Farmer's Battle With Industrialization

How far can one go to preserve the integrity of our food? Do we need to turn to religion in order to achieve this?

Hisotrically speaking, in times of chaos many people do turn to religion as a place of refuge, for answers etc. For example, when the events of 911 happened, many churches became packed on Sundays, relgious leaders came out of the wooodwork, and donations to religious organizations skyrocketed.

Is it possible to sustain an organic, healthy, environmentally conscious lifestyle without taking this kinds of measures as this one farmer has done? What have you done in your daily lifestyle that you can share with others that promotes a healthier, socially conscious lifestyle?

A Personal Account from New Orleans

This was sent to me from my future sister-in law--a great personal account of what happened in New Orleans --Jordan Flaherty has been keeping a journal of what is happening in New Orleans.

Jordan Flaherty is a union organizer and an editor of Left Turn Magazine (http://www.leftturn.org/). He is not planning on moving out of New Orleans.
Below are some small, grassroots and New Orleans-based resources,organizations and institutions that will need your support in the coming months.

Social Justice:
http://www.jjpl.org/ http://www.iftheycanlearn.org/ http://www.nolaps.org/ www.thepeoplesinstitute.org/ www.criticalresistance.org/index.php?name=crno_home
Cultural Resources:
http://www.backstreetculturalmuseum.com/ www.ashecac.org/ http://198.66.50.128/gallery/www.nolahumanrights.org http://www.freewebs.com/ironrail/ http://www.girlgangproductions.com/

The Mayor Of New Orleans Speaks Out

This is a great interview--very un-politician in many respects. One can definitely hear the humanity, frustration and get a clearer picture of what is happening down in New Orleans.
The mistrust that folks have about "the government" only grows with the lack of action, empathy and complacency being showcased worldwide..Take a listen to the interview --it's definitely not the norm--as far as most of the press conferences conducted by various politicians on this tragedy.

When Politics Shape Numbers?!!

The numbers are out on who gets pulled over by the cops in the U.S. but can you find them? A statistician gathered the data and was demoted when he refused to "omit" the hard findings that would point to glaring differences between how whites are treated versus Blacks and Chicano/as.. This administration has its hands in everything--and to what end??

Another Perspective on What Is Happening in New Orleans

It's sad but true--it takes outside sources to give a clearer picture of what is happening here in the States again--see what we are not hearing about the disaster and our government's "response" in New Orleans et. If this was a northern state would this be happening? Is it G.W. Bush's lack of leadership??

It's About Time--

August 22, 2005
California Justices Rule in Favor of Same-Sex Parental Rights

In all the dreary news we hear this is definitely a small step for humanity. It's pathetic how much of an issue this has become--when does anyone's sexual orientation dictate their parenting "know -how"?

Media and the Money Trail

You've got to be kidding me--how any organization can think this is not a possibility is too much for one to ponder... FAIR-- has posted an article with the title-"ABC's One-Sided Wal-Mart Report-Does a big advertiser get special treatment?". This is the norm as far as I can see--money determines what news we hear or more importantly do NOT hear about and I don't know if this will change. Thoughts? Link is tied to title of this post--:).

A New Way To Control Insurgents--and Protestors

Hats off to Rumsfield--we obviously do not learn from our mistakes--what we make for others will be used on us--whether it be AK-47s, anthrax etc.. These weapons are made with the intention of protecting whom? The new product to hit us is known as: The Active Denial System is a Pentagon-funded, $51 million crowd control device that rides atop a Humvee, looks like a TV dish, and shoots energy waves 1/64 of an inch deep into human skin. We are about to launch this new weapon without extensive research on the effects on humans and the Dept of Justice is "excited" at the possiblities?? Soon they are hoping technology can shrink down this weapon and make it portable. Convenient ways to deal with those who have an opinion. We are hitting a new low--and who knew that was a possibility?

Where are we headed??

Clearly the divide between the rich, shrinking middle class and poor is only widening. Our first world mentality and complacency is pushing us towards a third world economic structure. This revision of the bankruptcy law is pushing fear and panic into those people the law is "supposed" to protect. What is happening to a democracy that is to be for the people that is being usurped by those who are so out of touch with the lives of their constituents? Where do we draw the line?

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | American media vs the blogs

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | American media vs the blogs: "American media vs the blogs
By Kevin Anderson
BBC News Website, Washington


Bloggers. Truth-tellers or vigilantes? Trophy-hunters or watchdogs?
With the abrupt resignation of CNN chief news executive Eason Jordan, the American media are struggling with how to respond to bloggers.
Some see the bloggers as an explosion of free speech, a democratic counterbalance to media arrogance and a much needed call for greater transparency in the media, while others see bloggers as vigilante partisans bent on discrediting and destroying the media.
Blogswarm
The furore was touched off after bloggers questioned comments Mr Jordan made at the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland about journalists killed in Iraq.
At the forum, he said that he believed that several journalists had been targeted by the military.
He was quickly challenged by many at the forum who thought he was implying that it was official US policy to target journalists.
Mr Jordan qualified his statements saying that he was trying to differentiate between journalists who died as a result of being at the wrong place at the wrong time and those who were mistaken for the enemy.
The salivating morons who make up the lynch mob prevail.
Steve Lovelady, managing editor, Columbia Journalism Review

World Economic Forum policy is that all sessions are off the record, but blogger Rony Abovitz posted Mr Jordan's comments on a forum sanctioned website.
Bloggers quickly set up a site calling for a release a transcript of the session, and Mr Jordan found himself in the middle of a blogswarm as the online pressure intensified.
Mr Jordan attempted to qualify his comments publicly, but it was too late, and Mr Jordan abr"

Google Groups : SpeakUp

Google Groups : SpeakUp