Song in My Head: Wash away my troubles, wash away my pain... With the rain in Shambala... Wash away my sorrow, wash away my shame... With the rain in Shambala ...Ah-ah ooo ooo ooo ooo yeah Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah yeah .Three Dog Night

In Season: yellow ribbons, candle lighting, carnations

Fascinatingly spooky...among the realms of possibility...from The Ecologist

Pentagon dark lord Donald Rumsfeld is shovelling billions of tax dollars into the research furnaces of federal laboratories and private universities across the US in a wide-ranging bid to spawn ‘super soldiers’. Fired by drugs and electromagnetic ‘brain zaps’, the super soldiers will fight without ceasing for days on end. The work is being directed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) – yes, the same outfit now labouring under convicted terrorist-conspirator John Poindexter to build the ‘Total Information Awareness’ network that will allow Washington to monitor the electronic records and communications of every US citizens. The DARPA ‘war fighter enhancement’ programme – an acceleration of bi-partisan bio-tinkering that’s been going on for years – will involve injecting young men and women with hormonal, neurological and genetic concoctions; implanting microchips and electrodes in their bodies to control their internal organs and brain functions; and plying them with drugs that deaden some of their normal human tendencies – the need for sleep, the fear of death, the reluctance to kill their fellow human beings. The research is ‘very aggressive and wide open’, says Admiral Stephen Baker of the Center for Defense Information.Indeed, the US Special Operations Command envisions the creation of ‘iron-bodied and iron-willed personnel’, who can ‘resist the mental and physiological effects of sleep deprivation’ while relying on ‘ergogenic substances’ to ‘manage’ the ‘environmental and mentally induced stress’ of the battlefield. Their bodies juiced, their brains swaddled in a Prozacian haze, the enhanced fighters can churn relentlessly, remorselessly towards dominion.

This is so me..
Iron-willed with mental and physiological effects of sleep deprivation’ while relying on ‘caffeinated substances’ to ‘manage’ the ‘environmental, mental and internal combustion engine related induced stress’ of (home)the battlefield. Their bodies juiced, their brains swaddled in a Effexorian haze
.................maybe 2 teenage sons had something to do with it.

Song in the Head: Peace in our lifetime...Peace in our lifetime...Peace is our song, won't you sing along...Peace in our lifetime

In Season: Cherry blossoms, tulips, shorts


From the March 28, Oregonian
FBI agents interview 400 Iraqis in Oregon
MARK LARABEE

The FBI has interviewed about 400 Iraqis in Oregon since the war began as part of a national effort to gather intelligence about Saddam Hussein's military and government as well as information about potential terrorist plots. Charles Mathews, who heads the FBI in Oregon, said agents visited homes of people born in Iraq, told them the interviews were voluntary and asked questions about the situation in Iraq, including whether they knew people there who would be willing to talk to U.S. officials.
He said the interviews opened valuable lines of communication.
"In the day of satellites and cell phones, it's incredible the amount of information that can move when you know who to talk to," Mathews said. "I can't go into detail, but there was specific information that was important to the war effort -- information that we were providing in real time to our intelligence representatives in Iraq and to our military sources."
More than 5,000 interviews have occurred across the country and the FBI has said it plans to talk to about 11,000 Iraqis. News reports indicate about 30 people have been detained on immigration charges, although Mathews said no arrests were made in Oregon.
"Overwhelmingly, it was a positive experience," he said. "We were welcomed. I'm not saying that everybody greeted us with open arms and asked us to stay for dinner, but many of them did."
For many Iraqis, government agents knocking on the door is intimidating because it reminds them of the strong-arm tactics used by Saddam Hussein.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon is offering legal help to anyone being questioned. Executive Director David Fidanque said a handful of people have requested legal help. He criticized the FBI interviews as intrusive, saying they create mistrust and fear.
The Hate Free Zone Campaign of Washington also is urging people approached by the FBI to insist on having a lawyer present, saying agents were arriving unannounced at people's homes.
"They should call us before," said Muzafar Rasheed, an Iraqi Kurd who came to Portland in 1996 after being accused by the Iraqi government of high treason for working with a humanitarian group in Northern Iraq. "As a Kurd, we have spent all our lives under the threats of Saddam Hussein, so when they knock it's kind of a shock. It's scary. I told them that."
Yet Rasheed and others said the agents were professional and appreciative of the information they were given. They said the agents asked normal questions and were not intimidating.
"They didn't force me to answer," he said. "They said you are totally free to answer the questions or not. It was my pleasure."
Azad Mohammadi, a senior engineer with the Portland Water Bureau, is an Iranian Kurd who was born in Iraq. He said the FBI came to his home Monday.
"They said you don't have to talk to us if you don't wish to, but I invited them in," he said. Mohammadi said he gave the agents a history of the Kurds and his perspectives on current events and how they will influence the geopolitics of the region. The meeting last three hours, he said.
Iraqi culture revealed Mathews said agents learned a lot about Iraqi culture and will stay in contact with members of the local Iraqi community. He has been meeting with leaders of various religious and community groups about the interviews.
Shahriar Ahmed, president of the Bilal Mosque in Beaverton, said he thinks it's important for people in the Muslim and Middle Eastern communities to get over their paranoia that the U.S. government is out to get them.
"I personally don't think hunkering down is the way to go," he said. "We've hunkered down for the last 15 to 20 years, and we should have been more engaged."

