The function of government is responsibility towards it's citizens. When politicians are intellectually honest with themselves and make policy changes which favor spending money on life for their citizens—instead of war and death—it will then become possible for all citizens to empower themselves.
Our government has basically mandated our work force to work full-time jobs to ensure we have health care. If a person wants to try to start their own business, they need to:
1) Have saved enough money to pay for health care or
2) Start a new business and risk not having health insurance or
3) Work a full-time job and try to work as many hours as possible over their 40 hour job, to start their own business.
If we had nationalized health care, people could work a part-time job and the rest of the work week have enough time to start their own business.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
What alternate responses are there to sneezing?
Are you an atheist, agnostic, non-theist, humanist, rationalist, secularist, Ex-(Christian, Muslim, Mormon, etc.) or just a non-believer in the ancient mythology of Earth-gods? And... you don't like to say or hear "Bless you" or god-forbid, "God bless you" when someone sneezes?
Fear not, the Arch Angel Michael, err... Michael has some alternate sneeze responses for you.
"Godzilla."
"You are so good looking." (From the 38th Seinfeld episode, "The Good Samaritan")
"Scat, scat, pussy cat, your tail is in the gravy." (After practicing this several times, it becomes easy and fast to say.)
"Scat (there) Tom, your tail is in the gravy."
"Choo, bezzoo."
"Dog bless you."
"Congratulations."
"Are you okay?"
"Can I go through your pockets?"
"Cover your mouth."
"Will you please cover your mouth."
"May your personal deity enhance your well-being."
"Hey... clean that up, will ya?"
"Need a tissue?"
"Science bless you."
"Long may you live."
"To your wishes."
"Curse you."
"Bless me."
"Excuse you."
"Please don't spit on me again."
"Go God go." (I believe this is from South Park, not sure.)
No response.
If someone says to you, "God bless you" ask them to take it back.
"May Jesus save you from that semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air and mucous."
"May the power of Jesus Christ rest within your soul." (In a sarcastic manner.)
"May Jesus land upon your desk and offer his blessings." (In a sarcastic manner.)
"Please keep your semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air and mucous to yourself."
"Please keep your potentially infectious expelled aerosol droplets to yourself."
"Bless you? You just expelled approximately 40,000 potentially infectious air and mucous droplets traveling at speeds of at least 95 miles per hour."
My last question I pose to anyone is this: Why don't people say, "God bless you" when others fart?
(Here are some search engine search words that people might use to find this article: What do atheists say when someone sneezes? Sneeze sayings. Bless you. God bless you. Sneeze responses.)
Fear not, the Arch Angel Michael, err... Michael has some alternate sneeze responses for you.
"Godzilla."
"You are so good looking." (From the 38th Seinfeld episode, "The Good Samaritan")
"Scat, scat, pussy cat, your tail is in the gravy." (After practicing this several times, it becomes easy and fast to say.)
"Scat (there) Tom, your tail is in the gravy."
"Choo, bezzoo."
"Dog bless you."
"Congratulations."
"Are you okay?"
"Can I go through your pockets?"
"Cover your mouth."
"Will you please cover your mouth."
"May your personal deity enhance your well-being."
"Hey... clean that up, will ya?"
"Need a tissue?"
"Science bless you."
"Long may you live."
"To your wishes."
"Curse you."
"Bless me."
"Excuse you."
"Please don't spit on me again."
"Go God go." (I believe this is from South Park, not sure.)
No response.
If someone says to you, "God bless you" ask them to take it back.
"May Jesus save you from that semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air and mucous."
"May the power of Jesus Christ rest within your soul." (In a sarcastic manner.)
"May Jesus land upon your desk and offer his blessings." (In a sarcastic manner.)
"Please keep your semi-autonomous, convulsive expulsion of air and mucous to yourself."
"Please keep your potentially infectious expelled aerosol droplets to yourself."
"Bless you? You just expelled approximately 40,000 potentially infectious air and mucous droplets traveling at speeds of at least 95 miles per hour."
My last question I pose to anyone is this: Why don't people say, "God bless you" when others fart?
(Here are some search engine search words that people might use to find this article: What do atheists say when someone sneezes? Sneeze sayings. Bless you. God bless you. Sneeze responses.)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Is America not a melting pot?
Even today, it seems that people don't collectively celebrate the diversity of people, culture, faiths and non-faiths in the United States.
Controversy over gay marriage and the separation of church and state come to my mind. The United States either is a melting pot of diverse people or it's not. We need to celebrate the many religions in our country as well as the non-theists of this country or we collectively as a country are not practicing what we preach: A melting pot of diverse people, cultures, faiths and non-faiths.
Why must Christianity, Mormonism or other religions try to dictate morality as law? It's proven that countries with more religion than not are the most lawless of countries. See United Nations reports on countries with little religion. These reports show the most secular countries have the least amount of crime. Why pretend these reports do not exist? Why pretend these facts are not true?
As most religious faiths demand their followers to spread their gospel throughout the world, isn't it obvious that one will never be able to take over the entire world? I'm sure the followers of each religious faith secretly hope this happens.
If one religious faith is able to spread itself to every person on earth, what is the point? It would be the same as one corporation trying to grow bigger and bigger and bigger. What if one company becomes so big that there is only one corporation left in the world which runs the entire world? What's the point? If one corporation ran the entire world, what would they achieve? Happiness? Total control of the money flow on earth? Hell, what a waste of time trying to become the biggest religion or corporation on earth.
This is one reason why religion should not try to make it's beliefs into law. How would Christians like it if Mormonism or Islam was made into law and was shoved down Christian's throats?
Controversy over gay marriage and the separation of church and state come to my mind. The United States either is a melting pot of diverse people or it's not. We need to celebrate the many religions in our country as well as the non-theists of this country or we collectively as a country are not practicing what we preach: A melting pot of diverse people, cultures, faiths and non-faiths.
Why must Christianity, Mormonism or other religions try to dictate morality as law? It's proven that countries with more religion than not are the most lawless of countries. See United Nations reports on countries with little religion. These reports show the most secular countries have the least amount of crime. Why pretend these reports do not exist? Why pretend these facts are not true?
As most religious faiths demand their followers to spread their gospel throughout the world, isn't it obvious that one will never be able to take over the entire world? I'm sure the followers of each religious faith secretly hope this happens.
If one religious faith is able to spread itself to every person on earth, what is the point? It would be the same as one corporation trying to grow bigger and bigger and bigger. What if one company becomes so big that there is only one corporation left in the world which runs the entire world? What's the point? If one corporation ran the entire world, what would they achieve? Happiness? Total control of the money flow on earth? Hell, what a waste of time trying to become the biggest religion or corporation on earth.
This is one reason why religion should not try to make it's beliefs into law. How would Christians like it if Mormonism or Islam was made into law and was shoved down Christian's throats?
Sorry about that Chief!
Need a good laugh? The complete "Get Smart" TV series from the 1960s is for sale. The series is in full color. I thought the show was in black and white because I used to watch it on a black and white TV. In our economy, either purchase the entire series, borrow it from someone you know or purchase it with several people and pass it around.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The advantages/disadvantages of cars versus bicycles.
The advantages of a car.
It's easy travel short, medium or long distances, fast. It's possible to haul lots of things in a car. Several people can ride in a car. Driving a car is fun. One can listen to the radio or music in the car. For those with air conditioning and heating, there is a big advantage of being comfortable inside a car.
The disadvantages of a car.
It cost a lot of money to maintain. It means buying gas. It means polluting our world. A car's exhaust damages our planet as well as our lungs. If you are involved in an accident it can result in either a minor injury, permanent disability or death. It's easy to pull into drive-thrus and purchase fast food—food that has little to no nutritional value.
