Rethos.com - lynx's Global Feed

New comment - Don't Patronize Me: The Economy 101

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:20:31 -0400

that is correct. the US racked up gold after wwII and now i think is the only currency or one of the only few currencies that are backed by gold. most other currencies are just paper pegged against the dollar. the problem is countries are so heavily tied with each other in an economic sense, that a struggling US stock market sends most others down the spiral.

New comment - Don't Patronize Me: The Economy 101

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:12:29 -0400

GREAT feedback, Lynx! Thank you for clarifying my confused and foggy point about gold standards and global currencies. Accuracy is important! And I LOVE what you have to say about re-creating the market and businesses in the form of co-operatives. Exactly what we need. I have no love for the cheats and liars that manipulated their way into riches and no sympathy for them when they fall into rags... Let them fail, let it fall! But for the average person and small humble communities -they need not suffer the foolishness of the prior "elite"... they should take back or collapse what sho...

Don't Patronize Me: The Economy 101

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:55:20 -0400

I have now seen at least a dozen television commercials and psuedo-short-documentaries and news blurbs about "how we got into this financial mess" and "what exactly is a credit crunch?" I find it to be rude, disdainful, patronizing and insulting that somehow, we (the American public) are deemed too ignorant to understand what has brought us, collectively, to the edge of financial ruin. Some of these pieces of "information" are delivered in cartoon format, no less, which gives me the eery feeling of being four years old and watching School House Rock, learning how a Bill becom...

Credit Card "Insiders" Speak Out About Abusive Practices

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:36:25 -0400

Earlier this year, former employees of MBNA and Bank of 
America contacted AFFIL looking for a way to speak out about 
disturbing sales practices they were trained to use as employees. Their stories confirm what
we've long suspected: that credit card companies extend credit
to those who can't afford it, and engage in a "tricks and traps" 
business model designed to max out cardholders and keep 
them on a debt treadmill as long as possible. Watch the video 
and listen to what Cate Colombo
and Jerry Young have to say.

Disability and Life on the Street

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:01:30 -0400

Life on the Street

I've been putting off writing this entry because I thought it would be best to provide you with images of these hard-working people so that you can see what I am talking about. But every time I went out and I saw a good photo opportunity, I felt embarrassed and guilty for just wanting to take their photo. I can't talk to them because I don't speak Bangla. I can't explain to them that I am advocating for their rights, nor can I convince myself that my motivation is just. If I could only shake o...

A must read for every college kid heading back to campus!

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:12:35 -0400

Credit Card Tips for College Students

Now that you're making financial decisions for yourself, be sure to protect yourself from credit card tricks and traps. Here are some tips to consider before you break out the plastic. Adapted from "Credit Card Tips for College Students,” Consumers Union...

War on the middle class

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:40:29 -0400

Credit card companies go after American college students, often with the help of universities. Lisa Sylvester reports.

What Will Mac ’n’ Mae Cost You and Me?

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:30:11 -0400

THE inevitability of a taxpayer-funded bailout of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the hobbled mortgage behemoths, shook investors last week, and shares in both companies plummeted on fears that existing stockholders would be wiped out.

These government-sponsored entities guarantee or hold $...

That Student Loan, So Hard to Shake

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:28:08 -0400

MOST people struggling to pay off their student loans keep quiet about it. They do not want to acknowledge that, perhaps in a fit of naïve, youthful optimism, they borrowed more than they could handle.

Then there is Alan Collinge, who for years has described his struggle with tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt to anyone who will listen. He has appeared on “60 Minutes” criticizing...

Avoiding College's Plastic Hangover

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:25:34 -0400

The immediate gratification of using plastic to buy an iMac, tickets to a Coldplay concert and nights of bar hopping has a way of coming back to haunt college students after graduation.

Despite their lack of a credit history and sizable student loans, most college students can get their hands on credit cards with as much ease as a swipe. And they're often lured into doing so with awards like free T-shirts. Along with the freebies, however, come some not-so-pleasant surprises: high interest rates and a range of fees and penalties.

As It Tried to Increase Its Business, Company Gave Risks Short Shrift, Documents Show

In January 2007, as years of loose mortgage lending were about to send the nation's housing market into devastating decline, Fannie Mae chief executive Daniel H. Mudd wrote a confidential memo to his board.

Discussing the company's successes,...

'Liar loans' threaten to prolong mortgage crisis

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:28:06 -0400

We Did It!

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:23:52 -0400

The Federal Reserve Board received an astounding 56,000 comments from the public regarding its proposal to curb credit card practices. In fact, we broke a record - this is the most comments the Fed has ever received on any of their proposals!

The message is clear: we're fed up with credit card tricks and traps!

Legislative Update: Posted by Sarah Byrnes on Caveat Emptor July 30, 2008 Permalink

Or at least credit card debt is, apparently. Our Partner CFED released I consider myself a scientific person, encouraged by empirical evidence; so, at the surface Friedman’s argument for capitalism is compelling. Several problems arise, however, upon a more mindful take of his words. His examples are flawed, his history skewed, his definitions conflated.

