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If you have a strong opinion about a particular issue or subject,
you are welcome to share it here. I will not, however, publish
racists; pornographers; nor opinions that I consider offensive
to women and dangerous to children: though no subject is entirely
taboo, as long as the writer is, what I determine, sincere and
articulate--no four letter words please!
(12/07/10--by Joe DiMino) I guess it comes back to, how one looks
at the world, “the glass half empty or half full”: Frankly,
I’m a half full guy, and glad of it. Take the Oil Companies
for argument sake. It is an industry that employs millions of
people world wide. People just like me (though I drive a truck
for a living); people who put in an honest day’s work, which
at the end of the week gives them a paycheck to bring home so
they can feed their families, and send their children to college—a
little left over to buy a few toys—one of them a computer;
which I do not use primarily to write and publish derogatory statements
on subjects I know nothing or too little about. But back to those
evil oil companies: Billions of people would have frozen to death
last year world wide had it not for their disgusting, polluting
product, which, if not for, otherwise would have taken every bit
of rain-forest to accomplish the same heating-task. Oh yes, but
there are supposed better ways to warm homes and propel vehicles
that are none polluting! There may be. Thousands of universities,
world-wide, at this very moment are doing research into just such
futuristic methods. Many of these universities are doing that
research because of free grants given to them by oil companies—but
presently the alternative technologies just aren’t there
yet. The electric vehicles, for instance, in some ways the materials
that go into the production of the batteries, along with the methods
needed for production, are as toxic, and perhaps more so—the
verdict is still out—for the environment than that of oil.
But I know, no matter what I say, there are many reading this
looking at the subject from an entirely different perspective—“the
half full, half empty syndrome….” And I suppose those
people are going to throw their computers out after reading this;
sell their motor vehicles, then ride away on a bicycle to live
a pure life atop a mountain—your preference but not mine.
I would rather stay here and work for healthy alternatives while
not wasting time and energy demonizing the present providers.
(30 pieces of silver by Joe DiMino): Besides the obvious, referring to the Bible and betrayal, the message is: not to worship the physical—not an indictment of wealth, for God’s wish is that of abundance for all; but it is an indictment concerning lack-of-faith, affirming that God and spiritual matters should always take preference over monetary concerns. It is a direct statement revealing the spiritual nature of both poverty and freedom. The reason there is lack in the world is due to one’s self and/or associations (government included). Poverty and sickness are never God’s judgment—the creator wishing and willing always the best for everyone—worthy or not. The seeming neglect of the individual or particular group, while showing favoritism toward others, is not God’s way. God has given all of mankind the ultimate freedom, that of freewill. We not only fashion our prosperity in the world but create all that is apparently good through individual and combined projection of focused will into experience. He has given man complete freedom to make of this earth a heaven or hell…and yet, most of us first look outside of ourselves for fault when things go wrong—and turn to foundations, movements and political leaders who ultimate fail. If we desire change for the better in this world it must start with the individual—in increments—one thought at a time."
"(by Joe DiMino--12/07/10) I have read many seemingly brilliant philosophies, exquisitely written, but ultimately void of spirituality. Without the element of spirit, understood and present in a work, the work is simply arid intellect. The world is inundated with arid intellect…really more than we need. Arid intellect always, in final analysis leaves the soul dissatisfied, hungry and desperate. It leads to abuse by corporations and science; leads to nations warring on other nations. Arid intellect alone, no matter how appealing an idea may sound on paper, will not meet the needs of the soul nor spirit. People of true faith and understanding, do no harm of any kind. Individuals or religions that do are delusional."
