I sincerely hope I am being an alarmist with this post.
The world is in a really bad spot right now. It seems we are teetering on the edge of a world war. I don't think a lot of people here in America realize how bad the situation is. The Muslim community is very large and already seriously mad at the United States due to the problems in Iraq which is on the verge of a civil war. Now the fury grows with the Danish cartoon that brought offensive to the Muslim beliefs. Tensions are rising and the situation grows worse every day. Something needs to be done fast to avoid a potentially terrible situation.
I urge everyone to pray for peace. Pray for understanding and tolerance. Pray that tempers will be cooled. Pray to whatever God you were thought to believe or choose to believe. Despite my rants on extremists, I believe in prayer. Without some divine help, we are all in serious trouble.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Port Deal - Bad Deal
I am all for free trade and a global marketplace - but this deal sends red flags in my head.
The Bushes, Cheneys and other people involved with big oil companies may be good friends with the Unites Arab Emirates, but I don't believe the UAE are friends of the American people - they literally have us over a barrel with oil prices. So I was shocked when I read last Sunday that 6 major ports in the USA were sold to the UAE. But I am absolutely stunned by the fact that our President and Congress didn't know about the sale until after it was already approved. I am further flabbergasted that the President supports the deal. And as details come out it seems more and more of a secret deal that is possibly illegal and bypassed proper checks and balances.
Personally, I had no idea that the ports were already run by a British company. Doesn't it just seem odd? But regardless of that fact, it just seems really unusual that of all the companies in the world, a UAE company would be the new buyer.
These major ports are the back door - maybe even the front door to the USA. The fact that these ports are already poorly regulated and shipments seldom inspected was one of the main focus points of John Kerry's presidential run. It is an extremely vulnerable area to the United States security. And now our President thinks it is just fine that they will be controlled by an organization that has specific ties to 9/11.
Unbelievable.
The Bushes, Cheneys and other people involved with big oil companies may be good friends with the Unites Arab Emirates, but I don't believe the UAE are friends of the American people - they literally have us over a barrel with oil prices. So I was shocked when I read last Sunday that 6 major ports in the USA were sold to the UAE. But I am absolutely stunned by the fact that our President and Congress didn't know about the sale until after it was already approved. I am further flabbergasted that the President supports the deal. And as details come out it seems more and more of a secret deal that is possibly illegal and bypassed proper checks and balances.
Personally, I had no idea that the ports were already run by a British company. Doesn't it just seem odd? But regardless of that fact, it just seems really unusual that of all the companies in the world, a UAE company would be the new buyer.
These major ports are the back door - maybe even the front door to the USA. The fact that these ports are already poorly regulated and shipments seldom inspected was one of the main focus points of John Kerry's presidential run. It is an extremely vulnerable area to the United States security. And now our President thinks it is just fine that they will be controlled by an organization that has specific ties to 9/11.
Unbelievable.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Mother Earth Has the Flu
Mother Earth has been infected with an invasive virus that is making her mighty sick. The name of the virus is called Humans. The infection can be seen as sort of a rash made visible especially at night.
Her natural immune systems are working hard to fight this infection. She has a slight fever which is setting into motion other disease fighting actions - storms, floods, fires, droughts - all in an effort to rid herself of these invasive pests.
It's a far fetched theory - and one I did not think of - but it does make sense. If we want Mother Earth to stop fighting us, we need to learn to live in a non-invasive manner. Protect Mother Earth and she will protect us.
Her natural immune systems are working hard to fight this infection. She has a slight fever which is setting into motion other disease fighting actions - storms, floods, fires, droughts - all in an effort to rid herself of these invasive pests.
It's a far fetched theory - and one I did not think of - but it does make sense. If we want Mother Earth to stop fighting us, we need to learn to live in a non-invasive manner. Protect Mother Earth and she will protect us.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Healthcare is Big Business
Today while on the treadmill at the gym I watched the President give a press conference where he spoke on the problems with our health care system. He spoke of cuts that need to be made to make the system work better. But this is the wrong approach in my opinion.
Here is the problem with our health care system in a nutshell. The pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals seriously over charge for their products. The insurance companies refuse to cover it - so they pass those extra costs on to the patients in higher co-pays or simply refuse to cover certain things at all. By not covering certain things they deem as overpriced, they are second guessing the physicians and now the patients are not getting the care their doctor recommends. Those are big problems and making cuts to the patients benefits is not going to solve the problem.
The problem needs to be addressed at the top - not the bottom. These giant corporations should be regulated much like an electric utility is. If the cost of drugs and physician care would come within a reasonable realm, the rest of it would likely fall into place. But don't expect that to happen while the current administration is in power. These huge corporations are big supporters of the GOP because they support big business. So, as is always with the republican philosophy, the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the sick get sicker - or die.
Here is the problem with our health care system in a nutshell. The pharmaceutical companies and medical professionals seriously over charge for their products. The insurance companies refuse to cover it - so they pass those extra costs on to the patients in higher co-pays or simply refuse to cover certain things at all. By not covering certain things they deem as overpriced, they are second guessing the physicians and now the patients are not getting the care their doctor recommends. Those are big problems and making cuts to the patients benefits is not going to solve the problem.
The problem needs to be addressed at the top - not the bottom. These giant corporations should be regulated much like an electric utility is. If the cost of drugs and physician care would come within a reasonable realm, the rest of it would likely fall into place. But don't expect that to happen while the current administration is in power. These huge corporations are big supporters of the GOP because they support big business. So, as is always with the republican philosophy, the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the sick get sicker - or die.
The Arrogance of Cheney Astounds
Today Vice President Cheney took full blame for accidentally shooting his friend while hunting. A nice gesture but totally not necessary. I don't think anyone is blaming anyone for what was clearly an accident. But the Vice President continues to stand by his delayed reaction to reporting this accident to his boss and the American people.
I'm not at all surprised. This man is evil. He clearly lives by a policy held by a lot of top ranking Republicans that they can do no wrong - no matter how wrong they are. But standing firm on your bad decisions does not make them right.
These officials need to realize that they were elected by the American people (not me) and as such, we are their employers. They DO need to report their actions and they DO need to follow the will of the American people - at least the ones that voted for them.
This arrogance has got us in a heap of trouble in Iraq (remember "shock and awe"?), the Abu Gharib prison scandal and a (big) list of other issues. It needs to stop now!
I'm not at all surprised. This man is evil. He clearly lives by a policy held by a lot of top ranking Republicans that they can do no wrong - no matter how wrong they are. But standing firm on your bad decisions does not make them right.
These officials need to realize that they were elected by the American people (not me) and as such, we are their employers. They DO need to report their actions and they DO need to follow the will of the American people - at least the ones that voted for them.
This arrogance has got us in a heap of trouble in Iraq (remember "shock and awe"?), the Abu Gharib prison scandal and a (big) list of other issues. It needs to stop now!
Monday, February 06, 2006
Response to "Lost"
I never knew my oldest sister was so wise, but she has done a lot of research to support her book "Directed Dreaming" and Blog on how to achieve success in life. When she read my last posting "Lost" she had the following to say about the power of positive thinking:
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Here's your problem. You need to QUIT worrying about that "thing" you think you should be doing (and even telling yourself there is a thing), it's driving you nuts, and how do you know you're not already doing it? You help tons of people each day in your job, so maybe you are already making a difference and doing that thing.
Change this thinking to: I know that I am doing exactly what I need to do to make a difference. Word it so that it makes sense to you in a positive way.
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Every night before I go to bed, I say a few things, I won't tell you all of them, but here are the most important.
I believe that I am Divinely Guided
I believe that I will always make the right decisions.
I believe that God will make a way where there is no way.
------------------------------------
Try these for once, and stop stressing!
-------------------
Here's your problem. You need to QUIT worrying about that "thing" you think you should be doing (and even telling yourself there is a thing), it's driving you nuts, and how do you know you're not already doing it? You help tons of people each day in your job, so maybe you are already making a difference and doing that thing.
Change this thinking to: I know that I am doing exactly what I need to do to make a difference. Word it so that it makes sense to you in a positive way.
----------------------------------
Every night before I go to bed, I say a few things, I won't tell you all of them, but here are the most important.
I believe that I am Divinely Guided
I believe that I will always make the right decisions.
I believe that God will make a way where there is no way.
------------------------------------
Try these for once, and stop stressing!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Lost
I'm nearly 41 years old. Shouldn't I have some idea what I want to do with my life? I've always had a feeling that I have something important to do in my lifetime - I just wish I knew what that was. Oh - and I hope it pays well.
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