Wednesday, July 8, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 31
+ Going to New York City for a celebration of our 40th wedding anniversary so I plan to offer a post on NYC soon in The Abundancetrek Travel Blog. We will drive to Albany and take a train to Penn Station. We live about 250 miles NW of NYC. The state of New York extends West as much as 400 miles from NYC.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
DRAFTING A LETTER TO REPRESENTATIVE ARCURI
I may revise and expand this letter and would love your comments.
Dear Representative Arcuri,
I didn't realize until your recent vote against Waxman-Markey that your commitment to Progressive causes was so weak. Maybe I should have figured it out since you joined the Blue Dogs.
I was an enthusiastic supporter in 2006 and 2008 but now can no longer be a supporter. If a Progressive Democrat opposed you, I would definitely support that person.
I am extremely disappointed. I was so hopeful, so glad that our district had finally elected a Democrat, a Progressive.
If you begin to care about the environment and leave the Blue Dogs, I may be able to support you again.
Peace,
John A Wilde
+++
Dear Representative Arcuri,
I didn't realize until your recent vote against Waxman-Markey that your commitment to Progressive causes was so weak. Maybe I should have figured it out since you joined the Blue Dogs.
I was an enthusiastic supporter in 2006 and 2008 but now can no longer be a supporter. If a Progressive Democrat opposed you, I would definitely support that person.
I am extremely disappointed. I was so hopeful, so glad that our district had finally elected a Democrat, a Progressive.
If you begin to care about the environment and leave the Blue Dogs, I may be able to support you again.
Peace,
John A Wilde
COFFEE BREAK 30
+ Important information on Health Care Reform: Christian Century features three pieces on health-care reform. "For the first time in 15 years, Congress and the White House are having a go at significant health-care reform. Our July 14 issue's editorial discusses the controversy over the 'public option' -- the plan for a public insurer to compete with private ones. Social ethicist and single-payer advocate Gary Dorrien supports the public option but stresses that it will improve things only if its details have some teeth. Robert Francis, domestic policy director for the ELCA, explains how he and others balance the demands of representing denominational policy and participating in the larger debate." (I found this at Witherspoon on the Web.)
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
OUR GROWING UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS
+ DailyKos offers "Official Unemployment Hits 9.5%" by Meteor Blades. Excerpts:
"The official count – known as U3 and dutifully reported by most of the media – fails to show the true extent of the wreckage."
"The official count – known as U3 and dutifully reported by most of the media – fails to show the true extent of the wreckage."
+++
"In late May, 74% of economists surveyed by the National Association of Business Economists said the economy would begin expanding this quarter although they expected unemployment to continue rising into 2010 before beginning its recovery. One disturbing trend can be found in how long it took in the four previous recessions before the number of workers with jobs equaled the number employed at the beginning of those recessions. In 1974, the job recovery took 19 months; in 1981, 28 months; in 1991, 32 months; in 2001, 47 months."
+++
"'There are going to be massive, massive numbers of people who are out of work for long periods of time,' said Andrew Stettner, deputy director for the National Employment Law Project. 'It’s one of the most important aspects of where the economy is right now.'"
+++
"(A) pair of scary charts (in the article) compare the past 40 years. The first shows a huge rise in the current recession over past years of workers who have permanently lost their jobs instead of being temporarily laid off. The second shows that for every job opening there are now nearly six people queued for it."
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 29
+ I am extremely disappointed in Representative Mike Arcuri, my Representative in Congress. He voted against the historic energy bill (Waxman-Markey) last week. Even though the Democrats have a huge majority, the bill needed Republican votes to pass. Fortunately eight Republicans voted courageously and wisely for the bill and it squeaked through by the slim margin of 219-212. Soon the Senate will act and I hope that they too will pass this historic legislation so that we can begin to reduce the carbon emissions which are causing destructive climate change.
+ I enjoyed the Al Franken talk show immensely and have missed his knowledge and wisdom and humor. Now he has finally been declared the winner of the disputed Minnesota Senate race and will soon be a US Senator. I think he may be one of the best Senators ever.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
+ I enjoyed the Al Franken talk show immensely and have missed his knowledge and wisdom and humor. Now he has finally been declared the winner of the disputed Minnesota Senate race and will soon be a US Senator. I think he may be one of the best Senators ever.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 28
+ Updated at 1:06pm ESDT June 25, 2009
+ I don't see how a single payer system is going to make it this summer so I am advocating for the Public Option for Health Care. I think it is the path toward Single Payer eventually.
+ CommonDreams offers "Moment of Truth for Obama and the Democrats" by Theda Skocpol. It begins: "Fellow Americans, and fellow Democrats and Obama supporters, we are at a moment of truth, a pivotal turning point -- in the form of what happens in the next days and weeks with robust, universal health reform. A fork in the road socially, economically -- and politically. It could go either way depending on Obama and the Democratic officeholders many of us worked so hard to elect. They have the power to act, but will they use it -- or lose it?"
