Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Saturday, 19 February 2011
So, you thought you knew the depth of American politicians' ignorance? - Arizona Bans Karma - Seriously!
Since the dark days of the attacks on America by radical, Islamic terrorists on September 11th 2001, there has been a growing intolerance here for non-Judeo-Christian religions. This has, unfortunately, been mostly aimed at the American-Muslim community in a misguided attempt to combat radical Islam.
Unfortunately, there are numerous people in America who can't seem to make a distinction between an Islamic terrorist and an Islamic moderate practicing their religion freely as allowed under the American Constitution. But I digress. One of the targets of the this fear of anything Islamic has come in the form of a wide-spread paranoia of Sharia law.
In brief, Sharia law is law based on the Islamic holy book, the Qur'an (koran). The Islamophobia is so rampant in America these days that states have taken to banning Sharia law in a preemptive move to prevent such law from taking root. This is occurring despite no movement to impose or establish Sharia law in America. The silliness of it all is that such moves by these states are a waste of time since the American Constitution supersedes any other form of law within America!!
But the politicians of Arizona didn't stop there. They wanted to make sure
ALL
non-Christian religious beliefs would have no influence in Arizona state law. This included banning karma, which I didn't even know was possible considering karma is basically the idea of, "cause and effect" or causality.............................. SOURCE: James Ure's excellent Buddhist Blog
Friday, 18 February 2011
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
EVER WONDERED WHY APPLE ISN'T FLASH -her's Steve Job's article
Apple has a long relationship with Adobe. In fact, we met Adobe’s founders when they were in their proverbial garage. Apple was their first big customer, adopting their Postscript language for our new Laserwriter printer. Apple invested in Adobe and owned around 20% of the company for many years. The two companies worked closely together to pioneer desktop publishing and there were many good times. Since that golden era, the companies have grown apart. Apple went through its near death experience, and Adobe was drawn to the corporate market with their Acrobat products. Today the two companies still work together to serve their joint creative customers – Mac users buy around half of Adobe’s Creative Suite products – but beyond that there are few joint interests.
I wanted to jot down some of our thoughts on Adobe’s Flash products so that customers and critics may better understand why we do not allow Flash on iPhones, iPods and iPads.
via apple.com
Click on link to read Steve Job's article
Vote YES for fairer voting - Debate Day 1
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill — Report (1st Day)
Friday, 4 February 2011
A Top 500 list of poems and poets
Top 500 Poems
- Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
- Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
- If You Forget Me by Pablo Neruda
- Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
- Dreams by Langston Hughes
- i carry your heart with me by ee cummings
- I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You by Pablo Neruda
- Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe
- The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost
- I Crave Your Mouth, Your Voice, Your Hair by Pablo Neruda
- Television by Roald Dahl
- One Inch Tall by Shel Silverstein
- Warning by Jenny Joseph
- As I Grew Older by Langston Hughes
- A Dream Within A Dream by Edgar Allan Poe
- Fire and Ice by Robert Frost
- If by Rudyard Kipling
- On the Ning Nang Nong by Spike Milligan
- Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes
- "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth
- Alone by Edgar Allan Poe
- Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
- The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes
- Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
- All That is Gold Does Not Glitter by JRR Tolkien
The complete list of Top 500 Poems >>
via poemhunter.com
Matthew Lipman one of the great educators has died - when will mainstream education grow up enough to see his genius?
Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children (IAPC)
Matthew Lipman, creator of the philosophy for children movement, during a classroom discussion in an undated phot
via nytimes.com
How great was he? He was in the highest echelon of educators. His achievement was to bring developing civilization itself into the child's heart and mind and into the heart of the teaching process and into the heart of the classroom community.
There is no problem that you can point to, no suffering being endured, no apparently intractable problem that would not be ameliorated or solved by the great process and programme he engendered, inspired as it was from the person and teachings of Socrates himself.
Any child taught well with his system and any teacher fortunate enough to teach using his methods will carry light and the very breath of civilization with them throughout their lives.
-0-
To read the New York times article click on link.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Is humour the way to dis-arm fundamentalism?