"(by Joe DiMino--12/11/10) Wish I had a dollar for every time someone said, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Or, “The solution to world poverty is, to get rid of all those greedy people at the top, the 1% of the population controlling everything. I try to relate to this thinking: wondering, who is the greedy 1%? The millionaires I know have worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 30 years and more to become millionaires—have hit bottom over the course several times, to start all over again fighting their way back up the Ladder of Success. I look at the super-rich like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, from what I have seen in their interviews two of the most unassuming, modest men you would ever want to meet—no gold chains hanging from the neck; no flashy diamond rings; Bill Gates, often dressing very causal in nothing Gucci that I can tell. I look at their lives, having made personal fortunes but also shown and helped others learn to do same in the process. Now they have opened a joint foundation, and dedicate large parts of their fortunes and most of their time to eliminating poverty and illness around the world. If you confiscated all of their combined disposable cash, all this money people seem to think they have tucked away in vaults, it would not make a dent in the trillions of USA National debt. So who are these greedy millionaires? Certainly not our beloved Oprah! Most of the wealth is tied-up in corporations—and that touches all of us—from the little Mom-&-Pop store that sell products, to pension funds that most of us are counting on for our latter-years. Confiscate that wealth, which the government is in the process of doing, and there is no need for money anymore—a cashless society which is what many of you would like for the future anyway. Let me tell you, money is freedom. The right to own private property is physical and soul independence. Today there is already very little real money left (gold backed dollars). Most money is bites—computer entries that can be changed by strokes on a keyboard by whoever has the right access codes. Gold is nothing anyway—if no one will work for it. Real wealth, as viewed by those obsessed with having power over others, is not stacks of money in a silo, to sit atop, like Scrooge McDuck singing “I’m rich! I’m rich!” Real wealth (in their hideous context) is “Dependency”—how many dependents you can acquire. Real wealth is how many millions of people can you made entirely dependent on you for their food and shelter. Get rid of all their weapons, so when they finally wake up to what has happened to them it will be too late to do anything about it. Weaken their military, the last patriotic hope. If they want to eat they will dance as we say. Control everything they hear and see (especially the minds of children) (these fascists are no better than pedophiles)—which will control how they feel and think. If they want to work, they will work at and where and how long we say. No, money is not evil—it is freedom. Private property is independence—and once you let that go for a false sense of government social security, you have lost everything that makes life worth living. Oh, yes, you will be given food, shelter, pornography—all the drugs you want, with virtual reality—fancy computer simulations, to simulate the life you once had that your children and grandchildren will never experience. Amazing how many good people have detested and fought against slavery all of their lives now to be voting it in, oblivious to the fact."
(Help me! By Joe DiMino 12/13/10) Help me! Because I am really trying to understand: the congress is working on a so-called tax relief bill…but new spending in the bill increases our National Debt by a trillion dollars. It is being touted as a blessing for Middle Class Americans because it keeps the present tax rate and also gives some small deductions elsewhere. This increase in the national debt is real debt. It is money your children and grandchildren will pay back wth interest—perhaps, for their entire hungry lives. And the people applaud!
Help me! Because I am really trying to understand: the President and the congress are giving breakfast with fresh fruit to children in school, patting children fondly on the head as they eat while robbing their futures blind. With all this concern for children and middle class welfare in general the congress is debating a bill for January, a restructuring of the tax code, touted the bill as a blessing long over due for the people, a bill that will eliminate the Mortgage Home Interest Credit, which will have the same effect as increasing the average middle class tax rate by tens of thousand of dollars. It will force many families into bankruptcy. It will cause them to loose their homes—exasperating the mortgage crisis we are still suffer from. Sure the congress will tweak the bill before its final form; will write in heavily structured relief clauses so the poor can remain in their homes; credits of sorts will be tailored so that young couples in partnership with the government after going through government hoops will still be able to purchase a new home. But is that what you want? In effect the government owning everything and you nothing outright. The loss of property rights is the last nail in the coffin of freedom. And the people applaud!
