A NEW HOME

Articles will now be posted on Frogs in a Pot

I am moving to a different blog software (WordPress) and to my own domain.  The new software will provide additional functions and more options through the use of Open Source software.  If you do not currently use Open Software software, you should check into it.  It is AWESOME!

If you have any questions about it, let me know and I will do what I can to help.

Thank you for your continued support of the blog.  I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Kevin

Does this Surprise You?

Are you pissed off yet?  Hopefully you will be after reading this and if you are all ready, you'll be even more pissed off.  Get this, some estimates say that 84 percent of all antibiotics are used in livestock, with 70 percent of that being used for solely to promote animal growth.

So what you might say, but the first thing is that Pharma is not only profiting off of humans, they are also profiting off our livestock, the food we eat! Just a little research will show how deeply intermingled the FDA is with Big Pharma, so naturally the FDA 'has' a vested interest in helping Big Pharma get bigger! 

It is not a new discovery by the FDA, that the is a danger of antibiotic resistant bacteria being passed from livestock (our food) to people, this discovery is more than 30 years old!  Even after 30 years of, since 1977, the FDA has been voicing concern while Agri-business continued feeding antibiotics to their stock, our food! 

You have until August 28, 2010, to make comment on the The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals guideline that is currently open for public comment, after 60 days this FDA 'guideline' will become policy.   in FDA Deputy Commissioner Dr. Joshua Sharfstein’s own words, “This does not tell people what to do. It establishes principles and tells people how to achieve those principles.”  Yeah, Big Pharma is going to pass up the opportunity to exploit this!  What and miss out on the profit?

You can review the document by following this link -  The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals. 

Instructions for both manual and electronic comments are provided within the documet.

The Most misunderstood plant on Earth

Probably the first thing you think of at the mention of hemp is marijuana. (Origin of the word marijuana is unknown, both time and place of the origin. Suspected to be of Spanish descent from the names, Maria and Juana, to form the slang term Mary Jane.) It has also been suggested that the phrase marijuana come from the Guess again, though hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, Cannabis sativa. Both varieties of plant contain THC, the active ingredient in marijuana but commercial hemp contains low levels of THC and is essentially useless for getting ‘high.’

One thing that is apparent and sad, is that many people vying for the legalization of marijuana often intermix and confuse the properties and values of commercial hemp with the recreational drug marijuana. The purpose of this article is to present the case for the legalization and benefits of commercial hemp. This article is not intended or aimed at the discussion of hemp as a recreational drug.


The History of Hemp

Hemp has a long history in the world, with the first documented use about 8000 years ago in the form of fabric as found used to make fabric. It also has a long history in the United States, until the 1930’s hemp was a legal cash crop in the US. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were growers and even Benjamin Franklin started one of America’s first paper mills, using hemp!

In 1619, the first hemp law was enacted in the United States, at Jamestown Colony, Virginia, the law ordered all farmers to grow hemp seed. Farmers could face jail time for failing to abide by the law. There were several other 'required grow' laws in the US over history. Because of a hemp shortage between 1763 and 1776, you could be jailed in Virginia for failing to comply. During this time, hemp was even considered 'legal tender' and it was even possible to pay taxes hemp. (Can you imagine telling the tax man today, “Yeah I've got a pound of hemp you can have.”?

In 1950, the US Census, counted 8,327 hemp plantations, producing the critical crop. (a plantation at the time was a minimum farm of 2000 acres.) In 1942, the United States government had the “Hemp for Victory” program and even the USDA produced a film Hemp for Victory encouraging US farmers to grow hemp in support of the war effort.

Other recorded 'requirements exist in government history, both of the US and others but are too lengthy to include in their entirety here.

The Illegalization of Hemp in the United States

Growing and cultivation of hemp (commercial) is legal in Canada and all states of the European Union.
The criminalization of hemp in this country is quite fascinating and nauseating too. Read up on the history in the US, beginning in the 1930’s and you will read such names as Du Pont (owner of the largest chemical company) and William Randolph Hearst (owner of the largest newspaper chain, along with other tabloids, magazines and film). Did these two entities help destroy the US Hemp market? Did Du Pont lobby the chief counsel of the Treasury Department, Herman Oliphant, to criminalize hemp cultivation in support of Du Pont’s petrochemical products?

