SOS: Save Our Souls?

When people are stranded on islands in movies or tv shows... and they hope to get the attention of a search party... or even some casual passer-by... they usually shoot a flare or write in the sand SOS... save our souls. Churches and other religious institutions like to think of themselves as spiritual search parties. Looking for people who are lost and need to be helped. Not a physical saving in that case... not trying to literally save the corporal body, but trying to save the soul of the person. What exactly is a soul? How do you explain or define it?

When people usually speak of a "soul" or a "spirit," they are usually referring to a sentient non-material version of each person. The true abstract you who resides inside the physical shell that we call the body. Some view "soul" and "spirit" as two separate things, and some people use the terms interchangably... but there is an understanding or belief in "the real you" being more than just the physical matter that comprises your body.

We all know why we think that way (religion), but have we even considered otherwise? From the moment we are able to form higher level thought, we are constantly told that we are spiritual creatures, so we take it as a such. We do not consider otherwise, and all conversations or discussions even remotely related to the topic begin only AFTER the point where we presuppose the existence of a soul. Is there a soul? Are we allowed to even ask the question? Is there an abstract mind that works spiritually in correlation to the physical brain?

Is it not possible that there is no (abstract) mind at all... that each person's (physical) brain is a really complex system of computers that operate congruently with one another? Every human being is different. We all have different finger prints, for example. Different metabolism. Different blood pressure. Different eye sight. Different skin sensitivity. Can we not all have different brain patterns that are "percieved" as personalities?





There are billions upon billions of neurons constantly firing inside our brains. Could BILLIONS of different neurons, reacting differently and firing at different intervals, in each different person, in each different circumstance, under each set of different conditions, each person having different backgrounds and different previous experiences... could all these variables just give the appearance of unique souls?

And its not as if we dont know what certain lobes, hemispheres and sections of the brain our in charge of controlling and regulating. Each section of the human brain is mapped out with its responsibilities and functions. We know how both hemispheres differ. We understand what different lobes are responsible for. To the Nth degree? Certainly not. That will probably never be FULLY grasped. But, we have Cat scans... and MRI's... and PET's... and other brain imaging tests to analyze and give us a better understanding of what sections of the brain "fire up" under varying circumstances. What part of the brain operates when you're sad... when you're angry... when you're frightened... when you're eating... when you are listening... when you are taking a test... when you are sleeping...

So, compared to 100 years ago, where people knew there was this giant red swirly gooey thing in your head... and it somehow interacted with your (abstract) mind and soul... we're actually able to diagram the entire human brain and explain what each section of the brain is responsible for performing. That does not preclude the existence of a soul, but it certainly gives us a clearer comprehension of what the physical body is doing.

Lets assume for a moment (as everyone does anyway) that there is a soul. What exactly is the relationship between physical brain deterioration and that soul? Can you have a crazy or retarded soul? Or is that soul normal, yet "imprisoned" by a malfunctioning physical brain? What of those who suffer from mental disabilities such as schizophrenia or dementia? Someone who truly believes that they have magical powers... that they've travelled to other planets and dimensions? Someone else who sees things that are not there? Is that soul inside screaming at the brain, but the brain isn't listening? Like an end-user who's frustrated because of a non-responsive computer infected with a virus.

Now, Im not one to believe that every person who is diagnosed with a mental illness is afflicted, however, there are cases where there is physical deformity to coincide with the lack of coherent thinking. Some people diagnosed with schizophrenia show clear physical deterioration of their brains. If a person's brain is now 85% its original size, and that person is now "hearing voices"... and illogically putting facts together... and no longer able to clearly understand/interpret the world around them... has their "soul" gone crazy? Or is the schizo's "soul" a slave to the under-performing brain?






There are many tragic examples, but an interesting case would be Charles Whitman. The UT tower sniper from August 1966. In March of that year, Whitman actually sought out help on campus for his irrational thoughts and confessed to a psychiatrist that he felt the urge to "start shooting people with a deer rifle." I have seen shows which make mention of some of these alleged thoughts he was said to be struggling with, which (if true) can only be described as bizarre delusions and utter insanity, but, Whitman also kept a journal and left a suicide note. So there are some first hand accounts. In the suicide note he wrote...

"I do not quite understand what it is that compels me to type this letter. Perhaps it is to leave some vague reason for the actions I have recently performed. I do not really understand myself these days. I am supposed to be an average reasonable and intelligent young man. However, lately (I cannot recall when it started) I have been a victim of many unusual and irrational thoughts."

Interestingly enough, Whitman requested an autopsy to be done to explain his actions and reoccuring headaches. He also willed any money he had to mental health research. Hours before climbing the tower, he would stab his mother and wife to death, and wrote in his suicide note that he was sending them to a better place. After he was shot and killed, the autopsy revealed a large tumor in his brain pressed against the amygdala.