+ Of course there are a lot of good reasons to keep promoting a Single Payer Health Care System. CommonDreams offers "Proponents Say Single-Payer Health Coverage is Optimal Rx: San Joaquin, Calif., group wants guaranteed care" by Joe Goldeen. This is an article published by The Record ( San Joaquin, Calif.) which presents several of these excellent reasons.
+ The New York Times offers "The Prescription From Obama’s Own Doctor" by Nicholas D. Kristof. It begins: "As a society, we trust doctors to be more concerned with the pulse of their patients than the pulse of commerce. Yet the American Medical Association is using that trust to try to block a robust public insurance option as part of health reform."
+ The New York Times offers "Health Care Showdown" by Paul Krugman. Excerpt: " ... if surveys like the New York Times/CBS News poll released last weekend are any indication, voters are ready for major change. The question now is whether we will nonetheless fail to get that change, because a handful of Democratic senators are still determined to party like it’s 1993."
+ TalkingPointsMemo offers "Why the Critics of a Public Option for Health Care Are Wrong" by Robert Reich. Excerpt: "Without a public option, the other parties that comprise America's non-system of health care -- private insurers, doctors, hospitals, drug companies, and medical suppliers -- have little or no incentive to supply high-quality care at a lower cost than they do now."
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
+ I don't see how a single payer system is going to make it this summer so I am advocating for the Public Option for Health Care. I think it is the path toward Single Payer eventually.
+ CommonDreams offers "Moment of Truth for Obama and the Democrats" by Theda Skocpol. It begins: "Fellow Americans, and fellow Democrats and Obama supporters, we are at a moment of truth, a pivotal turning point -- in the form of what happens in the next days and weeks with robust, universal health reform. A fork in the road socially, economically -- and politically. It could go either way depending on Obama and the Democratic officeholders many of us worked so hard to elect. They have the power to act, but will they use it -- or lose it?"
+ Of course there are a lot of good reasons to keep promoting a Single Payer Health Care System. CommonDreams offers "Proponents Say Single-Payer Health Coverage is Optimal Rx: San Joaquin, Calif., group wants guaranteed care" by Joe Goldeen. This is an article published by The Record ( San Joaquin, Calif.) which presents several of these excellent reasons.
+ The New York Times offers "The Prescription From Obama’s Own Doctor" by Nicholas D. Kristof. It begins: "As a society, we trust doctors to be more concerned with the pulse of their patients than the pulse of commerce. Yet the American Medical Association is using that trust to try to block a robust public insurance option as part of health reform."
+ The New York Times offers "Health Care Showdown" by Paul Krugman. Excerpt: " ... if surveys like the New York Times/CBS News poll released last weekend are any indication, voters are ready for major change. The question now is whether we will nonetheless fail to get that change, because a handful of Democratic senators are still determined to party like it’s 1993."
+ TalkingPointsMemo offers "Why the Critics of a Public Option for Health Care Are Wrong" by Robert Reich. Excerpt: "Without a public option, the other parties that comprise America's non-system of health care -- private insurers, doctors, hospitals, drug companies, and medical suppliers -- have little or no incentive to supply high-quality care at a lower cost than they do now."
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 27
+ Updated at 11:25am EDST June 24.
+ The Washington Post offers "Vote Set on House Climate Bill: Cap-and-Trade Legislation Advances Despite Some Resistance" by Steven Mufson. Excerpt: "Democratic leaders in the House have scheduled a Friday vote on a climate change bill that would establish a complex cap-and-trade system to limit the nation's greenhouse gas emissions, a priority for President Obama."
While many environmental advocacy groups are supporting this far from perfect bill, Friends of the Earth is opposing it with ads saying we must do better than this.
+ Grist offers "Why I’m not freaked out about the Waxman-Markey bill" by David Roberts. Excerpt: "Waxman-Markey is just the struggle to get an extremely hidebound, backward-looking set of political institutions to acknowledge that the old order is collapsing. Building a new order is something else entirely."
+ RED SOX UPDATE: Yahoo! Sports offers "Red Sox Nation in DC: Record crowd cheers 11-3 win" by Joseph White of the AP. With another Yankee loss last night, this means the Sox now lead the AL East by 5 games.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
+ The Washington Post offers "Vote Set on House Climate Bill: Cap-and-Trade Legislation Advances Despite Some Resistance" by Steven Mufson. Excerpt: "Democratic leaders in the House have scheduled a Friday vote on a climate change bill that would establish a complex cap-and-trade system to limit the nation's greenhouse gas emissions, a priority for President Obama."
While many environmental advocacy groups are supporting this far from perfect bill, Friends of the Earth is opposing it with ads saying we must do better than this.
+ Grist offers "Why I’m not freaked out about the Waxman-Markey bill" by David Roberts. Excerpt: "Waxman-Markey is just the struggle to get an extremely hidebound, backward-looking set of political institutions to acknowledge that the old order is collapsing. Building a new order is something else entirely."
