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"Human beings seem cursed to repeat cycles of exploitation and collapse. And the greater the extent of the deterioration the less they are able to comprehend what is happening around them. The Earth is littered with the physical remains of human folly and human hubris. We seem condemned as a species to drive ourselves and our societies toward extinction, although this moment appears be the denouement to the whole sad show of settled, civilized life that began some 5,000 years ago. There is nothing left on the planet to seize. We are now spending down the last remnants of our natural capital, including our forests, fossil fuel, air and water."
"This time when we go down it will be global. There are no new lands to pillage, no new peoples to exploit. Technology, which has obliterated the constraints of time and space, has turned our global village into a global death trap. The fate of Easter Island will be writ large across the broad expanse of planet Earth."
- Chris Hedges
http://www.truthdig.com/report/print/this_time_were_taking_the_whole_planet_with_us_20110307/
The dirty secrets are surfacing.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Limbaugh-Hannity-Parent-Co-by-Gustav-Wynn-110305-942.html
A few links to WI stories about fallout from loss of federal mass transit funds:
Appleton bus service in jeopardy if budget-repair bill is passed
The necessity of transit editorial by Assembly member Tamara Grigsby (D)
Busting bus systems a JSOnline editorial
Info flyer from the Wisconsin Urban and Rural Transit Association: Transit Keeps Wisconsin Working
A different but related and current Republican attack on mass transit: Republicans work to dissolve state regional transit authorities
Again, for clarity: the LFB memo of 2/16: Impact of Local Collective Bargaining Changes under SS SB 11 on Transit Systems
March 5, 2011
PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY DESERVE!!!
I have shared this comment with you many times. It is a truism. If we vote for a fascist-Nazi politician, we will have a fascist-Nazi politician in an elective office. The good people of Wisconsin voted for a fascist-Nazi politician in Walker and now they have him in office. The good people of Wisconsin are reaping the endless agony of their votes.
March 6, 2011
Notes from the Church’s Newsletter
Faith requires that we listen with our hearts and live according to God’s will. Faith does not consist in a formal and superficial conforming to the words in the Holy Bible. Faith is deeper and a more radical level by putting Jesus’ words in your heart and soul. We are to do the will of God out of love. We are called to make the world a place of liberation for all. We are taught as Catholics that the way to peace is justice, such as economic justice. We are called as ordinary persons to build a society in which everyone has an opportunity for an education, health care, and a decent standard of living. We need to pray for the wisdom to know to be fair to all.
March 7, 2011
Sixty Minutes has mentioned that the United States of Mortal Sin has twenty-five percent of our children living in poverty. The Republicans keep up their babble on family values. If the fascist-Nazi Republicans were truly concerned about family values, they would help to improve family life for the twenty-five percent children who are living in poverty. Their hateful policies and practices are harming and hurting human beings and that is a mortal sin. To die with this mortal sin damns their soul for eternity.
We are in a depression. This depression is a prelude to the tsunami depression that we will experience in 2012. Children are dropping out of school in order to help their parents earn some money. We now can without a doubt say that Child Labor has returned to our damned nation. People who have been evicted from their homes have no real address and so they will be Unable to Vote. The die has been cast so the fascist-Nazi Republicans will never lose another election. Control and power is everlasting for these fascist-Nazis who babble endlessly about family values.
A social worker who works with evicted families says the children of these families are receiving a devastating impact upon their personalities that will scare them forever.
We are truly a nation inundated with mortal sins that has damned our soul. Every time I hear we are a Christian nation I puke and sometimes my puking is a torrential puke.
Do you remember when Leona Helmsley called you and me the Little People and there was a huge uproar? She made the comment when fifteen percent of the media was progressive and today, only four percent of the media is progressive.
When a baby cries, we all cry.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/03/07/crying-dog-and-baby.aspx
I see that much of the writing on the wall yet assumes and believes that we still have fair elections in the USA or doesn’t believe that we don’t have fair elections. Can one assume that Governor Walker was fairly and truly elected with or without effective ads? Can one assume that presidents Bush or Obama were fairly and truly elected? Can one assume that we are not being manipulated by powers for special interests? Level the playing field first by working to create and by achieving fair and true elections and then talk about getting things accomplished by elections. The voting machines must disappear or votes, perhaps yours, - no matter how morally competent - may continue to disappear and be cast for a person you don’t want to win in the election; and you won’t be able to prove it. Wouldn’t it be a sin to know that our elections can and have been rigged with voting machines and then bare false witness by spreading false hope and faith in elections?
