| Pacific road towards socialism. |
[29 Dec 2009|02:34pm] |
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 As it is evident from the facts of reality and from the analysis of Pacific Unity League, the ruling groups of Oceania are not interested in development on the basis of economic self-sufficiency and real progress. They are interested in the preservation of a dead-end economic model since their true social nature is comprador i.e. they are intermediaries between national market and owners of foreign capital, which penetrating this market. The path in which they are pushing their own people is the path of eternal underdevelopment and neo-colonial dependence. The unenviable fate of low-wage lackeys of rich Western tourists and unhappy lot to become guest workers in Australia and New Zealand are in store for the peoples on this path. It is the path of destruction all national traditions and culture with transforming them into exotic entertainment for the wealthy Western tourists. And the only way out that letting the Oceania peoples to avoid this sad future is path to socialism.
It is possible.
Experience shows that bursting through the front of imperialism and neocolonialism is not a simple task even for the larger countries than the small island states. So, why the victory of socialism is possible in Oceania? To answer this question,
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| Energy Revolution and dead-end economic model. |
[26 Dec 2009|09:38pm] |
 It is obviously to everyone now that energetics needs the revolutionary changes. Energetics based on nonrenewable energy resources (oil, coal, gas) have to be replaced, sooner or later, by energy based on the inexhaustible sources. Although two-thirds of the world's electricity is still generated by thermal power stations working on fossil fuels, which are to a great extent responsible for the adverse environmental effects (global warming, ozone depletion, etc.), almost all developed countries are actively elaborating alternative energy sources.
The solar and wind energy are considered by many as these sources. Indeed, these powers are reliable and highly desired renewable energy sources. But in spite of all this they have significant limitations. Such alternative power plants can't work at night and in case of lack of winds. In order to radically change the structure of power generation in favor of renewable resources we need a stable energy source that has great energy potential.
And that source really exists.
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[25 Dec 2009|03:45am] |
Do any stores in Houston buy bikes?
I have Montana Mongoose mountain bike that's in very good condition (see my Craigslist ad here). I just haven't had much time to use it and I'd rather sell it to someone who'll get to go out and really enjoy it. :) Craigslist has mainly yielded spam and people promising to pay me in bank draft certificates, so I'm considering other options for getting this bike off my hands.
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| In need of house stores |
[23 Dec 2009|01:29pm] |
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I am looking for stores that sell furniture, house stuff, for great prices. A great price to me is a chair or side table that doesn't cost more than 50 or 75 dollars. I already have The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Craigslist, Freecycle and Habitat Restore on the list. Is there any other place similar to these that I may not have heard of? Antiques are fine but I wouldn't think they would be in my price range.
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| British priest: Shoplifting by poor sometimes OK |
[22 Dec 2009|10:38pm] |
British priest: Shoplifting by poor sometimes OK
By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer
1 hr 9 mins ago
LONDON – For a priest in northern England, the commandment that dictates "thou shalt not steal" isn't exactly written in stone.
The Rev. Tim Jones caused an uproar by telling his congregation that it is sometimes acceptable for desperate people to shoplift — as long as they do it at large national chain stores, rather than small, family businesses.
Jones' Robin Hood-like sermon drew rebukes Tuesday from fellow clergy, shop owners and police.
From his pulpit at the Church of St. Lawrence in York, about 220 miles (355 kilometers) north of London, Jones said in his sermon Sunday that shoplifting can be justified if a person in real need is not greedy and does not take more than he or she really needs to get by.
The remarks drew a summons from Archdeacon Richard Seed, who said on his Web site that the church rejects the view that shoplifting can be acceptable.
"The Church of England does not advise anyone to shoplift, or break the law in any way," he said.
"Father Tim Jones is raising important issues about the difficulties people face when benefits are not forthcoming, but shoplifting is not the way to overcome these difficulties. There are many organizations and charities working with people in need, and the Citizens' Advice Bureau is a good first place to call," Seed's statement said.
Eleanor Course, a spokeswoman for Seed, said the archdeacon wants to meet with Jones to discuss the "appropriateness" of his sermon.
"The point we are most concerned about is that shoplifting is simply not a blameless, victimless crime," she said. "We want to make clear that it simply doesn't help people. And the last thing a desperate person wants is to be caught for shoplifting, so we feel this advice is very unwise."
Jones told The Associated Press that he stands by his comments. He said he regretted only that the media is focusing on his view on shoplifting rather than the underlying problem he wanted to address.
"The point I'm making is that when we shut down every socially acceptable avenue for people in need, then the only avenue left is the socially unacceptable one," he said, adding that people are often released from prison without any means of support, leading them back into crime.
"What I'm against is the way society has become ever more comfortable with the people at the very bottom, and blinded to their needs," he said.
He said shoplifting could help people who are legally entitled to government welfare benefits but have the benefits delayed for bureaucratic reasons.
This approach was quickly rejected by members of the British Retail Consortium, a prominent trade organization trying to reduce theft.
"It's the job of our welfare system, which retailers support with the billions they pay each year in tax, to help vulnerable people," said spokesman Richard Dodd. "There are no excuses for stealing."
The North Yorkshire Police also condemned Jones' approach as counterproductive because people already in marginal conditions would find themselves in trouble with the law if they resorted to shoplifting.
"First and foremost, shoplifting is a criminal offense, and to justify this course of action under any circumstances is highly irresponsible," a police statement read. "Turning or returning to crime will only make matters worse, that is a guarantee."
People in need should turn to charitable organizations and government agencies for help, rather than take matters into their own hands, the police said.
"To do this would make the downward spiral even more rapid, both on an individual basis and on society as a whole," the statement said.
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[22 Dec 2009|04:29pm] |
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music |
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The Karminsky Experience |
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Hey! There's a communist farm in Virginia! They have a 42 hour work week!
I love the "Two Legs Good" caption. And keep an eye out for the 'In Ukraine, flash football with half-naked girls to attract officials' attention to problem of prostitution" crawl. Sounds effective.
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| New Caledonia: only wise policy would lead to independence. |
[21 Dec 2009|06:14pm] |
 This large Pacific island was discovered by James Cook in 1774, and named Caledonia, the ancient name of Scotland, Cook's homeland. Favorable island climatic conditions and fertile soil had attracted the interest of European colonizers - traders, planters and missionaries. In 1853 France announced the island its colony. Then within 30 years the French government had deported many convicted criminals to New Caledonia.
The struggle for independence of the Kanak people, indigenous people of New Caledonia, has a long and glorious history. A new stage of this struggle began in 1985 when “Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front”, led by the outstanding son of the Kanak people Jean-Marie Tjibaou, started its activity. FLNKS had advocated the establishment of an independent Kanak state. The events on the Ouvéa Island in 1988 became culmination of the struggle. FLNKS fighters had taken hostage 27 French gendarmes and judge and demanded immediate independence. The French colonial authorities sent a special commando unit. As a result of bloody clashes, the rebels were forced to let gendarmes off. Jean-Marie Tjibaou was assassinated. But the colonizers realized that they can not longer maintain their dominance in the previous form and made some concessions.
According to the Matignon (1988) and Nouméa (1998) Accord, New Caledonia was granted some minor attributes of independence (such as a local Caledonian citizenship, "national" flag, etc.) and some rights of autonomy. These agreements also set down that the people of New Caledonia will decide at the referendum whether it wants to remain under the authority of France. The holding of the referendum may not be earlier than 2014.
There are pro-independence parties and anti-independence parties at today's New Caledonia political arena. The largest pro-colonial party
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| Another Explosion? |
[19 Dec 2009|07:38am] |
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mood |
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Uh-oh. My whole street in Clear Lake was just awakened by a series of what sounded a whole lot like the one explosion in Seabrook last week. Again, in a bright blue sky.
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| Bye Bye Billy |
[19 Dec 2009|11:38am] |
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music |
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Sweet & Dandy-TheMaytals |
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Racist threats could mean 35 years in prison for the Roanoke neo-Nazi
Done in by his own words, Internet hatemonger William A. White was convicted this afternoon of threatening people from Virginia Beach to Canada.
http://bit.ly/6unCD4
Not happy the state is in charge of imprisoning this tw@t, but nice to see this nonetheless.
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| Only two more chances to see LIFE IS HAPPY AND SAD, the new Daniel Johnston play! |
[18 Dec 2009|03:02pm] |
That's right, folks. Tonight, tomorrow and it's gone gone gone.
TONIGHT AFTER THE PLAY, we'll have a Q&A with David Thornberry, Daniel's best friend and the guy the tape-letter that makes up Act 1 was created for.
Also...we might–and I do mean might—have another very special guest attendee for the Q&A this evening.
TOMORROW AFTER THE PLAY there will be a number of rad local bands, including Young Mammals and Roky Moon and BOLT and many others, covering Dan's music.
This play is very special. Don't miss it.
All tickets are pay-what-you-can and are available at the Catastrophic Theatre's website. The shows are at DiverseWorks. Door at 7:30, show at 8:00.
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| best prices on booze? |
[17 Dec 2009|07:03pm] |
Ahoy Ninjas!
I am going to purchasing a full bar's worth of booze, mid-grade and top shelf stuff, for my wedding. I am under the assumption that Specs is the best place to buy booze in Houston, but I figured i'd ask if anyone knows of any Liquor Stores that might have better pricing than specs. Also since the wedding is on NY's Eve, good deals on champagne or any general recommendations would be appreciated.
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| California student unrest |
[17 Dec 2009|09:55pm] |
Hello everyone,
I'm new here. I'm not an anarchist, but I've been developing an interest in the subject recently, particularly after reading a rather powerful communique released by some of the students involved in the recent unrest within the public higher education system in California. I'm not sure whether it can be properly classified as anarchist or not (or if the authors would want it to be classified at all), but it has certainly got me thinking. It's been a while since it first appeared online, but I don't think it has been posted here, so hopefully there is no harm in me sharing it. I'd be interested to hear what you think:
Communiqué from an Absent Future: On the Terminus of Student Life
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| Solomon Islands: we must not repeat mistakes. |
[17 Dec 2009|09:24pm] |
 We have already written about the difficult fate of the Pacific state of Nauru after independence. It would be very unpleasant if another jewel of the Pacific - Solomon Islands, repeated the same mistakes.
Solomon Islands achieved independence from Britain in 1978. This state with a population of over half million people consists nearly a thousand islands, whose total area is 28 thousand square km. A very significant part of the Solomon Islands population continues living in the conditions of traditional society, preserving its tribal and community structures. This is largely due to the fact that European colonizers settled on the Solomon Islands later than on the other Oceania archipelagos since they were given hard rebuff their activity. Only in the 60s years of the XIX century, the European traders, planters and missionaries succeeded a firm foothold on the islands.
Since 1870, European slave traders and recruiters started to deliver the Solomon Islands inhabitants for working to the plantations in the Australian province of Queensland. The islanders were sold also to work on plantations in Fiji, New Caledonia and Samoa. While the islanders put up armed resistance, the slave traders were mercilessly killing those who resist or those who tried to flee. They staged bloody punitive expeditions and burned villages. The thousands islanders were dead of poor conditions and diseases on the plantations.
The legacy of the dark period Anglo-Australian colonization is a lopsided economy based on exports such goods as tropical timber, fish, copra and cocoa. But even this undeveloped economy has been undermined as a result of tribal conflict in 1999-2003.
In fact, the country has only just regained its economy. The state is now at the crossroads.
Solomon Islands, like Nauru, are rich in mineral resources. There are explored deposits of lead, zinc, nickel, gold, bauxite and phosphates. But the only
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| Dermatologist rec? |
[16 Dec 2009|04:45pm] |
Can you recommend a good dermatologist in the med center area?
Thanks!
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| My brain is not working... |
[16 Dec 2009|03:51pm] |
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I'm trying to remember the name of a store - it's a fancy-schmancy home store with high end kitchen and bath stuff off I-10 - near Memorial mall, but on the other side of the freeway... I think it's near that Hobby Lobby?
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