PERSONAL NEWS #163
Saturday, May 2nd, I took MetroNorth up to Stratford, CT for an afternoon visit with my good friend Katherine. We snacked on a tasty meal at a local Red Lobster and caught up on lots of news. Afterwards we stopped by her home to enjoy a visit with her hubby and grandson. From there we travelled down to Norwalk, CT to do some shopping at several of our favorite shops, and then it was back on MetroNorth bound for NYC.
Sunday, May 3rd, I attended a Josh Skaller City Council Campaign Party, which was hosted at Marjorie and Alan’s home in Brooklyn Heights. Nice turnout at the party and I ran into an acquaintance of mine [P.Brown], whom I hadn’t seen in 1 ½ years. After the fundraiser bit; Josh talked about Gowanus Canal, Atlantic Yards, education, condos, Mayor Bloomberg, MTA, homeless issues, being transparent and he’s for “less testing”. Josh also recommends that NYDoP CCR Team contact Yetta Kurland and Brooklyn Democrat Clubs about R627. I’ll bring up this info at next CCR Team conference call.
Thursday, May 7th, I attended TGTSNBN meetup at Café Metro. This meetup was called “Witch & Stitch” and about 15 to 20 of us showed up to knit, crochet or do needlework. Marci showed us a lovely, long scarf she’d finished recently with the Ravenclaw house colors. Had a fun time, chatting with other members and mostly sat with Deborah and Deanna with our knitting.
Saturday afternoon, May 9th, I joined my friend Jackie in taking one of the tours at “Lower Eastside Tenement Museum” on Orchard Street in Manhattan. I’ve never walked around this part of Manhattan and it’s a fascinating area, along with its history over last 150+ years. Jackie and I took a tour regarding an Irish family from the 1860s who lived on Orchard Street. Walking through some of the tenements made me realize that my Brooklyn apartment isn’t small. These tenements had no utilities or other amenities that we take for granted these days. Just a basic apartment with a small parlor, kitchen and bedroom; plus the tour was very informative and even provided us with a slideshow. I really liked the gift shop and if had some extra funds would have picked up books on NYC during the 19th century. Afterwards Jackie and I strolled up Orchard Street to have a nice brunch at an outdoor café. [Weather was slightly overcast and abit muggy.] Then we were off for our own walking tour through lower Eastside, Chinatown and Little Italy. Stopped for ice cream along the way near Columbus Park and then parted company on Canal Street. Very enjoyable outing with Jackie.
Sunday evening, May 10th, I participated in a NYDoP CCR conference call to prep for our “meetings” with City Council members on Monday, May 11th. All part of the “Peace wants a Piece of the Pie” campaign.
Wednesday evening, May 13th, I watched the season finale of LOST. It started at 8pm and on through 11pm … it was amazing, intense and we finally got to see Jacob.
Friday evening, May 15th, I attended the Friday Nite Knits meetup in Brooklyn at “The Oak & Iris”. Hadn’t been to this particular meetup for many months and it was lovely hanging out with the gals.
Saturday evening, May 16th, I joined my friend Jackie in seeing the new Star Trek movie, which we both enjoyed a lot. I went in with some reservations about this film, but was surprised on how good it was, as well as funny. I highly recommend it and the visuals were awesome. Afterwards we jumped on the E train for Greenwich Village and had leisurely dinner at Fiddlesticks on Greenwich Avenue.
Tuesday, May 19th, I participated in the NYDoP board meeting at a new location near Madison Square Park. Really good meeting, allot accomplished, most of the board members attended and also one of our interns [Claire].
Thursday, May 21st, I participated with other NYDoP CCR Committee members in our first “in person” meeting, which we held in Bryant Park, as the weather was very nice out. It was a good, productive meeting, plus one of the interns [Claire] attended.
Friday, May 22nd, I volunteered with City Harvest at the Union Square farmers market.
May 23rd through 26th – I spent a nice, long Memorial Day weekend visiting my parents in upstate NY. Weather was pretty decent most of the time and got outdoors a lot. Helped Dad with yard work and I attended some yard sales with Mom. I visited the gals at “Over the Moon” bead/gift shop and as always we get talking about national/local politics. I took my parents out the breakfast at the “Country Gal Café” and enjoyed some tasty fixins. I also visited Cambridge cemetery, Memorial Day parade, farmers market, shopping, hair salon, bike riding, cable TV and just plain ole relaxing by the fire pit. Overall a good weekend.
Saturday evening, May 30th, I joined my friend Linda in seeing the film “Angel & Demons” in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn. Huge cinaplex in that area near the water and a lot of people on lines to see Disney’s UP and “Night at the Museum”. We both enjoyed the new Ron Howard film, though I have to admit the “DaVinci Code” was a slightly better movie.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND – Upstate NY
[Duchess family homestead in upstate NY]
[My parents garden and landscaping is quite lovely]
[I adore the deep, lush purple shade of Lilacs & the scent is lovely]
[Views of the cemetery in Cambridge]
[More lovely views of the Cambridge cemetery]
[Dad participating in the Memorial Day parade in upstate NY]
[Duchess family homestead in upstate NY]
[My parents garden and landscaping is quite lovely]
[I adore the deep, lush purple shade of Lilacs & the scent is lovely]
[Views of the cemetery in Cambridge]
[More lovely views of the Cambridge cemetery]
[Dad participating in the Memorial Day parade in upstate NY]
Monday, June 08, 2009
MESSAGE FROM JIM DEAN AT DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA – Josh Skaller for NY City Council
If you are an active DFA member in New York, you probably know about Josh Skaller. He's a long-time DFA activist and has served as a director of the local volunteer DFA group, Democracy for New York City, for the last 4 years. Now he's running for a City Council seat in Brooklyn's 39th District.
After years of activism, Josh is fed up. The plea for good government reform continues to fall on the deaf ears of entrenched politicians -- particularly in New York City. When Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council overruled the voice of NYC voters to extend term limits, it was the final straw.
Josh Skaller is the only DFA-endorsed candidate in the race for District 39.
On the New York City Council, Josh Skaller will work with fellow reform-minded leaders to affect real, lasting changes in the way the city conducts its business and relates to its citizens. At a time when billionaire Mayor Bloomberg dominates city politics, Josh Skaller will use his position to empower like-minded local community groups and organizers and give them a strong voice at City Hall.
Josh Skaller knows New York is a place where true progressive leadership is really needed and where it has the potential to take hold and set the tone for the country. His goals fall under five agenda points:
Revitalize New York's economy
Protect Brooklyn's neighborhoods
Enforce accountability and transparency in all areas of city government
Improve the lives of all New Yorkers
Build a sustainable and prosperous future
Josh has been working with you to move this country forward. Now it's up to us to work with him. Please volunteer, make a contribution, call a friend in the District ... support Josh Skaller any way you can. Thank you for everything you do.
[Duchess Note: I am a proud supporter and volunteer on the J.Skaller campaign. We need more true progressives like Josh, not only in NYC, but around the country. His campaign is funded by "we the people" and doesn't take a dime from Corporate Lobbyists.]
If you are an active DFA member in New York, you probably know about Josh Skaller. He's a long-time DFA activist and has served as a director of the local volunteer DFA group, Democracy for New York City, for the last 4 years. Now he's running for a City Council seat in Brooklyn's 39th District.
After years of activism, Josh is fed up. The plea for good government reform continues to fall on the deaf ears of entrenched politicians -- particularly in New York City. When Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council overruled the voice of NYC voters to extend term limits, it was the final straw.
Josh Skaller is the only DFA-endorsed candidate in the race for District 39.
On the New York City Council, Josh Skaller will work with fellow reform-minded leaders to affect real, lasting changes in the way the city conducts its business and relates to its citizens. At a time when billionaire Mayor Bloomberg dominates city politics, Josh Skaller will use his position to empower like-minded local community groups and organizers and give them a strong voice at City Hall.
Josh Skaller knows New York is a place where true progressive leadership is really needed and where it has the potential to take hold and set the tone for the country. His goals fall under five agenda points:
Revitalize New York's economy
Protect Brooklyn's neighborhoods
Enforce accountability and transparency in all areas of city government
Improve the lives of all New Yorkers
Build a sustainable and prosperous future
Josh has been working with you to move this country forward. Now it's up to us to work with him. Please volunteer, make a contribution, call a friend in the District ... support Josh Skaller any way you can. Thank you for everything you do.
[Duchess Note: I am a proud supporter and volunteer on the J.Skaller campaign. We need more true progressives like Josh, not only in NYC, but around the country. His campaign is funded by "we the people" and doesn't take a dime from Corporate Lobbyists.]
Ten Questions For Everyone Who Supported Obama
by Stewart Browne
Dear Supporters of Barack Obama,
You presented Mr. Obama as the candidate of change. You attached that word to his face and plastered it across the country. Change We Can Believe In. Change From Day 1. The Candidate of Change. It's time for Change in America.
On election night, you announced to the world that Change has come to America . You hijacked Google so that the first search result for Change led to Obama's change.gov web site.
America responded. Clearly, the country was in the mood for change. Bush left office with dismal polling numbers, some of the worst ever, and Obama's victory was decisive. Not only did your guy win the White House, but his party locked in a solid majority in both houses of Congress. The first quarter of Obama's first fiscal year is now closing...
1. How much change has Obama brought to America?
His first major decision was announced before he was sworn in. The country was in the throes of the worst economic firestorm in a century, and the markets demanded to know who would be the new Treasury secretary.
The candidate of change chose the man who constructed all the corporate bailouts of the Bush Administration.
2. Who might McCain have chosen as his Treasury secretary?
and...
3. If Bush were given a third term, what role might Timothy Geithner have played in it?
4. Were you expecting Obama's financial rescue program to be the same one proposed by the Bush Administration last fall?
5. When you voted for him, did you think Obama would propose and oversee the biggest piece of fascist corporatism in American history?
Your guy just gave a trillion dollar gift to the bankers who drove their companies off the cliff and took the global economy with them. He put together a complicated scheme where the taxpayer ensures that neither the stakeholders in the insolvent banks nor the wealthiest institutional investors have to take a loss.
6. Why is Obama giving even better deals to the financial tycoons than they got under Bush?
All this makes me wonder...
7. Is the Obama Administration in the pockets of the big banks, or are they just getting rolled?
8. Are you sad that Obama is escalating our wars overseas?
Hidden in his super mammoth budget is a huge increase in defense spending. Obama wants to spend 2 percent more in the next fiscal year than President Bush allocated, and 9 percent more than we spent last year.
The bulk of this increase is in Afghanistan, where even Time Magazine can't help but notice that the Obama plan is very reminiscent of something else we've heard.
9. Are you excited that Obama has initiated a Surge of his own?
Shortly after taking office, Obama announced he'd add 17,000 troops to the 36,000 already in Afghanistan . A few weeks later, he made a surprise second announcement that he was sending 17,000 more.
And more troops is just what he announced. In addition to the soldiers and civilians, Obama is also overseeing enormous growth in the number of private military contractors set to operate in Afghanistan.
An army of mercenaries, a quagmire of a war with no exit strategy, even a Surge -- it doesn't sound terribly different from what we've been getting. Gee...
10. Who is Obama's Defense Secretary?
Oh yeah, the same one who served under Bush.
by Stewart Browne
Dear Supporters of Barack Obama,
You presented Mr. Obama as the candidate of change. You attached that word to his face and plastered it across the country. Change We Can Believe In. Change From Day 1. The Candidate of Change. It's time for Change in America.
On election night, you announced to the world that Change has come to America . You hijacked Google so that the first search result for Change led to Obama's change.gov web site.
America responded. Clearly, the country was in the mood for change. Bush left office with dismal polling numbers, some of the worst ever, and Obama's victory was decisive. Not only did your guy win the White House, but his party locked in a solid majority in both houses of Congress. The first quarter of Obama's first fiscal year is now closing...
1. How much change has Obama brought to America?
His first major decision was announced before he was sworn in. The country was in the throes of the worst economic firestorm in a century, and the markets demanded to know who would be the new Treasury secretary.
The candidate of change chose the man who constructed all the corporate bailouts of the Bush Administration.
2. Who might McCain have chosen as his Treasury secretary?
and...
3. If Bush were given a third term, what role might Timothy Geithner have played in it?
4. Were you expecting Obama's financial rescue program to be the same one proposed by the Bush Administration last fall?
5. When you voted for him, did you think Obama would propose and oversee the biggest piece of fascist corporatism in American history?
Your guy just gave a trillion dollar gift to the bankers who drove their companies off the cliff and took the global economy with them. He put together a complicated scheme where the taxpayer ensures that neither the stakeholders in the insolvent banks nor the wealthiest institutional investors have to take a loss.
6. Why is Obama giving even better deals to the financial tycoons than they got under Bush?
All this makes me wonder...
7. Is the Obama Administration in the pockets of the big banks, or are they just getting rolled?
8. Are you sad that Obama is escalating our wars overseas?
Hidden in his super mammoth budget is a huge increase in defense spending. Obama wants to spend 2 percent more in the next fiscal year than President Bush allocated, and 9 percent more than we spent last year.
The bulk of this increase is in Afghanistan, where even Time Magazine can't help but notice that the Obama plan is very reminiscent of something else we've heard.
9. Are you excited that Obama has initiated a Surge of his own?
Shortly after taking office, Obama announced he'd add 17,000 troops to the 36,000 already in Afghanistan . A few weeks later, he made a surprise second announcement that he was sending 17,000 more.
And more troops is just what he announced. In addition to the soldiers and civilians, Obama is also overseeing enormous growth in the number of private military contractors set to operate in Afghanistan.
An army of mercenaries, a quagmire of a war with no exit strategy, even a Surge -- it doesn't sound terribly different from what we've been getting. Gee...
10. Who is Obama's Defense Secretary?
Oh yeah, the same one who served under Bush.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Letter to the President on Healthcare
Mr. President,
With all due respect, I do not believe that your rhetoric matches the reality. You are afraid to challenge the status quo as represented by the insurance industry.
I support single payer health care, HR 676, which you do not. You do not speak for me, nor other Americans, on health care reform.
On this issue, it seems that you prefer to compromise with the Republicans in Congress in name of achieving some form of consensus.
Don't count me in. I dissent from your plan.
I support single payer. Medicare should be extended to ALL Americans. "We the People" demand it! It works for the elderly. And single payer works in Europe and Canada.
It is time to be a leader instead of letting the Republicans set the national agenda once again.
Respectfully, Ms C of B
Mr. President,
With all due respect, I do not believe that your rhetoric matches the reality. You are afraid to challenge the status quo as represented by the insurance industry.
I support single payer health care, HR 676, which you do not. You do not speak for me, nor other Americans, on health care reform.
On this issue, it seems that you prefer to compromise with the Republicans in Congress in name of achieving some form of consensus.
Don't count me in. I dissent from your plan.
I support single payer. Medicare should be extended to ALL Americans. "We the People" demand it! It works for the elderly. And single payer works in Europe and Canada.
It is time to be a leader instead of letting the Republicans set the national agenda once again.
Respectfully, Ms C of B
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
LATEST NEWS TO ROCK THE US
Kucinich Introduces Legislation to Audit Federal Reserve’s Response to Economic Crisis
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=126981
Changing Obama’s Mindset
Howard Zinn, Common Dreams
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/05/16-0
Our President, Our War?
Steve Weissman, Truth Out
http://www.truthout.org/051709A?n
Obama campaigned vigorously in favor of fighting an aggressive war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He chose as his National Security Adviser Gen. Jim Jones, one of the leading advocates of a major American push in Afghanistan and Pakistan. And the entire administration has endlessly repeated that they intend to stay in the region for the long haul. Yet, 51 Democrats in the House stood up against the insiders and refused to go along.
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda Z and Judith for their contributions.]
Kucinich Introduces Legislation to Audit Federal Reserve’s Response to Economic Crisis
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=126981
Changing Obama’s Mindset
Howard Zinn, Common Dreams
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/05/16-0
Our President, Our War?