Then, thanks to Tbogg..I was alerted to this frightening article from today's Oregonian:

FBI, Joint Terrorism agents search home in Hillsboro
03/21/03
MARK LARABEE and LES ZAITZ

A software designer was being held Thursday as a material witness in a terrorism investigation after FBI agents searched his Hillsboro home and his office at Intel.
According to neighbors and co-workers, Maher Mofeid Hawash, 38, was the target of Thursday's searches by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Hawash was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on Thursday afternoon and put on a "material witness hold" at the request......blah blah blah

WTF!!!! This is an outrage. There is a web page with more complete info http://www.freemikehawash.org/

This man is an American citizen, his basic constitutional rights have been exterminated by some out of line authority. I urge everyone to contact their state reps and senators. This is totally unaccaptable in our time, in our country. I can only offer conjecture on what happened like everyone else. It makes me wonder if this guy knew the 5 Muslims( a supposed terror cell) that were arrested last year. I believe they were from Hillsboro. Or did Mike attend a peace rally and was watched, did he say something anti-Bush? This just disgusts me.

I would like to acknowledge my nephew Jason B. He was deployed from Colorado two days ago to do his duty. All my love dude.....be safe.....

Finally...If Bush hasn't Screwed the World Enough..ther's this further blemish to our pox marked country.

From the aflcio.org site:

Bush Proposal Would End Overtime Pay for Millions of Workers

The Bush administration proposed new rules March 27 that would erode the 40-hour workweek and deny overtime pay protections to millions of workers. The proposed changes to Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations would affect a wide range of the more than 80 million workers protected by the FLSA.
FLSA’s current overtime rules protect workers from employers who do not now require workers to unreasonably long hours because they are required to pay overtime. The Bush rules could mean that many workers would face unpredictable work schedules because of an increased demand for extra hours for which employers would not have to pay time-and-half.

The Bush administration claims its proposal to raise the income ceiling for workers to automatically qualify for overtime pay would extend protection to some lower-income workers currently excluded. But most of these workers already are covered by overtime protections because of the nature of their jobs. In contrast, the Bush administration’s proposed changes in workers’ job definitions and duties that must be met to allow an employer to classify workers as “exempt” and thus ineligible for overtime would affect many more hundreds of thousands of workers.
Many working families depend on overtime pay to balance their checkbooks and pay bills—especially during the current economic recession

Depressed yet...?

Shrub is anything but Humanitarian

From the Church World Service regarding Iraq:

CWS depends heavily on contributions from private, public and ecumenically-based fundraising and has said it will not accept U.S. government funding for the initial emergency phase of the current Iraq conflict. Prior to the war, CWS stated deep concerns over the U.S. government’s “embedded humanitarian response” strategy announced for the early days of the war and what, from initial government information, was characterized as insufficient preparedness.

Alluding to the neutral position and trust traditionally held for humanitarian aid relief workers, Augsburger commented, “That control over reconstruction and humanitarian activities in Iraq has been placed with the Department of Defense flies in the face of humanitarian principles

Comapssionate Conservative my ASS!

Refugees Tents Blow Away

From Middle East Council of Churches at http://www.mecchurches.org/posandpress/news.
Situation on the Jordanian Border and in Camps A and B
(Attached report by Chris Doyle)
We’ve left this report intact in order to maintain the level of detail that is present it. It provides good background the situation on the Iraqi/Jordanian border by first-hand witness, as well as a level of detail that may be valuable to some partners.

As follow-up note to this report, Edmond Adam had the latest update on the situation in Camps A and B, especially following the stormy weather that swept through the entire region. He said yesterday, Thursday March 27, that "in Jordan, due to severe weather conditions at Ruweished, both camps suffered terribly and most of the tents were blown away. No Iraqi refugees came into Jordan so far. Cheesus H Krist

Another relief agency in Iraq can be found at www.icrc.org (International Red Cross) They have an interesting blog that gives a realistic picture of injured, state of hospitals, water, food, and refugee info. They have a registry to help people find their loved ones, too.

