smallface

2011-04-12T21:45:00.001-07:00

In a little nest in Manhattan, 16 floors up and facing the Hudson River..... watching a thunder and lightening storm....feeling very cozy and lucky to be with this electric city.....been here several days and have seen and experienced great music, a beautiful spring day, incredible food and yoga (Jivamutri and Dharma Mittra). Will be heading to San Diego tomorrow renewed......feeling quite blessed. I have now met Russell Simmons twice in the past 6 weeks....once in San Diego and yesterday in a yoga class.....strange serendipity.....like him, I am a vegan and a yogini (well he is technically a 'yogi')....these lifestyle practices are great blessings not only to ourselves, but the universe too:

2011-01-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

New Year....new blog....here we go again...another attempt to write something.

Last year I successfully incorporated meditation into my daily life. I have been doing this practice of 'quieting my mind' 30-60 minutes per day. This year I want to log 365 hours of meditation(1hour/day) and next year 548 hours(1.5 hours/day) and then finally achieve meditating 2hours/day in 2 years. The health effects have been documented (lowering of blood pressure, stress, anxiety, better sleep) and I find that those who do meditate are phenomenally productive. My 'to do' list is exhaustive and I will be annoyed if I leave this experience/life without embracing/experiencing my desires and dreams. There may be something to the saying 'do less and achieve more.' So....off to meditate and then do the Swami stairs and thank the ocean......and a short jog,....then visit Tely and if I have time left over, a little piano practice and accounting....then my evening meditation.

Happy New Year and may everyone have boatloads of health, happiness, productivity, joy and humor....forever!

Found this quote from Rumi which I feel will be my mantra for the year:

"Let the beauty you love be what you do. There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth."

If anyone desires contributing to an important cause, I would like to recommend ' Survivors of Torture, International.' This a group that is trying to help an incredible group of people who have somehow managed to survive insurmountable odds and are now seeking asylum in the United States. I work with them and over the past year almost all federal funding has vaporized. Any gift would be greatly appreciated and I can assure you that the recipients are cast from a mold that is incredible and miraculous in many ways. Contact me for information on volunteer opportunities. Physicians are desperately needed.

2010-10-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

So much for writing everyday....just too busy and enthralled with' doing.' Miki Dora was brought to my attention by my yoga/surf teacher....he epitomizes commitment and passion for what he loves in life.....no holes barred.....

2010-09-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

Earth and Moon from 114 Million Miles

" In the lower left portion of this image, the Earth can be seen, as well as the much smaller Moon to Earth's right. When MESSENGER took this image, a distance of 183 million kilometers (114 million miles) separated the spacecraft and Earth. To provide context for this distance, the average separation between the Earth and the Sun is about 150 million kilometers (93 million miles)."

2010-08-27T15:31:00.000-07:00

Why can't people stop using plastic bags!!!!

Bbetween 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used every year and less than 1% are recycled. They choking and killing our ecosystems and many animals. It takes so little to carry and use canvas bags.....it feels good and is really important.

2010-08-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

The Cats Eye nebulae....mind boggling....beautiful.........one of billions to trillions of celestial objects 'out there' spinning and floating around....we are so lucky to have the beginning of a peek at what is beyond.....that might be naive...maybe it is just a whiff of ...... that something....out there.....

Ever since I was around 10 (I distinctly recall thinking 'it is great to be 10 years old'...isn't that funny? ... especially as I am now over 50!!!!),...anyway.... I seem to go through periods when I just contemplate about our existence....I blow my puny mind into the insane universe and....'wow'.......impossible to fathom...I think, ...'omyg, there must be a Creator!'...I mean, there is no reason for anything 'to be.' And yet,.....there is so much out there....always gets my little head spinning......we have awareness and feelings....we really are....something....something....an entity...a collection of stardust molecules that is being....something.....crazy man, crazy!!!! I always end up here and flop down, roll my eyes and breathe....

......look at the following picture....it is a just tiny snipit of a part of our little (in cosmic terms) Milky Way Galaxy. I have a book at home that has a photo through the heart of the Milky Way (will try to scan and post it)....it is so dense with stars, there is little darkness....billions of them.. our 'little, truly puny, galaxy.' The creative force of all this, is incomprehensible...yet I am trying to comprehend it....because....my parents and grandparents did the work that allows me this precious time....the predators selected....we had a lot of luck and kept trying. Today, I don't have to forage and fight for survival 24/7...at least not now. Looking out to the universe is amazing.......reminds of how lucky and little...... I am......ommmmmmm.

2010-08-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

It has been almost a month since the last post.....Not sure I'm cut out for this.... I guess this means I don't really want to write.....but, I do have a story to tell...it is not mine...someone else's.....anyway, will keep dreaming and trying...

Took the picture from the veranda of my friend's home on the Blood Indian reservation.....was amazing to watch this family grow up and fly away.... no idle time...devoted parents .....

One of my favorite contemporary authors is Sherman Alexie...this article (by him), about his work is disheartening, but gets to our real world and the many thieves within.

I would love to post one of his poems and a picture, but he has strictly forbid this (I am proud to say I actually contacted his publisher).....it is kind of sad because it limits outreach.....but, like most of us with First Nations background, there is a subtle element of anger at the 'other world' and many of us feel like we'll go down dying defending our work, family, passions. He is an amazing writer, so check out his work. He can weave beauty and humor into chaos... I like/love everything he's written except for a couple of poems which seem silly. A good place to start is to read the stories in "The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Fistfight in Heaven.'

