911 - Let Us Remember ... In a Different Way

This is a time to remember, yes. However, this may not be the sort of memorial you are accustomed on this poignant day. It is not meant to bring any disrespect, but rather bring the highest of respect. And embrace a view that encompasses us all.


For those lives that were lost, let us bury them with respect, honor and love. Let us do that once - for the sake of completion - and no longer use their lives and deaths as a vehicle by careless characters to realize an agenda still bent on revenge, war-mongering and holier-than-thou elitism. Allow the loss to be what it simply is, as all our losses are: painful.


Let us feel the pain of our losses. 

And let us remember. Yes, let us remember.



Remember not for the sake of continued bitterness and national righteousness. Remember not so we can hold a separatists' sword ready to plunge blindly at the next country the media and administration tells us to hate. Remember not because we pretend to still care about lives we never really knew.



If we are to remember anything, let us remember the love and the loss we feel when any human is murdered, killed or in any way lost to us. Let us remember that a lost life is not just an American's life, but a life lost to the family humanity - and such lives are being lost all over the globe, all over this city, in homes of family and friends we do know personally or intimately.



And finally let us remember a time, a mystical and sublime time, in the brief period following that fateful day. As the smoke still billowed and ashes still smoldered, there was a quiet hum that could be heard. It was the sound of the one heart that does truly care about the family humanity. It was a global community that grieved for the hearts that hurt and experienced loss. It was a planetary embrace for the common denominator that connects us all. There was a unity bond that arrived in the form of empathy and shared compassion, not every single place but in the majority. And it promised a peace - if we lived at this level and remembered this feeling always. 



As warmongers and media hounds do their best to tear down this level of unity, and hijack this day and those lives away from our brotherly and sisterly oneness, let us remember, let us truly remember ... we always hold the power to take that unity and humanity back. 



James Anthony Ellis is a writer living in Lemon Grove. He can be reached at LegacyProductions.org.

Slimed For Telling The Truth

 

A new nation was hurting. A bunch of hopeful hoodlums on this side of the Atlantic decided to break the "law" of the land. Thirteen colonies on what would someday be called "the East Coast" were doing their colonial thing, yet feeling the crunch of a controlling mofo homeland. We had the colonies, and we had the British crown, led by one incredibly immature king tyrant.

So, what to do? What to do? Beyond brilliant, beyond genius, inspired by the divine or perhaps something higher, some fatherly folks chose to create a declaration of independence and then a constitution to reign over a republic for this United States of America.

What would be of import was FREEDOM, staring with men (mostly white) and then ultimately women and all sentient beings (well, not animals yet, but coming soon I bet). That freedom would include a Bill of Rights (inalienable from what I recall) that included freedom of religion and press and speech. Guarded tightly was this freedom, especially because of a well-documented and nasty tendency of egotistical individuals and megalomaniac governments to become tyrannical in their control over others. In other words, we had to protect ourselves from our own government!

Freedom demanded it.

Now, let's flash forward a couple centuries for a present-day reality, a nightmare come true for the founders of our country, and the analogy of a burning flag … and the republic for which it stands. Though there are many ways our nation and Constitution are being chipped away at, the mayhem I wish to point out is related to our (yours and mine) freedom of speech. This freedom of speech is not just being threatened in our nation's societal landscape, but in areas we may have heretofore not considered. (This is called "foreshadowing.")

In days of old, as far back as the ancient historic times of 1974, a US President found to be supporting the spying, wire-tapping, and otherwise breaking of trust with the American people was taken off of his post.

Yet today, the mainstream media reports that our government, with its collective panties in a wad, has decided anyone pointing out such improprieties to be guilty of "treason" as a "defector," a felon and a traitor. And punitive actions will be taken for such people. That goes for all the Bradley Mannings and the Edward Snowdens of the world. That goes for you. You are all suspects in this game of chance, and must be watched ever so closely. And if you step out of bounds, you will be brought to justice. Whistle-blowers who may point out such insanity are now no longer safe to speak the truth in a society that one past leader would have labeled "repugnant" in its secrecy and non-transparency.

For we appear to have come to this: the more truth you bring, the easier it is for you to be the one who is "in trouble." The more you speak up and reveal the more challenging truths, the easier it is for you to be the one slimed. And it's not just before some hypersensitive politician, judge, boss, Catholic diocese, police or political machinery. Sadly, it has become the case in personal relations – with family and friends.

