Friday, June 15, 2007

Congress and Care-Givers
NY Times: A retired home health aide who sued her employer for unpaid overtime lost big this week in the Supreme Court — and so did fairness and the health care system.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Why This Scandal Should Matter To Everyone!!!

As Monica Goodling, a key player in the United States attorney scandal, prepares to testify before Congress on Wednesday, the administration’s strategy is clear. It has offered up implausible excuses, hidden the most damaging evidence and feigned memory lapses, while hoping that the publics attention moves on. But this scandal is too important for the public or Congress to move on. This story should not end until Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is gone, and the serious damage that has been done to the Justice Department is repaired.

Read The Whole Article From The NY Times

I don't watch much television these days and I more rarely listen to or watch network news anymore because of it's insidious insistence to serve more entertainment than actual news and to do so in a format that overtly refers to it's programming as news. Personally I believe the Networks should call it what it is...News 4 those in Denial. Most of the time the real news stories end up with a mere one or two lines if...they even get presented. This story is one of those. I happen to catch it's coverage in the background on NBC this eve. Just so happens I'd read this article as it came across my ticker as one of the most emailed stories today.



After the joke of elections that permitted us to endure four more years of horror and embarrassment from Bush I do not understand how such a situation as this in the justice department is regarded as a surprise to anyone, and especially to the media. Anyone who believes that Bush's slimy wet finger hasn't reached out and tickled the fancy of all the other good ol' boys is in some serious denial.

Visit Goodzy's

In my opinion, it should be obvious to everyone why this scandal should matter to everyone. We are talking about the Frigging United States Justice Department here!!! Their personal political affiliations should not EVER for any reason come in to play with regards to whom they are hiring. This country and our many systems in place has been established with very specific checks and balances to prevent such dictatorships. George Bush it seems has spent just as much time erasing these balances in his favor as he has embarrassing the majority of our country.

I am absolutely appalled at the fact that folks are not up in arms, protesting everywhere and at the White House. That the network media is barely reporting about this Story and they certainly are not doing so with the zest, eagerness and full story coverage as they gave the Paris Hilton gets jail time story. But then again, I believe Bush needs to be impeached for the lies he fed the American people regarding Iraq and Quite frankly I believe he should be tried for war crimes based on the gut wrenching numbers of killed specifically because of this stupid war.

Make no mistake people, George Bush has been way more of a Dictator than he has been a President on behalf of the United States.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Former President Bill Clinton Speaking on Behalf of Hillary Clinton

Pres. Clinton talks about the early years with Hillary, her dedicated work with the disadvantaged, the middle class and on issues such as health care. He also takes time to assure the country that she will put an end to the Iraq war. He is so humble in this video.

May 14th, 2007 Hillary on health care for Children

Barack Obama Chicago Council For Global Affairs

April 23rd, 2007 Barack Obama Speaking to the Chicago Council For Global Affairs. I had intended to put the video here however; it is such a huge player that it layered over my column so...I present you with this lovely little link. Worth a listen.

Friday, April 27, 2007

Einstein on War

Einstein had some very specific belief's and thoughts about war...here are some of them:

"He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action. It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is no different than murder."

"You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war."

"I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist. I am willing to fight for peace. Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war."

Read more about Einstein and his peaceful philosophy

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Who’s better for gays and lesbians: Barack or Hillary?

The two front-runners for the democratic nomination for president have a lot in common. Neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama support gay marriage, but both say they are for civil unions and repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Both support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to federal hate crimes laws and each back the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Yet, even though both are supportive of some gay and lesbian issues, neither seems to be a real champion of our causes. Kathy Belge, from About.com spoke with Anne Stockwell, editor of The Advocate magazine, which has a cover story on Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama this month. The Advocate is one of the most respected gay and lesbian publications and Anne is an expert on gay and lesbian political issues.

