Gaia: The Improvement Movement

improvement? lets talk about how we'll do it ;-)

http://skillsurfers.gaia.com — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:49:07 GMT

Hey all of you
we are a group of around 10 young people doin a project called "skillsurfers"
we will be travellin round in our 3 busses this winter and spring in france, spain and portugal
to exchange ideas and experiences and discuss with different people about a better world ;-)

our main topics will be
education networks, fairtrade and solidarity economy, lohas, open source and other... (see our profile)

we thought using the internet and cool social networks would be a good chance to meet interesting people from these countries who might be interested in our tour and help us on our way
- so here we are on gaia :-)

if you are interested we would be happy to meet you on our way!

have a look at our profile and our website www.skillsurfers.eu
as well as www.couchsurfing.com/people/skillsurfers

thanks guys
love&peace :-)

Re: Random Acts of Kindness - Sharing Stories

http://evangeline.gaia.com — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:12:16 GMT

Alright, here is another one for ya!!

A very lucky friend of mine was out in Escazu and sat down on the side of the road for a little rest. It was after midnight, and he was on his way home from visiting with friends. When he got up to go and get a cab, he left his bag sitting in the spot where he had been. After getting home he realized he did not have his bag! Not so lucky…

Now this bag contained his brand new sony viao laptop, wallet, birth certificate, important papers and more! Oh, and I hadn’t mentioned yet that this morning was the start of his birthday!

After retracing his steps through town and returning to his friends place, he arrived home around 4am exhausted and disappointed!

He spent his entire birthday swearing and trying not to think of how irresponsible he had been. That night, when he was almost asleep on his couch his phone rang. The guard told him that someone named “Joe” was there and needed to speak with him. The only “Joe” that my friend knew was a taxi driver, and he couldn’t think of why Joe would be there to visit him at 9pm?!?

To his surprise, Joe told him that he had been contacted by a man claiming to have my friend’s bag! This man said that the bag was sitting on the street at 4am and he picked it up and took it to his office with him. After looking through the bag to find ID and contact info, he decided to call a taxi driver whose card he had found inside the bag. Joe knew exactly who this man was talking about, and who the bag belonged to. So there was Joe, at 9pm being honest and tracking down my friend.

Joe then drove to meet the honest bag-finding man, got my friends bag and returned it! This all happened within the same day!

Just for the record, this man who found the bag said the SAME THING had happened to him some months before, AND his bag had been returned in its entirety!

I love when this stuff happens :)

Nationwide Protests to Oppose War with Iran

http://funnyface.gaia.com — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:31:31 GMT

Published on Saturday, July 19, 2008 by OneWorld.net

Nationwide Protests to Oppose War with Iran

by Alison Raphael

WASHINGTON - Street demonstrations, teach-ins, vigils, and "freezes" are among the events planned for this weekend as part of a nationwide protest against what are widely perceived to be moves by the George W. Bush administration toward military conflict with Iran.

"Freezes," involving a large number of people standing in place for five minutes, are planned for key locations in New York City such as Grand Central Station and Penn Station, as well as Chicago's Millennium Park and Santa Monica, California.

The term and new form of street action derive from the state of U.S.-Iran relations. The Bush administration says Iran must freeze its uranium enrichment program in order to "defrost" relations between the two countries and avoid further sanctions.

Elsewhere anti-war and religious groups, students, trade unions, and others will participate in "Call to Action: No War with Iran" co-sponsored by New York-based United for Peace and Justice and Washington, D.C.-based Peace Action.

Actions are planned in such diverse locations as Champaign-Urbana, Illinois; Melbourne, Florida; Philadelphia; San Francisco; and Waterloo, Iowa.

Two thirds of Americans asked during a recent Gallup poll whether they favor diplomatic initiatives or military action against Iran said they wanted the U.S. government to pursue peaceful negotiations.

While demonstrators around the United States drive home that point, a high-ranking U.S. diplomat will attend a meeting Saturday in Switzerland with an Iranian diplomat - a rare break with Bush administration practice that has largely shunned direct talks with Iranian officials.

William Burns will attend the Geneva meeting involving Iran and a group of European Union countries trying to break through the current impasse, but White House spokesperson Dana Perino has characterized Burns' presence as a "one-time U.S. participation."