The news coverage thus far has rendered me frustrated for obvious reasons. I prefer reading the relief angencies daily reports. For me they give a much more reaistic overview of how the war affects people and families. The tactical warblogs are interesting, but are all based on "reports". I trust the news from these ageniceis because they have higher ethical standars to preserve the humanitarian cause than a newspaper can ever do. I find it fascinating what kind of food they have available, what illnesses are popping up and the extent of injuries sustained by civilians. I guess it is my environmental health background that pulls me to these relief agencies. It just seems more real to me when I can read what their daily lives are like. I refuse to dehumanize myself and disassociate myself. Having your child killed accidently, is THE most horrible agony of a parent. I imagine a collective grief that we all need to tap into to supply the grievers with comfort. Whether your child dies in service, accidently or otherwise, the global communities cociousness can overcome this if we work together.

My Favorite Top Ten Sitcoms of All Time blame it on Senator McCapazzola..

1. Mash
2. The Simpsons
2. Married With Children
4. Julia
5. That Girl
6. Get Smart
7. Flipper
8. WKRP
9. Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
10.Cheers

Protestapalooza

Muslims & Friends Sing Out Against The War

Millions around the world who have worked tirelessly to promote a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis might be feeling somewhat depressed now that war has actually started. But several artists have stepped in to provide a musical soundtrack to the movement, hoping to buoy spirits and keep the momentum going. After all, what's a good war protest without a good war protest song? Leading the pack is Yusuf Islam, a.k.a. the former Cat Stevens, who sang a special version of his old hit, "Peace Train" - marking the first time he has sung his old material since becoming a Muslim in the 1970's. "As a member of humanity and as a Muslim," said Islam, "this is my contribution to the call for a peaceful solution to the dangerous path some world leaders today seem to be taking.
Yusuf Islam Stevens.......interesting, read the rest at altmuslim.com

Song in The Head: I've got sunshine on a cloudy day......

In Season: War, Spring

Good Day Mates! There is so much news in the world that I deciced to keep a local focus on what is really pissing me off today. And rightly so...Check out this shit for news.

From today's Oregonian

Police holding line on protests
03/28/03
MAXINE BERNSTEIN

Despite mounting police overtime costs, Portland's mayor and police chief pledged Thursday to maintain their vigilance in keeping protesters from impeding city streets or vandalizing property.

During Thursday's lull in antiwar protests, Mayor Vera Katz and Police Chief Mark Kroeker also joined
with Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto, who warned that protesters who fail to obey police orders will no longer be ticketed but will spend nights in jail.

"We believe now it's time to tighten up," Giusto said. "Things change today. No more cite and release. . . . Since the beds are available, I intend to use them."

The beds are empty because you RELEASED all the felons recently because the state couldn't afford holding them. But it's okay to prison protestors? Well, admittedly, there are fringes of protestors that will let their anger escalate to assault, violence, damage, yet when you consider this...most protestors practice civil disobedience and non violent tactics. .From Portland State Universities Newspaper, Daily Vanguard.....

Failed measure releases county inmates
State agencies begin to implement budget cuts

Christian Gaston
January 30, 2003

Inmates, 114, were released from Multnomah County Jail Wednesday as Oregon's state agencies began implementing proposed budget cuts threatened during the campaign for the measure. While some freed inmates were merely awaiting trial, others were serving time for various felonies.

You ever have your car stolen?
Money stolen?
Harassed and hurt by a anti war protestor?

Just asking..

Song in The Head: Just say No...Rod Deal and the Ideals

Ruh Roh.......

Leader: Iraqis Will Resist U.S. Control
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer

TEHRAN, Iran - The leader of the biggest Iraqi opposition group said Tuesday that Iraqis would fight any U.S. domination after Saddam Hussein is toppled.

"Coalition forces are welcome in Iraq as long as they help the Iraqi people get rid of Saddam's dictatorship, but Iraqis will resist if they seek to occupy or colonize our country," said Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim, leader of the Tehran-based Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.

Such resistance, the Shiite leader told a news conference in Tehran, would include "the use of force and arms."

Can ya blame them? Pushing regime change is reasonable...pushing religious and cultural changes is immoral. I don't buy for a millisecond that we want to respect the Muslim way. And this article does not surprise me......Christianity will be pushed down their throats...holy roller style.....UGH!

Plans Under Way for Christianizing the Enemy
BY MARK O'KEEFE
Two leading evangelical Christian missionary organizations said Tuesday that they have teams of workers poised to enter Iraq to address the physical and spiritual needs of a large Muslim population.

