OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE: January 2007

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

My New WINDOWS VISTA Installed and Running!!!

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

Well, I dooed it!

I've done gone and got myself a brand spanking new Windows Vista operating platform!

Remember from my previous e-mail how I'd been warned about potential software conflicts?

Everything works, and the programs that wouldn't work were replaced by newer versions that would.

Not only that, when I reboot, I always have the option of returning to my earlier operating system, Windows XP Media Center Edition.

Yes, everything looks different.

I don't know that it's really better, but I reckon it's just a matter of getting used to a different look.

Oh, by the way, I still CAN listen to Paula Cole sing "WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE?", and I can still do the crossword and codeword puzzles.

Installing the new Windows Vista wiped out my S.E.T.I. at Home program, but I simply downloaded another one and kept right on with my Deep Space electronic data analysis.

I'm still experimenting and figuring out what I can or can't do with this new operating system.

Thank you.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Downloading Windows Vista

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

As I'm typing this, my computer is downloading the new Windows Vista operating system, an upgrade from my Windows XP Media Center Edition.

It's costing me $159.00, and is expected to take fourteen hours to download - - - hmmm - - - that IS what the web site says, but my download is already half through.

Maybe that's because my cable TV connection is a lot faster than ordinary DSL.

I don't know just how fast my connection is, but I think it's about as fast as you can get.

I wonder if my cable TV provider is using fiber optics?

That would certainly enhance the speed.

And they DO make me pay a ton of money!

My combined bill for high definition cable TV and high speed Internet is HUGE!!!

It's, I think, around $167.00 a month.

Can you believe it?

That's way more than I can afford, so sooner or later, I'll have to figure out something.

So, I reckon you all will be wanting to know how this Windows Vista works, and whether you should upgrade your computers.

I ran the evaluation program to determine if there would be any problems on my computer, and there's a couple of minor software conflicts with programs I don't use anyway.

They specified Windows Messenger, HP Rhapsody, and J2SE Runtime (whatever that is - - - is it Java?).

I do hope my Java will still work, because I need that for crossword and codeword puzzles.

I never use the Windows Messenger, so that's no problem.

In fact, I don't know anybody who does use it.

I don't need HP Rhapsody at all.

I only use it to listen to Paula Cole sing "WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE?".

I wonder why her song isn't available in some other format?

So, while I type this message, I'm listening to her song over and over, knowing I won't be able to in the future.

Earlier, the scan indicated a conflict with my RealTek sound card, but I downloaded some patches from their web site, and that resolved it.

RealTek really is a problem, though.

Nobody who has a RealTek sound card can use voice chat in an Internet chat room.

Why?

No one knows, and RealTek, a company in Taiwan, refuses to respond.

I can use voice when chatting one on one, using my YAHOO! Instant Messenger.

But, I can't use voice in a chat room or a conference.

Go figure.

Maybe later on, I'll take this computer to a shop and have a different sound card installed.

Almost anything is better than RealTek.

But, that's what came with my computer, so I reckon I'm stuck with it.

I just now found out my processor is a thirty-two bit, and not a sixty-four bit.

I don't know the difference, but I do know the sixty-four bit processor is supposed to be better.

I wish I'd known this stuff when I was shopping for my computer.

Yes, I'm gambling.

Maybe this new operating system will be just terrible.

Or maybe it'll be as wonderful as some folks say.

Flip a coin and roll the dice, six of one, and half a dozen of the other.

So, stay tuned for further developments in this continuing saga.

But I like having all the very latest high tech gizmos, even if I have no clue about what they are or what I'm supposed to do with them.

Ain't it fun?

If'n y'all never hear from me no more, it'll be due to the huge mushroom cloud over Washington, D.C. when Windows Vista caused my computer to explode.

Yeah, I'm STILL listening to Paula Cole, over and over!

Thank you.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

JAREDITE RUINS DISCOVERED?

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NOTE: This message was originally posted at the "OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE" web site on Thursday 25 January 2007.
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Brothers and Sisters:

Here's an intriguing news report from the Associated Press:

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OLMEC INFLUENCED CITY FOUND IN MEXICO

By: MARK STEVENSON
Associated Press Writer

Thursday 25 January 2007
21:20 Hours Eastern Standard Time

A two thousand five hundred year old city influenced by the Olmecs, often referred to as the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, has been discovered hundreds of miles away from the Olmecs' Gulf coast territory, archaeologists said.

