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	<title>insight &amp;laquo; WordPress.com Tag Feed</title>
	<link>http://en.wordpress.com/tag/insight/</link>
	<description>Feed of posts on WordPress.com tagged "insight"</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:25:32 +0000</pubDate>

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	<language>en</language>

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<title><![CDATA[The Season]]></title>
<link>http://giselle101.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/the-season/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:27:10 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>giselle101</dc:creator>
<guid>http://giselle101.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/the-season/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I love the theater. Even when I was back home and lived on allowance from my parents, I would save m]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p>I love the theater. Even when I was back home and lived on allowance from my parents, I would save money to be able to watch the plays or musical I loved. Now, I watch every chance I get. I have been a season ticket holder for a few years, but I also frequent the small, independent theaters. On the big productions, Wicked will always be my personal favorite&#8230; for so many evolving reasons. Rent is on top of my list too.. and today, after much anticipation, I took an hour drive to go watch Spring Awakening. I have been wanting to watch this for more than a year. I felt soooo torn being in New York and not being able to see it last year, as I didn&#8217;t wanna shock the sensitivities of the people I was with (meaning the older, more conservative peeps). It did not disappoint at all. It lived up to the hype and rave it was getting. Considering that the play is set on the late 1800, the story is still very relevant to this day and age.. the same issues continue to plague our society, and the young, today. The coming of age sexuality and sensuality was real yet it wasn&#8217;t crude or vulgar. The edgy, rock music played by a band, on stage, rather than a hidden orchestra gave it a very modern feel. Spring Awakening is a must see for theater and Broadway enthusiasts. I have one more play to watch before this season ends.. and I must say, this has been a very entertaining and active season&#8230; and I am looking forward to another great one next year!! <img src='http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>So here&#8217;s to the stage&#8230; may we all strive to be as real as we possibly can, and not walk in, horribly unrehearsed.</p>
<p>Have a great week everyone!! <img src='http://s.wordpress.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>G.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Social luxury (continued)]]></title>
<link>http://stateoflux.net/2009/11/30/social-luxury-continued/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:14:19 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>stateoflux</dc:creator>
<guid>http://stateoflux.net/2009/11/30/social-luxury-continued/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Here&#8217;s a nice succinct wrap up of a few dos &amp; don&#8217;ts when it comes to luxury brands ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p><a href="http://stateoflux.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/social-media2.jpg"><img src="http://stateoflux.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/social-media2.jpg" alt="" title="social media2" width="554" height="479" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60" /></a></p>
<p>Here&#8217;s a nice succinct wrap up of a few dos &#38; don&#8217;ts when it comes to luxury brands engagement in social media thanks to our friends at <a href="http://agendainc.com">Agenda</a>:</p>
<p>- Understand real-time content. Whether they like it or not, in the new environment, luxury brands are also publishers. We all are. And bloggers are the new editors. They will need to find new kinds of information to deliver, and new ways to deliver it. Fashion brands have already been challenged over the speeding up of fashion cycles. 6 monthly runway shows were losing visibility in the constant pulses of novelty from lower-end competitors. We will be hearing a lot more about real-time in 2010.</p>
<p>- Start a dialogue. This is almost becoming a cliché, but… Unlike mainstream brands, luxury brands depend on turning the products into symbols by adding meaning in a specific way. The traditional goal of luxury goods was to inspire consumers to dream. And it was felt that you needed to surprise the consumer, not talk to them directly. Luxury brands have traditionally delivered the product, the meaning and the message to the consumer, and the consumer has been good enough to buy it. That’s no longer the case. Consumers want to be involved. They are demanding it, whether or not the brand wants them to…</p>
<p>- Be social! In the new environment everyone can talk about your brand, your product. And so the amount of information that marketing and PR teams can generate is an increasingly small percentage of what is being said. And because of the way search engines work, it is the most popular voices that rise to the surface. That’s the power of the blogger. Many brands try to smother the conversation, or drown it – around half of companies in the US ban social media. A smarter strategy is to join the conversation.</p>
<p>At the risk of being facile, social media is SOCIAL. It’s a lot like being social at a cocktail party. And for luxury brands it’s OK to be late to the party as long as you know why you came to the party. And as long as you bring something to share.</p>
<p>Some luxury brands have been so spooked by social media that they appear to have lost their social skills. Louis Vuitton is currently running Heritage Tweets on their Twitter feeds, with facts and figures about the company. This is the equivalent of being at a party and announcing your birthday without being asked. Is not wrong, just not the most comfortable or interesting thing for everyone else to hear.</p>
<p>- Be open to shifts in structure. Social media is changing the way that brands are structured. It has implications for all departments of a company, is not just an enhanced opportunity for PR and visibility. This is perhaps the biggest challenge for luxury brands is the way in which social media will affect all aspects of the brand; in terms of marketing, PR, and even production.</p>
<p>- Deploy new talent. Luxury brands are going to need a range of new talents to help them make the transition to the new environment. However our concern is that they will jump straight into thinking they have a need for social media experts (they seem to be popping up everywhere), and hiring people who have recently added social media to their resume.</p>
<p>- Be creative! Over the last month or so, Art of the Trench by Burberry has become the breakthrough success in social media; and we can expect lots of ‘versions’ of this idea in 2010. The danger is that Burberry’s tactics will be copied by other brands, but without an understanding of the strategy behind it.</p>
<p>Art of the Trench is really just the first shot of what comes next. Is there any particular reason that Burberry should be the first to seize the opportunity? Not particularly, except that they believe in it, and were willing to take the first step. And it has elevated them to the first luxury brand with true credibility.</p>
<p>However, there is a danger that “social media” will be in 2010, what the word “green” was in 2008. And that Art of the Trench knockoffs will be the execution idea that takes over from the “pop-up store” as the exciting idea of the day.</p>
<p>The recent IHT conference seems to have been a turning point. For the first time there was consensus around the fact that social media was important. Suzy Menkes made an analogy to this being the period of the silent movies right before the talkies arrived. And she’s right. It’s as big a shift as that.</p>
