Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Happy Belated Mothers Day
Mother's Day Proclamation
Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts,
Whether our baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the bosom of the devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own.
It says: "Disarm! Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace,
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God.
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.
-Julia Ward Howe, 1870
Sent in by Carol Schreiner
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Happy B'Earth Day Mama!!!!!!!!!
Let me start off with a great Earth Day jam from my all time favorite Ben Hameen. This comes from the LOA, Live On Arrival, days.
Check out this beautiful video of our planet...
Louis Armstrong- What a Wonderful World
Jamiroquai-Corner of the Earth
Xavier Rudd- Messages
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Don't Forget to Look Up!!!
Thank you pandora.com. I started a station for Damian Marley and this was the fourth song that popped up.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Logorama
"I don't want to set the world on fire, I just want to start a flame in your heart"
Perfect lyrics for the end of this poignant film. I hope that this short video starts a flame in many hearts for years to come...
Perfect lyrics for the end of this poignant film. I hope that this short video starts a flame in many hearts for years to come...
Logorama from Marc Altshuler - Human Music on Vimeo.
Traumatized Vets Say Service Dogs Help Them to Live
Just weeks after Chris Goehner, 25, an Iraq war veteran, got a dog, he was able to cut anxiety medications.
By JANIE LORBER
The New York Times
STEPHEN CROWLEY / NYT
A prisoner plays with a psychiatric service dog at a corrections facility in Warwick, N.Y., which has an inmate program to raise and train the dogs.
WASHINGTON — Weeks after Chris Goehner, 25, an Iraq war veteran, got a dog, he was able to cut in half the dose of anxiety and sleep medications he took for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The night terrors and suicidal thoughts that kept him awake for days on end ceased.
Aaron Ellis, 29, another Iraq veteran with the stress disorder, scrapped his medications entirely soon after getting a dog — and set foot in a grocery store for the first time in three years.
The dogs to whom they credit their improved health are not just pets. They are psychiatric service dogs trained to help traumatized veterans leave the battlefield behind as they reintegrate into society.
Because of stories like these, the federal government, not usually at the forefront of alternative medical treatments, is spending several million dollars to study whether research supports anecdotal reports the dogs might speed recovery from the psychological wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In dozens of interviews, veterans and their therapists reported drastic reductions in PTSD symptoms and in reliance on medication after receiving a service dog.
Veterans rely on their dogs to gauge the safety of their surroundings, allowing them to venture into public places without constantly scanning for snipers, hidden bombs and other dangers lurking in the minds of those with the disorder.
In August, Jacob Hyde got his service dog, Mya, from Puppies Behind Bars, a program based in New York state that uses prisoners to raise and train dogs for lives of service. The organization has placed 23 dogs with veterans with PTSD in the past two years, training them to obey 87 commands.
"If I didn't have legs, I would have to crawl around," said Hyde, 25. "If I didn't have Mya, I wouldn't be able to leave the house."
If Hyde says "block," the dog will stand perpendicularly in front of him to keep other people at a distance. If he asks Mya to "get his back," the dog will sit facing backward by his side.
The dogs are trained to jolt a soldier from a flashback, dial 911 on a phone and sense a panic attack before it starts. Perhaps most important, the veterans' sense of responsibility, optimism and self-awareness is renewed by caring for the dogs.
The dogs help soldiers understand "what's happening as it's happening, what to do about it, and then doing it," said Joan Esnayra, a geneticist whose research team has received $300,000 from the Defense Department to study the issue. "You can use your dog kind of like a mirror to reflect back your emotional tenor."
The dog is also often the first visible manifestation of a former soldier's disability. Because people are curious about the animal, the veteran gets an opportunity to talk about his condition and his war experiences, discussions that can contribute to recovery.
More broadly, the dogs help increase public awareness of PTSD, which the Veterans Affairs Department said affects about one quarter of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with whom it has worked.
Under a bill written by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., veterans with PTSD will get service dogs in a pilot program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Training a psychiatric service dog and pairing it with a client costs more than $20,000. The government already helps provide dogs to soldiers who lost their sight or were severely wounded in combat, but had never considered placing dogs for emotional damage.
By JANIE LORBER
The New York Times
STEPHEN CROWLEY / NYT
A prisoner plays with a psychiatric service dog at a corrections facility in Warwick, N.Y., which has an inmate program to raise and train the dogs.
WASHINGTON — Weeks after Chris Goehner, 25, an Iraq war veteran, got a dog, he was able to cut in half the dose of anxiety and sleep medications he took for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The night terrors and suicidal thoughts that kept him awake for days on end ceased.
Aaron Ellis, 29, another Iraq veteran with the stress disorder, scrapped his medications entirely soon after getting a dog — and set foot in a grocery store for the first time in three years.
The dogs to whom they credit their improved health are not just pets. They are psychiatric service dogs trained to help traumatized veterans leave the battlefield behind as they reintegrate into society.
Because of stories like these, the federal government, not usually at the forefront of alternative medical treatments, is spending several million dollars to study whether research supports anecdotal reports the dogs might speed recovery from the psychological wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In dozens of interviews, veterans and their therapists reported drastic reductions in PTSD symptoms and in reliance on medication after receiving a service dog.
Veterans rely on their dogs to gauge the safety of their surroundings, allowing them to venture into public places without constantly scanning for snipers, hidden bombs and other dangers lurking in the minds of those with the disorder.
In August, Jacob Hyde got his service dog, Mya, from Puppies Behind Bars, a program based in New York state that uses prisoners to raise and train dogs for lives of service. The organization has placed 23 dogs with veterans with PTSD in the past two years, training them to obey 87 commands.
"If I didn't have legs, I would have to crawl around," said Hyde, 25. "If I didn't have Mya, I wouldn't be able to leave the house."
If Hyde says "block," the dog will stand perpendicularly in front of him to keep other people at a distance. If he asks Mya to "get his back," the dog will sit facing backward by his side.
The dogs are trained to jolt a soldier from a flashback, dial 911 on a phone and sense a panic attack before it starts. Perhaps most important, the veterans' sense of responsibility, optimism and self-awareness is renewed by caring for the dogs.
The dogs help soldiers understand "what's happening as it's happening, what to do about it, and then doing it," said Joan Esnayra, a geneticist whose research team has received $300,000 from the Defense Department to study the issue. "You can use your dog kind of like a mirror to reflect back your emotional tenor."
The dog is also often the first visible manifestation of a former soldier's disability. Because people are curious about the animal, the veteran gets an opportunity to talk about his condition and his war experiences, discussions that can contribute to recovery.
More broadly, the dogs help increase public awareness of PTSD, which the Veterans Affairs Department said affects about one quarter of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with whom it has worked.
Under a bill written by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., veterans with PTSD will get service dogs in a pilot program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Training a psychiatric service dog and pairing it with a client costs more than $20,000. The government already helps provide dogs to soldiers who lost their sight or were severely wounded in combat, but had never considered placing dogs for emotional damage.
Monday, March 29, 2010
The End of Cancer?
Look close. You may be staring at the end of cancer. Those tiny black dots are nanobots delivering a lethal blow to a cancerous cell, effectively killing it. The first trial on humans has been a success, with no side-effects:
It sneaks in, evades the immune system, delivers the siRNA, and the disassembled components exit out.
Those are the words of Mark Davis, head of the research team that created the nanobot anti-cancer army at the California Institute of Technology. According to a study to be published in Nature, Davis' team has discovered a clean, safe way to deliver RNAi sequences to cancerous cells. RNAi (Ribonucleic acid interference) is a technique that attacks specific genes in malign cells, disabling functions inside and killing them.
Check out the rest of this article I pulled from Gizmodo.com.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Exotic... Croatia?
Stumbled upon this amazing shot of Plitvice Lakes National Park today and thought it must be in a tropical paradise. Boy was I surprised to find out this is in Croatia.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Save The World and Get Free Music
The Time for Action is Now.
For the first time ever, a climate change-related bill has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. Now, it's up to the U.S. Senate to vote on similar legislation. That's why it's never been more important for elected officials to hear from citizens on this issue. With that in mind, HeadCount and the NRDC Action Fund have teamed up with Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Phish, Jack Johnson and many other top acts to offer a free "Best of Bonnaroo" download compilation (see track list on right). To download "Best of Bonnaroo," just send an original or pre-written email with a few clicks. It's simple, free and a great way to make your voice heard. Download "Best of Bonnaroo."
Click here to get to started
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
100 Ways to Serve Others
Stumbled onto this great list today and I dig it soo much, I had to repost it.
