Democrazy...

Do you ever wonder if the true price of all the spending bills is the American quality of life? Look around the world and we see how many countries, in order to live as good as us or better as the case may be, institute flat taxes at a much higher rate or simply live a poorer quality of life. 

In the U.S. we pass bills, and our deficit soars because we don't want to sacrifice our quality of life, but we do it at the expense of the rest of the world and our own people since U.S. citizens still own the majority of U.S. debt. 

The question, I feel, will eventually become, "at what point does the role that the U.S. plays in global politics, no longer justify the amount of checks we write that we can't possibly hope to pay back?" 

At this point, I feel like the way the U.S. looks at debt is that it is something we will never have to pay back and part of that may be our role as global negotiator, but what happens if the balance of power shifts? What happens if the strongest military force and global peacekeepers becomes someone like China? 

They already handle much of the manufacturing around the world and they've installed powerful military bases around the world at strategic points near where the US strategic military bases are also located. They also have alliances with other powerful economies and leverage enough to survive U.S. based as well as European based sanctions with nations that we depend on for global trade.

So we find ourselves engaged in another cold war, and this time, it's not about weapons but about leverage and the position of the global parent to the nations of the world. 

Curently we view people like China and Russia as bullies and crazies but it's not beyond the realm of imagination that they might be viewed differently were they to do a few misleading "good deeds." Look at how much Donald Trump "got them in line" by simply allowing them to gain traction behind the scenes. 

By that I mean, do we really believe that the Chinese bullying and increased pressure on Taiwan happened entirely in 2021 and none of it came from Trump's presidency? Do we really believe that Russia's three pronged attack and amassing of troops on 3 sides of the Ukrainian border was entirely planned and executed in 2021?

The nations of the world are increasingly becoming run by, "strong-man" autocrats and men who flaunt the idea of democracy as more of a suggestion than an actual rule. The U.S. based NGO Freedom House just announced slippage from democracy in 73 countries worldwide and the democrazies out there seek to convince their people, in many cases successfully, that this is the best way. Even here in the U.S. you have farmers voting for rich city dwellers who seek to industrialize farming and cut them out of their jobs. It's kind of insane.

I've digressed though so I'll get back to the initial point, which is: what happens when Americans either cave to the global trend of autocracy as demonstrated by the break down of law and order on January 6th, or "strong-men" strategically win the new cold war with false flatery and strategic control? Can we continue with the American high quality of life without paying a high price for it in the end if the proverbial shit hits the fan or should we be taking steps now to equalize the playing field and not spend so much on everything but rather preserve the things we want the most?

It looks like it's either that or the European flat tax of 40% income tax on middle earners with higher wages for all. What is the cost of the American way of life or can we get away with it being this way forever?

The name of god (3 Rabbis, 3 opinions)

A few years ago, I talked to a few rabbis about the true name of God. I waited a number of years to post this and the names have been withdrawn with R for rabbi and numbers for which rabbi I was talking to.

Me: So I don't understand. Most internet sources I've reviewed say that Yod He Vav He is literally pronounced as Yaweh but the actual name of god is not Yaweh, even though that's how it's written. It stated kabalists know at least 12 names of god. Today, however, I feel the Kabala has been adulterated and infiltrated by fake mysticist Goyim: they skip over the Torah altogether and think they're special because they read the Kabalah but it's like saying I ate a chocolate wrapper the other day so I know all about chocolate. I digress. In any case, the tetragramaton as it's described is literally pronounced Yaweh but I've been told time and time again that this is a mistranslation by hacedic scholars and rabbis alike. Why is this a mistranslation? What I've read called "Adonai" and "hashem" and "hakadosh Baruch hu" substitutions. So what is correct?

R1: Nothing in the Torah prohibits a person from pronouncing the Name of God. Indeed, it is evident from scripture that God's Name was pronounced routinely. Many common Hebrew names contain "Yah" or "Yahu," part of God's four-letter Name. The Name was pronounced as part of daily services in the Temple.

With the Temple destroyed and the prohibition on pronouncing The Name outside of the Temple, pronunciation of the Name fell into disuse. Scholars passed down knowledge of the correct pronunciation of YHVH for many generations, but eventually the correct pronunciation was lost, and we no longer know it with any certainty. We do not know what vowels were used, or even whether the Vav in the Name was a vowel or a consonant. 

That’s in regards to the pronunciation of יהוה 

However, the Torah has many names for god. Why? Different tribes probably used different names, and each book of the Torah most likely orginated with different tribes within Israel and was later redacted into what we now know as the Bible. Some are stand ins for lord “Adonai,” and the first Name used for God in scripture is Elohim.

Me: Rabbi 2, same phrasing, same question.