Steve Weissman, Truth Out
http://www.truthout.org/051709A?n
Obama campaigned vigorously in favor of fighting an aggressive war in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He chose as his National Security Adviser Gen. Jim Jones, one of the leading advocates of a major American push in Afghanistan and Pakistan. And the entire administration has endlessly repeated that they intend to stay in the region for the long haul. Yet, 51 Democrats in the House stood up against the insiders and refused to go along.
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda Z and Judith for their contributions.]
Sunday, May 10, 2009
PERSONAL NEWS #162
Wednesday afternoon, April 1st, I attended a one-hour BSC meeting with our manager. That evening I participated in the NYDoP CCR Committee conference call regarding recent Community Board meetings, and a new agenda to focus our efforts on for R627.
Thursday evening, April 2nd, I joined others from TGTSNBN at Café Metro for the monthly HP meetup. The evening was in celebration of the Weasley twins [Fred & George] birthday and any other member who was born on April Fools Day. It was very enjoyable and some members did comic sketches that were HP themed.
Saturday, April 4th, I joined many members from TGTSNBN at Riverside Park for Quidditch. Afterwards we trekked over to TOAST for a delicious, warm brunch and lively conversation. Then I joined a few members [ie: Elaine, Pam, Deanna, Christian and Lisa] in going to the Scottish Tartan Day parade on 6th Avenue. From there I headed up to B&N on the Westside to purchase more of Lynn Kurland’s wonderful time-travel romance novels.
Tuesday evening, April 7th, I participated in the monthly Peace Alliance “all call” at 9pm. Lynn McMullen was the host and the guest speaker was Juan Pacheco; who currently volunteers as the East Coast Representative for Barrios Unidos–Virginia Chapter. Barrios Unidos is a youth violence prevention / intervention and community awareness organization. The uniqueness of Barrios Unidos, Inc. lies in its transformational approach. Barrios Unidos offers hope by exposing youth to the power of resiliency through utilizing adults and older youth who have themselves experienced and overcome the challenges young people face. Barrios Unidos believes that drawing upon the resources of adults and older youth that have made it out of the “street life,” assists youth in choosing life-affirming behavior, positive self-esteem, constructive goals, supportive community, and cultural pride. Mr. Pacheco provides many motivational speeches and presentations, as well as running educational and recreational youth groups. He founded the Kids Club/Computer Lab program, in addition to organizing many community activities. Juan was also a guest speaker at the recent 5th Annual Peace Conference in Washington DC, which I attended with other members of NYDoP.
Wednesday evening, April 8th, I attended the NYC LOST meetup at the Irish Rogue pub. Also joining me was fellow TGTSNBN member, Deborah. We had a great time and it was awesome chatting with other LOST fans about the show, and our “theories” on certain storylines.
Easter weekend, April 10th through 12th, I visited my parents, plus my brother and sister-in-law, in upstate New York. Activities over the holiday weekend included … ride my bike, yard work with Dad, hair salon appt, brunch at Country Gals Café, shopping at “Over the Moon” bead shop, cable TV, etc.
Saturday evening, April 18th, I joined my friend Cielito in a Landmark Forum event, which was followed by a Sock Hop.
Sunday, April 19th, I volunteered with others at the annual MS Walk, and we were stationed at Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn. That evening I joined my friend Linda in attending a “talk” regarding Night Hawk Minerals. It was at someone's cool, funky apartment in the Union Square/Chelsea area of Manhattan. Jay Gutierrez spoke with clarity, passion, intelligence and charm about his business ... Night Hawk Minerals. He's been committed for 20 years in helping people to wellness via these “Stone & Radiation Hormesis”. I purchased one of the items, a charming necklace, which I’ve been wearing since Monday. One of these days I want to purchase the “kit”, but for now the necklace will suffice. Check out more on this topic at www.nighthawkminerals.com
Tuesday evening, April 21st, I participated in the New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace “training” meeting, which was hosted by Marianne and Kevin.
Early Tuesday evening, April 23rd, I joined Kevin in attending Community Board Manhattan #2 meeting down on the Greenwich Village & Chelsea border. We’ve been plugging DoP HR 808 and of course New York City Council Resolution 627.
Tuesday, April 28th, I joined Kevin and Howard in attending Community Board Brooklyn #15 meeting out at Kingsborough Community College. Howard and I met up at Kevin’s home in Windsor Terrace neighborhood in Brooklyn, and then drove out to the college near Brighton Beach. It was a really good meeting with some interesting interaction among the CB members. Afterwards the three of us talked briefly with Councilmember Fidler and a news reporter from Brooklyn’s own News 12.
Thursday evening, April 30th, I participated in the NYDoP CCR committee conference call.
Wednesday afternoon, April 1st, I attended a one-hour BSC meeting with our manager. That evening I participated in the NYDoP CCR Committee conference call regarding recent Community Board meetings, and a new agenda to focus our efforts on for R627.
Thursday evening, April 2nd, I joined others from TGTSNBN at Café Metro for the monthly HP meetup. The evening was in celebration of the Weasley twins [Fred & George] birthday and any other member who was born on April Fools Day. It was very enjoyable and some members did comic sketches that were HP themed.
Saturday, April 4th, I joined many members from TGTSNBN at Riverside Park for Quidditch. Afterwards we trekked over to TOAST for a delicious, warm brunch and lively conversation. Then I joined a few members [ie: Elaine, Pam, Deanna, Christian and Lisa] in going to the Scottish Tartan Day parade on 6th Avenue. From there I headed up to B&N on the Westside to purchase more of Lynn Kurland’s wonderful time-travel romance novels.
Tuesday evening, April 7th, I participated in the monthly Peace Alliance “all call” at 9pm. Lynn McMullen was the host and the guest speaker was Juan Pacheco; who currently volunteers as the East Coast Representative for Barrios Unidos–Virginia Chapter. Barrios Unidos is a youth violence prevention / intervention and community awareness organization. The uniqueness of Barrios Unidos, Inc. lies in its transformational approach. Barrios Unidos offers hope by exposing youth to the power of resiliency through utilizing adults and older youth who have themselves experienced and overcome the challenges young people face. Barrios Unidos believes that drawing upon the resources of adults and older youth that have made it out of the “street life,” assists youth in choosing life-affirming behavior, positive self-esteem, constructive goals, supportive community, and cultural pride. Mr. Pacheco provides many motivational speeches and presentations, as well as running educational and recreational youth groups. He founded the Kids Club/Computer Lab program, in addition to organizing many community activities. Juan was also a guest speaker at the recent 5th Annual Peace Conference in Washington DC, which I attended with other members of NYDoP.
Wednesday evening, April 8th, I attended the NYC LOST meetup at the Irish Rogue pub. Also joining me was fellow TGTSNBN member, Deborah. We had a great time and it was awesome chatting with other LOST fans about the show, and our “theories” on certain storylines.
Easter weekend, April 10th through 12th, I visited my parents, plus my brother and sister-in-law, in upstate New York. Activities over the holiday weekend included … ride my bike, yard work with Dad, hair salon appt, brunch at Country Gals Café, shopping at “Over the Moon” bead shop, cable TV, etc.
Saturday evening, April 18th, I joined my friend Cielito in a Landmark Forum event, which was followed by a Sock Hop.
Sunday, April 19th, I volunteered with others at the annual MS Walk, and we were stationed at Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn. That evening I joined my friend Linda in attending a “talk” regarding Night Hawk Minerals. It was at someone's cool, funky apartment in the Union Square/Chelsea area of Manhattan. Jay Gutierrez spoke with clarity, passion, intelligence and charm about his business ... Night Hawk Minerals. He's been committed for 20 years in helping people to wellness via these “Stone & Radiation Hormesis”. I purchased one of the items, a charming necklace, which I’ve been wearing since Monday. One of these days I want to purchase the “kit”, but for now the necklace will suffice. Check out more on this topic at www.nighthawkminerals.com
Tuesday evening, April 21st, I participated in the New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace “training” meeting, which was hosted by Marianne and Kevin.
Early Tuesday evening, April 23rd, I joined Kevin in attending Community Board Manhattan #2 meeting down on the Greenwich Village & Chelsea border. We’ve been plugging DoP HR 808 and of course New York City Council Resolution 627.
Tuesday, April 28th, I joined Kevin and Howard in attending Community Board Brooklyn #15 meeting out at Kingsborough Community College. Howard and I met up at Kevin’s home in Windsor Terrace neighborhood in Brooklyn, and then drove out to the college near Brighton Beach. It was a really good meeting with some interesting interaction among the CB members. Afterwards the three of us talked briefly with Councilmember Fidler and a news reporter from Brooklyn’s own News 12.
Thursday evening, April 30th, I participated in the NYDoP CCR committee conference call.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT – NEWS DURING APRIL AND MAY ON CONGRESSMAN KUCINICH – One of the Few True Progressives in DC Today
Kucinich Asks AIG Why It’s Denying Claims From Injured Contractors in Iraq
T.Christian Miller, Herald de Paris
http://www.heralddeparis.com/kucinich-asks-aig-why-it%e2%80%99s-denying-claims-from-injured-contractors-in-iraq-3/33828
Kucinich to Geithner: Deny Citigroup Bonus Request
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=124538
Why Are Bankers Still Being Treated as Beltway Royalty?
Arianna Huffington
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/why-are-bankers-still-bei_b_194242.html
Kucinich on Budget Resolution: I Simply Cannot Endorse a Budget or a Plan that Authorizes the Expansion of Way
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=117716
Congressman Asks SEC to Investigate BofA Bonuses
Ellie Behling, Plan Adviser
http://www.planadviser.com/compliance/article.php/4059
Kucinich: Federal Reserve No More “Federal” than Federal Express
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/kucinich-federal-reserve-no-more-federal-than-federal-express/
The Ed Show: Representative Kucinich says we are getting deeper into Afghanistan and will vote against the funding of the war, like other progressive Democrats
http://www.bigeddieradio.com/archive/theedshow/
Kucinich Asks ‘Are Banks’ Profits Inflated by FASB Ruling?
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspex?DocumentID=12269
Cabinet Department Would Give Peace a Chance
Lewis Diuguid, Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/278/story/1163646.html
Obama’s Iraq: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Jeremy Scahill, Common Dreams
While the US tries to present a new face, the ugliness of the occupation continues. Now it seems combat troops won’t exactly withdraw from Iraqi cities on June 30th.
http://www.commondreams.org/print/41344
Mortgaging the White House
Bill Moyers & Michael Winship, TruthOut
http://www.truthout.org/050209Z
[Duchess Note – Many thanks to Carol and Linda for the many interesting and informative articles they continue to send my way. So that I can continue to share a wealth of news and facts with my many readers. Let's come together and bring about real peace non-violently.]
Kucinich Asks AIG Why It’s Denying Claims From Injured Contractors in Iraq
T.Christian Miller, Herald de Paris
http://www.heralddeparis.com/kucinich-asks-aig-why-it%e2%80%99s-denying-claims-from-injured-contractors-in-iraq-3/33828
Kucinich to Geithner: Deny Citigroup Bonus Request
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=124538
Why Are Bankers Still Being Treated as Beltway Royalty?
Arianna Huffington
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/why-are-bankers-still-bei_b_194242.html
Kucinich on Budget Resolution: I Simply Cannot Endorse a Budget or a Plan that Authorizes the Expansion of Way
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=117716
Congressman Asks SEC to Investigate BofA Bonuses
Ellie Behling, Plan Adviser
http://www.planadviser.com/compliance/article.php/4059
Kucinich: Federal Reserve No More “Federal” than Federal Express
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/kucinich-federal-reserve-no-more-federal-than-federal-express/
The Ed Show: Representative Kucinich says we are getting deeper into Afghanistan and will vote against the funding of the war, like other progressive Democrats
http://www.bigeddieradio.com/archive/theedshow/
Kucinich Asks ‘Are Banks’ Profits Inflated by FASB Ruling?
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspex?DocumentID=12269
Cabinet Department Would Give Peace a Chance
Lewis Diuguid, Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/278/story/1163646.html
Obama’s Iraq: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Jeremy Scahill, Common Dreams
While the US tries to present a new face, the ugliness of the occupation continues. Now it seems combat troops won’t exactly withdraw from Iraqi cities on June 30th.
http://www.commondreams.org/print/41344
Mortgaging the White House
Bill Moyers & Michael Winship, TruthOut
http://www.truthout.org/050209Z
[Duchess Note – Many thanks to Carol and Linda for the many interesting and informative articles they continue to send my way. So that I can continue to share a wealth of news and facts with my many readers. Let's come together and bring about real peace non-violently.]
Friday, May 08, 2009
Reaffirming Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Vision
Shared by "Network of Spiritual Progressives"
Julia Ward Howe offered her Mother's Day Proclamation to the world in 1870. Her dream was the establishment of an international Mothers' Day Festival dedicated to the cause of nonviolent resolution of conflict and international solidarity among all women. Her pacifist consciousness had been provoked by the bloodshed of the Franco-Prussian War. Her activism was cultivated in the struggles for abolition of slavery and the quest for women's suffrage. She had the proclamation translated into French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Swedish, working for the establishment of Mother's Day in concert with women internationally celebrating peace and women's empowerment.
Howe died in 1910, four years before President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the day in 1914 in response to the burgeoning success of the movement she inspired. But Wilson avoided any mention of the thrust of Howe's cause in his declaration, instead emphasizing only the nurturing "home and hearth" dimension of motherhood. He also spurned the internationalist concern that was central to Howe's consciousness, distorting this into American nationalism. Howe's central concerns, the universality of motherhood and its natural expression in anti-war sentiment, was excised from the official meaning of the day.
President Wilson proclaimed: "Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the said Joint Resolution, do hereby direct the government officials to display the United States flag on all government buildings and do invite the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places on the second Sunday in May as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."
Compare this to Howe's far more high minded vision, still so desperately needed in this suffering divided world. Here is the text of her 1870 Mother's Day Proclamation, so prescient in its understanding, so courageous in its call, so plaintiff in its currency nearly a century and a half later.
Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered 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 voice of a 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 our 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 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.
This is by Jonathan Klate who resides in Amherst, Massachusetts where he writes frequently about spirituality, compassionate politics, and the relationship between these two. Please feel welcome to forward.
Shared by "Network of Spiritual Progressives"
Julia Ward Howe offered her Mother's Day Proclamation to the world in 1870. Her dream was the establishment of an international Mothers' Day Festival dedicated to the cause of nonviolent resolution of conflict and international solidarity among all women. Her pacifist consciousness had been provoked by the bloodshed of the Franco-Prussian War. Her activism was cultivated in the struggles for abolition of slavery and the quest for women's suffrage. She had the proclamation translated into French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Swedish, working for the establishment of Mother's Day in concert with women internationally celebrating peace and women's empowerment.
Howe died in 1910, four years before President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the day in 1914 in response to the burgeoning success of the movement she inspired. But Wilson avoided any mention of the thrust of Howe's cause in his declaration, instead emphasizing only the nurturing "home and hearth" dimension of motherhood. He also spurned the internationalist concern that was central to Howe's consciousness, distorting this into American nationalism. Howe's central concerns, the universality of motherhood and its natural expression in anti-war sentiment, was excised from the official meaning of the day.
President Wilson proclaimed: "Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the said Joint Resolution, do hereby direct the government officials to display the United States flag on all government buildings and do invite the people of the United States to display the flag at their homes or other suitable places on the second Sunday in May as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country."
Compare this to Howe's far more high minded vision, still so desperately needed in this suffering divided world. Here is the text of her 1870 Mother's Day Proclamation, so prescient in its understanding, so courageous in its call, so plaintiff in its currency nearly a century and a half later.
Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered 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 voice of a 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 our 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 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.
This is by Jonathan Klate who resides in Amherst, Massachusetts where he writes frequently about spirituality, compassionate politics, and the relationship between these two. Please feel welcome to forward.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Update on General Dept of Peace News
New HR808 Co-Sponsor[s]
Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Bobby Rush (D-IL) have become our co-sponsors of HR 808, the legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace. That brings the total of co-sponsors up to 68. Awesome news!
