Safe Luxury

i lost my code for my brinks home security safe? i lost my pass code and manuel for my brinks security safe and i was wondering if anyone knew how to reset it? i have my key, but i dont know where to go from here. the safe is about 1.5feet by 1.5 feet with an electric keypad on the front. does anyone know how i could get into this safe? any help would be appreciated thank you!

how many numbers are there in the combo to a brinks home security safe model 5056? i have the key but no combo asking a professional to open the safe is not an option for me. i coud prob gues the combo but i just dont know how many numbers are in it which way do you turn first?

how can I obtain the combination for a brinks home safe model 5054?

i forgot my combination to my brinks home safe model 5056? i forgot the combination any tip on how to open or crack it without the combination

I have a brinks home security fire resistant safe i lost the combination but have the keys please help!!? I can't get it open and no i did not steal it so don't even suggest that!

i lost my keys to my safe? its a small brinks home security safe and it came with 2 keys i just lost the 2nd one today and i have very important items inside and i need to know if there is somehwere i can go to get it broken open or a new key for it?

How Do I Protect My Home ? [Serious Question]? I Have Just Moved Into A New Neighborhood And For The Past Two Months, Someone Has Been Vandalizing Our Home. I Put In New Sod In The Front Lawn, And Every Now And Then, I would find a couple pieces flipped over or just relocated in the middle of my driveway. Also, My Dad's Car Was Tampered With And Everything Inside The Car Was Thrown Out. So Far, We Have Filed Two Police Reports But It Hasnt Helped In Anyway. Some Nights, My Dad And I Would Take Turns Keeping Watch. We Have Some Suspicious People On The Block Who We Think Did It But We Dont Have Evidents. At Night, My Dad Fears That Someone Will Break In And Rob Us. We Have Considered Brinks Security System [Since The Old Owner Had It Installed] And Security Camera's But The Price Is Out Of Question. Because Most Of Them Time, There Are Children At Home, Safety Is A Big Concern But It Has To Fit Our Budget. Are There Any Low Cost Ways To Protect Your Home From Intruders So You Can Leave The House Knowing Your Family Is Safe At Home.

Looking for an alarm monitoring company in CT? Well im looking to secure my home with an alarm system. I basically want a company that offers a free system that I get to keep if I ever cancel the contract, and thats under $40/month. So far I know of the following companies in Connecticut: -ADT -Brinks -protection one -Safe Home Security (SHS) If there are any other companies that you would recommend post em, and please suggest a company that meets my specs. Thanks

i need answers ASAP? Ok i need to know how to get into a brinks home secuirty safe, its not a really big one or nothing, its a little black one with a key. i dont have the key, and i dont want to break it because i have the other key inside it... Dont Ask why, anyways is there a way i can get into my safe....please help me and thanks..

Alarm companies in CT? Well im looking to secure my home with an alarm system. I basically want a company that offers a free system that I get to keep if I ever cancel the contract, and thats under $40/month. So far I know of the following companies in Connecticut: -ADT -Brinks -protection one -Safe Home Security (SHS) If there are any other companies that you would recommend post em, and please suggest a company that meets my specs.

Reliable low cost alarm monitoring company? Hey, I want to hook up an alarm in my house, but with so many companies out there, I don't know who to go with. I'm looking for a reliable fast response to an alarm company that has an reasonable monthly charge ($20-$25ish). And if any one has had some good or bad experiences with any Alarm company please post for my reference. So far I have considered ADT, Brinks, GE Monitoring, Safe Home Alarms and much more. I'm also looking for free system deals and packagaes and free instillation if possible. yea your right, $25 is very hard to find, guess you can call me cheap lol. Well right now im looking into system deals and discounts. Anyone know of any deals?

Home security system- Who do you recommend? Our neighborhood in Kansas City, MO is normally a safe neighborhood, but some reason burglaries have been on a peak these past two months, with 4 of my close neighbors being robbed, and one of them I witnessed. I need to get a Security system, but places like ADT and Brinks require 3 years contracts, which in the end turn into ALOT of money! Is there any local sercurity company that you recommend, or have had experiences with?? Which company have you found to be the most affordable. Thanks-

HELP, customs trapped my wife in China. How do I get her out???? My wife has lived in the US for 12 years now. Her temporary greencard expired and INS took it from her on an entry back into the States 3 years ago. She got a year extension letter effective date July 2007 to July 2008. We whent to China in October and came back in with that paper ... no problem. She had to go back for a family emergency, and now they want her to have that expired confiscated Temporary greencard on hand to get on the plane home to me in California. EVERYBODY said we would be FINE with only the Chinese passport and that letter, and it worked a couple months ago. I am lost without my wife. It will take a month to get some waver documentation, (if we are lucky) I will send you $2000 and 144 roses if you give me ANY info that leads me to the answer I need to Get my wife back home safe to me any sooner. We will owe you our hearts and our home. We are on the brink of loosing 35 years of combined work and effort. I am useless without her. Give me anything.

I'm back with another song! This one's a bit different? Hi guys, it's Andrew again. Here's another song by me. BTW I do write happier songs, but I really want some feedback on these lyrics. This song was written as the second part of a quartet of songs. The quartet is about the decline of civilization in a revolution. The first song is about the beginning of the revolution, setting the stage for what's to come. The second song (this one) focuses in on a soldier who joins the army, not knowig what he's getting into, and his thoughts right before the battle. The third song is basically the battle itself, and the fourth song is the soldier's death and final journey. This song musically is in the metal genre, but not extremely heavy, more iron maiden-esque than anything else. If you want to hear the other songs in the quartet, just say so on the comments and I will do so. This song is copyrighted 2009 by me. The Deep Breath Before the Plunge (Inhale) Time has slowed, vision's faded Life's flashin' before my eyes I stand here and ask myself Am I really ready to die? We stand here on brink of war Many dead, killed by us as well Hours left till I know no more Soon enough I'll see these men in hell *Chorus* My stomach churns, as I realize Into the depths of hell I lunge So if I am 'bout to die I take a long, deep, breath before the plunge Face is numb, throat is burning Why did I ever leave? My warm, safe, home that I am yearning Fear rises, I start to grieve Should these be my final words Ever heard upon this precious Earth I should want my friends to know I think of them before I go *Chorus* *Musical interlude/ Solos* *Chorus* The commander yells, It's time to run Will I live to see the setting sun? Now I'm certain my life is done, Into the final battle I run This song is longer than it looks when you add in the guitar and music, in the end it clocks in at about six minutes. Please leave feedback, I'd love to hear your comments.

House got broken into!!? So my home gets broken into for the 2nd time!! I don't know how they keep getting in thru but I'm for sure it's from my sliding glass doors! They didn't take anything! Andmy roommate was home when they were there! He turned on the lights to scare them but nothing! I don't have a lot of money for a good adt or brinks alarm or a dog. Anybody know something cheap but good? I won't go home till I feel safe.

Christians: How do you deal with today's godless times and society? Where do you go to find peace/solace? Today's society and times are godless. They're all about getting by, surviving, business, etc. Now all of this is not always a bad thing. Businesses, happiness, activities, etc can be great even on their own, but to a true Christian, they would lack the holy spirit and starve one from their relationship from God. Medical benefits, jobs, intellectual knowledge, security, money, etc,...95% of the world's people are all caught up in that, and the dramas of life are everywhere. Life is now ALOT tougher, especially in the last few years of life. Did it say that the world's system would be on the brink of collapse, and then the anti-christ would eventually arise and try to save it all? Is that what's happening now according to Christianity? If we are indeed in those times, tell me, WHY are people so blind and continue to follow the road to hell, and trust everyone even the supposed anti-christ himself? Are people THAT dark in spirit? Is this world really that bad? Because in my experience of it, YES IT IS! It's a scary place full of self-serving, deception, lies, and false outlooks on life. Everyone is fake and plays into this whole, it's all good man, attitude, when underneath it all, it's not like that at ALL. Where does one go, physically, like to a place, to find peace and solace, if according to the Bible/God, whenever we step foot outside of our homes, we're subject to "satan." It's unfortunately true, we're only safe at home nowadays, and sometimes we're not even safe there. You're not totally safe at school, you're not totally safe at work, or the bank, or out on the street, or anywhere anymore. How can people keep denying God? Look at all the horrors in society like school shootings, police chases, all sorts of things, and they still think...well blah. How does one rise above this present-day veil of darkness that covers 90% of society? It feels like everything is just spiritually-dead, and all about survival and work and money, and that's that. Let's support Obama, or Palin, or McCain, or whoever,....let's hope for that check, that bank approved loan, bla bla.... but God,...TOTALLY not in the equation. God doesn't matter. Only brains, work, people helping you and money does. We're in a God-dead society, and it's pretty evil too. How does one deal with this? If you really do believe. This world totally challenges faith.

Could someone please provide me with Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott's email address? I am so tired of this double standard with society. A-Rod is sitting in his home with all of his sponsorships along with no legal recourse after coming out and saying that he used steroids. During that same week Michael Phelps was captured on camera smoking pot thus losing his sponsorship and now being investigated by Richland County Sheriff. First off that bong was bought and made legally in USA. The last 3 (including the current) Presidents have all admitted to using pot and dismissed it as a normal youthful experiment. Meanwhile the current generation of youths are still being prosecuted... How is that fair? Phelps had a DUI on his record prior to Kellogg taking on his sponsorship. To me and according to the law in California a DUI is a much worse offense and has resulted in countless lives being lost. I'm not saying that pot can't adversely effect your ability to drive. In this case Phelps was not getting into a car in the photo nor was he busted for being under the influence while driving. My point is he was inside the privacy of a home in a safe area where he was not causing harm to anyone, he was not imposing on my or anyone else's civil liberties, and he was not destroying anyone's property... So how was it illegal? This is a free country right? How's that war on drugs going? Anyone study the Prohibition? Remember when all the organized crime was getting out of control? Major funding of their activities came from underground clubs that served alcohol and from distribution of the illegal liquid. Guess what was pinpointed as the single act that literally crippled local organized crime? The legalization of alcohol.... Mexico is on the brink if slipping into total chaos. The country is run by drug lords. Here is one last tidbit that scares me... There are two groups that strictly oppose the legalization of Marijuana. The first is the drug lords that smuggle it into the country (legalization would stop them in their tracks) the second is the US government. The former Presidents of Brazil and Mexico both called for the legalization of pot this week as a means to bring stabilization and in order to remove the drug cartels major cash crop. So why is the US government so opposed? I ask you this and I am not going to answer it because we don't know. But doesn't it seem rather odd to all of you that it has been said that Mexican drug cartel has already infiltrated our country and are trying to destabilize our home as they did in Mexico? It basically comes down to who should get the money? The problem will never go away. Do we keep funding the cartels and drug lords or do we legalize it and tax it? For the record... I did do exactly that (google it) and have the same information. I could imagine that email box is quite full right now and was hoping to find a more personalized account. Thank you to the gentleman that provided the information. Also for the record I do not smoke pot.

Has anyone seen the movie Stay Tuned? It has the late John Ritter in it and it also has Eugene Levy. It is about an at each others throats married couple who are on the brink of divorce. Due to the fact that the husband (Ritter) does not communicate with her and comes home from his sucky job and watches television all the time instead. He resents her cause she has a successful profession. Anyways, some weird guy knocks on their door one night after a fight of theirs and promises the guy a free trial of satellite tv and the guy turned out to be the devil. Then after she tells him she is going to walk out on him the satellite sucks them into a TV world and they have to make it 24 hours in there without dying as they face devilish circumstances, in order to return back home to their lives and kids safe and sound. Eugene Levy plays the devil's helper who turns against him.

What do you think of my poem? I am a soldier in the Civil War. I wonder if this war can be solved without all the hatred and in a peaceful manner. Through kindness and compassion instead of violence. I wonder if the war could be free of bloodshed and anger. I wonder if the war will put a stop to our problems and leave the nation to be free as one. I hear the whisper of General Grant as we creep toward a southern town. His orders are stern, and we must obey or risk death. Suddenly an explosion of rifles, muskets and guns echo through the small town, and the cry of wounded soldiers fill the empty silence that was with us just seconds ago. I see the blood of our brothers trickling into the Ohio River. I witness the barrier that once meant freedom, or injustice. I see everyone fighting, fighting our own kin, fighting to the death of everything and everyone we have ever known. I see the river stained red from the sunset, and stained red with blood. I want an end, but also a new beginning. An end to the war, and a new chance to live united, where men see each other as equals, knowing that God made each and every one of us the same; nothing can come between that, or impede on our progress toward creating a new nation. I want the United States to live as one nation and not be ripped into two. I am a soldier in the Civil War. I pretend I can’t hear the screams. I pretend I can’t hear the gunshots. I pretend that war never existed. I pretend that no one has to experience the agony and tragedy that war has brought to all the people who have made the ultimate sacrifice and risk their lives for what they believe is right. I feel a harsh wind tear through the thin fabric of our tent. I feel the sickness and pain of all the soldiers, including myself who have been injured in the battle. I feel hunger, as I haven’t eaten a decent meal since before I was drafted. I feel resentment, and anger, but I still have the courage to fight for what I believe in. And I feel the warmth of the friendship that gave me the strength to believe that anything is possible if we stay together as a nation. I touch the raw wound on my shoulder that was inflicted by the Confederate troops. It is very painful to me, as we are running very low on medicine and bandages. I have wrapped it with an oak leaf, to stop the blood, but I still cringe at the sight of it. The nurses are saving the medicine for people who are far worse off than I am, some on the brink of death. I worry that I won’t make it home. I am worried that I will not survive this war, that I won’t make it out alive. I’m scared that I might never see my friends or family again, and I am scared that they won’t survive either. I worry about what the war has done to us, and what it will hold for us in the future. I cry at the sight of a dying soldier, and many tears have been shed so far. I flinch when a life is about to be lost and I am helpless to save it. The sight of war makes me sad, but I am forced to serve in the war because so many soldiers have died already. I am a soldier in the Civil War. I understand the true meaning of pain. The loss, the sacrifice, the inhumane conditions you must survive through. Every shot, every life lost, every sacrifice is like a needle, piercing through your heart. The pain is not always physical, as the loss of a loved one has the same effect, if not worse, and the feeling that this war may not end overwhelms many. I say, live as one. Live united, and stand strong together. I say the nation shouldn’t be split into two, but one. I say we should be the United States, not the Confederacy and the Union states. I dream of Heaven. A place where anyone has given their life for a good cause. We will go there one day, and I dream of finally escaping war. Heaven is a place where I can finally feel safe, where there is no prejudice or violence. No problems, no worries, just people living in peace. I try to believe. I try to believe that this war will end, and that we will find a compromise. I try to forget, to forget about the people who have betrayed me. I try to remember, to remember all who have lost their lives. I hope for a free future. I hope that the grass waves green in the wind once again, and that no one will ever have to experience this again. I hope that there is no Northern or Southern soil, just free soil. And I hope that the men who have died on that soil will never be forgotten, and always remembered in the hearts of those who loved them. I am a soldier in the Civil War. Its for school, and it had to be about the civil war. And Im 11 if thats helps.

Im at a loss of words and actions what do I do? What can I do or should I do? Ok my girlfriend is currently vacationing in Washington yesterday she called me and said that she was going to a party I was ok with it because i trust her and everything, of course i got the drunken call and texts from her now i was receiving a text from her literally like every two minutes sometimes less. for the rest of the night she did not call me: however i was still receiving the drunken texts. finally around 2:14am i called her because she had texted me saying shes home in her bed. So were talking and whatnot and she is obviously drunk and out of nowhere she says to me "babe, why are boys mean?" and i replied "what do you mean?" and she repeatedly kept saying "boys are mean babe, but not you" and once again i answered "what happen at the party?" and she responded "i kept saying no" a bunch of time, immediately i was frightened and began to panic. i asked her if anybody touched her and she kept saying "i said no, but they were to big", earlier when we were talking when i first called her she stated that she was bleeding on here side because of a broken glass window, but i asked her again where is she bleeding, she replied "on m pants and my side". I was so scared i was on the brink of tears.finally i just came out with the question "babe were you raped?" she again replied with "i kept saying no"...I became pissed and scared at the fact that my gf could have possibly been raped or a victim of sexual assault. before i could inquire about more information the phone was disconnected i tried calling but no answer. this is a repost of my question becasue i want more asnwers. It turnd out that my gf was raped and im at a loss of words while we were on the phone today she broke down in tears saying shes worthless she doesnt wanna live and i should break up with her i am completely scared and shocked and am at the brink of total destructions towards these sick people who did this it turns out my gf figured out she was raped becasue her ex bf sent a video of her getitng raped to her . what can i say or what can i do to make my gf feel that i can keep her safe that she is wanted and love ive tried telling her over and over and she is very afraid to not be a victim, i told her that she is going to need to get the video back that she deleted becasue the faces of those who committed the act are in there but she says she cant shes feels humiliated. she did not consent to anything

Over Protective Parents!!! Age 19. Please Help!!? OK I am 19 and a sophomore in college, Growing up I did well in school and took honors and AP courses. I always since I was very young respected all of my elders including my parents. I never had any unreasonable tantrums. I always understood my parents respected them and love them (still do). To my 8 year old sister I have done nothing but try to raise her well, set good examples, take her places, check her homework, etc. ,since I have to take care of her for most of the day. I don't smoke I don't drink I don't have a record. Basically I have been the daughter parents dream about. Now the thing is that I am on the brink of just breaking down. Since I became a teenager my parents sheltered me greatly. I thought with time they would calm down since I would get older. The fact is (without going deep into detail) I have lost many friends, have missed out on fun experiences, and can't seem to get started on my life. I am 19 and haven't even been to a night club even though Dancing is my passion. When my friends invite me to do anything after 9pm I am not allowed to go. When I was younger I wasn't allowed to do the whole sleepover girls night thing, and still can't. Now the recent situation is that My boyfriend and a bunch of friends want to go to Universal Studios (two - three hour drive). This is something quite common for people my age but not for me. We would leave Friday come back Sunday. Simple, not that long. The thing is I have been with my Boyfriend for 5 years. If anything I am totally safe with him. But when I asked my mom it was the hardest thing to do. She doesn't want me to go but she said she will "think about it". I know she is worried about the hotel acccomodations, but I don't have to go to escape to Universal to do anything that I could well do close to home. The point is We just want to go have fun at Universal, have a grand old time with friends. But like always I am afraid she is always going to keep me closed putting more strain on the social life I am left with. I just feel like Rebelling. I hate that sons and daughters who live crazier lives than I do get permission, or don't even have to ask to do innocent things like going to a theme park for the weekend. I really am on the brink of just not caring, and doing whatever I feel like regardless of what they say. But I don't want to do that over something that is so simple and meaningless, that in other household it doesn't turn into a big ordeal or a Drama. I just need to know: Am I being unreasonable? If not than how can I make my parents understand to let me spread my wings and fly. Just because I want freedom doesn't mean I'll leave them. If anything This whole ordeal just pushes me farther away from them.

My mom has me so angry I can't see straight, advice (very long)? About two years ago, my dad was in an accident. He was in a coma for a month, had about 10 surgeries, and was in an unstable state but finally he has reached a stable state where he can come home. He is unfortunately a paraplegic now (paralyzed from mid-back down). Anyway, it was his fault so our insurance paid for everything and his insurance also has given him a couple lump sums of money to help set up the house for his new needs. I'd say altogether we've gotten about $45,000 for all his injuries, surgeries, and such. He also was forced into an early retirement and now gets a combined amount of $1,800 a month. The lump sums of money were put into my moms account for "safe-keeping," and also to pay bills and rent for the house. Also for her living expenses (even though she has a job) Over time, it went unnoticed because my brother and I were at school and my dad was in the hospital, she has slowly gambled it away. Literally, almost about $20,000 of it is gone. We know she gambled it away because all the bills were behind and on disconnects, she admitted to it, and she hocked some of our possessions unknowingly. Also, her paychecks were all used gambling too. She wrote my dad a note saying this. She said, "It's a horrible addiction, but it's the only thing that stops me from being so depressed and missing you." For the record, before this accident my parents were fighting so much they were on the brink of a divorce. They were barely in the same room as eachother. Also, she was suppose to be in charge of getting the house ready for my dad (building a ramp, cleaning it up, making space). She took off TWO months of unpaid leave to do this and I've seen nothing. The ramp isn't built and my dad was suppose to come home this week. However, I just found out via her facebook-- no she didn't call me-- that my dad is being moved to Chicago for exploratory surgery by neurologists. I am very excited about this but had to find out by the internet. I called my dad and he filled me in. I feel like she is ruining everything, not just for the overall family, but for my dad who needed someone there. I was only 19 when this happened, and couldn't take over the funds. I am so mad. She has called/texted me about 5 times today and I am ignoring it. I am so fed up. I just want to scream. She is my mom, I love her, she brought me into this world, but a MOTHER doesn't do that to her FAMILY. I want to confront her but my dad said not to because she has nervous breakdowns. I am scared she would go crazy and do something stupid. I don't know how my dad does it. She hocked her wedding band. She spent his money that was suppose to go toward handicap accessibility stuff. Please tell me what I should do, because at this second I am about to just never talk to her again. No one on my dad side, her side, or her friends know this. Just my dad, my brother and I and my dad said don't say anything. I am not the type to keep quiet. And then people have commented on this status saying, "Oh, you are such a strong woman, wife and mother for making it through this," "(dad's name) should feel so proud to have you as a wife." I am just sitting here with my hands shaking in rage. I don't know whether I should be hurt or angry.

Why Are Women Leaving Marriage in Droves? "Society does two things to men and women that make more and more of today's marriages destined to die. 1. It tells men what they are supposed to desire in a woman. 2. It then tells women the way they are supposed to be to become desirable. Since women are not that way, but feel pressure to become that way, many marriages are doomed from the beginning. And many that do not end in divorce continue in various degrees of unhappiness, particularly for the women involved. Statistics tell us that women instigate more than 75% of today's divorces. This flight of women from marriage has prompted books such as Maggie Gallagher's The Abolition of Marriage: How We Destroy Lasting Love. Gallagher calls for a return to fault divorces as a "cure" for divorce. She feels the individual's right to choice and self-gratification has brought an "institution" to the brink of extinction. Gallagher writes, "As a private association of two individuals, marriage may have as many meanings and as many goals as there are private individuals. But as a public institution, marriage has one overriding purpose: to create an environment in which it is safe to have children." Yet marriage is composed of two adults, both of whom have a right to happiness. Statistics have shown single women as happier than married women for decades. University of Texas sociologist Norvel Glenn finds the happiness of single women continues to grow. In addition, he found that, despite no-fault divorce enabling easy marriage exit and despite the high divorce rate, the number of happy marriages are still falling--from more than 50% in 1973 to less than 40% today. If we are seeing an enormous increase in divorce, we should be seeing only happy marriages left. We aren't. The divorce rate has climbed, the number of unhappy marriages that remain has climbed, and the happiness of single women has climbed... What does this mean for the institution of marriage? Add another factor says Gallagher, "Part of the relative instability of two-career couples may be due to self-selection: Wives with less traditional attitudes may be more likely to both work full time and divorce. But there is another explanation that has been mostly ignored: Full-time working women, especially women who are working against their wishes, may be more prone to divorce because they get less from marriage. "A woman at home, (part or full time) who chooses divorce must give up her entire way of life. By contrast, a wife who works full time and divorces can simply continue to do what she is doing anyway. Life may get a little harder--or even a lot harder--but for a wife with a full-time job, a change in her marital status does not seem to entail a radical transformation of her day-to-day lifestyle." "Oh, my, my, my," says Society with a capital "S," while wringing its hands and shaking its head, "If we could just get those women back to the farm... If we could just get that genie back in the bottle..." Is it true? If we could just get these women back to the farm; if we could just get women to stay home again, would they be afraid to leave marriage because the kids might starve? If we could just get those women under control again, reverse those child support laws, and go back to the old ways, would everything be better?" http://www.cyberparent.com/women/marriage1.htm Happy 2 guy, Wake up and smell the coffee, divorce is at epidemic proportions. There were 24 married couples in my sub, white middle class america 5 years ago, out of 24 now there are 13 left that are still married. I'll bet it's even higher than that now do to the economic situation. Marriage is like a fast food, people want it fast, eat quick and throw out the left overs, then go back for another fast meal.

HELP... i'm lost mentally? Okay, last week I was sick, it's winter here in NZ but I never get sick in winter - NEVER.. Anyway, 2 weeks ago, I heard that the swine flu had got to 11 kids in Auckland(Big city in NZ) in papakura on Sunday, I didn't really care about it for some reason, then on monday this week, I looked on the internet about swine flu, and then it scared me, like a lot (never happened to me before) and then what made it worse, was I accidently clicked on a suicidal site, and another about a person who had the same conditions as me but they all said that they think the world is going to end - now i am a christian, and all i could think about was death, losing my family and dying myself because of swine flu or some epidemic or some kind of disaster or shooting. I literally could not sleep that night. I lay in bed for 6-8hours straight and could not sleep - my eyes were closed but my brain wouldn't let me sleep. And I had this depression and sadness that just felt awful and for the first time fear that was so overpowering that I literally felt as if I was gonna die - During the night I went to my parents room(like a little kid) because I couldn't sleep and told my mum how I felt - she didn't really say anything and fell back asleep - I woke her up again and she said, I have no control over what was going to happen, so then I woke up my little brother and we were watching t.v - i then noticed I didn't eat for that whole night and I needed to eat but I had to force 1 piece of toast down my throat and couldn't the next. Well that didn't get me to sleep, so I told my dad, he said go to sleep, it's just your the way you're thinking. Anyway I tried to sleep and woke them up 3 times during the night but I never got to sleep. But I saw this program about anxiety and depression, looked up something on the net, and that helped me cope through the day, but what didn't help is my dad mocking me asking me "who was gonna die?" I ignored him. Anyway I watched a few videos about why not to worry about swine flu, it helped quite a bit and I finally got 1 hour and a half of sleep, then I read more stuff.. I got a little better by the info given by people online and I was actually able to sleep that night. But before that my dad like changed his attitude, and my mum and dad started treating me as if I'd gone mental or something, my dad forced me to have dinner, my mum asked me if I was okay in that are you mental tone.. and last night I read something about God, and it made me cry, and try to change my attitude because I'm really bad at keeping to his rules, but I'm trying to change, but everytime my brothers do something like ask me for money for smokes I get this awful feeling like that night I couldn't sleep, and I try to forget it. But now every morning all I can think about is death... over the past few years, I've convinced myself that I was safe, and now that I feel and know that I could die so many ways, especially with the swine flu on the brink of a break out - It hurts me every morning, but going to school makes me feel happier and now the simplest things make me happy, the sun coming out just lifts my spirits, music playing makes me gain some kind of hope, but everytime I come home, it kind of shuts that hope down... AND i have known that for about 5-6 years I've had absolutely no ambition, and I have this fear that the world is going to end, but I always try to explain to myself that if I follow God's word, I will be allright, but the thing is It's so big of a shock I don't know if I can handle this, and suicide feels like it would be allright, but I don't want to commit suicide... I wish life was a safe place, like I've thought for the past few years, but now I'm scared, and I get very emotional when someone gets hurt or dies, or is going to die. I'm basically scared that if swine flu doesn't get me, some disaster will... that's all I think about when I'm sitting down Do I make sense? How do I cope?

I edited a little part from my story, is this okay? really, if you don't know my story Eric is an abusive foster father, Dani has asthma, and Alli speaks her mind which gets her introuble all the time. but she means well. ... Also, THIS IS NOT THE START TO MY BOOK. It's like the middle of the second chapter... Later, Eric came home looking exhausted like usual. As soon as he walked in the door I ran upstairs. The last thing I needed was for him to take his hard day at work out on me. Once I was safe in my room I pulled my journal out from my nightstand and opened it up. Suddenly I heard yells erupt from the kitchen followed by a loud crash. I ran down the stairs and noticed Dani on the floor. She was gasping for air and her eyes were pleading. "Dad....Please!" "Fine, you want it?" Eric tossed her inhaler across the room and all hope drained out of Dani's eyes. "Go get it." "What the hell is wrong with you?!" I shrieked. I ran to the inhaler and brought it back to Dani. "Here, you're okay now." I assured her. Tears welled up in my eyes seeing my best friend on the brink of death, again. Even though Eric was a monster, he never went far enough to kill anyone. In a way it was almost like he had limits, then again the only reason he kept Dani alive was so he could have the pleasure of torturing her some more later on. If she was killed, he would lose the precious power he had over her. My thoughts were interrupted when suddenly, Eric grabbed my arm and pulled me off of the floor. "What do you think you're doing?!" He yelled in my ear. I struggled in his arms but he wouldn't let me go. "I'm helping my friend you sick bastard! She could have died because of you!" I winced in pain as his grip around me tightened. He held me against the counter. I glanced over his shoulder and could see Dani who was breathing normally again but stayed on the floor. She looked at me in horror not knowing what to do. "Run." I mouthed. She quietly lifted her body off the floor and ran upstairs. Eric was too preoccupied to notice. The expression on his face was unreadable. He looked like he was ready to kill me and he looked happy about it. "Get the hell off me." I said through clenched teeth. "Wow," he said with an evil grin. "You really should watch your language. You may come across as a bitch." Just like that the grin was gone and his hand moved from my shoulder to my throat. He pushed me down so my whole upper body was pressed against the granite countertop. His grip on my throat made it hard to breath. Suddenly he stretched his arm to reach something behind my head near the sink. At first I thought it was going to be a knife. Instead, it was a bottle of dish soap. I looked at him while fighting to break free but nothing worked. I tried kicking him and I missed. With each attempt to escape, his hold on me got stronger. "What are you doing?" I whispered. My eyes were watering and he snickered. "Cleaning that dirty mouth of yours." I pressed my lips tightly together and tears ran down m cheeks. Eric's eyebrows furrowed as he continued trying to open my mouth. When that failed he set the bottle on the counter and pressed his fingers into my skin. The pain intensified with each passing minute until finally I let out a pained cry. Eric grinned obviously proud of himself and shoved the bottle into my throat. I tried screaming as the bitter, slimy liquid filled my mouth, causing my eyes and nose to burn. Finally after what seemed like hours, he set the bottle down. "I hope you learned a lesson baby girl." He chuckled and let me go. I turned around and leaned against the sink trying to spit out all the dish soap. I heard Eric's footsteps fade as he left the room. Most of the soap was gone but the gagging continued. The taste was still fresh on my tongue making my stomach churn. Suddenly I felt someone holding my hair back as I retched into the sink.

finding a calling...my calling (please read)? hey all! I'm just haveing a...early life chrisis. My birthday is in 3 day and (though I'm still a teenager) I feel like i need to be moving on in my life somehow. this was a journal i wrote about an hour ago...if you don;t mind, would you please read it and give me any feedback...thanks and have a great day!! {{Finding Haylie: I’ve always felt and urge to create; A need to make something…anything, but all of my attempts thus far have miserable failures. I once thought myself a poet, but, unfortunately, no one else seemed to share my sentiment. So I thought, perhaps, some form of music would be my calling. Piano, violin, clarinet, guitar, I once even fancied myself a singer: the dogs seemed to enjoy these…or perhaps they were howling in pain, though I prefer the former. On the brink of giving up, I had an epiphany! Maybe it was some kind of talent I was supposed to bring to this chaos I’d been creating. But what possible talent did I have? I tired acting but it was simply another failure of epic proportion. Then I thought I might give singing one more try. I thought I was pretty good…in my shower at home, but on a stage, in front of people, I choked like a fish out of water, and probably sounded a bit like one as well. Someone once told me, “Anything can be art.” Ha! Well, perhaps, anything can be art, but not everything should be art, particularly anything that I created. Oh my, when I think of all those disproportioned stick-people out there, I nearly weep. So maybe it’s not a talent I have. Or any form of known “creativity” for that matter, but I must have something. Surely everyone must have some way to be able to express themselves. Maybe it’s some kind of skill I have. Though the only skill I seem to have is sleeping, and I don’t really think that counts… I need something more. I must have something more! Some kind of outlet to let some of the things I keep inside of me out before I spontaneously combust! What is it that I’m good at? What natural skills, if any, do I posses? What is it that makes me, me? What am I meant to do? I need to find something. My life is ticking by faster then I seem to be able to catch up ad is much is passing me by. So I suppose the real question is: What am I going to do about it? I’ve got to figure that out soon, or it’s going to be too late…}} thanks again. ♥haylie p.s. sorry it's so super long...plus I didn't really know what category to put it in so here seemed like a safe bet. again thanks for taking to time to read it (if ya did) and/or answering. any questions about it, just ask. ♥

How does this sound?? I appreciate constructive criticism!? Notice how I said CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM!!! I can take the criticism that will help me in the end but please leave out all the extra stuff. Ok so here's my story so far. It hasnt gotten to the plot yet but I was wondering if I should go on and elaborate on a few ideas plz! Oh yeah. And if a title pops out to you please express it!! Thnx so muchh!!!! :D It’s the same thing, different day. I get up in the morning, throw something on, and rush out to the bus. I sleepwalk through school and sneak kisses with my boyfriend in the hallway. In 7th block, I start to get anxious. I start to think about what’s awaiting me at home, in the little cellar that everyone in my family thinks is stuck and useless. They’re all these deep, dark secrets of the world that I am on the brink of discovering. I can’t let it show in my face, or otherwise I’ll be asked questions. Questions lead to suspicion and I can’t have that. Mrs. Bouchard, our Spanish teacher was trying to get the class to quiet down and as usual, it never works. So, she sits at her desk and waits for the teacher’s pet, Kelsey, to tell everybody to shut up. That takes about 5 minutes and when we’re finally quiet, Mrs. Bouchard goes into her lecture about how we’re so disrespectful. Basically, it was a waste of breath for her. I was waiting for the day when every teacher would see the light. So we sat there with our rebellious smiles on, arms crossed over our chests. She particularly dislikes me. The fact that I can never pay attention yet get good grades and know exactly what the class is talking about just irks her. She’s one of those teachers that love to put kids on the spot and she can’t do that with me. In the beginning, when I would have my head down, I can could feel her smug smile on me as she taps me on the shoulder. I look up defiantly and focus in on her small, pale blue eyes. She says cockily, “ Glad you could join us. Could you tell the class the answer to question 4?” My memory automatically pulled up an imaginary file from about 5 minutes ago. We were conjugating the verb tener. Question 4 had the form of tu. I smiled and said, “ Tienes.” She looked shocked, one because she didn’t put me on the spot, and two, I didn’t even have my book open. Hot flames of embarrassment rose up onto her narrow cheeks. Huffing, she yelled, “Open your book!” I smiled and replied, “Yes ma’am.” I can see Mel looking over at me with this proud and amused look. I glanced over at him with a wink. He laughed his loud, intruding laugh. Mel is my newest friend, he moved to Suffolk from Norfolk. He has a stepbrother named Reggie and he cracks me up all the time! He’s so crazy and random. I turn around to find him looking at me. He pretends to check me out all dramatically, which makes me laugh. As I’m turning back around, I catch Philip’s eye. We stare at each other smiling like fools the whole time. He is my current boyfriend and is by far the quietest. I’ve known him for about 2 years. He’s one of my best friends. I tell him everything. Well, everything that I think he could handle. If I let him into my mind, and let him see all the complicated thoughts and theories I have, his head might explode from all the thinking. He always says you can tell me anything but everybody knows that’s a lie. He would completely freak out and never speak to me again. So I tell him how much I love him, make him feel safe with me. As if I'm staying forever and ever. It's all a process. A long one but once you get the hang of it, it's mechanical. Like riding a bike.

My mom has me so angry I can't see straight, advice (very long)? This is not LGBT related (besides me being gay), but I got 1 answer in Family. I know here I will get peoples real thoughts. Thanks my LGBT kin. About two years ago, my dad was in an accident. He was in a coma for a month, had about 10 surgeries, and was in an unstable state but finally he has reached a stable state where he can come home. He is unfortunately a paraplegic now (paralyzed from mid-back down). Anyway, it was his fault so our insurance paid for everything and his insurance also has given him a couple lump sums of money to help set up the house for his new needs. I'd say altogether we've gotten about $45,000 for all his injuries, surgeries, and such. He also was forced into an early retirement and now gets a combined amount of $1,800 a month. The lump sums of money were put into my moms account for "safe-keeping," and also to pay bills and rent for the house. Also for her living expenses (even though she has a job) Over time, it went unnoticed because my brother and I were at school and my dad was in the hospital, she has slowly gambled it away. Literally, almost about $20,000 of it is gone. We know she gambled it away because all the bills were behind and on disconnects, she admitted to it, and she hocked some of our possessions unknowingly. Also, her paychecks were all used gambling too. She wrote my dad a note saying this. She said, "It's a horrible addiction, but it's the only thing that stops me from being so depressed and missing you." For the record, before this accident my parents were fighting so much they were on the brink of a divorce. They were barely in the same room as eachother. Also, she was suppose to be in charge of getting the house ready for my dad (building a ramp, cleaning it up, making space). She took off TWO months of unpaid leave to do this and I've seen nothing. The ramp isn't built and my dad was suppose to come home this week. However, I just found out via her facebook-- no she didn't call me-- that my dad is being moved to Chicago for exploratory surgery by neurologists. I am very excited about this but had to find out by the internet. I called my dad and he filled me in. I feel like she is ruining everything, not just for the overall family, but for my dad who needed someone there. I was only 19 when this happened, and couldn't take over the funds. I am so mad. She has called/texted me about 5 times today and I am ignoring it. I am so fed up. I just want to scream. She is my mom, I love her, she brought me into this world, but a MOTHER doesn't do that to her FAMILY. I want to confront her but my dad said not to because she has nervous breakdowns. I am scared she would go crazy and do something stupid. I don't know how my dad does it. She hocked her wedding band. She spent his money that was suppose to go toward handicap accessibility stuff. Please tell me what I should do, because at this second I am about to just never talk to her again. No one on my dad side, her side, or her friends know this. Just my dad, my brother and I and my dad said don't say anything. I am not the type to keep quiet. And then people have commented on this status saying, "Oh, you are such a strong woman, wife and mother for making it through this," "(dad's name) should feel so proud to have you as a wife." I am just sitting here with my hands shaking in rage. I don't know whether I should be hurt or angry. I should also add that I shouldn't know about the money/gambling issue. She told my dad not to tell anyone. But he confided in me and my brother.

Are you aware of these proposed tax changes? > > Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election: > > > CAPITAL GAINS TAX > > < FONT face="Times New Roman">MCCAIN > 15% (no change) > > OBAMA > 28% > CLINTON > 24% > > How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes! as part of their retirement income. > > > DIVIDEND TAX > > MCCAIN > 15% (no change) > > > OBAMA > 39.6% > > CLINTON > 39.6% > > How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, reti! rement a ccounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama or Clinton become president. The experts predict that "Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit." > > > INCOME TAX > > MCCAIN > (no changes) > Single making 30K - tax $4,500 > Single making 50K - tax $12,500 > Single making 75K - tax $18,750 > Married making 60K- tax $9,000 > Married making 75K - tax $18,750 > Married making 125K - tax $31,250 > > OBAMA > (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) > Single making 30K - tax $8,400 > Single making 50K - tax $14,000 > Single making 75K - tax $23,250 > Married making 60K - tax $16,800 > Married making 75K - tax $21,000 > Married making 125K - tax $38,750 > > CLINTON > (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) > Single making 30K - tax $8,400 > Single making 50K - tax $14,000 > Single making 75K - tax $23,250 > Married making 60K - tax $16,800 > Married making 75K - tax $21,000 > Married making 125K - tax $38,750 > > How does this affect you? No explanation needed. This is pretty straight forward. > > > INHERITANCE TAX > > MCCAIN > 0% > (No change, Bush repealed this tax) > > OBAMA > keep the inheritance tax > > CLINTON > keep the inheritance tax > > How does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms and ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will not only lose them to these taxes. > NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY BOTH CLINTON AND OBAMA > > * New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet > * New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already) > * New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) > * New taxes on retirement accounts > and last but not least.... > > * New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!! > > Can you afford Clinton or Obama? I can't!!!!! > > (in case you want more information on Obama's tax and spend agenda: > If Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) Could Enact All Of His Campaign Proposals, Taxpayers Would Be Faced With Financing $874.35 Billion In New Spending Over One White House Term: > Updated February 14, 2008: Obama’s National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank Will Cost $60 Billion Over Ten Years; Equal To $6 Billion A Year And $24 Billion Over Four Years. Obama: “I’m proposing a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank that will invest $60 billion over ten years.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks On Economic Policy, Janesville, WI, 2/13/08) > Obama’s Health Care Plan Will Cost Up To $65 Billion A Year; Equal To $260 Billion Over Four Years. “[Obama] campaign officials estimated that the net cost of the plan to the federal government would be $50 billion to $65 billion a year, when fully phased in, and said the revenues from rolling back the tax cuts were enough to cover it.” (Robin Toner and Patrick Healy, “Obama Calls For Wider And Less Costly Health Care Coverage,” The New York Times, 5/30/07) > Obama’s Energy Plan Will Cost $150 Billion Over 10 Years, Equal To $15 Billion Annually And $60 Billion Over Four Years. “Obama will invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, invest in low-emissions coal plants, and begin the transition to a new digital electricity grid.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 25) > Obama’s Tax Plan Will Cost Approximately $85 Billion A Year; Equal To $340 Billion Over Four Years. “[Obama’s] proposed tax cuts and credits, aimed at workers earning $50,000 or less per year, would cost the Treasury an estimated $85 billion annually.” (Margaret Talev, “Obama Proposes Tax Code Overhaul To Help The Poor,” McClatchy Newspapers, 9/19/07) > · · Obama’s Plan Would Raise Taxes On Capital Gains And Dividends, And On Carried Interest. Obama’s tax plan includes: “[i]ncreasing the highest bracket for capital gains and dividends and closing the carried interest loophole.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama: Tax Fairness For The Middle Class,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/8/08) > Obama’s Economic Stimulus Package Will Cost $75 Billion. “Barack Obama’s economic plan will inject $75 billion of stimulus into the economy by getting money in the form of tax cuts and direct spending directly to the people who need it most.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama’s Plan To Stimulate The Economy,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 1/13/08) > Obama’s Early Education And K-12 Package Will Cost $18 Billion A Year; Equal To $72 Billion Over Four Years. “Barack Obama’s early education and K-12 plan package costs about $18 billion per year.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama’s Plan For Lifetime Success Through Education,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 11/20/07, p. 15) > Obama’s National Service Plan Will Cost $3.5 Billion A Year; Equal To $14 Billion Over Four Years. “Barack Obama’s national service plan will cost about $3.5 billion per year when it is fully implemented.” (Obama For America, “Helping All Americans Serve Their Country: Barack Obama’s Plan For Universal Voluntary Citizen Service,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 12/5/07) > Obama Will Increase Our Foreign Assistance Funding By $25 Billion. “Obama will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015, and he will double our foreign assistance to $50 billion to achieve that goal.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 53) Obama > has sponsored a bill in the senate that will tax 1/7th. of 1% of U.S. GDP to give to the UN for distribution to poor countries. This will amount to $845BB/yr. from American taxpayers that most of it will end up in some tyranical despots Swiss bank account!!! As of March 1, 2008, this bill is still in process but is believed to be thwarted by the senate. > Obama Will Provide $2 Billion To Aid Iraqi Refugees. “He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find a safe-haven.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 51) > Obama Will Provide $1.5 Billion To Help States Adopt Paid-Leave Systems. “As president, Obama will initiate a strategy to encourage all 50 states to adopt paid-leave systems. Obama will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with start-up costs and to help states offset the costs for employees and employers.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 15) > Obama Will Provide $1 Billion Over 5 Years For Transitional Jobs And Career Pathway Programs, Equal To $200 Million A Year And $800 Million Over Four Years. “Obama will invest $1 billion over five years in transitional jobs and career pathway programs that implement proven methods of helping low-income Americans succeed in the workforce.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 42) > Obama Will Provide $50 Million To Jump-Start The Creation Of An IAEA-Controlled Nuclear Fuel Bank. Obama: “We must also stop the spread of nuclear weapons technology and ensure that countries cannot build -- or come to the brink of building -- a weapons program under the auspices of developing peaceful nuclear power. That is why my administration will immediately provide $50 million to jump-start the creation of an International Atomic Energy Agency-controlled nuclear fuel bank and work to update the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.” (Sen. Barack Obama, “Renewing American Leadership,” Foreign Affairs, 7-8/07) Suzi- I read the WHOLE thing- it affects me. You would be wise to read the whole thing as well.

