Video: Cutest lemurs in Brookfield Zoo chow down on Thanksgiving dinner

A whole bunch of ring-tailed lemurs in Brookfield Zoo got a treat this year with their own special Thanksgiving dinner.

 
The lemurs were given an early Thanksgiving dinner on November 26 at the Hamill Family Play Zoo.  Their "turkey" was formed from browse biscuits and was served along with a sweet potato pie with biscuit crust and popcorn, tasty green beans and a sugar-free grape jelly with dried cranberries, all washed down with sugar-free grape juice.  It looks like they had a great time!

Small cargo plane crashes into home in Chicago suburb (Video)

The pilot was killed early on Tuesday morning, as the small cargo plane he was flying crashed into a home in the residential neighborhood near Midway Airport in Chicago. He was the only person on the plane when it crashed.

 

Photo: Screen grab from video below

According to WGN, just before 3 a.m. CT, the plane crashed into the roof of the house, entering the living room and heading into the basement. The house is located on S. Knox Avenue.  The two elderly residents of the house were uninjured and a neighbor assisted them to escape from the home. Reportedly there was no fire or explosion after the crash.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Fire Chief Michael Fox said, "They were in a bedroom next to the living room and the living room is gone," adding they were eight inches from the plane and, "They were very lucky."

The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the Aero Commander 500 plane was scheduled to go to Chicago Executive Airport, 18 miles northwest of Chicago.  However, the pilot apparently changed his destination to Ohio State University’s airport shortly prior to take-off.

Shortly after departure, the pilot called in that he was experiencing engine problems and asked if he could return the plane to Midway Airport, where he crashed approximately one-quarter mile from the runway.

The difference between a magnitude 6.1 earthquake in China and the USA

The video shows the complete and utter difference between the 6.1 earthquake in Napa, California, where 100 were injured, but no one died, and a similar earthquake this month in southwestern China which killed hundreds and destroyed thousands of homes.  

The immense difference is, apparently completely man-made, as China does not enforce the same building regulations as other countries in the world, thus endangering the lives of the Chinese residents in those buildings.  See the comparison clearly below....

Two guys narrowly miss meeting a hammerhead shark face to face (Video)

Some guys were watching from above the beach in Destin, Florida when it all happened.  One of them was smart enough to catch it all on video. 

There were two people out in the water when a hammerhead shark came along, chasing after a stingray.  Things could easily have been a lot different if the stingray got away and the shark turned its head.

Watch the action below...

Concerned US lawmakers considering firing squad executions

A sign of the times? 

With European manufacturers boycotting the sale of the drugs normally used to painlessly execute prisoners in the US, some politicians are getting in a panic.

In at least two US states, authorities who have not been able to obtain the lethal injection drugs are especially worried. They are now stating that they would be “open” to executing the prisoners via the good old firing squad method, which has disappeared in most of the civilized world....

Read more: http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/16365098-concerned-lawmakers-considering-firing-squad-executions

'Pussy Riot - A Punk Prayer' wins award at Sundance Film Festival

After Pussy Riot, the all-female punk band, became a household name for their controversial act in Russia's main cathedral, a documentary was made, which has now won an award. 

The documentary "Pussy Riot - A Punk Prayer" has won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award in America. The film was a Russian and British co-production and was directed by Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin. 

The documentary was screened at the Sundance Film Festival, competing against 11 other titles. The members of the feminist punk group were arrested after they stormed the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on February 2012 and performed their profanity-laden ‘punk prayer,’ which can be viewed in the video above.

They were sentence to two years each in a medium-security prison for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred. One of the women was released on probation after successfully appealing her conviction.

The Pussy Riot members insist that they never intended to offend anyone's religious sensibilities.

One of the film's creators, Maxim Pozdorovkin, told the Hollywood Reporter, “I think that one of the things that interested us is why those 40 seconds – what they did when they went into the cathedral – why it became such a perfect storm of everything.”

“We often talk about how this possibly could be one of the most controversial and the most resonant pieces of performance art in history. The trial was important because it really brought together all these elements: Russia not having a punk culture, not having a performance-art culture, the resurgence of religious fundamentalism in Russia, the political situation, and all these things kind of came together in the story. In a way, once it was a sentencing and an outcome, that story was done – but, you know, future stories are made to be told,” he added.

Founded by Robert Redford in 1978, the Sundance Film Festival is held annually to celebrate independent movie making by film makers around the world.

To be source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/342272

US programmer outsourced own work to China, played on Internet

A rather ingenious programmer, working for a critical infrastructure company in the US, outsourced his work to a Chinese contractor for a fraction of his salary. He then sat and played on Facebook, ebay and reddit and watched cat videos all day.

The unnamed programmer, dubbed "Bob" by the media, was earning a six-figure salary. He handed over his login information to a Chinese firm, giving them full access to do his work, then sat back and played, including watching cat videos, participating on Facebook and reddit.

His cover got blown by an audit, which revealed an active virtual private network (VPN) between "Bob's" workstation and the firm in Shenyang, China. Company executives, suspecting a breach in their security system, then requested an audit from Operations Verizon. 

Andrew Valentine, a spokesman for Verizon, said, "Evidence even suggested he had the same scam going across multiple companies in the area,” adding that “he earned several hundred thousand dollars a year, and only had to pay the Chinese consulting firm about $50,000 annually."

According to Verizon, the employee had sent his security credentials via Fedex to the Chinese firm, giving them access to log on with his username during working hours. 

Verizon also uncovered hundreds of PDF files and invoices exchanged between "Bob" and the contractor in Shenyang.

Valentine said that, "Authentication was no problem. He physically FedExed his RSA [security] token to China so that the third-party contractor could log-in under his credentials during the workday. It would appear that he was working an average nine-to-five work day.” 

Apparently the contractor in Shenyan had been working for "Bob" for several months and even had access to classified files of the “critical infrastructure company.” All this just begs the question, what did "Bob" actually do all day? The company had a look at his Internet browsing history, which revealed that he spent hours surfing reddit, updating Facebook and generally surfing the Web for cat videos.  

CNN has posted a typical working day in the life of "Bob": 

9:00 a.m. - Get to work, surf reddit, watch cat videos 

11:30 a.m. - Lunch 1:00 p.m. - ebay  

2:00 p.m or so - Facebook and LinkedIn

4:30 p.m. - Send end-of-day e-mail update to management 

5:00 p.m. - Go home 

The funny thing is, official performance figures for the company show that "Bob" was the most productive developer in the building. He was also described as “inoffensive, quiet” and talented, and is apparently fluent in several different programing languages. All sounds good, except, of course, he wasn't actually doing the work.

After the story broke in the media, there was a mixture of reactions, with some praising "Bob" for his ingenuity, and others, mainly in China, being more critical of his actions. 

Users of the Chinese Twitter-style social network Weibo, were particularly upset with one commenter writing, “Learn English and let’s find work in US. Why do we have to do the dirty work for such a cheap price in China?"

While "Bob's" real identity is still unknown, it has rather unsurprisingly been reported that he no longer works for the company, and it is pretty certain that the Chinese company has been fired too.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/341518

Rare signed copy of The Regulators by Stephen King book on auction to help poor

A rare, signed copy of "The Regulators", published in 1996 and written by Stephen King under the pen name Richard Bachman, is to be auctioned off. Proceeds will go to a local fuel fund for poor residents who cannot afford heating this winter.

The book, written by Maine native and popular horror author, Stephen King, has been donated to Scottie's Bookhouse in Hancock by a loyal customer. Initially, the book was unsigned.

"There's only 550 of these that were boxed this way," explained Scottie's Bookhouse Owner Michael Riggs. Its slipcase cover apparently makes it even more unique.

"I told him the book would be worth more if he could get Mr. King to sign it," said Riggs. 

While it is unknown how it actually occurred, if you open the cover now, you'll find that Stephen King has signed and dated it
 

The donor, who prefers to remain anonymous, decided to put the limited edition book up for auction to help local residents survive the winter.  All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Emmaus Homeless Shelter's emergency fuel fund in Ellsworth. 

