“Cyber censorship” sounds like sci-fi to me-something that might happen in a horror movie, to somebody else.  I say pretty much whatever I want to say, pretty much whenever and wherever I feel like saying it.

I’m savoring that.  That kind of freedom is something I was raised with, that I understand people fight and die to protect, that is a privilage to enjoy-and all my friends would agree that I take FULL advantage of it.

Because this is actually an international day of protest against Cyber Censorship, I’ll give you the link here.  And just this thought-don’t we have it good? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkRxdZZFhUE&videos=Q7qtXKqZI2g

This is one reason I love Les Stroud.  That male action sports model they call Bear on that other show just reeks out loud.  Eating a bug on camera (being run by a camera CREW, remember) does not a survival expert make.

LES is for REAL.  He risks his life to help the rest of us.  He’s an educator, and activist and a true hero. 

Check out the latest:

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/05/2584197/missing-skier-safe.html

“Let’s go live to Jonathan Livingston as the intruder is dismembered for consumption.  John?”

“Thanks, Bob.  You know, these humans never learn not to climb the cliffs during the nesting season, so we’re proceeding with dismemberment.  Look out for the carabiners, guys!  Bob, back to you in the studio,”

…for the Pledges For Pets Telethon on Fox 31 Sunday from 12 Noon-5P.

May I say what will power it takes to give the puppy back?  It’s not for the faint-hearted.

Thanks for any help you can give.  We need to promote and support responsible pet ownership in this country, and the Dumb Friends League leads the way in our community.  Their commitment is wonderous.  They do it for people and they do it for animals.  They ROCK.

PUPPY CAM!

…especially for people who wouldn’t miss knowing that there are tigers in the wild…

“What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected.”

Chief Seattle

My family are all from the British Isles by way of Canada, so some people thing my Corgy obsession is Queen-driven.  It’s really not, but that fact that Elizabeth the II loves Corgis doesn’t HURT.

Just LOOOK at ‘em…

I watched a documentary last night on the History Channel about San Tsu’s Art of War and how the principals have applied to various battles.  One important principal is this:  War is a means to and end, not an end in itself.  When nations get caught up in the emotions of war, it becomes an end in itself.   San Tsu was opposed to this because it’s wasteful.  Tragedy and waste of resources don’t improve human life.  That’s why it works to “Pull a Gandhi”… or an MLK.  But it’s a move that only a true world-class bad ass can pull off.

When it comes to conflict in certain middle eastern regions, I always wondered which side it’s gonna be.  Whether interests of the Western world in the area have exacerbated the Palestinian/Israeli conflict is up to bigger brains than mine.   But I do believe it’s going to take a real BRAIN to end the conflict.  Blowing up Mecca wouldn’t really help-it would probably just result in even more massive destruction.

So, who’s it gonna be?  Who’s gonna do the truly difficult thing and decide to stop fighting with violence and start fighting with a strategic understanding of the other side and what will make them stop? 

This quote is from MLK:  “Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate,”

I’ll add one thing:  that someone is going to have to be a world-class bad ass.  That’s what Gandhi, Dr. King and Jesus all had in common.  Not just the understanding of What Must Be Done, but also the sheer bravery  to actually get it done.  Each knew they would die for it, and saw that as a necessary part of the equation.  To oppose hatred AND do whatever is necessary to end conflict, you’ve got to be a master strategist and a total bad ass.

Extraordinarily high-functioning humans with these attributes tend to surface now and then.  I’m grateful we had MLK.  And I’m hoping there will be another in my lifetime.