Juice Fast

I'm on the 4th day of my juice fast. One more day to go then I'm going to start my healthier plant-based vegan diet. I really hope I can stick to it this time.

UPDATE: It's 9:00 pm Friday night and my 5 day juice fast is over! I won't eat anything until morning but I made it.

IMDB to MARC Converter

Here's an interesting cataloging tool I found today that only a cataloging nerd would appreciate. You can find it here: http://amazon.libcat.org/cgi-bin/imdb2marc.pl? Just type in the name of a movie and it takes the information from the IMDB and converts it into a MARC record. I love the IMDB and have used it for years when cataloging DVDs and this tool makes it even more useful and fun.

Tomorrow I'm going to try and start my vegan, or plant-based diet (again). Plant-based is so much nicer sounding than vegan. I just finished listening to the audio book Veganist by Kathy Freston and it convinced me this is the way to go. I don't expect to be 100% but will do my best. I'm also going to try and start this week with a juice fast. I used to do this all the time but haven't tried in awhile. I would like to make it through 5 days. It was a lot easier when my SO would get me a juice every night. Now I have to make my own. Luckily I have citrus juicer and a vegetable juicer.

UPDATE: It's almost 8 pm Monday and I've made it through the first day of my fast! I honestly didn't think I would make it yesterday when I was planning the fast so this is great. The first day is always the hardest for me. I also took the pups on 2 walks. One was at 6 this morning. The weather is totally awesome. I have all the windows open.

UPDATE: It's 8:20 pm Tuesday and I made it through another day. Spent 4 hours at the dentist too.

Wednesday Update: I made it through another day! Don't know how I used to stay on these fasts for more than 5 days though. I'll feel really good if I make it through tomorrow.

Helping animals in Japan

After seeing the video on Yahoo today about the dog who wouldn't leave his canine companion I decided to send a contribution to World Vets, a non-government organization that provides veterinary assistance in 25 countries and is currently helping out with animal rescue in Japan. Here is a link to their website if you would like to help: http://worldvets.org/



The good news is that these 2 dogs have been rescued.

Jane Goodall

Last Wednesday I went to hear Jane Goodall speak at an event sponsored by the Progressive Forum and the Houston Zoo. It's been 50 years since JG first started observing and working with chimpanzies in what is now Tanzania's Gombe National Park. She spoke about all of the changes in the world in the last 50 years and how these chances have impacted animals, people, and the environment. My favorite part of the speech was when she talked about how she first became interested in animals and what a key role her mother played by encourgaging and supporting her. She also discussed her organization for young people, Roots and Shoots. The mission of Roots and Shoots is to "foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment."

The Republican War on Women

I'm received this email from MoveOn today and thought it worth passing on:

Dear MoveOn member,

It might seem hyperbolic to say that Republicans have declared a war on women.

Sadly, it's not.

Just take a look at the top 10 shocking, crazy things Republicans have proposed in recent weeks. If you think this constitutes a war on women, please share this email far and wide—forward it, and post it on Facebook and Twitter.


I wish I could say these were the only examples of the Republican war on women. But it's just a sampling, and more is sure to come—unless we raise a ruckus and call them out. So please, share this email today.

Thanks,

Kat

Top 10 Shocking Attacks from the GOP War on Women

1) Republicans not only want to reduce women's access to abortion care, they're actually trying to redefine rape. After a major backlash, they promised to stop. But they haven't.

2) A state legislator in Georgia wants to change the legal term for victims of rape, stalking, and domestic violence to "accuser." But victims of other less gendered crimes, like burglary, would remain "victims."

3) In South Dakota, Republicans proposed a bill that could make it legal to murder a doctor who provides abortion care. (Yep, for real.)

4) Republicans want to cut nearly a billion dollars of food and other aid to low-income pregnant women, mothers, babies, and kids.

5) In Congress, Republicans have proposed a bill that would let hospitals allow a woman to die rather than perform an abortion necessary to save her life.


6) Maryland Republicans ended all county money for a low-income kids' preschool program. Why? No need, they said. Women should really be home with the kids, not out working.


7) And at the federal level, Republicans want to cut that same program, Head Start, by $1 billion. That means over 200,000 kids could lose their spots in preschool.

8) Two-thirds of the elderly poor are women, and Republicans are taking aim at them too. A spending bill would cut funding for employment services, meals, and housing for senior citizens.

9) Congress voted yesterday on a Republican amendment to cut all federal funding from Planned Parenthood health centers, one of the most trusted providers of basic health care and family planning in our country.


10) And if that wasn't enough, Republicans are pushing to eliminate all funds for the only federal family planning program. (For humans. But Republican Dan Burton has a bill to provide contraception for wild horses. You can't make this stuff up).

Please share this email today. Just click the links to post on Facebook and Twitter.

Sources:

1. "'Forcible Rape' Language Remains In Bill To Restrict Abortion Funding," The Huffington Post, February 9, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206084&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=6

"Extreme Abortion Coverage Ban Introduced," Center for American Progress, January 20, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205961&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=7

2. "Georgia State Lawmaker Seeks To Redefine Rape Victims As 'Accusers,'" The Huffington Post, February 4, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206007&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=8

3. "South Dakota bill would legalize killing abortion doctors," Salon, February 15, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206102&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=9

4. "House GOP Proposes Cuts to Scores of Sacred Cows," National Journal, February 9, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206103&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=10

5. "New GOP Bill Would Allow Hospitals To Let Women Die Instead Of Having An Abortion," Talking Points Memo, February 4, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205974&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=11

6. "Republican Officials Cut Head Start Funding, Saying Women Should be Married and Home with Kids," Think Progress, February 16, 2011
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/02/16/gop-women-kids/

7. "Bye Bye, Big Bird. Hello, E. Coli," The New Republic, Feburary 12, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206104&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=12

8. "House GOP spending cuts will devastate women, families and economy," The Hill, February 16, 2011
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-a-budget/144585-house-gop-spending-cuts-will-devastate-women-families-and-economy-

9. "House passes measure stripping Planned Parenthood funding," MSNBC, February 18,2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206122&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=13

"GOP Spending Plan: X-ing Out Title X Family Planning Funds," Wall Street Journal, February 9, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206105&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=14

10. Ibid.


Birth Control for Horses, Not for Women," Blog for Choice, February 17, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206106&id=26177-2318427-orN_Xax&t=15

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to Kathleen Knox on February 19, 2011. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here. About Yahoo! Shortcuts
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I read yesterday on the Huffington Post that bush has cancelled a trip to Switzerland after several groups threatened to protest his visit. Several human rights groups were also demanding his arrest because he has admitted to ordering torture. According to Reuters, Dominique Baettig, a right-wing member of the Swiss Parliament was also demanding his arrest. Of course bush denied that the criminal complaints had anything to do with the cancellation. I wish they hadn't warned him but just arrested him as soon as his plane landed. He should have been arrested and tried here but wasn't even though we are one of the 147 countries to have ratified the 1987 treaty banning torture.

Pug Attack

The best of the SuperBowl commercials

The Winnipeg Humane Society Kitty Midnight Madness

This has got to be the funniest ad for a rescue group I've ever seen.

Where's the snow?

We were promised snow but all we got was lots of ice and 800 wrecks (stupid Houston drivers)
Thankfully it's warming up to 60 today. I know the outdoor cats will be glad too.

Little Wolf

I am now the official guardian angel of this precious little puppy who was rescued by Chris of http://lingyang.org/ His name is Little Wolf and Chris found him when he ran into a restaurant where Chris was eating. He was pretty scared from all the noise and celebration of the Chinese New Year but Chris managed to get a leash on him and take him to a vet. He is now hoping to find a foster or a forever home for him.

I did an earlier post about this organization here:

http://fourdogmom.blogspot.com/2011/01/helping-dogs-in-china.html

BRRRRR

Yesterday morning when I got up it was 70. Today it was in the low 20's. The good thing is we may get some snow later in the week. Another good thing is living in an apartment that doesn't get below 60 even when it gets this cold. My old pier and beam house was always cold. I seldom used the heater and one morning I woke up and the house was 40 degrees and the pipes in the attic frozen. Thankfully they didn't burst.

