The Triple M Diaries

Having trouble with Netscape freezing

2007-04-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, I switched my browser to Safari. Now maybe I can reconstruct this blog. More later.

Still Getting Blog Back into Shape

2007-03-01T11:09:00.000-08:00

Well, here we go again. Hopefully, the format is better now. I'll get the links fixed soon.

New Blog format

2007-02-16T10:59:00.000-08:00

Wow. Lost my links. Going to have to re-do this blog.

So What's the Subject -- Or The Point?

2006-09-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

If you have spent any time perusing this blog, you have probably noted that the subject is whatever strikes me that day. So what is the point? Ok, life is complex, polarities in thinking don't address any reality that I know of. Therefore, this blog reflects that attitude. So don't be surprised that what you may find here is whatever the muse has whispered in my ear. Until next time....

25 Most Censored Stories for 2005-06

2006-09-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

Project Censored (Sonoma State University) Announces the Release of the Top 25 Most Censored Stories for 2005-06 (ie those stories that the corporate media marginalized and/or ignored last year).

You can find the entire review of these stories in "Censored 2007: 30th Anniversary Edition" from Seven Stories Press, available at: http://www.projectcensored.org/

1. Future of Internet Debate Ignored by Media
Throughout 2005 and 2006, a large underground debate raged regarding the future of the Internet. Referred to as "network neutrality," the issue has become a tug of war with cable companies on the one hand and consumers and Internet service providers on the other.

2. Halliburton Charged with Selling Nuclear Technologies to Iran
As recently as January of 2005 and a decade before Halliburton sold key components for a nuclear reactor to an Iranian oil development company in violations of US sanctions.

3. Oceans of the World in Extreme Danger
Sea temperature and chemistry changes, along with contamination and reckless fishing practices intertwine to imperil the world's largest communal life source.

4. Hunger and Homelessness Increasing in the US
The number of hungry and homeless people in US cities continued to grow in 2005.

5. High-Tech Genocide in Congo
The world's most neglected emergency is the ongoing tragedy of the Congo, where six to seven million have died since 1996 as a consequence of invasions and wars
sponsored by western powers trying to gain control of the region's mineral wealth.

6. Federal Whistleblower Protection in Jeopardy.
Special Counsel Scott Bloch, appointed by President Bush in 2004, is overseeing the virtual elimination of federal whistleblower rights in the US government.

7. US Operatives Torture Detainees to Death in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The American Civil Liberties Union released documents of forty-four autopsies held in Afghanistan and Iraq October 25, 2005. Twenty-one of those deaths were listed as homicides. These documents present irrefutable evidence that US operatives tortured detainees to death during interrogation.

8. Pentagon Exempt from Freedom of Information Act
In December 2005, Congress passed the 2006 Defense Authorization Act which renders Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) "operational files" fully immune to FOIA requests, the main mechanism by which watchdog groups, journalists and individuals can access federal documents.

9.The World Bank Funds Israel-Palestine Wall
Despite the 2004 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision that called for tearing down the Israel-Palestinian Wall-construction of the Wall has accelerated using World Bank funds.

10. Expanded Air War in Iraq Kills More Civilians
A key element of Bush's drawdown plans in Iraq includes increased uses of airpower. Expanded air strikes will likely lead to increased civilian deaths.

11. Dangers of Genetically Modified Food Confirmed
Several recent studies confirm fears that genetically modified (GM) foods damage human health.

12. Pentagon Plans to Build New Landmines
The US plans to resume production of antipersonnel landmines.

#13 New Evidence Establishes Dangers of Roundup
New studies reveal that Roundup, the most widely used weed killer in the world, poses serious human health threats.

14. Homeland Security Contracts KBR to Build Detention Centers in the US
Halliburton's subsidiary KBR has been awarded a $385 million contingency contract by the Department of Homeland Security to build detention camps in the United States for immigrations surges and "news programs."

