PUMA For Life

Weekend Meditation: Ravi Shankar Chanting Asato Ma

As I think I wrote early on in this blog, I have been focused on spirituality for quite a number of years and I currently describe my spiritual path as Interfaith Christian on the path of Bahkti Yoga.  Bahkti is the path of devotion and it is said that it is the quickest way to unification with the Godhead.  I didn’t choose this path for that reason, it actually chose me.  I mean, I was doing it without knowing what it was called.  There are two components to Bahkti:  contemplation/mediation on sacred images and chant. 

 

I love chant, in particular the Vedic chants, which are chanted in the Sanskrit language.  The Sanskrit seed sounds are said to be the building blocks of the universe.  For example, OM is the vibration of the universe.

 

I thought it would be nice to end one week and start another with this very calming, meditative chanting of asato ma with Ravi Shankar.  The video has very peaceful and beautiful garden pictures to meditate on while Ravi plays sitar and chants.  Here are the words in both Sanskrit and English.  Om Shanti. Peace to you.

 

Om asato ma sadgamaya
tamaso ma jyothir gamaya
mrityoma amritham gamaya

Om Shaantih Shaanti Shaanit.

 

Lead me from the unreal to the real.

Lead me from darkness to light.

(i.e. from ignorance to knowledge).

Lead me from death to immortality.

May there be peace, peace, peace and perfect peace.

 

Usurper’s Lawyers Respond to Berg’s Hollister v Soetoro Case

I guess the Usurper is feeling somewhat threatened by at least one of Berg’s current lawsuits, because his bevy of lawyers have deigned to respond with a move to dismiss. You see, Hollister is a retired colonial and he is questioning his responsibilities if he should be called back to active service by an illegal president.

 attorney for Hollister v Soertoro

Some of the reasoning in this motion to dismiss are rather amusing, to say the least.  The humor is all in the footnotes; maybe they hope no one will read them.

 

In footnote number 1, they actually refer to the phony certificate of live birth posted on factcheck.org as a valid birth certificate.  Please spare me the satire.  Do they actually, really, truly believe anyone accepts that internet version of a lie to be valid?  Well, anyone other than our Senators and Congresspersons, who choose to believe whatever is convenient and easy to believe.

 

In that same footnote, they refer to information printed in public newspapers as legitimate information regarding the presence of a birth certificate on file in Hawaii .  So, some Hawaii official says they saw a birth certificate, but failed to mention what was on it, whether it was the original bc, or if it was an amended one and these, I am assuming very expensive lawyers, are blithely accepting this as factual documentation worthy of judicial acceptance?

 

Doesn’t it seem like it would be a lot easier, and cheaper, to just produce the birth certificate?   I guess not.

 

Foot note number two also has some interesting items in it.  This footnote lists all of the previously filed lawsuits challenging the Usurper’s eligibility that have been dismissed. This was enough to awaken Leo Donofrio from his poker game because his case and Wrotnowski’s case, which Donofrio assisted with, are referenced.   As Donofrio explains on his recently rejuvenated website:

 

“As to Cort Wrotnowski’s case, the footnote references the Conn. court’s dismissal for “subject matter standing” and asks the court to take Judicial Notice of it.

 

But this motion certainly does not mention that the statute the Connecticut decision relied upon was not at all relevant to Cort’s pleadings since that statute, by its direct wording, only applies to “candidates” or “electors”.  Cort was neither a candidate nor an elector. And there’s your kangaroo Connecticut court ruling now trumpeted by the Obama legal team.

 

SCOTUS knew damn well that the Connecticut Supreme Court ruling was fully bogus in every damn sense of the word - bogus - … so they said nothing.

 

But since SCOTUS said nothing, now the Obama legal team makes use of the bogus decision in Connecticut.” 

 

I love it; the Usurper’s legal team uses an erroneous decision to justify its position on another case.  You know what, I bet they hired a first year law student with aspirations to a position of power and influence in the Usurper’s administration to write this response. No way can I accept a real lawyer wrote this.