In a few hours I will be doing a history and physical examination on a victim of torture. These experiences are so so intense and tragic, I have a difficult time doing them...I really have to prepare myself mentally....I am, however, honored to help because these are true 'survivors' who have character and strength of which I can only dream. My work is legal and feels ethically 'correct' because this work makes a constructive difference in the lives of individuals who might actually 'survive' and through that survival make our world a better place...they inspire me to keep trying and fighting for truth and righteousness...this work is possibly some of the most meaningful work I have ever done.....these 'victims' are amazing people....there really are no words to describe them.....incomprehensible survivors...their stories are amazing I may post them annoymously....they remind me of the fact that we live blessed lives compared to theirs....this work helps me never forget. If you want to help them at all, here is a link to the group that supports them: Survivors of Torture, International.

2010-07-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

New Adventure....my blog.

Decided to try and become a better writer. Someone posted somewhere, that one of the very best ways to become a better writer is to write a blog. So, here we go. I think I will use this space to express my impressions of this world...news, politics, veganism, civil rights, animals, yoga, astronomy, dressage, literature, IT and rez life.

Currently in very dark doldrums. I swear, these must be chemical, although I know they were triggered by disappointment.....meaningless, clandestine operations 'behind the scenes,' that I have been told (without specifics) are the result of my intensity or 'attitude' or .... something else. Arrrhhh.....trying to please others but not insult myself is so difficult! Am angry at myself for letting this BS 'get to me.' In the grand scheme of things it is truly stupid to allow minuscule crap that pollutes the brains of us minuscule people to 'get to any of us!' But, even though I can consciously acknowledge the insane miracle of being alive with a tiny touch of consciousness, I remain dark, angry and hurt. I guess I will just have to wait this out...eventually the clouds will break and it will be sunny again - 'I hope.'

Anyway, this song is getting me 'a little' rocking and rolling in spite of my dark mood:

2010-06-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

I am struggling with even letting my consciousness drift towards acknowledging the horror of what is going on in the fragile ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico. The CEO of BP, Tony Hayward wants his life back? I hope he never gets it back....I hope Obama loses his life too....unless he can clean up this mess he allowed to occur and gets this tragic oil leak to stop!!!

For a little satiric/comic relief....

"A careful analysis by Daily Brief labs indicates that releasing the hot air trapped inside Hayward would cause an immediate collapse of the well, staunching the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. A small nuclear "bunker buster" should be sufficient to penetrate the dense, protective bone matter surrounding the target."

2010-04-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Bernie Goldberg Fires Back

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

2010-03-13T18:16:00.000-08:00

Texas Removes Thomas Jefferson from teaching standard.

The Texas Board of Education......."decided to drop Jefferson from a world history section devoted to great political thinkers. ..... By dropping mention of revolution, and substituting figures such as Aquinas and Calvin for Jefferson, Texas Freedom Network argues, the board had chosen to embrace religious teachings over those of Jefferson, the man who coined the phrase "separation between church and state."

....I pity the students....I find this pretty shocking, but not unexpected from the bitter South.

2009-12-09T23:52:00.000-08:00

"A driver who ran over and killed a mother duck walking her 12 ducklings across a Massachusetts mall parking lot has been sentenced to a year of probation."

I applaud the judge and the state of Massachusetts for taking the time to publicly admonish this monster......

To temper my disgust for that event, I easily found the following story that is comforting, inspiring and 'right on!' I have some renewed faith in humans....even bankers and loan officers!

Parade Leads Ducklings to Safety

2009-10-27T01:36:00.000-07:00

Was fortunate enough to be at this incredible concert......if you have a chance to go....do it!

2009-08-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Teddy Kennedy.....rest in peace......

2009-07-21T16:44:00.001-07:00

Obama is starting to dismantle the 'military-industrial complex'..... finally some integrity for the citizens of this country that have unnecessarily funded projects like the F-22.....for years.

2009-06-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

Dave Responds to Palin....

2009-04-27T22:18:00.000-07:00

Possible Source of Swine Flu Outbreak: La Gloria, Mexico - US-run, Hog Facility run by Smithfield
"According to state agents of the Mexican social security institute, the vector of this outbreak are the clouds of flies that come out of the hog barns, and the waste lagoons into which the Mexican-US company spews tons of excrement," reported Mexico City newspaper La Jornada." ""Sources characterised the event as a 'strange' outbreak of acute respiratory infection, which led to pneumonia in some paediatric cases. Health officials recorded 400 cases that sought medical treatment in the last week in La Gloria, which has a population of 3,000; officials indicated that 60% of the town's population, approximately 1,800 cases, has been affected." "Smithfield, which is led by pork baron Joseph W Luter III, has previously been fined for environmental damage in the US."

Rolling Stone in 2006 noted:
"Smithfield estimates that its total sales will reach $11.4 billion this year. So prodigious is its fecal waste (26 million tons/year), however, that if the company treated its effluvia as big-city governments do -- even if it came marginally close to that standard -- it would lose money."

See this post @ MyDD for more info and excellent posts.

For pictures of the Smithfield plant @ La Gloria, Mexico: http://suburbiodeimagen.blogspot.com (spanish site)

It is criminal to treat animals and people this way.......for profit and habit?

2009-04-26T17:34:00.000-07:00

Center for Disease Control (CDC) Recommendations regarding Swine Flu .... and some of 'mine' (below):

1) Persons with a febrile, respiratory illness should stay home and avoid contacts.

2) Frequent hand washing (20 seconds under running water), can lessen disease transmission. A single 'sneeze' propels 40,000 droplets into the air at a speed of 90 mph....these droplets land on door knobs, keyboards, etc. Wash your hands several times a day (alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective) and never touch your face after touching a public object (if possible). Cover your face when you sneeze.

