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Post by Rubislaw32 on Nov 14, 2015 5:36:48 GMT -8
The fictional character and superhero Sherlock Holmes is perhaps,the most inspirational figure in the art of amateur ''sleuthing''.The creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,Holmes and his ''partner in crime'',the brave and plodding Dr.Watson,shared residence at 221 Baker Street,London - and proceeded to take the world by storm,in their eccentric ventures to solve the most baffling of cases.
Conan Doyle,a qualified surgeon and physician,was said to be influenced in creating Holmes,by fellow physician Joseph Bell.But after consulting Bell,with suggestions such as :'' Holmes is as inhuman as a Babbage calculator machine,and just about as likely to fall in love.'',Bell informed Conan Doyle that : ''You yourself are Sherlock Holmes,and well know it.''
Conan Doyle is believed to have really seen himself as Dr.Watson - noble,but real.As a youth growing up in Victorian Edinburgh,Conan Doyle was no alien to crime and violence first hand - having volunteered as a member of ''watchdog'' gangs,that patrolled the streets of Scotland's capital city,to make up for the shortfall in ''Bobbies on the beat''.''Sherlock Holmes'' was the man that Conan Doyle wished to be.
So what do we know of this imperfect,but brilliant investigator Holmes ? Well,very little about from whence he came.But we would find out that he was very knowledgeable about Chemistry and Physiology,and had a photographic memory for ''Sensational Literature'' - the term used then for the combination of True and Fictional Crime.In addition,sterling physical attributes - a fine horseman,fencer,wrestler and bare knuckle fighter.And a fine violinist,to boot.
Sherlock Holmes weaknesses seemed to lie in ''recreational drugs'' - Cocaine,Morphine and Tobacco were his ''poisons''.But Conan Doyle did,to counter balance this,make Holmes an absolute expert in tobacco residue and,since most gentlemen partook,enabled Holmes on a number of cases.
Dr.Watson was once staggered to learn that Holmes had no idea that the Earth revolved around the Sun.''Why would I ?'',Holmes concluded,''If it has no relevance to crime solving,it only clutters up an already facts capacity of the brain.''.
A sightly disturbing aspect to Holmes' character is revealed,when Watson once questions Holmes' ability to empathize with victims of crime : ''No,of course I don't ! - ''that'' would just get in the way.'' - is Holmes' surprisingly frank reply.
Perhaps that is Conan Doyle's ''magic'' ingredient - It takes a psychopath to catch a psychopath [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Nov 21, 2015 6:12:34 GMT -8
Mathematicians : A motley bunch of misfits,whose passion really lies in the Arts.Essentially,''failed artists'' who agree to approximately four years of ''brainwashing'' in the art of logic,to compensate for their disappointment.They sleep and socialize with the artists,and are largely apathetic to the needs of those who pursue the sciences,but require a mathematician's expert opinion and ''permission'' on aspects of their proud work.
Arthur Nobel was famous for two things : The invention of dynamite,and as a philanthropist who introduced the Nobel annual awards.Such was his disdain of mathematicians,that he failed to allocate a prize for them - deliberately.Perhaps this sentiment,often shared,lies in mathematician's perceived ambivalence to their exalted responsibility - as keepers and guardians of the only irrefutable truth....starting with 1+1=2,and working upwards.
Mathematicians don't seem to care - they more than likely see themselves as the linguists [Algebra] and ''transcribers'' [Calculus] for the real innovators - The Natural Philosophers - those very few individuals that can actually change the way we see the confines of our knowledge,and the means of opening up those barriers to a greater awareness.Isaac Newton,Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawkins number just a very few of these hallowed individuals that come along maybe just once in a century.
Newton was a great mathematician,but Einstein,a [relatively !] poor one.He worked with his trusted mathematical partner Godel,for most of his productive life,in order to put across his individualistic theories.
But even the natural philosophers have a ''life'' - Newton ''dabbled'' with the new found science ''Alchemy'',and was forever to be found ''messing about'' in his makeshift laboratory.Einstein,on the other hand,was far more ''normal''.His great loves were Women,Tobacco and Classical music - and strictly in that order.
''Sex,Drugs and Rock 'n Roll'' to you and me [?].
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Dec 25, 2015 6:27:08 GMT -8
The real purpose of creating this thread is to give members and regular guests an opportunity to introduce themselves.Perhaps you might feel reluctant to contribute on matters ''Zodiac'',or not confident yet,to offer an opinion [?].
