mousemusings...multimedia, music, progressive politics, video, web design and general rants
Human beings will be happier - not when they cure cancer or get to Mars or eliminate racial prejudice or flush Lake Erie but when they find ways to inhabit primitive communities again. That's my utopia.
~Kurt Vonnegut
Wednesday, October 30, 2002



THE (POSSIBLE) ASSASSINATION OF PAUL WELLSTONE

"Black boxes"--a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder--are often crucial for discovering the cause of airplane crashes. According to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Paul Takemoto, the plane was required to be equipped with both. Contradicting the FAA, Carol Carmody, acting chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board which is investigating the site of the crash, says that the plane apparently carried neither. Were the black boxes lost or were they never aboard? Someone may know, but thus far no one's saying.

The following exercpt from the article may explain in part why my suspicions intuitively were sparked. I don't like that I immediately considered the possibility and can't let it go without some reassurance. I don't see any reassurance coming soon.

"Ronald Reagan may have been a hard line conservative, but had Wellstone died during his watch you wouldn't have heard liberals asking whether the Gipper had had him offed. Bush is different. Asking mailmen to spy on ordinary Americans, creating military tribunals for anyone deemed an "enemy combatant," locking prisoners of war in dog cages, spending a decade's worth of savings in six months, allowing journalists to die rather than provide them with help in a war zone, smearing Democratic politicians as anti-American, invading sovereign nations without excuse--these are acts that transgress essential American reasonableness. A man capable of these things seems, by definition, capable of anything."
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Gallup Poll Analyses - Americans Ambivalent About United Nations' Handling of Iraqi Situation
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




U.S. can't punish doctors for pot advice, court says The government argued that doctors were aiding and abetting criminal activity for recommending marijuana because it is an illegal drug under federal narcotics laws.



But the appeals court said doctors have a constitutional right to speak candidly with their patients about marijuana without fear of government sanctions.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Early loss of virginity 'leads to less stress' The journal Psychoneuroendocrinology this week, say an early age for first sex might be a marker for a genetic predisposition to react less to stress.

Another theory is that a woman who has sex early in life is likely to have more frequent intercourse which itself results in a reduced response to stress.
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Tuesday, October 29, 2002



The New Politics of Pot There's a poll here asking about legalization. I haven't read the articles yet but I will. Over 80% of those polled so far, support legalization.
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Was Paul Wellstone Murdered?

" Anyone familiar with my work knows that I'm certainly not a conspiracy theorist. But to be honest, I know I wasn't alone in my initial reaction at this week's horrible and tragic news: that being my surprise that Wellstone had lived this long. Perhaps it's just my anger and frustration at losing one of the few reputable politicians in Washington, but I also felt shame. Shame for not writing in my column, months ago, that I felt that Paul Wellstone's life, more so than any other politician in Washington, was in danger."
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Family Asks Cheney Not To Attend Wellstone Service
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




More music, broadside all of us with music. Spread the word and the songs. In addition to Chris Buhalis' mp3, link below, Billy Bragg has a new one to hear and is encouraging people to download, The Price of Oil
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Monday, October 28, 2002



Martin Luther King 'Beyond Vietnam' Speech and War on Terrorism At the peace rally in Ann Arbor, this speech was mentioned. Martin Luther King gave this speech one year to the day before he was asassinated. It is relevent today. remind ourselves.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




The past few days have been confusing with conflicting messages and no good way to process my thoughts. From Paul Wellstone's death, to a successful peace rally in Ann Arbor, with about 2500 people in attendance, the emotions run deep. My first thought of Paul Wellstone's death was, "no way, it's just too coincidental to be accidental". I find it very sad that the current events led me to that thought. I know I'm not the only one who questions. Maybe I don't understand the timing protocol of such questions.
The peace rally was heartening and Craig got some great video that he's editing which captures the essence of it. It may be too big to post on the web, we'll see. Chris Buhalis' song Talkin' Sounds Just Like Joe McCarthy Blues at mp3.com, hyped the crowd. The rally wasn't exactly the group hug that burningbird had hoped for in St Louis, but it felt like a good beginning.


posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




George, allaboutgeorge was reminded of this older Salon article; My name is George and I'm an Alcoholic, an article written by a recovering alcoholic stating his perspectives on Bush as a fellow alcoholic. The article was written July 26, 2001 and was quite forgiving to some of Bush's personality traits, or, possibly, the most obnoxious traits had yet to become evident. It is an interesting viewpoint but it shows a tunnel vision inherent in Bush that doesn't afford the same apologetic understanding for other alcoholics, who may have chosen a different recovery path. I wonder, after time has passed, and events have applied even more pressure, what the author's perspective is now.
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Sunday, October 27, 2002



Drug Warriors Crusade Against Reform Initiatives This September, the White House launched a new, taxpayer-funded ad campaign that maintains smoking pot leads to either the slaughter of innocent bystanders or, in a second ad, mere crippling for life. Though Walters told Congress in May such ads don't keep kids from drugs, they do poison the well for drug reform.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Bush and Dry Drunk Syndrome "In short, George W. Bush seems to possess the traits characteristic of addictive persons who still have the thought patterns that accompany substance abuse."
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




One of my favorite sites is a year old today. It seems like I've been reading it for much longer. The Human Nature Review edited by Ian Pitchford and Robert M. Young
has reviews on books such as
From the Ashes of Experience. Reflections on
Madness, Survival and Growth
edited by Phil Barker, Peter Campbell and Ben Davidson ,
Religion Explained: The Human Instincts
That Fashion Gods, Spirits and Ancestors
by Pascal Boyer and Sex, Drugs and Cults by H. Keith Henson.
A part of the site is fashioned in a similar vein as Arts and Letters Daily (which is back by the way!) and is called The Human Nature Daily Review Congrats on the year mark and thanks for a great site!
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Friday, October 25, 2002



Feminism - Women's Center - California State University, Chico The committee to which Hager has been nominated will undertake a study on hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women, a subject which has stirred much debate and controversy. According to Time, religious conservatives like Hager hope to hijack the debate about the safety of hormone replacement therapy in order to cast doubt on the use of chemically similar birth control pills.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




The Truth About George W. Bush - Appointments The Bush administration has signaled it intends to appoint W. David Hager, a controversial doctor who has authored books about Christ's abilities to heal women, to the Food and Drug Administration's Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




:: Action:: Using the FDA to promote a political agenda is overreaching, inappropriate, and seriously threatens women
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




action network :: take action Dr. Hager, an obstetrician-gynecologist by training, refuses to prescribe birth control pills to unmarried women unless "they insist and reject his advice to abstain
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




HHS Seeks Science Advice to Match Bush Views
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




NOW to Bush Administration: Don't Mix Religion and Medicine at the FDA He is on record against emergency contraception. In a Time magazine article, sources familiar with Dr. Hager's private practice say he refuses to prescribe contraceptives to unwed women. He has spoken out against the use of birth control pills and condoms outside of marriage.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Firestorm Brewing Over FDA Nominee A physician who pushed the Food and Drug Administration to ban the abortion pill RU-486 is in line to become an FDA advisor on reproductive health, drawing fire from women's groups that urged the Bush administration Wednesday to retract the choice.
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Thursday, October 24, 2002



Bush Enlists Government in GOP Campaign Isn't this an impeachable offense???
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Cruithne, Earths "second moon" Simulations of asteroid 3753, or 1986 TO. Visual learning at it's best!
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




March For Peace On Saturday If you can't take a bus look for local gatherings.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




The Phil Donahue show featuring a Michael Moore special on guns, violence, and his new “Bowling for Columbine” documentary is rescheduled to Thursday, Oct. 24. 8 p.m. ET. Because I'm television illiterate and have only a meager cable connection, enough to sustain my internet connection, I won't be able to watch.
The success of Stupid White Men and now "Bowling for Columbine" (which I will make a point of catching) show vividly that mainstream media is not serving what we want to taste.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




I'm not sure we really need any more speculation or 'expert' theories but if I find myself obsessed with what makes this guy tick, I'm guessing others want something solid too, even if the solid is shaky at best. Wired News: Who Is the Sniper? Blogs Tell All
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




From Molly Ivins:Attention, girls!
Sex ed, Bush Administration style
Although Hager is the editor of a book that includes the essay "Using the Birth Control Pill is Ethically Unacceptable," he told Maureen Dowd of The New York times he does not agree with the essay. Then why include it?

President Bush has decided not to send the $34 million approved by both houses of Congress for the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). The fund provides contraception, family planning and safe births, and works against the spread of HIV and against female genital mutilation in the poorest countries of the world.
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Wednesday, October 23, 2002



I got to SpankBush (Flash file) It was actually gratifying. I could even pick from a long list of punishable offenses. I have a feeling he's one of those asses that just grins and bares it however.
SpankBush was created by TrueMajority.com a group founded by Ben from Ben & Jerry's; a free e-service that monitors Congress.
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Friday, October 18, 2002



A few days ago I wrote about documenting the film/learning-experience based on Pillow from the Moon (quicktime video/T1/DSL/cable) an original song written by Craig and interpreted by three strangers in his film class. I was a little afraid of the outcome not completely knowing where the others were politically, among other concerns. Follow the lyrics, watch it, and see if it works for you. I'm happy, although I do think there should be a female presence. I suppose in a classroom setting, erotic images are frowned upon. Maybe I can talk him into a little further editing.



Today is a music adventure day. A friend of mine, Chris Buhalis, from Ann Arbor, has a new song available on mp3.com. Talkin' Sounds Just Like Joe McCarthy Blues. It should be a standard for every protest on Oct 26th. Lines such as.. "You'd better watch it now little man, we got ears out there, understand?" They don't get much better than this. Woody Guthrie would be grinnin' and Asscroft should be squirmin'. Hmmm..a typo I think I'll ignore You'll be happy you took the time, I assure you.



MarkDilley sent a link to Progressive Secretary A cooperative way to get your voice heard in Washington. Some backround...Jim Harris, founder and sole operator till mid-1999, describes himself as a sixties activist and a Quaker. After treatment for leukemia left him partially disabled, he decided to devote himself to progressive service, his long time calling, by using his computer skills and his knowledge of activism.



Jim is a progressive who believes in the right of citizens in a democracy to speak their minds and to strive for the removal of injustice. He is deeply committed to economic justice, humane treatment of prisoners, preservation of the environment, peace, civil rights, and a sane and just world.

I understand you can join and get sample letters, consider whether it's a passion you share, and, if so, choose to send the letter. They also take proposals for letters. Mark Knew of the Hager debacle and when he was sent a proposed letter objecting to Hager's appointment, forwarded it on to me for others to see. I see this as a worthy cause worth participating in.





Here's a John Perry Barlow piece outlining eloquently;


  1. What Has Happened.

  2. Why This Has Happened.

  3. What We Might Do About It Now



A Message to the Troops: I happen to think many of us agree with: "With all due respect, I want you to know that if you participate in this conflict, you are not serving me, and I don't support you. Speaking for myself, I feel those who participate will be damaging my reputation as an American, and further endangering me and my children by creating hatred that will someday be returned to us."

posted by Cyndy | link |   | |

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Monday, October 14, 2002



Lest you think I've not been updating lately because the entry date has not changed, I really have...All updates have been added to the entry for 10/11 and earlier. I'm keeping it simple and related to Dr.W. David Hager for the time being. I'm glad the interest is there but I must say it astounds me that the media hasn't jumped on this story.

If you're looking for something new and exciting to read, check out Lisa's weblog Ruminatethis I happened to find it while looking for info about Hager. She's great!
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Friday, October 11, 2002



My referrer logs show an interest in Dr W. David Hager since I first posted the Time article Jesus and the FDA

As a service to those searching for information I have collected links to articles by and about him. It is clear to me he has an agenda that goes beyond being a good OB/Gynecologist. He isn't one I would choose to be my Dr. and I question the FDA's wisdom and allegience to the Bush administration'a agenda regarding womens health. Far more qualified physicians have already been rejected for this position including "Donald R. Mattison, former dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, and Michael F. Greene, director of maternal-fetal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital."

I'll continue adding links as I find them as long as I see interest. my way of avoiding war talk and the disappointment/despair after Congress failed democracy


Take Action!! http://capwiz.com/fmf1/issues/alert/?alertid=666681


Also, please CALL HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson at 202-690-7000


See this discussion full of good info.



An updated link to Maureen Dowd's article here



"we are going to be in trouble in this country if we start moving toward theology-based science or ideological research." Hillary Clinton


Here is a book review of Dr W. David Hager's book As Jesus Cared for Women : Restoring Women Then and Now, also a Focus on the Family article written by Dr. Hager and his wife about postpartum depression with suggested scriptures to read as a treatment here, and a link to the recent Christian Medical Association (CMA) petition regarding RU-486 here.
A referrel from Virginity Rules which is all well and fine but let's get real! I will further comment that I have 3 nieces living in Kentucky who, at about age 16, found themselves pregnant. Now all unhappily married to the fathers.


more links below
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Thursday, October 10, 2002



"Dr. W. David Hager is the last person women should want representing their health issues within the Food and Drug Administration. We need progress on women's health, not someone whose positions include prescribing birth control pills to an unmarried patient only if she insists because he believes in abstinence outside of marriage." From NY Times: Regressive for Women



More information about W. David Hager
Controversial doctor may lead FDA panel from the Courier-Journal Louisville KY: "He has also condemned the birth control pill, used by an estimated 10 million American women, saying it has provided a ''convenient way for young people to be sexually active outside of marriage.'' "Hager may be best known in Central Kentucky as chairman of a revival led by the Rev. Franklin Graham -- the Rev. Billy Graham's son -- which brought more than 22,000 to Rupp Arena two years ago."

From the Boston Globe: Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Representative Edward J. Markey yesterday questioned the Bush administration's nominations to government advisory panels, suggesting that the White House was removing scientific experts from the panels and replacing them with conservative ideologues and health-care industry supporters."


From the NY Times:(sign-in required) Bush's Science Advisers Drawing Criticism "In a particularly controversial case, the Food and Drug Administration has asked an obstetrician-gynecologist who strongly opposes abortions to serve on the panel that reviews reproductive health drugs. The doctor, Dr. W. David Hager, teaches at the University of Kentucky and has written popular books asserting the healing power of faith in Jesus."
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Wednesday, October 09, 2002



We may soon find out if W. David Hager becomes chairman of the powerful Food and Drug Administration panel on women's health policy. His résumé seems more impressive for theology than gynecology. Maureen Dowd's article,Tribulation Worketh Patience, in the NYTimes (sign-in required) gives a little more insight into the man. See also Jesus and the FDA

" A Washington Post article last month reported that the Bush crowd was restructuring scientific advisory committees on patients' rights and public health, "eliminating some committees that were coming to conclusions at odds with the president's views and in other cases replacing members with handpicked choices."

One of these hand-picked choices for the FDA includes W. David Hager whose methods of treatment puts "an emphasis on the restorative power of Jesus Christ in one's life" and recommends Scripture readings to treat headaches (Matthew 13:44-46); eating disorders (Corinthians II, 10:2-5) and premenstrual syndrome (Romans 5:1-11, "Tribulation worketh patience.")

Dr. Hager is also an editor of "The Reproduction Revolution: A Christian Appraisal of Sexuality, Reproductive Technologies, and the Family." One of the pieces, "Using the Birth Control Pill is Ethically Unacceptable," says scientific data show that the pill causes abortions.
Disturbing is such an inadequate word.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




One of my favorite daily haunts, Arts and Letters Daily, has a new incarnation as Philosophy & Literature - arts, ideas, debate. There is also a hotbutton poll at the lower left part of the page with queries of a serious nature.
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Tuesday, October 08, 2002



DAYKU.a.thousand.syllables.for.peace From randomwalks. The concept rings a little calm amidst the storm of reminders, subtle yet piercing links of gold.
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Monday, October 07, 2002



I'm wasn't so sure about this; A (news) bulletin is better than sex "News is addictive. It changes constantly so the user knows any information will quickly date. They will need to come back to find out what happened next."
The headline was misleading. Sex itself still wins hands down sez me, but sex sites come in behind news. I get it now
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Is the President Nuts?

I usually like the Jungian point of view and this is no exception; "Dubya may be identifying with an archetype (as Hitler did with the ubermensch)--something out of Revelations, perhaps, whereby he sees himself as an instrument of God's will to bring about Armageddon."

I'd like to see the viewpoint from followmehere's perspective.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Syd Barrett You shone like the sun
Remember when you were young, You shone like the sun. Shine on you crazy diamond. Now there's a look in your eyes, Like black holes in the sky. Shine on you crazy diamond.
Paul Breen revealed that his brother-in-law was 'painting again', and meeting his mother in town for shopping trips. It was a 'very, very ordinary lifestyle,' said Breen, but not reclusive: 'I think the word "recluse" is probably emotive. It would be truer to say that he enjoys his own company now, rather than that of others.'
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Jesus and the FDA
Oh my..This is disturbing. The Bush Administration plans to appoint this Dr. to head the FDA panel on women's health policy?
A Dr. who refuses to prescribe contraceptives to unmarried women; "Dr. W. David Hager, an obstetrician-gynecologist who also wrote, with his wife Linda, Stress and the Woman's Body, which puts "an emphasis on the restorative power of Jesus Christ in one's life" and recommends specific Scripture readings and prayers for such ailments as headaches and premenstrual syndrome. " and wrote another book titled As Jesus Cared for Women: Restoring Women Then and Now.

If Hager becomes chairman of the 11-member Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee, he will lead its study of hormone-replacement therapy for menopausal women, one of the biggest controversies in health care. Some conservatives are trying to use doubts about such therapy to discredit the use of birth-control pills, which contain similar compounds.
Oh my... Thanks Sue
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Sunday, October 06, 2002



Manifest Destiny
The Bush record is a logical extension of what happened in 2000. The theft of that election was not just a power grab – it was a policy statement by someone who has contempt for democracy and the rule of law. The inevitable result is the introduction of the Bush Doctrine. It declares that, while the United States would prefer to behave legally, "We will not hesitate to act alone, if necessary, to exercise our right of self-defense by acting pre-emptively." The Bush Doctrine is the latest incarnation of the Manson Doctrine, which clearly states, “I reserve the right to kill you if I feel like it.”


Unaltered AP photograph of George W. Bush, taken at a
fundraiser for Republican congressional candidate Bob
Beauprez in Denver, Colorado September 27, 2002
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Thursday, October 03, 2002



announcing weeklyDV.com I found this at kottke A weekly assignment for video creativity from JasonZada
The rules are pretty simple. You only need to stay inside a few lines. Otherwise, everything else is up to you :

1. Your short MUST be shot on DV.

2. You must take no more then 4 hours to shoot, edit and produce your short.

3. You must host the short yourself.

4. You must compress your short in the Quicktime format. Any version is fine.

5. Be original. No one likes a copycat. Be creative.

I love the concept.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




I've been reading the discussion on Doc Searls pageabout Google rankings. I looked for my blog and, by page 15, gave up. It also has 'Weblog" in the title. I have noticed a huge increase in traffic to my Real Player files page in the last week. It's number 1. Very cool. I have no clue how it got that way.
Since there seems to be interest, I thought I might document the making of a new video. It's all a learning process right now but it's fun. The music has been written and a concept for a video is forming. The song, Pillow from the Moon, ( mp3 / 970KB) was wriiten by Craig and he is teaming up with members of his film class to create a video. Three different people, different concepts, different ages, different life experiences...I'll have to see. The music is beautiful.
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Peter P. Mahoney: The Case Against War with Iraq The UN? Bush has already said that the US will proceed with or without a UN resolution. Bush has been repeating his mantra "act or become irrelevant." Bush has already made the UN irrelevant.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Psychedelics and Zen: Teach Your Children Well Barlow writes that he knows full well that as a user and an observer of Grateful Dead culture that the public's fear of LSD is misplaced. Yet, like many others, he has kept quiet. He writes that by concealing the truth, "I participate in a growing threat to the minds of America's young greater than anything which acid presents. I mean by that the establishment of permissible truth in America. In a word, totalitarianism. Alcohol, nicotine, and prescription sedatives do more damage every day than LSD has done since ...1943."
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Robertson Charity Wins 'Faith-Based' Grant (washingtonpost.com) Hmmm...Back in March, Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition, told his 700 Club television audience that the groups getting funds "will begin to be nurtured, if I can use that term, on federal money, and then they can't get off of it." He added, "It'll be like a narcotic; they can't then free themselves later on."

I guess he isn't opposed to using narcotics after all. Operation Blessing, how comforting.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




An analysis of 2000 homicide data. When Men Murder Women
I wonder how it will all shake out in the year 2002, with a possible separate heading of 'wives of soldiers murdered by their husbands'.
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |




Although this article Bush's real goal in Iraq has been quite widely distributed, I would be neglecting an important perspective if I didn't post it.
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Wednesday, October 02, 2002



Among the many ‘It makes me feel ashamed to come from the United States... it is humiliating.’
— JESSICA LANGE
posted by Cyndy | link |   | |





Medical marijuana conflict intensifies Yesterday, Lockyer's office got a response showing that the federal government isn't about to back down from its stance that the distribution of marijuana – whether for medical use or not – violates U.S. drug laws.

Incredible that this continues to be such a sore point when there are far more important issues in the US. Recall that in 1999, Bush said, "I believe each state can choose that decision as they so choose."
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