FE>>(She like probably most of us) wanted to know why both candidates are squeamish on gay and lesbian issues. “Let’s not say squeamish, let’s say cautious,” Anne replied. And they’re cautious with good reason. Look what happened to John Kerry when he mentioned Dick Cheney’s lesbian daughter Mary Cheney and that she probably thought being gay wasn’t a choice. The Cheney’s were pissed and so was most of America.

“Somehow or another Mary Cheney’s parents greeted that as an insult,” Anne says. “That’s insane. We all know what it’s like to deal with someone homophobic.”

Yes, we do. But do we lower our standard of living to ward off the homophobes? Do we not still fight for equal treatment, full rights, just because some televangelists and right wing politicians think we’re immoral?

As gays and lesbians, we need to ask ourselves. Do we give our votes to candidates who half-heartedly support us, or do we demand to be treated and accepted as the complete and whole human beings that we are?

Do We Deserve More?

Cruise here to read the rest of what imo was a really good interview. One that addressed some sure to come up uneasiness with many people in the very near future. Primarily the fact that neither candidate has said that they do not believe that homosexuality is immoral. Stockwell at this point believes it is necessary that we keep the fire on and respectively expect that they openly speak their positions. Personally, I do not know why they wouldn't unless of course, they do think it is immoral. Seems to me they'd extend their reach considerably by saying what they mean, and meaning what they say if they do not believe that being gay is immoral.

Stay informed on the issues:

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Props For This Commentary!

4/13/2007

The Best “Imus” Response Yet.
Posted by: Michael (from Gay Orbit)

You definitely need to watch this.

Click here to go to the Gay Orbit home page

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

This morning I had the privilege of not only seeing this delightful picture but watching & listening to Bush (who I might add was mentioned to be the most "Vacationing President" that we have ever had) demonstrate just how easy it is in this day and age, within our own government to be such a freakin hypocrite and seemingly be allowed to get away with it! How is this possible!?! I am quickly reminded of the mess and embarrassment the Republicans made regarding Clinton and how there were so many that felt it was so important to air our dirty laundry publicly & call Clinton out while he was President in front of the world in an effort to impeach him for essentially, engaging in what was nothing more than a politicalization of what should have been imo a private matter between he and his family. As Bush stood there whining about the Democrats vacation's getting in the way of him getting his soldiers and our family members what they need...as if!%#!?! Well Mr. Bush, perhaps if you'd done the job you snatched rather then the job we all expected you to do, you wouldn't be in such a predicament. Now we face what seems to be a horribly volatile situation burning in Iran, Iraq is a mess and we are more hated then ever. Seems to me that right now, it is our President's politico el' fear based crapio policy that is shall we say, lowering our property values as a country. It will take years if not decades and perhaps the lives of many of our children to repair the nasty reputation which he has so gifted us the American people with. Hate breeds Hate. Bottom line. I believe Mr. Bush has overtly proved this fact already - and, he has also demonstrated ever so eloquently just what it means when one says do I say and not as I do. These are probably two of the best things Bush has actually done in office. Perhaps Bush's seemingly blatant disregard for the regular American will all this country to finally once again get a President that this country really needs. It so maddens me that I hear no talk what so ever about hearings or potential impeachments. How is what Clinton did and for that matter, Nixon even worse than leading a country to war and being responsible for so many lies, torture, human rights violation & needless deaths? I just do not understand in the least and I certainly will be putting my future votes into the hands of folks who work 4 peace/democracy in ways that actually manifest it! Here's the lovely photo that spawned my madness this morning. I hope you are pissed off and you write, question, talk and share this with everyone you can. I'd say it's about time we the people stopped behaving in what seems to be the equivalent of "I've fallen and I can't get up" and start marching to "power to the people." or something more akin to "Revolution!" I believe it was Abby Hoffman who said; The system will collapse under it's own weight, all it needs is a few kicks in the ass!" Hoping you are enjoy your afternoon. Please do what you can to make sure you are getting to Drop Some of Your Knowledge throughout the blogosphere because if ever there was a time of need for the people to be heard, and for the people...all of us to really understand I would say this has got to be it. Be sure to take 5min or so when you and visit our friends at the www.droppingknowledge.org website. They offer a brilliantly done website full of user initiated multi-dimensional dynamic interfaces with which to engage ones mind. I am fascinated & educated every time I visit. Even in those moments that I have had only 10 minutes to swing through it has so been worth it! With the world shrinking (scientist's recently logged their one millionth living species into their database) it seems to me it's essential that we all...GET WORLD-WISE! That we make regular efforts to stay informed on a global level, that we make efforts to connect and explore as individuals with the rest of the world, that we encourage others to do so and to we regularly educate ourselves on evolving culture (including our own!). Make no mistake we are all evolving every little minute of every little day with every little molecule in our body. Sadly it seems we in this country have fallen deeply behind many others in the world in many ways. The last time I was at dropping knowledge some one had asked a question about who was the next to be the number one country when it came to Human Rights because as soon as Bush does away with Habeas Corpus (and no doubt this war has impacted this perspective) which he has already started the process to do....we here in the US will no longer be able to say that we are. I find this sad and scary at the same time. If you are interested in finding out who is trying to stop the President from trashing this right, go HERE. My point I guess is just that ultimately the more one knows, the more one grows and www.droppingknowledge.org is brilliantly done in a way that it fosters these opportunities, almost seamlessly. If you really want a treat be sure to start with or check out if you haven't, their "Visual Browse." That is some cool programming. Really gives you a sense to the deep layers associated with or times and the current state if affairs in the world. There is a lot of passion, many questions and even some great answers for some of the most important questions that could be asked in our lifetime. You can see it from every question, every answer.... I just can't speak highly enough about it. So if you haven't checked it out yet, please do! If you have, please be sure to wander back through. We need your voice for this Democracy to get back to work! Cheers, Friendly Earthling

Saturday, March 31, 2007

We Don't Have To Ask What Jane is Doing!

Berkeley Woman’s Iraq Quest Sleeping Bag in Tow, She Hopes to Embed with Army and Blog

Joe Garofoli wrote this for commondreams.org....

and introduced us to Jane Stillwater. Jane is a 64-year-old Berkeley woman who left for Kuwait on Wednesday, hoping to embed with the U.S. military there and in Iraq as a blogger. And if she is refused? She’s got a sleeping bag and plans to sleep on the beach in Kuwait until her return flight in three weeks.Protection? A Berkeley city councilman tried in vain to get her some body armor; she’s accepting online donations through PayPal so she can buy some in Kuwait.

0329 05Credentials? The military said the prolific blogger needs to be sponsored by a media outlet. No problem: The Lone Star Iconoclast, a 900-circulation liberal weekly in President Bush’s vacation getaway of Crawford, Texas, is sponsoring her. Not that it’s paying her. Then again, nearly all of the dozens of online columns Stillwater has produced over the past seven years for various publications have been labors of love.

Money for Arabic translators? Unnecessary. “I’ve been all over the world,” she said, “and you always find people who speak English.”

For More on Jane from CommonDreamsNews.org >>>>> or to catch up with Jane on her blog find her here!

A Step Away From Mad Cow!

