Schalk, your posts frequently come across as arrogant, condescending, and frankly vicious. Your courtroom theatrics and self-described sociopathic "pursuit of the truth" - one of the oldest excuses for boorish behavior - achieve little, if any, good, and damage the we-space in a way that makes open, honest participation less likely. I'm not interested in your mode of discourse, Schalk - and guess what? I have absolutely no obligation to engage you in dialog. I've previously answered some of your unreasonable, petty attacks in a calm, reasonable manner; it was a pointless exercise in futility which I have little interest in repeating.

Find yourself another shadow-boxing partner, Schalk - my dance card is full.

No doubt you are well-intentioned; you may also have deep spiritual and/or intellectual insights. That does not change the fact that your conduct is having a toxic effect on the forum. I have no need to "prove" that assessment in a virtual courtroom, nor am I interested in engaging in some energy-sucking forum battle with you. I base these observations on years of experience in forums like this one, both as a core member and as a moderator. My discerning judgment is obviously not infallible, and others are always free to draw their own conclusions.

I shared my view of your behavior with the manager of this forum some time ago in a private email, as suggested in the "How to Report Abuse" thread. When I saw Witz publicly objecting to your behavior and attempting to draw you in to what I consider a pointless and unhelpful battle, I merely reminded him (and anyone else reading) about the channels for reporting conduct considered abusive or otherwise deleterious to the we-space.  That's a perfectly legitimate tool of the "communion" side of the street.

Meanwhile, this ridiculous "tempest in a wepot" is just more grist for the mill. 

spiral out,
Arthur

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

stop beating around the bush arthur.

R.A.T. Rap 

---

the fabric begins to tear
and i don't really care

Nat Raps

---

the fabric begins to tear
and i don't really care

Thanks Arthur:

You mention the word "boorish." I think that cuts to the core of what you are trying to say to me. Whatever rational points I have made to you are far outweighed by the ugliness of my boorish delivery. I know what you are saying and it is right on the mark.

Churlish, loutish, uncouth, rude, ungracious and surly. Those are in the same vein, I guess. Your point is that boorish or churlish behavior can so overwhelm the mood of a circle that nothing else gets done, right?

And you grant that I may be well-intentioned. So, I may from time to time come across as uncouth but with good intentions. That's a hell of a combination, right? God save us from well-intentioned people.

It's kind of like a person with really nasty breath doing CPR, right? One part of you wants to let them blow air into your lungs to save your life, but Gawd ... another part of you would rather die than have to smell this hoary and disgusting breath. Right?

That is valuable.

It kind of reminds me of the issue of how our Zone #5 experience UR can be hijacked and we can no longer make sense of the world when this happens. There is a point where cognition gets overridden by the visceral.

(I have a friend who is a filmmaker. Or he is trying to be. He recently made a movie that involves really sick scenes of blood and torture. And I told him: "I cannot even watch this movie without feeling sick." He thinks I don't understand the genre.)

This isn't the Integral Garden Club is it? Is boorishness the standard for excluding new members?  

I'll tell you - I have a deep and abiding sense that mankind has been fucked in the ass for too long without the courtesy of a little dollop of vaseline by smiling, decent and eminently diplomatic and couth people with mint on their breath and impeccably manicured nails. People who offer to open the door for you to get you in front of them and say "my pleasure" and "gesundheit" and "have a nice day." And as the Gunny said in Full Metal Jacket, "they don't even give you the courtesy of a reach around!"

You want couth? Check out Oral Roberts. You want truth? Stick around here. There's a bunch of uncouth geniuses here.

I'm carrying around a peppermint spritzer, by the way. And I'm going to take a bath.  

 

Hey what are you doing!? Oh...I see...

So we heard Arthur. He seems pretty cold-blooded, if you ask me. Is he only beating around the bush? Or will he be back for a second round?

And Schalk - not bad as a return, explicit lyrics combined with self-irony...really: not bad at all.

So who won the round? Not easy to tell, eh? And what's that about Natalie Portman? Is it true that she loves the evil guys better?

