Shame on the Senate !!!!

The Senate just voted 90 to 6 to deny Obama the ability to close the Guatanamo Bay prison, and to deny the transfer of these prisoners to the United States for fair trials and hearings. What a bunch of shitheads!!!! The many unconstitutional violations of civil and human rights that have been undertaken by the United States government at said institution need to be addressed, and the actual guilt or innocence of each individual needs to be determined.



The original use of the "camp" was to hold Cuban and Haitian refugees, until the Supreme Court declared the detentions unconstitutional in the mid-nineties. Now, a significant portion of the prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay facility who have very likely not truly committed a crime are being held in unconstitutional detention. In domestic murder cases, the defendant is found not guilty around 20 percent of the time. There is obviously much less room for confusion in a domestic trial than on a battlefield, where civilians are quite often confused for combatants. In the case of the prisoners at Guatanamo, it is a safe assumption that more than twenty percent are not guilty of anything worthy of the harsh imprisonment, torture and humiliation they have received.



These statistics alone are enough to warrant the closure of a facility that serves no purpose other than to detain accused combatants without trial. Many of these took up arms only after the United States invaded their homelands. How many of you who do not necessarily agree with the government would take up arms if this land was invaded?

It is time for this nation to not only cease to violate international law, but also to uphold the Constitution!!! These prisoners deserve a fair trial--'cuz some of them are indeed innocent of any crime worthy of such arbitrary and indefinite detention!!



Grasping at straws to justify the Senate's action, the NYT reported that "1 in 7 Detainees Rejoins Fight, Report Found." Now let me ask you folks, if you had been held in isolation, forced to wear earmuffs and goggles that effectively make you blind and deaf, tormented, tortured and humiliated, would you not assume your captors were not rightly resisted? Would you not conclude that they were nigh to the "Great Satan" some extremist Muslims contend? It is a wonder more of them don't return to fight against their oppressors!!!

Why Meat-Eating Is Mostly Evil . . .

I have been a (mostly) vegetarian for something like fifteen years. I write "mostly" in parenthesis because I have on rare occasions eaten the flesh of felled beasties (mostly in consideration of the world's five out of six billion who are not yet aware or properly responsive to the suffering and unnecessary cruelty inflicted upon animals raised for consumption and the inefficiency and waste of precious resources that goes into raising animals for food--that, and on occasion the predator in me wants to sink teeth into flesh . . .).

Now mind you, a significant part of my nature is a hunter, and if approached with respect and due reverence, reverently receiving sustenance from animals who live their lives free in the wilderness is not a sin, in my humble opinion. Animals raised to kill and eat, especially when confined to feed lots, is exceedingly unjust and cruel, and the amount of crops and water required to raise animals for food is excessive and wasteful.

Raising animals for meat consumes 90 percent of the soy, 80 percent of the corn, and 70 percent of the grain grown in this nation. If everyone nationwide turned vegetarian, that land would be freed for more responsible use, and could be either allowed to return to a natural state or utilized to grow biodiesel crops, food for hunger relief globally, or to grow hemp, which can be used for paper pulp, plastics, and as structural material to replace the deforesting use of lumber from cutting down trees.

Regarding water use, the livestock industry is responsible, more than any other industry, for the depletion of fresh water in this country. It takes over one-hundred times more water to produce a pound of beef than it does to produce a pound of potatoes!! Eating mass-produced meat is an environmental crime!!



Estimated water requirements for various crops and livestock (m³ water/ton crop) (Wikipedia)

Beef 16726
Pork 5469
Cheese 5288
Poultry 3809
Eggs 3519
Rice 2552
Soybeans 2517
Wheat 1437
Maize 1020
Milk 738
Potatoes 133

The above table clearly displays how wasteful raising livestock for food is compared to food crops. When considering the water wasted, the wasteful use of crops to feed livestock that could be used directly as human food, and the cruel conditions of animals kept in feed lots and factory farms, the extreme pollution of water caused by livestock production, etc., etc., there is no doubt that meat-eating is amongst the greatest environmental and inhumane crimes of this land. In addition, the conditions of most animals raised for meat is atrocious.