I came across breaking news last night about the menu brand cat and dog food recalls and the subsequent fallout which reminded me of Howard Lyman. In 1997 I was gifted with the opportunity to hearHoward Lyman speak at a local subscription organic garden that was just beginning to get off the ground. Howard had come out to speak and perhaps increase interest. I had never heard of him before this event and I likely will now never forget him. During this same time frame Howard and Oprah Winfrey were in an embittered legal battle with the Texas Cattle Ranchers who were attempting to sue the two for slander. Howard was such an engaging, dynamic and informative speaker whose passion and personal experience around this topic exuded him. People literally sat and listened to him in awe. For me this was an event in which I had surmised boredom would prevail within minutes and I could not have been more wrong. Instead, I ended up not wanting to let Howard leave! The reality is here the time is now to start making healthier choices about what we eat, breathe and drink. Organic foods & foods with less additives should be cheaper but they are not. One should not have to have a mind like Einstein or need special abilities to be able to pronounce words with 20-40 syllables just in an effort to understand whether a food label is healthy or not. It should not matter whether it is for a human or your pet. Gandhi said it best when he said:
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" ~Gandhi
Howard is a 4th generation Cattle Rancher who became very ill and paralyzed one day with what he was told was an inoperable tumor in on his spine. I'll save Howard's story for Howard to tell and I'd encourage you to read his books Mad Cowboy and No More Bull!
Check out his web site here and/or go and see him speak, I can't imagine that anyone would be disappointed. Ultimately Howard, became a vegan which means he does not partake in any meat, fish or dairy at all. As you might imagine a 4th generation cattle rancher turned vegan is quite a powerful statement. During his talk, Howard claimed that it was not a matter of if...Mad Cow Disease would make it to the US but when. He also made it a point to note that most likely we would see the earliest issues with our domestic pets as the dog and cat food industry is not as regulated as it could be and as a result a lot of the scraps and animals who don't pass inspection end up in Rover's dish. Most of us realize these days that bulk pet food and even some of the more popular brands are not as good for our animals as their manufacturer wants us to believe. Howard explained that most all of the "feedlot" animals that are judged too bad, diseased, sick or whatever for human consumption, go right into the pet food. Who knows what else will be discovered or pop up. Saves money for them and being the industry is not regulated very tightly, they get away with it. Based on this it is truly just a matter of time rather than an impossibility. If you are a smart consumer, you realize that for every single animal we hear about who dies, there are no doubt ten more that no one knows about. Please make sure you are reading your pet food
labels correctly and if you do not know how,
or Google more resources on the web.
Everyday we get one step closer to learning the inevitable lesson that unless we start allowing our Brain's the opportunity to come out from that sock drawer that one might have been so snuggly tucked behind, and engage in even the slightest bit of critical thinking.... we, our fur friends and our entire world may cease to exist. If there is one thing we all share in common, it is that....we are all mortal. So please, educate yourself and do your part to stand up and speak out for safe, healthy and organic food for all living creatures!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Exactly What I Was Wondering!

Reference The Washington Post Article
Some time ago I recall hearing about a hydroelectric project that was going to be coming to Vashon. I have yet to see any windmills but I keep hoping for them. Nice article from the Post yesterday giving the Pacific Northwest a thumbs up for currently being a leading manufacturer of this trend in the states. Interesting to note is that according to this article, apparently we are second only to Texas. Maybe someone should tell the Skipper so he can circle the wagons...No, not that Skipper... Our very own U.S. of A...Skipper!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

The Illusion of Gender, Part One

Young Tre' is quite brilliant in an emotionally intelligent, socially analytical & over all Tre' has certainly demonstrated a level of psychological competence of which I have never even heard of occurring in such in such youth. It is Tre's sparkling charisma however, that aligns Tre' with the likes of MacGyver, Oprah, Bill the Cat and....dare I say Jean Luc Picard.. Yet Tre' really, is unlike any other human, and most certainly any human child than anyone has...ever, ever met b4...And quite likely more unlike any other human we will ever meet again. Tre' is uncommonly shy, usually to a fault as Trey is yet to understand much of what has been happening. This will change as Tre' becomes more & more aware of the astute prowess with regards to Tre's incredible observational and intuitive capabilities. Maybe it has something to do with Tre's penchant for old Doyle mystery's...but whatever it is, I hope Tre is prepared for the journey that weighs heavy on Tre's 17 year old mind. Soon, Tre' will travel beyond the men from Mars....and Tre' will travel over the women on Venus and as Tre's journey's take Tre' through the land of the politically and sexually divided inhabitants that live amongst Tre' and the rest of us....Tre' will hopefully rise up and through the mountains of self actualization...It is our dream for Tre' that Tre will not only come to discover that Tre' is beyond naturally gifted when it comes to just about anything having to do with other humans from conflict resolution, to breast feeding, to having the right touch when it comes to fixing a Teacher or neighbor's car...But Tre' in a moment of pure unadulterated Sybil Dom, will realize that Tre' is in fact a breed of a new species...a breed capable of stepping outside of the gender-box...a breed whose abilities and insights flourish well beyond even that of animal magnetism or such as that of the hormone driven gender conflicts facing humans today. Tre' will more than likely spend some time thinking & believing...that Trey's life is merely a matter of sacrifice....a mission of mercy, at the very most. I worry for Trey but there is still so much yet unknown about Tre's needs, abilities and not to mention overall understanding and of course the exact nature of...well, as Dan Millman or Gary Zukov would put it, we nor Tre' do not yet know what Tre's actual life purpose really is. I think we'd be naive to assume it would be anything less than extraordinary. Perhaps even more than we in our lifetime will ever comprehend. Our role I believe is to offer Tre' any support needed...without getting too involved and to do everything that we can to prevent anyone else from getting in Tre's way so that Tre' may easily master the 3 E's (exploration, experience, and evolution). This way Tre' can do what ever it is that Tre' was meant to do and do so with grace, the confidence to perceive challenges as learning opportunities, and the courage to just be the Tre' that Tre was meant to be. Tre' will undoubtedly face significant challenges and confusion while traveling through experiences that many of us could not even understand let a lone contemplate. Ultimately, what Tre' misses out on due to shyness, Tre will more than make up for in adventure and self discovery. But, do not underestimate the inherent intuitive nature of one like Tre'...not to mention that we are not even sure just what all Tre' is capable of as of yet. The simple truth is that at this point we nor Tre' know much of anything other than that Tre' came to us, announced a life meant to be lived as a tri-sexual and Tre' seems to have the unbelievable, unconscious ability to switch gender based on need much. Almost like that of a chameleon and it seems for Tre', choice or desire have nothing at all to do with it. What Tre' nor we were not however prepared for...was that Tre'....was about to stumble upon a world in which reality truly is not only subjective in the sense of our own perspective but in this particular situation, Tre' discovers what truly, as best as I can tell...appears to be nothing less than an alternative reality that apparently...to my own disbelief is running completely parallel to our own! And, I do mean parallel...parallel in the sense of reaching out and touching someone. One might wonder if perhaps....we here in this reality have forgotten to take our medication, but I assure you...I not only double checked but Tre' offered me a glimpse knowing I could not possibly believe.....
Stay tuned for updates....

Where do my rights end and yours begin?

In a computer generated illustration supplied by the American Institute of Mathematics, the E8 root system related to the Lie group E8, which is 248 dimensions, is seen. A math problem so complicated that its solution would cover the island of Manhattan if written out was cracked by researchers after going unsolved for more than a century. The 18-member team of mathematicians and computer scientists convened by the American Institute of Mathematics in Palo Alto, Calif., took four years to map a 248-dimensional object known as the "Lie group E8." (AP Graphic/John Stembridge, University of Michigan) Absolutely Cool. Read more on this awesome breakthrough

Sunday, March 18, 2007

would there be war if the world were run by women? Pink: Dear Mr. President

Live Cams

Live Cam's From Around the World Links to some live and still video cam's from around the world and a few that I check out now and again... View of Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound: From Vashon Island (Live) Brown's Point, Commencement Bay: Tacoma, WA (Live) Ferries To & From Seattle, WA Detroit, MI Sky Cam (Live) Eaton Rapids, MI (Live) WildWatch Cams: From WA (Eagles, Etc...) Africam.com: Animals in the wild (Live) Earth Cam: Cams from all over the world Alaska Web Cams Seattle Space Needle Cam

Mountain Web Cams Live

Friday, March 16, 2007

Life in Reverse

"I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should start out dead and get it out of the way. Then you wake up in a nursing home, feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension, then, when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You drink alcohol, you party, you're generally promiscuous, go to college and get ready for High School. You go to primary school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a baby, then, you spend your last 9 months floating peacefully with luxuries like central heating, spa room service on tap, larger quarters everyday, and finally you finish life off as an orgasm. I rest my case." ~Author Unknown

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