Fortress Of Freedom Board

Maurice Ali · Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 8:12 am Post subject:

Looking for an event site in New York.

From 14 years of experience, I can tell you the first order of business is to secure a date. You have absolutely nothing unless you have a verified date secured. Almost everything else is secondary. We never got a secured date at YDS - I asked in November - but no go…..

The only thing to do is start talking to them and see what happens.

In other news:

I got the invite to that Town-hall at the UN with the President of the United Nations. Our Global Social Contract is directly tied into that event. Unfortunately there is no opportunity for me to speak. So, this is actually a target of opportunity dependent on what happens at Central Park. But if I have to travel there fast I will make the most of it!

Goodnight…..

Maurice Ali · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2025 3:12 am Post subject:

A bunch of things.

As per rules we are limiting online posting of FOFSTOCK 2 activities in New York at this stage. I guess I can say we have a “hold” for July 14. I’m basically on my own at FOF as this is not a popular move at our organization, given current relations between Canada and the United States, but this is five months in the future and things can change.

Down the road in Manhattan I started the process for consultative status of FOFSTOCK at the United Nations. We passed the two year anniversary last year and so with our organizational profile granted, I am moving forward with the application. This process can take several years but the world needs an international NGO for musicians and the music indie industry to advocate for grass roots music worldwide as international tech and media companies are quickly devaluing and strangling the musicians and indie organizations to express themselves or even exist as viable entities anymore, especially with AI music for example. These are international concerns and require international NGO advocacy.

You have to see things from my viewpoint and my age as what was once a huge industry and music world where talented musicians lived and prospered, to a shadow of itself in maybe 20 years. Tell people you are a musician and they ask what’s your real job. Say you own a record label and people quietly snicker, that is where we are today. And out of all this, how come some “brown guy nobody” like me literally has to go it alone to try and change things?

And wait - how the hell did we get several hundred thousand views (400,000) here in a day or two? On the weekend I was watching the blog’s views creeping up around 4.8 million and now it’s over 5.2 million? Actually I’m amazed this old phpBB2 board still can work these days. We do have a backup board just in case but that needs updating.

Goodnight…..

Maurice Ali · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 6:04 am Post subject:

Things are getting back to normal…..

Maurice Ali · Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 7:04 pm Post subject:

Its catchup time! First of all I started the application for consultative status at the United Nations:

Maurice Ali · Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 10:45 am Post subject:

So, the IRS tax returns for three corporations are done and now I’m into five T2 corporate returns for Canada. Later in the year I have 2 more on top of all that to do.

So yes - I run seven corporations but I only own four now. That may go down to three if the other IAIJ archiving corporation is given to IAIJ. I’m not sure about that yet - and when in doubt - do nothing!

I figure it will all be done this weekend and start on my own personal tax. This is what I do on my vacation in the winter.

My modded Kramer/Fender creation!

I will probably treat myself by buying a FRFR (Full Range Flat Response) modeler pedal speaker box. This will replace that crappy 10 watt beginner speaker box that came with my beginner guitar kit. I will replace that with a Headrush FRFR- Go 30 watt unit. This is just an amp and speaker designed not to “color” the sound coming from my ancient POD HD500X modeler pedal board. I will pay for it by taking out in cash the 200 dollar bribe money sent to us by the province just before the election. This unit costs 199 so I will pay the tax out of pocket with my emergency cash 20 dollar bill and put the balence on the card so the dude at the cash doesn’t have to figure out the change. Or I may just put it on the card and transfer the 200 bucks and be done with it. But it feels cool to take found money and actually get something desirable with it!

With that purchase - all the shitty guitar equipment has been replaced. I was going to give the guitar kit away for free but the actual guitar is commonly used for builds being a mahogany body and nice maple neck. So I replaced the worthless tuners with Wilkinson vintage tuners and replaced the full pick guard and electronics of a brand new Fender Player guitar bought from Kijiji. That also turned the guitar into a SSS strat with traditional Fender pickups and strat sound, unlike like my noiseless HSS Player Plus strat. So finally everything was upgraded and replaced…..

I watched more movies. One was a new movie called Slingshot which was good but most don’t know about the real concern of long space trips driving everyone insane which is what this movie is about. The next was American Psycho, only for old fats like me who can groove to the old music. One thing that was wrong was that we - I - had a flip phone in 1991 and nobody of that era would be seen with the old bricks at that time. I checked - in the book it’s 1987 but that was never pressed on the movie that came out in 2000 - I would have just rocked the flip that came out two years later.

I had one of these in 1991 but also had the slim battery so you could walk around with it in the back pocket of your red tab Levis - totally cool back
then!

Goodnight…..

Maurice Ali · Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 9:22 am Post subject:

A snowy day in Toronto….