The meeting is aimed at convincing Iran to accept a package of incentives offered last month by Western nations, in exchange for ceasing to enrich uranium.

To date Iran has rejected the package, and earlier this month held highly publicized missile tests to show its level of seriousness. At the same time, rumors were rife that Washington is working behind the scenes with Israel to prepare a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Some experts argue that these rumors, whether or not they are true, have a negative impact by fueling Iranian nationalism, entrenching the stance of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, heightening tensions, and ultimately leading to intransigence and events such as the Iranian missile tests.

Media reports suggest that a pro-Israel lobby group is pressuring Congress to impose a naval blockade on Iran, which would be considered an act of war.

In response, protestors in Columbus, Ohio plan a "Peace Boat Blockade" for Monday, involving a march on the offices of Republican Congressman Patrick Tiberi, who supports the blockade, carrying toy boats, submarines, and airplanes to "demonstrate the crazy policy that this blockade symbolizes."

The demonstrations are scheduled for Jul. 19-21. Following the series of street actions planned for Saturday and Sunday, Monday has been designated "Congressional Education Day." Protestors will lobby Congress to hold back plans for war with Iran.

*Alert: New threats of imminent war

http://funnyface.gaia.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:05:43 GMT

*Alert: New threats of imminent war Body: Recent news makes it clear why it is more important than ever that we take to the streets on August 2. According to press reports, President Bush has given the Israeli military the go-ahead to prepare for an imminent attack on Iran . Israel is also using U.S. bases in Iraq to prepare for the attack. The British Sunday Times of July 13, 2008 reported: "Despite the opposition of his own generals and widespread skepticism that America is ready to risk the military, political and economic consequences of an airborne strike on Iran , the president has given an "amber light" to an Israeli plan to attack Iran 's main nuclear sites with long-range bombing sorties, the official told The Sunday Times. "Amber means get on with your preparations, stand by for immediate attack and tell us when you're ready," the official said. The Jerusalem Post of July 13, 2008 reported: "On Friday, sources in the Iraqi Defense Ministry told a local news network that IAF war planes were practicing in Iraqi airspace were landing on US airbases in the country as a preparation for a potential strike on Iran . " Once again the most powerful forces of US corporate power - the military-industrial-petroleum complex -are using Israel as their proxy to threaten war on surrounding countries in the region. Israel is armed, financed, and politically and diplomatically supported by Washington . It can not act on its own or without explicit permission from Washington . U.S. tax dollars finance Israel wars against surrounding nations, and Israeli repression of the Palestinians, to keep the area "safe" for U.S. oil companies. This is why it is vital to link the struggle against the war in Iraq and a potential war against Iran with the struggle of the Palestinian people for the right to return. At the same time Washington is giving the Israeli military a go-ahead to bomb Iran , the U.S. Congress is moving ahead to escalate tensions in the region and possibly provoke an incident that would justify U.S. military action. House Resolution 362 and Senate Resolution 580 both require that the President begin blockade of Iran . The House Resolution "demands" that the President impose "stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran ." Enforcing this would require a U.S. Naval blockade of the Straits of Hormuz, which is an act of war according to international law. Approximately one-fourth of the world's oil, including that from Iran , Iraq , Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , Qatar and Bahrain , pass through the Straits of Hormuz, which is 21 miles across at its narrowest point (the shipping channel is less than 2 miles wide). These two resolutions have received widespread bipartisan support from members of both Houses, and are expected to pass without debate or vote. A staffer in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office said that once the Resolution hits the floor, it will "pass like a hot knife through butter." Some have speculated that the bill will be put on the floor under suspension - meaning that it will pass without even a vote. Both resolutions accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons, despite the fact that Washington 's National Intelligence Estimate report last December that made it clear that every major U.S. intelligence agency believes that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program. Nor do the resolutions refer to the real nuclear threat in the region - the U.S. , which is the only country that has used nuclear weapons and currently has a massive nuclear-armed naval armada in the region. It also does not mention the apartheid settler state of Israel , which is thought to have more than 200 nuclear weapons. At the same time, two leading Senators announced on Tuesday, July 15, that they had reached a bipartisan agreement to expand economic sanctions targeting Iran . Sens. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and Richard Shelby, R-Ala., called Iran "a threat to U.S. interests." Dodd, a former candidate for the Democratic nomination for President, said, "This bipartisan bill strengthens economic sanctions against Iran , and authorizes divestment from companies that do business with Iran 's key oil sector. " Meanwhile, the U.S. is involved in "covert operations" - acts of terrorism - inside Iran . In the July 7 New Yorker, Seymour Hersh revealed that Congress has approved $400 million to fund covert operations in Iran . These operations include: providing support to armed groups opposed to the Iranian government, kidnapping members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and taking them across the border to Iraq for interrogation, the manipulation of Iran 's currency, and other acts intended to destabilize the regime. Hersh reports that these types of operations have been ongoing at least since last year, but the recent Congressional appropriation signals a significant expansion of these actions. It is clear that the Bush Administration is determined to push forward with its agenda of endless war to control the oil reserves of the Middle East . It is equally clear that members of Congress - both Democrats and Republicans - are collaborating with the Administration, just as they collaborated in authorizing and funding the invasion and occupation of Iraq . It is imperative that progressive activists and organizations, particularly in the U.S. , mobilize to stop another brutal war, and to demand an end to the illegal sanctions and covert operations targeting Iran . Stop War on Iran , an international grassroots campaign, issued an Emergency Call to for protests, marches, and other actions on the weekend of August 2. Response to the call has been enthusiastic, and local organizers are planning events in more than 50 cities, including Los Angeles, Tucson , San Diego, San Francisco, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, Jersey City, Albuquerque, Buffalo, New York City , Charlotte , Raleigh/Durham, Cleveland , Oklahoma City, Philadelphia , Houston, Salt Lake City , Virginia Beach, Washington DC , and more - an updated list is available at www. StopWarOnIran. org. Now is the time to take to the streets, because only a massive grassroots mobilization can stop another bloody and illegal war. In the next few days and weeks, we need to do everything we can to take to the streets to Stop a War on Iran. We have a real opportunity to help build a massive grassroots movement to oppose the warmongers in Washington. If you haven't done so, please consider organizing a local action on August 2 - or if there is already one in your area, contact local organizers to find out how you can help. Also, please sign the online petition at http://stopwaroniran. org/petition. shtml and help us spread the word. Signing the petition will send messages to President Bush, Vice President Cheney, the Board of Directors of Halliburton, and the media. In the next few days, we will be preparing placards and banners, printing leaflets and educational materials, and holding organizing meetings to prepare for the August 2 protests. Please consider making a donation at http://stopwaroniran. org/donate. shtml to help us with the enormous expenses of mobilizing a national response to Bush's war threats. If you have a website, blog, MySpace, or other site, you can help us get the word out by linking to us. Graphics are available at http://stopwaroniran. org/link. html. Above all, join us in the streets on August 2 -for more information and updates, see StopWarOnIran. org.

