Why Kony Awareness Event at Aweful Epicurean

WATCH THIS BLOG FOR TRANSCRIPT AND UPDATES

Like many of you I was excited when I first saw the Kony2012 video, but then I saw all the stuff saying it was a scam and I had to stop and ask some questions. If kony2012 has done nothing more than that - it is enough. So please, do not just listen to the negative hype and turn away. Ask Questions. Go to the invisible children site and actually look at the information there. Invisible Children had been accused of many things and like all who are accused deserver the right to answer. Here are some links I found helpful in making my own decision. Above all else do not turn away from this problem because of something you have heard (even from me). There are many groups working in this area it is my hope that you find one you can give your support to in effort and in words if not in donations. If you do not believe the ongoing efforts are the right answer .. what is? Please.. your suggestions are needed. Drop a note in the mail box.

I found many answers in the follow up video kony2012 part II: Beyond Famous

http://www.kony2012.com/watch_the_movie2.html

I heard it stated by anonymous that Kony had been certified dead and all charges dropped, but a quick look at the ICC web page assured me that this was not the case.

http://usaforicc.org/mostwanted/flash

I heard that it was all a scam and that the financial records of the group were not available. I found answers here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRx8aXaJ_Cs&feature=related

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/financials.html

and this section take from the page that gives the official answers to questions

IS INVISIBLE CHILDREN INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED?
Yes, Invisible Children has been independently audited by the outside accounting firm of Considine and Considine since Fiscal Year 2006, and all of our audits have resulted in unqualified opinions on the audit reports. An unqualified opinion means that the auditors believe the financial statements are "free of material misstatement and are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States."

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/critiques.html


I heard that most of the money was spent on making videos. Well yes, that is the task that they were first given - to get the word out  to the wold that there is still much to be done. But a significant amount does go to worthwhile programs on the ground and a little bit from a whole lot of people is more than a lot from a few . hence the value of promotion. What programs you ask?  I found that answer here:


http://www.invisiblechildren.com/programs.html


Yes these all come from the invisible children web page .. which was as far as I personally needed to go. I have struggled with their support of military action but given that 26 years and 5 peace attempts have not convinced Joseph Kony to give himself up I think it is time to go find him. When I asked myself if unarmed forces had any chance of arresting him given that he has a well armed and experienced army at his command, the answer was no, they could not so armed forces are necessary. The force proposed is a group effort of the countries currently affected and I believe the best hope to arrest Kony  and bring him to justice. While we have all debated this issue .. in the 1 month since kony2012 was released 57 more children have been abducted.

The UN called invisible children and asked them to make the defection fliers you see on the projects page.  I don't know about you but the UN has never called me and asked me to do anything. nor do I expect them too.

In the follow up video a woman asks .. If you have a formula for a better way, please come forward. If after reviewing this information you still can not support invisible children  what is the better answer? The world is waiting..  children are waiting for an answer. It has already been 26 years.. if not now when? Let's find a way!

you may also find these links of interest

http://www.enoughproject.org/

http://notonourwatchproject.org/


The contents of todays program will be posted on a blog at: http://insharpcontrast.blogspot.com/

TDP - Making Fuel From Garbage

WOW - These people are making gas and oil from garbage. Watch this and then let your community know about this possibility.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWf9nYbm3ac&feature

Girl Keeps Resolution - A Good Deed Every Day

What a great story. It isn't often we see teenagers in this light, but this girl has a lesson to teach us all. Maren McNees, of Atlantic, Iowa  made a new year's resolution to do one good deed a day and is keeping that resolution. Below I have given both the link to the printed story and the video. This certainly qualifies as Good News and has brightened my day to hear about it. I bet you can all find something good and uplifting and I would love to hear your Good News!


print.

http://www.ketv.com/r/27100637/detail.html

video

http://news.yahoo.com/video/omaha-ketv-18230073/girl-keeps-new-year-s-resolution-one-good-deed-per-day-24439740;_ylt=AjANFc9tTr7yXN.tYSBQhOaz174F;_ylu=X3oDMTE3aDVuMWswBHBvcwMyBHNlYwNtb3N0LXBvcHVsYXIEc2xrA2dpcmxrZWVwc25ldw--

Let Freedom Ring - Around The World And On Deeply Personal Levels

First of all, let me say it is great to be posting on this blog again. I have had several days of dealing with computer issues but things finally seem to be working right again.  The world is a rapidly changing place and it is always the bad news that gets the most attention, but I think the world is with hope and good news!
Today I am reminded of a song about freedom by second life musician Brendan Shoreland (David Walton) called "Freedom Is Inside My Head".