It is almost time to pay taxes. Who wants to pay more? Who doesn't want their refund check? > > Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election: > > > CAPITAL GAINS TAX > > < FONT face="Times New Roman">MCCAIN > 15% (no change) > > OBAMA > 28% > CLINTON > 24% > > How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes! as part of their retirement income. > > > DIVIDEND TAX > > MCCAIN > 15% (no change) > > > OBAMA > 39.6% > > CLINTON > 39.6% > > How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, reti! rement a ccounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama or Clinton become president. The experts predict that "Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit." > > > INCOME TAX > > MCCAIN > (no changes) > Single making 30K - tax $4,500 > Single making 50K - tax $12,500 > Single making 75K - tax $18,750 > Married making 60K- tax $9,000 > Married making 75K - tax $18,750 > Married making 125K - tax $31,250 > > OBAMA > (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) > Single making 30K - tax $8,400 > Single making 50K - tax $14,000 > Single making 75K - tax $23,250 > Married making 60K - tax $16,800 > Married making 75K - tax $21,000 > Married making 125K - tax $38,750 > > CLINTON > (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) > Single making 30K - tax $8,400 > Single making 50K - tax $14,000 > Single making 75K - tax $23,250 > Married making 60K - tax $16,800 > Married making 75K - tax $21,000 > Married making 125K - tax $38,750 > > How does this affect you? No explanation needed. This is pretty straight forward. > > > INHERITANCE TAX > > MCCAIN > 0% > (No change, Bush repealed this tax) > > OBAMA > keep the inheritance tax > > CLINTON > keep the inheritance tax > > How does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms and ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will not only lose them to these taxes. > NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY BOTH CLINTON AND OBAMA > > * New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet > * New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already) > * New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) > * New taxes on retirement accounts > and last but not least.... > > * New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!! > > Can you afford Clinton or Obama? I can't!!!!! > > (in case you want more information on Obama's tax and spend agenda: > If Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) Could Enact All Of His Campaign Proposals, Taxpayers Would Be Faced With Financing $874.35 Billion In New Spending Over One White House Term: > Updated February 14, 2008: Obama’s National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank Will Cost $60 Billion Over Ten Years; Equal To $6 Billion A Year And $24 Billion Over Four Years. Obama: “I’m proposing a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank that will invest $60 billion over ten years.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks On Economic Policy, Janesville, WI, 2/13/08) > Obama’s Health Care Plan Will Cost Up To $65 Billion A Year; Equal To $260 Billion Over Four Years. “[Obama] campaign officials estimated that the net cost of the plan to the federal government would be $50 billion to $65 billion a year, when fully phased in, and said the revenues from rolling back the tax cuts were enough to cover it.” (Robin Toner and Patrick Healy, “Obama Calls For Wider And Less Costly Health Care Coverage,” The New York Times, 5/30/07) > Obama’s Energy Plan Will Cost $150 Billion Over 10 Years, Equal To $15 Billion Annually And $60 Billion Over Four Years. “Obama will invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, invest in low-emissions coal plants, and begin the transition to a new digital electricity grid.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 25) > Obama’s Tax Plan Will Cost Approximately $85 Billion A Year; Equal To $340 Billion Over Four Years. “[Obama’s] proposed tax cuts and credits, aimed at workers earning $50,000 or less per year, would cost the Treasury an estimated $85 billion annually.” (Margaret Talev, “Obama Proposes Tax Code Overhaul To Help The Poor,” McClatchy Newspapers, 9/19/07) > · · Obama’s Plan Would Raise Taxes On Capital Gains And Dividends, And On Carried Interest. Obama’s tax plan includes: “[i]ncreasing the highest bracket for capital gains and dividends and closing the carried interest loophole.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama: Tax Fairness For The Middle Class,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/8/08) > Obama’s Economic Stimulus Package Will Cost $75 Billion. “Barack Obama’s economic plan will inject $75 billion of stimulus into the economy by getting money in the form of tax cuts and direct spending directly to the people who need it most.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama’s Plan To Stimulate The Economy,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 1/13/08) > Obama’s Early Education And K-12 Package Will Cost $18 Billion A Year; Equal To $72 Billion Over Four Years. “Barack Obama’s early education and K-12 plan package costs about $18 billion per year.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama’s Plan For Lifetime Success Through Education,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 11/20/07, p. 15) > Obama’s National Service Plan Will Cost $3.5 Billion A Year; Equal To $14 Billion Over Four Years. “Barack Obama’s national service plan will cost about $3.5 billion per year when it is fully implemented.” (Obama For America, “Helping All Americans Serve Their Country: Barack Obama’s Plan For Universal Voluntary Citizen Service,” Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 12/5/07) > Obama Will Increase Our Foreign Assistance Funding By $25 Billion. “Obama will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015, and he will double our foreign assistance to $50 billion to achieve that goal.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 53) Obama > has sponsored a bill in the senate that will tax 1/7th. of 1% of U.S. GDP to give to the UN for distribution to poor countries. This will amount to $845BB/yr. from American taxpayers that most of it will end up in some tyranical despots Swiss bank account!!! As of March 1, 2008, this bill is still in process but is believed to be thwarted by the senate. > Obama Will Provide $2 Billion To Aid Iraqi Refugees. “He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find a safe-haven.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 51) > Obama Will Provide $1.5 Billion To Help States Adopt Paid-Leave Systems. “As president, Obama will initiate a strategy to encourage all 50 states to adopt paid-leave systems. Obama will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with start-up costs and to help states offset the costs for employees and employers.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 15) > Obama Will Provide $1 Billion Over 5 Years For Transitional Jobs And Career Pathway Programs, Equal To $200 Million A Year And $800 Million Over Four Years. “Obama will invest $1 billion over five years in transitional jobs and career pathway programs that implement proven methods of helping low-income Americans succeed in the workforce.” (Obama For America, “The Blueprint For Change,” www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 42) > Obama Will Provide $50 Million To Jump-Start The Creation Of An IAEA-Controlled Nuclear Fuel Bank. Obama: “We must also stop the spread of nuclear weapons technology and ensure that countries cannot build -- or come to the brink of building -- a weapons program under the auspices of developing peaceful nuclear power. That is why my administration will immediately provide $50 million to jump-start the creation of an International Atomic Energy Agency-controlled nuclear fuel bank and work to update the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.” (Sen. Barack Obama, “Renewing American Leadership,” Foreign Affairs, 7-8/07)

What do you think about this? Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election: CAPITAL GAINS TAX MCCAIN 15% (no change) OBAMA 28% CLINTON 24% How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income. DIVIDEND TAX MCCAIN 15% (no change) OBAMA 39.6% CLINTON 39.6% How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama or Clinton become president. The experts predict that "Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit." INCOME TAX MCCAIN (no changes) Single making 30K - tax $4,500 Single making 50K - tax $12,500 Single making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 60K- tax $9,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250 OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 125K - tax $38,750 CLINTON (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 125K - tax $38,750 How does this affect you? No explanation needed. This is pretty straight forward. INHERITANCE TAX MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax) OBAMA keep the inheritance tax CLINTON keep the inheritance tax How does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms and ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will not only lose them to these taxes. NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY BOTH CLINTON AND OBAMA * New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet * New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already) * New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) * New taxes on retirement accounts and last but not least.... * New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!! Can you afford Clinton or Obama? I can't!!!!! (in case you want more information on Obama's tax and spend agenda: If Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) Could Enact All Of His Campaign Proposals, Taxpayers Would Be Faced With Financing $874.35 Billion In New Spending Over One White House Term: Updated February 14, 2008: Obama's National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank Will Cost $60 Billion Over Ten Years; Equal To $6 Billion A Year And $24 Billion Over Four Years. Obama: "I'm proposing a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank that will invest $60 billion over ten years." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks On Economic Policy, Janesville, WI, 2/13/08) Obama's Health Care Plan Will Cost Up To $65 Billion A Year; Equal To $260 Billion Over Four Years. "Obama campaign officials estimated that the net cost of the plan to the federal government would be $50 billion to $65 billion a year, when fully phased in, and said the revenues from rolling back the tax cuts were enough to cover it." (Robin Toner and Patrick Healy, "Obama Calls For Wider And Less Costly Health Care Coverage," The New York Times, 5/30/07) Obama's Energy Plan Will Cost $150 Billion Over 10 Years, Equal To $15 Billion Annually And $60 Billion Over Four Years. "Obama will invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, invest in low-emissions coal plants, and begin the transition to a new digital electricity grid." (Obama For America, "The Blueprint For Change," www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 25) Obama's Tax Plan Will Cost Approximately $85 Billion A Year; Equal To $340 Billion Over Four Years. "[Obama's] proposed tax cuts and credits, aimed at workers earning $50,000 or less per year, would cost the Treasury an estimated $85 billion annually." (Margaret Talev, "Obama Proposes Tax Code Overhaul To Help The Poor," McClatchy Newspapers, 9/19/07) • Obama's Plan Would Raise Taxes On Capital Gains And Dividends, And On Carried Interest. Obama's tax plan includes: "increasing the highest bracket for capital gains and dividends and closing the carried interest loophole." (Obama For America, "Barack Obama: Tax Fairness For The Middle Class," Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/8/08) Obama's Economic Stimulus Package Will Cost $75 Billion. "Barack Obama's economic plan will inject $75 billion of stimulus into the economy by getting money in the form of tax cuts and direct spending directly to the people who need it most." (Obama For America, "Barack Obama's Plan To Stimulate The Economy," Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 1/13/08) Obama's Early Education And K-12 Package Will Cost $18 Billion A Year; Equal To $72 Billion Over Four Years. "Barack Obama's early education and K-12 plan package costs about $18 billion per year." (Obama For America, "Barack Obama's Plan For Lifetime Success Through Education," Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 11/20/07, p. 15) Obama's National Service Plan Will Cost $3.5 Billion A Year; Equal To $14 Billion Over Four Years. "Barack Obama's national service plan will cost about $3.5 billion per year when it is fully implemented." (Obama For America, "Helping All Americans Serve Their Country: Barack Obama's Plan For Universal Voluntary Citizen Service," Fact Sheet, www.barackobama.com, 12/5/07) Obama Will Increase Our Foreign Assistance Funding By $25 Billion. "Obama will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty around the world in half by 2015, and he will double our foreign assistance to $50 billion to achieve that goal." (Obama For America, "The Blueprint For Change," www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 53) Obama Will Provide $2 Billion To Aid Iraqi Refugees. "He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find a safe-haven." (Obama For America, "The Blueprint For Change," www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 51) Obama Will Provide $1.5 Billion To Help States Adopt Paid-Leave Systems. "As president, Obama will initiate a strategy to encourage all 50 states to adopt paid-leave systems. Obama will provide a $1.5 billion fund to assist states with start-up costs and to help states offset the costs for employees and employers." (Obama For America, "The Blueprint For Change," www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 15) Obama Will Provide $1 Billion Over 5 Years For Transitional Jobs And Career Pathway Programs, Equal To $200 Million A Year And $800 Million Over Four Years. "Obama will invest $1 billion over five years in transitional jobs and career pathway programs that implement proven methods of helping low-income Americans succeed in the workforce." (Obama For America, "The Blueprint For Change," www.barackobama.com, Accessed 1/14/08, p. 42) Obama Will Provide $50 Million To Jump-Start The Creation Of An IAEA-Controlled Nuclear Fuel Bank. Obama: "We must also stop the spread of nuclear weapons technology and ensure that countries cannot build -- or come to the brink of building -- a weapons program under the auspices of developing peaceful nuclear power. That is why my administration will immediately provide $50 million to jump-start the creation of an International Atomic Energy Agency-controlled nuclear fuel bank and work to update the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty." (Sen. Barack Obama, "Renewing American Leadership," Foreign Affairs, 7-8/07)

Read carefully people!? The new age is upon us And yet the past refuses to rest in its shallow grave For those who hide behind the false image of the son of man shall stand before God!!! It has begun The beginning of the end Yeah.. Yeah... yeah, yeah The voice of racism preaching the gospel is devilish A fake church called the prophet Muhammad a terrorist Forgetting God is not a religion, but a spiritual bond And Jesus is the most quoted prophet in the Qu'ran They bombed innocent people, tryin' to murder Saddam When you gave him those chemical weapons to go to war with Iran This is the information that they hold back from Peter Jennings Cause Condoleeza Rice is just a new age Sally Hemmings I break it down with critical language and spiritual anguish The Judas I hang with, the guilt of betraying Christ You murdered and stole his religion, and painting him white Translated in psychologically tainted philosophy Conservative political right wing, ideology Glued together sloppily, the blasphemy of a nation Got my back to the wall, cause I'm facin' assassination Guantanamo Bay, federal incarceration How could this be, the land of the free, home of the brave? Indigenous holocaust, and the home of the slaves Corporate America, dancin' offbeat to the rhythm You really think this country, never sponsored terrorism? Human rights violations, we continue the saga El Savador and the contras in Nicaragua And on top of that, you still wanna take me to prison Just cause I won't trade humanity for patriotism It's like MK-ULTRA, controlling your brain Suggestive thinking, causing your perspective to change They wanna rearrange the whole point of view of the ghetto The fourth branch of the government, want us to settle A bandana full of glittering, generality Fighting for freedom and fighting terror, but what's reality? Read about the history of the place that we live in And stop letting corporate news tell lies to your children Flow like the blood of Abraham through the Jews and the Arabs Broken apart like a woman's heart, abused in a marriage The brink of holy war, bottled up, like a miscarriage Embedded correspondents don't tell the source of the tension And they refuse to even mention, European intervention Or the massacres in Jenin, the innocent screams U.S. manufactured missles, and M-16's Weapon contracts and corrupted American dreams Media censorship, blocking out the video screens A continent of oil kingdoms, bought for a bargain Democracy is just a word, when the people are starvin' The average citizen, made to be, blind to the reason A desert full of genocide, where the bodies are freezin' And the world doesn't believe that you fightin' for freedom Cause you fucked the Middle East, and gave birth to a demon It's open season with the CIA, bugging my crib Trapped in a ghetto region like a Palestinian kid Where nobody gives a **** whether you die or you live I'm tryin' to give the truth, and I know the price is my life But when I'm gone they'll sing a song about Me Who beheaded the President, and the princes and sheiks You don't give a **** about us, I can see through your facade Like a fallen angel standing in the presence of God ***** *** black people scared of the truth, when it looks at you hard It's like MK-ULTRA, controlling your brain Suggestive thinking, causing your perspective to change They wanna rearrange the whole point of view in the ghetto The fourth branch of the government, want us to settle A bandana full of glittering, generality Fighting for freedom and fighting terror, but what's reality? Martial law is coming soon to the hood, to kill you While you hanging your flag out your project window Yeah.. The fourth branch of the government AKA the media Seems to now have a retirement plan for ex-military officials As if their opinion was at all unbiased A machine shouldn't speak for men So shut the **** up you mindless drone! And you know it's serious When these same media outfits are spending millions of dollars on a PR campaign To try to convince you they're fair and balanced When they're some of the most ignorant, and racist people Giving that type of mentality a safe haven We act like we share in the spoils of war that they do We die in wars, we don't get the contracts to make money off 'em afterwards! We don't get weapons contracts, brother We don't get cheap labor for our companies,! We are cheap labor, brother Turn off the news and read, Read... read... read... brother Listen to my words, as they wre posted by another user a friend of mine to tell you the truth!

Read carefully open minded people!? Read Carefully My Black Brothers And Sisters - and remember stand stall and never give up!? The new age is upon us And yet the past refuses to rest in its shallow grave For those who hide behind the false image of the son of man shall stand before God!!! It has begun The beginning of the end Yeah.. Yeah... yeah, yeah [Verse 1] The voice of racism preaching the gospel is devilish A fake church called the prophet Muhammad a terrorist Forgetting God is not a religion, but a spiritual bond And Jesus is the most quoted prophet in the Qu'ran They bombed innocent people, tryin' to murder Saddam When you gave him those chemical weapons to go to war with Iran This is the information that they hold back from Peter Jennings Cause Condoleeza Rice is just a new age Sally Hemmings I break it down with critical language and spiritual anguish The Judas I hang with, the guilt of betraying Christ You murdered and stole his religion, and painting him white Translated in psychologically tainted philosophy Conservative political right wing, ideology Glued together sloppily, the blasphemy of a nation Got my back to the wall, cause I'm facin' assassination Guantanamo Bay, federal incarceration How could this be, the land of the free, home of the brave? Indigenous holocaust, and the home of the slaves Corporate America, dancin' offbeat to the rhythm You really think this country, never sponsored terrorism? Human rights violations, we continue the saga El Savador and the contras in Nicaragua And on top of that, you still wanna take me to prison Just cause I won't trade humanity for patriotism [Hook] It's like MK-ULTRA, controlling your brain Suggestive thinking, causing your perspective to change They wanna rearrange the whole point of view of the ghetto The fourth branch of the government, want us to settle A bandana full of glittering, generality Fighting for freedom and fighting terror, but what's reality? Read about the history of the place that we live in And stop letting corporate news tell lies to your children [Verse 2] Flow like the blood of Abraham through the Jews and the Arabs Broken apart like a woman's heart, abused in a marriage The brink of holy war, bottled up, like a miscarriage Embedded correspondents don't tell the source of the tension And they refuse to even mention, European intervention Or the massacres in Jenin, the innocent screams U.S. manufactured missles, and M-16's Weapon contracts and corrupted American dreams Media censorship, blocking out the video screens A continent of oil kingdoms, bought for a bargain Democracy is just a word, when the people are starvin' The average citizen, made to be, blind to the reason A desert full of genocide, where the bodies are freezin' And the world doesn't believe that you fightin' for freedom Cause you fucked the Middle East, and gave birth to a demon It's open season with the CIA, bugging my crib Trapped in a ghetto region like a Palestinian kid Where nobody gives a **** whether you die or you live I'm tryin' to give the truth, and I know the price is my life But when I'm gone they'll sing a song about Immortal Technique Who beheaded the President, and the princes and sheiks You don't give a **** about us, I can see through your facade Like a fallen angel standing in the presence of God ***** *** black people scared of the truth, when it looks at you hard [Hook] It's like MK-ULTRA, controlling your brain Suggestive thinking, causing your perspective to change They wanna rearrange the whole point of view in the ghetto The fourth branch of the government, want us to settle A bandana full of glittering, generality Fighting for freedom and fighting terror, but what's reality? Martial law is coming soon to the hood, to kill you While you hanging your flag out your project window [Talking] Yeah.. The fourth branch of the government AKA the media Seems to now have a retirement plan for ex-military officials As if their opinion was at all unbiased A machine shouldn't speak for men So shut the **** up you mindless drone! And you know it's serious When these same media outfits are spending millions of dollars on a PR campaign To try to convince you they're fair and balanced When they're some of the most ignorant, and racist people Giving that type of mentality a safe haven We act like we share in the spoils of war that they do We die in wars, we don't get the contracts to make money off 'em afterwards! We don't get weapons contracts, brother We don't get cheap labor for our companies,! We are cheap labor, brother Turn off the news and read, Read... read... read... brother 4 days ago - 3 days left to answer. Additional Details 4 days ago The people who odnt follow the path of the people and the govenrment can also read this and take it in as well as it concerns them!People who dont discriminate against other races !

Read Carefully My Black Brothers And Sisters - and remember stand stall and never give up!? The new age is upon us And yet the past refuses to rest in its shallow grave For those who hide behind the false image of the son of man shall stand before God!!! It has begun The beginning of the end Yeah.. Yeah... yeah, yeah [Verse 1] The voice of racism preaching the gospel is devilish A fake church called the prophet Muhammad a terrorist Forgetting God is not a religion, but a spiritual bond And Jesus is the most quoted prophet in the Qu'ran They bombed innocent people, tryin' to murder Saddam When you gave him those chemical weapons to go to war with Iran This is the information that they hold back from Peter Jennings Cause Condoleeza Rice is just a new age Sally Hemmings I break it down with critical language and spiritual anguish The Judas I hang with, the guilt of betraying Christ You murdered and stole his religion, and painting him white Translated in psychologically tainted philosophy Conservative political right wing, ideology Glued together sloppily, the blasphemy of a nation Got my back to the wall, cause I'm facin' assassination Guantanamo Bay, federal incarceration How could this be, the land of the free, home of the brave? Indigenous holocaust, and the home of the slaves Corporate America, dancin' offbeat to the rhythm You really think this country, never sponsored terrorism? Human rights violations, we continue the saga El Savador and the contras in Nicaragua And on top of that, you still wanna take me to prison Just cause I won't trade humanity for patriotism [Hook] It's like MK-ULTRA, controlling your brain Suggestive thinking, causing your perspective to change They wanna rearrange the whole point of view of the ghetto The fourth branch of the government, want us to settle A bandana full of glittering, generality Fighting for freedom and fighting terror, but what's reality? Read about the history of the place that we live in And stop letting corporate news tell lies to your children [Verse 2] Flow like the blood of Abraham through the Jews and the Arabs Broken apart like a woman's heart, abused in a marriage The brink of holy war, bottled up, like a miscarriage Embedded correspondents don't tell the source of the tension And they refuse to even mention, European intervention Or the massacres in Jenin, the innocent screams U.S. manufactured missles, and M-16's Weapon contracts and corrupted American dreams Media censorship, blocking out the video screens A continent of oil kingdoms, bought for a bargain Democracy is just a word, when the people are starvin' The average citizen, made to be, blind to the reason A desert full of genocide, where the bodies are freezin' And the world doesn't believe that you fightin' for freedom Cause you fucked the Middle East, and gave birth to a demon It's open season with the CIA, bugging my crib Trapped in a ghetto region like a Palestinian kid Where nobody gives a fuck whether you die or you live I'm tryin' to give the truth, and I know the price is my life But when I'm gone they'll sing a song about Immortal Technique Who beheaded the President, and the princes and sheiks You don't give a fuck about us, I can see through your facade Like a fallen angel standing in the presence of God Bitch ass black people scared of the truth, when it looks at you hard [Hook] It's like MK-ULTRA, controlling your brain Suggestive thinking, causing your perspective to change They wanna rearrange the whole point of view in the ghetto The fourth branch of the government, want us to settle A bandana full of glittering, generality Fighting for freedom and fighting terror, but what's reality? Martial law is coming soon to the hood, to kill you While you hanging your flag out your project window [Talking] Yeah.. The fourth branch of the government AKA the media Seems to now have a retirement plan for ex-military officials As if their opinion was at all unbiased A machine shouldn't speak for men So shut the fuck up you mindless drone! And you know it's serious When these same media outfits are spending millions of dollars on a PR campaign To try to convince you they're fair and balanced When they're some of the most ignorant, and racist people Giving that type of mentality a safe haven We act like we share in the spoils of war that they do We die in wars, we don't get the contracts to make money off 'em afterwards! We don't get weapons contracts, brother We don't get cheap labor for our companies,! We are cheap labor, brother Turn off the news and read, Read... read... read... brother The people who odnt follow the path of the people and the govenrment can also read this and take it in as well as it concerns them!People who dont discriminate against other races !

Read, and learn people!? Read Carefully My Black Brothers And Sisters - and remember stand stall and never give up!? The new age is upon us And yet the past refuses to rest in its shallow grave For those who hide behind the false image of the son of man shall stand before God!!! It has begun The beginning of the end Yeah.. Yeah... yeah, yeah The voice of racism preaching the gospel is devilish A fake church called the prophet Muhammad a terrorist Forgetting God is not a religion, but a spiritual bond And Jesus is the most quoted prophet in the Qu'ran They bombed innocent people, trying' to murder Saddam When you gave him those chemical weapons to go to war with Iran This is the information that they hold back from Peter Jennings Cause Condoleeza Rice is just a new age Sally Hemmings I break it down with critical language and spiritual anguish The Judas I hang with, the guilt of betraying Christ You murdered and stole his religion, and painting him white Translated in psychologically tainted philosophy Conservative political right wing, ideology Glued together sloppily, the blasphemy of a nation Got my back to the wall, cause I'm facin' assassination Guantanamo Bay, federal incarceration How could this be, the land of the free, home of the brave? Indigenous holocaust, and the home of the slaves Corporate America, dancing' offbeat to the rhythm You really think this country, never sponsored terrorism? Human rights violations, we continue the saga El Savador and the contras in Nicaragua And on top of that, you still want to take me to prison Just cause I won't trade humanity for patriotism It's like MK-ULTRA, controlling your brain Suggestive thinking, causing your perspective to change They want to rearrange the whole point of view of the ghetto The fourth branch of the government, want us to settle A bandana full of glittering, generality Fighting for freedom and fighting terror, but what's reality? Read about the history of the place that we live in And stop letting corporate news tell lies to your children Flow like the blood of Abraham through the Jews and the Arabs Broken apart like a woman's heart, abused in a marriage The brink of holy war, bottled up, like a miscarriage Embedded correspondents don't tell the source of the tension And they refuse to even mention, European intervention Or the massacres in Jenin, the innocent screams U.S. manufactured missiles, and M-16's Weapon contracts and corrupted American dreams Media censorship, blocking out the video screens A continent of oil kingdoms, bought for a bargain Democracy is just a word, when the people are starving' The average citizen, made to be, blind to the reason A desert full of genocide, where the bodies are freezing' And the world doesn't believe that you fighting' for freedom Cause you fucked the Middle East, and gave birth to a demon It's open season with the CIA, bugging my crib Trapped in a ghetto region like a Palestinian kid Where nobody gives a **** whether you die or you live I'm trying' to give the truth, and I know the price is my life But when I'm gone they'll sing a song about Immortal Technique Who beheaded the President, and the princes and sheiks You don't give a **** about us, I can see through your facade Like a fallen angel standing in the presence of God ***** *** black people scared of the truth, when it looks at you hard It's like MK-ULTRA, controlling your brain Suggestive thinking, causing your perspective to change They want to rearrange the whole point of view in the ghetto The fourth branch of the government, want us to settle A bandana full of glittering, generality Fighting for freedom and fighting terror, but what's reality? Martial law is coming soon to the hood, to kill you while you hanging your flag out your project window Yeah... The fourth branch of the government AKA the media Seems to now have a retirement plan for ex-military officials As if their opinion was at all unbiased A machine shouldn't speak for men So shut the **** up you mindless drone! And you know it's serious When these same media outfits are spending millions of dollars on a PR campaign To try to convince you they're fair and balanced When they're some of the most ignorant, and racist people Giving that type of mentality a safe haven We act like we share in the spoils of war that they do We die in wars, we don't get the contracts to make money off 'em afterwards! We don't get weapons contracts, brother We don't get cheap labor for our companies,! We are cheap labor, brother Turn off the news and read, Read... read... read... brother 4 days ago - 3 days left to answer. Additional Details 4 days ago the people who don’t follow the path of the people and the government can also read this and take it in as well as it concerns them! People who don’t discriminate against other races What do you think about that?

