New York and California have Dirtiest Air

On March 22, 2006 the AP reported an EPA study revealing how California and New York have the dirtiest air in the United States. Wyoming, South Dakota, and Montana have the cleanest; and obviously this is why the majority of residents in those red states don't value pollution control as much as residents in more populated blue states (evident from surveys and voting trends). More on my thoughts on Wyoming later ( I just arrived back from a Yellowstone and Grand Teton vacation there). But here are highlights from the article:

New Yorkers and Californians breathe in the dirtiest air in the United States and face higher cancer risks than the rest of the country, according to the latest data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

New York’s cancer risk is estimated to be 68 residents per million. In California, the risk is 66 residents per million. The national average is 41.5 per million, according to the report, which was released in February and based on emissions of 177 chemicals in 1999, the most recent data available. The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday published an analysis of the data.

The entire article can be read at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11956479/from/ET/

Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, let us salute those who gave their lives for the progress of the world.
But let us also not forget the many innocent people killed in wars throughout history, including all of the soldiers and civilians killed during this illegitimate war.

In Haditha, memories of a massacre
Witnesses to the slaying of 24 Iraqi civilians by U.S. Marines in the western town of Haditha say the Americans shot men, women and children at close range in retaliation for the death of a Marine lance corporal in a roadside bombing. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12998125/from/ET/

"The 24 Iraqi civilians killed on Nov. 19 included children and the women who were trying to shield them, witnesses told a Washington Post special correspondent in Haditha this week and U.S. investigators said in Washington. The girls killed inside Khafif's house were ages 14, 10, 5, 3 and 1, according to death certificates. "

President Gore really addresses the nation

http://www.climatecrisis.net/

President Gore addresses the nation!

http://www.oliverwillis.com/2006/05/14/president-gore-addresses-the-nation/

So Much News!

Wow, so much has been happening. Karl Rove is about to be idicted for his crimes. Bush is down to a 29% approval rating- the lowest approval rating of any sitting president, proving the fact that he is the worst president in U.S. history. Hey and how about Laura, stating that she doesn't believe the polls. "Americans love my Georgie." That's some serious denial at work. And what about the NSA topic? That's another thing coming to the surface and pushing the president's ratings down. Another lie and instrusion on our American civil liberties.

Millions of Americans are banding together and finally realizing that we the American public have been battered and abused. Well, we're not going to get bullied anymore. Get the word out about progressive candidates in your state.

Let's remember, we need to keep a close eye on voting practices, especially states that have had previous fraudulent voting results: North Carolina, New Mexico, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, and Florida. Volunteer to work at your local polling station so you can keep a close eye on the votes yourself. Call your local representative and tell them you won't stand for electronic voting.
And hopefully all of the hard work that Rep. John Conyers, Black Box Voting, Brad Blog, and many more people and organizations will have paid off.

Be positive, the tide is turning.

A side note away from politics: AMERICAN IDOL

A side note away from politics: Here is a television program that has brought people of all ages and all walks of life together to watch and appreciate the entertainment. Kids are sitting down to watch it with their parents. Grandparents and grandchildren are relating to the show. Generations have been linked together and this is a good thing, especially in a time when we're so divided on the real serious issues like the environment, war, and corrupt politicians in Washington D.C.

While silly at times, the show is pure entertainment. The early "try-out" weeks are not only hysterical, but they are also sociologically revealing of our society. What we come to learn is how many thousands if not millions of Americans are truly obsessed with becoming famous and being seen in the spotlight on television. Americans are hungry for attention; what would Freud think about this? While this voyeuristic age we live in is quite disturbing, perhaps something good will come out of it-- showing Americans how silly and shallow we can sometimes be. Opposed to reality shows like "The Real World" which have been more of a model than a lesson, American Idol is honest and innocent entertainment. Once they weed out the desperate acts they get to the talented or at least half-talented or at the very least good actors acting like they're talented in the musical field.

This season many saw their favorite "rocker" eliminated- Chris Daughtry. Huffing and puffing, a little shocked, a little sore. Many viewers have said he was a mere imposter. After all, for the Stevie Wonder song "Higher Ground," he ripped off the Red Hot Chili Peppers version. And for the Johnny Cash song "Walk the line," he ripped off the Live version. He sings, screams, dances, walks, and dresses just like the 10 or so other singers many of us already have in our CD collections. Granted, he is talented at what he does. Original though? I beg to differ.

His dark and serious demeanor doesn't help either; it's not believable for a guy on American Idol. You'd never have seen Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden or Maynard of Tool or Kurt Cobain or most popular rock band singers on a show like American Idol-- they're dark and serious-- the real thing. All Chris had were the fake flames on the screen behind him. All that anger in his songs- is more like frustration because his life isn't what he wants it to be. And now all that anger in his response to being eliminated. Let's remind him he has a wife and kids at home. He should be thankful and humble that he even made it this far, and that at least he'll make his million dollars for being in the top ten and going on tour.

So why bring up such a silly topic on a blog that is centered around the nation being broken and the need to band together to fix it? Well, this is all representative of America. The fact that a large group of Americans are angry over a tv show contestant, claiming there were voting irregularities, and even signing a petition to put him back on the show, indicates where some Americans priorities are. Over 50,000 people signed the petition, yet only 30,000+ signed the ones to protect innocent polar bears from land exploiting by greedy oil companies who also happen to be robbing us at the pump everyday. Something wrong with that? Yes. Is one white entertainer more worthy than an entire species of wildlife? According to the public opinion, yes.
Would Chris Daughtry himself agree that there is a problem with this mentality, he probably would. I started a firefight on Care2.com with my opinions on this subject for one reason, to get America thinking about what's important. If the Chris petition has led others to discover the polar bears petition, that's a great thing. If the Chris petition and their concern for voting practices on tv has led to their concern over presidential voting practices that's a good thing too.
Either way, Chris is going to do something with his career.

Taylor Hicks, on the other hand, is original, unique, full of soul and passion. He makes the songs his own. He has a free and positive spirit, which in turn attracts positive things in his life. If he gets eliminated, watch how he takes it-- Respectfully like a man and genuinely happy for the other person.

Likewise for Eliot-- super nice guy who has overcome so many obstacles. Like Taylor and Eliot, Katherine too is positive. Do you see how happy she is when she's up there doing what she loves? So what that she has had a few bad nights; none of it has been fake. She's beautiful in every way. In fact, the beauty of all three finalists shines through.

Growing up I idolized many angry musicians and I still appreciate them, because in their anger was meaning and passion and universality. An American idol must have these traits.

While Taylor is the most musically diverse and most spunky of the final three, they are all more deserving of this. The final three are what kids and adults should strive to be. Positive, positive, positive! No one loses on this season of American Idol. But of course I still think Taylor should win the top prize.

Check out these Taylor sites:
http://www.idolonfox.com/contestants/taylor_hicks/
http://theofficialsoulpatrol.com/taylorbio.html

BUY HIS CD HERE: http://www.lasersedgecd.com/hicks_taylor.html

BROKEN NATION (New Revised edition)

The new revised edition of my book BROKEN NATION
is now available at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0741429780/ref=pd_kar_gw_1/103-0945961-4853466?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

Pass along the knowledge!
Buy one for yourself, a friend, or your local public library!