The Southern Baptist Convention, the country's largest Protestant denomination, and the Rev. Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse said workers are near the Iraq border in Jordan and are ready to go in as soon as it is safe.
Our human situation no longer permits us to make armed dichotomies between those who are good and those who are evil, those who are right and those who are wrong. The first blow dealt to the enemy's children will sign the death warrant of our own - Margaret Mead

Song in My Head: If I Had A Rocket Launcher..... Bruce Cockburn

I want to raise every voice -- at least i've got to try.
every time i think about it water rises to my eyes.
situation desperate echoes of the victims cry
if i had a rocket launcher...some sonofabitch would die

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow-men;
along those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.-Herman Melville

The Iraqi ambassador at the UN said his country was the victim of "barbaric Anglo-American military agression".3/26/03

ACTION ALERT

Against all odds, there were enough signatures, e-mails telegrams and phone calls within the last 24 hours to Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio to persuade him to introduce before the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. a little known resolution that deprives the President of his authority to wage war.

However, we must now persuade Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert that there is a growing consensus if not a plurality to mandate the resolution for a House ballot.

Therefore, please take a moment to e-mail Speaker Hastert by simply saying, "I am in favor of introducing HJ Resolution 20 for a vote."

Speaker Hastert's e-mail: Speaker@mail.house.gov.

There is urgency This must be done NOW. Please forward to every other concerned citizen you know.

Chant in my Head: Not My President..Not My War

Worst case scenario:

UN is ineffective.
Nukes
Rogue nations mimic USA's disregard for Geneva Convention
Terrorist attacks in USA

From Today's Islamic Republic News

The Arab League secretary general said that the Islamic Republic of Iran would contribute to help stop the war.

Eeeek..The F*ing Arab League is ready to stop the war....peacefully?

My heart goes out to all the parents who lost their babies today. I grieve your losses. It will take a long time to heal your wounds...if you ever recover.

IT DOESN"T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY

Song marching through my head today: When Johnny comes marching home again Hurrah! Hurrah! ~REPEAT~ The men will cheer the boys will shout, The ladies they will all turn out, and we'll all drink stoned wine when Johnny comes marching home.
In Season: ticks, war, lint

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not
sure about the former.- Albert Einstein

A Muslim version of....wtf? The Onion...!!!!!!..
http://news.islamicaweb.com/4/

Another Out of Work Comedienne..actually it's kinda funny)

Arab-American comedians finds a nightclub where jokes on touchy subjects work
By JONATHAN KAUFMAN
The Wall Street Journal
Three days after Sept. 11, Ahmed Ahmed took the stage at the Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood for the toughest stand-up comedy gig of his life.

"You have no idea how rough it is to be an Arab these days," he said, peering out at the Friday-night crowd. "I went to the airport to check in. The man at the ticket counter said, 'Are these your bags?' I said, 'Yes, sir.' He said, "Did you pack them yourself?' I said, 'Yes, sir.' They arrested me."

"On the flight all my meals come pre-cut," Mr. Ahmed went on. "They won't give me any utensils. When I got up to go to the bathroom, they give me an escort. I can't even fly a kite in this country.

"The other night I went to a nightclub with a friend and we were carded at the door. I showed the woman my California driver's license, which has my full name — Ahmed Aboubakr Ahmed — and a picture of me with a beard. Her eyes bugged out of her head. I put my hand on her shoulder and said, 'Look, we just want to come in and celebrate. I just graduated from flight school."

Think it's tough finding a job in this economy? Try being an Arab-American comedian.

Song in My Head: All we are saying is give peace a chance....John Lennon

In Season: cilantro, parsley, grape hyacinth

Portland DJ Harasses Disabled Woman On Air

Willamette Week has had a series of articles on Scooter, the Rose City's village idiot. This slob can be found on "Jammin 95.5's Morning show. I don't recommend it anymore.

And Scooter is the village idiot." Ah, yes: Scooter. A somewhat portly white guy (though he's not as fat as the on-air ribbing he takes might lead one to believe), Scooter is the man the Playhouse looks to for anarchy and nausea. For example, on a recent November morning, commuters on the Hawthorne Bridge were confronted with the spectacle of Scooter taking his clothes off; the Playhouse sent him to the bridge with a microphone as part of a "strip trivia" gag. The cops, who initially thought he was a suicidal bridge jumper, did not get much of a laugh out of it. They slapped him in cuffs and took him downtown. ("Scooter's been arrested several times," Adams notes.) "There have been times I've been ready to kill Scooter," McNamara says. "But you can't get mad at him for doing what he's told. P.K. tells him to jump off the cliff, and over he goes." Scooter's willingness to do just about anything adds a key element to a mix that's designed to flow seamlessly at a pace tailored to eggshell attention spans, all the while seeming like unscripted bedlam.

