EE Welcomes New Contributor

EE welcomes Buck, my partner to the blog.

He's an old blogger and has had several blogs. His latest was dum vivo canno, (while I live I sing is how he interpreted it). He has a great sense of humor and great depth of knowledge in many areas.

He also has a blog called Got Liver? which deals with his, (our) experience with receiving a liver transplant and life thereafter. The operation was January 28th around 4:00 am in the beautiful city of Charleston.

Welcome aboard!

Just Die Already....

"This is kind of pie in the sky," said Devon Herrick, a senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, a conservative think tank. "It's like saying that everyone should have a Cadillac health plan, but at Chevrolet prices. The idea that insurance companies should have to insure everyone, even those with existing health problems, is unrealistic." -- Health News

I was browsing this article on health insurance this morning when I came across this grotesque quote from a Conservative "think tank" (I'm sorry the old political blogger in me still says that's an oxymoron.)

The article concerned the fact that many, if not most, health insurance plans still leave patients of serious illness destitute. As one commentator said "The only thing worse than no insurance is paying for no insurance." How true!

For me, as a post transplant patient, getting insurance again, except for governement programs is probably a "pie in the sky" dream. Insurance companies are not in business to really provide insurance or healthcare. They're in business to maximize their profits and make their CEO's and Investors rich. It's that simple. To them, we're just means to an end - probably a new beach house or private jet.

If the folks at the "National Center for Policy Analysis" had their way, those of us needing expensive transplants, surgeries, or treatments to live should be denied. Their statement to poor or medium income transplant patients? "Just die already, OK?"

The health "insurance" system in this country is horribly broken. I'm currently stuck trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. Why? Private insurance will not insure me nor help pay for my treatment or medications. If I return to work then I will lose my Medicare/Medicaid and will never be able to make enough to pay the over $3000 a month just for medication the rest of my life. Of course, I guess maybe I could become the CEO of an insurance company, then I wouldn't have to worry. But I want to work, especially in medicine again - but I don't want to die to do it. Is that "pie in the sky"?

It's time for the "conservatives" (read Republicans) to once in their lives practice empathy and compassion. After all, they are constantly harping on how Christian they are and didn't Christ say, "What you do to the least of these, you do to me."? Think about it guys. It's not just about money - it's about life.

Original Article at Got Liver?

Law of Attraction Quiz

How Good Are You At Attracting Positives Into Your Life?

The Law of Attraction works regardless if you are working at it or not. The problem is that we can unknowingly be attracting things that we don't want. In order to attract the things you do want is to focus on the positives and to "feel good." How you answer this ten question quiz should give you a fair indication of whether your thoughts and feelings are working for you or against you.


Take the quiz here.


Here's my result:

Your life isn't too shabby. You probably live a really comfortable life. But, there's definitely room for improvement. Take this quiz response as a challenge to step out of comfortable and step into an extravagant life style.

Here's something I posted about Abraham and Esther Hicks where I rediscovered and deepened my awareness of the Law of Attraction. I went to one of the sessions with Abraham and met Esther and Jerry. I saw Esther's aura while she talked to the group. I had not seen auras before but believed others did as I was told often of the light around me as I performed.

These ideas have been used by New Thought or New Age Churches for some time. I had been involved with Divine Science and through it other organizations like Unity and Religious Science in my young adulthood. That was after growing up Catholic.

My teacher, John Suter, was a spiritualist, metaphysician, musician, mystic and I met some of the folks he knew on the southside of Chicago. He read billets and did automatic writing. He could also divine information about someone by holding an object in his hand. I tested him on that one more than once. He also was highly intuitive.

So I ask you, "What's in your wallet? How do your beliefs set you free or limit you? How well aligned with "What IS" are you? Do you recognise your addictions to what seems to be, your ideas that cannot be because seeming is NOT being?"

Peace to all.

Quote for Peace

"Peace demands the most heroic labor and the most difficult sacrifice. It demands greater heroism than war."

Thomas Merton






from Antiwar.com

Authorization for Use of Military Force

Authorization for Use of Military Force
September 18, 2001

Public Law 107-40 [S. J. RES. 23]

107th CONGRESS

JOINT RESOLUTION

To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States.

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, acts of treacherous violence were committed against the United States and its citizens; and

Whereas, such acts render it both necessary and appropriate that the United States exercise its rights to self-defense and to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad; and

Whereas, in light of the threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by these grave acts of violence; and

Whereas, such acts continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States; and

Whereas, the President has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This joint resolution may be cited as the `Authorization for Use of Military Force'.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

(a) IN GENERAL- That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.