15. Chemical Industry is EPA's Primary Research Partner
The American Chemical Council is now EPA's leading research partner.

16. Ecuador and Mexico Defy US on International Criminal Court
Ecuador and Mexico have refused to sign bilateral immunity agreements (BIA) with the US, in ratification of the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty, despite the Bush Administration's threat to withhold economic aid.

17. Iraq Invasion Promotes OPEC Agenda
The US occupation of Iraq has been used by the US to acquire access to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

18. Physicist Challenges Official 9-11 Story
Research by Brigham Young University physics professor, Steven E. Jones, concludes that the official 9/11 explanation for the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings is implausible according to laws of physics.

19. Destruction of Rainforests Worst Ever
New developments in satellite imaging technology reveal that the Amazon rainforest is being destroyed twice as quickly as previously estimated.

20. Bottled Water: A Global Environmental Problem
Consumers spend a collective $100 billion every year on bottled water in the belief-often mistaken-that it is better for us than what flows from our taps. Worldwide, some 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year.

21. Gold Mining Threatens Ancient Andean Glaciers
Barrick Gold, a powerful multinational gold mining company, planned to melt three Andean glaciers in order to access gold deposits through open pit mining.

22. Billions in Homeland Security Spending Undisclosed
More than $8 billion in Homeland Security funds has been doled out to states since the September 11, 2001 attacks, but the public has little chance of knowing how this money is actually being spent.

23. US Oil Targets Kyoto in Europe
Lobbyists funded by the US oil industry have launched a campaign in Europe aimed at derailing efforts to enforce the Kyoto Protocol against global warming.

24. Cheney's Halliburton Stock Rose Over 3000 Percent Last Year
Vice President Dick Cheney's stock options in Halliburton rose from $241,498 in 2004 to over $8 million in 2005, an increase of more than 3,000 percent.

25. US Military in Paraguay Threatens Region
South American countries are concerned that a massive air base at Mariscal Estigarribia, Paraguay is designed to be a US military stronghold in the region.

Contact Information:

Project Censored
Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-664-2500
censored@sonoma.edu
Full reviews of the stories are available at:

http://www.projectcensored.org

If you haven't seen this blog....

2006-06-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

Go here, fellow-writer-seeking-to-be-published:

http://misssnark.blogspot.com/

Miss Snark, agent extraordinaire shares her vast knowledge. Warning - nitwits and nitwittery thoroughly skewered.

A Long Break

2006-05-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

Got a wonderful hand-written note from the agent. Unfortunately, ".. the agency is not right for the manuscript." So, hey, there's got to be an agency right for the manuscript somewhere. Ok, I'm an optimist. It's actually past time to send out a new batch of queries. Teaching two new courses got me behind a bit. That was my last excuse to avoid rejection. Well, I'm getting a thicker skin. The semester is almost over and I have no excuses not to send out queries and get back to work on the next book.

Seeking an Agent

2006-03-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

Have sent out queries seeking an agent. My novel is a 107,000 word science fiction fantasy. So we will see what happens.

Respect

2006-01-15T12:55:00.000-08:00

Now we have idiots questioning Murtha's purple hearts. This has got to end. No one questioned them until he used his constitutional right of free speach -- in particular when he critized the administration on our actions in Iraq. You're not a patriot unless you tow the party line? When did the Bill of Rights become an unpatriotic piece of paper?
Bottom line - Murtha put his life on the line, multiple times, in defense of his country. What have his detractors done?

Friday the 13th

2006-01-13T21:21:00.000-08:00

Superstition?

Back to College

2006-01-09T20:32:00.000-08:00

It's been a week of working on syllabi for classes. It occured to me that the days of student excuses for late or non-existent work like 'the dog ate my paper' are over. Here are a few questions/comments I've heard in recent years. These are the ones that come easily to mind. I may add more later. Feel free to add your own, if you wish.