 

Donofrio’s case is also mentioned in footnote 2, and he explains how he was also subjected to fraudulent action on the part of the NJ court.  Donofrio writes, regarding his case,

 

“I have a pending ethics complaint which has been deemed “confidential” by the Judicial Committee, so I can’t discuss what’s going on with that.  I am also exploring a civil action for monetary damages.  If I take that route, I will issue a subpoena to put each SCOTUS justice on the witness stand to determine whether the lower court judge’s actions in making my “direct appeal” look like a “notice of motion for leave to appeal” had any effect on their denial of my application.”

 

In terms of Hollister v Soetoro, the motion for dismissal basically claims that Hollister does not have standing because he has not been called up to active duty yet, so therefore, he has no standing in this case. Sigh, there goes that standing thing again.

 

I do think that the reason we have a response at all has everything to do with the fact that the military has now been injected into the issue.  However, this particular military person is retired.

 

What would seem to be a better case would be to have some active military personnel file a lawsuit.  That would get them hopping now wouldn’t it, especially since we have a military judge who says he is continuing on with his Gitmo case, even though the Usurper has asked that all cases be halted. 

 

“The chief military judge at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , Army Col. James Pohl, said that he found the government's arguments "unpersuasive" and that the case will go ahead because "the public interest in a speedy trial will be harmed by the delay in the arraignment.”

 

Good for Col. Pohl, he has the authority to do that.  However, in terms of a lawsuit, it seems to me I read somewhere that active military cannot file a lawsuit without possibly facing a court martial, so that leaves it up to a National Guardsman who has been called up to active duty.  I’m not a lawyer, I guess that is obvious, but if I was Phil Berg, Leo Donofrio, or Orly Taiz, I sure would be looking hard for a willing and qualified plaintiff. 

 

For further information check out the following links:

 

http://www.obamaconspiracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/9-1.pdf

 

http://naturalborncitizen.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/ineligible-potus-best-challenged-by-active-military-in-federal-court/

 

http://www.therightsideoflife.com/?p=3300#more-3300

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/29/AR2009012902021.html?wprss=rss_nation

 

 

Sarah Palin Meets the Press: Confirms Alfalfa Club Invite

Yesterday, Sarah Palin stopped to talk to the press as she left a meeting with state legislators.  She answered quite a few questions while standing in the falling snow…boy, it sure looked cold to me!

 

First, she clarified that she is not running for president in 2012 (yet).  The PAC was formed to provide her with travel money to events that might be considered quasi-political. She mentioned the Lincoln Day dinner as an example.  Apparently, in the past, other governors had funds to pay for such things, but she does not.

 

Also, she mentioned some concerns about the infrastructure projects that may be funded through the federal stimulus package.  She says that Alaska will need more time to implement any funded projects because of the weather conditions there: it’s too cold to build roads and bridges for a greater percentage of the time than, say, in North Carolina .

 

She emphasized that when she travels outside of Alaska it will only be for events that benefit Alaska .  People in Alaska expect their elected officials to stay close o home and focus on the people of Alaska .  And she laughed over the rumored $11 million book deal.  “I will let you know if ever there is an offer, but that $11 million dollar figure I read about is laughable. It's out of anybody's realm of possibility of consideration," she said.

 

She has a really impressive list of activities scheduled for her trip to Washington DC this weekend.  The Governor’s Office has released an itinerary that must be the envy of the likes of Governors Rendell and Schwarzenegger.  Maybe they have time to fly around the country begging for stimulus money for their states, but Sarah is consolidating it all into two days.

 

Friday night, she is having dinner at the home of Fred and Marlene Malek. Mr. Malek is a prominent business leader and the founder and Chairman of Thayer Capital Partners. Sarah will have the chance to speak about Alaska and other issues impacting Alaska with the following dinner-mates: Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Dianne Feinstein (D-California), and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine). Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan will also be attending.

 

She confirmed that she is attending the Alfalfa Club dinner on Saturday evening.  This is the exclusive, primarily white man conservative organization that was expressly organized to hold a dinner on the last Saturday of January to honor the birthday of civil war General Robert E. Lee.  This is a very prestigious invitation and each member is only allowed to invite two people.  I am dieing to know who invited Sarah!

 

Our fantasy president, Oblahblah, is also attending this event as have most past presidents.  In addition to the dinner, it is a tradition for the group to choose a mock president, who then has to give a speech.  In the past, many of these mock presidents have actually become president, such as Ronald Reagan and George Bush.

 

All of these invitations to prestigious dinners and meetings with influential people signal to me that Sarah is being taken seriously by the powers-that-be.  I even noticed that cnn news had an article on her PAC that was actually respectful, and I heard tweety-bird, Chris Matthews, mentioned her with respect.  That’s something shocking, isn’t it?

 

So, what is bothering me a bit is the attitude of the people in Alaska or, should I say, the people who write comments under the Palin news articles in the Alaskan press.  First, clearly Sarah is the most humble, honest politician any of us have seen in a very long time.  She loves her state and serves it honorably.  Second, most people would be nothing but proud if their governor was honored to be invited onto a national ticket.  They would see it as a prestigious event for them, and their state; a way to garner favorable attention for themselves (hey, they found her first); and potentially, would bring some benefit to all.  Third, it is normal for governors to travel; to meet with other governors and elected official; to give interviews on national tv; to just be out there, visible, as a representative of their state.

 

So, what the heck is the problem?  If you start reading through the comments after these articles, you’ll find a bunch of bitter, jealous critics not really worthy of the Alaskan people.  I am starting to believe that these are some of Oblahblah’s paid bloggers, who don’t even live in Alaska . Maybe they are now working for the Dems or even Acorn, and their sole purpose is to go around poisoning the hearts and minds of the honest folks who live in that state in order to turn them against the governor, who had an 80%approval rating before her national debut, and now has a 60% approval rating, which about matches Oblahblah’s. (Why it would go down is, in my opinion, because they have tv in Alaska , so even their tundra minds have been poisoned by the likes of tweety bird Matthews and Tina Fey).

 

I certainly hope I am right and that these comments do not reflect the hearts, minds, and souls of the Alaskan people, because they are terribly disrespectful, distorted, twisted, and completely sexist in nature.  If her name was Sam instead of Sarah would we be reading this crap?  It would be interesting to find out where those negative comments are coming from, geographically.

 

Ok, got that off my chest.  For more info on Sarah’s interview and travels, you can read the following. 

 

http://community.adn.com/adn/node/137311

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/29/palin-come-washington-hopes-talk-obama/

 There's a video of the interview at this link:

http://community.adn.com/adn/node/137311

 

Clanging Pots and Pans Bring Down Iceland’s Government: Do These People Look Like Terrorists?

After several weeks of protests, the Iceland government finally resigned.  It appears that the new Prime Minister will be Johanna Sigurdardottir, who is both a woman and gay. It appears that Siurdardottir will be the first gay Prime Minister in the world.

 

It is important for us to recognize the activism of the citizens of Iceland .  They got on the streets and they made enough noise to not only be heard, but to disrupt the government processes.  They not only had pots and pans, they had drummers, loudspeakers, and speeches.  With the exception of one evening when the crowd’s energy became aggressive against the police, the protests were nonviolent.  In fact, the day after the protests turned ugly, a peaceful demonstration was held where free hugs were offered to everyone, including the police.

 

 

Now, this may sound like a strange question, but do these people look like terrorists?  Well, apparently, back when the whole financial crisis began in Iceland , and the Icelandic banking system collapsed and was nationalized, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown used antiterrorist legislation to freeze the assets of Icelandic banks and companies operating in Great Britain .

 

Apparently, the British Treasury was concerned that British creditors would not be compensated by the Icelandic government, as they appeared to be giving preference to domestic creditors.  As you might guess, this action made matters worse.  In fact, it led to a run on the banks in Iceland and the suspension of their currency.

