Green In OC

Occupy OC - Irvine (10/15/11)

2011-10-15T21:24:00.001-07:00

Occupy OC - Irvine (10/15/11), a set on Flickr.

BEN & JERRY: I LOVE YOU!

2011-03-03T16:24:00.000-08:00

I'm on a diet right now but I just figured out what I'll be eating the first day off the diet - Ben & Jerry's newest Fair Trade flavor, Late Night Snack!

Fair Trade is near and dear to my heart and ice cream is near and dear to my a&&, hips and thighs!

THE PEDICURE IMPERATIVE

2011-01-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

A little tip, before you start walking your fat ass for miles and miles, go get a pedicure! You are welcome.

I, being a bit too chintzy these days, have not had a professional pedicure in a while. I have been giving them to myself. My chintzy ways included toenail clipping when I realized I could provide cover to a small mouse family under the length of my big toe.

Apparently I lost focus somewhere along the line of piggies and let my "little" toe (truthfully, my "little" toe is a misnomer - it's really a toe that, on a good day, looks like a squished stuffed Italian sausage, sweet, not the spicy variety!), grow to it's heart's content.

My little piggy now looks like this (it's not really this fuzzy, that's a result of being too lazy to pull a real camera out):

I walked/hobbled on my Sunday walk with it like this, I tried yesterday but oy vey it hurt too much so I took a break.

The picture is what it looks like today after a day of rest. So, don't think I'll be walking again today. Hopefully, I be back in full swing tomorrow!

LOSING MY BEHIND

2011-01-21T16:48:00.000-08:00

I am going to lose 20 pounds.

I have been asked to do something, but that something requires me to lose a little weight. I could stand to lose more (a lot, a lot a lot more!!) but I've got to lose 20 for this something!

I am a very happy person. I like who I am regardless of the size of my behind.

I am not a happy exerciser. I HATE it.

So, I am hoping that if I publish what I am doing every day, perhaps that embarrassment of not following through will keep me on track.

I've added a little area over there on the right (see it, it's right there, on top - yep, that's it, the one titled "LOSING 20"), to keep track.

Wish me luck and a smaller butt!!

CONGRESS VOTED TO REPEAL YOUR HEALTHCARE TODAY (REST ASSURED, THEY'RE KEEPING THEIRS)

2011-01-19T21:12:00.000-08:00

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will be flown from Arizona to Houston, TX for rehab at the end of this week.

Do you think that she is going to Houston because there aren't any rehab facilities in Arizona? Probably not. She is probably going to Houston because her family feels that it is "the best" facility for her.

Isn't it wonderful that on top of this unspeakable tragedy that they don't have to deal with insurance hassles, bills piling up due to lack of health insurance, accepting treatment because it's the best they can afford instead of what is best for her?

How ironic is it that the Republican led Congress voted unanimously (every single Republican member of Congress voted the same way - yes, that's right Republican's heard the American people who wanted more bi-partisanship and then voted lock-step with the GOP agenda) today to repeal the Health Care bill?

What I have heard more than any other sentiment regarding this issue is that politicians should forego their government sponsored and subsidized health insurance. What I have never heard, is one of them writing and introducing that bill. Why?

BROTHER OUTSIDER

2011-01-17T14:03:00.000-08:00

This Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday I'd like to introduce you to or remind you of, an amazing man, Bayard Rustin.

He was an incredibly influential person in the civil rights movement.

As a student of Ghandi, he was responsible for Martin Luther King Jr.'s full embracing of non-violence in all aspects of his life.

The incredible paradox of this man's story is that while he was shaping and pushing the civil rights movement forward, he was being discriminated against within the movement and the world. He accepted it and continued the fight.

He did not seek or receive any glory but he is one the framers of that movement that history has chosen to forgot.

Hopefully in the age of the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", and hopefully on the cusp of marriage equality we can all learn the incredible histories of those that have been hidden.

Bayard's legacy is that history is made by real people, that we all have something to say and to contribute.

WORDS HAVE NO MEANING, UNLESS THEY DO

2011-01-12T11:35:00.000-08:00

Remember Sarah Palin's outrage over Rahm Emanuel's use of the "r" word? Remember how she accused him of having no decency? Remember how she called for his firing?

Do you also remember how she defended Rush Limbaugh's use of the word? How about, when she campaigned for Governor Perry even though his consultant, Dave Carney, used the word?

Remember how she wrote "Just as we'd be appalled if any public figure of Rahm's stature ever used the "N-word..." Remember how she supported, radio talk show host Laura Schlessinger's use of the word?

Remember how she put forth marketing materials using gunsights? Remember how she told her audience to "reload"? Remember how she supported Sharron Angle, who repeatedly insinuated people use "2nd Amendment remedies"?

Today, she is speaking out. Making sure we understand that words uttered by Americans are a light to the rest of the world. She is puzzled, concerned and sad at the irresponsible words that are suggesting that people who incited violence with their marketing materials and words have absolutely no culpability.

Today, she is making sure we understand that the media's supposition that political rhetoric may have played a part in Loughner's actions is reprehensible.

When she speaks of taking of arms she is obviously speaking of voting.

It's fine to speak out in "peaceful dissent". Suggesting "2nd Amendment solutions" is obviously alluding to peaceful dissent. Duh.

So let's review:

1. Using the "r" WORD is unacceptable, heartbreaking and calls for firing.
2. If the "r" WORD is used by a Palin supporter, then it is acceptable.
3. Use of the "n" WORD by a public figure is appalling.
4. If the "n" WORD is used by a Palin supporter, then it is acceptable.
5. American's WORDS are a light to the world.
6. American media's WORDS suggesting a possible link between inciteful language and violence is unacceptable.
7. Use of violent WORDS is totally acceptable.
8. If the media uses WORDS to ask if political rhetoric is wise is totally unacceptable.
9. WORDS are her 1st Amendment right.
10. Using WORDS to question rhetoric is unacceptable.

Conclusion:

It is important to keep a clear grasp on hypocrisy as you never know when you'll need some.

Hate is NOT Constitutional in California - Take That Mormon Church!

2010-08-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't said much in a long time but I had to come here after reading the news to share my joy.

Proposition 8 was struck down by the Federal District Court in San Francisco today.

I am so happy for all of my gay friends, even those that have passed on )boy would R have fought this battle with vigor and would have been jumping for joy right now!), gay people everywhere and my fellow straight people.

This is a victory for all of us, as "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere", as the wonderful Martin Luther King Jr. once said. I think of he and Bayard Rustin today. I think of young people who will grow up in a different world. I think of those that are for federally mandated hatred and injustice and hope that we can bridge the gap somehow.

I'm sorry this is all over the place, I'm just quickly typing in my joy!

Oh, and Mormon Church? Neeneer, neeneer, neeneer!!!! Now, just as you allowed black men to fully join your church (long after you accepted their tithing), please have some of humble pie, prepared by the Relief Society of course, and remember that Primary song, "Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too".

The Greenest Book Club!

2010-06-24T17:51:00.000-07:00

So, I joined Jessica Gottlieb's book club.

An internet book club has got to be the greenest way for doing this there is!

You can borrow a book from the library and discuss the book from your own living room without having to drive!

I am however, going to buy the book on Kindle. For me, the library is not a good choice. The library has cost me pretty penny and even got me sent to a collection agency - twice!

That's right, I am not good about returning on time. I don't mind paying the late fees. However, when the late fees add up to more than the price of a book it's time to look at yourself in the mirror and admit that you are too lame for the library to lend to - so Kindle it is!

If you want to join us, the first book is The Saturday Wife.

This will be interesting!

Planned Obsolescence Kicked My Arse - HARD!

2010-06-16T23:04:00.000-07:00

The Story of Stuff

When I moved out on my own for the first time, I like most every other person starting out, had hardly any money.

My "furniture" consisted of crates and boxes scrounged from behind grocery stores garbage bins with sheets, stolen/borrowed from my Dad's house, thrown over them. Typical.

I moved in during summer and had to keep my front door open because, while the apartment had a window air conditioner, I was terrified of using it, running up my electric bill, being unable to pay the bill, having my electricity turned off and I spiraling into living in my car! You know, the logical stuff everyone worries about!

Anyway, a neighbor kept walking by my door and sneaking a peek in. I thought it was a bit odd at first but quickly realized that she walked by my door a lot and was a bit creeped out but the heat won over my suspicions.

After the end of my first week, she approached me saying that she "noticed" that I didn't have a fridge and wondered if I would be getting one soon. I told her no - the no money thing. I was willing to engage her because, truth be told, I was a bit afraid of her and her stern look constantly peeking into my house.

She said that her brother had an extra one that I could buy if I wanted. I laughed. I couldn't buy anything I wanted. She replied that she figured that and had already spoken with him and he would charge me $40, I could pay $5 per month, starting the next month and he would deliver it anytime I wanted. WTH?! Her "stern look" turned out to be worry for me, a stranger!

Wow! I could not believe my luck.

Her brother arrived the next day with the ugliest fridge ever made. It was dark brown with some yellow/gold accents and gold trim on the door handles.

This is not a picture of my fridge, but this picture was definitely the prettier cousin in my fridge's family:

I payed off my debt to her brother and was so happy to have a fridge, albeit an incredibly ugly one.

I moved to my next apartment and took my fridge and few pieces of "real" furniture I had acquired. I did leave behind the waterbed (i.e. gigantic baggie filled with water), my boyfriend so generously bought for "me". Should I have been insulted that he found it in the Pennysaver for $50?!

I moved to another apartment, taking the fridge and by then, a television too!

I moved again, this time to a cute duplex, and again, took the fridge with me. My brother, strongman that he was, lifted that fridge by himself on both ends of that move. On New Years Eve day to boot!

I moved again, this time with a friend who had just bought his first house and needed someone to move in and pay rent so he could afford the mortgage. The fridge was a lifesaver because he could not afford one at the time.

I moved again and took it with me when I bought a house. Back to the same financial situation when I first moved out on my own - zero extra money.

As the years wore on, and I had a little extra cash, I began to really hate that fridge. Not because it didn't work well. In fact, the fridge NEVER, not even once, gave the slightest hiccup of trouble. I hated it because it was ugly.

I grew tired of the too big for my kitchen ugly brown from the very early 1970's fridge. I was being vain. I wanted a fridge to match my dishwasher and stove.

Every time I looked into my kitchen I resented the solid but ugly fridge.

I started looking for new models. I ogled stainless. I admired the brilliance of a bottom freezer drawer. I nearly wept at the sight of french doors. An ice maker AND a water dispenser? Oh, my!

In 2004, I bought a new fridge. I negotiated the price. I paid $2,000 for a fridge that was selling for $2,800 elsewhere. A "deal". Jenn-Air. Even the name is beautiful. Gorgeous:

The delivery guys arrive and carefully brought my gleaming $2,000 fridge up my stairs. They chuckled when they saw the fridge it was replacing.

Good riddance to my dependable but shockingly ugly fridge that worked perfectly well when they unplugged it.

I felt my $2,000 was well spent.

Any why not? If the fridge lasted 20 years, about 1/2 of the brown monstrosity's life (which I cut short don't forget), it would cost me $100 a year. $100 a year was a pittance for a beautiful, sleek fridge that made me happy every time I saw it, right? RIGHT?!