Gentle Reminder … Friday, May 8th, is “Peace Wants a Piece of the Pie” day. This is the Friday before Mother’s Day were Dept of Peace chapters around the USA bring pie to their Congressional reps local office and talk about HR808. Make an appointment today with your Congressional reps office and bring some pie on the 8th.
5th Annual Peace Conference
Washington DC - March 20th through 23rd
The Peace Alliance’s Photo Gallery ... http://picasaweb.google.com/peacealliancetech
2009 National Conference Blog ... http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/blogcategory/112/674/
New HR808 Co-Sponsor[s]
Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Bobby Rush (D-IL) have become our co-sponsors of HR 808, the legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace. That brings the total of co-sponsors up to 68. Awesome news!
Gentle Reminder … Friday, May 8th, is “Peace Wants a Piece of the Pie” day. This is the Friday before Mother’s Day were Dept of Peace chapters around the USA bring pie to their Congressional reps local office and talk about HR808. Make an appointment today with your Congressional reps office and bring some pie on the 8th.
5th Annual Peace Conference
Washington DC - March 20th through 23rd
The Peace Alliance’s Photo Gallery ... http://picasaweb.google.com/peacealliancetech
2009 National Conference Blog ... http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/blogcategory/112/674/
Friday, May 01, 2009
NO MORE EXCUSES
Message from Ralph Nader
There are no more excuses for the Democrats.
The Democrats now admit that they control the procedure in Congress and can pass whatever health care reform they want. Without one Republican vote. And President Obama can sign it. What should they do? They should pass single payer.
Everybody in. Nobody out.
For prevention and treatment. For free choice of doctors and hospitals. No more premiums, deductibles, exclusions, co-pays, in-network, out-of-network rigmarole. No more family medical bankruptcies.
No more pay or die.
No more pay or become sicker. Single payer is the only system that will work. It's the most efficient. Single payer will cut out literally hundreds of billions in administrative fat, billing fraud and unconscionable profits. These savings will be used instead to insure the 50 million uninsured and the millions more underinsured. This will save lives. Starting with the more than 21,000 Americans who die every year from lack of health insurance. According to recent polls, the majority of the American people want single payer. So do the majority of doctors, nurses, and health economists.
So, what will the Democrat leadership do? They will keep single payer OFF the table.
Because they fear the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry, and want their campaign money, more than they fear the American people.
Or as Speaker of the House Pelosi told reporters last week:
"Over and over again, we hear single payer, single payer, and single payer. Well, it's not going to be a single payer."
Who is Nancy Pelosi speaking for? Not for the American people! Not for those who will die or get sicker month after month. How are we to respond? Focus our collective creative energy on Congressional offices around the country -- offices of all 435 members of the House and 100 members of the Senate. That's why we have set up Single Payer Action.
Less than two months old and already Single Payer Action is making waves.
In front of Congressional offices from Martinsburg, West Virginia to Seattle, Washington. On Capitol Hill, standing up to the corporate lobbyists and their lackeys in Congress. And on the web, challenging the corporate controlled media to put single payer back on the table of public debate. There is support in Congress for single payer. Already, 76 House members support HR 676 - the single payer bill in the House.
But the Democratic leadership in Washington has taken single payer OFF the table.
They meet regularly behind closed doors with insurance and drug industry lobbyists, to thwart single payer.
Time to turn up the heat and get the word out to the American people. We can make it happen; “we the people” can make this happen in our life time.
Message from Ralph Nader
There are no more excuses for the Democrats.
The Democrats now admit that they control the procedure in Congress and can pass whatever health care reform they want. Without one Republican vote. And President Obama can sign it. What should they do? They should pass single payer.
Everybody in. Nobody out.
For prevention and treatment. For free choice of doctors and hospitals. No more premiums, deductibles, exclusions, co-pays, in-network, out-of-network rigmarole. No more family medical bankruptcies.
No more pay or die.
No more pay or become sicker. Single payer is the only system that will work. It's the most efficient. Single payer will cut out literally hundreds of billions in administrative fat, billing fraud and unconscionable profits. These savings will be used instead to insure the 50 million uninsured and the millions more underinsured. This will save lives. Starting with the more than 21,000 Americans who die every year from lack of health insurance. According to recent polls, the majority of the American people want single payer. So do the majority of doctors, nurses, and health economists.
So, what will the Democrat leadership do? They will keep single payer OFF the table.
Because they fear the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry, and want their campaign money, more than they fear the American people.
Or as Speaker of the House Pelosi told reporters last week:
"Over and over again, we hear single payer, single payer, and single payer. Well, it's not going to be a single payer."
Who is Nancy Pelosi speaking for? Not for the American people! Not for those who will die or get sicker month after month. How are we to respond? Focus our collective creative energy on Congressional offices around the country -- offices of all 435 members of the House and 100 members of the Senate. That's why we have set up Single Payer Action.
Less than two months old and already Single Payer Action is making waves.
In front of Congressional offices from Martinsburg, West Virginia to Seattle, Washington. On Capitol Hill, standing up to the corporate lobbyists and their lackeys in Congress. And on the web, challenging the corporate controlled media to put single payer back on the table of public debate. There is support in Congress for single payer. Already, 76 House members support HR 676 - the single payer bill in the House.
But the Democratic leadership in Washington has taken single payer OFF the table.
They meet regularly behind closed doors with insurance and drug industry lobbyists, to thwart single payer.
Time to turn up the heat and get the word out to the American people. We can make it happen; “we the people” can make this happen in our life time.
List of Books I’m Very Interested In Reading
All the Shahs Men – S.Kinzer
The Real Age Makeover – Roizin
Thomas Paine & Promise of America – Harvey Kay
Persian Mirrors – Elaine Sciolino
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ
Crimes against Nature – Robert Kennedy Jr
Simply In Season – Mary Beth Lind
Ethics for New Millennium – Dalai Lama
Fortunate Son – Hatfield
Best Democracy Money Can Buy – Greg Palast
The Pale Blue Dot – Carl Sagan
Shock Doctrine – Naomi Klein
No Debate – George Farah
The 12 Caesars – Seutonis
The Image – Daniel Boorstin
Moyers on America/A Journalist & His Times – Bill Moyers
What’s Wrong with Kansas? – Thomas Frank
Perfectly Legal – David Gate Johnson
Jesus Before Christianity – Albert Nolan
The Church before Christianity – Wes Howard-Brook
The Last Algonquin – T.L. Kazimiroff
Fog Facts – Larry Biner
Fooling with Words – Bill Moyers
Radical Simplicity – Jim Merkel
Fingerprints of the Gods – Graham Hancock
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
The Red Tent – Anita Diamant
All the Shahs Men – S.Kinzer
The Real Age Makeover – Roizin
Thomas Paine & Promise of America – Harvey Kay
Persian Mirrors – Elaine Sciolino
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ
Crimes against Nature – Robert Kennedy Jr
Simply In Season – Mary Beth Lind
Ethics for New Millennium – Dalai Lama
Fortunate Son – Hatfield
Best Democracy Money Can Buy – Greg Palast
The Pale Blue Dot – Carl Sagan
Shock Doctrine – Naomi Klein
No Debate – George Farah
The 12 Caesars – Seutonis
The Image – Daniel Boorstin
Moyers on America/A Journalist & His Times – Bill Moyers
What’s Wrong with Kansas? – Thomas Frank
Perfectly Legal – David Gate Johnson
Jesus Before Christianity – Albert Nolan
The Church before Christianity – Wes Howard-Brook
The Last Algonquin – T.L. Kazimiroff
Fog Facts – Larry Biner
Fooling with Words – Bill Moyers
Radical Simplicity – Jim Merkel
Fingerprints of the Gods – Graham Hancock
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
The Red Tent – Anita Diamant
Thursday, April 23, 2009
President Fix
Dennis Perrin's weblog
The vanilla tumult over torture and "brutal interrogation," as the New York Times puts it, is a never-ending source of raw amusement, the kind that sears your gut and makes you cough blood. Obama, ever the evenhanded manager, now says that he won't stand in the way should someone else bring criminal charges against the previous regime.
Wow. What courage. Is there anything our Father Leader can't equivocate? At least he still speaks better than Bush. (Liberal APPLAUSE sign flashing.) Am I right? Ladies, you know it's true!
The day that senior Bush officials, like Bush and Cheney themselves, take the perp walk in chains and orange jumpsuits is the day I publicly register as a Democrat, don an Obama t-shirt, and burn a stack of "Savage Mules." Of course, for justice to be seriously administered, many leading Dems would also have to be charged, not only for supporting or silently tolerating torture and rendition, but for beating the war drums over Iraq, the broken, bloody stage where much of this official "concern" originated with the Abu Ghraib photo sessions. This would naturally include the Vice President and Secretary of State, whose firing, arrest, and prosecution would show just how impartial American justice truly is, a shining counterexample to those lawless states that allow piracy to go unpunished.
But none of this is gonna happen. In American politics, talking and posturing about "justice" is about as good as it gets. Oh, maybe some lower echelon cog will be sacrificed to keep the charade going, but the real crime lords will avoid any jail time or serious censure as Obama urges us to "get past" this "aberration" to our noble system of governance. His slow motion pose about not impeding criminal investigations is simply more imperial pantomime -- chum bait for the rubes.
No matter what he does or doesn't do, Obama will not face a liberal mutiny, and he knows it. While a few Democrats like Glenn Greenwald are making critical noises against Obama's obfuscation, it remains a minority view. The liberal overreaction to the pitiful teabag demonstrations showed their true, loyal colors. That many of the teabaggers hold fantastic concepts of Obama helps his lib admirers, as it diverts attention away from his actual positions, giving Dem mouthpieces like Janeane Garofalo room to rant about idiot crackers who dare protest a black president, something you won't see Garofalo and kindred ideologues ever do, not with the energy and anger they protested Bush.
There are rare moments when the American Fix is so blatant, so obvious, that speaking against it merely reinforces its power and reach. This is one of those moments. Admire it, fellow peasants. You have nothing to lose but your CHANGE.
Dennis Perrin's weblog
The vanilla tumult over torture and "brutal interrogation," as the New York Times puts it, is a never-ending source of raw amusement, the kind that sears your gut and makes you cough blood. Obama, ever the evenhanded manager, now says that he won't stand in the way should someone else bring criminal charges against the previous regime.
Wow. What courage. Is there anything our Father Leader can't equivocate? At least he still speaks better than Bush. (Liberal APPLAUSE sign flashing.) Am I right? Ladies, you know it's true!
The day that senior Bush officials, like Bush and Cheney themselves, take the perp walk in chains and orange jumpsuits is the day I publicly register as a Democrat, don an Obama t-shirt, and burn a stack of "Savage Mules." Of course, for justice to be seriously administered, many leading Dems would also have to be charged, not only for supporting or silently tolerating torture and rendition, but for beating the war drums over Iraq, the broken, bloody stage where much of this official "concern" originated with the Abu Ghraib photo sessions. This would naturally include the Vice President and Secretary of State, whose firing, arrest, and prosecution would show just how impartial American justice truly is, a shining counterexample to those lawless states that allow piracy to go unpunished.
But none of this is gonna happen. In American politics, talking and posturing about "justice" is about as good as it gets. Oh, maybe some lower echelon cog will be sacrificed to keep the charade going, but the real crime lords will avoid any jail time or serious censure as Obama urges us to "get past" this "aberration" to our noble system of governance. His slow motion pose about not impeding criminal investigations is simply more imperial pantomime -- chum bait for the rubes.
No matter what he does or doesn't do, Obama will not face a liberal mutiny, and he knows it. While a few Democrats like Glenn Greenwald are making critical noises against Obama's obfuscation, it remains a minority view. The liberal overreaction to the pitiful teabag demonstrations showed their true, loyal colors. That many of the teabaggers hold fantastic concepts of Obama helps his lib admirers, as it diverts attention away from his actual positions, giving Dem mouthpieces like Janeane Garofalo room to rant about idiot crackers who dare protest a black president, something you won't see Garofalo and kindred ideologues ever do, not with the energy and anger they protested Bush.
There are rare moments when the American Fix is so blatant, so obvious, that speaking against it merely reinforces its power and reach. This is one of those moments. Admire it, fellow peasants. You have nothing to lose but your CHANGE.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Youth PROMISE Act - Message from The Peace Alliance
Now is the chance to test out the social networks you've been building! The announcement from Lynn McMullen earlier today about TPA support for the Youth PROMISE Act meshes well with a posting put up on Change.org yesterday re: school violence. This afternoon, I added a companion letter writing action on Change.org to let Reps and Senators know we want their support of Youth PROMISE. See the article and action at:
http://www.change.org/ideas/2028/view_blog/american_schools_get_a_d_in_violence_prevention
Please sign the letter then send the action invitation to your friends and networks, on Change.org and off. There are links at the bottom of the action to post on Twitter and Facebook. Spread the word and let's see what kind of an impact we can have!
Now is the chance to test out the social networks you've been building! The announcement from Lynn McMullen earlier today about TPA support for the Youth PROMISE Act meshes well with a posting put up on Change.org yesterday re: school violence. This afternoon, I added a companion letter writing action on Change.org to let Reps and Senators know we want their support of Youth PROMISE. See the article and action at:
http://www.change.org/ideas/2028/view_blog/american_schools_get_a_d_in_violence_prevention
Please sign the letter then send the action invitation to your friends and networks, on Change.org and off. There are links at the bottom of the action to post on Twitter and Facebook. Spread the word and let's see what kind of an impact we can have!
Friday, April 17, 2009
HEAR YE, HEAR YE, CATCH THE LATEST NEWS
Pearl Jam Makes Surprise Visit to Atlanta Film Festival
By MARCUS K. GARNER, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pearl Jam, a rock band born from the ’90s “grunge” movement, made a surprise visit Thursday to opening night of the Atlanta Film Festival. The quintet made a low-key entrance to the festival — avoiding the red carpet — to see lead singer Eddie Vedder’s appearance in the Tony Sacco film, “The People Speak,” festival executive director Gabriel Wardell said.
The film, based on writings by Howard Zinn, features a cast of celebrities reading letters and memoirs by people who spoke up for their rights. “One thing about this film, and seeing it tonight, you can’t help but be inspired by these people who fought and died for their rights,” Vedder said. Actors Josh Brolin and Jasmine Guy and rocker Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes also appear in the film and attended the festival’s opening night.
The group debuted in 1991 with the chart-topping album “Ten,” and followed with consecutive Billboard No. 1 albums “Vs.,” “Vitalogy,” and “No Code.” Pearl Jam won their only Grammy in 1995 for the record “Spin the Black Circle.” Wardell said the group was in town making a new album with Atlanta producer Brendan O’Brien, the mastermind behind several of Pearl Jam’s hit albums and Bruce Springstein’s Grammy-winning Best Rock album “The Rising,” and latest work, “Working on a Dream.”
Media Focus on Minor Violence; Ignore Peaceful Protests at Global Summit
Maria Margaronia, The Nation
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/134613/media_focus_on_minor_violence%3B_ignore_peaceful_protests_at_global_summit/
Tax Day: You Pay Your Taxes – Why Don’t the Rich Pay Their Share?
Chuck Collins & Sam Pizzigati, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/136592/tax_day%3A_you_pay_your_taxes_--_why_don%27t_the_rich_pay_their_share/
First Black President Defeats U.S. Antiwar Movement
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/first-black-president-defeats-us-antiwar-movement
How Many Democrats will Stand up to Obama’s Bloated Military Budget and $75 Billion More in War Spending?
