I've been thinking lately of trying to put together some sort of
alternative world and/or American history textbook for people that want to
become more educated on what hasn't been taught in the US school system.
Ideally, it would be something that can be understood by those in gradeschool
levels, while not leaving out any of the important details that are so often
lost due to the fact that "victors write the history."  Hell, I'd love to be
able to put something together with references and citations confirming
information, especially the controversial bits, that would be marketable and
acceptable for home schooling of children, as well.
        I've been led to the point of thinking about this project while
remembering what I was taught in gradeschool due to talking to my son about
what he learns in school, as well as filling him in on the behind-the-scenes
details on current events and political/social trends.  It took me a long time
in my life to realize how dangerous an uneducated and unquestioning US public
can be; I don't think I fully grasped the situation until 9/11 through my
years in the military afterwards.  More and more people are becoming aware due
to alternative news sources and blogs made accessible on the internet about
these deficiencies in education as well as downright false information passed
out by the media on current and even [at times] historical events, but it's
just not enough.  I want to do what I can to try to make a difference in this
ignorant and complacent society.  Especially now that we are the dominating
military force on the planet, with globalization's economic power and
steamrolling inertia causing the very 'freedom' of the everyday citizens of a
steadily increasing portion of the world to wane dangerously.
        I think that education, growing political and economical awareness,
and stress of civic responsibility to research and spend time learning the
political and economic problems facing the country and world is the only
possible solution to our waning liberties.  Unfortunately, I know that there
are people who believe that this situation (at least in the USA) is at a point
where it is too late for education and awareness to make a difference.  There
almost seems to be an arms race, between government agencies and the public
that they are created to serve.  American citizens allowed this to happen by
being too complacent, self-centered, and more concerned with amusement than
eduction.  I don't know if it's too late or not, myself, but I want to try to
do my part to spread knowledge and a thirst for education back to this system
that now robs these things from our children.  Knowledge, verifiable fact,
education, and science are our only candle fighting against this darkness in
which we find ourselves.
        What I am looking for is anybody else who might be willing to help
support this venture in any way, shape, or form.  I am a single father, a
veteran, receive no child support, and we all know how the economic times are.
I would love to hear from anybody with decent writing and researching skills
who might be willing to devote a few hours to any segment of this project.  I
am sure there are many other places to help, but for now I'm concentrating on
generating the initial content.  Economic assistance, just to survive, as well
as to be able to devote more hours of my life working on this noble goal,
instead of being a wage-slave cog, would be greatly appreciated if you're not
able to help in any other way, but I won't cross my fingers.  ;) As I said, we
all know how these economic times are.
        If you are interested in helping out with this project in any way,
please contact me for more information, I'm sure we can find a way to
collaborate.
        Please feel free to contact me, Khelair [at] bismaninfo (dot) hopto
(dot) org, via email, posting as a follow up to wherever you are seeing this
message, via FidoNet (Damon A. Getsman@1:282/1057) or on my BBS available at 
telnet://bismaninfo.hopto.org:8023/.
        I'm also curious to hear any suggestions that you may have regarding
this project, its goals, the content to be included, or anything else that
might assist me in brainstorming on this venture.  I'm also interested if
anybody would like to help with the planning/administration and implementation
of this project; I'm not looking to hog all the credit, I just want to get the
information out there as soon as possible.  I don't want my son to grow up in
a country or world where citizens have to be frightened for their inalienable
rights, where wars are perpetuated by lies for profit, or even in any sort of
situation short of the very principles that are found in the United States
constitution, as trampled upon as that beloved piece of parchment is becoming.
        Thank you for your time, input, and consideration on this topic.

                                        -Damo

-The opinions expressed are not necessarily an advocation of any of the
aforementioned ideologies, concepts, or actions.  We still have the freedom of
speech, for now, and I enjoy using it in a satirical or ficticious manner to
amuse myself.-
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