I suppose I'm of the vapid minority on this issue. I don't feel threatened one iota. Besides, my understanding on those phone records is that they were specifically focused on those people residing in the U.S. *that were communicating with know terrorists in other countries*. At the time this was implemented, if you remember(cue Darryl Worley song), we were expecting a second wave of attacks. I don't like to give terrorists the protection our citizens enjoy. Neither, so it seems, does our president. I am heartened by his 180 on the military commissions issue. It shows he is not completely naive.
To get back on topic and to continue with my segue to Obama let me discuss the importance and usefulness of masks in politics. Much is expected of our new president. Indeed, the MSM has lifted him up to almost Godlike status and I remember being alarmed at some of the facial expressions and verbal statements of people that saw him speak. The man has charisma. He also has an appealing rhetorical flair. He must wear the mask of a great leader whether or not he actually is one. This could help him become one. I HOPE this will help him become one. I've mentioned in other threads how circumstances make us become what we haven't been. They make us rise above who we are. He must have been apprehensive the first time he spoke to the deployed troops as President. All of that must have washed away from him with the standing O he got that went on and on. How can you be in the presence of that kind of respect and admiration and know that you are their commander in chief and not want them to succeed? You'd have to be a monster. I believe that was an important turning point in his foreign policy that will benefit us all in the long run. He also had an enthusiastic response from the CIA when he visited that building recently. I think that also may have influenced his recent distancing from Pelosi on the whatdidsheknow and whendidsheknowit kerfuffle. The recent commencement speeches focused on finding common ground. This was a mask during the campaign and the early months of his presidency but I'm hoping if he keeps saying it he'll start to believe it and actually do something that helps us all. Not just punishing the producers and rewarding the under performing. I have confidence all will be well in the long run. I'm just glad we have term limits. Now if we could just get our Congressmen to vote themselves into term limits I'd be ecstatic. Not holding my breath. dj note how I cleverly put politics into the discussion but still stayed(more or less) on topic. Can I get an award too? > > You are absolutely right Chris, and one only needs to view another big > brother fiasco with the examination of ATT, in cooperation with > government, Spying on and handing over thousands of citizens private > telephone records. > > ATT>>Your World Delivered>>to the NSA! > > http://whatismyipaddress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=10711 > http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/05/70910 > http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2006/04/inside_the_attn.html > > > > On May 17, 8:34 pm, Chris Jenkins <[email protected]> wrote: >> I remember when a group of us, some young and bright eyed, some seasoned veterans of corporate wars, formed up under a mantra of open-ness in corporate technology and communication called the Cluetrain Manifesto. It was a naive movement aimed at shaping corporate interactions with the consumer market, controlling capitalism, by controlling the online communication with and about each corporate entity. Now, ten years later, the corporations have won again, through a combination of learning new media, and homing their control of it, and litigating against all which they couldn't. In the end, we are left with collaborative filtering, and other wonders of high technology hybrids of individualistic marketing and controlled groupthink. The data is everything, and everything you do online is tracked by two dozen marketing corporations through the use of cookies and other spyware, which are capable of building complex marketing profiles for legal marketing purposes. That data, in turn, is available to any government entity in the world who cares to ask for it. As someone who performs data analaysis for a living, I can assure anyone intwerested that the most mundane of data can be used to create an incredibly complex set of trends about you, your beliefs, your behaviours, your friends, and every aspect of your daily life. Read Bruce Schneier's blog, google companies like ChoicePoint and DoubleClick,and you start to get a better understanding. The only thing missing is the TV in the room with the face on it. Big Brother is already here. >> >> >> >> [ Attached Message ]From:ornamentalmind <[email protected]>To:"\"Minds Eye\"" <[email protected]>Date:Sun, 17 May 2009 17:38:08 -0700 (PDT)Local:Sun, May 17 2009 7:38 pmSubject:[Mind's Eye] Re: The Finite Mask that Covers the Infinite >> >> "... But if you have nothing to hide, so what? ..." - MB >> >> This mantra is rife with naive assumptions and is all too common. The >> 1984 issue has never been about what one must/wishes to, hide. It is >> about how what one (or many)...in position(s) of power use what they >> know and/or can gather. >> >> The onus is on us all to keep such data bases as empty as possible. >> Even those of us in power now because there will be a time when that >> isn't the case either. >> >> I hope