Iran

Is anyone else like um really freaked out by Iran right now? Starting this nuclear proliferation and then getting all ornery about freezing it or allowing inspections at short notice? For some reason, I think ever specifically defining an “Axis of Evil” was a bad idea. It like, bonded them or something.

Check out this link to a CNN.com story on Iran. But then scroll down and look to the right in the related box and click on the interactive to learn more about the world nuclear powers. Interesting and scary stuff.

Did you know that the U.S. has 12,000 nuclear warheads located in 14 states? Seventy percent of them are in New Mexico, Georgia, Washington, Nevada and North Dakota, but at least one of them is in Missouri. Russia has 22,500. Yikes.

The Literacy Site

I first discovered the Hunger Site about 4 years ago. I have tried to remember to click on it every day since. Of course, I go through forgetful phases, but I think the site is very important. Affiliated and linked to the Hunger Site has been an increasing amount of other important charity sites starting with the Rainforest Site, then the Breast Cancer Site, Child Health Site and Animal Rescue Site. Today I went to the the links and discovered the Literacy Site. The new site has the same M.O. (modus operandi) as the others.

The Literacy Site was founded to help promote literacy among children from low-income families nationwide. Partnering with First Book, the site makes books available to children around the country, giving many children their very first book. With the generous support of our sponsors, each click provides 1% of a book. Making books a part of a child’s life is the best way to encourage the love of reading.

How does the site work? Who pays for the books?

The site concept is a simple one. When you click on the “Give Free Books” button, you will see a page with ads for the site’s sponsors. All of the revenue from these ads — 100% — goes to our charity partner, First Book, to fund the distribution of books to the children who need them the most.

This funding can add up quickly. When more people click daily, more books are generated, and more children are launched on a lifetime of reading. The site’s success in providing books depends on the support of visitors like you. Please click every day and tell your friends, family and colleagues about The Literacy Site.

It takes just 3 minutes or less to click on each of these six sites. Please, bookmark and revisit them as often as possible!

Nasty

It’s officially nasty out. The snow is sticking and heavy and making the roads a mess.

Over lunch I went to get my oil changed. There was a power line down in the middle of New Halls Ferry Road that was burning in a bright white fire. Totally freaky. When I got back to the administration building, the power was out. It was the second time it had gone out and since then, it has browned several times. I wish it would go out and stay out so they would send us home.

Not that getting sent home would do much good for the planned four-hour drive to my parents house. I really really really want to try to get home tonight, but I am not going to be reckless. Wait and see, I guess.

Tuesday Morning Thoughts

~ Way to go St. Louis. You’ve dropped to #4 on the country’s most dangerous city list!

~ I still get teary-eyed when I listen to Ani’s Self Evident. I don’t agree with everything on the track, but that isn’t the point. And listening is different than reading. I remember when I first heard her perform this piece. She still had the words on paper in front of her. And we couldn’t breathe.

~ I didn’t really like Cinderella Story. Sorry Tanya.

~ The different approach to the same story on CNN.com versus The New York Times is interesting. Here are the headlines: Poll: Majority gives Bush good job approval mark and Americans Show Clear Concerns on Bush Agenda.

~ Mmmm. Turkey. Getting excited.

Reviewy-Type Thoughts

MOVIES:

~ I LOVED Josie and the Pussycats! (Haha- I can’t link to anything because I can’t open anything on my work internet. It’s blocked!) I’ve rented so many new releases that I’ve had to venture and I am SO glad I chose this movie. Classic advertising crap. Loved the point. Loved the idea. Loved the execution of the idea. Cute, funny, poignant and awesome all around. Not to mention, it’s the music biz. Right up my alley. And I feel like I understood even more since the Taxi rally. Something tells me this movie will make it into my home collection sometime soon.

~ I bought and watched Sweet Home Alabama last week. It’s just a darn cute girlie flick, and I LIKE IT!

~ I had avoided renting Twisted with Samuel L. Jackson and Ashley Judd. I like both actors, but these roles seemed the stereotypes they are falling into. And indeed, they were. I gave the movie a 3 out of 5 just because the storyline was still interesting and the acting itself good. It was just ultimately boring because I felt “been there done that” with the actors. Make sense?

MUSIC:

~ I’m totally diggin’ on the Cat Stevens. I don’t always love his voice, but it’s not bad. And the music itself is dynamo. Funky and just lovely. I had no idea he had so many Christian themes in his music either. Interesting with all this recent “now he’s muslim and getting denied access to the United States crap.”

~ Granted, I really only bought Janis Ian records because she is mentioned in a song by the Sons of the Never Wrong. But I was disappointed. And yes, I haven’t listened to a ton. But she has a musical theater voice if you ask me. And there’s nothing wrong with that except that if I was in the mood for musical theater, I would put in a show, not a folk singer. But I will try to listen to more and keep my mind open.

~ I met Kamille and Kelly of Karmina out at Taxi. Kamille has the most amazing voice. I was a little disappointed when I put in their CD. Not because they aren’t good, they really are, it’s just not my style really. Too Christina Aguilera. Which is great for them, not for me. I think these girls are going someplace though. Check out their website. They are so young and have done SO much! Such training! Such experiences! And the people they have met!!! It’s tre cool that I met and hung out with them. Shared the open mic in the lobby. And even had a “private” performance of the song Kamille just finished, which I really really liked. I just wish they had more variety in their songs too. Maybe that’s it more than anything. The CD starts to sound all the same. And I know a lot of artists have the “problem” (arguably not a problem when people love you). However, having met them, I just know they have more potential than that. Still, I would be shocked if we didn’t start hearing of these girls on a MUCH larger scale in the future.

Recent News

I am linking to New York Times stories and intend to keep it up. I suggest signing up. It’s free and the stories are great.

This is good. Last-minute verbiage added to an omnibus bill regarding abortion. Currently, federal money is barred from health care providers that refuse to offer or advise abortions. This would no longer be allowed. Even for those who want free choice in this country, it makes little sense to block needed monies to healthcare providers that are exercising their right to choose. Senators in this article imply that this will have a huge impact on women and they need to know about. One senator might fillibuster, making Congress stay through the holidays. Stupid. Women can just go someplace else. And these healthcare providers get blocked money that they need to make their quality of care better.

No shit. The marine who killed the unarmed insurgent didn’t realize it was all being videotaped. You know, I think this whole thing is horrid and I think I am glad it came out. YET, I do not claim to understand the battleground. And I will not judge or condemn that marine.

I find this so interesting and true. The article is about how the recent “values” of the country shown in the election are not flowing over into television. I watched some TV last week and was so appalled. There are so many crime shows etc out there now that show after show and commercial after commercial entailed death and gore and violence and crime. It just made me feel, icky. I don’t like television. I’ll stick to the movies that I choose. (Until Alias airs.)