So please help yourselves,by sharing your inspirations with the rest of us.It doesn't need to be sleuth orientated.This can be a little corner away from the intensity of debate and exchange [?].
A person who has very much inspired me is Heavyweight Boxing legend Muhammed Ali.A ''towering giant'' of the 20th Century,as a great pugilist and Human Being.During his career,he simply amazed the world with his unique skills,both in and out of the ring.And in doing so,focused all in a common goal of respect and tolerance for each other.
Ali turned the expression ''No one likes a show off'' on its head,and demonstrated that if the ''show'' has depth and honesty,then it can be a force for the good.His skills in the ring were unrivaled - an athlete with razor sharp hand speed and footwork to match,with a reach beyond his 6ft 3in frame.Outside the ring,he could certainly ''talk the talk'',and often courted as much controversy as anything else.But he sold publicity,to which the whole world willingly subscribed.For he was a real person,and held genuine humility beneath ''the bluster''.
When in training to fight George Foreman,in what became known as ''The Rumble in the Jungle'',Ali was asked to meet a seven year old boy,suffering from advanced cancer.Ali spent some considerable time with the boy,and promised him that he would beat Mr.Foreman,if the boy promised to beat cancer.Two weeks later,the boy's father phoned Ali's manager to inform him that his son was now in hospital,and very weak.On hearing this news,Ali insisted on a two hour drive to visit the ailing youngster.
At the hospital,Ali held the boy in his arms,and reminded him of their promises.''I can't'',replied the boy,''I am going to meet God,but I will tell him that I met you.''.
On the day of the boy's funeral,Ali locked himself in his room,where he remained in silence for the rest of the day.
That fight against George Foreman certainly lived up to expectations.As,in later years,Foreman candidly commented : ''I beat Ali up for five rounds,then,at close quarters,he whispered in my ear :'Is that all you've got,George ?' - he was right.''.A flurry of punches from Ali followed and,Foreman found himself on the canvas being counted out by the referee.
In 1964,at the tender age of 22,Ali,then known by his birth name Cassius Clay,faced ''The Grizzly Bear'' Sonny Liston,for Liston's Heavyweight title.After an unlikely victory of ''David and Goliath'' proportions,Ali euphorically proclaimed : ''King of the World !,King of the World ! - now,I'm King of the World !''.
And he was.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jan 16, 2016 9:25:12 GMT -8
Coincidence :
There are three main differences between a human being,and all other species of living creatures : We wear clothes,we cook our food,and we are scared of the dark.
The ''being scared of the dark'' is the real clue to our ''exceptional'' difference - that our brains have developed that much more than other creatures,with a downside that we have acquired a capacity for imagination,that can be difficult to control.
So,such matters as the observation of coincidence - the collision of seemingly unrelated,or actually related occurrences,can have us ''running scared'',in the belief of some divine intervention having conspired to trick us.What we really require,at these times,is education.The ''Paradox of Probability'' for instance,can prove irrefutably,that in a classroom of 23 children,there will be a probability greater than 50%,that two of the kids will share the same birthday.
Coincidence can be ''alluring'' and compelling.A case in point :
US President Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.US President Kennedy,one hundred years later in 1946.
Lincoln was elected president in November 1860.Kennedy in November 1960.
Lincoln had a secretary named Kennedy,who urged him not to go to the theater.Kennedy had a secretary named Lincoln,who advised him not to go to Dallas.
Booth shot Lincoln in a theater,and ran off into a warehouse.Oswald shot Kennedy from a warehouse,and ran off into a theater.
Lincoln was succeeded by a Southerner named Johnson,born in 1808.Kennedy was succeeded by a Southerner named Johnson,born in 1908.
Coincidence means nothing to all other living creatures.They simply ''gravitate'' towards ''familiarity'',in accordance to learned requirements for survival.
Someone,tonight,will win the lottery.That ''someone'' will probably claim that it was a set of coincidences that made them pick the winning combination of numbers.
But it won't be you.
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Post by WelshChappie on Feb 20, 2016 19:56:57 GMT -8
Seriously though, you who inspires me the most? People that have no agenda, wish to gain no publicity nor any plan to author a book.
The researcher to inspire me will want nothing more than Justice for that girl named Betty who died alone in the middle of nowhere, the sleuth who desires an ability for Paul Stine to Rest in Peace knowing His executioner is named and shamed for killing a man who just tried to make an honest living. And above all, them than feel empathy and compassion for Cecelia for what that bastard did to that girl so her final hours on this Earth were in absolute agony.