<p>But – a caveat – one thing about trends is that they are always over-estimated in the short-term and under-estimated in the long-term. If brands jump on a Twitter strategy now, they will have to jump on a FourSquare strategy in early 2010, and a Google Wave strategy straight afterwards. Brands should not be chasing media, they should be creating information to share. And they should be really looking at their overall brand strategy.</p>
<p>What luxury brands need is not social media strategy, its brand building strategy that promise business growth. Social media is increasingly going to be one of the tools to achieve that.</p>
<p>Social media is about conversations, about consumers, but mostly about communities. It’s no longer enough for brands to communicate, people have to communicate with each other about your brand.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Early Christmas Gift]]></title>
<link>http://spudlinks.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/early-christmas-gift/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:34:36 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>spudsterz</dc:creator>
<guid>http://spudlinks.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/early-christmas-gift/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s become apparent that I&#8217;m not gonna get to sleep until I get this out. This past wee]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p>It&#8217;s become apparent that I&#8217;m not gonna get to sleep until I get this out.</p>
<p>This past weekend Eileen, Grace &#38; I went to Columbus, OH for Grace&#8217;s first Oireachtas (Irish dance competition).  As usual, Grace impressed me with her dedication, heart, guts and, well, grace.</p>
<p>While processing the events from the weekend, I browsed the photos Eileen took.  After I saw all of them, the cacophony of thoughts and feelings which usually swarm through my head was suddenly silent, replaced by this single warm, glowing, strong, wonderful feeling.  I honestly struggle to describe it properly as I don&#8217;t recall feeling this before.</p>
<p>This is as close as I can get right now:  You know that silly little cliche &#8220;<em>I will move heaven and earth for that kid</em>&#8220;?  It doesn&#8217;t seem silly to me any more.</p>
<p>She really is an amazing kid, raised by a amazing woman, and I will do whatever I can to bring all the good in life that they so obviously deserve.</p>
<p>So Grace and Eileen, thank you both for the best Christmas gift I&#8217;ve ever received.  (k)</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Wisdom]]></title>
<link>http://devog.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/wisdom/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:03:22 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Ronald</dc:creator>
<guid>http://devog.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/wisdom/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[TODAY’S VERSE “I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p><strong>TODAY’S VERSE<br />
</strong>“I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”<br />
Ephesians 1:16-17 (NLT)</p>
<p><strong>TODAY’S THOUGHT</strong><br />
Spiritual wisdom and insight. It is perhaps the most important trait we could ask God for. It was so important that Paul prayed constantly that God would give it to the church. When God asked Solomon to ask for anything he wanted, Solomon asked for wisdom in order to rule the people. God was happy with this decision and gave Solomon “a wise and understanding heart.” We need no less. Everyday we face circumstances and make decisions. How often have we relied on our own understanding instead of seeking God and the wisdom that He has? James tells us that if we are lacking wisdom all we need to do is ask God. David tells us not to lean on our own understanding but seek God and He will direct us. Today, ask God for wisdom. Ask Him for insight and understanding. Seek Him, talk to Him, listen to Him and He will give you all the wisdom you need.</p>
<p><strong>TODAY’S PRAYER<br />
</strong>Father, I come to You asking for Your wisdom and insight. Guide me, direct me, give me all the wisdom I need to make it through this day. In Jesus’ name.<br />
AMEN</p>
<p><strong>______________________________________________________________</strong></p>
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Now You Can. <a href="http://www.layministry.com">CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook</a>  </p>
<p>Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? <a href="http://www.billygraham.com/SH_HowToBecomeAChristian.asp">CLICK HERE to find out how</a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[life wants to live...]]></title>
<link>http://underthenoise.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/life-wants-to-live/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:07:46 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>utn</dc:creator>
<guid>http://underthenoise.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/life-wants-to-live/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As my family and I hiked around a lake in the Black Hills of South Dakota, we came upon this small t]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p><a href="http://underthenoise.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/life-tree-lr.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-78" title="life.tree.lr" src="http://underthenoise.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/life-tree-lr.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>As my family and I hiked around a lake in the Black Hills of South Dakota, we came upon this small tree rooted in a giant boulder. This scene defied logic so we snapped a few pictures and went on our way. Now, several years later, it makes sense to me.</p>
<p><!--more--></p>
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<title><![CDATA[DECISION:  THE END DEAD]]></title>
<link>http://ravenstooth.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/dcision-the-end-dead/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:03:18 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ravenstooth</dc:creator>
<guid>http://ravenstooth.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/dcision-the-end-dead/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[DEVOUR ME WORLD Start&#8230; Disassemble your Provocative journey. We mourn in glory As the moon jad]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><address><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">DEVOUR ME WORLD</span></strong></address>
<address><strong>Start&#8230;</strong><br />
<address><strong>Disassemble your</strong></address>
<address><strong>Provocative journey.</strong></address>
<address><strong>We mourn in glory</strong></address>
<address><strong>As the moon jade storms our heart.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Passion a given- dreams of you from the past </strong></address>
<address><strong>Pleasure.  Remember life&#8217;s long answers.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Dull array of turning eyes that glisten when spoken too.</strong></address>
<address><strong>She plays a part of a sad little crucifier.</strong></address>
<address><strong>My friends are starving, for their minds</strong></address>
<address><strong>engulf curiosity.  People behind masks, picture shows of satire.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Bodies lie strewn across vast fields of ash and grotesque ritual.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Birds of flight pillage dormant clouds while peek through women&#8217;s bathrooms.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Sands are mine, grains and vines of wine; thanks for local smoke.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Barmaid&#8217;s concoction teases scrotums of unyielding fever.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Hoax, hex are what&#8217;s next in lands yet discovered.  An omen for a day, a minute or forever.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Wrenching stubborn intervals with brandy tunes and slobber residue.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Mixed tricks, flicks and wet dicks.  She&#8217;s rising to obedience.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Fowl jam stew; kettle hot steaming brew, when I loved you.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Pages fumbled for lost writings; a poet spoke in tongues of mastery, misery and magic.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Tantalizing friends, strangers and ghosts in hew and foggy lakes, where lovers gather for resolution.</strong></address>