R2: It can't be that because Hebrew doesn't have a W sound. The tetragrammaton is the name of Hashem. Hashem means literally 'The Name' and is a way to say it without saying it. Their are many many more names, including Adonai, none of which you should say except in prayer. But the tetragrammaton is the holiest name, and can never be said except by the High Priest on Yom Kippur when horns are sounded. It's never written with vowels and never supposed to be said so no one knows exactly how to say it. Adonai is said during prayer as a replacement, but can only be sad in prayer so in conversation we say Hashem. Baruch Hu just means 'blesses is He' , and is not a name but a response to hearing one of the names. 

Me: In my research they said that in Arabic, there is no V sound and many scholars agree that Vav would have been pronounced as a w.

R2: Other names include:

Adonai Eloheinu

Eloheinu

El-Shaddai

El

It's possible the Yemenites have a W But if it is we don't know. It's good the exact knowledge of the pronounciation is lost imo

Me: I remember reading that priests going to the temple used to have to have ropes tied to their feet because they might die by the power of God. Or something like that.

R2: I don't think its exactly like that, but there is an idea. I don't know it off top of my head.

Me: R3 told me that the real name of God is known but just not said.

R2: We know it, it's the Tetragrammaton, We just can't be 100% sure the pronouncement. But can make a good guess.

Me: His real name must hold tremendous power...

R2: Maybe a kabbalist would know for sure. Yes. Also just honor, do you really feel worthy to call Hashem by name?

Me: what is the proper way to study Judaism based on these different ideas?

R2: Torah: Contract

Talmud: Explanation of how to follow the Contract

Kaballah: Explanation of why you need a contract

Me: R3, thank you for meeting with me. Same question on the nature of God's name, same phrasing.

R3: Yahweh is incorrect. We read it as Adonai but that is also a substitute for the real pronunciation.

Me: So is the real pronunciation lost to history? Or is there a real pronunciation we just don't say?

R3: The latter.

Me: Sorry to be asking so many questions but I want to know about not only my heritage but what it means to be a good Jew and a good Christian since my parents are both.

R3: Ask away.

Me: Thank you. I think it was you who told me a long time ago in class that it is better to ask the question than to have a question and never say a word. Or something along those lines.

In any case, gentleman, thank you for speaking with me and answering questions on this specific issue. Have a great day.

Sex work in Georgia

The internet is a wierd place. It makes virtually everything possible, literally. In the case of this story, even the law did not seem to apply.

In Georgia and particularly Atlanta, prostitution is illegal but where there is a will, there is a way. So you can imagine I was not surprised when I saw on Twitter, a lady asking men to "meet up" with her for 40$. Before I tell my story, I would like to say for the record that I do not condone illegal activity of any kind. Nor would I willingly or otherwise engage in any acts of prostitution including acts that may fall in a gray area of the law.

As a journalist and writer, I simply saw a story here and chose to pursue it as much as I could without actually commiting any acts that would be heinous or unlawful. In light of this to pursue my story, I DM'd (Direct Messaged) the woman to figure out how she operated.

"Hey so you want to Meet up?" I asked.

"We can. Meet ups are 40$" she replied rather nonchalantly.

"What do you get with 40$ we meet up and chat?" I replied. This may need some explanation. I have read that many men who hire escorts, are just lonely and want to chat. So it was reasonable to assume that a low amount like 40$ may just be for company.

"Do it look like I wanna chat?" She replied. It seems I was incorrect. Still I had to probe to get the full story.

"So 40$ is sex. I just didn't know if it was like 40$ to meet up for head but sex is 60$ more," I casually asked.

"Head , anal and anything else is more," she replied.

So I dropped it there. After all it's illegal and I'm not going to jail for a story but it is interesting that by calling it a "meet up" instead of organized prostitution, they can get away with it. In this case, I believe this woman moves around the country, so that may have something to do with her success but still, it's amazing how easy it is, to use social media like Twitter to make the impossible, possible and to avoid the detection of law enforcement, ill equiped to deal with the problem. After all, if she didn't think she could get away with it, why would she do it?

I'm Dylan Paul and this is the news.

Genetalia pictures over the internet

Men love to send them, women are tired of seeing them. I'm talking about dick pics. Every now and then, a woman gets so bold to send one of herself but the trade is not even. Here, I seek to proove it to you.

Take the dick. It is a blunt instrument. No. Seriously guys, we should count our lucky stars that women still like these things. If you turn the dick into a dildo, depending on it's size, you can literally beat a man or a woman to death with it.

A vagina would never do that to you. A vagina is that epic door to the eternal ecstacy that is woman. These exquisite creatures manage to put up with the insatiable drive for sex that is programmed into the masculine side of the species, outsmart men in business a lot these days and create life with their bodies.

