Rage Against The Machine

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

I felt that it was time to blog about something different. Most of us like music and I'm no different so I would like to present to you my favorite band.
Rage Against The Machine.......
Not only are there music original, furious, energetic and funky, but lyrically there music packs a social punch that powers their music through speakers like a sledge hammer. Rage's music dvd, "The battle of Mexico City" remains my favorite music DVD of all time. I don't believe I have ever seen such a performance from any other band.



Possibly it is a coincidence that their lyrics are left wing, therefore coincide with my political beliefs. Still for me as I get older the more important lyrics become and the more I can identify with a band if they have something important to say.



I am also pleased to announce that R.A.T.M. are back to-gether and are currently touring the world, adding more and more dates with each passing week.

Below is my favorite Rage song: FREEDOM

Web Links:

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Axis Of Justice
The Nightwatchman

FAIRTRADE

Hi everyone! I have decided to blog about Fairtrade to coincide with

Fairtrade fortnight 25th February - 9th March

Below is a statement by the Fairtrade organization:

OUR VISION

"Our vision is of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential.

To achieve this vision, Fairtrade seeks to transform trading structures and practices in favour of the poor and disadvantaged. By facilitating trading partnerships based on equity and transparency, Fairtrade contributes to sustainable development for marginalised producers, workers and their communities. Through demonstration of alternatives to conventional trade and other forms of advocacy, the Fairtrade movement empowers citizens to campaign for an international trade system based on justice and fairness.
Our mission
The Foundation’s mission is to work with businesses, community groups and individuals to improve the trading position of producer organisations in the South and to deliver sustainable livelihoods for farmers, workers and their communities by –

* being a passionate and ambitious development organisation committed to tackling poverty and injustice through trade
* using certification and product labelling, through the FAIRTRADE Mark, as a tool for our development goals
* bringing together producers and consumers in a citizens’ movement for change
* being recognised as the UK’s leading authority on Fairtrade

What we do

Our four key areas of activity are:

* Providing an independent certification of the trade chain, licensing use of the FAIRTRADE Mark as a consumer guarantee on products
* Facilitating the market to grow demand for Fairtrade and enable producers to sell to traders and retailers
* Working with our partners to support producer organisations and their networks
* Raising public awareness of the need for Fairtrade and the importance of the FAIRTRADE Mark

The Foundation works to the definition of Fair Trade agreed by FINE, a working group of the four international Fair Trade networks (Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International, International Fair Trade Association, Network of European World Shops and the European Fair Trade Association):

"Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers – especially in the South".



My commentary:

I have been a supporter of Fairtrade for a few years now and even ran a few events at my former workplace. I believe it to be of most importance to, "think before you drink" and for each individual to have a social conscience. We in the west live a very comfortable lifestyle compared to most of the population living in the developing worlds. The least we can do is to give them some assistance so they can develop their own economy, devise a sustainable infrastructure and therefore lift people out of poverty by providing long time jobs for the future.

Please take the time to watch this VERY important video:

Web links:
FairTrade
Rainforest alliance
Marks and Spencers Fairtrade

Juno Movie review

Words can't describe how much I adored this remarkable offbeat movie. It is unassuming, hip and with a dialogue that is as sharp as a razor. Juno played by the remarkable Ellen Page tells the story of an amazing smart young girls journey through her pregnancy. Whilst this movie certainly is sweet it lacks the over sentimentality scrips that flow out of Hollywood!

This movie is charming, feel good, emotional, original fresh and interesting.
Go see this movie now if you know what's good for you.


Cast & Credits
Juno MacGuff: Ellen Page
Paulie Bleeker: Michael Cera
Vanessa Loring: Jennifer Garner
Mark Loring: Jason Bateman
Bren MacGuff: Allison Janney
Mac MacGuff: J.K. Simmons

Fox Searchlight presents a film directed by Jason Reitman. Written by Diablo Cody. Running time: 92 minutes. Rated PG-13

Below is a review by movie critic Roger Ebert

By Roger Ebert

"Jason Reitman's "Juno" is just about the best movie of the year. It is very smart, very funny and very touching; it begins with the pacing of a screwball comedy and ends as a portrait of characters we have come to love. Strange, how during Juno's hip dialogue and cocky bravado, we begin to understand the young woman inside, and we want to hug her.

Has there been a better performance this year than Ellen Page's creation of Juno? I don't think so. If most actors agree that comedy is harder than drama, then harder still is comedy depending on a quick mind, utter self-confidence, and an ability to stop just short of going too far. Page's presence and timing are extraordinary. I have seen her in only two films, she is only 20, and I think she will be one of the great actors of her time."


Web link:

Juno

Watch the trailer:



Music from the picture:

MICHAEL MOORE

FOCUS ON:

MICHAEL MOORE

Michael Moore is probely one of, if not my favorite documentary makers. To-day let's focus on Michael. What he's good at and not so good at.

Below is part one of an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.



Please be sure to follow up and watch part two!

What Michael Moore doe's right.

Whatever you think of him, it is my opinion that Moore's heart is always in the right place, whenever he chooses to tackle a particular subject matter. He can make you laugh, cry or even enrage you and hopefully you will become active or think about the world in a different way. His outspoken views challenges us all and love or loathe him he has something of tremdous value to contribute to our society.For his most recent movie "SICKO" he tackles the American health service. With particular focus on health insurance and how corrupt they are. As always it's a case of prophet over people.

Below is the first few minutes of the movie Sicko. Just to wet your appetite.



What doe's Michael do wrong?

This is an observation from the movie Sicko, but I think it is a theme that runs through most of his movies and his books. Moore comes over to England to take a look at our N.H.S. He seems genuinely bemused that all perscripines are the same price and then goes on to marvel about how good or even perfect the NHS is. Mr. Moore fails to address the local issues and how the system is crumbling due to many contributing factors. Due to the recent flux of foreign migrant workers the NHS has been put under tremendous stress, as none of this was planned for by the government. The irony and enigma is that it is foreign workers that is holding the system together, but workers
from the Eastern Block are putting a strain on an already overstretched system. Moore of course doesn't address any of this and has made a few sweeping statements about Northern Irish politics and Palestine, which have annoyed a number of people, including myself. What doe's this really show us though? It shows us that he is human and therefore not perfect. Can anyone really say that they are? I just wanted to address that just because you really admire someone, does not mean they are above criticism.

Closing words

I consider myself a big fan of Michael Moore. He does even address what I criticized him for in the second part of the Wolf Blitzer CNN interview. Still I look forward to ALL his releases and applaud him for his genuine concern for his fellow human being who are not as well off as himself. This type of compassion is rare and Michael should be applauded!

Web link:

Michael Moore

Zazen

"When you do Zazen, find a quiet place where you can sit without disturbances. It should be neither too dark nor too bright, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The sitting place should be neat and clean".

"If possible, a statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva should be enshrined in the room. If there is none available, any statue or painting of a Buddha or a Bodhisattva is fine. Also, when possible, place an offering of flowers on the altar and burn incense".

For those of you who are not Buddhist, you can make a small adjustment. If you are a Christian then you can have a picture of Christ, a small cross, or a picture of The Virgin Mary if you are Catholic. Pictures of words from the Koran or indeed the Koran would be suitable for a Muslim or the Torah if you are Jewish. If you have no religious affiliation then just a quiet room with no paraphernalia will suffice.

"First we should practise consistently and regularly on a daily basis. Everyone should form - and try to live by - an intention to do some formal practise every day, even if it is only ten or fifteen minutes of sitting. Regularity is very important, that is hard, hard training".

From, Don't know mind. The Spirit of Korean Zen. By Richard Shrobe

Beginners who might feel intimidated by the question, "How much should I practise," should pay attention to what Shrobe is saying. Do not feel as I did for so long, in that if I only practise for ten or fifteen minutes that it wasn't good enough. We all have busy lives and Zen is not to make your life more busy or to create more stress for you. Rather it is for you to learn how to best deal with life. One should be mindful that suffering is part of life. Sadly it is unavoidable and therefore we sold not take it personally or be shocked when suffering incures. Still it is not to say that by practising Zen that therefore stress is eliminated. For this would be impossible as life is suffering. What it can do is to help deal with stress whenever it arises. Like the Chinese philosophy of the bamboo, we should learn not to be stiff like stone, but blow with the wind and bend to survive. SO it is ok to feel stress but one must be mindful and not let it rule your life. One must be careful and not develop a victim mentality of, "why me?" Why not you? You are nothing special and just the same as everyone else. That is just like Zen and meditation practise. Nothing special. Attach nothing extra or special to your practise and be mindful of each moment.
What comes after the next moment. The next moment. That's all you have. That's all we know we have for sure.

Mindfullness is a by product of meditation. It is perhaps the most important thing that I have learned from Zen practice.




BEGINNERS FIRST EXERCISE

Even though the title suggests that this exercise is for beginners, experts can use this to and this may be the only technique you may ever use. That's ok. If we do Zazen (Zazen means sitting meditation)

Sit in a position that feels comfortable to you. For information on how to sit click HERE
You can sit on a chair, lie down or just sit on the Zafu (cushion) with your ankles crossed.

As for your POSTURE

First of all as you breathe in count to one. As you breathe out count to two
Breathe in three and breathe out four. You are not counting out loud but inwardly with your breathe. Continue counting in this manner until you reach ten. Whenever you loose count (trust me you will) please just start at one again and continue as before. If you have time I would like you all to do this for twenty minutes. If not then even five, ten or fifteen will be sufficient. Remember that it is important to be consistent and even ten minutes a day is considered hard training.

Click HERE for more important information on how to sit and regulate the breathe.

The above picture is a portrait of my favorite author on Zen called Shunryu Suzuki. He wrote a book called Zen mind beginners mind and you can purchase it by clicking HERE
Suzuki is perhaps my most influential Zen teacher and I recommend this book for it's clarity and insightfullness. Also it is very informal and therefore very accessible to everyone.
It is easy to begin with beginners mind. But very difficult to keep it. By keeping to the spirit of Beginners mind I believe it stops one from becoming arrogant. Please take the time to read this remarkable book. It is remarkable because it is so ordinary.

Charters for Beginners Mind, by Shunryu Suzuki




If you have any questions or please do not hesitate to post a comment. I would love to hear from you. If you would like me to post a link to your Zen group or website I would be delighted to.

Related Web links:

Soto Zen
Belfast Zen
Ballymena Zen
Rinzai Zen

Baby Bible Bashers!

Samuel Boutwell is a seven-year-old preacher. He takes his vocation to save sinners from rotting in eternal hell extremely seriously.

"Most Saturdays he stands in front of his local abortion clinic in Jackson, Mississippi and, bible in hand, bellows:

‘Don’t kill your child! Repent! God loves the little children!’.

"Baby Bible Bashers follows the extraordinary stories of three of the Lord’s ‘chosen children’, and their relationships with God, their families and their congregations.

In addition to Samuel, we meet nine-year-old Florida firebrand Terry Durham, who likes nothing more than to don his oversize blue suit and alligator shoes, and whip the crowd into a frenzy. Terry holds the honor of having been the world’s youngest ordained minister at just six.

Brazilian sensation Ana Carolina Dias began preaching at just three years of age and regularly commands TV audiences of millions. Her mission: to save the hardened gang members and drug dealers of Rio’s shantytowns.

This film by BAFTA award-winning director Amelia Hann, follows these pint-size preachers as they go about their missionary work spreading the word to ‘drunkards, adulterers and thieves’ and uncovers the unsettling and often disturbing truth behind child evangelism.

Seven-year-old evangelist Samuel Boutwell began preaching when he was just a toddler. Sinners he has to convert include drunkards, liars, fornicators, adulterers, thieves, homosexuals, blasphemers, hypocrites and money-lovers.

Samuel descends from a long line of preachers - his parents are unrivalled in their commitment. The film follows Samuel and his family on their crusade across America to save as many souls as they can."

"Terry’s congregation believe he has a direct link with God and can channel supernatural powers. Terry’s father has a master plan for his son’s rise to stardom. “In the next few years, I’m seeing Terry pastoring a 30,000-member church,” he says."

"Samuel and his family reach New York. Displaying signs that condemn most people to hell, including homosexuals, they soon spark a reaction - but in Samuel’s eyes, these people are rejecting God and embracing the Devil."

"Despite their differences, these three children are united by an overwhelming fear of the Devil. Obeying their parents is their best bet of escaping an eternity in hell."

"Samuel’s father is already planning new mission trips, despite the reaction in New York. “If you don’t repent, you’re going to hell - and like I say, worms will be eating you,” says Samuel."

My Commentary:

I can really sympathize with the argument that these poor kind are a victim of child abuse. Obviously in these cases the abuse is psychological and not physical. None the less it is my opinion that these poor kids are suffering long term damage that will culminate into them becoming dogmatic Christian fundamentalists. Meantime what sort of childhood do you think these kids are having? Young Samuel pictured above is convinced that worms will be eating people in hell and Terry is being exploited for profit by his own mun and Dad.
I believe these children are being brainwashed from an early age and are not being taught to evaluate evidence. The damage already done to young Samuel is evident from the program and it is clear that he will grow up encased in dogma and fundamentalism and therefore sadly won't be able to practice what is of most important in religion. Compassion. Of course his parents will argue that they are being compassionate by ensuring that Samuel is on a fast track course to heaven and that they are doing there very best to ensure others follow this program also.
However as this young man is being home schooled he will never understand another religion, won't be able to evaluate evidence and will never understand that he can't prove that heaven exists and because it says so in a book, doe's not make it so.

Closing arguments:

Watching this documentary was like watching a car wreck. You know you shouldn't but you just can't turn away. This pro gramme was disturbing and I wonder how many other children across the U.S. are being indoctrinated in this manner. I fear for these children I really do and feel very sorry for them. Instead of worrying about a heaven or hell or about a holy book, these kids should be enjoying a normal carefree childhood. Instead they are being put through rigorous and systematic psychological child abuse.

Related Web Links:

Baby Bible Bashers
A Look At Child Evangelists

UNICEF

Focus on Unicef

Each week I will try my best to put a focus on my web links and try to tell you a little about them. I'm sure most of you will reconise David Beckham the former Manchester United Star who now plays his footie in L.A.

“In Sierra Leone, one in four children dies before reaching their fifth birthday,” Mr. Beckham said. “It’s shocking and tragic, especially when the solutions are simple. Saving these children’s lives is a top priority for UNICEF – and as an Ambassador, I hope I can help to draw attention to this issue across the world.”

A TOUR WITH A PURPOSE

Mr. Beckham's first stop was a health clinic near the town of Makeni, where he met with patients and administered a polio vaccine to a newborn girl. While his vehicle passed through the centre of town, dozens of young fans ran alongside it, trying to catch a glimpse or snap a photograph of one of the world's most famous footballers.

UNICEF's representative in Sierra Leone Geert Cappelaere noted that in addition to the excitement generated by Mr. Beckham’s visit, the tour had a serious underlying purpose.

During his trip, Mr. Beckham met with five-year-old Foday, a malnourished child being treated at a UNICEF-supported therapeutic feeding centre after suffering a traumatic injury.
"David Beckham's visit is important for UNICEF's global health agenda," Mr. Cappelaere said. "Child survival is one of the top priorities of UNICEF. His visit will help support our global drive to improve the health of children and women." ‘We can’t turn a blind eye’At another small village, Mr. Beckham was on hand as insecticide-treated bed nets were distributed to young mothers and pregnant women. The Goodwill Ambassador also met with local children, to whom he gave autographed footballs.
One of the more dramatic stops on Mr. Beckham's tour was at a UNICEF-supported therapeutic feeding centre. With support from UNICEF, the centre is able to provide these children with life-saving nutritional supplies such as fortified milk and high-protein biscuits.
At the centre, Mr. Beckham met with Foday, a five-year-old boy who had swallowed a chemical that scarred his throat so severely that he was prevented from eating solid food for months. Foday held Beckham's hand and joined him on a walk through the facility. "We can’t turn a blind eye to the tens of thousands of young children who die every day in the developing world, mostly from causes that are preventable,” said Mr. Beckham.

With your celebrity status and influence, I think Unicef will get the much needed publicity that they deserve.

COMPASSION... THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE HAVE.

Please take the time to find out more about the outstanding work that this terrific organization does.

WEB LINK:

UNICEF