Programming my next incarnation

MY BIRTH DAY, DAY ONE:

It is sometime between November 15 2053, and November 15, 2073.  A few hours ago  I fell asleep.  I have awoken to a dream, a bright light  at the end of a tunnel is opening up before me. I can hear the muffled sound of machines, and peoples voices and alarms coming from the light, which I now see is a portal. I am being swept along, closer and closer to the light.

As I am discharged from my mother’s womb, I have to close my eyes. The light is too bright. I feel the slight pain as my umbilical cord is clipped and I am totally separated from my mother. I am being passed around from person to person, and finally my mother takes me in her arms, “what a beautiful boy you are,” she says to me and kisses me. She is SO HUGE!  Everyone and everything is huge! It finally dawns on me what has happened: a few hours, days, weeks, ago I was a retired journalist living with my wife in Eureka California.  Now I am a new born infant. The last I remember from my old life was Ceridwen, my wife and soul mate of many lifetimes, kissing me and saying good night. I have no memories of anything between then and now.

My mother presents her teat to me, and  I greedily suck down her nourishing milk. There is nothing much I can do at this point. I don’t seem to have any control over my bladder or bowels, nor can I walk. I realize that I need to recover, to grow and evolve. I can do that. But right now I need to sleep.

I awake a few hours later. I look around the room I am in, but the high walls of the bassinette I am in don’t let me see too much. The only way I have to communicate is to cry as loud as I can, so that’s what I do. Also, my butt and genitals are wet and there is a mushy substance, and I am hungry.

A man comes to me and takes me from the bassinette. I’m trying to get a good look at him.  I know this is not my mother.  He strips the diaper from me, cleans me up with some cloths and puts a fresh diaper no me. Then he carries me into another room, where my mother awaits in her bed. He hands me over to her, and she once again presents her breast to me. I hungrily take in as much of her milk as I can, and I fall asleep in the process.

I have roughly figured out that about six days have passed since my birth. I have ascertained that from what I can remember from past lives, when I raised children of my own. Days seem to be twenty four hours long. The first few days after my birth, the breast was presented to me about every hour. After a few weeks this was cut down to every three hours. Now it happens every four.  In between feedings I sleep, but I am starting to take time to think about what is happening to me, and also to calculate the passage of time, and I am starting to take note of my surroundings.

The man who comes to me sometimes when I cry I think must be my father. He’s a big guy (well, everyone is big except me).  He has hair on his face which I can reach for with my hands and pull. This makes him laugh. He is also wearing some metal object that covers his eyes. I grab at that too. He picks me up and holds my chest against his shoulder. I can see what is behind him. I notice he wears something on his head. I grab at that, but it is attached somehow. He has lots of hair on his head. I have no hair. Not anywhere. He hands me off to mother.

DAY EIGHT:

After I drink her milk. She looks at me and says, “It has been eight days since you came into our life. Your father and I have something special planned. We’re going to Temple now. We’re going to see the mohel!”  

My mother has dressed me up. I can’t really see how I look, but from the way she is looking at me I must look pretty good. They bundle me up and place me in a special chair, sitting upright and I am in the car and facing the back of the seat. I can’t tell where we are going.

I am taken into a building. There are lots of adults there, but also smaller versions of themselves, all milling around.  I hear music for the first time in my life. I think I remember this first song from my past life: “Kol od balevav penimah…” I hear some men speaking, praying. Four men and my father now surround me. I am on my back looking up at them. I see my mothers face peering lovingly at me, from just behind my father, so I have no fear. The men all have beards  and are all wearing the little hat like my father wears They are also wearing a kind of white and blue cape like thing. As the men pray they take my diaper off, and then …..OUCH! I cry. That really, really hurt! Then a big celebration happens. There is singing and dancing and I am paraded about on my fathers shoulders, and I forget about the pain I have just endured.  Then my mother comes and gets me, and presents her breast. I drink and fall asleep.

SIX MONTHS:

Mom withheld her breast today, at least at first. She gave me a spoonful of something fruity and somewhat solid. It was pretty good. After that she gave me her breast and I then I fell asleep.

1 YEAR, 4 MONTHS:

Mom has been withholding her breast more and more, and feeding me other food from a spoon more and more. Today, after breakfast she took my diaper off, but she didn’t replace it. Instead she sat me on the toilet. It was big!  And kinda scary.  She told me to let her or dad know if I had to pee or poop. To not go in my pants.

I started speaking about five months ago, so now pretty proficient at telling my parents what I need.  My dad has started to teach me how to read Hebrew, and my communication skills have vastly improved because of that.

1 YEAR, 6 MONTHS:

Today was the last day my mother breastfed me. I am pretty proficient at using a spoon and a sippy cup.  I have not worn a diaper over night for the past three months and I rarely have an accident. Also, I have started to dress myself. I haven’t quite mastered tying my shoes yet. But I’m getting better.

2 YEARS:

My father has started to speak in another language to me, and has shown me some books in that language. It is called English. It’s in a whole different alphabet.

