tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76065912833554661182024-03-13T06:24:45.705-07:00John Reinhard DizonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-53820623457012010352019-02-12T16:51:00.003-08:002019-02-12T16:51:41.300-08:00THE ABSURDITY OF SOCIALIST HEALTH CARE --- WORLD HEALTH IMPLOSION?<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 6px;">
The inanities spouted by socialists such as NYC's Cortez is a stark display of ignorance as to how the medical industry operates on a global scale. Have they ever considered why there have never been significant medical breakthroughs or discoveries in any socialist nation? Are they curious as to why Russia and China have only been able to replicate or counterfeit American medical products<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">? Do they ever contemplate a scenario in which a government-controlled medical industry put American researchers and developers out of business?</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Let us examine the reason why the best and the brightest find their way to the USA to realize their potential. Bottom line: dollars and common sense. A chemical engineer developing a serum in Africa is not going to cure AIDS inside a thatched hut. A medical researcher in India is not going to complete his formula amidst a neighborhood controlled by avaricious nabobs. Chinese and Russian scholars will flee to America where they will receive the money and funding to finish their projects.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
People ask why the cost of medicine in America is so high. Simple answer: pharmaceutical companies are trying to recoup the cost of years of research to develop their product. The $100 you spend for a high-tech pill is a price they determined in trying to break even for their manufacturing costs. Why do the Canadians and the Chinese charge so much less? They didn't spend anything to discover the product. All they invested was the knockoff expense.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Once Cortex and her New World Order cronies assume power, researchers and developers will flee the country in search of greener pastures. Nobody is going to stick around and accept a State-controlled pay rate after dedicating their lives to discovering a new serum or technique. After all, doesn't a lifetime of work deserve a nice home, a new car and a sizable bank account...</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
...like Cortex and the rest of the socialist elite?</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-67362010670246722482018-02-02T19:59:00.000-08:002018-02-03T07:31:55.505-08:00"Nightcrawler Redemption" --- Sneak Preview!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">The black Trans Am rolled onto the deserted pier
slowly and deliberately. It eased to a halt one hundred yards away from the
warehouse at the end of the pier. The two passengers inside the car awaited
until the overhead door slid open as languidly as the vehicle had arrived. The
pier was deathly still until, at last, a female figure emerged from the
warehouse. The woman walked out ten feet and waited until the car door opened.
A figure dressed in a baseball cap and an overcoat came out from the passenger
side. The two persons began walking in each other’s direction until they
assumed each other’s starting point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Get
that little faggot,” Castor snarled at his soldiers as the overcoat moved forth
tentatively with a walking stick. “Drag him in here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “You
gonna let those two bitches drive outta here?” his brother Pollux demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “That’s
the deal. That’s the word from the man upstairs. Those two bitches are targets
too big to hit. We whack them, we’ll have the FBI and Homeland Security trying
to find a home up our asses. They just don’t drive off until we give the signal.
That’s the deal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “You
gonna pat the faggot down first?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “That’s
the deal.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The
brothers and their six gunmen watched as the man made his way to the threshold.
At once two of the gangsters rushed forth, confiscating his white cane and
dragging him by the arms into the warehouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Rat
bastard,” Castor snarled. “After he shits his pants I’m gonna make him eat it.
Then I’m gonna open his skull like in that movie <i>Hannibal</i> and make him eat his own fuggin’ brain.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Hope
he brought his appetite,” Pollux chuckled eagerly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The
two thugs dragged the man to the far wall and threw him against it as their
four cohorts closed in behind them. Castor and Pollux watched, waiting for the
others to work the captive over before they moved in to finish him off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Only
when they pulled off the man’s sunglasses, they saw a pair of black-painted eye
sockets staring back at them. At once the figure dropped into a martial arts
horse stance, using its sturdy balance center as a fulcrum. The captive fired
lightning blows into the men’s faces, shattering their jaws with
titanium-crested gloved fists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Holy
shit!” one of the gunmen yelled. “It’s the Crawler! It’s the fuggin’
Nightcrawler!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Kill
the son of a bitch!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The
gangsters pulled their weapons and opened fire. Only the figure grabbed the two
men by their lapels and slammed them together, using them as a shield. They
absorbed over a dozen shots before wilting, causing their cohorts to cease
fire. It gave the shape enough time to toss a small concussion grenade into
their midst. When it exploded, it emitted a thick smoke screen that Castor and
Pollux were unable to see through.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Shoot
the bastard!” Castor pulled an Uzi from a utility belt beneath his suit jacket.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Our
boys are in there!” Pollux protested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “That’s
the Nightcrawler! Kill the motherfugga!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “You
do it!” Pollux fell back. “I need to signal our guys to grease those bitches!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Pollux
rushed to a door alongside the overhead pulldown, yanking a laser light from
his pocket and clicking it three times. At once, a pair of gunmen on each side
of the Pontiac rushed from the shadows and sprayed the vehicle with automatic
fire. They emptied their clips until they saw blood spurting across the windows
of both sides of the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Payback’s
a bitch!” Pollux came back into the warehouse, waving his fist triumphantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “You
got that right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Pollux
found himself on all fours, trying to regain his senses as he sought to regain
his feet. Only the Nightcrawler’s blow had cracked both of his eye sockets and
fractured his nose so that he could barely see or breathe. He dazedly rolled
toward the open door and saw unmarked cruisers flooding the area outside,
ordering his gunmen to their knees. He heard the sound of helicopters as they
illuminated the area from above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Cas!”
he croaked. “It’s the Feds! They’re everywhere! The bitches set a trap!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Aggghhh…”
he heard his brother gurgling. He peered into the shadowy chamber and saw
Castor lying on his back, a pool of blood forming around his head. Inside the
pool glistened small fragments of his front teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Inside
the Firebird, Carissa Fermanagh was curled up in a fetal position beneath the
steering wheel, sobbing brokenly. Alongside her was Rita Hunt, trying to cradle
her head while stroking her face with a trembling hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “It’s
okay, baby, it’s okay,” Rita murmured into her ear. “Don’t cry, it’s over.
We’ll be okay, those bad guys are toast.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “I
can’t do this anymore,” Carissa wept bitterly. “I can’t, I can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “You
don’t have to, honey. It’s over.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The
women cringed as they heard the doors being tested from outside. At once they
were pulled open as flashlight beamed down upon the two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Homeland
Security. Are you okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “We
are okay. Give us a hand, please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The
agents gathered around the car as two figures strode from the cordon of
vehicles toward the Trans Am. They gave way as Kelly Stone and his second in
command walked up to the women.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Rita,
darling,” he came forth and took her into his arms. “Are you okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “I’m
just fine, thanks to you,” she managed to give him a smile that turned his
insides to jelly. “You’re my knight in shining armor, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “I
love you, Rita,” he cupped her face in his hands. “I’ll go in there and waste
those bastards.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Now,
see here, Mr. Stone,” she softly pulled back, “is that any way to talk to a
lady?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Those
guys almost killed you two, and…” he was taken aback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Hands
where we can see them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Kelly
looked up and saw Sabrina Brooks approaching from a black Ford Explorer. She
was dressed in a black workout suit, the
overhead spotlights from the choppers making her titian tresses and ivory skin
appear iridescent. The HS riflemen waved their rifles toward her though looking
to Kelly for instructions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “I
can take them from here,” she called to Kelly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Yeah,
whatever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Honey,
I know you saved our lives. And I’ll never forget it,” Rita put her hand on his
cheek, gazing into his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “You know I can’t kiss you here,” he narrowed his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “I
was counting on it,” she smiled playfully before heading off with Sabrina and
Carissa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> At
once a realization dawned on him, and he was struck as by lightning when his subordinate
came to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “What’s
up, Kelly?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Shit,
Vince.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “What?
What is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Sabrina
Brooks. She’s the Nightcrawler.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Great.
Let’s take her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Damn,
I just forgot,” Vince shook his head. “It came out on CNN about an hour ago.
Trump confessed to being the Nightcrawler.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> “Well,
hell’s bells,” Kelly grumbled. “We'd have needed to bring Hoyt Wexford in for
questioning. We'd have needed to find out how the Crawler was able to pull those big hooters on and off.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-55177727377321171532017-02-14T09:43:00.005-08:002017-02-14T10:15:13.320-08:00Saviors of Obamacare?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwSSZ0SM6Nk/WKNBZbo-0lI/AAAAAAAAAFA/77BwFNBVjocvkEZzDaxb0Fh1Hb7uShCfACLcB/s1600/who-did-negan-kill-walking-dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwSSZ0SM6Nk/WKNBZbo-0lI/AAAAAAAAAFA/77BwFNBVjocvkEZzDaxb0Fh1Hb7uShCfACLcB/s320/who-did-negan-kill-walking-dead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Most familiar with pop
culture of the 2010’s know all about the TV series </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Walking Dead</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">. The phenomenal zombie thriller, at the end of a
nearly decade-long run, finds its survivor heroes under the yoke of a criminal
gang known as the Saviors. Its leader, Negan, is a baseball bat-wielding
psychopath who kills someone in almost every scene to make some obscure point.
The Saviors rule is simple: you go outside the community and forage while
avoiding zombies. Whatever you bring back, you hand over as tribute. In return,
they allow you to remain alive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At this point in history,
it becomes increasingly difficult to separate fantasy from reality TV, or
mainstream news from alt-news or ‘fake news’. In a world of entertainment where
<i>Saturday Night Live</i> has turned the
American President into a media icon, members of the Cabinet are being
immortalized as wrestling-type heels. Leftist protests have turned into flash
mob riots in which traveling bands of agitators attack police and vandalize
private property wherever the media directs them. Celebrities are stepping out
as political pundits, recharging their careers by going on record as being
against the Government and all that it stands for. As usual, the Moral Majority
stands in silence while the shrill and vociferous leftist fringe rages on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is hard to focus as we
look back at the Obama regime, a bloated ten trillion-dollar enterprise that
grew bigger as the country grew comfortably numb. People lost jobs, collected
unemployment, signed up for welfare, sat home, gained weight and got sick. The
president signed one of his many executive orders in a day when there were no
vigilante judges willing to stand up and restrain said order. He made Obamacare
the law of the land, and suddenly the unwashed masses had health insurance
despite having no employer to provide it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Republicans fought
against it, like feeble old women trying to fend off athletic young purse
snatchers. They relented as small businesses folded in the face of health care
mandates coming at insufferable cost. They shrugged as shrewd bean-counters in
banking and insurance recalculated the odds. They used premiums and deductibles
as wrecking balls that gave a ‘level playing field’ a new meaning. When
industrial giants such as Humana and Blue Cross began steering clear of the
train wreck ahead, Republicans smiled smugly and reminded all ‘we told you so’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of course, this did
nothing for the working class who were under penalty of law for non-compliance.
Obama required all Americans to submit to his decree. Like the Saviors, they
stood at the threshold as citizens were forced to acquire coverage --- or face
the baseball bats of the IRS. Americans complied, and in many cases at a cost
they could not sustain. People were interviewed on TV as they testified their
monthly premiums were their biggest household expense. Bollocks, we laughed. It
is theatre created by the GOP to cast our President’s legacy in a bad light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fast forward to the Days
of Trump, as our new President is being asked to make good on his campaign
promise to abolish Obamacare. The dilemma he faces is that the aged and infirm,
the genetically deficient, the morbidly obese, the clinically depressed, and many
others are desperately clinging to Obamacare the way the multitudes grabbed at
Christ’s robe along the countryside. Pandora’s Box has been opened, and it has
become a can of whoop-ass that the GOP cannot close. They have free tickets to
the hospital, and will only have them pried from cold, dead fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What Trump must do now,
as surveyor and architect, is to assess the landscape before devising his
structure and masterpiece. It is bleak and foreboding, a wasteland dominated by
insurance companies whose premiums and deductibles threaten to crush all who
dare trespass. Swirling overhead are the minions of the medical industry who
will pick the bones of anyone unfortunate enough to fall into their hands.
Beyond lies an infinite horizon of crises along the path of life: accidents,
injury, pregnancy, local epidemics, or anything that can financially crush a
person in the blink of an eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The first move should be
painfully obvious. The President must liberate his people from the yoke of
Obamacare, downgrading it from a mandatory requirement. Let us consider the
red-blooded American who goes from cradle to grave, visiting the hospital only
once at their birth. How many hundreds of thousands will spend a lifetime
purchasing something they will never use? The same can be said for any
insurance: only car insurance is a necessary evil and home/life insurance defends
against the unforeseen catastrophe our loved ones may not endure. Obamacare,
for many, is being sent out to scavenge by bat-wielding thugs who take what
they will never give in return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once this is resolved,
Trump must focus on plowing and developing the wasteland. The insurance
companies must realize that the 99% rule must no longer apply. Regardless of
their objections, they must come to realize that their board of directors
earning a half million per year can afford pay cuts to keep Joe Blow from
paying $400 per month in premiums. The logic of the 20<sup>th</sup> century can
no longer apply. True, bigger insurance companies offer more and better-paying
jobs. Only the margin of profit must be drastically narrowed to give the
working class the opportunity to afford what they need at a <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">maintainable</span> price.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From there, our leader
must look overhead and follow the buzzards to their nesting place. The medical
industry will continue to point to the matrix: the spiraling cost of
pharmaceuticals, the astronomical price of modern technology and equipment, and
the overhead expense that resulted in $50 aspirin in hospitals in Seventies
NYC. Yet as we look around at the rest of the world community, the question is obvious.
Why is medical coverage in the wealthiest nation on earth so costly? Our
neighbors from Cuba to Canada provide health benefits to their citizens, and
neither government is collapsing under the burden. Certainly a financial genius
like Trump will find an answer for a problem defined by corporate greed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One thing that burns in
our minds is the image of St. Jude’s Children’s Center. This is a specialized
institution dedicated to the care of children in various stages of cancer
diagnosis and treatment. It relies on public and private funding to operate; in
turn it proclaims its services free to all children and their families. Their
tenet is that no one is ever turned away. As we know, cancer is an incurable
disease. Billions of dollars have been spent on research, equipment and
pharmaceuticals designed to combat the affliction. The treatment is
astoundingly expensive in many cases, and the Center has literally saved
thousands of lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The question, for
purposes of this essay, is to how far this horizon may be extended. If the care
can be provided for children, then why not men and women at some future time? If
these services one day cover all Americans, can they not be expanded to cover
other illnesses? And if St. Jude’s becomes a beacon of hope for patients across
the country, why can we not open more of these centers? Granted, this becomes a
long trickledown process. Yet if it begins to fill the middle ground between
St. Jude’s at the apex and public health clinics as the bargain basement,
America may be on the way to providing free medical benefits to its citizens at
last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some of the technical
issues facing Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price are just as
challenging. Democratic opposition led by Senator Patty Murray point to ongoing
arguments. The issue of Federal support for abortion has been a flashpoint
between conservative Christians and leftist groups for over half a century. There
is also the question of health insurance voucher programs affording the needy
an opportunity to buy private insurance. Price will indeed join the fray on the
floor of Congress, but the bigger battles await.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">President Trump and Tom
Price will be required to deal with major health care problems with the wellbeing of millions at stake. They must not allow these concerns to be
reduced to a matter of dollars and cents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-2978476874862827652017-01-25T20:49:00.003-08:002017-01-25T21:11:16.834-08:00Opening Salvos? (Excerpt from JRD's "Dynasty!")<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In retrospect, none of it should have been totally
unexpected. Yet the events surrounding the inauguration of Donald J. Trump sent
seismic waves around the planet. On January 20</span><sup style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">, 2017, the 45</span><sup style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">
President of the United States took his oath of office. A highly enthusiastic
crowd of Trump supporters came out to cheer the triumphant event. Yet just
blocks away, an anti-Trump mob came out to throw stones at police and set fire
to a limousine. His inaugural speech was wildly populist although iterating
most of the rhetoric he developed on the campaign trail. Yet the press reported
it as a right-wing nationalist call to arms that would set American diplomacy
back a half century.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> What it does predict is a likely war of attrition that may
possibly continue over the next four years of the Trump presidency. The liberal
press, firmly entrenched after eight years of predominance over the Obama administration,
has viewed the Trump ascension as the advent of an Orwellian reactionary super-state.