(b) War Powers Resolution Requirements-

(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION- Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.

(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Nothing in this resolution supercedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.


Approved September 18, 2001.


Congressional Resolution on Iraq (Passed by House and Senate October 2002)

Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

in it:
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.): said "The power to declare war is the most solemn responsibility given to Congress by the Constitution. We must not delegate that responsibility to the president in advance."

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio): said "Congress and the administration were being driven by fear" [24] and that "the 133 votes against the measure were 'a very strong message' to the administration."

From Russ Feingold's Why I Oppose Bush's Iraq War Resolution

"Both in terms of the justifications for an invasion and in terms of the mission and the plan for the invasion, Mr. President, the Administration's arguments just don't add up. They don't add up to a coherent basis for a new major war in the middle of our current challenging fight against the terrorism of al Qaeda and related organizations. Therefore, I cannot support the resolution for the use of force before us."

Rep. John M. Spratt Jr. (D-S.C.), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee: "predicted during the House floor debate that 'the outcome after the conflict is actually going to be the hardest part, and it is far less certain.


Fooled Again by Gordon Prather

On this Date in History

1721 Johann Sebastian Bach opens his Brandenburgse Concerts
1832 Mormon Joseph Smith beaten, tarred & feathered in Ohio
1837 Canada gives blacks the right to vote
1882 German scientist Robert Koch discovers bacillus cause of TB
1883 1st telephone call between New York & Chicago
1898 1st automobile sold
1930 Planet Pluto named
1937 National Gallery of Art established by Congress
1947 Congress proposes 2-term limitation on the Presidency
1955 1st seagoing oil drill rig placed in service
1958 Elvis Presley joins the army (serial number 53310761)
1962 Mick Jagger & Keith Richards perform as Little Boy Blue & Blue Boys
1964 Kennedy half-dollar issued

Religious Observances:
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Gabriel, patron of postmen, telephone workers

Thought for the day :
" No one is so happy or sad as he imagines. "

See the sidebar under references for link to site for more interesting births, deaths , events and more.

Thanks to South Carolina Rep John Spratt

An email from MoveOn:

Dear MoveOn member,

We're one step closer in the fight to end the war. Today the Iraq Accountability Act passed Congress. For the first time, Congress passed a real deadline to end the war—by fall of 2008. Your representative, Congressman John Spratt voted right and helped make that happen.

This was a very hard vote for members of Congress. But Rep. Spratt supported Speaker Pelosi in her strategy to wind down this war. Can you write him a quick note to say 'thanks' for bringing us one step closer and to keep up the fight until all our troops are home?


There's no question that this bill was not as strong as most of us would have wanted—-and we're going to keep fighting together to bring the troops home sooner than next year. But it's an important step forward, and at today's vote 63 of the 71 members of the Out of Iraq Caucus voted for the bill. All but 2 Republicans voted against it.

Now the fight moves to the Senate. If Senators also pass a hard timeline to end the war then this plan goes to the President.

If he makes good on his promise to veto it, he'll be forced to stand up in front of the American people—a strong majority of whom want to set a date to end the war—and argue for a war with no end. And he'll have to veto funds for the war along with the timeline and send the whole thing back to Congress.

Here's my letter to Representative Spratt :

Honorable Rep. Spratt,

thanks for voting to set a date to end the war. I appreciate your stand on ending the war and want you to continue to push leadership to bring our troops home sooner. We must take stronger steps to rein in the President on his failed strategy in Iraq.

I hope humanity will move quickly towards peaceful resolutions of conflicts and learn from this mess that there is a better way. The motivations for this war may never be well known by the masses or accepted by a large segment of people. But we can and should honor our brothers and sisters at arms to only use them when there is NO OTHER WAY and only in self-defense.

This has been and continues to be a sad chapter in American History and I'm glad to see that you are making attempts to "change the course." The power of the Executive Branch and the willingness of a passive and willing legislature, (until now) has brought about such a disdain, distrust and dislike to put it mildly from citizens here and abroad.

Thanks for all you do to stop this madness. I wish I could applauded our Senators, but alas, they are party and presidential loyalists to the end.

