Dead Are Put at 57,000 as Bodies Wash Ashore — Many Missing By DAVID ROHDE
As local officials struggled to account for the dead and missing, another challenge began to loom: heading off disease. [Source: New York Times 12/29/04]
29 December 2004
27 December 2004
Update on Tsunami in Asia
See the World Changing website for info from on the spot bloggers on the quake and the resulting tsunami. As of this morning the New York Times put the death toll as 19,000 people, more recent reports from the affected areas suggest the number is closer to 23,000. NYT also has an informative interactive graphic on their main page and a video report.
From the Associated Press newswire comes: "COLOMBO, Sri Lanka(AP) Rescuers piled up bodies along southern Asian coastlines devastated by tidal waves that obliterated seaside towns and killed more than 22,000 people in 10 countries, and officials indicated Monday that the death toll could climb far higher." [Source: AP news wire, on Road Runner.com]
Also from WorldChanging.com: "Read Keith Taylor's understanding of the magnitude of the devastation both immediate and longer term, and a detailed explanation on tsunamis. Excellent coverage at The Command Post, a first-hand account here, updated death tolls here and how you can help [Source : Keith Taylor]."
As a sort of side note, Last fall I attended an exhibition opening at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History featuring photos of the Yangtze River, before and after the Three Gorges Dam was built. One gentleman there was an environmental engineer, who in conversation said that dams cause earthquakes. I wonder. Could the Dam on the Yangtze be putting pressure on the same tectonic plate that caused the earthquake? Could it cause an earthquake? BTW, the Cleveland Museom of Natural History has an upcoming lecture on the subject of earthquakes and volcanoes on Jan. 26th, 2005. I think I will go ask the questions there.
From the Associated Press newswire comes: "COLOMBO, Sri Lanka(AP) Rescuers piled up bodies along southern Asian coastlines devastated by tidal waves that obliterated seaside towns and killed more than 22,000 people in 10 countries, and officials indicated Monday that the death toll could climb far higher." [Source: AP news wire, on Road Runner.com]
Also from WorldChanging.com: "Read Keith Taylor's understanding of the magnitude of the devastation both immediate and longer term, and a detailed explanation on tsunamis. Excellent coverage at The Command Post, a first-hand account here, updated death tolls here and how you can help [Source : Keith Taylor]."
As a sort of side note, Last fall I attended an exhibition opening at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History featuring photos of the Yangtze River, before and after the Three Gorges Dam was built. One gentleman there was an environmental engineer, who in conversation said that dams cause earthquakes. I wonder. Could the Dam on the Yangtze be putting pressure on the same tectonic plate that caused the earthquake? Could it cause an earthquake? BTW, the Cleveland Museom of Natural History has an upcoming lecture on the subject of earthquakes and volcanoes on Jan. 26th, 2005. I think I will go ask the questions there.
US gov requires Loyalty Oath from overseas importers?
I remember the first time I read a tax form and noticed the line on it that asked me to report all my illegal income. It led me to speculate about really stupid criminals ("Hey guys, do you remember how much profit we took in on that liquor store heist? Let's see, deduct for stocking masks and bullets, depreciaton on my street piece. . . Damn! I am going to have to pay taxes on that job, and I was just hoping to break even.") and even stupider government clerks who expected such items to be reported. Now we've done it again.
Seems that our government might want packages from overseas shippers to include a sort of loyalty oath (shades of McCarthy! ) First I want you to take a good close look at this note found in a package recieved from an Italian distributor of DVDs. Now think about it. Yep, you can rest easy folks, our administration is out there collecting loyalty oaths from anyone who might ship an Osama bin Laden video to the unsuspecting liberal media where they might accidentaly infect us all with the urge to commit treason.
I find this potentially disturbing. I looked at the Senate and House pages looking for the law that required this "declaration," but no luck.
So I tried the Fedex pages for copies of international documents, but there was no info on "Video Declaration" forms. I tried looking at Snopes.com which is the best rumor buster site out there, but again no info. So is this something dreamed up by some bizarre government idea that terrorists and pornographers (talk about strange bedfellows) are going to identify themselves in their shipments of videos to the USA?
Read the the original post from the blog of Matteo Bittanti where I first found out about this (copied below): http://mbf.blogs.com/mbf/2004/12/no_sex_please_w.html
the copy of the letter in his shipment is here:
Seems that our government might want packages from overseas shippers to include a sort of loyalty oath (shades of McCarthy! ) First I want you to take a good close look at this note found in a package recieved from an Italian distributor of DVDs. Now think about it. Yep, you can rest easy folks, our administration is out there collecting loyalty oaths from anyone who might ship an Osama bin Laden video to the unsuspecting liberal media where they might accidentaly infect us all with the urge to commit treason.
I find this potentially disturbing. I looked at the Senate and House pages looking for the law that required this "declaration," but no luck.
So I tried the Fedex pages for copies of international documents, but there was no info on "Video Declaration" forms. I tried looking at Snopes.com which is the best rumor buster site out there, but again no info. So is this something dreamed up by some bizarre government idea that terrorists and pornographers (talk about strange bedfellows) are going to identify themselves in their shipments of videos to the USA?
Read the the original post from the blog of Matteo Bittanti where I first found out about this (copied below): http://mbf.blogs.com/mbf/2004/12/no_sex_please_w.html
the copy of the letter in his shipment is here:
"Attached is a notice contained in the package. Its a hoot--its just like the 1950s. I am so glad that the government is protecting me from the nasty old terrorist propaganda--not to mention sleazy, indecent, decadent, European smut/porno merchants" (John)
I love the Americans. I mean, who else would require any visitor to specify on a green form if he or she is a terrorist or a Nazi supporter and submit it to the custom clerks before entering the country? (Well, the Russians, for instance - they started using the same forms a while ago). I did not know, however, that when you buy DVDs from Italy and have them shipped overseas, the seller has to declare that the movies do not contain obscenity, illegal matter, or "anything that could lead to treason or insurrection against the US". And what about "Bodily harm"? Now, I ordered many movies through Amazon.com, but I never found a note saying, for instance, that The Godfather does not represent a menace to the Italian republic ;-)
21 December 2004
Buy Blue
Still upset about the election? Maybe you should KNOW YOUR COMPANIES! Don't shop at WalMart! Drink lots of Starbucks!
Why was BuyBlue.org started? Very Special Thank Yous to the good folks at Buy Blue for all their hard work! And thanks, Matt, for telling me about this site!
Why was BuyBlue.org started?
On the morning after the 2004 election, half of the country woke up in disbelief and disgust. Shortly afterwards it turned to anger and bitterness and many were entertaining moving to another country. It didn't take long for all of us to collectively realize that we had lost our country to the other side and we wanted, no needed to do something about it. It was at that moment that the original idea for BuyBlue.org was born.
What is BuyBlue.org all about?
Mission Statement: BuyBlue.org supports businesses that share our progressive values and ideals. BuyBlue.org uses our power as consumers to vote with our wallets, supporting businesses that abide by sustainability, workers' rights, environmental standards, and corporate transparency. At the same time, BuyBlue.org organizes vast boycotts against businesses that violate the essential values of a sustainable, fair and profitable society through their policies and the politicians they support.
Visit these BUY BLUE Links! Learn who's funding the kind of politics you don't want supported . . . .
Download the full Buy Blue flyer! Post it around town in appropriate spots!
13 December 2004
Holiday Eating Tips
The Holiday Season is upon us so listen up. . . .
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of the year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it! Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy! Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. Or better yet, cream. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost! I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, drink of choice in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOOHOO what a ride!"
(author unknown, sent to me by a very wise-in-the-ways-of-pleasure friend,Catriona )
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of the year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it! Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy! Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. Or better yet, cream. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost! I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, drink of choice in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO
(author unknown, sent to me by a very wise-in-the-ways-of-pleasure friend,
12 December 2004
Canada Busy Sending Back Bush-Dodgers
The Op-ed piece below was sent to me by a friend. After posting it on my English Department office door (and after all the hysterical laughter died down) I decided it was too good to just keep to myself. Joe, thanks! We needed that. . . .
Canada Busy Sending Back Bush-Dodgers
by Joe Blundo The Columbus Dispatch
The flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into
Canadian border farmers say it's not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, animal-rights activists and Unitarians crossing their fields at night. "I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a
In an effort to stop the illegal aliens,
Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberals near the Canadian border, pack them into Volvo station wagons, drive them across the border and leave them to fend for themselves. "A lot of these people are not prepared for rugged conditions," an
When liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, often wailing loudly that they fear retribution from conservatives. Rumors have been circulating about the Bush administration establishing re-education camps in which liberals will be forced to drink domestic beer and watch NASCAR.
In the days since the election, liberals have turned to sometimes-ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some have taken to posing as senior citizens on bus trips to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching a half-dozen young vegans disguised in powdered wigs, Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the supposed senior-citizen passengers. "If they can't identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show, we get suspicious about their age," an official said.
Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are creating an organic-broccoli shortage and renting all the good Susan Sarandon movies. "I feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian economy just can't support them," an
In an effort to ease tensions between the
For all you Blue States
Found this on the internet (thanks to Lisa, and to Amy who shared it with her) and, well, it speaks to me. . . .
I've Got the Blues and Love'n It
I've Got the Blues and Love'n It
By Ray Di Fazio
After stumbling through a few days of post-election disbelief, disappointment and denial, I now find myself feeling strangely liberated.
I've come to realize I've been worrying unnecessarily about a lot of people--e.g., young draft age folks, people in poverty, soldiers in
When an anti-gay marriage amendment (which included removal of all civil union protections and legal rights for children of gay parents) can pass in Georgia by 79%, I can now stop worrying about helping people in that state. Clearly, the people in the "red" states have decided that poverty, war, illiteracy, job loss, no health insurance and reduced civil rights are less important than keeping Adam and Steve (or is it Steven?) from living next door.
When I learned that 99% of soldiers serving in
If younger voters couldn't put aside their Playstations long enough to actually vote, then their choice will have consequences. If they face a draft (which is probably imminent), well, they can blame themselves.
In fact, all of these groups will have to face the consequences of their choice to support George W. Bush. Thankfully, I can breathe a sigh of relief. They will get exactly what they wanted.
I think us "blue" voters should stop trying to reason with the unreasonable and encourage like minded blue people to leave those red states. Let's invite them to
What? Your trailer park in south
We are often discouraged because we continue to look to these people to have a light bulb moment -- but let's face it: it's not going to happen. There will be no epiphany. They will not realize their own hypocrisy. They will never realize that democracy applies to everyone. They will never understand that poverty and ignorance damages a society beyond belief. They will never acknowledge that a personal belief in God is just that, a personal belief, not a legislative one. They will never acknowledge that a single mom choosing between paying the electric bill and providing medical care for her child is not a moral failing on her part, but on society's.
There's an expression that says you should never wrestle with a pig, because the pig likes it and you just end up getting dirty. Sounds a little crazy, right? I've never felt more free.
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid.
09 December 2004
Humor helps
There is something hopeful in the rash lately of political humorists who have come out of the woodwork wielding the sword of satire in artwork. Thank you Old American Century!
And also in the media. Thank you Jon Stewart for The Daily Show! I still get most of my news from NPR, but I get hope for the future from you!
And also in the media. Thank you Jon Stewart for The Daily Show! I still get most of my news from NPR, but I get hope for the future from you!
20 November 2004
Doom. Oh yeah.
I haven't been able to write here lately. Haven't even felt much like ranting. All I can think about is the next four years and the erosion of our rights, our economy, our culture, and our environment.
Depressing. Isn't it.
Depressing. Isn't it.
06 November 2004
Apparently we should all vote Republican . . .
. . . the others aren't counted anyway.
So, can anyone tell me why some polls in Ohio returned more Republican votes than they actually had total registered voters? Inquiring minds want to know.
the following message was posted to Democratic Underground by Czolgosz:
So, can anyone tell me why some polls in Ohio returned more Republican votes than they actually had total registered voters? Inquiring minds want to know.
the following message was posted to Democratic Underground by Czolgosz:
02 November 2004
November 2nd--potentially a day of doom
Well, here it is. Election day. Scary stuff. We may be stuck with the "cowboy" or we may get the preppie for awhile. What will change? Bush, quite frankly scares me. He seems to exude a stubborn I-am-right-and-God-is-on-my-side attitude about everything. He got the job of president after only six years in the hot seat in Texas. Before that he ran a baseball team. Not what you call great credentials. (Almost as bad as electing someone to run California whose only experience is in movie making and running a fitness club.)
On the other hand Kerry was not my first choice, either. Then again he does have more compassion for the plights of the lower and middle classes (a refreshing change from Bush who playacts the role of a "regular guy" while handing big money to his corporate pals). And Kerry is intelligent. He can even pronounce nuclear--ever since Bush lied about the weapons of mass distruction in Iraq I kinda worry about who's in charge of the last resort button being that stupid.
Actually last night on Frontline there was a wonderful side-by-side comparison of the 2 candidates which merely cemented my chice to vote for anybody-but-Bush.
I don't know why we don't seem to have really clear choices anymore. Did we ever? Or is it a function of the media frenzy that we live in which makes too much information available all the time. All I know is that Kerry is scary.
And we will have to wait till tomorrow to know what kind of a mess we will have to clean up next.
On the other hand Kerry was not my first choice, either. Then again he does have more compassion for the plights of the lower and middle classes (a refreshing change from Bush who playacts the role of a "regular guy" while handing big money to his corporate pals). And Kerry is intelligent. He can even pronounce nuclear--ever since Bush lied about the weapons of mass distruction in Iraq I kinda worry about who's in charge of the last resort button being that stupid.
Actually last night on Frontline there was a wonderful side-by-side comparison of the 2 candidates which merely cemented my chice to vote for anybody-but-Bush.
I don't know why we don't seem to have really clear choices anymore. Did we ever? Or is it a function of the media frenzy that we live in which makes too much information available all the time. All I know is that Kerry is scary.
And we will have to wait till tomorrow to know what kind of a mess we will have to clean up next.
17 September 2004
Who is Greg Theilman?
[cross posted from the English Comp II Blog]
On Wednesday, September 22nd, our English class will meet in the ECC lab and go down to Olin 124 to hear Greg Theilmann speak. Your assignment is to listen carefully, and then write a 1-2 page summary and response to what he has to say. But who is he you ask?
Thielmann is a 25-year veteran of the US foreign service who was in charge of the State Department’s intelligence office before the Iraq war. He advised Secretary of State Colin Powell on the Iraqi threat until he retired in September 2002. And now he is advising the American public—that Iraq was not an "imminent threat" to America, and that the world is less safe today than before the war. Here are some of his comments to 20/20 Vision:
•"A rogue intelligence operation [the Office of Special Plans]…was providing a stream of questionable and unvetted reporting to the President through Vice President Cheney."
•"The intelligence leadership wanted to simplify and clarify that which should have remained qualified and nuanced."
•"The intelligence leadership wanted to deliver what the political leadership wanted to hear: Iraq was a serious and imminent threat."
•"The political leadership already knew what the bottom line was. It wanted arguments, not insight, and discounted all contrary analysis."
•"Vigorous pursuit and implementation of arms control agreements and effective enforcement of non-proliferation regimes by states acting under UN Security Council-authorization continue to be the most relevant and hopeful path to international security."
Read more about Theilmann's view here
Theilmann will be appearing in Cleveland on Tuesday of next week!
WHO: Greg Thielmann, former State Department advisor on the Iraqi threat
WHAT: Insider look at U.S. intelligence failures in Iraq
WHEN: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 @ 12:00pm
WHERE: Cleveland State University, University Center, Auditorium (UC 6), 2121 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 4415
Sponsored by: CSU Political Science Department – CSU Student Peace Action Network – Cleveland Peace Action - 20/20 Vision
On Wednesday, September 22nd, our English class will meet in the ECC lab and go down to Olin 124 to hear Greg Theilmann speak. Your assignment is to listen carefully, and then write a 1-2 page summary and response to what he has to say. But who is he you ask?
Thielmann is a 25-year veteran of the US foreign service who was in charge of the State Department’s intelligence office before the Iraq war. He advised Secretary of State Colin Powell on the Iraqi threat until he retired in September 2002. And now he is advising the American public—that Iraq was not an "imminent threat" to America, and that the world is less safe today than before the war. Here are some of his comments to 20/20 Vision:
•"A rogue intelligence operation [the Office of Special Plans]…was providing a stream of questionable and unvetted reporting to the President through Vice President Cheney."
•"The intelligence leadership wanted to simplify and clarify that which should have remained qualified and nuanced."
•"The intelligence leadership wanted to deliver what the political leadership wanted to hear: Iraq was a serious and imminent threat."
•"The political leadership already knew what the bottom line was. It wanted arguments, not insight, and discounted all contrary analysis."
•"Vigorous pursuit and implementation of arms control agreements and effective enforcement of non-proliferation regimes by states acting under UN Security Council-authorization continue to be the most relevant and hopeful path to international security."
Read more about Theilmann's view here
Theilmann will be appearing in Cleveland on Tuesday of next week!
WHO: Greg Thielmann, former State Department advisor on the Iraqi threat
WHAT: Insider look at U.S. intelligence failures in Iraq
WHEN: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 @ 12:00pm
WHERE: Cleveland State University, University Center, Auditorium (UC 6), 2121 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 4415
Sponsored by: CSU Political Science Department – CSU Student Peace Action Network – Cleveland Peace Action - 20/20 Vision
05 August 2004
Jib-Jab
If you haven't yet experienced the JibJab brothers and their amazing animations you need to! Check out Bush and Kerry singing "This Land is My Land" on their website: http://www.jibjab.com/
Prepare to ROTFL. . . .
Prepare to ROTFL. . . .
04 August 2004
My Son Jeremy in NYC in July--no one knows what the drifting white light is or how it got on this photo....
Posted by Hello
More Catsup and Not-So-Free Trade
Remember that family (email) discussionI mentioned earlier about the LACK of a connection between John Kerry and the movement of Heinz factories to Mexico? Well, my brother Mark also had something to say. . . .
Now Mark is something of a conservative and something of an anarchist. I know that sounds odd, but his views do span the gap. He has a conservative attitude toward gays & lesbians, toward women's issues, and he really likes Pat Buchanan. On the other hand, he disagrees with taxes, dislikes government control, is against "free" trade, and is suspicious (as we all should be) of recent government invasions of personal privacy--and the anarchists agree with him there.
After Gillie straightened us all out on the Heinz company, Mark commented on "Free Trade" saying: "Good point, however, more importantly John Kerry did support Bill Clinton in the signing of the NAFTA and GAT treaties.
"NAFTA and GAT are the catalyst of the trend to move manufacturing overseas. It reduces and in many cases eliminates import duties on goods that these companies manufacture overseas and ship back to the United States. In all fairness, George Bush Sr. was a supporter(and original signer) of NAFTA, too, but that limited these trade deals to North American countries not South American countries or the entire world.
"Free trade is bad. Our country was founded on a Constitution that allowed Congress to levy taxes upon imports. This created a treasury for our national defense and it also fostered the growth of a manufacturing industry here. The elimination or reduction of tariffs over the years have created a vacuum that has been filled by income tax, gas tax, etc."
To which I had to respond: "You are very right, Mark! Free trade is seldom very free--it costs Americans jobs and gives no benefit to the Third World countries where American manufacturors pay less than living wages to the locals while getting away with poor ecological and environmental control. I don't understand how it is that we allow our big businesses to get away with things in other parts of the globe that we don't allow on American soil. Or are we just blind?
"But as for Administrations that push free trade, you might also note that the current Bush adminstration is pushing to expand NAFTA from just North America into the FTAA (Free Trade of the Americas) which will spread American interests to the rest of Central and South America. And, by the way, do you remember that $87 billion dollars ostenensibly for the aid of Iraq & Afghanistan which Mr. Bush signed off on last November? Few people know that 8.5 million of that fund was sent by the federal government to Miami to block legitimate, permit-granted rallies that were scheduled to protest against the FTAA summit in Miami:
Our right to deliver this message in a safe environment was systematically thwarted by police in Miami. Thousands of officers were deployed to guard the FTAA Ministerial – an international trade summit hosted by the Bush administration. Forty jurisdictions reportedly contributed officers to the police presence in Miami, which was financed, at least in part, by the $8.5 million in federal funds appropriated by Congress for the FTAA Ministerial in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq and Afghanistan.
These direct links between the Miami police presence on the one hand, and federal funding and functions on the other, should be sufficient to merit federal oversight. But it is the police’s grave violations of the constitutional rights of union members and our allies that most urgently demands intervention by the Department of Justice. It is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that state and local authorities respect our civil liberties. I urge you to use your authority as Attorney General to investigate and prosecute those responsible for violating our rights, and to ensure that such repression is never again tolerated in the United States. From a 'Letter Sent by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney to Attorney General John Ashcroft Urging an Independent Investigation into Miami Police Force Tactics During FTAA Demonstrations'
"So before blaming Clinton & Kerry (never mind the rest of Congress that lets this crap get as easily past them as the so-called 'Patriot Act' did), let's take a closer look which big business pockets G.W. Bush has his hands into!"
Interestingly enough, this is one area in which my brother (the militant right-winger) and I (the liberal feminist bitch) , can totally agree. I want to thank President G. W. Bush for uniting us strange bedfellows in the universal urge to vote for "ANYBODY BUT BUSH!"--as my car bumper so proudly states.