All these things I want, and personally, will not allocate myself the title of 'Inspirational' because I am not.
I get a sense of inspiration by that Latin Legal phrase in English of: LET JUSTICE BE DONE, THOUGH THE HEAVENS FALL!
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Feb 21, 2016 7:25:53 GMT -8
That's an inspiring piece of writing,WelshChappie [...or ''Chappie Welsh''if you happen to work for a certain bureau of investigation...].
I concur with your sentiments,finding my own position as being ''damned if I do,and damned if I don't'',with respect to the sleuth part....or ''sloth'' part,if one happens to enjoy too many sandwich breaks,to be bothered to tread the sidewalks,and beat down the doors of bureaucracy,as well as libraries.
There is still far more information ''out there'',than electronically harnessed for convenience.It can be the difference between success and acceptance of failure.
Yes,''Justice'' is what society has to aspire to acquiring - so that those that transgress are made answerable for their transgressions,and that those most affected by the transgressions,can find some peace of mind.Justice ain't ''fairness'' - but it's closest society has to a balance of scales.
Let Justice be done - and that we all work hard to achieve it.
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Post by WelshChappie on Mar 5, 2016 16:57:51 GMT -8
Well I know executing people is not, and never will or can be, called Justice. I saw a State Attorney once standing at an after event press conference to accept press questions about The Wonderful murder He and other had just committed that: "Ladies and Gentleman, at 12:45 tonight, justice was done and John Doe was pronounced dead. . ."
He then said a bit later "What we carried out this evening was Justice" and I wished I was in the crowd to shout " Not according to the Inmates Death Certificate. According to the States Medical Examiner what you carried out here tonight was a Homicide."
On all executed inmates Death Certificates the Manner of Death is listed, without exception, as 'HOMICIDE.'
Someone once informed me 'Yes, but it is State Sanctioned Homicide you liberal idiot." Then this person after declaring me the idiot, ranted: "Why should I have to pay to keep this scum alive?"
So I replied "Well, seen as money is the priority here for you, you'd think you'd know the reality of actual stats before you make a statement like because it just shows that you have an opinion on something, while you know absolutely nothing about it. Example: Florida spent approx. $5.000.000 to execute one man, one single inmate we all know called Ted. Now the cost to the taxpayer annually to keep one inmate in prison? $20,000. So, do the maths and if you can, try and work out which one costs the tax payer a huge amount more?"
Anyway I was shocked at another thing, too! I did not know I was a Liberal, or any other classification for that matter and I don't class my view under any type Banner or into any 1 camp. I class my views and opinions as, believe it or not, My views and opinions. But i none-the-less had to reply. . .
"Oh well if it's State Sanctioned murder, it's more than fine and acceptable and please excuse me for thinking it was some other type of regular murder without permission first. Do excuse me and my utter stupidity in forgetting that only the State can murder people, you as citizen may not....well, unless the Government send you off to fight A War. Then you may have a field day and kill as many as your heart desires. "OH No no, No, It doesn't work like that, what happens is we ourselves don't go and fight, we don't like the realistic potential to die from bullets of enemy, and why should we when we just tell you to do that for us."
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Post by WelshChappie on Mar 5, 2016 18:43:27 GMT -8
I was talking about this the other day with a friend of mine. He think's the Monarchy and Queen should have the power and rule and not be, as the Royals are today, a status symbol and tourist attraction. I couldn't help but point out that the Monarch having all power over His Kingdom when Henry VIII was ruling was not quite what may be described as A peaceful paradise to live under the rule of. I mean if He'd have His own Wives decapitated then you never want to do anything to cause Him minor offence!
Anyway we were taking about Wars and The Monarch being The Head of Church and Armed Forces, the Armed Forces should only act on orders of War by the Monarch, not Prime Minister. My point was that "Well, at least going back a few years ago to the time of Rulers like Amenhotep III, Ramses II, and other Great Egyptian Pharaoh's recognized as Warrior Kings, they didn't lead Egypt's army to the battlefield and then turn and run away, the Pharaoh was the one that would lead His army into the battle and would fight with His army and this brought about the demise of several Kings. Ramses II is also referred to also as Ramses the Great. He isn't called that because He's "Ramses the Great runner away from war' King. Anyway the point of this rant is two fold. 1. I love ancient Egypt and the Ruling dynasty of Pharaohs, and 2, The King would declare war then get in middle of the battle.