+ RED SOX UPDATE: Yahoo! Sports offers "Red Sox Nation in DC: Record crowd cheers 11-3 win" by Joseph White of the AP. With another Yankee loss last night, this means the Sox now lead the AL East by 5 games.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 26
+ Last updated at 2:12 pm ESDT
+ Grist offers "Big Ag aims its pitchfork at historic climate legislation" which begins: "Like a tractor inching through a wet field, the Waxman-Markey climate legislation slowed to a crawl last week, on the verge of getting stuck. The bill’s authors still have to deal with plenty of mud, but it’s now looking like they will get a vote by Friday of this week after all."
+ Well, maybe this is a lunch break! But I had coffee!
+ We need to let Congress know that we want a strong Energy Bill and a strong Health Care bill and we will work hard for those politicians who actually do the people's will rather than the will of the plutocrats.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
+ Grist offers "Big Ag aims its pitchfork at historic climate legislation" which begins: "Like a tractor inching through a wet field, the Waxman-Markey climate legislation slowed to a crawl last week, on the verge of getting stuck. The bill’s authors still have to deal with plenty of mud, but it’s now looking like they will get a vote by Friday of this week after all."
+ Well, maybe this is a lunch break! But I had coffee!
+ We need to let Congress know that we want a strong Energy Bill and a strong Health Care bill and we will work hard for those politicians who actually do the people's will rather than the will of the plutocrats.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send a message to me at facebook.com/abundancetrek or twitter.com/abundancetrek.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 25
+ Last updated at 6:25pm (EDST)
+ I just found a lot of Kazantzakis quotes at http://www.bookrags.com/quotes/Nikos_Kazantzakis & I mean a lot! He is my favorite author. No one else comes close.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ My sermon for tomorrow is coming together and you can see my thoughts and the thoughts of others as well as the scriptures and elements of worship at http://abundancetrek.com/js062109web.html
+ "Responding to God's grace" is the title of my sermon. It comes from one of the hymns I chose: "Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples" by H. Kenn Carmichael. You can see some of the text of that great hymn at http://abundancetrek.com/js062109web.html as well as many related thoughts on grace and unity and giving. You can see the whole text at http://www.pcmorristown.org/z090208hymn434.htm
+ TruthOut offers "Some Observations on the Iranian Presidential Election and Its Aftermath", a very different take on the situation on Iran by Phil Wilayto.
+ I just found a lot of Kazantzakis quotes at http://www.bookrags.com/quotes/Nikos_Kazantzakis & I mean a lot! He is my favorite author. No one else comes close.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your knowledge & wisdom to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ My sermon for tomorrow is coming together and you can see my thoughts and the thoughts of others as well as the scriptures and elements of worship at http://abundancetrek.com/js062109web.html
+ "Responding to God's grace" is the title of my sermon. It comes from one of the hymns I chose: "Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples" by H. Kenn Carmichael. You can see some of the text of that great hymn at http://abundancetrek.com/js062109web.html as well as many related thoughts on grace and unity and giving. You can see the whole text at http://www.pcmorristown.org/z090208hymn434.htm
+ TruthOut offers "Some Observations on the Iranian Presidential Election and Its Aftermath", a very different take on the situation on Iran by Phil Wilayto.
Friday, June 19, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 24
+ I'm thinking today about amazing grace and here are some ideas:
- Grace creates Faith. It’s not the other way around. The burden, or the responsibility, is on God and not us.
- Grace comes in a multitude of ways. Grace abounds. Grace prevails. Trust the process. It is mysterious and marvelous. No matter what’s happening, God is involved in a fantastic and fascinating way. We often miss the wonder of it all as we think we must take on the burdens, the responsibilities, which God can do so much better than us.
- God challenges us and God comforts us. Grace comes in both ways.
- Sometimes grace comes in the form of Tough Love.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 23
+ Last UPDATE: 8:20pm ESDT
+ URGENT: Please sign this petition regarding the Energy Bill now being considered by the House. Also, please contact your Representative to urge that this provision crippling the EPA be removed from the bill.
+ TerraDaily offers "Climate catastrophe getting closer, warn scientists" which begins: "The world faces a growing risk of 'abrupt and irreversible climatic shifts' as fallout from global warming hits faster than expected, according to research by international scientists released Thursday."
+ TerraDaily offers "Climate change is happening 'here, now': US report" which begins: "The harmful effects of global warming are being felt 'here and now and in your backyard,' a groundbreaking US government report on climate change warned Tuesday."
+ Here is another important petition. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is a strong advocate of a Single Payer National Health Care Program and so am I. At the very least, we need to insist on the Public Option which would allow all Americans to choose a government health care plan, perhaps an expanded Medicare program. This would boost competition and make sure that all Americans are covered. We have allowed the private insurers to make huge profits at our expense for far too long. I heard about this petition this morning when Bill Press interviewed Senator Sanders on the Bill Press Show.
+ I urge you to be politically active this summer, particularly now, as congress deals with important legislation, particularly bills dealing with health care and with energy. Scroll down this blog for plenty of information in recent posts.