Trump blasted back using the same analogy, citing the double-speak of Orwell’s <i>1984</i> as the leftist recipe for serving ‘alternative
news’ to the American public and the nations of the world. Whatever the case
may be, both sides are portending a future series of events that will serve no
good purpose as time goes by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The size of the crowds attending the inauguration became
the first item of interest over the weekend. The media derided the turnout as
one of the lowest in recent decades. Trump called the declaration a bald-faced
lie meant to debase the Trump Nation. He insisted it was as well-attended and
enthusiastic as that of any previous Democratic inaugural events. The press
countered with aerial photos, showing enormous crowds at the first Obama
inauguration. Trump fired back with clips of plastic-covered areas that covered
the White House lawn, resulting in the crowd being divided into sectors that
appeared to be sparsely occupied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The media proved even more divisive in televising the
nationwide demonstrations following the inauguration. Relatively few networks
(such as Fox News and One America Network News) followed the Trump celebration
at the inaugural ball. The majority chose
to provide non-stop coverage of the anti-Trump events, from the riotous
protests in Washington DC to the so-called ‘female protests’ in large cities
across the country and around the world. It was publicized as a women’s
backlash against a misogynistic Trump regime. Yet it can be seen how the events
were misrepresented in order to enhance the turnout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Women around the globe had been fed a steady stream of
propaganda by the Clinton campaign depicting Trump as a male chauvinist. Making
matters worse was Trump’s strong position on Christian issues, one of the
foremost being anti-abortion. It made him an opponent of pro-choice groups;
even worse, it placed him against health legislation that linked benefits to
abortion options. Activist groups were quick to promote the idea that Trump
would repeal women’s health benefits along with Obamacare upon assuming office.
The world-wide response appeared as if the women of the world had united in
opposition to the new President.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One
of the more problematic selling points facing the media was the composition of
the Trump administration. Trump’s wife Melania had already announced herself as
being a champion of family issues. Ivanka Trump was already consolidating her
position as one of the most influential ‘first daughters’ in history. There was
also campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, education secretary Betsy DeVos and UN
ambassador Nikki Haley, among many others. Unlike many women in the Obama and
Bush administrations, these persons do not seem to be hired according to gender.
Most come from backgrounds that indicate they will come out swinging from the
opening bell. If Trump was assembling a male-dominated staff, he seemed to be
uncharacteristically near-sighted in doing so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At
that juncture, White House press secretary Sean Spicer excoriated the media
over their purveyance of ‘alternative facts’ and biased opinion during the
inaugural weekend. Trump followed up by asking Cabinet and Congress members to
refrain from disseminating information that might prove detrimental to the administration’s
agenda. It was the equivalent of setting skirmish lines along the political
battlefield. The media rose up in arms, and Orwell’s futuristic novel found a
resurgence that took it to Number One on Amazon’s bestseller list. <i>1984</i> had flash-forwarded to 2017, and the
fate of the world was at stake once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once
again Trump took the offensive, pointing to the press’ claim that Hillary
Clinton had won the popular vote and should have been President were it not for
the electoral college. He went on to announce that he would conduct a formal
investigation of Democratic strategies in utilizing illegal immigrant votes to
decide city and state election results. This reopened a can of worms surrounding
allegations that the Putin regime in Russia masterminded the Internet hacks of
the Democratic National Convention. The Clinton campaign contended that Russia
had leaked information convincing voters that their integrity was highly
questionable at best. It led to a new round of mud-slinging that has a long way
to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One
thing that stands out is the Democrats’ indignation over the alleged Russian
interference in the electoral process. The most profound revelations were the
DNC’s betrayal of Bernie Sanders in favor of Clinton, as well as the financial
indiscretions of the Clinton Foundation. Although the exposes were, in all
likelihood, disastrous to the campaign, the vital question remains. In an
America where freedom of information has been declared an inalienable right,
would it have been moral for voters to have been denied access to those
details?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another
angle that many conservatives had forgotten was the intense backlash in many
areas of the country over the Obama regime of the past eight years. Although
the liberal press was strongly supportive of the Obama administration, the
Republicans’ adversity was so strong that Obama was forced to rely on executive
orders to make progress on key issues. There was also the fact that Obama
received more death threats than any other President in history. The media
conveniently downplayed much of this, making it seem as if America had entered
a blissful era of inclusivity and diversity on both sides of the aisle and
across Main Street USA. The Republican right was now uncovering what the media
had swept under the rug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
question of validity surrounding the electoral college brings the Democrats’
sense of values into light. The reason for the electoral college was to prevent
major cities with overwhelming populations to dominate American politics. It
allowed states with comparatively small populations to enjoy their fair share
of influence over the outcome. Further, it is a sociological fact that citizens
of lower income flock to large cities due to the abundance of public assistance
programs. They become a magnet for demographic groups who will vote for liberal
groups supporting welfare platforms. If the electoral college were abolished,
conservative parties might never win another election. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> There is also a concern over the nature of Donald J. Trump
as a self-made billionaire. He is a general in the world of commerce with few
peers, a man who has developed successful campaigns and conquered markets on an
international scale. He is an understandably proud man who has earned the
respect of millions around the globe. Being vilified, slandered and libeled is
something he is not used to and is not taking lightly. It is something he will
have to get used to if the White House war against the media will ever come to
a truce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> For certain, the American public and the nations of the
world will have to learn and discern in separating fact from fiction. If not, tidal
waves of ‘alternative facts’ may evolve into the tsunami disaster of the
decade. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-53784527746386653312016-12-27T09:43:00.001-08:002016-12-27T09:44:52.315-08:00"The Storm" --- coming in 2017!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-zHrJpOORU/WGKn3zH4zUI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Qfriyt42_Y0Lo9xbGRpS3jcwAZ2DFbN0ACLcB/s1600/14162943960_b823b2cb44_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-zHrJpOORU/WGKn3zH4zUI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Qfriyt42_Y0Lo9xbGRpS3jcwAZ2DFbN0ACLcB/s320/14162943960_b823b2cb44_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And so it was that Manx
learned of his brother’s gift to him and Ingrid. Within the next twenty-four
hours they found themselves, along with Stuka and April, aboard a Sunday
afternoon flight on the Hindenburg. It was a promotional flight that took
guests for a three-hour spin above the skies of Berlin. Even the gangsters
found themselves impressed by the spacious interior of the zeppelin. The two
couples watched out the windows as the craft floated above the clouds, and once
they reached full altitude the girls went off to powder their noses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’ve been wanting to
have a word,” Manx said, being unusually reserved on this day. “How do you
think Rolf paid for this? The tickets are four hundred fifty marks apiece.
That’s eighteen hundred, an entire weekend night’s take at the club.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“He’s having a good run,”
Stuka shrugged. “That crew of his works seven days a week. Thor and the Von
Erichs, they’re good earners. We could be scoring like that if we weren’t
spending so much time at the club.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You’ve gone out with
them a few times. Have you seen them dealing any drugs?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Come, now,” Stuka held
up his hands. “I’ve told you more than once. I won’t come between you and your
brother. You want answers, you go ask him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Blitz has really been
pressing. You know he beats around the bush, but he’s becoming more direct. The
Berlin Police are hitting the streets hard looking for the drug ring. It’s not
just his Detective Squad anymore. He tells me the Gestapo is going to get
involved any day now. You know what that means. It’s a one-way trip to a
concentration camp.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“And you think that’ll be
the end of it?” Stuka smirked. “This is turning into a police state, just like
it is in Russia. They’re already getting rid of the Jews and the communists, as
well as the queers and the gypsies. They haven’t come after the wise guys
because they’ve been taking advantage of all the snitches on the street. Once
they’ve outlived their usefulness and the Nazis run out of targets, they’ll
come after us next.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Think so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Face it, boss, they’ll
be closing us down by next year for sure. We should start looking over the
border. We can make a deal with the Alsatians and move into Alsace-Lorraine. With
the network in Germany disrupted, the black market’ll be booming along the
border. We should start thinking of the future before the past catches up with
us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“All right, forget about
it for now. Here come the girls.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Manx and Stuka watched as
Ingrid and April were intercepted by two families who entreated them for
autographs. Others noticed the commotion and approached the Hollywood starlets
as well. They were joined by a couple of well-dressed businessmen, prompting
Manx to stroll over and assert his position. Stuka followed suit, glancing
around to make sure they were attracting no undue attention. They stood by as
the girls signed menus and shook hands. The rich young men shook their heads as
they walked off, wondering how Manx and Stuka had gotten so lucky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You two are making
people think Harlow </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">and Hepburn are aboard,” Manx smiled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Glad you think so,”
Ingrid cooed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The girls took their arms
as they proceeded along B Deck of the luxurious craft. They passed the smoking
room, which was kept air-tight to avoid the slightest possibility of hydrogen
being ignited by a heat source. It was located next to the bar, where the
couples sidled for cocktails. Manx and Stuka had LZ-129 cocktails, which were
made of gin and orange juice. The girls had Maybach 12 cocktails, which were of
a special recipe. They admired the art deco ambiance of the lounge,
particularly the jazz murals depicting black musicians. It seemed fitting that
it was all so far above the routine of the Berlin regime many miles below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Here’s to America,”
Ingrid proposed a toast. “May next year be the time we all join together in
Hollywood. A new movie, a new beginning. It’ll be wonderful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hear, hear,” Stuka said
quietly. Despite the familiarity of his relationship with Manx, he was
impressed by the fact they had come this much closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Here’s to new
friendships,” April gazed meaningfully into Stuka’s eyes. “A new tomorrow, a
new hope.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As they touched glasses,
Manx silently wished his brother Rolf would find his way out of whatever he got
himself into. If it was drugs, he wished Rolf Godspeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And he prayed that the SS
and Gestapo would play no part influencing his decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-67618777471509306222016-12-10T10:16:00.001-08:002016-12-10T10:40:41.370-08:00Rebuilding of America? <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-size: 13.2000007629395px; line-height: 1.4;">(</span><b style="font-size: 13.2000007629395px; line-height: 1.4;"><i>Excerpt from JRD's</i> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733333587647px; text-align: justify;">DYNASTY! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733333587647px; text-align: justify;">The First 100 Days </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733333587647px; text-align: justify;">of the Trump Presidency</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733333587647px; text-align: justify;">)</span></h3>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4617285167196623055" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2000007629395px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570.007019042969px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733333587647px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4617285167196623055" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2000007629395px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570.007019042969px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The nation and the world
continue to watch and wait as the ranks of Trump’s new Cabinet slowly begin to
fill. An intriguing new pattern starts to emerge as we see more and more
antithetical figures taking positions in organizations they had once campaigned
against. Although Dr. Ben Carson was not an opponent of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, he has been vociferous in denouncing the welfare
policies it has long espoused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Carson typifies the self-made
black American that white activists consider ‘a credit to his race’. In fact,
most of his achievements would leave white supremacists speechless. There is no
way he could have accomplished such things regardless of reverse discrimination
or social engineering theories. Born in Detroit, he was a graduate of Yale
University and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital
in Maryland for three decades. Carson credits his belief in Christ for having
been able to overcome a violent spirit in his youth. He presents himself as an
example of how hard work and dedication can overcome any obstacles in one’s journey
through life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His major arguments
against HUD have been over its socialist policies in redeveloping public
housing and providing havens for the impoverished in cities throughout America.
