Sxandros says Subaru Outback is smooth....

...likes his friends...

2010-07-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

Son of ‘the most interesting man in world’ Sxandros II…says….don’t just do nothing…!!!. Get involved in your planet, your community, in governance, in neighborhood activism or whatever, and have fun!!!… Just get in there!!…,.make a difference Q T !…

Sxandros & friends like the Outback.....

Sxandros II ...smoothest dude in the world...

While in college he was life of the parties he never attended

Police often question him, just because they find him interesting.

His blood smells like Aramis cologne.

He has amassed an amazingly large DVD collection, and has never once alphabetized it.

If he were to mail a letter without postage, it would still get there.

The pheromones he secretes effect people miles away… in a slight, but measurable way.

He once punched a magician. That’s right, you heard me.

His hands feel like rich, brown suede.

He lived in the hills of the Serengeti for a summer after being gifted six wives by

a local tribe’s headman.

He owns 4 sports cars, and rents 5 and billionaire retired thoroughbred horses are in a bidding war tying to buy the privilege of him riding them..

He taught his horse to read his email for him.

He was the featured man at a bachelorette auction he brought in over 13 million euro, under the table.

His personality is so magnetic, he is unable to carry credit cards.

Even his enemy’s list him as their emergency contact.

He never say’s anything taste like chicken… Not even chicken.

He speaks fluent Spanish, Greek and Sinhalese.

His charm is so contagious, vaccines we’re created for it.

If he were to punch you in the face, you’d have to fight off the urge to thank

him…

Exciting and fun like his friends...... Outback The Legend

Subaru Outback

The legend of the Subaru Outback.....

Subaru Outback

Manufacturer	Subaru
Parent company	Fuji Heavy Industries
Production	1995–present
Assembly	Ōta, Gunma, Japan Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Class	Mid-size station wagon / crossover SUV Mid-size car (sedan)
Layout	F4 layout

The Subaru Outback is a crossover automobile manufactured by Subaru since 1995. Its original concept originated with Subaru of America, which was suffering from slumping sales in the mid-1990s partly due to a lack of an entry in the then-burgeoning sport utility vehicle market. Lacking the finances to design an all-new sport utility vehicle, Subaru decided to add body cladding and a suspension lift to their Legacy wagon. Christened the Legacy Outback, after the rugged areas of Australia, Australian actor Paul Hogan was the spokesman in the North American market, playing off the Australian name of the vehicle and portraying the vehicle as a capable and more efficient alternative to larger, truck-based SUVs.

All Outbacks sold worldwide are equipped with all wheel drive as standard equipment, the only drivetrain setup available.

Sales exceeded expectations, with Tim Mahoney, Senior Vice President of Subaru of America stating "[the Outback] saved our company."^[1]

Subaru introduced the Outback to Japan as the Legacy Grand Wagon–then renamed Legacy Lancaster in model year 1997. In 2004, the Outback name was adopted worldwide and moved to its own model line. All vehicles in the Outback line are derived from Subaru's Legacy, except the Outback Sport (aka Impreza Outback), which is derived from the Impreza hatchback.

Some credit Subaru for inventing the crossover genre with the Outback, while others point to it as the first in a resurgence of a class of vehicles that started with American Motors' Eagle wagon, launched in 1979.

First generation (1995–1999)

First generation

Also called	Legacy Grand Wagon (MY99) Legacy Lancaster
Production	1995–1999
Body style(s)	5-door station wagon 4-door sedan (USA only)
Engine(s)	2.2L SOHC 135 hp (101 kW) H4 2.5L DOHC 165 hp (123 kW) H4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	103.5 in (2629 mm)
Length	185.8 in (4719 mm)
Width	67.5 in (1715 mm)
Height	63 in (1600.2 mm)
Related	Subaru Legacy

1st-gen Legacy SUS Limited

The Outback was formally introduced at the 1994 New York Auto Show, and was known in Japan starting August 1995 as the Legacy Grand Wagon, and in the US and Australia as the Legacy Outback, a trim package with normal ground clearance but an "SUV look" with two-tone paint and fog lights. For MY 1994, the Legacy wagon was available as the Alpine Sport and Sun Sport, which were Value Option Packages included on the "L" trim level wagon, and graphics denoting the option package installed. The exterior was designed by Olivier Boulay, who was hired by Subaru on a short-term basis. It became a separately-marketed line in the United States in 1996. At this point it gained Outback-specific changes included unique bumpers (with large driving lamps incorporated into the front bumper), tweed-like seats and door panel inserts, taller tires with more aggressive tread, and a 7.3 in (185 mm) ground clearance, with a 7.87 in (200 mm) ground clearance in Japan.

The previous generation Legacy wagon had an optional air suspension, which allowed the driver to temporarily increase the vehicle's ground clearance, however the permanent increased ride height used on the Outback proved to be more practical. Subaru sales had been declining up until that point in North American market. With the help of clever marketing, a trim level called the Outback intent on making the Subaru a more capable multi-terrain vehicle offered an affordable and fuel efficient alternative to the popular SUVs that were outselling Subaru's traditional offerings.

1998 Subaru Legacy Grandwagon Lancaster Limited (Japan)

In September 1997, the Japanese Legacy Grand Wagon was renamed Legacy Lancaster though 1998 cars retained the Grand Wagon nameplate along with the new Lancaster plate. The JDM Grand Wagon and Lancaster were only available with the DOHC 2.5 liter flat-4 engine, receiving a 10 hp (7.5 kW) improvement in 1998. Some Japanese-spec Grand Wagons came with digital climate control, plaid seat upholstery, a dual-range manual transmission and a Momo black leather steering wheel. Because the only engine available in Japan was the 2.5 liter engine, and the exterior dimensions exceeded Japanese regulations for vehicles classified as a "compact", Japanese buyers of the Grand Wagon were liable for taxes charged to larger cars, and was regarded as a luxury vehicle in Japan.

The Legacy SUS (for "Sport Utility Sedan") was launched with a limited production test run sold in New England (USA) in 1998 and, based on its success, was rolled out nationwide the following year. The "Limited" trim level package for the Outback wagon was standard equipment on the sedan body, with the addition of a (non-functional) hood scoop and trunk-mounted rear wing. The "SUS" moniker was removed with the introduction of the Second Generation.

Over the years since its introduction, Subaru has incorporated the Outback nameplate variously to the Outback wagon itself, and an Impreza-based Outback Sport model. All American Outback models are built at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive plant in Lafayette, Indiana. Plastic side cladding was not present on the side doors of the Outback; the lower half of the doors were painted a contrasting color also found on the front and rear bumper covers.

(Second generation (1998–2004)

Second generation

Also called	Legacy Lancaster (Japan) Legacy Outback (Europe)
Production	1998–2004
Body style(s)	5-door station wagon 4-door sedan (USA only)
Engine(s)	2.5L SOHC 165 hp (123 kW) H4 3.0L DOHC 212 hp (158 kW) H6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	104.3 in (2649 mm)
Length	187.4 in (4760 mm) (wagon) 184.4 in (4683.8 mm) (sedan)
Width	68.7 in (1745 mm)
Height	63.3 in (1607.8 mm) (2000-01 wagon) 62.2 in (1579.9 mm) (2002-04 wagon) 58.3 in (1480.8 mm) (sedan)
Related	Subaru Legacy

2002 Subaru Outback Limited sedan

2001–2003 Subaru Outback 2.5i station wagon (Australia)

2002 Subaru Legacy Outback (Europe)

Based on the third generation Legacy, the Outback became its own model and the Legacy SUS remained unique to North America, and was realigned with the Outback Limited package, offering the sedan, with an optional horizontal six-cylinder engine, also optional on the wagon. This bodystyle was introduced to Japan September 1998, and was called the Lancaster for the second generation, with the six-cylinder in Japan called the Lancaster 6. The USA-spec Outback was available starting in 2000. The Outback saw a competitor from Nissan in Japan only called the Nissan Avenir Blaster with a similar appearance to the Outback starting October 17, 2000.

The rear seat on the Outback sedan does not fold down, unlike previous generations where the rear seat had a 60:40 folding seat for extended length items. Rear headrests are now included as standard equipment on all trim levels. The ground clearance is 7.3 in (190 mm). The engine now meets California's LEV emission standard.

All trim levels retained the typical AWD layouts seen in previous generation Outback, depending on transmission choice. Manual transmission models came with a mechanical "Continuous AWD" system which was normally 50/50 front/rear, and relied on limited slip differentials to redirect power front to rear, rear to front, and from one rear wheel to the other (when fitted with a rear limited slip differential). Automatic transmission models had an electronically-controlled AWD system that was 90/10 front/rear and redirected differing amounts of power to the rear wheels continuously. When accelerating or driving uphill, the vehicles weight shifts rearward, reducing front wheel traction, causing the transmission to automatically send torque to the rear wheels to compensate. When braking or driving downhill, the vehicle's weight shifts towards the front, reducing rear wheel traction. The transmission again compensates by sending torque to the front wheels for better steering control and braking performance. If the automatic is placed in Reverse or "1st" gear, the transmission divides the torque 50-50 to both front and rear wheels.

The Outback came standard with a 165 hp (123 kW) by SAE, 4-cylinder boxer engine, however it differed from the previous four-cylinder in that it reverted back to the SOHC design; that, and maximum torque (166 lb·ft (225 N·m)) was available at a lower rpm. The 2.5 L SOHC four cylinder engine uses a timing belt that must be replaced around 100,000 miles (160,000 km), whereas the 3.0 L six cylinder engine uses a timing chain that doesn't require replacement under normal conditions.

The base model six-cylinder was offered as the H6-3.0 — its interior, and available options, were identical to those of the Outback "Limited", with the exception of manual transmission, which did not physically fit with the larger powerplant. Badging for all 6-cylinder Outbacks was located on the front grille as well as on the rear of the vehicle.

In a higher trim level, known as the Outback L.L. Bean in the USA, a 200 Watt McIntosh stereo system was standard from 2001 to 2003. These were some of the only vehicles ever factory-equipped with McIntosh stereo equipment. Options also included an in-dash six-disc CD changer, VDC (for Vehicle Dynamics Control), and dual moonroofs. OnStar was available as an option on the USA-spec L.L. Bean. In-dash satellite navigation was offered on Japan-spec vehicles on upper trim level wagons starting with Model Year 1998, and continued to offer a Momo black leather steering wheel with genuine wood inlay, gearshift knob and parking brake handle. Plaid upholstery was still offered on Japan-spec Lancasters.

The six-cylinder was also available as the VDC, with Subaru's VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) system, which integrated stability control with traction control. The system was also mated to a previously used Japanese-market AWD system, called VTD, in which power was split 45/55 front-to-rear in normal conditions. When wheel spin is detected, the system cuts power to the spinning wheel and directs power to those that aren't. Only when necessary do the brakes slow the affected wheels, when the vehicle detects excessive oversteer or understeer. This package had more sound insulation than other trims, as well as those features found on the L.L. Bean, such as McIntosh stereo, OnStar, and leather interior. Its curb weight was just slightly higher than that of the standard L.L. Bean trim, and while the VDC badging was placed on the front quarter panels only, the H6-3.0 and Outback markings were also applied as usual.

Australian delivered models

Australian-specification vehicles differ from cars delivered in the United States by following the Japanese models; primarily headlights, side indicators (on front quarter panels), rear tail lights, front and rear bumpers and a higher placing of the "Outback" badging on the front door bodywork (as opposed to being placed on the plastic cladding).

This generation of Outback was released in an early style with gold coloured cladding, all-in-one headlights (not dissimilar to the US model headlights) and internally a light gray cloth (sometimes speckled with various colours), a light brown wood textured dashboard and a plain instrument cluster. A nudge bar (a smaller style of bullbar or roobar) was also available as an aftermarket option. The later style (2002–2004) was updated with silver cladding, an updated range of paint colours, multi-unit headlights (where headlight and indicators were in different sections of the unit) and internally a dark gray/black cloth, dark gray plastics, a very dark brown faint wood texture and metal trims on the dials of the instrument cluster.

Models available included the base "Outback", the "Outback Limited" which added a sunroof and cloth/leather seats and the "Outback H6" which included the 6 cylinder engine with VDC as described in this article. The H6 was released with slightly different 16" wheels and available in a single metallic pearl off-white colour instead of the usual colour with gold or silver cladding. The H6 was only available in automatic, apparently due to the size of the 6-cylinder engine taking up too much space to fit the manual box and associated dual range mechanicals.

Subaru Baja

Main article: Subaru Baja

2004 Subaru Baja Turbo

The Subaru Baja (pronounced ba-ha) was a light-utility, all-wheel-drive, four passenger, four-door crossover manufactured from 2003-2006 by Subaru. The Baja combined the handling and passenger carrying characteristics of a car with the open-bed versatility, and to a lesser degree, load capacity of a pickup truck.

The unibody design borrowed heavily from existing mechanicals, platform and sheetmetal of the second generation Subaru Outback wagon.^[2] Production began on July 18, 2002^[3] as a 2003 model at the Lafayette, Indiana, factory (Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., aka SIA) once shared with Isuzu.

The Baja's concept recalls many similar car-based, open-bed vehicles:

Subaru's earlier BRAT four-wheel-drive, unibody pickup marketed in the US from 1978–1987)
Other small US-marketed unibody pickups: Volkswagen Caddy, Dodge Rampage/Plymouth Scamp
The prominent US rear-wheel drive Ford Ranchero and Chevy El Camino^[4]
the two- and four-door vehicles of Australia, known as Utes
much earlier American car-based pickup truck known as Coupe Utilities.

The Baja is named after Mexico's Baja California peninsula—home to the Baja 1000 off-road race.

Third generation (2003–2009)

Third generation

Also called	Legacy Outback (Japan and Europe)
Production	2003–2009
Body style(s)	5-door station wagon 4-door sedan (USA only from 2005–2007)
Engine(s)	2.5L SOHC 175 hp (130 kW) H4 2.5L DOHC 250 hp (186 kW) H4 turbo 3.0L DOHC 250 hp (186 kW) H6 2.0L turbodiesel 148 hp (110 kW) H4 (EU)
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	105.1 in (2670 mm)
Length	188.7 in (4793 mm) (2005-07 wagon) 186.2 in (4729 mm) (sedan) 189 in (4801 mm) (2008-present wagon)
Width	69.7 in (1770 mm)
Height	63.2 in (1605 mm) (wagon) 59.1 in (1501 mm) (sedan) 61.6 in (1565 mm) (2008-present base wagon)
Related	Subaru B9 Tribeca Subaru Legacy

3rd-gen Subaru Outback Limited sedan (USA)

2003–2007 Subaru Outback (Australia)

2007–2009 Subaru Outback (Australia)

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i (USA)

October 22, 2003, with the debut of the fourth-generation Legacy at the 60th Frankfurt Auto Show, the Outback name is now being used worldwide (Australia, Europe, Japan and USA) with the launch of the third-generation Outback wagon. Models equipped with a 3.0 L H6 were introduced at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show. The ground clearance is 8.5 in (220 mm).

The Outback carries the same model codes as the Legacy Wagon, BP9 for the 2.5 liter, and BPE for the 3.0 liter model. The highest trim level offered in the USA is the Outback L.L. Bean that offers optional equipment as standard, including wood and leather steering wheel, an auxiliary port on the stereo for MP3 compatibility, perforated leather seats, GPS navigation, double sized, one piece, glass moonroof and the H6.

A new Outback variant for 2005+ is the Outback XT. This model comes with Subaru's turbocharged 2.5L 4-cylinder engine found in the Impreza WRX model. This engine produces 243 hp (181 kW), which is much higher than the naturally aspirated 2.5L producing 175 hp (130 kW). The XT model can be equipped with any of the 3 standard transmissions: 4-speed Auto-SportShift, 5-speed Auto-SportShift, or 5-speed manual.

In July 2008, Subaru ceased offering a special edition L.L. Bean trim level on the Outback.^[5] Subaru beefed up their AWD 4EAT transmission's design and released the 5EAT w/ SportShift in 2005 The Outback received styling revisions for the 2008 model year, notably an enlarged, chrome-ringed grille. As of the 2008 model year, the Legacy wagon and Outback sedan were discontinued in the United States, leaving the Legacy sedan and Outback wagon. The JDM and EU diesel model has a "Start/Stop" button (in the top-of-the-line-model), found in Lexus, Infiniti, Audi and other high end makers.

For 2008, the 2.5i USA model has been certified PZEV emissions, and a badge has been attached to the rear of the vehicle on the bottom right hand side of the tailgate. All other models are certified LEV2. The PZEV Outback is available for sale in all 50 states, unlike other manufacturers who only sell PZEV certified vehicles in states that have adopted California emission standards.

In 2007, the Outback (along with the Ford Mondeo) won Top Gear's "Car of the Year" award.^[6]

EyeSight

Starting May 2008, the Japanese-spec Legacy could be fitted with a new safety feature called EyeSight. It consists of two cameras, one on each side of the rear view mirror, that use human-like stereoscopic vision to judge distances and generally keep tabs on the driver. The system helps maintain a safe distance on the highway, warns the driver during unintended lane departure, emits a wake up call should everyone else pull away from the traffic lights, and keeps an eye out for pedestrians.^[7]^[8] SI-Cruise has been integrated into the EyeSight feature as a driver safety aid.

Diesel

The Subaru EE series flat-4 diesel engine is offered in both Legacy and Outback models in Europe exclusively. Identified as the Subaru Outback 2.0D, the vehicle was released March 2008. The vehicle is offered with a 5-speed manual transmission only. The official introduction of the Legacy and Outback diesel was at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 2008.

According to the Subaru Owners on-line newsletter dated March 2008, Subaru is "currently making modifications to the diesel so it meets the more stringent U.S. standards. Subaru diesel models should be domestically available in two to three years."^[9]^[10]^[11]

Engines

Model	Years	Type (code)	Power, torque@rpm
Global engines
2.5i	2005-	2,457 cc (2.5 L; 149.9 cu in) SOHC H4 N/A (Naturally Aspirated) (EJ253)	173 PS (127 kW; 171 hp)@6000, 227 N·m (167 ft·lbf)@4400
3.0R	2004-	3,000 cc (3.0 L; 183.1 cu in) DOHC H6 AVCS (EZ30)	245 PS (180 kW; 242 hp)@6000, 297 N·m (219 ft·lbf)@4200
2.0D	2003?-	1,998 cc (2.0 L; 121.9 cu in) DOHC H4 turbodiesel (EE20)	150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)@3600, 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf)@1800

Transmissions

Model	Years	Type
Global engines
2.5i	2003?-	5-speed manual dual range, 4-speed Sportshift
3.0R	2003?-	5-speed Sportshift
2.0D	2003?-	5-speed manual

Fourth generation (2009–)

Fourth generation

Manufacturer	Subaru
Parent company	Fuji Heavy Industries
Production	2009–
Body style(s)	5-door station wagon
Layout	AWD
Engine(s)	2.0 L DOHC turbodiesel 148 hp (110 kW) H4 2.5 L SOHC i-AVLS 170 hp (130 kW) H4 3.6 L DOHC DAVCS 256 hp (191 kW) H6
Transmission(s)	Lineartronic CVT 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	107.9 in (2740.7 mm)
Length	188.2 in (4780.3 mm)
Width	71.7 in (1821.2 mm)
Height	65.7 in (1668.8 mm)
Curb weight	3,658 lb (1,659 kg) (3.6R Limited)
Related	Subaru Legacy Subaru Tribeca Subaru Exiga

JDM Subaru Outback 3.6R (note difference in front grille, side mirror installed turn signals, and pop-up headlight washers)

The fourth generation Subaru Outback was introduced in April 2009 at the New York Auto Show, the fifteenth anniversary of the first Outback's introduction at the same event. The Outback was introduced in Japan May 20, 2009.^[12] The "Legacy" prefix has been dropped internationally. Air Bags are offered for the driver and front passenger, side bolster airbags for front seats on the outer edge, side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers and a knee bolster air bag for the driver.

The ground clearance increases to 8.7 in (220 mm), and is the ninth Subaru vehicle to feature continuously variable transmission (CVT). The double-sized moonroof is no longer being offered, and has been reduced to a conventional size that doesn't extend over the rear seats. The turbocharged engine is also no longer offered on all international versions of the Outback. An engine coolant temperature gauge is no longer offered, replaced by a fuel economy gauge instead. When the engine temperature is below normal, an indicator light shines blue and when the engine is overheating, the light turns red.

The side windows are no longer frameless, ending a Subaru tradition started with the first generation Leone in the early 1970s. The "D" pillar on the wagon is no longer covered in glass, also ending a design tradition established with the first generation and borrowed from the Subaru XT. The front and rear bumper covers are no longer painted a contrasting color, but the plastic side body cladding continues. The external "Limited" badge has been retired on North American vehicles, and if the vehicle has the 3.6 L six cylinder engine, the rear of the vehicle has a "3.6R" badge applied internationally. Black housing for headlights is not offered on the Outback worldwide. January 21, 2010, the Outback was introduced for sale in South Korea.

Subaru introduced improvements to the chassis that they call Dynamic Chassis Control Concept, which uses high-tensile steel in critical areas to achieve high strength with lighter weight. The front-end structure introduces Cradle Mount that isolates the suspension and engine from the passenger compartment for a smoother and quieter ride using rubber mounts. New for this generation is a double wishbone rear suspension, with all suspension links and the rear differential isolated from the rear subframe with large rubber mounts to minimize noise and vibration intruding into the passenger compartment. Subaru has also added safety technologies such as Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution to the list of standard features.

In North America, the fifth generation Outback won Motor Trend magazines Sport/Utility of the Year Award for 2010, and Ward’s Automotive Group's 2010 Interior of the Year awards in the popular-priced car category under $29,999 ^[13].

North American models

Trim level designations have been modified based on the engine installed; the Subaru EJ engine 2.5 L naturally aspirated engine are labeled 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, and 2.5i Limited, with the Subaru EZ 6-cylinder engine identified as 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited. As with previous generations, leather interior is only available in 2 colors (Warm Ivory or Off-Black) on Limited trim packages on specific exterior colors, and a glass moonroof is optional only on the Limited; cloth interiors are offered in the specified colors on lower trim level packages. A 440 W, 9-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system, using Dolby Pro Logic II technology and DTS Digital Sound, with Bluetooth and iPod capability is optional on the Limited trim packages. An 8 in (203.2 mm) voice activated GPS touch screen navigation system is optional only on the Limited. A separate Bluetooth wireless package with voice recognition, called Blueconnect, is available on lower trim levels and is not offered internationally. A Harmon/Kardon-sourced stereo with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and SRS Circle Surround sound is the standard sound system offered, with six speakers on all trim levels. A dual zone digital climate control system with 6-speed fan is standard and only available on the Limited; the base and Premium model have a 4-speed fan. Base and Premium trim levels have silver metallic trim on the interior door panels and dashboard; the Limited trim package has woodgrain accents.

All trim levels are fitted with a retractable roof installed luggage rack, where the crossmembers are permanently attached but can be swung into the luggage carrier support structure when not in use, currently available only on North American models. Also, the North American Outback has lower side body claddings, which are not applied to the Asian, Australian, or European models. The interior retractable rear cargo cover has a separate storage compartment in the spare tire storage area so that the cargo cover can be removed for large items but stored inside the vehicle and out of the way. The rear seatbacks can be partially reclined for comfort.

All models are now available with painted exterior door handles, with black exterior side mirrors on the base level 2.5i, and painted mirrors on Premium and Limited. The Limited can be identified externally by simulated aluminium surround for the front foglights and matching trim piece on the bottom edges of the side door sill protector, front, and rear bumpers; the Premium and base model remain black. The grille appearance is unique on North American models so as to provide a visual similarity to the larger facelifted Tribeca and the third generation Forester. The 2.5i uses the flat-4 engine with 6-speed manual transmission or the optional Lineartronic Continuously variable transmission with steering column mounted paddle shifters that allows the driver to select 6 "virtual gears" in manual mode. The 3.6R uses the flat-6 engine (from the Subaru Tribeca) exclusively with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The conventional automatic transmission is only available with the flat-6 engine, and the 6-speed manual transmission is not available on the 2.5i Limited. The PZEV Outback 2.5i, identified by a badge attached to the rear of the vehicle, continues to be sold in all 50 states, unlike other manufacturers who only sell PZEV certified vehicles in states that have adopted California emission standards. All other models have been certified LEV2 or ULEV.

Japanese models

Japanese-spec Legacy interior with McIntosh sound system

The Japanese-specification Outback is available with either the 2.5 L flat-4 or the 3.6 L flat-6 engine.^[14] The EJ20 engine is no longer used in the Legacy or the Legacy Outback.^[15] The trim levels are 2.5i, 2.5i L package and 3.6R and 3.6R SI-Cruise. SI-Cruise is an autonomous cruise control system that can reduce or resume a preset speed or bring the vehicle to a complete stop if the system detects a slower vehicle is being followed, without driver intervention. Air vents are installed for rear passengers at the back of the center front armrest compartment. The front hood (bonnet) and front bumper covers are not interchangeable with the North American version due to slight changes in the sheet metal. Turn signal repeaters are still integrated into the side exterior mirrors on all Japanese-spec models. Woodgrain accents are standard on the "L" package and the SI-Cruise vehicle, silver accents on lower trim levels.

SI-Drive control knob (earlier version)

SI-Drive, or Subaru Intelligent-Drive [1], (Japanese: SI-Drive) is standard equipment on all trim versions. It is a feature that enables three distinctly different modes of vehicle performance characteristics (identified as "Sport", "Sport Sharp", and "Intelligent") by regulating the engine control unit (ECU), the automatic transmission control unit (TCU, if equipped), and by fine-tuning the electronically controlled throttle. The SI-Drive control knob is installed on the center console between the heated front seat control switches. The "Intelligent" mode makes throttle response more gradual, and decreases maximum engine power by 10 percent. The "Sport" mode allows the engine to run at higher speeds and increases fuel efficiency by 5 percent in comparison to Subaru engines without the feature. The "Sport # (Sharp)" mode makes throttle response more abrupt and enables the automatic transmission to maintain higher RPMs within a given gear's range, and minimizes the electric power steering wheel effort. When the engine is started, the default setting is the "Sport" selection.

Japanese buyers can choose two different premium level entertainment systems; they can select the previously described Harmon/Kardon GPS-stereo with six speakers, or a McIntosh sourced GPS/stereo with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, a separate powered amplifier and 10 speakers. Both units are Gracenote, G-BOOK and VICS enabeled, with both systems available with an internal 600 MHz 40GB HDD coupled with a digital TV tuner that can be watched when the transmission is in park and the parking brake applied. Both stereos are compatible with CD, CD-R/RW, DVD and DVD R/RW as well as MP3 and WMA music formats. A Harmon/Kardon sourced stereo with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and SRS Circle Surround sound is the entry level sound system offered with six speakers and is standard equipment. The McIntosh stereo facia is offered in the trademark black with a clear plastic overlay and the center dashboard trim piece retains the brushed aluminum appearance but the color is black, with the climate controls offered in a matching black appearance, instead of the standard silver. Oddly, the Japanese version has a retractable cover for the console installed cupholders, whereas the North American version has exposed cupholders without a retractable cover. The dual-zone climate control system is standard on all trim levels.

The GPS navigation system can be displayed in a split-screen format showing both two- and three dimensions with graphic landmarks instead of a flat screen without geographical images. HID headlights are standard on all models except the base 2.5i, as well as automatic rain sensing windshield wipers and headlight washers. A smart key is available as an option coupled with two position memory seat that memorizes driver's seat positions and adjustments, exterior mirror adjustment, and climate control settings. The settings can be customized based on the smart key module being used to unlock and start the car. The Outback can be fitted with twin white LED lights installed on the interior hatch vertically surrounding the rear window, with a separate light switch for additional illumination when the rear hatch is open.

On the one year anniversary of the introduction of the fourth generation, "EyeSight" was once again offered on the Japanese-spec Outback. EyeSight consists of 2 cameras with one on each side of the interior rear view mirror, that use human like stereoscopic vision to judge distances and generally keep tabs on the driver. The system can help maintain a safe distance on the highway, a lane departure warning system, a wake up call when traffic lights change, and even keeps an eye out for pedestrians. SI-Cruise has been integrated into the EyeSight feature as a driver safety aid.

European models

The European engine choices are the flat-4 EE20 2.0 L turbodiesel, the EJ25 2.5 L or the EZ36 3.6 L flat-6, with SI-Drive available only on the six cylinder. Trim level packages are the 2.0D Comfort, Trend and Active, the 2.5i Comfort and Trend, or the 3.6R Exclusive. The interior colors of Warm Ivory or Off Black are offered, but the Warm Ivory interior is only available in leather. Wood accents are only available on the Exclusive trim package. The dual-zone climate control system is standard on all trim levels. The turbodiesel is available with the Warm Ivory interior with the Harmon/Kardon sound system with six speakers and the satellite navigation, but the only transmission offered is the six speed manual transmission. Cruise control, heated seats, automatic windshield wipers, HID headlights with headlight washers, heated exterior mirrors, glass moonroof and 17" wheels are standard equipment. The smart key is available only on the Exclusive or Comfort trim packages, coupled with the satellite navigation system and memory seats. The front hood (bonnet) and front bumper covers use the Japanese configuration, with turnsignal repeaters on the exterior mirrors, and standard equipment front and rear foglights. The turbodiesel and the 2.5i engines are Euro5 compliant.

United Kingdom models

The Outback is available to United Kingdom buyers with a choice of the flat-4 Subaru EE turbodiesel with a 6 speed manual transmission, the 2.5 L flat-4 with the CVT transmission, or the 3.6 L flat-6 engine with SI-Drive and an 5-speed automatic transmission. The trim level packages are the 2.0D SE and 2.0D SE NavPlus diesel, the 2.5i SE and the 2.5i SE NavPlus and the 3.6R. The interior is offered in black only, with leather on all trim levels. The interior trim strips on the doors and dashboard are silver on all models except the 3.6R, which has woodgrain trim. The front bumper and bonnet use the Japanese configuration, to include self levelling HID headlights and headlight washers. The UK and Europe are offered a exterior paint selection, called Camellia Red Pearl that is not available in Japan or North America. For vehicle security, a Thatcham Category 1 perimeter alarm and immobiliser, along with a rolling code ECU engine immobiliser are standard equipment. The dual-zone climate control system is standard on all trim levels. The 2.5i and the turbodiesel engines are Euro5 compliant.

The smart key is available on NavPlus and 3.6R models only. 17" alloy wheels are standard on all models, as well as rain sensing automatic wipers, two position memory seat, heated exterior mirrors, glass moonroof, heated front seats, fog lights, and tilt and telescoping steering wheel. The Harman/Kardon stereo with 6 speakers and the rear view backup camera is installed only on vehicles with the voice recognition NavPlus system. The standard stereo system uses an in-dash 6-disc CD auto-changer and automatic speed-sensing volume adjustment that is MP3 player compatible.

South African models

[2]

The Outback is offered with black interior; specifications are similar to European "Comfort" trim package. Outback 2.5i Premium is available with the choice of Lineartronic CVT or six-speed manual transmission, including leather trim, memory function for the driver’s seat, electric sunroof, dual zone climate control and rear air vents. Satellite navigation is not offered along with the premium Harmon/Kardon sound system.

Australian models

The Outback sold in Australia resembles the vehicle sold in Europe, with some features only available in Japan. The trim level packages are the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Premium SatNav, the 3.6R, 3.6R Premium SatNav and the diesel 2.0D, 2.0D Premium, 2.0D Premium SatNav. The engines offered are the EJ25, EZ36 and the EE20 turbodiesel. Australians can choose either the Lineartronic CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission on the EJ25, but transmission choices on the EZ36 are limited to the 5-speed automatic, and the EE20 turbodiesel is available with the 6-speed manual transmission exclusively. The Off Black interior color is standard across the range, however the Warm Ivory is available on the 3.6R, with leather interior offered on vehicles identified as "Premium". Cloth is offered on the 2.5i, 3.6R and the 2.0D. SI-Drive is only available on the 3.6R, following the international trend. The front bumper and hood (bonnet) use the Japanese configuration. The Australian EJ25 and EE20 engines are Euro4 compliant.

The dual-zone climate control system is standard on all trim levels. Sound systems offered include the McIntosh stereo with 10 speakers, a separate powered amplifier and satellite navigation provided by "WhereIs", a service provided by Telstra Corporation Ltd, or the Harmon-Kardon stereo with the satellite navigation and 6 speakers, or the unit offered in North America and Europe with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and 6 speakers. The McIntosh unit sold in Australia has function buttons written in English and is different than the Japanese unit, due to Japanese characters being used on some of the functions. The Australian McIntosh or Harmon/Kardon GPS-stereo packages are not Gracenote, G-BOOK and VICS enabled, and do not have the internal 600 MHz 40GB HDD coupled with a digital TV tuner. The center dashboard trim is color matched based on the stereo installed; if it has either one of the Harmon-Kardon units, the trim color is silver brushed aluminum, and if the McIntosh is installed the trim color is black brushed aluminum. The climate controls are also colored either silver or black as well. Silver trim is installed on the doors and dashboard, with woodgrain available only on the 3.6R. Cruise control, heated seats, automatic windshield wipers, HID headlights with headlight washers, heated exterior mirrors, and 17" wheels are standard equipment. The smart key is available only on the 3.6R, and the glass moonroof is only offered on Premium trim packages.

Engines

Model	Years	Type (code)	Power, torque@rpm
Global engines
2.5i	2009-	2,457 cc (2.5 L; 149.9 cu in) SOHC H4 N/A (Naturally Aspirated) i-AVLS (EJ253)	167 PS (123 kW; 165 hp)@5600, 229 N·m (169 ft·lbf)@4000
3.6R	2009-	3,629 cc (3.6 L; 221.5 cu in) DOHC H6 dual AVCS (EZ36)	260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp)@5600, 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf)@4400
2.0D	2009-	1,998 cc (2.0 L; 121.9 cu in) DOHC H4 turbodiesel (EE20)	150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)@3600, 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf)@1800-2400

Transmissions

Model	Years	Type
Global engines
2.5i	2009-	6-speed manual, Lineartronic CVT
3.6R	2009-	5-speed Sportshift
2.0D	2009-	6-speed manual

Subaru Outback Sport

1995–2001 Subaru Outback Sport

The Outback Sport was first introduced in 1995 as an updated Impreza "L" Sport Wagon, and is currently offered only in the USA. The Outback Sport is the top trim level of the Impreza wagon model with no significant mechanical or performance changes from the lower trim levels. The Outback Sport package was never available on the Impreza sedan or coupe from Subaru, unlike the Outback package being available on both the Legacy-based sedan and wagon (due to the size, the Outback Sport was smaller than Outback).

One engine was offered, which was the 2.2 liter, and it was the first time the 2.2 engine was used in the American Impreza. Later, the 2.5 engine was introduced. In Japan, the Impreza Sport Wagon was offered with a similar approach to the Outback Sport, calling it the Impreza Gravel Express with the WRX turbocharged engine. Subaru discontinued the Gravel Express when the second generation Impreza was introduced due to very limited sales, and introduced the Subaru Forester as a replacement. The hoodscoop found on the American Outback Sport was non-functional but was probably included because the American and Japanese versions were built at the same factory in Japan. The Outback Sport was offered with optional equipment, such as a gauge pack installed on top of the dashboard, that included a digital compass, outside temperature and barometer or altimeter readings.

2008–2009 Subaru Outback Sport

The Second Generation Outback Sport was sold in Australia for model years 2001-2007, but it was renamed as the Impreza RV with the same color scheme as the American version.^[16]^[17] The Australian version had a dual-range manual transmission, not available in the USA.

Subaru found some sales success with the Outback Sport as a smaller companion with similar ride height changes, body colors and trim levels to the larger, more successful selling Legacy based Outback. The Outback Sport "incorporates the performance features of an Impreza with the rugged durability of the Outback" according to the Outback Sport website,^[18] continuing to offer it as a trim option of the Impreza, with exterior cosmetic and interior equipment modifications.

It is an alternative for buyers who don't like the SUV/CUV appearance of the Forester and don't need the extended ground clearance. The Outback Sport has been offered for the same amount of time as the larger Legacy wagon based Outback, but the larger Outback has seen more sales than the smaller Outback Sport. Mechanically, the Outback Sport is the same as the standard Impreza hatchback; no high performance equipment found on the Impreza WRX or STi is included on the Outback Sport. The slight increase in ground clearance is due to the larger wheels equipped on the Outback Sport, and not a result of suspension modification.

Outback Sport models can be easily identified from the standard Sport Wagon or newly released 5 door hatchback by the color of the front and rear bumper covers and matching door rub strip that are painted a contrasting color from the paint used for the rest of the car, a coloring scheme also used on the larger Outback.

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the third generation Outback Sport was introduced to Europe with the name Impreza XV.

Motorsports

Subaru Outback models have been winners of the Alcan Rally, an endurance race that runs from Seattle, Washington to the Arctic Circle and back. An Outback wagon won the race in 2002, driven by Gary Webb, Richard Mooers, and John Kisela and again in 2006, driven by Revere Jones, Brian Deno, and Tom Gould.^[19]

2010-07-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

I9+++ SCIPHONE Quad Band

New unlocked Smart Phone

Dual SIM 850/900/1800/1900 mHz.

(Unlocked to all countries)

19+++SciPhone

· Unlocked touch screen Smart Phone.

· GPRS WAP internet

· Handwriting and key-board insert

· 3.2 inch QVGA display with super clear touch screen

· Support Dual Sim cards,both sim cards standby

· MP3 ,MP4 Media player

· Game function

· Support T-FLASH card - Handshake FM

Support to extend TF card to 8G (memory card not included)

· LCD Size: 3.2 inch, 16000 thousand color; PX: 240×320px

· Ringtone: 64 chord; Ringtone format: mp3, mp4, midi

· Music: back stage MP3 play,MP3 ring tone, equalizer.

· Video: 3GP,MP4,auto horizontal screen, speed/pause

· FM radio: FM stereo, can play outside with earphone

· Camera: Max picture format up to 640x480

· Rom: support to extend TF card ,

· Data Transfer: U disc/data cable/bluetooth stereo output

· Standby Photo: jpg, gif

· Telephone directories: 300 groups, incoming

ringtone,MP3 as ringtone, voice reporting telephone

number and directory

· Messages & Multimedia messaging:200 messages MMS

· PowerSmart : User-defined autostart/hibernate

· Languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish,

Portuguese, Deutsch, Dutch, Swedish, Czech, Turkish,

Russian, Vietnamese, Greek, Polish, Hebrew

SIZE(L×W×H):114 X 60 x 10MM

Weight117g

Talk time:120--280m

Standby time:200--320h

What`s included:

· 1 x Cellphone

· 1 x Pen

· 2 x Batteries

· 1 x Stereo Headphone

· 1 x USB Cable

· 1 x Charger

· 1 x English Operation Instructions

· 1 x Car Charger

See demo/review/comments on this product on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqvf300YQ4Y

2010-06-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

I have been drinking Heineken lately, I have been a fan of Becks Dark Beer for several years now. It is sometimes a tough beer to come to come by in the burbs in America....Every once in a while

The markets will take care of us all in perpetuity...

2010-06-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

The mantra in Washington since Reagan has been deregulate, deregulate, deregulate, it is no wonder this happened. The "markets" will take care of us all in perpetuity. Pooh..Its just like when we knew the communists were not going to take care of anything else but themselves. Americans collectively have the shortest attention span in the known universe. ADS type... It was just a few months ago.. our erstwhile conservative brothers and sisters were drumming a beat to the tune of drill baby, drill, drill especially from our national attraction coming out of Alaska. Remember,The mood now is throw the baby out with the bathwater and lets vote in the Republicans in and all will be good...at least they are for God, the flag and themselves right? They have to be better than the current bunch right? stupid, stupid, stupid is what it is.....The perfect political storm.. just what the doctor ordered for Republican Party!

Where in the known Universe am I

2010-06-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

The game is on.....

Every bit of information I guarantee to be the truth at the time it was posted......

I am at a location at which I am using the wi-fi of the establishment. I am listening to the the most popular local radio station for this city on my headphones, There is a beautiful young woman of color collecting singnatures near the door outside the buliding. I am at a place which is very comfortable and actually the best place to be if you are not working. Where is this place? guess correctly, What will it be? You have to give me the correct GPS location... my computer log-in at this particulor moment should give you a clue. You got to hurry though.. I may have left the building..... Get ready some real time excitement yall.... play, Where in the Universe is Sandre Fernando?

Are we heading into the Perfect Storm?

2010-06-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

Is the worst yet to come?, in this recessionary economy?.............News item....."Ex-Gang members lay-ed off....CNN, BBC, CBS, IP., Reuters."States cutting budget costs, .... minimum security prisons... letting offenders out.. who are going off grid by the thousands...Is this is the Perfect Storm for a new violent era in the American Stratosphere...Crime will rise and so will prices....

How would you grade the human race thus far?

2010-06-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

Read this and please feel free to leave your question, comment or critisism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human

Apple iphone & ipad not so peachy after all.......

2010-05-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

What do blood diamonds, Foxconn and Apple Inc.have in common?

Among other things, Foxconn produces all the Mac mini, the iPod, the iPad, and the iPhone for Apple Inc.

The Foxconn Technology Group is anchored by the Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Hon Hai was founded in 1974 as a manufacturer of plastic products (notably connectors) by Terry Gou, who remains as its CEO

Why is this not news? Recently, the company has come under public scrutiny due to allegations of employee mistreatment. Twelve employees jumped from company buildings in suicide attempts during a five month period in 2010; only two survived in critical condition.

Criticism............. Employment practices

In June 2006, allegations of Foxconn operating abusive employment practices came to light as reported by Mail that were later denied by Foxconn.^[9]^[10] Apple launched an investigation into these claims.^[11] The result was that the claims of mistreatment of employees were judged by the Apple inspection team to be largely unfounded, but the inspection team also discovered that at peak production times some of the employees were working more hours than Apple's acceptable "Code of Conduct" limit of 60 hours and 25% of the time workers did not get at least one day off each week.^[12] These same workers complained there were not enough overtime work during off peak periods. The auditing team also discovered that workers had been punished by being made to stand at attention for extended periods,^[13] and junior employees were subjected to military-style drills.^[14]

Foxconn admitted that it makes workers do an extra 80 hours overtime per month while the local labor law only permits 36 hours^[15] Foxconn sued Wang You and Weng Bao of China Business News, the journalists responsible for revealing these practices, for $3.77 million and filed a successful court ruling to have the journalists' assets frozen.^[16] Some disagree with the demands and the court ruling.^[17] Reporters Without Borders sent a letter to Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs to implore Foxconn to drop the case.^[18] Later Foxconn reduced the demand to a symbolic 1 yuan (12 U.S. cents), withdrew the request to freeze the journalists' personal assets and initiated legal proceedings to sue their employer.^{[citation needed]}

In a conversation between a Reuters journalist who had visited the Foxconn factory and a BBC interviewer broadcast on 27th May 2010^[19], the Reuters journalist commented that "many workers told us that throughout their shift...they are not allowed to speak at all, so there is absolutely no conversation at all between workers during their shift".

Case of Sun Danyong's death

On July 16, 2009, employee Sun Danyong allegedly committed suicide in Shenzhen, China by jumping off the 12th floor of his apartment building. ^[27] Initial reports from China indicate that he was under a lot of pressure because of investigations by Foxconn's Environmental, Safety and Loss Prevention Division regarding a missing prototype for a fourth generation iPhone. He was tasked with shipping 16 iPhone prototype units. However, one of the units went missing.

After filing his report on July 13, Chinese state-run Southern Metropolis Daily reported that his residence was searched by Foxconn employees and that he was beaten and interrogated by his superiors.^[28] Sina Online News and ND Daily Newspaper both reported Foxconn's security division may have illegally searched his personal residence without a warrant, used unlawful confinement and possible physical force during the investigation.^[29]^[30] The controversial incident placed questions regarding Apple's secrecy over upcoming releases of its products, where misplacing prototypes serve as a serious breach of protocol.

Foxconn has released an official statement apologizing to Sun Danyong's family. The manager in question was suspended and an official police investigation has begun.^[31] An Apple spokesman told reporters that the company was "saddened by the tragic loss of this young employee."^[28]

Employee suicides and deaths

Name	Gender	Age	Date of death	Decription
Ms Hou (姓侯)	Female	19	18 June 2007	Hanged herself in bathroom of company's building, her father claims that there's something wrong with his daughter's body after reviewing it but it was confirmed by investigative officials as a suicide.^[32]^[33]
Liu Bing (刘兵)	Male	21	1 Sept 2007	Sudden death just two hours after being discharged from work, his mother complained to Foxconn that her son didn't have any history of strong illness but was denied entrance to company's building^[34]
Mr Li (姓李)	Male	28	16 March 2008	An employee of Foxconn based in Yantai, collapsed in his rental home. His friends suggested that he was overwork and had symptoms of headache and constant vomits before his death.^[35]
Sun Danyong (孙丹勇)	Male	25	16 July 2009	Committed suicide in Shenzhen, China by jumping off the 12th floor of his apartment building.^[33]
Zheng Xinsong (郑鑫崧)	Male	23	20 Aug 2009	Mysteriously drowned in company building's pool but was an able swimmer^[36]

Between Jan 2010 to May 2010, thirteen Foxconn employees attempted suicide, with ten deaths^[37]. Some reporters criticized long working hours with low pay and harsh management methods such as physical abuse towards mainland employees from Taiwanese managers. Some workers have complained about the monotonous work schedule and inhumane working relationships (such as one employee who had worked for half a year and yet did not know the names of his dormitory mates). ^[38]

As CEO of Hong Hai Precision Industry, Terry Gou responded to the situation on May 25 2010. Because of a huge number of employees, management is difficult, he claimed, but they will improve the situation soon. Now Foxconn has formed specialized "employee care centers" and hired psychologists to offer counseling. However such a measure is doubted by the public.^[39] In addition it has been announced that employees will be asked to sign pledges that state they will not commit suicide and seek help if necessary.^[40] Some suggest that Foxconn should change its management systems, philosophy, and methods to create a more human orientated business atmosphere.^[41]

Assault on foreign reporters at a Chinese factory

On February 17, 2010, Reuters released a news story on Apple and its suppliers' practice of secrecy. In the article, it includes an account of Foxconn security guards confronting Reuters reporters taking photos of an alleged factory producing parts for Apple products, while standing on a public road.^[42]

After the reporter boarded a taxi, a security personnel stopped the vehicle and confronted him. As workers watched, two security guards tried to drag him into the factory. When the reporter struggled free, a guard kicked the reporter while another guard threatened to hit him if he moved. The reporter called police after a Foxconn security vehicle drove by and the security guards attempted to coerce him into the car. Police arrived later and was able to mediate the two parties with the security guards apologizing to the reporter. While offering an option to the reporter to file a police report, the police officer informed him that he is free to choose whichever option but he must note that Foxconn receives special status locally.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn

2010-05-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

Coast Guard Commander on oil spill, replies to the question. Will the govt. replace BP.
Replace BP with what??....Replace BP with what?

Converting CO2 into fuel, by moleculer level to create energy.

Out goal is survive long enough to make changes in people so our evolutionary path is secure...
Craig Venter

...its the news we have been waiting for...... WOW !!! moment in history

2010-05-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

"PEOPLE"

"we have created life"

Scientists have genetically created life, they injected DNA into a glob of inanimate nothing and got it going to become a rudimentary genetically engineered life form, not quite like us but it is the building block to moving on to actually creating new crops and medicines and other things.

WOW !!! moment in history.....This is huge..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10132762.stm

This is a major break-thru in our world, people......., I mean, man has "created," life", this is outstanding !!! ......Can you see the ramifications of this? on us, our species now has a better chance of getting through now, it changes everything.... could it be that we are on the way to being "Master's of the Universe"? not so fast... you say. I say why not??

More food for thought....
There is another bunch of guys who have got our brains interfacing with machines, They are at a stage where we might be able to provide simple instructions to machines with just the machine mapping of our brain activity! The obvious next step is to get can get machines to do things and with our mind. Now where does that lead us, Back to square one I guess, at least it is food for thought...http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2006/11/hitachi_commerc/

Then how about the guys who are planing on building real estate in space. Building the next generation of Motel 6 on the intergalactic highway that is certainly something that is coming........http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/02/22/65477.aspx

Check out my Life in the Galaxy mmx collector series.....custom frames....limited numbered pieces to keep and enjoy......

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?cropsuccess&id=1488554898

2010-05-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

What has Michael Jackson's, "Billie Jean" song video and these little guys have in common?

Who has the Real Mona Lisa, was the real painting returned in 1911? Where is she? this is question that has perplexed the art community for over 100 years....

The first day of the rest of my life.....

2010-05-13T23:18:00.000-07:00

Can black holes be created in a lab?
red Linred Links

The death dance of spiral galaxies

It is known that galaxies collide over billions of years, to lead the super massive black holes at their centers merge into a single black hole. In the whole process, a tremendous impact kinetic energy converts to mass. This results in a tiny kinetic mass concentrating in an impossibly small space.

Ah! All seems to be known well enough to manufacture a black hole in a lab - all that a crazy scientist, satisfied of knowing the formation of a black hole can do.

Though, it is a science fiction for now, it may very soon be created in a lab. And, its not just one but thousands of black holes may one day be manufactured in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Never know, it may happen in just a year! Sounds exciting, isn’t it?

But, in the straightforward view of the universe where our three-dimensional space possesses no hidden dimensions, the universe shouldn’t be different. And, thus what is important is not if we can make a black hole in a lab, but that we should never make one.

However, the density of colliding protons in a lab, even though enormous, is not dense enough to create a black hole.

So, its not just that, scientists can’t create a black hole in a lab, but that they even need not try one.

Image75238

Tags: black holes, supermassive black holes, Large Hadron Collider, kinetic mass, Technology

Hey look they are moving the goal posts. Oh heck.. its the American Way....

2010-05-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

They are moving the goal posts....

get your American Pride on....Reliable tough products

Buy American Designed products, only the best stuff made on earth is made in America, Buy American get your American Pride on

Boeing, Bridgestone,

Not Made in the U.S.A.

Levi jeans,

Craftsman and Stanley tools

NBA uniforms

that is what is going on in the world stage... dude...machan, my friend, my pensioner friends know this well... very well infact....they know first hand what it is like to survive on your own these days...
Wall street Meltdown, Greek debt crisis.....
WE share this planet with another life form, Plantlife......

Reality Shows are so yesterday.... Its going to be Astro Space & Time Docu drama it is.

How The Universe Works: Extreme Stars

How the Galaxy works.
How the earth was born.
Alien Galaxis

The Wow! signal | COSMOS magazine

Apr 7, 2010 ... He circled the code for later reference and added a single comment in the margins" "Wow!" The signal entered SETI lore as the "Wow!" signal. ...

Farmer's Market Brand

2010-05-09T02:37:00.000-07:00

Marketing Product Manager Wanted

What was that again? Farmer's Market, Farmer's Market, Farmer's Market...,Farmer's Market, Green Mart,

"Ok not just organic, but ask if it is "Fresh" Organic. Shop your local Farmer's Market in your neighborhood this weekend.

"Awl... righty... then" (in Geico Ghekko voice), answered back by a voice who seems come from the Irish persuasion trying to imitate the Geico Ghekko then the haughty "Miss Doggie" a Chihuahua who is a dead ringer for Paris Hiltons dog. breezers in and ... says "Awlrighty" then in a Jim Carey imitation with a TexMex George Lopez accent....

Tell me what ideas you have...... lets talk.... what is your area of expertise? if you have business and marketing acumen, drive, and able to produce investment capital, projected return on investment 20% for owner/operator investors, -0.5% for non worker investors. Imagine a return on 19.5 return on investment being on the ground floor as a investor in a successful blue chip Green Company of this Century.

YOU ARE THE INTELLIGENT LIFE WE ARE SEEKING

2010-03-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

Remember Pompeii?

Mount Vesuvius has erupted many times. The famous eruption in 79 AD was preceded by numerous others in prehistory, including at least three significantly larger ones, the best known being the Avellino eruption around 1800 BC which engulfed several Bronze Age settlements. Since 79 AD, the volcano has also erupted repeatedly, in 172, 203, 222, possibly 303, 379, 472, 512, 536, 685, 787, around 860, around 900, 968, 991, 999, 1006, 1037, 1049, around 1073, 1139, 1150, and there may have been eruptions in 1270, 1347, and 1500.^[14] The volcano erupted again in 1631, six times in the 18th century, eight times in the 19th century (notably in 1872), and in 1906, 1929, and 1944. There has been no eruption since 1944, and none of the post-79 eruptions were as large or destructive.

The eruptions vary greatly in severity but are characterized by explosive outbursts of the kind dubbed Plinian after Pliny the Younger, a Roman writer who published a detailed description of the AD 79 eruption, including his uncle's death.^[16] On occasion, eruptions from Vesuvius have been so large that the whole of southern Europe has been blanketed by ash; in 472 and 1631, Vesuvian ash fell on Constantinople (Istanbul), over 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) away. A few times since 1944, landslides in the crater have raised clouds of ash dust, raising false alarms of an eruption.

Before AD 79

The mountain started forming 25,000 years ago. Although the area has been subject to volcanic activity for at least 400,000 years, the lowest layer of eruption material from the Somma mountain lies on top of the 34,000 year-old Campanian Ignimbrite produced by the Campi Flegrei complex, and was the product of the Cordola plinian eruption 25,000 years ago.^[17]

It was then built up by a series of lava flows, with some smaller explosive eruptions interspersed between them. However, the style of eruption changed around 19,000 years ago to a sequence of large explosive plinian eruptions, of which the AD 79 one was the last. The eruptions are named after the tephra deposits produced by them:^[10]^[18]

The Basal Pumice (Pomici di Base) eruption, 18,300 years ago, VEI 6, was probably the most violent of these eruptions and saw the original formation of the Somma caldera. The eruption was followed by a period of much less violent, lava producing eruptions.
The Green Pumice (Pomici Verdoline) eruption, 16,000 years ago, VEI 5.
The Mercato eruption also known as Pomici Gemelle or Ottaviano 6940 BC ±100 years, VEI 5, followed a smaller explosive eruption around 11,000 years ago (called the Lagno Amendolare eruption).
The Avellino eruption (Pomici di Avellino), 2420 BC ± 40 years, VEI 5, followed two smaller explosive eruptions around 5,000 years ago. The Avellino eruption vent was apparently 2 km west of the current crater, and the eruption destroyed several Bronze Age settlements. The remarkably well-preserved remains of one were discovered in May 2001 near Nola by Italian archaeologists, with huts, pots, livestock and even the footprints of animals and people, as well as skeletons. The residents had hastily abandoned the village, leaving it to be buried under pumice and ash in much the same way that Pompeii was later preserved.^[19]^[14] The eruption was larger than the ones of AD 79 (VEI 5) and 1631 (VEI 4) with pyroclastic surge deposits distributed to the northwest of the vent, the surges travelling as far as 15 km from it, and lie up to 3 m deep in the area now occupied by Naples.^[20]

The volcano then entered a stage of more frequent, but less violent, eruptions until the most recent Plinian eruption, which destroyed Pompeii.

The last of these may have been in 217 BC.^[14] There were earthquakes in Italy during that year and the sun was reported as being dimmed by a haze or dry fog. Plutarch wrote of the sky being on fire near Naples and Silius Italicus mentioned in his epic poem Punica^[21] that Vesuvius had thundered and produced flames worthy of Mount Etna in that year, although both authors were writing around 250 years later. Greenland ice core samples of around that period show relatively high acidity, which is assumed to have been caused by atmospheric hydrogen sulfide.

The mountain was then quiet for hundreds of years and was described by Roman writers as having been covered with gardens and vineyards, except at the top which was craggy. Within a large circle of nearly perpendicular cliffs was a flat space large enough for the encampment of the army of the rebel gladiator Spartacus in 73 BC. This area was doubtless a crater. The mountain may have had only one summit at that time, judging by a wall painting, "Bacchus and Vesuvius", found in a Pompeiian house, the House of the Centenary.

Today 6 million people live within the immidieate foot print of Mt. Vesuvius.

12th April 2010

BAASS Career Opportunities

Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS), a sister company to Bigelow Aerospace, is a research organization that focuses on the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of novel and emerging future technologies worldwide as they specifically relate to spacecraft. BAASS is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are seeking experienced scientists to join our research teams. If you are an inquisitive outside of the circle thinker, who is detail oriented and looking for a challenge, this is a unique and exciting opportunity to advance your career and be a part of cutting edge research.

Numerous positions are available in various fields

Impressive candidates will need to have 10 or more years of research and hands on experience in the disciplines related to aerospace sciences, specifically including:

Several positions are also available for research scientists in the disciplines of:

A Masters or PhD in a relevant field is a plus. Candidates must be willing to submit to a thorough background check.

For all positions, some travel - both nationally and internationally - may be required.

BAASS offers excellent pay and a benefit package that includes: medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401k and other incentives (all contingent on time employed).

For more information or to apply, use the Online Application or Mail your CV/résumé to BAASS - Attn. Donna @ 4640 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89119 or fax to 702-456-9404.

9th April, 2010

The Nation of Israel, besides being defiant has rather quietly become a economic powerhouse. They are leaders in agricultural and pharmaceutical research, software and weapons guidance systems development and are leaders in many other important industries. Their Universities and research facilities are sought after by developed nations.

No one is going to wipe them off any place. They are here to stay. In fact they are poised to run the show in the decades to come. And they will build their 3rd Temple in Jerusalem whether the world likes it or not. Other small nation states can take an example of nations like Israel, Singapore, South Korea and get with the program. Educate your people to meet the challenges of post modern world and quit buying into mass hysteria and religious nonsense. Israel uses religion as its sheild. The Goverment of Israel has internal and external critics. Its focus is on its people.

Palestinians are being replaced in a prosperous Israel by Asian Guest workers...throwing rocks to protest at guys who are heavily armed and have shoot-to-kill orders? There has to be better way to address this. Did we say pharmaceutical research? Check who controls the water supply to Gaza & the West Bank? No! they would not dare! could they? would they? No, Yes, Maybe? After all there is a theory that 'crack' was put together in the lab and a "marketed" precisly to create demand for the product in the neighborhoods in America.
Then there was well doucumented case how the drug Xanax was pushed into Japan in the 90's where there was no concept of an illness called depression. Today its a $2 billion revenue stream for phamaceutical giant Pfizer. And guess what? The evident that some birth defects in Gaza has doubled in the past few years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Strip

..... Barak Obama suddenly wakes up in the the middle of the night startled, he sits up in bed and remembers the dream that he that had so rudely woken him. It was something about the Confederate History Month fiasco that is brewing at the moment.. He scratches his head and mumbles 'shit'..... Michele who is usually a heavy sleeper had woken up a few moments earlier. She felt and heard her husband.

Whats up honey? Michele asks.... He instinctively reached towards the warm comfort of her form and wondered if she had dreams like he did. But he decided against asking her...It was a too much of a question for the moment, he had to get some rest as he had meetings scheduled from 6am to 6pm. On the other hand he knew if he answered it may may lead to one of those wonderful pre-dawn "talks" married couples enjoy in the early years of marraige that eventually leads to "sex@dawn". That would be nice he thought, and glances at the at the clock on the nightstand, it was 3:44 Why not? the President was feeling energetic...
These Republican Governers are *%#!ing crazy. They will try anything to get attention... Well, you knew what you were getting into honey, ......

April 8 2010 12:15pm
America needs to once again aspire to be the "Beacon" it once was.......It needs to be a shining light of inovation and industry. America is about growth, however to aspire to be great again we need to make some hard decisions. And if this means shutting down our borders to some, and that may have to include people incompatible backgrounds and unskilled people arriving on our shores, then its got to be done. Creating more jobs here and protecting the ones we have here should be our priority. When the economy is humming again and the National Debt is at a manageable, promising level then it would be expedient to look at the Immigration Issue as it is present the reforms needed to Congress... America needs educated migrants to grow....

Is Obama too involved in being Mr. International Statesman and too little time on Domestic Issues? Trust in Nancy Polosi to screw up things Stateside.. Ok he has now turned the tide in how the rest of the world looks at America by travelling to many countries to patch up relations that were strained by the previous administration. Now it up to the Nation to deliver on its promise. He needs that he is our roll-his- sleeves up President he can get things done. He would have been down at the West Virginia mine disaster within hours, even if it were just shake hands and talk with the rescue team and family members of those who were lost in the disaster.....Not just going to the people and staging town hall meetings on behalf of the democratic members of his party who are in jeopardy of not being re-elected in the fall.

How could he do it? What in the world made him think of Hilary Clinton as Secretary of State? The American People did not want her.. and he thrust her upon the entire civilized world???

Did you know that when Alan Greenspan was asked to grade his tenure at Federal Reserve. He gave himself a 70%. OMG. Now we have a guy who worked under him as in charge. Come on America, get with it. While you are befuddled by the likes Nancy Pelosi and Tea Party movement. It is business as usual in the Financial Sector.
Obama needs quit being a pussy and ride hard to make the changes he promised to make. Its got to be done now and not in his second term. If he does not set the tone in his 1st Term its not going to happen in his 2nd. Because the opposition will keep inventing stuff to make sure he maintains the status quo. He has to shuffle his cabinet soon... Geithner has to go.... Hilary has to be sent of on some other mission....preferably in charge of the Space Program or something like that....

March 27th 2010 8:30pm
For all those bodies, that are conscious and in harmony with the changes that will happen on our planet soon. A different type of energy will flow toward and reach the Earth as a result of our Sun's new alignment in relation to its position in the (our) Milky Way Galaxy.

How do we know this? Its predicted by more than one source. Actually several fairly reliable sources chronicle this event.

Actually the average Joe and Jane living on Earth today is far too busy just striving to stay alive. We live in modern day equivalent of the Dark Ages when it comes to seeking knowledge of Space, Time and Celestial Events, and our own place in the scheme of things.

Here's a little more info on the Mayan 2012 business. (The Mayan's were crazy ass fixated on predictions based on math and astronomy) Its hard believe the depth of knowledge these guys had accumulated over the thousands of years of their civilization..

What happened to them? And what will happen to us?

Here is the Mayan 2012 prophecy, and it coincides with the Book of Revelations and a host of other chronicles the beginning of the age of Aquarius on Dec 21 2012 the beginning of the winter solstice. And of course its all up to interpretations of the scholars whose different agendas have to be disiphered in the process as well.

First the Mayans put a big emphasis on the pineal gland, according to one Mayan cosmologist,and the pineal gland of the brain, is what will cause a mass change in consciousness, as the world gets fed up with war and killing. And it looks like the Mayans were right. Why is it that we in the post modern world have very little or no regard or no concept of those who came before in having a knowledge of our place in the cosmos. Majority of us, still belive in heaven and hell and our time on this planet is based on the fear of the afterlife....

DECEMBER 21, 2012

The ancient Mayans who ended their calendar in the year 2012 with a prophecy of great changes upon the earth to take place Dec. 21, 2012. They did not claim the end of the world ,but they claimed a new age, and a totally new direction for life on planet earth.

What I have found is that the 2012 prophecy is not a Mayan prophecy at all, but a prophecy of an ancient scientist of the caliber we find in ancient Greece. Namely Pacal Votan.

PACAL VOTAN

Pacal Votan knew that humanity as a species would become disconnected from the laws of the natural world and would fall ignorant of our sacred interdependence with nature. He foretold of our accelerated technological society, and the resulting damage of our collective divergence from Natural Law in exchange for materialist values.

Al Gore (whether you like him or not) is saying the same thing in 2008, closing in on Dec21 2012, that Pacal Votan said in 600 AD. Can you imagine? He foretold that the human race would be so consumed in its material inventions it would turn its back on nature.

DECEMBER21 2012 THE CULMINATION

The important point to keep in mind about Dec21 2012 is that the prophecy says, that that day will be the culmination of the great change. In other words the great change will be happening during the years leading up to Dec21 2012 ,and on that day the new age will begin.

So you don’t wait for that day. You look at the changes that have already occurred and are happening now. Keep in mind that as we get closer to Dec21 2012 the energies will increase, and the changes will become more dramatic.

IS THERE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THIS?

From my personal point of view, if there was no scientific evidence, I would not discuss it, but there is. At the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way (our galaxy) for the first time in 26,000 years.

This means that "whatever energy typically streams to Earth from the center of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on 12/21 2012 at 11:11 p.m." Isn’t it interesting that the winter solstice on December21 2012 will take place at 11:11?

And also consider the fact that between now and Dec 21 2012 something will happen that has not happened in 26,000 years. The sun will align with the center of our galaxy. That is significant.

AND WHAT DOES NASA SAY?

A team led by physicist Mausumi Dikpata of The National Center For Atmospheric Research has predicted that sun Cycle 24, peaking in 2011 or 2012, will be intense. NASA solar physicist David Hathaway agrees: "Cycle 24 will be strong. Cycle 25 will be weak. Solar cycle 24, due to peak in 2010 or 2011 ‘looks like its going to be one of the most intense cycles since record-keeping began almost 400 years ago," says solar physicist David Hathaway of the Marshall Space Flight Center.

IF THAT ISN’T ENOUGH LOOK AT WHAT ELSE NASA SAYS

The Sun’s magnetic poles will remain as they are now, with the north magnetic pole pointing through the Sun’s southern hemisphere, until the year 2012 when they will reverse again. This transition happens, as far as we know, at the peak of every 11-year sunspot cycle like clockwork. Now consider that.

Not only will the Solar cycle be the most intense since records have been kept, but in addition to, that, in 2012 the suns magnetic poles are going to flip.

COULD THIS BE THE BIBLICAL APOCALYPSE?

There are many people today who consider the prophecy of Pacal Votan to signal the Biblical Apocalypse which they conclude will be the end of the world, complete with atomic war, and the return of Jesus. The trouble with that approach is, that is not what the word Apocalypse means. Read on.

WHAT DOES THE WORD APOCALYPSE MEAN?

The most misunderstood word in the Bible, but a source of many dollars to those who would interpret the Bible literally, and write books about the forthcoming bloodbath in the Middle East. That is really nonsense.

This is what the word Apocalypse means. Apocalypse (Greek: Apokélypsis; "lifting of the veil"), is a term applied to the disclosure to certain privileged persons of something hidden from the majority of humankind.
Today the term is often used to mean "End of planet Earth’ which maybe a shortening of the phrase apokalupsis eschaton which literally means "revelation at the end of the eon, or age’~ This is exactly what Pacal Votan said. The introduction of the new age starting Dec 21 2012 will bring forth a new mind, a new understanding, and an enlightened harmony with nature.

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE

Keeping in mind that all of Revelation is symbolic Greek mythology, we see the four horses as representing the human mind and the great change, just as Pacal Votan said. In ancient mythology the colors represent various aspects of the mind as you also see in identifying the 7 chakras.

The color red represents the emotions, the color black represents the intellect, the pale color represents the physical, and white represents the Spirit. Which horse is in the lead in your life will define you.

For instance in religion it is the red horse and the pale horse. The emotions and the physical. In government it is the black horse and the pale horse. The intellect and the physical. The key is to have the white horse in front. In other words your life is directed through your meditation.

ARMAGEDDON IS A BATTLE WITHIN THE MIND

WE get to the battle of the mind, and I propose that is what is happening now, and will culminate on Dec 21 2012. The white horse will challenge to lead the mass mind, and we will see, and we are seeing the great shift. You see in order for this great change to occur, nature has to place us into the pit.

There is a reason that the current government has been in power for 8 years. Only by experiencing this type of materialistic ,and aggressive life style will the mass mind realize that it is destructive and must be replaced.

The black, pale, and red horses must be placed in the rear, and the white horse must take over leadership of the mass mind. In other words it is not your physical strength, it is not your intellect, or your emotions that will bring you to the great change. It must be what you call spirit.

That involvement with your inner self in meditation which is the white horse of the Apocalypse or the spiritual great change taking place now to culminate on Dec. 21 2012. That is what apocalypse means.

The great mass mind change to culminate on Dec. 21 2012. The lifting of the veil gradually over the years. The change to enlightenment and a reunion with nature, and what we call God.
That will be the culmination of 2012.

HOW WOULD THE PROPHECY OF PACAL VOTAN BE FULFILLED?

Recently scientists commented on the earth effects of a cosmic explosion thusly. This is a once in-a-lifetime event," said Rob Fender of Southampton University in the UK.

"We have observed an object only 20 kilometers across (12 miles), on the other side of our galaxy, releasing more energy in a tenth of a second than the Sun emits in 100,000 years."

That it can reach out and tap us on the shoulder like this, reminds us that we really are linked to the cosmos," said Phil Wilkinson of IPS Australia, that country’s space weather service.

THE BIRTHING PROCESS

Pacal Votan called this great change the birthing process. This directly links the prophecy of 2012, with the galactic alignment of the sun and the sun spot cycle.

December 21 2012 just 4 days before Christmas 2012, will the light of the world be born to bring peace on earth and good will to all.

It will mark the beginning of the seventh age of the sun, ans the beginning of the age of Aquarius. The time of a great change mentioned in Revelations in the Bible.
http://thehiddenlighthouse.blogspot.com/

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms, disarm only those who are neither inclined, nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants.

They serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."

Thomas Jefferson, 1764

Friday 26th March 2010 9:17am
Long weekend, rested completely yesterday.

In the next few years our Sun's magnetic poles could switch when it passes across the Dark Rift that snakes its way along Milky Way's Galactic Equator...Our magnetic poles will follow this new alignment...with quite a few consequences for 'lil old Earth..

Ideas: Have you fashioned anything? Invented or found another use for something which needed only small modifications for a complete different use? If you have go to starmedia.com to talk about your idea. register it, encript the technical details if you wish. Share it with the rest of the world if you wish. Sell or auction your idea. Find buyers, investors or donate or will your your idea for posterity and be promote a more compassionate and just world...

Fernando Espuelas

PATAGONIAN AWARDS Night at the Museum !! in 3-D

Sunday 14th x*March 2010 yo....chill....Dude do you Fudderwupp???
I want to open a period Mad Hatters Tea Party 24 hour Tea Parlor right there on the Hawthorn area or NW 23rd.

March 11 2010
Long weekend por me..... Thurs-Sun

...People really need a new or at least a modified code to live by.. a new consiousness is needed. I happened by chance. How is that during my lifetime there does not seem any improvement in the human condition. If there is one thing I agree with the conservatives are that if there is too much reliance on the goverment to get things done. It not only costs more it gives them far too much power over the people....

When there is a G7 or G20 meeting on somewhere in the world it is generally expected that the host city will plan ahead and cordon off and keep protestors out..several blocks away.... Here is a novel idean how about go one step further and ban all types of lobbyists, influence peddlars, special interest people from socializing and or talking with lawmakers..... we can't do that... freedom of speech issue... what about the lives of the chronically poverty sticken people in the world. Do you think they really care about freedom of speech when there is no food for table or schooling or medical attention or facing the next natural disaster.....

Do we really care?......How the Maya knew that several thousand years from then a civilization would be using a Gregorian calendar or that the 2012WS would be at exactly 11:11 is beyond my understanding – but evidently they did.

March 12, 2010 8:22am

Got to head out to Portland this morning, Rain is expected all weekend. I wonder if it is dry on the east side of Mt. Hood? I was out there last Sunday and it was awsome. Warm Springs is a bit desolate and run down as Indian Reservations are but 15 miles down the road, Madras looks to be proseprous.

March 14, 2010 6:24am
I have a notion that 2012ws is a good time as any for humankind to make a change, shift in direction. A population reducing event has to happen. It is known that the dinosaurs were once small, then evolved into the monster beings we know them to be and then died out..! Just because we are concious beings does not make our species invincible. The good news is all of us will hopefully not die off. Some of us will remain to go on. The rules and the playing the field for us will drastically change from what we know.

The greatest thing to ever come out of the music and animation industries... must check out.....!!!!

2010-01-03T21:32:00.000-08:00

Animusic

Animusic's founder Wayne Lytle began to envision algorithmically synchronizing music and animation over 25 years ago - in 1982. It wasn't until 1989 that he first began experimenting with music-driven computer animation. His first full multi-instrument music animation "More Bells and Whistles" premiered in the Electronic Theater at SIGGRAPH 1990. It has since won awards and been shown in various contexts world-wide. In 1991 Lytle received an award from IBM for his early work in music animation.

In 1995 Lytle brought computer artist David Crognale on board to produce a music animation for a commercial client. Animusic produced a 5-minute stereoscopic music animation for VRex, a manufacturer of stereoscopic glasses and projectors. The award-winning stereoscopic version was entitled "Concerto in 3D", while the regular version was called "Beyond the Walls".

In 1998 Lytle and Crognale began production on a computer animation "video album" which was initially released on VHS in December 2001, then shortly after on DVD. All the music and instrument design was original.

Due to discussions with potential distributors and other factors, this original release was soon enhanced to include a 5.1 Surround Sound mix, full motion menus, and additional bonus material. It was subsequently released as "ANIMUSIC: Special Edition". Eventually, most people (including us) forgot the original stereo-only version ever existed, and now simply refer to this release as Animusic 1.

There was an extended break before production began on our 2nd DVD, allowing for rest and mental recalibration. Much was needed. Animusic 2 was completed and released in late 2005. But again, Wayne and Dave were exausted. While Dave was smart enough to rest. Wayne had other ideas, and jumped right into a total rewrite of their production pipeline. In hindsight, neglecting to take a short break may have been unwise.

from "More Bells & Whistles"

Later in this transitional phase, we re-located to new office space in Ithaca, NY. In the process of preparing for Animusic 3, we reworked our entire system, right down to the core (details in this newsletter). Steve Westin came onboard for a couple of years and helped us on the graphics software side of things, especially RenderMan, shaders, GUI, and scene graph code.

Production for Animusic 3 has been ramping up during 2007, while software development has continued as well as various marketing activities. There is no announced release date for Animusic 3, but we won't keep it a secret when it's ready.

Name:

In 1995 our name was changed from Visual Music to Animusic, for "animated music". Animusic® is a US Registered Trademark.

Countdown Videos

These may be used at events, meetings, services, or anywhere you'd like really.
Free downloads in QuickTime format.

Cathedral Pictures

Download a 5-minute countdown version of
"Cathedral Pictures".

Preview :40 sample (file size 15 MB)
Full 5:00 countdown (file size 244 MB)

Resonant Chamber and Starship Groove

Download a 5-minute countdown video where the first half is from "Resonant Chamber" and the last half is from "Starship Groove".

Preview :40 sample (file size 15 MB)
Full 5:00 countdown (file size 244 MB)

American President for Sri Lanka

2009-12-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

Another possible 'First" for ...Sri Lanka..!!! An American could be the President of Sri Lanka... I kid you not.... read on.... Here is the scenario. in the event Gen Sarath Fonseka is elected President of Sri Lanka next month and if the recent reports in media with regards to his on his recent trip are accurate. He was visiting the States to make his US Naturalization process started on the back of his permanent resident (green card) status. The interesting thing in is generally a green card holder's application for citizenship is processed within 6-12 months.
By that time Gen. Fonseka would either be the President of Sri Lanka or not. If he is, one of his first trips overseas would be to the US to take his oath pledging allegiance to the United States of America which every new citizen has to take during the Citizenship Ceremony. Wow. in essence we would have an American for a President! Kind of... sort of... but politically that is a way of taking over a country. Now who said Hilary Clinton was just a pretty face.....

Our precious little pearl of an Island.......

2009-11-16T08:26:00.001-08:00

The Sri Lankan Presidential elections looks like its going to be a interesting battle.
Even if Ranil throws in all the resources available to the UNP behind the campaign.
Gen. Sarath Fonseka, I don't believe has the charisma to pull it off. At least this time around. He is not going to be able to oust the popular incumbant. Mahinda Rajapaksa is a savy politician. Granted he will have to promise to get the inflation under control and get the economy moving again. He will also have to tone down the rhetoric towards the West in order to attract investment back into the country.

The next General Elections will be another matter though. Prediction: The SLFP will be resoundingly ousted.
It will be the Rajapaksa brothers vs. Parliment. Which should be interestiing and will be good for the country. Just like the father of the Republic JR papa wanted it...! They will all have to work together and weed out govt. corruption, only tha will naturally bring in any meaningful foriegn investment the economy needs to have the runaway growth we need for next decade.

Like we hired an Australian coach to bring our cricket team up to speed, we should hire someone like Lee Kwan Yu as a consultant to fix our economy and move the country foward and then only can we will really benefit from India's growth and really be a player in the region....

I am actually considering going back to SL, working for the UNP campaign and help rebuild the country....Our goal should be the financial gateway to India. Like Hong Kong is to China. We are few decades behind because of the LTTE. But better late than never.

It will be a great opportunity for the Tamil people to show their smarts and show the world how good bunch of number crunchers and bean counters they really are. That is their real strength and power!!! It would be great time for them to reconsider what is important to them and if they are to realize their dream of living in peace and being a prosperous people living and thriving in the land of their birth. They will grab this opportunity and bring in all their resources and join in rebuilding the Jaffna peninsuala and bring it into the 'First World" (take a lessorn from Singapore) I believe their supreme leader did show them the way. That armed struggle is not the way but they may wield a bigger stick with working together, developing Jaffna, making it a global powerhouse, with the help of the Muslims, Sinhalese, Burghers, and returning expatriates with Technical, Financial and Management skills.......(like in India)

If all of us, thoes in SL and the rest of us spread accross the world think of ourselves as Sri Lankan first and do our little bit from wherever we are.

We can do it.....Within a couple of decades there will prosperity and self determination for all the in that precious little pearl an island like no other in the world.

Please feel free to comment and keep this discussion going on my blog. Its not about politics, its more about being patriotic to our homeland.

2008 Coup in America - The fall of the Middle Class

2009-06-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

The American middle class have literally have been at the cleaners. Ever since they were dragged there during the Reagan years. They were led to believe by the conservative think tanks and their mouth pieces and media fronts that they were on a rightous path. Just trust in the markets, take your financial future in your own hands, bring in your Social Security account, invest your retirement savings, no just borrow against your house, trust the brokerage houses on Wall Street, invest in the "markets" and you will retire much richer and wiser than your parents generation. Retirement savings of millions just about was wiped out as the drama unflolded in during November of 2008. This time not only Americans, but the Chinese, Europeans, the Saudis who parked their investments in great American 'borrow and spend', Consumer Machine were also taken in for a good old cleaning. Well is this another conspiracy theory?

Americans are easily blindsided.

What happend to the regulatory safeguards that came out of the Savings and Loan failure of the '80s?. While 'the people' were not looking most of the rules were systematically dismantled during the Bush years while the GOP dominated congress. These powers give themselves massive tax cuts and get us involved pre-emptive wars, widespread fraud in investment banking circles, the excesses and risky coporate behaviours as in AIG. Corporate greed as in Enron.

Was it that noone could predict that the American "house of cards" was shaking at its very foundations could not sustain itself?. Or was it that no one was home? No one cared enough to sound the alarm that they were being robbed blindly by a few? Collectively we don't seem to care when other guy gets in a mess. It must be he did something to deserve his lot just like when the Japanese were beaten down in the trade wars of the '80 and how they eventually lost their shirts. What goes around.......may well come around..... Like the Japanese, are we in for a 'lost decade'? Or are the collective heads so deep in the sand nothing matters anymore?. The land of the brave, governed by laws and rules was led into submission. Was this a coup? Who orchestrated this?..........What motive could anyone possibly have? Bringing us to the brink such as this?

The solution to outright fraud that was committed by many came with a tag line, its just too big to fail our great "Leave the markets alone and they will take care of itself system" was to be infused by the average Americans tax dollars being pledged in perpetuity.

This following article is copied verbatim. Every citizen should read it. It’s written by Simon Johnson, a professor at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, who was the chief economist at the International Monetary Fund during 2007 and 2008. He blogs about the financial crisis at baselinescenario.com, along with James Kwak, who also contributed to this essay.

The Quiet Coup

Sell the world on love

2009-01-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

Book Review

THE DIFFERENT DRUM by M. Scott Peck, M.D.,
Simon & Shuster, New York, N.Y.1987

In and through community lies the salvation of the world. Nothing is more important. Yet it is virtually impossible to describe community meaningfully to someone who has never experienced it – and most of us have never had an experience of true community…..Still, the attempt must be made.

In this book, Dr Peck attempts to describe the meaning of spiritual community, the stages of its development, and its importance to the individual and to the world.

Bases of Community

Dr. Peck tells us how he first stumbled into the experience of true community. As a boy he attended a prestigious boarding school where competition to belong to the “in” group was keen. For reasons he didn’t full understand, he felt unhappy there, even after finally becoming a member of this group. Peck then transferred to a small Quaker school, where he immediately felt accepted and loved. At this school, the boundaries between people were “soft” There were about two hundred students enrolled, all from different social and economic background, yet no one was excluded or made fun of for being different.

The disparity in his experiences at these two school compelled Peck to seek out other “belonging” experiences. In the army, and later while training to become a Psychiatrist, he finally found other groups where true community was achieved.

Peck defines community as “a group of individuals who have learned how to communicate honestly with each other, whose relationships go deeper than their masks of composure, and who have developed some significant commitment to rejoice together, mourn and make other’s condition their own.”

Today we live in relative isolation from others, both physically and emotionally. Often we don’t know the names of our next door neighbors. We give the impression of confidence, that we have it together – because it is considered “weak” to express emotions like anxiety or depression. We feel we must be strong, rugged individualists. But true community helps us overcome these defensive barriers, freeing us to express our true selves.

There are two main characteristics of such a community:

(1) A community is inclusive. Groups that exclude anyone for any reason are not true communities but cliques. Genuine communities always reach out to extend themselves. Members are of a community commit themselves to one another. Decisions that affect the group are arrived at by consensus.

(2) A community emulates the real world. It embraces members with many different points of view, who as they work their challenges through together, come to share and appreciate the many different facets and dimensions of each situation.

True communities are bonded by and intense vitality. Anyone involved in a group crisis, a flood or an earthquake for example – has seen how this works. Suddenly everyone is vitally concerned for others and more than willing to help. However, problems usually crop up once the crisis is over; and the “crisis community” dissolves into one of four self–destructive responses: “flight” (among group members for control), “paring” (into alliances that set the community at odds), or “dependency” (choosing leaders) Sometimes all four responses emerge to feed on each other.

Dr. Peck has conducted hundreds of community-building workshops. Participants usually pass through a for –step process as they struggle towards community.

1. PSEUDOCOMMUNITY. Commonly the first response of a group trying to form a community is to fake it. In this superficial situation, everyone tries to be pleasant in order avoid conflict, but people remain evasive, hiding their real feelings. A group of sophisticated professionals, for example, may seem to get along very well, forming and almost “instant community.” However, different ideologies and unvoiced resentment are probably hidden under a layer of sophisticated social skills, and may surface rapidly. Without proceeding through the second and third steps, the process of reaching true community is only delayed.
2. CHAOS. “Chaos” centers on well-intentioned but misguided attempts to heal and convert”. In this phase, each person seeks to advance his or her “cause.” It is during this stage that individual differences are first brought out in the open. And unfortunately, groups in chaos frequently seek to overcome personality or philosophical differences by attacking their leaders or by forming sub-committees to solve their problems, instead of facing them and working together. Still, open chaos in a church congregation or company work team is preferable to pseudo community; it’s a painful stage, but only by way of this pain comes the understanding that differences must be acknowledged and dealt with at anew level of relationship.
3. EMPTINESS. There are only two ways to do away with chaos: by organization (which isn’t community) or by emptiness. Emptying ourselves involves putting aside any personal feelings that are acting as barriers to communication. Expectation, assumptions, preconceptions, motives, prejudices, ideologies, prefabricated solutions, and the need to heal or convert, fix, solve, or control, are all “given away.” When a friend is grieving, we can either be like Job’s friend in the Bible, who gave him “curative” advice (which often makes us feel worse), or we can shared his pain. Just being there to listen is often what really makes a difference.
4. COMMUNITY. When emptiness is finally achieved, the group enters community 0 peaceful and trusting atmosphere of resolution. Individuals are now given the freedom to be vulnerable and genuine as they deal with the various social challenges that present themselves. In this stage, sadness and grief are readily expressed, as are laughter and joy. And finally, a comfortable consensus in decision-making ensure. Group members become individually more eloquent and expressive; as a group the become more gentle.

Communes and Communities

The driving concept behind most communes is that all members should adhere to the same schedules, rules, ideas and behaviors. But the key to creating true communities is to accept and welcome the fact that we are all different. It sounds nice to say, “Underneath their skins, Russians are really just like us,” but that is simply not true. A Russians idea of freedom and democracy has been shaped by a cultural hierarchy distinctly different from ours. What is considered normal n one culture is considered abnormal in another. Even conceptions of good and evil are, to a considerable extent, culturally determined.

But human beings have the unique capacity to change, to be transformed. By excising this capacity, we can surpass our own individual backgrounds, to both experience and transcend the differences between cultures.

Both personal and collective changes occur through augmented spiritual development, which is cultivated in four stages:

Stage I: Chaotic, antisocial. A stage of undeveloped spirituality. The Stage I person is selfish, disordered, and generally incapable of loving others.

Stage II: Formal, institutional. The stage II person, typified by many churchgoers, is usually attached to the forms rather than the essence of the his/her religion, and may quickly take offense at anyone who attacks these forms. Personal stability and outward appearances are very important.

Stage III: Skeptic, individual. The stage III person is often referred to as a “nonbeliever” because he is given up being “conventional” He thinks independently and often deeply involved in social causes. An advance stage III individual is an active truth-seeker.

Stage IV: Mystic, communal. This is the stage of unity. A person arriving at stage 4 sees an underlying connectedness between herself, or their creatures, and her surroundings. With little or no outside prodding, and as a confident yet humble, self-governing human being. She reaches out to others in recognition of the whole world as a part of her community.

“Mystics” comprehend the value of emptiness. Rather than being frightened by the enormity of the unknown, they acknowledge it and immerse themselves even deeper into it, that they may understand more. Likewise, we can, despite our differences, unite to form communities of caring friends and associates; we can transcend bigotry, selfishness, “ownership,” and learn to solve problems in empathy and love.

Many variations exist among individuals in these four phases of spiritual development. Some of us may bounce back and forth between stages; many may feel threatened or intimidated by those functioning in the upper stages of (III or IV). Certainly, parents, teachers, ministers, friends, and neighbors – and that includes everyone in the some capacity – should be aware of the threat the may represent to those in different stages of spiritual growth. But the paradox remains that it is hard to lift anyone else unless we are already in a more spiritually discerning position that the person we seek to lift.

These four personal spiritual sages are analogous to the development of community. The hardest stage of community formation is to achieve – and return to – emptiness. “Emptiness requires work. It is an exercise of discipline and is always the most difficult part of the process that a group must undergo if it is to become a community”…..For emptiness always requires a negation of the self ….a sacrifice.”

In order to make a significant change in our lives we must give something up, and consequently must go through a form of depression.

The Solution: An Expanding Community

Inasmuch as small communities have been successfully established, why not extend the idea of community to entire neighborhoods and schools – even to countries and to the world? In fact, progress is being made towards forming a global community. Individuals are slowly becoming more aware that communication is the key to the effective functioning of any group enterprise – a marriage, - a marriage a corporation, a unified world. Sadly, though, the institutions that can tip the balance between war and peace – the arms-race nations, many charitable organizations, unions, churches – have barely been touched by the concept of community.

Peck notes that in democracies “we the people” elect our leaders. Thus it is up to us to begin peacemaking – or, community making. Learn to communicate with peoples of other cultures by first learning to commune with your family and understand your neighbor, Peck urges establishing peaceful communities where you are, and let your influence spread “Sell the world on love”

Scientist beats alcohol addiction with Balcofen

2008-12-27T06:48:00.000-08:00

Balcofen a wonder drug?

I was curious when I saw a small news item on a CNN or BBC News page a few days ago about Dr. Oliver Ameisen treating himself for his alcohol addiction with this drug.

After searching a bit more I was amazed to know that this drug has been around for quite some time and used to treat spasticity in children.

Then also came the suprising news that the good doctor published his findings more than 4 years ago and asked for clinical trials to conducted but none has been conducted to date.

But here is a real gem of information. The main ingredient to making Balcofen is suddenly becoming very hard to get. They are talking about a global shortage! Wonder who is trying to 'corner' that market!.

Could it be the 'Chinese'? Certainly not the Russians? Islamists maybe?, or could it be a big bad pharmaceutical company setting up a Balcofen cartel.?

Extra.....Extra.....Read all about it.!!

The following excerpt courtesy of Wikipedia:

Dr. Olivier Ameisen, a French-American associate professor of medicine and a cardiologist at Weill Medical college of Cornell University, reported in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism that he successfully used Baclofen to completely suppress his own addiction. In his paper, he urged for randomized trials of high-dose baclofen to be conducted to test the therapeutic model he had proposed. He renewed his call for clinical trials in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). His therapeutic model was reproduced by Dr. William Bucknam who published a case report in Alcohol and Alcoholism and by Roberta Agabio et al. who published another case in Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. Since four years after his call, clinical trials had not been conducted, Ameisen, who currently is a visiting professor of medicine at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center wrote a book to inform public opinion and physicians.

Recently, based on Ameisen's therapeutic model, some trials have been conducted in using Baclofen to treat cocaine addiction. While no final study has been released, people have said once they took Baclofen they felt their desire for cocaine plummet almost overnight. There is a report that baclofen has beneficial role in the management of reflux disease.

Baclofen therapy is usually started with an initial low dose of about 15 mg daily in divided doses and gradually titrated up in a stepwise fashion until symptomatic relief occurs. The usual maximum dose is 80 mg per day.

Discontinuation of baclofen can be associated with a withdrawal syndrome which resembles benzodiazepine withdrawal and alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are more likely if baclofen is used for long periods of time (more than a couple of months) and can occur from low or high doses. The severity of baclofen withdrawal depends on the rate at which baclofen is discontinued. Thus to minimise baclofen withdrawal symptoms the dose should be tapered down slowly when discontinuing baclofen therapy. Abrupt withdrawal is most likely to result in severe withdrawal symptoms. Acute withdrawal symptoms can be stopped by recommencing baclofen.

Withdrawal symptoms may include auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, tactile hallucinations, delusions, confusion, agitation, delirium, disorientation, fluctuation of consciousness, insomnia, inattention, memory impairments, perceptual disturbances, anxiety, depersonalization, hypertonia, hyperthermia, formal thought disorder, psychosis, mania, mood disturbances, restlessness, and behavioral disturbances, tachycardia, seizures, tremors, autonomic dysfunction, hyperpyrexia, extreme muscle rigidity resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome and rebound spasticity.

A great little Secret to being attractive to women....and irresistible to everyone else.

2008-12-24T16:44:00.000-08:00

To stand out… to be noticed… you have to dress smartly.

Especially today. Women have choices. They are selective. You have to work on being attractive and charming. It does not have to be hard or expensive to look and feel like a 'million dollars.'

Well, whether you ever had that problem with being attractive to women or not – here is a secret that dramatically enhances the style you project. Wear a good quality, well pressed semi-dress shirts that’ll make you stand out in good ways… in very good ways

Aside from all of the expensive as hell stuff that are obviously some of the latest styles. The models in the pictures are decked out in in Tommy Bahama's and John W. Nordstrom. The shirts sell for anything between $89 to155. Now granted from at a Nordstrom Store you get superior quality and exceptional service and all that. But you can get the same look from a relatively cheaper shirt say $15-25.

I’ll tell you where to get similarly stylish shirts cheap and more importantly how to maintain that crisp

new shirt look without breaking the bank

We are talking the common, average neighborhood mall variety store which carry clothing lines unlike they did before.

Implementing this Secret, you can:

- Look like you have bucks or that you shop so wisely that with brains like yours, you will eventually have bucks......

- You will get many beautiful eyes on you.... wondering.... and weighing in if you might just be Mr. Right?

The shirts that impress me with their style cut and price are from the D'amante brand. I have no hook or link with them by the way. The particular variation of them that are most snazzarific is the banded collar variety. They're just wonderful. Again, the collar is in a band. They are referred to as "Mandarin" collars. No matter; they look sparklingly marvelous no matter what you call 'em. They have great lines and colors, that help to accentuate your face and your body's physique much more than a normal dress shirt does. The collar itself is the main detail that makes the shirts look so damn attractive and impressive. The buttons also have a rather unique design. They are hidden behind the seam. It's almost like a Japanese neo-love ninja look, and it's downright sleek.

The magnetic attraction a good shirt and a touch of great fragrance (see Irresistible Sensations - Getting straight to a woman or man's heart, is through their... nose) have with hot women has to be seen (or shall we say "experienced") to be believed. In the world of classy women, who may have been out of your reach, now will start to notice you.

These shirts also have a great impact in other areas of life. In day to day life, for instance, it just seems like people are a lot 'nicer' to me when I wear them. They tend to receive me better, and perhaps give me more privileges than someone they might see as one who is shabbily dressed. That's just people for you.

For an example.In clubs and hotels, for instance, they have areas that are reserved exclusively for people either 'on the list', or obvious VIPs, like such as the recognizably rich and famous. Believe it or not, when I have been 'Dressed'; I've slipped into more than a few of these areas unquestioned! I just looked like I belonged there, and of course you got to act like you belong there too. 'Hourly workers' rarely question someone with such a power look, They want a dialog instead. You got practice the appropriate attitude of the powerful. Gatekeepers recognize these behaviours instantly. That is what they do. And they hate reading someone wrong. They would rather err and practice caution rather then cause a scene with a Real VIP, "What do you mean 'Am I on the list?!!?'. Do you have any idea who I am? In fact, tell me who are you?'" I believe that anyone who looks and acts the part of someone important, will be treated as someone important.

So these shirts are a powerful key to an irresistible image. They really kick ass. But it gets better.

I have seen these shirts priced from $20 on sale to a meager $32. They look like they cost well over $100! The down side is the fabric they use. It's a blend of only 65% polyester, and 35% cotton. That is to say that 65% of these shirts will melt your balls off, and the other 35% will provide vital breathing. In practice, this isn't too bad. The fabric is fairly thin. It'd just be nice if they could breathe even more.

Fabric concerns aside, aesthetically, D'amante shirts beat the living pants off $200 shirts I've seen at stores like Saks Fifth Avenue. Seriously. Try to find a shopping area where you have easy access to both a Saks and a JCPenny. Then go and compare. You'll be amazed at what the $200 shirt at Saks, vs. these shirts at JCPenny.can do for you.

Update

A stop at a local mall here in LA revealed another line of banded collar shirts, this time under the "Elliot" label. Some of them are very smart looking, with excellent buttons. They could really capture a women's attention. Unfortunately, the downside to them is a little more extreme than the D'amante shirts offer. Several of their shirts are all polyester. Ick!. Try to wear these puppies only when it's cool out there like in Oregon or Washington or Nebraska. or say, at a bar. Some of their designs, though, are a polyester/cotton blend. Be sure to check the label.

Update

I've had some responses from men that after a while, it doesn't seem like they are getting same compliments from women like they did when they first began wearing these shirts. A little questioning revealed some confusion on a subject I originally thought to be pretty obvious -- how to get a dress shirt cleaned.

I guess that if your attire is normally a wrinkled tee-shirt and jeans, you don't really have the habits to maintain the upkeep a good looking shirt. You've got to keep good clothes looking nice.

Don't can't be cheap -- take all dress and sport shirts like these to the cleaners. Try to find a Cleaner who have a good reputation in your neighborhood. One in the area that's been around the longest, One which uses the latest equipment and cleaning technology, professional cleaning is something of an art. Start a relationship with them with your cleaners and stay away from Budget Cleaners. They'll ruin perfectly good clothes, without taking any responsibility for it. Clothes that cost a lot of money to replace. Try going to a regular priced cleaner.

Now, there are two different options for shirts at most cleaners: laundering and dry cleaning. Both should include pressing. Laundering, even at a high quality cleaner, should cost no more than $1-1.50 per shirt. Dry cleaning should run maybe $3-$3.50 per shirt. Dry cleaning definitely keeps your clothes looking newer longer. That should be the goal. A few years after you bought the shirt you should be able to pick it out of your closet and it should look like it was the first day you wore it. It's the best option if you intend to take good care of your shirts, You don't have go to the cleaner very often, and, to be honest, unless you live in the tropics you don't sweat that much. If you sweat a lot, you should have the shirts you wear laundered frequently-- at least now and then. It tends to remove odors a little better. Otherwise once you wear a shirty once, you should neatly hang them on good quality wooden hanger in a well ventilated closet. Throwing them behind the door and hoping it does not end up on the floor will not work.

There are a couple of different ways cleaners finish a shirt. They'll either do it by hand or use a machine. Go to a cleaner that hand finishes, if you can. This means that they'll actually hand iron out any final kinks in your garment, which will leave your clothes looking better. And since only the most attentive cleaners hand finish, they'll be more likely to do other things right, as well. If they're machine finishing, you'll have some funky depressions left from the machinery itself.

You'll also have options as far as starch goes -- light, medium, or heavy. Starch stiffens a shirt, and keeps it looking nicely pressed longer. However I prefer no starch and that is a personal preference, starch also weakens the fabric of a shirt. A shirt, for instance, might only be able to be heavily starched 10 times, before it starts to look ragged, needing replacement. I recommend at least light starch or no starch, so you have some of the benefits of starch, while also avoiding some of the downfalls of a heavy starch. You'll want to experiment with different levels though, depending on how rough you are with your shirts, and how long in-between cleanings you.

Now you know one of my 20 Secrets of being Irresistible to Everyone. Now you can begin to Walk the Walk and be Irresistible, Prosperous and Happy. May the Force be with you brother. Aloha.

Irresistible Sensations: Getting straight to a woman or man's heart, is through their... nose

Irresistible Appearance: Color you sexy!, Get healthy, Be Radiant, Put on your best face

Irresistible Communication: Validate others... constantly, Creating, communicating, and maintaining an irresistible, The easiest way to sex up your voice, "Mmmmmm, ahhhhhh, ohhhhhhh, yes!" - yummy communication, Fashion that women die for

Irresistible Behavior: Now you can stop turning others off, and start turning them on with these easy-to-implement methods of modifying your behavior

5 days to becoming addictively & irresistibly passionate

'Going shopping hungry' to create irresistible behavior

The daily 'Irresistible energy block'

Irresistible Thinking: Two essential secrets to changing your mind in ways that change you into an irresistibly addictive, growth-oriented person

Now, here's a key secret for you: Truly irresistible, awesome people don't just have their feet on the ground or in the clouds. They have their feet firmly on the ground and their head in the clouds. Here's two secrets and a few added shortcuts to start you growing and attracting in both of these key ways.

Frankly, there's about a million more things I could say to you in this area. But irresistible thinking takes time, and the feedback I've received regarding 22 Secrets showed that most folks wanted something they could do now now, so most of the secrets in this volume are of this 'instantaneous' type. However, this section on 'irresistible thought' provides you with some resources, or 'homework', if you prefer the term, for you to get onto the path of irresistible thought of your own. I sincerely hope you follow through with the recommendations; they're blissfully fun and transformative. and get results with

Place your feet on the ground -- the best resource & homework assignment
Place your head in the clouds -- the best resource & homework assignment

Bonus 1: How to be irresistible even when you’re smashed drunk

Powerful shortcuts to irresistibility through simple changes in body & brain chemistry.

Get a sexually radiant look that will not only catch someone's eye, and how to keep and hold their attention.

America after the Great Global Depression of the 21st Century

2008-12-22T19:15:00.000-08:00

Here is what happened!

I penned a summary and review of the book. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood Published by Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Mass., 1986

With the recession in full swing, after 15 odd years of the shenanigans of the GOP while in office. Sure they will re-invent themselves and the right wing will rises again. As they wander around searching for the next Newt Gingrich to come along and lead them to the promised land. The next wave’s target may well be women. Just like in this book. Timeline the book at about 2012 or just after as the current lot of Democrats in power have run their course in office, whichever comes first. It may be a bit futuristic but it is good thought provoking read.

Let’s have a look at… Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Type of work: Futuristic fiction

Setting: Mythical Republic of Gilead (USA) in the near future

Principal characters:

Offred, a “Rachel”; a woman kept for the purpose of reproducing

The Commander (Fred) her “sixtyish” government sponsored, Guardian

Serena Joy, the Commander’s wife

Nick, the Commander’s chauffeur-body-guard

Moira, Offred’s best friend

Ofglen, another “Rachel”

Story Overview:

The events that transformed the United States into the Republic of Gilead were quick and all-encompassing. Immediately after the catastrophe, “when they shot the president and machine gunned the Congress and the army declared a state of emergency” the media blared, “Everything is under control. ” But shortly there after the Constitution was suspended, newspapers were censored or shut down and roadblocks began to appear. And, eventually, even more radical changes took place. Unsubmissive women were outlawed, they lost their jobs, their bank accounts were frozen, and were assigned to the care of legal male “guardians,” whose first names they generally assumed.

Fearing the worst if they stayed. “Offred” (named for “Fred” the man who later owned her) her husband and their young daughter had passports forged for themselves and made a run for the Canadian border. They planned and prepared carefully: “Then we get to the border we’ll pretend we’re just going over for a day trip.” But when the border-guard checking their passports picked up a phone, they knew that the “Eyes of God” (the secret police) would be alerted. Into the woods they raced on foot. Later all that Offred could remember was her capture. She never knew what happened to her family.

In some ways Offred was fortunate. Since she was still young and fertile, she was not declared an “Unwoman” and sent to the “Colonies” where thousands were forced to work in agricultural camps or cleaning up toxic waste dumps. Life-expectancy was low in the /colonies. Instead, Offred was declared a “Rachel” (after the favored Biblical wife of Jacob) and sent to a center where women were “re-educated” and prepared for the duty of producing a baby in a “Commanders” house. In the center, Offred was overseen by an “Aunty” and shown movies depicting former society to make her se how “corrected” this new society was.

To her joy, Offred’s old friend Moira arrived on day at the center. “This is a loony bin,” Moira declared. The two women often talked through a hole in the partition between the stalls in the washroom, vowing covert rebellion.

During one of their bathroom conversations, Moira confided that she had to escape; she was ‘going batty.’ And after recovering from the re-programming/torture inflicted as punishment for her first, futile attempt, Moira finally did escape – by jumping one of the Aunties, putting her clothes, and scurrying out of the building.

Soon after Offred was sent to her first “post.” As the handmaid in Commander Fred’s house. Serena Joy, the Commander’s hostile, blue-eyed wife, met here at the door. “So you’re the new one” she said. “I want to see little of you as possible. If I get trouble, I’ll give trouble. You understand?” Surprised by this warning, Offred quickly stammered that she understood. Serena Joy continued: Serena Joy continued: As for my husband, he’s just that. My husband. I want that perfectly clear. Till death do us part. It’s final.

Offred’s duties were simple: Number one, get pregnant; and number two, go to town daily and buy food. On her excursions into town was accompanied by another “Rachel.” Widespread pollution and societal shake-up had made food scare in Gilead. Thus no could trust any Rachel to shop alone; and informant were place everywhere to ensure that any budding conspiracies were squelched.

Offred’s shopping partner was Ofglen. Each day after shopping was done, Ofglen suggested that they pass by “The Wall” where the local criminals were executed and displayed. Criminals, abortionist, heretics, Catholics, Jews and other miscreants – they all hung suspended on hooks cemented into The Wall. Ofglen noted that the corpses looked “like scarecrows, which in a way is what they are. Since they are meant to scare.”

Television, computers, books, radio, pen and paper was all forbidden. Once alone in her room, Offred recalled a film she had been show at the “Center” meant to serve as an example of what not to be, the film had depicted women forced into a “rape march.” Horribly, Offred had recognized her own mother in the movie: where she was now was anybody’s guess.

Once each month, Offred, the Commander and Serena Joy would retire in to the bedroom for a ceremony of insemination. There, while the Commander read the Bible, his wife literally “offered” the handmaid to her husband, holding Offred by the arms throughout the proceeding, supposedly to signify that “we are one flesh, one being.” All three remained fully clothed. There “was no passion or love or romance” involved.

Even in here confinement, Offred still indulged in small rebellions. She stole butter and other cosmetics with which to keep her skin soft. On one such escapade, she slipped into the sitting room to look around. Suddenly, she heard footsteps. Nick the Commander’s bodyguard and chauffeur, had brought news that the Commander wanted to see her in his office.

As Offred entered the Commander’s office, he stuttered out his request; I’d like you to play a game of Scrabble with me. “Offred felt like laughing but agreed. They played two games that “that night.”….. I let him win the second. “Before she left to return to her room, the Commander had one more wish: I want you to kiss me.” Offred complied.

After this, Offred would creep to the Commander’s room two or three times a week and play Scrabble. Their “arrangement” required that they set up a signal involving Nick: if Nick’s hat was on askew when Offred returned from shopping, that night they would meet.

On their second night together the Commander brought a gift for Offred – an old Vogue magazine. Offred hesitated, “…..These were supposed to be burned.”

By the third rendezvous she was bold enough to ask for some hand lotion, which she received. Obviously, the black market in Gilead was alive and thriving.

About halfway thru the next “ceremony” the Commander, as though the act was done by reflex, reached up and almost touched Offred’s face. “You could get me transferred to the Colonies…. “She said afterward. He promised to be more discreet.

Meanwhile, one afternoon Offred and Ofglen went to the Soul Scrolls store, where people solicited prayers from machines. As they stood watching the machines spin out prayers, Ofglen asked, “Do you think God listens to these machines?” Offred summoned her courage and said no. After this, the two women began to open up to one another, eventually even devising a password for use in a crisis: “Mayday.”

Serna Joy asked Offred if she was pregnant yet. “No Nothing” Offred answered with relief. Then Serena suggested that maybe the Commander was sterile, and perhaps she should try another man: Nick. Offred realized how much Serena wanted a baby. As incentive, if Offred slept with Nick and produced a child, Serena promised to get information and a picture of Offred's own daughter she last saw at the border during their escape attempt.

During on of Offred’s visit’s to the Commander, he presented her with a pink, feather-adorned slip-on the kind of thing – supposedly long since burned – that women had once worn to look sexy for men. Then he let her outside, past roadblock, to a building once used as a hotel. Inside were numerous men along with women dressed like Offred. Each wore most laughable, dowdy lingerie or show-girl garb. “Well? What do you think of our little club?” he boastfully asked? “….Nature demands variety, for men.”

Then, Moira emerged from the crown. Her eyes me Offred’s, but neither woman flinched. Then Moira flashed the hidden signal they had used in the re-education center. Five minutes later the two were in the Ladies Room, exchanging news – and barbs about one another’s outfit – under the stall. Moira had almost escaped into Canada but was caught at the border. She thought they would kill her or send her back to the Center, but instead they gave her two choices: The Colonies, where, eventually, “your nose falls off and your skin pulls away like rubber glove”; or this – steady work as a prostitute for the government of Gilead.

While Offred spent that night with the Commander, Serena Joy was discreetly arranging with Nick to impregnate the “Rachel.” At first this liaison with Nick was a duty, but soon Offred found herself freely in love with Nick – and she suspected he felt the same about her.

One morning, when Offred went to meet Ofglen for the day’s shopping, a “new” Ofglen greeted her. For days Offred was gripped by fear. Had the “Ofglen “talked”? However Offred’s fears were finally allayed when she learned that Ofglen had committed suicide. Still, Offred remained unsure of who knew what.

Then one day Serena Joy confronted Offred, holding the lipstick-marked costume she had worn. “I trusted you. I tried to help you,” she sobbed. “You could have left me with something.” Offred silently slipped back to her room – to await the black van that would surely come for her.

Offred heard the van pull up, and braced for the entrance of the military henchman – “but it was Nick who pushed open the door.”

“It’s all right,” he whispered. “It’s Mayday. Go with them….. Trust me.

As the Guardians led the still wavering Offred away, the Commander and his wife protested. It was no use. As she was locked into the van, she wondered what would become of her. “And so I step up, into the darkness within; or else the light.”

Commentary:

The Handmaid’s Tale is meant as a warning shot. Atwood suggests that this type of rigid, joyless world is what we can expect when freedom is restricted by dogmatic fanatics – in this case the Religious Right of the United States.

Though men and patriarchal societies in particular are the villains of the book, the male sex is redeemed somewhat by Nick’s actions. This novel is Feminist at its core, and it may merit some criticism for the occasional preachy tone it takes. Atwood’s writing, however takes on an honest, hard-hitting tone, and is surprisingly humorous.

Commander Mike Huckabee with
Republic of Gilead flag in background

Negative Heel Shoes - They are good for you

2008-12-14T16:48:00.000-08:00

Why Negative Heel Shoes?

Man has built a world of concrete and steel that is incompatible with his anatomy. We need a shoe that recreates underfoot the natural terrain that now lies buried beneath the concrete of our cities.
Earth Yoga Origins – The Anne Kalso Story
While in pursuit of her life-long interest in Yoga, Anne Kalso's studies took her to the great Hindu school of Yesudian in Zurich and later to the Yoga monastery in Santos, Brazil. In the course of her studies and experiments, she observed that by flexing the foot, or by lowering the heel one could achieve a feeling similar to that attained in the Yoga Mountain pose. In 1957, this awareness inspired her to develop (with the aid of a Portuguese shoe maker) a primitive version of a sandal with the heel lower than the toes.
Subsequently, she began to observe the superb posture of the native Brazilians with their foot imprints in the sand, and it was confirmed to her that when man walks in soft earth the weight of his body is sunk low in to the heels! Returning to Denmark, she began experimenting further with this principle. For ten years she developed and refined her designs. She tested the new models herself on walking trips of five hundred miles and more. Every nuance of their design and structure grew out of her intense concern and care. "It took numerous years of hard work before I reached the final form of my shoe which takes into consideration all the natural demands of the foot and body. Now I know that I have created something. It is no longer an idea in my mind, but a thoroughly tested and proven fact."
Does this work? I am a recreational race walker. I pound the track and or the pavement about 15 miles a week. With a lot of standing at work and being on my feet all day. Chronic back pain has be a constant in my life for decades. While researching reflexology, I came across Negative Heel Technology. Currently reverse heel athletic shoes are quite expensive. Being cheap, I did not want lay out over $100 for a new pair just to see it works!
I did the next best thing. I took a pair of used but good athletic shoes, removed the inside heel material, keeping the outside intact and still padded. Replacing the insole now I had a reverse heel of about 3 degrees. The first time I put these shoes to the test was at the mall during Christmas shopping with the family.
In previous years I could handle no more than a hour of walking around the mall. My back will start to spasm and the pain kicks in, I get cranky and want to go home. This year dad was still going like the ‘Eveready Bunny’ after everyone else was tired! I credit these shoes for giving me good posture so my weight is distributed optimally and naturally. Hardly any fatigue and resulting pain in my lower back or neck. I thought I will share this with fellow chronic back pain suffers. And now when I next shop for shoes of any stripe I will go with Negative Heel Technology. No matter what the cost.
There are some really cool shoe design out there now, however they are not at the mainstream stores yet.
You can browse these online retailers if you care to. Viva happy feet! ♥
www.planetshoes.com,
www.pegasusshoes.com
www.earthbeach.com
www.earthvegan.us

Maximize health benefits during your morning shower

Foot reflexology is a simple, natural healing technique that appears to induce a normalizing response in the body by applying pressure to specific reflex points on the feet. Foot acupressure is a similar technique derived from the Chinese tradition which sees the body as a network of energy channels. In fact, many cultures have used some form of foot massage as a healing technique.

Reflexology, acupressure and foot massage are most effective when applied on a regular basis. Just as stress and tension are accumulative, so is the relaxation response. Because it is not always possible to visit a reflexologist regularly, self-massaging devices have been developed for applying pressure to the feet: foot massage mats, rollers, special sandals, etc.

Recognition of reflexology as a valuable natural healing technique has increased in recent years. National and international reflexology organizations now exist, and in many areas practitioners are licensed by local governments.

Cobblestone walking is an ancient health enhancing practice that has been known in China for thousands of years. Cobblestone walkways or foot reflexology parks exist all over China and are utilized by young and old for their health and meditative benefits.

Understanding the time constraints of contemporary living, most of us do not have time to take of our shoes take a stroll in a cobbled courtyard several times a week.

Most people go barefoot in the shower each morning! You can now use that 10 minutes for your own reflexology massage. Simply place it on the floor of your shower stall and step on wooden deck. And it is ready to use.

While showering place your feet on the rounded natural pebbles and use your body weight to gently rock to and fro to massage and stimulate thoes reflexology pressure points on your feet. It is exhilarating and rejuvenates your feet and entire system. Helps with circulation.

This new product has foot scrubbing strips to scrub bottoms of your feet. For that ‘just from the pedicurist feeling’. When you get out of the shower your feet and the rest of your body will thank you.

I sourced natural polished Iron ore which I have been using instead of stone. No scientific evidence it is better or worse. I just think it is cool, if you want to go a step further you could magnatize the stones and use them. Just imagine the possibilities.

Ginger Tea
Before during and after the flu
When you are feeling some of the symptoms of the usual winter blahs, you have contracted flu virus, nothing on this green earth is going stop it from running its course. The key words here are running and course. During the time the virus is doing its thing in your body and ramping up to infect the rest of the household and your entire deptartment at work. Here is what most people do. They take strong, no make that extra strength flu and cold medicines. These mask the symptoms flu. The main active ingredients are ephedrine and the legally allowed dosage of pain medication that you can get without a prescription.
When you take these medicines you may already know it works is essentially by shocking your body. Its suppresses the natural detoxification process of your body which is trying to getting rid of the mucus to cleanse your body. Essentially you suppress your natural immune functions with these over the counter drugs. I
It is highly recommended you take the few days off and let the symptoms run its course and you rest at home rather than drug up and show up to work. You are not at your productive best at work as you are running on an empty tank with your transmission limping along.
Whether you decide to stay at home and rest or got to work. Drink warm Ginger Tea. This is almost miracle remedy. It helps loosen up that mucus and speeds up the terrible symptoms throughout its varios stage. By all means take your chicken noodle soup. However stay away from the ephedrine products and toxic alley.
How to Make Ginger Tea
Ginger tea has a spicy, invigorating taste. It's used as a home remedy for indigestion, nausea, and to ward off colds, flu, and sore throats.
Ginger tea is very easy to make. Here is a recipe for you to try.
Ginger Tea Recipe
· water, 4 cups
· 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root
· optional: honey and lemon slice
Peel the ginger root and slice it into thin slices. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Once it is boiling, add the ginger. Cover it and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea. Add honey and lemon to taste.
Note: Keep in mind that if you are making ginger tea as a home remedy during cold and flu season, sweeteners are not recommended.

Give your body and mind a treat each day

2008-12-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

Take good care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.

Bodywork helps you to treat your body right. Stress is the number one killer in both men and women. Our bodies become tense, knotted up, and then we begin to get the typical physical signs. Stress will cause headaches, irritability, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, and much more. One of the best ways to combat these ailments is to have regular work done to your body to help you stay calm and learn to distress. There are several ways to do this. You can simply go for walks, work out, take a hot shower, or you can have massage or polarity therapy. You will want to choose the best method for you.
Massage Therapy For The Soul
One of the best ways to help your body combat stress and stay healthy is through massage. This type of bodywork offers you many types of benefits. The sense of touch offers an emotional calming that helps the body to relax. This lowers blood pressure and helps to relax muscles. A therapist will massage the muscles vigorously to help blood flow and to release toxins from the tissues. These toxins can now easily exit the body, allowing it to be healthier. When our bodies feel better physically, we will feel better spiritually and emotionally. Our attitude improves and we are less irritable. Massage helps you reach a better place both physically and mentally.
Polarity Therapy For Your Happiness
There are many people who are uneasy with massage for one reason or another. Polarity therapy can help those who are not comfortable being unclothed, had touch related traumas, and have other negative feelings overcome and move forward. Through light touch or simply intention, the therapist simply removes the negative and blocking energies of the person having the bodywork done. This allows the energy that runs though us all to run in harmony. The toxins and poisons are removed from the body and the soul and healing can begin. This is a great way to help combat many types of diseases before they strike.
How To Relax At Home
Bodywork does not have to just be done by a professional. Meditation, a relaxation bath, working out, all falls into the same realm of therapy, as long as you reduce stress, help the body to heal, and create a way to help the bodywork at its optimum, you have achieved the same results. Working out does so much to allow the body to be at its best. It helps the blood flow to remove toxins. A relaxing bath warms up the muscles to allow you to reduce tension. Meditation helps the mind guide the body into a more peaceful state where rejuvenation can take place. When you do any of these daily or in combination, you can help to prolong any professional work you have done, or enable yourself to be at your best on your own, unaided. Either way you will be doing you and your health a great service for now and for the future

Tips To Shop Wisely and Conveniently

2008-12-14T16:16:00.000-08:00

Shopping for best deal can add stress to the Holidays. So what can you do when there’s tons of shopping to do? First of all, you need to create a realistic budget for your holiday shopping. The holidays are about love and family, so don’t feel like you have to go into debt just to be able to afford expensive gifts. Put together a budget you’re comfortable with.

Next, make a list of each and every gift you need, where you need to get it, etc. You can also avoid stress by planning when you shop. Can you shop on the weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds? If possible, use the weekends for family time as opposed to shopping time!

Here are more tips to help you shop wisely over the holidays.

Get the Best Deal

1. Compare prices. Look for price-matching policies. Some merchants will match, or even beat, their competitors’ prices. Read the merchant’s pricing policy carefully. It may not apply to all items. Go online to check out internet sites that compare prices for items offered online.

2. Check shipping and handling fees. Don’t forget to factor these into the cost of the order and choose the delivery option that best meets your needs and budget.
Order early to allow plenty of time for shipment and delivery.

3. Do your research. Ask family, friends or co-workers for recommendations on retailers, whether online or offline. Some items like jewelry can be expensive. The cost of jewelry depends a lot on the type of piece it is. Familiarize yourself with some key terms before you shop, for example, “natural,” “laboratory-created,” “imitation,” “gold,” “gold-plated.” These can make big cost differences.

Know Your Rights

1. Can you get your money back? Check out refund and return policies before you buy.

2. Read the fine print. When shopping online, sometimes key restrictions on a sale are contained in the “fine print” on a website. Take some time to click on any hyperlinks leading to warranty or rebate information, additional costs, or other key information you should know about before you buy online. Check around the site since this information may be buried under a general link, for example under “Terms and Conditions.”

3. Review warranties. Many high-tech gadgets and appliances come with warranties. You have the right to review a warranty before you purchase a product. For warranty information online, look for hyperlinks leading to the full warranty, or to an address where you can obtain a free copy. Reading the warranty before you buy can help you understand exactly what protection you’ll get should something go wrong later. If a copy of the warranty is available online, print it out when you make your purchase and keep it with your records.

Keep Good Records

1. Track your purchases. Keep printouts of the web pages with details about the transaction, including any warranties, or return and refund policies if you’re not satisfied. If shopping by telephone or catalog, keep records of your order: the company’s name, address and phone number; the date of your order; a copy of the order form you sent to the company or a list of the items ordered and their stock codes, the order confirmation codes and the ad or catalog from which you ordered.

2. Keep receipts. You may need them to return an item or to reconcile your credit card statement. Ask for gift receipts to include with your gift.

Do your homework, compare and get the best deals

Search for coupons and discounts before you shop

Make a shopping list and stick to it.
Resources
http://www.dealtaker.com/
http://www.dealsofamerica.com/
http://www.dealshouter.com/
http://www.smartbargains.com

Microfinance and the Grameen Foundation

2008-12-14T12:50:00.000-08:00

Helping the poor lift themselves out of poverty

Grameen Foundation uses microfinance and innovative technology to fight global poverty and bring opportunities to the world’s poorest people. With tiny loans and financial services, we help the poor, mostly women, start businesses and escape poverty. Our global network of 55 microfinance institution (MFI) partners including our Growth Guarantee partners has touched more than 34 million people in 24 countries. In addition, we introduced and now sustain technology initiatives (Mifos and Village Phone) in Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, bringing our total country outreach to 28.
Grameen Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Carbon Footprint?

2008-12-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

Inevitably, in going about our daily lives — commuting, sheltering our families, eating — each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. Yet, there are many things each of us, as individuals, can do to reduce our carbon emissions. The choices we make in our homes, our travel, the food we eat, and what we buy and throw away all influence our carbon footprint and can help ensure a stable climate for future generations.
Use The Nature Conservancy’s carbon footprint calculator to measure your impact on our climate. Our carbon footprint calculator estimates how many tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases your choices create each year. more info
To get started, select the number of people in your home. Then choose whether you want to calculate a carbon footprint for yourself or for your household.Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas in our atmosphere. This means that the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere directly influences how much of the sun’s heat stays in the atmosphere, which is a key factor in climate change. One ton of carbon dioxide is released when you travel 5,000 miles in an airplane, drive 2,500 miles in a medium-sized car, or cut down and burn a tree that was about one foot in diameter and 40 feet tall. There are other greenhouse gases as well, such as methane and nitrous oxide. This carbon footprint calculator includes these gases in your results and reports them in a standardized measure called “tons of CO2 equivalent.”
Here are a few examples of products which already feature a carbon footprint label include Walkers Crisps, a smoothie product from Innocent Drinks, and a shampoo product produced by Boots Group.

The quarrel over resources and 21st century global politics

2008-12-14T11:19:00.000-08:00

The contrasts between the euphoria of the last decade of the 20th century and the opening years of the 21st are as worrisome as they are dramatic:
• Economically, celebration has been replaced by attempts to cope, sugared with the recurring notion that all will be well soon enough, that “prosperity is just around the corner.”
• Politically, the leaders of both the major and minor countries are faced at home with citizenries mixing apathy with outrage and uneasiness as seemingly intractable disputes in all realms persist.
• Militarily, long-standing conflicts over the globe are coming to be overshadowed by what threatens to become an enlarging strife in the Middle East and Central Asia. Even as the term “quagmire” has resurfaced, fears grow that matters could become much worse than that. Although mortifyingly, the U.S.A. did finally manage to extricate itself from Quagmire #1, but as the bloodshed continues and worsens in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Israel/Palestine, apprehension is expressed that the United States can neither “win” nor leave, with who knows what related consequences.
Such troubling concerns are only the most prominent among many now demanding attention; none can be dealt with here more than summarily. Some of the most pressing questions will be raised, which, in being so, will point to matters deserving continuing and serious investigation:
1) Do the collapse of “the new economy” of the U.S.A. and ongoing erratic developments of the world economy portend a replay of the 1930s? Put differently, whence the source(s) of healthy growth and stability for the predictable future?
2) Can the deepening and spreading socioeconomic stresses and struggles within and between nations be made manageable, or will the political extremes and conflicts of the interwar decades reappear, if also in different forms?
3) Are the numerous internecine and “small wars” and deepening tensions on all continents the prelude to one or more major outbreaks between nuclear powers such as India and Pakistan, the U.S.A. and North Korea or even between the U.S.A. and China?
4) Asking essentially the same questions, but from a different standpoint, if the hegemonic position of the United States is now in decline, as now seems entirely possible, what then?
The complexities and their interactions of today’s world preclude reliable answers to those questions. What can be said is that whatever happens over the next decade or two, its specific causes, nature, and resolutions will necessarily be different in both degree and kind from the past: possibly for better, probably for worse. But “probably for worse” because of the heightened abilities of those both in and out of power around the globe to do harm, and the greater difficulties of restraining them from abusing those abilities — all that made more problematic if, as, and when the hegemonic power, as now, becomes unilateralist.
The ensuing and truncated responses to the those questions will be mostly concerned with the ongoing U.S. and global political economies, and their similarities with and differences with the relevant past; after that, a brief comment on related global political and military troubles.
Global Economies: Easy Come, Easy Go
The framework within which the troubles of the 19th century moved toward crises and convulsions was imperialism; today’s is that of globalization. Neither of those came to be in a vacuum; both were created by the existing capitalist powers, steered by nationalism, and energized by the technologies of their time; although there were many differences between the two eras, they had in common that in neither era could the weaker regions withstand the demands of the powerful.
Like imperialism, globalization has been a heedlessly destabilizing set of processes; both entailed the substantial and ubiquitous changes essential for the flourishing of capitalism:
Constant revolutionizing of production, uninterrupted disturbance of all social conditions, ever-lasting uncertainty and agitation distinguish the [capitalist] epoch from all earlier ones. All fixed, fast-frozen relations, with their train of ancient and venerable prejudices and opinions, are swept away, all new-formed ones become antiquated before they can ossify. All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned, and man is at last compelled to face with sober senses his real conditions of life and his relations with his kind. (Marx, 1967c, 38)
That was written more than 150 years ago; today’s swift rates of change — and what is changed — make the earlier era seem like a stately waltz in comparison. Much of the recent acceleration can be explained by the extraordinary leaps ahead of the technologies of communication, production, and transportation; but their way was paved for them by the institutional “clear cuts” of imperialist interventions. In both the imperialist nations and those they exploited, traditions of social cohesion and stability were all but dismantled before World War I; the interwar years and the second world war sent them to the rubbish heap. The jazzy technologies of the past half century were free to do what they would, where they would, come what may.
The normal functioning of all social systems produces some who gain more than others; today’s capitalist globalization does so spectacularly, producing winners and losers in ways such that the initial gaps between them widen irreversibly. The constituent and interacting elements of that gap are at once economic, political, and military, affecting all nations and all of their peoples.
Those presiding over these processes, whether past and present, do not concede that the game is one of winners and losers; their constant theme has been that “a rising tide lifts all boats” — some higher than others, to be sure; but to the benefit of all “in the long run.” Never is it acknowledged that the “rising tide” has the destructive force of a tidal wave for all but a minority; never is it recognized that most of the people in the world have never had “boats” or, that when they have, that it has consisted of the land taken from them by that same “rising tide” — as with the enclosures in Britain during the industrial revolution; never is it understood that what the “long run” has brought has been socio-economic upheaval weakening the already weak.
Nor is more than token attention paid to the already large and growing number of those in the globalizing countries who, having prospered in its earlier stages, have more recently seen their good jobs disappear in a less dramatic but steadily “rising tide” at home. As will be discussed more fully below, in being restructured to meet the needs and possibilities of capital, the socioeconomies of the rich nations have enfeebled the lives of many millions of their own people.
Consider the dynamic meanings of terms such as “downsizing” and “outsourcing” for the laid-off skilled workers of the richer nations: their dignity as well as their wages and benefits have gone down the drain. Try to imagine the plight of the masses of those in the “emerging economies” whose “agribusiness,” “export platforms” and “modernization” have meant for most the irrevocable devastation of their villages, their cultures, their livelihood and, once more, their dignity — leaving them with a future of hard work at dirt wages in hostile cities in their own or other lands, with who knows what new dangers and horrors.
None of that — or the accompanying environmental damage — is or ever has been a matter for concern on the part of the giant companies that so enthusiastically bring them about; consider the factual experience of the crowning glory of globalization — NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement, 1993), where the possibilities for realizing globalization’s favorable consequences were at their most promising for all concerned.
The maquiladoras on Mexicos’s northern border were a central product of the NAFTA accord. The following details are taken from the scholarly study of James Cypher, the leading student of Mexican-U.S. economic relations, “NAFTA’s Lessons….” (2001, emphases added.)
NAFTA established policies between the U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico, but it began in 1993 as a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Mexico, supported by four basic claims:
1) it would be a trade agreement, not a project to shift production to Mexico; 2) it was a binational search for efficiency, not a government/corporate-led strategy to regain the steady loss of U.S. economic dominance from the 1980s on; 3) it would reduce consumer prices in the USA; 4) it would quickly create 170,000–200,000 jobs in the USA, as a result of balanced trade.
In fact, as Cypher shows, barriers to trade had never been problem between the two countries; barriers to investment had been. With NAFTA, U.S. capital managed to eliminate all constraints to the placing or practices of their factories in Mexico; indeed, Cypher declares, such unlimited investment was “the core of NAFTA.” The eliminated barriers were those that might set floors to wages and working conditions or protect the environment: for U.S. companies, it was a free pass to recreate the “dark satanic mills” of the industrial revolution.
Item: U.S. auto workers’ wages in the 1990s averaged
$19/hour, plus benefits; in the Mexican maquiladoras they were well under $2/hour, usually with no benefits.
Item: already by 1996, as the U.S. car models produced in the maquiladoras amounted to half the models’ total output, their prices in the United States rose by 20 percent.
Item: More jobs? “NAFTA was responsible for the loss of approximately 316,000 jobs by 1999, due to both trade and investment effects.”
Still, at least it was beneficial for the landless and otherwise desperate Mexicans? Not quite: “Mexico, far from developing its industrial base, has become an assembly site for [primarily] U.S. corporations, which thrive on a workforce whose worklife averages ten years” — a workforce with 10 hour + days, living in badly-overcrowded slum shelters, whose average life span has been shortened (like that noted for English workers in the early 19th century). But, surely the Mexican economy has grown more rapidly and will do so even more, and things will improve for all? Hardly: Before NAFTA, 1960–1980, Mexico’s GDP had grown at an average of four percent annually; since 1993 it has grown at just one percent.
And worse is on its way. In “Maquiladora Bosses Play the China Card” (Dollars & Sense, September 10, 2003) one learns that Mexican workers are told they must accept even lower wages and lose what meager benefits they may have had, lest their factories be moved to China or India — a repeat play of the threats issued to U.S. workers regarding a move to Mexico in earlier years; and, after unions caved in, factories continued to be shut down — most recently for several more U.S. auto plants. Significantly, the once powerful auto union (UAW) acquiesced, in order to keep benefits for continuing workers — at least for a while.
Like imperialism, globalization stems from the interaction of capital’s opportunities and its needs. Contemporary opportunities arose from:
• the extraordinary rise in the mobility of physical capital plus
• rapid transportation and instant communications plus
• the elimination of political barriers to the production in the weaker nations — all going well beyond the possibilities of the world presided over by Britain.
However, companies have become always more gigantic and always more “transnational” not only because they can but because they must; survival, as much as the lust for profits and power, is a driving force.
Giant businesses now possess giant political as well as economic power; however, of the few hundred transnational companies that effectively control world production, trade, and services — and politics — it is those of the United States that generally prevail, imperiously. So far.
There is no failure like success
As with Britain more than a century ago, the very source of what are seen as the triumphs of ongoing globalization are likely to be the cause of its breakdown in the looming future: the U.S. empire has probably “shot itself in the foot” in confronting the possibilities and the needs of its overweening power.
Earlier it was noted that history cannot repeat itself, least of all in specifics; but certain general patterns of change can occur, and have. Previous chapters have noted the ways in which the Dutch in the 17th–18th centuries and the British in the 19th century “did themselves in.” The reader is referred back to them and to the discussions of the reconstruction and emergence of “global economies II and III” since World War II. Here we treat of the destabilizing forces of the very recent past and the present, as they both compare and substantially contrast with their colonial and imperialist predecessors.
1) Just as the technology of the 19th century made it both possible and necessary for Britain to take a quantitative leap beyond the Dutch, that could and did happen also because of enormous qualitative changes. Britain brought more territories under control, penetrated them much more deeply geographically and economically, and was both able and required to gain explicit political control. But Britain and the other imperialists of that age exploited “their” territories almost exclusively for resources and, in a lesser way, for markets; that is still vital, but imperialism’s hot core is now the global spread of production.
2) Although the politics of the post-World War II era did not allow the continuation of direct political control over imperialized societies, the political economy and the technology of the past half-century have enabled even further geographic and socioeconomic penetration without direct political control, facilitated by the always greater economic dependency of the poorer nations and by the susceptibility to corruption of their rulers.
But now, as earlier, something has gone awry. The main difficulties of 19th century imperialism arose from the conflicts between the major powers, all competing to gain control over the resources, markets, and strategic locations of the weaker societies. The latter, now politically independent, confront the ruling powers with numerous and always changing stresses and strains both in their own societies at the same time as conflicts arise among and between contending transnational companies and, therefore, their nations.
In addition, the successes of globalization, in entailing the shoving aside of traditional cultures and their ways and means, have produced a wave of turbulence and anger that might easily accelerate out of control. That development will be examined further below; here it is pertinent to call the reader’s attention to Benjamin Barber’s Jihad vs. McWorld, which explores the explosive relationships between what is seen as economic progress by the richer nations but as a socioeconomic catastrophe by large numbers of those in the poorer societies. (See Klein, No Logo, and Stiglitz, Globalization and Its Discontents.)
In what now follows, the prospects for sufficient rates of economic growth will be seen as dim; at least as important, and as will be discussed at some length in the Epilogue, the economic growth viewed as the cure-all society’s for ills and needs not only is not, but is likely to be the very source of major problems.
Be that as it may, presently rising difficulties were potentially present from the beginnings of the postwar era, but were temporarily muffled or deflected by substantial global reconstruction and recovery from the 1950s on. Three to six percent economic growth rates were then the rule; now one to two percent is seen as encouraging.
The first signs of enduring trouble emerged in 1991 in Japan, the second largest national economy; it has yet to recover. Since 1991, Japan “has turned the corner” countless times; as I write in late 2003, once more its “economic growth is likely to exceed one percent this year.” Such “growth” was once described as stagnation.
What has been true for Japan for more than a decade has taken hold since 2000 for the other six members of the “Group of 7″ (U.S.A., Germany, France, Italy, the U.K. and Canada): rates of Unemployment for the Europeans hover just above or just below 10 percent; Canada’s and Britain’s, until recently fairly low, are now rising; the United States has lost about three million jobs since 2000, and its unemployment rate is stuck above six percent. (It would be over 10 percent if measured in the European way.) Such unemployment will continue until growth rates average 3.5 percent.
As happened in the 1930s and again in the 1970s with the word “stagnation,” the vocabulary of economics has altered to account for these phenomena, most recently in the United States: “jobless recovery” — or, more recently “jobloss recover.” That process itself is the result of something else new, and is expected to persist: the relationship between increases in productivity and unemployment. Consider the following:
Productivity is rising at the fastest rate in 30 years…more than twice the pace of the 1970s and 1980s and slightly faster than in the postwar era from 1947 to 1973…[the] golden age of productivity improvements….Since the recovery began more than two years ago…the United States has still lost more than a milllion jobs. (“‘Jobless reovery’ — how it’s possible,” Boston Globe, October 14, 2003)
The “fault” is not that of productivity, as such, but that its increases take place in a period of persisting low growth. In turn, that is but one part of a larger development, first and foremost in the United States. Its constituent parts are
1) the now widespread adoption of the advanced technologies of the “new economy” of the 1990s by the “old companies” as a positive opportunity to enhance profitability and the need
2) to meet the general increase of global competition; meanwhile,
3) both blue and white collar jobs move from the richer to the poorer countries at an escalating rate. At the same time, especially in the United States,
4) there is a surge in income inequality within the labor force itself between the shrinking number who have been able to retain skilled jobs (and benefits) and the rising number of those who have become part of the always enlarging unskilled, low-pay, no benefits workforce — a transition already well underway in the United States in the name of “a flexible labor force” — while, at the same time, the Bush administration finds ways to widen the gap between the very rich and all others. Nor does it help that the West Europeans powers are seeking to make their own workforces “more flexible.”
To those developments, another must be added, again with special force in the United States (but spreading elsewhere) — never forgetting that it is “the consumer of last resort” for other nations’ exports. The reference is to the already high levels of economic fragility brought about by vast increases in all realms of debt, which, along with exorbitant speculation, have been both cause and consequence of the financialization of the U.S. economy since the 1980s. The “realms of debt” comprehend households, financial and non-financial companies, federal and state governments, and U.S. foreign debt.
The fragility arises not just from the record-breaking levels of indebtedness, but from the necessity that all forms of it must continue to rise to keep the U.S.A. and the global economy “healthy.” However, the U.S. population of “consumers of last resort” cannot function satisfactorily without a steady rise in median real incomes — not just merely those of the top 10 percent.
It is not only the “jobless recovery” which constitutes a problem in that respect, nor only the rising inequality of income; harmful though both are, there is a considerably deeper problem needing attention: If current globalization processes continue on their present track, the United States faces a continuous weakening of its manufacturing sector, the historic ccnter of its economic strength — a process already well under way.
In recent decades, U.S. global dominance has trodden the path taken by the British more than a century ago, if with variations. Britain, utterly dominant in industrial production up through the 1880s, enhanced its wealth and strength by massive lending abroad, most especially to Germany and the United States; as they became more advanced technologically and stronger industrially, they emerged as Britain’s devastating competitors. In his Imperial Germany…, Veblen wrote with irony about this process as the “advantages of borrowing and the penalty of taking the lead”: Britain had been “hoist by its own petard.”
There are vital differences between Britain’s devolution and what is likely to occur for the United States. We are the world’s (and history’s) largest borrower not, as Britain was, its greatest lender; Britain did very little of its manufacturing abroad; the U.S., combining the latest technology with very low wages, does a great deal and always more.
But the key difference between now and then is that the while globalization has given the richer nations easy access to the cheap labor and abundant resources of the poorer countries, it has also done something else. It has also made it possible for those countries themselves to develop their own industry — most notably China and India. While making ample room for outside investors, they are also rapidly making modern industries of their own — not only in the classic realms of textiles, clothing and non-durables, but the entire gamut of industrial production, up to and including computer software.
The growth of manufacturing in previously non-industrial countries can become — as, for example, it has been in Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan — a beneficial development for the richer countries, if and only if the world economy is expanding at a goodly rate and their governments, not “the free market,” shape their economic development.
The essential expansion is distinctly improbable for several reasons:
1) It could occur only if stimulated by substantial increases in real investment (that is, productive capacities), and/or
2) substantial increases in average levels of consumption.
Neither is likely.
Item:
Overcapacity Stalls New Jobs” (New York Times, October 19, 2003): “Much of the public outcry over America’s failure to generate jobs has focused lately on a surge in the outsourcing of work to China and India. But another dynamic closer to home is weighing on job creation — the slow process of working through a glut of boom-era investment that contiues to litter the economy with underused factories…U.S. manufacturers are using less than 73 percent of their capacity.
China has been and remains the most rapidly growing economy in the world and the most tightly controlled; and India is rapidly catching up. Taken together, their populations well exceed a third of the globe’s; the largest percentage of both live in extreme poverty and work under the abysmal working conditions — and thus have the dynamism — of the British industrial revolution.
Expanding at the rate of roughly eight percent annually, China and India (expanding at seven percent) may be expected to have a combined gross domestic product at least equal to that of Japan and Germany combined — or that of the United States?
Meanwhile, the “flexibility” of the U.S. workforce is gutting the ability of its own population to maintain consumption levels, with or without rising household debt — whose average monthly level is already higher than that of household income. Tellingly, a recent headline states that, “Necessities [education, health care, housing, prescription drugs], not luxuries [durable consumer goods], are driving Americans into debt.” (New York Times, September 4, 2003)
It seems to have escaped the attention of business — not for the first time — that for modern industrial economies to prosper in the fabled “long run” it is essential that a goodly portion of their own population be well enough off to purchase a goodly percentage of the domestic production of “non-necessities.”
Alongside and connected to that ominous development, troubles have surfaced in the realms of foreign trade and foreign exchange. Since 2002, the dollar has weakened substantially against the the yen and the euro. Initially, that sounds like good news for U.S. businesses: our goods are cheaper, so others will buy more of them; for the same reasons it is bad news for those “others.” Question: on balance, will foreigners be buying more U.S. goods if their economies are weakened by reductions in our imports from them?
The cheapening of the dollar was preceded and has been accompanied by a rising wave of protection for both agriculture and industry by the United States, as it simultaneously preaches “free marketry” for others. The Europeans and the Japanese are furious at that Janus-faced policy, made all the more so by the sustained attempts of the U.S.A. to promote a weaker dollar (while President Bush publicly promises the opposite).
Significantly, China has wisely tied its yuan (or renmindi) to the dollar, no matter the appeals from the United States to “let it float”: “China stands firm on keeping yuan at current rate” (International Herald Tribune, October 30, 2003), one of the policies enabling China to become a major player in the world economy.
Item: In 2002, “for the first time, Japan’s imports from China surpassed its imports from the United States. At the same time, Japan’s exports to China surged… China has [also] become South Korea’s largest trading partner.” (“China: U.S. Losing Status in Asia,” New York Times, October 17, 2003)
Tremors are also being felt in the arena of global finance because of the trillions owed by the U.S.A. to foreigners, making us now also the world’s “borrower of last resort.” The U.S. started its journey to that position decades ago, when we were the Rock of Gibraltar in a relatively shaky world; in addition to becoming U.S. bondholders, foreigners became U.S. stockholders in vast quantities as part of the “irrational exuberance” of the “new economy” in the 1990s.
The economic slowdown and the corruption scandals of the U.S.A. in the past few years — and now its skyrocketing deficits — have badly shaken foreigners’ confidence in U.S. investments. In that more than one-third of all U.S. government bonds are held by foreigners, that is no small matter: Any suspicion of a rise in interest rates creates a fall in bond prices, and/or any sell-off of bonds leads to a rise in interest rates. And once such processes take hold, the threaten to become runaway. Probable? Not yet. But as recently as 1999, it would have been deemed impossible.
We have now arrived at the intersection of political economy and global politics.
All together now: quarrel!
Like business strategies for companies, politics for nations is a matter of opportunity and need, with even higher stakes. The global structure of power and, to a significant extent, the structures of power within nations were able to be vitally shaped by the United States in the wake of World War II, which, as we have seen earlier, flattened virtually all other societies in all ways.
In the ensuing half century of reconstruction and development, the relative power of all others set against that of the U.S.A. naturally increased substantially in the economic realm — leaving them, however, still effectively subservient both economically and politically.
In the past few years, most especially but not only in Europe, attempts have begun to surface for many of those nations to find ways of working together in opposition to the United States, instead of doing our bidding without protest. It is easy to see this as having been prompted by what they see as a combination of simpleminded, arrogant, selfish, and dangerous military policies in especially (but not only) the Middle East and Central Asia; but those policies have been “last straws,” following many precursors in recent years.
The issues causing the Europeans, Asians, and Latin Americans to become increasingly disgruntled with the U.S.A. now include the economic, political, social and military realms:
• our refusal to sign even the mild Kyoto Treaty for environmental constraints — even though, or because, we are the major culprit;
• our refusal to join the International Criminal Court unless it exempts our own citizens — most notably, Henry Kissinger — from prosecution;
• our piddling contributions to (or withdrawal from) global health programs, usually because of fundamentalist religious groups’ pressures regarding abortion or sexual conduct;
• our continued substantial economic and military support of Israel in a conflict requiring evenhandedness; and, of course, our resort to the policy of “preemption” in Iraq, and the fear that it is just a beginning.
The carrots and sticks of U.S. policy over the past half century have been used continuously. Now, we have fewer carrots to offer, and to kneel to our sticks is coming to be seen as more dangerous than to resist them. There is no way any one nation can effectively resist us, unless it is a China (or, as a special case, a Malaysia); strong regional and interregional alliances are necessary. That path for both the rich and the poor nations is strewn with imposing obstacles.
Such can be no more than cold comfort for the United States; withal, the efforts are not only under discussion in Europe and in Asia and in Latin America, but have gone beyond mere grumbling to proposals: Romano Prodi, President of the European Union, rarely lets a week go by without making public comments on the need for Europe to lessen its dependence upon the U.S.A., by strengthening and reshaping the European Union — itself a product of U.S. pressures going back to 1950.
Even more striking is what is happening in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the eight nations of South America, only Chile can be a cause of merely minor concern for the United States (and even there, memories of the U.S. role in the fascist coup of 1973 remain a poisonous thorn in that relationship). The headline in the leading newspaper in Italy, La Repubblica, tells it all: “Challenge to the hegemony of the U.S.A., following the dream of Lula.” (October 19, 2003) The day before, Bolivia’s president had been forced to flee to Miami, lest a worse fate befall.
“Lula,” president of that continent’s largest and, in terms of resources, its richest nation, well aware of the ability of the United States to bring its economy down, is pursuing a slow but sure path to making Brazil’s economy part of a regional alliance which would qualitatively reduce the economic dependence of the entire region on the U.S.A. Chavez, despite bitter opposition from the United States (very probably including its participation in some attempts to overthrow him) has wrested control over Venezuela’s oil resources — as an important first step in the same direction.
The new president of Argentina, Kirchner, is at one with its population in seeking to rid the country of the IMF — that is, U.S. finance’s — stranglehold, and to move also toward finding strength in regionalism. In one degree or another, long-suppressed anger with the northern behemoth has surfaced increasingly as well in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and, now, Bolivia. In all those countries, significant percentages of the people have long been fed up with being used by the U.S.A., in whatever name: for free markets, against cocaine, you name it — ways and means always benefitting the United States at the expense of South America.
What happens now is not because the peoples of the South have of a sudden become absolutely stronger; it is that the U.S.A. has become relatively weaker. It is likely to become always more so as its economic strengths decline and its military priorities rise. It does not help the United States that its attempts to get rid of Castro, in whatever form for whatever reasons, have not only failed, but have, if anything, widened support for Cuba and deepened animosity to war itself, throughout the Caribbean and also in, for example, Europe.
The peoples of Central America are not likely ever to forget or to forgive the United States for its murderous activities in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama, whose effects do and will endure; nor, as Mexico’s economy shrinks, are the Mexicans likely to support any government that supports NAFTA.
Although the unfolding processes in Asia are in great flux, it seems certain that Japan’s economy domination in Asia is on its way out, and economic and other forms of domination by China are on their way in. To what degree and it what ways that phenomenon will emerge cannot be known. Suffice it to say that events will almost certainly leave the United States as a bystander concerning (at least potentially) the entire Asian continent — or even the world, dependent upon our preponderant military strength, not on our once great prestige and power.
Those are merely tendencies, signs of U.S. decline, rather than the emergence of a different “new world order.” If the future will even roughly be similar to the past, unfortunately, any such new order will arise only on the ashes of the present order.
The Epilogue says more on that crucial matter; and it also goes on to suggest alternatives worth working toward.