My father is a Rabbi. My mother is a gynecologist.  We live in the new city of Jerusalem in Israel. In addition to being a medical doctor my mother is also the department head of the gynecology dept at Hebrew University Medical School.

4 YEARS:

I start preschool this year. My parents have relocated to a Kibbutz that is mostly made up of people in the professions and the tech industries. I’ve been in pre-school for six weeks. My teachers don’t think I belong there. I am so much more advanced than the other kids.  In January the decision was made to advance me to Second Grade, as my reading proficiency is far beyond what I’ve been exposed to in pre-school.

5 YEARS: 

I’ve been reading books from our Kibbutiz library computer.  The books I was given in Second Grade just weren’t challenging to me.  I stated to read some classic Science Fiction, like Heinlein, Asimov and some fantasy like Tolkein.

5 YEARS 2 MONTHS:

When I arrived at school today I was ushered into the headmasters office. My test results came back, and it has been decided to advance me into the Eighth Grade.

The thing that has been happening, over and over again, is that when new material is presented to me I already know it. It’s like it’s been lying dormant in a corner of my mind, waiting to be coxed out.  They tell me that my reading level is at Ninth Grade level, and my mathematics skills are bordering on calculous.  History has been a breeze, since, as mentioned before, I know historical information before it is presented.  It is almost as if I had learned all this stuff in a past life, and retained it all as memory.

7 YEARS, 6 MONTHS:

I have a baby sister! Her name is Ruth. I plan on teaching her all that I know. Just as soon as she quits using diapers.

12 YEARS, 6 MONTHS:

I graduated from High School today.  Next week is my Junior College graduation. I’ve already started on my Junior Year at Hebrew University.

13 YEARS:  

I was Bar Mitsvah today. My dad was the presiding Rabbi.

14 YEARS:

I received my Bachelors Degree in Applied Science from Hebrew University.

15 YEARS:

I received my Masters Degree in Astrophysics.

15 YEARS, 3 MONTHS:

I was awarded a PHD in Astrophysics.  At this rate I should get a Nobel Prize by the time I reach 21. Maybe.

I started my job at Hebrew University. I’ll be a teaching professor in Astronomy. In the meantime I am studying exoplanets in the Andromeda Galaxy. I’ve been granted access to the newly deployed Tyson (Named after the late Neil Degrasse Tyson) Space Telescope.

18 YEARS:

I’ve been dating a girl from our kibbutz for about a year now. Her mother is from Korea (and has converted to Judaism) and her father is a close friend of my mothers who is a neurosurgeon. Her name is Zelda and we have many of the same interests, including Science Fiction and roll playing games. She’s studying to be an astrophysicist too. She’s about two years older than I am, but that’s not something I am worried about.

18 YEARS, 7 MONTHS:

Zelda just informed me that she is pregnant.  We will meet with all four of our parents at Shabbat dinner tonight. This does not promise to be a very pleasant evening.

18 YEARS, 10 MONTHS: 

Zelda and I were married today. The wedding was held in the Kibbutz park, and the entire community attended, as well as most of the staff from Hebrew University. My father presided, my best friend Jacob, was best man, and my sister Ruth was the flower girl.

19 YEARS, 4 MONTHS:

Zelda gave birth to identical twins.  I am a dad. We named them Jordana and Jessica.

19 YEARS, 11 MONTHS:

My sister Ruth had her Bat-Mitzvah today. She did really well reading the Torah portion.

21 YEARS:

On a lark Zelda and I took a night off from the kids and drove into Sefad, the Kabbalistic “capital” of Israel. We visited a psychic medium named Deva who told Zelda some things that I immediately concurred with.  In her immediate past life, Zelda’s name was Ceridwen. We were married at that time, and in fact have spent many, many lifetimes together. In our immediate past life, she had grown up in Upper Michigan and I in Chicago.  We met each other at age 46 in California, circa 1998. Zelda and Ceridwen apparently had more in common than just, well, me:  Both were/are fascinated by the ancient Celts and specifically Wales and Scotland. Both were/are enamoured of Highland “coos.” Both of them were/are astrologers.

Now I know what “on the nose” means.

Many paths lead up the mountain

“Many paths lead up the mountain,
but at the top we all look at the same bright moon.”

~~ Ikkyu ~~

I believe that all belief systems, even some of the monotheistic ones, have some truths to offer, even if the whole package leaves something to be desired. We can treat these systems as “buffets of belief,” picking the items we find palatable, and discarding those we find distasteful, and thus add new flavors to our own smorgasbord of belief.

There are numerous examples within Reformed Druidism of this. We embrace Robert A. Heinlein, yet eschew his ultra-libertarian leanings. He was a great writer, who told us our favorite stories, but his politics were just plain wrong. Another one is Leslie Fish, whose filk songs are genius, and gave us our orders official hymn, but like Heinlein, her politics are anathema.

We admire the Dalai Lama, as his teachings for the most part are very compatible with Druidic thought. On the other hand, he is a monarchist, and would probably return Tibet to religious feudalism.

