What’s Your Usp? Pt 2 What not to Put in
Now that you know what goes into making a great profile, you also need to know what things shouldn’t go in there.
After all the wonderful stuff you say about yourself, don’t shoot yourself in the foot by adding anything that could obliterate the great you in one fell swoop. Think of it as putting ketchup on sushi! Arrgh! You wouldn’t do that now, would you? Well, it’s the same thing with your profile. You don’t want to inadvertently add something that could turn off prospective dates, right?
So take a couple of minutes and read about what you shouldn’t put in your profile. Trust me. You’ll be happy you did.
Curses and typos
Obviously curses have no place in a profile. That’s just crude and coarse and makes people wonder if this is what you’re going to sound like in person. Hmmmmm.
I’ve found a bunch of profiles out there where people don’t like to proofread their own work. While most people will ignorre a typo ore mispelling here and thare, if every ohter word is mispeled, well whast does that mak you think? Right!
So, curses and typos are out. “How much more stuff could there be that I’m not supposed to put in?” you might be thinking? For the answer to that, keep reading.
Now, we deem ourselves to be sensible and sensitive individuals (well, most of us anyway) but there are still a few no-no’s that I’d like to put out there. Ignoring these no-no’s are at your own peril, and probably mean a lot less emails from prospective dates.
I’m sure you can probably think of a few of no-no’s off the top of your head, but I’ll make it easy and give you a list of the most common faux pas’ that are instant turn offs. It’s a short list. Try and keep them in mind as you’re crafting your story;
The No’s
-No expletives (you already know that one).
-No man, woman or ex-bashing.
-No hyperbole about your philosophy of life.
-No minute-by-minute account of your 3-week cruise around the Mediterranean.
-No bragging about how smart, how attractive, how talented, or how wealthy you are – tell it to your dog, but it doesn’t belong in your profile unless you want to also show that you’re a rather arrogant, vain, or self-centered individual.
-No thinly veiled references to your sexual prowess or numerical references to your horizontal body parts. Please. If that’s what you’re interested in or what you’re looking for, there are websites explicitly for that. But on the legitimate “meet people for dating” sites, no.
Discretion
Discretion is the most common part of valor or something like that. So if you’re so indiscreet about very personal things on a website that millions of people will be reading, and if we’re on a date, how can I trust you to be discreet with the things I share with you?
Not a job application
I don’t want to spend more than three seconds reading about the list of schools you’ve attended, what your major and minors were and what your class rank was! This is not a job application for a new graduate. This is a dating profile!
Clichés
If you want to sound trite, banal, and like the rest of the pack, talk about how you like the wind blowing through your hair on a moonlit night while walking hand in hand on the beach under the stars, or the sound of the rain on the roof and a roaring fire.
Ladies – Do you know how many other funny, fit and happy women there are out there? That’s all fine and good, and it might be true, but what else can you bring to the table? Or, how can you say it a little bit differently? A bunch of chocolates casually thrown in a brown paper bag takes on a whole new light when they’re individually wrapped and placed in a lovely gold box wrapped with yards of ribbon.
Take a good look at yourself
Okay, now take a look at your profile. Did you find any of these no-no’s? If you did, take ‘em out. Reword. Don’t even think about keeping them in. Yes, seriously. When you’re done, put your profile aside and go back to it the next day when you’re fresh. And then, if you’re satisfied, go ahead and press “submit.”
Now just wait for all those messages in your inbox!
Conservative Poet Tom Zart’s 50 America at War Poems
CONSERVATIVE POET TOM ZART’S 50
AMERICA AT WAR POEMS
The White House
Washington
March 16, 2007
Ms. Lillian Cauldwell
President and Chief Executive Officer
Passionate Internet Voices Radio
Ann Arbor Michigan
Dear Lillian:
Number 41 passed on the CDs from Tom Zart. Thank you for thinking of me. I am thankful for your efforts to honor our brave military personnel and their families. America owes these courageous men and women a debt of gratitude, and I am honored to be the commander in chief of the greatest force for freedom in the history of the world.
Best Wishes.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush
UNYIELDING HONOR
Weakness invites moral plight, war and aggression
Encouraged by mistrust, misjudgment and delay.
All we love can be destroyed and transformed
By the powers of darkness maneuvering our way.
When something wicked stares us in the face
To corrupt our morals, faith and resolve.
God gives us courage to defend what’s right
No matter the sacrifice or danger involved.
Evil seeks to destroy the good in man
And silence the memory of God’s law.
It’s up to the faithful to stay unyielding
Defending the liberty and justice of all.
Our men and woman who serve in harm’s way
Are the armor of what the free world depends on.
Without their sacrifice of body and soul
All that we stand for is gone.
GOD LOVES HIS SOLDIERS
Sometimes it’s hard to protect what is right
Sometimes we’re scorned as for others we fight.
Some of us are willing regardless of loss
To commit our soul to save the cross.
Evil prospers on greed and human hate
Always eager to destroy and defecate.
God’s grace descends on the souls of man
Cleansing the impure wherever He can.
As long as man has struggled on earth
Life has had its troubles from birth.
God’s seed of goodness has delayed man’s demise
Thank Heaven for his heroes the strong and the wise.
The Lord adores his heroes of yesterday
Just how numerous, only He could say.
God loves his soldiers who line up to serve
By standing against evil His grace they deserve.
NEVER BE AFRAID TO BE PROUD of AMERICA
America, the abundant, the place I was born
I’ll cherish till the day I die.
Where the bones of past heroes lie buried in the ground
Who loved her the same as I.
Her mountains are so tall they reach for the sky
With prairies where the green grasses grow.
There’s billions of trees where wild birds nest
With creatures that flourish below.
That blue gold called water with which we are blessed
As raindrops or crystallized snow;
Changes to rivers and fresh water lakes
While the winds of our seasons blow.
There’s the haunt of a whistle from a lonely freight train
Racing on ribbons of steel
With the harvest of farms and from the factories
Balanced in a box on a wheel.
Some cities have buildings a hundred stories tall
Structures of concrete, glass and steel.
A statue in a harbor, a present from France
Describes how, inside, we feel.
That flag on the moon with red and white stripes
Proves America’s dreams come true.
A country of heroes who line up to protect
The past, the present and the few.
We’ll defeat terrorism as it should be fought
Never letting Satan’s horde chase us to our door.
Safeguarding our borders and system of life
As our forefathers sacrificed before.
Never be afraid to be proud of America
And march with the brave, faithful and just.
Refusing to submit to the will of our enemies
Standing firm to preserve what we trust.
INTO THE TEETH of THE DOG
All through history man was born to struggle
Surviving nature, disease, greed, and war.
Since his conception he has remained the same
Choosing to serve evil or good as before.
Our boys and girls face the teeth of the dog
In hot spots all over our earth.
They leave their families and all they love
To protect and preserve what liberty is worth.
The foes they face are the mad dogs of man
With a desire to kill, disfigure and enslave.
They sing and dance to the death of others
Teaching principles of hate till the grave.
Support our troops who battle the horde
While we live the good life back home.
When you see a soldier show them your smile
Say “hello we love you and your not alone.”
THE MAD DOGS OF MAN
Wherever dwell the mad dogs of man
There is corruption, plunder and hate.
In every city, town, or village
Those who promote distrust deserve their fate.
All are born as an innocent child
Till mislead by others along the way.
God has always loved his children
Though it breaks His heart when they stray.
The mad dogs of man never repent
For they have no sense of shame or sorrow.
Worshiping dominance and the dark side of life
Abusing victims as if there were no tomorrow.
God gives the will to sin no more
And to overcome evil unwilling to cease.
The mad dogs of man must be stopped
Who murder, rape and destroy world peace.
Samson, Solomon, and David
Were chosen by God to stand tall.
They faced great odds and the fear of death
Refusing to ignore their call.
The time has come for the good men of earth
To band together to restrain the horde.
Standing firm against tyranny where it exists
Putting the mad dogs of man to the sword.
WHERE WARS ARE WON OR LOST
Wars are waged by older men
In battle rooms in countries apart.
Who call for greater firepower
And troops for the combat chart.
While out among the shattered flesh
The dreams of all have turned gray.
So young and determined their faces were
Till on the battlefield they lay.
Unable to overcome their pride
The politicians cast their vote.
For this or that or something else
As the rage of war sounds its note.
Wherever wars are won or lost
The soldiers fall like toys.
Down through history it remains the same
Most who die are hardly more than boys.
Like monkeys in a revolving cage
Man squabbles for the peanuts of power.
When will we rise above our greed
And become as a beautiful flower?
Death to death, dust to dust
The wrath of war is a horrible crime.
It’s the beast within that still prevails
As it has through the torments of time.
WAR IS THE GREATEST PLAGUE OF MAN
As war is fought it takes charge
And events spin out of control.
The madness of men can alter the soil
Which nourishes the roots of their soul.
Many things will forever change
Far more then wished to be.
As the wrath of war starts to destroy
Those things we fight to keep free.
War is the greatest plague of man
Religion, state, and sanity.
Any scourge is more preferred
Than the one which disables humanity.
When war breaks out, boundaries change
And all who die are a token
Of the rage that must run it’s course
Before words of peace are spoken.
War I hate, though not men, flags nor race
But war itself with its ugly face.
When we lose faith in the brave, which die
Then we’re not fit to greet those who cry.
What distinguishes war isn’t death
But that man is slain by fellow man.
Crushed by cruelty and injustice
With his enemy’s murderous hand.
War tends to punish the punishers
So the losers won’t suffer alone.
The essence of war is but violence
Till the survivors come marching home.
Sometimes it’s hard to defend what’s right
Sometimes we’re forced to rise up and fight.
Sometimes we survive, while others must die
Sometimes never knowing the reason why.
The rush of combat is a natural buzz
Caused by fear, leaving nothing as it was.
Hunting one another like wild game
Without a shortage of those to blame.
Sometimes victory comes too slow or quick
Sometimes the cost on both sides is sick.
Sometimes God is asked to intervene
To help stop the savage from being so mean.
War is a hell we visit before death
Fueled by the whisper of the devil’s breath.
There must be a reason man destroys man
But why it is so, I can’t understand.
SEPTEMBER 11th
After suffering the wrath of a sneak attack
America now mourns to her very core.
Though soon her enemies shall all but flee
From the sound of America waging full war.
Let there be no doubt, no doubt at all
That the devil has decided to give us a call.
We shall defeat hell’s soldiers and cast them out
And if we die; that’s what freedom is about.
We shall seek them out wherever they may hide
Street by street, house-by-house, cave by cave.
They will be eradicated from the face of the earth
By the righteous, the loyal and the brave.
SATAN’S HORDE SHALL BE REMOVED
Overrun with war and uncontrolled leaders
Our world becomes more dangerous each day.
Dishonest politicians, criminals and the media
Survive by their falsehoods at play.
Bible believers preach, that the end is near
Our world as a whole is beyond reform.
God will eradicate all which is wicked
By His fire of eruption and storm.
To evil’s victory, I will never concede
May its supporters anguish in hell.
By the grace of God and the power of faith
The goodness of man will prevail.
What we accomplish is heaven’s measure
As patriots respond to the threats of man.
Protect and defend what we love till death
As the soldiers of Satan arise from the sand.
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF WORLD WAR III
Our sons and daughters serve in harms way
To defend our way of life.
Some are students, some grandparents
Many a husband or wife.
They face great odds without complaint
Gambling life and limb for little pay.
So far away from all they love
Fight our soldiers for whom we pray.
The plotters and planners of America’s doom
Pledge to murder and maim all they can.
From early childhood they are taught
To kill is to become a man.
They exploit their young as weapons of choice
Teaching in heaven, virgins will await.
Destroying lives along with their own
To learn of their falsehoods too late.
The fearful cry we must submit
And find a way to soothe them.
Where defenders worry if we stand down
The future for America is grim.
Now’s not the time to fight one another
Or kiss our enemy’s cheek.
All through history it remains the same
The strong enslave the weak.
May God continue to bless America
Refusing evil, the upper hand.
It’s up to us to stay resolute
Defending the liberty of Man.
SO DEAR TO MY HEART
So dear to my heart are my loved ones at home
As I toss and I turn in my bunk all alone.
Everyday I see death, hate, and corruption
Combat is God’s proof of man’s malfunction
For family, comrades, and myself I pray
To my love with this poem I wish to convey.
I knew I loved you though never how much
Till by war, I’m forced beyond your touch.
Where violence thrives, there’s the stench of death
With the taste of fear on every breath.
Who shall prevail, who shall die
As the sadistic kill beneath God’s sky.
Baghdad has become man’s highway to hell
Where the hearts of darkness are alive and well.
I count each day till it’s time to come home
And be with my love and never alone.
Love You
Your Marine
FREEDOM
In their new uniforms
The young march off
Not knowing who shall return.
With a proud devotion
They brandish their flag
Leaving loved ones to wonder and yearn.
May we all be buried
By all of our children
Is an ancient tribal prayer.
They’re so easy to lose
But so hard to forget
Such a burden for a parent to bear.
Oh, the taste of victory
Shall soon be forgotten
But, never that which was lost.
For those rows of white headstones
In peaceful green fields
Make it easy to tally the cost.
America has survived all attempts to destroy
Knowing the cruelty of war
And, we who remain
Must help keep her free
For those who can march no more!
OUR FLAG
Our flag is fabric wove of thread
Carried by heroes live and dead.
She stands for justice and courage too
With her colors; red, white and blue.
For all who serve her, there’ll be cheers
For any who die, there’ll be tears.
For all who love her, life is swell
For those who harm her, war is hell.
How many moms have cried before
As they sent their children to war.
How many dads have not returned
Because our freedom must be earned.
Wars were waged where brave men died
As patriots fought side by side.
Our flag is still the pearl of earth
Because of those who prove her worth.
LOVE OF COUNTRY
I dedicate this poem from inside my tent
As the desert winds keep it’s silhouette bent.
My love of country is at full boil now
I’d like to describe it but it’s hard to know how.
Tomorrow I’ll hunt those who enjoy our death
Cursed by their hatred and foulness of breath.
I don’t care if it’s another God they serve
For their crime’s retribution is what they deserve.
Their horde survives by a different set of rules,
Though soon they’ll learn the fate of murderous fools.
Proudly I serve my homeland and president
Who I’ve sworn to defend one hundred percent.
While haunted by visions of what I must do
I fight for justice, and the red, white, and blue.
VETERAN’S DAY
The cost of freedom is sometimes high
Extremely more when our loved one’s die.
Men and women pledged to fight and serve
And it’s our support that they deserve.
Mankind itself is the one to blame
That all through history, the story’s the same.
Peace, like love, can be hard to acquire
Subject always to enemy fire.
Some how the righteous tend to prevail
Over the miss-guided, prone to fail.
No wonder we fear the tongues that lie
As mankind squabbles beneath God’s sky.
The danger our solders face is real
So lets let them know just how we feel.
Put forth your flag and show them your heart
As those we love from us depart.
THE BATTLE FOR BAGHDAD
Determined though scared, I walk my beat
On the deadly streets of Baghdad.
Searching for any who plot our harm
Or by our death are joyous and glad.
