Astroworld

Sally, this is a sweeping look at current events and i wonder how -- with your consistently engaged and energized life -- you find the time to share so much. Thank you for this, for within each of your articles is a feast.

Given the desperation of the times, i can't help but feel that the feds, corporatists and administration will resort to desperate measures to avoid ceding the power they've ruthlessly accumulated during the past fifty-some years. Logically, it would seem that Iran-in-the-crosshairs rhetoric just may become reality through some sort of false flag operation. For what is the saying? Desperate times call for desperate measures?

Thank you Karen, I don't know if I can write much about the primaries anymore, the nastiness in Washington has gotten the best of me I'm afraid. Plus I can't stay a victim of these people anymore. This is what our victimization has gotten us so far http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_holly_sk_080415_tax_day_gifts_for_th.htm

Not to mention the war and all the death. The fact is, I agree with Obama "we are bitter" and we do cling to an illusion from the past, we absolutely have to go forward looking for a better stronger people. For those who believe in God, I would hope we can go to him in strength as a part of God instead of a wounded part.

Well not Sally, I'm hoping this will give you a ray of hope. I liked it.

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/2/19/165642/345
Blackwater loses its gunmakers

Thank you once again for another wonderful article!

Tibet and the Games Nations Play

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/041508A.shtml

Writing for Truthout, Steve Weissman examines Tibetan history: "For people asking little more than the right to live their own lives in their own way, Tibetans once again find themselves in the morass of great power politics. They have been in this swamp before and know how quickly old friends can turn their backs, as President George W. Bush is now doing in the run-up to the Olympic Games in Beijing. These are the games nations play, and if we ever hope to change the rules, we need to join with younger Tibetans in learning from one of the most intriguing strings of events in their modern history."

Really well done, Sally. That must have taken a lot out of you to put all that down, and know I speak for everyone in gratitude for putting in words what ails us and all residents of this planet.

We can only wonder what that dynamic is. why it seems to be the most peaceful, ie., the tibetans, the burmese, end up as victims of some outrageous "User". I visited a blog about a year ago with young tibetan bloggers!
What struck me is that they are just as confused as we are about these topics, the very same questions and matters of what the bleep does "faith" mean.

For the most part (singing to the choir) we haven't quite been this hijacked as a country before 8-99. There seemed to be at least some sense of being heard and being effectual 'til the corruptness swamped our media, used our troops as helpless pawns, and sold us down the river. Things seemed much more coherent and workable before then. We hadn't lost our constitution, or our "fair" elections ever before that time. We could speak up without a sense of threat before that time. We thought criminals like bush and cheney would have been long gone for their crimes through impeachment and checks and balances, if not thrown in prison for their actions. We've never felt this helpless ever before. Ask any tibetan how it felt as the chinese inched their way in for 9 years before stealing their simple joys and murdering the sacred.

Aaron Russo had said we'd be better off not having bank accounts than succumb to national id's and/or chips. The states need to resist and take power back.

At the end of the day, evil always destroys itself by it's own hand. (if only it weren't such a nightmare before that happens).

In the face of all this, I might add, the contest between these candidates, and especially the venom they arouse among people who are otherwise the same idealogially is just one more digression and regression away from why neither candidate feels like the real deal. Why it is deep down we sense both candidates are hiding some really unpleasant surprises for our country.

WP: "Bipartisan groups in Congress are pressing to place new controls on the FBI's ability to demand troves of sensitive personal information from telephone providers and credit card companies, over the opposition of agency officials who say they deserve more time to clean up past abuses. Proposals to rein in the use of secret 'national security letters' will be discussed over the next week at hearings in both chambers. The hearings stem from disclosures that the FBI had clandestinely gathered telephone, e-mail and financial records 'sought for' or 'relevant to' terrorism or intelligence activities without following appropriate procedures. [...] The House bill, sponsored by Nadler, Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.), Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.), would tighten the language governing when national security letters could be used, by requiring that they clearly pertain to investigations of a foreign power or an agent instead of just being considered 'relevant' to such investigations."

http://www.warandpiece.com/blogdirs/007293.html

The failing economy is coming to our favorite malls and hitting stores we've all shopped in. I wonder if this will jar people awake? It isn't only the poor who are suffering now. These stores hire middle class people.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/business/15retail.html?_r=1&ex=1365912000&en=7cb172b5ccec9646&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin

Retailing Chains Caught in a Wave of Bankruptcies

[snip]
Since last fall, eight mostly midsize chains — as diverse as the furniture store Levitz and the electronics seller Sharper Image — have filed for bankruptcy protection as they staggered under mounting debt and declining sales.

But the troubles are quickly spreading to bigger national companies, like Linens ‘n Things, the bedding and furniture retailer with 500 stores in 47 states. It may file for bankruptcy as early as this week, according to people briefed on the matter.

Even retailers that can avoid bankruptcy are shutting down stores to preserve cash through what could be a long economic downturn. Over the next year, Foot Locker said it would close 140 stores, Ann Taylor will start to shutter 117, and the jeweler Zales will close 100.

The surging cost of necessities has led to a national belt-tightening among consumers. Figures released on Monday showed that spending on food and gasoline is crowding out other purchases, leaving people with less to spend on furniture, clothing and electronics. Consequently, chains specializing in those goods are proving vulnerable.

more..

Sally, picking up on a few keywords in your article - Oklahoma will always remain my favorite American musical. I remember growing up as a child on a British Crown Colony, Oklahoma the movie, was my introduction to America. I must have been 8 or 9 when I saw it for the first time, and it was such an exhilirating feeling when the movie opens with a burst of color, song, and dancing, all at the same time. It was an unforgettable experience for me, and no matter how many tines I see the movie, I always get that rush of excitement at the beginning when the first chords of "Oklahoma" burst on to the screen. Wow! What a great Rodgers and Hammerstein production. So now I absolutely must bore everyone by posting the first few lines of that upbeat song which always makes me want to get up and dance.

"Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain.
Oklahoma, Ev'ry night my honey lamb and I
Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk
Makin' lazy circles in the sky."

On another not so pleasant note - the TV media. Watching the NBC nightly news tonight, and switching back and forth to CBS, you just can't get away from those drug ads. I am so sick of them. I really feel that these companies are pushing drugs, and that they should be removed from TV. I heard once that there are only 2 countries that allow drug commercials to be aired on TV - the US, and New Zealand, but I don't know why that is.

Yep, Obama has declared it "silly season" again with Hillary's latest attacks on him.

Hope this doesn't come back to haunt him, like it did Hillary Clinton's kissing of Arafat's wife, whom she had to un-kiss in order to win her NY Senate seat.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080415/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_carter;_ylt=AtnrM0FzlTkm5F6LM3cy.GO9F4l4

Lunaoscura, thanks for that wonderfully informative article on the humble potato, on the last thread that I just read. I love a baked Idaho with sour cream and chives, and I pig out on mashed potatoes with lots of butter. My weakness is butter. I also love the little red creamer spuds that I use to make home fries. I saute them in some olive oil with onions, pepper and chives - great with scrambled or fried eggs...yummmm.

Well thank you Miss Sally.
I am bitter that we hear campaign trivia, stupidity and no one talks about the fact that the President of the United States admitted that he knew about the torture all along and we know that the entire administration knew about it and planned it and we get stories of Hillary drinking boiler makers and hands wringing over Obama's elitism.
I am bitter that this country has turned fascist and when the journalists from other societies come to ask questions we will like those who have gone before say "I didn't know what was going on".
I don't see the thing in Texas as help coming for the children but rather further raping and abuse from the "authorities". I don't have a solution but this removal of over 400 children from their homes and their society is terrifying. I personally think that the "authorities" are practicing for all types of round-ups to come. I do not absolutely do not see this as apositive move but rather the first muscle flexing of a very ugly monster.