The advantages of riding a bicycle.
It is usually more of an adventure when riding a bike. It's easier to meet people when on a bike—if you meet someone riding a bike, you instantly have something in common to talk about. It's easy to remember to make healthy food in advance for the trip. Cardiologists and other doctors are happy that you are exercising. It cost much less to purchase and maintain a bicycle. You don't have to purchase gasoline for your bicycle. You see more when you are on a bike. Your eye-hand-brain coordination is improved by being on a bike. You health improves every time you ride your bike. You are doing your lungs and the earth a favor when riding a bike. Riding a bike is fun, fun, fun. It's easy to stop, take a break or rest at a moments notice. You don't have to look for parking spaces, you can find places to lock your bike almost anywhere. You typically don't get traffic tickets on a bicycle. You don't pay for parking meters—in fact, you use a parking meter to lock your bike. You receive sunlight on your skin which is healthy as long as you don't get burned. You feel alive when you ride a bicycle. You feel free on a bicycle. When you ride a bicycle on a regular basis, you have more energy. In city areas, you can go faster on a bicycle than in a car. It's easier to loose weight and stay toned when you ride consistently. You can ride the opposite way on one-way streets. You can ride your bike where cars can't drive. You can find short cuts when riding a bike that can't be used by cars. You can take your bicycle into the entrance of a building—you can't drive your car into the entrance of a building or you'll get arrested. It's safer to ride a bike down a city street than walk. You can travel much faster on a bicycle than walking. Riding a bike is safer on your joints than running. You can ride faster on a bike than running. You can ride on the street, a sidewalk, a paved path, a dirt path and grass on a bicycle.
The disadvantages of a bicycle.
You can't go medium or long distances, fast. You typically cannot have others ride with you. You get wet in the rain. You can get hit and killed by a car.
It's easy travel short, medium or long distances, fast. It's possible to haul lots of things in a car. Several people can ride in a car. Driving a car is fun. One can listen to the radio or music in the car. For those with air conditioning and heating, there is a big advantage of being comfortable inside a car.
The disadvantages of a car.
It cost a lot of money to maintain. It means buying gas. It means polluting our world. A car's exhaust damages our planet as well as our lungs. If you are involved in an accident it can result in either a minor injury, permanent disability or death. It's easy to pull into drive-thrus and purchase fast food—food that has little to no nutritional value.
The advantages of riding a bicycle.
It is usually more of an adventure when riding a bike. It's easier to meet people when on a bike—if you meet someone riding a bike, you instantly have something in common to talk about. It's easy to remember to make healthy food in advance for the trip. Cardiologists and other doctors are happy that you are exercising. It cost much less to purchase and maintain a bicycle. You don't have to purchase gasoline for your bicycle. You see more when you are on a bike. Your eye-hand-brain coordination is improved by being on a bike. You health improves every time you ride your bike. You are doing your lungs and the earth a favor when riding a bike. Riding a bike is fun, fun, fun. It's easy to stop, take a break or rest at a moments notice. You don't have to look for parking spaces, you can find places to lock your bike almost anywhere. You typically don't get traffic tickets on a bicycle. You don't pay for parking meters—in fact, you use a parking meter to lock your bike. You receive sunlight on your skin which is healthy as long as you don't get burned. You feel alive when you ride a bicycle. You feel free on a bicycle. When you ride a bicycle on a regular basis, you have more energy. In city areas, you can go faster on a bicycle than in a car. It's easier to loose weight and stay toned when you ride consistently. You can ride the opposite way on one-way streets. You can ride your bike where cars can't drive. You can find short cuts when riding a bike that can't be used by cars. You can take your bicycle into the entrance of a building—you can't drive your car into the entrance of a building or you'll get arrested. It's safer to ride a bike down a city street than walk. You can travel much faster on a bicycle than walking. Riding a bike is safer on your joints than running. You can ride faster on a bike than running. You can ride on the street, a sidewalk, a paved path, a dirt path and grass on a bicycle.
The disadvantages of a bicycle.
You can't go medium or long distances, fast. You typically cannot have others ride with you. You get wet in the rain. You can get hit and killed by a car.
Mythology and the Bible.
As a teenager, I was a died-in-the-wool born again Christian. I believed I had found the key to eternal life. I thought to myself, what an incredible thing I found.
As a young Christian reading the Bible, it was very easy for me to overlook all the inconsistencies, contractions and the Bible verses that made no sense, in today's contemporary society. For the simple reason that I thought I found the key to eternal life—I overlooked these things—because I did not want to loose the chance to live forever.
Intellectual honesty dictates there is are only two options with the Bible. Either the Bible is the word of God or it is not the word of God.
Let's take the premise the Bible is the word of God.
Everyone who believes the Bible to be the word of God has to rationalize the thousands of Bible verses which contradict each other and must ignore the sexism, racism, hatred and intolerance of others in the Bible. All would need to ignore the verses of strange rituals of the ancient past which would never fly in today's society. To point out two specific points the Bible condones slavery as well as making women second class citizens as told in both testaments.
Condone: : to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless (a government accused of condoning racism) (condone corruption in politics). From www.webster.com, December, 27, 2008, copyright 2008.
Let's take the premise the Bible is not the word of any god.
Without blinders on, it's easy to find ancient mythology, astrology, many contradictions and inconsistencies in Bible verses. There is Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology and Astrology all throughout the Bible—the Old and the New Testament.
Taking the premise the Bible is not the word of any god, allows anyone to clearly see the Bible was written by ancient primitive sexist and racist men. With that said, it now it makes sense as to why the Bible is has many ideological problems, inconsistencies, contractions, mythology and astrology throughout it's entirety.
To be specific, the Ten Commandments are taken directly from the Egyptian book of the dead, the twelve disciples are from the twelve signs of the zodiac, and the New Testament writers gave Christ the same characteristics of Greek Gods and Greek Heroes to prove that Christ is a god. The masses don't believe in Zeus, Apollo or Poseidon any more, so why should the masses believe in the god, Christ?
As a young Christian reading the Bible, it was very easy for me to overlook all the inconsistencies, contractions and the Bible verses that made no sense, in today's contemporary society. For the simple reason that I thought I found the key to eternal life—I overlooked these things—because I did not want to loose the chance to live forever.
Intellectual honesty dictates there is are only two options with the Bible. Either the Bible is the word of God or it is not the word of God.
Let's take the premise the Bible is the word of God.
Everyone who believes the Bible to be the word of God has to rationalize the thousands of Bible verses which contradict each other and must ignore the sexism, racism, hatred and intolerance of others in the Bible. All would need to ignore the verses of strange rituals of the ancient past which would never fly in today's society. To point out two specific points the Bible condones slavery as well as making women second class citizens as told in both testaments.
Condone: : to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless (a government accused of condoning racism) (condone corruption in politics). From www.webster.com, December, 27, 2008, copyright 2008.
Let's take the premise the Bible is not the word of any god.
Without blinders on, it's easy to find ancient mythology, astrology, many contradictions and inconsistencies in Bible verses. There is Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology and Astrology all throughout the Bible—the Old and the New Testament.
Taking the premise the Bible is not the word of any god, allows anyone to clearly see the Bible was written by ancient primitive sexist and racist men. With that said, it now it makes sense as to why the Bible is has many ideological problems, inconsistencies, contractions, mythology and astrology throughout it's entirety.
To be specific, the Ten Commandments are taken directly from the Egyptian book of the dead, the twelve disciples are from the twelve signs of the zodiac, and the New Testament writers gave Christ the same characteristics of Greek Gods and Greek Heroes to prove that Christ is a god. The masses don't believe in Zeus, Apollo or Poseidon any more, so why should the masses believe in the god, Christ?
