Journeys into the Realms

On Vox: Palin Lies About Troopergate Report

2008-10-13T01:59:50Z

Palin Makes Troopergate Assertions that Are Flatly False

“Well, I’m very very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing,” Palin said, “any hint of any kind of unethical activity there. Very pleased to be cleared of any of that.”

uh, whaaaa? Is she talking about an alternate universe??

From the report itself (downloadable directly from the state of Alaska here)

FINDINGS:

Finding Number One
For the reasons explained in section IV of this report, I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) provides
The legislature reaffirms that each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust.
Finding Number Two
I find that, although Walt Monegan’s refusal to fire Trooper Michael Wooten was not the sole reason he was fired by Governor Sarah Palin, it was likely a contributing factor to his termination as Commissioner of Public Safety. In spite of that, Governor Palin’s firing of Commissioner Monegan was a proper and lawful exercise of her constitutional and statutory authority to hire and fire executive branch department heads.
Finding Number Three
Harbor Adjustment Service of Anchorage, and its owner Ms. Murleen Wilkes, handled Trooper Michael Wooten’s workers’ compensation claim property and in the normal course of business like any other claim processed by Harbor Adjustment Service and Ms. Wilkes. Further, Trooper Wooten received all the workers’ compensation benefits to which he was entitled.
Finding Number Four
The Attorney General’s office has failed to substantially comply with my August 6, 2008 written request to Governor Sarah Palin for infomration about the case in the form of emails.

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

Blogit test post

2008-06-24T21:59:34Z

this is just a test post from my iPhone using blogit. Apologies to anyone following for all the testing.

Had this been a real post everyone's jaws would have dropped from amazement...not at the post itself, but the fact that I posted something on my blogs (vice the tumblelog or twitter)

You may now resume your "normal" (for whatever definition of normal applies) lives.

Test

2008-05-30T05:27:04Z

Testing out the new iPhone app for posting on LJ. But I think that actually trying to post something meaningful using the iPhone is probably a new, special level of hell.

The Shape of Things to Come (in Music)

2008-03-03T04:29:43Z

Obviously, Trent gets it. Every opportunity he gets to experiment with a release, he does it a little bit better. This may not be the exact future of music/merchandise distribution, but I'm willing to put a bet on longnow that this page will be seen as the precursor to how it is done.

The future lets you listen, the future doesn't rape you, and most importantly, I don't see a place for a large monolithic RIAA. I see that someone will accomplish the real mission of the RIAA -- shut down mass production counterfeiters, but I think the current RIAA will have to be scrapped and rebuilt from scratch. (The same possibly extends to the IFPI)

I'm proud for Trent. He's got the cajones and the brains to figure it out. It gives me hope that the music industry isn't absolutely beyond salvation -- Hopefully the industry will listen.

And while I'm handing out music industry warm fuzzies, give a couple to Terry McBride & MC Lars. I still don't know about Radiohead.

20080303-bdyhr4qbyhnnjph7m2fdeshdrw.jpg

[From Ghosts - Order Options]

On Vox: Northrop Wins (this round)!

2008-03-02T02:16:29Z

Proposed Tankers Head to Head (by www.DefenseNews.com)

As shown in this comparison, the KC45 is still 60% american made, with all non-US sourced parts from EU partners….so, a 25% difference in how “US made” the Northrop KC35 is vs the Boeing 767. The extra capacity, fly-by-wire, and single airframe (the 767 variant is a melding of different 767 variants) more than offset the “25% more american made” advantage for the 767. I think the Northrop KC45 is a better aircraft for the price and it appears that the USAF agrees. I just hope the AF decision holds up under scrutiny, especially after all the attempts by Boeing to scuttle and rig the competition.(via Defense News)

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

On Vox: Personal List of ME/CFS & Fibro Resources

2008-02-04T01:57:03Z

This is by no means a complete, exhaustive list, but it covers most of the places I tend to keep up with. This is a "living" list, so if anyone has suggestions for me, I'm all ears!

