ONEbyONE
Monday, October 30, 2006
Hello again- REVISED Oct/Nov
Hello again from the brisk fall afternoon of Fargo, North Dakota
U.S.A. where there is a winter storm warning for this afternoon
and we sit and watch the green leaves, flowers and plants. We
wonder as always if it's agood-bye for a long winters night or
two or three or hundred. It's always
bittersweet but we keep our hearts warm by putting out hopes
for a warm enough day to sled, and a white enough arrival for Santa
Claus, and El Nino to warm our winds.
I don't know where to begin as it has been quite a month. No doubt
for all of you as well. I must first however say a warm how ya doin?
to Bettendorf,Iowa and Regina, Saskatachewan. My only 2 regulars.
I am glad you enjoy it here and I remind you I do have my comments
open so you may post your feelings from time to time. Sure would
prefer it to be crowded, comfortable place here around the table rather
than a lone wolf lonely chat in the shower! Much like Rosie O Donnels
question page. www.rosie.com go to 'read the answers' and enjoy the
free flowing back and forth exchange much like the energy today.
October hit me with a wallop like all the rest of the months do these
days it's just this time I was forced to face it like it or lump it. I was at
my son and daughters school fall program for 3rd-5th grade "The Emperor's
New clothes" and despite swollen lymph nodes on left side of my neck that
I had gone to the walk clinic and had gotten Antibiotics for and feeling
really tough, I trudged out for the 2nd show with my son. My husband
had caught the early show and was at work, and my daughter had a role
on stage as "The Style Minister" but it was just me and my younger son
who sang in it for the night version. She was at the school super early to
get dressed and get styled! I wouldn't miss it for anything.
I had swollen lymph nodes on my neck and a sore throat and had been in
to the walk in clinic earlier. It didn't resolve anything other than
persisting for hm to get me some anti-biotics at least. I had been up all
night and the nodes- in my NECK (that's a first) really hurt.
By the time we got to the night performance and only a little bit before
my left eye was getting difficult to close and watery and the left side
of my face was droopy. LONG story short I went back in to the ER
after the performance and tried not to have fear. Fear that I may be
allergic to the anti-biotics they gave me. Not fear of stroke- it hadn't
even crossed my mind thankfully until the DR. first words were
"Well, you didn't have a stroke" PHEW. They are unsure as they
had never seen lymph nodes that swollen down the neck. But they feel
it was classic Bells Palsy.
All I know it was hard not to be scared. And that I certainly didn't
manifest that! (Yes, that's a slam on the run of New Agey we are what
we thinks. Some of them valid. Some of them narrowminded.)
But I read up on it. He prescribed me anti-viral and steroid medication
to the list and I rested as best a mother can with 2 children in football,
basketball, and dance.
That was 2 weeks.
Then we proceeded to have a 7 year case resolve badly. And my daughter
broke her hand and it was slow to heal and went from brace to a cast
and several visits to a bone specialist.
Then we found out their health coverage had lapsed unbeknownst to us
and it would take several months to resolve it if ever.
Pretty glad to see the month over.
We are all experiencing the big PUSH.
Which is only reason why I share my story.
You are not alone. We are not alone in this.
Just release ALL fear.
Leave the past where it belongs. IN the past.
ALL non material things. Especially thought forms and feelings.
And all material things that no longer serve you.
See the cliff.
Then jump.
Jump with the sun on your face
and the wind beneath you.
Cushioning the fall.
And there will be no fall.
You'll just surf on over the chasm.
Enjoyed serving those less fortunate again
This Thanksgiving
Remember giving heals the soul.
Yours and those you give to.
Great holiday!
Since Gratitude IS the Attitude.
For Grace in All Things.
Thanks to the EDGE magazine for getting the GE published.
The "Make a Rainy Day Bright" article from some time ago
that only my 2-3 regular readers might know of made it
in their November issue. www.edgelife.net
Peace be with you.
U.S.A. where there is a winter storm warning for this afternoon
and we sit and watch the green leaves, flowers and plants. We
wonder as always if it's agood-bye for a long winters night or
two or three or hundred. It's always
bittersweet but we keep our hearts warm by putting out hopes
for a warm enough day to sled, and a white enough arrival for Santa
Claus, and El Nino to warm our winds.
I don't know where to begin as it has been quite a month. No doubt
for all of you as well. I must first however say a warm how ya doin?
to Bettendorf,Iowa and Regina, Saskatachewan. My only 2 regulars.
I am glad you enjoy it here and I remind you I do have my comments
open so you may post your feelings from time to time. Sure would
prefer it to be crowded, comfortable place here around the table rather
than a lone wolf lonely chat in the shower! Much like Rosie O Donnels
question page. www.rosie.com go to 'read the answers' and enjoy the
free flowing back and forth exchange much like the energy today.
October hit me with a wallop like all the rest of the months do these
days it's just this time I was forced to face it like it or lump it. I was at
my son and daughters school fall program for 3rd-5th grade "The Emperor's
New clothes" and despite swollen lymph nodes on left side of my neck that
I had gone to the walk clinic and had gotten Antibiotics for and feeling
really tough, I trudged out for the 2nd show with my son. My husband
had caught the early show and was at work, and my daughter had a role
on stage as "The Style Minister" but it was just me and my younger son
who sang in it for the night version. She was at the school super early to
get dressed and get styled! I wouldn't miss it for anything.
I had swollen lymph nodes on my neck and a sore throat and had been in
to the walk in clinic earlier. It didn't resolve anything other than
persisting for hm to get me some anti-biotics at least. I had been up all
night and the nodes- in my NECK (that's a first) really hurt.
By the time we got to the night performance and only a little bit before
my left eye was getting difficult to close and watery and the left side
of my face was droopy. LONG story short I went back in to the ER
after the performance and tried not to have fear. Fear that I may be
allergic to the anti-biotics they gave me. Not fear of stroke- it hadn't
even crossed my mind thankfully until the DR. first words were
"Well, you didn't have a stroke" PHEW. They are unsure as they
had never seen lymph nodes that swollen down the neck. But they feel
it was classic Bells Palsy.
All I know it was hard not to be scared. And that I certainly didn't
manifest that! (Yes, that's a slam on the run of New Agey we are what
we thinks. Some of them valid. Some of them narrowminded.)
But I read up on it. He prescribed me anti-viral and steroid medication
to the list and I rested as best a mother can with 2 children in football,
basketball, and dance.
That was 2 weeks.
Then we proceeded to have a 7 year case resolve badly. And my daughter
broke her hand and it was slow to heal and went from brace to a cast
and several visits to a bone specialist.
Then we found out their health coverage had lapsed unbeknownst to us
and it would take several months to resolve it if ever.
Pretty glad to see the month over.
We are all experiencing the big PUSH.
Which is only reason why I share my story.
You are not alone. We are not alone in this.
Just release ALL fear.
Leave the past where it belongs. IN the past.
ALL non material things. Especially thought forms and feelings.
And all material things that no longer serve you.
See the cliff.
Then jump.
Jump with the sun on your face
and the wind beneath you.
Cushioning the fall.
And there will be no fall.
You'll just surf on over the chasm.
Enjoyed serving those less fortunate again
This Thanksgiving
Remember giving heals the soul.
Yours and those you give to.
Great holiday!
Since Gratitude IS the Attitude.
For Grace in All Things.
Thanks to the EDGE magazine for getting the GE published.
The "Make a Rainy Day Bright" article from some time ago
that only my 2-3 regular readers might know of made it
in their November issue. www.edgelife.net
Peace be with you.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Global warming could cost trillions
Global warming could cost trillions of dollars
by Katherine HaddonSun Oct 29, 10:30 AM ET
Global warming will cost the world up to seven trillion dollars in the next decade unless governments take drastic action soon, a major report will warn.
Former World Bank chief economist Sir Nicholas Stern was commissioned last year by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to lead a review into the economics of climate change and will deliver his findings Monday.
But the Observer newspaper published Sunday excerpts from his 700-page report, which adds that unchecked global warming could make 200 million people refugees from drought or flood.
Publication of the report is likely to fuel debate in Britain over whether the government should introduce a tougher regime of "green taxes" to cut carbon emissions.
According to the Observer, the Stern report says unchecked climate change would cost up to 3.68 trillion pounds -- more than World Wars I and II and the Great Depression of the 1930s.
It also warns that the world needs to spend about one percent of global gross domestic product -- equivalent to about 184 billion pounds -- on the issue now or face a bill up to 20 times higher than that in future, the paper says.
Stern also calls for a successor to the Kyoto agreement on greenhouse gases to be signed next year, not in 2010 or 2011 as planned, because the problem is so urgent, it adds.
Failure to act quickly would trigger a global recession, he reportedly adds, and calls for an international framework to tackle the issue.
