Meat kills.

Have you put that pork chop down yet?!? No? My mean, judgmental rants haven’t helped yet, eh? : ) Well now, the most corrupt, drug-pushing pimp in history, the US Government, says that we should adhere to a plant-based diet. Re-he-he-heally?!?

This report (24 March, 2009) ran in Reuters, by Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor, and detailed the results of The US National Cancer Institute Study about the effects of red meat consumption on general health. Here are some of the findings of the thorough, careful study. (I have tried to find documentation about the study itself, but it seems it’s not yet published. However, click here to read the full Reuters article):

- “Even when other factors were accounted for -- eating fresh fruits and vegetables, smoking, exercise, obesity -- the heaviest meat-eaters were more likely to die over the next 10 years than the people who ate the least amount of meat.”

- “The quintile [of study participants] who ate the most red meat had a higher risk for overall death, death from heart disease and cancer than the men and women who ate the least red meat.”

- “For overall mortality, 11 percent of deaths in men and 16 percent of deaths in women could be prevented if people decreased their red meat consumption to the level of intake in the first quintile.” I also contend that taking meat out of your diet is better for your psychic (or spiritual, if you like) health. Many Buddhists believe that when you eat a sentient being, you also eats that being's karma - and since it's a hierarchical karmic ladder, the lower you eat on the karmic chain, the worse karma you yourself ingest. In other words, that chicken has tons of poopy karma, otherwise they wouldn't be a chicken -- and you just ate it.

- “The U.S. government now recommends a ‘plant-based diet’ that stresses fruits, vegetables and whole grains.”
- “…‘farming animals for meat causes greenhouse gas emissions that warm the atmosphere and uses fresh water in excess,’ [a nutrition expert] said. ‘I was pretty surprised when I checked back and went through the data on emissions from animal food and livestock,… I didn't expect it to be more than cars.’”

- And here’s a real shocker: “The meat industry denounced the study as flawed.”

Here is as good a time as any for me to embrace so-called Social Darwinism: maybe all the meat eaters should continue on their path, and eventually you’ll breed yourselves out by dying early! There are too many damn people on the planet anyways, so why don’t you guys just go ahead and select yourselves out of the equation?

March 10 is Tibet Day

March 10th Statement of H.H. the Dalai Lama (Published: Monday, 9 March, 2009)

"Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the Tibetan people’s peaceful uprising against Communist China’s repression in Tibet. Since last March widespread peaceful protests have erupted across the whole of Tibet. Most of the participants were youths born and brought up after 1959, who have not seen or experienced a free Tibet. However, the fact that they were driven by a firm conviction to serve the cause of Tibet that has continued from generation to generation is indeed a matter of pride. It will serve as a source of inspiration for those in the international community who take keen interest in the issue of Tibet. We pay tribute and offer our prayers for all those who died, were tortured and suffered tremendous hardships, including during the crisis last year, for the cause of Tibet since our struggle began..."

For full version visit
www.longlivehhdl.ning.com
www.dalailama.com (Official Website of His Holiness the Dalai Lama)

Happy No Losar! Tibet news

In solidarity with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, and Tibetans the world over, I am choosing not to celebrate Losar this year. You can read more about it here. 

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama continues to age and suffer from some illnesses, the question of his successor looms large for Tibetans, Buddhists and lovers of peace the world over. His Holiness himself has said in numerous writings that the 15th Dalai Lama may very well be found in the Tibetan diaspora community -- for example, in the 90s, a reincarnation of a high monk (called a tulku) was found to be reincarnated in a young boy in Seattle. These two articles report that the next reincarnation of His Holiness could be a female, and that installing the Karmapa Lama as regent should hold back Chinese agression while the search for, education and maturation of the new HHDL can be established.

"By naming a young and popular regent now, the Dalai Lama could assure a smooth transition to a figure who has become like a son to him, while dashing Chinese hopes of simply outwaiting the Tibetan exiles. He might also help to head off a full-blown power struggle over succession. As it is, any new leader—or joint leadership—will have to balance sectarian rivalries, win over alienated youth in Dharamsala, mollify the demands of sympathizers abroad and possibly deal with rival claimants to the title of the next Dalai Lama (each with his own powerful tutors and advisers)." 