Did William Randolph Heart's newspapers also simultaneously begin campaigns to portray Mexicans as "lazy, degenerate, and violent," and as marijuana smokers and job stealers. Given the vast amount of resources at his disposal; newspapers, magazines, periodicals and film, Hearst definitely had the means to 'sway' the opinions of the U.S. Hearst used headlines such as "Marijuana goads user to blood lust" and "Hotel clerk identifies Marijuana smoker as gunman". In headlines to sway opinion on hemp. Motivation also seemed to be prevalent with him as well. Further motivation was, through the massive holdings in lumber that he had.

Racism was a big motivator for Hearst, through his 'hate' for Mexicans, both thru there influx to the U.S. And his losing approximately 800,000 acres of timberland to Pancho Villa. His hatred showed in many of the articles published in his publications showing his hated for minorities. Many of these articles were slated and used at 'demonizing' hemp to further his agenda to have it outlawed.

Lammont Du Pont also figures prominently with the criminalization of hemp in the U.S. Lammont Du Pont and William Randolph Hearst were well acquainted, and quite possible friends. Lammont Du Pont also had reason to see hemp outlawed as the crop had the potential of hindering his prosperity. Around this time, Lammont Du Pont introduced Hearst to a method of developing paper from wood pulp, surprisingly developed by Du Pont. Further Du Pont, had reason to want the commercial hemp market illegalized in the U.S., as his company developed many products that were directly threatened and in competition of the company's products. A 'partnership' with Hearst, both in the paper industry and getting Hemp illegalized worked well, for both Lammont Du Pont.

Enter Harry J. Anslinger, soon to become the Commissioner of the Treasury Bureau of Narcotics, who was the nephew-in-law of Andrew Mellon. Mellon was at the time Lammont Du Pont's banker, Mellon was also at this time, the Secretary of Treasury, under Herbert Hoover. Henry Anslinger, is said to have gotten the Marijuana Tax Law of 1937 passed and he is also attributed with being the first Drug Czar of the United States!

Ansingler flatly declared, 'they can continue to raise hemp just as they have always done it. It makes fine cordage and this legislation exempts the mature stalk when in It is grown for hemp purposes.' Read the statement given by him to before the Ways and Means Committee . Alsinger, was purported to direct field agents to submit stories which were compiled into what is now known as the Gore Files, which Anslinger referred to often in his 'fight' against hemp. Later studies have found the contents of the Gore File essentially had no bearing, on either the 'drug war' or the illegalization of hemp.

Anslinger was a racist too? Yes, supposedly he was and often quoted articles from Hearst's newspapers. Here are some reported quotes made by him, racist and anti-'hemp.'

“Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”


“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”

“Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men’s shadows and look at a white woman twice.”…….Hearst newspaper 1935

While it is 'legal' to grow hemp in the U.S., it is an expensive and substantial. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) put strict controls and requires strict security for for facilities growing hemp. A DEA permit is required before growing hemp, making research or production virtually cost prohibitive in the U.S. .

Currently, Canada and all European Union countries allow the growth and production of hemp. In the U.S., hemp products must be imported or manufactured from imported hemp products.
Hemp as a Crop
In February, 1938, Popular Mechanics stated “New Million Dollar Crop” in an article, although the editors must have been unfamiliar with the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act that was passed in the U.S. Popular Mechnaics.   The article makes several references to the potential benefits of hemp as a crop in the U.S.

Henry Ford, demonstrates (below) his 'new' car made from plastic derived from plants, shown. He claims the plastic is tough enough to withstand 9,000 lbs of pressure without breaking.

Henry Ford, has also been touted as the icon of renewable energy.

Over a century ago, shown below posing with his Model-T, the first flexible fuel automobile. It was able to run on gas, ethanol, or a combination. 

The viability of biofuels and composites were proven viable by Henry Ford about the same time Du Pont and Hearst, were 'working' to have hemp outlawed in the United States.

Some claim that (commercial) hemp has between 25,000 and 50,000 uses, in many cases replacing many of the products of today. Benefits of hemp for the use of products include, the removal of harmful chemicals and petrochemicals, less dependance on non-renewable sources, increased nutrition and easing of a burdened food supply, consequently reducing hunger and malnutrition.

The list goes on and on, but the many benefits of commercial hemp are outside the scope of this article.
Hemp is, renewable, recyclable, reusable and environmentally safe.

The benefits of hemp are numerous and include:

Paper: Uses as natural process for manufacturing as opposed to wood pulp which requires petrochemicals. Paper created from hemp is higher quality and more durable (does not tear as easily), does not yellow and is longer lasting. Also, hemp paper can be recycled more times than paper created from wood pulp. Converting paper mills to use hemp instead of wood pulp would require little conversion or cost.


Building Materials: Hemp yields up to four times the average forest, producing three to eight tons of fiber per acre. Studies by Washington State University, found fiber board created from hemp to be stronger than than wood fiber. Long growing forests can be saved by using fast growing, replenishable hemp.
Many of the building materials made from wood can be made from hemp, and be lighter and stronger.
Since hemp has a resistance to heat, the manufacture of insulation and insulating products have increased value in building materials as well as other markets.


Fuel: Producing more bio-mass per acre than other crops. Hydrocarbons from hemp can be used in place of other polluting, non-renewable fossil fuels. Additionally, hemp can be manufactured into fuel pellets, liquid fuel, gas, and ethanol, further reducing our dependance on fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Petrochemicals: Because hemp is rich in cellulose and can be used to create biodegradable plastics, reducing landfill waste, the 'Plastic Island,' and be more environmentally friendly. Hemp can be processed into materials to be used for injection molding further reducing the dependance of fossil fuels and being safer for the envionment.

Paints and Varnishes: For thousands of years the finest paints and varnishes came from hemp produced products. In 1935, the U.S. Used 58K tons of hemp for the production alone.

Most of the master artists of the world, Van Gogh, Gainsborough, Rembrandt etc, used hemp canvas (canvas is a derivative of cannabis) to create their masterpieces.

Food: Estimates for hemp food products in the U.S. Between 20-33 million dollars.

Automotive Industry: Almost all major automotive manufacturers are researching the value of hemp for use in the automotive industry. As demonstrated above, plastics developed from hemp can be used in the manufacture of automobiles. Also, the replacement of many of the petrochemicals used in various components of automotive manufacturing.

Personal Care: Estimates for hemp personal care products is around 70-90 million dollars and growing. Many manufacturers are creating and many retailers offering a wide range of products containing hemp. The web is 'packed' with retailers offering a wide variety of personal health care products, from bath soap to laundry detergent. All with benefits, both to the individual and the environment.

Textile Industry: Many well known designers are beginning to use hemp fabric for their creations and many retail outlets are marketing the apparel. An international shoe manufacturer has designed a hemp shoe. Carpet manufacturers are turning to hemp as the choice for fibers in creating ecological carpets based on its durability and strength.

Hemp offers more resistance to the sun than cotton.
The advantages of hemp over cotton are numerous, including strength, durability, also the growing properties of hemp over cotton.

Crop Growth and advantages

Improvement of soil fertility by converting nitrogen into organically bound nitrogen. Hemp crops are not damaging to the bio-diversity of land. Requiring no fertilizer or pesticides, hemp is economical and safe. Crop rotation is not a requirement as with other crops, in some instances hemp has been raised fourteen years straight without damage to the soil. With its long root system, hemp promotes land conservation by reducing erosion of the land. The water requirements for hemp is low and not so demanding as other crops.
Production of cotton requires approximately 50% of the fertilizers and pesticides worldwide. Cotton crops have a high demand for water, increasing its costs. Less strong than hemp, cotton also has a fiber at one and one half to two inches versus up to fifteen feet with hemp.

