An Ideal Diet

Who among us has not taken a glance in the mirror after a bath and reluctantly decided to lose a few pounds? Every magazine we see in the super-market check out line offers the latest “miracle” cure for excessive weight. Oprah drives us nuts with her latest program which obviously has no permanent effect. Perhaps even your family doctor (Ed: is there still such a creature?) has suggested you might want to reduce your weight.

As you have come to expect from Zion Beckons, we have finally isolated the ideal diet for our readers. Since this was shamelessly stolen from a prominent online scientific journal we cannot claim originality. The piece needs to be read very carefully since many of you may not be familiar with true scientific procedure and terminology. After thoughtful consideration I truly believe that you will see the wisdom of the program:

“As we all know, it takes 1 calorie to heat 1 gram of water 1 degree centigrade. Translated into meaningful terms, this means that if you eat a very cold dessert (generally consisting of water in large part), the natural processes which raise the consumed dessert to body temperature during the digestive cycle literally sucks the calories out of the only available source, your body fat.

For example, a dessert served and eaten at near 0 degrees C (32.2 deg. F) will in a short time be raised to the normal body temperature of 37 degrees C (98.6 deg. F). For each gram of dessert eaten, that process takes approximately 37 calories as stated above. The average dessert portion is 6 oz, or 168 grams. Therefore, by operation of thermodynamic law, 6,216 calories (1 cal./gm/deg. x 37 deg. x 168 gms) are extracted from body fat as the dessert's temperature is normalized.

Allowing for the 1,200 latent calories in the dessert, the net calorie loss is approximately 5,000 calories.

Obviously, the more cold dessert you eat, the better off you are and the faster you will lose weight, if that is your goal.

This process works equally well when drinking very cold beer in frosted glasses. Each ounce of beer contains 16 latent calories, but extracts 1,036 calories (6,216 cal. per 6 oz. portion) in the temperature normalizing process. Thus the net calorie loss per ounce of beer is 1,020 calories. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to calculate that 12,240 calories (12 oz. x 1,020 cal./oz.) are extracted from the body in the process of drinking a can of beer.

Frozen desserts, e.g., ice cream, are even more beneficial, since it takes 83 cal./gm to melt them (i.e., raise them to 0 deg. C) and an additional 37 cal./gm to further raise them to body temperature. The results here are really remarkable, and it beats running hands down.

Unfortunately, for those who eat pizza as an excuse to drink beer, pizza (loaded with latent calories and served above body temperature) induces an opposite effect. But, thankfully, as the astute reader should have already reasoned, the obvious solution is to drink a lot of beer with pizza and follow up immediately with large bowls of ice cream.

We could all be thin if we were to adhere religiously to a pizza, beer, and ice cream diet.

Happy eating!

In case you wonder, the food Calory (written with a capital C) is a kcal, a thousand physical calories (with a lower case c). In the EU it is now mandatory to use joules on the food packages, but most of the time the value in Calories is also added. Maybe it sells more ice cream. - Joachim.”

Obviously, your host would avoid the beer but would substitute some other iced beverage but otherwise leave the program to work its miracle. There is no need to thank me for supplying this cure-all for excess weight; just invite me to participate.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

It’s Up To Us !!!

If you are waiting for the cavalry to ride over the hill and save us from the current threat in the White House you are a gone goslin’. You are the cavalry! You are the only one who can save this great nation; its traditions and values are in your hands.

Generally, the media despises you and everything you stand for. The Republicans, what few there are left in Washington, have been emasculated and rendered helpless by an electorate who swoon over every utterance from “the one.” Many of your fellow citizens are so enthralled with the concept that they put their racial attitudes behind them and elected a black (?) man to lead, are deaf and blind to the realities of his programs. Under the threat of losing a vital tax benefit, our churches are fearfully mute and limit their protests to subtleties. About the only ones left who appreciate the dangers, both now and in the future, are those who are familiar with the terrors of despotism.

So, who is left to fight this battle? You! You and millions of otherwise uninvolved people will be required to mount a protest of sufficient strength that it can not be ignored. You must emulate those brave patriots at Lexington and Concord and mount a defiant posture to demonstrate your displeasure with the actions of financial cowardice so apparent in the nation’s capitol. Unlike those heroes, you will not be leaving crop planting and livestock tending to grab your musket from over the mantle to physically engage the enemy. You will not plant a kiss on the cheek of your bride in departure to a struggle from which you may not return. But, your duty is clear and equally important..

April 15, 2009 can be just as significant in our children’s memory as April 18, 1775. Let it be the day when you joined tens of millions of liberty loving fellow citizens in cities in every state in public squares and in front of state capitols to stand with them in protest. Let it be a protest to recognize the insane rape of our treasury to enhance the political needs of a false prophet. Let it be a protest of governmental involvement in the private industries and institutions of the republic. Make a protest of allowing international bodies to be instrumental in the governance of our people. Let it be a celebration of individualism and not social control.