Jeremy Scahill, RebelReports
http://rebelreports.com/post/94406620/how-many-democrats-will-stand-up-to-obamas-bloated
Unemployment is Hitting Men Particularly Hard and Both Sexes are Losing Out
Betsy Reed, The Nation
http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/135521/unemployment_is_hitting_men_particularly_hard_--_and_both_sexes_are_losing_out/
The Unfolding of the Obama Fraud
Michael Dawson, Dissident Voice
http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/04/the-unfolding-of-the-obama-fraud/
Obama Administration Quietly Expands Bush’s Legal Defence of Warrantless Wiretapping
John Byrne, Raw Story
http://www.alternet.org/rights/135605/obama_administration_quietly_expands_bush%27s_legal_defense_of_warrantless_wiretapping/
Freedom Rider: No Better Off with the Democrats
Margaret Kimberley, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/freedom-rider-no-better-democrats-0
Why the London Protesters Are on the Right Side of History
Johann Hari, Huffington Post
There will be far more sympathy in the future for those who took to the streets and rioted outside the G20 than for people who stayed home.
http://www.alternet.org/environment/135201/why_the_london_protesters_are_on_the_right_side_of_history/
Eshu’s Blues: First Black President of the American Empire
Michael Hureaux Perez, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/eshus-blues-first-black-president-american-empire
Jonathan Steele Obama Should Listen to Iraqis, Not Lecture Them
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/08-1
Bill Moyers and Michael Winship Changing the Rules of the Blame Game
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/08
Sarah van Gelder A Plea To President Obama: Don't Bankrupt America
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/10-3
Ted Rall Barack Obama, Torture Enabler http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/10-6
[Duchess Note: More "news" coming soon on Kucinich and the Peace movement. Many thanks to Carol in NYC for some of the above informative articles.]
Pearl Jam Makes Surprise Visit to Atlanta Film Festival
By MARCUS K. GARNER, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pearl Jam, a rock band born from the ’90s “grunge” movement, made a surprise visit Thursday to opening night of the Atlanta Film Festival. The quintet made a low-key entrance to the festival — avoiding the red carpet — to see lead singer Eddie Vedder’s appearance in the Tony Sacco film, “The People Speak,” festival executive director Gabriel Wardell said.
The film, based on writings by Howard Zinn, features a cast of celebrities reading letters and memoirs by people who spoke up for their rights. “One thing about this film, and seeing it tonight, you can’t help but be inspired by these people who fought and died for their rights,” Vedder said. Actors Josh Brolin and Jasmine Guy and rocker Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes also appear in the film and attended the festival’s opening night.
The group debuted in 1991 with the chart-topping album “Ten,” and followed with consecutive Billboard No. 1 albums “Vs.,” “Vitalogy,” and “No Code.” Pearl Jam won their only Grammy in 1995 for the record “Spin the Black Circle.” Wardell said the group was in town making a new album with Atlanta producer Brendan O’Brien, the mastermind behind several of Pearl Jam’s hit albums and Bruce Springstein’s Grammy-winning Best Rock album “The Rising,” and latest work, “Working on a Dream.”
Media Focus on Minor Violence; Ignore Peaceful Protests at Global Summit
Maria Margaronia, The Nation
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/134613/media_focus_on_minor_violence%3B_ignore_peaceful_protests_at_global_summit/
Tax Day: You Pay Your Taxes – Why Don’t the Rich Pay Their Share?
Chuck Collins & Sam Pizzigati, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/136592/tax_day%3A_you_pay_your_taxes_--_why_don%27t_the_rich_pay_their_share/
First Black President Defeats U.S. Antiwar Movement
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/first-black-president-defeats-us-antiwar-movement
How Many Democrats will Stand up to Obama’s Bloated Military Budget and $75 Billion More in War Spending?
Jeremy Scahill, RebelReports
http://rebelreports.com/post/94406620/how-many-democrats-will-stand-up-to-obamas-bloated
Unemployment is Hitting Men Particularly Hard and Both Sexes are Losing Out
Betsy Reed, The Nation
http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/135521/unemployment_is_hitting_men_particularly_hard_--_and_both_sexes_are_losing_out/
The Unfolding of the Obama Fraud
Michael Dawson, Dissident Voice
http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/04/the-unfolding-of-the-obama-fraud/
Obama Administration Quietly Expands Bush’s Legal Defence of Warrantless Wiretapping
John Byrne, Raw Story
http://www.alternet.org/rights/135605/obama_administration_quietly_expands_bush%27s_legal_defense_of_warrantless_wiretapping/
Freedom Rider: No Better Off with the Democrats
Margaret Kimberley, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/freedom-rider-no-better-democrats-0
Why the London Protesters Are on the Right Side of History
Johann Hari, Huffington Post
There will be far more sympathy in the future for those who took to the streets and rioted outside the G20 than for people who stayed home.
http://www.alternet.org/environment/135201/why_the_london_protesters_are_on_the_right_side_of_history/
Eshu’s Blues: First Black President of the American Empire
Michael Hureaux Perez, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/eshus-blues-first-black-president-american-empire
Jonathan Steele Obama Should Listen to Iraqis, Not Lecture Them
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/08-1
Bill Moyers and Michael Winship Changing the Rules of the Blame Game
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/08
Sarah van Gelder A Plea To President Obama: Don't Bankrupt America
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/10-3
Ted Rall Barack Obama, Torture Enabler http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/10-6
[Duchess Note: More "news" coming soon on Kucinich and the Peace movement. Many thanks to Carol in NYC for some of the above informative articles.]
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Update on General Dept of Peace News
New HR808 Co-Sponsor
Congratulations to volunteers in Colorado's District 2!
Congressman Jared Polis (D CO-02) has become our 66th cosponsor of HR 808, the legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace.
Gentle Reminder … Friday, May 8th, is “Peace wants a Piece of the Pie” day. This is the Friday before Mother’s Day were Dept of Peace chapters around the USA bring pie to their Congressional reps local office and talk about HR808. Make an appointment today with your Congressional reps office and bring some pie on the 8th.
5th Annual Peace Conference, Washington DC
March 20th through 23rd
Peace Alliance’s Photo Gallery
http://picasaweb.google.com/peacealliancetech
2009 National Conference Blog
http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/blogcategory/112/674/
New HR808 Co-Sponsor
Congratulations to volunteers in Colorado's District 2!
Congressman Jared Polis (D CO-02) has become our 66th cosponsor of HR 808, the legislation to establish a U.S. Department of Peace.
Gentle Reminder … Friday, May 8th, is “Peace wants a Piece of the Pie” day. This is the Friday before Mother’s Day were Dept of Peace chapters around the USA bring pie to their Congressional reps local office and talk about HR808. Make an appointment today with your Congressional reps office and bring some pie on the 8th.
5th Annual Peace Conference, Washington DC
March 20th through 23rd
Peace Alliance’s Photo Gallery
http://picasaweb.google.com/peacealliancetech
2009 National Conference Blog
http://www.thepeacealliance.org/content/blogcategory/112/674/
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
The Natural Order
Dennis Perrin’s weblog, April 6th
Obama's response to North Korea's fizzled rocket test was no different from what Bush would've said, for that's the imperial manager's function: reminding weaker nations who's allowed to own the big sticks. Comes with the gig. The notion that North Korea is an ominous threat to the world is another imperial talking point, taken seriously by Serious People, who speak of dangerous end games, the globe on the brink, and related dramatic rhetoric.
It's all BS, aimed at keeping We The Servants afraid and beholden to our owners. You'd be hard pressed to find any media commentator mentioning the millions of Koreans the US massacred from 1950-53, primarily in the North, where entire villages were erased and cities reduced to rubble. Massive destruction that was perhaps a step or two shy of an actual nuclear assault, though that too was under serious consideration among Truman's advisers. In the end, despite the mad Douglas MacArthur's raving about hitting the North with 30 nukes, it was felt that conventional dismemberment was more than enough, which it pretty much was.
Of course, the smoldering rubble and open mass graves did not seriously affect North Korea's perceptions of the US, just as if the roles were reversed, we wouldn't hold any grudge against a larger country that flattened numerous American cities and towns, killing tens of millions. And the idea that we would seek some kind of defense or deterrent against a future attack is ludicrous, which further shows just how crazy and paranoid North Korea remains.
So, a la Bush, Obama laid down the "rules," as he put it, bellowing about perilous threats and the rest. But whereas Bush would add that the US seeks only freedom, peace, and unconditional love, Obama took it to the next level, calling for a nuclear-free world.
A planet free of nukes. Wow. Awesome. Like Miss America praying for world peace and lots of hugs. The beauty of this approach is that no one can really disagree with Obama. Who wouldn't want nukes dismantled, other than lunatics and terrorists (i.e. North Korea and Iran)? That Obama admitted that such a state would probably not be seen in his lifetime, making his rhetoric even emptier, matters little to the faithful. The point is, Bush wouldn't have said it, or he wouldn't have said it as well. To countless liberals, that's all that really matters.
My old pub pal Juan Cole not only found Obama's nuke-free spiel "visionary," "pivotal" and "epochal" (beware of liberals clutching thesauri), he also says:
"The speech does not refer to the Middle East, but it has potentially big implications for that region. The logical conclusion is that Obama not only wants Iran to cease its nuclear enrichment program (which may not now be aimed at making a bomb, but could one day be used for that purpose), but he also wants Israel to give up its nuclear arsenal of 150 warheads."
Really, Juan? And just how, politically and militarily, will Obama convince Israel to go nuke-free? For this to actually work, Obama would have to insist that Israel undergo the same inspections forced on Saddam's regime. I mean, to achieve a post-nuclear world, all nations holding bombs must be treated equally, right? So not only Israel, but India, Pakistan, Russia, China, England, France, and of course the US would have to submit to inspectors and outside enforcers. I'm not sure who would enforce the dismantling of all these weapons (unless one thinks that the nuke nations would unilaterally disarm), but Obama's speech was so elevating, so life-changing, petty details like that are junk food for cynics and non-believers.
Dennis Perrin’s weblog, April 6th
Obama's response to North Korea's fizzled rocket test was no different from what Bush would've said, for that's the imperial manager's function: reminding weaker nations who's allowed to own the big sticks. Comes with the gig. The notion that North Korea is an ominous threat to the world is another imperial talking point, taken seriously by Serious People, who speak of dangerous end games, the globe on the brink, and related dramatic rhetoric.
It's all BS, aimed at keeping We The Servants afraid and beholden to our owners. You'd be hard pressed to find any media commentator mentioning the millions of Koreans the US massacred from 1950-53, primarily in the North, where entire villages were erased and cities reduced to rubble. Massive destruction that was perhaps a step or two shy of an actual nuclear assault, though that too was under serious consideration among Truman's advisers. In the end, despite the mad Douglas MacArthur's raving about hitting the North with 30 nukes, it was felt that conventional dismemberment was more than enough, which it pretty much was.
Of course, the smoldering rubble and open mass graves did not seriously affect North Korea's perceptions of the US, just as if the roles were reversed, we wouldn't hold any grudge against a larger country that flattened numerous American cities and towns, killing tens of millions. And the idea that we would seek some kind of defense or deterrent against a future attack is ludicrous, which further shows just how crazy and paranoid North Korea remains.
So, a la Bush, Obama laid down the "rules," as he put it, bellowing about perilous threats and the rest. But whereas Bush would add that the US seeks only freedom, peace, and unconditional love, Obama took it to the next level, calling for a nuclear-free world.
A planet free of nukes. Wow. Awesome. Like Miss America praying for world peace and lots of hugs. The beauty of this approach is that no one can really disagree with Obama. Who wouldn't want nukes dismantled, other than lunatics and terrorists (i.e. North Korea and Iran)? That Obama admitted that such a state would probably not be seen in his lifetime, making his rhetoric even emptier, matters little to the faithful. The point is, Bush wouldn't have said it, or he wouldn't have said it as well. To countless liberals, that's all that really matters.
My old pub pal Juan Cole not only found Obama's nuke-free spiel "visionary," "pivotal" and "epochal" (beware of liberals clutching thesauri), he also says:
"The speech does not refer to the Middle East, but it has potentially big implications for that region. The logical conclusion is that Obama not only wants Iran to cease its nuclear enrichment program (which may not now be aimed at making a bomb, but could one day be used for that purpose), but he also wants Israel to give up its nuclear arsenal of 150 warheads."
Really, Juan? And just how, politically and militarily, will Obama convince Israel to go nuke-free? For this to actually work, Obama would have to insist that Israel undergo the same inspections forced on Saddam's regime. I mean, to achieve a post-nuclear world, all nations holding bombs must be treated equally, right? So not only Israel, but India, Pakistan, Russia, China, England, France, and of course the US would have to submit to inspectors and outside enforcers. I'm not sure who would enforce the dismantling of all these weapons (unless one thinks that the nuke nations would unilaterally disarm), but Obama's speech was so elevating, so life-changing, petty details like that are junk food for cynics and non-believers.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Kucinich on Budget Resolution: I Simply Cannot Endorse a Budget or a Plan that Authorizes the Expansion of War
Washington D.C. ( April 2, 2009) – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today issued the following statement after voting against H.Con.Res 85, setting forth the Congressional Budget for the fiscal year 2010:
“I am committed to doing everything I can to put our community and our nation on the path to economic stability. I led opposition to the bank bailout program TARP, I worked vigorously in favor of the stimulus package, and I have worked to save the automotive, steel and aerospace industries in America. “This budget is a statement of principles for the upcoming year, and I cannot accept it in its entirety. I will not vote for a budget that ties military spending to the operational funding of our government. This year, the budget includes $130 billion for war funding. The Washington Post reports today another 10,000 troops may be sent to Afghanistan, bringing our total number of troops there to as much as 78,000 by 2010 – a more than 100% increase from today’s troop levels. This budget is a plan that authorizes the expansion of the war. I simply cannot endorse a budget or a plan that sends more of our brave men and women to Afghanistan, a conflict which has the potential to become this generation’s Vietnam.”
Read more, go to ... http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=117716
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Out of the crooked timber of humanity, nothing entirely straight can be built. Immanuel Kant
Washington D.C. ( April 2, 2009) – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today issued the following statement after voting against H.Con.Res 85, setting forth the Congressional Budget for the fiscal year 2010:
“I am committed to doing everything I can to put our community and our nation on the path to economic stability. I led opposition to the bank bailout program TARP, I worked vigorously in favor of the stimulus package, and I have worked to save the automotive, steel and aerospace industries in America. “This budget is a statement of principles for the upcoming year, and I cannot accept it in its entirety. I will not vote for a budget that ties military spending to the operational funding of our government. This year, the budget includes $130 billion for war funding. The Washington Post reports today another 10,000 troops may be sent to Afghanistan, bringing our total number of troops there to as much as 78,000 by 2010 – a more than 100% increase from today’s troop levels. This budget is a plan that authorizes the expansion of the war. I simply cannot endorse a budget or a plan that sends more of our brave men and women to Afghanistan, a conflict which has the potential to become this generation’s Vietnam.”
Read more, go to ... http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=117716
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Out of the crooked timber of humanity, nothing entirely straight can be built. Immanuel Kant
Monday, March 30, 2009
PERSONAL NEWS #161
Sunday, February 22nd, afternoon I headed into the city to attend a panel discussion at All Souls Church called “Current Climate in Iran”. There were four speakers and they were part of a non-violent delegation to Iran in Nov/Dec 2008. Some of their commentary … “Iranians want peace, also the world see the U.S. differently then we see the U.S. and we are not faithfully represented by our respective governments”. The Peace Task Force was hosting this event, and the discussions, along with slideshow, were very interesting and informative. To learn more, go to http://www.4peace.net/
Monday, February 23rd, evening I visited my friend Larry and treated him to Chinese take-out while he worked on my tax return for 2008. As always, I owe the friggin Federal government [worthless, greedy buggers] a few buckos, and I’ll get some funds back from NY State.
Tuesday, February 24th, evening I participated in the NYDoP CCR Committee conference call and our main focus was prep work for upcoming Community Board meetings in Manhattan.
Wednesday, February 25th, I worked most of the day at AIG copying tax returns. Today is also the first day of LENT; I gave up chocolate, bread, bagels and muffins until Easter Sunday.
Thursday, February 26th, evening I joined several members of the Park Slope Knit meetup at Sweet Melissa’s and had an enjoyable time.
