The Last Industrial Battle

The bad news is this: The Major Industrial Powers (MIP) have prevailed over the Residential Industrial Movement (RIM). But damage and civilian casualties have been greatly limited, thanks to the frantic evacuations of RIM families, our benevolent willingness to compromise, and to the intervention of both a super hero and forces out of Heaven.

The MIP was brazen enough to call in thousands of militia in addition to the official military. They bought off tens of thousands of federal, state, county, and local officials. That shows what they're made of, pure scum. The deck was stacked in their favor. In addition to the physical threat, they had tons of official paperwork in place, being delivered to thousands of RIM facilities across the country by census workers, otherwise out of work but pressed into last minute duty on this matter.

Factories have been shuttered, chained, and in some cases destroyed. RIM officials, those who hadn't fled for the hills, including myself, were presented with the alternatives, mostly involving continued legal scrutiny vs. the possibility of immunity if we were to give up industrialism. Looking at the mounds of paperwork, much of it literally over my head, we decided it was hopeless. On patent violations alone, there was over a million lawsuits threatened. I myself, as a tire manufacturer, was served with hundreds of patent summonses, everything from copyrighted tread patterns to the shape of the wheel itself. It turns out that one big company has a patent on the wheel's circular shape and licenses it out to other manufacturers.

But like I said, we had some great assistance in a battle that, alas, was never really allowed to rage.

The forces were assembled in the field north of my property, with thousands of tanks, infantry, missile launchers, and so forth. Those were the MIP forces standing against us. The RIM contingent stood at the east fence, with sticks, homemade knives, and a few muskets some of the older guys kept above their fireplace. (We were really down in numbers because of all who fled.)

At this point, the MIP was looking to make an example of someone. Of course, the militias with the official military were itching for a fight. Even they had their own tanks. I wasn't really looking to die. So I had an idea. As you know from yesterday, I was spiritually ready, plus I have a couple friends in Japan who know something about fighting. Of course I'm talking about Gentaro and Goro, the stars of "Iron King."

I contacted Gentaro yesterday and told him of the situation. He knows I'm a big fan of their '70s Japanese sci fi action series, having the entire thing on DVD. So together with Goro, who transforms himself into the giant cyborg action fighter, Iron King, they made their way to my home as fast as possible.

So there we were, the RIM, with our sticks and homemade knives. The militias came running toward the middle of the field. Goro ran behind a big bale of hay, crossed himself and shouted "Iron Shock!" That's what he does. Instantly, he was transformed into a cyborg about 100 feet tall. He went out to the middle of the field. One of the militia men, in charge of their own giant, seeing Iron King, radioed to the hills, and out came Tank Head.

They fought and struggled there in the middle of the field. First Iron King seemed to prevail, then Tank Head came back. It went back and forth like that for a while, until I saw Iron King's water meter start to blink, meaning he was dangerously low on H2O, which he needs for his strength. It's a very annoying problem. But it gives Gentaro a chance to fight.

So, Gentaro, looking every bit a normal human being, and he is, ran into the fray. He has a whip that extends itself in a gigantic way. So he was out there whipping Tank Head. And he was about to bring him down. But it wasn't enough. I was thinking, "So much for the expensive long distance charges to Japan!" But I had another option up my sleeve.

Remember my great spirituality? I'm the one man in town, and possibly the world, who can move Heaven with the snap of a finger. It comes from years of sacred sword play, manipulating Chinese gong balls, and having a smokin' hot interpretation of scripture. I have a very special pull over ... angels. Not the kind of prissy angels you hang on your Christmas tree or hand out at nursing homes as party favors. But big, burly, sacred sword-wielding, angry-looking, bad ass buggers, hedgerows of warring angels, who'd just soon annihilate you as look at you. But they like me!

I gave one of my very special prayers. The prayers I utter are not the kind that pussyfoot around, nor do I have to wait five years for an answer. I can just grunt in a holy way -- I could -- and the heavens open and the angels are there. And so it was! I was about to say, "Deus ex machina, I call for a hedgerow of warring angels." But before I could open my mouth, while the words were simply in my mind, there they were...

LOL. I had a very strange thought when I saw them. A funny thought. I was thinking about the Tony Orlando song, "Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree." Remember the part where the guy wants one yellow ribbon around the tree or he'll stay on the bus? It makes me cry to hear the part where he sees a hundred yellow ribbons! But that's what he got. Do you see where this is going?

