Tuesday Talk

We’ve been talking politico a lot on this blog, giving it more time than I thought I ever would. Most of it has been in regards to the candidates, and of course we’ve been enlightened in many ways to say the least , but there are other things keeping my mind occupied these days too.  

I’ve talked about my passion for the animals many times. The livelihood of animals is always on the forefront of my mind and although I haven’t been so verbal here lately, I have been busy.  Last weekend I worked the farmers market informing people about Prop 2.  And last night,  I donated a couple of hours, ( and volunteered Doug too: ) making phone calls at the Democratic office downtown confirming voters support of Obama and the democratic party, and informing them on Prop 2.  And lastly, ending the call with the voters confirming that they will vote Yes on Prop 2.  It’s a California thing, but an important one.

So what is Prop 2? Prop 2 is simply a very modest measure to ensure that farm animals are treated humanly by giving them more room to stretch their legs, turn around, lie down, or spread their wings. Simple, and really not much to ask for. Thankfully everyone I spoke to thought the same. It felt good to give my time to something that is important to me.

I don’t have much time this morning to elaborate but I promise it won’t be the last time that I bring this up.  

I just have to add before I sign off, that waking up this morning and reading the comments between anonz and Tom…well I am not sure what to say. Doug and I talked briefly this morning. I don’t know what is worse…getting fucked, not knowing what and how it is happening or how to prevent it….or getting fucked and having a play by play account of it all and still not know how to prevent it.  Ignorance is bliss but I think I’ll choose the latter.  

The image of a game board comes to my mind.  This world is really just a big game board and the name of the game is ‘life’.  The prize, the motivating factor, is money and the overwhelming desire to attain as much of it as one can. There are a few major players, (the bills) and the rest, well the rest, are just insignificant in the big picture of it all.  Sure, they players need to get as many insigs as they can on their team but really they are just pawns to play with and use as they see fit. The one with the most money wins. The funny thing is, is that the game never ends because no amount of money is ever enough. And the game continues…

Readers: As always, feel free to comment. I’m outta here…

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle ♥

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

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The “B’admin”…on the endangered species list? Oh don’t I wish.

I am so tired of the Bush administration – how about you?  You want to hear the latest?  Well it may not be the latest in your string of issues that the B’admin (Yes, you may pronounce this as ‘Bad Men’ – it is intentional.) have done lately but this one caught my eye while I was perusing our local. 

So why not just say it out loud, ‘We don’t give a damn about about endangered animals and plants!’ Feel good?  Maybe to them but not to me. So what exactly am I talking about? ‘The Endangered Species Act’….parts of it may soon be extinct thanks to the B’admin.  

This is how the Endangered Species Act has been working for the last 35 years: 

1. The developer submits a permit to build a  highways, damn, mine etc. 
2. The Federal agencies request or prepare a species list that they then give to Government scientists. 
3. The Government scientists either prepare their own list or they agree with the list from the Federal agencies to determine if the project poses a threat to a species or habitat. 
4. They, the Government scientists, then conduct a biological assessment to determine if a project is a threat to a species or habitat. 
5. The Government scientists make the final decision based on their assessment. 

So…what will change?

Well…basically  the B’admin want to cut the Government scientists out of the process and have the Federal agencies decide for themselves. Which means that the Federal agencies come up with their own species list, if any. They make their own assessment of whether they feel a project is a threat to a species or habitat – or not. And they make the final decision. The Federal agencies are not scientists – how can they possibly make an educated decision? Most likely they can’t so they won’t ever see anything as a threat. Oh how convenient.   

‘But why?’ you may ask. I know you know the answer but I am going to share anyway. I would say, besides the apparent fact that they truly don’t care about the endangered plants and animals….hmmm…let’s see….how about control, no delays: move it through the system faster, get the money in the pocket quicker. Once again all because of GREED. We know huge corps have major influence with the government. Could graft be involved? No question. 

