B_JEAN's Blog

Is anyone else disturbed by the fact that the main stream media / news OVERWHELMINGLY reports and focuses on either petty or negative issues and occurrences? --Things like celebrity gossip, murder, rape, kidnapping etc.. I am in no way suggesting that such things should be swept under the rug. What I am stating, however, is that the negative aspects of humanity are--through over exposure--being portrayed as the RULE, rather than the exception. * Let us consider the implication(s) of such an imbalanced focus: It seems obvious that there is an agenda; incongruence between (absolute) truth and what is portrayed as truth suggests that the main stream media is attempting to manifest such a reality (as the one they are portraying). * How is such a thing possible, and why is it being done? If the vast majority of the population can be convinced that their fellow human beings are inherently bad, and therefore undeserving of trust, then our society begins down a slippery slope; a slope paved with fear, paranoia, and isolation--a slope leading to the destruction of culture(s) and ultimately HUMANE civilization. We see signs of this all around us--signs which suggest we have already started down this slope and quite possibly are more then half way down it; our descent building momentum. For instance, pharmasuedical companies are turning out antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs at break-neck speed. Even more alarming is the number of people being prescribed these drugs. People are going to their doctors and asking, by name, for specific drugs--having seen them ADVERTISED on television--just after the nightly news-- along with a list of symptoms which are supposedly psychological aberrations or personality flaws which need to be chemically treated--so that that they do not prevent a person from being a "healthy" PRODUCTIVE member (i.e. consumer) of society. Psychotropic drugs are defined as: "chemical substances that act primarily upon the central nervous system where they alter brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behaviour." What a better tool for keeping the masses in line! In reality, people are NATURALLY and rightfully becoming fearful, anxious, and depressed as a result of living in a world which is, (according to the mass media), largely inhabited by hateful, violent, shallow people. The main stream media / news is nothing more than a mouth piece for the few SUPER CORPORTATIONS which have grown from, and now come to OWN our (supposedly) democratic, CAPATILISTIC government. The agenda seems one of exploitation: Scare them, drug them, MOLD them--bombard them with advertisements for crap they don't need, extend them more credit than they can ever repay, and constantly remind them that they live in the land of the "Free." SO WHAT THE FUCK DO WE DO GUYS? *I think a step in the right direction is conscious consumerism, but I know there's so much more that needs to start from a grass-root level. *Supporting the independent media is extremely important as well. --Check out www.linktv.org *Let me know what you think! "None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

How far into darkness have we waundered? Where do we stand in relation to conception of this reality? Do we stand at all? Is it possible that we are falling through a worm hole that leads to ourselves? And if so, will we know us when we meet us? Or will we simply become the dream to which we are awakening?

The War On Drugs is a sick joke. It's quite obvious that it's not a war on drugs at all, but rather an attack on freedom of choice and the free market. Wikipedia defines The War on Drugs as "a prohibition campaign undertaken by the United States government with the assistance of participating countries, intended to reduce the illegal drug trade to curb supply and diminish demand for certain psychoactive substances deemed "harmful or undesirable" by the government. " First off, is it not an individual's birth right to decide whether or not something is harmful or undesirable to him or herself? Should not the only role of the government be to make sure that the acting out of one person's will does not infringe upon the freedom of anyone elses (will)? For example, it is totally understandable to me that smoking cigarettes in certain public spaces is not allowed. People who choose not to smoke should not be forced to inhale the second hand smoke of others. However, does this mean we ban smoking all together? No! We designate specific areas for it. As far as prohibition goes, since when is the banning of psychoactive substances actually effective? Hello!! Remember that not-so-successful Amendment back in 1920? Yeah, you know--the one prohibiting the production, distribution ,and sale of alchoholic beverages in the United States. According to every history book I've ever read, prohibition of alcohol was counterproductive in that it resulted in higher rates of binge drinking, crime and violence. And to top it all off, there was widespread corruption of law enforcement agencies and politicians which helped finance powerful crime organizations.... Hmm... Sounds awfully firmiliar... Let's face it, the only reason drugs are illegal is because it makes the traffking of those drugs extremely profitable. One drug dealer gets busted, and every other drug dealer gets a raise. This is supply and demand at its best, only this is America--and we are suppose to be living in a free market economy. The irony of the situation is that the tax dollars generated from our free market economy are the same dollars being used to fund The War on Drugs--which is really just a laundering system for a black market economy in which no taxes are being paid, and a very few people are becoming filthy rich by imprisoning the people that are generating their profits--i.e. drug dealers. How sick is this %#&@$!?

I think that pure art is over looked and under-appreciated in this country.... Mass marketing and popular culture is steadily being used to rob Americans of individuality; making us more likely and malleable consumers... (boring and predictable)..unable to recognize the beauty of our own truths. Sadly--being a country that makes decsions on behalf of the majority, rather than the individual--we are doing this to ourselves. I applaud anyone who has enough guts to pursue any artistic endeavor; as long they keep their form pure and do not become a part of the machine that is bending us all over, giving it to us hard, and convincing us that we like it. Another thing that really bothers me is that the cost of education is going up throughout the country... To get an education, most of us must go into debt; education has become a "privledge" rather than a right... Another result of our out of hand capitalism; everything has a (ever increasing) price... I think the most effective way to approach this is to somewhat "play the game." Those seeking to make a change should infultrate the system like a virus, and then strike out--using their positions and titles to make a positive change. If you are interested in this sort of thing, you might check out THE AQUARIAN CONSPIRACY---a book by Marilyn Ferguson. Peace --Barb

When was the last time you heard of a shot-gun wedding, or an "accidental family" within the confines of a gay or lesbian relationship? -GLBT couples seek out their children; possibly, and I believe most certainly, in heed of devine intentionality.

These days, being called wierd--or even crazy-- can often be considered a compliment. Because, more and more frequently, simply exhibiting signs of an independently functioning, free-will-loving mind, will get us a diagnosis straight out of the DSM IV, ("Bi-Polar" is a popular one), and a prescription for a medication we can surely afford if we'll just "cut back a little here and there".

(**Please note: I am NOT suggesting that anti-depressants, or anti-psychotics are never the answer... Only that they are over prescribed.)

---Barb