I tried unsuccessfully to trap the little gray kitten again last night. She will go in the trap but won't step on the plate that closes the door. I'll keep trying.

Happy Groundhog's Day!

Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early Spring!

Leave the libraries alone. You don’t understand their value. | Blog | False Economy

I found a link to this speech by Philip Pullman in the Guardian.
Leave the libraries alone. You don’t understand their value. Blog False Economy

Kitty

Here is another one of the stray kitties I'm feeding. I noticed she was sleeping on my Amish rocker so I put a little blanket on it to make her more comfortable. As you can see, she is a beautiful slate gray with yellow eyes. She needs a name. I'm thinking of calling her Cinza which is Portuguese for gray or silver.

Why I support PETA

This was copied from an email I received from PETA listing some of their accomplishments in 2010.

NASA halted its plans to use dozens of monkeys in painful and deadly radiation experiments. The decision followed more than a year of intense campaigning by tens of thousands of PETA supporters, including Sir Paul McCartney, Bob Barker, and Alicia Silverstone.

Two large chicken suppliers agreed to switch to a less cruel chicken slaughter method called "controlled-atmosphere killing." The move will potentially spare millions of individual birds the pain of being scalded and having their throats cut while they're still conscious. Thanks to years of pressure from PETA, more restaurants and grocery stores than ever have started to demand that their suppliers use this method.

In the largest seizure of exotic animals in history, authorities confiscated more than 26,000 animals from international animal dealer U.S. Global Exotics, Inc., after a seven-month PETA investigation produced evidence of horrific conditions.

As a result of public outrage generated by a PETA investigation at the University of Utah, legislators in that state voted overwhelmingly to overturn an archaic law that required animal shelters to sell animals to laboratories for use in painful and invasive experiments. Utah was one of only three states that still required "pound seizure."

The world's largest shoe manufacturer, Nike, and its upscale brand Cole Haan announced that they will no longer use exotic-animal skins in their lines. The move came after PETA presented video footage to Nike executives documenting the suffering inflicted on animals used in the exotic-skins trade.

High-end women's fashion retailer Cache agreed to pull all real fur clothing from its stores after PETA showed company representatives footage of abominable conditions on fur farms.

Animal-testing facility Professional Laboratory and Research Services surrendered more than 250 dogs and cats and shut its doors after a nine-month PETA investigation revealed that animals were routinely denied veterinary care and subjected to painful procedures without being given proper anesthesia.

And who could forget 2010's massive oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico? Many shelters in the area were flooded with animals during this tragedy. Pamela Anderson and PETA were able to help by paying for veterinary care for 50 dogs and 30 cats and transporting them to PETA headquarters, where they were all adopted.

This video was created by the Finnish Library Association to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Be sure to turn up the volume.

Castile Soap

I switched from using regular shampoo to liquid Castile soap a few years ago. It's so much cheaper and leaves my hair feeling much nicer than regular shampoo. I also tried it out on the dogs and it left their hair soft and silky without any perfume. Perfume is a real problem for my sensitive little Ginger.
Today I found this recipe for a nice green automatic dishwasher detergent made with Castille soap.

1/2 cup liquid castile soap
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 drops tea tree oil
1/2 cup white vinegar

Stir all ingredients together until blended. Store in a squirt top bottle. Use 2 tablespoons per load of dishes, shake well before use.

Jon Stewart takes down Sarah Palin

I've been taking a break from watching my favorite news shows (Olbermann and Maddow) Watching them leaves me angry, and scared for our country because of the hateful rhetoric from the right wing crazies. I know that they are all not crazy but the ones who seem to make the news are. Now I watch HGTV. I love House Hunters, Property Virgins, and Holmes on Homes. I also love watching Cupcake Wars (so much better than real wars) and some of the other cake baking competitions on TLC. I can watch TLC again now that Sarah Palin's Alaska is over.
Anyway, I can still watch Jon Stewart's take on the news because he always make me laugh and that's a good thing. Here is a clip from his show:

In the Crosshairs

As you can see from this graphic, Rep. Gabrielle Gifford is on Sarah Palin's target list along with 20 other members of congress who supported reform. When she was criticized for releasing the list Palin said: "Don't retreat, instead reload." Now it looks like someone has. Fortunately, Rep. Gifford survived the attack. Unfortunately, 6 other people were killed and 14 were wounded.