Is humour the way to dis-arm fundamentalism?
In a Guardian article, (21.08.03) Fiachra Gibbons took stock of Shazia Mirza;
Shazia Mirza is a good girl. She doesn't drink alcohol, she doesn't smoke, she doesn't go out with men. She attends the mosque regularly. And not since Quentin Crisp has anyone had the nerve to stand in front of a roomful of drunks and declare their virginity.
"I don't do jokes about sex because I have never had it," she says, in her deadpan nasal Brummie accent. Only if George Clooney converted in the morning and threw himself at her feet would she even consider changing that. It's marriage or nothing. "I'm serious!" she says.
I don't doubt it. Mirza is the unlikely trailblazer for what, until she started appearing in small clubs three years ago in a hijab, was an oxymoron - devout Muslim comedy.
I would like to think that humour from within, like compassion from within, might turn fundamentalists into balanced human beings but you don't have to dig very far to find that devout or not, virgin or not Shazia has attracted masses of male hatred.
Should I be hoping for transformation from elsewhere?
Was Islamophobia an invention of the extremists?
The invention of Islamophobia
Islamophobia was invented to silence those Muslims who question the Koran and who demand equality of the sexes. By Pascal Bruckner
At the end of the 1970s, Iranian fundamentalists invented the term "Islamophobia" formed in analogy to "xenophobia". The aim of this word was to declare Islam inviolate. Whoever crosses this border is deemed a racist. This term, which is worthy of totalitarian propaganda, is deliberately unspecific about whether it refers to a religion, a belief system or its faithful adherents around the world.
But confession has no more in common with race than it has with secular ideology. Muslims, like Christians, come from the Arab world, Africa, Asia and Europe, just as Marxists, liberals and anarchists come or came from all over. In a democracy, no one is obliged to like religion, and until proved otherwise, they have the right to regard it as retrograde and deceptive. Whether you find it legitimate or absurd that some people regard Islam with suspicion – as they once did Catholicism – and reject its aggressive proselytism and claim to total truth – this has nothing to do with racism.
Do we talk about 'liberalophobia' or 'socialistophobia' if someone speaks out against the distribution of wealth or market domination.
via signandsight.com
Click on link to read this challenging article at Sight and Sound.com - by Pascal Bruckner
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Eckhart Tolle Teachings | Eckhart Tolle | Teachings, Quotes, Interviews of Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart's Core Teachings
1. You are not your thoughts. You are the awareness behind the thoughts. Thoughts are often negative and painful, yearning for or fearing something in the future, complaining about something in the present or fearing a matter from the past. However, the thoughts are not you; they are a construct of the ego. Awareness of your thoughts without being caught up in them is the first step to freedom.
2. Only the present moment exists. That is where life is (indeed it is the only place life can truly be found). Becoming aware of the "now" has the added benefit that it will draw your attention away from your (negative) thoughts. Use mindfulness techniques to fully appreciate your surroundings and everything you are experiencing. Look and listen intently. Give full attention to the smallest details.
3. Accept the present moment. It is resistance to the present moment that creates most of the difficulties in your life. However, acceptance does not mean that you cannot take action to rectify the situation you are in. What is important is to drop resistance so that you let the moment be, and that any action arises from deeper awareness rather than from resistance. The vast majority of pain in a person's life comes from resistance to what is.
4. Observe the pain-body. Years of conditioned thought patterns, individually and collectively, have resulted in habitual emotional reactions with an apparent personality of their own. During "pain-body attacks", we become completely identified with this "pain identity" and respond from its agenda -- which is to create more pain for ourselves and others. Observing the pain-body is awareness itself arising, as it allows humans to separate from this unconscious identification with pain.
Click on link for more
Friday, 31 December 2010
'AUSTERITY Brits plan to slash nearly £9bn from personal spending' - someone's got to pay the bankers & it's you!