1. Smile
This is a great habit to develop to start each and every day and to practice whenever you have the chance. The great thing is that smiling at others is easy and takes nothing but a little effort. Nearly everyone responds to a smile and it makes you and the other person feel better immediately.
2. Hold or Get the Door for Someone
Simple things are a great way to serve others and these little things can really make a great difference. Stop and hold the door for someone whenever you get a chance you hold the door and let someone go in front of you. This sends a strong message and you can really bump it up by combining this with #1, a great smile with the door offer.
3. Help someone get where they want to be
I mean when it comes to transportation or as a physical destination. There are always friends, colleagues and family needing a ride somewhere or a pickup form a trip, vacation or event. Perhaps it’s to be a designated driver for a group of friends. Simply offer to help get there where they want to be.
Click Here to see the rest of this list.
1. Smile
This is a great habit to develop to start each and every day and to practice whenever you have the chance. The great thing is that smiling at others is easy and takes nothing but a little effort. Nearly everyone responds to a smile and it makes you and the other person feel better immediately.
2. Hold or Get the Door for Someone
Simple things are a great way to serve others and these little things can really make a great difference. Stop and hold the door for someone whenever you get a chance you hold the door and let someone go in front of you. This sends a strong message and you can really bump it up by combining this with #1, a great smile with the door offer.
3. Help someone get where they want to be
I mean when it comes to transportation or as a physical destination. There are always friends, colleagues and family needing a ride somewhere or a pickup form a trip, vacation or event. Perhaps it’s to be a designated driver for a group of friends. Simply offer to help get there where they want to be.
Click Here to see the rest of this list.
Monday, February 22, 2010
New Music From Collective Efforts
My favorite group has just released their fourth album which is their best to date. They are warming up this socially freezing world with amazing music that is guaranteed to move you. I have been listening to it almost non stop since I got my hands on a copy and it gets better with every listen because I pick up on more things I've missed. This is sure to go down as a classic and if you don't have it yet... you need to add this to your music collection. Click here to get to the new album, t-shirts, hoodies or the last two albums.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Recycled Home...
These people have decided to create something unique, built entirely from recycled materials...
(read and see more HERE, not sure why the grammar is so bad, maybe it was translated from a foreign language...)
(read and see more HERE, not sure why the grammar is so bad, maybe it was translated from a foreign language...)
Avalanche
I recently rediscovered The Avalanches while bumbling around youtube. Their sound is crazy, it took me a little while to get into it. I think the videos are a real work of art and what kept me tuned in long enough to appreciate their music.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
New wind power tops all other sources in 2009
I pulled this story from the Ecologist website, click the highlight below for the full story.
Ecologist
4th February, 2010
Wind and solar technology made up over half of Europe’s new electricity generating capacity in 2009, as the number of new coal and nuclear facilities fell
More wind capacity was installed in Europe during 2009 than any other electricity-generating technology, according to statistics released today by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).
Wind accounted for 39 per cent of increased European energy capacity, ahead of gas (26 per cent) and solar (16 per cent). In contrast, the nuclear and coal power sectors decommissioned more megawatts of capacity than they installed in 2009, with a total of 1,393 MW of nuclear and 3,200 MW of coal decommissioned.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Playing For Change
Click here for the latest release from Playing for Change, musicians across the globe who unite to bring peace through music. I have done a couple of posts on this blog about this project. This is the first piece I've heard that wasn't in english and I'm really digging it. Check out their website Playing For Change and support the movement.
Georgia Bill Would Protect Youth from Aggressive Military Recruiting
(APN) ATLANTA--On January 28, 2010, state legislators, and advocates from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Southeast Region, and other groups held a press conference at the State Capitol to introduce a resolution to protect Georgia children from abusive military recruiting.
The legislation, HR 1219, was authored by State Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, who represents District 85 in DeKalb County. Ten co-sponsors have signed on to the House resolution, including State Reps. Alisha Thomas Morgan, Michelle Henson, Karla Drenner, Kathy Ashe, and Simone Bell.
State Sen. Nan Orrock has introduced a companion resolution, SR 955, in the State Senate. Co-sponsors include State Sens. Gloria Butler, Horacena Tate, Valencia Seay, Vincent Fort, and Ed Harbison.
