Loyal readers of The Pangean, It's with great satisfaction that I return to my role as a regular writer for this soon to be award winning site. The Pangean expects many changes. I encourage all readers to participate in the current poll. While our direction may be evolving to a more speceifc focal point, I personally guarantee the writing will remain fresh, creative, personal and most importantly original. I look forward to growing with you, my loyal fanbase and providing factual and entertaining commentaries on several key hot bed issues our society faces as we embark further into the 21st century.
Thank you and God bless,
John Walker Reagan.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Welcome Back
To the loyal readers and contributors of The Pangean:
It is with a renewed sense of vigor and a new influx of purpose that I send out this message to you all. I have been in constant communication with past-members of The Pangean. Although, we never formally disbanded, we all acknowledge that for all reasonable causes, The Pangean was at the very least dormant. We have decided that it is the time, but more importantly, it is our duty to revive this site in order to recapture the passion that we all held for formal and constructive debate.
It is at this time that I ask you all again for your support in our future and continued endeavours. While I will not formally pinpoint the cause of our quasi-retirement almost 6 months ago to this date, I will say that it was a combination of many factors; among these factors, a sense of demoralization which came into play because of our crews emphasis on the politics.
I believe that while we still can maintain a political soul, it is important to moderate this as our goal is not to become a political institution, but a free thinking institution that relies on reason, logic, and morality to become a beacon of light and hope within our country.
While I do not anticipate everyone to immediately come back to The Pangean (both contributors and commentors), I do hope that we will have your prayers as we seek to reform the World that we live in for the better. I do not mean better politically, or better financially, but better morally... so that readers and non-readers of The Pangean can collectively say that they are proud to have dwelled upon our planet for it is us that stood against the forces of evil. We stand on a moment where we can just as easily go quietly into the night for good reason, there is much to overcome in this world. We reject the notion that surrending to the forces of evil and injustice is a path to righteousness and we reject the notion that this is a battle destined for failure. And we reject the notion that even if we did stand in the face of imminent failure, that it would be to no avail to stand and confront evil in the final battle. For through justice, no battle is lost, no defeat is too great, and no loss is too great to overcome.
I ask you all to once again stand with me and restore The Pangean for not what it was, not what it will be, but for what it oughta be.
It is with a renewed sense of vigor and a new influx of purpose that I send out this message to you all. I have been in constant communication with past-members of The Pangean. Although, we never formally disbanded, we all acknowledge that for all reasonable causes, The Pangean was at the very least dormant. We have decided that it is the time, but more importantly, it is our duty to revive this site in order to recapture the passion that we all held for formal and constructive debate.
It is at this time that I ask you all again for your support in our future and continued endeavours. While I will not formally pinpoint the cause of our quasi-retirement almost 6 months ago to this date, I will say that it was a combination of many factors; among these factors, a sense of demoralization which came into play because of our crews emphasis on the politics.
I believe that while we still can maintain a political soul, it is important to moderate this as our goal is not to become a political institution, but a free thinking institution that relies on reason, logic, and morality to become a beacon of light and hope within our country.
While I do not anticipate everyone to immediately come back to The Pangean (both contributors and commentors), I do hope that we will have your prayers as we seek to reform the World that we live in for the better. I do not mean better politically, or better financially, but better morally... so that readers and non-readers of The Pangean can collectively say that they are proud to have dwelled upon our planet for it is us that stood against the forces of evil. We stand on a moment where we can just as easily go quietly into the night for good reason, there is much to overcome in this world. We reject the notion that surrending to the forces of evil and injustice is a path to righteousness and we reject the notion that this is a battle destined for failure. And we reject the notion that even if we did stand in the face of imminent failure, that it would be to no avail to stand and confront evil in the final battle. For through justice, no battle is lost, no defeat is too great, and no loss is too great to overcome.
I ask you all to once again stand with me and restore The Pangean for not what it was, not what it will be, but for what it oughta be.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Closer look at Bush.
Mike Huckabee’s program on Fox News last sunday put some perspective on an outside thinkers view on our Strong yet volatile country..Lynn, a canadian women, wrote a multi-faceted question regarding the direction the United States. Here’s what she asked:
"I’m proud to live next to what I believe is the greatest nation in the world for doing good for others in your history. I understand the anger in the economy, but I don’t understand its direction. George Bush has been a great president—he’s kept you safe. For seven of his eight years, the economy was booming. Since the Democrats took congress, looking from outside, I have seen huge increases in spending. Mr. Bush has kept you safe. He has brought the war off your shores over to Iraq. Now he’s bringing you home in victory. You’re a great nation. You freed a country over there. You’ve given the people hospitals and schools. Why are people angry at George Bush and the Republicans and not Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, ACORN, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac?"