The Observer says his report is the first heavyweight contribution to the debate on climate change by an economist rather than a scientist.
Environmental activist group Greenpeace said it removed any doubt about the need to tackle climate change.
"If we are to avert catastrophe then there has to be a real cost to emitting carbon and that means higher taxes on flying and gas-guzzlers. We owe it to future generations," a spokesman said.
Commenting on Stern's findings, environment secretary David Miliband quoted scientists as saying that action needed to be taken within 15 years to change the way energy was produced.
"I think it is very significant that the economics revealed by Sir Nicholas Stern's report should be that the longer we wait, and certainly the longer we wait beyond the 10-15 year timeframe that is set by the scientists, the more costly it will be," he told Sky News television.
Miliband added that discussions were "going on inside government" about green taxes but did not comment on a Mail on Sunday newspaper report that ministers had drawn up plans for taxes on fuel, cars, air travel and consumer goods to fight global warming.
Environmental issues were pushed up the political agenda in Britain last year by the election of David Cameron as leader of the main opposition Conservative party on a green platform.
Under him, the Tories have enjoyed a resurgence of public support, with many opinion polls putting the party ahead of Prime Minister Tony Blair's ruling Labour.
Cameron has so far avoided committing himself to detailed policies on the environment but indicated in a BBC television interview Sunday that he might tax air travel if he came to power.
He also said he would install wind turbines and solar panels at 10 Downing Street, the prime ministerial residence, if he wins the next general election.
by Katherine HaddonSun Oct 29, 10:30 AM ET
Global warming will cost the world up to seven trillion dollars in the next decade unless governments take drastic action soon, a major report will warn.
Former World Bank chief economist Sir Nicholas Stern was commissioned last year by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown to lead a review into the economics of climate change and will deliver his findings Monday.
But the Observer newspaper published Sunday excerpts from his 700-page report, which adds that unchecked global warming could make 200 million people refugees from drought or flood.
Publication of the report is likely to fuel debate in Britain over whether the government should introduce a tougher regime of "green taxes" to cut carbon emissions.
According to the Observer, the Stern report says unchecked climate change would cost up to 3.68 trillion pounds -- more than World Wars I and II and the Great Depression of the 1930s.
It also warns that the world needs to spend about one percent of global gross domestic product -- equivalent to about 184 billion pounds -- on the issue now or face a bill up to 20 times higher than that in future, the paper says.
Stern also calls for a successor to the Kyoto agreement on greenhouse gases to be signed next year, not in 2010 or 2011 as planned, because the problem is so urgent, it adds.
Failure to act quickly would trigger a global recession, he reportedly adds, and calls for an international framework to tackle the issue.
The Observer says his report is the first heavyweight contribution to the debate on climate change by an economist rather than a scientist.
Environmental activist group Greenpeace said it removed any doubt about the need to tackle climate change.
"If we are to avert catastrophe then there has to be a real cost to emitting carbon and that means higher taxes on flying and gas-guzzlers. We owe it to future generations," a spokesman said.
Commenting on Stern's findings, environment secretary David Miliband quoted scientists as saying that action needed to be taken within 15 years to change the way energy was produced.
"I think it is very significant that the economics revealed by Sir Nicholas Stern's report should be that the longer we wait, and certainly the longer we wait beyond the 10-15 year timeframe that is set by the scientists, the more costly it will be," he told Sky News television.
Miliband added that discussions were "going on inside government" about green taxes but did not comment on a Mail on Sunday newspaper report that ministers had drawn up plans for taxes on fuel, cars, air travel and consumer goods to fight global warming.
Environmental issues were pushed up the political agenda in Britain last year by the election of David Cameron as leader of the main opposition Conservative party on a green platform.
Under him, the Tories have enjoyed a resurgence of public support, with many opinion polls putting the party ahead of Prime Minister Tony Blair's ruling Labour.
Cameron has so far avoided committing himself to detailed policies on the environment but indicated in a BBC television interview Sunday that he might tax air travel if he came to power.
He also said he would install wind turbines and solar panels at 10 Downing Street, the prime ministerial residence, if he wins the next general election.
Final Retrograde of the year
From www.alphalifetrends.com
October 28, 2006 Mercury turns retrograde at 25° ScorpioNovember 18, 2006 Mercury turns direct at 9° Scorpio.
Scorpio represents our deeper sense of power and motives and alignes our inner and outer goals with our philosophy. Scorpio requires that we take a closer look to understand what truly is within. This being the last mercury retrograde of 2006 opens the door to grab hold of something of substance and that capsules our beliefs and bring this out into the world of career, business and literally bring our inner beliefs to the outer world in one way or another.
The Mercury retrogrades that are occurring this year provide the opportunities for us to show our true inner self, our true inner essence and to display the contents of our spiritual cupboards. The success that is destined to occur this year will not be determined by words and other shallow communications, but by the x-ray vision of qualities, ethics and abilities that have their roots in our spiritual cupboard. The changes, revisions and adjustments that occur during these Mercury retrograde time frames will have a major impact in the chutes and ladder events of 2006.
Mercury relates to thoughts, concepts, ideas, and communication. When Mercury retrogrades, we find that many parts of our life are being revised. Often these revisions can be a surprise or throw us back a step. However, these revisions which occur during a Mercury retrograde, are a "course correction” and provide a stop gap measure until we can review situations. During this time of revision, change is compounded and confusion is created by our reactions to the ever-changing situations. Thus anything started during this time will ultimately be taken back or even revised further, making for a high-frustration time.
The best mode to be in during a Mercury retrograde is one of "non-reaction". Treat the time period as a time of gathering information, yet because the information will be in constant change it would be like trying to comb your hair in a wind storm. Best to wait until the changes stop before attempting to make things orderly. Therefore, just let the winds of situations blow around you without reacting. Once Mercury turns direct, take a look at the information that is still around at that time and go about putting everything in order, while maintaining the fine art of flexibility.
October 28, 2006 Mercury turns retrograde at 25° ScorpioNovember 18, 2006 Mercury turns direct at 9° Scorpio.
Scorpio represents our deeper sense of power and motives and alignes our inner and outer goals with our philosophy. Scorpio requires that we take a closer look to understand what truly is within. This being the last mercury retrograde of 2006 opens the door to grab hold of something of substance and that capsules our beliefs and bring this out into the world of career, business and literally bring our inner beliefs to the outer world in one way or another.
The Mercury retrogrades that are occurring this year provide the opportunities for us to show our true inner self, our true inner essence and to display the contents of our spiritual cupboards. The success that is destined to occur this year will not be determined by words and other shallow communications, but by the x-ray vision of qualities, ethics and abilities that have their roots in our spiritual cupboard. The changes, revisions and adjustments that occur during these Mercury retrograde time frames will have a major impact in the chutes and ladder events of 2006.
Mercury relates to thoughts, concepts, ideas, and communication. When Mercury retrogrades, we find that many parts of our life are being revised. Often these revisions can be a surprise or throw us back a step. However, these revisions which occur during a Mercury retrograde, are a "course correction” and provide a stop gap measure until we can review situations. During this time of revision, change is compounded and confusion is created by our reactions to the ever-changing situations. Thus anything started during this time will ultimately be taken back or even revised further, making for a high-frustration time.
The best mode to be in during a Mercury retrograde is one of "non-reaction". Treat the time period as a time of gathering information, yet because the information will be in constant change it would be like trying to comb your hair in a wind storm. Best to wait until the changes stop before attempting to make things orderly. Therefore, just let the winds of situations blow around you without reacting. Once Mercury turns direct, take a look at the information that is still around at that time and go about putting everything in order, while maintaining the fine art of flexibility.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
More record profits for Oil companies
Exxon Mobil posts $10.49B profit in 3Q
By STEVE QUINN, AP Business Writer1 hour, 1 minute ago
Oil industry behemoth Exxon Mobil's earnings rose to $10.49 billion in the third quarter, the second-largest quarterly profit ever recorded by a publicly traded U.S. company. Its shares briefly rose to a 52-week high.
The report Thursday comes as high crude prices this year have fueled record profits in the oil industry, triggering an outcry from consumers who were being asked to pay about $3 a gallon for gasoline in early August.
The largest quarterly profit ever was Exxon Mobil Corp.'s $10.71 billion profit in the fourth quarter of 2005.
The company may beat that next quarter, said Howard Silverblatt Standard & Poor's Senior Index Analyst. "Then in all likelihood they will be at that $40 billion mark for the year."
That would put the company on track for the highest annual profit ever by a U.S. company. Exxon Mobil holds that record with a 2005 profit of $36.1 billion.
Although crude oil prices began to decline toward the end of the third quarter, the average market price for crude held at around $70 a barrel in the period after peaking above $78 per barrel in July. Oil futures prices have recently traded near $61 a barrel, and gasoline prices have dropped to an average of about $2.43 a gallon.