Standing in shadows caused by the moon
I’m reminded of my nights back home.
I wonder if the woman I love
Is growing tired of sleeping alone?
I feel remorse for all who live here
For this place is a madman’s hell.
And those who wish to keep it that way
Must be killed or locked away in jail.
My greatest fear is not my death
But that I’ll end up in a wheelchair.
Disabled for the rest of my life,
Depending on others for my care.
My wife, she prays for my safe return
As night and day more GI’s are killed.
She knows quite well, whatever it takes
The oath I’ve given will be fulfilled.
SADDAM
The king of Baghdad has fallen
Never to dictate again.
Man shall sentence him for this crimes
And heaven shun him for his sin.
For his tyranny, he was famous
In every capital on earth.
Till apprehended in his spider hole
Completely stripped of his worth.
He is guilty of rape and genocide
While he ruled without remorse.
His power and prestige were toppled
Once George Bush set his course.
Though it may seem that the wicked triumph
And have conquered by their brutality of hand,
Through the power of faith they are defeated
By the seed of goodness in man.
FORMIDABLE FOE
America is the birthday cake of earth
As the ants march from every direction.
Thank God for all who have sworn to defend her
Serving with love, honor, pride, and affection.
Since the first day George Washington marched off to war
There have been those who have wished our demise.
Their hatred, fueled by jealousy and greed
Was defeated by our brave and the wise.
Once again, we must face a formidable foe
Who have pledged by their God to destroy us all
Misusing their faith as an excuse to kill
As for a worldwide jihad, their leaders call.
Some say we should try to appease them
For if we resist, they’ll hate us even more.
But the David’s among us shall cast our stones
Defeating them, as it was done before.
SHOULD TOMORROW START WITHOUT ME
Should tomorrow start without me
Remember I love you.
Looking down from up above
Seeing everything you do.
If I become a casualty
I pray you will love again
Whom ever makes you happy
I’ll consider my friend.
Should tomorrow start without me
Remind our boys, God loves all who care.
And when life seems too harsh and cruel
With “Him” they must share their prayer.
I have proven I’m not a coward
Who breaks and runs to survive.
Always fearing death will kiss me
As the streets of Baghdad I drive.
Should tomorrow start without me
Be proud I choose to serve.
Our faith and our patriotism
Earn the freedom we deserve.
I miss home more than ever
It breaks my heart to stay away
I can’t help but want to hold you
And whisper what I say.
AMERICAN SOLDIER
Our soldiers line up to be remembered
As the best of the best at their job.
They wish to be needed and depended on
To save all we love from the mob.
They risk their life and limb for liberty
Standing firm against evil unwilling to break.
To be part of something greater than themselves
They are willing to sacrifice whatever it will take.
THANK HEAVEN FOR HEROES
Thank heaven for the heroes of life
Who lead us to overcome those who are not.
The wise are grateful for all God’s blessings
Where fools never realize what they’ve got.
America is the grain train of earth
Whose people exercise rule by their vote.
All have a chance to partake and prosper
As they arrive by foot, plane or boat.
Our freedom relies on the law of the land
Our future depends on our grit.
Our past has known both good and bad
And our mistakes we are willing to admit.
The grim of heart hate America
And choose to put her wonders to shame
The devotion of most who love and live here
Rise up to defeat the soldiers of blame.
THE LONELINESS OF WAR
I know I’m still here so far, far away
As I fight for what I believe is right.
I wonder about you and your mom
Every moment of every day and night.
The loneliness of war can drive you insane
If you don’t get letters of concern from home.
Left, right, behind and ahead,
Death awaits leaving love ones alone.
We pray to God that we will be saved
To return home or live the here after.
Bloody, dirt-covered men, we see everyday
As we yearn for those times of laughter.
The far off stare of a fallen comrade
As you stay by his side till his end.
No mother ever carried her infant child
More carefully, than we do a friend.
Many have their own personal diaries
To help keep their faculties together.
Watching hot steel crash into human flesh
Always makes home seem far away and better.
I’ve become an expert at dodging, weaving and diving
So try not to worry too much about me.
Just help your mom and stand up from the ground
And while I’m gone be all you can be.
SACRIFICE,TRANSFORMATION,AND UNRESTRICTED WARFARE
The Japanese hadn’t lost a war since 1598
Each man carried 400 rounds of ammunition
(twice as many as an American infantryman)
With five days rations and fearless determination.
The men in the badly wrapped brown uniforms
Since their early childhood had been taught
That to die for the emperor and one’s country
Was the greatest of all glories to be sought.
Moreover, the hardware backing them was awesome
As sharpshooters they were accurate up to a thousand yards and more.
Their ships were faster, their guns bigger, Their torpedoes better
And their planes matchless in quality, aerobatics and score.
Only by sacrifice, transformation, and unrestricted warfare
Was America able to overcome and prevail.
Again America must stand firm to survive
As we face a new monster from Hell.
VIETNAM
SOLDIER IN THE RAIN
I’m just a soldier who stands in the rain
My memories of home are what keep me sane.
Back home is a land of milk and honey
Ruled by lust and love of money.
But, what can I say, when I serve her true
For I volunteered to see this war through.
Now, that I’m here, it’s hard to believe
We’re just the victims of those who deceive.
As darkness falls on the rice fields of Nam
Scared men with rifles walk the shadows of the calm.
It’s thousands of miles to the steps of my church
With its stained glass, steeples and lost souls who search.
Off in the distance I see an arc light
Bombs being dropped on children at night.
I’ve seen that evil they call the yellow rain
And how life withers when it’s sprayed by a plane.
All of my buddies have been taken away
No more touch football will they ever play.
Zipped in their body bags for the long trip home
Are some of the bravest, I’ve ever known.
War is a hell, devised by man
There’s death in the sea, the sky and the land.
Lord, I can’t help but wish I were home
Back with my love, whom I hope is alone?
DADS AT WAR
Where would I be without you dad
My hero of night and day
I’m so glad you love my mother
And take time for us each day.
The last time we played baseball
You reached for me with your hand.
I looked at you, then made a wish
That I might be just half the man.
I love my father of this earth
And I love my father of heaven.
It’s a lot for me to love, you know
For I’m only eleven.
Mom and I sure miss you
Since you left to defend our flag.
When others ask, where is your dad
I can’t help but boast and brag.
BULLETS AND BARBWIRE
We awoke to the crack of rifle fire
With mortar rounds hitting the ground near by.
The flying shrapnel was absorbed by sand bags
Which saved lots of us who wished not to die.
The hot spent shell casings fell to the ground
As the VC charged our fortified hill.
We killed so many the stench made us sick
While we fought to live and not for a thrill.
Barbwire, bullets and clay-mores took their toll
As red and green tracers lit up the sky.
Before long I was the last GI left
When napalm caused my enemy to fry.
Fleeing the sound of our choppers gunfire
The enemy retreated to the caves and trees.
Then I cried, “thank you ” to heaven above
As I checked out my buddies on my knees.
Somehow I managed to survive the day
Though many I’ve served with names I have read
Carved in the shinny black stone of The Wall
Are my comrades of war, among the dead.
KOREA 1950
UN soldiers fought and were forced to retreat
Behind sandbags protected by barbwire hoops.
Many GI’s died as they held off attacks
By 810,000 Communist troops.
Our guys used phosphorus, flame-throwers and napalm
For without these weapons they could not survive.
The Communist charges led by buglers
Till the UN could start it’s offensive drive.
On the battlefield of death and misery
Many froze with their hands still stuck to their guns.
While others hobbled with their boots wrapped in rags
City boys, farmers, students, fathers and sons.
With a million and a half dead or wounded
Both sides singed a truce before generals involved.
July 27th, 1953
And though thousands were orphaned, nothing was solved.
WORLD WAR II
WAR
As war is fought it takes charge
And events spin out of control.
The madness of men can alter the soil
Which nourishes the roots of their soul.
Many things will forever change
Far more then wished to be.
As the wrath of war starts to destroy
Those things we fight to keep free.
War is the greatest plague of man
Religion, state, and sanity.
Any scourge is more preferred
Than the one which disables humanity.
When war breaks out, boundaries change
And all who die are a token
Of the rage that must run it’s course
Before words of peace are spoken.
TROOP SHIP
Our ship had sailed before the dawn
Surrounded by the thickest of fog
Still ignorant of our destination
Or what was written in the captain’s log.
It didn’t take long for me to see
Our cruise was not for fun
An experience of a lifetime
With nowhere for us to run.
Twenty knots per hour we cruised
As the white caps passed us by
Ten thousand young Americans
Off to Europe to die.
A sailor told us not to worry
Someday we’d get our mail.
Uncle Sam would make sure
No matter how far we sail.
Thirty feet deep I tried to sleep
Beneath our ship’s waterline
Just the place for claustrophobia
To enter into my mind.
My favorite vest was my May West
Which I wore all the time
Just in case of German U-boats
Or an underwater mine.
Thirty-three days we were at sea
We crossed the equator twice.
Many years have passed since then
Those years of sacrifice.
BRAVERY
Many brave souls lived before now
Unwept and unknown by their face.
Lost somewhere in the distant night
Till a poet chronicles their grace.
True bravery is shown by performing
Without witness, what one might be
Capable of before the world
Without any or all to see.
How great the brave who rest in peace
All blessings from heaven to earth.
They gave our country but their best
Those destined to be brave from birth.
PEARL HARBOR
Sunday, December the seventh
In the year of 1941,
While most of Hawaii still slept
Came the planes of the Rising Sun.
Waves of bombers and fighters flew
From the decks of the Japanese ships.
While our planes were still on the ground
“Banzai” was spoken from their lips.
The winds of war had been blowing
Across the oceans of our earth
Though not till Pearl had been bombed
Did we realize what freedom’s worth.
Wars are fought and won on two fronts
At home and on the battle line.
Both are equally important
When war consumes our heart and mind.
The attack brought us World War II
With death, pain and separation.
All who had served were well aware
Of their sacrifice for nation.
CONFLICT
The harder the conflict we sometimes face
The far more glorious is the victory.
Tyranny like hell is tough to defeat
When it raises its head throughout history.
War never leaves a country as it was
When neutrality is a word disregarded.
As the murderous hands of man himself
Are to blame for all who have departed.
D-DAY THE WALL
Over two hundred rangers scaled “The Wall”
A stone cliff over one hundred feet tall.
Some of them made it all the way to the top
While others fell and perished from their drop.
Those who climbed over, had answered God’s call
For men to stop evil once and for all.
They fought the Germans and destroyed their guns
To save the lives of our fathers and sons.
So many years have passed since then
When our world’s future was saved by brave men.
We cannot forget the hell they went through
Before the skies, again turned blue.
D-DAY
D-Day raised the curtain on the conflict
That fore shadowed the end of Hitler’s dream.
The largest joint combat landing ever
Though the blood from both sides flowed like a stream.
When their boats hit the sand, their ramps went down
And all within paid a visit to hell.
They jumped out to do good for their country
And to kill the enemy without fail.
They fought the Germans, tides, winds and the waves
In conditions not easily foreseen.
By night the battle was in our favor
With bravery, valor, death, and men who scream.
The corpses littered the beach for five miles
Though heroism had carried the day.
With literally thousands dead or wounded
Those who were left were determined to stay.
They faced great odds and chose not to protest
And won the war that put evil to shame.
Most came home, married and raised their babies
But those who could not we recall with pain.
MIDWAY
It was June the 4th 1942
As I was floating in the ocean alone
The ship I had sailed on, sank to the bottom
And I thought I would never again, see home.
The Japanese fleet had steamed in from the east
With the intentions of capturing Midway.
Though they were stopped by American war ships
Whose guns, bombs and torpedoes planes saved the day.
All night long, I watched the fireworks of war
And on the second day we turned up the heat.
As big bombers from Hawaii dropped their loads
On Japanese ships who soon chose to retreat.
An imperial pilot came floating close by
Who had been chewed on by the beasts of the sea.
I couldn’t help but feel passion for this is man
Who had answered his call just like me.
When it was over, I was plucked from the deep
By men in a lifeboat just after the dawn.
For two days I had watched the battle for, Midway
Now it’s quiet and the enemy has gone.
SURVIVAL
I drifted all night and was loosing my hope
Before by the moon’s light I saw dry land.
I floated over and through its reefs to the beach
Where I quickly smoothed out my tracks in the sand.
All I had was my dagger and a canteen
And it was May 4th of 43.
Just me alone on an enemy island
Wasn’t a safe place for a sailor to be.
I felt I could kill in less than a heartbeat
If that’s what it took for me to survive.
I’d already said thanks so many times
For” God” was the reason I was alive.
Off in the dark, I herd two men’s voices
Laughing and talking in a language not mine.
Inch by inch I crept to their campsite
Where on what they were eating, I would soon dine.
I stabbed them both and took their fish, rice and wine
Then ran my way back to the raft by the beach.
Soon I was floating in the ocean again
And far enough out where bullets couldn’t reach.
The next day I was picked up by a seaplane
Whose crew spotted my sail from the air.
Once inside and safe, I cried like a child
For the dead whom would forever be there.
It was hard to believe heaven let me live
A farm boy from Kansas, in high school last year.
My girlfriend is blond and she hates it I ‘m gone
Though I’m a veteran of battle, death, and fear.
OKINAWA
Okinawa was to be our last stop
Before we invaded Japan.
The largest landing of the Pacific war
As our soldiers ran across the sand.
At first our marines were scarcely opposed
But on the fifth day hell they found.
A solid wall of human resistance
Firing their weapons from caves in the ground.
Air power and big guns had little affect
On their cliff forts carved deep in the limestone.
It took man against man to root them out
As flying bullets pierced flesh and bone.
Kamikaze pilots crashed their planes
Knocking out transports and war ships.
As the Imperial air force struck our fleet
Cries of fear and hate spewed from lips.
One hundred, ten thousand Japanese
By the end of the battle were killed.
Over twelve thousand Americans died,
Before, just our flag flew over the field.
BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC
After the fall of France in 1940
The Germans soon began their own blockade
With most their efforts in the Atlantic
Hoping to cut Britain’s flow of war trade.
With fast surface raiders like the Bismarck
Merchant ships caught at sea, had little chance.
The German’s small navy sank ship after ship
Till the British Navy destroyed war’s romance.
Shipping losses from German U-boats increased
And the battle of the Atlantic seemed lost.
But soon America would enter the war
To defeat freedom’s enemies at all cost.
Multitudes would die and their families cry
Before World War II would be fought to its end.
What a waste of mankind, which had lost its mind
Though now, our enemy is our friend.
PARTING
The truest words, which portray my love
I speak to you from within my heart.
May we always recall how we feel
Though through conflict we’re forced to part.
No one can say how long they will last
For life is not everlasting.
Yet most hope to be blessed by love
By he who does our casting.
As the fear of battle bites my flesh
My thoughts of home help keep me sane.
There’s no guarantee that I’ll survive
But either way, I’ll serve without shame.
Should the cold hands of death reach for me
I pray my soul will awake from sleep.
To the voice of God assuring me
That my spirit, he’s chosen to keep.
So try to remember while I’m gone
That the person I need most is you.