The remains of Zazacatla are providing insight into the early arrival of advanced civilizations in central Mexico, while also providing lessons about the risks to ruins posed by modern development that now cover much of the ancient city.

Archaeologist Giselle Canto said Wednesday that two statues and architectural details at the site, twenty-five miles south of Mexico City, indicate that the inhabitants of Zazacatla adopted Olmec styles when they changed from a simple, egalitarian society to a more complex, hierarchical one.

"When their society became stratified, the new rulers needed emblems - - - to justify their rule over people who used to be their equals," Canto said of the inhabitants, who may not have been ethnically Olmec, but apparently revered the culture as the most prestigious.

Zazacatla covered less than one square mile between 800 B.C. and 500 B.C.

But much of it has been covered by housing and commercial development extending from Cuernavaca, a city popular with tourists just seven miles north.

"There are ten housing developments, a gas station, a highway and a commercial building on the site now," Canto said.

Authorities hope to excavate and preserve other pre-Hispanic sites before they are forgotten or covered over.

Since excavation of Zazacatla began last year, archaeologists have unearthed six buildings, and two sculptures of what appear to be Olmec-style priests.

The sculptures appear to have headdresses portraying the jaguar, which the Olmecs revered, and other symbols of status and authority.

The Olmecs dominated areas around the Gulf coast states of Veracruz and Tabasco from 1,200 B.C. to about 400 B.C.

Some had speculated that the signs of Olmec influence found at Zazacatla and other areas far from the Gulf coast might suggest Olmec settlements, conquests, or missionary sites.

But Canto said the Olmecs' most famous ceremonial center, about two hundred and fifty miles east, was too far for direct contact, though trade links may have existed.

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What do you think - - - were these the Jaredites we read about in the BOOK OF MORMON?

Boy, oh boy, what a find!

Thank you.

John Robert "SAIGON" Mallernee, KB3KWS

Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

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Odd NBC Screen Graphic

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

Yesterday, when I was watching the NBC Nightly News report about President Bush's STATE OF THE UNION 2007 speech, I noticed something strange.

In the upper right hand corner of the screen was a sort of logo, or graphic, or whatever it's called, designed especially for this particular news report.

The graphic depicted the dome of the United States Capitol superimposed on a backdrop of a gigantic red star.

Was this deliberate or accidental, and does it mean anything?

Did anyone else besides myself notice this graphic, and wonder if there might be a sinister irony behind it?

How can we get a copy of that graphic?

I doubt anyone at NBC would cooperate or admit the graphic was ever shown.

Thank you.

President Bush's Speech

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

After mulling it over, I just wanted to say something about President Bush's "STATE OF THE UNION" speech last Tuesday night.

I didn't pay close attention to the television broadcast, and in fact, I channel surfed, looking for something more interesting.

Later, I did quickly skim through the written text, so I sort of got an idea about what he said.

Well, here's MY observation and opinion, for whatever it's worth:

Just about everything President Bush proposed is in blatant violation of the TENTH AMENDMENT to the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

In fact, I can't think of anything our President said that didn't violate that Amendment.

Also, I reckon his proposal to continue implementing some sort of amnesty for the myriad hordes of aliens who illegally sneak into the United States certainly compromises and negates his credibility.

What happened to his sacred oath he swore before Almighty God during his inauguration?

Yes, we're at war, and it's a World War with no end in sight, and that part of his speech, I can understand.

I understand why he can't tell us anything about the World War that makes sense, because most of that World War has to be waged in secret.

It's too bad that because of the secrecy, the statements President Bush does make about the World War makes him look rather ridiculous.

But, what worries me are the other parts of his speech, the stuff about domestic or economic whatever, with amnesty for illegal aliens, and taxpayer funding for diseases in Africa.

According to our CONSTITUTION and the TENTH AMENDMENT, the federal government is not authorized to do any of those things.

Only states, local governments, churches, private organizations, and individual citizens are authorized by the TENTH AMENDMENT to be financing health care, education, disease prevention, and other programs for social improvement.

Of course, there have been many previous Presidents who ignored and violated the CONSTITUTION, so President Bush is not the first to do so.

But, what are we going to do about this?

How much longer shall we allow it to continue?

Do you know of any practical way we can restore the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA as the Supreme Law of the Land without the horror of a bloody revolt, with neighbor murdering neighbor, and family members betraying each other?

Do you think our votes still count for anything?

Do you think there's any real difference between a Democrat and a Republican, or between a Liberal and a Conservative?