Again please read:
http://www.thomhartmann.com/blog/2010/10/daily-topics-friday-october-15th-2010
I repost here a discussion of the lost Federal Aid for Transit systems from the thread Gov. Walker Ginned Up Budget Shortfall to Undercut Worker's Rights. The source reference on the loss of Federal Transit funds is the Legislative Finance Bureau of the State of Wisconsin. The state's budget review office pointed out early on [February 16, 2011] that transit funds are at risk. I continue to hold that Republican Transportation Sec'y LaHood has demonstrated a willingness to stand up to the radical Republican Governors and is therefore likely to withhold the funds.
(quote) Posts on the Wheeler Report include Gov. Walker's Letter to State Employees [PDF] and the memo from the LFB:: Impact of local collective bargaining changes under SS SB 11 on Federal Transit Aid [PDF]. These two PDFs make an interesting pair because Walker's letter (addressed to himself (!!)) claims $30 million savings from the benefits changes for the remainder of the fiscal year (effective date? thru June 2011?) while the LFB memo says "$46.6 million to [various] bus systems could potentially be withheld from state transit systems under the federal 13(c) provisions as a result of the changes to municipal collective bargaining under SS SB 11" (Federal Fiscal Year 2010 = ?Oct 2010 thru Sep 2011?). In a strange irony the privatized MTA (Milwaukee) would be immune to loss of Federal funds because the bargaining rights of the workers there are unaffected by the Budget Repair Bill.
Though the time basis [for each of these dollar amounts] is not clear and certainly unequal, the payroll/benefits savings are expected to be undercut by loss of Federal transit funds due to the loss of collective bargaining rights. In fact, the Repair may be a net loser in the current budget cycle which is all it is supposed to address.
If Transportation Sec'y LaHood continues his firm stance against these right-wing-nut Govs (as in high-speed rail in WI, FL and OH) then the likely net result will be reduced savings with losses of transit jobs and losses of transit services. I don't expect Walker to make up any transit shortfall so the loss of jobs and services would add more imbalance to the budget by reducing income and business tax revenues. Coming on the heels of the special tax credits for business this isn't 'Let them eat cake' this is 'Watch me eat cake, pay me for the privilege and then walk home.' Governor Walker indeed. (end quote - minor edits for clarity)
The transportation funds are claimed by states from the feds for the previous year and Wisconsin has not yet filed for these funds for 2010. Loss of collective bargaining rights would make the state ineligible for the funds by Federal law.
Though the funds are a small part of the WI budget and less than a few percent of its relatively small deficit, the loss of federal mass transit funds would place almost all local systems at risk of collapse - Loss of mass transit would have a ripple effect of economic disruption and further loss of revenues to the state: the cost to Wisconsin state government would be greater than the loss of $40 to $50 million per year in Federal funds alone.
If corporations are people, doesn't the 13th amendment prohibit them from being anyone's property?
Needs MAYBE.
It depends on how many "Reagan Democrats" come to their senses and realize they've been robbed.
It depends on the Tea Party members who don't understand that the original Tea Party happened because taxes on corporations were too low, hurting the colonial businesses and people.
It depends on whether the rest of middle class Republicans evict their amoral 'leaders' sooner rather than later.
It depends on how many Blue Dog Democrats can either throw down the corporate shackles and work for the people who elected them, or those Blue Dogs must be replaced with Liberal Democrats, Yellow Dogs like me.
MAYBE recovery will happen more quickly when we can find our voice[s], and can get our messages out in the mainstream media. Fox News should be prohibited from calling itself news, as happened in Canada last week.
If anything is ever going to change, Americans, and especially Progressives, need to step outside their comfort zone and engage in civil disobedience that works. I propose that people stop paying their mortgage (do not spend it), and perhaps student loans. How long could the banks function if we stopped handing them our money every month? It would have to be a significant number of people, into the millions, for it to work.
Just a thought...
More on the 'cookie' metaphor . . .
The CEO/bankster does NOT eat the 499 cookies, he *hoards* them, adding them to his already 'too-much-to-be-used' stash and brags about to his peers about how many he now has.
(video) Hollywood debunks GOP myth WWII ended Depression
Thom, I think you are missing the boat by not stressing that the great majority of laws, rules and regulations are "written in blood". That means that someone was hurt and the regulations etc. were enacted because someone got hurt. Whither it was financial, injurous, or even deadly. My wife was the chief nurse at a small facility for (as they worded it then) severely and profoundly retarded persons and they started without any rules, then several poeple abused the facility by such things as bringing thier laundry to work and do it using the facilities washers, soap, energy and water. thus rules became necessary and the rule book came into existance and grew.
I am studying environemental economics and I strongly believe in taxes. My blog shows how taxes pay for a funtional society. If you agree, please spread to others and lets help everyone understand the true value of taxes.
http://thoughtsfromamindfull.blogspot.com/
Republicans were elected in this last election - especially for the House - overwhelming. It still amazes me that working people vote against their best interests. Look at Wisconsin - it was the people of Wisconsin that elected Dictorial Governor Walker and a house and senate of Republicans. It is sad.