Political Freedom

Freedom is breaking out like an epidemic and that is a good thing even if it does involve a tough battle of wills. I won't comment much here on this topic as it is so much on the front pages everywhere but I also didn't want to give the impression that I consider the events in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Iran where people are standing up and taking action to gain freedom is anything but .. good news indeed! This is what happens when people become free inside their heads and take action on that fact on the street.

Freedom from Mental Illness

Today I found a wonderful article of hope on another type of freedom. A technology that has been used to help calm the symptoms of Parkinson's disease may have uses in the treatment of mental illness. This devise does not replace standard forms of treatment but gives hope to those for whom those treatments have not worked. Patients with severe forms of Turrets, Depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder have received the device with resembles a pacemaker for the brain, delivering tiny electrical jolts to the brain. Much research is needed to determine the best locations in the brain to deliver these jolts, but results have been promising.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41705773/ns/health-mental_health/

Celebrating Freedom for Egypt

I hardly need to say that today's good news is that the peaceful demonstrations by the people of Egypt have prevailed and we have seen history made. My prayers and best wishes are with the Egyptian people as they chart their future. There were moments yesterday of near panic when I thought that perhaps the masses had been pushed past their limit and would resort to violence. I had horrible images of a potential blood bath it the military turned against them. How glad I am that I was selling these people very short to have such fears. They have shown exemplary resolve to protest in a peaceful way for as long as it took. I have been impressed by the tenacity of Al Jazeera to keep getting the news out to the world despite their office begin closed, web site hacking and other forms of disrupting the broadcast, even to their reporters being detained. What a great day this is for Egypt and for the world and what a great opportunity for everyone to put fear and prejudice aside and see .. yes people of different faith, income, background and heritage can all work together.

http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/02/2011211165022206735.html

Tid Bits

  My fav stories from the front page today

Female coach of boys basket ball team turns this school around

http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Boys-hoops-team-s-rise-re-frames-school-thanks-?urn=highschool-317094

3d images of the sun .. how it was done and why it's important

http://news.yahoo.com/video/science-15749654/first-3d-images-of-the-sun-24105295#video=24107878


six earth like planets

http://news.yahoo.com/video/science-15749654/first-3d-images-of-the-sun-24105295#video=24064116

and - business is picking up - high tech trash

http://news.yahoo.com/video/science-15749654/first-3d-images-of-the-sun-24105295#video=24078164

No Yolk Folks, It's A Chicken Hotel

Oh the things people come up with! This is just another case of how the early bird gets the worm! David Roberts of Cornwall, England has answered the question nobody was asking. Who takes care of the chickens when the owners go on holiday? His answer is a Chicken Hotel, which is lending new meaning to the idea of serving chicken for dinner. This whole idea may just crack you up but the fact is his hotel was booked solid over Christmas and none of the guests made any complaints! The next time you need to be away from home you may want to consider The Chicken Hotel as a lay-over spot for your feathered friends.


http://www.good.is/post/in-cornwall-a-hotel-for-chickens/

Father Saves Daughter's Sight By Finding A Cure On The Interenet

Charlotte Durham suffered from severe migraine headaches and was in danger of loosing her sight from a rare brain condition called idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Her family had been told that she would need a series of expensive operations to save her eye sight. Determined that there had to be a better solution, her father, Andy Durham, searched the Internet for an answer. His search led to a medical study done in Greece that showed twenty-four out of twenty-six patients were completely cured of the condition after six months of taking the drug Octreotide.  Charlotte is reported to have seen dramatic improvements almost right away with a reduction in the severity of the headaches and relief from noise in her ears and pressure behind her eyes.  Just six months after starting treatment Charlotte was given the the all clear from her doctors.

Read the whole story here and pass it on!


 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1352510/Charlotte-Durham-beats-rare-brain-condition-father-finds-cure-internet.html

This story reminds me of an earlier post regarding a man who has written an app for navigating the complicated world of cancer treatments.

http://insharpcontrast.blogspot.com/2011/01/cancer-now-there-is-app-for-that.html

Jewish Prayers For Egyptian Uprising

In yesterday's post I spoke of Christians protecting Muslims while they prayed and and earlier story of Muslims standing to protect a Christian service. At the time, what I was thinking was - how wonderful it would be if Jews were part of this circle of acceptance that goes beyond tolerance to protection. However, I was the one behind the times. All this time there has been an outpouring of prayers from many Jewish people who see a parallel to their own history. Once again the people in Egypt are rising up against a dictator crying with one voice for freedom. Please read the whole story at the following link, and as always - pass it on!


http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/02/2011218490882163.html

Christians and Muslims in Egypt

A friend just passed me a link to photos of Christians standing together to protect a group of Muslims who were praying. This reminded me of an earlier article I had seen that was Muslims protecting a Christian service. I see these images and in my head I hear an old chant - all we are saying - is give peace a chance.  Seeing this level of respect and care for one another gives me hope that indeed, peace does have a chance. Please pass on good news, where every you find it!



