short notes:
will brady's ruminations
will brady's ruminations
2006-12-05
christmas + consumer culture
I suppose Faux News commentator Bill O'Reilly would really hate the Christmas Resistance Movement though that would only give me more the reason for supporting it.
O'Reilly, together with his fellow dittoheads, fails, however, at getting all the facts correct. For if you read into the material at the site [developed and created by artist Nina Paley] it is the commercialism of Christmas that is protested, not the sharing of love and friendship.
And while I might agree with Ms. Paley's admonition to refrain from becoming a participant in the mindless consumerism that passes these days for Holiday Spirit, I can't say I agree with her entirely.
Rather I support the idea that we cut down on the spending on ourselves, but increase the outpouring of riches on others less fortunate than oneself. Each of us define this our own way.
Since I work with folks who are indigent, though provided food, clothing and shelter, then doing something to assure that those folks get something considered a luxury or even "unnecessary" but which can life the spirit.
For the folks who are scraping by on Social Security Disability, but managining, then invite some poor soul who lives in single room occupancy housing over for supper once in awhile ...and not just during the holiday season.
For the wealthy amongst us, well, I'm not even going to make the pitch to be generous. Fact of the matter is that those making 500,000 and more a year are [according to generic IRS tax records] less likely to share their abundance with others than the income group making between $50 and $75,000 per year. Big surprise, eh?
So I am not completely convinced that we should be donning the burlap sacks and chastising ourselves for being fortunate to have good enough credit to get the new high definition television.
Show some kindness to others this season, and, once you have done that, go about it during the rest of the year as well.
I suppose Faux News commentator Bill O'Reilly would really hate the Christmas Resistance Movement though that would only give me more the reason for supporting it. O'Reilly, together with his fellow dittoheads, fails, however, at getting all the facts correct. For if you read into the material at the site [developed and created by artist Nina Paley] it is the commercialism of Christmas that is protested, not the sharing of love and friendship.
And while I might agree with Ms. Paley's admonition to refrain from becoming a participant in the mindless consumerism that passes these days for Holiday Spirit, I can't say I agree with her entirely.
Rather I support the idea that we cut down on the spending on ourselves, but increase the outpouring of riches on others less fortunate than oneself. Each of us define this our own way.
Since I work with folks who are indigent, though provided food, clothing and shelter, then doing something to assure that those folks get something considered a luxury or even "unnecessary" but which can life the spirit.
For the folks who are scraping by on Social Security Disability, but managining, then invite some poor soul who lives in single room occupancy housing over for supper once in awhile ...and not just during the holiday season.
For the wealthy amongst us, well, I'm not even going to make the pitch to be generous. Fact of the matter is that those making 500,000 and more a year are [according to generic IRS tax records] less likely to share their abundance with others than the income group making between $50 and $75,000 per year. Big surprise, eh?
So I am not completely convinced that we should be donning the burlap sacks and chastising ourselves for being fortunate to have good enough credit to get the new high definition television.
Show some kindness to others this season, and, once you have done that, go about it during the rest of the year as well.
Labels: christmas, consumers, culture
¶ 22:02 0 comments
big pharma | drug recalls
Somebody placed me on the e-mail list for a newsletter titled Defective Drugs and published by A Drug Recall. The site states it provides - "Information on the side effects of recalled drugs and access to attorneys specializing in drug side effects litigation"
The initial scan of the site suggests that there is plenty of up-to-date useful information and I don't get a sense that the site's developers have some strident axe to grind by excoriating the drug companies. Point being, until I find otheriwse, the site's authors seem more interested in fairness and getting helpful information out about risky and unwanted side effects of on the market drugs.
Given that the DrugCo reps are reluctant to do this themselves, a site such as this is needed.
The site also has a list of links to "Alternative" medical treatments but cautions"
Somebody placed me on the e-mail list for a newsletter titled Defective Drugs and published by A Drug Recall. The site states it provides - "Information on the side effects of recalled drugs and access to attorneys specializing in drug side effects litigation" The initial scan of the site suggests that there is plenty of up-to-date useful information and I don't get a sense that the site's developers have some strident axe to grind by excoriating the drug companies. Point being, until I find otheriwse, the site's authors seem more interested in fairness and getting helpful information out about risky and unwanted side effects of on the market drugs.
Given that the DrugCo reps are reluctant to do this themselves, a site such as this is needed.
The site also has a list of links to "Alternative" medical treatments but cautions"
If you are interested in alternative therapy, it is important to do your homework. Gather as much information as possible about the procedures that interest you. If your alternative therapy is practitioner based, learn about the certification and training process required or recommended for these alternative therapy professionals. Many states supply information about practitioner requirements and host a consumer database with important practitioner information i.e. if your desired practitioner has any past actions against them.For their newsletter, just click on to Defective Drugs to get started.
Labels: big pharma, drug wars, FDA, side-effects
¶ 21:40 0 comments
boston tea party | 9-11 commission report
The Boston Tea Party will be re-enacted the weekend of Saturday 16 December 2006 in Boston.
Sponsored by the The Boston Committee for 9/11 Truth the organizers are calling to re-open the 9-11 Commission report to search more throughly the truth behind the bombing and collapse of the World Trade Towers in New York City.
The weekend's events begin at Boston College at McGuinn Hall on the Chestnut Hill Campus [the hyperlinks lead to maps of the campus]. with a lecture by Col. Robert Bowman, PhD, U.S. Air Force (ret), who's lecture will focus on the importance of the 9/11 movement, its need to provide a strong voice in today’s society, and how the movement relates to the current political process at large.
In the spirit of the first Boston Tea Party, and to make great street theatre, the orgaizers are encouraging people with dress in 18th Century Colonial Wear. Simple instruction on becoming an american colonial patriot:
* Tri corner hat - easily procured fron costume shops and online
* White loose fitting shirt to wear under vest or cloak
* Vest and or Cape
* Pants, use corduroy pants, roll them up to the knee
* Socks long socks from knee length
* Black shoes (with buckle if possible)
* Bring a fife, drum, historical flag, hand held bells,
* Signs, create your own signs - use colonial typefaces if you can - Caslon is a good one
The timing is good. Other problems with 9-11 and its aftermath are coming now to the fore. Just last week the New York Village Voice published an article ["Death by Dust"] on the many health hazards, [including a markedly higher level of cancers and respiratory illnesses] that survivors of the Twin Towers are experiencing without any response from the government, health insurance providers or the corporate captains who spoke so eloquently back in 2001 about what heroes those same survivors were.
The Boston Tea Party will be re-enacted the weekend of Saturday 16 December 2006 in Boston. Sponsored by the The Boston Committee for 9/11 Truth the organizers are calling to re-open the 9-11 Commission report to search more throughly the truth behind the bombing and collapse of the World Trade Towers in New York City.
The weekend's events begin at Boston College at McGuinn Hall on the Chestnut Hill Campus [the hyperlinks lead to maps of the campus]. with a lecture by Col. Robert Bowman, PhD, U.S. Air Force (ret), who's lecture will focus on the importance of the 9/11 movement, its need to provide a strong voice in today’s society, and how the movement relates to the current political process at large.
On Saturday, the events start at Faneuil Hall and follow with a march to Boston Harbor.“The US government at the highest levels may have committed treason and mass murder by purposely allowing 9/11 to happen.” – Dr. Robert M. Bowman
In the spirit of the first Boston Tea Party, and to make great street theatre, the orgaizers are encouraging people with dress in 18th Century Colonial Wear. Simple instruction on becoming an american colonial patriot:
* Tri corner hat - easily procured fron costume shops and online
* White loose fitting shirt to wear under vest or cloak
* Vest and or Cape
* Pants, use corduroy pants, roll them up to the knee
* Socks long socks from knee length
* Black shoes (with buckle if possible)
* Bring a fife, drum, historical flag, hand held bells,
* Signs, create your own signs - use colonial typefaces if you can - Caslon is a good one
The timing is good. Other problems with 9-11 and its aftermath are coming now to the fore. Just last week the New York Village Voice published an article ["Death by Dust"] on the many health hazards, [including a markedly higher level of cancers and respiratory illnesses] that survivors of the Twin Towers are experiencing without any response from the government, health insurance providers or the corporate captains who spoke so eloquently back in 2001 about what heroes those same survivors were.
For More info on the Second Boston Tea Party SEE: Boston 9-11 Truth Committee and the Tea Party Blog|
Labels: 9-11, iraq, protest, social justice
¶ 17:24 1 comments