And don't forget to brush your shoulders off, y'all...click here for a 'head & shoulders' treatment.

witz

I guess this deafening silence will last for some time...In the meantime, I can still post more videoclips. Here's another one that was quite popular over here two years or so ago. It's a really sweet love song, performed in american country style. Enjoy.

Hey Witz:

You really know how to spin the racks!

That band is really tight, and the singer is pretty good.

Let me share a secret with you though: that isn't country music. That is straight ahead pop on a popsicle with a little country spice. Country music involves crying your heart out or whooping it up.

This is something that the Backstreet Boys could just as easily sing.  

This is to country music as Budweiser is to great beer.

Here's some gold standard country music for a benchmark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxB1t2EEK0M

Senses Working Overtime

Hey, hey,
The clouds are whey.
There's straw for the donkeys,
And the innocents can all sleep safely,
All sleep safely.

My, my,
Sun is pie.
There's fodder for the cannons,
And the guilty ones can all sleep safely,
All sleep safely.

And all the world is football-shaped
It's just for me to kick in space
And I can see, hear, smell, touch, taste
And I've got one, two, three, four, five
Senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in.
I've got one, two, three, four, five
Senses working overtime
Trying to taste the difference
Between a lemon and a lime
Pain and the pleasure
And the church bells softly chime.

Hey hey,
Night fights day.
There's food for the thinkers,
And the innocents can all live slowly,
All live slowly.
My, my,
The sky will cry
Jewels for the thirsty,
And the guilty ones can all die slowly,
All die slowly.

And all the world is biscuit-shaped,
It's just for me to feed my face,
And I can see, hear, smell, touch, taste,
And I've got one, two, three, four, five,
Senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in.
I've got one, two, three, four, five,
Senses working overtime
Trying to taste the difference
Between a lemon and a lime,
Pain and the pleasure,
And the church bells softly chime,

And birds might fall from black skies,
And bullies might give you black eyes,
But to me its very, very beautiful
(England's glory!)
Beautiful
(a striking beauty!)

And all the world is football-shaped,
It's just for me to kick in space,
And I can see, hear, smell, touch, taste,
And I've got one, two, three, four, five,
Senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in
I've got one, two, three, four, five
Senses working overtime
Trying to tell the difference
Between the goods and grime
Turds and treasure
And there's one, two, three, four, five
Senses working overtime
Trying to take this all in
Ive got one, two, three, four, five
Senses working overtime
Trying to taste the difference
Between a lemon and a lime
Pain and the pleasure,
And the church bells softly chime.

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

Lord of the Starfields - Bruce Cockburn

Lord of the starfields
Ancient of Days
Universe Maker
Here's a song in your praise

Wings of the storm cloud
Beginning and end
You make my heart leap
Like a banner in the wind

O love that fires the sun
Keep me burning.
Lord of the starfields
Sower of life,
Heaven and earth are
Full of your light

Voice of the nova
Smile of the dew
All of our yearning
Only comes home to you

O love that fires the sun
keep me burning

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

I love the beat of this catchy song. 

'Only An Expert' (live)
From Homeland
By Laurie Anderson

Now only an expert can deal with a problem.
Because half of the problem is seeing the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.
Only an expert can deal with the problem.

So if there's no expert dealing with a problem,
then really it's actually twice the problem.
Because only an expert can deal with the problem.
Only an expert can deal with the problem.

Now in America, we like solutions. We like solutions to problems. And there's so many companies that offer solutions. Companies with names like: The Pet Solution, The Hair Solution, The Debt Solution, The World Solution, The Sushi Solution.

The debt solution... Now, only an expert can see there's a problem.
And these companies are experts ready to solve these problems.
Because only an expert can deal with the problem.
Only an expert can deal with the problem.

Now, let's say you're invited to be on Oprah, and you don't have a problem, but you wanna go on the show, and so you need a problem. And so you invent a problem. But if you're not an expert in problems, you're probably not going to make up a very plausible problem. And so you're probably gonna get nailed. You're gonna get exposed, you're gonna have to bow down and apologize and beg for the public's forgiveness. Because only an expert can see there's a problem. And only an expert can deal with a problem. Only an expert can deal with a problem.

