I cannot breathe

So we have to learn this touchy feely protocol for intervening with violent patients called the Mandt System. The person who developed this system runs amusement parks, I think.

From the bio of David Mandt on the Mandt System website, I don't see any evidence that Mandt understands the primitive and disordered social boundaries of the chronically mentally ill.

Hugs don't work. Sorry. GTF back to the 1970s, hippy.

Here this bit is from Mandt's "Culture of Dignity and Respect" page:

Peter Breggin was one of the founders of the CCHR. He has written books arguing that childhood mental disorders are largely myths and Ritalin is poison. I'm told he shows up in those scary movies like "Psychiatry: Industry of Death" and "Making a Killing." I'm not sure though because I'm too weak to Google and I've repressed the few memories I have of those flicks.

Did you note Breggin's role on the Joint Commission? How did he...  How does that even...  WTF.

I am told that the Joint is making us do this Mandt thing.

The guy running the Joint right now is Mark R. Chassin, M.D., M.P.P., M.P.H. He also runs something new called, "Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare."

Anything with "transform" in it is usually some rich wanker's effort to make me more morally obedient to his or her mysterious personal delusion. But like I said I haven't done any research into this, so I dunno.

I could Google all the names associated with these organizations and do more e-detective work, but fuck. I'm just one tiny titmouse. Even if I figure out why nothing makes any sense anymore, nethin I can do 'bout it.

I WANT TO KILL MYSELF

Zig Zigler has spawned a zombie army capable of outputting more postmodern corporate feel-good spam in a day than anyone could hope to read in a lifetime.  And now these people are here, in my workplace.

I'm not going to link directly to the specific zombie in question as I do not want them to come for me. But I haz a flavor I can share (click to enlarge):

Last Thursday  something like fifteen states passed laws prohibiting the use of prone restraints in residential facilities.  There were, I believe, some deaths among the apples.  However both apples and oranges were ruled illegal.  Better to be safe than sorry.

The moral of the story:  Try to be at least 50 lbs heavier than the non-verbal impulsive biter in the next room or you will lose a few bits.

Now that our program can no longer rely upon crisis management plans like "CPI" or "PCM," we will need something else. But what?

Luckily there are a number of inspiring motivational speakers with colorful personal backgrounds involving the Green Berets, martial arts, and/or clever mechanical inventions, who have considered the problem of sudden violence and its management. For a reasonable licensing fee, our facility may make use of several sets of glossy printed materials™ designed to empower™ us with the tools we need to ABILITATE™ the differently minded™.

Zombie quotes for flavor, but not from the zombie in question, for the sake of mah butt:

"An unforgettable experience"
“We partnered with the Ziglar team as The Bonded Family held our annual Visioneering Banquet. Ziglar, Inc., from the first call of discussion to the genuine and ongoing follow-up delivered an unforgettable experience.

As a non-profit, to be able to utilize the respected leadership of Ziglar, Inc., was a blessing. The message was inspirational, informational and motivated our supporters to see the vision and act upon it. The banquet room actually 'felt the enthusiasm' of the Ziglar team in their professional and encouraging spirit. They did a fantastic job. As a result we lived out Zig's foundational message..."You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want." -- Dan Snell, CEO, The Bonded Family

I hope you notice how the sentences above manage to convey no meaning. They are in fact a form of New Age spam soon to overwhelm a mental health agency near you, while the hoards of "Life Coaches" and "Psychotherapeutic Counselors" gear up for business.

Long Live the Queen

Spiritualism --> Theosophy --> Anthroposophy/Naturopathy --> Aryanism

How this works:

1. Not everyone can talk to dead people.
2. Some people are more spiritually advanced than others.
3. Through discipleship to a guru one may advance spiritually.
4. Social caste system.

This way of thinking justifies hereditary monarchies, fascism, and slavery.

Is atheism a religion?

