Tuesday, September 15, 2009

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Larry Gelbart's Final Interview: How CBS Bastardized "M*A*S*H" Top
You know what's so interesting about M*A*S*H? When Twentieth Century Fox decided to issue it on DVD, they included the option of watching it without the laugh track. If you've ever watched it without a laugh track, well, that's the show as we intended it to be watched. We did not mean for people to be cackling throughout the show; it becomes so much more cynical and heartbreaking without all that cheap, mechanical laughter.
 
Francesca Biller-Safran: 'How to Be Happy' and Stop Being Fearful Top
Woody Allen, worshiped by some and annoying to others for fearing everything but doing most of them anyway once said, "You can live to be a hundred and give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred." On the other hand he commented, "I'm astounded by people who want to know the universe when it's hard enough to find your way around Chinatown." Surely, geniuses like Allen, Einstein, Leonardo da' Vinci, Mozart and Shakespeare didn't let fear stand in the way of attempting the impossible while facing obstacles that might scare some of us to death. Growing up I lived in fear as my parents told me here was no such thing as an accident, having children not included. What do you want? My father is Jewish and my mother is Japanese. I often felt like a Geisha while forced to watch every documentary about Hitler and The Second World War. I remember finally getting that shiny red and chrome Schwinn bicycle for HannuChrist, our combination of Hannukah and Christmas. I was only allowed to ride it within a four foot area of a dark patio near the back shed. Eventually my older brother took it apart one summer and made it into a sculpture -- another genius! He is an accomplished sculptor today who is known for welding metal and chrome into moving robots with knives-- talk about not having fear! He shows me his scars during Thanksgiving for fun. I remember being told that any hurtful outcome could be avoided if I was only careful enough. Knowing that I was accident prone, I survived that statement without too many years of psychotherapy. All kidding not aside, after years of bumping into walls, breaking dishes and even nailing my own finger into a two by four, I realized I was still alive, and had missed out on crazy excursions like inventing my own language or making friends with the bum in town that walked in circles like I rode my bicycle. I still have nightmares of going in circles for infinity on that Schwinn. Of course the dream also involves a dwarf and pumpkin pie -- I plan to speak with my Jungian analyst about that. As I discovered this epiphany, relief and the realization of how many great years I missed out on, I cannot say that today I live a safe life, but a more exciting life, despite breaking coffee cups, wine glasses and at least a vase or chatchki once a week. In order to fearlessly go where most fearful adults travel, I say to myself, " Self, a few accidents never hurt anyone," as I attempt risky endeavors; wild escapades such as driving at night or reading too much history about the Egyptians, two things my mother cautioned extremely dangerous. I have however avoided blatant dangers such as swimming with sharks or learning how to play Beethoven's Fifth on the bassoon and can say without much medication thus far that I have faced life with great fervor, and sometimes even with a fever. Don't worry , the 500 count bottle of Tylenol sits by my bed. Becoming a parent has given me a different perspective to the subject, leaving me sympathetic to my mother's cause or curse. With my first child I woke her as a newborn each hour to hear her cry so I could be sure she was still alive. Let's just say that continual breastfeeding replaced roller skating as my favorite sport. I suddenly found that with parenthood, I too feared accidents around each corner, even though I hardly left the house, except to take her to the doctor. Even worse, I instilled this fear in my first child; worrying incessantly she was too cold, too hot, getting too much sleep or not enough- it never ended. And I wonder today why she needs space from me. I suppose this is what I could expect from being raised by a Japanese, Hawaii-born mother and a Russian-Jewish, Irish, Beverly Hills-born father. And you think you have issues? Let's just say that my weekends weren't exactly filled with wishes of "Mazeltov" over plates of lox and sushi. And at least I have the courage to admit, "Yes, I come from a long line of worriers," but now consider myself a "Samurai Warrior". No twelve steps about it, I'm attempting with one fell swoop to take the "fear of accident gene" out of my DNA, proclaiming that diving into the pool of life is where it's at, hopefully without sharks in the water, and a life raft , a freind who knows CPR and a warm towel nearby. Admittedly, having daughters can make you want to draw up plans to build a bomb shelter and only hope for rescue. But alas, the rescue never comes, except in the realization that a life is only worth living if lived freely from one's own fears, dangers and all. Mark Twain once said, "Accident is the name of the greatest of all inventors." Parents can chose to be an inspiration, ailment or some mentor in between when it comes to a child's adventuresome spirit lasting through adulthood. Children are naturally prone to curiosity but all too often this is replaced by nurture that cautions against everything that is unknown and yet well worth knowing about, leading ultimately to a life ultimately not much worth knowing about at all. Each year I hope to get better at parenting as I try to say more along the lines of "Way to go, kid," rather than "There's no way, kid." And the more adventures I support, the braver I get along the way, sending me on voyages even my mother never warned me about. The worst fear she had was that I might turn out like my father--which I did. Tonight I plan to bravely drink a glass of cheap Merlot and listen to Bobby Darrin and Dave Brubeck and maybe even some Deam Martin, if I really feel naughty. I might even spill some wine by accident, but how can you put a price on your kids knowing the lyrics to "Mack the Knife" "Take Five?" or "That's Amore"? Life doesn't get much swankier than that. The great writer and satirist Art Buchwald said, "The buffalo isn't as dangerous as everyone makes him out to be. Statistics prove that in the United States more Americans are killed in automobile accidents than are killed by buffalo." This brings to mind that my mother doesn't drive because she thinks it is too dangerous. Come to think of it we never had a buffalo roaming the house when we were kids either. Buchwald's words are music to my ear, because now I know that buffalo's aren't nearly as dangerous as I might have thought after all, and for those of us who now prefer to roam the wild blue yonder rather than stay inside, this is a good thing. Five Pieces of Advice to get you Started 1. If you try a new sport, the worst that will happen is that you may be horrible at it, or break a bone -- but you most likely won't die. 2. It's OK to talk with strangers- not every one that approaches you is out to get your money. 3. Think of people you consider paranoid and compare them to people who seem fearless -- which group seems happier to you? 4. The next time you are scared you may have an accident or get hurt in any way, just remember the classic book 'The Little Engine that Could' and say to yourself "I Think I can, I Think I can" and pretty soon enough you will be saying "I Knew I could, I Knew I could!" 5. You only live once, unless you believe that you will be reincarnated -- but either way, don't you want the ride to be fun and exciting, rather than somber and fearful? Slow and Steady might win the race, but it is not nearly as fun or rewarding as Energetic and Spontaneous.
 
Michael Shaw: Reading The Pictures: Teabagger's Subliminal Death Message Top
The wingnuts don't consistently merge health care reform with Obama's name just because it's catchy. The most chilling and sickest thing about the Teabagger's presentation strategy is the way their exploitation of death symbolism, merged with their hatred of the President, cross-fertilizing a "death to/of Obama" suggestion. For more visual politics, visit BAGnewsNotes.com (and follow us on Twitter ). (image 1 & 2: NineTwelvePhotos at Flickr. Image 3: Newscom/ZumaWire via TPM)
 
Coral Gables High School Stabbing: Student Fatally Wounded Top
MIAMI — One student stabbed another to death during a fight Tuesday in a courtyard at a suburban high school, authorities said. Police did not identify the attacker, who was taken into custody immediately after the stabbing at Coral Gables Senior High School. School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said a fight happened sometime after 9 a.m. as students moved from first- to second-period classes. He could not say what the two students were arguing about or how many others saw the stabbing. No information was released about the student who died. Miami-area television stations flew helicopters over the school and broadcast footage of a body covered in a sheet, lying in a pool of blood in the courtyard. "Our collective hearts go out to the family of the victim," said Carvalho, who called it a "catastrophic loss." The school, in an affluent suburb southwest of downtown Miami, has 3,300 students on a 26-acre campus. In the hours after the stabbing, frantic parents gathered near the football field outside of the school, which remained on lockdown. Students were encouraged to remain throughout the day, though they could leave if their parents picked them up. The superintendent said lunch and water were provided in classrooms, and psychologists trained in crisis management were dispatched to the school to talk to staff and students. A violent incident such as this is one of the "toughest situations that any educator faces," Carvalho said. He added that parents and the community need to teach students "better manners" and "instill a greater sense of personal and civic advocacy." Sharon Watson, vice president of fundraising and former president of the school's parent-teacher organization, told the Miami Herald that school administrators contacted parents of students involved in the fight. "If you have not heard anything – even from your child – everything's OK," she said. ___ Associated Press Writer Christine Armario contributed to this report.
 
Mike Alvear: Stonewall 2009: Police Raid Gay Bar in Atlanta on Account of Because. Top
How could something like this happen in Martin Luther King's home town? The following occurred about a mile away from my home in Atlanta, Georgia at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2009. Mark Danack was watching the football game at his favorite bar, The Eagle, when he heard somebody yell, "HIT THE GROUND!" He thought a fight had broken out. The lights switched on and up to 30 cops were yelling, screaming and ordering everyone to the ground. The police had raided the bar. For what? "Shut the f**k up!" a cop yelled at one of the bar patrons who asked why they were being forced to lay face down on the grubby floors. An acquaintance saw the police shove an 80 year-old man to the ground because he was moving too slowly. Why? "No questions! Do what you're told or we'll arrest you!" The officers threatened jail time to anybody asking why they were being held against their will. The search and seizures began. Everything in everyone's pockets was taken away. Why? "None of your G-D business! Get back on the floor and shut the hell up!" Driver's licenses were taken and put through a laptop screening. What are you looking for? "I said SHUT THE F**K UP!" Three paddy wagons were waiting outside. Nick Koperski was enraged. He knew he had done nothing wrong. Yet there he was, lying on the floor, face down, his pockets emptied. He had it better than some of the others, like Du-wan Ray, one of the bar's managers. Ray was handcuffed on the back deck. Why are you doing this? "I hate queers," a cop said. Other officers -- some plain-clothed, some uniformed -- walked around the bar demanding to know who was in the military, threatening to report them to their commanding officers. "This is a lot more fun than raiding niggers with crack!" Du-Wayne Ray heard one white officer say this to another; other cops were high-fiving each other. For almost two hours, Mark Danack, Nick Koperski, and sixty other gay men were forced to lay face down on the bar's filthy floors. The drivers license screening revealed nothing. Sixty two men and the cops didn't find a suspended license, a criminal prior, nothing. Not even a parking ticket. The search and seizure uncovered nothing. No drugs. Not even a joint. Finally, the men were ordered to leave but without their cell phones, wallets and other personal belongings. Not a single man was arrested. Or given an apology. Or given a reason for why they were held against their will. Or how they could get their personal possessions back. Welcome to Amerika. Facts and quotes were sourced from my acquaintances who were victimized by the police as well as the city's gay paper, Southern Voice , its mainstream paper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution , its unofficial gay portal, Project Q Atlanta , its progressive paper, Atlanta Progressive News , its alternative paper, Creative Loafing , its PBS station, WABE-fm as well as the four local TV stations: ABC-affiliate WSB News , CBS Affiliate, WGNX News , NBC affiliate WXIA News and FOX affiliate WAGA News . The photo above used for illustration purposes only. Postscript: Eight staff members were arrested and put in jail without bond. The charge: Dancing in their underwear without a permit. If it were not for the intervention of two Atlanta City Council candidates who contacted a judge who then set bail, the men would have spent the weekend in jail. The lawyer retained to defend the bar made this public statement: "The situation is such that they [police] were coming in for the least serious ordinance violation of all time -- dancing around in their underwear. Usually such violations will lead to simple citations to employees of an establishment. But the fact police searched all the customers is a direct violation of constitutional rights. They had no right to search them, look in their pockets for drugs or detain them. At this stage it seems to me what occurred was a serious constitutional violation to everyone in the place." Stay tuned for further developments.
 
John Feffer: Joe, You Ignorant Slut Top
Last week, I inadvertently found myself back in second grade. This is how it happened. I recently published an essay on the tradition of suicide missions in the West that generated a lot of letters, some of them negative. But even the detractors generally respected the norms of polite discourse. Then, last week, several conservative blogs picked up on the article, and the tone of the letters became considerably more aggressive. Suddenly, as several emails informed me, I was a "boob," a "libtard," "pond scum," and providing "moral support to terrorists." For a brief moment, in other words, I was caught up in the rabid right's crusade to find vulnerable targets under their new banner of "one, two, many Van Jones." Since I'm not in a position of particular power -- and thus not worth the bloggers' frenzy -- the frothing beast held me in its jaws only briefly before dropping me relatively unscathed and moving on to a worthier victim. For those few moments, though, I was sorely tempted to respond in kind. My inner second-grader was yearning to come out and play. "Extremism in the cause of liberty is no vice," Republican presidential hopeful Barry Goldwater once said, "and moderation in the defense of freedom is no virtue." The heirs of Goldwater certainly took this maxim to heart over the last week as they brought American politics down to the second-grade level for us all. They claimed their first victim -- Van Jones, the green jobs "czar" in the Obama administration -- for the "crimes" of signing a petition, uttering an epithet, and supporting a death row inmate. Then the "tea-baggers" poured into the streets of DC in the tens of thousands last Saturday with placards denouncing socialist health care (if only), tax hikes (Obama actually implemented a tax cut for the middle class), and big government (no one seemed bothered by record Pentagon spending). They expressed their support for "Joe" Wilson -- real name Addison Graves Wilson, Sr. -- who behaved like a bully in the back row of class when he shouted "You lie!" at the president during his health care speech in Congress. This extremism of emotions is accompanied by an extremism of beliefs: Obama is not an American citizen, he supports "death panels," Mexico is poised to retake the Southwest with the help of illegal immigrants, and so on. This lunatic fringe, aided and abetted by savvy conservative organizations and their media darlings, isn't interested in debate. It's out for blood. Popular anger is nothing new. For eight years, large numbers of Americans were in a perpetual state of outrage at the Bush administration. "They lied, people died," was a popular bumper sticker of the era. Democrats howled during Bush's 2005 State of the Union address. But, as New York Times columnist Gail Collins points out, "The difference between that and 'You lie!' is about the same as the difference between calling an opponent wrong and accusing him of 'hatred of America' as Wilson did in a TV debate with a congressman opposed to the Iraq War." We have our anger, and we have our lunatic fringe too. (I am, for instance, heartily sick of the 9/11 conspiracy theorists.) But during the Bush years we were protesting against a presidential team that broke laws and indulged in lies so huge they changed the rules of geopolitics. Bush administration policies led to more American casualties than 9/11 and a ghastly number of civilian deaths in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. What comparable misconduct brought the crowds to Washington on Saturday? A plan to address the obvious flaws of our health care system. The mismatch between policy and protest is almost satirical. Moreover, as Michael Kazin points out in The Nation , the conservatives are tilting at the same windmills that they helped construct: "[T]he very ineptitude of conservative governance in the recent past makes Americans more open to the right's arguments now that it is out of national power. Why trust the federal state to do anything it promises?" Of course there are very good reasons for people to be angry today. The United States is still fighting two wars. The recession continues to hit hard. And the government sometimes seems more concerned about bailing out banks and defense contractors than helping working people. If the populist left doesn't focus this anger on the appropriate targets, then the populist right will channel it in racist, xenophobic, and paranoid directions. One of those appropriate targets should be the war in Afghanistan and the Obama administration's decision to kick U.S. involvement up a notch. As Foreign Policy In Focus columnist Conn Hallinan points out, the administration's policy is founded on several myths: that it's a war of necessity, that counterinsurgency can work, that NATO is behind us. Those myths stand in stark contrast to the reality. "The Karzai government has stolen the election," he writes in Afghanistan: What Are These People Thinking? "The war has spilled over to help destabilize and impoverish nuclear-armed Pakistan. The American and European public is increasingly opposed to the war. July was the deadliest month ever for the United States, and the Obama administration is looking at a $9 trillion deficit." In the next month, the peace movement will step up efforts to stop the war . Code Pink is organizing a national week of media action this week. United for Peace and Justice is planning events for October 7 , the eighth anniversary of the war's start. But even as we mobilize for our actions and demonstrations, there also has to be room for civil debate and discussion, which are the lifeblood of democracy. Thanks to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck and "Joe" Wilson, our democracy has suffered an embolism, and our capacities for speech have sadly deteriorated. Saturday Night Live once featured a Point-Counterpoint between Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtain that quickly devolved into Aykroyd's infamous tagline: "Jane, you ignorant slut." Yesterday's satire has become today's headlines. The fine art of argument is dead. In its place, we must endure playground taunts and invective. The temptation to respond in kind is enormous.... Cross-posted from Foreign Policy In Focus , where you can read the full post. To subscribe to FPIF's e-zine World Beat, click here . More on Afghanistan
 
