Fwd: Urania Presents (New Version)...

-----Original Message-----
From: b <rrdd3939@aol.com>
To: rrdd3939 <rrdd3939@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Aug 22, 2012 6:11 pm
Subject: Fwd: Urania Presents (New Version)...

Dear Readers, This is corrected version. In original version, pics 2 & 3 had to do with astronautics not

 astronomy and not the nature of our Galaxy. Rectified: Pics 2 & 3 replaced with proper pics. This is

expanded version with 'new' info on exoplanets.
Original Version: Wed, Jul 18, 2012 8:40 pm

                        URANIA Presents Her Astronomy (Corrected & Expanded)

                                  by Richard DePersio and Citizen Journalist

We protest!!! Books, documentaries and the Internet claim that the first exoplanet was

discovered in '92 orbiting a pulsar and in '95 by Mike Mayor (51 Pegusi b) orbiting a main

sequence star. We contend that exoplanets were discovered in the '60s and '70s as

astrometric binaries. Astrometric binaries are binaries in which one member is too faint to be

seen but whose presence is realized and its mass determined by its gravitational effect on its

larger and visible partner. The mass can be low enough to qualify it as a planet. A method still

employed. See "Plato Presents Calliope" at www.rickcmtsite.blogspot.com. You may want to

 reread --- or not. Add this to that as it comes from the same source: Peter van de Kemp may

have been the first exoplanet discoverer in '68 after carefully analyzing hundreds of observations

 of Barnard's Star made over a 51 year period.  (as stated in the college textbook; second

edition - '69 which also talks about 69 Cygni). It had a mass 80% greater than Jupiter. You

 might argue that we now consider objects ranging from 15 to 25 Jupiter masses to be brown

dwarf stars. Let's fast forward to the '85 third edition of Hartmann's college textbook:

"Astronomy: The Cosmic Journey." It states that five of the nearest stars have planets,

including, Barnard's Star and 61 Cygni. And, that three stars just a little further out have

planets with masses 10-15 times greater than Jupiter's. We tentatively rest our case!

After all, more evidence might come to light. It has (expanded version)! "Astronomy:

Fundamentals and Frontiers" ('77) by Jastrow and Thompson: "The periodic shift or wiggle

seems to have been detected in the path of Barnard's Star. According to Peter van de Kamp,

small variations in the path of Barnard's Star reveal that two planets, approximately the size of

Jupiter and Saturn are in orbit around it...photographic plates exposed at the telescope over

a period of decades. Two such quests have been performed...implying presence of  two or

more planets of Jovian mass or smaller. {Needs further study}" "Are We Alone" ('81) by Rood

 and Trefil: "...Barnard's Star is small (0.15 solar masses) star about 5 light years away. Since

 the late 1930s, Peter van de Kamp has taken thousands of photographs of this star...Although

some of (his) early data were questioned on technical grounds, the data since 1950 can't be

criticized on the same grounds. Furthermore the predictions of the star's position made on the

basis of data taken through 1975 have been verified by observation taken through 1979.

Even though some controversy remains, van de Kamp and Lipponcott seem successfully

detected the first extrasolar-system planet."* Carl Sagan contributes to the conversation:

"...For most of the trip the velocity would be very close to the speed of light and time would

slow down enormously. A nearby objective, a sun that may have planets, Barnard's star,

about six light years away. it could be reached in about eight years as measured by clocks

aboard the shop..." (Cosmos, 1980). Thanks Carl from coming from the heavens (weren't

you an atheist?) to serve as a witness. Kamp not Mayor: We rest our case!

Between the '50s and the '90s, it was thought that the Milky Way Galaxy consisted

of four major arms: Norma; Sagittarius; Scutum-Centaurus; Perseus; There were two spurs:

Our solar system resides on a spur of Sagittarius called Orion.

During the '90s, we came to the realization that our galaxy wasn't a spiral but a barred-

spiral with two major arms: Perseus emanating from one end of the bar and Scutum-

Centaurus the other - which is the way virtually all barred spiral do it. These arms

contained numerous young, hot stars and old red giants. The other two arms have been

downgraded to minor having a paucity of hot, young stars and being sgorter.. All arms have

 dust and gas. (Some astronomers are calling it: Crux-Scutum).

If truth be told: the downgraded arms are none too pleased! A deviant Centaurus issued

a Press Release: "I'm still here. Challenge me: Make my  day!" Sagittarius is resigned

to the situation having told reporters: "Now, I know how Pluto feels!

(Also at this venue "Citizen Journalist is Missing" - start with "The Last Bow". {"The Return of

Citizen Journalist" at www.rickcmtsite.blogspot.com; "Prequel: Citizen Journalist in Diogenes

Club" at www.quasarpolitics.blogspot.com - problems connecting? Connect via Facebook

Second American Revolution} Also at this site: The on-going "Plato in the Cave Series").

(We must acknowledge the fact that Hubble has yet to confirm).

Fwd: Busman's Holiday...

-----Original Message-----
From: b <rrdd3939@aol.com>
To: rrdd3939 <rrdd3939@aol.com>
Sent: Mon, Jun 18, 2012 8:58 am
Subject: Busman's Holiday...

                                                                             BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY

                                by the Hot New Trio: Richard DePersio, Citizen Journalist and Aristotle

 

We are pulling out all the stops for these here are final' articles on all five of the CJCS COMSATS (web

 sites). Citizen Journalist doesn't do friendship but Aristotle does:

                           "A friend to all is a friend to none." "A true friend is one soul in two bodies."

                                                          "Friendship is essentially a partnership."

We've had many: Plato; Al; the Cartwrights; Sherlock, Mycroft, John; Dago Red and Duke; Topper,

Marion, George; Number 6; Rod; the Mavericks; the rest of the Gang.

Special Members: George, John, Tom and Jim.

 

There will be those who disagree with us but we define Western Civilization/Western Culture/

The West as Western Europe, with our origins in Ancient Greece and the peak: the US of A. At

one time, it would have included all of Europe. Due to socialism for about a hundred years and the

 heavy influx of muslims over the past couple decades, Western Europe has moved even further

away from Western Civilization than we have (our problems began in the mid-'60s).