Sunday, March 1st, I attended a fascinating and interesting lecture by Marc Sussman at the Community Church on East 35th Street. He also has a radio program on Air America on finances. He talked about emotional and spiritual recovery, and that we live in a nation of addicts. Said we are in an economic crisis, a global depression, worse than the 1930s. Plus, he also talked about “The CA Lesson”, renewable energy, water and geothermal.
Sunday, March 8th, I attended CodePinks “International Women’s Day” film screening [ie: Afghan Women: A History of Struggle], panel discussion and craft sale. Those on the panel were Kathleen Foster [director of the documentary we viewed], Fahima Vorgetts, and Fawzia Afzal-Khan. The latter writes for CounterPunch online. It mostly centered on the women and children of Afghanistan from the 1950s to present. There was mention of BANU Foundation and the following website http://www.womenforafghanwomen.org/ I ran into Stephanie and Alice, both of whom worked with me on the 2007/2008 Kucinich presidential campaign.
Monday, March 9th, I worked all day at AIG helping with copying tax returns. Afterwards I had an appointment for treatment with my foot doctor.
Thursday, March 12th, was a busy day, not only at work, but afterwards at a Community Board meeting in Manhattan that I attended with Kevin and Joe. Went very well and we talked with Councilmember Mendez, as well as hand out all of our flyers. Afterwards the three of us went out for drinks and dinner; plus discuss upcoming peace conference, the CB meeting and current events.
Friday, March 13th, I took ½ a personal day to take care of things around Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Sunday, March 15th, I was invited by my friend Cielito to participate in a free event at Matrix on Hudson Street. Matrix was trying out new hair care products on ladies who dye their hair. Afterwards I had a late lunch with Cielito at a funky pizza place in Greenwich Village.
Tuesday, March 17th, I participated in the NYDoP “working” meeting at the HealthyBody location. Kevin, Dawn and I presided over it. We had three new people [ie: Chris, Nick & James] attending, who were interested in DoP. Afterwards Kevin and I had a drink, plus nosh on French fries, at an Irish pub in the neighborhood. St Patrick’s Day was still be “celebrated” in noisy, full swing.
Thursday afternoon, March 19th, I joined Stephanie and many other anti-war protests at Union Square around 1pm. This is the sixth anniversary of the US invasion and occupation of Iraq. Sadly, not much of a turnout due to the “wet” weather, but those of us that were there peacefully protested with enthusiasm.
March 20th through 22nd – 5th Annual Peace Conference in Washington DC … a full report on this weekend will be posted soon on the Duchess blog, along with photos.
[Kevin, Pat and Chris during lunch at the 5th Annual Peace Conference]
[Marie, Joe, Carol & Karen heading back to NYC from DC Peace Conference]
Wednesday, March 25th, I headed out to Coney Island hospital and joined Howard for a Community Board meeting. This area is part of Councilmember Recchia’s district and his is chairman of the Cultural Affairs committee where Resolution 627 is waiting for a hearing. I got home to watch last 45 minutes of LOST on the telly.
Thursday, March 26th, I took ½ a personal day from work to prep for Tolkien Reading Day, which was being held at my humble abode in Brooklyn.
[Some members of the NE Tolkien Society at recent Tolkien Reading Day]
Sunday, February 22nd, afternoon I headed into the city to attend a panel discussion at All Souls Church called “Current Climate in Iran”. There were four speakers and they were part of a non-violent delegation to Iran in Nov/Dec 2008. Some of their commentary … “Iranians want peace, also the world see the U.S. differently then we see the U.S. and we are not faithfully represented by our respective governments”. The Peace Task Force was hosting this event, and the discussions, along with slideshow, were very interesting and informative. To learn more, go to http://www.4peace.net/
Monday, February 23rd, evening I visited my friend Larry and treated him to Chinese take-out while he worked on my tax return for 2008. As always, I owe the friggin Federal government [worthless, greedy buggers] a few buckos, and I’ll get some funds back from NY State.
Tuesday, February 24th, evening I participated in the NYDoP CCR Committee conference call and our main focus was prep work for upcoming Community Board meetings in Manhattan.
Wednesday, February 25th, I worked most of the day at AIG copying tax returns. Today is also the first day of LENT; I gave up chocolate, bread, bagels and muffins until Easter Sunday.
Thursday, February 26th, evening I joined several members of the Park Slope Knit meetup at Sweet Melissa’s and had an enjoyable time.
Sunday, March 1st, I attended a fascinating and interesting lecture by Marc Sussman at the Community Church on East 35th Street. He also has a radio program on Air America on finances. He talked about emotional and spiritual recovery, and that we live in a nation of addicts. Said we are in an economic crisis, a global depression, worse than the 1930s. Plus, he also talked about “The CA Lesson”, renewable energy, water and geothermal.
Sunday, March 8th, I attended CodePinks “International Women’s Day” film screening [ie: Afghan Women: A History of Struggle], panel discussion and craft sale. Those on the panel were Kathleen Foster [director of the documentary we viewed], Fahima Vorgetts, and Fawzia Afzal-Khan. The latter writes for CounterPunch online. It mostly centered on the women and children of Afghanistan from the 1950s to present. There was mention of BANU Foundation and the following website http://www.womenforafghanwomen.org/ I ran into Stephanie and Alice, both of whom worked with me on the 2007/2008 Kucinich presidential campaign.
Monday, March 9th, I worked all day at AIG helping with copying tax returns. Afterwards I had an appointment for treatment with my foot doctor.
Thursday, March 12th, was a busy day, not only at work, but afterwards at a Community Board meeting in Manhattan that I attended with Kevin and Joe. Went very well and we talked with Councilmember Mendez, as well as hand out all of our flyers. Afterwards the three of us went out for drinks and dinner; plus discuss upcoming peace conference, the CB meeting and current events.
Friday, March 13th, I took ½ a personal day to take care of things around Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Sunday, March 15th, I was invited by my friend Cielito to participate in a free event at Matrix on Hudson Street. Matrix was trying out new hair care products on ladies who dye their hair. Afterwards I had a late lunch with Cielito at a funky pizza place in Greenwich Village.
Tuesday, March 17th, I participated in the NYDoP “working” meeting at the HealthyBody location. Kevin, Dawn and I presided over it. We had three new people [ie: Chris, Nick & James] attending, who were interested in DoP. Afterwards Kevin and I had a drink, plus nosh on French fries, at an Irish pub in the neighborhood. St Patrick’s Day was still be “celebrated” in noisy, full swing.
Thursday afternoon, March 19th, I joined Stephanie and many other anti-war protests at Union Square around 1pm. This is the sixth anniversary of the US invasion and occupation of Iraq. Sadly, not much of a turnout due to the “wet” weather, but those of us that were there peacefully protested with enthusiasm.
March 20th through 22nd – 5th Annual Peace Conference in Washington DC … a full report on this weekend will be posted soon on the Duchess blog, along with photos.
[Kevin, Pat and Chris during lunch at the 5th Annual Peace Conference]
[Marie, Joe, Carol & Karen heading back to NYC from DC Peace Conference]
Wednesday, March 25th, I headed out to Coney Island hospital and joined Howard for a Community Board meeting. This area is part of Councilmember Recchia’s district and his is chairman of the Cultural Affairs committee where Resolution 627 is waiting for a hearing. I got home to watch last 45 minutes of LOST on the telly.
Thursday, March 26th, I took ½ a personal day from work to prep for Tolkien Reading Day, which was being held at my humble abode in Brooklyn.
[Some members of the NE Tolkien Society at recent Tolkien Reading Day]
Sunday, March 29, 2009
NEWS ON MIDDLE EAST, PEARL JAM, KUCINICH ETC
Why the End of America is Closer than You Think
Mike Adams, CounterThink.com
http://www.counterthink.com/025688.html
The Reluctant Rock Star
Jessica Bennett, Newsweek
http://www.newsweek.com/id/190240
Pearl Jam Interview
Glasswerk.co.uk
http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/features/national/5311/Pearl+Jam+Interview
Supporters Push for New Dept of Peace
Joe Maniscalco, NY Post
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03082009/news/regionalnews/brooklyn/supporters_push_for_new_dept__of_peace_214623003.htm
The Real AIG Conspiracy
Professor Michael Hudson, Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=12784
Obama to Bring More Mercenaries to Afghanistan – Sound Familiar?
Jim Hightower, Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=12934
Gold for Humanity
Robert Koehler, Tribune Media Services
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rober-koeher/gold-for-humanity_b_179591.html
Obama Press Conference Reveals Right-Wing Consensus in Washington
Patrick Martin, World Socialist
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/mar2009/obam-m25.shtml
Powerful Banks and Government Handouts to the Rich: It’s Time for Protest
Zephyr Teachout, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/rights/133275/powerful_banks_and_government_handouts_to_the_rich%3A_it%27s_time_for_protest/
Obama Maneuvers to Protect Wall Street Bonuses
Barry Grey, World Socialist
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/mar2009/bonu-m21.shtml
Time to Take the Steering Wheel out of Geithner’s Hands
Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post
The issue isn’t whether Geithner’s a nice guy; it’s his ideas, which are as toxic as the assets that have hamstrung the economy.
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/133076/time_to_take_the_steering_wheel_out_of_geithner%27s_hands/
They’re Not ‘Enemy Combatants’ Anymore, but Obama will Still Detain Them Without Charges
J.D. Tuccille, Civil Liberties Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-536-Civil-Liberties-Examiner%7Ey2009m3d16-Theyre-not-enemy-combatants-anymore-but-Obama-will-still-detain-them-without-charges
Obama Admin Moves to Protect Military Officials
Associated Press
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/13/obama-admin-moves-to-protect-military-officials/
Obama: Hypocrite on Health Care, Hater on Single Payer
Bruce A. Dixon, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=category/us-politics/obamarama
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Carol [NYC], Linda [TX], Judith [NYC] and Linda [NYC] for their contributions to this blog. Stay tuned for updates on "Personal News"; plus pix from 5th Annual Peace Conference in DC and Tolkien Reading Day.]
Why the End of America is Closer than You Think
Mike Adams, CounterThink.com
http://www.counterthink.com/025688.html
The Reluctant Rock Star
Jessica Bennett, Newsweek
http://www.newsweek.com/id/190240
Pearl Jam Interview
Glasswerk.co.uk
http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/features/national/5311/Pearl+Jam+Interview
Supporters Push for New Dept of Peace
Joe Maniscalco, NY Post
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03082009/news/regionalnews/brooklyn/supporters_push_for_new_dept__of_peace_214623003.htm
The Real AIG Conspiracy
Professor Michael Hudson, Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=12784
Obama to Bring More Mercenaries to Afghanistan – Sound Familiar?
Jim Hightower, Global Research
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=12934
Gold for Humanity
Robert Koehler, Tribune Media Services
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rober-koeher/gold-for-humanity_b_179591.html
Obama Press Conference Reveals Right-Wing Consensus in Washington
Patrick Martin, World Socialist
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/mar2009/obam-m25.shtml
Powerful Banks and Government Handouts to the Rich: It’s Time for Protest
Zephyr Teachout, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/rights/133275/powerful_banks_and_government_handouts_to_the_rich%3A_it%27s_time_for_protest/
Obama Maneuvers to Protect Wall Street Bonuses
Barry Grey, World Socialist
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/mar2009/bonu-m21.shtml
Time to Take the Steering Wheel out of Geithner’s Hands
Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post
The issue isn’t whether Geithner’s a nice guy; it’s his ideas, which are as toxic as the assets that have hamstrung the economy.
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/133076/time_to_take_the_steering_wheel_out_of_geithner%27s_hands/
They’re Not ‘Enemy Combatants’ Anymore, but Obama will Still Detain Them Without Charges
J.D. Tuccille, Civil Liberties Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-536-Civil-Liberties-Examiner%7Ey2009m3d16-Theyre-not-enemy-combatants-anymore-but-Obama-will-still-detain-them-without-charges
Obama Admin Moves to Protect Military Officials
Associated Press
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/13/obama-admin-moves-to-protect-military-officials/
Obama: Hypocrite on Health Care, Hater on Single Payer
Bruce A. Dixon, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=category/us-politics/obamarama
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Carol [NYC], Linda [TX], Judith [NYC] and Linda [NYC] for their contributions to this blog. Stay tuned for updates on "Personal News"; plus pix from 5th Annual Peace Conference in DC and Tolkien Reading Day.]
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY TO ALL!
Lou Dobbs Interviews Dennis Kucinich [Re: AIG]
Listen to the conversation between Lou Dobbs and Congressman Dennis Kucinich here:
http://kucinich.us/index.php?option=com_conte..nt&task=view&id=2773&Itemid=76
Oversight of Bank Bailouts CriticizedHouse Panel Faults Treasury for Not Forcing Firms to Reveal Overseas Deals
Amit R.Paley, Washington Post Staff Writer
Congressional investigators are criticizing the Obama administration for failing to police deals in which banks participating in the $700 billion federal bailout lent billions of dollars overseas, highlighting the growing political tension over the extent of government involvement in firms receiving taxpayer funds.A report by a House oversight panel, which was described to The Washington Post in advance of its release this week, raises questions about a $8 billion financing deal for Dubai by Citigroup (recipient of at least $45 billion in bailout funds); a $1 billion investment in India by J.P. Morgan (which got $25 billion from the government rescue); and a $7 billion investment in China by Bank of America (which got $45 billion from the bailout).
"When the American people find that their tax dollars, which were supposed to be used to get us out of this financial crisis, instead are being used to ship jobs and investments overseas, there will be outrage," said Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), chairman of the domestic policy subcommittee for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The report is a memo by that panel's Democratic staff.The report underscores the political strain between some lawmakers, who are pressing for much more government involvement in banks that receive federal assistance, and officials at the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve, who say it is impractical and counterproductive to approve every aspect of a bank's operation."We haven't seen this report so we cannot comment on its contents," Treasury spokesman Isaac Baker wrote in an e-mail.
"But the Administration's new Financial Stability Plan requires banks to detail how government funds will be used to increase or preserve lending and report back on their lending activity every month."The overseas deals by the banks were not illegal, the report concluded, and it is impossible to know whether they were funded with bailout dollars. The transactions also involve relatively tiny amounts of money for multitrillion-dollar companies that operate in dozens of countries.But congressional investigators nonetheless said they were troubled that Treasury oversight and reporting requirements did not force the banks to disclose the deals, which they said reflects a lack of scrutiny of the bailout.
Under the bailout's largest program, only the 20 largest recipients of money are required to file reports with the program's overseers, the report said, while the other 297 are not. The investigators also said that Treasury has not deployed personnel to any of the largest participants, other than a minimal presence at two. Even the filings required of the 20 largest recipients provide general monitoring of the bailout money's impact on lending activities, not the overall use of the taxpayer dollars, the subcommittee concluded."As a result, Treasury has limited ability to detect or prevent waste and abuse," the report concludes.The report also raises questions about Goldman Sachs's $2 billion repurchase of its own stock in December, which caused the share value to increase almost 20 percent.
That would have been a significant financial benefit for senior executives, who usually own large amounts of company stock. Congressional investigators are looking at whether the deal was an inappropriate way to enrich those top employees despite a public clamor for strict limits on executive compensation.Spokesmen for the banks either declined to comment or did not respond to e-mail and telephone messages yesterday."Treasury has not safeguarded taxpayers' money, yet Treasury is prepared to keep investing in a failed economic strategy when they don't even know what happened to the money they gave in the first place," Kucinich said. "This is a textbook definition of a taxpayer's nightmare.“
How to Fix Our Economy
J. Nayer Hardin, OpEdNews
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/HOW-TO-FIX-OUR-ECONOMY-by-J-Nayer-Hardin-090217-570.html
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda [TX] in sharing these informative articles on Congressman Kucinich, and the current economic crisis. He continually does a great job in Congress; not only for his Cleveland constituents, but for all Americans. He should be the one in the White House ... he's got the years of experience, intelligence and has always been about "real" change. I've been a proud supporter of Dennis since the Summer of 2003, and always will be.]
