Click on the title for the link. :)
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video
Darkness cannot persist in the presence of light, and the stronger the light the further the darkness must recede. Please add your light and your gifts to the effort to push back the darkness and cynicism of recent years and replace it with the realized potential of a truly United States of America. Let's bring forth the untapped creativity and energy of the people who've been exploited by the establishment for so long now (we are much stronger united and cooperative than we've been under the neocons). We are on the brink of an historic opportunity. Will we allow the cynics to pull us down, or will we finally take the leap and soar? Whose vision of the future do we most want to create? For my future and that of my children the answer is perfectly clear. Move toward the light, it's really that simple. As my dear friend Daisy May says, "Shine On!!!".
Sarah Palin made victims pay for Rape Kits in Wasilla Alaska and wants to force pregnant rape and incest victims to carry offspring to term.
Sorry for 2 consecutive negative posts, but it is imperative that people understand the choice they are making on the 4th of November. Sarah Palin supports rape victims paying for their own forensic-exam kits. She also supports forcing rape and incest victims to carry any offspring to term (a minimum of 9 additional months of constantly being reminded of the attack). "My daddy, he's also my favorite uncle..." (WTF) She sure is maver(icky).
Monday, October 6, 2008
Rep. Wilson: Any Criticism Of ‘American Policy’ Is Unpatriotic
I guess according to McSame's political flack (see video through title link), even after 8 years of military service, which I believe included defending the U.S. Constitution (and consequently free speech), I do not have the right to criticize policies which I believe endanger the citizens of the world. Palin has also been upset about the press asking questions. Hmmm....Well, I have a different perspective. I forfeited my freedom of speech for those 8 years and now that I have it back I intend to make the most of it. I believe that it is the right and responsibility of every citizen of this potentially great nation to become informed and involved. Here's the legal language defending this right. Give this a bit of thought please.
First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
61 Nobel Laureates Endorse Barack Obama
On September 26, 2008, 61 Nobel laureates announced their endorsement of Barack Obama. More info available by clicking title link. Obama is my choice for many reasons, not the least of which is his position on the global environmental change and what he proposes to do to begin addressing it.
A Fun Visual Guide to the '08 Pres. Election
I found a fun little piece on DailyKos this morning. A picture is worth a thousand words and this is 8 pictures, so I'll just shut up and let you think about it.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A Link To Voter Registration Deadlines
I found this site for Rock The Vote while researching likely voter turnout for the upcoming presidential election. There are only a few states in which the deadline has already passed. If any of the three of you who read this live in another U.S. state and are not 100% certain your registration is valid, here are the dates you need to take care of it by. We need to exhaust all legal options for progressive social and political change. Obviously taking the time to cast an informed vote should be part of every citizen's efforts to positively impact our collective future.
Just click on the title link.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Comfort Dollars
Posted to BoingBoing by rushkoff, October 3, 2008 6:21 AM/ Title Link
Here's a great example of what we could easily call a "local currency" - that doesn't involve any of the bloody, anti-corporate revolution that detractors of this idea seem to think will attend any such effort.
A great, tiny organic cafe in my town, Comfort, decided to expand to a second, larger location last year. The owner, John Halko, has been renovating the new space for a year, and - thanks to the credit crisis - has been unable to raise the cash required to finish and finally open. With currency unavailable from traditional, centralized money-lending banks, Halko has turned instead to his community - to us - for support.
Granted, this is a small town. Pretty much everybody goes to Comfort - the only restaurant of its kind on the small strip - and we all have a stake in its success. Any extension of Comfort would bring more activity, vitality, and commerce to a tiny downtown (commercially devastated in the 1970s by the chain stores and strip malls of automobile-friendly Central Avenue).
So Halko's idea is to sell VIP cards. For every dollar a customer spends on a card, they receive the equivalent of $1.20 worth of credit at either restaurant. If I buy a thousand dollar card, I get twelve hundred dollars worth of food: a 20% rate of return on the investment of dollars. Halko gets the cash infusion he needs to build the new restaurant - and since he's paying for it in 20% tab adjustments, it just comes out of profits. He gets the money a lot cheaper than if he were borrowing it from the bank, paying back in cash over time. Meanwhile, customers get more food for less money.
But wait, there's more: the entire scheme refocuses a community's energy and cash on itself. Because our money goes further at our own restaurant than a restaurant somewhere else, we are biased towards eating locally. Since we have a stake in the success (and the non-failure) of the restaurant in whose food we have invested, we'll also be more likely to promote it to our friends. And since we have already spent a big chunk of money on Comfort's food, we're more likely go get food there than dish out more cash for a meal somewhere else.
When it gets really interesting is when other businesses begin to accept Comfort's VIP card and dollars for their services as well. But even in its current, limited incarnation, it's easy to see how the math of an extremely simple alternative currency works, why its existence gets cheaper money into the hands of people who need it, and how it circumvents centralized control over commerce.
Admittedly, this isn't a Boingworthy phenomenon in itself. It's simply not "scalable" the way Internet and tech things are. It's a local activity. But it can be modeled by other communities, and the Internet is a great way to share these experiments in social hacking, measure their results, and mutate them further.
Posted to BoingBoing by rushkoff, October 3, 2008 6:21 AM/ Title Link
BUDDHA/ What a great and simple concept for rebuilding local economies and communities. This is reasonably similar to the way a CSA (community supported agriculture) Farm operates. How many other direct-investment opportunities exist in our own local communities?
We could begin very simply by diversifying our local investments, which spreads the risk at the same time it begins to engage investors in strengthening the businesses they support. Think of owner-operated companies and the way workers strive to improve customer loyalty and eliminate waste. With people directly invested in the economic health of the local scene they would have an incentive to work on improving things. This could be an expansion of the phenomenon of homeowners working for better schools, parks, trails, downtown revitalization, festivals, neighborhood watches, etc.
People involved in this would be inclined to assist the business owners by making suggestions and watching out for potential pitfalls. Some people with relevant skills may volunteer to sit on boards or offer their professional services at a reduced rate or even pro bono to increase the odds of their investment succeeding long-term.
There are numerous organizations which network business people to each other and reward them for referring business to one another. These organizations have mechanisms in place to ensure that people genuinely live up to their promises and provide quality and value with a high level of service. BNI uses the motto "Givers Gain" and I feel this sums it up well. These groups already provide the model. It would need some adaptation, but I believe it is a great foundation.
This model, over time, favors unique local businesses, which recirculate their money in the local economy. This is a fantastic step forward in a national landscape dominated by the suburban strip-malls and generic box stores of incomprehensibly large multi-national corporations, which economically strip-mine our communities. In a generation we could have truly unique and identifiable locations and culture replacing "Anywhere, USA".
In closing, we can and should be looking for ways of mutually supporting and uplifting each other. This should be the foundation of our economic bail-out: local networks of inter-dependent (even symbiotic) businesses and customer-investors recreating our national economy as countless interwoven local economies.
Here's a great example of what we could easily call a "local currency" - that doesn't involve any of the bloody, anti-corporate revolution that detractors of this idea seem to think will attend any such effort.
A great, tiny organic cafe in my town, Comfort, decided to expand to a second, larger location last year. The owner, John Halko, has been renovating the new space for a year, and - thanks to the credit crisis - has been unable to raise the cash required to finish and finally open. With currency unavailable from traditional, centralized money-lending banks, Halko has turned instead to his community - to us - for support.
Granted, this is a small town. Pretty much everybody goes to Comfort - the only restaurant of its kind on the small strip - and we all have a stake in its success. Any extension of Comfort would bring more activity, vitality, and commerce to a tiny downtown (commercially devastated in the 1970s by the chain stores and strip malls of automobile-friendly Central Avenue).
So Halko's idea is to sell VIP cards. For every dollar a customer spends on a card, they receive the equivalent of $1.20 worth of credit at either restaurant. If I buy a thousand dollar card, I get twelve hundred dollars worth of food: a 20% rate of return on the investment of dollars. Halko gets the cash infusion he needs to build the new restaurant - and since he's paying for it in 20% tab adjustments, it just comes out of profits. He gets the money a lot cheaper than if he were borrowing it from the bank, paying back in cash over time. Meanwhile, customers get more food for less money.
But wait, there's more: the entire scheme refocuses a community's energy and cash on itself. Because our money goes further at our own restaurant than a restaurant somewhere else, we are biased towards eating locally. Since we have a stake in the success (and the non-failure) of the restaurant in whose food we have invested, we'll also be more likely to promote it to our friends. And since we have already spent a big chunk of money on Comfort's food, we're more likely go get food there than dish out more cash for a meal somewhere else.
When it gets really interesting is when other businesses begin to accept Comfort's VIP card and dollars for their services as well. But even in its current, limited incarnation, it's easy to see how the math of an extremely simple alternative currency works, why its existence gets cheaper money into the hands of people who need it, and how it circumvents centralized control over commerce.
Admittedly, this isn't a Boingworthy phenomenon in itself. It's simply not "scalable" the way Internet and tech things are. It's a local activity. But it can be modeled by other communities, and the Internet is a great way to share these experiments in social hacking, measure their results, and mutate them further.
Posted to BoingBoing by rushkoff, October 3, 2008 6:21 AM/ Title Link
BUDDHA/ What a great and simple concept for rebuilding local economies and communities. This is reasonably similar to the way a CSA (community supported agriculture) Farm operates. How many other direct-investment opportunities exist in our own local communities?
We could begin very simply by diversifying our local investments, which spreads the risk at the same time it begins to engage investors in strengthening the businesses they support. Think of owner-operated companies and the way workers strive to improve customer loyalty and eliminate waste. With people directly invested in the economic health of the local scene they would have an incentive to work on improving things. This could be an expansion of the phenomenon of homeowners working for better schools, parks, trails, downtown revitalization, festivals, neighborhood watches, etc.
People involved in this would be inclined to assist the business owners by making suggestions and watching out for potential pitfalls. Some people with relevant skills may volunteer to sit on boards or offer their professional services at a reduced rate or even pro bono to increase the odds of their investment succeeding long-term.
There are numerous organizations which network business people to each other and reward them for referring business to one another. These organizations have mechanisms in place to ensure that people genuinely live up to their promises and provide quality and value with a high level of service. BNI uses the motto "Givers Gain" and I feel this sums it up well. These groups already provide the model. It would need some adaptation, but I believe it is a great foundation.
This model, over time, favors unique local businesses, which recirculate their money in the local economy. This is a fantastic step forward in a national landscape dominated by the suburban strip-malls and generic box stores of incomprehensibly large multi-national corporations, which economically strip-mine our communities. In a generation we could have truly unique and identifiable locations and culture replacing "Anywhere, USA".
In closing, we can and should be looking for ways of mutually supporting and uplifting each other. This should be the foundation of our economic bail-out: local networks of inter-dependent (even symbiotic) businesses and customer-investors recreating our national economy as countless interwoven local economies.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Obama Rally 2 October 2008
Let me begin by thanking Amanda Narvaes for my VIP ticket. 'Amanda, you are my hero.'
Barack took the podium at approximately 10:00 and spent half an hour on a message that addressed the serious situation we are facing, while coming across as optimistic and inspiring.
The economic crisis could not have occurred at a more opportune time. I hate that it has had to come to this, but..... People, even in the belly of the beast (West Michigan), have become so frightened by the possibility of a complete economic meltdown that we finally have a strong probability of breaking the Republican stranglehold that's been throttling us for so long now.
Obama pledged to stop hemorrhaging billions each month in Iraq and bring U.S. troops out. He spoke of 50 billion dollars a year pumped into transitioning the U.S. to sustainable energy. His other major points concerned world-class universal healthcare and education.
I met John McCain this spring and found him to be very creepy. In contrast, Barack Obama is someone that I was impressed by and trust to do what he says. Barack is a man that I would be happy to have as a mentor to my children, something I take very seriously.
We face a decision of almost incomprehensible magnitude in about a month. Do we, as a nation, continue to inflict more of the same on ourselves and the people of most of the rest of the world, or do we vote for change and someone who has a positive and progressive message and agenda?
Obama wants to stop fighting unnecessary wars and end the free ride for the corporations that have been destroying this country. He plans to redirect those currently misspent resources (human and capital) toward the healing and rebuilding of our nation. This is a necessary first step toward restoring us to a position of international leadership, both technological and moral.
He intends to utilize the currently misdirected energy and capital on setting our course toward sustainability and justice. We need to begin educating and caring for the people of this nation and Senator Obama recognizes and heartily endorses this reality.
We can create a radically improved future for ourselves and for the generations that will follow us. I am a veteran and I unhesitatingly and enthusiastically endorse Barack Obama for President of the United States!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Indian ban on smoking in public.
India just finalized a ban on cigarette smoking in public places, except for open spaces. Why is India ahead of the U.S. on such an obvious issue of public health? My guess is that it has something to do with the fact that the U.S. has a very rich and powerful tobacco lobby in Washington D.C. This group is always working to ensure a 'friendly' atmosphere for domestic tobacco sales for the cigarette manufacturers. Again, if we follow the money we can get to the source of many of our largest societal problems.
We need to insist that our politicians begin cleaning up the greedy and cynical system of lobbying against the interests of the people of our nation, and in many cases by extension (think certain Defense Dept. contractors or Big Oil as examples) the people of the entire planet.
We can and should be leading on these matters. The U.S. should provide the example on issues of sustainability and social justice. It is a very dramatic redirection, but I truly believe we have the capability, we just need the individual discipline and political will.
(Title Link to BBC article.)
We need to insist that our politicians begin cleaning up the greedy and cynical system of lobbying against the interests of the people of our nation, and in many cases by extension (think certain Defense Dept. contractors or Big Oil as examples) the people of the entire planet.
We can and should be leading on these matters. The U.S. should provide the example on issues of sustainability and social justice. It is a very dramatic redirection, but I truly believe we have the capability, we just need the individual discipline and political will.
(Title Link to BBC article.)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A Quick Update Before Leaving South America
Oh my, where do I begin? A couple of months ago I gave my resignation notice at the project I was working on in Ohio so I c
ould take the crumbgobblers to stay with my family for a few weeks. My sister has moved back home with her husband and baby and we all had a great time. Barring anything unforeseen, I will be back stateside in 2 days and hope to take my kids traveling again.
So, about my trip... I have been in South America for a month now and have been having a great time. I have focused primarily on southern Brasil with 1 week in Argentina and quick stops in Paraguay and Uruguay. This is a beautiful part of the world, but not without it´s share of problems. Traveling through everything from the world´s largest urban area (by population) Sao Paulo (29 million+), to isolated rain forest, I have seen the almost unbelievable wealth gap that exists in this society. I even had 2 young men try to rob me with a pistol in broad daylight in a heavily trafficked area in Buenos Aires (La Boca), but I had no problems walking some of the worst parts of Brasil at night, alone. Hmmmm...
Traveling lightly here is incredibly inexpensive owing largely to currency exchange rates and troubled South American economies. Argentina was very cheap with a 3 to 1 exchange for the US Dollar. My lunches were typically $3USD and very nice lodging was $12USD. I also discovered a great travel resource called couchsuring.com. I highly recommend it as a way to truly get the opportunity for cultural exchange as well as free lodging with a native guide (please pitch in with food purchases and chores).
I also spent time in youth hostels (for all ages) and had a great experience doing this. For anyone unfamiliar with the hosteling culture, I recommend checking it out. It would be very interesting to stay at hostels in unfamiliar parts of your own country to see the sights and interact with some of the most interesting travelers that can be found. The hostels cater to the backpacking crowd, so do not expect to have 5 Star accomodations and room service. It is reasonable to expect a comfortable bed in a dorm or even private room (at a fraction of the price of a hotel room) and some wonderful opportunities for conversation and various types of socializing with travelers from around the world (most of whom will speak English).
ould take the crumbgobblers to stay with my family for a few weeks. My sister has moved back home with her husband and baby and we all had a great time. Barring anything unforeseen, I will be back stateside in 2 days and hope to take my kids traveling again.So, about my trip... I have been in South America for a month now and have been having a great time. I have focused primarily on southern Brasil with 1 week in Argentina and quick stops in Paraguay and Uruguay. This is a beautiful part of the world, but not without it´s share of problems. Traveling through everything from the world´s largest urban area (by population) Sao Paulo (29 million+), to isolated rain forest, I have seen the almost unbelievable wealth gap that exists in this society. I even had 2 young men try to rob me with a pistol in broad daylight in a heavily trafficked area in Buenos Aires (La Boca), but I had no problems walking some of the worst parts of Brasil at night, alone. Hmmmm...
Traveling lightly here is incredibly inexpensive owing largely to currency exchange rates and troubled South American economies. Argentina was very cheap with a 3 to 1 exchange for the US Dollar. My lunches were typically $3USD and very nice lodging was $12USD. I also discovered a great travel resource called couchsuring.com. I highly recommend it as a way to truly get the opportunity for cultural exchange as well as free lodging with a native guide (please pitch in with food purchases and chores).
I also spent time in youth hostels (for all ages) and had a great experience doing this. For anyone unfamiliar with the hosteling culture, I recommend checking it out. It would be very interesting to stay at hostels in unfamiliar parts of your own country to see the sights and interact with some of the most interesting travelers that can be found. The hostels cater to the backpacking crowd, so do not expect to have 5 Star accomodations and room service. It is reasonable to expect a comfortable bed in a dorm or even private room (at a fraction of the price of a hotel room) and some wonderful opportunities for conversation and various types of socializing with travelers from around the world (most of whom will speak English).
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Update
I am currently on my way to Curitiba Brazil (a mecca for design students or those interested in public administration) from Sao Paulo. I love Brazil so far. Very busy, more later. I will include some pics (photo added 1 Oct. 2008) and my lessons from the trip. (see also my post on Curitiba from December 2007)
Much love.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Assault Awareness and Prevention 101
This weekend I will be traveling back to Grand Rapids, Michigan to see my kids and to help teach a self-defense workshop at Innovative Martial Arts (title link). You can go to the school's website for info, but here's a brief overview. Photo from a different seminar at the IMA dojo.
We begin with raising awareness of the psychological factors at play in a typical assault as well as environmental factors to be mindful of. We get people thinking about the little things in their routine life that may be risk factors, such as:walking alone, at night, across campus through the woods with a heavy backpack and headphones on. This is one very common scenario.
We typically split the day up with a combination of awareness training; both general and situation specific as well as some very simple and effective physical skills. We teach these skills primarily through instructor demonstration, followed by partner drills and some group drills performed under supervision, and with on-the-spot corrections. All of this is done with respect for the participants personal boundaries; but bear in mind that it is preparation for avoiding, or if necessary confronting an attacker.
This is a very good starting point and I believe that it offers a lot for the time and money. I encourage this type of workshop for anyone who is concerned about their own or their family's safety. These workshops can be tailored to fit the needs of a group. Recently we did one focused on ladies leaving home and entering college. (statistically this is a very at-risk group)
I recommend some form of awareness and personal-defense training for everyone. Look on-line for instruction in your area. Some keywords to look for are as follows: reality-based, practical, functional, street-based, or combatives. Unless you are looking to preserve an art form for the sake of preserving an art form you are looking for a reality-based system. Competence in all ranges of combat as well as an understanding of modern weapons (both purpose built and improvised) should be your goal with longer-term training. For short-term training, focus on avoidance of assault scenarios and also escaping them.
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