Nikolas Kozloff: HuffPost Review: Crude Top
What is it going to take for Americans to take action against environmentally-unfriendly U.S. companies doing business abroad? That's a question on the minds of many Ecuadorans who have been seeking environmental justice against Texaco, an oil company which turned their lush rainforest into a toxic cesspool. According to Amazonian Indians, from 1964 to 1990 Texaco caused serious damage to human health and the environment by employing obsolete technology in drilling operations at hundreds of wells spread throughout the jungle. Unfortunately, Americans have shown scant interest in the story and it's unlikely that there will be a ruling in a pending legal case against Texaco for some time. I know how difficult it can be to get any traction on the Ecuadoran Amazon story: in 1992, having just completed a reporting internship at local radio station in New York, I headed to the Ecuadoran capital of Quito. One tribe, the Huaorani, had just traveled from the eastern Oriente region to Quito where they carried out a militant protest to demand a halt to road construction furthering oil exploration on Indian lands. Powerful interests were at play: on one side was the pro-business government, the media establishment and Protestant North American missionaries. On the other were a handful of Ecuadoran and U.S. environmentalists. I was intent on interviewing the Indians but U.S. missionary pilots who controlled air traffic in an out of the Amazon were suspicious of my motivations and I was obliged to haggle with them before they ultimately agreed to take me into the interior. Once in indigenous territory I spoke with the Indians who were living in deplorable health and sanitary conditions. Later in Quito I couldn't find a very suitable venue for my articles: the U.S. media was disinterested in the oil story and in the capital many Ecuadorans seemed unaware of what was happening in their own land. Finally, one editor of a local glossy magazine agreed to publish some of my pieces. Though a conservative he had an avid interest in indigenous cultures and managed to persuade the business partners in the magazine to carry my work. I also published some of my material in a left-leaning daily newspaper though unfortunately the articles came out on the back page. In my pieces I dissected the oil companies' unconvincing propaganda and warned of imminent environmental problems in the future. As it turns out I wasn't far off target in my reporting: after I left Ecuador in 1993 social and environmental conflict intensified in the Oriente. Yet, the media establishment continued to ignore the story. Fortunately, intrepid documentary film director Joel Berlinger has just released a new film called Crude which stands to raise awareness about the vital environmental stakes in tiny Ecuador. Shot in cinéma-vérité-style, Crude takes up the controversial issue of Texaco and the Indians' harrowing struggle to hold the company to account for its environmental crimes through a landmark historic lawsuit. The plaintiffs allege that Texaco -- which merged with Chevron in 2001 -- spent three decades systematically polluting the rainforest while poisoning the water, air and land. Amazonian Indians sued Texaco in 1993 for $1 billion in U.S. Federal court in New York. In 2003 the case moved to Ecuador and four years later the amount of damages was increased to $27 billion based on an expert's report. Indigenous peoples claim that contamination has created a virtual "death zone" in an area the same size of the state of Rhode Island. Within the area, they say, local people have suffered from increased rates of cancer, leukemia, birth defects, and a variety of other medical problems. Chevron ardently denies the claims, outrageously arguing that the case constitutes a fabrication spread by "environmental con men" seeking to enrich themselves by cutting into company profits. But those claims are revealed as truthful when, early on during the film, a lawyer named Pablo Fajardo representing the Indians accompanies a fact-finding delegation to toxic pits deep in the Amazon. A young man with a sensitive and compassionate mien, Fajardo is the most compelling character in the movie. Indignantly, he denounces Texaco for its environmental disaster while the judge and onlookers take in the scene. For Americans more accustomed to seeing their legal cases unfold in the cold stodginess of a court it's an unusual sight. As the delegation moves from one sludgy pit to the next a Chevron lawyer does his best to attempt the impossible. There's no evidence, he says, that the oil company is responsible for the mess that occurred long ago. It's a claim so ridiculous as to be patently absurd, yet the wheels of justice in Ecuador turn slowly. In a country plagued with corruption and weak institutions including the judiciary, it's easy for the oil companies to get their way. Indeed, the Ecuadoran legal system as portrayed in the film would seem to be a free for all: in one memorable scene Steven Donziger, an American lawyer representing the Indians, confronts his Chevron counterpart in the offices of a Quito judge. "You are a corrupt Texaco lawyer!" screams Donziger. As the two lawyers trade barbs the aging judge sits at his desk, bewildered at the altercation. To be sure it's a daunting legal milieu for the Indians and their allies who lack the financial resources of multinational corporations to carry on a prolonged legal battle. Unfortunately, the longer the case drags on the longer the Indians suffer from the prolonged effects of oil contamination on their lands. The first half of Crude is riveting but psychologically difficult to take in: an Indian woman breaks down and cries as she talks about how her daughter has fallen ill with cancer. The mother can't afford to pay outstanding medical bills and in a desperate attempt to make ends meet she buys some livestock to supplement her income. However, the animals drink the oil-contaminated water nearby and get poisoned. The camera trails a young boy as he throws dead chickens into the forest. You don't need to hit the viewer over the head or resort to Michael Moore-style gimmickry to make the point about social injustice in the Amazon, and Berlinger's cinéma-vérité strategy is effective here. However, in the second half of the film the director increasingly shoots the story from the perspective of Donziger as well as Trudie Stuyler, rock star Sting's wife who has taken a keen interest in the plight of Ecuador's Indians. Personally I wasn't nearly as interested in them as Fajardo, a humble lawyer from the Amazon. At one point he talks about how his brother was tortured by the security forces and killed. Fajardo is seen grieving at his brother's grave site but we don't learn very much about the mysterious incident. Fajardo himself worked for the oil industry earlier in his life and it might have been interesting to tell the film's story more from his own perspective. In particular it would have been revealing to address the question of how the Texaco case changed Fajardo's life. In an effort to bring attention to the oil company's ecological crimes, environmentalists brought Fajardo to San Francisco. There is a telling scene in which Donziger talks about the need to promote Fajardo in the media as a kind of "naïve" Mr. Magoo personality who's traveled to the city for the first time. As a result of Donziger's outreach, Vanity Fair ran a glossy profile on Fajardo which brought the Ecuadoran to U.S. attention. That in turn led to Fajardo receiving a CNN "Hero" award and the Goldman Award, the environmental equivalent of the Nobel Prize. What's more, Fajardo was invited to meet North American environmentalists during the Live Earth concert in 2007. After the performance Sting presents Fajardo to the media. At one point an aghast environmentalist asks Fajardo "so you've really never heard of The Police?" It's an ironic moment in some ways and I was interested to learn more about Fajardo's perspective on the nature of environmental campaigning and public relations in the U.S. Sadly, it may take celebrity outreach to wake Americans up to environmental crimes committed in poor and neglected areas of the world. Nikolas Kozloff is the author of Revolution! South America and the Rise of the New Left , which is being released in paperback by Palgrave in November. He is also author of the upcoming No Rain in the Amazon: How South America's Climate Change Affects the Entire Planet (Palgrave, 2010).
 
Jim Selman: Tempests in a Tea Party Top
A good friend of mine is a Canadian that grew up in Lebanon. His family still owns a bit of land that is situated between two of the refugee camps. It is a bleak scene by all accounts. I asked him what he learned growing up in that kind of environment. He said, "I learned it only takes a very few people to screw it up for everybody." I had the same impression as I watched the "9/12 tea party march on Washington" this past week. It is fine for any group to demonstrate. That is their right. But I am also a bit perplexed why a campaign that has a few thousand people should be getting the same kind of coverage in the media that other marches involving millions, such as those for the civil rights movement, receive. I am also perplexed that the media doesn't make a distinction between hate-filled Nazi style sloganeering messages and slogans that call for something . It is clear that at least some of the mob is racially motivated -- as reflected both by brandishing the Swastika and by "witch doctor" imagery. These people should be ashamed and ignored as just plain ignorant and despicable. For the remainder, however, it is appropriate to listen and try to at least understand and hopefully engage in a civil discourse even if most of the participants in the "tea party" don't seem interested. It is clear they are concerned about spending levels, as are many liberals. It is clear they are against what they call the "liberal media," even though "conservative" media is at least as prominent. It is clear they are against higher taxes, even though President Obama is honoring his promise not to increase taxes for the majority so far. It is clear they are against reforming our health care system, even though: a) we will pay for the uninsured one way or another anyway, b) the current costs are totally out of control, and c) the quality of the current system is 37th in the world. And it is clear they are against anyone who disagrees with their view. Contrast this to Martin Luther King's clarifying distinction that he was not so much " against discrimination" as he was " for equality." I have yet to hear what the "anti-activists" in this campaign are for . I cannot believe that they are all so blind as to not acknowledge that if they do defeat the current campaign for reform, the problems won't go away. What do they propose to do? In the absence of a constructive alternative, they should be heard but not taken seriously. They are a few thousand hard-core individuals intent on destroying possibility and undermining the man that a majority of Americans elected. We cannot and should not stop their speech, but we can and should turn off the endless ranting and ratings-motivated media hype this sort of nonsense creates. When a few people occupy the time and "conversational space" of the majority, then it is no longer about free speech. It is about communication strategy. And it only takes a few to mess it up for everyone. © Jim Selman. All rights reserved. More on Tax Day Tea Parties
 
Josh Sugarmann: Gunmaker Gaston Glock: Shell Companies, Nazis, and Murder Top
Is it beyond ironic when a gun company that's made its fortune marketing handguns to law enforcement finds itself and its one-time employees mired in a web of alleged criminal activity that includes money skimming, illegal campaign contributions, and even murder? Well, yeah. And the fact that the head of the company, Gaston Glock, used to pal around with a suspected Nazi sympathizer doesn't hurt. The company is handgun manufacturer Glock . And the source for these alleged criminal acts is a lengthy new investigative piece (remember investigative journalism, that thing real reporters used to do before they were replaced by a wave of young, inexpensive scribblers who think Wikipedia is a legitimate reference source) in the most recent edition of Business Week . According to Business Week , "Allegations of corruption permeate Gaston Glock's empire." Alleged criminal acts (the bulk of which Glock denies or blames on past employees) reported by Business Week include: o Creating a complicated series of shell companies to conceal the company's profits from U.S. tax authorities. o Distributing company funds to Glock employees and their wives with the understanding that the money would be distributed to congressional candidates--an apparent violation of U.S. election law. o A murder attempt on Gaston Glock's life found by the courts to have been engineered by his business partner Charles Ewert. o Theft and embezzlement by Glock employees. In addition to the criminal allegations, Business Week notes: Glock's political and public relations activities in the U.S. sometimes have tended toward strangeness. Internal records show payments of thousands of dollars a month over several years to a gun industry lobbyist named Richard Feldman. In interviews, Feldman says that at Gaston Glock's request he spent some of the money in 1999 and 2000 to arrange U.S. appearances by Jorg Haider, then the leader of Austria's anti-immigrant, far-right Freedom Party. Glock has been described in Austria as a political supporter of Haider, although the arms maker has sued both an Austrian newspaper and a politician there for making that claim. The arrangements Feldman says he worked on included Haider's attendance at a January 2000 banquet in New York honoring the birthday of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The King dinner, sponsored by the Congress of Racial Equality, received media coverage because Hillary Clinton criticized her then-rival for a New York Senate seat, Rudolph Giuliani, for attending the celebration [sic] Haider present. Before he died in a car accident last year, Haider stirred controversy, according to media reports, for praising the "character" of elite Nazi SS troops and the "employment policy" of Adolph Hitler. "Glock urged me to help Haider overcome some of the [image] problems," says Feldman. The lobbyist says he thoroughly researched the situation to satisfy himself that neither Glock nor Haider ever supported the Nazi cause. "There were loose statements [by Haider] that were blown out of proportion," he says. Is Gaston Glock just the victim of renegade employees and a poor choice in friends? That remains to be seen. According to Business Week , his "corporate web is now under scrutiny by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service...." But the next time the gun lobby talks about the firearms industry in hyperbolic, glowing terms that equate it with freedom itself, just remember the name Gaston Glock.
 
Eddie Izzard Runs 43 Marathons In 7 Weeks (VIDEO) Top
LONDON -- British standup comic Eddie Izzard has completed 43 marathons in seven weeks as part of a grueling charity run. The 47-year-old performer finished his 1,100 mile (1,770 kilometer) odyssey across Britain on Tuesday when he staggered across the finish line at London's rain-soaked Trafalgar Square. The cross-dressing comedian is better known for running through routines dressed in drag than running races, but Izzard says he managed the feat of endurance with only five weeks of training. Izzard was running for the Sport Relief charity. A charity spokeswoman says he was followed by a BBC film crew the whole time. After finishing his final marathon he told waiting journalists: "I feel dead." WATCH: More videos available here.
 
