The Food Fascist

Super Brain Foods

2011-07-10T16:02:00.000-07:00

Here is an excert from an article that lists the following foods as Super Brain Foods. These are: Wholegrains, walnuts, cashews, blueberries, pecans, almonds, strawberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, green tea, avocados, eggplant, tomatoes, yogurt, red cabbage, spinach, and chocolate. These are foods that assist one to concentrate memory, increase and tune sense of motor skills, motivation, speed of reaction time, control stress and slow down the aging of brain cells.

Blueberries
Eating blueberries and a diet rich in deep pigment from fruits and vegetables helps preserve the brain machinery and boost the potency of neuron signals. Blueberries literally strengthen the brain. They have compounds that turn on key systems in the brain enable other proteins to help with memory or other cognitive skills.
In one recent study, subjects who ate one cup of blueberries a day for two weeks showed an increased birth rate of brain cells in the hippocampus (region responsible for memory), and scored significantly higher in classroom tests than those subjects who did not.
Blueberries are also known to protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. In addition, blueberries also contain ellagic acid, another phytochemical that has been shown to prevent cell damage.

http://leftofzen.com/brain-food/2008/01/04/

Dr. Tierra's Cherry Bark Decoction Sore Throat Syrup

2010-10-10T18:02:00.000-07:00

Make a syrup using equal parts Elecampane, Wild Cherry bark, Licorice, Comfrey root, Coltsfoot and Lobelia. Cook down the decoction until it reaches a syrupy consistency.

Dosage: one tablespoon, every hour or as needed, for coughs and sore throats.

At the same time, take pills or capsules of equal parts powdered Slippery Elm, Bayberry bark, Comfrey root and Mullein. Take 2 capsules every two hours along with one teaspoon Garlic oil and 5 - 30 drops Echinacea tincture.

East West Herb Course p. 11-5 Michael Tierra with Lesley Tierra 1999, Santa Cruz, CA

Dr. Tierra's Garlic Syrup to stave off the flu and colds

2010-10-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

Having a rough time with the ensuing season. Feeling something coming on? This Garlic Syrup sat in my kitchen without refrigeration for a total of 3 years until I finally used it all. No bacteria, nothing grew in it or spoiled it in anyway.

Place one pound of peeled, minced Garlic is a wide-mouthed 2 quart jar. Almost fill the jar with equal parts apple cider vinegar and distilled water. Cover and let stand in a warm place for four days, shaking a few times each day. Add one cup of glycerin and let is stand another day. Strain and filter the mixture with pressure through a muslin or linen cloth. Add one cup of Honey and stir until thoroughly mixed. Store in a cool place.

This is excellent for coughs, colds, sore throats, bronchial congestion, high or low blood pressure, heart weakness and nervous disorders.

Dosage: one tablespoon, three times daily, before meals.

East West Herb Course p. 11-5 Michael Tierra with Lesley Tierra 1999, Santa Cruz, CA

Thom Hartmann's Unequal Protection Revolt

2010-05-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

Thom Hartmann inspires resolutions to revolt against Unequal Protections.

Customize contact info in bold to your own states purposes and distribute for a massive fax a thon!

Barbara Boxer’s Fax: 202 228 3865 Phone: 916 448-2787

Senator Dianne Feinstein’s FAX: 415 393-0710 Phone: 415 393-0707 Phone: 916 448-2787

Dear Senator:

We disagree with the Supreme Court that Corporations are People. Please pass this resolution as was passed in both the States of Oregon and Hawaii.

THE SENATE S.R. NO. 116

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING congress to take immediate action to redefine "corporate entity" to preclude the use of the term "person" in the definition.

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of the United States, in its ruling on Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission, upheld a longstanding, though illogical legal concept of corporations as people; and

WHEREAS, corporations cannot by any reasonable definition be characterized as people, because corporations:

(1) Can reside in multiple states and countries simultaneously;

(2) Can conceivably exist for hundreds of years;

(3) Cannot be incarcerated;

(4) Cannot enter into a marriage contract or conceive a child;

(5) Cannot independently formulate political opinions separate and distinct from the board of directors, executives, shareholders, or employees;

(6) Cannot obtain citizenship or be issued a passport;

(7) Cannot enlist in the military; and

(8) Cannot vote; and

WHEREAS, in Buckley v. Valeo, the United States Supreme Court handed down a ruling on campaign spending that equates money to speech; and

WHEREAS, in preliminary remarks by Chief Justice Morrison Waite in the United States Supreme Court case, Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad, C.J. Waite indicated that, "the provision in the 14th Amendment ... applies to these corporations. We are all of the opinion that it does."; and

WHEREAS, these remarks are not included in the final ruling nor are they a formal opinion of the Court, yet these remarks have been used as the basis for establishing rights as "persons" for corporations within the framework of the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, the combination of these two cases provides the basis for corporations to financially overwhelm the individual common person in the political process; and

WHEREAS, a ruling by the United States Supreme Court cannot be simply negated; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, that the United States Congress is requested to take immediate action by enactment of Federal Code or constitutional amendment to redefine "corporate entity" to preclude the use of the term "person" in the definition; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Hawaii's congressional delegation.

The actual link to the pdf posted on State of Hawaii page is- http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/Bills/SR116_.HTM

The actual link to info about how this passed in Hawaii is here:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/searchstatus.asp?query=corporations+people&currpage

OBAMA FOODORAMA First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS)

2010-03-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

As of 2006, folks were spending about 22 percent of their grocery dollars on sweets, salty snacks, and desserts -- and that’s compared to a little over 12 percent on fruits and vegetables.

All told, we’re eating 31 percent more calories than we were just 40 years ago –- and that’s including 56 percent more fats and oil and 14 percent more sugars and sweeteners. In fact, we now add sweeteners to all kinds of products in amounts unimaginable just a generation ago.

http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2010/03/transcript-remarks-by-first-lady-to.html

Public Comment Option to USDA on GE Crops Franken Food

2010-02-17T21:58:00.000-08:00

USDA released its draft EIS on December 14, 2009. A 60-day comment period is now open until March 3, 2010. This is the first time the USDA has done this type of analysis for any GE crop. Therefore, the final decision will have broad implications for all GE crops.

There is a link to the USDA comment form on my web page blog (it is currently the second blog entry when you go to my site:

http://www.3bellsranch.com/3-bell-blog.html

... otherwise you can go directly to http://www.saynotogmos.org/ .

Because thousands of people spoke against the National Animal Identification System, the effort is undergoing revisions... We need to speak against GMOs. You know. You're organic people.

Tara Felder

PO BOX 328

Oroville, WA 98844

http://www.3bellsranch.com

Will the Real Water Hog Please Stand Up

2010-02-17T20:19:00.000-08:00

Who is using the most water in the nation? It is estimated per (Berg & Hager, 2007) that by 2025, only one third of the world's population will have access to fresh water. Currently, about one billion persons do not.

Global energy consumption is expected to grow by 50% by 2030, squeezing already scarce water resources. Mike Hightower and Suzanne A. Pierce recommend ways to integrate water and energy planning.

In January 2008 at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged business and political leaders that the looming crisis over water shortages should be at the top of the global agenda in an effort to prevent conflicts over the growing scarcity of freshwater supplies. By 2025, more than half the nations in the world will face freshwater stress or shortages, and by 2050, as much as 75% of the world's population could face freshwater scarcity1. Nature Journal Article Water and Energy Planning

Total Water Withdrawals by Category, 2005

Livestock < 1%
Domestic, 1 percent
Mining, 1 percent
Aquaculture, 2 percent
Industrial, 4 percent
Public supply, 11 percent
Irrigation, 31 percent
Thermoelectric, 49 percent

http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1344/pdf/c1344.pdf

Berg and Hager (2007). Visualizing Environmental Science. Hoboken, N.J. John Wiley and Sons. P. 236.