      The situation has gotten progressively worse since the mid-sixties: The drug culture; the sexual

revolution; the birth of the modern women's movement; Johnson's great society programs (none of

those major changes will be dignified with capital letters!). The situation has gotten progressively

worse since the mid-sixties as regards the teaching of social studies and science in elementary

schools, high schools (especially, the public variety) and colleges (public and private). Younger minds

are taught what to think not how to think. They are taught one-side of an issue only and if they are taught

both sides one is given much greater preference - fair and balanced not; indoctrination not education.

This applies to many issues, including, labor unions (most public schools teach about the glorious

unions beginning in first grade!), global warming/climate change, American history (including, out-and-

out lies about the Founding Fathers and the so-called Robber Barons), capitalism, homosexuality.

Beginning in the mid-sixties, lib educators began to go negative on Western Civilization (some - all of it; 

others - all of it except Enlightenment) and American history. On average, over 60% of American history text

books are negative about our nation, perhaps, even anti-American! They are often subtle and seductive in

approach. Over 60% of public elementary school teachers are libs and don't hold traditional moral values;

high school teachers: over 75%; college professors and instructors: over 90%.

We recommend without reservation the following (and encourage you to make a donation or become a

member): Western Culture Global contact@WesternCultureGlobal.org ; WorldNetDaily.org ; Youth for Western

 Civilization; Judicial Watch; Alliance Defense Fund.

More attacks on our Culture...Alliance Defense Fund: "Fighting the ACLU and its allies who bully

public schools and government officials to deny your Judeo-Christian  heritage...Stopping attempts

by radical homosexual activists to redefine marriage and punish those who disagree." The Rise and Fall of

Western Civilization - public schools: 5th grader delivers speech to school body on same-sex marriage!; teacher

in another school shocks 5th graders with graphic descriptions of oral and anal sex! Certainly, this behavior

can't be countenanced by our Judeo-Christian heritage nor Enlightenment thinking. This is progressive!!!

Most of the articles at this site, especially, the one two floors down, have to do with Western Civilization. Please

read articles at Citizenj concerning morality, public schools, the mainstream media, today's precarious

military, sex-selection and more.

 

MODERATE and CONSERVATIVES: LET'S DO OURSELVES A SECOND AMERICAN REVOLUTION!!!

HI-YO, SILVER! AWAY!

 

Fwd: UNNERVING! and TRUE...

-----Original Message-----
From: b <rrdd3939@aol.com>
To: rrdd3939 <rrdd3939@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, May 23, 2012 3:07 pm
Subject: UNNERVING! and TRUE...
Citizen Journalist: "I had taken ill on the Ponderosa. I became alarmed when

Little Joe could only fetch a card shark/dentist (!) from Virginia City. Amazingly,

I got better...did I have a choice???...Last year, I took ill and was treated by John

Hamish Watson - fine chap and doc. A few years back, I was fortunate enough to

be treated by an outstanding sawbones - Duke Forrest. Of course, Dago Red

visited. Two treatments and a threat plus a bet!"

Fwd: OUTSIDE of the CAVE...

-----Original Message-----
From: b <rrdd3939@aol.com>
To: rrdd3939 <rrdd3939@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, May 3, 2012 7:11 am
Subject: OUTSIDE of the CAVE...

Originally posted on May 2, it has now been expanded; new section is cleverly labeled 'new section.'

                                  PLATO's MAN in the CAVE series: OUTSIDE of the CAVE

                                            by Richard DePersio and Citizen Journalist

 An Important Message from a Non-religious/Scientific/Moral Traditionalist/Deist with a Splash

of Plato*:

During Christmastime (this is the appropriate time to discuss it) which type of displays

 were required in public buildings, including, schools and should still be required? Those

 associated with the federal holiday known as Christmas: Nativity scenes; Christmas

trees; Santa Claus displays. A community can opt to chose other religions to be represented.

Which other religions if any? Their choice. Which symbols? Their choice.

      Let us not forget that the Founding Fathers created a Judeo-Christian/Federalist/

Constructionist U.S. Constitution, including, Bill of Rights and not what libs think: a secular/

progressive 'living' constitution. We use the term republic not democracy in our Pledge of

Allegiance. Majority rules in both but in a democracy unlike a republic one or more or all of the

bill of rights can be negated from the minority, the minority can be unduly inconvenienced and

placed in a precarious situation.

     When our nation was founded most states had an official religion. The national constitution

did not preclude this. It states, however, that there couldn't be a national religion too and,

further, fed gov couldn't interfere with the practice of religion. Today religious voices are being

banned from the public square! President Jefferson ordered that D.C. schools had to begin

and end the school day with a prayer and use the Bible to help teach English - just like the

states. That ended in '64, when the U.S. Supreme Court decided that they knew more than the

Founders. An Indian tribe wanted to learn Christianity on their land, he used fed funds to pay a

minister's salary for a year and to build a church (more at the web sites Citizenj and rickadd -

connect via Facebook- Second American Revolution and Twitter- @rickaddsite) Libs lie about

what Tom meant by separation-of-church-and-state, he meant fed gov would not declare a

particular Christian denomination as the national church not that fed gov had to be hostile toward

religion or muzzle it in defiance of Amendment One. About 80% of famous, semi-famous and

unknown Founders were Christians and 18% Deists (not a religion but a philosophy).

      Allow us to illustrate our point with an actual event that transpired a few years back in Texas.

An old people's...not PC...Senior Citizen's club, partially funded by gov, listened to gospel music

on Mondays. Of the 100 members, 2 were  Jewish members and objected to the tradition.

They did what Americans are wont to do: took it to court! Lib judged: gospel is banned. What would

our Founders say and what would a constructionist judge of today say: "Disgraceful: Friends taking

friends to court; couldn't you resolve this matter on your own? Are there other senior clubs in

the area? If so, you can go there on Mondays or once in a while you can play a record...we are

dating ourselves...CD of a Jewish cantor on Mondays.

      Bottom line: libs are creating minority rule in our nation. No one is denied a Bill of Right if

appropriately there is a Nativity in a courthouse or gospel music; no one is unduly inconvenienced; 

no reasonable person can be by offended. If a majority in a state or city or neighborhood want public school

prayer - there should be prayer. A parent can instruct their child to stand politely, not be disruptive, but not

utter a word of the prayer: Christian or non-denominational - whatever is decided upon. No one

can deny the rise in juvenile delinquency since God was taken out of schools in the '60s coupled

with other destructive lib actions. (Look at what is happening to military traditions because of libs

primarily and Muslims secondarily - see Citizenj, rickadd and www.rickcmtsite.blogspot.com ).