3) If you have to be in public, wear a medical mask. Try to avoid public areas as much as possible.

4) Clinicians should submit nasopharyngeal swabs of patients who present with 'febrile, respiratory' symptoms. These specimens need to be refrigerated. Should you choose to treat, the CDC is currently recommending the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for treatment and/or prevention of Swine flu.

5) The 'flu' vaccine doesn't work against swine flu.

6) An individual is contagious for3-4 days, while having symptoms, but....children can shed the virus for up to a week. Since this is a new 'bug' I'd be cautious and if you are ill, stay out of public places, if you can.

6) Surprisingly, the CDC has not yet issued a travel warning to endemic areas. It makes sense and certainly will not hurt to postpone trips until this pandemic has passed. Here is a link to CDC travel advice. Personally, I would postpone trips, if possible and probably wear a mask.

7) Call your medical practitioner for any additional concerns.

2009-04-24T12:30:00.001-07:00

Swine Flu Striking Again:

"Mexican officials, scrambling to control a swine flu outbreak that has killed at least 16 people and possibly dozens more in recent weeks,...."

Factory Farms = SARS, Swine Flu, Mad-Cow Disease, e Coli outbreaks....... in addition to cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, obesity, antibiotic resistance, global warming and animal cruelty.

Eating meat is no longer necessary, so why bother? Its bad for you, the earth and the animal.

2009-04-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

Italian Scientist, turning 100, still works

Rita Levi Montalcini, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, said Saturday that even though she is about to turn 100, her mind is sharper than it was she when she was 20.

"Above all, don't fear difficult moments," she said. "The best comes from them."

"I should thank Mussolini for having declared me to be of an inferior race. This led me to the joy of working, not any more unfortunately, in university institutes but in a bedroom," the scientist said.

2009-04-11T13:13:00.001-07:00

The Sky We Can't See....

Culture Unplugged Video

2009-04-10T03:02:00.001-07:00

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

2009-04-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

Red Cross: Medical Officers Participated in Torture at CIA Prisons

"Health personnel offered supervision and even assistance as suspected al-Qaeda operatives were beaten, deprived of food, exposed to temperature extremes and subjected to water- boarding, the relief agency said in the 2007 report, a copy of which was posted on a magazine Web site yesterday. The report quoted one medical official as telling a detainee: "I look after your body only because we need you for information."

I feel these physicians should have their licenses revoked. What is clearly documented is an abomination and violation of the Hippocratic Oath. These monsters are psychopaths who should not practice medicine. Reminiscent of 'The Marathon Man".....here is a clip that will take you to the core of the immorality and the stupidity of the action....

2009-04-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

Following Bush lead, Obama moves to block challenge to wiretapping program

"President Barack Obama invoked "state secrets" to prevent a court from reviewing the legality of the National Security Agency's warantless wiretapping program, moving late Friday to have a lawsuit that challenged the program dismissed."

....there is probably some compelling reason, but Obama's promise of change is slowly deteriorating....

2009-03-12T21:42:00.000-07:00

Go John Go!

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Basic Cable Personality Clash Skirmish '09

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Economic Crisis

2009-03-10T00:51:00.000-07:00

Zoo Chimp stashes stones with intent to throw @ onlookers

....seems like we're finally awake enough to understand that many animals may actually 'think ahead.' Perhaps, they also have an emotional life, feel pain, remorse and joy.....so, how can we treat them the way we do? Where is the line?

"Keepers at Furuvik Zoo found that the chimp collected and stored stones that he would later use as missiles.

Further, the chimp learned to recognise how and when parts of his concrete enclosure could be pulled apart to fashion further projectiles.

The findings are reported in the journal Current Biology."

2009-03-04T03:04:00.000-08:00

Obama Suspends Bush Rule On Endangered Species

"President Obama today asked federal agencies to consult with wildlife biologists over decisions that may affect threatened or endangered species. The memorandum effectively suspends a December 2008 rule issued by the Bush administration, which waived requirements that agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers consult with experts at the Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service when undertaking projects like building dams."

A dream-come-true....bless Mr. Obama......

2009-02-24T23:01:00.000-08:00

The Obama Code by George Lakoff

"For the sake of unity, the President tends to express his moral vision indirectly. Like other self-aware and highly articulate speakers, he connects with his audience using what cognitive scientists call the "cognitive unconscious." Speaking naturally, he lets his deepest ideas simply structure what he is saying. If you follow him, the deep ideas are communicated unconsciously and automatically. The Code is his most effective way to bring the country together around fundamental American values. "

2009-02-11T13:23:00.000-08:00

Video: Valentine's Day Brain Science

"February 10, 2009—Valentine's Day is coming, and a lot of people have love on the brain—quite literally, according to new medical technology that reveals the "mechanical" side of romance.

© 2009 National Geographic (AP)"

2009-02-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

Obama got me chuckling again....makes a point of treating everyone like they have value...even those trained to mechanically 'just follow orders.' ....his first trip on Marine One...the 'color guard' guy looks stunned.....hehehe...I don't think this was in his policy manual.

2009-01-18T14:36:00.001-08:00

Our Country Is Coming Home!!!! Pete Seeger and Bruce revive 'This Land is Your Land'

2009-01-09T09:57:00.000-08:00

Al Franken vs Ann Coulter

2009-01-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

The Echo - powerful, short film

The Echo from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

2008-12-31T16:11:00.000-08:00

Zbigniew Brzezinski on Joe Scarborough

Insightful analysis of the current Middle East conflict by Mr. Brzezinski, but at the very end Joe tries to use his usual double-speak and bullying and says " "you cannot blame what's going on in Israel on the Bush administration." This prompted Zbig to reply, "You know, you have such a stunningly superficial knowledge of what went on that it's almost embarrassing to listen to you." It is cathartic to watch a sophisticated elder successfully intimidate Scarborough....

