The Conflict


Here is a good article about Israeli/Palestinian conflict. It’s about the UN Relief and Work Agency that has been providing aid to Palestinian refugees for 60 years.
“ We have a million refugees in Gaza, 80% are aid dependent, and we have to advocate against this cruel collective punishment that is making life so miserable," said Mr Gunness.
"Let's be clear: this is not a humanitarian crisis caused by natural disaster. This is a humanitarian crisis of choice, of a direct political choice," he added"


Here is another one about some of the more recent fighting about a year ago.
“It was the start of an offensive that lasted for three weeks. The Israeli army says it killed 1,166 Palestinians. The Palestinian health ministry's count is about 1,500. B'Tselem, the Israeli human rights group, says that Israel killed 1,387 Palestinians during the war; more than half of them were civilians, and 252 of them were children.
Israeli attacks also did huge physical damage in Gaza to homes, businesses and the rest of the infrastructure of daily life.
Nine Israelis, including three civilians, were killed by Palestinian fire. Four others, all Israeli soldiers, were killed by their own side. Hamas rockets did little physical damage in Israel.”


The disparity in lives lost and damage done is unsettling. I think these two articles are good examples of what some people are upset about. All Americans need to be made aware of what is going on. Especially when so many of our tax dollars support them.

Joyous Noel

Two days before Christmas Day, a mare gave birth to a white filly at a farm/ranch in Bothell, WA. The filly was a total shock to the owners as they didn't even realize the mare was pregnant. I couldn't find the video but here is a link to the newspaper story. The filly's name is Noel.

http://bothell.komonews.com/content/surprise-baby-horse-born#comments

Baby Squirrel

Joe, I think you said you like stories about people helping animals. This is very touching and took place at UCLA. A baby squirrel was trying to jump up a wall to follow her/his mother (perhaps?) but couldn't make it. Some students who were watching did what they could to help out.

http://video.yahoo.com/network/100000089?v=5017561&l=100022574

Christmas Morning

I'm so tired and trying to get pumped right now and letting my scripts kick in. I thought I would share one of my favorite songs from a musical ever. It helps me feel more optimistic and shit. This is Origin of Love from Hedwig and the Angry Inch.



Miles Finch Meets Buddy the Elf and James Caan (Can Elf be the best xmas movie ever?!)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to my wonderful friends - and here's a Christmas offering for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmzpc9CqK_E

It's Official



A study from the staff at New Scientists found dogs are better pets than cats. Don’t despair cat lovers, it was close. 11 traits were compared and dogs won 6, cats won 5.
Personally, after raising both, I will choose cats. I love my dogs but their barking is annoying and you can’t leave them at home for days at a time with just a litter box, some water and a bowl of food. The downside to cats is you can’t really take them for a walk.

The dog in the photo is in the running for the largest dog in the world and sleeps on it's own queen sized bed. Yikes!

No Words

Lazy ass cat


Lazy Freaking Cat - Watch more Funny Videos

I have grown up with cats and thought I had seen everything. Just had to share.

Indochinese Tiger Extinction


I had only heard about this Tiger about 2 months ago and I knew it was a species vulnerable to extinction, it has since officially gone extinct in the wild (in China). There are about 1,000 in Laos. I can't help but think that is a generous number. Regardless, the next generation of humans likely will never be able to see one.

The last wild Indochinese tiger in China has been killed and eaten by a villager.

Harvesting Organs


Just wow. I wonder if we do this:

ISRAEL has admitted that in the 1990s, its forensic pathologists harvested organs from dead bodies, including Palestinians, without their families' permission.

The issue emerged with publication of an interview with the then-head of Israel's Abu Kabir forensic institute, Jehuda Hiss. The interview was conducted in 2000 by an American academic, who released it because of a huge controversy last summer over an allegation by a Swedish newspaper that Israel was killing Palestinians to harvest their organs. Israel hotly denied the charge.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/world/israeli-army-admits-stealing-organs/story-e6frev00-1225812349031

Avatar

I think I am going to get high and go watch Avatar by myself at the Imax down the street. If I do, be prepared for a very lengthy review.

Worm Factory


I was out and about today, saw these and thought of Joseph. I know I have linked to worm composting before but for the beginner who has about $100 this looked like an easy way to start. Here are the features: *Year Round Production
*Odor Free Operation
*Expandable with 1, 3, 4, or 5 Trays
*Easy to Assemble and Manage
*Ventilation Lid with Tips
*Can house 8 to 12 thousand worms that consume 5-8 lbs of food per week
*5 year warranty on parts and workmanship
*The Worm Factory is made in the U.S.A.
*Includes a 16 page instructional booklet with pictures.
*Built-in worm tea collector tray and spigot for easy draining

I didn't know what worm tea was so I looked it up.

If anyone can steer me how to label my post like you guys do I would appreciate it. I know I'm going to want to find some of these post later....

Reparations

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1136383.html