We don't yet know what will come of Jimmy Carter's current actions, but I do want to commend his courage and his desire to actually DO SOMETHING to bring about peace, in spite of the pressures against him. After all, who among us is without sin? It is true that Hamas's charter calls for the destruction of Israel, and that Israel mounts a strong defense, but just maybe Carter will be able to apply the right mixture of love & respect to soften these attitudes. The only problem that I see is that for every reasonable Palestinian, Arab, and Jew, there are hard liners who will create trouble and perpetuate war and hate.

Crystal! I'm with you about O-k-la-h-o-m-a! When I was a child, I'd play a 78 recording of the musical and run down the living room, launching myself into the air like a rocket to the opening refrain. Then I would do it again, and again...so I wasn't bored in the least with your reference, as you can see (I don't exactly get how it came out of Sally's article, but never mind!). Needless to say, I enjoyed your new article very much, Sally, as I enjoy all of them. You have the unique ability to put your finger on the pulse of the planet and create a vision of what's happening. Thank you so much.

Crystal, I have a very active imagination and I could immediately see you bursting into a lusty rendition of Oklahoma and NOLA, I had no problem seeing you "launching" yourself.

The point of Oklahoma or any of the musicals is the raity of them and the massive amount of "victim" movies where struggle and bitterness is glamorized, thereby weaving its way into the human culture and consciousness. Movies such as Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers etc weave a different tale of hope and wanting to be the better part of ourselves. All is an illusion anyway and I wondered why we are drawn to the more negative illusions in society as opposed to the positive, because it's all out there, can we actually believe in ourselves?

Clymela, you are so right regarding torture and why we can't seem to rise in very loud protest, why we cannot hold this government accountable. This is an excellent article by Michael Collins making the rounds and the insanity of it all.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0804/S00239.htm

Luna, with the large retail chains going bankrupt and perhaps disappearing do you think we will be going back to the small one owner shop? That's the best outcome I see in this, the worst outcome is we have no place but walmart to go

Sally, I find it very intriguing that the stores in the malls are closing down because every one of those stores is part of corporations which are supposed to be so strong right now. If it's all about 'the bottom line' and wealth and the neo-con plan was to become a government run by corporations who's shareholders were to reap the most benefits then something has gone wrong in their plans. Their hatred of the middle class blinded them to the fact that it's what benefits them the most. How shortsighted. They didn't do the most obvious and simple thing which was to make the connection between the middle class having the jobs and it also being the consumers the corporations need in order to survive. They ran off to make their goods cheaper but they took American jobs so they're destroying themselves because they don't have the consumers they need. What Fools!

I think that communities will have to fulfill their own needs when there's a void of what they need. And maybe the exploding Green technology will create major industries and we'll all get jobs again, only they'll be better for the planet and its people. Our next President will hire Gore as the Green Czar or some such facsimile and we'll be off and running. But there are too many variables and too many things that Bush and Cheney can do to make things much much worse than they are even now.

Just had another brain fart -- an out of the blue Node spotlight (i'm chuckling, Sally). Maybe it was your post, Luna, about communities focusing on sustainable living but. . .another effect of Pluto's significant passage is this:

For too long we have focused on what world leader's recommend to resolve our environmental and market challenges. By focusing on world leaders (aka the ruling class), we are being told that the decisions made by those bodies are somehow more desirable than the ones made on a local level.

The media overvalues the importance of world leaders (the Pope, et al) in a way that reveals a twisted psychology. Revering others for NO good reason usurps our abilities to create those local solutions by infering that only "world leaders" are capable of attending to these problems.

Perhaps during Pluto's passage, more will come to see the fallacy of giving our power to those who would corrupt it.

Sally said, "Secret societies will also have a tough time over the next nine months."

Interesting, because the book "Bad Moon Rising" by John Gorenfeld, just recently came out. The Rev. Moon is so ridiculous he could be a villain in a farce. (But, then, Hitler was easy to make fun of, too.) Yet, Moon is a force in American politics because he has money. And big money not only talks, it shouts.

Next month another book, "The Family: the Secret fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power" by Jeff Sharlet, will be released. As I remember, The Family has been discussed on this site before. Their practices also sound like those of a comic-book evil secret society.

Pluto, do your stuff!

Good point karen. There's so much to become aware of (speaking of the consciousness shift). These 'interesting' times can be such learning times if we just pay attention. Pluto in Capricorn might be about every aspect of power, including lessons about the consequences of giving it away.

Even Sin City is feeling the pinch. I was wondering when it would happen. I had already heard about the foreclosures of private homes, but now it's the corporate casinos cutting back.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/04/14/financial/f185057D90.DTL&tsp=1

MGM Mirage fires more than 400 middle managers

By RYAN NAKASHIMA, AP Business Writer

MGM Mirage Inc., the largest casino operator on the Las Vegas Strip, on Monday notified more than 400 middle management employees they would be terminated immediately in a cost-saving move, the company said.

The decision will save $75 million annually and came after the company saw weakness since August at its properties, which include Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mirage, and Mandalay Bay, spokesman Alan Feldman told The Associated Press.

The move is the largest and swiftest by a casino operator in the current economic downturn, although use of so-called "extra board" employees who take fill-in shifts as needed has been down citywide.

"We were able to see the signs of trouble on the economic horizon last August," Feldman said. "The economy was beginning to worsen and clearly was not going to get better in the immediate term."

more...

karen, you're onto something and probably tapped into it intuitively (or it tapped you on the shoulder). I love when that happens...

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_joel_s___080416_the_most_powerful_pe.htm

The Most Powerful People in America

They are not the rich and superrich, nor the politically powerful running the two-party plutocracy, nor the greedy heads of banking and finance companies, and certainly not the media moguls and bloviating pundits.

The most powerful people are US, American consumers that account for over 70 percent of the economy. It is exactly now, when the economy is in the toilet, that consumers hold the maximum power. So why are we the people still deluding ourselves that the path to a better future rests on electing a new president?

We are suckers, conditioned by decades of clever marketing and advertising to believe the lies of politicians, and worst of all to believe that elections and our votes provide us with power. Wrong. Our real power can only be manifest through our spending dollars.

The overwhelming majority of Americans have been severely damaged by economic oppression by government policies that have produced historic economic inequality. Yet, despite revolting conditions, Americans seem unwilling to revolt by using their remaining economic power. They have let themselves become economic slaves.

more...

Lieberman willing to star at Republican convention
By Manu Raju
Posted: 04/15/08 08:06 PM [ET]
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the Democratic Party’s 2000 vice presidential nominee, is leaving open the possibility of giving a keynote address on behalf of Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) at the Republican National Convention in September.

Republicans close to the McCain campaign say Lieberman’s appearance at the convention, possibly before a national primetime audience, could help make the case that the presumptive GOP nominee has a record of crossing the aisle. That could appeal to much-needed independent voters.

McCain has yet to ask Lieberman to speak, either in primetime or elsewhere, at the convention. But if McCain thinks it will help make his case for the White House, as some of his allies suspect, Lieberman would be willing to speak on his behalf.

“If Sen. McCain, who I support so strongly, asked me to do it, if he thinks it will help him, I will,” Lieberman said in a brief interview.

Lieberman said he doubts McCain will ask him to give a keynote address, but acknowledges the subject has yet to come up in the two senators’ discussions.

A Lieberman aide said even though there are no plans for the Independent to give a speech at the convention, it is a “likely possibility” he will address the Republican audience in some form.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lieberman-willing-to-star-at-republican-convention-2008-04-15.html

Obama Leads in 2 States; Clinton Holds Pennsylvania (Update1)

By Heidi Przybyla

April 16 (Bloomberg) -- Barack Obama is leading Hillary Clinton in two of the next three Democratic primaries, an advantage, if it holds, that would allow him to sew up the nomination.