The federal No Child Left Behind Act, passed by US Congress in 2001, requires schools--among other things--to disclose 11th and 12th grade students' records to military recruiters or lose their federal funding. Peace activists sometimes refer to this act as "No Child Left Un-Recruited."
"As a parent, it is necessary that school children aren't contacted by military recruiters without the parents' knowledge and consent," State Rep. Benfield told Atlanta Progressive News.
"To join the Armed Services is a major life-changing decision that requires parental involvement. Our school system needs to be more uniform and pro-active to give parents information up-front, regarding opt-out forms that prohibit schools from disclosing students' records to military recruiters," Benfield said.
Check out the rest of this great report on Atlanta Progressive News
The legislation, HR 1219, was authored by State Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, who represents District 85 in DeKalb County. Ten co-sponsors have signed on to the House resolution, including State Reps. Alisha Thomas Morgan, Michelle Henson, Karla Drenner, Kathy Ashe, and Simone Bell.
State Sen. Nan Orrock has introduced a companion resolution, SR 955, in the State Senate. Co-sponsors include State Sens. Gloria Butler, Horacena Tate, Valencia Seay, Vincent Fort, and Ed Harbison.
The federal No Child Left Behind Act, passed by US Congress in 2001, requires schools--among other things--to disclose 11th and 12th grade students' records to military recruiters or lose their federal funding. Peace activists sometimes refer to this act as "No Child Left Un-Recruited."
"As a parent, it is necessary that school children aren't contacted by military recruiters without the parents' knowledge and consent," State Rep. Benfield told Atlanta Progressive News.
"To join the Armed Services is a major life-changing decision that requires parental involvement. Our school system needs to be more uniform and pro-active to give parents information up-front, regarding opt-out forms that prohibit schools from disclosing students' records to military recruiters," Benfield said.
Check out the rest of this great report on Atlanta Progressive News
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Hero of the Day- Dillon Vaughn Maurer
Big ups to my roomie, Dillon Vaughn Maurer aka Dial on aka Dillonias, for working hard on his musical and culinary skills. Looks like all that work is starting to pay off. This year he dropped a new album "Studies in Hunger" with Paten Locke on the beats and featuring Dave West of De La Soul fam, Akrobatic, Stacy Epps, Cool Calm Pete, H2O of Mass Influence, Lady Daisey of Smile Rays, Willie Evans Jr, and a personal shout out from J Dilla's Uncle Herm and Chuck D of Public Enemy. Dillon is currently working on a live cooking show with the same name as his website, DillonAteThat for Willie Ev's site TheNerdySouth.com
Let's start with "Hot Mess"
Here he is with "Spin" featuring Atlanta legend H2O and Paten Locke on vocals
"Stay Relative"
If you don't already have "Studies in Hunger" please support this man by going to DillonMaurer.net and coping the album, that is all for now. Thank you.
Let's start with "Hot Mess"
Here he is with "Spin" featuring Atlanta legend H2O and Paten Locke on vocals
"Stay Relative"
If you don't already have "Studies in Hunger" please support this man by going to DillonMaurer.net and coping the album, that is all for now. Thank you.
Throwback Music
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings who put on one of the best live shows I've ever seen. She is a ball of energy reminiscent of James Brown and if you like any of the music on Amy Winehouse albums you can thank her backing band, The Dap Kings. These guys would be perfect for a Quintin Tarantino soundtrack. Here is their hit single "100 days."
I've been hearing about Michael Buble, picture an accent over the e, for quite some time now. I finally got around to checking him out tonight after hearing glowing reviews about his performance on SNL from my friend Sunshine. She described him as modern Sinatra, but much more fun. It's obvious this guy is having a great time performing.
And here they are together, Michael Buble, once again picture the accent.... there you go, with Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.
I've been hearing about Michael Buble, picture an accent over the e, for quite some time now. I finally got around to checking him out tonight after hearing glowing reviews about his performance on SNL from my friend Sunshine. She described him as modern Sinatra, but much more fun. It's obvious this guy is having a great time performing.
And here they are together, Michael Buble, once again picture the accent.... there you go, with Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Fund Established For Rebuilding Of Fire Damaged Our Way Cafe
Story pulled from The Champion Newspaper, thanks for the heads up Janis
The popular Avondale Estates eatery Our Way Café suffered substantial damage from a fire that destroyed most of the back part of the establishment.
Co-owned by Eva Marie Rosewall and Jody McFerren, Our Way was originally located in the former Towne Cinema building in downtown Avondale Estates in 1987. In 1992, the restaurant moved to the corner of Candler and East College Avenue in Decatur and in 2001 relocated to its current Avondale Estates location in the Twin Oaks Shopping Center.
The fire started around 10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, while the building was vacant. Rosewall said that even though the dining area appears to have suffered little obvious damage that the entire space will have to be cleaned to remove soot and the charred smell.
Rosewall said that she does not have a projected time to reopen but will be using the help of restaurant employees in the cleanup effort. She also expressed “a huge amount of gratitude to the DeKalb County fire department and Avondale Estates police department for their immediate response and to the employees of Avondale Pizza Café for their help.”
A fund to aid in the rebuilding of Our Way has been established at Decatur First Bank. Those wishing to contribute are asked to endorse checks to Our Way Café Recovery Fund and to include Attn: Ann Berg in the memo line of the check. Contributions may be dropped off at the bank or mailed to: Decatur First Bank, ATTN: Ann Berg, Our Way Recovery Fund, 1120 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030.
Written By: John Hewitt
Peru Backs Massive Amazon Protected Area
Found this great news on WWF.
Lima, Peru: The Peruvian National Protected Areas Service has decided to allocate funds to help protect a large swath of the Amazon this year, which is home to several endangered species and indigenous groups.
The Protected Areas Service pledged to allocate USD 280,000 for surveillance activities in the massive area – encompassing a region larger than El Salvador – formed by the Alto Purus National Park and the Purus Communal Reserve. The protected area was officially created in 2004 in part through the support of WWF.
The area spreads across some of the most pristine forests in the southwestern Amazon and shelters jaguars, pink dolphins, arapaimas and other endangered species. It is also home to at least eight ethnic groups, including an unknown number of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation.
For years, activities such as illegal logging – mainly for mahogany – and poaching damaged these unique forests and disturbed the indigenous communities.
“This represents a major success for all Peruvians regarding the government’s commitment to the conservation of the Peruvian Amazon and will aid to build long term conservation strategies for roughly 3 million hectares of some of the richest forests in the world,” said Biologist Jorge Herrera, Director of WWF´s Amazon Headwaters Initiative (AHI) who has been working in the area for more than five years.
“The recently announced government support will not only help sustain a team of more than 20 park guards, and the heads of the reserve and park, but will also promote capacity building strategies,” said Herrera. “This will enable WWF to focus on other complementary actions and ensure that from now on, Purus is safer than ever before.”
Since 2004, WWF Peru – with funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation -has supported control and surveillance activities carried out by the park and reserve authorities, equipping and helping them implement seven strategic control posts and form an efficient park guard team, made up of experienced technicians and local indigenous peoples with broad knowledge of the rivers and forests which they now protect
Lima, Peru: The Peruvian National Protected Areas Service has decided to allocate funds to help protect a large swath of the Amazon this year, which is home to several endangered species and indigenous groups.
The Protected Areas Service pledged to allocate USD 280,000 for surveillance activities in the massive area – encompassing a region larger than El Salvador – formed by the Alto Purus National Park and the Purus Communal Reserve. The protected area was officially created in 2004 in part through the support of WWF.
The area spreads across some of the most pristine forests in the southwestern Amazon and shelters jaguars, pink dolphins, arapaimas and other endangered species. It is also home to at least eight ethnic groups, including an unknown number of indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation.
For years, activities such as illegal logging – mainly for mahogany – and poaching damaged these unique forests and disturbed the indigenous communities.
“This represents a major success for all Peruvians regarding the government’s commitment to the conservation of the Peruvian Amazon and will aid to build long term conservation strategies for roughly 3 million hectares of some of the richest forests in the world,” said Biologist Jorge Herrera, Director of WWF´s Amazon Headwaters Initiative (AHI) who has been working in the area for more than five years.
“The recently announced government support will not only help sustain a team of more than 20 park guards, and the heads of the reserve and park, but will also promote capacity building strategies,” said Herrera. “This will enable WWF to focus on other complementary actions and ensure that from now on, Purus is safer than ever before.”
Since 2004, WWF Peru – with funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation -has supported control and surveillance activities carried out by the park and reserve authorities, equipping and helping them implement seven strategic control posts and form an efficient park guard team, made up of experienced technicians and local indigenous peoples with broad knowledge of the rivers and forests which they now protect
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Capitalism and Cows
TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM -- You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.