Been brushing up on the history of the Intelligent Design movement --bit of a trip down memory lane. One cardinal ID argument goes something like this:

1. A religion is a "set of beliefs about the cause, nature and purpose of the universe and of life."

2. Atheism and secular humanism are religious positions characterized by
- a belief in a self-existent universe evolving via unguided physical processes
- a rejection of the supernatural
- appeals to reason and science as the best source of guidance in human affairs.

3. In Kitzmiller v. Dover, Judge Jones rejected ID as "religious." But he defined religion narrowly as simply a belief in the supernatural. Had he used the broader definition above, he would have been forced to expel secular humanism from the classroom as well ID theory.

4. By excluding ID theory from the classroom, secular humanism is promoted to students by default.

Couple of different ways to rebut this argument.

The "definition of religion" angle is basically one big distracting red herring. The state can recognize that something called "religion" is important to people without imposing its own definition for the term.

Not everything experienced in this life is well captured and expressed via the written word. Much of living is subjective and personal. And rightly, with respect to all those things the government says, "Hey whatever floats yer boat; none of my beeswax," as it turns its attention toward matters of verifiable fact.

Really it was the lack of factual evidence that killed ID in court. The religion angle only served to explain why some people needed a big box of Kleenex the day a conjecture with no associated verifiable or falsifiable claims was deemed "non-science."

Qualia Soup offers another rebuttal to the "atheism is a religion" argument in the video below. Rejecting a claim or belief does not necessarily equate to an assertion of some other claim that must be justified.

One

All Your Base are Belong to Us, Inc.

To recap: Paul Haaga Jr. and a few other guys are the boss of a company called "Capital Research Management" that owns 843 companies worth about:

$ 5 2 3 , 7 3 4 , 3 6 1 ,0 0 0 . 0 0 ! ! 

Oh below are the other dudes, copypasta'd from here:
***********
The Undersigned do hereby appoint James P. Ryan, Liliane Corzo and Angela Mitchell, and each of them, acting singly, with full power of substitution, as the true and lawful attorney of the undersigned, to sign on behalf of the undersigned in respect of the ownership of equity securities deemed held by the undersigned, Capital Research and Management Company, blah blah blah...

Capital Research and Management Company
Name: Paul G. Haaga, Jr.
Title: Vice Chairman

American Balanced Fund, Inc.
The Growth Fund of America, Inc.
The Income Fund of America, Inc.
Fundamental Investors, Inc.
Name: Patrick F. Quan
Title: Secretary

American High-Income Trust
The Bond Fund of America, Inc.
Name: Kimberly S. Verdick
Title: Secretary

American Funds Insurance Series
The New Economy Fund
SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc.
Name: Chad L. Norton
Title: Secretary

AMCAP Fund, Inc.
American Mutual Fund, Inc.
Capital Income Builder, Inc.
Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
EuroPacific Growth Fund
The Investment Company of America
New Perspective Fund, Inc.
New World Fund, Inc.
Name: Vincent P. Corti
Title: Secretary

Washington Mutual Investors Fund, Inc.
Name: Michael W. Stockton
Title: Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
***************

I feel that we should tell Mr. Haaga that he won the game already. Although, maybe he's not actually "the decider." I dunno exactly how big money stuff works. If anyone can explain, thx.

True North

Hey Bill and Penny George!

Imma follow my "True North" right now!

Thanks to the piles of money you use to bribe hospitals into bending the rules so you can have your faith healing called "science" rather than just plain old faith healing, a whole bunch of other bad stuff is now allowed.

Go read about DAN! doctors using all manner of unproven nonsense on children. Parents get fooled into thinking there's real evidence for their quack ideas, because the doctors have "MD" after their name and work in "integrative medicine" programs, which are apparently acceptable now, thanks to your bribes.

That is what you have done. You are responsible for that.

The Internet will never forget.

The Internet will never forgive.

Oops... I accidentally the corperashuns!

Another messy business rat's nest I happened to stumble upon. This one is in Florida and mostly concerned with building fancy homes. Part of it owes, like, $2 billion to various parties that it can't pay.

