2 November 2007
2 November 2007
GOOD MORNING MYANMAR…
2030 by Jeff Hess
I’m doing my best to stay on top of events in Myanmar/Burma and it’s not surprising that the best sources are not inside the United States. I’m reading The Independent, The Guardian, The BBC, Irrawaddy, New Mandala and the Asia Times. I’ll daily post a digest of headlines from stories I just couldn’t get to.
Today’s batch includes:
UN envoy’s visit seen as Myanmar flash point
Exim Bank extends $ 60 mn LoC to finance Myanmar project
India, Myanmar quietly finalise Kaladan project
Myanmar pro-democracy leader says opposition flourishes
Myanmar’s generals hit where it hurts
Khun Sa, 74; headed narcotics empire in Southeast Asia
Mandela withdraws from annual golf tourney over Myanmar links
Myanmar comedian among 32 freed
City freedom for Burma campaigner
Playing God in Burma
Burma frees 46 more prisoners ahead of UN envoy’s visit
Mandela Charity Withdraws Support for Fund-Raiser
Drugs bring Beijing into Burma
Rights Advocates Urge Consumers to Boycott Burma’s ‘Blood Rubies’
VIEW: Cry, beloved Burma -U Gambira And Ashin Nayaka
From Burma to Beijing: Asia’s sensitive petrol politics
Video Dateline: Myanmar:
And from the blogosphere:
Imperialist Rivalry Over Oil Behind Myanmar Turmoil
Myanmar Tatmadaw is unsinkable!
Making pregnancy safer in Myanmar
Myanmar monks remain defiant
Commentary: Talking Nonsense on Burma
burma – a struggle for authority
ASEAN Should Stop Passing The Buck On Burma
A New Approach to Burma
Burma Update: November 1, 2007
2 November 2007
2 November 2007
MUCKING OUT THE BLOGPILE…
1400 by Jeff Hess
I’m constantly tossing interesting websites into what I call my blogpile. Some of them find their way here in the form of regular posts, but more often than not they languish and get buried deeper in the pile. The end result is that I have to go back and do a bit of shoveling. Today’s item is The Case Against Adolescence.
2 November 2007
WHAT THEY SAID…
1118 by Jeff Hess[T]he most striking thing to me about the Senator’s performances was the scrupulous honesty of his answers, his insistence on delivering bad news when necessary. A woman asked if he believed that stay-at-home moms should be eligible for Social Security.
There is a way most politicians answer such questions: a moving tribute to the virtues of child-rearing, then on to the next question without ever making the commitment. Obama did the moving tribute – with a joke about his ineptitude as a parent – but then he told the woman no. “We can’t extend those benefits without huge financial implications,” he said.
The very next question was about global warming. Obama laid out his rigorous cap-and-trade plan for reducing carbon emissions, but then he said, “One of the themes of this campaign is to tell voters what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear … So I’ve got to tell you there will be a cost to this – and the utility companies will pass it along to consumers. You can expect a spike in electricity prices,” although, he added, the new technology should ultimately bring those prices back down.
I don’t know if this sort of quiet, unsolicited honesty can work in our rude, noisy politics, but it certainly is far more presidential than the dodging and fudging that you get from most candidates. Joel Klein
2 November 2007
FROM MY DAD…
0800 by Jeff Hess
I could never bring myself to forward all the email jokes, cartoons and other Internet comedy that land in my inbox. But then I started posting the ones my dad sends me. Judging from my comments and emails, my dad has become one of my greatest blogging assets. So for your morning blog chuckle I present: From My Dad.
A farmer stopped by the local mechanic shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn’t do it while he waited, so he said he didn’t live far and would just walk home.
On the way home he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem – how to carry his entire purchases home.
While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, “Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?”
The farmer said, “Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house I would walk you there but I can’t carry this lot.”
The old lady suggested, “Why don’t you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm and carry the goose in your other hand?”
“Why thank you very much,” he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home.
On the way he says “Let’s take my short cut and go down this alley. We’ll be there in no time.”
The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won’t hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?”
The farmer said, “Holy smokes lady! I’m carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?”
The old lady replied, “Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I’ll hold the chickens.”
2 November 2007
FROM MY CHAPBOOK…
0400 by Jeff Hess
My name is Jeff Hess and I’m a biblioholic. I own hundreds of books. Not valuable books, mostly Science Fiction paperbacks and text books, tomes rescued by the bag from library book sales. A few years ago, in the interest of not burying myself, I began reading more books from the library and taking notes. My electronic chapbook was born.
This is a passage I copied from Rational Mysticism: Dispatches from the border between science and spirituality by John Horgan.
“The perennial philosophy holds that the world”s great spiritual traditions, in spite of their obvious differences, express the same fundamental truth about the nature of reality, a truth that can be directly apprehended during a mystical experience.
Implicit in the perennial philosophy is the notion that mystical perceptions transcend time, place, culture and individual identity. Just as a farmer in first-century China and a Web site designer in twenty-first century New York see [essentially] the same moon when they look skyward, so will they glimpse the same truth in the depths of mystical vision.” p. 18
2 November 2007
TIME POWER: TODAY…
0001 by Jeff HessToday, as I go about my tasks, I’ll think about: Andrew Carnegie defined the mastermind principle as: an alliance with two or more minds working in perfect harmony for the attainment of a definitive objective. p. 57
1 November 2007
MY COMMENTS…
2046 by Jeff Hess
Part of being a good citizen of the blogosphere is visiting, reading and, most importantly, taking the time to leave a comment on other’s blogs. It’s all about the conversation. In the interest of setting an example I’ve decided to link to those blog posts that have compelled me to leave a comment.
