And, now for something completely different.......

Wikipedia says:

Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee (15 October 1747 - 5 January 1813) was a Scottish lawyer, writer, and professor. Tytler was also a historian, and for some years was Professor of Universal History, and Greek and Roman Antiquities, in the University of Edinburgh. Tytler's other titles included Senator of the College of Justice, and George Commissioner of Justiciary in Scotland. Tytler was a friend of Robert Burns, and prevailed upon him to remove lines from his poem "Tam o' Shanter" which were insulting to the legal and clerical professions. His son was Patrick Fraser Tytler, traveler and historian.

Misquotation - Tytler Cycle

The following unverified quotation has been attributed to Tytler, most notably as part of a longer piece which began circulating on the Internet shortly after the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election.

A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:

• From bondage to spiritual faith;
• From spiritual faith to great courage;
• From courage to liberty;
• From liberty to abundance;
• From abundance to selfishness;
• From selfishness to complacency;
• From complacency to apathy;
• From apathy to dependence;
• From dependence back into bondage.

There is no reliable record of Alexander Tytler's having made the statement. In fact, this passage actually comprises two quotations, which didn't begin to appear together until the 1970s. The first portion (italicized above) first appeared on December 9, 1951, as part of what appears to be an op-ed piece in The Daily Oklahoman under the byline Elmer T. Peterson. The original version from Peterson's op-ed is as follows:

Two centuries ago, a somewhat obscure Scotsman named Tytler made this profound observation: "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy."

The list beginning "From bondage to spiritual faith" is commonly known as the "Tytler Cycle" or the "Fatal Sequence". Its first known appearance is in a 1943 speech "Industrial Management in a Republic" by H. W. Prentis, president of the Armstrong Cork Company and former president of the National Association of Manufacturers, and appears to be original to Prentis.

Now, with the realization that we never learn from our past, and as such, are doomed to repeat it, just how long do we have with this experiment called democracy? If, indeed, 200 years is about the limit of a democracy’s existence, we’ve outrun the meter. There is every indication that we fall into the “From apathy to dependence” bracket. That leaves us with one more bracket to go before we are all up the creek without a paddle. Is it possible to recover the disciplines that made us the envy of the entire Planet? I think it will be much “easier” to let democracy come crashing down around us, before we feel the need to reorganize. At my ripe old age, I certainly won’t have to experience the fall, but my children, and their children, will be left to pick up the pieces. And, the way things are going, there won’t be too many pieces left to pick up. So, what then? Will there be a nuclear winter, as some have predicted? Will cooler heads prevail in time to at least save humanity? Right now, I have to say no to the cooler heads, and yes to the nuclear winter scenario.

 

Nobody likes to hear about the fact we have become a Welfare State, but just look at the numbers. Consider what is defined as Welfare:

        1] Of course there is Welfare, itself, and the prescribed list          

             of auxiliary entitlements that go with it.

        2] We are all aware of Medicaid.

        3] Student loans are in there, too.

        4] And, you can nit-pick the details down to the last food

             stamp.

What is not Welfare:

        1] Social Security; we pay for that.

        2] Medicare; we pay for that, too.

Some other, less talked about forms of Welfare:

        1] Have you ever considered that subsidies to Corporations,

             complete business sectors, Agriculture, and Individual  

             Tax subsidies? Corporate Welfare, alone, costs this

             Country 5-6 trillion dollars a year.

        2] How about those Public Sector pensions that are tied into

             Union Contracts and the last year’s salary of the

             recipient? That looks like another trillion, or so, out of the

             Treasury.

It’s no wonder we have to borrow from China, South America, Europe, Russia, and, not in the least, the Federal Reserve. When does this stop? It may all come down to the prediction, based on History, that we will need a Dictatorship, or Monarchy, to save us from ourselves. It seems such a waste.