Obama To Appear On Letterman In Media Blitz Top
NEW YORK — President Barack Obama is visiting David Letterman on Monday, part of a media blitz to sell his health care plan. CBS says it would make the first visit ever by a sitting president to Letterman's "Late Show." Obama has appeared on Letterman's show five times before, the last during the campaign in September 2008. The president is scheduled to visit Sunday morning talk shows this weekend on ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN. That's a highly unusual schedule, even for a president eager to get his message across throughout the media. Obama will be the sole guest on Monday's "Late Show." More on Barack Obama
 
Michael Markarian: A Double Whammy for Animal Shelters Top
The economic downturn is having ripple effects in nearly every part of American life, but the impact on animal shelters has been especially acute. Struggling families are relinquishing more dogs and cats to shelters, as they find they can no longer afford the costs of pet care, or they are evicted from their homes and cannot find pet-friendly housing. At the same time, municipal governments are cutting local services, and charitable giving is on the decline, so both public and private shelters have less funding. It's a double whammy for animal shelters -- greater demand but fewer resources. Animal shelters play a critical role in our communities. The problem may become more severe in California, as a budget deal between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislators will reduce the funding available to hold stray dogs and cats in the state's municipal animal shelters. But some communities are taking a more forward-looking approach and trying to sustain -- rather than cut -- critical services. In Lincoln County on Oregon's central coast, the county animal shelter is scheduled to close its doors on June 30, 2010, because funding will run out. But this November, voters will decide on a new property tax that would allow animal care and control operations to continue uninterrupted. If approved, Measure 21-134 will provide funding for another five years to support the animal shelter and animal control services in the county. With tea-party protests around the country, it's hard to imagine voters approving a new tax. But it's even harder to imagine what life would be like with no animal shelter and no animal control services. Without an animal shelter, homeless pets will have no place to go to find new, loving homes. Stray animals will be left to the mercy of the streets, and without animal control services, they will continue to breed and overpopulate. As their numbers grow, disease will become rampant and pose a very real threat to animal health and human health. In fact, cutting funds for animal care and control is penny-wise and pound-foolish. Without a functioning animal shelter, other costs to the community -- demands on law enforcement, county health officials, and nonprofit rescue groups -- will grow. Measure 21-134 would cost the average Lincoln County property owner less than a nickel a day, while the potential costs of dealing with dog bites or a rabies epidemic would certainly be much greater. Most people wouldn't imagine living in an area with no school, no hospital, no police, no road maintenance, or no trash collection. An animal shelter, too, is a community institution, and shouldn't be allowed to go under. It's not just a quality of life issue for citizens, but a critical service in a nation that cares about animal welfare -- a nation where we want to see pets cared for and adopted , not suffering and dying on our streets. More on Taxes
 
Huff TV: Arianna Discusses The Economy And The Need For Wall Street Reform On CNBC (VIDEO) Top
Arianna spoke to CNBC's Becky Quick this morning to discuss President Obama's speech on the economy and whether there will be any real reform of Wall Street. WATCH: More on CNBC
 
Philip Lee Miller: Want Real Medical Reform -- Change the Paradigm Top
Joseph Campbell first offered this sage aphorism: "If you want to change the world, you have to change the metaphor." -- Joseph Campbell The president subtly changed the metaphor this morning in a major financial address. Instead of the phrase health care reform he used the phrase health insurance reform. Ah , now we are framing the right debate. Was this metaphorical or strategic? We have argued for months now that this is not about health care reform. Want real health care reform -- you change the paradigm. Read Deepak Chopra's OpEd this morning in SFGate . Then read all our past and future posts. We are just beginning to sense the advent of the 21st century. Old paradigms, companies, and entire industries are vanishing. The current debate is about economic reform. And economic reform is about insurance reform -- catastrophic economic reform. If health care is central and vital to the health and well-being of the nation, then health insurance should be regulated as a utility. As if Dr. Howard Dean had been following our very advice, just yesterday on Meet the Press , he offered the same prescription: There's another way. There's two countries in Europe that have universal health care without -- and it's entirely run by insurance companies. But they treat the insurance companies like regulated utilities. If the insurance companies would prefer to be treated like regulated utilities, we'd drop the public option in a heartbeat. -- Howard Dean This image from the morning's news captures the sentiment even better. Shows that the administration may be serious about the fundamentals of a healthy economy first. More on Health Care
 
Ken Salazar Gets Ready For Global Warming With Climate Change Response Council Top
WASHINGTON — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar moved Monday to prepare the nation's parks, refuges and endangered species for the onslaught of global warming. Salazar signed an order setting up a Climate Change Response Council and eight regional response centers to study and respond to such issues as rising sea levels threatening to swamp historic structures and warmer temperatures shifting where wildlife live. The order also commits the Interior Department to develop a plan to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions, including setting a firm target. "The realities of climate change require us to change how we manage...the resources we oversee," the order reads. Earlier this year, Salazar directed the Interior Department, which manages one-fifth of the nation's landmass, to jumpstart renewable energy development. Monday's action builds on that effort by launching a project to develop ways to store carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas, on park, refuge, and tribal lands. Carbon dioxide could be stored by pumping it underground, or by conserving or growing more trees and grasses to absorb it. Environmentalists lauded the action Monday, saying that it sent a signal that climate change was a a top priority. "Secretary Salazar deserves praise for recognizing that climate change waits for no one, and that the impacts of global warming on our public land and water resources could be very widespread and very serious," said Bill Meadows, president of The Wilderness Society. More on Climate Change
 
Linus Roache: Seeking and Finding Top
I am 45 years old and have been a professional actor for over 24 years. Well if you count my childhood appearances in a few TV shows and being the son of two well-known actor parents in the UK, plus three years of Drama School, you could say that I've been pretty much surrounded by the business of acting and performing my entire life. At a very early age though, I was interested in the bigger mysteries of life. Always asking those impossible questions like "Who is God?" and "How big is the Universe?" However, by the age of 11, it was clear that acting, not theology or cosmology, was my vocation, so with an interesting mixture of both inner conviction and a lack of self-confidence, I pursued my craft, threw myself at the world and became successful fairly early on in my career. I was, for the most part, over serious but very dedicated as I attacked my roles and somewhere at the heart of my desire to act was this continuing yearning to explore, understand and express the deeper meaning and purpose of human life. No wonder then that I always wanted to perform in the weighty dramas, being drawn to the classics and the stories that dealt with moral, psychological and spiritual dilemmas. So I lapped up Ibsen, Shakespeare, Chekov et al, but after a good 10 years in the professional world exploring a wide range of genres and mediums in theater, TV and film, I realized that although I was covering a lot of ground I was not actually finding any deeper answers to the big questions through my work ... Nor was I going to, it seemed. Not only that, I also knew that I could not be satisfied with simply settling for the worldly success of recognition and comparative wealth that I had achieved. By the time I was 30 years old, I was wondering if life would just go on with, well ... More ... but really just more of the same! I felt like I was in a flatland, realizing that performing and even success would never be able to satisfy my original longing to make real sense out of life. My soul felt hungry and it was saying quite loudly: "Ok we've done a lot of things... but what are we really going to do with this life?" So it's no surprise that I then began to pick up the spiritual search in earnest. I briefly flirted with some of the new age offerings available in the early 90's and found strength in Buddhism, but ultimately I was looking for something that was not tied to tradition. Part of me wanted to disappear into a cave in India, and I did end up going on retreats there, but don't ask me why, I always felt very strongly that the point for me was to find a way to live a truly spiritual life in the modern day world and be able to work with all the positive aspects of our cultural and technological advancements. And after several years of seeking I did actually find what I was looking for in the contemporary teaching of Evolutionary Enlightenment. I experienced first hand the transcendent nature of who we are as spirit first, beyond time and the mind, and I knew without any doubt that this dimension of ourselves was ultimately more real than anything else I had previously experienced. It blew my mind! My soul jumped for joy! All my original questions were being answered in the discovery of this consciousness that inherently united everything and everyone and pointed to an incredible potential for humanity. It felt huge and seemed to hold a significance way beyond myself. I didn't really know what I was saying "yes" to at the time but I knew that it was real, it was good and I had the sense that I was coming home....but...and here is the thing, at the same time I knew that I was about a million light years from being at the end of the journey, in fact, it was clear that it was just getting started. My life was upside down and the question now was. How was I going to live according to what I had realized? And do that with integrity? That is something that I have been working on and bumping into for fifteen years now but I am excited to be able share some of my explorations, successes and failures with you in this and future posts. You can seek forever but when you start finding, there is nothing more to wait for. It seems to me that whatever path you choose to take, in the end its up to each of us to try, test and live what we find out, to apply it and see what actually works and that's the exciting and challenging part of this very real adventure. For a while I even gave being an actor in order to give my attention more fully to this spiritual pursuit but overtime it became clear to me that my work and my spiritual exploration were not mutually exclusive. In fact, as well as now loving my role on Law and Order, I am looking forward to developing film and theater projects to communicate more tangibly the thrilling dimension of our nature as evolving beings who are part of a much bigger story ... A story that we are all writing the next chapter of now. And there is so much to talk about right there...! More on India
 
Romer Thinks "Consumers" Should Take Share Of Responsibility For Lehman Collapse Top
Hey kids, in case you haven't figured it out, yesterday was the anniversary of Lehman Brothers' epic collapse, touching off Wall Street's brilliant swan dive into a dung heap of its own making. And so the White House is Making The Speeches, and having Teachable Moments, Never Forgetting, and Putting Things Into Larger Historical Context. And somewhere your Wall Street Titans are absorbing this rhetoric and searching their souls, wondering: "Hey! Could we take this outpouring of sentiment, chop it up into a tranche with toxic mortgages, and sell it as derivatives?" Yesterday, Christina Romer went on MSNBC to talk to Andrea Mitchell about all the great lessons that this moment has to teach. ROMER: We absolutely feel that we have to get regulatory reform moving! That's part of what the president was talking about today! Using this anniversary to remind people! Just how bad things were a year ago! And how we do not want to be there again! WATCH: Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News , World News , and News about the Economy You should watch the video, because without it, it's so hard to convey Romer's VAPID! ENTHUSIASM! FOR EVERYTHING! That makes it hard to determine what aspect of the president's remarks are most important to her. Luckily, she tells us: ROMER: I thought the other part that I liked so much in the president's speech is to say, it's not just about putting in new rules, it's about a new sense of responsibility! Among government, business, and even consumers. That we all need to do our part to rebuild trust and make the system work again! And I thought that was a terrific message! Yes! That is a "terrific message!" I hope that millions of American consumers spent some time yesterday reflecting on how their lack of responsibility caused the demise of Lehman Brothers. Let's all meet back here tomorrow to reflect on the anniversary of that time we all caused the AIG liquidity crisis! [Would you like to follow me on Twitter ? Because why not? Also, please send tips to tv@huffingtonpost.com -- learn more about our media monitoring project here .] More on Video
 
Dr. Charles G. Cogan: No Caning This Time Top
South Carolina, the most "reb" of the rebel states (remember the Nullification Act?) has the distinction of unruly behavior in legislatures. Addison Graves Wilson, Sr., known as Joe except on his birth certificate, called the president a liar the other evening in the House of Representatives. A hundred and fifty years ago, another South Carolina Congressman beat a Massachusetts Congressman severely with a cane. That Congressman, Charles Sumner, took three years to recover and now stands proudly, but in bronze, looking down towards Harvard Square. The moment of the caning was 1856, and the tension between abolitionists on the one hand, and advocates of states rights (including the right to hold slaves) on the other, was nearing its paroxysm. In a historic turnabout, the party of Lincoln is now championed in the South, and the Democratic Party that included Copperheads, some of whom were Southern sympathizers, has been shut out of the South. Secessionist talk again is in the air but should not be taken seriously. That question was settled, once and for all, in the bloody crucible of the Civil War. What is new, and disturbing, is the polarization that has taken place around the person of Barack Obama. Adoration on the one hand, frustrated vexation on the other ("You lie!") -- due in part to the unwillingness of some, whether they acknowledge it or not, to accept the presence of a black man in the White House. But black man there is, and it is incumbent on all citizens to respect the office of the president and not engage in acts of discourtesy -- or worse.
 
Kiri Westby: Are You On The Right Path? Top
When I was in kindergarten my teacher used to ring a bell, upon which we were trained to do three things...Stop, Look and Listen. Of course then the point was to stop playing, pay attention and listen to pending instructions from the leader of our small universe about what to do next. Now that I'm older, things are not so simple. Or are they? Learning to trust my intuition was a painful and often terrifying process that required slowing down, looking my fears straight in the face and choosing to listen, instead, to the signals. Sometimes this landed me flat on my face or in a situation where more difficulty arose, but even then, in the end, my gut was always right. In 2003, I was working in the newly opened conflict zones of Northern Sri Lanka. The night before we planned to drive through an area riddled with landmines, I spent hours throwing up and couldn't sleep. My internal alarm was going off and I couldn't ignore it. At first I thought I was just succumbing to fear and needed to get tougher with myself, but after a deeper examination and really listening, I realized that I knew trouble lay ahead. Although it cost money and valuable time, I turned our mission around and chose not to go through the mines. I'll never have proof that I made the right decision or that something horrible would have happened to our team, but I know that I trusted myself and it felt right. In my line of work, getting in touch with your intuition can mean the difference between life and death. I'm sure you've got a similar story about a time when you knew, you just knew, you had to do something (or avoid something) and you can't explain how. That's because we all have a signal. It's the sixth sense we hear of. But unlike our other sense, we are not trained or encouraged to listen to it or trust its wisdom. Maybe for you it's a slight chime or a loud gong that goes off in your head. For me it's a pulling feeling in my stomach, like someone is tugging at my diaphragm. Intuition is how a mother knows when something has happened to a child she's away from, and how we all know when a circumstance just doesn't feel right. But what if we aren't listening? More than ever, our world is full of ways that distract us from hearing ourselves. Between Facebook updates on the iphone, Twitter-gone-wild advertising, and just your regular old text messages (not to mention e-mails, does anyone even e-mail socially anymore?), we are almost never alone and rarely listening to our inner selves. If we're not listening, then how do we know who's driving the bus? On what are we basing our moment-to-moment decisions? And, more important, what do we rely on for guidance in major life choices concerning health, work, and family? If we can't trust ourselves, if we don't hone our ears to hear our inner warnings, then we can end up acting out of social responsibility or just rote memorization, trapped in a routine that is not serving us, or the world, in any way. This is how people end up doing a job they hate for thirty years and not knowing why. When we give --in to our fears and all the what-ifs, when we keep turning down the volume on our intuition -- we end up sleepwalking and missing our lives. Sometimes the signals are external. We get so wrapped up in our plans to accomplish something that we refuse to see obstacles and difficulties as signs to slow down and reevaluate. We push ahead, narrow sighted, and often end up right back where we started...frustrated and confused. At the same time, if we can be patient and pay attention to the indicators around us as well as within us, then the path becomes clear and unobstructed. Only you can question your world and contact your deepest desires. Only you can make yourself happy. The path to doing so is already there, if you are brave, listen, and trust yourself. For me, the answers always come when I close myself off from the world, turn inward and pay attention to what I already know. Maybe that early lesson from kindergarten was the key...Maybe we all need to just Stop , Look and Listen . Have a good story about a time you trusted yourself? Or, better yet, a time when you should have? Share it below! Truthfully, Kiri Westby Change-Maker/Rule-Breaker/Story-Teller Featured in Ed and Deb Shapiro's new book, BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You And The World , with forewords by HH Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman.
 