2008-12-27T14:26:00.000-08:00

Amazing Journey of a Sea Turtle

Inspires me to quit wimping out and go do some paddling.

2008-12-21T06:43:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Alexander

Barack Obama has chosen Ms. Alexander to be 'the poet' at his inauguration. I struggle for words to describe her......so...I'll let her speak for herself.

Interview (video)

A Poem for Nelson Mandela by Elizabeth Alexander

Here where I live it is Sunday.

From my room I hear black

children playing between houses

and the El at a Sabbath rattle.

I smell barbecue from every direction

and hear black hands tolling church bells,

hear wind hissing through elm trees

through dry grasses

On a rooftop of a prison

in South Africa Nelson Mandela

tends garden and has a birthday,

as my Jamaican grandfather in Harlem, New York

raises tomatoes and turns ninety-one.

I have taken touch for granted: my grandfather’s hands,

his shoulders, his pajamas which smell of vitamin pills.

I have taken a lover’s touch for granted,

recall my lover’s touch from this morning

as Mandela’s wife pulls memories through years

and years

my life is black and filled with fortune.

Nelson Mandela is with me because I believe

in symbols; symbols bear power; symbols demand

power; and that is how a nation

follows a man who leads from prison

and cannot speak to them. Nelson Mandela

is with me because I am a black girl

who honors her elders, who loves

her grandfather, who is a black daughter

as Mandela’s daughters are black

daughters. This is Philadelphia

and I see this Sunday clean.

2008-12-17T02:30:00.000-08:00

At first I was really perturbed and annoyed by the now probable appointment of Carolyn Kennedy to the senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. I remain guarded about the misuse of power by a dynasty, but.....my brother offered another perspective that I found comforting and it seemed to make sense:

Now that we live in an era of cut-throat politics, it takes profound amounts of money, mud-slinging and an almost psychopathic character to survive 'an election.' Those who survive are most likely going to pander to their donors who contribute because they can't get to the top without the help of money 'slid under the table.' Wouldn't it be amazing to have a crop of political leaders who surfaced without the taint of ugly campaigns? They'd surface with their energy and ideals intact, ready to serve? Its a crap shoot, really, but...the idea seems worth a try seen as we've currently such a corrupt and destructive system.

So,...I'm now comfortable with the dynastic consideration of Carolyn Kennedy who, thus far, seems quite devoted to moral leadership of, by and for the people...rather than the 'corporation.' She has the leadership potential to be part of a brigade of prepared idealists who might be able to help us transcend this horrific state of affairs and rise to a higher level of social and environmental consciousness. Rock on. Go Carolyn go!

2008-11-29T01:02:00.000-08:00

Nestle Says Contaminated Animal Feed Responsible for Melamine in Baby Milk

An important story that slipped beneath the radar.......

“Testing led to the discovery of melamine in a number of samples of cattle feed which is predominantly used in winter, which explains the presence of melamine traces in these batches. Consequently, Nestlé has also taken steps to ensure that the cattle feed used by its South African milk producers is melamine free.”

2008-11-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Prayer by William S. Burroughs

Now, that is not to say that I am not thankful for many of the amazing gifts I am privileged to experience, but..... this holiday has always been a knife in my side for two reasons: first of all, it uses First Nations people as a symbol of peace and working together, when, in fact, they were exploited and almost exterminated.....and second, 72 million turkeys are slaughtered to 'give thanks?' How twisted and barbaric is that? To kill an animal with a complex nervous system and then consume it? The holiday is one monstrous act of insanity to me....but.... we are all likely insane.

2008-11-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

As one can imagine I am still,.....thrilled, and tearful over Obama's win...this story about picking the family dog is humorous and touching. Our president elect is a joker/comedian...he does, however, look tired. Wishing him much health, happiness, productivity, love and laughter. Go Obama go!

2008-11-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

Lovely Obama Ad Starring Dick Cheney

2008-10-31T00:41:00.000-07:00

Pitiful: Obama Effigies throughout the USA

Lexington, Kentucky

Redondo Beach, CA

Newberg, Oregon

Ohio

Clarksville, Indiana

2008-10-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Who is the Socialist?

"A few weeks before she (Sarah Palin) was nominated for Vice-President, she told a visiting journalist—Philip Gourevitch, of this magazine—that “we’re set up, unlike other states in the union, where it’s collectively Alaskans own the resources. So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs.”

The recent suggestion that Obama is a socialist also, seems ridiculous when a republican, GWBush created the largest bank purchase in US history....all US citizens now, cooperatively (i.e. socially) own a national bank. Go W go! Uh, but don't call it 'Socialism.'

2008-10-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

Obama Makes An Inspired Closing Argument for Change

2008-10-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

Informative and classy Obama Bio:

More interesting videos @ Barack TV

2008-10-20T23:40:00.001-07:00

This video speaks for itself....incredible parallels with the current presidential race....are we really so stupid? yeah, I guess.....

2008-10-20T23:14:00.000-07:00

This Man Respects His Elders...he still respects his family and honors his roots.....he is leaving the campaign trail to be with his beloved grandmother....when have we ever seen such devotion; power aside? Obama is sprung from a different and better mold...he has my prayers...