If so, what is the difference, for I perceive that neither has any regard for the CONSTITUTION, and both will continue to rob and betray us, over and over, ad infinitum?

I suspect none of them can be trusted, and all should be arrested and charged with treason.

What are your thoughts on President Bush's speech?

How do you feel about the illegal aliens now in our midst?

Frankly, this doesn't look good.

Thank you.

BYU in Jerusalem

Brothers and Sisters:

How do other people view those of us who are members of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints?

Here is a news report from an Israeli web site, "Y NET NEWS" about the Brigham Young University campus in Jerusalem:

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BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY: SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

By: Ron Peled

MORMON COMMUNITY WENT THROUGH TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS UNTIL FINALLY BEING PERMITTED TO BUILD ACADEMIC COMPLEX ON MOUNT SCOPUS.

RON PELED TOURS THE IMPRESSIVE COMPLEX

Take the most beautiful view in Israel, add it to a biblical garden abundant with foliage, a concert hall, a library, student dormitories and house them all in one of the most impressive buildings around - and what you get is the Mormon Brigham Young University, or going by its more modern name - The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, located adjacent to the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus.

In 1982, a decision was made to construct the academic complex in Jerusalem as an offshoot of the Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City in the United States.
The words "The world is our campus" are engraved in stone at the entrance to the complex.

According to the Mormon community, the return of the Jews to their homeland after years of exile is very important and therefore it is only natural that they would aspire to build the complex.

Several years elapsed until the construction plan was approved because as is common in our parts, the idea turned into a public debate.

As the Mormon community is known to be a Christian missionary community, it was argued at the time that they had come to Israel with the aim of converting Jews to Christianity.

Construction of the university got underway in 1985 and inaugurated two years later, only after assurances were made that Jews would not be enrolled at the university and that its occupants would not be involved in missionary work.

Construction of the complex completed a circle.

Beginning in the Nineteenth Century, the Mormons attempted to build a complex in the Holy Land (as did the German Templars and many other Catholic denominations) in Jaffa and in the Jezreel Valley.

The aim was to build charity, education, medical and housing centers as well as missionaries ahead of the second coming of Christ in the next millennium.

In the summer of 1867, a group of one hundred and sixty-seven people from the United States led by George Adams, set out to establish a Mormon farming community in Jaffa.

Due to various problems, such as diseases and death, the farming community was dismantled.

Those who remained in Israel instead of returning to the United States relocated to Jerusalem and were led by Floyd and Clark.

At the time, Floyd who lives on the corner of King George and Agripas Streets, worked as a tour guide and drove pilgrims from Jaffa to the Holy City.

That's how the Mormon community began to take shape in Jerusalem.

A full circle was only made in 1987, when the university was completed on the mountain ridge of the Mount of Olives.

The idea behind the center was to build a "jewel in the crown" for the Mormon community in the Holy Land, their objective was one: to build an academic institution.

Students have recently returned to the university after an absence of six years due to the volatile security situation in Israel.

Israeli architects David Reznick and Frank Ferguson, were careful to remain loyal to the concept of the building which called for it to blend into the surrounding landscape without damaging it.

And indeed, the structure is terraced and symbolizes the Old City with architectural elements such as alleyways, arched entrances, corridors and internal courtyards.

The building is visible to all and emanates a sense of infinite natural light wherever possible.

It is no wonder the building was awarded many prestigious prizes for its form and location (contrary to the Hebrew University that is undoubtedly fascinating from an historical point of view, but falls short of the Mormon complex in its architectural design).

Organized tours take visitors into the gates and continue on the stone path, where they will notice an entrance with two fountains, one on each side, in which the water symbolizes life.

Those with sharp eyes will notice that the iron wrought gate is designed in the shape of a Menorah.

Upon turning left visitors will reach the library which houses some seven thousand books.

Immediately after, visitors can descend towards the student quarters.

The complex comprises a total of eight levels whereby the top three offer public functions such as the library and administration offices.

Out on the expansive terrace overlooking the Old City, visitors can get a view of the entire city with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher at its center in the Christian quarter.

They can also view the Temple Mount as well as the YMCA Tower and the King David Hotel located in the new part of the city to the west.

Further into the yard latticed Burmese wooden canopies provide shade during the hot summer days.

The entire complex is filled with Italian marble, European glass and oak and features an organ from Denmark - in short the complex incorporates a melting pot of styles.

The courtyard features several models of Jerusalem throughout different periods.

Back inside the building visitors can visit the auditorium which also serves as a concert hall.

