Very interesting video interview on Oprah -- with Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

VERY WORTHWHILE WATCHING! The brain scientist who suffered a stroke
tells her full story.... She talks about going to Mass. General Hospital
with her stroke...oh so interesting!!!
http://event.oprah.com/videochannel/soulseries/oss_player_980x665.html?guest=jbt&part=1

Read More

Great poem: JUST A COMMON SOLDIER

God bless our Vets, from all wars.  This tribute to a common soldier is exactly what we should all feel toward our military.  Politicians like Bush & Cheney who avoided military duty like the plague, are the ones sending our young soldiers into an unnecessary war today--heedless of the pain and grief they are causing to these soldiers and their families.  Believing the lies of their leaders, the soldiers will continue to go to wars that benefit the rich leaders and their corporate buddies, and will give up their life and limb because they believe they are protecting our country.  God bless them all. Whether or not they are right in their belief, their courage is unquestionable.

And how are these brave soldiers being served by their "leaders" in today's world?  Bush and McCain want to deny them increased benefits. McCain voted against the bill to increase veteran benefits and Bush says he will veto it.  Think about this before casting your vote in November.   Enough said. 

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER

(A Soldier Died Today)

by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,

All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,

For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.

Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,

And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were
great.

Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were
young,

But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land

A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,

Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives

Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,

Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,

That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know

It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,

Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?

Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend

His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part

Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,

Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,

Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

C 1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt

http://www.vaincourt.homestead.com/Common_Soldier.html

Read More

Another "Is That So?" story...(~.~)

This is similar to the stories of the Buddhist monk or the old farmer to whom a disastrous thing would happen, then, with the next occurrence,  you'd find out it was actually a good thing.  This would keep occurring over and over in his life--and all along, the main character would be saying to every happening, good or bad: "Is that so?"  I love these stories --

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him,
and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none
seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood
to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find
his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.

The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with
grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me?!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a
ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

Read More

McCain commits yet another foreign policy blunder

McCain commits yet another foreign policy blunder

From Crooks & Liars

But, but, but….that’s his strong suit. Right?

WaPo:

In comments to reporters on Thursday, McCain asserted that “I can tell you that it is succeeding. I can look you in the eye and tell you it’s succeeding. We have drawn down to pre-surge levels. Basra, Mosul and now Sadr City are quiet and it’s long and it’s hard and it’s tough and there will be setbacks.”

In fact, as the Obama campaign was quick to point out, the troop level in Iraq is at about 155,000 right now, well above the 130,000 that would mark a return to pre-surge levels.

And the McCain camp’s response:

Advisers to Sen. John McCain said the flap over whether the senator was mistaken about the troop level in Iraq is nothing more than “nitpicking” about “verb tenses.”

So the lives of 20,000 soldiers is just “nitpicking”? Nice to know you really “support those troops,” Senator.

Read More

Bush's laws will be scrutinized if I become president, Obama says

I don't see how anyone could find fault with this, especially those Republicans who consider themselves to be strict Constitutionalists. Wouldn't it be great to have our laws be in abidance with our Constitution once again? I would think any strict Constitutionalists would welcome this kind of scrutiny!

Bush’s laws will be scrutinized if I become president, Obama says

DENVER - Maybe it’s his background teaching constitutional law.

If elected president, Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama said one of the first things he wants to do is ensure the constitutionality of all the laws and executive orders passed while Republican President George W. Bush has been in office.

Those that don’t pass muster will be overturned, he said.

During a fund-raiser in Denver, Obama — a former constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago Law School — was asked what he hoped to accomplish during his first 100 days in office.

“I would call my attorney general in and review every single executive order issued by George Bush and overturn those laws or executive decisions that I feel violate the constitution,” said Obama

Other goals for his first 100 days: work out a plan to withdraw troops from Iraq; make progress on alternative energy plans and launch legislation to reform the health care system.

Read More

Soldier tells his story on video

Very short video -- but Very Important to see:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/27/iraq-soldier-discusses-hi_n_103698.html

Read More

McClellan's book: Bush administration truth from one of their own insiders

Am glad McClellan is finally telling the truth -- too bad it took him so long. He could have quit his job and told all of this back when it might have made a real difference, forcing the cowardly Congressional Democrats and foolishly loyal Republicans to impeach the Idiot and the Dark Lord who managed him. Instead of making fun of Helen Thomas, the one true journalist who always asked the right questions and persisted in trying to get the truth out, he could have said, "You're right, Helen!" Instead, she was relegated to a seat in the back of the room, behind the potted palms.

If ever a reputation was in tatters, this is it for the Bushes. The Bush name for all time is spattered with mud. Jeb Bush couldn't get elected as a dog catcher at this point, and all the plans his family had for him--their golden boy--have been ruined by the one they always knew was their black sheep. Too bad those who voted for Bush had blinders on. Bush and all those connected with him (Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld, Rove, Libby, and the rest of the dirty dozen) are now being revealed by one of their own for what they truly are--self-serving, greedy, power-mad, conscienceless liars.

It was apparent from the beginning to anyone who studied Bush and his character that he would be the very worst kind of president. We were warned by prescient authors who practically pleaded "Don't vote for this idiot!", yet millions did -- and even did it TWICE. God help us all now. Bush/Cheney have brought our country to its knees, and I'm not sure anyone will be able to bring it back to a standing position again. One thing I am sure of, though: McCain will carry on the same policies and dig us even deeper into the hole Bush/Cheney have put us in. There is NO DOUBT about that! Yet, even in the knowledge of that, I also know there are millions who will vote for McSame. Some never seem to learn their lesson.

http://www.ajc.com/meetro/content/news/stories/2008/05/27/mcclellanbook_0527.html

Read More

The rat deserts the ship and then attacks the captain

I guess Bush's nickname for him now might be "Rat Fink." Scott McClellan has turned on Bush and the White House he used to so vociferously defend. Excerpts from his new book tell the true dark story, which he is now unveiling to the public. Read all about it at http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10649.html

It's rather humorous to see how many Bushmen who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Idiot in the old days have now written books exonerating themselves from association with any of the evil misdeeds perpetrated within the neocon White House. The thick forest of fingers are pointing every which way except back at themselves.

Read More

Jonathan Alter writes about cancer and politics

A good article. (See: http://www.newsweek.com/id/138510 ). Since my dearly loved sister died of the same kind of cancer Ted Kennedy is now battling (in exactly the same place in the brain), and many other members of my family have died of cancer, I am most interested in which senators and representatives care enough to fund studies in the fight against this disease. I myself believe alternative types of treatment, along with positive thinking and good humor (of the type espoused by Norman Cousins), are likely to bring a cure sooner than the development of more harsh drugs.

I would truly like to see homeopathy taken more seriously in our culture. The AMA and Big Pharma took over the U. S. health market in the mid-1800s, shoving homeopathy out the door (too much work for the doctors to learn it -- and not enough compensation, since homeopathic remedies are readily available at very reasonable cost). Thank god we do have some dedicated doctors who, in seeing the almost miraculous recoveries of patients with homeopathic remedies, decided they would study it and bring it back in this country. (It is still used on a large scale in Europe.) It's been a long, hard struggle on their part, as they are facing the stronghold the AMA and drug companies have--and want to keep--on the American public.

A great introductory book on homeopathy and how it works has been written by Dr. Timothy Dooley, a family physician in San Diego. Entitled Homeopathy--Beyond Flat Earth Medicine: An Introduction for Students and Patients, it is available on amazon.com for those who are interested. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for anyone who is curious and interested in treating the whole person, rather than just the disease--with non-toxic remedies that work. This book is short, readable, and to the point. In my opinion, it should be read by everyone, just to learn that other options are available and can be considered in health treatment. Homeopathic remedies are safe for children, too, and work almost miraculous cures on them for many illnesses, so it is worth a look at for parents who don't want their children on a steady diet of antibiotics, Ritalin, and other drugs now being prescribed all too readily by allopathic physicians. There is a place in our society for both allopathic and homeopathic medicine, which can complement each other. Hopefully, more doctors will become interested in holistic ways of treating illness as we head into the 21st century.

Read More

Ten evil human experiments

To read about ten evil human experiments that have been done on this
planet:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/05/27/10-evil-human-experiments.aspx?source=nl

I pass this along because I think it is important for people to know
that our government is not the lily-white "land of the free" our
flag-pinned leaders have often painted it to be. Examples from other
countries are in this list, too. This planet deserves to have higher
consciousness people inhabiting it. I hope Barack Obama is the
harbinger of that higher consciousness being brought into our
leadership. From its inception, this country has had a few other good
men as leaders--men with heart and intelligence who stood out from the
crowd and were dedicated to the task of making life better for their
fellow countrymen. But really, very few. The past eight years have
brought us to the dregs as far as leaders go, and we have much to
recover from.

We, the people of these United States, need to wake up and make better
choices!!!

Read More

NY times follow-up article on neuroscientist who had a stroke

Here's a fascinating piece from the NY Times. It's an article on the neuroscientist who had a stroke and spoke at the TED conference. You may have seen the wonderful youtube video of her speech about her experience. (See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU ).


In my opinion, she has found the key to being in the world but not of it -- and enjoying it all to the nth degree! (~.~) Just reading this article made me laugh with delight! Thank god for people like her who have discovered inner truth and are sharing their experience with others.

Eckhart Tolle on Oprah's Monday online classes has been sharing much the same thing. Millions around the world are tuning in to these classes to learn the open secret of lasting happiness and inner peace that is available to all. For those who are interested, Oprah is continuing with interviews with other spiritual teachers/sharers in her Monday online classes.



I believe it may finally be time for a paradigm shift in the way Earth's citizens think and live their lives, with many indicators pointing in that direction. Obama seems to be a candidate for this time as well--perhaps we will at last have a president who will help lead us and our world in a more peaceful, enlightened direction.


JILL BOLTE TAYLOR was a neuroscientist working at Harvard's brain research center when she experienced nirvana...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/fashion/25brain.html?em&ex=1212033600&en=f0b145c715f17d2b&ei=5087%0A

Read More

I heard an interesting talk on the Public Access channel tonight

given by an architect at a seminar at the University of Manitoba. He directed people to an online site that he and other architects and building engineers have put together to alert the public to facts they have discovered about the 9/11 collapse of the WTC towers.

It's a thought-provoking site...with info. from credible experts. Check it out.

http://www.ae911truth.org/

Read More

Joe Biden: Republicans and Our Enemies

A great analysis!  I hope Biden is being considered for a strong position in the Obama cabinet. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121150000249615875.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries  

Read More

GI Bill passes, despite opposition from McCain & Bush

EXCERPT: It’s interesting how vulnerable Republicans suddenly start to notice the merit of Democratic legislation six months before Election Day, isn’t it? Yes, it certainly is. And it will be interesting to see Bush veto this bill when he claims to be SO supportive of the troops. Why, he even gave up golf (sort of) as his own sacrifice to show how much he appreciates their sacrificing their lives and limbs in the war he sent them into on lies. Now, when it's time to give the troops some real benefits, he and McCain refuse. Yes...it's all so very interesting. I hope the voters--and the troops--are paying attention.

Modernized GI Bill passes, despite opposition from McCain, Bush

By: Steve Benen

Once in a while, it’s hard to keep a good bill down — especially when it involves expanded benefits for the troops, during a war, in an election year.

The Senate has overwhelmingly passed a new GI bill and billions in new domestic spending as part of the $165 billion Iraq war funding bill pending before Congress.

The 75-22 vote marked a resounding victory for Senate Democrats as well as Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), who has battled to expand the educational benefits for soldiers who served in Iraq. The vote was the first critical hurdle in a three vote package on the Iraq war funding bill. The measure also included a 13 week extension of unemployment insurance, home heating assistance and other domestic spending add ons. President Bush has threatened to veto the bill, which will top $200 billion with the extra spending. […]

What was most surprising was not that the domestic funding amendment and the GI bill won a majority of the Senate votes, but that half of the Senate’s 49 Republicans bucked President Bush and GOP presidential candidate John McCain to back the dramatically expanded GI bill. Many uncertain Republicans stood in the well of the Senate, taking their time to make a decision. Virtually every GOP senator who is politically vulnerable this year voted for the domestic spending, including Sens. John Sununu of New Hampshire and Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

It’s interesting how vulnerable Republicans suddenly start to notice the merit of Democratic legislation six months before Election Day, isn’t it?

In all 25 Senate Republicans broke ranks with Bush/McCain to support the measure, giving the bill a veto-proof majority. Even Lieberman voted for it. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spoke in favor of the bill and voted for it. McCain, who has repeatedly said he opposes the measure, decided to raise money in California and skipped the vote. All 22 “nay” votes were conservative Republicans.

Read More

From the horse's mouth

In 2000, McCain admits he’d be too old to run in 2008

By: John Amato

As McCain gets ready to release his medical records in a very limited fashion today, I’ve come across a clip back on 08/01/2000. He’s being interviewed by Jim Lehrer on News Hour and admits that he’d be too old to run in 2008.

Download Play Download Play

Lehrer: Finally for the record, you have not lost your desire to be President of the United States, have you?

McCain: Certainly it’s been put in deep cold storage. haha..

Lehrer: You haven’t lost it?

McCain: Well, in 2004, I expect to be campaigning for the reelection of President George W. Bush, and by 2008, I think I might be ready to go down to the old soldiers home and await the cavalry charge there.

Nobody can complain if age comes up anymore since the candidate has made it an issue as far back as 2000 all by himself. Americans polled are sure worried about it anyway…

Read More

Very interesting video

Check out this story and the video connected with it. Quite informative
and educational.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/my-interview-with-pastor_b_103177.html

Read More

Great new song and video!

...should become the theme song for the November election.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdhJVsOGGi0

Read More

Short history of Homeopathy--and how it works

I found the following informative explanation of homeopathy online. It presents a simple explanation of the history of homeopathy -- and how it works.

My own experience is that homeopathic treatments are very effective. No toxic side effects like you may get in pharmaceutical drugs. And reasonably priced!  http://www.heartlandhealing.com/pages/archive/homeopathy/index.html  

Read More

Handwriting analysis of McCain, Obama, Clinton

Interesting...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080518/ts_alt_afp/usvotegraphology;_ylt=AvMeJCF4EMhktInVn_tQhsUDW7oF?

Read More

Warning: Using a mobile phone while pregnant can seriously damage your baby - Health News

All women should know about this study. I believe children shouldn't
use cell phones at all. Perhaps adults shouldn't, either .... or should
use them as little as possible. We have introduced into our present-day
world many electronic devices that were unheard of when we were kids --
and when our kids were kids. This new generation is being exposed to
far more energy fields than we would ever have dreamed of -- and many of
them are not beneficial. Warnings like this article should alert
parents to the dangers of cell phones for children, whether in or out of
the womb.

Read More