April 2010
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Jennifer Knapp Comes Out →
I have always loved Jennifer Knapp’s music. The authenticity in her song writing has always connected with me. This news bring so much more depth to her past music. I have no doubt her new album will be more transparent that ever.
She remains my favorite singer/songwriter and will continue to uplift my spirit and encourage my faith. Thank you, God, that she is finally back.
March 2010
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WatchI never would have expected these words from the mouth of Conan O’Brien. Ever since I watched the very first episode of his late night show, I have loved his silliness. But he took the time after 20 years with NBC to say something inspiring, while exuding integrity from of a face that, until now, has been a bastion of comedic absurdity. Thank you, Conan, for showing the world that our...
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NYC Breast Milk Cheese →
It sounds so crazy, but it is logical. Why do we find it more normal to consume milk from the mammaries of other mammals than from our own species? We are the only species that cross-nurses!
I’m not saying that I could ever bring myself to try Angerer’s wife’s cheese, but it is compelling. And sustainable (as long as she keeps pumping)!
February 2010
3 posts
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The Real House-Less of Orange County: Homeless... →
Homelessness in LA County has not changed after 10 years, according to a recently updated United Way study. Can the OC show its neighbor how it’s done with its “Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness” and a blended housing strategy? Here are some of the challenges in Orange County:
It is a long process moving someone from crisis to self-sufficiency; it can take anywhere from 2...
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Quest for Fair Trade - Prologue
I am on a quest to convert my consumption to fair trade products on a shoe string budget. At the moment, I use no fair trade products I know of. As an abolitionist and activist, I feel it is my responsibility to shop responsibly; to walk the talk. It seems like a daunting task at the start: convincing my wife to shop fair trade when I don’t even know what to buy yet, searching for new...
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Clues that Jesus is a socialist
Consider the following:
1. He was egalitarian. 2. He disrupted capitalist businesses. 3. His disciples facillitated the redistribution of wealth so that no one was in want. 4. He was an antiestablishmentarianist. 5. He promoted socialized healthcare. 6. His teachings are hard to swallow by, and therefore controversial to, capitalists.
This is just for fun. If you find yourself offended for...
January 2010
5 posts
Make the Purchase of Services from Sexually... →
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California Struck with a Series of Severe Storms →
This is funny - when I was driving around in the thick of this storm I didn’t even have my windshield wipers on the highest setting! Compared to where I grew up and spent the first 20 years of my life, typical California rain storms seem like mere drizzle (though weather related, human-caused accidents are significantly higher here).
In East Texas, whenever there is a storm, there is almost...
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Update on Children in Haiti
“Rescues Beat Dimming Odds in Haiti”1: this morning’s NY Times headline confirms what we reported to you this weekend. Despite overwhelming challenges, UNICEF is saving children in Haiti.
This mobilization would not have been as swift or forceful without the millions of dollars you donated within days of the earthquake.
Children are smaller, weaker and more vulnerable and...
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Another Zinger from Pat Robertson
Pat Robertson, one of America’s love-to-hate-‘em outspoken rightie tighties, is at it again, this time regarding the decimation of Port au Prince.
In case you are not aware of his track record, know that he:
Openly concurred with Jerry Falwell’s accusation that 9/11 was a result of “…the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the...
Rick Warren Takes In $2.4 Million After Donations... →
My stomach turns sour as I hear the cries of injustice and suffering…let’s just hope this chubby little pastor (who is a terrible preacher, btw) can lead his followers to do the right thing with the money and not blow it on a building, their December electricity bill, or some self-serving crap fund…<article>
December 2009
5 posts
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Tiger Woods - The Ripple Effect
Since his career started in 1996, Tiger Woods has been a boon to the sport of golf as well as all professional athletes. In 2008 he was the highest paid athlete earning $110 million in prizes and endorsements.
Because of the revelations of Tiger’s secret lifestyle on December 11th, his sponsors have lost an estimated 12 billion dollars - that’s right, 12 BILLION - mostly affecting...
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[PG] Santa Joke
There was a cop on his horse waiting to cross the road when a little boy on his new shiny bike stopped beside him. ”Nice bike,” the cop said, ”did Santa bring it to you?” ”Yep,” the little boy said, ”he sure did!” The cop looked at the bike and while handing the boy a $20 ticket he said, ”Next year, tell Santa to put a license plate on the back...
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On the Pursuit of Happiness
The only increase resulting from the tireless pursuit of happiness is in the depth of want. But love is not so fleeting. Unlike happiness, no one person can attain love without direct human interaction, nor is it self-serving. Quality of life should not be measured by the degree of happiness attained, but by the fruit of love shared. For in itself, true love brings lasting joy, peace, and...
November 2009
3 posts
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Frack Presumption
I have discovered that the enemy of a laden heart and a brilliant mind is presumption. Presumption that there is nothing new to be said, no revolutionary idea, no solution to a predicament.
Ask my wife, and she will tell you she can never guess what I am going to say or do next. Yet when I attempt to submit a thesis, I am met with cynicism and pessimism, as if I am a track on a broken record or...
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New Hope
I recently attended my grandmother’s funeral. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to her. We all expected her to make it through chemo and live another year. I had anticipated visiting her soon, but her death came suddenly. I hadn’t written her a letter or given her a call. I was too late.
The memories I have of my grandmother linger from the earliest part of my life. I...
October 2009
4 posts
We Are Homelessness
Before I started working with the homeless, I knew alcohol/drugs and mental illness were not the only issues that led to life on the street. I had an idea of how hard and dangerous life on the street could be. I even suspected it could happen to many types of people. Armed with compassion, statistics, and an education in urban social issues, I strutted into homeless work with confidence.
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Hollywood Pimping
The winner of the 2006 Academy Award for Best Song was “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia. Girls Are Not For Sale posted this on FB today (10/14/2009):
“It’s not hard out there for a pimp. It’s hard out there for a 13 yr old girl who is a victim of sexual exploitation.” - Rachel Lloyd in #VeryYoungGirls about the Academy Awards’...
“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
– Chinese Proverb