Chickens are confined to cages in most large farms, and in such hazardous conditions those who tend to them often must wear respirators or other protective gear.



Cattle in feedlots don't have it much better . . . and worse if you consider their intelligence level.



These things said, I should add that though I do not think raising animals and then slaughtering them is without moral and ethical flaws at any level, family farms and ranches that keep free-range fed cows or maintain cage-free conditions for poultry are at least a half-step above mass-produced meat. Though I believe the ideal would be (and better soon become, or else . . . ) a vegetarian society through and through, small family farms and ranches are at least mostly cruelty free--except that most family farms end up selling some portion of their cattle to feedlots anyways.

These things said, I still maintain that hunting is the most responsible and ethical meat eating process there is. Those animals taken by hunters in their natural wild habitat live their lives free, and only experience a short period of suffering when pierced by an arrow or other projectile compared to animals who spend their whole lives in captivity, sometimes spending the better portion of those lives standing in their own feces. And any animals raised for food learn to trust humans as their providers, only to end up slaughtered by those they learned to trust.



Native Americans (er, perhaps more appropriately "Indians"--see post entitled "Maybe Columbus Was Right After All . . .") greatly revered the animals they hunted, doing ceremony and offering prayers as due respects offered their quarry.



When I lived for a short while with a Dine (Navajo) family in Arizona, Che ("grampa") Begay slaughtered a ewe (female sheep) for a Native American Church meeting this family was hosting. Though I did not observe the slaughter, my traveling companion Jonah watched as Che Willie Begay sang a Dine song over the doomed sheep, then according to Jonah's account, groaned and was visibly thrown back upon slicing the sheep's throat, as if perhaps receiving into himself the pain caused by the act. This level of empathy and respect is the least that is due a sentient being who gives its life to feed humans.

Mass feedlots and slaughterhouses are an infinite distance from the respect shown by those traditional societies who eat meat to the animals they raise for food.
Even Kosher and Halal rules (Hebrew and Muslim dietary guidelines) establish modes designed to minimize the suffering of animals raised and slaughtered for food. There is really no excuse for the cruel and inhumane modes of modern approaches to raising animals for food. Period!!

Caste and Realized, Systems and Siva--The Destroyer, If'n Ya Didn't Know

Kali, righteous wrathful bisatch who kills thousands of demons with one swath of her blade. She is Hara's consort (er, one form of Great Goddess who happens to be Siva's woman)



(Two Seikh warriors--dunno why I put this picture here, except that it kinda looks cool . . .)


Often when I talk highly of the traditions of India in conversations--specifically, in my intentions at least, with reference to certain specific tantric perspectives--I am often taken to task to justify the caste system.

Though I do not always mention that Saivism is generally opposed to--and various Sivite groups have historically and often revolted against--the falsely measured controls of the caste system, I usually do mention the ideal of the caste system is that reincarnation, or rebirth after death in cycles of samsara, actually works justly and according to the perfect harmony of the universe, with perfectly measured dharma, etc. Still, for the record, if I am beholden to a tradition in India--the mother and father land of so many dispersed traditions--it would be to Saivism and tantra and thus in tune with a bunch not so cozy with castigation and prejudice.



One group of tantricas called the kaulikas with little violence seized power from the high caste, and inverted norms by treating the high born as if untouchables, with no repurcussions. This revolt, and others like this fomented by various wild and crazy naked forest dwellers, was a non-violent overthrow of the "powers that be." The high caste folks were made to realize they were indeed beholden to even the supposedly "lowest-born" of society.



This carnivalesque inversion turned their version of ritualized "carnivale days" into the rule of the day during this group's visible prominence centuries ago. The previously high holies got a taste of thier own medicine, as those they would once have been expected to shun were shunning them, those who they would not touch now eschewing the touch of the brahmins, high-born brought low.



Imagine the egalitarianism of Mardi Gras more than respresenting or symbolically playing out the inversions of rich and poor, revered and reviled in previously held socio-economic orderings. Imagine everyday normative social hierarchies reversed, and taking hold in the other weeks of the year. This is what the kaulikas accomplished, to the degree that high caste officials had to consult the kaulikas before official actions, and were bound by the kaulikas censure. High born to some degree in subserviance to the poor.