Can you imagine David Cameron on the front line fighting in Iraq, He'd be fkin useless!
"Ewww by golly, somebody is pointing a weapon at me! Now look here my old Chap, don't you dare point that weapon at me, I have been to Eton AND Oxford!"
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 9, 2016 1:22:40 GMT -8
The last two posts from you,WelshChappie,really do bring up some fascinating talking points.
On the matter of Capital punishment,it's a given that we understand that,among Western societies,we are divided as to whether certain criminals should be put to death.
The USA,as a large country,are divided in themselves over this matter.And in Western Europe,all countries with membership to the EU have outlawed the implementation,as a ''modernistic'' principle.
I believe,that as one gets older,there is a realization of ''two track'' philosophy.The ''rule'' of ''the jungle'' [private thoughts],verses the rule of a responsible society [?].
One aspect to this extreme form of punishment,that cannot be denied : There is no such thing as a ''humane'' death inflicted on a human being.However much society ''dresses it up '' [?].
The ''Warrior King'' subject holds fascination,historically.Only recently in Britain,Richard III was discovered buried under a car park in Leicester,and subsequently re-buried with appropriate honors.The last of ''The Warrior Kings''.
This reminds us that,often,it was the person that displayed the greatest fighting skills,that got the job as ''leader''.Even that ''post'' that symbolizes peace in the Christian religions - The Pope - was once held by the man who could win wars on the battlefield,itself.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 12, 2016 12:12:49 GMT -8
The passing of a true ''Zodiac'' legend :
Recent news informs us of the death of Lyndon Lafferty on March 5th,aged 83 years.
Korean War veteran,Vallejo Police Highway Patrol officer,Amateur ''Zodiac Killer''investigator,and latterly published author of ''The Zodiac Killer Cover-Up''.
The ''Cover-Up'',an immediate best seller,gave readers an insight into the life of an ''honest cop'' raised,educated and residing in the Vallejo area of greater San Francisco.More to the point,it told of Mr.Lafferty's attempts to expose a man named William Grant,whom Lafferty believed to be the infamous serial killer and extortionist,Zodiac.
I feel honored to have had the opportunity of corresponding with Mr.Lafferty,having been introduced by the current crime reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle,Kevin Fagan.
Mr.Lafferty and I enjoyed a fruitful relationship,given that both our investigations focused largely on the area of Vallejo,and,although not agreeing on William Grant as a viable suspect,shared enough common ground to be of mutual benefit.I felt particularly honored,since Mr.Lafferty's success as an author was just becoming apparent,and yet,he was still prepared to take time out for me.
What I really wanted to tell Lyndon was,that I have good reason to believe that Zodiac feared Lyndon,much more than the other way around.But as most Zodiac enthusiasts are aware,Lyndon had not spent a large portion of life chasing a man whom he believed to be Zodiac,for a ''new kid on the block'' to persuade him otherwise.
Lyndon Lafferty was a kind,generous,and honorable gentleman.
Farewell ''Noble Man''.
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Post by WelshChappie on Mar 17, 2016 3:54:13 GMT -8
The last two posts from you,WelshChappie,really do bring up some fascinating talking points. On the matter of Capital punishment,it's a given that we understand that,among Western societies,we are divided as to whether certain criminals should be put to death. The USA,as a large country,are divided in themselves over this matter.And in Western Europe,all countries with membership to the EU have outlawed the implementation,as a ''modernistic'' principle. I believe,that as one gets older,there is a realization of ''two track'' philosophy.The ''rule'' of ''the jungle'' [private thoughts],verses the rule of a responsible society [?]. One aspect to this extreme form of punishment,that cannot be denied : There is no such thing as a ''humane'' death inflicted on a human being.However much society ''dresses it up '' [?]. The ''Warrior King'' subject holds fascination,historically.Only recently in Britain,Richard III was discovered buried under a car park in Leicester,and subsequently re-buried with appropriate honors.The last of ''The Warrior Kings''. This reminds us that,often,it was the person that displayed the greatest fighting skills,that got the job as ''leader''.Even that ''post'' that symbolizes peace in the Christian religions - The Pope - was once held by the man who could win wars on the battlefield,itself. It's not a division in Western Societies as to whether killing your own Citizens under certain circumstances or specific crimes committed. The West is unanimous and the evidence is clear by the fact that The United States is the only Democratic Country of the Western World that retains this as a punishment for certain crimes. The rest of The Democratic West abolished this ritualistic and completely counter intuitive hypocritical thing it really is. "I sentence you to Death and the taking of your life by the hand of another, which in summing up 90 seconds ago I described this very same act when it was committed by you as 'Cold Blooded and without Mercy killed with Evil Malice.' And I think the stats are so well covered by now that I won't rehash them but suffice it is to say, when Death is distributed as punishment, the color of your skin and Social Standing and Funds available for defense, all play a huge role in who lives and who dies. I mean is there anybody that is going to try and justify that Gary Ridgway had admitted to being responsible for several dozen Homicides and He is offered a deal which He takes that drops Death in favour of Life, even if it is without the possibility of Parole when A Black guy somewhere else get's death after the He makes the mistake of killing a White victim? It's Racist, Biased and the concept is flawed and 'The System' is broke before it ever is put into practical use because the System is one that is completely at the mercy of A species called The Human Race, A people that always have and always will be prone to mistakes and making errors.
