HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BRO!!!
“WALL-E” Pops
Karen Dahlstrom, Big Picture Big Sound
http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/WALL-E-1599.shtml
Out of this World
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Daring ‘WALL-E’ is a family film with a cautionary message that even parents can love
http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=9749
[Duchess Note: Saw this movie yesterday with a friend and I loved it. It is such a terrific film and Pixar has done it again. Wasn’t really a fan of ET or Short Circuit, but I adore WALL-E. Plus the film conveys messages about mankind, consumerism, technology, etc. Don’t just go for the cute, lonely robot who’ll steal your heart. Go and absorb the subtle messages. We need to save our planet; whether it’s the environment, mankind or animals. Push greed aside and be peace.]
Sunday, June 22, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #145
Tuesday, June 3rd, I attended the monthly Knit & Crochet meeting at IBM Atrium. I arrived around 7:15pm and walked around the atrium abit. Encountered Arlene and Lauren, then we got a table to hangout for about 45 minutes or so. Very nice ladies and they were knitting items, plus showed me how to do a “pearl” stitch. As to this latter bit, I had some difficulty comprehending it and really need to practice more.
On Thursday evening, June 5th, after work I headed over to Dress Barn to check out the 50% off suit sale. I tried on several fully lined fall / winter suits before getting a nice grey pinstripe for $59. Nice deal! From there I jumped on the F train and headed to Park Slope in Brooklyn for the weekly Knitters meetup. Since the weather was nice and comfortable, we were all sitting in the café’s garden dining area. I noshed on some delicious Chocolate Molten cake while I socialized with the other knitters, admire some lovely projects / yarns, plus learn and practice an easier version of the pearl stitch. Thank you Barbara! It was an enjoyable evening and we literally closed the café at 10pm.
Friday evening, June 6th, I volunteered with the City Harvest gang down at Union Square farmers market.
On Saturday morning, June 7th, I hopped onto a bus at Port Authority to visit my friend Sheila in New Jersey. From the bus stop we drove back to Sheila’s apartment for a tasty bagel brunch in her cool apartment. She’s done more decorating with her place since I was there in August 2007 and it’s quite charming, plus has a terrace. I would love an apartment with a terrace or patio. Great place to spend leisurely time or entertaining friends. [Weather report for the day was hot, humid and sunny.] Before driving over to Princeton, we stopped at a yard sale and I made several purchases. I got some great deals. We arrived into Princeton just before noon and found parking on Nassau Street near Thomas Sweets Café. Strolled onto the university grounds and headed for the art museum. Very nice museum with a little bit of everything on display and there is no admission fee, plus it was air conditioned. Before entering the museum we took some time to admire and photograph the large sculpture outside. The sculpture is by Magdalena Abakanowicz called “Big Figures”. Afterwards we strolled around the University grounds for abit before heading over to Thomas Sweets for some delicious ice cream. This place is delightful, I highly recommend it, plus the way they blend the yummy ice cream with toppings is terrific. Heavenly! Drove around Princeton to locate some shops we were interested in checking out and accidentally headed down the wrong way of a one-way street in trying to find parking. Cars and trucks coming from the other direction were not pleased with us. I made some purchases in “A Place to Bead” and Sheila did likewise in “Pins & Needles”. At this point we were both warm from the weather and tired feet from walking, so we drove back to the apartment to relax. Before heading back to NYC, we went out for a leisurely Chinese dinner at a local place. Overall it was an enjoyable, nice outing and I so like the town of Princeton. [Photos coming soon………….]
Monday evening, June 9th, I participated in City Harvest “volunteer leader” orientation at Union Square’s farmers market. It was so warm and muggy outside that day. Humidity can be fierce in NYC, especially on the subway platforms.
Tuesday evening, June 10th, I joined other members of the PDA CD14 meeting at Alice’s place on upper eastside of Manhattan. Even though I’m not part of CD14, I am very much interested in the work of this PDA group, plus I know many of the members from past Democrat campaigns. Majority of the meeting, apart from Adam Sullivan’s [Democrat candidate for CD8] visit, was on many topics [ie: town hall mtg, impeachment, DU, outreach, media, e-newsletter, local issues, listserve, and expenses]. Meeting broke up shortly after 9pm and let me tell you, mon dieu, the walk back to the subway on Lexington Avenue from York Avenue was intense. I headed to the subway with Scott along 86th Street and the weather whipped up like a friggin hurricane. Wind was fiercely blowing dirt, debris and people all over the place. I had to put on my sunglasses to protect my eyes from the dirt, as well as to see where I was going. We could see lightening to the west and feel droplets of rain. By the time I arrived home 40 minutes later the storm had passed and it was cooler outside.
On Wednesday, June 11th, I received a call from City Councilman White’s legislative aid regarding a fax sent on June 3rd about DoP Resolution 627. [How will this resolution benefit the NYC area?] They want to meet with NYDoP CCR Committee and asked if we’d give a presentation on Dept of Peace. Absolutely! Hell yeah! This was exciting news and after the call I promptly got on the phone with the other members of CCR Committee. WooHoo!
On Thursday evening, June 12th, I joined the other two members [ie: Kevin & Joe] of NYDoP CCR Committee for a conference call. The three of us gave our updated reports since last call end of May, plus we discussed at length what planning we need to accomplish for this upcoming 30-minute meeting/presentation. Stay tuned for more updates as they develop. The next day I did a follow up voicemail with White’s legislative aid.
Saturday, June 14th, I joined other members of the local Harry Potter meetup group at Riverside Park field for a rousing game of Quidditch. Yep, that’s right folks, Quidditch! This was my first match as spectator and was curious as to how the wizarding game of Quidditch could be pulled off without flying broomsticks. Both teams [ie: Central Park Centaurs & Manhattan Marauders] still had a keeper, three chasers, two beaters and one seeker. The quaffle was a soccer ball and the bludgers were two brown rubber balls about the size of a bowling ball. As an added bonus, the meetup group also had two energetic teens as golden snitches. The Quidditch pitch is set up somewhat similar to that in the books; but is played like soccer, basketball and rugby all wrapped into one. Let the games begin! Due to the weather being humid and warm the match had several “rest periods” for players to refresh themselves with water. Overall it was a fun game to watch and I believe the Marauders won when their seeker caught the golden snitch. [A group photo coming soon.] Afterwards our group of 15+ traipsed off to a café called “Toast” on Broadway for a tasty brunch and fun, interesting conversations. From there I headed home and enjoyed a viewing marathon of season one of LOST on DVD, even while it stormed outside through the night. Next weekend I’ll jump into season two of LOST.
On Thursday evening, June 19th, I headed down to Park Slope for the knitters meetup at Sweet Melissa café. This was my third meetup with the group and like before I had an enjoyable time, plus always learning some new tidbit about knitting. It was great chatting with several of the group members, as well as admiring different projects. I was advised that the Quiche du Jour is quite good, as well as affordable, so I ordered it for dinner. They were right, it was delicious. One of the ladies I was speaking with said she’d help me learn to crochet granny squares. I want to make an afghan throw for my living room and hopefully have it done by the winter. It’s good to have goals.
Friday evening, June 20th, I volunteered with the City Harvest gang down at Union Square farmers market.
Tuesday, June 3rd, I attended the monthly Knit & Crochet meeting at IBM Atrium. I arrived around 7:15pm and walked around the atrium abit. Encountered Arlene and Lauren, then we got a table to hangout for about 45 minutes or so. Very nice ladies and they were knitting items, plus showed me how to do a “pearl” stitch. As to this latter bit, I had some difficulty comprehending it and really need to practice more.
On Thursday evening, June 5th, after work I headed over to Dress Barn to check out the 50% off suit sale. I tried on several fully lined fall / winter suits before getting a nice grey pinstripe for $59. Nice deal! From there I jumped on the F train and headed to Park Slope in Brooklyn for the weekly Knitters meetup. Since the weather was nice and comfortable, we were all sitting in the café’s garden dining area. I noshed on some delicious Chocolate Molten cake while I socialized with the other knitters, admire some lovely projects / yarns, plus learn and practice an easier version of the pearl stitch. Thank you Barbara! It was an enjoyable evening and we literally closed the café at 10pm.
Friday evening, June 6th, I volunteered with the City Harvest gang down at Union Square farmers market.
On Saturday morning, June 7th, I hopped onto a bus at Port Authority to visit my friend Sheila in New Jersey. From the bus stop we drove back to Sheila’s apartment for a tasty bagel brunch in her cool apartment. She’s done more decorating with her place since I was there in August 2007 and it’s quite charming, plus has a terrace. I would love an apartment with a terrace or patio. Great place to spend leisurely time or entertaining friends. [Weather report for the day was hot, humid and sunny.] Before driving over to Princeton, we stopped at a yard sale and I made several purchases. I got some great deals. We arrived into Princeton just before noon and found parking on Nassau Street near Thomas Sweets Café. Strolled onto the university grounds and headed for the art museum. Very nice museum with a little bit of everything on display and there is no admission fee, plus it was air conditioned. Before entering the museum we took some time to admire and photograph the large sculpture outside. The sculpture is by Magdalena Abakanowicz called “Big Figures”. Afterwards we strolled around the University grounds for abit before heading over to Thomas Sweets for some delicious ice cream. This place is delightful, I highly recommend it, plus the way they blend the yummy ice cream with toppings is terrific. Heavenly! Drove around Princeton to locate some shops we were interested in checking out and accidentally headed down the wrong way of a one-way street in trying to find parking. Cars and trucks coming from the other direction were not pleased with us. I made some purchases in “A Place to Bead” and Sheila did likewise in “Pins & Needles”. At this point we were both warm from the weather and tired feet from walking, so we drove back to the apartment to relax. Before heading back to NYC, we went out for a leisurely Chinese dinner at a local place. Overall it was an enjoyable, nice outing and I so like the town of Princeton. [Photos coming soon………….]
Monday evening, June 9th, I participated in City Harvest “volunteer leader” orientation at Union Square’s farmers market. It was so warm and muggy outside that day. Humidity can be fierce in NYC, especially on the subway platforms.
Tuesday evening, June 10th, I joined other members of the PDA CD14 meeting at Alice’s place on upper eastside of Manhattan. Even though I’m not part of CD14, I am very much interested in the work of this PDA group, plus I know many of the members from past Democrat campaigns. Majority of the meeting, apart from Adam Sullivan’s [Democrat candidate for CD8] visit, was on many topics [ie: town hall mtg, impeachment, DU, outreach, media, e-newsletter, local issues, listserve, and expenses]. Meeting broke up shortly after 9pm and let me tell you, mon dieu, the walk back to the subway on Lexington Avenue from York Avenue was intense. I headed to the subway with Scott along 86th Street and the weather whipped up like a friggin hurricane. Wind was fiercely blowing dirt, debris and people all over the place. I had to put on my sunglasses to protect my eyes from the dirt, as well as to see where I was going. We could see lightening to the west and feel droplets of rain. By the time I arrived home 40 minutes later the storm had passed and it was cooler outside.
On Wednesday, June 11th, I received a call from City Councilman White’s legislative aid regarding a fax sent on June 3rd about DoP Resolution 627. [How will this resolution benefit the NYC area?] They want to meet with NYDoP CCR Committee and asked if we’d give a presentation on Dept of Peace. Absolutely! Hell yeah! This was exciting news and after the call I promptly got on the phone with the other members of CCR Committee. WooHoo!
On Thursday evening, June 12th, I joined the other two members [ie: Kevin & Joe] of NYDoP CCR Committee for a conference call. The three of us gave our updated reports since last call end of May, plus we discussed at length what planning we need to accomplish for this upcoming 30-minute meeting/presentation. Stay tuned for more updates as they develop. The next day I did a follow up voicemail with White’s legislative aid.
Saturday, June 14th, I joined other members of the local Harry Potter meetup group at Riverside Park field for a rousing game of Quidditch. Yep, that’s right folks, Quidditch! This was my first match as spectator and was curious as to how the wizarding game of Quidditch could be pulled off without flying broomsticks. Both teams [ie: Central Park Centaurs & Manhattan Marauders] still had a keeper, three chasers, two beaters and one seeker. The quaffle was a soccer ball and the bludgers were two brown rubber balls about the size of a bowling ball. As an added bonus, the meetup group also had two energetic teens as golden snitches. The Quidditch pitch is set up somewhat similar to that in the books; but is played like soccer, basketball and rugby all wrapped into one. Let the games begin! Due to the weather being humid and warm the match had several “rest periods” for players to refresh themselves with water. Overall it was a fun game to watch and I believe the Marauders won when their seeker caught the golden snitch. [A group photo coming soon.] Afterwards our group of 15+ traipsed off to a café called “Toast” on Broadway for a tasty brunch and fun, interesting conversations. From there I headed home and enjoyed a viewing marathon of season one of LOST on DVD, even while it stormed outside through the night. Next weekend I’ll jump into season two of LOST.
On Thursday evening, June 19th, I headed down to Park Slope for the knitters meetup at Sweet Melissa café. This was my third meetup with the group and like before I had an enjoyable time, plus always learning some new tidbit about knitting. It was great chatting with several of the group members, as well as admiring different projects. I was advised that the Quiche du Jour is quite good, as well as affordable, so I ordered it for dinner. They were right, it was delicious. One of the ladies I was speaking with said she’d help me learn to crochet granny squares. I want to make an afghan throw for my living room and hopefully have it done by the winter. It’s good to have goals.
Friday evening, June 20th, I volunteered with the City Harvest gang down at Union Square farmers market.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
THE LATEST IN PROGRESSIVE NEWS
No Discourse for Americans
Timothy V. Gatto, CounterCurrents.org
http://www.countercurrents.org/gatto160608.htm
Obama Says One Thing But Then Does Another
Douglas Turner, The Buffalo News Opinion
http://www.buffalonews.com/149/story/371325.html
Kucinich Makes Waves With Articles
Diana Bailey, Rutland Herald
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080615/OPINION02/806150431/1037/OPINION02
Hardball w/Chris Matthews & Green Party Women
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/16/hardball-wchris-matthews-green-party-women/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in Texas for sharing these terrific, informative and thought provoking articles.]
No Discourse for Americans
Timothy V. Gatto, CounterCurrents.org
http://www.countercurrents.org/gatto160608.htm
Obama Says One Thing But Then Does Another
Douglas Turner, The Buffalo News Opinion
http://www.buffalonews.com/149/story/371325.html
Kucinich Makes Waves With Articles
Diana Bailey, Rutland Herald
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080615/OPINION02/806150431/1037/OPINION02
Hardball w/Chris Matthews & Green Party Women
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/16/hardball-wchris-matthews-green-party-women/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in Texas for sharing these terrific, informative and thought provoking articles.]
Monday, June 16, 2008
TWO COOL ARTICLES ON PEARL JAM
The LP Questionnaire - Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam
http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/vel14/2008/06/lp-questionnaire-jeff-ament-of-pearl.html
Last Band Standing
Patrick Wall, FreeTimes
http://www.free-times.com/index.php?cat=1992912064227409&ShowArticle_ID=11011106080628666
[Duchess Note: Pearl Jam will be rocking what's left of the free world at MSG on June 24th and June 25th. Many thanks to Sarah and Andrea in sharing the above articles. Strength through peace and music.]
ARRESTING FINALE FROM THE POLICE
Isle of Wight County Press
http://www.iwcp.co.uk/News/ARRESTING_FINALE_FROM_THE_POLICE.aspx
THE Police gave everyone a Sunday night to remember at the Isle of Wight Festival with a simply stunning set featuring all their biggest hits and some outstanding guitar solos from Andy Summers.
CITY HARVEST ROCKS!!
[Duchess is a volunteer with City Harvest and helps out at farmer markets in Manhattan. Can't miss me, the redhead standing next to the truck (3rd from left) wearing a black/blue hoodie.]
The LP Questionnaire - Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam
http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/vel14/2008/06/lp-questionnaire-jeff-ament-of-pearl.html
Last Band Standing
Patrick Wall, FreeTimes
http://www.free-times.com/index.php?cat=1992912064227409&ShowArticle_ID=11011106080628666
[Duchess Note: Pearl Jam will be rocking what's left of the free world at MSG on June 24th and June 25th. Many thanks to Sarah and Andrea in sharing the above articles. Strength through peace and music.]
ARRESTING FINALE FROM THE POLICE
Isle of Wight County Press
http://www.iwcp.co.uk/News/ARRESTING_FINALE_FROM_THE_POLICE.aspx
THE Police gave everyone a Sunday night to remember at the Isle of Wight Festival with a simply stunning set featuring all their biggest hits and some outstanding guitar solos from Andy Summers.
CITY HARVEST ROCKS!!
[Duchess is a volunteer with City Harvest and helps out at farmer markets in Manhattan. Can't miss me, the redhead standing next to the truck (3rd from left) wearing a black/blue hoodie.]
Thursday, June 12, 2008
LIVE FROM NYC – LATEST IN NEWS
Dennis Kucinich Makes History Again – Impeach Bush!
Joseph A. Palermo, Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-a-palermo/dennis-kucinich-makes-his_b_106193.html
Video of Kucinich Presents 35 Articles of Impeachment against Bush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDZ8seg4Nr4
C-SPAN Transcript - http://www.c-span.org/pdf/bush_impeach.pdf
Kucinich Shows How to Block War on Iran
David Swanson, AfterDowingStreet.org
http://afterdowningstreet.org/node/33989
Clear Pelosi From Impeachment’s Path
Donald Rankin, OpEdNews
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Clear-Pelosi-From-Impeachm-by-Donald-Rankin-III-080610-17.html
The Urgency of Impeachment
Braden Thacker, OpEdNews
http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Urgency-of-Impeachment-by-Braden-Thacker-080609-118.html
Woolsey Supports Effort to Impeach President Bush
Common Dreams Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/0611-12.htm
House Votes to send Impeachment Resolution to Judiciary Committee
Nick Juliano, The Raw Story
http://rawstory.com/news08/2008/06/11/house-voting-to-send-impeachment-resolution-to-judiciary-committee/
Impeachment NEEDS YOU
Chris Rice, OpEdNews
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Impeachment-NEEDS-YOU-by-chris-rice-080612-432.html
McCain & Obama Are No Different On Iraq
Patrick Krey, the John Birch Society
http://www.jbs.org/node/8133
Behind the Rise of Obama
Malik Miah, GreenLeft Online
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/754/38953
Greens Ask: Is Obama Ready to Support an Attack on Iran?
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/12/greens-ask-is-obama-ready-to-support-an-attack-on-iran/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda, Alice and Chris in sharing this wealth of info/articles on latest news. Take a moment and contact your Congressional Representative, ask them to co-sponsor the resolution brought forth on June 9th by Kucinich. We need to hold the Bush Regime accountable for the numerous crimes they’ve committed since 2001. Its time to remove Pelosi as Speaker of the House, as she has been a huge hindrance to impeachment and other issues. It’s never too late to impeach … call today.]
Dennis Kucinich Makes History Again – Impeach Bush!
Joseph A. Palermo, Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-a-palermo/dennis-kucinich-makes-his_b_106193.html
Video of Kucinich Presents 35 Articles of Impeachment against Bush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDZ8seg4Nr4
C-SPAN Transcript - http://www.c-span.org/pdf/bush_impeach.pdf
Kucinich Shows How to Block War on Iran
David Swanson, AfterDowingStreet.org
http://afterdowningstreet.org/node/33989
Clear Pelosi From Impeachment’s Path
Donald Rankin, OpEdNews
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Clear-Pelosi-From-Impeachm-by-Donald-Rankin-III-080610-17.html
The Urgency of Impeachment
Braden Thacker, OpEdNews
http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Urgency-of-Impeachment-by-Braden-Thacker-080609-118.html
Woolsey Supports Effort to Impeach President Bush
Common Dreams Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/news2008/0611-12.htm
House Votes to send Impeachment Resolution to Judiciary Committee
Nick Juliano, The Raw Story
http://rawstory.com/news08/2008/06/11/house-voting-to-send-impeachment-resolution-to-judiciary-committee/
Impeachment NEEDS YOU
Chris Rice, OpEdNews
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Impeachment-NEEDS-YOU-by-chris-rice-080612-432.html
McCain & Obama Are No Different On Iraq
Patrick Krey, the John Birch Society
http://www.jbs.org/node/8133
Behind the Rise of Obama
Malik Miah, GreenLeft Online
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/754/38953
Greens Ask: Is Obama Ready to Support an Attack on Iran?
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/06/12/greens-ask-is-obama-ready-to-support-an-attack-on-iran/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda, Alice and Chris in sharing this wealth of info/articles on latest news. Take a moment and contact your Congressional Representative, ask them to co-sponsor the resolution brought forth on June 9th by Kucinich. We need to hold the Bush Regime accountable for the numerous crimes they’ve committed since 2001. Its time to remove Pelosi as Speaker of the House, as she has been a huge hindrance to impeachment and other issues. It’s never too late to impeach … call today.]
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
LATEST NEWS FLASH ON CONGRESSMAN KUCINICH
Congressman Dennis Kucinich Introduced 35 Articles of Impeachment Against President Bush on Monday Night
After Downing Street
http://chun.afterdowningstreet.org/amomentoftruth.pdf
First 5 Minutes of Kucinich Presenting Articles of Impeachment Against Bush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDZ8seg4Nr4
Kucinich Presents Bush Impeachment Articles
D.Edwards & M.Sheehan, The Raw Story
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Kucinich_presents_Bush_impeachment_articles_0609.html
Music to My Ears
Cindy Sheehan, Fog City Journal.com
http://www.fogcityjournal.com/wordpress/2008/06/09/music-to-my-ears/
[Duchess Note - Bravo Dennis!! One of the only true progressives in Congress today. I've been a supporter of Kucinich and the issues he champions since 2003.]
Congressman Dennis Kucinich Introduced 35 Articles of Impeachment Against President Bush on Monday Night
After Downing Street
http://chun.afterdowningstreet.org/amomentoftruth.pdf
First 5 Minutes of Kucinich Presenting Articles of Impeachment Against Bush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDZ8seg4Nr4
Kucinich Presents Bush Impeachment Articles
D.Edwards & M.Sheehan, The Raw Story
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Kucinich_presents_Bush_impeachment_articles_0609.html
Music to My Ears
Cindy Sheehan, Fog City Journal.com
http://www.fogcityjournal.com/wordpress/2008/06/09/music-to-my-ears/
[Duchess Note - Bravo Dennis!! One of the only true progressives in Congress today. I've been a supporter of Kucinich and the issues he champions since 2003.]
Friday, June 06, 2008
What Would the World be like if We Left it to Itself?
Freedom regained …
... The overgrown ruins of a solitary confinement block in St Joseph Island, off the French Guiana. Photograph: Andres Leighton/PA
Perhaps what the environmentalist movement needs is a little less finger-wagging, and a few more appeals to the imagination. This occurred to me watching Alan Weisman mesmerize a few hundred Hay-goers by talking about his book, The World Without Us, a thought-experiment in which all humans vanish. And nature takes over. It wouldn't take her long to start some foreclosures, too. New York City's streets would collapse into the subways below after just twenty years, once the 850 pumps which keep the East and Hudson Rivers from rushing into Gotham's underground stop working.
Houses would be eaten by termites. Trees would start growing on our bridges, pushing the steel girders apart with their roots. A forest would reclaim Manhattan. Weisman is unequivocal about this. It's not a question of if, but when. There are a few things that'll take a while to digest, however. Plastic, which has drifted out to the ocean and been bashed to tiny bits by waves, is now being ingested by plankton. Scientists have no idea what this will mean.
And nuclear plants, once abandoned, would eventually go into meltdown. It's not clear how long it would take for nature to recover from the resulting simultaneous worldwide nuclear holocaust. By now, we've all seen the graphs, the predictions, paid the risingpetrol prices. Yet maybe what we need is a big reminder of the fact that our time here is not infinite. "Every organism which has overtaxed its resources has suffered a population crash," Weisman warned. "And it's not pretty."
It's an eerie exercise, this book - because it forces you to realize that nature has been tolerating us for quite some time, as we've used up more and more of the earth and its organisms. And one day it's going to bite back. In this sense, The World Without Us hasthe lurking menace of the opening moments of Twenty-Eight Days Later - it's a horror film waiting to happen.
And I couldn't help thinking, up there, on the stage with his professorial voice and bushy eyebrows, there's the guy calling to us from the audience - don't go into the next room, its dangerous!
[Duchess Note - Many thanks to Josee in sharing the above article.]
Freedom regained …
... The overgrown ruins of a solitary confinement block in St Joseph Island, off the French Guiana. Photograph: Andres Leighton/PA
Perhaps what the environmentalist movement needs is a little less finger-wagging, and a few more appeals to the imagination. This occurred to me watching Alan Weisman mesmerize a few hundred Hay-goers by talking about his book, The World Without Us, a thought-experiment in which all humans vanish. And nature takes over. It wouldn't take her long to start some foreclosures, too. New York City's streets would collapse into the subways below after just twenty years, once the 850 pumps which keep the East and Hudson Rivers from rushing into Gotham's underground stop working.
Houses would be eaten by termites. Trees would start growing on our bridges, pushing the steel girders apart with their roots. A forest would reclaim Manhattan. Weisman is unequivocal about this. It's not a question of if, but when. There are a few things that'll take a while to digest, however. Plastic, which has drifted out to the ocean and been bashed to tiny bits by waves, is now being ingested by plankton. Scientists have no idea what this will mean.
And nuclear plants, once abandoned, would eventually go into meltdown. It's not clear how long it would take for nature to recover from the resulting simultaneous worldwide nuclear holocaust. By now, we've all seen the graphs, the predictions, paid the risingpetrol prices. Yet maybe what we need is a big reminder of the fact that our time here is not infinite. "Every organism which has overtaxed its resources has suffered a population crash," Weisman warned. "And it's not pretty."
It's an eerie exercise, this book - because it forces you to realize that nature has been tolerating us for quite some time, as we've used up more and more of the earth and its organisms. And one day it's going to bite back. In this sense, The World Without Us hasthe lurking menace of the opening moments of Twenty-Eight Days Later - it's a horror film waiting to happen.
And I couldn't help thinking, up there, on the stage with his professorial voice and bushy eyebrows, there's the guy calling to us from the audience - don't go into the next room, its dangerous!
[Duchess Note - Many thanks to Josee in sharing the above article.]
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
The American Electoral Charade
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=645&Itemid=1
Two candidates with almost identical positions on virtually every issue fight to exhaustion over non-substantial concerns for months, and will doubtless soon celebrate having achieved "unity." Tweedle-dum Hillary Clinton and Tweedle-dee Barack Obama may or may not emerge from the primary battles as friends - but what does that matter? "Their policies are interchangeable, as are their advisors.... All serve the same masters: the financial corporations." The general election campaign, already begun, will see Obama and McCain draw politically closer each day, until at the end "the voters' choice will be just a matter of personality and individual taste" - and race.
[Duchess Note - Amen to Glen Ford in speaking the truth and seeing it all for what it really is. How is it possible that many Americans are being tricked by the propaganda generated by the Obama and Clinton campaigns. (They both don't even come close to being true progressives. Not even by a long shot.) Both are heavily backed by corporations, big pharma, hedge funds and insurance companies who have an interest in keeping things “status quo” in our country, which many of you know they predominately control. Teddy Roosevelt must be spinning in his grave over this travesty. Also, many thanks to Linda in Texas in sharing this article.]
Actor Celebrates Derry City Link
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7431350.stm
Fans Catch a Glimpse of Sean Bean on His Travels
Nick Ward, The Star [Yorkshire]
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Fans-catch-a-glimpse-of.4148145.jp
Minor Party Candidates Tap Discontent
W. James Antle III, Politico
http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=5538AA9F-3048-5C12-001B3F0AD2DCF593
Reps Danny Davis, Kucinich Defend NASA Workforce
Press Release, SpaceRef.com
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=25595
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in Texas for the two political articles.]
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=645&Itemid=1
Two candidates with almost identical positions on virtually every issue fight to exhaustion over non-substantial concerns for months, and will doubtless soon celebrate having achieved "unity." Tweedle-dum Hillary Clinton and Tweedle-dee Barack Obama may or may not emerge from the primary battles as friends - but what does that matter? "Their policies are interchangeable, as are their advisors.... All serve the same masters: the financial corporations." The general election campaign, already begun, will see Obama and McCain draw politically closer each day, until at the end "the voters' choice will be just a matter of personality and individual taste" - and race.
[Duchess Note - Amen to Glen Ford in speaking the truth and seeing it all for what it really is. How is it possible that many Americans are being tricked by the propaganda generated by the Obama and Clinton campaigns. (They both don't even come close to being true progressives. Not even by a long shot.) Both are heavily backed by corporations, big pharma, hedge funds and insurance companies who have an interest in keeping things “status quo” in our country, which many of you know they predominately control. Teddy Roosevelt must be spinning in his grave over this travesty. Also, many thanks to Linda in Texas in sharing this article.]
Actor Celebrates Derry City Link
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7431350.stm
Fans Catch a Glimpse of Sean Bean on His Travels
Nick Ward, The Star [Yorkshire]
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Fans-catch-a-glimpse-of.4148145.jp
Minor Party Candidates Tap Discontent
W. James Antle III, Politico
http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=5538AA9F-3048-5C12-001B3F0AD2DCF593
Reps Danny Davis, Kucinich Defend NASA Workforce
Press Release, SpaceRef.com
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=25595
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in Texas for the two political articles.]
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #144
[Duchess Note – Another edition of personal news and events in a condensed version. Enjoy!]
Tuesday evening, May 13th, I attended my second Brooklyn Community Board #1 meeting. This one wasn’t as heavily attended as the one back in April, but it was still interesting. I also did some networking with some individuals for NYDoP CCR project.
Wednesday evening, May 14th, I participated in a conference call hosted by Gili called “Field Talk”. I know Gili through the weekly “Brooklyn Peace Circle” I used to attend before it was discontinued.
Friday evening after work, May 16th, I headed down to Union Square to purchase new bird feeders at Petco. Afterwards I strolled through the farmers market to see how the City Harvest volunteers were doing and ran into Joe. Told him I had terrific news regarding a 45-minute phone call that afternoon with Congresswoman Velazquez’s legislation director [Layth]. [Topics of discussion during the call were on Iraq war funding bill, Brooklyn housing, DoP legislation and the upcoming election.] Joe and I strolled over to a diner in Gramercy Park and were joined shortly afterwards by his wife Marie. I arrived home in time to see the season finale of “Moonlight” on the telly.
Saturday evening, May 17th, found me back at Union Square farmers market doing volunteer work for City Harvest.
On Sunday afternoon, May 18th, I joined my friend Jackie in going to see the new Narnia film called “Prince Caspian”. We’ve both read the Narnia series of books [7 total] and enjoyed the film with its terrific visuals. Afterwards we walked across the street from the cinema to a Cosi for dinner and catch up on news/gossip.
Monday evening, May 19th, I attended the PDA CD14 NYC Town Hall meeting at SEIU on West 43rd Street. The featured guest speakers were; NY Congresswoman Maloney, Michael Schwartz [writer], Daniel Black [retired soldier], and Dahlia Wasfi [writer]. Main topics of discussion were Iraq war and occupation, counter-recruitment, energy crisis, US foreign policies, global warming, impeachment and a need to change strategy in the anti-war movement. Suggested website to check out is http://www.liberatethis.com/
Tuesday, May 20th, after my foot doctor appointment, I headed up to Columbus Circle to attend the 7th Annual Adult Student Recital at Frederick Rose Hall at Lincoln Center. One of NYDoPs board members, Karen M, was performing at this recital along with six other pianists. Each performer played one or two pieces by the following composers … Beethoven, Stravinsky, Pozzuoli, Schumann, Bach, Schubert, Chopin and Moszkowski. Afterwards the student pianists were given awards and a prize. After some socializing, Karen’s group went down to the next level of the Time Warner Center to party at the Stone Rose Lounge.
Thursday evening, May 22nd, I participated in a conference call with fellow NYDoP CCR committee member Kevin regarding DoP resolution 627. Discussion mostly centered on structure and composition of faxes we’ll send to some of the City Council Cultural Affairs committee members. I also told Kevin about the 45-minute conference call I had on May 16th with Layth at Congresswoman Velazquez office. Whether anything develops from that May 16th call remains to be seen.
May 24th through 27th I visited my family in upstate NY for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Weather was nice and sunny most of the time. Main highlights of the weekend was riding my new bicycle, building a fire pit, attending the Memorial Day parade, several yard sales, dining out and relaxing.
Evening of May 27th I attended the monthly NYDoP board and core team meeting at our new location near Madison Square Park in Manhattan. The two hour meeting was good and very productive. We are working towards re-launching the new and improved NYDoP website, plus the upcoming Inwood Retreat.
On Thursday, May 29th, after work I joined Cielito in attending an Isagenix meeting on 7th Avenue. These monthly meetings remind me of pep talks and also a way to introduce new people to the company/ product. I’ve been utilizing Ionix Supreme and Want More Energy since mid-April, plus I’ve been a member of Isagenix since end of March. Both are great products! With Ionix Supreme I feel more energized, sleep better at night, and more focused or alert during the day. To learn more, go to the website link in the left hand column of this blog. Three quarters of the way through meeting I had to leave and head home to watch the 2-hour season finale of LOST. What an amazing and thrilling two-hour season finale.
Friday, May 30th, I did volunteer work with City Harvest at Union Squares farmers market.
On Saturday afternoon, May 31st, I went out to lunch [Jackson Diner] with Anni and her hubby David, plus their daughter Rachel in Jackson Heights, Queens. Enjoyed some good Indian food and a drink made with mango, which I might add was so tasty. [The #7 subway makes a stop at this predominately Indian neighborhood.] Afterwards we went shopping in the many clothing stores for India style tops known as kurti or kurta. I purchased a soft white embroidered cotton kurti, plus small meditation chimes. For dessert we stopped at a street vendor for a mango flavored ice cream called kulfi, which was delicious. Overall I had an enjoyable time and caught up on news/gossip with Anni.
[Duchess Note – Another edition of personal news and events in a condensed version. Enjoy!]
Tuesday evening, May 13th, I attended my second Brooklyn Community Board #1 meeting. This one wasn’t as heavily attended as the one back in April, but it was still interesting. I also did some networking with some individuals for NYDoP CCR project.
Wednesday evening, May 14th, I participated in a conference call hosted by Gili called “Field Talk”. I know Gili through the weekly “Brooklyn Peace Circle” I used to attend before it was discontinued.
Friday evening after work, May 16th, I headed down to Union Square to purchase new bird feeders at Petco. Afterwards I strolled through the farmers market to see how the City Harvest volunteers were doing and ran into Joe. Told him I had terrific news regarding a 45-minute phone call that afternoon with Congresswoman Velazquez’s legislation director [Layth]. [Topics of discussion during the call were on Iraq war funding bill, Brooklyn housing, DoP legislation and the upcoming election.] Joe and I strolled over to a diner in Gramercy Park and were joined shortly afterwards by his wife Marie. I arrived home in time to see the season finale of “Moonlight” on the telly.
Saturday evening, May 17th, found me back at Union Square farmers market doing volunteer work for City Harvest.
On Sunday afternoon, May 18th, I joined my friend Jackie in going to see the new Narnia film called “Prince Caspian”. We’ve both read the Narnia series of books [7 total] and enjoyed the film with its terrific visuals. Afterwards we walked across the street from the cinema to a Cosi for dinner and catch up on news/gossip.
Monday evening, May 19th, I attended the PDA CD14 NYC Town Hall meeting at SEIU on West 43rd Street. The featured guest speakers were; NY Congresswoman Maloney, Michael Schwartz [writer], Daniel Black [retired soldier], and Dahlia Wasfi [writer]. Main topics of discussion were Iraq war and occupation, counter-recruitment, energy crisis, US foreign policies, global warming, impeachment and a need to change strategy in the anti-war movement. Suggested website to check out is http://www.liberatethis.com/
Tuesday, May 20th, after my foot doctor appointment, I headed up to Columbus Circle to attend the 7th Annual Adult Student Recital at Frederick Rose Hall at Lincoln Center. One of NYDoPs board members, Karen M, was performing at this recital along with six other pianists. Each performer played one or two pieces by the following composers … Beethoven, Stravinsky, Pozzuoli, Schumann, Bach, Schubert, Chopin and Moszkowski. Afterwards the student pianists were given awards and a prize. After some socializing, Karen’s group went down to the next level of the Time Warner Center to party at the Stone Rose Lounge.
Thursday evening, May 22nd, I participated in a conference call with fellow NYDoP CCR committee member Kevin regarding DoP resolution 627. Discussion mostly centered on structure and composition of faxes we’ll send to some of the City Council Cultural Affairs committee members. I also told Kevin about the 45-minute conference call I had on May 16th with Layth at Congresswoman Velazquez office. Whether anything develops from that May 16th call remains to be seen.
May 24th through 27th I visited my family in upstate NY for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Weather was nice and sunny most of the time. Main highlights of the weekend was riding my new bicycle, building a fire pit, attending the Memorial Day parade, several yard sales, dining out and relaxing.
Evening of May 27th I attended the monthly NYDoP board and core team meeting at our new location near Madison Square Park in Manhattan. The two hour meeting was good and very productive. We are working towards re-launching the new and improved NYDoP website, plus the upcoming Inwood Retreat.
On Thursday, May 29th, after work I joined Cielito in attending an Isagenix meeting on 7th Avenue. These monthly meetings remind me of pep talks and also a way to introduce new people to the company/ product. I’ve been utilizing Ionix Supreme and Want More Energy since mid-April, plus I’ve been a member of Isagenix since end of March. Both are great products! With Ionix Supreme I feel more energized, sleep better at night, and more focused or alert during the day. To learn more, go to the website link in the left hand column of this blog. Three quarters of the way through meeting I had to leave and head home to watch the 2-hour season finale of LOST. What an amazing and thrilling two-hour season finale.
Friday, May 30th, I did volunteer work with City Harvest at Union Squares farmers market.
On Saturday afternoon, May 31st, I went out to lunch [Jackson Diner] with Anni and her hubby David, plus their daughter Rachel in Jackson Heights, Queens. Enjoyed some good Indian food and a drink made with mango, which I might add was so tasty. [The #7 subway makes a stop at this predominately Indian neighborhood.] Afterwards we went shopping in the many clothing stores for India style tops known as kurti or kurta. I purchased a soft white embroidered cotton kurti, plus small meditation chimes. For dessert we stopped at a street vendor for a mango flavored ice cream called kulfi, which was delicious. Overall I had an enjoyable time and caught up on news/gossip with Anni.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
VISIONS FROM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN UPSTATE NY
[Fire pit I constructed out of assorted stones. Mom and Duchess by the fire before we roasted kaluha flavored marshmallows for S’Mores.]
[Dad dressed in his Cambridge Legion “blues” for the Memorial Day parade]
[Dad and Stephanie riding off to the parade in a restored 1940s Buick]
[Duchess and her brand new Huffy Prospect bicycle on Memorial Day]
[Fire pit I constructed out of assorted stones. Mom and Duchess by the fire before we roasted kaluha flavored marshmallows for S’Mores.]
[Dad dressed in his Cambridge Legion “blues” for the Memorial Day parade]
[Dad and Stephanie riding off to the parade in a restored 1940s Buick]
[Duchess and her brand new Huffy Prospect bicycle on Memorial Day]
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
LIVE FROM NYC – THE LATEST IN PROGRESSIVE NEWS
The PresiDunce’s Obscene War
Maralyn Lois Polak, WorldNetDaily Commentary
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=65443
Obamamania – Would You Like Change With That?
Left Business Observer
http://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Obama.html
World Court: Why Not Indict Bush, Cheney and Yoo?
Bill Hare, Political Cortex
http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2008/5/23/232127/173
LATEST NEWS ON CYNTHIA McKINNEY’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WITH THE GREEN PARTY
Video: Cynthia McKinney delivers keynote to Chicago Awards Dinner last Fall. She warned her audience that, "The Black Body Politic Could Go the Way of the Polar Bear"
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/357
Video: Rachel MacCratic of San Diego California published this YouTube endorsement, arguing that "Lesser Evil Logic is Coercive" and explaining her support by distinguishing her preferred candidate from her opponents, saying: "Cynthia Acknowledges that War is Immoral"
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/358
Video: Cynthia Speaks to Al-Nakbah Commemoration at UN, honoring sixty years of struggle against apartheid conditions in Palestine. This link gives you both the text of her remarks and a video recording of her speech.
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/Speeches/al-Nakbah2008
Open Letter to Politically Conscious Sisters and Brothers of Black America
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/OpenLetterToPoliticallyConsciousBlackAmerica
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda and Carol in sharing some of the above articles.]
Pearl Jam Plans to Let New Songs ‘Grow Up’
Gary Graff, Billboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003804310
The PresiDunce’s Obscene War
Maralyn Lois Polak, WorldNetDaily Commentary
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=65443
Obamamania – Would You Like Change With That?
Left Business Observer
http://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/Obama.html
World Court: Why Not Indict Bush, Cheney and Yoo?
Bill Hare, Political Cortex
http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2008/5/23/232127/173
LATEST NEWS ON CYNTHIA McKINNEY’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WITH THE GREEN PARTY
Video: Cynthia McKinney delivers keynote to Chicago Awards Dinner last Fall. She warned her audience that, "The Black Body Politic Could Go the Way of the Polar Bear"
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/357
Video: Rachel MacCratic of San Diego California published this YouTube endorsement, arguing that "Lesser Evil Logic is Coercive" and explaining her support by distinguishing her preferred candidate from her opponents, saying: "Cynthia Acknowledges that War is Immoral"
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/358
Video: Cynthia Speaks to Al-Nakbah Commemoration at UN, honoring sixty years of struggle against apartheid conditions in Palestine. This link gives you both the text of her remarks and a video recording of her speech.
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/Speeches/al-Nakbah2008
Open Letter to Politically Conscious Sisters and Brothers of Black America
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/OpenLetterToPoliticallyConsciousBlackAmerica
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda and Carol in sharing some of the above articles.]
Pearl Jam Plans to Let New Songs ‘Grow Up’
Gary Graff, Billboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003804310
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
LIVE FROM NYC – THE LATEST IN NEWS
Why Do Political Lies Work?
Deepak Chopra
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/why-do-political-lies-wor_b_102109.html
Iraq Vets Testify to War Atrocities, Vow to Fight & Resist Bush Policy
Liliana Sequra, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/85725/
(Not) Keeping Up With Our Parents: Just Being Middle Class is Becoming Out of Reach
Nan Mooney, Beacon Press
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/85858/
Top Ten Reasons to go Vegetarian
Bruce Friedrich, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/environment/85828/
Why Do Political Lies Work?
Deepak Chopra
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/why-do-political-lies-wor_b_102109.html
Iraq Vets Testify to War Atrocities, Vow to Fight & Resist Bush Policy
Liliana Sequra, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/85725/
(Not) Keeping Up With Our Parents: Just Being Middle Class is Becoming Out of Reach
Nan Mooney, Beacon Press
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/85858/
Top Ten Reasons to go Vegetarian
Bruce Friedrich, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/environment/85828/
Monday, May 19, 2008
Viggo Mortensen & Eddie Vedder Sing the Revolution on a Hot PDX Night
Kristi Turnquist, The Oregonian
http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/05/viggo_mortensen_and_eddie_vedd.html
LATEST NEWS ON CYNTHIA McKINNEY’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
Peace Candidate McKinney Visits Humboldt
David Cobb
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/351
Exclusive Interview With Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/352
Local Green Party Picks Nominee For President
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/353
Cynthia Speaks At Anna's Jazz Club In Berkeley, California
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/356
Kristi Turnquist, The Oregonian
http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/05/viggo_mortensen_and_eddie_vedd.html
LATEST NEWS ON CYNTHIA McKINNEY’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
Peace Candidate McKinney Visits Humboldt
David Cobb
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/351
Exclusive Interview With Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/352
Local Green Party Picks Nominee For President
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/353
Cynthia Speaks At Anna's Jazz Club In Berkeley, California
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/356
Friday, May 16, 2008
LIVE FROM NYC – IT’S THE NEWS
We Stopped the War Funding!
David Swanson, American Chronicle
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/61994
Cynthia McKinney Supports Fight for Water
Cheryl LaBash, Workers World
http://www.workers.org/2008/us/water_0522/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda from TX in sharing the above articles.]
We Stopped the War Funding!
David Swanson, American Chronicle
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/61994
Cynthia McKinney Supports Fight for Water
Cheryl LaBash, Workers World
http://www.workers.org/2008/us/water_0522/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda from TX in sharing the above articles.]
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #143
Thursday evening, May 1st, I attended my first NYC Harry Potter group meetup and it was “Trivia Night”. Was held at a pizza place on the upper eastside of Manhattan and about 25 members [ages 20 through 70] were in attendance. Everyone was very nice and some were wearing HP related stuff. One of the group members, Racheline Maltese, was selling her book [The Book of Harry Potter Trifles, Trivia’s, & Particularities] and I purchased the paperback for $12. Then it was time to choose my Hogwarts house before the trivia game started. After some reflection on my part I went with Hufflepuff. [Next day, online, I did the Sorting Hat quiz and it said I was a Hufflepuff, followed closely by Griffindor.] Everyone had a lot of fun and I must say that many of the trivia questions were not easy. Despite that I did manage to get two correct for my house. Throughout all this we noshed on pizza, fruit and birthday cake. At the end of the game the scores were tallied up and Hufflepuff beat Griffindor by a small margin. Wow! Hurray! The prizes were some galleons, stickers and buttons. I left the meetup shortly after 9pm and got home in time to watch a new episode of LOST on the telly.
On Sunday, May 4th, I attended the housewarming party at Carol and Gary’s place in the Inwood area of Manhattan. Day before I baked up a tasty batch of chocolate chip cookies and fudge brownies for the party. The day turned out warm with patches of sunshine as I strolled from the subway to their new abode in Inwood. Nice, spacious place with a sunken living room and a step up from their tiny apartment on upper Westside. The buffet table was laid out with an assortment of yummy goodies from Carol, Gary and their guests. Conversations varied on numerous topics and I even made a purchase of one of Carol’s watercolor prints. Overall I had such an enjoyable time and afterwards strolled through a nearby park before heading back to the subway.
On Tuesday, May 6th, after my foot doctor appointment, I traveled up to the IBM Atrium on East 56th Street for the monthly Knit & Crochet meetup. None of the regulars showed up and I was going to leave around 7:30pm, when the gals at the Spin City meetup a few tables away invited me to join them. They were spinning skeins of yarn using different materials [ie: cotton, wool, silk, etc]. It was fascinating to observe and hear about different spin techniques throughout the world. One of the gals showed me some new ways to do crocheting and I encountered another Harry Potter fan. Yah never know where one will meet someone who shares some similar interests, whether it’s a guy or gal.
Thursday evening, May 8th, the NYDoP CCR committee had a conference call to go over in detail the meeting we had with Yassky’s policy director, as well as plans and strategy going forward.
On Sunday, May 11th, I attended the 2nd Annual Mothers Day Peace March in Manhattan, which was organized by CodePink and Granny Peace Brigade. Like last year, everyone congregated at Columbus Circle, next to Central Park. I got there abit early, briefly chatted with Janey and was given a sign [“Waiting for Peace”] to carry throughout the march. Then this tall, cute guy [Tim] came up to me and inquired about what we were protesting. I enlightened him on that point and then we enjoyed a long, wonderful conversation about protests, City Council, Pedicabs, MySpace, TV and movies. We seem to have many things in common and he gave me his business card. The march started shortly after 11:15am with about 30+ people, plus some instrumental accompaniment. Not as many in attendance as last year, but that didn’t stop us from spreading the word. The march progressed up along Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues before making its first of two major stops at Museum of Natural History. Along the way we handed out flyers to pedestrians/shopkeepers/ motorists, sang out protest chants [see below], and flashed the peace sign to all.
VETS AT WALTER REED
[Tune: “My Little Playmate”] Lyrics by Nora Freeman of the Westchester Raging Grannies
Ain’t got no healthcare,
Say vets at Walter Reed.
Dubya supports the troops,
He makes them jump through hoops,
To get the benefits,
That they so sorely need.
Puts them out on the street,
And Shuts the door.
When it was his turn,
Of course he didn’t go.
His daddy pulled some strings,
Took care of everything.
Now War on Terror Vets,
May have PTSD – Severe brain injury,
Says he, “What’s that to me?”
They’re facing homelessness,
divorce and suicide.
Miz-ree is all around,
That’s what our vets have found.
So don’t let Dubya,
Play out his deadly game.
It’s Time we all stand up,
Its time we all stand up,
To shout NO MORE!!
Many folk were very receptive to us marchers shouting encouragement and applauding. Before heading across Central Park, with a very nice police escort, we lost some of our marchers. Several, including the musical accompaniment, had other commitments to attend too. 15 of us remained and we ended the march in front of the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue. The Julia Ward Howe proclamation was read, we asked everyone to observe 2 minutes of silence for our dead US soldiers [plus Iraqi], and then more protest songs were sung. We were well received, much applause, and many “tourists” and locals took fliers. On the way to the subway, I purchased a print from a street artisan, and then it was homeward bound.
Thursday evening, May 1st, I attended my first NYC Harry Potter group meetup and it was “Trivia Night”. Was held at a pizza place on the upper eastside of Manhattan and about 25 members [ages 20 through 70] were in attendance. Everyone was very nice and some were wearing HP related stuff. One of the group members, Racheline Maltese, was selling her book [The Book of Harry Potter Trifles, Trivia’s, & Particularities] and I purchased the paperback for $12. Then it was time to choose my Hogwarts house before the trivia game started. After some reflection on my part I went with Hufflepuff. [Next day, online, I did the Sorting Hat quiz and it said I was a Hufflepuff, followed closely by Griffindor.] Everyone had a lot of fun and I must say that many of the trivia questions were not easy. Despite that I did manage to get two correct for my house. Throughout all this we noshed on pizza, fruit and birthday cake. At the end of the game the scores were tallied up and Hufflepuff beat Griffindor by a small margin. Wow! Hurray! The prizes were some galleons, stickers and buttons. I left the meetup shortly after 9pm and got home in time to watch a new episode of LOST on the telly.
On Sunday, May 4th, I attended the housewarming party at Carol and Gary’s place in the Inwood area of Manhattan. Day before I baked up a tasty batch of chocolate chip cookies and fudge brownies for the party. The day turned out warm with patches of sunshine as I strolled from the subway to their new abode in Inwood. Nice, spacious place with a sunken living room and a step up from their tiny apartment on upper Westside. The buffet table was laid out with an assortment of yummy goodies from Carol, Gary and their guests. Conversations varied on numerous topics and I even made a purchase of one of Carol’s watercolor prints. Overall I had such an enjoyable time and afterwards strolled through a nearby park before heading back to the subway.
On Tuesday, May 6th, after my foot doctor appointment, I traveled up to the IBM Atrium on East 56th Street for the monthly Knit & Crochet meetup. None of the regulars showed up and I was going to leave around 7:30pm, when the gals at the Spin City meetup a few tables away invited me to join them. They were spinning skeins of yarn using different materials [ie: cotton, wool, silk, etc]. It was fascinating to observe and hear about different spin techniques throughout the world. One of the gals showed me some new ways to do crocheting and I encountered another Harry Potter fan. Yah never know where one will meet someone who shares some similar interests, whether it’s a guy or gal.
Thursday evening, May 8th, the NYDoP CCR committee had a conference call to go over in detail the meeting we had with Yassky’s policy director, as well as plans and strategy going forward.
On Sunday, May 11th, I attended the 2nd Annual Mothers Day Peace March in Manhattan, which was organized by CodePink and Granny Peace Brigade. Like last year, everyone congregated at Columbus Circle, next to Central Park. I got there abit early, briefly chatted with Janey and was given a sign [“Waiting for Peace”] to carry throughout the march. Then this tall, cute guy [Tim] came up to me and inquired about what we were protesting. I enlightened him on that point and then we enjoyed a long, wonderful conversation about protests, City Council, Pedicabs, MySpace, TV and movies. We seem to have many things in common and he gave me his business card. The march started shortly after 11:15am with about 30+ people, plus some instrumental accompaniment. Not as many in attendance as last year, but that didn’t stop us from spreading the word. The march progressed up along Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues before making its first of two major stops at Museum of Natural History. Along the way we handed out flyers to pedestrians/shopkeepers/ motorists, sang out protest chants [see below], and flashed the peace sign to all.
VETS AT WALTER REED
[Tune: “My Little Playmate”] Lyrics by Nora Freeman of the Westchester Raging Grannies
Ain’t got no healthcare,
Say vets at Walter Reed.
Dubya supports the troops,
He makes them jump through hoops,
To get the benefits,
That they so sorely need.
Puts them out on the street,
And Shuts the door.
When it was his turn,
Of course he didn’t go.
His daddy pulled some strings,
Took care of everything.
Now War on Terror Vets,
May have PTSD – Severe brain injury,
Says he, “What’s that to me?”
They’re facing homelessness,
divorce and suicide.
Miz-ree is all around,
That’s what our vets have found.
So don’t let Dubya,
Play out his deadly game.
It’s Time we all stand up,
Its time we all stand up,
To shout NO MORE!!
Many folk were very receptive to us marchers shouting encouragement and applauding. Before heading across Central Park, with a very nice police escort, we lost some of our marchers. Several, including the musical accompaniment, had other commitments to attend too. 15 of us remained and we ended the march in front of the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue. The Julia Ward Howe proclamation was read, we asked everyone to observe 2 minutes of silence for our dead US soldiers [plus Iraqi], and then more protest songs were sung. We were well received, much applause, and many “tourists” and locals took fliers. On the way to the subway, I purchased a print from a street artisan, and then it was homeward bound.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
LATEST NEWS ON CYNTHIA McKINNEY’S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WITHIN THE GREEN PARTY
Cynthia's Statement on the Sean Bell Verdict
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/Statements/SeanBellVerdict
Exclusive Interview with Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney
Thadeus Greenson, The Times-Standard
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_9216109?source=rss
Black Women Vote Interviews Cynthia McKinney
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/337
Cynthia Speaks at May Day Rally with Dockworkers
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/346
Two Videos Of ILWU May Day "No Peace, No Work" Rally, Including Excerpts Of Cynthia's Speech, Now Available
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/348
Why the Republican and Democratic Parties and the Political Process are Obstacles to Real Democracy
Bruce Gagnon
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/349
Cynthia's Statement on the Sean Bell Verdict
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/Statements/SeanBellVerdict
Exclusive Interview with Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney
Thadeus Greenson, The Times-Standard
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_9216109?source=rss
Black Women Vote Interviews Cynthia McKinney
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/337
Cynthia Speaks at May Day Rally with Dockworkers
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/346
Two Videos Of ILWU May Day "No Peace, No Work" Rally, Including Excerpts Of Cynthia's Speech, Now Available
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/348
Why the Republican and Democratic Parties and the Political Process are Obstacles to Real Democracy
Bruce Gagnon
http://www.allthingscynthiamckinney.com/node/349
Monday, May 12, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #142
[Duchess Note – Greetings to all my loyal readers. Hope the spring weather has been delightful in your neck of the woods. Yes, it’s been awhile since my last personal news update, as I’ve been a busy bee at work and home. So the following is a condensed version for your reading pleasure.]
On Tuesday evening, April 1st, I attended the Knitting & Crochet meetup in Manhattan. My friend Linda G also joined me and we picked up new techniques from the other attendees. Plus admire some of the projects the other gals were working on.
On Saturday, April 5th, I headed up to Yonkers to do volunteer work at the ferret shelter. I hadn’t been up there since September 2007, as both Joanne and I had been so very busy with different projects.
I so miss the wee furballs and it was great socializing/grooming them. Many of their antics crack me up, plus it was good catching up on news with Joanne.
Next day, April 6th, I took MetroNorth up to South Norwalk [CT], where my dear good friend Katherine met me at the station. We hadn’t seen each other since October 2007. Went over to the bead shop in the SoNo section and made some purchases. Then we headed up to Bridgeport to have a delicious lunch at Red Lobster and I treated Katherine as a belated b-day pressie. [She turned 50 seven months before I do and I’ll be having a big b-day bash for mine.] This has been tradition with us since 1990. Afterwards we did some shopping at a few stores and then headed back to her house to meet Shane, her 1 ½ year old grandson. He’s a cute little fella and very much adored by my dear friend and her hubby Maurice. Shane’s mother, Aimee, is hardly ever around. I won’t smear my blog with thoughts on Aimee and her tarnished antics. The train ride back to NYC was uneventful.
On Tuesday, April 8th, after my foot doctor appointment, I traveled back to Brooklyn and made it in time for the monthly Community Board #1 meeting off of Graham Avenue. My first CB#1 meeting and it was packed. SRO! I kid you not! Didn’t stay for the whole meeting, as my foot was bothering me and there was no place to sit down. What I did observe was interesting and definitely a venue for a Dept of Peace campaign presentation. Need to do more research on community boards in general.
Thursday evening, April 10th, I participated in a conference call with two other NYDoP CCR committee members to discuss latest developments.
Sunday, April 13th, I volunteered with NYC MS Society at a “rest stop” in Brooklyn Heights at Cadman Plaza for the annual MS Walk. Weather turned out nice and we had a good turnout of volunteers, plus dozens of walkers. I did my first MS walk back in 1993 and since 1997 I’ve been volunteering my time. It’s for a worthy cause and I was representing two friends of mine who have MS. Pam passed away a few years ago and Gary still lives in Scotland.
Tuesday evening, April 15th, I participated in another conference call with NYDoP CCR committee members. We did prep work for an upcoming meeting with Yassky’s policy director.
Thursday, April 17th, was the monthly NYDoP board/core team meeting, which was held again at a conference room at my office. Unlike the previous month, this time around there was only 3 of us in attendance. That didn’t deter us and we had a productive meeting.
Saturday, April 19th, was “Earth Day” in NYC, and I attended an event geared towards this in McCarren Park near my home. Fortunately for all it was a lovely, warm spring day. Afterwards I purchased some goodies at the local farmers market, also located in McCarren Park. On the way home I stopped by the local florist/nursery for some gardening goodies. Need to take care of my house plants and purchased a few new plants. Around this time I made my first purchase of Isagenix products [ie: Ionix Supreme & Want More Energy] and been utilizing them every day since then. OMG!! This is great stuff, especially the Ionix Supreme, which gives me such energy, helps me sleep and staying more focused. One of these days I’ll do my first Isagenix cleanse, which I hear is so rejuvenating. To learn more about these wonderful products and the system, go to the link in the left hand column of my blog.
Tuesday evening, April 22nd, after my foot doctor appointment, I listened in on the monthly National DoP NVC conference call at 9pm.
On Wednesday, April 23rd, after work I attended the monthly PDA CD14 meeting on upper Eastside of Manhattan. Was invited to attend by former volunteers [ie: Alice & Jim] of NYC Kucinich Team. Some of those in attendance [ie: Bud, Al, Barbara, George] I know from other events, groups, campaigns and rallies. We caught up on news, which is mostly what is happening in the NYC political scene. What intrigued me most on the meeting agenda was a presentation on “Clean Money Clean Election” by Dan Jacoby.
Thursday evening, April 24th, after work I headed down to Brooklyn to attend my first Park Slope Knitters meetup. About 20+ were in attendance at Sweet Melissa’s Café on 7th Avenue. I learned there are two ways of knitting; there are the English and Continental variations. Because I’ve been crocheting for some time I learned I am more suited to the continental way. I spent an enjoyable evening chatting with the other members, admiring their work, eating delicious cheesecake and learning some tips of the trade. At one point I asked about the time and learned it was going on 9:30pm. OMG!! Packed my things, said goodbye to all, paid my bill and rushed out to get car service to head home. The bus and subway would have taken too long. I got home with 5 minutes to spare before a new episode of LOST came on TV. Whew!
On Saturday afternoon, April 26th, I attended the 5th Annual Brooklyn Peace Fair. NYDoP didn’t have a table this time around, so I brought my business cards with me to hand out while I networked all the tables. Handed out many business cards and talked about peace, DoP and the City Council resolution. I mostly hung out with Linda, Cielito and Max at their Share International table. As always Brooklyn Parents for Peace puts on a worthy event and never a dull moment. Overall it was a productive afternoon.
I took a vacation day on Tuesday, April 29th, so as to prep for the meeting with Tim Roberts at City Council member Yassky’s office. Kevin and Joe joined me, as we are part of the NYDoP CCR Committee working on getting DoP Resolution 627 passed. The weather that day was overcast, cool, abit rainy and windy. The half hour meeting went very well and it was quite informative. The three of us were very much jazzed by it all and have much planning work ahead of us.
[Duchess Note – Greetings to all my loyal readers. Hope the spring weather has been delightful in your neck of the woods. Yes, it’s been awhile since my last personal news update, as I’ve been a busy bee at work and home. So the following is a condensed version for your reading pleasure.]
On Tuesday evening, April 1st, I attended the Knitting & Crochet meetup in Manhattan. My friend Linda G also joined me and we picked up new techniques from the other attendees. Plus admire some of the projects the other gals were working on.
On Saturday, April 5th, I headed up to Yonkers to do volunteer work at the ferret shelter. I hadn’t been up there since September 2007, as both Joanne and I had been so very busy with different projects.
I so miss the wee furballs and it was great socializing/grooming them. Many of their antics crack me up, plus it was good catching up on news with Joanne.
Next day, April 6th, I took MetroNorth up to South Norwalk [CT], where my dear good friend Katherine met me at the station. We hadn’t seen each other since October 2007. Went over to the bead shop in the SoNo section and made some purchases. Then we headed up to Bridgeport to have a delicious lunch at Red Lobster and I treated Katherine as a belated b-day pressie. [She turned 50 seven months before I do and I’ll be having a big b-day bash for mine.] This has been tradition with us since 1990. Afterwards we did some shopping at a few stores and then headed back to her house to meet Shane, her 1 ½ year old grandson. He’s a cute little fella and very much adored by my dear friend and her hubby Maurice. Shane’s mother, Aimee, is hardly ever around. I won’t smear my blog with thoughts on Aimee and her tarnished antics. The train ride back to NYC was uneventful.
On Tuesday, April 8th, after my foot doctor appointment, I traveled back to Brooklyn and made it in time for the monthly Community Board #1 meeting off of Graham Avenue. My first CB#1 meeting and it was packed. SRO! I kid you not! Didn’t stay for the whole meeting, as my foot was bothering me and there was no place to sit down. What I did observe was interesting and definitely a venue for a Dept of Peace campaign presentation. Need to do more research on community boards in general.
Thursday evening, April 10th, I participated in a conference call with two other NYDoP CCR committee members to discuss latest developments.
Sunday, April 13th, I volunteered with NYC MS Society at a “rest stop” in Brooklyn Heights at Cadman Plaza for the annual MS Walk. Weather turned out nice and we had a good turnout of volunteers, plus dozens of walkers. I did my first MS walk back in 1993 and since 1997 I’ve been volunteering my time. It’s for a worthy cause and I was representing two friends of mine who have MS. Pam passed away a few years ago and Gary still lives in Scotland.
Tuesday evening, April 15th, I participated in another conference call with NYDoP CCR committee members. We did prep work for an upcoming meeting with Yassky’s policy director.
Thursday, April 17th, was the monthly NYDoP board/core team meeting, which was held again at a conference room at my office. Unlike the previous month, this time around there was only 3 of us in attendance. That didn’t deter us and we had a productive meeting.
Saturday, April 19th, was “Earth Day” in NYC, and I attended an event geared towards this in McCarren Park near my home. Fortunately for all it was a lovely, warm spring day. Afterwards I purchased some goodies at the local farmers market, also located in McCarren Park. On the way home I stopped by the local florist/nursery for some gardening goodies. Need to take care of my house plants and purchased a few new plants. Around this time I made my first purchase of Isagenix products [ie: Ionix Supreme & Want More Energy] and been utilizing them every day since then. OMG!! This is great stuff, especially the Ionix Supreme, which gives me such energy, helps me sleep and staying more focused. One of these days I’ll do my first Isagenix cleanse, which I hear is so rejuvenating. To learn more about these wonderful products and the system, go to the link in the left hand column of my blog.
Tuesday evening, April 22nd, after my foot doctor appointment, I listened in on the monthly National DoP NVC conference call at 9pm.
On Wednesday, April 23rd, after work I attended the monthly PDA CD14 meeting on upper Eastside of Manhattan. Was invited to attend by former volunteers [ie: Alice & Jim] of NYC Kucinich Team. Some of those in attendance [ie: Bud, Al, Barbara, George] I know from other events, groups, campaigns and rallies. We caught up on news, which is mostly what is happening in the NYC political scene. What intrigued me most on the meeting agenda was a presentation on “Clean Money Clean Election” by Dan Jacoby.
Thursday evening, April 24th, after work I headed down to Brooklyn to attend my first Park Slope Knitters meetup. About 20+ were in attendance at Sweet Melissa’s Café on 7th Avenue. I learned there are two ways of knitting; there are the English and Continental variations. Because I’ve been crocheting for some time I learned I am more suited to the continental way. I spent an enjoyable evening chatting with the other members, admiring their work, eating delicious cheesecake and learning some tips of the trade. At one point I asked about the time and learned it was going on 9:30pm. OMG!! Packed my things, said goodbye to all, paid my bill and rushed out to get car service to head home. The bus and subway would have taken too long. I got home with 5 minutes to spare before a new episode of LOST came on TV. Whew!
On Saturday afternoon, April 26th, I attended the 5th Annual Brooklyn Peace Fair. NYDoP didn’t have a table this time around, so I brought my business cards with me to hand out while I networked all the tables. Handed out many business cards and talked about peace, DoP and the City Council resolution. I mostly hung out with Linda, Cielito and Max at their Share International table. As always Brooklyn Parents for Peace puts on a worthy event and never a dull moment. Overall it was a productive afternoon.
I took a vacation day on Tuesday, April 29th, so as to prep for the meeting with Tim Roberts at City Council member Yassky’s office. Kevin and Joe joined me, as we are part of the NYDoP CCR Committee working on getting DoP Resolution 627 passed. The weather that day was overcast, cool, abit rainy and windy. The half hour meeting went very well and it was quite informative. The three of us were very much jazzed by it all and have much planning work ahead of us.
SEVERAL BITS OF WEEKEND NEWS THAT ARE GREEN AND PROGRESSIVE
Kucinich Gets Amendment Passed to Help Areas with Rises in Vacancies
WKYC.com
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=89109&provider=gnews
Kucinich Announces $14B Plan to Fight Foreclosure Crisis
NewsNet5.com
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/16216337/detail.html
Pro-Impeachment Candidates for the U.S. House, Senate & White House in 2008
David Swanson, After Downing Street
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/2008candidates
Greens Introduce a Plan for Environmental Action for a Green President’s First 100 Days in Office
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/05/09/greens-introduce-a-plan-for-environmental-action-for-a-green-presidents-first-100-days-in-office/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in Texas for sharing the above articles.]
NEWS FROM THE POLICE REUNION TOUR
The Police Are Still A Force
The Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/story/611540.html
Police Beat Nostalgia, Say Proper Goodbye to Fans
Jeff Elbel, Chicago Sun-Times
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/poprock/943863,police051108.article
The Police Coming to the End
http://music.moldova.org/stiri/eng/118398/
Kucinich Gets Amendment Passed to Help Areas with Rises in Vacancies
WKYC.com
http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=89109&provider=gnews
Kucinich Announces $14B Plan to Fight Foreclosure Crisis
NewsNet5.com
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/16216337/detail.html
Pro-Impeachment Candidates for the U.S. House, Senate & White House in 2008
David Swanson, After Downing Street
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/2008candidates
Greens Introduce a Plan for Environmental Action for a Green President’s First 100 Days in Office
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/05/09/greens-introduce-a-plan-for-environmental-action-for-a-green-presidents-first-100-days-in-office/
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in Texas for sharing the above articles.]
NEWS FROM THE POLICE REUNION TOUR
The Police Are Still A Force
The Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/story/611540.html
Police Beat Nostalgia, Say Proper Goodbye to Fans
Jeff Elbel, Chicago Sun-Times
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/poprock/943863,police051108.article
The Police Coming to the End
http://music.moldova.org/stiri/eng/118398/
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Obama’s Money Cartel: How Barack Obama Fronted for the Most Vicious Predators on Wall Street
Pam Martens, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=613&Itemid=1
The candidate that claims to be the only presidential contender who doesn't take money from lobbyists is in fact the biggest recipient of lobby-related contributions. Barack Obama rakes in millions from law firms serving the interests of Wall Street, including the financial institutions that gave us the subprime lending crisis. Lawyers that work for firms that earn hundreds of millions of dollars for lobbying may technically not be lobbyists, but they share in their colleagues' earnings as influencers of Congress - a legal loophole that allows Obama to claim his hands are clean of lobby loot. "The top contributors to the Obama campaign are the very Wall Street firms whose shady mortgage lenders buried the elderly and the poor and minority under predatory loans."
[Duchess Note - Many thanks to Linda in Texas in sharing many articles (ie: politics and world events) over the past months.]
Pam Martens, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=613&Itemid=1
The candidate that claims to be the only presidential contender who doesn't take money from lobbyists is in fact the biggest recipient of lobby-related contributions. Barack Obama rakes in millions from law firms serving the interests of Wall Street, including the financial institutions that gave us the subprime lending crisis. Lawyers that work for firms that earn hundreds of millions of dollars for lobbying may technically not be lobbyists, but they share in their colleagues' earnings as influencers of Congress - a legal loophole that allows Obama to claim his hands are clean of lobby loot. "The top contributors to the Obama campaign are the very Wall Street firms whose shady mortgage lenders buried the elderly and the poor and minority under predatory loans."
[Duchess Note - Many thanks to Linda in Texas in sharing many articles (ie: politics and world events) over the past months.]
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
2008 Northeast Regional Conference for a U.S. Department of Peace Date: March 28-30 - Being the Change: Creating Peace at Home and in the World
[Photo: Several NYDoP Board and Core Team members Attended the Conference. In the photo they participated with DoP members from RI, VT, NH, CT, MA & ME]
Featured Speakers:
Dot Maver, Educator and Peacebuilder speaking on "Being the Change & the Global Peace Movement."
Dr. Ed Tick, author of "War and the Soul" speaking on "Healing the Soul Wounds of War".
Kathy Kidd, National Field Director, The Peace Alliance
NEWS FLASH! National Peace Academy! [Message from Dot Maver - Peace Partnership International]
We are pleased to announce that Peace Partnership International is part of a group effort to design and found a National Peace Academy in the United States of America. As we shared in our recent newsletter, last month a group met at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio to explore the idea of founding such an organization. It worked. From these meetings emerged a set of workgroups which have already begun to move forward with the planning process. A new Web site is online to facilitate the effort at http://www.nationalpeaceacademy.us/
In these challenging and hopeful times, we are the change that we are calling for. As Elise Boulding told the National Peace Academy vision/planning group last month, "This is the most important thing we can be doing right now." I invite you to take a moment to learn more about this historic endeavor. Please visit http://www.nationalpeaceacademy.us/
[Photo: Several NYDoP Board and Core Team members Attended the Conference. In the photo they participated with DoP members from RI, VT, NH, CT, MA & ME]
Featured Speakers:
Dot Maver, Educator and Peacebuilder speaking on "Being the Change & the Global Peace Movement."
Dr. Ed Tick, author of "War and the Soul" speaking on "Healing the Soul Wounds of War".
Kathy Kidd, National Field Director, The Peace Alliance
NEWS FLASH! National Peace Academy! [Message from Dot Maver - Peace Partnership International]
We are pleased to announce that Peace Partnership International is part of a group effort to design and found a National Peace Academy in the United States of America. As we shared in our recent newsletter, last month a group met at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio to explore the idea of founding such an organization. It worked. From these meetings emerged a set of workgroups which have already begun to move forward with the planning process. A new Web site is online to facilitate the effort at http://www.nationalpeaceacademy.us/
In these challenging and hopeful times, we are the change that we are calling for. As Elise Boulding told the National Peace Academy vision/planning group last month, "This is the most important thing we can be doing right now." I invite you to take a moment to learn more about this historic endeavor. Please visit http://www.nationalpeaceacademy.us/
The Police Love NYC
Pollstar
http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=10107
The Police , who reunited for a 30th-anniversary world tour last year, say their final concert will take place this summer in New York City. Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland made the announcement today at a news conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The Police say Their Final Concert will Take Place in NYC
The Charlotte Observer
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/200/story/612029.html
The Police, who reunited for a 30th-anniversary world tour last year, say their final concert will take place this summer in New York City. Frontman Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland made the announcement Tuesday at a news conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Police say they have a special connection with the Big Apple.
LATEST IN POLITICS, PRIMARIES & ELECTION
Maryland Green Party to Send Diverse Delegation to Chicago
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/05/06/maryland-green-party-to-send-diverse-delegation-to-chicago/
Separate Oil & State – Follow the Oil Money
Oil Change International
http://oilmoney.priceofoil.org/faq.php
2008 Presidential Fundraising
Open Secrets.org
http://www.opensecrets.org/?gclid=CMfX2oaUkJMCFQ_NIgod7FcsUw
Campaign Finance News
CQ Money Line
http://moneyline.cq.com/pml/home.do
Clinton & Obama Fire Off Misleading Claims About Lobbyists & PAC Contributions
FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/pac-ing_heat.html
Big Pharma Opens Wallet to Dems – Liberals Have Lost Their Reputation as the Long-Standing Foes to Drugmakers as Party Lines Become Blurred with McCain
Aaron Smith, CNNMoney
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/04/news/companies/pharma_votes/index.htm
Pollstar
http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=10107
The Police , who reunited for a 30th-anniversary world tour last year, say their final concert will take place this summer in New York City. Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland made the announcement today at a news conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The Police say Their Final Concert will Take Place in NYC
The Charlotte Observer
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/200/story/612029.html
The Police, who reunited for a 30th-anniversary world tour last year, say their final concert will take place this summer in New York City. Frontman Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland made the announcement Tuesday at a news conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Police say they have a special connection with the Big Apple.
LATEST IN POLITICS, PRIMARIES & ELECTION
Maryland Green Party to Send Diverse Delegation to Chicago
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/05/06/maryland-green-party-to-send-diverse-delegation-to-chicago/
Separate Oil & State – Follow the Oil Money
Oil Change International
http://oilmoney.priceofoil.org/faq.php
2008 Presidential Fundraising
Open Secrets.org
http://www.opensecrets.org/?gclid=CMfX2oaUkJMCFQ_NIgod7FcsUw
Campaign Finance News
CQ Money Line
http://moneyline.cq.com/pml/home.do
Clinton & Obama Fire Off Misleading Claims About Lobbyists & PAC Contributions
FactCheck.org
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/pac-ing_heat.html
Big Pharma Opens Wallet to Dems – Liberals Have Lost Their Reputation as the Long-Standing Foes to Drugmakers as Party Lines Become Blurred with McCain
Aaron Smith, CNNMoney
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/04/news/companies/pharma_votes/index.htm
Friday, May 02, 2008
The Police Concert Review – Ottawa, Canada
Aedan Helmer, Sun Media
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/P/Police/ConcertReviews/2008/05/02/5451041-sun.html
The Worst Food Crisis In 45 Years
Amy Goodman, King Features Syndicate
http://www.alternet.org/stories/84130/
If our government and large food and energy interests don’t change direction, the food riots in distant lands will soon be coming to their doors.
Truthers for McKinney
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/04/27/truthers-for-mckinney/
Cynthia McKinney: Bell Verdict Shows Dred Scott Reality
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=606&Itemid=1
PRESS RELEASE: Kucinich To Introduce Legislation to Reduce Gas Prices
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=90280
Straight Talk About Gas Prices
Brad, Sadly No!
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/84123/
America’s political leaders have no one to blame but themselves for skyrocketing gas prices.
QUOTE OF THE DAY … The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. H. L. Mencken
In Iraq 70 Percent of People Lack Clean Water
Abigail Brown, Water for the Ages
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/84147/
The number of civilians in Iraq without water has risen from 50 percent to 70 percent during 2003 to 2007.
[Duchess Note: Commentary on the “Lack Clean Water” article from “thoughtcriminal” … The same corporation that gets your city water contract probably has an Iraq contract too. If not there, then in Afghanistan, check out http://www.corpwatch.org/ ... Also, many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing some of the articles today.]
Message from S.A.Cripps – Possible New Pearl Jam Album
"Mike McCready made two radio appearances in the last few days and talked, among other things, about Pearl Jam's new album: on April 25, Mike was on 107.7 The End to talk about the CCFA concert and mentioned that they were currently working on the new album. He didn't give up any more info except that they were working with their old producer (Brendan O'Brien). On April 30, he was on 104.9 FunkyMonkey and further confirmed Brendan O'Brien (right at the end of this interview). He also said the band is working on '5 ideas' so far." http://www.pearljamonline.it/newsENGversion.htm#newalbumstone
Aedan Helmer, Sun Media
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/P/Police/ConcertReviews/2008/05/02/5451041-sun.html
The Worst Food Crisis In 45 Years
Amy Goodman, King Features Syndicate
http://www.alternet.org/stories/84130/
If our government and large food and energy interests don’t change direction, the food riots in distant lands will soon be coming to their doors.
Truthers for McKinney
Third Party Watch
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/04/27/truthers-for-mckinney/
Cynthia McKinney: Bell Verdict Shows Dred Scott Reality
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=606&Itemid=1
PRESS RELEASE: Kucinich To Introduce Legislation to Reduce Gas Prices
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=90280
Straight Talk About Gas Prices
Brad, Sadly No!
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/84123/
America’s political leaders have no one to blame but themselves for skyrocketing gas prices.
QUOTE OF THE DAY … The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. H. L. Mencken
In Iraq 70 Percent of People Lack Clean Water
Abigail Brown, Water for the Ages
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/84147/
The number of civilians in Iraq without water has risen from 50 percent to 70 percent during 2003 to 2007.
[Duchess Note: Commentary on the “Lack Clean Water” article from “thoughtcriminal” … The same corporation that gets your city water contract probably has an Iraq contract too. If not there, then in Afghanistan, check out http://www.corpwatch.org/ ... Also, many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing some of the articles today.]
Message from S.A.Cripps – Possible New Pearl Jam Album
"Mike McCready made two radio appearances in the last few days and talked, among other things, about Pearl Jam's new album: on April 25, Mike was on 107.7 The End to talk about the CCFA concert and mentioned that they were currently working on the new album. He didn't give up any more info except that they were working with their old producer (Brendan O'Brien). On April 30, he was on 104.9 FunkyMonkey and further confirmed Brendan O'Brien (right at the end of this interview). He also said the band is working on '5 ideas' so far." http://www.pearljamonline.it/newsENGversion.htm#newalbumstone
The sorting hat says that I belong in Hufflepuff!
Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, and treat them just the same."
Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. A well-known member was Cedric Diggory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament.
Take the most scientific Harry Potter Quiz ever created.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable. H. L. Mencken
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Judith in NYC in sharing the above quote.]
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Judith in NYC in sharing the above quote.]
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Corporate America Hearts Obama
Chris Hedges, Truthdig
http://www.alternet.org/election08/83890/
The corporate state is our shadow government. Candidates who aspire to higher office get corporate money if they promote corporate interests. They are shut out of the national debate -- look at Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader -- if they do not. Defy the corporate state and you get handed a ticket to oblivion. You become invisible. Work for it and you are showered with tens of millions of dollars and the possibility of political power.
Barack Obama's campaign message, filled with lofty promises of change and hope, is also filled with repeated reassurances to the corporate elite. Pick up a copy of Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope." The subtext is clear. It is a steady reminder to corporate America, a reminder bolstered by Obama's voting record that corporations would have nothing to fear from an Obama presidency.
The corporations have gotten the message. The same Beltway lobbyists, corporate donors and public relations firms, the same weapons manufacturers, defense contractors, nuclear power companies and Wall Street interests that give Clinton and John McCain money, give Obama money. They happen, in fact, to give Obama more. And the corporate state, which is carrying out a coup d'état in slow motion, believes it will prosper in Obama's hands. If not, he would not be a viable candidate. We have come full circle, back to the age of the robber barons and railroad magnates of the late 19th century who selected members of corrupt state assemblies to be their pliable senators and congressmen and sent them off to Washington to do their bidding.
[Duchess Note: Corporations love Obama and if change happens it’ll be in their favor, not in favor of millions of poor/middle class Americans. Many corporations, like GE, want to keep the occupation of Iraq on the agenda and Obama will obey them, not us. Corporations have been the “shadow government” for decades. For them its about supreme imperialism and not democracy. Their lobbyists control many in congress and the senate. If we want real change, its time to take down these corporations and their lobbyists, as well as vote out those in DC who willing take their bribes. Plus vote out those at state levels who also take the bribes of corporate lobbyists. We need true, sincere progressives in DC like Dennis Kucinich and Cynthia McKinney. They are there for us, the American people.]
Chris Hedges, Truthdig
http://www.alternet.org/election08/83890/
The corporate state is our shadow government. Candidates who aspire to higher office get corporate money if they promote corporate interests. They are shut out of the national debate -- look at Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader -- if they do not. Defy the corporate state and you get handed a ticket to oblivion. You become invisible. Work for it and you are showered with tens of millions of dollars and the possibility of political power.
Barack Obama's campaign message, filled with lofty promises of change and hope, is also filled with repeated reassurances to the corporate elite. Pick up a copy of Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope." The subtext is clear. It is a steady reminder to corporate America, a reminder bolstered by Obama's voting record that corporations would have nothing to fear from an Obama presidency.
The corporations have gotten the message. The same Beltway lobbyists, corporate donors and public relations firms, the same weapons manufacturers, defense contractors, nuclear power companies and Wall Street interests that give Clinton and John McCain money, give Obama money. They happen, in fact, to give Obama more. And the corporate state, which is carrying out a coup d'état in slow motion, believes it will prosper in Obama's hands. If not, he would not be a viable candidate. We have come full circle, back to the age of the robber barons and railroad magnates of the late 19th century who selected members of corrupt state assemblies to be their pliable senators and congressmen and sent them off to Washington to do their bidding.
[Duchess Note: Corporations love Obama and if change happens it’ll be in their favor, not in favor of millions of poor/middle class Americans. Many corporations, like GE, want to keep the occupation of Iraq on the agenda and Obama will obey them, not us. Corporations have been the “shadow government” for decades. For them its about supreme imperialism and not democracy. Their lobbyists control many in congress and the senate. If we want real change, its time to take down these corporations and their lobbyists, as well as vote out those in DC who willing take their bribes. Plus vote out those at state levels who also take the bribes of corporate lobbyists. We need true, sincere progressives in DC like Dennis Kucinich and Cynthia McKinney. They are there for us, the American people.]
Monday, April 28, 2008
You Can Help Make Violence Reduction and Prevention a National Priority - Stand for Peace in Congress
Sign the Petition at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/696/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=946 Congress is a reactive body. We must come together to make our voices heard and tell our representatives in Washington that violence reduction and prevention must be a top priority. Sign the petition and let Congress know that you stand for peace. Ask your friends to sign the petition as well.
“Democracy In Action” will deliver the petition to Congress on September 11, 2008 to: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
• A 2004 World Health Organization report estimated the cost of interpersonal violence in the U.S. at more than $300 billion per year--excluding war-related costs. The cost to victims was estimated at more than $500 billion per year.[ The Economic Dimensions of Interpersonal Violence, World Health Organization, 2004 ]
National Peace Academy Initiative Launched!
Over 30 people from around the world attended a two-day National Peace Academy Vision Meeting earlier this week at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In a process of Appreciative Inquiry, led by Case’s David Cooperrider, the group enthusiastically bonded in launching a design process for a National Peace Academy in the United States. The group:
1. Decided to convene a Global Stakeholder Summit in March 2009, which will bring together 300-500 people to carry forward the design process (exact dates and locale yet to be determined)
2. Decided that Peace Partnership International, the Biosophical Institute, and the Business as an Agent of World Benefit at Case Western University’s Weatherhead School of Management will constitute a consortium to carry the process forward, with Peace Partnership International and Biosophical Institute serving as secretariat for the effort
3. Established teams that will carry out research, planning and organizing activities preparatory to the Global Stakeholder Summit
4. Reserved URLs to establish a National Peace Academy website
[Duchess Note: Stay tuned for more details to come! I'm a board member and active volunteer with "New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace" chapter and campaign. Read more about DoP HR808 legislation at our website ... http://www.nyc-dop.com/ ]
Sign the Petition at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/696/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=946 Congress is a reactive body. We must come together to make our voices heard and tell our representatives in Washington that violence reduction and prevention must be a top priority. Sign the petition and let Congress know that you stand for peace. Ask your friends to sign the petition as well.
“Democracy In Action” will deliver the petition to Congress on September 11, 2008 to: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
• A 2004 World Health Organization report estimated the cost of interpersonal violence in the U.S. at more than $300 billion per year--excluding war-related costs. The cost to victims was estimated at more than $500 billion per year.[ The Economic Dimensions of Interpersonal Violence, World Health Organization, 2004 ]
National Peace Academy Initiative Launched!
Over 30 people from around the world attended a two-day National Peace Academy Vision Meeting earlier this week at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In a process of Appreciative Inquiry, led by Case’s David Cooperrider, the group enthusiastically bonded in launching a design process for a National Peace Academy in the United States. The group:
1. Decided to convene a Global Stakeholder Summit in March 2009, which will bring together 300-500 people to carry forward the design process (exact dates and locale yet to be determined)
2. Decided that Peace Partnership International, the Biosophical Institute, and the Business as an Agent of World Benefit at Case Western University’s Weatherhead School of Management will constitute a consortium to carry the process forward, with Peace Partnership International and Biosophical Institute serving as secretariat for the effort
3. Established teams that will carry out research, planning and organizing activities preparatory to the Global Stakeholder Summit
4. Reserved URLs to establish a National Peace Academy website
[Duchess Note: Stay tuned for more details to come! I'm a board member and active volunteer with "New Yorkers for a Dept of Peace" chapter and campaign. Read more about DoP HR808 legislation at our website ... http://www.nyc-dop.com/ ]
Friday, April 25, 2008
THE WEEKEND IS UPON US – HERE IS THE LATEST IN NEWS
Press Release – Kucinich Passes Amendment to Protect Ohio’s Beaches
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=89011
Longshoremen will Close West Coast Ports on May 1 to Protest War
Dan Bacher
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/04/24/18494943.php
The Port Workers May Day Organizing Committee yesterday announced that Cynthia McKinney, former Congresswoman from Georgia; Danny Glover, renowned actor and political activist; and Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star mother whose son Casey was killed in Iraq four years ago, will be among the featured speakers at the "No Peace, No Work" Holiday mobilization in San Francisco on May 1st.
The Popular Vote Fallacy
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/04/04/the-popular-vote-fallacy.aspx
Excellent presentation of facts. It will be very hard for Clinton or Obama to win the National Election. Clinton can't win enough votes in the Border South, Deep South, Midwest Plains (Obama has won 7 Midwest states already), or Mountain States. Obama has a much better chance of winning in those states then Clinton. So, without each other, it's unlikely that a Democrat will win the Whitehouse."
[Duchess Note: Cheers to Linda in TX for her continued work in activism and sharing interesting articles with the Duchess blog.]
Press Release – Kucinich Passes Amendment to Protect Ohio’s Beaches
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.aspx?DocumentID=89011
Longshoremen will Close West Coast Ports on May 1 to Protest War
Dan Bacher
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/04/24/18494943.php
The Port Workers May Day Organizing Committee yesterday announced that Cynthia McKinney, former Congresswoman from Georgia; Danny Glover, renowned actor and political activist; and Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star mother whose son Casey was killed in Iraq four years ago, will be among the featured speakers at the "No Peace, No Work" Holiday mobilization in San Francisco on May 1st.
The Popular Vote Fallacy
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/04/04/the-popular-vote-fallacy.aspx
Excellent presentation of facts. It will be very hard for Clinton or Obama to win the National Election. Clinton can't win enough votes in the Border South, Deep South, Midwest Plains (Obama has won 7 Midwest states already), or Mountain States. Obama has a much better chance of winning in those states then Clinton. So, without each other, it's unlikely that a Democrat will win the Whitehouse."
[Duchess Note: Cheers to Linda in TX for her continued work in activism and sharing interesting articles with the Duchess blog.]
Thursday, April 24, 2008
LIVE FROM NYC – NEWS AND COMMENTARY
Outspoken War Critic Poised for Green Party Run
Matthew Cardinale, Inter Press Service
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/23/8468/
[Duchess Note – Cynthia McKinney definitely has my support and vote this November in the General Elections. If I voted for the Democrat nominee in November, well, my conscious will not be at ease and I refuse to support corporate imperialism. Greens all the way!]
Clinton Threatens to ‘Obliterate’ Iran
Robert Scheer, TruthDig.com
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/23/8480/
On primary election day in Pennsylvania, even with polls showing her well ahead in that state, Hillary went lower in her grab for votes. Seizing upon a question as to how she would respond to a nuclear attack by Iran, which doesn’t have nuclear weapons, on Israel, which does, Hillary mocked reasoned discourse by promising to “totally obliterate them,” in an apparent reference to the population of Iran. That is not a word gaffe; it is an assertion of the right of our nation to commit genocide on an unprecedented scale. Shouldn’t the potential leader of a nation that used nuclear bombs to obliterate hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese employ extreme caution before making such a threat? Neither the Japanese then nor the Iranian people now were in a position to hold their leaders accountable, and to approve such collective punishment of innocents is to endorse terrorism. This from a candidate who attacked her opponent for suggesting targeted strikes against militants in Pakistan and derided his openness to negotiations with other national leaders as an irresponsible commitment on the part of a contender for the presidency.
[Duchess Note – Insane talk from a person/candidate I’ve never liked nor trusted since the early 1990s. How dare she say such things! Iran and Iraq never had nuclear weapons, whereas the US and Israel have MANY. Iran and Iraq are NOT a threat it’s the other way around.]
Global Marshall Plan Endorsement
The Network of Spiritual Progressives
http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/article.php?story=20071220085221851
Corporate Reporters Tell Lies for a Living
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=596&Itemid=1
[Duchess Note – Many thanks to Linda in TX and Judith in NY for their contributions.]
Outspoken War Critic Poised for Green Party Run
Matthew Cardinale, Inter Press Service
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/23/8468/
[Duchess Note – Cynthia McKinney definitely has my support and vote this November in the General Elections. If I voted for the Democrat nominee in November, well, my conscious will not be at ease and I refuse to support corporate imperialism. Greens all the way!]
Clinton Threatens to ‘Obliterate’ Iran
Robert Scheer, TruthDig.com
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/23/8480/
On primary election day in Pennsylvania, even with polls showing her well ahead in that state, Hillary went lower in her grab for votes. Seizing upon a question as to how she would respond to a nuclear attack by Iran, which doesn’t have nuclear weapons, on Israel, which does, Hillary mocked reasoned discourse by promising to “totally obliterate them,” in an apparent reference to the population of Iran. That is not a word gaffe; it is an assertion of the right of our nation to commit genocide on an unprecedented scale. Shouldn’t the potential leader of a nation that used nuclear bombs to obliterate hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese employ extreme caution before making such a threat? Neither the Japanese then nor the Iranian people now were in a position to hold their leaders accountable, and to approve such collective punishment of innocents is to endorse terrorism. This from a candidate who attacked her opponent for suggesting targeted strikes against militants in Pakistan and derided his openness to negotiations with other national leaders as an irresponsible commitment on the part of a contender for the presidency.
[Duchess Note – Insane talk from a person/candidate I’ve never liked nor trusted since the early 1990s. How dare she say such things! Iran and Iraq never had nuclear weapons, whereas the US and Israel have MANY. Iran and Iraq are NOT a threat it’s the other way around.]
Global Marshall Plan Endorsement
The Network of Spiritual Progressives
http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/article.php?story=20071220085221851
Corporate Reporters Tell Lies for a Living
Glen Ford, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=596&Itemid=1
[Duchess Note – Many thanks to Linda in TX and Judith in NY for their contributions.]
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #141
March 21st through March 23rd, I visited my parents in upstate NY for the Easter holiday weekend.
On Tuesday evening, March 25th, after my foot doctor appointment, I joined several activist acquaintances in Union Square for the candlelight vigil. The 4000th US soldier was killed in Iraq the day before and we were out there to mourn ALL the soldiers. Despite the cool, windy temps there was a good turnout for the event; which was organized by CodePink, Brooklyn Parents for Peace and UFPJ. Afterwards Linda G and I went to Starbucks for a warm drink and discuss latest events.
Wednesday evening, March 26th, I participated in the monthly National DoP District Team Leader conference call at 9pm.
On Thursday, March 27th, after work, I attended an Isagenix event in Manhattan with my friend Cielito. She invited me as her guest, as she’s been part of this network/organization for about a year, and wanted me to check it out. Got to try some of the products, listen to inspiring speeches, watch a video on Isagenix and overall learn more about it. Not sure if I’m ready to be part of this business on a part-time basis, but I AM very much interested in the products AND utilizing them.
On Saturday afternoon, March 29th, I hosted an Isagenix [ http://www.isagenix.com/us/en/home.dhtml ] presentation at my home and Cielito was the spokesperson/consultant. Stephanie and Lee attended the gathering and we all had a nice time, plus tried some of the delicious products.
Sunday afternoon, March 30th, I took a bus from Port Authority to Valley Cottage, NY for the annual “Tolkien Reading Day” event. This year it was held at the Valley Cottage library and about 12+ were in attendance. Unfortunately Jessica and Anthony couldn’t be there due to prior commitments. Those in attendance that I knew were Timdalf, Dennis, Kathy, Mary and Andie. Helped Timdalf hang up the lovely LOTR banners as guests joined in event. During the two hour agenda there was songs by Dennis/ Andie, a raffle of several LOTR goodies and several folk, including me, gave readings from either the Hobbit or LOTR books by Tolkien. I read a small segment from “The Council of Elrond” in FOTR. Wasn’t that good at it, abit nervous, messed up a few words, but I persevered until the end. The best reading, by far, was by Timdalf. After cleaning up we headed off to a local pizza place for some nourishment and lively conversation on several topics. Andie drove me to a bus stop in Nyack and I got home around 9:30pm.
March 21st through March 23rd, I visited my parents in upstate NY for the Easter holiday weekend.
On Tuesday evening, March 25th, after my foot doctor appointment, I joined several activist acquaintances in Union Square for the candlelight vigil. The 4000th US soldier was killed in Iraq the day before and we were out there to mourn ALL the soldiers. Despite the cool, windy temps there was a good turnout for the event; which was organized by CodePink, Brooklyn Parents for Peace and UFPJ. Afterwards Linda G and I went to Starbucks for a warm drink and discuss latest events.
Wednesday evening, March 26th, I participated in the monthly National DoP District Team Leader conference call at 9pm.
On Thursday, March 27th, after work, I attended an Isagenix event in Manhattan with my friend Cielito. She invited me as her guest, as she’s been part of this network/organization for about a year, and wanted me to check it out. Got to try some of the products, listen to inspiring speeches, watch a video on Isagenix and overall learn more about it. Not sure if I’m ready to be part of this business on a part-time basis, but I AM very much interested in the products AND utilizing them.