Poll: Did you like The Oddysey or The Iliad better? I liked the Iliad better. This was my favorite part: Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another. And which of the gods was it that set them on to quarrel? It was the son of Jove and Leto; for he was angry with the king and sent a pestilence upon the host to plague the people, because the son of Atreus had dishonoured Chryses his priest. Now Chryses had come to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and had brought with him a great ransom: moreover he bore in his hand the sceptre of Apollo wreathed with a suppliant's wreath and he besought the Achaeans, but most of all the two sons of Atreus, who were their chiefs. "Sons of Atreus," he cried, "and all other Achaeans, may the gods who dwell in Olympus grant you to sack the city of Priam, and to reach your homes in safety; but free my daughter, and accept a ransom for her, in reverence to Apollo, son of Jove." On this the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered; but not so Agamemnon, who spoke fiercely to him and sent him roughly away. "Old man," said he, "let me not find you tarrying about our ships, nor yet coming hereafter. Your sceptre of the god and your wreath shall profit you nothing. I will not free her. She shall grow old in my house at Argos far from her own home, busying herself with her loom and visiting my couch; so go, and do not provoke me or it shall be the worse for you." The old man feared him and obeyed. Not a word he spoke, but went by the shore of the sounding sea and prayed apart to King Apollo whom lovely Leto had borne. "Hear me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, that protectest Chryse and holy Cilla and rulest Tenedos with thy might, hear me oh thou of Sminthe. If I have ever decked your temple with garlands, or burned your thigh-bones in fat of bulls or goats, grant my prayer, and let your arrows avenge these my tears upon the Danaans." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. He came down furious from the summits of Olympus, with his bow and his quiver upon his shoulder, and the arrows rattled on his back with the rage that trembled within him. He sat himself down away from the ships with a face as dark as night, and his silver bow rang death as he shot his arrow in the midst of them. First he smote their mules and their hounds, but presently he aimed his shafts at the people themselves, and all day long the pyres of the dead were burning. For nine whole days he shot his arrows among the people, but upon the tenth day Achilles called them in assembly- moved thereto by Juno, who saw the Achaeans in their death-throes and had compassion upon them. Then, when they were got together, he rose and spoke among them. "Son of Atreus," said he, "I deem that we should now turn roving home if we would escape destruction, for we are being cut down by war and pestilence at once. Let us ask some priest or prophet, or some reader of dreams (for dreams, too, are of Jove) who can tell us why Phoebus Apollo is so angry, and say whether it is for some vow that we have broken, or hecatomb that we have not offered, and whether he will accept the savour of lambs and goats without blemish, so as to take away the plague from us." With these words he sat down, and Calchas son of Thestor, wisest of augurs, who knew things past present and to come, rose to speak. He it was who had guided the Achaeans with their fleet to Ilius, through the prophesyings with which Phoebus Apollo had inspired him. With all sincerity and goodwill he addressed them thus:- "Achilles, loved of heaven, you bid me tell you about the anger of King Apollo, I will therefore do so; but consider first and swear that you will stand by me heartily in word and deed, for I know that I shall offend one who rules the Argives with might, to whom all the Achaeans are in subjection. A plain man cannot stand against the anger of a king, who if he swallow his displeasure now, will yet nurse revenge till he has wreaked it. Consider, therefore, whether or no you will protect me." And Achilles answered, "Fear not, but speak as it is borne in upon you from heaven, for by Apollo, Calchas, to whom you pray, and whose oracles you reveal to us, not a Danaan at our ships shall lay his hand upon you, while I yet live to look upon the face of the earth- no, not though you name Agamemnon himself, who is by far the foremost of the Achaeans." Thereon the seer spoke boldly. "The god," he said, "is angry neither about vow nor hecatomb, but for his priest's sake, whom Agamemnon has dishonoured, in that he would not free his daughter nor take a ransom for her; therefore has he sent these evils upon us, and will yet send others. He will not deliver the Danaans from this pestilence till Agamemnon has restored the girl without fee or ransom to her father, and has sent a holy hecatomb to Chryse. Thus we may perhaps appease him." With these words he sat down, and Agamemnon rose in anger. His heart was black with rage, and his eyes flashed fire as he scowled on Calchas and said, "Seer of evil, you never yet prophesied smooth things concerning me, but have ever loved to foretell that which was evil. You have brought me neither comfort nor performance; and now you come seeing among Danaans, and saying that Apollo has plagued us because I would not take a ransom for this girl, the daughter of Chryses. I have set my heart on keeping her in my own house, for I love her better even than my own wife Clytemnestra, whose peer she is alike in form and feature, in understanding and accomplishments. Still I will give her up if I must, for I would have the people live, not die; but you must find me a prize instead, or I alone among the Argives shall be without one. This is not well; for you behold, all of you, that my prize is to go elsewhither." And Achilles answered, "Most noble son of Atreus, covetous beyond all mankind, how shall the Achaeans find you another prize? We have no common store from which to take one. Those we took from the cities have been awarded; we cannot disallow the awards that have been made already. Give this girl, therefore, to the god, and if ever Jove grants us to sack the city of Troy we will requite you three and fourfold." Then Agamemnon said, "Achilles, valiant though you be, you shall not thus outwit me. You shall not overreach and you shall not persuade me. Are you to keep your own prize, while I sit tamely under my loss and give up the girl at your bidding? Let the Achaeans find me a prize in fair exchange to my liking, or I will come and take your own, or that of Ajax or of Ulysses; and he to whomsoever I may come shall rue my coming. But of this we will take thought hereafter; for the present, let us draw a ship into the sea, and find a crew for her expressly; let us put a hecatomb on board, and let us send Chryseis also; further, let some chief man among us be in command, either Ajax, or Idomeneus, or yourself, son of Peleus, mighty warrior that you are, that we may offer sacrifice and appease the the anger of the god." Achilles scowled at him and answered, "You are steeped in insolence and lust of gain. With what heart can any of the Achaeans do your bidding, either on foray or in open fighting? I came not warring here for any ill the Trojans had done me. I have no quarrel with them. They have not raided my cattle nor my horses, nor cut down my harvests on the rich plains of Phthia; for between me and them there is a great space, both mountain and sounding sea. We have followed you, Sir Insolence! for your pleasure, not ours- to gain satisfaction from the Trojans for your shameless self and for Menelaus. You forget this, and threaten to rob me of the prize for which I have toiled, and which the sons of the Achaeans have given me. Never when the Achaeans sack any rich city of the Trojans do I receive so good a prize as you do, though it is my hands that do the better part of the fighting. When the sharing comes, your share is far the largest, and I, forsooth, must go back to my ships, take what I can get and be thankful, when my labour of fighting is done. Now, therefore, I shall go back to Phthia; it will be much better for me to return home with my ships, for I will not stay here dishonoured to gather gold and substance for you." And Agamemnon answered, "Fly if you will, I shall make you no prayers to stay you. I have others here who will do me honour, and above all Jove, the lord of counsel. There is no king here so hateful to me as you are, for you are ever quarrelsome and ill affected. What though you be brave? Was it not heaven that made you so? Go home, then, with your ships and comrades to lord it over the Myrmidons. I care neither for you nor for your anger; and thus will I do: since Phoebus Apollo is taking Chryseis from me, I shall send her with my ship and my followers, but I shall come to your tent and take your own prize Briseis, that you may learn how much stronger I am than you are, and that another may fear to set himself up as equal or comparable with me." The son of Peleus was furious, and his heart within his shaggy breast was divided whether to draw his sword, push the others aside, and kill the son of Atreus, or to restrain himself and check his anger. While he was thus in two minds, and was drawing his mighty sword from its scabbard, Minerva came down from heaven (for Juno had sent her in the love she bore to them both), and seized the son of Peleus by his yellow hair, visible to him alone, for of the others no man could see her. Achilles turned in amaze, and by the fire that flashed from her eyes at once knew that she was Minerva. "Why are you here," said he, "daughter of aegis-bearing Jove? To see the pride of Agamemnon, son of Atreus? Let me tell you- and it shall surely be- he shall pay for this insolence with his life." And Minerva said, "I come from heaven, if you will hear me, to bid you stay your anger. Juno has sent me, who cares for both of you alike. Cease, then, this brawling, and do not draw your sword; rail at him if you will, and your railing will not be vain, for I tell you- and it shall surely be- that you shall hereafter receive gifts three times as splendid by reason of this present insult. Hold, therefore, and obey." "Goddess," answered Achilles, "however angry a man may be, he must do as you two command him. This will be best, for the gods ever hear the prayers of him who has obeyed them." He stayed his hand on the silver hilt of his sword, and thrust it back into the scabbard as Minerva bade him. Then she went back to Olympus among the other gods, and to the house of aegis-bearing Jove. But the son of Peleus again began railing at the son of Atreus, for he was still in a rage. "Wine-bibber," he cried, "with the face of a dog and the heart of a hind, you never dare to go out with the host in fight, nor yet with our chosen men in ambuscade. You shun this as you do death itself. You had rather go round and rob his prizes from any man who contradicts you. You devour your people, for you are king over a feeble folk; otherwise, son of Atreus, henceforward you would insult no man. Therefore I say, and swear it with a great oath- nay, by this my sceptre which shalt sprout neither leaf nor shoot, nor bud anew from the day on which it left its parent stem upon the mountains- for the axe stripped it of leaf and bark, and now the sons of the Achaeans bear it as judges and guardians of the decrees of heaven- so surely and solemnly do I swear that hereafter they shall look fondly for Achilles and shall not find him. In the day of your distress, when your men fall dying by the murderous hand of Hector, you shall not know how to help them, and shall rend your heart with rage for the hour when you offered insult to the bravest of the Achaeans." With this the son of Peleus dashed his gold-bestudded sceptre on the ground and took his seat, while the son of Atreus was beginning fiercely from his place upon the other side. Then uprose smooth-tongued Nestor, the facile speaker of the Pylians, and the words fell from his lips sweeter than honey. Two generations of men born and bred in Pylos had passed away under his rule, and he was now reigning over the third. With all sincerity and goodwill, therefore, he addressed them thus:- "Of a truth," he said, "a great sorrow has befallen the Achaean land. Surely Priam with his sons would rejoice, and the Trojans be glad at heart if they could hear this quarrel between you two, who are so excellent in fight and counsel. I am older than either of you; therefore be guided by me. Moreover I have been the familiar friend of men even greater than you are, and they did not disregard my counsels. Never again can I behold such men as Pirithous and Dryas shepherd of his people, or as Caeneus, Exadius, godlike Polyphemus, and Theseus son of Aegeus, peer of the immortals. These were the mightiest men ever born upon this earth: mightiest were they, and when they fought the fiercest tribes of mountain savages they utterly overthrew them. I came from distant Pylos, and went about among them, for they would have me come, and I fought as it was in me to do. Not a man now living could withstand them, but they heard my words, and were persuaded by them. So be it also with yourselves, for this is the more excellent way. Therefore, Agamemnon, though you be strong, take not this girl away, for the sons of the Achaeans have already given her to Achilles; and you, Achilles, strive not further with the king, for no man who by the grace of Jove wields a sceptre has like honour with Agamemnon. You are strong, and have a goddess for your mother; but Agamemnon is stronger than you, for he has more people under him. Son of Atreus, check your anger, I implore you; end this quarrel with Achilles, who in the day of battle is a tower of strength to the Achaeans." And Agamemnon answered, "Sir, all that you have said is true, but this fellow must needs become our lord and master: he must be lord of all, king of all, and captain of all, and this shall hardly be. Granted that the gods have made him a great warrior, have they also given him the right to speak with railing?" Achilles interrupted him. "I should be a mean coward," he cried, "were I to give in to you in all things. Order other people about, not me, for I shall obey no longer. Furthermore I say- and lay my saying to your heart- I shall fight neither you nor any man about this girl, for those that take were those also that gave. But of all else that is at my ship you shall carry away nothing by force. Try, that others may see; if you do, my spear shall be reddened with your blood." When they had quarrelled thus angrily, they rose, and broke up the assembly at the ships of the Achaeans. The son of Peleus went back to his tents and ships with the son of Menoetius and his company, while Agamemnon drew a vessel into the water and chose a crew of twenty oarsmen. He escorted Chryseis on board and sent moreover a hecatomb for the god. And Ulysses went as captain. These, then, went on board and sailed their ways over the sea. But the son of Atreus bade the people purify themselves; so they purified themselves and cast their filth into the sea. Then they offered hecatombs of bulls and goats without blemish on the sea-shore, and the smoke with the savour of their sacrifice rose curling up towards heaven. Thus did they busy themselves throughout the host. But Agamemnon did not forget the threat that he had made Achilles, and called his trusty messengers and squires Talthybius and Eurybates. "Go," said he, "to the tent of Achilles, son of Peleus; take Briseis by the hand and bring her hither; if he will not give her I shall come with others and take her- which will press him harder." He charged them straightly further and dismissed them, whereon they went their way sorrowfully by the seaside, till they came to the tents and ships of the Myrmidons. They found Achilles sitting by his tent and his ships, and ill-pleased he was when he beheld them. They stood fearfully and reverently before him, and never a word did they speak, but he knew them and said, "Welcome, heralds, messengers of gods and men; draw near; my quarrel is not with you but with Agamemnon who has sent you for the girl Briseis. Therefore, Patroclus, bring her and give her to them, but let them be witnesses by the blessed gods, by mortal men, and by the fierceness of Agamemnon's anger, that if ever again there be need of me to save the people from ruin, they shall seek and they shall not find. Agamemnon is mad with rage and knows not how to look before and after that the Achaeans may fight by their ships in safety." Patroclus did as his dear comrade had bidden him. He brought Briseis from the tent and gave her over to the heralds, who took her with them to the ships of the Achaeans- and the woman was loth to go. Then Achilles went all alone by the side of the hoar sea, weeping and looking out upon the boundless waste of waters. He raised his hands in prayer to his immortal mother, "Mother," he cried, "you bore me doomed to live but for a little season; surely Jove, who thunders from Olympus, might have made that little glorious. It is not so. Agamemnon, son of Atreus, has done me dishonour, and has robbed me of my prize by force." As he spoke he wept aloud, and his mother heard him where she was sitting in the depths of the sea hard by the old man her father. Forthwith she rose as it were a grey mist out of the waves, sat down before him as he stood weeping, caressed him with her hand, and said, "My son, why are you weeping? What is it that grieves you? Keep it not from me, but tell me, that we may know it together." Achilles drew a deep sigh and said, "You know it; why tell you what you know well already? We went to Thebe the strong city of Eetion, sacked it, and brought hither the spoil. The sons of the Achaeans shared it duly among themselves, and chose lovely Chryseis as the meed of Agamemnon; but Chryses, priest of Apollo, came to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and brought with him a great ransom: moreover he bore in his hand the sceptre of Apollo, wreathed with a suppliant's wreath, and he besought the Achaeans, but most of all the two sons of Atreus who were their chiefs. "On this the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered; but not so Agamemnon, who spoke fiercely to him and sent him roughly away. So he went back in anger, and Apollo, who loved him dearly, heard his prayer. Then the god sent a deadly dart upon the Argives, and the people died thick on one another, for the arrows went everywhither among the wide host of the Achaeans. At last a seer in the fulness of his knowledge declared to us the oracles of Apollo, and I was myself first to say that we should appease him. Whereon the son of Atreus rose in anger, and threatened that which he has since done. The Achaeans are now taking the girl in a ship to Chryse, and sending gifts of sacrifice to the god; but the heralds have just taken from my tent the daughter of Briseus, whom the Achaeans had awarded to myself. "Help your brave son, therefore, if you are able. Go to Olympus, and if you have ever done him service in word or deed, implore the aid of Jove. Ofttimes in my father's house have I heard you glory in that you alone of the immortals saved the son of Saturn from ruin, when the others, with Juno, Neptune, and Pallas Minerva would have put him in bonds. It was you, goddess, who delivered him by calling to Olympus the hundred-handed monster whom gods call Briareus, but men Aegaeon, for he is stronger even than his father; when therefore he took his seat all-glorious beside the son of Saturn, the other gods were afraid, and did not bind him. Go, then, to him, remind him of all this, clasp his knees, and bid him give succour to the Trojans. Let the Achaeans be hemmed in at the sterns of their ships, and perish on the sea-shore, that they may reap what joy they may of their king, and that Agamemnon may rue his blindness in offering insult to the foremost of the Achaeans." Thetis wept and answered, "My son, woe is me that I should have borne or suckled you. Would indeed that you had lived your span free from all sorrow at your ships, for it is all too brief; alas, that you should be at once short of life and long of sorrow above your peers: woe, therefore, was the hour in which I bore you; nevertheless I will go to the snowy heights of Olympus, and tell this tale to Jove, if he will hear our prayer: meanwhile stay where you are with your ships, nurse your anger against the Achaeans, and hold aloof from fight. For Jove went yesterday to Oceanus, to a feast among the Ethiopians, and the other gods went with him. He will return to Olympus twelve days hence; I will then go to his mansion paved with bronze and will beseech him; nor do I doubt that I shall be able to persuade him." On this she left him, still furious at the loss of her that had been taken from him. Meanwhile Ulysses reached Chryse with the hecatomb. When they had come inside the harbour they furled the sails and laid them in the ship's hold; they slackened the forestays, lowered the mast into its place, and rowed the ship to the place where they would have her lie; there they cast out their mooring-stones and made fast the hawsers. They then got out upon the sea-shore and landed the hecatomb for Apollo; Chryseis also left the ship, and Ulysses led her to the altar to deliver her into the hands of her father. "Chryses," said he, "King Agamemnon has sent me to bring you back your child, and to offer sacrifice to Apollo on behalf of the Danaans, that we may propitiate the god, who has now brought sorrow upon the Argives." So saying he gave the girl over to her father, who received her gladly, and they ranged the holy hecatomb all orderly round the altar of the god. They washed their hands and took up the barley-meal to sprinkle over the victims, while Chryses lifted up his hands and prayed aloud on their behalf. "Hear me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, that protectest Chryse and holy Cilla, and rulest Tenedos with thy might. Even as thou didst hear me aforetime when I prayed, and didst press hardly upon the Achaeans, so hear me yet again, and stay this fearful pestilence from the Danaans." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley-meal, they drew back the heads of the victims and killed and flayed them. They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them, and then Chryses laid them on the wood fire and poured wine over them, while the young men stood near him with five-pronged spits in their hands. When the thigh-bones were burned and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon the spits, roasted them till they were done, and drew them off: then, when they had finished their work and the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, pages filled the mixing-bowl with wine and water and handed it round, after giving every man his drink-offering. Thus all day long the young men worshipped the god with song, hymning him and chaunting the joyous paean, and the god took pleasure in their voices; but when the sun went down, and it came on dark, they laid themselves down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship, and when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared they again set sail for the host of the Achaeans. Apollo sent them a fair wind, so they raised their mast and hoisted their white sails aloft. As the sail bellied with the wind the ship flew through the deep blue water, and the foam hissed against her bows as she sped onward. When they reached the wide-stretching host of the Achaeans, they drew the vessel ashore, high and dry upon the sands, set her strong props beneath her, and went their ways to their own tents and ships. But Achilles abode at his ships and nursed his anger. He went not to the honourable assembly, and sallied not forth to fight, but gnawed at his own heart, pining for battle and the war-cry. Now after twelve days the immortal gods came back in a body to Olympus, and Jove led the way. Thetis was not unmindful of the charge her son had laid upon her, so she rose from under the sea and went through great heaven with early morning to Olympus, where she found the mighty son of Saturn sitting all alone upon its topmost ridges. She sat herself down before him, and with her left hand seized his knees, while with her right she caught him under the chin, and besought him, saying- "Father Jove, if I ever did you service in word or deed among the immortals, hear my prayer, and do honour to my son, whose life is to be cut short so early. King Agamemnon has dishonoured him by taking his prize and keeping her. Honour him then yourself, Olympian lord of counsel, and grant victory to the Trojans, till the Achaeans give my son his due and load him with riches in requital." Jove sat for a while silent, and without a word, but Thetis still kept firm hold of his knees, and besought him a second time. "Incline your head," said she, "and promise me surely, or else deny me- for you have nothing to fear- that I may learn how greatly you disdain me." At this Jove was much troubled and answered, "I shall have trouble if you set me quarrelling with Juno, for she will provoke me with her taunting speeches; even now she is always railing at me before the other gods and accusing me of giving aid to the Trojans. Go back now, lest she should find out. I will consider the matter, and will bring it about as wish. See, I incline my head that you believe me. This is the most solemn that I can give to any god. I never recall my word, or deceive, or fail to do what I say, when I have nodded my head." As he spoke the son of Saturn bowed his dark brows, and the ambrosial locks swayed on his immortal head, till vast Olympus reeled. When the pair had thus laid their plans, they parted- Jove to his house, while the goddess quitted the splendour of Olympus, and plunged into the depths of the sea. The gods rose from their seats, before the coming of their sire. Not one of them dared to remain sitting, but all stood up as he came among them. There, then, he took his seat. But Juno, when she saw him, knew that he and the old merman's daughter, silver-footed Thetis, had been hatching mischief, so she at once began to upbraid him. "Trickster," she cried, "which of the gods have you been taking into your counsels now? You are always settling matters in secret behind my back, and have never yet told me, if you could help it, one word of your intentions." "Juno," replied the sire of gods and men, "you must not expect to be informed of all my counsels. You are my wife, but you would find it hard to understand them. When it is proper for you to hear, there is no one, god or man, who will be told sooner, but when I mean to keep a matter to myself, you must not pry nor ask questions." "Dread son of Saturn," answered Juno, "what are you talking about? I? Pry and ask questions? Never. I let you have your own way in everything. Still, I have a strong misgiving that the old merman's daughter Thetis has been talking you over, for she was with you and had hold of your knees this self-same morning. I believe, therefore, that you have been promising her to give glory to Achilles, and to kill much people at the ships of the Achaeans." "Wife," said Jove, "I can do nothing but you suspect me and find it out. You will take nothing by it, for I shall only dislike you the more, and it will go harder with you. Granted that it is as you say; I mean to have it so; sit down and hold your tongue as I bid you for if I once begin to lay my hands about you, though all heaven were on your side it would profit you nothing." On this Juno was frightened, so she curbed her stubborn will and sat down in silence. But the heavenly beings were disquieted throughout the house of Jove, till the cunning workman Vulcan began to try and pacify his mother Juno. "It will be intolerable," said he, "if you two fall to wrangling and setting heaven in an uproar about a pack of mortals. If such ill counsels are to prevail, we shall have no pleasure at our banquet. Let me then advise my mother- and she must herself know that it will be better- to make friends with my dear father Jove, lest he again scold her and disturb our feast. If the Olympian Thunderer wants to hurl us all from our seats, he can do so, for he is far the strongest, so give him fair words, and he will then soon be in a good humour with us." As he spoke, he took a double cup of nectar, and placed it in his mother's hand. "Cheer up, my dear mother," said he, "and make the best of it. I love you dearly, and should be very sorry to see you get a thrashing; however grieved I might be, I could not help for there is no standing against Jove. Once before when I was trying to help you, he caught me by the foot and flung me from the heavenly threshold. All day long from morn till eve, was I falling, till at sunset I came to ground in the island of Lemnos, and there I lay, with very little life left in me, till the Sintians came and tended me." Juno smiled at this, and as she smiled she took the cup from her son's hands. Then Vulcan drew sweet nectar from the mixing-bowl, and served it round among the gods, going from left to right; and the blessed gods laughed out a loud applause as they saw him ing bustling about the heavenly mansion. Thus through the livelong day to the going down of the sun they feasted, and every one had his full share, so that all were satisfied. Apollo struck his lyre, and the Muses lifted up their sweet voices, calling and answering one another. But when the sun's glorious light had faded, they went home to bed, each in his own abode, which lame Vulcan with his consummate skill had fashioned for them. So Jove, the Olympian Lord of Thunder, hied him to the bed in which he always slept; and when he had got on to it he went to sleep, with Juno of the golden throne by his side. Now the other gods and the armed warriors on the plain slept soundly, but Jove was wakeful, for he was thinking how to do honour to Achilles, and destroyed much people at the ships of the Achaeans. In the end he deemed it would be best to send a lying dream to King Agamemnon; so he called one to him and said to it, "Lying Dream, go to the ships of the Achaeans, into the tent of Agamemnon, and say to him word to word as I now bid you. Tell him to get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for he shall take Troy. There are no longer divided counsels among the gods; Juno has brought them to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans." The dream went when it had heard its message, and soon reached the ships of the Achaeans. It sought Agamemnon son of Atreus and found him in his tent, wrapped in a profound slumber. It hovered over his head in the likeness of Nestor, son of Neleus, whom Agamemnon honoured above all his councillors, and said:- "You are sleeping, son of Atreus; one who has the welfare of his host and so much other care upon his shoulders should dock his sleep. Hear me at once, for I come as a messenger from Jove, who, though he be not near, yet takes thought for you and pities you. He bids you get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for you shall take Troy. There are no longer divided counsels among the gods; Juno has brought them over to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans at the hands of Jove. Remember this, and when you wake see that it does not escape you." The dream then left him, and he thought of things that were, surely not to be accomplished. He thought that on that same day he was to take the city of Priam, but he little knew what was in the mind of Jove, who had many another hard-fought fight in store alike for Danaans and Trojans. Then presently he woke, with the divine message still ringing in his ears; so he sat upright, and put on his soft shirt so fair and new, and over this his heavy cloak. He bound his sandals on to his comely feet, and slung his silver-studded sword about his shoulders; then he took the imperishable staff of his father, and sallied forth to the ships of the Achaeans. The goddess Dawn now wended her way to vast Olympus that she might herald day to Jove and to the other immortals, and Agamemnon sent the criers round to call the people in assembly; so they called them and the people gathered thereon. But first he summoned a meeting of the elders at the ship of Nestor king of Pylos, and when they were assembled he laid a cunning counsel before them. "My friends," said he, "I have had a dream from heaven in the dead of night, and its face and figure resembled none but Nestor's. It hovered over my head and said, 'You are sleeping, son of Atreus; one who has the welfare of his host and so much other care upon his shoulders should dock his sleep. Hear me at once, for I am a messenger from Jove, who, though he be not near, yet takes thought for you and pities you. He bids you get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for you shall take Troy. There are no longer divided counsels among the gods; Juno has brought them over to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans at the hands of Jove. Remember this.' The dream then vanished and I awoke. Let us now, therefore, arm the sons of the Achaeans. But it will be well that I should first sound them, and to this end I will tell them to fly with their ships; but do you others go about among the host and prevent their doing so." He then sat down, and Nestor the prince of Pylos with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus: "My friends," said he, "princes and councillors of the Argives, if any other man of the Achaeans had told us of this dream we should have declared it false, and would have had nothing to do with it. But he who has seen it is the foremost man among us; we must therefore set about getting the people under arms." With this he led the way from the assembly, and the other sceptred kings rose with him in obedience to the word of Agamemnon; but the people pressed forward to hear. They swarmed like bees that sally from some hollow cave and flit in countless throng among the spring flowers, bunched in knots and clusters; even so did the mighty multitude pour from ships and tents to the assembly, and range themselves upon the wide-watered shore, while among them ran Wildfire Rumour, messenger of Jove, urging them ever to the fore. Thus they gathered in a pell-mell of mad confusion, and the earth groaned under the tramp of men as the people sought their places. Nine heralds went crying about among them to stay their tumult and bid them listen to the kings, till at last they were got into their several places and ceased their clamour. Then King Agamemnon rose, holding his sceptre. This was the work of Vulcan, who gave it to Jove the son of Saturn. Jove gave it to Mercury, slayer of Argus, guide and guardian. King Mercury gave it to Pelops, the mighty charioteer, and Pelops to Atreus, shepherd of his people. Atreus, when he died, left it to Thyestes, rich in flocks, and Thyestes in his turn left it to be borne by Agamemnon, that he might be lord of all Argos and of the isles. Leaning, then, on his sceptre, he addressed the Argives. "My friends," he said, "heroes, servants of Mars, the hand of heaven has been laid heavily upon me. Cruel Jove gave me his solemn promise that I should sack the city of Priam before returning, but he has played me false, and is now bidding me go ingloriously back to Argos with the loss of much people. Such is the will of Jove, who has laid many a proud city in the dust, as he will yet lay others, for his power is above all. It will be a sorry tale hereafter that an Achaean host, at once so great and valiant, battled in vain against men fewer in number than themselves; but as yet the end is not in sight. Think that the Achaeans and Trojans have sworn to a solemn covenant, and that they have each been numbered- the Trojans by the roll of their householders, and we by companies of ten; think further that each of our companies desired to have a Trojan householder to pour out their wine; we are so greatly more in number that full many a company would have to go without its cup-bearer. But they have in the town allies from other places, and it is these that hinder me from being able to sack the rich city of Ilius. Nine of Jove years are gone; the timbers of our ships have rotted; their tackling is sound no longer. Our wives and little ones at home look anxiously for our coming, but the work that we came hither to do has not been done. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say: let us sail back to our own land, for we shall not take Troy." With these words he moved the hearts of the multitude, so many of them as knew not the cunning counsel of Agamemnon. They surged to and fro like the waves of the Icarian Sea, when the east and south winds break from heaven's clouds to lash them; or as when the west wind sweeps over a field of corn and the ears bow beneath the blast, even so were they swayed as they flew with loud cries towards the ships, and the dust from under their feet rose heavenward. They cheered each other on to draw the ships into the sea; they cleared the channels in front of them; they began taking away the stays from underneath them, and the welkin rang with their glad cries, so eager were they to return. Then surely the Argives would have returned after a fashion that was not fated. But Juno said to Minerva, "Alas, daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, unweariable, shall the Argives fly home to their own land over the broad sea, and leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen, for whose sake so many of the Achaeans have died at Troy, far from their homes? Go about at once among the host, and speak fairly to them, man by man, that they draw not their ships into the sea." Minerva was not slack to do her bidding. Down she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus, and in a moment she was at the ships of the Achaeans. There she found Ulysses, peer of Jove in counsel, standing alone. He had not as yet laid a hand upon his ship, for he was grieved and sorry; so she went close up to him and said, "Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, are you going to fling yourselves into your ships and be off home to your own land in this way? Will you leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen, for whose sake so many of the Achaeans have died at Troy, far from their homes? Go about at once among the host, and speak fairly to them, man by man, that they draw not their ships into the sea." Ulysses knew the voice as that of the goddess: he flung his cloak from him and set off to run. His servant Eurybates, a man of Ithaca, who waited on him, took charge of the cloak, whereon Ulysses went straight up to Agamemnon and received from him his ancestral, imperishable staff. With this he went about among the ships of the Achaeans. Whenever he met a king or chieftain, he stood by him and spoke him fairly. "Sir," said he, "this flight is cowardly and unworthy. Stand to your post, and bid your people also keep their places. You do not yet know the full mind of Agamemnon; he was sounding us, and ere long will visit the Achaeans with his displeasure. We were not all of us at the council to hear what he then said; see to it lest he be angry and do us a mischief; for the pride of kings is great, and the hand of Jove is with them." But when he came across any common man who was making a noise, he struck him with his staff and rebuked him, saying, "Sirrah, hold your peace, and listen to better men than yourself. You are a coward and no soldier; you are nobody either in fight or council; we cannot all be kings; it is not well that there should be many masters; one man must be supreme- one king to whom the son of scheming Saturn has given the sceptre of sovereignty over you all." Thus masterfully did he go about among the host, and the people hurried back to the council from their tents and ships with a sound as the thunder of surf when it comes crashing down upon the shore, and all the sea is in an uproar. The rest now took their seats and kept to their own several places, but Thersites still went on wagging his unbridled tongue- a man of many words, and those unseemly; a monger of sedition, a railer against all who were in authority, who cared not what he said, so that he might set the Achaeans in a laugh. He was the ugliest man of all those that came before Troy- bandy-legged, lame of one foot, with his two shoulders rounded and hunched over his chest. His head ran up to a point, but there was little hair on the top of it. Achilles and Ulysses hated him worst of all, for it was with them that he was most wont to wrangle; now, however, with a shrill squeaky voice he began heaping his abuse on Agamemnon. The Achaeans were angry and disgusted, yet none the less he kept on brawling and bawling at the son of Atreus. "Agamemnon," he cried, "what ails you now, and what more do you want? Your tents are filled with bronze and with fair women, for whenever we take a town we give you the pick of them. Would you have yet more gold, which some Trojan is to give you as a ransom for his son, when I or another Achaean has taken him prisoner? or is it some young girl to hide and lie with? It is not well that you, the ruler of the Achaeans, should bring them into such misery. Weakling cowards, women rather than men, let us sail home, and leave this fellow here at Troy to stew in his own meeds of honour, and discover whether we were of any service to him or no. Achilles is a much better man than he is, and see how he has treated him- robbing him of his prize and keeping it himself. Achilles takes it meekly and shows no fight; if he did, son of Atreus, you