(by Joe DiMino 1/26/11) Just my opinion again: Many liberals
in America are upset over the resurgence of Conservatism. Look,
I am a conservative, but also share the desire for a Social Society
where individuals live and govern themselves within the framework
of an ideal network based on voluntary reciprocity; but such a
society cannot manifest, if it is to be just and moral, by forced
legislation—without first allowing the people input, and
then obtaining their consent to be governed accordingly which
has recently been denied US Citizens. Though appealing, the human
consciousness is not right for this type of government. The consciousness
of individuals running such a political system must be free of
greed and egoistic delusions of grandeur—if not, you soon
have tyranny of the worst kind. Given this reality, I am of the
opinion that it is far better to live with the intoxicated, bloated
Capitalist than under the thumb of the communist, who greatly
limits personal freedom, the God-given soul expression of every
individual. If this ideal Social Society is to come about, the
place to start is with one’s self, where purification must
begin if the fruits are to be healthy and good for all.
(Subject: Abortion 1/28/11 by Joe DiMino): It has been
a long time since Roe v Wade, and the right to abortion became
law of the land in the USA. As a Christian the decision has never
set right in my heart, but that is my personal beliefs, in agreement
with the Catholic Church on the issue--though not entirely. I
am not a practicing Catholic. My philosophies generally lean more
toward Conservatism, though I do not support the Conservative
Party but am interested in Conservative issues, some of which
I agree with entirely, and some only in part. I am a registered
Independent. Where I separate from the Catholic Church is, I believe
when a fetus is known to be deformed, the mother should have the
choice of abortion. I believe that, when it involves the mother’s
health, abortion should be a legal option. When it comes to rape
and incest, it is a gray area producing great pain in my heart,
but again I think the decision should be left to the mother. As
far as the other 99% of the abortions performed in the nation
yearly as a form of birth-control (one of the few very prosperous
industries left in the US), I believe it is a crime against the
spirit, holding to the principle that a human being is more than
an animated lump of meat absent a soul, steadfast clinging to
the opinion that the process of life begins at conception. From
my personal experience, women I know who have had an abortion,
later in life to have a child, regret that early decision. More
young people I speak with, now-days, say that they are against
abortion in most cases;—we have come a long way in medicine,
and the science is in, most biologists feeling that this thing
we call a fetus is a human being very early on, with a heartbeat,
brain function, that senses comfort and feels pain. I am curious
though, as to how other artists feel on the subject.
(Subject: Out of control Government spending, 1/28/11 by Joe DiMino): Have we traded one devil for another? Senator Boehner has just signaled to the White House that Republicans would go along with raising our National Dept Limit if the agreement was accompanied by serious cuts to future budgets. This is exactly par for course, not one previous administration in recent history willing to take the necessary, though painful, steps that will enable us to get our nation’s reckless spending back to manageable control. The American people spoke clearly in the last election, throwing a bunch of liberals out of the House of Representatives, giving the Liberal party the most devastating defeat in 70 years. Mainstream American wants the size of government to shrink, and for government to stop squandering the future of our grandchildren by saddling the nation with dept that will be impossible to pay back without the government confiscating every spec of private property in the nation. There is not a household in the US that has not been affected by unemployment accompanied by a rising cost in living. For two years senior citizens have been denied a cost of living increase, the government claiming that the cost of living has not increased, while anyone at the gas-pump knows that’s a lie. Do the math. At 5% cost of living increase per year, which has been the average, in 20 years Social Security is worthless. Every family in American has been forced to cut their spending. The US would not default on its loan obligations if it simply cut all government agency budgets by 15, which would probably be only the cushy jobs and pet projects of friends on both sides of the Isle. There may be a little pain also for the people…but why should the people always bear it all? A 15 cut in spending, I believe, would only bring us back to the spending levels 2008. Please, if you comment, no cheerleading for either party. It doesn’t fly with me, and, by the results of our recent election, false promises are no longer flying with a majority of the American people. The subject is spending beyond one’s means.