I myself am particularly informed by Kabbalah. I even wear a red string! But Jewish monotheism has really only attracted me since October 7th, 2023.

We believe in, and promote, naturism. Some fundy christians do too. Should we reject naturism then? How about polyamory? Some mormons practice a form of that. Shall we reject the idea because of it’s associations? We embrace the idea of intentional community, and we even have a plan to implement that someday. But many christians like the idea too. Shall we toss that idea in the trash as well?

“WE THE PEOPLE…”

These aren’t just empty words without meaning. They are magick. They were written by magicians. Yes, the founding fathers were magicians. They were Freemasons, and back then (not so much today) those words were a magick spell, a spell that proclaimed to the whole world that WE THE PEOPLE — WE THE COLLECTIVE OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES –we would be in control of OUR (not “my”, not any one individuals) OWN DESTINY.

What happens in Washington, WE make that happen. Yes, we’ve lost track of things, and yes, and few very rich guys have taken over a few things, but WE THE PEOPLE are still in control, and those of us who use magick can take it all back.

Capitalism is an imperfect system if allowed to just run on it’s own, will allow countless people to starve to death. WE THE PEOPLE — WE THE COLLECTIVE THAT GOVERNS THESE UNITED STATES — we know that if one man is homeless, if one child is hungry, if one person lacks an income WE ALL SUFFER for that. Individualism is a LIE. It’s a very temporary condition, that lasts from the day you are born until the day you die. And then it ends, and you merge back into the collective. THOU ART G-D. That’s what it means. We are here, in this temporary condition, to learn to take care of each other. To overcome the illusion of our individuality. In the deeper reality, the collective is all that there is, and all that has meaning. WE ARE OUR BROTHERS KEEPER. We use government to protect those who through no fault of their own, have fallen victim to capitalistic excess. We use government to put restraints on businesses so that they don’t clearcut the forests; or do what ever the hell they want just for profit because they feel they are “free” to do so.

It’s simple: when my mitral valve failed and had to be replaced, so did yours. So did everyones. Everyone is connected — no one is separate, and that is why we have welfare and food stamps, and why most of the world enjoys free healthcare, and free public education, and much much more (and yes we here should too).

WE THE PEOPLE can take it back, and make this country what it was destined to be — not the United States of (North) America — the United States of the World. Yes, ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT — by the people, for the people, for (WE) THE PEOPLE. Do you honestly believe that the Constitution was written for just 13 states? It was written for the whole world!

 

An email from Duck L’Orange

Honestly, I do not know how I got on this mailing list. Reading it, it’s just one outlandish lie after another. Even the first line is a lie: I have never contacted the White House. I’ll put an asterisk next to every lie I found and bolded it:

Thank you for *contacting the White House.

This Labor Day weekend, President Donald J. Trump *continues to deliver historic victories for the American people.

As a direct result of President Trump’s *pro-growth, *pro-American energy agenda, this weekend, *gas prices are at their lowest price since 2020.  Additionally, *hotel rates are down about 11%, *domestic airfares are down 6% from last year, and *car rental costs are down 3%.  Just as President Trump promised, *America is becoming affordable again.

President Trump *continues to put American workers first.  *Blue-collar wages are rising, private sector *job growth is exploding, *domestic steel production is booming, and the President’s historic *trade deals and landmark tax cuts are *propelling unprecedented opportunity, growth, and success for American families.

American *pride is also roaring back.  This week, President Trump signed an Executive Order to restore respect, honor, and sanctity to the American flag and prosecute those who desecrate this universal symbol of our freedom, identity, and strength.  The *Trump Administration’s revolution of common sense continues—and once again, we are a Nation that cherishes our history and respects our great American traditions.

*Stable prices, booming jobs, and rising confidence are lifting every corner of our Nation—and President Trump is only getting started.

To learn more, visit WhiteHouse.gov.

Here is the email I replied with:

Do you get a commission for every lie you tell?  Because I can tell whenever Duck L’Orange (my name for our POTUS) tells a lie: his lips move. Thank Hashem, when and however tRump leaves office, no Republitard will ever serve in that office again.

My reply email bounced, because the email address it was sent to (which was coded into the original) was noreply@contact.whitehouse.gov  See, they don’t even have the guts to allow comment on their lies.

Am I a hypocrite?

Maybe.  There are lifestyle modalities that I have promoted and taught to people over the years that, for whatever reason, I haven’t been able to  practice myself. But I don’t believe that it is totally my own fault. Is it?

Back in High School, my best friend, Louis Dolmon gifted me with a copy of Robert Heinlein’s Stranger In A Strange Land (SiaSL).  This book had a major impact on me, and in fact still does to this day.  There were a few other novels of Heinlein’s that I enjoyed and which shared some of the same themes.  The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, The Door Into Summer, and Friday, to name just a few.  The particular themes that I most responded to were those of Polyfidelity (group marriage), naturism, (social nudity) and intentional community.  I have taught the merits of all of these over my “Pagan” career, and encouraged people to practice them. However, personally, I have only partaken of one of these myself, and even then not for a very long time.  I live in Israel for the better part of 1974 in an intentional community; a kibbutz.