Planned obsolescence is for printers, PC's that you buy from Costco, men that you meet at bars. Certainly not for expensive, well made appliances. Right?

Fast forward, 2010. My beautiful $2,000 fridge stopped working.

It can be fixed. Hallelujah!

For a minimum of $1,000 and no guarantee. Oh.

Stupid AND foolish.

I had stupidly disposed of a perfectly good fridge because I didn't like the way it looked or functioned in my kitchen. Into the landfill it went. Foolishly, I never even gave it a second thought. All because I lusted after stainless, french doors, beauty, etc...

After much research I am about to replace my too expensive, foolish fridge.

It will be here by the beginning of next week.

While I wish I didn't have to buy a new one so soon, I am excited about my choice. Once it arrives, I'll tell you all about it!

Watch "Food, Inc."

2010-04-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

April 21st, POV will air "Food, Inc."

Check your local listings here.

If you miss it tomorrow, you will be able to watch it online from 04/22 through 04/29 here.

Before I watch "Food, Inc.", I will be bawling while watching "Through A Dog's Eyes":

I AM

2010-04-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

I am...

I am inspired by the woman I saw walking today, pushing a triple stroller with infant twins and a very animated young toddler UP a big hill.

I am thankful my dog decided to poop less than 5 feet from a trash can on our walk today which prevented me from having to carry a bag of poop for the rest of the walk.

I am sad for the man that I met today does not feel free enough to be himself.

I am loving the beautiful day we are having here in southern California.

I am enjoying watching the birds feed from the improvised bird feeder that I made and hoping my hummingbird feeder lasts a little longer.

I am hoping that a gift that ordered today from Purrfect Play arrives today for a friend that adopted her best dog friend from a shelter one year ago today.

I am going to watch, and hopefully be reenergized by, "The Seeds of a Revolution: Earth Days", tonight on PBS' American Experience:

I am, what are you today?

Bye Bye Birdies

2010-03-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

For 13 years, birds have nested in the eaves right outside my front door every spring.

One night a couple of weeks ago I opened my door to take my dog for a walk and was greeted by this...

I was so excited, I knew they were back. I looked up and saw this...

The only trouble they ever seemed to have experienced, was when I have had the audacity to walk out my front door. They don't like it and I get squawked at and dive bombed!

I decided that this year, I would sprinkle some sunflower chips in a plant by my door so that the parents wouldn't have to go far to get some food for their babies...

This morning I heard a loud noise. I looked around, my dog still asleep in a chair near me (she's back in the same spot but awake, temporarily I'm sure) had not even moved, but admittedly that is not unusal...

Then more noise. Great, I've got a creature in my house. I wonder if it's a mouse, a rat or a rabid bat?

I soon realized that the sound was coming from outside my front door and it sounded like birds were "touching" my front door. This was a relief because I did not want to deal with a mouse, rat or bat. The activity at my front door went on for about 10 minutes.

I was so happy, they obviously discovered the sunflower chips I sprinkled in the flower pot...

About an hour later, I decided to go down to see if I should put more chips in the pot.

OMG - the beautiful nest was upside down on the ground. I gently turned it over...

remnants of egg yolk and shells on my doorstep...

yolk running down my door frame...

on the threshold...

on the doormat...

I fear that me putting the food so close, another bird(s) became aware of and went after the nest.

The past 2 weeks there has been a lot of birds chirping and singing all day at my house. Today it is eerily quiet. The eave is empty...

Does anyone know if now that the safe haven has been discovered by a predator, is the spot useless?

Other than not putting food in the immediate area (I feel like an idiot), is there anything I can do to provide protection?

Will they re-use the nest? I've left it outside, it's SO beautiful - look at the intricate work...

Yes, in case you are wondering, I am really upset with myself for not going down to the front door immediately as I may have been able to prevent it.

Drinking Bottled Water Is About As Chic, Smart & Sexy As Smoking While Pregnant!

2010-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Are you still drinking bottled water?

Check this out...

I Have A Message for the GOP Faithful In Congress & The Senate...

2010-03-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

If you aren't part of the solution,

you are part of the problem.

Congressman Campbell, Your Rock At Scorekeeping! Advocating For The People? Eh, Not So Much...

2010-03-02T00:38:00.000-08:00

Last week, as we all know, was the Health Care Summit.

You probably aren't as lucky as me to be represented by someone like Congressman John Campbell who clearly has his ear to ground and is doing his job, not by listening to his constituents, but by being a loyal party lapdog and dude, a really good scorekeeper.

Yesterday, he wrote, "During the so-called Health Care Summit, the 17 Republicans in the room spoke for a total of 111 minutes. The 18 Democrats from Congress in the room spoke for a total of 135 minutes. But President Obama, all by himself, spoke for 122 minutes, more time than all the Republicans and nearly longer than all of the Democrats. This speaks more about this President than his words ever could."

So what can we deduce from the above? Congressman John Campbell is a douche? Well, don't jump to conclusions people, let's break it down...

"...the so-called Health Care Summit..."

Dude, are you kidding? Republicans (that would be you Congressman Campbell) have been pushing for this. I, for one, was really happy that it happened. Personally, I wasn't so happy hearing Republicans being asked repeatedly for their solutions but instead taking the opportunity to campaign instead. What was "so-called" about it?

"...Republicans... spoke for... 111 minutes...Democrats... spoke for...135 minutes. But President Obama, all by himself, spoke for 122 minutes..."

Scorekeeping, Congressman? You cannot be serious. People are suffering but you choose to report the minute score. This is a joke right?

I can only guess that your lifestyle keeps you well insulated from the real world (and I don't mean the one with 8 strangers living in a house together) and your health insurance benefits provided by the American people through your job, protect you from the grim reality of our current health care "system". Which, reminds me, have you decided to drop your "socialist, government sponsored" health insurance yet?

You could have addressed a lot of things about the Health Care Summit but you decided to report the minutes each side spoke. Way to listen to the people.

Meet Bob Iritano, who is dying and simultaneously fighting with his health insurance company for treatments. Is it really in the best interest of our country that this man has depleted his retirement account which will surely leave his wife and young children in a less than ideal financial position when he passes away? To whose benefit is it that his family is paying $2,500 a month for health insurance?

"...President Obama, all by himself, spoke for 122 minutes, more time than all the Republicans and nearly longer than all of the Democrats."

Is it possible that Congressman Campbell has never moderated a conversation? Is it surprising that the President spoke a lot since he was, you know, answering questions, moderating and fostering debate?

Perhaps President Obama should look to the example President Bush set when he moderated a... um, oh, that's right, President Bush never would have had the courage to listen and debate, unscripted, on live television.

"This speaks more about this President than his words ever could."

Congressman, you and I agree!! The fact that President Obama was able to speak for 122 minutes, without a script, understand the issues, with the ability to think and speak on his feet, was able to listen and respond appropriately, keep his composure in the face of lunacy, stay patient even though the campaigning was in the forefront instead of the issue, does speak volumes about him! More than words could ever appropriately express, we are a lucky nation to have President Obama leading us in this moment.

I know, the Congressman probably doesn't agree with the above. He probably wishes we still had an Administration that really listened to the American public, you know, like this:

CODE BLUE: Dr. Judgmental Jones Forgot The Hippocratic Oath

2010-02-18T10:13:00.000-08:00

I am FIRED up.

I just received an e-mail from a friend of mine with the following letter from Dr. Starner Jones that according to Snopes is real and has been published several times:

Dear Mr. President:

During my shift in the Emergency Room last night, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient whose smile revealed an expensive shiny gold tooth, whose body was adorned with a wide assortment of elaborate and costly tattoos, who wore a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and who chatted on a new cellular telephone equipped with a popular R&B ringtone.

While glancing over her patient chart, I happened to notice that her payer status was listed as "Medicaid"! During my examination of her, the patient informed me that she smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and somehow still has money to buy pretzels and beer.

And, you and our Congress expect me to pay for this woman's health care? I contend that our nation's "health care crisis" is not the result of a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. Rather, it is the result of a "crisis of culture," a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on luxuries and vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. It is a culture based in the irresponsible credo that "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me."

Once you fix this "culture crisis" that rewards irresponsibility and dependency, you'll be amazed at how quickly our nation's health care difficulties will disappear.

Respectfully,
STARNER JONES, MD

Are you kidding me?

Here's my reply to the above drivel:

Dear President Obama and Dr. Jones,

What if I went to the ER where Dr. Jones works? He would see my expensive dental restoration work, he would see my iPhone and if it rang hear that it has a ringtone, he would see my expensive athletic shoes, see my expensive purse and have someone whisper in his ear that I drove there in a luxury car. Then he would see that I only had catastrophic insurance coverage with an insanely high deductible; he would assume that he would have a hard time collecting payment from me and probably that hat I wouldn't pay at all.

During his examination of me, which at this point with all of these assumptions about me I doubt he would be focusing on my health but more about how he was going to get paid and how dare I have these "luxuries" and not be able to pay him immediately. He would learn that I spend an inordinate amount of money on alternative methods of healthcare. He would be baffled at why I would make that choice instead of spending $400+ a month on a better insurance policy.

What he wouldn't know, because it's none of his business but more importantly because healthcare workers should be focused on the health of their patients not busy making assumptions, is that:

1. I chose to spend a lot of money to remove the mercury fillings in my mouth because the mercury was leaking and I decided that it would be better for my long term health and that I paid for and did the work over a two year time span;

2. I was able to sell my old cellphone for the same amount as my new one - no money spent and that ringtone? I purchased it with a gift certificate;

3. I only purchase one pair of shoes a year, the expensive athletic shoes you see on my feet, unless I get them as a gift and between them and the flip-flops that I bought at factory outlet 4 years ago are they only shoes I wear 99.9% of the time;

4. I purchased my expensive purse used from e-bay for $12;

5. My car is 11 years old and it was purchased used. It was purchased primarily for the fact that it gets 28 miles to a gallon in the city and 36+ on the highway, the fact that the safety ratings are spectacular was another factor and hopefully keeps me out of the ER in an accident;

6. I would prefer to stay away from healthcare workers like Dr. Jones, so I try to heal myself at home;

7. I had that $400 a month policy; shockingly it hardly paid for anything, it was health insurance in name only, and I still got the pleasure of dealing with healthcare workers such as Dr. Jones.

Dr. Jones, you might want to reacquaint yourself with the Hippocratic Oath, you are probably too busy judging your patients so I will highlight the areas which appear to be a problem:

".. I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug."

"...I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know."

"...this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God."

"...I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick."

"...May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help."

Respectfully,

GreenInOC, Human

Orange County, CA

For me, I hope that I never end up under the care of judgmental healthcare workers like Dr. Jones.

The old adage about assumptions rings true...

How does the Dr. know that these items weren't paid for in a more financially secure time? Why does the doctor not assume that these items may have been bartered for, gifts given or in exchange for payment of a service or goods rendered? How presumptuous to define someone else's values.

The person can afford cigarettes, beer and pretzels. Doesn't that say more about society as a whole? We continue to support the fact that poor quality, high priced foods are the foods that are abundantly available in financially depressed communities?

Doesn't this whole situation say more about our society as a whole? We live in a country where racism is institutionalized and that seems okay with us?

I am fired up!

Cheap Thrills Are The Best Thrills!

2010-02-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

Times are tough right now for all of us and just like for most everything that ails you, laughter is the best medicine!

My top three favorite FREE laughter inducing things right now:

1. Check out the Twitter page of "newlywedsontjob":

This Twitter page is the brainchild of a Best Man who has hidden some sort of motion sensor under the newlywed's mattress that sends out a Tweet each time they start "the job" with the time started and the weight on the bed. It's followed by another Tweet when they're "off the job" with the total time spent, a frenzy index and the Judge's score! The couple will be informed on the 26th of this month so make sure check this out before it disappears.

2. Watch "Kell On Earth":

The new Bravo reality series that follows Kelly Cutrone, the brilliant PR "bitch" and by "bitch" I mean a brilliant business woman who I totally adore! The funny is from laughing at the interns and their "brilliance" and by "brilliance" I mean how do they wipe without help?! The best laugh though is in the second episode starting at 32:37.

Watch the first 2 episodes for FREE on Hulu- 1st episode / Hulu - 2nd episode; you don't even need to pay for cable!!!

3. Follow "shitmydadsays" on Twitter:

A 29 year old lives with his 74 year old Dad. The Tweets are simply the brilliance Dad shares such as,

"The dog is an outside dog. You want an inside dog, you go get your own inside."

"Here's a strawberry, sorry for farting near you...Hey! Either take the strawberry and stop bitching, or no strawberry, that's the deal."

"Happy birthday, I didn't get you a present..Oh, mom got you one? Well that's from me then too, unless it's shitty."

Bonus laughs (if 3 is good, 4 is better right?!):

Treading Lightly On VD

2010-02-11T01:24:00.000-08:00

For some, Valentines Day is a revered holiday. For others, it is anticipated about as much as its ironical abbreviation, VD.

No matter where you fall on the VD spectrum - STD or love contest - if you are so inclined, you can give your loved ones tokens of affection that don't hurt other people, the environment or require a culture and a walk of shame to the public clinic.

CHOCOLATE

Chocolate - yum. Chocolate milk, chocolate fudge, chocolate dipped bananas and strawberries, chocolate body paint, chocolate slaves - wait, slaves, what??

Years ago I saw a small piece on Dateline which highlighted the documentary, "Slavery: A Global Investigation"; you can now watch it online for free in two parts, here and here. In it they interview a boy who was recently rescued from a cacao plantation. They asked him if he had ever tasted chocolate, "No". He was then asked what he wanted to tell people who ate chocolate, he answered, "Tell them when they eat chocolate they are eating my flesh".

I saw those scars, burst into tears, ordered the documentary, did lots of research and changed my ways. I learned that most of the chocolate that comes into our country is harvested by slaves. Chocolate is made from cacao which is predominately grown in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Ghana. Both, but Cote d'Ivoire especially, are notorious for using slaves on the plantations that grow the cacao.

The easiest way to avoid this is to purchase Fair Trade Certified, which will have this label:

Other things to look for is for cacao from south America instead.

Newman's Own sources all of their chocolate from "slave free" farms - caramel filled chocolate cups, OMG!

If you live in Orange County, head on over to Mother's Market - they have quite a nice selection.

Here are some "safe" chocolate manufacturers (this is in no way a comprehensive list):

Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Macadamia Nut Ice Cream (heaven!!!)

Sunspire (not all products are labeled FTC but according to the company all cacao is sourced from plantations with fairly paid employees)

Sweet Earth Chocolates (organic too!!)

Divine Chocolates

Theo

Endangered Species (Bug Bites are great for kids and co-workers)

Rapunzel - (try their Choconut for body paint, yum!!!!!!!)

Equal Exchange

Kopali Organics (chocolate w/banana is the best combination on earth!)

Sweet Riot

FLOWERS

If your significant other swoons when they receive flowers, instead of ordering them when they are out of season, shipped from another country, possibly raised and picked by exploited labor check out California Organic Flowers. Yes, overnight shipping is not ideal, even with purchasing carbon offsets, but baby steps.

EARTH FRIENDLY GIFTS

Does your lover really need another stuffed animal made from and stuffed with polyester (oil), made in China most likely by exploited labor and then had to be shipped to the US? Yes? Okay, in spite of my intense hatred for stuffed animals, I will suggest Stuffington. Stuffington's creations are made in the US. That still leaves polyester and shipping but baby steps people.

If you are looking to get laid on VD (hopefully without receiving the gift of VD), you are going to have to give your present some thought.

Something that your loved one NEEDS. Do they hate walking the dog, doing the dishes, need a wall painted, need the garage cleaned, in dire need of a lap dance? Do that for them!

Spend some time with your loved one. Take your kid to the park, take your mother to a movie, take your husband to a strip club, talk to your wife!

Make a special meal. Do it together. Go to the local farmers market or if you are in south Orange County go to South Coast Farm, together. Go home, put on your organic cotton apron (you don't want to be frying bacon nekid people!) and handle those meats and veggies - together. Before you heat up some olive oil in the pan for the veggies, heat it up on their skin first!

Want something a little more tangible but personal? Go check out Etsy! Oh my gosh I lurve me some Etsy. There is something for everyone there. You can even search for sellers near you! Once I place my order I always request of the seller, "please do not use any plastic to mail this and please use recycled (ugly and funky are fine with me) shipping materials".

Have fun, be creative, tread lightly and show your love without hurting others, the earth or contracting an STD!

Sarah Palin The Teabagger Meets Sarah Palin The Hyprocrite

2010-02-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

I don't drink coffee - can't stand the smell or the taste.

I do however love tea. Herbal tea is the best!

My love for tea is being seriously challenged by the "Tea Party". Now every time I think of having a cup of tea, I think of "Tea Party", which makes me think of Sarah Palin, which leads to pondering hypocrisy, which inevitably causes blood pressure increasing, heart palpitations and bile production!!!

If you don't see the Sarah Palin hypocrisy connection, here's a brief primer.

On The Use Of The Word "Retarded":

White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, used the word "retarded". Sarah Palin called for his resignation.

Blowhard talk radio host and fellow hypocrite, Rush Limbaugh, used the word retarded. Sarah Palin supported it as "satire".

Republican Governor Perry of Texas' Campaign Consultant, Dave Carney, used the word "retarded". Sarah Palin did not call for Governor Perry to "axe" Carney but instead she campaigned for Perry.

On Using A Teleprompter:

Presidents have been using teleprompters since Lyndon Johnson.

President Reagan, a Republican, was nicknamed "The Great Communicator". Sarah Palin, Republicans and Tea Baggers revere "Ronnie". Ronnie loved the teleprompter almost as much as he did Nancy!

Here's a picture of Ronnie using a tele-prompter (see the smoky grey plastic thing on his right?):

Source: The Drudge Report

President Obama, a Democrat, has been hailed as a "great orator" but is often referred to as "The Teleprompter President" by the likes of Palin, Fox "News", Tea Partiers, et al. Sarah Palin mocks President Obama's speaking skills and has called him "...that charasmastic guy with a teleprompter".

On February 7, 2009 Sarah Palin spoke and participated in a Q&A at the first Tea Party Convention. Apparently she didn't use a teleprompter. Instead, she wrote bullet points ON HER HAND.

Watch at the 47 second mark as she reads the notes ON HER HAND while trying to answer a question:

She wrote: "energy", "budget cuts" with a line through the word "budget", "tax" and "lift American spirits".

The question was "...when we are successful and we have a conservative House and a conservative Senate, as soon as that happens, what do you think are the top three things that have got to be done?"

It's a BIG coincidence that she has three things written on her hand. Did she know that question in advance?

Whether or not she knew the question in advance or that she wrote notes on her hand or used notes at all really isn't the issue. The issue is that she has ridiculed our current President for using a teleprompter when:

1. Her idol, Ronnie, was a master at using the teleprompter

2. President Bush, in spite of using a teleprompter, still couldn't speak coherently

3. Most profoundly, she, like most of us, uses prompts when speaking in public

Someone please write the word "hypocrite" on Palin's hand - maybe it will remind her to ask someone to look up the definition and explain it to her.

For an eloquent and impassioned post on how using the word "retarded" is "...pathetic and rude", head on over to Redneck Mommy's incredible post on the subject.

Being Sick & Green

2010-02-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

I have been out of town helping a family member with this:

A new baby - SO wonderful. This family member has a passel of kids; it's loud, it's hectic, it reminds me of my own childhood and oh my, IT'S FUN!!

Unfortunately, before I left their house I got REALLY sick. In fact almost everyone in the house was sick. I had to fly home sick - miserable.

I am still sick (12 days of sick so far) and it sucks. I am getting better but I have a lingering cough and congested ears.

The amount of plastic used and wasted through this is in itself sickening. I bought cough drops/lozenges for the flight. Each of course wrapped individually in plastic. I went to a co-op and a health food store but both only had the plastic wrapped ones.

For coughs I usually use Chestal Honey Cough Syrup which comes in glass. It wasn't helping so I have bought two bottles of different brands (neither of which has worked as far as I can tell) and both came in plastic.

The one thing that I had that I LOVED were some bamboo fleece wipes that I purchased from Batik Bags on etsy. What a luxury to wipe your nose with something so soft and lovely that didn't leave anything chapped or a trash can overflowing with chemical laden and bleached tissues.

The cough is at the base of my throat, dry and I cant "get" it. I have tried an expectorant herbal cough syrup but it does not seem to be doing the trick.

I had read that a natural expectorant would be a "mustard plaster". There are different instructions, but the one that I went with was I cut up some cheesecloth and sprinkled in some dried mustard on half of it and then folded the other half of the cheesecloth over it. I then rolled it up like a jellyroll and ran it under warm water. Just enough to get it wet.

I unrolled it and put it on my chest. I was sitting up and oh my gosh - that was the best hour I've had, no coughing or wheezing!!

My skin wasn't irritated at all, sooooooo....

I decided to do it again but this time as I tried to go to sleep.

So I had it on while lying on my side so it was on my skin and then pushed between "the girls".

After a while it started to get really uncomfortable. I stuck it out. I was watching TV on my computer (by the way, have you seen Modern Family yet?!) and tried to put it out of my mind.

I realized that my skin wasn't uncomfortable but there was a burning stabbing pain so I decided to take it off. It still hurt really bad.

I got up washed off my skin put on some coconut and argan oils. It was raised and red but when I woke up this morning this is what I saw:

Lovely!

So now I am coughing until I feel nauseous, I can't hear my own voice and I have a self-inflicted burn!!!

"Joe Lieberman Socks"

2009-12-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

I broke my toe!

In this tiny experience of our health care "system" I learned something new. In what seems to be a response to the ever growing expense of being in constant negotiation with insurance companies, doctors have found a new way to make money.

They now charge patients for their signature! In order to get a temporary disabled placard a person must submit a form to the DMV. The patient can fill virtually all of this out and it simply needs a doctor's signature. That signature is apparently worth $15 to $35 depending on which doctor you ask.

This. Is. Despicable.

Speaking of despicable, have you been following Joe Lieberman's antics?

Here's a quick recap presented by some very clever socks:

Pissed? Good. Here's something you can do:

CALL CONGRESS AT 202-224-3121 AND THEN CALL

THE WHITE HOUSE AT 202-456-1111.

