Conrad Johnson's Blog, page 25

John H. Byk and With Poland Behind Me (and I rebuke Gog and Magog in the name of Yeshua)

Click here to go to author's Amazon page
From the preface to the book:
It has been over a quarter century since I visited Poland in the summer of 1985. Ihave many relatives here in the States that frequently travel there and I am awareof the tremendous changes that have taken place in the country that the Britishhistorian, Norman Davies, refers to as the "cockpit of Europe." Included as part ofthe Schengen Agreement, Polish citizens are now free to travel Europe withoutrestriction as they were once forbidden while under Soviet control. However, inspite of their westward cultural inclinations and support of American militaryefforts in the Middle East, Poles are still treated as third world citizens when itcomes to visa applications in the United States. Despite the improved standards ofliving and democratic government that Poland now enjoys after decades ofcommunist oppression, the country is still treated as a pawn or potential killingfield in the continuing Great Game between NATO and Russia and countries stillculturally tied to the former Soviet Union. Poles are not so quick to forget theabusive history against them, especially with regards to the Germans and theRussians, as the world may like. Polish roots run deep and that's why they havemanaged to survive as a distinct linguistic and cultural society for centuries despitecountless attacks, massacres and rapes from foreign intruders. A true Pole is like aperennial plant that can remain buried under the soil in the harshest conditions,waiting for the slightest opportunity to sprout again, defiant and confident thatfaith, tradition and custom will provide the necessary impetus for survival. Theyare hard working, proud people who are not afraid to get their hands dirty andclean up the mess others have left for them in order to provide a better future fortheir children, even if it forces them into a temporary exile for economic reasons.
But one thing is certain. No matter how far a Pole travels from the motherland, hisheart remains rooted in the soil of his ancestors, anchored firmly in the memory ofwhat was once a sprawling empire that dominated central Europe, protecting thegates of civilization from barbaric forces that have repeatedly attempted to crushthe resistance of a fiercely proud culture that asks only to be left alone in order tocultivate prosperity and democracy. As the Polish proverb says, "As long as there'sa chicken in the pot cooking, Poland will always survive."This illustrated travelogue, which I composed during my graduate student years atNorthern Michigan University, is a stark reminder of Poland's most recent, darkestdays and a personal journey of self discovery that reaffirms my pride and culturalheritage as a first generation American, born of Polish immigrants who instilledvalues of determination, reflection and sober pragmatism in me that has helped meto endure personal struggles in my own life with courage and optimism, alwaysreminding me that faith, humor and honor are virtues that must carefully benurtured like a constant gardener.

John H. Byk and With Poland Behind Me (and pitiful Russia finally defeated)

Click here to go to author's Amazon page
From the preface to the book:
It has been over a quarter century since I visited Poland in the summer of 1985. Ihave many relatives here in the States that frequently travel there and I am awareof the tremendous changes that have taken place in the country that the Britishhistorian, Norman Davies, refers to as the "cockpit of Europe." Included as part ofthe Schengen Agreement, Polish citizens are now free to travel Europe withoutrestriction as they were once forbidden while under Soviet control. However, inspite of their westward cultural inclinations and support of American militaryefforts in the Middle East, Poles are still treated as third world citizens when itcomes to visa applications in the United States. Despite the improved standards ofliving and democratic government that Poland now enjoys after decades ofcommunist oppression, the country is still treated as a pawn or potential killingfield in the continuing Great Game between NATO and Russia and countries stillculturally tied to the former Soviet Union. Poles are not so quick to forget theabusive history against them, especially with regards to the Germans and theRussians, as the world may like. Polish roots run deep and that's why they havemanaged to survive as a distinct linguistic and cultural society for centuries despitecountless attacks, massacres and rapes from foreign intruders. A true Pole is like aperennial plant that can remain buried under the soil in the harshest conditions,waiting for the slightest opportunity to sprout again, defiant and confident thatfaith, tradition and custom will provide the necessary impetus for survival. Theyare hard working, proud people who are not afraid to get their hands dirty andclean up the mess others have left for them in order to provide a better future fortheir children, even if it forces them into a temporary exile for economic reasons.
But one thing is certain. No matter how far a Pole travels from the motherland, hisheart remains rooted in the soil of his ancestors, anchored firmly in the memory ofwhat was once a sprawling empire that dominated central Europe, protecting thegates of civilization from barbaric forces that have repeatedly attempted to crushthe resistance of a fiercely proud culture that asks only to be left alone in order tocultivate prosperity and democracy. As the Polish proverb says, "As long as there'sa chicken in the pot cooking, Poland will always survive."This illustrated travelogue, which I composed during my graduate student years atNorthern Michigan University, is a stark reminder of Poland's most recent, darkestdays and a personal journey of self discovery that reaffirms my pride and culturalheritage as a first generation American, born of Polish immigrants who instilledvalues of determination, reflection and sober pragmatism in me that has helped meto endure personal struggles in my own life with courage and optimism, alwaysreminding me that faith, humor and honor are virtues that must carefully benurtured like a constant gardener.

Peter Furler and I'm Alive (a Jesus rave party?)

Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!--Psalm 150:4

Peter Furler and I'm Alive (because praising God doesn't have to be boring)

Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!--Psalm 150:4

Rebecca Forster and The Witness Series novels (from the archives)

One of my favorite authors and personalities: 



Best selling author of the legal thrillers, Witness Series, returns to discuss her latest book, Before Her Eyes.
Listen to her previous interview with me here and check out what she's currently up to at http://www.rebeccaforster.com/

[Sorry, folks. This is the first interview I did with Mrs. Forster, not the Before Her Eyes one which is lost. Please follow the link to listen. Cheers.]

France's Charlie Hebdo, Russian Airplane Crash and look at my fuckin balls

CHARLIE HEBDO



BY MASHABLE STAFF & THE ASSOCIATED PRESS5 hours agoMoscow is outraged over a cartoon in France's Charlie Hebdo that mocks the Russian plane crash in Egypt."This has nothing to do with democracy, self-expression or whatever. It is pure blasphemy," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Russia's TASS news agency. "I am not commenting on moral standards of the French — this is a concern of theirs — but in this country it is clear blasphemy." READ THE FULL REPORT HERE.


Je ne suis Charlie, Je suis Montag

Curtis L. Coy and the Veterans Affairs Office of Economic Opportunity (what opportunity?)

VA Office of Economic Opportunity 


johnbyk@
Today at 11:54 AMColleagues and Fellow Veterans,
As with the first Friday of each month, the BLS employment statistics were released today.  Attached is our monthly ‘cheat sheet’ for your use and information.  The national unemployment rate decreased slightly from 5.1% to 5.0% and the Veteran unemployment numbers decreased from 4.3% to 3.9%.  

Thanks to all of you who are working directly or indirectly, to ensure our Veterans have meaningful employment.
As Veterans Day approaches, I’d like to personally thank the brave Americans who have served - as well as their families - and those who continue to serve our country as members of the Armed Forces. This special day is an opportunity to honor America’s Veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good of a grateful nation.


V/R
Curtis L. Coy Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity Veterans Benefits Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

sing wit me, y'all-- Who's zoomin' who?

Curtis L. Coy and the Veterans Affairs Office of Economic Opportunity

VA Office of Economic Opportunity 


johnbyk@
Today at 11:54 AMColleagues and Fellow Veterans,
As with the first Friday of each month, the BLS employment statistics were released today.  Attached is our monthly ‘cheat sheet’ for your use and information.  The national unemployment rate decreased slightly from 5.1% to 5.0% and the Veteran unemployment numbers decreased from 4.3% to 3.9%.  

Thanks to all of you who are working directly or indirectly, to ensure our Veterans have meaningful employment.
As Veterans Day approaches, I’d like to personally thank the brave Americans who have served - as well as their families - and those who continue to serve our country as members of the Armed Forces. This special day is an opportunity to honor America’s Veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good of a grateful nation.


V/R
Curtis L. Coy Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity Veterans Benefits Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

sing wit me, y'all-- Who's zoomin' who?

Bobby Azarian and Religious Kids Are Jerks

Finally--a post from The Beast that actually, kind of makes sense to some degree:






Study: Religious Kids Are Jerks
A study published in the journal Current Biology testing the behavior of Christian, Muslim, and atheist children has found that religious kids are meaner and less generous. 



For many, organized religions like Christianity provide a moral compass. Holy books serve as guides that hold strict rules about what is right and wrong. It is only common sense to think that those who have religion in their lives are the ones with a strong sense of morals, while those who lack religious belief are left wandering in the dark, with no light to show them the right path from the wrong one. But as we have seen time and time again, common sense can be dead wrong. According to a new study published in the journal Current Biology, children that come from non-religious households behave significantly more altruistically than those from religious households, as measured by greater acts of generosity towards others. Read the full article here.

Bobby Azarian and Religious Kids Are Jerks (pissing on Allah)

Finally--a post from The Beast that actually, kind of makes sense to some degree:





Study: Religious Kids Are Jerks
A study published in the journal Current Biology testing the behavior of Christian, Muslim, and atheist children has found that religious kids are meaner and less generous. 


For many, organized religions like Christianity provide a moral compass. Holy books serve as guides that hold strict rules about what is right and wrong. It is only common sense to think that those who have religion in their lives are the ones with a strong sense of morals, while those who lack religious belief are left wandering in the dark, with no light to show them the right path from the wrong one. But as we have seen time and time again, common sense can be dead wrong. According to a new study published in the journal Current Biology, children that come from non-religious households behave significantly more altruistically than those from religious households, as measured by greater acts of generosity towards others. Read the full article here.