More thoughts on suicide w/ some observations from Montana:

Across the street from where I was staying in Missoula, Montana,  lives a young couple who are very involved in remodeling their house. They have the help of the husband’s brother in lieu of rent, which seems to work well for them. I decided to pry, and found that both brothers are Veterans. The older, home-owner brother is firmly ensconced in the Missoula Police Department, and a member of the SWAT Team. The younger brother, however, is the one that piqued my interest. Word on the street has it that this mid to upper twenties younger brother is unemployed, doesn’t talk to anyone in the neighborhood at all, and is very withdrawn. Granted these are all third party observations, but nonetheless, the red flags started popping up all over the place.

How good would it be if this young Warrior had someone he could trust; someone he could spill his guts to; someone other than a family member? Even better, how great would it be if the Department of Defense had a program designed specifically to transition our young Warriors back into civilian life at the end of their commitment? There are still over 40,000 Troops in Afghanistan, alone. If the numbers simply hold where they are right now, 10,000 of these Service Men and Women will commit suicide after they come home.

Is the United States of America ready to drive 10,000 more souls to their graves simply for lack of a plan? The very thought of this occurring absolutely disgusts me. I refuse to sit idly by and watch as My Brothers and Sisters in Arms are offhandedly allowed to wallow with their demons, and end up six feet under because my Country doesn’t give a damn.

I am passionately motivated to not let that happen to these young folk who have recently worn the same boots as we did forty to forty-five years ago. We know first hand and all too well the pain, the agony, the frustration, and the anger these Soldiers are feeling. It is, perhaps, much easier for them to talk to us older Veterans. They can more easily relate to us, and we them. We can’t act as licensed professionals, but we can certainly create semi-formal support groups. This is something we can do outside the auspices of the Veterans Administration. It would be nice if we had their blessing.

Our job would be more efficient if the Department of Defense were to institute a comprehensive separation program for these young Soldiers. It is a know fact that they are coming back to a life where there are no jobs, there may well be a foreclosure notice on their front door, their young families are in shambles, and there doesn’t seem to be anywhere to turn. I will reiterate my sentiment; “This is a National disgrace!”

(more to come….I’m not finished with this topic.)

The Women of Iran Are Crying Out.

Open Letter to the Anti-War Movement

There is a campaign of hostility and intimidation underway against Iranian activists in the U.S. who oppose war, sanctions and state repression in Iran. The Iranian American Friendship Committee (AIFC) has taken the lead in a series of physical and verbal attacks on Iranian activists and their allies. Enough is enough. This letter is an appeal to those who consider themselves part of the anti-war movement: stop condoning, excusing or dismissing these attacks by continuing to include AIFC in your coalitions, demonstrations, forums and other organizing events. We call on those of you who want to build an effective anti-war movement that includes the participation of those whose families are directly targeted by U.S. imperialism, and that is committed to social justice for all, to oppose the abuse AIFC has been heaping on members of various Iranian American organizations.

To read the entire Article, please oen the hyperlink, below.
http://rahacollective.org/articles-2/open-letter-to-the-anti-war-movement/

Suicide is not painless.

Below, please find the two recent letters I sent to my local Veterans Administration Medical Center. The original and the follow up are a cry from older Veterans in an attempt to save our young returnees from Iraq and Afghanistan. These young Soldiers are comitting suicide at the alarming rate of 25%; that's 1 in 4! Some how, some way, we have to implement programs that work. There isn't much time. I sincerely hope there is the desire.

Any comments and/or suggestions are welcomed with open arms.

****************************************

To:                   All Mental Health Providers, VAMC-Northport, NY

From:              Hutch Dubosque, Graduate – PRRP/PTSD Program

Subject:          Suicide / Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

 

   Something is going on here and no one seems to have the answer. No one seems to be asking the right questions. The topic is suicide. The victims are our young Servicemen and Servicewomen.

   In the past three months we have been witness to three suicides that have occurred in very unusual circumstances. In each case, the deceased has been involved in, or at the doorstep of, our Veterans Administration Medical Center’s Program designed, in part, to stem the tide of this Nationwide situation.

