Time, space and death

If space and time are the same thing at very high speeds and if time stops when we die, what happens to our personal space?

It seems as though on earth we continue taking up space. While most people eventually rot away, it ultimately takes a great deal of time to happen. Some bodies never entirely decompose and thus always remain taking up space.

The conclusion I’ve come to is the reason we take up space is because 1.) our personal time does not stop (that is, our remains are affected by time in similar fashion as if we were still alive) and 2.) we’re traveling at very slow speeds while walking the earth, relatively speaking.

I believe if we sped the earth’s rotation up enough, decomposition time would drastically increase (even while our lifespan would likely drastically decrease).

In essence, we’d die quicker and disappear faster if we sped the earth’s rotation up.

This was my first thought today as I pulled myself out of bed; I’ll be thinking about it all afternoon. This really isn’t nearly as dark as it sounds, I’m actually in a very good, inquisitive mood.

Where’s the change again? (Part Deux)

Taken from: http://rendevouswithdestiny.blogspot.com/2008/11/todays-cartoon-just-change-of-labels.html

Music all of the time

As I was driving to work this afternoon I had a thought: What if music played constantly, everywhere I went. Further, what if that music matched my mood like a cloak, hanging over my every action and thought.

I bumbled along throughout most of the day thinking this was a pretty neat idea. I imagined all of my favorite songs playing whenever I was excited or happy. I imagined the monotonious tones that I might hear during a village council or school board meeting. I imagined gentle tones that may help me drift off to sleep.

It wasn’t until Drew pointed out that I might get a headache and the music playing during the event wouldn’t be enjoyable that I began to reconsider my notion. However, I haven’t let this entirely dissuade me from wondering what it would be like.

Four whiskey-sours dating a gin-and-tonic

I found myself watching my friends tonight as they drifted around the room talking with one another and drinking. I mean, I was there, I was involved, but I was also a third person looking around the room as they laughed, smiled and joked while we mutually celebrated an old friend’s wedding reception.

I thought about where each of them are in their lives, where I am, and about how we’ve always been an odd mix of people to be friends.

There’s many different places a person can be during their early 20s. Most of us went to college, although some have been more successful than others. Some of us have married, though the majority of us still have not. One of us has a child, one of us in the army and one of us is in graduate school.

Our lives sure have taken different paths over the last several years. I can honestly say my path has had ups and downs, and I believe that to be true of all my friends’ paths as well.

This post is sort of for me, but I can’t help but wonder if anyone else feels a little bit like they should have done more, should be more when they meet up with old friends?

My friends don’t make me feel that way; I make me feel that way. I don’t let on how disappointed I am with what I’ve done since leaving college. Instead, I use my best manners and attempt to casually guide conversations away from myself, whenever possible. When it isn’t possible, I’m fairly good at portraying things as I wish they were, rather than as they truly are.

Where’s the change again?

President-elect Barack Obama is clearly reaching back to the Clinton Administration of the 1990s when it comes to filling some of the most important positions in his administration.Unfortunately, his poor choices highlight the controversial and scandulous administration of the past rather than building a bridge into the future. Remember, this is the candidate who ran on change.

• John Podesta, a former chief of staff under President Clinton, will be among those leading Obama’s transition team.
• Hillary Rodham Clinton appears to be Obama’s choice for secretary of state. It’s clear enough how she’s linked to the Clinton Administration.
• Eric Holder appears to be Obama’s choice for attorney general. In the 1990s Holder was the deputy attorney general in the Clinton Administration and had oversight over the controversial last minute Clinton Pardons, including that of fugitive financier Marc Rich.
• Tom Daschle appears to be Obama’s choice for secretary of health and human services. In the 1990s Daschle was the senate leader (majority/minority) for the Democrats and was someone whom worked hand-in-hand to help the Clinton Administration pass its legislative agenda. Daschle’s wife, Linda Hall, was acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration during the Clinton Administration.
• Janet Napolitano appears to be Oabama’s choice for secretary of the Homeland Security Department. In the 1990s, Napolitano was the chief lawyer for Anita Hill in the battle to keep current U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas from taking office. Napolitano also was appointed by Clinton to be a federal attorney.
• Bill Richardson appears to be Obama choice for secretary of commerce. In the 1990s, Richardson served in the Clinton Administration as secretary of energy and ambassador to the United Nations.