First, the indigenous tribes of the world may object to his “crystal-clear” account of history, stating that only societies that exploit self-interest have escaped grinding poverty; although that is a fairly minor point. More surprising is ...

Carbon-Free Does NOT Require Nuclear

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:29:18 -0400

Many prominent science magazines argue that solving the environmental crisis requires that we use substantially more nuclear energy.

If this was true I'd be all for ignoring the many health risks (including intentional and unintentional explosion) and centralization aspect for the sake of the climate.

But, I discovered from talking to some folks at the Sustainable Energy Summit at Amherst, that it certainly is not true. And this article explains how we can reach a carbon-free and nuclear-free society in scientific yet understandable terms.

McCain can take his 45 n...

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...

Alliance Accepted! - Common Good Finance

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:01:06 -0400

New comment - The Green Rush

Fri, 02 May 2008 13:03:02 -0400

Good post. It's a shame the media is so focused on what sort-of short-term profits it is making these companies--and not the long-term profits it can generate for the earth and our future generations.

New comment! - On Anarchism

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:43:00 -0400

Here are some excellent books on anarchism: Kropotkin, Peter. Memoirs of Revelutionist. Ethics Origin and Development The Conquest of Bread Mutual Aid Act For Yourselves. Bakunin,Michael. Bakunin on anrchism

Alliance Accepted! - Li Li Parsons

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:15:51 -0400

New comment! - On Anarchism

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:10:02 -0400

It is a shame that Anarchism is misrepresented in our culture.

New comment - The Green Rush

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:03:05 -0400

hey nour - how did you do that cool red banner in your posting - it looks sweet!

New comment - 'Critical Mass' Acts to Promote Urban Bicycle Transporation

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:18:42 -0400

Sounds a great idea - not sure if in London it would work as it is too congested with no road built exclusively for the car. London only has one modern new road all the rest have always been there! here's a video - http://youtube.com/watch?v=a7-MxK8AvHI

New comment! - (Im)migration and Empire

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:27:01 -0400

This is a very good article. I think exploring the link between the flow of capital and the flow of immigration is important. This obviously benefits the rich, who definitely benefit from the free flow of capital, and then benefit further from the controlled flow of immigration. It's in the immigration controls and not allowing people to move freely in search of better lives that create these massive pools of cheap labor. If immigrants had rights in the workplace regardless of their citizenship, you can bet we'd all have higher wages and better conditions. As it stands, and as your article ...

Alliance Accepted! - -

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:46:50 -0400

Internship Opportunity - Tour Liaisons

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:51:37 -0500

Internship Opportunity—Tour Liaison
Otesha Cycling and Performing Tours
www.otesha.ca

The Otesha Project is seeking 14 dedicated, organized, fun-loving individuals, aged 18 to 30, to serve as Tour Liaisons for its 2008 cycling and performing tours. As part of a team of 15 to 20 performers, you will take care of all administrative and on-the-road logistics for the tour. Successful candidates will support team members as individuals, foster a positive team environment, support teams in achieving tour object...

New comment - Is Atheism a religion and does it require faith?

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:06:20 -0500

A very well written argument for the state of mind that most “atheists” have. Religion is a cloud, It clouds the mind from any unwanted external forces of reason. Theists will say “i believe in god. I grew up with god. Jesus Christ is my savior.” – They have been indoctrinated with these beliefs and ideals at such an early age it is almost impossible to break. Theists will go through their lives using religion as an excuse to mame, an excuse to torture “them.” and worse of all theists will create an “Us vs. Them” society that will be...

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:13:53 -0500

Lynx, fascinating article, and a really interesting debate; thanks for the post. Hard to beleive it’s really happening, even when evidence is staring you in the face.

I agree absolutely that the US government has mistreated the Lakota (and all native American people), however I can’t help feeling that absolute secession is misguided. I worry that people seem to prefer splintering into smaller groups rather than embracing a united humanity.

Okay, that last is a little idealistic… I totally agree in local, sympathetic government – like the

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:15:02 -0500

Lynx

Regarding the Lakota Freedom I can agree with you on the manipulation by the government however the tribe needs to take responsibility for the way they have mis-handled the allocated funds and allowed such control. For the most part the people want change but they are not willing to make the painful but necessary changes that need to be made.

This article is posted at www.chadrad.com and I think it will interest you. Not far from where I live (20 miles west) in Crawford, NE. there is a large uranium mine. the owners want another 2000 acres.

(NE) Coul...

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:31:32 -0500

dawn – bringing more economic activity to the rez would definitely be a good thing, as you trightly point out. for the record that’s not what robert suggested, he suggested the rez’s – the only land in the country still nominally under native rule – should be abolished and the tribal governments essentially converted into corporations. which is a very very different thing then what you are suggesting.

i think you’ll find, if you follow the link provided in the article, that the Lakota involved in the independence campaign aren’t parti...