+ Red Sox update: Last night the Red Sox celebrated 500 straight sold out games at Fenway with a 6-1 win over the Florida Marlins. The Yankees lost last night. The first place Sox now lead the AL East by 3 games.
+ It's only 35 days 'til the Great American Irish Festival.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ URGENT: Please sign this petition regarding the Energy Bill now being considered by the House. Also, please contact your Representative to urge that this provision crippling the EPA be removed from the bill.
+ TerraDaily offers "Climate catastrophe getting closer, warn scientists" which begins: "The world faces a growing risk of 'abrupt and irreversible climatic shifts' as fallout from global warming hits faster than expected, according to research by international scientists released Thursday."
+ TerraDaily offers "Climate change is happening 'here, now': US report" which begins: "The harmful effects of global warming are being felt 'here and now and in your backyard,' a groundbreaking US government report on climate change warned Tuesday."
+ Here is another important petition. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is a strong advocate of a Single Payer National Health Care Program and so am I. At the very least, we need to insist on the Public Option which would allow all Americans to choose a government health care plan, perhaps an expanded Medicare program. This would boost competition and make sure that all Americans are covered. We have allowed the private insurers to make huge profits at our expense for far too long. I heard about this petition this morning when Bill Press interviewed Senator Sanders on the Bill Press Show.
+ I urge you to be politically active this summer, particularly now, as congress deals with important legislation, particularly bills dealing with health care and with energy. Scroll down this blog for plenty of information in recent posts.
+ Red Sox update: Last night the Red Sox celebrated 500 straight sold out games at Fenway with a 6-1 win over the Florida Marlins. The Yankees lost last night. The first place Sox now lead the AL East by 3 games.
+ It's only 35 days 'til the Great American Irish Festival.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
Friday, June 12, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 22
+ Grist offers "Ditch ‘warming’ and start talking ‘deteriorating atmosphere,’ PR firm says" by Jonathan Hiskes. The firm says minds can be changed if we learn to talk kitchen-table language instead of think-tank language. For example, "... people don’t want to hear about 'cap-and-trade.' Too wonky. When you’re talking about cap-and-trade, call it 'Clean Energy Dividend' or 'Clean Energy Cash Back.' This fits a central theme of the report—the climate-action camp needs to learn how to translate think-tank language into kitchen-table language. To hear how this sounds in action, try out ecoAmerica’s blog post explaining the report."
+ My friend John Preston pointed out another important article Grist offers: "14 things I love....and 6 things I hate....about Waxman-Markey 1" by Alan During. John says: "He gives the bill a solid 'B', but says he's grading on the curve of political reality."
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ My friend John Preston pointed out another important article Grist offers: "14 things I love....and 6 things I hate....about Waxman-Markey 1" by Alan During. John says: "He gives the bill a solid 'B', but says he's grading on the curve of political reality."
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
Thursday, June 11, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 21
+ On Health Care TruthDig offers "Why So Scared of a Public Plan?" by Joe Conason. Excerpt: "After decades of denigrating government—and worshiping corporations—the idea that a public program might work as well or better than a corporate provider may well sound counterintuitive to many Americans. How can government, which is so widely believed to do nothing well while wasting enormous sums, possibly be expected to outperform the highly efficient, supremely managed and profitably motivated corporate sector? Wouldn’t we be better off if we simply entrust the provision of health care to the insurance industry? How can we trust those Washington bureaucrats with our health?"
+ CommonDreams offers "Climate Action Must be a First Resort" by Duncan Green. He asks: "Will we need a climate equivalent of a world war to shake leaders out of their complacency? Next month's G8 will tell." It was published today by The Guardian/UK.
+ The Guardian/UK led me to a recent report listing carbon emissions by country.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ CommonDreams offers "Climate Action Must be a First Resort" by Duncan Green. He asks: "Will we need a climate equivalent of a world war to shake leaders out of their complacency? Next month's G8 will tell." It was published today by The Guardian/UK.
+ The Guardian/UK led me to a recent report listing carbon emissions by country.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
CAP AND TRADE -- 1
+ Now that a "Cap and Trade" bill (or Emissions Trading bill) is working its way through Congress, its high time I figure out what it's all about. The ultimate goal is to significantly reduce the carbon emissions which are causing global warming. Here are some links for those of us now taking "Cap & Trade for Dummies."
- The Waxman-Markey Bill as it stands now (HR 2454)
- Wikipedia article on Emissions Trading
- "So How Good Is This Climate Bill, Anyhow?" by Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
- "Worshipping the Temple of Doom" by James Hansen < a huge dissent!
- "Gore vs. Hansen: Enviros take sides in debate over House climate bill" by Lisa Hymas
- Union of Concerned Scientists Press Release
- "The Wonderful Politics of Cap-and-Trade: A Closer Look at Waxman-Markey" by Robert Stavins
- "Green Recovery: A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy" by the Political Economy Research Institute
- MoveOn Petition for a Stronger Clean Energy Bill
- "Climate Change Bill Suffers from Backroom Dealings, Industry Influence" -
Statement of Tyson Slocum, Director of the Energy Program at Public Citizen - Thomas.gov monitors the progress of legislation.
