I saw the documentary film "Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden" directed by Morgan Spurlock ("Super Size Me") and it was pretty good. Most people across the world seem to have similar concerns and we maybe even agree that our governments don't make decisions that truly represent its citizens. Ok, some will be satisfied with decisions, but other may strongly disagree with those decisions.

In the film this came to my mind: remember when 911 (nine-one-one) was *the* number to dial to contact emergency personnel. Now 911 (nine eleven) represents the tragic day that the World Trade Center and Pentagon sustained severe damage due to _______. I left that blank because there's been much controversy as to the actual occurrences on that day. There's been much speculation that it was an inside job, and I also hold that speculation that the U.S. government has severely manipulated significant facts regarding that day.

After reviewing numerous documentaries and several sources, my primary belief is that there were strong influences from the U.S. gov't that had placed incendiary devices inside the structure before the planes slammed into that iconic building.

OK, that's just my take on it. You may agree or disagree. I'm not discussing the originations here, I'm simply expressing my opinion on this still touchy topic.


Onto another topic:
The 2008 presidential race. I don't like McCain, he's conservative, homophobic, pro-religion+state, and I despise the opportunity he took when he went to Iraq to talk to the troops... I see that as a low-ball publicity stunt. The national media followed him there and reported it to us, so I'm getting the impression that they're (somewhat) tainted, as well.

Hillary has been slinging shit from her high horse. He ads are attacking Obama, and she's mean about it. But her hypocrisy annoys me the most. Obama quoted his good friend without sourcing his friends words-- so what?
I _used_ to like Hillary, and when I lived in Chicago I got to hear her speak there at an event. She was brilliant, but now she's deeply involved in the political game of trying to get her foot in the White House door. And we all know (ok, maybe we don't, but I'm pretty sure) that Bill has unfinished business from his Presidency that he wants to complete. And the financial gains and many other perks they'll gain. But that's for any candidate elected into the Commander in Chief. But now her true colors are showing, and I resent her for her uneven slamming of the opponent. She is a great speaker, but her selfish interests in seeking that desired/coveted position are what may allow her to tarnish her own morals just to get what she wants.

Obama isn't fueled by the special interests. He understands people (not doing the mouth work, such as Hillary is doing) and I think he's the one who'll best the best for the job. International affairs may not be his strong suit, but he'll have many resources at his disposal to assist him along the way. Look at George W. Bush... his incompetence and lack of eloquent speech structure and sentence formation didn't stop him. But I'm in no way suggesting that Obama is incompetent.


So, only 271 days left until Bush is ousted. He should've been impeached for the grandeur lies he threw at us about weapons of mass destruction and his reasons to invade Iraq. His re-election was not clean, either. Good riddance Mr. Bush.


Peace & One Love,
chRisto

I want to talk about our environment. Not just because Earth Day has passed, but because this may be our last chance to make a difference before Mother Earth is tipped out of balance. 

 

I'm not crying wolf, but I know our Earth isn't so healthy. Sure cycles of ice ages and polar ice melts are normal, but the difference this time around is the short window of time in which this is occurring. 

 

We're quite evolved in our sciences and we (humans) have made countless analyses on our direct impact to this planet. The polar ice caps are melting faster than ever before, and the ocean levels may be on the rise. 

 

What does this mean for me and what can I do to help? It means our young generation may be displaced by increases in the water levels. It means as the ocean temperatures rise, hurricanes may become more frequent, due to hurricanes gaining their energy directly from the heat of the ocean(s). 

 

What can I do? Consume less. You may have heard it before: reduce, reuse, recycle.

 

Reduce: 

Walk instead of drive. Humans are very car-dependent, but can you walk instead? How about car-pool, or utilize public transportation? Plant a tree, even if you don't have property in which to plant a tree, support environmental groups that do plant trees. Carbon Offset is another option. Carbonfund.org is a leading not-for-profit organization that helps in this initiative.  

 

A natural resource that we can reduce the use of is water. Using less water isn't really that hard. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth, use less water in the shower. Some say take shorter showers, but also not have the water turned on "full blast". Another thing to think about... water bottles. Each time we buy a bottle of water... after we drink the water (or whatever beverage), we still have the empty bottle left over. Recycling is an option, but how about using a home-water filter and reduce the use of the plastic bottles? The plastic starts to breakdown after 1,000 years on this Earth. And the beverage we've enjoyed is long forgotten about, but that plastic container still exists. Think about it.

Reuse:

Instead of throwing out an old computer or tv or phone or clothes or shoes or whatever; consider donating it to a local thrift store if it is still functional. The trash just ends up in a landfill. Somebody may be on a very tight budget and their means may include shopping at a thrift store. Got a plastic bag from your recent store purchase? Don't trash it, try to use it for something else. Trash can liner is a popular way to reuse it. Think of other things you can reuse.

 

Recycle: 

Many recycling options exist nowadays, but what do you recycle and how often do you recycle?  It's embarrassing to admit, but when I moved to Miami, there was a recycling bin. But after a while it disappeared, and I didn't even notice it. Until recently. Now condo management in the building I live in just recently returned that separate bin in which to recycle. Before everything would just go to the landfills. I was part of that non-recycling group. In Chicago recycling was abundant, not so here in Miami Beach. But *I* can make that difference. And I want to make that difference. And now I do make a difference. And it feels good. 

 

Here's a way to alleviate all those grocery store plastic bags: bring your own cloth bag(s). It's way stronger (even stronger than double or triple bagged) and and lasts a long time. I've been using the same ones for about 8 years and now they are showing signs of wear and tear... the stitching is starting to come undone. If you don't remember to bring cloth bags with you every time, it's ok. But try to implement substituting cloth bags for those obnoxious and environmentally hazardous plastic ones. If you do have a car, just keep them in your car, and at the grocery store there right there. But why just for the grocery store? Why not use that bag at Target and Walgreens, too? It may not feel like it makes *that* much of a difference, but it really does! 

 

You may choose to use paper bags, but isn't that wasteful, using one paper bag just to lug home your groceries? And when you're home you've still got that paper bag... which is derived from resources from our planet. Please try to go Cloth.   

 

This is not to instill guilt, it is showing some simple options we can do every day to make a difference on the planet in which we inhabit. 

 

 

Speaking about Stuff... check out this::: 

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

 it talks about a cycle that's ingrained into us from our society, but we can unlearn it. And that's just where I am. I'm actually (finally) beginning to really appreciate what I've got, and not to replace or upgrade because there's something newer or better out there. 

 

Peace, Love & Recycling,

=)

chRisto