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:43:11 -0500

I would like to respond to this article. The statistics above are accurate, I should know, I live just south of Pine Ridge South Dakota in Nebraska and I’m the intake coordinator for a substance abuse treatment center 20 mins from Pine Ridge, Wounded Knee, Porcupine, etc… I compile the outcome measures and statistics for our fiscal report and my calculations match up with the stats above. I understand what Robert is saying about bringing business to the reservations. The tribe is too connected and entrenched in government funding. If they pull funding the tribe will have mo...

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:50:25 -0500

Robert, don’t be condescending. of course I know about the history of US imperialism vs. native people, wounded knee included. that’s why this move by the lakota is so important. and nobody’s talking about shedding blood, this is in’t a military move, it’s diplomatic and completely within legal channels. they’re not even holding protests that the feds could attack, instead they’re filing lawsuits and seeking diplomatic recognition. as far as being “for the sake of anarchy”, please do us all a favor and take the time to research a...

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:59 -0500

Linx-The U.S. does not have a good track record when it comes to being compassionate about First Nation Issues. Have you ever come accross Wounded Knee in your studies? Despite the perceived legality of Secession, the reality of the situation is that US response has been shown through history as being swift and without compassion. I see no real practicial reason to see my brother’s blood shed needlessly (except for the sake of anarchy) when there are other means available.

Think Democracy's Sexy? Volunteer with AisB!

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:02:17 -0500

As always, if you’re interested in volunteering, get in touch. We need people who can:
- graphic design - research, blog, and write - web design - do some mindless data entry (if you’re in the mood for some tedium, but we try to keep it to a minimum!) - develop website content - translate (English – French) - help out at events (hand out surveys, talk up Apathy, take pictures, sell gear) and a plethora of other things.

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:54:29 -0500

robert – it is absolutely NOT an act of treason for a conquered nation to exercise their legal right to withdraw from a union they never willingly joined. lakota independence is 100% legal and an entirely appropriate response to ongoing genocidal policies by the settler government. being connected to the land is beautiful, but it doesn’t require being connected to the empire.

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:38:14 -0500

This article and lynxâ€™s response to my previous comment overlooks a crucial fact: our heritage is not tied to a piece of real estate. We are part of the land, despite any and all potilical conditions. Even though we are a conquered nation, we donâ€™t have to accept the â€œbenevolenceâ€ of the conquering race such as reserves and token handouts. Our identity is based on the strength of our connection to the land. The blood that courses through our veins come from the same source that emits the waters for our rivers and lakes, the nutrients and warmth that feed the plants that grow...

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:36:09 -0500

deb, the answer is the the USA isnâ€™t really interested in helping the Palestinians, not when weâ€™re giving $80 billion + a year in military aid to the Israeliâ€™s to help murder them. US presidents for decades now have mad a show of helping to negotiate â€œpeaceâ€because we need oil from Palestineâ€™s Arab neighbors who are less then pleased at the genocide we are supporting, but itâ€™s really a stalling tactic that allows Israeli â€œsettlementsâ€ to take ever larger chunks of Palestinian land and for us to continue purchasing l...

New comment - 27 electric cars companies ready to take over the road

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:41:08 -0500

I definitely agree on public transportation. I love living in a city in which I can walk everywhere. And for days when I absolutely need a car, I rent one for a couple hours through a car share… which I hope to see in more cities soon! =)

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:20:30 -0500

Why would the United States reach out to support the Palestinians and their quest for independence and sovereignity, and not the Lakotah? Why doesn’t the mainstream press even give this story a mention? I was attempting to comment on the commonality of their quest rather than who is right and who is wrong or who came first. I’m just curious, and didn’t intend to come off as supporting them just because they were here first! I’d like to see some light shed on the issue, so that I can better understand, rather than operate from my admittedly elementary perspecti...

New comment - Urban Bike Sharing Coming To The U.S.

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:25:37 -0500

Even better!

New comment - 27 electric cars companies ready to take over the road

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:11:27 -0500

Besides a list of these electric cars, what is the total amount of pollution, including their manufacturing, etc, that will truly reduce. Mass transit is actually a better solution. Also more walking, and having stores and work near where you live. But electric cars are cool nonetheless. I drove a Hybrid from Montreal to Toronto and was amazing at how little gas it used.

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:55:56 -0500

That note of “who was here first” sounds so first gradish. We are adults, the human species – so far as we have evolved anyway. NO, I don’t think this president will. There are too many injustices in this world and I can’t quit living because I can’t change them; but I can change my heart, my mind. Increase the “letting go” experience and hope that mankind will one day find that we are all from ONE source—what or how that is I cannot say, but I do believe that. In the meantime, I am going to live my li...

New comment - Urban Bike Sharing Coming To The U.S.

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:49:06 -0500

Ride On!

New comment - Urban Bike Sharing Coming To The U.S.