- A 1 SKY web page makes it easy to fax your Representative urging strenghthening of the bill.
- "Mitigation of Climate Change" by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
A special thanks to the Fab5 Eco-Justice Working Group (Upstate NY Presbyterians) for finding most of these links.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 20
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ Democracy Now! offers "Sen. Bernie Sanders and Nurses Union Leader Rose Ann DeMoro Urge Obama to Embrace Single-Payer Healthcare System." DN! blurb begins: "President Obama is expected to host a group of Democratic Congress members at the White House later today. The meeting comes one week after Obama said he would consider supporting a mandate-based approach to healthcare and the creation of a public insurance option."
+ I like the fact that more and more Democrats are now apparently getting on board for a government health care plan which is available to all Americans in direct competition with the private insurance companies. President Obama has said health care is a right. This is a way to make it so.
+ The Four Precepts offers "Embrace Your Destiny!" by Thomas Merton. Excerpt: "We will never be fully real until we let ourselves fall in love - either with another human person or with God."
+ Fired up by Ed Schultz, I just sent this email to my Representative, Mike Arcuri through his house website: Dear Mike, If you support universal health care -- either single payer OR a new government plan combined with private insurance plans -- I believe you can count on enthusiastic support in the next campaign. Please don't let your vote be influenced by the plutocratic interests. Vote for US. love, john + www.abundancetrek.com + "Be the change you want to see" -- Mohandas Gandhi
+ Democracy Now! offers "Sen. Bernie Sanders and Nurses Union Leader Rose Ann DeMoro Urge Obama to Embrace Single-Payer Healthcare System." DN! blurb begins: "President Obama is expected to host a group of Democratic Congress members at the White House later today. The meeting comes one week after Obama said he would consider supporting a mandate-based approach to healthcare and the creation of a public insurance option."
+ I like the fact that more and more Democrats are now apparently getting on board for a government health care plan which is available to all Americans in direct competition with the private insurance companies. President Obama has said health care is a right. This is a way to make it so.
+ The Four Precepts offers "Embrace Your Destiny!" by Thomas Merton. Excerpt: "We will never be fully real until we let ourselves fall in love - either with another human person or with God."
+ Fired up by Ed Schultz, I just sent this email to my Representative, Mike Arcuri through his house website: Dear Mike, If you support universal health care -- either single payer OR a new government plan combined with private insurance plans -- I believe you can count on enthusiastic support in the next campaign. Please don't let your vote be influenced by the plutocratic interests. Vote for US. love, john + www.abundancetrek.com + "Be the change you want to see" -- Mohandas Gandhi
Saturday, June 6, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 19
+ Sunday, June 7, 8:30pm Update: I've changed my mind. Any coffee break can be extended, revised, updated. But the newest one will get the most attention from me. So, ignore this thought posted here yesterday! Can a CB post actually be extended to another day? I think not so I will now declare CB18 completed.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ I invite you to see the new tweets on gratitude at http://twitter.com/ImproveLife
+ S&P offers "Learning To Receive" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. Excerpt: "Our reluctance to freely receive affects our relationships with others and limits our openness to God's grace. Getting better at receiving, then, is an important intention of spiritual practice."
+ S&P on Link TV's Global Spirit: "This is an unusual and fascinating series that travels the globe to explore the spiritual, psychological, and scientific belief systems that animate our actions. Episodes cover the spiritual quest, the search for ecstasy, earth wisdom, forgiveness and healing, spirituality in art and music, and more. The ten-part series is being streamed for free at LinkTV.org/GlobalSpirit. Read our review of Global Spirit with previews of the episodes and ways to continue the exploration. Read our interview with Phil Cousineau, host of the series."
+ Common Dreams offers a YES! Magazine article, "Why This Crisis May Be Our Best Chance to Build a New Economy" by David Korten.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ I invite you to see the new tweets on gratitude at http://twitter.com/ImproveLife
+ S&P offers "Learning To Receive" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat. Excerpt: "Our reluctance to freely receive affects our relationships with others and limits our openness to God's grace. Getting better at receiving, then, is an important intention of spiritual practice."
+ S&P on Link TV's Global Spirit: "This is an unusual and fascinating series that travels the globe to explore the spiritual, psychological, and scientific belief systems that animate our actions. Episodes cover the spiritual quest, the search for ecstasy, earth wisdom, forgiveness and healing, spirituality in art and music, and more. The ten-part series is being streamed for free at LinkTV.org/GlobalSpirit. Read our review of Global Spirit with previews of the episodes and ways to continue the exploration. Read our interview with Phil Cousineau, host of the series."
+ Common Dreams offers a YES! Magazine article, "Why This Crisis May Be Our Best Chance to Build a New Economy" by David Korten.
Friday, June 5, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 18
+ CB19 has begun.
+ 5:41pm UPDATE > I just repaired the link for the review of ENCHANTED APRIL below.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ I'm glad the POTUS is not letting go of the need to work at creating a Palestinian State.