General Info/Discussion:
ME/CFS News
Co-Cure ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia
Sleepydust
About.com ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Homepage

Current Research Summaries & Medical Info:

Phoenix Rising**

"Official" ME/CFS & Fibro Organizations:

International Association for ME/CFS
CFIDS Association of America**
ME Association (UK)

US Governmental Webpages:
NIH Fibromyalgia Homepage
NIH ME/CFS Homepage

CDC ME/CFS Homepage**
CDC Fibromyalgia Homepage (under arthritis for some reason)

CFS Advisory Committee (CFSAC)
CFSAC Meeting Minutes**

Email lists

ME/CFS News** (many official notices from the NIH/CDC/CFSAC get posted to this list)
CFIDS-L - Action for ME/CFS
Fibromyalgia News
Co-Cure ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia **
CFSAC Listserv

**=recommended by adin

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

On Vox: My Comment on the CBS News Vet Suicide Rate Expose

2007-11-14T23:58:23Z

I'm a vet, and I can say that the treatment of vets by the VA and federal government is abysmal. The VA help system is so full of twists, turns, conflicting information, conflicting departments that I'm surprised that the number of vets on the streets and/or dead isn't even *higher*. I just received my disability rating of 170%, after a year of watching the VA foreclose on my house and living off of help from my and my wife's family (the AF wasn't paying me while it tried to figure out how to pay me as an IMA reservist on active duty in the process of being medically retired). Even though I'm housebound, I don't know that I'm going to receive any aid from the VA itself since disability is subtracted from retirement (if you have less than 20 years active service), and the "combined rating reduction system" will probably push my "payable" disability rating below the 160% required to receive additional assistance via the "special military compensation" tables. This just illustrates the byzantine system that has been set up to provide the illusion that vets are being cared for -- while in reality much effort is expended to keep from having to actually take care of (i.e. *pay* or provide assistance) veterans in need. I know that many have it worse than I do -- especially since I've gotten assistance from my incredible wife and the D.A.V. -- but I now understand how vets actually do end up on the street or end up committing suicide. Without an advocate I *would* be dead, probably by suicide. The story here is not just that vets with mental health issues aren't getting taken care of; it's that vets are being stigmatized and actively *driven* to acts of desperation even if they were previously mentally healthy. This is one of our country's biggest hidden shames -- our greatest advocates are actively being driven to acts of desperation by the very people that are there to help them

My comment on the CBS New story:Vets' Suicide Rate "Stunning", Armen Keteyian: Analysis Reveals What Some Are Calling "Hidden Epidemic" - CBS News

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

On Vox: Finally...We can breathe again!

2007-11-04T20:10:50Z

It took 14 months, much scrimping and hard work by JenniB, but it appears to have finally paid off. We just got the letter that I'm 100% (actually 130%, to be technical) disabled.

The rating means that they'll pay us retroactively to Sept. 06 and that we no longer will have to worry/stretch/beg.

Until the US implodes (which might happen considering the direction we're going), we won't have to worry about money to survive...we'll be just fine, for the rest of my life.

Now we get to start thinking about putting resources towards suing the VA for their illegal foreclosure on our house. I'm willing to either get the house back (doubtful, but they haven't sold it yet), or be recompensed for our loss and remove the foreclosure from my credit report.

And there's that little lawsuit with Northrop Grumman.....and possibly getting my VA rating stretched from 130% to 150%.

There's that ME/CFS thing. There's all that work that needs to be done, trying to get my body in as good a condition as I can. There's rapier and the SCA. There's going back to school (or Jen picking up her masters/PhD). I can go on and on.

But all that is for a different day.

Today, I'll keep my bloodied toes in the air, snuggle with Jen, and just BE for a while, enjoying the absence of abject poverty. We might even celebrate with some really unhealthy NYPD Pizza Co pizzas and calzones.

It's enough. :)

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

TenFiveBlue Released

2007-10-12T05:42:13Z

Finally got this one shaped up and posted on DeviantArt. Let me know if I dorked anything up -- I trimmed out the aqua elements and I haven't had a chance to re-test it.

TenFiveBlue by =diamondlte on deviant ART

On Vox: TenFiveBlue Desktop WIP

2007-10-03T19:32:06Z

TenFiveBlue Desktop

Here's what I'm working on, having some trouble getting system dialogs like "force quit", "authenticate", etc to skin.

Credits to Austin Heller for the Original "TenFive" theme, applefish-fr for the "MyTenFive" installer-based mod, manicho for the "Ecto" desktop, and Hicksdesign for the "iTunes" Omniweb skin.

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

The Nukes and the Plane

2007-09-23T22:40:34Z

Just after 9 a.m. on Aug. 29, a group of U.S. airmen entered a sod-covered bunker on North Dakota's Minot Air Force Base with orders to collect a set of unarmed cruise missiles bound for a weapons graveyard. They quickly pulled out a dozen cylinders, all of which appeared identical, and hauled them along Bomber Blvd to a waiting B-52 bomber...

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On Vox: QotD: I'll Beat You

2007-09-08T17:35:25Z

What game are you really good at?

I'm reasonably good at racquetball (b-level tournaments), volleyball (competitive city/state tourneys), and rapier (yes, real sword combat!)...but oddly enough, I'm a master at one really useless game: air hockey.