(Subject Omnipresence--2/18/11 by Joe DiMino) When God created the universe, He created of Himself (outwardly and inwardly infinite); therefore, in all places at all times. Aware (knowing) of all His members intimately. (All-powerful—it is His own dominion of substance—in the prime state, formless (a dimension beyond human comprehension). If it can be thought, it is already a possibility for hardcopy (spirit substance leading to physical substance); for we can conceive nothing that is not already in the substantive mind (spirit realm) of God. So, guard your thoughts. A mere wave of stimulation on the invisible, if strengthened by repetition and compounded by others having the same or similar focus, will in time cause physical manifestation. We are that which we love as well as fear. For every physical form there is a spirit archetype (blueprint); when out of the body (sleeping—a realm of contemplation and renewal of vital forces) (or death) we experience spirit archetypes the same way we experience cause and effect in the physical form. There is no escaping karma: Effects from our behavior are far more impaling when out of the body, for everything is immediate…there is no place to hide. Distance and time do not exist. Better to deal with whatever problems we have, no matter how distasteful or painful, while still in the body.
(Subject: Balance--3/4/11 by Joe DiMino)
I hate the word “Balance”—
Great for acrobats;
Spices for flavor;
But not for art
And politics:
The first needing
Unique conviction
To avoid the trap
Of commercialism—
The second needing Statesmanship
To avoid ego-possessive—
Only one, as I recall,
Left the White house
Taking with him
Nothing more than
The same tattered suitcase
He carried upon entering….
(And no Nobel-less Peace Prize—)
(Subject: Reincarnation and Karma by Joe DiMino, 5/19/2011) Probably one of the most difficult concepts to accept, is that heaven blossoms from inside of us (in fact, we are one with the Infinite Blossom); difficult because, then one must at least entertain that everything bad, in a painful way, we may do to ourselves as well. Unfortunately, when the Christian Church took Reincarnation and karma (blinded individuals to certain God-given knowledge about the nature of adversity) out of its teachings, and replaced them with Strict Obedience (Blind-faith) (Church Authority) (inserted the church between God and His man), a great Helpless Mindset was inflicted on humanity which has caused centuries of needless wandering (having turned people in many instances, to Atheism, which makes more sense in such false light). At least, my own take on the subject for what it is worth if anything at all. Please add your two cents worth, pro or con, if inclined. Not looking to be called a heretic but intelligently enlightened where I am wrong.
(Subject: America's Debt by Joe DiMino7/31/11)
The question is whether
One lives the illusion?—
A perceived need for rationing;
Or lives infinite abundance?—
Consciously one with his God
The Father (will) of unlimited manifestation
We are born to create
As the Father in His image immortal
Not merely create within the borders
Of a physical earth,
But transformers of earth
Into ever higher spiritual substance
That of Light Bodies (quickened vibration);
Do we bow to man’s politicians? (Propagators of ignorance,
Hoarders of property—spirit substance solidified)—
Rulers determined to restrict human rights and freedom of choice
For the greater population while preserving the rights
Of an elite minority, their own chosen class of greedy, self-centered
bureaucrats—
Let ourselves become the victims of compromise
(Not ours)
Leading to conformity against the soul
The nature of which is autonomous expression
Or do we continue to develop
As brighter planes (the God in you)
Having mastery over all lack,
The fear of a lesser ego
Liberalism has led to Communism,
Which has never been any better
Wherever practiced
Than the consciousness of its leaders
Ours presently putting America
On a fast-track to hell—
As America goes
So goes the world;
Educate yourselves
And I don’t mean
Listening to propagandists
In the news
Few practicing as honorable professionals
12/30/2012, Subject "Politics As Usual" by Joe DiMino
Those that think Hitler thought of himself as evil, looked in mirror, shouted gloriously at his vain reflection “I’m evil, and live only to serve you, Satan!”, you know nothing about evil. Hitler was a madman, who probably, in his own demented way thought he was changing the world for the better—no worse, anyway, but with himself as supreme ruler he would be able to prosper and protect his own preferred individuals and class after the smoke of war subsided and nations rebuilt. America had a real chance to change the world for the better (early-on squandered), influence the world in a positive direction that would have ultimately made the world safer and freer for all. That was our noble intention when going into Iraq. And we would have succeeded had internal politics not been our Achilles’ heel. This is where evil comes back into the discussion. People who do evil often most always think of themselves as doing good or having no other choice. I recall a story told to me about a man whose wife was murdered by thugs during a robbery. She offered no resistance, but they shot her to death so there would be no I-witness. Well…my heart hurts…as recounted to me, during sentencing, when the ringleader was asked by the judge whether he had regrets and would like to express those feelings to the victim’s family—all he said was, without a hint of remorse, “Society owes me.” Groups, individuals in the US, perhaps well meaning, saw Iraq as a means to change public opinion. It was a way to get votes. Get self into power. So the propaganda began. It’s all about controlling the oil of the region (now proven false). America is an evil imperialistic nation!