Over a half century, ‘the projects’ have been a term for subsidized apartment
buildings that have become a blight on the urban landscape. They are dumping
grounds for welfare families, the unemployed and criminal elements who often
use them as a base of operations. Carson’s voice resonates, oddly enough, with
white activists and black separatists who see these as blights on society that
should be obliterated and replaced as living alternatives for the poor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Exploitation of the
housing market has been a plague on society since the turn of the 20th century. Landowners
often provided space for refugee families dating back to the Great Depression. They
allowed people to set up tents and build shacks, providing water and outhouse
amenities in exchange for rates they could barely afford. As people migrated to
large cities in search of livable domiciles, tenements became a viable choice
for new residents. They were often located in neighborhoods that soon became
overcrowded and fell into neglect. The slum became a term to describe these
downtrodden areas, and the rise of the slumlord paralleled that of exploitation
and housing scams that would permanently disfigure communities across America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Controlled housing was a
gentleman’s agreement by which slumlords would fix rates so that welfare
families could afford to pay the rent through a voucher system. The slumlord
would then abandon the building to its own devices. He would often provide a
manager with free rent in exchange for maintenance services. The manager took
care of basic electrical and plumbing repairs but had no remedy for major hazards
within the building. Many became overwhelmed by vermin, structural damage and
inadequate resources. Once the manager vacated the property, families could
only watch their homes collapse before their eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another phenomenon that
gained in popularity in the late 20<sup>th</sup> century was blockbusting. Real
estate brokers would buy a property in a targeted area for a bargain price. They
would immediately sell it to an ethnic minority, mostly blacks. The white
neighborhood would begin to panic before the broker began soliciting
homeowners. They would take advantage of the situation, warning potential
customers that they should sell before their property values began to fall. The
exodus began as the broker replaced white families with black ones. The Flatbush
area of Brooklyn NY is a classic example of middle-class white residents superseded
by black minorities, mostly blacks from the Caribbean Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The blight that devastated
neighborhoods throughout the Midwest from Detroit to Chicago, St. Louis to
Milwaukee soon spread across the USA. Yet the projects were where the
situations metastasized, the nesting spots from where the subculture spread. Welfare
families took advantage of HUD programs that gave them the false hope of owning
a home of their own. What they actually received was a worn-down building in a
high-crime neighborhood, exchanging their apartments for family-size dwellings
with no significant change in environment or living conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What HUD administrators
did not understand or could not control were those very conditions that
afflicted the communities. Police and security forces were vastly undermanned
and could not control the criminal activity plaguing the projects, much less entire
neighborhoods. The gang culture dominated such areas in providing a sense of belonging
for children of dysfunctional families. They offered means of earning money
from criminal activities in the drug trade, gambling, prostitution, theft and
robbery. No matter how lofty the goal of building modernized and attractive housing
projects, eventually they would fall victim to the very people they sought to
shelter from the urban blight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the turn of the next century, Generation X made an impact on urban society in a way that proved
entirely unpredictable. The Punk Revolution gave way to alternative music, much
of which could be characterized as industrial music. It was a computerized
sound that was a soundtrack for a generation of youth inundated by state of the
art gadgetry and electronic equipment. If the Blank Generation was about
individuality and rejecting authority, Generation X was defined by communities
of unique characters drawn together by a common need to build their own subculture
amidst a cult of conformity. And they had to find a way to establish their new
parameters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What happened next was
the urban trend towards buying warehouses and turning them into loft
apartments. Artists, musicians and yuppies eagerly began renting these spaces,
turning brick-wall and high-ceiling industrial spaces into stylistic dream
homes. Lower-class kids were astonied by the results and dreamed of ways to
become part of the new urban phenomenon. They opted to rent out storage areas,
aluminum sheds on fenced properties allowing customers to safely secure their property
away from home. Musicians began using the spaces as rehearsal studios, and soon
others began living in the sheds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This hit a peak in the
early 21<sup>st</sup> century as small groups began pooling their resources in renting
warehouse buildings in the same manner as the original loft pioneers. Only they
became more imaginative, with mechanics, welders and other trade laborers moving
in alongside artists, musicians and commuting students. The lack of building
supervision turned into a major problem. It eventually garnered national
attention after a warehouse fire during a rave concert in Oakland claimed over
thirty lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Therein lie the
challenges facing Ben Carson. There must be some way to establish and reinforce
housing guidelines that allows for property owners to acquire funding for urban
development. Beyond that, there has to be a way to supervise and maintain
properties to assure to safety and integrity of the housing projects and their
residents. The ‘build it and leave it’ mentality must be replaced by that of
investors resolved and dedicated to develop their properties as long-term
investments. There are many programs available to homeowners who can acquire
funds to remodel properties provided they live in the home for a specified
time. This principle should be the exception rather than the norm, and
penalties should exist to make the agreement enduring and disadvantageous to
speculators and opportunists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is what makes Carson
the best choice for the job. Knowing the business is not what will
revolutionize the housing industry. Someone who is devoted to change the moral
and social integrity of HUD agreements is required. More than likely, no one is
better suited for the undertaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4617285167196623055" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2000007629395px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570.007019042969px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733333587647px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4617285167196623055" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2000007629395px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570.007019042969px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733333587647px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-46172851671966230552016-11-24T05:05:00.002-08:002016-11-24T05:11:59.740-08:00Enemies Closer?(<b><i>Excerpt from JRD's</i> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify;">DYNASTY! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify;">The First 100 Days </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify;">of the Trump Presidency</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify;">)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">President Trump’s
appointment of Nikki Haley to the position of United Nations ambassador in his
new administration proved to be another eyebrow-raiser among pundits across the
nation. Yet it can be argued that this may be another Trumpian maneuver designed
to provide a false sense of security to the country’s rivals and enemies. It
may also serve to placate opposition forces at home as well as give Trump
enormous leverage in taking preemptive action against subversives both foreign
and domestic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nimrata Randhawa is the daughter
of Indian Sikh immigrants, a graduate of Clemson University with a BA in
accounting. Her marriage to Michael Haley complemented her Anglicized nickname in
becoming Nikki Haley. She became one of six Asian governors in the United
States upon her election in South Carolina. Though she was a vocal opponent of
Donald Trump during the election, she is a pro-life advocate and a supporter of
immigration reform.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although South Carolina
was a Confederate state, its antebellum demographics changed over two
centuries. It is estimated to have a seventy percent white population, the
majority being Southern Baptists. The remaining third of the state is largely
comprised of blacks, most of whom belong to the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. The economic downturn of the 21<sup>st</sup> century had a major
impact, and the state supreme court ruled that South Carolina was failing to provide
minimally adequate education. It was also ranked as thirty-third out of the
fifty states for quality of health care. It is also of interest to note that the
Palmetto State was once considered a bastion of the Ku Klux Klan in the
previous century.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Haley’s rise as a default
political leader was facilitated by weak opposition from state Representative
Larry Koon in 2004 and Governor Vincent Sheheen. She found support from Sarah
Palin and Mitt Romney, both of whom had collapsed before Barack Obama’s
campaigns in 2008 and 2012 respectively. There was also support from the
estranged wife of the ex-governor, Jenny Sanford. Power vacuums are
characteristic of sociological paradigms predicating weak leadership. One
considers the admonitions of the apostle Paul, who considered outspoken women
in the congregation as ‘shameful’. Scholars note that it is not based on
misogyny; rather, the lack of male leadership prompting a female to rise to the
occasion out of necessity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Haley took a stand against
Trump during the election, citing his seemingly extremist stance against
immigration as well as his failure to denounce support from the KKK. Trump
fired back with remarks about her weak position against illegal immigration. Yet
it appeared as a <i>sitzkrieg</i> between
Republicans divided by what was proving to be an internecine war of attrition.
Trump’s extension of an olive branch was surprising but not as stunning as his
overtures towards Mitt Romney after winning the election.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The immediate benefit to
the fledgling administration is the inclusion of an Asian female to the ranks. Haley’s
comely looks and Southern accent make this far less sensational than it may
seem. It is also of note that Haley has characteristically downplayed her race
and gender, focusing instead on her resolve and integrity. Breaking racial
barriers has been a necessity along her journey through Southern politics. Only
the race card may prove a vital asset along the next leg of her sojourn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The geopolitical nature
of international relations in the 21<sup>st</sup> century makes this an essential
factor. Although Sikhs and Muslims are as different as Catholics and
Protestants, they share common ground in the polemics against European Christianity.
There has only been one white Christian holding the office of UN Secretary
General since 1961. It reflects the changing of the guard in world politics,
where Third World nations are growing more powerful and homogenous in their
unity. Having someone like Haley representing Trump before these multinational
emissaries will have obvious benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The shock waves rippling
across America has had a delayed effect on the global community. The military
presence of the Obama regime around the world as well as its impact on
international terrorism have left the nations in bewilderment. Many expected a
black leftist Muslim president to have withdrawn from the Middle East and to
have sought peace with ISIS and Al Qaeda. The increase in deportations of
aliens from the USA proved to be even more perplexing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Only now the ascendancy
of Trump to the presidency has come with a sharp curtailing of his campaign
rhetoric. He calls for unity among all Americans regardless of race, color or
creed. The sloganeering of ‘making America great again’ comes as general relief
to the world community. For everyone knows that the USA has provided artificial
providence to most of the planet over two centuries. It gives financial support
to its enemies, military protection to its allies and agricultural relief to
countries on the other side of the Earth. This has ultimately resulted in a ten
trillion dollar debt that threatens to collapse an already weakened Goliath. If
this return to grassroots principles transforms America into an Antaeus, how
can the world help but be a better place?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No competitor ever wants
to stand against an omnipotent foe, and this is where Haley’s ‘weaknesses’ will
become her assets. Despite the world community’s call for inclusivity and
diversity, many Third World nations are decidedly chauvinistic in nature. A
major Trump criticism of the Clinton Foundation was its acceptance of millions
of dollars in contributions from Muslim nations where women are treated as
second-class citizens at best. Delegates from such countries will be naturally
inclined to think that Haley, as Trump’s advocate, is a subliminal indication
of the magnate’s weakness. They would hardly suspect that the opposite may be
true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In an increasingly Muslim
European Union, Haley’s appointment will be seen as a major concession. The
influx of refugees from the Middle East is rapidly changing the constituency of
the continent. The desperate need to assimilate is causing extreme reactions,
from white nationalism to radical Muslim activism in every country. Many
nations have elected female leaders and Muslim politicians in attempts to restore
equilibrium. Seeing a mirror image in an American UN delegate will reassure the
EU that things are the same all over, yet not as bad as they seem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Alternately, the United
Kingdom’s ‘brexit’ reflects accelerated effects beyond those seen on the
Continent. In a desperate attempt to rediscover their national identity, they
have isolated themselves though finding their ties with the US as a stabling influence.
They will look past Haley in seeking assurance in Trump, just as the Moral
Majority throughout America. They overlook what he is doing in expectation of
what he promised to do. And so the Anglo-American alliance waits and prays.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nikki Haley is a link
in a new chain of command, though nowhere as weak as may be perceived. She
offers hope and assertion that there is strength in unity, though many may fear
she is but a velvet glove covering an iron fist.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-60868708343271222382016-09-28T18:39:00.004-07:002016-09-28T18:39:59.963-07:00Coming In 2017 --- JRD's "The Storm"!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jeZGE6hl8A4/V-xwoFWYWkI/AAAAAAAAAEU/yWKIYX5eqqQbcuoFUS55FSIVVNbDDRkCQCLcB/s1600/lido-cabaret-troupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jeZGE6hl8A4/V-xwoFWYWkI/AAAAAAAAAEU/yWKIYX5eqqQbcuoFUS55FSIVVNbDDRkCQCLcB/s320/lido-cabaret-troupe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Storm</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
centers on the exploits of Manx Herzberg, a Berlin gangster and club owner in
1933 Germany. He is trying to weather the storm brewing after the recent
election of Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler to the office of Chancellor. Local
gangs are preparing for the worst, as are homosexuals, Communists and many
other groups threatened by the Nazis. Manx’s cabaret club, the Black Pussycat,
is the hippest nightspot in Berlin. Yet it is being targeted by the Nazis for
its social decadence. Manx is faced with the option of selling the goldmine and
leaving Germany. Only vacating his underworld throne is a difficult choice to
make.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Making things more challenging
is the arrival of Hollywood starlet Ingrid Strasbourg. She has been invited by
Reich Minister Josef Goebbels to work on an upcoming movie. She makes an
appearance at the club and tells Manx she wants to help him upgrade his product
to meet Reich standards. He is unaware she is working for the American OSS to
leverage the SA in their bid for power in the Reich. The SA and the SS are in a
bitter struggle, and few know that the SS is planning a blood purge to
eliminate their paramilitary rivals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Manx’s younger brother
Rolf is a known homosexual currently having an affair with SA Captain Artur
Bremer. The co-leader of the Herzberg Gang, he is a psychotic killer with a
reputation as a criminal mastermind. He is aware of the plot against the SA and
is plotting a pre-emptive strike against the SS on Bremer’s behalf. Manx is
appalled at the thought of failure and imminent SS reprisals. He confides in
Ingrid, who offers to intercede by engaging the aid of ‘influential friends’.
She begins bringing OSS agents into the club, and soon it becomes a center of
activity for foreign spies seeking to destroy the SS and possibly oust Hitler
from power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The conflict develops as rival
gang leader Dot Schellenberg is hired by Communists for a joint campaign to
take down the SS and turn the public against Hitler. They reach out to the SA,
only to find the Storm Troopers to be fanatical Hitler supporters. The SS finds
out about the overture and use it as the foundation for their own project in
destroying their SA opponents. Ingrid learns of the machinations and warns
Manx. He tries to warn his brother to abandon Bremer to no avail. Rolf is
convinces that an armed showdown between the SA and the SS will convince Hitler
which is the greater and more valuable force. Manx is faced with the prospect
of betraying his brother or allowing him to continue on to his doom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rich with the glamor and
glitz of Berlin nightlife, packed with action and suspense surrounding the
events leading to the infamous Night of the Long Knives, this is a romantic
adventure novel that any and all audiences will find unforgettable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-13767240543270992712016-01-12T16:43:00.001-08:002016-01-12T16:48:31.405-08:00Death Of A Legend --- JRD's Tribute to Bowie?<span style="font-size: large;">He was known by as many names as he gave himself, from the Thin White Duke to the Chicken-Headed Straw Man (as Lester Bangs once called him), the Man Who Fell To Earth, Aladdin Sane, Ziggy Stardust. He was a founding father of glam rock, the godfather of new wave, pioneer in disco and alternative music. Call him what you will, but one of the greatest influences in 20th century pop culture is gone.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was one of the disillusioned rockers watching rock music sliding down the tubes during the progressive era of the mid-70's. All of a sudden there was the Alice Cooper Band and an eccentric from England named David Bowie. He was doing all this space-themed stuff (<i>Space Oddity</i>, <i>Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars</i>). Behind the scenes, he was hooking up with Velvet Underground founder Lou Reed and garage rock legend Iggy Pop. Next thing we knew, Reed released <i>Transformer</i> alongside Iggy's <i>Search and Destroy</i>. People accused Bowie of manipulating the underground icons, but they laid the foundation for the Punk Revolution thereafter. Who could argue with that?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">He went on to put out over a dozen albums between the Seventies and Eighties, riding disco to its grave before jumping on the Next Big Thing and making it happen. Pop, alternative, rhythm and blues, electronic music, you name it, he did it. He appeared in several movies, most recently <i>The Prestige</i> (as Nikolai Tesla) with Bale and Jackman. As the decades passed, we realized he wasn't manipulating anyone, he influenced and enhanced their careers. And no one who worked with him could ever forget him.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Entrepreneur, rock artist, producer, songwriter, actor, cultural icon, the list goes on and on. What do you call someone like David Bowie?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Call him a Legend. A legend who will live forever.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-14346805518382194042016-01-07T19:50:00.000-08:002016-01-07T19:50:04.299-08:00JRD's sci-fi thriller "The Empire" - A Sneak Preview!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Global
Intelligence Agency was a public-supported organization that provided
information about the other planets and nations in the solar system. Back
before the Great Colonization, the GIA had been considered the most powerful
agency in the history of mankind. At this point in time, it had outlived its
usefulness and was seen as a glorified interplanetary travel agency at best. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Only at this juncture,
it was rumored that the Allied Federation had recommissioned the GIA in this
time of national emergency. Despite media assurances to the contrary, most
citizens felt that the Interplanetary Council was in turmoil. Rumors of war
circulated throughout the Federation as spaceships were being hijacked and
destroyed as never before. Piracy was increasing at an alarming rate and it was
suspected of being encouraged by foreign governments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Von Kilgore had
been summoned to New System City in Imperia, the center of commerce in
Panamerica. Although Serenity was the capitol city of the world, New System
City was considered the core of the Federation. It was the first city to have
been established when planet Alpha was colonized. Although the Scientific
Coalition was helping develop the Quadrant at incredible speed, the City
remained well ahead of the field and was considered the best place in the
entire solar system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The magnificence
of its architecture and infrastructure never ceased to amaze him. He was
bedazzled by its majesty as he took the shuttlecraft from the Space Center to GIA
Headquarters located in the downtown area. Its skyscrapers stood an average of
nine hundred meters tall, glittering against the blue crystal sky and its
eternal rainbow. Unlike most of the countries throughout the solar system, the
City enjoyed nine months of constant daylight. Only during the winter solstice
did it go into day to night mode.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He took the
elevator to the one hundred seventieth level where the executive suite was
located. It was magnificently furnished in hypermodern style, its chrome and
crystal features never failing to impress. The receptionist did a retina scan
before admitting him to the inner office of the Executive Director of the GIA,
Keith Morpheus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Director was a
paunchy man with a beard, his blue-eyed gaze analyzing all he surveyed. Legend
had it that he was one of the pioneers of the Agency back in the day, back when
the power struggles threatened to plunge the world government into civil war. His
cyber skills and diplomatic acumen played a major role in the government’s
campaign to unite the global community for the common cause. Only Morpheus’
covert activities were never revealed or recognized. He was awarded the
government’s most prestigious honors in secret. Most felt it contributed to his
mental and physical decline.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet he still was a
force to be reckoned with. Although Von stood in awe of no man, he still held
Morpheus in high esteem. He sat across the desk from the Director after they shook
hands, and Morpheus studied his face briefly before commencing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I understand that
you turned down our offer to reassume your position as a Federal agent,”
Morpheus folded his hands over his stomach, leaning back in his chair.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yes sir, I’m
rather preoccupied at this particular time,” Von replied. He was a tall,
handsome man at two meters tall and ninety kilos. His auburn mane enhanced his
steely blue gaze and Cupid bow lips, his pale skin reddened on wind-swept moons
and sun-drenched asteroids. “I’ve got a merchandising company on Oryx that’s
just starting to earn credits. We’ve established some trade routes with the
Betans that are turning a profit.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Are you dealing with the Betan government,
with licensed traders? Or are you out there playing the black market?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I refuse to
answer on the grounds it may incriminate me,” Von replied with a straight face
before breaking into a smirk. “Come on, Keith. You know the Terranean tax rate
is fifty percent, and it costs five million credits to buy a traders’ license.