Diane Francis: Top Canadian banker explains green strategy Top
Canada's banking system is one of the best regulated, and modulated, in the world which is why no Canadian financial institution went bust during the 1930s Depression, nor did any even seriously wobble during this year's meltdown. The result is that Canada's five biggest banks, with their investment banking subsidiaries, have catapulted from the back of the world's 50 biggest banks to 10th slot for the biggeest, The Royal Bank of Canada. I recently interviewed -- for a series running in The Financial Post and CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) -- the Royal's Chair/CEO, Gordon Nixon, about environmental and financial sustainability, the meltdown and what's next in the world of finance. Here's the intervie w in full.
 
Maddisen K. Krown: Ask Maddisen - How To Release Mental Patterns That Don't Support Your Goals Top
Dear Maddisen: I feel trapped by certain mental patterns that I'm sure I don't want anymore. They're so elusive, and they not only run me but run ahead of me! I'm the one suffering the most from my own patterns, and I'm ready for something new. Specifically, I want to think and act in ways that support my personal life goals. I love your step-by-step processes. Any suggestions? Thanks LJ Dear LJ, Thank you for bringing up such a relevant topic. Undesired mental patterns can be very elusive indeed, especially when we're not fully conscious of them and feel automatically run by them. These patterns may be linked to unconscious irrational beliefs that were formed when we were very young, based on real survival needs, or that were assimilated from others including our parents, ancestors, or caretakers. Additionally, old unconscious belief patterns may have influence over our current general attitudes and default emotional states. The interesting twist here is that a mental pattern we currently experience as undesirable may have at one time served us and even supported our survival in some way. For example, I had a client who was raised in a home that was dominated by her alcoholic, overtly abusive father and enabled by her mother. To secure her survival when she was little, my client unconsciously chose introverted behaviors, disappearing whenever possible and remaining silent in the face of any attacks or controversies. These became patterns that followed her into adulthood, until a time when she could no longer bear the pain of not feeling free to participate in her life and engage more fully with others and to speak her truth. In bringing those old patterns to the surface, she has been able to release them and move into thought patterns and behaviors that now support her in living a fuller life, which includes honest, expressive, and creative collaboration with others. In simply being aware that you have unwanted mental patterns, LJ, you have taken the first step in liberating them. However, as you requested, my intention is to offer a more concrete and stepwise approach to ending unwanted mental patterns, along with a way to replace them with desired thoughts that directly align with and support your personal life goals. Pattern Journal Mental patterns can be slippery, even after you've sniffed them out! So to catch and fully reveal them, you'll set a trap. That trap is called a "Pattern Journal". You'll record your patterns in this pattern journal for 30 days. Step 1 Get yourself a journal or notebook that you designate as your "Pattern Journal". Step 2 At the end of every day, or at least 5 days per week, write about any of your patterns you experienced that day. They can be mental, emotional, or physical patterns. Any patterns at all. And they can be negative or positive. Express yourself fully by writing as much as you like about the patterns. Be specific. Note: You may find that you have fewer patterns than expected, but that they are similar in nature and repeat on a regular basis. Step 3 Next to each listed pattern, rate the pattern as "desired" or "undesired". Step 4 Once you've filled in the pattern journal for the day, look at each pattern that you've categorized as "undesired" and say the following phrase aloud, "I see you and accept you, and I now release you for the last time. Peace." Step 5 Record your patterns in the Pattern Journal for 30 days, and follow steps 2-4 each day you fill it in. While releasing the undesired patterns, begin creating your new and desired thoughts, the ones that support your goals, by entering them into your "Desire Journal." Desire Journal Your "Desire Journal" is where you write down any and all heartfelt desires and goals that excite and inspire you. Record your desires and goals in your desire journal for 30 days. Of course, you can continue beyond 30 days if you enjoy doing so. Step 1 Get yourself a journal or notebook that you designate as your "Desire Journal". Step 2 Each day, write down 1-10 heartfelt desires and/or goals that inspire and excite you. More is OK! Note: You may find that the same desires/goals are on your list each day. If so, that's just fine - more power to 'em! These may be the core desires and goals you will focus on manifesting at this time. Step 3 After you've made your entries for that day, take a few minutes to visualize them as though you were living them now. Enjoy the visions, go for details. Step 4 Are there any small steps you could take to start creating one or more of these desires or goals? If so, write down the steps in this journal, and perhaps write down the date when you'd like to complete them. Use this journal to track your progress. Be realistic and give yourself plenty of room for success. Take Inspired Actions . Step 5 Record your heartfelt desires and goals in the Desire Journal for 30 days, and follow steps 2-4 each day you fill it in. If you chose to follow this suggested program, you can keep both the Pattern and Desire journals simultaneously. After you complete both, feel free to continue working with your Desire Journal on a regular basis. The Pattern Journal may come in handy intermittently when you sense a pattern at work that you want to pinpoint and release. More about creating your desires and goals In my next column, I will provide an expanded approach on how to create your heartfelt desires and goals, which builds on these steps. For now, start these two journals, and know that you are taking major steps in support of your mission to 1) release unwanted mental patterns and 2) create empowering thoughts that align with your personal life goals. Dear LJ, with your eyes and senses open, be aware of the signs and palpable indications of your desires and goals developing in your life, and allow yourself to take inspired actions to support these developments. Continue to practice self forgiveness when needed, as outlined in my previous column on Self Forgiveness: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maddisen-k-krown/ask-maddisen-how-to-forgi_b_189267.html I do quite a bit of work in this area with my clients, and it supports them immensely to have a Coach who is guiding, supporting, motivating, and co-tracking with them as they articulate their heartfelt desires, set goals, take inspired actions, envision, track, report, and ultimately experience and revel in the fulfillment of their goals. Try the exercises in this column, and if you want additional structured support, consider enlisting the services of a Life Coach. I close with these powerful words that are based on the work of Roberto Assagioli, the Italian psychiatrist who founded the psychological movement known as Psychosynthesis. "You have a body, but you are not your body. You have emotions, but you are not your emotions. You have a mind, but you are not your mind. Who are you? You are a center of pure awareness. You are a center of will, capable of ruling, directing, and using all your psychological processes and your physical body." Know that we always have the option and the ability to reprogram our own thoughts to align with and support our heartfelt desires and goals. Your Coach, Maddisen Submit your questions for "Ask Maddisen" to askmaddisen@krown.us . Let us hear your thoughts -- include your COMMENTS below. Copyright 2009 Maddisen K. Krown More on The Inner Life
 
Daley Getting Angry At Parking Meter Company Top
Mayor Daley said today that he is losing confidence in the company hired to run the city's parking meters following the revelation of more problems with new pay-and-display boxes.
 
Sarah Lovinger: White Supremacists Need Health Care, Too Top
In the 15 years I have been working as a doctor, I have probably not treated too many white supremacists. I have worked in community health centers in Boston and in the Chicago area, and most of my patients, who are mostly uninsured, are either African American or Latino/a. But if a white guy who harbored a lot of racist sentiments came to my clinic with chest pain, I'd evaluate him and give him urgent care, without asking his political beliefs. So why are white racists so opposed to health care reform? In the tea parties that started last spring, the town halls of the summer, and Representative Joe Wilson's now famous "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech before Congress last week, it became clear to me that all the protestors I see online and on TV are white. I suspect they are straight and religiously conservative, as well. But they still need health care, and may even lack health insurance. In the current system, virtually any American under age 65--white, black, Latina, straight, gay, married, single--could loose his or her health insurance with a job layoff. Anyone could be denied coverage for a preexisting condition, could have their coverage rescinded in the midst of needing care for a major illness for an obscure reason, could have to decline a newer, better job because they could not transfer their essential health insurance coverage, or could max out their current policy if a serious illness strikes someone in their family, and face a medical bankruptcy. As a doctor I know that since we are all human, we all get sick and need health care at times. So why do thousands, perhaps millions of Americans who would benefit from health care reform legislation that would provide care without the unjust restrictions currently in place protest so loudly against 'Obamacare?' Sadly, the book " What's the Matter with Kansas ," provides the answer: some Americans harbor such deeply racist sentiments that they will vote against their own self-interest. The conservative radio, TV and Internet commentators, Sarah Palin and her 'death panels', the birthers, and the tea party organizers have so convinced a segment of Americans that Obama is trying to foist a socialist, un-American health care plan upon our country and have stirred up so much fear in the process, that the white folks who fear a non-white president have completely overlooked a critical fact: our current health care system is broken, and Obama's trying to make it better. I'll bet that many of the folks showing up for the tea parties and town halls are on the brink of financial collapse, lest they develop a serious illness. I'm sure many could loose their health insurance if the factory where they work closes, or could be denied coverage for an obscure reason if they change jobs. And if this happens, some of them may even come to my clinic, where most of my patients have no health insurance. I will provide them with care, and I won't ask about their political beliefs. Even if they repeatedly vote against their own self-interests. More on Health
 
Michael O'Neill: "You Lie": Health Care & Immigration Unify The Right Top
David Axlerod, featured on one Sunday circuit talk show, made the bold statement one day after the Saturday DC march, "The marchers are wrong." He is right. All polls show the public strongly supports the President's health care reform. He did not go into the numbers, but the end of August CBS poll showed not just support, but very strong support, in the 78 to 79% range, with opposition stuck in the 16% range. It's funny but that tracks the same number who told the White House pollsters they supported Bush in the months leading up to the election, when his die-hard supporters stood with him in the nadir of his presidency. The later Kaiser Family Fund, the well regarded medical research foundation that runs several hospitals and an HMO, polled essentially the same numbers, which have been holding steady in support of health reform for the last several months. This has hardly been noted over the major TV news shows, which have been so teabag stained they seem drenched. The teabaggers, the creation of the Ann Coulter, FOX News, Glenn Beck, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Dobbs, Dick Armey hate machine, and their devotees who have meshed with the militant anti-immigrant groups openly supported and seen at the sides of scandal ridden Republican ex-congressmen like Tom Tancredo, Tom Delay, Dick Armey and Newt Gingrich. They are a loose amalgam of well funded anti-tax, anti-government militants and gun-nut types who have flocked to the anti-immigrant movement with its neo-Nazi and white nationalist ties. Opposition to health care reform has brought them into the same camp as the fervid High Unholy Rollers of the Sovereignty (states' rights iteration) movement. As they have morphed together into a kind of hard right Frankenstein, patched together from several bodies, they have been able to attract Republican fundamentalists and bedrock conservatives, greatly expanding their numbers, mainstreaming their agenda and clout. If they are successful in blocking health reform, I believe there is little doubt there will be a run away momentum of political success to power and fuel their anti-immigrant fervor into hysteria heretofore unseen. There will not be immigration reform that is fair, compassionate and progressive, but one that is restrictionist, punitive, nativist and vengeful. Pro-immigrant advocates must enter the fray to fight as best we can for health care reform or be behind the 8 ball on the fiercer and more difficult struggle over immigration. According to the NY Times one saw just as many anti-immigrant signs as anti-health care reform at Saturday's Washington march. The political climate created by the fused anti-immigrant-anti-health care wingnuts has been so powerful that even La Raza (NCLR) and the Obama Administration have endorsed putting in restrictionist language that specifically excludes immigrants, in status and out, from eligibility for government insurance coverage. Some teabaggers want blanket refusal to treat even bleeding children presenting in ERs, without cash. What had made them such a laughing to middle of the road Americans went through a series of transformative attacks, although appearing absurd to many, laid the groundwork for the scaffolding that built up this magnetizing structure that at its heart is a social networking community of cruelty. It sucked in myriad flocks of malcontents into a mass mob unhinged by a black President, who claim to oppose healthcare reform because they oppose the Kenyan born interloper with his fake birthing certificate; because they oppose abortion, saying government paid abortion on demand will feed disabled babies to werewolves; who oppose health care reform because they oppose death panels sending gramps off in a boat to freeze in the Artic night; and rationing care; because they oppose socialism that will grow government larger than the Pentagon; because it will allow homosexuals to marry and then adopt orphans, ending Western Civilization; because it will let Islam replace Christianity, among its less dire, but baffling effects. As each of their farcical arguments fell on its face, tripped by its own illogic, a lone racist, pretending spontaneity, yelled, "you lie" to a President addressing both houses on national TV. Suddenly, in one fell outburst, all the absurdities were put behind them and what emerged before our very eyes was not the compelling defense of decency and moral duty by a brilliant President, but the fusion at the nexus of the health care and immigration reform from two broken systems into the overriding single nightmare of the right, the facilitation of demographic change by immigration and health care that will threaten to end the consensual delusion of white dominance, power and majority of population in the USA. What more compelling reason to oppose health care reform since it will entrance brown and swarthy compesinos below our southern border to immigrate to the US, where they can live high on government welfare and not pay taxes and take our jobs and move into our neighborhoods and bring down the values of our property and currency and make English a 2nd language and stain our democracy with their papist enslavement to a supra allegiance to the Vatican, automatons of the reconquista. We must repeat over and over: Fight FAIR; stop the lies, even until we are blue in the face and then write it in the skies. If it sounds bleak, it is. The right is marching; unless we defeat them at the Battle of the Little Big Health Reform, they could go on to demolish us on immigration in this new arena of shockjock media hallucination, where perceptions can become reality. We do have strong winds at our backs, a strong, dynamic President. In 20 of 22 competitive House and Senate races last November, the candidates favoring greater immigration reform, mostly Democrats, defeated their hard-line anti-immigrant opponents. Of the seats in the Senate, Dems went from 51 seats to 60 and Repubs slid south from 49 seats to 41 in a blaze of nativist blame and polemic. And the Repubs moderates suffered mortal losses, moving Repubs further to the right, vying to become our first regional Southerner party. We have more than the capacity to win this fight, we have the moral strength of fairness, compassion and democratic family values at our backs. We must make the case for reform and we must call out their lies, because we must prevail.
 
Santorum 2012 Run Against "Injurious" Obama Considered Top
Rick Santorum affirmed on an RNC conference call -- aimed at attacking Arlen Specter -- that he's considering a run for president in 2012 -- because, he said, the Obama presidency is "injurious to America." More on Arlen Specter
 
"Retrosexuals" Find Old Flames On Facebook Top
As Facebook users have begun to skew older--the website is now as popular with 30-, 40- and 50-somethings as with the college students who pioneered it--they have found ways to reconnect with one another. And who better to get in touch with than an old flame? The Boston Phoenix even coined a term, retrosexuals, for people who are taking the plunge into recycled love. More on Facebook
 
Julie Hamos Lands Emily's List Endorsement In Kirk Replacement Race Top
State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) landed the endorsement of one of the country's most powerful women's political groups Tuesday in her bid to succeed Mark Kirk in Congress. EMILY's List , a political force for pro-choice women candidates, announced that it will throw its significant financial and organizing support behind Hamos as she challenges former Democratic nominee Dan Seals and attorney Elliot Richardson for the Democratic nomination. "Julie's record of advocating for Illinois women and families is second to none," Ellen R. Malcolm, president of the Washington, D.C.-based political action committee, said in a press release. "We need her in Congress to continue that fight." "I am honored to be endorsed by EMILY's List," Hamos said in the press release. "Emily's List and its members' support is tremendously valuable as we move closer and closer to the February 2nd Democratic primary election." EMILY's List claims more than 100,000 members nationwide, and in the last election cycle raised more than $43 million to support women candidates. The group's backing is no guarantee of victory, however. State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz lost the Democratic primary special election for Rahm Emanuel's Congressional seat despite support from Emily's List. A host of Republicans are vying to keep the seat red, including state Rep. Beth Coulson, businessmen Dick Green and Bill Cadigan, attorney Jim Koch, and former Edgar Administration official Renee Thaler. Kirk is leaving the 10th Congressional District seat he has held since 2001 to run for the U.S. Senate. Read the whole release: Emily's List Endorses Julie Hamos - More on House Races
 
Tina Traster: The Great Divide: Rosh Hashanah My Way Top
I watched him braid the dough and I am 10 again in the humid kitchen peering over my grandmother's dexterous floured hands. My husband's strong hands are not as limber as hers were but he started baking only recently. I remember the first time he plaited the moist dough it looked like an uncooked chicken. But it plumped into a honey-hued loaf of challah after 30 minutes in the oven. When my husband slid the bread gingerly from the oven and placed it on a rack, we bent over together, as if in prayer. We felt like we were looking at a newborn. The sweet yeasty aroma rising from the blessed creation stimulated my salivary glands and my memory. As I reached toward the loaf to tear off an end my husband tapped my hand as though I were an impetuous child: "No," he said, "You've got to wait for it to cool." I really was back in the kitchen with grandma, being taught the virtue of patience. Grandma lived with my family in Brooklyn throughout my childhood. My mother, a teacher and part-time czar of my father's carpet business, abdicated home-making to my stout Polish grandmother. Grandma ran the kitchen with a clock-maker's precision, skills she perfected in earlier years when she and her late husband ran a delicatessen. Nothing was more impressive than watching her prepare a Rosh Hashanah dinner for 20 in our cramped kitchen. She'd pull the turkey dripping in its juices from the oven and slide it onto a platter while candied sweet potatoes simmered on the stove and noodle pudding cooled on the Formica counter. She'd lay doilies on a large plate and place the challah on top as though she were putting a baby in a crib. After it cooled, she'd slice it with machine precision. Knowingly she'd hand me an end before setting it down in the middle of the holiday table. "Just one piece or you'll spoil your appetite," she'd say. That we celebrated Rosh Hashanah and other Jewish holidays with feasts is a quirk in my upbringing. I never went to Hebrew School or got bat mitzvahed. My parents avoided synagogues and shunned religious practices. But my mother needed to celebrate the holy days with a family meal. I think it gave her a feeling of continuity. She always missed her father, who died suddenly from a heart attack at the delicatessen one day when he was 56 and she was a teen. Holiday meals comforted her loss. For me the Jewish New Year was a chance to model fabulous fall fashions and to become inculcated in the culture of raucous political debate. Israel may have been occasionally mentioned but not as vociferously as who was doing what to ruin the plight of middle class Jews in New York City in the 1970s. When my grandmother died in 1998 Rosh Hashanah as we knew it died with her. I was recently divorced. My sister had married a non-Jew and was not raising her two children with religion. My mother still did not know how to boil an egg. The other matriarchs in my family were passing and cousins were dispersing around the country. Over the years my mother did what she could to get our immediate family to gather even if it meant ordering in Chinese food and eating on paper plates. "The important thing is that we are together," she'd say. During my first marriage I never got to make a warm nest. We were young, preoccupied with external pleasures. There was no talk about settling down and starting a family. I got a second chance to know domestic bliss when I remarried an old high school friend in 2001. With this man, who bakes bread, I know the pleasures of tending to the hearth, just as my grandmother did. While I do the cooking, he is the baker. Home is the center of my world. I keep a picture of my grandmother on a bookcase in my office. I thank her often for her lessons. I've been telling her I'm planning this year's Rosh Hashanah dinner. She is not disappointed that the menu includes mozzarella, tomato and home-grown basil or a shrimp and salmon pasta with cream. I think it comforts her that there is a table my mother can sit at for the holidays even if turkey and candied sweet potatoes are distant memories. In finalizing the details for the dinner I asked my husband to make focaccia, a good complement for my Mediterranean menu. "Sure," he said. "But if you'd rather I will make challah." "Good idea," I said. "Good idea." More on Marriage
 
Kate Gosselin's New 'Do On 'The View': Love It Or Lose It? (PHOTOS, POLL) Top
It's been a rough year for Kate Gosselin's hair. First her signature asymmetrical bob became a Halloween wig . Then Kathy Griffin wore it to mock the mother of eight in a sketch called "Kate Is Enough." On Tuesday, Gosselin appeared as a guest host on 'The View'--and debuted a new 'do while she was there. True, it was the same old haircut with a few waves thrown in, but where do you stand on the new style? Follow HuffPost Style on Twitter and become a fan of HuffPost Style on Facebook ! More on Jon & Kate Plus 8
 
Arianna Huffington: Rocky Mountain High: Introducing HuffPost Denver, Our New Section Covering All Things Colorado Top
Today marks the rollout of our latest local section, HuffPost Denver , covering all things Colorado. We fell in love with all that Denver and Colorado have to offer during last year's Democratic National Convention. Yes, we were in a very good mood thanks to the massages, yoga, and organic treats at the HuffPost Oasis -- but it was really the unique energy of the place that grabbed our attention. Click here to read HuffPost Denver editor Ethan Axelrod's post on some of the other reasons we chose Colorado as our latest stomping ground. HuffPost Denver will feature up-to-the-minute Colorado news and a collection of bloggers ready to share their takes on everything from local politics to the region's fashion, food, entertainment, real estate, business trends, and sports teams. I imagine after this weekend's miracle finish, there will be plenty of talk about the Broncos. And there will, of course, be full coverage of Colorado's incredible outdoors culture -- including photos, videos, and stories from our readers. As we've done in New York , we have formed partnerships with a number of media outlets around the state that will be bringing us the best on-the-ground reporting from throughout Colorado. And our partners will be utilizing our citizen journalism tools and tapping into our community to help dig into important local stories. Click here to read our Special Projects Editor Katharine Zaleski's account of barnstorming the state with Ethan to meet up with our Colorado partners -- including a memorable stop at a raucous town hall appearance by President Obama. We hope that users will turn the section into a Colorado-centric meeting place, creating a community around the local stories that matter most to them and impact their daily lives. So check out HuffPost Denver ... and All Things Colorado . And use the comments section below to let us know what you think.
 
Nelson Montana: Enough with the Apologies! When Mea Culpa Just Doesn't Cut It Top
It stands to reason. If we, as a nation, are going to behave like children, we should also be treated like children. And we are. And no one blinks. There is nothing in life more meaningless than an apology, yet it's become a panacea for just about any behavior, no matter how egregious, how inappropriate, how vile, classless or sickening. It's down right fashionable! Everyone is doing it! And why not? It negates all wrongdoing. My bad. Apology accepted. It's so easy I almost can't wait to do it again. It's time to stop -- stop asking, and stop giving. I feel like I'm in an interminable semester of 4th grade. "Nelson! You hurt Harold's feelings. Now apologize !" Screw Harold. Let him get a thicker skin. Maybe this stems from my Catholic background. In Catholicism, you have something called the confessional. That's where all your sins were absolved simply by admitting them to a man who spoke directly with God and got the okay. That seemed pretty stupid when I was 9. Forty-something years later, who knew the practice would catch on so big? The apology has been used not only as vindication of bad behavior but also as an attack tactic. People now demand apologies whenever they attempt to discredit or belittle someone else. Al Sharpton will insist on an apology if he takes what someone says as offensive. So will Sean Hannity. They both have the same motive. If you act indignant and treat the opposition like a petulant child it provides a built-in offensive. And what amazes me is ... it works. Everyone is eager to apologize or sustain the wrath of being whatever he or she has been accused of, even if it's untrue, unfair or essentially benign. Just ask Martha Stewart or Leona Hemsley. But what's even worse is the apology that gets adulation. Serena Williams acts like a vicious, classless thug. But oh, she apologized. Isn't that nice? Kanye West stole the spotlight at the MTV award show in the rudest manner possible. Two days later he's getting even more attention by officially apologizing. Hey, maybe they're onto something here. Wanna heckle the president? No problem. Just apologize! Van Jones calls Republicans assholes? Leave him alone! He apologized! I'm waiting for Osama Bin Laden to come along as say: "People, it's in the past. Let's move on without all the resentment, alright?" And people will. This is all a part of the post therapy generation where no one is responsible for their actions. It's always due to extenuating circumstances, be it a repression, oppression or obsession. Oh yeah, even that's an excuse. Cheated on your wife? It's not because you're a cheat. You have an addiction . Go to therapy. Say you're sorry. It's all good. Sweet deal, eh? I ain't buying it. Maybe the worst apology of all time came from Bill Clinton when he apologized for slavery. Excuse me? The worst atrocity of all time is now eradicated simply by saying, "Oops...sorry." Yeah, I'll bet every African American felt better after that one. And besides, who was he apologizing for? Not me I hope. I never enslaved anyone, nor did my relatives. There's a better chance that my black friend's ancestors owned or sold slaves than mine, but that's not the point. No one should be responsible for the actions of others and no one should be deemed guilty by association due to their race. That's the very definition of racism. It's also incredibly stupid. It serves no purpose but to pander to the apology police, meanwhile opening wounds, insulting others and acting transparently disingenuous. It's time to stop with this nonsense and act like responsible people. Stand by your words or shut the hell up. And if you make an ass of yourself, own it. Let's eliminate this "get out of being a jerk free" card from our culture. Here's a thought. Learn how to behave. Comprehend the term "class." Act with dignity. Is that too much to ask? Is it too demanding? Too difficult? Well, too bad. America needs to grow up and grow out of this headset of flippant contempt followed by faux contrition. And if that sounds harsh, rigid or judgmental, well, what can I say? I'm sorry. More on Bill Clinton
 
Sue Wilson: Save Talk Radio! Top
I was strolling through my local county fair this summer, a small fair, a friendly fair, where cows, sheep and pigs outnumber food vendors. The Republican booth caught my eye, but not because of the red white and blue decorations. What caught my eye was the sign they'd posted, the sign that summed up the one key issue of importance to local Republicans. What would it be, in this raucous political summer of 2009? Anger over bailouts, fear over death panels? No. The number one issue for Amador County Republicans: "Save Talk Radio." I hadn't realized that the industry that just signed a $400 million contract with Rush Limbaugh needed saving, but they thought so; they even had a petition to save it. Sponsored by a group called " First Amendment Now ," the petition read, "We hold dearly our right to freedom of speech and the right for others to express their views. We believe that Government should stand aside rather than stand in the way of the discussion of ideas. We believe that because the First Amendment should be about freedom of choice. "Therefore, we the undersigned oppose all efforts of any Government to limit, censor, or restrict in any way our unfettered right to free speech on our radios, televisions, the Internet or any other medium." Wow, I thought, a Republican petition that I can really get behind! Then I read on: "We reject any effort to institute (1) the "Fairness Doctrine" or (2) "localism", which in its various forms seeks to establish local committees of "community leaders" to determine if talk radio is "reflecting" the views of the community, or (3) a quota system for ownership of radio stations - or any variance of any of those." In other words, they advocate free speech for giant corporations, but not for local people. Hmmn. I wondered how pervasive petitions like this might be. It turns out there are many such petitions on line, promoted by groups much more familiar than "First Amendment Now." So many, in fact, that they have amassed an army of more than a half a million to silence local views. The Christian Coalition : "They want to pass what is known as the "Fairness Doctrine", which is nothing more than a way for the federal government to demand that all broadcasters must give "equal time" to all points of view." Equal time to all points of view? What a radical concept. The Family Research Council : "We need to be aware, however, that liberals may achieve their ends without passing legislation, or even without a new FCC "fairness" rule. They could do it by requiring a fixed amount of local content for radio." Local content on local airwaves? It must be a Communist plot. It is easy to dismiss these petitions as fringe. But postings from the Free Speech Alliance reveal something greater: 1. Obama's FCC will use "localism," "diversity of media ownership" and serving the "public interest" as a backdoor "Fairness" Doctrine. 2. We must make any attempt by Obama's FCC to silence talk radio a political third rail, one that the Administration or Congress dare not touch. 3. We will defend talk radio from these governmental assaults on their industry, and build further the case for free speech in all things. "The Left dominates every medium of news delivery, save for talk radio. And they can't stand it, so they want to wipe it off the media map." The Free Speech Alliance is an arm of Brent Bozell's Media Research Center , which for years has been claiming liberal bias in the media with little evidence to back up the claim. This group has been quietly building an army to support corporate owned media and to squelch local voices. "MRC's Free Speech Alliance -- with 69 organizations now involved -- seeks to build the largest possible grassroots Alliance army. So far, we have over 550,000 members , but we need the maximum number possible to go to war when free speech is threatened." Among the 69 groups in support are: Accuracy in Media, American Conservative Union, National Taxpayers Union, National Religious Broadcasters, Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, World Net Daily, Salem Communications, and Clear Channel. The creator of the Free Speech Alliance is Seton Motley, the same Seton Motley who is appearing on the Glenn Beck Show to target FCC Chief Diversity Officer Mark Lloyd with fabrications about his suggestions in the Center for American Progress/ Free Press study " The Structural Imbalance of Talk Radio " to give local people more control over what they get on their radio stations. (To see an interview with Mark Lloyd on that report, see the film Broadcast Blues , or see a clip of the conversation at www.broadcastblues.tv ) It is clear that the "right" has been quietly assembling troops and is now mounting their attack, an attack largely unanticipated by media reformers, an attack now staged on "Conservative" talk radio and TV (not that there is anything conservative about opposing localism.) Their dominance over radio, where "conservatives" outnumber "liberals" by nine to one, means their army is growing every single day, while the other side didn't even know there was going to be a fight. An army of 550,000 from county fairs and the internet. How many more will there be now that recruitment has shifted to the airwaves? And who will stand ready to fight back? More on Glenn Beck
 
Richard Aborn: The Unthinkable Top
As we exercise our democratic right and take to the polls today here in Manhattan, I'd like to lay out, with great humility and gratitude, where we've come in our discussion on criminal justice -- and where we must still go. First, I am awed and humbled by the interest Manhattan residents from every neighborhood and of every race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, and walk of life have shown in transforming our criminal justice system. One of the reasons I am so optimistic and confident we'll succeed and stop crime before it starts, address racial inequities, and strengthen the way we offer young people constructive alternatives is because our friends and neighbors are willing to work together to achieve it. As many of you know, when we began our campaign for Manhattan District Attorney many months ago, the progressive ideas we presented about transforming the criminal justice system were viewed by some as too risky and honest to say in a political campaign. As one much-read columnist wrote in a piece called "The Richard Aborn Experiment," referring to our progressive agenda for a law enforcement office: "Unusually, he's betting that he can win a race for a crime-fighting post not by appealing to the public's fear of rising crime, but by focusing on traditional liberal ideas about the rehabilitation of prisoners and the root causes of criminal misconduct. He talks about the need to "break the cycle of violence" and of "rejecting those methodologies that have a high likelihood of making people into career criminals." This skepticism was common in those early days of the campaign. We were told that moving away from a "jail first" mentality, and towards a model for the office that looks to stop crime before it starts -- through community interventions and innovative practices - might be smart and inspiring, but would never fly politically. We were told talking honestly about the hard issues and failings of our system -- that 1 in 3 African American men and 1 in 6 Latino men will spend some portion of their life in prison, that 4 of 5 youths entering the system will recycle through it, that walking while black should not be a crime -- does not lend itself to safe political soundbites. But then, something humbling, inspiring, and unthinkable happened. Rather than everyone in the race trying to out-do one another as the "tough on crime" candidate, we - and by that, I mean our supporters and campaign, as this has been a bottom-up movement -- were able to change the terms of the debate. This became a campaign about a new vision for our criminal justice system - one that emphasizes preventing crime and alternatives to the costly and ineffective paradigm of mass incarceration. First our vision for the office began to catch on among progressive-minded voters who believe we must remain vigilant in prosecuting violent crime (as a former homicide prosecutor in the DA's office, this is an absolute top priority for me), but also shift the paradigm on non-violent crime to help people who have addiction issues, mental health problems, and adolescents who make a mistake, get the help they need and avoid a life of crime. A word-of-mouth campaign, fueled by door knocking and meeting with voters on street corners, parks and playgrounds created a burst of grassroots support that had nothing to do with me, but rather the ideas we stand for, and the tireless commitment and work of our wonderful volunteers. As these ideas began to catch on, we slowly captured the imagination and support of the majority of local Democratic and progressive organizations and clubs that held forums where they asked all three candidates some very tough questions about their vision for the office. This was followed by the lion's share of endorsements from elected officials like Congressman Jerry Nadler and 16 others, who met with all three of us and kicked the tires, so to speak, to learn our ideas for the office. As a result, thanks to our great supporters, local political experts called us "the surprise candidate, both in terms of the endorsements he has received and the amount of money he has raised." And then, after months of being the lone progressive in the race, the other candidates began to catch on. As our ideas for transforming the criminal justice system caught fire, the other candidates began to incorporate similar sounding remarks into their speeches so frequently that the Daily News wrote a story on it, reporting that "observers note [one opponent] recently hijacked rival Richard Aborn's 'progressive'" message. More recently, those carefully watching the race in recent weeks have probably noticed all the stories about how the candidates seem to be talking about prevention and the need for constructive alternatives to prison. In fact, if you saw our final debate on Sunday, you'd notice that the other candidates have begun to echo our ideas so much that it almost sounds like they're supporting us (check out this amusing video ). So that's the good news: Because of all your hard work, we've changed the debate. By articulating a strongly progressive, prevention-oriented platform and speaking directly and honestly about racial justice, we have reshaped criminal justice thinking in New York. But our work isn't done. There's one step you can take today to help us roll up our sleeves and begin the hard work. If you believe that there's something wrong with our criminal justice system when nearly one out of three African-American men - and one out of six Latino men -- can expect to spend some portion of their life in prison and four out of five juvenile offenders are re-arrested within a few years of their first arrest, please consider supporting our cause today and coming out to vote. If you think it's time for a progressive and effective District Attorney, who finds better ways to prevent crime before it happens -- by getting guns off our streets before they're used, giving at-risk kids alternatives to crime, and treating drug addiction as a public-health rather than a criminal-justice problem - please consider supporting our cause today and coming out to vote ( click here to learn where to vote). If you think that walking while black should not be a crime in the city with the richest cultural diversity in the world, and that it's time to revisit dysfunctional and discriminatory "stop and frisk" practices, please exercise your voice in our democratic system and vote today. We've come so far, and achieved what seemed unthinkable a few short months ago We can go even further today, by winning this campaign, and transforming our criminal justice system together. Thank you for your support and consideration. I am so deeply humbled and awed by what we've been able to achieve together.
 
Craig Newmark: apps.gov -- cloud computing, effectiveness, cost savings for Federal IT Top
Hey, we're hearing right now about a big improvement in the way the US gov't manages data and gets stuff done. This really is big. Vivek Kundra, Federal CIO, is doing a great job for the country. Check out their blog and apps.gov : Apps.gov is an online storefront for federal agencies to quickly browse and purchase cloud-based IT services, for productivity, collaboration, and efficiency. Cloud computing is the next generation of IT in which data and applications will be housed centrally and accessible anywhere and anytime by a various devices (this is opposed to the current model where applications and most data is housed on individual devices). By consolidating available services, Apps.gov is a one-stop source for cloud services - an innovation that not only can change how IT operates, but also save taxpayer dollars in the process. The federal government spends over $75 billion annually on information technology (IT). This technology supports every mission our government performs-- from defending our borders to protecting the environment. IT is essential for the government to do its work, and it is essential that we have access to the latest and most innovative technologies.
 
Josh Rosenblatt: Conservative Protesters Show Their Liberal Side on the Streets of D.C. Top
You know something is upside-down in the world when conservatives are marching on Washington. I mean, say what you will about the birthers, the nativists, the death panelers, the 9-12ers, and the John Birch Tea-Party guys; conservatives are not by nature a marching people -- the cardiovascular side of their civil disobedience generally involves rising from seats at town hall meetings and shouting -- so to see them gathered on the Mall this past weekend like a bunch of liberals at an anti-IMF rally was to witness evidence of a world gone completely loopy. What was really fascinating about Saturday's Freedom Works Glenn Beck Never Forget 9-12 March on Washington for Continued Prosperity was the variety of beliefs being touted. I thought message discipline was supposed to be the hallmark of the conservative movement: You could hate the Right's message but you had to respect the lock-step way in which they delivered it. The Left, on the other hand, has always been the gang that couldn't shoot straight, a rag-tag band of wildly varied interests barely living together under the big tent of the Democratic Party and incapable of staying focused. And never was this ad hoc approach to ideology more on display than when the Left would gather for a protest (or try to pass health care reform): If you got a bunch of liberals together at a rally protesting the war in Iraq, you were guaranteed to see signs and T-shirts attacking the World Bank, racism, genocide in Darfur, "enhanced interrogation techniques," Dick Cheney, globalization, Starbuck's, censorship, deforestation, God, country, honor, truth, babies, pudding, you name it. That's just the way liberals do things, as if promoting a political ideology were like improvising a stew: throw everything into the pot and stir until boiling. But not conservatives. They get their talking-points memos in the mail, memorize them, and repeat them word for word to anyone who will listen, like good soldiers -- "We don't want the smoking gun to turn out to be a mushroom cloud," "We will fight them there so we don't have to fight them here," "Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder and Sinbad the Sailor and Tinbad the Tailor and Jinbad the Jailer and Whinbad ..." Which may be spooky (and odd for a political ideology that advertises itself as the defender of the individual), but it makes for smart politics. And yet on Saturday conservatives were incapable of sustaining anything even resembling a coherent message. They held up signs protesting excessive spending, taxes, government take-over of health care, death panels, "shadow governments," the death of liberty, the rise of fascism, the rise of communism, the unholy marriage of fascism and communism, Barack Obama as illegitimate foreign-born usurper, Barack Obama as race-warrior, Barack Obama as Nazi-Marxist-Czarist-communist killer of grandmothers, the government trying to pry their guns from their still-alive still-warm hands (which wasn't the agreement), and Nancy Pelosi. And tune in tomorrow for another protest protesting the media's misreporting of the size of Saturday's protest. I suppose this is what happens to people when they start to feel the ground shift beneath their feet and realize that the tide of history has turned against them. They throw blame around willy-nilly, playing catch-as-catch-can with the facts in a mad attempt to bring some sense back to their world. What else can you do when the world is refusing to stay the way you want it to, other than raise your voice and throw a fit, like a kid who just found out his parents are getting divorced and he's going to have to go to a different school? At this point the fears of white conservative America go beyond losing elections. They're losing the country, losing the culture, losing the future, losing the past. Losing everything, slowly but inevitably, like air going out of a tire. No wonder they're so cranky. Hence the shots of Barack Obama dressed like Hitler and the wild claims about eugenics plans, the belief in a national civilian defense corps, government internment camps, and swine flu quarantine conspiracies. Hence Glenn Beck's proclaiming (and his acolyte's believing) that Obama hates the white race and white culture (whatever that might be: John Cougar Mellencamp, maybe? Lemonade? Go-karts?) and that he's using health care reform as a means to exact reparations for slavery. Hence the trumped-up charges of racism and "hot-headedness" leveled at Sonia Sotamayor and the claims that Nancy Pelosi's health care plan will provide insurance for illegal aliens. Hence the ranting and raving about the death of American values and the dissolution of the American family that will result from the legalization of gay marriage. Hence the irritation-turned-to-ideological-frenzy that comes from having to listen to your telephone banking options read to you in Spanish. Hence the entire three-ring circus that is American democracy in 2009. All of which would be fascinating to watch if it weren't so unnerving. I don't know about you but angry white folks with a stung sense of pride, a growing sense of irrelevance, an out-sized reverence for an over-romanticized past, a paranoid fear of the future, a firm mistrust of the "other," a dodgy understanding of history, and guns worry me. Then again, maybe I'm the one being paranoid. They are patriots after all, right? Simple folk doing what they feel needs to be done to save America and preserve its traditions. Better that, I suppose, than the alternative: to sit idly by while blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, secularists, Darwinists, foreigners, socialists, and social deviants steal the country we love so very very very much and turn it into Germany 1933 or Russia 1917 or Cuba 1959 or some previously unimagined hybrid of all three. Surely that's not what the Founders had in mind, right? More on Health Care
 
Larry Borowsky: Six Appeal: The Case for Health Reform in Six Easy Words Top
More competition. Lower costs. Guaranteed rights. Those were the broad themes U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette discussed at her town hall in Denver last Saturday, explaining the benefits of health-care reform. Six words: More competition. Lower costs. Guaranteed rights. Alas, like most Democrats, DeGette had way more than six words she wanted to emphasize. You can't really blame her. It's impossible to capture the complexity of health-care reform in six words, and DeGette knows it better than most. As vice chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, she helped craft one of the three bills now pending before the House of Representatives. As Chief Deputy Whip for the majority, she's got to help deliver the votes when the final bill hits the floor in a few weeks. She's spent nearly all year armpit-deep in the policy weeds. When DeGette mumbles a few words in her sleep, they're almost surely about insurance exchanges, employer mandates, lifetime caps, CBO scores, or percent-of-poverty thresholds. But during waking hours -- especially in front of roughly 400 voters and three local news cameras packed into a stuffy high-school auditorium -- DeGette and all other Democrats have got to ditch the wonkspeak and strip down the vocabulary. Just six words, please: More competition. Lower costs. Guaranteed rights. Those six easy-to-remember, sound-bite-friendly words summarize the benefits of reform. I wish the Democrats had been chanting them every day since the reform bill moved front and center back in May. I wish every sentence President Obama uttered on this issue began with one of those ideas. More competition. Lower costs. Guaranteed rights. Every aspect of reform fits neatly into one of those three categories. But the Democrats haven't emphasized the column headings nearly enough. They have let their fertile minds stray all over the policy map, without bringing the discussion home to the basics. DeGette was a prime example on Saturday. She covered all the bases: No exclusions for preexisting conditions. No lifetime cap on coverage. Tax credits for households up to 400 percent of the poverty line. Tightly regulated insurance exchanges for the individual market. A public option. Deficit neutrality. She also riffed effortlessly on Medicare fraud, Ryan White's Law (which funds HIV/AIDS treatment for uninsured(able) patients), the Medicare Part D donut hole, and insurance for the disabled. It was an impressive display; the woman knows her stuff. And that's good -- we want really smart people in charge, people who can master the complexities. But we also need leaders who can distill those complexities into simple concepts -- concepts like (repeat after me) more competition, lower costs, and guaranteed rights. DeGette neglected to do that on Saturday. She'd go on a jaunt through the intricacies of provider compensation and lead us safely through the tangle, without announcing the destination at the end of the journey: Lower costs. I shouldn't pick on the Congresswoman, who has worked as hard as anyone to craft a strong health-care bill. But Democrats can't afford to keep nattering on when they make the case in favor of the bill -- especially when the case against it consists of just a few easy-to-remember (and easy-to-shout) phrases: "Death panels!" "Government takeover!" "Socialism!" Bumper-sticker crap. The voters love it. The media adore it. I'm convinced the right's anti-reform canards wouldn't have made the same impact if reform's supporters had preemptively lodged their own six-word argument in the national mind. Because "more competition, lower costs, guaranteed rights" does more than summarize the substance of the reform policy. These six words also summarize the values in it -- and position those values as distinctly American. What capitalism-loving patriot could possibly argue against competition? How can Glenn Beck possibly rail against guaranteed rights? He'd find a way, of course -- but if the public had already internalized the shorthand of competition, affordability, and rights, Beck et al might have convinced fewer people that Obamacare is a totalitarian conspiracy. You'd think by now that the Democrats would be tired of winning on substance, only to get beat on values. But after 30 years of Reagan-Bush-Cheney, a policy can't merely be smart and sensible. Even more than that, it's got to be perceived as "American." And yes, it's still possible to do both things at once. Health-care reform is eminently sensible -- it will make us healthier and prevent us (individually and collectively) from going broke. But Democrats also have to argue that health-care reform will make us more free. It's pro-liberty. It will throw off the tyranny of monopolistic insurers and predatory drug companies. It will give individuals more choices. It will ease the crippling burden on the public ledger. It will (all together, now) introduce more competition, lower our costs, and guarantee our rights. For a generation, the Democrats have studiously avoided battling the Republicans over values. Time to join the fight.
 
Lee Stranahan: Glenn Beck Awarded Honorary Doctorate From University Of I Don't Remember Top
Distinguished Fox TV host, author and assface Glenn Beck was an awarded an honorary Doctoral degree from the prestigious but secretive University of I Don't Remember, a leading conservative think tank who recently estimated the crowd at the Beck sponsored 9/12 protest at 1.7 million. The University and Beck lated clarified that they never 1.7 people , just "1.7 million" without any unit of measure so they're right, screw you, liar! The award to Beck shed light on The University of I Don't Remember, a small to large sized institution that occupies several to many acres in one of the nation's fifty states. Up to now, not much was known about the University and what was known was widely disputed. What is clear is that the University is responsible for much of the research data that the modern Republican party users. Dean Vernon Vauge issued the following statement in disappearing ink late Monday night, "We have a proud tradition of providing information and factoids to great conservative thinkers like Sarah Palin, Michael Savage and the people who write signs for teabagger rallies. We do this primarily through the world renowned Donald Rumsfeld School of Wild Guesstimates, which is entirely funded through private donations, the dreams of angry fatherless children and unicorn farts." Beck was told he'd receive the degree in anonymous drop somewhere in Utah. Beck thanked the school and said he was 'thrilled' to have a degree that would give him 'magical powers'. He hoped to use the degree to make the world stop exisiting when he closed his eyes. More on Glenn Beck
 
Michael Wolff: Wall Street: The President Is Playing the Market Top
The stuff that was going on yesterday on Wall Street, on the first anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, might not have been what it seemed. The president delivered what the Times called a stern message about the need for reform, at the same time the Times was also noting that the time for reform--and the imperative to reform--was also passing with a rising stock market. So maybe we should cut to the chase: The president needs the Dow to get to 11,000 over the next year to keep from being routed in the mid-term election. This is the most basic Clinton-era message: The only poll number that truly mattered was the Dow Jones Industrial Average. As the Dow rose so rose his popularity. Dollars to donuts, Barack Obama gets this, too. Continue reading on newser.com More on Barack Obama
 
The Media Consortium: Weekly Audit: One Year After the Crash Top
by Zach Carter, Media Consortium Blogger On Thursday, the U.S. Census released new data on the economic straits many American households faced in 2008. The grim report illustrates a nation enduring its highest poverty level in decades, coupled with a significant decline in middle class financial security. But one year after Lehman Brothers filed for the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history, not a single law has been passed to protect ordinary citizens from Wall Street's excess. Just how bad was 2008 for the ordinary U.S. household? As Kevin Drum emphasizes for Mother Jones , median household income plunged $1,860 last year. That's the biggest decline since the Census began tracking incomes in the 1970s. The poverty rate increased from 12.5% to 13.2%, the highest level since 1997, and the total number of people living below the poverty line surged by 1.5 million to 39.8 million. Nearly one-fifth of all children in the United States are now poor. To fit the Census definition of poor, families have to be pretty hard up: A family of four must be living on less than $22,025 to qualify. The Census data does not include any of the economic damage the U.S. sustained this year. In February 2009 alone, the economy shed a staggering 741,000 jobs. That fallout has hurt the poor more than anyone else, as Andrew Leonard explains for Salon. "In 2008, the rich got less rich, while the poor got even poorer," Leonard writes. "Which just goes to show that a falling tide lowers all boats--with one difference: The boats belonging to the rich probably still float, while the poor have smashed into the rocks." Lest there be any doubt, President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package was absolutely critical for the nation's economic health. The Census believes programs enacted under the stimulus will keep a total of 6.2 million people from falling into poverty, including 2.4 million children. To put that number in perspective, over the entire course of the George W. Bush Presidency, the number of people living below the poverty line climbed by 8.2 million, while the number of children in poverty increased by 2.5 million. Were it not for the stimulus Obama pushed through, the Bush legacy would be 75% worse, and almost 100% worse for children. What is most alarming about the Census figures is the fact that workers were already treading a difficult path before the financial crisis sent the economy off a cliff. After years of economic "growth," the median income was lower in 2007 than it was when President Bill Clinton left office. And the majority of people entering poverty during the Bush years did so prior to the great crash of 2008. Another recent report from Jeannette Wiks-Lim of the Political Economy Research Institute drives this point home. In an interview with Jesse Freeston of The Real News , Wiks-Lim discusses the projected path of decent jobs in the U.S. economy, based on data from 2006, well before the crisis broke out. Wiks-Lim defined a "decent job" defined as one that pays $17 an hour plus health insurance, but found that in 2006, a full 65% of workers in the U.S. were paid below that benchmark. Equally distressing, her study indicates that by 2016, the number of decent jobs will be roughly the same as in 2006. Job-quality stagnation will persist even though the economy is likely to grow over this time period. That growth will be going to those who are already well off, Wiks-Lim says, while ordinary workers will face the same problems. There are frightening long-term trends in this data. In 1975, average pay for workers outside the managerial class was $18.23 per hour, according to the study. But by 2007, those wages dropped to $17.42 per hour. These wage declines came despite major growth in economic output over those three decades, and despite an 85% increase in worker productivity. While workers experienced increasing pressure on their pocketbooks, Wall Street gambled away their retirement investments. Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy one year ago today, a move which created chaos in the financial sector and heavy damage in the rest of the economy. Things were looking bad for the economy before Wall Street imploded, but the financial crisis made those problems a lot worse. "In a modern society, a credit freeze means instant death to the real economy, since virtually every enterprise, big and small, runs on credit," Les Leopold explains for In These Times . "When the financial sector froze, it pushed the real economy off a cliff." But incredibly, after a year marked by massive financial bailouts, not one new law has been signed to protect our economy--and taxpayers--from Wall Street. Not one. Even the modest plans to rein in executive pay for taxpayer-supported companies have proved toothless. Leopold notes that President Barack Obama's refusal to crack down on the banks has left both the financial regulatory process and other important progressive plans--like overhauling the broken health care system--in a precarious political state. The largesse we have shown for bailed-out bankers gives conservatives ammunition against other, more productive activities. "We have a horrific feedback loop where Main Street's anger is directed as much against the government as it is against Wall Street," Leopold writes. "In fact, more and more people are turning against the administration because it looks as if it sold out to the banks. ... The outrage-turned-anti-government has spilled into the health care debate and now undermines badly needed government intervention into our wasteful health insurance industry. If we roll over on the Wall Street fight, anti-government politicians will ride to power on populist anger. " And make no mistake, Wall Street is pushing back as hard as it can against even the most obvious reforms. Writing for The American Prospect , Tim Fernholz details the massive push by the Chamber of Commerce against the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency. The CFPA would do just what its name implies--regulate all financial products that target consumers, and nothing else. It's a simple and much-needed reform, but Wall Street is spending a lot of money to keep it from happening. Our entire system of economic value has become inverted, as Wendell Berry argues in an essay for The Progressive . Anything that creates financial profits is considered economically productive, while environmental impacts and social benefits are viewed as economically unimportant. "Only in a financial system, an anti-economy, can it seem to make sense to talk about 'what the economy needs,'" Berry writes. "In an authentic economy, we would ask what the land, what the people, need." The U.S. is frequently referred to as the richest nation in the world. Free-market ideologues and conservative pundits often couch their preferred policies as a defense of U.S. prosperity--there's even a right-wing astroturf group called "Americans for Prosperity." But more than 13% of the nation lives in poverty while the government backs paychecks for millionaire bankers. The problem is obvious to everyone, but if we do not demand change, Wall Street will ride the status quo to another economic catastrophe within a few short years. This post features links to the best independent, progressive reporting about the economy and is free to reprint. Visit StimulusPlan.NewsLadder.net and Economy.NewsLadder.net for complete lists of articles on the economy, or follow us on Twitter . And for the best progressive reporting on critical health and immigration issues, check out Healthcare.NewsLadder.net and Immigration.NewsLadder.net . This is a project of The Media Consortium , a network of 50 leading independent media outlets, and was created by NewsLadder . More on Financial Crisis
 
Len Berman: Top 5 Sports Stories Top
Happy Tuesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for September 15, 2009 from www.LenBermanSports.com . 1. Quick Hits Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina pulls the stunning upset. He knocks off five-time U.S. Open champ Roger Federer in five sets. Ho Hum, the Patriots trailed Buffalo by 11 points last night in the final minutes but Tom Brady rallies New England to a 25-24 win. In a possible playoff preview, the Yankees beat the Angels 5-3. 2. Long Live the King Was that a blip on the radar last night or the changing of the guard? After a lackluster start, Juan Martin del Potro bounced back and dominated the great Roger Federer. In 1981, John McEnroe did it to Bjorn Borg, and Borg walked out of tennis. I'm not convinced it's the end of the line for Federer, but just like boxing, tennis players can age in a hurry. There are always younger Turks like del Potro coming along to claim the throne. 3. I'm Sorry A simple phrase that Serena Williams just can't say. She didn't say it in her news conference or in her first press release. It finally said she was sorry yesterday on her website. But after she won the doubles yesterday, she couldn't utter that simple phrase when Patrick McEnroe gave her the chance. Leads me to believe somebody else writes the stuff on her website. 4. Tuesday Morning Quarterbacking Now that the first weekend of NFL football is finally over, a couple of thoughts. With all the hoo hah over quarterback Jay Cutler leaving Denver, and showing up in Chicago ... Denver won, the Bears lost. ----- New season, same old same old. The Lions, Raiders and Bengals are all winless. Detroit, who else, yielded the most points of any team. ----- And you knew it was bound to happen. Michael Vick shows up in Philly, and Donovan McNabb cracks a rib. Even though they signed Jeff Garcia yesterday, Vick could be running the Eagles (after his two-week suspension) faster than you can ask "who let the dogs out?" 5. Name-Dropping Last night at the U.S. Open I sat next to Stanley Tucci and right behind Judd Hirsch and Matthew Broderick. Tony Bennett and Bruce Willis were across the aisle. Pretty cool. And in a weird juxtaposition, Jack Nicklaus was a few rows away. I was wondering if he was thinking, "aha, Federer is stuck on 15 and Tiger on 14. Maybe my record of 18 majors is safe after all!" Happy Birthday: Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry (Mr. Spitball). 71. Bonus Birthday: Mr. Conspiracy, director Oliver Stone. 63. Today in Sports: Muhammad Ali beats Leon Spinks in 15 rounds to reclaim the heavyweight title for the third time. 1978. Bonus Event: Pie charts! USA Today is born. 1982. More on Sports
 
Felicia C. Sullivan: Interview: Entrepreneur and Author Poppy King, Founder of Lipstick Queen Top
When you enter Poppy King's world, you're privileged to capture a glimpse of one woman's life-long affair with lip color. From playing dress-up with her mother's lipsticks, to her search for the perfect matte lipstick, to launching a successful brand at eighteen, to penning a book documenting her auspicious, rollicking journey, King's passion for beauty is infectious. And not only is King a successful, savvy entrepreneur with a multi-million dollar business, she's also giving back - a percentage of proceeds from her recently-published book will be donated to K.I.D.S Kids in Distressed Situations, which provides goods to children who are ill, living in poverty or victims of natural disaster. From the personalized, vibrant packaging to the luscious bold lip colors, King delivers. I had the opportunity to sample a few reds from her line, and Red Sinner is my new obsession du jour. Recently I had the opportunity to chat with Poppy King about lipsticks, glamour, and thinking like a consumer. Although we're in the midst of a precarious economy, many are finding, ironically enough, that now is the best time to start a business. At eighteen years old you were determined to find the ideal matte lipstick. That search led you to create your own brand, Poppy Industries, and recently, Lipstick Queen Can you speak to the process of how and why you were in high school to launching your own cosmetics company? It is true that recessions can be an ideal time to start a business because everyone is so negotiable in a way they just aren't in a boom. You can negotiate better prices and better expertise at a time when no one can afford to be complacent. It certainly helped me at just 18 years of age when I started my first lipstick brand straight out of high school having never spent even a second in the cosmetics industry other than as a customer -- which to this day I believe is the most important qualification. I didn't get into Architecture (which was the college course I wanted) so I decided to start my own lipstick brand selling matte lipsticks. The hardest part was dealing with anyone in the cosmetic industry at the time and trying to get advice, they were all so patronizing (and still are, I am not enamored in the slightest with the cosmetic industry, never have been). The rest was pretty easy because I followed common sense and didn't over complicate it. I wrote a shopping list if what I needed to find like a factory to produce and formulate the lipstick I wanted. I ended up finding them in the Yellow Pages. See what I mean by not overcomplicating it. My whole process is outlined in my book Lessons of a Lipstick Queen: Finding and Developing the Great Idea that can Change your Life! What are some of the personal and professional challenges you've faced while launching Lipstick Queen? The biggest challenge is how terrified of wearing lipstick so many women are these days, but it is changing. Both personally and professionally it gave me a shock this time round. The homogenization that has come out of modern Hollywood with huge, surgically enhanced shimmery nude lips has really swamped American women's idea of what female allure is about. This kind of sex doll plaything look has dominated over the idea of allure being in sophistication and dignity both of which lipstick represents. Many women associate lipstick with overdone make up of the past and I can understand why they don't want to go back to that full face, mask like idea and I would never advocate that. What I am hoping to show is that women are allowed to look like adults in control of their own destinies instead of sex toys for men or super made up bulletproof mannequins. Between those extremes are so many choices. The failure with most companies is rapid diversification and massive product line extensions, which have a tendency to subsume the core product. What intrigues me most about Lipstick Queen is its simplicity. Your line started with the perfect matte red lipstick, with a recent gloss line launch. What is the process of developing a collection? What is the typical timeline from concept to production to retail? In general it is 8-10 months from the time I decide I want to launch something to when it arrives on counter. Many of my ideas though have been percolating in my mind for much longer than that. The process usually goes something like this for me....a customer will mention something that they have been looking for or don't like about their experiences with their lips and lip products. That will trigger something in me and I start thinking yes that is true. I will then scroll through in my mind all these concepts, words and sayings that I write down all the time to find the one that I think fits the product that fills a need or answers a desire that I believe in. I find what I think is the right match and voila...a Lipstick Queen product is born. Next step is briefing the lab and my own internal people on the idea and then going from there. I am always collecting words and notions that I love, for example. I heard on NPR the other someone say about Obama that "he campaigned in poetry but had to govern in prose"...I loved that notion and one day the right lip concept will hit me and you will see it on the counter. What I love about your story is that you think like a customer rather than a corporation. Having the pleasure of visiting your office, it's feels as if there's a sense of play, fun and family in the workplace? How do you stand apart from your competitors? You said the key word as to how I stand apart from my competitors. The word is customers . Corporations have it all upside down as far as I am concerned and although they are still managing to make billions, I fully believe that their model is fundamentally flawed and will unravel in the 21st Century...some slowly, some quickly. Their model is crazy, the further along you get in a corporate career the less you have to do with the end user of your product, service or system. This means that the people who make the most important decisions have nothing to do with the people who make the decision whether or not to purchase. Crazy and stupid and short sighted as far as I am concerned. They are just lucky that the 20th century was pretty supportive of this kind of capitalism; the 21st Century won't be as forgiving. The higher I get in my career the more I need to stay close to the customer not the other way around. They are so arrogant to think any other way. Your packaging is fresh, glamorous with a touch of '50s red-lipped nostalgia. What inspires the Lipstick Queen look? Dignity and glamour. Dignity in that it presents no notion of any standardized female beauty in the form of a model but instead invites the beholder into the beauty of graphic design. Glamour because it is exuberant and has a sense of humor about itself which is the height of glamour to me. Looking back at the evolution of your company and brand -- is there anything you might have done differently in the nearly twenty years you've been in business? Any critical lessons learned? Absolutely! But only one because all my other mistakes I learned so much from (read my book!) but the critical lessons that has wasted the most time and effort for me has been believing the lie that a woman in business still somehow needs the approval of men to be legit. That is bull and I have wasted time buying into that notion more than often proliferated by men trying to get involved in my business. Talk to me about your new fall product launches, Fifteen Minutes of Fame and Fired Up. I have always been intrigued with the usage of Andy Warhol's infamous (and somewhat ominous) prediction that "In the future everybody will be famous for fifteen minutes. I was discussing how much rubbishy looking glitter most cosmetic companies put in lip products these days (and how they must think women want to go around frosted like a cup cake!) with a customer and we were laughing. I came home and though I need to do some glosses that have no shimmer for a change, then I thought of how clean and bright the colors of Pop Art are and then I thought of Andy Warhol and then his saying and boom....new idea. Gloss shades in Pop Art colors named after every minute of fame up until 15. Fired Up came from staring at the red fire hose writing in my office hallway and loving the font and the concept of Fire Engine Red. The night before I effectively got fired from something recently, I was looking at that writing, laughing ironically to myself that instead of Fire Hose-d I was just getting plain Fired. I decided instead to get Fired Up and produce a fire engine red gloss where it helped women to feel confident and strong no matter what others said or did. Red lips have always helped me to face things I don't necessarily want to. Somehow it gets me out the door and I wanted to share this small action in a big way. Can you speak of your involvement with the organization, Count Me In , a national non-profit organization, which provides resources to women entrepreneurs? After deciding I wanted to do something to actually help beyond the purely cosmetic, put my money where my mouth is if you will excuse the pun, I looked for an organization that was truly helping women reach independence financially and socially from old-fashioned constraints that still exist in varying forms and disguises. I found Count Me In and I thought they would be perfect as the partner and recipient of the profits from sales of Fired Up. Any advice you'd like to impart for burgeoning entrepreneurs? In the words of Charles Bukowski - "nothing is worse than too late". Give things a try. Failure is nowhere near as bad as inertia.
 