25 October 2010
Freeview research reveals Brits planning to slash nearly £9bn from personal spending in next six months
Nearly three quarters of Brits (71%) are preparing a lifestyle change as age of austerity approaches
- Brits plan cutbacks of nearly £200 each on average over next six months
- 81% of people value best free things in life over money and possessions, with love (21%), laughter (15%) and friendship (15%) the most important amongst them
- More than 6 out of 10 respondents (61%) are planning to cut back on Christmas costs with 40 per cent set to slash spending on presents
- Out of all the regions in Britain, Londoners get most pleasure from earning money (20%) while Scots get least satisfaction from spending it (1%)
Freeview, the UK’s biggest digital TV provider, in conjunction with YouGov, today reveals that £8.68 billion (See note1) worth of personal cutbacks are being planned in the next six months alone, as the nation braces itself for tough financial times ahead.
The findings, part of Freeview’s study of over 2,000 people into the projected impact on the British public of the Government’s recent spending cut announcements, reveal that the average Brit will be looking to cut expenditure each by £183(See note 2) over the next six months. The comparative figure for Wales is £255(2), whilst for Scotland it is a whopping £319(2).
The research also shows that almost 3 out of 4 people (71 per cent) are preparing to make money saving lifestyle changes.
The most popular ways to save money selected are:
- Cook instead of eating out or getting a takeaway (47%)
- Make lunch instead of buying it (46%)
- Cut down on socialising by staying at home (32%)
- Watch free TV channels instead of paying for subscription TV (22%)
- Walk / cycle / instead of using public transport / driving (22%)
According to the research, Christmas will not escape the population’s own budget cuts. Nearly two thirds of the nation (61 per cent) plan to spend less on Christmas this year with nearly 40 per cent planning to spend less on Christmas presents this year compared to 2009. Men should brace themselves for disappointment since 47 per cent of women say they plan to spend less on presents, compared to only 32 per cent of men.
The good news is that eight out of ten Brits (84 per cent) believe that time spent with family is the most important ingredient for a perfect Christmas, with one in six people (17 per cent) saying Christmas telly will play a key part.
The research also demonstrates the importance of the things in life that are free. The research explored what people valued the most from a list of ten items – five of which were free (love, friends, compliments, free time, peace and quiet), the remainder have material value (holidays, clothes, money, eating out and mobile phone). From the list, over eight out of ten (81 per cent) of respondents chose the free items as being the most important.
As Brits prepare to tough it out through challenging times, nearly half the nation (45 per cent) believes that the best things in life are free, while more than half the nation say that money can’t buy you happiness (53 per cent). Love, laughter and friendship are the nation’s favourite free things in life, as Brits overwhelmingly look to simple pleasures and each other instead of materialistic distractions.
The nation’s favourite free things in life are listed below:
- Love (21%)
- Laughter (15%)
- Friendship (15%)
- Sex (9%)
- Peace and quiet (8%)
- Sunshine (7%)
- Fresh air (4%)
- Free time (4%)
- Hugs (4%)
- Sleep (4%)
While the nation is in agreement as a whole on life’s priorities, the sexes still display huge differences, with one in six men (16 per cent) claiming sex is the most important free thing in life to them, compared to only one in 50 women (2 per cent). Seven times as many women (7 per cent) compared to men (1 per cent) rank hugs as their favourite free thing, with a third more men (10 per cent) valuing simple peace and quiet than woman (7 per cent). Nearly twice as many women (19 per cent) enjoy laughter more than men (11 per cent) with twice as many men (6 per cent) to women (3 per cent) finding most contentment in sleep.
Across Britain Londoners (20 per cent) get more joy out of earning money than people in any other part of the country, while Scots get the least amount of satisfaction from spending it (1 per cent). And retired people (12 per cent) get more joy out of giving money than people in full time employment (3 per cent).
Ilse Howling, MD of Freeview, commented: “It’s encouraging to see that as personal finances come under pressure the nation believes that money isn’t everything and that the best things in life come without a price tag attached. With love, laughter and friendship key to people’s happiness, Freeview believes that everyone has the right to good times and good TV for free, without adding to your monthly bills.”
Notes:
- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2106 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15th - 18th October 2010. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)
- Freeview calculations based on 47.4 million adults (18+) and percentage of people planning to save over a six month period. Monetary value taken as mid-point in specified range
a. 13 % x £12.50 per month = £77.02 million
b. 10% x £38 per month = £180.12 million
c. 5% x £63 per month = £149.31 million
d. 5 % x £88 per month = £291.98 million
e. 4% x £125 per month = £237.95 million
f. 2% x £175.50 per month = £166.37 million
g. 2% x £225.50 per month = £213.77 million
h. 1 % x £275.50 per month = £130.59 million
i. Total = 1.44 billion
j. X 6 months = 8.68 billion- Average cutback per adult in Britain = 8.68bn / 47.4m = £183
Calculations of total amount to be saved for Scotland based on 4.1 million adults 18+ and percentage of those planning to save varying amounts over a six month period, following the above format.
Calculations of total amount to be saved for Wales based on 2.4 million adults 18+ and percentage of those planning to save varying amounts over a six month period, following the above format.
via freeview.co.uk
Click on link for full report
Monday, 27 December 2010
'Blessed are the cheese-makers' as N Ireland's Dr P so aptly said.
Are the glory of our cheeses - my Stilton Blue from Sainsbury's this years was magnificent.
To see the 100s of cheeses we produce see here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_cheeses
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Monday, 6 December 2010
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Thursday, 2 December 2010
| False Economy - arguing why the current cuts are wrong
About us
False Economy is for everyone concerned about the impact of the government’s spending cuts on their community, their family or their job.
It is brought to you by local campaigners, those who rely on or support good public services and those who work to supply them.
False Economy’s supporters want to build the broadest possible movement that can get the government to change direction.
Of course the country has been damaged by the recession, but there are alternatives to these deep, rapid cuts.
The government’s cuts are unfair, risk the fragile economic recovery and fail to make those who caused the crash pay a proper contribution through the tax system to clearing up the mess they made.
False Economy is not a top-down national organisation.
We recognise that there will be many campaigns against cuts, with some based locally, others that link up people in particular sectors, and others that bring together national organisations. Not all will agree on every aspect or share the same priorities.
But while we welcome and respect this diversity, we believe that we will be more effective when we work together, share information and pool resources.
False Economy will grow and develop as the campaign develops, but we launch with these initial objectives:
- To gather and map information and personal testimony about the cuts and their effects
- To show that there are alternative economic approaches
- To provide resources and tools for campaigners and campaign groups
False Economy is for everyone who thinks the coalition is cutting too much, too fast and wants to do something about it.
How we are run
False Economy came about through discussions between on-line activists, campaigners and trade unions. Out of this a small working group was formed to guide the creation of False Economy. The site was built by Clifford Singer, who developed MyDavidCameron and runs The Other TaxPayers’ Alliance. We are grateful to pre-launch financial support from the TUC, Unison, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Fire Brigades Union. We are now seeking further funding, and will soon be able to accept donations online.
False Economy working group
- Guy Aitchison, openDemocracy
- Kate Belgrave, Hangbitch
- Alison Charlton, Unison
- Nishma Doshi
- Deborah Grayson, Mutiny
- Sunny Hundal, Liberal Conspiracy
- Chaminda Jayanetti, A Thousand Cuts
- Becky Luff, The Cuts Won’t Work
- Adam Ramsay, No Shock Doctrine for Britain
- Clifford Singer, The Other TaxPayers’ Alliance
- Nigel Stanley, TUC
- Stuart White, Oxford Save our Services
Supporters
Here are some of our initial supporters. We welcome further supporting organisations – both nationally and locally – other than political party groups. Please get in touch if you are interested.
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Compass
- Fire Brigades Union
- Left Foot Forward
- Liberal Conspiracy
- The Other TaxPayers' Alliance
- PCS
- Red Pepper
- TUC
- Unison
Thank you
Hilary Aked, Captain Ska, Deborah Allwright, Julia Bard, Chris Coltrane, Jim Cranshaw, Lucian Evans, Josie Long, Alex Stobart, Sam West and John Wood.
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