The Shelter Director, Sister Lucille MacDonald, told WABI-TV, "I just think it's an ingenious way of being able to get a little bit extra to help people out." 
 

"People come in and their tanks are empty and they have children and babies and the elderly. The other day an 85-year-old woman came in to the shelter and I was able to give fuel for her," she added. 

And now the shelter may be able to help out many more with the potential for a very high bid on this rare copy of "The Regulators."

The signed book is currently on display at the bookstore at 209 Route 1 in Hancock and bids will be accepted by email or phone until January

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/340826

D15 — Sandy survivors' day of action in Rockaways, NY

Residents of Rockaways joined together with Occupy Sandy on December 15, marching the streets and demanding that the government do something to help rebuild the neighborhood after Hurricane Sandy. 

It is now two months since Superstorm Sandy hit the area, but the disaster is far from over for these residents, and relief needs are still great. 

 

Heat and electricity are still absent in many areas, and many homes are uninhabitable, with black mold taking hold. Those living in homes with mold are becoming sick. 

 

With some landlords increasing rents by huge amounts, to try and cover their costs, and with other property owners deciding not to repair properties and evicting tenants, times are very hard in the Rockaways. Some people had household insurance on their houses and are now finding that the response from the insurance companies is taking much too long. 

 

Yet with all the problems still ongoing, government and FEMA response has been glaringly absent. As they did with Hurricane Katrina, and other recent disaster-and-recovery events, reconstruction resources and responsibility have been handed off by city, state and federal agencies, to corporations and markets. This hand-off has pushed affected people further out of their communities, further into crisis and vulnerability, and further from the decision-making tables that allocate public resources. 

 

Where the government has failed, Occupy and other groups have stepped in. Occupy Sandy Relief NYC has done the very best it can, but it cannot restore electricity and replace homes. 

 

On December 15, citizens, activists and community leaders took to the streets to demand change from the government and to take charge themselves. The people are demanding that power is restored to the people.

The people also now understand that climate change has turned a corner and they know they will be hard hit again by extreme weather events. Hence they are taking to the streets to ask "whose interests our government serves? Is it polluters, predatory lenders, and disaster profiteers?" 

 

"Or can we build a stronger, better, resilient New York where all of us, regardless of race, class or power, can weather future storms?" Do you live near the Rockaways? Have you also been affected by the lack of government and FEMA support after Sandy? Please comment below.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/339478

'Casablanca' piano sold at Sotheby's, New York for $602,500

The famous phrase, "Play it, Sam" is now off the table, as the famous piano goes under the hammer at Sotheby's in New York. 

The 58-key upright piano made an appearance in the classic 1940's Oscar-winning World War II movie, Casablanca. It was used in one of the movie's most iconic scenes, when the song "As Time Goes By" was played by Sam (Dooley Wilson). 

 As Sam played, Humphrey Bogart's and Ingrid Bergman's famous characters, the doomed lovers Rick and Ilsa, toast with glasses of champagne. Then Bogart's character, Rick, pronounces his most famous line, "Here's looking at you, kid."  

The sale of the piano marks the 70th anniversary of the classic film, which was largely set in the Moroccan port city of Casablanca, then part of unoccupied French North Africa. 

Just before the bidding began, Rachel Kaufman, a pianist invited by Sotheby's, played the famous tune "As Time Goes By".

Kaufman, 43, is a professional pianist, who made her living as a music director and accompanist in the musical theater and cabaret worlds in New York City for 20 years.

She said, “It was very emotional to play. I’m still choked up. There’s something magical about this piano.”

The Japanese owner purchased the piano for $154,000 on auction in 1988. At the time, this was one of the highest prices ever paid for a movie prop.

He was hoping to get $1.2 million for the piano, but had to settle for $602,500 when the famous piano went under the hammer to an unnamed owner. Apparently the lot failed to meet the expert's expectations.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/339143

The artist formerly known as "Snoop Dogg" recently visited Jamaica and was horrified by the poverty and hunger he witnessed.  Now Snoop Lion is doing something about it.

During his Reggae transformation, Snoop Dogg visited Jamaica.  He was tired of Rap music and wanted to get into Reggae.  Not only did he change his name at that time to Snoop Lion, but also he was shocked by the malnutrition in Jamaica and its effect on children.

He said, "I didn't want to just steal the music, steal the culture and get rich off it.  I wanted to come back and to find a way to do something to help those who want to help themselves."

On returning home to the US, he decided to take action by launching Mind Gardens, a new community gardens project, to provide healthy organic fruits and vegetables to children worldwide.

Snoop Lion says that the mission is simple.  Every child should have access to healthy food, which nurtures the body and the mind.  Making access to this nutritious food is crucial for a community to grow and thrive.

He has now teamed up with Reed's Ginger Brew (producers of a great Jamaican ginger beer) to start Mind Gardens, a non-profit organization which is dedicated to building community gardens in impoverished neighborhoods. These organic community gardens will give children access to vital and healthy nutrients, through fresh vegetables and fruits.

In Jamaica, the first two Mind Gardens locations are in the Kingston neighborhoods of Trench Town and Tivoli Gardens, giving the first steps to a sustainable method of improving children's nutrition worldwide.

Plans are underway to expand the project to some US neighborhoods.  You can also get involved in the Mind Garden missions by finding a community garden in your area and planting a seed.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNHCcm7h

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNHCcm7h

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNHCcm7h

The artist formerly known as "Snoop Dogg" recently visited Jamaica and was horrified by the poverty and hunger he witnessed. Now Snoop Lion is doing something about it.

During his Reggae transformation, Snoop Dogg visited Jamaica. He was tired of Rap music and wanted to get into Reggae. Not only did he change his name at that time to Snoop Lion, but also he was shocked by the malnutrition in Jamaica and its effect on children.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNHCcm7h

The artist formerly known as "Snoop Dogg" recently visited Jamaica and was horrified by the poverty and hunger he witnessed. Now Snoop Lion is doing something about it.

During his Reggae transformation, Snoop Dogg visited Jamaica. He was tired of Rap music and wanted to get into Reggae. Not only did he change his name at that time to Snoop Lion, but also he was shocked by the malnutrition in Jamaica and its effect on children.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNHCcm7h

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNH1416V

The artist formerly known as "Snoop Dogg" recently visited Jamaica and was horrified by the poverty and hunger he witnessed. Now Snoop Lion is doing something about it.

During his Reggae transformation, Snoop Dogg visited Jamaica. He was tired of Rap music and wanted to get into Reggae. Not only did he change his name at that time to Snoop Lion, but also he was shocked by the malnutrition in Jamaica and its effect on children. He said, "I didn't want to just steal the music, steal the culture and get rich off it. I wanted to come back and to find a way to do something to help those who want to help themselves." On returning home to the US, he decided to take action by launching Mind Gardens, a new community gardens project, to provide healthy organic fruits and vegetables to children worldwide. Snoop Lion says that the mission is simple. Every child should have access to healthy food, which nurtures the body and the mind. Making access to this nutritious food is crucial for a community to grow and thrive.

YouTube

Likes

He has now teamed up with Reed's Ginger Brew (producers of a great Jamaican ginger beer) to start Mind Gardens, a non-profit organization which is dedicated to building community gardens in impoverished neighborhoods. These organic community gardens will give children access to vital and healthy nutrients, through fresh vegetables and fruits. In Jamaica, the first two Mind Gardens locations are in the Kingston neighborhoods of Trench Town and Tivoli Gardens, giving the first steps to a sustainable method of improving children's nutrition worldwide. Plans are underway to expand the project to some US neighborhoods. You can also get involved in the Mind Garden missions by finding a community garden in your area and planting a seed.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNH1416V

The artist formerly known as "Snoop Dogg" recently visited Jamaica and was horrified by the poverty and hunger he witnessed. Now Snoop Lion is doing something about it.

