Rethos.com - BillTheDestroyer's Global Feed

New comment - Forget the Electric Car: This one runs on compressed air!

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:42:48 -0400

very interesting comments. i stumbled joined this site, just because of them, and i want to add my own remarks. "qoute: And even if the overall chain isn’t as efficient as other technologies, there may be other advantages that make it worthwhile, as I already mentioned. " the question really is, is making say, 50 gallons of compressed air with electricity, less expensive than with gas? if so, then it would be alot cheaper then the traditional approach for the following reasons among other: less maintenance, a reduced overall cost due to less maintenance. as you all know, oil is a ...

New Post - Li Li Parsons

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:03:08 -0400

New posting http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1528 My illustration will have to be added soon. I am posting this from a remote location nowhere near my scanner. Enjoy! Li Li

I Am NOT My Credit Score: I Am So Much More

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:38:05 -0400

This past month or so I have been busy with a lot of financial investigations. I am looking at beginning to pay off my student loans, perhaps moving to a new apartment, and eventually having to trade in my old automobile. As anyone who has applied for loans or leases has discovered, it matters little who you actually are when the decisions are made about offering you an apartment, an auto loan, an interest rate... What matters most in the eyes of the lending institution (my what a telling word: "institution") is a small three-digit number attached to your Social Securit...

James Burke Institute: The Knowledge Web

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:01:25 -0400

Until I post my own article for this deadline, I thought that I would upload an important introduction to James Burke's video about The James Burke Institute's Knowledge Web. Please go to the official website to find out more information!

http://k-web.org/public_html/home.htm

Ally Request - Common Good Finance

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:38:17 -0400

new post, part 2 of Elder Brothers article - Li Li Parsons

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:12:23 -0400

here's the link: http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1469 Feedback always welcomed!!! Li Li

Teachings of the Elder Brothers: Spirit Walking in the World

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:09:55 -0400

In the beginning there was nothing. There was only darkness. There was the Mother and She was the darkness. The Mother bled and the oceans were born; She knew Her own Body and felt Her own Pulse, sensed the richness of Life emanating from Her every Cell.Oil Is In Everything

*Sung to the tune of “Money Changes Everything” by Cyndi Lauper*

Pursuing Alternative Energy can be like searching for a Needle in a Haystack

Even with the increase in media attention and advertising lately that has been dedicated to ‘green livi...

New comment! - No Longer Vegan

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:31:06 -0400

I'm going the opposite direction with my project, "I'm Vegan", embracing the term and portraying dozens of vegans to achieve a normalizing effect that will also hopefully demonstrate that no two vegans are exactly alike.

Support a vegan documentary project

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:25:52 -0400

I thought I'd let you all know about a project I was working on, to see whether or not it was something you (and/or someone you know) would be interested in supporting with a donation.

The project, I’m Vegan, is a series of short documentary profiles featuring vegans from all walks of life, produced with an eye toward addressing preconceived notions about vegans and veganism (and, yes, I do intend to seek out potential subjects from here on these very forums). ...

News Post: the Kogi Mamas and their Warning! - Li Li Parsons

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:46:20 -0400

Go to this link: http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1326 Thank you... be awake, be aware, be engaged! Li

Warning From the Elder Brothers

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:07:20 -0400

The Kogi Mamas are the shaman elders of the Sierra Nevada, and they belong to the ancient peoples of the planet known as the "Elder Brothers". In 1992, a BBC documentary was released, titled: "From The Heart of the World: The Elder Brother's Warning", giving a voice to the Mamas on behalf of our Mother Earth and the natural balance of all living things.

They warned us then, that if we did not stop plundering the Body of the Mother for her blood and vital fluids (gold, oil); if we did not stop breaking up her bones for fuel (coal); if we did not stop ripping away ...