would never again insult him." Thus railed Thersites, but Ulysses at once went up to him and rebuked him sternly. "Check your glib tongue, Thersites," said be, "and babble not a word further. Chide not with princes when you have none to back you. There is no viler creature come before Troy with the sons of Atreus. Drop this chatter about kings, and neither revile them nor keep harping about going home. We do not yet know how things are going to be, nor whether the Achaeans are to return with good success or evil. How dare you gibe at Agamemnon because the Danaans have awarded him so many prizes? I tell you, therefore- and it shall surely be- that if I again catch you talking such nonsense, I will either forfeit my own head and be no more called father of Telemachus, or I will take you, strip you stark naked, and whip you out of the assembly till you go blubbering back to the ships." On this he beat him with his staff about the back and shoulders till he dropped and fell a-weeping. The golden sceptre raised a bloody weal on his back, so he sat down frightened and in pain, looking foolish as he wiped the tears from his eyes. The people were sorry for him, yet they laughed heartily, and one would turn to his neighbour saying, "Ulysses has done many a good thing ere now in fight and council, but he never did the Argives a better turn than when he stopped this fellow's mouth from prating further. He will give the kings no more of his insolence." Thus said the people. Then Ulysses rose, sceptre in hand, and Minerva in the likeness of a herald bade the people be still, that those who were far off might hear him and consider his council. He therefore with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus:- "King Agamemnon, the Achaeans are for making you a by-word among all mankind. They forget the promise they made you when they set out from Argos, that you should not return till you had sacked the town of Troy, and, like children or widowed women, they murmur and would set off homeward. True it is that they have had toil enough to be disheartened. A man chafes at having to stay away from his wife even for a single month, when he is on shipboard, at the mercy of wind and sea, but it is now nine long years that we have been kept here; I cannot, therefore, blame the Achaeans if they turn restive; still we shall be shamed if we go home empty after so long a stay- therefore, my friends, be patient yet a little longer that we may learn whether the prophesyings of Calchas were false or true. "All who have not since perished must remember as though it were yesterday or the day before, how the ships of the Achaeans were detained in Aulis when we were on our way hither to make war on Priam and the Trojans. We were ranged round about a fountain offering hecatombs to the gods upon their holy altars, and there was a fine plane-tree from beneath which there welled a stream of pure water. Then we saw a prodigy; for Jove sent a fearful serpent out of the ground, with blood-red stains upon its back, and it darted from under the altar on to the plane-tree. Now there was a brood of young sparrows, quite small, upon the topmost bough, peeping out from under the leaves, eight in all, and their mother that hatched them made nine. The serpent ate the poor cheeping things, while the old bird flew about lamenting her little ones; but the serpent threw his coils about her and caught her by the wing as she was screaming. Then, when he had eaten both the sparrow and her young, the god who had sent him made him become a sign; for the son of scheming Saturn turned him into stone, and we stood there wondering at that which had come to pass. Seeing, then, that such a fearful portent had broken in upon our hecatombs, Calchas forthwith declared to us the oracles of heaven. 'Why, Achaeans,' said he, 'are you thus speechless? Jove has sent us this sign, long in coming, and long ere it be fulfilled, though its fame shall last for ever. As the serpent ate the eight fledglings and the sparrow that hatched them, which makes nine, so shall we fight nine years at Troy, but in the tenth shall take the town.' This was what he said, and now it is all coming true. Stay here, therefore, all of you, till we take the city of Priam." On this the Argives raised a shout, till the ships rang again with the uproar. Nestor, knight of Gerene, then addressed them. "Shame on you," he cried, "to stay talking here like children, when you should fight like men. Where are our covenants now, and where the oaths that we have taken? Shall our counsels be flung into the fire, with our drink-offerings and the right hands of fellowship wherein we have put our trust? We waste our time in words, and for all our talking here shall be no further forward. Stand, therefore, son of Atreus, by your own steadfast purpose; lead the Argives on to battle, and leave this handful of men to rot, who scheme, and scheme in vain, to get back to Argos ere they have learned whether Jove be true or a liar. For the mighty son of Saturn surely promised that we should succeed, when we Argives set sail to bring death and destruction upon the Trojans. He showed us favourable signs by flashing his lightning on our right hands; therefore let none make haste to go till he has first lain with the wife of some Trojan, and avenged the toil and sorrow that he has suffered for the sake of Helen. Nevertheless, if any man is in such haste to be at home again, let him lay his hand to his ship that he may meet his doom in the sight of all. But, O king, consider and give ear to my counsel, for the word that I say may not be neglected lightly. Divide your men, Agamemnon, into their several tribes and clans, that clans and tribes may stand by and help one another. If you do this, and if the Achaeans obey you, you will find out who, both chiefs and peoples, are brave, and who are cowards; for they will vie against the other. Thus you shall also learn whether it is through the counsel of heaven or the cowardice of man that you shall fail to take the town." And Agamemnon answered, "Nestor, you have again outdone the sons of the Achaeans in counsel. Would, by Father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, that I had among them ten more such councillors, for the city of King Priam would then soon fall beneath our hands, and we should sack it. But the son of Saturn afflicts me with bootless wranglings and strife. Achilles and I are quarrelling about this girl, in which matter I was the first to offend; if we can be of one mind again, the Trojans will not stave off destruction for a day. Now, therefore, get your morning meal, that our hosts join in fight. Whet well your spears; see well to the ordering of your shields; give good feeds to your horses, and look your chariots carefully over, that we may do battle the livelong day; for we shall have no rest, not for a moment, till night falls to part us. The bands that bear your shields shall be wet with the sweat upon your shoulders, your hands shall weary upon your spears, your horses shall steam in front of your chariots, and if I see any man shirking the fight, or trying to keep out of it at the ships, there shall be no help for him, but he shall be a prey to dogs and vultures." Thus he spoke, and the Achaeans roared applause. As when the waves run high before the blast of the south wind and break on some lofty headland, dashing against it and buffeting it without ceasing, as the storms from every quarter drive them, even so did the Achaeans rise and hurry in all directions to their ships. There they lighted their fires at their tents and got dinner, offering sacrifice every man to one or other of the gods, and praying each one of them that he might live to come out of the fight. Agamemnon, king of men, sacrificed a fat five-year-old bull to the mighty son of Saturn, and invited the princes and elders of his host. First he asked Nestor and King Idomeneus, then the two Ajaxes and the son of Tydeus, and sixthly Ulysses, peer of gods in counsel; but Menelaus came of his own accord, for he knew how busy his brother then was. They stood round the bull with the barley-meal in their hands, and Agamemnon prayed, saying, "Jove, most glorious, supreme, that dwellest in heaven, and ridest upon the storm-cloud, grant that the sun may not go down, nor the night fall, till the palace of Priam is laid low, and its gates are consumed with fire. Grant that my sword may pierce the shirt of Hector about his heart, and that full many of his comrades may bite the dust as they fall dying round him." Thus he prayed, but the son of Saturn would not fulfil his prayer. He accepted the sacrifice, yet none the less increased their toil continually. When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley-meal upon the victim, they drew back its head, killed it, and then flayed it. They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, and set pieces of raw meat on the top of them. These they burned upon the split logs of firewood, but they spitted the inward meats, and held them in the flames to cook. When the thigh-bones were burned, and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon spits, roasted them till they were done, and drew them off; then, when they had finished their work and the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Nestor, knight of Gerene, began to speak. "King Agamemnon," said he, "let us not stay talking here, nor be slack in the work that heaven has put into our hands. Let the heralds summon the people to gather at their several ships; we will then go about among the host, that we may begin fighting at once." Thus did he speak, and Agamemnon heeded his words. He at once sent the criers round to call the people in assembly. So they called them, and the people gathered thereon. The chiefs about the son of Atreus chose their men and marshalled them, while Minerva went among them holding her priceless aegis that knows neither age nor death. From it there waved a hundred tassels of pure gold, all deftly woven, and each one of them worth a hundred oxen. With this she darted furiously everywhere among the hosts of the Achaeans, urging them forward, and putting courage into the heart of each, so that he might fight and do battle without ceasing. Thus war became sweeter in their eyes even than returning home in their ships. As when some great forest fire is raging upon a mountain top and its light is seen afar, even so as they marched the gleam of their armour flashed up into the firmament of heaven. They were like great flocks of geese, or cranes, or swans on the plain about the waters of Cayster, that wing their way hither and thither, glorying in the pride of flight, and crying as they settle till the fen is alive with their screaming. Even thus did their tribes pour from ships and tents on to the plain of the Scamander, and the ground rang as brass under the feet of men and horses. They stood as thick upon the flower-bespangled field as leaves that bloom in summer. As countless swarms of flies buzz around a herdsman's homestead in the time of spring when the pails are drenched with milk, even so did the Achaeans swarm on to the plain to charge the Trojans and destroy them. The chiefs disposed their men this way and that before the fight began, drafting them out as easily as goatherds draft their flocks when they have got mixed while feeding; and among them went King Agamemnon, with a head and face like Jove the lord of thunder, a waist like Mars, and a chest like that of Neptune. As some great bull that lords it over the herds upon the plain, even so did Jove make the son of Atreus stand peerless among the multitude of heroes. And now, O Muses, dwellers in the mansions of Olympus, tell me- for you are goddesses and are in all places so that you see all things, while we know nothing but by report- who were the chiefs and princes of the Danaans? As for the common soldiers, they were so that I could not name every single one of them though I had ten tongues, and though my voice failed not and my heart were of bronze within me, unless you, O Olympian Muses, daughters of aegis-bearing Jove, were to recount them to me. Nevertheless, I will tell the captains of the ships and all the fleet together. Peneleos, Leitus, Arcesilaus, Prothoenor, and Clonius were captains of the Boeotians. These were they that dwelt in Hyria and rocky Aulis, and who held Schoenus, Scolus, and the highlands of Eteonus, with Thespeia, Graia, and the fair city of Mycalessus. They also held Harma, Eilesium, and Erythrae; and they had Eleon, Hyle, and Peteon; Ocalea and the strong fortress of Medeon; Copae, Eutresis, and Thisbe the haunt of doves; Coronea, and the pastures of Haliartus; Plataea and Glisas; the fortress of Thebes the less; holy Onchestus with its famous grove of Neptune; Arne rich in vineyards; Midea, sacred Nisa, and Anthedon upon the sea. From these there came fifty ships, and in each there were a hundred and twenty young men of the Boeotians. Ascalaphus and Ialmenus, sons of Mars, led the people that dwelt in Aspledon and Orchomenus the realm of Minyas. Astyoche a noble maiden bore them in the house of Actor son of Azeus; for she had gone with Mars secretly into an upper chamber, and he had lain with her. With these there came thirty ships. The Phoceans were led by Schedius and Epistrophus, sons of mighty Iphitus the son of Naubolus. These were they that held Cyparissus, rocky Pytho, holy Crisa, Daulis, and Panopeus; they also that dwelt in Anemorea and Hyampolis, and about the waters of the river Cephissus, and Lilaea by the springs of the Cephissus; with their chieftains came forty ships, and they marshalled the forces of the Phoceans, which were stationed next to the Boeotians, on their left. Ajax, the fleet son of Oileus, commanded the Locrians. He was not so great, nor nearly so great, as Ajax the son of Telamon. He was a little man, and his breastplate was made of linen, but in use of the spear he excelled all the Hellenes and the Achaeans. These dwelt in Cynus, Opous, Calliarus, Bessa, Scarphe, fair Augeae, Tarphe, and Thronium about the river Boagrius. With him there came forty ships of the Locrians who dwell beyond Euboea. The fierce Abantes held Euboea with its cities, Chalcis, Eretria, Histiaea rich in vines, Cerinthus upon the sea, and the rock-perched town of Dium; with them were also the men of Carystus and Styra; Elephenor of the race of Mars was in command of these; he was son of Chalcodon, and chief over all the Abantes. With him they came, fleet of foot and wearing their hair long behind, brave warriors, who would ever strive to tear open the corslets of their foes with their long ashen spears. Of these there came fifty ships. And they that held the strong city of Athens, the people of great Erechtheus, who was born of the soil itself, but Jove's daughter, Minerva, fostered him, and established him at Athens in her own rich sanctuary. There, year by year, the Athenian youths worship him with sacrifices of bulls and rams. These were commanded by Menestheus, son of Peteos. No man living could equal him in the marshalling of chariots and foot soldiers. Nestor could alone rival him, for he was older. With him there came fifty ships. Ajax brought twelve ships from Salamis, and stationed them alongside those of the Athenians. The men of Argos, again, and those who held the walls of Tiryns, with Hermione, and Asine upon the gulf; Troezene, Eionae, and the vineyard lands of Epidaurus; the Achaean youths, moreover, who came from Aegina and Mases; these were led by Diomed of the loud battle-cry, and Sthenelus son of famed Capaneus. With them in command was Euryalus, son of king Mecisteus, son of Talaus; but Diomed was chief over them all. With these there came eighty ships. Those who held the strong city of Mycenae, rich Corinth and Cleonae; Orneae, Araethyrea, and Licyon, where Adrastus reigned of old; Hyperesia, high Gonoessa, and Pellene; Aegium and all the coast-land round about Helice; these sent a hundred ships under the command of King Agamemnon, son of Atreus. His force was far both finest and most numerous, and in their midst was the king himself, all glorious in his armour of gleaming bronze- foremost among the heroes, for he was the greatest king, and had most men under him. And those that dwelt in Lacedaemon, lying low among the hills, Pharis, Sparta, with Messe the haunt of doves; Bryseae, Augeae, Amyclae, and Helos upon the sea; Laas, moreover, and Oetylus; these were led by Menelaus of the loud battle-cry, brother to Agamemnon, and of them there were sixty ships, drawn up apart from the others. Among them went Menelaus himself, strong in zeal, urging his men to fight; for he longed to avenge the toil and sorrow that he had suffered for the sake of Helen. The men of Pylos and Arene, and Thryum where is the ford of the river Alpheus; strong Aipy, Cyparisseis, and Amphigenea; Pteleum, Helos, and Dorium, where the Muses met Thamyris, and stilled his minstrelsy for ever. He was returning from Oechalia, where Eurytus lived and reigned, and boasted that he would surpass even the Muses, daughters of aegis-bearing Jove, if they should sing against him; whereon they were angry, and maimed him. They robbed him of his divine power of song, and thenceforth he could strike the lyre no more. These were commanded by Nestor, knight of Gerene, and with him there came ninety ships. And those that held Arcadia, under the high mountain of Cyllene, near the tomb of Aepytus, where the people fight hand to hand; the men of Pheneus also, and Orchomenus rich in flocks; of Rhipae, Stratie, and bleak Enispe; of Tegea and fair Mantinea; of Stymphelus and Parrhasia; of these King Agapenor son of Ancaeus was commander, and they had sixty ships. Many Arcadians, good soldiers, came in each one of them, but Agamemnon found them the ships in which to cross the sea, for they were not a people that occupied their business upon the waters. The men, moreover, of Buprasium and of Elis, so much of it as is enclosed between Hyrmine, Myrsinus upon the sea-shore, the rock Olene and Alesium. These had four leaders, and each of them had ten ships, with many Epeans on board. Their captains were Amphimachus and Thalpius- the one, son of Cteatus, and the other, of Eurytus- both of the race of Actor. The two others were Diores, son of Amarynces, and Polyxenus, son of King Agasthenes, son of Augeas. And those of Dulichium with the sacred Echinean islands, who dwelt beyond the sea off Elis; these were led by Meges, peer of Mars, and the son of valiant Phyleus, dear to Jove, who quarrelled with his father, and went to settle in Dulichium. With him there came forty ships. Ulysses led the brave Cephallenians, who held Ithaca, Neritum with its forests, Crocylea, rugged Aegilips, Samos and Zacynthus, with the mainland also that was over against the islands. These were led by Ulysses, peer of Jove in counsel, and with him there came twelve ships. Thoas, son of Andraemon, commanded the Aetolians, who dwelt in Pleuron, Olenus, Pylene, Chalcis by the sea, and rocky Calydon, for the great king Oeneus had now no sons living, and was himself dead, as was also golden-haired Meleager, who had been set over the Aetolians to be their king. And with Thoas there came forty ships. The famous spearsman Idomeneus led the Cretans, who held Cnossus, and the well-walled city of Gortys; Lyctus also, Miletus and Lycastus that lies upon the chalk; the populous towns of Phaestus and Rhytium, with the other peoples that dwelt in the hundred cities of Crete. All these were led by Idomeneus, and by Meriones, peer of murderous Mars. And with these there came eighty ships. Tlepolemus, son of Hercules, a man both brave and large of stature, brought nine ships of lordly warriors from Rhodes. These dwelt in Rhodes which is divided among the three cities of Lindus, Ielysus, and Cameirus, that lies upon the chalk. These were commanded by Tlepolemus, son of Hercules by Astyochea, whom he had carried off from Ephyra, on the river Selleis, after sacking many cities of valiant warriors. When Tlepolemus grew up, he killed his father's uncle Licymnius, who had been a famous warrior in his time, but was then grown old. On this he built himself a fleet, gathered a great following, and fled beyond the sea, for he was menaced by the other sons and grandsons of Hercules. After a voyage. during which he suffered great hardship, he came to Rhodes, where the people divided into three communities, according to their tribes, and were dearly loved by Jove, the lord, of gods and men; wherefore the son of Saturn showered down great riches upon them. And Nireus brought three ships from Syme- Nireus, who was the handsomest man that came up under Ilius of all the Danaans after the son of Peleus- but he was a man of no substance, and had but a small following. And those that held Nisyrus, Crapathus, and Casus, with Cos, the city of Eurypylus,