1. I missed last class. Did I miss anything important? (or) Did you say anything important?

(Nah, I recited the pledge of allegiance and the entire multiplication table - backwards, for three hours)

2. I forgot that the paper was due today. I forgot to read the syllabus.

3. What chapter are we covering tonight?

(Hello! You just admitted to me that you're not prepared for class.)

4. What you said isn't true! I heard on XXXXX's talk show that...

(okaaaay)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2005-12-16T15:37:00.000-08:00

A happy new year to all. Perhaps 2006 will bring enough changes that our troops will return home safely, the lies will end, and more men and women of honor will serve this nation in the highest positions of leadership. It can happen if we demand accountability. In fact, it's started, look at the polls.

May your holidays be full of joy and peace.

Holiday Musing

2005-12-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

Well, a 100 or so words on the new novel is more than 0. What a year this has been. I'm wondering -- who reads anymore? What do they read? If there are actually any readers of this blog, can you take a moment and share whether or not you read books any more? If so, what?

And We're Off!

2005-11-25T19:49:00.000-08:00

I don't have many words written, but it got me going on the new novel. Hurray for that. There's still time for people to sign up.

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Go for it -- and good luck. I'll post more here when I get a good chunk of the new piece finished.

Weeks later: Nov 25: Only 100 words written. Well, papers to grade, tests to grade, etc., and hospital appointments probably made this challenge all but impossible.

National Novel Writing Month

2005-10-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Can you write 50,000 words in one month -- and remain sane? Should we out-stress ourselves into some zone full of caffeine, weird giggles and twitches? Hey why not; life hasn't been 'normal' for quite awhile now. Let's go for it. Set your clocks and calendars for the madness to begin -- midnight November 1 to Nov 30th.

If I succomb to the temptation to join in this lunacy, I'll post daily what's left of my thoughts as we go.

You have a great day, ya hear?

Reality Central

2005-10-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how a diagnosis of breast cancer in the immediate family can bring you up short and make you question what's important. Disasters and cancer -- all life threatening conditions. Neither of which seem imminent in one own's life. Oh sure, the probabilities are there -- for others. But when either becomes real, up close and personal, well, life is not fair, is it?

More later on this topic when I have words.

Hurricane Rita

2005-09-21T00:08:00.000-07:00

Looks like the Gulf is in for it again. Good luck to folks on the coast. Let's hope that Hurricane Rita doesn't do much damage and that we don't run out of the alphabet this year before hurricane season ends!

This Blog Was Never Meant to Be Political ...

2005-09-13T23:29:00.000-07:00

it evolved that way due to circumstances that could not be ignored. The effects of Hurricane Katrina are still being felt on many levels. It was the tipping over of public outrage at the lack of adequate response to Katrina that resulted in Mr. Bush's admitting to some responsibility for the debacle. Accountability -- we can have it if we, as citizens, will only hold our leaders to it. It is not an issue of red states or blue states. It is not an issue of liberalism or conservatism. It is ultimately an issue of survival of the united states.

Looks like less than 10,000 deaths

2005-09-09T23:08:00.000-07:00

The good news is that it looks like the death rate in New Orleans will be less than predicted. But still, too many lives were lost and so many people lost everything due to gross negligence and incompetence. Goodbye to Michael Brown. "Brownie, you did do a heck of a job" -- not. Hopefully, we will be seeing more officials being held accountable for their actions and/or inactions very soon. One can hope.

Mayor Nagin: 10,000 Deaths Possible

2005-09-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a quote from an open letter published in The Times-Picayune (Louisiana's largest newspaper) to President Bush:

"We're angry, Mr. President, and we'll be angry long after our beloved city and surrounding parishes have been pumped dry," the editorial said. "Our people deserved rescuing. Many who could have been were not. That's to the government's shame."

"Every official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency should be fired, Director Michael Brown especially," the letter said. "No expense should have been spared. No excuses should have been voiced."