Lynn not only brings up many valid points, she also presents an opinion that us as Americans are guarded from. The idea that this 'big bad machine' that we believe outsides perceive as tyranical Bush goverened America, is not viewed in the negative way in which many of our doom-and-gloom politicians make it out to be. Facts are just that, fact. As it stands now:
-this Bush administration has successful engaged a tyranical dictatorship and spread democracy to a Vary volatile area of the world. Iraq, a country suppressed almost since its existence, held its first open democratic elections as a result of the second gulf war. Furthermore, Insurgent attacks are dwindling (down 90% alone in hostile regions since the surge) and the withdrawal of troops is looking more and more each day like a reality.
-His administrations humanitarian work against the spread of AIDS in Africa dwarfs the efforts of all his predecessors combined.
-Hes reached his hands our across the isle to work with high ranking democrats in an attempt to put our country first.
-Since 9/11/2001, a day which U.S death toll overshadowed the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, is undoubtedly the most tragic day as an American in my lifetime. Since then, Bush has prevented any further terrorist attacks from happening on U.S soil. This importance of this accomplishment can not be stressed enough. In ensuring our safety, Bush and his administration has taken our country and moved from a "defensive" to an "offensive" position. The creation of homeland security along with increased awareness and prevention ensure our safety.
- Lastly, Bush is a man who was twice elected by the people not only for his ideologies, but also his charismatic energy and followings of God. Much like Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt before him, Bush is not afraid to let his morals and values assist him in making very difficult executive decisions. Separating your faith, religion and avoiding questionable decisions (see Obama's voting record), spares you controversy, but it wont make you a great leader. Great leaders are born and lead with their Heart. Bush is a born leader and supports no legislation he feels is not in America's best interest. This certainly has not made him friends, but the natural born leader he is, Bush is not in the business of making friends...he's our president, the strongest figurehead representing our country. There was a great article I read in the Wall Street Journal, which compares Bush to Batman in the Movie "Dark Knight". He's someone our society needs, but not necessarily someone we appreciate until later down the line.
When it comes down to it, America needs to invest more faith in morality and religion and less time going for each others throats. A wise mentor of mine once humorously broke down for me, the meaning of the word "politics". He simply stated "poly"= many and "Tics"= blood sucking leaches. This leaves us with none other than blood sucking leaches. While i chuckled, I also received the meaningful message this individual was passing to me.
Thats all for now,
John Walker Reagan
"I’m proud to live next to what I believe is the greatest nation in the world for doing good for others in your history. I understand the anger in the economy, but I don’t understand its direction. George Bush has been a great president—he’s kept you safe. For seven of his eight years, the economy was booming. Since the Democrats took congress, looking from outside, I have seen huge increases in spending. Mr. Bush has kept you safe. He has brought the war off your shores over to Iraq. Now he’s bringing you home in victory. You’re a great nation. You freed a country over there. You’ve given the people hospitals and schools. Why are people angry at George Bush and the Republicans and not Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, ACORN, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac?"
Lynn not only brings up many valid points, she also presents an opinion that us as Americans are guarded from. The idea that this 'big bad machine' that we believe outsides perceive as tyranical Bush goverened America, is not viewed in the negative way in which many of our doom-and-gloom politicians make it out to be. Facts are just that, fact. As it stands now:
-this Bush administration has successful engaged a tyranical dictatorship and spread democracy to a Vary volatile area of the world. Iraq, a country suppressed almost since its existence, held its first open democratic elections as a result of the second gulf war. Furthermore, Insurgent attacks are dwindling (down 90% alone in hostile regions since the surge) and the withdrawal of troops is looking more and more each day like a reality.
-His administrations humanitarian work against the spread of AIDS in Africa dwarfs the efforts of all his predecessors combined.
-Hes reached his hands our across the isle to work with high ranking democrats in an attempt to put our country first.