This guy has no shame

His station reports:
After we ran across a news story of a pro football player that broke into a dorm room and went poo-poo in the closet, we offered 100 dollars to a listener who would let Scooter do the same thing!

There's pictures...ugh!

Smegma breath, freaktard, tormentor Scooter adds such stunts as urine-slurping, strip trivia, harassment, and shitting in closets of strangers to the naughty Playhouse mix of extroverted attention seekers.

I listened to this station for a couple of years. It was my son's preferred entertainment as we drove to early morning sports practices. A lot of the pranks were hysterical. Degrading retarded people is a whole other story.In fact, harassment is the repeated, unwanted attention from someone.

Scooter, you owe this woman a trip to Disneyland and a public apology. Give up your freak
time to support the human cause and get your disabled mind out of your fat ass.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does. -Margaret Mead

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones -Albert Einstein

Song in the noggin: It's Springtime for Hitler and Germany..with an afternoon head of Excuse Me Mr. by Ben Harper

Oh, excuse me Mr.
Do you have the time,
Or are you so important that it stands still (for you).
Excuse me Mr.
Want you lend me your ear,
Or are you not only blind but do you not hear.
Excuse me Mr.
But isn't that your oil in the sea,
And the pollution in the air Mr.,
Whose could that be.
So, excuse me Mr.
But I'm a mister too.
And you're givin' Mr. a bad name,
Mr. like you.

So, I'm taking the Mr. from out in front of your name,
'cause it's a Mr. like you that puts the rest of us to shame.
It's a Mr. like you that puts the rest of us to shame.

And I've seen enough,
I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.

Excuse me Mr.
Can't you see the children dying.
You say that you can't help them,
Mr. you're not even trying.
Excuse me Mr.
Just take a look around.
Oh, Mr. just look up and you will,
You'll see it's coming down.
Oh, excuse me Mr.
But I'm, I'm a mister too.
(And you're) givin' Mr. a bad name,
Mr. like you.

So, I'm taking the Mr. from out in front of your name,
'cause it's a Mr. like you that puts the rest of us to shame.
'cause it's a Mr. like you, puts the rest of us to shame.

And I've seen enough,
I've seen enough, seen enough,
I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.
I've seen enough,
And I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.
Seen.

'cause Mr. when you're rattling on heaven's gate,
(let me tell you Mr.)
By then it is too late.
'cause Mr. when you get there,
They don't ask, they don't ask (how much) what you saved.
All they'll want to know Mr. is what you gave.

So, excuse me Mr.
But I'm a mister too.
And you're givin' Mr. a bad name,
Mr. like you.

So, I'm taking the Mr. from out in front of your name,
'cause it's a Mr. like you (that) puts the rest of us to shame.
'cause it's a Mr. like you, puts the rest of us to shame.

In Season: Rain, hydrangeas, anti war protestor bashing

Last night I watched the local (Portland) News. According to the newscasters, there was chaos, hopefully short traffic jams and an unprecedented mobile protest that closed 3 out of 7 bridges in Portland, let alone the closure of 3-4 highways. This is awesome!!!!!!!!!

I watched via helicopter broadcast as group of anti-war folks marched peacefully, yet deliberately, split and closed traffic in a few places simultaneously. The cops didn't know where to go. All in all..... I witnessed respect for the protestors, and their right to assemble. Burnside, a major road in downtown Portland, was closed until 2 am this morning. At a 7am broadcast this morning, of the same location, 2 protestors were arrested for blocking traffic. According to my local peace group these acts of civil disobedience are to be held every night of the war, at 5 pm.

I wish I could walk without pain.....
Go P-Town!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Spring!!!

Song in My Head: War...Bob Marley

I would like to share with
Those who want to learn...

Until the philosophy which hold one race
Superior and another inferior
Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned
Everywhere is war, me say war

That until there are no longer first class
And second class citizens of any nation
Until the colour of a man's skin
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes
Me say war

That until the basic human rights are equally
Guaranteed to all, without regard to race
Dis a war

That until that day
The dream of lasting peace, world citizenship
Rule of international morality
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion
To be persued, but never attained
Now everywhere is war, war

And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes
that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique,
South Africa sub-human bondage
Have been toppled, utterly destroyed
Well, everywhere is war, me say war

War in the east, war in the west
War up north, war down south
War, war, rumours of war

And until that day, the African continent
Will not know peace, we Africans will fight
We find it necessary and we know we shall win
As we are confident in the victory

Of good over evil, good over evil, good over evil
Good over evil, good over evil, good over evil

From Newsday:


Muslims Bracing For Hate Crimes

By Martin C. Evans
Staff writer Erin Texeira and The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Shahdan Tawfik, an administrator at the Islamic Center of Long Island, hopes that what happened 18 months ago won't happen again.

"Right after September 11, people would tell me to go back to my country," said Tawfik, a pre-dental student at Stony Brook University who was born 22 years ago on Staten Island.

If things go badly for the American troops, I expect some people will act out against the Islamic community," Elder said. "We'll have to wait and see."

Area Sikhs, whose non-Muslim religion requires men to wear turbans and carry ornamental daggers, also are worried.

Harpreet Singh Toor, president of the Sikh Cultural Society in south Richmond Hill, Queens, said during the Iran hostage crisis in 1979 Sikhs were attacked so frequently that many gasoline station owners either closed down or hired replacement help.

Ornamental Daggers...Cool!!!!

Yale University


Women Smile More Than Men, Except When They Are In Similar Roles
New Haven, Conn. -- Women do smile more than men, but when occupying similar work and social roles, the gender differences in the rate of smiling disappear, a Yale researcher has found.

Umm I smile more when I am barefoot and pregnant?

Song in My Head: I wish I was a Neutron Bomb...Pearl Jam


Oil Prices Decline As War Nears

The Associated Press
March 19, 2003, 12:33 PM EST


As the United States and Iraq move closer to war, oil markets seemed to be taking it all in stride. Global crude oil stocks are growing, prices declining and some analysts are talking cautiously of a possible oil glut on the horizon. Lower energy prices probably would follow.



Tell me...why is gas so expensive?

My head will explode soon.

Get off Your ass and go to a peace vigil tonite. Pray, chant, send good vibes to our miltary personnel. My gut instinct...they will be poisoned by a gas..bio or chemical. Serious health problem....govt will deny exposure. I feel like f*cking Amazing Kreskin today!!!

Todays Newsday, (I read it daily because I grew up in Suffolk County, LI.. Exit 61. I think..Lake Ronkonkoma area.) This story about:

March 18, 2003 | TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) -- A decorated Gulf War veteran who claimed his exposure to Iraqi nerve gas caused him to rape and kill a female soldier was executed by injection Tuesday.
Louis Jones Jr., 53, died by injection at the U.S. Penitentiary near Terre Haute

His attorneys said exposure to the gas caused severe brain damage that led him to kill. The issue was not raised at Jones' trial because he became aware of the exposure only afterward.

THis article disturbs the hell out of me.........................

Song in the Head: and it's one, two, three what are we fighting for?

In Season: trilliums, flowering plums.

Conversation With Two Fifteen Year Old Boys About Enlisting

A few years ago, I took my son and his friend out to dinner. To keep them entertained while we waited for our food I asked them if they were planning on joining the military. Both shook their heads no and agreed they would be going to college. I prodded them further and asked if they would go to war if they were drafted. They both did not want to go somewhere and get shot by guns so they devied this plan.

They would move to Antelope, Oregon. Wear nothing but robes and call everyone Brethren. They cracked me up that day, but today I am proud. In college and safe, just like Moms like.

Song of the Day: Take a Load off Annie

In Season: Oregon Grape, wild iris, my Christmas cactus is blooming

My current Battle:
On March 6, Representative Jeff Kruse (R-Roseburg) introduced a bill
that would alter two main facets of Oregon's medical marijuana
program. This bill, H.B. 2939, would force the program's applicants to
complete an education course. It would also permanently proscribe
anyone with a prior drug conviction from participating in the program.

If it aint one thing, it's something else..or It's always something!!

Mook advice: Flies spread disease, so keep yours zipped.

Song in My Head: If I Had a Hammer

When War Is the Best Medicine

By Bill Frist
Sunday, March 16, 2003

Physicians and policymakers have an imperative duty to help keep people healthy and alive. In doing so, preventive care is always preferable to the treatment of avoidable disease. Understanding the causes of disease and death enables prevention. Physicians and policymakers must gather and evaluate critical information to meet our obligation to protect humanity by preventing illness and death.

This has got to be the worst written piece of crap I have seen all year. Mr. Bill's arguments have as many holes in it as a piece of cheesecloth. This is the introduction and I am seething with rage.

First, comparing preventative health care, like Pap smears and immunizations, to war and bombs is ludicrous.

Excuse me while I hurl.

That's better.