FREE HUGS....for all of the world!!!

http://Nara-Narayana.gaia.com — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:40:02 GMT

When I saw this video I said to myself, "now that is something that I am going to do." So I have decided to go out, one day each week, to someplace that is filled with people and share the love that a hug can bring!

Free Hugs can heal the world, one soul at a time!

If you feel so inclined, please do what you can to pass this love on to as many people as possible.

BIG HUGS TO ALL OF YOU (((HUGS)))

~Namasté~

*mudrā*

Brian

Meeting you in THE SPACE ....

http://rasa.gaia.com — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:34:33 GMT

of
beautiful pure perfect love

get naked and dance
til
Utopia
is
experienced
and
shared.

blessings for showing up.

Re: What a wonderful world this would be!!!

http://Nara-Narayana.gaia.com — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:09:59 GMT

I don't know what happened to the first post but here is what I was trying to share with all of you.

What a wonderful world this would be!!!

If only....http://youtube.com/watch?v=qirYqwylpRA

~Namasté~

*mudrā*

Brian

At the Universe's Service :)

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:46:14 GMT

Hi friends

I wanted to offer myself as a resource for people who have a vision and would like to have help to 'fashion' it into a workable venture, which will satisfy them individually and will also serve the universe optimally. We can talk in a thread or not; it doesn't matter. The further you explore your vision, the better any way.

I am offering this service temporarily to the GAIA Community free of charge, in the interest of mobilising some Excellent and high Quality personal visions to serve humanity and the world as we know it.

I am a professional Facilitator and am pursuing my own vision of Facilitating Quality of Life for All... and I mean ALL!

Don't hesitate to check my website via my profile page and let us see how we can make some beautiful changes individually AND collectively.

I look forward to hearing more from you.

Blessings to you all.

Yours sincerely,

Sherrilene

What a wonderful world this would be!!!

http://Nara-Narayana.gaia.com — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:00:43 GMT

If only....MakethisVideogoaroundtheworld.wmv

~Namasté~

*mudrā*

Brian

Re: Change the world with just a click!

http://nancy2009.gaia.com — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:47:41 GMT

Thanks for passing these websites on.

I love changing the world with just a click.

:D

Re: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle - Improving our environment

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:40:32 GMT

I definitely recycle but as of late I have really been trying to focus my attention on the first two parts of that slogan: reduce & reuse.

As for reduce I just try to buy less stuff and less stuff with packaging. For reuse I focus especially on my shopping, bringing cloth bags, reusing plastic bags.

I also focus on reusing textiles. Textiles consume so much energy in their manufacture. So I'll make us blankets from old clothes, cut towels into cleaning rags. We never buy paper towels or napkins, we just use fabric rags and napkins. For my daughter I focus on getting clothing she can wear for years. I get stretchy clothing with a loose simple cut. I patch things, shorten. length and adjust as much as possible.

I'm also trying to focus on making toys for my daughter more & more out of materials we have around the house.

Re: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle - Improving our environment

http://rachelward.gaia.com — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:51:27 GMT

... speaking of using imagination to reuse, here is a link to instructions to reuse plastic bags to make purses! :)
http://www.pieandcoffee.org/2005/11/17/how-to-knit-a-plastic-bag/

Also, this is sort of funny and interesting: a wedding dress made of plastic bags!
http://people.tribe.net/1ea907a2-d307-482b-96ad-406ad8124875/photos/f70f6a43-2ce0-4420-ad1f-ba3cb080084c

The possibilities are limitless!

Change the world with just a click!

http://rachelward.gaia.com — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:43:14 GMT

All credit for this is due to Kayzad and Marie Kay who created a Facebook group with sites that donate money for "clicks". They found all the sites, I'm just passing them on, because I know you guys like making a difference in the world! If you're interested in joining the Facebook group, it's called "Feed a Child with just a click!".
___________________

Fact: 24,000 people die every day from Hunger.
Fact: That includes 6.5 million children every year.
Fact: $1 a day can save a child's life.
Future: Help make it end in our lifetime, beginning now!

JUST CLICK! MONEY & FOOD are DONATED FREE!

======= FREE DONATION LINKS =======

≡ Our Free Donation site - Just Click once a Day≡
http://www.worldofgood.com/sn/f
Thousands of meals have already been paid for, from this site!

≡ Free Donation Games : Rice, Flour & Water! ≡
http://www.freerice.com/ - Free Rice
http://www.freeflour.com/ - Free Flour
http://www.freepoverty.com/ - Free Water
Countless meals have been donated!

≡ Help Stop Hunger : Daily Free Meal Clicks! ≡
CLICK / VISIT each site, Once a Day
Countless children have been helped!

http://www.bhook.com/ Click a day!

http://www.pajacyk.pl/ Click a day!

http://www.porloschicos.com/PorLosChicos.NET/index_english.htm Click a day!

http://www.savetheworldwithmusic.com/ Play a day!

http://www.clickbokin.ekokoro.jp/50.html Click a day!

http://children.care2.com/ - Click a day!

http://www.feedsa.co.za/ Click a day!

http://www.hungerfighters.com/ Click a day!

http://www.hungrychildren.com/ Click a day!

http://www.clickbokin.ekokoro.jp/floq.html Click a day!

http://www.oneclickonemeal.com/ Click a day!

http://www.definition-of.com/ Define a day!

http://www.thehungersite.com/ Click a day!

http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?
page_id=2335 Click a day!

http://www.okruszek.org.pl/ Click a day!

http://www.chintai.net/contribution/index.html Click a day!

http://www.kct-uk.org/click Click a day!

http://www.worldhunger.org/contributefood.htm Click a day!

http://www.spendu.org/beta/index.php Click a day!

Free Donation Search : http://www.helpuu.com/
__________________________________________

ALERT: Food Prices are rapidly rising around the World.
100 to 130 MILLION MORE people are going hungry.
18,000 Children die every day, and it's growing.

World Hunger: Interactive Map - Want to know more?
http://www.wfp.org/country_brief/hunger_map/map/hungermap_popup/map_popup.html

World Food Inequality: Want to know more?
http://worldfoodinequality.googlepages.com/

A Thought : Imagine if your sister, brother, son, daughter, mother or father died from starvation.
....It's happening 24,000 times a day or 6.5 million children dying every year!
....Imagine helping them for free!

40,000 Meals Drive - 1 Month Target - Ends June!
Donate money now! A meal is just 25 cents! http://apps.facebook.com/causes/50723

Thank you : 2.7 million caring Members!
Together we are making a difference!

Start : A Free Donation Site, and we'll promote it!

Lets also make Google.Com a free donation click site!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15238962773

AND HELP SAVE THE WORLD.... MORE!

≡≡≡≡≡≡ Save the Animals : Free Donation Clicks! ≡≡≡≡≡≡

http://babyseals.care2.com/ - Save the Seals!
http://bigcats.care2.com/ - Save the Big Cats!
http://primates.care2.com/ - Save the Monkeys!
http://bigcats.care2.com/front.html?c=1&p=&iID= - Help Tigers!
http://bigcats.care2.com/front.html?c=2&p=&iID= - Help Jaguars!
http://bigcats.care2.com/front.html?c=3&p=&iID= - Help Leopards!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/ - Feed Starving Animals!
http://pets.care2.com/ - Help Homeless Animals!
http://ecologyfund.com/ecology/_donate_species.html - Protect Wildlife!

≡≡≡≡≡≡ Help Education : Free Donation Clicks! ≡≡≡≡≡≡

http://www.buildaschool.org/ - Help build a School!
http://www.e-inclusionsite.org/en/clickDonate.php - Promote IT!
http://www.theliteracysite.com/ - Free Books to the poor!
http://www.ripple.org/give.php?p=education - Help Educate!

≡≡≡≡≡ Save the Environment : Free Donation Clicks! ≡≡≡≡≡

http://stopglobalwarming.care2.com/ - Offset Carbon, Stop Warming!
http://ecologyfund.com/ecology/_donate_pol.html - Reduce Pollution!
http://ecologyfund.com/ecology/_donate_coastal.html - Save a Coast!
http://oceans.care2.com/ - Save the Dolphins!
http://www.therainforestsite.com/ - Protect Habitats!
http://www.clickforgreenland.com/_us/_en/home.aspx - Save Melting Greenland!
http://www.theenvironmentsite.org/donate.php - Help the Environment!
http://cannecy.free.fr/solar/index.php - Create Free Solar Energy!

≡≡≡≡≡ Help the Forests and Plants : Free Donation Clicks! ≡≡≡≡≡

http://cannecy.free.fr/iforest/en/ - Plant an Oak!
http://www.diewaldseite.de/ - Help the Forests, from Germany!
http://www.ettklickforskogen.se/engelska/ettKlickeng.asp - Help Old Forests!
http://www.tree4life.com/ingles/ingles.htm - Plant a tree in Brazil!
http://www.landcareniagara.com/ - Plant a tree in Niagara!
http://ecologyfund.com/ecology/_donate_rainforest.html - Save the Amazon!
http://ecologyfund.com/ecology/_donate_us.html - Save the Wilderness!
http://ecologyfund.com/ecology/donate_plant_tree.html - Plant a Tree!
http://redjellyfish.com/ - Help the Rainforest!
http://rainforest.care2.com/ - Help our Rainforests!

≡≡≡≡≡≡ Promote Health : Free Donation Clicks! ≡≡≡≡≡≡

http://breastcancer.care2.com/ - Prevent Breast Cancer!
http://matercare.org/lifesaver.asp - Help Surgery!
http://www.giveaminute.org/ - Give Healthcare!
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/ - Stop Breast Cancer!
http://www.thechildhealthsite.com/ - Child Healthcare!
http://www.thestophivsite.com/ - Stop HIV/AIDS!
http://www.craigresearchlabs.com/cancer.html - Stop Cancer!

≡≡≡≡≡≡ Help Stop Poverty : Free Donation Clicks! ≡≡≡≡≡≡

http://www.ripple.org/give.php?p=food - Start a Crop!
http://www.ripple.org/give.php?p=money - Help Finance the Poor!
http://www.povertyfighters.com/ - Help Raise Money!
http://www.solvepoverty.com/ - Help Jobs!
http://dsmith11.tripod.com/ - Help Health and Poverty!
http://www.accse.net/rasa/donacion-rasa.html - Help Agriculture!

≡≡≡≡≡≡ Promote Safety : Free Donation Clicks! ≡≡≡≡≡≡

http://stopviolence.care2.com/ - Stop Violence against Women!
http://www.clearlandmines.com/ - Stop Land mines!

≡≡≡≡≡≡ Clean Water for All : Free Donation Clicks! ≡≡≡≡≡≡

http://www.ripple.org/give.php?p=water - Give 6 days of clean water!
http://www.cliquesemiarido.org.br/eng/default.asp - Free Clean Water!

For the Animal Lover

http://isar01.gaia.com — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:55:30 GMT

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share some information that I feel is...well, worth sharing.

For those of you who are unaware - millions of cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies are killed in shelters each year - the simple solution of spay/neuter and a basic sense of responsibilty can help put an end to this tragedy. Please read one of ISAR's blogs below for more information.

Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation in America by Nathan J. Winograd

An initial reaction to Mr. Winograd's book by those involved in the animal protection movement is that his assertion that the problem of pet overpopulation in the United States is a "myth" is utterly indefensible. Everyone in this movement is painfully aware that millions of healthy dogs and cats are killed in shelters annually. Indeed, the author himself puts the figure at about five million. (Mr. Winograd's website can be found HERE. At the bottom of his home page is a YouTube interview where he explains his theory of No Kill.)

Thus, if millions of companion animals are put down every year, how can there not be an overpopulation problem?

In his well researched, extremely persuasive book, Mr. Winograd provides the answer. One paragraph sums up his position:

In theory, we could be a No Kill nation tomorrow. Based on the number of existing households with pets who have a pet die or run away, more homes potentially become available each year for cats than the number of cats who enter shelters, while more than twice as many homes potentially become available each year for dogs than the number of dogs who enter shelters. Based on the existing lifespan of existing pet dogs and cats, every year more families are potentially looking to bring a new dog or cat into their home than currently enter shelters. According to one commentator, "since the inventory of pet-owning homes is growing, not just holding even, adoption could in theory replace all population control killing right now--if the animals and potential adopters were better introduced." In other words, if shelters did a better job at adoptions [and elsewhere in his book the author argues convincingly that too many do a rotten job], they could eliminate all population control killing today. This does not include the fact that the market of homes (the number of homes that do not currently have a dog or cat but will acquire one) is expanding rapidly. If shelters increased market share by just a few percentage points, we could be a No Kill nation right now. But we are far from it. (My emphasis.)

If the author's figures are correct, that would mean that the vast majority of the five million cats and dogs killed each year (allowing for the sick, seriously injured, and otherwise unadoptable) could find homes--and indeed "No Kill" could be a reality.

But there's a catch--which is why Mr. Winograd hedges his argument with the "in theory" qualifier.

The catch is that the "overpopulation" mindset must be radically altered, and shelters must do "a better job at adoptions"--which is not impossible.

In the meantime, what is to be done?

To his credit, the author strongly supports spay/neuter, making that point throughout his book.

For example, he notes that the American Veterinary Medical Association "opposed the endorsement of municipal- or SPCA-administered spay/neuter clinics that provided the poor an alternative to the prohibitively high prices charged by some private practice veterinarians."

"Sterilization of animals to curb their reproductive capacity thus leading to the birth of fewer dogs and cats and consequently fewer surrenders to shelters, is one of the keys to substantially reducing shelter killing."

"While laws were passed to force people to spay or neuter their pets, little was done about the high cost of sterilization that kept poor people from complying."

"The genesis of the failed model [solution] can be found at the 1974 meeting at which self-proclaimed animal welfare 'leaders' failed to demand the one thing that could have achieved results: low-cost and free spay/neuter, particularly for the pet of the poor."

"Study after study had already confirmed that unaltered pets tend to belong to the people with the lowest incomes. If there was a solution in front of them, it was not hard to see: make spay/neuter affordable."

"At a time when every shelter in the country was telling people to spay and neuter their pets, many of these shelters were not altering the animals in their own care prior to adoption."

"Until its low-cost spay/neuter clinics were closed . . . the City of Los Angeles had begun the march toward No Kill with its municipality funded program that provided affordable access to spay/neuter services and incentives to increase the number of animals sterilized."

"Studies show the primary reasons people do not sterilize their pets are cost and lack of access to spay/neuter services."

Who is to blame?

In 1974, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Humane Association, the ASPCA, and other animal welfare groups had an opportunity to take a decisive stand [for spay/neuter]. Had they endorsed and succeeded in promoting municipally funded low-cost spay/neuter nationwide, the lifesaving results could have been dramatic. Sadly, they failed to do so. * * * Despite two more years of indisputable proof that high volume spay/neuter clinics in Los Angeles were having a decisive impact on lowering shelter deaths . . . the [conference] participants again failed to support municipally funded low-cost spay/neuter programs for fear of alienating veterinary business interests. (My emphasis.)

And so the beat goes on: too many shelters do an incompetent job, spay/neuter programs fall far short, dogs and cats continute to breed (and be bred!), and as they multiply the dead bodies of their predecessors go up in smoke--in a neverending cycle of birth, suffering, and destruction.

Nathan J. Winograd has come up with a challenging, and perhaps workable, solution to the massive annual killing that goes on relentlessly in our enlightened nation. His book should be read, his ideas studied, and his leadership of No Kill applauded.

In the meantime, ISAR will continue its spay/neuter humane education in the hope that at least some companion animals will be spared the fates of many too many of their ancestors.

Random Acts of Kindness - Sharing Stories

http://evangeline.gaia.com — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:38:26 GMT

I thought I would start this topic so that we can share our stories and inspire one another...since that's what it's all about!

((Recently I made this same post on the www.helpinghandscr.com forum because it happened in Costa Rica, and I always hear so much about all the "bad" things happening throughout the country))

Here is my first story. NO Cash on hand

Upon return from a trip with my family, we took our luggage to our vehicle that had been parked at the airport, and proceeded to head for the exit. At the cashier, we were informed that they could not accept credit or atm cards to pay for our parking bill, only cash.

With cars quickly piling up behind us the cashier opened up the other lane. One of us had to run all the way back into the upper level of the airport to get cash, and it was not going to be me.

Before we could head for the ATM a stranger stepped up and said he would gladly pay our bill of $50 and he would not accept no for an answer! He would not take a business card and got back into his vehicle with a wave and a smile.

NOW my friends, I must say that this is unexpected kindness and I trust that this guy will get his return of good fortune. Most people do believe that what goes around comes around :)

* No other stories come to mind for me at this moment, but I do hope that you will share a story or two with the rest of us. This sort of exchange encourages us to be better human beings!

Re: A Movement

http://evangeline.gaia.com — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:13:48 GMT

Good Morning Mark,

I'm glad that you were ok with receiving my lengthy email & I may have rambled a bit, however for my own sake the feedback from everyone is much needed.

I don’t think that I have shared with you all, that the IDEA for the Improvement Movement was first a name, and not some vision I had! My Mother and I were brainstorming after reading out loud together “The Power of the Subconscious Mind” & “From Me to We”, some 7 years back. My Mom said “what about “The Self Improvement Movement?”” So we tossed the name around and I said I liked “the Improvement Movement” more, because it can represent all the things that have been done for the betterment of society – and rather than focus on the ME we could focus on the WE.

I was born in ’82, so I didn’t get to experience the changes that were made throughout the following 20 years up until my arrival; HOWEVER one of my very dearest friends is now 66 yrs old and always shares with me how things were and have come to be. He is a huge reason why I’ve started the IM, and why I’ve become the gal that I am today!