Lou Dobbs Interviews Dennis Kucinich [Re: AIG]
Listen to the conversation between Lou Dobbs and Congressman Dennis Kucinich here:
http://kucinich.us/index.php?option=com_conte..nt&task=view&id=2773&Itemid=76
Oversight of Bank Bailouts CriticizedHouse Panel Faults Treasury for Not Forcing Firms to Reveal Overseas Deals
Amit R.Paley, Washington Post Staff Writer
Congressional investigators are criticizing the Obama administration for failing to police deals in which banks participating in the $700 billion federal bailout lent billions of dollars overseas, highlighting the growing political tension over the extent of government involvement in firms receiving taxpayer funds.A report by a House oversight panel, which was described to The Washington Post in advance of its release this week, raises questions about a $8 billion financing deal for Dubai by Citigroup (recipient of at least $45 billion in bailout funds); a $1 billion investment in India by J.P. Morgan (which got $25 billion from the government rescue); and a $7 billion investment in China by Bank of America (which got $45 billion from the bailout).
"When the American people find that their tax dollars, which were supposed to be used to get us out of this financial crisis, instead are being used to ship jobs and investments overseas, there will be outrage," said Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio), chairman of the domestic policy subcommittee for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The report is a memo by that panel's Democratic staff.The report underscores the political strain between some lawmakers, who are pressing for much more government involvement in banks that receive federal assistance, and officials at the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve, who say it is impractical and counterproductive to approve every aspect of a bank's operation."We haven't seen this report so we cannot comment on its contents," Treasury spokesman Isaac Baker wrote in an e-mail.
"But the Administration's new Financial Stability Plan requires banks to detail how government funds will be used to increase or preserve lending and report back on their lending activity every month."The overseas deals by the banks were not illegal, the report concluded, and it is impossible to know whether they were funded with bailout dollars. The transactions also involve relatively tiny amounts of money for multitrillion-dollar companies that operate in dozens of countries.But congressional investigators nonetheless said they were troubled that Treasury oversight and reporting requirements did not force the banks to disclose the deals, which they said reflects a lack of scrutiny of the bailout.
Under the bailout's largest program, only the 20 largest recipients of money are required to file reports with the program's overseers, the report said, while the other 297 are not. The investigators also said that Treasury has not deployed personnel to any of the largest participants, other than a minimal presence at two. Even the filings required of the 20 largest recipients provide general monitoring of the bailout money's impact on lending activities, not the overall use of the taxpayer dollars, the subcommittee concluded."As a result, Treasury has limited ability to detect or prevent waste and abuse," the report concludes.The report also raises questions about Goldman Sachs's $2 billion repurchase of its own stock in December, which caused the share value to increase almost 20 percent.
That would have been a significant financial benefit for senior executives, who usually own large amounts of company stock. Congressional investigators are looking at whether the deal was an inappropriate way to enrich those top employees despite a public clamor for strict limits on executive compensation.Spokesmen for the banks either declined to comment or did not respond to e-mail and telephone messages yesterday."Treasury has not safeguarded taxpayers' money, yet Treasury is prepared to keep investing in a failed economic strategy when they don't even know what happened to the money they gave in the first place," Kucinich said. "This is a textbook definition of a taxpayer's nightmare.“
How to Fix Our Economy
J. Nayer Hardin, OpEdNews
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/HOW-TO-FIX-OUR-ECONOMY-by-J-Nayer-Hardin-090217-570.html
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda [TX] in sharing these informative articles on Congressman Kucinich, and the current economic crisis. He continually does a great job in Congress; not only for his Cleveland constituents, but for all Americans. He should be the one in the White House ... he's got the years of experience, intelligence and has always been about "real" change. I've been a proud supporter of Dennis since the Summer of 2003, and always will be.]
Monday, March 16, 2009
PERSONAL NEWS #160
Week of February 9th was very busy at work with lots of meetings regarding BSC [ie: Business Services Center], of which I’ve been part of since mid-January. On Monday the 9th … I also worked that afternoon at AIG helping out with copying tax returns.
Wednesday evening, February 11th, I participated in the NYDoP CCR Committee conference call and our main focus was prep work for following evening presentation at CB B11.
Thursday evening, February 12th, I took the F train to Kevin and Irene’s charming home in Brooklyn. At 6:45am Kevin and I drove to Bensonhurst, met up with Howard, and gave a presentation on Dept of Peace to Community Board B11. After our presentation we handed out flyers; plus briefly talked with a local newspaper reporter, staff person from Councilmember Gentile’s office, Monsignor Castello, Senator Vallone and Councilmember Gentile. From there the three of us headed over to Vegas diner for a late dinner and discussion on many diverse topics. Kevin drove Howard and I to our respective homes and came up with a glimmer of an idea for Brooklyn Pub Crawl for Peace. More later…………….
Tuesday evening, February 17th, was NYDoP’s first “speaker” event of 2009 and was held at Healthy Body NYC near Madison Square Park. Liz Gannon-Graydon was our speaker and, as always, her talks are so interesting and uplifting. The main topic of her discussion was called “What Better Looks Like”. About 10 of us attended and even my friend Cielito came by.
Thursday, February 19th, I worked most of the day at AIG helping with filing and tax returns.
[Duchess Note: More personal news to follow ... plus week of March 23rd an account of the 5th Annual Peace Conference from Washington DC. Stay tuned..................]
Week of February 9th was very busy at work with lots of meetings regarding BSC [ie: Business Services Center], of which I’ve been part of since mid-January. On Monday the 9th … I also worked that afternoon at AIG helping out with copying tax returns.
Wednesday evening, February 11th, I participated in the NYDoP CCR Committee conference call and our main focus was prep work for following evening presentation at CB B11.
Thursday evening, February 12th, I took the F train to Kevin and Irene’s charming home in Brooklyn. At 6:45am Kevin and I drove to Bensonhurst, met up with Howard, and gave a presentation on Dept of Peace to Community Board B11. After our presentation we handed out flyers; plus briefly talked with a local newspaper reporter, staff person from Councilmember Gentile’s office, Monsignor Castello, Senator Vallone and Councilmember Gentile. From there the three of us headed over to Vegas diner for a late dinner and discussion on many diverse topics. Kevin drove Howard and I to our respective homes and came up with a glimmer of an idea for Brooklyn Pub Crawl for Peace. More later…………….
Tuesday evening, February 17th, was NYDoP’s first “speaker” event of 2009 and was held at Healthy Body NYC near Madison Square Park. Liz Gannon-Graydon was our speaker and, as always, her talks are so interesting and uplifting. The main topic of her discussion was called “What Better Looks Like”. About 10 of us attended and even my friend Cielito came by.
Thursday, February 19th, I worked most of the day at AIG helping with filing and tax returns.
[Duchess Note: More personal news to follow ... plus week of March 23rd an account of the 5th Annual Peace Conference from Washington DC. Stay tuned..................]
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wonderful Article Regarding "New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace City Council Resolution Committee" Working Towards Bringing About DoP Resolution 627
Some wonderful news I wanted to share with you all! For those who have not seen it, the "New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace City Council" Committee’s efforts at long last have paid off in no small fashion. Please read the article below. . . .
Let’s keep this momentum going!
Contact City Council Chairman Recchia’s office this week. http://www.council.nyc.gov/d47/html/members/home.shtml either by phone, fax or email (or all three)! Tell his staff that you read about him in the NY Post talking about the Dept of Peace resolution and that you’d like to thank him for his receptiveness. Then make your request to his staffer: Please ask Councilman Recchia to call for a hearing on Resolution 627 in the very near future! Please share this with others in the NYC area who you feel would be supportive of the initiative.
I think this could really be the big push we at NYDoP have been working so hard for. Thank you for your supportive action and be peace.
Google Web Alert for: "New Yorkers for a Department of Peace"
SUPPORTERS PUSH FOR NEW DEPT OF PEACE
New York Post - March 8th
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03082009/news/regionalnews/brooklyn/supporters_push_for_new_dept__of_peace_214623003.htm
Part of the Peace Alliance Campaign, members of New Yorkers for a Department of Peace are appealing directly to their Brooklyn neighbors to. . . . .
Some wonderful news I wanted to share with you all! For those who have not seen it, the "New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace City Council" Committee’s efforts at long last have paid off in no small fashion. Please read the article below. . . .
Let’s keep this momentum going!
Contact City Council Chairman Recchia’s office this week. http://www.council.nyc.gov/d47/html/members/home.shtml either by phone, fax or email (or all three)! Tell his staff that you read about him in the NY Post talking about the Dept of Peace resolution and that you’d like to thank him for his receptiveness. Then make your request to his staffer: Please ask Councilman Recchia to call for a hearing on Resolution 627 in the very near future! Please share this with others in the NYC area who you feel would be supportive of the initiative.
I think this could really be the big push we at NYDoP have been working so hard for. Thank you for your supportive action and be peace.
Google Web Alert for: "New Yorkers for a Department of Peace"
SUPPORTERS PUSH FOR NEW DEPT OF PEACE
New York Post - March 8th
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03082009/news/regionalnews/brooklyn/supporters_push_for_new_dept__of_peace_214623003.htm
Part of the Peace Alliance Campaign, members of New Yorkers for a Department of Peace are appealing directly to their Brooklyn neighbors to. . . . .
Friday, March 06, 2009
“LOST” – TV SHOW [Questions & Thoughts]
· What is the smoke monster? How did it come into being? Why does it live underground in an ancient temple?
· Who built and/or sculpted the huge statue [facing the ocean on the beach], that has 4 toes?
· How “old” is Richard Alpert? Why does not age over time? How did he come to be on the island?
· When did the ship, the Black Rock, come on shore? Were there any survivors?
· Of the original Oceanic flight, where are the survivors since Ben Linus moved the island?
· Who or what is the mysterious Jacob?
· Where did Charlotte’s “dead” body disappear to?
· Where did Frank Lapidus [pilot of helicopter etc] go with the passenger list/ manifest?
· Are the young Ben Linus and his father on the island in the 1970s?
· How is it that Hurley can see and speak with dead Oceanic flight passengers?
· How did Charles Widmore make his millions? And why did he leave the island after many years of living on it?
· What is Eloise Hawkings main connection to Dharma Initiative and the island? [Her last name is the same as Stephen Hawkings the physics genius & author.]
· What type of magnetic forces stem from the island and/or control it?
· How does the island travel in time?
· Why was the US military interested in the island back in the 1950s?
· Richard says Locke is special, how so?
· Why are there Polar Bears on the island?
· Is Claire alive or dead?
· What did Kate do with Aaron? [Personally, I think she gave him to Claire’s mother.]
· Are Penny and Desmond dead? If so, did Ben Linus do it?
· How is it possible that Locke is “alive” after being dead?
· Why does the Dharma Initiative fear the “hostiles”, whose leader appears to be Richard Alpert?
· Walt [ie: Michael’s son] is special too and has visions about the people on the island.
· Pregnant women seem to go full term leading up to the 1970s, but from 1990’s onward die after first trimester or during labor. Why is this?
· Rose’s cancer disappeared and Locke could walk again. How did the island cure them?
[Duchess Note: More to follow, plus feel free to add your own to list above.]
· What is the smoke monster? How did it come into being? Why does it live underground in an ancient temple?
· Who built and/or sculpted the huge statue [facing the ocean on the beach], that has 4 toes?
· How “old” is Richard Alpert? Why does not age over time? How did he come to be on the island?
· When did the ship, the Black Rock, come on shore? Were there any survivors?
· Of the original Oceanic flight, where are the survivors since Ben Linus moved the island?
· Who or what is the mysterious Jacob?
· Where did Charlotte’s “dead” body disappear to?
· Where did Frank Lapidus [pilot of helicopter etc] go with the passenger list/ manifest?
· Are the young Ben Linus and his father on the island in the 1970s?
· How is it that Hurley can see and speak with dead Oceanic flight passengers?
· How did Charles Widmore make his millions? And why did he leave the island after many years of living on it?
· What is Eloise Hawkings main connection to Dharma Initiative and the island? [Her last name is the same as Stephen Hawkings the physics genius & author.]
· What type of magnetic forces stem from the island and/or control it?
· How does the island travel in time?
· Why was the US military interested in the island back in the 1950s?
· Richard says Locke is special, how so?
· Why are there Polar Bears on the island?
· Is Claire alive or dead?
· What did Kate do with Aaron? [Personally, I think she gave him to Claire’s mother.]
· Are Penny and Desmond dead? If so, did Ben Linus do it?
· How is it possible that Locke is “alive” after being dead?
· Why does the Dharma Initiative fear the “hostiles”, whose leader appears to be Richard Alpert?
· Walt [ie: Michael’s son] is special too and has visions about the people on the island.
· Pregnant women seem to go full term leading up to the 1970s, but from 1990’s onward die after first trimester or during labor. Why is this?
· Rose’s cancer disappeared and Locke could walk again. How did the island cure them?
[Duchess Note: More to follow, plus feel free to add your own to list above.]
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Obama's Props
Lenin's Tomb weblog
The rave reviews from Amreekan liberals of Obama's speech to Congress compelled me to watch it, or as much of it as I could without sinking into a grinning stupor. Was it really "electrifying"? Well, of course it was. It was supposed to be. But was it Obama who was electrifying? Wasn't it just the atmosphere whipped up by lapdogs in Congress who insisted upon raising up on their hind legs and slapping their paws together at the blandest incitement to do so?
Obama did what he was expected to do: he conversed as if he might be the father you never had, was courteous to his opponents, smiled charmingly, spoke in coy yet apparently effusive language, and denounced the past (the past is very unpopular among American politicians, especially concerning "the stale ideas of", "the failed solutions of", "the broken promises of" etc). And he had very carefully phrased, and timed, moments in his speech that clearly instructed his supporters to holler and rave. And that was what was electrifying.
Trying to extract content from the speech, on the other hand, was like trying to suck blood from a stone (where, in all likelihood, the only blood you taste will be your own). And even Obama's performance, though obviously well-rehearsed, contained a few slips. Not that Obama lacks a sense of dramatic irony. Promising to have his stimulus/bailout package sternly overseen by the vainglorious waffler Joe Biden, he flourished: "because nobody messes with Joe". Joe, the banking industry's favourite gopher, giggled with delight, as red in cheek as he was white in mane and fangs. If Congress got the joke, that didn't stop them from giving it up once more.
In a parallel fashion, when he promised that the banks would really be very roughly scrutinised indeed, he remarked: "this time, they will have to clearly demonstrate how taxpayer dollars result in more lending for the American taxpayer. This time, CEOs won't be able to use taxpayer money to pad their paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disappear on a private jet." Another ungovernable ovation. This cassandra was driving the chorus to delirium. But was Obama ever a cassandra? Did he not, in fact, put his popularity at the service of Wall Street and Hanky Panky Paulson in helping push through the last bail-out? You know, the one that enabled CEOs everywhere to replace their dreary old drapes with lush new ones made of crushed velvet or, worse, velour? Where were his forebodings about the fucking executive curtains?
And again, when it came to reforming healthcare, he subtly juxtaposed it with a coded reference to social security privatization. The administration has just had to back down from plans to create a task force looking at ways to address the supposed solvency problems of the fund. In fact, Obama is lying when he complains of the 'growing costs' of social security. The number of over-65s in 2000 was slightly less than what it was projected it would be by the Roosevelt administration in 1934. Notwithstanding that, Alan Greenspan's ominous warnings about baby-boomers flooding the social security rolls come the new millenium did result in a series of reforms in the 1970s that increased the payroll tax. The system has a surplus, and will continue to have a surplus for decades. There is no solvency crisis. Obama is, to repeat for emphasis, lying. It is unfortunate for him that these fibs were trashed by liberals in 2005 when Bush first tried to push through privatization. On the other hand, if his progressive supporters continue to gush and drool as they are now doing, he could probably hand over the Treasury to Wall Street and no one would hold it against him.
