this video, I think, is powerful -- NY kids talking about school and testing

An insulting, disrespectful tone will derail effective communication.

If communication here in these threads is not effective, we
are not informing each other, we are not learning from one
another, we are not inspiring, collaborating, organizing or
encouraging.

The key is effectiveness. If you (or anybody) talks to me
as if I am an idiot, I am less likely to listen or read your
point of view.

I think we each have a responsibility to make our own
communications as clear and nonviolent as possible,
remembering always that every human on the planet
needs kindness, especially the mean ones.

* Third Vatican Council * YOWZA * so sad to edit and report this is satire oops.

The Third Vatican Council concluded today with Pope Francis announcing that Catholicism is now a “modern and reasonable religion, which has undergone evolutionary changes. The time has come to abandon all intolerance. We must recognize that religious truth evolves and changes. Truth is not absolute or set in stone. Even atheists acknowledge the divine. Through acts of love and charity the atheist acknowledges God as well, and redeems his own soul, becoming an active participant in the redemption of humanity.”


“Through humility, soul searching, and prayerful contemplation we have gained a new understanding of certain dogmas. The church no longer believes in a literal hell where people suffer. This doctrine is incompatible with the infinite love of God. God is not a judge but a friend and a lover of humanity. God seeks not to condemn but only to embrace. Like the fable of Adam and Eve, we see hell as a literary device. Hell is merely a metaphor for the isolated soul, which like all souls ultimately will be united in love with God” Pope Francis declared.

In a speech that shocked many, the Pope claimed “All religions are true, because they are true in the hearts of all those who believe in them. What other kind of truth is there? In the past, the church has been harsh on those it deemed morally wrong or sinful. Today, we no longer judge. Like a loving father, we never condemn our children. Our church is big enough for heterosexuals and homosexuals, for the pro-life and the pro-choice! For conservatives and liberals, even communists are welcome and have joined us. We all love and worship the same God.”
-snip

In a announcement that shocked many people, Pope Francis warned that “those who seek to deny a home to the migrant, to the African and the Muslim, risk their membership in the church. We will consider excommunication for those whose souls willingly dwell in the darkness and evil of intolerance and racism. Satan himself is a metaphor or a personification, for the collective evils of mankind. Today, these evils manifest foremost as racism, intolerance, religious persecution and bigotries of all kinds.”

Kitten vs Lizards

more dog shaming :)

This stuck in my mind and is bothering me. Damn you Megyn Kelly!! Just kidding, my own fault

for watching.

What struck me in particular -- I almost NEVER watch
Fox news, except here in clips, or on the Daily Show --
is how she puffs up like a rooster when she speaks of the
"Powerful Fox News"

vs the hair-on-fire-race-baiters
(like Jimmy Kimmel et al.. oooh comedians)

Powerful Fox News
all puffed up
what is that?
Do they ALL say that about Fox?
Powerful Fox News

and oh... they are all "BIG TARGETS" AAAGH :hair on fire:

and by the way, race is still a big volatile issue in this
country hellooo Megyn anybody home? You are way too
mean and shiny for your own good.

phew that's better

Rick Perry in negotiations to accept Medicaid expansion - Turning Texas Blue

much much more at link

Edit, so as not to mess with your brains, this is satire.
I just found out. I thought it was true.
So funny.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/03/1259894/-Rick-Perry-in-negotiations-to-accept-Medicaid-
expansion-Turning-Texas-Blue?detail=email

This morning it is being reported that Texas Governor Rick Perry has agreed to enter into negotiations with the majority Republican legislature concerning ACA Medicaid expansion. Previously Perry had publicly turned down any thought of accepting any provisions in the ACA which has become better known as Obamacare.

But many Republican State legislators in Texas are receiving requests from constituents wanting to take advantage of this opportunity. One Republican legislator who would not go on the record told me there is a lot of anxiety in the chamber as members watch other states taking advantage of the ACA Medicaid expansion.
He went on to say, “ What are we going to do come 2014, what am I going to tell my constituents, that you can’t have insurance because I am a principled man, that is BS, and I’ll tell you I am not the only Republican in this chamber who feels this way.

We can’t ride on coattails no more, and this Abbot a lot of us are not fans of his, and Wendy Davis has lit a fire in the suburbs with women voters. We are in for a hell of a fight in this state. The Republicans in Washington might not see it, but hell, every time I walk out my office door I have to pass by these Turning Texas Blue volunteers registering folks and selling them on the idea of Medicaid expansion.”

It's a curious phenomenon, the ways various people see him,

as if they knew him, or knew more than their
own small point of view.

I don't see a corporatist, I see a man of integrity who
is doing his best, working way harder than probably
nearly anybody else on the planet, to do the right thing
for the people of this country and the world as well.

He is not stupid enough to be blind to the damages
being done by corporations, cheaters and deceivers,
fearmongerers, warmongerers, godmongerers. As
far as I can tell he has always been a man of heart
and conscience, great intelligence and courage.
That's how he was raised and who he became.

I have never had particular expectations of what
he's able/willing to do as president, and for that I am
glad. I continue to see a man of vision who is
having a big impact on history. He is navigating
brilliantly, in my opinion, through a delicate maze
of obstructionist spiderwebs and previous administrations'
devastation. When he became president it was like a
war zone, and continues to be. Not only had Bush
wrecked everything, but there were enemies and
spies everywhere, the media propaganda machine
was all set to roll, the money was all in place, the
supreme court was in the pocket, and wall street
was flying high with liars and thieves at the top.

Look what has happened anyway. Don't be
cynical, it helps nobody. Focus on solutions.

Can somebody explain "rub the mexican monkey" to me?

?

Storm Turns Lighthouses into a Chilling Masterpiece