I know what some men are thinking: "I help too!" No. You enjoy yourself for probably about 2 minutes, depending on what kind of man you are, and then you fall asleep. "No. I pleasure my girl with my sweet pussy eating skills." A fraction of you are actually good at that and the majority have women who fake it and get themselves off.

Lord, somehow I've turned into someone who sounds like a feminist but I'm not. I'm a realist and I've come to accept that like the Avatar, the exchange is not equal. So I propose this: if we want a pussy pic, we have to have a nice dick, be able to talk dirty to what they want to hear and send at least 5 dick pics for every 1 pussy pic because let's face it, the two are not equals...

Top 10 American Serial Killers in Body Count

Note: We are not the first in number of kills by a serial killer. Our top serial killer in the US is only 9th in confirmed kills in the world.

Source: Wikipedia

1) Gary Ridgeway - The Green River Killer - Possible Kills: 71 - 90+ - Proven kills: 49

Ridgeway was a truck painter who confessed to killing 71 women. He almost exclusively targeted sex workers from Seattle. Suspected of killing over 90 victims, confessed to 71, convicted of 49.  Sentenced to life without parole.

2) Ted Bundy - Possible kills: 36+ - Proven kills: 35

Known for his charisma and good looks, Bundy officially confessed to 30 homicides, but has confessed to killing 35–36 women in the past. Some estimates run upwards of 100 or more. Infamous for escaping from prison twice and murdering multiple victims in one day; sometimes abducting women from the same location within hours of one another. He was executed by electric chair in 1989.

3) Samuel Little - Possible kills 90 - Proven kills: 34

Samuel Little was convicted of killing three women, but later investigations linked 31 other murders to him. Claims he killed as many as 90 victims total. The investigation into his crimes are ongoing.

4) John Wayne Gacy - The Killer Clown - Possible kills: 34+ - Proven kills: 33

John Wayne Gacy was known to have murdered a minimum of 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978, 26 of whom he buried in the crawl space of his Chicago home. Gacy was known as the "Killer Clown" due to the fact he often entertained children as "Pogo the Clown" or "Patches the Clown" at social events dressed in a self devised clown costume. Executed by lethal injection in 1994.

5) Dean Corll - Possible kills: 29+ - Proven kills: 28.

Corll was responsible for the Houston Mass Murders, the torture and murder of young boys in Pasadena, Texas, and elsewhere in outheast Texas. Murdered by accomplice Elmer With Henley when Corll turned on him.

6) Juan Vallejo Corona - Possible kills 25+ - Proven kills: 25.

Corona was convicted of murdering ranch laborers and burying them in orchards. He was sentenced to 25 terms of life imprisonment.

7) Ronald Dominique - "The Bayou Strangler" - Possible kills: 23+ - Proven kills: 23

Ronald Dominique was a Louisianan serial killer who murdered victims in the Terrebonne Parish, Lafourche Parish, Iberville Parish and Jefferson Parish. Sentenced to 8 life terms.

8) Earle Nelson - "The Gorilla Killer" "The Dark Strangler" - Possible kills: 25 - Proven kills: 22

Necrophiliac who primarily targeted boarding houselandladies on the U.S. West Coast during 1926; he was Captured after two murders in a small (now ghost) town in southern Manitoba. Found guilty, hanged by Canadian authorities in January 1928.

9) Patrick Kearney - Possible kills: 43+ - Proven kills: 21.

Patrick Kearney would pick up young male hitch-hikers or young men from gay bars near Redondo Beach, California, and kill them. He was Sentenced to life.

10) William Bonin - "The Freeway Killer" - Possible Victims 36+ - Proven Victims: 21

Bonin and three accomplices are known to have murdered a minimum of 21 youths aged between 12 and 19 in and around Los Angeles. The majority of his victims were discarded alongside various southern California freeways. Bonin was convicted of 14 of the freeway murders and was executed by lethal injection in 1996.

End Note: This list is compiled based on the one compiled on Wikipedia. There are other serial killers who may or may not be more prolific from American History such as H.H. Holmes. However, Holmes lived in a time when it was not possible to get an accurate representation of his kills and at his possible kill count ranges from 9 - 200+. If the reader has questions or comments, I do welcome them.

What a piece of work is man...

I recently read a post that said, what is the biggest problem on earth today?

A top answer was human beings. I thought on it and wrote this in response:

I like to take the optomistic approach. Human beings are the most capable species on the planet. We have created marvels of science, technology and even nature that were unmatched in the billions of years the dinosaurs existed.

Ice ages/climate changes have come and gone, however, the inspired and awesome resources that humanity has created have never existed before. That being said, I do wish we had things like the atmospheric condensers as suggested in Star Trek TNG's "the inner light" but that kind of technology may not exist yet. If it doesn't I am sure someone's working on it. In short, I am trying to say that a cosmic catastrophe can happen at any time (errant asteroid from the asteroid belt in the center of our galaxy, a supernova sun, an errant solar flare, extreme climate change, overpopulation causing massive destruction that cannot be fixed); the point is, that if anything in the history of the world has the capability of fixing it or evolving to find a solution no matter what happens, it is the human race. We have the tools and the capability, and while we do have our issues, the best hope for the world is mankind.

Complaining about our shortcomings is a tool of the weak but it is also understandable. When you lack the ability to look at the big picture or even are just simply frustrated and feel that the big picture is hopeless, it is easy to complain. I do not fault you or anyone for complaining because the problems facing our planet and our species are large and frustrating; often times, it seems like there's no end in sight but have faith in a creator or at the very least something larger than yourself and take solace in the fact that we are amazing creatures.

I will end with Shakespeare, "what a piece of work is man; How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, In form and moving how express and admirable, In action how like an Angel, In apprehension how like a god, The beauty of the world, The paragon of animals."

Atten... Hut!

There are those out there whose brains are focused in on happy things. There are also amongst them whose minds are fraught with worry or depression because the hardships and trials of this world are too much to bear; Or their brain chemistry plays tricks on them so doctor's pump them full of pills but I believe in another brand. A brand of person whose mind, no matter what they set it to always turns everything into a battle.

Sometimes they come off as disciplined but war is chaotic so there are some bred for it who come off as chaos. The chaos is only intensified no matter how much they run from it.

I have always been fascinated with war and the duty that befits a soldier. In youth, I played soldiers with my friends and built military dictatorships in the woods in cities made from sticks.

As I got older, I dabbled in the social hierarchy of an animalistic group of boys but was never so satisfied as when they went to war with each other and I got to serve as a soldier for either side.

My father thought wrestling would scratch the itch but he was wrong. Wrestling was just a fool's errand because it involved no strategy, just me (a little fat kid) getting his butt kicked; most likely because I was severely underpowered going against a much larger force in the midst of a testosterone fueled tank battle. Not that a suicide mission frightened me. On the contrary, I went in the ring every time and fought my hardest against unwinnable odds. I came out beaten and torn and not once shed a tear for myself. At my last match, I got so angry that I lost by points but I never let him put me on the ground. No, although it was physical battle, it was no war.

In highschool I dropped a bunch of weight and found delight in things like our Jewish fraternity which made use of a militant leadership structure with gubernatorial rewards that would have made the Roman Senate green with envy. Soldiers who fought to be the best chapter in the league were venerated with women and prizes the same way a Roman legion would have been.

Ironically, this was around the time that I first thought about joining the military and my parents discouraged it as they insisted that we were in the middle of a war and they would not watch their son go to his death.

More to the irony, later in life, after I had finished highschool, a friend in that same Jewish youth group did go off to war and was killed by a roadside bomb. I still remember driving in a procession to the graveyard and seeing the people lining the streets as we went by and crying because no finer a soldier had I ever met then my friend Jeremy Kane.

Back to highschool, however, my parents were delighted in my involvement with theater, however, I played Rolf and Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music and delighted that both were soldiers; Comberferre in Les Miserables who I delighted that he was the philosophy behind the revolution in the books and in real life as I read the story, an actual person fought and died just as he did in the June Rebellion in Paris. Oliver was not so much a war but there was a struggle of penniless orphans fighting to survive by any means necessary and Guys and Dolls was Gangsters vs. Police. I just happened to be on the side of the bad guys. So theater was all about actually living war for me.

In my dreams, I have often dreamed about the struggle between heaven and hell and great winged creatures vs. Demons or humanity is a running theme in my writing. 

I get great pleasure from standing with the soldiers at monument terrace in Lynchburg these days because although I've never fought in a war or been enlisted, I still fight battles in my life and mind. I still think with duty and honor and what would the soldier do? I have followed orders to the letter and when I haven't I have always thought of the end goal as a general would and sought to win a battle for the majority of people with the least amount of casualties (however they represent themselves). When someone gives me kudos for anything I've done I continue to use the same phrase to say "your welcome;" I tell them simply, "it's an honor to serve."

As we all go down the path of life, we will all fight our own battles and although there may not be many people as entrenched in battle in their minds as I am, we all seek to serve. The Bible says we cannot serve two masters so above all serve God first; but in service to him, serve his creation: your fellow man and woman as best you can. For each one of us is a soldier and until the lay us down to rest, welcome to the war recruits...