On Saturday afternoon, March 29th, I hosted an Isagenix [ http://www.isagenix.com/us/en/home.dhtml ] presentation at my home and Cielito was the spokesperson/consultant. Stephanie and Lee attended the gathering and we all had a nice time, plus tried some of the delicious products.
Sunday afternoon, March 30th, I took a bus from Port Authority to Valley Cottage, NY for the annual “Tolkien Reading Day” event. This year it was held at the Valley Cottage library and about 12+ were in attendance. Unfortunately Jessica and Anthony couldn’t be there due to prior commitments. Those in attendance that I knew were Timdalf, Dennis, Kathy, Mary and Andie. Helped Timdalf hang up the lovely LOTR banners as guests joined in event. During the two hour agenda there was songs by Dennis/ Andie, a raffle of several LOTR goodies and several folk, including me, gave readings from either the Hobbit or LOTR books by Tolkien. I read a small segment from “The Council of Elrond” in FOTR. Wasn’t that good at it, abit nervous, messed up a few words, but I persevered until the end. The best reading, by far, was by Timdalf. After cleaning up we headed off to a local pizza place for some nourishment and lively conversation on several topics. Andie drove me to a bus stop in Nyack and I got home around 9:30pm.
LIVE FROM NYC – IT’S THE LATEST IN CURRENT NEWS
Cynthia McKinney, Green Party Presidential Candidate, interviewed by WBAI Pacifica about – War in Iraq & the Dept of Peace
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/cynthia-mckinney-green-party-presidential-candidate-interviewed-on-issues/2080730332
Also, challenges trying to support Impeachment, bringing the troops home, repealing the Patriot Act, supporting Civil Rights in the Democratic Party. Voting Your Values and why she's become a Green. Her friend Dennis Kucinich and the challenge they faced being independent thinkers as Democrats. Depressing voter turnout as election spoiler. Economic problems and solutions. Supporting organized labor. Greening society. Had she been Speaker of the House. Health Care Issues. Thoughts about VP and Cabinet and your input. Taking the next step and becoming a Green.
Why Not a Department of Peace?
Gary Borders, News-Journal.com
http://www.news-journal.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2008/04/13/04132008_Borders_column.html
Petreaus & Crocker, Obama & Clinton: No Matter Who Wins, the War Goes On
Bruce Dixon, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=594&Itemid=1
Kucinich Re-election Bid Raises $830K in Six Weeks
Sabrina Eaton, Cleveland Plain Dealer
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/04/kucinich_reelection_bid_raises.html
Memo to Petraeus & Crocker: More Laughs, Please
Dick Cavett, Talk Show
http://cavett.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/memo-to-petraeus-crocker-more-laughs-please/?th&emc=th
Hell Entrance Freezes Over in Omaha
David Swanson, OpEdNews.com
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_david_sw_080411_hell_entrance_freeze.htm
Look Who Capitulated to the Communists! Nixon and the Neocons of Bush & Cheney!
Bill Hare, Political Cortex
http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2008/4/8/162645/6200
Time for Changes Journal – How Societies Regress to Become Pathocracies
DemocraticUnderground.com
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Time%20for%20change/297
At the time of Bruce Springsteen’s hit song: BORN IN THE USA, a letter to the Editor by Linda Zoblotsky
I wonder how many people love Bruce Springsteen’s song, BORN IN THE USA just because the name of the song is BORN IN THE USA and he sings BORN IN THE USA? I wonder how many people who love that song actually take a look at the lyrics. Bruce Springsteen is singing about a man who fought in Viet Nam for the United States military and when he came back, he couldn’t find a job, medical and mental health help or a place to live. Some people believe we should have a long-term presence and occupation of the country of Iraq, a country which is not the 51st state of the USA. BORN IN THE USA is an angry song and people returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will have their own stories to tell. The discussion about Obama’s minister spreading hate because he said the words, “God Damn America” has no weight unless we can really stop the wheels of the Pledge of Allegiance going around in our brain and realize that Jeremiah Wright was speaking about the real life experience of what some African Americans and other Americans live from day to day. When Bruce Springsteen sang BORN IN THE USA did the mainstream media question Bruce Springsteen’s patriotism and did the public of the USA protest against Bruce Springsteen and stop buying his records? If these kinds of honest songs and sentiments are very real and if we are a free country, then why are we afraid to listen to and let people express their real life experience?
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for the above articles. FYI, many updates to the “links” in left hand column.]
Cynthia McKinney, Green Party Presidential Candidate, interviewed by WBAI Pacifica about – War in Iraq & the Dept of Peace
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/cynthia-mckinney-green-party-presidential-candidate-interviewed-on-issues/2080730332
Also, challenges trying to support Impeachment, bringing the troops home, repealing the Patriot Act, supporting Civil Rights in the Democratic Party. Voting Your Values and why she's become a Green. Her friend Dennis Kucinich and the challenge they faced being independent thinkers as Democrats. Depressing voter turnout as election spoiler. Economic problems and solutions. Supporting organized labor. Greening society. Had she been Speaker of the House. Health Care Issues. Thoughts about VP and Cabinet and your input. Taking the next step and becoming a Green.
Why Not a Department of Peace?
Gary Borders, News-Journal.com
http://www.news-journal.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2008/04/13/04132008_Borders_column.html
Petreaus & Crocker, Obama & Clinton: No Matter Who Wins, the War Goes On
Bruce Dixon, Black Agenda Report
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=594&Itemid=1
Kucinich Re-election Bid Raises $830K in Six Weeks
Sabrina Eaton, Cleveland Plain Dealer
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/04/kucinich_reelection_bid_raises.html
Memo to Petraeus & Crocker: More Laughs, Please
Dick Cavett, Talk Show
http://cavett.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/memo-to-petraeus-crocker-more-laughs-please/?th&emc=th
Hell Entrance Freezes Over in Omaha
David Swanson, OpEdNews.com
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_david_sw_080411_hell_entrance_freeze.htm
Look Who Capitulated to the Communists! Nixon and the Neocons of Bush & Cheney!
Bill Hare, Political Cortex
http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2008/4/8/162645/6200
Time for Changes Journal – How Societies Regress to Become Pathocracies
DemocraticUnderground.com
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Time%20for%20change/297
At the time of Bruce Springsteen’s hit song: BORN IN THE USA, a letter to the Editor by Linda Zoblotsky
I wonder how many people love Bruce Springsteen’s song, BORN IN THE USA just because the name of the song is BORN IN THE USA and he sings BORN IN THE USA? I wonder how many people who love that song actually take a look at the lyrics. Bruce Springsteen is singing about a man who fought in Viet Nam for the United States military and when he came back, he couldn’t find a job, medical and mental health help or a place to live. Some people believe we should have a long-term presence and occupation of the country of Iraq, a country which is not the 51st state of the USA. BORN IN THE USA is an angry song and people returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will have their own stories to tell. The discussion about Obama’s minister spreading hate because he said the words, “God Damn America” has no weight unless we can really stop the wheels of the Pledge of Allegiance going around in our brain and realize that Jeremiah Wright was speaking about the real life experience of what some African Americans and other Americans live from day to day. When Bruce Springsteen sang BORN IN THE USA did the mainstream media question Bruce Springsteen’s patriotism and did the public of the USA protest against Bruce Springsteen and stop buying his records? If these kinds of honest songs and sentiments are very real and if we are a free country, then why are we afraid to listen to and let people express their real life experience?
[Duchess Note: Many thanks to Linda in TX for the above articles. FYI, many updates to the “links” in left hand column.]
Monday, April 14, 2008
Fair Food Nation
Please join me and others across the U.S. in signing this petition for a worthy cause. Click on the link to learn more ... http://fairfoodnation.mayfirst.org/petition
Please join me and others across the U.S. in signing this petition for a worthy cause. Click on the link to learn more ... http://fairfoodnation.mayfirst.org/petition
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
25th Anniversary! Quarter of a Century!
[Duchess Note - When I was in Grand Central Station over the weekend [traveling to Yonkers on Saturday and CT on Sunday], I noticed banners proclaiming MetroNorth 25th anniversary. No, I am not celebrating MetroNorth's anniversary, but my own. A month late, but still, I am celebrating 25 years of living in NYC. Half of my life spent living here in the Big Apple and its been fascinating. I moved here from southern Connecticut on March 14, 1983 when the Conrail train strike was going on. What a pain in the butt that was ... train strike ... not the move to NYC! Lived on the eastside of Manhattan for two years and then moved to northern Brooklyn. So pop the champagne bottle and celebrate ... WooHoo!]
The BIG Lie: Nader Cost Gore the Presidency
John Marciano / Commentary
Ralph Nader's announcement that he will attempt another presidential run has brought predictable outrage from Democrats who blame Nader for Al Gore's loss in the 2000 election. They point to the critical Florida result where the latter lost by only 537 votes out of a total of 5,963,110.
Space limitations do not allow me to discuss many important issues surrounding the 2000 election and the ongoing 2008 campaign — such as electoral fraud and intimidation by the Republicans and the gift by the Supreme Court (5-4) of the contested election to Bush; criticism from Greens and independents about Nader's campaign and questions about why he and Cynthia McKinney (former Congresswoman from Georgia) are not running together on the Green ticket; the contention that there is not “a dime's worth of difference” between the Democrats and Republicans on fundamental issues; and whether genuine progressive change should focus on electoral politics, especially at the presidential level, rather than building a movement from below that will bring about substantive change in the nation. For a discussion of these relevant matters and presidential politics every four years, see historian Howard Zinn's article on “Election Madness” in February's Progressive magazine.
Instead, I want to focus on the “big lie” that Ralph Nader spoiled Al Gore's 2000 victory because Nader's total caused Gore to be denied Florida's electoral votes and thus the presidency. This assertion is totally untrue. It was not Nader's 97,000-plus votes in Florida that cost Gore the election, but the 900,000-plus registered Democrats there who did not support him. One can say the same of the millions of registered Democrats in other states who voted for Bush or who did not bother to vote. In November 2000, the San Francisco Chronicle estimated that 200,000 registered Florida Democrats voted for Bush. Nader himself put the figure at 250,000. Regardless of these estimates, the overall facts in Florida are indisputable: In 2000, there were approximately 3,853,000 registered Democrats, 43.4 percent of the electorate, compared to approximately 3,474,000 Republicans, or 39.1 percent. The rest were independents or registered with smaller parties. Gore received 2,912,253 votes there in 2000, 940,747 less than the total number of registered Democrats.
The facts are clear: Some 941,000 Florida Democrats did not vote for Gore, nearly 10 times the number who voted for Nader. So who is to blame for losing the election — the Democrats or the Greens and others who voted for Nader and, by implication, Nader himself? Democratic laments about the lost 2000 election in Florida and nationally obscure the truth: Democrats handed Bush the election; STOP BLAMING NADER!
John Marciano, a long-time Ithaca resident, lives in Santa Monica, CA ... to read the article, go to: http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080409/OPINION02/804090305
[Duchess Note - When I was in Grand Central Station over the weekend [traveling to Yonkers on Saturday and CT on Sunday], I noticed banners proclaiming MetroNorth 25th anniversary. No, I am not celebrating MetroNorth's anniversary, but my own. A month late, but still, I am celebrating 25 years of living in NYC. Half of my life spent living here in the Big Apple and its been fascinating. I moved here from southern Connecticut on March 14, 1983 when the Conrail train strike was going on. What a pain in the butt that was ... train strike ... not the move to NYC! Lived on the eastside of Manhattan for two years and then moved to northern Brooklyn. So pop the champagne bottle and celebrate ... WooHoo!]
The BIG Lie: Nader Cost Gore the Presidency
John Marciano / Commentary
Ralph Nader's announcement that he will attempt another presidential run has brought predictable outrage from Democrats who blame Nader for Al Gore's loss in the 2000 election. They point to the critical Florida result where the latter lost by only 537 votes out of a total of 5,963,110.
Space limitations do not allow me to discuss many important issues surrounding the 2000 election and the ongoing 2008 campaign — such as electoral fraud and intimidation by the Republicans and the gift by the Supreme Court (5-4) of the contested election to Bush; criticism from Greens and independents about Nader's campaign and questions about why he and Cynthia McKinney (former Congresswoman from Georgia) are not running together on the Green ticket; the contention that there is not “a dime's worth of difference” between the Democrats and Republicans on fundamental issues; and whether genuine progressive change should focus on electoral politics, especially at the presidential level, rather than building a movement from below that will bring about substantive change in the nation. For a discussion of these relevant matters and presidential politics every four years, see historian Howard Zinn's article on “Election Madness” in February's Progressive magazine.
Instead, I want to focus on the “big lie” that Ralph Nader spoiled Al Gore's 2000 victory because Nader's total caused Gore to be denied Florida's electoral votes and thus the presidency. This assertion is totally untrue. It was not Nader's 97,000-plus votes in Florida that cost Gore the election, but the 900,000-plus registered Democrats there who did not support him. One can say the same of the millions of registered Democrats in other states who voted for Bush or who did not bother to vote. In November 2000, the San Francisco Chronicle estimated that 200,000 registered Florida Democrats voted for Bush. Nader himself put the figure at 250,000. Regardless of these estimates, the overall facts in Florida are indisputable: In 2000, there were approximately 3,853,000 registered Democrats, 43.4 percent of the electorate, compared to approximately 3,474,000 Republicans, or 39.1 percent. The rest were independents or registered with smaller parties. Gore received 2,912,253 votes there in 2000, 940,747 less than the total number of registered Democrats.
The facts are clear: Some 941,000 Florida Democrats did not vote for Gore, nearly 10 times the number who voted for Nader. So who is to blame for losing the election — the Democrats or the Greens and others who voted for Nader and, by implication, Nader himself? Democratic laments about the lost 2000 election in Florida and nationally obscure the truth: Democrats handed Bush the election; STOP BLAMING NADER!
John Marciano, a long-time Ithaca resident, lives in Santa Monica, CA ... to read the article, go to: http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080409/OPINION02/804090305
Monday, April 07, 2008
SEAN BEAN CURRENTLY IN INDIA FILMING A NEW "SHARPE" TV MOVIE
LATEST NEWS TO ROCK THE WIRES
Housing Gets Ugly
Paul Krugman, Economists View
http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/08/paul_krugman_ho_1.html
Kucinich Helps to Secure Major Changes in EPA Rule on Lead – More Changes Still Needed
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=87764
Is It Time for the Peace Movement to Start Protesting Senator Obama?
Kevin Zeese, The Peoples Voice
http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/cgi-bin/blogs/voices.php/2008/04/03/is_it_time_for_the_peace_movement_to_sta
Iraq War Five Years Later – No End In Sight
Askia Muhammad & Saeed Shabazz, FinalCall.com
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_4532.shtml
The Real Foreign Policy of Barack Obama
Shane Jones
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/04/01/18489944.php
[DUCHESS NOTE - Many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing the above articles.]
LATEST NEWS TO ROCK THE WIRES
Housing Gets Ugly
Paul Krugman, Economists View
http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/08/paul_krugman_ho_1.html
Kucinich Helps to Secure Major Changes in EPA Rule on Lead – More Changes Still Needed
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=87764
Is It Time for the Peace Movement to Start Protesting Senator Obama?
Kevin Zeese, The Peoples Voice
http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/cgi-bin/blogs/voices.php/2008/04/03/is_it_time_for_the_peace_movement_to_sta
Iraq War Five Years Later – No End In Sight
Askia Muhammad & Saeed Shabazz, FinalCall.com
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_4532.shtml
The Real Foreign Policy of Barack Obama
Shane Jones
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/04/01/18489944.php
[DUCHESS NOTE - Many thanks to Linda in TX for sharing the above articles.]
Friday, April 04, 2008
PERSONAL NEWS #140
On Saturday, March 1st, in the late afternoon, I strolled over to Amy’s place for her “give-away get-together”. Amy was also on the NYC Kucinich for President Team and helped organize the successful tabling in Union Square back in January. She organized this get-together to give away some of her things, as she was planning on moving to Texas end of the month. Devery also showed up and we caught up on Kucinich news, plus activism. While drinking wine the group [10 adults] looked over the displayed items and picked up goodies. It was an enjoyable evening and I headed home with some treasures.