I'm Thankful For Sarah Palin Fans (and New Left Media)!

2009-11-25T08:32:00.000-08:00

If you enjoyed this, check this out, another brilliant video from New Left Media, you can also follow them on Twitter @NewLeftMedia.

And now, for a quick summary of the roots of Thanksgiving as taught by our school system:

Happy Thanksgiving!

p.s. if you need some easy pie recipes, check these out!

My Dad Lied About Rhubarb Pie

2009-11-23T11:47:00.000-08:00

I am not a big pie lover. I prefer cake, and lots of it! Holidays though call for pie.

I am making three pies for Thanksgiving this year. I've made them all before and they are all DELICIOUS! The best part is, they are sooooooo easy!

They are easy partly because I cheat a bit with the crust, but beyond that the most complicated has 4 steps! I will purchase pre-made pie crusts from Mother's Market. If I remember correctly it is a whole grain crust with only about 5 ingredients. Two drawbacks:

1. Crust is in disposable aluminum pie tins

2. Packaged in plastic

I will probably remove the crusts from the aluminum since I can't stand cooking in aluminum and prefer glass. I will have to bring the plastic with me to my Thanksgiving dinner destination and recycle there as my neighborhood does NOT have recycling!

One pie will be pecan and the other two will be rhubarb. Ick you exclaim? Gross you say? I'm with ya' sista, I used to say!

Growing up my Dad LOVED rhubarb. Whenever it was served he would say, "I'll take that, you won't like it, it's gross." My Dad was a hero in many ways and this was just one more - he was saving us from even trying the nasty, icky, gross rhubarb!

Our family has been doing Christmas from around the world for a couple of years and one year was England. Since rhubarb pie was a traditional choice (per the internet) I made a couple. There would be some people from England there so it would surely be eaten, not by me or my brother though!

When I was preparing them for transport, some filling spilled onto my finger. Without even thinking about it, I licked my finger (oh come on, you lick your fingers while cooking too!). What came next was an epiphany I doubt the Pope has even experienced - rhubarb wasn't good, it was DELICIOUS!

When it was time for pie I pulled my brother aside and said "I've got something to tell you. Dad lied to us for our whole lives. Rhubarb is devine!!". He tried it and his eyes got huge and it he took pieces of each variety and came back for seconds. I called my little sister the next day and informed her of this scam. She now knows that rhubarb is from the Gods and Dad, selfless in all other ways, was totally Bogarting the rhubarb!

This 8 ingredient Pecan Pie is incredible and made without corn syrup!

This 7 ingredient Rhubarb Sour Cream Pie is rich and delicious! All of the ingredients I use will be organic, the flour will be spelt

This 5 ingredient Fresh Rhubarb Pie is heavenly!

All of the ingredients I use will be organic, the flour will be spelt, the milk will be raw from grass fed cows and the sugars and vanilla will be fair-trade.

Make a pie for your family and friends, it's fun, easy and delicious!

Annie - Hairless, Fearless & Fierce!

2009-11-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

Last night what started out as a Twitter conversation about "saving" chocolate milk for schools turned into a spirited discussion about slave labor and fair-trade chocolate (I wonder who brought that up?!).

One person that I conversed with was @PoeticLotion, aka Mom of Ms. Hairless and Fearless herself, Annie.

In our discussion I learned that Annie was recovering from a spontaneous brain bleed. Their local paper, the Tribune Chronicle, wrote an article and you should go read it.

I was moved by the fact that her Dad was aware of the dangers of head injuries because he had recently read an article about a tragic situation and was therefore more alert to the possibility that something was really, really wrong. Everything happens for a reason. I especially love that her parents shaved their heads in solidarity!

Annie, a budding artist, started, Annie's Art Studio, where you can buy her work (gotta love those home schooled kids!). After Annie's brain bleed fellow artists, Kathy& Ed Esposito, decided to help Annie and her family with the mounting medical costs (health care reform anyone?), by selling the piece that Annie drew:

For those of you that send Christmas cards I think this would be great - you could write inside, "Have you been naughty or nice this year?!".

If you send Hanukkah cards, how about "May the traditions of old bring you new joy!!".

Kathy & Ed will donate 10% of all proceeds to Annie's family and 100% of proceeds when you buy the card with Annie's drawing!

Kathy & Ed also have an Etsy store (I love me some Etsy!), and they will package your order without the plastic sleeves that is put on the cards or the vinyl sleeve on the bookmarks, all you have to do is ask!

Unfortunately the paper the cards are printed on is not recycled, it is however made in the USA as is everything that they sell - yes, even the bookmark tassels! The envelopes are made with 10% recycled content and they return their print cartridges to the manufacturer for recycling. All unsalable items are donated to charity that donates them to our soldiers for thank you cards.

If you are on Facebook you can follow Annie there too.

As I mentioned yesterday, the internet is such an incredible tool to put people in touch that would never have had the opportunity otherwise.

Aissa Mayhew - Woman Extraordinaire

2009-11-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

This thing, the internet, introduces us to people that we most likely would not have the opportunity to meet, hear their stories that make us laugh, cry, angry, become more compassionate and think.

3 months ago I somehow ended up on Anissa's blog and read this post. This was a post that made me angry. It made me proud of someone that I did not know. I made me want to hug, defend and encourage a woman that I had never met and in all likelihood would never meet.

Anissa's blog has become one of many that I many that I started reading within the last 7 months. Reading her blog makes you want to go find her and beg her to be your friend - you would surely have so much fun.

This morning, while making my rounds of blog reading, I read The Spohr's Are Multiplying first. I was shocked - Anissa, a young mother of 3, is in the ICU after having suffered a devastating stroke.

I was crying for Anissa, this woman who I have never met, spoken with, tweeted, e-mailed or even knew that I existed. I was crying for her husband, her children, her friends, her family, her community, her network of parents that she helps who have ill children. I have been so sad today.

Please send your positive energy to Anissa's family today. Please keep her in your thoughts. If you are so moved you can find out more information and ways to help:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/anissamayhew/journal
http://twitter.com/aiminglow
http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/help4anissa
http://aiminglow.com
http://twitter.com/aiminglow

"Green" Is The New Red, White & Blue

2009-11-11T10:58:00.001-08:00

Last night I turned on my radio and heard this, "...you have soldiers that are fighting and dying because of our energy policy in this country and this is a means to help fix that. Are you really an American? Are you rah-rah pro American let's go do all this great stuff? Well, this is how you can do it."

I was listening to Dick Gordon's "The Story". If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing this gem of a radio program, find "The Story" in your area. Gordon interviews regular everyday people and listens to their story.

In last night's program he was speaking to brothers Jon & Chris Boggiano, veterans of the Iraq war who have come to realize that the war was/is about oil, "The fact that our energy policy and the fact that we are in Iraq is somehow tied to global warming that's not on the news, that connection, but it's all tied together. We need oil so we invade a country to secure that oil. That same oil is the thing that's doing bad things to the planet."

With this realization they believe that the patriotic thing to do is to create sustainability, "I understand why we invaded Iraq. Look, we need, America needs oil and if we solve the energy problem we also solve a lot of these secondary problems."

They became sustainability experts and started Everblue Training Institute, a company with a mission to reduce America's dependence on oil, which Gordon states,"...is every bit as patriotic as what they did as soldiers."

You can listen to the whole piece here (skip to 7:00 if you don't want to listen to the intro or the first story):

Honor our Veterans today and every day by making changes in your life - reduce, reuse, refuse, re-educate and recycle. As the Boggiano brothers said, "This stuff makes sense on it's own."

If The Stupid Stupak Amendment Stays In H.R. 3962 Let's Also Legislate Ejaculations

2009-11-10T09:29:00.000-08:00

The stupid Stupak Amendment that was added to H.R. 3962 is pissing me off the more I think of it.

Let's recap: it expands the Hyde Amendment by not allowing any policies that provide abortion to also receive Federal money. So it not only goes after women but it incentivizes insurance companies to not even provide the option for women.

I decided to have a conversation with my imaginary conservative right to lifer self on why Federal funds should be used to pay for abortions.

It went pretty well, as would be expected in an imaginary conversation, and I think I made my point!

Here's a "transcript" of the conversation:

ME: Abortion, regardless of personal opinions, religious or political affiliation, is a LEGAL medical procedure.

CONSERVATIVE RIGHT TO LIFER: God says it's wrong.

ME: You can follow what you believe to be your God's direction but you may not impose that upon others.

CRTL: Life begins at conception

ME: I was hoping you would say that...

ME: I believe life begins at ejaculation.

CRTL: You are just talking dirty to embarrass me, anyway that's different, women loose eggs too every month.

ME: When women "loose" eggs that is a function of nature - it cannot be controlled - it's a function of nature or God if you prefer. Men don't loose sperm, they get to decide where it goes - they CAN control it's destiny. When men ejaculate, those little sperm are babies. Every man kills millions, if not billions, of "babies" every single day.

Let's prove this isn't misogynistic and start legislating ejaculations!

CRTL: That's ridiculous!

ME: Why, because men are superior and don't need that type of interference in their lives or bodies? Maybe it's because on the whole we can trust men to make good decisions? Maybe it's because it simply is ridiculous! Just like legislating women's reproductive decisions.

ME: Let's not pretend this is a disagreement about money, it's a disagreement about feelings and beliefs. In the crossfire of these disagreements women's rights are being eroded.

CRTL: You're right, it isn't about the money, it is my belief but it's a belief from God and I don't care about women's rights being eroded.

ME: Yes, I know.

ME: The vast majority of women that have been and will be further affected by this stupid Stupak Amendment are women without the necessary resources to obtain an abortion. In addition to people with limited access to money it affects women with limited access to transportation, women in abusive relationships (not just physical also emotional), young women, etc...

CRTL: Well, they shouldn't be having sex unless they are in a solid committed God fearing marriage.

ME: You're right...

CRTL: What?!?!?!

ME: Well on an intellectual level the vast majority would agree with you about the "should"(except the God part because not everyone believes in your God nor do they believe God is something to be feared, but that's another subject for another day...). The problem is "should" and human nature are two different things.

The vast majority of people would agree that we should never fight, we should never get angry, we should never break the law (have you gone over the speed limit?), we should all vote in every election. The problem is that human nature isn't about should it's about choice.

And sex is fun!

Anyway, I have never met even ONE woman who had an abortion that made that decision lightly. Even those that had one in their teen years. They always remember the day of their abortion and the due date. It may not be something they regret but it is not something that is done with anything but a tremendous amount of consideration.

I did not agree that we went to war. I protested, I spoke, I wrote letters, I called my legislatures. If you disagree with abortion spend time volunteering, speaking, writing letters, calling your legislatures but do not interfere with a woman's LEGAL rights.

I do have a final set of questions for YOU, not my inner imaginary conservative right to lifer self, those of you who do disagree...

You believe that life is precious, that it is a gift from God; why then:

1. Do you support the dealth penalty?
2. Do you support wars?
3. Do you not want a system that helps protect this precious gift of life by providing health care?

Now for YOU, the ones that don't want this - call your Senators and tell them to pass H.R. 3962 WITHOUT the stupid Stupak Amendment.