Yes, it's the cleverly named: NEW SECTION - enjoy! Do something that you rarely do: exercise some

common sense. Certain symbols and activities are associated with particular national holidays: New Year's -

"Auld Lang Syne," countdown to midnight, getting drunk; Veterans Day - parades; Thanksgiving - turkey,

Pilgrims, stuffing yourself like a turkey; Independence Day - fire work shows, picnics; President's Day -

pictures of George and Abe; we don't wish to offend our black friends - Martin Luther King Day - pics of

Martin; Labor Day - women giving birth. Would you think it appropriate if a lib judge ordered that an element

be arbitrarily added or omitted? You can't have picnics on the 4th because 1% of some minority is

offended by it. If you have turkey on Thanksgiving, you must also have beef and pork.

 OUR AMERICAN TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS MAKE US GREAT. DON'T ALLOW MINORITY RULE
BECOME THE CUSTOM!!!

While religion has been a positive in society for the most part, it is not above being analyzed and

critiqued. Miracles: Extraordinary events require extraordinary evidence. God acts in mysterious ways

won't cut it. The God of the Old Testament was a baby killer. His gift of free will seems to come with a

codicil: You are free to make your own choices but if I don't like your choices I will punish you now and

after you die! You must only make what I consider right choices. He was angry with the choices made

by virtually everyone - so with a great flood he kills men, women, children and babies too. Death by

drowning is a horrible death. What sins did the innocent children commit!?! He saves Noah, his good

family and some GOOD animals.(As we heretofore stated other cultures have similar flood stories, for

example, the Greeks and Zeus). Later, he does it again (A repeat performance in a somewhat smaller

scale): He kills the first born sons of Egypt - many of whom were babies. Moses and the tribes make it

safely across the parted water. Does God restore the water to prevent the Pharaoh and his soldiers from

 continuing their pursuit? No; he waits until they are on the riverbed before returning the water: the horrible

 death by drowning again. (FAIR AND BALANCED:  We shall be equally tough with science when circumstances

warrant. You experienced a sample of that in an earlier installment. We will concentrate on science after we

wrap up religion - one more installment).

Let's return to where we left off last time...Of course, the Pope, Bishop Jake and the Reverend Graham are

shielded from tough questions by their staffs - much like when the president appears before a group like a

town meeting and the only invitees are of his party, the questions are cleared in advance or supplied. Even

the White House Press Corp never asks truly tough questions; although, republican presidents get far more

semi-tough ones than dems.

      Did the Apostles and even more so Paul get some of the ideas about Jesus from gods like Osiris, Mithra

and Hercules? After his death when they were trying to fully what he was about and were trying to come to

terms with his death.

     There is sparse evidence that Jesus studied with the Essences but stronger evidence that James

was associated with this strict Jewish sect. While the Old Testament predicts another Messiah (Jews had

Messiahs such as Moses and David), some interpret the Dead Sea Scrolls written by the Essenes as

stating that the Messiah would be crucified and rise. Does this mean that there were Jews who prior to Jesus

 thought in terms of a suffering messiah who must suffer for man (Most of Hercules 'labors' were for man),

 perhaps, not even achieve all of his goals if the suffering took the form of a premature death?

      Enter: Simon of Peraea who nearly had a successful rebellion against Herod until he was caught and became

head-less! Josephus the most famous and respected first century historian writes more about him than Jesus.

Some archeologists maintain that his followers wrote that Simon rose after three days, perhaps, to cope with

their messiah defeat; many continue to follow him after his death. He died in 4 B.C. Did Jesus know of and did

he become a prototype for Jesus. Or, did the apostles find out about him and decide Jesus rose as a way of

coping. Historians have wondered: There have been up to ten who have claimed to be messiah or their followers

 have claimed it  between about 10 BC and 700 AD. They would be killed - defeated - all or virtually all of their

followers dispersed and went home. They few they didn't soon faded away. Christians claim that apostles and

other followers went into hiding after crucifixion for about two weeks and then emerged preaching. Why didn't they

abandon Jesus. Did they transpose Simon to Jesus (maybe, not consciously aware of what they were doing) and

 continue to follow like many of Simon followers did? Jesus rose  after suffering and will return later to fulfil his mission.

De-emphasize defeat: killed;' emphasize: rose and later return for Last Judgement. Simon and Jesus not abandoned

by followers; eventually, after long interval Simon lost his - maybe, some became Jesus followers. The key for Simon/

Jesus: resurrection.

*Strange Bedfellows: We will continue to defend the rights of the religious as our friends George, John, Tom, Jim

and the rest of the gang intended. Alliance Defense Fund's Certificate of Appreciation: "Richard DePersio: A

Champion of Religious Freedom whose steadfast support helps keep the door open for the spread of the Gospel."

Fwd: PLATO'S MAN in the CAVE series continues...

-----Original Message-----
From: b <rrdd3939@aol.com>
To: rrdd3939 <rrdd3939@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Apr 25, 2012 12:56 pm
Subject: PLATO'S MAN in the CAVE series continues...

                                          Plato's Man in the Cave Series continues...

     Osiris* (our beer guy) to Mithra (mark his birthday on your calendar: December 25)

                                                    to Hercules** to Paul's Jesus

                                    by Richard DePersio and Citizen Journalist

Article is largely self-contained and stands alone. However, you will get more out of series if you

begin with part one. Do it as we worked hard on them! Do it for Plato!

Reminder: RD & CJ are deist with a Splash of Plato; do believe in possibility of God and Heaven.

 (Views which he will share with you soon). Strange Bedfellows? We Report/You Decide: A

strong believer in all of Amendment One, he is a proud member of ADF (Alliance Defense Fund -

protecting the rights of the religious, especially, Christian from lib attacks) and acknowledges the

largely positive role played by the Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist religions. Blind belief or a

critical examination of the Bible in order to get "Closer to the Truth" (Have you seen that series?-

PBS/CUNY. Our,activities have been similar for the past few years. Excellent show but we don't

always agree; we would also like to thank our ourselves for affording ourselves the opportunity to

recommend "the Naked Archeologist" on the HistoryChannel). Plato appears regularly at this venue

and rarely at www.rickcmtsite.blogspot.com He will be  producing the next article there (will it be live?)

soon. Taking care of business.

 

 Mithraism religion originated about 600 B.C. in Persia, made its way to Greece and, eventually, Rome.

 He was human, yet, divine and born on December 25 from a rock. He is known for slaughtering a

bull and sharing a banquet with sun-god. Actually, he was an offspring of the sun-god. Mithra had

twelve companions and performed miracles (sound familiar?). He had 'nicknames': the Good

Shepard; the Way, the Truth and the Light; Redeemer; Savior (Sound familiar?). Upon death, he was

 buried in a tomb and resurrected three days later. This day was celebrated. Later, Christians would

celebrate Easter on the self-same day. 

      He had a virgin mother. After birth, he was visited by three magi who adored him and

brought him gifts. Followers believed in the immortality of the soul, a last judgement and the

resurrection of the dead.

      There was baptism to remove sin and a ceremony involving water and bread and, in which,

sacramental wine played a role. There are additional similarities between Christianity and Mithraism.

      There are those that maintain that Mythra ideas were resurrected in the Roman Empire about

 a decade or so after Jesus resurrected. It became a secret mystery cult particularly attractive

to Roman officers. Which elements were part of Roman version and which elements that are new

is uncertain. It might have been syncretistic. (The myth of Mithra may have originated in India three

thousand years ago went to Persia to Babylonian to Greece to Rome).

(Keep in mind for later: Christmas; Easter; Roman officers).

                                                                 ***

The 12 Apostles lived and worked with Jesus for three years. Many scholars consider it reasonable

to assume that Jesus knew some of them, especially, the fisherman in the Galilee before he began

his ministry at age 27.

      And, then came Paul. He never knew Jesus; what he knew of his life and philosophy was

secondhand. He arrested followers of Jesus after Jesus was crucified. He was a strict Jew. As

we stated in a previous installment, he was likely more educated than the Apostles. It was

unusual for Jews to be Roman citizens. Some well-to-do Jews were; Paul's parents were. He

likely received a fairly good education and spoke Greek, Hebrew and Latin plus would have had an

accent. all of this added up to his being a strange one as far as the Apostles were concerned. On the

road to Damascus (wasn't that a Hope/Crosby movie?), he fell off of his horse, hit his head and had a

vision of Jesus which resulted in his conversion. Biblical experts indicate that he may have had more

visions or dreams in which he learned more. The Bible explicitly talks of one. 

      He considered himself the 13th Apostle which didn't sit well with most of the Originals, including,

Jesus' brother James. Experts tell us that he combined Jesus' philosophy with Greek philosophy,

especially, Greek Stoic Philosophy. He told pagans that they could become Jesus believers without

becoming Jews and, on at least one occasion, told Jews that they could abandon the Law. Over

two-thirds of New Testament is concerned with Paul's interpretation of Jesus theology, Paul's activities

and Paul's letters. He largely defined Holy Spirit, encouraged performing Communion every Sunday and

stated that baptism should replace circumcision (which was part of the sacred covenant made

between God and the Israelites), amongst other things. Why didn't Jesus tell these things during the

three yeas that he spent with the Apostles. Certainly, he would have made the time. Did he forget? Did he

have to make an appearance to the guy who hit his noggin' to tie up loose ends; loose ends? - more

like fundamental issues.

      We haven't heard or read the following anywhere. Is it an original idea? In the past, we have been

certain of our originality on various issues. In this case, we claim such until the contrary rears its ugly

 head. We think not. Others probably had it before us. The educated Paul would have known the

Hercules Myth. Might he not also have known of Osiris and Mitra. Did he create a syncretism involving

the lives of Jesus plus elements from these three other gods thus creating a new Jesus story? As stated

previously, the Apostles thought Jesus to be Messiah while Paul thought him to be Messiah and Son of

God. A few of the Apostles but not most came around to his way of thinking, including, Peter --- but not

James!

      Upon the death of John the Baptist, Jesus became the leader of John's People of the Way group;

Upon Jesus' death, People of the Way became the Nazarenes headed by the Bishop of Jerusalem,

James (brother of Jesus according to Protestants but not Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics).

Jesus and the Apostles were practicing Jews and the Apostles continued to be so after Jesus'

crucifixion. Jesus modified of few of the 613 commandments but did not abandon any of them; added

new prayers to existing Jewish prayers; ate kosher; was called rabbi; worshipped at the Jerusalem

 (second Solomon) Temple; celebrated Jewish holy days - he celebrated Passover the day before he was

 nailed to the cross. He nor his Apostles ever said that baptism could replace circumcision! The

circumcised Jesus was a Jew-boy!

      It appears to more and more Biblical authorities that Jesus wasn't here to create a new religion but

a new Jewish denomination - what we call in hindsight Jewish-Christians.  (which is what the Nazarenes

were while today we refer to followers of Paul as Pauline Christians).

     It appears that Paul wanted to reconcile with James. When the Jerusalem congregation was in dire

financial straits, he raised a collection amongst his followers and brought it to Jerusalem in person. The

donation was soundly rejected. "Paul: Founder of Christianity" by Gerd Ludemann (Prometheus Books, 2002):

"...Paul was an apostate from the law (Editor's Note: Jewish law) almost from the beginning...in Acts

21:21, Paul teachers all Jews who are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to

circumcise their children or observe the customs. This charge {apostate) runs like a scarlet thread

through the stories told by the Jewish Christian groups which claimed to be the successors of the original

Jerusalem church."

     Rejection of Pascal's Wager: Collection rejected by James and Jerusalem community; James and

Jerusalem community very probably somehow responsible for Paul's arrest and certainly did nothing to

help him. Not original: A growing number of Bible experts think that James had a role in Paul's arrest.

Whereupon, Paul invokes his Roman citizenship and placed under semi-house arrest: continues to preach,

have visitors. Some suggest that he had been working with the Sadducees (the Temple rabbis, the wealthiest

 and most powerful of the Jewish denomoinations) or the  Pharisees (rabbis of Synagogues and their followers,

 Paul is believed to have been a Pharisee) to cause a rift between Judaism and Jewish Christians.

Sadducees worked with Roman authorities and Paul lived the good prisoner life - though, eventually, he lost

 his noggin' - the very noggin' that generated at least one vision.