Tuesday evening, March 4th, I listened in on the monthly National Dept of Peace conference call, which is always informative and inspiring.
Saturday evening, March 8th, I joined my friend Jackie in Greenwich Village for dinner at Village Natural, catch up on news and do some fun shopping at Nova Ice.
Tuesday afternoon, March 11th, I had an MRI done on my left foot, which has been bothering me once again. Is it the Plantar Fascia or something else? I’ll learn more on the 18th.
Early Friday evening, March 14th, I did some volunteering at the “Left Forum” at the Cooper Union in Manhattan. I was filling in for my friend Cielito who couldn’t make it.
Tuesday evening, March 18th, was the monthly conference call with NYDoP CCR Committee at 8:45pm. The committee [ie: Kevin, Joe & I] discussed what had transpired since last call and the monthly NYDoP core team meeting. Earlier that evening I had an appointment with my foot doctor. The verdict is I still have a partial tear on the plantar ligament. Having therapy done once a week, taking anti-inflammatory pills, plus lots of stretching.
Wednesday evening, March 19th, I joined my friend Linda G at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn to protest the continuing US occupation of Iraq. Brooklyn Parents for Peace group were the main organizers of this March and vigil. Despite the rain and wind about 30 to 40 protestors came out on the 5th Anniversary. Hadn’t seen Linda in awhile and we caught up on news while marching from Grand Army Plaza to Army/Navy/Marine recruit station. Along the way pedestrians gave us the peace sign and many motorists honked their horns in solidarity. We held the vigil across the street from the recruiting station, which was flanked by at least a dozen cops.
None of us crossed the street and conducted our candlelight vigil peacefully. Afterwards Linda and I walked towards Fulton Mall to have dinner at an IHOP. Afterwards we headed back to Park Slope by subway, and while looking for Linda’s car, came across a neat looking building and decided to check it out. Turned out to be the Montauk Club on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn and we picked up info on club membership.
Thursday evening, March 20th, was the monthly NYDoP Board and Core Team meeting. This month it was held at a conference room at my office. We had a decent turnout of about 10 folk, of which two were guests [ie: Lawrence & Jason] of Core Team member Priscilla. Also, Dorine brought a member of the LIDoP, while Joe participated via conference call. Overall it was a good meeting, fun moments and much accomplished.
On Saturday, March 1st, in the late afternoon, I strolled over to Amy’s place for her “give-away get-together”. Amy was also on the NYC Kucinich for President Team and helped organize the successful tabling in Union Square back in January. She organized this get-together to give away some of her things, as she was planning on moving to Texas end of the month. Devery also showed up and we caught up on Kucinich news, plus activism. While drinking wine the group [10 adults] looked over the displayed items and picked up goodies. It was an enjoyable evening and I headed home with some treasures.
Tuesday evening, March 4th, I listened in on the monthly National Dept of Peace conference call, which is always informative and inspiring.
Saturday evening, March 8th, I joined my friend Jackie in Greenwich Village for dinner at Village Natural, catch up on news and do some fun shopping at Nova Ice.
Tuesday afternoon, March 11th, I had an MRI done on my left foot, which has been bothering me once again. Is it the Plantar Fascia or something else? I’ll learn more on the 18th.
Early Friday evening, March 14th, I did some volunteering at the “Left Forum” at the Cooper Union in Manhattan. I was filling in for my friend Cielito who couldn’t make it.
Tuesday evening, March 18th, was the monthly conference call with NYDoP CCR Committee at 8:45pm. The committee [ie: Kevin, Joe & I] discussed what had transpired since last call and the monthly NYDoP core team meeting. Earlier that evening I had an appointment with my foot doctor. The verdict is I still have a partial tear on the plantar ligament. Having therapy done once a week, taking anti-inflammatory pills, plus lots of stretching.
Wednesday evening, March 19th, I joined my friend Linda G at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn to protest the continuing US occupation of Iraq. Brooklyn Parents for Peace group were the main organizers of this March and vigil. Despite the rain and wind about 30 to 40 protestors came out on the 5th Anniversary. Hadn’t seen Linda in awhile and we caught up on news while marching from Grand Army Plaza to Army/Navy/Marine recruit station. Along the way pedestrians gave us the peace sign and many motorists honked their horns in solidarity. We held the vigil across the street from the recruiting station, which was flanked by at least a dozen cops.
None of us crossed the street and conducted our candlelight vigil peacefully. Afterwards Linda and I walked towards Fulton Mall to have dinner at an IHOP. Afterwards we headed back to Park Slope by subway, and while looking for Linda’s car, came across a neat looking building and decided to check it out. Turned out to be the Montauk Club on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn and we picked up info on club membership.
Thursday evening, March 20th, was the monthly NYDoP Board and Core Team meeting. This month it was held at a conference room at my office. We had a decent turnout of about 10 folk, of which two were guests [ie: Lawrence & Jason] of Core Team member Priscilla. Also, Dorine brought a member of the LIDoP, while Joe participated via conference call. Overall it was a good meeting, fun moments and much accomplished.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Going Dark Every Night - Staying Dark - GREEN HOUR! [Message below from Andrew Bayuk at MySpace.com]
On Saturday, March 29th, 2008 a whole lot of people around the world turned off their lights (and some their electricity) for one hour from 8 PM to 9PM local time. I participated in this because I thought it seemed like a cool idea. It was billed as, "Going Dark".
Sitting there with the lights off and in silence I began to think of the impact of this gesture. I realized that this would cut the oil consumption on a huge scale with such a small personal sacrifice. I realized that with a little organization people can make a bigger difference to our massive energy problems by doing relatively little things.
Then I started to think about Iraq. It has always been my opinion that attacking Iraq was a huge mistake, predicated on a lie for the real purpose of securing oil supplies, and also for some companies to disproportionately profit from the ravages of war (ie: no bid contracts).
And we’re constantly told by our administration, for which I have NO trust and LESS respect, that the Iraqis are better off today than before the war. In addition to the fact that the typical safety level of the average Iraqi citizen is very LOW, that their unemployment levels are astronomical, these people have only an AVERAGE OF ONE HOUR OF WORKING ELECTRICITY EACH AND EVERY DAY!!
Am I the only one who finds this outrageous and unacceptable?? I think not! So, I have derived that the idea of continuing to go dark, a "Green Hour", EVERY NIGHT, from 8 PM to 9 PM local time would serve several purposes:
* It will reduce oil consumption. The more people that do it, the more oil will be conserved.
* Because they keep telling us that the rising price of oil is in part due to supply and demand, it would ultimately bring down the price of gas and heating oil if enough people participate.
* It will help the environment and help to slow global warming.
* It will allow people to sit and think, or if they have families to have a solid hour together EVERY DAY without personal distractions or the distractions of modern "necessities" such as TV, video games, computers, phones, CELL PHONES, etc. This is prime time for family to read, sing, play games, talk, or get the little ones ready for bed with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Hmmm, imagine that....
* It will make a statement that it is unacceptable that the Iraqi people only have one hour of electricity turned ON each day.
* Of course, this will reduce my electric bill which will return more money to my family to use for better reasons, in effect, it is good to stimulate the current economy on an ongoing basis, as opposed to a token and inadequate handout by our government which will make no real long term difference, and oh yes, by the way, WILL BE TAXED ON NEXT YEARS RETURN!
So, I am going to do it. I am going dark every night for the time being, and I invite people who care about these things to join me for GREEN HOUR! It will take commitment, but really not much, some courage and some personal inconvenience, but I think it will be worth it.
PERSONAL NEWS #139
[Duchess Note … I know, I know, it’s been awhile since my last full update on personal news. Sincere apologies to my faithful readers and the following is a condensed version of updates. Enjoy!]
Thursday evening, February 7th, I joined a few other NYDoP Core Team members [ie: Chris, Adriana & Joe] to table at the Marianne Williamson lecture in midtown Manhattan. Originally I wasn’t going to go, but changed my mind at last minute and so glad I did. Marianne’s lecture, or talk, was mostly about the “new midlife” and issues we deal with when we reach a certain age. I thought it one of her best lectures and really struck a cord within me, as I’ve been dealing with some issues lately on several levels. Her lecture moved me so much that I purchased her latest book … “The Age of Miracles – Embracing the New Midlife”. As I type this “update” I’m almost done with the book and I highly recommend it. She talked about forgiveness, enlightenment, spirituality, rebirth and healing. One of her comments that stuck with me was … “Forgiveness involves faith in a love that’s greater than hatred and a willingness to see the light in someone’s soul even when their personality has harbored darkness”. That statement made me think of some former friends. Marianne’s main message that evening was “midlife is not the end, but the beginning of a wonderful journey and many new experiences”. I t was great hanging out with some NYDoP folk, speaking with Marianne and absorbing the whole experience.
Sunday afternoon, February 10th, I was invited over to a fellow NYC Kucitizens [Devery] home for knitting lessons. Devery lives not far from my abode in northern Brooklyn and it was a delightful afternoon. Devery’s friend Livia joined us and I taught them the basics of crocheting. Afterwards I hung out for a bit with Devery and her hubby Clay. They are such cool, groovy folk.
On Sunday, February 17th, I visited my friend Larry who does a wonderful job taking care of my taxes every year. Afterwards I stopped by my office to make copies to the tax items and then headed to the upper Eastside to hangout with Veronica [NYC Kucitizen]. Sat around catching up on news/gossip [we’re Harry Potter fans], eating apple turnovers and went out afterwards to stroll around her neighborhood. The area she lives in is near Gracie Mansion, thrift shops, cafes, bakeries, etc.
On Thursday evening, February 21st, the NYDoP had their monthly board/core team meeting. Small turnout this month [Joe, Dawn and I], plus we couldn’t unlock the door to the meeting space and decided to adjourn to Heartland Brewery down the street.
The following evening, February 22nd, I had a one-hour free health consultation with Eve Rosenberg [“One Body One Life], whom I’d met at the Feb 7th Marianne Williamson event. Interesting consultation and enlightening, but the subsequent six month sessions would have been abit pricey. Will pass for now and consider it at a later date.
Friday evening after work, February 29th, I met up with my friend Cielito at WholeFoods down at Union Square. My first time in this branch of WholeFoods and there is a café on the second floor. I noshed on a delicious almond crunch Gelato, while Cielito had sushi. We caught up on events/gossip and I related the news about that “health consultation” I’d had the week before. She’s into Isagenix and told me about the products and business. I was greatly intrigued and said I’d host one of her presentations at my abode. We set a date for end of March on a Saturday. Overall an enjoyable evening.
On Saturday, March 29th, 2008 a whole lot of people around the world turned off their lights (and some their electricity) for one hour from 8 PM to 9PM local time. I participated in this because I thought it seemed like a cool idea. It was billed as, "Going Dark".
Sitting there with the lights off and in silence I began to think of the impact of this gesture. I realized that this would cut the oil consumption on a huge scale with such a small personal sacrifice. I realized that with a little organization people can make a bigger difference to our massive energy problems by doing relatively little things.
Then I started to think about Iraq. It has always been my opinion that attacking Iraq was a huge mistake, predicated on a lie for the real purpose of securing oil supplies, and also for some companies to disproportionately profit from the ravages of war (ie: no bid contracts).
And we’re constantly told by our administration, for which I have NO trust and LESS respect, that the Iraqis are better off today than before the war. In addition to the fact that the typical safety level of the average Iraqi citizen is very LOW, that their unemployment levels are astronomical, these people have only an AVERAGE OF ONE HOUR OF WORKING ELECTRICITY EACH AND EVERY DAY!!
Am I the only one who finds this outrageous and unacceptable?? I think not! So, I have derived that the idea of continuing to go dark, a "Green Hour", EVERY NIGHT, from 8 PM to 9 PM local time would serve several purposes:
* It will reduce oil consumption. The more people that do it, the more oil will be conserved.
* Because they keep telling us that the rising price of oil is in part due to supply and demand, it would ultimately bring down the price of gas and heating oil if enough people participate.
* It will help the environment and help to slow global warming.
* It will allow people to sit and think, or if they have families to have a solid hour together EVERY DAY without personal distractions or the distractions of modern "necessities" such as TV, video games, computers, phones, CELL PHONES, etc. This is prime time for family to read, sing, play games, talk, or get the little ones ready for bed with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Hmmm, imagine that....
* It will make a statement that it is unacceptable that the Iraqi people only have one hour of electricity turned ON each day.
* Of course, this will reduce my electric bill which will return more money to my family to use for better reasons, in effect, it is good to stimulate the current economy on an ongoing basis, as opposed to a token and inadequate handout by our government which will make no real long term difference, and oh yes, by the way, WILL BE TAXED ON NEXT YEARS RETURN!
So, I am going to do it. I am going dark every night for the time being, and I invite people who care about these things to join me for GREEN HOUR! It will take commitment, but really not much, some courage and some personal inconvenience, but I think it will be worth it.
PERSONAL NEWS #139
[Duchess Note … I know, I know, it’s been awhile since my last full update on personal news. Sincere apologies to my faithful readers and the following is a condensed version of updates. Enjoy!]
Thursday evening, February 7th, I joined a few other NYDoP Core Team members [ie: Chris, Adriana & Joe] to table at the Marianne Williamson lecture in midtown Manhattan. Originally I wasn’t going to go, but changed my mind at last minute and so glad I did. Marianne’s lecture, or talk, was mostly about the “new midlife” and issues we deal with when we reach a certain age. I thought it one of her best lectures and really struck a cord within me, as I’ve been dealing with some issues lately on several levels. Her lecture moved me so much that I purchased her latest book … “The Age of Miracles – Embracing the New Midlife”. As I type this “update” I’m almost done with the book and I highly recommend it. She talked about forgiveness, enlightenment, spirituality, rebirth and healing. One of her comments that stuck with me was … “Forgiveness involves faith in a love that’s greater than hatred and a willingness to see the light in someone’s soul even when their personality has harbored darkness”. That statement made me think of some former friends. Marianne’s main message that evening was “midlife is not the end, but the beginning of a wonderful journey and many new experiences”. I t was great hanging out with some NYDoP folk, speaking with Marianne and absorbing the whole experience.
Sunday afternoon, February 10th, I was invited over to a fellow NYC Kucitizens [Devery] home for knitting lessons. Devery lives not far from my abode in northern Brooklyn and it was a delightful afternoon. Devery’s friend Livia joined us and I taught them the basics of crocheting. Afterwards I hung out for a bit with Devery and her hubby Clay. They are such cool, groovy folk.
On Sunday, February 17th, I visited my friend Larry who does a wonderful job taking care of my taxes every year. Afterwards I stopped by my office to make copies to the tax items and then headed to the upper Eastside to hangout with Veronica [NYC Kucitizen]. Sat around catching up on news/gossip [we’re Harry Potter fans], eating apple turnovers and went out afterwards to stroll around her neighborhood. The area she lives in is near Gracie Mansion, thrift shops, cafes, bakeries, etc.
On Thursday evening, February 21st, the NYDoP had their monthly board/core team meeting. Small turnout this month [Joe, Dawn and I], plus we couldn’t unlock the door to the meeting space and decided to adjourn to Heartland Brewery down the street.
The following evening, February 22nd, I had a one-hour free health consultation with Eve Rosenberg [“One Body One Life], whom I’d met at the Feb 7th Marianne Williamson event. Interesting consultation and enlightening, but the subsequent six month sessions would have been abit pricey. Will pass for now and consider it at a later date.
Friday evening after work, February 29th, I met up with my friend Cielito at WholeFoods down at Union Square. My first time in this branch of WholeFoods and there is a café on the second floor. I noshed on a delicious almond crunch Gelato, while Cielito had sushi. We caught up on events/gossip and I related the news about that “health consultation” I’d had the week before. She’s into Isagenix and told me about the products and business. I was greatly intrigued and said I’d host one of her presentations at my abode. We set a date for end of March on a Saturday. Overall an enjoyable evening.