If this is approved this would represent the biggest overhaul of the Endangered Species Act since 1986. The conservative Republicans would accomplish through regulations what they have not been able to accomplish through congress: Saying ‘bye bye’ to environmental reviews that developers and federal agencies blame for delays and cost increases on many of their projects.

If the new rules are proposed immediately it will give the B’admin enough time to impose them before November’s Presidential election. We can say ‘bye bye’ to our American Bald Eagle and other endangered animals and their habitats if the new draft rules are approved. 

If you care….do something.

************

Hi Bev: What a delight to hear from you. I am aware that all is not harmonious out there but I do appreciate you bringing it to my attention. Barbarians aside, Agron sounds like my kinda place with its beautiful easter egg terrain…and those Molers who defecate a delicacy is just too funny. I’ll try anything once.  Not to mention the cuddly snakes and the constant laughter. Sounds like a paradise in progress….I think we could find the right earthlings.

Zen Lill: It was good to talk to you last night. Are you back to being ‘zen’? :) I am doing better myself. I hope that you have fun with your friends. 

 

Happy day everyone!

 

Gratefully your blog host, 

michelle  ♥

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008  click on my Blogroll:  

or click here: “A Day in the life of…” 

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008

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The Great White: Profit or Protection; which one will prosper?

Well, I tried to find some info about the Great White Sharks thanks to Mildred and Julie’s suggestion, but there really wasn’t much out there. The reason is because  scientists don’t know much about them. They’ve never been seen mating, or giving birth. That in itself is pretty strange.  We seem to have no problem  catching almost any living creature during ‘the act’  but not the Great White. People get glimpses of Great Whites, but they are difficult to track, and even harder to observe underwater; their speed and agility keep them pretty stellar and under the radar so to speak. 

And if they are captured and held in captivity, they are not there for long. The Great White does not like to be held prisoner and will not only refuse to eat, but they will inflict damage on themselves by bumping into whatever is in their way. If they aren’t released when this happens, they are likely to die. A slight imperfection in the tank can make them disoriented which would increase their desire to self inflict damage or become more aggressive.  Hmm…Do you blame them? Sharks are predators. It is their natural state of being.  I can imagine why one would go insane in captivity. No one wants to be held against their will – why would Sharks or any other species feel differently? Thankfully, there have only been a few held in captivity and according to what I have read, when they show signs of stress they are usually released. 

 

• It is reported  that of of all the species on the planet, ‘The Great White shark has undoubtedly achieved a level of evolutionary perfection:  It has remained unchanged for 400 million years.’  
• However, Great White Sharks are a top predator in the sea, and if they disappear, the entire underwater ecosystem will be affected.  And with the shark populations reduced by 90% over the last 50 years, this is a serious problem.   

 

But it doesn’t stop those from wanting to hunt and kill them for profit. Each year, as many as a hundred million sharks are killed, many slaughtered for their fins which are used to make shark fin soup, a delicacy in Asia. They are also poached for their teeth, and jaws can bring in up to $50,000 in some areas of the world. No wonder they are in danger and endangered…greed has once again stepped in.  

Crazy, but some people in this world think that the Great White Sharks are a threat to society! Therefore, the shark is hunted to keep them from eating anyone. Oh that is just silly.  It has even be said that some fishermen kill them because the sharks destroy their fishing nets.  And sadly, some  kill them for the sport, the thrill of knowing that they can kill one of them.  So basically killing for the sake of killing!  That is just so barbaric.  Not only are sharks a slow breeding species to begin with, but I think the rate that they are killing them for their coveted body parts,  tells me that our species is not in danger of them taking over the planet. And even if we could stop the killing of sharks, do people really think they could be a threat to our society? – A ridiculous thought in my mind, but what do I know?  

Do I have any readers out there who actually feel this way…that they could actually ‘take over’? I’d be interested to hear from one of you. 

Earthlings Mildred and Julie:  I have read that the Great Whites  are now a protected species in Australia, South Africa and California where most of the sharks reside. However aside from these areas millions are still being killed every year and it wouldn’t surprise me if  they are killed illegally even in the protected areas. Millions too many in my mind. What can be done to help? Can you tell us more about these Great Whites since you got to experience the lives of them first hand? How does our ecosystem depend on their livelihood?  And what exactly will happen to our ecosystem if they are not protected? Please tell us what you know – thanks. 