+ I now follow 179 and have 128 followers at Twitter and 92 friends at Facebook. It is interesting that my Twitter contacts & Facebook contacts have very little overlap.
+ Now on DVD, ENCHANTED APRIL is a wonderful movie about the healing of several British people and the building of relationships in an Italian coastal castle soon after WW1. Naturally, this film is recommended by Spirituality & Practice, the very best website. Read the review: Spirituality & Practice: Film Review: Enchanted April, directed by Mike Newell
+ Frederic Brussat's "25 Reasons Why Twitter is Spiritual" is illuminating. I wonder which reason you like the best. I'm sure these 25 reasons could also apply to Facebook or other social networking websites. I find that Twitter & Facebook can be rapid ways to get connected to wonderful people and great wisdom and important concerns but addiction is also a real possibility.
+ It sure is nice that Panera Bread has free internet and free refills.
+ Breathe.
+ 5:41pm UPDATE > I just repaired the link for the review of ENCHANTED APRIL below.
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ I'm glad the POTUS is not letting go of the need to work at creating a Palestinian State.
+ I now follow 179 and have 128 followers at Twitter and 92 friends at Facebook. It is interesting that my Twitter contacts & Facebook contacts have very little overlap.
+ Now on DVD, ENCHANTED APRIL is a wonderful movie about the healing of several British people and the building of relationships in an Italian coastal castle soon after WW1. Naturally, this film is recommended by Spirituality & Practice, the very best website. Read the review: Spirituality & Practice: Film Review: Enchanted April, directed by Mike Newell
+ Frederic Brussat's "25 Reasons Why Twitter is Spiritual" is illuminating. I wonder which reason you like the best. I'm sure these 25 reasons could also apply to Facebook or other social networking websites. I find that Twitter & Facebook can be rapid ways to get connected to wonderful people and great wisdom and important concerns but addiction is also a real possibility.
+ It sure is nice that Panera Bread has free internet and free refills.
+ Breathe.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 17
+ I am eager to add suggested links or your thoughts to this or a future Coffee Break. You can comment below or send an e-mail to john@abundancetrek.com
+ Change.org offers "GM's Fall Can Become Green Economy's Rise" by Emily Gertz.
+ More links and thoughts may be added to this coffee break so c'mon back later.
+ The Hightower Lowdown offers "Populism is not a style, it's a people's rebellion against corporate power" by Jim Hightower. Excerpt: "The very essence of populism is its unrelenting focus on breaking the iron grip that big corporations have on our country--including on our economy, government, media, and environment. It is unabashedly a class movement. Try to squeeze Lord Limbaugh into that philosophical suit of clothes! He's just another right-wing, corporate-hugging, silk-tie elitist--an apologist for plutocracy, not a populist."
+ I just updated my June 2 post on the Media's coverage of the Sonia Sotomayor nomination with a response by my friend Lowell Avery and another thought of mine. I invite you to go see it and add your own comment.
+ 11:49am + Via C-Span I'm now viewing & hearing President Obama's "New Beginning" speech which he delivered earlier today at Cairo University.
+ 4:20pm + The Witherspoon Society called my attention to an article by Starhawk with some insightful and indeed terrifying thoughts about the murder of Doctor George Tiller. Excerpt: "The murder of Dr. Tiller was an act of terror. Although its immediate victim was a man, it was aimed at women's hearts and minds, designed to shatter our oneness and assert control. And it is part of a larger campaign of terror--if we must throw that word around then let us use it where it truly applies. When the murderer squeezes the trigger, when Bill O'Reilly thunders on Fox News or Randall Terry pontificates, they are sending the same message to women, 'Your bodies, your fertility, your sexuality must remain under our control, or you will die, along with anyone who helps you.'"
+ Change.org offers "GM's Fall Can Become Green Economy's Rise" by Emily Gertz.
+ More links and thoughts may be added to this coffee break so c'mon back later.
+ The Hightower Lowdown offers "Populism is not a style, it's a people's rebellion against corporate power" by Jim Hightower. Excerpt: "The very essence of populism is its unrelenting focus on breaking the iron grip that big corporations have on our country--including on our economy, government, media, and environment. It is unabashedly a class movement. Try to squeeze Lord Limbaugh into that philosophical suit of clothes! He's just another right-wing, corporate-hugging, silk-tie elitist--an apologist for plutocracy, not a populist."
+ I just updated my June 2 post on the Media's coverage of the Sonia Sotomayor nomination with a response by my friend Lowell Avery and another thought of mine. I invite you to go see it and add your own comment.
+ 11:49am + Via C-Span I'm now viewing & hearing President Obama's "New Beginning" speech which he delivered earlier today at Cairo University.
