You Have To Be This Tall To Go On This Ride

Donald J Imus has left the building (23 June 1940-27 December 2019)

2019-12-27T17:46:00.001-06:00

Reading a lot of headlines referring to Don Imus as a controversial radio personality. That would have made him smile. In this the common era of Imus. That's how I will remember his reign in US broadcasting. We are now entering a post Imus era. All my thoughts and prayers for Imus's family and his on air compadres.

"Everybody feels alright you know, I heard some poor fool say (somebody ooh)
Everyone is out there on the loose
Well I wish I lived in the land of fools, no one knew my name
But what you get is not quite what you choose....

How long, how long
Muddy River runs so deep
How long, how long
Good night baby, rock yourself to sleep
Sleep tight baby, rock yourself to sleep be-be-be, bye bye baby, rock yourself to sleep"

Democrat's Caught In A Midterm Riptide - Happy Independent's Day America

2014-11-05T10:52:00.000-06:00

Happy Independent's Day America.

Republican wave sweeps the United States November 2014 midterm elections. As an Independent voter, I couldn't be any more pleased with the outcome. Independent voters's prefer divided government. It's been a long time coming but finally we are going to have some federal government accountability. Republican's have been enjoying Independent voter support for the last three election cycles. Last night Independent's became free agents of change again. No more holding our noses and voting, because we reached our goal "divided government" which results in less politics and more governing. You're welcome America.

I would like to address the democrat's who understand that the Independent's have been reset for the next election to come in 24 months. Well mostly some advice for Bill Clinton who understands just how badly the rabid left wing of the democrat party has harmed the democrat brand among Independents. Mr Clinton would no doubt prefer not to be going into the next presidential election with such an unpopular damaged democrat brand.

Democrat's if you liked what Independent's did with the republican brand wait and see what we have planned for democrat's. Independent's really, really, really did not appreciate the democrat's siccing their loony left wing onto the middle class for the last 6 years. Calling middle class American's racist, bigot's, anti intellectual. They called us the American Taliban. WTF who do they think were physically in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban? Democrat's you did build that backlash.

I think it's past time for some serious democrat construction- rehabbing. We can start with knocking down those Styrofoam Greek pillars. Those Greek pillars are a little ostentatious and lofty for the party of the working man don't ya think? I am thinking we get rid of those pillars, knock down a couple of walls, put in a Tiki bar, throw down some shag carpet, put up some of those Japanese party lanterns, get some of those floating candles for the hot tub.....it'll be nice - you'll see ;)

In the language the left wing of the democrat party can understand from the American Taliban aka the American middle class: You may have the watches but we have the time. If I were you all, I would get busy banging out that Tiki bar.

In reference to political waters. Riptide: Is actually a current, not a tide.

Also called: rip current a strong current, esp one flowing outwards from the shore, causing disturbance on the surface.

78th Iron Bowl, Alabama Prepare's To Go Medieval On Auburn's Defense

2013-11-29T21:50:00.000-06:00

Alabama vs Auburn How AJ McCarron Will Lead The Crimson Tide To Iron Bowl Victory

McCarron should be salivating at the thought of Auburn's pass defense, which is ranked No. 13 in the SEC in terms of yards per game. When McCarron faced Texas A&M, who is the 12th best team in SEC pass defense, he threw for 334 yards and four touchdowns.

What makes McCarron so successful in these situations? Preparation.

Iron Bowl preview, The Alabama defense, from WarRoomEagle

The 78th Iron Bowl, Saturday November 30th, 2013 2:30 P.M. Central Time. Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama.

It's going to be a historical grudge match of epic proportion. It's going to be a poetic moment in SEC football - no matter who wins......Roll Tide Roll.

Just like moons and suns.
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I rise.......

"TGIF" Las Vegas Rolls Out M.O.A R.

2013-08-30T09:29:00.000-05:00

"The High Roller"

The High Roller, observation wheel will be the focal point of The LINQ, an open-air

retail, dining and entertainment district that will soon redefine the iconic Las Vegas skyline.

The High Roller will TOP out at 550 feet making it the tallest observation wheel in the WORLD!

What this means to America - We're back on top. The High Roller surpasses The London Eye, and the Singapore Flyer. When you take this ride, you can literally proclaim "Look Ma I'm On Top Of The World"

You can read more about Caesar's LINQ project here. There is also a Facebook account for the LINQ, and they have posted some photos of the progress of erecting The High Roller.

The ride will cost about $25.00 and last 30 Minutes, and be ready to ride sometime next spring. American's love to work hard, fight hard, and play hard. Vegas responds to America's critics, claiming that the U.S. is in decline and that "We Don't Do Big Things Anymore". Vegas and every other true blooded American knows - never bet against America. Everyone knows life has it's ups, and downs. One day you're down, the next day you're on top of the world.

Danka shoen, Caesar's Entertainment.

Hat Tip/ Austin White, If you build it "Mother Of All Rides" they will come.

Good bye hard life....

Ride, Ride, Ride, Let It Ride...

You can't see the mornin, but I can see the light....

Ride, Ride, Ride, Let It Ride....

I've been doin things worthwhile, you've been bookin time....

Ride, Ride, Ride, Let It Ride.....

When The Devil Is On Your Back "Shake Him Off " Scapegoating For Dummies

2013-07-16T12:27:00.001-05:00

Protest in Oakland turn violent following Zimmerman Verdict

Cause fire is the devil's only friend "American Pie" Don McClean

Americans of all colors need to ask themselves - are you being played by American media stooges? The American media is using the "Show Trial" of George Zimmerman, to gin up ratings and racial animus.

The media covered the trial (alledged local crime) like a day time soap opera. No minutia was too small not to comment on. The media is boasting some of it's highest ratings for "making up" what didn't exist in reality, playing on old fears, and animus. NBC is being sued for editing audio to make it sound like George Zimmerman said something racist, when it's been proven he didn't (defamation). The media doesn't get more corrupt then that folks. MSNBC's Joe Scarborough called George Zimmerman a murderer, and not the "alleged" kind. Why is the media so invested in turning George Zimmerman into the archetypal white male southern racist? If the ole white racist bogey man won't present himself, it becomes necessary to create one out of what is available, for instance George Zimmerman. You can't keep the sheep from scattering without constructing a wolf that threatens them. (The 48 Laws of Power) Law 42, Strike at the shepard and the sheep will scatter, make sure you scroll down to the end, and the warning. This is exactly what happened to George Zimmerman, registered democrat, of mixed Afro Peruvian descent, he was turned into a wolf-man or if you prefer his lawyer's description, the media turned him into a monster. For instance, I have read where George Zimmerman has been referred to as white because of his father. If that's the case Barack Obama is white because of his mother. The US media collectively made a decision for ratings, and or political necessity that they needed to reconstruct the white southern male racist bogey man -archetype. To create racial animus, and deflect from what is currently trending in the news cycle - multiple scandals.

Why the fear that the sheep would scatter in the first place? Barack Obama was reelected for a second term by overwhelming Black and Hispanic support. Has anyone taken a look at the sky high unemployment rate of both of these demographics? The Black unemployment rate for June rose to 13.7. Since their employment situation hasn't gotten any better it might be helpful to resurrect an old bogey man to distract them from their frustration of not being able to find gainful employment. The fact they don't have a job give's them something to do with their idle time. Like I don't know protest and riot/ If I was Black in the U.S., I would be feeling oppressed too. Using the show trial of George Zimmerman gives the current administration the ability to create a way for the people they are failing to vent - without having that animus directed at them. After creating the racial animus, the media can in turn gin up their ratings by covering the result of their efforts, the protest, and riots. So I ask my fellow Americans of all colors, do you like being played for a fool?

The Black American Alliance Leadership was protesting yesterday too, but I bet no one heard or read about their protest. They are protesting the current amnesty bill that passed the US Senate. Imagine what's going to happen to Black and Hispanic unemployment rates if this bill passes the House of Representatives? You can read about it here in the NYTs. No Justice, No Peace, Indeed.

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. "The Usual Suspects"

Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all the ghouls come out to play

And every demon wants it's pound of flesh
But I like to keep somethings to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn

And I've been a fool, I've been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always dragging that horse around....

And it's hard to dance with the devil on your back
So shake him off

Never Remove The Mask Kemosabe

2013-07-12T14:26:00.002-05:00

Mason Elston Cook

The Lone Ranger, Disney's Homage To Americana

Johnny Depp, reinterprets iconic western character Tonto, for Disney's homage to Americana "The Lone Ranger". In doing so he did something I do all the time when I blog. I use images as a writing device. Johnny Depp, used Kirby Sattler's art, and incorporated "I Am Crow" to depict a character of his own creation, he used it as a "device" for his interpretation of Tonto, faithful Indian companion of the Lone Ranger. Actor's will put their own stamp on a character. For instance which do you prefer Willie Wonka, and the Chocolate Factory or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? The iconic Gene Wilder's version or Johnny Depp's reinterpretation? There is bound to be a comparison when ever there is a remake of iconic material. Johnny Depp is a character actor, so he isn't mimicking another actor's interpretation of the same character, he's putting his own stamp on the character. I believe this is in part, because he respect's fellow actor's body of work. I have not read one review that asks: Why didn't John Depp mimic iconic Jay Silverheels' version of Tonto? I remember when Ricky Gervise accused Johnny Depp of phoning in his contribution to the movie "The Tourist". That wasn't the case with The Lone Ranger, he went all in.

There is so much going on in the movie The Lone Ranger, it's busy, which is why in my opinion the movie ran so long - over 2 hours. The movie's demographic appears to be teenage A.D.D. suffers, but it would be torture to hold their teenage butt's in a theater seat for that length of time. The movie begins in 1933 San Francisco at a carnival sideshow. An old west tent that is holding the images of our recent past, for instance a bison that is already passing from the American consciousness, and the noble Indian (Americana). The director employs an old story telling device. Think Emilio Estevez, and his character Brushy Bill Robert's recounting his life in the movie Young Guns. The Lone Ranger also uses flash backs to explain the plot of the movie. The plot hinges on Justice vs Revenge theme. There are other themes running through the movie, for instance, American Indian stoicism, the warrior ethos, American naivete, and a cannibal scene. The Lone Ranger isn't a movie for young children. Despicable Me 2 debuted the same weekend as The Lone Ranger. Despicable Me 2 was the box office winner the weekend it debuted. American's should take heart. American parent's still know what's appropriate for their younger children to be viewing. If asked I am sure Johnny Depp would agree. This isn't a movie for younger children. When this movie makes it to cable -television, I am betting the cannibal scene will be edited out.

I don't want to spoil the movie for people who haven't seen it yet, but there is some notable dialog. The title of this post. Tonto: Never remove the mask. Is that a hat tip to The Dark Knight, and Kick Ass (Outlaws)? The need for a mask to work outside the system, when the system has been corrupted. The Lone Ranger was the first to don the mask. When John Reid DA (The Lone Ranger) pleads with the chief of a Comanche tribe not to retaliate against the attack on his people by responding to the US. Cavalry, his response was stoic, and set the theme for the Indian's involved in the conflict. He replied "It doesn't matter we are already ghost". The warrior ethos theme is both present in the Texas Rangers, and the Comanche. The Texas Rangers "they died with their boots on" The warrior ethos involves deciding how one will die, and the honor of choosing to die in battle. Think of the movie "300" and King Leonidas, when he tells the traitor of the Spartan's at the end of the movie "May You Live Forever". And finally the cannibal scene. There are old legendary accounts of (some) American Indian tribes practicing cannibalism. Eating the heart of their defeated enemy to gain their bravery, and strength after their death (legend, myth). There is no way that Disney was going to have anyone portraying an American Indian played as a cannibal, but apparently the director felt it was necessary for the old west ambiance. Tonto explains during the movie that nature is out of balance (which involves scary bunnies) hat tip to Monty Python? Tonto through out the movie, and up until the end, believes they are tracking evil spirits. Tonto believes in order to kill these evil spirits it requires a silver bullet*. It's one of these evil spirits "villains" that cut's out and eat's the heart of a Texas Ranger in the beginning of the movie. Which brings us back to Justice vs Vengeance, and the importance of why the Lone Ranger's mask must never be removed.