We are in for several years of budget cuts for the people that need it most and tax cuts and benefits for those that need it least.. Those millionaires and billionaires are in control and until the people of this nation realize that and VOTE to change the trend, this country will continue to fall deeper into a third world nation with those that "have" ignoring those "in need". GREED will coninute to prevail unless 'we, the people' wake up. Stop listening to Fox, Rush, O'Reilly, Beck, etc and following them like sheep to the slaughter.
jctd 5本指シューズ ビブラムは、工業デザイナーのロバートフリーリにより考案され、1936年に最初の登山用のゴム底を発明したビブラム社の創設者である、ヴィターレブラマーニの孫である、マルコブラマーニに提案された。ビブラム ファイブフィンガーズセーリング情熱を燃やすマルコブラマーニはあたかも手袋のようで、ビブラム 販売店第二の皮膚のような感覚の靴のアイデアに魅了された。vibram fivefingers[ファイブフィンガーズ]は、優れた機敏性、バランス、コントロールを向上させる一方、五本指シューズ ビブラム戦場の危険な艤装や障害物からもブラマーニ氏の足をしっかりと守った。Vibram 5本指 シューズセーラーとして、靴産業界のベテランとしての経験を生かし、ブラマーニ氏はフリーリ氏と共に、5本指シューズビブラムソールの守られた裸足のセンセーションを提供する今日の形状をした最初のビブラム 5本指を完成させた。ビブラム スピードバーバリー アウトレット【BURBERRY】はイギリスを代表する世界的なファッションブランドの一つです。創業者であるトーマス・バーバリー 通販は農民が汚れを防ぐために服の上に羽織っていた上着をヒントに「ギャバジン」といわれる耐久性・防水性に優れたバーバリー 店舗新素材を生み出しました。1924年には有名な【バーバリー コート】が誕生。コートの裏地としてデザインされたのが起源で、バーバリー トレンチコート1967年にパリのショーで発表された傘にバーバリー・チェックを裏地以外で初めて使用し、その後、バッグやバーバリー マフラーなど様々なファッションアイテムに使用されました。バーバリー バッグ現在はカラーバリエーションBURBERRY バッグも最初のキャメル／赤／黒／白だけでなく、様々なカラーバリエーションを展開しています。バーバリー トレンチコートは、映画「ティファニーで朝食を」や「カサブランカ」でピーター・セラーズ、オードリー・ヘプバーン、ハンフリー・ボガート、元英首相ウィンストン・チャーチル、ら数々の著名人が愛用したことでも有名BURBERRY マフラー。また、1955年にはエリザベス2世のロイヤルワラントを授かり、バーバリーブルーレーベル1989年には英国皇太子によって認証を授かっており、イギリス王室ご用達でロイヤルの称号を持っています。現在ロゴとして「BURBERRY outlet」と「Burberry's」の二つが存在するが、バーバリーブラックレーベル後者は2000年の変更以前の製品についているものでありそれ以降は全て「BURBERRY アウトレット」に統一されています。 ストリートファンッションシーンでは欠かす事の出来なくなったダンクsbラインから新作が登場。1990年代のスケーターファッションからインスパイアを受けたこのモデルナイキ ダンク SB。カラーコンビネーションもさることながら絶妙な素材コンビネーションdunk SBが足下に彩りを与えています。インソールにはインスパイアを受けた90sスケータnike ダンク sbーのイラストが施されています。ナイキダンクハイ1985年にノンエアバスケットボールシューズナイキ ダンク hiとしてリリースされ、その歴史が始まったNIKE DUNK(ナイキ ダンク)。80年代は、カレッジカラーが登場しボーラーに愛されNIKE DUNK SB、90年代は、そのスタイリッシュなフォルムと革新的なカラーリングで復刻モデルとしてストリートで爆発的ヒットNIKE DUNK、21世紀に入ると、NIKEのスケートボードラインダンク lowにてズームエアを搭載し、タンを厚くしたスケシュー仕様ナイキ ダンク ロウが多くのスニーカーファンを魅了ナイキ ダンク ロー。
W. makes me puke!!!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/From-The-Archives--Bush-s-by-Robert-Parry-110304-464.html
Thom is right. There is alien life.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/nasascientistfindsevidenceofalienlife
March 6, 2011
Notes from the Church’s Newsletter
Faith requires that we listen with our hearts and live according to God’s will. Faith does not consist in a formal and superficial conforming to the words in the Holy Bible. Faith is deeper and more radical level by putting Jesus’ words in your heart and soul. We are to do the will of God out of love. We are called to make the world a place of liberation for all. We are taught as Catholics that the way to peace is justice, such as economic justice. We are called as ordinary persons to build a society in which everyone has an opportunity for an education, health care, and a decent standard of living. We need to pray for the wisdom to know to be fair to all.