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:42:01 -0500

We have that here in Buffalo! Itâ€™s the blue bicycle program. :-)

For more information about this successful program, please visit http://buffalobluebicycle.org/

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:21:33 -0500

Did anyone see the President’s speech this morning where he is encouraging the Israeli’s to allow the Palestenians, who were there first, to have their own nation? Will he give our Natives the same support?

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:30:24 -0500

As a person with First Nation ancestry, I have found that using materialism based statistics as social indicators does not provide a clear illustration of social conditions. A more profound approach would relate On-Reserve conditions to those experienced by First Nation individuals living off reserve. Its fairly well known that conditions experienced in reserves would not be tolerated in other communities (building codes, health codes and such have been developed to deal with substandard conditions). The apartheid like system of reserves serves mostly to segregate and isolate, and furt...

New comment - A Thousand Words

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:33:32 -0500

If you click the link in the post it will take you to a site that provides info on the source. These images are art but the basic ratios are culled from actual statistics.

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:11:39 -0500

JUSTICE is often a dream for those most deserving of it, and well is it known that uncountable are the masses who have lived to wait out the rule of Law (as it is supposedly understood in this greatest of all countries). But this nation, known as America, was stolen from those who had lived in peace and prosperity with common and cosmic driving forces through not only declarations and treaties entered into with little more than a trusting certificate of title; in a time, unremarkable for anything so heinous as brought about in the language of genocide, on this...

New comment - 'Critical Mass' Acts to Promote Urban Bicycle Transporation

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:24:33 -0500

Nathan, It really depends solely on your perspective. You say that CM is not fighting for equal rights. Why? People who support CM say they are doing just that: equal rights for bicycle riders who are forced alone to be subjected to “back of the bus” status. CM supporters believe that this an important right to fight for. They do not believe they are “implying that they are above the law” anymore than the busriders were so implying by breaking the law in Selma. Believe me, there are unfortuantely plenty of people who believe that the Selma bus riders felt they we...

New comment! - Lakota Declare Independance from USA

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:42:11 -0500

Thanks for posting this article. I agree everyone should respect the rights of the Indigenous peoples and recognize the Lakota nation as independent from the US. Not sure why this would be controversial…

New comment! - On Revolution: How and Why?

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 20:46:21 -0500

For a long time, I’ve been wondering about how to use my life. I am someone with an enormous amount of opportunity and I believe that I could easily ignore all of the challenges and loss happening in the world today. However, I also believe that you are absolutely, positively right. If we are organized, determined, and do not fear the boss-men, then we shall prevail. Get the message out, reject the damage control brainwashings that the corporations will undoubtably react with, and the noble masses will join us.

VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

New comment - Dear Red States

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:35:35 -0500

In the Civil War of the US, satire, similar to this, was credited for being the third cause of the war. The letters of Petroleum V. Nasby, a devote southern confederate, circulated in the northern newspapers and reflected the common stereotypes that the North viewed of the South. In realty, prominent anti-slavery editor David Ross Locke wrote the papers and stirred the common frustrations of the time.

Hopefully this information helps, and helps to put some context to what Alec has written and why it might belong on Rethos.

New comment - Dear Red States

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:16:48 -0500

You know what James? My patience is wearing thin. If you are so cloistered as to not be aware that humor, satire and social criticism are some of the historically most effective means to change then I do not know how to respond to you except to say lighten up dude..if you don’t take a breath and smile once in a while then nothing is ever going to change..c’mon gimme a break already!

New comment - Dear Red States

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:34:06 -0500

If it is what you say this is not the right site for political humor. I thought it was a site for change.

New comment - Dear Red States

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:29:50 -0500

Dear James: It is not a â€œjokeâ€ but it is a humorous allegorical satire of what California, if she were a living being, might say to the states who voted for Bush..again if she were a human being which she is not. California and the other states who voted for Kerry (In the US a state can only be for one candidate for president), in other words, we donâ€™t count up all the votes in the US and see who won, each state theoretically elects the president then sends its number of delegates to the electoral college and then that state casts its electoral votes in favor of whichever candidate...

New comment - Dear Red States

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:56:13 -0500

this article makes no sense to a non US citizen. Can you explain why this article is not a joke?

It seems very anal – in the American way – I introduced a real ethical debate.

New comment - Dear Red States

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:26:02 -0500

No idea, man. Haha, just felt compelled to respond to James. I read this piece a while back, like it a lot. E

New comment - Dear Red States

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:22:50 -0500

I am all in favor of a healthy debate about gun control but how did this discussion end up on this post which is a cute essay about secession of the blue states and not at all about gun control? I mean, its ok by me, it just seems a bit of a non-sequitur.

So let me weigh in here while I am at it. In my opinion gun violence in the United States is epidemic. In fact its off the charts. In other countries with strict gun control laws the incidence of homicide and serious injury is a mere fraction of a percentage of the violence committed in the US. That being said, I cannot den...

New comment - Dear Red States

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:03:05 -0500

We donâ€™t need the state to control the armament of the populace. We need the people to control the armament of the state.