Here's the news report from thne AP:

Dems challenge Bush with Iraq timetable

WASHINGTON - The House voted Friday for the first time to clamp a cutoff deadline on the
Iraq war, agreeing by a thin margin to pull combat troops out by next year and pushing the new Democratic-led Congress ever closer to a showdown with
President Bush.


The 218-212 vote, mostly along party lines, was a hard-fought victory for Democrats, who faced divisions within their own ranks on the rancorous issue. Passage marked their most brazen challenge yet to Bush on a war that has killed more than 3,200 troops and lost favor with the American public.

He dismissed their action as "political theater" and said he would veto the bill if it reached his desk. The Senate is about to take up its own version.


The President knows Political Theator---that's all he knows. At least that's all he does...hmmm... Political Theator of the Absurd...that's it.



John Spratt is the Chairman of the House Budget Committee.
The State has called John Spratt "a bridge-builder who can reach across party lines." National Journal featured him on its cover as "a stand-out" in Congress, comparing his legislative skills to the "best infielders in baseball." In Washingtonian magazine's survey, Congressional staff voted him a "Workhorse" and "House Member I'd Like to See Win the Presidency in 2008."


Thanks, John.

On this Day in History

I've added a new link in the Reference category, the last segment on the sidebar. "Anyday Today in History." You can search any day you wish. It's very detailed. They list birthdays, events and MIAs, holidays, religious observances and religious history.

Here's a few events for today:

1743 George Frideric Händel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres in London
1839 1st recorded use of "OK" [oll korrect] (Boston's Morning Post)
1891 1st jazz concert was held at Carnegie Hall
1896 Umberto Giordano's opera "Andrea Chénier" premieres in Milan
1903 Wright brothers obtain airplane patent
1912 Dixie Cup invented
1925 Tennessee becomes 1st state to outlaw teaching theory of evolution
1966 1st official meeting after 400 years of Catholic & Anglican Church

South Carolina's new constitution of descrimination

South Carolina officially banned gay marriage Thursday as legislative leaders ratified a constitutional amendment approved by voters in November. South Carolina was among eight states with gay marriage bans on the ballot last year. The measures passed everywhere except Arizona. And to think I moved here from Arizona!

The Constitution now reads, "A marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in this state."

It prevents the state and local governments from legalizing any sort of domestic union of gay couples or recognizing those made in other states.

THIS IS DESCRIMINATION IN THE LAND OF THE FREE!

Almost 80% of SC voters approved the amendment last year.

Why are so many people who would not be immediately affected, whether financial, morally or any other way by gay marriage or civil unions, be so adamant about denying rights for the relatively few people whose lives are greatly affected by such stupidity made into law? Why?

And this guy is a Republican from Texas

Defund the War by Rep. Ron Paul

The $124 billion supplemental appropriation is a good bill to oppose. I am pleased that many of my colleagues will join me in voting against this measure.

If one is unhappy with our progress in Iraq after four years of war, voting to de-fund the war makes sense. If one is unhappy with the manner in which we went to war, without a constitutional declaration, voting no makes equally good sense.

Voting no also makes the legitimate point that the Constitution does not authorize Congress to direct the management of any military operation – the president clearly enjoys this authority as Commander in Chief.

But Congress just as clearly is responsible for making policy, by debating and declaring war, raising and equipping armies, funding military operations, and ending conflicts that do not serve our national interests.

Congress failed to meet its responsibilities four years ago, unconstitutionally transferring its explicit war power to the executive branch. Even though the administration started the subsequent preemptive war in Iraq, Congress bears the greatest responsibility for its lack of courage in fulfilling its duties. Since then Congress has obediently provided the funds and troops required to pursue this illegitimate war.

Here's a new approach: Congress should admit its mistake and repeal the authority wrongfully given to the executive branch in 2002. Repeal the congressional sanction and disavow presidential discretion in starting wars. Then start bringing our troops home.

If anyone charges that this approach does not support the troops, take a poll. Find out how reservists, guardsmen, and their families – many on their second or third tour in Iraq – feel about it.

Read all at link above at AntiWar.com


Video: GOP presidential candidate would 'reinstate Constitution'


Rep. Ron Paul on War, Peace, and the News Media


.

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson

In Utah, an Opponent of the ‘Culture of Obedience’

“There’s a real resistance to change and an almost pathological devotion to leaders simply because they’re leaders,” he said, in describing fellow Utahans who do not share his views and who in large numbers support the president (and gave him 72 percent of their vote in 2004). “There’s a dangerous culture of obedience throughout much of this country that’s worse in Utah than anywhere.”