Add my vote to that. Add also my disgust at President Bush and other officials for their inadequate and slow response to this disaster. Leadership at the highest levels? Mumbo-jumbo contradicted by tv footage. Spin and photo ops presented as leadership. If this is what we can expect (and I don't see any indication that anyone in the administration learned anything from what happened), then God help us when the next disaster happens. FEMA, Homeland Security, and the President can't/won't admit any mistakes - just spin, spin, spin. Look for them to shift the blame to the state level -- onto the very people who actually were there exhibiting leadership.

How many people have to die at home and abroad before the sheer imcompetence of the current administration sinks in. Hold our leaders accountable!

Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned

2005-09-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

Bush finally left his ranch, turned his gaze from his base to the state of Louisiana; Condi attended a Broadway show and shopped for shoes; and Cheney is not to be seen. Meanwhile, grandmothers were left stranded in wheelchairs (and some died) in and outside the New Orleans Superdome and Convention Center. People 'live' on overpasses still waiting to be evacuated. The heads of FEMA and Home Land Security knew less about what was happening than the tv audiences watching CNN. This is the United States of America and we have no leadership. CYA and spin are the order of the day from the top man down. Photo ops imitating leadership have replaced timely responses to catastrophe. Demand better of our so-called leaders. It's time to clean house and kick these clowns out. This is beyond 'red state', blue state'; this is a wake up call for the United States.

Of Trees Horizontal and Vertical

2005-08-27T02:27:00.000-07:00

Since I seem to be at a plateau with my stories, images and shapes have become a major interest. If personal history repeats, all of this will come together in ways that will surprise me. It always does.

Images in Oak and Moss

2005-08-20T01:25:00.000-07:00

Imagine -- and what story emerges with the faces?

Ghost Horse Chronicles

2005-08-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

There's a rational explanation for the ghost horse pic. However, does the rational explanation accurately capture what occurred? The two horses in this photo shoot were brown. The grey horse? Probably light reflecting from the horse's hide. Or... think about it; the 'or' is a lot more fun to ponder and write about. Besides, I just came back from a week spent camping at a lake. I shot some pics of moss hanging from the limbs of oak trees. Eyes and/or faces are peering out. What is it that my camera 'sees' that I don't until later?

8-16-05, 11:20 pm.

I haven't downloaded the moss and oak pics yet to post here. What I've seen so far is a bit spooky; but what I see may truly be only for the eye of the photographer. Catch the indie movie, "What the Bleep do we know" and check out how some scientists explain such concepts as string theory, 11 possible dimensions, and neural communication patterns within the brain in terms of subjective and objective reality. So cool, what does this have to do with creatures peeking out among the moss and oak?
Not sure, could have to do with the old philosophical question of what is reality? For a writer, you've got to ask: are they peeking out asking for their story to be told? And, what about the ghost horse? What is his story?

New Links

2005-07-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

The well-known aren't always talented and the talented aren't always well-known. I've posted links to the websites of two talented people who folks should really check out - Warren and Trabal. Enjoy and support their work!

Insomnia Express Cyber Cafe

2005-07-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

Midnight at the Insomnia Express Cyber Cafe. To all of the night owls, welcome. The brain wakes up as the body starts looking to get horizontal. Obsessions running amok? Naw, just elusive characters floating around who won't settle down in the novel they cried out for. Contrary folk. Just when I think I have a handle on them, off they flit to the fartherest reachs of my mind jabbering the same type of nonsense heard at cocktail parties. Usually I give up and go to bed. Back they creep wanting their oh so important say. Recent history says I will get up and said characters will fade away as I stare once again at a blank page. Not tonight.

Welcome to midnight at the Insomnia Express Cafe. Pour yourself a cup. I'll catch you later.

A Week or So Later: Another night at the cafe. Characters are still milling around and talking amongst themselves -- leaving me behind as usual. Guess someone will stop long enough to tell me what's going down so that I can write about it. Who said writer's were sane? Actually, it *is* all in my head; so no problem. Sooner or later the mix will happen and the words will poor forth. Just don't be boring, guys, ok?