<address><strong>No connections under blankets of  water.  Laughing children running free,</strong></address>
<address><strong>wildly panting and waiting for the day when feelings last a lifetime.</strong></address>
<address><strong>She seduced me in the fire.  I called to the tower porter in chance of chaos.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Determined legends, myths and a mime that spoke every language.</strong></address>
<address><strong>White fences, guitars, feathers in hair and mound of dirt graciously freeing</strong></address>
<address><strong>souls in a bucket of shit.  Court ants march in a transient display, while mongers</strong></address>
<address><strong>spit at freezing hands.  I&#8217;m not an albatross, I&#8217;m a frantic sunset with eyes that dance.</strong></address>
<address><strong>Touch me- and you&#8217;ll see.  </strong></address>
<address><strong>Finish&#8230;</strong></address>
</address>
<address> </address>
<address> </address>
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<title><![CDATA[Insight Contemporary Fireplace - White]]></title>
<link>http://fireplaceshop.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/insight-contemporary-fireplace-white/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:52:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>kingant007</dc:creator>
<guid>http://fireplaceshop.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/insight-contemporary-fireplace-white/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Insight Contemporary Fireplace &#8211; White Review Insight Contemporary Fireplace &#8211; White Fea]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><h2>Insight Contemporary Fireplace &#8211; White Review</h2>
<p align='center'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/RealFlame-Insight-Contemporary-Fireplace-White/dp/B002DGF4FU?tag=discount-fireplace-screen-20'><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RnIx80UKL._SL500_.jpg" border='0'/></a></p>
<h2>Insight Contemporary Fireplace &#8211; White Feature</h2>
<ul>
<li>Despite its name, this is actually the White Insight</li>
<li>Indoor and Outdoor Gel Fuel Fireplace</li>
</ul>
<h2>Insight Contemporary Fireplace &#8211; White Overview</h2>
<p>Insight 7000 Fireplace &#8211; Extend your outdoor living season and enjoy a real<br />
fire without the mess and hassle of wood. Slide-out drawer holds up to four cans of Real Flame fuel. Convenient extinguishing lever puts out flames with ease. Perfect for the deck, patio, porch, balcony, gazebo or covered arbor. Ideal anywhere log fires are restricted such as apartment or condo balconies. Includes storage cover to<br />
protect unit while not in use. Dimensions: 29&#8243; H x 20&#8243; W x 20&#8243; D</p>
<h2>Insight Contemporary Fireplace &#8211; White Specifications</h2>
<h2>Available at Amazon <a href='http://www.amazon.com/RealFlame-Insight-Contemporary-Fireplace-White/dp/B002DGF4FU?tag=discount-fireplace-screen-20'>Check Price Now!</a></h2>
<p>
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Nov 29, 2009  21:52:51</p>
<p>Related :  <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/goodprice-0002-20" rel="dofollow" title="Televisions &#38; Video">Televisions &#38; Video</a> </p>
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<title><![CDATA[Old Man ]]></title>
<link>http://theroadnow.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/an-old-man-lost/</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:49:04 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>theroadnow</dc:creator>
<guid>http://theroadnow.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/an-old-man-lost/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Road Now  I stood in front of the hillside I looked up to the sky and asked you for help. To del]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><div id="attachment_824" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://theroadnow.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/open-door.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-824 " title="Open Door" src="http://theroadnow.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/open-door.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="581" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The Road Now</p></div>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em>I stood in front of the hillside I looked up to the sky and asked you for help. </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>To deliver me from the current situation it would take a miracle.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>I looked down and saw the path leading up the hill.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>The days followed spent in silent communication with that which I assume is always there.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Sentence after sentence spoken with the need to have a vision of what is really before me.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Not willing to stop what I have been doing for so many years because I believe.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>I believe in you and what you represent.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>I feel forgiveness on a daily basis because I stray every hour.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>I sense my inner turmoil but know I am receiving signal that I need to decipher.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>I am in need of the key to this door that frightens me.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>I&#8217;ve no one to turn to for I am old.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>So I stand before you and try to see you as my children see me.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em> </em></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img title="Protected by Copyscape Plagiarism Checker - Do not copy content from this page." src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-234x16.gif" border="0" alt="Protected by Copyscape Unique Article Checker" width="234" height="16" /></a></p>
<p>The Road Now</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Sinterklaas]]></title>
<link>http://foxija.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/sinterklaas/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:10:44 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Nata</dc:creator>
<guid>http://foxija.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/sinterklaas/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" title="santa" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/46099688.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&#38;Expires=1259519173&#38;Signature=qlnNP2iTY8SqWTeGjfCr1b0o%2FPA%3D" alt="" width="432" height="323" /></p>
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<title><![CDATA[THE "game"]]></title>
<link>http://omegetymon.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/the-game/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:51:28 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>omegetymon</dc:creator>
<guid>http://omegetymon.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/the-game/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[[The \"Great\" Game] has been afoot for a long time. As we view the horrendous images of soldiers AN]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Game">The \"Great\" Game</a>] has been afoot for a long time. As we view the horrendous images of soldiers AND children losing their lives on the streets of [<a href="http://www.afghanistan-parsa.org/articles/kids_of_kabul.php">Kabul</a>],Afghanistan we Americans have NO inkling, ( due to political manipulatings of &#8220;EDUCATION&#8221;.), of just how long and intense the GREED of this world has continuously reformulated their need to have, even when they DON&#8217;T OWN the sought items.</p>
<p>Since, (approximately.), the 1850&#8217;s the term <em>MIDDLE EAST</em> has been used to describe an area that has such great influence over the peoples of the world that the three most practiced religions , Judaism, Christianity, and  Islam,  bloomed from that  region&#8217;s thoughts.  The area  has also given the world some of its most enduring  modes of accomplishing progress, (Algebra was known to the Babylonians over 4000 years ago. &#8220;Enhanced&#8221; by Charles Boole [<a href="http://www.kerryr.net/pioneers/boole.htm">Computer\'s algorithm= Artificial Intellience</a>]. Used to get Neil Armstrong on the Moon.), throughout history.</p>
<p>As we have arrived at this moment in history, and &#8220;progression&#8221;, the influences of the game&#8217;s players have, again begun a new [<a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/disruption">renting/ rending]</a> of the ancient rights and privileges of this influential region of peoples. As we Americans view our digitally dis -informed idiot cubes we should,( <em>FINALLY)</em>, begin to learn about this WORLD, and  our <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><em>FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS</em></strong>.</span> And let those who&#8217;d deliver FALSE INFORMATION be driven from their position of delivery. It actually takes LESS than a MILE to understand a <em>LESSON,</em> when the lesson learned has so many shards STILL IN THE SHOE.</p>
<p>The &#8220;GAME&#8221; has been set before us in many forms, but the most important form is the one that we&#8217;ve blindly, willingly been &#8216;PLAYED&#8217; throughout our, our ancsestors&#8217;, and progeny&#8217;s LIVES. The game&#8230; we should have been told the correct set of rules, and have that set be for ALL &#8220;PLAYING&#8221;.</p>
<p>Have you EVER felt that those we&#8217;ve &#8220;ELECTED&#8221; are constantly <span style="text-decoration:underline;"><em><strong>SHAVING POINTS </strong></em></span>!?!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[FALL VICTIM TO SURFSTITCH.COM]]></title>
<link>http://fallvictimtofashion.com/2009/11/29/fall-victim-to-surfstitch-com/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:27:33 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>thefirstcasualty</dc:creator>
<guid>http://fallvictimtofashion.com/2009/11/29/fall-victim-to-surfstitch-com/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[There is some GREAT things at www.surfstitch.com at the moment. I was going to suggest the below ite]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p><strong>There is some GREAT things at <a href="http://www.surfstitch.com/">www.surfstitch.com</a> at the moment.  I was going to suggest the below items to help you with your Christmas shopping but then I realised that if you are anything like me, shopping for others usually turns into &#8211; one for you, one for me.  So enjoy either way!  </p>
<p><br />
Bonus &#8211; Free shipping at the moment!</strong></p>
</div>]]></content:encoded>
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<title><![CDATA[DECISIONS:  THE END DEAD]]></title>
<link>http://ravenstooth.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/decisions-the-end-dead-10/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:27:47 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ravenstooth</dc:creator>
<guid>http://ravenstooth.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/decisions-the-end-dead-10/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[THE OMEN:   Aha, aha ha My wonderful, Precious gifts are found inside; You speak with fantasy, And  ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><address><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">THE OMEN:</span></strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>Aha, aha ha</strong></address>
<address><strong>My wonderful,</strong></address>
<address><strong>Precious gifts are found inside;</strong></address>
<address><strong>You speak with fantasy,</strong></address>
<address><strong>And  can see the eagle&#8217;s pronouncing glide.</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>Aha, aha</strong></address>
<address><strong>My lost soul,</strong></address>
<address><strong>Empty minded luxuries gone;</strong></address>
<address><strong>I toss vocabulary,</strong></address>
<address><strong>And ride upon a silhouette of a swan.</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>Aha, ah</strong></address>
<address><strong>My simplicity,</strong></address>
<address><strong>Eager to touch your intent;</strong></address>
<address><strong>I&#8217;ll remember wisdom,</strong></address>
<address><strong>And hold it until I&#8217;m unbent.</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>Aha,</strong></address>
<address><strong>My creature,</strong></address>
<address><strong>Only you have the fear;</strong></address>
<address><strong>Caress my lament,</strong></address>
<address><strong>And let love be as sincere.</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>Ah,</strong></address>
<address><strong>My inspiration,</strong></address>
<address><strong>You devoured all of life&#8217;s malice;</strong></address>
<address><strong>I wish you well,</strong></address>
<address><strong>And may we always seek freedom&#8217;s palace.</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
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<title><![CDATA[ANDERSON PINHEIRO]]></title>
<link>http://francainsight.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/anderson-pinheiro/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 07:10:50 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Cíntia Flávia</dc:creator>
<guid>http://francainsight.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/anderson-pinheiro/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[O colunista social Anderson Pinheiro: de volta à Insight Aos 32 anos, o colunista social comemora ma]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><div id="attachment_961" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 239px"><a href="http://francainsight.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/anderson-1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-961" title="Arquivo Pessoal" src="http://francainsight.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/anderson-1.jpg?w=229" alt="" width="229" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">O colunista social Anderson Pinheiro: de volta à Insight</p></div>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Aos 32 anos, o colunista social comemora mais uma conquista profissional: Retorna ao <em><strong>Cómercio da Franca</strong></em> onde atuou por cinco anos no comando da coluna mais famosa da região, a “<em><strong>Insight”,</strong></em> passando a assiná-la a partir da próxima quarta-feira.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Filiado a <em><strong>Febracos</strong></em> (Federação Brasileira de Colunistas Sociais), <strong><em>Apacos </em></strong>(Associação Paulista de Colunistas Sociais) e <strong><em>Abime</em></strong> (Associação Brasileira de Mídias Eletrônicas), <em><strong>Anderson</strong></em>* tem uma rede de informações de fazer inveja a agentes da Interpol.</p>
<div id="attachment_963" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://francainsight.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/ap-antes-e-depois.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-963" title="ARQUIVO PESSOAL" src="http://francainsight.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/ap-antes-e-depois.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="194" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Em dois momentos: Aos 32 e aos 2 anos de idade</p></div>
<p style="text-align:justify;">E os leitores da <em><strong>“Insight”</strong></em> devem se preparar, porque muitas novidades vem por aí.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Inclusive no rádio.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Os ouvintes da <em><strong>Difusora AM 1030 kHz</strong></em> serão presenteados com novidades na programação.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">*Multimídia, o colunista também apresenta o programa “Anderson Pinheiro” transmitido diariamente (com reprises) pela Nova TV (canal por assinatura)</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Week of Thanks - Day 6]]></title>
<link>http://shuttershelly.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/week-of-thanks-day-6/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:46:27 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Shelly Waldman</dc:creator>
<guid>http://shuttershelly.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/week-of-thanks-day-6/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Inspiration is one of those things that hits you&#8230;almost suddenly. Your mind starts racing, tho]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Inspiration is one of those things that hits you&#8230;almost suddenly. Your mind starts racing, tho]]></content:encoded>
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<title><![CDATA[DECISIONS:  THE END DEAD]]></title>
<link>http://ravenstooth.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/decisions-the-end-dead-9/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:57:57 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ravenstooth</dc:creator>
<guid>http://ravenstooth.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/decisions-the-end-dead-9/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A gun ready to fire; is like love A knife willing to cut; is like love A noose promising to hang; is]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><address><strong>A gun ready to fire; is like love</strong></address>
<address><strong>A knife willing to cut; is like love</strong></address>
<address><strong>A noose promising to hang; is like love</strong></address>
<address><strong>A girl wanting to love is like being shot, stabbed, or slung</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>Love is like a rose</strong></address>
<address><strong>Or a sunrise</strong></address>
<address><strong>Love is like a newborn</strong></address>
<address><strong>With beautiful blue eyes</strong></address>
<address><strong>Love is like the smell of rain</strong></address>
<address><strong>Or autumn</strong></address>
<address><strong>Love is like the ocean</strong></address>
<address><strong>Even at the bottom</strong></address>
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<title><![CDATA[2010 Honda Insight vs 2000 Honda Insight]]></title>
<link>http://autorivals.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/2010-honda-insight-vs-2000-honda-insight/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:46:41 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>autorivals</dc:creator>
<guid>http://autorivals.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/2010-honda-insight-vs-2000-honda-insight/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[2010 Honda Insight vs 2000 Honda Insight Hatchbacks www.autorivals.net]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><h1><strong> <a href="http://www.autorivals.net/hatchbacks/2010insightvs2000insight/2010insightvs2000insight.htm" target="main"> 2010 Honda Insight vs 2000 Honda Insight</a></strong></h1>
<p>Hatchbacks</p>
<p>www.autorivals.net</p>
<p><a href="http://www.autorivals.net/"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fLs38xSQF6k/SxIKC3kLuvI/AAAAAAAAAGM/gHlvSlFQdKA/s400/2000insight-fs.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[DECISIONS:  THE END DEAD]]></title>
<link>http://ravenstooth.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/decisions-the-end-dead-8/</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:40:03 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ravenstooth</dc:creator>
<guid>http://ravenstooth.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/decisions-the-end-dead-8/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Thoughts uncover Thoughts are told Thoughts discover Thoughts are sold   In the residue of our mind ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><address><strong>Thoughts uncover</strong></address>
<address><strong>Thoughts are told</strong></address>
<address><strong>Thoughts discover</strong></address>
<address><strong>Thoughts are sold</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>In the residue of our mind</strong></address>
<address><strong>Our thoughts relish the quicksand of time</strong></address>
<address><strong>Do we repeat or do we rewind</strong></address>
<address><strong>The thoughts that we have yet to find</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>Thoughts collide</strong></address>
<address><strong>Thoughts are gifts</strong></address>
<address><strong>Thoughts decided </strong></address>
<address><strong>Thoughts are swift</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>Turn circles and twist lines</strong></address>
<address><strong>Our thoughts have no meaning even in a bind</strong></address>
<address><strong>Look around and see the signs</strong></address>
<address><strong>Don&#8217;t think of anything or you&#8217;ll go blind</strong></address>
<address><strong></strong> </address>
<address><strong>Thoughts die</strong></address>
<address><strong>Thoughts are empty</strong></address>
<address><strong>Thoughts reply</strong></address>
<address><strong>Thoughts are plenty</strong></address>
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<title><![CDATA[How to Handle Relationship Problems]]></title>
<link>http://kevinmorrow.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/how-to-handle-relationship-problems/</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:38:45 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Kevin</dc:creator>
<guid>http://kevinmorrow.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/how-to-handle-relationship-problems/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This topic is important to me because I see it everyday in my reality. There are a lot of different ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p>This topic is important to me because I see it everyday in my reality. There are a lot of different things going on within relationships between myself and family. I&#8217;m learning more and more that it all has to do with the thoughts created by my mind. </p>
<p>I started noticing that the things my family feared were the same things that I feared. The most common fear is attached to money. Most of my family has the same fear/belief system. It appears that most of them don&#8217;t realize it though. I see the same thing within my mind. </p>
<p>I have been thinking that even if a family member is a negative influence, they are family and should be held on to as such. This may or may not be the case. In this process of learning I have figured out that I cannot change another person. I cannot change another persons reactions, but I can change mine. The element I just mentioned is crucial to how I handle so called relationship problems. </p>
<p>For example, I&#8217;ve noticed that anything I don&#8217;t like about something my family member does, is actually something that I don&#8217;t like about myself. It&#8217;s almost as if my mind purposely creates situations in which I see things so that I may correct them. If I see something in my reality that I don&#8217;t like, its because I&#8217;m thinking about something that I don&#8217;t like. </p>
<p>The only way that I have found to handle any family problem, is to have forgiveness. I ask myself what I would I want someone to do to me if I was unconsciously causing hurt. If something I said hurt someones feelings, it&#8217;s like I myself am hurt. In order for me to be hurt I have to consider the opposite of love as real. I love my family, so if my sibling appears to do something that hurts me, the only thing I can do is forgive. First I forgive myself for believing that what was said was really them, and then I forgive them for not knowing what they are doing. </p>
<p>I have a family member who I feel for some reason is only nice to me when they want something. This family members life is run by the concept of fear and scarcity. They always come up to me like I can read their mind or something. It seems they try and assume that I know what they mean when they don&#8217;t speak and just stare at me. I had to ask myself why am I seeing this? What is there to learn from this? At some point in my life I must have done this to someone right? They are always afraid. I realized that I don&#8217;t like that about myself. I don&#8217;t like to be afraid and in a scarcity mindset. So this family member tends to annoy me a lot because that is a belief about myself that I am annoyed about. </p>
<p>I control my reactions, which means if I get frustrated and annoyed it&#8217;s because I&#8217;m choosing to. But why would I consciously choose to feel bad? It must be because I believe that a lie about myself is true. Looking at the situation negatively makes the person serve no purpose in my life unless&#8230;.Unless of course I act out of forgiveness. I forgive the lie I see and see the truth. The truth is I have inner conflict within my mind, or else I wouldn&#8217;t see conflict in my reality. </p>
<p>I have a sibling who is frequently upset, always creating a reality in which they feel that they do everything. They complain a lot and it&#8217;s really annoying to me at times. I had to ask myself, why am I seeing this? I&#8217;m seeing this because it&#8217;s a part of me that I don&#8217;t like. I don&#8217;t like my complaining self, I don&#8217;t like my controlling self, I don&#8217;t like my superficial self. I see all these things, but these things are not them and they are not me. These things are beliefs in lies. The only way to remove it is to heal our minds. </p>
<p>This may mean that as I heal my mind I enter into a new dynamic of reality in which I don&#8217;t see these things. If the people can&#8217;t support the change, then I will see new people in my reality. </p>
<p>Things that I complain about in my life &#8211; &#8220;I&#8217;m bossed around, punked by elders.&#8221; <em>This is not what it seems. What it really means is that I feel like my life is out of my control. My mind is telling me that I&#8217;m not being my own boss, I&#8217;m giving my power away. Wake up and take it back. </em> So it&#8217;s an internal belief that isn&#8217;t true. </p>
<p>I feel like sometimes some of the relationships are not healthy for me because they support my old way of thinking. But then I must forgive the fact that I think the old way of thinking is real. </p>
<p>The most prominent attempt to control me is through guilt. One family member especially tries to impose guilt mentally through reactions and sighs and anything else they can think of. It seems really childish to me, and yet if I&#8217;m seeing it I must be doing it. I must be thinking it. Lately I&#8217;ve been ignoring it, it must be apart of myself that I don&#8217;t like. I mean who likes to feel guilty. I&#8217;ve felt guilty about school, about money, about work, and then I see it in a family relationship. It seems to me I must forgive myself of believing in this lie.<br />
<strong><br />
Check this out&#8230;</strong></p>
<p>I&#8217;m not much a planner but someone close to me is a planner. I get annoyed when bombarded to plan because I like to go with the flow. But maybe deep down inside I want to become a better planner. I think this is more reality than the illusion that would say I don&#8217;t like planning. </p>
<p>I&#8217;ve decided to compile a list of things that I think I don&#8217;t like about other people, to confirm what I don&#8217;t like about myself. If I don&#8217;t like something about myself then it must not be true. It must be a lie I&#8217;m believing in. </p>
<p>I&#8217;ll make a post with the things listed so be sure to read it. I&#8217;ll call it &#8220;What I don&#8217;t like about people.&#8221;</p>
<p>Then I will explain why it really is my mind telling me what to correct about myself. </p>
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<title><![CDATA[Medicare in Crisis: The Devastating Impacts of a Corporate Health Care Bill ]]></title>
<link>http://laudyms.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/medicare-in-crisis-the-devastating-impacts-of-a-corporate-health-care-bill/</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>laudyms</dc:creator>
<guid>http://laudyms.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/medicare-in-crisis-the-devastating-impacts-of-a-corporate-health-care-bill/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[by Shamus Cooke Global Research, November 27, 2009  Wading through the endless debate over health ca]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p><a href="http://laudyms.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/emergency_room_wait.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-591" title="emergency_room_wait" src="http://laudyms.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/emergency_room_wait.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p>
<p>by Shamus Cooke</p>
<p><a title="Medicare in crisis" href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&#38;aid=16297" target="_blank">Global Research</a>, November 27, 2009 <a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&#38;aid=16297"></a></p>
<p>Wading through the endless debate over health care has exhausted the patience of most Americans — the zigzags, obscure language, and long-winded discussion is inherently repulsive.</p>
<p>But now the dust is starting to settle, and the Congressional  vision for health care in the U.S. is emerging. Instead of being “progressive,” it will amount to a massive, corporate-inspired attack on American workers, the elderly, and the poor.</p>
<p>After months of confusion and delay, Congress has shipwrecked the popular energy over health care onto the jagged rock of corporate interests. More spectacularly, health care “reform” is being used as an opportunity to greatly advance corporate influence over social spheres long-dedicated to the working-class — seemingly harmless provisions carry with them enormous implications.</p>
<p><!--more-->These devils hide in the details of the competing health care bills in Congress; both contain debilitating right-wing policies hidden within a progressive shell. Obama is indeed acting as the agent of change, to the great benefit of the U.S. corporate elite.</p>
<p>And although the final bill has yet to be crafted, there exists general agreements as to what the end version will look like.  Americans will be forced to buy shoddy corporate insurance with no limit to the cost, no guarantee of quality, with large premiums and other tricks to further gouge consumers.  If a public option emerges in the final bill — by no means a guarantee — it will be shrunken enough to insure very few people (2 percent of the U.S. population).</p>
<p>But it gets worse.  How this health care “reform” will be paid for has implications that dwarf the above atrocities.</p>
<p>For example, the Democrats were determined to pass a health care bill that “will not add one cent to the deficit.”  And they have succeeded: the House and Senate health care bills both plan to reduce the deficit by over $100 billion.  But a second-grader could do the math here: more service does not equal less cost — a truism that dominates the for-profit health care industry.</p>
<p>So how does the government plan to save billions of dollars as they “help” millions of people?</p>
<p>The two biggest cost saving schemes are the most damaging.  The first is the enormous attack on Medicare.  Since its inception, the corporate elite wanted this program struck down. Now they have their man for the job — a Republican could never get away with such obvious treachery.</p>
<p>The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Senate version of health care would cut $404 billion from Medicare and Medicaid; the house version would cut $570 billion.  The final cut could be much more.  Obama made the ridiculous claim that only “wasteful” parts of Medicare would be cut.  The truth is far different.</p>
<p>One way that both Congressional health care bills will gut Medicare is referred to as “forced productivity gains” — cost saving measures essentially; trimming the fat.</p>
<p>What are these savings? The most mentioned device — by politicians and media alike — is the reduction of “wasteful tests” and procedures that doctors routinely perform, an idea that the health care mega-corporations love. It will save them billions, while having catastrophic effects on the health care of millions of people.</p>
<p>For example, the recent announcement that women will now be persuaded to cut back on screenings for breast cancer and cervical cancer have caused an uproar nationwide: people are correctly making the connection behind Congress’ “forced productivity gains” and the new “recommendations” that will be used by insurance companies to justify cutting these services, both of which will boost profits.  The general agreement behind rationing health care in this way will be an attack on not only Medicare, but serve as the backbone of any health care bill passed, negatively effecting everyone unable to afford luxury health care.</p>
<p>Another piece of Medicare that’s being trimmed is Medicare Advantage, a favorite program of the elderly because of its comprehensive services.  Premiums for this program are already rising drastically in anticipation of the health care bill’s passage, considered by Congress to be “wasteful.”  Without this program, Medicare will be greatly devalued and be more appropriately named:  “band-aides for seniors.”</p>
<p>Finally, The Senate health care bill attacks Medicare by reducing payments to doctors by 25 percent.  If doctors receive such a drastic reduction in pay, they will simply refuse to see Medicare or Medicaid patients; people will thus be insured only on paper.  The newly insured Medicaid patients under any new congressional bill will be sorely disappointed.</p>
<p>Once Medicare is undermined in the above ways, the corporate sponsored right-wing will make a very convincing argument that “Medicare doesn’t work”, leading to future cuts that will further destroy the program.</p>
<p>The second hidden disaster in financing a congressional health care bill is the tax on so-called “gold-plated” or “Cadillac” health insurance policies that some employers offer their workers. This tax is supposedly meant to apply to the health care policies that “elite” employees receive.</p>
<p>And while there should exist no complaints about taxing corporations, the motives behind this particular tax are intentionally deceiving.  As it turns out, many, if not most workers in unions will be included in this tax, which, under the Senate version, will include any plan worth more than $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for families.  Hardly elite, considering the still-soaring costs for health care.</p>
<p>If this provision were to pass — and it’s very popular in Congress — the immediate reaction would be very predictable: employers would immediately drop their health care plans, forcing workers into the now-forced purchasing of inadequate health care. This is why unions oppose such a plan.  California Democrat Pete Stark agrees: “Employers and insurers will reduce their benefits to avoid paying the proposed tax.”</p>
<p>Workers fortunate to have union contracts will be heavily pressured to concede their plans, which in the past they’ve sacrificed wage-increases to keep.  Ultimately, employers will have a new excuse not to provide health care to workers.</p>
<p>Obama again used his superb intelligence to totally obscure the issue in support of the tax:</p>
<p>“I do think that giving a disincentive to insurance companies to offer Cadillac plans that don’t make people healthier is part of the way that we’re going to bring down health care costs for everybody over the long term.”  Translation:  he supports taxing the health care of union workers.</p>
<p>Overall, a compromise bill between the Senate and House versions will create utter disaster for the working-class.  It will not signal a progressive “step in the right direction,” as many liberals claim.  At minimum, it will be a step backward, though more likely such a bill will be an enormous regression, to a time where health care was the exclusive privilege of the wealthy.</p>
<p>The right-wing attacks on “Obamacare” — along with the media’s lack of questioning — have shielded the Democrats from any serious debate about the above questions, including many other concerns unmentioned here.</p>
<p>The trash legislation that Congress is producing is the direct consequence of the Democratic Party being dominated by giant corporations — in this case the health care industry.  The two-party system is the political system of the corporate elite, who switch party affiliations when they find it convenient; many of them throw equal money at both parties.</p>
<p>A crucial prop in this broken political system needs to be removed and organized under its own strength.  If the unions took their support from the Democrats, organized their members and resources into a new political party, and aggressively pushed reforms that benefited the majority of working-class Americans, U.S. democracy would be tremendously strengthened.   Medicare could not only be saved, but expanded to everyone from birth to death and be considered a fundamental human right.</p>
<p><strong><em>Shamus Cooke</em></strong><em> is a social service worker, trade unionist, and writer for Workers Action (<a href="http://www.workerscompass.org/">www.workerscompass.org</a>). He can be reached at </em><a href="mailto:shamuscook@yahoo.com"><em>shamuscook@yahoo.com</em></a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Roots Elude Me]]></title>
<link>http://theroadnow.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/roots-elude-me/</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:47:52 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>theroadnow</dc:creator>
<guid>http://theroadnow.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/roots-elude-me/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Road Now This soul reaches and finds Friendship is not always what it appears to be Must I give ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><div id="attachment_819" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://theroadnow.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/fire.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-819" title="fire of a Searchig soul" src="http://theroadnow.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/fire.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The Road Now</p></div>
<p>This soul reaches and finds</p>
<p>Friendship is not always what it appears to be</p>
<p>Must I give up who I want to be</p>
<p>Must you own what you think I am</p>
<p>Can I be who I want to be</p>
<p>A visit to the wise man tells me</p>
<p>This soul is weary</p>
<p>This soul needs peace</p>
<p>This soul finds none</p>
<p>Roots elude me</p>
<p><a href="http://www.copyscape.com/"><img title="Protected by Copyscape Plagiarism Checker - Do not copy content from this page." src="http://banners.copyscape.com/images/cs-wh-3d-234x16.gif" border="0" alt="Protected by Copyscape Unique Content Validation" width="234" height="16" /></a></p>
<p>The Road Now</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Hating On: Man Uggs ]]></title>
<link>http://eightyfoureightyfive.com/2009/11/27/hating-on-man-uggs/</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:23:27 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>eightyfoureightyfive</dc:creator>
