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INTRODUCTION:

Welcome to BobKat's Lair ®™

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A lair is a home; A castle; A burrow; A haven; a place where one should feel safe. To ensure our safety especially in one's lair, we have laws. And some laws cause more harm than good!

This is a good place. There's lots to see and do. It's apolitical while providing non-partisan news about politics, which we can't escape.

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My goal is here... to present topics which highlight the plight of people. Why, 2000 years after Caesar Augustus, are we still a people being hurt? With all our advancements in technology, medicine, communications, why are we a people still being hurt? Human nature hasn't changed much, but that doesn't mean it isn't time now for that to happen, and it is undoubtedly happening - hard to see however. This blog is part of that change and a witness to it.

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My blog is dedicated to my family, friends, mentors, and all others whom I am grateful to, and love(d).

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NOTE: Nothing included in my Blog is intended to advocate behavior illicit in nature, or in violation of man-made laws where harm to a living person, animal or the environment is involved. Person's under 17 probably shouldn't be here, though there is far worse out there. Just saying.


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March 15, 2015

REGARDING MARIJUANA - WHY DO SO MANY POLITICIAN'S IN THE UNITED STATES SEEM SO, "OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY"??? PART TWO.

The United States is not a Democracy. That is a misnomer we have been raised to believe, though why is a mystery. We are a Republic, though even that is too simplistic. It essentially means we are a federalist nation who elects those to perform governmental tasks such as making laws, via an electorate body of people, selected to be our agents and to represent our interests during elections.

Democracy and federalism define types of government and distribute of power. But there are three more types of government that describe our form of government, which our Founding Fathers debated. One can read more about the US type of governance here: American Form of Government

The three additional subtypes of government are: 1) martial 2) religious 3) commercial.

The original 13 Colonies favored a religious form of governance on a federalist level. A small central US government where states could form an individualist, religious form of state government. Each state with it's own independent religion. Havens.

This would include atheists, such as the story of the "Maypole of Merrymount", written by Herman Melville.  Some see the story of Merrymound as a Wiccan/Pagan society. Others view it simply as an expression of freedom from religious doctrine. The latter is most correct as religious beliefs and morality were strictly enforced in Europe, and many colonists wanted freedom to decide for themselves.

Ancient Rome had a martial form of government, upon which much of our national philosophy is based. Ancient Israel had a religious form of government. Our Founding Fathers decided upon a commercial form of government.

Forms of government: what does it mean?

It simply means that the United States formed a federalist democratic  form of government based upon commercialism whereby the chain of command is a state with individualistic citizens who vote for their state government, which the state government possessing their own state Constitutions, then works with the federal government. It requires cooperation, compromise, and acceptance.

The question many American citizens are asking is how well is our form of government working?

If polls are any indication, the answer is not very well. Many polls rate satisfaction with government below 50%. Having said that there is much in the way of reform never expected based on our experiences since the 1950's.In part based on the power of the World Wide Web (WWW), where communication between people around the world has exploded, the WWW gives people instant news and information.

Governments used to anonymity and an uniformed populace are now being forced into being transparent. At the same time much of the wealth of the US is contained with a very limited number of corporations. The American middle class is folding in upon itself. Since money is power the new Tea Party in the US is based upon wealth versus power, but this modern day Tea party excludes the poor and those of us just below middle class which is a growing segment of the population.

Still there is much that has changed and much evidence WE are winning.

Gay Rights has gained a significant foothold in America. Equally impressive is an end to marijuana prohibition, based wholly on anecdotal lore and unscientific claims, around 21 states now have legalized marijuana for medicinal use, and three states have legalized adult use of marijuana for whatever they choose to use it for.

Meanwhile the Federal Government  stands firm on it's stance of Nixonian prohibition of marijuana, still insisting it has no medicinal value and a high propensity for extreme addiction. The federal government cites the fact that the FDA has not shown marijuana to be safe and effective, nor has it shown marijuana is not extremely addictive. The branch of the federal government designated to enforce drug laws, the DEA, continues to stonewall reform.

Despite this three members of Congress have signed on to present a measure designed to reschedule marijuana a Schedule Two,  accept the decisions made by states in addressing marijuana use, which includes the three states where marijuana use is legal for adults for any use.

"The senators -- Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Corey Booker, D-N.J. -- are proposing legislation that would legalize state medical marijuana programs under federal law and reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act."

Although my own personal opinion is removing marijuana from being scheduled period, as it is a plant with many virtues, this is a bill with merit, as it is the first step towards righting a wrong that never should have happened in the first place. For that reason I wrote to my state Senators requesting they vote yes on the bill.

