USA: Police State

Police State
Originally uploaded by Mr152.

We are living in dark times; no doubt about it. Things are heading more and more towards a police state right here in the USA.

Here's one small example: a guy just getting home from work sees his neighbor across the street being arrested and escorted out of the house by police. So, he does what I would have done: snaps a photo with his camera phone. Result: he's shoved face down onto his own car, handcuffed, and arrested for "obstruction of justice."

Here's a link to the story.

Obviously, this guy will be found innocent in court; however, this police state mentality is pervasively becoming the norm in law enforcement, the military, our workplaces, our schools, etc. It's just like 1984, by George Orwell. The power possessors in our government know how to manipulate our fears to serve their own agenda. We go along with it, as long as we can keep on buying what we want.

More from CharityFocus.org

Suma, a 45-year-old elephant and long-time resident of the Zagreb Zoo, was bereaved and inconsolable after her pachyderm partner of tens of years died of cancer. Until, of course, she heard Mozart. At the sight of five musicians preparing themselves to start a concert, Suma became very nervous and aggressive, peppering the intruders with little stones that she blew out of her trunk. "But as soon as the concert started what we saw was really fascinating. Suma leaned against the fence, closed her eyes and listened without moving," Mladen Anic, head of Zagreb Zoo, said. [ more ]

Be The Change:Research shows that Mozart's music has a positive effect on human performance. Listen to this program investigating the myths and reality of Mozart's mind and his music. [ more ]

How to tell if your neighbors like you

How to tell if your neighbors like you
Originally uploaded by Mr152.

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Never has the world been so small where you can just reach out and help. We're at such an inflection point. There's never been more opportunity to just make things great. --Ben Goldhirsh

Good News of the Day: Ben Goldhirsh was always broke, even though his father was worth $200 million. But when Bernie Goldhirsh faced brain cancer, he started having his son tag along to all his meetings. One day, Bernie gave $20 million to his employees and made Ben listen to every stunned, grateful voicemail. Then he put most of his son's inheritance in a trust that would pay out in installments over the next few decades. Today, both of Ben's parents have passed, Ben has an undisclosed amount of money, and he is trying to change the face of media by creating content that asks hard questions about society and proposes new ways to think about the world. All partners in his multi-million dollar ventures are under the age of 26. [ more ]

Be The Change: Ben started a bold initiative called 'Good Magazine'; subscribers pay a year and all of it goes to a charity of their choice. Check it out. [ more ]

The above is from CharityFocus.org

Voodeux Sleeping with Open Eyes

Voodeux Sleeping with Open Eyes
Originally uploaded by Mr152.

Cats can do this: sleep with eyes open in a stage I level of sleep. In fact, they do this much of the time. They remain aware of movement and can respond quickly. At least this is my theory.

It could also be that she just overdosed on catnip and is now totally stoned out of her gourd.

Decoding the Human Message

I'm selling my copy of Henri Laborit's Decoding the Human Message on Amazon.com Marketplace for $45. Henri Laborit was the French scientist who used GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) almost daily and felt it was a real gift for humankind. This is a very rare out-of-print book and continues to appreciate in value. If you're interested, click HERE to be taken to the Amazon.com listing.

Voodeux the Cat

Voodeux the Cat
Originally uploaded by Mr152.

It's obligatory that I make boring blog entries about my cat. Don't all bloggers do that? Well, here's a photo of Voodeux just after leaping up into the hole-in-the-wall by my bed. She has apparently spotted the fox skins hanging on the wall and her little brain is processing their significance.

Inspiration of the Day

Waldemar Kaminski spent a lifetime running his family's small East side grocery store. He never stopped working there -- not even after quietly making millions in the stock market. During his long life, Kaminski donated millions of dollars to relatives and friends in need, as well as making generous contributions to a cancer organization. His one condition? No one was to know of his generosity until after his passing. Read further and check out a video interview taped by some of his beneficiaries. [ more ]

Courtesy of: CharityFocus

The Most Amazing Dog in the World

If you haven't already seen this amazing dog, here's the YouTube video of it. It was born without legs and can walk upright like humans.

Optimal Brain Performance

Ask UC Davis Neurobiologist Leo Chalupa what is needed to attain optimal brain performance, and his answer will likely shock you. He knows that there are programs offered now to make virtually any region of your neocortex a more efficient processor. Parents are urged to begin such regimes in preschool children and adults are told to take advantage of their brain's plastic properties for professional advancement. But his answer? A 24-hour period of absolute solitude! Absolute solitude means no verbal interactions of any kind (written or spoken, live or recorded) with another human being. In the following article, Chalupa holds the position that, "A national day of absolute solitude would do more to improve the brains of all Americans than any other one-day program." [ more ]

Taken from CharityFocus.

Another Self-Portrait

Another Self-Portrait
Originally uploaded by Mr152.

This is yet another self-portrait from the class I attended at the Palo Alto Cultural Center taught by Laura Klein. I have actually posted all the drawings from all class members who presented their work at the final meeting. If you know the password, you can view them by clicking here. If you want the password, just ask. The class was a lot of fun. Mostly, I learned that each person's style of drawing is as unique as their handwriting.

Fireworks at the Moraga Country Club

Fireworks 007
Originally uploaded by Mr152.

Had a great barbeque in Moraga and then watched fireworks at the Country Club. Click on the photo to see the entire set. It's hard to take good photos of fireworks. I've never tried before. It was a really fantastic show.