+ 4:20pm + The Witherspoon Society called my attention to an article by Starhawk with some insightful and indeed terrifying thoughts about the murder of Doctor George Tiller. Excerpt: "The murder of Dr. Tiller was an act of terror. Although its immediate victim was a man, it was aimed at women's hearts and minds, designed to shatter our oneness and assert control. And it is part of a larger campaign of terror--if we must throw that word around then let us use it where it truly applies. When the murderer squeezes the trigger, when Bill O'Reilly thunders on Fox News or Randall Terry pontificates, they are sending the same message to women, 'Your bodies, your fertility, your sexuality must remain under our control, or you will die, along with anyone who helps you.'"
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
DR. TILLER'S DEATH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED
CommonDreams offers "Dr. George Tiller Didn’t Have to Die" by Amy Goodman. Excerpt: "His death might have been prevented simply through enforcement of existing laws. His alleged killer was seen vandalizing a Kansas City clinic, Aid for Women, both the week before and the day before the murder, putting glue into its door locks. The manager of that clinic, who calls himself "Jeff Pederson" to protect his identity, told me he called the FBI and local police both times, but the vandal, the alleged killer Scott Roeder, was not arrested. Pederson had Roeder's first name and his license-plate number. He had images of him on the security video. He recognized him from previous protests."
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
THE MEDIA IS FAILING US ON SOTOMOYER NOMINATION
CommonDreams offers "Sotomayor, Gingrich, and the Demise of Our Press Corps" by Eric Boehlert. It begins: "Last week's press coverage of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court was gruesome in so many ways, as reporters routinely fell down and failed to reflect even the most basic tenets of journalism."
I have watched the coverage with similar frustration and annoyance and even despair at times. The resentful and narrow-minded GOP narrative is getting far too much attention compared to the compelling narrative of this very bright, qualified and compassionate judge.
ERROR CORRECTION > Headline misspelling > It is Sotomayor, not Sotomoyer.
+++
JUNE 4 UPDATE:
+++
My friend Lowell Avery responded via Facebook:
"You may be right, John. In which case, do you recognize your tacit admission that the media usually throw their weight behind the Democrats? I went to the Boehlert piece you referenced, and the context of Sotomayor's speech makes her comment no better. Perhaps that's the reason the media has not pushed it. Or perhaps the media wants a distracting nomination fight to keep the public's attention off the gov't hijacking of the economy ;-)"
+++
The media fails us when they fail to offer context. Soundbites do not a narrative make.
I have watched the coverage with similar frustration and annoyance and even despair at times. The resentful and narrow-minded GOP narrative is getting far too much attention compared to the compelling narrative of this very bright, qualified and compassionate judge.
ERROR CORRECTION > Headline misspelling > It is Sotomayor, not Sotomoyer.
+++
JUNE 4 UPDATE:
+++
My friend Lowell Avery responded via Facebook:
"You may be right, John. In which case, do you recognize your tacit admission that the media usually throw their weight behind the Democrats? I went to the Boehlert piece you referenced, and the context of Sotomayor's speech makes her comment no better. Perhaps that's the reason the media has not pushed it. Or perhaps the media wants a distracting nomination fight to keep the public's attention off the gov't hijacking of the economy ;-)"
+++
The media fails us when they fail to offer context. Soundbites do not a narrative make.
Monday, June 1, 2009
WE ATTEND A BEAUTIFUL ORTHODOX WORSHIP SERVICE
I am very Presbyterian and not Eastern Orthodox but I loved the 3 hour service on Saturday dedicating the new building in Ballston NY of Christ the Savior Orthodox Church of America. The service included the ordination of Michael as a deacon. His dad and mom have been longtime friends of Mary & I. I have learned so much from them about a powerful wisdom tradition which flourished in Russia in many ways. The gift of genuine hospitality comes to mind.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 16
+ Silly Democrats! They just don't understand that straight white men are ordained to rule the world!
+ Please don't forget that your comments are welcome and I will insert your wisdom (and foolishness) here if you request it. This post can be revised and expanded until Coffee Break 17 is offered some day, maybe even tomorrow!
+ Did I tell you that the Joyful Noise Cafe last Saturday was very successful? The Joyful Noise Boys were back and we heard some new voices which dazzled.
+ Let's see what I can find on the web today.
+ Please don't forget that your comments are welcome and I will insert your wisdom (and foolishness) here if you request it. This post can be revised and expanded until Coffee Break 17 is offered some day, maybe even tomorrow!
+ Did I tell you that the Joyful Noise Cafe last Saturday was very successful? The Joyful Noise Boys were back and we heard some new voices which dazzled.
+ Let's see what I can find on the web today.
- Some really good quotes offered by a great tweeter, Philip Arnold + Location England, UK / Web http://pja64x.stu... / offers wisdom on Spirit. Wisdom. Knowledge. Inspiration. Love. God. Jesus. Buddha. I Ching. Lao Tzu. Sufi. Vedas. Quotes. Rumi. Books. Blogs. Video. Activism. Peace. Rights etc.