"Senator Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has always been one of the most important people in his life, along with his mother and his grandfather," Gibbs said. "Recently his grandmother has become ill and in the last few weeks her health has deteriorated to the point where her situation is very serious. It is for that reason that Sen. Obama has decided to change his schedule on Thursday and Friday so that he can see her and spend some time with her."

2008-09-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

2008-08-17T04:34:00.000-07:00

US Inflation Hits Highest Point In 17 Years - The Times

Bush Shares His Feelings About Wounded Soldiers With Whom He Jogs

"Running with these two men is incredibly inspirational for me. And it should be inspirational to anybody who has been dealt a tough hand. Sometimes in life you get dealt a hand that you didn't expect to play, and they got dealt a tough hand, and they're playing it with all their soul. And I appreciate you guys being here. It means a lot to me."

Go Bush Go....W's accomplishments never cease to amaze me....but..... what seems even more concerning is that there are many still devoted to him; I don't think any of them ever consider what their portfolios would look like, had we not invaded Iraq and opened the financial floodgates to a host of insiders and lobbyists, loyal to this administration. I really wonder if those soldiers even consider the reality of what has happened to them...and why?

2008-08-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

Bush Not So Good With American Flags

"It's times like this that you just sort of have to say, "Know what? On second thought, Mr. President, please don't make an effort to resolve the crisis in Georgia, okay? I think we'll all be better off."

I almost pity him....he really is incredibly unaware.....really pitiful..a public American embarrassment.

2008-08-05T17:38:00.000-07:00

The US Banking System is sound, but....

Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide
Bombay Company: to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores. Cache, a women’s retailer is closing 20 to 23 stores this year

CompUSA (CLOSED).

Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores.
Dillard's Inc. will close another six stores this year.

Eddie Bauer to close more stores after closing 27 stores in the first quarter

Ethan Allen Interiors: plans to close 12 of 300 stores to cut costs.

Foot Locker to close 140 stores

Gap Inc. closing 85 stores

Home Depot store closings 15 of them amid a slumping US economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store.

J. C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are all scaling back

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide

Levitz - the furniture retailer, announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910.

Macy's - 9 stores closed

Movie Gallery – video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall as part of bankruptcy.

Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores closing

Pep Boys - 33 stores of auto parts supplier closing

Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations to close with 4,000 employees following 5,000 layoffs last year

Talbots, J. Jill closing stores. Talbots will close all 78 of its kids and men's stores plus another 22 underperforming stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J. Jill
Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores. The 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.

Wilsons the Leather Experts – closing 158 stores

Zales, Piercing Pagoda plans to close 82 stores by July 31 followed by closing another 23 underperforming stores.

I know Linens & Things just went belly up, and Steve & Barrys recently filed for bankruptcy protection and sale.

The writer pointed out that since 70% of US GDP comes from the retail sector....well, you do the math.

2008-08-03T14:59:00.000-07:00

Alexander Solzhenitzen RIP

"Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who exposed Stalin's prison system in his novels and spent 20 years in exile, has died at 89"

2008-08-02T00:10:00.000-07:00

Jared Bernstein and Heidi Shierholz at the Economic Policy Institute

"On average this year, payrolls have contracted by 66,000 per month. Job loss in the private sector has occurred more quickly, however, dropping an average of 83,000 jobs a month since it peaked in November 2007. Private sector payrolls are down 665,000 since then, including the loss of 76,000 last month. Since government employment is less sensitive to the business cycle, the private sector losses are more indicative of the full extent of labor market weakness...."

2008-06-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

A Video to give you the heebeejeebees.....

"With any part you play, there is a certain amount of yourself in it. There has to be, otherwise it's just not acting. It's lying." Johnny Depp

2008-04-09T07:35:00.000-07:00

Paper, plastic, beef or veggie...

"The vertical axis is “embedded energy,” meaning the amount of energy required to produce and transport the associated goods. Embedded energy equates roughly to climate change impact."

2008-03-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

Cheney's European Investments

"The Cheneys also had between $10 million and $25 million in American Century International Bond. The fund buys mainly high-quality foreign bonds (predominantly in Europe) and rarely hedges against possible increases in the value of the dollar. Indeed, its prospectus limits dollar exposure to 25% of assets and the fund currently has only 6% of assets in dollars, according to an American Century spokesman."

2008-03-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

Donna Brazile(super delegate) brings Wright-gate full circle....

Donna Brazile -- an uncommitted superdelegate of the Democratic National Convention and one of television's few black, female political pundits -- interjected an intriguing observation this afternoon into a discussion on CNN about Hillary Clinton's stiff-arming of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

In short, Brazile provided a pointed reminder that some voters (African Americans, in particular, we would think) might recall that Wright did not turn on Clinton's husband during an hour of need for him.

2008-03-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

4000 US Soldiers & somewhere between 80,000 & 1,000,0000 Iraqi Civilian Deaths for.....?

Click here to see the full (very large) image.

2008-03-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

Rev Wrights Speech...i.e. not a sound 'byte!'

2008-03-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

U.S. Economy No Longer Number 1

"The curious outcome of breaching this latest milestone is that the size of the euro zone's annual output has now exceeded that of the U.S.," the economics department of Goldman Sachs, the Wall Street investment bank, said in a note to clients."

Never thought I'd see this in my lifetime....

2008-02-11T14:33:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama is an inspiration....his speeches get better and better, wiser and wiser....while he lacks experience, he gains by his ability to recognize the mistakes of the past and learn from them....at this point, he has my vote....I'm shocked and thrilled that an individual like him has stepped forward to help rescue us from the inevitable fate of decline and deterioration, unless...., someone with a conscience, wisdom, vision and ability takes the reins of our special country. Many thanks Mr. Obama.