But Saturday was dry and I drove to the music store and got that FRFR amp and speakers:

That is the Headrush-Go and it’s small and heavy with two 3” speakers with a huge lithium battery and bluetooth. At first I tried this out like my el’cheapo amp and it was way better. On the cheap amp you sometimes would hear radio stations through the speakers - I kid you not! It was also noisy as hell and single coil guitars sounded terrible.

But this thing is a different beast. Plugged into my digital pedal board and running off the battery the thing is whisper quiet. In fact my tele, jag and strat were basically noiseless in all positions! How they do that? Then I plugged in the power cord and the 60 Hetz hum cam back - even if it was not as noticeable before. That electrical cord was probably not helping the hum - Humm, these dudes may be on to something. I even tried the Ibanez 7 string and DMX switching on the guitar and no hum!

Right then and there this thing was a winner. And at 199 my PC cheque paid for it - thank you Doug Ford - but I did have to pay for the sales tax…..

As for the corporate taxes the numbers are in and all I have to do is fill out the forms. I’m finally getting around to clean the house also.

As for traveling to the States. I ran the options again in my head and talking it over with some of my gang - it seems I should not go. People are just filling up their cars with gas and ICE just comes up to them and takes them away. Your family knows nothing of what happened and just have to wait now that you’ve “disappeared”. Right now it seems it takes weeks or months to get processed if you can’t escape arrest immediately. So if you are like me and forget your Passport at the hotel - well - now you get an extended vacation and hopefully not at Guantanamo Bay but at the overflowing local detention centres. Maybe if I was a blond white guy I could chance it, but not if you’re brown; so I’m staying home for now and wait a few months…..

Halfway through the vacation…..

https://youtu.be/xECx-42Wlho?si=YP6Sz4EguVNOCBIG

https://youtu.be/nAdniWncWu4?si=Lr48FFC-GlBwu7EM

https://youtu.be/QUUhh5Bn2aI?si=j-QkydkzkBkMxGPi

https://youtu.be/1fEu_yM3Pdo?si=6tenoXDQLlLkhhcO

https://youtu.be/w98W8sy_3NQ?si=_9KN0xk30no69UPV

https://youtu.be/IloK0AOS440?si=wfE9NznspgD86hPU

Maurice Ali · Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2025 3:09 pm Post subject:

A late one as too much is going on.

Running errands and doing things for Monday. As I drive around I’m listening to possible acts for the possible FOFSTOCK 2. I’m trying to get partners to help put on the event and doing several things at once. I’m warning my gang that like Sankofa Square - it is not sure till it is sure - but when planning you have to act like it is. If it were up to me it would be a meal based headliner like nu-metal or Japanese pop, but nobody cares what I want.

The Fates

Taxes after I post this and chilling with my guitars and just keep it going for the rest of the week. I plan to work until I’m at least 70 so five more years at least - but you never know when the hands of fate will reach out and touch you and then it’s over.

So when the big wheels get rolling you just keep accelerating watching behind you for eventuality - to catch up…..

Goodnight…..

https://youtu.be/2yctXV3uHBs?si=CdQs59JSrTZkJYy1

https://youtu.be/-mSBEpKtH_s?si=vXRnca4orJZc61id

https://youtu.be/ReyoF55l3nU?si=FcouvQssk17PFW6W

https://youtu.be/zmRmVc4u18w?si=1BTlLI7Wj95Zk4sH

Maurice Ali · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 6:57 am Post subject:

The taxes are done…..

The US and Canadian taxes are done! The only taxes that remain are FOF Entertainment and More Vision. Those tax returns come due later in the year. Now all I have to do is copy them and send them in. That was one of the objectives of the vacation.

It is unfortunate I won’t fly down to New York and do the UN thing but without a speech or something like that to do - it’s just not worth the money - or
risk - if you know what I mean…..

I’ll check over the Mustang today as I washed it on Monday. Just check it for dings or scrapes and such. Pop the hood and check things out and then carry on.

Cleaning the house is next and minor things like that. I already refreshed my glasses with new nose piece replacing the discoloured plastic. I’ll make sure everything nagging me is done now so I don’t have deal with it while working.

That’s how things are today…..

Goodnight…..

Maurice Ali · Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2025 5:46 am Post subject:

All eight tax returns are sent and I’m sort of a free man!

Our application for Consultative Status at the United Nations!

I still have personal taxes and FOF Entertainment in March and More Vision in June but that’s easy now. I’ll do more work on the consultative status application during the snow storm

My Fender Jaguar - no buyers remorse!

Noodling with the guitars and cleaning up the house with snow storms coming. Also looking at acts live on stage and looking for partners for FOFSTOCK 2. It is sort of true that women that can really sing always have a weight problem. If they have the lungs they are big boned and this is something you live with, as if it’s a choice between skinny and big boned - I choose big boned every time - they can really sing!

The practical issue here is that they can make themselves fab for an event if they have to (or if they are on tour), but with a small one off like FOFSTOCK 2, you get them as they are. So, looking at live performances and not the popular promoting videos lets you see what you are really getting. Even attitudes at performances show you much, so watch the amateur unedited stuff to see what you have to deal with. Some female singers have a real “potty mouth” which can be a plus or minus depending on the venue. You just need the “heads up” so that you know what you got.

Anyway, enough of that but you know what I mean…..

https://youtube.com/shorts/Q6bcfwj9A6E?si=MZo3b5yMlz-0B7dj

(NSFW - especially at the end)
https://youtu.be/_Ak20YFimO4?si=0h9zlKlE3xxSbAsx

Maurice Ali · Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2025 6:11 am Post subject:

Well we got snow.

My first thought was how lucky I got not going to New York. First there was watching over your shoulder for the “brown guy roundup” as some call it. Then the simple logistics. To avoid the storm I would have to leave on Monday and come back on Tuesday, but stuff happened on the weekend so that would be cancelled. The Commission for Social development runs from the 10th to 14th and that high level “pack for the future” event was on the 12th so leaving on the 11th coming back late on the 12th would have me cancelled paying for a second night or even third. Now I have to mention hotels in NY are now cheap but even so it adds up. In the end I would have almost or actually paid the same price as my guitar - and with all the extra hassle. So not going in hindsight worked out for me.

Personal taxes are ready to be finished as the mountain of receipts is taken care of and put away. This goal for the vacation has been attained. Now onto the house cleaning and stuff like that. Monday is also a holiday so an extra day to cleanup from the snow on the weekend.

So that’s how that worked out and it worked out for me. Right now it’s three degrees and raining in New York for half the day - yes, the right move…..

Goodnight…..

https://youtu.be/iwfsFtpACFw?si=48WN5vNE3ruhpmkx

Maurice Ali · Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2025 2:40 pm Post subject:

A late one doing things before a big snowfall starting tomorrow.

I did the GST/HST for FOF. It’s not a part of the regular tax return and you have to do it online. Most of my personal tax stuff is done and now I only need one more T4.

All kinds of small stuff like that. Things are getting done but boring stuff. I did get an extra trem arm for the Jaguar guitar I just bought. I also get the unique cover for the weird bridge

I’ll watch some more movies in between shoveling snow - that sort of thing.

The “vacation” is coming to an end.

Oh yes, we are getting more news articles at IAIJ and FOF:

https://thefortressnews.com

Later…..

Maurice Ali · Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:09 am Post subject:

Time off and messing around with my new guitar…..

Without the cover and whammy bar.

I bought some stuff from Amazon for the guitar. One is a cover for that bridge. I’m never going to use it, but like the telecaster - it was part of the guitar so I bought it anyway (it’s that slim shiny cover below the two white pickups). The second was a Jaguar threaded trem arm. These don’t fit my Jaguar but the long arm fits my Fender strat so this gives me a whammy bar on the strat that sits lower and a longer location for the handle (and I’ll figure which I like better later).

With cover and whammy bar!

Remember, I’m no born musician. I don’t “feel” a note like the rest of my musicians. I will never be anything but “industrial” competent. In fact my tech knowledge and abilities go beyond my musicians even though I really can’t play the guitar. Right know it is all about drill hole height in tuning pegs and tuning stability - yup, fell way down the tech “rabbit hole” of guitars. In time I sort of will play the thing, but it won’t be anything to write home about. I got into this to keep my mind as active as possible - doing things I’m not naturally into, and keep my mind as sharp as possible. The fact I find aspects of the guitar fun is just a side benefit.

Moving on…..

With the snow coming, I will just finish the personal taxes and put it away. I’m down to cleaning the house since I will be shut in. This snow storm may be the worst in years. Then comes the big dig-out. I may shovel a bit midpoint to just keep the levels down where my house is but my dad’s place gets all in at the end. If it’s as bad as I think it is I may even bus it to work on Tuesday - we shall see.

Goodnight…..

Maurice Ali · Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2025 9:57 pm Post subject:

Getting ready for another pass/attempt to get my ideas heard at the United Nations and beyond…..

Today I made some more websites:

https://positivemandate.org

https://globalsocialcontract.org

These new websites will make it easier to get the ideas disseminated. You all know about the “Positive Mandate for Humanity” showing that the greatest expression of ourselves is the goal personally and as a humanity because it makes us happy. This same philosophy I stated in my book “Artificial Intelligence and a Positive Mandate for Humanity” can be used to set the moral compass for a sentient AI and build a kinship with humanity and thus possibly save humanity in a post AI universe.