Second, if the role of Doctor's is to prevent and research diseases, how come my insurance will not cover Fibromyalgia and my rare genetic illness; 2 illnesses that I am afflicted with.

Thirdly, if the role of a doctor is to prevent, treat and reserch illnesses why are you in politics? How come we don't have universal health care?

If I took all the medicine I have prescribed to me (Effexor, Elavil, Trazadone, Bextra, Phosomax, Xalatan, vicaden I would be sedated enough to buy into this crap. Better yet, I will flush all these meds and roll a joint and contemplate a world w/out war.

Song in my Head: In the year 2525

File this in the No Duh! File:

Male Perspiration Brightens Women's Moods - Study
Fri March 14, 2003 01:14 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Sweating it out over a big date this weekend? If you're a guy, that could be just the ticket, according to a human biology study released on Friday.
Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania said they found male perspiration had a surprisingly beneficial effect on women's moods. It helps reduce stress, induces relaxation and even affects the menstrual cycle.

"This suggests there may be much more going on in social settings like singles' bars than meets the eye," said Charles Wysocki, an adjunct professor of animal biology at Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine.

In a study to be published in the journal Biology of Reproduction, researchers collected samples from the underarms of men who refrained from using deodorant for four weeks. The extracts were then blended and applied to the upper lips of 18 women, aged 25 to 45.

The women rated their moods on a fixed scale for a period of six hours. The findings suggested something in the perspiration brightened their moods and helped them feel less tense. Blood analyzes also showed a rise in levels of the reproductive luteinizing hormone that typically surge before ovulation.

Wysocki, a study co-author, said the research could point to a "chemical communication" subtext between the sexes that enables men and women to coordinate their reproductive efforts subliminally.

There was no sign women were sexually aroused by male perspiration. In fact, the women never suspected they had men's sweat under their noses and believed they were helping to test alcohol, perfume or lemon floor wax.

"The study was done in quite a sterile environment. It's not strange that they were not thinking sexual thoughts," said Wysocki. "In a more sensual setting, exposure to these odors might facilitate the emergence of sexual mood or feelings."

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers said the study could lead to new fertility therapies and treatments for premenstrual syndrome if the active agent in male perspiration could be isolated

One study on any health issuee is not enough research to be conclusive, however, I can verify that I have been extremely relaxed while watching my man rototill my garden,mow and split firewood. I would also agree with the study's assertion that man's sweat does not make us horny.

Tbogg has a Hysterical link to a ready.gov parody site that had me giggling and chortling for a good 15. Check it out.

Song in my head: Give Yourself To Love


In Season: wild violets, snowdrops forsythia 8 more days to Spring!!!




Rightwingslayer, who is contemplating a run for some political office somewhere, offered to link my letter to Jim C regarding health care and disability discrimination at work. I recall reading recently (my memory fails me) a woman prisoner who needs a liver replacement. Damn..she's getting more care than I am. But, hey I am a humanist.....maybe she can borrow a liver from Larry Hagman.!!

First Step Towards Detecting Exposure To Biowarfare Agents

BALTIMORE – March 11, 2003 – Army researchers are laying the groundwork for what one day could be a test to identify individuals who have been exposed to biological agents. They present their findings today at the American Society for Microbiology's Biodefense Research Meeting.

"Recent events have demonstrated that assessing exposure to a biological threat agent well in advance of onset of illness or at various stages post-exposure would be an important capability to have among the diagnostic options," says Marti Jett of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the scientist directing the study.

After exposure to a biological agent an individual's cells begin to react almost immediately. This reaction is characterized by a unique combination of genes activated or expressed in response to the organism. Jett and colleagues from Walter Reed and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases have identified the unique gene expression patterns from human cells induced in response to 8 different biothreat agents.

Are you feeling more secure now? bwahahahahahahahahahaha
I thought the first sign of biological attack was shitting your pants, peeling skin, tremors and luckily, loss of conciousness. The article, found in Science Daily explains that the test takes a "few" hours". Can ya imagine writhing until the lab results come back?

Ok..I just browsed the CDC's protocols for diagnosing biological agents in case of terrorist attack. Botulism was in their list of possible bioagents. Hmmm Does that mean all these Docs injecting faded beauties (aka Kathryn Harris) are terrorists? I think so. I mean what if there is a Middle Eastern Doctor who can purchase this weapon and attach it to a model rocket? Ya know that 1..(only one) gram of botulism can kill 1.5 million people if sprayed as an aerosol. I see a huge security breach here.

Beano For Cows

An artilce in the current issue of New Scientist explains how to cut back methane emissions from cows. Apparently, fish oil in their food curbs their gas. The article reports a couple of small (large.. in my eye) problems. Your red meat might taste like fish. And.....it could seriously deplete fish populations that already are in trouble. Gee...how about cutting back on red meat.