Mr. Anderson, a 55-year-old lapsed Mormon* and former civil litigator with a rich baritone and a mane of patrician-silver hair, is no stranger to strong talk and political stances that leave his audiences breathless with exasperation, admiration or sometimes a mixture of both.

Critics and supporters alike agree that Mr. Anderson — whose given name is Ross but who is known by almost everyone here as Rocky, with no last name necessary — is genuinely passionate and devoted to the causes he has brought to the mayor’s office, including global warming, genocide in Darfur, gay and lesbian rights and the war in Iraq.

Mr. Anderson announced last July that he would not seek a third term, saying he wanted to devote the rest of his life to grass-roots organizing involving human rights and global warming. He said in the interview that he had not made specific plans.

Salt Lake City Mayor's Website

Video: Salt Lake City, Utah mayor slams 'dishonest, war-mongering' Bush from Aigust 31, 2006 at Raw Story.


Bill O'Reilly Shows His True Depth With Salt Lake City Mayor


My limerick for Bill O'Reilly:

There once was a man named O'Reilly
Who thought of himself oh so highly
With artful Aggression
He gained some attention
And also a new name: O'Lielly

*lapsed Mormon:When a Mormon stops accepting the binding truth of prophetic revelation, he effectively becomes a lapsed Mormon. I never heard that term before and I've known some LDS folks and some very well.

I have heard of a Jack Mormon: The term Jack Mormon is a slang term that originated in the nineteenth century. It was used to describe somebody who was not officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or LDS Church), but who was friendly to Church members and Mormonism, sympathized with them, and/or took an active interest in their belief system.

In today's Mormon culture, the term "dry-Mormon" is its equivalent. Sometime in the early to mid twentieth century, the term changed culturally to refer to someone deemed by LDS adherents to be an inactive or lapsed member of the LDS Church who maintained good relations with and positive feelings toward the Church. It has also been used humorously to describe Church members who were registered Democrats in the early 1980s.


me in the EE with RockEE

Turtle Blogging

Turtle is the oldest symbol for the Earth.

It is the personification of goddess energy
and the eternal Earth itself.


If you have a Turtle totem, you must be mindful of returning to the Earth what she has given you. Honor the creative source within you. Use water and earth energies to create a harmonious flow in your life. Ask the Earth for assistance and her riches will pour forth.


Picture taken today March 21, 2007

Celebrations

Two celebrations for today.
First day of the Vernal Equinox. First Day of Spring. The sun passed over the equator last night around 8:00 pm. So the 21st is the first day of spring.
The word equinox derives from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night).

Second it's Johann Sebastian Bach's birthday! Born in 1785 on this date. Maybe that's why I've been going over some of his music. Some two part inventions for piano(Klavichord), a French Suite, preludes and fugues and some of the other music he wrote for keyboard.

I've performed the Max Pirani transcription titled "Arioso" many times. I also sang in the "Magnificat" with The Arizona Masterworks Chorale in Phoenix under Mary Ann Dutton. My initiation to the group was the "Carmina Burana" of Carl Orff. Then Verdi's "Il Trovatore", concert version, and another standout was Ward's, "The Earth Shall be Fair". I have so many happy memories of singing with this fine group for the few seasons that I did. Besides our Phoenix performances at Symphony Hall where I also sang with the Arizona Opera later on, we sang in Flagstaff for the Summer Festival.

I auditioned for the tenor part in the Magnificat but I didn't get the part. Mary Ann praised my attempt although I was so new to singing then. I worked very hard on the piece and of course was disappointed but not discouraged. I went on to sing solo parts in many oratorios in the years ahead. My teacher, a few years later, Rico Serbo, taught me at Mary Ann's beautiful home in the Phoenix area for a time when he had only an apartment there.

Sorry ....so much about my stuff on Bach's Birthday, but I need to remember these things right now, I've been out of sorts for so long. Well, back to the studio, I'm coming Johann!

Qoutes:

"Why waste money on psychotherapy when you can listen to the B Minor Mass?"
Michael Torke

"Thus o’er my pipe in contemplation Of such things - I can constantly Indulge in fruitful meditation, And so, puffing contentedly,On land, at sea, at home, abroad,I smoke my pipe and worship God."


Peace.

me and Bach in the Vernal EEquinox

Photographic Irony

Irony
1.

a. The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.
b. An expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning.
c. A literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect.