- A good conversation on "The Future of GM" on The Diane Rehm Show
- "Religion without Revelation" is another illuminating, provocative post at a great blog, John Shuck's Shuck & Jive. Excerpts: "I ask this question honestly. Given the historical-critical method, in what sense is saying 'the Bible is the Word of God' meaningful? Or the Qur'an? Or the Book of Mormon?" & "The intellectual community regards the church as a joke. It is a relic from a superstitious past. Who were the intellectual giants of the Middle Ages? The theologians. As revelation gave way to reason, theology could not adapt and from the perspective of the modern university it has gone the way of alchemy and astrology." & "The fundamentalists are buying. They are using the Bible as the Word of God to call evolution a farce and to enforce an oppressive social agenda not only within the confines of their sects but within the larger sphere of secular society."
- Mr. Tweet has a special report for me recommending hundreds of kindred tweeters!
- Spirituality & Practice offers "25 Reasons Why Twitter Is Spiritual" by Frederic A. Brussat.
- Divine Souls at Twitter.com led me to this Cherokee story on a youth's rite of passage at the Divine Souls blog, a blog on Spirituality and Universal Brotherhood which collates the Postings of the Divine Souls group on Google for display to the general public.
- Thanks to The Witherspoon Society, I learned that Politico offers "Barack Obama's nonideological pragmatism will backfire" by Rabbi Michael Lerner. The article begins: "President Barack Obama’s very nonideological pragmatism, which has received so much praise inside the Beltway and which has given him public support in his few months in office, will ultimately be the downfall of his presidency."
3:17pm UPDATE: I'm headed back to Whitestown soon so this may be the last entry today. I hear thunder in the distance here in Rochester. It's really muggy today and I forgot to bring shorts to our Rochester flat.
Monday, May 18, 2009
COFFEE BREAK -- 15
+ The Red Sox had a bad weekend on the Left Coast. I don't even want to look at the standings. But I will.
5:09pm update: I wish I didn't! The Yankees have won 5 in a row and are gaining rapidly. Boo!
+ I'm glad Obama went to Notre Dame and confronted the anti-abortion zealots with a lot of common sense.
+ How can we convince many more Americans that a single payer system is the best for all of us?
+ Now that I've seen Vicky Cristina Barcelona, I want to go to Barcelona! I want to see the unusual architecture there.
+ I love French pop music even though I rarely understand the lyrics. A really neat one which has been around for a while is "Joe Le Taxi" by Vanessa Paradis.
+ I have been practicing for the Joyful Noise Cafe at First Presbyterian Church, Utica, this Saturday. I have about 6 songs ready. The Joyful Noise Boys are getting ready and several other performers are also preparing. The fun beguns at 6pm.
5:09pm update: I wish I didn't! The Yankees have won 5 in a row and are gaining rapidly. Boo!
+ I'm glad Obama went to Notre Dame and confronted the anti-abortion zealots with a lot of common sense.
+ How can we convince many more Americans that a single payer system is the best for all of us?
+ Now that I've seen Vicky Cristina Barcelona, I want to go to Barcelona! I want to see the unusual architecture there.
+ I love French pop music even though I rarely understand the lyrics. A really neat one which has been around for a while is "Joe Le Taxi" by Vanessa Paradis.
+ I have been practicing for the Joyful Noise Cafe at First Presbyterian Church, Utica, this Saturday. I have about 6 songs ready. The Joyful Noise Boys are getting ready and several other performers are also preparing. The fun beguns at 6pm.
LOVE'S UNIVERSE -- 4
The Retreat leader this week is Zakiuddin McNulty. Yesterday, he introduced the topic of Single-minded Remembrance with some insightful thoughts such as these:
This Online retreat is available and you can catch up. Go to http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=83We all know how easy it is to be led astray by our outer circumstances and thoughts, living our days in what appears to be a benign state of preoccupation or in the grip of reactive, unhelpful patterns. Such thinking and behavior is governed by what Sufis call our lower self, in a Pharaoh-like desire to control and manipulate. Growing up in an affluent society, moreover, we may have grown complacent through the excessive consumption of God's bounty, or dim in our awareness of the relationship we have with our Creator.
AND:Remembering God single-mindedly implies abandoning every agenda for the sake of this return to our primary relationship, meeting with our Source face-to-face during our busy, short lives. In so doing, we resume our special relationship as a most beloved creature, participating in the concert of praise that all of creation continually sings to its Creator. This is perpetual communion, reciprocity, sustenance, and guidance of the created by a most-loving Creator: "Everything perishes except His Face." [28:88].
SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE DISCUSSED TODAY ON DIANE REHM SHOW
You can listen to this program right now live or when you get a chance. Go to http://wamu.org/programs/dr/09/05/18.php#26151
Here are the experts on today's show:
- Roger Hickey, Co-director of the Campaign for America's Future
- Dr. David Himmelstein, primary care doctor; co-founder, Physicians for a National Health Program; associate professor of medicine at Harvard University
- Bernie Sanders, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006 after serving 16 years in the House of Representatives. He is the longest serving independent member of Congress in American history.
- Susan Dentzer, Editor-in-Chief of Health Affairs, and an on-air analyst on health issues with The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
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