A new Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll of likely Democratic voters gives Clinton a 46 percent to 41 percent edge in Pennsylvania, and a similar 40 percent to 35 percent lead for Obama in Indiana. In North Carolina, Obama has a larger, 13- point advantage.

``To have a solid chance of winning the nomination she'd probably have to win all three'' and get ``a double-digit victory in Pennsylvania,'' says Tad Devine, a former strategist for Democrat John Kerry's 2004 presidential bid. ``If she wins just one of the three, it may be difficult if not impossible for her to continue'' and ``if she loses Pennsylvania, it's over.''

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aKMJtwpUTJtA&refer=worldwide

April 15, 2008

Gallup Daily: Obama 51%, Clinton 40%Both Democratic candidates have 46% to 44% margins over McCainUSA Election 2008 Gallup Daily Americas Northern America PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama is maintaining his lead over Hillary Clinton among Democrats nationally in the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking, with a 51% to 40% margin in the April 12-14 average.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/106537/Gallup-Daily-Obama-51-Clinton-40.aspx

A bit of fun with Jon Stewart...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x118877

Archeologists uncovered simple economic reasons why the Roman Empire fell and their discovery holds the information to the fall of the US Empire. Very well worth the read as it clearly shows the direction in which we are heading.

http://www.energybulletin.net/42822.html

Does anyone know what the Sabian symbol for the upcoming full moon at 0 43 Scorpio is? Or provide a link in that direction? Thank you.

According to Café Astrology:
0-1 deg Scorpio: A Crowded Sightseeing Bus On A City Street

Also, go read Lynda Hill's stuff, just google her and Sabian Symbols.

****This next week will bring us new information regarding the US, I hope that message isn’t war with Iran but I do expect it to heat up.****

I live in the NW corner of NC, in the mountains and far out of any air traffic path. In the last two weeks, there have been three events of military transport planes and one military jet (the pointy nose kind) flying very LOW over this area. Perhaps the jet was on approach to Ft Bragg or Pope Air Force Base (although I doubt it). We are about 4 hrs away as the bird flies. But what is IMPORTANT is that the last time we had low flying military air traffic was the summer before the invasion of Iraq took place. We just don't get air traffic over our area! Some thing is cooking!

Sally, that article you posted about the Roman collapse and the reasons why there was such a decline of civilization is fantastic! I recommend that everyone read it. It fits in to the subject matter of how we'll be able to carry on after the complete economic collapse of our country. We better get cracking and learn a useful survival/cultural skill!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/04/ED5OUPQJ7.DTL

Rule by fear or rule by law?

Since 9/11, and seemingly without the notice of most Americans, the federal government has assumed the authority to institute martial law, arrest a wide swath of dissidents (citizen and noncitizen alike), and detain people without legal or constitutional recourse in the event of "an emergency influx of immigrants in the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs."

Beginning in 1999, the government has entered into a series of single-bid contracts with Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR) to build detention camps at undisclosed locations within the United States. The government has also contracted with several companies to build thousands of railcars, some reportedly equipped with shackles, ostensibly to transport detainees.

According to diplomat and author Peter Dale Scott, the KBR contract is part of a Homeland Security plan titled ENDGAME, which sets as its goal the removal of "all removable aliens" and "potential terrorists."

[snip]
Sect. 1042 of the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), "Use of the Armed Forces in Major Public Emergencies," gives the executive the power to invoke martial law. For the first time in more than a century, the president is now authorized to use the military in response to "a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, a terrorist attack or any other condition in which the President determines that domestic violence has occurred to the extent that state officials cannot maintain public order."

The Military Commissions Act of 2006, rammed through Congress just before the 2006 midterm elections, allows for the indefinite imprisonment of anyone who donates money to a charity that turns up on a list of "terrorist" organizations, or who speaks out against the government's policies. The law calls for secret trials for citizens and noncitizens alike.

Also in 2007, the White House quietly issued National Security Presidential Directive 51 (NSPD-51), to ensure "continuity of government" in the event of what the document vaguely calls a "catastrophic emergency." Should the president determine that such an emergency has occurred, he and he alone is empowered to do whatever he deems necessary to ensure "continuity of government." This could include everything from canceling elections to suspending the Constitution to launching a nuclear attack. Congress has yet to hold a single hearing on NSPD-51.

Anyone watch the debate tonight? Interested in hearing feedback :-)

No tee vee, NOLASharon, but I did look at the blogs and this summary seems a quite accurate summary of the reactions I saw:

http://tinyurl.com/6s3c4b

Hope that helps.

Thanks, Shy. I guess I didn't miss a thing. It sounds like the idiots made a big deal out of why Obama doesn't wear an American Flag lapel pins - here's the best comment about that:

"So what I gathered from this so called debate is that you can destroy the country like Bush and Cheney as long as you wear a flag lapel pin."

Your link Shy just about says it all. You can feel lucky no tee vee it was shockingly bad. A horrible indictment of ABC, maybe it was one of those things that looked good to them on paper but was terrible in reality. I think there will be a blowback on them and sadly on Hillary. The questions were obviously designed as a hit piece on Obama and she seemed to have been given the questions in advance and he seemed shocked, course that doesn't mean Hillary knew in advance that he didn't know what was coming.

The Moon opposed Uranus tonight and that could certainly be a shock to the people and based on the responses I've seen, it was a shock. Mars was conjunct the Sun/Mercury midpoint indicating anger and frustration for America tonight. I do believe the US for the most part are ready to hear the truth and to have a dialogue about the real issues not the same divisive conversations that have dotted American politics.

I don't have ABC's chart (from when Disney bought it) but I would bet it didn't look good tonight and it won't be good for the moderators, they lost credibility tonight.

Charles Gibson had some uncomfortable astrological aspects tonight, but George Stephanopoulos could have had career breaking aspects, with T-Neptune conjoined his Sun and opposing his Uranus. The days ahead will determine just how disasterous a decision for ABC it was to have a sham of a debate tonight when the country is so tired of "shams" it will be interesting to watch.

Sally said, "Secret societies will also have a tough time over the next nine months."

I'm not surprised. With the Internet, could any secret handbook stay secret anyway? International communication and communion with a great number of likeminded people, ditto.

A Crowded Bus Full of Siteseers: with gas prices, maybe the bus will make a big comeback.

Hi all, back on a whim and a prayer.

The debate was awful. I had the tv and the computer on, but was so tired I fell asleep. Sounds like I missed the worst of it, but judging from what I heard before I fell asleep, It was indeed very empty calories. I was so frustrated-I wanted for them to say anything about anything significant.

Maybe PBS should moderate, or perhaps we should go back to radio debates with NPR. Even Clearchannel Radio debates would be better. With radio debates we could focus solely on content, because the hosts couldn't preen for the cameras. PBS would at least try to be intelligent at times. This sucked harder than a starving baby.

NOLASharon, Here is something much better than tee vee. Here is the instant reaction of the American people. So far there have been 11,771 comments about the ABC debate last night. You can choose to see the comments from first to last (go to the bottom of the comments and click on View: First to Last). The comments start before the debate and end long after the debate. Both candidates had their supporters commenting throughout the debates. It's interesting if you have the time. It beats tee vee anytime! Just reading a few comments is very revealing.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/DemocraticDebate/comments?type=story&id=4666956

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/04/17/the-reviews-are-in/

The reviews are in

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/Thrilla_in_Phila_the_Final_Two_Live-blogging_the_great_debate.html

Gibson, Stephanapoulos outrage!