When it comes time to vote for a politician, here is some information we can use as a guideline. All politicians commit mortal sins. We need to focus on politicians who commit less mortal sin. In the past voting was stressing the lesser of two evils. Times have now changed to less mortal sin.
Mortal Sin
Three things are necessary for a sin to be mortal: 1. SERIOUS MATTER (In my Examination of Conscience pamphlet there is a list of serious sins as we follow the Ten Commandments and we should not forget Jesus’ Eleventh Commandment.); 2. KNOWLEDGE OR FIRM BELIEF THAT THE ACT IS SERIOUSLY WRONG PRIOR TO COMMITTING THE ACT (When American corporations and the American rich sit around to devise ways to hurt average, middle, and working Americans, they have knowledge of a serious wrong that will be committed.); 3. FULL CONSENT OF THE WILL!!!
A MORTAL SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD. TO DIE IN THE STATE OF MORTAL SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD. OUR OVERT DESTINATION IS THE ETERNAL ABYSS OF HELL. Believe it or not at your own peril!!!
The fight we are in will be lost to us because the powerbrokers who control the gold will win the battle or battles. In the end they will lose the war and wallow in hell for eternity. THIS IS MY PERCEPTUAL OPINION AND WE ARE ALL ENTITLED TO OUR OPINIONS.
More on Mortal Sins
America and Americans have accepted and embraced mortal sin. Mortal sin is our religion in our country and these sins make up the eight pillars of our faith. Let us look at these eight pillars of faith.
America is a nation inundated with mortal sins. Mortal sins are damning our devil incarnate nation.
I was watching TV Ontario and the program highlighted a checklist for mental disorders. This mental disorder checklist applies to people as well.
Here is the checklist.
1. Callousness toward people
2. Impersonal relationships with people
3. Disregard for the safety of others
4. Deceitfulness
5. Incapacity to experience guilt
6. Failure to comply toward social norms to benefit people
This checklist displays a psychopathic mental disorder.
Here is my mini formula for justice and peace in the world.
Read Matthew 25:31-46! When you do it to the least of my brethren, you do it for me.
Read Matthew 5:1-12! The beatitudes!
Read Luke 10:25-37! Who is my neighbor?
Read Luke 12:13-21! These verses warn us against greed.
Read the Psalms in the Bible because they offer us hope.
Love the poor and your life will be filled with sunlight and you will not fear the hour of death. - St. Vincent DePaul, the first social worker
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. – Mother Teresa
St. Ambrose says, “I shall pass this way but once, any good that I can do let me do it now, because I shall not pass this way again.”
We must practice the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.”
We must also follow and practice the Eleventh Commandment that Jesus gave to you and me at the Last Supper. “Love one another as I have loved you.”
The Republicans have their swagger back that says to me they can do any thing they want because they have mastered the art of rigging our electronic voting machines to the point they will never again lose an election and they will keep their power forever.
THE 2012 TICKET:
Democratic Party: Dennis Kucinich
Republican Party: Barack Obama
Fascist Party: Some GOP puppet
Alliance of Baptists
Statement on Conscientious Objection
Adopted April 2, 2005
Greenville, SC
The Board of Directors recommends that the Alliance of Baptists establish a file for the registration of Conscientious Objectors to be maintained by the staff and to provide documentary evidence that those registered are "by reason of religious training and belief ... conscientiously opposed to participate in war in any form" as required by the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. § 456 (j)).
The Board of Directors also recommends that the membership of the Alliance of Baptists endorse the following statement:
Inasmuch as the Alliance of Baptists is by covenant committed to "the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the calling of God to all peoples to repentance and faith, reconciliation and hope, social and economic justice" and is a partner with the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and the Baptist Peace Fellowship in "a concerted witness to peace and justice;" therefore, be it resolved
A. That we encourage among our members the discernment of conscience concerning participation in war; and
B. That we recognize that one consistent expression of our common witness is the conviction that war is contrary to the Good News of Jesus Christ; and
C. That we recognize there are different convictions on this matter within the Alliance of Baptists; and
D. That we commit again to being peacemakers reconciling speech and action with one another.
War creates more problems than it resolves problems.
http://www.patheos.com/community/carlgregg/2010/11/11/veterans-day-and-the-truth-commission-on-conscience-in-war/
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Selective-Conscientious-Ob-by-Sylvia-Clute-110305-231.html
Can this really be true?
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Waging-War-on-Working-Amer-by-Stephen-Lendman-110305-881.html
The coffin is being lowered into our graves.
Yes, we are a nation of certifiable psychos.
http://original.antiwar.com/kelly/2011/03/04/incalculable/
The truth about this multi-billionaire surfaces!!!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/05/wikileaks-exposes-unholy-alliance-of-us-government-bill-gates-and-monsanto.aspx