Read the full article here.

Now the Karmapa Lama is the head of a different, I suppose rival, sect of Buddhism. In a sense, the Dalai Lama is only the head of his own sect, the Gelug-pa (Yellow hats - this is my school) and that groups happens to be the most powerful sect in Tibet. So that might bring up some sectarian fighting. As for female incarnations...

"The Dalai Lama didn't name a successor at the recent gathering of 600 exiled Tibetan leaders in Dharamsala, India, but triggered a wave of speculation by saying that he "may even choose a young girl," noting that he believes women have a greater capacity for compassion. If that happens, experts say it would be the first time a female outside the United States led a major world religion. It also would signify Tibetan Buddhism's capacity to evolve with the times.

While Tibet has never witnessed a female Dalai Lama, scholars say other high-ranking lamas, like the Demmo Lama, have occasionally been reincarnated in female form. Still, while the 14th Dalai Lama's succession ideas are revolutionary (he's also mentioned letting Tibetans democratically choose to abolish the post altogether), it's uncertain whether the tradition-bound population would accept a female leader. Seems there are glass ceilings even on the rooftop of the world."

Read the full article here.

And while we're at it, a few mistakes and misunderstandings in these articles, and in the general Western conception of Asian Buddhism:

- the present Dalai Lama does not "name" a successor, he merely points those who find the new reincarnation in the right direction through mystical statements, his position at the time of death, and so forth. It's not a question of picking or appointing or nominating.

- The high lamas of Tibet (or gurus in other schools of Buddhism) ARE NOT GODS! HHDL is NOT a deity; neither he nor his people see him that way. What these lamas are is living manifestations of buddhas -- that is, enlightened beings who chose to live in samsara to help other sentient beings escape it. There are NO capital-G Gods in Buddhism, as it is NOT a theistic religion. Especially from a standpoint of what we would call "high theology," attachments to a God or gods of any sort is dangerous attachment, bad for karma, and will keep one mired in samsara -- that is Mara pulling the wool over your eyes. In what I call 'folk' or popular Buddhism, the animist gods of the native religions (Bon in Tibet, Shinto in Japan, etc) do play a part in the daily lives of practitioners; Tibet has a particularly vivid panoply of demons, ghosts and gods in their cosmology. But understand that this does not mean HHDL is in any way a living God, or "God-King" as he's often rendered in Western media.

- The status of women is Buddhism is sticky, touchy and not easy to tease apart. Mainly, if women are even allowed to join the Sangha in various Buddhist vehicles, their ordination is more difficult and it is felt they must be re-born as men to acheive enlightenment. That is really food for another blog, but here are many questions over which to ruminate in the meantime...

Reason #8745897 to stop eating meat

"When it comes to global warming, hamburgers are the Hummers of food, scientists say. Simply switching from steak to salad could cut as much carbon as leaving the car at home a couple days a week."

So says an article I read online today. I actually hate meat consumption almost as much as Hummers, but there are few things I hate more than Hummers. Appealing to people's sense of compassion is clearly not the way to go -- because most of you are educated adults, you know where meat comes from, you know the animals are tortured and slaughtered after leading a horrid life, and you still eat meat anyways, don't you? Appealing to your pocket-book hasn't worked either, which I find shocking as Americans don't give a shit about anyone or anything unless it affects their own bottom line. Meat is so much more expensive, on so many levels, than vegetables and grains. But could this environmental 'angle' work?

Now I know some of you, especially in the UK, are saying, "But I only buy organic, free-range meat." Bravo for you (I meant that sarcastically). Sure that is better for your health, but it does almost nothing to help the devastating environmental consequences of meat consumption, although the lives of the animals before they are murdered and consumed are marginally better. And you are still eating the muscle tissue of a sentient, sapient animal with thoughts and feelings and conscience. Cruel and gross. Is that what you want to teach your children?!