Lisa Napoli: TV or Not TV Top
Leno in prime time has nothing to do with why I just got TV. As much as I like these seismic shifts that shake up the very foundation of our media universe, this is not the reason I allowed television to invade my home for the first time in years. No, there's a TV in my place because my best friend and downstairs neighbor Bernie just moved to Detroit (that's a whole other story) and I was helping him give away all his furniture. I figured as a remnant of our friendship, I should keep the television, a beat-up old Sylvania with a DVD and VHS built in. (Like I watch movies, either.) After enjoying this boob-tube-free existence, it seemed like a good idea, for a variety of reasons. The biggest one is that I've been underground for a long while now, writing a book about the formerly TV- free country of Bhutan, for one, and the guilt I feel about having gone there to help start a radio station that pumps a whole lot of crappy Western pop music into the pristine Buddhist air. Now that I've delivered the manuscript to my publisher, it seemed like a fine time to rejoin the world and see what's going on in the zeitgeist I've so blissfully shut out for so long now. And what better way to do that than to deploy the cable television? Next thing you know, I'll be reinstating my Costco membership, maniacally hunting around for the Sunday New York Times and filling up a TiVo with stuff I never manage to watch. I made the executive decision to locate the set in my bedroom. I've never slept with a television set before, except in a hotel room, and I'm a bit scared about the implications. But I figured if I was going to go all out, I would go all out. Sleep with the damned thing; what's the difference between going to bed with a laptop or my iPhone, and this other menacing screen? I know the answer. A huge difference. "Horrible feng shui," said a friend. And though I've never feng shui-ed a thing in my life, I admit, it feels a bit lurid, the glow at my feet. I'm not quite sure how to deal with it, really. The minute Miguel the Time Warner cable guy left my apartment last Wednesday, I knew I'd made a terrible, wasteful mistake. The picture danced with the bright beautiful light that streams in my windows, and all I wanted to do was go outside. Already I have crumbs in my bed; I'd never even consider eating in bed before now. I keep turning the set on and shuttling through the selections, hoping to find something I want to watch. When I pump up the volume, I get a bit agitated. And yet I'm afraid to turn off the picture. If I'm paying for this, shouldn't I keep it on all the time? In three months I could have graduated to a flat panel HD TV and bumped up to a the full movie package, or I could trot this old piece of crap to Goodwill, and go back to my peaceful state of ignorance about what made the evening news. That life I had before, where people talk about commercials they've seen or make cultural references that fly right over my head, and I smile, blissfully, ignorant. Right now at the bottom of MSNBC there's a crawl: Two thirds of Americans think news stories are inaccurate. More on Jay Leno
 
Gwen Bell: How 10 Boulder Businesses Use the Social Web to Cultivate Community Top
"Even your parking garage has a Twitter account!" my friend Liz exclaimed from the back seat. She was in town this weekend, visiting from Sacramento. Yes, Boulder's parking garages have a Twitter presence. So does our police department . Downtown Boulder's Twitter account has more than 2,000 followers. And the account is alive with news, insights on the local scene and discounts galore. Yesterday Downtown Boulder retweeted (RT) three events happening in the local area: a trivia night , a book release and a yoga mat sale . A snapshot of the Boulder community in 140 characters. Multiple downtown businesses use Twitter to broadcast daily specials to their followers. Lindsay's Deli , located on Pearl Street in downtown Boulder, updated yesterday that they had a five dollar chicken salad special . All of Lindsay's 1,255 followers got the update (you can easily set up and opt-in to receive mobile updates throughout the day ) - so if you were on Pearl and hungry, you could satisfy your craving - with a discount. Wendy Ball, one of the owners of local cafe The Cup , shares how she uses the social web to connect with other business owners : "Using Twitter allows us to expose people to our likes, the local food we're eating, our hockey passion. We're giving people insight that isn't all coffee all the time. One thing a lot of people don't know is we named our cafe The Cup in part because of the Stanley Cup. It's hockey related. There are at least seven businesses in downtown that we have regular conversations with - we ask each other, 'how's it going?'" Fellow Huffington Post author Waylon Lewis is an advocate of the Boulder community - on Twitter and on his site, Elephant Journal . At a recent annual conference ( Naturally Boulder Days ) we shared our thoughts on how green and organic businesses can use the social web to spread the word about their business. There are three easy ways to get started. 1. Start. If you don't already have one, set up a free account. Read Twitter's guide to using Twitter for Business . 2. Listen. Use tools like Tweetie for your iPhone and TwitterBerry for your BlackBerry to find out what people are talking about. 3. Plunge. Once you're comfortable with the lingo begin following those who share your interests. It helps to begin talking with a small group of followers at first. If you are currently on Twitter you can still learn from how downtown Boulder businesses are using the social web to grow their own (and each other's) business. As Ball puts it, "it should be an avenue for letting people know what's happening with business, customers like to know what's going on beyond what just came out of the oven." (Pro tip: if you really do want to tell them when it's fresh, check out BakerTweet - a tool that allows you to send all your followers a message the moment the bun comes out of the oven.) Follow 10 Boulder Businesses on Twitter Boulder Parking Boulder Chamber of Commerce Boulder Magazine Daily Camera Colorado Daily Boulder Police University of Colorado Admissions Gaiam Boulder Country Business Report Boulder Beer More on Twitter
 
The HiPhone: New iPhone App Scores You Weed Top
Google maps not showing your local cannabis dispensary? The iPot iPhone application from NexStudios can help:
 
Rangel: Obama Speech Made Health Bill Harder Top
WASHINGTON — A key House committee chairman says proposals President Barack Obama set out in his health care speech are causing problems for Democrats trying to finalize health legislation in the House. Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel of New York says House Democrats would have to slash subsidies to the poor to get their bill to the $900 billion, 10-year price tag Obama specified. Rangel also noted that the president didn't mention the new income tax on the wealthy that House Democrats want to use to pay for their bill, favoring a different approach instead. The congressman said "the restrictions that the president has given in his speech as well as the proposed discussions in the Senate has caused us more problems. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. WASHINGTON (AP) – House Democrats tried Tuesday to reframe the debate over their health overhaul bill as negotiators in the Senate urgently sought elusive bipartisan compromise a day ahead of their planned bill release. House Democratic leaders summoned a panel of friendly witnesses to a public hearing on Capitol Hill where they solicited testimonials aimed at dispelling opposition to their legislation. The House Democrats' bill took a beating during the August recess after passing three committees without a single Republican vote. "Is Medicare a public program? Is Medicaid a public program?" Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., rhetorically asked one witness, political scientist Jacob Hacker of Yale University. "Then can you explain to me why there are so many people who are on those programs who seem to be concerned" about Democratic plans to introduce a new government-run insurance program to compete with private insurers? Obey asked. "Could it be that they've simply been misled ... by special interests?" Obey asked. Hacker called that a "plausible explanation." Later Tuesday, House Democrats were to meet with top presidential adviser David Axelrod as they seek to regain momentum and quiet concerns in their own caucus about for President Barack Obama's top domestic priority. The top-to-bottom reshaping of the nation's $2.5 trillion health care system is meant to bring down costs and cover the 50 million uninsured. Meanwhile, all eyes were on the Senate Finance Committee. Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., intends to release a bill Wednesday after months of closed-door talks, and he's still holding out hope for a bipartisan compromise. If that's achieved it would be the only bipartisan bill out of five proposals in the House and Senate and could mark a significant turning point for Obama's health care agenda. Because the Finance Committee's moderate makeup is similar to that of the Senate as a whole, the committee's proposal could form the basis for legislation that could gain majority support in that chamber. It remained unclear Tuesday whether Baucus would be able to claim the support of the three Republican senators in his small negotiating group when he releases his bill. Even if they aren't on board Wednesday Baucus said he'll still hold out hope to get their support next week when his committee begins amending and voting on the bill. Baucus and his negotiating team were meeting again Tuesday evening. Even if Baucus can't get Republican support, the plan already reflects some major GOP priorities. For example, Baucus opted not to include a government insurance plan to compete with private carriers. He's including nonprofit, member-owned cooperatives instead. The co-op compromise also came under attack at the House Democrats' forum Tuesday, with several lawmakers and witnesses attacking it as untested and unworkable. Many House liberals are holding out for a straight-up public plan, though many senators believe such a plan could not get through the Senate. Baucus and his negotiators have pared the cost of their 10-year coverage plan to under $880 billion, and also reported progress on several issues, including health insurance for the poor, restrictions on federal funding for abortions, a verification system to prevent illegal immigrants from getting benefits, and ways to encourage alternatives to malpractice lawsuits. The three Republicans involved in the talks – Mike Enzi of Wyoming, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Olympia Snowe of Maine – are under intense pressure from leaders of their own party. Even if Baucus does get them to agree he'll have to win over the Democrats on his committee who haven't been involved in the negotiations. Several of them offered criticism after a closed-door meeting with Baucus Monday night. "I personally think there's a lot of heavy lifting still to do," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., saying he was concerned about whether the plan would really produce affordable insurance options for lower-income Americans. Baucus' plan – which tracks closely with the principals Obama laid out in a speech to Congress last week – would require all Americans to get health insurance, either through an employer, a government program or on their own. New consumer protections would prohibit onerous insurance practices, such as denying coverage because of a prior health problem or charging more to those who are sick. ___ Associated Press writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report.
 
Tavi Gevinson: 13-Year-Old Fashion Blogger Skips School, Attends Fashion Week Top
Thirteen-year-old Tavi Gevinson bailed out of school this week to size up the latest and greatest of the New York collections for her fashion blog, Tavi-thenewgirlintown. Before taking nonstop notes during Maria Cornejo's show Monday, the Chicagoan said, "Alexander Wang just gets better and better. And Y-3 was terrific." More on Fashion Week
 
UN Probe: Gaza War Crimes Committed By Both Israel, Armed Palestinians Top
UNITED NATIONS — A U.N. investigation concluded Tuesday that both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, raising the prospect that officials may seek prosecution in the International Criminal Court. The probe led by former South African judge Richard Goldstone concluded that "Israel committed actions amounting to war crimes, possibly crimes against humanity," during its Dec. 27-Jan. 18 military operations against Palestinian rocket squads in the Gaza Strip. In a 575-page report, Goldstone and three other investigators also found evidence "that Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes, as well as possibly crimes against humanity." Goldstone said the probe, which included 188 interviews, a review of 10,000 documents and 12,000 photos and video, was completed only Tuesday morning, just hours before the hastily called news conference. "There should be no impunity for international crimes that are committed," he said. "It's very important that justice should be done." Israel, which refused to cooperate with the investigation, said the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council that ordered it was biased. The investigators recommended that the U.N. Security Council require Israel to launch its own credible investigation into the conflict within three months. If that is not done, the investigators called on the council to refer the matter for action by the International Criminal Court prosecutor within six months. However, Israel does not accept the court's authority. The Palestinian group Hamas rules Gaza and has been accused by Israel of using human shields during the conflict, in which almost 1,400 Palestinians were killed – many of them civilians. "The mandate of the mission and the resolution establishing it prejudged the outcome of any investigation, gave legitimacy to the Hamas terrorist organization and disregarded the deliberate Hamas strategy of using Palestinian civilians as cover for launching terrorist attacks," Israel's Foreign Ministry said. Goldstone, who is Jewish and has strong ties to Israel, told reporters at U.N. headquarters that "to accuse me of being anti-Israel is ridiculous," anticipating such criticism. He said it was in the interest of both Israelis and Palestinians to establish the truth of what happened in the conflict. In a joint statement, nine Israeli human rights groups said the findings join a "long series of reports" indicating that Israeli and Hamas violated the laws of war. It called on the Israeli government to conduct an "independent and impartial investigation." "The groups expect the government of Israel to respond to the substance of the report's findings and to desist from its current policy of casting doubt upon the credibility of anyone who does not adhere to the establishment's narrative," it said. In a preliminary investigation earlier this year, the army cleared itself of any systematic wrongdoing during the war and said any rights violations were isolated incidents. Since then, it has opened a series of separate investigations into the conduct of individual soldiers. "Notwithstanding its reservations, Israel will read the report carefully," the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday of the U.N. report, noting that the military has examined more than 100 allegations regarding the conduct of its forces during the Gaza operation, resulting in 23 criminal investigations. Hamas officials were not immediately available for comment. The report said that Israel's attacks in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, including the shelling of a house where soldiers had forced Palestinian civilians to assemble, amounted to war crimes. It found seven incidents in which civilians were shot while leaving their homes trying to run for safety, waving white flags and sometimes even following Israeli instructions, as well as the targeting of a mosque at prayer time, killing 15 people, were also war crimes. A "direct and intentional attack" on the Al Quds Hospital and an adjacent ambulance depot in Gaza City "may constitute war crimes," the report said. Several Palestinians told the mission they were used as human shields by the Israeli forces, the report said, noting the case of Majdi Abd Rabbo, a 39-year-old intelligence officer of the Palestinian authority who was forced to walk ahead of the troops as they searched his and his neighbor's house. Rabbo was forced to undress down to his underwear in front of the soldiers and his sons had to strip naked, the report said. On the Palestinian side, the report found that armed groups firing rockets into southern Israel from Gaza failed to distinguish between military targets and the civilian population. "Where there is no intended military target and the rockets and mortars are launched into civilian areas, they constitute a deliberate attack against the civilian population," the report said. "These actions would constitute war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity." Investigators called on Israel to immediately allow people and goods across borders "for the recovery and reconstruction of housing and essential services and for the resumption of meaningful economic activity in the Gaza Strip." They also recommended that Israel ease up on fishing restrictions within 20 nautical miles from shore and allow farming to resume within the Gaza Strip "including within areas in the vicinity of the borders with Israel." ___ Associated Press writers Frank Jordans and Eliane Engeler in Geneva and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. More on Gaza War
 

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