I agree that, as an instrument of violence, guns are the cause of much pain and suffering. However, I think that the only true gun control can come from a non-coercive re-evaluation of the individualâ€™s relationship to the community and the communityâ€™s relationship to the governing power. In other words, so long as the state has instruments of violence, the people need them tooâ€¦even though there a plenty of idiots who abuse this â€œpolitical rightâ€.

New comment - Company Closes, City in Trouble, We Need Your Help!

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:31:20 -0500

I agree the workers should invest all the money they would have lost together together their resources & invest in a company of their own. Worker owned companies are the wave of the future … sad thing is under capitalism what that company is doing is perfectly legal …. justice & workers’ rights be damned ….. excellent article dude !!!

Peace n Love

New comment - Dear Red States

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:31:44 -0500

You need gun control – owning a ‘glamous’ lethal weapon is not a right it is a stupidity. Say you managed to kill a robber in the street – you are a murderer and what about the other people you accidentially killed because you were caught up in the excitement.

New comment - Company Closes, City in Trouble, We Need Your Help!

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:10:48 -0500

we had a good company that the owners decided they were not making enough money and decided to close up. – The workers decided to take over. Some had been working there since they left school, and understood the business well. The 300 workers should buy them out.

New comment - Dear Red States

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:57:59 -0500

Quite the dichotomy. :-\

New comment - Tools for White Guys who are Working for Social Change

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:55:02 -0500

This sounds like it has been going on for a long time in meetings. WJJ Gordon and Prince of the old 1960s Synectics Inc discuss this very issue, and Teresa Amabile at Harvard currently says the same thing.

Overall, this supports creativity in any organization!

New comment - Against Hypocrisy

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:32:23 -0500

There is a lot that can said of the corporate model. Because they are fashioned to go after money, these efficient and effective organizational structures cut corners and make careless and dangerous mistakes (sometimes intentionally). I think the nature of the organization is most critical and if they are truly going to practice CSR, the bottom line cannot be the primary force compelling action. For that reason, I agree with Akeeba that it is not possible for “for-profit” corporations to be socially responsible.

Corporations in the energy ...

New comment! - On Revolution: How and Why?

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:02:58 -0500

Great writing and wonderful ideas! Thanks for sharing them. I don’t know why I didn’t see this article earlier.

“What Iâ€™d really like to see is that movement growing and taking things to the next level – setting up credit unions that would provide bridge loans to workers seeking to purchase the businesses where they work and convert them into collectives, providing legal support and know-how to one another, really build it into a movement.”

I’d like to see this too.

Here’s another CSR leaders.

I feel that rather than squashing this ideal before it can grow, it should encouraged and at the same time raised as a point for discussion and debate between consumers and the companies that they support or donâ€™t support.

Lynx,

Your point about the Legal obligation of co...

New comment - Safe to be unpopular?

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:45:39 -0500

If you look at the Philippines, they have a very high number of journalists killed for saying the ‘wrong’ thing. I argee with you to a degree.

New comment - Against Hypocrisy

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:38:30 -0500

I don’t think it’s possible for for-profit corporations to be socially responsible. The day a for-profit corporation opens up its books to the people who work for that corporation and to consumers, showing every expense and every deposit and offers both consumers and employees the chance to vote on the direction of the corporation, will be the day it’ll be possible for for-profit corporations to be socially responsible.

Social responsibility is much more than being micro-friendly to the environment. It’s about being responsible to employees and consume...

Opportunity for Webmasters and Bloggers! FREE USE OF WEBSITES

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:32:14 -0500

King or Queen of your own sustainability domain!

We'd like to offer you some of the valuable Sustainability-related domains collected over the years.

What we ask in return is that you design a really cool site that gets people involved, spreads the Sustainability Symbol (the 3 finger symbol) around the world and brings attention to, and supports at least one of the Climate Change related projects we’re working on (Like “STOP the GLOFs”) The rest will be up to you.

Almost two years ago we introduced the 3 Finger Sustainab...

New comment - 'Critical Mass' Acts to Promote Urban Bicycle Transporation

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:55:22 -0500

Hey Alec,

Thanks for the response.

While I understand the importance of civil disobediance, there are certain examples that you can give to support it, though many examples, especially nowadays, hardly do the tool of civil disobediance justice.

The selma bus riders were breaking a rule that in no way benefited society because it was founded on a belief system that upheld racial differences. Breaking rules such as our traffic light system? How is that going to make anybody want to invite more cyclists to the city?

In other words, the selma bus rid...

New comment! - On Nonviolence

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:20:05 -0500

ah, well that makes sense, I’m out of school now and had forgot that it’s finals season. good luck with your tests!

Pacifism as Pathology is a good read, Ward Churchill has been a big influence on my thinking. I can’t give him 100% credit for my deciding to stop calling myself a pacifist, but he definately gave me a swift kick in that direction.

cheers man - lynx

New comment! - On Nonviolence

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 04:23:23 -0500

Lynx,

I acknowledge my absence from this debate. My incompetence can be partly blamed on college finals—and a scorched memory. I actually just bought a book called “Pacficism as Pathology” which makes the same argument against nonviolence (I think). I plan on giving that an honest read, and coming back when my mind is healthy to spark this much needed discussion.