-Since 9/11/2001, a day which U.S death toll overshadowed the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, is undoubtedly the most tragic day as an American in my lifetime. Since then, Bush has prevented any further terrorist attacks from happening on U.S soil. This importance of this accomplishment can not be stressed enough. In ensuring our safety, Bush and his administration has taken our country and moved from a "defensive" to an "offensive" position. The creation of homeland security along with increased awareness and prevention ensure our safety.
- Lastly, Bush is a man who was twice elected by the people not only for his ideologies, but also his charismatic energy and followings of God. Much like Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt before him, Bush is not afraid to let his morals and values assist him in making very difficult executive decisions. Separating your faith, religion and avoiding questionable decisions (see Obama's voting record), spares you controversy, but it wont make you a great leader. Great leaders are born and lead with their Heart. Bush is a born leader and supports no legislation he feels is not in America's best interest. This certainly has not made him friends, but the natural born leader he is, Bush is not in the business of making friends...he's our president, the strongest figurehead representing our country. There was a great article I read in the Wall Street Journal, which compares Bush to Batman in the Movie "Dark Knight". He's someone our society needs, but not necessarily someone we appreciate until later down the line.
When it comes down to it, America needs to invest more faith in morality and religion and less time going for each others throats. A wise mentor of mine once humorously broke down for me, the meaning of the word "politics". He simply stated "poly"= many and "Tics"= blood sucking leaches. This leaves us with none other than blood sucking leaches. While i chuckled, I also received the meaningful message this individual was passing to me.
Thats all for now,
John Walker Reagan
Monday, September 29, 2008
Todays Financial Roundtable Talk with JWR
As you're all very aware, today the dow has taken a beating like none other i have seen since Ronald Reagan pummled Walter Mondale the the 1984 General Election. There IS plenty of finger pointing, but it seems to only be coming from one side the ropes. Today, Nancy Pelosi's speech not only destroyed any chance for Bush's 700 billion dollar bailout resuce plan, she alos further divided our already volatile congress. Is it fair to shift all this blame directly on Speaker Pelosi's shoulders? John Walker believes it certainly is.
Since this congressshrew has been given the reins to OUR house of representatives, what we TRUE americans hold at a most prestigous level in this country, she has done nothing but introduce failing ideas. Her speech to the floor proved to be no different than those in her past. 'Earlier, speaking on the House floor, Pelosi said "$700 billion [is a] a staggering number, but only a part of the cost of the failed Bush economic policies'. Is this the kind of bipartisan legislation we need in order to pass the monumental bill? I certainly hope not. I also fail to see the communication bridge that Pelosi and her fellow cronies have promised us, the American citizen. Without our trust, your politcal ideas are nothing more than hogwash. While your antics may get you re-elected in San Francisco, they're not going to fly with people like myself, your typical independent average Joe. Need we look no further to see Mrs. Pelosi, why your approval rating is failing faster than our domestic economy.
Nows not the time for bureaucracy. We need answers and we need them sooner than later. Ensure us that our future generations will have the privlage of open market commerce that made our country a super power. Promise us answers to the difficult problems: Oil,taxes, defense. My challenge to you speaker is to look America in the eyes and promise to simply do your job. My trust in you as well as your democratic party has simply gone out the window. You hold the House, Senate and soon the Executive, If you continue to legislate as you have since your tenure as speaker, frankly, we are doomed. As former Sen. Fred Thompson stated. "No matter how angry those alligators are, they will drain that swamp".
This is all for now,
John Walker Reagan
Monday, September 15, 2008
WE'RE STILL COMING BACK!!
We're still coming back in an even bigger way.
Thank you and God Bless,
John Walker Reagan
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Greatest Symphony Ever Written
Hi everyone. :)
I just thought you'd like to know that the best symphony ever written is Beethoven's 3rd, Eroica.
It is awesome.
Four Movements:
1. Allegro con Brio - very powerful and long and awesome! I love the plateau of dissonance with horns blaring in the development section, and the beating of the drum during the recapitulation that differentiates it ever so slightly from the exposition. This movement is about 15 minutes long, but it feels like no time at all. And then when you get to the coda, which would normally simply wrap things up, Beethoven further develops the theme! Quite a surprise. Several key changes early on in the coda leads the listener to realize that things won't be wrapped up quite so quickly.
2. Marcia Funebre - Who would've thought? A funeral movement in the midst of a symphony? Truly a fitting memorial for a hero (Eroica translates to Heroic). This piece is pretty famous, it's used as the theme for the Germans in Civilization IV. Very emotional in the beginning, which gives way to great power.