H.R. 3962 Sends People To Jail & Other Lies Republicans Love To Tell.................. (oh and also the Republicans aren't too interested in health care reform but they are sure overinterested in the hoochie coochie's of the womenfolk!)

2009-11-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't heard, the House passed H.R. 3962 on November 7th, 2009. The vote was 220 to 215. If you want to see how the final vote went down check this out.

Unfortunately, the stupid Stupak Amendment was adopted. The Stupak Amendment, brought to us by Congressman Bart Supak (D-MI), limits a LEGAL medical procedure for women.

This all starts with the Hyde Amendment from 1973 which prevents federal funds being used to pay for abortion. Personally, I don't care if you don't support a woman's LEGAL right to choose and don't want to pay for it. It's the LAW.

The Stupak Amendment goes beyond Hyde. Women who want to make sure that they have access to a LEGAL medical procedure would have to purchase a supplemental plan but could not use subsidies to pay for it. Plans receiving subsidies cannot offer abortion even if they require women to pay for the LEGAL medical procedure out of pocket.

Disclaimer: The verbiage of the Stupak Amendment is "not available"so take what is being reported with a grain of salt.

See how your Representatives voted here.

Interestingly, 39 Democrats voted FOR the Stupak Amendment and then voted AGAINST the Health Care Reform bill. If you aren't going to vote in favor of the bill why even cast a vote on the amendment?

I want to let you in on a secret, I live a fascinating life. For instance, I watched C-SPAN all day Saturday - yes, all day! I even popped up some popcorn. No, not the microwave lung cancer causing variety. But the real stuff using organic, non-GMO popcorn & coconut oil then topped with melted organic butter, sea salt and Fair Trade chocolate chips. Oh yes people, it's highfalutin and fascinating all day over here!

If you don't live as fascinating life as I do, you can cruise on over to C-SPAN and find out what your representative had to say!

So anyway, while I was munching on my delicious popcorn treat and watching C-SPAN I heard over and over and over again how H.R. 3962 would send people to jail if they didn't get insurance.

Hmmmm, interesting. So I searched the bill, and you can too. You can find it here or as a PDF here.

The interesting thing is, the bill doesn't say anything about sending people to jail. How could it be argued over and over and over again that it does?

Let's start with the facts, mosey on over to the PDF file and find Section 501 (its on page 296 and starts at line 16). The facts are that if you don't have coverage then you will be fined. The fines are 2.5% of your annual gross income not to exceed the "applicable national average premium for such taxable year". In addition there are several exemptions including religious.

A little math: for someone earning 30,000/yr the tax would be $750 (this is assuming that they don't have an exemption nor work for an employer providing health insurance and choose not to purchase health insurance).

Here's where the Republicans played fast and loose with what's IN the bill. See, in the U.S. if you don't pay your taxes and you get caught and you don't pay or negotiate with the I.R.S. when you do get caught, then you may go to jail.

This is not new to this bill, this is part of the I.R.S. code. Come on, it's pretty much what inspires people to pay!

"Yeah" for Health Care Reform, "Boo"for the Stupak Amendment and "Cool Your Jets" because now we've got to wait and see what the Senate has in store.

Start contacting your Senators telling them that you want the Stupak Amendment OUT of the bill.

Fox Farts Out Opinions To Destroy Journalism As We Know It

2009-10-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Part 2 of The Toilet Chronicles will be finished soon.
I have been busy posting comments on another blog about the legitimacy of Fox "News" which has gotten me in a lather like Bill O'Reilly with a loofah!

While in said lather, I read this article by Dan Gainor today and what's a girl to do, I HAD to respond!

The original article is in green (I couldn't help myself) and my replies are in black.

Enjoy!

Eco-Nuts Out to Destroy Life As We Know It

Around the globe on Saturday environmental protesters tried “a synchronized burst of more than 4,300 demonstrations, from the Himalayas to the Great Barrier Reef,” according to The New York Times.

The sweeping October 24 protest was to bully developed nations like the United States into a climate change agreement when they meet in Copenhagen this December.

The 350.org protesters, who want to drop CO2 in the atmosphere to that level, were especially critical of the United States:

Reporting of facts thus far, not very Fox-like Dan. I wonder what's going on?!

“You have destroyed nature with your industrial waste and gases more than any other nation in history. Despite this, you refuse to sign the Kyoto agreement so that you can secure the profit of your greedy companies and industries.”

And there it is... Welcome to Fox.

Oops, that’s wasn’t the eco-nuts, that’s a direct quote from Usama bin Laden in 2002. --While Al Qaeda and eco-nuts use different tactics, they share a similar enemy: civilization.

This is a classic Fox/bully technique. Try to distract the argument and employ name calling, finger pointing and yelling. This changes the argument from focusing on facts and logic which would thereby foster debate and perhaps understanding. But see, when discussion ensues and logic reigns, there's no more Fox.

Eco-nuts - do those come salted or honey roasted? Yum!

At least Al Qaeda is clear about what it wants -- an end to Western civilization and establishment of global Shariah law -- the Islamic version of cave men times with better architecture.

There's that classic Fox bully technique - name calling. Yes, environmentalists are EXACTLY like Al Qaeda, what with all their talk of recycling, gardening, taking personal responsibility for your impact on the planet and the like - these are terrorist acts!

Would throwing an empty plastic water bottle at certain commentators heads be considered upcycling?

The eco-nuts have a patchwork of things they hate and want banned or destroyed.

Since Fox is so totally awesome at the bully technique and imitation is the highest form of flattery and all, how about we refer to Fox journalists, commentators, entertainers and clowns as Fox Farts, Fox Fools or Fox Fear Mongering Fascists? I am clearly partial to alliteration.

The week of the 350 protests, The Times wrote glowingly about the Swedes are now including carbon footprint labeling on all food. The Times’ Elisabeth Rosenthal was quick to point out “changing one’s diet can be as effective in reducing emissions of climate-changing gases as changing the car one drives or doing away with the clothes dryer, scientific experts say.” I love it when people who have a huge subway system at their disposal bemoan the automobile.

You do realize Dan that climate changing gases come from things other than personal automobiles don't you? One example would be transportation of food (which is why the terrorists, I mean eco-nuts, support "eating local". Another big culprit would be gassy windbags who spew opinions filled with hate and fear but insist on being called journalists, well they insist until they have to take responsibility and then they remind us that they aren't journalists.

Dan, being a Fox Fart you might have been exposed to some of this unfortunate gas, in fact you might not be able escape it, like it's emanating from your own body and clinging to your skin.

The new labeling guidelines were a predictable attempt to manipulate what people eat. “[T]hey are advised to substitute beans or chicken for red meat,” the October 22 article proclaimed. The left hasn’t bestowed human rights on beans…yet.

I'm sure the Fox Fools will soon be reporting that the left believes that homobeans will have the right to marry and all beans have the right to abortion. And we cannot stand for that folks, the marrying of homebeans and aborting of baby beans will tear at the fabric of our country.

Two days later, London’s Daily Express complained that Fido was a global threat as well. “A medium-sized dog has the same carbon impact as a Toyota Land Cruiser driven 6,000 miles a year, a new book claims,” wrote the paper. It went on to blast pets -- from cats to hamsters -- because they use energy. Now I guess lefties can blame previous warming cycles on buffalo (or their SUVs).

Far be it from the Fox Fear Mongering Fascists from giving people facts. My gosh, what would people do with facts?! They might change their behavior and try to lessen their impact by feeding their pets more locally raised or manufactured foods, realizing that they don't need that ball made from petrochemicals manufactured in China, shipped to Illinois and then send 2nd day air to their home.

Seriously people, please keep your heads in the sand so you can't possibly think for yourselves. We are lucky to have the Fox Fear Mongering Fascists do our thinking for us!

We should be used to this theme. The left is on a global campaign to wipe out the trappings of civilization and the media pretend it’s for our good. In a headlong rush to stop something many scientists dispute, the left wants to ban human invention, accomplishment and enjoyment. The media, which reluctantly admit Al Qaeda is somehow bad, can’t muster the same honesty about the eco-movement.

Well duh! The eco-nuts can't stand invention. They are totally against all these new technologies that will allow more people access to solar and wind power.

Accomplishment? Who needs accomplishments?! That's silly. Nobody wants to breathe clean air and and drink clean water.

Enjoyment? No way. Going without a McMansion with no gas guzzling Hummer in the driveway where I can run the air conditioning 24/7 all summer long with the windows down and open. Choosing not to fill your home with a bunch of junk made using toxic chemicals and by a workforce that was outsourced which doesn't keep the workforce employed in the US. That is a life not worth living, why that's Un-American!

Enviro-wackos... California is on the verge of banning big screen TVs because they also use too much energy. (Take that sports bars.) The Golden state is also banning a ship used in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean” because it has a diesel engine.

Enviro-wackos, geez now I've got to come up with new bully name for you. Hold on, I'll figure it out...

...in the nuclear-free zone of Takoma Park, Maryland., are trying to ban leaf blowers.

Leaf blowers? No way, EVERYONE loves leaf blowers. With their peaceful lullaby-like sound and that smell, oh that smell!

Styrofoam and plastic bags are doomed to a similar end under the all-seeing, lidless eye of the morals police.

Not styrofoam and plastic bags - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. How will we live without these petrochemical godsends?

I MUST have my food touching styrofoam. An enchilada without endocrine disruptors is like watching the news without windbags.

Canvas bags - ewww. I WANT to be wasteful. I WANT to carry to carry 10 plastic bags instead of 2 canvas bags. I want to continue to support the manufacture of petrochemical products which will keep us dependent on foreign oil.

California is on the verge of banning big screen TVs because they also use too much energy. (Take that sports bars.)

Giant TV's - I MUST have a giant energy guzzling TV to watch Mad Men:

How dare California try to support invention that will help accomplish the reduction of energy used. (Hey Dan, I know I should be satisfied with subtlety but I'm not - did you notice the use of the words "invention" and "accomplish", you know 2 of the things that you claim eco-nuts can't stand?).

The Golden state is also banning a ship used in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean” because it has a diesel engine.

Dan I really hate to muddy the waters with facts and stuff since I know that isn't your style but I'm afraid I'm going to be a bad host and point some things out about the Lady Washington:

1. Said ship is from Washington and does not meet California's air-pollution standards.
2. Said ship has a 60 year old diesel engine.
3. Said ship carries tourists and kids. I'm sure you are a "family values" guy and would agree kids shouldn't be breathing that particulate into their lungs.
4. Upgrades were already decided upon for said ship.
5. Washington states the following about said ship:
"And it's unfortunate that our engine isn't as clean as it should be."

The European Union has already begun its ban on traditional light bulbs and the U.S. Congress has passed that little bit of environmental insanity as well. Forget actual light, the world is being forced to rely on mercury-laden bulbs that will, in turn, become a future eco-disaster.

Fellow-eco nuts, please sit down, I have something to say to you.

Are you ready? I know it's not going to be easy, but it must be said:

Dan is right about the mercury-laden bulbs. Those CFLs are the stupidest idea ever. There is no sarcasm here sadly. Why are we suggesting to people that an alternative that uses mercury is a good idea? Where are our critical thinking skills?! Personally, I prefer LEDs. Do you have an alternative idea? What makes them better?

Okay, back to the regularly scheduled programming.

Forced. I don't think so Dan. There are options, LEDs for example.

The film “No Impact Man” highlighted lefties who tried to live as backward as possible to save Mother Nature.

Unfortunately, I have not seen "No Impact Man" yet but I have read his blog and listened to him on the radio. From what I understand No Impact Man and his family lived within their means, supported local American farmers by buying their food and probably didn't watch the Fox Cocks*. No other way to say it, that's c-r-a-z-y.

*Please cocks, don't take offense because really, you are lovely.

The news media have celebrated that and even dwelled on the no-diaper movement. (Ewwwww!)

Dan, I didn't realize you were still in diapers. Or maybe it's all those gassy exhalations from a possible case of fanny halitosis which requires you to wear one. I'm sorry. Try cloth, they might be softer on your bum.

Of course it doesn’t stop there. It’s one thing to limit our packaging, our technology and underwear. Goveg.com, a pro-vegetarian Web site, enlisted rock stars Paul McCartney and Chrissie Hynde to go after the meat industry -- “one of the leading sources of the greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.”

How dare those actors and rock stars support an organization that wants to provide facts to people and let readers make their own choice. That is definitely NOT "fair and balanced".

Why ban food when you can get rid of people? A researcher from the World Health Organization had the audacity to come out and complain about the “lack of access to family planning.” The left wants to limit human population via birth control.

No, we want to limit human population via the practice of swallowing.

Additional benefits include no greenhouse gases, it's fair and balanced as it can be enjoyed by people of both sexes and it's technically vegetarian. Technically.

That’s reminiscent of Paul Watson, founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, who wants to “re-wild the planet.”

I think you should have quoted Ronald Reagan instead, "What is a conservative after all but one who conserves, one who is committed to protecting and holding close the things by which we live... And we want to protect and conserve the land on which we live—our countryside, our rivers and mountains, our plains and meadows and forests. This is our patrimony. This is what we leave to our children. And our great moral responsibility is to leave it to them either as we found it or better than we found it.”

In the process, this star of Animal Planet’s “Whale Wars” prefers to see humans die off and wants the human population to drop below 1 billion. That’s 5.5 billion folks who will become expendable, though I doubt they’d agree.

You know Dan, I'm sure you researched your article "real gooder" but I can't find where Paul Watson states that 4.5 billion people are expendable.

That is the natural culmination the left is working toward. Just like communist China, they will move to limit births. When that isn’t enough, who knows how far they will go in their orthodoxy?

Wait, I just made-up a joke!

How are eco-nuts like Al Qaeda? Communist China!!!!!

You don't get it? Hey, you are NOT supposed to ask questions, you are just supposed to listen, read and regurgitate the hate and lies.

To hear Al Gore tell it, the battle against global warming is reminiscent of World War II. In July, he told an English audience, “Winston Churchill aroused this nation in heroic fashion to save civilization in World War II.”

Kinda reminds me of those conservative Mormons who claimed that the self-inflicted Proposition 8 backlash is just like what African Americans experienced in the south when they fought for civil rights.

Yes, but Britain was on the side of civilization. The eco-nuts are not.

All the eco-nut recycling, innovation, alternative energy, supporting American farmers and workers, accomplishments, keeping healthy by avoiding chemicals, suggesting taking mass transit when possible - it's all a secret plot to end civilization.

Guys, Dan, is sooooo smart!

(Pssst, everyone but Dan, I'm going to use a Fox Farse trick...)

Dan, you are an UNPATRIOTIC, socialist loving liar. SHUT UP.

(Did he fall for it?)

Dan Gainor is The Boone Pickens Fellow and the Media Research Center’s Vice President for Business and Culture. He writes frequently for the Fox Forum and can be seen as a guest on Foxnews.com’s “Strategy Room.” He can also be contacted on FaceBook and Twitter as dangainor.

GreenInOC is not a fellow and is the top researcher on her laptop. She writes infrequently for eco-nuts and anyone else who wants to read and will not ever be a guest on FoxFarts.com's "Fair and Balanced Liars Room". She cannot be contacted via FaceBook but can be found on Twitter as greeninoc.

No More Toilet Paper For Me OR My Bum!

2009-10-27T12:53:00.001-07:00

The day I ran out of toilet paper was the last day I used the stuff.

Yes, I stopped wiping with toilet paper.

I still have a roll for guests, but my behind rarely sees the stuff anymore.

I stopped wiping with toilet paper, but my bum? It's spic-and-span!!

I read for years about how people used and laundered cloth wipes instead of toilet paper. "Gross, disgusting and I would NEVER do that!" was declared many times by me.

Fair warning, you might read this post and have the same thoughts but 2 years from now you just might ditch your toilet paper too!

It started by using recycled toilet paper at my sister's house. It scratched. I complained. My sister looked at me, and my rather substantial arse, lifted an eyebrow, smiled sweetly and said something to the effect of, "Oh, I'm sorry, is the princess's bum-bum too delicate to save the planet?!". Uh, yes!!

How could she not know that I wanted, needed, hell - deserved - a minimum 2-ply super fluffy, soft as a baby's behind wiping solution for my fluffy behind?!

As is usual for me, I eventually followed my sister's lead. She is way smarter than me and probably even you!

As is usual for me, I started thinking about better options of recycled toilet paper. Only buying brands that were unbleached. Buying the highest recycled paper content I could find. I happily spent a little more money buying recycled toilet paper. I was happy with the choice and my substantial but delicate princess arse adjusted to the texture and no, I didn't use twice as much!

Then, I happened upon the post Beth at Fake Plastic Fish wrote about toilet paper and packaging. Oh vey.

As is usual for me, I am in awe of Beth and her thought process. She embodies the Ghandi quote "Be the change you want to see". I have never met her but I want to be her, I want to have her tenacity.

Here I thought I was doing well but now Beth threw a wrench in it. Would I be willing to buy plastic free toilet paper? Could I find a better solution?

I was buying 12 rolls at a time ensconced in plastic packaging, like this:

In my tiny abode I have very little room for storage so buying in bulk wasn't an option I was willing to adopt. The store I shop at, Mother's Market, only sold the rolls wrapped in paper individually.

They were a lot more expensive. I don't necessarily mind expensive, especially when I save so much in other areas, when it's for a greater good but I thought that there must be a better solution for me.

So I started researching.

I decided that I would stop using toilet paper!

To Be Continued...

Congressman Campbell, When Are You Going To Opt Out Of Your Prison Like Government Employee Health Insurance Plan?

2009-10-21T22:29:00.000-07:00

I have made numerous calls to many Senators and members of Congress.

I have urged, complained, threatened(*), begged and encouraged them to support a "robust" Public Option. (Ed. Note added 10/24/09: by threatened I mean, I threatened to support their opponents with my time and money in the next election, nothing untoward!)

Today, I received a reply from Congressman John Campbell (you can read the entire e-mail at the bottom of this post).

I e-mailed him back my response and will post it here for your delight - well, actually mine! I have added a couple of hyperlinks here that were not in the original reply to him, the only link I included to him was the one regarding malpractice insurance.

That link was originally provided from a comment Lawyer Mama made on Loralee's Looney Tunes blog post in August about health care reform. I would write the title to that post here but if you are familiar with Loralee, her titles are their very own tomes!

Anyway, on with the show:

Congressman Campbell,

I received your response to my calls to your office urging to support the Public Option.

I am completely baffled by what "you" wrote on so many levels.

To keep things clear I will quote your letter and then I will respond:

I believe we must allow people to determine their own healthcare plan independent of their employer or the government.

People are currently allowed to determine their own healthcare plan independent of their employer or the government.

This will encourage an active, competitive marketplace that will in turn increase access and affordability.

It has not done this thus far. What in the world will start to change now? We need sweeping changes, like a Public Option!

This approach will resolve the fundamental flaw of our current system of healthcare - the disconnection that now exists between individuals and the price and quality of care.

This is one of MANY flaws with our current system.

Today, an individual's capacity to get healthcare coverage is dependent upon a third party payee like an employer or the government.

Today, an individual's capacity to get healthcare coverage is dependent upon exorbitant policy prices, pre-existing conditions, pre-existing treatments, cancellation of policies when the insured get sick, denial of coverage when people need to use the policy that they have been paying for, etc...

This system has, in many ways, reduced the power of the marketplace and forced Americans to become prisoners to health plans dictated upon them.

Employers who are still able to cover their employees and the government stop-gap programs are NOT the problem. If you really believe they are, I look forward to your bill insisting that members of Congress withdraw from their prison like government employee health insurance program that has been dictated to you and your colleagues . There's nothing more powerful than setting and example and acting on principle.

Congress needs to initiate policies that will encourage personal choice and increase competition, not enact socialized government medicine or price controls.

Congress needs to rally around the Public Option which will encourage personal choice and increase competition. This ridiculous fear mongering of the word "socialized" (and all it's many forms) is foolish. Do your children go to school? I pay taxes to help subsidize that. Do you drive on the roads? I pay taxes to help subsidize that. I'm sure you get the point.

Also, whatever Congress enacts must not bankrupt our country or cause individuals to lose their current health insurance - both which would happen under the current proposals being discussed.

Fear mongering or facts? According to the CBO the Public Option will NOT bankrupt our country. Why would people lose their health insurance? Perhaps employers who can barely afford to continue contributing to their employee's coverage will stop (please note the use of the word "contributing"). Perhaps the market will become so competitive that employers will once again offer coverage as a matter of course.

Also, I have contacted your office many times. I NEVER got a response back from you worrying about our country being bankrupted by an illegal war. I NEVER heard from you opposing the taxpayer stimulus packages, I NEVER heard from you worrying that the budget surplus left to President Bush was vanishing.

Rather than supporting President Obama's and the Democrats' approach...

PLEASE drop this and head back to the table. We NEED a Public Option and we need it NOW. If it helps, pretend it's a Republican approach since your language indicates that this is a partisan issue for you.

We also must work to expand the availability of Health Savings Accounts...

There's nothing wrong with that. Just like auto insurance in California. If you don't want a traditional policy, then you can prove "financial responsibility" instead. However, this is not a realistic alternative for the vast majority of people.

In addition, we need to address our nation's broken litigation system that has caused a rapid increase in liability insurance...

Not so fast there, it's not all greedy lawyers attacking innocent doctors with the insurance company playing the victim:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/02/eveningnews/consumer/main610102.shtml

As Congress continues to analyze and discuss this issue, I will be sure to follow it closely...

I hope that you will do more than "follow it closely". I hope that you will go back to the table and work to provide solutions that the American people need, not ones that your political party think they need to win the next election.

Thank You

Here's the original e-mail reply from Congressman Campbell:

Reply From Congressman John Campbell height="500" width="100%" > value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=21429494&access_key=key-29lbebhw1atd5amof33t&page=1&version=1&viewMode=list">

If you've made it this far, you deserve a treat! How about a chuckle?!:

We Can Stick Our Heads In The Sand And Worry About "Balloon Boy" Or We GET BUSY!

2009-10-20T22:16:00.000-07:00

Have you heard that we don't want change when it comes to our health insurance? Have you heard how great our health insurance options are? Have you heard how insurance companies are simply trying to make a profit and certainly not denying care and being unreasonable? Have you heard that 1/2 of all bankruptcies are NOT due to medical expenses?

You have? What a coincidence - me too! Wow, I must have been so wrong about all of this, and these people? Well, they're just whiners trying to pull one over on "the system". The system that is not broken, right?!:

So let's review: Amelia is employed full-time, she pays for her own health insurance and she is covered by Worker's Compensation insurance through her job. She is attacked twice on the job, becomes stressed and has a massive stroke all within days. Her own health insurance states that she was hurt at work and they won't pay. Worker's Comp states that it wasn't a work related injury and they won't pay. Amelia, who needs 24 hour nursing care is sent home. Her husband, who is NOT a nurse, is taking care of her instead of her receiving the medical care she needs (the care she thought she was paying for and was covered for under her employer's policy). Amelia's husband can't work AND take care of his her for 24 hours a day. See? Our system is clearly not broken! Amelia and her husband will probably not be one of of the bankruptcies not due to medical expenses (using double negatives is a great way to show statistics isn't it?!).

Remember the 4 month old FAT breastfed baby that was denied insurance? Well, here's his counterpart, Aislin Bates:

Did you catch that? No? Well, I'll help you out, this little gem is at about 1:30 "...when evaluating height and weight we typically utilize other factors like medical records that show evidence of treatment." Oh, now it makes sense.

If you seek medical care, in this case for an "active gag reflex", then you become a target for denial of health insurance! Silly me, that's so simple. We don't need a public option, we just need to purchase outlandishly expensive health insurance and NEVER use it or get any treatment and pay for it out of pocket because it might affect our future coverage - makes sense right?!

Yeah, me neither.

Please don't give up - make those calls!

Call (write, fax, e-mail, etc...) Max Baucus at 202-224-2651, Kent Conrad at 202-224-2043, Blanche Lincoln at 202-224-4843, your Senators and Members of Congress. As the brilliant Bill Moyers says, "Get Busy!".

We cannot keep our heads in the sand, we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by "balloon boy", et al. and we cannot count on "someone else" to fight for us.

As the brilliant Bill Moyers says, we have to "Get Busy!".

Tangled Web My Arse!

2009-10-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

If only we were dealing with a tangled web. This web was woven with thick ropes that are sticky and it somehow it has wrapped itself around every part of you, suffocating you with worry about it's heaviness, tricking you into panicking and surrendering to apathy:

This is hard to watch and literally makes you feel heavy - as if it's all never going to change. It's us against the big bad THEM.

Max Baucus' is a Democrat. Max Baucus is the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. He is "in charge" of the health care reform bill in the Senate. He is our mouthpiece for health care reform.

He appears to have been bought and paid for. It appears as if he doesn't give a rat's bum about real change and getting "health care for all".

Here's the thing, all of this? It's designed to make us apathetic. Guess what? Those heavy sticky ropes? All an illusion! There are way more of US than them!!

Don't let apathy kill your spirit or strangle your voice. Do NOT go quietly into the sweet night - fight and fight like hell. Struggle against the tendrils of this web and break free, fight for the public option, let's ALL DO SOMETHING.

Let's Get Busy!

Great, do something, get busy, just do it. Nice slogans but what the heck can one person do?

One person can make their voice heard. One person can inspire another to make their voice heard. One person can influence a lawmaker, a journalist, a community organizer, a blogger, a neighbor, a spouse. One person can forward this info to their friends and family. One person can start a domino effect.

One person can make a difference. YOU are that one person!

Call, fax, e-mail, write, Twitter/Tweet to Senators & members of Congress that:

1. We MUST have a strong public option,

2. The American people WANT health insurance that's as good as theirs,

3. We are watching them and we will campaign FOR those that support health insurance for all and AGAINST those that don't.

Max Baucus (D - MT)
511 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2651 (202) 224-2651

Kent Conrad (D - ND)
530 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2043 (202) 224-2043

Blanche Lincoln (D - AR)
355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4843 (202) 224-4843

When you are done doing this, look up your representatives and call, text, fax and e-mail them too!

p.s. I adore Bill Moyers!

No More Breastmilk For You FAT Baby...

2009-10-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

Contact your representatives TODAY, telling them to support the Weiner and Kucinich Amendments, so this doesn't happen to anyone anymore:

4 month old, exclusively breastfed baby needs to go on a diet in order to get coverage!

This baby was lucky enough to have a father who is a television news anchor.

Following all of this publicity, the insurance company has reversed their decision.

What about the people who don't have the connections to publicly shame the insurance companies?

What can you do? We need calls, e-mails, faxes, tweets, facebook comments TODAY to your representatives telling them to support the Weiner and Kucinich Amendments.

"Insurance Companies Have A Right To Their American Dream"

2009-09-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

CALL CONGRESS AND TELL THEM

WE NEED A PUBLIC OPTION

202-224-3121

"Let's Not Let Volume Beat Reason"...

2009-09-17T10:28:00.000-07:00

While a lot of this feels vitriolic, please make sure to watch the entire piece.

The Truth Behind The Public Option

2009-09-12T11:57:00.000-07:00

Critical Condition

2009-08-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Above is a trailer for Critical Condition, a jaw dropping

expose about health care in America.

It was rebroadcast last night on Bill Moyers' show, "Journal".

It is worth every moment of your time.

Please watch both parts of Critical Condition; I would love

to hear your thoughts.

Socialism

2009-08-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

In the Health Care Reform debate we often hear opposition to change based in way or the other on "socialism".

According to Merriam-Webster:

Main Entry: so·cial·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1837

1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods 2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state 3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

I am pretty sure the "fear of socialism" comes from the 3rd definition mentioning Marxist theory.

Since at least the 1950's, we have been indoctrinated about the evils of communism. So by design, anything that can be remotely associated, even a tenuous association, is inherently evil.

However, let's look at "socialism" at work in the United States as it pertains to the 1st part of the definition:

1. 9-1-1

2. Police

3. Firefighters

4. Roads - country, city, highway, expressway

5. Sesame Street

6. Emergency Room Care for the underinsured, uninsured, indigent, mentally ill

7. Disability

8. Social Security

9. Medicare

10. Disaster Relief

11. Education

12. Animal Services

13. State Parks

My tax dollars go to pay to support these systems. Some of these I use. Some of these I will never use. How about you?

Would you rather stop these programs immediately, and start a system of pay-as-you-go for each service?

Are we better off to provide education to children in this country even if it's paid for in part by people who don't have children, have only one child, whose children have long ago been educated?

Are we better off to preserve areas of untouched land for generations to visit and learn from or should we let them deteriorate?

Are we better off to provide emergency services to people or should we only respond to people who have "police insurance"?

Are these things bad or evil? Do these programs threaten capitalism?

They certainly don't always work perfectly. Some things need fixing. Some things are wonderful. Some things are missing from the list.

Part of the social contract is that we give up certain freedoms for the safety and good of all. We have done this in the past and in fact we all do this everyday.

Have you ever been late? Did you run red lights, drive on the sidewalk and speed to get to your destination? Why not? What stops you?

You didn't because you agree to abide by rules and laws that are in place for the good and safety of all. When you don't you put yourself at risk for being punished.

Your grandparents probably gave up certain foods and amenities during World War II due to rationing. They did it for the good of the country - they gave of themselves for others.

Yes, I am willing to contribute some of my taxes to pay for other people's care. I am willing to do this because it needs to be, because we need it, because it is for the good of all.

Providing Health Care Is A Nazi Policy?

2009-08-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

What do you think of this?

Do you think that Barney Frank was right to respond the way

he did?

I can see that it might possibly be seen in either light.

That being said, I do find it disconcerting that the questioner

did not seem to not have any hesitation in asking an older,

Jewish, gay man why he supports a "Nazi" policy being put

to the people by a man born to a caucasian American mother

and an African father who is married to an African American

woman.

Let's not forget that this "Nazi" policy is providing health care.

Let's Listen To The Irony

2009-08-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else find it ironic that on the same day that Congressman Adam Schiff and a panel speak to a crowd to explain the Health Care Reform bill (H.R. 3200), with people in attendance insisting that our system is fine as is thank you very much, that less than 20 miles away Remote Area Medical, a charitable organization, has set-up an 8 day event to provide healthcare to the under-insured and uninsured?

Everyday thousands of people will camp out to receive charitable healthcare. Perhaps you are thinking, well who cares - at least I'm not paying for it. Let me remind you of the resources that go into an event like this. If nothing else, the charitable donations that go to pay for this could go towards other causes (school scholarships, animal rescue, disaster relief, etc...).

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I was not at the Alhambra Town Hall meeting so I cannot give my personal accounting of what transpired. However, please consider that two media outlets give two very different versions of the same event. What does that tell you? Do your own investigation!

Fox News reported that "...it wasn't pretty". They stated that there was was supposed to be interchange but nobody brought a microphone for the public to speak to the panel so nobody got to hear/answer questions from the audience.

The Daily Kos reported that "We won". They stated that the panel members answered written and verbal questions from the audience.

Hmmmm? How could both things be absolutely true? If you answered, "they can't" give yourself a pat on the back (careful, don't pull a muscle!) and remind everyone that it is up to us to do our own research!

Let's listen to each other and find a solution because the path we are on is not sustainable.

New Direction...

2009-08-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

I have lots of ideas to share about being green but I just can't concentrate on them right now.

I am terribly distracted by Health Care Reform.

In fact, I woke up at 4am this morning after a few hours of fitful sleep punctuated by dreams about what I am seeing on the news. Yes folks, I am dreaming about this and not in a good way.

I decided last week after watching the national evening news that this was not something I could "hope" that politicians would do the right thing for me. I knew that I had to get involved.

Watching the news, reading, talking to people - not enough (hence, the dreams!).

So, in addition to becoming active I am turning my green blog into a Health Care Reform blog temporarily.

Have a question about something you heard, read, were told? Bring it to me and I'll research it and provide links and info to back up what I found.

When I get information through reading, news, talking to people, I will research it and bring it to you.

Let's have a spirited debate and figure this out. When we make decisions based on facts rather than out of fear then we make better decisions.

Hopefully I will sleep better!

Okay, let's get started:

Here's the text of the bill:

http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf

Summer Without A/C In The OC

2009-07-22T11:56:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been a while.

My last excuse was that I was distracted by the new pooch.

This time I have no excuse. Let's all just move forward. Forgive and forget (like anyone's really reading anyway!!).

So, let's go back to spring of 2008. My air conditioning compressor unit broke. Two days later I had a major car repair.

Two things that are really bad for the environment. I wish that I could say that I chose to let them both go. I didn't. I chose to repair the car and swelter in the heat at home! As my fellow OC'ers will attest to - public transportation in OC is pathetic. And this, wasn't an option:

What I did try to do was to make it cooler in the house. My ceilings are high and my humble abode is not on the ground floor so I don't get the advantage of the cooling earth. Oh, I have no cross breeze and as an added bonus the HUGE windows face north east - fabulous for bringing in all the heat from 3pm and keeping it microwave like until 9pm or so. I had a lot to overcome!

First I insulated my windows. I'm not talking about the insulation around the frame my friends, I am talking insulating the entire surface of the window. I was inspired by Chili Chews blog and the "Desert Cooling" post

My windows are tinted with a frosted tint (to eliminate the typical planned community view - looking straight into someone else's dining room or better yet their bathroom!) so that helps. I then got an adjustable shower curtain rod and some curtain clips (rings with clips) and I slid those onto the rod.

Next I got some Roman Shade Privacy Liners in white and clipped those onto the rod. This prevents the attic insulation from being seen outside (can't violate the HOA rules right?!), it showed through even with the tint.

Then I clipped foil attic insulation onto the rod. I put the rod in the window with the shade liners facing the street and the foil attic insulation facing inside.

Finally, I got paper shades (these are fantastic my friends: recycled, cheap and recyclable!) and put them over that. So basically I had a attic insulation sandwich and the liners kept it nice looking from the street and the paper shades kept it decent looking in my house.

I already had 3 ceiling fans so I got one floor fan and one industrial fan. Actually I purchased the fans first for about $100 but it wasn't enough so I started on the insulation project and spent another $100 (the liners were on clearance so that helped!).

My window insulation cooled my house down by at least 10 degrees. When it was really hot I just sat in front of the fans. When it was sweltering at night I slept on the balcony...

I brought my laptop out there and watched one of my Earth Cinema Circle DVDs. In case you were wondering I did NOT fall asleep and start snoring while a neighbor came outside onto his adjoining balcony.

Typically my summer electric bills run from about $275 to $350. Embarrassing to admit.

Last year they were about $50 a month. WOW!

What do you do?

Next Up: What I'm Doing This Year...

It's Not Easy Being Green and Lazy

2009-05-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

I have been soooo lazy lately.

Perhaps it's because it's getting hotter? (Watch for this excuse as it gets colder too!)

Perhaps it's because I have a genetic disorder called lazybonesjonesitis?

Perhaps it's because I got a new dog?

I have been more focused on the pooch than blogging, twittering, etc...

Mysteriously I still have time to read other blogs, twitters and ~~Perez Hilton~~ watch the latest "Breaking Bad" though, hmmmm.

Anyway, I did want to talk about how I think that the process of adoption from a shelter could be a little more green.

In addition to the hound, they gave me a folder with a sticker on it - the sticker does appear to be made of paper and not coated with anything nasty though - filled with paper and lots of it, a ziplock baggie, a plastic AVID Microchip tag, a shrunk wrap package of marketing materials disguised as advice from a dog food company and a small bag of food. The bag is coated in something shiny that I'm sure is derived from plastic.

I just counted - 27 pieces of paper. Only 2 were completely necessary (AVID certificate and Rabies certificate).

The rest? Probably a lot of good info but could have totally been e-mailed to me. It would save the shelter money and save some trees too!

The AVID tag was put in a ziplock baggie - ? I'm not sure if that's because the plastic tag needed to be protected from the paper by being placed in a plastic bag?!

I think that owners should be given a choice about whether or not they even want the AVID tag and then why not make it metal like other tags? Give owner's the info and let them put it on the tag(s) of their choosing. I think I'm going to get this tag/collar combo for the poocherooni.

The marketing materials not so cleverly disguised as "helpful hints"? How about making it available to adopters but not including it automatically.

The dog food? See above and then read this and then watch this.

Oh, I forgot there was one other piece of plastic included but not in the folder:

Is there a non-plastic alternative for these lovely Elizabethan Torture collars?

I will pass this on to someone who needs it and hopefully they will do the same and keep this out of the landfill, forever? Too much to ask?

By the way, I did fill out my city's pet licensing form today. The instructions state to print it out and mail it with a check. Too Much Paper!

I e-mailed them the form expressing my desire to minimize my impact and offering to pay via phone with a credit card or PayPal. We'll see how that goes...

So what did we learn today?

I am lazy, I got a new dog, I have suggestions for making the process a little more eco-friendly and I learned the HTML code for inserting multiple pics with the text surrounding it - thank's Hakomike!

I Forgot Them In My Car...

2009-04-27T20:01:00.001-07:00

How many times have you uttered these words?

"My underwear? Uh, I forgot them in my car..."

"Come on honey, just the tip, pleeeeaasssse?! I do have protection, but I forgot them in my car..."

"Where are Johnny and Susie, hmmmm? Oh that's right, I forgot them in my car..."

Underwear left in the car leads to unprotected sex due to forgetting condoms in the car which leads to distracted/stressed parents leaving their children in the car.

Forgetting stuff in the car is a slippery slope indeed!

The "them" I am referring to are reusable bags and totes.

I have LOTS of canvas reusable bags and totes.

I have 4 from South Coast Organic Farms, 1 really cool Feed 100 bag, a couple from Farm to Market, some from La Cense Grass Fed Beef and several really lovely market baskets and a few others that escape me now.

I would put these in my car and then load my basket up at Mother's and - ooops, "I forgot them in my car..." This happened over and over and over.

And over.

I tried all kinds of tricks to help me remember. I would remember sometimes but more often then not, "I forgot them in my car..." Over and over.

I realized that positive reinforcement, peaceful thoughts and forgiving myself was not going to work. I was going to have to play dirty.

I decided that if "I forgot them in the car...", I was going to punish myself. Don't worry - this isn't going anywhere weird!

If I forgot them I would have to figure out how to get my goods from the store to the trunk (or sometimes home because I would even forget to put them IN the car!), without the use of any bags from the store.

This was a pain in the bum. A big pain in the bum. A big pain in the big bum.

I got really weird looks, even from the enlightened crew at Mother's. I struggled with the items, I dropped things, people begged me to just take a bag already. I stood firm. I created this and I was going to have to fix it - without the use of new bag.

Guess what?! I remembered really quickly to bring my bags in with me!

Sometimes I still forget but I "punish" myself and mostly refuse a bag (I have folded once or twice but not often).

How do you remember?

And The Winner Is...

2009-04-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

I went to the "Earth Day" event at the Honda Center? Did you?

Earth Day is in quotes because it wasn't what I would call an Earth Day or green event.

There were just a few booths there besides Honda. Glaring absences? Green companies!

THE GOOD:

Oggi's Pizza gave away free pizza on paper plates, not styrofoam ones.

Togo's Sandwiches gave away small sandwiches simply wrapped in paper with a piece of tape.

Recycling bins for bottles and cans.

Honda gave away reusable bags to everyone that entered.

Honda gave away 100% organic cotton caps to everyone that test drove a car.

No utensils needed for the food served (at least what I saw).

THE BAD:

Serving water in plastic bottles. Enough already people! The alternatives are readily available: biocompostable cups and water stations (see page 13).

The OC Register gave away plastic travel water bottles. Who really needs one of these? The Earth certainly doesn't!

No recycling bins for the paper plates, napkins, paper wrapping, etc.

No compost collection bins for food being thrown out.

THE UGLY:

Plastic wristbands for people test driving the insight. On Earth Day no less! How about paper wristbands, a stamp on the hand, using a pen to make a mark on hands or Tyvek and then set up a recycling station for them?

The reusable bags and hats were made in and shipped from China.

The reusable bag appears to be made of some sort of plastic material.

THE REALLY UGLY:

I didn't win the Insight!

Just kidding, well no I'm not kidding about not being the winner!

You can read about the winner, Mr. Richard Wada. You will see in the comments section that Honda is paying for license and state tax - way to go Honda!

Sweating Bullets

2009-04-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

Could it be more cliche to talk about the weather with strangers?

Probably not, but I don't care!

Spring 2008 my air conditioning unit died. As an environmentalist you would think I would happily figure out a way to remove the unit using a company that operates their fleet on recycled vegetable oil, wears organic cotton uniforms, promises to recycle every bit right here in the US and rejoice in more space to plant green things.

If you thought that you would be wrong - very wrong. So wrong in fact that you couldn't be more wrong!

Not that I would not like to be that person but the cold hard reality is that I am not. I am miserable when I am hot (anything above 74) or when I'm cold (anything less than 67). Go ahead - call me a pain in the bum.

I ended up having some unexpected expenses and had to choose. I, unhappily, chose to go without a/c. I did not rejoice. I did not recycle the unit - don't fear, it still sits in all of its useless glory outside taking up space.

I confess, I do turn on the a/c every once in a while to see if Cinderella's army of fairy mice have come in the cover of night and magically fixed it. Sadly, they must not know that this damsel is in distress. Either that or they lost my address.

I came up with some very economical and effective solutions which I will write about another time. I got through the summer of 2008 with a total of about two weeks that were miserable. It was hard but livable. I thought I was ready to do it again.

With the 2 heat waves we have had in 2009 my resolve is being tested. Go ahead, call me a wimp.

Is there such a thing a eco-friendly a/c unit?

Earth Day

2009-04-20T10:47:00.001-07:00

Earth Day is almost upon us (April 22nd).

Does Earth Day matter? Is it pointless? Is it just a "feel good" political opportunity?

According to the OC Register it's at least a paler shade of green this year and a cursory review of the comments is certainly distressing.

What should Earth Day be about?

To me, Earth Day is about trying to be more aware, appreciation, learn something new, having fun while doing something green, a time for renewal, a chance to commit to making a change.

If you are looking for a community event of some sort, here are a few ideas for Wednesday:

The Road Less Traveled store is going to have a "Creating Natural Spa Goodies" class.

At the Environmental Nature Center, there will be a "Little Naturalist" event for young children and a "Yoga In The Green" for kids 6-12, and later a lecture titled, "Endangered Around Us".

How about tasting some organic, biodynamic wines?! Check out Yves in Anaheim for a fun way to celebrate and learn at the same time.

Whole Foods in Tustin has various events throughout the day.

At the Honda Event Center the Insight will makes it debut with a chance to win one and other green activities.

What does Earth Day mean to you?

What are your plans?

BioDynamic Pest Control

2009-04-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

I used to kill ALL spiders, bugs, pests and icky things lurking in my house.

My brilliant sister then shared with me how stupid I was to kill Daddy Long Legs (hereinafter referred to as DDLs), since their menu consists of spiders, bugs, pests and, most importantly, icky things.

The last DDLs massacre was about 11 years ago.

I have since left them alone and I no longer see icky things! Those DDLs sure to earn their keep.

I provide a roof (and apparently and abundance of icky things to eat) and DDLs provide me with free, green pest control. I don't have to be afraid of icky things I can see (bugs, pests, spiders), or of icky things I can't see (toxic chemicals, hormone disrupters).

I have noticed that they like the bathroom (even before the massacre). I only see one now and I like to assume that it somehow escaped my (misguided) final mass slaughter of them.

I have named this sole survivor, Phil. Phil typically keeps to himself except when I take a bath. If I get in the shower and he's in there, he skedattles, but when I take a bath he can't stay away!

He walks the shower wall and boy let me tell you, it's precarious. I have one of those awful shower liner things and so there isn't real grout for him to hang on to - it's very slippery. Phil is a daredevil.

He gets all settled in one area and then like a kid who you've asked to keep a secret, can't help but blurt it out for all the world to hear and then looks at you with a simultaneously evil and sweet glint in their eyes, well that's Phil on the shower wall - he can't help but move and struggle to keep himself out of the water.

He seems to enjoy this - I think it's like bungee jumping to him, exhilarating and cheating death all at the same time.

Almost without fail, Phil falls in. I wonder if he really falls in or if he's a drama queen?

Anyway, I always fish him out with a comb and set him somewhere to dry out. I check later to make sure he's okay.

He always is!