8/13/06-8/17/06

FROM AMNESTY USA 8/17/06

http://www.amnestyusa.org/emails/immunity081706.html?tr=y&auid=1887340

Dear Supporter,

The Bush Administration authorized techniques like sleep deprivation, stress positions and the use of dogs on detainees, and now it wants immunity from criminal prosecution. Tell Congress you're outraged.

The War Crimes Act makes any violation of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions a crime under federal law. Since the Supreme Court said the Administration wrongfully denied these Geneva Conventions protections to those detained in Guantanamo Bay and similar detention facilities, Administration officials could face prosecution under the War Crimes Act.

The America I believe in upholds and defends the law. The America I believe in wouldn't sacrifice these values in the name of a "war on terror".

Act now! Tell Congress to uphold the rule of law!

Thank you,

Jumana Musa
Advocacy Director, Human Rights and International Justice
Amnesty International USA

IRREPRESSIBLE 8/16/06

A 360 tree-hugging friend at

http://360.yahoo.com/profile-qsNfoU42aalq7u8BLDtebtBcoPg-?cq=1

has sent me some info on http://irrepressible.info/.

The Irrepressible Campaign is part of Amnesty International and will deliver snippets of censored content to your blog every time it reloads. I cannot figure out how to add it to this blog since there is no access to Yahoo 360 templates. I have added the script to the templates of my other blogs with no difficulty. There are also static buttons that one can enclose in one's email.

~spike q

CEASE-FIRE 8/16/06

Dear 360 Friends,

Right now a tragedy is unfolding in the Middle East. Thousands of innocent civilians have been killed or wounded in the bombings in Lebanon, Palestine and Israel and the death toll is rising every day. If the US, Syria or Iran get involved, there is a chance of a catastrophic larger war.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of international troops to the Israel-Lebanon border, and been strongly supported by almost every world leader. This is the best proposal yet to stop the violence, but the US, the UK, and Israel have refused to accept it.

I have just signed a petition calling on US President Bush, UK Prime Minister Blair, and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert to support Kofi Annan's proposal. If millions of people join this call, and we advertise our views in newspapers in the US, UK, and Israel, we can help pressure these leaders to stop the fighting. Go to the link below and sign up now!

http://www.ceasefirecampaign.org

With hope,

spike q

For those who wish to understand islam a bit better, here are some links that a moslem friend has sent: http://www.islamway.com/mohammed , http://www.beconvinced.com , and http://www.islamworld.net .

HIJACK THIS ! 8/16/06

I've been hearing lots lately about a variety of spyware, scumware, malware, and shovelware being installed on computers. Recently, I found BestTechieForums. BestTechie recommends the download of freeware called HijackThis! from http://www.tomcoyote.com/hjt . After running a scan via HijackThis, one can copy the resultant log and paste it into a post at BestTechie. In turn, a volunteer posts recommendations and straightforward directions.

BestTechie Forums -- Free Tech and Computer Support--http://www.besttechie.net/forums/index.php?&CODE=00

Information about helpful and not so helpful anti-spyware programs-- http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Highly Recommended! ~spike q

FIFTY QUESTIONS 8/13/06

I lifted the questions from ArtfulDodger over at The Secret Brain at blogspot who lifted it from a friend who lifted it from...



1. My roommate and I once: went to a local WalMart's to look for a pocketbook [ check this out: http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/03/07/walmart_recruits_bloggers_for... ]for his cross-dressing alter ego. We sashayed through the aisles at length openly comparing possibilites. As I remember, he settled on a tasteful faded blue-jean colored zippered shoulder strap model. One middle-aged woman fled from us in terror.



2. Never in my life have I: done crack or shot heroin and I hope I never do.



3. The one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile is: my husband.



4. High School was: torture.



5. When I'm nervous: coffee calms me down.



6. The last time I cried was: I don't remember but it was sometime this year I think.



7. If I were to get married right now, my bridesmaids/groomsmen would be: -- one would have to assume that my present husband suddenly died and that I out-lived him.