You have to earn a fortune on your first deal just to stay in business.
Besides, no one I know is dealing in weapons or illegal chemicals. All anyone
is trying to do is make enough to come back to earth and go corporate.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m not going to
beat around the bush,” Morpheus met his gaze. “You’re one of our best agents.
Always have been, always will be. We’re on the verge of a System breakdown with
the Stone kidnapping crisis. If we don’t recover that girl soon, the Scorpions
are going to build outposts along our borders that will lead to a gamma
showdown. They’re already deep inside the Terranean and Deltan quadrants. If
their position grows any stronger they could build enough leverage to cause an
economic depression.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No one wants
another war, everyone knows that,” Jon insisted. “Mankind can’t survive another
one. The entire human race is hanging by a thread. Even the Scorpions aren’t
crazy enough to take us down that road.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“With Vernu Hyte
in control, anything’s possible. Intelligence reports indicate he’s appointed
Qom Diabolus as his Imperial Star Marshal. If that’s the case, then there’s no
doubt they intend to radicalize the entire System. We’re not just dealing with
a totalitarian regime any longer. We’re dealing with fanatics.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hyte is a humanist,
he’s anti-religion,” Jon pointed out. “I read his profile on Starnet. Why would
he throw in with a bunch of religious freaks?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Same reason why
anyone else would,” Morpheus shook his head. “He doesn’t want to get his head
chopped off, or get hit with the Plague, or whatever else those psychos do.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So what’s in it
for me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Intelligence
reports indicate that Sheliya Stone was skyjetting with her friends outside of
Eden City off the Paradise coast. State Police found four wrecked skyjets along
the shore, only three bodies. Two weeks later there was a message to the
Presidential Palace on Starnet. It said Ms. Stone was being held captive until
the Federation signed the Non-Aggression Treaty. A satellite scan showed that a
Deltan warship was in the area shortly before the abduction occurred. The
Deltans are denying any involvement and have placed a five hundred million
credit bounty on the kidnappers.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That’s a lot of
credits,” Von whistled. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Look, we both
know that the Deltans will probably renege on the deal. We’ve got enough
leverage to make sure they pay at least half. That’s enough for you to retire
on. You could start an asteroid colony or colonize a moon in the Betan Quadrant
with that many credits. Plus the Government is offering a two hundred million
reward for Ms. Stone’s return. That is payable on demand.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So what’s the
downside, besides tracking down a Deltan warship?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “This man,” Morpheus accessed his console and
booted up his desktop hologram. “Captain Gravas Drachna, Imperial Starfleet. He
fought under Star Marshal Shaver during the Cetan Civil War. He’s a war hero, he’s
earned every one of their highest honors. He’s the last of Emperor Scorpius’
Old Guard, all the rest are retired, cashiered or murdered. The Dark Knights have
taken over the Imperial Guard, and Drachna’s the last holdout.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What’s the Empire
got to do with this?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Drachna met Ms.
Stone at a Presidential banquet a couple of years ago. A diplomatic and
military delegation were invited, and observers said it was love at first
sight. They’ve met a couple of times since then and exchanged correspondence on
a regular basis despite the blackout between nations. When he found out she was
kidnapped, he went on the warpath.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Von studied the
image of a tall, muscular man with well-styled black hair, fierce dark eyes and
a cruel mouth. He figured Drachna was about his size, give or take a couple of
kilos. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“He commandeered
an Imperial starship and went out in search of the warship. The Empire denied
the rumor, since they claim they only have three starships in accordance with
the Non-Proliferation Pact. Nonetheless, we’re getting reports of Deltan
warships being destroyed throughout the System over the past month. Drachna’s
on their trail and they’re running for their lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So I have a rogue
warship holding the President’s daughter hostage, with seven hundred million
credits in bounties on their heads. It’s probably manned by a crack team of
Deltan mercenaries, who have an Imperial starship on their tail. And I’m
supposed to get them first and collect the prize.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“If anyone can do
it, you can, Von,” Morpheus insisted. “You’re our best agent and you’ve got
connections all over the System. The kidnappers can’t stay on the run without
fuel and supplies. You trace their credit trail and you’ll find them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Okay,” he was
reluctant. “I’ll need a Federal credit line, and I’m taking Zane Ramjet with
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Of course, your
right hand man. Where would you be without him?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">About a half hour
later, Von met with Zane at the Saturn Tower a couple of blocks from the GIA
Tower Building. They met at the Galactica Lounge, an upscale facility that was
restricted to Class I and II citizens. It was located on the 140<sup>th</sup>
floor, its glass walls affording them a panoramic view of the cityscape and the
shuttlecrafts cruising above the streets at different levels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They were irked at
getting carded but knew that it was about wearing their Class III combat
spacesuits. They ordered drinks after being seated at a corner booth and being
served by a Deltan waitress. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’ll tell you,
I’ve got a thing for green-tinted women,” Zane chuckled as he watched their
waitress sashay back to the service area. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I prefer those
blue-skinned Cetans myself,” Von nodded, stirring his Chrysalis Crush. “Though
they’re getting as scarce as natural wildlife.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Say, you boys
need a jump?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They looked up and
saw two green-skinned Deltan women scantily clad in tight-fitting spacesuits.
They were attractive though rough around the edges. They produced a transactor,
and Von swiped his ID stick to make the buy. The women then crawled under the
table and hooked their joysticks up to the partners’ jumpsuits. Immediately the
sensory experience of carnal ecstasy jolted their nervous system with
indescribable force.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Damn! Damn!” Von
managed to gasp as his body began to spasm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hope you enjoyed
the ride, gentlemen,” the women detached the joysticks and crawled out from
under the table. The experience was such that the partners mentally experienced
an hour of unbridled sex with the women in less than a minute.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I don’t think
I’ll be able to finish this,” he reached for his glass as Zane slumped
lifelessly in the seat beside him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m pretty sure
it would finish me,” Zane croaked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You know, this
establishment frowns on that kind of activity,” a tall manager came over. “We’d
appreciate it if you reported any such solicitations in future.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah, well, I’ll
report it now. They damn near killed me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Thanks for your
cooperation,” he walked off. “Enjoy your evening.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So you coming in
on this?” Von asked, giving the manager the finger as he returned to the
service area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I think I’m gonna
pass,” Zane said softly as he stirred his Dandelion Daze. “I’ve got some family
problems I got to take care of.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Family problems?
Are you kidding me?” Von raised his eyebrows. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I told you I’ve
got a sister and other relatives living along the Betan frontier,” Zane
explained. He was a swarthy man with a hawkish face and an unruly mop of black
hair, standing two meters tall with a wiry frame. “She contacted me and said
that they’ve been dealing with border raids for months now. One of my uncles
was killed last week. The Empire has been sending troops across the border on a
regular basis and the Terraneans aren’t doing anything to stop them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Beta Quadrant
was ruled by the Terranean Alliance, heirs of the European Council which
collapsed after World War III at the end of the century. They were in a
constant state of flux in dealing with shortages and power struggles that kept
them in a state of near-anarchy. As a result, their territories were largely
ungoverned and overrun by pirate gangs and mercenary armies. The Empire was
establishing military outposts in Betan territory though constantly denying
their incursions before the Interplanetary Council.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Look, we can sink
two ships with one shot,” Von insisted. “In all likelihood, the kidnappers are
hiding out in the Beta Quadrant. They’d be suicidal if they were in the Ceta or
Delta Quadrants. And they’re damn sure not in Alpha. We can go in there and
help your family relocate. We can do some recon and develop some leads while
we’re there.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’ll tell you,
Von,” Zane was hesitant. “You and I have been friends for a long time. I’d
never ask you to risk your life if it wasn’t necessary. You don’t need to be
part of this. The Empire’s coming down hard in the territory. I don’t even know
if I’ll make it back. I just can’t stand by and let my family get slaughtered.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hey,” Von grabbed
his wrist. “Are we brothers from another mother or what? How many times have
you saved my life? There’s no way in Sheol that I let you go alone. We get this
done, then we go find Sheliya Stone and go get paid.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“All right,” he
agreed. “I just want you to know that I’m gonna stay there as long as it takes.
I’m not leaving the colony without them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You got it,
partner,” the men exchanged hand chops. “You wouldn’t be my first mate if you
did,”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 2.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> * * * * *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Over
a billion kilometers away, a Deltan warship hovered in the stratosphere above a
barren asteroid along the outermost regions of the Beta Quadrant. It had
dispatched a squadron of scavenger vessels to the surface in search of
provisions. The ship’s command was on edge, not only hoping to find sustenance
for its forty-man crew but that they would not be detected by a military patrol
unit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Have we made any progress with the
prisoner yet?” Captain Misch asked as he perused the scanners on the command
deck. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “None whatsoever,” his first mate Commander
Xamon replied. “She grows more resistant by the day. She demands that we either
kill her or release her. We’ve tried everything. Air and sleep deprivation,
vitamin diet, drug interrogation, and mild to moderate torture techniques. The
more she endures, the more obstinate she gets. She is like her mother, with a
head of titanium.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Damn her,” he said, switching on a
monitor that provided a direct link to her cell. “Citizen Stone. This is
Captain Misch.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Good morning,” the forlorn girl sat
hunched on her cot in the barren room. “Or is it still night time?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “It is morning. I trust you had your
breakfast.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Is that what you call it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Trust me, Citizen, the entire crew is
on rations at this time.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “So what kind of Army are you people
running?” she demanded, standing up to face the video camera. She was a
beautiful woman, standing just under two meters, with an athletic full-bosomed
physique. She had long auburn hair, ivory skin, alluring violet eyes and ruby
lips. When she was captured she was breathtaking with makeup, but her natural
beauty was even more striking. It was as comparing a work of art to an
exquisite flower.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “We are quite far from our home base,
rest assured. There are many ships on alert searching for us. Yet we are
resolved to elude them as long as it takes. All we need you to do is plead with
your mother to sign the Non-Aggression Treaty. Once she agrees, we will release
you to the Federation and peace will be returned to the System along with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Never!” she raged. “I’ll never betray
my planet! Your people have violated the original agreement time and time
again. You and the Empire are trying to control the entire System, and you’ll
use military force if necessary. We have a right to defend ourselves, and we’re
not going to disarm and leave our nation unprotected.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I’m not here to discuss or argue
politics with you,” Misch said crisply. “I just wanted to let you know we will
be skipping lunch today.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You can stick it up your---!” Sheliya
yelled before she was cut off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “This was a terrible mistake, a
horrible blunder,” Xamon was forlorn. “We should have waited for the order from
the Military Council. Now the entire System is in pursuit of us. We have
nowhere to run, no place to hide.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “We’ve discussed this over a dozen
times, I grow tired of it,” Misch was gruff. “It was the best available
opportunity. The girl was under constant surveillance by the Secret Service. We
could have never captured her had she not chosen to go skyjetting with her
friends. It would have looked like an accident had we not shot them down over
the seashore. Yet if we had waited and fired when they were at a higher
altitude, they would have died from the fall. We would not have had to shoot
them as they fled.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Then we would have killed her as
well,” Xamon moaned. “What are we to do?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Do? What can we do?” Misch growled.
“Either this bitch makes that video or we all starve to death unless we are
destroyed by an enemy ship. If we force her to comply, the Federation ‘s analysts will detect it on the
transmission. She has to be a willing participant or the Federation will accuse
us of torture. They will sever diplomatic ties with the Republic, and we will
be court-martialed and executed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The Republic of Delta was a reformed
coalition of nations that once comprised the Asian Confederacy of the planet
Earth. After the Great Colonization, the Confederacy held a summit conference
on Delta and declared itself a Socialist Republic. The Republic was essentially
a military dictatorship though its political philosophy was dictated by its
corporate leaders. Both factions reluctantly conceded the fact that the
military could not run an industrial conglomerate, and vice versa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> As it was from the beginning, the
capitalist Federation was the forerunner in technological advancement as
scientists and engineers were well compensated and rewarded for their
contributions. Their society was complemented by the socialist Alliance, which
also compensated entrepreneurs though providing excessive support for dependent
colonies that ultimately hindered growth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Alternately, the totalitarian Deltans
forced everyone to work for the State at a set wage and equal benefits. The
Empire was just as uncompromising, though more of their budget went to military
expense instead of social programs. Religious indoctrination was as the opiate
of the masses, and all who resisted were liquidated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “What of the rumors on Starnet that
Captain Drachna is hunting for us with an Imperial starship?” Xamon lowered his
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “That is nothing but capitalist
propaganda,” Misch dropped back into his defensive rhetoric. “You know that
enemies of the State will use every deception to further their agenda. First of
all, Drachna is a member of the Old Guard, all of whom have been eliminated by
the imperialist regime. He no longer exists. And even if he did, do you believe
the Empire would authorize the use of a starship to search for us? If he had
gone insane and commandeered a ship according to the reports, what crew would
have gone along with him? Upon return every single one of them would be
subjected to a slow, grisly death.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “It’s what’s going to happen to us,”
Xamon’s voice trembled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Nonsense!” Misch bolted from his seat
and walked over to a far corner. “Once that girl makes the video, we will be
hailed as national heroes. She cannot hold out forever. She has been in solitary
confinement for nearly a month, living on a starvation diet. She has been
subjected to constant psychological and physical stress. After coming from her
sheltered environment, eventually this will become more than she can endure.
Time is on our side, let us remain patient.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I worry about you, I worry about us,”
Xamon put his arms around the waist of his domestic partner. Though the
Republic had set a hardline against homosexuality, they disregarded it in the
military due to its exclusion of women. Like ancient Sparta, the Republic saw
it as the lesser evil facing troops deployed in outer space for years at a
time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “We will be fine, my dear,” Misch
glared around at the deck hands, who busily diverted their attention elsewhere.
