tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14550914209662911632024-03-13T03:26:18.396-04:00The Little Farm That CouldReflections on the world as I see it...
("so beauutiful..." -- Woody Harrelson, '2012')FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-80104430656542277092012-03-13T19:56:00.000-04:002012-03-13T19:58:59.017-04:00Why is Gas SOO Expensive?!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnRN2EyqVeoJokKBXKOrV0ZPsD-oR7wtvG0u-ozMZqehE_9kM7Hh_zrgRb87EO8F5LSB0uONSE_SuGarK-1D1U5GfEGhN-UblzbLKO2-httT8wLt_BkK_J0hjS2LFaaa5Fs6ar6W-Vkg/s1600/early+oil+well+gussher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnRN2EyqVeoJokKBXKOrV0ZPsD-oR7wtvG0u-ozMZqehE_9kM7Hh_zrgRb87EO8F5LSB0uONSE_SuGarK-1D1U5GfEGhN-UblzbLKO2-httT8wLt_BkK_J0hjS2LFaaa5Fs6ar6W-Vkg/s320/early+oil+well+gussher.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil in the early 20th Century</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKObQ9T5otovv0NbWOecYYYgIYGLaYJ4bwoNJRQAdUyyYEhpHXCHSiEJhbltdOG4OdyWqliYohhkD79qQrAwResZnbqpksR5w94AYv3LaOwaBxPHGfUbm__sfEWpQNYjxKlwiCmE7YIE/s1600/offshore+oil+rig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKObQ9T5otovv0NbWOecYYYgIYGLaYJ4bwoNJRQAdUyyYEhpHXCHSiEJhbltdOG4OdyWqliYohhkD79qQrAwResZnbqpksR5w94AYv3LaOwaBxPHGfUbm__sfEWpQNYjxKlwiCmE7YIE/s400/offshore+oil+rig.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It used to be this easy.<br />
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Now we have to do this.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCTzdgf2sGFeg5j8ZtFdVnQGDvP0JXoCdchp3Uuri9HmTxwVyrVYwGJluQTWUHh6lbF7tLu8VeKNA1lwp8GAkSUENEbKketLdoSIl7rHpwD2e5syo0Y9_90ugNbBBA0tt7SJralmZZao/s1600/Tar-sand-extraction-in-Al-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCTzdgf2sGFeg5j8ZtFdVnQGDvP0JXoCdchp3Uuri9HmTxwVyrVYwGJluQTWUHh6lbF7tLu8VeKNA1lwp8GAkSUENEbKketLdoSIl7rHpwD2e5syo0Y9_90ugNbBBA0tt7SJralmZZao/s400/Tar-sand-extraction-in-Al-007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tar sand "oil" production</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And this.<br />
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Which do you think costs more?<br />
<br />
Why would we do it this way if the old way still worked?<br />
<br />
<br />
We've already burned all the cheap, easy-to-get oil. Now it's harder. <br />
And costlier.<br />
<br />
<br />
Any questions?FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-65984695233081676452012-02-10T18:46:00.001-05:002012-02-10T18:46:20.460-05:00Comic of the Week:Introducing what I hope will be a regular feature.<br />
<br />
I watch a lot of TV because I have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_fatigue_syndrome" target="_blank">CFS</a> and I get tired <i><b>REAL</b></i> easy. One of my tools for dealing with it is Laughter Therapy. I have DVR and I <i>use</i> it: Comedy Central Presents, That 70s Show, whatever looks funny. I have quite a collection now, and I cull <i>wa-ay</i> more than I keep.<br />
<br />
Here's the guy I'm laughing at right now. He's a wicked funny shit. <br />
<br />
<h1>
Jimmy Shubert </h1>
<br />
<div style="background-color: black; width: 368px;">
<div style="padding: 4px;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="293" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/embed/mgid:cms:video:jokes.com:192956" width="360"></iframe><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 4px; padding: 4px; text-align: left;">
<b>Comedy Central Stand-Up</b> <br />Get More: <a href="http://www.jokes.com/">Jokes</a>,<a href="http://www.jokes.com/">Joke of the Day</a>,<a href="http://www.jokes.com/funny/">Funny Jokes</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-83802298633870934902012-02-10T13:11:00.001-05:002012-02-10T13:11:39.760-05:00Please sign and Share.<a href="http://www.sanders.senate.gov/petition/?uid=f1c2660f-54b9-4193-86a4-ec2c39342c6c">Petition - A Petition to Support the Saving American Democracy Amendment : Bernie Sanders - U.S. Senator for Vermont</a><br />
<br />
<h3>
<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Support for reversing the Citizens United decision</i></span></b></h3>
<h2>
<br /><b></b></h2>
<h2>
<b>President Barack Obama</b>:</h2>
"With all due deference to separation of powers, last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that, I believe, will open the floodgates for special interests, including foreign corporations, to spend without limit in our elections."<br />
<h2>
<br /><b></b></h2>
<h2>
<b>Justice John Paul Stevens:</b></h2>
<b></b>"The conceit that corporations must be treated identically to natural persons in the political sphere is not only inaccurate but also inadequate to justify the Court¹s disposition of this case.<br />
"In the context of election to public office, the distinction between corporate and human speakers is significant. Although they make enormous contributions to our society, corporations are not actually members of it.<br />
They cannot vote or run for office. Because they may be managed and controlled by nonresidents, their interests may conflict in fundamental respects with the interests of eligible voters.<br />
"The majority¹s approach to corporate electioneering marks a dramatic break from our past. Congress has placed special limitations on campaign spending by corporations ever since the passage of the Tillman Act in 1907.<br />
"The Court's ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions across the Nation. The path it has taken to reach its outcome will, I fear, do damage to this institution."<br />
<h2>
<a name='more'></a><br /><b></b></h2>
<h2>
<b>Justice Elena Kagan</b> <b>(then Solicitor General)</b>: </h2>
"When corporations use other people's money to electioneer, that is a harm not just to the shareholders themselves but a sort of a broader harm to the public that comes from distortion of the electioneering that is done by corporations."<br />
<h2>
<br /><b></b></h2>
<h2>
<b>Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield</b>:</h2>
"I'm Ben, I'm a person. I'm Jerry, I'm a person. Ben & Jerry's ice cream? Not a person."<br />
<h2>
<br /><b></b></h2>
<h2>
<b>Russ Feingold</b>:</h2>
"Citizens United was so extreme that unless we take action to stop it, America will return to the Gilded Age -- on steroids."<br />
<h2>
<br /><b></b></h2>
<h2>
<b>Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)</b>:</h2>
"We are not going to let this decision to go unchallenged...At a time when Americans are worried about special interests having too much influence, this decision opens up the floodgates and allows special interest money to overflow elections and undermine our democracy.<br /><br />"If there's one thing that Americans from the left, right and center can all agree on, it's that they don't want more special interests in our politics."<br />
<h2>
<br /><b></b></h2>
<h2>
<b>Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) </b></h2>
<b></b>"This decision enables larger financial interests to drown out the voices of ordinary citizens, allows foreign corporations to spend money through their domestic subsidiaries, and permits major recipients of taxpayer dollars to funnel these funds into political activities."FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-84190929699377517612012-02-09T19:52:00.002-05:002012-02-09T19:52:20.014-05:00Marc MaronAnd now, a word from some roots...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/3004519" style="font: Verdana;">Dad, depression and the retarded</a><br /><object height="360px" width="425px"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/>
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<param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=3004519,t=1,mt=video"/>
<embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=3004519,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/92383205" style="font: Verdana;">Marc Maron</a> | <a href="http://www.myspace.com/video" style="font: Verdana;">Myspace Video</a></span>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-32677846318004092362012-02-08T22:40:00.001-05:002012-02-08T22:40:31.858-05:00Nothing's ordainedNothing's ordained, nor fated.<br />
Nothing's accidental.<br />
<br />
All is choice and intention<br />
of free souls<br />
All children of TheOne<br />
All. equally. so.<br />
<br />FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-75423443565874521582012-02-01T18:49:00.001-05:002012-02-01T18:49:58.970-05:00Organic Lard is Health Food!<i>Another guest post from the ever-generous Paul Wheaton and Team Permies...</i> <br />
<br />
By PAUL WHEATON<br />
<br />
I remember …. because of the cookies ….<br />
<br />
In the 80′s a <a href="http://www.permies.com/forums/f-47/missoula-eco-forum">Missoula</a> bakery generated cookies that I had a hard time resisting. The secret ingredient? Lard. I still struggle with the idea... It was lard that made the cookies delicious?<br />
<br />
In the cold case of Albertson’s, I remember buying lard and using it for all sorts of things. And then we were told that lard was bad, but Crisco was good! (Did you know that originally, <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/2909/alternative-energy/crisco-candle">Crisco was designed for candle wax</a>? Just as they come out with their superior candle goo, people turn keen on the electric light bulb.) Then the lard disappeared. Now we are told that Crisco is bad.<br />
<br />
A recent article in <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/8397/organic-sustainable-practices/Read-Acres-Magazine">Acres USA</a> shares how good lard is — some of the best food you can eat. Especially <br />
<a name='more'></a>when the <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/6335/critter-care/Pastured-Pigs">hogs are raised on organic pasture</a> with <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/1275/critter-care/forage-pigs">foraging</a> access to <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/9763/critter-care/Pigs-acorn-grass">acorns</a> or other <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/628/wild-harvesting-ancestral-skills/harvesting-nuts">nuts</a>.<br />
<br />
Recently, I watched a movie called “<a href="http://www.permies.com/t/9023/organic-sustainable-practices/Super-Size-Me-vs-Fat">fat head</a>” that does an excellent job of pointing out that a diet high in good fat is what we are designed to eat. For years I have been researching fat quality and have concluded that fats from animals are far superior for human consumption (in my opinion) than any fats from a vegetable source. Except, possibly, coconut oil.<br />
<br />
So I popped over to <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/4641/missoula-eco-forum/missoula-good-food-store">The Good Food Store</a> to get some organic lard. I couldn’t find any, so I asked the guy at the meat counter. None. Zip. He said that if enough people asked for it, he would start to carry it. In the meantime, he special ordered some organic pig fat for me.<br />
<br />
I took the pig fat home and <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/9306/cooking-food-preservation-food-choices/Lard-stays-liquid">rendered it to lard</a>. Wow. How is it that this stuff makes everything taste so much better?<br />
<br />
In Michael Pollan’s book “In Defense of Food” he makes a case for how food that tastes really good is often far more nutritious. He does point out some exceptions with highly processed foods. And at the end of the book he advises that people shop for food as if their great grandmother was with them looking at every label – and if she didn’t recognize something, you don’t buy it. And I’m certain that my great grandmother would recognize lard.<br />
<br />
About the “<a href="http://www.permies.com/forums/f-18/organic-sustainable-practices">organic</a>“ part. This is probably the most important. Remember when we were told that red meat causes cancer? And then we were told that they figured out that it was the fat in the red meat that caused <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/1742/medicinal-herbs/reports-beating-cancer-week">cancer</a>?<br />
<br />
And then, suddenly, we heard nothing more about it? Well, it turns out that when carcenogenic <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/2728/lawn-care/Lawn-Chemicals-Pesticides-Grubicides">pesticides</a> are sprayed on cow-food that ends up in the cow, the pesticides end up concentrating in the fat cells. So it really isn’t red meat fat that causes the cancer, it’s the pesticide.<br />
<br />
I now hope you are all tasted up for lard. Rediscover the deliciousness! <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/9042/missoula-eco-forum/help-me-organic-lard-at">Contact The Good Food Store and ask for organic lard</a>. (Lard is rendered pork fat, but for some reason they wanted me to call it “organic pork lard” so you might try asking for that.) Apparently, if enough of us ask for it, they will start carrying it again.<br />
<br />
BIO: Paul Wheaton is is the tyrannical ruler of two on-line communities. One is about <a href="http://www.permies.com/forums/">permaculture</a> and one is about <a href="http://www.coderanch.com/forums">software engineering</a>. There is even one for <a href="http://www.permies.com/forums/f-47/missoula-eco-forum">Missoula</a>. Paul has written several <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/">permaculture articles</a> starting with one on <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/lawn-care.jsp">lawn care</a> that he presented at the <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/4628/missoula-eco-forum/Missoula-Urban-Demonstration-MUD-Project">MUD Project</a> 17 years ago, including articles on <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/raising-chickens.jsp">raising chickens</a>, <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/cast-iron.jsp">cast iron</a> and <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp">diatomaceous earth</a>. Paul also regularly uploads <a href="http://www.youtube.com/paulwheaton12">permaculture videos</a> and <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/permaculture/category/podcast/">permaculture podcasts</a>. In his spare time, Paul has plans for world domination and is currently shopping for a hollowed out volcano in the Missoula area, with good submarine access.<br />
<br />
See all of Paul’s contributions to MakeitMissoula on this Blog Homepage <a href="http://www.makeitmissoula.com/blogs/paul-wheaton/">here</a>.<br />
FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-29357988111686942482012-01-31T21:29:00.003-05:002012-01-31T21:39:52.574-05:00Trying something newThe thing I <i><b>keep</b></i> finding about acceptance and forgiveness is the wonderful release and relief it is, to finally let that shit go and leave it behind. <br />
<br />
I now see shortcomings as also being something that is between me and my peace of mind, my happiness, my success at life. Thought, word, deed or feeling -- "character defects" is a kinda kludgey way of saying <i>something's</i> not working for you.<br />
<br />
<br />
I've recognized another dud, and taken action to turn away from it, toward a different outcome. To try something new - just to know that there's a choice, even for me, gives me goosebumps.<br />
<br />
It's scary, trying something new, but exhilarating too... a little like flying, right after you make the jump. Except if I crash, I just get up and try something else. "Well, THAT didn't work. I don't have to keep doing THAT."<br />
<br />
I keep feeling better and happier, more worthy and able to love and share. I know it's there for all of us.<br />
<br />
Blessed Be AllFeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-15670249658615318502012-01-30T00:04:00.000-05:002012-01-31T17:53:47.503-05:00See, what we're witnessing now...... is the revolution in the streets to
create the space,<br />
the tension and the clarity,<br />
to allow<br />
Our Higher Natures<br />
to emerge.<br />
<br />
2012 is not the end of THE world,<br />
just of THIS one.<br />
<br />
An evolutionary change in human consciousness<br />
is upon us.<br />
One could call it a quantum leap -- or a miracle...<br />
It proceeds even now. and now. and now. <br />
<br />There's only Us<br />
Humans on a living planet --!<br />
All that lives here,<br />
down as deep and far and back and wide<br />
as the very first living cell on this planet<br />
all interconnected to all that lives Now.<br />
You. Me. Us. Them.<br />
plants animals worms'n'germs...<br />
<br />
All of it<br />
all born of the first<br />
<br />
*spark* <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ <br />
This planet is alive<br />
and we are either<br />
its higher nervous system<br />
gaining self-awareness <br />
or a virus. or a cancer.<br />
<br />
Our choice and intention<br />
creates the world we live in.<br />
Focus your attention wisely.<br />
Banish fear. Forget guilt.<br />
Those voices are lying to you.<br />
<br />
You are so much more<br />
than you think you are.FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-11243749729649324862012-01-21T21:03:00.002-05:002012-01-21T21:04:24.156-05:00Start making the change we need now... Spend less time resisting...Start making the change we need now... Spend less time resisting... <br />
<a name='more'></a>a failing, dying system and and more time building OUR lives for OUR selves and The People we love and live near...FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-86090911317194188922012-01-20T20:40:00.003-05:002012-01-20T20:50:10.997-05:00Guest Post: Paul Wheaton, Permie Supreme<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>This one article will give you enough great permaculture ideas to keep your brain racing for at least a week... FeatherJack</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.makeitmissoula.com/wp-content/uploads/paul-wheaton-sm.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.makeitmissoula.com/wp-content/uploads/paul-wheaton-sm.png" /></a></div>
<br />
BIO: Paul Wheaton is is the tyrannical ruler of two on-line communities. One is about <a href="http://www.permies.com/permaculture-forums" target="_blank">permaculture</a> and one is about <a href="http://www.coderanch.com/forums" target="_blank">software engineering</a>. There is even one for <a href="http://www.permies.com/missoula" target="_blank">Missoula</a>. Paul has written several <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/" target="_blank">permacutlure articles</a> starting with one on <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/lawn-care.jsp" target="_blank">lawn care</a> that he presented at the <a href="http://www.permies.com/permaculture-forums/4628_0/missoula-eco-forum/m%20issoula-urban-demonstration-mud-project" target="_blank">MUD Project</a> 17 years ago, including articles on <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/raising-chickens.jsp" target="_blank">raising chickens</a>, <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/cast-iron.jsp" target="_blank">cast iron</a> and <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp" target="_blank">diatomaceous earth</a>. Paul also regularly uploads <a href="http://www.youtube.com/paulwheaton12" target="_blank">permaculture videos</a> and <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/permaculture/category/podcast/" target="_blank">permaculture podcasts</a>. In his spare time, Paul has plans for world domination and is currently shopping for a hollowed out volcano in the Missoula area, with good submarine access.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Keep those branches, twigs, rotten logs and Christmas trees!</span></b><br />
<br />
That stuff is gardener's gold! Organic matter! <br />
<br />
Winter is the season for <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/11408/permaculture/fruit-trees-seeds-no-pruning">pruning trees</a>. Sometimes taking out dangerous trees. I am mystified when people haul the wood away and in the sping they spend money for <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/4124/permaculture/Chop-Drop-Mulch">mulch</a>. And equally mystified by people that rent an obnoxious, loud, smelly <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/9391/permaculture/importing-wood-chips-your-land">chipper</a>.<br />
<br />
here is a quick list of a dozen things that can be done with that wood, keeping it on your property and not having to fool with a chipper.<br />
<br />
1. Make your own <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/11539/organic-sustainable-practices/best-mulch">mulch</a>: A huge branch can be reduced to flat mulch in about two minutes with a pruner. I usually clip at the bends in the tigs and branches. A huge pile of branches and twigs will become about 30 times smaller in 15 minutes. <br />
<br />
<img alt="raised garden beds" src="http://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/hugelkultur.png" /><br />
<br />
2. Cover it in soil to make <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/17/permaculture/hugelkultur">hugelkultur</a>. This is best with the logs (green logs work too) and thick branches. This makes for a richer soil that needs less watering. Some people have built tall <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/">raised garden beds</a> with this technique and they have a normal garden that doesn't need water all summer. This is an excellent use for a <br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.permies.com/t/2371/homestead/stump-removal">stump</a> - no need to pull it or grind it, just cover it with soil.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sp_IObIkInQ" width="640"></iframe>3. In Finland they use small branches and twigs between muddy spots and the house. You can make a muddy spot less muddy, or you can create a place near the house to wipe your feet.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NtuIC9T2STE" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
4. Put the wood in a dry place for a while and then use it for <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/6520/woodland-care/Planting-trees-as-firewood">firewood</a>. <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/rocket-stove-mass-heater.jsp">Rocket stove</a> technology can heat a home with 90% less wood than a conventional <a href="http://www.permies.com/forums/f-55/stoves">wood stove</a>. So little, that many homes are heated with nothing but tree trimmings that come out of a small yard.<br />
<br />
<img alt="rocket stove" src="http://www.richsoil.com/images/rocket-mass-heater-diagram.png" /><br />
<br />
5. If you keep <a href="http://www.richsoil.com/raising-chickens.jsp">chickens</a>, nothing makes better <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/7294/critter-care/deep-bedding-chickens-winter">deep chicken bedding</a> than pine, fir or spruce boughs. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zwjPj1p1Azo" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
6. <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/3945/permaculture/Permaculture-ideas-wildlife-habitat-restoration">Butterfly/bird/wildlife habitat</a>: Just make a big brushpile. This provides habitat for butterflies to lay eggs, and a variety of beneficial insects and other critters. Most <a href="http://www.permies.com/forums">permaculture</a> practitioners keep a brushpile somewhere in their yard because they believe that it reduces pest damage for the rest of their <a href="http://www.permies.com/forums/f-18/organic-sustainable-practices">garden</a>. <br />
<br />
6.1. Snag or stump for wildlife<br />
<br />
7. Criss-crossing branches in a <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/2667/alternative-energy/hot-showers-one-small-compost">compost</a> pile helps to aerate it.<br />
<br />
8. With a bit of jute, it's a snap to make a <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/761/organic-sustainable-practices/Simple-trellis-green-beans">twig trellis</a> or arbor for your garden. Usually in about ten minutes. And when they get old, you can mulch the branches and the <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/2390/woodland-care/twig-structures-jute-longevity">jute</a> together.<br />
<br />
9. If you have some wood shop skills, you can make chairs, furniture, name tags, coasters, bird houses, benches, planter box, tool handles, coat racks and so much, much more. And if the wood is living <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/4078/woodland-care/All-things-Black-Locust">black locust</a> wood, whatever you do with that will last about ten times longer outdoors than <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/2945/woodland-care/do-you-feel-cedar-trees">cedar</a> without a drop of paint or stain.<br />
<br />
10. garden stakes<br />
<br />
11. Throwing branches and logs into <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/196/permaculture/do-fix-leaking-pond">ponds</a> will usually <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/10638/permaculture/Algae-control">reduce algae problems</a> and give <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/1348/permaculture/Sepp-Holzer-fish-feed">fish</a> and amphibians a place to hide from <a href="http://www.permies.com/t/1957/critter-care/chicken-predators">predators</a>.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/du9LeeYX1o8" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
12. marshmallow/hotdog sticks! <br />
<br />
A lot of this stuff is effectively sequestering your own carbon! It could be a massive step toward your own personal carbon neutrality.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Many thanks to Paul for writing this post and giving it away... Knowledge is Power! -- FJ</i></span><br />
<br />FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-70814360205414005022012-01-20T18:33:00.000-05:002012-01-20T18:33:01.002-05:00Thermal Cooker Recipes<a href="http://thermalcooker.wordpress.com/category/recipes-all/">Recipes – All « The Thermal Cooker Thermal Cooking Weblog</a><br />
<br />
Here are some recipes from Thermos:<br />
<b><i>Thermos Corned Silverside.</i></b><br />
1 ½ to 2 kilogram piece of Corned Beef (choose a square cut piece to fit easily)<br />
2 Bay leaves<br />
1 large Onion<br />
3 strips of Orange peel<br />
4 Cloves<br />
2 tablespoons of Brown Sugar<br />
1 cup of Balsamic Vinegar<br />
1 tablespoon of Mustard<br />
½ a tablespoon of Peppercorns<br />
Water to cover.<br />
Simmering time on the stove top: 30 minutes<br />
Thermal Cooking time: 3 to 4 hours minimum.<br />
Place all the ingredients into the inner pot.<br />
Bring the contents to the boil.<br />
Reduce the heat to a simmer.<br />
Simmer gently for 30 minutes with the lid on.<br />
Turn off the heat and transfer the inner pot to the outer Thermal Container.<br />
Leave to complete the cooking for 3 to 4 hours minimum.<br />
You can add the required vegetables whole with the corned beef while it is being simmered or else you may wish to freshly cook vegetables to serve with the corned beef when you are ready to eat.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<b><i>Thermos Spicy Baked Beans</i></b><br />
Serves up to 10 people<br />
1 teaspoon of Olive Oil<br />
2 ½ cups of chopped Onions<br />
2 Garlic cloves, crushed<br />
2 tablespoons of freshly grated Ginger<br />
2 cups of Carrots, finely chopped<br />
2 cups of finely chopped Apples<br />
1 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper<br />
¾ of a cup of Tomato paste<br />
½ a cup of Dijon mustard<br />
2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce<br />
½ a cup of Molasses (optional as this does sweeten the meal<br />
considerably)<br />
2 Tablespoons of Balsamic vinegar<br />
1 cup of Tomato sauce<br />
1 cup of Raisins<br />
1 teaspoon of minced Chilli<br />
1 Bay leaf<br />
375g packet of Red Kidney Beans.<br />
Simmering time on the stove top: 10 minutes plus 5 minutes<br />
Thermal Cooking time: 2 hours plus 4 hours minimum.<br />
Prepare the Kidney Beans.<br />
Soak the Kidney Beans overnight.<br />
Cover them with fresh water and bring them to the boil in the inner pot.<br />
Simmer them for 10 minutes.<br />
Then place them in the outer Thermal Container for 2 hours.<br />
Prepare the whole meal.<br />
Remove the Kidney Beans and rinse out the pot.<br />
Add the oil to the inner pot over medium-high heat and fry the onions for 3 minutes.<br />
Add the chopped garlic, ginger and cayenne, and then cool for just 30 seconds, stirring to release the volatile oils.<br />
Stir in the carrots and apples until they are well coated with the spices.<br />
Add the rest of the ingredients, stirring thoroughly and then bring the mixture to a full boil.<br />
Simmer for 5 minutes.<br />
Place the inner pot into the outer Thermal container and allow to cook for a minimum of 4 hours.<br />
<b><i>Variations.</i></b><br />
You can add 1 kilogram of tasty chunky sausages cut into slices, such as Bratwurst, African Boerwurst or even Chorizo’s when you are adding the kidney beans.<br />
<b><i>Boiled Fruit Cake.</i></b><br />
375 grams of mixed Dried Fruit<br />
¾ of a cup of Brown Sugar<br />
1 teaspoon of Mixed Spice<br />
Grated rind of an Orange<br />
½ a cup of Water or Orange Juice<br />
¼ of a cup of Whiskey<br />
125 grams of Butter<br />
2 lightly beaten Eggs<br />
1 cup of self raising Flour<br />
1 cup of plain Flour<br />
½ a teaspoon of Bicarb Soda<br />
Optional…..Replace the water, liquor and sugar with a 450 gram tin of unsweetened crushed pineapple.<br />
Simmering time on the stove top: 30 minutes<br />
Thermal cooking time: 3 to 4 hours minimum.<br />
Place the dried fruit into a saucepan with the brown sugar, mixed spice, orange rind, water liquor and butter.<br />
Bring the mixture to the boil and then simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.<br />
Allow the mixture to cool.<br />
Mix in the eggs.<br />
Stir in the sifted flour and soda bicarb.<br />
Line a 16cm round cake tin or Pyrex dish with baking paper (or grease the container with butter and put baking paper on the bottom)<br />
Spoon the mixture into the container.<br />
Lay another circle of baking paper on the top of the mixture and then cover this with a layer of Alfoil to prevent condensation.<br />
Place a trivet or metal pastry ring in the inner pot and rest the cake tin on this (with the 3 litre pot you can rest the tin on a fold of<br />
Alfoil)<br />
Pour enough hot water into the inner pot to come halfway up the sides of the cake tin.<br />
Bring the water to the boil, with the lid on and simmer gently for 30 minutes.<br />
Place the inner pot into the outer Thermal container for 3 to 4 hours minimum.<br />
<b><i>Cakes</i></b><br />
Many cakes, particularly moist cake mixtures that cook slowly at lower temperatures, such as fruit cake or carrot cake can be made in the Shuttle Chef.<br />
Choose a tin or Pyrex dish that fits your Shuttle Chef.<br />
The following recipes suit a 16cm diameter round tin. Usually less liquid is required than in a normal recipe as the cake doesn’t dry out as it does in an oven.<br />
Remember that there is no problem with leaving your cake in the Shuttle Chef for quite a few hours as it will not dry out….you can even make the cake last thing at night before going to bed and take it out first thing in the morning.<br />
<b><i>Other handy hints for making cakes and puddings</i></b><br />
To cover cakes and steamed puddings, place a round of baking paper on top of mixture. Make a pleat about 2 cm wide in the middle of a sheet of alfoil to allow the cake to rise. Cover the tin with the foil, allowing it to overlap the rim by 2.5 cm crimping it down around the edges to hold it in place.<br />
When cooking cakes in the 3 litre inner pot, unless you have a shallow cake tin, there is not usually enough height to sit the tin on a<br />
trivet or pastry ring. A square of alfoil (approx 30cm x 30cm) folded in half then half again and sat in the bottom of the inner pot works<br />
equally as well. As there is less water surrounding the cake tin in the 3 litre pot, it is necessary to have the other 3 litre pot filled<br />
with boiling water or a liquid based meal to achieve maximum heat retention.<br />
Measure the amount of water needed to come halfway up the sides of the cake tin before placing the mixture into the tin. It is too difficult to pour water down the narrow gap after.<br />
Make a strap to lift the tin in and out of the boiling water, by folding a sheet of alfoil approx 45cm long in half, 3 times lengthwise. (45x3cm)<br />
To test if cake is cooled, insert a skewer into the centre of the cake. Leave for a few seconds, then remove, it should come away clean.<br />
If any mixture sticks to the skewer, recover and place back into inner pot. Bring pot back to the boil, then return to outer pot for 30 minutes more. Times given are minimum and cakes can be left for longer without drying out or overcooking.FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-40354279585823203152012-01-20T15:19:00.000-05:002012-01-20T15:19:52.988-05:00Tell Weather Reporters to Report Global WarmingDear Friend:<br />
<br />
Did you know that over 60% of meteorologists don’t believe in human-induced climate change?<br />
<br />
It’s a big problem: weather reporters reach millions of people every
night, and right now they’re not telling their viewers the full story
about climate change. It's time for that to change.<br />
<br />
Meteorologists are meeting this month at the annual conference of the
American Meteorological Society, where the AMS Council will vote on a
new official statement on climate change. Denier meteorologists don’t
want the statement to pass, and are doing everything they can to derail
the process. We can’t let that happen.<br />
<br />
That’s why I joined the Forecast the Facts campaign, which is calling
on the AMS to pass the statement immediately, and then promote it to
AMS members so they start telling their viewers the full story on
climate change. Will you join me?<br />
<br />
Click below and tell the AMS: resist the deniers and pass the new statement immediately!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://act.engagementlab.org/sign/AMS_Resist_LCV/" target="_blank">http://act.engagementlab.org/<wbr></wbr>sign/AMS_Resist_LCV/</a><br />
<div style="display: block;">
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<a href="http://www.forecastthefacts.org/share/facebook/?page=98&akid=a73996.14347.5Uzd51&source=thanks_email_facebook" target="_blank">Share on facebook. <img alt="Facebook" border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.colorofchange.org/images/fbook_icon.png" style="border: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.forecastthefacts.org/share/twitter/?page=98&akid=a73996.14347.5Uzd51&source=thanks_email_twitter" target="_blank">Tweet this <img alt="Twitter" border="0" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.colorofchange.org/images/twitter_icon.png" style="border: 0px; padding-left: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" /></a>
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Please sign the petition and share the page widely. Thanks! </div>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-84001919642176003062012-01-12T09:15:00.001-05:002012-01-12T09:17:08.721-05:00How One Governor Changed Her Mind On Gay Rights | MoveOn.OrgReally excellent statement -- It's not "special rights", it's the *same* *human* rights.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://front.moveon.org/how-one-governor-changed-her-mind-on-gay-rights/"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LJu6MA_wF7o" width="640"></iframe></a>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-13653047793051577462012-01-12T07:58:00.001-05:002012-01-12T07:59:24.221-05:00An act of dog: Why climate change is like walking Fido [VIDEO] | GristThe owner is the climate, the dog is the weather... Easy-peasy!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2012-01-07-act-of-dog-global-warming-walking-fido-video">An act of dog: Why clima</a><a href="http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2012-01-07-act-of-dog-global-warming-walking-fido-video">te change is like walking Fido [VIDEO] | Grist</a>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-78841025157795952542012-01-12T07:49:00.002-05:002012-01-12T07:53:44.232-05:00EARTH: Source code: The methane raceThis looks like it may be worth following:<br />
"So far, this technology has discovered the body temperature of woolly mammoths and dinosaurs, and has even pinned down highly disputed ocean temperatures hundreds of millions of years old."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/agi-e011112.php">EARTH: Source code: The methane race</a>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-8611834453769444982012-01-09T20:54:00.000-05:002012-01-20T15:22:57.877-05:00CLIMATE CHANGE: Biofuels Are Not the Solution - IPS ipsnews.net<a href="http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=106099">CLIMATE CHANGE: Biofuels Are Not the Solution - IPS ipsnews.net</a><br />
<br />
<span class="texto1">"The term "biofuels" is misleading. These plant-based fuels are better described as "agrofuels", for they are <a class="notalink" href="http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39740" target="_blank">far from green</a>.<br />
<br />
"Those who still argue that agrofuels emit much less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels mostly ignore the fact that emissions are released during production, as a result of land-use change, fertiliser application and processing.<br />
<br />
"Still, many governments, international financial institutions such as the World Bank, and multinational agribusiness, oil and transport companies are promoting agrofuels as a solution to world <a class="notalink" href="http://www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/energy/index.asp" target="_blank">energy</a> needs.<br />
</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="texto1"><br />
"Shifting from fossil fuels to agrofuels is not increasing <a class="notalink" href="http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=44438" target="_blank">the poor</a>'s access to energy but aggravating existing problems such as land grabs, and creating particular challenges to food supplies due to a shift from food cropping to fuel cropping. <br />
<br />
"Crucially, agrofuels can divert resources from clean, renewable energies like wind and solar.<br />
<br />
"Large-scale cultivation of agrofuels, unlike small-scale, locally produced and owned agrofuel activities, is usually accompanied by problematic activities such as intensive use of water, chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides.<br />
<br />
"These often result in polluting, depleting and degrading available water resources, which can trigger famines.<br />
<br />
"Analysts have shown that there is not enough agricultural land on earth to grow agrofuel crops to meet the huge energy needs driven by our current and unsustainable ways of living."</span>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-25515866456463468002012-01-09T19:26:00.001-05:002012-01-09T19:29:21.179-05:00Nov. 1, 2011 Report Links Weird Weather to Climate ChangeIt's under a minute long. Just watch it.<br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" height="245" id="msnbc70af5c" width="420"><param name="movie" value="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" /><param name="FlashVars" value="launch=45125894^71170^122906&width=420&height=245" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed name="msnbc70af5c" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640" width="420" height="245" FlashVars="launch=45125894^71170^122906&width=420&height=245" allowscriptaccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br />
<div style="background: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center; width: 420px;">Visit msnbc.com for <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; color: #5799DB !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; color: #5799DB !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; color: #5799DB !important; font-weight: normal !important; height: 13px; text-decoration: none !important;">news about the economy</a></div>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-85831087336710062452012-01-02T09:02:00.001-05:002012-01-02T09:03:01.959-05:00Outdoors: Earth’s warming a warning | The Columbus DispatchThe predicted warming, by the way, is about the same temperature increase as occurred after the Last Glacial Maximum some 20,000 years ago. The current change will come 100 times faster than the previous episode. Earth this time is not emerging from an Ice Age.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2012/01/01/earths-warming-a-warning.html">Outdoors: Earth’s warming a warning | The Columbus Dispatch</a>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-71605477428067328202011-10-29T12:35:00.002-04:002011-10-31T13:12:46.833-04:002012, #Occupy, and EverythingI'll tell you what #Occupy is all about.<br />
<br />
And I'll set your mind at ease about the Mayan 2012 deal, too.<br />
<br />
The Occupy movement is another manifestation of Freedom, which has been sweeping the world since the Arab Spring.<br />
<br />
It's happening because it's Time.<br />
<br />
And the important date to keep in mind is not December 21, 2012. It's 11/11/11.<br />
<br />
That's in<br />
<iframe src="http://free.timeanddate.com/countdown/i2tuuv85/cf12/cm0/cu4/ct5/cs0/ca0/cr0/ss0/cac000/cpc000/pcfff/tcfff/fs100/szw320/szh135/tatTime%20left%20to%2011-11-11/tac000/tptTime%20since%2011-11-11%20started%3A/tpc000/mac000/mpc000/iso2011-11-11T00:00:00" frameborder="0" width="189" height="66"></iframe><br />
<br />
It's time because we now have computers and understand binary. In binary, which is the language computers speak, there are only two values -- Off and On. These are represented by 0 and 1, respectively.<br />
<br />
I believe that on November 11, 2011 -- eleven eleven eleven -- 11/11/11 -- much of Humanity will turn ON. And nothing will be the same.<br />
<br />
What would it be like to wake up one day with a new sense? Suddenly you were aware of the other life in other places -- not intellectually, but FEEL it, a deep inner KNOWING... What does that life know?<br />
<br />
Or just be able to smell as well as a bloodhound? How would your world change? How would YOU change?<br />
<br />
It's all good, folks... Friends and Neighbors... We're all One.<br />
<br />
These sick, un-sane, twisted structures around us will wither and die. <br />
<br />
It's Ours to tend and nurture the webs of Life that will sustain the earth and those of us who survive and thrive.<br />
<br />
We ARE the Ones we've been waiting for.FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-52183374865720357412011-06-15T07:46:00.001-04:002011-06-15T07:47:49.753-04:00Are there real monsters among us?<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stumbled over this: <a href="http://bit.ly/mj1IuT">http://bit.ly/mj1IuT</a><br />
<br />
Made me curious about the difference between sociopathy and psychopathy:<br />
<br />
"Sociopathy and psychopathy share many traits, which is the main source of confusion for differentiating them in psychology. Traits that sociopaths and psychopaths share include:<br />
<br />
* a disregard for the rights of others<br />
* a failure to feel remorse or guilt<br />
* a disregard for laws and social mores<br />
* a tendency to display violent behavior and emotional outbursts<br />
<br />
"Though not all psychology professionals agree on what exactly differentiates sociopaths from psychopaths, among those who believe each are separate disorders there is a list of definite differences. Sociopaths tend to be nervous and easily agitated. They are likely to be uneducated and live on the fringes of society, unable to hold down a steady job or stay in one place. Some sociopaths form attachments to an individual or group, though they have no regard for society in general. In the eyes of others, sociopaths appear clearly disturbed. Any crimes committed by a sociopath tend to be disorganized and spontaneous.<br />
<br />
"Psychopaths, on the other hand, often have charming personalities. They are manipulative and easily gain people’s trust. They have learned to mimic emotion and so appear “normal” to other people. Psychopaths are often educated and hold steady jobs. Some are so good at manipulation and mimicry that they can have families and other long-term relationships without those around them ever suspecting their true nature.<br />
<br />
"Psychopaths, when committing crimes, carefully plan out every detail and often have contingency plans in place. Because of this marked difference between the method of crimes committed by sociopaths and psychopaths, the distinction between these disorders is perhaps even more important to criminology than it is to psychology."<br />
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<a href="http://helpingpsychology.com/sociopath-vs-psychopath-whats-the-difference">http://helpingpsychology.com/sociopath-vs-psychopath-whats-the-difference</a><br />
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Interesting that crime figures so prominently in both descriptions.... Makes me wonder about the recent "bailouts"... Are we ruled by psychopaths? And are they the vampires of our times? And is a stake through the heart and detaching the head the only "cure"?</span></div>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-18975462832528159922011-06-15T06:40:00.001-04:002011-06-15T06:42:39.170-04:00War is Peace<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">There's a discussion going on at my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FeatherjackMaine">Facebook page</a> that prompted this 'rant':</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i>(The following is opinion, not to be taken as necessarily true...)</i></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><i> </i><br />
I find it fascinating, sad and unnerving that people at both ends of the political spectrum describe the others' words and actions the same way... "more of the same ... twisting and distorting to support their emotion." I'm old enough to remember when facts were..<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">. well... facts; that is, true; accepted as so; beyond dispute. (This would have been before 1980 or so...) In those days, people were open to changing their minds, accepting new understanding based upon further research or fuller context. Now we seem to have entered this weird Twilight Zone-like world where opinion is seized upon as fact (they're NOT the same) and ACTUAL facts are pooh-poohed as "spin". We *are* emotional beings, but we are RATIONAL beings too. We invented and once accepted the scientific method as The Best Way to determine the Actual State of Things. Now the Actual State of Things is up for grabs... I once heard an award-winning professor say "Assertion is not evidence", ie, 'Saying it doesn't make it so'. That's obvious on the face of it, but so many of us (please note, I'm not excluding myself here) are subject to reacting emotionally that we fail to actually THINK. I have my theories about how this happened, but they're Just One Man's Opinion, and I'm not immune to conspiracy theory thinking. After all, I'm in my sixth decade of life on this planet and I've learned a few things about myself. I've also learned that people, organizations, businesses and governments DO lie. (They also 'take out of context', 'mislead', 'spin' and obfuscate, but those are all lying at root.)<br />
I think it bodes ill for us as a people (or as a species) finding and implementing viable solutions to the challenges we face when opponents can't even agree on what's real...</span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text_exposed_show">Fortunately, I'm quite happy with my understanding of reality, and it has very little to do with the doings on this physical spacetime plane...</span></span></span></h6>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-59269261446199456272011-04-22T08:00:00.001-04:002011-04-22T08:05:06.679-04:00The Unbearable Meaninglessness of PoliticsThis is why I've given up on the political process to address anything important in a meaningful way:<br />
<br />
"Sadly, the budget 'cuts' proposed so far in Washington DC are too minuscule to assist in any credible way, and they <i>practically represent a rounding error</i>, given the numbers involved..."<br />
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More to the point: "For the record, these 'cuts' work out to ~$3 billion less in spending each <b>month</b>, or less than the amount the Fed has been pouring into the Treasury market <b>each business day</b> for the past five months." same source<br />
<br />
"...the entire $38 billion is just 2.3% of the deficit and slightly under 1% of the total 2011 budget."<br />
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<a href="http://www.chrismartenson.com/blog/breakdown-draws-near/56594">http://www.chrismartenson.com/blog/breakdown-draws-near/56594</a>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-35575620062706875942011-04-19T21:32:00.000-04:002011-04-19T21:32:05.425-04:00FLASH! This just in...<a href="http://www.grist.org/list/2011-04-14-wind-turbine-suffers-catastrophic-failure-no-one-is-irradiated">Wind turbine suffers catastrophic failure; no one is irradiated</a>FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-54181581397666883722011-04-18T17:08:00.000-04:002011-04-18T17:08:47.581-04:00Rev. Peter Panagore's "Daily Devotions"I am so fortunate to live in a place where I can view this 2-minute God-shot every single morning on TV. For those not so fortunate, here's a taste.<br />
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<object style="height: 292px; width: 480px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xo30jUAPgxA?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xo30jUAPgxA?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="480" height="290"></object><br />
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You can get the text version in your in-box for free. Please consider donating regularly, as I do.<br />
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Blessed Be All.FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1455091420966291163.post-46602286886835824632011-04-16T19:14:00.000-04:002011-04-16T19:14:07.749-04:00The Power of WordsMaybe the most powerful 1:48 you'll ever watch...<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="292" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Hzgzim5m7oU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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I particularly like that it was made by other Feather People...FeatherJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534225332622794604noreply@blogger.com0