Readers: Any of you a lover of sharks? If you have anything to add here, I’d sure appreciate your comments too.

Anonz:  It was very tongue and cheek…Just havin’ a little fun. 

ZL: Girlfriend, you are taking me way to seriously, but I guess I can go that route…..Okay…to answer your queries…Offending anyone? You know my answer to that one…’If you don’t like what you read…” I don’t think I need to go any further on that one. Quit and have me and my readers miss out on the love fest?! I think not! If you think what you two say to each other is ‘irrelevant’ to my readers and that they are ‘not even present’ – you need to wake up…if you don’t mind me saying…in a good way. :)  C’mon Lill…if others were talking like this on my blog would YOU pay no attention? Haha! Again, I think not….you and I would be blabbing about it like we do everything else! Enough said….

Peace out.

Gratefully your blog host, 

michelle  ♥

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008  click on my Blogroll:  

or click here: “A Day in the life of…” 

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008

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An Edge up

So do you think a man’s gray hair can give him an edge up on the competition? Since the National Democratic Convention in 2004, Obama has gotten grayer and some seem to think that this will help him get elected.  Could this new gray be age or the pressure of being in office and running for president?  I think both.  And quite frankly I don’t give a damn. If it gives him an edge and people begin to see him as wiser and not as young or inexperienced, as many have labeled him….I say more power to him.  He is one of the younger  running for president but not the only one. Clinton was in the white house at age 46 and JFK was 43.

As I watch my own gray hair showing face, I think, ‘Will it give me the edge?’  

Oh…Happy Belated Birthday Obama! -yeah it was yesterday. He turned 47.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Tal: Your answer about our planet surprised me but not about our Government. It seems our government would do almost anything to keep us in the dark not only about aliens but anything else that they can get away with to give them an edge up on us and the other world citizens. 

I was listening to the news last night, (Love that Oberman – his wit is hilarious.) and heard the latest on the anthrax attacks.  The lyopholizer that Ivins used in 2001, which freezes the liquid broth of bacteria and quickly turns it into  a dry solid, is commonly employed by pharmaceutical companies and labs. Sounds to me like they FBI needed a fall guy and Ivins was the perfect choice. And to help put the nails in his coffin? The convicted abuser herself, therapist Jean C. Duley, who filed a restraining order against Ivins…you know the one who mis spelt ‘therapist’ in her complaint. 

Hi Mildred, Julie and ?:  Happy to hear that you are loving it – I can’t imagine why one wouldn’t when in order to take that step, you had to have a pretty strong desire. But one never knows….Happy to hear that you weren’t disappointed, if that could even be possible.  From the way you are describing your surroundings, It sounds like you are visiting some other earth like planets or ones very similar to our own. I’d love to hear more.  I wish I was up there with you. Looking forward to meeting you. 

Oh…before I sign off I wanted to let you know that I will check into the Great Whites. You know how I feel about the animals on this planet and those that swim in the sea are no different. 

See ya tomorrow.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle  ♥

For archives dated before January 17, 2008  click on my Blogroll:  

or click here: “A Day in the life of…” 

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Pigeons with a purpose

I love visiting third world countries. Not only for the food and culture but because I find that the people there are so darn creative in the most unusual ways.  They are also so resourceful when something is needed. And I don’t mean that their resourcefulness is knowing which local store to stop at when needing to pick up a few things. 

Let me give you an example:  I was working in Indonesia in the rag trade a few years back. For those not familiar with the rag trade; it is the clothing business.  We were in need of a broom but one was no where to be found. One of the sewers didn’t stop and think twice about it. He ran outside, grabbed a tall branch off of a tree and began to collect stiff grasses that were also growing wild outside.  Within minutes he had put together a broom. I was amazed. We used that broom for the entire time that I worked there. And I must say it worked quite well. Who knows…maybe it is still in use. My point being that the people there think past the obvious and really use their creative resourceful skills. When money is an object, they find a way. 