Anyone wanting to do a bit more research on outsourcing overseas might check out Downsize This by Michael Moore and on the foibles of the Bush administration see the new book out by Sen. Robert Byrd Losing America.
Now Mark is something of a conservative and something of an anarchist. I know that sounds odd, but his views do span the gap. He has a conservative attitude toward gays & lesbians, toward women's issues, and he really likes Pat Buchanan. On the other hand, he disagrees with taxes, dislikes government control, is against "free" trade, and is suspicious (as we all should be) of recent government invasions of personal privacy--and the anarchists agree with him there.
After Gillie straightened us all out on the Heinz company, Mark commented on "Free Trade" saying: "Good point, however, more importantly John Kerry did support Bill Clinton in the signing of the NAFTA and GAT treaties.
"NAFTA and GAT are the catalyst of the trend to move manufacturing overseas. It reduces and in many cases eliminates import duties on goods that these companies manufacture overseas and ship back to the United States. In all fairness, George Bush Sr. was a supporter(and original signer) of NAFTA, too, but that limited these trade deals to North American countries not South American countries or the entire world.
"Free trade is bad. Our country was founded on a Constitution that allowed Congress to levy taxes upon imports. This created a treasury for our national defense and it also fostered the growth of a manufacturing industry here. The elimination or reduction of tariffs over the years have created a vacuum that has been filled by income tax, gas tax, etc."
To which I had to respond: "You are very right, Mark! Free trade is seldom very free--it costs Americans jobs and gives no benefit to the Third World countries where American manufacturors pay less than living wages to the locals while getting away with poor ecological and environmental control. I don't understand how it is that we allow our big businesses to get away with things in other parts of the globe that we don't allow on American soil. Or are we just blind?
"But as for Administrations that push free trade, you might also note that the current Bush adminstration is pushing to expand NAFTA from just North America into the FTAA (Free Trade of the Americas) which will spread American interests to the rest of Central and South America. And, by the way, do you remember that $87 billion dollars ostenensibly for the aid of Iraq & Afghanistan which Mr. Bush signed off on last November? Few people know that 8.5 million of that fund was sent by the federal government to Miami to block legitimate, permit-granted rallies that were scheduled to protest against the FTAA summit in Miami:
Our right to deliver this message in a safe environment was systematically thwarted by police in Miami. Thousands of officers were deployed to guard the FTAA Ministerial – an international trade summit hosted by the Bush administration. Forty jurisdictions reportedly contributed officers to the police presence in Miami, which was financed, at least in part, by the $8.5 million in federal funds appropriated by Congress for the FTAA Ministerial in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill for Iraq and Afghanistan.
These direct links between the Miami police presence on the one hand, and federal funding and functions on the other, should be sufficient to merit federal oversight. But it is the police’s grave violations of the constitutional rights of union members and our allies that most urgently demands intervention by the Department of Justice. It is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure that state and local authorities respect our civil liberties. I urge you to use your authority as Attorney General to investigate and prosecute those responsible for violating our rights, and to ensure that such repression is never again tolerated in the United States. From a 'Letter Sent by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney to Attorney General John Ashcroft Urging an Independent Investigation into Miami Police Force Tactics During FTAA Demonstrations'
"So before blaming Clinton & Kerry (never mind the rest of Congress that lets this crap get as easily past them as the so-called 'Patriot Act' did), let's take a closer look which big business pockets G.W. Bush has his hands into!"
Interestingly enough, this is one area in which my brother (the militant right-winger) and I (the liberal feminist bitch) , can totally agree. I want to thank President G. W. Bush for uniting us strange bedfellows in the universal urge to vote for "ANYBODY BUT BUSH!"--as my car bumper so proudly states.
Anyone wanting to do a bit more research on outsourcing overseas might check out Downsize This by Michael Moore and on the foibles of the Bush administration see the new book out by Sen. Robert Byrd Losing America.
02 August 2004
Heinz Catsup
Just recently one of my cousins sent an email around the family telling us all that we should boycott Heinz products because of John Kerry and his wife Theresa Heinz-Kerry. In part the post blamed Kerry for the (NAFTA related) move of a Heinz plant to Mexico; and it also implied the purchase of Heinz catsup would put money in the pockets of the Democratic candidate for President. The discussion that ensued turned out to be a enlightening example of why you should never take a political statement at face value.
