Report from Laurel Canyon

So, there I was on the top of a mountain in California
at a silent yoga/meditation retreat and the election
was on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning, before the first
stretching, invigorating highly spiritual yoga session,
I took out my cell phone, secretly, in my private room --
and I called home. A brief sabbatical from silence.

I said: Who won? who won!!!?

She said: Who won? Don't you know! Seventy percent of
Massachusetts voted to decriminalize marijuana!

Fantastic, I said, but who won? Wasn't there some kind
of election for president?

ELEPHANT DUNG RECYLING

(I honestly can't figure out if this is a joke or not --)

ELEPHANT DUNG RECYLER WINS CO-OP AMERICA’S 2008 GREEN BUSINESS LEADER AWARD

Company Finds Innovative Way to Defuse Conflict between Farmers and Elephants in Sri Lanka

WASHINGTON, D.C. and SAN FRANCISCO, CA.///December 3, 3008///Brooklyn, NY company Mr. Ellie Pooh, which sells 100 percent handmade journals, stationery, office supplies and various grades of paper made partially from Sri Lankan elephant dung, is the Co-op America’s 2008 Green Business Leader Award winner.

The award was presented at the Green Business Conference in San Francisco on November 13, 2008 by the 2007 Green Business Leader Award winner, Organic Valley. Awarded since 2003, the Green Business Leader Award recognizes the extraordinary leadership efforts of one business that has used its position in the marketplace to organize consumers and businesses together to build a more socially just and ecologically sustainable economy.

Sri Lanka is home to about one out of 10 of the world’s estimated 40,000 Asian elephants still living in the wild. Elephants are not killed in Sri Lanka for their tusks, their hides or for meat – they are killed because they interfere with agricultural crops. Mr. Ellie Pooh is working towards finding ways to change the perceptions of farmers, who are being encouraged to see the elephants as a sustainable economic resource.

Along with Maximus, their Sri Lankan partner and paper-production company, Mr. Ellie Pooh plans to introduce “Project Peace Paper,” which would open paper re-cycling plants in rural areas, train villagers in paper making techniques and sell finished goods worldwide in order to contribute to the local economy.

Green Business Program Director Denise Hamler said: “We’re pleased to announce that green business peers awarded the prize this year to Mr. Ellie Pooh, which works towards resolving the elephant-human conflict in Sri Lanka to try and prevent more of the world population of Asian elephants from disappearing. This company’s green and sustainable aims and practices are truly a model for other corporations.”

Mr. Ellie Pooh founder, Karl Wald said: “Mr. Ellie Pooh paper products are 100 percent recycled, made up of 75 percent elephant dung and 25 percent post consumer paper. There are no toxic chemicals used in the paper-making process, only basic bonding agents such as alum and rosin, along with water soluble salt dyes for coloring. As no bleach or acids are introduced during manufacturing, the handmade papers are pH neutral and can be used in multiple situations.”

Past winners of the Co-op America award include Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, T.S. Designs, and Organic Valley Family of Farms.

Along with Mr. Ellie Pooh, the 2008 Green Business Leadership Award nominees were: Social(k); Ecowood Displays; WorldofGood; and Activist Design Studio. The nominated companies are all members of Co-op America’s Green Business Network™ and were nominated by their peers and fellow business leaders attending Co-op America's Green Business Conference.

ABOUT CO-OP AMERICA

Co-op America is the leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Co-op America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. Co-op America’s green economy programs encourage corporate responsibility, tackle climate change, build fair trading systems, advance healthy, local communities, and provide green purchasing and investing information for families and businesses.

To receive Co-op America’s popular publications, including Real Money and the National Green Pages, participate in Co-op America’s Green Business Conferences or Green Festivals, or to get its free e-newsletter, providing the latest green news, green discounts and opportunities to take action for a green economy, visit http://www.coopamerica.org, email info@coopamerica.org, or call at 800-58-GREEN.

CONTACT: Ailis Aaron Wolf, (703) 276-3265 or aawolf@hastingsgroup.com.

UK ASKS FOR MORE TARGETED TERRORISM

UK asks for more targeted terrorism

Foreign Secretary David Miliband has made a statement on the latest situation in Mumbai India following a series of attacks in the city.

Speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Office, the Foreign Secretary expressed his horror at this 'callous, inhuman and indiscriminate attack on people of all races'.

He said:

"This attack in Mumbai is an attack on all of us because democracy in India is vibrant and because Mumbai is one of the world's most diverse cities.

"The most terrible thing is that we do have one confirmed British fatality. Obviously our hearts go out to the family of the victim and we are determined to do all we can to support those who are currently in hospital."

He also explained that the British High Commissioner to India is in Mumbai and has set up a special command centre and that a special team has just landed to help victims, even if they're not British.

Reflections Aught 8

(Something from the internet)

Reflections Aught 8

Imagine listening to the radio and hearing the announcer state, “Now
playing music from the 80’s (Eighties), 90s (Nineties) and today.” Fast
forward to about a year from now…… same scenario.....

“Now playing music of the 90s (Nineties),_________ties, and today.” Can
you fill in the blank?

How about using “Naughties”, “Aughties” or “Naughty Aughties”.



It’s short, sweet and happens to intimate the tone of this millennium’s
first decade. Not to mention, it rhymes and indicates the decade
containing the number zero (naught=aught=zero). From international or
national to your hometown perspectives and in all categories to include
entertainment, economics, politics, sports, theatre, food and much, much
more, I am certain you can find “naughty” events to create your very own
list. For instance…….

2008
1) Wall Street Bailout
2) Palin VP Nomination
3) NY Governor Admits Involvement in Prostitution
4) China Food & Milk Recall
5) China’s Olympians' Ages Questioned
6) Olympic Torch Relay Protests
7) Sen Edwards Admits Affair
8) Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick Scandal
9) Amy Whinehouse
10) Hillary vs Obama

Join me in spreading the word, "Naughty Aughties", Dawn of a New
Millenium, Decade of Change.

Scott Pedersen
www.naughtyaughties.com



For more supporting examples throughout the years.....

2007
1)Lead Paint Recall
2)OJ Burglary & Kidnapping
3)Britney Spears Pantiless, Bald & Rehab
4)Michael Vick & Dog Fighting
5)Senator Craig’s Men’s Room Proposition
6)Imus Booted Off Radio
7)Anna Nicole’s Child Custody Battle
8)Nicole Ritchie Pregnant
9)Lindsay Lohan
10)Adam Pacman Jones Indicted

2006
1) Cheney Shoots Friend
2) Michael Richard’s(Kramer)Outburst
3) Miss USA & Miss Nevada Scandal
4) Rosie & Donald Fued
5) Bode Miller Flops
6) Mark Foley Explicit Messages
7) Bush’s Spying Controversy
8) Kim Detonates Nuke in Korea
9) Bush’s Spying Controversy
10) Ted Haggard Allegations

2005
1)Hurricane Katrina Response
2)Robert Blake Acquitted
3)Runaway Bride, Jennifer Wilbanks
4)Wendy’s Patron Plants Finger in Chili
5)Paula Abdul & Corey Clark Scandal
6)Merck Mum on Vioxx Risks
7)Russel Crowe Phone Assault
8)Jude Law Cheats on Fiance
9)Cruise & Shields’ Media War
10)Prince Charles Weds Mistress

2004
1) Janet Jackson's Wardrobe Malfunction
2) Cal. Governor Booted, Schwartzenegger In
3) Pete Rose Admits Gambling
4) Ashlee Simpson Lipsynch’s on SNL
5) Barbie & Ken Break-up
6) Dan Rather Releases “Mis-Information”
7) Britney Spears Marries/Annuls
8) Johnny "Fairplay" Lies about Grandma
9) Giambi Steroid Use
10) Boston Red Sox Win World Series

2003
1)Paris Hilton Sex Video
2)NO WMD Found Report
3)Martha Stewart Indicted
4)Michael Jackson Admits to Kids Sleeping in Bed
5)Madonna & Spears Make-out
6)Kobe Bryant Charged
7)Jayson Blair “Journalism”
8)Rush Limbaugh Rehab
9)Sammy Sosa’s Cork Bat
10)Dixie Chick’s Denounce Bush

2002
1) Forest Worker Starts Largest Colorado Fire
2) Miss N Carolina Resigns Due to Topless Photos
3) TYCO Fraud
4) Winona Ryder Conviction
5) Canseco & Caminiti Steroid Use
6) 25th Winter Olympic Skating Controversy
7) Michael Jackson Baby & Balcony
8) Tonya Harding & Paula Jones Box
9) The Osbournes Debut
10) Bush Chokes on Pretzel

2001
1)Clinton Admits Sexual Relations
2)Enron Accounting
3)George W Bush Sworn In
4)Bush Abandons Global Warming Treaty
5)Clinton Issues Controversial Pardons
6)Soprano’s Robert ller Arrested
7)Paula Poundstone Rehab
8)XFL Finished in Season 1
9)FBI Hanssen a Russian Spy
10)Jim Jeffords Rocks Senate by Switching Parties

2000
1) Florida Decides Next President
2) “I Love You” Virus
3) Robert Downey, Jr Arrested
4) Eminem Arrested
5) Daryll Strawberry Fails 3rd Drug Test
6) Tyson Apologizes for Ear Bite
7) 55 Gold Oscars Stolen
8) Judge Rules Microsoft Monopoly
9) Dot.com Implosion
10) Mattel’s “Barbie for President”

Lieberman Courted by the Democrats

Can't we all just get along?

California: Take Back the Chupah!

TAKE BACK THE CHUPAH!



In general, this election was exciting. It made us believe that Americans are not complete idiots -- that was up for grabs. The vote in Massachusetts to decriminalize marijuana was amazing! And the people said to keep the income tax! But California voted against gay marriage -- unbelievable! On the other hand, we knew that there were a lot of idiots in California --see the governor. I hope that there is a way to challenge this vote. And I hope that the rumors that the bastards who sponsored the referendum in California are planning to come to Massachusetts to try it again are false. Or maybe if they came East they would get their asses whupped. Maybe.

Something about politics --

The Swami Bar Mitzvah

Lemon Socialism or Innovative Environmentalism?

1. Lemon Socialism

I don't think there's much choice about the bailout -- it's extortion, but they have all the guns. If you don't give us the money, we'll shut down the whole economy! And they meant it! So, it's like a banker-robbery -- as opposed to the old fashioned kind where the people robbed the bank. The only hope is that the corporations behind Obama want a stable system -- and they'll do what is required in order to make that happen. Which is after all what FD Roosevelt did. It's a shame there really is no "left" that could offer any kind of alternative! Amazing, we in effect nationalize major industries but still think of it as a rescue or a bailout. Damn!

2. The Bush Greenhouse Plan

On the other hand, Republican environmentalists propose that the way to deal with greenhouse gases is to bring the economy to a screeching halt. That will deal with energy issues, imports of foreign consumer items, whatever -- no eat, no heat, no houses, no growth! Earth first, fuck the people!

Communist Manifesto Birthday! 160 years!

On the failures of "really existing capitalism"

The Communist Manifesto Turns 160

by Barbara Ehrenreich


This year marks the 160th anniversary of The Communist Manifesto and
capitalism--a "free enterprise"--seems willing to observe the occasion
by dropping dead. On Monday night, some pundits were warning that the
ATMs might run dry and hinting that the only safe investment left is
canned beans. Apocalypse or extortion? No one seems to know, though the
populist part of the populace has been leaning toward the latter. An
e-mail whipping around the web this morning has the subject line "Sign on
Wall Street yesterday," and shows a hand-lettered cardboard sign saying,
"JUMP! You Fuckers!"

The Manifesto makes for quaint reading today. All that talk about
"production," for example: Did they actually make things in those days?
Did the proletariat really slave away in factories instead of call
centers? But on one point Marx and Engels proved right: within
capitalist societies, or at least the kind of wildly unregulated
capitalism America has had, the rich got richer, the workers got poorer,
and the erstwhile middle class has been sliding toward ruin. The last
two outcomes are what Marx called "immiseration," which, in translation,
is the process you're undergoing when you have cancer and no health
insurance or a mortgage payment due and no paycheck coming in.

Marx predicted that capitalism would fall in a spirited, proactive,
fashion: the workers, fed up with immiseration, would revolt, seize the
"means of production" and insist on running the show themselves, that
being the original, pre-Soviet, notion of socialism. The revolution
didn't happen, of course, at least not here. For the past several years,
American workers have sweetly acquiesced to declining wages, rising
prices, speed-ups at work, disappearing pensions and increasingly
threadbare health insurance. While CEO pay escalated to the eight-figure
range and above, so-called ordinary Americans took on second jobs and
crowded into multi-generational households with uncomfortably long waits
for the bathroom.

But all this immiseration--combined with fabulous enrichment at the
top--did end up destabilizing the capitalist system, if only because ,
in the last few years, America's substitute for decent wages has been
easy credit. Until about a year ago, we got almost daily messages, by
telemarketer and by mail, urging us to consolidate our debts, refinance
our homes, transfer our debts from credit card to another and try tasty
new mortgages that didn't even require a down payment. All too often, we
bit. It sounded so reasonable, for example, not to let our assets just
"sit" in our houses but to start spending that money now.

At the other, Learjet, end of the economic spectrum, there was the
problem of what to do with too much money. Yes, this can be a problem.
Some of the super-rich have to hire consultants to help them spend their
money: Where do you get a $20,000 bottle of wine or find a Picasso for
the bathroom wall? More seriously, there was the problem of what to
invest in. As Chuck Collins of the Working Group on Extreme Inequality
has pointed out, huge concentrations of wealth can function like rogue
waves, smashing around recklessly in their search for ever higher
returns. A lot of these money waves flowed, directly or indirectly, into
the dodgy credit schemes that were engulfing the un-rich majority,
leaving even the fat cats imperiled by the toxic debts of the subprime
class.

Marx's argument was that the coexistence of great wealth for the few and
growing poverty for the many is not only morally objectionable, it's
also inherently unstable. He may have been wrong about the reasons for
the instability, but no one can any longer deny it's there. When the
greed of the rich collided with the needs of the poor--for a home, for
example--the result was a global credit meltdown.

Obviously, the way to address the crisis is to deal with the poverty and
inequality that led to it: bail out people facing foreclosures, increase
food stamp allotments, extend unemployment insurance and make a
massive job-generating, public investment in infrastructure--and, since
medical debts are the number-one cause of personal bankruptcy, enact
universal health insurance immediately. But not even Obama, whose lawn
sign I still proudly display, seems to have the stomach for such a
"trickle upwards" approach. He has announced that he won't bother taking
the bailout as an opportunity to change the bankruptcy law so that
people facing foreclosure can renegotiate their mortgages.

So happy birthday, Communist Manifesto--although I'm hoping that
capitalism survives this one, if only because there's no alternative
ready at hand. At the very least, we should get some regulation and
serious oversight out of any bailout deal, meaning that, yes, the
economy will look a little less like "free enterprise." But one thing we
should have learned in the last week, if not the last year, is that,
when applied to enterprise, "freedom" can be just another word for
someone else's pain.



This article can be found on the web at:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081013/ehrenreich



Visit The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/

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Speculation: Pelosi on Tap?

Just a thought:

If McCain and Palin are elected and McCain croaks, she becomes president -- but who becomes vice president? The speaker of the House, I think. Isn't that how Gerald Ford moved to the top? So, Nancy Pelosi becomes vice president?!! You may speculate on how that might work out --

Investment Climate Takes a Beating

Indian executive killed by workers’ mob

By James Lamont in New Delhi

Published: September 23 2008 16:35 | Last updated: September 23 2008 16:35

The brutal killing of a multinational company chief in an industrial dispute has sent shockwaves through India’s business community.

Lalit Kishore Chaudhury, the chief executive of Graziano Trasmissioni India, an Italian car parts company, was beaten to death at his company offices in one of the country’s largest industrial zones on the outskirts of Delhi on Monday in a violent industrial protest.

A meeting with former employees to resolve a long-running dispute dissolved into a riot in which protesters overpowered security guards and turned on Mr Chaudhury and his staff. About 20 people were injured.

The attack at Graziano’s Greater Noida plant was sparked by the company’s dismissal of 200 workers in a pay dispute and has raised alarm among foreign companies operating in India. Many have already taken measures to give their personnel greater protection, following the wave of bomb attacks in Delhi this month.

The Italian government said on Tuesday it was “deeply shocked” by the violence that led to Mr Chaudhury’s death.

“The incident is all the more worrying as the Italian Company Graziano Trasmissioni, after many successful years, had been facing for several months violent forms of protest by self­proclaimed workers’ representatives. The situation had been repeatedly brought to the attention of the competent Indian authorities,” it said.

The company, a fully-owned subsidiary of Graziano Italy, makes gears and transmission systems for vehicles. Mr Chaudhury had worked at the company for the past decade.

Niccolo Tassoni, commercial counsellor at the Italian embassy in New Delhi, said attackers armed with metal bars and hammers had broken up the plant.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard of this kind of problem for an Italian company in India. It’s quite shocking.”

The Confederation of Indian Industry described Mr Chaudhury’s death as an “unwanted and gory act of violence”. It urged workers not to use violence to settle disputes with employers.

“Dialogue is always the way to find a solution. We can’t have unruly people taking the law into their own hand. We’ve had industrial violence in the past. We had it in Calcutta in the 1960s. But it was never of this kind,” said Jayant Bhuyam, deputy director general of the CII.

“The investment climate and image takes a beating [from an incident like this]. To assuage feelings, it takes time. One incident tarnishes the whole image,” he said.

Since the attack, the police have made sweeping arrests, charging about 13 people with murder. But business representatives in Noida criticised the police for their slow response to Monday’s violence at the plant.

Mr Chaudhury’s death comes against the background of a high profile stand-off between protesters and Tata, the industrial conglomerate, in Singur in West Bengal.

Farmers, backed by the opposition Trinamool Congress, have laid siege to land intended for the plant that will produce the Nano, billed as the world’s cheapest car and a flagship of India’s technical advance. Activists have staged often violent protests demanding that the government return 400 acres to farmers who had not accepted compensation for their relocation.

Business has warned that the damage inflicted on a project of such international acclaim threatens to deter foreign investment in India’s fast growing economy.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Curses! Foiled Again!

Banker Robbers Foiled in Treasury Raid!

Washington: A gang of banker-robbers failed in their attempt to clean out the US Treasury this week. Somehow citizens were alerted to the clever plan to clean out the US vaults and were able to put a stop to it -- at least for a while. "I was very confused," said one citizen who preferred to remain anonymous. "I thought people were supposed to rob banks, not the other way around!" Insiders said that they thought this was an indication that certain business elements realized that the Republicans were going to lose the upcoming election for President and decided to steal what they could before November.

The Debates

Your Urgent Help Needed!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Your Urgent Help Needed
Dear American:

I need to ask you to support an urgent secret business relationship with a
transfer of funds of great magnitude.
I am Ministry of the Treasury of the Republic of America. My country has had
crisis that has caused the need for large transfer of funds of 800 billion
dollars US. If you would assist me in this transfer, it would be most
profitable to you.
I am working with Mr. Phil Gram, lobbyist for UBS, who will be my
replacement as Ministry of the Treasury in January. As a Senator, you may
know him as the leader of the American banking deregulation movement in the
1990s. This transactin is 100% safe.
This is a matter of great urgency. We need a blank check. We need the funds
as quickly as possible. We cannot directly transfer these funds in the names
of our close friends because we are constantly under surveillance. My family
lawyer advised me that I should look for a reliable and trustworthy person
who will act as a next of kin so the funds can be transferred.
Please reply with all of your bank account, IRA and college fund account
numbers and those of your children and grandchildren to
wallstreetbailout@treasury.gov so that we may transfer your commission for
this transaction. After I receive that information, I will respond with
detailed information about safeguards that will be used to protect the
funds.
Yours Faithfully Minister of Treasury Paulson

Time Out,America!

Really, the presidential campaign dwarfs any kind of spoofing the HG&W can even dream of -- so we'll have to wait for the election returns. Then we will be broadcasting from Amsterdam or not. Depends.

What Shade Lipstick for GOP?

What Shade Lipstick for GOP's VP Candidate?

This is a contest -- let's have your suggestions! Maybe get a Government Contract!

For example:

Bullshit Blue

Smut-mouth Scarlet

Something Oily?

But make up your own! Maybe you'll make a fortune!

RP Firm on Anti-Affirmative Action Plank

RP Stands Firm on Anti-Affirmative Action Plank

St. Paul, MN. Standing firmly on a plank to oppose affirmative action, the RNC announced today that it believes in hard work and bootstraps as the way for all individuals to advance their social and economic status. The plank calls for promoting individuals to work positions based upon their abilities, experience, and education and training, fitting the best prepared person to the job.

"We've demonstrated our commitment to these principles by selecting Gov. Palin as our vice presidential nominee. Her luminous qualifications include both engagement in vice as well as efforts to eliminate vice in government. We believe that the role of all citizens, except those chosen to lead, is to attend to their daily affairs, stay focused on the home and family, and when it comes to war - just breed enough strong children to fight in battle for God and country. Sarah has demonstrated that she is well qualified to carry this message" said Hadassah Lieberman at the convention. Her husband Joe, a prior VP selection hopeful, stated that he could support Gov. Palin even if she does not shave her hair.

"After all, I'm open to all kinds of religious practice. One of my favorites is standing at the donations wall of the insurance industry in Hartford and praying for more money."

Speaking of her pregnant daughter and the young man who will soon be a happily-wedded father, "Isn't it adorable. We have Juno in Juneau."

McCain and Giuliani: The Odd Couple

McCain and Giuliani: The Odd Couple

After Barry picked Biden because of his foreign policy expertise and not because he was an old white guy, McCain thought, What the hell, let's go with Rudy -- he throws great parties!

Voting Republican