Things you can do

• Educate yourself about the difference of commercial hemp and marijuana.
• Spread the information to others.
• Support hemp products to increase the awareness, assist in reducing the cost, improve your life and your health through the use of hemp productis.
• Lobby law makers to legalize the production and harvesting of commercial hemp. Removing the stringent laws in place in the U.S. Further promoting a renewable, ecological and economical crop.
• Visit for more information:Vote Hemp

One Leg at a Time

Do you remember the first time you ever put your pants on without sitting down, or leaning against something to do it? Well, as sad but true as it is, I do. It was just a few months ago, after my stroke. Actually since last October, I have had to learn to do a lot of things again. Frustrating? You cannot even begin to imagine how frustrating it can be! Imagine all of the things we do on a daily basis with little or no thought of it, getting dressed, reading, writing, walking, etc. And those are some of the 'advanced' things. How about swallowing? Being able to see or breath? Can you for just a moment imagine 'not knowing' how to do any of these things? Take a minute more and imagine that you do know how to do these things and just can't, because your body won't let you!

Yes, since my stroke, there are a few things I have had to learn to do again, like putting my pants on, reading, writing and swallowing. These are just a very few of things we all hope to be able to do. After we can, they largely become second nature and we take them for granted. Once learned, we 'mark' them off the chart as accomplishments in our life! They are done, we know how to do them and we don't very often, if ever, give them a second thought. Once learned, we do not think about never being able to do them again. More importantly, rather than thinking about them do you ever stop and give the time to give thanks? It doesn't have to be to God, just whatever it is you believe in.

The thing is, you will probably never need to learn to do these things again! You never know though, you just might. There are so many diseases and afflictions which can take all of these things and so much more away from you. And it can happen in a split second! Without any warning, and all too often with out any forethought on your part, your whole world is 'turned upside down,' at any age! Everything you once knew is no more and your are left 'helpless' and all too often 'useless.' The really sad thing is that it doesn't just seem to be in your mind that you think these things, it seems to be so in the minds of others as well.

Do I consider myself helpless or useless? No, not at all do I seem that way to you? Hell, to see me, you wouldn't even know anything was wrong with me unless me or someone else told you. Yes, I went through the 'useless' and 'helpless' stages! It is hard to imagine that we all don't at some point if we have suffered a catastrophic diseases or illness. Some people never come out of the depression, whatever form it takes for them. For them, I am truly sad, I couldn't imagine! Were, or if my condition to have stayed the same or gets worse, I could not imagine wanting to continue on with such a life. Truly, I am blessed though, be it from the God I believe in, the Universe, the Mother – whoever, I know I am blessed to have the things I have.

How many of us who are 'helpless' and 'useless' are forgotten though? Sad as it is to say, it appears to be a great many. Most of us? Really, I do not know and do not care, one is too many! All too often though we are 'forgotten,' our families and friends 'too busy' with their lives to spend much or any time with us. Remember, you could be one of 'us' in a split second, that is all it takes!

It is amazing and a good thing that the human race, at least not yet, have not 'progressed' to the point of 'putting down' humans who have either 'served their purpose' becoming ill or sick, or to 'rid' humanity of those born to this world who prove to be a 'burden' to others and society, much like we do dogs and cats!. Don't be surprised, these aren't my thoughts but the thoughts do reside in the minds of some 'humans.' Just refer to my previous article
who is John Holdren? if you do not believe this.

Get your priorities straight, visit and if you can, take a part, in the life of people you know, yes, family and friends. You never know, the day may come that it it you that is 'wanting.' Don't take the easy way out and leave these individuals at the hand of 'our' government to be the care taker. The responsibility of the son and daughter are the same as that of the parents to the children. At the same time, if you cannot rely on your brother (or sister) can they rely on you? Forget not what the importance and purpose of family is.

What happened to blood being thicker than water?

It Does a Body Good

It does a body good.....or so most all of us have been told all of our lives.  I am sure most of us grew up with the infamous words, drink all of your milk, it is good for you.  Mom couldn't be wrong could she?  Certainly she wouldn't tell us something that isn't true!  Maybe she didn't have the whole story though and was only telling only us part of the truth!

We all know there are different kinds of milk – cow's milk, goat's milk, mother's milk, etc. - but did you realize there are different kinds of cow milk?  Unpasteurized and pasteurized aside!  Actually the pasteurization process was developed for beer!  Yes, it was developed so that beer will not spoil!  Of course many things  can be  pasteurized, turning them into 'dead' things and increasingly, it seems our government is finding more and more to pasteurize.  In recent years, a bill passed in California, requiring the pasteurization of almonds.