During his Reggae transformation, Snoop Dogg visited Jamaica. He was tired of Rap music and wanted to get into Reggae. Not only did he change his name at that time to Snoop Lion, but also he was shocked by the malnutrition in Jamaica and its effect on children. He said, "I didn't want to just steal the music, steal the culture and get rich off it. I wanted to come back and to find a way to do something to help those who want to help themselves." On returning home to the US, he decided to take action by launching Mind Gardens, a new community gardens project, to provide healthy organic fruits and vegetables to children worldwide. Snoop Lion says that the mission is simple. Every child should have access to healthy food, which nurtures the body and the mind. Making access to this nutritious food is crucial for a community to grow and thrive.

YouTube

Likes

He has now teamed up with Reed's Ginger Brew (producers of a great Jamaican ginger beer) to start Mind Gardens, a non-profit organization which is dedicated to building community gardens in impoverished neighborhoods. These organic community gardens will give children access to vital and healthy nutrients, through fresh vegetables and fruits. In Jamaica, the first two Mind Gardens locations are in the Kingston neighborhoods of Trench Town and Tivoli Gardens, giving the first steps to a sustainable method of improving children's nutrition worldwide. Plans are underway to expand the project to some US neighborhoods. You can also get involved in the Mind Garden missions by finding a community garden in your area and planting a seed.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNH1416V

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNH1416V

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Edit Group With Listen   Print   In the Media Snoop Lion starts 'Mind Gardens' to feed Jamaicans (video) Likes Anne By Anne Sewell Nov 16, 2012 - 1 min ago in Food Comments  + The artist formerly known as "Snoop Dogg" recently visited Jamaica and was horrified by the poverty and hunger he witnessed. Now Snoop Lion is doing something about it. During his Reggae transformation, Snoop Dogg visited Jamaica. He was tired of Rap music and wanted to get into Reggae. Not only did he change his name at that time to Snoop Lion, but also he was shocked by the malnutrition in Jamaica and its effect on children. He said, "I didn't want to just steal the music, steal the culture and get rich off it. I wanted to come back and to find a way to do something to help those who want to help themselves." On returning home to the US, he decided to take action by launching Mind Gardens, a new community gardens project, to provide healthy organic fruits and vegetables to children worldwide. Snoop Lion says that the mission is simple. Every child should have access to healthy food, which nurtures the body and the mind. Making access to this nutritious food is crucial for a community to grow and thrive. YouTube Likes He has now teamed up with Reed's Ginger Brew (producers of a great Jamaican ginger beer) to start Mind Gardens, a non-profit organization which is dedicated to building community gardens in impoverished neighborhoods. These organic community gardens will give children access to vital and healthy nutrients, through fresh vegetables and fruits. In Jamaica, the first two Mind Gardens locations are in the Kingston neighborhoods of Trench Town and Tivoli Gardens, giving the first steps to a sustainable method of improving children's nutrition worldwide. Plans are underway to expand the project to some US neighborhoods. You can also get involved in the Mind Garden missions by finding a community garden in your area and planting a seed.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNGwUwSw

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336990#ixzz2CNGuFyog

Uncounted votes on California Proposition 37

The Yes on Proposition 37 campaign to label GMOs failed on November 6. But did it? An investigation has uncovered at least 1.6 million uncounted votes in various counties of California. 

Jon Rappoport is the author of an explosive new collection, 'The Matrix Revealed', and a candidate for a US Congressional seat in the 29th District of California. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, he has worked as an investigative reporter for 30 years, writing articles on politics, medicine, and health for CBS Healthwatch, LA Weekly, Spin Magazine, Stern, and other newspapers and magazines in the US and Europe. Rappoport has delivered lectures and seminars on global politics, health, logic and creative power to audiences around the world.

Rappoport has recently published an article in Natural News, as he has been doing a bit of investigation into why Proposition 37, the ballot initiative to require mandatory labeling of GMO products, failed.

On November 8, two days after the election, he found that many votes in California remain uncounted. He decided to try and find out just how many, and contacted the Secretary of State of CA, responsible for elections in the state, who apparently doesn't know. He was informed that all counties in California have been asked, but not ordered, to report in those figures, but it is apparently voluntary. 

So Rappoport decided to pick the largest counties and called their voter registrar offices and these are the results he obtained:

• Santa Clara County: 180,000 votes remain uncounted

• Orange County: 241,336 votes remain uncounted

• San Diego County: 475,000 votes remain uncounted

• LA County: 782,658 votes remain uncounted

In other words, in just those four counties, 1.6 million votes remain uncounted. It is still unknown how many other votes are uncounted in other Californian counties. 

Yes on 37 failed by just 559,776 votes. With the possibility of many more "yes" votes just sitting out there uncounted, is this a fair election result? What is the point of having an election, and people casting their votes, if they are not counted?

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336548#ixzz2Boe1mk00

San Juan County, Washington, USA now GMO-free

Local voters in San Juan county voted yes for Initiative Measure 2012-4 by a wide margin in the November 6 election. This essentially puts a ban on genetically modified organisms in the county.

The declaration made on the Initiative Measure read as follows: 

"The people of San Juan County, desiring to protect our agricultural industry, our natural environment, the private property rights of our citizens, and the health, safety and welfare of our People, deem it advisable and appropriate to restrict the cultivation of genetically modified crops, livestock and other organisms in San Juan County." 

With 8,877 votes counted, "Yes" votes outnumbered "No" votes by 5,183 to 3,329, for Initiative Measure 2012-4.

GMO-ban supporter, Marta Nielsen of Orcas Island is an organic farmer who raises chickens. She announced, "I'm proud to live in a county that could see the immense benefit of passing this forward-thinking initiative."

The GMO ban was proposed by organic farmers and other interested party in the county. The ban makes it unlawful to propagate or grow plants or animals in San Juan County, Washington, that have been genetically modified. It further provides for penalties and the destruction of such organisms. 

A recent opinion piece on GMO's by Ken & Kathryn Akopiantz, primary sponsors of the initiative can be read here.

The video above features Ken Akopiantz, a farmer and owner of Horse Drawn Farm and the Seed Librarian of Lopez Community Land Trust. He speaks on the dangers of genetic engineering (GE) and genetically modified organism (GMO) and explains why it is important to support the Initiative Measure No. 2012-4 to ban raising GMOs in the San Juan county. This speech was delivered during the Food Charrette on Lopez Island, Feb 25, 2012.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336431#ixzz2Be90I1ED

Food Hero: The Nelson Family - Organic Dairy Farmers

The video introduces us to the Nelson family, organic dairy farmers, and explains their transition from conventional to sustainable, and the impact it has had on their health and well-being.

Food MythBusters "uses animated videos, short live-action docs, grassroots events, and an online resource center to tell the real story of our food, debunking persistent myths about sustainable food and farming. The first mythbusting video takes on the myth that we need industrial agriculture to feed the world and considers alternatives in solving hunger and providing food security. Food MythBusters is the first program of the Real Food Media Project, a collaborative initiative to inspire, educate, and grow the movement for sustainable food and farming across the United States." 

 In the video, Food Mythbusters interview the Nelson family, who run a completely organic and sustainable dairy farm in Altura, southeast Minnesota. The family explains that while it is so much easier to go the conventional farming route, using pesticides and GMOs, it is so much more satisfying and healthy to go the organic route. The cows are well looked after - they graze in the fields and are fed good organic animal feed with no GMO content, hormones or antibiotics. 

While organic farming is hard work, visiting the farm takes us back to what farming should really be about, a natural, healthy environment with happy and healthy livestock.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/335953#ixzz2AycQGL5R

Alert as 26 nuclear plants in Hurricane Sandy's path (video)

The projected path of Hurricane Sandy could impact as many as 26 nuclear plants. Arnie Gundersen, the chief engineer of energy consulting company Fairewinds Associates, warns of the dangers.

 

As the Frankenstorm hits the east coast, leaving millions without power, Gundersen warns that even if engineers at plants from North Carolina to New England say their plants have been shut down and are safe from disaster, this could already be too late... read full article and watch video of the interview.

Obama Supporters Actually Hate Obama's Policies

In a case of sheer irony, Luke Rudkowski of We Are Change got out on the streets in New York City, interviewing Obama supporters in a slightly underhanded way about the NDAA, the Patriot Act, Drone Wars and the "Kill List."