The Lone Ranger, has been reviewed, and it's been categorized with the flop White House Down. It doesn't belong in that category. This movie might have been too ambitious-busy, it does deliver what it promises "Americana" in spades. White House Down, belongs with the flops Gigli and Howard the Duck. Some reviews suggest it missed the mark with movie goers, because of the resurrection of such an old icon as the Lone Ranger. That there isn't a demographic for the updated Lone Ranger movie. So far the movie has made over 81 million dollars world wide. Young Gun's is a good example of a successful western based on a legendary character "Billy The Kid" looking for his long lost promised pardon from the Governor of New Mexico. When I read reviews, that claim the reason The Lone Ranger, wasn't a box office success was, because The Lone Ranger is an old iconic western figure, that doesn't play to modern demographics. I am reminded that Young Guns was a western based on the same kind of character, as was Wyatt Earp and the movie Tombstone. It's a superficial throw away observation. I have read a review on Huffington Post that stated the movie was about manifest destiny (duh) but the reviewer still found the movie entertaining. That's called phoning it in.

"If You Don't Watch Out Captain Benge Will Get You" Never say Benge, there were rumors of cannibalism when "Cherokee Bob Benge" attacked settlers in central Appalachia. Red haired half brother of Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee alphabet. Traditionally American Indians, rely on oral tradition to pass down their culture and customs through story telling. Another hat tip to Americana by Disney in the making of The Lone Ranger.

For a review by an actual Comanche, you can read Bad Eagle "Johnny Depp's New Comanche "Tonto" and Johnny Depp, LaDonna Harris, The Lone Ranger and the Comanches.

I recommend The Lone Ranger. In the words of the immortal Hunter Thompson "Buy the ticket, take the ride".

The Lone Ranger, The Ultimate Outlaw Trailer 2013.

U.S Senate Races 2014 - The Boomerang Effect

2013-06-13T10:22:00.001-05:00

The Boomerang Effect - When The Same Elected Office Holders, Keep Returning To The United States Senate, Over & Over Again.

Change isn't going to come to D.C. until we get rid of the permanent political class of D.C. denizens, enjoying their D.C. ride on the American people's dime.

There is an election coming up in November 2014 a year and 4 months out. Politicians are going to start begging you for your donations, and your time to volunteer for their campaigns, to get them elected or reelected. I think it's time for Americans to become more selective, and raise their standards for the people they hire - for public office. To quote Clint Eastwood, these people are our employees.

The issue with D.C dynamics is not liberal vs conservative. That's the over simplification, that's sold to the public by the dinosaur media to the low information voter - rubes. Blue team vs Red team, cheer-leading political party's like sport's teams. It's constitutionalist vs career politicians. There are politicians in D.C. that are willing to hump whatever the latest political ideological "fad" may be, including progressive if it further's their personal interest. For some reason their constituents keep sending them back to D.C. They keep returning them like a boomerang. Although the current Congress's approval rating is at an all time low. 5 June 2013, Rasmussen Reports, only 6% think Congress is doing a good or excellent job. So much for progressivism's popularity. The public is always out in front of changing trends and attitudes , the government always lags behind. This was apparent in the November 2010 mid term election results with the historic 70 year seat change, that was only a little less than 3 years ago. These boomerang club members seem to have very short attention spans.

I have surveyed the U.S. Senate, and those currently serving. I surveyed their ages, time spent in office, we have people serving in our current Senate, that have made a very good living out of public service. I have had to adjust for those who died recently in office of extreme old age. Does anyone believe that the intent of the persons who founded this country was to create career politicians - who's apparent motivation is to feather their own nest? SEE Congressional approval rating is 6%

This is a list of U.S. Senator's listed by their ages and length spent in their current office. Least time held in US Senate office is Jeffery Chiesa, New Jersey, 7 days, he was appointed. Chiesa is holding the seat until the special election, being held sometime in October. Because U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D) died in office, 6 months short of his 90th birthday. Frank Lautenberg served from 1982-2001 and returned in 2003 until his death 2013. That's 29 years holding a United States Senate seat. SEE Congressional approval rating at 6%

I watched a tribute on CNN for U.S. House Rep., John Dingell Jr., Michigan, for being the longest serving member in the U.S. House of Representatives, 57 years. Check out how he does it, John Dingell Jr., has spent 30 terms in the House, and he's 86 years old. The federal retirement age is 65 years, Dingell is 21 years past federal retirement age. Since when is making a career out of holding public office an honor? But I digress, the House of Representative's occupiers is another blog post. SEE Congressional approval rating at 6%.

The longest remaining resident of the Boomerang club is Patrick Leahy, (D) Vermont, he's spent 38 years in office and he's 73 years of age. 73 years, 8 years past the federal retirement age. Patrick Leahy was born in the year 1940 he's not from the boomer generation, but he came of age with them in the 1960s when he would have turned 20 years old. This is the year 2013, and we have people holding public office trying to govern us as if we were still living in the 1960s. SEE Congressional approval rating at 6%

We have 37 out of a 100, U.S. Senator's currently serving in the US Senate, that are 65 years or older. 65 years is the federal retirement age. 22 of these Senators are in their 70s, that means over 1/3 of the U.S. Senate office holders are past federal retirement age. We do have a few that are not going to run for re election in 2014. For example, Max Baucus (D) Montana, 71 years of age, Baucus first took office in 1978, and has been a denizen of the boomerang club for 34 years. SEE Congressional approval rating at 6%

I am not advocating that we throw out every incumbent in the U.S. Senate in November of 2014, that is running for reelection. I am advocating that voters need to understand that returning the same people over, and over again to the same government body is not going to change anything for the better in D.C. How many terms in office does one person deserve to fulfill their promises to their constituents? Given that the government works in 5, 7, and 10 year plans, it seems reasonable that 2 six year terms in the U.S. Senate should be enough. If the public servant can't accomplish the people's work in 12 years, they should step aside, and allow another person to assume the people's work. The problem is they assume office, and they get addicted to the power, and are more concerned with their own personal gain. Perhaps it's time for some new blood in the U.S. Senate? There is a reason we hold primaries in this country, just sayin.....SEE Congressional approval rating at 6%

Senators up for reelection in November 2014, there is an asterisk next to the retiring Senator.

Democrats
Max Baucus (Montana) *
Mark Begich (Alaska)
Chris Coons (Delaware)
William Cowan (Massachusetts) retiring appointee June 2013
Richard Durbin (Illinois)
Al Franken (Minnesota)
Kay Hagan (North Carolina)
Tom Harkin (Iowa) *
Tim Johnson (South Dakota) *
Mary Landrieu (Louisiana)
Carl Levin (Michigan) *
Jeff Merkley (Oregon)
Mark Pryor (Arkansas)
Jack Reed (Rhode Island)
John Rockefeller (West Virginia) *
Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire)
Mark Udall (Utah)
Tom Udall (New Mexico)
Mark Warner (Virginia)

Republicans
Lamar Alexander (Tennessee)
Saxby Chambliss (Georgia) *
Jeff Chisea (New Jersey) appointed June 2013 succeeded October 2013
Thad Cochran (Mississippi)
Susan Collins (Maine)
John Cornyn (Texas)
Micheal Enzi (Wyoming)
Lindsey Graham (South Carolina)
James Inhofe (Oklahoma)
Mike Johanns (Nebraska) *
Mitch McConnell (Kentucky)
James Risch (Idaho)
Pat Roberts (Kansas)
Jeff Sessions (Alabama)

Currently serving in the 113th Congress, there are 53 Democrat Senators, 45 Republican Senators, and 2 Independents. Senator Harry Reid (D) Nevada, is the majority leader of the US Senate. Senator Harry Reid is 73 year old, he's 8 years past the federal retirement age of 65, and he has served in the US Senate for 26 years.

People get the government they deserve, Thomas Jefferson.

Remember this folks when they start sending you their campaign solicitations. RETURN TO SENDER Elvis

Covert Hypnosis, The Somnombulance Lament " I don't wanna do your sleepwalk dance anymore"

2013-05-29T13:07:00.002-05:00

"Show us on the graphic above where

the Internet touched you".

This is a current meme trending on facebook.

A cartoon of a brain with the meme: Show us

on the doll where the internet touched you.

This graphic is from Gizmag's article,

IBM supercomputer used to simulate
typical human brain.

Hat Tip/Anonymous, comment from last blog post.

I only publish the comments with an ID.

I do read the pending comments, but I flush the SPAM.

Anonymous tipped me off to Conversational Hypnosis.

What is covert hypnosis?

Covert hypnosis refers to an attempt
to communicate with

another person's unconscious mind
without the person noticing.

As it often takes place in the course
of a seemly regular conversation,

it's also known as conversational hypnosis
or "sleight of mouth".

I took the idea of this phenom one more step,

what happens when "covert hypnosis"

is being employed by a non human?

William Shatner has a program
on the Sci Fi Network

and National Geographic Network.

It's called "Is That Weird or What"

Last night's episode was titled

The End of the World.

Resistance is Futile

But what if the greatest threat to life as we know it is neither natural nor extra-terrestrial? What is we are the engineers of our own demise? Noted engineer Ray Kurzweil insists that Robot Intelligence will surpass human level by the year 2029. But, rather than anticipating a terminator style annihilation, Kurzweil believes that biological humans will have completely synthesized with technology by the year 2045 in an event dubbed "The Singularity." He insists that this radical reinterpretation of the human condition will alter our biology rather than our humanity, elevating us to levels of ability and intellect unachievable under natural constraints.

I was watching this episode last night, and
William Shatner, even brought up, what if this thing we call the

Internet actually takes over?

Wireless brain implants represents
a small step for
human-computer interfaces.

As far as media manipulation of the passive viewer, I have blogged

about it Here, Here & My Last Post Here.

A note to my commenters if you don't want to use
an ID, and you want to leave a link,
use the chat box in the

upper right hand corner.

"Santa Monica"

I don't wanna be the bad guy

I don't wanna do your sleepwalk dance anymore

I just wanna see some palm trees

I will try and shake off this disease.....

swim out past the breakers
and watch the world die.....

Imus, Guest Stuart Varney "Channel's His Inner George Carlin"

2013-04-17T10:36:00.001-05:00

Imus's guest this morning Stuart Varney, takes exception with the description of the Boston marathon bombing by President Barack Obama. President Barack Obama used the word "tragedy" to describe the terrorist attack on the Boston marathon 15 April 2013.

This discussion by Imus and Varney, reminded me of an old routine by George Carlin in one of his comedy acts. George Carlin had an entire comedy routine about how our government uses our language to manipulate public opinion. One example that George Carlin used to prove his point was the use of the word "casualty" and when and why it was introduced to our lexicon . During WWI the government was reporting on our War dead, the government was concerned about the impact on American's opinion about the War - coincidentally the same people who made up the numbers of the War dead/ The government introduced the "term" casualty to manipulate the American public's opinion of the War.

Imus, looked up the word "tragedy" in the dictionary, it refers to a disaster. This wouldn't be the first time that this administration referred to terrorism as a disaster. When DHS Janet Napolitano, took over the position of Department of Homeland Security Secretary, she directed that the term "terrorism" would no longer be used, instead the term "man made disaster" would be used instead.

Imus takes exception with Stuart Varney's criticism of the President's use of the word "tragedy". It just so happens that English is Stuart Varney's first language. Stuart Varney is not a product of the U.S. public school system. Imus's self described role is critiquing what he calls the "Freak Parade" aka the media. I think Imus is standing too close to the media to be objective in this instance. Imus needs to stand back, and look at the bigger picture. This isn't about left wing or right wing. Imus shouldn't shoot the messenger our British Paul Revere - Stuart Varney. If George Carlin were alive, he would be pointing out the same exact behavior by our government. I really miss George Carlin. This isn't about politics. This is about the government manipulating the narrative after the Boston marathon bombing. This isn't the time to divide the country - this is the time to unite the country.