So my little story brings me to another story that I read  as I was perusing the web.  It is about Pigeon droppings. Yes, you read it right. Someone figured out what to do with all of the Pigeon poop – I like that better than droppings. Why one would even consider Pigeon poop to be of value somewhere is beyond me but then again we live in a very modern society where Pigeon poop isn’t given a second thought. That is unless one is hit by it and then many expletives maybe be heard from the one who got bombed.  Although getting pooped on is good luck isn’t it?  

Anyway….back to the story. 

So…the Pigeon poop. This came as a total surprise to me, being in the fashion industry for so long and having worked with leather many times…But believe it or not Pigeon poop is used to tan animals skins.   

• Fact: It takes about 1 lb of Pigeon poop  to tan 5 animal skins. 
• Fact: The pet Pigeons are trained to poop in a certain area where the droppings are collected.  

Hmm..wish we could train the Pigeons around here to not shit on our car every day!

So when the Pigeons poop in their designated area it gets collected into bags. How’d you like to have that lovely job?  Well for this family living in a remote village, it is their business. The smell isn’t so bad when it is collected,  but once the droppings get wet and mix with decaying flesh, oh yeah,  the smell can get pretty unbearable. But wait…it gets worse.

A young man, son of the tanner, wades in the water that contains the Pigeon poop and the animal skins, kneading the two together with his feet to soften the raw hides into leather cloth.  The stench is not only over powering, but the job requires much strength and endurance.  Picture this young man stomping in place for 3 hours straight in thigh high deep smelly water kneading the skins with his feet and heels!   My guess is that if we were to do this here, a machine would take the place of this young boy getting down and dirty.  

So how exactly does this poop effect the skins? Well…Pigeon poop have a burning quality to them and when mixed in with the skins it bites into them and softens them.  (Gee, I’m thinking, ‘What does it do to the skin of the ’stomper’?') The perfect mix of water will make the skins supple but not too soft.  The end result, if done correctly, are soft cloths perfectly fit for making shoes and apparel. 

Bet ya didn’t know that maybe the beautiful skins on your fav shoes were crafted in one of the foulest smelling places on earth.  Time to appreciate those crafty, creative and resourceful people who once again are willing to do what we here wouldn’t ever think of doing. I am so grateful…. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Readers: I know…a strange topic to wake up to on a Monday morn but maybe those pigeons will get a tad more respect now as they’re shitting on your clean sparkling car….Maybe they’re just looking for a job….you know showing you just how good they can poop in a designated targeted area. 

Hi Doug:  My thoughts exactly. For anyone to think that we humans are the only living ‘creatures’ in the entire universe (known or unknown:) is big headed as well as crazy.  But then again, if we are just an ‘experiment’, maybe we are bred to think that. I wonder…

TAO:  Have you ever come across another planet (besides an earth like one) that thinks the way we do? Meaning they think they are the only living creatures also in the Universe?  Or are we the only arrogant bunch? 

Hey Zen Lill:  Unfortunately, I too am familiar with overseas contracts. Well…I shouldn’t say ‘unfortunately’…Negotiating my own licensee contract with the Vietnamese was very enlightening; a lesson itself in learning contract law and verbiage.  I was also informed that not many contracts were ever written up in VN because they did not honor most of them.  

Ahh…the auspicious number ‘8′.  Doug can tell you more about that one…he used it quite a bit.

Earthling Girls:  How’s the training going? I’m anxious to hear how all of the girls are doing. 

Hi Moliva:  How are you liking space?  Comment if you are able. I would love to hear all you have been up to.

Hey Middle Man: Just retrieved your comment. Hello! – lol – Will catch ya on the flip…got to run. 

See ya… 

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle  ♥

Aka: *BABE: Your *Bad Ass Bitch Editor*

For archives dated before January 17, 2008  click on my Blogroll:  

or click here: “A Day in the life of…” 

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox