-> MY GLASS HOUSE
 BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE WORLD'S MAGAZINE.
WHY should you advertise here? We'll tell you.
VA INFORMATION and VETERANS' MORTGAGES 
|
A small, independent and outspoken magazine like this one can't reach you every week without the support and patronage of its readership. As our way of thanking those who have committed to keep your World's Magazine here on your desktop through their generous donations, we feature their names and cities here in our Roll of Honor.
SUSTAINING PATRONS
RON DIENER,
DARHL STULTZ,
MATT STOWELL,
TIMOTHY MEADOWS,
CHERYL HILL NATION,
DRAGAN & DRAGANA VICANOVIC,
LESZEK MICHAELWICZ,
TERRY TERRIAN,
BECKY ALTEMUS,
BARBARA ATWELL,
We encourage you to add your name to this Roll of Honor. GENERATOR 21 cannot continue and thrive without your support. Thanks in advance.
To support G21, please send checks or money orders to:
G21: The World's Magazine
To donate by credit or debit card, please go to the Western Union website by following the highlighted link. Should you donate via Western Union, please notify us via e-mail.
Please make all remittances payable to Rod Amis. Again, thanks.
|
Lizard Lick, NC, USA - 26 August 2005: It still rankles a bit that one of the writers for this publication accused Yours Unruly of being "liberal" earlier this year. I realize that the accusation was a result of slightly fuzzy political analysis; liberals believe in the self-correcting nature of democracy, I do not. Rather, I believe - as a dissident must - that the malignant qualities in democracy, wh ich are exemplified in the American and British flavors, are not correctable merely by choosing one politician or political party over another.
For true change to occur, history has proven over and over, the issue(s) must be forced. Power and privilege don't' give up anything willingly. Thus, I must forcefully assert that if the world does not resist the corporatist American version of "democracy" - a misnomer for what is little more than the polyarchy of big business and military interests - humanity is an endangered species. As John Dewey wrote of politics, it is "the shadow cast on society by big business." An apt description of the "democracy" this country proposes to enforce around the globe.
Perhaps that is why so many in what's called the "alternative media" and a number of leftist political organizations in this country have glommed onto Cindy Sheehan this month. She's become the big Story Du Jour for being plain spoken (dare I say "blunt") about the misguided policies that led to the US/UK occupation of Iraq and the death of her son.
Many of the more Pollyannish types among my colleagues are being quick to assert that Ms. Sheehan has "jump-started" the United States peace movement and that the Bush junta is now in trouble over the war. I doubt it.
My cynical suspicious is that, refreshing as it is to hear someone unashamedly call thes e clowns on their hubris and malignancy - something that's been our stock-in-trade here for years - the effect on U.S. policy - as opposed to the cacophony about it from either side of the hectoring political media - will be negligible.
The Bush leaguers will do what they always do: resort to the smear campaign and the politics of personal destruction. The shambling opposition will do what they always do: whine and cave.
Will the "dialogue of democracy" suddenly gain new depth, producing more light than heat? Again, I doubt it. As I say, there is no real democracy to speak of here. The Patriot Act will sail through the Republican Congress toward renewal and be signed by the President. More, not less, American youngsters with guns will be sent to Iraq and come back with inexplicable symptoms that will not be attributed to exposure to depleted uranium weapons. (Long-time Loyal Readers will recall that we first brought up the issue of the widespread use of weapons "enhanced" with depleted uranium during the war in Kosovo years ago. Only now is it gaining even a modicum of attention among the MM.)
Here on this page, I'll keep singing the song of the canary in the coal mine, on these and other issues, as I have these nine-plus years on the Web, and keep hoping that the miners realize a disaster is looming ...
NEWS TO ROD
ITEM ONE: I subscribe to the Human Rights Watch newsletter (act surprised) even if I seldom point you to issues important to the organization. I try to avoid only bringing you the doom and gloom of the world, my love. Nonetheless, every now and again an issue touches me so that I bring it to your attention.I watched this weekend a short video presentation -- that you can download by following this link (High speed, broadband connection recommended) - about the children known as "Night Commuters" in Uganda.
Because of the rebellion taking place in northern Uganda, where children are often kidnapped and victimized, children in that country have taken to walking at night. They walk so that they won't be kidnapped to be used as pack animals, sex slaves or soldiers by the marauding rebel armies. Being stationary is taking the risk of being victimized they've learned. So, when the sun goes down, they walk. Sometimes they walk to the next village but, more often than not, they are walking to an overcrowded refugee camp.
We've talked about the atrocity of child soldiers in this space before. I won't belabor it again. Take a look at the video and then follow the Uganda in formation at the Human Rights Watch Web site to see how you can help ...
ITEM TWO: The 26 August, 2005, edition of the Energy Bulletin Web site published an article by Dr. Shepherd Bliss ("Gas Pump Pain - With China Coming On Strong" - Follow link to read complete article.) that offers these significant observations:
Gasoline station owners are also being hit hard by mounting prices, in worse places than their pocketbooks. As prices mount, so do thefts and violence. "Gasoline theft cost retailers nationwide $237 million in 2004-more than twice the $112 million loss in 2003," according to an Aug. 23 Associated Press story.In this thought-provoking article, Dr. Bliss argues that "Supporting the expansion of truly local economies that are not based on globalization is essential. This is certainly not the time to be building more roads or Big Box stores."Gasoline station owner Husain Caddi died Aug. 19 in Montgomery, Alabama, according to the AP story, "after being run over by a driver who police believe wasn't going to pay for $52 worth of fuel. Police are searching for the driver of the Jeep-style SUV." AP adds, "With gasoline prices soaring, industry experts predict the number of drive-offs-and violence-will increase."
The mainstream media has published many articles on oil recently, But until August it has tended to ignore the growing number of geologists and oil experts predicting the imminent arrival Peak Oil -- the mid-point of petroleum supplies, which will be followed by a gradual decline while the global trend toward increased consumption continues.
If my own observations in the Research Triangle of North Carolina are any indication, not many city planners are reading the Energy Bulletin right now. Neither are reporters of most of our Mouthpiece Media (MM.) I guess it's my turn to act surprised.
No bout a doubt it, my pal DC Stultz has a great love of eye candy. I have to believe that because he's always sharing great photos with me, either in PowerPoint presentations or embedded in e-mails. He has a particular love of aerial photography, I've observed. I get lots of that in my "In" box.I've reminded him that, now that I'm on a dial-up connection out here in my woodland exile, downloading those e-mails take me fo-o-or-ev-ev-er. He doesn't listen, may the Great Mystery bless him. Once I do finish the download, I'm usually thrilled.
So once again I'd like to share a few glimpses into
ROD'S PHOTO ALBUM
This series of photos feature the amazing work of a muralist. Unfortunately, DC's e-mail did not include information as to either the man's name or where I can learn more about his work. If any of you recognizing this person responsible for dramatically changing the landscape of some of our cities here in the United States, please write in and let me know so that we can offer much-deserved credit where it is due.
The first two photos are of a nursing center before the muralists work began.
The second two are a detail of what the wall looked liked after his hand came to it and a full shot of the wall after completion.
The fifth photo features a non-descript wall that could be on any urban business in any corner of the country. The sixth is what it had been most magically transformed into after completion.
UPDATE: 21 February, 2006: It always helps to ask.Reader Robin Oquindo took the time to contact me and let me know these fabulous murals are the work of Eric Grohe. Mr. Grohe is an award-winning (you can see why) murals with a distinquished career. Visit his Web site and take a look. Thanks, Robin!
The final photo in this section is from an ad campaign by a fashion company called Wallis, in the United Kingdom, I believe. It is my favorite of a series of four from the "Dress to Kill" campaign. From what I gather, it's gotten quite a buzz here on the 'Net. The "Subject" line for the PowerPoint presentation in which the four shots came was "Why Men Don't Live Longer." Ha-ha.
The G21 READERSHIP POLL
As the Holiday Season approaches, our thoughts turn to loved ones, expenses, taxes, what has transpired during the waning year and our dreams for the upcoming year. We tally things unfinished and things to be accomplished. Our harvest season poll is meant to address these issues.< b>THE POLL QUESTION: What has happened thus far this year that really "rocked your world" and how does it change your plans for next year?
DEADLINE: 31 OCTOBER, 2005. The responses and results will appear in NOVEMBER. Thanks in advance!
LIFE OF ROD
28 August, 2005: First the (sorta) trivial stuff:Still trawling for jobs, of course. (I should say "a job," right?) Attempting to continue my research about potential grants and fellowships.
- "ROME" premieres tonight on HBO. I am so jazzed!
- DC sent me a "care" package of crime novels. It's quarter past time that I began reading some fiction again. I'll get in the right mind-set for the "G21 Lite" edition we have slated for next week.
- I should soon be receiving a pack of my favorite tobacco, American Spirits. Yippee!
- This edition is coming out early, which will allow me a break before the next one.
It looks as though, even as she gains deadly momentum, Hurricane Katrina is spot-on for New Orleans. I have to ask myself. "How many times can that town dodge the inevitable bullet?" And: "Is this the bullet with New Orleans name on it?"
I told you before about how Orleans Parish keeps ten thousand body bags in stock for The Big One. The latest I read is that Katrina could be the biggest one to hit the Big Ea sy in forty years.
That could all be hype, of course, as most storm stories about New Orleans -- prior to the storm's actual arrival -- have been since I first moved there.
But, this time, maybe not.
I spoke to Matt on the phone this afternoon. He was stuck in traffic on I-10 near Biloxi. The traffic, he said, was moving at an average of ten miles per hour. He'd packed up his computer, important papers, some clothes, Jo and her dog, a quart of vodka, some tonic, limes, a couple of six packs of beer and sandwich fixings. He was hoping to get out of Mississippi before it gets too late in the day and the weather begins to turn.
I'm glad I'm not still living in New Orleans today.
I wrote another e-mail to my pal Terry ("Van Helsing"), in California, as I haven't heard from him in months and I'm worried about how he's doing. He sounded good the last time we talked and was excited about the birth of his new granddaughter. But lately, silence again.
Silences from him, under the circumstances, make me nervous.
Maybe one of these times that I write to you, my love, I'll have something wonderful to report. This is not that time.
Thanks for comi ng back this week. Keep me in your prayers as I keep you in my own.
SPECIAL REPORT: KATRINA SLAMS NEW ORLEANSTHINGS I PRAY FOR AGAIN THIS WEEK
1 - That elusive job that I can enjoy as much as it enjoys me.
2 - A social life.
3 - A girlfriend.
"Work like you don't need the money,
"Love like you've never been hurt,
"Dance like no one is watching ... "
Love,
Rod
Rod was a columnist for the Andover News Network, w here he wrote over two hundred articles on web design and development issues. He was principal writer and Editor for IT Manager's Journal, where he reviewed technology issues weekly, producing 383 editorials. He became the Managing Editor for Electronic Mail/Newsletter Publications at Andover.net at the end of February, 2000, and left in September of the same year. He was a contributing writer for ACCESS Internet magazine, which appeared both on- and offline for 10 million readers in 100 newspapers like the San Francisco Chronicle, New York Post, Boston Herald, Austin American-Statesman, Denver Post and Orlando Sentinel, among others. Rod was the US reporter for Silicon.com, a division of Network Multimedia Television in London, UK, reaching 3.5 million European readers, until May, 2001.
In 2002, he worked as Assistant to the General Manager of a Big Easy company that does restaurants and nightclubs. He did stints as the Resident Philosopher at three separate gin mills in that city in the French Quarter and the Marigny, earning his stripes during two successive Mardi Gras seasons. Oh yeah, Rod's had Day Jobs working construction. Mostly renovations of old New Orleans structures, houses and a bar. Sometimes he designs Web sites for other people so that he can get his creative juices flowing the way he can't at a staid publication like this one . And he's been the instructor in Editing for Internet Publications at the Novi Sad School of Journalism in Yugoslavia.
Our Resident Philosopher has exchanged his legend mobility for a means of keeping your World's Magazine. Now he must become earnest about gaining a financial underpinning for this enterprise. (Read: Buy back his freedom.}.
In his spare time, he chases women in the manner that a fly pursues a spider.
He continues to be committed to integrity, chastity and a dose of humility.
| HOME | THE PREVIOUS GLASS HOUSE | THE NEXT GLASS HOUSE |
CREDITS || AWARDS || SEARCH ENGINES || LINKS ||
VOX POPULI is YOUR PAGE to talk back to us. I'm glad you're not bashful. Keep those cards and e-mails comin', Kids!
Our Editor does listen!
© 2005, GENERATOR 21.
E-mail your comments. We always like to hear from you. Send your kudos, brickbats and suggestions to rod@g21.net.
