All Bottles are Good

All serve a purpose thus are worthy regardless!

CEJames & Alfonz Ingram

The first time I heard this meme was through my sensei while studying Isshinryu on the isle of Okinawa. He merely made the statement one evening while relaxing after a particularly intense practice at the dojo at Camp Hansen base gym, a Marine Corps base on the island where we were stationed. Like many Isshinryu sensei he just left us mulling it over to come to our own - someday.

Later, studying materials provided by Advincula Sensei, a leading first generation student of Tatsuo-san, the creator of Isshinryu, that I heard the story of the after dojo gathering where all wew enjoying Okinawan brewskies anfd Tatsuo-san asked, "which is the best?" referring to a group of bottles on the table. I'll let the reader do some leg work to hear the ... "rest of the story!"

What follows is a bit of mulling I have done over the years to expand on Advincula sensei's story. Tatsuo-san gave the story as well as a dojo-kun and Go-kui so his American disciples could "mull (meditate)" them over in the hopes we would come to understand not just the Okinawan's, but also their philosophies, beliefs, and "the way."

Enjoy!

The saying “All bottles are good, they all serve a purpose” can be interpreted as a metaphor that aligns with several philosophical traditions and concepts, from existentialism to Eastern thought, and even utilitarianism and functionalism. Here’s a breakdown of its philosophical implications, layered with references to relevant thinkers and schools of thought:

Note:

What follows isn't a set answer or meaning of the "bottles" ???? but rather another door to other doors for the individual disciple of the Isshinryu system to reach ... "enlightened state of being" through Okinawan cultural influences.

1. Existentialist Perspective: Value through Purpose

Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre argue that meaning and value are not inherently given, but created through action and purpose.

• Sartre famously said, “existence precedes essence.” Just like bottles, people are not born with fixed meaning; their purpose is defined by how they are used or what they choose to do.

• The saying affirms that even if bottles (or people/things) look different or serve different functions, each has value because it fulfills a purpose.

Reference:

Sartre, Jean-Paul. Existentialism is a Humanism (1946)

2. Eastern Philosophy: Acceptance and Interconnectedness

In Taoism, especially as expressed in the Tao Te Ching by Laozi, there is an idea that everything has its place in the grand scheme of things, even the seemingly insignificant.

• A classic Taoist idea is: “The usefulness of a pot lies in its emptiness.”

• Applied to bottles: even an empty or broken bottle may serve a purpose, whether as a container, a decoration, or a symbol.

Reference:

Laozi. Tao Te Ching, trans. D.C. Lau (Penguin Classics)

3. Pragmatism and Functionalism

From a more practical or utilitarian angle, the value of something is determined by its function or contribution to a greater whole.

• William James and John Dewey argued that truth and value are determined by practical consequences.

• “All bottles are good” fits this mindset: a bottle’s “goodness” comes from its utility, whatever form that may take.

Reference:

Dewey, John. Experience and Nature (1925)

James, William. Pragmatism (1907)

4. Humanistic Philosophy: Everyone Has Value

This phrase can also be a metaphor for human beings, suggesting that all people have worth regardless of appearance, background, or perceived utility.

• Carl Rogers (humanistic psychology) believed that every individual has inherent worth and the capacity for growth.

• The metaphor implies that even unconventional or “flawed” individuals are still valuable.

Reference:

Rogers, Carl. On Becoming a Person (1961)

5. Buddhist Non-Attachment and Compassion

In Buddhism, all phenomena are transient and interdependent. Judging things as “good” or “bad” is often seen as a limited dualistic view.

• The phrase could reflect non-judgment and compassion: seeing the potential or purpose in all things without clinging to fixed categories.

• Even discarded bottles are part of the cycle and can still serve. (RECYCLING)

Reference:

Thich Nhat Hanh. The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching (1998)

Conclusion

The phrase “All bottles are good, they all serve a purpose” may sound simple or poetic, but it taps into deep philosophical themes:

• Existentialist creation of purpose

• Taoist harmony and function

• Pragmatic usefulness

• Humanistic affirmation of worth

• Buddhist non-judgment

It suggests a worldview that resists quick dismissal or rigid hierarchies—valuing all things (and beings) for their role, however small or unconventional.

OT: Alien Enemies Act

CEJames & Alfonz Ingram

The Alien Enemies Act is one of the four statutes originally passed as part of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 during the administration of President John Adams. Of the four acts, it is the only one still in effect today, and it remains part of U.S. law (codified at 50 U.S. Code Chapter 3).

Overview

• Full Title: An Act Respecting Alien Enemies

• Enacted: July 6, 1798

• Codified: 50 U.S.C. §§ 21–24

• Purpose: To authorize the President to detain, relocate, or deport male nationals of a hostile nation during times of war or declared national emergency.

Historical Context

Passed during a time of heightened tension between the U.S. and France (the Quasi-War), the act gave the federal government emergency powers over foreign nationals from enemy nations. While the other three Alien and Sedition Acts expired or were repealed, the Alien Enemies Act was preserved due to its applicability only during war or invasion.

Key Provisions

1. Presidential Authority:

When the U.S. is at war with a foreign nation, the President may:

• Apprehend,

• Restrain,

• Secure,

• Remove alien nationals of that hostile nation.

2. Due Process Caveats:

While the act provides broad executive powers, it specifies that actions must align with:

• Presidential proclamations,

• Existing treaties (if any),

• Congressional regulations.

3. Target Group:

• Adult male nationals (historically)

• Women and children were generally exempted, though in practice this was inconsistently applied.

Historical Uses

1. War of 1812:

• Used to detain British nationals.

2. World War I:

• Used against German nationals living in the U.S.

• Over 6,000 detained as “enemy aliens.”

3. World War II:

• Invoked to justify actions against nationals of Germany, Italy, and Japan.

• Led to the detention and internment of many Japanese, German, and Italian nationals—though notably, the internment of Japanese Americans (citizens) was done under Executive Order 9066, not this act.

Modern Status and Controversy

• Still in effect (2025)

• Rarely used, but remains part of the president’s emergency powers.

• It has drawn criticism for:

• Potential for abuse,

• Lack of clear judicial oversight,

• Historical misuse (e.g., WWII internments).

References

1. Text of the Act (U.S. Code):

• 50 U.S. Code Chapter 3 – Alien Enemies

2. Legal History and Analysis:

• Patrick Weil, The Sovereign Citizen: Denaturalization and the Origins of the American Republic (2013)

• Geoffrey R. Stone, Perilous Times: Free Speech in Wartime (2004)

3. Government Archives:

• National Archives: Records on Alien Enemy Internment

• Library of Congress: Alien and Sedition Acts: Primary Documents in American History

4. Academic Discussion:

• Jules Lobel, Emergency Power and the Decline of Liberalism in Yale Law Journal (1989)

• Daniel Farber, Security vs. Liberty: The Battle for the Constitution (2008)

The Chemical Dump

Kagaku busshitsu no haiki-ba [化学物質の廃棄場] by CEJames & Alfonz Ingram

Emotions, it is our reaction to external stimuli that trigger emotions that, in turn, release a flood of chemicals into our system that cause the fight or flight response.

Emotions, the trouble with emotions are two fold, first they are deeply imbedded in our lizard brain and two, they get triggered in less than a second, in milli-seconds.

In emotions revealed, "we aren't under emotional influence all the time. They come and go and we feel one emotion at a tome. We feel one moment and may not feel any emotion at another moment."

"Emotions evolved to allow us to survive and deal with the most critical events we may encounter."

The author goes on, "In an instant, before your logical human brain to think, before the conscious self-aware part can consider the situation, danger was sensed and appropriate emotion starts. As the emotion begins, it takes over our body and mind in the first milliseconds, driving both what we do and think, the lizard and monkey take over the train."

The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to a perceived threat or danger. This response is primarily triggered by emotions that are associated with threat, danger, or high stress, and it involves the sympathetic nervous system preparing the body to either confront (fight) or escape (flight) the threat.

Key Emotions That Trigger the Fight or Flight Response

1. Fear

• Fear is the most direct trigger. When a person perceives danger, fear activates the amygdala, which then stimulates the hypothalamus to initiate the fight or flight response via the sympathetic nervous system.

• Reference: LeDoux, J. E. (2000). Emotion circuits in the brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 23(1), 155-184.

2. Anger

• Anger can also activate the fight or flight response. While fear tends to lean toward “flight,” anger may push someone toward “fight.” Both emotions activate the same physiological systems.

• Reference: Cannon, W. B. (1932). The wisdom of the body. W. W. Norton & Company.

3. Anxiety

• Chronic or acute anxiety, even without a real immediate threat, can mimic the fight or flight response due to the body interpreting stress as a danger signal.

• Reference: Barlow, D. H. (2002). Anxiety and Its Disorders: The Nature and Treatment of Anxiety and Panic. Guilford Press.

4. Panic

• Panic attacks are often accompanied by an intense fight or flight response, including symptoms like increased heart rate, sweating, and hyperventilation.

• Reference: Craske, M. G., & Barlow, D. H. (2007). Mastery of your anxiety and panic: Therapist guide. Oxford University Press.

5. Shock or Surprise

• While not always associated with danger, sudden shock or surprise can trigger a brief fight or flight response due to the brain interpreting the unknown as a possible threat.

• Reference: Öhman, A. (2000). Fear and anxiety: Evolutionary, cognitive, and clinical perspectives. In M. Lewis & J. M. Haviland-Jones (Eds.), Handbook of emotions (2nd ed.).

It's all about nature and our evolution because it's useful for others, think tribe or group dynamics, to know when someone encounters dangers thus triggering freeze, flight, or fight. 

Emotions are about feeling, when they trigger the dump, "fear flashes across our face: brows raise and draw together: eyes widen: lips stretch back towards our ears: our heart rate rises: we begin to seeat: and blood rushes to the large muscled of our legs."

Since these traits are imbedded or encoded in our DNA our focus for self defense is to recognize the process then train ourselves, inured, to enhance the freeze, flight, or fight response to trigger appropriate and effective actions for our safety, security, and survival. This is the point where difficulties rise up and bite us on the keister. 

Ekman, Paul "emotions revealed" St. Martins Press 2007