed the tea overboard. The colonists boycotted other British business interests even though it cost them more money. They knew that the large corporations only care about money and power. The colonists cared more about liberty and were willing to sacrifice their money to prove a point. Of course, this boycott of business couldn't be permitted and Britain sent in the troops to shut Boston down until they begged for mercy and material goods. And because those outside of Boston stood by their brothers, pledging to supply them with food and aid in their time of suffering, we now have this wonderful country--the only threat to evil that exists.

This Bard was recently reading Bernard Bernstein's report to the Kilgore Committee in 1945, which is highly interesting in light of what we see occurring in this country at the moment. In Bernstein's report he details how the giant group of chemical and pharmaceutical companies under IG Farben were the actual root behind the Nazi's power. It is interesting to note that IG Farben's plan for world domination back in the 1930s and 1940s mirrors identically what we see carrying out in forced health care and other strange laws. IG Farben/Rockefeller still exist and are hard at work against us at our universities, state capitals, and the White House.

"It is significant to note that in all those preparations for war I.G. Farben did more than merely comply with orders and requests of the Wehrmacht and Nazi Government agencies. It functioned, in fact, as though it were a research organization of the German Government...." (Bernard Bernstein, Kilgore Committee, p.31)

"The immediate objective of the document[IG Farben's Neuordnung ("New Order")]was to insure the full cooperation of the chemical companies of the conquered countries in producing for the Wehrmacht. The second objective invisaged the complete incorporation of the chemical industries of Europe, including the British Empire [can you say EU?!], within the framework of Hitler's 'New Order.' The third objective was to eliminate U.S. competition in the world market [move industry, production off shore, ban America's backbone--tobacco, auto, independence]. Finally, Farben was preparing to utilize again its vaunted economic warfare weapons, cartels, capital investments and know-how, in anticipation of a possible conflict between Germany and the U.S.A" (Bernstein, 35).

"Farben's economic blitzkrieg of the United States was specially planned" (Bernstein,36).

"The proposition must be recognized that giant industry, throwing all its weight behind despotic government, actually holds the balance of power in the conduct of successful warfare" (Bernstein, 44)

"'I.G. [Farben] is largely responsible for Hitler's policy'" (Dr. von Schnitzler qtd. in Bernstein, 44)

"These schedules thus assured that all imports would be from Germany [now China] and virtually prohibited importation from the United States" (Bernstein, 44).

It looks as if World War II never ended and IG Farben continued with the Neuordnung and got further this time than last. Last time, we woke up when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, hurtling its pilots down in suicide flames. Hitler was making moves on Britain, but we moved like the sleepy giant we are and staunched the wound.

This time, Britain's been taken. This time Hawaii and Pearl Harbor are in the Capitol. This time Toyota of Japan is committing a gentle and submissive self sacrifice rather than a Kamikaze pilot's Hawaiian crash. This time we are the Kamikaze pilots behind the wheel, crashing the last competition. This time the Neuordnung is literally touching the White House and has its hands around Lady Liberty's white neck and is about to lean over as it seduces her before sucking her blood.

We've been drugged. We're addicts laying in a stupor. Oh, my dear, precious lover, my lady, America. Wake up, wake up and weep for yourself!

U.S. And Venezuela Afraid of Toyota, Competition, and Quality

The latest attack upon Toyota by the Monopolated Corporation of the United States tells me this morning that the newest "malfunction" is the steering wheel. Whatever. It's all a lie, of course, and only a few old ladies will fall for it.

I LOVE my Toyotas, all of them, and there are nearly a handful lining my driveway along with a lonely Detroit Union Pride auto for those times when a heavy-duty gas guzzler is needed as workhorse. They're in various stages of aging, but each one has driven across country several times, up hills, through valleys, forded streams, broken paths, gone where no man has gone before, and they are always faithful little vehicles.

One has been maimed by a deer that jumped out in front of it. One has a tricky driver's side window, a speaker that vibrates too much, and a dent along the side due to neighborly negligence, and the other is too new to tell what its idiosyncrasy is. All together there is over 40 years worth of trusty Toyota on the property.

But according to the news reports these good natured vehicles are demons that kill. The gas pedal sticks, the brakes give out, and now the steering wheel isn't steerable. I wonder if this is the same tactic Hugo Chavez, dictator to Venezuela is using on Toyota too?

Isn't it curious that Hugo Chavez threatens Venezuela's Toyota and the U.S. threatens its Toyota at the same time? Chavez says that if his country's Toyota doesn't meet his demands he will hand the company over to a Chinese operator.

I suffered the stuck gas pedal issue a couple years ago. It wasn't a danger, but more of a nuisance. It's not that the gas pedal sticks to the floor and causes the car to accelerate, but that the pedal sticks and the car won't accelerate. It was such a non threatening issue that I waited until the next tune-up to have the mechanic fix it, which he did very easily with a small adjustment and lubrication.

Usually, when the brakes don't work as well as they should it means it's time for new brake pads. This is a maintenance issue that every single brand of car has, not a Toyota issue.