2.

a. Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs: "Hyde noted the irony of Ireland's copying the nation she most hated" Richard Kain.
b. An occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity.

Washington said:"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."


Bush said, "I worry that allowing testimony under oath would set a precedent on the separation of powers that would harm the presidency as an institution."


NY Times slams Bush's 'nasty and bumbling comments' on US Attorney firings; Calls on Congress to subpoena Rove, others

Democratic leaders were right to reject an "unacceptable" offer presented by the White House on Tuesday which would allow unsworn testimony by White House officials behind closed doors, and should press on with planned subpoenas for Karl Rove and others, according to the lead editorial in Wednesday's New York Times.

"In nasty and bumbling comments made at the White House yesterday, President Bush declared that 'people just need to hear the truth' about the firing of eight United States attorneys," the Times editorial states. "That’s right. Unfortunately, the deal Mr. Bush offered Congress to make White House officials available for 'interviews' did not come close to meeting that standard."

Nasty and bumbling, that's our Pres. (when he's at his best) (Forgive me I shouldn't judge, but well what the heck!)(Lets' call it an observation, then)


Peace... me in the ironEE

Got Oil Reserves?

So, who has the oil reserves? Find out here. Did you know Canada is number 2 with 178.8 Billion Barrels?


Update on the BOng HIts for Jesus case: Court hears "Bong hits 4 Jesus" case


A very informative website: Infoplease

Beaver Blogging

Picture taken in Newberry South Carolina at the former beaver pond. It has been destroyed by humans. Have you seen my beavers?

Jesus: Bong Hits for me?! Wow,man.

Now that's one we never thought of in our high school days although pot was easy to come by. On npr this morning the student that made the sign said it had nothing to do with religion, just free speech. This went all the way to the Supreme Court! OMG! Unbelievable.

Check out these stories:


NYT: 'Bong hits' case divides Bush and religious right


Supreme Court to hear student free-speech case

me in the EE (sans bong, insert sad face here)

Bisexual Healing

"Cringing is often a sign of unfinished political business,” according to feminist author Jennifer Baumgardner.

She should know. Since 2002, Baumgardner has been spearheading the confessional “I had an abortion” campaign—most recently captured in the documentary film Speak Out: I Had an Abortion (www.speakoutfilms.com)—and in her new book, Look Both Ways: Bisexual Politics, she’s tackling a topic that makes both straights and gays wince: the explosion of young women experimenting with bisexuality.

“The label bi sounds bad,” writes Baumgardner, “because at least in some ways, bisexuals are an unliberated, invisible and disparaged social group.” And yet, she notes, according to Alfred Kinsey’s famous studies (and a more informal survey of Nerve.com personals), more than 30 percent of women have had or seek same-sex encounters.

Read all at link above.

More Valerie Plame News

Hume Launches New Smear: Plame Lied Under Oath

Today on Fox News Sunday, Brit Hume continued his campaign to smear Valerie Plame Wilson. Previously, he had falsely said that it was “unlikely she was” covert.

Hume said Plame’s testimony “flies in the face of the evidence” adduced by the “bipartisan” Senate Intelligence Committee, which said that “she very much did have something to do with it, that she recommended him and that she put it in a memo.”

Hume’s false claim originated from a statement attached to the Senate Intelligence Committee report on Iraq that was released in 2004. In an addendum to that report, Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS), Christopher Bond (R-MO), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) wrote definitively, “The plan to send the former ambassador to Niger was suggested by the former ambassador’s wife, a CIA employee.” The right-wing, including columnist Bob Novak, have taken the statement written by three Republican senators and falsely attributed it as the “unanimous” conclusion of the Senate report.

Dragonfly

The power of Dragonfly lies in its ability to see around things by looking from different angles. Using its ability to transform colors and lights by reflecting and refracting them, Dragonfly shows us that life, like light, can bend, shift, and adapt in various ways, making life's appearance never be what it appears to be. Dragonfly's magic shows us to see through life's illusions and find our true vision. It calls us to transform within our lives and reminds us to feel deeply so we will have the compassion necessary to help ourselves and others.




Dragonfly is the essence of the winds of change,
the messages of wisdom and enlightenment; and the communication from the elemental world.
Dragonfly medicine beckons you to seek out the parts of your habits which need changing.
Call on Dragonfly to guide you through the mists of illusion to the pathway of transformation.


The pictures above were taken at the former beaver pond on several of my mystical visits there. There are several posts about the creatures I've seen at the pond and around town.