Companies that make people work the day after Christmas.
This year, Christmas is on a Thursday. Where is the f'ing charity? Why don't all businesses (which have little to no business to transact) give Friday after Christmas off to their employees?
Hell, the entire week of Christmas should be vacation time for everyone. Why not? At the bare minimum people should have Christmas eve, Christmas day and the day after Christmas—off.
I have friends where they had to work on Friday December 26th, 2008. Their entire office staff sat around and talked to each other all day—because there was no f'ing work. Why did the owner of the business make them work? Because their business owner is out of touch with reality.
I openly give the finger to all businesses who have little to no office work on a day like December 26th, but who insist their employees come into the office to just sit there and do nothing. Merry f'ing Christmas from your f'ed-up employer.
Hell, the entire week of Christmas should be vacation time for everyone. Why not? At the bare minimum people should have Christmas eve, Christmas day and the day after Christmas—off.
I have friends where they had to work on Friday December 26th, 2008. Their entire office staff sat around and talked to each other all day—because there was no f'ing work. Why did the owner of the business make them work? Because their business owner is out of touch with reality.
I openly give the finger to all businesses who have little to no office work on a day like December 26th, but who insist their employees come into the office to just sit there and do nothing. Merry f'ing Christmas from your f'ed-up employer.
The winter holiday season seems to come so fast and there never seems to be enough time.
The winter holiday season seems to come so fast and there never seems to be enough time. With that said twice, I propose some new changes for the U.S. Federal Government. The Federal Government will pay all it's citizens for three, oh, let's make it four weeks of vacation during December. We need some charity here.
Remember, if the U.S. Government paid it's citizens vacation time, businesses would not bear the burden of vacation time. Of course, some people might need a reality check as to where we would get the money from. And we won't need to raise taxes for the average citizen. We simply transfer money that would have been spent from the huge f'ing military budget to it's citizens. Period. (Stop using my tax dollars to kill people, it makes me sick.)
When the U.S. Government starts paying it's citizens for an extended vacation during December, it will allow people to shop, to make holiday food, take care of themselves, visit with friends and family, and of course, to celebrate one or more of 65 winter festivals such as: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, HumanLight (Humanist Holiday), Dong zhi (Chinese Winter Solstice), or Diwali (Hindu Festival of Lights). See my recent blog (below) highlighting 65 winter celebrations.
There might be more than 65 winter celebrations around the world, who knows? Of course, anyone can make up their own winter celebration, why not? If you think of a great winter celebration, get it online and get it out there. Other people might like it.
People give lots of lip service to family values. How can anyone take the phrase "family values" seriously when one or more parents are working all the time. Parents who work over 40 hours a week are not being responsible to their "family." Parents who work 40 hours a week still don't have enough time to spend with their family.
Also, don't you think family values is a misnomer? How can anyone serious say the phrase "family values?" What is really important here? Our personal lives. It's family and friends who are important. Some people might not have a family. With that said, isn't it obvious, that for many of us, our family is a close network of friends. Talking about "family values" excludes friends. It's not a family value to exclude friends.
The point is this. If we are such a great country, then let's lead the world by making a bold statement, "The most important part of living is our personal lives." The celebration of being with friends and/or families is our top priority.
Once again I'll say it, "If we can find the money to kill people, we surely can find the money to help people." Let's put our money where our mouth is, on helping the living, live. It is time for the U.S. Government to pay all it's citizens an extended vacation in December.
Remember, if the U.S. Government paid it's citizens vacation time, businesses would not bear the burden of vacation time. Of course, some people might need a reality check as to where we would get the money from. And we won't need to raise taxes for the average citizen. We simply transfer money that would have been spent from the huge f'ing military budget to it's citizens. Period. (Stop using my tax dollars to kill people, it makes me sick.)
When the U.S. Government starts paying it's citizens for an extended vacation during December, it will allow people to shop, to make holiday food, take care of themselves, visit with friends and family, and of course, to celebrate one or more of 65 winter festivals such as: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, HumanLight (Humanist Holiday), Dong zhi (Chinese Winter Solstice), or Diwali (Hindu Festival of Lights). See my recent blog (below) highlighting 65 winter celebrations.
There might be more than 65 winter celebrations around the world, who knows? Of course, anyone can make up their own winter celebration, why not? If you think of a great winter celebration, get it online and get it out there. Other people might like it.
People give lots of lip service to family values. How can anyone take the phrase "family values" seriously when one or more parents are working all the time. Parents who work over 40 hours a week are not being responsible to their "family." Parents who work 40 hours a week still don't have enough time to spend with their family.
Also, don't you think family values is a misnomer? How can anyone serious say the phrase "family values?" What is really important here? Our personal lives. It's family and friends who are important. Some people might not have a family. With that said, isn't it obvious, that for many of us, our family is a close network of friends. Talking about "family values" excludes friends. It's not a family value to exclude friends.
The point is this. If we are such a great country, then let's lead the world by making a bold statement, "The most important part of living is our personal lives." The celebration of being with friends and/or families is our top priority.
Once again I'll say it, "If we can find the money to kill people, we surely can find the money to help people." Let's put our money where our mouth is, on helping the living, live. It is time for the U.S. Government to pay all it's citizens an extended vacation in December.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Getting laid-off in December—with a twist.
Two weeks ago I was laid-off on the first Friday of December 2008. I said my good-byes to co-workers in my department and I left. I felt embarrassed and my eyes were red from crying, so I left through one of the back doors of our building and didn't say good-bye to anyone else in the company.
That day, I looked back and I remembered there were lay-offs in September, then there were more lay-offs about three weeks ago. And now, the largest number of people were laid-off and I was part of it.
I had an entire weekend to think over what happened and I began to plan for how I was going to find a job in this bad economy. On Monday, I was glued to my computer the entire morning to update my resume. Edit, proof read, edit, proof read—over and over again. It was around 1 p.m. and I was satisfied with my resume. I was about to go to Kinko's to print it. However, I thought why not just show up at my work and ask them to print out several resumes? It won't cost me anything.
When I walked into work, one person came running up to me and hugged me and said she did not get a chance to say good-bye to me. She said, if anyone should have not been laid-off, it was me. As soon as she heard I was laid-off on Friday, she ran to her manager and said, "That was the worst decision for laying a person off. He's the only helpful employee in his department when I need help. All other people say they don't have time to help me."
Other people started to approach me and told me basically the same thing, this company could have laid-off almost anyone, except for you. Even though hearing this from my pears did not get my job back, it certainly made me feel better.
I was in my department area printing my resume when my boss told me that the Vice-President just called him for my cell number. My boss told the V.P. that I was here printing my resume. The V.P. said for me to come up to his office. He hired me back.
That day, I looked back and I remembered there were lay-offs in September, then there were more lay-offs about three weeks ago. And now, the largest number of people were laid-off and I was part of it.
I had an entire weekend to think over what happened and I began to plan for how I was going to find a job in this bad economy. On Monday, I was glued to my computer the entire morning to update my resume. Edit, proof read, edit, proof read—over and over again. It was around 1 p.m. and I was satisfied with my resume. I was about to go to Kinko's to print it. However, I thought why not just show up at my work and ask them to print out several resumes? It won't cost me anything.
When I walked into work, one person came running up to me and hugged me and said she did not get a chance to say good-bye to me. She said, if anyone should have not been laid-off, it was me. As soon as she heard I was laid-off on Friday, she ran to her manager and said, "That was the worst decision for laying a person off. He's the only helpful employee in his department when I need help. All other people say they don't have time to help me."
Other people started to approach me and told me basically the same thing, this company could have laid-off almost anyone, except for you. Even though hearing this from my pears did not get my job back, it certainly made me feel better.
I was in my department area printing my resume when my boss told me that the Vice-President just called him for my cell number. My boss told the V.P. that I was here printing my resume. The V.P. said for me to come up to his office. He hired me back.
Shopping one week before Christmas.
I was considering purchasing an expensive pen for a friend of mine for Christmas. I went to several department stores since I thought this would be the best place to find a nice selection of pens. I was disappointed that none of the departments stores sold any pens—zero selection.
As I entered the perfume department at the entrance of the last store I checked, I told a department store woman in her early twenties that I was looking for pens. She asked me in a very serious tone of voice, "You mean one to borrow or to purchase?" I stated, "One to purchase," as I turned and walked away.
As I entered the perfume department at the entrance of the last store I checked, I told a department store woman in her early twenties that I was looking for pens. She asked me in a very serious tone of voice, "You mean one to borrow or to purchase?" I stated, "One to purchase," as I turned and walked away.
Friday, December 12, 2008
But... if you are an athiest, what about Christmas?
As an atheist, non-theist, rational person or a non-believer in ancient mythology, call it what you like, I celebrate Christmas. Why not? I love Christmas decorations, holiday parties and gift giving, just like most people. I just don't believe in an invisible god. Remember, there are people who believe in a god and don't celebrate Christmas, for example, Jehovah's Witnesses. In fact, one of the nicest friends I know is a Jehovah Witness.
What if you don't want to celebrate Christmas? Fear not! There are many winter festivals around the world to choose from. (I found them in Wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_winter_festivals)
And, I alphabetized them, just for you:
• Advent (Christian, The four weeks before Christmas)
• Armenian Apoststolc Christmas (Christian, Jan 6)
• Bhaubeej (Hindu)
• Bodhi Day (Buddist, Dec 8)
• Boxing Day (Secular, Dec 26, Gift-giving day after Christmas)
• Burns Night: (Secular, Jan 25, Birthday of Robert Burns)
• Candlemas (Christian, Feb 2)
• Chahar Shadbeh Suri (Persian, Festival of Fire, Last Wednesday of the Iranian Calendar year.)
• Chinese New Year (Late Jan – early Feb)
• Chrismukkah (Secular, Slang term for the amalgam of Christmas and Hanukkah celebrated by religiously mixed families and couples.)
• Christmas (Christian, Dec 25)
• Christmas Eve (Christian, Dec 24)
• Diwali (Hindu, Festival of Lights, five day festival)
• Dong zhi (Chinese Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Eastern Orthodox Christmas (Christian, Jan 7, according to the Julian calendar)
• Eid ul-Adha (Muslim, 10th of Dhul Hijja of the Islamic Calendar)
• Epiphany (Christian, Jan 6, the arrival of the Three Magi.)
• Feast of Fools (Christian, Jan 1)
• Feast of the Circumcision (Christian, Jan 1)
• Festival du Voyageur (Secular, February winter celebration of the fur trade in Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• Festival of the birth of the Unconquered Sun (Roman, late Roman Empire, Dec 25)
• Fur Rondy: (Secular, Late February and early March, Winter celebration in Anchorage, Alaska)
• Groundhog Day (Secular, Feb 2)
• Hanukkah (Eight festival starting in Nov or Dec, 25 Kislev, Hebrew calendar)
• Hogmanay (Secular, Night of Dec 31 - Before dawn of January 1)
• Scottish New Years Eve Celebration
• Holy Innocents' Day (Christian, Dec 28)
• HumanLight: (Secular, Dec 23, Humanist holiday originated by the New Jersey Humanist Network)
• Imbloc (Celtic, Feb 1)
• Imbolc (Pagan, Traditionally, evening of Jan 31, or Feb 1 or 2)
• Karachun (Slavic, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Kwanzaa (Secular, Dec 26 - Jan 1, Pan-African festival)
• Lupercalia (Roman end-of-winter festival, Feb 15)
• Matariki (Polynesian, Usually early June)
• Modranect (German, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Navratri (Hindu, 9 day celebration in Oct and Nov)
• New Year's Day (Secular, Jan 1, First day of the Gregorian year)
• New Year's Eve (Secular, Dec 31, Last day of the Gregorian year)
• Purim (Jewish, Late Feb or March, 14th or 15th day of Adar, Hebrew calendar)
• Quebec City Winter Carnival (Secular, February, Annual celebration of winter)
• Sadeh (Persian, Mid-winter)
• Saint Basil's Day (Christian Orthodox, Jan 1, In Greece, traditionally he is the Father Christmas figure.)
• Saint John the Evangelist's Day (Christian, Dec 27)
• Saint Nicholas’ Day (Christian, Dec. 6)
• Saint Stephen's Day (Christian, Dec 26)
• Saint Sylvester's Day (Christian, Dec 31)
• Samhain (Celtic, Nov1)
• Samhain (Pagan, Nov 1)
• Saturnalia (Roman, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Signature of the Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan, Dec 25)
• St. Valentine's Day (Christian, Feb 14)
• Sydney Winter Festival (Secular, August 1-10th 2008, Winter Festival recreates the magic of traditional European winter celebrations, including a variety of culinary delights, and first class entertainment on an expansive outdoor screen.)
• Tu Bishvat (New Year of the Trees, Jan or Feb, 15th of Shevat, Hebrew calendar)
• Twelfth Night: Epiphany Eve (Christian, Jan 5)
• Twelve days of Christmas (Christian, Dec. 25 – Jan 6)
• Watch Night (Christian, Dec 31)
• Winter Solstice (Celtic, Dec 21-28)
• Winter Solstice (Pagan, Dec 21, New Age Festival)
• Winter Solstice, Yule: (Secular, December 21 or December 22, Late June weekend in Australia. Celebration of the Winter Solstice.)
• Winterval (Secular, Winter festivities coined by Birmingham City Council to encompass all holidays being recognized from October to January)
• Yalda (Persian, Dec 21)
• Yule (German, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Yule (Pagan, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Yulefest (Secular, Midwinter Christmas, around late June or July. Australian New Zealand winter 'Christmas/Yuletide')
• Yuletide: (Secular, Dec 25, Classic and modern, respectively, terms for the social and federal Dec 25th holiday)
• Zamenhof Day (Secular, Dec15, Birthday of Ludwig Zamenhof, inventor of Esperanto; holiday reunion for Esperantists)
Ah! You made it to the end of the list. There are many options, aren't there? There are 65 winter festivals listed here.
What if you don't want to celebrate Christmas? Fear not! There are many winter festivals around the world to choose from. (I found them in Wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_winter_festivals)
And, I alphabetized them, just for you:
• Advent (Christian, The four weeks before Christmas)
• Armenian Apoststolc Christmas (Christian, Jan 6)
• Bhaubeej (Hindu)
• Bodhi Day (Buddist, Dec 8)
• Boxing Day (Secular, Dec 26, Gift-giving day after Christmas)
• Burns Night: (Secular, Jan 25, Birthday of Robert Burns)
• Candlemas (Christian, Feb 2)
• Chahar Shadbeh Suri (Persian, Festival of Fire, Last Wednesday of the Iranian Calendar year.)
• Chinese New Year (Late Jan – early Feb)
• Chrismukkah (Secular, Slang term for the amalgam of Christmas and Hanukkah celebrated by religiously mixed families and couples.)
• Christmas (Christian, Dec 25)
• Christmas Eve (Christian, Dec 24)
• Diwali (Hindu, Festival of Lights, five day festival)
• Dong zhi (Chinese Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Eastern Orthodox Christmas (Christian, Jan 7, according to the Julian calendar)
• Eid ul-Adha (Muslim, 10th of Dhul Hijja of the Islamic Calendar)
• Epiphany (Christian, Jan 6, the arrival of the Three Magi.)