3. Scherzo - translated, "joke". A lively movement, the shortest of the three. My professor in my Beethoven class felt that the trio of french horns in the middle of this movement was the crux of the entire symphony. I personally feel it belongs more at my favorite part of the second movement, but hey, what do I know.
4. Finale: Allegro Molto - This one starts with a "curtain raiser", a very fast introduction used in theater to let the audience know things are starting. Then it proceeds into a theme and variations. It's fun to listen to. I often find myself distracted in the middle because I know this symphony so well. Then I phase back in for the fast-paced ending.
Give it a listen sometime you guys. It's about 45 minutes long, which is about twice as long as the symphonies in existence before it. But it's a great 45 minutes. You'll see why it edged out Dvorak's New World Symphony in my favorites list.
I just thought you'd like to know that the best symphony ever written is Beethoven's 3rd, Eroica.
It is awesome.
Four Movements:
1. Allegro con Brio - very powerful and long and awesome! I love the plateau of dissonance with horns blaring in the development section, and the beating of the drum during the recapitulation that differentiates it ever so slightly from the exposition. This movement is about 15 minutes long, but it feels like no time at all. And then when you get to the coda, which would normally simply wrap things up, Beethoven further develops the theme! Quite a surprise. Several key changes early on in the coda leads the listener to realize that things won't be wrapped up quite so quickly.
2. Marcia Funebre - Who would've thought? A funeral movement in the midst of a symphony? Truly a fitting memorial for a hero (Eroica translates to Heroic). This piece is pretty famous, it's used as the theme for the Germans in Civilization IV. Very emotional in the beginning, which gives way to great power.
3. Scherzo - translated, "joke". A lively movement, the shortest of the three. My professor in my Beethoven class felt that the trio of french horns in the middle of this movement was the crux of the entire symphony. I personally feel it belongs more at my favorite part of the second movement, but hey, what do I know.
4. Finale: Allegro Molto - This one starts with a "curtain raiser", a very fast introduction used in theater to let the audience know things are starting. Then it proceeds into a theme and variations. It's fun to listen to. I often find myself distracted in the middle because I know this symphony so well. Then I phase back in for the fast-paced ending.
Give it a listen sometime you guys. It's about 45 minutes long, which is about twice as long as the symphonies in existence before it. But it's a great 45 minutes. You'll see why it edged out Dvorak's New World Symphony in my favorites list.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Barack Obama on Energy
Hi, fellow readers.
I've decided to reduce the amount of writing I do on actual topics. As it turns out, doing so tends to get me baited into arguments when I have better things to do like swim and play video games.
So, consider this my final bow. (I will still post from time to time on inconsequential issues.)
Why Barack Obama Won't Get My Vote:
Taken from Obama's energy speech today in Nevada:
I take issue with Obama's statement on Yucca Mountain. He says McCain doesn't have a plan besides storing waste in Yucca Mountain. Why exactly does McCain need a different plan, when Yucca Mountain has been approved by Congress? What is Obama's? Is he just saying this because the speech was given in Nevada? Who knows. I'm tired of reading about this guy, and it makes me very depressed when rhetoric trumps facts and technical knowledge.
By the way, new nuclear reactors are on their way regardless of McCain's proposal and Obama's inexplicable opposition. Check it out.
I've decided to reduce the amount of writing I do on actual topics. As it turns out, doing so tends to get me baited into arguments when I have better things to do like swim and play video games.
So, consider this my final bow. (I will still post from time to time on inconsequential issues.)
Why Barack Obama Won't Get My Vote:
Taken from Obama's energy speech today in Nevada:
Obama is right about one thing: expanding domestic oil drilling does make about as much sense as building 45 new reactors in the U.S. Both would be a decent start to solving America's energy woes.
Meanwhile, the oil companies already own drilling rights to 68 million acres of federal lands, onshore and offshore, that they haven't touched. 68 million acres that have the potential to nearly double America's total oil production, and John McCain wants to give them more. Well that might make sense in Washington, but it doesn't make sense for America. In fact, it makes about as much sense as his proposal to build 45 new nuclear reactors without a plan to store the waste some place other than right here at Yucca Mountain. Folks, these are not serious energy policies. They are not new energy policies. And they are certainly not the kind of energy policies that will give families the relief they need or our country the oil independence we must have.