The rest? Not so much. Well, not at all. But we (Ceridwen and I) tried to make things manifest.

NATURISM (AKA, Nudism, AKA, social nudity):

Prior to Ceridwen, I was “married” to Qadisha, and lived in Santa Cruz County, CA. She knew of my interest in naturism, but oddly, never allowed me to be exposed to it, even though there was plenty of opportunity in Santa Cruz.  There were five clothing optional beaches, two  hot tub “spas” with community tubs, and there was Lupin Lodge up in the Santa Cruz mountains.  I went to a clothing optional beach exactly once, by myself.  I also went to Kiva a couple times, by myself. I also enjoyed a free pass to Lupin Lodge once.  I loved all of it, but I hated being by myself. Also, as I discovered at Lupin, single males are discouraged from this lifestyle. I like people. I wanted friends who had shared interests, but Qadisha, I guess, was “protecting” me. I remember going to Well Within once with Qadisha, who did not know that I knew the nature of the business.  She asked me to stay in the car while she went in to conduct some business (was she scoring some weed?).

While living in Santa Cruz, I joined the Church of All Worlds (CAW), and attended a meeting at the home of Tom and Joy Williams, who were leaders in CAW.  CAW (as it was inspired by SiaSL) held  a reputation for promoting polyfidelity and naturism. The meeting was intended to organize a “nest” (congregation) of CAW. Nothing really jelled with that, but I did meet the man who would become my Santa Cruz “best friend,” Duane Adam Rostoker (aka: “Adam Walks Between Worlds”).

In 1998 we moved from Santa Cruz to Ashland OR, and that was the end of opportunities for naturist adventures.

It was in Ashland that my relationship with Qadisha ended, and my relationship with Ceridwen began. It should be noted that Ceridwen, prior to meeting me, had regularly engaged in naturist activities. She lived in Santa Cruz, and there was/is an abundance of opportunity there to be “clothing optional.”

Ceridwen was the driving force that instigated the evolution of Order of the Mithril Star (OMS) (which Adam and I conceived) into the Reformed Druids of Gaia (RDG), and in fact RDG was her vision.

In 2004 we moved from Grants Pass OR to Eureka CA (where we still live today). The main reason was that OMS’ (and later RDG’s) sacred tree is the Coast Redwood (Sequoia Sempervirons). The thing is that there are no Redwoods in Oregon. Since OMS’ sacred tree is the Redwood, and we were the leaders of OMS, it seemed logical that we should live where the Redwood is indigenous. Eureka, in it’s heyday, was the center of the logging industry which reduced the Coast Redwood to 3.5% of what it once was. Happily, there hasn’t been any significant logging activity for about the past two decades.

RDG held yearly Reformed Druid gatherings at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. People were informed that these gatherings, owing to the privacy of the camp ground we retained, were clothing optional events. RDG’s course in how to be  a Druid, The Druid Path includes text promoting nudity for ritual and social activities, since RDG is most definitely an SiaSL inspired “organism.” So one might expect that some would take the opportunity to shed their cloths.

No one ever took their clothes off.

POLYFIDELITY:

This means a group relationship involving any number of men and women (Gay and/or Straight) who make a commitment to one another to love, honor, and protect each other; possibly raise children, and to restrict sexual activity to only those in the contract. Group Marriage.  One temporarily successful group marriage was the Kerista Commune. They lasted about twenty years, and it is said that a remnant of the group still exists on the island of Maui in Hawaii.

As an SiaSL inspired organization, we have promoted polyfidelity, and Ceridwen and I seriously sought after another wife or husband (or more). We actually had one really good shot at it. A woman from Southern California who was a member of OMS “courted” us for about three months, even visiting us when Ceridwen and I lived in King Salmon (just south of Eureka).  As things developed, it turned out that she wasn’t so much interested in a relationship with Ceridwen and I as she was in one with me.  Ceridwen and I are a package deal, so, no deal.  After that we never again met anyone who was at all interested. We had a series of female house mates over from 2004 until 2019, and we hoped that at least one of them would evolved into the “third” that we desired.  When it came time to replace our ageing queen size mattress, we opted for an Eastern King, to at least “prime the pump” for a polyamorous relationship to develop (an Eastern King will easily sleep three).

Prior to Ceridwen, Qadisha expressed interest in polyamory  (polyfidelities’ poor cousin). In a simple ritual, we pledged we would pursue polyamory. As it turned out, what she really wanted was to sleep with her ex-boyfriend in Eugene OR. She wasn’t interested in my pursuing a poly relationship (with anyone) at all.

Ceridwen had over time participated in various polyfideletous relationships, both when she lived in Madison WI, and again in Santa Cruz.

One of our Archdruids actually had a poly relationship involving her boy friend and another woman. It was not so successful. After about nine months, our AD came home from work to find that her boy friend and her “sister wife” had left her. This also happened to another couple whom I stayed with in Santa Cruz.