• Feast of Fools (Christian, Jan 1)
• Feast of the Circumcision (Christian, Jan 1)
• Festival du Voyageur (Secular, February winter celebration of the fur trade in Winnipeg, Manitoba)
• Festival of the birth of the Unconquered Sun (Roman, late Roman Empire, Dec 25)
• Fur Rondy: (Secular, Late February and early March, Winter celebration in Anchorage, Alaska)
• Groundhog Day (Secular, Feb 2)
• Hanukkah (Eight festival starting in Nov or Dec, 25 Kislev, Hebrew calendar)
• Hogmanay (Secular, Night of Dec 31 - Before dawn of January 1)
• Scottish New Years Eve Celebration
• Holy Innocents' Day (Christian, Dec 28)
• HumanLight: (Secular, Dec 23, Humanist holiday originated by the New Jersey Humanist Network)
• Imbloc (Celtic, Feb 1)
• Imbolc (Pagan, Traditionally, evening of Jan 31, or Feb 1 or 2)
• Karachun (Slavic, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Kwanzaa (Secular, Dec 26 - Jan 1, Pan-African festival)
• Lupercalia (Roman end-of-winter festival, Feb 15)
• Matariki (Polynesian, Usually early June)
• Modranect (German, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Navratri (Hindu, 9 day celebration in Oct and Nov)
• New Year's Day (Secular, Jan 1, First day of the Gregorian year)
• New Year's Eve (Secular, Dec 31, Last day of the Gregorian year)
• Purim (Jewish, Late Feb or March, 14th or 15th day of Adar, Hebrew calendar)
• Quebec City Winter Carnival (Secular, February, Annual celebration of winter)
• Sadeh (Persian, Mid-winter)
• Saint Basil's Day (Christian Orthodox, Jan 1, In Greece, traditionally he is the Father Christmas figure.)
• Saint John the Evangelist's Day (Christian, Dec 27)
• Saint Nicholas’ Day (Christian, Dec. 6)
• Saint Stephen's Day (Christian, Dec 26)
• Saint Sylvester's Day (Christian, Dec 31)
• Samhain (Celtic, Nov1)
• Samhain (Pagan, Nov 1)
• Saturnalia (Roman, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Signature of the Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan, Dec 25)
• St. Valentine's Day (Christian, Feb 14)
• Sydney Winter Festival (Secular, August 1-10th 2008, Winter Festival recreates the magic of traditional European winter celebrations, including a variety of culinary delights, and first class entertainment on an expansive outdoor screen.)
• Tu Bishvat (New Year of the Trees, Jan or Feb, 15th of Shevat, Hebrew calendar)
• Twelfth Night: Epiphany Eve (Christian, Jan 5)
• Twelve days of Christmas (Christian, Dec. 25 – Jan 6)
• Watch Night (Christian, Dec 31)
• Winter Solstice (Celtic, Dec 21-28)
• Winter Solstice (Pagan, Dec 21, New Age Festival)
• Winter Solstice, Yule: (Secular, December 21 or December 22, Late June weekend in Australia. Celebration of the Winter Solstice.)
• Winterval (Secular, Winter festivities coined by Birmingham City Council to encompass all holidays being recognized from October to January)
• Yalda (Persian, Dec 21)
• Yule (German, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Yule (Pagan, Winter Solstice, Dec 21-28)
• Yulefest (Secular, Midwinter Christmas, around late June or July. Australian New Zealand winter 'Christmas/Yuletide')
• Yuletide: (Secular, Dec 25, Classic and modern, respectively, terms for the social and federal Dec 25th holiday)
• Zamenhof Day (Secular, Dec15, Birthday of Ludwig Zamenhof, inventor of Esperanto; holiday reunion for Esperantists)
Ah! You made it to the end of the list. There are many options, aren't there? There are 65 winter festivals listed here.
Magic Markers
Why do people place a magic marker upside down in a pencil/pen holder? What happens to people's brains who do this?
1) I have never seen a magic marker that leaks when in the down position. (Unless if somehow it was broken.)
2) Do people know that gravity pulls toward the earth?
What we know:
A. Gravity pulls towards earth.
B. When you place a magic marker upside down to store it, the ink runs to the back end of the marker.
C. When you use a stored upside down marker, there will be less ink at the tip of the marker when you write.
D. If you insist that magic markers are stored upside down, why even buy them or use them?
Why does common sense go out the window for people who dispute this point?
1) I have never seen a magic marker that leaks when in the down position. (Unless if somehow it was broken.)
2) Do people know that gravity pulls toward the earth?
What we know:
A. Gravity pulls towards earth.
B. When you place a magic marker upside down to store it, the ink runs to the back end of the marker.
C. When you use a stored upside down marker, there will be less ink at the tip of the marker when you write.
D. If you insist that magic markers are stored upside down, why even buy them or use them?
Why does common sense go out the window for people who dispute this point?
'08 or 2008?
Ugh. I don't understand why anyone would write '08 or 08. '08 is one character short of 2008. And 08 is only two numerals short of 2008. What is so difficult in writing or typing 2008 in full?
Painters/artists: If you sign your work with an '08—you are nuts. Don't you realize if your artwork becomes valuable in 100 or 200 years, the owner of your art will be unable to verify the exact year it was made. Why are people so short sighted?
The same is true with any piece of paper or document. What if a piece of paper is found 300 years from now. If it has in '08, is it from 2008, 2108, or 2208?
Painters/artists: If you sign your work with an '08—you are nuts. Don't you realize if your artwork becomes valuable in 100 or 200 years, the owner of your art will be unable to verify the exact year it was made. Why are people so short sighted?
The same is true with any piece of paper or document. What if a piece of paper is found 300 years from now. If it has in '08, is it from 2008, 2108, or 2208?
Sunday, December 07, 2008
How Does a Straight guy deal with a gay guy Coming onto him?
For those straight guys who know, they simply say I'm straight and move on, without the feelings that someone mistook them for being gay, gay-curious or bisexual. For those straight guys who would take this as an insult to their manlihood, all you need to do is think about how you'd treat a woman that you are not interested in and what you'd say to her. Say the same thing (and think about the experience) with the gay guy as you would a woman who does not turn you on.
Let me give you an example of a straight friend of mine. He will go to straight bars with friends or gay bars with friends. It does not bother him to go to a gay bar. When he gets hit on at a gay bar, he tells the guy he's straight. However, if he isn't hit on by gay guys at the gay bar, he wonders what he's doing wrong (or wonders what is wrong about him that night) that no one is hitting on him.
Let me give you an example of a straight friend of mine. He will go to straight bars with friends or gay bars with friends. It does not bother him to go to a gay bar. When he gets hit on at a gay bar, he tells the guy he's straight. However, if he isn't hit on by gay guys at the gay bar, he wonders what he's doing wrong (or wonders what is wrong about him that night) that no one is hitting on him.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
The Greatest Country in the World
People say the U.S. of A. is the greatest country in the world. So be it. Well, consider this:
Ten countries which set the best examples:
1) Human Development Index: Norway, Iceland
2) Global Peace Index: Norway, New Zealand
3) Gender Equality: Sweden, Norway
4) Life expectancy: Japan, Hong Kong
5) Quality of Life: Ireland, Switzerland
6) Most Competitive Economy: Switzerland, Finland
7) Economic Freedom: Hong Kong, Singapore
8) Gay Rights: Sweden, Norway
9) Obesity: Japan, Korea
10) Adults at High Literacy: Level Sweden, Norway
Top ten best countries to live in:
#1 Sweden
#2 Denmark
#3 Netherlands
#4 Finland
#5 Germany
#6 UK
#7 Canada
#8 Switzerland
#9 Norway
#10 Belgium
Top ten countries with the greatest life expectancy:
#1 Japan
#2 Hong Kong
#3 Iceland
#4 Switzerland
#5 Australia
#6 Sweden
#7 Italy
#8 Canada
#9 Israel
#10 France
Top ten countries with the highest quality of life:
#1 Ireland
#2 Switzerland
#3 Norway
#4 Luxembourg
#5 Sweden
#6 Australia
#7 Iceland
#8 Italy
#9 Denmark
#10 Spain
The above data from the website: http://www.vexen.co.uk/countries/best.html
(Remember, different sites have different data concerning the above topics.)
What if I poise the question, "What country has the nicest people in the world?" Any guesses? I'd say it's a country in Asia, called Thailand.
Ten countries which set the best examples:
1) Human Development Index: Norway, Iceland
2) Global Peace Index: Norway, New Zealand
3) Gender Equality: Sweden, Norway
4) Life expectancy: Japan, Hong Kong
5) Quality of Life: Ireland, Switzerland
6) Most Competitive Economy: Switzerland, Finland
7) Economic Freedom: Hong Kong, Singapore
8) Gay Rights: Sweden, Norway
9) Obesity: Japan, Korea
10) Adults at High Literacy: Level Sweden, Norway
Top ten best countries to live in:
#1 Sweden
#2 Denmark
#3 Netherlands
#4 Finland
#5 Germany
#6 UK
#7 Canada
#8 Switzerland
#9 Norway
#10 Belgium
Top ten countries with the greatest life expectancy:
#1 Japan
#2 Hong Kong
#3 Iceland
#4 Switzerland
#5 Australia
#6 Sweden
#7 Italy
#8 Canada
#9 Israel
#10 France
Top ten countries with the highest quality of life:
#1 Ireland
#2 Switzerland
#3 Norway
#4 Luxembourg
#5 Sweden
#6 Australia
#7 Iceland
#8 Italy
#9 Denmark
#10 Spain
The above data from the website: http://www.vexen.co.uk/countries/best.html
(Remember, different sites have different data concerning the above topics.)
What if I poise the question, "What country has the nicest people in the world?" Any guesses? I'd say it's a country in Asia, called Thailand.
Friday, December 05, 2008
My View on War, Exactly.
"Interesting. You Earth people glorify organized violence for 40 centuries. But you imprison those who employ it privately." —Spock, Star Trek, The Original Series, 1966, Episode 11, "Dagger of the Mind."
Bush's New Dallas Home
To see pictures and an article, please click the link below:
Bush's New Dallas Home
Or to cut and past the URL address in your web browser:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1204082bush1.html
Where did he get the money to do this?
Bush's New Dallas Home
Or to cut and past the URL address in your web browser:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1204082bush1.html
Where did he get the money to do this?
When will the Government put Warning Labels on Processed Food?
Personally, I wish that processed food—which fills our grocery stores—should come with a government warning label like this:
GOVERNMENT WARNING: PROCESSED FOOD TAKES OUT MOST NUTRIENTS YOUR BODY NEEDS. THIS PROCESSED FOOD LACKS VITAMINS, ENZYMES, ANTIOXIDANTS, PROTEINS, ETC., NECESSARY FOR YOUR BODY TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDS EATING FRUIT, VEGETABLES, NUTS, BEANS, CHICKEN, FISH AND MEAT THAT YOU PREPARE FOR YOURSELF IN YOUR OWN KITCHEN. FURTHERMORE, REMEMBER TO DRINK CLEAN WATER.
REMEMBER, CARBONATED BEVERAGES CAUSE OSTEOPOROSIS. RAW SUGAR FROM SODA AND PROCESSED DRINKS ARE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH. ALCOHOL IS A POISON TO YOUR HEART, BRAIN, LIVER, KIDNEYS, BLOOD VESSELS, STOMACH LINING AND VARIOUS HORMONAL AND REGULATORY SYSTEMS. THE HIGH WHILE GETTING DRUNK AND THE HEADACHE AFTERWARDS IS YOUR BRAIN TRYING TO GET RID OF THE POISON.
GOVERNMENT WARNING: PROCESSED FOOD TAKES OUT MOST NUTRIENTS YOUR BODY NEEDS. THIS PROCESSED FOOD LACKS VITAMINS, ENZYMES, ANTIOXIDANTS, PROTEINS, ETC., NECESSARY FOR YOUR BODY TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDS EATING FRUIT, VEGETABLES, NUTS, BEANS, CHICKEN, FISH AND MEAT THAT YOU PREPARE FOR YOURSELF IN YOUR OWN KITCHEN. FURTHERMORE, REMEMBER TO DRINK CLEAN WATER.
REMEMBER, CARBONATED BEVERAGES CAUSE OSTEOPOROSIS. RAW SUGAR FROM SODA AND PROCESSED DRINKS ARE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH. ALCOHOL IS A POISON TO YOUR HEART, BRAIN, LIVER, KIDNEYS, BLOOD VESSELS, STOMACH LINING AND VARIOUS HORMONAL AND REGULATORY SYSTEMS. THE HIGH WHILE GETTING DRUNK AND THE HEADACHE AFTERWARDS IS YOUR BRAIN TRYING TO GET RID OF THE POISON.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Omaba's web site - The Office Of The President-Elect
Wow. How awesome is this! You can sign-up on their emailing list.
"The Obama Transition Team has set-up an innovative website to facilitate public input for policy initiatives in the new Obama Administration. Please take the time to share your insights and opinions:"
The Office Of The President-Elect
Actual URL address:
http://change.gov/
-I found this link and the quote above from a recent e-newsletter from the Organic Consumers Association.
"The Obama Transition Team has set-up an innovative website to facilitate public input for policy initiatives in the new Obama Administration. Please take the time to share your insights and opinions:"
The Office Of The President-Elect
Actual URL address:
http://change.gov/
-I found this link and the quote above from a recent e-newsletter from the Organic Consumers Association.
The Truth About Prayer.
Prayer is a superstition. The best way to see if prayer works is to try it, prayer will never work for you. There are only three answers to prayer. Yes, no or wait. Every answered prayer is only a coincidence. You can pray to a bottle of milk and you will get the same answer, yes, no or wait.
It's impossible for any God to loose when the only answers to prayer are yes, no or wait because yes, no or wait is always true, no matter who or what you pray to.
When you pray, you want to move the ambiguity from prayer so your prayer won't be answered by coincidence. For example, instead of praying for one person to be cured of cancer, pray that all people are cured of cancer.
So, how do you prove prayer is a superstition? Someone has already made some youtube videos for us.
YouTube Video 1:
Proving that prayer is superstition. See video:
Proving that prayer is a superstition.
Actual URL address of video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH0rFZIqo8A
Youtube Video 2:
Prayer - The best optical illusion in the world. See video:
The best optical illusion in the world. (On prayer.)
Actual URL address of video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk6ILZAaAMI
It's impossible for any God to loose when the only answers to prayer are yes, no or wait because yes, no or wait is always true, no matter who or what you pray to.
When you pray, you want to move the ambiguity from prayer so your prayer won't be answered by coincidence. For example, instead of praying for one person to be cured of cancer, pray that all people are cured of cancer.
So, how do you prove prayer is a superstition? Someone has already made some youtube videos for us.
YouTube Video 1:
Proving that prayer is superstition. See video:
Proving that prayer is a superstition.
Actual URL address of video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH0rFZIqo8A
Youtube Video 2:
Prayer - The best optical illusion in the world. See video:
The best optical illusion in the world. (On prayer.)
Actual URL address of video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk6ILZAaAMI
How the U.S. Would be Different Today Only if...
The U.S. of A. would be different today, if politicians followed this saying: "We need to spend less money on war and death and more money on life."
My Vision for Cheny/Bush Memorials
My vision is to have Cheney/Bush memorials in major U.S. cities from coast to coast. These would have life size bronze statues, a cream pie concession stand, water hoses and plaques.
The plaques would state why Cheney and Bush were the worst President/Vice President team in U.S. history. The cream pie concession stand would be for people to throw cream pies at the statues of these men and take pictures. The hose would be to wash the statue down for the next visitor.
The plaques would state why Cheney and Bush were the worst President/Vice President team in U.S. history. The cream pie concession stand would be for people to throw cream pies at the statues of these men and take pictures. The hose would be to wash the statue down for the next visitor.
Us, Them and We
Those people who use the words "Us" and "Them" only divide others and even nations. There is no "Us" or "Them", there is only "We." We all share the same humanity, we all bleed red.
Why are Gay People in Such a Hurry to get Their Rights? I Don't see the Urgency.
Why don't some straight people see the urgency with gay rights? For the simple reason that straight people have their rights, so it's really not a big deal for them. Makes sense.
So, if I'm straight, how do I see the urgency of gay rights?
I'm glad you asked that question. I can help those straight people who like science fiction. Those that don't like science fiction, you are on your own!
If you have ever seen the X-men movies, it's very simple to see things from a gay point of view. Replace the word "mutant" with the word "gay."
So, if I'm straight, how do I see the urgency of gay rights?
I'm glad you asked that question. I can help those straight people who like science fiction. Those that don't like science fiction, you are on your own!
If you have ever seen the X-men movies, it's very simple to see things from a gay point of view. Replace the word "mutant" with the word "gay."
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Definition of the word "Cult".
The first two definitions of the word "Cult" from Webster.com:
1: formal religious veneration : worship
2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual ; also : its body of adherents
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult
Venerated: A ritual act of devotion.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venerated
Why are all religions cults? All religions are man-made.
1: formal religious veneration : worship
2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual ; also : its body of adherents
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult
Venerated: A ritual act of devotion.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venerated
Why are all religions cults? All religions are man-made.
The 1960's Get Smart is now on DVD.
The 1960's Get Smart is now on DVD. Get Smart ran from 1965 to 1970. (By the way, I liked the 2008 Get Smart movie. They had very difficult shoes to fill with this movie and they did a good job.)
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
If your religion divides people rather than unites people. Please enjoy your life and the fellowship of birds of a feather that flock together having bigotry and intolerance as part of your creed.
I Know God is Real Because I Feel it. Oh, Really?
I have had many people say to me, "I know God is real, I know it and I feel it. Once you know it and feel it, you'll have this unimaginable joy." I think, "Oh, really?!"
If I say I feel I'm at the beach and I know it and I feel it. You might not say I'm crazy but you might think I'm meditating with positive thoughts.
If I say I know Elvis personally, he is real and I know it and I feel it. You'd say I was crazy.
Can you guess what I think of people who say they personally know the all powerful and all knowing creator of the universe?
If I say I feel I'm at the beach and I know it and I feel it. You might not say I'm crazy but you might think I'm meditating with positive thoughts.
If I say I know Elvis personally, he is real and I know it and I feel it. You'd say I was crazy.
Can you guess what I think of people who say they personally know the all powerful and all knowing creator of the universe?
If Christianity, Islam or Mormonism are so Great...
If Christianity, Islam or Mormonism are so great, why do these religions divide people instead of unite people? Because religion poisons everything.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Processed Food.
One of the reasons why people are overweight and have bad health in America is processed food. The stomach is supposed to do the processing. When a manufacturing plant takes plants or animals and processes them, nutrition is lost. It is not the same as eating fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, or cooking beans, meat or fish.
A good rule of thumb, when you buy food, if it grew from the ground, it's okay to eat. If it's from a manufacturing plant or fast food restaurant, either don't eat it or limit the amount of processed food you eat.
Cigarettes have a warning label as to their health hazard to people. (And in the U.S. the warning label on cigarettes is small and unobtrusive—this is wrong! But that's a topic for another blog entry.) If the F.D.A. were ethical, they would put a health warning on most processed foods and fast food restaurants stating the food is not healthy to eat. In fact, the warning label would say the food is dangerous to eat.
Here is a quote from the Puristat web site describing the dangers of processed food.
"Processed food is made from real food that has been put through devitalizing chemical processes and is infused with chemicals and preservatives. Beef jerky, canned tea, jam, hot dogs, and low-fat yogurt with sugar or aspartame are a few examples of processed food.
Junk foods contain very little real food. They're made of devitalized processed food, hydrogenated fats, chemicals, and preservatives, and include anything made with refined white flour. Canned breakfast drinks, cold/sugary cereals, doughnuts, drive-through foods, and soda are examples of junk foods.
Fake foods are made primarily of chemicals, and often contain gums and sugar fillers. Examples include bacon bits, bottled salad dressing, dehydrated soups, and instant coffee.
These non-foods have one thing in common; it costs your body a great deal more to digest, absorb, and eliminate them than they offer your body in nutritional value – an extremely poor return on your investment that leaves your body sluggish and depleted."
From: http://www.puristat.com/standardamericandiet/processedfoods.aspx
Another web site talks about eating a raw food diet. When raw foods are heated past 118 degrees, enzymes necessary for our stomach to digest, start to breakdown.
See: http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/enzymes.htm
What about soda? (Written by Kathy Loidolt)
"We Americans love a soda! And no wonder! It tastes great, gives us a boost and feels like a celebration drink. I don't want to rain on your parade, but do we know what we are drinking? Most of us are aware that there is a lot of sugar in soda (High Fructose Corn Syrup is a concentrated sugar) that's why it tastes so good, right? Sugar, among other things, lowers our immune system, making us susceptible to illnesses.
The bad news is, sugar is the least of our concerns when we drink soda. Many sodas contain color dyes, which have been known to cause ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and impotence. Another common soda pop ingredient, sodium benzoate, is a chemical compound that has it's own MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) filed with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Organization). The MSDS for sodium benzoate states "Caution! Harmful if swallowed or inhaled!" The manufacturers are instructed to wear protective goggles, lab coats, gloves and use a vented hood. Now, I know we all drink sodas and feel fine right after, but what is this chemical doing to our bodies, soda after soda, year after year?
The "natural and artificial flavorings" is ingredients code for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) which has been linked to migraines, MS, IBS, fibromyalgia, anxiety, seizures and depression. If you are drinking diet soda, you are getting lots of MSG, as it is a flavor enhancer used to make foods and drinks without sugar still taste good.
Of course, we all know that soda also contains carbonated water. Soda pop has been nicknamed "osteoporosis in a can" because the carbonation in the soda takes calcium out of our bones through a three stage process:
1. The carbonation irritates the stomach.
2. The stomach tries to cure the irritation by secreting the only antacid at its disposal, calcium. It gets this calcium from the blood.
3. The blood, now low on calcium, replenishes its supply from the bones. If it did not do this, muscular and brain function would be severely impaired.
Osteoporosis has been shown to be five times worse in kids and women who drink dark cola than in those who drink other types of soda.
So next time you have the kids at a restaurant and they ask if they can order a pop, pull this article out and read it to them! Maybe they'll choose water."
Written by Kathy Loidolt, author of Shopper's Guide to Healthy Living.
See:
http://ezinearticles.com/
?Stop-Drinking-That-Soda-and-Prevent-Osteoporosis&id=1526465
(This URL address is very long and I had to break it into two sentences. If you want to view the article, you'll need to copy and past both sentences without spaces and place into the appropriate place in your browser.)
