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
Nat Hentoff writes:
'Resistance Rising!
"Actions taken over the past year are eerily reminiscent of tyranny portrayed in the most nightmarish works of fiction. The power to demand reading lists from libraries could have been drawn from the pages of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. . . . The sudden suspension of due process for immigrants rounded up into jails is familiar to readers of Sinclair Lewis's It Can't Happen Here."
"What has become more specifically evident is underlined by Lincoln Caplan in the November-December issue of Legal Affairs (A Magazine of Yale Law School): "The [USA Patriot Act] . . . authorized law enforcement agencies to inspect the most personal kinds of information—medical records, bank statements, college transcripts, even church memberships. But what is more startling than the scope of these new powers is that the government can use them on people who aren't suspected of committing a crime."
"More Americans are coming to agree with Dick Armey that Ashcroft's Justice Department "is the biggest threat to personal liberty in the country." Who, then, are the American patriots now?"
posted by Cyndy
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Yahoo! News - TOTALLY IDIOTIC AMERICANS
TOTALLY IDIOTIC AMERICANSTotal Information Awareness will use sophisticated computer-modeling programs to search every database they can get their hands on. They'll scan credit card receipts, bank statements, ATM purchases, Web "cookies," school transcripts, medical files, property deeds, magazine subscriptions, airline manifests, addresses--even veterinary records. The TIA believes that knowing if and when Fluffy got spayed--and whether your son stopped torturing Fluffy after you put him on Ritalin web --will help the military stop terrorists before they strike.
Hmmm...I have a calico cat. I believe they are on Ashcroft's list of terror.
posted by Cyndy
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Drug Czar Claims Pot
More Dangerous
Than Heroin, Cocaine,
PCP, Cigarettes or Alcohol When reporters pointed out that he had previously stated that marijuana today was 2X as strong then later 10X as strong, then still later 30X as strong, and now reported a 300X increase in potency, he shrugged it off and remarked, "What's the difference? You smoke it, you go crazy, and violent crime and treason result".
I guess this speaks for itself. The credibility in anything this man says can be debunked by any 8 year old. The propaganda he generates serves as nothing more than a huge joke. Is he seriously so stupid?? Does he really think misinformation is productive??
posted by Cyndy
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Dark Passage I can't recall where I originally found this link, There seems to be quite a few. Regardless, it has some great pictures and commentary, especially the
Hospital Hopscotch, depicting abandoned asylums.
Craig spent his early years roaming around the grounds and in the tunnels of
this one, not as a patient, however. He recalls that it was a self-sustaining community where patients took pride in gardening, raising animals, and interaction. That's all changed now. I guess there was room for some labor abuse in hindsight which helped change laws and probably contributed to these hospitals demise.. Is street living or prisons somehow better?
posted by Cyndy
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NPR : Is the Food Pyramid Obsolete?...."ate a Harvard-designed diet
containing fewer carbohydrates and more
fats. Not just any fat, but foods, such as
nuts and vegetable oils, that don't
contain harmful trans-fatty acids.
The study found that those who ate the
Harvard diet had a significantly reduced
risk for major chronic disease. "The
benefit we've seen -- for example, a
reduction in heart disease by
approximately 40 percent in men and 30
percent in women -- is actually quite
large," says Willett. "What we've seen is that the impact of diet
can be just as powerful as the best cholesterol-lowering drug in
terms of prevention."
Alternative to the Food Pyramid
The Harvard diet recommends:
- 5 servings vegetables (potatoes don't count)
- 4 servings fruit
- 1 serving nuts and tofu
- Eat white meat (fish or poultry) four times as often as red meat (beef, pork, lamb and processed meats)
- 3 to 6 servings whole grains, such as dark breads and high fiber cereals
posted by Cyndy
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No Cases of HIV Transmission from Receptive Oral SexWhile rare, acquiring HIV infection orally is possible and many other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are transmitted orally," said Shafer.
from dazereader
posted by Cyndy
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Laptop burns boffin's penis
Being female and not having a working laptop anymore, I guess this doesn't apply to me. Just a warning to the guys out there. 'Laptop' it isn't.
posted by Cyndy
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The Myth of Potent Pot - "The line for marijuana is flat as a pancake. Kids who get stoned today aren't getting any more stoned than their parents were. That ought to be the end of the argument." Kleiman points out that the average joint is now half its former size, so even if kids are smoking more powerful pot, they are smoking less of it. "
posted by Cyndy
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Here Comes the Son"as his son points out, this was the man who more than 30 years ago wrote All Things Must Pass. “That meant he knew and was ready for it. We took the view ‘be here now’ and made the most of our time.”
posted by Cyndy
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Behind George's "Brainwashed"The songs -- recorded during a period when the guitarist was both struggling with cancer and recovering from being stabbed by an intruder at his estate outside London -- are some of the most beautiful, uplifting pieces of music of his career.
posted by Cyndy
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I found this at
enthusiasm via
AKMA about
IAO :
IAO was the name of the Gnostic deity roughly based on the God of Israel. Gnosticism (roughly sketched, since there was and is no single essence of Gnosticism) identifies human salvation with knowledge (Greek gnosis). Of all the names of all the divinities in all the world, the name that winds up attached to the secret police agency that the highly-literate John Poindexter just happens to chair belongs to a deity who signifies the confluence of knowledge and power.
my skin's crawling
IAO Mission:The DARPA Information Awareness Office (IAO) will imagine, develop, apply, integrate, demonstrate and transition information technologies, components and prototype, closed-loop, information systems that will counter asymmetric threats by achieving total information awareness useful for preemption; national security warning; and national security decision making.
posted by Cyndy
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Atkins diet beats low-fat fare Multitudes swear by the high-fat, low-carbohydrate Atkins diet, and now a carefully controlled study backs them up: Low-carb may actually take off more weight than low-fat and may be surprisingly better for cholesterol, too.
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, I might add. My theory (what works for me) is that refined sugars, in the form of pasta, breads, potatoes raise triglyceride levels, give the sugar low, and don't metabolize well, causing weight gain. Fruits and veggies along with a good supply of protein, even going a good bit above the 20 gram protein per day recommended on Atkins, while cutting out all refined carbs keep the blood levels healthy and give energy.
posted by Cyndy
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Hager Nomination "We are concerned that Dr. Hager's strong personal beliefs may color his assessment of technologies that could improve women's health. In a pluralistic society, there is no place at the FDA for someone who, based on personal beliefs, would deny unmarried women access to technologies that are a part of mainstream medical care and to which they have a legal right." --- more
posted by Cyndy
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Joe Hill's Story: The Man Behind the MartyrI always find great stuff to read at
::: wood s lot::: . Today he's found a healthy dose of Joe Hill links. Yesterday he had some good references to Emmanuel Levinas. I always learn something when I visit.
posted by Cyndy
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Will “The Pill” become the next illegal drug?"But, weird and unbelievable as it may seem, the days of choosing a hormonal birth control option may be numbered. There is a growing movement among ideologically conservative “scientists” to suck hormonal birth control methods into the abortion controversy."
For more information on
Dr. W. David Hager see entries at October 7 - 14 under the October Archives page
here
posted by Cyndy
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A NY Times article
A Snooper's Dream (sign in required) give more information about
Total Information Awareness " The program, known as Total Information Awareness, is a project of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which helped develop the Internet and a host of cutting-edge military technologies. It is run by John Poindexter, the retired Navy rear admiral who was Ronald Reagan's national security adviser and, in that capacity, helped devise the plan to sell arms to Iran and illegally divert the proceeds to the rebels in Nicaragua. Sentenced to six months in jail for lying to Congress (a conviction later overturned on appeal), the admiral was never particularly contrite about his deceit, asserting at one point that it was his duty to withhold information from the American people."
"Mr. Poindexter is pursuing a scheme he thought up right after 9/11 and then sold to the Bush administration."
posted by Cyndy
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At the Ann Arbor peace rally I was bothered by what I saw as a huge wound festering when a speaker for the Greens began to talk. Some of the crowd was quite bitter. When the speaker asked who the enemy was, a few in the crowd replied 'greens'!
Hopefully this wound can be nurtured and healed. It will take all of us working together. Tom Ness, who jumped in with both feet for a run for Congress in 2000, and emerged from the shark pool with a better understanding of the process, has written
Dangerous Fantasies -- And Our Progressive Future. It's a refreshing read and shows a necessary growth and realistic outlook that Greens need to touch upon.
48% + 3% hmmm.... adds up quite nicely. No room for spoilers at this junction, the goals are what we need to work toward.
posted by Cyndy
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This:
Awareness: Information Awareness Office is a
must read "Safire, a former Nixon speechwriter,
(re:You are a Suspect) current Sharon telephone pal and all-around icon of right wing thought, is one of the growing number of conservatives who fear Bush has become the living embodiment of Orwell's worst nightmare, creating a vast, unaccountable internal government spy apparatus that would give East Germany's Stasi a run for its money. Since coming to power, Bush has been shredding civil liberties and promoting secrecy like there's no tomorrow (quite literally), derailing the traditional protection of the courts, limiting congressional inquires into what really went down on 9-11, and increasing the government's ability to operate in the shadows. "
While you're kissing all you've loved goodbye, you may as well take a look at the text to the
Homeland Security Bill Someone had better!
posted by Cyndy
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"How did a carefully controlled hospital narcotic become a military experiment in mass anesthesia? And why is everyone nodding their heads in consent? "
It's a Gas, Gas, Gas "products originally sold as medicine have now become weapons in the hands of the U.S. military. For some, this is a comical revelation that gives new meaning to the terms "drug war" and "military-industrial complex." But for people who take warfare more seriously than a James Bond movie, it raises a serious question: Does manufacturing drug weapons violate international treaties?"
"If the U.S. invades Iraq and uses these weapons, we may witness the depravity of the U.S. waging chemical warfare against Iraq to prevent it from developing chemical weapons."
posted by Cyndy
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Another creative way to get ideas heard. Ben Cohen explains the contest
here.
"The reality is that there's at least 50 million Americans who
share these values and end up agreeeing on the same 10 issues. But up until now it hasn't been possible for one person to follow 10 different issues -- much less be active on them -- as they move through Congress. I mean that's a full time job in itself. So what people have done is to focus on one or two issues. That makes a lot of sense individually and it works for many of the tasks that need to be done, but not in terms of influencing legislation in Congress. We end up fragmented and powerless when each of us focuses on one or two issues. It's a paradox. In terms of passing national legislation the issues that we all agree on have divided us. The TrueMajority campaign solves that problem." said Ben.
We're looking for the next new media stars who understand the medium, are creative artists, and have some passion for what matters out there.
posted by Cyndy
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Buddha Blues
Now is the time to listen again to music that inspires, write new music, evaluate ideals and remind ourselves. Craig has written a new song,
Buddha Blues (mp3). It came together in three days beautifully.
On the first take, While fiddlerbob was recording it with him, he interpreted it as a re-evaluation, an exploration, moving toward a new way.
(in my words, so if I got it wrong Bob, correct me.) While writing it, Craig was inspired by Warren Zevon. Life decisions to evaluate; karma, consequences, life in the moment, and moving along your way, living with your decisions and acting. As he put it, once you're on top of a rollercoaster you have to go with it.
I like to think of the song as an inspiration to evaluate and act. We're on a rollercoaster now but we have the chance to build a better one. "Then you learn to play the odds and then to take a chance. Are you ready to go"
Listen here
posted by Cyndy
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The Rittenhouse Review The Blame Game Taking Republicans seriously does not mean giving credence to their morally and fiscally bankrupt platforms and policies. It means listening to their arguments, determining the messages they are sending, finding the reason voters respond, and then attacking them, vigorously and mercilessly, and exposing their lies, relentlessly and repeatedly, in a way that speaks to the real needs and interests of the American people.
posted by Cyndy
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I've been working all night in a very somber mood not quite knowing what really happened, or what to say, looking for some explanation or possibly a form of action, one thing was clear to me, the American people don't have a handle on the issues. Why? Because, like a few people I know, they don't choose to search out. Quick and easy advertising, often extremely misleading, fuels their knowledge. Others are too depressed to think about it. I think it's also clear the Democrats did not get their message out. Lisa English of RuminateThis has obviouly been on her toes. She offers a proactive view and a plan.
GOP WINS AMERICA - AMERICA LOSES As much as I feel like hibernating for the next two years, I know I can't sit back. Read what she has to say. I think it's a good start.
posted by Cyndy
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But the US says it has no medicinal use...
Cannabis medicines could hit UK next year
Preliminary results from GW’s four randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trials show significant reductions in neuropathic (nerve-damage) pain, spasticity and sleep disturbance in patients with the nerve wasting disease multiple sclerosis, reported the company.
The company said that the benefits seen in all four studies are even better than those obtained with standard prescription medicines (patients receiving both active and placebo medicines continued to take their standard prescription medicines during the trial).
posted by Cyndy
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Bush's Life of Deception The Washington press corps has come grudgingly to the recognition that George W. Bush is “malleable” with the truth, as the Washington Post delicately put it. Pressing for war with Iraq, Bush has been exaggerating his case so much that even CIA analysts are complaining, as a number of newspapers have now reported.
posted by Cyndy
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Are You Better Off Now Than You Were Two Years Ago?This is a pretty sad report card.
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VOTE!
posted by Cyndy
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It's The Economy, Stupid Remember that phrase, repeat it often, and forward this list to your friends who think the never-ending war is our only measurement of Bush and the GOP.
posted by Cyndy
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Traverse City Record-Eagle - News Story -- www.record-eagle.com
Former Republican Michigan governor
William Milliken lit into the gubernatorial campaign of fellow Republican Dick Posthumus Wednesday, calling parts of the campaign against Democrat Jennifer Granholm "morally wrong and politically stupid."
posted by Cyndy
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I found this gem at
all about george channeled to him by Atrios. .
Tupac channels remix of Noonan's channeling. Great editor and sound mix, she should change the frequency of her channel so the receive works better.
posted by Cyndy
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US weapons secrets exposed More about calmative agents and the blurred line of an international arms violation:
"Mr Dando added that the US was currently working on "non-lethal" weapons similar to the gas Russian forces used to break the Moscow theatre siege. Those include "calmative" agent which are designed to knock people out without killing them.
"What happened in Moscow is a harbinger of what is to come," Mr Dando said. "There is a revolution in life sciences which could be applied in a major way to warfare. It's an early example of the mess we may be creating."
"While Mr Tucker believes that such knock-out gases are explicitly banned under the treaty, Mr Dando and Mr Wheelis believe the Pentagon has exploited a loophole that allows for such weapons for "law enforcement purposes".
posted by Cyndy
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OpinionJournal - Peggy Noonan
- Peggy Noonan speaking in Paul Wellstone's voice. Tasteless and disgusting.
posted by Cyndy
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abuddhas memes has some great links regarding the Pentagon's ongoing development of non-lethal calmative agents, or, as Stanislaw Lem dubbed them, "benignimizers."
"Calmative is military, not medical, terminology. In more familiar medical language, most of the drugs under consideration are central nervous system depressants. Most are synthetic, some are natural. They include opiates (fentanyl, the pharmaceutical used in the theater in Russia) and benzodiazpines, such as Valium (diazepam). Antidepressants are also of great interest to the research team, which is looking for drugs like Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline) that are faster acting.
" ..new and improved methods for administration of pharmacological agents are under continuing development, it should be noted that the fact that a particular drug does not currently have a method of administration appropriate for immediate use as a non-lethal technique should not disqualify this compound from present and/or future consideration as a non-lethal calmative agent."
posted by Cyndy
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