I was only asking for one hedgerow of warring angels, and, guess what: The sky was filled from the east to the west with so many hedgerows of warring angels it darkened the sky! It was an awesome sight. I haven't seen so many of one thing since the time I went to the basement of a guy I once knew and saw he had literally collected over 100,000 pennies. It was crazy! Bottles, bags, boxes ... pennies everywhere!

The tanks were midfield, heading for the RIM forces. Tank Head was leading the way. Gentaro had assisted Goro off the field and, like a dog, he was getting a lavish drink from a drainage ditch. Next thing anyone knew, the hedgerows of warring angels were electrically levitating tanks and missile launchers between them, and casting them into hell, by the hundred! It was a beautiful sight! And as far as Tank Head, they zapped him and I saw him shrink. So if anyone out there sees a mouse with two heads shaped like little toy tanks, maybe put out a trap tonight. He could bite.

With all this death and destruction, into the middle of the field came running the governor of our state along with one of the officials of the MIP. I prayed and the hedgerows went and sat on the horizon. The officials recognized certain things were true, one, that the RIM had greater help in the realm of super heroes and heavenly visitors. But they also insisted that we were violating many laws, patents, and all that. So it all came down to money!

That's when we worked out the details about immunity and all the rest. And we agreed that the RIM would be disbanded as an industrial movement in exchange for legal concessions. And so that was the end of the struggle.

The hedgerows went back to Heaven, awaiting my slightest whisper. Gentaro and Goro came over and toured my former tire factory. I gave Goro a bucket of water from Grandpa's well, which he averred would keep him well hydrated for years to come! Before they left, Gentaro played his guitar and sang a folk song, some of the lyrics being translated:

I have loved the fields of lilies, the beauty of our homeland.
And I have loved your fair eyes, my darling.
You have dressed yourself in white, like the clouds passing by.
May you keep your charm and youth always, growing old with me.

(For those who know the Iron King show, Gentaro's songs have nothing to do with the show or its theme, but, to save production money, are merely public domain folk songs, mostly with love and nature themes.)

Vigor Against The Major Industrial Powers

If you want the vigor you have to put in the rigor. Or, you can't be vigorous 'til you're rigorous. Or, the more rigor the more vigor. Or, no rigor, no vigor. Plus, if you want to avoid rigor mortis have vigor more, sis. My gig is rig for the vig.

The rigors of life leads to the vigor of life. You're not an ignoramus, so live with vigor, Amos. Don't ignore rigor for more vigor. The victor has the vigor. A lack of victory starts with no rigor, see. I'd walk a thousand ri to have a little vi. The gor you pick is the gor you've got. More gor? Gor more.

I'm doing the physical and mental calisthenics. I'm up early, getting an early start, while the major industrialists are still sleeping off another busy night at the park. Every member of the Residential Industrial Movement, I believe, is with me. They're up and getting the lines going. You do it one day, it's an exception. You do it a week, it's a start. You do it forever, it's a habit. Rigor and vigor go togegor!

Exercise is the best huffing and puffing a man can do. Hitting a few laundry bags tied to the post. Putting down a ladder and stepping swiftly in the empty spots. A few chin-ups on the door. Pumping iron from the yard. Physical, mental acuity come 'round to you, see?

Thanks to the Hedgerow of Warring Angels making their recent appearance, we're up for a renewed thrust at living right. Putting in the rigor you need for vigor. The Angels have their side in this fight. The major industrial powers are on the ropes, a bloody pulp if not worse will be their fate.

This is the attitude the residentials have. That's why we constantly hear the cheers around the neighborhoods. That -- the cheers -- and the moments of silence, quick hushed prayers, recognizing the source of our power.

Then the whistle blows, and the vigor we have for our task is there. We're working hard! The vigor we have against the major industrial powers is a beautiful thing for one and all.

The Hedgerow Vs. The Industrialists

The sword marks the spot! Our dearest divine friends, A Hedgerow of Warring Angels, have granted us another divine visitation and we are blessed! In their circle of protection, we are safe!

All this time, no matter what the appearances may have been, we of the Residential Industrial Movement have enjoyed a wonderful protection. And with that, we have seen prosperity of the rarest kind. The major industrial powers have been brought low, basically cast upon a junk heap, while we have been raised up and made to prosper.

Every minute from our perspective has seemed like a struggle, but it's looking back on it in hindsight that we can see how, step by step, the goodness from above has given us success. And so it continues, whether at the highest levels of commerce -- turning raw rubber and rubber byproducts into tires or plastic and cushy stuff into disposable diapers -- or in these more incidental skirmishes, fending off a bunch of flesh-crazed industrialists at a local park. We can see the presence...