I actually found a tournament when I was at UF, I came in second place, with a grueling hour+ final game where my hands (mainly the blisters on my thumbs) gave out. I actually won money and the whole enchilada. I once saw a poster for an "Air Hockey League" in the Denver airport, and if I though it was at all credible, I might have gone for it.

I still play every now and then, but I can't even come close to that "zen" state I would always hit when I was "in the groove". (nothing like having an air hockey table in walking distance from your dorm to let you practice ::grin::)

I pretty much suck at every other game/sport on the planet. But somehow I got the "air hockey" gene. If anyone's ever traveling through/near Albuquerque, NM drop me a line, I'm always up for a game!

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

On Vox: QotD: If I Had Guaranteed Success...

2007-08-27T20:59:06Z

What would you attempt to do if you knew you could never fail?
Submitted by BeckyPink.

Run for political office; not sure that I would want the presidency, but I probably would want something in the executive branch.
Apply for the astronaut program
Start a no-kill animal shelter, with a goal of making the entire US "no-kill"
Start a construction business building earthship based homes.
Sue Northrop Grumman and the VA
Start a counseling organization that provided mandatory counseling training and education for all pre-teens.
Start a company to fix all interoperability issues between all platforms and militaries (aka perfect ID friend/foe)
Implement a world-wide spay/neuter program for pets
Start a eco-investment company to buy land, monetize nature's services (not products) and simultaneously use the land for production of solar energy. A 100x100km square for energy production should be enough tip the economies of scale
Pick up my PhD in Counseling, Human Factors, ComSci

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

On Vox: The Music of Razors

2007-08-12T05:44:41Z

Just finished reading cameronrogers's book (US edition), The Music of Razors.

The Music of Razors

Cameron Rogers

I'm still digesting it, trying to figure out all the threads strewn about in the story (which is not made easy by the book or by my long break in the midst of reading it). I think I liked it, but I'm not really sure yet. I'm dying to ask the author some questions (which I may address to his LJ), but I don't want to embarrass myself by asking questions that he probably answered in the book (and I just missed).

I can say with some certainty that I liked the concept of the book better than the book itself (there were 3 sides to the war in heaven, your misplaced things are gone, and there's more to the monster under your bed than you think!). I think that I would appreciate the US edition of the story more if I had gotten to read the original 2001 Australian edition (that was about 40,000 words shorter) first, and it may have lost something in its voyage over the pacific.

I'll have to let this one ferment and see if the final chapter makes more sense to me.....and I'll have to decide whether I'm brave enough to bug the author directly. I think it says something that I'm invested enough in the story and the characters that I really want to understand. (unlike the feeling at the end of a Uwe Boll movie)

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

The Bad Astronomy (Science) Review of Transformers

2007-07-06T02:44:30Z

Every time a new Michael Bay movie comes out, I swear I
â™d rather do something better, like stick a red hot screwdriver in my eye or visit the Creation Museum. Or both.

But câ™mon, giant battling alien robots!

read more | digg story

Scans of Monks' Brains Show Meditation Alters Structure, Functioning

2007-06-18T03:53:52Z

The brain, like the rest of the body, can be altered intentionally. Just as aerobics sculpt the muscles, so mental training sculpts the gray matter in ways scientists are only beginning to fathom.

The power of "right thinking" plainly illustrated with fMRI; priceless.

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Ex-Marine Won't STFU, Marines Re-Enlisting Him To Dishonorably Discharge Him

2007-06-04T07:18:51Z

UPDATE: Here's a direct link to Adam Kokesh's Blog. Wow. Absolute suspension of the right to free assembly.

Apparently leaving the service isn't enough for this administration to try to apply the UCMJ to you. You see, there's a dirty little secret -- almost everyone leaving the military is forced into the "Inactive Ready Reserve" -- it's not really optional, and it's usually for around 6 years after discharge. Supposedly this is for **extreme** emergencies, along the lines of China or the Soviet Union invading the US. But this administration is using this loophole as retribution for someone speaking out.

Understand that it is a punishable offense for any military person to speak unfavorably about anyone higher in the chain of command. It's usually covered under Article 88-91 of the UCMJ. Mind you, this isn't little stuff -- in its most extreme form, protesting can be considered treason, which can be punishable by death. This is why you don't see anyone on Active Duty saying anything, and its why several Generals have chosen retirement--so they can get their right to freedom of speech back While no one is talking treason, or even a court martial, the reactivation of a honorably discharged Non-Commissioned-Officer (Iraq vet) for the express purpose of applying the UCMJ is *unprecedented* in modern professional military history -- in "free" nations with professional militaries.