“We have not come this far to meet with failure and exile. This is our time,
our destiny. This girl will be the means for our advancement, our golden
opportunity for our future together. Yeoman Chon, let the Commander see what we
have in store for our guest.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The stout woman came forth with a
small plastic container. Xamon’s skin crawled as he beheld a tilton in the box.
The tilton was a mutated palmetto bug, genetically deformed by radiation
exposure. It was six centimeters in length and two centimeters thick, with long
hairy legs and the head of a horsefly. The ugly insect was coated with a sticky
substance that caused terrible itching, exacerbated by bites from the creature.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I have a dozen of these insects that
I will release in her cell after we extinguish the lights. We will restore the
lights once they are crawling all over her. I have never met a female who could
stand the touch of an insect. Wouldn’t you agree, Yeoman Chon?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The heavy-set woman cringed at the
thought.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 2.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">* * * * * <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The farming colony on the Herne
asteroid had begun to stir just hours earlier. Established over three years
ago, it was a haven for Class III citizens with no prospects other than bare
survival in the resettlement colonies. Living under government subsidies, they
were provided with basic agricultural machinery and a limited budget for trade
and commerce. The farmers worked from sunrise to sunset in the artificial
atmosphere, laboring to stimulate crop growth from the barren soil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It was around noon when the workers
took their lunch break. They sipped water, doused themselves and rested their
bones as their womenfolk came onto the field with soups, stews and bread. It
was the high point of the day in most cases. At the end of the day, most of the
men were too tired to do anything but return to their homes and sleep until
dawn. Yet they shared the dream of turning a profit and one day being able to
hire others to carry on the work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> On this day, there was an ominous
droning noise coming from the mountainside. At first they thought it was a
government supply ship, but knew it was far too early in the month. They
watched in unison as transport crafts appeared from the clouds, slowly
descending until they landed just outside the fields.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> They watched in bewilderment as they
saw four-man teams emerging from the transports. They wore black helmets, face
masks and cloaks over their combat suits. They carried xaser weapons and bore
the insignia of the Dark Knights. It was a black rectangle with a pentagram
against a white circle. One man carried a banner which he brought over to the
flagpole where the Alliance flag was flown.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Hail, friends,” the leader of the
colony stepped forth. “We are having our midday meal, but we have enough to
share. I’m sure you have traveled a distance to get here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “We are here under the authority of
the Order of the Dark Knights,” a lieutenant came to face him. “Our mission is
to confirm your loyalty to the powers that rule over this Solar System.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “We are loyal citizens of the Beta
Quadrant, and have pledged our allegiance to the Terranean Alliance,” the man
seemed puzzled. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “And which god do you serve?” the
soldier demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Why, we are Believers,” the man was
reverent. “We worship the One True God.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Sun worshippers,” he said mockingly,
turning to his colleagues. “You have been deceived by your government, tricked
into following an ancient belief system that no longer exists. Can’t you see
how they have abandoned you, cast you aside in this wasteland where you will
work until you die for nothing?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Our labor is beginning to yield
results,” the man smiled softly. “We have finally come to the point where we
have surplus crops to trade at the market. We may not have more than enough,
but we do have enough to give to you and your men for your journey.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You give to us?” the commando was
derisive. “We have ample supplies of meat and dairy products on our ship. It is
we who come to give to you. Today we bring freedom, liberation from the weak
and useless system that enslaves you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “We are free citizens,” the man asserted.
“We have come here of our own accord to raise our families and build a future.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You are building on barren ground,
citizen,” the soldier hissed. “We are sons of Belial, the god of this universe.
We now give you the opportunity to declare your allegiance to Belial and turn
away from your false idolatry.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “What is this?” the man was confused.
“Religious freedom is one of our basic rights. Perhaps you have reason to stand
against the government, but you cannot ask us to deny our God.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You are a fool,” the soldier raised
his weapon. “Either your head will be lowered to the ground as you bow in
reverence before Belial, or it will roll across the dirt as we cut it off your
neck.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I will not deny my God,” the man was
steadfast. “Do as you will, but let my wife and children not see this.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “They will bear witness to your
foolishness before they are given the choice between life and death.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Take my hand, O God, I am coming
home,” he said as he was forced to his knees by another fighter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> At once there were a series of
explosions in the sky, followed by another buzzing noise more shrill and
insistent than the first. The multitude watched in astonishment as a swarm of
drones descended on the field as a metallic cloud. The commandos were shocked
as the drones began firing xaser bursts at them, burning as molten lava upon
impact. They tried to fire back but the drones flew directly at them when hit
by a xaser beam. The drones exploded against their victims, and soon the field
was covered with dead soldiers and wrecked drones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Eventually a black shuttlecraft came
down from the sky, and black-clad soldiers bearing the Scorpion insignia rushed
onto the field. They kicked the miniature aircraft out of their path and
stepped over the corpses, training their rifles on the terrified colonists. At
length they made way for a helmeted man in black, his black cloak swirling in
the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Who else is here?” he demanded. “Are
there any Deltan troops here?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Deltans?” the leader trembled. “No,
kind sir. Only these soldiers. They claimed to be the sons of Belial. They were
about to kill us. You saved our lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Sons of Belial,” the man scoffed.
“The offspring of idiots. Are you certain they were not here in pursuit of
Deltans?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “No sir. We have seen no Deltans here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Unfortunately I cannot leave any
evidence of our presence behind,” the man said. “You will have to evacuate this
asteroid before we destroy it. You have fifteen minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Sir, we have no means of escape.
Please spare our homes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “The Betans will recompense you under
their Resettlement Act,” the man replied. “Are those not shuttlecrafts parked
nearby?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yes, sir, but where will they take
us?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I saw a warship hovering above the
clouds. Can you fly one?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yes, but they only carry sixty people
at most. There are a hundred of us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “We will carry the rest to the nearest
populated asteroid. From there you can summon assistance. All I demand from you
is your solemn oath that you and yours will never admit to having seen us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You have my word,” the man agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Good,” the man in black nodded.
“Lieutenant, escort the people to the shuttlecrafts. Give the order to the crew
to stand by for the destruction of this asteroid in fifteen minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The
soldier saluted his superior and proceeded to follow orders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The colonists watched in awe as
Captain Grav Drachna returned to his aircraft and ascended into the clouds.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-68828405206049780632015-12-29T16:11:00.002-08:002015-12-29T18:05:13.405-08:00These Are The Good Old Days? (JRD's Star Wars 2015 Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7FDKkR7Y7Q/VoMafgF2NiI/AAAAAAAAAEA/3KMu7NKVDa0/s1600/Kylo2.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7FDKkR7Y7Q/VoMafgF2NiI/AAAAAAAAAEA/3KMu7NKVDa0/s320/Kylo2.0.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Frankly I wasn't sure what to expect when I went to see the highest-grossing flick of all time. Though I hate to carbon-date myself, I must confess to having seen the original Star Wars trilogy in the 70s and the redux of the 90s. Being a Darth Vader fan, I liked <i>The Empire Strikes Back</i> and <i>Revenge of the Sith</i> best. Obviously they would have to up the ante to keep me in, and somehow they didn't disappoint.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The trick was to have played the nostalgia card while coming up with some solid new talent. Director J.J. Abrams (<i>Star Trek Into Darkness</i>) picked up where he left off with the best of the Trekkie flicks, knocking this one out of the galaxy. The shining star is Daisy Ridley as Rey, a scavenger on a desert planet who comes across a droid called BB-8. It's a R2D2 knockoff that is carrying a map to the location of fugitive Jedi Luke Skywalker. She is accompanied by a rogue Storm Trooper who puts her together with the legendary Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and his Wookie pal Chewbacca. Together they go up against the evil First Order and its fiendish enforcer Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Carrie Fisher returns as <i>General </i>Leia Organa, and she sends her top gun Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) out with her Resistance fleet to save the planet from Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and his Starkiller Base.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ridley, reminding us of her namesake in <i>Aliens</i>, comes off with an unforgettable performance. She is a female warrior who carries the entire show on her back. Rey is not only cute as a button, but she knows how to fight long before she discovers she has the Force within her. It sets her up for a climactic battle against Ren, a Darth Vader knockoff, and it comes off as Movie Fight of the Year (sorry, <i>Creed</i> fans). The icing on the cake is the reappearance of Ford and Fisher, who inspire nerd tears as advertised. Seeing them together again is worth the price of admission. Oh yeah, and Luke Skywalker shows up in the final reel. Can't touch this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm thinking Abrams should walk away with a well-deserved Oscar. He got overlooked for his awesome work with the <i>Star Trek </i>remakes...but this is payback time.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-8080002520621185132015-12-08T10:25:00.000-08:002015-12-08T10:25:20.833-08:00What Trump Has Accomplished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkvunbi-qWc/VmcY1D9kW7I/AAAAAAAAADw/7hiLXJf9UWc/s1600/150423113932-donald-trump-1024x576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkvunbi-qWc/VmcY1D9kW7I/AAAAAAAAADw/7hiLXJf9UWc/s320/150423113932-donald-trump-1024x576.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump has played the demagogue on countless occasions throughout his campaign. Appealing to middle-class traditions and values, he has toed the hard line in polarizing liberals and conservatives across the nation. Slowly eradicating the gray areas that have given way to the censorship of political correctness, he has voiced opinions that most Americans dared not speak. Only this time, the entire world asks whether he has finally crossed a line too far.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What he has done is pushed the envelope farther than many of his supporters dare reach. Suggesting that America suspend Muslim entry into the US has infuriated Muslims across the globe. Considering their majority percentage of the world population, the multitude of nations they govern and their financial influence, he has tackled what may prove an indomitable foe. The media and political leaders throughout the country are joining ranks against him, and it may form a pattern to be seen worldwide.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Most Trump watchers realize he is just venting, and allowing his supporters to vent along with him. What he suggests is a legal, moral and logistical impossibility. We can no more ban Muslims than we can ban guns, tobacco, abortion, gays, drugs, pollution, or any other controversial persons, philosophies or practices that affect our society. This is a free society and our battle against radical Islam is all about preserving that freedom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What he has done is raise the issue of political correctness to a new level. Anyone who takes his side for whatever reason does so under threat of being declared racist or prejudiced. This puts one at odds with all minority groups by default, which is the scariest ground to stand on in this day and age. Trump has put his supporters in the trenches, and any who dare raise their heads will almost certainly have them shot off. This commentator chose to write this article rather than send out a Tweet or Facebook post which might have been misconstrued and result in the loss of countless cyberspace supporters.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Whether or not this has shipwrecked his 2016 election campaign remains to be seen. The pressing question is how our freedom of speech will be reinterpreted and if political correctness is going to become a new form of censorship that will render the Silent Majority mute for the rest of this decade.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-57166886338663948632015-12-04T10:52:00.000-08:002015-12-04T10:52:07.040-08:00"The Blight" --- Another Sneak Preview!!!<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a sneak preview of JRD's latest women's fiction psychological thriller coming in 2016...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">https://spoiler2010.wordpress.com/2015/12/04/the-blight-a-sneak-preview/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was totally wired after Brad left the
apartment and could not relax, much less go to sleep. She finally decided to
take a ride down to the Hilton St. Louis near the ballpark downtown to calm her
nerves. She hadn’t been there for a while, and the scenic view would probably
take her mind off things. There were enough distractions in her life without
having to worry about boyfriends fighting over her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It
pissed her off that Brad would be trying to interfere in her private life. She
knew he would move in with her in a heartbeat if she made an offer. Even though
he understood it wasn’t going to happen, she resented the fact he was trying to
mess things up with her and Kurt. And she knew that Kurt was not going to
contend for her. He would just walk away, and that was what worried her most of
all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> There
was also the issue with X. She realized she was trying to ignore the fact that
the psycho killer was homing in on her. Brad sneaking up on her outside the
apartment told her that she was getting sloppy. No one was able to get within a
yard of her back in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her female instincts were getting dim
out here in civilian life, if she could call it that. She had to stay sharp,
she had to stay ready. Somewhere out there, X was planning his next move.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The
Three Sixty Rooftop Bar at the hotel was one of her favorite places. It
afforded visitors a panoramic view of the Arch, the Riverfront and Laclede’s
Landing further down the line. She used to go to Laclede’s all the time until
the Ferguson riots. After that the gangbangers started pushing the envelope and
making their presence felt throughout the area. It became too risky to have one
of them make her from the street.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> She
loved the lime-colored décor, the bar countertop matching the stool covers and
the panels below the open flame grills. The subtle lighting offset the hearty
fire off to the right of the bar. It provided a fireplace effect though the
cooking aromas were reminiscent of the finest steak houses. The bartender was
always friendly and often gave her a buyback when she visited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> She
ordered a Jameson Irish whiskey and promised herself to nurse it as an upbeat
bossa nova tune strained through the bar speakers. It was sparsely crowded with
tourists, off-duty hospitality staff and city personnel making up most of the
clientele. It suited her fine because she needed some space right now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Say,
miss, were you at the hockey game?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> She
turned to face a giant of a man standing 6’4”, about 280 pounds. His hair was
close-cropped and there was a hint of a beard and mustache growing in. She was
fairly certain it was the Kansas City Terminator, Johnny Fairmount. She saw him
once or twice on Metro Pro Wrestling and the new series, Independence
Wrestling. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Nah,
I quit going after they traded TJ Oshie. That kinda pissed me off.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah,
TJ wasn’t too happy about leaving. We gave him a big sendoff before he left. Say,
can I buy you a drink?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah,
well…” she said before knocking out her shot in one gulp. “Why not?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He
motioned to the bartender as he walked over and got his own drink in joining
her. She signaled to the bartender to pour her a double, and he readily
obliged.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Jameson?