AN AMERICAN CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when the cow drops dead.
FRENCH CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You go on strike because you want three cows.
A JAPANESE CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create clever cow cartoon images called Cowkimon(tm) and market them world-wide.
A GERMAN CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
A BRITISH CORPORATION -- You have two cows. Both are mad.
AN ITALIAN CORPORATION -- You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You break for lunch.
A RUSSIAN CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 12 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.
A SWISS CORPORATION -- You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them.
A HINDU CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You worship them.
A CHINESE CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported the numbers.
AN ARKANSAS CORPORATION -- You have two cows. That one on the left is kinda cute.
ENRON CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows. The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more. Sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States, leaving you with nine cows. No balance sheet provided with the release. The public buys your bull.
ARTHUR ANDERSON, LLC -- You have 2 cows. You shred all documents that Enron has any cows, take 2 cows from Enron for payment for consulting the cows, and attest that Enron has 9 cows.
AN AMERICAN CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when the cow drops dead.
FRENCH CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You go on strike because you want three cows.
A JAPANESE CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create clever cow cartoon images called Cowkimon(tm) and market them world-wide.
A GERMAN CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.
A BRITISH CORPORATION -- You have two cows. Both are mad.
AN ITALIAN CORPORATION -- You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You break for lunch.
A RUSSIAN CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 12 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.
A SWISS CORPORATION -- You have 5000 cows, none of which belong to you. You charge others for storing them.
A HINDU CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You worship them.
A CHINESE CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim full employment, high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported the numbers.
AN ARKANSAS CORPORATION -- You have two cows. That one on the left is kinda cute.
ENRON CORPORATION -- You have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows. The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more. Sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States, leaving you with nine cows. No balance sheet provided with the release. The public buys your bull.
ARTHUR ANDERSON, LLC -- You have 2 cows. You shred all documents that Enron has any cows, take 2 cows from Enron for payment for consulting the cows, and attest that Enron has 9 cows.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Celebrating Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn, one of my personal heroes, died yesterday at the age of 87. I would like to focus on celebrating his life as opposed to mourning his passing. This pioneer was one of the trail blazers in peaceful civil disobedience, he organized students in the south during the civil rights movement and students in Boston during the Vietnam war. He is probably best known for authoring the book "A Peoples History of The United States" which I consider a must read! Once again, thank you Howard for everything you did to make this world a better place for all.
Here is an amazing series of six videos with Howard Zinn and Woody Harrelson.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Atlanta Activists In Action!
I pulled this story from an email sent to me by Atlanta Progressive News, which is a constant source of news that can't be found on major news networks.
(APN) Peace Activists Turn Backs on Gen. Petraeus at GA Tech
By Gloria Tatum, Special to The Atlanta Progressive News (January 24, 2010)
(APN) ATLANTA -- On January 19, 2010, thirteen Atlanta activists from Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition (GPJC), and Atlanta Grandmothers for Peace stood in silence and turned their backs on US General David Petraeus before being removed from the 1,100-person Ferst Theater on the Georgia Tech campus.
The activists wore t-shirts with messages like War is Not the Answer, Money for Jobs Not War, No to Endless War and Occupation, Veterans for Peace, and End the War - Yes We Can!
The activists included Randy Aronov, Bernice Bass; Doris Benit; Mike Burke; Pamela Chubbuck; David Epstein; Reid Jenkins; Ann Mauney; Betsy Miklethun; Dot Shaw; George Sossenko; and the present writer--Gloria Tatum.
Mauney, of GPJC, contradicted Petraeus's public relations message that the US is winning in the occupations of Iraq or Afghanistan.
"There is no military solution to the Afghanistan conflict, and... Gen. Petraeus, as a chief strategist for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and occupations, carries responsibilities for bankrupt US war policies," Mauney said during the protest.
"General Petraeus, the man from CENTCOM at MacDill AFB in St. Petersburg, definitely had the glint of a fifth star in his eyes and he reinforced that by telling a giant whopper about how the invasion of Afghanistan was launched after 9/11 because that's where the terrorists were from," Burke, a veteran of the US Invasion of Vietnam, wrote in an email obtained by Atlanta Progressive News.
In fact, the US government's own investigation into 9/11 contradicts Petraeus's assertion by concluding that the majority of terrorists who attacked the US were from Saudi Arabia, not Afghanistan.
Petraeus then began his question and answer session with the rows of clean-cut Tech students and academics who were far more interested in the economics of occupation than a pull-out date.
Outside the Ferst Center, other opponents of endless war and occupation held a press conference and anti-war rally.
"Ever since the escalation in Afghanistan was announced, there has been a sharp upsurge in terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US," Dianne Mathiowetz, International Action Center Atlanta, said in a statement.
"Isn't it obvious that these endless wars just create endless terrorism?" Mathiowetz asked. "Why is General Petraeus only taking questions from Tech students? Is he afraid of questions from spouses and other loved ones of those who are dying in these endless wars, or from taxpayers who are paying for the war?"
Bob Goodman of the GPJC--as well as an APN contributor--composed and passed out 500 flyers to people waiting in line at the Ferst Center, with the questions advocates would have asked General Petraeus if given the opportunity.
(APN) Peace Activists Turn Backs on Gen. Petraeus at GA Tech
By Gloria Tatum, Special to The Atlanta Progressive News (January 24, 2010)
(APN) ATLANTA -- On January 19, 2010, thirteen Atlanta activists from Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition (GPJC), and Atlanta Grandmothers for Peace stood in silence and turned their backs on US General David Petraeus before being removed from the 1,100-person Ferst Theater on the Georgia Tech campus.
The activists wore t-shirts with messages like War is Not the Answer, Money for Jobs Not War, No to Endless War and Occupation, Veterans for Peace, and End the War - Yes We Can!
The activists included Randy Aronov, Bernice Bass; Doris Benit; Mike Burke; Pamela Chubbuck; David Epstein; Reid Jenkins; Ann Mauney; Betsy Miklethun; Dot Shaw; George Sossenko; and the present writer--Gloria Tatum.
Mauney, of GPJC, contradicted Petraeus's public relations message that the US is winning in the occupations of Iraq or Afghanistan.
"There is no military solution to the Afghanistan conflict, and... Gen. Petraeus, as a chief strategist for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and occupations, carries responsibilities for bankrupt US war policies," Mauney said during the protest.
"General Petraeus, the man from CENTCOM at MacDill AFB in St. Petersburg, definitely had the glint of a fifth star in his eyes and he reinforced that by telling a giant whopper about how the invasion of Afghanistan was launched after 9/11 because that's where the terrorists were from," Burke, a veteran of the US Invasion of Vietnam, wrote in an email obtained by Atlanta Progressive News.
In fact, the US government's own investigation into 9/11 contradicts Petraeus's assertion by concluding that the majority of terrorists who attacked the US were from Saudi Arabia, not Afghanistan.
Petraeus then began his question and answer session with the rows of clean-cut Tech students and academics who were far more interested in the economics of occupation than a pull-out date.
Outside the Ferst Center, other opponents of endless war and occupation held a press conference and anti-war rally.
"Ever since the escalation in Afghanistan was announced, there has been a sharp upsurge in terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US," Dianne Mathiowetz, International Action Center Atlanta, said in a statement.
"Isn't it obvious that these endless wars just create endless terrorism?" Mathiowetz asked. "Why is General Petraeus only taking questions from Tech students? Is he afraid of questions from spouses and other loved ones of those who are dying in these endless wars, or from taxpayers who are paying for the war?"
Bob Goodman of the GPJC--as well as an APN contributor--composed and passed out 500 flyers to people waiting in line at the Ferst Center, with the questions advocates would have asked General Petraeus if given the opportunity.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wisdom from the Zen Calendar
"The best mind-altering drug is truth."
Lily Tomlin
"You're only as young as the last time you changed your mind."
Timothy Leary
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sounds Like Sunday
This guy and Jamie Liddel seem to have their own genre going, I'm calling it electric oldies. Might have to do an entire post on this guy he has so many great songs.
This is the coolest Dick Dale cover I've ever seen, the burning trumpet adds to the show.
Icelandic blues with a hint of twang.
Dyno Jamz has a cool laid back sound and the horn section stands out.
Electro Funk set to video art.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Hero Of The Day
Three Cheers for the late Henry Liu, who developed an environmentally safe brick made from the waste produced from coal-fired power plants.
The following was taken from an article on the Mother Nature Network.