To be fair, we don't know yet why the shooter targeted Gifford, but the hate and bigotry in this country, thanks to people like Sarah Palin, is sure to inspire this type of violence. I also wonder what would happen if a Muslim put out a hit list and one of the people on the hit list was targeted. I doubt if he/she would be walking around free today.

Here is a little bit about the youngest victim of yesterday's attack, 9 year old Christina Taylor Greene. She was born on September 11, 2001 and was featured in a book called Faces of Hope about babies born on 9/11. She was interested in politics and went to the event to learn more about the political process.

Spicy Crisp-Roasted Chickpeas

I found this really easy recipe on Salon.

1 can garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed and thoroughly dried
¼ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more to taste)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil

1.Toss everything together and spread on a baking sheet. Roast at 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until completely crunchy.

Helping Dogs in China

My niece Erin, who is in China told me about a dog (maybe a few cats too) rescue organization that was started by an American living in Beijing. One reason I haven't wanted to go to China or any other Asian country is because of the animal abuse. I see enough of that here. That's why it was so nice to see what is being done there to help homeless dogs. Here is a link to this great organization (which gladly accepts donations) http://lingyang.org/ . I sent a small donation in this morning and got a personal reply back within a few minutes. This cute little guy is looking for a forever home. If I was there I would probably provide one for him.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid / Decision Points

Interesting placement of books at Borders. Found on Huffington Post.

New Kitties

Here are 2 of the 4 kitties I've "adopted. " There is another orange kitty and a grey/orange/white kitty who I think is their mother. She is the only one who isn't completely feral so in the next week or so I'm planning to catch her and have her fixed. These kitties provide lots of entertainment for Ginger.

Owl Gourds

I bought these adorable owl gourd ornaments at Whole Foods.

Christmas 2010

Tom Delay is GUILTY

Found this on Texas Kaos:

A few things I'm thankful for

1. Tom Delay was convicted. I'll be even happier if he actually goes to prison.
2. DWTS is over. (Please can we have a break from the Palin family for awhile).
3. Puri, a Pakastani fried bread that I had with my ex-neighbor Sheema and her lovely parents for Thanksgiving. I had more than Puri but that's what I'll remember.

John Paul Stevens

Last week I went to hear Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens speak at an event sponsored by The Progressive Forum. Justice Stevens retired from the court in June after being nominated by Gerald Ford in 1975, and was considered one of the more liberal justices. The hall at Wortham Center was completely sold out and the audience was very enthusiastic...lots of cheering, clapping, and standing ovations. It was so nice to be in a room with intelligent progressive people and the Q&A with JPS was informative and inspiring. It is hard to believe he is 90 years old when you hear him speak.
GWB was in Houston the following day signing his book. If JPS had prevailed in Bush v. Gore we might not have had to endure 8 years of his disastrous presidency. Here is Stevens quote about Bush v. Gore:
"One thing, however, is certain. Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this year's presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the nation's confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law."

I hope she'll stay there

Barbara Bush on Sarah Palin:
"I sat next to her once, thought she was beautiful, and I think she's very happy in Alaska," Bush said, before adding, "and I hope she'll stay there."
For once BB and I agree on something.

Ginger (or why I work 2 jobs)

I took Ginger to the vet a few weeks ago for a urinary infection. While examining her they discovered a rather large tumor on her rectum which was probably causing her a lot of pain. The vet told me there was only a 25% chance it was malignant so I decided to have the surgery done even though she is almost 13. Today I found out that it is benign so I made the right decision. She is feeling great and is back to being the happy active puppy she has always been. I've spent almost 2,000 in vet bills in the last 2 weeks but it's easy to see why it was worth it when you look at that precious face.

Happy Birthday Neil Young

I found this wonderful post, with several videos on Salon about one of my favorite singers, Neil Young, who is 65 years old today.
http://open.salon.com/blog/lschmoopie/2010/11/07/man_with_a_heart_of_gold_neil_young

Claude Howard Jones

I just finished listening to John Grisham's new book The Confession. It tells the story of a young African American high school football player unjustly accused and convicted of the murder of his white female classmate in a small Texas town. The governor in the book sounds a lot like W. It was hard to read because of the subject matter and the incompetence of the judicial system but if you are interested in reading about how things really work in Texas or if you are on the fence about capital punishment I would suggest reading this book or listening to it on audio like I did.

I found this true story in the Houston Chronicle today. I'm sure this isn't the only innocent person put to death by Bush. Just one more person to add to the list of innocent people killed by him here and in Iraq.

Hair casts doubt on executed man's guilt

by Allan Turner

In 1989, the robbery-murder case against Claude Howard Jones relied largely on a strand of hair recovered from the Point Blank crime scene. Microscopic tests identified the hair as Jones', and a San Jacinto County jury sent the career criminal to his execution.
On Thursday, however, a DNA test on the same hair revealed that it likely belonged to the robbery victim, liquor store owner Allen Hilzendager.
Jones, 60, was executed for the November 1989 crime on Dec. 7, 2000 — protesting his innocence to the last.
One day before his execution, Jones' lawyer, James A. DeLee of Port Arthur, petitioned then-Gov. George Bush for a 30-day reprieve so that the hair could be subjected to DNA testing.
Bush, who earlier had endorsed DNA testing in life-and-death cases, denied the reprieve. He apparently made his decision on the recommendation of his staff lawyer, Claudia Nadig, who, in reporting the bid for the reprieve, made no mention of the request for DNA testing.
Nadig, now a government lawyer in the nation's capital, could not be reached for comment.
The new test, performed by Mitotyping Technologies, a private Pennsylvania laboratory, was requested by the Texas Observer, an Austin-based political journal, and the New York-based Innocence Project.
The testing found that hair DNA was consistent with that of the victim and his maternal relatives; it was not consistent with Jones' or that of his accomplice, Danny Dixon.
"We can't say for certain that he's innocent, because the DNA tests don't implicate another shooter," said the Observer's Dave Mann. "But it certainly raises troubling questions about the case. The strand of hair was the piece of evidence that tied him to this crime and put him in the liquor store doing the shooting."
Other than the hair evidence, prosecutors relied on witnesses who testified they saw a man resembling Jones enter the liquor store.
Jones' second alleged accomplice, Timothy Jordan, who testified Jones had confessed the crime to him, later admitted that he had lied to jurors. Jordan was sentenced to prison for aggravated perjury after he told differing stories to grand and trial jurors.
In addition to DNA testing, the hair also was subjected to additional microscopic examination.
Nicholas Petraco, an associate professor of chemistry and forensic science at City University of New York, reported that the hair in evidence was not suitable for "meaningful microscopic comparison" because it merely was a fragment.
"A meaningful forensic hair comparison requires that suitable questioned and unknown hair specimens be compared from root end to tip end while being observed side-by-side on a transmitted light comparison microscope," he wrote.
Comments from the San Jacinto County District Attorney's office were not immediately available.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSIE!

Rosie is 11 years old today. We celebrated with cupcakes from Crave. They just opened up a store on Kirby and have the best cupcakes in Houston, possibly the world.

The U.S. searches for war criminals

Interesting article in Salon. I would like to report Bush and Cheney before going after anyone else.
The U.S. searches for war criminals

I have always enjoyed washing dishes. I especially enjoy doing them by hand even though I usually use the dishwasher. Even though I use the dishwasher I wash every dish by hand because that's the way we did it when I was growing up. Dishwashers were new then and didn't clean the way they do now. I also love the smell of the soap I use Lemongrass & Clementine Zest by Seventh Generation. I would wear it as a perfume if they made it.
Years ago when I was attending a Unitarian Church, the minister read something by Thich Nhat Hanh about doing dishes that I could really relate to:
To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur only
when you aren't doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink
with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in the warm water, it is really
quite pleasant. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware
of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that
if I hurry in order to eat dessert sooner, the time of washing dishes
will be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity,
for each minute, each second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves
and that fact that I am here washing them are miracles!

My Old House

I went back to see my old house on Wednesday. The new owner emailed me let me know he was about finished and invited me over. I've been driving by once a week or so and knew that the outside looked about the same. The inside of the house was beautiful and is exactly what I would have done if I had had money and vision. He reconfigured the layout and turned a 2 bedroom 1 bath house into a 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house with walk in closets in both bedrooms. Most of the upgrades I had made like the shutters and the granite in the kitchen were kept. He bleached the hardwoods and painted the kitchen cabinets white so the house appeared bigger. Seeing how wonderful the house looked made me really happy even though I had expected to be sad. The house next door is another story.
I also visited my neighbors across the street and got to see my favorite little boy Andrew. I really do miss the kids on the street.

When a group of students at IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University) tried to place an order for rainbow cupcakes to celebrate National Coming Out Day they were told by co-owner of Just Cookies, David Stockton that "we're a family-run business, we have two young, impressionable daughters and we thought maybe it was best not to do that." The students were able to place the order with another bakery. National Coming out day is October 11th.



Here is a recipe for rainbow cupcakes from bakingbites in case you want to make your own
(making them and/or eating them won't turn you gay)

Rainbow Cupcakes


1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
red, yellow, green and blue food colorings
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 10 cups from a 12 cup muffin tin (or line with paper cups).
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Pour in dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Divide batter evenly into 5 small bowls; each should have a little more than 1/3 cup batter (approx 6 tbsp or so for each).
Add about 1/2 tsp food coloring to each bowl to make red, orange, yellow, green and blue batters. Stir well, so no streaks of plain batter remain. Add additional food coloring if necessary.
Starting with the blue batter, add a small spoonful to each of the 10 grease muffin cups (just over 1/2 tbsp in each). Repeat with all remaining colors, working from green to yellow to orange to red, adding each subsequent spoonful on top of the previous color. Do not attempt to spread the layers of color out (as it can cause layers to combined), but allow them to spread on their own.
Bake for about 15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool cupcakes on a wire rack before frosting.
Makes 10

Peace Day

A song for International Day of Peace

(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding

I copied this straight from Care2.com:

The biggest contribution we can make to fight global warming is to eat less meat and dairy products.

Here are some facts from a 2006 United Nations Report:

The U.S. population is about 300 million but 10 billion land animals are slaughtered every year.
U.S. farms produce 5 million tons of manure every day.
Resources are wasted all along the way; pollution affects the soil, air, water, us.
Livestock are responsible for a fifth of global warming emissions—more than the entire world’s transportation combined.
35 percent of the grain grown in America goes for livestock.
When the Amazon rain forests are cut down, 70 percent of the land is used for pasture and grain production.

I decided to try to be vegan for the month of September. I've been a vegetarian since 1989 but have never been able to give up dairy completely. So far it's been working out pretty well. The only non vegan thing I've had was 1 ginger cookie that The Decider brought in. Normally I would eat a dozen, so having just 1 doesn't seem too bad. I tried soy yogurt but just didn't like it so I decided to try So Delicious coconut milk yogurt which lives up to it's name (So Delicious). I'm not all that excited about yogurt but am trying to have breakfast every morning so I have yogurt with granola and ground up flax seeds. Another product I've discovered is NuGo Bars. They are made with chocolate but are dairy free and vegan. The Mocha Chocolate is really yummy. I've also switched from soy to almond milk because I think I get way too much soy in my diet. It has a really nice flavor.

How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.
Dr. Wayne Dyer

Michael Moore's Blog Post 9/11/10

Here is what MM wrote on his blog post today and I couldn't agree more:

I am opposed to the building of the "mosque" two blocks from Ground Zero.

I want it built on Ground Zero.

Why? Because I believe in an America that protects those who are the victims of hate and prejudice. I believe in an America that says you have the right to worship whatever God you have, wherever you want to worship. And I believe in an America that says to the world that we are a loving and generous people and if a bunch of murderers steal your religion from you and use it as their excuse to kill 3,000 souls, then I want to help you get your religion back. And I want to put it at the spot where it was stolen from you.

There's been so much that's been said about this manufactured controversy, I really don't want to waste any time on this day of remembrance talking about it. But I hate bigotry and I hate liars, and so in case you missed any of the truth that's been lost in this, let me point out a few facts:

1. I love the Burlington Coat Factory. I've gotten some great winter coats there at a very reasonable price. Muslims have been holding their daily prayers there since 2009. No one ever complained about that. This is not going to be a "mosque," it's going to be a community center. It will have the same prayer room in it that's already there. But to even have to assure people that "it's not going to be mosque" is so offensive, I now wish they would just build a 111-story mosque there. That would be better than the lame and disgusting way the developer has left Ground Zero an empty hole until recently. The remains of over 1,100 people still haven't been found. That site is a sacred graveyard, and to be building another monument to commerce on it is a sacrilege. Why wasn't the entire site turned into a memorial peace park? People died there, and many of their remains are still strewn about, all these years later.

2. Guess who has helped the Muslims organize their plans for this community center? The JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER of Manhattan! Their rabbi has been advising them since the beginning. It's been a picture-perfect example of the kind of world we all want to live in. Peter Stuyvessant, New York's "founder," tried to expel the first Jews who arrived in Manhattan. Then the Dutch said, no, that's a bit much. So then Stuyvessant said ok, you can stay, but you cannot build a synagogue anywhere in Manhattan. Do your stupid Friday night thing at home. The first Jewish temple was not allowed to be built until 1730. Then there was a revolution, and the founding fathers said this country has to be secular -- no religious nuts or state religions. George Washington (inaugurated around the corner from Ground Zero) wanted to make a statement about this his very first year in office, and wrote this to American Jews:

"The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy -- a policy worthy of imitation. ...

"It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens ...

"May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants -- while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid."

3. The Imam in charge of this project is the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. Read about his past here.

4. Around five dozen Muslims died at the World Trade Center on 9/11. Hundreds of members of their families still grieve and suffer. The 19 killers did not care what religion anyone belonged to when they took those lives.

5. I've never read a sadder headline in the New York Times than the one on the front page this past Monday: "American Muslims Ask, Will We Ever Belong?" That should make all of us so ashamed that even a single one of our fellow citizens should ever have to worry about if they "belong" here.

6. There is a McDonald's two blocks from Ground Zero. Trust me, McDonald's has killed far more people than the terrorists.

7. During an economic depression or a time of war, fascists are extremely skilled at whipping up fear and hate and getting the working class to blame "the other" for their troubles. Lincoln's enemies told poor Southern whites that he was "a Catholic." FDR's opponents said he was Jewish and called him "Jewsevelt." One in five Americans now believe Obama is a Muslim and 41% of Republicans don't believe he was born here.

8. Blaming a whole group for the actions of just one of that group is anti-American. Timothy McVeigh was Catholic. Should Oklahoma City prohibit the building of a Catholic Church near the site of the former federal building that McVeigh blew up?

9. Let's face it, all religions have their whackos. Catholics have O'Reilly, Gingrich, Hannity and Clarence Thomas (in fact all five conservatives who dominate the Supreme Court are Catholic). Protestants have Pat Robertson and too many to list here. The Mormons have Glenn Beck. Jews have Crazy Eddie. But we don't judge whole religions on just the actions of their whackos. Unless they're Methodists.

10. If I should ever, God forbid, perish in a terrorist incident, and you or some nutty group uses my death as your justification to attack or discriminate against anyone in my name, I will come back and haunt you worse than Linda Blair marrying Freddy Krueger and moving into your bedroom to spawn Chucky. John Lennon was right when he asked us to imagine a world with "nothing to kill or die for and no religion, too." I heard Deepak Chopra this week say that "God gave humans the truth, and the devil came and he said, 'Let's give it a name and call it religion.' " But John Adams said it best when he wrote a sort of letter to the future (which he called "Posterity"): "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it." I'm guessing ol' John Adams is up there repenting nonstop right now.

Friends, we all have a responsibility NOW to make sure that Muslim community center gets built. Once again, 70% of the country (the same number that initially supported the Iraq War) is on the wrong side and want the "mosque" moved. Enormous pressure has been put on the Imam to stop his project. We have to turn this thing around. Are we going to let the bullies and thugs win another one? Aren't you fed up by now? When would be a good time to take our country back from the haters?

I say right now. Let's each of us make a statement by donating to the building of this community center! It's a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization and you can donate a dollar or ten dollars (or more) right now through a secure pay pal account by clicking here. I will personally match the first $10,000 raised (forward your PayPal receipt to webguy@michaelmoore.com). If each one of you reading this blog/email donated just a couple of dollars, that would give the center over $6 million, more than what Donald Trump has offered to buy the Imam out. C'mon everyone, let's pitch in and help those who are being debased for simply wanting to do something good. We could all make a huge statement of love on this solemn day.

I lost a co-worker on 9/11. I write this today in his memory.


"The man who speaks of the enemy / Is the enemy himself."
-- Bertolt Brecht

Why are people like Terry Jones given so much publicity? He should have gotten a little blurb in the Gainsville news if anything at all but now he's become a national celebrity. What next...a sex scandal, and then a stint on Dancing with the Stars? Same thing with all the Palin spawn, Joe the Plumber...

All you have to do nowdays is say or do something outrageous or stupid and you get a national/international following of equally stupid people. I've quit watching the news because I'm so sick of all this shit. Sigh.

A Very Stylish Sasha Obama

I love this outfit Sasha wore when she met with the King and Queen of Spain. It's from Crewcuts, the J Crew kids store.

You know you're getting old when HGTV is your favorite channel. I love House Hunters, Property Virgins, and Design Star but my new favorite is Holmes on Homes. Mike Holmes rescues home owners from disasters caused by bad contractors,bad construction and bad repairmen. I believe he works out of Toronto. Last night a couple had purchased a brand new townhouse and discovered snow in the attic because the builder hadn't installed the roof and the vents correctly. After contacting the builder and being told to go on the roof and shovel the snow themselves the homeowners called in Mike to fix the problem. I love Mike but watching this show makes me glad I'm no longer a home owner. Here's a little more info on Mike from HGTV:

Mike Holmes, host of HGTV’s Holmes on Homes, advises homeowners around the world on how to manage renovations, home repairs and maintenance. A contractor who knows the importance of resourcefulness and craftsmanship, his experience in new-home construction and sustainable building have garnered him a growing fan base. In 2006, Mike was recognized in Canada’s House of Commons for his support for improved building standards and skilled trades. That same year, he also launched a charitable foundation in Canada to support the training of youth in the skilled trades through apprenticeships and scholarships. In addition, Mike and his crew built a remarkable sustainable and hurricane-resistant house in New Orleans as part of Brad Pitt's "Make It Right NOLA" project.
Today, Mike is developing a unique community of eco-friendly and sustainable homes in Alberta, Canada, that will set a new standard for residential construction and design.
Mike also is the author of two successful books and writes a weekly newspaper column

I got my 1st electric bill for my new apartment. I was kind of worried, even though I have been trying to keep the thermostat on 80, because it's been so hot. The bill was just a little over 100.00. At my old place it would have been a little more plus about 30 or so for gas so this is a huge relief. I may actually turn the thermostat to a more comfortable 78. I love my new apartment!
I went with a friend Saturday night to see Kathy Griffin at the Verizon. LMAO. I watch her on TV but so much is bleeped out. So much better seeing her in person. Loved her Antiques Roadshow comment.

Mad Men was good last night, the best show this season. I love Don when he's Dick. Missed seeing Betty though.

Haven't watched the latest Design Star since it comes on at the same time, but I did record it.

The Millennium Trilogy

I've read all three book in The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson and absolutely loved them. They are at the top of my list of favorite books. Last week I watched the movie The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and then decided to read the first book again to see what the movie missed. The movie was good but the book was so much better, which is usually the case. It will be interesting to see what the American version will be like when it comes out. The original title in Swedish is "Man som hatar kvinnor" or "Men who Hate Women." So glad the title was changed. Stieg Larsson died soon after he finished the last book but had started on a 4th book so there is hope that this isn't the end. I really want to know more about Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist.
Here is a link to an excellent article in the NYT about Stieg Larsson and the books:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/magazine/23Larsson-t.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Birthers Birthday Card for the President

Found this on the Huffington Post and had to post it.