In fairness to the President of the United States, I agreed with his first statement after the bombing of the Boston marathon. President Obama stated that this isn't about democrats or republicans, we are all Americans. President Obama's speeches are no doubt filtered through a politically correct format. We live in an era of hypersensitivity to public word usage. Blame the President's speech writers for their knee jerk politically correct speech writing.

Stuart Varney tells Imus, that the Boston marathon was not a "tragedy" it was an "outrage" Imus tells Stuart Varney to get out. You can watch Stuart Varney on Imus In The Morning HERE.

Stuart Varney points out BS - Bushido . Dedicating this to Stuart Varney (Verbal - Samurai) slicing and dicing political spin. Sometimes we are all standing too close - to see what's playing out right in front of us.

Too Close, Alex Clare

TGIF "How I Stopped Worrying And Learned To Love The Bomb"

2013-04-05T19:16:00.000-05:00

Buckle Up Buttercup It's Gonna Be A Helluva Ride!

Doctor Strangelove's plan for post nuclear war survival involves living underground with 10-1 female to male ratio.

General "Buck" Turgidson: Doctor you mentioned the ratio of ten women to each man. Now, wouldn't that necessitate the abandonment of the so- called monogamous sexual relationship, I mean as far as men were concerned?

Who thinks being trapped underground with women in the majority is surviving? Gives a whole new meaning to going nuclear.

War on Christmas "Embeds" Imus Guest, Father Jonathan Morris

2012-12-05T12:11:00.001-06:00

"We're Not Happy, Till You're Not Happy"

Embed: To assign (A journalist) to travel with a military unit during an armed conflict or in this case embedded with Imus for the Christmas season.

Imus guest this morning, Father Jonathan Morris. I don't think the suits at Fox News understood Neil Cavuto's request for Imus in the Morning, that would be an old priest AND a young priest.

Father Jonathan Morris, explains what it means to our country's social fabric if Jesus Christ is removed from Christmas.

Father Jonathan Morris is not the only Catholic clergy that has appeared on Imus in the Morning. Cardinal Egan used to be a frequent guest on Imus In The Morning. The Cardinal is sorely missed. Now bow your heads you heathens.

Fox Business News, Christmas Tree vs Holiday Tree.Father Jonathan Morris discusses whether there is currently a “War on Christmas”.

Politically Correct Speech Police, Merry Christmas vs Generic Holiday Greeting

2012-12-04T13:36:00.000-06:00

I received this ornament as a gift back in 2008 - An official White House ornament. According to the White House it's Christmas, and apparently it's also a Christmas Tree. That's the official position of the United States government aka the state.

When did free religious expression become intolerance? When did the hyper sensitivity to non Christian's sensitivities over ride Christian's freedoms of religious expression on the observance of their holy season? What is so offensive about the greeting Merry Christmas, that the secular progressives (the minority in this country) want to dictate to the majority Christians in this country, the use of their traditional greeting? Who exactly is being offended by the use of the greeting "Merry Christmas"? Muslims? Jews? Hindus? Buddhist? I have been wished a Merry Christmas by many people of many different religious persuasions. Not one was offended by my observance of Christmas, in fact they enjoyed the festivities of the season. I haven't found one Jewish person who has stated that they hate Jesus Christ, and what he stood for. Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, and that his mother Mary is an especially holy figure in Islam.

So who is it who is really offended by the greeting Merry Christmas? I believe it's the secularist that want Americans to worship the state instead of a Spiritual deity. I have no problem rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's but I don't owe the state - the state of my immortal soul. The state is not in the delivering salvation business, in any of it's shape shifting incarnations.

Father Jonathan Morris is going to be Imus's guest tomorrow on Imus In The Morning, 5 December 2012, Fox Business News, perhaps he will explain how the 1st amendment also apply's to Christians living in the United States.

You load sixteen tons/trillion, and what do you get
Another day older, and deeper in debt
St Peter don't you call me, "cause I can't go"
I owe my soul to the company store.......
I would love to get a 2012 White House Ornament for Christmas this year. If anyone knows how I can go about obtaining one, please email me at: keyboard.jockey1@gmail.com

Hat Tip Beth, thanks so much for the link to the White House Ornament collection. The 2012 Ornament celebrates the Taft White House. If you are interested in purchasing a White House Ornament Go HERE.

BCS Championship Game 7 January 2013 Alabama Crimson Tide VS Notre Dame's Fighting Irish

2012-12-03T10:42:00.002-06:00

Are You Ready For Some Football? Deep Fried Sports- Offers Some Alabama Crimson Tide Wallpaper.

For the Twelve Days of Christmas, my true love gave to me, the national championship.......in the meantime here are the Alabama Crimsonettes leaping.

Listen to Imus and Warner Wolf, discussing the upcoming BCS match up HERE.

Notre Dame is ranked 1# (12-0) and Alabama is ranked 2# (11-1)

ESPN Brian Kelly and Nick Saban on preparing for the BCS title game.

Twelve Days Of Christmas, Irish Style, Frank Kelly

World War Z - Brad Pitt Observes Zombie Protocol

2012-11-13T11:38:00.000-06:00

Reviewers have noted that Brooks uses World War Z as a platform to criticize government ineptitude, corporate corruption and human shortsightedness.

Brooks also shows his particular dislike of government bureaucracy. One character in the novel tries to justify lying about the zombie outbreak to avoid widespread panic, while at the same time failing to develop a solution for fear of arousing public ire.

Brad Pitt, plays United Nations employee Gerry Lane, as he searches the globe for information to stop a Zombie pandemic.

ZOMBIEPEDIA: Spoiler alert HOME FRONT USA.

Except for a number of isolated safe zones (such as Omaha, Nebraska and Tallahassee, Florida), almost all of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains was overwhelmed by zombies during the war. The United States government fled to Honolulu, Hawaii, and the West Coast of the United States became home to most of the nation's remaining human population, serving as a launching pad for the national reclamation effort. The United States also had a higher percentage of isolated pockets of survivors than any other country, probably due to the independent nature of American culture and the high rate of gun ownership.

WWZ Release Date 21 June 2013

TGIF "Winning" Democrats Celebrate Gridlock

2012-11-09T11:15:00.000-06:00

The results are in from the November 6th election except for Florida. Why is no one surprised Florida is still in play.

The results from Tuesday night's election tally means, we are in for at least two more years of gridlock. Voters voted for status quo. The democrats hold the presidency, and the senate, the republicans hold the house, so no change. It's going to be like ground hog day up in here for the foreseeable future.

Barack Obama had nearly 10 million fewer votes Tuesday night than in 2008. Mitt Romney only won 57 million votes, 3 million less votes than John McCain received in 2008. John McCain didn't receive 1 million votes from registered republicans in 2008. That means 4 million registered republicans didn't turn out to vote by Tuesday night's polls closing. Mitt Romney did lead with double digits among Independent voters.

There has been the customary gloating by the winners. They are really gloating about not losing. The democrats are winning in the Charlie Sheen sense of winning, in the last 48 hours 45 companies have signaled they are laying off workers. I thought the whole point of both campaigns was to get Americans back working? Boeing a defense contractor is laying off 30% of management positions. Huh, I wonder how many of those folks have mortgages that are going to end up in foreclosure, how is that going to help the weak housing market......Winning. Boeing isn't alone in the last 48 hours, 45 companies have joined them. The market has been selling off for the third straight day in a row since the results of the election was announced. Winning! We have the sequester that will be coming into effect the 1st of January. the spending cuts agreed upon as part of the debt ceiling deal of 2011 will begin to go into effect. According to Barron’s, over 1,000 government programs – including the defense budget and Medicare are in line for “deep, automatic cuts.” The federal debt ceiling will have to be raised again to borrow more money to pay for the federal deficit spending, which amounts to borrowing 1 trillion dollars a year, by the end of this year. Winning! Let's throw a party the democrats didn't lose, Happy Days Are Here Again!/

There are autopsies being performed on Mitt Romney's campaign. If I had to point to one over all failing. It was the campaign's marketing it suxed. Not that President Obama's campaign marketing was much better, SEE 10,000 million less voters - voted for Obama. If I had to sum up what was wrong with both campaign's marketing it would be one word "Dorky". All a political campaign really amounts to is a sales pitch. That means branding is everything.

The Romney campaign did not effectively avail themselves of multiple media outlets. For example, Bill O'Reilly of FNC, and Don Imus of WABC & FBN, invited the Governor to appear multiple times. If I was trying to get my message out, I might go on a highly rated cable news program with the most viewers and the highest ratings. Imus's flagship radio network is blasting out of NYC every morning for 4 hours every morning 5 days a week. Romney didn't saturate the media with his brand - a return to American prosperity.

When the multiple media pundits, and talking heads bloviate on what caused Romney's loss, it's been reported it was because Hispanics, turned out in large numbers for the democrats. Hispanics who bought the democrats sales pitch, that they would pass Amnesty in the next four years. Mi amigo, you should have got your bribe before you gave the President your vote. President Obama stated during the campaign that this is his last election, that means he doesn't need you to vote for him again. Mi tonto amigo, the President's executive order giving young illegal aliens a year grace period ends in 2013, that means the federal government now knows where to find them. The executive order never covered their parents. Of course the American politicians of both parties will continue to string you along to get your legal Hispanic counterparts votes. If they gave you what you want, they wouldn't have anything left to bribe you with. It's called pandering.

Lunatic Fringe,

I know your out there
You're in hiding
And you hold your meetings
We can hear you coming
We know what you're after
We're wise to you this time
We won't let you kill the laughter

Lunatic Fringe
In the twilights last gleaming
This is open season
We know you got to blame someone
For your own confusion
But we're on guard this time
For your final solution....

Lunatic Fringe
We know you're out there
But in these new dark ages
There will still be light......

An eye for an eye
Well before you go under
Can you feel the resistance
Can you feel the thunder.

TGIF Media Creepfest "Must Be The Season Of The Witch"

2012-10-26T18:31:00.000-05:00

The feminine mystique, through out history there have been many feminine archetypes.   There are 4 major archetypes The Maiden, The Mother, The Queen, and perhaps one of the most well known is The Crone or better known as the "Witch".

Marketing 101, sex sells. Creepy and Dorky not so much.  Who is in charge of creating ads for the Obama campaign? Time Warner parent company of CNN and HBO? They need to be fired. The point is to appeal to the voter not remind them of your awkward high school years. These ads were designed to appeal to young women voters? I believe you have to be at least 18 years old to vote......just sayin, this kind of crap would get you beat up in high school.....which screams volumes about the ad makers, and their target demographic. How big is the creepy dorky voter demographic?

The common wisdom is that the women's vote is going to decide the November 6th election.

The democrats appear to think that the way to appeal to women voters is to fixate on their lady parts. We have been encouraged to vote like our lady parts depended on it, and now we are being encouraged to vote with our hymen. Meme: If you are a virgin, surely your first time should be with a married man, over 50 years of age, and father of two.  Lena Dunham - Fifty Shades Of Dorky.

CNN and HBO are owned by Time Warner. This morning CNN's Soledad O' Brien, media bunny extraordinaire was going on about how she thought the Dunham ad: Suggesting that a young woman vote with her hymen was cute. Girl Power/

CNN scrubbed a segment on women, and how hormone's effect their voting choices. Why? I want to know why I am using my brain instead of my uterus to think with/ I had no idea that how I vote is dependent on ovulation and hormonal activity. This is the year of our Lord 2012, and there are still neanderthals, pimping the meme that women are being held hostage by their hormonal activity. These are the same people that criticize the republicans for having an antiquated view towards women's reproductive rights.

Marketing to the woman voter requires selling them on a sophisticated reality. I look at Dunham, and see a brown bird, she's not sexy, she looks androgynous. If the point is to sell - voting for Obama will make you feel sexy, use a freaking sexy woman. This isn't brain surgery. Ask yourself, who would women want to emulate and identify with? Dunham, selling dorky 20 something's sophomoric view of feminine sexuality or a confident, sexually self aware "Classy" attractive woman? I mean come on, what the hell is up with not even shaving your pits before a video shoot?

