tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-289755212024-03-08T02:05:22.990+07:00CirclesthePlanetthe wanderings and ponderings of one man...jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-29031742240110000232011-06-21T17:04:00.000+07:002011-06-21T17:04:07.960+07:00GratitudeWe live in challenging times. We may feel much pressure from our work situation, our family responsibilities, & the fast pace of modern life in general. Then there is the world situation & particularly the worsening state of the environment. The rapid pace of climate change is worrisome enough but then one nuclear power plant in one country can blow up & send it's toxic particles across the Planet! It could be very easy to become a pessimist about the future of mankind & the Oceans & all the species on the Planet.<br />
One important mind-state that can help keep our sanity is having a sense of gratitude for our lives. We are going to die soon enough...whether 5 days, 5 months, 5 or 50 years from now we are going to pass away but WE ARE ALIVE NOW! It is a miracle to breathe & touch & smell & taste & & hear & look at the world around us...To feel the breeze on our skin..To take a walk in the neighborhood or ride a bike..(some of my friends can't do that & how grateful they would be if they could) <br />
Some Buddhist teachings say that to be born as a human being is a precious thing & gratitude is a central teaching in all religions.<br />
Whenever we find ourselves complaining about the little things in our daily lives try to change that mind-state to simple gratitude. Gratitude for food in our bellies, a dry place to sleep, a little money in our pockets, healthy bodies, & all the various people in our lives. From the slow cashier to the ones we love the most. What are you grateful for?...:o)jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-46086010965726238442011-04-20T14:49:00.001+07:002011-04-20T14:51:22.424+07:00I am a Lazy ManI have always been lazy. There is an old picture of me as a boy in my pajama's, laying on a couch reading a'Wonder Woman' comic. I don't wear p.j's anymore but I can spend hours lazily reading a novel or magazine. <br />
In fact, I am so lazy I have not written a blog post in months. I can't say I have been working too much since I quit my job over 6 months ago. Now don't go thinking I am a 'welfare bum' (although I have admiration for a buddy in Australia who gets by 'living off the dole') I am just living off my savings now as I worked (740-430pm M-F)in a public school for almost a year. I am hoping to last a year 'taking it easy' before going back to 'the grindstone' of a job. <br />
They say the average North American watches 4.5 hrs a day of television. I guess if I had one perhaps I would too but I know TV is the greatest 'drug' out there. Whenever I stay in a hostel/hotel with a TV in the room it sometimes sucks me in too & after channel surfing or watching some terrible movie I've already seen before I realize hours have gone by. No, my laziness is not the 'couch potato' TV laziness. It is more a mindset. <br />
There is an old book called 'The Lazy Man's Guide to Enlightenment' that pretty much sums up my philosophy on life. There is a vibrant world of 'Oneness' that includes us & is all around us & we don't have to move a muscle or believe any ancient nonsense to experience it. Also, that this 'Reality' is just a different form of whatever happens next. So why work so hard or get stressed out about things?<br />
Of course if I had kids of my own my type of laziness would be out of the question. I sleep or stay up as late as I want & pretty much do whatever I want. Do some yoga, read some, eat some food, take a walk or ride a bike, spend some time on the internet, go get a massage...Whatever floats my boat. <br />
There is a part of me that feels I should be 'doing' something to try relieve all the suffering in the world. So occasionally I'll pick up plastic trash on the beach, or hang out with an unhappy friend, or post articles I think are important concerning politics or environmental issues on my facebook page. I know it's really not much. I try not to 'should'on myself & realize I'm just one of almost 7 billion homo sapien species on this planet. That puts things in perspective. <br />
I realize my full-time laziness will come to an end sometime. I can't keep quiting jobs every 1 to 1.5 yrs. & then taking 6-12 months 'vacation'. Eventually I am going to find a place & a woman I can live with for a long time. She may not like me taking a 12 month vacation. Even when I go back to 'work' I plan to keep that 'lazy' mindset in my off hours. 'Sloth' gets a bad rap but I think it is essential in our fast-paced workoholic culture. <br />
Okay, I know I should rearrange these paragraphs but I am too lazy. It's time for my nap! :o)jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-36831022150000902012010-10-24T14:01:00.000+07:002010-10-24T14:01:27.216+07:00LaughingmanI've been called many names in my life. I was born Jeffrey, which according to various coffee cups & assorted novelty store items means "peaceful". In recent years I changed it to Jeffree to be a little different & honor a value I hold highly which is 'freedom'. Actually, the few years I lived in Hawaii I just dropped the Jeff & was 'Free' & my friends there still know me as Free. <br />
'Otey' is my middle name. (Pronounced 'odie' like the Garfield dog) I was named after my Grandfather Bill Otey, a 33 yr.-old private in WWII in Patton's Army who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. He left behind 3 young daughters, one of whom was Betty Otey, my Mom. One old friend calls me 'Otey' & I have tolerated it through the years.<br />
'Pike' is my legal last name & the name of the late, great Charlie Pike, my childhood father. Charlie's claim to fame was being a starting point guard for the Florida Gators basketball team & it was ironic his 3 kids became Georgia Bulldog graduates. 'Pike' is also what my high school friends called me. I'm not sure why but we called each other by our last names. Instead of 'John' it was 'McGee' or 'Dryden' or 'Hannon'. It's a southern thing I guess....I did a tour in the Marine Corps & there it was 'Lt. Pike'. As a teacher in U.S. public schools I was 'Mr. Pike' & unfortunately never 'Coach Pike'. (Interestingly in Asia, I am 'Teacher Jeffree')<br />
One of my favorite names, that I have recently reclaimed on my facebook page is 'Laughingman'. How I got that name is an interesting story. I was doing a solo meditation retreat on a friends land in north Georgia & towards the end decided to visit a bio-dynamic organic farming conference-gathering down the road. I had been in silence over a week & it was difficult being around the adults who were passionately sharing their intellectual knowledge of various farming techniques. Instead, I hung out in silence with the kids & had quite some fun. When a barefoot farmer named Jeff Poppen came by & asked me my name a kid told him, "That's the Laughingman!" Jeff proceeded to introduce me to everyone as 'The Laughingman' & the legend was born!<br />
Soon after, I started going to Rainbow Gatherings & using 'Laughingman' as my name. Many beautiful,loving,free-spirited, alternative people know me as Laughingman. Of course, if you ever go to a Rainbow Gathering you may meet Riverman, or Forkman, or Caterpillar, or Hugger, or various other people with unique tribal names. If you meet me just please don't ask me to tell a joke to make you laugh. I'm not a stand-up comedian. Laughter is more of a feeling for me. If I'm in a good state of feeling-vibration I may help you laugh by giving you a hug or something. HA! Cheers for Laughter! :o)jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-26528125864834780162010-09-02T00:10:00.001+07:002010-09-02T00:12:38.671+07:00Earl R. Davis 1927-2010My step-father, Earl R. Davis, recently passed away peacefully at my parents home in Lawrenceville, Georgia. I had the privilege of knowing Earl for twenty-eight years & for twenty-five of them he was a loving husband to my mother Betty Davis. I would like to share a little of what I know about Earl's life in honor of the wonderful human being he was. <br />
Earl grew up in the Depression & joined the U.S. Navy at 17, serving at the end of WWII. He went to college on the G.I. Bill & became an engineer for a boiler-making company based in Erie, Pennsylvania, but traveled all over the world with his work. He was married for many years with his first wife & had two children, my step-brother & sister Randy & Sandra. <br />
Earl eventually was the southeastern sales rep for his company & was based in Atlanta, Georgia. Earl & Betty first met at a famous Buckhead (Atlanta) nightclub called 'Johnny's Hideaway' & always enjoyed going back there over the years. <br />
Betty & Earl lived together in a condo for a short time before buying an old two-story house in downtown Lawrenceville. After a few years Earl designed a much larger house which they had built & lived in for over twenty years.<br />
Earl was a loving son to his mother Esther (whom I remember fondly as quite a spunky old woman!) & had a good relationship with his younger brother Jim, who came down from his home up north for many visits & was there for Earl's final days. <br />
Earl had many good friends & was an excellent tennis player, regularly playing guys twenty years younger. He eventually took up golf & enjoyed going on golfing outings with his buddies. Earl & Betty loved having parties & I was lucky enough to be at quite a few, enjoying joking with his friend the Mayor & other classic L-ville friends. Earl also enjoyed having family gatherings & Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday. <br />
Earl quit smoking 'cold turkey' many years ago but did enjoy his 'spirits' & usually had a 'nightcap' on the front porch or back patio. I cherish memories of sitting with Earl on the front porch watching the sunset or on the back patio deck, hanging out in silence listening to the crickets at night. <br />
Earl & Betty enjoyed their retirements & every winter rented a beach house in Florida at St. George Island on the Gulf of Mexico & invited friends & family to join them. For over ten years Earl had a dog (Lab) named Jake who made the St. George trip too & Earl enjoyed his walks with Jake. <br />
Earl was a compassionate, intelligent, & friendly man. He outlived many of his friends but is survived by other friends & many loving family members. His favorite song was a famous Frank Sinatra tune & the words speak for themselves.<br />
"..I lived a Life that's full. I've traveled each & every highway. But more, much more than that, I did it my way!"<br />
Rest in Peace Earl. Thank you for being a special part of our lives. <br />
much Love, Jjeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-79607009330563599882010-08-25T12:49:00.000+07:002010-08-25T12:49:38.393+07:00Ground Zero & EinsteinGround Zero- the point on the Earth's surface where an explosion occurs.<br />
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There has been a simmering controversy in the U.S. over a Muslim's group decision to build a Mosque(actually a community center) near the former World Trade Center's buildings, which is called 'ground zero' because it was the location of the Sept. 11th, 2001 attacks on the U.S. by a small radical Muslim group. <br />
While many have defended the right of the group to build the center as a basic First Amendment issue, which of course it is, I have been wondering what Albert Einstein, considered one of the most intelligent human beings ever born, would have thought on this issue. Einstein's greatest regret was his encouragement to the U.S. during WWII to build an atomic bomb which were later used on two Japanese cities.<br />
The original 'ground zero' can be visited today in the city of Hiroshima. From this spot the heat & fire from a nuclear blast radiated outward, instantly killing between 90,000 & 166,000 people (mostly women & children) & tens of thousands more in the days, weeks, & years to follow by radiation poisoning. A few days later another 'ground zero' blast was created in the city of Nagasaki, killing between 60,000 to 80,000 people instantly. <br />
So, in a historical context the Sept 11th attacks with a death toll of about 3,000(almost all adults) pale in comparison to original 'ground zero' atomic bombings. But since 'ground zero' only means 'the point on an earth's surface where an explosion occurs' why should only cities (Japanese or U.S.) have memorials for explosions/bombs? The United States during the Vietnam 'Conflict' dropped more bombs & poison (napalm & agent orange) on that small country than were dropped during the entire WWII. There are tens of thousands of 'ground zero's' in Vietnam & unexploded U.S. bombs are still killing rural farmers & children in Vietnam & Laos.<br />
In the past nine years since the Sept 11th attack the powerful U.S. Air Force has dropped thousands of bombs in Afghanistan & Iraq creating countless 'ground zero's' whose 'collateral damage' has killed thousands of innocent men, women, & children. The U.S. is even creating new 'ground zero's' in Pakistan with our dozens of air strikes from pilot-less drones(operated by an Air Force Officer sitting behind a desk somewhere) & of course the 'collateral damage' of bad guys to civilian deaths is quite high. <br />
What would Albert Einstein think of all this? Of course, we don't know since he is long gone but perhaps one of his famous quotes would give a hint. Einstein, who lived through two World Wars, said "Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind." He probably would have spoken out against the horrific violence of suicide bombers & just as strongly against the politically calculated invasions & state-sponsored violence the U.S. waged against Iraq & Afghanistan the past nine years. Violence creates violence. Terror is terror, whether one experiences it from a fanatical suicide bomber on a city bus or a N.A.T.O. bombing 'mistake' on another Afghan wedding party. <br />
Ground Zero. Which one would that be? When are we going to stop creating more 'ground zero's'?...jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-5701374550973059422010-07-16T14:54:00.000+07:002010-07-16T14:54:50.229+07:00My little DragonI have a little dragon. It doesn't fly in the air but it is still a magical beast. I turn a key & push a button & it roars to 'life'. It is made up of metal & plastic & has two rubber wheels. Just using my wrist I can make the little machine (called a scooter] go quite fast. It is quite convenient when I am in a hurry or have a fairly long distance to go, to just put in that key, push a button & scooter away to my destination.<br />
Of course, like all beasts it demands to fed. My beast, like most other dragons, requires oil & gasoline to keep going. Gasoline is an extremely toxic liquid that is refined from oil which comes from deep under the Earth. I have no idea where exactly the gasoline in my dragon came from. It probably was extracted by some multi-national corporation operating in the ocean, some poor nation in Africa or South America, or from some regime in the Middle Eastern desert. Much ecological damage was probably created in the local communities and/or ecosystems to extract that oil but hey, the dragons must be fed.<br />
Ecological disasters in Nigeria or the Gulf of Mexico don't really affect me but after drinking all the gas my dragon has to fart doesn't it? Actually, it is one continuous 'exhalation/burp' that comes out the tailpipe. The dragon's exhaust is quite toxic & it is quite unhealthy to be sitting at a red light with many other dragons all around you farting continuously. Of course, if a city has millions of farting dragons that is a lot of toxic air pollution being created.(that especially sucks if you are a young child who runs or elderly person who walks & lives in that city)<br />
So as a dragon owner I am aware of the positive & negative aspects of using my dragon. Whenever possible I take public transportation (big dragons that can take many people) or ride my bike. (except when I am extremely lazy) If everyone considered the positive AND negative aspects of using their (big & small) dragons we would have healthier cities & cleaner air. The End. Have a nice day!jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-68108685009599425032010-05-27T14:38:00.000+07:002010-05-27T14:38:19.915+07:00The Earth is BleedingThe greatest ecological disaster in the history of the United States is unfolding as I write this. For weeks, 5,000 feet below the surface of the Ocean in the Gulf of Mexico, oil has been spewing out after a rupture in a British Petroleum pipe. Millions (nobody knows exactly how much) of gallons of toxic oil has contaminated the Gulf & soon will enter the Gulf Stream & start making it's way to other Oceans around the World. <br />
There are strident calls to boycott BP & while I agree BP needs to be punished other multi-national corporations like Exxon are just as bad. The sorry thing is these bastardly corporations are doing what they do because we are a society of addicts who think like consumers instead of intelligent citizens of Planet Earth. We drive SUV's with "drill baby,drill" stickers supporting politicians who want to do away with all regulation of corporations. We eat 'fast food' from multi-national corporations who get their 'meat' from cows which grazed in former rain forests. We turn on our air-conditioners & hair dryers which get their power from coal plants & wonder why the sky looks hazy.<br />
The Earth is bleeding & the human species is holding the knife. The materialist world view, that the Earth is a 'commodity' or dead matter to be disposed of, is the driving force of this destruction. It allows corporations to cut down 2,000 year old redwood tree's & sell them for profit, or lets Japanese fishing boats kill whales for 'scientific research'. <br />
Corporations, which are created to make money & care little about community or environmental concerns, are a huge part of the problem but we cannot absolve ourselves from our ecological crisis. We are all responsible for the oil in the Gulf & for the pollution in our Rivers & Sky. Each one of us can re-examine our lifestyles to try to consume less energy & make the present a little less toxic & future a little brighter for future generations. <br />
We also can enjoy the Nature that is still unspoiled. Go camping or hiking or biking instead of shopping for the latest fashion in the nearest Mall. <br />
It's also important to grieve. Grieve for the Gulf of Mexico & the countless sea creatures & birds that will die a horrible death for our oil addiction. Grieve for the mountains that forever have been disfigured by our digging for coal & demands for energy....and Pray. Pray that they cap that damn hole in the Gulf so it doesn't poison the Atlantic...jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-65562550872157369692010-03-03T12:55:00.000+05:002010-03-03T12:55:49.725+05:00The Second Precept<div>Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I will practice generosity by sharing time, energy, and material resources with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.</div>- 2nd Mindfulness Training by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh<br />
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In simple terms 'no stealing' is explained in karmic terms as "you don't get away with anything". Someone who steals from another person is going to have a karmic 'whammy' sooner or later. A friend I know once pocketed a chocolate bar from a convenience store & within 24 hours lost his wallet. In esoteric terms we don't steal because we would be stealing from ourselves. <br />
Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh has a more detailed description of the 2nd Precept, or moral guidelines, with an 'engaged Buddhist' approach. T.N.H. states that preventing others from profiting from the suffering of humans or other species is an important aspect of this precept. An example would be multi-national oil corporations who buy land in poor countries & end up devastating local communities & eco-systems, or coal companies in the Appalachian mountains which do 'mountain-top' removal & in a few weeks take away a mountain that nature has taken millions of years to create. Activists who work to stop environmental atrocites<br />
like these are actively practicing this precept. Someone who works to help native people, women, children, workers, or other species are living this precept.<br />
One way to practice this precept in daily life is to act on every single aspect of generosity that arises in our hearts. With material things this is a good way to practice 'letting go' or seeing how 'the more you give, the more you get' works. Of course, parents with young children know that their time & energy is the best gift they can give their kids.<br />
"Aware of the suffering" is how T.N.H. starts this teaching. We need to be aware, not to close our eyes & hearts, to the myraid levels of suffering on our Planet. We may not all be able to hop on a plane to Haiti (blessings to those activists!) but we can volunteer for the local food bank(like my Mom) or give some food or old clothes to a homeless person in our local town or city. It makes our own personal struggles seem a little less important when we do open ourselves to others sufferings. Namaste.<br />
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<div></div>jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-40576094843741222732009-12-03T17:31:00.004+05:002009-12-03T19:26:54.812+05:002012For anyone who is clueless '2012' is not only a recent Hollywood disaster <span style="font-family: webdings;"></span>but also also the 'end' date of a several thousand year ancient Mayan time period. According to Mayan prophecy Winter Solstice, 2012 signals a 'shift' (end/beginning) in time-space ushering in a new time period. Some say at 11:11 am on Winter Solstice in three years time the Earth will be in the Galactic Center of the Milky Way Galaxy. What will happen then?<br /> According to the script-writer of the '2012' flick calamity will strike everywhere on Earth. The movie goes through about every disaster imaginable (except nuclear war & a meteor strike) The Earth's crust starts to melt bringing earthquakes & 1,500! meter tsunami's, the polar caps shift, & Yellowstone Super-Volcano blows covering the entire US in dusty darkness..(amazingly it does not cover the entire World as clear skies appear in the last scene as the survivors float to safety in their Chinese Metal-ship Arks)<br /> Who knows what will actually happen at that moment in time? Do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? The fact is we don't know for certain anything about the 'future'. (except that our bodies will one day/year stop functioning)<br /> Instead of death & destruction Optimists ('New Ager's') have a different take on 2012. To some it will be signal a new beginning for the human species. We will have a radical shift in consciousness or awakening & will realize the inter-connectedness of ourselves to all beings. <br /> Other idea's are that the mysterious beings creating the crop circles & such ('Aliens') will finally show themselves & blow folks minds wide open...Of course fundamentalist religious folks believe that we are in 'end times' & their Savior will miraculously appear & amazingly make them disappear into 'heaven' & the rest of the 'sinners' will be 'left behind' with that bad horny devil...(actually both of those scenario's sound equally plausible..)<br /> Here is one fact I believe. We really have no control over Nature. Can humanity stop a Tsunami? Can we stop a Volcano from blowing up? No. Some scientist's feel we are approaching a 'tipping point' in Climate Change (the melting of the Ice Caps,etc) which could result in a rather sudden Global 'Burp' which could be quite nasty (Oceans or Siberia releasing massive amounts of Methane Gas) Heck, when the Yellowstone Volcano does blow up one day it will cover the entire Planet in horrific dust..(some theorize the Dinosaurs were taken out by a Meteor creating dust that blocked the Sun out for years)<br /> Although I believe we have no control over 'acts of Nature' I do believe we can influence the Noosphere of Humanity & that all living Beings are inter-connected. Have you heard of the 100th Monkey? A book by Ken Keyes about stopping Nuclear Arms/Wars but also an actual study of Monkeys on remote Japanese Islands. Scientists observed that one tribe of Monkeys on one Island started washing their fruit(before eating) for the first time...At a certain point(perhaps the '100th' Monkey) scientists on another Island realized that the behavior tranfered to Monkeys on the other Islands although there was no physical contact. <br /> Why I am sharing this story is that I will go with the Optimists on 2012. There have been actual studies that groups of people who meditate or pray can lower the crime rate in cities or help individuals in physical healing. If enough people across the Planet are centered & sending out peaceful 'love/compassion' vibrations perhaps it will shift humanity into a less fearful vibration. Imagine millions of people on Winter Solstice 2012 meditating/praying for Peace. That's a beautiful thought isn't it? (maybe 11/11/11 can be a great warm-up!)<br /> Love or Fear? I will go with Love. But even if the doomsayers are right & 2012 is the 'end' of Civilization I will still be sitting in meditation that day. I would rather sit on a beach & wait for the Tsunami to come(what a last bodysurf ride!) than be hiding in fear. <br /> '2012' starts today. This moment. This breath. Be the '100th' Monkey. Be at Peace. Turn on your Heart-Light. Share your Love. Open Heart, Open Mind. One Love, One People, One Planet. Namaste.jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-35560335358734629122009-11-03T11:34:00.008+05:002009-11-03T13:26:46.930+05:00Asia's Air (Pollution)There are many wonderful things about Asia. Most people are very friendly, the food is incredible, the ancient culture's are unique, and there is pristine Nature away from the urban area's.<br /> However, one negative aspect that sets most of Asia apart from the rest of the World is the poor quality of Air. China's cities have notoriously unhealthy air and most cities throughout Asia have terrible air quality.<br /> I happen to live in Taiwan, one of the four economic 'little tigers' of Asia. (others being South Korea, Singapore, & Hong Kong) Taiwan's economic growth has a cost though, as the air quality in it's major cities (where most of it's citizens live) is quite poor many days of the year.<br /> The northern capital of Taipei has poor air quality on many days, mainly due to it's geographical location in a basin (former swamp) surrounded by mountains. Although it has an excellent public transit train and bus system there are almost one million gasoline-powered scooters in the city alone causing much of the pollution. Dust & Industrial Pollution drifting across the Taiwan Strait from China also causes air quality problems at certain times of the year.<br /> Air pollution in other parts of Taiwan is mainly caused by local industries like petrochemical/ethylene, plastics, & other toxic factories.<br /> In southern Kaohsiung, the second largest city, the power plant is the major source of pollution. Taiwan has some of the largest carbon-dioxide producing coal plants in the World, which is shameful to the intelligence here & harmful to the children and elderly living near these monstrous plants.<br /> Besides the obvious solution of converting to alternative energies like wind & solar, and using natural gas instead of coal, expanding conservation efforts is a must. With an island population of 23 milllion, people should be encouraged to use fans instead of cranking their air-conditioners all the time. Industrial plants should be required to conserve energy and toxic industries like ethylene/naptha plastics should be phased out. Even simple acts like encouraging scooters to turn off their engines if sitting at red lights more than 30 seconds would help air quality. (Citizens sitting on gasoline scooters at crowded red lights are exposed to highly toxic levels of pollution particles)<br /> A cultural aspect of air pollution unique to Taiwan is the burning of paper 'money' twice a month.(every new & full moon) Many residents & businesses burn huge amounts of colored (toxic) paper for good luck & to honor the 'ghost' ancestors. This unnecessary ritual makes the pollution even worse on these days. I think the 'ghosts' would accept a ceremonial burned check!<br /> A different aspect of air pollution in Asia is indoor smoking. While the rest of the World is moving forward on this issue (even the pubs in Ireland are smoke-free!) Asia seems stuck in a 1950's time warp. Over 40% of Chinese men are smokers. In Taiwan, although an indoor smoking ban was recently made into law, smoking is still allowed in most pubs and nightclubs. Second-hand smoke is toxic air for everyone & even a non-smokers clothes will reek of smoke. Smoking cigarettes is the worst thing you can do for your health & if you smoke indoors around other people you are a social idiot.<br /> People (not just in Asia) have not connected how their personal choices and actions are contributing to the problem. When we drive our gasoline machines instead of taking public transit or bikes we create more toxic air. When we leave lights on we 'waste' energy that is probably coming from a toxic power source. When we continually buy disposable 'plastic' cups/drinks that cup was created from a toxic plant and needs more energy generated to be recycled. (Reduce/Re-use/then Recycle) Do you know where the energy powering your home & community comes from? If you are not off-grid it is probably from a toxic power source.<br /> We need to demand from our political leaders that citizens lungs are more important than industrial profit & wake up to how our daily actions are interconnected. Also, to appreciate good quality Air whenever we experience it. As the Pink Floyd song says, "Breathe, breathe in the Air..."jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-70839996182671093592009-10-09T18:36:00.005+07:002009-10-09T19:01:22.957+07:00Stop honoring Columbus!.. Indigenous Peoples Day!Why does America celebrate the life of an Italian explorer who was responsible for the murder and eventual genocide of an entire race of people?<br /> When Christopher Columbus landed on Haiti/Hispaniola in 1495 for his second visit, his men took captive the 2,000 friendly Taino native villagers who came to greet him. The Spaniards, under the command of Columbus, began mass enslavement of the indigenous Taino peoples. Once gold was discovered Columbus set up a tribute system and had the hands cut off of Taino Indians who did not collect enough gold dust. For minor offenses an Indians nose or ears were cut off and Spaniards even hunted Indians for sport and murdered them for dog food.<br /> As he began exporting the Taino as slaves, the sex-trade became an important part of the business, as Columbus wrote a friend in 1500: "A hundred castelanoes (coins) are as easily obtained for a woman as a farm, and it is very general and there are plenty of dealers who go about looking for these girls; those from nine to ten (years old) are now in demand."<br /> As the Taino natives did not make very good slaves Columbus, and later his brother Bartholomew, simply resorted to an 'ethnic cleansing' and wiping out the Taino people all together. Prior to Columbus' arrival most scholars place the native population at three million people. By 1516 the population was 12,000. By 1555 not a single Taino was alive. The Taino culture, people, and genes have vanished from the Planet.<br /> Celebrating the life of a mass murderer is not worthy of America. There is a growing movement to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day to honor all the incredible people and cultures who lived here long before Columbus set sail for the West Indies. Indigenous Peoples Day would be joyously celebrated across the nation by the descendants of European explorers and indigenous peoples coming together to celebrate our ancestors.jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-18822778844473686832009-09-15T00:45:00.008+07:002009-09-15T15:17:49.044+07:00Octopussy & OverpopulationStart counting out loud...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10....That is the human population growth taking place right now on this Planet. If you continue counting for 24 hours you will get to about 200,000 which the amount of human population growth added everyday on Earth. (350,000 babies are born everyday & 150,000 humans die everyday) About 74 million humans are added each year!<br /> For most of human history Homo Sapiens species population has been far below one Billion. In 1800 it reached one Billion, by 1960 it reached 3 Billion, & less than 50 years later is approaching 7 Billion.<br /> Almost all of ecological & society's problems can be traced to overpopulation. Deforestation, loss of species, soil erosion, pollution, & numerous other problems have roots in mankind's relentless quest to populate the Planet. When we cut tropical rain forests to raise cattle to kill for fast-food 'hamburgers' we are basically turning the Earth into a giant human feedlot.<br /> Octopussy is not only the name of an old James Bond movie but also a name given to the recent 'Octo-Mom', a U.S. woman with 6 children who decided to go to a fertility clinic & ended up giving birth to eight more! Now she has her own TV show & so does another family who will soon be having their 18th kid! Instead of celebrating these idiots perhaps their husband/partners should be taken to a clinic & given a few snips to end their prolific stupidity!<br /> The fact is that anyone having more than 2 children is contributing to overpopulation. You may be a mother reading this with 3 or more children(I am not calling you stupid!) so to balance the population let's hope at least one of your kids is Gay or becomes a monk or nun!<br /> The main factor in population increase has been the rise in production of food. With the discovery of oil & the development of the tractor humans were suddenly able to produce many more crops than just using horses or oxen.<br /> Another factor has been Religion. 'Be fruitful & multiply' has been a Bible tenet & organizations like the Catholic Church & their opposition to birth control has made Christianity the most followed religion. Of course this has consequences as an overpopulated Catholic country like the Philippines is now a net importer of rice. (while a Buddhist country like Thailand is an exporter) Protestant sub-sects like Mormonism are prolific breeders too & obviously Christian tenets like being 'good stewards' of the Earth are not highly valued.<br /> Despite wacko's like the Octomom the birthrate in most wealthy democracies is going down. One of the single most factors in causing a birthrate to decrease is providing education & access to birth control to women. When women are given opportunities they overwhelmingly chose to limit the number of children they have to create a better quality of life for themselves & their children. We need to support family planning clinics in every nation & community. We also need to stop demonizing women who chose to have abortions. (Without abortions the population growth would be much greater)<br /> Kid's are great! Let's just stop having so damn many of them.<br /><br />For a fascinating look at population growth & other mind-boggling global statistics/World Clock<br />http://www.peterrussell.comjeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-60455068481638285162009-08-23T20:19:00.010+07:002009-08-25T23:22:30.805+07:00Don't Fear the ReaperAll our times have come<br />Here but now they're gone<br />Seasons don't fear the Reaper<br />nor do the Wind, Sun, or Rain<br />We can Be like they are<br />Come on baby..don't fear the Reaper<br />Baby take my hand..don't fear the Reaper<br />We'll be able to fly..don't fear the Reaper<br /><br />(Don't Fear) the Reaper was a classic rock song from the band Blue Oyster Cult in the 1970's. The lyricist stated the song was about not fearing Death (the Reaper), and the power of Love to endure our physical Forms.<br /> All Life (forms) are subject to Death & there is a constant flow of death & birth on this Planet.<br />About 150,000 People die each day. About 350,000 Babies are born every day. (another topic!)<br />Look around you as you go about your day. Every person you meet today, or see on the internet or television is going to die one day. So will you. If we are lucky we will die an old man or woman, surrounded by loved ones or perhaps peacefully in our sleep. But there is no guarantee of that. The only guarantee is that you, & every human being & other life forms on this Planet will die some day.<br /> You may have a simplistic belief that on death you will ascend to 'heaven' & play harps with Jesus, or as a Muslim will be hanging out with the 101 virgins. Or perhaps you are a New-Ager & your 'guides' tell you death is like 'taking off an tight shoe'. Or perhaps you are a Buddhist or Hindu & believe in reincarnation but that doesn't change the fact that YOU, as a separate Body-Mind in THIS LIFETIME will cease to exist one day. Your children or friends may remember you for many years afterwards but eventually memories will fade, & they too will face the 'Grim Reaper'.<br /> The more we examine, or embrace this subtle(or not so subtle) FEAR of Death that occurs throughout our experiences as a Human Being, the more Freedom we actually have. Freedom to BE fully ALIVE in this unique BODY-MIND in THIS LIFETIME.<br /><br />ps (recently good friends have passed away... this is something I wrote this over 10 years ago when my father died..)<br /><br /> Jerry Garcia is dead. My father died in May. Summer is coming to an end and autumn slowly appears. We grieve for loved ones and let go knowing precious memories remain and their spirit lives on in each of us.<br /> Out of the darkness of night, we see stars of light. Whether the soul lives on behind the pearly gates or is soon reincarnated again to experience this earthly realm is not as important as the love shared between sentient beings. Love is eternal and will not fade away. Love is beyond all words...Love Is! Feel it, don't think about it! Feel the inhalation...and exhalation...:)<br /><br /><br />We'll be able to fly...Don't fear the Reaper..jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-54923531323182444002009-08-14T19:19:00.009+07:002009-08-17T10:12:22.743+07:00A ''Bleeding Heart' LiberalI was going to title this post 'The Republican Soccer Mom' or 'What Would Jesus Do?' but the fact is I'm not a Republican or a Christian. So consider me a 'bleeding heart' Liberal/Progressive.<br />Recently I was called a 'commie' online for sharing an article on increasing the tax rate on wealthy individuals so perhaps I will state what this 'bleeding heart' progressive's ( still evolving) political belief's are.<br />-I believe in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted by US/UN in 1948)<br />art. 1 "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."<br />-I believe in the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, & the U.S. Constitution as a living, evolving document. (Abolishing Corporate Personhood should be the next amendment)<br />-I believe in the Green Party's 10 Key Values<br />-Money has corrupted the U.S. political system & no real change will happen without serious campaign finance reform (public-funded elections)<br />-Government is necessary in our over-populated, industrialized society<br />-Progressive taxation creates a more egalitarian, just society<br />-Capitalism without environmental & other regulations is a destructive system<br />-All workers have the right to form a union & have a living wage<br />-The "growing military,industrial complex" is out of control & the Pentagon's budget is obscene<br />-U.S. citizens are less safe because of the foreign bases & hundred's of thousands of soldiers stationed in foreign lands (other people's countries)<br />-Dropping bombs(& firing missles by drones) on rural villages & cities is terrorism<br />-Climate Change is a far more serious threat to the U.S./World than Muslim extremism<br />-Single Payer/Universal Health Care is a RIGHT for all people<br /><br /> Recently I have connected on Facebook with old school friends, many who classify themselves as Republicans and/or Christians. Although I know in their daily lives these folks are kind to their family & friends I am amazed at how 'cold-hearted' their political views can be toward others. Many post political opinion 'polls' & some of those polls are truly mean-spirited.<br /> I wonder if the average 'Republican soccer Mom' has considered how her support for Republican politicians & policies may actually be harmful to her children's future. Republicans have been against alternative energy & Climate Change initiatives for over two decades. The last incompetent Republican President wasted eight years of action despite overwhelming scientific evidence that industrial/human actions are heating the Planet. (only 6% of scientists consider themselves Republican)<br /> As for Jesus, wasn't he a homeless wanderer who healed the sick free of charge & talked about 'turning swords into plowshares'? Didn't he radically speak out against the wealthy & Pharisee's, who were concerned with upholding "the law" but had become hardened against the needs of the people? Which political party is the 'Pharisee's' of today? Who is concerned with morality (gay marriage) but cares nothing about people in pain & need?<br /> Would Jesus spend waste one second listening to Rush Limbaugh or the blowhards on Fox 'News'? Would He support the 'status quo' of 18,000 unnecessary deaths a year & millions of people without insurance or support health care for everyone?<br /> I respect people's right to protest but where was the outrage when the U.S. dropped bombs and invaded other countries? If you call yourself a 'conservative' & rant against the poor/welfare but not against corporate 'welfare' or the Pentagon's budget & military occupations you are being inconsistent (Rep. Ron Paul is the last conservative/libertarian politician with any integrity)<br /> We need more 'bleeding hearts" in the United States. With 18,000 unnecessary deaths a year Health Insurance is a MORAL issue. We need people to realize that government policies/actions can create less real suffering in the world(by giving millions health insurance) or more suffering (military actions)...<br />Well, this 'bleeding heart' has ranting long enough...Maybe I've offended a few folks..Sorry, but thanks for reading!jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-14391813717203263112009-07-27T17:27:00.005+07:002009-07-28T12:15:23.658+07:00Eat less, live longer! (68)The first thing to realize when wanting to change one's eating habits is that less food is better. In a study with rats the group that lived the longest & was the healthiest had their food intake cut by forty percent. Whales have the largest brains on the Planet & usually spend weeks at a time fasting. Perhaps 40% would be a bit too drastic for most people but cutting our calorie intake is the first step in cleansing our bodies. I read somewhere that the average American (German,etc) has up to 5 pounds of toxic waste stuck in their colon. We are literally 'full of shit!'<br />Eating less & doing a 'master cleanse' or some other colon cleanse is well known to have incredible health benefits.<br /> In eating it is important to realize that the more natural or raw the food is then it will have more bio-energy or life-force. Vegetables(& fruits) that are eaten raw, or lightly steamed, are far healthier than something that has been cooked too much. Eating 'fried' food is perhaps the worst choice one can make as frying changes the molecular structure of the food to something like plastic someone once told me.<br /> I've written previously about the spiritual, ethical, & health benefits of vegetarianism(post 62) so I won't go into detail on that. Suffice to say that eating a plant-centered diet vs. a meat-centered diet is far healthier. When you buy dead animal corpses(meat) from a store it has probably come from a 'factory farm' & you are not being aware of the hormone injections & other toxic materials that the animal has been forced to consume. You only think you need 'meat' everyday!<br /> Vegans are even healthier than vegetarians. A vegan is someone who does not any animal products, like dairy products from cows. Are adults really supposed to drink cow's milk? Children would be much healthier too if they were given rice or soy milk instead of cow's milk.<br /> Of course, drastically cutting back on sugar & processed food is important for health. Stop buying sugar-laced soft drinks & drink more filtered water or tea. Stop eating 'fast food' because we really don't know what we are consuming. Of course, that is the key to it all. Know what you are consuming/eating! The body is the 'temple' of the soul/spirit so give it good 'fuel'. Give it a tune-up(cleanse) & 'change the oil'(olive oil!) every few months or so. You will be glad you did!<br /><br />ps. for my Asian friends who eat white rice with everything...I was told by someone (who eats a 90% raw diet) that white rice is basically 'empty' calories with hardly any nutritional value...anyone to defend white rice?jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-49320557783214242102009-07-13T15:49:00.009+07:002009-07-13T23:00:21.375+07:00If I was President PikeIf I was the President of the United States of America...<br /><br />-I would demand that Congress pass a serious public finance campaign law to get the money out of politics that corrupts every progressive legislative proposal<br /><br />-Call for a Constitutional Convention and encourage the next Amendment to be one rescinding corporate personhood (multi-national corporate c.e.o.'s controlled the highest levels of the last Republican White House & appear to have much influence in the current Democratic one)<br /><br />-Follow the wisdom of Founding Fathers like Washington & Jefferson and decrease the standing Army (& Air Force)...the original Constitution only calls for a strong Navy (& Marines) & Militia (National Guard)...By decreasing the Pentagon's budget( currently over ONE TRILLION a year for War-related activities) more money will be freed for peaceful purposes (rather than bullets and bombs)<br /><br />-Close all 727 U.S. bases in foreign countries and bring all troops back to U.S. soil...(didn't Bin Laden state one of his main reasons his Saudi men attacked was because we had U.S. troops on the 'holy land' of Saudia Arabia?)<br /><br />-take steps to close the Federal Reserve Bank & set up bio-regional community banks without Wall Streets influence (how did a private bank get so powerful to 'loan' money to the U.S. government?)<br /><br />-Massive investment in clean energy like solar and wind power. Nationalize natural resources such as gas,minerals, and water (Exxon's 15 billion quarterly profit will go directly in the US Treasury)<br /><br />-Explain to the American people that Health Care is a basic right & 'Socialism' is not a dirty word. Overtime pay, 8 hour work days, Racial and Women's rights have all been achieved through social movements.<br /><br />-Stop Corporate Welfare for huge corporations. Increase corporate taxes. (In 1969 corporations paid 29% of US tax burden and now only 6%) Greatly increase the tax on wealthy citizens making over 2 million dollars a year.<br /><br />-Legalize Nature. Anything that grows in nature should not be illegal. Legalize hemp and marijuana & the coca leaf. Tax it & bring in billions for the Treasury. Re-direct (or shut down) government agencies like the DEA to go after dangerous, destructive drugs like crystal meth. Empty the prisons of non-violent drug offenders and save money by closing half the prisons.<br />Of course, by legalizing hemp(food,fiber, & clothing) & marijuana (medicine) we could re-vitalize small farmers and cut American's addiction to pharmo-chemicals.<br /><br />-Create a Dept. of Peace. We already have a Dept. of War (re-named 'Defense') so let's balance the Cabinet.<br /><br />-Make the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) a Cabinet-level department. Clean Air,Soil, & Water is a basic right for all species, especially humans.<br /><br />-Change Columbus Day (a genocide murderer who was involved in the sex slave trade of girls as young as 9) to Indigenous Peoples Day to honorthe true 'Founding Fathers(& Mothers) of America.<br /><br />-Appoint progressive people to make policies & be in charge of federal agencies like Rep. Kucinich of Ohio or Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin...Make Ralph Nader Attorney General. Make scholars Noam Chomsky Sec. of State & Chalmbers Johnson Sec. of Defense.<br /><br /> Of course, I'm not the President. Never will be. I also realize I have almost zero chance of President Obama reading and being influenced by this blog. So consider this my 'last political will & testament.' (for awhile at least) I consider myself a Progressive Democrat with strong Green & Libertarian values but realize about half of my family and friends have voted for Republican politicians I think should be serving time in prison. To me, the Republican Party has been overwhelmingly corrupted by Corporate America & over half the Democrat Party appears to be corrupted. Anyone who wants to wake up from the corporate media dream only has to read internet sites like my North Carolina professor friend Ray Bawarchi's blog.<br />http://www.raybawarchi.blogspot.com<br />or sites like<br />http://www.commondreams.org<br /><br />Political writers more astute than myself, like Ray & noted author Thom Hartmann, are offering policies and making wise comments on our current political situation. So 'President' Pike is resigning from the world political stage for now. I will devote my energy to teaching English, learning Chinese, riding bikes, learning to play guitar & surfing, & finding time to goof off every now & zen. Good night America.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />-<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />-<br />-jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-49598134153805972742009-05-12T10:27:00.010+07:002009-05-13T08:21:20.903+07:00Support the Troops!!! (post 66)This is a difficult post to write. My posts now go directly to my facebook page where I have over 200 'cyber' friends, some of them whom I know have family or friends stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan. I myself am a Marine Corps veteran, being lucky enough not to be involved in any combat during my four years of service. (Bush Sr. invaded Panama but that mostly involved the U.S. Army)<br /> Almost 8 years ago the U.S. was attacked by a small terrorist group composed mostly of Saudi Arabians. The leader of that group had a small camp in the desert of Afghanistan. There were no Iraq or Afghan people who had attacked the U.S. but the neo-conservative US Republican President decided to invade, drop bombs/destroy, and occupy both countries. Over seven & five years later we still have tens of thousands of troops in both countries. Tens of thousands of civilians have killed by the "bad"("terrorists") and "good"(US forces)bullets & bombs. In Iraq alone over 2 million(out of 23) citizens have fled their country from the chaos the U.S invasion caused.<br /> One of my friends on facebook has a son being sent to Afghanistan & I noticed a comment on a picture by one of his Marine buddies saying, "fire off a few rounds for me!" I also have a cousin who joined the Georgia National Guard after 9-11 so he could be sent to Iraq. Now, he will be going to Afghanistan. He believes that we need to "kill the bad guys over there so they won't kill us over here." (that was his reasoning 2 yrs ago when we last got together)<br /><br /> Imagine this. Imagine the the 50 United States were individual countries instead. Let's imagine that wealthy New York(US) was attacked by religious fanatics from wealthy, oil rich Texas. (but the leaders of Texas(Saudi Arabia) give oil to New York) The leader of that small group who attacked NYC had a small camp in the poor country of Alabama(Afghanistan), ruled by a different group of religious fanatics. The neo-conservative leader of New York decides to invade Alabama to capture the terrorist leader but he escapes.<br /> Two years later the leader of New York decides to "take out" the leader of Georgia(Iraq) who had NOTHING to do with the attacks on New York. New York's powerful military destroys the country(bombing power & water purification plants)& disbands Georgia's army & the neo-conservative leaders are surprised it's troops are not greeted as hero's.<br /> Seven & Five years later New York's troops are still in OCCUPATION of these 'foreign' lands. Over 75% of the citizens of both Alabama and Georgia want the 'foreign'(New York) troops out of their land & believe the violence will decrease dramatically when they do.<br /><br /> I have written previously about US militarism(post 56) quoting Martin Luther King Jr, giving figures on the insane military spending, & reviewing how much death & destruction was caused by US bombs, bullets, and chemicals in that small country. The political leaders lied to the American people then too, saying how much "we" (the US military forces) needed to be there to stop the spread of ________(fill in the blank..communism, terrorism)<br /><br />Our new President got many progressive citizens votes by telling folks how intelligent he was to speak out against the invasion of Iraq in 2003 when he was a state senator in Illinois. Although over 22 Democrat Senators & 100 Democrat US Congressmen were intelligent enough to vote against the Iraq invasion he did not pick any of those to be in his Cabinet. (He even kept Bush Jr's Sec. of Defense) He is intelligent enough to know we need to withdraw from Iraq (but states we might keep up to 30,000 troops left 2 years from now!)<br />In Afghanistan, he wants to increase our troops by 21,000 (so far) Perhaps our new President needs to read his history books to think the US Occupation will work any better than the 500,000 troops the British Empire used or the more recent Russian Occupation that failed.<br /><br />One of the stated reasons Bin Laden attacked the US was because we had over 15,000 US military forces stationed in his 'holy land' of Saudia Arabia. HOW ARE US TROOPS STATIONED IN THE MIDDLE EAST MAKING US CITIZENS ANY SAFER WHEN THE MAJORITY OF CITIZENS IN THAT COUNTRY DO NOT WANT US THERE??. Even if we "fire off a few rounds" and "kill the bad guys" those "bad guys" have friends and brothers who now become our enemies. Not only that, but our "collateral damage" has killed thousands of innocent civilians in both countries. More enemies created & lives destroyed by bombs & bullets.<br /><br />"If we leave the countries will fall apart." Maybe. So what? Iraq & Afghanistan are fictions on a map drawn by colonial powers almost 100 years ago. Iraq has 3 distinct regions & Afghanistan has mountain regions that want nothing to do with the central government(led by a former oil executive Bush Jr. installed) The political talking heads & generals said the same thing about Vietnam. Democracy cannot be forced by the gun. Let the people of Iraq & Afghanistan decide their own fate.<br /><br />Thousands of US troops have already died & over 30,000 physically maimed for life in our invasion and current 5 & 7 year Occupation of two middle east countries(we are in an OCCUPATION, not a War!) Some estimate over 300,000 troops(or more?) have been damaged psychologically by their time spent in Iraq or Afghanistan. Just today, news came that a US soldier killed 5 other US soldiers at a mental health clinic in Baghdad. The Generals & political talking heads will say "we need more troops" but the truth is we need we NEED TO BRING OUR TROOPS HOME!!! By all means, support loved ones serving in the military with letters & such but the best way you can support the overworked US military is by demanding from our political leaders that they cease USING our troops as occupying military forces in foreign lands.<br /><br />MAY ALL OUR LOVED ONES COME HOME FROM OVERSEAS SAFELY.<br />MAY OUR POLITICAL LEADERS HAVE THE WISDOM & COURAGE TO BRING OUR TROOPS HOME.<br />MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY, PEACEFUL, AND FREE FROM SUFFERING.jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-57434740263297719532009-04-09T09:41:00.002+07:002009-04-09T10:07:37.355+07:00Free and EasyHappiness cannot be found through great effort and willpower, but is already present, in open relaxation and letting go.<br /> Don't strain yourself, there is nothing to do or undo. Whatever momentarily arises in the body-mind has No real importance at all, has little reality whatsoever. Why identify with, and become attached to it, passing judgement upon it and ourselves?<br /> Far better to simply let the entire game happen on its own, springing up and falling back like waves, without changing or manipulating anything and notice how everything vanishes and reappears, magically, again and again, time without end.<br /> Only our searching for happiness prevents us from seeing it. It is like a vivid rainbow which you pursue without ever catching, or a dog chasing its own tail. Although peace and happiness do not exist as an actual thing or place, it is always available and accompanies you every instant. <br /> Don't believe in the reality of good and bad experiences; they are like today's ephemeral weather, like rainbows in the sky. Wanting to grasp the ungraspable, you exhaust yourself in vain.<br /> As soon as you open and relax this tight fist of grasping,<br />infinite space is there, open, inviting, comfortable.<br /> Make use of this spaciousness, this freedom and natural ease.<br /> Don't search any further looking for the great awakened elephant, who is already resting quietly at home in front of your own hearth.<br /><br />Nothing to do or undo<br />nothing to force<br />nothing to want,<br />and nothing missing.<br />Emaho! Marvelous!<br />Everything happens by itself.<br /><br />-Lama Gendun Rinpoche (this is a famous dzochen poem I recently re-discovered)jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-69819313821906117402009-03-08T13:49:00.007+07:002009-03-08T15:13:33.637+07:00The First Precept- Reverence For Life (64)Although I am not a Buddhist I find I find deep wisdom in that path, especially in the teaching on how the Mind functions. In addition to Buddhist psychology & meditative practices are moral codes, or precepts for human beings to follow so they will not create more 'negative' karma.<br />Although monks & nuns have over 200! precepts to follow there are only 5 basic precepts. In short they are no killing,no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no gossip/slander, & no(heedless) use of intoxicants.<br />The First Precept<br />"Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I undertake to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people,animals,plants,and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in my world, my thinking, and in my way of life."<br />(as stated by noted Zen Master and author Thich Nhat Hahn)<br /><br />Vegetarians are observing this precept deeply as are pacifists who work to stop soldiers from being sent to kill others in far away lands. However, if that pacifist 'hates' the President who sends the soldiers to kill he is not practicing the precept.<br />I had a relative who after the 9/11 terrorist attack said "we should nuke the whole damn Middle East". Because of the actions of 18 men(according to U.S. govt. officials) my relative wanted to kill the entire Arab world. In his Mind, he had already killed them as anyone does when they think hateful thoughts.<br />Our culture is full of violence. We glorify the 'good' guy(cop,soldier) with a gun(it seems every other Hollywood film has someone with a gun in the poster) who inevitably ends up killing lots of 'bad' guys. Our children are addicted to video games which usually involve shooting and killing imaginary 'bad' guys. There once was a study which showed by the time a child is a teenager he will have watched over 18,000 deaths on television. This is the culture the U.S. is exporting to the rest of the world!( as someone who has traveled in other countries I know)<br /> Why plants & minerals in the precept? Anyone who has ever been to a Redwood Forest knows that those tree's are great beings. There is only 2% left of the old-growth forest left in the continental U.S. and multi-national logging corporations are still cutting tree's as old as Christianity(2,000years!) As for minerals, anyone who has ever been to West Virginia may be aware of a corporate mining practice called 'mountain top removal' which is done in poor mountain communities.<br /> 'Waking Up' involves not only realizing how the Mind creates one's Reality but also how interconnected one's actions are to the World. That hamburger from McDonalds probably came from a cow pumped full of steroids & brutally slaughtered after grazing in a Brazilian pasture that used to be a rainforest.(to use one example) We stop watching/supporting violent movies & change the vibration of a room to something more uplifting. To follow the precept and path of non-violence we literally 'change the channel' of violence in our actions, diet, and most importantly in our Minds.jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-49712364388424626042009-02-10T20:13:00.005+07:002009-03-02T16:27:25.547+07:0063-Positive Mind StateA relative of mine recently had a terrible burn accident. It will be a long healing process for him but numerous studies have shown that keeping a positive mind state can speed up physical healing.<br /> Very few of us will ever experience such drastic physical pain but all of us will sooner or later experience the death of loved ones, or the loss of relationships or jobs. While it is crucial to let ourselves FEEL the resulting anger and sadness of our loss, eventually we have to come to an acceptance of our new situation.<br /> Acceptance is the Taoist equalibrium path to peace, the 'zero point' of everyday existence. When I am in a state of irritation or impatience I know I am in a negative state, or not accepting my situation.<br /> We can shift our mind into 'positive' states of Being such as Joy by conscious breathing and realizing the common humanity of everyone and the divine nature of all existence.<br /> Einstein's famous equation, "E=mc2", as I understand it, states that all matter is basically consensed 'Light' energy..Your very body is condensed light energy, ,made up of particles of the Earth & Sun...not only is ALL MATTER LIGHT ENERGY vibrating at various frequency's but everything we SEE is LIGHT...all Sounds we Hear are Light, what we Smell,Taste, & Touch is Light...When we experience higher states of consciousness we blissfully abide in the 'divine' nature of existence here and NOW on Earth...<br /> One way to stay in a positive mind state is through Gratitude...We Re-member our original Oneness & all the beings that helped us on our journey to this NOW moment..Not only our parents but all our ancestors who walked the Earth...<br /> The more we FEEL the more we HEAL...jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-17264679462723279012009-01-02T22:30:00.008+07:002009-03-02T16:28:23.970+07:0062-Non-Violent DietDo you still eat animals? Do you eat the flesh of cows, pigs, or chickens every day? Please consider the following and perhaps change your diet!<br /> There are numerous health,environmental,ethical, and spiritual reasons for switching to a plant-centered rather than an animal-centered diet. Also, consider that 'politics' is not just about going into a voting booth every two years but how you live your life and spend your money every day. What you put in your grocery cart in the supermarket and what you eat is a big part of your 'politics'.<br /> The human body is designed to be an herbivore. Adam and Eve in the Garden eating fruit. Unlike flesh-eating animals such as lions who have sharp teeth and a short digestive system, human's have flat molars and a large digestive tract like other plant-eating animals. Modern man has over 200 inches(18 feet!) of intestines which unfortunately is 'clogged' in most people with processed food and dead 'meat'.<br /> Eating the flesh of animals('meat')greatly increases one's chances of getting cancer or having a heart attack.<br />-average U.S. man's risk of death from heart attack: 50 percent<br />-average risk of man who eats no meat: 15 percent<br />-average risk of man who eats no meat,dairy, or eggs: 4 percent<br /> Do you have any idea what that cow or pig was fed before you consumed it's flesh? It was probably pumped full of anti-biotics and other toxic chemicals before it was sent to the slaughterhouse and ended up in your stomach.(a steer grows from 80 to 1,100 pounds in 16 months!) Unless you personally know your farmer you have no clue what you are really digesting when you eat that 'hamburger' or 'bacon' or other dead animal corpse.<br /> In consideration of the Environment livestock production is a huge cause of Global Warming. Tropical and temperate rainforests are cleared to produce land for cows to graze and crops to feed the animals. In 2008 out of a total of 2.1 billion ton world grain harvest over 760 million tons (40 percent)was used to feed farm animals. Also, huge amounts of precious water resources are used to produce an animal-centered diet.<br /> Ethically, if you had to kill the animal you recently ate would you? How often do you kill for your food? In our urbanized, industrialized society people have no awareness of how that 'fast food' 'Big Mac'/Cow or 'pork' loin/Pig lived or was killed. The fact is that the cow, pig, or chicken or other animal you are eating probably was killed in a slaughterhouse with horrific suffering. (If you eat tuna or other ocean fish it was probably trapped and suffocated in a huge driftnet that most likely killed dolphins and sea turtles too.)<br /> In order to keep up with growing human population's craving for animal flesh 'factory farms' for animals are how most farm animals are raised now. Most animals are taken from their mothers at birth or shortly after and live brutal, short lives. Chickens are raised in cages without ever having felt the sunlight, pigs never touch the earth and are unable to turn around in their concrete pens, and cows are constantly attached to their 'milking' machines or raised in dusty 'feed lots' until they are killed. <br /> A modern slaughterhouse for cows averages 'processing' four hundred cattle an hour. This involves putting cows on a conveyor belt and shooting them in the head with a steel bolt. Then, they are hooked up with one leg and hung upside down and go to the 'bleed' area where their throat is slit. Watching a PETA video of a slaughterhouse is eye-opening as you can see that some cows survive the bolt and have their throats slit alive while hanging upside down. (McDonald's allows a 5 percent 'error' rate) <br /> A spiritual perspective considers all the health,environmental,ethical, and moral reasons in considering a vegan or vegetarian diet. All beings want to live. Cows and Pigs are intelligent animals who unfortunately are being slaughtered by the millions every day by modern Man/Homo Sapiens. <br /> Some spiritual teachings say that from the violent deaths of most factory-farmed animals humans consume a lower 'fear' vibration from the dead animal's flesh. Ultimately, most all spiritual teachings preach of love and non-violence and vegetarianism is 'walking the talk' of peace,love, and non-violence. A growing number of people are stopping eating animals. Join the revolution!jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-88045609746775912872008-12-16T13:15:00.005+07:002008-12-16T20:26:00.484+07:00ECO-LogicalThe financial crisis will come and go. Far more important is the Ecological crisis Planet Earth is facing. The Oceans, Rivers, tropical Rainforests, temperate Forests, Wetlands, and other Eco-systems are under relentless strain from our Industrialized society and our unceasing population growth. Even the Ozone layer, the thin outer membrane of the Planet that protects humans and other species from the harmful rays of our Star-Sun, has been weakened by the tons of harmful chemicals we have pumped into the atmosphere.<br /> Global Warming is perhaps the most immediate crisis that needs to be dealt with. Humans continue to produce massive amounts of CO2 which keeps increasing the temperature of the Planet. The greatest fear is that too rapid an increase in temperature would release huge quantities of methane gas(20x more powerful than CO2!)that is currently being trapped in the bottom of the Oceans and in the permafrost in Siberia and Canada. Scientists keep increasing their predictions of temperature rise from 2(F) to 6 degrees. The last increase of 6 degrees in Planet surface temperature wiped out 98% of the Species on Earth! (Perhaps we should change the oxymoron 'War on Terror' to the 'Terror of Global Warming')<br /> But 'fear' is not intelligent. What is needed is for people to 'Wake Up' and realize how their individual choices and actions contribute to the problem (and how Corporate actions and government inaction help to increase Global Warming)<br /> When one starts to think ecologically on their actions they are actually showing a deep spiritual wisdom. A humble attitude that realizes that you are just one of almost seven billion of just one species on this incredible Planet. You understand how the current lifestyles of citizens in rich countries are unsustainable and a threat to a decent future for children and most of the Species on the Planet. (The average Westerner today consumes 100times the resources of a person living 200 years ago at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Combined with the population growth(10X) and the result is a 1000-fold increase in consumption, with all the resulting increase in waste and pollution)<br /> Ways to consider being an eco-logical versus an ego-thinking Human:<br /><br />1) The 'factory' farming of cows(8-ratio), pigs(4),chickens(2, and other animals causes up to 18% of Global Warming. (Also, an incredible waste of water resources and rainforests and up to 130x the excrement pollution of humans)<br /> Any serious eco-thinker needs to stop eating cows and consider eating less animal flesh and becoming a vegetarian. (Ego-thinking would say "I like the taste of 'beef' too much!")<br />2) Eco-thinkers start to become aware of their energy usage. Are you aware now of what is the source of the lights/computer you are now using? Most of civilization's energy grid comes from 'dirty' energy such as coal,gas, or nuclear power plants. Only a small (but growing) percentage comes from 'clean' energy such as wind or solar power. Unless one is 'off-grid' you don't have much choice in changing your power source but you can conserve, or limit your energy usage when possible. You can turn off lights,computers,TV's,etc. when you leave a room as one example. (Ego- " I pay the electric bill in my (hotel)/house so I will use as much as I want!")<br /><br />3) What type of transportation one uses really distinguishes one's eco-committment.<br />Eco-best to worst-<br />Walking,Biking,Public Transportation(buses,metro trains)electric scooters, gas scooters, electric cars, hybrid cars, motorcycles, small cars to gas guzzlers like SUV's..<br /> I have eco-friends who have purposely given up their gas auto vehicles to ride their bikes to work and other friends who drive 90 minutes(each way!) to work alone in their auto's. If public transportation is not available(demand it!) consider starting a car pool! Better yet, eco-thinkers try to live in close proximity to their work. (On a special note Airlines are considered the worst eco-option( although bio-fuel engines are a future possibility) If you have to fly a long journey hope that your aircraft is full and consider buses or trains instead of short flights!)<br />4) Reduce-Reuse-Recycle<br /> Stop being a mindless consumer. If you need to buy something also consider the wasteful 'packaging' that comes with it. A piece of styrofoam lasts up to 500 years!<br />An eco-thinker will almost always tell the store clerk(who mindlessly tries to give you a bag for your one to two items) "No, I don't need a bag" (I have my own or can carry it, put in my pocket,etc)<br />Cook your own food(or eat in a restaurant) instead of ordering 'take-out'..<br />Buy a water filter or re-fill bottles from a machine instead of buying more plastic..<br />Order a draft beer(or make your own!) instead of drinking from can's or bottles..<br />_________(fill in the blank!)<br /> There are countless ways to start to thinking eco-logically and lighten one's eco-footprint on this precious Planet..Do you care about the future? Become an Eco-thinker!jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-57024363695140807572008-12-06T15:33:00.005+07:002009-03-02T16:27:03.384+07:0060-MeditationI had a fascinating college professor who really blew my mind one lecture. He stated "if you are thinking, you are not aware" and then gave a lecture on Eastern philosophy. That totally confused me because I realized I 'thought' all the time & assumed everyone else did too. That talk eventually led me to the Atlanta Soto Zen Center where I practiced 'not thinking' and eventually went on many different types of silent meditation retreats ranging from 3 to 10 days (even a 5 week silent vipassanna meditation retreat about 10 yrs ago)<br /> Some spiritual teachers, like the late Osho, claim that most people are not ready for a meditation like Vipassanna because they have too much repressed energy that needs to be released before doing a long sitting meditation. Perhaps it is best to put on some dance music & shake around for about 15 minutes before trying to meditate! <br /> Actually, there is never a time when we are not 'meditating'...Are you aware now of your posture?(is your back straight?) Your breathing?(the inhalation & exhalation thru the nostrils or the rise & fall of your abdomen) Any sensations or tensions in the body? The background noises? The words on this screen & all the colors & forms surrounding the computer? If you are, then you are practicing 'meditation'...<br /> Unfortunately the Mind rarely wants to stay grounded in Reality, the timeless Present Moment...It wants to stay in the Past of memories or the Future of fantasies,planning,or 'worries'....So by practicing mindfulness meditation & bringing one's attention over & over to the Reality of the NOW moment One starts to have a clarity & spaciousness of Mind...<br /> The breath is a good tool to stay present because breathing is always taking place in the NOW...on some Vipassanna 10 day retreats the first 3 days will just be spent following the sensations of the breath(not trying to control it like some yogic teachings but just being aware of whether it is deep/shallow, short/long) <br />Later, one starts to focus awareness into the various sensations of the body & realizes how they eventually fade away...one does a 'body scan' and feels what parts of the body are vibrating with feeling & which are not..<br /> Moving meditative disciplines such as Tai Chi,yoga,and various martial arts, and sitting meditations such as Zazen,Dzochen, or Vipassanna are about deepening one's concentration and awareness of NOW...When the practice is over one starts to realize that Eternity, the timeless Present Moment, has no beginning or end...We can either stay AWAKE and pay Attention, BE mindful, of the NOW or go on 'auto-pilot' and stay 'lost' in the Maya/Mind...<br /> There are numerous books to help one awaken...perhaps one of the best teachers is Eckhart Tolle & 'Practicing the Power of the Now'...May you bring 'The Miracle of Mindfulness'(Thich Nhat Hanh) to all your activities...breathing,talking,walking,eating,typing...and especially listening.. <br />"When will the Kingdom come?" asked the pupil.<br />"The Kingdom will not come by expectation.The Kindom of Heaven is spread upon the Earth and Men do not SEE!"-Jesus (Gospel according to Thomas)<br />The purpose of Life is to SEE!-one Zen Master<br />LOOK! LISTEN! FEEL! YOU ARE ALIVE!!!<br />May all beings be happy,peaceful, and free from sufferingjeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-61615099463232683632008-11-16T12:25:00.009+07:002009-03-02T16:29:45.925+07:0059-VietnamVietnam is one of the jewels of Southeast Asia with beautiful landscapes & friendly people. Having kicked the Chinese,French,American, & Khmer Armies the Vietnamese people have now embraced capitalism & 'Uncle Ho' is now on every dong dollar waiting to be spent! (just like the King of Thailand) <br />When I got off the bus in Ho Chi Minh City(Saigon) I was instantly greeted by an elder woman who told me she had a room for me. I followed her through the narrow alleys of District 1, zigzagging until we came to the 'Hen House', her home she shared with her husband & severely retarded son. It was a great room (only 6us) but the neighbors across the alley were so close (& arguing so loud) I decided to move after 2 nights. District 1 is the tourist 'backpacker' district with numerous hotels,shops, & sidewalk cafes where you can drink cheap beer or tea & watch the street scene. My 'tourist' highlight in Saigon was probably visiting the War Remenants Museum which had intense pictures of the Vietnam U.S. War but also a gallery devoted to childrens paintings of peace & war.(check out my photo link..password 'breathe')<br /> I didn't stay long in the big city and soon took a Bus up the coast. My seatmate was incredibly another American from the South(Tennesse) who told me he had already voted for McCain so we had an interesting chat. He got off the bus at Mui Nue but I stayed on a few more hours to Nha Trang. Nha Trang has a great beach with a long park buffering it from a coastal road. It has several fancy hotels but also lots of budget options. I started out in a hotel/homestay(8us)but the first night I got woken up at 1am by the elder mamasan who wanted me to close my patio door(I was on the second floor) I found out later she was worried about folks coming into my room to steal something but I decided to find a more mellow setting. I checked out the local market & met some interesting new friends. My tourist highlight was probably going to the local Pagoda with a huge white Buddha at the top of the hill. Halfway up there was an old lady with a huge copper bell who insisted I 'get in'. Then she gonged me! It was a good vibration so of course I gave her some dong which she requested.<br /> I decided to take a ride in a mini-van further up the coast to Quy Nhon. I stayed at Barbara's Backpackers/Kiwi Cafe next to the ocean. Barbara is a former New Zealander who has lived in Quy Nhon for about 10 years. She says it is the 'real' Vietnam as it really isn't on the tourist trail (she has a point but even more real is the rural countryside where 75% of the population lives) I only stayed 2 nights but I enjoyed Quy Nhon alot. It is more a fishing boat beach but renting a bike & riding around was quite enjoyable. It was also the first town where no one was constantly trying to sell me something which one has to deal with in poorer countries. At Barbara's I met some cool fellow backpackers including a guy from Australia named Jeffery. <br /> Jeffery & I decided to travel by train together to Danang/Hoi An. From Danang we got a cab to Hoi An. Hoi An is a great little town which is well known for it's dozens of silk clothing shops/tailors. Jeffery & I decided to share a room(15us)at a 180yr-old wooden hotel right in the central market. On his 33rd birthday we partied at a bar called Eden & had a blast with 3 young denists from England among other travelers. Jeffery was on a limited time schedule & decided to keep heading north but I decided to hang around Hoi An. I connected with a 'couchsurfing' internet friend named Nhung Lu & we met at her brother's restaurant. Nhung Lu proceeded to be my tour guide over the next several days. We rode bikes to the practically deserted Hoi An beach one day & another we took the local small boat ferry & rode our bikes on one of the islands across the bay. She even invited me to her house & cooked me a vegetarian meal we shared with her parents. Nhung Lu was awesome & everyone should checkout couchsurfing.com when they travel. Also in Hoi An I got a silk vest made & bought two silk sleeping bags that are sure to come in handy.<br /> I could have kept traveling north up into Hanoi,Sapa,& Halong Bay but decided instead to take the overnight sleeping Bus back south. My next stop was the south central mountain town of Da Lat. It is a good thing I had one pair of long pants & one long-sleeved shirt as Da Lat gets quite chilly at night. The highlight of my two night stay was eating most of my meals at the Peace Cafe with the very talkative & friendly owner Tu Anh. Da Lat was a little too chilly for me so I continued back south to Saigon & eventually took the Bus back to Cambodia where I am staying now in the mellow rivertown of Kampot(& soon back to Thailand where my flight leaves Bangkok Dec 22)<br /> One fellow backpacker says Vietnam has only a 5% tourist return rate but I wonder about that statistic. It's a beautiful land with friendly people. I'd like to go back one day & bike up the incredible coastline. Any takers? SMILESjeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28975521.post-35016125271612032262008-11-12T19:46:00.005+07:002008-11-12T20:31:10.585+07:00Aung San Suu KyiAung San Suu Kyi is the World's most famous political prisoner. "The Lady" as the Burmese people call her, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and has been under 'house arrest' by the military dictatorship in Burma/Myanmar for 13 of the past 19 years. Unlike Nelson Mandela, who was elected President after spending many years in prison, Suu Kyi was imprisoned in in 1989 after her Pary won 82% of the vote as the General's were alarmed by her fearlessness & the support she commanded. A founded member of the National League of Democracy(NLD), an alliance of 105 opposition groups, Aung San Suu Kyi is the essential figure of the Myanmar's democracy struggle.<br />Myanmar is one of the World's most oppressive regimes as their paranoia in refusing international aid for the recent devastating cyclone attests. Ruthlessly putting down a democracy uprising in 1988 & another Buddhist monk led protests this past Spring, the junta has thousands of political prisoners besides 'The Lady'. Recently, the government gave 65 year prison terms to young democracy activists for sending information on the internet among other 'crimes'.<br />Not only is the government ruthless to activists but they have also committed 'ethnic cleansing' to hundreds of tribal villages in the Shan State along the Thailand border. The junta is also incompetent in governing as 32% of children under 5 are malnourished & 57% of children in primary school have to drop out before graduating. Although the Burmese people are extremely poor the military elite is doing well. Most of the governments income comes from natural gas sales to China, Thailand, & India. <br />I recently felt called to visit the northern state of Mandalay, where 60% of the monks in the country live(although there are reports that the military is emptying the monasteries after the recent monk-led protests) Unfortunately, I was denied a visa by the embassy in Cambodia, probably as I have a U.S. passport as the U.S. supports strong sanctions against the military regime.(there was a huge stack of Japanese passports on the desk that were approved) Shocked that I was denied a visa for the first time ever(I have visited 13 countries) I shouted "Aung San Suu Kyi. Free the Lady!" as I was leaving. Ironically, I read in the Phnom Penh paper the Myanmar Ambassador died of a stroke the next day.jeffreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00537796266555660488noreply@blogger.com1