Exxon Mobil, the world's biggest publicly traded oil company, said its net income amounted to $1.77 per share for the July-September period, up from $9.92 billion, or $1.58 per share, a year ago.
The results surpassed the expectations of Wall Street analysts. On average, analysts expected the company to earn $1.59 per share in the quarter.
Exxon Mobil shares rose 46 cents to $71.47 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange after rising to a new 52-week high of $72.33 earlier in the session.
Revenue fell to $99.59 billion from $100.72 billion from a year ago, which saw then-record oil prices because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Still, Exxon's revenue for the three-month period was greater than the annual gross domestic product of some major oil producing nations, including the United Arab Emirates ($98.1 billion) and Kuwait ($52.76 billion), according to statistics maintained by the Central Intelligence Agency.
More than two-thirds of Exxon Mobil's profits come from oil and natural-gas production outside the U.S., with rising production in Africa, the Middle East and Russia consistently offsetting declining output in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Exxon Mobil said it pumped 7 percent more oil and natural gas than it did during the same quarter a year earlier. At the beginning of the year, some analysts had forecast a 5 percent growth.
Another major international oil company, Royal Dutch Shell PLC said its third-quarter profit fell 34 percent to $5.94 billion even as revenues rose 10 percent to $84.3 billion. But the Anglo-Dutch company's operating profit rose as higher oil prices outweighed worsening refining margins.
Earlier this week, ConocoPhillips reported its profit rose 2 percent to $3.88 billion in the third quarter while another major oil company, BP PLC, said its earnings fell 3.6 percent to $6.23 billion.
A fifth major oil company, Chevron Corp., is expected to report its results Friday.
High oil prices helped Irving, Texas-based Exxon Mobil realize earnings from its oil and gas drilling activities of $6.49 billion, up 13 percent from the prior year. The company also saw stronger earnings from its refining operations and gas stations, and profits at its chemicals segment more than doubled.
The company said its average sale price for crude oil in the U.S. during the quarter was $62.07 a barrel, compared to $56.97 a year earlier. Internationally, however, Exxon said the average sale price for oil was $65.64 compared to $58.24 a year ago. Natural gas sales in the U.S. were slightly lower in the U.S. but higher around the world.
___
AP Business Writer Lauren Villagran in New York contributed to this report.
By STEVE QUINN, AP Business Writer1 hour, 1 minute ago
Oil industry behemoth Exxon Mobil's earnings rose to $10.49 billion in the third quarter, the second-largest quarterly profit ever recorded by a publicly traded U.S. company. Its shares briefly rose to a 52-week high.
The report Thursday comes as high crude prices this year have fueled record profits in the oil industry, triggering an outcry from consumers who were being asked to pay about $3 a gallon for gasoline in early August.
The largest quarterly profit ever was Exxon Mobil Corp.'s $10.71 billion profit in the fourth quarter of 2005.
The company may beat that next quarter, said Howard Silverblatt Standard & Poor's Senior Index Analyst. "Then in all likelihood they will be at that $40 billion mark for the year."
That would put the company on track for the highest annual profit ever by a U.S. company. Exxon Mobil holds that record with a 2005 profit of $36.1 billion.
Although crude oil prices began to decline toward the end of the third quarter, the average market price for crude held at around $70 a barrel in the period after peaking above $78 per barrel in July. Oil futures prices have recently traded near $61 a barrel, and gasoline prices have dropped to an average of about $2.43 a gallon.
Exxon Mobil, the world's biggest publicly traded oil company, said its net income amounted to $1.77 per share for the July-September period, up from $9.92 billion, or $1.58 per share, a year ago.
The results surpassed the expectations of Wall Street analysts. On average, analysts expected the company to earn $1.59 per share in the quarter.
Exxon Mobil shares rose 46 cents to $71.47 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange after rising to a new 52-week high of $72.33 earlier in the session.
Revenue fell to $99.59 billion from $100.72 billion from a year ago, which saw then-record oil prices because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Still, Exxon's revenue for the three-month period was greater than the annual gross domestic product of some major oil producing nations, including the United Arab Emirates ($98.1 billion) and Kuwait ($52.76 billion), according to statistics maintained by the Central Intelligence Agency.
More than two-thirds of Exxon Mobil's profits come from oil and natural-gas production outside the U.S., with rising production in Africa, the Middle East and Russia consistently offsetting declining output in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Exxon Mobil said it pumped 7 percent more oil and natural gas than it did during the same quarter a year earlier. At the beginning of the year, some analysts had forecast a 5 percent growth.
Another major international oil company, Royal Dutch Shell PLC said its third-quarter profit fell 34 percent to $5.94 billion even as revenues rose 10 percent to $84.3 billion. But the Anglo-Dutch company's operating profit rose as higher oil prices outweighed worsening refining margins.
Earlier this week, ConocoPhillips reported its profit rose 2 percent to $3.88 billion in the third quarter while another major oil company, BP PLC, said its earnings fell 3.6 percent to $6.23 billion.
A fifth major oil company, Chevron Corp., is expected to report its results Friday.
High oil prices helped Irving, Texas-based Exxon Mobil realize earnings from its oil and gas drilling activities of $6.49 billion, up 13 percent from the prior year. The company also saw stronger earnings from its refining operations and gas stations, and profits at its chemicals segment more than doubled.
The company said its average sale price for crude oil in the U.S. during the quarter was $62.07 a barrel, compared to $56.97 a year earlier. Internationally, however, Exxon said the average sale price for oil was $65.64 compared to $58.24 a year ago. Natural gas sales in the U.S. were slightly lower in the U.S. but higher around the world.
___
AP Business Writer Lauren Villagran in New York contributed to this report.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Much has happened....
from www.rosie.com
It is Pat’s birthday on November 6, and elections are the day after. It gets me thinking about a conversation I had with Pat before we joined the military. He spoke about the risks with signing the papers. How once we committed, we were at the mercy of the American leadership and the American people. How we could be thrown in a direction not of our volition. How fighting as a soldier would leave us without a voice… until we got out.
Much has happened since we handed over our voice:
Somehow we were sent to invade a nation because it was a direct threat to the American people, or to the world, or harbored terrorists, or was involved in the September 11 attacks, or received weapons-grade uranium from Niger, or had mobile weapons labs, or WMD, or had a need to be liberated, or we needed to establish a democracy, or stop an insurgency, or stop a civil war we created that can’t be called a civil war even though it is. Something like that.
Somehow America has become a country that projects everything that it is not and condemns everything that it is.
Somehow our elected leaders were subverting international law and humanity by setting up secret prisons around the world, secretly kidnapping people, secretly holding them indefinitely, secretly not charging them with anything, secretly torturing them. Somehow that overt policy of torture became the fault of a few “bad apples” in the military.
Somehow back at home, support for the soldiers meant having a five-year-old kindergartener scribble a picture with crayons and send it overseas, or slapping stickers on cars, or lobbying Congress for an extra pad in a helmet. It’s interesting that a soldier on his third or fourth tour should care about a drawing from a five-year-old; or a faded sticker on a car as his friends die around him; or an extra pad in a helmet, as if it will protect him when an IED throws his vehicle 50 feet into the air as his body comes apart and his skin melts to the seat.
Somehow the more soldiers that die, the more legitimate the illegal invasion becomes.
Somehow American leadership, whose only credit is lying to its people and illegally invading a nation, has been allowed to steal the courage, virtue and honor of its soldiers on the ground.
Somehow those afraid to fight an illegal invasion decades ago are allowed to send soldiers to die for an illegal invasion they started.Somehow faking character, virtue and strength is tolerated.Somehow profiting from tragedy and horror is tolerated.Somehow the death of tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people is tolerated.Somehow subversion of the Bill of Rights and The Constitution is tolerated.Somehow suspension of Habeas Corpus is supposed to keep this country safe.Somehow torture is tolerated.Somehow lying is tolerated.Somehow reason is being discarded for faith, dogma, and nonsense.Somehow American leadership managed to create a more dangerous world.Somehow a narrative is more important than reality.
Somehow America has become a country that projects everything that it is not and condemns everything that it is.
Somehow the most reasonable, trusted and respected country in the world has become one of the most irrational, belligerent, feared, and distrusted countries in the world.
Somehow being politically informed, diligent, and skeptical has been replaced by apathy through active ignorance.
Somehow the same incompetent, narcissistic, virtueless, vacuous, malicious criminals are still in charge of this country.
Somehow this is tolerated.Somehow nobody is accountable for this.
In a democracy, the policy of the leaders is the policy of the people. So don’t be shocked when our grandkids bury much of this generation as traitors to the nation, to the world and to humanity. Most likely, they will come to know that “somehow” was nurtured by fear, insecurity and indifference, leaving the country vulnerable to unchecked, unchallenged parasites.
Luckily this country is still a democracy. People still have a voice. People still can take action. It can start after Pat’s birthday.
Brother and Friend of Pat Tillman,
Kevin Tillman
It is Pat’s birthday on November 6, and elections are the day after. It gets me thinking about a conversation I had with Pat before we joined the military. He spoke about the risks with signing the papers. How once we committed, we were at the mercy of the American leadership and the American people. How we could be thrown in a direction not of our volition. How fighting as a soldier would leave us without a voice… until we got out.
Much has happened since we handed over our voice:
Somehow we were sent to invade a nation because it was a direct threat to the American people, or to the world, or harbored terrorists, or was involved in the September 11 attacks, or received weapons-grade uranium from Niger, or had mobile weapons labs, or WMD, or had a need to be liberated, or we needed to establish a democracy, or stop an insurgency, or stop a civil war we created that can’t be called a civil war even though it is. Something like that.
Somehow America has become a country that projects everything that it is not and condemns everything that it is.
Somehow our elected leaders were subverting international law and humanity by setting up secret prisons around the world, secretly kidnapping people, secretly holding them indefinitely, secretly not charging them with anything, secretly torturing them. Somehow that overt policy of torture became the fault of a few “bad apples” in the military.
Somehow back at home, support for the soldiers meant having a five-year-old kindergartener scribble a picture with crayons and send it overseas, or slapping stickers on cars, or lobbying Congress for an extra pad in a helmet. It’s interesting that a soldier on his third or fourth tour should care about a drawing from a five-year-old; or a faded sticker on a car as his friends die around him; or an extra pad in a helmet, as if it will protect him when an IED throws his vehicle 50 feet into the air as his body comes apart and his skin melts to the seat.
Somehow the more soldiers that die, the more legitimate the illegal invasion becomes.
Somehow American leadership, whose only credit is lying to its people and illegally invading a nation, has been allowed to steal the courage, virtue and honor of its soldiers on the ground.
Somehow those afraid to fight an illegal invasion decades ago are allowed to send soldiers to die for an illegal invasion they started.Somehow faking character, virtue and strength is tolerated.Somehow profiting from tragedy and horror is tolerated.Somehow the death of tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people is tolerated.Somehow subversion of the Bill of Rights and The Constitution is tolerated.Somehow suspension of Habeas Corpus is supposed to keep this country safe.Somehow torture is tolerated.Somehow lying is tolerated.Somehow reason is being discarded for faith, dogma, and nonsense.Somehow American leadership managed to create a more dangerous world.Somehow a narrative is more important than reality.
Somehow America has become a country that projects everything that it is not and condemns everything that it is.
Somehow the most reasonable, trusted and respected country in the world has become one of the most irrational, belligerent, feared, and distrusted countries in the world.
Somehow being politically informed, diligent, and skeptical has been replaced by apathy through active ignorance.
Somehow the same incompetent, narcissistic, virtueless, vacuous, malicious criminals are still in charge of this country.
Somehow this is tolerated.Somehow nobody is accountable for this.
In a democracy, the policy of the leaders is the policy of the people. So don’t be shocked when our grandkids bury much of this generation as traitors to the nation, to the world and to humanity. Most likely, they will come to know that “somehow” was nurtured by fear, insecurity and indifference, leaving the country vulnerable to unchecked, unchallenged parasites.
Luckily this country is still a democracy. People still have a voice. People still can take action. It can start after Pat’s birthday.
Brother and Friend of Pat Tillman,
Kevin Tillman
Democracy in Danger
IT's about time the media looked into this but will it be in time? I'm grateful it's finally
being unveiled but frankly steams me how very long it has taken. The BBC has been
reporting on voter Fraud in the U.S. since the 2000 Election as has Robert Kennedy
with some shocking evidence on voter fraud in 2004. Will it make Americans want to
stay away from the polls? That's how it makes me feel. Who wants the feeling that
their vote could morph into something else entirely?
Spiritually I am getting alot of
strong information that this is a great test for us as the Chasm grows. The Truth is
being illuminated and unveiled no matter where we look. In the Catholic Church, in
Rush Limbaughs behavior today attacking Michael J. Fox, in the stories the Media is
finally covering as we near the Election- and Americans need to act on it. If we head to
the polls and send Washington a resounding message of giving ALL incumbents a pink
slip but the polls don't reflect that reality how will we react this time? It's like the saying
if a tree falls in the woods does anyone hear it? It is my hope and my prayers and I
hope yours, that Divine government will begin to emerge in the U.S in November. and if
the reality of the results do not reflect that movement as I'm being told it might not, then
we as Americans must speak up and face the consequences of the unknown and uncertain
road ahead without fear of civil discourse and democracy in danger. Do not qo quietly!
Be brave and courageous! Vote! And be prepared to speak quietly and carry a big stick after the election! Onward and Upward Christian, Muslim, Jewish, American Indian, Hindu, Unitarian, and all other spiritual soldiers!!!!!! This is the most critical "hour" of the Emergence. I believe in you.
Diebold Source Code Leaked Again
Robert McMillan, IDG News ServiceMon Oct 23, 9:00 AM ET
Source code to Diebold Election Systems voting machines has been leaked once again.
Last week, former Maryland state legislator Cheryl C. Kagan was anonymously given disks containing source code to Diebold's BallotStation and Global Election Management System (GEMS) tabulation software used in the 2004 elections. Kagan, a well-known critic of electronic voting, is Executive Director of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Olney, Maryland.
The disks were created and distributed by two federal voting machine testing labs run by Ciber and Wyle Laboratories. They had been testing systems on behalf of the state of Maryland, Diebold said in a statement. Earlier Breech
This is not the first time that Diebold source code has been leaked. In early 2003, Diebold critic Bev Harris uncovered similar source code while conducting research using Google's search engine.
Soon after, researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Rice University published a damning critique of Diebold's products, based on an analysis of the software.
They found, for example, that it would be easy to program a counterfeit voting card to work with the machines and then use it to cast multiple votes inside the voting booth.
Diebold says it has since introduced security enhancements to its products, but the fact that the company's sensitive source code has again leaked out is not a good sign, according to Avi Rubin, a computer science professor with Johns Hopkins and one of the authors of the 2003 report.
The first leak should have taught Diebold a lesson on securing its source code, he said. "You would think that given the amount of embarrassment that caused them, they would do a better job of protecting it." Evaluating Criticism
Rubin, who was shown the latest source code by a reporter at the Washington Post, said that it appeared to be "just another version" of the code that was published in 2003.
The disks came with a letter that was highly critical of Maryland State Administrator of Elections Linda Lamone, Rubin said. "It read like it was from somebody with a very, very serious axe to grind," he said. "It was one of the more outlandish things I've read." The researcher commented further on the source code leak on his blog.
Rubin believes the disks were given to Kagan because of her past criticism of electronic voting machines. "I guess whoever did this knew she would pursue it doggedly, which she did."
Diebold said the source code was for BallotStation 4.3.15C, which is no longer being used in the U.S., and for GEMS 1.18.19, which is being used in a "limited number of jurisdictions."
The FBI is investigating the leak, Diebold said. Ready for Election
The leak comes with just three weeks before elections in the U.S., but Maryland Board of Elections Deputy Administrator Ross Goldstein expressed confidence in the Diebold voting machines. The leaked code was "not software that's in use in this election," he said. "The software now is different and has many more security features."
Diebold echoed Goldstein's comments. "Voters and election officials can be confident that on Election Day, votes and vote totals will be safe, secure and accurate," the company said.
Kagan, however, wasn't so sure, saying that the security of the source code raised concerns. "The idea that it could be that readily available and could be delivered to me and who-knows-who-else around the state [is disturbing]," she said. "Who know what any other people may be doing with it?"
being unveiled but frankly steams me how very long it has taken. The BBC has been
reporting on voter Fraud in the U.S. since the 2000 Election as has Robert Kennedy
with some shocking evidence on voter fraud in 2004. Will it make Americans want to
stay away from the polls? That's how it makes me feel. Who wants the feeling that
their vote could morph into something else entirely?
Spiritually I am getting alot of
strong information that this is a great test for us as the Chasm grows. The Truth is
being illuminated and unveiled no matter where we look. In the Catholic Church, in
Rush Limbaughs behavior today attacking Michael J. Fox, in the stories the Media is
finally covering as we near the Election- and Americans need to act on it. If we head to
the polls and send Washington a resounding message of giving ALL incumbents a pink
slip but the polls don't reflect that reality how will we react this time? It's like the saying
if a tree falls in the woods does anyone hear it? It is my hope and my prayers and I
hope yours, that Divine government will begin to emerge in the U.S in November. and if
the reality of the results do not reflect that movement as I'm being told it might not, then
we as Americans must speak up and face the consequences of the unknown and uncertain
road ahead without fear of civil discourse and democracy in danger. Do not qo quietly!