2009 Real Estate Corporation
Incorporated by Carl C Ichan, David L Fry, Don E Ackerman, Hilliard M Eure, Paul D Appolonia, Vivien Hastings, 2009 Real Estate Corporation is located at 24301 Walden Center Dr Bonita Springs, FL 34134. 2009 Real Estate Corporation was incorporated on Tuesday, December 01, 1987 in the State of FL and is currently active. Vivien N Hastings represents 2009 Real Estate Corporation as their registered agent

More here.

I dunno nethin bout finance. But I do know there are only so many hours in the day. One person cannot serve as corporate officer for a zillion companies at once. There has to be an upper limit.

Imma say... three.

But what do *you* think?

Tammany Ring

Tammany Ring by Thomas Nast; "Who stole the people's money?" / "'Twas him."

East Grinstead, West Sussex: a town obsessed with sects

Highly concentrated moonbat sector spotted!

From The Sunday Times
March 27, 2005
Eye Opener

East Grinstead, West Sussex: a town obsessed with sects

To the uninitiated, East Grinstead is an unremarkable, blue-rinse commuter town halfway between London and Brighton. Scratch beneath the surface, however, and you find a place that is HQ to a wealth of "alternative religions" (the preferred appellation of Inform, the Home Office-funded outfit that monitors new and established faiths). With celebrity devotees such as Tom Cruise, the Scientologists are East Grinstead's highest-profile alternative religion. Scientologists believe that humans are animated by immortal spirits, thetans, and at Saint Hill, a sprawling manor house, they scan recruits for emotional trauma, then prescribe a path to personal enlightenment — through fee-paying courses.

To the north of the town, the comparatively mainstream Mormons have their London Temple, with its distinctive pointed turret. The Anthrosophical Society, which believes humans can contact spiritual worlds, has a base to the southeast, as does the mystic order of the Rosicrucians, which occupies an Elizabethan mansion. The controversial Catholic organisation Opus Dei has a retreat, Wickenden Manor, to the south, while to the west is the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion. What attracts so many offbeat religions to East Grinstead? Was the town founded on a cosmic ley line? Perhaps, as Inform's Amanda van Eck says, the real reason is more prosaic: "It's close to London, has lots of large, unusual properties and a tolerant, genteel population."

Facebook Likes: Ask a Scientologist

Eh pretty predictable, I guess:

Seventh Generation, Himalayan Crystal Salt, Prescription Drug Problems,The Federalist Society, No Labels, Walmart, Cascadian Farm, Positively Positive, Lundberg Family Farms, Eden Foods, The Food Files, Small Business Saturday, MyOnlineStore, Jon Bruning, Clayton Health Center,Carolyn Jones, Whole Foods Market, The Next Big Jewish Idea, Recall Jerry Brown, DownsizeDC.org, Church of Scientology, Mission of Redwood City,No More Fake Media, The Black Book of Sales Secrets, Christina Moss, Author of Science Fiction & Fantasy, Dan Jablons, Improv Actor, Peter R. Breggin, MD, The Way to Happiness, Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, Scientology, tom cruse, Dianetics, Youth For Human Rights, Youth for Human Rights, The Honey-Do Handyman, Judy Norton,Defund NPR, Jim Meskimen, Natural Vitality Sports, UNITE FOR LIFE, The Whale People, MyGovCost, Stop the forceful use of Electro Convulsive 'Therapy', Amenders for Federal Spending Control, Big Sunday, Peter Gillham's Nutrition Center Clearwater, Robert F. Lyons, The Institute for Energy Research, Jim Warren, Freedom Magazine, Association for Peace and Understanding in the Middle East, CHICO MISSION (Dianetics and Scientology) in Chico California, L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future,Tropical Traditions, Artists in Action International, Dianetics: The Original Thesis, The Earth Organization - United States, Nancy Cartwright, NEEDS & WANTS newspaper - make yourself known!,American Enterprise Institute, American Majority, The Real Karen Black,Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre Las Vegas, American Free Enterprise, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Carl Watts, Beyond Natural Health Remedies, Say No to Psychiatric Drugs, Stop Dirty Energy Prop,NewsBusters.org, Repeal It Now, Mary Bono Mack, TheRazzLine.net,Greenpeace International, American Action Network, Say No To Drugs Race LA Holiday Classic, Americans Against Islamophobia, Gift of Life,L.RONALD HUBBARD, Institute for Justice, FreedomWorks, Tesla Roadster, Mission of Los Feliz, Udi's Gluten Free Foods, Despamifier, One Stoppe Shoppe, Scientology, California DanceArts & California Contemporary Ballet, Trader Joes Fan, Meg Whitman, Will Smith, Law Offices of Timothy Bowles, Green Mental Health Care, ForAmerica,Conservative, Volunteer Ministers, Halt The Assault, Health Care Lawsuits, Teachers Union Exposed, The Collectible Bin on Yardsellr,causes.com, Support Good Manners, Petition for Investigation of the Fraud of Psychiatry, Perfect White Smile by Ardyth, The Way to Happiness,Americans for Prosperity California, World Institute of Natural Health Sciences, Lou's Hollywood Boxworx, CCHR International, Organic Valley,Brown Bailout, RightChange, Ending Psychiatric Abuse, TapTap, Human Rights First, Academy for Career Education, Success! Tutoring, L. Ron Hubbard, Ron Paul 2012, A Tamara Dahill Salon, Jill Kirsh Color - Makeup and Hair Color in Fashion, The Route Out, Harrison Funk, Tony Durso,Musicians' How-To Series, J & J Roofing, Curtis Nutrition, The French Kangen connection :-), Marquis Artistic Services, KOHLER, Youth for Human Rights International – Global Outreach Campaign, David Nunez Insurance Agency, Inc., United for Human Rights, Ruby Door Art, Golden Age Pulp Fiction, Johnny Depp, Richard Stewart Painting, Lee Purcell,Valley Life Improvement Center, International Association of Scientologists (IAS), JibJab.com, Adamantine Publishing House, Ozawa Seiji, Jim Svejda, So Good Gluten Free Foods, Larry Jaffe, Organic Connections Magazine, Ron Paul, BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Tom Cruise, THE EARTH ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL, AOL Good News, Church of Scientology of Celebrity Centre Nashville, Kirstie Alley, Smithsonian Institution, Professor Knestor Jackdaws, Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) www.cchrint.org, ARCsingles.com, Kill The Bag Tax, Scientology Bournemouth and Poole, Cure Tooth Decay - Heal Tooth Cavities, Dental Caries, Tooth Abscess, SoundClick, Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., John Truman Wolfe, No Universal Healthcare, We Respect The Religious Beliefs of Others, The Olympic Games, Happy Me Skincare, Missouri Botanical Garden, Professor Thomas Stephen Szasz - M.D, Boy Scouts of America,Microsoft Office, causes.com, LABEL FREE DRUG FREE, scientology.org,Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, Jason Dohring, Green Organic Restaurant and Wine Bar, Foodista, Giovanni Ribisi, Americans for Freedom, Enjoy Life Foods, Corbis, CleanWell, Libertarian Party,Birthday Cards, Chemical-Free Kids, Progressive Art Stained Glass Studio,Peter Gillham's Natural Vitality, Tenth Amendment Center, Sunfood, Fix the Senate Now, The Soapy Cauldron, Campaign for Liberty, MXenergy,Really Simple Social Media, Sean Connery, Adam Sandler, Facebook,Theta Sound Studio - it's YOUR music!, Cambodian Threads, Nancy's Yogurt, Patrick Renna, Mace-Kingsley Family Center, My Education, My Choice, Rodel Foundation of Delaware, Meet a Scientologist, Thomas Szasz, Nature's Path Organic Foods, Lame Duck Hunting, LaRocca Inspections, JENNA ELFMAN, Stop HR875/S425 US Congress' attempt to Illegalize Organic Farming!, Support the World Literacy Crusade in Compton, Stop Monsanto, PsychRights