The Loch Ness Monsster: Real or Myth?

We have all heard, read, and have seen the photos of "Nessie" from time to time. That lovable and evasive creature that dwells in the depths of Loch Ness---a very long and deep sinister looking lake in Scotland. The most celebrated photos, all in black and white and frustratingly blurry, have no doubt helped the local tourist trade. But what about the creature itself? How is it we don't see him or her much? There have been countless expeditions and forays by both the serious and the curious, all wanting to take that definitive photo that will forever prove the existence of "Nessie". 

     I have from time to time, especially in a classroom setting if for no other reason than as an exercise in critical thinking. 

     Most of the answers centered around the possible origin of the creature and why it was so camera shy: "It's probably a dinosaur that didn't go extinct." or "We can't see it because it's hiding at the bottom of the lake."

      They are easy enough answers. I guess anything is possible---to a point. 
      It has been suggested that "Nessie" is a plesiosaur. This is based on the fact the "alleged" creature has been seen perhaps half a dozen times over the many decades since those poor quality black and white photographs were taken in the 30s all sporting very long necks on half submerged bodies with very few details to help identify the elusive beasts. Plesiosaurs, according to mainstream paleontologists, are not classified as dinosaurs (odd since every animal back in the age of dinosaurs were, well, dinosaurs; even reptiles which dinosaurs imply: "Terrible Lizards"). They are what is classified as aquatic reptiles. Even had they survived the K/T extinction event 65 million years ago, they would have become extinct in any case genetically. Nothing lasts forever. There would have had to have been many such survivors---at least half a dozen or so to be viable. But that begs the point. Biologists will tell you that a species generally lasts anywhere from 5 to 10 million years before it either goes extinct (for lack of genetic reinforcement), or evolves into something else---at least that is present-day Darwinian thinking. As far as hiding in the depths of Loch Ness (the deepest is reportedly 900 feet) that would not be possible given the fact it is an aquatic reptile and needs to surface to take in air. Whales and other aquatic mammals may stay under water for hours at a time, but all eventually need to surface. Why then hasn't it, or they, been seen on a fairly routine basis?

       Let's try a little experiment: dump a couple fresh water dolphins in the Loch. I can bet you they'd be seen by boaters and land-lovers alike; at least long enough for you to take videos, in color of course, of their antics. 
        Attention teachers: Use this post to test critical thinking. 

     

     

      

 

 

                         The Political Assassination of Gov. Chris Christie Has Begun 

 I was wondering how long it was going to take the godless media to seize upon the crack in the bulwark of the governor of N.J., Chris Christie. "BridgeGate" was the first of the scandals allegedly involving the Christie administration orchestrating the closing of a bridge connecting New Jersey with New York because of a New Jersey Democrat mayor's failure to endorse the Republican governor, Christie, during the latter's re-election. This was followed more recently by testimony from another Democrat mayor of New Jersey accusing Christie's lieutenant  governor of urging the mayor to support a state project, threatening the withholding of federal monies for Hurricane Sandy victims if the mayor did not cooperate.  The floodgates have opened, and the governor looks vulnerable, naked to the world. He's also a Republican.

     The Democrats would never think of doing anything similar to what I have just mentioned. How horrific! How dastardly!  Cries for an investigation into the governor's apparent abuse of power are mounting; not surprisingly, by Democrats. 

       The question I have is this: If Governor Chris Christie was the bully and abuser as they say, why wasn't this subsequent accusation made known prior to "BridgeGate"? This reminds one of the Jennifer Flowers sex scandal against Democrat Bill Clinton. In the months that followed other women stepped from out of the political shadows with similar accusations. Again, the question: Why didn't they step forward long before Flowers' initial testimony? 

        I find it all highly suspicious. 

        "Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad." 

        Anthony Weiner comes to mind.

       I can hear the soulful violin music playing softly in the background; the gnashing of teeth, and the wailing lamentations of the truly hypocritical. The sooner the public realizes this, the better suited they will be to vote.

         Politics is not for the polite, nor for the sensitive honest. They play by rough rules. They are big boys and girls. They need to leave acting to the actors. We the people are on to you. The gig is up.

         

   

     

GOOD OLD BEN

   Benjamin Franklin was right on the money much of the time---and timely. I guess that's why he's quoted a lot. And he didn't pull any punches either.
 
   "Words may show a man's wit, but actions his meaning."

   Actions speak louder than words. Almost Reagaesque.
   I'm alluding of course to the present situation we face regarding Iran, and to a greater extent this administration and its institutions: all seem to have lost the ability to recognize bull crap when they hear it.
Even back in the good old days of John Foster Dulles, the U.S. State Department was known as 'Foggy Bottom'. Since that time we have experienced one debacle after another. The problem is we have lost our street smarts. We could probably replace all our decision makers and advisers with street smart kids and get better results when it comes to foreign policy. Sound too strong? Why then does Corporate America---and perhaps the government as well---hire former 'hackers' to help combat the deluge of viruses and malware that are making a joke of internet security? Can you imagine the opinion given by a hooligan about Secretary Kerry's so-called deal with Iran? Back in the good old 19th century city fathers in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia hired former, if not totally trusted, criminals and bar brawlers as police officers: their answer to fighting fire with fire. Heck, we even hire mercenaries to help fight our wars. But of course I am not advocating any such thing as a means to an end. The question however begs for an answer: How do we encourage common sense in our federal officers in carrying out their duties in a sane, rational way and not diplomatic gibberish? We need to say what we mean, and mean what we say.
   If a neighbor comes to your door with a soda bottle filled with gasoline and toilet paper for a wick, you kind of get the message real quick that your neighbor is a) crazy, or b) has an issue with you.
   Nations are a lot like people. They all have their own personalities, wants, and desires. But America today is seen now as that perennially bad football team that gets beat at its own game every Sunday afternoon no matter how much money and franchise players you pump into the team. Reputations are earned. Once lost, take it from old Ben---you'll eventually have to pay the butcher's bill.
  

This Is Our Country

Time and time again we hear or read about the reckless Affordable Care Act being chastised by the courts for infringing on the constitutional rights of American citizens. It is not only the A.C.A, but our schools as well: public education has become an obstacle rather than an incentive for our children to learn. President Obama created his council of Czars to rule in his place since the beginning; people whom we have not elected---whether it be regulations or just plan edicts that pretend to know what is good for and what is not good for us. But in spite of it all the country will not die no matter what they do. Three years are left on this administration's tenure. The courts, I believe, will see about that. We the people must make our voices heard loud and clear. "THIS IS OUR COUNTRY!"