And on these shows that try to solve your problems, the big question's always: how can I get control. How can I take control. But, don't forget, this is a question for the regular viewer, the person who is barely getting by. The person who is watching shows about people with problems, the person who is one of the 60 percent of the US population 1.3 weeks away, 1.3 paychecks away from homelessness. In other words... a person with problems.

So when experts say let's get to the root of the problem, let's take control of the problem, Because if you take control of the problem, you can solve the problem. Often this doesn't work at all because the situation is completely out of control.

Because only an expert can deal with the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.

So, who are these experts? Now, experts are usually self-appointed people or elected officials or people skilled in sales techniques, trained or self-taught to focus on things that might be identified as problems. But the expert is someone who studies the problem and tries to solve the problem. The expert is someone who carries malpractice insurance. Because often the solution becomes... the problem.

And only an expert can deal with the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.
Only an expert can deal with the problem.

Now sometimes experts look for weapons. And sometimes experts look everywhere for weapons. And sometimes when they don't find any weapons, sometimes other experts say: if you haven't found any weapons, it doesn't mean there are no weapons. And other experts looking for weapons find things like cleaning fluids and refrigerator rods and small magnets. And they say: these may look like common objects to you, but in our opinion, they could be weapons. Or they could be used to make weapons. Or they could be used to ship weapons. Or to store weapons. Because only an expert can see they might be weapons. And only an expert can deal with weapons. And only an expert can deal with problems.

Because only an expert can deal with the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.
Only an expert can deal with the problem.

You know, and sometimes, if it's really really really really really hot, and it's July in January, and there's no more snow, and huge waves are wiping out cities, and hurricanes are everywhere, and everyone knows it's a problem. But if some of the experts say it's no problem, and if other experts claim it's no problem or explain why it's no problem, then it's simply not a problem.

But, when an expert says it's a problem and makes a movie about the problem and wins an Oscar about the problem then all the other experts have to agree that it is, most likely, a problem.

Because only an expert can deal with the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.
Only an expert can deal with the problem.

And even though a country can invade another country, and flatten it, and ruin it, and create havoc and civil war and refugees in that country, and if the experts say it's not a problem and if everyone agrees that they're experts and good at solving problems, then invading these countries is simply -- not -- a problem.

And if a country tortures people, and holds citizens without cause or trial, and sets up military tribunals, this is also not a problem. Unless there's an expert who says it is the beginning... of a problem.

Because only an expert can deal with the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.

And only an expert can deal with the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.
Only an expert can deal with the problem.

Because seeing the problem is half the problem.
And only an expert can deal with the problem.
Only an expert can deal with the problem.

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

Peace out, y'alls.

"All Is Full of Love" - Bjork

you'll be given love
you'll be taken care of
you'll be given love
you have to trust it

maybe not from the sources
you have poured yours
maybe not from the directions
you are staring at

trust your head around
it's all around you
all is full of love
all around you

all is full of love
you just aint receiving
all is full of love
your phone is off the hook
all is full of love
your doors are all shut
all is full of love!

all is full of love
all is full of love
all is full of love
all is full of love
all is full of love

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

Wow!

This is some seriously good music!

It's like Integral Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon Lightfoot is already awesome, but Cockburn's use of Indian rhythm takes it to a new level.

Thanks Arthur.

 

Lateralus - Tool

Black then white are all i see in my infancy.
red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me.
lets me see.
as below, so above and beyond, I imagine
drawn beyond the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.

Over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition, missing opportunities and I must
Feed my will to feel my moment drawing way outside the lines.

Black then white are all i see in my infancy.
red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me.
lets me see there is so much more and
beckons me to look thru to these infinite possibilities.
as below, so above and beyond, I imagine
drawn outside the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.

over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition leaving opportunities behind.
Feed my will to feel this moment urging me to cross the line.
Reaching out to embrace the random.
Reaching out to embrace whatever may come.