The hall is designed as a glass box whose sole purpose is to let the sunlight in from every direction.

Naturally, the glass windows at the front of the stage face the Old City.

Once a week, on Sundays at eight P.M., the hall, comprising three hundred and thirty-four seats, hosts a free concert to the background of the city's lights.

The gigantic organ at the top part of the hall was donated by an anonymous philanthropist and is valued at five hundred million United States dollars.

The organ was built and arrived here directly from Denmark and is considered to be the largest in the Middle East.

It comprises no less than three thousand pipes.

During a group visit to the Mormon complex, visitors can expect a short and impressive concert.

Upon leaving the hall towards the biblical garden in the northern part of the complex, visitors can get a glimpse of the lush foliage such as vines, miniature ivy and lilies.

The garden was designed by landscape designer Dan Tzur and features olive and wine presses.

A large wine press is located towards the end of the garden where students tread grapes during the harvest season.

An impressive seven hundred year old olive tree brought here directly from the Golan Heights is situated adjacent to the wine press and entrance gate.

To coordinate free excursions for groups and individuals, please call:
02-6265666

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Back in 1971, when I was in Israel, as a soldier on leave from Viet Nam, the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies didn't exist.

In fact, I couldn't make contact with any other Latter-day Saint the entire time I was there.

Also, I was the only Christian in a Jewish guided tour group.

That's because I stayed at a hotel in Tel Aviv, which is exclusively a Jewish city.

If you want to go on Christian oriented guided tours, then you stay at hotels in Jerusalem, which caters to Christians.

At the time, I didn't know the difference.

But, I still had a ball, and my Jewish companions were very nice to me, generously overlooking my horrible ignorance and patiently helping me learn about Judaism.

It was fun trying to join in the Hebrew campfire songs, futilely attempting to imitate a language I didn't know.

Visiting Israel was one of the inspirational highlights of my life, and I heartily recommend it to anyone, war or no war.

I hope I can visit there again someday.

Thank you.

John Robert "SAIGON" Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

My New Sword and Dirk

Lath Math, Mo Cinneadh agus Mo Chairdean:

Ciamar a tha sibh?

Is mise tha gu math, tapadh leibh!

Today, just a short while ago, United Parcel Service delivered my Scottish sword and dirk!

A fellow from downstairs came up to show me how to fit the frog onto the scabbard of the sword, and the dirk came with it's own frog already attached.

Boy, oh boy, now I just have to wait and wait and wait - - - until my kilt finally arrives in a couple of months.

If the store's prediction is correct, I'll have it in plenty of time to wear it on National Tartan Day.

Then, there'll be TWO (02) of us old soldiers wearing tartan kilts here at the Old Soldiers' Home on National Tartan Day, myself and my friend from downstairs.

So far, in addition to the sword, dirk, and frogs, I now have the uniform shirts (white long sleeve and khaki short sleeve), uniform shoes, kilt pin, cap badge, and black beret, plus my medals are mounted for wear.

So, I'm gradually putting it all together, piece by piece, and item by item.

When I finally receive my kilt, it'll also include the plaid fly, brooch, semi-formal sporran, military belt, clan buckle, Argyll coat, vest, green hose, tartan flashes, and sgian dubh, unless they ship all that stuff before they ship the kilt.

Boy, oh boy, you ought to SEE this sword!!!

It's a real beauty, a solid black basket hilt, with red lining in the handguard, and a matching black scabbard.

The dirk is really nice, too.

All in all, I'm very pleased with my Internet purchases.

Now, I'm just waiting for that kilt - - -

Oooh, it's just like waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, ain't it?

I cain't hardly stand it.

Slainte mhath!

Is Mise Le Meas,

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Troops To Be Decorated - - - For Running Away

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

Here is a news report from Tennessee:

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"TENNESSEE GUARDSMEN TO GET HONOR AFTER BORDER INCIDENT"

By: NATALIA MIELCZAREK
Sunday 21 January 2007

Four Tennessee National Guardsmen who were confronted by a group of six to eight armed men during an Arizona-Mexico border patrol earlier this month will be honored for their conduct, a Guard spokesman said.

When approached by an unidentified group of men wearing ballistic vests and carrying automatic weapons, the four withdrew, keeping their guns in a "ready low" position — a reaction praised by state National Guard officials.

"The soldiers did exactly what their mission was, to pull back if they're approached by armed personnel coming across the border," said Randy Harris, spokesman for Tennessee National Guard.

"They were to pull back, contact the Border Patrol and the Border Patrol would come and make the needed apprehension or investigate the situation.