I didn't know I was being led in this. Just for kicks, I thought I'd superimpose my hedgerow of warring angels graphic over the industrial hole site. Let me repeat that: I did it just for kicks. But when I did, whatever smile I had on my face, anticipating nothing special, was quickly replaced with a look of true awe. I could feel my face transform itself from smiling to awe just like that. I would've loved to've had a video of it or at least been able to see it in a mirror, because it would've been memorable. As it is, the feeling is very vivid still in my mind. It's these kinds of experiences that make life truly worth the living.

Because look what happened! You can see the perfect alignment, which has to be supernatural. The largest angel, the one in the foreground, has his sword pointing right at the purple dot, and, perhaps more important, has his sword covering the place where I felt the hole had to be. That's like someone lobbing at brick at my heart, it hits me just like that. It's like someone hanging out the rug and hitting it, it just hits you where it counts. I felt my spirit soar and land somewhere very beautiful.

In that moment, when I saw that, I knew the industrialists were dead ... or doomed. Because it all lined up so perfectly, without any variance away from a bulls-eye. It's a word, it's a witness from above that these things are all well in hand, and that keeping the faith is and always has been the best course of action.

And it's not just a message to me personally, but to everyone in the Residential Industrial Movement, those who have taken the industrial reins in society and will maintain control. The message of doom to the others is a message of deliverance for the rest of us. How stunning!

Here's what we're dealing with, a movement that could've felt a severe inferiority complex, bordering on pathological. In the beginning, when we were trying to make a tire, let's say, we didn't know tread from lug-nuts. Which side was up, we didn't know. For those trying to generate electricity, we didn't know a turbine from a spinning wheel. We had Grandma there to show us how to kick the treadle. Five men were lost to superficial skin burns and 10 more were injured trying to pull them away.

So while we eventually prevailed, still there wasn't the kind of confidence and savvy, the moxie on the ball, that the major industrial powers could display. But now, what we see in this picture, this is a sign from above that all will be well. Again, that there is doom for the major powers and success for the little guy, the local man with his factory.

The majors got sloppy, you might say. They were out in the woods, over at the park, gathered around their hole, trying to lure us in. Until the hedgerow of warring angels, who gather 'round the righteous, came down and gave us this sign. Now we can see the fiery swords, the thrilling witness that all will be well, and that the victory indeed is ours!

The Industrialist Hole Site

The other day I had a doctor's appointment. The medical student asked me if I ever get dizzy. I said no. But I should've said it depends. Because in certain states of excitement, I do get a sensation of dizziness. I feel it right now as I look at this photo. It could be that I'm just afraid of heights and this picture is obviously taken from very high up. Or it could be the excitement is from making an important discovery!

There's something I really like about doing surveillance from outer space. If only I had my own satellite, I could be guiding it around by remote control, and whatever you were doing on earth, I'd be able to catch you at it. Then, somehow, in some way you weren't expecting, I'd be able to lower to boom and that'd be all she wrote.

Having Google is like that with some clear drawbacks. You're able to do pretty good geographical reconnaissance. You're able to pinpoint with some accuracy the lay of the land. But it's not helpful in most cases if you're trying to catch someone doing something wrong in real time.

In this case, I've zeroed in on a piece of the local park where the industrialists or some of their underlings have been hanging out. What they've been doing there, I don't want to be too blue in my descriptions of it, or at least what I'm surmising, but I'm pretty sure it involves the workings of human reproduction without any hope of actual fertilization. You tell me, I'm imagining the bushes out there look like someone's had a shampoo fight... And since the industrialists are all men, we're talking about some activities that are on the seedy side to say the least, no pun intended.

For someone like me, who's afraid to touch the walls or fixtures in a public bathroom, of course these thoughts of my imagination are quite unpleasant. Add to that the magnificent grudge they're holding against me, and you've got the setting for some pretty sore dealings, were I ever to fall into their clutches, say, in a public place yet among a bunch of trees where no one can hear you scream. But checking it out from the satellite, I'm getting the job done while maintaining my purity. I can scope out the entire park, albeit in a fuzzy, less than distinct photo.

Now, you may remember a couple days ago I was writing about one of the industrialists* who warned me about a hole about 25 yards in. The hole in question has been a source of some mental discomfort on my part, yet if the industrialist* was sincere in his warning, of course I appreciate his gesture. Looking at the picture, I don't necessarily see a hole. Maybe the picture was taken a while back and a hole has opened since then. I've put a purple dot just above what sort of looks like a hole, but it could also be a bush. It seems like it's about 25 yards from the red dot, approximately where I was when the guy said this.