2046 All politics is local, unless you”re running the Plain Dealer
0848 Plain Dealer”s Wide Open experiment, 1.0, shuts its doors
0806 Did Dispatch assoc. publisher give $25k to Vote No Casinos…
1 November 2007
GOOD MORNING MYANMAR…
2030 by Jeff HessI’m doing my best to stay on top of events in Myanmar/Burma and it’s not surprising that the best sources are not inside the United States. I’m reading The Independent, The Guardian, The BBC, Irrawaddy, New Mandala and the Asia Times. I’ll daily post a digest of headlines from stories I just couldn’t get to.
Today’s batch includes:
France Urges China to Use Influence with Burma
Buddhist monks march in Burma
Monks take to streets as Burma anger flares again
BURMA: UN ENVOY GAMBARI TO VISIT RANGOON ON SATURDAY
Monks regroup to protest in Burma
In Burma, repression – and rebellion – are linked to healthcare crisis
BURMA: ARMY MAKES USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS
Government bows to pressure to boost aid for Burma
World Consensus on Burma Eroding
China key to reform in Myanmar: French FM
Debate brews over tourism to Myanmar
Defiant Monks March Again in Myanmar
Obituaries in the News
Immediate change in Myanmar ‘impossible’, says France
UN’s Gambari to visit Myanmar Saturday
Myanmar children, adults held in Malaysia
Myanmar OKs New N. Korean Ambassador
Myanmar monks march as UN envoy prepares return visit
Myanmar Drug Lord Khun Sa, Wanted by US, Dies at 74, AP Says
Child soldiers ‘bought and sold’ in Myanmar, report says
Myanmar accused over child soldiers
Blacklisted Tycoon Is Key Myanmar Player
Video Dateline: Myanmar:
And from the blogosphere:
A Keyhole into Burma – “I am Burmese!”
Burma The Change Coming
Burma Stirs Again
Monks back on the streets of Burma
CSW WELCOMES HISTORIC BURMA DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS
Associated Press: Myanmar OKs new North Korean ambassador
More than 100 monks march in Myanmar
Child soldiers ‘bought and sold’ in Myanmar
Peaceful March at Myanmar Flashpoint
Myanmar: Burmese Ghosts
1 November 2007
1 November 2007
1 November 2007
1 November 2007
1 November 2007
MUCKING OUT THE BLOGPILE…
1400 by Jeff HessI’m constantly tossing interesting websites into what I call my blogpile. Some of them find their way here in the form of regular posts, but more often than not they languish and get buried deeper in the pile. The end result is that I have to go back and do a bit of shoveling. Today’s item is 14 Great Programs You Didn’t Even Know You Needed.
1 November 2007
FROM THE SANDBOX…
1200 by Jeff Hess
Old Blue: Here are a few pictures of some of the recent happenings in The Valley. The Valley has a lot of farms. They primarily grow wheat (already harvested), corn (pictured), potatoes, tomatoes, onions (they love onions), melons, and cotton. Sunrise in The Valley. Pictures just don’t do the mountains justice. On patrol with the ANP. This guy’s carry…
1 November 2007
FROM MY DAD…
0800 by Jeff HessI could never bring myself to forward all the email jokes, cartoons and other Internet comedy that land in my inbox. But then I started posting the ones my dad sends me. Judging from my comments and emails, my dad has become one of my greatest blogging assets. So for your morning blog chuckle I present: From My Dad.
How To Give A Cat A Pill
1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.
3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.
6. Kneel on floor with
‘puddy’ wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth Drop pill down ruler and rub cat’s throat vigorously.
7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.
9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
10. Retrieve cat from neighbor’s shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door on to neck, to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Fli ck pill down throat with elastic band.
11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Pour a “Pint of the Black Stuff”. Fetch bottle of Paddy’s Whiskey. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw Tee shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
12. Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wr ap.
13. Tie the little bastard’s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.
14. Consume remainder of Guinness and Paddys. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.
15. Arrange for SPCA to collect mutant ‘Catsputin’ from hell and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.
How To Give A Dog A Pill
1. Wrap it in bacon.
2. Toss it in the air.
1 November 2007
FROM MY CHAPBOOK…
0400 by Jeff HessMy name is Jeff Hess and I’m a biblioholic. I own hundreds of books. Not valuable books, mostly Science Fiction paperbacks and text books, tomes rescued by the bag from library book sales. A few years ago, in the interest of not burying myself, I began reading more books from the library and taking notes. My electronic chapbook was born.
This is a passage I copied from Rational Mysticism: Dispatches from the border between science and spirituality by John Horgan.
Apollo astronaut Edgar “Mitchell went on to found the Institute of Noetic Sciences, which promotes science with a spiritual dimension.” p. 15
1 November 2007
1 November 2007
TIME POWER: TODAY…
0001 by Jeff HessToday, as I go about my tasks, I’ll think about: I recommend that you take hold of the gauge of your life and push that thing, not to 70 – 70 is like sitting back and watching television – but up to 120. Don”t go to 150. You”ll cook. But put that gauge up to 120 at least. In other words, set goals that are significant, that are going to make you stretch. p. 51