Pasteurization has its place and use in our health, after all who wants to drink spoiled beer?

When it comes to milk, pasteurization does not keep it from spoiling but only serves to make it 'safe,' or some claim.  Actually, the pasteurization process heats up milk and destroys valuable enzymes, such as vitamins A, C, B6, and B12,  are diminished, milk proteins are transformed into unnatural amino acid configurations that may actually be worse for your health.  The pasteurization process also destroying beneficial bacteria in milk, promoting pathogens!

Requiring the pasteurization of milk is a great way to tax milk which supposedly is much of the reason for requiring milk to be pasteurized.  If the milk is not required to go from the dairy farmer but directly to the purchaser, the government has no way to track and tax the milk.  Another way for taxation?  In studies conducted, lactose people (some) were able to tolerate unpasteurized milk even when they had been diagnosed lactose intolerant on pasteurized milk.

What I didn't know and you probably do not either

Unless you have done research, as I have, or you are in the bovine industry, you probably do not know that there are two types of milk produced by cows, A1 and A2 milk.  The protein beta-casein is the interest in these two types of milk.  Proteins are long chains of amino acids.  In the case of beta casein it is a chain of 229 amino acids.  This protein is produced with a proline at number 67 in A2 cows.  On the other hand, A1 cows have a mutated proline amino acid, that converts to histidine.

There is another small protein called BCM 7 which A2 milk has a strong bond with helping to keep it from being released.  The mutated protein (Histidine) only weakly holds onto BCM 7 for it to be released in the GI tract of animals and humans.  BCM 7, a powerful opiate can detrimentally impact your health.

Neither raw goat or sheep milk contains BCM 7 and may be considered as a safe alternative.

The most commonly discussed problem is the production (release of) phlegm, which confirms findings in reference to drinking milk.  More potential hazards which BCM 7 have been linked to:
 

• Type 1 diabetes
• Neurological impairment, including autism and schizophrenia
• Impaired immune function
• Autoimmune disease
• Heart disease

For further reading on beta-casein, you can read www.beta-casein.com for a comprehensive list of published reports on A1 and A2 milk, their differences and the health risks.

Primarily the 'wrong' breeds of cattle are raised in the United States, black and white breeds such as Holsteins and Friesians.  In the United States, Holsteins are one of the most popular breeds.

A2 milk producing breeds include Jersey’s, Guernsey, Asian and African cows.  These breeds primarily produce A2 milk.

You can locate raw (real) milk producers in the United States by visiting this link Real Milk  Stores in California, can be located at California Locator
To check out the legal status of raw milk in your state, go to Raw Milk Legal status by state

How much will you take?

As I sit researching and writing material for these blog articles, I shake my head and wonder what is going to piss somebody off as much as I am already.  Maybe I am not conveying the message or presenting the material in the right way. The last three days I've been working on an article about the legalization of hemp.  The more I learn, the more aggravated and angry I become.  Now maybe you are like many other people who associate hemp and marijuana to be the same thing.

Man are you wrong but don't feel bad many other people are as well.  It had been my intent to be able to publish this article, this weekend.  Not so, it is almost as if I have went down a rabbit hole.  There is so much lying, deceitfulness, greed, selfishness and self righteousness going in so many directions.  As it is I'm taking a break from writing this article, there's so much information to share and so much a knowledge necessary that I want to do it justice. In the coming week I will complete the article and it will blow you away!  To think people can be so selfish and narrow minded to fulfill their own greed at the expense of the world is unbelievable.

So before I close this, let me leave you with this.  Can any one give me a definition and an origin of the word marijuana, other than Spanish for Maria and Juana.  Where and when did the word come from? If you know, e-mail me at kwj102761@gmail.com.

Please be sure to include references to your definition.  I would be curious since this is the only reference I am able to find.  Provide me with a true and accurate definition with a verifiable reference and I will send you a $25.00 gift card.

Marked for Life

Before making any judgments against me or forming any conclusions, I do not condone or advocate sexual offenses in anyway but sometimes you have to wonder are we mad or what?  And what happened to parental duties, obligations and responsibility?  When one hears about such things as 'shoving' kids outside so the parents can have sex without interruption, you really have to wonder where parental responsibility has gone.