And as far as steering problems go. Most of the time it is difficult to steer on icy roads, or when a wind is blowing, or when a driver isn't paying attention, or is eating a submarine sandwich while driving, or is staring at the unusually gorgeous lady on the sidewalk, or when a skunk scurries out, or when fleeing law enforcement, and countless other reasons.

The leading cause of steering malfunction, floored gas pedals, and poor brake function is an idiot driver. The other day an idiot crashed into my driveway, slamming up against the snow bank which stopped her from killing anyone for a few minutes. She was not driving a Toyota, but somehow all of these things malfunctioned in her car. Thank goodness the Toyotas weren't harmed!

I ran out to see how she was doing in her endeavors to get extracted from the drive way. I offered her the use of the manure shovel which works much better than a snow shovel, but she looked frightened of such a thing. I sure wasn't going to dig for her, especially when I saw how stunted her fashion sense was and that she could use a little exercise.

Really, I could not believe that a girl no older than 18 dressed as if she was from a time warp that hasn't progressed forward for the past 5 years (I'm old enough now that it doesn't matter what I wear. I'm timeless). She was from a small town over the hill. I could tell because I know licence plate numbers and which county is which. I'm very wary of drivers from over the hill because they drive so oddly and obliviously, as if they are all high on drugs. I'm bigoted against them solely based upon driving behind them and beside them for years.

I could not understand how on earth she made it over the hill, a mountain pass, yet couldn't drive down my street. It's all I could think about. Finally, I asked, "Did you really drive all the way over the hill?" I said it in such a tone, that she even understood what I meant! It was amazing.

And she explained to me that she got stuck on the street, then hit the gas pedal and went shooting out of the spot, nearly taking out the mail boxes, then over-corrected and before she could stop, my snow bank caught her. If it were not for that snow bank she would have caused real harm to the community.

Finally, her father arrived in his truck. I stood by and listened to him yell at her for a few minutes. It was obvious that the only way to communicate with her was through yelling, and that even then, only about half of the message or idea ever made it through her thick skull. Finally, I left them to their work and went back inside.

And I got to thinking, of how wonderful this Toyota farce could be. If I decide not to stop at a red light I can blame the gas pedal for accelerating, the brakes for not working, and the steering wheel for steering me across. When the officer pulls me over I can look innocent and say it wasn't my fault at all, that I had no choice in the matter, that the car made me do it. Honestly, Ossifer, it wasn't my fault! And if I want to make a little money to pay the fine I can sue the company for millions. But I'm not that kind of person, and my Toyotas aren't those kind of cars.

It's not real. It's an illusion. The United States government is enforcing corporate monopoly desires, destroying competition. Toyota makes great cars at a great price. The cars are made to last like a rechargeable battery bunny banging his drums. But for some reason, the tried and tired propaganda of fear is being foisted upon the dull Americans who really don't care.

As for me, the more cars get out of the way when I come barrelling down the road in one of my Toyotas, the better. I'll drive Toyota until it's banned and even then I'll drive it as a symbol of freedom and market competition. Really, I had no idea Toyota was such a cool and rebellious car until recently. Who would've known!

Won't Come Back From Dead Man's Curve!

The Bard remembers the good old days--the days when there were still a few deafening engines mowing down the stop lights, and there were some who thought it cool to drive hoodless. I don't know, perhaps, driving hoodless was due to laziness, or improper latching, or some other malfunction, but it was cool. Those that chose to leave the hood back in the trailer court really had nothing to show off, since the hoodless vehicles were also the ones that needed the most paint and looked as if they had been run into signposts, and deer, and old ladies, and other obstructions. But it didn't matter because they made the most noise.

Ah, the good old days when the good old cars were still on the road. One acquaintance had a particularly special car. Oh, my! It was in mint condition with perfect white vinyl covered seats. And they were bench seats, which means that everyone gets to sit in the front. A hundred miles an hour down Main St. once, was what the officer said! But that was nothing.

Now, there is an automobile euthanasia program called the Car Allowance Rebate System aka "Cash for Clunkers," which seeks to rid the streets of these old reliables because they are now considered liabilities and wasteful burdens.

Really, the car must not be a clunker if it is still registered and drivable. A real clunker, one that has been sitting in the back forty is not eligible for the government voucher upon trade in.

Somehow, this program strikes me as disturbing. When the old vehicle is turned in to the dealer the engine must be destroyed before the car can be sold for scrap. This is how it is to be done: "Drain the oil, then run several quarts of sodium silicate through the engine. As engine heat evaporates the solution, deposits of dehydrated sodium silicate line the engine's lubrication system, abrading all the moving parts and causing the engine to seize" ("'Cash for Clunkers' starts Monday" msn.com).

"Scrap facilities can sell any part of the car except the engine block or whole drive train, but ultimately the car must be taken off the road" ("Cash").

This seems incredibly wasteful and disrespectful of a healthy and strong, although old vehicle. And where will the scrap parts be sold to? If I were to guess, China, which has quite a trade in scrap parts and bodies of all sorts. If it bleeds blood or oil they'll profit from the parts and sell it back to us in a repackaged form.

Image: 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS