Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Signing Off
Monday, August 11, 2008
McCain's Buddhist Faith
as a member of a small Christian church here in Germany and interested in US and world politics I am watching the events in the United States very closely.
In this context I want to give you my honest assessment about John McCain. I have read that almost all the Evangelical congregations in the US have endorsed him. That's hard to understand.
Frankly: After I listened to John McCain several times, heard his statements and watched his encounter with the Dalai Lama on July 25 in Denver, Colorado, I have very strong reservations about any endorsement of an Atheist or Buddhist candidate who left his wife when she was disabled. There is nothing Christian in John McCain's biography.
I do not see anything in his words and deeds which is in concordance with the words of the Gospel. Absolutely nothing! I only see in John McCain hatred and Buddhist spirituality at the same time.
Look at the pictures of Denver: how the Dalai Lama took McCain's right hand and patted it repeatedly while he spoke and McCain smiled like a Buddhist acolyte. Finally John McCain removed his hand, put it to his heart and said to the Dalai Lama: THANK YOU YOUR HOLINESS.
Buddhism is surely a peaceful religion, so you may wonder why John McCain is exuding so much hatred, infirmity and confusion.
To understand this you have to know very briefly two of the most important constituents of Buddhism, metempsychosis and the concept of Vices:
first there is the idea of a transmigration of souls, metempsychosis (the current Dalai Lama is still worshipped by his followers as a semi-god, because he incarnates the souls of his predecessors) and
second there is the conception of three Buddhist 'Vices', who are driving the life of human beings on their earthly circle (this earthly circle is called 'Samsara' = 'Wheel of Life' in Buddhist religion).
As an acolyte John McCain has often gone to see the Dalai Lama for spiritual guidance.
The last time John McCain visited the Dalai Lama was on Friday, July 25. Of course McCain sought in these visitations an answer how to contain his 'Vices' who are - as he believes it - the 'Vices' of - Greed - (symbolized as a cock) - Ignorance - (symbolized as a pig) and - Hatred - (symbolized as a snake) (all according to the Buddhist religion).
If you look at John McCain's hatred, infirmity and confusion you can easily find these so called 'Vices' of Buddhism as the driving forces behind his 'Samsara' (wheel of life). But McCain's Buddhist spirituality, his aggressiveness and his hatred have absolutely NOTHING to do with Christianity.
Yours sincerely
Video (Washington Post) of the encounter of the Dalai Lama and John McCain in Denver, July 25:
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Apologizing for the enslavement and racial segregation of African-Americans
February 27, 2007
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1)
acknowledges that slavery is incompatible with the basic founding
principles recognized in the Declaration of Independence that all men
are created equal;
(2) acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow;
(3)
apologizes to African Americans on behalf of the people of the United
States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who
suffered under slavery and Jim Crow; and
(4) expresses its
commitment to rectify the lingering consequences of the misdeeds
committed against African Americans under slavery and Jim Crow and to
stop the occurrence of human rights violations in the future.
Full text of bill - it's short.
Why many Americans perfer their Sundays segregated
Our First Kiva Loan is Repaid
Olympics on Google
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
USDA Organic Fraud
announced on August 5th that 15 of the 30 accredited organic certifiers
they recently inspected failed the USDA audit and will have 12 months
to make corrections or lose their accreditation with the NOP. It is
clear that there are numerous violations of organic standards taking
place in the U.S. and across the world. (Read the August 5 NOP Audit
Report here)
Rest of the OCA article here.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Organic Foods Priority
McCain's Funny Alright
American Life Drops $1 M
Instead, economists calculate the value based on what people are
willing to pay to avoid certain risks, and on how much extra employers
pay their workers to take on additional risks. Most of the data is
drawn from payroll statistics; some comes from opinion surveys.
According to the EPA, people shouldn't think of the number as a price
tag on a life.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Email A to Z
Email Test
Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World
Now this is not a great documentary. It's low-tech. I wish there were a filtered version that included the 30-45 minutes most valuable of the 90 minute total production.
Does anybody know anything about Stevia? Apparently the FDA won't look at it...
If you're still eating foods containing the artificial sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, diet drinks, etc.), you need to watch this documentary. Aspartame was approved for widespread use in the U.S. in July of 1983. Within six months, brain tumor rates climbed 10%, diabetes went up 30% and brain lymphoma tumors skyrocketed 60%. Learn how this toxic chemical was scandalously approved by the FDA and is now one of the most widespread food additives in the U.S.
Watch it now: http://www.organicconsumers.
Habitat for Humanity Investment
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL OFFERS INVESTMENT-BASED INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT HOUSE-BUILDING PROJECTS
Investment Program with Calvert Foundation creates an additional way to help finance Habitat’s Work
ATLANTA and BETHESDA, Md. (July 24, 2008) —Habitat for Humanity International and Calvert Social Investment Foundation today announced the launch of the Habitat for Humanity Investment Program, which will enable people to support Habitat for Humanity as they make affordable housing part of their investment portfolio.
Facilitated through Calvert Foundation’s Community Investment Note, the program provides a means for individuals and other nonprofits to invest their money into a fund that directly benefits Habitat for Humanity. The notes start at a $1,000 minimum (when purchased directly from Calvert Foundation – www.calvertfoundation.org/
The notes may be invested for one, three, five, seven or 10 years, and investors choose to earn an interest rate up to 2 percent. The full value of the principal is then loaned to Habitat for Humanity, enabling Habitat to obtain access to low-cost, flexible capital, which then will be used to serve more families and build houses at a faster rate.
At maturity, investors may collect the principal and interest accrued, or they may reinvest to support Habitat and help provide a sustainable solution to fighting poverty. Investors also have the option of making a tax-deductible donation of their interest to Habitat for Humanity.
“The vast need for decent, affordable housing in our world means that we have to be creative in our response to it, while staying true to Habitat’s mission,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “This exciting opportunity with Calvert Foundation will generate more capital to help further that mission. As supporters invest in the Habitat Investment Program, we will be able to strengthen our capacity, which, in turn, will allow us to invest in more families as together we build simple, decent homes worldwide.”
Calvert Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization that raises investment capital through individuals and institutions and uses the funds to provide affordable loans to nonprofit organizations, issues the Community Investment Notes. Calvert Foundation has raised more than $140 million over the last 12 years through similar Community Investment Note programs and has helped build more than 12,500 affordable homes.
“We are so pleased to work with Habitat for Humanity on this investment initiative,” said Shari Berenbach, president and CEO of Calvert Foundation. “For over a decade, Calvert Foundation has worked hard to show the world how powerful investment can be for helping nonprofits thrive and grow. The Habitat Investment Program will make a meaningful impact forMaybe Bush is not Batman
But ultimately this film is about society's desire for a
scapegoat. "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself
become the villain," say at least two of the characters, and it
climaxes with Batman on the run from the authorities because people
have started to blame him for what is wrong with their lives. In this
regard, the film ends on a note that either satirizes or endorses the
view that George W. Bush has been a shining hero, defending the free
world from masked evil. I tend to think that the film comes down on the
side of the angels rather than the hawks, in the way it raises the
prospect that violence meeting violence produces only more violence.
Indeed, the most hopeful and heroic act in the whole story comes from
one of the men in an orange jumpsuit. But these things can be read a
number of ways, and I could be wrong. In fact, I'm pretty sure that in
spite of the film's extraordinary quality, the politics of The Dark Knight are so subtle that this movie will be a great comfort to President Bush in his retirement.
National Housing Trust Fund
We did it!
Months ago, we began fighting for vulnerable families and communities hardest hit by the housing crisis in America.
Today, we can celebrate.
After the Senate and House passed a sweeping housing relief bill, President Bush signed the bill into law earlier this week. This is a major victory, particularly given that the new law contains 100 percent of the provisions we have been fighting for - including $4 billion in neighborhood stabilization funding and the national housing trust fund.
The compassion and dedication of Habitat for Humanity supporters like you helped make this possible. Congress made this legislation a top priority because, together, we stood up for this important bill and the families it will serve.
This is a huge victory for families and communities across America caught up in one of the worst housing crises in our country's history. Your support is truly making a difference.
Thank you again for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Reckford
Chief Executive Officer
Habitat for Humanity International
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Obama on Faith Based and Community Initiatives
Media Group's president and founder, Cameron Strang on July 1. Full
text available here.
Strang: For a variety of reasons,
Congress wouldn’t support President Bush’s Office of Faith-Based and
Community Initiatives. Why do you feel they’ll support your plan?
Obama: Based on the assessment of those who actually worked on
this in the Bush White House, part of the problem was that the Bush
Administration had a tendency to maybe politicize the office
unnecessarily. And I think that’s a mistake. I think you really have to
have an attitude that this is a program designed to help all comers,
not just those who supported you politically.
The second thing is that there has to be some very clear criteria and
accountability in these programs. I don’t think taxpayers want their
money wasted, whether it’s a faith-based or a secular program, so we’ve
got to be able to document success in whatever programs are funded.
We also want to train more sophisticated groups—the big megachurch or
Catholic Charities—to work with the small storefronts, or the synagogue
or mosque that doesn’t have as much know-how, in applying for federal
funds to be able to participate. So I think that if we make it broad,
if we have clear standards and clear principles governing the program,
if it’s not perceived as being an extension of politics but rather a
way to ensure services get to the people who need them, then I think we
can generate support from Congress.
Strang: Your plan specifically prohibits discriminatory hiring
policies based on religion. Don't you think faith-based organizations
that would otherwise want to join this program would bristle at the
limitation that they can’t hire a staff that reflects their
organization’s values?
Obama: I think it’s important to distinguish between people who
are hired as part of a church to carry out that church’s mission or
ministries, or administer the church. There’s always a religious
exemption there from Title VII. It’s important for us to make sure that
a Christian church can hire Christians or a Jewish church can hire
people of the Jewish faith. That’s different from programs that are
specifically funded by the federal government and offered to the public.
I’m going to have my Council on Faith-Based Partnerships review all our
policies, review relevant law and regulations, executive orders and
court cases. But the simple principle is that we should not
discriminate against faith-based organizations in being able to carry
out terrific programs [funded] by the federal government, but we want
to make sure that those programs are run in a nondiscriminatory manner.
And that’s not going to encroach on the ability of those faith-based
organizations to do what they need to do when it comes to their core
religious mission. They are going to be able to hire and carry out
those functions of a church, or synagogue, mosque or temple, but they
can also participate in federal programs as long as those are done in a
way that is not encroaching on a separation of church and state, is
open to the public and is not involved in proselytizing.
Strang: Not being able to proselytize through a program that receives funding—how would that be enforced?
Obama: You know, the truth of the matter is, a lot of
faith-based organizations currently are doing a great job on this
issue, and they recognize that when they are administering federal
funds, their priority has to be to provide high-quality services and
they are not interested in discriminating or proselytizing. Obviously,
there may be some who try to use these funds in inappropriate ways, but
I think that’s the tiny minority of those who really just want to serve
their communities and do the right thing.
Obama on Abortion
Strang: Based on emails we
received, another issue of deep importance to our readers is a
candidate’s stance on abortion. We largely know your platform,
but there seems to be some real confusion about your position on
third-trimester and partial-birth abortions. Can you clarify your
stance for us?
Obama: I absolutely can, so please don’t believe the emails. I
have repeatedly said that I think it’s entirely appropriate for states
to restrict or even prohibit late-term abortions as long as there is a
strict, well-defined exception for the health of the mother. Now, I
don’t think that “mental distress” qualifies as the health of the
mother. I think it has to be a serious physical issue that arises in
pregnancy, where there are real, significant problems to the mother
carrying that child to term. Otherwise, as long as there is such a
medical exception in place, I think we can prohibit late-term
abortions.
The other email rumor that’s been floating around is that somehow I’m
unwilling to see doctors offer life-saving care to children who were
born as a result of an induced abortion. That’s just false. There was a
bill that came up in Illinois that was called the “Born Alive” bill
that purported to require life-saving treatment to such infants. And I
did vote against that bill. The reason was that there was already a law
in place in Illinois that said that you always have to supply
life-saving treatment to any infant under any circumstances, and this
bill actually was designed to overturn Roe v. Wade, so I didn’t think
it was going to pass constitutional muster.
Ever since that time, emails have been sent out suggesting that,
somehow, I would be in favor of letting an infant die in a hospital
because of this particular vote. That’s not a fair characterization,
and that’s not an honest characterization. It defies common sense to
think that a hospital wouldn't provide life-saving treatment to an
infant that was alive and had a chance of survival.
Strang: You’ve said you’re personally against abortion and would
like to see a reduction in the number of abortions under your
administration. So, as president, how would do you propose
accomplishing that?
Obama: I think we know that abortions rise when unwanted
pregnancies rise. So, if we are continuing what has been a promising
trend in the reduction of teen pregnancies, through education and
abstinence education giving good information to teenagers. That is
important—emphasizing the sacredness of sexual behavior to our
children. I think that’s something that we can encourage. I think
encouraging adoptions in a significant way. I think the proper role of
government. So there are ways that we can make a difference, and those
are going to be things I focus on when I am president.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Al Gore's Latest Speech
McCain "Documentary" on Obama's Iraq Policy
- Obama initially claims additional troops will not solve things and probably will make things worse. I can take "worse" to mean that Iraqi's will continue to be dependent on American military might while advancing their own military and politics more slowly. The video then shows him one year later saying that additional troops would result in increased security and lower violence. I don't hear a flip-flop; I hear apples (long-term results) and oranges (short-term results).
- Our troops are doing a good job of their assigned task. That is difficult to question considering few, if any, other countries have militaries that could or would do something similar. Applauding the troops' work does not equate with opposing a troop surge.
- The war in Iraq has gone on for at least 5 years now. To show clips from various years of Obama speaking about the war should be expected to change because the situation in Iraq is changing. I consider it illogical and foolish to hold the same position through 5 years of such a situation. One formulates a response and a plan to what transpires. This is poor politics on McCain's behalf.
- It's not as simple as voting for or against additional funding for the war. This may reflect a broken political system that makes it difficult to vote about items individually.
- The "translation" pages are bogus, appealing to Americans that don't, or won't, think critically about such weighty issues. Worst of all, it's called a "documentary". Please, callit political propaganda or something else accurately reflecting its true nature. This is, again, dirty politics from McCain.
Argument for Christians Voting
Obama ad: America's Leadership
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Water Footprint Quiz
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Computer vision syndrome
Nearly 150 million people in the United States work on a computer every day, and it is estimated that close to 90 percent of them experience computer eyestrain. While mass computer expansion at home and in the office has provided a big boost to global communications, computers have and will continue to take a toll on our eyesight. In fact, occupational health experts agree that the source of today’s top vision complaint in the workplace is the computer monitor.
The following suggestions may help:
- Greater hertz or frequency of the monitor’s screen will reduce the flicker in the screen. In addition, the higher the pixel count of the monitor’s screen, the better the resolution, resulting in enhanced reliability. Resolutions of at least 110 pixels per inch are recommended.
- Glare from lights reflecting off the screen will lower the contrast, thus forcing the eyes to work harder. A glare-reduction filter can reduce this potential problem significantly. One bearing an American Optometric Association seal of approval is recommended.
- Adjustable work stations allowing for appropriate placement of the computer screen at angles 10 degrees to 20 degrees (slightly below eye level) are most comfortable. Also, a monitor on a base that swivels will reduce unnecessary head and eye movements.
- Ergonomically designed chairs and keyboards, and proper ambient illumination, can provide additional relief. The keyboard, screen and copy should all be as close to equal distances from the eyes as possible. Workstation lighting should be shaded to avoid reflections on the monitor. Typical office lighting was designed for working on paper on a flat desk surface, and is actually twice as bright as the optimal lighting conditions for computer work.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Budget Hero
- Your 3 chosen badges and if you achieved them - mine were Health & Wellness, Green, Economic Stimulus (3 for 3 achieved)
- What % of GDP the debt is in 2018 - mine was 17%
- Year of the budget bust - mine was 2057
- What % of GDP the federal government is in 2018 - mine was 18.7%
Candidates on Social Security
John McCain hasn't yet made a full-bodied Social Security proposal during the presidential campaign. However, it seems that 1) he welcomes a bipartisan compromise to ensure a politically feasible reform, and 2) he would prefer giving younger workers the option of diverting some of their FICA tax to individual retirement accounts. This will give payroll taxpayers more freedom to choose how they want to fund their payroll tax-based retirement. However, it will also reduce the Social Security funding the 3.3 workers would normally provide for the one retiree. This will make it even more difficult to avoid Social Security bankruptcy (which is why many on the left believe McCain wants to kill Social Security).
Senator Barack Obama, on the other hand, opposes any privatization of Social Security. He believes, in contradiction to Senator Hillary Clinton, that Social Security is in crisis. His primary fix is to increase the payroll tax cap from $102,000. All workers contribute 6.2% and employers contribute 6.2% of payroll to Social Security, except those whose annual payroll exceeds $102,000. They pay nothing on their payroll over that cap, which means the highest income workers are taxed proportionately less than their lower income worker counterparts. Obama wants to tax more of the income of upper-middle-income and high-income workers, but presumably still at the 6.2% FICA tax rate every other worker pays. He also wants to establish automatic workplace pension plans for those workers working for employers who do not provide a pension plan, which is about half the workforce. "Under this plan, employers automatically enroll their employees in a direct deposit IRA account. Employees may opt-out by signing a written waiver. Even after enrollment, employees will retain the right to change their savings levels, reallocate investment portfolios or end contributions to the account." Employers will not finance the plan, would merely be a forwarding agent for employee contributions, and they would be eligible for tax credits to defray any cost to the employer. Of course, these contributions would be in addition to the standard FICA tax, not part of it.
From Evangelicals for Social Action, written by Bret Kincaid - whole article here
Yahoo! acronym
The Web site started out as "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web" but eventually received a new moniker with the help of a dictionary. The name Yahoo! is an acronym for "Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle," but Filo and Yang insist they selected the name because they liked the general definition of a yahoo: "rude, unsophisticated, uncouth." Yahoo! itself first resided on Yang's student workstation, "Akebono," while the software was lodged on Filo's computer, "Konishiki" - both named after legendary sumo wrestlers.
From Yahoo! Media Relations.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Candidate Emails and Videos
Obama's campaign director finally launched a video with some graphics, about a month after McCain's campaign released a longer, more interesting, and far more detailed video. At least Obama's into the video arena now. I hope it improves.
McCain's email on June 27 included links to 2 negative ads. The mud slinging continues. I don't doubt that both candidates will air them on television. I'm disappointed they are being promoted online as well. I hope it stops.
His July 11 Love video is nicer. I did notice that there's a shot of him and Regan but none of him and Bush Sr. or Bush W. Still trying to get that conservative vote - while mentioning that he's been a "maverick." I'll be curious to see how it turns out.
McCain's latest briefing video (July 10) is visually appealing. A balanced budget by 2013 doesn't make sense to me - why that long??? I don't think he has the facts right about Regan being part of deficit reduction in the 80's like Clinton was in the 90's. Here's a chart of national debt. I'm not saying Clinton did anything great - it's the economy and the president's influence on that is highly arguable. You can see the video here:
http://www.johnmccain.com/economicbriefing/
Farm Bill
The U.S. farm bill was finally enacted into law on June 18, 2008. After a long process that included passage by both the House and Senate, delay due to a clerical error, vetoes by President Bush, and votes to override the vetoes, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is now law. It expires in FY2012.
Bread for the World members worked long and hard to make the new farm bill more fair to struggling U.S. rural and farm families, people in the United States who are hungry or at risk of hunger, and poor farmers around the world. The final law includes a significant increase – approximately $10.3 billion over 10 years – in U.S. nutrition assistance. Bread for the World members helped increase mandatory funding for the McGovern-Dole international school meals program from $60 million to $84 million. The Hunger-Free Communities Act, which was a focus of our Offering of Letters in 2005, was included in the final version.
Unfortunately, the bill maintains the status quo on commodity payments for generally wealthy farmers. It does not set the new direction for agriculture we need, especially in light of the global hunger crisis. However, our efforts changed the public and congressional debate about the farm bill, made nutrition the most critical component of the bill, and highlighted the unfairness of our commodity policies, which had previously passed with little input from anyone outside the Agriculture Committee.
Deet-free insect repellents
Picaridin is a chemical repellent that’s considered as effective as deet at the same concentration by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When used properly, it’s also considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our tests found that Cutter Advanced Sport with 15 percent picaridin scored better than two repellents with 7 percent deet. It protected against both mosquito species for an average of almost 3 hours and against ticks for 11 to 12 hours.
Whole Article
Obama's Faith-Based Initiative
Perhaps the most controversial component, at least from the perspective of those who have generally supported federally funded faith-based initiatives, is the issue of discrimination in hiring. Most everyone agrees that these federally-funded programs must have a secular purpose and that they cannot discriminate on the basis of religion against those who are served. But what about those who are hired to serve in the programs? Obama said his program will not permit hiring discrimination on the basis of religion, which means faith-based organizations cannot consider religion as a factor in hiring people to deliver federally funded services in a religious organization. Harvard Law Professor Martha Minow, who has advised the Obama campaign on this issue, reportedly said that “Mr. Obama would move to ‘return the law to what it was before the current administration.’” It was President Bush who issued executive orders to allow religious organizations receiving federal funds to consider religion a factor in hiring. Obama’s reversal of this policy has sparked criticism from the Christian Right but also from moderates like Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals, who said this part of the CFNP was “extremely disappointing.”
This paragraph was taken from the full article found here.
US Finally Issues Health Warning over Mercury Fllings
After years of insisting the fillings are safe, the US government's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a health warning about them. It represents a landmark victory for campaigners, who say the fillings are responsible for a range of ailments, including heart conditions and Alzheimer's disease.
Earlier this month, in an unprecedented U-turn, the FDA dropped much of its reassuring language on the fillings from its website, substituting: "Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and foetuses." It adds that when amalgam fillings are "placed in teeth or removed they release mercury vapour", and that the same thing happens when chewing.
The FDA is now reviewing its rules and may end up restricting or banning the use of the metal.
Straight to the Source.
White House Lies to the World about Biofuels
Myths and Facts about Biofuels
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Audacity of a Broken Promise
Donors can give $2,300 each to Obama's primary and general election
campaigns. So can their spouses. Each can also give $28,500 to the
party. So you and your spouse are welcome to write a check totaling
$66,200. So much for the campaign truly funded by "ordinary people."
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Communal Christians
http://www.wttw.com/res/movies/chicagomatters/CM_RebaHQ.ram
Mugabe must go
I'm saddened to see how power has corrupted a man who says that nothing but God will remove him from power. He must have been a hero back in the day because the people loved him. Now 28 years later, Mugabe is a tyrant living in luxury while his people find themselves facing 2,000,000% (2M%) inflation. When Jen was there 5 years ago, it was more cost-effective to use paper currency for toilet paper than to buy toilet paper with the currency. Now it's 5 years later.
Humbly, I can start to see how Pat Robertson wanted to "take out" Hugo Chavez in Venezuela back in 2005. I'm disgusted that I'm even tempted by the thought that violence now will bring peace later.
Printer Ink - OEM or Generic?
Our tests show that all of the third-party inks in our test group
yielded more prints per cartridge--on top of costing less--but that,
with some notable exceptions, the printer manufacturers' ink we
evaluated usually produced better-quality prints and proved more
resistant to fading.
It seems that for basic, nothing-fancy printing, I'll be switching to generic ink and saving money in the meantime. This is especially true for black ink. If you're doing lots of color and especially photos; it's probably still worth getting the manufacturer's brand of ink.
Dobson's the Fruitcake
I hear Dobson as again boiling things down to abortion. He seems unable to hear Obama's need to "translate" Christian beliefs into arguments to shape policies for the common good. The common good is a new concept I've only rediscovered, having existed for ages among Christian thinkers and disciples.
I don't hear any lowering of morality from Obama. I hear a critique of the Religious Right and their own fruitcake theology that says abortion and gay marriage are the most important political issues to Christians. That is true fruitcake theology, voiced by Dobson himself.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Obama listens to religious leaders
Read more from the Chicago Tribune here.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Ethanol in Perspective
QUICK AGRO-FUEL FACTS
- Increasing fuel efficiency by just 3% would reduce
- The amount of grain it takes to fill an average gas tank with ethanol would be enough to feed a person for a year (source: Foreign Affairs)
- If the
- The majority of
- Monocultures of soy and sugar cane in Latin America and palm oil in
- Current methods of industrial-scale biofuel production worsen global warming by increasing deforestation and degradation of peatlands and soils, while also creating more nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer use.
NEW STUDIES TIE AGRO-FUELS TO GLOBAL WARMING
Two new studies published in the journal Science will hopefully Force Congress and the Bush Administration to think twice about the billions of federal tax dollars used to subsidize corn-based ethanol instead of other tried and tested programs such as energy conservation and solar or wind power. One study, conducted by
Ethanol Myth
Here it is – finally some truth and a chance to take action about the ethanol distraction that is taking our country by storm. This is from the Organic Consumers Association. Consumer Reports covered this as “The Ethanol Myth” – see the image below. “Government support for agrofuels in the
SUSTAINABILITY ALERT:
THE DARK SIDE OF ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL SUBSIDIES
Americans now understand that climate-destabilizing greenhouse gases are a major threat to our survival. Unfortunately, large corporations have convinced Congress to ignore real solutions to the crisis (like significant advances in fuel-efficiency), while providing billions of dollars per year in subsidies to big-agribusiness for agrofuels.
More than a hundred U.S. based and international organizations, including the Organic Consumers Association, are calling for a moratorium on the more than $8 billion of annual government subsidies paid to large corporations producing agrofuels from industrial-scale genetically engineered crops. Family farmers currently receive only a small portion of annual funds allocated to agrofuels. While billions of dollars in subsidies for corn, soy and palm oil-based agrofuels, certainly result in higher profits for corporate giants such as Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Monsanto, their overall contribution to reducing reliance on foreign oil and greenhouse gases is negligible (see facts below).
Government support for agrofuels in the
Getting It
Monday, June 16, 2008
Hip McCain Videos
Which bill?
This just in an email from Obama's campaign:
Barack just co-sponsored a bill in the Senate that you should know about.
Under current law, Washington lobbyists can hide their dealings with foreign businesses and governments. This bill will close that loophole and establish a new standard for disclosure.
...
While Barack Obama is working to change the culture in Washington, John McCain has turned a blind eye to the lobbyist loophole.
He has to if he's going to look out for his friends.
A number of McCain's senior campaign staffers are Washington lobbyists who have exploited this loophole to avoid disclosing their activities. And McCain has built his fundraising strategy around huge checks from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. He literally cannot afford to lose their support.
This campaign is different. We have never accepted contributions from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs, so Barack is only accountable to ordinary people like you.
John McCain is committed to perpetuating politics-as-usual in Washington -- but you can help stop him and bring about the change this country needs.
Take a stand right now, and invite your friends to stand with you on this important issue:
http://my.barackobama.com
What bill is this referring to? My best guess in S.3077
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-3077
unChristian
Have you heard of the book unChristian by David Kinnaman? He’s part of the Barna Group.
I finished reading it today. It focuses on 16-29 year olds and what their perceptions of Christianity are, both as insiders (Christians) and outsiders (non-Christians). The six main points from outsiders are:
- Hypocritical
- Salvation focused
- Anti homosexual
- Sheltered
- Too political
- Judgmental
Our pastors recently preached a six part sermon series matching these topics. You can listen to them here, if you’re interested:
http://www.thenewcom.com/podcast/
It was a humbling read. I imagine that the older you are, the harder this is to read. The younger you are, especially under 30, the more accurate you find the results of this research.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Burma
As Westerners we want Western solutions for Burma. We want planes to
fly in supplies to save people who we know could be saved. We live in a
world where we can replace bad hearts with good hearts, clone organs,
and do bone marrow transplants. We think putting men on the moon is old
school. Flying in a planeload of life-saving supplies should be child's
play.
In Burma making a phone call is difficult. Only seven percent of the
country's 52 million people have electricity. For Burma's excessively
paranoid generals we might just as well ask them if we can fly in a
planeload of anthrax as one of aid. To them, this act might save lives
but it would poison the culture, and while it may be a culture of fear
and defeat, they unfortunately see it as their culture to defend.
Read the rest of Eugene Cho's post on the God's Politics blog here.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
What Labels Really Mean
Eco-labels center site
Swedish Company Will Vend Verified Sustainable Ethanol
vend ethanol verified to be environmentally and socially sustainable.
Summary with links to the source.
Friday, June 06, 2008
New MPG Measurement Standard
Political Action Committee (PAC) Money
They [the RNC] depend on donations from Washington lobbyists and special interest
PACs. And top officials in McCain's campaign have been asking these
donors to write checks and raise money from their clients to the tune
of $50,000 each.
Barack is doing things differently.
This [Obama's] campaign has never accepted donations from Washington
lobbyists or special interest PACs. And yesterday the Democratic
National Committee announced that they will follow the same
restriction.
For all his talk of reform, John McCain is willing to rely on huge
donations from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs.
Here it is from Fox News:
At the end of May, the RNC had nearly $54 million in the bank to the DNC’s $4 million.
By banning federal lobbyist and PAC money from the DNC, Obama sought to
avoid an inconsistency with his own campaign’s fundraising policy. The
ban applies to future fundraising, meaning the party won’t have to
return money it has already raised from lobbyists and PACs.
“Today as the Democratic nominee for president, I am announcing that
going forward, the Democratic National Committee will uphold the same
standard — we will not take a dime from Washington lobbyists,” Obama
said at a town-hall meeting in Bristol, Va.
McCain’s senior advisers are former lobbyists, including campaign
manager Rick Davis. McCain was stung last month by the disclosure that
two advisers — now gone — had worked for a firm that had represented
the military junta in Myanmar, also known as Burma, which has
restricted foreign assistance for cyclone victims.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Frank Schaeffer about his dad, Francis Schaeffer
Obama suffered smear-by-association. But when my late father --
Religious Right leader Francis Schaeffer -- denounced America and even
called for the violent overthrow of the US government, he was invited
to lunch with presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush, Sr.
Dad and I were amongst the founders of the Religious right. In the
1970s and 1980s, while Dad and I crisscrossed America denouncing our
nation's sins instead of getting in trouble we became darlings of the
Republican Party. (This was while I was my father's sidekick before I
dropped out of the evangelical movement altogether.) We were rewarded
for our "stand" by people such as Congressman Jack Kemp, the Fords,
Reagan and the Bush family. The top Republican leadership depended on
preachers and agitators like us to energize their rank and file. No one
called us un-American.
The rest of the article from the Huffington Post.
Toxic Soup of Plastic Debris, Twice the Size of US, Forms in the Pacific Ocean
It is twice the size of the continental United States, yet you cannot
set foot on it. Scientists have named it "Plastic Soup", and
appropriately so. Floating in the Northern Pacific Ocean lays a huge
expanse of plastic refuse. This garbage patch is actually two attached
areas on either side of Hawaii, known as the Western and Eastern Pacific Garbage Patches.
Read the rest of the article.
The Hook in Hookahs
raises levels of nicotine in the blood up to 250 percent. It also
delivers the equivalent of 100 times the smoke of a cigarette (with its
related toxic agents such as carbon monoxide), contributing to a
growing concern in the medical community that the practice may lead to
regular cravings and addiction to cigarettes.
From Consumer Reports Health Blog. Read the rest of the article.