In the final installment for this post we will review, consider and deconstruct the responses from my state Senators, who will remain nameless - as their responses mimic similar responses from other governmental law-makers, most of whom seem to be out of touch with reality when it comes to marijuana laws reform.

It's almost as if on their first day on the job during a "Introduction to being a US Representative", they are told, "under no circumstances is marijuana to be discussed, considered for legalization, nor accepted as acceptable for public use".

The Federal Government continues to stonewall legalization efforts and to discount legitimate use of marijuana.

So what do members of Congress feel about moving marijuana fro Schedule One to Two?

Coming up next...



March 14, 2015

REGARDING MARIJUANA - WHY DO SO MANY POLITICIAN'S IN THE UNITED STATES SEEM SO, "OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY"??? PART ONE.

We're going to view, analyze and deconstruct one letter of response from each of two unnamed US Senators, picked at random.The topic is a bill being introduced into Congress to move cannabis from Schedule One to Schedule Two; along par with heroin and Oxycontin: US NEWS - Federal Marijuana "Decriminalization". 

The goal is to recognize and honor the right of states to regulate marijuana on their own terms without federal intervention. The is federalism... something our forefathers were very much divided upon. It all goes back to what a fledgling nation should be constructed of.

European history is very ancient, something Americans tend not to understand. If America had not been where it is, unknown as it was, only to be discovered as early as the 1400's, modern day history would obviously have been very different. By 1620 however the first of many colonists arrived in the New World. They were people who wanted a new beginning, a new world to live in.

Which brings me back to federalism, the right of states to govern themselves while a federal government does little more than settle disputes between the states and negotiate with foreign countries. Many forefathers favored this form of government like Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. Others favored a democracy, which oddly enough means having one very strong central government, elected by the people. There would be little in the way of state's rights under a democracy.

The whole goal our forefathers had was to fashion a government that could not become oppressive and controlling like that of England. At the time King's Soldiers could enter any house at will to search and seize anything not claimed on taxes due. That is what ultimately led to the Boston Tea Party. Colonists protesting the King's right to invade a persons privacy and extort extravagant taxes.

Having won the Revolutionary War, our founding fathers created the US Constitution. The Constitution was a sacred, legal document defining a democracy. It implied no rights to the states. At the time as famously know there were 13 Colonies. All had different ideas for life in the New World.

Of particular concern drafting the Constitution were the rights of states... something that bothered some of those who signed the US Constitution. They signed it with a promise, a Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is a federalism accomplishment, and it's existence is exhibit A of why the the controversy over marijuana exists today.

If there were no Bill of Rights out-lining the rights of states and individuals with those states, our federal government would be there to decide it all for us. It's something they, the Federal Government tries to do often.

Marijuana was placed into/as a Schedule One drug in 1970. At that point it became extremely illegal to possess and use. The purpose of Schedule One is to classify extremely dangerous drugs into a category from where there is no return. Drugs in this category mean they are extremely dangerous. There is zero medical benefit, they are extremely addictive.

Deep six drugs in this category!

Trouble is, marijuana was only temporarily placed as a Schedule One drug back in 1970 at Nixon's urging. He promised a complete, independent review of marijuana which would decide it's permanent status. I have written numerous times before about Nixon's Blue Ribbon, Shaffer Committee, which was to decide upon the danger and virtue of marijuana.

The Shaffer committee found no reason to schedule marijuana. It recommended legalization. Nixon pulled strings, established marijuana as a permanent Schedule One drug based upon no scientific justification, and history and the War on drugs came to be.

Fast forward to 2015, almost 78 after marihuana prohibition started, when now 3 states have legalized marijuana for "recreational use" and around 21 states have legalized medical use. This goes back several decades to where in the 70's many states reduced penalties and Oregon adopted a Constitution amendment legalizing marijuana.

The problem is the federal government and marijuana being a Schedule One drug under federal law.

The bill to honor states rights in this matter is extremely important. So I wrote my Congressmen. in Part Two we will review, discus and deconstruct their responses to plea to say yes.

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March 02, 2015

MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND COMMON SENSE REFORM

In 40 years I still don't understand marijuana prohibition. Someone asked me the other day why I was so obsessed with legalization? I wanted say simply, it's wrong to persecute people because of it, however I felt the individual knew that already. I answered at age 20 I had an undiagnosed condition of autism and PTSD. I was immune to my surroundings, making friends, feeling a part of the world and a member of society. School was a do what you're told, as was my home life, my life in general.

