No E-Meters in Jesusland
In the days after the election, a map circulated around the internet showing the red states labeled "Jesusland", with the blue states merged north into the United States of Canada. The implication is that these states that John Kerry won are on some intellectual high ground, and the others are subject to crazy religious beliefs, and all of this is predicated on the assertion that a state that went 55% Kerry is fundamentally different than one that went 55% Bush.
Well, I've moved from a red state to a blue state, and yeah, it's a little different. What Californians call "a parking lot", we always called "a parking space or two." They use the phrase "strip mall of generic chain stores" to describe what I've always referred to as "the whole entire world as I know it." Still, that's about the extent of the differences, despite everyone insisting that I must have trouble adjusting to how fast it is here. (Driving 15MPH on the freeway for an hour to spend 20 minutes fighting over a parking spot, and then another 30 minutes throwing elbows to buy a loaf of bread does not make for fast living.)
Sure, Arizona had more megachurches than record stores, but California is the international capitol of Scientology -- and nobody is rioting in the streets about it. I'm not one for destruction or violence, but if anything were to fill me with the kind of rage that would put me at the wick end of a molitov cocktail, it's bullshit like that being spewed nonstop on every street I walk down. A state that so openly welcomes Scientology is certainly not the enlightened utopia of progress and critical thought that they feel the blue on the electoral map indicates. And hey, it's not just Scientology. Don't forget the Moonies, the Krishnas, and the fuckwits who say "I'm not religious, I'm spiritual." Jim Jones, Charles Manson and Heaven's Gate all managed to find a fertile environment for their spirituality here, and I'm having trouble seeing how any of this is better than the brainwashing that happens in Jesusland.
It's impossible to live in Los Angeles and not have to deal with Scientologists on a somewhat regular basis. The teeming masses of zombies they've recruited stand on the streets trying to reel in more hapless victims. One of their preferred tactics is to offer a free "stress test" on the spot. They don't introduce themselves as Scientologists, they don't mention that the testing is done on an e-meter, and they probably wouldn't recognize the phrase galvanic skin response, which is what they're actually measuring. As much as I'm curious about their sales pitch after the "stress test", I can't bring myself to be seen on an e-meter, so I'm not sure at what point they explain how much money it's going to cost to get rid of all of your engrams.
Since it's Christmas shopping season, they were outside of the Macy's by my local post office earlier this week. When I was on my way out, one of their recruitment zombies tried to corral me over to the e-meter. "Actually," I said, "I make my own poison kool-aid at home, so I don't think I'll be needing your services. Thanks, though." He responded with, "Oh yeah? Did you think of that yourself?" The guy in the cult questioned my ability to think for myself. "So this is life in a blue state," I thought, "I can feel the progress."
So to all of my California friends: If you're thinking of visiting the rest of the country, rest assured that you'll never see an e-meter in Jesusland.
Well, I've moved from a red state to a blue state, and yeah, it's a little different. What Californians call "a parking lot", we always called "a parking space or two." They use the phrase "strip mall of generic chain stores" to describe what I've always referred to as "the whole entire world as I know it." Still, that's about the extent of the differences, despite everyone insisting that I must have trouble adjusting to how fast it is here. (Driving 15MPH on the freeway for an hour to spend 20 minutes fighting over a parking spot, and then another 30 minutes throwing elbows to buy a loaf of bread does not make for fast living.)
Sure, Arizona had more megachurches than record stores, but California is the international capitol of Scientology -- and nobody is rioting in the streets about it. I'm not one for destruction or violence, but if anything were to fill me with the kind of rage that would put me at the wick end of a molitov cocktail, it's bullshit like that being spewed nonstop on every street I walk down. A state that so openly welcomes Scientology is certainly not the enlightened utopia of progress and critical thought that they feel the blue on the electoral map indicates. And hey, it's not just Scientology. Don't forget the Moonies, the Krishnas, and the fuckwits who say "I'm not religious, I'm spiritual." Jim Jones, Charles Manson and Heaven's Gate all managed to find a fertile environment for their spirituality here, and I'm having trouble seeing how any of this is better than the brainwashing that happens in Jesusland.