Nuclear Power Belongs in a Museum - Hermann Scheer

2010-02-16T08:46:00.000-08:00

Billions of gallons of water are used daily. Hot water from radioactive rods are poured back into streams and destroy the ecology and life. Cancer rates soar. (Greenpeace, 2006 Peter B Collins podcast). Eighty percent of the cost is born by the public while only 20% by the 'owners'. Corporate welfare. No insurance company will insure. (R.F. Kennedy Jr., Ring of Fire Radio broad/podcast 2/14/ 2010). So Joe Public gets to pay for that too. Why do we keep voting against our ability to be self-sufficent? Why do we keep voting to destroy ourselves. Common sense people! Hello. It's Radioactive! France and Britain are disposing their radioactive spent fuel rods where? Moreover, why do we have a President with no environmental vision/ education. Georgia is known for it's drought and we are going to use the fragile water supply we have there to power our appliances and computers when solar thermal is competitive with the cost of coal. Jobs? Give me a break! 8 billion dollars to hire 800 workers over how long? And then how many to run the plant. Why have centralized power when each of us can be our own power plant?

Research what has happened when the drought became so severe a number of years ago that the power plants had to be shut down.

Below is a link to Nuclear Power Belongs in a Museum. This was written by Hermann Scheer, author of the legislation enacted in Germany that has that country on track to have 20% of its power as solar by 2020.

Further, the technology used to enhance nuclear material for weapons and as targets, continues to proliferate. The President wants to stop the proliferation of nuclear power, by...enhancing nuclear power? THINK

Here is the link:
http://bit.ly/dwcBC7

Here is more about how we will have to choose between water and nuclear power:

Nuclear plants are subject to restrictions on the temperature of the discharged coolant, because hot water can kill fish or plants or otherwise disrupt the environment. Those restrictions, coupled with the drought, led to the one-day shutdown Aug. 16 of a TVA reactor at Browns Ferry in Alabama.

At Progress Energy Inc., which operates four reactors in the drought zone, officials warned in November that the drought could force it to shut down its Harris reactor near Raleigh, according to documents obtained by the AP. The water in Harris Lake stands at 218.5 feet — just 3 1/2 feet above the limit set in the plant's license.

During Europe's brutal 2006 heat wave, French, Spanish and German utilities were forced to shut down some of their nuclear plants and reduce power at others because of low water levels — some for as much as a week.

An Associated Press analysis of the nation's 104 nuclear reactors found that 24 are in areas experiencing the most severe levels of drought. All but two are built on the shores of lakes and rivers and rely on submerged intake pipes to draw billions of gallons of water for use in cooling and condensing steam after it has turned the plants' turbines.

Because of the year-long dry spell gripping the region, the water levels on those lakes and rivers are getting close to the minimums set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Over the next several months, the water could drop below the intake pipes altogether. Or the shallow water could become too hot under the sun to use as coolant.

"If water levels get to a certain point, we'll have to power it down or go off line," said Robert Yanity, a spokesman for South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., which operates the Summer nuclear plant outside Columbia, S.C.

The water was low on the Tennessee River and had become warmer than usual under the hot sun. By the time it had been pumped through the Browns Ferry plant, it had become hotter still — too hot to release back into the river, according to the TVA. So the utility shut down a reactor.

Excerpts above taken from: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/drought/2008-01-24-drought-power_N.htm

________________________________________________________________

And also, Associated Press

http://www.heatisonline.org/contentserver/objecthandlers/index.cfm?ID=6809&Method=Full

Drought Map

http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html

___________________________________________________________________

Search terms into google “water shrinkage lake mead drought”

Search terms into google “water shrinkage great lakes drought”

Shrinking Great Lakes http://detnews.com/specialreports/1999/lakes/lead/lead.htm

SAC BEE How low can it go? Drought puts Folsom boaters in limbo http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1099205.html

__________________________________________________________________________---

Thank you for your intellectually honest discourse

The Curse of Poverty has no Justification in Our Age - Martin Luther King

2010-02-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

“The curse of poverty has no justification in our age. It is socially as cruel and blind as the practice of cannibalism at the dawn of civilization, when men ate each other because they had not learned to take food from the soil or to consume the abundant animal life around them. The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total direct and immediate abolition of poverty.” (Martin Luther King Jr. 1961)

Saudi Prince Funds Suicide Bombers Owner of FOX News

2010-02-11T09:06:00.000-08:00

Thom Hartmann podcast February 10, 2010 announced that Al-Walid bin Talal, a funder of suicide bombers is now owning more of FOX NEWS.

Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch deals with Suicide Bomber Fund Raiser

Source: http://trueslant.com/devonpendleton/2010/01/19/what-does-rupert-murdoch-want-from-saudi-arabia/

Saudi Prince, who gave 27 million to 'Martyrs'
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/671

This is the same prince who tried to offer money to Rudy Giuliani after 911. Giuliani turned the money down in public because proportedly Giuliani thought that the prince was implying the United States deserved 911.

1. The article at this link is from a conservative news source, World Net Daily

It breaks the story that Al-Walid bin Talal who owns 5.7% of Fox News via News Corp who owns Fox, has now taken another 10% stake with an option to take another 10%. Already, sources document that he has affected the way Fox News covers stories.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=117853

This link takes you to several more documentation of the Saudi -Fox relationship. You can use various searh terms on various search engines to bring up similar reports
http://www.wikio.com/business/entrepreneurs/prince_al_walid_bin_talal

2. Fox News Reporters Take Fox News to Conservative Stacked US Supreme Court

The result was that even though Fox News improperly fired two reporters for trying to report to the American public how their food is being engineered and how those food companies hire lobbyists to prevent labeling that already occurs in 33 countries. A few days ago of writing this post, organic farmers in Arkansas, per Mon Dragon at Fair Food Fight, won a law suit against Bayer Corporation. Bayer’s genetically engineered crops contaminated the organic crops, rendering them un saleable to the European Union, whose citizens fought off the genetic engineering of crops long ago. See the link below for an account from the two reporters of Fox. By the way, the Supreme Court ruled that FOX NEWS had the right to lie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZkDikRLQrw

3. FOX News ‘Global Warming Expert’ is actually a lawyer for the Cigarette Industry. He defended the industry to try to make the case that nicotine was not addictive.

Brave New Films caught this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPNWRti8CfY&eurl=http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/8989-play-our-new-gameshow-the-fox-is-wrong-global-warming

4. Bravenewfilms.com was known for making the Wal-Mart Movie. This documentary shows the ills of free trade and how ultimately, if we are only buying cheap, someone is either paying for that missing price in terms of slavery,sweatshops, and trashing the environment.

See trailer of that film here http://www.walmartmovie.com/teaser_qhi.php

4. Media Matters http://mediamatters.org/ was founded by David Brock who was asked by ‘the mass media’ to essentially destroy Hillary Clinton’s image in the media. He began doing the actual research, decided that the orders given to him were unethical. This disturbed him so much that he gave up his high paying job and began Media Matters. Media Matters is the bane of Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly.

5. Project Censored is run out of the Sonoma State University in Wine Country, Northern California

http://www.projectcensored.org/

Another Independent media sums up some of the stories project censored catches. These are headlines that never made it into any of the mass media in the United Statess.

http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A407460

Verify the media you are listening to and or watching. Discover alternative sources of media. Become more critical about the information from the TV set we used to be able to trust…before watching the news and political commentary became profitable.

6. http://www.progressiveradio.blogspot.com/

Make sure you see the movie Network 1976. Read George Orwell’s 1984.

7. John Stewart goes after FOX http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/04/jon-stewart-fox-news-sarah-palin-megyn-kelly_n_485235.html?fbwall

8. Liberals and aetheists are smarter study shows http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100224132655.htm

Michael Pollan: Time to Fight!

2010-02-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

Behold the magic of the food movement's Michael Pollan. He and other visionaries tout broccoli as the new symbol of socioeconomic liberty, wellness, and justice for all.

Dr. Pollan is one of many visionaries at the heart of the food justice movement. These visionaries want to change U.S. farming policies from large scale, centralized single-crop systems known as monoculture; towards smaller, high density, multiple-crop systems known as polyculture. Pollan, in In Defense of Food (2009), told his fellow Bioneers they are in the third stage of Gandhi’s axiom, ‘First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.’

Read more at Suite101: Polyculture: Food Activists Poised for Fight: Socioeconomic Liberty, Wellness, Justice and Prosperity http://environmental-activism.suite101.com/article.cfm/polyculture-food-activists-poised-for-a-fight#ixzz0ey7x0qkm

Michael Pollan Time to Fight!

Organic Arkansas Farmers Woop Bayer's Behinds

2010-02-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

Exactly why we need to be able to sue corporations. !

Fair Food Fight Reports from El Dragon!

The little guys win some gold from Goliath. From AP News:

A federal court jury has ordered the German conglomerate Bayer CropScience to pay $1.5 million to farmers in Arkansas and Mississippi whose rice seed was contaminated with a genetically altered strain.

Damage awarded apparently, their crops became contaminated and when this occurs, the European Union shuts its doors on those crops. So this settlement was about the loss of buisness.

See the rest of the article here at Fair Food Fight http://ow.ly/156qX

VICTORY! U.S.D.A. Plans to Drop Program to Trace Livestock

2010-02-06T06:03:00.000-08:00

VICTORY! U.S.D.A. Plans to Drop Program to Trace Livestock

• By William Neuman

The New York Times, Feb 5, 2010

Straight to the Source

Faced with stiff resistance from ranchers and farmers, the Obama administration has decided to scrap a national program intended to help authorities quickly identify and track livestock in the event of an animal disease outbreak.

In abandoning the program, called the National Animal Identification System, officials said they would start over in trying to devise a livestock tracing program that could win widespread support from the industry.

If only Shelby would release the rest of Obama's candidates...we might see more stuff like this. Thom Hartmann's Prophets Way p 179- said Jesus on the Mount warned about the Pharisee mentality of organizing and legalizing and defining every little thing, planning out every action, and constantly measuring each other.

Read the rest of the article here at Organic Consumers Association

Republican Party Messenger Affirms Change in Position on Global Warming at Venue with former San Franciscan Mayor Willie Brown for Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson

2010-02-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

Frank Luntz, message orignator for the Republican Party announced he was changing his position on global warming today. This was originally released in The Daily Beast in an interview to reporter Michael Smerconish. Mr. Smerconish asked Luntz whether believed in the concept of man-made global warming.

Photo Credit P Brady http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Frank_Luntz.jpg

To this, Frank replied, "It doesn't matter whether it exists or not," he
answered, adding, a moment later: "What my position is on that issue and what anyone's position is actually doesn't matter when it comes to legislation. "Hy not? Because "gettiing hung up" on the questions regarding the underlying science, Luntz expounded, wasn't as productive for climate legislation supporters as focusing on "the economic benefits, the health benefits, the national security benefits, in addition to the environmental benefits."

@thedailybeast Frank Luntz says the science of global warming is irrelevant and as views are changing, he will change his message http://bit.ly/9v403g

Mr. Luntz actually appeared in Sacramento, CA today at the Crest Theatre to debate the infamous San Franciscan Mayor Willy Brown. Both came to support Mayor Kevin Johnson's Strong Mayor Initiative. Mr. Nelson says he was able to accomplish much of what San Francisco is known for because of such power. The video of the debate should be up on you tube in a few days.

Frank Lutz to debate Willie Brown in Sac today at Crest at 1PM http://bit.ly/aKKIEO
Fund raisers to attend the event between $100- $5000 http://www.kevinjohnsonformayor.com/kjfm/
You can see the write up about the event in the Sacramento Bee here http://bit.ly/9nsWfu
SolveClimate.com has posted on their site an AP article about how Republicans are seeking to overturn Global Warming Solutions Act AB32. See this here: http://bit.ly/9i7WQn
Sac Press writes http://bit.ly/bCdujo
http://cbslocalblogs.prospero.com/kovr_pallashupe?entry=217

See Nourishing the Kids of Katrina Sacramento Monday, February 8th 6 PM

2010-02-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

Nourishing the Kids of Katrina

Made by Local Filmmaker. Come see this film Monday evening the 8th of February. Doors open at 5:30pm and film begins at 6PM at the Crest Theatre.

The theatre is downtown Sacramento 1013 K Street. There is no charge to see the film.

AVATAR's Vital Environmental Movie Message

2010-01-24T12:08:00.000-08:00

Nature knows best. The winner of the argument in that age old ethics battle between eco and anthropocentrism in James Cameron's AVATAR is the Ecosphere.

Read more at Suite101: AVATAR's Vital Environmental Movie Message: Mankind to Join the Ecosphere: Ecocentrism Vs Anthropocentrism

Photo credit: David Atkeson

Haiti Failed by Free Trade Could Benefit From Sustainable Local Economic Development

2010-01-24T11:59:00.000-08:00

Just 100 years ago Haiti was a vibrant economy. It is now one of the poorest countries in the world. Sustainable local economic development, which could very well include vertical farming, may revive the country.

Read more at Suite101: Haiti Failed by Free Trade Could Benefit From: Sustainable Local Economic Development

Photo Credit: Fay Venegas

http://globalization.suite101.com/article.cfm/haiti_failed_by_free_trade_could_benefit_from

Organic Farming: Recipe for Survival

2010-01-24T11:50:00.000-08:00

What is all the fuss about organically farmed food? Click here to find some good basic definition: TheOrganicAlternativeRecipeforSurvival

Karma Strikes Dolphin Eaters

2010-01-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

THE dolphin- and whale-eaters of Taiji, whose bloody customs were exposed last year in The Cove documentary, which culminated in tensions with sister-city Broome, are accumulating unhealthy and possibly hazardous levels of mercury, a marine toxicology expert has found.

Read more about this in The Australian

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. : Solve World Hunger with Vertical Farming

2010-01-24T09:56:00.000-08:00

Environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. discusses the benefits of vertical farming, a proposed plan to create high-yield urban gardens, with Talk Radio News.

According to Kennedy, a twenty foot structure can produce the same amount of crops as a 24 acre farm, coupled with less of an environmental impact. (0:49)

Hear the audio here at: Talk Radio News
Be sure to check out the press downloads on this INCREDIBLE site
Vertical Farm.com

Banking Economic Reform Group Unhappy with First Year of Presidency AMI

2010-01-04T15:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of the American Monetary Institute,

Warmest Christmas and holiday greetings to all.

The World is getting ripe for meaningful monetary reform!

Yes, 2009 was disappointing when so many in our legislative and executive branches ignored the wishes of our people and the requirements of progress and of justice, and put forward miserable health care proposals. The farcical battle continues.

But do not conclude that we are losing and have no power to affect our government to do much better. That power is there and is exercised by replacing those legislators who made such a mockery of our system of government and the needs of our nation. That their malfeasance is obvious represents a much greater loss to the established plutocracy, than to the people. For that establishment depends on the idea that the Statue of Liberty means something. Exposing that fiction, identifying the real nature of our society's predicament, can lead to progress; as only the truth can do. That's up to us!

More disappointing for many has been how a Bright young President elected specifically to achieve meaningful change, has at best, demonstrated pitiful negotiating skills and an inability to act based on what he is really up against.

Shortly after the election we were told for the first time, how much the President enjoyed the company of economists. That would have been a huge red flag to those who understand how less than useless nearly all the economics "profession" has been towards improving society. One of the best of them once summarized it to me in these words: "There is no good macro-economic theory!"

It's understandable how a capable legal mind, with substantial but limited real world experience, such as the President's, could be unduly swayed by economists.

Good legal methodology depends a lot on analytical deductive reasoning; drawing conclusions from axioms/laws. Such methodology is also valuable in making moral judgments, as was done by the Catholic Scholastics from about 1100 to 1500 AD (See LSM chapter 7).

Therefore such a legal mind as the President's might not be alarmed by economists using similar methodology. Such a mind might not realize the inappropriateness of economics relying so heavily on theory, and ignoring actual results as economics has done for centuries. The Scholastics minimized such problems because their focus was primarily on moral issues.

But modern economists have removed morality from their "science," proudly announcing they ignore what they call "normative considerations." If they used plain language and said that they don't consider morality in their theories, people would better understand how skewed and inappropriate economics has become to society.

We must hold economics to a much higher standard than we've experienced from it. Especially at this Christmas moment, when more of us focus on fairness and good will toward others, and feel the wonder and heartwarming feedback of those sentiments.

Lets keep that in mind, as we look forward to 2010, and the financial legislation which will finally become the focus of attention. We must demand not mere regulation, but reform. Regulation of a system that unfairly concentrates wealth is not enough. As wealth becomes concentrated in unfair ways and obscene amounts, that concentration overcomes regulation through outright bribery, and similar methods of influence.

It allows those criminal elements which create our financial difficulties, to use our government to bail them out of their errors and crimes through various bailout mechanisms.

What is crucial is to enact structural reforms that begin a process that does the opposite of unfairly concentrating wealth. That means a process which fairly de-concentrates unearned, obscene wealth - a process based in morality and justice. A process with much greater long term effect than mere temporary regulation. Christmas is a good time to realize that.

The American Monetary and Financial Security Act, represents the needed reform. The Act places the Federal Reserve System within the US Treasury; it removes the banks accounting privilege of creating our money supply when they make loans, ending the fractional reserve system; and it facilitates Government to create money and spend it into circulation debt free and interest free to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, including the human infrastructure of health care and education.

You can see the most recent version of it at http://www.monetary.org

where you may send comments and suggestions on it, and read the valuable monetary articles there and can also help the AMI in its continuing work by making a $ contribution $ to our efforts.

Thanks much for your attention. Lets now look forward to great and real progress in 2010.

Stephen Zarlenga

Director,

AMI

White Roofs A Quick and Simple Fix for Global Warming

2010-01-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

"If the 100 biggest cities in the world installed white roofs and changed their pavement to more reflective materials — say, concrete instead of asphalt-based material — the global cooling effect would be massive, according to data released Tuesday at California’s annual Climate Change Research Conference in Sacramento," (Roosevelt, 2008).

Roosevelt, Margot. (2008). White roof power for sustainable building. Ecology Today. Retrieved November 18, 2008

On Christmas Eve, California's Republican Governor takes away Tiny Tim's Crutches

2009-12-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

Chairperson Jones Criticizes Governor’s Proposal to Cut Healthcare for Californians Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento), Chairperson of the Assembly Health Committee, issued the following statement today in response to the Governor’s letter to Congress proposing cuts in healthcare for Californians: “It’s the day before Christmas and like Ebenezzer Scrooge, Governor Schwarzenegger wants to take poor Tiny Tim’s crutch away. And deny him any healthcare. Bah humbug, Governor!

The Governor has asked Congress to allow him to make cuts in healthcare for Californians. Here we are in the worst recession since the Great Depression. Record numbers of Californians have lost their jobs outright or had their income cut. Record numbers of Californians are without health insurance. They are not able to see a doctor or get treatment for themselves or their loved ones. And the Governor’s response is to look for ways to deprive even more Californians of healthcare, so more Californians will get sick and die.

The Governor, in writing to Congress, is not speaking for Californians or California. California needs Congress to expand healthcare coverage and to increase payments to California to help pay for it. But the answer is not, as Governor Scrooge requests, to turn our backs on those who rely on California for medical care or to cut the already too low reimbursements to our doctors, nurses, hospitals and other medical providers who provide that care. In a word, what the Governor proposes is worthy only of Scrooge.

Lets hope that the Governor is visited by several ghosts tonite who will cause him to see the error of his proposal to cut healthcare for Californians.” Chairperson Jones responded to Governor Schwarzenegger’s letter to Congress asking for authority to make cuts to Medi-Cal and Healthy Families eligibility, benefits and reimbursements to providers.

9 Contaminants that May Surprise You About the American Water Supply

2009-12-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

Dec. 8) -- Charles Duhigg of The New York Times today delivered the latest unsettling news about the nation's water supply: It's not as clean as you might think. An analysis of federal data from the last five years revealed that more than 20 percent of the nation's water-treatment systems have broken provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the standards enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency. The result? As many as 19 million Americans are sickened each year.

Over the years, the EPA has identified many substances in water supplies far and wide. Here are nine unexpected things that they've spotted.

(Dec. 8) -- Charles Duhigg of The New York Times today delivered the latest unsettling news about the nation's water supply: It's not as clean as you might think. An analysis of federal data from the last five years revealed that more than 20 percent of the nation's water-treatment systems have broken provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the standards enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency. The result? As many as 19 million Americans are sickened each year.

Over the years, the EPA has identified many substances in water supplies far and wide. Here are nine unexpected things that they've spotted.

Arsenic A naturally occurring element found in soil and minerals, arsenic is used as a pesticide and wood sealant. Ingesting high levels of arsenic, Madame Bovary can tell you, is deadly. At lower levels, over longer periods of time, it can darken skin and spur corns and warts. A carcinogen, arsenic can increase the risk of skin, liver, bladder and lung cancers.

The EPA has said that more than 3 million Americans have been exposed to water with illegal concentrations of arsenic since 2005.

Uranium The element Iran insists on enriching despite howls from the U.S. and other Western nations, it is also used in helicopters, airplanes, armor, fertilizer and household items like certain microwaves. After it's mined and processed, some of it is released back into the environment in waste material, called mill tailings. Large amounts of uranium can lead to kidney disease and cancer, though naturally occurring uranium is much less radioactive.

The EPA says levels of uranium in drinking water are usually low and safe, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. However, the 3 million Americans exposed to illegal amounts of arsenic were also exposed to illegal amounts of radioactive substances.

Radium This radioactive metal has been used to treat cancer, for scientific research and in instrument calibration. Everyone is exposed to low levels of the substance, but higher levels are found near uranium mines, coal-burning industries and sometimes in drinking water that comes from wells. Radium can cause anemia and cataracts. At high levels, it is a carcinogen, causing increased bone, liver and breast cancer.

The EPA has reported that levels of radium were 2,000 times the legal limit in water flowing in some areas.

Tetrachloroethylene Used in dry cleaning and for metal degreasing, this chemical usually evaporates when it meets water, soil or air, but high exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea and unconsciousness. Women who are exposed to high levels of tetrachloroethylene may have menstrual problems and even spontaneous abortions. It is also believed to be a carcinogen.

The New York Times found that the drinking water in Ramsey, N.J., located 35 miles outside of New York City, has had illegal concentrations of tetrachloroethylene since 2004.

Lead Houses built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes than newer ones. Because hot water dissolves lead more easily, people who live with older plumbing should never drink hot water from the tap. Kids who drink lead-tainted water above the legal limits are at risk for physical and mental development problems. In adults, lead can lead to high blood pressure and kidney trouble.

The EPA's threshold for lead is 0.015 parts per million. If you are concerned about the levels of lead in your water, you can have it tested at a certified laboratory.

Prozac, Birth Control, Makeup, Shampoo Along with deceased goldfish and incriminating evidence, it turns out Americans like to flush their drugs and personal care products down the toilet, too. These substances leave the toilet (or bathtub and shower) and end up in our waterways. In fact, most of the waterways the EPA tested had pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in them.

While there is evidence that ecological harm can come from PPCPs in the water, scientists are not yet sure of the threat to humans.

You can find reports on the drinking water in your area at the EPA Web site.

9 Contaminants in the American Water Supply

The 'Know Your Farmer Know Your Food' initiative

2009-12-07T18:39:00.000-08:00

Today Roots of Change, a local food access non-governmental organization, asked their members to send thank you letters to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan. Roots of Change says the 'Know Your Farmer Know Your Food' initiative has demonstrated excellent leadership in the USDA. "We are seeing the USDA take unparalleled steps to make local food more accessible to more people".

You can learn more about Roots of Change right here at the link below:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6083/profile/login.jsp?redirect=/o/6083/profile/index.jsp