If I were an Obama supporter, I would feel a little betrayed that many of the first decisions Obama is making have more to do with returning the past rather than looking into the future. I don’t believe this is the type of change many Obama voters expected.

Taxpayer crimes

The Washington Post is reporting that the federal government’s massive bailout in September thus far has no oversight, despite having spent approximately $290 billion of our tax dollars.

It’s unfortunate how predictable this was when the idea was first announced.

Eric M. Thorson, inspector general at the Treasury Department, told the Washington Post, “It’s a mess. I don’t think anyone understands right now how we’re going to do proper oversight of this thing.”

The bill creating the bailout included $50 billion for an inspector general and oversight activities, such as audits. Quite frankly, I’d be surprised if those activities ever take place.

A second problem that’s come from the bailout is that the Treasury Department has completely changed its mind about what it will do with the money. When legislators approved the bill, they were told the money would be used to buy so-called toxic assets, which are mostly defaulted mortgages. However, during the last two days we have learned that in fact the the money will be used to buy stock in companies.

In another switch, various Democrats are proposing that several billion, perhaps as much as 30, be given to the General Motors and Ford to help them stay solvent. This idea was never advanced during the initial conversations concerning the bill.

A third problem is the Treasury Department has failed to disclose just whom it has helped. Bloomberg reports, “House Republican leader John Boehner called for the Federal Reserve to disclose the recipients of almost $2 trillion of emergency loans from American taxpayers and the troubled assets the central bank is accepting as collateral.”

The Washington Post story may be found here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/12/AR2008111202846_pf.html

The Bloomberg story may be found here: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=axpH4Qil0NT8&refer=worldwide

Fall in the Midwest

An enjoyable Fall has arrived in the Midwest

Good news for conservatives

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind) is seeking to become House Republican Conference Chairman, an important position in Republican leadership in the House of Representatives.

This is good news for conservatives, Pence is truly one of us. It’s an indication the party may be making positive changes in response to its election-day defeat.

More on Pence’s bid may be found here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/06/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4580453.shtml

Included with that link are statements of support from various party leaders, also a promising sign.

If the Republicans are to become the party of liberty (again) it will be under the leadership of Pence and Jeff Flake, whom I posted about recently.

Battle for the soul of the Republican Party

It’s clear that in the wake of two disastrous elections the Republican Party is going to enter into a necessary period of soul searching.

In my rather humble opinion, it is time for the party to return to traditional conservative (sometimes known as paleoconservative) principles built upon freedom and individuality.  However, it’s clear there are people who feel differently, some even feel as though the party should move to the left and emulate the Democratic Party.

Thankfully, I am not alone in opposing those who make that call.

Rep. Jeff Flake wrote an interesting column for the Washington Post titled “A Way Out of the Wilderness.” It’s very good, and may be found here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/04/AR2008110403872.html

In addition, the Wall Street Journal discussed efforts taking place within the Republican Party to determine an ideological course. It may be found here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122585703357500345.html

In Re: Stealing the election

In response to Tuesday’s post concerning electoral cheating, it’s clear that President-elect Barack Obama would have won despite any illegal or extralegal efforts in support of his candidacy.

Congratulations to Obama. I’ll support him when he’s correct and vigorously oppose him when he is not.

For now, my plan is to take awhile and rest and prepare myself intellectually for the coming battles within the Republican Party. If it is to once again become a “conservative” party, then what happens during the next few weeks and months will be crucial.