When was the last time you brought a grievance to a friend, and that friend replied with a grateful "thank you," full of appreciation? This latter sentence may even bring a laugh, for imagining such a scenario is so far from reality that it becomes a joke. Though consider the value in a friend noticing something amiss about your actions or deeds, and bringing such to conscious awareness for you. Would it not have value? Would it not give you some insight you may not already hold? Would it not take courage for someone to bring this insight?

He or she, if a friend, would most likely bring it to you in an act of support. As well, this person probably will be in a vulnerable state, risking relationship, risking attack, defense and retribution for a simple perception and act of kindness you may not comprehend.

But for those people concerned about any criticism coming their way from a friend, not to worry! And that is because this will not happen. For the environment has been set: people and governments are so afraid of the truth that they all have their defenses in place:

• The government with its media-for-hire and jacked-up laws protecting nothing but their own fort.
•  The common people with their egos, pride and handy pop psychology phrase of the day: "What someone thinks about me has nothing to do with me."

Yes I know we've all nodded our head along to this cozy concept. Yet, what does it protect us from? The truth has gone out of style, having so many people – veiled by their own BS, protected by an ego out for only glory and the superficial good-looking appearance – feeling out of sorts. But what do we give up by not allowing a friend to speak his or her mind on matters that may come across as critical? What do we give up by not allowing the people a place to assemble to oppose a doctrine or dogma?

We give up life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We give up freedom.

Until a freedom of speech is alive and well within all our relations – whether it be relating to our family, friends or countrymen – we will all be prisoners of a controlling force dictating how everything should be. Until we can experience a free dialogue, there will be no conversation. Until we are free to speak our truth, there will be no truth.  

May we all do right by our friends and be a friend. May we all do right by our family and be a contributing family member. May we all do right by our country, and stand up and speak up for the principles that made it all worth fighting for in the first place.

James Anthony Ellis is a writer and producer who just used his “freedom of speech” in a country still free because of, in part, the still free Internet. He can be reached at LegacyProductions.org.

The End of the Know-it-all

The times they are a changing.
Yes, you will be happy, and perhaps a bit anxious, to know that the time is coming.
It is the end.
The end.

Yes, no more do you have to look up to anyone, embracing some demeaning-to-self concept that you need someone to know better and more than you.
This is the end of an era
This is the end of the know-it-all.

Now, I'm not referencing a good teacher or mentor who can help guide a student towards his or her own answers. I'm talking about the know-it-all, those fancy folks who need to know more than you in order to use leverage to their advantage.

For so many eras - eons perhaps - we as a people have felt the need to look up to the "expert," the "leader" and the pious pundits who were glad to maintain such a lofty identity over the pubic. For so long, we have looked up "teary-eyed" as the public speaker, the President or the prophet spoke in great speech. For too long we have lowered our own esteme believing that someone else would hold and then grant us the answer, the pill or the edict we all needed.

But this is the mentality of the weakened and lazy mind. And it need not be. And it will not be.

Though we still wish to act like little boys and girls, hoping mommy and daddy will take care of us, we are finding this is not the way it is to be. Some white smocks are stained blood red. Some top government leaders mainly watch their own back as well as their friends' backs. Many fancy-dressed public speakers spout off their words followed by applause and a sales pitch. The promises of job security and homeland security reveal holes throughout.

And what is left after all the false idols fall and fail? What are you left with? You are left with you. You and your thoughts, your intuition, your discernment, divinely given ... directly to you.

The time is coming very soon, when you will see ... this is all you need, and this is all you have ever needed.


Jim Ellis is a writer and producer who would be a know-it-all if he hadn't just admitted to not knowing everything. What he does know about can be found at LegacyProductions.org.

Labor Day Newsflash! "Saturday" & "Sunday" a Thing of the Past

In one of the biggest breaking news stories to come out since the Gregorian calendar was first created by a madman with a need to time and then etch something, it has been discovered that Saturday and Sunday do not really exist.

You may notice this phenomena on days such as this: Labor Day ... when a "Monday" actually feels like a "Sunday" or, even more surreal, a completely non-defined day. How freeing is that?

The notion of "weekend" - even in all its celebratory forms - has been found to be mere concepts, since the ideas of "Saturday" and "Sunday" were actually labels created by a human who may have simply wanted "time off." This "time off" has unfortunately created the need to have "time on" in the form of working, workdays, workloads, work burnout, coworkers and cubicles. 

Those who were close to the concept of "weekend" were found to be quite despondent after learning of the news since they didn't know they were even trapped in a matrix of space and time, believing they had to conform to a hard life of hard work. 

Others were quoted as saying, "Woohoo, now I can make up the life I want, every moment of my life!"

Though Saturday and Sunday will be things of the past for some, the notion of "vacations" will always be in effect, however without the necessary idea of having to end that vacation. 

James Anthony Ellis is a writer living in Lemon Grove. He can be reached any "day" of the "week" at LegacyProductions.org.

 

Canada or Bust - Another Way to Look at the Immigration Issue

I'm confused over the whole immigration thing.  You know, the whole Mexicans coming into the  United States thing.

 

Why is there such an uproar? Why are emotions running so high and debates so convoluted? Yes, people are feeling marginalized, segregated, put down. There are cries of racism everywhere.

Can't we simply take it to a very simple level, without all the emotion and labels? Isn't it actually simple?

Isn't it simply - at some level - as easy as a protocol to enter a territory? Isn't it about respectful boundaries, and the natural law that governs right actions surrounding these boundaries? An example would be a home. Someone wants to enter a house. They may knock on the door, and request entrance. However, the permission of that entrance is under the discretion of the home owner.

With headlines of immigration issues, can't we see it as simple?  Can't we see it as simple as what Canada holds as its immigration policies and protocol?

Canada has strong borders and a high standard for citizenship if you want to move into that country. Isn't that a sign of high respect for their nation? I admire Canada for demanding those who wish to move there to outline how they would improve Canada (see details below).

Do I balk at their protocol and call them "racists" for holding the bar that high? No, I start to ponder how I can better myself and then show my worth...

Here is how they outline their citizenship protocol: 

General Immigration  (Express Entry)

• This form is for professionals and workers.
• Federal and Quebec Skilled Worker, Provincial Nominee, Federal Self-Employed, and Canadian Experience Class.
• Individuals are evaluated based on their education, training and work experience, which reflects their ability to economically establish themselves in Canada and takes into account labour market conditions in Canada.

There are even some protocols for not entering the country at all. 

Grounds for Inadmissibility 

Individuals may be refused entry to or removed from Canada on the following grounds:

• Security reasons, including espionage, subversion, violence or terrorism, or membership in an organization involved in such activities.
• Human or international rights violations.
• Criminality.
• Organized crime, including membership in an organization that takes part in organized criminal activity.
• Health reasons, if their condition is likely to endanger public health or public safety, or might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demands on health or social services.
• Financial reasons, if they are unable or unwilling to support themselves and their family members.
• Misrepresentation, which includes providing false information or withholding information directly related to decisions made under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
• Failure to comply with any provision of IRPA. For instance, an attempt by persons who, having previously been deported from Canada, seek to enter Canada without written authorization.
• Having an inadmissible family member.
• Offenses committed as a minor.

Again, Canada has a front door. You must knock to get in. That would be the respectful thing to do. 

Can not those wishing to enter the United States be just as respectful, and if they can't, is that someone you would want to let into your home?

 

James Anthony Ellis is a writer and producer living in San Diego. Though born in the United States, his father's father's father came to the country from Ireland, byway of Ellis Island, the port of entry at the time. He can be reached at LegacyProductions.org. 

 

The Banks of America - Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Give a Shit

Here is a story about a bank. A bank right here in America. I will not be giving out the brand name, but just know it's a "Bank in America." That's all I'm saying. Well, no, that's not all I'm saying. I'm also going to tell the story of some bank bullshit and how I made my way up the ladder to find some answers. 

Once upon a time, there was a man who found his bank made an error on his mortgage payment, one in which they charged him a $25 late fee. Having to spend extra time determining the source of the error and the fixing of the issue, the man went to his bank with some questions. We pick up the action here:

Knock on door.

Jim

Hey, bank, you made an error.

Bank Lady

Oh, we did? Let me check on that. 

Clock turns one day.

Bank Lady

Why yes, we did. It's a bank error, and the paper now says "bank error" on it, and we have rectified the problem. We waived the $25 late fee, and you can go on your way.

Jim

But wait, the bank made an error.

Bank Lady

Yeah so?

Jim 

If I make a mistake, I am charged $25 (quite a steal mind you in this competitive market of fees), but if the Bank in America makes a mistake, they have no consequence at all?

Bank Lady 

Ah, no.

Jim shakes his head.