      In this corner, the guy who hits his noggin' and in the other corner, those who knew him. Remember:

This is the 21th Century. We don't think that demons are around every corner and hiding behind bushes.

     And, then came Roman Emperor Constantine...

**Correction: In Hercules installment we stated that he rose body and soul after completing ten labors mostly

for humanity and after descending into Hades. His body burnt while SOUL rose during which time Zeus converted

him from a demi-god into a god.

*Footnote or Supplement to Osiris Installment? We Write/You Decide (Our former English teachers can hang

themselves with a dangly participle!). More on Osiris and beer: A Greek historian from the time of Julius Caesar

wrote that, "Osiris taught the people how to brew the beverage which is made of barley, which is not greatly

inferior to wine in odor and potency."

 

 

 

Fwd: Platonic Potpourri of Problem Places...

-----Original Message-----
From: b <rrdd3939@aol.com>
To: rrdd3939 <rrdd3939@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, Mar 28, 2012 12:33 pm
Subject: Fwd: Platonic Potpourri of Problem Places...

    The Return of  Plato's Man in the Cave Series - Platonic Potpourri of Problem Places

                                      Subtitle: Getting Acquainted with Osiris

                                 by Richard DePersio and Citizen Journalist

     The Other Parts of the Series are located on the Floors Below the One Containing

                the Historic Doyle/DePersio Collaboration and Next Door (Page Two)

 Reminder: Deists with a Splash of Plato; Moral Traditionalists; Respect/See Value in 

Jewish and Christian Faiths, Hindu and Buddhist Beliefs.

Citizen Journalist is a Citizen Journalist and, now, a Citizen Scientist too. He is

a Member of Team USA in SETI@Home - a participant in the search for

extra-terrestrial intelligence.

 

Over the past ten years or so, atheists, evolution, multi-verses, as well as, scientific

explanations for such things as miracles and near-death experiences have

received unprecedented exposure on the Internet, on cable-TV and in the print media.

Individuals and topics which would rarely be covered in the past out of fear of

offending the vast majority religious. Could such boldness be attributed in part to the

weakening of the once powerful Catholic Church in the United States by the child

molestation scandals that came to light about a decade ago?

Could it in part be do to a loss of patience and, therefore, a reconsideration of belief

by the religious due to the failure of the Messiah to return or to make his first

appearance, Christians and Jews, respectively. There is no question but that the

apostles expected Jesus to return within their lifetimes or shortly thereafter.

What will come of this new exposure to what was once perceived as forbidden ideas?

Presently, five percent of Americans identify themselves as atheists and five per

cent agnostic. We predict that those numbers will more than double over the next

decade which isn't necessarily a good thing,

 

The Problem with Religion and Science:

Up first: Religion

We enjoy writing about our Chosen People (www.quasarpolitics.blogspot.com

"...Alexander had tried by conquest to unite the known world. He had brought into

closer touch with each Greece, Egypt, Palestine, Babylonia, Persia, and even a part

of India. He founded Alexandria which grew into a great city where the scholars of

the time mingled. he and his successors overran Palestine and tried to hellenize

Jewish thought. from this time on, the Greek influence is evidenced in Jewish thinking..."

-"Handbook in the History of Philosophy" by Albert e. Avery (Barnes and Noble, 1961)

It isn't until near the end of the Old Testament that the idea of the bodily resurrection

enters the picture. It is in the Book of Daniel. Jews were about to go to war, therefore,

martyrdom for the faith had to be justified. Your body would be resurrected at the Last

Judgement prior to God creating a new Heaven and a new Earth. Also the need to

demonstrate that death wasn't stronger than God. Daniel knew nothing of soul. A

century late, Jews encountered Plato's concept of soul. It exists in Heaven, enters

corrupt body prior to birth, will return to Heaven while unnecessary body decays. They

combined Daniel with Plato in their thinking: body and soul will be resurrected. It is

part of Rabbinic Talmud and not Old Testament per se.

During the Enlightenment, some Jews felt that in order to be taken seriously certain

concepts had to be abandoned. Bodily resurrection of the decayed body seemed

absurd.

Will their be a Messiah and the creation of a new Heaven and Earth? See: "Plato's

Man in the Cave Series: Soul" downstairs and you will also ascertain how  Jewish

denomination of Reconstructionist Jew developed since the Enlightenment.

"This humble and self-sacrificing Jew represents a new vision of the Almighty: no

longer a stern and demanding tyrant intent on punishing even those who cannot help

themselves, but a loving and forgiving  father who offers rest and peace to imperfect

humans who accept his grace. Besides, by transforming this Jesus into a mystic Christ-

Redeemer Paul could become the Apostle-in-Chief of a new program of salvation with a

culture-wide appeal".-"Paul: The Founder of Christianity" by Gerd Ludemann (Prometheus

Books 2002). "Paul's self-reported appointment to be an apostle was also attributed

to the resurrected Jesus---although a number of the original apostles remained

unconvinced."-The Acts of the Apostles: What Really Happened in the Earliest Days of

the Church" by Gerd Lidemann (Prometheus Books, 2005).

Newt Gingrich's "Rediscovering God in America" (Integrity Publishers, 2006): "Historians

have long debated the extent of George Washington's faith. However, as historian

Michael Novak has recently observed, Washington's own step-granddaughter. 'Nelly' Curtis,

thought his words and actions were so plain and obvious that she could not understand

how anybody failed to see that he had always lived as a serious Christian.

You can see a line from Osiris to Hercules to Jesus; You can see how Plato and Philo

influenced Paul nearly as much as Jesus.

The apostles were practicing Jews while Paul, the Founder of Christianity, stopped pract-

icing it, for the most part, after discovering Jesus.

The apostles believed Jesus to be Messiah. Paul believed him to be Messiah and Son

of God. A few Apostles came to agree with Paul, including, Peter; most didn't, including,

Jesus' brother James. James was the first bishop of the Nazarenes (practicing Jews who

believed in Jesus; they can be considered Jewish-Christians) - the Bishop of Jerusalem.

As we stated in earlier installments, Paul's views prevailed. Did he hijack Jesus from the

Apostles (unlike Paul, they actually knew Jesus).

James remains in Jerusalem awaiting Jesis' imminent return and being critical of the

usurper Paul. Paul's assertion that pagans could accept Jesus without obeying the Law

(the Ten Commandments plus the other 603 commandments) was apparently abhorrent

to James. James 2:12 reads, "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point

has become guilty of all of it. The upshot is that the author of James attacks passages

from the Pauline letters and thereby Paul himself. James may be considered an anti-Pauline

 document.

