Saturday, September 30, 2006

Iraq War Cost - Update

Dave of the11thhour on the cost of the Iraq war.

It's increasing!

Three Hundred Seventy Nine Billion Dollars spent on the Iraq war so far.

According to the CIA the population of Iraq is twenty six million seventy four thousand.

Let's do some simple math.

$379,000,000,000 / 26,074,906. = $14,535.

That's $14,535 per man, woman, and child in Iraq.

According to the CIA, Iraq's per capita income is $3,500, which means we have spent the equivalent of four years per capita income on each Iraqi since our invasion of that country.

Of course the money being spent on the war is not being spent on the average Iraqi. In fact Iraqis are much worse off financially than they were before the invasion.

We could have spent the last three years tossing stacks of one hundred dollars bills out of our Humvees, and at least that way there'd be far fewer IED's, and RPG attacks on our soldiers.

In fact I doubt there would be anyone attacking our troops at all - not without a great deal of fear, and trepidation.

The war is being financed with deficit dollars (stolen from future generations of U.S. taxpayers), and is making friends of President Bush richer by the day.

What has the war in Iraq gained the average citizen of the U.S.?

I can't think of anything gained which would be worth the blood, and treasure this war has already cost this nation.

自助餐城市所有者请读了 - Please Bring Food


Image: Budda

斯普林菲尔德, 伊利诺伊所有者自助餐城市。我们吃了您的食物。您的食物品尝了好。食物价格是好的。您的服务是好的。 不要感觉痛苦。我们感觉您的哀痛。我们祝愿您开始新地方吃。我们要您做大时运。请雇用法定工作者。请雇用美国工作者。自助餐城市食物是最佳的食物。再开自助餐城市。


Image: Chinese Buffet

我乞求所有中国企业人民听。 斯普林菲尔德伊利诺伊需要中国自助餐。 我们的中国自助餐最近是闭合的。 自助餐城市是极端有利事务。 做任何人将是被找出的斯普林菲尔德的巨大的时运, 伊利诺伊打开中国自助餐。 我们是伊利诺伊资本。 我们提供几所学院, 并且伊利诺伊大学并且是这里。 我们和有几家大医院。 我们位于在芝加哥, 伊利诺伊附近。 我们提供愉快的学校, 优良住宅, 以安全社区。 我们的人民是极端宽容, 与中国人民。 我们爱中国食物。 请位于到斯普林菲尔德, 伊利诺伊您的中国自助餐。

The Arnold Home


Arnold Home - Lincoln Home Historic Area - Springfield, Illinois

Story to follow...

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Are Springfield Illinois' Historic Homes Haunted?


Photo: Are Spirits Haunting The Lincoln Home Historic Area?

The homes in the Lincoln Home Historic Area in Springfield, Illinois see hundred's of thousands of visitors each year, but what happens after the sun sets is somewhat of a mystery even to those who work in the popular tourist site.

To be continued..,

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Baking Orbs The Old Fashioned Way - Lasers


Photograph: Plasma Dots Via Pulsed Laser

Magic via Science - Making Orbs with Lasers


By synchronizing these pulses and controlling them with software, our device can draw any 3D objects in air.

-Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology-

Researchers at the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology listed their accomplishments in the field of 3D display systems using lasers to create dots of plasma out of air.
  1. We have used laser produced plasma technology to make a flashpoint in the air.
  2. We have greatly improved the brightness, contrast, and production distance of the plasma by optimizing the laser beams.
  3. Using a laser plasma, we have been the first to succeed in displaying "real 3D images" in a space where there is nothing but air.


Graphic: Using Lasers To Create Plasma Dots In A 3D Display System

Japanese researchers use lasers to creating plasma dots. Using computer controlled lasers allows for the creation of 3D dot matrix patterns in mid-air!

Another snippet:
"The device we have developed utilizes the plasma emission phenomenon near the focal point of focused laser light. By controlling the position of the focal point in the direction of the x-, y-, and z-axes, we have succeeded in displaying real 3D-images constructed by dot arrays in air (3D-space)."


Photo: Simple 3D Plasma Designs Using A Non-Classified Pulsed Laser System

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Lincoln Home Historic Area - Image Bright Spot


Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom One - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

The Coincidence

Today as I was walking with Randy Reynolds for our lunch time constitutional, and photo blogging romp, we had this exchange (kind of a paraphrase - with some time compression used for presentability):

JeromeProphet: I've noticed that Marie Carnes Isn't Posting Comments on my blog.

Photo-Etc: What?