Nothing happened the first time I smoked marijuana, in Florida around a campfire. But the smell of it lingers today. That is actually a common phenomenon. Not feeling "high" the first or second time. I'm unaware of any studies about this. I will let you know when I do.

I was 16 then and extremely anti-pot... so why did I do it? To feel cool? To mesh with the crowd?

I did it because I did it. I was on vacation in Florida and I didn't feel compelled to say no.

3 years later that changed, as I've written previously. Back in my hometown with a childhood friend, about age 19, we met another friend. He offered us pot. Being in my hometown, I freaked inside, thought about calling the police, running, scolding my friend. I got my wits about me, as did my other friend apparently who must have had similar thoughts, and we went to our friens house and got stoned.

Oh, I felt it... opened up the whole world to me. I was suddenly conscious of life and it's beauty. I became aware of others and more interested in learning.

Yes, so I'm a proponent of legaliztion. Which only makes me wonder when I read stuff like this posted on Alternet:

AlterNet's 5 Ways Pot is bad...

Over the edge in my opinion. I understand educating the public, but this is not education, a waste of tax-payer money. Apparently the ads are targeted towards youth. Give them PTSD before they're old enough to try it (pot). Do they get similar alcohol, tobacco education? I have to wonder. This is in states that have legalized it's use for adults like Colorado. The prohibitionists still trying to enforce their moral values and hysterics.

Even in states where marijuana is legal for medicinal use the red tape is extraordinary. One would thing  they were signing up to possess a nuke. One can own a gun with little or no hassle. Is all this red tape really necessary for something on par with coffee??? Maine Medical Marijuana Law - PDF Three states have now legalized marijuana for use by adults. Where is the colossal wave of homicides, rapes, suicides often attributed to it's use?

It's a plant. After a few years getting high it's not about getting "high".... for those suffering from debilitating conditions it's a godsend, cannabis has very few side effects, and it's effective even if the high gradually wanes, with little inherit desire to find a higher high, though that may happen. Getting high is enjoyable, but it's also therapeutic. I find that exciting.

AlterNet's 4 Ways Cannabis is good for you...




February 14, 2015

HOW TO ACHEIVE AN (UN)SUCCESSFUL INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP [WITH A WOMAN]

Happy Valentines day. Valentine's Day celebrates being struck in the heart by the arrow from Cupid's bow. Struck down and in love.

Which I'm not... haven't been for almost 10 years - taking time off just because I'm occupied with other things these days, I'll be moving soon and it's complicated. Soon I do hope to be struck down by the arrow of love. As has happened many times in the past.

How to achieve a successful relationship once it happens? Or in my experience, how to fuck it up unintentionally?

My first relationship was when I was in 8th grade. A girl named Brenda. It was a very sharp hit by Cupid's bow. We kissed a lot, talked on the phone for hours - the subject of what she was wearing, her breasts came up. I gave her my fathers chain bracelet he'd given me. She gave me one in return. Other than kissing we didn't know what to do... the thought of sex didn't occur to me, nor do I think to her. For one week we were in paradise together.


Then, for reasons I don't remember we broke up. My first broken heart. I was surprised when two weeks later she wanted to make up with me. Something my naive mind said, "once broken up there is no getting back together". So I told her, "no". Then, several years later, a surprise phone call from Brenda. "How was I? Thinking of you. Do I want to meet?" 

Again I said "no". Idiot. And when several years after that when I realized I was an idiot I tried to call her. I got her mother; she wouldn't allow me to talk with her. She was stable, in a relationship. Go away and don't call back.

Alrighty then... mommy speaking for her 40-something year old daughter. I had wanted to apologize. That's all.

Oh, but I didn't spend my life mulling and pursuing Brenda. My first relationship that lasted was when I was 16, her name was Diane. Her cousin who I worked with fixed us up. It lasted 3 years. I was 19 when I broke up with her and I only remember two things we did together. I remember sitting on the couch in their living room with her. I remember her parents would go upstairs; out of sight, out of my mind. Sometimes they would be out. We would embrace and kiss and I could feel her body outside her clothing only. In 3 years I never actually was successful getting my hand on her naked breasts. The other thing I remember is she would only kiss closed mouth; no French kissing.


I asked her about it once while we were on her porch. I asked, "why won't you French kiss?"

She said, "I had a boyfriend before you who I did that with and he left me".

Water under the bridge.

By age 21 I had met Sue. I had been living on my own for two years and it was inevitable that this virgin meet his match.


Sue was a woman-kid, full of energy and vitality. It was a miracle, our having a relationship.

I met Sue at a party. Somehow we were introduced or I or her said "Hi". I didn't have a car at the time... I was on a minimal living overhead rebellion at the time. I asked her for a lift home.

Sue had dark brown hair, big, dark brown eyes, stood about 5'2" and was built. She was very amiable. I felt very relaxed with her, and I was in her car as she drove me home. I was in love, only I didn't know it then. I didn't ask her for her phone number though I knew what town she lived in. I won't admit to being an idiot, I mean things ended up working out (more about that in few seconds) and that wasn't the last time that happened, that I didn't take advantage of an opportunity.

I was raised during the 1950's. A pretty weird time. I was too young for "Happy Days" or to know anything about the Rock and Roll revolution. I learned prejudice (which fortunately by age 21 I had chucked away) and rigid moral/personal restriction. Finding a woman, dating, getting engaged and married, having 2.5 children, buying a house with a white picket fence in an upscale part of town, that was life.

Every situation I would find myself that impression would act upon me. So no, I didn't ask Sue for her phone # because something within me told me not to. So days later I was hurting to find her. I had some info... I don't recall what... I made a phone call, got a woman who I thought was her and we talked for 15 minutes until she realized I hadn't called to speak with her... we laughed and she gave me Sue's phone number.

I called her. We arranged a date, at her house for dinner. Wow, meet the parents the first night. I arranged a ride home with a friend when later came, and set out for a ten-mile walk to her house. It was a walk that would take me a quarter of the way around the southeast end of a lake. A storm blew in and with it torrential rain. I was soaked to the bone by the time I arrived at Sue's house around 7PM. Her mother took my clothes giving me some temporary ones while she dried my wet clothes. We sat down to a great Italian spaghetti dinner, where I was reprimanded only once for using my bread to swipe up sauce.

We agreed to meet again, but of course I didn't set a date then, instead I went home and lamented upon my situation which was really a non-issue.

I bent my friend Keven's ear, telling of my fears that I was imaging her interest in me. That she must have a boyfriend, she was just being nice. My mind was chugging away at all the reasons it couldn't work. Then my friend said, "well if you don't call her surely someone else will". The answer appeared suddenly in the front of my eyes. Call her and ask her out, gee, why not?



Sue was my first "real" girlfriend. We did everything together. We fucked like rabbits. Then she got the idea she wanted to fuck other guys too. That was after we'd found an apartment together which upset both our parents. My mother accused me "of playing house". Living in sin in a make believe house. Other men were attracted to Sue, and would invite her out and call. At first she said, "no". But it was on her mind. What should have been on my mind was asking her to be my wife, forget other men, be mine. But that is what our parents were drilling into us. So it became the "Valentine's Day Rebellion" when she went to have lunch with an ex-boyfriend and came home crying that he'd raped her. She filed charges and the relationship was off to rough waters.

She had other relationships after that she would tell me about. I would tell her, "I don't own you, I love you".

The relationship actually lasted 3 and 1/2 years... and we parted as friends. Over the next few decades this "open relationship" concept would come up many times in many ways. Sometimes I was the other man and other times it was the same old, "I don't own you". I was adamant that jealousy would not be a part of my relationships.

I think now at age 60 it's not about "ownership" at all. That is just one more odd idea I've had over the years. Sure it's easy to say, "I just never met the 'right' woman". But I have. And I let them go. Too many times.

I'm not suggesting jealousy is good for a relationship. I'm not even saying an "open-relationship concept" can't work; it can. I have a long time friend, who is married to a woman I met years ago. I was leaving to move to Arizona at the time from New York State where I grew up. Her name was Joni. She was of South pacific origin, black hair, tan skin, slender with small breasts and big dark eyes. I didn't move away for long and when I returned she had ironically been matched up with Earl, my best friend.

Joni was like me; very hesitant to get wrapped up into a relationship, or marriage. The 3 of us ended up living together in the country and often Joni and I would gt naked in bed and play, getting each other off, but without ever having intercourse. I had other girlfriends at the time - this was simply something we did.

What I'm saying with regards to open relationships is we are an immature species when it comes to relationships. We are still mostly going by instinct and behavioral models. Relationships are way more complicated than with what resources we are provided in life to deal with such a thing.

In 1981 I moved to Boston and one of my first out of state guests were Earl and Joni. They stayed for a weekend. Earl told me while Joni went to the bathroom that Joni wanted to have sex with me. So the three of us ended up falling into bed to have a weekend of sex.

After that weekend Earl and Joni got married and have lived happily ever after.



Happy Valentine's Day!!!