I never saw myself speaking at a podium, or leading a rally…however stranger things have happened.

Just because we are using 2 words - can we not define the purpose and goals of this particular “Improvement Movement” on and from our own terms? Your answer may be a solid “no”.

My goal is for the IM to have its main impact ONLINE, which is something that past movement’s have not done. Can it be different from the rest? I believe it can be.

The IM won’t need to incur or bring about change…improvements…programs…Organizations (just our own) because they already exist. I think the IM’s job is to pull EVERYTHING together into one comprehensive resource (website). If I can take this info to the streets, then I will!!! I’m already being a foot soldier of sorts, as I’ve started Helping Hands CR and tried to live my vision.

You know…I’ve accepted that this is a project that may turn into something else. We’ll see! I think the next step for me may to be building the community online here at Zaadz before I go and spend the time or money to build the actual website.

“Actually doing the thing (for or against) the calls us as the most important thing within our souls to do!” This is good Mark – I like how you’ve said that.

Since I started the Helping Hands group I’ve had TOO many people tell me that they are doing everything to help BECAUSE I facilitated it and made it easy. I’ve also had people point out that I’ve found my calling…helping people to help others.

For now, I’m just doing what I can!

Re: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle - Improving our environment

http://evangeline.gaia.com — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:29:27 GMT

Oh my - I LOVE Freecycle(ing)
I honestly have never heard of it before, and if I did it obviously didn't absorb as it should have! There is a section on our Helping Hands CR Message Board for Recycling, and I'll be making posts and inviting people to freecycle. I also look to involve the community to post and search for items on the NEW Freecycle & Recycle Message Board.
THANK YOU for sharing!

Re: A Movement

http://wholeographicself.gaia.com — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:15:26 GMT

Hi Evangeline,

I'm replying to this post because of your wonderful global email. Rarely do emails come in with a lot of text and passion! I really like that!

I do not (at present) have ideas as to new social movements, but may I offer you my blog:
http://wholeographicself.zaadz.com/blog "An Unprecedented 2007? - Trusting in life." This post supports the biggest social movement in history, the 60's, and then connects the 60's to our current time, and need/desire for evolution.

Although, on one hand, I applaud and support the desire to "improve," yet on the other the word "improvement" assumes that there is something wrong. (I know..."Of course there is something wrong!!!"...so much for ideas that you want Evangeline. Sorry.)

I guess, to me, "improvement" is a relative term. As you can see, I'm not much one for practical ideas. I am a philosopher. Philisophers have their valid place within practicality.

Thus the non-resistant idea that there is really nothing that needs to improve...yet, at the same time, actually doing the thing (for or against) the calls us as the most important thing within our souls to do!

Mark

Re: Reduce, Reuse & Recycle - Improving our environment

http://addresstofollow.gaia.com — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:34:19 GMT

Have you met freecycling? The idea is to keep stuff out of landfill sites Anything reusable is advertised on a website free and someone else gives the stuff a new home, it might be old furniture or a freezer that doesn't fit in a new home, outgrown clothing that is still good, garden / kitchen equipment. Here isa link to our local freecycle

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/ryefreecycle/

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle - Improving our environment

http://evangeline.gaia.com — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:05:31 GMT

Do you have any advice or information about recycling programs in schools, homes or offices? Have you worked on any projects that involved recycling and do you have any info you could share?

What products do you buy/have bought that are made from recycled goods? (For me – printer paper, packaging for my bought items (bags, boxes), jewelry)

Recently I’ve seen some excellent examples of what can be done with some imagination and very few materials…Aluminum can threaded purses and wallets, can tab bracelets, and art – statues, mosaics and pictures.

Costa Rica is fairly new to recycling. Only recently have recycling programs been started and depots have opened. In 2007 a recycling route was started in the city and as far as I know it has been successful…Believe me, I am about to do my research.

I want recycling to be one of Helping Hands CR’s (the small organization that I run) main focuses for 2008. Since many people in CR have had no experience with recycling they are unframiliar with the process and its benefits for all. I personally don’t believe that CR is living up to its own standards for being a top eco-friendly country AND more importantly eco-tourist destination…I’ll save this for a different post or Blog.