We watched the 'debate' until moderator manipulations began. It was opportune for Obama to raise the issue of separation of church and state (constitional lawyer, right?). Had he nipped that one in the bud he and Clinton could have saved the debate 23 minutes of carping and self-defense.

Stephanopolis and Gibson stole OUR time to turn it into a turkey shoot.

The lowest common denominator keeps getting lower.

Well, thank goodness my tv stayed off all night. Again, there's the guise of using the word "debate" to describe what is supposed to be a thoughtful discussion of just what we are going to do to address our critical challenges. I haven't heard that -- in a presidential "debate" -- for years.

Wanted to weigh in on the Roman empire article that Sally posted above. Many aspects of what the author points to regarding the economic downfall parallels have already occurred on some very basic levels. I can think of a few, and some that apply to the way we have been educated. However, it's equally difficult to find a craftsperson. For instance we have an old well and want to install a handpump. We live in a rural area and i thought, hey, i'll bet there are a number of people who know how to do this. No luck so far.

Can anyone here make soap?

I know QOP Pat sews. That too is another craft that has passed. Too bad, because it comes in mighty handy.

Gathering and chaffing grass seed for bread should flour be inaccessible is another craft i'm unfamiliar with. I know you're supposed to whack it over something that catches the seed, say a screen, a great deal of work for a cup of flour.

Wonder if it's going to come to this?

http://mondediplo.com/2008/04/02tibet

Tibet: tremor on the roof of the world

China is worried that the recent resentment and resistance among the Tibetans could spread to other major minorities whose traditional territories have been colonised and exploited by the majority Han Chinese. The Tibetans clearly want some form of autonomy, which they will not get.

snip

The invasion of Tibet in 1950 – or its “peaceful liberation” as the Chinese prefer to put it – raises historical questions that have yet to be resolved. It is emblematic of the recurrent difficulties encountered by the Chinese in their attempts to occupy and settle the region, and of the Tibetans’ failure to convince the modern world that their claims to independence have a historical basis.

China first claimed Tibet in the 13th century under the (Mongol) Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), then again in the 17th century under the (Manchu) Qing dynasty (1644-1911). During these two periods the Chinese empire reached its furthest extent westwards, thanks to successful military campaigns waged by the Yuan, who built on the remains of the Mongol empire that once dominated Asia, China and Tibet.

More at the link...

In addition to the 4,000+ killed, 300,000 of our returning troops are suffering from PTSD and about 320,000 have brain injuries (there must be overlap between the PTSD and injuries). More:

http://tinyurl.com/5zohvy

Costs of war go on and on and on, don't they, regardless of when the war is actually over?

Hi Marta, yes I found your post offensive, not as an Obama supporter but as an AW reader. There was no astrological point in the LIAR post. I am disappointed. I have respect for the posters on AW some Clinton some Obama supporters, so much so that I have stopped writing about either candidate since it makes AW folks so hot under the collar and derails the thread, even though this is Political Astrology. Almost as disgusting as ABC last night.

Karen and all here is a link that is helpful.

http://simplylivingsmart.com/

Marta, I'm in exactly the same space as you are. Any idea how you'll handle election day given this vacuum?
Looks like the darkside is campaigning to eliminate Obama assuming Clinton can't beat the pale clammy garden grub McCain.
We can expect this to go badly for the 'winner'of the nomination either way.

PatC, is there a date in l950 for chinese invasion of Tibet? It is meaningful that it took one-half eclipse cycle for the full fruition in 1959. we, too are at that marker for the 8-99/8-89 cycle (bushita's). Boy, that's a study in itself. Notable for the repug party the new "sensitivity" to the pisces/virgo axis: their progressed FM, the u.s. prog sun, and numerous charmers like Lieberman occupy the early pisces/virgo pivot (McCain) taking hard sucker punches esp thru July. They've "peaked out" by my estimation, and think we'll see some real injuries (personal and actual)and desperation which of course can be dangerous to us.

It's really interesting how China has spread incrementally. But now, it appears they have lost their vision and famous patience which, environmentally and now influenced by grotesque overgrowth hasten their own demise by folly in the land of simple physics.

Eh, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Morgana - I agree with you 100% in my disappointment of the LIAR post. Most of what the poster "ottedyo" says is not even true. And with most of it, who cares?

I am a fan of both Hillary and Obama and I do get sensitive when they are critized UNFAIRLY, if the criticism is constructive, I take it much better. Whoever gets the nomination will get my vote.

And as far as being involved in the election, it is our only way of expressing ourselves, even if THAT is an illusion. What is life, anyway, but an illusion?

I thought the debate was absolutely sickening last night. The Moon in Virgo came out at it's worst, picking and critical.

patb, here you go.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Liberation_Army_invasion_of_Tibet_%281950–1951%29

Morgana and Laurie, I concur with both your posts. I watched the entire debate last night, but I'm not going to comment. All that's left to see is how this long rancorous process of electing a nominee ends, so I can go do my part, however little it may be.

I'm pressed for time now, but I'll be back to read Sally's post on the fall of the Roman Empire.

Morgana, I hope you'll be writing an article for the upcoming lunation. I always look forward to reading them.

http://mondediplo.com/2008/04/03tibet

Demonstrations unsure of goals or tactics

Dateline Tibet

1642 – The Dalai Lama comes to power thanks to Mongol support.

1720-1792 – Tibetan rulers call on China to expel the Mongols, then the Nepalese.

1904 – The United Kingdom, which occupied part of China, recognises Tibet’s sovereignty.

1914 – The Chinese fail to activate the accord signed by them, the British and the Tibetans.

October 1950 – Chinese troops enter Lhasa.

10 March 1959 – Start of an uprising against Chinese occupation with thousands of victims. The Dalai Lama flees to Dharamsala in India.

1965 – Beijing creates the Autonomous Region of Tibet.

1966-76 – Cultural revolution: the monasteries are destroyed and monks persecuted. Beijing restores the right to practice religion only in 1980.

1979-84 – The Dalai Lama is permitted to send four investigative missions to Tibet. Tibetan political delegations visit Beijing in 1982 and 1984.

8 March 1989 – Beijing imposes martial law in Lhasa after three days of anti-Chinese riots causing dozens of deaths. In October the Dalai Lama is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

1996 – The Dalai Lama suggests unconditional negotiations on the future of Tibet, whose recognition China rejects.

2002-03 – Informal dialogue takes place.

2004 – Beijing publishes a White Book on the ‘modernisation of Tibet’ which denounces the ‘Dalai Lama and his clique’.

Patb, regarding how I'm going to handle the election at this point I really am a bit muddled and have no idea. I guess I'm back to not caring for any of the candidates, which I most likely could get over, except that I don't believe in the system anymore either (and let's not even talk about the integrity of the vote itself). I may, for the first time in my adult life living in the U.S. abstain.

PS I thank everyone for your kindness in not attacking me for the post, very restrained .... Morgana and Laurie are right. As far as astrology, the post is shocking (Uranus) and angry (Mars) ... if the poster was lying, then a Neptunian influence could also be adduced.

No Winners in Last Night's Debate

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=311578

A GOTCHA DEBATE... We're into the 21st debate. We've been through fifteen months of this primary calendar or, as ABC's Charles Gibson put it in introducing what may well be the last....we're into "round 15."
These boys love their sports metaphors.

But tonight it's not those sports metaphors that have me throwing my Subway sandwich at the TV. It's the relentless stream of "gotcha" questions that ABC's top news commentators pose that have me angry, frustrated and, yes, bitter. Whether it's George Stephanopolous pushing Obama and Clinton to make a "No New Taxes" pledge....(George--please reconnect with your inner self: the intelligent, humane guy who did good battle with Alan Greenspan and Bob Rubin in trying to stop them from putting profits before people)...Or Gibson making the leap of equating electability with Obama's decision not to wear a flag pin? (Patriotism, as Obama explained, slowly, carefully, means ensuring that we take care of veterans who've served their country and done real patriotic duty.) These kinds of questions foreclose room for a full, real and honest debate about this country's future, and its politics and policies at home and abroad.