Isn't it time the F.D.A. puts warning labels on most processed foods and food from most fast food restaurants and all carbonated drinks?
A good rule of thumb, when you buy food, if it grew from the ground, it's okay to eat. If it's from a manufacturing plant or fast food restaurant, either don't eat it or limit the amount of processed food you eat.
Cigarettes have a warning label as to their health hazard to people. (And in the U.S. the warning label on cigarettes is small and unobtrusive—this is wrong! But that's a topic for another blog entry.) If the F.D.A. were ethical, they would put a health warning on most processed foods and fast food restaurants stating the food is not healthy to eat. In fact, the warning label would say the food is dangerous to eat.
Here is a quote from the Puristat web site describing the dangers of processed food.
"Processed food is made from real food that has been put through devitalizing chemical processes and is infused with chemicals and preservatives. Beef jerky, canned tea, jam, hot dogs, and low-fat yogurt with sugar or aspartame are a few examples of processed food.
Junk foods contain very little real food. They're made of devitalized processed food, hydrogenated fats, chemicals, and preservatives, and include anything made with refined white flour. Canned breakfast drinks, cold/sugary cereals, doughnuts, drive-through foods, and soda are examples of junk foods.
Fake foods are made primarily of chemicals, and often contain gums and sugar fillers. Examples include bacon bits, bottled salad dressing, dehydrated soups, and instant coffee.
These non-foods have one thing in common; it costs your body a great deal more to digest, absorb, and eliminate them than they offer your body in nutritional value – an extremely poor return on your investment that leaves your body sluggish and depleted."
From: http://www.puristat.com/standardamericandiet/processedfoods.aspx
Another web site talks about eating a raw food diet. When raw foods are heated past 118 degrees, enzymes necessary for our stomach to digest, start to breakdown.
See: http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/enzymes.htm
What about soda? (Written by Kathy Loidolt)
"We Americans love a soda! And no wonder! It tastes great, gives us a boost and feels like a celebration drink. I don't want to rain on your parade, but do we know what we are drinking? Most of us are aware that there is a lot of sugar in soda (High Fructose Corn Syrup is a concentrated sugar) that's why it tastes so good, right? Sugar, among other things, lowers our immune system, making us susceptible to illnesses.
The bad news is, sugar is the least of our concerns when we drink soda. Many sodas contain color dyes, which have been known to cause ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and impotence. Another common soda pop ingredient, sodium benzoate, is a chemical compound that has it's own MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) filed with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Organization). The MSDS for sodium benzoate states "Caution! Harmful if swallowed or inhaled!" The manufacturers are instructed to wear protective goggles, lab coats, gloves and use a vented hood. Now, I know we all drink sodas and feel fine right after, but what is this chemical doing to our bodies, soda after soda, year after year?
The "natural and artificial flavorings" is ingredients code for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) which has been linked to migraines, MS, IBS, fibromyalgia, anxiety, seizures and depression. If you are drinking diet soda, you are getting lots of MSG, as it is a flavor enhancer used to make foods and drinks without sugar still taste good.
Of course, we all know that soda also contains carbonated water. Soda pop has been nicknamed "osteoporosis in a can" because the carbonation in the soda takes calcium out of our bones through a three stage process:
1. The carbonation irritates the stomach.
2. The stomach tries to cure the irritation by secreting the only antacid at its disposal, calcium. It gets this calcium from the blood.
3. The blood, now low on calcium, replenishes its supply from the bones. If it did not do this, muscular and brain function would be severely impaired.
Osteoporosis has been shown to be five times worse in kids and women who drink dark cola than in those who drink other types of soda.
So next time you have the kids at a restaurant and they ask if they can order a pop, pull this article out and read it to them! Maybe they'll choose water."
Written by Kathy Loidolt, author of Shopper's Guide to Healthy Living.
See:
http://ezinearticles.com/
?Stop-Drinking-That-Soda-and-Prevent-Osteoporosis&id=1526465
(This URL address is very long and I had to break it into two sentences. If you want to view the article, you'll need to copy and past both sentences without spaces and place into the appropriate place in your browser.)
Isn't it time the F.D.A. puts warning labels on most processed foods and food from most fast food restaurants and all carbonated drinks?
Companies That use Voice Mail Systems and Prompts
The public is sick of voice mail systems and prompts. I worked for a major U.S. Airline in the late 1980s in the domestic reservations department. When I first started working for this U.S. Airline (Do you get the hint of who I worked for yet?), we had no voice mail system for the public when they called the airline's 800 reservations number.
As an airline reservationist, I answered all the 800 calls, making reservations, confirming reservations, taking credit card numbers/checks for people to buy their tickets, checking to see if flights were on-time, checking for lost baggage, and etcetera. When someone needed an international reservation, I'd simply transfer the call to the international reservations department.
Then management announced they were going to start a voice mail system where the public would need to press buttons to get through. When the system was put in place, I (in domestic reservationists) would still take all the calls and would only have to transfer calls going to international reservations. Nothing changed for the employees and what we did.
We finally found out why management put this system in place. Management wanted a report as to who was calling and why. Yes, management needed their official reports and didn't mind that it made it more difficult for the public to get through.
And here's another scenario. I work for a print shop now. Our customers will send us jobs without directions. I wish I could read my customer's minds as to how they want their prints jobs run. My company does not keep customers specs on file and for a good reason. You can run a print job a million different ways. For example...
A customer might run their job in color for ten orders in a row. We know what the customer wants, right? The 11th order comes in and we run the job in color again. The customer gets their 11th order and calls us and complains. They wanted the 11th order to be run in black and white, they needed the prints for their file copy. Too bad the customer didn't tell us this upfront. More times than not, they don't.
So, what's the point?
The customer gave us their office phone number and they refused to write down their office extension. We call their main office number, get the voice mail system and punch in the person's first or last name and the voice mail system says that person doesn't work there. (Of course, pressing zero does not ring anyone, you get someone's voice mail.) We can't get through to our customer because their company voice mail system has not been updated for all their employees. The customer is mad the job is late or because the job was run incorrectly. It's all because companies think it is clever to install a voice mail system.
As an airline reservationist, I answered all the 800 calls, making reservations, confirming reservations, taking credit card numbers/checks for people to buy their tickets, checking to see if flights were on-time, checking for lost baggage, and etcetera. When someone needed an international reservation, I'd simply transfer the call to the international reservations department.
Then management announced they were going to start a voice mail system where the public would need to press buttons to get through. When the system was put in place, I (in domestic reservationists) would still take all the calls and would only have to transfer calls going to international reservations. Nothing changed for the employees and what we did.
We finally found out why management put this system in place. Management wanted a report as to who was calling and why. Yes, management needed their official reports and didn't mind that it made it more difficult for the public to get through.
And here's another scenario. I work for a print shop now. Our customers will send us jobs without directions. I wish I could read my customer's minds as to how they want their prints jobs run. My company does not keep customers specs on file and for a good reason. You can run a print job a million different ways. For example...
A customer might run their job in color for ten orders in a row. We know what the customer wants, right? The 11th order comes in and we run the job in color again. The customer gets their 11th order and calls us and complains. They wanted the 11th order to be run in black and white, they needed the prints for their file copy. Too bad the customer didn't tell us this upfront. More times than not, they don't.
So, what's the point?
The customer gave us their office phone number and they refused to write down their office extension. We call their main office number, get the voice mail system and punch in the person's first or last name and the voice mail system says that person doesn't work there. (Of course, pressing zero does not ring anyone, you get someone's voice mail.) We can't get through to our customer because their company voice mail system has not been updated for all their employees. The customer is mad the job is late or because the job was run incorrectly. It's all because companies think it is clever to install a voice mail system.
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