It's impossible to live in Los Angeles and not have to deal with Scientologists on a somewhat regular basis. The teeming masses of zombies they've recruited stand on the streets trying to reel in more hapless victims. One of their preferred tactics is to offer a free "stress test" on the spot. They don't introduce themselves as Scientologists, they don't mention that the testing is done on an e-meter, and they probably wouldn't recognize the phrase galvanic skin response, which is what they're actually measuring. As much as I'm curious about their sales pitch after the "stress test", I can't bring myself to be seen on an e-meter, so I'm not sure at what point they explain how much money it's going to cost to get rid of all of your engrams.
Since it's Christmas shopping season, they were outside of the Macy's by my local post office earlier this week. When I was on my way out, one of their recruitment zombies tried to corral me over to the e-meter. "Actually," I said, "I make my own poison kool-aid at home, so I don't think I'll be needing your services. Thanks, though." He responded with, "Oh yeah? Did you think of that yourself?" The guy in the cult questioned my ability to think for myself. "So this is life in a blue state," I thought, "I can feel the progress."
So to all of my California friends: If you're thinking of visiting the rest of the country, rest assured that you'll never see an e-meter in Jesusland.
posted by Kris at 1:23 AM (Perm. Link)
4 Comments:
Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the arsenal of natural anxiety and stress (job stress) reducers.
Rhodiola Rosea, also known as Golden Root, is a native plant of arctic Siberia. For centuries it has been used by eastern European and Asian cultures for physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and nervous system disorders.
The first recorded medicinal applications of rodia riza (renamed Rhodiola Rosea) was made by the Greek physician, Dioscorides, in 77 C.E. in 'De Materia Medica'. Rhodiola Rosea has been included in official Russian medicine since 1969.
Despite its long history, the Western world has only recently become aware of the health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea. It has come to the attention of many natural health practitioners because of studies which tested its affects on combating anxiety and stress.
Rhodiola Rosea is considered an adaptogen. This means it has an overall stabilizing effect on the body without disrupting other functions. Its ability to normalize hormones may be effective for treating depression and anxiety.
Studies of Rhodiola Rosea show that it stimulates neurotransmitters and enhances their effects on the brain. This includes the ability for the brain to process serotonin which helps the body to adapt to stress.
Since adaptogens improve the body's overall ability to handle stress, it has been studied to identify it's effects on biological, chemical and physical stress.
A study was performed to test the effects of Rhodiola Rosea when stress or job stress is caused by intense mental work (such as final exams). Such tests concluded that using Rhodiola Rosea improved the amount and quality of work, increasing mental clarity and reducing the effects of fatigue.
The effects of Rhodiola Rosea have also been tested on stress and anxiety from both physical and emotional sources. A report by the American Botanical Council states that "Most users find that it improves their mood, energy level, and mental clarity." They also report on a study that indicated Rhodiola Rosea could increase stress tolerance while at the same time protecting the brain and heart from the physical affects of stress.
This report included details of studies which highlight the overall health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea.
The generally recommended dose is 200-600mg/day. The active properties should be a minimum 0.8 percent salidroside and 3 percent rosavin.
It is important for consumers to know that Rhodiola may be sold using other species that do not share the properties of Rhodiola Rosea, job stress, or at ineffective strengths for treatment. Anyone with depression or anxiety should also check with a health professional when treating these symptoms.
job stress
Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!
I have a stress
site/blog. It pretty much covers stress related stuff.
Come and check it out if you get time :-)
I enjoyed you blog about best enzymes. I also have a site about best enzymes which makes me appreciate this one even more! Keep up the good work!
I've enjoyed reading your blog tonight. You're obviously intelligent and not afraid to think for yourself. I give you no credit for the former, but the latter is an admirable trait. I pretty much agree with your take on the religious right and their leadership. However, I think you are a bit haphazard in your attacks on God and the Bible. Even though an objective outsider would consider Bush's America to be a theocracy, nothing could be further from the truth. Jerry Falwell, George Bush, and Pat Robertson have no intention of turning their political power over to God; they are in this for themselves. When I call myself an American, it is with a twinge of shame. I love my country, but I am terribly embarrassed by the leaders who represent it to the world. I feel the same way about my Christianity. I have faith in God, and deep, abiding anger for the men mentioned above who disgrace the name of Jesus. Whatever you believe about Jesus, know that he never stood for political and military force to set social agendas. Whatever you believe about my faith, it's foolish to discount me as if I were retarded simply because you disagree with me. And for the love of Pete, please don't assume I'm retarded just because Pat Robertson is - and he IS!!!
Post a Comment
<< Home