Still, if that's the hole, it doesn't look big enough to be threatening. Maybe, again, it's opened up wider since then. We'll probably never know, unless Google Earth comes around to get a later picture. It'll be up to me, I guess, to keep monitoring their site for updates. Or, assuming I eventually lose interest, maybe this will be it for the hole. I know I don't plan on actually going out there ... unless I can do it discreetly somehow. But how would I do that? Good question.

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*Whether the guy was an industrialist or not is not something I can determine. The fact that he gave an apparently good warning to me means he might've been sent from above to help me, one member of the hedgerow of warring angels we hear so much about, who stand guard 'round the righteous.

Warring Angels At The Fitness Center

IT'S THE BLACK OF THE NIGHT:

There are different ways to picture a hedgerow of warring angels, which to me is an endlessly fascinating subject.

The general way of course is to have them surrounding you, alternately looking toward you, then out as a matter of vigilance.

But it could be you're sitting on a couch and the only access to the room is a door. They could be in a phalanx facing the door.

Or they could become extremely small -- the way you visualize them -- and sitting on a bookshelf, legs hanging over the edge.

I don't want anyone to think you're the boss of a hedgerow of warring angels. Because they answer to a higher power.

But as the person they're guarding and helping, it could disturb you to think of them surrounding you, say, if you're seated.

If I pull my chair out to face someone facing me, I don't want anything (or anyone) between us, so they would be at my side.

Maybe a few would be at the door, in case the person facing me tries something. Then it'd be like Maxwell's Silver Hammer.

The key thing to know about a hedgerow of warring angels is you don't really have to worry about them. They worry about YOU.

They're sent more or less to protect, but also to give you the confidence that no matter what happens, you're completely OK.

Goodnight everyone. I'm taking my hedgerow of warring angels to Goodwill to look at records, then to the fitness center.

When we're at Goodwill it's their job to nudge anyone out of the way who's hogging the place I stand, a quick invisible sword to the butt.

Then if you see a guy at the fitness center whose heavenly entourage is using every piece of equipment in the place, that's me!

Say hi to me. But don't get too close or make any sudden moves. Please.

Warring Angels -- They That Be With Me

EVENING:

I've been very conscious today of my hedgerow of warring angels, since that's been my theme. By conscious I mean I depended on them.

The situations I was in today weren't threatening in the least, but there are those times I don't want to put forth a huge effort.

So I just silently thought of the phrase "Hedgerow of Warring Angels" and it made me feel better. Assuring myself they were there.

You can picture them anywhere -- above your head, at your feet, around your belt area, all these areas combined, guarding your whole being.

2 Kings 6:17: "Behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." A hedgerow on the mountain! Wow!

And I love this thrilling statement, back in verse 16: "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."

That's what I'm depending on for my unfailing confidence, that they that be with me are more than they that be with them. So beware!

I don't know what you'll do with this knowledge. It might be dangerous. So let me say this is "For entertainment purposes only."

That's my disclaimer, so that if you're injured or psychologically damaged in the summoning of your own hedgerow, I won't be liable.

But I don't think you'll be too psychologically damaged, more like enhanced. You're psychologically damaged NOW. That's the problem.

So sue whoever it was who damaged you in the first time, if you're that upset about it.

As for me, it's a great feeling, one of confidence, to have a hedgerow of warring angels. It's even better than being Zestfully clean.

They're Called "Warring Angels" For A Reason

AFTERNOON:

I said my hedgerow of warring angels, that I and they are not going to be lashing out, because we do things micro-surgically. That's true.

But keep in mind what they're called: A hedgerow of "WARRING ANGELS." Ultimately, I don't have any control over what they might do.

The way I picture them, warring and everything, is that they can be very mean. And with supernatural powers, it could be hard to stop them.

Our relationship is a good one. That's been how it's been. I know this by their grace and love, as well as the fact that I'm still alive.

It's the hedgerow of warring angels that keeps me mellow so I'm NOT lashing out. If there's any unpleasantness, that's their business.

I'm sure that in the course of an ordinary day, like today, they're more or less at ease, although they still keep an eye out for others.

If I hear someone unexpected come in, they perk up. If someone says something nasty to me or takes me to task, their swords are in hand.

Meaning what for ME? There's a shifting in my consciousness, going from my everyday, normal attitude, to one of alert, enforced mellowness.

Why mellowness? What's more disarming than to meet someone on completely different terms? Very few people know how to handle it.