Great whiskey. I think I’ll have one,” he knocked down his drink and motioned
for a refill. “So, what do you do?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “A
little bit of this and that,” she shrugged. “Just try to get by.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Ever
think of getting into the entertainment business?” he asked, giving her a
once-over. She was still wearing her workout suit, which failed to conceal her
generous bosom and her hourglass figure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “What,
like a clown?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “No,
like behind the scenes,” he scoffed. “I’m sorry, my name’s Johnny.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah,
I’ve seen you on TV.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “And
you’re…?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “My
friends call me Kirstie.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He
extended his hand and was impressed by her strong grip. He was doubly impressed
when she knocked down her double in one gulp.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “No need to rush,” he waved a finger,
causing the bartender to pour her another double. “I’m not leaving town until
tomorrow morning. We’re on tour in Texas, then taking a run through New Mexico
and Colorado.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Sounds
like fun.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Wanna
tag along?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Nah,
I got stuff to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Fairmount
kept trying to make small talk, and she felt somewhat sorry for him. The poor
bastard probably forgot how to chat with normal people. In his world, he roared
and everyone listened. He probably walked into the wrestling bars along the
circuit and had the groupies falling at his feet. In a way he was probably like
a cop, drowning in a sea of cops. In his case, all he knew was barbell plates
and cheap steaks. He was losing his connection with real life, just like she
was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Well,
Kirstie,” he said as the bartender poured her third double, “I think you’re
gonna have trouble driving home. Why don’t you come down to my room and chill
out? I can order room service.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Nah,
I’m good,” she smirked at him. “I gotta go.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Gotta
go?” he was exasperated. “The party’s just started.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Not
for me. I gotta get up early.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Now,
look. A beautiful girl like you doesn’t need to be walking around downtown by
herself at this hour of the night after drinking all that booze,” he said,
stroking her hair away from her face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I’ll
be fine, don’t worry.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “C’mon,
now,” he began kneading the back of her neck. “You just knocked down a hundred bucks’
worth of whiskey. You wouldn’t drink that much whiskey with someone you didn’t
like, would you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Mmm,
that feels good,” she said before shrugging him off. “That’s enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Hey,
darling, you wouldn’t be taking advantage of a stranger’s hospitality, would
you?” he ran his finger along the neckline of her t-shirt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Don’t
do that,” she murmured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You
like that, don’t you?” his finger trailed down towards her bosom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Last
warning.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “What?”
he leered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> His
finger stroked her left breast before she snatched the ball of his thumb and
twisted it outward. She heard his wrist crackle as she grabbed her glass and
shattered it against his temple. He wobbled slightly before moving toward her,
at which point she had the barrel of her snubnosed .38 Smith and Wesson pressed
against his head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Now
I asked you nice,” she said as the rest of the patrons froze in horror around
the spacious lounge. “Where’s your fricking manners?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Okay,
lady,” she heard a voice booming from the end of the bar behind her. “St. Louis
MPD. Put your weapon on the bar and step away nice and slow.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah,
right,” she said, doing as she was told before sliding her purse down the bar
in the direction of the voice. “I’m a cop. My ID’s in the purse.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Fairmount’s
eyes were wide as quarters as he regained his composure and walked off. Kirsten
held her hands out as the gray-haired man trained his pistol on her while
rummaging through her purse with his left hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Detective
Streicher,” he said, slipping his gun back in his shoulder holster beneath his
suit jacket. He nodded as she picked up her revolver and came over to retrieve
her purse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Well,
I guess that’s that,” she glanced over as Fairmount rejoined three other
brutish men at a far corner table.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Word
around the campfire was that you were an attractive woman,” the cop smiled. “I’m
Bill Clinton from Homicide. I’d have to say those rumors were grossly
understated.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I’ll
take that as a compliment.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You’re
wired kinda tight for a civilian bar. With your looks, you can’t possibly think
you’re not gonna get hit on. You really should stick to cop bars.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “So
what’re you doing here? You’re pretty quick on the draw yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I’m
waiting for my wife. She has a strong aversion to cop bars.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Yeah,
must be the kind of people you meet there.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> They
watched as Fairmount and his friends headed out the door. Just before they
left, he turned to her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Sorry
about the misunderstanding,” the massive athlete called over as the bartender
began pouring the two officers a refill. “Drinks’re on me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “No
harm done,” she waved and smiled. “Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Just
as the wrestlers left, a stately and attractive woman strode through the door. She
spotted Clinton and a look of jealous anger swept over her face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Oh
crud,” he exhaled. “My wife’s here. I need to introduce you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Sorry,”
Kirsten snatched her purse off the bar. “Gotta go.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “What
the heck?” he gawked at her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “This
is what you get for pointing guns at women’s heads,” she said sweetly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> She
swayed her hips as she strutted past an irate Mrs. Clinton, reinforcing her
long-held belief that payback was indeed a bitch.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-8692914290195186222015-09-30T16:46:00.001-07:002015-09-30T16:46:47.486-07:00One Of The Top Ten All-Time Greatest Irish Mob Flicks?<span style="font-size: large;">You gotta hand it to Johnny Depp. Like Tom Cruise, he hasn't depended on his matinee idol looks to get his flicks over. Nor has he relied on genre to rake in the bucks (although the <i><b>Pirates</b> </i>series has guaranteed his riches for ten lifetimes). Yet he does have an affinity for the crime category, as we've seen in his unforgettable<i> <b>Donnie Brasco</b></i> and the not-so-unforgettable <i><b>Public Enemies</b></i>. He teamed up with Al Pacino to make <b><i>Brasco</i></b> one of the Ten Greatest All-Time Crime Flicks (IMHO), and overshadowed none other than Christian Bale in acing his role as John Dillinger in <b><i>Enemies</i></b>. Well, you ain't seen nothin' yet if you haven't seen <b><i>Black Mass</i></b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Scott Cooper (who?) does a masterful job in sailing this ship to shore, considering the fact that it depends far more on Depp's performance than anything else. Yet therein may lie the magic, letting the understatement build evil visions in the audience's mind. There's none of the <b><i>Scarface</i></b> blood splatter, no <i><b>Goodfellas</b></i> glitz and glamor, none of the high-styling and profiling of <b><i>The Departed</i></b>. Whitey Bulger (Depp)'s crew is a lunch pail pick and shovel gang of Boston Irishmen trying to earn an illegal dollar the hard way before getting propositioned by one of Bulger's neighborhood acquaintances. It just so happens that Joel Edgerton (the Pharoah in <i><b>Exodus: Gods and Kings</b></i>) is an FBI agent trying to take down the Italian Mob by any means necessary. He makes a deal with Bulger, who feeds the Feds enough intel to trample the Mafia so that the Bulger Gang can step into the power vacuum. It turns Bulger into the USA's most powerful Irish Godfather, ruling Boston with an iron hand until agent John Connolly (Edgerton) is indicted by the Massachusetts DA. Bulger, as is well-known, goes on the run and becomes America's second Most Wanted Man (behind Osama Bin Laden) until his capture at the turn of the century.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's Depp's performance that truly makes this what the critics call 'mesmerizing'. His dead fish look is absolutely eerie, and his nickname is a most apropos nomenclature (you call him Whitey, he'll split your skull). Bulger's blue-eyed zombie gaze is enough to steal every scene, and every time he stares at someone you're expecting the worst to happen. So does everyone else, and the tension is bloodcurdling. It's hard to remember a baddie captivating the audience in such a manner --- unless you want to include Hannibal Lecter or The Joker.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Such over-the-top performances have a way of getting arbitrarily passed over by the Academy, so Depp may not get the Oscar nod he deserves for this. But you can be damn sure it's a crime flick you'll never forget. And you sure as hell won't forget the name Whitey Bulger.</span><br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-56381330125745184112015-09-17T16:51:00.003-07:002015-09-17T17:19:51.068-07:00"The Blight" - A Sneak Preview!<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 106%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> The
white Porsche cruised slowly down Goodfellow Boulevard near downtown St. Louis,
boldly venturing where most strangers dared not go. The streetlights grew
dimmer and the buildings more desolate, yet the vehicle continued along its
path. There were few pedestrians on the street at that time of night, and most
seemed up to no good. Eventually a couple of men stepped off the curb and waved
at the luxury car. It slowed to a halt as the men approached on either side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “What you ladies looking for?” a
tall black man asked as he hovered over the driver’s side.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “We were trying to score some
weed,” the driver replied crisply.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “How much?” the man on the
passenger side asked. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “About a half ounce, depending on
the price.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Hundred bucks?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Yeah, I can do that.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Good,” the man replied before
sticking a .38 barrel against her temple. “Turn off the car and get out nice
and easy.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> She did as she was told, and both
women exited the vehicle as their accosters pulled the doors open. The driver
was prodded towards an abandoned two-story residence, her companion shoved
along behind them by the second man wielding a knife. The women wore cocktail
dresses and high heels, their footing unsure as they made their way across
broken glass and scattered debris.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Where are you taking us?” the
driver asked.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “That’s for you to find out,” the
gunman said as his companion dropped back to get the Porsche out of the middle
of the street. “You just do what I tell you and you’ll come out of this alive.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Please don’t hurt us,” the second
woman pleaded.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Just shut the hell up and do what
you told.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “All right, brother, nice catch,”
a beefy gangster appeared on the porch accompanied by four other men. “We gonna
do some partying.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> The media was abuzz with news of
the previous night’s incident along the boulevard. Two college girls had driven
into the neighborhood looking to score drugs and had been abducted by thugs.
They were dragged into a building where they were raped, tortured and nearly
beaten to death. The gangsters were well aware of the event and considered
themselves fortunate that such beautiful women as these two could be this
foolhardy. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “All right, ladies, turn around
and put your hands behind your backs,” the gunman shoved them into the house,
sticking his pistol into his waistband. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “What are you going to do?” the
second woman cried as the driver’s wrists were bound behind her back with a
plastic tie.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Shut the hell up, bitch!’ he
snarled, grabbing the back of her dress and ripping it in half. She screamed as
he grabbed her wrists and tied them, leaving her standing in her underwear.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “C’mon, man, give us a break,”
the driver pleaded. “You don’t need this kind of heat, not after last night.
People are gonna look for us.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Don’t you worry about it,” the
gunman smirked as he headed for the door, his comrades ransacking the Porsche they
parked out front. “We gonna be done here before you know it.” <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> Once he stepped outside, the
driver reached under her dress and produced a switchblade from her panty line.
She flicked it open and held it tight as her companion spun around, cutting
herself free of her bond. She took the knife and swiftly cut her partner loose.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Geez, Kirstie, here they come.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “Good.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> The gunman returned with the
husky man, both gangsters barreling through the door towards the women. Only as
they reached for them, the women’s hands flew from behind their backs. Kirsten
Streicher dropped back and launched a roundhouse kick with her stiletto heel
that ripped across the gunman’s carotid artery and punctured his windpipe.
Jenna Harm, in her underwear, drove the switchblade into the husky man’s right
shoulder.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> “You’re right,” Kirsten told the
sagging men. “We’re gonna be done here before you know it.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 106%;"><b> At once they could hear gunfire
being exchanged outside as their teammates made their presence known. They also
heard patrol car sirens on opposite ends of the street as the sound of
helicopter blades descended over the roof. The women raced towards the parlor
and stared up through a gaping hole in the ceiling.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 180.7pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 106%;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> “St. Louis PD!” Kirsten showed her
badge as she shot the bird at the spotlight glaring down at them. “Get that
damn light off me!” </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-71131554990237217652015-07-27T17:44:00.001-07:002015-07-28T19:28:57.465-07:00Miika Hannila's Creativia Acquires Nightcrawler Series!!!<span style="font-size: large;">Spoiler Publishing Co. announced this week that Miika Hannila's Finnish-based company, Creativia, has acquired the rights to the Nightcrawler trilogy and is discussing the possibility of a fourth installment to the Sabrina Brooks suspense/thriller anthology.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hannila has proven himself to be the most industrious of the small group of JRD brand publishers. Creativia sent the horror classic <b><i>Vampir</i></b> to the top of the Amazon vampire sales list last spring. They followed their success by catapulting <b><i>Generations</i></b>, the Sanders family saga, to Number 55 in Amazon's enormous historical fiction category.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"We couldn't be more excited about Miika taking over the helm in steering the JRD starship to its deserved position in the indie lit industry," a Spoiler Inc. spokesman commented. "He's shown tremendous faith in the JRD brand and we know that the Nightcrawler series couldn't have a better advocate going into 2016."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Creativia has earned a tremendous reputation in the horror publishing genre and is expanding its horizons with its new projects. Hannila has demonstrated prodigious energy and vision in doing so, and Spoiler Inc. is confident that bigger and better accomplishments lie on the road ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"JRD's needed someone who believes in his work, with the determination to bring it to the next level," the Spoiler rep asserted. "It's a marriage made in heaven." </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-71166076136926139512015-07-05T14:48:00.001-07:002015-07-05T14:48:16.739-07:00"Redemption" --- Coming in Winter 2016?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> (<i>Here's a beta sample of a possible Nightcrawler saga...send us your comments!</i>)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over a half century ago, <i>New York Daily News</i> columnist Jimmy Breslin ran a series on a
mysterious Mob boss known as Il Occhio. Although Breslin attributed enormous
power and frightening bloodlust to the man, there was no proof that he was
anything but a fictitious character symbolizing the dark side of the<i> Godfather </i>mobs of the Seventies. It was
not until the Eighties when brutal killers like John Gotti and Nicky Scarfo
rose to power did the glamor and mystique of the Mob fade away. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Peter
Ruggiero felt as if he was going to pick up where Breslin left off with his
series on Al the Blond. It was a chilling look into the New York underworld,
only social media left little conjecture as to the personage being discussed.
After the incarceration of Angelo “The Blade” Vacirca, there was a power vacuum
in the Rossini Mob that most felt was going to be filled by Alastair Piedmont.
Al the Blond had never been arrested or charged with a crime, but his name was
on numerous State and Federal lists of racketeering suspects. He was under the
microscope, but his network was so impenetrable that no one could even
determine who his lieutenants were. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vito Scafati and Guido Rovigo were
mentioned, but even they seemed as occasional contacts at best. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Ruggiero
was a tall, attractive man who many thought of as effete. Yet he fancied
himself an intellectual and was at home among the rich and famous and gangster
types alike. His placid and sociable demeanor belied his incisive and sometimes
scathing editorial style. He made more than a few enemies among those who were
shredded by Peter after unwittingly taking him into their confidence. Some of these
were acquaintances of Al the Blond who made the grievous blunder of sharing
more than they should have.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Shortly
after the Thinker had left the office of Walt Tkaczuk, Peter Ruggiero was
powering down his PC for the night. He was feeling pretty cocksure after his
tenth installment featuring Al the Blond hit the presses. The editors of </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Inquisitor </i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">were certain that sales
would begin soaring when the column pieces gave way to a feature series. His </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Rugg Ratt</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> column was already the talk of
the town, and the new </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Ruggiero Rap</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">
was predicted to become the newspaper series of the year.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">He had just buffed his
gold-rimmed glasses and put them back on when he saw the two figures stepping
through the doorway of his office. They looked like a couple of overdressed
college teens with a strangely chilly demeanor. One of the last sights he would
ever remember was their doll-like lifeless eyes.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“This place is closed,” Peter said
sternly though he broke a cold sweat upon realizing something was terribly
wrong here. They walked in and leaned up against the wall, the black-dressed
kids waiting for him to speak. “You can check in with security at the desk in
the lobby. They can help get you where you need to be.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“They’re not there,” the blonde girl replied. “I think
they’re kinda tied up in the ladies’ room.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Well, we’ve got roving security,”
Peter switched on his desktop intercom. “They can come and escort you back
downstairs.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“See, I told you,” the pale young man said
softly.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Yeah, so?” she replied nonchalantly.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Peter watched with trepidation as the
teens gazed down the hall through the doorway. They seemed as if waiting for a
bus. Eventually they heard the elevator door in the hallway and the sound of
rapidly approaching footsteps.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Everything okay, Mr. Ruggiero?”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“These two appear to be lost. I told
them you could escort them back to the lobby.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Sure
can,” the strapping Puerto Rican guard replied. “Come on, we’ll take you back
downstairs.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Screw
you,” the blonde said tersely.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Excuse
me?” the hulking black guard asked.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">At
once the black-leathered blonde launched a lightning front kick into the Puerto
Rican’s groin. The black man was startled but lunged for her, running right
into a high-heeled roundhouse kick that nearly broke his jaw. She charged into
them with a flurry of elbows and knees, dropping them to the carpet where she
rendered them unconscious with a vicious stomping.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“What
the hell do you want?” Peter tried to appear belligerent. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“That
column you’ve been writing,” the blonde replied. “You’ve been printing lies
that are hurting lots of good people. You need to go on vacation for a while.
Maybe take a leave of absence.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Look, you don’t realize how
much trouble you’re already in,” Peter flared. “You’d better get out now before
it gets any worse.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“See, I told you he wouldn’t listen,”
the blonde murmured.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Yeah, I was hoping he would.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Okay, look, I’m gonna call an
ambulance. It’ll probably take them about ten minutes to get here,” Peter
picked his cell phone off the desk.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Don’t do that,” the raven-haired kid
entreated him.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Just
as Peter raised the phone to his lips, the young man swung across the desk and
smashed the device into his teeth. Peter dropped the phone as the kid grabbed
his lapels and pulled him over the desk. The reporter landed painfully on his
knees as his assailant grabbed his hair and slammed the back of his head
against the edge of the desk.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“You
would’ve probably lied to us anyway,” the kid produced a small vial from his
inside jacket pocket and unscrewed the cap with one hand. “You wouldn’t have
gone nowhere.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Peter
tried to rise but the attacker gave him an excruciating kick to the groin. The
journalist was paralyzed with pain as the kid yanked his head back, pinning it
to the top of the desk.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Sorry
about this,” the young man said before pouring the contents of the vial into
Peter’s eyes.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Peter let
loose a deafening scream as the sulfuric acid burned through his eyeballs. The
assailant pulled out a small sack into which he put the vial and the small cap.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Wipe your fingers,” the blonde said
as Peter began losing consciousness.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’ll be okay,” the young man replied
as they stepped past the fallen guards and headed for the elevator.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-68003643676540625662015-06-26T19:10:00.001-07:002015-06-26T19:10:23.664-07:00"Generations" by John Reinhard Dizon - A Sneak Preview!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Anyone
who had been in the vicinity of the Connor estate that night after Ioan’s coach
rode off would have seen the four black-clad figures creeping across the lawn
to the manor. They wore black-dyed long underwear and military boots along with
a hairnet over their curlers. Their faces were black as night though white skin
was visible above their black leather gloves. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Edward Connor was going over the
union proposals in his office in order to prepare a report for his partners.
Sharon, among others, had convinced him that the conditions in the mine had to
be corrected with all due urgency. Although they were fully prepared to make
immediate changes, they wanted to choose the most expedient course of action
possible to meet the greatest needs. They also wanted to ensure that, by
bringing the union aboard, they would be given the best advice on how to make
working conditions both as safe and cost-efficient as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> He heard a noise in the parlor and
thought to investigate, but shrugged it off as possibly an animal bumping
against the house or a tree limb blown against it. His instincts made him think
twice, especially with the notion of the Molly Maguires possibly lurking in the
vicinity and committing an act of vandalism on the property. He was confident
in the abilities of the Pottsville Police Department, as well as the resolve of
the Coal and Iron Police and the Pinkertons in tracking down the Mollies. Yet
he knew that there were a fair number of hooligans amongst their ranks who
would slip through dragnets undetected and destroy property to establish
themselves with their more dangerous counterparts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> As he came down the stairs, he was
shoved hard down the steps where he crashed into the banister and tumbled down
to the floor. He sprained his wrist and banged up both knees, unable to offer
serious resistance as two sets of hands grabbed his arms and dragged him to a
wooden armchair. He was twisted around and dropped down, a third man coming
over to help tie him to the chair as the fourth intruder came down from the
stairwell.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Well, well, quite a setup you have
here. Doing slightly better than in the Old Country, I see,” the leader
chortled as he descended to the parlor. “Perhaps you’ll be a bit more generous
to those less fortunate than you in this new environment.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You’re making a mistake,” Connor
warned him. “This property is under surveillance by the Coal and Iron Police
and the Pinkertons. Just walk away and it’ll be as if nothing happened. Leave
now before this gets out of hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Don’t you think we would’ve been
watching the house as well to see when those bunglers make their <span style="color: #0d0d0d;">rounds?” The</span> leader strolled across the carpet,
admiring the tasteful Victorian furnishings. “They come by at five o’clock so
they can beat the evening rush to the steak house. I’ve got six-thirty on my
pocket watch.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “What do you want? I don’t keep much
money in the house,” Edward bargained.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I’ve got a pen and paper. I want
your signature on a document agreeing to allow your workers to form a chapter
of the WBA here in Pottsville.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “That’s absurd! I’m a junior partner
in the firm; it wouldn’t be worth the cost of the paper!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “It’s what they call a moral <span style="color: #0d0d0d;">victory.” The leader</span> walked over to stand before
him. “It would signify a rift in leadership among the mine owners. The
beginning of a petition, if you will.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “My name won’t be at the top of it,”
Connor asserted. “I don’t know why you started here, but you picked the wrong
fellow.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Luck of the draw,” the leader
produced a long-handled pair of pliers from a small sack tied to his belt.
“Well, let’s see now. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression ‘pulling hen’s
teeth’?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Connor did not answer, jerking at
his bonds, and staring balefully at the three other men standing around him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “In your case, I can either knock
them all out in one shot, or I can pull them one by one. Either way, I can
assure you the pain will probably be more than a pencil-pusher like yourself
could tolerate. I will give you a moment to consider, and should you choose to
remain stubborn, then you can decide how we will proceed with the dental work.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You infer principles, yet you fail
to consider how you will strengthen the resolve of the mine owners to resist
your demands! Do you not think they will declare war against you on principle?
You <span style="color: #0d0d0d;">defeat your own purpose with these acts of
barbarism!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “I’m sure when
they see how this dental work affects your job performance, they will surely
reconsider.” The leader grinned, clicking the jaws of the pliers nonchalantly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Suddenly there
was</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> a
great crash as a huge earthen pot from the outside patio was hurled through the
framed glass door. Wood and glass flew through the room before the vase
exploded on the tiled floor, sending shards of clay and dirt everywhere. Behind
it hurtled a figure, which catapulted across the floor to the fireplace. Most
of the men recognized Ioan, who yanked a poker from its stand and tumbled
across the floor once again. He rolled to where two of the men stood and took
vicious swings, cracking them across the knees and shins. They dropped to the
floor in agony as he rose to his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Okay, William, let us get on either
side of him,” the leader rose to the balls of his feet, brandishing the pliers
as a small club. “He can only take one of us; the other will catch him from behind.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You know you’ll be the one I take
out, and I’m sure your friend would be no match for me thereafter,” Ioan
assured him. “Take these goons and get out while I attend to Mr. Connor.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “You strike a hard bargain,” the
leader grinned. Both he and William helped their partners to their feet and out
the broken glass door as Ioan took his time freeing Edward.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-74794766664734096562015-05-22T07:00:00.000-07:002015-05-22T07:04:47.297-07:00"Nightcrawler" Signing With Fountain Blue Publishing?<span style="font-size: large;">Sabrina Brooks may be about to make another deal. Not with the Mayor of New York City, or the White House administration. It looks like Fountain Blue Publishing, who may be interested in releasing <i><b>The Plague</b></i> along with <<<SPOILER ALERT>>> (no, not The Missouri Rock and Roll Champions)...a possible sequel to the Nightcrawler trilogy---<i><b>Redemption</b></i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">JRD is expecting the deal to open up a new chapter in the Nightcrawler experience. Readers have been watching and waiting for their favorite super-heroine to become the next indie lit breakout star in 2015. Considering the fact that the so-called "Nightcrawler" movie (yeah, you probably haven't) was another flash-in-the-pan, the Nightcrawler comic book character hasn't done much better, and when you Google the name --- <i>ta-da</i>, there she is --- maybe Fountain Blue will make this happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No offers have been made or signed papers sent, but talks are in progress. The Nightcrawler Universe watches and waits...is this Sabrina's year at last?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned, Crawlers. The best is yet to come.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-90333520750700350902015-03-03T16:38:00.002-08:002015-03-03T16:38:34.135-08:00Greatest Weight Loss/Energy Pill of the Decade?<br />
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve been hanging and banging since I was thirteen
years old. I tried Joe Weider’s Crash Weight Gain #7 as a 98-pound weakling and
never looked back. After over four decades, I’ve tried just about everything on
the market to boost my energy without having to resort to drugs. This product
is the only one that continues to work. Every one without exception (including
Xenadrine) gets old after a while. Your body builds up a resistance and you
have to chug down five at a time just to get a rush. Well, not this stuff. Not
by a long shot.</span></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">I posted my first review of Beldt last year in a
swap with one of their marketing execs. He reviewed one of my novels and I
tried his stuff. I proudly posted on Amazon that I overloaded on the pills and
boosted my bench totals by one hundred pounds! Well, as I explained, I had
taken a year off from lifting after having hit the 350-pound mark, so there was
a lot of dormant muscle involved. Plus I started out with one hundred and
worked back to two hundred, so it wasn’t all that miraculous. Still, I’m pretty
sure your average pencil-neck geek would have been more than glad to have
recorded such gains. Beldt is undoubtedly the place to start.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the beginning of 2015 I decided to get back on
track. I was using Beldt to keep my energy levels up after taking an a$$wipe
job last summer and it was like a miracle tonic. I went from one every other
day to two, and my bench totals began increasing. I ended up with 300 on the squat
rack before a sprain put me on the sidelines. Still, it was all Beldt (along
with perseverance and elbow grease). I’ve been on it for a year now and haven’t
reached a tolerance level that has reduced its effectiveness. Beldt keeps me
going…and going…and going.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t hawk many products for the simple reason
there’s nothing out there (well, maybe except for whey protein) that I’d put my
rep behind. This stuff, though, is the real deal. If you want to pick up
something that’ll make you feel brand new (and doesn’t have you run around
humping bedposts, if you know what I mean)…Beldt is THE ONE!!!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-16126193846523158962014-12-31T05:57:00.002-08:002014-12-31T06:29:41.758-08:00Symbolism and Role Reversal in Philistia <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
use of allegory and metaphor in John Reinhard Dizon’s <i>Philistia </i>would be commonplace in a politically themed, religiously
charged novella. Yet the use of symbolism and role reversal appear to challenge
its audience, inviting readers past the curtain to inspect the <i>dei ex machina </i>that proliferate
throughout the plot. Many of the characters act as Trojan horses, carrying
inside them hosts of allegorical and metaphoric implications that are left for
us to contend with long after the players have left the scene. What they
represent and how they transcend their stereotypical natures are what makes
this work unique.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
role of Sylvia Cantor as a liberated woman, Delilah Sorek as a femme fatale and
Gwen Abbott as a damsel in distress are all too easy to categorize and dismiss.
Yet their interactions leave far too many inconsistencies were we to reduce
them to the lowest common denominator – gender stereotypes. Sylvia is portrayed
as a forensics expert with an aptitude for problem solving which is referred to
throughout the tale as female intuition. Hey partner, Gary Race, jokes that he
is ‘paid to listen to her’. Though when we consider the history of Israel, we
find that the inclusion of women in their military infrastructures has been a
matter of national survival that contradicts its male-dominated social
environment. Having Sylvia carry a gun and hold rank in Shin Bet is no
different than seeing women holding rank in the Israel Defense Force. We see
how their Egyptian counterpart scoffs at the agents for having a ‘saleswoman’
trying to sell her ‘story’ of Hamas using the underground pipeline into Egypt
as a military diversion. This episode concludes as Sylvia turns her back on the
Egyptians, who symbolize the dead end that Jamal Al-Ramadi intended them to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Delilah
is introduced as the seductress who lures Samson from Israel into the ranks of
Hamas. She also becomes a negotiator for Hamas in their dealings with the
Jerusalem Mob. As the story progresses, we find that bringing Samson into Gaza
is a gambit to keep him on the sidelines rather than putting him into play for
the insurgents. We also see that the Jerusalem Mob is persuaded to participate
in a multimillion-dollar black-marketing scheme that distracts both the IDF and
the Egyptian Army from Jamal’s true objective. Delilah becomes a pawn in Jamal’s
chess game, yet becomes a queen that proves catastrophic as the game concludes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gwen
Abbott finds herself being used as a bargaining chip, first as a hostage held for
ransom, then as collateral in Jamal’s exit strategy. As the story progresses,
she becomes the mother of wisdom in revealing Biblical truths to both Samson
and Delilah. It proves symbolic as the epiphany anticipates the birth of their
newfound Christianity and the revelation of their mission in traveling through
time. We also see how she is the focal point of her father Brooks’ life as a
widow and a pastor sacrificing all else for his ministry. She appears to play
the weakest role in the narrative. Yet if it were not for her bringing Samson
and Delilah to the knowledge of truth, the protagonists would have remained
ignorant of Jamal’s true plan to change the destiny of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
issues discussed in the storyline continue to escalate as we examine the
dialogues on race and religion. We see stereotypes abounding as the narrative
distinguishes between the ‘Israelites’, as Samson and Delilah refer to them,
and the immigrant Russian Jews who are shown as the antagonists. Alternately,
we see the ‘Philistines’ as the people of the ancient land as opposed to the
Palestinians engaged in insurrectionism that threatens both Israeli and
Egyptian alike. The conflict is presented in black and white as Hamas operates
underground in darkness, digging tunnels to undermine their adversaries and
constantly meeting in secret to set their plans into effect. The Israelis meet
in their ivory towers to analyze their dilemmas and come up with comprehensive
solutions to maintain stability, law and order. The American pastor stays at an
exclusive hotel and comes out only to reclaim his daughter, never once stepping
foot out of the armored military vehicle. By speed-reading our way through, it
seems obvious that our ethnic groups have been typecast so as to provide us
with a streamlined immersion into the political environment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">At
second glance, we find that the Palestinians are the only ones who are examined
from a human perspective. They are forced into communities that are bracketed
by both the IDF and the Egyptian Army. Even Delilah remains in awe of how the
tables have turned between the Israelites and the Philistines. There is a brief
discussion of Egypt’s demolition of their cities along the Gaza border and how
the tunnels are reduced to sewage dumps. It is an exquisitely ruthless tactic
which would be condemned by the global community if practiced elsewhere (i.e.
the US-Mexico border). Yet it is seen as a natural reaction by Egypt, which is
already engaged in exterminating its own Muslim Brotherhood (purged after
winning a national election). In this world of inconsistency and contradiction,
Jamal is seen as the heroic figure and his brother Bassam as Delilah’s
counterpart. Yet it is Jamal who conspires with the Islamic State to destroy
the Temple on the Mount in an ultimate act of betrayal against the world Muslim
community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
religious overtones appear to be just as cut and dried at first glance. Samson
and Delilah leap from the Book of Judges into modern-day Israel, where they are
seen as victims of an American or Russian-Chinese mind control experiment. Yet
references to the Tanakh demonstrate the Israelis’ familiarity with their own
canon and respect for their ancient traditions and folklore. Their patriarchal
society is hinted at, while the Muslim distinction between men and women is
clearly defined. The Israelis’ sense of duty is underscored by their mission
statement to defend the Holy Land at all costs. The Muslims seem to be
motivated by cultural manifests that are reinforced by religious imperatives.