Perhaps Obama's biggest challenge in this speech was to determine the correct quantum of patriotic blood-letting. Most Americans oppose both the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. The vast majority of Democratic voters are in opposition. Obama, for his part, indicated that he was working on a plan to get US troops out and leave Iraqis to their own devices, which would be encouraging except that reports intimate his intention to leave tens of thousands of troops in there. And as for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the war counsel is evidently that the US must escalate to "defeat Al Qaeda and combat extremism". Unfortunately for him, Pakistan isn't playing ball, having cut a deal with the Taliban. And, as we know, Karzai and most of the population of Afghanistan would like to pursue a similar policy. Hardly perfect, I'm sure, but then you don't necessarily "combat extremism" by practising it from 20,000 feet, even if you sell it as "carnage you can believe in".
Still, Obama had more than one audience to please, and on this question he has consistently chosen to place his presidential charisma at the service of the war party. And, though he has thankfully ordered the closure of that Guantanamo hellhole, the fact that he insists it is a humane institution should cast some doubt on his statement that "the United States of America does not torture". This is being treated as a promise, but it sounds like denial. In fact, it is the exact wording Bush used in his denials, while the US was in fact torturing prodigiously. And given that renditions will continue, and that most of the secret prisons are being maintained, there is no reason to believe that the global gulag will stop mutilating genitals, much less waterboarding.
Oh, by all means, have the Obama jerk-along. He's a sweet enough guy and if you had to do it with a US president, he'd be the pick of the litter. Better, at any rate, than fishing around under Bill Clinton's flabby mid-riff for a mouth organ. But when it comes to politics? When it comes to your interests, I would suggest and urge a more dispassionate approach.
Lenin's Tomb weblog
The rave reviews from Amreekan liberals of Obama's speech to Congress compelled me to watch it, or as much of it as I could without sinking into a grinning stupor. Was it really "electrifying"? Well, of course it was. It was supposed to be. But was it Obama who was electrifying? Wasn't it just the atmosphere whipped up by lapdogs in Congress who insisted upon raising up on their hind legs and slapping their paws together at the blandest incitement to do so?
Obama did what he was expected to do: he conversed as if he might be the father you never had, was courteous to his opponents, smiled charmingly, spoke in coy yet apparently effusive language, and denounced the past (the past is very unpopular among American politicians, especially concerning "the stale ideas of", "the failed solutions of", "the broken promises of" etc). And he had very carefully phrased, and timed, moments in his speech that clearly instructed his supporters to holler and rave. And that was what was electrifying.
Trying to extract content from the speech, on the other hand, was like trying to suck blood from a stone (where, in all likelihood, the only blood you taste will be your own). And even Obama's performance, though obviously well-rehearsed, contained a few slips. Not that Obama lacks a sense of dramatic irony. Promising to have his stimulus/bailout package sternly overseen by the vainglorious waffler Joe Biden, he flourished: "because nobody messes with Joe". Joe, the banking industry's favourite gopher, giggled with delight, as red in cheek as he was white in mane and fangs. If Congress got the joke, that didn't stop them from giving it up once more.
In a parallel fashion, when he promised that the banks would really be very roughly scrutinised indeed, he remarked: "this time, they will have to clearly demonstrate how taxpayer dollars result in more lending for the American taxpayer. This time, CEOs won't be able to use taxpayer money to pad their paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disappear on a private jet." Another ungovernable ovation. This cassandra was driving the chorus to delirium. But was Obama ever a cassandra? Did he not, in fact, put his popularity at the service of Wall Street and Hanky Panky Paulson in helping push through the last bail-out? You know, the one that enabled CEOs everywhere to replace their dreary old drapes with lush new ones made of crushed velvet or, worse, velour? Where were his forebodings about the fucking executive curtains?
And again, when it came to reforming healthcare, he subtly juxtaposed it with a coded reference to social security privatization. The administration has just had to back down from plans to create a task force looking at ways to address the supposed solvency problems of the fund. In fact, Obama is lying when he complains of the 'growing costs' of social security. The number of over-65s in 2000 was slightly less than what it was projected it would be by the Roosevelt administration in 1934. Notwithstanding that, Alan Greenspan's ominous warnings about baby-boomers flooding the social security rolls come the new millenium did result in a series of reforms in the 1970s that increased the payroll tax. The system has a surplus, and will continue to have a surplus for decades. There is no solvency crisis. Obama is, to repeat for emphasis, lying. It is unfortunate for him that these fibs were trashed by liberals in 2005 when Bush first tried to push through privatization. On the other hand, if his progressive supporters continue to gush and drool as they are now doing, he could probably hand over the Treasury to Wall Street and no one would hold it against him.
Perhaps Obama's biggest challenge in this speech was to determine the correct quantum of patriotic blood-letting. Most Americans oppose both the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. The vast majority of Democratic voters are in opposition. Obama, for his part, indicated that he was working on a plan to get US troops out and leave Iraqis to their own devices, which would be encouraging except that reports intimate his intention to leave tens of thousands of troops in there. And as for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the war counsel is evidently that the US must escalate to "defeat Al Qaeda and combat extremism". Unfortunately for him, Pakistan isn't playing ball, having cut a deal with the Taliban. And, as we know, Karzai and most of the population of Afghanistan would like to pursue a similar policy. Hardly perfect, I'm sure, but then you don't necessarily "combat extremism" by practising it from 20,000 feet, even if you sell it as "carnage you can believe in".
Still, Obama had more than one audience to please, and on this question he has consistently chosen to place his presidential charisma at the service of the war party. And, though he has thankfully ordered the closure of that Guantanamo hellhole, the fact that he insists it is a humane institution should cast some doubt on his statement that "the United States of America does not torture". This is being treated as a promise, but it sounds like denial. In fact, it is the exact wording Bush used in his denials, while the US was in fact torturing prodigiously. And given that renditions will continue, and that most of the secret prisons are being maintained, there is no reason to believe that the global gulag will stop mutilating genitals, much less waterboarding.
Oh, by all means, have the Obama jerk-along. He's a sweet enough guy and if you had to do it with a US president, he'd be the pick of the litter. Better, at any rate, than fishing around under Bill Clinton's flabby mid-riff for a mouth organ. But when it comes to politics? When it comes to your interests, I would suggest and urge a more dispassionate approach.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
RECENT ARTICLES I FOUND TO BE OF INTEREST & INFORMATIVE
Keep People in Their Homes, the Banks Will Get Their Money as Well
Congressman Kucinich Press Release on 2/11/09
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=110820
An Excellent Discussion with Dennis Kucinich on why Congress has Trouble Carrying out the People’s Wishes and What the People can do to Change Things.
http://www.wethepeopleforpeacenow.org/pb/wp_bf1812af.html?0.8415685027545756
US Senate Passes Rescue Plan, Tough Battle Ahead
http://www.russiatoday.com/Top_News/2009-02-11/US_Senate_passes_rescue_plan__tough_battle_ahead_.html
Who Will Be There for Obusha When the Floor Drops Out?
David Michael Green
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/20-4
Stimulate Peace, Not War
Anne Miller
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/19-11
Who’s Keeping Burger King Workers Below the Poverty Line?
Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films
Goldman Sachs has been having it their way with Burger King workers for too long.
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/workplace/127392/
War Criminals, Including Their Lawyers, Must Be Prosecuted
Marjorie Cohn
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/20-1
Demagogy and Empty Promises as Obama Signs Stimulus Bill
Patrick Martin, World Socialist website
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/feb2009/stim-f19.shtml
Investigating Bush's Crimes
Scott Horton
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/20
U.S. Intel Chief’s Shocking Warning: Wall Street’s Disaster has Spawned our Greatest Terrorist Threat
Chris Hedges, Truthdig
http://www.alternet.org/rights/127252/
Obama's Tar Sand Trap
James Hansen
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/19-14
Our Health Care System is Organized for the Wealthy – We Can Change That
Maggie Mahar, AlterNet
We are accustomed to living in a sharply tiered society, but it doesn’t have to be that way with health care.
http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/126669/
Obama Throws Down The Gauntlet On Afghanistan Troop Escalation- The Anti-War Movement Is Now On Notice
“American Left History” Weblog Commentary
Okay, the Obama “honeymoon” with the anti-imperialist section of the anti-war movement is officially over, or it should be. Any regular reader of this space knows that this writer had not, in any case, granted the new Commander-In-Chief any such “honeymoon” as a matter of course due the extreme distance in our respective political perspectives, but today he speaks to those who took Obama’s anti-war positions as good coin during last years run up to the presidential elections. Those who still want to give “Brother” Obama some additional 'quality' honeymoon time can wait until future events unfold on the slippery slope for those who venture in that god-forsaken part of the world.
And to those serious anti-war militants I will be short ands sweet as we have been down this road before. The news that Obama has given authorization for an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan is really old news. That Obama intended to make Afghanistan his war has been an ‘open’ secret for a while. What is interesting about this recent announcement is that the actual forces (mainly Marine and Army units) to be deployed later this year were originally scheduled to take a rotation in Iraq. Thus, by a rather nice sleigh-of- hand on his part Obama is able to draw down troops in Iraq and escalate their number in Afghanistan. Nice work. But again, if you had been paying even casual attention, this deployment was already laid out in last year’ campaign rhetoric. Here is one time at least that a bourgeois politician dose what he says he wants to do.
But that is neither here nor there for our purposes. Only a raw political neophyte would be shocked by such maneuvering. What is necessary to understand, even for those just mentioned political neophytes, is that this should be a wake up call for those who thought that Obama was going to dismantle the imperial war machine, turn swords in ploughshares or some such. You now have your notice. I will finish up by reposting a recent entry (Vote NO (With Both Hands) On The Obama Afghan War Budget):
“….. President Obama has already authorized an ‘intermediate’ troop escalation with more planned. He, moreover, has very publicly declared that Afghanistan, come hell or high water, is his signature war and has made Afghan policy a high priority. I have argued previously my belief that Obama intends to stake his administration, if not his place in history, on Afghanistan. In short, although he has proven he can raise fantastic sums of money for himself, since he is not going to pay for it personally he is coming to you looking for the loot. As the beginning of anti-war political wisdom therefore-“just say NO”. No money. Nada. I would urge every anti-war militant to sent e-mails, letters (does anyone do that anymore?) or call your representative and tell them the same thing. But here is the real anti-war ‘skinny’. Let’s get ready to, once again, go back into the streets and shout (and shout at least as loudly as we did at the unlamented Bush), Obama- Immediate Unconditional Withdrawal Of All American/Allied Troops From Afghanistan!”
Corporate America, Ground Your Jets
Barbara Ehrenreich & Chuck Collins, AlterNet
The American taxpayer, reeling from the economic meltdown, doesn’t feel like subsidizing lavish jets and bonuses any more.
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/128057/
Plans to Publish Early Tolkien Adventure
Dave Itzkoff, NY Times
February 19, 2009
There will be much celebrating around the Party Tree in Hobbiton: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt said in an e-mail message that it planned to release a previously unpublished book by J. R. R. Tolkien that predates his novel “The Hobbit” and his fantasy epic “The Lord of the Rings.” The book, “The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun,” was written during the 1920s and ’30s, while Tolkien held the Rawlinson and Bosworth professorship of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. It is his English-language narrative of the Norse hero Sigurd the Volsung, whose medieval adventures were — of course — populated by magic horses, dwarfs, dragons and gods with mischievous motives. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt said that it would publish the book, with commentary from Tolkien’s son Christopher Tolkien, on May 5.
Visit The Northeast Tolkien Society at:
http://tolkiensociety.ning.com/groups/group/show?id=2748077%3AGroup%3A148
(Duchess Note: Many thanks to Carol [NYC] and Linda [TX] in contributing some of the above articles, as well as sharing insightful commentary of their own. All is greatly appreciated. The real reason for continuing the war in Afghanistan hasn't much to do with terrorism, but alot to do with oil pipelines. Again, corporate elite and oil companies are pushing the agenda on this and all for oil/land control. Civilian and soldier lives are being lost and maimed, so that the "elite" can bath in greenbacks, while the rest of us sink further into a deep recession. Let's call it what it really is ... a depression.)
Keep People in Their Homes, the Banks Will Get Their Money as Well
Congressman Kucinich Press Release on 2/11/09
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=110820
An Excellent Discussion with Dennis Kucinich on why Congress has Trouble Carrying out the People’s Wishes and What the People can do to Change Things.
http://www.wethepeopleforpeacenow.org/pb/wp_bf1812af.html?0.8415685027545756
US Senate Passes Rescue Plan, Tough Battle Ahead
http://www.russiatoday.com/Top_News/2009-02-11/US_Senate_passes_rescue_plan__tough_battle_ahead_.html
Who Will Be There for Obusha When the Floor Drops Out?
David Michael Green
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/20-4
Stimulate Peace, Not War
Anne Miller
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/19-11
Who’s Keeping Burger King Workers Below the Poverty Line?
Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films
Goldman Sachs has been having it their way with Burger King workers for too long.
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/workplace/127392/
War Criminals, Including Their Lawyers, Must Be Prosecuted
Marjorie Cohn
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/20-1
Demagogy and Empty Promises as Obama Signs Stimulus Bill
Patrick Martin, World Socialist website
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/feb2009/stim-f19.shtml
Investigating Bush's Crimes
Scott Horton
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/20
U.S. Intel Chief’s Shocking Warning: Wall Street’s Disaster has Spawned our Greatest Terrorist Threat
Chris Hedges, Truthdig
http://www.alternet.org/rights/127252/
Obama's Tar Sand Trap
James Hansen
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/02/19-14
Our Health Care System is Organized for the Wealthy – We Can Change That
Maggie Mahar, AlterNet
We are accustomed to living in a sharply tiered society, but it doesn’t have to be that way with health care.
http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/126669/
Obama Throws Down The Gauntlet On Afghanistan Troop Escalation- The Anti-War Movement Is Now On Notice
“American Left History” Weblog Commentary
Okay, the Obama “honeymoon” with the anti-imperialist section of the anti-war movement is officially over, or it should be. Any regular reader of this space knows that this writer had not, in any case, granted the new Commander-In-Chief any such “honeymoon” as a matter of course due the extreme distance in our respective political perspectives, but today he speaks to those who took Obama’s anti-war positions as good coin during last years run up to the presidential elections. Those who still want to give “Brother” Obama some additional 'quality' honeymoon time can wait until future events unfold on the slippery slope for those who venture in that god-forsaken part of the world.
And to those serious anti-war militants I will be short ands sweet as we have been down this road before. The news that Obama has given authorization for an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan is really old news. That Obama intended to make Afghanistan his war has been an ‘open’ secret for a while. What is interesting about this recent announcement is that the actual forces (mainly Marine and Army units) to be deployed later this year were originally scheduled to take a rotation in Iraq. Thus, by a rather nice sleigh-of- hand on his part Obama is able to draw down troops in Iraq and escalate their number in Afghanistan. Nice work. But again, if you had been paying even casual attention, this deployment was already laid out in last year’ campaign rhetoric. Here is one time at least that a bourgeois politician dose what he says he wants to do.
But that is neither here nor there for our purposes. Only a raw political neophyte would be shocked by such maneuvering. What is necessary to understand, even for those just mentioned political neophytes, is that this should be a wake up call for those who thought that Obama was going to dismantle the imperial war machine, turn swords in ploughshares or some such. You now have your notice. I will finish up by reposting a recent entry (Vote NO (With Both Hands) On The Obama Afghan War Budget):
“….. President Obama has already authorized an ‘intermediate’ troop escalation with more planned. He, moreover, has very publicly declared that Afghanistan, come hell or high water, is his signature war and has made Afghan policy a high priority. I have argued previously my belief that Obama intends to stake his administration, if not his place in history, on Afghanistan. In short, although he has proven he can raise fantastic sums of money for himself, since he is not going to pay for it personally he is coming to you looking for the loot. As the beginning of anti-war political wisdom therefore-“just say NO”. No money. Nada. I would urge every anti-war militant to sent e-mails, letters (does anyone do that anymore?) or call your representative and tell them the same thing. But here is the real anti-war ‘skinny’. Let’s get ready to, once again, go back into the streets and shout (and shout at least as loudly as we did at the unlamented Bush), Obama- Immediate Unconditional Withdrawal Of All American/Allied Troops From Afghanistan!”
Corporate America, Ground Your Jets
Barbara Ehrenreich & Chuck Collins, AlterNet
The American taxpayer, reeling from the economic meltdown, doesn’t feel like subsidizing lavish jets and bonuses any more.
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/128057/
Plans to Publish Early Tolkien Adventure
Dave Itzkoff, NY Times
February 19, 2009
There will be much celebrating around the Party Tree in Hobbiton: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt said in an e-mail message that it planned to release a previously unpublished book by J. R. R. Tolkien that predates his novel “The Hobbit” and his fantasy epic “The Lord of the Rings.” The book, “The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun,” was written during the 1920s and ’30s, while Tolkien held the Rawlinson and Bosworth professorship of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. It is his English-language narrative of the Norse hero Sigurd the Volsung, whose medieval adventures were — of course — populated by magic horses, dwarfs, dragons and gods with mischievous motives. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt said that it would publish the book, with commentary from Tolkien’s son Christopher Tolkien, on May 5.
Visit The Northeast Tolkien Society at:
http://tolkiensociety.ning.com/groups/group/show?id=2748077%3AGroup%3A148
(Duchess Note: Many thanks to Carol [NYC] and Linda [TX] in contributing some of the above articles, as well as sharing insightful commentary of their own. All is greatly appreciated. The real reason for continuing the war in Afghanistan hasn't much to do with terrorism, but alot to do with oil pipelines. Again, corporate elite and oil companies are pushing the agenda on this and all for oil/land control. Civilian and soldier lives are being lost and maimed, so that the "elite" can bath in greenbacks, while the rest of us sink further into a deep recession. Let's call it what it really is ... a depression.)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace present the first "Speaker Event" of 2009 - Tuesay Feb, 17th, at 6:30 pm
Join NYDoP on Tuesday, Feb 17th at 6:30 pm for our first Speaker event featuring Liz Graydon.
Liz will be speaking on the topic, "What Better Looks Like: A Department of Peace." The "What Better Looks Like Campaign", through films, Public Service Announcements, Education Programs, and other creative projects offers scenarios that open a dialougue into the question "What would better look like?"
We invite people, through us and with each other, to dialogue about the question, and seek positive answers. After leading participants through a "What Better Looks Like" exercise, Liz will show how the Department of Peace Campaign has helped her find the answer to "What Better Looks Like" in her own life. She will explain the main components of the bill to create a Cabinet-level Department of Peace, in the areas of domestic, international, and educational policy. Then, through stories and examples, Liz will make the bill come alive as a series of practical, possible, exciting and necessary steps on the way to creating, "What Better Looks Like".
Liz Gannon-Graydon is a New York State coordinator for the Campaign for a Department of Peace, a national campaign to establish a federal, cabinet level Department of Peace.
Space is limited, please RSVP to peace@nyc-dop.com
Please arrive by 6:25pm to be sure to ensure a seat. This event is by donation (please give what you can to help support our efforts)
Location: Healthy Body
NYC1133 Broadway (at 26th Street)
Room 1023
NYC
Join NYDoP on Tuesday, Feb 17th at 6:30 pm for our first Speaker event featuring Liz Graydon.
Liz will be speaking on the topic, "What Better Looks Like: A Department of Peace." The "What Better Looks Like Campaign", through films, Public Service Announcements, Education Programs, and other creative projects offers scenarios that open a dialougue into the question "What would better look like?"
We invite people, through us and with each other, to dialogue about the question, and seek positive answers. After leading participants through a "What Better Looks Like" exercise, Liz will show how the Department of Peace Campaign has helped her find the answer to "What Better Looks Like" in her own life. She will explain the main components of the bill to create a Cabinet-level Department of Peace, in the areas of domestic, international, and educational policy. Then, through stories and examples, Liz will make the bill come alive as a series of practical, possible, exciting and necessary steps on the way to creating, "What Better Looks Like".
Liz Gannon-Graydon is a New York State coordinator for the Campaign for a Department of Peace, a national campaign to establish a federal, cabinet level Department of Peace.
Space is limited, please RSVP to peace@nyc-dop.com
Please arrive by 6:25pm to be sure to ensure a seat. This event is by donation (please give what you can to help support our efforts)
Location: Healthy Body
NYC1133 Broadway (at 26th Street)
Room 1023
NYC
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
PERSONAL NEWS #159
[Duchess Note – Sincere apologies for the long delay with “personal news” and that it’ll be in a condensed version. Enjoy!]
Monday, December 22nd, I enjoyed a tasty holiday lunch with EY co-workers Keith and Lily at Jacks, which is off of 7th Avenue.
Tuesday, December 23rd, Dee and I did volunteering at the St Luke’s Lutheran church “soup kitchen”.
December 24th through 27th – I visited my parents, brother and sister-in-law for the Christmas holiday in upstate NY.
Friday evening, January 2nd, I enjoyed a nice, leisurely dinner with Jackie at Fiddlesticks pub in Greenwich Village.
Saturday, January 3rd, after my chiropractor visit I headed into Manhattan for a NYDoP working meeting at Carol’s place with Marianne and Priscilla. Afterwards I headed home to do laundry and change into nicer clothes for dinner/drinks with members of the Northeast Tolkien Society at the Pig ‘n Whistle pub. We were celebrating the birthday of Professor Tolkien with a toast and then afterwards strolled over to Rockefeller Center to observe the holiday décor.
Sunday, January 4th, I went to the Unitarian Community Church on East 35th Street to see the documentary “Invisible War”, which was regarding Depleted Uranium in warfare. Afterwards I headed back up to Carol’s place [Marianne joined us] for a follow-up working meeting.
Tuesday evening, January 6th, I joined other members from NYDoP CCR committee on a conference call to discuss upcoming Community Board meeting presentations. Very productive conference call and feeling inspired.
On Thursday, January 8th, I learned that I would no longer be supporting FSO Insurance Tax at E&Y. Plus the upcoming move would also incorporate a “new” group, not only here in NYC, but with all E&Y offices around the US. That group is known as the “Business Services Center”, or what I and other EAs refer to as the new “secretarial pool”. So I’m being moved into the BSC, along with 10 others at our NYC office. Amidst all this there were more E&Y layoffs here in NYC and throughout the other US offices. Unsettling is one way to describe one’s feelings at this time, as well as jittery.
Friday evening, January 9th, I joined other ladies at “Friday Nite Knits” in Fort Hamilton section of Brooklyn.
Monday evening, January 12th, I joined Kevin and Howard at the Community Board Manhattan #6 “public safety” meeting on the eastside. Kevin gave a brief presentation, and then this was followed by a 40 minute Q&A segment.
Following evening, January 13th, was the NYDoP board “business” meeting held at Healthy Body. The meeting was very productive and successful, plus it’s always a pleasure seeing other NYDoP members.
Thursday, January 15th, was a busy day at work with meetings, being moved to a new floor and then attending Community Board Manhattan #9 meeting with Kevin on upper Westside. Kevin gave a presentation on DoP and this was followed by a brief Q&A segment. We also ran into Matt from Councilmember Dickens office and had a brief, informative discussion.
Saturday afternoon, January 17th, I headed up to Yonkers ferret shelter to help Joanne with volunteer duties. Hadn’t been to the shelter since April 2008 and it felt good to be with the wee furkids again, plus catch up on news with Joanne.
Wednesday, January 21st, watched the 2-hour season premiere of LOST. WooHoo!
Thursday evening, January 22nd, I joined other “Park Slope knit” ladies at Sweet Melissa’s. It was an enjoyable evening and interesting conversations.
Friday evening, January 23rd, my living room window was cracked by an icy snowball thrown by a group of 10 kids. Apparently these youthful “gangs” do this sort of thing randomly. I’ve lived at this location for 23 years and this is the first vandalism to my abode. I hope it’s the last! Called my landlady and she came over with clear plastic, duck tape and cardboard to cover up the window. I also phoned the local police and they came by to view the scene, plus write up a report. All this is abit unsettling, to say the least.
Sunday, January 25th, I attended a “transitional meditation” [ie: Share International] meeting on the upper Westside. I was invited by fellow goddess Cielito.
Monday, January 26th, I took a personal day from work, so I could be at home to supervise the living room window is properly repaired, and that no one broke in to my abode. Feels good not having chilly drafts whipping into my home. Amen!
Tuesday evening, January 27th, I joined other members from NYDoP CCR committee on a conference call to discuss upcoming Community Board meeting presentations. Very productive conference call and feeling inspired.
Saturday, January 31st, I joined about 8 to 10 other members of TGTSNBN for brunch at TOAST on the upper Westside. Due to the freezing temps, brisk winds and icy conditions on the Quidditch pitch, the game has been postponed until February.
Feb 3rd through 5th … Worked at a client site with another BSC member for three days on a project.
Saturday, February 7th, evening was “movie night” at my friend Linda’s home. We had a tasty meal of tuna casserole, mango juice and chocolate chip cookies. We watched “Lady Hawke” and “Yes”, both of which were really good films.
[Duchess Note – Sincere apologies for the long delay with “personal news” and that it’ll be in a condensed version. Enjoy!]
Monday, December 22nd, I enjoyed a tasty holiday lunch with EY co-workers Keith and Lily at Jacks, which is off of 7th Avenue.
Tuesday, December 23rd, Dee and I did volunteering at the St Luke’s Lutheran church “soup kitchen”.
December 24th through 27th – I visited my parents, brother and sister-in-law for the Christmas holiday in upstate NY.
Friday evening, January 2nd, I enjoyed a nice, leisurely dinner with Jackie at Fiddlesticks pub in Greenwich Village.
Saturday, January 3rd, after my chiropractor visit I headed into Manhattan for a NYDoP working meeting at Carol’s place with Marianne and Priscilla. Afterwards I headed home to do laundry and change into nicer clothes for dinner/drinks with members of the Northeast Tolkien Society at the Pig ‘n Whistle pub. We were celebrating the birthday of Professor Tolkien with a toast and then afterwards strolled over to Rockefeller Center to observe the holiday décor.
Sunday, January 4th, I went to the Unitarian Community Church on East 35th Street to see the documentary “Invisible War”, which was regarding Depleted Uranium in warfare. Afterwards I headed back up to Carol’s place [Marianne joined us] for a follow-up working meeting.
Tuesday evening, January 6th, I joined other members from NYDoP CCR committee on a conference call to discuss upcoming Community Board meeting presentations. Very productive conference call and feeling inspired.
On Thursday, January 8th, I learned that I would no longer be supporting FSO Insurance Tax at E&Y. Plus the upcoming move would also incorporate a “new” group, not only here in NYC, but with all E&Y offices around the US. That group is known as the “Business Services Center”, or what I and other EAs refer to as the new “secretarial pool”. So I’m being moved into the BSC, along with 10 others at our NYC office. Amidst all this there were more E&Y layoffs here in NYC and throughout the other US offices. Unsettling is one way to describe one’s feelings at this time, as well as jittery.
Friday evening, January 9th, I joined other ladies at “Friday Nite Knits” in Fort Hamilton section of Brooklyn.
Monday evening, January 12th, I joined Kevin and Howard at the Community Board Manhattan #6 “public safety” meeting on the eastside. Kevin gave a brief presentation, and then this was followed by a 40 minute Q&A segment.
Following evening, January 13th, was the NYDoP board “business” meeting held at Healthy Body. The meeting was very productive and successful, plus it’s always a pleasure seeing other NYDoP members.
Thursday, January 15th, was a busy day at work with meetings, being moved to a new floor and then attending Community Board Manhattan #9 meeting with Kevin on upper Westside. Kevin gave a presentation on DoP and this was followed by a brief Q&A segment. We also ran into Matt from Councilmember Dickens office and had a brief, informative discussion.
Saturday afternoon, January 17th, I headed up to Yonkers ferret shelter to help Joanne with volunteer duties. Hadn’t been to the shelter since April 2008 and it felt good to be with the wee furkids again, plus catch up on news with Joanne.
Wednesday, January 21st, watched the 2-hour season premiere of LOST. WooHoo!
Thursday evening, January 22nd, I joined other “Park Slope knit” ladies at Sweet Melissa’s. It was an enjoyable evening and interesting conversations.
Friday evening, January 23rd, my living room window was cracked by an icy snowball thrown by a group of 10 kids. Apparently these youthful “gangs” do this sort of thing randomly. I’ve lived at this location for 23 years and this is the first vandalism to my abode. I hope it’s the last! Called my landlady and she came over with clear plastic, duck tape and cardboard to cover up the window. I also phoned the local police and they came by to view the scene, plus write up a report. All this is abit unsettling, to say the least.
Sunday, January 25th, I attended a “transitional meditation” [ie: Share International] meeting on the upper Westside. I was invited by fellow goddess Cielito.
Monday, January 26th, I took a personal day from work, so I could be at home to supervise the living room window is properly repaired, and that no one broke in to my abode. Feels good not having chilly drafts whipping into my home. Amen!
Tuesday evening, January 27th, I joined other members from NYDoP CCR committee on a conference call to discuss upcoming Community Board meeting presentations. Very productive conference call and feeling inspired.
Saturday, January 31st, I joined about 8 to 10 other members of TGTSNBN for brunch at TOAST on the upper Westside. Due to the freezing temps, brisk winds and icy conditions on the Quidditch pitch, the game has been postponed until February.
Feb 3rd through 5th … Worked at a client site with another BSC member for three days on a project.
Saturday, February 7th, evening was “movie night” at my friend Linda’s home. We had a tasty meal of tuna casserole, mango juice and chocolate chip cookies. We watched “Lady Hawke” and “Yes”, both of which were really good films.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
INTERESTING WEEKEND IN THE NEWS
The Pseudo Stimulus
James S. Henry, The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090216/henry/print
Kucinich on Lou Dobbs Show about Citigroup Sponsorship of NY Mets Field – On CNN’s Lou Dobbs Show, Dennis Kucinich says Citygroup [a recipient of federal bailout funds] should drop its $400 million sponsorship deal of the NY Mets field.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=156831770&blogID=468583778
Kucinich Reintroduces Dept of Peace Bill with 62 Co-Sponsors
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=110300
Barack Obama’s Not-So Non-Ideological Inaugural Address
Paul Street, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=999&Itemid=34
Obama Preserves Renditions as Counter-Terrorism Tool
Greg Miller, LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-rendition1-2009feb01,0,4661244.story
Pearl Jam Pumped up to Hit the Studio
Jonathan Cohen, Billboard
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/pearl-jam-pumped-up-to-hit-the-studio-1003939154.story
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda (TX), Carol (NYC) and Andrea (NJ) in sharing many of the above articles. I am also so excited to learn that Pearl Jam is working on a new album and even more jazzed that Kucinich re-introduced HR808 into Congress. To learn more about the latter and attend the upcoming 5th Annual Peace Conference in DC, go to www.thepeacealliance.org ]
The Pseudo Stimulus
James S. Henry, The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090216/henry/print
Kucinich on Lou Dobbs Show about Citigroup Sponsorship of NY Mets Field – On CNN’s Lou Dobbs Show, Dennis Kucinich says Citygroup [a recipient of federal bailout funds] should drop its $400 million sponsorship deal of the NY Mets field.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=156831770&blogID=468583778
Kucinich Reintroduces Dept of Peace Bill with 62 Co-Sponsors
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=110300
Barack Obama’s Not-So Non-Ideological Inaugural Address
Paul Street, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=999&Itemid=34
Obama Preserves Renditions as Counter-Terrorism Tool
Greg Miller, LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-rendition1-2009feb01,0,4661244.story
Pearl Jam Pumped up to Hit the Studio
Jonathan Cohen, Billboard
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/pearl-jam-pumped-up-to-hit-the-studio-1003939154.story
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda (TX), Carol (NYC) and Andrea (NJ) in sharing many of the above articles. I am also so excited to learn that Pearl Jam is working on a new album and even more jazzed that Kucinich re-introduced HR808 into Congress. To learn more about the latter and attend the upcoming 5th Annual Peace Conference in DC, go to www.thepeacealliance.org ]