As I take this blog OUT of Final Draft screenwriting format, I'll finish the story swiftly, but with some embellishments. See if you can tell when that starts.

On this Friday August 7 visit, I asked the Bank Lady if she could have her supervisor contact me. She said she would look up his number and get it to me as soon as possible. To her credit I got the name of Bank Man by the end of this day, August 7, saying I should get a call by August 10 or 11 from "Ronald" (I will call him that since that is his name.)


Clock turns 10 days.

I ended up calling on August 17, and Bank Lady was surprised Bank Man hadn't called yet and said she would e-mail and call him so he would call me ASAP!

Clock turns 2 days.

On August 19, Bank Ronald Man calls and leaves a message, the kind that takes awhile to comprehend because the fast-talking, overly smooth chatter goes by so quickly and because you have to take a shower with each listen. After washing up, I deciphered the slick bullshit talk to grab his number and gave a call back. This was 1:45 pm the same day.

Clock turns 5 days. 

Though I still haven't heard back from Ronald, I do hope he calls back. I know I will call back, and here is how I imagine it will go...

Ronald will do his slick bullshit talk and claim that in the small writing of our agreement, in the microscopic print mailed to me in correspondence that looks more like junk mail than junk mail, it states clearly our terms. Banks rule and humans are zippo.

I will stop him in mid-sentence, right before he gets to the word "zippo" with the words "who is your manager?" He will tell me that his manager/supervisor/overlord will be telling me the same thing. I will stick with "who is your manager, and how can I talk with him or her?" (I've been here before.) After my third attempt (they always give up after the magic three number), I will get the name and number I need.

I will call, and go through a similar routine, ultimately getting another manager's name. This will be the manager of the manager of the manager of Bank Man Ronald who oversees Bank Lady.

And it may go something like this.

Phone rings.

Jim

Hello Mr Rothchild?

Rothchild

This is Mr. Rothchild.

Jim

Geez, you sound old!

Rothchild

How can I assist you young man?

Jim 

There was a bank error by this Bank in America and I believe that bank should  -

Dial tone.

Clock turns 100 years.

Dinosaurs return to planet Earth and eat all the stupid-ass selfish bankers like Skittles while the good people who did an honest day of work watch on smiling. 

Fade to black. 

  
 
James Anthony Ellis is a writer and producer living in San Diego. He actually loves his new bank and banker. He can be reached at www.LegacyProductions.org.

The Answer is Often ... "Two Seconds"

Two seconds. That's all it takes.
 
Many times.

In the time it took you to read this sentence.

That is the amount of time it takes to get your answer.

You've been there so many times. Someone brings you a question, someone brings you a quandary ... hell ... someone brings you a doughnut.

You immediately think you have the right answer for yourself and the situation. And your very FIRST response, that first knee-jerk response, is only coming from a conditioned place within yourself, built from past experiences.

Here. Let me give you an example.

Someone at lunch says she is enjoying her pizza. She asks, "Would you like a piece?" I quickly and without thinking answer "No, but thank you." As I walk away from that lunch, I may consider that situation and come to realize "I WOULD have liked to have had a taste of that pizza." Why did I say "no," and why did I say it so swiftly? For you non-codependent types out there, you may not be able to relate, but attempt to stretch here. In this situation, I may be conditioned by my mind to answer without really thinking things through ... for even two seconds.

Here are the thoughts that are faster than lightning, faster than two seconds, even one second:

• I don't deserve anything extra.
• I don't want to be a bother to someone.
• If I say "yes" to someone, I will be trapped into some obligation down the road.
• And more...

Now, this is only one example of how a mind may work lickedy-split quick and get in the way of you truly knowing what you want in the moment, keep you from truly allowing you to choose your life and have you block your chance at a piece of pizza.

Your solution to dealing with this super-swift subconscious mind? Two seconds.

Two seconds.

It's all you need. Try it out. Next time someone asks you a question or offers you something, take a breath or two. Take the two seconds it takes for your conscious mind to check your gut and connect with a deeper answer. You may find out that it disagrees with the knee-jerk reaction and responds in another way. "Sure, I'd love a bit of pizza."

In the long run, as you practice the art of "Two Seconds" you will become faster and faster at realizing what you truly want in each scenario - pizza or no pizza. 

James Anthony Ellis is a writer and producer living in San Diego. And yes, he is available for outings for pizza most every day. He can be reached at www.LegacyProductions.org