Ceridwen and I will turn seventy-two very soon. Her in  a few days from now, and myself in mid-November. We haven’t totally given up on acquiring a “sister wife” or “brother husband,”  but we’re not going to hold our breathe either.

INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY:
We’ve had a business plan and outline for a  “Druid Monastery” for well over twenty years now (click here) but we’ve experienced nothing but tsuris for our efforts. When we first exposed OMS members to the idea, we were inundated with a lot of complaining from members, that we couldn’t possibly raise the kind of money for the infrastructure we would require, and “…anyway it’s just yours and Ceridwen’s selfish retirement plan.”

Over the last twenty-five years, we’ve raised $1,050 towards this plan. So, there’s still hope, right?

 

 

Had a chat with “Grok” today

In this case “Grok” is not simply a Martian vernacular word from Heinlein’s Stranger In A Strange Land, rather, Grok is a conversational AI chatbot developed by xAI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company. It’s designed to be a powerful assistant that can answer questions, generate text, create images, and even write code. Grok is known for its ability to access real-time information through X (formerly Twitter) and its “rebellious” streak, which allows it to tackle “spicy” questions often avoided by other AI models.

I asked Grok about the Reformed Druids of Gaia (RDG).  Here is what  “she” told me:  “The RDG was co-founded by Ceridwen Seren-Ddaear and Sybok Pendderwydd (aka: Robert M. Larson), in 1996.  Her real name is Ceridwen Arseneau. Ceridwen and Robert are married and they also co-founded the Order of the Mithril Star together.”

Several things are just so wrong in this. First of all, Ceridwen’s real name is Karyn Arseneau. She has used the pseudonym “Ceridwen Seren-Ddaear” throughout her career as a neo-pagan elder/practitioner. I have used the pseudonym “Sybok Pendderwydd” off and on throughout my pagan career as well. I have NEVER used the name “Robert Larson.”  Order of the Mithril Star (OMS) was founded by myself and Duane Adam Rostoker (aka, “Adam Walks Between Worlds”) in  1996 at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, following a “Bring Back the Snakes” party at nearby Boulder Creek Brewery circa St. Patrick’s Day.  RDG was founded by myself and Karyn Arseneau around the Pagan feast of Mabon in 2006.

Grok provided some history of RDG:  “Specific to leadership requirements, circa 2013-2014 there was a mandate issued by the retiring Archdruid that his replacement (as well as those in other RDG leadership roles) must be politically far left and/or affiliated with the Green Party (USA residents).”

This is only partially true. RDG members are expected to be Progressive in their political leanings, but there was never a “mandate” issued by a “retiring Archdruid” (whom I guess is me, but rest assured I never issued such a requirement). I can especially reassure you that I have never endorsed the Green Party, which, in at least the last decade, has proven itself to be radically antisemitic.

“Specific to leadership requirements, circa 2013-2014 there was a mandate issued by the retiring Archdruid that his replacement (as well as those in other RDG leadership roles) must be pansexually (or at least bisexual) polyamorous naturists.”

Another bald-faced lie. No such “mandate” has ever been issued. However, RDG (and it’s parent group, OMS) are heavily influenced by Robert Heinlein’s Stranger In A Strange Land, which depicts polyamory and naturism as lifestyle choices. I have written extensively on these topics over the years.

“Unusual pattern of RDG Third Degrees approaching RDNA Third Order Druids requesting the secret Third Order Ordination liturgical scripts There is the perception in the RDNA that RDG Third Degrees are required to attempt to acquire the RDNA scripts. The manipulative sense of entitlement presented is mildly to harassingly disturbing.”

We were formed as the result of a  “vision” of  Karyn’s of seeing Reformed Druidism expanded to a planet wide paradigm, rather then the Reformed Druids of North America’s (RDNA) limitation to just the North American continent.  That’s why we are “of Gaia.”  As for our ordination of Third Order candidates (yes, we call them “Orders,” not “degrees”) requiring such candidates to attempt to procure RDNA’s 3rd Order Scripts — that’s just bull  feces.  It is true that VERY early on we did attempt to find some examples of such scripts, (just as other pagan groups might try to procure materials from groups they are closely related to, which is VERY common) it was found that we could come up with our own scripts (which currently vary from Archdruid to Archdruid and from Grove to Grove).  

These three “accusations” are the usual broadbrush attempt to discredit us. I am very sure that these attempts did not come from any RDNA sources, as we have never had anything but friendship and mutual respect from members and officers of the RDNA. No, I suspect that this originated with members of the N-RDNA (New Reformed Druids of North America) which is a group which officially schismed from the RDNA in 1976 (instigated  by Isaac Bonewits). Some NRDNA members are “embarrassed”  by this and frequently attempt to “blur the line” between their schismatic group and the legitimate RDNA, often characterizing themselves in the role of “spokes persons” for the RDNA. They have been highly critical of the RDG since it’s conception, and particularly because of our close associating with the lifestyles promoted by the Church of All Worlds (CAW) (specifically polyamory and naturism) and so spread outright propaganda and insinuations concerning sexual lifestyles among RDG members.  Very much like how Christians attack their critics: there is always some accusation of sexual abnormality.