I’ll fight like hell to stay alive
To return home to the love I knew.
P.O.W.
When you become a P.O.W.
You find you’ve lost your liberty and more
The guy with the gun tells you what to do
As you yearn for freedoms you had before.
Your will to survive helps keep you alive
Though sometimes you wish you were dead.
Tortures far beyond any normal mind
And there’s no safety, even in your bed.
Bullets, barbwire, searchlights and sharp teeth
Keep you in a place you don’t wish to be.
The food is quite awful and sometimes it moves
And you’ve no choice of what you hear or see.
The lucky are released and return home
Though in their dreams their fate is unsure.
War may be hell, but confinement is worse
Cause afterward you’re never as you were.
GENERAL QUARTERS
General quarters, general quarters
All hands man your battle station!
Sunday morning, December the 7th
As war confronted our nation.
We soon found out it wasn’t a drill
But instead it was war for real.
As you watch the death of friends and shipmates
It’s more anger than fear you feel.
Japanese warplanes came flying in low
As I took aim with my gun sight.
From the deck of a ship anchored at Pearl
Damaged, though crew still eager to fight.
I saw the face of a pilot, who crashed
Surrounded by black smoke and fire.
Some of my bullets must have found their mark.
For his death was but my desire!
Two thousand, three hundred and twenty-three killed
In a battle less than two hours.
With the heart of our Pacific fleet gone
Japan had flexed their naval powers.
The bombing and strafing of ships and troops
Caused our congress to declare full war.
Where many a man laid down his life
Fighting for flag, country and more.
KENNEDY= THE WAR YEARS
PT-109
After the attack on Pearl Harbor
He applied for sea duty in the war.
Where Lieutenant John F. Kennedy
Became known for his bravery and more.
In the dark hours before dawn
On August 2, of 43.
Kennedy commanded a torpedo boat
Through the blackness of night at sea.
PT 109, was on Solomon’s patrol
With a 12-man crew in a plywood craft.
A Japanese destroyer plowed through the night
Ramming and cutting Kennedy’s boat in half.
Two of the crew just disappeared
A third was badly burned.
Kennedy himself was thrown to the deck
Where in pain his leadership he earned.
Some of his men had never learned to swim
As he gathered them on the bobbing bow.
The hours passed tell it seemed it would sink
So they made for an island and here’s how.
He ordered those who could to swim
The others were to hang on to a beam.
Kennedy grabbed the injured sailor
And off they tread through the ocean stream.
With his teeth clenched on the burnt man’s vest straps
Skipper Kennedy swam 3 miles.
5 hours later they all made it
Despite their hardships, sharks, and trials.
The next problem was how to summon up help
Without arousing the enemy all around.
After several attempts swimming to other islands
Eventually two natives in a canoe were found.
Kennedy scratch a note on a coconut
To be delivered to a base 38 miles away.
The message made it and they were saved
And their courage still lives today.
WORLD WAR I
FLY-BOYS
World War I gave us the fly-boys
Who flew by the seat of their pants.
Many would never return from war
While others survived by chance.
Their planes were mostly canvas and wood
Gasoline, bullets, bombs and poison gas.
Every pilot carried his own pistol
Wearing leathers, scarf and goggles of glass.
Aviators had no Parachutes
To escape their burning plane.
Many were forced to jump to their death
Or self inflect a bullet to the brain.
Blimps where known as battleships of the sky
The roar of their engines gave reason for fear.
They flew so high they were hard to shoot down
Hiding above clouds till their targets drew near.
Tracer bullets for the first time were used
In the guns of airplanes to set blimps a fire.
The skies became man’s highway of death
With duty and honor their driving desire.
How many Fly-boys have we lost since then
Those days of the Great War and more?
Where do we get such brave souls of chance
Who rise from the rest in the battles of war?
THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
In 1860 life was good
Till its simpleness ceased one day.
The North wished to save the Union
While the South chose to break away.
America was torn apart
As six hundred thousand died.
Throughout four years of total war
Women without husbands cried.
The sad fact of the Civil War
Is what was left at its end.
Too many times, men’s evil acts
Destroyed both foe and friend.
The problem was, once it began
There was no peace or compromise.
Total victory must be proclaimed
Before rage would leave men’s eyes.
Destroy all that helps the enemy
Was the cry of either side.
Anything to obtain victory
As death on horseback did ride.
Black men dressed in old uniforms
Became the Union’s reserve.
They fought and died for their freedom
And their rights they earned and deserve.
Lifestyles would forever change
For all who survived the war.
It had ended as it began
With sadness, misery and more.
Both sides prayed to the same God
And spoke words from the Bible.
The prayers of both were not answered
For all involved were liable.
THE KANSAS FRONTIER
Coronado, in his search to find gold for Spain
Was the first European on the green Kansas plane.
Explorers and traders were arriving from France.
They saw the buffalo and the Indians who danced.
At the mouth of the Kaw were campfires in the dark
Two men by the river named Lewis and Clark.
Large numbers of Indians, forced out from the East
Resettled to Kansas where the buffalo feast.
So, many a cowboy decided to stay
It wasn’t very long and most Indians were forced away.
When Missouri joined the Union; the slave states equaled the free.
Which way would Kansas vote, congress was anxious to see?
The Heart-Landers were bleeding; their towns were on fire
As raiders from the slave states tried to force their desire.
The settlement of Lawrence was sacked by a mob
In revenge came John Brown, who would murder and rob.
Kansas joined the Union as the Civil War began.
After four long years of tragedy, many women lost their man.
Cattle trails met the railroads as they pushed across the state.
Farmers planted corn and wheat as the buffalo awaited their fate.
Those frontier days have long since gone, though the sunflower is still here
My childhood home of Kansas where the buffalo roam with the deer.
BLACK POWDER BRIDGE
A courier rider hands his papers to me
They are instructions from Robert E. Lee.
I am advised now is the time
To stop the troop movement on the Rock Island line.
I muster my men and they load up the boats
We powder our pistols and darken our coats.
Traveling the currents, the sun slips from sight
As brave men with a purpose have gathered to fight.
We capture a bridge before the moonrise
The Yankees who are here shall soon feed the flies.
The evil of war feeds on my brain
As I light the fuse to destroy a train.
Above us a trestle of timber and tar
As we pull our oars for a willowed sandbar.
From the banks of the river; we watch it approach
There’s shadows of soldiers, in the windows of a coach.
With a burst of bright yellow and a roar in my ear
I hear them scream as they ‘re falling in fear.
The river is boiling in steam, steel and stems
Back home their families shall soon sing funeral hymns.
The one lone survivor was a red stallion stud
I lassoed his neck, and freed him from the mud.
As I ride in his saddle beneath the stars that shine
I pray for forgiveness and some peace of mind.
War is a lesson we re eager to learn
When man has that fever to murder and burn.
Lord, please forgive me for what I have done
For all those I’ve silenced were some mother’s son.
THE FEVER OF FEAR
Cannons are bursting hot metal from the ground.
Soldiers are looting and burning our town.
The fever of fear rushes through my veins
As too many Bluecoats jump from troop trains.
Smoke from hot barrels is swirling around
As four thousand muskets volley their sound.
All of my comrades have stopped a lead ball
Most cry out, then stumble and fall.
Even the young lad who carried our flag
Now he lies dead as he clings to that rag.
Wagons with the wounded trail blood on the ground
Death and destruction are easily found.
The Generals are crying ’cause they can’t stand defeat
But it’s always the soldier who dies on his feet.
Horse hooves are pounding on a bridge made of boards
As the sunlight reflects from the blades of their swords.
Quickly I hide out in the roots of a tree
Where the dirt has eroded and there’s just room for me.
After dark I sneak out with the cover of fog
Then float down the river, as I cling to a log.
Songs of their victory, ring out through the night
While from the cold, muddy water, I see their firelight.
It makes me remember my old country church
Where the preacher spoke God’s word from his holy perch.
That the seed of all conflict began in a cave
When man, like the wild wolf had to prove he was brave.
THUNDER IN THE GROUND
Cannons are bellowing from a ridge far away
The battle lines are forming and there’s little time to pray.
Musket balls are pelting like hailstones from the sky
I’m so full of fear cause I don ‘t want to die.
From beyond yonder hill comes a terrifying sound
It’s the music of the buglers and there’s thunder in the ground.
The fast-riding troopers have all drawn out their swords.
They ‘re shouting and screaming as they charge up the gorge.
It’s hard to believe how many make it through
As they’re hacking and shooting at the boys dressed in blue.
Then come the soldier men who run upon their feet
Every time I drop one, my heart skips a beat.
There’s a storm on the ground made of death, dust and smoke
My throat is so dry, I can ‘t help but choke.
The fury of the battle is bound to settle down
When most of the fighters lie dead on the ground.
After dark, the stretcher-bearers are afraid to search around
The wild hogs eat the wounded and I can ‘t stand the sound.
Come dawn, we dig ditches for all the brave, lifeless men
Then quote words from our Bible praying heaven lets them in.
SLAVERY
When you chain the neck of a slave
The other end fastens to you.
Your heart and soul become corrupt
And all which is evil you’ll do.
No government shall exist for long
Who’s people are not really free.
Though around the world there are those
Who stay blind to how life should be.
Any who must enslave others
Will dwell in their own living hell
After death, they’ll join their master
In that place from heaven he fell.
But till then we’ll fight and resist
Making them put their chains away.
And those of us who may die first
From heaven shall watch and pray
BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER
In the course of becoming officers
The young men of West Point bonded like brothers.
Till roomers of Civil War transformed friend to foe
As many cadets chose to serve others.
Fifty-five of sixty major battles fought
Were lead by graduates of the long gray line.
Yankees and Rebels ravaged one another
For to kill and plunder were virtues of the time.
Over six hundred thousand soldiers were consumed
Not counting multitudes of population.
Cities, farms and the countryside were laid to waste
Before our Union was restored to a nation.
THE LITTLEST SOLDIER
Nine year old Johnny Clem who stood just four feet tall
Ran away from Ohio to answer his country’s call.
He joined up with the Union and became a drummer boy
Soon to prove the gun he wore was far more than a toy.
Armed with a sawed-off musket, cut down to just fit him
He shot a Rebel horseman who tried to do him in.
Awarded his sergeant’s stripes and the silver medal
His comrades offered him hot coffee from their kettle.
The newspapers of the North, gladly published his story
Telling of the nine year old who earned his country’s glory.
THE BATTLE
The moon is sky high
And perfectly round
As it highlights the beauty
Of disputed ground.
Life is a journey
Where the passage is free.
After, there’s judgment
By the living and Thee.
Tomorrow’s carnage
We’ll survive if we can.
Death and dismemberment
By the hand of man.
Some will stumble
With absence of breath.
While others charge
Into the face of death.
We’ll race toward the battle
And pray for the best
Hoping somehow
We pass God’s test.
BUGLES
Their red and blue, ragtag flag stood out
Against their dust covered uniforms of gray.
Savagely we fought to kill our enemy
As the battle raged on in the heat of the day
Volley after volley we put forth our blaze
With thousands of led balls snapping flesh and bone.
Blistering sweat rolled down every face
As the tunes of war by bugles were blown.
There was a clanking sound of ramrods in barrels
As each new minieball was loaded and fired.
Some shot aimlessly into the smoke
While others took aim at the worn and tired.
Bullets were popping like the fourth of July
Yet our enemy kept surging ahead.
All at once they broke and ran off in groups
Scattering as for the forest they fled.
From behind the protection of a stacked-stone wall
The victorious cheered or just sat starring
At all the bodies of friend and foe
While for the wounded the surgeons were caring.
Soon the war was over and I survived
Despite it’s brutality on trampled ground.
From boy to man I was transformed
Though, still in the night I hear its sound.
LEAF ON THE WATER
America’s East Coast was settled by the Brits
As the Indians rule began to recede.
After many a battle, they lost their land
Giving into the white man’s power and greed.
In years to come like a leaf on the water
The Indians were swept away by the white man.
As trappers and pioneers pushing westward
Brought death and disease to the land.
With the white settlements came the fur traders
Followed by soldiers, forts, whiskey and form tools.
None of which helped the Indians to survive
Who chose to wage war, and break the white man’s rules.
Many treaties were made, just to be broken
By those eager for land, timber, furs and gold.
Prospectors arrived to plunder the land
And to be farmers, the Indians were told.
The combat raged on, to the western prairie
Over mountains and down through the desert sand.
Indians proved to be formidable foe
As both sides fought from afar and hand-to-hand.
Lieutenant Colonel Custer, led his cavalry
In search of fame and tribal disgrace.
But instead he and his men were butchered
By hostile Indians with paint on their face.
Around the campfires of Rosebud and Pine Ridge
Singing warriors danced till Sitting Bull’s death.
Most were forced to surrender at Wounded Knee
Where many sad Indian would draw their last breath.
With their fighting spirit completely broken
And their ancient tribal ways forever gone.
Proud Indians were moved to reservations
Where their once great history in song lives on.
THE HINGE OF HISTORY
The hinge of history swings in all directions
As the happenings of the past are written down.
Out of all that has occurred since man’s beginnings
Less has been recorded than waits to be found.
Babylonians kept chronicles of history
Hebrews wrote the past as a dramatic story.
Greeks had no faith in the future at all
Believing mans repeated errors doom his glory.
Christians added a new dimension to history
Looking forward to Christ’s return to earth.
An on going drama involving man and God
Believing all are created of equal worth.
Some have asked why must we study history
It just encourages us to live in the past.
When we forget history we repeat its mistakes
As the outcome of humanity is cast.
THE ALAMO
The leaves of the cottonwoods hung motionless
As outside the walls Santa Anna’s horde closed in.
A small band of Texans watched and waited
Preoccupied by combat and how life would end.
The battle raged from building to building
Till the old mission’s chapel was the last to fall.
Over 180 Texans died fighting to the man
Never to yield, surrender or crawl.
Six weeks later Sam Houston rallied his forces
With “Remember the Alamo” as their battle cry.
Attacking and defeating Santa Anna’s army
To win independence for Texas or die.
The Spanish word for “cottonwood” is “Alamo”
The long time popular name for the mission.
Today the stout-walled old chapel still stands
Preserved as a shrine of sacrifice and tradition.
GENERAL WASHINGTON
Once in command, he boxed in the British
At Boston where he captured Dorchester Heights
Overlooking the Brits at his mercy
As his men took aim with their cannon sites.
The British commander had but one choice
To sail to New York to renew the fight.
Where the English had much greater forces
Who soon chased Washington’s men in full flight.
They continued on to Pennsylvania
After crossing the Hudson in retreat
With the British forces in hot pursuit
It looked as though George was doomed to defeat.
When winter seemed to have stopped the fighting
That’s when Washington crossed the Delaware.
On that Christmas night he captured Trenton
Where Hessians were surprised and unaware.
He whipped the British at Princeton
Where in victory his men began to sing.
Washington then wintered at Morristown
Training his troops for the combat of spring.
Washington fought bravely at Brandywine
And again at a place called Germantown
But the British were the victorious ones
As the dead of both sides covered the ground
Americans were blessed early that spring
When the French entered the war on their side.
