Today's thoughts on many things...

Most of you know by now that I had the honor and priveledge of serving in the US Submarine Service aboard the nuclear powered Woodrow Wilson and the diesel sub, Grayback.

My thoughts and prayers this day are with the families and friends of the 118 men trapped on the Russian sub, the Kursk.

I'm following this story with keen interest. All sailors know the seas could be their final resting ground, and do their jobs and duty with that knowledge.

But the family and friends always expect their loved ones to come home. Sometimes it just doesn't happen.

Things are looking grim for the Kursk, but there is still hope. So, today, say a little prayer or send a thought of hope to the families and friends of those 118 men. OK?

There can be a lot of distraction in our lives.

The convention in LA (circus?) can cost you time, the Survivor show, Who wants to be a Millionaire, your favorite baseball team, Howard Stern, the special at McDonalds...

not to mention your local News.

A lot of input. And then there is your computer.

Over at www.free-publicity.com is a discussion about how safe your computer is from hackers...the answer...not very.

At http://homebusiness-websites.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi is a link to a hacker's site, who has sought revenge in his own way for people he alleges stole his "identity" of sorts.

I KNOW and understand this all too well.

It is sad, but TRUE, there are people who like to hack into computers. In fact, some very well known gurus with very popular forums have confessed to hacking...if their archives are still accessible you can do a search.

There was a story last week on the front page of the Akron Beacon Journal about a man who was fired for sending a "nasty" e-mail...

Only thing was, HE didn't send it...and he was able to prove it...turns out a consultant with an ax to grind hacked his computer and sent the e-mail.

This was NO dummy like you and me (OH, sorry, like ME) but a tech savvy computer guy to boot.

If you do read the hacker's story, you'll see the part of how these people supposedly stole AOL usernames and passwords.

Steve MacLellan has a thread about computer security and offers some ideas.

Truth is, if a hacker wants in, he will get in.

And do pretty much what he wants to your computer. We will start to see more and more of this Cyberterrorism, so be aware.

On a different note...

I've invited some people to stop by for a visit, these people are NOT from the marketing/financial lake of the Net. But from the other great lakes.

One lady has a great site on homelessness. A few years ago, as a member of AmeriCorps, I helped set up a referral service for homeless veterans here in Summit county. This was sponsored by the Ohio Vietnam Veterans, and we were one of a handful of "middle aged" members of AmeriCorps.

Most AmeriCorps members were young people. Good on them.

As we get closer to the opening in Sept. you will start to notice some changes.

This is Dien Rice's site, and he is a PUBLISHER.

He will be soliciting work, and looking for collaborators, and writers.

But don't be intimidated if you have never written, WE'll be posting some things to help you get started and to keep you going.

This is going to be a great garden for you to plant your seeds, especially if you have always thought about writing a book, but didn't know what to do first, or next, or whatever.

For example, I have a friend who has been happily married for 25 years, and he gives all the credit to his wife...NOW, there is a woman with some good seeds to share with us, don't you think?

Just one or two ideas can make all the difference in the world to people. And that is what WE are trying to do here, make a difference to people.

WE have respect for you and your ideas. WE won't tolerate personal attacks or invasions of privacy. WE don't TALK ABOUT other people, only if there is revelance. Normally, everytime someone posts something about another person, WE will send that person an e-mail and give them a chance to respond if they so desire.

Case in point: Charles Prosper yesterday made a cameo appearance because WE were discussing him. I asked him about answering the question about his income...he is a very POLITE man, but this was one time he told me in no uncertain terms...and I think Dien conveyed his response with all due politeness.

When Dien came to Ohio, I showed him the "SCI Army" hangar...so to speak...there are armed guards wandering around the halls of SCI, and they have a very known presence.

I think they are to keep people from asking Ben Suarez about his income...HA!

Anyhow, you will notice some changes. WE seem to be on schedule. YOU are making some great contributions, I think Dien should start packaging a BEST OF SOWPUB, although no one even knows we exist at this time, but they will.

So, keep FOCUSED on what you need to do with your time, and limit the distractions, and continue on living each day as if it were your last, and being fully alive in the moment of NOW.

Gordon Alexander

Gordon - the Russian submarine tragedy has also focused my attention - kind of brought me back to Square One.

Although my experience was mainly surface ships, I remember all too well being at the mercy of typhoons, fog and storms and feeling how truly puny all of our hi-tech equipment and prowess was in the face of Mother Nature and her power.

Juxtaposed as this tragedy is against the ego and bluster of the Democratic convention, it sort of contrasts (to me) superficiality vs. real life and has made me stop and evaluate (using the POA) where I am, what I want and where I'm going.

It's easy to get caught up in the superficial, hi tech world and forget we're human, not SUPER human.

As many of the posts on this board have stated in one way or another, the antidote to the superficiality is to truly observe and analyze your world in order to know and live your purpose. Then, continually take action to make it real.

SOWPUB is extraordinary in that in brings in fresh views of reality amid the superficialities of the web. I appreciate it more than ever and thank the contributors for their collective and continuing wisdom.

And God bless and keep the Russian submariners, whatever the outcome.

Bob