This is more the "Hindu" tradition I'm diggin' than the one arbitrarily limits social mobility by anachronistic castes--yeah, I s'pose I'd be a dilettante revolutionary there too.



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From whence I mostly write these musings . . .

What Would it Take to Make Enough Algae-Based Biofuel to Supply All U.S. Vehicle Needs?

Answer: About 12.5% of the Sonora Desert, or 15,000 square mile/9.5 million acres. Compare this to the 450 million acres currently used as crop land (the majority of which is irresponsibly and inefficiently used for animal feed--more on the gross inefficiency of meat production compared to vegetable/grain production for human comsumption in a later post) and 500 million acres used as grazing land!! I already posted this statistic, but found a link that explains the calculations . . .

Link to the calculations and statistics:

http://www.energybulletin.net/node/2364

In response to any concerns about the potential environmental impact of these algae farms, consider that the apparatuses necessary to produce the algae could be built where little to no foliage is currently existing, and would actually provide shade to create habitat for many desert dwelling species. And also consider that the toxicity of biodiesel (b100) is negligible, whereas diesel and gasoline are both highly toxic and pose long term hazards to plant, animal and human life.

May 9 is World Fair Trade Day . . . Who Knew?

This is the Season to be Jolly!! 4/20, then Earth Day, then May Day/Beltane/International Workers Day, then Fair Trade Day!!!! (and Mother's Day, lest I forget to mention . . .)

Apparently celebrated the second Saturday of May since 2002, Fair Trade Day is designed to raise awareness of the economic disparities and injustices in international "free-trade" arrangements. Fair Trade is designed to ensure that the people at the base of production get their fair share of profits from any given product.



Chocolate is one of the most disparate products in terms of working conditions and wages for the cocoa bean picking people. Often it is children that pick the beans for your chocolate--and for minimal wages, if they are payed at all.



Fair Trade certification is designed to ensure that the people harvesting the means to make your deliteful snacks and deserts, and whatever foreign-produced products receive fair compensation and are not exploited. Fair Trade is designed to make sure that children from where your exotic imports come from get to live their years as children, with a decent education and time to play, rather than serving as slave labor to provide you with indulgences such as hot cocoa, chocolate bars, etc.



Though there have been questions raised as to how effective and how reliable "Fair Trade Certification" might prove in any given case, at least this is a start towards healing the abuses of so called "free-trade." At least these consumer options are a move towards giving back to the worlds workers some semblance of what they deserve for providing luxuries like chocolate where cocoa beans don't grow, or bananas in a cold climate, etc.



President Barack Obama on Fair Trade (Berlin Speech): "(Global trade is unsustainable if it favors only the few.) This is the moment when we must build on the wealth that open markets have created, and share its benefits more equitably. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many. Together, we must forge trade that truly rewards the work that creates wealth, with meaningful protections for our people and our planet. This is the moment for trade that is free and fair for all."

Let's hope our President's policies live up to such worthy words!!

Regardless of whether official policy dictates fair trade (an area of government intervention that would be quite justified), you can take action by what you purchase. If exploitative labor practices are rewarded by boycotts, and truly Fair Trade by high sales, the market and producers/multinational corporations will be forced to respond, and some greater degree of justice and equity will make it to the suffering workers at the source. Issues of "the market" aside, some degree of legislation is necessary to make Fair Trade the force it should be to make this world a more healthy, beautiful and just planet for its peoples and other inhabitants.

Accountability and Action

At least ninety-eight prisoners died while in United States custody since "War on Terror" began. Thirty-eight were murders, and at least eight prisoners were tortured to death. Some portion of those thus treated were almost certainly innocent, none of these were given access to legal representation, and not one was given the opportuity to have his case heard before a court of law or a jury. These are not the actions of a just government.



In order to move on, it is necessary to have an independant prosecutor look into the many abuses, and accountability traced to whatever high offices. In order for this land to maintain any semblance of high ground it may have held at various times through the course of history since 1776, those responsible for torturing and murder in the name of this nation must face their due judgements.

