Amusing and Informative, Your Lil' Sister Loves to Get the 'Scoop' on the Mainstream Media and To Present a Variety of Obscure, Under-Reported and Decidedly-More Newsworthy Items From Around The Globe; You'll Also Be Privy To Pieces of My Own Personal Paranormal Phenomena; and Frequently Hear of Things Your Parents, Clergy, Society and Uncle Sam didn't bother to tell you. But, I will... In Other Words: The Way This Grrrl Sees It!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Fort Calhoun Nuclear Plant vs Missouri River: Everything's Fine... (Not.)
Fort Calhoun had been using 8ft., inflatable "aqua-dams" in an attempt to prevent the rising floodwater from the Missouri River from repeating a series of events similar to those which recently led to Japan's significant and ongoing nuclear disaster at Fukushima (the tsunami knocked out the power; stopping the flow of massive amounts of water necessary to keep everything cool; leading to cores/rods overheating; leading to nuclear melt-downs/throughs.).
At Fort Calhoun on Sunday, crews working near the aqua-dams "brushed against one" and punctured it, which caused the one dam to collapse. The collapse of the dam allowed floodwater to reach Fort Calhoun's turbines & transformers (keeps water flowing/cools everything).
Official Statement: "Everything's fine. The aqua-dams weren't key to safety, they were an extra."
Oh, really?
If that's True...
Then how is that - with the collapse of that one aqua-dam - 2ft of the Missouri River managed to get through the cement barrier placed around the transformers? The very cement barrier that's not "extra" and is in place specifically to keep floodwater away from the plant's transformers? This breach then forced Fort Calhoun to disconnect from the power grid... which meant they had to switch to diesel-powered generators (Is this sounding familiar, yet?)?
Fukushima lost power. Then lost their generators. During the disaster, plant officials behaved very much like British Petroleum officials after the oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, leading to one of the worst (if not the worst) oil spills on record: The officials played down how serious the events were and what had resulted; they intentionally provided false figures/information about what was happening to those who were trying to help; they lied, repeatedly; they denied, repeatedly; they turned down/away help.
The end result in Fukushima: 3 Nuclear Melt-downs (and, possibly, Melt-throughs).
The Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Plant is now Two Feet below the current level of the Missouri River.
And, the consistent statement made by Fort Calhoun officials: "Don't worry everything's fine."
Yeah, right. (Initially, Fukushima officials had said pretty much the same thing.)
(From last night's TRMS)
Peace,
L.
Friday, June 24, 2011
New York State Moves To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage (CNN)
The bill is now on its way to the governor's desk to be signed into law. (Whew!)
Visualize me doing "The Snoopy Dance".
Intolerance is so Dark Ages.
* In the interest of full-disclosure... Personally, I agree w/Mae West on the subject of marriage (*Google it).
But, I also agree that every adult human being has the right to live Happily with the ones they Love - regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Here's the link to the article and video at cnn.com
Enjoy!
Peace,
L.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Ahh, The Good Ol' Days... Remember When They Did This...? (Yeah, Me Neither.)
I received this priceless gem in an email today from Peter Koechley of MoveOn.org and was inspired to share it with as many of you as possible... Enjoy!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Supreme Court Rules for Wal-Mart, Against Complainants in Sex Discrimination Case | AlterNet
First there was the disastrous "citizen's united" ruling and, now, here's yet another example of how urgently we need to overhaul/change the Supreme Court.
1.) Change the nomination/appointment process. 2.) Throw out the "for life" clause in the appointments/Add the option of issuing "pink slips" for incompetence. and 3.) Add some serious independent oversight.
The Dark Ages have crept far enough into the 21st Century and I, for one, am over it.This is a huge blow - not only to the women involved in the sex discrimination case against Mal-Wart - but to working women everywhere and to working Americans everywhere.
The message from the SCOTUS: "Screw you, workers of America. Why should we care about your little lives? We're set "for life" in our cushy positions of influence and we and our really wealthy friends and neighbors couldn't care less. Because, seriously, what are you gonna do about it? What can you do about it? Absolutely nothing. Hey, we're The Supreme Court. We're untouchable." (insert chorus of evil, cackling laughter, here.)
My response to those justices and those self-serving, self-important, bought-and-sold people like them everywhere: No one's untouchable.
"We The People...", like all whom have faced tyranny throughout history, have our limits.
Supreme Court Rules for Wal-Mart, Against Complainants in Sex Discrimination Case | AlterNet
Business Insider: Second Nebraska Nuclear Plant Threatened By Flooding
If not, you're not alone.
Even before it was acknowledged that the second nuclear plant was being threatened, the threat to the first plant seems to have been rather - I dunno - methinks hush-hush is quite apropos.