I embrace my desire to
I embrace my desire to
feel the rhythm, to feel connected enough to step aside and weep like a widow
to feel inspired to fathom the power, to witness the beauty,
to bathe in the fountain,
to swing on the spiral
to swing on the spiral
to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human.

With my feet upon the ground I move myeslf between the sounds and open wide to
suck it in.
I feel it move across my skin.
I'm reaching up and reaching out. I'm reaching for the random or what ever will
bewilder me.
what ever will bewilder me.
And following our will and wind we may just go where no one's been.
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.
Spiral out. Keep going.

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

Left of Center - Suzanne Vega

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Off of the strip

In the outskirts
In the fringes
In the corner
Out of the grip

When they ask me
"What are you looking at?"
I always answer
"Nothing much" (not much)
I think they know that
I'm looking at them
I think they think
I must be out of touch

But I'm only
In the outskirts
And in the fringes
On the edge
And off the avenue
And if you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Wondering about you

I think that somehow
Somewhere inside of us
We must be similar
If not the same
So I continue
To be wanting you
Left of center
Against the grain

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Off of the strip
In the outskirts
In the fringes
In the corner
Out of the grip

When they ask me
"What are you looking at?"
I always answer
"Nothing much" (not much)
I think they know that
I'm looking at them
I think they think
I must be out of touch

But I'm only
In the outskirts
And in the fringes
On the edge
And off the avenue
And if you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Wondering about you
Wondering about you

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn

For Richard Dawkins.

Dear God - XTC

Dear god,
Hope you got the letter,
And I pray you can make it better down here.
I dont mean a big reduction in the price of beer,
But all the people that you made in your image,
See them starving on their feet,
cause they dont get enough to eat

From god,
I cant believe in you.

Dear god,
Sorry to disturb you,
But I feel that I should be heard loud and clear.
We all need a big reduction in amount of tears,
And all the people that you made in your image,
See them fighting in the street,
cause they cant make opinions meet,
About god,
I cant believe in you.

Did you make disease, and the diamond blue?
Did you make mankind after we made you?
And the devil too!

Dear god,
Dont know if you noticed,
But your name is on a lot of quotes in this book.
Us crazy humans wrote it, you should take a look,
And all the people that you made in your image,
Still believing that junk is true.
Well I know it aint and so do you,
Dear god,
I cant believe in,
I dont believe in,

I wont believe in heaven and hell.
No saints, no sinners,
No devil as well.
No pearly gates, no thorny crown.
Youre always letting us humans down.
The wars you bring, the babes you drown.
Those lost at sea and never found,
And its the same the whole world round.
The hurt I see helps to compound,
That the father, son and holy ghost,
Is just somebodys unholy hoax,
And if youre up there youll perceive,
That my hearts here upon my sleeve.
If theres one thing I dont believe in...

Its you,
Dear god.

~~~

Heaven - Live

You don't need no friends
get back your faith again
you have the power to believe
another dissident
take back your evidence
it has no power to deceive

I'll believe it when I see it, for myself

I don't need no one to tell me about heaven
I look at my daughter, and I believe.
I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth
I can see the sunset and I perceive

I sit with them all night
everything they say is right
but in the morning they were wrong
I'll be right by your side
come hell or water high
down any road you choose to roam

I'll believe it when I see it for myself

I don't need no one to tell me about heaven
I look at my daughter, and I believe.
I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth
I can see the sunset and I perceive, yeah

darling, I believe, Oh Lord
sometimes it's hard to breathe, Lord
at the bottom of the sea, yeah yeah

I'll believe it when I see it for myself

I don't need no one to tell me about heaven
I look at my daughter, and I believe.
I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth
I can see the sunset and I perceive

I don't need no one to tell me about heaven
I look at my daughter, and I believe.
I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth
I can see the sunset
I can see the sunset
I can see the sunset
I don't need no one
Ohhhh
I don't need no one
I don't need no one
I don't need no one
To tell me about heaven
I believe
I believe it, yeah

---

I am seeking meaningful work.

bio: http://aqalicious.gaia.com/

I spend most of my "forum time" these days on The Integral Pod: http://pods.gaia.com/ii/

"You've never seen everything." - Bruce Cockburn