07.18.11
Posted in Health-related--Natural Alternative Treatments at 5:30 pm by Administrator
For anyone interested in the radiation news from Japan, I thought this was an informative video from an American currently living in Japan. He explains a little about geiger counters in this video. He also compiles various radiation measurements taken by locals and maps the locations out so that we can have a better idea of where these radiation readings have been taken.
Another of his videos takes the radiation info mapped out by the Japanese government and helps explain the data. That video can be viewed here.
Thanks, William, for stepping up to the plate to help inform us!
Another video I found helpful is a four part series of an interview with Dr. Russell Blaylock by Stanley Monteith. He helps to give ideas of what we can do to protect and fortify our health from radiation exposure. The first part of the video can be heard here.
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Marlakins
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07.14.11
Posted in Book Reviews at 12:52 pm by Administrator
For anyone interested in WWII history, I recommend George Weller’s First Into Nagasaki. The book was edited by Weller’s son, Anthony Weller, who also added an essay at the end and a recommended reading section. I found the book fascinating not only for the content (the book was compiled of writings by George Weller regarding his first U.S. eyewitness accounts of the aftermath of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki as well as accounts of being the first outsider to open up the allied POW camps in Nagasaki), but also that these writings were censored by the U.S. military. As a result, much of these writings never made it to the public awareness until recently, about 60 years “after” the dropping of the bomb. As Weller explained, “timing is crucial in censorship.” Wait long enough and even when the information eventually comes out, the thunder is gone. We see the same thing happening today. More news-worthy topics are hidden behind petty news, and when the report finally makes the light of day, hardly anyone cares anymore.
First Into Nagasaki is a compilation of George Weller’s writings back in 1945 about what he saw in Nagasaki approximately a month after the atomic bomb was dropped there. He wrote about the destruction to the city and landscape, what he saw in the hospitals, and interviewed the POWs regarding their reactions to the atomic bomb and their ill treatment at the hands of the Japanese military. Also included is Scotty’s Diary on Wake Island, which chronicled the events after the Japanese took Wake in 1941, and a very detailed description of events on the Oryuko Maru, one of the notorious “hellships” that sailed from Manila to Kyshu. The many hellships was another of many topics that have been censored and rarely discussed. There were about 200 such ships that traveled from the Philippines to Japan that carried U.S. and allied prisoners as well as other Asians to work as slaves. Conditions were atrocious, and many, many people died from the ordeal from disease, starvation, beatings, stabbings, gunshots, suffocation, and allied bombings. The featured ship in Weller’s account, the Oryuko Maru, carried not only Japanese military and Japanese civilians, but also about 1,600 U.S. POWs. The trip took about 17 days and by the time they reached Japan, only about 300 POWs survived. The experience was horrific. Why this information was censored is a curiosity for me, and I can only speculate as did the author of why that would be.
My personal feeling is that if more people experienced the horrors of wars or could get detailed glimpses into the atrocities of wars, there would be a lot less wars and less war chest thumping. And that is why so much of war details are censored–to control public criticism. If more people knew the horrors, there would be more outcry against wars. At least that would seem reasonable, but who says all people are reasonable? Sigh.
When I was younger, I used to think that the U.S. had free press and was proud of our freedom of speech. It was only other countries, I thought, run by dictators and communists that censored their press and curtailed public opinion. But alas we do it here, too. It’s just done more craftily. I’m not saying that I envy dictatorships or communists! America is generally a very pleasant place to live! But at what expense? And besides, that’s another topic. . .
Anyway, two thumbs up for First Into Nagasaki by George Weller, and the essay by Anthony Weller. Not only is it a good collection of historical on-the-ground journalism, it’s also a good commentary on censorship in the U.S.A. It seems all countries practice censorship. The book I’m reading now is called, The Nanjing Massacre by Honda Katsuichi. It’s an in depth look at the atrocities committed in China by the Japanese during WWII. It’s another controversial book in that much of the information had been censored in Japan as well. Many Japanese civilians had no idea what their military was doing abroad. For many years, those things have been kept away from their population, and today there is still contention between the Chinese and the Japanese regarding the issue. When I was in high school there were a lot of Chinese and Japanese students in my school. I didn’t know why, but the Chinese and the Japanese students did not get along. From learning about their histories, I can see why. Even though censorship is strong in governments, we are fortunate that there have been brave people who have cared for the truth enough to come forward with it. Their honesty can give humanity hope because in revealing the truth, evil can be kept in check. Censorship helps guilty parties avoid accountability and makes innocent, unwitting people easily manipulated.