Back to the article; "That's because beef is such an incredibly inefficient food to produce and cows release so much harmful methane into the atmosphere, said Nathan Pelletier of Dalhousie University in Canada. Pelletier is one of a growing number of scientists studying the environmental costs of food from field to plate. By looking at everything from how much grain a cow eats before it is ready for slaughter to the emissions released by manure, they are getting a clearer idea of the true costs of food. The livestock sector is estimated to account for 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and beef is the biggest culprit. Even though beef only accounts for 30 percent of meat consumption in the developed world it's responsible for 78 percent of the emissions, Pelletier said Sunday at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science... Food is the third largest contributor to the average US household's carbon footprint after driving and utilities, and in Europe - where people drive less and have smaller homes - it has an even greater impact."

Don't you find that shocking?!?

For more information on how to eat a low carbon diet, visit www.eatlowcarbon.org.

And please, for the love of the planet - stop eating meat. Just stop it. You don't need it, it's bad for your body, your karma, your spirit, and the earth.

Tribute to Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, and the rest

"Masters Of War" Bob Dylan

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

Copyright ©1963; renewed 1991 Special Rider Music

Click here to view The Roots cover it to the tune of our national anthem.

even more proof Neil Finn is a GOD!

Seven Worlds Collide 2008/2009

Over Christmas 2008 and New Year 2009, Neil Finn has invited the core band from his 2001 Seven Worlds Collide project, plus some other special guests, to create a new album at Roundhead studios in Auckland, New Zealand.

Guests confirmed so far are Radiohead's Phil Selway and Ed O'Brien, legendary guitarist Johnny Marr, founder member of The Smiths and current member of US alternate rock innovators Modest Mouse, Soul Coughing's Sebastian Steinberg, multi-instrumentalist Lisa Germano, Wilco members Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansone, Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, along with NZ musicians Liam Finn, Don McGlashan and Bic Runga. All proceeds from this very special recording will go to support the continuing great work of Oxfam International.

And look out – if you think this is just going to happen behind closed doors, you're mistaken – Neil plans to share this unique event with music fans in New Zealand by presenting a short series of intimate and informal live performances at The Powerstation, Mt Eden Road, Auckland, NZ.

Keith Olbermann is THE MAN!

Olbermann: Gay marriage is a question of love
Everyone deserves the same chance at permanence and happiness

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27650743/
Nov. 10, 2008 MSNBC Keith Olbermann

"Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast.

Some parameters, as preface. This isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics, and this isn't really just about Prop-8. And I don't have a personal investment in this: I'm not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives. And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn't about yelling, and this isn't about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.

If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours. They don't want to take anything away from you. They want what you want—a chance to be a little less alone in the world.

Only now you are saying to them—no. You can't have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don't cause too much trouble. You'll even give them all the same legal rights—even as you're taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can't marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn't marry?

I keep hearing this term "re-defining" marriage. If this country hadn't re-defined marriage, black people still couldn't marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal in 1967. 1967. The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn't have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it's worse than that. If this country had not "re-defined" marriage, some black people still couldn't marry black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not "Until Death, Do You Part," but "Until Death or Distance, Do You Part." Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized.

You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are gay. And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing, centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children, all because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage.

How many marriages like that have there been and how on earth do they increase the "sanctity" of marriage rather than render the term, meaningless? What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don't you, as human beings, have to embrace... that love? The world is barren enough.

It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work. And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do?

With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate... this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness—this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness—share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate.

You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out. Just don't extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don't know and you don't understand and maybe you don't even want to know. It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow person just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too.

This is the second time in ten days I find myself concluding by turning to, of all things, the closing plea for mercy by Clarence Darrow in a murder trial. But what he said, fits what is really at the heart of this: 'I was reading last night of the aspiration of the old Persian poet, Omar-Khayyam," he told the judge. It appealed to me as the highest that I can vision. I wish it was in my heart, and I wish it was in the hearts of all: So I be written in the Book of Love; I do not care about that Book above. Erase my name, or write it as you will, So I be written in the Book of Love.'"