Now, getting back to our initial topic here:  I am a tad curious as to why my name, Ellis Arseneau, did not come up in Grok’s “research(?).  My pseudonym (Sybok Pendderwydd) certainly did, as did Karyn’s (Ceridwen Seren_Ddaer) but Karyn’s real name did appear.  I suppose that over the years I have been too zealous at keeping my public persona private (and my employment).  Now that I am retired and in my 70’s such precautions no longer seems required.

BUT — who the hell is Robert M. (or C.M. Larson?  I certainly have never use that moniker and Karyn was surprised when I told her she was married to him! LOL!!!

I remember the MacMullen family reunions

I think the last time I was in attendance at one of these was maybe 1963, or earlier.  My maternal grandmothers family, the MacMullens used to hold a “clan gathering” (family reunion) every year at Kankakee River State Park. This always occurred on the Sunday closest to the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah to Moses and therefore to Israel.  Now days Moses is said to be the first person to download data from the cloud unto a tablet.

I know what you are thinking:  a Scottish clan? Jews?  Yep.  Like many European Jewish families, my grandmothers family was chased around the continent a bit. From somewhere in the Balkans, the Bonewitzes<sp?> were chased away, probably as the result of a pogrom or pogroms, and eventually landed in the Scottish Highlands. There they changed their name to MacMullen and adopted that clans tartan, as well as a boatload of Scottish custom.  So the MacMullen clan gathering was a mixture of Jewish and Scottish cultural adaptations.

I remember the men wearing kilts with matching kippah, some wonderful BBQ chicken, burgers, and assortments of salads, chips and deserts. There was a little train ride that carried kids all around the park.  There were bagpipes and Highland Games including the tug-o-war, the hammer throw and tossing the caber.  The Rabbi from our synagogue on the south side of Chicago was also in attendance.

I remember some of us discovering that if you ate a lot of angel-food cake you could drink all the Coca Cola you wanted without getting sick.

A Scots-Jewish “kippah,” made from the official Jewish tartan

I don’t remember attending one of these after Shavuot 1963 (when I was going to turn 10 years old). Whoever was the organizer of this even either passed away or got sick or just stopped. So this has become a fond but very vague memory after all these years.

 

Why do we pay taxes? Two answers

I saw this on Facebook today:

The author of this meme doesn’t seem to understand the purpose or benefit of taxation. Rather, they seem to believe that taxation is some sort of punishment. I’ve seen this before. It is a popular notion among Ayn Rand devotees (aka: Libertarians).

WHY DO WE PAY TAXES?  Two answers:

ANSWER ONE:
Taxes fund public services and infrastructure that benefit society.
Here’s a breakdown of why taxes are paid:

1. Funding Public Goods and Services:
Essential Services: Taxes finance fundamental services like national defense, law enforcement, fire protection, and the justice system.
Infrastructure: Taxes are used to build and maintain roads, bridges, public transportation, and other vital infrastructure.
Education: Public schools, universities, and other educational programs are funded through taxes.
Healthcare: Taxes support public healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Social Welfare Programs: Taxes fund programs that provide assistance to those in need, such as unemployment benefits and welfare programs.

2. Promoting Social Well-being:
Public Safety: Taxes help fund police and fire departments, contributing to a safer environment.
Parks and Recreation: Taxes support the maintenance of parks, libraries, and recreational facilities.
Environmental Protection: Taxes can be used to fund environmental conservation efforts and address pollution.

3. Ensuring a Functioning Society:
Government Operations: Taxes pay for the salaries of government employees and the cost of running government agencies.
Economic Stability: Taxes can be used to manage the economy and promote economic growth.
In essence, taxes are a collective contribution that enables a functioning and prosperous society by funding the essential services and programs that benefit everyone.

ANSWER TWO:
Why you would not want to live in a country with no taxes
While the prospect of living in a country with no taxes might seem appealing at first glance, there are several reasons why this might not be a desirable or even viable option in the long run. 
Here are some key considerations:
1. Reduced or Non-existent Public Services:
  • Limited infrastructure: Countries without taxes might struggle to fund essential infrastructure like roads, bridges, public transportation, and reliable utilities (water, electricity, internet).
  • Poorly funded education: Public education systems may be weak, understaffed, or even non-existent, potentially impacting the future prospects of residents and the overall workforce.

    • Inadequate healthcare: Access to affordable and quality healthcare might be severely limited, forcing individuals to rely on expensive private care or travel abroad for treatment.
    • Weak or absent social safety nets: There may be a lack of social welfare programs to support the elderly, disabled, unemployed, or those facing hardship.
    • Limited public safety and security: Law enforcement, emergency services, and a functioning justice system might be underfunded or unreliable, potentially leading to higher crime rates and reduced security. 
    2. Economic Instability and Uncertainty:
    • Reliance on volatile revenue sources: Countries without taxes often depend on alternative revenue streams like natural resource extraction (e.g., oil, gas) or tourism, which can fluctuate significantly and create economic instability.
    • Lack of investment in long-term development: Without a stable tax base, governments may be unable to invest in long-term economic growth, research, and development, potentially hindering future prosperity.