What about the Gospel of Mark? Gerd writes, "And it is the divinization of Jesus (a step that

comports with ---- if it does not derive from ---- Paul) by which Mark steers the gospel

tradition into a path that led inexorably away from the strict monotheism of Judaism."

Each Gospel appears to be written for a different audience. Mark: world is bad and about to end.

Save your soul. Apostolic - end of the world view - Paul's view. Mathew: Jesus is a great

teacher and interpreter of truth. Jewish audience. Luke: Jesus is Savior of all people and all

nations. Gentile audience, Paul's view.  John: more Gnostic, Holy Spirit-oriented.

"Jesus was a first century Palestinian Jew...The theology was Jewish monotheism...Jesus

shared the belief that Israel's god was the only true god...Jesus shared the belief that

Israel had been chosen to be YHWH's special people, through whom the world would be

addressed by its creator."-The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions" by Borg and Wright

(HaperCollins, 1999). The Apostles believed Jesus to be the Messiah - the fulfillment of the

Old Testament promise. Some would come to agree with Paul (the self-appointed 13th

Apostle) that Jesus was the Son of God. James didn't.

 

The Egyptian god Osiris goes back to about 3,000 B.C. Of course, they would have thought

that he always existed. The Egyptians believed that Osiris was of divine origin, that he

suffered death and mutilation at the hands of the powers of evil. After a great struggle with

those powers, he rose again. He became henceforth the king of the underworld and judge

of the dead and because he conquered death the righteous might also conquer death.

In a communion ceremony, the death of the grain and the death of Osiris are one and the

same. The cereal is identified with the god who came from heaven; he is the bread by which

 man lives. The resurrection of the god is symbolized by the rebirth of the grain.

Further, grain becomes beer: sacred to the gods; joy-giving to humans. Give us an hallelujah!

The Coptic (Catholic, Apostolic) Church was founded by the apostle Mark and has its HQ in

 Egpt. In the early Coptic Church (which separated out from the Roman Catholic Church),

Osiris was considered the prototype for Jesus and in the pictures and statues of Isis (Osiris'

wife) suckling her (their) son Horus, they perceived the prototype of Mary and her child.

Hercules in Greek Mythology would come later but before Jesus. We already discussed

the parallel between the lives of Hercules and Jesus.

 

Fwd: FOX NEWS ALERT (New/Expanded Version)

-----Original Message-----
From: b <rrdd3939@aol.com>
To: rrdd3939 <rrdd3939@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Mar 22, 2012 5:59 pm
Subject: Fwd: FOX NEWS ALERT (New/Expanded Version)

FOX NEWS ALERT: "CJCS Comsats has been dormant for a week for the

reason given below and for the reasons given in the historic literary

collaboration between Doyle and DePersio via the Einstein/Rosen Bridge.

A FOX News Exclusive: We have the numbers for its last active week and for the

first time AddThis Analytics and Google Analytics don't corroborate each

other.

AddThis Analytics: Visits: 921, Readers: 253; Google Analytics: Visits:

1488, Readers: 377. We shall split the difference: 1209, 315. Our numbers

have been steadily growing over the past five months. We commenced

operations over two and a half years ago. We are rightly proud of our numbers!

We rightly thank our Readers/Cyber-Friends for those numbers.

Operations have been suspended indefinitely. New Readers, please enjoy recent

and older posts - most are completely or largely not time-sensitive; not out-of-

date -- we swear to NASA! You can connect to our comsats (web sites) via

Facebook: Second American Revolution or Twitter: Home Page.

WANTED: Individual for Intellectual/Social Intercourse in Cyber-Space, perhaps,

leading to collaboration in areas of mutual interest. I am Dago Red and I approve

of this message (in lieu of the absent but no longer missing Citizen Journalist).
Sent: Mon, Mar 12, 2012 4:25 pm
Subject: SEEKING CONTRIBUTORS...
QUALIFIED...not unqualified...CONTRIBUTORS WANTED: Science/

Technology; Humor; Politics; Poetry; Economics; History; Go where

your Muse takes you. Reach an audience of up to: Visits: 900;

Readers: 250.

WORKLOAD BECOMING TOO HEAVY TO CONTINUE SOLO. For more

info, see Doyle/DePersio - last chapter below. If interested, please

 leave message at Twitter: @rickaddsite or Facebook: Richard DePersio

Fwd: ...His Last Bow

-----Original Message-----
From: b <rrdd3939@aol.com>
To: rrdd3939 <rrdd3939@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Mar 8, 2012 6:40 pm
Subject: Fwd: ...His Last Bow

Nota Bene': Chapter 9 (the final chapter) appears after (not before

Chapter 6; up and until now, we have been posting in reverse order; go

down 7 floors for Chapter 1 - Warning: elevator is still out-of-order; Chapter-

Order is a mystery in itself!)
Subject: ...Light in the Darkness & The Conclusion
Sent: Mon, Mar 5, 2012 6:30 pm
Subject: Fwd: The Adventure of the Priory School...
Chapter 8

   THE MUSGRAVE RITUAL & LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS & THE CONCLUSION

                                      by A.C. Doyle

                             CITIZEN JOURNALIST IS MISSING...FOUND!

                                              by R. DePersio

"Just one more thing."

{"Elementary...What are you doing here, Lieutenant?, inquired Sherlock.

"I haven't been to Mount Rushmore in ages," Colombo responded. "Give my best

to you know who." And, he was gone: trench coat and all.}

"You know my methods in such cases, Watson. I put myself in the man's

place, and, having first gauged his intelligence, I try to imagine how I should

myself have proceeded under the same circumstances. In this case the

matter was simplified by {Citizen Journalist's} intelligence being quite

first-rate...He had spotted the {new} place."

"The whole thing occurred in a moment---so quickly that I had no time to

realize it. I have a vivid recollection of that instant, of Holmes's triumphant

expression, and the ring of his voice, of the {tour guides} dazed face..." (At

last I would know what-the-blazes we were doing at Mount Rushmore!}

"Didn't I tell {you when we} started, said Sherlock with a laugh. "That's the

result of [our} study of {Citizen Journalist:} to get him a testimonial!"