Be brave and courageous! Vote! And be prepared to speak quietly and carry a big stick after the election! Onward and Upward Christian, Muslim, Jewish, American Indian, Hindu, Unitarian, and all other spiritual soldiers!!!!!! This is the most critical "hour" of the Emergence. I believe in you.
Diebold Source Code Leaked Again
Robert McMillan, IDG News ServiceMon Oct 23, 9:00 AM ET
Source code to Diebold Election Systems voting machines has been leaked once again.
Last week, former Maryland state legislator Cheryl C. Kagan was anonymously given disks containing source code to Diebold's BallotStation and Global Election Management System (GEMS) tabulation software used in the 2004 elections. Kagan, a well-known critic of electronic voting, is Executive Director of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Olney, Maryland.
The disks were created and distributed by two federal voting machine testing labs run by Ciber and Wyle Laboratories. They had been testing systems on behalf of the state of Maryland, Diebold said in a statement. Earlier Breech
This is not the first time that Diebold source code has been leaked. In early 2003, Diebold critic Bev Harris uncovered similar source code while conducting research using Google's search engine.
Soon after, researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Rice University published a damning critique of Diebold's products, based on an analysis of the software.
They found, for example, that it would be easy to program a counterfeit voting card to work with the machines and then use it to cast multiple votes inside the voting booth.
Diebold says it has since introduced security enhancements to its products, but the fact that the company's sensitive source code has again leaked out is not a good sign, according to Avi Rubin, a computer science professor with Johns Hopkins and one of the authors of the 2003 report.
The first leak should have taught Diebold a lesson on securing its source code, he said. "You would think that given the amount of embarrassment that caused them, they would do a better job of protecting it." Evaluating Criticism
Rubin, who was shown the latest source code by a reporter at the Washington Post, said that it appeared to be "just another version" of the code that was published in 2003.
The disks came with a letter that was highly critical of Maryland State Administrator of Elections Linda Lamone, Rubin said. "It read like it was from somebody with a very, very serious axe to grind," he said. "It was one of the more outlandish things I've read." The researcher commented further on the source code leak on his blog.
Rubin believes the disks were given to Kagan because of her past criticism of electronic voting machines. "I guess whoever did this knew she would pursue it doggedly, which she did."
Diebold said the source code was for BallotStation 4.3.15C, which is no longer being used in the U.S., and for GEMS 1.18.19, which is being used in a "limited number of jurisdictions."
The FBI is investigating the leak, Diebold said. Ready for Election
The leak comes with just three weeks before elections in the U.S., but Maryland Board of Elections Deputy Administrator Ross Goldstein expressed confidence in the Diebold voting machines. The leaked code was "not software that's in use in this election," he said. "The software now is different and has many more security features."
Diebold echoed Goldstein's comments. "Voters and election officials can be confident that on Election Day, votes and vote totals will be safe, secure and accurate," the company said.
Kagan, however, wasn't so sure, saying that the security of the source code raised concerns. "The idea that it could be that readily available and could be delivered to me and who-knows-who-else around the state [is disturbing]," she said. "Who know what any other people may be doing with it?"
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
World Wildife Federation gives us 44 years
44 years. Stunning. Maddening. Sad. And yet this Administration and many before it have done little or nothing and in fact have only passed legislation that has contributed to the problem decade after decade. When we will learn? I hope NOW and I hope before it's too late.
Humans living far beyond planet's means: WWF
By Ben BlanchardTue Oct 24, 6:29 AM ET
Humans are stripping nature at an unprecedented rate and will need two planets' worth of natural resources every year by 2050 on current trends, the WWF conservation group said on Tuesday.
Populations of many species, from fish to mammals, had fallen by about a third from 1970 to 2003 largely because of human threats such as pollution, clearing of forests and overfishing, the group also said in a two-yearly report.
"For more than 20 years we have exceeded the earth's ability to support a consumptive lifestyle that is unsustainable and we cannot afford to continue down this path," WWF Director-General James Leape said, launching the WWF's 2006 Living Planet Report.
"If everyone around the world lived as those in America, we would need five planets to support us," Leape, an American, said in Beijing.
People in the United Arab Emirates were placing most stress per capita on the planet ahead of those in the United States, Finland and Canada, the report said.
Australia was also living well beyond its means.
The average Australian used 6.6 "global" hectares to support their developed lifestyle, ranking behind the United States and Canada, but ahead of the United Kingdom, Russia, China and Japan.
"If the rest of the world led the kind of lifestyles we do here in Australia, we would require three-and-a-half planets to provide the resources we use and to absorb the waste," said Greg Bourne, WWF-Australia chief executive officer.
Everyone would have to change lifestyles -- cutting use of fossil fuels and improving management of everything from farming to fisheries.
"As countries work to improve the well-being of their people, they risk bypassing the goal of sustainability," said Leape, speaking in an energy-efficient building at Beijing's prestigous Tsinghua University.
"It is inevitable that this disconnect will eventually limit the abilities of poor countries to develop and rich countries to maintain their prosperity," he added.
The report said humans' "ecological footprint" -- the demand people place on the natural world -- was 25 percent greater than the planet's annual ability to provide everything from food to energy and recycle all human waste in 2003.
In the previous report, the 2001 overshoot was 21 percent.
"On current projections humanity, will be using two planets' worth of natural resources by 2050 -- if those resources have not run out by then," the latest report said.
"People are turning resources into waste faster than nature can turn waste back into resources."
RISING POPULATION
"Humanity's footprint has more than tripled between 1961 and 2003," it said. Consumption has outpaced a surge in the world's population, to 6.5 billion from 3 billion in 1960. U.N. projections show a surge to 9 billion people around 2050.
It said that the footprint from use of fossil fuels, whose heat-trapping emissions are widely blamed for pushing up world temperatures, was the fastest-growing cause of strain.
Leape said China, home to a fifth of the world's population and whose economy is booming, was making the right move in pledging to reduce its energy consumption by 20 percent over the next five years.
"Much will depend on the decisions made by China, India and other rapidly developing countries," he added.
The WWF report also said that an index tracking 1,300 vetebrate species -- birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals -- showed that populations had fallen for most by about 30 percent because of factors including a loss of habitats to farms.
Among species most under pressure included the swordfish and the South African Cape vulture. Those bucking the trend included rising populations of the Javan rhinoceros and the northern hairy-nosed wombat in Australia.
(Additional reporting by Alister Doyle in Helsinki)
Humans living far beyond planet's means: WWF
By Ben BlanchardTue Oct 24, 6:29 AM ET
Humans are stripping nature at an unprecedented rate and will need two planets' worth of natural resources every year by 2050 on current trends, the WWF conservation group said on Tuesday.
Populations of many species, from fish to mammals, had fallen by about a third from 1970 to 2003 largely because of human threats such as pollution, clearing of forests and overfishing, the group also said in a two-yearly report.
"For more than 20 years we have exceeded the earth's ability to support a consumptive lifestyle that is unsustainable and we cannot afford to continue down this path," WWF Director-General James Leape said, launching the WWF's 2006 Living Planet Report.
"If everyone around the world lived as those in America, we would need five planets to support us," Leape, an American, said in Beijing.
People in the United Arab Emirates were placing most stress per capita on the planet ahead of those in the United States, Finland and Canada, the report said.
Australia was also living well beyond its means.
The average Australian used 6.6 "global" hectares to support their developed lifestyle, ranking behind the United States and Canada, but ahead of the United Kingdom, Russia, China and Japan.
"If the rest of the world led the kind of lifestyles we do here in Australia, we would require three-and-a-half planets to provide the resources we use and to absorb the waste," said Greg Bourne, WWF-Australia chief executive officer.
Everyone would have to change lifestyles -- cutting use of fossil fuels and improving management of everything from farming to fisheries.
"As countries work to improve the well-being of their people, they risk bypassing the goal of sustainability," said Leape, speaking in an energy-efficient building at Beijing's prestigous Tsinghua University.
"It is inevitable that this disconnect will eventually limit the abilities of poor countries to develop and rich countries to maintain their prosperity," he added.
The report said humans' "ecological footprint" -- the demand people place on the natural world -- was 25 percent greater than the planet's annual ability to provide everything from food to energy and recycle all human waste in 2003.
In the previous report, the 2001 overshoot was 21 percent.
"On current projections humanity, will be using two planets' worth of natural resources by 2050 -- if those resources have not run out by then," the latest report said.
"People are turning resources into waste faster than nature can turn waste back into resources."
RISING POPULATION
"Humanity's footprint has more than tripled between 1961 and 2003," it said. Consumption has outpaced a surge in the world's population, to 6.5 billion from 3 billion in 1960. U.N. projections show a surge to 9 billion people around 2050.