Chirsitans protecting Muslims

http://yfrog.com/h02gvclj


Muslims protecting Christians

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/01/08/thousands-muslims-human-shields/

Saving the environment with potty trained pigs - no shit.

If this blog had categories, I wouldn't know if this should go under environment or shits and giggles. Yes friends, they have found out there are many advantages to potty training pigs! It sounds silly, but it makes a lot of cents! There must be thousands of other great ideas about how to save our planet and I would love to hear all about them - just stick them in a comment or share a link about them!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41241248/ns/world_news-world_environment/

Manufacturing UP and adding new JOBS!

WOW! This is great news! Things are getting better every day and it is wonderful to hear about companies not only making a profit instead of shutting down - but adding new jobs! Please, read this article and pass it on!

Companies are exporting more construction and mining equipment, and Americans are buying more cars, appliances and computers.

The Institute for Supply Management, a private trade group, said Tuesday that its index of manufacturing activity rose last month to 60.8. It was the highest reading since May 2004 and the 18th straight month the sector has grown. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Factory-activity-grows-hiring-apf-3467417365.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=6&asset=&ccode=

Hope for a bright future in Egypt

You have probably been watching the news in Egypt. I have had trouble taking my eyes from the screen myself. I haven't commented too much about it here but I am thrilled that the people are taking their destiny in hand. No government can stand against people this united! In particular, I wanted to pass on this amazing story of hope. People are beginning to look past the present moment to a better day.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110201/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_hopes_and_dreams

Goats, nibbling away at poverty - no kidding!

I have been saving my virtual money for some time now. At first I thought I would save until I had enough to travel but decided that by the time I saved that much - I would be too old to fly. And I have decided that money goes a lot farther and does much more good in other parts of the world. I had recently contributed a poem to an anthology being sold to raise money to buy goats for impoverished families. This not only provides a source of milk and cheese but the goats rapidly multiply, giving the family an income. I suppose the reason I have been so taken with the idea of buying goats is that I had once considered buying a small piece of land myself -  for growing a garden and raising some animals. After some research, I decided that goats were more practical to raise than cows. That idea never worked out for me, but I can be a part of helping it work out for someone else - and so that is how I spent my virtual money. Instead of buying a goat myself, I have donated it to a fund and now there will be a pair of goats purchased not just one - which leads to more goats. When I get depressed I think about these goats, and it makes me feel very glad indeed. You can find out more about goats and many other needful things - from packets of seeds to trees, from bars of soap to mosquito nets, and school desks to houses, and yes - goats, by clicking on the Oxfam link on this page. If you would like to buy a poetry book, you can get one at this link....

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/The-Best-of-the-Poets-Plunder-gift-Box/1745094


http://www.oxfam.org/

Power to the People in Egypt!!

I think it is good news anytime people stand up for their rights. In Egypt right now people are doing just that - taking to the streets to stand up for their rights. Amnesty International is calling for us all to lend our support

The number one request made by Egyptian activists of allies in other countries is to have their voice heard in solidarity at various Egyptian embassies and consulates. It’s pretty hard to do when the Egyptian government has shut down the Internet in Egypt and its US embassy public email address isn’t functioning.

This is a chance for us all to make a difference. Get the details here:

http://blog.amnestyusa.org/middle-east/take-action-and-support-the-egyptian-people/

Call today to the Egyptian embassy.  Emails sent to its public address are bouncing back, but telephone is working. The address is 3521 International Ct. NW Washington DC 20008. Phone: 202.895.5400.  Fax: 202.244.4319.

Health - WARNING About Resistant Starch

So what is all this buzz about resistant starch? Resistant starch is starch that acts like fiber! Great - carbs are not bad after all and resistant starch is going to make us all super slim? Not so fast! This is one of those times it is good to read the fine print. Before you go out to the potato bar and fill your plate with steaming potatoes topped with everything, read this. POTATOES MUST BE SERVED COLD for the starch to become resistant. That also goes for pasta. And yes bananas made the list but they must be very firm - the ripe mushy ones do not count either. This is true because not all resistant starch is the same. There are also chemically modified starches not found in nature and are labeled as "modified food starch."

Foods to look for:

Bananas - very firm, raw
Oatmeal
White beans
Lentils
Potatoes - served cold only
Plantains
Garbanzo beans
Pearl barley
Whole-wheat pasta - served cold
Brown rice

For more information try these links:

http://www.resistantstarch.com/ResistantStarch/About+RS/   

http://www.dietbites.com/Weight-Maintenance-Journal/Jun-01-2008.html

http://www.kcby.com/news/health/100449559.html

Thoughts On Thoughts and some words on the passing of Sargent Shriver

A few words on the power of positive. I won't even say positive thinking because my actual thoughts in recent days have not always been so much positive thoughts as they are spoken of in the positive motivational books. They have not been a repetition of positive affirmations. What I have been doing is trying to find these rays of hope. Words of encouragement that go beyond telling people what a great job they are doing (and they are) or how important they are in my life (and they are) to this simple act of searching for good news to pass along. No, I don't write a lot of original content - mostly because I think it has been said well enough already and I want the attention on the story being cited. And I want the source I got it from to have the credit, because that is where it belongs. But this small,  seemingly insignificant thing happened to me and I just want to share it because I think if you look at your own life through this particular lens, you will find that good things do happen - when you fix your mind on good and positive things. They may be small, but its the small things that add up and get us down sometimes and it can be the accumulation of small things that bring us up as well.

For some time, I have been dealing with an aging vehicle that is in the chronic state of repair. For the last year I have had a problem that required me to disconnect the battery at times to get everything to shut off. That problem has gotten worse and worse till now it is constant. I had reached the point of accepting that the repair had to be made, and ordered the parts. At first the part could not be found, then a used one was found and then lastly a way was found to just disconnect the offending part and it won't cost much at all. Now I had actually asked about this option before and been told it could not be done. Is it really a coincidence that when I was thinking about my problems and how hopeless they were that what I got was hopeless answers and then once I accepted the "bad news" and just moved on and kept my mind on what good news I could find and trying to uplift other people - my own problems melted away and the simple (and inexpensive) answers appeared? I'm not sure but it sure didn't hurt!

 Let's face it. Not all news is good and there are times when even being as positive as we know how to be, some things do sadden us. But here is the thing. Accepting that sadness and then moving on and finding the light in the darkness is what life is all about. I was sad, for instance, to hear that Sargent Shriver had died, but then I thought about that for a minute. He was 95 years old and had Alzheimer's. He had lived a full life - one of service, and his works lives on. Even in his death, he was serving his fellow man, by drawing attention to this disease. Knowing as I do that life continues even when this body passes away, perhaps I should be glad that he truly is now in a better place. I give thanks for the life he led and the example he gave us all. He and his wife were both true givers who left a legacy of hope. All of the important things about this man - remain with us. I was touched by the video of Bono's performance at the funeral. Sometimes there is more power to be had in simple things and this performance was that. Simple, sincere and very moving. And that's what it is about isn't it? Living life - sincerely.  You don't need me to give you this link – it has been widely published – but here it is
anyway.

Song from Bono  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf14XBbcVZg

Tribute by Maria Shriver http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ral11VD-5kA&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Autistic Photographer Gives New Perspective

"I want to see the hidden light."  Forrest Sargent spells out on a finger board . That light of hope shines through the photographs of this 19 year old autistic artist. The exhibit is in Olympia, Washington USA but the world can see some of these stunning images at the following links.

news story:

http://news.yahoo.com/video/health-15749655/23829767#video=23928376

website:

http://sargentstudios.org/

Music - Woman gives the gift of music to the deaf

This is one of those feel good stories about one person making a difference. I promote music and poetry in the virtual world of second life where many hearing impaired people find communication easier because of course, chat is text and so there is no difference in the hearing and the non hearing - up until people like me come along promoting live music and spoken word performances. I do attend events where what is spoken is transcribed into text and some events pass out the text of poems on note cards so that everyone can participate. The other day, at a music event, I was singing along by typing some of the words into text and was surprised by a private message from someone in the audience thanking me for giving them the words. Apparently, nobody knew this person was deaf. I have been haunted by that and trying to think of ways to open the door of music and spoken word to the deaf. I myself am a spoken word poet and understand that my poetry does not go over well just in type alone. I also not to mention - I do a lot of improv poetry, so it is totally lost - unless someone translates for me. This video shows me new possibilities. A big thanks to ABC news person of the week Allyson Townsend. 

http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/23928119

Targeted Cancer Treatment

Wow, there are so many advances being made in the treatment of cancer I can't even keep up with them all. Much of the progress seems to stem from advances made regarding genes. One new test enables doctors to pin point the mutations in genes that cause cancer. This allows treatment with targeted drugs.

http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/NewsPublications/FeaturedCategories/CurrentHealthCareNews/More/Technologycapturestumors%e2%80%99geneticprofile,guidescancertreatmentDoc348.aspx

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/101012/full/467766a.html