Imagine, you are sitting at work and you get a call from the police telling you, your child has been arrested.  Not for anything you might expect though, you are told that your child is a sexual pervert and there is nothing you can do to help them!  

In many, maybe all(?), cases of sexual offender this is a 'mark' carried for life and in most all cases a sexual offender is a list for life and subject to numerous things they cannot do.  The cases of juvenile sex offenders cannot be sealed in most cases and the only hope of having such a record removed is a pardon from the governor.   Limiting a teenager, or younger, for life seems a far cry from rehabilitation.  To be limited where one can live, or what kind of job a person can have seems extreme.  Not to mention putting a juvenile in prison with adults!  Now how the hell is that rehabilitation?  It is an even bigger tragedy that in many cases, KIDS are treated as adults.  The same assessment tools, rehabilitation and punishment used for all ages. 

In just one states, between the years of 1997 and 2008. more than 3500 CHILDREN, were convicted as felony sex offenders some being as young as 10, the average being 14. Often times child sex offenders are average kids, geeky,  nerdy, and socially immature according to some therapists.  They go on to say, often times major factors are where they live or how their families work.

The Adam Walsh Ac, also known as  also known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), which all states were to adhere to by 2009, or risk losing federal money.  States are adapting their own laws and adopting laws with less of a hard line against juveniles, realizing treatment is often times the best approach to resolving the problem especially with non-adults.

Why do the Americans always win?

This question was posed to me by a friend not long ago as we critiqued and discussed one of the 'block buster' movies for the summer.  He asked by did the American's always seem to win?  Of course I had to laugh!  Partly because of the movie and the way the American's won in the end but also because the American's did seem to win in the end. 

My response to the question was that it is a great marketing ploy of course made to lead you to believe the Americans were unbeatable and would always win in the end.  It is a way to make you feel safe and secure, to win your trust so you would come to believe the Americans would solve all our problems, hardships and worries!  Also though, without the Americans, we would never win, never be safe or secure.  To cause you to believe we needed them for our survival!

All this said with two wars going on, in two countries that we seemingly will never win even though we continue to throw personnel, supplies and money at them!  And what will become, if it isn't all ready the largest and worst man-made disaster in our own yard?  How the hell will America ever win against Mother Nature as they did in such movies as Armagadden and 2012? The (very real) Oi Spill?

Ah but how we get sucked in, how we believe (or want to believe) that America (man) will always come out on top and man-kind will continue to live and prosper!  Ah the American government, they will see us through!  Of course though this is the same American government that brought us the Bonus Army, the subsidization of corn growers and high fructose corn syrup and through such the demise of the American Sugar Industry, the 16th Amendment, and many more tragedies against the American people, the very people the government is meant to serve and protect.

So yes, maybe the American Government will attempt to win against Mother Nature and other foes, as long as there is a 'buck' in it for them!

Who is John Holdren?

Recently appointed by "President" Obama, as the Science Czar. 

In 1977, he co-authored a book, stating the following:


Forced abortions. Mass sterilization. A "Planetary Regime" with the power of life and death over American citizens.

• Women could be forced to abort their pregnancies, whether they wanted to or not;
• The population at large could be sterilized by infertility drugs intentionally put into the nation's drinking water or in food;
• Single mothers and teen mothers should have their babies seized from them against their will and given away to other couples to raise;
• People who "contribute to social deterioration" (i.e. undesirables) "can be required by law to exercise reproductive responsibility" -- in other words, be compelled to have abortions or be sterilized.
• A transnational "Planetary Regime" should assume control of the global economy and also dictate the most intimate details of Americans' lives -- using an armed international police force.


These were some of the thoughts and ideas, in 1977, of the man who is now the Science Czar, under "President" Obama.  Want to read and know more?  Go here http://zombietime.com/john_holdren/

The Sounds of War

For three nights, I have sat on the front porch listening and watching what most assuredly must be a war zone.  The sounds of what must assuredly be that of small arms fire has rang in my ears along with sound of 'rocket' launchers being heard.  The whistling of projectiles as they made way to their target was unmistakable through the night.  The acidic smell of the burning gun powder filling our noses and the air as it drifted through the air and across the night.  At night the landscape and skyline lit by the bursting shells bringing an eerie sight to the eyes accompanied by the seemingly constant burst of exploding ammunition.