Though most suffered frostbite at Valley Forge
With the help of the French they marched in stride.
The battles raged on, in the North and South
As the King’s soldiers laid waste to the land.
Washington himself was in great despair
Pleading for aid for his weakened command.
His prayers were answered by 5000 troops
And a French fleet who took Chesapeake Bay.
They bottled up Cornwallis at Yorktown
Who surrendered to victory drums at play.
Yorktown was really the end of the war
Though not many quite realized that fact yet.
But the British soon grew tired of the fight
And the terms for its end were signed and set.
Washington yearned to retire at home
But his country chose him first president.
Cheering crowds waved flags of love and support
For they believed that “he,” by God, was sent.
All Poems By
Conservative Poet
Tom Zart
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Disrespecting the Troops, the Mccain’s and Hillary
8th in the USS LIBERTY Series: “It Was God That Kept Us Alive”
On January 12, 2008, this civilian journalist “on a mission from God” [Jake Blues/John Belushi] once again phoned a few of the USS LIBERTY survivors and also Robert Hart, who on that day in infamy, June 8, 1967 was a CT/Communications Technician 2nd Class Petty Officer working for the Director of Naval Security Group Europe (DIRNAVSECGRUEUR) in London. DIRNAVSECGRUEUR was the Intelligence support for the Four Star Commander in Chief of US Naval Forces Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR).
Hart quipped, “During the attack on the LIBERTY, I was in the control center of the DIRNAVSECGRUEUR, a part of the Commander of Chief in Europe who was Admiral McCain-you know the Senator’s father? I wouldn’t buy a used car from either of them!”
Hart then went serious and choked up, “Two of my friends were killed that day. They were both CT’s and the CT spaces took the direct hit from the torpedo [that immediately killed 25 servicemen]. Smitty had an English wife and an eighteen month old baby and they were neighbors and friends. Warren Hershey was a drinking buddy of mine.
“I was in the Control Center when the LIBERTY was attacked and read all the messages from the USA to Europe. I knew the 6th Fleet was sending help and it was called back! I knew all about the LIBERTY calling for support that was held back! That is what sticks in my jaw. I was and remain dumbfounded and upset to this very day.
“I am also sure it is a part of the USA government cover-up the way they gave McGonagle his Medal of Honor in a shipyard and not at the White House.”
Captain William L. McGonagle’s Congressional Medal of Honor reads:
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to Captain William L. McGoanagle, United States Navy for service as set forth in the following:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sailing in international waters, the Liberty was attacked without warning by jet fighter aircraft and motor torpedo boats which inflicted many casualties among the crew and caused extreme damage to the ship. Although severely wounded during the first air attack, Capt. McGonagle remained at his battle station on the badly damaged bridge and, with full knowledge of the seriousness of his wounds, subordinated his own welfare to the safety and survival of his command.
Steadfastly refusing any treatment which would take him away from his post, he calmly continued to exercise firm command of his ship. Despite continuous exposure to fire, he maneuvered his ship, directed its defense, supervised the control of flooding and fire, and saw to the care of the casualties. Captain McGonagle’s extraordinary valor under these conditions inspired the surviving members of the Liberty’s crew, many of them seriously wounded, to heroic efforts to overcome the battle damage and keep the ship afloat. Subsequent to the attack, although in great pain and weak from the loss of blood, Captain McGonagle remained at his battle station and continued to command his ship for more than 17 hours. It was only after rendezvous with a U.S. destroyer that he relinquished personal control of the Liberty and permitted himself to be removed from the bridge. Even then, he refused much needed medical attention until convinced that the seriously wounded among his crew had been treated. Captain McGonagle’s superb professionalism, courageous fighting spirit, and valiant leadership saved his ship and many lives. His actions sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wlmcgon.htm
The Captain died on March 3, 1999, but the support from his troops never has. On April 10, 1999 the ambushed crew saluted its Captain by writing:
“…Yesterday, the faithful survivors brought their long-dead comrades at Arlington National Cemetery the body of their captain — a reunion of seamen eternally bound by one of the most bloody and bizarre peacetime encounters in U.S. naval history.
“Captain William L. McGonagle won the Medal of Honor for valiantly commanding the USS Liberty when the American spy ship was attacked by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats in the Mediterranean during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
“Thirty-four U.S. sailors were killed, and 171, including McGonagle, were wounded, among the crew of 300. [Other sources site 174 and 297] Thirteen of the dead — including the remains of six in the mass grave at the bottom of the hill — were buried at Arlington .
“The Israelis later apologized. But Liberty survivors, and some former U.S. officials, believe the attack was deliberate, staged to conceal Israel’s pending seizure of the Golan Heights, which occurred shortly thereafter.” [IBID]
In an email from USS LIBERTY survivor and author of ASSAULT ON THE LIBERTY, James E. Ennes, wrote on January 13, 2008: “I’m not at all sure that is the reason. We may never know the reason. The US was aware of Israeli plans to seize the Golan and was urging them not to do that. It could well have been fear that we had learned of the massacre of Egyptians POWs at El Arish or it could have been the massacre that morning of UN peacekeepers at Gaza .”
“…In December 1964, the Liberty was put to work as a spy ship. Three years later, with McGonagle now in command, it was hurried to the eastern Mediterranean, where the Arab-Israeli war had erupted. Despite the deep concerns of McGonagle and his crew about their proximity to the war, the ship, armed only with a few .50-caliber machine guns, began a slow patrol 12 miles off Gaza.
“The Liberty, code-named “Rockstar,” had been denied the protection of a destroyer by superiors who said it was “not a reasonable subject for attack,”…about 2 p.m., after being buzzed by Israeli scout planes, the ship suddenly was assailed by Israeli jets firing rockets and dropping napalm.
“Liberty sailors were gunned down as they scrambled for cover. The machine gun crews were tossed into the air like dolls. Flaming napalm blanketed parts of the ship. Sailors radioed frantically: ‘Any station, this is Rockstar. We are under attack.’
“Then, after several passes by the jets, the torpedo boats arrived. After several misses, one struck home, blasting a 40-foot-wide hole below decks and killing 25 men almost instantly. All the while, McGonagle, his right leg riddled with shrapnel, maintained command, hollering orders…
“In one of the most controversial events in U.S. military history, the lightly armed Liberty was attacked by Israeli planes, three torpedo boats and helicopters and was bombed with napalm, torpedoed and shelled on June 8, 1967, while sailing in international waters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
“Of the 294 men aboard the Liberty, 34 were killed and 171, including Captain McGonagle, were wounded. Though the captain managed to dodge four of five torpedoes, one struck, smashing a 40-foot hole in the ship’s side.” [IBID]
In an email from Jim Ennes: “The updated wounded count is 174 and three more Purple Hearts have been awarded since the 171 number was reported…I don’t think he dodged anything. I think they simply missed. A 450 foot ship moving at five knots doesn’t do much dodging.”
“A total of 821 rocket and machine-gun holes were later counted in Liberty ’s hull. Captain McGonagle had shrapnel wounds in his leg. The attack, which occurred during the Six-Day War between Israel and Arab states, was blamed by the Israelis on a mistaken identification…
“The events, shrouded in tragedy and conflict, have never been resolved. Many of those aboard the Liberty, as well as many senior U.S. officials have taken issue with the Israeli version of events. Some have accused both the U.S. and Israeli governments of concealing vital information about the incident…
“… McGonagle…held his silence for years, torn by loyalty to the Navy and love for his crew and his ship. But even he, in recent years, came to conclude the attack was deliberate…”For many years I have wanted to believe that the attack on the Liberty was pure error,” Captain McGonagle said. But “it appears to me that it was not a pure case of mistaken identity. It was, on the other hand, gross incompetence and aggravated dereliction of duty on the part of many officers and men…”[IBID]
This civilian journalist and patriotic American also contends that a total lack of respect for the troops and a blatant cover-up was instituted when the American government ordered traumatized men to never speak the truth of their experiences to family, friends and media and also threatened them with court martial and worse if they did.
This civilian journalist and patriotic American also contends that the down low way of ‘honoring’ Captain McGonagle with the highest award the USA can give a service men is another nail in the coffin of the American Government’s lack of support for our troops and is a vile, revolting, repugnant, loathsome and treasonous display of not representing we the people.
Medals of Honor are media events presented in the White House by the President, but Captain McGonagle’s was ‘awarded’ “in a dark hall in the Naval Shipyard by a low level Secretary of the Navy,” Dr. Richard Kiepfer informed me during a January 12, 2008, phone call.
On January 13, 2008, in an email to me Jim Ennes also wrote: “Admiral Moorer told me that he was asked to present it as then-Chief of Naval Operations. He protested strongly that it should be presented by the President. He was unable to make that happen, but did manage to get it kicked up to the Secretary of the Navy.”
Kiepfer replied to that comment by stating, “I remember that when I learned who was presenting the highest medal the USA has without even a Cabinet person, or Congressperson in attendance, just a low level secretary of the Navy I thought, who the hell is that? My father was retired Navy and he said it was a slap in the face. My father and I accompanied the Captain, his wife and children to the event. I remember that McGonagle had to make all the reservations for the dinner the night before.”
“Medal of Honor winners and their guests are traditionally treated by the United States to a luxurious dinner at a first class restaurant. Captain and Mrs. McGonagle were put up at the Shoreham Hotel…In keeping with the spirit of the affair…someone failed to notify the restaurant…The next morning Navy Secretary Paul Ignatius presented McGonagle’s medal in a modest ceremony two miles from the White House. It was done with a minimum of fanfare and almost no publicity at all. It was done while the President was in the White House. And it was done within hours of a White House ceremony in which the President awarded medals to a pair of Vietnam heroes.” [James E. Ennes, ASSAULT ON THE LIBERTY, pages 194-195]
Phil Tourney, another LIBERTY survivor and the former President of the USS LIBERTY Vets Association also spoke to me on the phone and clued me in, “The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award the USA can give service men. The point is the citation to McGonagle doesn’t even mention the fact of who did the attack on the LIBERTY! I got the Bronze Star with Combat V for valor for the LIBERTY that says all this heroic stuff I did, but there is no mention of who did the attack! This is not the usual way these citations read! I received the Vietnam Service Medal and that states I was in the Republic of Vietnam, but no mention in my Bronze Star that I was attacked by Israel aboard the LIBERTY. Every Purple Heart award states who did the attack; who wounded you…In fact, there are guys that got their discharge papers-you know the DD214’s-And there is no mention at all that they had ever been on the LIBERTY! 99% of the time the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor is presented by the President of the United States , but McGonagle’s was presented in a Navy shipyard by an undersecretary of the Navy.”
Dr. Kiepfer ended our phone conversation by bringing me full circle when he remarked, “Admiral McCain did say he wanted all the citations to state we were attacked by the Israeli Navy and Air Force. But I still wouldn’t buy a used car from either of the McCain’s or Hillary Clinton!”
The 5 Faces of Super Power Gayatri
March 23, 2009 by admin
Filed under Mental Health
The trend of 5-faced photographs and images of Gayatri is seen, so that those who take recourse to the spiritual practice of this MahaMantra, ask a pertinent question as to what we should do in future? Mantra chanting, meditation, eulogies to God, reading religious texts, sacrificial fire rites etc. are preliminary practices. As a result of this, the preliminary goal of purification of the body and concentration of the mind is achieved. Yet there are more milestones to be reached. For its attainment spiritual seekers should look out for necessary information and then imbibe alertness, steadfastness and capability, to walk on that path. If a spiritual seeker remembers all this always, then know for sure that the aim behind creating photos/images of a 5-faced Gayatri has been duly achieved.
In reality Gayatri is the worldwide Super Power of the Almighty Lord. It has no particular form. If one desires to have a glimpse of God’s form, it can be in the form of light only. Wisdom is compared to light. The god of Gayatri is Savita. Savita means the sun – a gigantic ball of brilliant light. When Gayatri Super Power manifests in a spiritual seeker, he gets a glimpse of a pinpoint of light, when he meditates. A spiritual seeker sees a small/ big ball of light either in his heart, head, navel or eyes. Sometimes it augments and at other times it diminishes. Many types of shapes, colors of light rays are seen in it. In the beginning stages it keeps oscillating, sometimes it is visible and at other times it disappears. But slowly a state comes, when all the different shapes, movement and colors are warded off and only a point of light remains. In the initial stages, this light is of a small shape and with lesser radiance but when one’s soul state advances, this point of light starts enlarging, becomes more dazzling and manifests a lot of bliss. Just as a lotus blooms forth when the early morning sunlight caresses its bud, so too when our inner soul is touched by this divine light, it experiences bliss of Brahman, absolute bliss and bliss of one’s very existence and consciousness. Just as the Indian red-legged partridge (bird) keeps gazing at the moon for the whole night, in the same way a spiritual seeker yearns to experience untold bliss by gazing at this inner light. Sometimes one desires that just as a moth lays down his life for the flame lamp i.e. it gives up its ordinary existence for the glorious flame, so too I must merge my lowly individual ego into this cosmic light of God.
This is a minor glimpse of meditation on the formless Brahman (God). From the standpoint of experience, a spiritual seeker feels he is experiencing Brahman and spiritual wisdom. The gift of wisdom i.e. imbibing great idealistic activities in our daily lives should awaken within us, inspirations and yearnings. Not only awakening but that it is taking the form of a firm resolve, inner state and as truth. This is the symbol of experience of divine light. Because when the ignorance of power of illusion (Maya) and selfishness is overcome, man starts thinking with a generous viewpoint and imbibes acts of great men. Such a person never hesitates to step daringly on the path of spirituality, unlike people full of avarice, selfishness, delusion and narrow worldly attachments. In order to execute appropriate acts, he marches ahead speedily on the path of spiritual well-being with great valor and enterprise.
So far we have dealt with the nature of high stature wisdom and meditation on the divine power in the form of ‘Gayatri’. In the preliminary stages, it is not possible to get such high stature experiences. One must first imbibe preliminary, spiritual practices like Mantra chanting, worship, meditation, eulogies, fire sacrifices etc. At such times it is a must that one takes help of photographs and images. Meditation in the preliminary stages is possible only via name and form. The stage of formless meditation is very much higher up on the scale. Even in that state there is no need to give up image worship and instead by including it in one’s daily chores, one controls one’s accumulated psychic imprints. When a huge building is constructed, its foundation is in the form of pebbles and stones. Once a firm foundation is laid down, one can build a building of various hues and designs. Later one fails to notice the pebbles / stones in the foundation, yet there is no need to renounce or mock at them. One should realize that the basis and firm foundation of that gigantic building are these pebbles, stones etc. The spiritual progress of meditation with form too can be called a foundation stone. In the preliminary stages its requirement is a must. Thus the commencement of spirituality right from ancient times has taken place with the help of image worship and steadily it marches ahead. It is with reference to this that the shape of Gayatri Super Power has been molded. Just like other images of God, its image too right from ancient times has been used in mediation and worship of God.