The question I have is simple... lets assume there is a soul... did his soul just so happen to become corrupted, evil and pyschopathic at the EXACT same time that he had this large malignant tumor growing inside his brain... or... did he have a normal soul that did not change... but that soul was unable to fight off the perverse and irrational thoughts that were torturing him as a result of the physical affliction in his head? Were the thoughts he was having not his own?

The only thing we know FOR SURE... is that... no one knows for sure. Well, if you believe in a soul, you probably believe that one PERESON knows for sure... and if you dont believe in a soul, then you probably believe that noone knows or will ever know the answer...

The Heaviest Generation

The chunkiest generation...

The thickest generation...

The plumpest generation...

If the post World War 2 Americans were known as "the greatest generation" then surely we shall be known as the fattest. The latest federal government statistics were just released, and its not looking too good. The National Center for Health Statistics (which is part of the Center for Disease Control... the CDC) posted numbers within the last week showing that 34% of Americans are now considered OBESE. Thats a huge number to me, but that only counts "obesity". There are another 32% of Americans who are overweight. Obese being described as grossly overweight... and 6% of the nation is "extremely" (morbidly?) obese, according to those statistics. Last May, the CDC said that 32% of children were overweight (16% obese / 11% extremely obese).

Going in order of severity... overweight... obese... extreme obesity... 72% of the American population (59% of children) are considered to be AT LEAST overweight. That is astounding. And unnerving, as far as how much we know about weight problems... particularly later in life; making people more susceptible to health problems... in particular... heart disease and diabetes.

According to the CDC... the number of obesity cases has more than doubled since 1980. What is the cause? That I dont know... but, my first thought is technology. Convenience causing a lack of activity in most people. A lot of kids are playing less, more internet, more television, more cable, more video games. The second of course would be diet. Im not sure if there is any consensus, but I hear diet is even more important than physical activity. Portion sizes are getting larger and larger... (I wont even mention trans fat!!!) and (if you didn't know) American food portions are larger than in Europe. (Click here for an interest article from the Harvard Crimson)

But, what I do know... this is a "growing" problem... bad pun intended... and something we all need to be aware of.

America's Ruling Class Part 1

“No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States,” reads Article I of the Constitution.

The founders of this country left the monarchal system of government found in England, and were very quick and clear in the constitution to declare that we wanted no part of that here in America. People should be elected or appointed based on their personal qualifications... not due to their name, class, status, or lineage. There would be no Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts, Barons, Knights, Esquire, Gentleman in the US colonies. We would have free society where each individual, based on his personal merits, could succeed or fail.

Or so they thought...(?)






The obsession with Hollywood has definately got to be one form of an Aristocracy. A new form of American nobility. I wouldn't so much call these people a ruling class, I'm not sure how much (true) power they hold, besides the fanfare they receive. But, its not always about power, its also about priviledge... and wealth. There is a channel, you know its name, and its dedicated solely to Hollywood. Everything you want to know or see about the stars. Get your fix.

"See how rich they are! Dont you wish you had a house like that? Oh, you so want to be this person. Come along! Make yourself crazy by wishing to emulate the person you created!"

People interested in every facet of these peoples lives, as if they're really different. I'm not sure what people are expecting to here.

"George Clooney says he just wants to eat a burger and fries sometimes... wow... he's just like me."

Are people expecting him to say he goes out on an expedition and hunts down his food, just like some part he played in a movie once? And why do people care what he eats anyway. His body digests food the same way yours does. What exactly is suppose to happen if you're in the same room with a celebrity. Im not a fan of photographers who try to find the makeup free photos to embarass celebs, but they do prove a point. (click here) These are regular people. They dont come from the planet Krypton... they haven't been bitten by radio-active spiders... yet people hyperventilate because of them. There seems to be a weird symbiotic relationship between fan and "star."

1) They entertain Americans, some just play regular people in movies or tv. (how ironic)
2) People view them as angels come down to earth.
3) People want to know and see everything about them.
4) Paparazzi follows these people all around 24/7.
5) Entertainers begin to hate the attention and the obsession.
6) People (some who have always been jealous) begin to resent the (perceived?) attitude of those they've built up.

And boy do people enjoy taking them down. I've never been into Britney Spears, so... I never understood the adulation, and perhaps even more so, I never understood the, almost anticipatory glee at watching her self-destruct. In some weird way, its like a good portion of people who keep up with Hollywood liked the idea of watching her come back down to Earth. A preverse circle of life?





But these people have no real power... they're just figure heads... similar to the position of Queen of England, after the Prime Minister's position was created. Princess Diana had no real power, but she was "loved", adored and obsessed over, just like a Hollywood celebrity. By that time in England, the power had moved to the Prime Minister and the Parliament. If we're talking... TRUE POWER... the true power in America is held in the Legislature. You get two/thirds of both the House and Senate to think with one mind, it doesn't matter what the President wants. At that point, there is no president. Just an oligarchy. And guess who wants in...?





Caroline Kennedy. Who? Yeah, um... my thoughts exactly. One of JFK's kids. She wants to be appointed to Hillary Clinton's not vacant Senate seat. Say what? Not city council... Not State Comptroller... Not State Representative... Not State Senator... Not US Representative (1 of 435)... she wants to be APPOINTED to the United States Senate. Um... what??? Talk about nobility and entitlement. If she wants to wait until for the next term, and run for it in an election, so be it. But since Clinton is stepping down, mid term, she wants the Governor of NY to appoint her. What are her qualifications? What experience does she have in government? NONE. There are only 100 Senators in the nation. The Senate is the more powerful of the two Houses of Congress. And she wants to be given a seat there. Right at the top. And there are people, like Harry Reid, a leading Democratic who works with her uncle (Ted Kennedy) in the Senate, who think this is a good idea. Now, Im not here, to try to condemn her as not intelligent, but surely, there has got to be SOMEONE... I dunno... with soooooooooome government experience, who would be better qualified for this special appointment to the Senate. I'm surprised this was even a news story. There was actually debate about it.

But then again... what about her predecessor?



(Hillary Clinton protecting a girl from sniper fire)



This is a picture of Hillary Clinton using her body, as a wall to protect the little girl from the onslaught of bullets. I must also commend Sinbad the comedian, and Chelsea Clinton for being so brave as to accompany the First Lady on such a dangerous mission. Was Madelyn Albright sick? On vacation? The president's wife was on a special mission? Its hilarious how Hillary Clinton tried to turn herself into Madelyn Albright on the campaign trail this year. As if she were the one with the title of Secretary of State in the 90's.

She said that Barack Obama doesn't have experience, and I will grant you that he doesn't have a lot of experience (nor was it his claim to fame), but how many people know he has more years in political office than she does? She's a first term Senator, just like he is... but, he actually worked in the state legislature for 8 years. She... what? What exactly has she done? The kicker... she's not even from New York. Her election to the Senate in 2002, is perhaps the biggest joke in political history.

"Nu-uh, thats not true... she was... she was... kinda... sorta... not really sleeping with the guy who was the President!"




(Jesse Jackson, Jr)


I dont get how people in this country (all nations?) grant experience based on association. If I need my taxes done, and my accountant is in the hospital... I'm not going to ask his wife to do them... Im going to a different accountant! If my doctor is ill, and she can't see me... I'm not going to ask her husband to perform the surgery, Im going to get another surgeon. If politics is as important as people say... why are we applying someone else's talents to the people who were around them. Okay, you were married to the guy who was Governor for 8 years and President for 8 more. Thats not 16 years of experience for you!!! You're not in ANY of the high security meetings. Is this a joke? The sniper fire fiasco was suppose to embody the absurdity of her political career... again... I was caught expecting too much from the American people.


And I dont care what your daddy use to do... I dont believe your genetics are special. What about all the bright, hardworking, diligent, self-depriving, altruistic, people out there, who work there butts off... day in and day out... but dont have a "famous" or "recognizable" last name. Are we serious? Are we really serious? This is the best the people can do? Identify a last name they've seen before. The other person could do it, so cleary the new person with the same name can do it?

I'd better see you fly... or shoot heat vision... or pick up a car... or get gravely ill when you're around kryptonite... before you can convince me that these "abilities" of previous leaders are just passed down to those around them. Its as the people dont want to be bothered. Its clear why there have been so few democracies in human history. This isn't even a PURE DEMOCRACY... heaven help us. This is just a representative democracy, and we still can't get it right.

(southern small town country accent)

"They want me to vote... and to... watch the news... and keep up with stuff... and all that-that there bullcorn... and um... i got.. uraah.. i gots important stuff to do m'self... y'understand? First off... I got this dang-blasted bowling tournament going on... and I gotsta get my trophy back. I gotta keep up with American Idol... a few of those foreign lookin' fellerz can sing... and I gotta keep up with my fantasy football... Peyton Manning is my Lord and Savior... so um... I really, dont have time, to be keepin up with no politics... isn't that what we voted fer 4 years ago? Shoot... Bush... yeah... thats a name I know... Im sure that'll be good. Im supposed to already be at the bowlin alley... i gotsta go!"


And we all know how some priviledged off-spring feel about the "masses" who are stupid enough to vote for them.

(*sigh* Someone tell this moron the camera is still rolling)