never to hear this vapid phrase ever again. >> >> On May 17, 4:38 am, Molly Brogan <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > I think there is probably considerable intelligence gathering on >> > private citizens and has been since Hoover. But if you have nothing >> > to hide, so what? The age of ethics and transparency is upon us. >> >> > On May 17, 7:28 am, nupur rana <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > > Hey! wat i meant was... our Govt. is hardly the ' Big Brother types... thats >> > > wat i meant!!! >> >> > > On Sun, May 17, 2009 at 4:49 PM, Molly Brogan <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > > > keep studying >> >> > > > On May 17, 7:04 am, "pol.science kid" <[email protected]> wrote: >> > > > > I thought the big Brother was confined to the US....... >> >> > > > > On May 16, 8:44 pm, iam deheretic <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > > > > > Hey Kid ; >> >> > > > > > "that would suck dude... and we wont >> > > > > > be abl to talk trash freely... now anonymity gives us freedom...know >> > > > > > wat i mean..;-)" >> >> > > > > > I hate to be the one to burst your bubble kid,, there is no such thing >> > > > as >> > > > > > anonymity on the internet, Big brother always knows when he so desires >> > > > the >> > > > > > information.. movie hype just makes for a good story.. Like cell >> > > > phones >> > > > > > they already know where you are even before they pick it up.. >> > > > > > have fun.. remember big brother really is watching.. >> > > > > > Allan >> >> > > > > > On Sat, May 16, 2009 at 12:11 PM, pol.science kid < >> > > > [email protected]>wrote: >> >> > > > > > > if such a thing were invented we'd have to make ourselves presentable >> > > > > > > before sitting on the computer.... that would suck dude... and we >> > > > wont >> > > > > > > be abl to talk trash freely... now anonymity gives us freedom...know >> > > > > > > wat i mean..;-) >> >> > > > > > > On May 15, 7:35 pm, e_space <[email protected]> wrote: >> > > > > > > > somebody should invent a group or chat room where there is a window >> > > > on >> > > > > > > > the side of the page showing the persons face beside their post in >> > > > > > > > real time! well, maybe not ;-^) >> >> > > > > > > > On May 15, 10:20 am, Molly Brogan <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > > > > > > > > Indeed, interpreting the expression completes the communication >> > > > loop, >> > > > > > > > > and is also fraught with complexity. So often, what is expressed >> > > > is >> > > > > > > > > misinterpreted. Here in the web space, we do not have the body >> > > > > > > > > language cues to help us along in interpreting communication. I >> > > > > > > > > haven't decided if that is good or bad. I suppose it could be >> > > > either, >> > > > > > > > > depending on the circumstance. We are forced to leave behind all >> > > > of >> > > > > > > > > our biases to physical appearance here, along with the reactions >> > > > of >> > > > > > > > > our ego to certain physical expressions. That could be a good >> > > > thing. >> >> > > > > > > > > Nonetheless, we pick up and put down our masks, even when using >> > > > words >> > > > > > > > > in this space. And even when we put down our mask, it might be >> > > > > > > > > interpreted as wearing one by someone who has had a bad >> > > > experience >> > > > > > > > > with a particular type of person or particular phraseology. >> >> > > > > > > > > I wholeheartedly agree with you about the nature of expression >> > > > through >> > > > > > > > > our eyes. There seems to be the possibility of a pure connection >> > > > when >> > > > > > > > > masks are off and eyes are locked together. >> >> > > > > > > > > On May 15, 9:08 am, e_space <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > > > > > > > > > faces may portray one thing, but the eyes are the window to the >> > > > soul. >> > > > > > > > > > somebody could be in a lot of pain and grimacing because of >> > > > > > > > > > such...they might look offensive yet be the sweetest person >> > > > around. >> > > > > > > > > > facial expressions can be faked or portray the wrong >> > > > message...just >> > > > > > > as >> > > > > > > > > > some are able to pass lie detector tests while they are in fact >> > > > > > > > > > guilty, and vice versa... >> >> > > > > > > > > > On May 15, 7:52 am, Molly Brogan <[email protected] > >> > > > wrote: >> >> > > > > > > > > > > I wonder if anyone had a chance to see the BBC series "The >> > > > Human >> > > > > > > Face" >> > > > > > > > > > > with John Cleese who tells us that there are thousands human >> > > > > > > > > > > expressions that convey different emotions. There is a >> > > > science to >> > > > > > > > > > > understanding this, and here in the US, there is a prime time >> > > > show >> > > > > > > > > > > that (in a feeble and sensational attempt) shows us how, with >> > > > the >> > > > > > > CIA >> > > > > > > > > > > experts cracking cases by reading the faces of suspects. It >> > > > is >> > > > > > > funny >> > > > > > > > > > > that they will show us the face of contempt on a suspect, and >> > > > then >> > > > > > > > > > > flash to the face of Hillary Clinton with the same >> > > > expression, >> > > > > > > mocking >> > > > > > > > > > > many of the world leaders who, at least for a moment, put >> > > > their >> > > > > > > mask >> > > > > > > > > > > down and were caught on camera doing so. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > Interpreting the masks around us, I think, must be more >> > > > intuitive >> > > > > > > than >> > > > > > > > > > > mechanical. What a colossal waste of time it would be to >> > > > walk >> > > > > > > around >> > > > > > > > > > > constantly, looking at faces and translating expressions. I >> > > > think >> > > > > > > we >> > > > > > > > > > > do it quite naturally and intuitively, and might only need >> > > > the >> > > > > > > > > > > practice if we were running into trouble with it. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > On May 14, 12:00 pm, Molly Brogan < [email protected]> >> > > > wrote: >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > and integrity. But I wonder if we, ourselves, understand >> > > > how we >> > > > > > > use >> > > > > > > > > > > > masks to face the world. As rigsy said, the mask of a >> > > > rebel can >> > > > > > > allow >> > > > > > > > > > > > us to push against authority or each other. The mask of >> > > > the >> > > > > > > warrior >> > > > > > > > > > > > can allow us to defend a loved one when we are, at our >> > > > core, >> > > > > > > peaceful >> > > > > > > > > > > > people. The mask of a lover can allow us to say Olive you, >> > > > when >> > > > > > > we >> > > > > > > > > > > > are shy. I think the masks themselves allow us to try on >> > > > and >> > > > > > > step >> > > > > > > > > > > > into aspects of self that haven't been tried or aren't >> > > > normally >> > > > > > > > > > > > comfortable. At some point, if we find our comfort zone >> > > > wearing >> > > > > > > the >> > > > > > > > > > > > mask, we can take it off and integrate the aspect of being. >> > > > This >> > > > > > > may >> > > > > > > > > > > > be more along the line of what Joseph Campbell may have >> > > > been >> > > > > > > > > > > > thinking. We each go through our lives searching inwardly >> > > > or >> > > > > > > > > > > > externally for purpose or place in the world. The masks of >> > > > God >> > > > > > > and >> > > > > > > > > > > > masks we use all uncover the same thing eventually. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > On May 14, 9:23 am, Slip Disc <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > There is always a sense of comfort in knowing one can be >> > > > truly >> > > > > > > oneself >> > > > > > > > > > > > > when around others without having to use a mask. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > On May 14, 8:07 am, Molly Brogan < [email protected]> >> > > > > > > wrote: >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > I think we can resurrect the mask discussion, rigsy. >> > > > > > > Ultimately, if >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > we are feeling one thing and purposefully expressing >> > > > another, >> > > > > > > we don a >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > mask. Our reasons may be noble, as to protect a loved >> > > > one, >> > > > > > > or self >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > serving, as to drive our own agenda. But in the >> > > > moment, we >> > > > > > > are >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > choosing the mask instead of a legitimate feeling that >> > > > allows >> > > > > > > us to >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > connect with others that does not require a mask. We >> > > > can >> > > > > > > choose our >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > feelings and how we express them. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > On May 13, 4:07 am, rigsy03 <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Also costume denotes hierarchy and a wealth of >> > > > material >> > > > > > > signals from >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > cars to homes to t-shirts and tatoos. A certain >> > > > > > > unassailable grace of >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > posture and poise to a slouch. We pick and choose >> > > > from the >> > > > > > > infinite >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > variety. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On May 11, 11:50 pm, Vamadevananda < >> > > > [email protected]> >> > > > > > > wrote: >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Deception implies intent. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The most inscrutable masks we wear are the ones we >> > > > are >> > > > > > > not even aware >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > of. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Inscrutability Level of the masks we wear are >> > > > in the >> > > > > > > following >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > increasing order : >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Body, Face, Apparent Expressions. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Emotions. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Thought. Intent. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Knowledge. Facts. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Idea we have of ourself - Ego. >> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The series does not end here ! Only, I do not know >> > > > how >> > > > > > > to express >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > it ... Primordial ... perhaps. >> >> ... >> >> read more ยป > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Minds-Eye?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