Ordinarily only the image of a human face with one face and 2 arms are apt. This is the best from for meditation and worship. Gayatri too should have those kinds of hands and legs just like a spiritual seeker’s beloved mother has. Hence in meditation and worship, one uses the image of Gayatri Mother having 2 arms and one face seated on a white swan and having a book and water pot in her hands. But in some regions one sees images with 5 faces. Maybe its meditation and worship is not apt, yet it has one important message and direction in it. We must see that minutely.
The five faces of Gayatri are the 5 sheaths covering a Jeeva (living being). They are the 5 manifestations and the ten arms of the 10 Sidhis (divine powers) and experiences. Five arms are on the left hand side and the other 5 are on the right hand side. It points out to the 5 material and 5 spiritual powers and Sidhis that are conjoined to Gayatri Super Power. Whenever this Super Power manifests, there one will definitely see the 10 experiences, special qualities and wealth. The meaning of executing spiritual practices is not merely sitting in one particular spot daily so as to perform some scientific rite. In fact it means that by making our entire life a form of spiritual endeavour one should raise the stature of one’s qualities, actions and nature so high, that one sees those divine glories in them, which are found in a symbolic form in the image of the 5-faced Gayatri. The aim of spiritual practices is to generate divine energy. When 10 energies and 10 Sidhis are attained, know for sure that some spiritual seeker is successfully marching ahead on the path of high leveled spiritual practices.
The 5 faces of Gayatri tell us that the 5 demi gods of a living being’s very existence are conjoined to it, so as to fulfill its goal. Because they are under the influence of sleep, they look dead and hence are of no use. As a result a living being exists like a weakling. But if these powerful aides are activated, if their power is aptly utilized, then man instead of leading an ordinary run-of-the-mill life actually attains extraordinary material and spiritual heights. Man will get a golden chance of renouncing his demeaned state and in its place, lead a life of exalted glory. The 5 elements of the body have been depicted as the 5 demi-gods as follows –
The Lord of space is Vishnu. The goddess of fire is Maheshwari power. The Lord of wind is Sun. The Lord of earth is Shiva and the Lord of water is Ganapati Ganesh. In this manner the 5 gods of our body are the Lords (existence) of the 5 elements (KAPILTANTRA). The 5 Pranas (vital force) too are called 5 demi-gods.
All living beings have 5 demi-gods. Because they are imbibed with vital force, they are Shiva. This group manifests Kundalini Shakti (Divine Serpent Power). Its shape is like that of dazzling lightning. (TANTRARNAV)
Kundalini is awakened when the 5 sheaths of our body are activated. When the Kundalini is activated the 5 sheaths of the body of a spiritual seeker radiates brilliance (MAHAYOG-VIGNAN)
The human body is made up of 5 elements. Its Sattva Guna is seen as the 5 radiations of consciousness. (1) Mind (2) Intellect (3) Will (4) Mind stuff or psyche (5) Ego.
From the Rajas principle of the 5 elements arise the 5 Pranas or Vital Forces. On this basis the 5 sense organs carry out the functions of the 5 sense objects.
From the Tamas principle of the 5 elements is created the gross/physical body. They form 1) Juice 2) Blood 3) Flesh 4) Bones 5) Marrow. The 5 special organs viz. brain, heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and the 5 sense organs of action are a creation of this area.
The 5 demi-gods given to us, in order to help the living body, are also called the 5 sheaths. Superficially the body looks single yet its power augments more and more. Despite being invisible, it is so powerful that if it is activated, man can become great from lowly and also the cosmic soul (God) from his present status of an individual soul. These 5 coverings of a living being are called the 5 sheaths 1) Food Sheath 2) Vital Force Sheath 3) Mental Sheath 4) Intellectual Sheath 5) Bliss Sheath.
Taitariya Unpanishad proclaims that the Vital Force Sheath is in the Food Sheath, the Mental Sheath is in the Vital Force Sheath, the Intellectual Sheath is in the Mental Sheath and that the Bliss Sheath is in the Intellectual Sheath. Over here there is some parity and at some places there are differences. Its discussion is as follows –
Man is full of food and juice. This is its head. This is its southern aspect. This is its northern aspect. It is the soul. The hind tail is situated on the Merudand (subtle spine).
- TAITARIYA UPANISHAD ( 2/ 1/ 1)
The soul which is within the Food Sheath made up of food, juice etc. is yet separate from it and is the vital force. It is omnipotent. It is of the same shape. Its activities too are similar. The vital force of the Vital Force Sheath is the head. Its Vyan vital force is the Southern aspect and the Apan vital force is the northern aspect. Space is its soul. Its status in earth is tail-like.
- TAITARIYA UPANISHAD ( 2/ 2/ 1)
Separate from the Vital Force Sheath is the Mental Sheath. The Vital Force Sheath overflows with the Mental Sheath. It is very similar to it. The Vital Force Sheath is very similar to the Mental Sheath. Yaju is its head. Rig is the southern aspect and Sam is its northern aspect. Its soul is command.
- TAITARIYA UPANISHAD ( 2/ 3/ 1)
Why are the Vedas correlated to the Mental Sheath? This answer is given in the Shankar Bhashya (commentary) in SankalpaManthan and the sentiments are depicted in the form of Yaju, Rig, Sama Vedas.
Different from the Mental Sheath is the Intellectual Sheath. The Mental Sheath is covered by the Intellectual Sheath. This is the Intellectual Sheath and is similar to Purusha. It is like the Mental Sheath. Faith is its head. Relative truth is its southern aspect and divine truth its northern aspect. Yoga is its soul. Its hind status is in importance.
- TAITARIYA UPANISHAD ( 2/ 4/ 1)
The Bliss Sheath despite dwelling within the Intellectual Sheath is separate from it. The Intellectual Sheath overflows with Bliss Sheath. This too is similar to Purusha (God). It is like the Intellectual Sheath. Beloved is its head. Inner bliss is its southern aspect and external joy is its northern aspect. Bliss is its soul. Its hind status is in Brahman.
- TAITARIYA UPANISHAD ( 2/5/ 1)
In the PANCHDASHI religious text the verses 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 of chapter three, depict the 5 sheaths as follows:
The body of a creation of the father’s sperm, which in turn is made from the food that he partakes, is situated in the Food Sheath. Because the body undergoes birth and death, it cannot be the soul. The conscious soul is different from it.
- PANCHDASHI (3/3)
The Vital Force Sheath which is an inspirer of the senses which give power, abound within the body. But this too being unconscious like the body, cannot be the soul. It is separate.
- PANCHDASHI 3/5
What exactly are the 5 sheaths? The Upanishads while describing them say –
The group of sheaths created by food; this visible body is called the Food Sheath. The group of 14 elements along with the vital force (Prana) is called the Vital Force Sheath. The group of sense organs and mind, embedded in these 2 sheaths, is called the Mental Sheath. The Intellectual Sheath plays the roles of discrimination (Viveka) and intellect. The natural form and place of the soul, present within these bodies is called the Bliss Sheath.
In this manner human consciousness has been partitioned in 5 ways. This partitioning is called 5 sheaths. The Food Sheath means sense organ consciousness. The Vital Force Sheath means our very life force. The Mental Sheath means thought process. The Intellectual Sheath means the unconscious center and flow of sentiments. The Bliss Sheath means soul wisdom and activation of the soul.
The state of living beings evolves on the basis of these conscious layers.
The high stature spiritual practice of Gayatri is carried out so as to unveil the 5 sheaths and activate them. In order to point at this high stature spiritual practice, the symbolic form of the 5-faced Gayatri is depicted. This depiction points at the activation of this chief potential of the 5 sheaths of the subtle body and thus attains supreme benefits of this great science.
Via these sheaths one can attain that divine potential which can decorate our personality with wealth and glory. The conscious arena can be made as wealthy as the Lord of Wealth called Kubera. Sheath means a veil or a covering. When these veils are removed one after another, you ultimately come face to face with the absolute truth / reality. Those obstructions in the form of mental taints are removed due to activation / unveiling of the 5 sheaths which are the root cause of the living being failing to attain those powers given by the Lord and as a result of which, he leads a demeaned life.
The partitioning of the 5 sheaths has been presented in the categorization of the three bodies. These 3 are the gross, subtle and casual bodies. It is called Tripada Gayatri (3-legged). The gross body is made up of the food and Vital Force Sheath. The 5 elements and 5 Vital Forces ( Pranas) are embedded in it. The subtle body is made up of the mental and Intellectual Sheath. These 2 can be called conscious intellect and unconscious mind. The casual body is made up of the Bliss Sheath. Certain scholars differ on this subject, yet the reality is this only.
The Human Psyche: a Wish Fulfilling Tree of the Entire Cosmos
Man’s physical body is made up of 5 elements (air, water, wind, fire, earth, space) and the 5 Pranas (Vital Forces). The body has been created from the elements and the mind from the Vital Force. When 2 streams of negative and positive unite electricity manifests, 2 wheels of a cart helps it to move similarly life’s wheel too marches ahead. The contribution of both is amazing. The more one dives deep into the visible and invisible designing of the physical body the more its mysterious nature emerges in a wondrous manner. When one understands the anatomy and functions of the organs of actions and the organs of knowledge it becomes clear that the designing of inert objects is such that it can function in such a varied manner and that so many new materials can be created from them. When we study the cells, nerves, glands, hormones, DNA etc it seems as though we are transported into a mysterious world. The amazing way in which the heart, plexus, glands etc function, it appears that a very skillful engineer has designed this human body akin to a vault of visible and invisible potentials of nature. This skillful engineer (God in layman’s parlance) has thus put in all his brilliance so as to make this creation outstanding. To the superficial eye it appears as though the human body is merely fulfilling the needs of ones existence in this world. despite this if the human body along with the psyche is mastered via spiritual practices such amazing feats can be executed that man will be called a storehouse of infinite divine energy. If one studies the amazing acts of great men of world history from all walks of life, it becomes clear that their seemingly tiny physical frames were vaults of infinite power. The only problem regarding this is that although every human being without exception possesses this vault of power, it lies in an inactive or latent state. When via mental focus and a taintless character this latent state is made active this vault manifests untold and unlimited Divine Power. It is like a seed germinating in fertile soil and actually manifesting a gigantic tree which till now was latent in a seed.
Thus far we spoke of the physical body made up of the 5 elements. After studying the form and functional aspects of consciousness made up of the 5 Vital Forces or Pranas one understands that it is consciousness that directs our physical movements and controls it aptly. The body is akin to a car and our consciousness is its driver or chauffer. When we see inert materials perform activities akin to consciousness we perforce have to conclude that no doubt from the designing and functional point of view the physical body may appear outstanding yet know for sure that it is totally under the control and jurisdiction of consciousness. If even a minor glitch is seen in this controlling entity the physical body pays the price of this flaw (Psycho-somatic). The body of an insane and mentally challenged is like that of any normal person but because the contact point between consciousness and the material body is flawed their lives are full of chaos and problems. Not only this but that if this contact point breaks, the physical body perishes.
The stature, form and functional aspects of inert nature (Prakriti) and conscious flow (Chetana) differ a great deal. Despite this when these conjoin a stupendous third power manifests. When 2 chemicals combine a new compound emerges and its characteristic and form differs from the former. This law is well accepted by all scholars of Chemistry. Similarly the admixture of inert matter and consciousness amazes one and all with its extraordinary nature.
By itself consciousness functions in every particle of our body and yet it is centered or focused in the strong fort called the brain. The biochemical materials and accessories of the brain are quite similar to the other bodily parts and yet it is unique in the sense that it harbors vital electricity movements. The brain designing or anatomy is so amazing that these electrical flows give it extraordinary benefits of various kinds. The brain region can be said to be a miraculous vault. A magician displays magical objects from his magic trunk and it totally confounds the ordinary man’s intellect. So too if we wish to visualize the magic of the creator (God) we must minutely study the outpourings of the ‘magical’ human brain every moment of our lives. We can hence surely conclude that in this worldly realm lies an out of the world extraordinary center called the human brain.
At an ordinary level, the brain guides our bodily activities for the smooth functioning of our social, professional life. The consciousness of all creatures functions within this limited periphery. Thus a very tiny portion of the brain’s unlimited vault of potential is utilized for our mundane day to day activities. So all this is regarding our mundane lives. In comparison to this, extraordinary is that wherein its potential is infinitely more than that of our worldly limited living. It is gigantic from the standpoint of space and stature too. It becomes clear that anyone who taps this potential can become truly powerful in a wholesome manner. When this infinite potential is not used it stays in a latent and unconscious like state. In the deep recesses of Mother Nature or Prakriti lie an infinite storehouse of visible and invisible powers and it is also present in the human body albeit in a seed state. Similarly all those special divine qualities present in cosmic consciousness are present in a subtly latent state in the psyche/soul of a living being. The center or HQ of a living being is the tough fort like brain. If the brain anatomy and functions are studied minutely it becomes evident it being a union of inertness and consciousness emits amazing energy flows uninterruptedly. Even if one analyzes the very tiny portion of the brain potential utilized by laymen it becomes clear that in comparison to its might even the most powerful computer of the world would pale significantly. Hence what to say of its unlimited latent potential that lies unused as of now? Know for sure even a very seemingly ordinary intellect can be made extraordinary simply by awakening the brain’s infinite albeit latent potency.
Ahead of this is the talk of the extraordinary. With the help of the brain center highly intelligent people have performed such marvelous fields that they have been called great historical icons, crest jewels and extremely revered. Via these great acts not only were they themselves glorified but that infinite others benefited too. The gigantic attainments of great writers, authors, artists, poets, philosophers, scientists, Rishis, Yogis, saints, Sidhas and Avatars from every nook and corner of the globe were solely due to the manifestation of infinite divine potential manifesting in their intellect and psyche.
Even in the material arena many individuals the world over are seen imbued with brilliant skills and credentials. These extraordinary tasks executed by them are nothing but the manifestation of their radiant and sharp intellect. Bodily one can be strong, wrestler like, disease free, have a long life and be hard working and yet all these have limitations. In comparison to this the intellect harbors unlimited potential. The more this latent potential is activated the more ones achievements are called miraculous (Shri Aurobindo Ghosh a great seer sage of India said: Logic in the infinite is magic in the finite. Infinite means consciousness and finite means material world). Highly respected scientists of Psychology opine that a mere 7% of the brain’s potential has been studied and made use of so far. The remaining 93% is in a latent and ‘sleep’ like state. Thus the more anyone who taps this remnant potential by activating it the more one can achieve mind boggling results.