Ally Request - Discover Perfect Energy

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:01:26 -0400

Education & Violence

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:20:26 -0400

I never expected my night to end like this, I thought to myself as I zipped up my jeans and could feel the flood of emotions behind my eyelids as I built the will to hold back my tears. The sun was beginning to rise and I could here birds outside the window. They never sounded so loud but far away from the world I knew. I think to myself, “I will not be a victim. No. Not me.” I contemplated calling the police as the mess from 5 different men pou...

New video posting - Li Li Parsons

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:53:45 -0400

I have posted a new video and article in the newsfeed. Please watch/read and support our growing citizen journalism! Here's the link: http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1278 I believe that I have that right. if I got a little dyslexic there, I will remedy it and send another email with the proper link. Thanks! Li Li

Starwalkers

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:14:31 -0400

A video honoring the profound spiritual wisdom of the Australian Aborigines. For many generations the Aborigines have considered collectively leaving the planet, as they have watched the greed and ignorance of the modern mind wreak havoc upon the natural world, and the souls of humans become deadened. Their ancentral lands have been mined for oil, gold and uranium, their children robbed of their rich heritage, culture, language, and spiritual traditions. Still the people have survived. As members of the Elder Brothers, those ancient races that are keepers of our spiritual and natur...

new rethos journalism posts from Li Li - Li Li Parsons

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:54:11 -0400

Here are the links for my latest pieces. Great work, everyone, btw! This month we've seen some really high quality journalism and commentary. YAWP! http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1249 http://www.rethos.com/news/view/1251 Li Li

New comment - Impeachment: The Dreaded â€˜Iâ€™ Word

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:26:33 -0500

Great piece. I wonder what it would actually take to effect the mass media discourse about impeachment so that the discussion isn't centered around: "well he's leaving in a few months."

New comment - Impeachment: The Dreaded â€˜Iâ€™ Word

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:18:06 -0500

The following letter appeared in my local paper, proving Fresno, CA has more than rednecks, rubes and Republicans: Impeach Bush Fresno Bee 02/19/08 17:18:12 http://www.fresnobee.com/277/story/408025.html The White House has finally admitted that the CIA has waterboarded prisoners in our custody and that President Bush could authorize further use of this tactic in the future. Waterboarding is clearly against international law running contrary to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There is also a history of the United States...

New comment! - Nonviolence: Practical or Practically a Fantasy?

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:46:41 -0500

After posting a comment to this thread I ran into an interesting passage from a biography about Albert Schweitzer by George Seaver:

"[T]here is another another more difficult problem to be solved. All life at the expense of other life: this is an obvious law of the natural world;and man--an ethical and spiritual being---is forced by the selfsame horrible and incomprehensible law to prey on other life, whether animal or vegetable, in order to maintain his own. No one has yet found the thought that will give the answer to this dark and inscrutable riddle of existence; but at least...

New comment! - Nonviolence: Practical or Practically a Fantasy?

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:41:58 -0500

As a Christian who attended a Mennonite seminary and believes in nonviolence and nonviolent resistance, I have come to the conclusion that self defense to save your life or the life of others is a natural instinct. I was sexually abused as a child, and if someone attacked me I would fight back. However, I am opposed to the U.S. use of military might. I am opposed to war. How do I reconcile my two beliefs? I do not. I live with tension. In this world that is filled with beauty, love, hate, and ugliness I realize that sometimes two beliefs can be opposite and still both equally valid. Not...

New comment! - Nonviolence: Practical or Practically a Fantasy?

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 22:02:28 -0500

I have often said that I do not believe in violence, I never said I didn't like it . The issues you raise are tough ones but in most circumstances only theoretically tough because if you are a true student of martial arts then you know that the best defense is to avoid the fight in the first place. If you are following the Dharma and training your mind and body then you will become more and more skillful at avoiding confrontations so that the actual philosophical dilemma of 'What should a pacifist do when a loved one is threatened?' is very unlikely to be met in your lifetime. Theoretic...

New comment! - Nonviolence: Practical or Practically a Fantasy?

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:56:00 -0500

In response, the thing that comes to mind for me is this: We all have different philosophies or spiritual paths that we are traveling and striving in our lives... I think the main word is striving. That is why Buddha is Buddha, and we are all trying to self-actualize. I am certain (although I am not a Buddhist) that any Spiritual leader has had to deal with struggles similar or just as pulling as this one...and they too fail...then they hurry back on the path. So, I say keep struggling until it's not a struggle anymore and then you will have reached another level in this Spiritual p...

New comment! - Nonviolence: Practical or Practically a Fantasy?

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:11:51 -0500

"To differentiate the violence from the violent man, the sin from the sinner, is indeed often impossible." I believe this quote is refering to the concept of loving your opponent. Maybe loving your opponent is too strong a sentiment. Perhaps, feeling a degree of compassion for their situation and what you are about to do to them is more like it. As for the help you requested I will now input my two cents. I have had a few violent experiences in my life and what I have learned from them is that it is almost never worth it. Let insults wash over you and remain calm. Don't let your ve...

Alliance Accepted! - Jennifer Capo

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:14:30 -0500

New comment! - Nonviolence: Practical or Practically a Fantasy?

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:08:03 -0500

Oh, and this as well: Ishmael: "To differentiate the violence from the violent man, the sin from the sinner, is indeed often impossible. It has been my experience that after being beaten there is nothing left of the evil that possessed the guy, and all there is now is a poor soul wondering how it came to this. So may be we have to beat the devil out of the guy and stop beating the guywhen the devil has left him. The two are difficult as many have trouble beating anyone, and on the other hand many have trouble to stop beating every one."

New comment! - Nonviolence: Practical or Practically a Fantasy?

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:04:38 -0500

Here are a few responses from friends of mine outside of rethos: Mariano: "Kill the f--k-r twice if possible. and don't look back... the attacker got himself in a situation I call "instant karma". -oh yeah- With love." Ishmael: "As soon as fear enters the mind, for personal protection or protection of another, then the reaction can only be violent, against the aggressor, against the other or even against one self. If fear is absent, not overcome or conquered as the military trains its men, because it is still present just subdued and waiting to rise again, as proven times and aga...

New comment! - Nonviolence: Practical or Practically a Fantasy?

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:21:57 -0500

Bill, As a student of a nonviolence, this is a question I continue to struggle with on a daily basis. I have come to no conclusions, but I think you are right to doubt whether nonviolence is always the most effective method. As I see it right now, the extent to which a person is willing to forgo violence in the face of aggression is contingent on his/her spiritual beliefs (whether there is a god of judgment, for example) and/or his/her ability to respond with violence. I don't know where I stand - I think I would have to fight back to the best of my ability if forced to confront the "rape ...

New comment! - Quit spinning your wheels, silly auto industry!

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:51:58 -0500

Hi Bill: Check out my post on this same technology at http://www.rethos.com/news/view/996-Forget-the-Electric-Car-This-one-runs-on-compressed-air-

New comment - Forget the Electric Car: This one runs on compressed air!

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:19:01 -0500

Alec,

It is nice that you are curious about this stuff.

You say “it would not take any energy to power the pump if the tank of air used as the source was also compressed.” Yes. But the air has to be compressed somewhere along the line. That compression takes energy. Same thing with electric cars. The electricity has to be generated somehow. (And some ways are good, and some are bad.) You say, “[My claim that] It would take more energy to compress the air than to power the car directly is simply not true. If that were true there would be no advantag...

New comment - Forget the Electric Car: This one runs on compressed air!

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:38:02 -0500

I’ve had a chance to do a little research and the fact is that it would not take any energy to power the pump if the tank of air used as the source was also compressed. Physics or not your claim that it would take more energy to compress the air than to power the car directly is simply not true. If that were true there would be no advantage to this C.A.T or compressed air technology.

New comment - Forget the Electric Car: This one runs on compressed air!

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:03:25 -0500

I didn’t say it would take the same energy as an electric car (and in any case, not all forms of energy cost the same per joule.) I said it would take the same energy to power the pump as it would to run the car, assuming lossless storage and engine. Going 200 miles on 6 dollars means nothing about the technology. You can do that with a regular gasoline engine. You could get the savings from just making the car very small. Hm. No offense, Alec, but I wonder if this will make sense to you without a basic college physics class.

Well anyway, cheers!

New comment - Forget the Electric Car: This one runs on compressed air!

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:17:04 -0500

I will not pretend to be an engineer but since the cost of going nearly 200 miles is somewhere around six dollars then there must be something that makes this energy consumption cheaper. If you were correct than the energy it takes to drive an electric car would require the same amount of of resource consumption which it clearly does not. And finally: Why is it that the energy required to compress natural gas does not equal that consumed by CNG vehicles?

New comment - Forget the Electric Car: This one runs on compressed air!

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:35:07 -0500

Well, the point for Tata Motors is not just to reduce CO2 emissions. It is also to build a very, very cheap car.

Alec, you aren’t quite right. Assuming the energy storage and the compressed air engine is totally lossless, it would take exactly the same energy to drive a compressor to power that car as it would to power that car itself.

But air compression, unless implemented in a very sophisticated way, is a lossy storage medium, because compressing air makes it hot. Unless that heat is stored or harnessed somehow, the compressed air ju...

New comment - Forget the Electric Car: This one runs on compressed air!

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:43:09 -0500

Obviously if there were an equivalent energy consumption between driving an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) and driving an air compressor than the whole point would be lost. Yes some energy is required to drive a compressor. Not nearly what it takes to drive a car.

New comment - Forget the Electric Car: This one runs on compressed air!

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:36:16 -0500

The compressed air would use energy to be recharged. This would probably be using oil in the first place.

New comment! - No Longer Vegan

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:29:33 -0500

This is a great post! The controversy for many individuals over the vegan or vegetarian diet is red hot. I agree with the voice of this article about the mood and tone of moral superiority that infects these populations. I myself decline to state my dietary inclinations in public, as i have witnessed and sometimes participated in the heated debates about who is a “better” or more “disciplined” food consumer. It does put people off to talk about why these choices are made, when others are left in the aftermath feeling like they might be inadequate or stupid̷...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:49:54 -0500

Wow…I was a vegetarian for a while, but I stopped because I found it hard to get enough protein. I think I’ll stock up the cupboard with some extra peanut-butter and start vegging again. Thanks for the post, I had no idea little decision that I make could have so much impact on the earth!

Alliance Accepted! - Bas

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:12:05 -0500

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:58:46 -0500

I’m not a vegan, and I do eat some fish, though I understand how this taxes the environment. So here’s me being hypocritical to some degree and just saying that there is no such thing as sustainable meat, from my point of view. Thought I don’t believe everything he says, I reccommend reading Daniel Quinn. We need to figure out some kind of nouveau agricultural idea, because the way we do it now just isn’t working. One more thing I often consider is how many billion people there are in the world. First world countries eat more meat, because people residing the...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:20:48 -0500

Bottom line is no matter how it is produced meat requires the suffering and killing of a sentient being. Cows, pigs etc have as much emotion and sensation as any house pet. The free-range definition is a deceiving one. many free frange animals are slaughtered in the same facilities used by factory farms, and often the conditions on free range farms, while “cageless” are just as inhumane. Check peta.org for the scoop

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:45:29 -0500

Guts,

Nationalism is definitely a contender in terms of bringers of death, and I’m sure religion is very often used as a tool. But the simple fact is that the violence and cruelty of the Abrahamic religions make them particularly useful for those ends. No government has ever used, say Buddhism, as a reason to start a war or to commit genocide. They can’t, because it truly is a religion of peace.

You could certainly make the “tool of nationalism” argument in the case of the crusades or Manifest Destiny, but what about things like witch burnin...

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:11:02 -0500

and this is the best part, ascended to power with tax payers $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:09:13 -0500

government is responsible for the deaths of 200, 000, 000+ people in the twentieth century. 200, 000, 000+ for the nineteenth century (native americans etc.). they use religion as a tool for blinding and manipulating the masses.

so for you people who are naive enough to believe that real servants of god are responsible for all this evil, why dont you do some research on your governments and governments throughout history. they have you wrapped around their finger while you blast believers, so continue serving the depraved evil that rules the economic, military, nutrtitional, ed...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:10:24 -0500

Yea yea, nice nit-picking Christopher.

You could make twice the contribution by investing in a bicycle. It also will do a number on your health too, believe it or not.

Meat is good for you, and the fact that people are suggesting we exchange diets for the sake of the environment is ridiculous. Stop driving, it’s unnecessary.

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:20:47 -0500

For those of you claiming that criticism of Christianity constitutes hate speech, you’re full of shit. We’re simply quoting your hateful scripture. How is that libel or hate speech in any way?

Religion, especially the Abrahamic religions have caused far more harm than good. The crusades? Manifest Destiny? The holocaust?

Of course, people will say that was all long ago. Well, how about the Vatican spreading lies about birth control in Africa, so that condoms aren’t used, thus accelerating the spread of AIDS?

I...

New comment - Stand up for the Burmese People

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:22:41 -0500

Krista, I sure hope as well, that the common man continues to mobilize in Burma. It is imperative for everyone and anyone in such dictatorships (also applies to Pakistan), to stand up and make ‘some’ sort of a difference. There has to be some struggle.

On our end, these blogs and posts are the least we can do. I think we should also write to our local MPs asking them to put more pressure on the respective governments to intervene in such urgent matters.

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:54:19 -0500

I hear these facts about livestock production. I did not realize the amounts of wastage that occurs in this industry.

As for going veggie, I have my reservations. for starters, I CANNOT live without meat for a single day! I mean I could have it with vegetables, but I need my meat. I do not yet understand the moral aspect of consuming meat. The plants and crops that we feed on are also living beings.

New comment - What's the Worst that Could Happen?

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:02:28 -0500

The reasoning is faulty here on several counts. It reminds me of the famously flawed logic of Pascal’s Wager. Essentially the argument is summarised as “The risk of not acting outweighs the risk of acting” (just as, in the logic of Pascal’s Wager, the risk of not worshipping God outweighs the risk of worshipping a God that doesn’t exist). In other words, ‘better safer than sorrier’.

The decision to go for column “Yes” rests on the fact that proponents of AGW happen to have come up with a worse hypot...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:35:27 -0500

truely a tatamount problem.

however there is a perfectly viable alternative out there. coming soon. hopefully.

with your support.

Alliance Accepted! - Wilde Marketing Writing

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:18:17 -0500

Alliance Accepted! - Jennifer McRae

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:49:31 -0500

New comment! - A day in the life: Cops, cell phones, and being a planeteer.

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:41:48 -0500

Bill wonderful story. I love it. We should collaborate sometime. My name’s Jenn – welcome to Rethos Journalism. As a fellow journalist I applaud your effort. Again, I’d love to collaborate sometime. If you’d like to view my work see: www.rethos.com/jennymcrae enjoy!

Best Jenn

Alliance Accepted! - Jason Boyer

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 07:52:00 -0400

Ally Request - Isabelle

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:24:04 -0400

Ally Request - Daylin

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:23:51 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Li Li Parsons

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:44:17 -0400

New comment! - A day in the life: Cops, cell phones, and being a planeteer.

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 09:44:28 -0400

By the way… teach me to type too quickly… though it is humorous, i did not see medical “wasted”... I sw medical “WASTE”... oh my.

New comment! - A day in the life: Cops, cell phones, and being a planeteer.

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 09:42:39 -0400

I love your honesty and introspection. I love your humor in telling a true story that really is not funny. Most of all I love the point of the story. Yes, the police are effective quite a lot of the time, and I for one would not have thought of calling the police when i witnessed something back in 1990 on the Gulf Coast. I wish I knew then what I have learned now. I saw medical wasted on the beach and tried calling the EPA. Yes, the Environmental Protection Agency. And they not only treated me like a nutjob as I was 19 at the time and probably sounded lik...

Alliance Accepted! - Frank Miller

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:56:03 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - JAM

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 22:14:28 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Denise Day

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 01:29:39 -0400

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:20:44 -0400

This is a wonderful a book on the topic of whether God exists. It is well written. presents both sides of the argument clearly, and is enjoyable.

esqmsm

Write/Draw for rethos!

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:39:28 -0400

Friends, We are in the process of starting a new project at rethos dedicated to citizen journalism and creative expression. We want rethos to become a organic media channel with a focus on promoting positive social change throughout the world. If you are interested in learning more about this new venture, please send an email to eli@rethos.com. We need people who are ready to start doing freelance work right away, so please take advantage of this unique opportunity!

Eli http://www.rethos.com/eli

Alliance Accepted! - Eric

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:52:46 -0400

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:59:51 -0400

Thanks everyone for all of your great comments. I was not expecting a debate to kick off here.

The soybean issue is also bothering me. I do not feel like we should need to choose between animals and trees. Someone obviously needs a kick in the balls. No one should be messing with our rain forests. They are already more than half eliminated… I’m sure there is a more sustainable way to go about growing the damn beans.

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:22:53 -0400

Religion prevents critical thought and proper questioning. It favors complete submission to an all powerful authoritarian figure. The reason many people despise religion is probably because it is a fascist concept, one Jesus deliberately tried to oppose, but the powerful had the last word. Now he is the figure to which we submit, and give all our faith. Instead, Jesus argued, we must give all our faith to ourselves, for the kingdom of heaven is within you and around you. “If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not bring it forth, what you do ...

Alliance Accepted! - Benjamin Ackerman

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:20:18 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Krista White

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:41:11 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Boston Vegan Association

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:30:20 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Alisa

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:46:26 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Elias Feghali

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:28:06 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Technology For People Group Inc.

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:06:50 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - DanRose

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:36:10 -0400

New comment - Stand up for the Burmese People

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:45:42 -0400

UPDATE:

BBC and The Daily Mail report that a senior junta general defected when he was ordered to enter a monastery, transport the monks to the jungle where they would not be found and murder them en masse.

The official said that thousands of protesters, mainly monks have already suffered this fate.

Thousands more are being held in government buildings and refused food.

All of this under the nose of UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari.

New comment - An Off-Grid Vertical Farm for Downtown Seattle

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:14:21 -0400

Very cool … very very cool. With all the great minds on the planet, yet all the pressure not to break paradigms, it is ideas like this that cast a little ray of hope that sometimes it is not all about profits …. I hope to see it proliferate … like Bill Landis commented, “how much better would the world be if we had a structure like this on the side of every housing complex” ... ditto.

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 12:01:05 -0400

” Diet for a New America” by John Robbins … was that mentioned ? Also, as a veggie I must say one of the things u never want to face as a carnivore is the suffering u cause another sentient being. It honestly & simply takes a certain level of dishonesty & detachment to be a carnivore. If you were truly honest with yourself you could no longer eat meat. I believe it was Shaw who said it best: Until we stop being the graves for dead animals we as a species shall never live in Peace. (major paraphrasing!)

New comment - Stand up for the Burmese People

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 22:54:54 -0400

Horrifying new developments:

Ko Htike, who has been providing much of the news from inside Burma via his blog, has released a taped telephone conversation with a woman inside the country, stating that injured protesters have been taken to YaeWay cemetery outside of Rangoon and burned. Alive.

If you aren’t already supporting the Burmese protesters, please start now. There is no more time to hesitate.

New comment - Stand up for the Burmese People

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 15:40:17 -0400

Thanks for the update Krista – the facebook group is really detailed and informative, and it’s nice to see so many people getting involved. It’s something that Rethos needs to look into developing further before their full launch, as the groups help bring together people interested in specific causes.

New comment - Stand up for the Burmese People

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:41:38 -0400

What you can do:

Sign the petitions at avaaz.org and petitiononline.com

Join the Facebook group “Support the Monks’ Protest in Burma’, which has 130,000 members already

Find a rally in your city (cfob.org for Canada) and join in.

Wear a red shirt, I say every day, but especially on the 6th

Email the Olympic committee on Mon Oct 1 at noon your time (find the details on Facebook, or my blog)

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:36:16 -0400

I think that before one comments on atheism, particularly in relation to Dawkins, one should read the book.

I have read it and recommend it highly, in addition to Christopher Hitchens’ God is Not Great and Sam Harris’ The End of Faith (as well as Letter to a Christian Nation). All of the questions and issues posted in the comments are addressed in these books (less so in Hitchens’ book, which if you had a liberal arts education, this might be the one time it comes in handy. With all of my education, I still had a list of 30 references within the text that I ha...

Alliance Accepted! - Kara

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:13:10 -0400

New comment - Stand up for the Burmese People

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:13:43 -0400

The US Campaign for Burma reports the death toll has now risen above 200.

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:00:27 -0400

religion is just a way for people to organize themselves and create social boundaries that used to be necessary to ensure good economic behavior, “do unto ones neighbor as you would have them do”. However in the era of global capitalism we are discovering new and more efficient ways to organize ourselves to ensure positive sum outcomes, like rethos, and social awareness to issues such as global warming

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:24:55 -0400

I study Chinese Medicine, nutrition, herbology, and general health sciences. If anybody needs help on learning to eat a healthy vegetarian diet that your body can stick with message me.

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:16:51 -0400

I understand that many (myself included) learned about “Animal Rights” from Peter Singer, but he is a utilitarian and not actually opposed to using animals. If you want to learn about abolition (which is what AR used to be before it was co-opted by animal welfare), read Professor Gary Francione’s work. His website, www.abolitionistapproach.com, has very accessible flash presentations that explain the differences between animal rights and animal welfare, what animal rights actually is (contrary to what PETA might say), and why property rights ar...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:05:03 -0400

It’s nice when people seek to ignite a debate, and one actually ensues, rather than everyone just confirming their original beliefs. I think I’m going to like rethos.

I’m with Krista et al at the moment; I think that what is needed from an ecological perspective is a fundamental change to food culture, but not necessarily one that cuts out meat. It’s similar (but not directly linked) to the kind of change which one has affect in one’s diet when changing to full vegetarianism, engaging in a whole new approach to food, recipes and ingredients rather ...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:53:11 -0400

thank you for posting the info. realizing the effect that our food choices have on the environment is crucial. becoming a vegetarian is one of the easiest things a person can do to decrease the impact they have on the environment as well as decrease the amount of suffering that farm animals are subjected to. i have been a vegetarian for over four years and really cant imagine eating meet again, but lately i have struggled with whether or not my choices really are the least impactful on the environment. in the january 2007 issue of national geographic there is an article attributing the ...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:09:51 -0400

Honestly, I am having such an authentically difficult time responding to this. I was a vegeterian for about five years and then transitional (fish and poultry) for another two years (approx.). I can feel how fired up people get regarding this subject. I did too. Then I studied further and lived out some of my education at several sustainable ag. projects. Even gardening for a site leased by the old administrator of the Findhorn Garden. Get real, All of us. There is no short cut solution to this whole thing. If everyone is not on board, the boat isn’t gonna float. I feel healthier a...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:08:39 -0400

New comment - SÃ£o Paulo, a city without ads

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:05:52 -0400

Hi Ellie. The set you sent me is from Tony de Marco, the photographer who illustrated the article on Adbusters. The photo on my post is his. If you have time check my flickr page on www.flickr.com/photos/lilivc It’s not a very activist page but you may like.