Yet the Temple on the Mount symbolizes their mutual respect for each other’s beliefs
and need for peaceful coexistence. It is threatened by the Islamic State, the
antithesis of what Islam itself claims to represent. Jamal becomes its false
prophet, and it takes a Judge of Israel to rise from oblivion to deliver his
people anew.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The
theme of Americanism resonates throughout the novella as the US spy satellite
Chernobyl acts as the all-seeing eye of
the all-knowing Almighty. The conspirators
continue along their course nonetheless, defiant of the powers of justice to
bring their misdeeds to an end. We can see the allegory as Delilah appears as a
cajoling, demanding and impatient partner (Israel) trying to implore the
sluggish giant Samson (America) into action. The American ‘princess’ Gwen
becomes the deciding factor as Samson emerges from his lethargy in an act of
divine intervention. He becomes a metaphor for the superpower coming to the aid
of its ally, miraculously rescuing it from nuclear annihilation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
summation, we find that <i>Philistia</i> can
be seen as a postmodernist parable of the 21<sup>st</sup> century, discussing current
topics with what can be argued to be a satirical overtone. Yet the deeper
meaning can be analyzed by examining the sum of its parts. By exploring the
allegorical and metaphorical passages on race, religion, gender and politics, <i>Philistia</i> becomes an essential narrative
from ancient history to the modern era.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-65576527800048054202014-12-19T13:40:00.001-08:002014-12-19T13:43:48.871-08:0021st Century Blaxploitation?<span style="font-size: large;">Yep, blaxploitation is alive and well in the 21st century. Only it's an equal opportunity game and everybody gets to play.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I just got through watching <i>Django Unchained </i>on cable and had lots of trouble figuring out what all the hoopla was about. Overuse of the so-called N-word? I guess nobody watches those reruns of <i>Roots</i> on the BET Network. Or listens to gangsta rap - ask Bill Cosby...well, maybe not Bill Cosby. He's not our favorite Uncle Tom these days. And how about those savage whippings? Did anybody catch <i>12 Years A Slave</i> (NOT directed by Quentin Tarantino)? That's another one of those NEVER FORGET slave movies that, along with <i>The Butler</i>, is supposed to rub our collective faces in our national guilt complex. Which leads us to Ferguson MO on the way to NYC. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In two separate instances, a black man weighing over three hundred pounds attacked a police officer. Well, don't hold me to the weight, I'm an ex-pro wrestler, I'm just eyeballing. As a mixed martial artist, if a man that big came at me, I'd be going for the groin or a kneecap. Cops aren't trained that way. If a cop is as big as the one in NYC, he goes for a chokehold. If he's as small as the one in Ferguson, he draws his weapon. Either way, the cop is going by the universal tenet that anyone who attacks a cop is a deadly menace. If he attacks a cop, he's past the point about caring about the consequences of his actions. That's why cop killers are considered dead men walking. Only if they're the ones who end up on the short end, and it's a black perp/white cop, well, now it's a different story.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At least for the agitators who drove from as far as NYC to throw rocks and loot businesses in Ferguson. Interesting how the majority of those arrested during the rioting were from out-of-town. Sure, the blacks in Ferguson were up in arms and turned out in force. Only they weren't all about destroying the places they shop at without having to drive up to St. Louis. It was the publicity-seekers, the rabble-rousers, the anarchists who drove up to NYC as soon as the Ferguson furor waned. It looked like the Chokehold Affair was going to succeed the Michael Brown Incident but...outside of Berkeley (us Boomers sure do remember protesters in Berkeley), well...folks got plumb tuckered out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I sure was after watching <i>The Butler</i>. It was following Forrest Whitaker through a plodding semi-documentary about racism in the White House that we've seen over and over and over again. I'm starting to understand how kids in Germany must feel (<i>What, another Hitler movie!</i>). At least the producers of <i>12 Years A Slave </i>managed to trump Tarantino by outdoing him (whipping-wise and N-word-wise) without being as self-indulgent as the <i>Butler</i> boys, or stooping to blaxploition (which the Tarantino flick reeked of).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Face it, we're in a different century. Harping on racial issues does nothing but stoke the flames that erupt the minute any activist decides to play the race card. The people of Israel are learning how this comes back to bite you in the butt. After decades of Nazi-hunting, they are now dealing with allegations of racism as agitators the world over are accusing them of genocide in Palestine. Absurd? Sure it is. Just as absurd as a mob tearing up a small town in Missouri after a cop shot a man out of fear for his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I usually watch the great Tarantino flicks a few dozen times. I don't think I'll get through more than a few more <i>Django</i> reruns. I saw <i>12 Years A Slave</i> a couple of times, maybe I'll see it a couple more. <i>The Butler</i>? I couldn't watch it halfway through.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Which reminds me of Ferguson. Went down, took a couple of pics, didn't even stop for a beer. I guess everyone was home watching themselves on TV.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-11910430866293501822014-11-13T08:21:00.001-08:002014-11-13T08:21:09.526-08:00"Philistia" --- A Sneak Preview!!!<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So you see, the Lord Jesus Christ was the Messiah that God promised
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He came to Earth to die for our sins, and He has
allowed us to travel through time to save the people of Israel from disaster.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“This
borders on witchcraft. I shall require a sign, else I will not believe.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gwen
watched the couple debating over the Bible with her stomach knotted in tension.
She had won over Delilah after they studied the smuggled book together. Only
when Delilah brought Samson to visit, the giant was not easily persuaded. Apparently
she had deceived him many times before, and he was not going to have his
personal beliefs overturned so easily. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I am a follower of Dagon, yet I
could clearly see the Truth unfolding in these pages. Why, it even depicts our
past and future. You read the story of Samson and Delilah. How could they know
these things were this book not true?” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Everyone
knows of our legend. As for the ending, it seems as prattle to me. How could
these puny Philistines cut my hair and bind me, much less blind me and enslave
me? Their lightning sticks cannot even penetrate my skin.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her
biggest fear was the possibility that these were actors engaged in some
sophisticated form of mind control developed by the terrorists. She knew that
ISIL was a multibillion-dollar organization capable of anything. They might be
here to win her confidence in an attempt to break her father’s resistance to
paying her ransom. Yet this man Samson was all too real. His fingers were as
cigars, his neck as big as her waist. She had no doubt that he could have
ripped the door to this room from its hinges. He might well be her biggest hope
in escaping from this place. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Gwen, why do you sit silent? Your
words were so persuasive as to soften my heart and open my eyes. Now you sit
quiet as I bicker with this stiff-necked man.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“The
Holy Ghost speaks through you,” she said softly. “You could not preach these
things to him if they were not revealed to you by God.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
couple was dumbstruck by her words. At once they were flooded by memories of
Delilah dancing before the altar of Dagon, eating and drinking at his
festivals, and committing all sorts of abomination. This did not come close to
obscuring thoughts of the lies and deception she had committed against Samson
himself. The idea of the Holy Ghost using her as His prophet was unthinkable. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I am not worthy of this,” she
suddenly began weeping and trembling uncontrollably. “Your God is mistaken in
this thing. Have Him depart from me, for I am damned to failure.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Delilah,”
Samson broke out of his narcotic-induced ennui, taking her into his arms with a
gentleness that surprised all three of them. “What has happened to you? I have
never seen you like this.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Nor I you,” her beautiful eyes
widened. “What is this new way that has overcome you?” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">At once the
reinforced door opened, and the three were startled by the appearance of Kal
Ghidrah and Bassam Al-Ramadi in the threshold. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No, not now,” Gwen pleaded. “Please
give me just a little more time.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Relax,” Kal smiled. “Jamal doesn’t
know we’re here. I was the one who arranged for Samson and Delilah to come
here. I have also brought Bassam.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Don’t take
all the credit,” Bassam murmured. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Are
you here to rescue me?” Gwen managed. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No,
not quite,” Kal replied. “I ask you to remain strong as this plays out. I
cannot tell you everything just now. What I can tell you is that this is part
of a master plan developed by Jamal and his Hamas connections. They never
expected your father to pay the ransom. You’re being held to divert the
Israelis’ resources. He’s got something bigger planned, and the fate of
Palestine could be at stake if we don’t figure it out.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“To
Hades with Philistia!” Samson growled. “I shall set aside the devil powder and
destroy the Philistines once and for all!” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It’s not quite that easy, though
kicking the heroin isn’t a bad idea,” Bassam spoke up. “I think you’ve got an
inkling of the bigger picture here. Israel controls what you call Philistia. If
Philistia – Palestine – is destroyed, a sizeable portion of the Holy Land goes
with it, including the West Bank and portions of Jerusalem. There’s a crucial
political issue here. The nations of the world will not stand by and allow that
to happen. The question is not whether Samson wants to destroy Palestine, but
whether my brother Jamal will allow it to happen to achieve his goals.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“The
nations of the world?” Delilah wondered. “Who can stand against both the Israelites
and the Philistines?” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“This isn’t going to be easy,”
Bassam cupped his brow. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Honey, the world is a hundred times
bigger than you realize,” Gwen rose from her cot and sat down alongside Delilah
on the chaise longue next to Samson. “If they gather here for battle it could
mean the end of the world. It’s all there in the Bible. The Muslims believe it
the same way we do. I don’t know what these fellows have in mind, but we have
to do what we can to help.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“She’s right, we have to work
together,” Kal agreed. “I was sent here by the Israelis to return Samson to Tel
Aviv.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That is no problem,” Samson started
to rise. “Come, let us leave now.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No, we need you here to stop Jamal’s
plan,” Bassam insisted. “If you leave, Delilah will go with you, and that will
cause Jamal to change course and resort to a more devious strategy.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
can’t imagine what that could be,” Kal shook his head. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
can stay here and see this through,” Delilah insisted. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Ha!”
Samson growled. “Is that what you think?” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“No,
let the five of us work together and we can stop my brother – and Hamas – from carrying
out their plot. We just need Gwen to stay strong and Samson and Delilah remain
as if they know nothing of this. Jamal is planning to complete his transaction
with the Sudanese any day now. Once he’s achieved that, I’m certain it will
convince him the time is ripe to make his big move. That will be the time for
us to act against him.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Take
care, Bassam,” Delilah beseeched him. “If Jamal finds out you are working
against him, he will kill you.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“God will protect us,” Gwen
insisted. “He will protect us all, I know it.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I think,” Bassam turned to leave, “Allah
has turned his back on me a long time ago.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“That makes two of us,” Kal smiled
as the men walked out the door.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-52393193579613317482014-11-04T07:55:00.003-08:002014-11-04T08:04:46.032-08:00"Hezbollah" Coming Soon on Editions Dedicaces!!!<span style="font-size: large;">It's come a long way, baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Hezbollah</i></b> was originally conceived in 1992 when I decided to pay homage to my old band, my bandmates and our organization. Since I didn't want to write a tawdry rock novel, I decided to give it the JRD treatment with a 'what-if' scenario full of adventure and intrigue. It was nearly indie-pubbed by Ed and Jane Doherty, and would have ended up as a rare out-of-print book by now if I had chosen to do so. Fortunately their critic friends convinced them to back off, and I carried the project into the 21st century.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Time ended up dating the book so that I had to bump everything up a decade to keep the storyline relevant. Punk rockers became grunge rockers, Desert Storm became the Invasion of Iraq, and the male protagonists gave place to the females. All of a sudden the novel provided the female perspective of what the lives and times were all about. Suddenly I realized I had what would become a truly enduring work. After all, the females are the true survivors. Rock and roll warriors live fast, die young and leave a pretty corpse. The women remain behind to tell their stories.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not fooling myself, this is a last will and testament from a dying breed. I went to Chi-Town and St. Louis for Halloween weekend to visit the last two punk clubs in those cities. Club Foot in Chicago is scheduled to close this month (Nov 2014). The Way Out Club in St. Louis is barely hanging on. We've got a metal club, Aftershock, outside our border in Kansas. Beyond that, <i>nada</i>. We're dinosaurs, my fellow punkers. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm leaving <b><i>Hezbollah</i></b> behind in the care of its new publishers, Editions Dedicaces. Hopefully the Millenials will pick up on it and discover what it means to be individuals, the need to stand alone from the pack rather than desperately seeking acceptance. Soon you find that there's others on the fringe, and your band of outcasts finds their own way of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Punk rock might even make a comeback.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7606591283355466118.post-42762905950621419572014-10-10T10:25:00.002-07:002014-10-10T10:29:27.515-07:00"Standard II - The Citadel" Coming Soon on World Castle Publishing!<span style="font-size: large;">As my closest friends know, thirteen is my lucky number. I'm hoping that my thirteenth publishing deal (through World Castle Publishing) is the breakthrough score. Hopefully these guys will realize they have a potential movie deal on their hands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, why not? Who wouldn't think that the story of Berlin Mansfield and Princess Jennifer in <b><i>Tiara</i></b> is ready for prime time? Or how about watching Sabrina Brooks plunging from the skies in <b><i>Nightcrawler</i></b> on the big screen? Imagine watching Tomny Jackson and Orrin Rampersad racing against time against a robotic Combo and the vengeance-crazed Jerome Browne in <i><b>Transplant</b></i>. Hell, I've got twenty-plus worth of them out there. The list does go on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>The Standard</i></b> didn't go far with Tenth Street Press. Those guys are too busy peddling their softcore porn novels. But, damn, wasn't it a great read? William Shanahan is a narcissistic <i>GQ</i>-type looking to nail that last big case en route to a desk job in London with MI6. Only he gets teamed up with a UDA racketeer and serial killer named Jack Gawain, who happens to be one of the most charismatic of all my anti-heroes. They are pitted against Amschel Bauer, a <i>Goldfinger</i> wannabe who encourages an international drug cartel to buy up surplus gold across the globe before launching a series of terror attacks against financial hubs in NYC, London and Zurich. The anticipated return to the gold standard by the nations of the world precipitates Operation Blackout, and Shanahan and Gawain have their work cut out for them. The main event awaits in Miami, where cartel enforcer Enrique Chupacabra has his world turned upside down by the unpredictable Gawain. Sounds good? Well, go buy a damn copy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Standard II - The Citadel </i></b>picks up where the original left off. Gawain is doing contract jobs for the PSNI and the Garda Siochana before being re-upped by MI6. He is teamed with Shanahan and newcomer Lucretia Carcosa to derail a Russian plot to smuggle weapons into NYC. The Russians are seething over economic sanctions imposed by NATO in response to their hostile takeover plot against the Ukraine. Only their deal with a European criminal network is being compromised by the mysterious Citadel, who plan to take control of the Russian operation. Shanahan, Gawain and Carcosa are faced with the task of capturing the Black Queen of the Citadel before she gains exclusive rights to a nuclear bomb headed for the USA.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Think it'd make a great movie? Take it up with World Castle Publishing. I'm just the poor bastard slaving over the keyboard.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01608091202180054901noreply@blogger.com2