Thoughtfully We Feast Upon Our Own Entrails

Intoxicated into dependence upon the planet's oil reserves? Yes, and here we are, and rare is the man, woman or child who would willingly forfeit daily products of convenience brought into existence via petroleum's wonders.

Look at us. We've finally done it, the big one. Easily accessible oil pockets are all but gone, so now we're into the really deep stuff. We blame British Petroleum -- heck, some simply blame the British, period -- and we blame the industry itself. Well, we're not all British, but we are all BP. We are all the industry. One way or another, we bathe in petroleum every day, and now a world of sea life and habitat is gone, many important aspects probably banished and petrol-euthanized forever. Who is responsible? "They" are. We are they. We are responsible. Who are we? We are the movers and shakers who make things happen. Even these things. Even this Thing of things.

I'm sick to dearth -- yes, dearth -- of talk about alternative energy. It's on the horizon, it's right around the corner, it's here. Okay, so it's here, be it solar, wind, nuclear, water, geothermal or hydraulically-induced cat flatulence. So what? The world will still be gobbling oil up generations from now (assuming we survive our actions, which is always a poor bet).

The current buzz, so reminiscent of decades past, is that we either have or need a BOLD NEW ENERGY POLICY. Is that what we want? Guess so. You know what I want? I want my government to come clean about UFOs with the American people. I want officials to 'fess up about what we know or don't know. Or just admit there's substance to thousands of reports squeezed out over the years with integrity by folks.

Let's acknowledge that some kind of energy is associated with the "phenomenon." Confirm the mystery of the energy, assure the scientific community that the UFO is real and important, and encourage those of appropriate education, intellect or plain old common sense to get out there, consider well-witnessed UFO maneuvers seriously and determine the science-- and the energy forces behind this remarkable enigma. Maybe we'll learn a few things along the way. In the meantime, we just sit by and allow perhaps the best alternative possibilities to go unnoticed.

Imagine all the brain power going to waste among scientists merely because nobody's stepping forth officially to alert a wealth of uninformed government or non-government personnel to concentrate their efforts on the UFO -- a legitimate issue whose hidden charms may benefit us in terms of energy alone. Assuming we haven't brought a UFO to the lab -- or assuming we have -- there remains a lot of known evidence out there, and all those years of meticulous documentation didn't arise out of obscure tales of wow.

Meanwhile, the oil leaks. Too bad truth doesn't do the same.

Taking Gary McKinnon for a Little Swim - Part 3

Seems there's a bit of discontent in Great Britain about an attempt to prevent alleged computer hacker Gary McKinnon from coming to the USA because of his Asperger's syndrome. Officials fear that if McKinnon's disorder can keep him on his own shores, then supposed Islamic terrorists hosted by the Brits and due to be extradited to the U.S. will also claim various illnesses to avoid the trip.

Frankly, England, feel free to keep the terrorists. Should they come here, we'll just read 'em Miranda rights, luxuriously bathe them in legalities and, before we know what hit us, they'll be made citizens with voting rights. Besides, I understand you've already, for some inconceivable reason, allowed Sharia Law to influence and tarnish parts of your homeland, setting aside British law, and because I really don't want that rather neolithic form of Islamic rule trumping my country's cherished Constitution, I insist -- keep the terrorists and love them as if they were yours. And they are.

But what about McKinnon, yes, what about McKinnon? Actually, I think we've more than enough trouble here currently, what with the worst environmental (oil) disaster in U.S. history occupying our efforts. The worse things get, there are fewer and fewer British Petroleum representatives with British accents speaking publicly here -- I suspect they're putting their native American spokesmen, who sound like the Marlboro Cigarette man, up front so's we won't think of England when we smell oil on our shoes, ankles or knees. In fact, after the CEO of BP made such a fool of himself with reckless comments, I should think that McKinnon's lawyer might ask that his client be kept in Great Britain strictly out of fear that Americans won't put up with his accent for a moment because of that CEO. I harbor no ill will toward the British at all --why would I? -- but you know how some people are.

The extremely bad news for McKinnon would arise if U.S. officials decide that we badly require a national diversion, right here and right now, to take our minds off not only corporate foul-ups, but government incompetence as well -- and, hoo boy, do we have plenty of the latter on our shores. Pack your bags, Gary, and stand by, is my advice. Nice to be needed and wanted, what?

Bursting at the Screams

Long, long ago I knew that the UFO was a legitimate scientific mystery -- not because I'm either brilliant or crazy, but simply because the evidence speaks for itself. Now, I, we, wait, we just wait.

In the meantime, all sorts of things other than UFOs concern me, stuff in the news. You've already noticed my frequent rants. Here are some recent snippets:

Israel and boarding that vessel: Hey, good for you, but next time just drop a bomb and sink the damned thing. The video clearly shows your people being attacked on a ship which, supposedly, was cruising along peacefully but was not. And were I you, I'd stock up on a few more nukes (which you never claim to have), too.