Under the motto 'Get on Board!', the European Union has declared 2003 the Year of People with Disabilities. Raising awareness is on top of the agenda.


Wow!!!! How civilized........In Oregon it is The Year of Cruelty To Gimps

Need medical care in Oregon?....Commit a Crime!!


My snarkette skills have noticed the left thinking bloggers don't talk much about issues regarding the disabled....um Alter abled. Thanks to Jim C. of Rittenhouse Review to publish our discourse recently. Here is my fragmented letter. (it was a fibromyalgia day).

To: The Rittenhouse Review
From: Annie
Date: March 6, 2003

Yes, in response to your recent question, disabled Americans face discrimination daily, and they have one hell of a case to prove when they do.

I have permanently dislocated joints. My past employers did not want to spend a dime extra to accommodate me, unless I complained and mentioned the provisions of the Americans with Discrimination Act.

I have had to specifically ask for "anti-fatigue" rubber mats to stand on in laboratories where I have worked. I once worked as a federal contractor in an office that would not provide me with a chair needed for my degenerated disks, and I was assigned to work in a cold hallway. But it was a job -- with health benefits. How many choices do I have?

And I have been cursed and glared at often as I park in disabled parking spaces. Although I am disabled, it doesn't appear that way to the casual observer, in part because I'm not in a wheelchair. All too often at my last job I would find culprits in the disabled parking spaces, and management did nothing after three complaints. I had to quit.

I have had to quit jobs that would not accommodate my needs. But try proving their lack of cooperation with their employees' needs, let alone their lack of compliance with ADA. Most employees will tolerate their bosses' discriminatory attitudes so as not to "stir the pot." Besides, one doesn't receive unemployment benefits when one quits a job.

The disabled don't get many breaks in the real world. And I find it quite telling that we live in a nation where the only people to have guaranteed medical service are prisoners. Try being a disabled woman in Oregon, which I've begun calling the "Mississippi of the West."

This is definitely a silent form of discrimination. It's hard for disabled people even to tell their employers they are disabled, a reluctance I have experienced in the past, though thankfully I still have the right of privacy.

Thanks for bringing up this discussion.

Signed,
Annie
Hood River, Ore.

Weather: Cloudy, rainy, bones ache.

Song in the head: Father of Mine

In season: mustard and kale, daffodils are blooming

It's A Man's World After All (sung to the tune of... It's A Small World)

It's a world of goatees
A world of Beer
It's a world of Bushmasters
And a world of maimed deer
There's so much men don't feel
Women get a bad deal
It's a man's world after all.

Men get a whole dollar
for our seventy eight cents
And when the house needs
some cleaning the breasts meet the test
Though we cant live w/out em
and they're fun to undress
It's a mans world after all.

It's a man's world; a free for all
It's a mans world; FFootball
It's a man's world after all
It's a manly man's world.

"It looks like rainy weather....." 4.13 inches of rain this month....I can't imagine having to PAY for water. I am soooooooo lucky, private spring, unchlorinated pure water. Gravity fed. filtered from Mount Hood.

Song in the head:

I need a miracle every day!

Grateful Dead

War...War....Rumors of War....Bob Marley

Bush is blowing my gig. I have had no clients this week because no one wants to travel. Freak!!
Operation USA Terror is geared to start on March 17th. Monday morning...how convenient.errrr How stupid. Oh yeah all the freepers need to go to church in Sunday and pray for.....hmmmmm

1. Pray for a successful war
2. Pray for minimal casualties
3. Pray for minimal terrorists attacks in USA.
4. Pray for a short war so we can all have a month vacation like Bush.
5. Pray the economy gets better.





Hot off the press from Newsweek!!!!!!!!!!

Some priests are praying the pRez right out of the church. A Bishop Talbert (hominy..hominy) says that pRezdent B- is "following a clear ideology that is not a part of any particular church that I know of".

I always wondered how religious scientists rationalized Dog, however, now Im thinking....
How the fuck do them Republocrats rationalize their faith/vs ummm HUMANITY. ?

March 11, 2003

Judge rules feds can prosecute California medical marijuana users

In other words..Annie pack your bags.....
As a disabled woman who is "allowed" to smoke and grow the international herb, I realize I can go to the slammer for my terrible crime. Just last week, the same day the DEA raided Tommy Chong's stash I was in my own local head shop shopping for a cute lil glass pipe. What would have happened to me if I was in the head shop when the Feds raided our cute lil store. I sure am glad I paid in cash that day. Like I don't have enough to worry about. FREAKS!