Many will plead they don’t know what they can do or where they can go to participate. You now have absolutely no excuse. For an overview and a complete listing, state by state, of the upcoming events you may hopefully feel compelled to join, click on Tax Day Tea Party. Your nearest event may be scheduled in a state other than yours so here is the Google Map which shows each location. On the map, double click on the bubble and a box will drop down with details. With this information you have absolutely no excuse to not know where, when, and the importance of each of these efforts.

Constitutionally, we live in a nation governed by laws and its people. If this protest is well attended in each location, locally elected representatives will have to pay heed and be directed by the message only you can deliver. We need be convincing, sincere, adamant, and well behaved, but firm. The offering of the protest needs to be uncompromising. Quit!

The numbers will be extremely important so your presence is required if it is to be a success. Please join us at a location near you and reclaim the liberty your forefathers fought and died for..

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Testimony 5

This is the continuing offering of one man’s testimonies experienced over a fifty year span. Read, enjoy, be inspired or at the least, be interested.

“While reading Isaiah one afternoon I was surprised as the passage I was reading suddenly slipped apart leaving a blank spot on the page. Some words fell in the blank spot saying “in the last days there would be smoke trails across the skies.” As I read those words the Holy Spirit engulfed me in power, and I did not feel disposed to go on with my reading. (Ed.: What passage?)

As I basked in the Holy Spirit, it suddenly came to my mind the same passage of Isaiah was in the Book of Mormon, and I wondered what it would say in that book. I found the passage in the BOM and it too parted as in the Bible. The same words fell into the blank spot. “In the last days there would be smoke trails across the sky.” Then to my surprise the sentences parted again and some more words fell into the new blank spot.
It now read “in the last days there would be smoke trails across the sky, and there would be tall columns of smoke rising high into the sky with fervent heat so intense beneath, it would melt the elements out of the rocks.”

I suppose I was marveling more at the experience than at the message. The next day I thought to go on with my reading and start where I had left off the day before. And the very same thing happened, one line in the Bible, two in the BOM, accompanied by the same Holy Spirit in great power.

Even on the third day I received the same experience in power. On the fourth day I had some errands to do, I left myself a lot of time between errands so found myself with twenty minutes to wait between appointments. I thought to lay myself across the front seat of my car and rest for the moment.

As I looked I through the windshield I saw con trails covering the whole sky, possibly fifty or more. I began to think if I were alive in the days of Isaiah, and was told to report what I was seeing, not having the vocabulary of today, I would have reported that which I was looking at as smoke trails.

The Holy Spirit immediately bore witness confirming the thought. (Ed.: How?)

So it is, “in the last days there would be smoke trails across the sky, and there would be tall columns of smoke rising high into the sky with fervent heat so intense it would melt the elements right out of the rocks. You will remember this testimony, every time you see a con/smoke trail across the sky, every time you see on TV, rockets, jets, and bombs exploding. I later learned the military was having maneuvers over Kansas City that day.
When carnally minded men brush off the thought these are truly the last days, I have to think if they only knew.

None of us was offered more than three score and ten. Is it the end of our days or the end of this dispensation of time? Which comes first hardly matters if we are prepared.”

You may anticipate another testimony next Thursday. Questions may be submitted and comments may be directed to Hartley at one70maxim@aol.com for his consideration.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Please read the Editor's disclaimer on the left side of the page.

Odds and Ends

It’s time to clean up the desk and get rid of some the notes on interesting things which were preempted by matters of greater importance at the time.

Alabama Legislature

We found an entry in the New Mexicans for Science and Reason newsletter outlining a step to make every school child a happier student in geometry. The unwieldy pi (π} has long vexed students with its near meaningless string of add on decimal values. Apparently the legislature voted to return to the Biblical rounded “3.0” as close enough, and a change was voted in the Alabama state legislature. Appropriately, the new law was signed on March 14. This information came from physicist Mark Boslough.

An Ideal Vacation Destination

We owe it to the British newspaper The Guardian for bringing us up to date on good destinations which suit the budget in these troubled financial times. Their suggestion is the island republic of San Serriffe. The nation is comprised of several comma-shaped islands, all with gorgeous beaches, in the Indian Ocean. The main islands in this delightful temperate zone are Upper Caisse and Lower Caisse. They reported excellent accommodations and night life in the capital city, Bodoni.

Under the leadership of General Pica, who seized the capital in a bold coup, they have enjoyed peaceful times and are willing to share it with others. For further information drop us an email and we will furnish printed material for your convenience.

Planetary Alignment

This is included just under the wire. Tonight at 9:47 CDT we will experience an extremely rare astronomical event. Pluto will pass behind Jupiter thereby lessening its gravitational affect which could temporarily lessen earth’s gravity. British astronomer Patrick Moore who made this announcement maintains that those who jump into the air at that precise moment will experience a strange floating sensation.