Sorry for the delay, and keep fighting the good one brotha, Eli

New comment! - On Nonviolence

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 04:01:03 -0500

well, it’s been 4 months and elias never came back to refute my arguments as promised, so let the public record show that the points were conceded. too bad, i was looking forward to a good debate…

New comment - 'Critical Mass' Acts to Promote Urban Bicycle Transporation

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:25:16 -0500

I wish I could join the ‘critical mass’! However, I’m in Montreal and we have snow already… too bad. Well, all I can say is ride on!

New comment! - On Revolution: How and Why?

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:18:11 -0500

holy sh… Well. I don’t presently know a great deal about economic structure but it seems that this plan is perfection.

Alliance Accepted! - Philip McMaster

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 05:07:01 -0500

New comment - 'Critical Mass' Acts to Promote Urban Bicycle Transporation

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:55:56 -0500

blushing

New comment - 'Critical Mass' Acts to Promote Urban Bicycle Transporation

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 13:47:33 -0500

Alec: As usual your writing inspires me – your purposeful prose is so highly intelligent, yet so wonderfully readable. Its as if your words choose you, lending themselves to your literary pursuits. I am as always enviously in awe. You inspire me greatly. Congratulations on participating in such a wonderful ride. I will look forward to hearing more of your friday night biking escapades.

Alliance Accepted! - Pablo Salzman

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:15:25 -0500

New comment! - On Revolution: How and Why?

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:15:00 -0500

I think your idea is brilliant! I have seen Naomi Klein’s movie The Take (http://www.thetake.org/index.cfm?page_name=watch_the_trailer) about what Argentinian workers did following the economic collapses yet never connected the dots and thought of applying the strategy at home or all over the world.

New comment - Capitalism and Inequality: If Only Time Could Tell...

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:36:46 -0500

My problems with this article have prompted me to reply with a post of my own at the following link:

http://www.rethos.com/news/view/748-A-critical-essay-in-reply-to-Ian-Wooden-s-article-re-Inequality-and-Capitalism

Alliance Accepted! - DanRose

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:02:44 -0500

New comment - A Corrupt Patience - Response to Ian Wooden

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:58:17 -0500

Forgive the multiple typos… very distracted by a four year old and trying to stay focused on writing! Li Li

New comment - A Corrupt Patience - Response to Ian Wooden

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:54:30 -0500

That the corporate model is based on a fascist-like one is only common sense from the pov of those who have worked their whole lives for something just to have it taken away by the careless and callous motive of profits. My grandfather worked for over 40 years on the northern railroad and even became a vp… you wuld have thought that at that high level of upper management he would have had a cushy retirement and pension… but not only did that not manifest, when he died, his widow was left peniless. Did the company owners actually care? Of course not. He was treated much be...

New comment - Is Atheism a religion and does it require faith?

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:55:25 -0500

Lynx,

Regarding religion losing ground, I know just how hard it can be to believe when you keep hearing about assorted groups of morons trying to get creationism taught in public schools and such, but consider how far we’ve come in the last 100 years. In the first world, at least, (you’ll notice how religion seems to thrive in third world shitholes. Coincidence? I think not) women have equal rights, gays can marry in some countries, religion is, in writing at least, completely separate from the state, etc, etc, etc. People are simply less ferverent in the religi...

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...

Alliance Accepted! - Paul

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:02:39 -0500

New comment - Alternatives to capitalism

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:55:09 -0500

Gives me chills to think about. I’ve wondered the exact same thing. If these unions are complaining so much about lacking wages, and unjust treatment..why don’t they build their own business? By not doing so they’re supporting this owner/worker distinction. I don’t mean to belittle the unions, but they and we just have to take a step forward.

Its exciting to have someone with similar ideas lynx. Credit Unions, factory takeovers, just production of goods. All the pieces are there, and they are slowly coming together. Its all definitely in an infant stage,...

New comment - Capitalism and Inequality: If Only Time Could Tell...

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:31:25 -0500

Lynx brings up some great points. However, I feel the need to address a certain common understanding of all those against the Capitalist system. In many ways, I am starting to feel the sensation that the picture of this article sparks a lot of emotion. The underlying rationality of why I posted this picture was not to reinforce this pyramid. I look at it and say â€œits crazy how far we have evolved sinceâ€. It is important to understand that this picture is very far from the Capitalism of 2007. Continuously, a lot of references that are made in argument against the system (and this go...

New comment - 'Critical Mass' Acts to Promote Urban Bicycle Transporation

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:29:11 -0500

Sorry! I meant “desegregation” not “segregation”.

New comment - 'Critical Mass' Acts to Promote Urban Bicycle Transporation

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:26:30 -0500

Nathan, Thanks for the input. As I state in the article, Critical Mass has come under fire for some of its tactics. I have so far only taken the one ride with them but the thing that struck me as quite odd was the fact that motorists everywhere seemed to encounter us with a totally positive attitude even when some people were “corking” intersections.