A 13-story mosque is being built -- compassionately -- near the site of the World Trade Center, which Islamofascists non-compassionately destroyed with some 2,000 irrelevant people inside: Well, I don't mean to be rude, but when this new thingie is built and requires an address, maybe the Post Office could designate it as #1 Predator Drone Plaza? Impressive!

The World Health Organization: Why are they considering taxing us to use the Internet, send e-mails and conduct financial transactions online? Who do they think they are? You had better call your member of Congress about this one, because they're looking for funds right out of our pockets.

The FCC is screamin' to make the Internet equivalent to a public utility, after the Obama Administration was already defeated in attempts to put more government control on the Web and your freedoms. Beware.

The Federal Trade Commission wants to get into the journalism business, even going so far as to "license" journalists? Oh, this is reallyyyyyyyyyy bad. Caution.

Finally. . .the U.S. is sure itchin' to have Gary McKinnon as a dept. of prisons guest. I wonder if he can avoid that dreaded voyage across the pond by reminding American officials that, even though he lives in England, his hacking activities are nothing compared to British Petroleum's cute incompetent antics, as aquatic life dies by the mega-score. Or shall we be bombing Great Britain shortly over this?

The Mutilation Merry-Go-Round

In a recent entry highlighting Jimmy Durante's 1964 novelty song, "We're Going UFO-ing," I said that humor is often a routine human response to way-out issues such as UFO evidence. In fact, before humor even enters the race, the skeptics and debunkers usually climb aboard to discredit or explain away bizarre incidents and the people who report them. We can look at this kind of response as not a cover-up, but as an all-knowing, fatherly or big brother take-charge attitude among those who absolutely feel it their obligation and duty to get out there and reassure, soothe and calm an anxious public. Whatever seemingly plausible instant explanations can be thrown and are able to stick on the wall of public inquisitiveness -- ANYTHING to anesthetize inquiring minds of the masses -- are fair game.

I don't know if UFOs (or unlikely government experiments) have anything to do with mutilations of cattle and other animals, but a number of investigators have curiously embraced or contemplated a UFO connection since the sixties. Thomas Adams of Texas was on the trail years ago and churned out some interesting documentation, and international researchers have followed mutilations closely, especially in South American countries. However, the person most quoted about mutilations in the U.S. is probably journalist Linda Moulton Howe, who has exerted a firm grip upon these incredibly strange events since the seventies. Yes, she has her critics (you might check out the UFO Watchdog Web site -- see link -- for a few comments about her), but overall I think she has performed some worthwhile work regarding some very creepy things -- mutes being high among them.

The headline shown here hails from a November, 1975 UPI story, and looking at the mutilation situation 35 years later I believe it's accurate to say, wow, look how far we haven't come.

I say that because the article, in a predictable attempt to quote "experts" who suggest or explain away animal mutations as normal, draws heavily upon theories about disease processes and natural predators causing disfigurement, and novice law enforcement personnel too inexperienced to interpret mutilations accurately are also conjured. Even cattle ranchers receive a thrashing, accused of manipulating animal death information in order to fraudulently obtain payoffs from insurance companies.

The peerless jury may still be undecided about mutilations, but one component apparently remains rock-solid 35 years later. The 1975 newspaper story referenced a number of rewards being offered in several states for information leading to arrests and convictions of "witchcraft" cultists or others responsible for animal mutilations. Well, the decades have passed, mutilations continue and their bizarre qualities have heightened -- and still, not one person, not one reward, has been claimed. If those responsible are apparently untouchable, the reasons why lead us to some extremely interesting and alarming speculation. Or, to quote the familiar, some nights just aren't fit for man nor beast -- the latter in particular.

NAUGHTY WORDS FROM A CRANKY AND IRRELEVANT U.S. CITIZEN: Yeah, I know, I'm just a legal citizen and my opinions don't matter a lot to Congress or White House minions and other high-ranking government "representatives" harboring their own untouchable agendas. Nevertheless, I just want to NOT thank the president of Mexico for coming to my country and insulting and condemning Arizona's legislation (essentially mirroring U.S. laws already on the books but, pathetically, not enforced) in reference to illegal border-jumping folks who come here from (and through) his country at will, costing taxpayers billions of dollars and jobs. Hey Jack, we don't need your finger-pointing -- we in the USA already have a president and his associates who criticize and apologize for our country every chance they get, particularly during overseas travel, in order to please world leaders by representing us as a nation populated by buffoons, racists and inanimate douche bags. Further, Mr. Mexican prez, you already know that your country's illegal immigrant legislation is brutal and many, many times tougher than ours. Amazingly, your comments also seem to indicate that we shouldn't be sending your own people back to you -- you don't want 'em, either! How dare you! Well, I just hope you enjoyed the extravagant hospitality and dinner my president gave in your honor (had I catered, the bill of fare -- commonly known in America as a menu -- would only have included soy hot dogs, Spaghetti-O's, string beans and marshmallows for desert) because the American people shelled out considerably more for the festivities than they enjoy in their personal lives so that you could go to bed un-hungry and idiotically outspoken via what delicately remains of First Amendment rights in our land. True, I want my country to help you clean up your country and assist in helping the kind and wonderful citizens of Mexico to find a better life south of our border -- yet, I wonder, just what national U.S. riches did my president promise to give you toward that effort? Surely, you didn't visit the White House -- and Congress -- just so's you could eat and run, did you? And here's more. . .

BEWARE, ARIZONA: I know, it seems like a miracle -- President Obama is sending 1,200 National Guard troops to the borders. . .but wouldn't it be funny (just a thought) if he's sending them to hinder the legal process once the Arizona illegal immigrant law goes into effect? If it does. Seems to me that political Washington geeks of both parties have gone out of their way to do little about the border -- why now? Why now is because "they" don't want the Arizona law put into force. Watch out, Arizona -- there's no agenda like a political agenda. And here's even more. . .

AWASH IN OIL: Before directing fire, brimstone and utter condemnation toward BP and other oil companies, we need to step back and realize that pretty much each and every one of us makes use of petroleum-based products in some manner -- so, in a way, we're all at fault for the Gulf Coast horrors. This doesn't negate the scope of the tragedy, nor lessen the profound meaning of animal life lost, but face it -- we humans are what we are, and that's not a compliment. By the way. . .

TERRORISTS DOING THEIR THING: Our government appears ever more intent upon trying to divorce the word, terrorism from the terms, Muslim extremists, radical Islam or Islamofascists. Distortion of the truth seems to be an ever-sharpening tool used by this Administration, by this White House, and that's just plain dangerous. Just ask the victims of Islamic extremist law -- including Muslims themselves -- who know better. Bad enough that the FCC wants the gov to take over our Internet by decreeing it a "utility," but to try to "re-educate" us into believing that radical Islam just doesn't exist puts us at ultimate risk. Radical Islam is already taking a toll on Europe (incidentally, take a look at Holland), and if our open society ever becomes similarly accommodating, we're finished. As always, beware the lies and beware the enemies within.

Jimmy Durante: In His UFO

Just when they think they've seen us

We'll zoom away to Venus

. . .in my UFO

-- Lyrics from "We're Going UFO-ing"

Ever since "flying saucers" captivated public interest in the forties and fifties, cartoonists and humorists have enjoyed a galactic field day. Between 1964 and 1966, when national UFO activity became prominent with dramatic overtones, the funny saucer/aliens/space invasion stuff in newspapers, magazines, TV and radio blossomed. As might be expected, this trend wasn't at all comforting to serious UFO investigators, forced almost daily to beat away the laugh factor with a stick while pleading with the public to consider UFO incidents earnestly.

Nevertheless, it's human nature to dive deep and fast for humor when confronted with potentially dangerous or just plain weird intrusions into our supposedly normal lives -- and laughter triumphs over feel-good drugs almost every time.

A few days ago, I mentioned a novelty song performed by the late actor/comedian/singer Jimmy Durante -- an immensely talented performer of both motion picture and television fame (he had his own weekly network show in the fifties), whose trademark was his large nose and a very notable voice. I'm acutely aware that some of you, perhaps most, won't recognize his name because, well, because fame truly is fleeting, and today has a way of replacing all the yesterdays with lightning speed sometimes.

At any rate, Durante was 71 years old in 1964 (he died in 1980 at 87 years of age), when the Socorro, New Mexico (alleged) UFO encounter and a host of other close-up UFO incidents (with apparent ground evidence associated with various cases) began to be picked up by the national press.

At some point during the brouhaha, Jimmy made a quickie novelty record, added to one of his LP record albums, entitled "We're Going UFO-ing." I erroneously called it, "In my UFO" previously, but hadn't heard it or thought of it for so many years that the real title escaped me until I looked it up.

I do remember that the song turned up without warning on, especially, AM radio stations (whose sole reason for existence in the sixties was usually to play music and sponsors' commercials, with a dash of disc jockeys and news thrown in for good measure), played for a few days and then seemingly disappeared forever.

But this is the Internet Age. Today, you can visit one of many sites to hear and, if you prefer, even purchase a download of this brief 2:28 minute recording. Durante and his orchestra sound superb in stereo, the lyrics are few and, like it or not, "We're Going UFO-ing" is "one of those songs" (to quote another Durante song favorite) that stays in your head by way of its own catchy melodic simplicity. Yes, the song works, and while its release did absolutely nothing for serious UFO research in 1964, the darned thing may have been what the country needed as strange UFO "bombshell" incidents came to light all over the country and all over the world.

You know what? If the day ever comes in this country when we have UFO "disclosure" and, according to the opinions of some, people begin to panic in the streets and start eating their neighbors and initiate the wearing of tin foil hats and wolfs bane, this is the song I want blaring out of loudspeakers on military vehicles as the government tries to maintain calm and sanity (ha, good luck with that). Anyway, thanks for the comedy, Mr. Durante -- and, not to forget, goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.