As you probably recall, the Fukushima nuclear disaster involving three nuclear reactors and at least 2 - if not - 3 nuclear melt-downs (no, I'm not kidding.) resulted not from the earthquake, but from the floodwater and its effects.
But... fear not, good people! At least that's what the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is saying (though not in those exact words).
"Officials say a key difference between the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan..." and the threats to Nebraska plants is that the NE plants "... have had weeks to prepare flood defenses." *
* They've "... had weeks to prepare", huh?
Well, that's all well and good... but, honestly, just because someone has had weeks to do anything - that doesn't mean they actually did it/did enough, now does it?
From: businessinsider.com:
Second Nebraska Nuclear Plant Threatened By Flooding
Saturday, June 18, 2011
VIDEO: At Republican Leadership Conference, Obama Impersonator Tells Racist Jokes; Audience Laughs
That any political group - let alone one of our two major parties - would sink so low as to open their "Leadership" Conference with such a disrespectful (of our sitting President) and utterly racist manner is shameful, embarrassing to our nation and nauseating.
Btw: Anyone know the name of the Uncle Tom?
(From: Thinkprogress.org)
"The nation’s GOP elite gathered in New Orleans this weekend for the Republican Leadership Conference.
In attendance were presidential candidates Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, and potential candidate Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Prior to a speech by RNC Chair Reince Preibus, an Obama impersonator took the stage and told a series of racist jokes."
VIDEO: At Republican Leadership Conference, Obama Impersonator Tells Racist Jokes; Audience Laughs:
Friday, June 17, 2011
Wisconsin's Most Anti-Woman Budget
Here's an article, posted just today, on yet another aggressive assault on women, women's health and women's healthcare providers via legislative budgetary strangulation, courtesy of (Recall-Worthy) Wisconsin Governor, Scott "Otherwise Worthless" Walker:
(From: Madison, WI's The Cap Times)
Wisconsin’s most anti-woman budget
Monday, June 13, 2011
You've Got The Look! You've Got The Look!... (Ugh!)
D'ya know that look a guy gives you - even one you know - where it's painfully obvious that said fellow is just seeing/looking at "a girl" - in fact, could be any girl - and he's not seeing/looking at You, whatsoever?...
(He could be looking at the proverbial "piece of meat"?)
As for me... I really, really abhor that look...'specially when it's followed by a come-on/pick-up line/"so what'cha doin' later?" - sort of waste of his breath & my presence.
I just had to get that off of my chest... Thanks.
Peace,
L.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Fukushima Japan: No More Headlines & Half-Life Headaches
Nearly 3 months after a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck, the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant are still spewing radiation. The plant's operator, Tepco, has now confirmed that three of their reactors likely suffered meltdowns.
(Sigh.)
But, wait...
There is... well, maybe not "Hope", but... there's definitely "Inspiration", and then some...
Enter: A tough, tried and tested team of Unassuming & Unexpected Heroes: The Skilled Veterans Corps.
Who are they?
They are a group of 200+ Japanese pensioners - mostly retired engineers and other professionals, all of them over the age of 60 - who have volunteered to tackle the nuclear crisis - and replace the younger workers presently at the site and those whom the crisis would, eventually, require to have available to work there.
Michio, a former primary school teacher who is spending his retirement helping out at a cafe that offers work experience to people with learning difficulties, had this to say...
"I don't think I'm particularly special," he says. "Most Japanese have this feeling in their heart. The question is whether you step forward, or you stay behind and watch."
Check out the inspirational story via the link below:
Japan pensioners volunteer to tackle nuclear crisis
World Health Organization: Cell phones/Mobiles 'May Cause Brain Cancer'
See! I told you guys that I wasn't a Conspiracy Theorist.
* I simply happen to be Waaay Ahead of my Time.
And no, don't worry... I won't say "I told you so".
But... (Argh! It's soo tempting!)
Please tell me that you guys all remember back when I was posting all of those "Cell Phone Use & Brain Cancer" flyers all around town and I was telling everyone I knew about the possible cell/mobile phone - brain damage/cancer link and about that one cell-phone industry-hired scientist (poor guy. was just doing his job. with Integrity) who had been - for all intents and purposes - blackballed after it had been revealed that the very research the cell-phone industry had paid him - quite handsomely - to carry out had produced - not their intended cell phones-are-harmless-to-the-brain results - but that, instead, pointed to the likelihood that long-term/repeated cell phone use might lead to brain damage and, possibly cancer?
It was years ago. Before I even had my own handy-dandy cell phone.
What? How many years?
Oh... Um, I'm really not sure. It's been quite a while, though, of that I'm sure.
And, I gotta tell ya something - I've been noticing that my memory's gotten kinda sketchy... over the last few years... Since I've had my cell phone... Hmmm.
How 'bout You?
Don't Forget To...
Check out the latest on the cell phone-brain cancer link story (based upon an evidence review by the World Health Organization) at the BBC:
Cell phones/Mobiles 'May Cause Brain Cancer'
BBC: Blackpool Shale Gas Drilling (Fracking) Suspended After Quake
(As if anyone could possibly need more reason than that to bring it the whole "Boom-ing" business to a grinding halt, bringing in Independent scientists/environmentalists and oversight and... take things S-L-O-W-L-Y.)
Apparently, the movie "Gasland" hasn't had it's needed impact in the ol' U.K.... yet.
Nope. Fire from our faucets isn't a cause celebre over yonder... But, having two very similar small earthquakes occurring in two month in the vicinity of the gas drilling seems to have gotten their attention.
Umm, Hello?... Commons Energy Select Committee Members?
Do you all honestly believe that whole '"tight regulation and good industry practice" will ensure safety' line you're running with?
Uh, you can't be serious?!
Your committee is actually putting your faith, trust and - not just the health - but, the very lives of your friends, neighbors and loved ones to...
To what - Bottom Line - amounts to nothing more than the Corporate Honor System?
"C'mon. You can Trust us. Just look at our Bottom Line."
The Corporate Honor System... Really?
(I dunno how you're able to sleep at night and/or look at yourselves in the mirror.)
Oh, I know what it is: You must be High.
Check out the latest on gas-fracking quakes from: BBC News:
Blackpool Shale Gas drilling suspended after quake
Monday, May 30, 2011
Top Scientologist Charged With Coaching Sex Abuse Victim To Lie About Abuse
She was awarded the church's freedom medal for promoting human rights in 1988.
Police allege Eastgate threatened and intimidated Carmen Rainer when she was 11 into providing false statements to police about the sexual abuse she suffered from her stepfather."
Well... Truth be told, Jan Eastgate doesn't need a shrink, she needs to go to prison.
You can read the whole ABC News article on this breaking story by clicking on the following link:
Top Scientologist accused of coaching witness
Peace,L.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Senate's LBJ Room: The Sistine Chapel Of The West It's Not. From TRMS
In the 1850s, in what is presently the Senate's LBJ Room but what- at that time- was to be a library, the decorating decision-makers planned on showcasing four library-relevant-themed Neoclassic fresco-style paintings.
The four themes were to be: 1.) History 2.) Geography 3.) Philosophy and 4.) Print.
The first two paintings had been finished when, in the 1860s, the library plan was shelved (no pun intended - initially) and the room was, instead, to be made into a Post Office.
With the change of purpose, the latter two of the four themes were changed.
The four themes became: History, Geography, Physics and... The Telegraph.
I'm sure that the decorators/painters felt that their vision for the themes - particularly the last two paintings - showed reverence and respect for the exceptional painters/works from history... with a few upgrades.
End result? America is (metaphorically-speaking) depicted as the pinnacle of Health, Vitality and - as evidenced by the inclusion of a steamship and a train in the background of the "Physics" painting and the placement of a telegraph line in the hand of a cherub and placement of a telegraph pole in the background of the "Telegraph" painting - Modernity.
Hey! Look up... What's that? Oh, I know... It's Lady Liberty... and - whoa! - She's Hangin' Ten... and doing so noplace other than atop the crest of the latest wave of technological advancement!
I kid you not.
It's kinda weird - not that there's anything wrong with this variety of "weird" - but, in a trippy/quircky American History sort-of-way.
Check it out in the brief clip from TRMS that you'll find below.
Enjoy!
Peace,
L. :)
Medicare Medicare Medicare Key To Dem Win In NY House Race
Well, in yesterday's Special Election held in New York's 26th Congressional District, "location" certainly has special significance: Historically, NY26 has always been a Red oasis in the Great and predominantly Blue State of New York (they're so Red, they voted for Palladino...).
But, oh... The times... They are a'changin'.
The highly-noteworthy (for it's potential value as a "Coming Attractions" vehicle for upcoming national elections) Deal-Maker/Deal-Breaker in this instance was, in all likelihood, this variation: "Medicare, Medicare, Medicare".
Congratulations, Congresswoman Kathy Hochul!
And, Thanks, to the Great People of NY 26 and the Great State Of New York!
From: the AP NewsWire via NPR... Enjoy!
Medicare Key To Shocking Dem Win In NY House Race
Friday, May 20, 2011
When Aliens Attack Interactive Survival Guide- National Geographic Channel
I just stumbled across this fun and interactive (and Informative) Survival Guide from the National Geographic Channel that helps to prepare you for when Aliens (or Republican Presidential Wanna-bes) Attack.
Several helpful games included.
Whatcha waiting for? Check it out!
Enjoy!