—ignoring the fact that there has never been a nation conquered by us that was not in due time given back independence and has prospered even greater than before. The Capitalist System of government, which we support, while not perfect, history has shown to be the least intrusive of all known forms of government—allowing people the personal freedom to create their own way (may it be art or a business), with the least influence and resistance from government. But America has now been damaged internally. To secure power from within, division by class and race has been propagated—“A house divided against itself cannot stand,” or resist manipulation; and as is becoming evident to many, outright tyranny. There appears to be no soul left in our nation; politicians shaking our hands while peeing on our legs at the same time; kissing babies while impoverishing parents materially and intellectually. America has been dangerously weakened, allowing for an atmosphere that has created greater instability throughout the world. People are needlessly suffering and dying due to our ineffective, misguided policies…and all our leaders can say is, “It isn’t our fault! We inherited this mess. Nonsense! If you are so helpless, you have no business keeping yourselves in power. I fear our president and the congress have gotten so good at lying to the public and their own loved ones to the sick point where they hardly know truth themselves anymore. No joke: but good to reread “Lord of flies.” This is serious stuff.
1/30/13: Subject, "Limited Human Consciousness" (by Joe DiMino)
At this stage of human development, with limited consciousness, our (human) concept of infinity, or, anything is possible, does not begin to address such vastness. We think in terms of either or--while with God it can be either and or at the same time. Our directions are up and down (the general idea of direction) but with God they can be up and down united. And though everything is created from God, contained within God (there can be nothing outside of God, no separation) yet God must allow for creation of things completely independent of himself—or there would be no evil, and no ultimate love. Ultimate Love must be completely selfless love (unconditional); for when one retains personal attachment to love, it is love yet as a facsimile (lesser human love, closer to extension or projection) needing further (divine) development. Ultimate Love is freedom—to allow a creation it’s self, expecting nothing in return or to return. And yet! And yet! Beyond my comprehension, outside my wildest capacity for understanding, believing all that I have said above about independence being the ultimate expression of love, I feel in my core being (no other word or logic to express it) paradoxically the worst tragedies will somehow bring about far greater expressions of love—for an Ultimate-Love-God would not “Ultimately” allow anything else. So, philosophers, theologians, can say God is both good and evil…while I can, and devoutly say, with just as much conviction and perhaps greater truth (certainly not less) that God is all good and loving. It is what we as individuals and communities will accept or not accept as reality for ourselves and others.
1/31/2014: Subject, "Environment" (by Joe DiMino)
We are not here to first protect the physical earth, but are here to first learn respect for one another, and a profound, all consuming appreciation for beauty with divine love as the ultimate pinnacle of self realization. Till we do these things, there is no government or environmental group that will succeed. In fact, I have seen more down-right self-serving greed and evil come from groups that claim to care and protect.
4/25/2014: Subject: "Brainwashing of our youth" (by Joe DiMino)
After viewing a great portrait of musical instruments: Sadly people do not realize how our minds are like records--not always rightfully discriminating-and record what we hear and see regardless of content. The entertainment industry knows this well, as do the makers of commercials-as do politicians and educators in the US who have brainwashed an entire generation into blind obedience and submission. The more something is heard or visualized, the deeper the groves and more difficult to record over. Sounds and sights begin to take on dimensions and personalities all their own, making the owners of the minds and ears mere robots, to cough up predigested programming, never realizing they are little more than mindless slaves. But the soul knows. We are born to be independently creative, so the soul responds unhappily, with drug addition, surface sex, and severe neuroses.