Happily I seem to have raised daughters who refused to make snap judgements without checking for facts. Gillianne, the youngest, went online to check out the Heinz company. Here are her comments:
"Don't change your mind too quickly... Or not for the forwarded reasons. I looked up the Heinz company website (http://www.heinz.com/) and they had the following statement posted under their "newsroom" link: In light of some misleading speculation, the H. J. Heinz Company would like to make clear that neither Mrs. Teresa Heinz Kerry, Senator John Kerry nor any member of their family is involved in the management or board of the H. J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ). They have no involvement in the Heinz® Ketchup business or any of the company’s other brands or products.The H. J. Heinz Company, in accordance with its corporate governance policies, is a nonpartisan organization."
She further found out that Ms. Heinz-Kerry & the entire Heinz family has less than 4% stock in the corporation, that since 1987 there have been no Heinz family members in control positions in the company, and that over the last seven years the Heinz company has actually donated more to Republican campaigns ($96,000) than to Democratic campaigns ($54,000).
Hmmmm. Maybe you ought to boycott that catsup after all. I would, but I don't use it. I buy an organic catsup called "Muir Glen" from the health food store. It tastes far better than Heinz.
Happily I seem to have raised daughters who refused to make snap judgements without checking for facts. Gillianne, the youngest, went online to check out the Heinz company. Here are her comments:
"Don't change your mind too quickly... Or not for the forwarded reasons. I looked up the Heinz company website (http://www.heinz.com/) and they had the following statement posted under their "newsroom" link: In light of some misleading speculation, the H. J. Heinz Company would like to make clear that neither Mrs. Teresa Heinz Kerry, Senator John Kerry nor any member of their family is involved in the management or board of the H. J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ). They have no involvement in the Heinz® Ketchup business or any of the company’s other brands or products.The H. J. Heinz Company, in accordance with its corporate governance policies, is a nonpartisan organization."
She further found out that Ms. Heinz-Kerry & the entire Heinz family has less than 4% stock in the corporation, that since 1987 there have been no Heinz family members in control positions in the company, and that over the last seven years the Heinz company has actually donated more to Republican campaigns ($96,000) than to Democratic campaigns ($54,000).
Hmmmm. Maybe you ought to boycott that catsup after all. I would, but I don't use it. I buy an organic catsup called "Muir Glen" from the health food store. It tastes far better than Heinz.
06 July 2004
Organic Chai
So for you chai tea fans here's a cool site (must say, I love their name!) that sells organic teas. It's http://www.cuppachai.com! Isn't that just brilliant?!
02 July 2004
Happy 4th of July
have a lovely time at the Fireworks. Just go here
http://www.njagyouth.org/Liberty.htm and click in the skies above NYC.
http://www.njagyouth.org/Liberty.htm and click in the skies above NYC.
29 June 2004
Okay you readers out there!
Here is is almost July and I don't have my textbook list for Fall up. (Bad prof, no biscuit!) I am teaching a World Literature--really Non-Western Lit--class this fall and so I am soliciting ideas for the reading list. Got any?
So far I am planning on using Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, The Pillow Book of Lady Murasaki, Dream of the Red Chamber, First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung, Family by Pa Chin. Need something by Jose Borges, and something from the Middle East or maybe we should just watch "Kandahar"....
So ideas anyone?
So far I am planning on using Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, The Pillow Book of Lady Murasaki, Dream of the Red Chamber, First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung, Family by Pa Chin. Need something by Jose Borges, and something from the Middle East or maybe we should just watch "Kandahar"....
So ideas anyone?
22 June 2004
Whatsa Chai?
the first question you have to ask yourself is why do you want read this blog. Is it newsworthy? Is it exciting? Does it have a catchy name?
What you may ask is Chai? Well, for one thing it is my nickname. Although the spellings (or pronounciations) vary a bit, in Mongolian it means white or pale, in Russian it means tea, in India it is a special kind of tea with honey and pepper (Both sweet and hot! I like that!), in Hebrew it means life, and in ancient Egyptian it means killer....
Vist here often and you will get my killer opinions on life the universe and everything. And from time to time I'll post a really good recipe for chai, too.
What you may ask is Chai? Well, for one thing it is my nickname. Although the spellings (or pronounciations) vary a bit, in Mongolian it means white or pale, in Russian it means tea, in India it is a special kind of tea with honey and pepper (Both sweet and hot! I like that!), in Hebrew it means life, and in ancient Egyptian it means killer....
Vist here often and you will get my killer opinions on life the universe and everything. And from time to time I'll post a really good recipe for chai, too.
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