"Never mind," I answered; I have all the facts in my journal, and the public

shall know of them. {Sherlock: "Your a regular Subject Journalist! I wonder if

our American audience will appreciate that meager attempt at wit?}

"...from his point of view, any sudden change would be likely to draw attention

to himself...There was no reason to suppose that he was going under an assumed

name. Why should he change his name in {his} country where no one knew his

original {and other} one {or do they? That's another case} I {garnered much

information by having those with whom I contracted,  systematically to every cab

proprietor...until they ferreted out  {useful information and he is my report, said

Mycroft}

{"I thought that you had lost interest in the case and returned to London," stated

Sherlock."

"Perish the thought! You know how I feel about CJ-RD. They are amongst the

few homo sapiens that I can tolerate having placed them in charge of my (Facebook)

Diogenes Club - American Branch."}

{"Mycroft, prior to your arrival, Sherlock was about to enlighten us regards his

solution to the case. I am confident that it will be fortified by your report."

{"Ellory, what brings you here?, says Sherlock. Another interruption, I, Watson,

 thought to myself. I've been waiting for what seems like an eternity for the

conclusion.}

{"He is, after all, a friend of mine too. I feel guilty - for the longest time, I have promised

to produce or contribute to an article at www.rickcmtsite.blogspot.com as you have

done on many occasions. It's been good seeing you all again." Ellory Queen was

about to depart when Sherlock said: "I want all of you to be my guest tonight for

supper, or, as the Americans say, dinner. I hope to have a surprise quest." Oh, no!,

I thought, I'd have to wait another eternity for the conclusion.}

 

 

 

Sent: Tue, Feb 28, 2012 5:12 pm
Subject: The Adventure of the Priory School...

                         THE ADVENTURE OF THE PRIORY SCHOOL

                                             by A.C. Doyle

                                CITIZEN JOURNALIST IS MISSING

                                        by R.J. DePersio

("Where in the World is Citizen Journalist" & "The Radio Show -one floor down)

{CJ was visiting Dago Red} "His absence was discovered at seven o'clock

{Friday} morning. His bed was slept in. He had dressed himself fully, before

going off,...There were no signs that anyone had entered the room, and it is

quite certain that anything in the nature of...a struggle would have been heard,

since {I was} in the inner room is a very light sleeper."

"When {CJ's} disappearance was discovered, I at once called {RD}." {Not the

police," said Holmes} Mr. Holmes, if you ever put forward your full powers, I

implore you to do so now, for never in your life could you have a case which is

more worthy of them." {Sherlock: "Who chose the 'Invisible Hand' to be

included in the last two articles." DR: "CJ." "For a writer, what two things are

nearly as bad as death?," said Holmes, thinking aloud.}

Sherlock has provided you with three clues above plus he gleaned two clues from:

'Where in the World..." - one floor down.
Sent: Fri, Feb 24, 2012 3:03 pm
Subject: The Musgrave Ritual...

      THE MUSGRAVE RITUAL                     MURDER IN WESTMINSTER

                                                by A.C. Doyle

                           CITIZEN JOURNALIST IS MISSING

                                             by R.J.  DePersio

 {Day One} "I confess that so far, Watson, I had been disappointed in my

investigation. I had reckoned upon solving the matter when once I had

found the {the fishing hole}, but now I was there, and was apparently as far

as ever from knowing what it was which had {been} concealed...It is true that

I had thrown a light upon the fate of {Citizen Journalist}, but now I had to

ascertain how that fate had come upon him..."

{Watson musings}. So for three mornings the mystery remained, so far as

I could follow it in the papers {on the news and Internet}. If Holmes knew more,

he kept his own counsel, but, as he told me {Andy Taylor} had taken him into

his confidence, I knew that he was in close touch with every development.

Upon the fourth day there appeared a long {email for Holmes}...which

seemed to solve the whole question.

"My dear Watson," said he, as he rose from the table and paced up and

down the room, "you are most long-suffering but if I have told you nothing in

the last three days, it is because there is nothing to tell. Even now this

report {he points to screen} doesn't tell us much."

{Sherlock and Mycroft have telephoned Ben, Adam, Hoss, Joe. Al, Rod, Dago,

Marion and the rest of the cast in search of clues}.

                                                       To Be Continued                                                        

 CONGRATULATIONS: YOU FOUND US! YOU ARE NOW HONORARY MEMBERS
OF THE BAKER STREET IRREGULARS and (Facebook) DIOGENES CLUB -

AMERICAN BRANCH.

 

    

'The Conclusion'     The Red-Headed League     The Adventure of the Empty House

                                                    His Last Bow

                                                    by Arthur Conan Doyle

 The Missing Citizen Journalist...Found! (As Yogi Berra would say: "It's

 de'ja' vu, all over again)          by Richard DePersio

{They gathered that evening at one of the 'restuarants' at the national landmark - the

ambience not commensurate with Sherlock's sometimes refined tastes.}

"And now to the great question as to the reason why." {"Do try a hot dog and a

hamburger, good sport," interrupted Ellory. Sherlock: "When in Rome...in the former

colonies do..". "I shall enjoy watching but will he enjoy eating?" Ellory whispered to Dago

Red who appeared as if mysteriously!} "Robbery had not been the object...for nothing was

taken. Was it politics, then, or was it a woman. That was the question that confronted

me. I was inclined...at first...to the latter supposition {"Prior to coming here, I paid a visit to

 Hef. We all know that Citizen Journalist has been....shall, we say....successful with the

 fairer sex. And, it had been one of the stops on his triumphant promotional tour."} "

"Political assassins are only too glad to do their work and to fly. {"We all know that Citizen

Journalist exercises his right to free speech by Offending with Truth and not apologizing

on Twitter for having done so. There are the liberal PC police who only believe in free speech

which conforms to their philosophy."} "...the perpetrator had left his tracks..." {"The word

invisible appears often in the last two articles at www.rickcmtsite.blogspot.com to which

Citizen Journalist contributed. Invisible is related to vanish."} "It must have been a private

wrong, and not a political one {although, Citizen Journalist is not guilty of such, his enemies

think otherwise} which called for such a methodical {action}. {In one of said articles he

makes reference to pain on his CMT hands...and the invisible hand. Was he the victim

of foul play? Dago Red, I'm not surprised by your appearance here. We all consider

ourselves friends of the missing Citizen Journalist. Your closeness to him is second only

to Richard DePersio. Tell me, why Calliope appears at rickcmtsite?" Dago: Not long ago, CJ

suggested that we post her painting with an article in the near future, in his absence, I

remembered his suggestion and instead found a way to incorporate it into a promo for

Facebook and Twitter. Sherlock: "I'm surprised that our mutual friend Richard DePersio isn't

here or is he; that's another case."}

{As I heretofore stated the two worst things that can happen to a writer are the loss of his

Muse and difficulty with his hands. The word hand appears often in the last two articles on

 which he worked as well. I contend that he and he alone staged his disappearance - making

himself invisible!"}

"A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting,"

"You did, doctor, but none the less you must come round to my view for otherwise I shall

keep on piling fact upon fact on you until your reason breaks down under them and

acknowledge me to be right. Now Mr. Jabez Watson here has been good enough to call

upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to be one of the most

singular which {he} listened to in some time. You have heard me remark that the strangest

and most unique things are very often connected not with the larger but with the smaller

crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for doubt whether any positive

crime has been committed. As far as I have heard it is impossible for me to say  whether

the present case is a crime or not {I think not}, but the course of events is certainly among

the most singular {that I have ever encountered. Proceed, Mr. Watson."}

{"Thank you, Mr. Holmes for this opportunity. I thought better and came around to his way of

thinking. The fishing hole' was a red herring. Inspiration: venues of prior conquests - the

grotto. More important: achievement - triumphant publicity tour. He would be found looking for

inspiration and his Muse."

{Thank you, doctor. I firmly believe that his Muse will return intermittently. One of his cyber-

friends who is qualified should offer to periodically submit an article to lighten his load - he

who is known amongst other things as: CITIZEN Your Shoot-from-the-Hip/Non-PC Cripple

JOURNALIST. CJCJ (Citizen Journalist/Cayuga Productions/Shamley Productions) Comsats

(web sites) enjoy up to 935 Visits and 265 Readers per week.

{"He or she can write on science or humor or politics or poetry or philosophy or music or

economics, says Dago Red, "or go where ever his or her Muse takes him or her - it's

awkward to be PC!"

{"Why would he perpetrate such an elaborate hoax," inquired Watson. "His superior mind

couldn't do otherwise and such a scheme was necessitated to engage my mind. I think

that he was confidant that I would bite. Part of him wanting to be found or caught - which is

often the case," answered Holmes. "Your superior mind?" "Modesty dictates..."

{"I was handed a letter by someone engaged solely for the purpose of delivering it; the letter

purportedly from Citizen Journalist. Dago Red, you are to go to this location with binoculars and

look at Tom; It is my understanding that Citizen Journalist considers Tom a friend." Dago

Red departed for the specified location. Ellory left for destination unknown.}

{"I consider Citizen Journalist a friend. Although, I have never seen him. We have corresponded

extensively and have participated in rather lengthy telephonic communications," revealed Holmes.}

{"I saw him once but I must admit that it was brief and at a distance," said Watson.}

{Watson continued.} "...I must confess to a start when...I saw the man...there...at my threshold."

{I at the end of the room.}" He is extremely tall and thin, his forehead domes out in a white curve,

and his eyes are deeply sunken in his head. He is clean-shaven, pale, and ascetic-looking,

retaining something of the professor in his features. His shoulders are rounded from  much

study, and his face protrudes forward and is forever slowly oscillating from side to side in a

curiously reptilian fashion. He peered at me with great curiosity in his puckered eyes."

{Holmes: "Are you sure that it was him." Watson: "What are you getting at?" "Could it have

been someone posing as him for your benefit." "Good heavens,Holmes, allow me on your

train of thought." "Are you certain that it was he." "Your causing me to doubt myself. Are you

doing it again - piling fact upon fact...until reason breaks down under them' ? "Are you certain

that it was he?" "I was expecting him that day. I assumed it was him." "Ah, you assumed.

What did he say?" "He said, 'I need to talk to you, doctor.' He looked at his watch and said,

'Not now, I'm running late. He was the only person to visit that day." "Could it not have been

potentially a new patient?" "Why do you do this to me?"}

{What do you think is transpiring between Citizen Journalist and Dago Red, Holmes."}

"Such was the remarkable narrative to which I listened on that {March} day---a narrative

which would have been utterly incredible to me had it not been confirmed by the actual

sight of the tall, spare figure and the keen, eager face, which I had never thought to see again.

...'Work is the best antidote to {my plight; though of necessity severely curtailed}...I have a

piece of work for us and if we can bring it to a successful conclusion will in itself justify a

man's life on this planet. In vain I begged him to tell me more to no avail; I would have to be patient."

{Holmes paced back and forth for what seemed an eternity. With his back to me, he said,

"Or, we are part of a ruse, concocted by a mastermind. Delicious! Watson: "Holmes, earlier,

you stated that's another case. What did you mean." "Watson, it will keep until we return to

London and Baker Street." I couldn't wait for more.}

{Back in London. I was staring out the window in deep thought. I was startled when Holmes

emerged from the WC and stated loudly, "I have a theory regarding Richard DePersio/

Citizen Journalist. Do you remember a couple of days ago when I said that I was surprised

that Richard De{ersio wasn't here for his good friend---or, was he? Who is tying this. Consider

the staff of CJCS Comsats which, includes, us. The members are listed at

www.rickcmtsite.blogspot.com Mycroft finally contributes, "Some can't type for one reason while

 the others can't type for the other reason. "Are they fake; are they posing?," asked Watson.}
"No, no, don't call it a pose. A pose is an artificial thing. This is quite natural {for him/them.}

{Unsurpassed ingenious entertainment and an intellectual exercise to boot. It is a reality.}
"Another glass..." said Mr. Sherlock Holmes as he extended the bottle of Imperial Tokay.

{"Another glass, Mycroft.}

"This is good wine, Holmes."
"A remarkable wine, Watson. Our friend upon the sofa has assured me that it is from Franz

Josef's special cellar at the Schoenbrunn Palace.

{Of course Holmes can do more than one thing at a time---ever the experimenter.}

"Might I trouble you to open the window for chloroform vapour does not help the palate.

 

                                                                          THE END          

The first review is in: "Superb...Thought-provoking... I see a movie version in the future."