It said that the footprint from use of fossil fuels, whose heat-trapping emissions are widely blamed for pushing up world temperatures, was the fastest-growing cause of strain.
Leape said China, home to a fifth of the world's population and whose economy is booming, was making the right move in pledging to reduce its energy consumption by 20 percent over the next five years.
"Much will depend on the decisions made by China, India and other rapidly developing countries," he added.
The WWF report also said that an index tracking 1,300 vetebrate species -- birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals -- showed that populations had fallen for most by about 30 percent because of factors including a loss of habitats to farms.
Among species most under pressure included the swordfish and the South African Cape vulture. Those bucking the trend included rising populations of the Javan rhinoceros and the northern hairy-nosed wombat in Australia.
(Additional reporting by Alister Doyle in Helsinki)
Monday, October 23, 2006
Skilling sentenced
Will the employees who's pensions were raided be paid back?
AP - 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
HOUSTON - Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling, the most vilified figure from the most notorious financial scandal of the decade, was sentenced Monday to 24 years, four months in the harshest sentence yet in the case that came to symbolize corporate fraud in America. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake ordered Skilling, 52, to home confinement, wearing an ankle monitor, and told the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to recommend when Skilling should report to prison.
AP - 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
HOUSTON - Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling, the most vilified figure from the most notorious financial scandal of the decade, was sentenced Monday to 24 years, four months in the harshest sentence yet in the case that came to symbolize corporate fraud in America. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake ordered Skilling, 52, to home confinement, wearing an ankle monitor, and told the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to recommend when Skilling should report to prison.
Friday, October 20, 2006
60 minutes airs story of Darfur
Dear jill,
Seventeen years ago I fled Darfur.
But not a day goes by when I don’t think of my family and friends who remain in the region – along with the millions of other Darfuris currently suffering at the hands of a genocidal regime.
Yet, despite the devastation, we must not give up hope. There is something we can do to stop this genocide. It begins with raising awareness to help build pressure on our political leaders to act.
That is why I am so pleased to tell you that this Sunday evening the CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes” will air a story about the genocide in Darfur.
Click here to read more about the segment and to check local television listings.
The Sudanese government continues to deny its role in the perpetration of genocide, restricting reporters from entering the region in order to hide the truth.
Yet CBS correspondent Scott Pelley and his "60 Minutes" crew went anyway, putting their lives in jeopardy. Their report on what is happening is both powerful and devastating.
I know because I was with Pelley and his crew when they filmed this piece. It is haunting and evocative – because it is real. There is no doubt in my mind that after watching this segment, millions of Americans will be compelled to act to stop the genocide in Darfur.
Click here to ask your friends and family to join you in watching "60 Minutes" this Sunday.
Thank you for everything you continue to do.
Sincerely,
Omer IsmailFellow at Harvard University's Carr Center for Human Rights PolicyFounder of Darfur Peace and Development Organization
Seventeen years ago I fled Darfur.
But not a day goes by when I don’t think of my family and friends who remain in the region – along with the millions of other Darfuris currently suffering at the hands of a genocidal regime.
Yet, despite the devastation, we must not give up hope. There is something we can do to stop this genocide. It begins with raising awareness to help build pressure on our political leaders to act.
That is why I am so pleased to tell you that this Sunday evening the CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes” will air a story about the genocide in Darfur.
Click here to read more about the segment and to check local television listings.
The Sudanese government continues to deny its role in the perpetration of genocide, restricting reporters from entering the region in order to hide the truth.
Yet CBS correspondent Scott Pelley and his "60 Minutes" crew went anyway, putting their lives in jeopardy. Their report on what is happening is both powerful and devastating.
I know because I was with Pelley and his crew when they filmed this piece. It is haunting and evocative – because it is real. There is no doubt in my mind that after watching this segment, millions of Americans will be compelled to act to stop the genocide in Darfur.
Click here to ask your friends and family to join you in watching "60 Minutes" this Sunday.
Thank you for everything you continue to do.
Sincerely,
Omer IsmailFellow at Harvard University's Carr Center for Human Rights PolicyFounder of Darfur Peace and Development Organization
Beauty Truth
The Evolution Of Beauty
Beautiful campaign DOVE's self esteem campaign is doing to illustrate that we see in TV and Billboards and Magazines is NOT Truth. As a mother of a 10 year old daughter who already battles these images with reality- I applaude the campaign for Truth on real Beauty. www.campaignforrealbeauty.com
Beautiful campaign DOVE's self esteem campaign is doing to illustrate that we see in TV and Billboards and Magazines is NOT Truth. As a mother of a 10 year old daughter who already battles these images with reality- I applaude the campaign for Truth on real Beauty. www.campaignforrealbeauty.com
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
It starts with you
Modest Needs is a registered charity that works to stop the cycle of poverty before it starts for low-income workers struggling to afford emergency expenses like those we've all encountered before: the unexpected auto repair, the unanticipated trip to the doctor, the unusually large winter heating bill.
By choice, the work we do at Modest Needs is funded exclusively by the generosity of private citizens - people just like you - with donations typically ranging from $5 to $100 at a time.
Since 2002, Modest Needs' donors have stopped the cycle of poverty for 2631 individuals and families who stood to lose everything over a short-term financial emergency. But with your support, we could reach even more of the hard-working people who need our help the most.
Discover your power to change a life. Join your neighbors in supporting Modest Needs.
Together, we can make sure that no hard-working person is ever forced to choose between taking a child to the doctor and putting food on the table.
Pass it on and allow the Light- Always www.modestneeds.com
By choice, the work we do at Modest Needs is funded exclusively by the generosity of private citizens - people just like you - with donations typically ranging from $5 to $100 at a time.
Since 2002, Modest Needs' donors have stopped the cycle of poverty for 2631 individuals and families who stood to lose everything over a short-term financial emergency. But with your support, we could reach even more of the hard-working people who need our help the most.
Discover your power to change a life. Join your neighbors in supporting Modest Needs.
Together, we can make sure that no hard-working person is ever forced to choose between taking a child to the doctor and putting food on the table.
Pass it on and allow the Light- Always www.modestneeds.com
Dissent IS Patriotic
BusinessWeek
By Pallavi Gogoi
Updated: 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
For months, politicians and activists have been saying that the low prices at the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, come at a tremendous cost to its low-paid employees. They point to lawsuits that contend the company discriminates against women and forces low-paid employees to work through lunch breaks and after their shifts, without extra compensation. Wal-Mart has also been boosting its political contributions to stop initiatives aimed at forcing the retailer to raise pay and benefits.
Now, as Wal-Mart rolls out a new round of workplace restrictions, employees at a Wal-Mart Super Center in Hialeah Gardens, Fla., are taking matters into their own hands. On Oct. 16, workers on the morning shift walked out in protest against the new policies and rallied outside the store, shouting "We want justice" and criticizing the company's recent policies as "inhuman." Workers said the number of participants was about 200, or nearly all of the people on the shift.
It's the first time that Wal-Mart has faced a worker-led revolt of such scale, according to both employees and the company. Just as surprising, the company quickly said it would change at least one of the practices that had sparked the protest. Late in the day on Oct. 16, there was some disagreement over which of the new policies would be put on hold.
The protest wasn't led by any union group. Rather, it was instigated by two department managers, Guillermo Vasquez and Rosie Larosa. The department managers were not affected directly by the changes, but they felt that the company had gone too far with certain new policies. Among them were moves to cut the hours of full-time employees from 40 hours a week to 32 hours, along with a corresponding cut in wages, and to compel workers to be available for shifts around the clock.
In addition, the shifts would be decided not by managers, but by a computer at company headquarters. Employees could find themselves working 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. one week and noon to 9 p.m. the next. "So workers cannot pick up their children after school everyday, and part-timers cannot keep another job because they can be called to work anytime," says Vasquez.
In addition to scheduling changes and reduction in hours, workers are now required to call an 800 number when they are sick. "If we are at an emergency room and spend the night in a hospital and cannot call the number, they won't respect that," says Larosa, who has worked at the store for six years. "It will be counted as an unexcused absence."
Beginning last week, the two managers began talking with other employees, one at a time, getting their signatures in support of a protest. The demonstration may not have happened if not for the tight-knit nature of this predominantly Spanish-language community near Miami. At least 15 department managers joined the workers in speaking out against the new policies. "We are a Spanish-speaking community, some from Cuba, some from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, and if something affects my brothers and sisters, it affects me," says Yahima Morales, who has been a department manager of health and beauty aids for four years at the store.
The employees drafted a protest letter that they have sent to executives at Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., and also to Florida politicians, including Florida Governor Jeb Bush. "In the letter, we state that we want justice and that Wal-Mart should stop harassing us," says Vasquez. At least 400 store employees have signed the letter.
Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar says his understanding is that the protest was prompted by the reduction in hours, which he says was simply a mistake. "The new schedules posted made it seem like some hours were reduced, but that was inaccurate and we have corrected it." Tovar wouldn't talk about the sick-leave issue, saying that he wasn't aware the topic was raised by the workers. As for the changes in shifts, he says: "Our schedules are set so that we have adequate staff during the busiest hours of the day."
The scheduling changes, which have been rolled out in Wal-Mart stores around the country in recent weeks, are a sign that the retailer is acting on ideas outlined in an internal document that was leaked last year. In the memo, a Wal-Mart executive said it would find ways to rid its payroll of full-time and unhealthy employees who are more expensive for the company to retain.
Wal-Mart executives have recently told Wall Street analysts that the company wants to transform its workforce from 20 percent part-time to 40 percent. Recently, it was also reported that older employees in some stores who had back and leg problems were barred from using stools on which they had sat for years.
The moves come as the company is struggling to keep its profits growing at the rapid rate that they have in the past. As it squeezes its workforce expenses and trims costs in all corners, it is also expanding overseas. On Oct. 16, The Wall Street Journal reported that Wal-Mart has agreed to spend $1 billion to acquire Trust-Mart, a closely held Taiwanese company that owns one of the largest food and department store chains in China.
What's next at the Hialeah Gardens store, where store managers have had to pitch in to keep the store open? Is this the first step to forming a union at the store? That's unlikely, given the fate of previous attempts to unionize store employees. When employees in Jonquière, Que., Canada, voted last year to unionize, Wal-Mart shut the store. Vasquez says the workers haven't really talked about their plans, beyond getting the company to change its practices. "At this point, we just want to be heard," he says.
Copyright © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15305178/
By Pallavi Gogoi
Updated: 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
For months, politicians and activists have been saying that the low prices at the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, come at a tremendous cost to its low-paid employees. They point to lawsuits that contend the company discriminates against women and forces low-paid employees to work through lunch breaks and after their shifts, without extra compensation. Wal-Mart has also been boosting its political contributions to stop initiatives aimed at forcing the retailer to raise pay and benefits.
Now, as Wal-Mart rolls out a new round of workplace restrictions, employees at a Wal-Mart Super Center in Hialeah Gardens, Fla., are taking matters into their own hands. On Oct. 16, workers on the morning shift walked out in protest against the new policies and rallied outside the store, shouting "We want justice" and criticizing the company's recent policies as "inhuman." Workers said the number of participants was about 200, or nearly all of the people on the shift.
It's the first time that Wal-Mart has faced a worker-led revolt of such scale, according to both employees and the company. Just as surprising, the company quickly said it would change at least one of the practices that had sparked the protest. Late in the day on Oct. 16, there was some disagreement over which of the new policies would be put on hold.
The protest wasn't led by any union group. Rather, it was instigated by two department managers, Guillermo Vasquez and Rosie Larosa. The department managers were not affected directly by the changes, but they felt that the company had gone too far with certain new policies. Among them were moves to cut the hours of full-time employees from 40 hours a week to 32 hours, along with a corresponding cut in wages, and to compel workers to be available for shifts around the clock.
In addition, the shifts would be decided not by managers, but by a computer at company headquarters. Employees could find themselves working 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. one week and noon to 9 p.m. the next. "So workers cannot pick up their children after school everyday, and part-timers cannot keep another job because they can be called to work anytime," says Vasquez.
In addition to scheduling changes and reduction in hours, workers are now required to call an 800 number when they are sick. "If we are at an emergency room and spend the night in a hospital and cannot call the number, they won't respect that," says Larosa, who has worked at the store for six years. "It will be counted as an unexcused absence."
Beginning last week, the two managers began talking with other employees, one at a time, getting their signatures in support of a protest. The demonstration may not have happened if not for the tight-knit nature of this predominantly Spanish-language community near Miami. At least 15 department managers joined the workers in speaking out against the new policies. "We are a Spanish-speaking community, some from Cuba, some from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, and if something affects my brothers and sisters, it affects me," says Yahima Morales, who has been a department manager of health and beauty aids for four years at the store.
The employees drafted a protest letter that they have sent to executives at Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., and also to Florida politicians, including Florida Governor Jeb Bush. "In the letter, we state that we want justice and that Wal-Mart should stop harassing us," says Vasquez. At least 400 store employees have signed the letter.
Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar says his understanding is that the protest was prompted by the reduction in hours, which he says was simply a mistake. "The new schedules posted made it seem like some hours were reduced, but that was inaccurate and we have corrected it." Tovar wouldn't talk about the sick-leave issue, saying that he wasn't aware the topic was raised by the workers. As for the changes in shifts, he says: "Our schedules are set so that we have adequate staff during the busiest hours of the day."
The scheduling changes, which have been rolled out in Wal-Mart stores around the country in recent weeks, are a sign that the retailer is acting on ideas outlined in an internal document that was leaked last year. In the memo, a Wal-Mart executive said it would find ways to rid its payroll of full-time and unhealthy employees who are more expensive for the company to retain.
Wal-Mart executives have recently told Wall Street analysts that the company wants to transform its workforce from 20 percent part-time to 40 percent. Recently, it was also reported that older employees in some stores who had back and leg problems were barred from using stools on which they had sat for years.
The moves come as the company is struggling to keep its profits growing at the rapid rate that they have in the past. As it squeezes its workforce expenses and trims costs in all corners, it is also expanding overseas. On Oct. 16, The Wall Street Journal reported that Wal-Mart has agreed to spend $1 billion to acquire Trust-Mart, a closely held Taiwanese company that owns one of the largest food and department store chains in China.
What's next at the Hialeah Gardens store, where store managers have had to pitch in to keep the store open? Is this the first step to forming a union at the store? That's unlikely, given the fate of previous attempts to unionize store employees. When employees in Jonquière, Que., Canada, voted last year to unionize, Wal-Mart shut the store. Vasquez says the workers haven't really talked about their plans, beyond getting the company to change its practices. "At this point, we just want to be heard," he says.
Copyright © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15305178/
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Cosmic Event Oct 17th - Pray for Darfur & Soldiers
A cosmic trigger event occurring on the 17th of October 2006 5:10 pmThis is the beginning, one of many trigger events to come between now and 2013. An ultraviolet (UV) pulse beam radiating from higher dimensions in universe-2 will cross paths with the Earth on this day. Earth will remain approximately within this UV beam for 17 hours of your time.This beam resonates with the heart chakra, it is radiant fluorescent in nature, blue/magenta in colour. Although it resonates in this frequency band, it is above the colour frequency spectrum of your universe-one which you, Earth articulate in. However due to the nature of your soul and soul groups operating from Universe-2 frequency bands it will have an effect.The effect is every thought and emotion will be amplified intensely one million-fold. Yes, we will repeat, all will be amplified one millions time and more.Every thought, every emotion, every intent, every will, no matter if it is good, bad, ill, positive, negative, will be amplified one million times in strength.What does this mean?Since all matter manifest is due to your thoughts, i.e. what you focus on, this beam will accelerate these thoughts and solidify them at an accelerated rate making them manifest a million times faster than they normally would.For those that do not comprehend. Your thoughts, what you focus on create your reality. This UV beam thus can be a dangerous tool. For if you are focused on thoughts which are negative to your liking they will manifest into your reality almost instantly. Then again this UV beam can be a gift if you choose it to be.Mission-1017 requires approximately one million people to focus on positive, benign, good willed thoughts for themselves and the Earth and Humanity on this day. Your thoughts can be of any nature of your choosing, but remember whatever you focus on will be made manifest in a relatively faster than anticipated time frame. To some, the occurrences may almost be bordering on the miracle. All we ask is positive thoughts of love, prosperity, healing, wealth, kindness, gratitude be focused on.This UV beam comes into full affect for 17 hours on the 17th of October 2006. No matter what time zone you are in the hours are approximately 10:17 am on the 17th of October to 1:17 am on the 18th October. The peak time will be 17:10 (5:10 pm) on the 17th October. You do not need to be in a meditative state through out this time, though would be beneficial. The main key time no matter what time zone you are in will be the peak time of 17:10 (5:10 pm).Perhaps at this time if you can find a peaceful spot or location to focus. The optimum is out in the vicinity of grounded nature, likened to that of a large tree or next to the ocean waves. Focus on whatever it is you desire. What is required for the benefit of all Earth and Humanity is positive thoughts of loving nature.We call this UV beam trigger event, "818" gateway. Please forward this message to as many people as you know who will use this cosmic trigger event to focus positive, good willed thoughts. We require approximately 1-million people across globe to actively participate in this event. Please use whatever communication mediums you have at your disposal. Reach out to as many people as possible. We require 1-million plus people at the least to trigger a shift for humanity from separation and fragmentation to one of unification and oneness. This is your opportunity to take back what is rightfully yours i.e. Peace and Prosperity for all Earth and Mankind.This is a gift, a life line from your universe so to speak, an answer to your prayers. What you do with it and whether or not you choose to participate is your choice.Mission1017 Raphiem/Blue
Friday, October 13, 2006
Truth is so important but so shocking and painful
Robert Greenwald on Countdown with Keith Olbermann
Deplorable stuff in this movie illuminated so well by Brave New Films once again. I will be doing long distance reiki healing for the troops exposed to the contaminated water and ask you to do your own prayer or healing energy work for all the US troops emotionally and physicall and spiritually as well as for the prisoners exposed to torture.
Deplorable stuff in this movie illuminated so well by Brave New Films once again. I will be doing long distance reiki healing for the troops exposed to the contaminated water and ask you to do your own prayer or healing energy work for all the US troops emotionally and physicall and spiritually as well as for the prisoners exposed to torture.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Thursday, October 05, 2006
US demands meeting with UN
.S. demands U.N. meeting about Darfur
By NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press WriterThu Oct 5, 11:07 AM ET
The United States demanded an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday over a letter in which Sudan's government said it would view any troop commitments to a future peacekeeping force in Darfur as a "hostile act" and a "prelude to an invasion," a U.S. official said.
In the unsigned letter, dated Oct. 3, Sudan reiterated that it rejects a Security Council resolution passed in August that would seek to give the U.N. authority over an African Union peacekeeping mission that has been unable to stem the violence in Darfur.
The letter was sent to several U.N. missions, including those of New Zealand and Japan, and refers to a note sent by the U.N. asking nations to nominate police personnel for an unspecified force.
"In the absence of Sudan's consent to the deployment of U.N. troops, any volunteering to provide peacekeeping troops to Darfur will be considered as a hostile act, a prelude to an invasion of a member country of the U.N.," the Sudanese letter said.
U.S. mission spokesman Richard Grenell said the United States wants the Security Council to discuss the letter and approve a statement addressing it.
"We've called for an emergency Security Council meeting at 11:30 to discuss the latest Sudanese obstruction of a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Darfur," Grenell said.
More than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced as a result of fighting between rebels and government-backed militias in Darfur since 2003. President Omar al-Bashir has so far refused to allow the U.N. to take over the largely ineffective AU peacekeeping force in Darfur, a roadblock that rights groups say is only exacerbating the violence.
The letter did, however, repeat previous Sudanese claims that the government would allow the U.N. to help support the African Union peacekeepers. That was reiterated out of Khartoum on Thursday, when the official Sudan News Agency reported that al-Bashir had sent U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan a message welcoming the assistance.
He said that help would enable the AU force to "carry out its most recent mission and duties," the agency reported.
"Cooperation and consultations between the United Nations, the African Union and the Government of National Unity would speed up finding a solution to the question (of Darfur) and help instill a permanent peace in Sudan," al-Bashir said in his message, according to the news agency report.
But a UN spokeswoman said the provision of funds and logistics did not mean the world body was backing off from its plan to put the Darfur mission under UN control.
Radhia Achouri, spokeswoman for the U.N. in Sudan, said the aid offer "is not to be seen as an alternative to a UN deployment" in Darfur.
Earlier this week, President Bush said the United Nations should not wait any longer to approve a force for Darfur. David Triesman, the British Foreign Office's minister for Africa, said in September the international community must consider all options — including military intervention — as it mulls how to deal with Sudan's rejection of the U.N. peacekeeping force.
By NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press WriterThu Oct 5, 11:07 AM ET
The United States demanded an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday over a letter in which Sudan's government said it would view any troop commitments to a future peacekeeping force in Darfur as a "hostile act" and a "prelude to an invasion," a U.S. official said.
In the unsigned letter, dated Oct. 3, Sudan reiterated that it rejects a Security Council resolution passed in August that would seek to give the U.N. authority over an African Union peacekeeping mission that has been unable to stem the violence in Darfur.
The letter was sent to several U.N. missions, including those of New Zealand and Japan, and refers to a note sent by the U.N. asking nations to nominate police personnel for an unspecified force.
"In the absence of Sudan's consent to the deployment of U.N. troops, any volunteering to provide peacekeeping troops to Darfur will be considered as a hostile act, a prelude to an invasion of a member country of the U.N.," the Sudanese letter said.
U.S. mission spokesman Richard Grenell said the United States wants the Security Council to discuss the letter and approve a statement addressing it.
"We've called for an emergency Security Council meeting at 11:30 to discuss the latest Sudanese obstruction of a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Darfur," Grenell said.
More than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million displaced as a result of fighting between rebels and government-backed militias in Darfur since 2003. President Omar al-Bashir has so far refused to allow the U.N. to take over the largely ineffective AU peacekeeping force in Darfur, a roadblock that rights groups say is only exacerbating the violence.
The letter did, however, repeat previous Sudanese claims that the government would allow the U.N. to help support the African Union peacekeepers. That was reiterated out of Khartoum on Thursday, when the official Sudan News Agency reported that al-Bashir had sent U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan a message welcoming the assistance.
He said that help would enable the AU force to "carry out its most recent mission and duties," the agency reported.
"Cooperation and consultations between the United Nations, the African Union and the Government of National Unity would speed up finding a solution to the question (of Darfur) and help instill a permanent peace in Sudan," al-Bashir said in his message, according to the news agency report.
But a UN spokeswoman said the provision of funds and logistics did not mean the world body was backing off from its plan to put the Darfur mission under UN control.
Radhia Achouri, spokeswoman for the U.N. in Sudan, said the aid offer "is not to be seen as an alternative to a UN deployment" in Darfur.
Earlier this week, President Bush said the United Nations should not wait any longer to approve a force for Darfur. David Triesman, the British Foreign Office's minister for Africa, said in September the international community must consider all options — including military intervention — as it mulls how to deal with Sudan's rejection of the U.N. peacekeeping force.
Monday, October 02, 2006
US finally steps up pressure on Sudan
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday raised the threat of more international sanctions against Sudan if the government did not stop military operations in the Darfur region and unconditionally accept a United Nations peacekeeping force.
“If the Sudanese government chooses confrontation — if it continues waging war against its own citizens, challenging the African Union, undermining its peacekeeping force, and threatening the international community — then the regime in Khartoum will be held responsible, and it alone will bear the consequences,” Ms. Rice said during a speech to the Africa Society.
“The international community must make clear to the leaders of Sudan that this is the choice they face,” she said.
The 53-nation African Union has about 7,200 peacekeeping soldiers in Darfur and was scheduled to hand over its task to a larger United Nations force in September. But President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has fiercely opposed such a move, and in the meantime, the union has announced that it will send more troops to the region while pressure on him continues.
The union force has not had much success in stopping violence in Darfur that has continued despite a cease-fire in May. Ms. Rice was blunt during her speech, laying the blame for the bloodshed at the feet of Mr. Bashir’s government.
“Citing attacks by rebels in the area, the government of Sudan recruited a tribe of Arab nomads, known as the janjaweed, who have long resented the Africans of Darfur,” Ms. Rice said. “Funded, armed and encouraged by the Sudanese government, the janjaweed attacked village after village in Darfur — torturing and executing the men and the boys; beating and raping the women and the girls.”
Ms. Rice challenged Mr. Bashir’s authority to refuse the United Nations peacekeeping force. “We cannot, we will not, accept Sudan’s opposition,” she said. “Since the Sudanese government will not save the lives of its own people, then the United Nations must act.”
“If the Sudanese government chooses confrontation — if it continues waging war against its own citizens, challenging the African Union, undermining its peacekeeping force, and threatening the international community — then the regime in Khartoum will be held responsible, and it alone will bear the consequences,” Ms. Rice said during a speech to the Africa Society.
“The international community must make clear to the leaders of Sudan that this is the choice they face,” she said.
The 53-nation African Union has about 7,200 peacekeeping soldiers in Darfur and was scheduled to hand over its task to a larger United Nations force in September. But President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has fiercely opposed such a move, and in the meantime, the union has announced that it will send more troops to the region while pressure on him continues.
The union force has not had much success in stopping violence in Darfur that has continued despite a cease-fire in May. Ms. Rice was blunt during her speech, laying the blame for the bloodshed at the feet of Mr. Bashir’s government.
“Citing attacks by rebels in the area, the government of Sudan recruited a tribe of Arab nomads, known as the janjaweed, who have long resented the Africans of Darfur,” Ms. Rice said. “Funded, armed and encouraged by the Sudanese government, the janjaweed attacked village after village in Darfur — torturing and executing the men and the boys; beating and raping the women and the girls.”
Ms. Rice challenged Mr. Bashir’s authority to refuse the United Nations peacekeeping force. “We cannot, we will not, accept Sudan’s opposition,” she said. “Since the Sudanese government will not save the lives of its own people, then the United Nations must act.”
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