Your comment is a restatement of an age old debate about civil disobedience: does one work within the existing parameters to try to effect change or does one intentionally violate those parameters to force change in a j...

Alliance Accepted! - Dana

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:12:44 -0500

New comment - Is Atheism a religion and does it require faith?

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 07:45:01 -0500

Excellent commentary.

New comment - Alternatives to capitalism

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:24:26 -0500

My hope is that the energy put into my writing energizes whoever reads it. The people that give me feedback tell me it inspires them to question more and believe less. There are those who hate it of course..but I like to think its because they hate the ideas, and I try to view it like this. People that disagree are much more likely to respond, so hopefully to the extent those who disagree hate it, those who agree (but don’t respond) are moved by it…but who knows. You tell me.

I haven’t gone out and talked to as many people as I would like about the issues. My ...

New comment - Alternatives to capitalism

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:31:45 -0500

Paul, thanks for posting this.

Richard, the ideas you express seem wonderful, in theory. Do you have personal experiences you could share where you’ve been successful at generating the this same kind of energy I see in your writing, in other people? – Thanks.

I think education, access to information, the time to absorb the information, the training to understand the information, the energy to retain the information, etc… are all key components to a successful democracy AND key components in setting up a successful democrat...

New comment - Alternatives to capitalism

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:27:45 -0500

We need to be thinking realistically about how to press for economic democracy. It should be an issue at the forefront of the world’s consciousness. This isn’t some far off idea that maybe our grandkids will experience, it is the next popular struggle, women’s suffrage, civil rights, economic democracy. We need a vision, along with tangible steps to achieving that vision. Think hard and think big.

New comment - Alternatives to capitalism

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:08:39 -0500

We should press for advertisement reform while having certain co-ops already advertise in a responsible way. We need to elect politicians that will support the co-op movement by endorsing them, facilitating their inception, and most importantly shunning the corporate world. We should also press for changes within current co-ops. I need to do a lot more research on co-ops vs. corporations. I just met someone who works at a worker-owned co-op. But we need more explicitly democratic co-ops, in the sense that they are accountable to the community and not just the workers.

Imagine a...

New comment - A Corrupt Patience - Response to Ian Wooden

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:37:23 -0500

You are a very intelligent and knowledgeable writer. You manage to put what a lot of people feel and think into an understandable and concise form. I am interested to hear your views on decentralisation and community based government/economy as an alternative to capitalism? You mention co-ops in your previous post would you be able to expand on that? I find that a lot of people know whats wrong with capitalism and so am more interested in hearing what alternatives people propose.

Alliance Accepted! - Technology For People Group Inc.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:12:46 -0500

Alliance Accepted! - Dillon

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:56:54 -0500

Alliance Accepted! - kiadso

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:56:49 -0500

New comment! - Ghandi and Anarchism

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:37:03 -0500

lynx, thanks for this! great piece

Alliance Accepted! - steve

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:56:44 -0500

Alliance Accepted! - Richard Treadwell

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:32:22 -0400

New comment! - On Nonviolence

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 13:44:37 -0400

Lynx, I’m afraid of that day to be honest. Because I know I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror if I didn’t get out there and fight back. What does everyone think would happen if a massive uprising took place that threatened to take away the power and privilege of the few. If we marched and took control of our natural resources, and our mass communications. If we had a plan as to how to use them efficiently and democratically. They would find any and every excuse to use violence….you better believe it. Pacifism works fine right up to that point, then you’v...

Alliance Accepted! - ilya ginzburg

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:24:03 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Simon

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:02:44 -0400

Please come to Los angeles for Darfur Rally

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:07:10 -0400

Monday October 15 in Downtown LA 12 noon!!!

Help to stop American Investment in Darfur! Join me in downtown Los Angeles for a rally!

Click here to sign up

Alliance Accepted! - Americans for Fairness in Lending

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:22:11 -0400

ONE Campaign's Campus Drive

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:50:33 -0400

The ONE Campaign has started a PR drive that focuses around college campuses. It should be lots of fun. It is kind of a contest to see which school can accumulate the most points by engaging in publicity for the ONE Campaign. The school teams win prizes. The ONE Campaign wins more public visibility.

So go ahead. Locate your alma mater (or favorite school) and sign in to help them rack up points and spread an awareness about the ONE Campaign.

Alliance Accepted! - Alec Henderson

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:24:18 -0400

Are you a great designer, or translator?

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:15:45 -0400

We are in the process of translating the word/concepts/phrase of

1. SOCIETY

2. ENVIRONMENT

3. ECONOMY

... into the languages of the world, and adapting the different ways of writing to the three fingered hand symbol.

You can see a sample of the Sustainability Symbol in Chinese script on this message.

Your name will be forever associated with the chosen modification of the symbol that represents “Society, Environment, Economy” in your linguistic communi...

Convert website into something attractive

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:51:00 -0400

The three finger Sustainability Symbol is beginning to attract attention on and off the internet. This is a double-edged sword.

On one hand, more and more people are learning about the campaign (personally passing it along from one individual to another),

on the other hand, our website stinks.

It’s homemade, and as you will see, I’m no web designer!

If there are any talented web designers out there in the Rethosarian community, please have a look at www.DragonTHINK.com and make a suggestion of how we could use some of the existing conte...

New comment! - United States of Jesus & Angry Christians

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:17:58 -0400

sigh…i wish i could chat with this guy for a while… but im sure im not the first christian to say that! :P

New comment! - On Nonviolence

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:47:12 -0400

I’m still really intrigued by this, and look forward to hearing what Elias and Christine come back with. I do agree that non-violence alone can’t succeed, at least not in the current state of civillisation, but I also feel it is a vital element.

Just watching the news over the last few days of Burma, and it’s so incredible to see the crowds trying to push for change. Their efforts are not without vain, however I also feel that repressive governments will only be swayed when there is a strong enough international pressure, and by strong enough this must include...

Alliance Accepted! - Richard Jones

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:34:55 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Sentience

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:34:52 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Josh Cohen

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:07:40 -0400

New comment! - Why does Faith Deserve REspect?

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:23:08 -0400

Wow, I am going to go outside now and take a walk. Smiling the whole time. I find myself somehow in the middle of how you and Elias think and present yourselves. But this fucking guy! A true statement of maturity. Two thumbs up! Seeing this posting inspires me to feel a little more deeply into what I was trying to express in my last post. Is there room in the world for obvious bullshit such as “organized religion”, or outward expressions of “nonviolence”, or…......... the list goes on. It is inspiring to be touched by anyone who is so sure of themselves. Fuc...

Alliance Accepted! - David Blair

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:54:30 -0400

New comment! - Why does Faith Deserve REspect?

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:41:46 -0400

For a revolutionary perspective on Jesus and Christianity, you should read Shane Claiborne’s book The Irresistible Revolution. It’s all about how far modern Christianity has gone from Jesus’ teachings, and how true Christians need to care for the poor and improve the value of community in America. I’m not Christian, but Claiborne’s message of anarchist love through Christ is really inspiring and just plain cool.

Peace.

Alliance Accepted! - Frank Miller

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:38:23 -0400

Stand Up against Poverty

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:01:09 -0400

October 16 + 17, 2007 Stand Up and Speak Out is the growing movement of people no longer prepared to stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and inequality. On October 16th and 17th, Stand Up and Speak Out for the Millennium Development Goals. Help us break the world record. So we can break the record of broken promises.

We’ve tried to make it as simple as possible for you to get involved in Stand Up and Speak Out. You can find events and see if any are planned near you. Hosting your own event is easy when you know the “Three Rs” of Stand Up and Speak O...

Alliance Accepted! - Stephen Dufrechou

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:09:15 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Christopher

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:53:59 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Benjamin Ackerman

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:18:26 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Michael

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 23:09:11 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Eva Johanne Westlund

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:41:24 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Lars LÃ¼ger

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:41:42 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Fishey Waters

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 23:11:56 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Hannah

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:40:56 -0400

New comment! - On Nonviolence

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:57:25 -0400

Hello Lynx,

whatsss goodd whats good? very interested and engaging about you section…

I read this and I had lots of thoughts that led me to a not yet fully developed conclusion.

I believe that pacifism is a useful tactic.

I believe it depends on what type of pacifism.. they are ranges in mostly every type of tactic.

I will talk more about this soon but I am really busy and want to read a litle more on what you claimed in this post before I continue on.

talk to u soon

peace&love, christine

Alliance Accepted! - Christine

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:59:10 -0400

New comment! - On Nonviolence

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 02:03:30 -0400

Lynx, The debate is an important one certainly. I think we should talk about the extent to which nonviolence is a tactic, and the extent to which it should be the only tactic. However, I disagree completely with your facts. I will address them point by point when I have more time, but I think your painting of history is not only inaccurate but more or less propaganda. I mean no offense by my accusation, which of course, is but an accusation until I back it up. I plan on doing so very soon, and hopefully we can have a very meaningful debate. Until then, Eli

Alliance Accepted! - Nelly Bassily

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:28:49 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Christopher

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:31:57 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Deacon Dorsey

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:50:48 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Cornel West

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:58:08 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Nour

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:17:14 -0400

MTV THINK Host Political EVENT!!!

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 21:43:43 -0400

Calling all citizen journalists, visionaries, bloggers and vloggers! As part of a collaboration with The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Knight News Challenge, MTV News is looking for one aspiring reporter from every state and Washington, D.C., to be part of our Choose or Lose team. Read more about the program and if you think you have what it takes fill out the application .

MTV&#...

Save Our Planet

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 11:56:11 -0400

Enough is enough, and it’s time for a change.

-Christopher Howse – EarthThreat.org