I take issue with Obama's statement on Yucca Mountain. He says McCain doesn't have a plan besides storing waste in Yucca Mountain. Why exactly does McCain need a different plan, when Yucca Mountain has been approved by Congress? What is Obama's? Is he just saying this because the speech was given in Nevada? Who knows. I'm tired of reading about this guy, and it makes me very depressed when rhetoric trumps facts and technical knowledge.
By the way, new nuclear reactors are on their way regardless of McCain's proposal and Obama's inexplicable opposition. Check it out.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Change We Can Believe In
I'm sure you guys have heard the news. I just wanted to express my personal disappointment in Barack Obama. As part of his "Change" campaign, Obama has changed his position on running a publicly financed campaign. He'll no doubt be able to raise far more money from private donors, giving him an edge on John McCain, who seems to be sticking to his agreement to take public funds.
Look, if you support Barack Obama for his liberal positions, go for it. But if you support him because he's not like those other politicians, because he's here to fix the corrupt system, because he's the Messiah, or whatever - wake up. He's a demagogue; his campaign is the quintessential example of demagoguery if I've ever seen it.
Obama's statement that he'll build the first general election campaign funded by the American people is nonsense...that's exactly what public funds are. Obama's complaints about "527 groups" running campaigns against him are nonsense...these types of groups are running campaigns in Obama's favor, against McCain. I saw one on local Virginia broadcasting (Obama hopes to make VA a battleground state) that showed a woman with a baby boy, worried that McCain would send him to war since we'll be in Iraq for 100 years. It wasn't paid for or authorized by Obama, but instead it was by one of these groups. Give me a break. There isn't enough time in the day to explain how ridiculous Barack Obama's whole campaign is. But luckily, his hypocritical moves make it easy enough for everyone to see for themselves.
If you ask me, Barack Obama is just more of the "same old politics and broken Washington system." I'm not convinced that electing a president who won't keep his word is taking America in a new direction, at least not in a good direction. [Note: I'm not saying McCain is perfect, he's just not nearly as bad. Politics as a whole is a depressing affair.]
I'll close by saying this: if you don't know this already, nuclear energy is pretty near and dear to me. John McCain is an avid supporter. Barack Obama wants no new plants until the waste problems/proliferation concerns/[insert problem solved by scientists and engineers but held back by politics decades ago here] are solved. If he takes the time to look at the issues, he'll realize the barriers to these things are political, and maybe as president he'll help sort them out. Who knows what he'll do - his platform as a whole is quite vague. It's all the same anyway, though - it's not like we could take his word for anything he says anyway.
Look, if you support Barack Obama for his liberal positions, go for it. But if you support him because he's not like those other politicians, because he's here to fix the corrupt system, because he's the Messiah, or whatever - wake up. He's a demagogue; his campaign is the quintessential example of demagoguery if I've ever seen it.
Obama's statement that he'll build the first general election campaign funded by the American people is nonsense...that's exactly what public funds are. Obama's complaints about "527 groups" running campaigns against him are nonsense...these types of groups are running campaigns in Obama's favor, against McCain. I saw one on local Virginia broadcasting (Obama hopes to make VA a battleground state) that showed a woman with a baby boy, worried that McCain would send him to war since we'll be in Iraq for 100 years. It wasn't paid for or authorized by Obama, but instead it was by one of these groups. Give me a break. There isn't enough time in the day to explain how ridiculous Barack Obama's whole campaign is. But luckily, his hypocritical moves make it easy enough for everyone to see for themselves.
If you ask me, Barack Obama is just more of the "same old politics and broken Washington system." I'm not convinced that electing a president who won't keep his word is taking America in a new direction, at least not in a good direction. [Note: I'm not saying McCain is perfect, he's just not nearly as bad. Politics as a whole is a depressing affair.]
I'll close by saying this: if you don't know this already, nuclear energy is pretty near and dear to me. John McCain is an avid supporter. Barack Obama wants no new plants until the waste problems/proliferation concerns/[insert problem solved by scientists and engineers but held back by politics decades ago here] are solved. If he takes the time to look at the issues, he'll realize the barriers to these things are political, and maybe as president he'll help sort them out. Who knows what he'll do - his platform as a whole is quite vague. It's all the same anyway, though - it's not like we could take his word for anything he says anyway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