 

At the beginning of January, the Iceland government made the decision to sue the British Government, through the European Court of Human Rights, for using “wrongful and unjustified” anti-terrorist legislation to freeze the assets of the collapsed bank.  It will be interesting to see the outcome of this action.

 

This may sound very distant and unimportant to people here in the USA , but I am covering this story because, hey, in case you haven’t noticed, we’re moving in the same direction.  Not only that, we have tons and tons of antiterrorist legislation just ripe for using against We The People.

 

Below is a wonderful video showing support for the “terrorists” of Iceland ; it was produced in Norway .  It calls for Scandinavia to support Iceland and even suggests Gordon Brown has declared a new Axis of Evil, which would include Denmark , Norway , Sweden , and Greenland , amongst others.  It’s funny and gets the point across.  Remember, this is one planet and we are all connected.  We need to be supportive of our brothers and sisters in Iceland and other countries that are fighting to be free from fascism.

 

To stay updated on the Iceland situation visit this blogger, who is currently reporting demonstrations in front of a hotel where NATO is holding a seminar:

 http://iceland-dori.blogspot.com/ 

Sarah Palin on the Move: Forms Sarahpac and Accepts Invite to Prestigious Alfalfa Club

Sarah Palin is on the move and the moves are very smart. First, she has officially formed her own political action committee.

 

  

 

“SarahPac will support local and national candidates who share Gov. Palin's ideas and goals for our country," says the PAC’s Web site, which promises that Palin will be "a strong voice for energy independence and reform."

 

One of Sarah’s strong points is energy independence and the development of alternative and renewal energy.  In her State of the State address, she reiterated her energy plan for Alaska , part of which is to meet her goal of generating 50 percent of Alaska ’s electric power with renewable sources.  She said, “That’s an unprecedented policy across the U.S. , but we’re the state that can do it with our abundant renewables, and with Alaskan ingenuity.”  And now it sounds like she plans on using that ingenuity on a national basis.

 

The PAC’s website further states, “Your support of SarahPac will make it possible for Gov. Palin to continue to be a strong voice for energy independence and reform. By supporting SarahPac, you will allow Gov. Palin to help find and create solutions for America 's most pressing problems; priority number one is building a strong and prosperous economy that recognizes hard work, innovation and integrity by rewarding small businesses and hard working American families. SarahPac will support local and national candidates who share Gov. Palin's ideas and goals for our country”.

 

A spokesperson for the PAC also explained that, since Sarah continues to receive a high volume of speaking engagements, she would be able to use PAC money to pay for her travel expenses.

 

This is really exciting news for all Sarah Palin supporters and fans!  It means Sarah is planning on staying in politics and is looking toward the future…could it be 2012?   It also, in my opinion, is good news for the Republican Party.  It means they have someone who can draw a crowd and keep people excited about the party and who is also willing to travel to support other candidates.

  

Nah-nah-stick-out-my-tongue to Colin Powell and all of the other critics and jealous Republican men; she’s in it for the long haul, guys, so get used to it.

 

Other exciting news, although I do not have a second confirmation on this, is that Sarah has been invited to attend the annual dinner of the Alfalfa Club.  What the heck is that, I asked? 

 

Well, it turns out the Alfalfa Club is an exclusive group of about 200 rich and influential people. It was founded in 1913 for the sole purpose of having a once-a-year dinner to honor the birthday of Civil War General Robert E. Lee. Several Presidents have been members and it is fairly common for the current President to attend and speak.  Last year, Bush attended.  Colin Powell was also an attendee last year. Hillary Clinton broke the gender gap in 1994 when she attended the dinner with Bill.

 

Each member is permitted to invite two guests to the $200-a-plate dinner.  And it sounds like Sarah got one of the invitations!  I wonder if Powell will snub her.

 

A few of the current and past members include Madeleine Albright, Warren Buffet, John Foster Dulles, Alan Greenspan, Vernon Jordan Jr., Walter Mondale, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Ronald Reagan, Harry Truman, William Rehnquist, and Earl Warren.

 

So, Sarah’s off and running and I am excited and thrilled that she is moving forward.  She is a true servant leader and the country needs her and more people like her in public service.  After four years of Oblah blah’s arrogance and negative views on our country and the people who live here, people will be starving for Sarah’s down-to-earth, sensible, and positive perspective.

 

What this world needs now is some female power running things.  The guy techniques have really screwed things up on this planet.  We need leaders who think before they act; don’t use a nuclear bomb to kill an ant; have empathy for others; are humble; and understand consequences.

 

I think, when 2012 rolls around, it’s possible both our presidential candidates could be women: Hillary and Sarah.  I would be so happy; I think I would work for both!  Go Sarah! Go Hillary! What the world needs now is women..more women...in positions of power.

 

Check out Sarah’s new website: http://www.sarahpac.com/

Update on Eligibility Lawsuits: Lightfoot vs. Bowen Emergency Stay Denied; Taitz to File Writ of Certiorari; Indiana Case ( Ankeny vs. Daniels); and More

Effective Resistance to usurpers is possible only provided the citizens understand their rights and are disposed to defend them (The Federalist, No. 28, Alexander Hamilton)

 

Another Monday, another SCOTUS denial of an eligibility lawsuit.  Today, Orly Taitz’s petition for emergency stay, Lightfoot vs Bowen, was denied.  Not to be deterred, Taitz will be filing a Writ of Certiorari within the next few days.

 

In addition, Taitz is filing a motion with Chief Justice Roberts regarding the private meeting between the Usurper with eight of the nine Justices prior to the hearing of her case (Justice Samuel Alito did not attend the private meeting). Taitz is demanding that the records of that meeting be made public.

 

Finally, Taitz is demanding from Roberts an investigation into the deletion of the public docket information on Lightfoot vs Bowen upon the reopening of the court on January 21.  Apparently, a lot of people who are following her case called the court to find out what was going on and, surprise, got no explanation. Eventually, her case information was re-posted, but Taitz wants to know what is going on at the Supreme Court.

 

Taitz is sending a copy of her letter to both the Congressional and Senatorial Judicial committees asking for a full investigation and hearing, as well as to the FBI and US attorney's offices.

 

I like Taitz.  She’s feisty and doesn’t take no for an answer.  She’s willing to push the envelope and pursue all leads, call anyone and everyone on the carpet, and demand accountability and transparency.  To some people this may come across as wild and crazy, but then, Samuel Adams and Tom Paine were pretty wild and crazy also and that’s what it took to start a country; maybe that’s what it will take to preserve the country they fought for and its constitution.

 

You can read more at her website:

http://drorly.blogspot.com/2009/01/urgent-need-affidavits-for-motion-to.html

 

In Indiana we have a new case brewing.  Steve Ankeny and Bill Kruse are plaintiffs in a case they have filed against Governor Mitch Daniels and the Democratic and Republican National Committees.  Their claim is that the defendants did not uphold the Constitution when they certified the election results.  The case was originally submitted on December 9, but the defendants have asked for more time to respond and now have until January 31, 2009.

 

In Indiana these things seem to be taken seriously.  That’s refreshing.  Apparently, the judge who will be hearing the case stated that although he could not talk about the specifics of the lawsuit, this is a very free country and the parties will be given the full consideration and respect of the court.  The Governor said “no comment.”

 

You can find more information on the case here: http://www.therightsideoflife.com/?p=3007

 

Another new case was filed in New Jersey : Kerchner et al vs. Obama et al.  The complaint was filed by Mario Apuzzo, Esq. on January 20, 2009 and amended on January 21, 2009 to include an Emergency Injunction, Declaratory Relief, Mandamus, and Petition for Quo Warranto.  The defendants in this case are: Barack Hussein Obama II, United States of America , United States Congress, United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, Richard B. Cheney, and Nancy Pelosi.

 

This case is asking whether the Usurper is an Article II “natural born” citizen and thus eligible to be POTUS.  As of January 23, the defendants had not yet been served.  Apuzzo says he will appreciate whatever comments anyone has on the procedural posture and underlying merits of this lawsuit. 

 

His website is:

http://countusout.wordpress.com/2009/01/23/new-case-filed-kerchner-et-al-v-obama-et-al/

 

There are many other cases across the nation, last I heard around thirty more.  The most recent polls show that between 55%-60% of Americans now believe that the question of the Usurpers eligibility for POTUS has some merit.  And that’s without any mainstream media coverage at all.  Wonder how most people know about it?  Maybe they all read the Globe, which has another hot cover story about the Usurper.  Before you laugh, remember it was the Enquirer that broke the John Edwards affair.  Right now, it’s read the Globe and the Enquirer for coverage of the hoax of the century – and pass it on to your kool aid drinking friends.

 

Happy Chinese New Year: It’s the Year of the Ox!

January 26 is the first day of the Chinese New Year and it’s the Year of the Ox. They’ve already celebrated it in China . 

 

 

Year of the Ox 2009, Beijing , China

The ox is the second animal of the Chinese zodiac, following the rat.  How the order of the animals in the zodiac was chosen is explained in this popular folktale:

 

When it came time for the Jade Emperor in heaven to decide the order of the zodiac, he invited all the animals to participate in a race. The order of the zodiac would be decided by the order in which animals finished the race.

 

When the competition started, the ox was leading the pack, but the rat jumped on his back. Since the rat was so light and small, the ox did not realize that the rat was hitching a ride. As the ox approached the finish line, the rat leap off his back and was crowned as the first animal to complete the race.

 

Did you know that our current Fantasy President was born in 1961, which was also an ox year?  Well, if there’s an ox around, one thing is certain, there’s a rat on his back and it will finish the race first.

 

Below is a cartoon called the “Celestial Ox.”  I couldn’t help but think about the Usurper as I watched this video…gave me a chuckle and something to think about.  Enjoy! Really, doesn’t that blue ox remind you of someone?  Almost too perfect.

 

Gitmo Detainees: Instead of Torture, How about Vipassana?

Now that our fantasy president is going to be closing down Gitmo, there sure has been a loud outcry from all across the country of people saying, don’t move those terrorists here; you know the “not in my backyard” syndrome. 

 

They don’t want them in South Carolina and they sure don’t want them in West Virginia .  I guess Congressman Murtha has offered up his stomping grounds in Pennsylvania for a possible venue, but we haven’t heard from his constituents yet.  The general consensus is we want them locked up, but in someone else’s country.   I hate to say it, but this is typical American self-centeredness. We gathered them up, we decided to imprison them, and we often decided to torture them. I think we need to take responsibility for them.

 

It’s not as if they are going to be walking around the mall or going to see a movie down the street; they are going to be in prison, folks. Think clearly, now, if you can….terrorists are people.  I dare say we have some pretty scary people of our own in prisons all across this country.  Prisons often provide employment for whole towns; hey, it’s a job.  So there are plenty of folks living in close proximity to some pretty scary, messed up people.

 

But what I really wanted to talk about is the possibility of changing our tactics from torture to something completely different.  Something that has a chance of bringing some level of peace to some very tortured souls and, in the process, bring greater peace and security to us. 

 

You see, I do not agree with the Dalai Llama, who recently stated that you could not use nonviolent techniques on terrorists because they have closed minds.  I believe we reach the mind through the heart; through grace and prayer; and through Vipassana.

 

Vipassana meditation is a type of Buddhist meditation that means insight into the nature of reality.  It is frequently called Insight meditation. 

 

There is a record of success in prisons that teach Vipassana. In 1993, Vipassana was taught in a 10-day course in Tihar Jail, near New Deli. It involved both officials and inmates.  Many of the prisoners were lifers with violent pasts.  This program was said to have dramatically changed the behavior of inmates and jailers alike. It was actually found that inmates who completed the 10-day course were less violent and had a lower recidivism rate than other inmates. The project was documented in the television documentary, “Doing Time, Doing Vipassana.” (Unfortunately, this video is no longer available on YouTube).

 

So successful was this program that it was adopted by correctional facilities in the United States and other countries as well.  The 10-day program entails ten hours a day of meditation, beginning at 4:30 a.m. Very little food. No TV, no books, no mail, no exercise, no smokes, no meat, and no sleeping during meditation.

 

The Northern Rehabilitation Facility (NRF) in Seattle was the first US prison to offer the Vipassana course to its inmates.  Officials say the course can transform even the most habitual criminal.   "It's an extremely powerful journey in self-discovery and self-awareness," said Dave Murphy, the jail's programs manager.

 

Inmates practice Vipassana meditation at the Northern Rehabilitation Facility, a minimum-security jail in Shoreline. (August 11, 2001) Credit: Dan DeLong/ Seattle Post-Intelligencer

In 2002, the Donaldson Correctional Facility, located outside of Birmingham , Alabama , became the first maximum security prison in North America to hold an extendedVipassana retreat.  A film, called Dhamma Brothers, was made about this experience.  If you doubt what I am saying about the possibility of reaching someone who seems beyond reach, follow these links to hear three video letter testimonies from prisoners who participated in this course.

 

http://www.dhammabrothers.com/obvid.html

 

http://www.dhammabrothers.com/rickvid.html

 

http://www.dhammabrothers.com/edwardvid.html

 

I believe that all humans have the spark of divinity within and that includes those we have labeled terrorists. Is there any harm in allowing someone who is going to be locked up in prison for their whole life an opportunity to develop into a more fully realized person?  I for one do not believe in the “eye for an eye” philosophy of life; when the Christ walked this planet he came to overthrow the old and he taught us to love our enemies. Isn’t it about time we started walking our walk, not just talking our talk?  Think about it.

 

For more information on these programs and Vipassana in prisons see the following links:

 

http://www.dhammabrothers.com/film.html

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/34836_meditation11.shtml

http://www.prison.dhamma.org/index.htm

 

A Great Day for Women: Sarah Palin, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Hillary Clinton

The past 24 hours has been a showcase of talented women rising to the challenge:  Gov. Sarah Palin, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Hillary Clinton.

 

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin delivers her 2009 State of the State speech to a packed joint legislative floor in the Capitol Building on January 22, 2009.

Last night Gov. Sarah Palin delivered her State of the State address to a joint session of the Alaskan legislature.  I was able to watch the 30 minute speech, which Gov. Palin appeared to deliver without a teleprompter or any notes.  I mean, I did not once see her look down and there was nothing in her hands so, unless the speech was projected on the back wall of the room, she delivered it extemporaneously.

 

Now, I am wondering if only people who attend Harvard University need to use Teleprompters and notes.  Maybe they have a class specifically designed to train future presidents on how to read a speech and convince everyone you are brilliant.  I guess Sarah didn’t learn that where she went to school, so she just ‘told it like it is’ all on her own.  Congratulations Sarah on a job well done.

 

You can find the full text of her speech here: http://gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=867

 

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand speaks during an introductory news conference where Gov. David A. Paterson named her as the replacement for Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate. At left is former RepublicanSen. Al D'Amato. (AP Photo / January 23, 2009)

Today, Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand was named by Governor David Paterson as the replacement for Hillary Clinton as Senator for New York .  Kirsten is a Congresswoman from upstate New York and a member of the Congressional Democratic Blue Dog coalition.  She voted against the federal banking bailout and she is a hunter who supports gun ownership. ( I like this woman).  She also supports marriage equality and women’s rights.  She has garnered the support of Republicans, gay-rights groups, and women’s groups.  She has won twice in a traditionally Republican district and raised $4 million in her last campaign. 

 

She is a supporter of Hillary Clinton and somehow I bet Hillary and Bill had something to say about this selection.  Honestly, she is almost too perfect to be true.  The more I hear about this woman the more I like her.  Congratulations Kirsten.

 

You can find a video of her speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLYUD55VCB4&eurl=http://www.hillarysvillage.net/showthread.php?t=6429

 

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives at the State Department on her first day greeted by a standing room only crowd of Department employees.  State Department Photo by Michael Gross

Yesterday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton officially greeted her employees at the State Department.  She was enthusiastically received and delivered a very uplifting talk that expressed her approach to the job and the department.  Clearly, everyone was very excited to have this wonderful opportunity to work for The Real President of the United States .  (The Fantasy President and his sidekick Joe showed up later that day.  I guess the Usurper was afraid Hillary might be getting too much attention). 

 

Although I am extremely disappointed that the Real President doesn’t get to work out of the Oval Office, I am happy for Hillary that she has a new challenge to undertake on behalf of our country.  Congratulations Hillary. 

 

You can find the full text of her speech to her employees here:

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/01/115262.htm

 

 

Protests in Iceland: Is USA Next?

Protesters clanging on pots and pans, throwing eggs, starting bonfires…this is the scene around the Parliament building in Reykjavik , Iceland over the past week.  This steamy scene has nothing to do with the geothermal energy that keeps the natives warm; it has everything to do with the corruption and ultimate bankruptcy of the Iceland government.

 

What are the people in Iceland so upset about?  First, the government has taken over the banks, but the CEO’s are still in charge.  Second, there is so much corruption; the people in government are giving all of the jobs to their friends and family members. Third, the people can no longer trust their press because reporters have been silenced and told they cannot report certain stories. Fourth, they have had free health care, which they pay for through their taxes.  Now, the government wants to make them pay for it (and, I assume, continue to pay taxes). Fifth, and maybe this should be first, the country is bankrupt.

 

Does this sound familiar, folks?  First, our government has bailed out, which means now owns, the banking system, but the corrupt CEO’s are still in charge.  Second, you now have to be a member of the elite and have a relative in the Senate or House to even be considered worthy of the job. Third, the press is dead. No more free press. Fourth, we now have private health care for those who can afford it; there is some talk of universal health care.  In either case, we pay taxes through the nose and don’t get anything in return.  Fifth, the USA is basically bankrupt.

 

The protests in Iceland began over a month ago with weekly speeches.  They have gradually increased in size and in ferocity.  I think the clanging pots and pans are a brilliant tactic.  They make a lot of noise, but they are not weapons.  The people are standing outside the Parliament clanging with the intention of disrupting the government.  (This is something we could do: every time the SCOTUS is scheduled to review another eligibility case, we could show up armed with pots and pans, and let them know we are watching).

 

The people are demanding a new election and the ousting of the Central Bank CEO.  There are two political parties in Iceland , the Independence Party and the Social Democratic Alliance, SDA. Apparently the SDA party met last night and voted to hold elections as soon as possible.

 

All of this reminds me of something I heard on Rush Limbaugh the other day.  Yeah, I still occasionally listen. Although I do not adhere 100% to his views, I find he does have some very astute insights into what is going on in our country.  I got into the habit of listening to him during the campaign because of his bashing of the Usurper, which was quite funny and a good counter to the mainstream media (which I do not read or listen to at all except for an occasional glance at Fox and/or a live streaming event of Hillary Clinton).

 

Anyway, what I heard him say the other day is this:  after the Usurper and the Democrats throw all this money at all of our “problems” and nothing is any better, i.e. socialism has failed, the only route left is fascism.  This is where Rush and I agree.  I have been predicting from day one that the Usurper is a fascist and we will end up in a totalitarian state within a couple of years. Wake Up People!! Park those SUVs, stop all of that meaningless chatter on your cell phone, turn off the tube. Wake Up People!

 

It looks right now like this is a world-wide phenomenon…fascism on the rise.  The people of Iceland are on the cutting-edge of the change that is coming our way.  I urge everyone to pay attention and see how it applies to our own country.  Pots and pans and eggs as WMD’s: do you think they will declare us terrorists for showing up at the Capital armed with stainless steel and aluminum?  Only time will tell.

 

For up-to-the minute news on what’s happening in Iceland , this blogger is doing a terrific job:

http://iceland-dori.blogspot.com/