So we are already going to fail in this man made system, that's without even considering such things as prosecutor Misconduct, a proven disgraceful deliberate withholding of evidence showing the Defendant is Innocent and not just beyond a reasonable doubt, but beyond a shadow of doubt, in order that the prosecutor can get a Victory because, it seems winning the case at any cost is the only objective and whether the person is guilty or not guilty......well who cares, I win....Yes, get in there!!! Off you go to your new death row home.
I mean still absolutely amazes me that State Officials still to this day will tell the Citizens "No innocent man or woman has ever been wrongly convicted, sentenced to death and executed...."
No, corse not! Over 150 men have been exonerated and freed from not prison, but being in prison under sentence of Death because they were fortunate enough to live in an era when DNA Science was discovered and that science proved they were not the person responsible. What about them on Death Row that werw executed who were not lucky enough to have DNA Discovery in their time? How many of them were innocently put to death by their State?
The answer "None"
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Mar 17, 2016 7:21:46 GMT -8
I agree with your sentiments - particularly the injustice for ''social minorities'',when equality is supposed to be a fundamental right.
It is often overlooked,however that the one country in South East Asia,that is truly integrated,both by design and aspiration,in Western culture,is Japan.Japan still retains the death penalty,by hanging,and have,on current estimates,about 150 convicted criminals on death row.
The combined population of USA and Japan is approximately 500 million.The combined population of European Union countries is approximately 400 million.The combined population of Canada,Australia,New Zealand and small Western nations is approximately 100 million.
So,those of us fortunate enough to exist in Western societies number approximately one billion people.Half of which live in countries where the death penalty exists - and half where it's implementation has been outlawed.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jun 3, 2016 20:43:23 GMT -8
It has just been announced that Muhammed Ali has died,at the age of 74.
This sad news will be felt for a long time to come,and younger generations will now learn about this great man,and his legacy.
The King is dead - Long live the King.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jun 6, 2016 11:03:55 GMT -8
Many tributes and eulogies have already been paid to Muhammad Ali,in the last 48 hours - and there will surely be many to come.
A daughter of Ali has already spoken of her father's love of talking : ''He always loved to talk - in fact,he was talking non-stop before his first birthday.He liked to do that,most all - ''that'',and meeting people.''.
Ali once reflected on his ultimate retirement : ''I am like Concorde - too expensive to maintain.There will be other passenger planes that will quite adequately fly people about - but there will never be another Concorde.People will just have to get used to the fact that I am no longer around.''.
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Post by Rubislaw32 on Jun 7, 2016 8:49:29 GMT -8
In contrast to Ali's early ability to talk,the iconic Natural Philosopher,Albert Einstein,was very late to ''conversation''.
As Einstein recalled : ''It is true that my parents were worried because I began to speak fairly late.They had even consulted a doctor.I can't say how old I was - but not less than three.''.
The facts appear to be that Einstein's parents were very concerned that ''Little Albert'' was born mute.
All of that changed one day at the family dinner table,when his parents were astonished to hear Einstein declare : ''My soup is too hot !''.
When they questioned him on this ability,and how it was that He had decided to speak,Einstein replied : ''Up to now,my life has been in order.''.
Reliable research indicates that ''Little Albert'' was actually into his sixth year of life,when this ''miracle'' occurred.
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