2008-01-30T10:35:00.000-08:00

Brian Bilbray's Economic Stimulus Package:

"What those people are really saying is that we aren't producing enough unskilled, poor workers. They're saying that we aren't producing enough poverty in this country. Well, my answer is that the federal government could produce a lot of poverty if it wanted to. We spend billions on education and training. We could create our own."

2008-01-26T04:13:00.001-08:00

Here is something beautiful, whimsical and of another world:

FYI...the dolphins are creating 'bubble rings' by blowing them through their blow-holes...then they dance and play with their creation.

2008-01-26T03:49:00.000-08:00

This is another, mind-boggling, entertaining GW Bush Story....it involves the following 3 images....

2008-01-25T09:34:00.001-08:00

True to form....all the Dem candidates have my head spinning with disappointment today:

Obama Gives Thousands in contributions from extortionist/money launderer Rezko to charities and...a photo of Hillary shows up with him(Rezko)....but she can't remember how it happened.

"Obama denied Clinton's accusation, saying that he was an associate at a law firm that represented a church group that had partnered with Rezko on a project. "I did about five hours worth of work on this joint project," he said. His campaign has said it is giving to charities more than $40,000 from donors linked to Rezko. In 2006, when charges against Rezko were made public, Obama gave $11,500 in Rezko contributions to charities."

Russ Feingold won't support Edwards because.....

"Asked to explain what precisely he found problematic, Feingold offered that Edwards had "taken in" voters by switching positions on several key issues.

"You have to consider what the audience is, and obviously these are very popular positions to take when you are in a primary where you are trying to get the progressive vote. But wait a minute -- there were opportunities to vote against the bankruptcy bill, there was an opportunity to vote against the China [trade] deal. Those are the moments where you sort of find out where somebody is. So I think, people are being taken in a little bit that now he is taking these positions."

The Edwards campaign did not return a request for comment."

2008-01-24T12:19:00.000-08:00

Congress and Bush are pushing through a short-term economic incentive plan that will only postpone our recession. A few days ago, our Fed chairman 'panic-slashed' interest rates....heck an 8 year old could have done that.....all of this foretells our worrisome future that is being constructed by politicians concerned only with their next election and the next headline or....they have taken on a job for which they are unprepared and of which they are ignorant.

Only John Edwards, back in December, proposed an economic stimulus plan that might actually create a better long-term economy and a better world:

"He called for Congress to act immediately to pass at least a $25 billion jobs plan in early 2008 and be ready to pass $75 billion more if there is more evidence that we are entering a recession."

2008-01-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

MLK RIP

"In honor of Martin Luther King Day, filmmaker Robert Greenwald has released a sharp new short film on his topic-de-jour: the excesses of the private equity industry. The video, which is part of a series titled "War On Greed," documents the strain endured by small town economies under the weight of the private equity industry's business structure. "

2008-01-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

2008-01-20T14:04:00.000-08:00

Obama Addresses Homophobia, Antisemetism and Xenophobia among black Americans....

"We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them," and "the scourge of anti-Semitism has, at times, revealed itself in our community," and "for too long, some of us have seen the immigrants as competitors for jobs instead of companions in the fight for opportunity."

....eloquence, passion and character at its best....

2008-01-16T16:10:00.000-08:00

The 'Real Story' Behind Bush's Trip to Saudi Arabia by Greg Palast

"The Bush Administration, rather than tax Americans to cover our deficits or make the banks suffer the consequences of their predatory lending practices, is allowing the Saudis to charge us big time at the pump with the understanding they will lend it all back to us - so the party never has to stop"

2008-01-15T12:31:00.001-08:00

In Honor of Martin Luther King: Happy BD and many thanks for all you have done for this world

2008-01-15T10:15:00.000-08:00

Bush Brokers Another Deal to Enrich His Friends, Destabilize the Middle East and thank his Saudi Friends. I still can't fathom how Bush got away without going after Saudi Arabia for the 911 tragedy. Now,.....he's giving them arms? Where is the mainstream media? Where is the outcry? This is madness and it is collective, a product of ignorance and passive citizens.

"The Bush administration will notify Congress on Monday of its intent to sell $20 billion in weapons, including precision-guided bombs, to Saudi Arabia, moving up the announcement to coincide with the president's arrival in Riyadh, The Associated Press has learned."

2008-01-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

Bush on Intel: "It doesn't reflect my views..."

"....said a senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip to the Mideast. "He told the Israelis that he can't control what the intelligence community says, but that [the NIE's] conclusions don't reflect his own views" about Iran's nuclear-weapons program, said the official, who would discuss intelligence matters only on the condition of anonymity."

2008-01-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

Surely unintentional, but, nevertheless...'typical' ..... insulting Bush Faux Pas:

"US President George W. Bush speaks after signing the guest book at the close of his visit in the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. President Bush had tears in his eyes during an hour-long tour of Israel's Holocaust memorial Friday and told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the U.S. should have bombed Auschwitz to halt the killing, the memorial's chairman said." (AP Photo/Jim Hollander, Pool) link to MSNBC article

2008-01-09T17:21:00.000-08:00

Diebold Again?....Where Paper Prevailed, Different Results

The sudden surge in Hillary's NH numbers really surprised me, but...when this news came out, I became somewhat concerned. 81% of the votes in NH are executed using Diebold machines, the rest are counted by hand. The link above takes you to the actual vote tabulations and its easy to see that there is a giant discrepancy between results. While I'm not suggesting foul play, the unprecedented discrepancies between the polls and results, compounded with the discrepancies between the Diebold and hand machines warrants, at least, an investigation.