What a relief it was to know that the sights and sounds were not those of a war zone but more a celebration.   What they were celebrating though I truly had to wonder.  Did the revelers have any idea of that which they celebrated which had been paid for by the lives of millions across countless lands, even possibly their own 'home?'  What the burst of 'gunfire' and exploding shells truly represented? 

Be it right or wrong, the blood has been spilled and lives given throughout the years, across miles by people of the United States, so that we may today live to celebrate.  Seemingly, the sights and sounds of the holiday go on with little or no recollection for the reason for the celebration.  It seems that the tradition of remembering and honoring has given way to the celebration and the time off.  How long will be before the time for celebration is also forgotten as seemingly as the reason for the celebration has? 

It just keeps going and going!

It just keeps going and going.  Of course, every time, I hear about this I think of that 'cute' little 'harmless' bunny!  Sadly it is not the drums of the bunny I am hearing, it is the continuously leaking oil well in the Gulf that I am hearing. 

The facts surrounding the oil spill sound like fiction as much as fact.  The story you hear changes from day to day, person to person but still the oil is leaking, life of all kinds continues to die and money is 'lost.'   The damage started the day the explosion occurred, the effects sure to reach just about everyone, in one way or another.  If you have not yet realized the effects, just wait you will, it is only a matter of time!  Either directly, or indirectly, the oil spill will have an affect on your life in some way.

From the deaths of thousands of birds and fish, the numbers grow in the area covered and the number of species.  How many years will we continue to feel the effects of the oil spill, in how many different ways?  We may never truly know!  The stories and the reported facts seem ever elusive, and you have to wonder at the magnitude and breadth of the damage, both that caused so far and what will be when (if) the catastrophe is ever behind us.

The effects and breadth of the damage seemingly reach new proportions all the time.  If you listen or read to reports, we are now faced with the dying of plankton, the base of the food chain.  With this comes a depletion of the oxygen in the gulf which will potentially cause thousands of more deaths, as well as bring even As the oxygen is deleted further, a chain reaction occurs 'driving' many species closer to the shoreline causing more fear, more loss of money and more death!  It may be years, if ever, before we know the full impact of this oil spill on earth and humanity.

It is a Crime!

Many, like myself are fed up with the ways that companies perform their business and take advantage of others.  After all companies are made up and ran by individuals right?  It seems largely though that companies are their own class and as such allowed to behave and profit, even if at the expense of you and I, or others than we know.  While you and I are subject to rules and consequences, it seems that companies while having rules suffer no consequences when they break the rules! 

When I was brought up, I was taught to lead by example!  It is a damn good thing I don't follow some of the examples that some of the largest companies or most prominent figures live or I would be in a bunch of trouble!  Just think back in 'recent' years of some of the companies and markets that have been so prominently displayed; savings and loans, Enron, the telecommunications industry, the financial industry, BP.  What consequences did they suffer from all their ills (illegal) dealings.  Where you one of the lucky few who profited from their misdeeds?  More so, maybe it was you or a family member who suffered at the hands (actions) of these 'leaders' in our world economy!

Why is it that profit seems to have become so important in our life times, so important that we are willing to risk everything for the sake of it?  If we don't risk everything in one way, assuredly many of us 'risk' or give our lives in the pursuit of profit!  How long have you been with the company you work for?  Putting your loyalty in something believing that entity is looking out for your best interest and comfortable life when you retire.  How quickly are they willing to let you go rather than risk their bottom line, or next report to the stockholders?  The true bottom line is we mean SHIT to most as they go about pursuing their own goals and objectives!  How much are you willing to give?  What are you willing to sacrifice?

More and more, it seems that largely society wants to work less, not work as hard and still have the same things and more than they ever had!  Everyone is out to make a quick and easy 'buck' whatever the sacrifice and at whoever' expense.  Don't believe me?  Just take a look around you, look and listen to the sacrifices people are willing to make and do make, so their lives are 'easier.' 

Don't worry things aren't going to get easier for you, but someone is going to continue to get rich, at your expense!  It will never change, not until you are willing to make change in your life.