The Reiki Cafe 

Hi All,

Recently, apparently, there has been more concern about the health of Fidel Castro. I can just imagine "the W" drooling every time he thinks about the possiblity of Castro dying while he (the W) is still President. Don't ya imagine it would be a lot simpler to invade Cuba and help them on the way to democracy than it has been in Iraq?? I mean, with no other super-powers to contend with.........and so close to the USA, too.

I wonder if Fidel still has has nukes or just huge cigars?

Cheers,

RC

Ahahhaha. Alot funnier than you realize. A day or so before elections, Bush was in Florida telling the cuban voters that he intended to make Cuba a place where they can enjoy all the same freedoms there, as they do here.

I doubt Cuba would do so willingly, so what exactly do you think he intends to do?

Conflagration,

Hi.

A Bay of Boars?

Cheers,

RC

Don't know about the nukes or cigars but you can bet he's got some North Koreans for W!!!!

good gourd. how many warfronts will bush open up, in his own fantasy interpretation of his "war on terra" (misspelling intentional)?

don't get me started. best i oust myself right _out_ of this convo!!!

*assumes lotus position*

namaste,
lunarreikin

Oh dear, it just gets worse, doesn't it!
From where we sit (down under!) I wonder whether we are fed lots of propaganda or media crap or whether it is as bad as what it looks to be living in the "land of the free" (GWB-land) (move over Walt disney, Bush has his own massive theme park!)
To slightly change the subject, I read the following news item and it shocked me to my core.....is there anything you guys can DO??@!!
Sunshiine
December 9, 2004

“Your Papers Please”

US adopts National ID: Homeland Security Now In charge of Regulations for all US States Drivers Licenses and Birth Certificates

By: Jonathan Wheeler

In a chilling act more reminiscent of the now defunct Soviet Union or the Nazi regime of Adolph Hitler, the United States Congress passed legislation yesterday that requires the States to surrender their regulatory rights over driver’s licenses and birth certificates to The Department of Homeland Security.

The massive US Intelligence Reform Bill weighed in at over 3,000 pages and though unread by individual Members of either the House or Senate nevertheless passed all of the legislative hurdles needed in order to become law.

President Bush lobbied hard for these provisions, only objecting when Senator Sensenbrenner attempted to require these same provisions for illegal aliens but which the President opposed. This provision was dropped from the final bill.

Beginning in 2005, the Department of Homeland Security will issue new uniformity regulations to the States requiring that all Drivers Licenses and Birth Certificates meet minimal Federal Standards with regard to US citizen information, including biometric security provisions.

Added to currently existing Federal Laws and Supreme Court rulings American citizens when born will be issued a Social Security Number that will be included on their Birth Certificates, along with DNA biometric markers. All birth certificates will also be registered in a Federal Government database maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. No child will be allowed enrollment to schools or be entitled to either State of Federal Government benefits programs without first presenting a certified Homeland Security registered Birth Certificate.

Drivers Licenses will also contain DNA biometric markers and include the holders Social Security Number and be required for receiving and applying for all State and Federal benefits programs. Previous Supreme Court rulings have also upheld State and Federal Law Enforcement authorities right to request Identification from any American citizen, for any reason and at any time as not being violations of their, the citizens, constitutionally protected rights.

Major Banks and credit card companies have applauded the adoption of a National ID system as being important to counter fraud and increasing instances of identity theft. National ID cards with biometric markers will eliminate them from having to issue Credit and Debit cards, which for the first time in US history have surpassed the usage of checks and cash. Utilizing The Department of Homeland Securities centralized federal database, Banks and credit card companies will only require the presentation of a citizens Driver’s License to make purchases as all of the persons financial information, including credit and cash balances, will already be known in ‘real time’. (The combining of Homeland Security and Banking databases on citizen’s balances and purchases, along with their past and present purchasing information, has been allowed under previous Federal Laws including the Patriot Act.)

Also included in this bill is a law to require The Department of Homeland Security to establish a separate ID system for citizens to use prior to boarding airplanes, and which is eerily reminiscent of the Soviet and Nazi regimes dreaded Internal Passport.

Never before in our history have the words of Benjamin Franklin been so correct when he stated: "people willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both".

Today, December 9, 2004 will be one of those moments in time that future historians will look back on and pin point as being the day that the United States of American, and as it was founded by its forefathers, ceased to exist.

Hi everyone, and all the best for the new year!

Mayeb this latest coup by the conservatives in th U.S is simply the natural progression for this form of democracy called capitalism.
Karl Marx mistakenly theorised that capitalism would burn itself out and implode. What if it 'evolves' into a form of oppression for enough of a majority to turn the system around. After all, most people in the West have been quite happy with the status quo. We have a decent lifestyle, not like those poor buggers recovering from the tsunami, who unlike our residents, cannot enjoy govt. welfare while they rebuild their lives.
I think we can expect in the next 10 years, to see many more infringements on the rights many of us take for granted.
It's like the shadow and the light.
As the light becomes stronger andmore people become spiritually aware, the stronger the forces in our shadow psyche, that plays out in the material world around us.
Lets hope 2005 can be a lot more peaceful for a lot more people!!
Best Wishes, lyssa

Fidel has a younger brother, named Raul who would take over should Castro die. I doubt it would be like the death of Yassar Arrafat, and the confusion of "whos in charge" that followed.

The Cuban embargo what a crock. Personally I am against most of the embargos that america sanctions on rouge countries. I think it immoral that we punish a people for the wrongdoings of a few in its government. It is said that 50,000 people died a year (mostly women, children) in Iraq due to the sanctions. Thank god for the war..... I guess
The easist way to oust castro is to start trading with cuba. Fidel benefits by having an oppressor, america , if he loses that he loses power.

Would love to visit cuba while it is unspoiled. Think of it, no mcdonalds and 7/11's on every corner, just pure unwesterenized cuba. When the embargo is lifted it will all be ruined.

Happy new year!

lunarreikin,

Hi,

Yes, lotus not forget that exquisite sit.

Cheers,

RC

In keeping an eye on news since the elction it seems as if more and more of bush's backers and leaving him behind. I think at the time of 9/11 everyone was all kinds of pissed off at what happened, so in the heat of the moment they made some rather rash decisions. Now a few years late more of the government seems to be getting tired of Bush's crap. Lots of folks were okay with going to war with Iraq at the costs estimated at the time not what they have spiralled to be. And it seems like every time bush tries to further his own agenda whatever that may be he is being met with more public and governmental criticism. Alot of opposition is beign raised and alot of former proponents for what he stood for are now sitting back and going " Okay enough is enough." Especially since election time, he seems to have increasing difficulties in having congress pay attention to his more outlandish "schemes". Alot more congressmen/women are binging up everything he's failing on. And the media seems to be more about talking about where he's screwed up.

All in all this is a good thing. Other countries are getting even more pissed off at his incessant meddling. Everyone has a limit and it seems he's hitting that limit with more folks everyday.

I think no matter where you live, propoganda is a part of daily life. Alot of stupid stupid things go in America. I think we try to hype all the good things and blatantly ignore the bad when dealing with other countries. But I think this is often reversed when other countries speak about us. Then again alot of times other countries say what alot of Americans need to hear and only the dumbasses in the US get mad about it.

I had not specifically heard about that new law. But it doesn't surprise me. And it is definitely on my stupid list.

Fortunately the media seems to have this newer trend of talking about the ecology of the planet and how the US is a major part of the screw up.

It is a small planet.....

We are all in this together....

Sunshiine

There are Americans visiting Cuba. The route is not direct, but Via Mexico. Something strange has to be done about/with the passport, because any proof that Americans have visted can't be shown up in their documents.
Also I have heard of Americans getting there Via Moscow, where if they are registered in Moscow they can get in on an Identity card.
They are going there for the fishing. Cuba does offer some good Flats fishing for Bonefish, Jacks, Permit etc.

Having worked in the fishing industry, in a store that caters for the international traveler, I do know this is true and not anecdotal.

Cuba is a populer holiday destination for Europeans. Good weather, firendly locals and it's cheap
Namaste

Rob
Friendship with oneself is all-important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Bush has constantly refused to sign up to the Kyoto accord, which basically deals with greenhouse gas emmisions. The USA has been buying up other countires quotas so it can pump more pollution into the atmosphere without being seen to break a previous agreement.
This is probally due to having Oil men in charge of a country. If all of a sudden you over there started all to drive automobiles that did 50 - 60 miles per gallon, oil company revenues would drop dramatically.
I'm glad to hear that the media over there is finally getting involved and voicing disquite about this subject.
Lets hope they get listened to.

Namaste

Rob
Friendship with oneself is all-important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Its not up to Bush to sign Kyoto, has to go thru the house and senate then to his desk. Good luck, even if he wanted it to pass.

Its a trade off, America emits 25% of the worlds pollution, but it provides 25% of the worlds wealth. China will soon be the worlds worst polluter, They may sign Kyoto but will never live up to it. As third world countries industrialize, the pollution will get worse. I think america will grow out of pullution thru technology.

Russia just signed Kyoto a few months ago, anyone trust Putin enough to believe that he will follow thru with it? I dont. I think putin is a snake.

Hopefully fuel prices will stay high, that way there will be enough "profit motive" for companies to make hydrogen cars and electric plants. You know what the hottest selling car is ? The gasoline/ electric cars from Toyota, there is a year wait to get one!. Let the market take care of the problem not politicians.

You guys are pessimistic about the future. LOOK, everything is going to be fine, If you dont think everything is going to be fine then make it so (right) in your own life and community.

Pray for the president, ask whoever you pray to- to guide the president and the world. Sometimes the things that you think are right or should be done are not the best. I have to believe that the greatest good is happening even though I dont see the logic in it yet.

H.

JOE

Actually, I think that this story may be a little inaccurate. The new law actually prohibits states from putting SSNs on drivers licenses and other identification. It does however legislate national standards - which is troubling in itself. DL's in my state, and many others, already have digital photographs and scannable info. My guess is that we will have to see how it plays out in the courts, which is where I'm sure it will get eventually.

Blessings,
DesertWolf

Yeah the Kyoto treaty has been in the news alot lately. Basically what the government is saying is that it would really interferre with industry. Which yeah it probably would. But to me it's the kind of thing that they have had plenty of time to work on over the years and haven't seemed to be doing too much. And we're responsible for like 29% of the of the emissions.

Alot of states haven't even started making plans to be in accordance with the Clean Air and Water Act. Even though legally these plans are supposed to already be in effect.

It just seems the majority of congress doesn't really care. At best they pass laws they never enforce for temporary relief from the environmentalists. It looks like they are doing something for a short while then in the long run nothing happens.

Bush in particular has repealed most if not all of the environmental acts , programs whatever from the Clinton administration. And that was in his first year.

It seems like they figure if the rest of the world does their part then they don't have to. But i think it's bs.

I am indeed rather pessimistic about it. I would have a different outlook if it appeared that some sort of effort was being made. I do understand these things take time. And yes the people have a part to play. But what if most folks in this country don't want to do their part? Why should the environment have to suffer from lazy folks and profit mongers?

The government should indeed do something. Okay so we didn't have the technology to start this way from the beginning. We know better now and do have better technology even if not perfect, but change is rare if at all.

Hi Joe
Yes I agree about China. Unfortunatly loads of manufactoring jobs are going that way because of cheap labour and work practices. One UK manufacturer put it this was to me. For every UK worker he can get 20 Koreans or 100 Chinesse workers, The technology gap is closing, and now days something that was only availible in top quality, either US or European made now can be made in near enough the same quality at a fraction of the cost in the far east.
Both China and Russia (Putin) Might surprise us and actually try to succeed in lowering emmissions, but as you say it is unlikley in the short term.

Not sure if higher Gas prices will actually help that much.
The price that you pay for gas in the US is still a fraction of what it is here in the UK. Road traffic has not abated, although there arn't as many Gas guzzlers out there.

One effect higher gas prices will have however, is to increase the price of goods in the shops.

We pay around £3-80(Around $7-30US) per gallon.
How about you?.

Our planet will eventually put right what we in the last 150 years or so have got wrong. The river Thames (Flows thru London) at one time was that polluted that if some one fell in the pollution would kill them before they could drown. The river was to all intent and purposes dead.
The other week a Dolphin was seen swimming outside of our Houses of Parliment(Centre of London) and Salmon once again have started to Run the river again.

Namaste

Rob
Friendship with oneself is all-important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.
Eleanor Roosevelt

lotus...not, indeed.

thanks, reikicurmudgeon, i actually needed that. ;)

cheers brulé,
lunarreikin

We pay about 1 british pound for gas ($1.80) You guys are used to high petrol prices and small cars. We are not. We are very spoiled, and are not used to scaling down our wants and needs. Bigger is better in america.

Honsetly I think internal combustion engines are going to be obsolete in 15 or so years, Hydrogen will be the fuel of the future for the countries that can afford them. As long as oil prices stay high in the u.s. We all ready are demanding the same cars but gas / electric hydrids. 2005 gm & ford will be comming out with Suv's and trucks that are hybrids. If fuel was under a $1.00 a gallon these vehicles wouldnt even be a thought.

H.

Did you know that china is gearing up its automotive factories to produce cars for export? They are junk now, but in a few years you may start seeing them on your street.

Otoharo!

Halaliel, I want to add to what you say. X said in relation to the big shift, that we would lose all petroleum. And it would be about five years before an alternative energy source would be put in place, namely the sun. We have free energy to do anything at all we want to do when we learn how to harness the energy of the sun. There is plenty for all.

Thus, there will likely be about five years that we can make use of a horse or mare friend. And we may have to know how to survive on wild herbs, there is plenty around when you live near meadows. My winter garden is full of chick weed, really tasty and full of nutrients. As are my perenial herbs. Of course I live in land reclaimed from the river flood plane which will flood. So I have to know a place to move to at the right time to get out!

finality

Interesting what we all pay for fuel.

Dare I comment that here, the fuel prices are horrendous in a country where distance is a part of everyday life.
We are so reliant on private motor vehicles (public transport does not seem to take on the big country roads at any regularity or reliability)

We pay currently in this part of the country around $1.15 per litre (it is much higher in the north and interior, ironically, where fuel is a matter of life an death!)
That computes to about $4.40 per gallon.

sorry to my american friends, but we rather curse your politics when we fill our tanks.

Butwe still love you guys.
Bring on an alternate solution please!!!!!
Sunshiine

Finality,
with all due respect to your beliefs in X and the big shift, I would like to ask you something.
Do you allow for the possibility that this may not happen? That this may be another form of channeling that shows itself in time to have been incorrect?

love and light,
lyssa