<guid>http://eightyfoureightyfive.com/2009/11/27/hating-on-man-uggs/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The two models pictured above may be by powerhouses BAPE and Visvim, but there&#8217;s no doubting t]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p><a href="http://eightyfoureightyfive.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/a-bathing-ape-bape-space-soldier-boots.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4901" title="a-bathing-ape-bape-space-soldier-boots" src="http://eightyfoureightyfive.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/a-bathing-ape-bape-space-soldier-boots.jpg" alt="" width="499" height="333" /></a><a href="http://eightyfoureightyfive.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/visvim-gridwood-moc-toe-folk-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4902" title="VISVIM-GRIDWOOD-MOC-TOE-FOLK-2" src="http://eightyfoureightyfive.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/visvim-gridwood-moc-toe-folk-2.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="396" /></a>The two models pictured above may be by powerhouses BAPE and Visvim, but there&#8217;s no doubting that they are really just glorified Uggs. This is unacceptable style, period, end of story, It&#8217;s been a while since we&#8217;ve hated on anything, but lately I&#8217;ve seen a few different styles of soft, 12-ish inch rubber-soled boots on many of the leading style blogs. Not only are these hideous pieces of footwear getting exposure, people are actually hyped on them? I couldn&#8217;t even begin to imagine how one would wear these, maybe with Lulu Lemon pants and a university-logo hoodie? Guys, if you&#8217;re gonna wear boots, stick to the classics, and leave the Uggs to the the girls of Psychology 100.</p>
<p>84/</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Archetype Alerts - Almost Daily Tweets On Living Mythically]]></title>
<link>http://realoracle.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/archetype-alerts-almost-daily-tweets-on-living-mythically/</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:19:22 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>realoracle</dc:creator>
<guid>http://realoracle.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/archetype-alerts-almost-daily-tweets-on-living-mythically/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Mythgirl lives on mythos &#8212; because it makes everything so much larger and more exciting than l]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p><a href="http://realoracle.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/tantalus.jpg"><img class="alignright size-large wp-image-30" title="Tantalus" src="http://realoracle.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/tantalus.jpg?w=1024" alt="Tantalized for Life" width="1024" height="958" /></a>Mythgirl lives on mythos &#8212; because it makes everything so much larger and more exciting than life.  Yesterday, for example, she channelled *HESTIA to clean the house and cook the feast.  Her guests arrived on time to be **TANTALIZED by the ***NECTAR and AMBROSIA she spread before them.   Today she&#8217;s still feeling pretty full, and enjoyed watching the sequel to Matrix where she realized that that movie is filled with characters from mythology &#8212; NIOBE, PERSEPHONE, and the mis-named MABINOGION.</p>
<p>* Goddess of the Hearth &#8212; We all channel her to some extent, depending on how cozy and grounded we are.</p>
<p>**Tantalus stole the immortal food and drink of the Gods, then served up his son to them.  His punishment?  To be TANTALIZED eternally &#8212; To nearly drown in water he can never drink, to sit at a table loaded with food that he can never eat.</p>
<p>*** AMBROSIA &#8212; food of the Gods &#8212; and NECTAR &#8212; sweet drink of the Gods.  Ambrosia is called the &#8220;food of the gods&#8221; for it is what makes them immortal, undying.</p>
<p>So NECTAR, literally overcoming death, NECTAR is literally a drink, a fluid. Of course both Nectar and Ambrosia are sweet and delicious but are, by definition, only enjoyed by Gods and the few HEROS, such as Hercules, who are permitted to &#8220;reach the gods.</p>
<p>The sweetness of immortality, IMPERISHABLE FAME, was strictly attainable by warriors in PIE culture, hence the warlike nature of the culture and the fact that the cultures that have descended from it devote their epics to the glorification of warrior heroes. But why are these heroes so eager to die heroically, so convinced that the formula &#8220;LOSE good fame &#8211; GAIN long life&#8221; is not worth the exchange (Watkins 176)?</p>
<p>Twitter users: Sign up for almost daily Archetype Alerts &#8212; Mythgirl, the Real Delphi Oracle.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Paramour]]></title>
<link>http://silverspringstudio.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/paramour/</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:59:46 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>carolwiebe</dc:creator>
<guid>http://silverspringstudio.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/paramour/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[You know that feeling of being so full of emotions that you are going to burst if you don&#8217;t gi]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class='snap_preview'><p>You know that feeling of being so full of emotions that you are going to burst if you don&#8217;t give it an outlet? It&#8217;s being close to tears and laughter at the same time.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s having an elevated sense of energy, with your whole body vibrating  and your thoughts expanding.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s wanting with an ache you don&#8217;t know you can survive, yet you feel so very alive.</p>
<p>The other night I couldn&#8217;t sleep. I kept getting up and writing down lines that popped into my head. Each time, I&#8217;d glance at the clock, the hours of wakefulness devouring my sleeping time. However, a message wanted to come through and that is a gift I appreciate, any time of the day (or night).</p>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 428px"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/4140546219_3fe7eae82c.jpg" alt="" width="418" height="500" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Arrival ~ Mixed Media Painting by Carol Wiebe</p></div>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>ARRIVAL</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>.<br />
</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;">When Inspiration swoops</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">dissolving all</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">resistance in its grasp</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">the familiar cacophony    of</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">doubt simply</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">ceases.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">She marvels how</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">her heart can execute</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">a beat    or she can negotiate</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">her feet     and then</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">her third eye    (the <em>truest</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;">of ocular instruments)    lifts</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">its brow like a floodgate ~ and</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">insight surges through.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">You will never hear her</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">say she fears being</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">overcome     in fact</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">there is nothing she wants more</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">and she would not hesitate    to</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">sacrifice both food and drink</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">to swoon with such</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">a paramour.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Inspiration feeds another</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">kind</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">of hunger.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">
<p style="text-align:center;">© Carol Wiebe</p>
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