No one has lived long enough to experience this rare occurrence previously nor will they in their lifetimes have an opportunity to repeat it.

Metric Time

In an effort to conform to universal habits throughout the rest of the world, our congress will soon be contemplating a hot button issue which has become an emerging theme in Europe. The consensus is that we should join those on the continent and change to metric time. Under the new system we would have 100 second minutes, 100 minute hours and 10 hour days. Amidst questions about millidays, centidays and decidays were inquires about how to adjust digital time keeping devices.

Apparently no changes will be made in calendars but the legislative committee in charge of the new law did not rule it out. One can only hope that this fares better than changing to kilometers on the nations highways.

Whistling Carrots

With the advent of spring, our attention has been turned to our garden spot. We have on order some of the new “whistling carrots.” They have been bred to include appropriately spaced holes which are activated during the cooking process. The steam generated by the cooking vegetable comes out through the holes and the result is a pleasant melody throughout the kitchen.

You may expect a full report on the carrots sometime toward the end of June.

Disease of brunus edwardii

We have learned from the Veterinary Record of a disease caused by the creature brunus edwardii. Census figures indicate that it is present in nearly 63.8% of all households. In many homes there is more than one of these animals. Not only are they to be found in North America but also in Europe.

There is also a strong relationship between the animal population and the numbers of children in each household. There are important public health issues and further studies are imperative. Zoonosis and other conditions may be associated with close contact between these animals and man.

In many cases the disease has resulted in an outright dependency upon the animal. Without it the sufferer may have serious sleep deprivation and ever increasing angst at its loss.

And finally

Unlike last year when we developed a fear of dihydrogen-monoxide which turned out to be common tap water, we shall call “April Fool’s” quite loudly this year. Each of the examples above were real hoaxes perpetrated on an unsuspecting public to much hilarity for the originators. The more familiar name for brunus edwardii is teddy bear.

After the year we’ve had so far, we deserve a grin or two.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

A Policy Statement

This is a brief message to advise the readers of a new and irrevocable policy at Zion Beckons.

Even as a child, I soon learned to avoid puppet shows. I figured out that the visible characters in the presentation were not genuine and that the intent was generated by those unseen and generally unidentified persons who pulled the strings. I was unable to apply that necessity to understand fiction which is the suspension of disbelief. It is in that spirit that we have decided to no longer attribute the actions of those in leadership in our government to those “persons” we see on our TV screens or in person at public events.

The “strings” in this case are the endless supplies of money which purchases the influence, power, and political clout for the “puppets.” It has become increasing apparent that the visible parties involved have little native intelligence or actual political skill of their own. One only has to hear their unscripted remarks to understand fully their lack of grasp of even the simplest concepts. Unlike the puppet show, these actors must read their own lines and they are not spoken by the string pullers.

Normally, we at Zion Beckons would eschew the conspiracy theory de jour. They invariably support some agenda or another and are not really all that credible. A case in point would be the wild implications of whether Lee Harvey Oswald was supported by others in the assignation of Kennedy. Proof of the accusations would not return the slain president to his original vigor so we must conclude that the accusations supported some live agenda. 9/11 spawned its own theories even to the ridiculous assertion of “fire will not melt steel.” You, no doubt, can furnish additional conspiracy theories as you consider the possibilities.

We have concluded through evidence gained by observation of past behavior that one of the strongest possibilities for being named the conspirator responsible in part for the current debacle in Washington may well be George Soros. With a personal fortune in excess of $11 billion, he certainly has the resources. To his credit, much of his activity is an open secret. For a surprisingly accurate entry we recommend a look at the Wikipedia entry under his name. For example, they readily acknowledge his contributions of in excess of $25 million to unseat George Bush in 2004 with donations to 527’s. From his personal fortune, the seventy-eight year old has supplied financial support for many projects which support his world view.

Although we are certain that others of his philosophical persuasions are working in concert with him; we are choosing to identify Soros as the primary source of the current “string pulling.” To deny his brilliance as a financial wizard would be foolhardy and shun the truth. To not see his hand in our current government would also place us in the “head in the sand” ostrich posture. He is a force to be reckoned with, understood, and fought at every turn.

The principal assets available for the fight for liberty are two-fold: the sheer numbers of those citizens who love their country and the Constitution of the United States. As usual, it requires the vigilance of every citizen and a familiarization with the rule of law. Pray for the strength to thwart this puppet-master.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon

Monday Morning Rant 84

How good can life get? On Saturday night, the predicted snow storm was actually a spate of sleet followed by a steady rain which stopped before the temperature dropped to turn it into trouble. The day dawned with cool readings and a bright sun for the Miami adventure.