As to what happens when they're away from me, again, I have no control over that. If one of the hedgerow "gets them," that's not my fault.

A Hedgerow Of Warring Angels -- 100% Confident

MORNING:

I have 100% confidence that I can say what I need to say, and once it's said, to know that it is 100% what I wanted to say.

Confidence is a rare commodity in our world today. We have millions of self help books and gurus, yet a real shortage of true confidence.

People roll out of bed less refreshed than they were the night before because they're afraid to face the day. They have no confidence.

Confidence doesn't just happen. There IS plenty of grace involved in having confidence, but we also have our part in it.

Confidence breeds confidence. So you obviously start with what you have. If you have nothing (that's hard to believe), build on that.

Today I have what I call "A Hedgerow of Warring Angels" around me all the time, giving me the confidence to step out and get the job done.

I actually might not show the people I meet my confidence, but that's a strategic, confident stance. Like playing poker. I'm poker faced.

As for the hedgerow of warring angels, they know me perfectly. They know I (we're) not going to be lashing out. We do it micro-surgically.

If you approach me today with some bad intentions, blessings on you!

A Hedgerow Of Warring Angels

We turn our attention now to confidence.

This is part of our continuing "Drive for Pride," setting forth some of the truths that are foundational for having self-esteem, pride, and confidence.

As for me today, I am 100% confident that I can do this. I am 100% confident that what I have to say will be 100% useful to 100% of the people who read it, more or less. That's the kind of confidence 100% of the people need to have. Really, if 100% of the people were 100% confident, can you imagine the kind of world we'd have? I don't know what it'd be like exactly, but it'd be interesting.

At this point, speaking for myself, at least, I'm 100% confident. No shade of doubt is entering my thoughts. I'm standing like a girder, a beam, and one with integrity. There will be no buckling under, no shifting, no shaking. Like Atlas himself, this is something I can do, no questions asked.

Where does this confidence come from? I will have to reserve a few of my secrets on that matter. There are (or potentially are) prying eyes, those who would love to get their hands on what I know and how I know it. Some of the step-by-step stuff will need to be closely guarded at this point. But no matter. You won't be at any serious disadvantage if I keep a few personal things personal.

The ending of the matter is what makes the difference, and how you arrive at that point happens in more than one way. It has something to do with your personality, including your determination, your ability and willingness to put the teachings you come in contact with into practice, your choice and follow through on reading between the lines, etc. And if you have any boldness whatsoever in your make-up, that will come in handy. If you are the least bit creative in your contact and follow through in psychological/spiritual matters, you should do just fine.

Whatever confidence you can muster, do it. And put it together with the other things just mentioned. Confidence breeds confidence.

But be aware that there's many pitfalls, and most of them are right in your mind. The wrong kind of pride or inflated pride. A confidence that is not mixed with humility. Motives that are so personal and demanding that there's no allowance for love, etc. If you find yourself in negative circumstances, it's best to back up, honor the negative circumstances (really!), and take stock. Negative things are actually good for you, chastening, that you may press on, while still honoring them. Don't give negative things a bum's rush!

Friends, I have 100% confidence because I either have (or have the equivalent of) "A Hedgerow of Warring Angels" around me all the time. [From this point on, anytime I mention the hedgerow of warring angels, it will be without capitalization and quotation marks. I just wanted it to stand out in a dynamic way that one time, to impress it upon your consciousness. And note that I said "or...the equivalent of," in order not to make this sound necessarily literal. But I'm not saying it's not literal. What is and what is not literal and what we mean by those terms is a whole subject by itself.]

What do you think it would mean to your confidence if you knew that you had a hedgerow of warring angels around you all the time? What would you suppose they were there to do? Obviously they would be there at least to protect whoever they're surrounding. But there's more. They'd also be assisting, taking an offensive stance, whereas protection is defensive.

When you have a hedgerow of warring angels around you, you move with confidence. It's like Elvis with his entourage. If he needed a peanut butter bagel with strawberries on it, there was an assistant to get it. So Elvis moved with confidence. And he gave them a Cadillac in return. That's a good exchange!

I have the confidence -- 100% confidence -- to face this day. To get out and do my business. To surprise people by my spirit in getting it done. To go beyond their expectations, good and bad. To look them in the eye and say good things, even if they say bad (and especially if they say bad). To sympathize, to empathize, and to love. Basically I would make a terrible Supreme Court nominee.

I need to go now.

For the greatest confidence, check into getting a hedgerow of warring angels for yourself!