Mother Nature by itself is chaotic. Since matter lacks intelligence it lies inert and ‘unkempt’. Atomic and wave flows have both power and movement but because of lack of intelligence it cannot manage things optimally, radiate beauty or create materials. This fact can be easily digested by journeying in jungle and desert areas. The state of other planets, galaxies too is chaotic. Since they lack creatures with intelligence (like human beings) their atmosphere is inert and gloomy. Bang opposite to this, humans on our planet Earth with their intellectual prowess has maintained it so exotically that like the wish fulfilling cow it radiates grandeur and material comforts. Man unearths precious ores from mines, digs earth for oil and taps UV rays, Gamma rays etc too. How does he do so? The answer is with his sharp and brilliant intellect. Scientific attainments have invented a mountain full of material comforts and within a couple of centuries human lifestyle has changed dramatically. How was this possible? The answer is one: The miracle of human intellectual brilliance. It was man’s intellect that took recourse to ethics, philosophy, religion, spirituality, socialism, rule of law, government and discipline so as to create civilizations and cultures. Ere the weak brain of Adam Age men had persisted today man would have remained beast like. Instead today man has become a crest jewel amongst all creatures via attainments in the arenas of agriculture, animal husbandry, gardening, sculpture, business, education, medicine, automobiles, telecommunication, literature, physics etc. And all this has been achieved via his superb brain potential which is like a Kalpvriksha or a Wish Fulfilling Tree. In fact some opine that God and heaven are a creation of the human brain. Their logic is that whatever existed in creation must be made available equally for everyone. Other creatures neither know about God, heaven, religion nor do they believe that they actually exist. It is only man who is related to these. The question asked is whether one should call it God’s grace or the brilliance of the human intellect? No doubt this is a billion dollar question since it is very difficult to answer it.
Whatever the case maybe from these facts it is clear that is that the intellectual skills are not only not less mighty than material prowess but in fact exceeds it by leaps and bounds. The air plane maybe hi tech and exotic yet in comparison to it the pilot’s skills are much more important. We do accept the importance of Mother Nature’s grandeur in the form of the earth, sky, sun, sea, wind etc but the fact remains that it is the human brain that has unearthed its utility value and thus bestowed them with the label of ‘preciousness’. The state of other planets, stars etc is witness to the fact that due the absence of intelligence they lie in darkness and gloom. Even if potentially their grandeur may exceed a great deal when compared to our planet but because Earth possesses an invaluable human intellect this grandeur has actually been unearthed and made use of optimally by earth denizens.
Today in an individual’s life we see qualities of goodness, sensitivity, goodwill, politeness, etiquette, progressiveness, aspirations, labor etc. From the bodily and material comforts standpoint he is reaching higher and higher pinnacles so as to radiate our planet’s glory. If this were not the case world humanity would yet appear like his Adam Age ancestors in a naked and animalistic manner. Unkempt hair would have rendered both males and females ugly. Hair that is allowed to grow naturally makes men especially not only hideous looking but ferocious too. It is only when hair beauty techniques intervened that this very jungle like hair growth was curbed and instead converted into a means of adding to ones physical beauty and handsomeness. The mould of a human being’s family is quite different from that of families of other creatures. Right from the process of building a house to rearing a family is not as per nature’s direction but is a direct result of the skills of the human intellect.
If we study any field of life the human intellect’s supremacy is at work in a virtually miraculous fashion. We all are aware of the priceless nature of human intellectual skills. Hence whether you take into account schools, colleges or universities or for that matter sermons, discourses or lectures the prime goal is to sharpen and augment ones intellectual capabilities. The press, radio, television and other media avenues are also involved in this very endeavor. Right from traveling to examinations, competitions etc the idea is to nourish ones intellectual capacity. Hence the fact remains that in comparison to a brilliant intellect the value of all earth’s material wealth put together pales significantly. A wealthy person who is weak brained cannot execute that yeomen service to society performed by a well to do individual with sharp intellectual skills. It is a farsighted discerning intellect that solves contemporary problems and mould present situations that ultimately herald a very radiant future for the entire world. In Spiritual Sciences the symbol or representative of Ritambhara Prajna or Divine Intellect is said to be super Mantra Gayatri. When divine wisdom gets established in the human psyche it is guaranteed that peace and prosperity will be ours for keeps.
After rendering the social aspects of the psychic center advanced and progressive how was it possible to help the individual and entire world progress greatly? All this has been discussed in the above lines. It is but the great feat of the 7% intellectual prowess used by mankind. Ahead of this 7% lie deeper layers of the human psyche which lie unused and hence remain latent and sleep like. It constitutes 93% of the total intellectual capacity. It means that it is 14 times more than what is actually used by us all in our day to day lives. This is the measure of its form and widespread nature. From the standpoint of its stature its measure need not be only 14 times but could be 1400 times simply because all the high leveled principles exist in this untapped 93% intellectual arena. Laymen tap only that much, which help them garner material comforts and sense pleasures. It is only when the stature of our consciousness rises upwards that we eye the peak of greatness and we then realize that it is important to radiate ones inner potentials. Say how many people the world over who actually appreciate its utility and amongst these how many actually aspire for it? Since our childish mentality pervades almost everywhere our intellect too is used in hoarding ‘toys’ called wealth and material comforts (TV, house, computer, cell phone etc). Hence from the standpoint of brain advancement our psyche too moves in this very limited periphery. Assuming that ones aspirations intensify a bit more we work hard so as to enter the Forbes list of billionaires, the Guinness Book of Records etc. No doubt aspiring for this is slightly higher in grade when compared to just eat, drink and be merry lifestyle but even here it is only a minor upgrading of the social aspect of our psyche that does the needful. So what we are trying to say is that even such intense aspirations cannot help us enter those deeper layers of the psyche which have been contacted by spiritual seers, farsighted men, great world thinkers, Yogis etc. The latter come under the category of Sidhas, Rishis and incarnations of God (Avatar).
Spiritual Science in its pristine pure state is transformation of the psyche. Within its realm the subtle intellect dives deep into the recesses of the mind and it is radiated and made more advanced spiritually. The psyche is the arena of aspirations, faith and sensitivity. The intellect possesses the quality of farsightedness and the capacity to cogitate and reflect. The mind keeps imagining and induces the psyche to dance to its tune of pursuing worldly goals. All these 3 put together forms our inner personality at the mental level. Modern Psychology and Psychiatry has classified these 3 in a different manner. The intellect used for worldly pursuits is called conscious mind, habits lying in seed form are called unconscious mind and aspiring for greatness is called super consciousness. There are differences even regarding this classification and hence other forms of it too prevail. While discussing this it is sufficient to say that the mind principle akin to ancient times is now believed to be an intense form of energy. Between the time span of ancient eras and today’s modern era the mental principle was virtually lying unheeded and instead mere superficial acts, rites and rituals were erringly thought to be the be all and end all of religion and spirituality. In that Dark Age both education and true culture lay dormant and supine. Bodily might that generated terror and wealth that titillated the senses ruled the roost. But now in this Modern Era farsightedness is on the rise which makes people accept that if truly the individual’s and entire world’s future is to be brightened man’s consciousness must imbibe sacred culture and that his/her very viewpoint and thinking needs to transform into a focused and taintless state. Thus augmenting the stature of man’s thinking involves purification of the psyche, thought revolution programs and manifestation of a divine intellect (Ritambhara Prajna) in the inner personality of every world human being. From a gross standpoint it seems a to be a program of social reform but a deeper study of it tells us that is the blooming of greatness inducing principles in the arena of world psyche.
Apt management of all aspects of human life is possible only if greatness oozes from every pore of our sentiments and thinking process. Overcoming of obstacles in present situations and replacing them with wholesome ones will be achieved only if world thinking and hence psyche is rendered sacred. In its fundamental form it is a topic of study under the subject of Psychology. Maybe that in order to attain this goal, solutions could be of any stature. Transformation can be brought about on the basis of punishments/penalty or via spiritual values imbibed by people or an admixture of both. All this is dependent on the thinking capacity of the concerned authority and prevailing contemporary circumstances. But if one dives deeper in this realm it becomes crystal clear that all this is a play of Psychology and hence very much comes under its jurisdiction. Transformation and reformation is but that of the direction of ones thinking process. This is the underlying principle of ERA TRANSFORMATION. Thus the focal point of Neo Creation will be those endeavors that are rooted in transformation of the mental principle. Thus know for sure that man’s advancement or downfall is a direct function of this focal point.
Within the realm of Yoga practices the advancement of ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) is thought to be a very important aspect. It attracts curiosity from all quarters. Such ‘exhibitionists’ become focuses of attraction everywhere. When such extraordinary powers are exhibited it is but natural that they are labeled ‘miracles’ by all and sundry. It is another matter that such exhibitionism is virtually useless in the ultimate analysis. Magicians the world over are seen to exhibit many miracles. And yet it certainly does not add to ones knowledge potential nor is it of any important use. Despite this people love watching magical shows. The stature of ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) is much higher than such magical display. It is no doubt very easy to influence immature minds with such ‘miracles’ and thus virtually hypnotize such laymen to do anything and everything. With the result so many people in every nook and corner of the world madly run after such Sidhis or Yogic powers. But know for sure that the stature of such aspirants has always been counted as extremely low by the true seers of spirituality. Although majority of spiritual seekers chase these illusory Sidhis yet one fact stands out wherein it is clear that in the deep recesses of the human psyche lie extraordinary powers. Since these powers lie latent they can be said to be ‘unconscious’. If only they are awakened and hence made apt use of it is most definite that such a person with such an advanced psyche will prove to powerful in an all round manner. Further if such extraordinary powers are used for specific purposes that are great in stature not only such individuals benefit but that world society would prosper both materially and spiritually by leaps and bounds. Thus ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) is no less important than activities carried out with the help of the power of our 5 sense organs. If only this ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) is awakened and made wholesome use of (certainly not for exhibitionism which ultimately ruins such aspirants both materially and spiritually) one can attain much more progress than that witnessed today by modern material science.
Today in every direction of progress there is a mad onrush. Brilliant people are ceaselessly on the look out of new founts and avenues of energy. Researchers work very hard in their expensive laboratories for this goal. And yet we must focus on research pertaining to the deep layers of the human psyche. If we study ancient texts there are many examples of seers who with the help of their awakened ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) performed feats which were previously thought impossible to execute. Every page of mythology and other religious texts are proof of the fact that man possesses these divine potentials albeit in a latent state. Apart from this there are so many authentic details given by world history literature wherein we can accept wholeheartedly than in comparison to the potential used by an ordinary layman for day to day mundane activities the latent divine potential in the deep layers of his psyche is infinitely greater in measure. What is true for one human being must be true for others. Even if we ignore mythology and world history, today too we find so many brilliant people the world over, who either accidentally or with necessary efforts awakened their otherwise latent ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER). Thus they dispel all doubts regarding whether the deep recesses of our psyche harbor extraordinary powers or not.
If with required perseverance nature’s mysterious powers/energy can be unearthed and aptly made use of there is no reason to disbelieve that man cannot discover ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) in his/her psyche and make use of it wholesomely so as to elevate his/her stature and transform his/her future in an absolute manner. We all know how certain scientific inventions and discoveries have revolutionized world circumstances in a mind boggling manner. Today discovery of fire, use of currency, electricity generation and inventing alphabets of various languages may appear very ordinary but imagine how revolutionary it must have appeared years ago when they were first unearthed? These scientific achievements have played a great role in transforming an animal like man of ancient eras into a cultured and civilized human being of the 21st century. And yet all this is meager if one compares it to the awakening of ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER). There are quite a few material means that are extremely important and yet they pale miserably in front of an individual’s soul potential. If only man attains ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) of an extraordinary stature he can become infinitely more powerful than what he is today. With such attainments an entirely new chapter will open that will lead to a one way upward progress of all world beings.
It is important to note that ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) is not a boon or gift bestowed on a devotee by gods and goddesses. In fact it is firmly embedded in the deep cave of every human being’s psyche. If this ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) is not awakened and made apt use of it will lie inactive and latent. This precept is applicable equally to both animate and inanimate objects. Ere this inner latent power is discovered and made use of wholesomely even today in the 21st century we can very well execute those very divine feats mentioned in ancient literature. Ancient Indians were looked upon as divine beings and hence were honored and revered everywhere. No doubt the reason behind this was their inner qualities, activities and character and yet what stood out was their will power of a very high stature. The latter augments ones skills and radiates our psyche greatly. Today man desperately yearns to augment his material status in society so as to become powerful. Hence even such people must search for this ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) within their soul, awaken it and make wholesome use of it not only for their prosperity but that of the entire world.
The designing of the functional arena of ESP (EXTRA SENSORY POWER) is related to material designing. Ahead of this is the arena of consciousness and spirituality. Its extraordinary form is n-fold more supreme than that of RIdhi-Sidhis or Yogic Powers. Sidhis manifest via materials, bodily activities and a strong will power. This entire area lies within the periphery of Prakriti or material nature. Even though Ridhi-Sidhis are looked at with great awe yet they are but a part of the power of the material world and material success. The sense organs are gross. Its potency is called sense power. Its subtle layers are extrasensory in nature. Divine sounds and divine visions are but the subtle powers (Tanmatra) of the ear sense organ and the eye sense organ. The union of consciousness and material nature is the brain and its intelligence potential. The gross manifestations of the brain potential are called intelligence and brilliant skill and their subtle layers give us a glimpse of its extrasensory nature.
Consciousness’ even greater arena is the psyche or Antahkarana. Psyche encompasses our faith, aspirations and sensitivity. In reality this constitutes our true personality. Its inspiration perforce induces the brain to reflect and body to act accordingly. It is the chauffer of a car who decides the speed of his car’s journey and the direction in which to proceed. In the same way our psyche our psyche puts forth arguments in favor of fulfilling its desires and hence finds necessary ways in doing so. The physical body is the servant of its master viz. the mind. Despite experiencing discomfort the body must act as per the psyche’s commands. Sometimes the body may protest but ultimately it dare not disobey its master’s (psyche) orders. Those bodily and mental activities that function as per the psyche’s commands are called ones personality and stature of ones endeavor. Man is measured according to the level of this stature. This is the axis on which man’s advancement-downfall, honor-dishonor and victory-defeat rests. Ones special nature is definitely conjoined to this.
The psyche of glorious and revered human beings the world over is seen to be magnanimous and of a very high stature. The vibrations that bloom forth from their sacred aspirations evolve their viewpoint in a very wholesome manner and thus their actual activities too reflect this greatness. Thus a psyche exuding greatness makes man too great and revered in society. It is simply because the psyche of Rishis, philosophers and prophets of yore oozed with superior characteristics that they despite being ordinary human beings from the material standpoint were extraordinary from the standpoint of their high spiritual stature. With these supreme qualities they could influence the entire world and hence themselves attained reverence from all corners.
Per se the psyche is made up of psychic imprints (Sanskaras) collected from innumerous lifetimes or incarnations in the past. Hence it does not give us ‘permission’ to change it with relative speed and ease. Despite this spiritual efforts encompass those foundation stones that can ‘dig’ out and transform the psyche. Yoga practices and austerities have many advanced and basic methods. With the help of both these the potency of the body and brilliance of the intellect can be augmented greatly. Apart from this, with the help of high leveled spiritual practices (Sadhana) it is possible to totally transform the psyche from its very roots. Only those who succeed in doing this are truly revered as great personalities the world over. Of course it just does not matter even if they undergo many trying situations full of obstacles.