Here's the specific articles that he could be court-martialed for:

888. ART. 88. CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS

Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

889. ART. 89 DISRESPECT TOWARD SUPERIOR COMMISSIONED OFFICER

Any person subject to this chapter who behaves with disrespect toward his superior commissioned officer shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

891. ART. 91. INSUBORDINATE CONDUCT TOWARD WARRANT OFFICER, NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER, OR PETTY OFFICER

Any warrant officer or enlisted member who--

(1) strikes or assaults a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer, while that officer is in the execution of his office;

(2) willfully disobeys the lawful order of a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer; or

(3) treats with contempt or is disrespectful in language or deportment toward a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer while that officer is in the execution of his office;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

892. ART. 92. FAILURE TO OBEY ORDER OR REGULATION

Any person subject to this chapter who--

(1) violates or fails to obey any lawful general order or regulation;

(2) having knowledge of any other lawful order issued by any member of the armed forces, which it is his duty to obey, fails to obey the order; or

(3) is derelict in the performance of his duties;

shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

He is being charged as if he were active duty and not honorably discharged from the military. Once this line begins to blur, anyone that's within the IRR window should be afraid should they choose to exercise their right to free speech. (This is akin to fining a former NBA player for speaking badly about the NBA commissioner -- it really just doesn't make any sense!). This is another method to chip away at that "damn piece of paper" and the rights it provides citizens of the US.

I wouldn't have believed that this would be possible a few years back; this is something straight out of a fascism playbook. (Of course, that was before the AF made the mistake with my own orders..that cascaded into the VA taking my house).

Have we become the new Soviet Union? Should I be looking over my shoulder in case a "Political Officer" is monitoring my actions as a former member of the military?

Have we become the new Soviet Union? Should I be looking over my shoulder in case a "Political Officer" is monitoring my actions as a former member of the military?

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On Vox: QotD: I Scream

2007-06-02T21:03:58Z

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Well, I'll have to change up the question a little -- I don't really like American style ice cream all that much. First off, its really a frozen custard, second off, it has too much milk --- so the taste is all watered down.

When I lived in Europe I fell in love with gelatto & sorbettos. Rich tastes, smaller portions -- so that you became an ice cream DJ mixmaster of sorts -- if you got a medium or large size gelatto, you usually got scoops of 3+ flavors. It was all about what flavors stood on their own and which ones worked well in combination.

Limone (lemon) was a terrific base; the intense lemon flavor simply exploded on your tongue. I almost always had it in my palette/lineup when I had gelatto. When I was experimenting, I would try to find a sorbetto or fruit-based gelatto that had strong or sour tones. But nothing came close to Limone.

Chocolate/Chocolate hazelnut was usually next...providing the "deep" tones -- it was almost like the "heavy brass" section of the gelatto. The taste was always intense -- much closer to the experience of eating rich Belgian chocolate.

The third spot was usually the surprise, the wildcard, and was where I experimented the most. Most of the time I went for pistache (pistachio), stracciatella (vanilla-ish with chocolate flakes), or a mint flavor (my memory fails me as to the specific flavor names). These flavors provided the finishing touches; the coup de grace on my small symphony of flavor.

Back home in the states, I do my best to try and find good gelatti -- in Albuquerque there was an importer for a while, which brought a huge smile to my face.....and about the only true luxury that I afford my tastebuds. Unfortunately, Scotty's Gelatti went the way of the dodo, but I came across a small coffeehouse in Rio Rancho that serves a couple flavors. It's pretty good and very close to the "real" thing and is close to our current residence. I'm just hoping they survive so that every few weeks I can get my "fix". It'll be good enough. :)

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

On Vox: Educating Rudy Guliani

2007-05-25T22:13:35Z

Educating Rudy Press Conference

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

On Vox: QotD: If I Never Hear That Again...

2007-05-24T21:03:48Z

What is the one saying that your parents said to you that you absolutely hate?
Submitted by victoriassecret.

I'll have to cheat and say it's a tie between two:

"Control Your Emotions, Be A Man"

and
"Remember, External Locus of Control....You Control Yourself, No One Else Controls You"

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

On Vox: What is an encephalopathy?

2007-05-24T01:04:54Z

(Reposted from The ME Association website with permission )

he decision by researchers on the American CFS Name Change Advisory Board (meeting in Florida on 12 January 2007) to agree that a new name should be adopted for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is obviously very welcome. At the same time they have expressed support for the use of the term ME, as myalgic encephalopathy (as this is 'diagnostically accurate') rather than myalgic encephalomyelitis.