The importance of the technology he pioneered cannot be understated. Each year, nearly 45 million tons of leftover fly ash — toxic byproduct from burning coal — is recklessly disposed of in landfills and ash ponds, contaminating the environment and putting people's health at risk. The problem can be particularly bad in countries with developing industries. In India alone, fly ash landfill covers an area of 40,000 acres.
But where others saw pollution, Liu saw possibility. He invented a commercially viable, green manufacturing process by which the fly ash could be turned into bricks. Liu's bricks look, feel, and function exactly like standard clay bricks often used on houses, banks, or other buildings, with one exception — fly ash bricks actually conserve energy, cost less to manufacture, and don't contribute to air pollution or global warming like the manufacturing of clay bricks can.
In other words, not only did Liu find a use for what was otherwise hazardous waste, he transformed that waste into a building material that was beneficial to the environment.
The green bricks have already been licensed for production in 11 countries, including the world's biggest coal polluters: China, India and the United States. Furthermore, Liu predicted that in 10 years, half of the all bricks manufactured and used each year will be fly ash bricks.
For most people, patenting and developing one revolutionary technology to solve the world's environmental problems is more than exemplary, but fly ash bricks were only one of Liu's several big projects.
For instance, in 2001 he set up his own business called the Freight Pipeline Company. With the aim of lessening noise and air pollution, decongesting highways, and reducing accidents, the company has developed what it calls capsule pipeline technology. The visionary project seeks to reshape how freight is transported around the country. Instead of using trucks or trains or ocean freighters, Lui promoted moving it through large underground pipelines powered by an electromagnetic pump.
Lui's accomplishments after the age of 60 could fill the ambitions of people half his age, and his legacy, company and drive continue to be an inspiration to his family, colleagues and community. Tragically, shortly after being nominated for his Purpose Prize, Henry Lui passed away in 2009 just as his latest ideas were coming to fruition.
"Most other men of my age are enjoying their retirement lives," said Liu before his death. "I enjoy, on the other hand, continued work. Both kinds of life bring enjoyment, but I believe that my encore career life is more fulfilling."
"He's always wanted to change the world. Success to my dad isn't about making money. It's about leaving the world a better place," said Lui's son Jeffrey, who plans to honor his father's legacy by continuing his important work.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
May...
May you always make the right moves.
May your cup runneth over with love.
May you always find shelter from any storm.
May you remain good looking and looking good!
May you find the perfect diet for your soul.
May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.
May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.
May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobberry pink and furry tan.
May you manage to MAKE time for siesta.
May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.
May your accessories always harmonize with your natural beauty!
Should your mouth ever be bigger than your stomach, may you have a chewing good time!
May you always know when to walk away and know when to run.
And may your friends always bring you joy!
For more great pics check out lets be friends
May your cup runneth over with love.
May you always find shelter from any storm.
May you remain good looking and looking good!
May you find the perfect diet for your soul.
May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.
May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.
May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobberry pink and furry tan.
May you manage to MAKE time for siesta.
May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.
May your accessories always harmonize with your natural beauty!
Should your mouth ever be bigger than your stomach, may you have a chewing good time!
May you always know when to walk away and know when to run.
And may your friends always bring you joy!
For more great pics check out lets be friends
Seven Blunders of the World
1) Wealth without work
2) Pleasure without conscience
3) Knowledge without character
4) Commerce without morality
5) Science without humanity
6) Worship without sacrifice
7) Politics without principle
Mahatma Gandhi
Inspiration Move Me Lightly
Let's make life better for the youngsters. Production by Exile, who hits another track out of the park. If you heard the new album from Blu you already know.
2010 Year of the Tiger
Mantra for 2010:I am ready for something bigger, better and far more wonderful then anything I have ever experienced before.
Thanks Sunshine
Symptoms of Peace
1) A tendency to think and act deliberately, rather than from fears based on past experiences
2) An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment
3) A loss of interest in judging others
4) A loss of interest in judging self
5) A loss of interest in conflict
6) A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others
7) A loss of ability to worry
8) Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation
9) Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature
10) Frequent attacks of smiling through the heart
11) Increasing susceptibility to kindness offered, and the uncontrollable urge to reciprocate
12) An increasing tendency to allow things to unfold rather than resisting and manipulating
Author Unknown
(but still very much appreciated)
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