I realize the subtler truths of the meaning of meanderings and posturings and policy and politics may be much more than meets the eye of even the most savvy of pundits, and even reach the level of the esoteric and occulted. Nonetheless, crimes of a very serious nature have been committed at a very discernible level, and those responsible ought be fairly and justly judged in a court of law, where international as well as federal laws ought be considered.

Torture is not an acceptible mode of extracting justice by any legitimate government's agents.

Do "Civilian Casualties"="Victims of Terrorism," Or Do Those People Count for Less?

How different are "civilian casualties"--clearly taken far too casually--caused by United States military activity in other countries different from terrorist attacks that kill civilians, here or elsewhere?

President Obama met with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan in Washington D.C. this week, apologizing for the civilian casualties that continue to be caused by United States bombs and bullets in that region. Thus the question again arose in my mind, what effective moral high ground does killing civilians whilst chasing "terrorists" have over killing civilians in acts of terrorism (this loaded term is of course determined by . . . ?)? Both are reprehensible. That's the bottom line.

Bags Banned . . . A Small Step

San Francisco banned plastic bags from their grocery stores two years ago, and now South Australia has banned non-biodegradable bags, and L.A. plans to remove the littering and wildlife-killing nuissance of the thin plastic grocery bag post-modern proverbially blowing in the wind or stuck to the limb of a tree . . .



. . . or creating a millions of square-mile swirling soup of marine death in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Yes, this sargasso sea of synthetic shame will not be getting any thin-walled logo-imprinted grocery receptacles from at least three major contributors, and let us hope and pray more municipalities and states follow suite, and add other plastic container nuissances from our stores and consumer's unthinking habits to the list of banned polluting plastic shit.

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Let us replace plastic from petroleum with hemp and other compostable/biodegradable substitutes at least. Then the fish and birds of the sea only gotta worry about heavy metal pollution and phosphate fertilizers causing toxicity of the seas, as well as overfishing and petroleum spills.

Hemp And The Smokable Stuff . . .

"What was done with the seed saved from the India Hemp last summer? It ought, all of it, to have been sewn again; that not only a stock of seed sufficient for my own purposes might have been raised, but to have disseminated the seed to others; as it is more valuable than the common Hemp."

George Washington
Writings of Washington, Vol. 35, pg. 72

Yes, George Washington grew hemp, and rather curiously he grew "India hemp"--i.e., Cannabis indica, which unlike American hemp, Cannabis sativa, (which is best for fiber production and except for some Mexican and Central/South American varieties contains little THC), Cannabis indica is of lesser value for fiber and contains MUCH THC (the psychotropic substance in Marijuana).

Basically, that George Washington valued India hemp over "common Hemp" "for my own purposes" (which would be?!?!) indicates he liked it for other than it's qualities as a textile producing plant. In other words, this letter seems to indicate this nation's first president smoked weed!!!!! Our current President doesn't deny marijuana use, nor do the two preceding. Why is it still illegal?!?!

According to another hemp historian, Washington and Thomas Jefferson were known to exchange "smoking mixtures"--and Jefferson was known to have a dislike for tobacco!!!
(http://www.rexresearch.com/hhist/hhist2~1.htm)

"I wouldn't miss the hemp harvest at Mount Vernon for all the tea in China."
- Washington to Ben Franklin in France during fundraising for the American Revolution according to Dr. Burke, President of the American Historical Reference Society and consultant to the Smithsonian Institution.

Beyond these facts is the overwhelming evidence that hemp and marijuana production, and the taxation of their sale, would be very good for this nation's economy. Hemp could easily replace both paper pulp from trees as well as much of the timber used for building houses. Plastics from hemp are already viable, thus replacing the toxic fucking mess made by petroleum based plastics, both in their production and in the waste left, as plastic bags, etc., end up killing wildlife and otherwise damaging our environment.



One acre of hemp provides ten-times the paper pulp as the same acre of timber, and can be harvested up to four times a year, as opposed to once every twenty to fourty years.



Struggling farmers, as well as those with agricultural land now only suitable for grazing, could greatly benefit from a vibrant hemp industry.



As I stated in a previous blog entry, during President Barack Obama's online "town hall meeting" the majority of questions were about the legalization and taxation on the sale of marijuana and hemp. The people want it. Legalization makes sense for the economy. LETS MAKE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS HAPPEN NOW!!!

Madhi and/or Mahdi?

I have posted a few posts dealing with the more than coincidental coinciding metaphors in the Hindu Trimurti and the Judaic, Christian and Islamic traditions. Of significant interest in world affairs these days is the conflict between the primary divisions of Islam, and their interpretation of a particular figure they are seeking called Mahdi. I noticed a kirtan chant I downloaded in a torrent of songs in praise of Devi entitled Madhi Sarada Devi, and thought to look up the Sanskrit definition of this term that seems obviously related to the construction of the concept of the Islamic Prophecy regarding the Mahdi.

मधि mADhi f. (only L.) the fibre or the germ of a leaf ; honouring , reverencing (fr. %{mah}) ; dejection , sadness ; a back or double tooth (also %{maDhI}) ; poverty , indigence ; anger , passion ; the hem or border of a garment ; N. of a district. (Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon)

Mahdi (مهدي Mahdī, also Mehdi; "Guided One") "According to the Shia and Sunni versions of the Islamic eschatology the Mahdi (مهدي Mahdī, also Mehdi; "Guided One") is the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will stay on earth seven, nine, or nineteen years (depending on the interpretation[1]) before the coming of the day, Yaum al-Qiyamah (literally "Day of the Resurrection" or "Day of the Standing")." (Wikipedia article "Mahdi").

Interesting to consider, as such connections are important in understanding the underpinnings of the world's conflicts. Most of what the media refers to as "sectarian conflict" is between the aforementioned groups in Islam and their views of the aforementioned term. I will not make any further comment regarding the interesting correlation with the Sanskrit term that seems related.

(For background information on other obvious correlations between Islam and the Third Person of the Hindu Trimurti, Siva, and those great Devis that are affiliated with said figure, as well as the correlations between Judaism and Bramah (First Person of the Trimurti) and Krishna (one of ten avatars of the Trimurti) see previous post entitled "The Hidden Origins of the West").

The Truth of Global Warming: Evidences of A Warmer Side to Human History--But Coal is Still Bad to Burn

This map from 1531 shows Antartica with rivers flowing and with the Ross and Ronne Ice Shelves gone . . .






This map from 1513 shows the coast of Antartica, including portions that are currently covered in ice . . .



And this map, dated 1737 shows Antartica as two seperate land masses, as it is underneath the ice sheet . . .



How could it be, if Antartica has been covered in ice for tens of thousands of years (as most modern climate scientists maintain), that these old maps show Antartica in various stages of being ice-free?

I would not maintain that human contribution to global warming--a phenomenon I do not deny, by the way--is a good thing. Indeed, I believe the environmental awareness brought to folks by the obvious rises in temperature is a good thing. As centers of population grow hotter, people cannot deny the effect humans have upon this world. My only concern would be that in response to hotter days, folks resort to more polluting modes of energy production such as the filthy and exceedingly toxic use of nuclear power, rather than the completely viable and environmentally friendly sources such as wind and solar, biodiesel (algae-derived), etc.

It seems that a more general environmental consciousness has been raised by the obvious effects of global warming, as it seems more effective P.R. for environmental causes than the scarcely publicized millions who die slowly from cancer and other diseases caused by the more immediately toxic chemicals spewed out into our environment by many industries. Still, I believe these other pollutants are a much greater concern. CO2 is absorbed by plants, and they thrive as this gas is present to a moderately higher degree than currently is in our atmosphere--assuming precipitation is not adversely affected, which is uncertain as higher temperatures may well cause enough further evaporation of the oceans to cause more rainfall on landmasses, thus growing more plants, both thus cooling the temperatures.

Nonetheless, concern about human contribution is merited, and the coal-fired power plants that are most to blame for this human contribution also spew out sulphur and nitrogen compounds that cause acid rain, as well as polluting with heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium. Below is a list of the pollutants from a typical coal-fired power plant form the Union of Concerned Scientists website:


Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxics. In an average year, a typical coal plant generates:

3,700,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary human cause of global warming--as much carbon dioxide as cutting down 161 million trees.

10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which causes acid rain that damages forests, lakes, and buildings, and forms small airborne particles that can penetrate deep into lungs.

500 tons of small airborne particles, which can cause chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and premature death, as well as haze obstructing visibility.

10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), as much as would be emitted by half a million late-model cars. NOx leads to formation of ozone (smog) which inflames the lungs, burning through lung tissue making people more susceptible to respiratory illness.

720 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), which causes headaches and place additional stress on people with heart disease.

220 tons of hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC), which form ozone.

170 pounds of mercury, where just 1/70th of a teaspoon deposited on a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat.

225 pounds of arsenic, which will cause cancer in one out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion.

114 pounds of lead, 4 pounds of cadmium, other toxic heavy metals, and trace amounts of uranium.

These things said, regarding the issue of climate change, below are a number of excerpts of scriptures, mostly from the Mahabharata, which describe the hills around Mount Kailash--currently covered in tundra and ice--as covered in trees and gardens.



The Mahabharata, Book 13: Anusasana Parva

He crossed the Kailasa and the Mandara as also the golden mountains. Beyond those high and great mountains is situated that excellent region where Mahadeva, dressed as an humble ascetic, has taken up his residence. He circumambulated the spot, with concentrated mind, bending his head in reverence the while. Descending then on the Earth, he considered himself sanctified for having obtained a sight of that holy spot which is the abode of Mahadeva. Having circumambulated that mountain thrice, the Rishi, with face turned towards the north, proceeded with a joyous heart. He then beheld another forest that was very delightful in aspect. It was adorned with the fruits and roots of every season, and it resounded with the music of winged warblers numbering by thousands. There were many delightful groves throughout the forest.


The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section CXI

It was in this region, O thou foremost of all acquainted with Brahma, that Mahadeva first receiving her on his head, afterwards let (the sacred stream) Ganga fall from the heavens to the world of men. It was here that the Goddess (Uma) underwent her ascetic austerities from her desire of obtaining Maheswara (as her Lord). It was in this region that Kama, the wrath (of Siva), Himavat, and Uma, all together shone brilliantly. It was here, on the breast of Kailasa, O Galava, that Kuvera, was installed on the sovereignty of the Rakshasas, the Yakshas, and the Gandharvas. It is in this region that (Kuvera's gardens called) Chitraratha lie, and it is here that the asylum of (the Munis called the) Vaikhanasas is situate. It is here, O bull among the twice-born, that the celestial stream called Mandakini, and the mountain Mandara are to be seen. It is here that the gardens called Saugandhi-kanaka are always guarded by the Rakshasas. Here are many plains covered with grassy verdure, as also the plantain forest, and those celestial trees called the Sautanakas.

The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CLII

"Having reached that spot, Bhimasena saw in the vicinity of the Kailasa cliff, that beautiful lotus lake surrounded by lovely woods, and guarded by the Rakshasas. And it sprang from the cascades contiguous to the abode of Kuvera. And it was beautiful to behold, and was furnished with a wide-spreading shade and abounded in various trees and creepers and was covered with green lilies. And this unearthly lake was filled with golden lotuses, and swarmed with diverse species of birds. And its banks were beautiful and devoid of mud. And situated on the rocky elevation this expanse of excellent water was exceedingly fair. And it was the wonder of the world and healthful and of romantic sight. In that lake the son of Kunti saw, the water of ambrosial taste and cool and light and clear and fresh; and the Pandava drank of it profusely. And that unearthly receptacle of waters was covered with celestial Saugandhika lotuses, and was also spread over with beautiful variegated golden lotuses of excellent fragrance having graceful stalks of lapis lazulis. And swayed by swans and Karandavas, these lotuses were scattering fresh farina.

The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva

O king the mountain Kailasa is six yojanas in height. It contains a gigantic jujube tree.

The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Section XI

And when Nahusha became the king of the gods, he surrounded himself with celestial nymphs, and with damsels of celestial birth, and took to enjoyments of various kinds, in the Nandana groves, on mount Kailasa, on the crest of Himavat, on Mandara.

The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CXLIV

After having thus passed many countries, and also the Uttarakurus, they saw that foremost of mountains, the Kailasa, containing many wonders. And by the side of it, they beheld the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, with celestial trees bearing flowers and fruits in all seasons. And they also beheld that beautiful jujube of round trunk. And it was fresh; and of deep shade; and of excellent beauty; and of thick, soft and sleek foliage; and healthful; and having gigantic boughs; and wide-spreading; and of incomparable lustre; and bearing full-grown, tasteful, and holy fruits dropping honey. And this celestial tree was frequented by hosts of mighty sages, and was always inhabited by various birds maddened with animal spirits. And it grew at a spot devoid of mosquitoes and gad-flies, and abounding in fruits and roots and water, and covered with green grass, and inhabited by the celestials and the Gandharvas, and of smooth surface, and naturally healthful, and beauteous and cool and of delicate feel. Having reached that (tree) together with those bulls among Brahmanas, the high-souled ones gently alighted from the shoulders of the Rakshasas.

Former President and WWII General Warned of the Dangerous Military Industrial Complex

Why has this nation made pretense of seeking to bring peace to the world, whilst continuing to sell weapons to the worlds nations? Quite simply because the economy has become addicted to the manufacture and distribution of guns and tanks and warplanes, etc.

Even one of the most revered generals of WWII--and later President of the United States--warned of this, as the United States had built up an armaments industry of unparalleled proportions to meet the challenge of Nazi and Japanese aggression in the 1940's. These companies continued to make and sell weapons after WWII, and the government has played along with these "special interests" that do little except to encourage wars and suffering, and to create new problems the U.S. military "must resolve" as a result of the military industrial complex.

Check out Eisenhower's parting words at the end of his second term as President . . .


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It's time to cut the U.S. military industrial complex, and replace lost employment with environmentally friendly and peace-promoting opportunities. It's time for radical change to our way of doing business.

Why not build hospital ships instead of warships? Why not convert high-altitude bombers to drop guided relief packages where relief workers cannot reach those suffering from disaster, such as in Burma, as the government would not allow international relief efforts after the typhoon that caused so much suffering amongst rural peoples? Why not build an enhanced Peace Corps to replace military employment?
Why not cut the Pentagon's 600 billion a year budget, and give at least half of that money to the Peace Corps and other like organizations?

Let the government know the business of war is out, and the business of peace and compassion is what we want our nation to export!! Write your representatives and vote for those who will help these changes to become reality!!

शन्ति शन्ति शन्ति (shanti--"peace")

Battle in Seattle

Though I did not make this call to Seattle to protest the injustices of the WTO and the continued exploitation of the poor nations of the world that were (and still largely are) the practices of the World Trade Organization and the "multinational corporations" which that organization mostly serves, my spirit was in tune with the protesters. Watch the trailer below, watch the movie, help change this world!!!

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And some real footage from Seattle 1999 . . .



Though this was a whole ten years ago, the issues these protestors were peacefully standing up about (or in many cases, sitting for) are still issues today. Multinational Corporations continue exploiting the poor (and to an overtly lesser degree, exploiting the middle-class). Oil companies displace indigenous peoples and leave once free and self-sufficient people in shanty towns, stripped of land, cultural integrity, freedom and health so said companies can destroy the environment to get at oil underneath the earth, so you can drive your gas-guzzling SUV.

These videos also show the sorry state to which "freedom" in this land has come to. The Constitutional violations apparent in these videos are startling, yet the authorities were not called to answer for their criminal actions against peacefully assembled citizens.

We have a new President, and though many of his policies are certainly a step in the Rta (proper) direction, much needs to be done to balance the wrongs done by this nation's government, as well as many other organizations who have promoted the exploitation of the poor in favor of the rich.

What can we do as individuals? Live conscientiously. Think about what you buy, and about the impact of your lifestyle on others in this world, and make what changes will better--if only at a tiny level--the socio-economic and environmental balance of this world.">