Edward Glaser delivered the message and we were treated to a fine spaghetti dinner after. As usual it was wonderful and just thinking about it makes me hungry all over again.

Merkel strikes

The absolute best news of the weekend was that of Mrs. Merkel from Germany torpedoing the plans of the financial summit in Europe. With an unusual demonstration of courage which nearly approached outrage, she announced that Germany would have no part of their plans. Apparently she recognized a socialist take-over when she saw it. She further stated she saw no way to spend their way to recovery.

It would be a blessing if she were rather in a position to call a halt to the on going pillage of our Treasury. Perhaps her move will inspire some here-to-fore shy American legislators to emulate her actions. Just another example that masculinity is sometimes overrated.

The law of unintended consequences

As we have pointed out before; much of the reaction from the White House is a smoke screen to cover up one bit of malfeasance or another. The AIG hearings served to cover the legislation for $2.2 trillion for carbon elimination. Before that, they attacked Rush to cover the stimulus package. Earl Ofari Hutchinson has this observation on the matter and the backlash from Rush’s faithful listeners:

“President Obama and the Democrats should wave the white flag in their straw man war on Rush Limbaugh. The Media Research Center delivered the grim casualty figures for the Democrats. Since January, the top talk show gabber’s ratings have soared off the charts. Radio affiliates that carry Limbaugh’s syndicated show call the ratings boost he’s gotten from the Democrat’s orchestrated attack on him a “dramatic surge.” This writer predicted as much when President Obama cracked to Congressional Republicans in late January that they should knock off listening to Limbaugh if they expected to get anything done in Congress and with his administration.

The gabber instantly snatched at the quip and turned it into a multi show bonanza. No matter what topic Limbaugh gassed on, he managed to slide in a reference to Obama’s prop up of him as the Democrat’s prize punching bag. This did three things. It gave him an even bigger pile of fodder to puff himself up as the emperor of talk radio, claim to be the real kingmaker in the GOP, and in a perverse way paint himself as a credible and thoughtful political critic. It snapped many shell shocked Congressional Republicans out of their post election funk. Now suddenly feisty and combative, they draw a deep line in the sand against any and everything that Obama proposed.”

Now that you’ve read it I shall remind you that Hutchinson writes for the Huffington Post which has a decided left-wing tilt. One might conclude that if even they recognize this backlash, there must be something to it. Even as snarky as some of Mr.. Hutchinson’s comments are I must thank him for his observations. It must have been “bitter tea” for him to even start the article.

G-20 Conference

While the “evil” capitalists gather in Europe to iron out the financial affairs of the world, there is a contingent of socialists ready to step into the breech and bring happiness to the “workers of the world.” Never mind that every socialist interloper has melted life down to a tragedy in the countries they afflicted with their programs.

The protests were well laced with the usual suspects: ex-hippies, commies, hired placard carriers, ne'er-do-wells, and the ever present contingent of irate Muslims. It’s hard to tell from the pictures but the snaking line suggests to this observer a replay of photos of lines waiting to board a train to the gulag. Just once, I would be interested to see one reference to a nation that has embraced the socialist agenda with a measure of success for its entire population.

One thing that was common with these pictures was the fact that even though these countries enjoy multiple different languages, all the signs were in English. This leads me to believe they were for a different audience other than the folks where the marches took place.

Speaking of Protests

The “Tea Party” phenomena are growing in popularity in direct proportion to our burgeoning national debt. It is becoming increasingly apparent that not quite everybody has drunk the Kool-Aid.. If there is one near you, you might consider going if for no other reason than curiosity. By so doing, you will enhance the crowd count, you might learn something, and you would make this old man very, very happy. I have repeatedly encouraged you to become involved and this is a painless and very productive way to do it.

We went to Springfield to see Gov. Palin and I made the observation then that these were some of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of joining. Courtesy, friendliness, patience, and good fellowship were in abundance. It is highly likely that the same folks would be at a “Tea Party.” Try it; you’ll like it. It’s nearly certain there will something going on near you on tax day (April 15 if you’ve forgotten.) If you can make one of these events, please let us know.

And finally

The Miami trip reminded me of a verse nearly forgotten.

Spring is here.
The grass is “riz.”
I wonder where
The flowers is?

Perhaps I should have forgotten it instead. The flowers “is” everywhere. Everything here is progressing normally except for a hole Jan found this morning in the middle of the grassy plot out back. It was 18” deep, nearly big enough to hold a bowling ball, and obviously dug by one of our furry neighbors. This is the same grass which comes up through a rocky overburden which is typical of this entire ridge. That must have been some “diggin’ machine.” I am not real sure I even want to confirm who the guilty party is.

In many ways this property resembles Sleepy Hollow but God has provided in abundance for us to avoid boredom. It’s a constant parade of His creatures for our enjoyment. I will admit that I could do without some of the creepies and the crawlies but hey, they were here first.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon