Read " Health Care Passage is Politics at its worst"

I found this online .... It exposes our legislative system for what it is and what I have commented on in my last blog - a FOR SALE democracy. Read it and weep....

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1302&dept_id=181990&newsid=20398978&PAG=461&rfi=9

Public Option for the People --

I know that I am naive.... I just can't believe that those who claim to represent us are representing themselves and the corporations that support them. Doesn't this fall under the broad category of "corruption?" --

Please consider signing with Dr. Dean in favor of a public option -- before it meets an untimely death. Go to this link: http://www.standwithdrdean.com/

Over 60% of the American people support a public plan and 73% of physicians are in favor of it as well.

The only people that aren't in favor of the plan seem to be our representatives whose campaign contributions come in large part from Health Insurance Companies and Pharmaceutical Corporations. Isn't that a conflict of interest?

See Joe Lieberman's health-care/campaign contribution record. Click on this link:

http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Insurance-health-care-firms-give-Lieberman-big-293804.php

HMMM... No wonder the Medicare option was nixed so quickly? Our democracy: For Sale to the Highest Bidder.

Dec.28 - Tell EPA to regulate coal-fired power plants through clean air act

Subject: Dec. 28 is deadline for action: Use Clean Air Act to regulate coal-fired power plant

Earlier this month, President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency issued a formal declaration that global warming pollution is a threat to public health and welfare -- something that the rest of us have known for a long, long time.

The way is cleared for the Clean Air Act to become an crucial weapon in our fight to stop climate change. The Obama administration is now in a position to regulate global warming pollution without having to wait for Congress (which has been lured into writing weak climate policies by industry lobbyists with deep pockets).

I just signed submitted a public comment to the EPA in support of a strong rule to regulate greenhouse gases from coal-fired plants and other big polluters under the Clean Air Act. I hope you will, too. The deadline is Monday, Dec. 28. Please have a look and take action.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/stationary_sources/?r_by=7165-2453946-jtXpTEx&rc=paste1

Hopen and Copen in Broken- hagen ?

If you're trying to following the latest in environmental negotiations from Copenhagen -- and trying to figure out what it all means, I have found one comprehensive article from and independent UK news source. This gives a day-to-day accounting of the negotiations ... plus astute remarks from key political figures ....

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/so-what-does-this-accord-add-up-to-key-issues-explained-1845912.html

Noting how Danish and Chinese representatives view this accord (quite differently) will give you some idea as to the "truth" of this matter. From what I've pieced together, it sounds as if - at great environmental and economic costs, the conference turned into a non-sustainable circus complete with smoke and mirrors -- "finalizing" in a non-binding statement of "intent" -- which as we might recall, "the road to hell" is paved with.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/copenhagen-climate-change-confe/6736517/Copenhagen-climate-summit-1200-limos-140-private-planes-and-caviar-wedges.htmland their governments/ngo's the negotiations may

The Prince's Rainforest Project

It's been a while since I've blogged. We are all busy and information overloaded, so I try to wait and see if there is something really worth blogging about.

The Prince's Rainforest Project is worthy of note. You will find all the details here....

http://www.rainforestsos.org/book?utm_source=2009%2B10+21+prp+newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletterlist

Please sign the petition to save the rainforest ... and, if you are able, donate to this cause.

Sigg Water Bottle Returns.....

For all of us who thought that we were buying Bisphenol A- free bottles when we purchased the Sigg.... we were wrong..... They now have a "new" and "improved" Sigg that is Bisphenol A Free.... So, you can return your old bottle to the company....

Here is the site for further information....

http://mysigg.com/bulletin/exchange_program.html

Get going on this quickly, however, and tell other Sigg Bottle Owners...
.... the offer ends October 31, 2009

Health Care Reform

Much is being written, produced and said about this subject. Meanwhile, folks are becoming polarized into two options -- Care as it is... and a Compromised Health Care Reform.

Here are two very worthwhile reports that point out the fact that there is something intrinsically
wrong with both of these options -- and perhaps the entire system.... "

Money-Driven Medicine"is the title of one new book that examines the flaws in the system - - and another "Sick Around the World" looks at Health Care around the world to provide different options. I recommend that you look at both programs online before backing any Health Care Reform Program.

"Money-Driven Medicine"
What is wrong with the Health Care Industry... is that it places profits over care.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/08282009/watch.html

"Sick Around the World"
An examination of health care around the world.. How do they provide health care to all at a lower cost than we cover a few?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/video/flv/generic.html?s=frol02p101&continuous=1

If you have trouble with the links, cut and paste them into your browser.

March for Health Care & for Climate Change !

September 13th March for Health Care....

Get your town going.... We need change and the insurance and pharmaceutical corporations (and their paid for representatives who should be representing us) are not about to change it.... This is up to us...So go http://marchforhealthcare.com/ and start marching.... If there isn't an event in your town -- then organize one...

October 24th March for Climate Change....

Tell our world leaders that a NASA climatologist can't be wrong.... NASA's climatologist, James Hansen, says that we need to set CO2 levels back to 350 parts per million. This is the atmospheric level of CO2 that has sustained life for centuries (at least for as long as we have been on the planet.) 350 CO2 ppm -- not too much CO2 in our atmosphere .... not too little.... just right ! (sort of like Goldilock's effect)

Our world leaders are meeting in Copenhagen this December.... and here is the discussion:

The U.S., Europe, Japan and other industrialized nations are saying, "Let's push nature and set the limit to 400 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere ... We don't want to hurt our financial growth.

Wrong! We are now at 391 CO2 ppm -- and folks are already seeing the melting of the both poles.... rise in sea levels... melting of permafrost... and more....

But wait.... China, Mexico and India are saying... "Hey, we want to develop our economies... Why not push nature to 450 CO2 ppm in our atmosphere? " They figure we started this mess, so we should end it.... without their help....

Wronger!! (oops, pardon my grammar, but this is about as bad as it gets!)

We need to send a message to all world leaders that now is the time for action.
Nature may not (and most likely will not) wait for diplomatic discussions... 350.org is a movement that you can become involved in.... To learn more go to http://www.350.org/

Time is running out...
for Health Care Reform in the U.S. and for Climate Change action Worldwide...
Get involved....

Do SOMETHING !

What Health Care Reform?

Bill Moyers' Journal (July 31, 2009) really shows what is going on with the Health Care Reform.

Sadly, the members of Congress no longer represent us - but the Insurance Companies who contribute millions to their campaign election funds. One Health Care Insurance insider, Bill Potter, has come out in favor of the single-payer, government run, system. This system has been proposed by Senator Edward Kennedy since the 70's -- even Obama spoke out in favor of this at one point (prior to election)... Now insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies are writing the Reform Bills....

What reform? They are insuring their own profits and monopolizing markets. Wall Street runs the Health Care in this country. Health Care is share-holder driven. Check out the link Sick For Profit at http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/?cat=1175.

When over 450,000 doctors/nurses have spoken out in favor of single-payer, government run health care, why do our representatives tell us that a government run system (Medicare for all) won't work and will end up in bureaucracy... If this is the case, why do they have such a system. I want all to have a health care system that is as good as the one that our military personnel and representatives have ... Why not? Don't we pay their bills?

Watch why health Care Reform is NOT happening at http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07312009/watch.html .... How can representatives who have been bought and paid for advocate against those who have paid their way into Congress? It is ludicrous to believe that
they will stand up for the people against the industries who have spent millions of dollars in lobby money to continue "health care" as it is. Isn't this against everything that the United
States stands for? What about "with liberty and justice FOR ALL?" People are dying because insurance companies are stalling about paying for needed health care.... Others, without insurance, are dying for lack of health care. Isn't this murder?

If you haven't already -- See the movie "Sicko" -- Michael Moore -- love him or not -- was right.

Great Climate Change Site --

Here's a climate change site worth checking out
http://www.350.org/

Started by Wisconsin Environmentalist and Writer, Bill McKibben, this site is based on research by NASA climatologist James Hansen. With all the rhetoric about climate Change/Global Warming clouding the issue at times, it was felt that a number might focus the discussion in a clearer fashion. That number 350 and the ppm is parts per million of CO2 in our atmosphere. Life as we (homo sapiens) have known it on earth has existed with the atmospheric ratio of 350 parts per million CO2 in our atmosphere. Today we are at 390+ ppm.

McKibben is asking folks to join in this movement worldwide to send a message to world leaders meeting in Copenhagen in December. 350 is the number .... so we are trying to gather 350 people together at each rally .... 350 bikers .... 350 people walking or carrying candles.... 350 mothers/fathers/ children holding signs.... whatever.... to get the message across that this needs to be our Planetary target number.

Right now world leaders are considering 400 ppm ... with China asking for 450 ppm. We will all need water suits and rafts should this type of a compromise be reached. The planet will go down quickly ... with some nations disappearing entirely... ie Bangladesh. In addition to political refugees, this decision will cause millions to become environmental refugees, fleeing their flooded homelands to take refuge on higher ground. Worse yet, those most likely to be affected are the most vulnerable of each society...the poor, the elderly, the young and those with health problems. This is not simply an issue of flora and fauna (as if that were not reason enough to act) -- This is an issue of eco-justice. Check out the site today, and rally your community around one of these events on October 24, 2009 !

The Prince's Rainforest Project

It's true that if we lose the battle against rainforest deforestation, we've lost the battle against climate change. For all the technological advances we've made, climate change is a biological problem and, as such, demands a biological solution.

Foremost on the battleground --- fighting his hardest to save the rainforest - is Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. He has gathered world leaders together in an effort to save the rainforest. Today at noon Central Time, learn more by tuning in for a webcast at http://www.rainforestsos.org/

You may also see it at this YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUQ1K284Ip4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rainforestsos.org%2F&feature=player_embedded

The senseless destruction of the rainforest, the lungs of the earth and the depository of the richest biological diversity on earth, must end ! Please add your voice to the petition to
save the rainforest so that our governmental leaders will take swift action when they meet in Copenhagen -- This fight is for everyone who breathes on Planet Earth --

All A-Twitter about the Environment

Hi All --

I just found a blog by the Interfaith Power and Light's Regeneration Project that just might interest some of you who may feel that we have a "moral duty" to do a better job than we are about attending to our Planet's needs ... ie - insuring that we all might be able to breathe, drink clean water, and grow our food. You may be interested in checking it out -- and referencing their past blogs as well.

http://www.theregenerationproject.org/blog/2009/04/when-the-us-finds-the-moral-courage-to-lead/

Answering children's tough questions about Planet Earth

As a teacher, I was bombarded yesterday by my Kindergarten class's blunt questions concerning our planet's health. "Are the dolphins dying?" "Can we save the polar bears?" "Is the earth dying?" I tell the truth with grace and hope.

"Large mammals everywhere are in danger. Scientists citizen advocates, and the E.P.A. are trying to help them."

"The earth is showing signs of being very sick, but if we all work together we can help it get better again."

But one question is always tough to answer: "If people know the earth is sick, why isn't it getting better?"

Launching into the topic of man's greed is not easy for adults, let alone for those 6 and under. Explaining our unique governmental system based on the convoluted relationships between lobbyists, government, NGO's and our citizenry is not Kindergarten material. Still, I create an answer, sensitively and honestly, advocating that we all can do our small part.

Those at the top of our these symbiotic relationships must heed the words of the pledge that the children recite each morning -- "with liberty and justice -- for all..." Our neglect of the natural world, now affecting the health of the largest mammals, has already begun to adversely affect the health of our youngest citizens as well.

The moral burden rests with those who knowingly choose short-term profit and personal comfort over long-term conservation and justice. In some way, we are all involved in this dirty business, but we know that there are large corporate interests that exist by playing a grand role in advocating the rape, pillage and plunder of Planet Earth.

Are we willing to leave a legacy of environmental devastation for the next generation to clean up? And, will I read Eric Carle's Very Hungry Caterpillar as a historical document if there are no caterpillars to emerge?

Happy Earth Day - 2009

Fellow survivors on planet Earth --

Greetings! If you are reading this, you have survived poisoned air, soil and
waters -- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters/

But -- You are Here ! -- and So am I ! -- and God made us all for a purpose ... to make this crazy place better. So... somehow, someway in our own little spheres of influence -- let's get goin' ...

Who knows how much time we have left?
Happy Earth Day --

It's good to share the planet with you .....

Making Sense of HR 875 - Food Modernization 2009

Okay ... I panicked! -- Take away my heirloom seeds --- NEVER!!!

So I sent out a quick blog -- based on other blogs -- Yikes.... this is like playing telephone at a party.... what's true? what's not? Thankfully a Talking Farm friend (check out the link) http://www.thetalkingfarm.org/
e-mailed me this information which she received..

She had her doubts about HR 875 as well.

We both feel that we can trust Heifer International's Policy Specialist .... Here is what he says.....

Dear all:

This HB 875 has made the rounds of several national sustainable agriculture list servs over the past few weeks. The consensus from organizations well regarded in promoting and protecting local and sustainable farming and food is this bill is NOT cause for immediate alarm (Congress will not act on the bill for several months) and will NOT have the many negative impacts listed on other e-mails in this chain.

If folks want to stay current on this and other issues I recommend they pay attention to several of these sustainable agriculture and organic food organizations who have active presence in Washington, DC and are invested in protecting small, organic, and local farmers and food systems. I trust them to give good information about what bills are problematic or beneficial and will require lobbying by folks like us to their congress people. A co-worker of mine was in DC a week ago for meetings with many of these organizations and none of them were very concerned about this bill.

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition<http://sustainableagriculturenet/>
Food and Water Watch <http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/>
Community Food Security Coalition <http://www.foodsecurity.org/>
National Family Farm Coalition <http://www.nffc.net/>
Organic Consumers Association <http://www.organicconsumers.org/>

There are SEVERAL food safety bills under consideration in Congress, some of which may be consolidated into whatever eventually gets passed. These are designed to address the issue of food contamination (salmonella and e-coli for example) highlighted by the recent peanut, bagged spinach, tomato, school beef and now pistachio recalls. Anyone who is concerned go to
Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov/ and from the home page there do a Bill
Number search on:
H 875
H 759
H 814
H 1332
S 510

Food & Water Watch has a good backgrounder, which I suggest you read in full:
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/foodsafety/background-on-h-r-875

Here's an excerpt:
"Here are a few things that H.R. 875 DOES do:
- It addresses the most critical flaw in the structure of FDA by splitting it into 2 new agencies one devoted to food safety and the other devoted to drugs and medical devices.

It increases inspection of food processing plants, basing the frequency of inspection on the risk of the product being produced – but it does NOT make plants pay any registration fees or user fees.

It does extend food safety agency authority to food production on farms, requiring farms to write a food safety plan and consider the critical points on that farm where food safety problems are likely to occur.

It requires imported food to meet the same standards as food produced in the U.S.

"And just as importantly, here are a few things that H.R. 875 does NOT do:

-It does not cover foods regulated by the USDA (beef, pork, poultry, lamb, catfish.)
- It does not establish a mandatory animal identification system.
- It does not regulate backyard gardens.
- It does not regulate seed.
- It does not call for new regulations for farmers markets or direct marketing arrangements.
- It does not apply to food that does not enter interstate commerce (food that is sold across state lines).
- It does not mandate any specific type of traceability for FDA-regulated foods (the bill does instruct a new food safety agency to improve traceability of foods, but specifically says that recordkeeping can be done electronically or on paper.)

"Several of the things not found in the DeLauro can be found in other bills – like H.R. 814, the Tracing and Recalling Agricultural Contamination Everywhere Act, which calls for a mandatory animal identification system, or H.R. 759, the Food And Drug Administration Globalization Act, which overhauls the entire structure of FDA. H.R. 759 is more likely to move through Congress than H.R. 875. And H.R. 759 contains several provisions that could cause problems for small farms and food processors:

- It extends traceability recordkeeping requirements that currently apply only to food processors to farms and restaurants – and requires that recordkeeping be done electronically.

- It calls for standard lot numbers to be used in food production.

- It requires food processing plants to pay a registration fee to FDA to fund the agency’s inspection efforts.

- It instructs FDA to establish production standards for fruits and vegetables and to establish Good Agricultural Practices for produce."

The upshot is:

- H.R. 875 is not the biggest problem small farmers have in Congress right now.

- Calling your Representatives about saving your heirloom seed from Monsanto is not going to help because they won't know what you're talking about. Use your energy and your breath effectively.

Rodger Cooley
Heifer International
Policy Specialist

Thank you, Rodger, for illuminating us....
and now, I think that I will go back to planting my heirloom seeds for this year's garden.

Anton's Greenhouse: a tale of ice and honesty

March 2009 is going out like a lion. All over Chicagoland we are blanketed by a sheet of snow.

Last Sunday, however, the temperatures soared to 58 F, causing some eager gardeners, myself included, to run to the nearest greenhouse. I checked out Anton's, which is in a secluded neighborhood location off Pitner Avenue in Evanston, Illinois. One wonders how it could have survived over 50 years as it is definitely well off the beaten path. Anxious to begin planting a vegetable garden, I spoke to the owner, asking him if I couldn't lay in some cool-weather crops, lettuce, chard, spinach, sugar snap peas. Rather than "clinch a sale," he shook his head, speaking reason and weather.

"You know, I wouldn't mind selling you some cool weather crops, but there's a freeze comin' in next weekend."

I looked incredulous, "What?" I questioned.

"Uh, huh, they're saying up to 4-inches of snow in some places, and temperatures in the mid 20's. Now, these crops can stand some cool weather -- but not a freeze. I know you're wanting to start planting -- but I hate to sell you something that's just going to die on you -- and then you'd have to come back again and start all over."

The owner's wife stepped into the greenhouse, and I spoke to her. "Well, I came in to buy some
veggies and get started planting, but I'm having to twist your husband's arm to sell me something. I can't believe they're talkin' snow again!"

"Well, " the owner said, " If you really want to get going, I can sell you some of these onion sets. You could get them in the ground and in five weeks, you'll be eating delicious onions. I just love the taste of them. And, ya gotta remember..." he added a final warning, " It is still the end of March, and this is Chicago.

Okay, I thought. Onion sets it would be. At least I wouldn't go home empty handed -- I'm a newbie regarding gardening, next to this third generation professional. Even though it was a balmy nearly-sixty-degree day, I'd take his advice.

But as I left carrying a one pound sack of onion bulbs, I thought to myself,
"You know, he could have sold me a lot of veggie packs without saying a word about snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. I wouldn't have known the difference.

Not until this Sunday, when I would awaken to a blanket of snow, mouring the loss of plant life in my backyard..... but still, I would have gone back. He could have made a double profit on me, but then.... that would have been less than honest."

I thought of AIG, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch.... and all that has been bought -- sold --- speculated upon in recent days.... much underhanded finagling, grasping, and hoarding....

and then here is Anton's... a small greenhouse in Central Evanston -- a father and son hand-me-down business -- where the values of honesty and service stand side by side with
profit-making.

If there is greatness in the human soul, it's not to be found in the mega-corporate model, "The take all you can get while the getting is good." No, I'd put my money -- even when its not wanted -- on the Anton's of this world, who won't make a profit if it's at another's expense.

going dark

March 28, 2009
Vote with your lightswitch to save Planet Earth.

Starting at 8:30 PM in New Zealand, over 70 countries have agreed to turn off lights to
vote for Planet Earth this Saturday, March 28, 2009.

This initiative began in Australia in 2007 and is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund to send a message to our leaders that we need to concentrate fully on planetary conservation initiatives and must work concertedly to curtail global climate change.

According to Bill McKibben, the earth is now at 380 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere... For life to continue on earth as we know it, we need to target the number 350 ppm. Yet, global leaders are considering signing an agreement to limit CO2 emissions to 450 ppm. What is this about?

For some time now, visionary Lester R. Brown of the Earth Policy Institute has had a do-able program to reduce emissions while building the economy. He has written two books Plan B. 2.0 and Plan B 3.0 which present his plan in great detail. Yet, we are currently engaged in space exploration to find another "earth" out there somewhere... Why waste this funding at a time when we might better spend this money to conserve Planet Earth? Why can't we appreciate and learn to take care of the unique and beautiful planet that we call home ?

In case you don't already know... cars = climate change

Auto Travel is a Major Contributor to Climate Change

How Far?
US Cars and light trucks travel annually the equivalent of 10 million trips
to the moon or 2.6 trillion miles.

How Efficiently?
U.S. autos average fuel economy is 19.6 miles per gallon. That means that on average, each car burns just over 600 gallons of gasoline per year.

What’s this about Carbon?
Gasoline contains 5.3 pounds of carbon per gallon, essentially all of which ends up in the atmosphere as CO2 when the fuel is burned. The average U.S. car puts over a ton and a half of carbon into the air each year.

That’s more than the amount of carbon in a coal train 50,000 miles long – enough to stretch 17 times between New York and San Francisco.

A matter of justice?
Collectively, U.S. cars and light trucks emit more than 333 million tons of carbon dioxide yearly or more than one-fifth of the nation’s total CO2 emissions. With only 5 % of the world’s population and ownership of 30 % of the world’s automobiles,
we contribute 48% of the world’s automotive CO2 emissions.

Alternatives?
Walking, Cycling, Transit, and Car Sharing.

Join others for a day of eco-justice action meant to reduce our auto emissions by participating
in an Alternate Transportation Day. (You may wish to extend this to a month – or a year!)

Along with those who care about Earth Stewardship within your faith community, why not consider walking, taking mass transit, or biking to your House of Worship this week?

Any serious effort to fight global warming must include cutting auto emissions.

Statistics:
Global Warming on the Road: The Climate Impact of America’s Automobiles
Environmental Defense Fund

Some sites worth checking out

Here are some sites worth seeing --

www.irreplaceablewild.org/

http://www.globalonenessproject.org/

http://www.theforgivenessproject.com/project/about/

http://www.thepangaeaproject.org/joomla/

www.350.org/

Let me know what you think.....

Community

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us.
When we see land as a community to which we belong,
We may begin to use it with love and respect."

Aldo Leopold 1887-1948

And it is to this community of those belonging to the land that I hope to connect.