The Tennessee National Guardsmen are not there as law enforcement."

Some two hundred and fifty Tennessee National Guardsmen will start a third deployment tour next month to assist the United States Border Patrol agents in President Bush's Operation Jump Start, created to help border security.

About one hundred and eighty Tennessee guardsmen are already serving.

The ceremony is likely to be later this week, and the troops get either an Army Commendation Medal or an Army Achievement Medal.

Harris said Saturday, he will probably accompany Tennessee National Guard Adjutant General Gus Hargett to the event.

Harris said he didn't know the identity of the Tennessee guardsmen or where they were from.

The border encounter happened on 03 January 2007 near a Sasabe, Arizona, observation post, according to a summary prepared by the National Guard Bureau and recently released to The Associated Press by Arizona Governess Janet Napolitano's office.

One of the unidentified armed men approached the Tennessee troops within twenty yards of the post, according to the document.

Neither group pointed weapons at the other, and no shots were fired.

The guardsmen slowly retreated to their vehicle, which was about two hundred yards away, and drove away, the summary says.

They contacted the United States Customs and Border Protection Office, which sent an airplane over the site and a five-member ground unit, according to the summary.

The unknown men were tracked back into Mexico, the document reads.

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The report indicates the National Guard are not there as "law enforcement".

But they were there as soldiers in the United States Army, so they should have held their post, especially if they were armed and had the means to resist.

Did they have ammunition for their weapons?

Why was their vehicle parked so far away from where they were positioned?

Was the incursion a probe to merely test our defenses?

Was contraband successfully transported into the United States?

Since the raiders successfully escaped, we'll never know.

That's one reason the Tennessee National Guard should have held their position, because the Border Patrol agents were NOT able to get there in time.

Thank you.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Pray

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

Generally, I am loathe to forward any e-mail message, and in fact, I usually delete anything that's been forwarded to me, especially if it has an attachment.

Well, I felt the need to open this e-mail from one of my sisters, and I'm glad I did.

Here is the message and the Internet link I recommend:

"Try to imagine yourself in this man's shoes, being verbally assaulted with hatred and venom on a daily basis at his job.

Try to imagine if you did the very best you knew how to do, and STILL, you were despised and hated without reason.

How would you feel?

How would you be able to function on a daily basis at your job?

How would you feel every time you went out in public, knowing that people despised you and there was nothing you could do to change their minds? "

CLICK HERE

I was surprised to see this, because at first, I thought maybe they were describing Border Patrol agents or the Minutemen.

But, I reckon ALL of them need our sincerest prayers.

Thank you.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Movie Critique: "NANNY MCPHEE"

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

It's been quite a long while since I've posted a critique of a feature Hollywood motion picture production, but I had to write about this one.

I just finished watching the movie, "NANNY MCPHEE".

This is a wonderfully delightful movie, and it is CLEAN, so families can enjoy it together!

I'm utterly astounded!!!

I didn't know Hollywood made good clean movies anymore.

They are so rare.

I had recorded this from the Home Box Office channel, in high definition, and I watched it on my wide screen television, while relaxing in my lazy boy chair.

Boy, oh boy, high definition and a wide screen is the way to go!

The techniques used in this movie were especially interesting, such as the liberally ubiquitous employment of truly vivid colors, with deliberately gaudy ornamentation.

I recognized Angela Lansbury, though not immediately, and I completely failed to recognize Derek Jacobi.

I didn't know he was in the movie until I saw his name in the credits.

What - - - who's Derek Jacobi?

Haven't you ever seen the "CADFAEL" series on the Public Broadcasting Network?

It's about a Medieval monk in England who solves murder mysteries, using his knowledge of herbs and potions.

As for the movie, "NANNY MCPHEE", I'll not tell you much about it or how it turns out.

But, I'm giving this movie my HIGHEST recommendation for families.

Yes, even lonely old soldiers like me can be moved to tears of happiness.

I was so glad I was all alone, so nobody could see.

I only saw one thing wrong - - - dare I mention it?

The children were not taught to say their prayers at bedtime.

But, that's part of the death of America, isn't it, to do away with ANY reference to God Almighty?

Ummm - - - the wedding WAS a religious ceremony, though - - - but that's telling you too much and ruining the story for you.

Oh well, other than that, it's a great movie, and I promise you'll enjoy it immensely.

Please pass the popcorn.

Thank you.

John Robert "SAIGON" Mallernee, KB3KWS

Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

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