This decision has once again opened up the debate over what is the most appropriate term to use to describe the clinical, examination and pathological features of this illness.

The reason why so many clinicians and researchers now either refuse, or are extremely reluctant to use the term ME – as myalgic encephalomyelitis – is due to the continuing lack of evidence to demonstrate that the principal pathological feature is a widespread inflammatory change taking place within the brain (ie encephalitis) and the spinal cord (ie myelitis). And while there is undoubtedly some evidence of past or present inflammatory changes within the central nervous system taking place in some people with ME/CFS (mainly in research defined CFS cases) this is not the sort of evidence that would confirm a diagnosis of encephalomyelitis to a neurologist.

Evidence of past or present inflammation within the CNS can have a number of explanations and care needs to be taken to avoid drawing conclusions from existing research material (the results of neuroimaging studies in people with research defined CFS in particular) that cannot be justified on scientific grounds. Adopting this approach is also likely to be counter-productive when it comes to challenging medical opinion on the issue of nomenclature.

Consequently, some doctors, including myself, have proposed that the term encephalopathy should replace encephalomyelitis (as the E in ME) on the grounds that encephalopathy is a far more appropriate description of the neurological symptoms, signs and investigative abnormalities that have been described in the literature.

Encephalopathy is also a term that doctors cannot simply dismiss on the grounds that it is pathologically inaccurate in relation to ME (or research defined cases of CFS).

There does, however, continue to be considerable confusion over what an encephalopathy is with some people claiming, quite wrongly, that it is a psychiatric diagnosis rather than a medical diagnosis.

To provide some clarification, the key features of an encephalopathy (all of which are consistent with ME/research defined CFS) are listed below:

1 A significant and sometimes diffuse disorder of the brain that can involve both changes to structure and function.

2 A neurological disorder than can be caused by infections (viral, bacterial, prion), metabolic or mitochondrial dysfunction, exposure to toxins (eg drugs, chemicals, pesticides), lack of oxygen or blood supply to the brain.

3 A disorder that commonly produces serious disturbances in cognitive function - involving memory, concentration etc.

4 Other neurological symptoms that can be found in an encephalopathy include myoclonus (twitching of muscles or muscle groups), nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), tremor, muscle atrophy and weakness, dysequilibrium (and unsteady gait), paraesthesiae (sensory disturbances) , hypothalamic dysfunction, orthostatic intolerance and postural hypotension.

5 More serious neurological symptoms, as described in section 4.2.1.2 of the Chief Medical Officer's report (eg seizures), can also be found in encephalopathies.

6 Mood disturbances can occur.

7 Abnormalities can be found on neuroimaging, spinal fluid examination and electroencephalogra ms - depending on the cause of the encephalopathy.

Examples of well recognised neurological encephalopathies include:

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy ('mad cow disease')

Coxsackie virus encephalopathy

HIV encephalopathy (and AIDS dementia complex)

Hepatitis C encephalopathy

Liver (cirrhotic) encephalopathy

Lyme disease encephalopathy

Mycoplasma encephalopathy

Sarcoid encephalopathy

Wernicke's (thiamine deficiency) encephalopathy

This is an important debate and I am pleased that it is now taking place in America as well as here in the UK.

Dr Charles Shepherd (UK)
[Posted in a personal capacity]

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

On Vox: QotD: This Is Who I Am

2007-05-23T00:22:56Z

In 5 words or less, who are you?
Submitted by dejablu503.

All-Life-Love, Explorer, Curious, ME/CFS-Haunted, Fully Aware

I cheated a *little*. :)

Originally posted on adin.vox.com

Why Bush hasn't been impeached

2007-05-23T00:01:46Z

There is a strange disconnect in the way Americans think about George W. Bush. He is extraordinarily unpopular. His approval ratings, which have been abysmal for about 18 months, have now sunk to their lowest ever. Yet the public's dislike of Bush has not translated into any real move to get rid of him. Why? The main reason is obvious...

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Pentagon Making Preparations To Keep Tens Of Thousands in Iraq for Decades

2007-05-22T22:04:39Z

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Peter Pace uttered a âœcarefully wordedâ statement revealing that the Pentagon had no plans to fully withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq if legislation passes Congress mandating troop redeployment:

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10 Animals That May Go Extinct in the Next 10 Years

2007-05-21T23:59:14Z

Today we are witnessing what some experts believe to be the "sixth wave of extinction," a species diminution that appears to be the handiwork of humankind. Experts estimate that the current extinction rate is somewhere between 100 and 1,000 times higher than the background rate.

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