More at the link...

http://mondediplo.com/2008/02/05military

Why the US has really gone broke

Global confidence in the US economy has reached zero, as was proved by last month’s stock market meltdown. But there is an enormous anomaly in the US economy above and beyond the subprime mortgage crisis, the housing bubble and the prospect of recession: 60 years of misallocation of resources, and borrowings, to the establishment and maintenance of a military-industrial complex as the basis of the nation’s economic life

You'll be shocked--shocked, I tell you--to learn what the Government Accountability Office has discovered:

http://tinyurl.com/6yrsv3

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080417/pl_afp/climatewarmingusemitters_080417193049

Bush under fire at Paris climate meeting

PARIS (AFP) - Leading players in talks to forge a pact for tackling climate change took the lash on Thursday to President George W. Bush's new blueprint for global warming, with Germany mocking it as "Neanderthal."

At a ministerial-level meeting of major carbon emitters, South Africa blasted the Bush proposal as a disastrous retreat by the planet's number-one polluter and a slap to poor countries.

The European Union -- which had challenged the United States to follow its lead on slashing greenhouse-gas emissions by 2020 -- also voiced disappointment.

His proposals "will not contribute to the fight against climate change," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas told AFP, adding he hoped the US would "reconsider its options and policies."

"Time is running out and we have the duty to reach an agreement in Copenhagen in 2009," said Dimas.

Germany accused Bush of turning back the clock to before last December's UN climate talks in Bali and even to before last July's G8 summit.

In a statement entitled "Bush's Neanderthal speech," German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said: "His speech showed not leadership but losership. We are glad that there are also other voices in the United States."

Bush's speech on Wednesday came at a key time in efforts to craft a new UN treaty for slashing the heat-trapping fossil-fuel gases that scientists fear will ravage Earth's climate system.

The Bali talks yielded a two-year "roadmap" designed to culminate in a planetary deal that will tackle carbon emissions beyond 2013, after the present pledges in the Kyoto Protocol run out.

more...

Karen, I made soap once, and what I learned from the experience is that never again do I want to make soap. After much time and strenuous work I produced some adequate soap that compared poorly to store-bought. I could have bought the same amount of higher quality soap for under $1.

I guess if everything goes to hell in a handbasket, I'll try to grow soapwort and get by on that and hot water. Alcohol is a good cleaner, too, and isn't as hard to produce.

Now I'm living in a large city, but have a partly-sunny backyard. For the future I've been planting dwarf fruit trees, kiwi vines, and herbs, and am working on improving the soil so I can harvest more tomatoes, beans, squash, and greens, etc.

it not hard to figure out to get how to books. How to sew a shirt, pants, etc. I once hand sewed a shirt for my husband because I didn't have a sewing machine and it came out quite nicely. He wore it till it was threadbare and he'd worn holes on the elbows and the inside collar.

That's the difference between the Romans and us. We have the ability to look for books on everything we could possibly need.

If worse came to worse the things we need to learn could be divided up in a community (if we're lucky enough to have one). Communities could be very well off or do very poorly, depending on their abilities. But even seemingly simple things like growing wheat for food or cotton for making clothes requires machinery after the fact. Separating the wheat from the chaff, storing it, grinding it for making bread, and one would need looms for making cloth in order to make clothes. It gets complicated and really does require a community with work divided up among the members.
carpentry
food growing and processing
making clothes
making shoes
making candles
making pottery for cooking, holding water, dishes, cups
building wind and water mills

Let's hope it never gets that bad!

lunaoscura, so funny just last night I was looking at textiles on ebay and thinking how meaningful it would be for me, old a.d.d. to settle my mind and make somethings for my him by hand and how he would cherish that.
I saw quilts from the 1930's made by blacks that were simple and touching. Intricate embriodering from germany, handmade nana rugs from australia, and alas, sat there ashamed of myself, the stapler of yore *ugh*.

I welcome necessity being the mother of invention in many ways already mentioned. We spend way too much time in our heads, productive of what, I ask.

I want to be careful in my remarks here regarding the above posts about the hearsay related to Barak Obama, because people seem to feel strongly about one candidate or the other in this oddly long primary. First of all everyone of those points have been circulated in an email memo for over a year and have been debunked by spoof.com, for one thing, it's his white grandmother who has always been a Christian and he has said that repeatedly.

I am reminded of a book, a whole book that a close relative (people who hate the Clintons and particularly Hillary) gave me filled with these kinds of things regarding the Clinton's. In that book it had incest with her alcoholic father and brother, the murders they were supposed to have committed, the drug runs in Arkansas, the rapes, the beatings, the lies, the fraud and the list goes on of supposedly Clinton crimes; it even had a list of Satanic Masses they attended and the blood sacrifices they made. A whole book of this sick stuff, it was horrific and it makes the little nasty hit piece put out on Obama look tame. The bottom line is both hit pieces are based on rumor, the only proven thing on Hillary is her temper and willingness to use and dump friends.

The only thing I actually know that Hillary has done is lie over and over about her sniper fire incident in Bosnia. And I have a huge concern that if she is so willing to throw her friends and the Democrats under the bus, what would she do to us?

My point is, there are all kinds of hit pieces out there on the candidates the majority not true. They are hateful and written by people full of fear and a need to hate and hopefully make others hate the things they do.

I do not think it's necessary to make personal hatefilled attacks on the candidates, or to take made up things and put them out there as if they were real. Everyone has the opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice, astrology is about the energies and how it looks like a person is using those energies and what aspects might be swirling around them to make them look better or worse to the people of the US. Right now, these are the only candidates we have, Barack, Hillary and John (Course Ron Paul is still in the game I hear)if you don't like them, write in a candidate or don't vote.

This is a political astrological site and we will continue to cover astrology as I, or Morgana or invited guest astrolgers read the aspects, we don't promote rumor about the candidates and I don't want it promoted here, and I don't care to whom the rumors are attached. If we are going to do that, a person better have solid proof of each alligation. I don't do the political practice of throwing slime on the wall and hope something sticks

So please, let's not spread these rumors no matter what the good intent.

Sally, again, I'm sorry I posted it, and at the same time glad that it's been debunked. Nuff said.

Snopes is your friend:

http://www.snopes.com

Good site.

That's ok Marta, it's a temptation. I saw some things on the ABC postings that I wanted to post but my impulse didn't come from the better part of myself. I met with a woman from Europe today and she mentioned that their campaigns were only 6 weeks long and I swear I almost drooled

Sally any thoughts on how Al Gore fits in? His aspects are pretty darn good.

Sally, funny that you should say that about the six week campaigns in Europe ... I was just getting ready for bed when I started thinking how sick and tired I am with this endless campaign ... thank you for your graciousness. Good night all.

Be sure and catch Colbert.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/04/17/breaking-hillary-clinton-barack-obama-and-john-edwards-to-join-the-colbert-report/

Six week elections in Canada, Australia and New Zealand too.

...and in those countries they don't treat their politicians like dieties.
Remember we all sit on the potty the same
way.

You would expect this in CA, but not in Illinois.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080418/ap_on_re_us/midwest_earthquake

The Pope put his foot onto the tarmac at 9:43am in NY this morning ... JFK airport.

10:09am at the Wallstreet Heliport.

Gee, the Pope has such nice fluffy white hair.
come to think of it, so did Pope John. Wonder if there's a Pope shampoo. If so, I'd like to know what kind it is. Wouldn't you?