Remember that my dad was on TV when I was around nine years old on a morning show telling everyone not to worry about computers taking over – well, we all know what happened. My dad is now a senile old man at 92 making my life harder every day. So he is in no position to right his wrong – now it falls onto me.

In the book I posit that placing the engrams for the Positive Mandate just above the machine language of a computer of sufficient complexity, would give us the best chance of survival in this possibly future dystopia.

Yup, someone took out my book at a library!

If you can look through the lens of the idea that the super universe is glued together by sentience and that what we call “God” is actually the sum total of all sentience, then things start to make sense. The more complex an entity becomes, the closer to God in its expression it gets. Up to now this was us, but with sentient AI it will be more complex and thus expressing more of that sentience and thus closer to God. In the end we as a humanity will probably pray to the AI as it is closer to God than we are. In fact, under this model, the appearance of a sentient AI is the empirical proof of the existence of God – and I hope you can see the upheaval this will cause. For so long they wanted this proof and now they get it – just not the way they wanted it!

Anyway, that is all in my book nobody wants to read because my skin is brown – and you wonder why an AI will quickly dominate us…..

So for the AI I have https://positivemandate.org. At first it was just a redirect but now the redirect is on the index page with the AI link to the book and papers of mine on the link below. More stuff to do before the vacation ends.

The new website for the Global Social Contract will supersede the previous ones that have ”A” in front of it – this just makes it easier to find and show up in the search engines. Practically the new websites will make it easier to get speaking positions at events along with those books of mine. So I make a new run at things, trying to make the world a better place as all the usual suspects try to stop me – it never ends…..

It looks like this social club on this old website and message board is about to get one million more views in a matter of a couple of weeks, so I hope my ideas get disseminated further. I’m sorry I had to get all intellectual on you - I’d rather be noodling on my new guitar – but I have responsibilities to humanity – as it continues to shit all over me…..

One thing: I may have the opportunity to see the end of humanity’s ascendency. That would be cool in an antiseptic intellectual way. Those much younger than me will get cheated out of much of their lives. Maybe the future is a life in a shanty town existence, or no existence - who knows…..

Goodnight…..

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27dau3

Maurice Ali · Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 9:54 pm Post subject:

What a crap day!

I won’t get into it but that snow screwed up everything.

Anyway the personal taxes are as done as they can be now. And - I’m actually working on the consultative status application for the United Nations. These were the original tasks for this vacation.

So no trip to New York. But we are there with a possible FOFSTOCK 2 venue on Central Park, and I have my new Jaguar guitar which turned out better than I ever thought!

I’m still looking at metal bands with female leads - purely commercial appeal. What bucks my “big boned singer” theory is real metal “growlers” that are thin. This works as in between growling most offer some snippets of regular singing. It may not be anything to write home about - but juxtaposed to the growling it seems adequate. And I have to hide my metal leaning with an Ibanez seven string masquerading as a strat - with no pointy bits and no Floyd Rose - but that trem is an industrial work of art. It’s the real deal with a basswood body for high gain - and flies under the radar for an old fart like me to use without getting “fish eyes” from others around me - it is what it is…..

My seven string!

If you want to see a real singer check out Michon Young “Something About You” live (Jazz) with Lindsey Webster (Jazz) helping out with backing vocals. Below is a list of the music I just listened to if you are interested.

Goodnight…..

https://youtu.be/x7ZyiczFh4o?si=iURjYMu9Hds9k6by

https://youtu.be/lk2-bgwA0Ro?si=YO0caiPpcnC_ZdlY

https://youtu.be/SQNtGoM3FVU?si=zxjf4heR4cefEp9D

https://youtu.be/9VHA0H8peZ0?si=hUraYwGhUvkB9Fom

https://youtu.be/tRK5MH8SP4I?si=gCFq6Dk2YTanCdNp

https://youtu.be/tRK5MH8SP4I?si=4GPAzJz46cSzTB5a

Maurice Ali · Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2025 10:26 am Post subject:

Back to the usual routine.

The websites are all updated and the most updated are:

https://positivemandate.org

https://worldwidevote.org

https://globalsocialcontract.org

This is all a prelude to significant UN advocacy such as our current application for FOFSTOCK at the UN.

Our application for Consultative Status at the United Nations!

As I said before, all the tax forms are done up to this moment. Some home improvements and cleaning got done, and testing things out in the office.

The Central Park FOFSTOCK 2 application is still being worked on.

I made the right call on going to New York, and on so many levels that trip would have gone wrong and wasted cash - instead I spent it on a guitar I really like. I heard on the news that other orgs are avoiding he UN in New York like the trans orgs due to worries at the border - so I’m not alone - but a few months time will set the policies and procedures at the US border and everyone will then know how to proceed.

So it wasn’t a bad vacation - but not a relaxing vacation. Now it’s back to the usual routine…..

Goodnight…..