8. Would you rather run naked through a crowded place or have someone e-mail your deepest secret to all your friends? Running naked sounds like more fun!



9. My hair: is naturally limp.



10. When I was five: I was cute and thin and blonde.



11. Last Christmas: we opened our presents and ate sticky buns in bed.



12. When I turn my head left: why is this question in here?



13. I should be: on the beach.



14. When I look down I see: the old wood floor.



15. The craziest recent event was: watching our oldest cat teach the kitten what to do with a mouse. She snagged a dead mouse from somewhere or other and shoved it over at him. When he went to shove it back or make motions to play with her, she growled. When he sniffed the mouse or jumped at it or threw it in the air, she made signs of approval.



16. If I were a character on "Friends," I'd be: --clueless as I hardly ever watched the show.



17. By this time next year: I should be on the beach.



18. My favorite aunt is: getting older by the minute.



19. I have a hard time understanding: why I should not curse as much as I want to as often as I want to.



20. One time at a family gathering: a cousin killed Peter Rabbit, put him in Shake'N'Bake, and then barbequed him. Very yummy!



21. You know I like you if: I drink coffee with you.



22. If I won an award the first person/people I'd thank: dad, gram, and Blondie the dog.



23. Take my advice: Have the courage to dream new dreams.



24. My ideal breakfast is: a vanilla yogurt coated PowerBar and some coffee.



25. If you visit my hometown: you would never know the glorydays I remember growing up there [http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/default.asp]. The place where I live now-- you'd get bored quick.


26. Sometime soon I plan to visit: my friend Ellie in Vermont [ http://www.bennington.com/ ] and my friend Philly Dave [http://www.lbccc.org/].



27. If you spend the night at my house: some animal would insist upon sleeping with you. And you would get to meet my frogs!



28. I'd stop my wedding if: one of us had a heart attack or something.



29. The world could do without: WAR and HUNGER and DISEASE.



30. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: re-live my childhood.



31. The most recent thing I've bought myself is: one-half of an old computer [husband bought the other half] so I can revamp it and do stuff with it. And the idea of checking to see what stuff the old owner might have left on it is also appealing.



32. The most recent thing someone else bought for me is: dinner-- thanks Crow! [visit Crow's domain at: http://blog.jeremycrow4life.com/ ]



33. My favorite blond is: my dog Blondie.



34. My favorite brunette is: me.



35. My car must have a sign on it that reads: Go ahead, do something idiotic and piss me off!



36. The last time I was drunk: was on two beers and going into a blackout. Something I don't miss.



37. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds: humans. I would love to spread out my arms and zoom around the atmosphere. Now that would solve the gauging gasoline prices problem!



38. I shouldn't have been: so full of inertia during some times in my life.



39. What was your wildest haircut? I shaved my head into a butched-up version of a military brush cut for several years. Those were the days...



40. Last night I: did computer stuff. [insert shameless self-promotion: http://sapphoq.com http://radical.sapphoq.com http://life.sapphoq.com http://healingtbi.sapphoq.com http://www.sapphoqnfriends.blogspot.com http://www.sapphoqreviews.blogspot.com :end of shameless self-promotion].



41: There's this woman I know who: is dead cuz she killed herself in Boston in September of 1999. I miss her still.


42. I don't know: why I am doing this.



43. A better name for me would be: there is no better!



44. If I ever go back to school: I'll take up puters.



45. How many days til my birthday? Every day is my birthday. That means I ain't tellin' yas.



46. One dead celebrity I wish I'd met is: Audre Lourde. [http://www.millikin.edu/ACI/CROW/chronology/lordebio.html and http://www.alp.com.]



47. I've lived at my current address since: our marriage.



48. I've been told I look like: one of the women on "Cagney and Lacey."



49. If I could have any car, it would be: a working Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang. Or maybe a new Mercedes. One that gets super excellent gas mileage.



50. If I got a new cat tomorrow, I would name it: Sammy.



~sapphoq