JeromeProphet: Yes, I think she's angry at me, or something.

Photo-Etc: Why would she be upset with you?

JeromeProphet: Well, I think she feels that I made fun of her.

Photo-Etc: In what way?

JeromeProphet: Well, she wrote a post on an "Orb".

Photo-Etc: An Orb, what are you talking about?

JeromeProphet: She said she saw something like Saturn only as small as a basketball.

Photo-Etc: Really, I never saw that post.

JeromeProphet: Yes, it was several months ago, it's not on her main page anymore.

Photo-Etc: O.K.

JeromeProphet: I wasn't making fun, but I just responded "Strange, yet not".

Photo-Etc: Really?


Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom Two - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

JeromeProphet: And Dave (The11thhour) Said it couldn't be Saturn.

Photo-Etc: O.K.

JeromeProphet: Saturn's gravity would suck the Earth into it if were that close.

Photo-Etc: Why do you believe she feels you made fun of her?

JeromeProphet: I posted a video with someone faking an Orb visitation.

Photo-Etc: Really, I haven't seen that post either.

JeromeProphet: It's a lame attempt to fake people out.

Photo-Etc: Really?


Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom Three - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

JeromeProphet: They used a laser pointer - it's really easy to spot.

Photo-Etc: I'll have to check that out.

JeromeProphet: Now Marie doesn't make comments on my post anymore.

Photo-Etc: I haven't noticed.

JeromeProphet: Well, it might not be the explanation.

Photo-Etc: Sure.

JeromeProphet: We all see things if we live long enough, it's how we interpret them.

Photo-Etc: O.K.

JeromeProphet: I'd never slight a person for saying they saw something like an orb.

Photo-Etc: Uh Huh.

JeromeProphet: But I prefer to use science as the means of interpreting experience.

Photo-Etc: Right.



Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom Four - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

JeromeProphet: That looks like an interesting photo.

Photo-Etc: Yes, back there?

JeromeProphet: I like all the little mounds, and trees back there.

Photo-Etc: Does look nice back there.

JeromeProphet: I wonder why they made it look like that?


Lincoln Home Historic Area - Bright Spot - Zoom Five - Springfield, Illinois 09.26.06

Photo-Etc: What?

JeromeProphet: It's not like the Victorians wouldn't have leveled it all out.

Photo-Etc: Right.

JeromeProphet: They'd see nature, see a mound, and want to level it out.

About The Photo

When I snapped the photo featured in this blog post I just pointed the camera in the little wooded area located just west of Ninth in the Lincoln Home Historic Area. I really didn't take the time to observe what I was photographing at the moment I took the photo, and so I can not claim to have seen the light source which features so prominently in the images above.

After uploading the image to my PC I noticed the bright spot on the image, and I decided to zoom in to see it more closely. The more I zoomed in, and looked at the image, the stranger it appeared to me. I even brought in some family members to help me interpret the image. It's a real stumper.

I have no idea what it is. I guess it could be a reflection, which seems to be the most probable explanation, but I'm keeping an open mind. While I would never accept a paranormal explanation for the light source I still have questions.

Special Note:

I wanted to add that while yes, I usually make some "adjustments" to my digital images, by:

  • Increasing/Decreasing Contrast
  • Increasing/Decreasing Color
  • Occassionally Brushing Out license plates, serial numbers, identifying info, stains on clothes & walls & rugs, offensive looking power lines (I detest overhead powerlines)

I have never claimed that my photographs were absolutely pure from alteration - I consider them to be mini-works of art, and spend a lot of time making them look presentable. Most of my photos are simply that, but we live in the digital age folks.

Despite this technical ability I did not in any way alter the image associated with this post - not even for sharpness, contrast, or color because I was worried that someone would assume I made some alteration - which I did not.

Does anyone want to share their ideas?

Note to Dave: I'm expecting a smart remark - so hit me with your best shot.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

A Quiet Departure At Buffet City?


Photo: Buffet City - Springfield, Illinois - Early Sunday Evening 09.24.06


It appears that the contents of the popular Buffet City are quietly being hauled away.

Several Aisan Males were hauling boxes down a ramp at the rear exit of Buffet City, and loading them into the Van, and the SUV pictured below.



Photo: Van And SUV Used To Haul Away Boxed Contents of Buffet City

Jerome, Illinois may not see the return of Buffet City to operation. Buffet City was closed last week after a federal immigration raid resulted in the arrest of sixteen employees, including one owner. Buffet City was recently voted 2006 Best Buffet in Springfield by Illinois Times readers.

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  • jeromeprophet@gmail.com

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