Obama and Woods Food
Read the article from WorldNetDaily.
Serving God by Going Green
Read the article.
Atonement Revisited
"Waldenström considered the idea that God needed to be repaid or
appeased a heathen one because it not only painted the picture of God
as cruel, it also was articulated in terms of human legal systems. Most
importantly, Waldenström thought the view of penal substitution was
absent from the biblical account, so he took up a study of Scripture."
Read the rest of the article.
Let Wal-Mart Fix US Health Care
year than any government program to come out of Washington in the past
10 years. And I'd bet the new programs that this company -- known for
stiffing its own part-time workers on health care benefits -- has
announced in the past year will do more to expand coverage and cut
costs than anything likely to come out of a McCain, Clinton or Obama
first term.
Read the rest of the story from MSN Money.
Meet Your Meat
www.meat.org
In Case of Rapture...
as the opening act for Armageddon, Threat Level thinks most
nonbelievers will be too busy freaking the hell out to check their
e-mail. But if they do log in, now they can be treated to some
post-Rapture needling from their missing friends and loved ones,
courtesy of web startup YouveBeenLeftBehind.com.
For just $40 a year, believers can arrange for up to 62 people to get a
final message exactly six days after the Rapture, that day when --
according to Christian end times dogma -- Christians will be swept up
to heaven, while doubters are left behind to suffer seven years of
Tribulation under a global government headed by the Antichrist.
Read the rest of this blog post from Wired.com.
Statistically Speaking...
Abramowitz has tracked the effect of those variables on the last 15
presidential elections and found that they accurately predicted the
popular vote outcome in 14 and came close in the 15th.
The formula adds the incumbent president’s net approval rating
(approval minus disapproval), the second-quarter election-year GDP
growth rate multiplied by five (emphasizing the importance of the
economy) and then (factoring in time-for-a-change sentiment) subtracts
25 points if the in-party is finishing a second term.
Bush’s net approval now stands at minus 40. The first-quarter growth
rate was 0.6 percent and Bush is finishing eight years, meaning that
this year’s electoral barometer currently stands at minus 62.
If such a number holds, it “would predict a decisive defeat for the
Republican presidential candidate,” Abramowitz wrote. “The only
election since World War II with a score in this range was 1980,” when
“Jimmy Carter suffered the worst defeat for an incumbent president
since Herbert Hoover in 1932.”
The second worst occurred in 1952, when Democrat Adlai Stevenson
tried to succeed Harry S. Truman with a minus 50 score and lost the
popular vote by 11 points to Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Visiting the Palace
Pistons Stunned in Game 3
Celtics 94, Pistons 80
The Celtics regained home-court advantage of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday night with their first road playoff win in seven tries. Though from the look of their 14-point victory in Game 3 at The Palace, you'd think they had never left Boston. The Celtics scored the first 11 points of the game, withstood a pair of Detroit runs directed by Rodney Stuckey in the first and fourth quarters and held the Pistons to 80 points. Boston's top ranked defense had been more permeable away from TD Banknorth Garden - allowing 95.3 points entering Saturday - but it clearly had something going for it at The Palace. The Pistons misfired early and often (38 percent FG shooting) and were outrebounded, 44-28
Rodney Stuckey went to work earlier than usual when Billups picked up his second foul in the first quarter. And he had his work cut out for him, already down 15-4. But he sparked 13 unanswered points by driving to the basket and repeatedly drawing contact. He drew a foul for two free throws, had a breakaway that led to two more, and then bullied his way past Cassell to find Maxiell cutting to the basket. Wallace tipped in Maxiell's attempt at the rim, and Detroit had its first lead of the game with Billups on the bench, 17-15. He scored 17 points and was 9-of-10 at the line.
Paul Pierce didn't even shoot the ball after his game-opening dunk. Ray Allen shot like Game 2 never happened, missing five of his first six shots. The "White Out" crowd at The Palace was ready for any reason to explode. But the Pistons could not take advantage in the first half, as the Celtics bench made its mark on the series. Sam Cassell - who had not made a field goal since Game 2 of the Cleveland series (May 8) - delivered five points, including a triple. James Posey - who had five points in games 1 and 2 combined - scored eight points in the first half - or the same as Billups (2), Hamilton (4) and Prince (2) combined. The statistical oddity is not nearly as significant as the confidence it gives to the Celtics' supporting cast heading into Game 4.
SAUNDERS: "In [Game 2] we choked off their role players and tonight their role players really were the ones who really hurt us. Garnett had a huge game and Paul did some steady things but you look at what Perkins did, you look at the guys off the bench. When the score's a close game Cassell comes in and makes a couple big shots to go on a 10-0 run to finish the (second) quarter and they took the game over at that point again."
Monday, May 26, 2008
US Christians urged to cancel church services and help poor
Conducted by Faith in Action and Harris Interactive, the national survey polled more than 2,800 adults. Sixty-seven percent of respondents "agreed" or "strongly agreed" with the statement, "My church already does enough to help the poor in my community." "Faith in Action is designed to be a step toward alleviating the complacency that is afflicting churches across the country, and an effective call to action to follow Christ's example of compassion."
Current data provided by the US Census Bureau reveals the national poverty level has increased from 11.7 percent in 2001 to 13.3 percent in 2005, or 38 million Americans.
Additionally, demand for food stamps between 2007-08, a key economic indicator provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, is up significantly in 43 states, increasing the need for significant help among more than 28 million Americans.