When Aliens Attack Interactive Survival Guide- National Geographic Channel
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
McCain: Torture Ineffective. Santorum: McCain Doesn't Understand Torture. Dumb-De-Dumb-Dumb
Decidedly Un-Presidential candidate, Senator Rick Santorum's reply to McCain:
"McCain is wrong. He doesn't understand how enhanced interrogation works..."
Oh, is that so, Mr. Santorum? You have a Guinness-record-setting amount of hubris (and completely-dead/necrotic gray matter) to make the declaration that a man who - unlike yourself - has actually experienced being tortured (he endured 5 yrs. of torture when he was held as a POW in Vietnam) "... doesn't understand" torture.
Mr. Santorum's personal experience with torture: None. Unless you count how he tortures us everytime he opens his mouth.
"For pure, blind stupidity. nobody beats Santorum. In my 20 years in the Senate, I never met a dumber member." - Mark Salter - McCain Senior Staffer - 20yrs in Senate.
Please enjoy this brief clip on this remarkable story from last night's The Rachel Maddow Show:
GOP Senators Vote To Keep Greasing The Palms Of Big Oil - With $21 Billion In Taxpayer Subsidies
Liquidate Fort Knox?
(This was satirical suggestion which appeared in The Onion about 3 weeks ago. And, it has actually been a suggestion offererd by some conservative politicians)
Sell Off Utah?
(The Federal government owns about 70% of the state. Armed with this little fun-fact, one conservative congress member, Dennis Ross (FL), voiced his opinion that we should liquidate Utah,)
Well... How 'bout this:
Let's end the ludicrous $21 Billion in taxpayer subsidies given to enormously profitable oil & gas companies?
* 74% of Americans say "End the subsidies.".
* Several GOP Congress members even said, on the record, that they supported ending the subsidies.
So...Why, then, did those same GOP Senators vote (only yesterday) to keep those ridiculous oil & gas subsidies in place?
Those very same elected GOP members of Congress who most recently voted in support of Paul Ryan's Budget Plan and it's plan to End Medi-Care... those same GOP members who want to make the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans permanent... have now refused to end $21 Billion (with a "B") in taxpayer-paid subsidies which have - for no conceivable reason - been given to two of the most profitable industries on the planet.
But, it's perfectly reasonable to them to begin liquidating the gold bouillon in Fort Knox and to start placing federally-held parcels of Utah on the auction-block?
Uh, yeah... Riiiiight.
Please enjoy this funny & informative clip from last nights Rachel Maddow Show:
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
From: J. Smooth. A Brief Note On Not Feeding The Trolls. (Troll: trump,d.)
Please check out this brief video.
It's a hip, clear, concise & to the point 'teaching moment' on...
The 24-Hr Cable News-Created Cult of Personality:
Subject: trump, d. (Small-case lettering is Intentional.)
Enjoy! (I did.)
(Thanks to The Rachel Maddow show for bringing J. Smooth and Ill Doctrine.com to my attention.)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wasilla High School Choir fights intolerance to perform Queen song at graduation
Then, Principal Dwight Probasco yanked the classic hit from the playlist.
Why?
Because, allegedly, a parent (intolerant twit) had made multiple complaints of inappropriateness since Queen's phenomenal late lead singer, Freddie Mercury, was gay.
... People... people... people... (sighs and shakes head in mournful disappointment).
P.S.~ This Sad, But True story doesn't have what I'd describe as a "Happy Enlightened Ending" but... it does improve, somewhat.
Peace,
L.
Here's the link to the story:
Local News : WHS choir, school caught in landslide over Queen song - Frontiersman
We Only Have Your 'Asbestos' Interests In Mind, Eh?
You might find this shocking, if you still live under the delusion that Canadians are harmless:
Asbestos, Quebec - a blue-collar Canadian mining town - is proudly selling 400,000 tons of chrysotile fiber (asbestos) a year to India. Not only that, they are also actively promoting greater use of the slow-hacking-death-inducing stuff elsewhere... Specifically targeting those places, like India, where its use has not (yet) been banned despite being known to cause mesothelioma (lung cancer) - killing 100,000 people each year.
The more cynical among us might say, "Well, that's one way to reduce the world's unsustainable (over)population.".
And although that's true, personally, I consider doing such business - whilst, all the while, knowing of the painful, slow deaths that will come as a result - is wrong.
If any for-profit business wants to beat the rush and be among the first to promote the undeniably Enlightened goal of humanity maintaining a sustainable human population...
Human beings actively promote and enforce population control of every other prolific and not-so-prolific species... So why won't they actively control their own resource-decimating numbers?
... Then, produce and promote condoms and birth control... Not chrysotile or other carcinogens.
Peace,
L.
Enjoy this brief, funny and very informative clip from from The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, with correspondent Aasif Mandvi (5/12/11):