Here is a link to a mainstream article: Pollsters flummoxed by New Hampshire primary

2006-10-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Taking an indefinite hiatus. Take care, and........ Don't let the Repubs terrorize you too much. You might enjoy Olbermann's latest on this issue.

2006-10-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

LA County Fair

Modern Republican voters?

2006-10-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

Kitten Composer

Grace

2006-10-04T00:47:00.000-07:00

Brian Bilbray Received Money from Foley

Bilbray Also Linked to Jack Abramoff

"Bilbray was a pretty big pal of our friend Jack Abramoff. Back in the mid-1990's he even went on one of Jack's all-expense-paid junkets to the Marianas islands to watch first hand the alchemic magic of laborers from across the Far East working in sweatshops producing 'Made in the USA' label clothing."

Brian Bilbray is the RNC's choice to replace Duke Cunningham in CA-50.

2006-10-04T00:27:00.000-07:00

O'Reilly Labels Foley a Democrat?

Bradblog documents 3 different cutaways?

Isn't there some sort of legal ramification?

2006-10-03T15:52:00.000-07:00

Developing: Ben-Veniste Admits 9/11 Commission Knew About Tenet Briefings

So, now......Why wasn't this in the 9/11 Commission report? Apparently, not only Rice, but also Rumsfeld and Ashcroft received the same briefing.

From the 9/11 report:
"in July 2001, and he'd(i.e. Tenet) even showed the commissioners slides from the PowerPoint presentation he'd prepared for the July briefings."

2006-10-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

Bush and Foley, together 91/2 weeks ago.

"Well after he had praised and said how much he appreciated the leadership (who had turned a blind eye to Foley's sexually suggestive emails to an underage teenage boy) - he praised House members in attendance (including Foley) as being a "S.W.A.T. team for kids" "

Enter the 'caption' contest here.

2006-09-26T09:09:00.000-07:00

Condi Rice Lies to Refute Clinton

Bush's First Declassified Memo on Al-Qaeda

"January 25, 2001 Richard Clarke Memo:
"We urgently need . . . a Principals level review on the al Qida network.""

2006-09-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

Medical Corps Officer Killed in Iraq

Another amazing, young person gone. Her accomplishments and passion are inspiring.
Emily Perrez, RIP.

War Price on US Lives Equal to 9/11

"Now the death toll is 9/11 times two. U.S. military deaths from
Iraq' now match those of the most devastating terrorist attack in America's history...
Add casualties from chasing terrorists elsewhere in the world, and the total has passed the Sept. 11 figure"

2006-09-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

CNN is currently giving extensive news coverage of the last flight of the F-14 fighter. 40 minutes coverage so far!!! Here are some stories neglected by the MSM:

U.N: Iraq Civilian Deaths Hit A New Record

"According to the U.N., which releases the figures every two months, violent civilian deaths in July reached an unprecedented high of 3,590, an average of more than 100 a day. The August toll was 3,009, the report said."

Rich Nations Dump Toxins on Africans: 7 Dead, 40,000 Sick

"At least seven deaths and up to 40,000 people complaining of vomiting, rash, breathing difficulties and headache, according to reports from Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, where such a shipment was unloaded on 19 August. The main poison seems to have been hydrogen sulphide - rotten egg gas - with lacings of mercaptan, another sulphureous poison."

Feedlots May Be the Source of e coli-tainted Water that Contaminated Spinach

"So many cows in such a small space contaminated the water that presumably flooded the spinach fields. This was the 20th such epidemic linked to lettuce and spinach from Monterey County in the past decade. The outbreaks have caused over 400 sicknesses and 2 deaths. The current epidemic was also felt economically by everyone from growers to farm workers, truckers, packagers, restaurants, grocers, and more."

Diebold Consultant Admits to Hacking Machines in Georgia 2002 Election

"According to Hood, Diebold employees altered software in some 5,000 machines in DeKalb and Fulton counties – the state’s largest Democratic strongholds. To avoid detection, Hood and others on his team entered warehouses early in the morning. “We went in at 7:30 a.m. and were out by 11,” Hood says. “There was a universal key to unlock the machines, and it’s easy to get access. The machines in the warehouses were unlocked. We had control of everything. The state gave us the keys to the castle, so to speak, and they stayed out of our way.” Hood personally patched fifty-six machines and witnessed the patch being applied to more than 1,200 others."

2006-09-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

House Committee Reverses Vote(while 2 Dems away at press conference) to Pass Bush's Torture Bill

"ACTION: SAVE THE GREAT WRIT - BOTH the McCain and Bush versions of the bill suspend habeas corpus, the right dating back to the Magna Carta (1215) not to be locked up indefinately at the president's whim. This is breathtaking in its implications for a free society. The Center for Constitutional Rights is urging everyone to use this link to contact their Senators today to save this 800 year old protection of human rights, the linchpin of freedom and liberty. This is an emergency. Act now. "

Fascism

2006-09-20T23:05:00.000-07:00

Jesus Camp : Kids Worshipping to a George Bush Picture

2006-09-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

Bush's torture rant with reporters in Rose Garden

2006-09-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Body Armor

Finally, something worth posting.

2006-09-07T22:26:00.000-07:00

Our New America: It is a Federal Offence to Photograph Major Bush Donors

"Greg Palast is facing a criminal complaint from the Department of Homeland Security stemming from his filming the Hurricane Katrina investigation for Link TV and Democracy Now.

It appears the complaint is about filming a sensitive national security site owned by Exxon petroleum. It seems that photographing major Bush donors is now a federal offense."

2006-08-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

Today In Iraq

Cartoon by Clay Bennett

Highest Civilian Death Toll To Date: 3400 in the month of July; 110/day

2006-08-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

Bush's Summer Reading Includes 'The Stranger' by Camus?

"On his summer vacation in Crawford, Texas, George Bush read Albert Camus' novel The Stranger. "

"Whatever the reasons, Camus' story line is ripe for geopolitical literary misinterpretation. The main character, Meursault, spends much of his life as the young George Bush did, engaging in escapades that demonstrate little drive or motivation. On a visit to the beach with friends, he gets into a fight with some Arabs. Later, he finds one of the Arabs and without much further provocation shoots him repeatedly. During the circus-trial that follows, and the long hours Meursault spends in jail, he is remorseless and unable to engage in contemplation. On the day of his execution, he has a flickering thought that he might have lived another life. But mostly he's excited about the day and hopes that everyone will cheer for his death."

2006-08-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

Brookers News

2006-08-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

Republican Legislators In Missouri Pass New Voter Suppression Tactic

"The Republican legislators who pushed through Missouri’s ID law earlier this year said they wanted to deter fraud, but that claim falls apart on close inspection. Missouri’s new ID rules — and similar ones adopted last year in Indiana and Georgia — are intended to deter voting by blacks, poor people and other groups that are less likely to have driver’s licenses."

"Missourians who have driver’s licenses will have little trouble voting, but many who do not will have to go to considerable trouble to get special ID’s. The supporting documents needed to get these, like birth certificates, often have fees attached, so some Missourians will have to pay to keep voting. It is likely that many people will not jump all of the bureaucratic hurdles to get the special ID, and will become ineligible to vote. "

2006-08-08T23:51:00.000-07:00

Kos' s Latest on Lieberman Loss; Lamont Win:

#1 Hillary writes a check endorsing Lamont

#2 Evan Bayh now, publically, supports Lamont

#3 Christopher Dodd, trying to talk Lieberman out of running as Independent

#4 Raum Emmanuel slams Harvey Milk Toast aka Lieberman(Mike Malloy's invention)

#5 John Edwards was the first to call Lamont and give him, his support

and more....

2006-08-08T23:27:00.000-07:00

Capitalists At Their Best

"They all hope to watch a rock the size of two Empire State Buildings collapse onto the canyon floor nearly 700 feet below, as retreating glacier ice robs a cliff face on the eastern edge of the Eiger Mountain of its main support..."

Global Warming is Great

2006-08-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

Lieberman Email Hacked

From MSNBC "The Lieberman campaign said it blamed "political opponents," for the cyberattack, though it offered no evidence for the accusation. "

The 'hack' is news, but...., the accusation? MSM giving Lieberman all the help he can get.

2006-08-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Soldier at rape-murder hearing describes conditions in Iraq

"Stressed-out soldiers are drinking whiskey and downing painkillers to try to cope with "mentally draining" duty in Iraq, a private testified Tuesday.

Cross told the military hearing that some of those accused of rape and murder were among colleagues who drank whiskey and cough syrup and swallowed painkillers to cope with their jobs.
The accused soldiers were drinking whiskey when one of them raised the idea of raping the girl...."

2006-08-07T23:50:00.000-07:00

I Am So Frustrated: Spielberg and Katzenberg Endorse Schwartznegger!!!!

I don't get it. Is this the epitomy of irony? Please, somebody, help me.

Arnie's record:

- terminating California's lawsuits against the energy trading companies for their swindling and induced power outages(Enron payoff).

- Proposes to balance the budget by borrowing money.

- "Those nurses don't like me because I'm always kicking their butts."

- executed Tookie Williams

- tried shutting down teacher unions and erode teacher unions ability to collect funds

- allowing Diebold and ES&S to get another foothold despite being decertified

- Schwarzenegger said he would take no special interest money. HE HAS TAKEN $95,000,000.

- Schwarzenegger was an illegal immigrant who worked on a tourist visa and paid no taxes on his bodybuilder earnings.

- bragged about ripping off Northridge earthquake victims

- has authoritarian views that are unamerican. He has a history of abuse of women. He made some of the most violent movies in history, which he thinks are funny.

- Does not support Proposition 89, the Clean Elections initiative of California.

Positives:

- embraced stem cell research

- apologized for those stupid initiatives he put on the ballot

- blew off a potential, public meeting with Bush.

- got booed by all his con buddies when he proposed spending money to upgrade the state infrastructure (levees included)

- just met with Tony Blair and said we need to do something about global warming (smacked Bush!).

Interesting blogger comments from crooksandliar.com:

"California Democrats only have themselves to blame. They nominated Angelides- maybe the nerdiest, least charismatic candidate in California gubernatorial election history. This guy makes Gray Davis look like Pat Tillman.

"It worked so well for Germany to import an uneducated, disturbed, fake-populist, right-wing authoritarian Austrian as "Leader" and head of government, gosh, why not America? It's Morning In America, again, and Springtime For Arnold. It's the Right-Wing American Nightmare. "Sleep tight, children." (Here come the cyanide caps and the Zyklon B.)"

2006-08-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

Aung San Suu Kyi has a MySpace website

"Spending 11 of the last 16 years under house arrest, she currently leads a popular, non-violent, struggle for democracy, human rights, and freedom in Burma. In 1990, the year of Burma's last democratic election, Suu Kyi's party The National League for Democracy won an overwhelming 82% of the seats in Parliament; however, the military regime ruling Burma refused to honor the results of the election, instead opting to imprison hundreds of rightfully elected political leaders and rule the country with brutal force. One year later, and while still under house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Today she remains the only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient in the world. "