   I am a graduate of our Nationally recognized PTSD Program at the V.A. Medical Center in Northport, N.Y. With obvious reason, this Program has seen an influx of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans suffering from PTSD. And, apparently, a myriad of other psychological disorders that are leading these young Veterans into thinking suicide is a viable option for them.

   I think I can speak for most older Veterans in that we are very concerned and deeply saddened by this turn of events. If anyone out there has any answers; could give us some direction; could offer some meaningful support; we would all be very appreciative. As fellow Veterans, we refuse to stand idly by and do nothing in support of our Brothers and Sisters in Arms. Please…..anyone?

 

Sincerely,______________________

Hutch Dubosque, Viet Nam Combat Medic

Contact Info.: (home)631-470-0958 / (cell)631-223-6107

e-mail dubosquejr@optonline.net

***************************************

To:                   All Mental Health Providers, VAMC-Northport, NY

From:              Hutch Dubosque, Graduate – PRRP/PTSD Program

Subject:          Suicide / Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

 

Follow up to “SUICIDE” letter

I’ve read a few summary statements on the state of how our National Mental Health Care Sector looks specifically at the alarming rate of suicide in our Veteran population.. There appear to be some major issues being swept under the rug regarding our young Combat Veterans. At every turn of the page, I read how a multitude of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Mental Health Nurses, and Social Workers have done study after nauseating study into why Veterans, in general, commit suicide.

 

Let’s get one thing perfectly clear. Calling suicide by any other name is a total sham. Please don’t use endearing words such as; “higher risk of death”, “injury and non-injury related death”, and “much more research is necessary”. You Zen masters of our minds are constantly stating the obvious with no clear path toward a solution. More research is not the answer. Putting the research you have already exhausted yourselves on might be one very viable option. Up until now, it seems that the research department is not communicating very well with the production department. This has got to end.

This entire situation needs to be addressed BEFORE and AFTER any active Service Member is released form duty and sent home. This obviously means that the Department of Defense needs to be reeled in and told to create a

"separation” counseling program to the degree that it is now evident.

I will let you all in on a little secret. Veterans commit suicide because of what they have just recently experienced – WAR. It is one of the basic truths of all time that, if you have not experienced WAR, you, understandably, can have no idea what happens to the Human brain. One analogy comes to mind. If you take a large jar of oatmeal, mix it with gasoline to a sloppy solution, and set it on fire, you might have a fraction of an idea what WAR does to the Humans who have to fight it.

Certainly there are different ways to treat different levels of Substance Abuse, PTSD, TBI, etc. So let’s hear from our Professionals without any sugar coating, or coddling, and let’s hear from them very, very soon.

Addendum:

Of course there is one fool proof, fail safe way to take care our suicide epidemic. That would be picking up the option not to go to WAR in the first place.

 

 

Sincerely,______________________

Hutch Dubosque, Viet Nam Combat Medic

Contact Info.: (home)631-470-0958 / (cell)631-223-6107

e-mail dubosquejr@optonline.net

 ********************************

 

Addendum:
I am posting this privately, in consideration of confidentiality

A little levity goes a long way

Oh, come on…..A little levity goes a long way, and helps you achieve a longer, happier Life.

 

Six Golden Rules For F***ing...

  

1.      F***ing once a week is good for your health, but its harmful if done every day.

 

2.    F***ing provides proper the relaxation for your mind and body.

 

3.    F***ing refreshes you, mentally and physically

 

4.    After F***ing don't eat too much; go for more liquids.

 

5.     Try to  f*** in bed cause it can save you valuable energy.

 

6.    F***ing can even reduce your cholesterol level.

 

 

So remember:

 

 

FASTING is good for your health, and may God cleanse your Dirty Mind.

 

 DOWNLOADING!

LETS FIX CONGRESS !?

Mr. Warren Buffet – The quotes, below, are apparently commonly attributed to Mr. Buffet in one, or more, of his public interviews. I cannot vouch for the validity of the source, but, in general, this is what needs to be done to achieve a truly representative government. I have taken the liberty to revise and add his comments regarding “term limits”.