Maybe they tried using the media's version of a sexy woman, and it failed.

All that these failed ads are signaling to me is that the democrat party, is clueless when it comes to women, and what motivates their choices. If it doesn't involve animal husbandry, and their social engineering agenda, democrats are at a loss of how to approach the average American women voter. Social media has amplified the distorted view of femininity by those stuck in a prepubescent age, that think their sexual organ makes them unique, like a special snowflake.

I don't know if CNN is employing witches to influence the presidential race. I do know that Candy is dandy, but sex won't rot your teeth.

Mitt Romney Up To Bat, Liberal Media Pitches "Switch Up"

2012-09-18T10:21:00.002-05:00

The Middle East is currently in melt down mode, but that's not going to stop the liberal media from changing the narrative in the news cycle. The media just introduced a recording of Mitt Romney talking about percentages, and voters. It reminded me of baseball batting averages "Percentages". The truth is the liberal media is going to be pitching the Obama campaign softballs right up to the November election. It looks like the current trend of failed foreign U.S. policy (leading from behind) is impacting the Obama campaign. Predictably the liberal media decided it would introduce a distraction to take the "Heat" off of the current U.S. administration. This pitch is called the switch up. The Romney campaign needs to keep their eye on the ball.

As for writing off a percentage of voters, the Obama campaign already has. Why is it news that the Romney campaign would also? It's a love triangle folks, if the democrats can't have those voters, they are going to make damn sure the republicans can't have them either. An apt analogy of the 2012 presidential campaign season thus far, would be the baseball movie Bull Durham. Susan Sarandon's character Annie Savoy, would be "We the People". Mitt Romney needs to decide if he's pitching or catching.

Neither campaign knows how to relate to the middle class. Mitt Romney seems to think, people "folks" are apathetic, and resigned to their current economic circumstances, and won't vote for an improvement. President Obama seems to think, lowering the American people's expectations for their economic future is a winning strategy - depress the middle class so they won't turn out to vote. Neither of these candidates come from the middle class. The American people as a homogeneous entity, and that includes the new comers, ASPIRE to raise themselves up, to better themselves in the land of milk and honey. The American people "middle class" don't have an identity crisis, they know who they are this country was built on their service and sacrifice - we are invested in our future. They certainly know they deserve better from the political class. FYI for Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, surviving is not thriving. Middle class Americans ASPIRE to do more than eek out an existence on government entitlements. The middle class is neither apathetic or depressed. They are livid, when the people we vote into office aka public servants, take the best cuts, and WE THE PEOPLE get the leavings, there is going to be a change up in the dug out, you can make book on it.

World was on fire, no one could save me but you
It's strange what desire will make foolish people do........nobody loves no one.

Batter Up!

Democrat 2012 Convention, 4 September 2012 "Tragedy Tomorrow A Comedy Tonight"

2012-09-04T12:55:00.000-05:00

I don't know what kind of eye candy the DNC has in store for this evenings covention festivities. I do know that pillars of styrofoam are old and busted - the new hotness is sandcastles. The democrats plan on getting as much juice out of the Obama brand while it last. Speaking of branding, Clint Eastwood recently tried his hand at marketing, apparently using Obama to promote office furniture. It looks like it's working. New hotness "Eastwooding".

Political props aside, I am sure the democrats are planning on putting on a hell of a show. For instance opening their convention with Jumah prayers for 2 hours. Nothing says stalwarts of women's rights like the religion of peace/ The democrat's meme is that they are the political party that supports women, while republicans wish to subjugate women. I know the jokes write themselves.

Imam Siraj Wahhaj

Siraj was "unindicted co-conspirator" in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. He was quoted as saying that he hopes all Americans eventually become Muslim and also referred to the FBI and CIA the "real terrorists".

Siraj Wahhaj defended the Blind Sheikh, Omar Abdel-Rahman, the former leader of the Egyptian terrorist organization, Gama'a al-Islamiyya by testifying on his behalf at his trial.

To show just how supportive they - the democrats are of women aka humans. The democrats have a line up of women speakers to show the diversity of the democrat party, the first woman of color of Harvard Law a white professor named Elizabeth Warren is speaking tomorrow September 5th, if the American Indian delegation doesn't head her off at the pass. I don't know if heap big tells whoppers, will be speaking before or after Bill Clinton speaks. I understand how the democrat party operates, I think Gore Vidal said it best.

There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party ... and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit stupider, more rigid, more doctrinaire in their laissez-faire capitalism than the Democrats, who are cuter, prettier, a bit more corrupt — until recently ... and more willing than the Republicans to make small adjustments when the poor, the black, the anti-imperialists get out of hand. But, essentially, there is no difference between the two parties, Gore Vidal.

Democrats are the party of appeasement, and pandering it's how they win elections -they promise people shit, paid for with other people's money (SEE American tax payer). Democrats claim they are protecting the poor, oppressed, minorities, women, they support religious freedom, well as long as it's not Christianity. Their words don't match their deeds. Their speeches don't match their actions. They don't walk their talk. For instance the U.S. is getting ready to cut 1 billion dollars in debt for Egypt, in hopes of pandering to the Muslim Brotherhood. Religious freedom? Christians in large numbers are fleeing Egypt.

Front loading financial disaster seems to be a forte of the progressive left. If anyone is living in the past it's the people who think copying FDR's "1930s model" is relevant to the situation we find ourselves in today. Someone tell the president at least the republicans are as advanced as black and white television of the 1950s, and not stuck in the fireside chat era of FDR and radio.

Tonight we aren't going to hear about how our fiscal policy has set us on the road to financial ruin, we aren't going to be warned not to follow European trends. That's not how Fabians operate. If you asked a Fabian, if everyone else jumped off a cliff would you? They would answer of course, that's how you play follow the leader SNARK.

Meanwhile the sad reality of the socialist democracies that belong to the European Union have become dire. Europe must see a failed Ireland as bad for everyone. Fears rising, Spainards pull out their cash and get out of Spain. Economic suicides rise as Euro debt crisis intensifies.

Our current policies have us trending toward European style democratic socialism, we haven't started feeling "ALL" the effects yet, that comes later. The current progressive left fiscal policy back loads the misery, but we can witness where that journey will take us by observing the results of those that have come to the end of the road in Europe. Tonight we are going to be told to stay the course everything's going to get better, front loading lowered expectations.

Greek tragedies right now a comedy tonight.

Nothing with gods, nothing with fate;
Weighty affairs will just have to wait!
Old situations,
New complications,
Nothing portentous or polite;
Tragedy tomorrow,
Comedy tonight!

TGIF Circus Life "Sweet Painted Ladies" The Political Sideshow Opportunist Edition

2012-08-24T14:17:00.001-05:00

After watching countless hours of campaign coverage that ignores our national debt, high unemployment, deflated personal income, and media gotcha moments about events that don't effect the average American's lives in any foreseeable manner. I have come to the conclusion that the main theme of this campaign cycle is "political opportunism". While Rome burns the political class, and their "political props" have turned the campaign for high office, and the future of the U.S.A., into some kind of absurd political sideshow.

If there is a republican war on women, there is another war being waged by the democrats - a war on people's intelligence. Case in point, the current sideshow currently underway. The democrats haste to make hay out of a statement made by what would be described as one of the poorest politicians of our day - but the day is young. Some people may want to be in political life, but that doesn't make them a competent politician. Todd Akin made indefensible claims about rape, women's biology and abortion, in response his party dropped him like a lead balloon, and withdrew funding for his campaign. The democrats desperate for something to smear the republicans with trot out their political props. For some reason the democrats believe the way to win elections is to turn political campaigns into side show attractions. It's not that they are intentionally trying to insult people's intelligence. They think the average American is stupid. There is no other explanation unless of course our political class is made up of the special needs demographic.

The current list of absurd claims being made. Mitt Romney didn't pay any taxes....uh huh the IRS isn't aware Mitt Romney is running for president of the United States, and they have no idea if he's paid his taxes or any interest in checking, because that's how the IRS works?

Mitt Romney caused the death of man's wife years after he left the company where he was the CEO. Uh huh sure that's how cancer works?

Mitt Romney is a felon, because if you make a statement, it makes your statement a fact, that's how the truth works?

It reminds me of an old saying when I was growing up when someone would tell such a huge whopper or proposed something so outlandish your jaw would drop open. "What do I look like? Do I look like I have stupid written across my forehead?"

It would be better still if we had some kind of stamp we could stamp across these political opportunist foreheads. I think "Political Whore" gives a whole new meaning to the term - tramp stamp.

Is it any wonder why we get candidates like Todd Akin, and not politicians of a high caliber, the political class hasn't exactly set the bar very high, this is how the war on women works?

The republican convention has a list of speakers. None of which are one of the most popular conservative woman of our day.

The democrats on the other hand have a list of women who are going to speak at their convention. A list of women who have turned themselves into political sideshows "First woman of color at Harvard Law" turns out the first woman of color at Harvard Law was a white woman so that's how diversity works? A Georgetown student who thinks contraception is a right, because contraception cost money so that's how rights work? Caroline Kennedy, well sure that's a no brainer we know how the Kennedy's treat women/ Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood, because nothing says you support women like having the champion of making sure women don't make it past the womb -to speak, so that's how democrat support of women works? Planned Parenthood is all for sex selective abortions.

Republicans are dismissive of strong women, and Democrats are insulting, and condescending. Susan wouldn't stand for the kind of treatment, American women are receiving from the political class of today. Susan B Anthony, didn't march so women could sell themselves as political sideshows, so the political class could sucker the rubes into their political tents.

Sweet Painted Lady,

I'm back on dry land once again

Opportunity awaits me like a rat in the drain

We're all hunting honey with money to burn

Just a short time to show you the tricks that we've learned.......

President Obama's Immigrant Bunch Ancestor "Free" or "Indentured Ringleader"

2012-08-06T12:03:00.000-05:00

In the years the English were transporting colonist into the Virginia Colony, 20 December 1606, and prior to the date 1637, the estimated birth of John Bunch I. The above graphic shows the route they - the English Captain's took to deliver their passengers to the Virginia Colony.

This is the route that would have brought Eliza Bunch, aboard the Alice to Virginia in 1635. This is the same route that would have been used to transport Hugh Gwyn's three servants, (One) called Victor a Dutchman, the other a Scotchman called James Gregory, the third a negro called John Punch, three servants that were indentured to Hugh Gwyn. The terms of Indenture, would include Hugh Gwyn, paying for passage, food, clothing, and shelter - in return for labor for a set period of time usually five years.

There is only one record pertaining to John Punch. From this record a narrative has been constructed, and an identity crafted, based solely on reference to his race - Negro. What can we tell from this one recorded document of John Punch? That he was a servant of Hugh Gwyn - an indentured servant, because Hugh Gwyn took him to court to receive redress (Recompense) for John Punch's act of running away from his employer. If John Punch was just a free servant of Hugh Gwyn, he could have simply quit Hugh Gwyn's employ. If John Punch had been a slave, there would have been no need to penalize him by ordering that he serve a lifetime of servitude to Hugh Gwyn, he already would have been serving a lifetime of servitude.

Where did John Punch come from? We know that the English were transporting people into Virginia Colony from England. There were colonist paying for their own passage, indentured servants, and convicts. Virginia was a penal colony. We know that John Punch, was subjected to English law. The impression the reader is left with, the narrative created for John Punch is that, because of his race identified as negro, he came straight from Africa, and was sentenced more severely, because of his race. There is nothing in the record or document that identifies John Punch's origins. Slavery of indigenous Africans, didn't just exist in Colonial America, the practice also existed elsewhere, and one of these places was England. The presence of Africans in Elizabethan England. The Elizabethan Era (1558-1603) In fact Queen Elizabeth, ordered that they start being deported from 1596- 1601.

Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain, Peter Fryer has argued that the queen's discriminatory project "failed completely" "in so far as [it] was a serious attempt to deport all black people from England." (13) To be sure, Elizabeth's efforts extended only across the short period between 1596 and 1601 and did little to diminish the size of that population. Blacks remained in England throughout the Renaissance and by the middle of the eighteenth century comprised somewhere between one and three percent of the London populace. (14) Yet to evaluate the queen's policies in the ambitious terms of a full-scale deportation is misleading, even with qualification ("in so far as") of the sort Fryer offers, since, as Fryer also acknowledges, Elizabeth never attempted to deport "all black people from England," only parts of that population.

If I was curious about the origins of John Punch, I might start by looking in London baptisms, and parish records for dates preceding the colonial Virginia record date of July 1640. What's been overlooked in the ancestry.com report is that Virginia was an English penal colony, the people involved were English subjects, who would be subjected to English law. An accurate description of the final disposition of John Punch, would be, the first documented slave in the English penal colony of Virginia. There is no evidence that John Punch, is the progenitor of the Bunch family of early colonial Virginia. The first record identifying (A) John Bunch I purchased 450 acres of land in 1662, neither his race nor his ethnicity is mentioned in the document.

Let's examine the only existing record of John Punch in Colonial Virginia. I found a copy of the transcribed record in The free Negro in Virginia 1619- 1865, by John Henderson Russell. pages 29-30.

Where the text becomes pertinent: 9 July* (exact date added) 1640 the general court (53) rendered in a single case a judgement which is very instructive as to the earliest development of slavery. "Three Servants" of Hugh Gwyn, to wit a Dutchman called Victor, a Scotchman named James Gregory, and John Punch, a negro, having run away from their master, were overtaken in Maryland and brought back to Virginia to stand trail for their misbehavior. The verdict of the court was "that the said three servants shall receive a punishment by whipping and to have thirty stripes apiece." Thus far there was no discrimination in the penalty, but the court went on to order that the Dutchman and the Scotchman should "first serve out their times with their master according to their Indentures and one whole year apiece after the time their service has expired......in recompense of his loss sustained by their absence," and that then they should serve the colony for three years. But "the third being a Negro....shall serve his master or his assigns for the time of his natural life. " (54)
While there is no mention of an indenture or a contract with the Negro, it must be remember not all white servants had formal contracts. If John Punch was not merely a servant with a future right to freedom, his punishment was much less severe than that of his white accomplices. If he was such a servant, his penalty was greater than the penalties inflicted on the white men. The most reasonable explanation seems to be that the Dutchman and the Scotchman, being white, were given only four additional years to their term of indenture, while "the third being a negro" was reduced from his former condition of servitude for a limited time to a condition of slavery for life.(55) END

This reasonable explanation would stand if we didn't have another similar case in the same period of time to compare the two similar events, and penalties ordered by the same court. What other explanation could there be for singling out one person from the other participants for a greater penalty if it wasn't based solely on their race?

The Virginia Magazine of history and biography The Virginia Historical Society page 236 -237.

(two weeks later) 22nd July 1640, Whereas complaint has been made to this board by Capt. Wm. Pierce Esqr., that six of his servants and a negro of Mr Reginald's has plotted to run away unto the Dutch plantation from their said masters, and did assay to put the same Execution upon last Saturday night, being the 8th day of July 1640, as appeared to the board by the Examinations of Andrew Noxe, Rich'd Hill, Rich'd Cookeson, and John Williams, and likewise by the confession of Christopher Miller, Peter Milcocke, and Emanuel the aforesaid Negro, who had, at the aforesaid time, taken the skiff of the aforesaid Capt. Wm. Pierce, their master, and corn, and powder and shots and guns to accomplish their said purposes, which said persons sailed down in the said skiff to the Elizabeth river, where they were taken and brought back again, the court taking the same into consideration as a dangerous precedent for the future time (if left unpunished) did order that Christopher Miller a dutchman (a prime agent in the business), should receive punishment of whipping and to have 30 stripes and so be burnt in the cheek with the letter R and to work with a shackle on his legg for one whole year and longer if said master shall see cause, and after his full time of service has Expired with his said master to serve the colony for seven whole years, and the said Peter Milcocke, to receive thirty stripes, and to be Burnt in the cheek with the letter R and after his term of service is Expired with said master to serve the colony for three years, and said Rich'd Cookeson, after his full time has expired with his master, to serve the colony for two years and a half, Rich'd Hill, to remain on his good behavior until the next offence, and Andrew Noxe, to receive to receive thirty stripes, and the said John Williams, a dutchman and a chirurgeon after his full time has Expired with his master, to serve the colony for seven years, and Emanuel the Negro to receive thirty stripes and be burnt in the cheek with the letter R and to work in shackles for one year or more as master shall see cause, and all those condemned to serve the colony after their time are Expired with their masters, then their said masters are required hereby to present to this board their said servants condemned to the colony.

The reasonable explanation is that the prime agent aka ringleader is penalized more severely than the rest of the participants. Above Christopher Miller styled the dutchman is referred to as (a prime agent in the business) he received the most severe penalty, he was white. The reasonable explanation would be that John Punch received the most severe penalty of the three, because he was (a prime agent in the business).

The purpose of examining genealogical records is not to emote meaning into the records, and documents. Emoting leads to people reading opinion into records. The purpose of examining genealogical records is to glean from the record any information that would lead to the next step backward's in the specific person's ancestry, in this case John Punch.

Without having a dog in the fight, I can look at the records dispassionately for their intended purpose, identifying John Punch, and his origins. Examining the court record, I noted that the other two men were identified by their nationalities Victor the dutchman, and James Gregory the scotchman. What is the point of the court identifying them as such ? Is it to make the point they are other than English in origin? John Punch is only referred to as Negro, but no mention of origins, because he was already an English subject? From the second court record it's stated the six, and one Negro's purpose was to runaway to a Dutch plantation. Two of the men are identified by nationality Christopher Miller a dutchman, and John Williams a dutchman and chirurgeon. The other's nationality are not identified by the court - because their origins are English, and they are already known to be English subjects? If they had managed to reach the Dutch plantation, would they have been out of the reach of English law?

From examining the court record, I can determine that, John Punch was free, and became Indentured to Hugh Gwyn. How did John Punch, become indentured to Hugh Gwyn? Did Hugh Gwyn pay for John Punch's passage into the Virginia colony or was John Punch a convict sent to the Virginia colony to serve his sentence on a tobacco plantation? If John Punch was a convict shipped from England to Virginia, the next place to look for records for John Punch is in England.

Addressing the beginning of slavery in America, I read that the Portuguese made a point of christening the people they imported into the Americas, for the express purpose of servitude -indenture. The cultural mores' of the time being, that no Christian could be held in bondage for the entirety of their life time. The Europeans first mission was to convert pagans to Christianity. When examining records, it's important not to project our current cultural mores' onto people who lived in the 17th century with the cultural mores' we live by today. That's what creates road blocks in genealogical research IMO.

I did note that ancestry.com's report on John Punch, does include muster rolls, and Emanuel is mentioned in the rolls.

page 40 I found an Emannuell in 1639 Richard Kemp - James City, this isn't the only mention of him in the muster rolls.

page 41 *Emanualla 1642 William Ireland - Robert Wallis, York

page 43 Emanuel is mentioned again in 1648 Daniel Pierce selling to Francis Yardley lower Northfolk. The 6 in the above court record were referred to as servants of Capt Wm Pierce, this Daniel Pierce, was probably a relation to Capt Wm Pierce, (speculation).

Ancestry.com has created an ancestry for President Barack Obama based on John PUNCH who is found in only one record. Punch stepped out of a court room in 1640 and into oblivion. John Punch was not a slave, he was a servant, his transportation paid for by Hugh Gwyn.

Just because John Punch, wasn't the progenitor of the Bunch family in America, doesn't mean the Bunch family didn't have African slave ancestry.

This post was a collaborative effort of myself - Keyboard Jockey, and Joanne Pezzullo.

Was President Barack Obama's Bunch Ancestor A Stow Away?

2012-08-01T17:21:00.000-05:00

Graphic: Chickahominy River upstream from James Towne on this 1667 map by John Ferrar
Source: Library of Congress, John Ferrar map of 1667 -
Philip Freeman transferred 450 acres to John Bunch I in 1662. The red line above indicates the location of the Chickahominy river.

470. Phillip Freeman. May 2, 1661. 1000 acres. Upon the No Side of Chickahominy main swamp, Beg'g at a corner beech (by the swamp) of Thos Meredith's land.

‎519. Philip Freeman. Mar. 10, 1673/4. 650 acres. Upon the Main swamp of Chickahominy river, above Westham path, and adjoining to the Land of Thomas Meredith.

Ancestry.com recently published: President Obama descends from the first African enslaved for life in America.

I must admit, I appreciate the symmetry. To wit, the first bi racial President of the United States, who's father was born in Kenya, and white mother was born in Kansas, descended from the first documented slave in America. The same documented slave who is conjectured to have begotten at least one child by a mysterious white indentured woman. I mean what are the odds of this occurring? Go ahead take your time, think about....think about the long odds :) There are 3 conjectures that jump right out at the reader. 1. That the YDNA test results proves that John Punch was the father of John Bunch, styled John Bunch I born before 1637. 2. That later generations of John Bunch I's descendants were referred to as mulatto proves their father was of mixed ethnicity. 3. That the nearest person in colonial Virginia with a similar surname during the period of John Bunch I's birth prior to 1637, was a John Punch.

Let's start with the YDNA, the halo type E1b1a8a, Sub Saharan African, YDNA cannot determine a person's ancestor's race or ethnicity. There is no way for us to determine when E1b1a8a, entered the Bunch family ancestry. It could have happened centuries earlier, and in Europe or it could have happened later in Colonial Virginia. There is no way to be able to determine when from YDNA test results.

The report of the DNA is significant, because it's conjecture through preponderance of evidence that states, the DNA matches. The DNA matches descendant's of males who have proven themselves back through records, and documents to John Bunch I, *through preponderance of evidence. No one to date has proven themselves through records or documents to the man identified as John Punch, the first documented slave in America (there is only conjecture). In an event like this, the only other way to obtain John Punch's DNA, would be to locate his resting place, get permission to dig him up, and test his DNA. I think that would be extremely disrespectful, and in poor taste. I would be among those that would insist his remains be shown respect, and left to rest in peace. Human decency trumps human curiosity. I don't need to know anything badly enough to dig someone up. I would just as soon agree that John Punch was John Bunch I's father if that were the only option.

The later generations of John Bunch I descendant's were sometimes referred to as mulattoes, but John Bunch I was not referred to as a negro or mulatto in any records.

*Page 20 of the report, John Bunch I, who patented land near Richard Barnhouse, New Kent County, Virginia, in 1662/3, is an ideal (and the only available) candidate to be their father. However, John Bunch I is not specifically stated to be “Negro” or mulatto in the patent.
55

My question for ancestry.com knowing they can't fix the time period that E1b1a8a entered the Bunch family line, or have a sample of John Punch's DNA, how do they know that John Bunch I was mixed, when he was never referred to as a negro or of mixed origin? Isn't it more likely that John Bunch I married a mixed woman in Virginia, and produced mixed offspring, that were later referred to as mulatto? There is evidence that this halo type was present in Europe - E1b1a8a.

Lastly ancestry.com states, after ignoring the above, and dismissing alternate possibilities, through process of elimination, that John Bunch I had to be a mixed child of an African man, and a white indentured woman. They looked around to find the most closely spelled surname to the surname Bunch. They found John Punch, in the same geographical area during the same time period. Virginia wasn't over populated in 1635/7 many people lived in vicinity of each other for survival, there was safety in numbers, especially after the Isle of Wight massacre. (The houses of Captain Basse's plantation were building when a great calamity happened to the infant colony. At midday on Good Friday, March 22, 1622, there were twelve hundred and forty inhabitants in the Colony* of Virginia. Of these three hundred and forty-seven were killed by the Indians in the eighty settlements on the north and south side of the James river, of which fifty- three were residents of this county.) 993* survived.