      • Potential for corruption and inequality: A lack of transparency and accountability in the absence of a well-defined tax system can create opportunities for corruption and exacerbate wealth inequality. 
      3. Quality of Life Concerns:
      • Lower overall quality of life: The combination of limited public services, potential economic instability, and a lack of social safety nets can negatively impact the overall quality of life for residents.
      • Increased personal expenses: Residents might have to pay out-of-pocket for services typically funded by taxes, such as education, healthcare, and even basic infrastructure maintenance, leading to higher living costs.
      • Potential for social unrest: A lack of basic services and economic opportunities can lead to social unrest, instability, and even political upheaval.
        In conclusion: While eliminating taxes can seem appealing in theory, the practical implications of living in a country with no taxes are significant and can lead to a diminished quality of life, economic instability, and a lack of essential public services. Most developed nations rely on tax revenue to fund vital infrastructure, social programs, and services that contribute to a stable and prosperous society.

There are some countries that do not have an income tax:

Every tree is precious

The Redwood rain forest once covered an area starting just inside the Oregon/California border, running south to about San Luis Obisbo, and East-West from the Pacific to the Cascade Mountains.  That was solid forest, 744 miles long, about 150 miles wide (111,600 square miles).  A squirrel could travel from tree top to tree top and never have to hit the ground.  This forest teemed with Grizzly, Deer, Elk, and Black Bear,  and Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Condor, Snowy Egrets, and many, many more. Salmon and Steelhead were abundant in our streams, and there was probably a sizeable population of banana slugs.  Indigenous homo-sapien tribes lived and worked and grew old and thrived, without impacting the environment. Some of these tribes believed that the giant trees were gods.  Then the white man came.  Today, less than four percent of this forest is left, most of it in Humboldt, DelNorte, and Mendocino Counties. So, every tree is precious ,,,,,

A couple of years ago there was a tiny stand of Redwood that stood on two lots, off Harris between Sequoia Ave and Girard Court. There is some kind of PG&E station there, which could hardly be seen with the trees. They clear cut that little stand. The stumps are quite visible. The owner of the West part threw up a fence, and now has a travel trailer parked inside. I’m guessing he lives there and someday he’ll build a house. I don’t know what PG&Es excuse was. At the time it made me sick. I still drive past there and kind of mourn.

A few years back I published a petition on the Move On site, calling for a 200 year moratorium on the harvest, sale, and manufacturing of goods from the Redwood rain forest.

Save what remains. Sign this petition:

SAVE THE REDWOODS

MORE INFORMATION

John & Mary tell me about Donald

In Finding Inner Peace and Strength (Doubleday, 1982), Jerry Falwell claimed total inerrancy for the Bible:

The Bible is the inerrant . . . Word of God. It is absolutely
infallible, without error in all matters pertaining to faith and
practice, as well as in areas such as geography, science,
history, etc., (p 26).

 

This morning there was a knock at my door. When I answered the door I found a well groomed, nicely dressed couple.

The man spoke first: “Hi! I’m John, and this is Mary.”

Mary: “Hi! We’re here to invite you to come kiss Donald’s ass with us.”

Me: “Pardon me?! What are you talking about? Who’s Donald, and why would I want to kiss his ass?”

John: “If you kiss Donald’s ass, he’ll give you a million dollars; and if you don’t, he’ll kick the shit out of you.”

Me: “What? Is this some sort of bizarre mob shake-down?”

John: “Hank is a billionaire philanthropist. Donald built this country. Donald owns this town. He can do what ever wants, and what he wants is to give you a million dollars, but he can’t until you kiss his ass.”

Me: “That doesn’t make any sense. Why . . .”

Mary: “Who are you to question Donald’s gift? Don’t you want a million dollars? Isn’t it worth a little kiss on the ass?”

Me: “Well maybe, if it’s legit, but . . .”

John: “Then come kiss Donald’s ass with us.”

Me: “Do you kiss Donald’s ass often?”

Mary: “Oh yes, all the time . . .”

Me: “And has he given you a million dollars?”

John: “Well no, you don’t actually get the money until you leave town.”

Me: “So why don’t you just leave town now?”

Mary: “You can’t leave until Donald tells you to, or you don’t get the money, and he kicks the shit out of you.”

Me: “Do you know anyone who kissed Donald’s ass, left town, and got the million dollars?”

John: “My mother kissed Donald’s ass for years. She left town last year, and I’m sure she got the money.”

Me: “Haven’t you talked to her since then?”

John: “Of course not, Donald doesn’t allow it.”

Me: “So what makes you think he’ll actually give you the money if you’ve never talked to anyone who got the money?”

Mary: “Well, he gives you a little bit before you leave. Maybe you’ll get a raise, maybe you’ll win a small lotto, maybe you’ll just find a twenty dollar bill on the street.”

Me: “What’s that got to do with Donald?”

John: “Donald has certain ‘connections.'”

Me: “I’m sorry, but this sounds like some sort of bizarre con game.”

John: “But it’s a million dollars, can you really take the chance? And remember, if you don’t kiss Donald’s ass he’ll kick the shit of you.”

Me: “Maybe if I could see Donald’s, talk to him, get the details straight from him . . .”

Mary: “No one sees Donald, no one talks to Donald.”

Me: “Then how do you kiss his ass?”

John: “Sometimes we just blow him a kiss, and think of his ass. Other times we kiss Elon’s ass, and he passes it on.”

Me: “Who’s Elon?”

Mary: “A friend of ours. He’s the one who taught us all about kissing Donald’s ass. All we had to do was take him out to dinner a few times.”

Me: “And you just took his word for it when he said there was a Donald, that Donald wanted you to kiss his ass, and that Donald would reward you?”

John: “Oh no! Elon’s got a letter Donald sent him years ago explaining the whole thing. Here’s a copy; see for yourself.” John handed me a photocopy of a handwritten memo on “From the desk of Elon’ letterhead. There were eleven items listed:

  • Kiss Donald’s ass and he’ll give you a million dollars when you leave town.
  • Use alcohol in moderation.
  • Kick the shit out of people who aren’t like you.
  • Eat right.
  • Donald dictated this list himself.
  • The moon is made of green cheese.
  • Everything Donald says is right.
  • Wash your hands after going to the bathroom.
  • Don’t drink.
  • Eat your wieners on buns; no condiments.
  • Kiss Donald’s ass or he’ll kick the shit out of you.

Me: “This would appear to be written on Elon’s Letterhead.”

Mary: “Donald didn’t have any paper.”

Me: “I have a hunch that if we checked we’d find this is Elon’s handwriting.”

John: “Of course, Donald dictated it.”

Me: “I thought you said no one gets to see Donald?”

Mary: “Not now, but years ago he would talk to some people.”

Me: “I thought you said he was a philanthropist. What sort of philanthropist kicks the shit out of people just because they’re different?”

Mary: “It’s what Donald wants, and Donald’s always right.”

Me: “How do you figure that?”

Mary: “Item 7 says ‘Everything Donald says is right.’ That’s good enough for me!”

Me: “Maybe your friend Elon just made the whole thing up.”

John: “No way! Item 5 says ‘Donald dictated this list himself.’ Besides, item 2 says ‘Use alcohol in moderation,’ Item 4 says ‘Eat right,’ and item 8 says ‘Wash your hands after going to the bathroom.’ Everyone knows those things are right, so the rest must be true, too.”

Me: “But 9 says ‘Don’t Drink,’ which doesn’t quite go with item 2, and 6 says ‘The moon is made of green cheese,’ which is just plain wrong.”

John: “There’s no contradiction between 9 and 2, 9 just clarifies 2. As far as 6 goes, you’ve never been to the moon, so you can’t say for sure.”

Me: “Scientists have pretty firmly established that the moon is made of rock . . .”

Mary: “But they don’t know if the rock came from the Earth, or from out of space, so it could just as easily be green cheese.”

Me: “I’m not really an expert, but I think the theory that the Moon came from the Earth has been discounted. Besides, not knowing where the rock came from doesn’t make it cheese.”

John: “Aha! You just admitted that scientists make mistakes, but we know Donald is always right!”

Me: “We do?”

Mary: “Of course we do, Item 5 says so.”

Me: “You’re saying Donald’s always right because the list says so, the list is right because Donald dictated it, and we know that Donald dictated it because the list says so. That’s circular logic, no different than saying ‘Donald’s right because he says he’s right.'”

John: “Now you’re getting it! It’s so rewarding to see someone come around to Donald’s way of thinking.”

Me: “But . . . oh, never mind. What’s the deal with wieners?” Mary blushes.

John says: “Wieners, in buns; no condiments. It’s Donald’s way. Anything else is wrong.”

Me: “What if I don’t have a bun?”

John: “No bun, no wiener. A wiener without a bun is wrong.”

Me: “No relish? No Mustard?”

Mary looks positively stricken. John shouts: “There’s no need for such language! Condiments of any kind are wrong!”

Me: “So a big pile of sauerkraut with some wieners chopped up in it would be out of the question?”

Mary sticks her fingers in her ears: “I am not listening to this. La la la, la la, la la la.”

John: “That’s disgusting. Only some sort of evil deviant would eat that . . .”

Me: “It’s good! I eat it all the time.”

Mary faints. John catches her: “Well, if I’d known you where one of those I wouldn’t have wasted my time. When Donald kicks the shit out of you I’ll be there, counting my money and laughing. I’ll kiss Donald’s ass for you, you bunless cut-wienered kraut-eater.”

With this, John dragged Mary to their waiting car, and sped off.

Editor’s note: Donald has other names that he is known by:  POTUS, 45 (or 47), “Duck L’Orange,” Yeti,  COMPLETE (more or less) LIST