Mr. Buffet;
"I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of  GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election. The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to get ratified!  Why? Simple, the people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure. 

 

Congressional Reform Act of 2012 

1.       No Tenure / No Pension.

2.       A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when

          they're out of office.  

3.       Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security and Medicare like the

          rest of us do.

4.       All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security System,

          immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress

          participates with the American people. It may not be used for any  other purpose.

5.       Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do. 

6.       Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional

          pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

7.       Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care

          system as the American people. 

8.       Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

9.       All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 12/1/12  

          [i.e., No Lobbying] The American people did not make any contracts with  

          Congressmen/women; Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in

          Congress is an honor, not a career, and definitely not a stepping stone to further

          governmental and legislative manipulation.

10.    The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s),

          then go home and back to work. Term limits will be set by Law, as they are for

          Presidents, Governors, and the like. Senators will be restricted to four, six year terms;

          Representatives will be restricted to four, six year terms. The length of “term” for  

          Representatives will be amended to six years, in equality to Senator’s “terms”.^[1]

^[1]: Our Elected Officials in Washington, D.C spend entirely too much of their time “in Office” attempting to get re-elected. This is very costly in both monetary terms and time spent away form actually representing their constituency. *On the same note; the Presidential “term” should also be amended to six years, and be available for only two consecutive “terms”.

RIGHTS REVIVAL

When, in the course of a Nation, there arises a need for that Nation’s Government to choose between its own People and the Corporations that greatly profit from that Nation’s largesse, the path that Government takes speaks volumes of its regard for the Men and Women who fought long and hard to build a democratic Society, that does not question the equality of all Men and all Women. The United States of America is at that very crossroads. Both the People, and the Government charged to represent them, have some basic societal and political decisions to make in the coming month and a half.

It seems quite easy for the People to relax into a Corporate run life-style that removes much of the day to day decision making that this Nation’s original individualists prided themselves on. Reaching conclusions and acting on decisions are two very distinct and different concepts. The People of this Country can reach all the conclusions they want to, and that will still simply leave the “huddled masses” groveling at the feet of Corporate America. The inference here is that this act alone will guarantee the obliteration of anything resembling a Middle Class.

To be involved in the furthering of our National democracy, The People are the catalysts of change and progression. It is the People who must set the National agenda, and go to any, and all, lengths to insure that agenda is adhered to day after day, year after year. One of the most basic tenets of a democracy is the expectation that the People will be willing to get involved to the point of electing their peers to represent them in ways appropriate to their wishes. The inference here is that the very best decisions will be made, and acted upon, for the greater wellbeing of the Nation’s People.

There are three distinct choices the American People can make this November. By convincing yourself that your vote does not matter, and your Government will do as they please, anyway, you can stay home on our National Election Day and let the World pass you by.

Alternatively, you may participate in your right to engage your vote, and opt for the status quo, thus allowing the Nations’ Corporations a free hand to run this Country as they see fit. This option has absolutely nothing to do with your wishes and desires about the future of your Country.

You may, on the other hand, choose to engage your vote on your terms. Being of sound mind and fairly good judgment, the People of the United States of America have the capability to shape a National moral, societal, economic, and political course that will guarantee fairness and justice to ALL our Citizens.

There are two ways to arm yourself with the confidence to make the choice that is right for you. Number one is The Constitution of The United States of America; number two is The Bill of Rights. One aspect of reading these two Documents is that you can do it by your self, with no outside interference to sway your judgment. Both Documents are easy to read; easy to understand, and are the basis for our Country’s past, present, and future.

Before you make a decision to vote, or not, or to vote one way, or the other, please take the time to re-acquaint yourself with our Nation’s founding Articles and the Documentation that formed the beginning of the World’s Greatest Democracy. The grand design for the United States of America is one of longevity and prosperity, with fairness and justice to all its Citizens, and to the rest of the World’s Citizens.

    I thank you for getting involved in your Country’s future.