I believe that ancestry.com scoured the early Virginia Colonial records, and looked for bastard bonds, head rights received for transporting people into the colony, and head rights collected upon release of indenture. The standard was 50 acres for someone who was transported into the Virginia colony after their indenture was served, and a 100 acres for a Virginia born indenture after their indenture was served.

Ancestry.com deduces that this means that John Bunch I was born to a white mother in Virginia in turn a free man. They can find no bastard bonds for a Bunch. They also don't find any headrights collected for a John Bunch or a John Bunch collecting head rights for an indenture.

So where else could John Bunch have come from who else was living in Colonial Virginia prior to 1637? The estimated birth of John Bunch I was prior to 1637. Was there a Bunch living in Colonial Virginia during this time period?

Passengers on Ship Alice from London England to Virginia 1635

Theis under-written are to be transported to Virginea, imbarqued in the Alice, Richard Orchard Mr. the men have taken and oath of Allegeance & Suprem."

*Bunch Eliza 20

Eliza Bunch was transported by the crown into Colonial Virginia aboard the Alice in 1635 she was 20 years of age.

Still if Eliza Bunch, had intermixed with a man in Virginia, and produced a bastard child in Virginia, there should be a bastard bond.

On my mother's maternal side of the family, there is this funny old family story (Shaw Family Oral History), that's been passed down through our family. Ambrose E McFarland, married Laura Alice Shaw. The Shaws had a tale about how their grandfather was a stowaway on a ship on the way to America. After closer research, I found that it wasn't their father Joseph Newton Shaw's father Gabriel E Shaw, that was the stowaway, but his father George Shaw. The Irish have a fine sense of humor, when I was researching the Shaw family ancestry in multiple census, I found two of George Shaw's sons, who stated their father was, born at sea* you know a stowaway.

If Eliza Bunch was transported into Virginia, and was carrying a child at the time, no one in the Virginia colony was going to be accused of being the father of her bastard child * no bastard bonds, and no one in Virginia would be made to pay for that child. There would be no bastard bonds. For all we know she was married, and widowed before she embarked for America aboard the Alice in 1635. There would be no headrights paid to anyone, because the crown paid for Eliza Bunch's transportation into the Virginia colony.

Was President Barack H Obama's Bunch ancestor a stowaway?

Of course this is all conjecture, exactly the same kind of conjectures, ancestry.com makes connecting the Bunch family to John Punch. It is interesting that Paul Bunch son of John Bunch I, named a daughter Elizabeth who married Russell, and mentions another Elizabeth Bunch in his documents ancestry.com's conjecture: This Elizabeth Bunch could have been a daughter in law. Page 9 of the report bottom paragraph: Paul Bunch also gave one shilling to an Elizabeth Bunch, but did not state a relationship. This Elizabeth Bunch might have represented the heir of one of Paul Bunch’s children or been his daughter-in-law. P

If John Punch was the father of John Bunch I born prior to 1637. It means that John Punch ran away to Maryland in 1640, leaving the mother of his child, and his child behind on Gwyn's property? If John Punch had a family wouldn't the magistrate have taken that into account before sentencing him to a lifetime of indenture? John Punch would have had a family to support. Mitigating circumstances? Finally if John Bunch were the son of a black slave, and indentured white woman, where did he get the money to purchase 450 acres of land in 1662?

It's easier to figure out who the wife of John Bunch I, could have been, he was living in the middle of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe's territory. If John Bunch I did marry an Indian or mixed Indian woman, it would explain mixed children. Paul Bunch, and his descendants, John Bunch III, and his descendants, weren't ever referred to as negro only as mulatto.

There is documentation of the English marrying American Indians as early as 1612.

The First African Slaves in America - arrived in what would become the United States in 1526.

In the End it doesn't even matter.

William Fairfax Sr - SAR Dedication, 9 June 2012 Bacon Race Cemetery

2012-06-11T09:50:00.000-05:00

COLONEL WILLIAM GRAYSON CHAPTER SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO THE PATRIOT GRAVE MARKING FOR WILLIAM FAIRFAX SATURDAY JUNE 9, 2012 AT THE HISTORIC OAK GROVE- BACON RACE CEMETERY LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF DAVIS FORD ROAD AND BACON RACE ROAD WOODBRIDGE VIRGINIA. CEREMONY WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CHAPTER MEETING AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00PM.

William Fairfax Sr (1720-1793). William Fairfax was born in Charles County, Maryland to John Fairfax Jr. and Mary Scott. William Fairfax had four sisters, Elizabeth, Catherine, Anne, and Mary. William Fairfax's mother Mary (Scott) Fairfax, was the daughter of Edward Scott, and Martha Tilden. William Fairfax married twice, first to Benedicta Blancett, daughter of Rodham Blancett Sr. Secondly Elizabeth Buckner, daughter of Peyton Buckner of Virginia. William Fairfax had issue, Jonathan Fairfax married (Sarah Wright) remained in Maryland lived at Goose Bay (Rev War Veteran). Benedicta Fairfax never married, Hezekiah Fairfax married twice (Anne Mills & Margaret Calvert) Ann Fairfax married (William Warder) Catherine Fairfax married (William Garner - Rev War Veteran) Sarah Fairfax married (Henry Davis) by William Fairfax Sr's second wife Elizabeth Buckner he had issue, Col John Fairfax (War of 1812 title) married twice (Mary Byrne & Nancy Lloyd Franklin) William Fairfax II married twice (Nancy "Anne" King & Lettice Adams), Elizabeth Fairfax married (Richard Pell), Adah Fairfax married (Burwell Calvert) son of William and Hannah Calvert. William Calvert was one of the men ordered to take William Fairfax Sr's estate inventory. The Fairfax family of Maryland is an old landed gentry family of Catholic faith. The Calverts, the proprietors of the Maryland plantinate, set up Maryland as a haven a refuge for practicing English Catholics.

"Marking the Grace of William Fairfax"
Three different societies were present for the Sons of the American Revolution dedication for William Fairfax Sr.

Virginia Society of SAR, Col William Grayson Chapter of SAR, and The Culpeper Minute Men Chapter of Virginia SAR

Above photo, Bugler - SSG Judy Havrilla , U.S. Army Band, played taps, a member of Pershing's Own. Tim Headley a member of Col William Grayson's SAR Chapter, who organized the entire dedication for our Patriot ancestor William Fairfax Sr. Those descendants attending representing the children of William Fairfax Sr.

John Ward, descendant of William Fairfax Sr's son Hezekiah Fairfax, daughter Nancy Fairfax married Joseph Crouch.

Don Wilson, descendant of William Fairfax Sr daughter Elizabeth Fairfax who married Richard Pell

A West descendant of Henrietta (Fairfax) West, eldest daughter of Hezekiah Fairfax and Anne Mills. Hezekiah Fairfax son of William Fairfax Sr.

Ken Craft, descendant of William Fairfax Sr through his son Hezekiah Fairfax's son John Hezekiah Fairfax and Mary Mills Davis.

Tim Headley, and Headley Family, descendant of William Fairfax Sr's son Hezekiah Fairfax through his daughter Catherine Fairfax who married Warren Davis.

I am so thankful to my Fairfax cousins who attended our Grandpa Fairfax's long overdue dedication for his Patriot service to our Country. I descend through William Fairfax Sr's son Hezekiah Fairfax's eldest son William "Billy" Fairfax, who married Eleanor. Those who didn't attend, were there with you all in spirit. Including Darlene Thompson, descendant of William Fairfax Sr., through his son William Fairfax II, son Uriah J Fairfax.

I have put together a slide show from photos sent to me by our cousin Tim Headley, taken by Wade M Headley, and Renate Vanegas.

William Fairfax Sr - Sons Of The American Revolution Dedication, Bacon Race Cemetery, 9 June 2012.

The Melungeon YDNA Study Findings & Vardy Collins Ironic "Viking Blood"

2012-06-02T14:46:00.000-05:00

All Hail Thor - God Of Thunder!

Baty Collins Family, Grandson of Vardy Collins, and Margaret "Peggy" Gibson, through their son Alfred Collins.

Saponi Family of Joseph Collins, Mellisa and Jessie. Joseph Collins/Aaron Collins/Stephen Collins (B 1800 Grainger Co.,TN)/Aaron Collins/David Collins (YDNA halo type R1a1a) and Thompsy Posting.

I asked my Collins cousin, who descends from David Collins if I could use one of his family photos to make my point about YDNA not being able to determine a person's ethnicity or race. David Collins and Vardy Collins YDNA match. David Collins family is documented to be of Saponi Indian ancestry. The halo type (R1a1a) is the fabled "Viking Blood". Take a good look at these two men, in these two photos, do any of these mixed Saponi Indians, look like they are blonde and blue eyed Scandinavians? Still JOGG Journal of Genetic Genealogy who advertise themselves as genetic anthropologist, would have us all believe that Melungeon YDNA study showed no Indian component, and that finding Eb "Sub Saharan African" halo type meant, they could tell the ethnicity of the people who were called by the slur Melungeon. They claim their origins were from African men and white European women. I have just demonstrated how YDNA cannot determine a person's race or ethnicity or their ancestor's race or ethnicity. The article about the findings of the Melungeon YDNA project has been circulating through the internet it's even reached the Daily Mail.

The above Baty Collins had an Uncle named Simon Collins, who married Frankie Bunch so the Melungeon YDNA study got that part right. The Melungeon YDNA Study "It was such a closely related group that it is conjectured that everyone that descends from everyone, and therefore from all the founders." The use of the word conjecture is intentional.

But why wasn't David Collin's YDNA test results included in the Melungeon YDNA project when his descendant's DNA matched Vardy Collins? Because David Collins wasn't living on Newmans Ridge, Tennessee? When Vardy Collins and Shepherd "Buck" Gibson, were living in Hancock Co.,TN., David Collins, and his family were living in Grainger Co.,TN., I included a 1799 petition of Grainger Co.,TN., in a previous post, where I noted that President Obama's Bunch ancestor Charles Bunch signed the petition. In fact it's alphabetized so he's listed right below John and Richard Bull. John Turnbull/Bull married David Collins daughter Eleanor Collins in Grainger Co.,TN. As I noted above, one of Vardy's son Simon Collins married Frankie Bunch. The Bunch are part of the Melungeon YDNA Study.

The Melungeon YDNA study explains how these folks migrated to Newmans Ridge, Hancock Co TN., from North Carolina, and before that back to Louisa Co.,Virginia. If the argument for not including David Collins YDNA is because Vardy Collins, and David Collins were not sharing the same geographic location although their YDNA proves they both go back to the same Collins of Louisa Co.,Virginia. There are records that show they were indeed residing in the same geographic area of North Carolina.

Brenda (Collins) Dillion "One More Mountain To Cross"

DB,p 42-20 DEC 1791 George Reves was granted by N.C. 600 acres on New River adj. conditional line made between said Reeves and David Collins. On the 28th of Jan 1797 George Reeves of Grayson County sold this land, same description mentioning the same David Collins.

DB D, p 329 4 April 1798 Thomas Collins bought for 15 pds, 70 acres of land on the S side New River

DB D, p 750 13 Dec 1796 N.C. granted Vardy Collins 100 acres S side of S fork New River

DB D p 412 27 Dec 1797 - N.C. granted David Collins 50 acres adj Wm Hill.

This is a map graphic of Eastern Tennessee Counties, Grainger County TN., border's Hancock County TN.

Vardy Collins is probably the best known Melungeon figure outside of Micajah Bunch. Why are matches to Vardy Collin's YDNA being excluded that show the Indian component to the Collins?

Perhaps these genetic anthropologist JOGG are historically deficient of recent Virginia American Indian history? They are not the first to claim that these people who were called by the slur Melungeon, were not made up of Indian ancestry. There was an infamous white supremacist and eugenicist enthusiast Walter Ashby Plecker, the first registrar of Virginia bureau of vital statistics starting in 1912, he forced Indians to classify themselves as black (Richmond Times Dispatch). The tribes he said had become a mongrel mixture. This is why when anyone Googles Walter Plecker the search results come back with the title "The Black and White World of Walter Ashby Plecker". The thing is Walter Plecker, wasn't a weekend white supremacist, I mean the man was committed to the purity of the white race. He wasn't the type that would be satisfied poking holes in pillowcases, and wearing them on his head/ Walter Plecker decided to apply the Racial Integrity act of 1924, and a mandatory sterilization law that would be invoked 8,300 over 55 years with a vengeance. Walter Plecker decided that there were only two classification to race, in Virginia - White and Colored. The only Virginia Indians that were exempt from Walter Plecker's classification system, were the descendants of Pocahontas and John Rolfe. There were prominent Virginians, that were proud to trace their ancestry back to Pocahontas. The rest of Virginia Indians were simply wiped out by Walter Plecker's new race classification system. Walter Plecker was such an eugenics enthusiast he even advised the Nazis on their eugenics program, they had a common interest in the purity of the white race - the so called Aryan master race. I can't imagine what Walter Plecker or Adolph Hitler, and the Nazis would have done with DNA test results? Especially if they decided they could determine people's Race and Ethnicity with test results like JOGG. I guess that Huffington Post headline: Melungeon DNA Reveals Upset's "A Whole Lot Of People" is true in a sense. It upset people to see racist history repeating itself.

I was reading about this (R1a1a) halo type, I don't know how jazzed President Obama is as a Bunch descendant through his maternal grandmother Madelyn Lee (Payne) Dunham, to find out about our Viking Blood, but the Gibson and Collins kin are pretty psyched. I mean we aren't going to become Viking fans or anything like that, we're hillbillies, we're not crazy.

Walter Plecker, and the Nazis were hell bent on the purity of the white race- the master race. Perhaps some people reading this right now are thinking, well Walter Plecker's jurisdiction was Virginia, and Vardy Collins had died by this time, and anyway he moved to Tennessee. It's important for people to understand just how dedicated Walter Plecker was to his eugenics agenda. He sent letters out to all 50 states encouraging them to use his system. Walter Plecker even had a list of family's names he claimed were miscegenated, and he wrote to the Tennessee registrar on this very issue. Vardy's descendants were still living in Blackwater, Newmans Ridge, Hancock County TN. and the Collins name was on Plecker's list. And this is where Vardy Collins YDNA (R1a1a) "Viking Blood" becomes ironic......

Halo group Rla1a the fabled (R1a1a) when found is said to indicate "Viking Origin" Viking DNA among British descent is found among the border reivers. I have stated in previous post the Turnbulls were a well known revier family surname. David Collins daughter Eleanor Collins married John Turnbull in Grainger Co.,TN. John Bull's brother Richard Bull's great grandson Richard Thomas Bull, married Mary Lambert, my Great Grandfather's maternal Aunt. I kept reading about this halo type, and came to this entry.'

China has revived interest in the long forgotten Indo-Iranian tribe, the Tocharians, their possible role in the economy

of the Silk Road, and their relationship with the people of Europe. Haplogroup R1a is also, implicitly, the "Aryan"

haplogroup, and perhaps the less said about that, the better.

If Walter Plecker had never seen any of the Collins, but only had their YDNA test results to determine their race and ethnicity, Plecker would have summarized that they belonged to the so called Aryan master race, he was so obsessed with. I call that ironic, considering how Walter Ashby Plecker was hounding these people, and insisting they weren't White or Indian. This is why Melungeon researcher's are upset with JOGG claims, that they can determine race and ethnicity of people's ancestors from a YDNA test.

It's my sincere hope that people don't just accept this Melungeon YDNA study on it's face value, but question the findings and claims.

I am not sure I am going to blog anymore on this topic. I have covered my issues with the findings of the Melungeon YDNA study findings. My direct family line is Gibson. I have a Gibson cousin who matched Shepherd "Buck" Gibson's descendants YDNA. The Mason, Gibson, Collins family oral history, has always been that the Gibson's were of Irish descent. The halo type R1b1a origins British Isles "Irish".

DNA consultants home of DNA finger print test, latest article:
Melungeons: Seeing Red, Seeing Black, addresses the Gibsons in the Melungeon YDNA test.
Excerpt; Melungeon Gibson's derive their origins from the Chavis family, one of the oldest Portuguese Jewish names in America. So there's that.

In Dreams Of My Father, p. 13 Mr Obama says that "a distant ancestor" of hers "had indeed been a full-blooded Cherokee". No evidence has been found to support this claim***.

I found this recent CBS video discussing the Virginia Indian Tribes, struggle to get their tribal recognition back. The B.I.A. requires civil records for application for recognition, and Walter Ashby Plecker changed many of these people's racial designation so it's a huge mess. Senator James Webb (D) Virginia, has tried to right the wrongs of Walter Ashby Plecker, and so has George Allen (R) who is running for the U.S. Senate in Virginia. At the end of this video is a plea to President Obama to help them. Given that the President's own Bunch ancestors were affected by Walter Plecker's eugenics agenda, it would be some slap in the face to Plecker's legacy if he did undue all the damage inflicted by Walter Ashby Plecker.

The CBS segment on Walter Ashby Plecker keeps getting removed. HERE is a video about Walter Plecker and his eugenics agenda.

Can The Mormon Church, Help President Obama Prove His American Indian Ancestry?

2012-05-31T18:21:00.000-05:00

Angola, West Africa "Portuguese" Colony for 400 years up until 1975.

Family Search Org - A service provided by the church of Jesus Christ and Latter - Day Saints.

In Dreams, p. 13 Mr Obama says that "a distant ancestor" of hers "had indeed been a full-blooded Cherokee". No evidence has been found to support this claim***.

Madelyne Payne Dunham's roots, mother Leona (McCurry) Payne/Margaret Bell Wright/Frances A Allred/ Anna Bunch*

The Bunch were part of the Melungeon DNA study. They came back with the Eb1a1 halo type "Sub Saharan African". The Bunch YDNA Project. Scroll down the page to read about President Obama's Bunch ancestors YDNA findings.

Melungeon DNA Reveals Ancestry Upset's " A Whole Lot of People" Huffington Post, by Travis Loller, 24 May 2012.

"Now a new DNA study in the Journal of Genetic Genealogy attempts to separate truth from oral tradition and wishful thinking. The study found the truth to be somewhat less exotic: Genetic evidence shows that the families historically called Melungeons are the offspring of sub- Saharan African men and white women of northern or central European origin.

There were a whole lot of people upset by this study, "lead researcher Roberta Estes said. "They just knew they were Portuguese or Native American".

I addressed the American Indian components to the Melungeon in my last post: Melungeon DNA Study Findings, Wipes Out President Obama's Cherokee Ancestry. I am going to address the Portuguese component.

This Melungeon DNA project has been presented as something conclusive to the ethnicity of the people who were known by the slur Melungeon. The best way to describe this study is to compare it to the CBO. The Congressional Budget Office is sent bills from our congress to score the cost. The CBO can only use the numbers they are given to figure out the cost of the bill. This Melungeon study can only be scored by the DNA of the descendants of the people that were referred to by the slur Melungeon, that were included in the study.

The study finds that the people called Melungeon were the offspring of sub- Saharan African men, and white woman of European origin. Because they found Eb1a1 halo type? That does not mean they weren't Portuguese. The Portuguese were involved in the slave trade, Angola, West Africa was a Portuguese colony for 400 years. If you were from Angola, up until 1975 you were a Portuguese citizen. Not unlike how Kenya was a British colony, and you would be a British citizen.

They also called themselves Black Dutch. The meaning of Black Dutch has changed over time to mean an ethnic display, but I believe it originally was meant to describe origins of people effected by the Dutch participation in the Black slave trade. These people knew how they entered colonial America.

Halo Group Eb1a1 (YDNA) it was known as E3a from 2002 -2008. I don't want to bore people with the DNA. Here is a link to Bantu expansion and Bantu migration, it includes a visual aid a map graphic - it shows migration into Angola and other African Countries.

Why would finding Eb1a1 halo group in the Melungeon DNA study prove the Melungeon were not Portuguese. JOGG expects us to believe that Portugal was ruling Angola for 400 years and no mixing occurred between Portuguese and the Indigenous tribes of Angola? Even if they didn't mix with them, calling themselves Portygee is still correct, Angola was a Portuguese colony.

Portugal was involved in the slave trade as were the Dutch. Portugal, Angola, Brazil to Virginia. The Portuguese were also shipping African slaves into Mexico to work in the mines.

In 1620 a Dutch Man -o- war "The White Lion" sailed into the Chesapeake bay.

Those Africans, probably no more than 150-200, taken from the Bautista by

English corsairs, were among the thousands captured in the Portuguese-Ndongo
war of 1618-1619 described in an earlier chapter by Thornton. Sluiter points
out that the Bautista...

"...was the only slave ship among the 36 named as arriving at Vera Cruz
during the fiscal years 1618-1619 through 1621-22 to be attacked inbound from
Angola, by corsairs."

The Angolans, the first African-American forefathers in a British-American

colony, the first of the African ancestors of the Melungeons, came ashore at
Point Comfort that day from the man-o-war "White Lion", commanded by Captain
John Colyn Jope of Cornwall, England, sailing out of Vlissingen, the
Netherlands. Jope traded the "20, and Odd" Africans to Virginia governor
George Yeardley and Cape merchant Abraham Piersey in exchange for provisions.

Then these names began to appear on records in colonial Virginia, Rodrigues - became Driggers, Francisco became Sisco and Cisco, Goynes -Goins, Chavis - Chavez. My own Gibson family line goes back to Chavis we had a history with the Driggers.

As far as mixing with Indians, tell it to the Gingaskin tribe of Virginia they lost their tribal designation for not being "Indian" enough.

I think I have shown that Eb1a1 halo type doesn't signify a person can't be Portuguese.

"It's sometimes embarrassing to see the lengths your ancestors went to hide their African heritage, but look at the consequences said "Wayne Winkler" past president of the Melungeon Heritage Association. "They suffered anyway because of the suspicion."

Or they were telling the truth, and other people's bias are still being projected onto them, apparently now it's coming from their own descendants.

Family Search Org - Melungeons

Melungeon identity is assumed to involve a mixture of some combination of Western European, Native American, and sometimes African ancestry, with early assertions of "Portuguese" or "Portuguese Indian" background being widely claimed. The term "tri racial isolate" has been academically applied to this group, but this term is problematic in that not all Melungeons claim a tri-racial identity and, in many cases, these families appear to be anything but isolates.

Some of the most prominent surnames that have been claimed as potentially associated with Melungeon identity include, Bowling (Bolin), Bunch*, Chavis (Chavez), Collins, Epps, Evans, Fields, Francisco, Gibson, Gill, Goins, Goodman, Minor, Mise, Moore, Mullins, Osborn(e), Phipps, Reeves, (Rives,Rieves, Reeves,Reaves), Ridley (Riddle),Rodrigues, Stowers, Vanover, Williams, and Wise. This extremely partial list should not be taken as suggesting, however, that every family using this surname is necessarily considered to be Melungeon.

Some of the sources and discussions pertaining to the Melungeons suggest that, in some cases, there may be a relationship to a specific Native American group. One of those groups that figures prominently consists of those generally defined as Saponi. End

I don't know if the President is upset by the Melungeon YDNA study findings, as the Huffington Post headline suggest, people would be upset to find they didn't have Portuguese or American Indian ancestry.

I believe that the President of the United States knows his ethnic makeup, JOGG's cherry picked Melungeon YDNA study aside. My first hint that he knew where he came from, his comments on "The View" that upset a lot of people when he said: We are sort of a mongrel people.

Barbara Walters offered this comment and question to President Obama: You do not describe yourself as a black president. Your mother was white. Would it be helpful or why don't you say "I'm not a black president, I'm bi-racial?"

Obama responded, in part: The interesting thing about the African-American experience in this country is that we are sort of a mongrel people, I mean we're all kinds of mixed-up. Now that's actually true for white America as well, but we just know more about it."

Oh I don't know about that knowing more about it Mr President, some of us have a pretty good handle on our pedigree ;)

CALL ME A DOG

Stay tuned next we are going to explore Vardy Collins R1a1a "Viking Blood". Vardy Collins was such a famous Melungeon character, they named a town after him Vardy, Hancock Co.,Tennessee. When people would ask for directions to Sneedville, they would be told: You can't there from here.

Melungeon DNA Study Findings, Wipes Out President Obama's Cherokee Ancestry

2012-05-28T14:08:00.000-05:00

LIKE WARREN, OBAMA CLAIMS CHEROKEE ANCESTRY--BUT OFFERS NO PROOF

by MICHAEL PATRICK LEAHY

Ms. Warren's claims are current and well known, but President Obama's claims were made back in 1995, when his memoir, Dreams from My Father, was published. On pages 12 and 13 of the 2004 paperback edition, the President unequivocally asserts his Cherokee ancestry:

If asked, Toot [Obama’s maternal grandmother, Madelyne Payne Dunham] would turn her head in profile to show off her beaked nose, which, along with a pair of jet-black eyes, was offered as proof of Cherokee blood.
But an old, sepia toned photograph on the bookshelf spoke most eloquently of their [grandparents Stanley and Madelyne Dunham’s] roots. It showed Toot’s grandparents, of Scottish and English stock, standing in front of a ramshackle homestead, unsmiling and dressed in coarse wool, their eyes squinting at the sun baked flinty life that stretched before them…in their eyes one could see truths that I would have to learn later as facts…that while one of my great-great grandfathers, Christopher Columbus Clark, had been a decorated Union soldier, his wife’s mother was rumored to have been a second cousin of Jefferson Davis…that although another distant ancestor had indeed been a full-blooded Cherokee, such lineage was a source of shame to Toot’s mother [Leona McCurry Payne] who blanched whenever someone mentioned the subject and hoped to carry the secret to her grave. END

15 -- For some of her ancestry, see http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/a/r/Robert-L-Mardock/GENE12-0003.html.

In Dreams, p. 13, Mr. Obama says that "a distant ancestor" of hers "had indeed been a full-blooded Cherokee". No evidence has been found to support this claim***.

At the end of the 19th century, her paternal grandparents lived in the Chickasaw Nation in what is now Oklahoma, but in the census enumeration (see above) they are listed as "White", not as "Indian". END

Indeed Leona (McCurry) Payne, probably knew where the subject of that very Cherokee ancestry would lead, back to the "Melungeon" Leona (McCurry) Payne/Margaret Belle Wright/Frances A Allred/ Anna Bunch.

Melungeon DNA Study Reveals Ancestry Upset's "A Whole Lot Of People" Huffington Post, By TRAVIS LOLLER 05/24/12 05:15 PM ET

Now a new DNA study in the Journal of Genetic Genealogy attempts to separate truth from oral tradition and wishful thinking. The study found the truth to be somewhat less exotic: Genetic evidence shows that the families historically called Melungeons are the offspring of sub-Saharan African men and white women of northern or central European origin.

"There were a whole lot of people upset by this study," lead researcher Roberta Estes said. "They just knew they were Portuguese, or Native American." Keep Reading HERE.

For the record, it's no secret what makes up the ethnicity of people who were referred to by the slur Melungeon, White, Black and Indian. Verry Slitly Mixt - Tri Racial Isolates Of The Upper South A Genealogical Study 1988, By Virginia Easley DeMarce Phd. Ms DeMarce is a historian, and has been the past President of The National Genealogical Society.

Anna Bunch the President's grandmother "Toot's" ancestor was the daughter of Nathaniel Bunch and Sarah Wade Ray. Nathaniel Bunch son of Charles Bunch and Mary Bellamy. Charles Bunch the son of Samuel Bunch and Mary Hudson. These Bunch are mentioned in the Melungeon DNA project. You can find the results HERE. You will notice the Bunch are at the top of the table, and carry the Eb halo type, that is mentioned in the Huffington Post article"Sub Saharan African" halo type, that is supposed to have "upset people" to find out it existed in their family genetic ancestry. Never mind that it's been known for some time the mixture of the people who were referred to by the slur Melungeon. According to Jack Goins this Melungeon DNA study proves there was no Indian component in the make up of Melungeon's he doubles downs here., that means that President Obama, has no Cherokee ancestry.

From the Bunch YDNA project

Virginia Genealogical Society Speech November 2008

Bunch Family

The Bunch family apparently descends from John Bunch who patented 450 acres in New Kent County in 1662. Another John Bunch, "a Mulatto," and Sarah Slayden, a white woman, petitioned the Council of Virginia in 1705 to allow them to marry because the minister of Blisland Parish (New Kent and James City counties) refused to marry them. The Attorney General was undecided whether the petition "came within the intent of the Law preventing Negros and White Persons intermarrying" because he could not resolve

Whether the issue begotten on a White woman by a Mulatto man can properly be called a Mulatto, that name I conceive being only appropriated to the Child of a Negro man begotten upon a white woman or a white man upon a negro woman, and as I am told the issue of a Mulatto by or upon a white person has another name viz. that of Mustee?

Paul Bunch patented 265 acres in present-day Halifax County, North Carolina, adjoining Gideon Gibson?s land and left a 1726 Chowan County will by which he left a considerable estate to a "Mulatto woman" Keziah Holdebee and her three children. And Samuel Bunch was indicted in the Gibson?s Mill area of Louisa County, Virginia, for failing to list a tithable which was probably his wife, but this branch of the family was considered white by the end of the colonial period as were the other branches of the family that went to South Carolina.

There is more on Barack Obama's ancestor Samuel Bunch and his "Mulatto" father John Bunch here:
FreeAfricanAmericans.com:Brooks-Byrd

The interesting thing is that some of the VA Bunch family owned slaves.

There is an African connection here since Nathaniel Bunch of Arkansas's cousin Nathaniel Bunch of Virginia requested that upon his death his slaves be freed with the option of going to Liberia. END.

The President of the United States has every reason to believe that he has Cherokee ancestry, in fact the author of the Melungeon Study, hyped by Huffington Post article, posted the family that descends from Samuel Bunch's brother David Bunch, and his descendants membership on the Cherokee DAWES Rolls. Scroll down in the page to see the Chart.

- Cherokee DAWES applicants 19506 and 44416 (below) show John Carr Bunch as their father. In Louisa Co VA, on 6 April, 1782, there is a Deed of Trust that shows: "Joseph Bunch Thomas Carr, Garland Carr, Nathaniel Anderson and James Minor executors of John Carr dec'd. £357 for tract on Hudson's Creek containing 96 acres adjoining James Watson, James Bunch, Pouncey Bunch also Negro woman Vista and her child Ben. In trust Bunch to pay to legatees of John Carr dec'd. 68 1/2 ounces of gold no greater alloy than is contained in an English Guinea. sig. Joseph Bunch, wit. Turner Anderson, Robert Wilson, Wm. Hughes, Wm. Harris. Rec. 12 Aug 1782."
- - Ref http://trevilians.com/deeds/deed17.htm Book: H, Page: 203, Grantor: Joseph Bunch, Grantee: Thomas Carr, Garland Carr, Nathaniel And, Date: 06-Apr-1782
  
  END
  
  25 Jan 1745 Louisa County, Virginia Court: William Hall, Samuel Collins, William Collins, Samuel Bunch, George Gibson, Benjamin Brannum, Thomas Gibson, & William Donothan appear to answer an indictment for concealing tithables. Plead not guilty, Case continued. (Louisa County, Va., Tithables and Census)
  
  Although this John Collins may, or may not be a brother to Thomas the court record below establishes that some Collins were Saponia Indians. "Alexander Machartoon, John Bowling, Manincassa, Capt Tom, Isaac, Harry, blind tom, Foolish Jack, Charles Griffin, John Collins, Little Jack, Indians being bought before the court for stealing Hogs. , Ordered that their Guns be taken away from them till they are ready to depart of this county, they having declared their intentions to depart this colony within a week.".11 On pages 309-312 of Orange County Court Record book the above named men individually put up security.11

There are two well known Melungeon figures who lived on Newmans Ridge, who were documented to have been called by the Slur Melungeon, Vardy Collins and Shephard "Buck" Gibson. They are included in the Melungeon DNA study, none of their descendants carry Eb "Sub Sarharan African" halo type.

Collins YDNA project

C-5 52337 Vardeman Collins R1a1a

R1a halo type, the fabled halo group R1a -or precisely it's subclade R1a1- is said to indicate "Viking Origin" when it is found among men of British descent. Viking DNA among the Border Reivers.

Gibson YDNA project

G-75 Shephard "Old Buck" Gibson born 1765 Va died 1842 Tn. R1b1a2

Descendants of both documented Melungeon men who lived on Newsman Ridge, participated in the Melungeon Core YDNA study.

The family of David Collins and Thompsy Posting match the DNA participants of Vardy Collins. These Collins are "Saponi"  Since David and Vardy Collins DNA match, it stands to reason that Vardy Collins was also of Saponi descent. David Collins daughter Eleanor Collins married John Turnbull/Bull the Turnbulls is a well known Border Reiver surname.

Other well known Border Reiver surname Rutherford . Griffth Rutherford brigadier general of Salisbury district militia forced the Cherokee into a treaty in North Carolina during the Revolutionary War. April 1779 Rutherford Co., North Carolina is named after General Griffth Rutherford. The people who settled Rutherford Co.,North Carolina were of Scot -Irish descent.

My cousin that descends from Isaac Gibson Sr., the same ancestor that was enumerated as FPC on the 1830 Knox Co.,Ky., census, and a land holder also matches Shepherd "Old Buck" Gibson YDNA of Newmans Ridge. These families migrated from Louisa Co.,Va., as did President Obama's Bunch family. In fact the President's ancestor Charles Bunch son of Samuel Bunch, and Mary Hudson and father of Nathaniel Bunch who married Sarah Wade Ray, is found on a petition on Grainger Co.,Tn., The same petition as my ancestors 5th Great Grandfather David Campbell, and 5th Great Grandfather John Jones - husband of Orpha Gibson. Isaac Gibson Sr., also signed the same petition.

19-1-1799 Petition of citizens of Grainger "concerning that it will not be to the advantage of the Publick at Large to add any part of Grainger county to Jefferson........."

G-135 Isaac Gibson born circa 176o/5 North Carolina died 1837 Knox Co.,Ky. R1b1a2

Isaac Gibson Sr's family intermarried with the above David Collins family. Many of my cousins are both Gibsons and Collins, we have the Mason family as our common ancestor.

I am not sure why the heavy dependence on DNA in genealogy research? Especially without the caveats of what DNA testing can prove and not prove. I know there is big money in DNA testing so it's promoted as an essential tool.

While DNA can prove direct ancestry or linage, it can't prove race or ethnicity. The reason for this is that human beings are so much alike, and have had genetic mixtures for so long even the most defining racial or ethnic traits are found in almost every human family. Skin color, facial structure, hair and eye color, all things that are use to define race or ethnicity lose definition when traced as part of a DNA analyst. There is no gene that can accurately define an American Indian for instance, because many of the so-called defining characteristics are genetically identical to many Asians and African Americans.

For the record, I disagree with Roberta Estes above about the ethnic make up of Melungeon people. I looked at President Barack H Obama's grandmother "Toots" ancestry, I do believe the family has Cherokee ancestry through the Bunch family. Considering some of the President's distant Bunch cousins made it onto the Cherokee DAWES Rolls so does the Cherokee Nation.

Since we are all cousins, according to the Melungeon YDNA study - "It was such a closely related group that it is conjectured that everyone that descends from everyone, and therefore from all the founders".  I would like to ask cousin Barry to update his Collins and Gibson kin, on what's the hold up with the Reparations, and why is our tribe under attack by FTDNA denying our American Indian ancestry ;)

For further reading on the Virginia Tribes on going struggle for tribal recognition. SEE the Black and White World of Walter Ashby Plecker.

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