You've probably barely recovered from the shocking news I posted yesterday, and yet there's another one today. Brace yourselves.

http://tinyurl.com/6cmoxw

(Just like you said, Cap'n Sally: It's all just oozing out.)

You know, Shy, i truly believe that the world is experiencing post- and current-traumatic stress. The numbers alone are staggering and leave me feeling physically ill. And those numbers include deceased, displaced, severely injured, wealth and resources squandered -- and all for what? So, we can continue to enrich the coffers of those who are without consciousness.

There is also an article on Alternet about abortion being removed from the curriculum of medical schools. Let me guess, the same monsters who bred this war and economic disasters want more children to enslave and victimize?

As to books, Luna. I've a number of "how-to" books some of which require ingredients that must be found, then ordered. I'm talking about what to do when we're literally left to our own devices. I love the community sharing smarts and talents and bet we'll see more of that in the near future. I like Mayfly's suggestion about soapwort. Now, there's an idea!

Word Karen.

You just MUST watch the Edwards appearance on Colbert....too funny! We need that too.

http://blogs.chron.com/beltwayconfidential/2008/04/jet_skis_are_cool_humor_and_th.html

I'm 100 miles or so north of the quake. It woke me up. Really, really creepy for us midwesterners since we've been hearing about the big one coming from the New Madrid fault for years. I don't know how you Californians do it- but I guess I'll find out soon enough- my daughter is moving to Berkeley for grad school.

New Madrid fault (image)

http://www.showme.net/~fkeller/quake/images/ualr7ststes.jpg

Hi Peg, I'm a native Californian we've often referred to the intensity of quakes as E-Ticket rides, harkening back to the days when Disneyland rides were rated A-E. The last big one I went through was Northridge in 94', though I live 5 miles from Loma Prieta epicenter of the 89' quake these days. I guess it's what you are used to, for me earthquakes are a part of life, I suppose it is the same for folks with tornados, hurricanes, blizzards and micro temperatures. The snow is Denver would make me crazy too freaking cold! El Nino sends more shivers up my spine then earthquakes and both have reduced me to zippo. Lost a business in 94' quake and two houses in El Nino.

The New Madrid is a nasty bugger, no one really knows what the heck you folks are sitting on.

I use two sided sticky stuff to secure my dust collectors, cabinets with strong latchs, securing the water heater. We also keep a supply of food though we've gotten lax about having fresh water stored.

Here's more on Carter's meeting with Hamas. What a courageous man, flying in the face of all the admonitions from the Bush Administration. Does Condi Rice have even one original thought in her head? Her only function seems to be as Bush's mouthpiece. Jimmy Carter has more cojones, and none of the arrogance that is a hallmark of Bushco.

http://real-us.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080418/ap_on_re_mi_ea/carter_palestinians

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_meltdown_lowdown_041708

The Meltdown Lowdown

This week in economic news: McCain proposes giving tax dollars to oil companies and expanding the deficit, Sen. Alexander says we should give the money to rich people, and the Post thinks we should use it to make homes more expensive.

karen,

I was talking about how to books like how to build a house, a well or a windmill. How to make shoes, clothes, even soap and candles and how to gather wax and/or grow the other ingredients.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/04/18/debate/

Obama, get ready for the "Clinton rules"

As Wednesday's awful debate proves, it won't matter who the presidential nominee is -- the press will play footsie with McCain and attack the Democrat.

By Joe Conason

This is the funniest comment I've seen yet concerning the longevity of the Democratic Primary process:

"OMG I can not believe we still have the general election to go, I am so tired of all of them I would support a quick military coup at this point :)"

Posted by:
letherbuck123 Apr-16
Mark As Violation

Legend has it that when the giant turtle appears in Vietnam, a major event is to be expected. The giant turtle was thought to be extinct. Now lookit this:

http://tinyurl.com/6xpde6

To many of us this isn't new news. Of course the u.s. fda hasn't responded since poisoning the public (especially babies) is just part of another day:

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cancer/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100200558>1=31025

Ray Merriman just cracked me up this week. Enjoy http://www.stariq.com/marketweek.htm

Paraguay is having elections and I wonder if the astrologers here see anything that augurs progressive change. I'm really curious since there seems to be secretive activity by Rev. Moon and the Bush mob there.

Fernando Armindo Lugo Méndez (born May 30, 1951 in San Pedro del Paraná, Itapúa, Paraguay) is a Catholic Bishop- said to be the Bishop of the poor. If he wins he'll end decades of corrupt control by one party. The wikepedia link also has important dates in his life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Lugo

Paraguay became independent from Spain on May 14, 1811 [this is the last line in the link below]

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/199442,preview-paraguay-gets-closer-to-historic-leadership-change.html

PREVIEW: Paraguay gets closer to historic leadership change

Asuncion - Paraguay has been governed by the Partido Colorado for 61 years, but the end seems near as the South American country prepares to vote in presidential elections on Sunday. According to all opinion polls, former Roman Catholic Bishop Fernando Lugo, 56, is the main favourite, although many Paraguayans have expressed a fear that fraud may be used to preserve the status quo.

Lugo is the candidate of the Patriotic Alliance for Change (APC), a coalition of some eight opposition parties and a score of social movements.

This group of anti-Colorado organizations which span from the political left to conservatism has caused a stir. Indeed, the Colorados have been able to hold on to power since 1947, and especially since the end of the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner (1954-1989), among other things because the opposition was divided.

Now, however, not only is the opposition more united than before, but the Colorados too are fielding two candidates. The party's official representative is Blanca Ovelar, while former coup leader Lino Oviedo - also identified with the party - is standing as the candidate of the Party of the National Union of Ethical Citizens (Punace).

According to experts, these are the only two candidates that could yet trouble Lugo.

An opinion poll by the company COIN published one week before the election put Lugo ahead with 34.5 per cent of the expected vote. It also predicted a technical tie between Lino Oviedo, with 28.9 per cent, and Blanca Ovelar, with 28.5 per cent.

A simple majority on election day will be enough for the winner to be elected to succeed outgoing President Nicanor Duarte Frutos, with a five-year mandate.

COIN noted that the turnout will be key to Lugo's aspirations: the more people vote, the more chances the former bishop has to be the next Paraguayan president.

more...

Here's some background about the misery of Paraguay's history. Alfredo Stroessner was Paraguay's former military dictator for 35 years.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4792281.stm

Obituary: Alfredo Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner's rule was marked by political repression

Alfredo Stroessner was Paraguay's military leader for 35 years, from 1954 to 1989.

Under his rule the country became a haven for Nazi war criminals, peaceful opposition was crushed and the indigenous population was persecuted.

Stroessner was one of the great strongmen of South American politics. Indeed, during the 20th Century, only Cuba's Fidel Castro served as head of state in the continent for a longer period of time.

A violent dictator to many, others - most notably in the United States - saw him as a bulwark against communism.

[snip]
Gen Stroessner's rule was marked by political repression. Many of his opponents were forced to flee into exile. Those who remained were harassed or imprisoned, and the media was heavily censored.

A personality cult sprung up around the general and his portrait became a regular sight throughout the country.

He also sought to forcibly assimilate Paraguay's indigenous Ache population, a policy which ended in bloodshed, sexual slavery and servitude.

And Paraguay became a bolt-hole for Nazi war criminals, including for a time the former SS doctor at Auschwitz, Josef Mengele.

more...

The giant turtle story is really interesting Shy. Even if it doesn't signal a major event happening, the fact that they believed it to be extinct is amazing considering it's size. Where has it been for 400 years and why is it surfacing now. To me that's the most amazing thing over the white buffalo.

Maybe it signals the end of this primary, now that would be a major event.

You're right PatC, Edwards was hilarious on Colbert, laughing is our last refuge from this insanity. Good lord, the media wants another debate. I think Hillary and Obama should say yes and get Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert to write their material, now that's a debate I would watch. Better yet, let Stewart and Colbert be the moderators.

As I said in the beginning of this primary season, I trust no one in this race, if I did I would have to conclude they are nuts and so are we.

Full Moon is coming tomorrow, maybe that will put and end to this madness, it falls across Hillary's Sun and squares Obama's Mercury, they both lose something in Pennsylvania, who knows, perhaps Ron Paul or Mike Gravel wins, I would love that. That would keep us laughing all the way to the General Election

Published on Thursday, March 20, 2008 by The Nation

Hillary’s Nasty Pastorate – by Barbara Ehrenreich

There’s a reason Hillary Clinton has remained relatively silent during the flap over intemperate remarks by Barack Obama’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. When it comes to unsavory religious affiliations, she’s a lot more vulnerable than Obama.

You can find all about it in a widely under-read article in the September 2007 issue of Mother Jones, in which Kathryn Joyce and Jeff Sharlet reported that “through all of her years in Washington, Clinton has been an active participant in conservative Bible study and prayer circles that are part of a secretive Capitol Hill group known as “The “Fellowship,” also known as The Family. But it won’t be a secret much longer. Jeff Sharlet’s shocking exposé The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power will be published in May.

Published on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 by Consortiumnews.com
Clinton’s Experience: Fact and Fancy – by Barbara Koeppel

I will take a look at Paraguay later Luna (I'm getting ready to do a reading) but I don't look for too much progressive change. The Bush family bought a ton of property in Paraguay lately, however I do think the people are restless and the recent death of their former dictator might move that restlessness along. I will take a look, this will be interesting

The Paraguyan elections are tomorrow, Sunday, 4/20/08

Paraguayan - jeeeze!

Oy veh, Karen. Merriman (with due respect) also stains predictions with crazymaking statements like this:

"The Moon-Jupiter conjunction on Election Day implies the country does not want to make a change, and that they do want someone in the office who has experience and represents the idea of “safety to the nation".

He is referring to McCain. It's 1984 kats & kittens. Death is life, war is peace. We love it.

Democrats better stop fighting and get their heads out of their favorite candidate's you know what because if McCain wins (which can only happen by default and forfeiture) women are screwed! I'm all for supporting your candidate but try not to do it by turning it into a destructive civil war for the party while the real criminals get off without a scratch!

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/04/11/mccain_abortion/index.html?source=rss&aim=/opinion/conason

[snip]
Nowhere is the gap between "straight talker" and pandering faker more obvious than on questions of reproductive freedom and sex education. Usually obscured by his image as a "maverick" Republican and (former) critic of the religious right, his actual record infuriates many women when they learn what he believes -- and how he has voted.

Late last month, the Democratic National Committee released a memo based on focus group interviews with undecided voters in Minnesota and West Virginia concerning McCain. The female voters in the groups were surprised, dismayed and angered to learn that the Arizona Republican not only favors overturning the Roe v. Wade decision and curtailing abortion rights but is also opposed to requiring contraceptive coverage by health plans and favors abstinence-only sex education.

[snip]
...an August 1999 speech that McCain delivered to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco:

"I'd love to see a point where [Roe v. Wade] is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force x number of women to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations."

Then he [the author, Schecter] flashes forward to 2006, as McCain prepared for this year's presidential race, when the senator declared that he does not merely favor overturning Roe, but supports a constitutional amendment that would ban abortion in almost all circumstances. Schecter provides another quote, from a McCain appearance last year on "Meet the Press," when he claimed that he has "always been pro-life, unchanging and unwavering." Except when he wavered and changed, of course.

more...

patb, yep Merriman is often very good and on-target--especially with the financial stuff. But you have to take his social predictions with a grain of salt. I'm thinking Moon conjunct Jupiter might mean Moon (people) plus Jupiter (lots of) equals big turnout on election day.

Is anybody on this thread living in Pennsylvania? I've been following the Rush Limbaugh campaign to get Repugs to vote in the Democratic primary for Clinton--he is especially concentrating on Pennsylvania right now.

Of course, if Clinton is nominated, I'll vote for her. But I resent this overt meddling of the Repugs in the Democratic primaries. This campaign has been an excellent example of why primaries should be restricted to party members.

Another thought--both Moon and Jupiter will be in Capricorn on election day. Capricorn can be the status quo, the authority figure--but I'm hoping in this case it will represent the bones, the very framework of the US--the Constitution. As Capricorn is also the unadorned facts--the dry truth--Who knows?

I don't know how many of you are just too numb, too tired to continue being outraged, but here's more:

http://tinyurl.com/6qhgfg

Cookie-cutter "journalists" from the Pentagon throughout the nooze orgs.

The 2008 Election
Will Be Stolen
http://afterdowningstreet.org/node/32869

Sur prize sur prize once again Shy. Gee will the shocks never end. I read today that little "Ritchie" Myers the former head of the Joint Chief's, said that he was simply duped by the Bush Administration on the war. "Little Ritchie" (I went to school with him and he was always a tattle tale) just doesn't know how it happened, but he was "duped" I thought "well I'll be dipped, just how do you get to be the head of the Joint Chiefs and still so easily led astray?" A friend of mine said he was trying to cover his butt because he knows he committed war crimes.

Love your assessment Mayfly of Moon and Jupiter in Capricorn on election day, I hope your second option is the correct one.

Luna, Paraguay received its independance from Spain on May 14, 1811 in Asuncion. I don't see any real progress for them. The Bush family bought several hundred acres and have their own military in Paraguay. The country has been known to harbor Nazi war criminals through the 50's to the 70's, actually if they are still alive I expect they are still there. Solar Arc Mercury is coming upon a conjunction to natal Saturn, indicating a repression of ideas and discourse or any opposition opinions. I don't see "free speech" with that aspect. Also they have a great deal of mutable in their chart and Saturn will be squaring, conjuncting or opposing all their mutable over the next two years, indicating further oppression. Their natal Jupiter Mercury in Gemini, opposing the natal Mars/Neptune in Sagittarius and transiting Saturn aspecting those degrees in throughout the summer could bring out a lot of information regarding their government and past lies and obfuscation, with a swift clampdown on information.

As many as 50 percent live in abject poverty and when Jupiter gets to their Moon next year the people could be empowered to take back some of what's been taken from them. Watch the Colorado Party for the signs of a nation wide uprising. The Bush family doesn't have their own personal military for nothing, and Paraguay will never extradite them, anymore than they did the Nazi War Criminals. If Paraguay has any chance of a true democracy for all the people they are looking at least two years before it can begin to take form.

We've known all along that those talking heads were plants, now it's confirmed. Thanks for that link, Shy. I'll be passing that one around.

Such a beautiful world to be so despoiled. The Bushes and the Nazis have had a long co-mingled history, haven't they? Where will they hide next when the world -- that is part of their making -- crumbles?

Merriman cracked me up for the following reason -- the last paragraph of his article.

"But it could also be interpreted to favor Senators Clinton and Obama too, because they represent Uranus—especially Obama (youth). If the youth come out in large numbers, they could produce the classical theme of “change” (or upset) that goes with Uranus in opposition to Saturn. Or something else can happen along the way that derails the whole process, prior to January 20, when the new president is sworn in. And if that happens, you can be certain it would open up a whole new realm of conspiracy theories, especially if it means the current Administration has to stay in office beyond that date, which—after all—isn’t that what many conspiratorial theorists are suggesting anyway? It could happen, and it may not be the result of a dark conspiracy. Or, maybe it is. In any event, this signature promises one thing for certain: nothing is certain. Anything can happen with this election, and even right afterwards."

April 20, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist

Shoddy! Tawdry! A Televised Train Wreck!

By FRANK RICH
“THE crowd is turning on me,” said Charles Gibson, the ABC anchor, when the audience jeered him in the final moments of Wednesday night’s face-off between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

I can’t remember a debate in which the only memorable moment was the audience’s heckling of a moderator. Then again, I can’t remember a debate that became such an instant national gag, earning reviews more appropriate to a slasher movie like “Prom Night” than a civic event held in Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center:

“Shoddy, despicable!” — The Washington Post

“A tawdry affair!” — The Boston Globe

“A televised train wreck!” — The Philadelphia Daily News

And those were the polite ones. Let’s not even go to the blogosphere.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/opinion/20rich.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

"One World/One Dream" may be the Chinese gubmint's slogan for the Olympics, but it sure is a nightmare for others. Now, Nepal has authorized the shooting of protestors "if necessary" as that precious torch is taken up Everest.

http://tinyurl.com/6ol7dp

Something is very wrong when a torch is more precious than a life.

Excellent excellent article by Frank Rich WV, thank you for putting it up.

There seems to be people in this country ready to shoot you if you don't wear a Flag pin. Symbols seem to be taking on some kind of special significance around the world; flags, torches, uniforms, pictures. I've seen blogs around this net judging what someone is thinking or what type a person they are by their picture or a moment frozen in time from a video. You're sure right Shy, there is something wrong.

The whole cheap Flag hoo-ha is just that. It has no meaning. It is meant to distract, obviously like all the other questions from that ab**tion of a debate on ABC.
If Obama gives in and begins to wear one, he is asking for more bullying from these frauds.

Can't you just see Obama and Michelle at home sticking hundreds of flag pins all over an old suit for the next debate appearance belly-laughing over the absurdity of this one issue says it all.

The u.s. progressed chart for 12-23-08 4am philly pa (2-22-1777 4:32am) reeks of the peak of the sham maxed-out dumbed down full moon "religion in a cheap plaid suit" inflated with 14 years of repug methane farts and sorrows goes as far as it can. "Cross on a hillside in a shaft of light" be damned.

As my teacher used to say, "The only morality is self-discipline" (the rest is poo-gas).

Shylurker

Nepal voted in a Maoist government last
week. Things have changed there. Hope it doesn't spread to Bhutan

Now, here's a lapel pin we could all wear with great pride:

http://tinyurl.com/5n2r7w

Plus--it's from WV.

If the king of Nepal hadn't been such a tyrant, wv, . . . . . Trading one tyrant for another seems to be gaining popularity these days. I'm with you in hoping that Bhutan will not succumb.

Sally, thank you for looking at the Paraguay chart. I'm not sure if you say it looks bad for always, or if in two years things might start to change for the better for the poor. If it's the two years before anything good can happen then that's not a bad timetable for countries that were born under the thumb of exploiting countries who have kept the populace at slave levels for centuries. I'm trying to connect the dots in South America as things seem to be changing on a fundamental level. We still tend to dismiss it all as third world or as merely being a merely supportive role for the mighty US.

Bush may have his own private army there, but that doesn't mean he'll always be safe. The energy dynamics of the American Continent are changing and Bush doesn't get it. He still thinks we're kicking ass with our military! The truth is we're getting our asses kicked. His private little army won't be able do any more than his big US army can. Once South America becomes strong enough it's adios amigos gringos and Bush's paradise in Paraguay will become just another Green Zone. We all know how well that's fortified...

One thing I find interesting, lunaoscura, and maybe I've just somehow missed it, but it seems "The Monroe Doctrine" is not being uttered in Serious Tones or in serious nooze articles any more. And that was one thing they were alwaysl quick to wrap themselves in with considerable pomp, ceremony and sternness, whenever a Latin American country seemed on the verge of getting out of line. Have you noticed that, or is it just me?

Historically, in Mexico it was another priest, Miguel Hidalgo who is known as the father of the War of Independence against Spain even though he was killed very quickly in his uprising. Religious leaders are very powerful among the oppressed and poor.

Shylurker, I think the reason that no one talks about what's going on in South America is for the same reason they ignored Edwards and Kuchinic. Just ignore them and they'll just whither away from neglect. Bush avoids talking about or dealing with the changes in South America because either he has tunnel vision and only sees what he wants to, or he's ordered everyone to never mention irritating things to him. Plus it's just South America! You know, the on-call whore of the US who we can throw a few dollars at so we can screw them whenever we want.

http://www.slate.com/id/2188982/

Here Comes the Next Mortgage CrisisSubprime was just the beginning. Wait until California's prime borrowers start handing their keys to the bank.

California is to mortgage lending what Chicago is to pork bellies. For years, that meant it was a place with soaring house values; today, the foreclosure rate across the state is twice the national average and going up fast. Riverside County, outside Los Angeles, may be the foreclosure capital of the country, with a rate close to six times the national average. And housing prices are in freefall.

California should be the poster child for a mortgage-loan bailout. In few other places have so many taken on such onerous debts with so little equity. Unfortunately, the crisis in California is going to get much worse, and there is no bailout that will solve it. Why? Because if the first stage of the foreclosure crisis was about people who could not afford their mortgages, the next stage will be about people who have every reason not even to try to pay their mortgages.

Over the next several months, we're going to be subjected to a chorus of hand-wringing about the moral turpitude of people who walk away from their mortgages and pronouncements like last month's warning from Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson that people should honor their mortgage obligations. The problem with finger-wagging on what you "should" or "ought" to do is that, when it comes to money, you're usually given the lecture only when it's in your interest to do the opposite. Certainly, that's the case for all the California homeowners who in the next year or two are going to find themselves with the choice of whether, faced with a huge new wave of interest resets and a historic decline in the value of their homes, they will simply walk away.

[snip]
A quick, almost random survey of some foreclosure prices in Southern and Central California:

* In San Bernardino, a house bought for $310,000 in 2005 is now being offered by the bank for $199,900.
* A 2,000-square-foot ranch house in Rancho Santa Margarita is down from $775,000 to $565,000.
* A starter home in Sacramento, sold for $215,000 in 2004, is now down to $129,900.

more...

Luna, I was saying that in two or three years things could begin to improve in Paraguay, after Saturn gets finished with them, they will be sick and tired of their poverty and letting themselves be victims. I completely agree with you about South America becoming a force that we will "try" and fail to deal with.

I also think, like Africa, we don't talk about it or look at it Shy, because we don't know what to do or how to organize, although there are some agencies trying to raise awareness. Also the sad truth is, most of us are trying so hard just to stay afloat ourselves we have a hard time looking at the other countries.

Shy

Maybe from WV but not from me...I wouldn't wear it if it was a gift. I am
on the side of Thomas Paine who said...
"Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrals," and if this administration
hasn't prove the veracity of that statement, I would hate to live under another that was worse. We are at the bottom.

I know that one of the Princes of Nepal wiped out most of the Royal Family last year, and took over the throne, I am not
sure if he is the one that was going to be
dethroned due to the election.

Shy

Here is the history of the recent troubles in Nepal...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipendra_of_Nepal

News results for Paraguay

Sydney Morning Herald Leftist ex-bishop ends 61-year conservative rule in Paraguay - 7 hours ago

ASUNCION (AFP) — A leftist ex-bishop Monday celebrated his historic electoral triumph in Paraguay's presidential election after defeating the ruling party ...

AFP - 944 related articles »
Key facts on Paraguay's presidential vote - The Associated Press - 17 related articles »
Poll ends in Paraguay - Xinhua - 9 related articles »

http://www.google.com/search?q=Paraguay&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8