Amongst the most discussed supreme attainments of Spiritual Science is heavenly liberation, divine bliss of the soul, Ridhi-Sidhis and so on and so forth. Descriptions are available wherein successful people in this realm attain divine boons and God’s grace. With its help many obstacles in life are overcome and a chance to uplift oneself and others comes ones way. Their terrific potentials play a major role in solving dire contemporary world problems. In order to attain this supreme stature taints that have gathered from past innumerable life times need to be uprooted and instead sacred qualities must be imbibed in full measure. It is for this very reason that Yoga practices and austerities need to be executed. This in turn helps us attain those goals which a spiritual seeker targets. These spiritual goals attained have been described by scriptural scholars in a very attractive and decorative language. For a mental state derived from a transformed and purified viewpoint the world appears full of beauty, gentlemanliness, magnanimity and a sense of goodwill. The more one absorbs these qualities know for sure the portals of heaven will open any moment. One must not wait for death under the illusion that it will surely liberate us so as to attain Moksha. It is imperative to understand that true heaven is soul fulfillment and a joyous give and take with other beings as a result of a sacredly transformed viewpoint. Such a successful person eternally tastes the ocean of divine bliss in his/her soul. Salvation is that state wherein one never hesitates for even a micro second in renouncing tainted allurements, pressures of various kinds and decisions. Material bondage to put it in a nutshell is inner taints and unwholesome mental leanings. When one shows the required valor of uprooting this negativity and imbibing nothing but greatness is called Moksha or salvation. A person realizes he/she is none other than the Almighty God when the bondage of lowliness is cut asunder and in its place true greatness is reinstated. A student of Vedanta Philosophy accepts this reality and ultimately experiences bliss of God. Thus it prompts him/her to say “Shivoham” or “I am Shiva” and “Muktoham” or “I am liberated”.
Know for sure that a purified and sacred soul itself is God. It is within this context that we find terms like Super Man and Super Mind. This verily is the dawn of divinity in the psyche. Boons from gods and goddesses are nothing but manifestations great attainments of our purified soul. In the external world those who witness this say it is a boon of a divine authority. The branches, leaves, flowers etc of a tree are but the manifestation of roots lying invisible underneath the ground. Only immature people will say they are a ‘boon’ given by the sky. When the human psyche becomes inseparably one with greatness it experiences the divine bliss of God. If the true form, goal and apt use of the soul get firmly reinstated in the psyche’s aspiration arena, verily the veil of illusion or Maya or spiritual ignorance will be cut asunder. Thus Self/God Realization will dawn in the seeker’s soul. Self surrender means deeply adhering to God’s disciplining. True self surrender easily helps one realize God. It means that just as a piece iron put in a blazing fire becomes one with fire so too the individual soul must merge with God or the cosmic soul. This then is true God realization. It is also called God Vision (Darshan) and Self Realization. It goes without saying that wherever the influence and actions of a sanctified consciousness conjoin there one experiences a torrent of Ridhi-Sidhis. This is said to be the true goal of a human being’s life. It is called attainment of self fulfillment.
How can the microcosm (individual)/macrocosm (the world) and external/internal situations be uplifted from a mediocre state into that of a highly advanced one? The answer is one and that is purification of ones consciousness in a hallowed manner. It is called Ojas at the body level, Tejas at the mental level and Varchas at the soul level. True understanding of our psychic potency can be had from Divine Wisdom or Brahmavidya and by utilizing it or great tasks heavenly attainments come our way via spiritual practices. In this manner the psyche can be said to be the Lord of Earth. Its miracles can make this entire world magical.
The Man Who Unlocked the World
March 17, 2009 by admin
Filed under Destinations
WHEN men first went to the moon, they planned with mathematical precision where they were going and how they were going to get there. And they could communicate with home. But when Ferdinand Magellans five little wooden ships most of them about 70 feet [21 m] long, comparable in length to a modern semitrailer left Spain in 1519, they sailed into the unknown. And they were utterly alone.
Among the boldest, most courageous navigational feats of all time, Magellans voyages are a monument to the Great Age of Exploration an age of courage and fear, elation and tragedy, God and Mammon. Lets go back, then, to about 1480, when Ferdinand Magellan was born in northern Portugal, and take a look at the remarkable man who unlocked the world and at his epic journeys.
From Court Page to Fearless Mariner
The Magellan family are members of the nobility, so, as is the custom, while Ferdinand is still a young lad, he is called in as page to the royal court. Here, besides getting an education, he learns firsthand of the exploits of men like Christopher Columbus, who has just returned from the Americas after having sought a western sea route to the fabled Spice Islands (Indonesia). Young Ferdinand soon dreams of the day when he too can hear the slap of canvas overhead and feel in his face the spray of unexplored oceans.
Sadly, in 1495 his patron, King John, is assassinated and Duke Manuel, who is keen on wealth but not on exploration, takes the throne. For some reason, Manuel dislikes 15-year-old Ferdinand and for years ignores his requests to go to sea. But when Vasco da Gama returns from India, loaded with spices, Manuel smells great wealth. Finally, in 1505, he gives Magellan permission to go to sea. Magellan sets off for East Africa and India in a Portuguese armada to help wrest control of the spice trade from Arab merchants. Thereafter, he sails farther east to Malacca with another military expedition.
During a skirmish in Morocco in 1513, Magellan gets badly wounded in the knee. As a result, he limps for the rest of his life. He asks Manuel for an increase in his pension. But Manuels animosity is not lessened in the least by Magellans recent exploits, sacrifice, and valor. He sends him on his way with barely enough to live in genteel poverty.
At this lowest point in Magellans life, he receives a visit from an old friend, the famous navigator João de Lisboa. The two discuss ways of reaching the Spice Islands by going southwest, through el paso a strait rumored to cut through South America and then across the ocean that Balboa recently discovered when he traversed the Panamanian isthmus. They believe that on the far side of this ocean lie the Spice Islands.
Magellan now aches to do what Columbus failed to do find that western route to the Orient, which he believes is shorter than the eastern route. But he needs financial backing. So, still smarting from the heat of Manuels wrath, he does what Columbus himself did some years earlier he seeks the patronage of the king of Spain.
Will Spains King Listen?
With charts laid open, Magellan presents his arguments to Spains young sovereign, Charles I, who is most interested in Magellans western route to the Spice Islands, for this would preclude trespassing on Portuguese shipping lanes. What is more, Magellan tells him that the Spice Islands may actually be in Spanish territory, not Portuguese! See the box “The Treaty of Tordesillas.”
Charles is won over. He gives Magellan five old ships to refit for the expedition, makes him captain-general of the fleet, and promises him a share in the profits from the spices brought home. Magellan immediately starts to work. But because King Manuel slyly attempts to sabotage the project, it takes more than a year before the fleet is finally ready for its epic voyage.
“The Greatest Navigational Feat in History”
On September 20, 1519, the San Antonio, the Concepción, the Victoria, and the Santiago largest to smallest follow Magellans flagship, the Trinidad, the second-largest vessel, as they sail for South America. On December 13, they reach Brazil, and under the majestic gaze of Pão de Açúcar, or Sugarloaf Mountain, they enter the beautiful bay of Rio de Janeiro for repairs and provisions. Then they continue south into what is now Argentina, ever alert for el paso, the elusive passage to another ocean. Meantime, the days get colder and icebergs appear. Eventually, on March 31, 1520, Magellan decides to winter in the cold harbor of San Julián.
The voyage has now taken six times longer than Columbus first Atlantic crossing and still no strait! Morale is as frigid as the San Julián weather, and the men, including some of the captains and officers, are desperate to go home. It is no surprise when mutiny erupts. But through quick, decisive action on Magellans part, it fails, and two of the ringleaders are killed.
The presence of strange ships in the harbor naturally piques the curiosity of the hardy and big local inhabitants. Feeling like dwarfs next to these giants, the visitors call that land Patagonia from a Spanish word meaning “big feet” its name to this day. They also observe ’sea wolves resembling calves in size, and black and white geese that swim underwater, eat fish, and have beaks like crows. Yes, you guessed it seals and penguins!
Polar latitudes are prone to sudden, violent storms, and before winter is over, the fleet suffers its first casualty the tiny Santiago. Fortunately, though, the crew are rescued from the grounded wreck. Thereafter, the four remaining ships, like battered little winged moths in the thrall of unremitting icy gales, pound their way south into ever colder waters until October 21. Through spray and sleet, all eyes are locked onto an opening to the west. El paso? Yes! At long last, they turn and enter the strait that is later known as the Strait of Magellan! Yet, even this moment of triumph is tarnished. The San Antonio deliberately disappears in the maze of the strait and returns to Spain.
The three remaining ships, flanked by bleak fjords and snowcapped peaks, doggedly force their way through the tortuous strait. To the south they spot countless fires, possibly from Indian camps, so they call that land Tierra del Fuego, “Land of Fire.”
The Pacific Ordeal
After five harrowing weeks, they sail out into an ocean so peaceful that Magellan names it the Pacific. The men pray, sing hymns, and salute their conquest with their cannons. But their euphoria is short-lived. Woe beyond anything they have so far experienced awaits them, for this is not the small sea they expected it goes on and on and on, and the men get hungrier and weaker and sicker.
Antonio Pigafetta, a hardy Italian, keeps a journal. He writes: “Wednesday, the twenty-eighth of November, 1520, we . . . entered into the Pacific sea, where we remained three months and twenty days without taking in provisions . . . We only ate old biscuit reduced to powder, and full of grubs, and stinking from the dirt which the rats had made on it . . . , and we drank water that was yellow and stinking. We also ate the ox hides . . . , the sawdust of wood, and rats which cost half-a-crown each, moreover enough of them were not to be got.” Thus, as fresh trade winds fill their sails and clear water slips beneath their keel, the men lie rotting from scurvy. Nineteen die by the time they reach the Mariana Islands, on March 6, 1521.
But here, because of hostilities with the islanders, they manage to get only a little fresh food before sailing on. Finally, on March 16, they sight the Philippines. At long last, all the men eat well, rest, and regain their health and strength.
Tragedy A Dream Collapses
A deeply religious man, Magellan there converts many local inhabitants and their rulers to Catholicism. But his zeal is also his undoing. He gets involved in an intertribal dispute and, with just 60 men, attacks some 1,500 natives, believing crossbow, musket, and God will assure him victory. Instead, he and a number of his men are killed. Magellan is about 41. Loyal Pigafetta laments: ‘They killed our mirror, light, comfort, and true guide. A few days later, some 27 officers who had done no more than watch from the safety of their ships are put to death by once friendly chiefs.
When Magellan died, he fell in familiar waters. A little to the south lay the Spice Islands and to the west, Malacca, where he had fought in 1511. If, as some historians think, he sailed to the Philippines after the battle at Malacca, then he did, indeed, circumnavigate the globe though not, of course, in one voyage. He had reached the Philippines from both the east and the west.
Disaster Plagues the Homeward Run
As so few men now remain, working three ships is impossible, so they sink the Concepción and sail the remaining two vessels to their ultimate destination, the Spice Islands. Then, having loaded up with spices, the two ships separate. However, the crew of the struggling Trinidad are captured by the Portuguese and imprisoned.
But the Victoria, under the command of ex-mutineer Juan Sebastián de Elcano, gets away. Avoiding all ports bar one, they risk the Portuguese route around the Cape of Good Hope. Not stopping for victuals, though, is a costly strategy. When finally they reach Spain on September 6, 1522 three years from when they left only 18 sick, emaciated men have survived. Still, they are earths first undisputed circumnavigators. And De Elcano is a hero. Incredibly, the Victorias 26 tons of spices pay for the entire expedition!
Magellans Name Lives On
For years Magellan is denied his true place in history. Swayed by the reports of the mutinous captains, the Spanish smear his name, saying he was harsh and incompetent. The Portuguese label him a traitor. Sadly, his log vanished when he died, probably destroyed by those it would expose. But thanks to the indomitable Pigafetta one of the 18 circumnavigators and about 5 other members of the expedition, we have at least some record of this tragic, yet extraordinary, voyage.
In time, history revised its judgment, and today the name Magellan is duly honored. A strait bears his name, as do the Magellanic Clouds two fuzzy southern galaxies first described by his crew and the space probe Magellan. And, of course, we owe the name of the world’s largest ocean the Pacific to Magellan.
Indeed, “no human voyage of such importance would be made until Apollo 11 landed on the Moon 447 years later,” writes Richard Humble, in The Voyage of Magellan. Why was the voyage so important? First, it proved that the Americas were neither part of nor close to Asia, as Columbus had thought. Second, at the end of the voyage, a one-day discrepancy in dates pointed to the need for an international date line. And, finally, as science writer Isaac Asimov said, it showed that the earth is a sphere. Yes, in this latter respect, Magellan demonstrated in a practical way what the Bible itself had been saying for 2,250 years. (Isaiah 40:22; compare Job 26:7.) No doubt the deeply religious man who unlocked the world would have been pleased with that.
Gift Your Love With Gold Diamond Jewelry
Gold Diamond jewelry has repeatedly proved to be a valuable possession for people over centuries. Men and women present these types of gifts to the most loved ones. People treasure these gifts. These gifts are valued by the person who gives as well person who takes. Gold diamond jewelry is possibly the best way to convey your love to your loved ones. These jewelries are universally accepted in the form of the most precious gifts like wedding bands, engagement rings and crosses.
The elegance of gold and the gravity and valor of diamond makes gold and diamond jewelry to be the best choice for the people. Diamond rings are preferred by people as a symbol of status and has always been a special gift for women over time. White gold is very common in earrings, pendants, bracelets and necklaces. They are usually made from yellow gold by using zinc, nickel and palladium in the alloy. The white palladium alloys are soft in nature and are best for setting gemstones. The white gold is available up to 21 carat.
Such white gold when unified with diamond, it makes a special effect. It is a unique combination to design the best gold diamond jewelry for your most loved one. Usually gold is of three types; yellow gold, rose gold and white gold. The diamond price and quality is determined by the cut clarity, color and carat of a piece of diamond.
Check out some basic information while purchasing gold diamond jewelry:
If you have to purchase a wedding ring, opt for a gold ring. It is the most popular choice. People prefer gold diamond rings as the best form of engagement ring. However the gold ring may be with or without a diamond.
Gold and diamond is categorized according to carat. In case of gold, the standard form is 9K, 14K, 18K or 24K.
Gold diamond rings are in great demand. Diamond itself is a very precious stone and a rare gem. Gold is durable.
If you use a gold diamond jewelry for long and very frequently, it can remove the polish. However, gold can gain back its original luster as it is polished in the jewelry stores. Both diamond and gold have high quality properties. So their luster and radiance can be retained for a long time.
There is a wide variety of jewelry available today. But the use of gold diamond jewelry has been the most preferable usage of jewelry over time.
Your Life as a Dignified Young Man Part 1
March 11, 2009 by admin
Filed under Literature
You don’t know what time it is, not even close, but it is still dark. There is a purple wine stain on the rug, and a smell that lingers like that of an old person. It’s not death, though; that’s far too dramatic. Because eventually, everyone will wake up, and the smell will still be there. It’s like a chemistry experiment that went wrong and a gaseous cloud of vodka and Pabst Blue Ribbon has taken the life from the motionless forms strewn about the apartment floor. You spot an open cardboard box. The remaining slice of pizza has been lying untouched in the open air since the beginning of the night, to the point where the cheese is getting that stale, rigor mortis blue to it. And it looks damn tasty. That fact alone tells you everything you need to know about where you’re at mentally.
You’re not sure what revived you, but it isn’t natural causes. If for natural causes, you would still be passed out with two peoples’ coats and a mixture of Dorito shreds and empty, half-crushed cans as your blanket. Sheer instinct dictates your next move, emerging from your party cocoon and plodding towards the bathroom. The fact that you don’t step on Tommy, Gina, the bottle of Absolut still under Gina’s arm like a protected child, or the weird kid from NYU (everyone long ago stopped trying to figure out who at the party he knew) on your way to the bathroom is not mere good fortune. Good fortune is finding a still usable metro card in your coat pocket, or finding a taxi driver with equal number of vowels and consonants in their name. This maneuvering through an Irish graveyard is a miracle.
Your fortunes soon change. Seeing as he’s still laying uncomfortably in the bath tub, snoring without rhythm, and his legs hanging over the side, your first inclination is to blame The Beav for the entire bathroom floor becoming a bedpan. The living room already proved that your nose works, but the bathroom literally shoves it in your face. Someone left their urine everywhere. You don’t have any real evidence, but simply the fact that this kid is referred to as The Beav isn’t going to help his cause. Bracing yourself on the frame of the door, you lean in as far as possible, keeping your feet in the hallway and turn the shower on. You grow a lazy smile, but are disappointed when The Beav doesn’t even flinch as the water splatters his face and body, runs downhill on the folds of his shirt and gathers again below him before running to the drain. A few seconds later, you turn it off and walk back into the living room, forgetting entirely why you walked to the bathroom in the first place.
You observe the scene again, actually comprehending it this time. The song "That Smell" by Skynard comes to mind.
"Ooh, that smell … bwah wah … can’t you smell that smell …" you mumble. "Something something’s … mmmrhh … around youuu." You end with a deep chuckle. You walk to the table by the window where the pizza sits. Chuck is laying under the table, curled around the base in the fetal position. His right hand, tucked under his chin, has a crudely wrapped bandage of toilet paper or paper towels around it, and blood is soaking through. You can’t picture it, but you know that this is from earlier when he punched through something for the sake of punching through it. No wait … there was a point. Fuck … why’d he do that?
You nudge Chuck with your foot as you lift up the last slice of pizza. "Chuck, why’d you do it? You can tell me, man." He doesn’t wake up, but he does groan as his tongue flops out and sits between his lips. "I feel the same way about you, dick," you mutter with a laugh.
Then you remember. It was you. You told Chuck, no, you bet Chuck that he wouldn’t punch through something, somewhere in the apartment. There was nothing to gain from the bet, mind you, but the word itself carries enough weight. That was enough for Chuck. Nobody insults Chuck’s valor or constitution, and nobody was going to stop Chuck from proving that. So when you bet him that he wouldn’t see his fist through some object, said object didn’t have a prayer. It’s a shame that there aren’t more men with the unyielding spirit of Chuck. We should all try to be more like Chuck.
The window next to you is open, but it’s a hot, summer night in Greenwich Village, and the chances of a breeze coming in are the same as the odds of Corey Haim’s reality show spawning a career comeback. To put it another way, you wish there was a fan nearby. In the alley below, you see a stray cat hopping from garbage bag to garbage bag, and this gives you an incredible idea.
You hold the remaining half of the pizza out the window, the vertical crust hanging like a guillotine. You look at the pizza, and then look for the cat below. It’s standing still, just under the window. Everything is coming together perfectly. You look at the hobbled slice, then the stray once more, and release -
It misses, landing harmlessly in the alley. The cat sniffs it and starts to nibble on the end. You feel like you’ve been outsmarted. You probably have been. Cats will do that to you, man. Fuck cats. You wish you had another slice to drop. You wish you had another slice, period.
"Chuck, if I can drink you under the table, don’t say anything," you announce. A few moments pass. Chuck doesn’t move. "That’s what I thought, biotch." You get up and walk towards the front door of the apartment. Hunger is your lone motivation now. The mind is never as one-tracked as when you’re drunk. You want another beer. You need to go to the bathroom. You want to eat more food. You need to find a bed. The thoughts never travel together, always single file, a laundry list. If only you always were so on point as you are now. But this doesn’t bother you. Your mind is, of course, elsewhere.
"Fuckin … pizza. Yeah."
You reach for the keys on the kitchen counter, sorting through them. It’s useless; they’re not yours, and you have no way to know which one goes to the apartment, or anything else for that matter. Fuck it. You shove them in your pocket and wander out of the apartment and into the night.
Come back next Friday to see how Your night ended. Then feel free to go out reenact it over the weekend. We know you’ll do that anyway.
What is Frequency and How Does it Pertain to Essential Oils?
March 4, 2009 by admin
Filed under Diseases And Conditions
Frequency is a measurable rate of electrical energy that is constant between any two points. Everything has an electrical frequency. As measured in megahertz, grade A essential oils range from 52-320 MHz.
Bruce Tainio of Tainio Technology in Cheny, Washington, developed new equipment to measure the bio-frequency of humans and foods. Bruce Tanio and Dr. D. Gary Young, of Young Living Essential Oils, used this bio-frequency monitor to determine the relationship between frequency and disease. Some of the results of their studies are as follows:
Human Brain 72-90 MHz
Human Body (daytime) 62-68 MHz
Cold Symptoms 58 MHz
Flu Symptoms 58 MHz
Candida 55 MHz
Epstein Barr 52 MHz
Cancer 42 MHz
Death Begins 25 MHz
Processed/Canned Food 0 MHz
Fresh Produce Up To 15 MHz
Dry Herbs 12-22 MHz
Fresh Herbs 20-27 MHz
Live Sprouts 150 MHz
Essential Oils 52-320 MHz
Another part of this same study measured the frequency fluctuations within the human body as different substances were intoduced. Initially, the frequency of two individuals, the first a 26 yr. old male and the second, a 24 yr. old male was measured at 66 MHz for both.
The first individual held a cup of coffee (without drinking any) and his frequency dropped to 58 MHz in 3 seconds. He then removed the coffee and inhaled an aroma of essential oils.
Within 21 seconds, his frequency had returned to 66MHz. The second individual took a sip of the coffee and his frequency dropped to 52MHz in the same 3 seconds. However, no essential oils were used during the recovery time and it took 3 days for his frequency to return to the initial 66MHz.
Another very interesting result of this study was the influence that thoughts have on our frequency as well. Negative thoughts lowered measured frequency by 12 MHz and positive thoughts raised the frequency by 10MHz. It was also found that prayer and meditation increased the measured frequency levels by 15MHz.
Clinical research shows essential oils, having the highest frequency of any natural substance known to man, can create an environment in which microbes, disease, bacteria, virus, fungus, etc., cannot live. Truly, the chemistry and frequencies of essential oils have the ability to help man maintain an optimal health frequency.
It is wonderful to discover that essential oil frequencies are several times greater than frequencies of herbs and foods. For years, research has been conducted on the use of electrical energy to reverse disease. Scientists in the field of natural healing have believed there has to be a more natural way to increase the body’s electrical frequency.
This led to the research and subsequent discovery of electrical frequencies in essential oils. Patients felt better emotionally when oils were diffused in their rooms. It seemed that, within seconds, these patients were more calm and less anxious with little exposure and inhalation. Certain oils acted within 1-3 minutes; others acted within seconds.
It is fascinating to think that an oil applied to the bottom of the feet could travel to the head and take effect within one minute. The more results that have been seen, the more research has been initiated.
Young Living Essential Oil Frequencies:
Abundance 78 MHz
Acceptance 102 MHz
Aroma Life 84 MHz
Aroma Siez 64 MHz
Awaken 89 MHz
Brain Power 78 MHz
Christmas Spirit 104 MHz
Citrus Fresh 90 MHz
Clarity 101 MHz
Di-Gize 102 MHz
Dragon Time 72 MHz
Dream Catcher 98 MHz
EndoFlex 138 MHz
En-R-Gee 106 MHz
Envision 90 MHz
Exodus II 180 MHz
Forgiveness 192 MHz
Gathering 99 MHz
Gentle Baby 152 MHz
Grounding 140 MHz
Harmony 101 MHz
Hope 98 MHz
Humility 88 MHz
Immupower 89 MHz
Inner Child 98 MHz
Inspiration 141 MHz
Into the Future 88 MHz
Joy 188 MHz
Juva Flex 82 MHz
Magnify /Purpose 99 MHz
Melrose 48 MHz
Mister 147 MHz
Motivation 103 MHz
M-Grain 72 MHz
PanAway 112 MHz
Passion, Live w/ 89 MHz
Peace & Calming 105 MHz
Present Time 98 MHz
Purification 46 MHz
Raven 70 MHz
R.C. 75 MHz
Release 102 MHz
Relieve It 56 MHz
Sacred Mt. 176 MHz
SARA 102 MHz
Sensation 88 MHz
Surrender 98 MHz
Thieves 150 MHz
3Wise Men 72 MHz
Trauma Life 92 MHz
Valor 47 MHz
White Angelica 89 MHz
PLEASE NOTE: The information in this article is based solely on the use of 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils due to their high quality and tested purity.
The use of a brand of uncertain quality and/or purity will provide you with potentially dangerous, if not lethal, results.
The statements about these oils have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The Sexual Body Feelings and Erogenous Zones of Men
March 4, 2009 by admin
Filed under Men's Issues
There is a widespread misunderstanding by many women, and surprisingly also by many men that boys and men only have sexual feelings in their penis, or even only in their penis head. The reason why many men also carry this misconception is probably that boys often are educated to suppress corporeal sensations and to be hard.
Many erogenous zones in men and boys are best activated when the body is relaxed, and the zones are stimulated in a gentle manner. Gentle stimulation of these zones in a relaxed state can give feelings of pleasure as strong as those in the penis, and can even result in some types of strong orgasmic reactions. Here is a survey of various erotic zones in the male body, and how to stimulate the sensations in these zones. You can stimulate yourself at these zones when masturbating, or your female or gay partner can do the stimulation work.
THE SCROTUM AND THE TESTICLES
The scrotal skin and the content of the scrotum, including the testicles, are sensitive to erotic stimulation. When stimulating these genital parts, take first hold of the scrotum with your whole hand, warming it inside your hand, and massaging it gently by gripping movements. Warming and handling the scrotum gives feelings in the whole genital region. Stimulation of the scrotum also increases the blood circulation and engorgement of all the genital organs around the scrotum. The testicles are best stimulated by gentle rolling movements with your fingers. Also tickle the scrotal skin with your finger tips. A part of the penis is actually hidden partly inside and partly behind the scrotal sack, by palpating with your finger tips between the testicles or at the side under the scrotum; you can massage this part of the penis. A sharp massage with your finger tips gives the most intense sensations to this hidden root of the penis.
THE BREAST NIPPLES AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS
The nipples of a man are important erogenous zones, and a man has tits just as a woman, although the tits of a man are smaller and flatter that those of a woman. Actually a man has all the structures that a woman has in his breasts, but they are not developed to have a milk producing capacity. This means that a man’s breasts have the same erotic capacity as the tits of woman. A man’s nipples also have an erective capacity. They rise and get hard upon stimulation. When stimulating a man’s breasts, take hold of the breast with your whole hand, warming it inside your hand, and massaging it gently by gripping movements. To stimulate the nipples, massage gently around the nipples with a finger tip. Also squeeze the nipples with your fingers, varying the intensity from the very gentle nip to some harder pressure.
THE REGION BETWEEN THE PENIS AND THE ANUS
The visible penis is actually a part of a larger body beginning at the prostate region just in front of the anus, and reaches to the tip of the penis. The urethra also goes through this structure. The parts between your legs will engorge when you are sexually exited just as the penis, and when it engorges, the region bulges out between the legs. Upon mechanical stimulation, this area gives intense pleasurable feelings. You can stimulate this area by squeezing it between your fingers, pressing down against the urethra or massaging up and down along the urethra. You should change between gentle and a little harder handling, as these two manners give rise to different types of feelings.
THE NAVEL AND THE BLADDER REGION
The navel is an erotic point, and so are the structures in the middle of the belly between the navel and the penis. This structure contains a groove between the belly muscles. The structures in this groove are very sensuous, the so called linea alba. The naval can be stimulated by sticking a finger into it, and by tickling with your finger deep down in the navel. Also here you should alternate between light, gentle, slow tickling, and harder sharper tickling. This stimulation give sensations that radiate out form the navel to the surroundings, and spreads downwards to the tip of your penis, giving a very funny feeling in your penis. The groove between the navel and the penis, you can stimulate by massaging up and down with the tip of your fingers.
THE BUTTOCKS AND ANAL SURROUNDINGS
The inner sides of the buttocks in the natal cleft give rise to deep erotic feelings with a very special intimate valor. Move your fingers up and down between the buttocks from the spine to the opposite end between the legs, and gently massage the inner side of each buttock with your finger tips. You can also concentrate your attention to the region deep inside the cleft very near the anus and tickle these most intimate points with your finger tips. Further you can stretch each buttock to the side so that the butt cleft opens, and the rectal opening is also stretched. The result of these manipulations is erotic sensations that radiate to the whole pelvic area, flow deep inside you and rise upwards along your spine.
THE ANUS AND THE OUTER RECTUM
The anal region is in many ways the real central of feelings in a man or boy. By stimulating this area in the proper ways, you can create a process that spread waves of intense feelings of joy, pleasure and ecstasy up through the whole body, partly forward to the genitals and belly region, and partly along the spine up to the neck. You best stimulate the rectal opening by very gentle circulatory movements with your finger tips. Alternate between these circulatory movements and the stimulation of the insides of the buttocks. You can also stick a smeared finger into the anal opening and stimulate by gentle movements in and out. By sticking your finger further inside, you can gently massage the inside walls of the anus. By adding some pressure, your stimulation reaches deep into the tissue around the rectum. All these stimulation give rise to profound feelings radiating to the whole body.
THE DEEP PART OF THE RECTUM
The perhaps most intimate and sensitive zone of a man, is the deep part of the rectum. This zone can be reached by gay intercourse or with a dildo or some other long object. When inserting something in the anus to stimulate this zone, it is necessary to be very cautious so that the intestinal walls are not hurt. However, this zone is so sensitive that even the gentlest stimulation gives an immense depth of feelings, both of physical and psychological kind. You can stimulate this zone by gently and gradually by inserting a thin smeared dildo, and when fully inserted, very gently move it a little in and out, a little around, or press gently to different sides with the dildo. The more you relax, and the longer you do this stimulation, the deeper and more intense will the feelings grow.
THE PROSTATE
The prostate lies just in front of the anus and the urethra goes through it. This gland produces much of the viscous fluid in the semen. You can stimulate it from the outside by pressing somewhat firmly with your fingers inward just in front of the anus. There is a deepening in this area, just like a little vagina. Press your finger into this groove and a little forward. You can also stimulate the prostate by inserting your finger into the anus and massage the prostate through the front wall of the anus. The massage releases prostate fluid. Feeling the fluid coming through your urethra and dripping out through you pee-hole, add to the physical excitement. Also the prostate have its own sexual feelings, and prostate massage combined with anal stimulation can induce a form of orgasm that has a much deeper psychological and ecstatic impact than ordinary penile orgasm.
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