The "Surge" of Iraqi Prisoners
The detention facilities are closed to human rights monitors like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, or the International Federation of Human Rights. Even the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq, mandated by the Security Council to provide human rights reporting, is denied access by the U.S. command. Lack of such monitors greatly increases the likelihood that detainees will suffer from abuse and bad conditions, as human rights organizations have often pointed out.
The rest of the story.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Military Man
While this young man was serving six years on active duty, Vice President Dick Cheney, who was born the same year as the Marine/sailor, received five deferments, four for being an undergraduate and graduate student and one for being a prospective father. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, both five years younger than the African-American youth, used their student deferments to stay in college until 1968. Both then avoided going on active duty through family connections.
This man is Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the retiring pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, who has been in the news for comments he made over the last three decades.
Source: Op-Ed in the Chicago Tribine.
Jersey Boys
Another light one - does Andrew look like anyone in this photo of the Jersey Boys, a musical several friends have seen in Chicago.
Peter Potty
OK, I know it's been a long string of more serious posts. This is something my friend Rus told me about. His son absolutely loves his play urinal called Peter Potty...except that it really works. Like training wheels in the bathroom. If we ever have a son, we are definitely getting one of these.
Obama leads Clinton in superdelegate count
Big news today (May 12): for the first time since this campaign began, Barack Obama has taken the lead among superdelegates.
We've won more elected delegates, more states, and more votes than Senator Clinton. But until yesterday we trailed among Governors, Members of Congress, and Democratic Party leaders -- the so-called "superdelegates" who have a vote in the nominating process.
As it stands, we have 279 superdelegates who have committed to cast their convention votes for us. That includes 21 since last Tuesday's elections, and 3 who switched their support from Senator Clinton.
We have just 152 delegates to go before Barack Obama clinches the nomination.
Green Cleaning Schools Act Goes into Effect this Week in Illinois!
This act makes Illinois the second state in the nation to require schools to use green cleaning products.
How schools are cleaned and the products that are used can significantly affect the health and performance of students, administrators and cleaning staff. Choices in cleaning products, equipment and procedures also affect the lifespan of building materials and furnishings. The Green Clean Schools Act will ensure that Illinois schools are providing healthier and safer environments for students and staff while also preserving the environment.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=184833
Way to go, Chicago!
Petition Brita to Recycle Used Filters
Plastic Recycling Codes
Wondering what those codes mean? This handy guide briefly explains what they mean, how environmentally friendly they are, and what the health risks are.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The Sentencing Project
The way the war on drugs has been pursued is one of the biggest reasons for the growing racial disparities in criminal justice over all.
- Ryan S. King, a policy analyst with The Sentencing Project, which recently released a report describing large disparities in the rate at which blacks and whites are arrested and imprisoned for drug offenses, even though the two groups use illegal drugs at roughly equal rates. (Source: The New York Times)
February Donations
Senator McCain has raised more than 70% of his total campaign funds from high-dollar donors giving $1,000 or more. Senator Clinton has raised 60% of her funds from $1,000-and-up donors. And both Senator McCain and Senator Clinton have accepted millions of dollars from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs.
Refusing to accept donations from lobbyists and special interests has allowed Senator Obama's campaign to answer only to ordinary Americans like you.
Hillary's Christianity
I can't count the number of times that reporters have asked me about Hillary's religion, just assuming she must be pandering. One asked, "when was the first time Hilary talked to you about her faith?" I said that it was the first time I met her - after she came to Washington in 1992. The reporter didn't seem to believe me. I explained, as I have to many reporters, how Hillary Clinton was a Methodist youth group kid in Chicago, where her youth pastor took teenagers on "urban plunges" to the inner city and to hear Martin Luther King Jr. speak. Her Methodism is apparent in her longtime advocacy for children, as well as other issues. Agree or disagree with her politics, it's clear that Hillary Clinton is a committed Christian laywoman.
Fluoride Action Network
Federal Budget in Cookies
Hillary's Hundred v. Barack's Million (and a half)
American Leadership Project raised a total of $1.2 million – $1 million of which came from AFSCME, which has endorsed Clinton – since Feb. 21, according to a report it filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission.
This article from Politico came to my attention months ago via this Barack Obama email:
News broke yesterday that a few wealthy Clinton supporters are gearing up for a massive spending campaign to boost her chances in the big upcoming contests in Texas and Ohio on March 4th.
The so-called "American Leadership Project" will take unlimited contributions from individuals and is organized the same way as the infamous Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
ABC News reports that this group is seeking 100 Clinton supporters to each give $100,000 to fund its $10 million effort to promote Senator Clinton and "contrast" her positions with Barack Obama's.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Edwards endorses Obama
From Barack Obama:
I have some very exciting news.
My good friend John Edwards is endorsing our campaign and joining our movement for change.
We're here in Grand Rapids, Michigan -- and if you receive this message in time, you can probably turn on your TV and be part of the moment.
I'm deeply honored by John's support. He is a true leader who dedicated his career to improving the lives of ordinary Americans.
John ran a strong, principled campaign for president, focusing on a number of important issues where we share common ground -- universal health care, bringing our troops home from Iraq, and eliminating poverty in America.
The way he ran his campaign was also important. He ran in a way that reflected our shared conviction that we need to fundamentally change politics.
Like our campaign, John's campaign never accepted donations from Washington lobbyists or special interest PACs.
All I can say is: It's about time!