New comment - College Student Tasered At John Kerry Event

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:30:07 -0400

I saw the video yesterday on The Huffington Post. The guy was being annoying but seven guys holding and tasering him seemed like way too much. Kerry should have walked there and taken some attitude. Apparently this is the new world order: be violent first, ask later.

New comment - SÃ£o Paulo, a city without ads

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:35:43 -0400

That’s a great idea. There’s an organization in Philadelphia called S.C.R.U.B. that helps to fight eyesores in the community. Many cities around the world have so much natural beauty. Why ruin it by having these idols to consumerism distract our vision?

New comment - SÃ£o Paulo, a city without ads

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:40:32 -0400

Check out these pictures I found on flickr- http://flickr.com/photos/tonydemarco/sets/72157600075508212/ – This guy has taken many pictures of the missing billboards in Sao Paulo. Browsing through them I was trying to imagine what living in a city like that would be like, and how peaceful that would be. I’m taking a trip to South America next summer, maybe I should put Sao Paulo on my list of places to visit.

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:07:51 -0400

Wacks Krista with a bushel of chard!!

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:19:37 -0400

I didn’t mean to alienate anyone. As you can see from my previous comment I am supportive of those who take a step in the right direction. Your proposal would be such a step if it could be implemented in a wide spread fashion. Unfortunately, that is highly unlikely considering the massive demand for cheap meat. Oh, and I didn’t mean that all meat lovers are McDiers. Long before I stopped eating meat, I gave up fast food.

If you are eating meat sustainably and humanely then cudos to you. Perhaps, you will show people how to eat meat responsibly and in moderation̷...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:32:35 -0400

Hmm… well I think essentially we agree. You see, my scenario never – ever – included eating anything, from McDonald’s. Because I would like to point out that not all of us who eat meat are guilty of patronizing McDonalds.

Certainly, I agree that that kind of meat consumption is completely unsustainable. I was thinking more along the lines of eat what you, or your neighbour, can grow.

When I lived in England pretty much all of my friends and neighbours had their own chickens. Even a friend who lived in a terraced house in the middle of the c...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:54:43 -0400

Krista,

No I am not going to try and flame baste you. I would just like to say that your scenario would work if there weren’t 6 billion McDonald’s loving meat eaters out there. That’s a lot of “free range” animals. I guess it would intorduce a whole new level of urban sprawl, that dedicated to the “local” livestock we would eat. Yikes, I can just imagine what north america would look like if we didn’t import our meat from south american nations.

I agree with your assessment if we were a smaller more moderate global popul...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:26:38 -0400

I have been a vegetarian for 2 and half years now and it really isn’t that hard. At first I craved meat but now I don’t even look at the stuff. It’s as if it’s not food! Good luck to anyone who decides to take the step towards becoming a more morally responsible and environmentaly friendly person.

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:17:59 -0400

Ok, before you whack me with the spinach too (and by the way, chard would make a much more useful weapon) I would like to make one suggestion for those considering vegetarianism.

Leaving ethical reasons out of it, it is possible to eat meat fairly sustainably. The environmental detriment comes from commercial livestock production, not the existence of the animals (ruminants and their pesky methane excepted), or the consumption of them.

Switching our meat consumption to free range or wild game, and getting it locally can mitigate just about all of the ecological footp...

Rethos journalist visionary wanted!

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:24:52 -0400

The beta version of rethos.com has just launched, and social venture is currently seeking to recruit journalists to contribute compelling content to the rethos platform. If you are an accomplished journalist, freelance writer, or want to become one, rethos invites you to have a profile in the community and offer reports and opinions on you issues of your passion â€“ these will serve as the anchors of rethos discussions and debates.

Experience/Skills Required:

- Experience in writing journalistic content

- A passion for the rethos mission

- A profes...