Pretending that Mitt Romney, should he be elected, is threatening to sign a bill called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is planning on extending the Patriot Act, saying he would instigate a "Kill List" and planning to use drones in foreign countries, Rudkowski of We Are Change interviews unsuspecting Obama supporters. 

Rudkowski states on the video page that he is not, in any way, supporting or endorsing Romney, but just used these methods to get an honest reaction and opinion from the people interviewed. After each interview, he told the people what he was up to, and the reactions are mixed, and very telling, to say the least. It seems Obama's supporters are unaware of the NDAA, know little about the Patriot Act, and had no idea there was such a thing as a "kill list" and how the US is using drones to kill people, including civilians.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/335520#ixzz2ALYXKmsd

"Right To Know" - Music Video - Yes on California Prop 37 - No GMO - Everyman & Boyz In The Wood

Op-Ed: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: 'No on 37' misleading public

Oakland - The "No on 37" campaign, opposing the proposition to label GMOs in California, has once again hit trouble for misleading the public. This time from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The latest critique to the "No on 37" campaign comes in the form of a press release from the world's largest organization for food and nutrition professionals, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

This press release states that the "No on 37" campaign "misled" the public in its ballot argument, printed in the Secretary of State's Official California Voter Information Guide. The press release reads as follows:

"CHICAGO – The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is calling for voters to be made aware of an error in the California Official Voter Information Guide regarding Proposition 37, which inaccurately states that the Academy "has concluded that biotech foods are safe." The false statement is used as an "Argument Against Proposition 37" in the voter's guide. "We are concerned that California's voters are being misled to believe the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals is against Proposition 37, when in fact, the Academy does not have a position on the issue," said registered dietitian Ethan A. Bergman, president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "Voters need accurate information in order to make an informed choice," Bergman said. The voter's guide was published by the Secretary of State, with a disclaimer that its accuracy has not been verified and that the opinions stated are those of the authors. An expired, and therefore invalid, position of the Academy apparently was used by the guide's authors to draw the erroneous conclusion regarding Proposition 37. The Academy does not have a position on issues pertaining to labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or genetically engineered (GE) foods. The inaccurate information has led to confusion and an inaccurate portrayal of in the media and health-care community of the Academy and its state affiliate, the California Dietetic Association. "In addition to being untruthful, the statement attributed to the Academy may give voters a false impression of registered dietitians and the Academy. Our members are the nation's trusted and credible source of food and nutrition information," Bergman said. As an evidence-based organization, the Academy extensively analyzes relevant scientific studies before taking a position on any issue and systematically reviews and updates its positions as needed. A new position paper that will address GMO and GE foods is expected to be published in 2013."

The full statement can be read here and the offending quotation can be viewed here. Monday's revelation on the part of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics comes after the Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle all report on the inaccuracies of the "No on 37" radio and TV ads. In fact, the "No on 37" had to pull one ad featuring a long-time PR front man for the tobacco and oil industries, misrepresenting Stanford University. An extract from the Sacramento Bee article reads:

The ad says the measure will ban products that don't carry the required labels, but those foods could still be sold – without the labels – if the manufacturers go organic or use ingredients that are not genetically engineered. In fact, the assertion that Proposition 37 will raise grocery prices is based on the belief that many companies will switch to costlier non-genetically engineered ingredients instead of putting the new labels on their food. That was the conclusion of an economic study paid for by the No on Proposition 37 campaign – which is funded largely by biotech companies and major food and beverage manufacturers. The report said the typical California household would see a $350 to $400 annual increase in grocery prices if companies switched to non-genetically engineered ingredients. No independent studies have confirmed those estimates. The assertion that the measure would "cost California taxpayers millions for more bureaucracy and red tape" exaggerates estimates from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office, which figures regulation of food labeling would cost a few hundred thousand dollars to $1 million annually.

San Jose Mercury News talks about "Arbitrary Exemptions" on certain products and says that the "No on 37" campaign is partially misleading the public.

CA Right to Know

Yes on 37 - Right to Know Campaign

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Stacy Malkan, California Right to Know spokesperson, says, “The No on 37 Campaign knows that basic facts do not support their argument for denying consumers the right to know what’s in our food, so they are resorting to a $35 million campaign of misrepresentations, misleading statements, and outright lies.”

 

“Prop. 37 comes down to a question of who is more credible, the leading health and consumer advocates, faith based groups, working families and millions of everyday Californians - or the same small group of financially motivated special interests and political operatives who told us Agent Orange, DDT and cigarettes were safe?” For more information visit www.carighttoknow.org

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/334482#ixzz28mxwrjbn

Indiana farmer taking Monsanto to Supreme Court

Vernon Hugh Bowman, a 74-year-old soybean farmer, will have his day in court against Monsanto in the US Supreme Court next year. Bowman was originally sued by Monsanto Co for alleged patent infringement for the use of a genetically modified soybean crop. 

Under the company's licensing contract, farmers can only use the product to harvest one round of crops. However, Monsanto sued Bowman because they say he is at fault for planting a second harvest. However, this second harvest came from commercially-purchased "commodity seeds" from a grain elevator that contained, in part, the Roundup Ready GMO seeds.

Apparently you can sell "second-generation" seeds to grain elevators for use as "commodity seeds," and Monsanto doesn't require that there be any restriction on the sale. However, Monsanto claimed this was infringement, even though the seeds were legally sold to the grain elevator and then from the elevator to Bowman without restrictions.

While Bowman had signed an agreement for his original seeds, he did not with this batch. Even Monsanto admits he didn't break the user agreement - just patent infringement for using the seeds. The US Federal Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an $84,456 damages ruling awarded to Monsanto in September 2011. 

However Bowman vowed to appeal this ruling and has now got the attention of the highest court in the US. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear his case and they expect it to happen in Washington, DC in January or February of 2013.

According to the Las Vegas Sun, the Obama administration urged the court not to take the case and warned that the outcome could affect patents involving DNA molecules, nanotechnologies and other self-replicating technologies. 

Bowman is arguing in his appeal that the Federal Circuit decision favoring Monsanto was incorrect, as an earlier court had agreed that Monsanto had no rights on how its product was used after it was sold to consumers.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/334359

Jewish & Christian groups respond to anti-Muslim NYC subway ads

Three different groups are responding to the launch of anti-Muslim ads in the New York City subways last month, by hanging posters of their own, right next to the "hate ads." 

Digital Journal reported on September 22, that a federal judge had ruled that the city’s transportation authorities could not legally refuse to host anti-Jihad ads in the subway. The ads, prominently displayed in the subway, read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad" and were placed by the executive director of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), Pamela Geller. 

 

The three groups are planning to place their own ads right next to them, including Rabbis for Human Rights - North America, the Sojourners Christian group and the United Methodist Women. The United Methodist Women have already added posters of their own to the New York subways, reading “Hate speech is not civilized. Support peace in word and deed.”

United Methodist Women

During an interfaith press conference on September 25, Harriett J. Olson, General Secretary of the United Methodist Women said, “We needed to be present with a counter voice, we need to stand for the work of peace, and to say that free speech should not be used recklessly or in an inflammatory way.” The groups want to respond with a message of love by hanging these pro-Muslim posters, in order to condemn intolerance and to celebrate the city's diversity. Rabbis for Human Rights plan their ads to read, “In the choice between love and hate, choose love. Help stop bigotry against our Muslim neighbors.”

Rabbis for Human Rights - North America

On their website, a message reads: “Our subway platforms and buses should not be the platform for messages of hate that divide friends, neighbors, and colleagues.” A petition on their website reads: “These disturbing and misguided ads are not meant to educate; they are meant to increase hatred and discrimination against New York City’s Muslims, and to drive a wedge between Muslims and Jews. The subway ads demonize Islam and ignore the positive contributions that our Muslim friends, neighbors and colleagues make to our country every day,” The Sojourners Christian Group are planning to use the message, “Love your Muslim neighbors.”

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/334226