Marlakins
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07.11.11
Posted in Book Reviews, Historical Trivia, History, quotes at 10:18 am by Administrator
A friend of mine told me recently (after learning I was reading a book on the bombing of Nagasaki), that I should read about current events. Actually, I do read about current events, but I find that learning about past events helps me to understand current events better.
Another brief conversation I had with a friend was about “historical revisionists,” and how they try to “change” history. Granted, I do realize that there are those who try to re-write inaccuracies into history, but the fact is that because of so many “classified documents” and other eyewitness accounts that were not previously considered when writing “history,” there is a legitimate place and role for bonafide revisionists. Also, as time passes, more information is revealed from different angles. That information helps give a more complete picture of the situation at the time and helps to determine why certain decisions were made or to question whether certain decisions were wrong or not. To ignore other sources would be like trying to judge a court case using only one side of the argument.
I know of people who only read certain publications because they don’t trust other publications. But if one only limits themselves to certain publications, then they increase their chances that they don’t get the whole picture and thus form their opinions based on faulty or less informed information. My approach to that would be to read or watch those publications “knowing” that their information is questionable, but at least hearing them out so that I would at least understand the opposing viewpoint. As Admiral Rickover once said, “Open discussions and disagreements must be encouraged, so that all sides of an issue are fully explored.” So long as we go into a discussion humbly and not take differences personally, we can all learn something when we try to listen to the other side of an argument. If it doesn’t change one’s mind, then it can strengthen one’s already preconceived ideas. I think the Bible encourages knowledge and wisdom while discouraging baseless arguments. There is a big difference between discussions to learn the truth, and heated arguments to be divisive. Like the Bereans in the New Testament, I think we should search to learn if things are so. That was considered a good thing. Why live a life based on lies and false information?
Well, now I think I’ve meandered enough! Originally, I was going to write about the book I’m currently reading, First Into Nagasaki. I’m almost at the end. I’m reading the last portion of the book written by Weller’s son wherein he describes the backdrop to his father’s writings. One of the main highlights is how censored our news is and how skewing facts and history has been a common practice throughout history. As I remember hearing in high school, “history is written by the victors of wars” so we usually only read one side of the story. From my readings it seems that people are pretty much the same all over the world. We just view others as lower or enemies because of our ignorance of each other. And with our ignorance we are less compassionate.
But to get back to my thoughts while reading First Into Nagasaki is how controlled our media is today. We have three or four wars we currently know about today, but I’m sure there’s so much that we aren’t being told or are not even allowed to know. George Weller wrote,
“A censorship is supposed to keep political criticism under control.”
Weller’s son wrote that “every war correspondent has been censored.”
For what reason? I’m sure there are several reasons, but one reason can be understood through a letter sent to George Weller from one of General MacArthur’s censors,
“We believe that a correspondent has a certain duty towards the Commander of the Forces whom he represents, and it is the Commander-in-Chief’s desire that nothing of a political nature be released as coming from his staff of correspondents, and nothing that may be in any way criticizing the efforts of any Commander of any of the Allied nations.”
Weller went on the write, “What the United States badly needs is a long cold bath of reality.”
If “control of public opinion” is what the game is all about, we will never get that dose of reality. And our history books will be more political propaganda books, than real history books. The sooner we understand that, the more we can understand.
Marlakins
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07.06.11
Posted in Health-related--Natural Alternative Treatments, family stuff at 9:05 am by Administrator
It was “ten” years ago today that I got my last blood transfusion! So much has happened since then, but the memory is still strong. Actually I start to think about my personal independence day every 4th of July because I remember that night feeling so weak I got dizzy laughing and had to move very slowly to stay balanced. Today I give a big “thank You” to God, and remember all the other AAers and MDSers I’ve met throughout the years. May God grant us many more “healthy” years with our families. I also think of those who have passed away. Sadly, there are quite a few. Memory of them and their families are also with me, especially on this day.
Marlakins
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07.04.11
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:20 am by Administrator
Before the festivities begin, I wanted to send a quick “Happy 4th of July!” greeting to all. Heading to the market in a few minutes to get the munchies for tonight, and also running errands. So hope everyone enjoys the day and evening!
Marlakins 
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07.03.11
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:10 am by Administrator
With the wildfires raging and threatening Los Alamos Laboratory, I’m keeping an eye out for whatever news I can catch on it. And I remember how our family visited Los Alamos years ago, and even stopped off at the Bradbury Museum. It prompted me to check out our old photo albums, in particular the one where we took a trip to New Mexico in 1998. Here’s a pic of the front of the Bradbury Museum. If you use a magnifying glass (ha ha) you may be able to see me and two of my sons in front.
For anyone who may not know what the Bradbury Science Museum is, it is the museum that displays the info regarding the making of the atomic bombs. Robert Oppenheimer was the original director of the Manhattan Project, but after he retired, Norris E. Bradbury took his place. I knew very little about radiation back then, but knew enough about the atomic bomb to find it interesting to visit the museum. Now because of the wildfires we’re learning that there’s a lot of radioactive material in that area, oh my. . . Actually, since the Fukushima disaster, I’m learning that there are lots of places with radioactive contamination. Hmmm, with all the chemical pollution and nuclear pollution, no wonder illnesses are on the rise. . .
Here’s a pic of a replica of one of the a bombs. Matty is actually standing by the tail fin with his hand against it. He was just a little tyke back then, and darkly shadowed. That was back before I got into digital cameras, and you didn’t know if you got a good shot until the film was developed.
The same day we visited the Bradbury Science Museum, we also visited Bandalier, just north of The Bradbury Science Museum. Bandalier is believed to have been a cliff dwelling. Here’s a pic of my boys climbing up one of the ladders.
And here are the kiddies inside the dwellings.
That’s Brian off on the right side.
We also visited Sky City on that trip and saw some wild horses crossing the road along the way. We don’t see that kind of thing here in Los Angeles, so I took this shot as we passed by.
Oh, and while all this nuclear info is floating around, I thought I’d share a picture I found of my dad when he worked at a nuclear facility in Canada. He worked there when I was still very little, so I didn’t even know about it until my sister wrote out his obituary last year. I knew he was an electrical engineer and worked for a water treatment plant designer, but I never knew he also worked with nuclear facilities. I found it interesting because during some of my readings, I read a little about Hanford, from a book called, The Woman Who Knew Too Much. The author, Alice Stewart, wrote about the dangers of radiation to fetuses and such, and mentioned that some of the scientists at Hanford later developed multiple myeloma. It took about 40 years. Lower level workers developed illnesses sooner as they tended not to know how or weren’t careful to shield themselves from radiation. Well, that’s what my dad had (multiple myeloma), and it was about 40 years since he worked there. I found that interesting. Here’s a picture of my dad with a couple of his co-workers in front of one of the reactors.
One last picture for chuckles. Yesterday I was cleaning out my desk and found this old polaroid. Remember those? I’m dating myself with this, I know, ha! But I laughed when I saw this picture because it’s one of those pictures where you wonder, “Why did I bother taking that picture?” I mean we “weren’t” at Disneyland, but instead at the pier on a cold day. That pseudo Mickey Mouse looks horrible, and my kids don’t look at all excited about him, ha!
Okay, so that’s my memory lane for today.
Marlakins
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07.02.11
Posted in humor at 12:38 am by Administrator
Huffington Post had a section which showed 10 funniest animal bloopers in the news. This video made me laugh the most.
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07.01.11
Posted in Church Issues and Bible Interpretations, quotes at 12:33 am by Administrator
“9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:9
I think of the above verse when considering whether our Presidents are doing their job as leaders of our nation because that passage deals with what the job of a king is. So when thinking of our President, does he protect the poor and needy? That was one of the concerns of King Lemuel, who some believe was actually King Solomon. And this is why during the Presidential elections back in 2008 where claims were being made that Obama “only” worked on charities, thus was unqualified for the position of U.S. President, I thought it odd. Because I thought the fact that he worked for charity showed that he cared for the needy– an “essential” trait for a leader. I found that hardly a point to hold against him. But how is he doing now? Is he still advocating for the needy or is he succumbing to the pull of corporate interests?
Marlakins
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