Reject the Herd

Think about it for a minute: a society that takes its children away from parents and family and concentrates them into a building with other children. A concentration camp. Then, the children begin the methodical, thirteen-year progressive indoctrination, carefully planned by institutes of education that conduct "studies" on human behavioral development*. Groups are small at first, with authority being granted to a single adult (sometimes two) that are beholden to a system too vast for a little mind to comprehend. Some may get a glimpse into the mechanics of the authoritarian system because they step out of line and meet the Authority behind the authority: the shadowy Principal. Principal what? Authoritarian. Disciplinarian.

I participate from time to time in a forum run by anti-capitalist-vegan-animal-rights-activist tree-huggers.

One of the joys of living in a foreign country is getting used to the new methods of bathing and taking care of daily needs. Guatemala is no exception. Take this for example:

Photo by JoePhoto

This is what we use for showering . . . doesn`t it look safe? Instant hot waters have been used by third world countries like Guatemala for a long time, while in the Western world, they are still considered a luxury item. The problem down here is that most people end up doing their own wiring, which, as you can see, leaves a bit to be desired.

I`ve actually had one of these things (frequently referred to as widow makers) blow up while I was showering.

I was living in Seattle in November of 1999. I walked downtown occasionally to partake of the atmosphere surrounding the WTO Ministry meeting and discussing the trade policies that would shape the future of trade worldwide.

For almost three years I have been on a quest. And for three years I have been denied, even when the prize of my conquest seems so attainable. But this was the closest I have ever come to it.

I have been waiting for almost 3 years after volunteering online for a deployment through the Army Knowledge Online (AKO) website. And nothing has yet to happen from that. I have tried to get deployed in another method as well; keeping my feelers out for intel, I came across a unit setting up for a deployment to Iraq that needed a medic. But my unit would not release me to them.