tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90891062024-03-07T20:19:13.379-06:00Love MinistriesProviding practical applications of the vision of the Spiritual World, that can be used in realistic ways in ordinary, everyday life. Dedicated to The Way of Universal Love and the Ministry of Total Healing - Spiritual, Emotional, and Physical.Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.comBlogger1398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-16335246052820882172009-06-13T12:08:00.000-05:002009-08-15T12:09:07.966-05:00Project KToday [Sunday, June 7], we are prepping for our biweekly gathering in the Pneumarium. Every two weeks, we gather with our dearly beloved friends and extended spiritual family, for a groupdiscussion of spirituality.<br /> <br />Re the transplant: This Tuesday, June 9, we are supposed to meet the docs and staff. (Some were met sixteen years ago, for the first procedure.) And the Main Event is still scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, barring some unforeseen circumstance.<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-64629940860756008802009-06-05T12:06:00.000-05:002009-08-15T12:08:07.211-05:00Planetary ReadingWere you aware that Jupiter has over sixty moons, and so does Saturn? There might be still more, if we include "micromoons." (When we were growing up, only sixteen moons of Jupiter were known.) And among those moons are the very famous Io, Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, the latter containing ice and probably water. An extremely interesting and easy-to-read book was published in twenty-oh-eight. It was called <span style="font-style:italic;">Beyond Ufos</span> by Jeff Bennett. Well worth reading.:) It will get you "all caught up" with the latest in astronomy, particularly in the search for<br />life.<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-16064173031832580652009-06-04T12:05:00.000-05:002009-08-15T12:06:53.131-05:00Greed and SpiritualityWe are in one hundred percent agreement about the exclusivity of the wealthy in several religious (but not spiritual) groups.<br /> <br />Jesus made his Message available to all. Holding a religious conference in a luxurious hotel only betrays an economic motive, rather than an honest and more spiritual one.<br /> <br />This can be a real tragedy for an honest heart in search of truth. It is a real shame.:(<br /> <br />This reminds all of us just how pervasive, and hence, invisible, is this kind of conartistry. So-called "teachers" who have their eyes on only the big hbucks are a danger to themselves and to society. Greed is an especially horrible mindisease, and when it infects a "teacher," the infection is spread far and wide. One of the best approaches is to make sure that we never support such greed-mongers. An even better response is to expose them at every opportunity.<br />*******<br />____________________________________________________________<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-50997125484411613052009-06-04T12:03:00.002-05:002009-08-15T12:05:47.589-05:00All Life Is SacredFanatical rightwingers, even murderers, are so very proud, and selfrighteous, about the fact that they love to call themselves "pro-life." This is consciously designed to imply that anyone who disagrees with them, even in fine detail, is "anti-life."<br /> <br />Since there is no "anti-life" movement, it is just plain unrealistic, unfair, and inaccurate, to call these people "pro-life." And to call them "anti-abortion" also implies falsely that others are "pro-abortion."<br /> <br />This too is scandalously inaccurate. For no one in the world is actually "pro-abortion." No one celebrates abortion, and no one is thrilled with joy when this medical procedure must be performed. Even professionals often perform abortions through tears-- their own, and those of the mother.<br /> <br />The fairest, and most accurate, way of designating the two sides might be "pro-choice" and "anti-choice." This is perhaps the least offensive, and judgmental, of designations.<br /> <br />The anti-choice people claim that they alone value life as sacred. But are they at all consistent in this "formal" or "official" position? No, for they do not value human life enough to refrain from murder. Several members of the pro-choice community have been murdered by the anti-choice people during the last thirty years. Extremely rarely, if ever, has it worked the other way-- with a pro-choice person murdering an anti-choice person. The ghastly case of Dr. Tiller is but one example of a nightmarish trend among these Jehovist killlers.<br /> <br />The situation gets even worse: Most of the people who supported the extremely bloody war in Iraq, which killed altogether about a million people, were "anti-choice" religious zealots-- often described accurately as "fanatics."<br /> <br />In other ways, too, these people do not defend or support life. Most of them are voracious carnivores, killing truly sentient beings for food. In fact, they go much further, laughing at and mocking vegetarians.<br /> <br />A fact which they almost never realize is that this present life is not the whole, the totality, of life. For life survives death. And this is a matrixteaching of Christianity, as well as of Buddhism, and several other faiths.<br /> <br />Anti-choice people react as if the physical life of the physical fetus is the one and only one, or the only one that counts. They ignore the teaching of Jesus and all other enlightened people: For the masters, saints, sages, and general mystics of all history hold that death is a survivable experience. Thus, while life on earth is extremely sacred, holy, and inviolable, it is never "all that there is." (These same extremists seem terrified to have any faith in God, and for the same or similar reasons, they reject euthanasia.)<br /> <br />If the anti-choice people did not interfere, the Souls which did not incarnate in a physical body would simply return to their Home-- the lovely Homeworld.<br /> <br />We who are profound believers do not use this fine and beautiful teaching as an "excuse" to murder, or to be indifferent about physical life. Most of us hold all physical life to be so sacred that some refuse to take the lives of even animals, who are also beloved.<br /> <br />If nature herself is allowed to take the natural course, without interference, nature itself will destroy many, many fetuses in "miscarriage." Do the anti-choice advocates go so far as to blame God, or nature, for this? (It is something about which they simply do not want to think!)<br /> <br />So, the anti-choice position is untenable, because it must be inconsistent. For no one can save a life and make it last forever. If you do save a life, which can be a very good deed indeed, you can only postpone death. For, in a few moments, hours, days, or years, the person whom you saved must leave this earth anyway.<br /> <br />The solution is not to try to "save every physical body." The solution, offered by Jesus and others (and Jesus never said a word about abortion) is, instead, to awaken to the fact that earthly life, however much we might deeply, tenderly, and lovingly care for it, is a temporary phenomenon. It is but an eye-blink in eternity. We must become aware that our real and true lives are forever; for, although the physical brain turns to dust after death, the non-physical Soulmind existed before birth and will continue to exist long after "death."<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-41740629871314011372009-05-22T12:01:00.000-05:002009-08-15T12:03:07.895-05:00Right to Reject CancertreatmentThanks to Mick Gallagher.<br />***<br /><blockquote> <br />Does "police state" ring a bell? What the hell is this?! If this kid's parents want to go the El Natural way-- religious, Spiritual, homeopathic, holistic healing-- the government/state should not interfere. I'm sorry but Corporate medicine, agribiz/farming, messing with the environment, food, water, corporate products(legitimate cigarettes, alcohol, prescription drugs, and our bizarre way of life-- all are what's killing us.<br /> <br />--written by Mick Gallagher</blockquote><br />***<br /> <br /><blockquote>Arrest ordered for mom of boy, 13, resisting chemo.<br /> <br />"It's absolutely crazy. It's very disappointing," [noted] James Olson,<br />the attorney representing Brown County Family Services. "We're trying to<br />do what's right for this young man."<br /> <br />Webmaster's Commentary:<br />Really?<br /> <br />I might believe that if there were an absolutely clear proof that chemotherapy is a guaranteed cure for cancer.<br /> <br />But there is cause to doubt. My mother underwent chemotherapy for her cigarette-induced cancer and it didn't save her. Quite the contrary it made her very sick and wrecked the quality of whatever life she had left.<br /> <br />There is evidence of far more effective cancer cures in other nations which are denied here in the US in order to preserve the established cancer industry, which seeks not a cure but more costly treatments.<br /> <br />This is a government that has been torturing children in Iraq. Clearly, their only concern is to force this child to financially support the status quo. Given the disasters of the 1976 flu vaccine, which killed more people than the flu did, and the Bayer hemophilia medicine laced with AIDS, and the Baxter flu vaccine with live Avian flu in it, the mother is justified in doubting whether the chemotherapy, despite its hefty price tag, will actually be of any benefit.</blockquote><br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-89231756727535536562009-05-17T12:00:00.000-05:002009-08-15T12:01:05.172-05:00Healing TouchThis donkey (body) heals more like you: It has to be touched a lot, and is a big believer in "therapeutic touch," now practiced by some nurses, and in integrative medicine (used to be "holistic," or "alternative" medicine).<br /> <br />People who are in absolutely splendid health need to be touched regularly, so it makes sense that those who are ill-- in need of positive energy-- need touch even more. What would the experience of a kitten, puppy, or other sweet critter be without being able to touch him/her?<br /> <br />So, at times, to love is to touch, and vice-versa. Everyone needs touch, although some pretend not to. ]They want others to think that they are "too tough" to need touch. (There is actually only one letter difference between "tough" and "touch.")]<br /> <br />Studies of infants and toddlers had to be discontinued when certain ones were selected not to be touched. These neglected children actually died! Scientists called this lethal condition "failure to thrive."<br /> <br />So, if young human beings are not touched, they die. Basically the same emotive processes and the same biochemistry and neurochemistry mark more mature members of the species. Thus, it follows logically that adults also need touch. And, as the absence of touch acts as a lethal toxin to the very young, it is also a toxic condition when adults do not touch.<br /> <br />This is a subtle and weak toxin, but its effects, in our cold society, can be cumulative. Needing to touch others, and to be touched by other positive people, is not a weakness, but an inherited or intrinsic need of human psychophysiology.<br /> <br />Thus, the more hugs, the more handshakes, the more sharing, the better! We must return to the simple ways of our ancestors, who lived without computers, cyberphones, ipods, and other isolating mechanisms. We must learn to reach out to one another, and offer our hearts through our hands. This is a very touching and touchy subject!:) But it is one that we all need to think about, especially those among us who have real interests in healing each other and the planet!:)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-61430650387341799352009-05-12T11:59:00.000-05:002009-08-15T12:00:05.507-05:00Letter about PartyDear Friends of the Heart,<br /> <br />Here is a letter from one of the blessed "moms" who came to our Mother's<br />Day Celebration of Love:<br /> <br /><blockquote>"Dear shi and Adamaria,<br /> <br />I had such a good time at your Mother's Day party today. As always, I<br />love to come to visit you guys, because both of you are so funny,<br />interesting AND LOVING! I know I am loved by both of you, and I can feel<br />it..... and it feels soooo good!<br /> <br />I am so very, very happy and grateful to have you guys in my life. You<br />truly are family to me.<br /> <br />Again, thank you for making this day so WONDERFUL!<br /> <br />Love you both,</blockquote><br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-73282215279454869572009-05-11T11:58:00.001-05:002009-08-15T11:59:20.857-05:00Sunday's Delightful CelebrationAlas, my friend, you missed most delightful and joyful moments of shared pleasure with some of the best people in the area. We decided, in view of real time-limits, not to have any discussiongroup Sunday (yesterday), but to give the whole day to sacred motherhood and its celebration of Love. We had a real megablast as we gathered with some of our best friends. We shared together some delicious coconut cake, and happy spiritual and semispiritual conversation. This place will not see another like it for at least another year!:) We all left feeling refreshed, renewed, and very "high" on life!:)<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-19408748898211013662009-05-11T11:58:00.000-05:002009-08-15T11:58:44.830-05:00Sunday Celebration of Motherlove!You missed one megasuperhyperblast of a Celebration yesterday! We shared so much fun, laughter, good food, and great conversation. There is no better way to have spent a day!:) It was a day just jam-packed with Love, joy, delight, and pleasure. Maybe you will be able to make next year's Celebration!:):)<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-58364322487341288982009-05-11T11:57:00.001-05:002009-08-15T11:58:18.014-05:00Sunday's PleasuresYou missed a real pleasure, and a very healing atmosphere, yesterday. We enjoyed, and created together, a "superparty" enjoyed by everyone. As far as donkeys (physical bodies) are concerned, it was certainly a healing and loving experience. Everyone "let her hair down," and we all enjoyed an ambiance that was relaxed, happy, and healing to both mind and body. The Party was so much fun, and so great, that we just had to share.:)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-46319486081063440912009-05-11T11:57:00.000-05:002009-08-15T11:57:45.467-05:00Beautiful Event!It was because you came that the Mother's Day Party yesterday was such a smashing success! We are, of course, superdelighted always to "see" you and Frank [pseudonym] whenever we have a gathering in the Pneumarium, but yesterday was very special in many ways! We were also excited and uplifted by the sharing of Love, and yesterday was a real celebration of Love. For there is perhaps no greater human Love than that which binds a mother to her sons or daughters.:) Thanks again, so very much, for having come and made the special event such a smashing success!<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-69127906643952184592009-05-11T11:55:00.000-05:002009-08-15T11:56:07.868-05:00Sunday's Assorted Pleasures: Keeping Friendships Strong*******<br /> <br />Thanks so much, dear friends, for having come to our delightful and joyful Celebration of Mother's Day at the Pneumarium. Social events such as this help weave, interweave, and maintain the important connections between the lives of the people who love each other, as we do!:):) Life would be so much poorer without them, and the many opportunities for Love-sharing that they bring.<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-21013281915728089482009-05-10T11:53:00.000-05:002009-08-15T11:55:23.399-05:00Bob Herbert Speaks of RepublicansThanks to Barbara Baty.<br />***<br /> <br /> <br /><blockquote>Out of Touch By BOB HERBERT<br />Published: May 1, 2009<br /> <br />The incredibly clueless stewards of the incredibly shrinking Republican<br />Party would do well to recall that it was supposedly Abe Lincoln, a<br />Republican, who said that you can't fool all the people all the time.<br />Readers' </blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-68921358679465310352009-05-07T11:51:00.000-05:002009-08-15T11:53:52.629-05:00The Limited Value of TravelTraveling around the world sounds very exciting! That, in fact, might be a core of a major problem.<br /> <br />Others will praise your decision to travel; as we will see, these people are not necessarily helpful either.<br /> <br />A person is not deeply, profoundly, or permanently enriched by simply moving her body around this little tiny, itsy-bitsy planet. For even if you go "everywhere," on this tiny planet, you have seen and experienced virtually nothing of the cosmos!:)<br /> <br />In order to gain any mental clarity, you must ask yourself why you feel such pride about your travels. Why is this so important to you? It is because most people on this little planet are unsophisticated and uneducated spiritually. Because of these factors, they are impressed when a person moves her body around on this planet. They go so far as to believe that travel itself enriches a person.<br /> <br />But this is wrong; it comes from limited experience and limited understanding. For travel in itself does not enrich a person. It does not give a person depth-- spiritually, mentally, or emotionally. It does not improve a person's wisdom, compassion, or morality; in other words, travel in itself does not improve a person. Travel in no way makes you "more important."<br /> <br />Travel can enrich only what you already have within. A person is made no "richer" by going to the furthest corners of the earth than by going to the corner store. Therefore, the common "pride" involved with travel is based upon an illusion, for this entire world is but a dreamworld.<br /> <br />As people questing after enlightenment, it is desirable for us to abandon all pride, including pride of travel, and pride of friendship, to which it is closely related. (Some people feel, deep down, that they are worthless, and so, they are always talking about "important" or famous friends. For the same feelings of low selfesteem, people always brag about their travels.)<br /> <br />One of the greatest (and most humble) writers of mysticism in all history was Lao Tzu (pronounced "Lah'-o dzuh"). He was a writer in China, whose writing was already four hundred years old when Jesus was born. He wrote, "The sage can see the whole world without moving her front gate."<br /> <br />A "sage" or enlightened person does not have to follow slavishly the often uncomfortable or even harsh task-master of traveling, for her selfesteem does not in any way depend on impressing others. She knows that she is singularly and uniquely important because she is a daughter of Love (God); she has nothing to prove, nothing with which to impress strangers or friends. She is completely selfcontent, and does not need to "impress" anyone. She is content and happy, satisfied and fulfilled, <br />in her own deep interior nature. She is happy in her own skin, and in her own backyard, and does not have continually to "flee" from her home.<br /> <br />Most people do not feel this much at peace with themselves, and so, have to "prove to themselves" and to others, that they are "important." Sadly, in our culture, one way that people artificially "prove their importance" is by travel.<br /> <br />But real Love, of course, has nothing to do with geography.<br /> <br /> Most people, unfortunately, are highly impressed by simple travel (because they do not at all like their home). You cannot, and will not, receive reliable advice from them, even though they love you profoundly. For they cannot be objective about this question. And you must find an objective answer in your own heart. The importance of doing so cannot be overemphasized.<br /> <br />Travel is interesting, and can be even exciting, when you are young. Like all other things of earth, in time, it becomes boring and wearisome, losing much attractiveness. It is good to travel when young, for when older, you might have lost the desire, and even the ability.<br /> <br />But please just do not confuse the excitement of travel, which always marks an inexperienced person (for it is a "new experience") with falling in Love-- a fabulous, fantastic, ultimate "high" that is the best thing that can happen to a human being.<br /> <br />You must sort through your thoughtfeelings and decide how and why mere travel has become so important to you. Do you feel, deep down, that you are inferior?<br /> <br />Love wisely, carefully, slowly, and selectively when it comes to your life-choice of a Soulmate, Love-partner, or monogamous companion. For one thing, you need to know much more than you do right now. So, be patient, dear friend; this is not the time to leap before looking, to act prematurely, impulsively, or impetuously.<br /> <br />You have a great need to love, as you have to eat. But although a stack of candy might be truly attractive, it will never give your body, mind, or Soul the nutrition that you need.:)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-53713646281289272232009-05-07T11:49:00.000-05:002009-08-15T11:51:17.300-05:00Project K: Update*******<br /> <br />Believe it or not, we do have a date for the surgery of Project K! It is currently planned for June 16, so please focus your kind hearts and thoughtful minds on the donkey that day; he can use all the energy that he can get! Brother Donkey, the body, is showing some peripheral tiredness and lack of energy. We continue regular bloodtests, and regular conferencing with the nephrologist (kidney-specialist) whom we have known now for nearly twenty years.<br /> <br />The last transplant, the donor was a taurus. This time, she is also a different taurus, and the doc is also a taurus. Although I am a pisces, I do have a taurusmoon. So, maybe there is a cosmic pattern behind all that is happening; we like to think so, at any rate.:):)<br /> <br />Thank you for your continued interest in this important lifevent, and thanks for asking, dear friends. Thanks also for any silver energy that you can send. (We are requesting this from all our friends.:)<br /> <br />May you have a most beautiful and temperate day as we together celebrate the return of the Goddess of flowers with springtime.:)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-54797789729987718152009-05-03T11:47:00.001-05:002009-08-15T11:49:46.333-05:00Sitchin's IdeasYes, we are a little familiar with Zechariah Sitchin and his theories.<br /><br />From the viewpoint of traditional or mainstream scholarship, his ideas represent an extreme. He is thought to have extrapolated much much more from the small amount of data that we have re the Sumerians. Most of his work is purest speculation, and it could be wished that it were more "grounded" in solid fact. But, often at crucial areas, his theories do lack some necessary factual data, and he goes very much "out on a limb."<br /> <br />This, of course, does not mean that he is "wrong.":) But Sitchin is not the very best basis for a cosmic philosophy, to which he aspires. Many of his concepts are attractive, but, again, it is difficult to justify building an entire philosophy on this rather tenuous basis.<br /> <br />As you can tell, we are not "true believers." In order for us to embrace any datum into our personal philosophy, we must be convinced that it is at least in harmony with the immense mountain of factual data in philosophy, history, science, and other related areas of knowledge.<br /> <br />But neither are we skeptics or cynics. Perhaps no one on earth has the data necessary to adopt or accept this position either. At present, we prefer to take a "wait and see" attitude towards these ideas re "the tenth planet," and related concepts, especially those regarding chronology and calendars.<br /> <br />One example is the wide, but not wise, spectrum of worldenders. It is still very, very fresh in our minds how, ten years ago, thousands of native American leaders, channelers, new-agers, and fundies of various stripes were anxiously holding their breath and predicting with utter certainty that the year twenty hundred would bring "the end of the world," through the "y2k" crisis.<br /> <br />It was one of the very rare years, in fact, specifically used by Nostradamus in his famous "prophecies," and Ed Cayce also had dire predictions for this "marked year." Worldenders were madly coming "out of the woodwork," and people thought it a bit "freaky" that we did not jump on this bizarre bandwagon. But now, we are very glad that we maintained a skeptical position.<br /> <br />When I was a fundy, we also made, in retrospect, the rather foolish error of predicting a certain specific year for the "end." That year, 1975, came and went without a single global disturbance, proving to any reasonable person that the fundy cult was wrong. This was no mere matter of interpretation. They were just plain wrong-- undeniably.<br /> <br />Sitchin has also predicted the return of Niburu. So far, no "tenth planet" has been discovered whose trajectory intersects with the orbit of the earth. So, this comes down to a remarkably simple truth that is not speculative, or even controversial: If he was right, this planet should have appeared, or else, it will do so shortly. And if it does not, then he was in error.<br /> <br />I am no specialist in either ancient Sumerian or astronomy. My specialty is spirituality. But, in Sitchin, the three areas overlap, and he claims to be an "expert" in all three. But almost no one in the academic or scientific community has been convinced either of his expertise or of the validity of his more radical theories. Only time, dear friend, will tell; and it will tell all.:)<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-69574736017067422562009-05-02T11:44:00.002-05:002009-08-15T11:47:22.202-05:00The Pacific Nightmare-MonsterThe Pacific Nightmare-Monster<br />*******<br /> <br />Thanks to Barbara Baty.<br />*****<br /> <br /><blockquote>The Feds want to survey, possibly clean up vast garbage pit in<br />Pacific...impossible to clean up<br /> <br />Justin Berton, Chronicle Staff Writer<br /> <br /> The so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a stewy body of plastic and marine debris that floats an estimated 1,000 miles west of San Francisco, is a shape-shifting mass far too large, delicate and remote ever to be cleaned up, according to a researcher who recently returned from the area.<br /><br />But that might not stop the federal government from trying.<br /><br />Charles Moore, the marine researcher at the Algalita Marina Research Foundation in Long Beach, who has been studying and publicizing the patch for the past 10 years, said the debris-- which he estimates weighs 3 million tons and covers an area twice the size of Texas-- is made up mostly of fine plastic chips; [it] is impossible to skim out of the ocean.<br /><br /> "Any attempt to remove that much plastic from the oceans boggles the mind," Moore said from Hawaii, where his crew is docked. "There's just too much, and the ocean is just too big." The trash collects in one area, known as the North Pacific Gyre, due to a clockwise trade wind that circulates along the Pacific Rim. It accumulates the same way bubbles gather at the center of hot tub, Moore said.<br /><br /> A two-liter plastic bottle that begins its voyage from a storm drain in San Francisco will get pulled into the gyre and take weeks to reach its place among the other debris in the Garbage Patch.<br /><br /> "While the bottle floats along, instead of biodegrading, it will "photodegrade," Moore said . The sun's uv rays will turn the bottle brittle, much like they would crack the vinyl on a car roof. They will break down the bottle into small pieces and, in some cases, into particles as fine as dust.<br /><br /> "The Garbage Patch is not a solid island, as some people believe," Moore said. Instead, it resembles a soupy mass, interspersed with large pieces of junk such as derelict fishing nets and waterlogged tires-- "an alphabet soup," he called it.<br /><br /> Also, it's undetectable by overhead satellite photos because it's 80 percent plastic and therefore translucent, Moore added. The plastic moves just beneath the surface-- from one inch to depths of 300 feet, according to samples he collected on the most recent trip, he said. <br /><br /> By Moore's estimation, the "floating landfill" is also simply too far from land to conduct any meaningful cleanup operation. It's about 1,000 miles west of California and 1,000 miles north of the Hawaiian Islands-- a week's journey by boat from the nearest port. It swirls in a convergence zone located about 30 to 40 degrees north latitude and 135 to 145 west longitude.<br /><br /> There's no doubt that a stew of marine debris exists in the convergence zone of the gyre, said Holly Bamford, an oceanographer and director of the marine debris program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but there is some debate as to its size.<br /><br /> Moore has led most of the research and publicity surrounding the Garbage Patch, so Bamford said her federal agency, which oversees ocean conditions, is collecting its own data to assess the area and density. Bamford said she has noted some "gaps in the research" that suggest the affected area is not as large as Moore estimates. Yet there's no question that marine debris is gathering in the area and is having a negative impact on marine life, such as fish who mistake the particles for food.<br /><br /> "But before we embark on a huge removal process," Bamford said, "we need to understand what we're dealing with."<br /> Bamford added that the agency had attempted to take satellite photos of the area last year, but the overhead photos were inconclusive. "It's hard to distinguish a whale reaching the surface versus a piece of plastic," she said.<br /><br /> Still, Bamford said the agency is considering flying unmanned aircraft that can be launched from boats to skim the ocean's surface and collect data.<br /><br /> But launching the drones is 18 months away, Bamford said. It could be two years before a federal plan is enacted to remove the plastic-- if it's warranted, Bamford said.<br /><br /> "Once we get to that stage, we'd need to ask, 'If we can remove it, what would be the best way? And what would we do with it afterward? If we collect it, would we bring it back to shore - and then what-- put it in a landfill?'"<br /><br /> In the meantime, as the production and the use of plastic continue to grow, so will the Garbage Patch, Moore said. The only way to reduce marine debris, all sides agree, is to cut it off at its source-- on land.<br /> <br />The dramatic growth in plastics use over the past two decades is what distresses activists [such as] Moore. The annual production of plastic resin in the United States has roughly doubled in the past 20 years, from nearly 60 billion pounds in 1987 to an estimated 120 billion pounds in 2007, according to a study by the American Chemistry Council, which represents the nation's largest plastic and chemical manufacturers.<br /><br />Keith Cristman, a senior director of packaging at the American Chemistry Council, said the plastics industry is aware of its connection to marine debris; [he] said the council is working with federal and state agencies to put more recycling bins on California beaches in an attempt to stop plastic bottles and bags from making their way to the sea. At the end of November, Cristman said, the council is co-sponsoring<br />its first marine debris workshop with state and federal agencies.<br /><br /> Cristman said he'd rather see more plastic recycled than production slowed.<br /><br /> "Plastic is a valuable resource," he said. "It shouldn't be wasted. It should be recycled."<br /><br /> Asked [whether] the council would assist in any cleanup of the Garbage Patch if the federal government called on it, Cristman said, "We're always interested in working with NOAA and the EPA."<br /><br /> Moore said his crew had collected new data that suggested more plastic is entering the gyre, yet he was hesitant to elaborate until he finalized the research.<br /><br /> "The ocean is downhill from everywhere," Moore said. "It's like a toilet that never flushes. You can't take these particles out of the ocean. You can just stop putting them in."</blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-44979306585269372682009-05-01T11:42:00.001-05:002009-08-15T11:44:08.810-05:00Scammers are Taking Advantage of Swine Flu FearThanks to Mick Gallagher.<br />*****<br />Man am I shocked. what happened to United We Stand? I thought the bird flu, SARS, Y2K, 9/11 WAS THE LAST OF IT. <br /><br />And the hoaxes just keep on coming!! I guess they know how to effectively use the widely impressive corp media to browbeat us into complete submission---<br />What's it all about Alfie?<br /> <br />Mick Gallagher<br />*******<br /> <br /> <br /> <blockquote><br />-----Forwarded Message-----<br />From: Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray<br />Sent: Apr 30, 2009 4:30 PM mctgal@earthlink.net<br />Subject: Scammers are taking advantage of Swine Flu fear<br /> <br />Dear Friends of the Heart,<br /> <br />What's in the news often drives companion scams. My office has received<br />complaints related to the Economic Stimulus Package, tax returns, and<br />television conversion to hd. It appears that the same predators are now<br />attempting to take advantage of people's fear about swine flu.<br /> <br />According to the Better Business Bureau and online security companies,<br />emails from spammers about swine flu already make up two percent of spam<br />emails, and hundreds of Web sites using the term "swine flu" have already<br />been registered.<br /> <br />In addition to making you aware of this trend, I need your help to<br />identify the scams.<br /> <br />Here's how you can help:<br /> <br />Forward suspicious e-mails to the Federal Trade Commission at:<br />spam@uce.gov, then delete them from your inbox.<br />File a complaint with the Attorney General's office about e-mails, phone<br />calls, direct mail, or other attempts to scam you. You can do this by<br />logging on to www.SpeakOutOhio.gov or by calling (800) 282-0515.<br />Forward this e-mail to friends and family so they can be aware.<br />For reputable information and updates on swine flu and fighting the<br />outbreak, go to www.CDC.gov/swineflu<br />And remember: to protect yourself from any kind of scam, NEVER send<br />personal information, such as bank account numbers or Social Security<br />numbers, via email. If you're asked for this information in an email,<br />don't respond and don't click on links in the message.<br /> <br />Thank you for helping protect the pocketbooks of Ohioans.<br /> <br />Sincerely<br /> <br />Richard Cordray<br />Ohio Attorney General<br />*******</blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-32733998827368312792009-05-01T11:39:00.000-05:002009-08-15T11:42:07.382-05:00Worried about Swine Flu? Here's something you can do.The United States needs to allow all working people to earn paid sick days to ensure our economic security, and protect public health.<br /> <br /> <br />Sign the Petition Today<br /> <br /> <br />Dear Friends of the Heart,<br /> <blockquote><br />The news over the weekend was scary -- outbreaks of a potentially pandemic flu virus, called the "swine flu" are being reported all over the world, including in the U.S. As of now there have been 64 confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S., with the first fatal U.S. case reported this morning from Texas.1 White House officials monitoring the situation are recommending that: If you're sick, stay home, get treatment, go see a doctor.2<br /> <br />This is easier said than done. In the U.S. today, nearly half of workers aren't allowed to earn paid sick days (i.e. they don't have a single paid sick day to take when illness strikes in order to keep our communities healthy and not spread illness). And more than half of the workforce does not have or cannot use paid sick days to care for sick children. The numbers are even worse in industries where people need paid sick days the most: 92% of waiters and waitresses, and 79% of childcare workers aren't allowed to earn any paid sick days3.<br /> <br />How do the experts expect people to stay home when they're sick, if they don't have any paid sick days?<br /> <br />Sign the petition today! The United States needs to allow all working people to earn paid sick days to ensure our economic security, and protect public health.<br /> <br />http://momsrisingaction.org/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1924&source=TrueMajority<br /> <br />In this economic downturn, folks need to work, sometimes whether they're sick or not. I talked to a coffee shop employee today who told me, "I go to work sick sometimes; I need the hours so I can pay my rent!" We've all been there. When people go to work sick, it puts us all at risk. The recent swine flu outbreak is a powerful reminder that we need paid sick days for public health.<br /> <br />In New York, where there is a small outbreak at a school among students who recently traveled to Mexico, health officials told the Wall Street Journal that one way to reduce the spread of the disease is to "stay home until 48 hours after the symptoms have passed to avoid spreading the disease,"4 Clearly, folks need paid sick days to do the right thing and stay home to care for themselves and their children when they show these symptoms, so more people don't get sick.<br /> <br />Sign the petition today, and pass it on to your friends and family!<br />Everyone should be able to earn paid sick days to ensure our health and economic security.<br /> <br />Thank you,<br /> <br />--Katie, Mary, Kristin, Sarah, Anita and the MomsRising.org Team<br /> <br />P.S. See the CDC Website for more information about the swine flu<br />outbreak: cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm<br /> <br />1. Read the NY Times compilation of information about the swine flu here:<br />topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/i/influenza/swine_i<br />nfluenza/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=swine%20flu&st=cse<br /> <br />2. Quoted in:<br />cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/26/swine.flu/index.html?eref=rss_topstories<br /> <br />3. Institute for Women's Policy Research analysis of the March 2006<br />National Compensation Survey, the November 2005 through October 2006 Job<br />Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, and Highlights of Women's Earnings<br />in 2005 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Report 995).<br />iwpr.org/pdf/B254_paidsickdaysFS.pdf<br /> <br />4. Quoted in: online.wsj.com/article/SB124077900486757017.html<br /> <br /></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-2410680341728668062009-04-19T10:28:00.000-05:002009-04-19T10:29:43.405-05:00Joyful Announcement of Love*******<br /> <br />Dearest Friends of Humanity, Friends of the Heart,<br /> <br />As you know already, Love Ministries has been directed to start the Love Ministries Federation. Frankly, this work has entailed some rather discouraging efforts, and so, as of 040109, we put a temporary stop to it; gathering donations has been like pulling teeth-- without an anesthetic! The responses of our friends has been lukewarm at best, and cool at worst.(:<br /> <br />But we have never claimed to be "in charge" of Love Ministries. We are not. The One, the Supreme, the Ultimate, the Lovegod(dess) is in charge of Love Ministries, and today (041909), she directed that we once again try to elicit support for the poorest people in the world. To stand by and let God's children-- our sisters and brothers-- drop dead from starvation, because we are fearfully clinging to our dollars, guarantees a future life of dire and extreme poverty.<br /> <br />Besides, Sophia, the Goddess of Love, wants these people to be aided; and she wants you and me to do this.<br /> <br />So, Love Ministries USA is again open to striving to gather a few dollars to aid our strugglling and starving friends-- the poorest people in the world. Please allow the Light of Love to penetrate your heartmind in a practical way, and donate what you can; we are accepting, as before, donations of as small as three dollars. It is not just the quantity that counts, but the Lovexpression.<br /> <br />So, won't you please, today, support Love Ministries of India, Love Ministries of Kenya, Love Ministries of Pakistan, Love Ministries of Rwanda, Love Ministries of Sierra Leone, and Love Ministries of Uganda? The poor orphans of these countries are literally dying to hear from you!<br /> <br />Please discuss this important issue with the interior God(dess). There is no more important way to invest money than by investing it in other living human beings. Thank you in advance; thanks from the hundreds of orphans to whom you are giving the great gift of life itself!<br /> <br />Please send snailmail donations to:<br /> <br />Love Ministries USA<br />5100 Liberty-Fairfield Rd.<br />Hamilton, OH 45011.<br /> <br />Thank you for all eternity.<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-17487587137606312572009-04-15T10:28:00.000-05:002009-04-19T10:28:27.939-05:00Angels*******<br /> <br />Mine has always been a practical approach to spirituality based on what I have been able to evidence to my own mind. As I have had no interactions personally with "angels," this spirituality has been free of "angels." I do leave the question, and the heartmind, open to them; they could well exist and might have even wings! But angelology has never been a specialty, or special interest, of this life. This is probably all to say that... direct access to the One, without any "middle men," has<br />worked just fine.:)<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-30781175835202203222009-04-12T10:27:00.000-05:002009-04-19T10:27:57.882-05:00Angelic Activity?*******<br /> <br />One of the major advantages of being free spiritual people is that we are not forced into agreement or conformity about every little detail of our spiritual lives. We are free to agree to disagree about minor things, while remaining friends, with deep respect for each other. While it is understood that finding parking spaces makes you feel cared for, and that is good (even healing), I find it hard to believe that beings of immense, vast cosmic power, working on a planet where thousands of human beings and many other species are suffering from terrible pain and suffering every day, use the finest energies of infinite Love to find a parking space for your convenience. I have also met a few others who, when lucky enough to have found a parking space, have assured me that this was due to "angelic intervention."<br /> <br />The real danger here is that we can trivialize the enormous Power of God, the higher Power that is designed to heal and enlighten the planet, and the universe (someday). The polygalactic Lord of Love is not directly involved in trivial or petty matters; it is like assuming that Barack Obama will take the time from his active and busy schedule to come to your house to repair a broken sugarbowl.:):) Of course, you are always completely free to believe whatever you choose and want to<br />believe, as am I.:):)<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-85336950885094936562009-04-09T10:25:00.001-05:002009-04-19T10:26:57.436-05:00A Certain Craziness*******<br /> <br />The sky is falling! It is the end of the world! This kind of dark fantasy seems to have haunted unbalanced and borderline minds with an unprecedented ferocity since ancient times. There has not existed a single year in the history of the planet during which someone somewhere did not predict the "immediate advent" of the "end of the world"!<br /><br /> Not at all surprisingly, it is happening all over again. Sick rightwing whackos-- extremists all, who often get their material from each other-- have declared Obama a "radical," a "socialist," an "anti-Christ," and much, much worse. Talkshow hosts have poured billions of gallons of gasoline on this "fire"! <br /><br />Of course, extreme conservatives hate and misunderstand almost everybody. This is due partly to the fact that they do not seek objective or scientific foundations for their ideas, and partly because they refuse to read or listen to anyone who is not already in fullest agreement with them. They rant and rave, and often preach, in screeching voices about to break from the sheer tension.<br /><br /> Mick Gallagher, Barbara Bady, and other contributors to the uld have pointed out the real and rational dangers that these people pose to the mind, as well as to the collective mind of the community. The latest gambit of these rightwingers is the sad illusion, a lie, that Presidennt Obama of the USA has a "hidden agenda" to take away all their guns. (This type always feels incomplete without a gun, as if you had stolen her literal arms and fingers; and she will fight tooth and nail to keep whatever deadly weapons that she owns with great pride. (In this way, she imitates extremists of the past, including nazis and fascists.) The only way, they say, that you are going to "get their gun" is when you "pry it from their dead, cold fingers" after they have died for this "cause."<br /><br /> Many are "worldenders," and are troubled nonstop by the idea of "race-wars," criminals running riotously through the streets, and related horrors. They live in a nightmare torture-chamber! (How true the spiritual principle that it is what is within the mind, not the "outside world," that determines how we feel.)<br /><br /> The best way to deal with such fanatics is simply to ignore them. We can also regulate their power by education in the truer and more satisfying Way of moderation, which turns its back on extremes. But all that we really have to do is wait around; for the passage of time will prove how false, ludicrous, absurd, and ridiculous are their ideas. Let us also work hard every minute of every day to fill this world, this cosmos, with the peace and joy manifested by Love. For it is Love, not guns, in which all people of Love place their faith.<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-15676637403829881842009-04-09T10:23:00.001-05:002009-04-19T10:25:01.856-05:00It Is Time To Speak Up and Speak Out Loudly and Forcefully!Thanks to Mick Gallagher.<br /> <br />*******<br /><br /> I will now shut up & sit down, for I am incapable of not losing my temper when discussing the hate & lies propagated over "our public airwaves." Yes, there are 'free speech' arguments here. But free "hate" speech? Where is the fcc?!<br /> <br />The latest tragedy involving the massive weaponry owned by Americans involves the sad low point of the 3 Pittsburgh Police officers gunned down there by a young man, who lost his job, and also 'thought' the Obama administration was going to take all his guns, including the AK47 he used to kill. And would the police officers [take away forcefully his rifles?] [This is]a threat used by the right for twenty-five to<br />thirty-five yrs!<br /> <br />Now where did he get this idea? Well, it's been the latest in a long line of rumors/threats from the GOP, RNC Neocon's through corporate rightwing media-- which millions listen to every day, and believe all that they hear as if it's Gospel Truth.<br /> <br />Perhaps they confused this administrations desire for a reduction in nuclear weapons... and the reigning in of roguestates. <br /><br />But we all need to sit down, take some time to have a short, concise, rational letter to an editor written soon. This nonsense has gone on for too long!<br /> <br />During the [2008 Presidential] Campaign, they spewed hate & lies towards Obama, with threats about assassination, [and that] the blacks would riot, if they didn't get their way. The [rightwingers] used every hateful, incendiary, inflammatory lie they could to try to defeat the positive changes we desperately need, and [which] the world awaits. I also suggest the call in comment lines on C-SPAN, MSNBC, CNN, RUSH,<br />O'REILLY, SEAN HANNITY(FOX),etc. Those rightwing shows rarely get calls from intelligent liberals [progressives], maybe because we are not confrontational in general. But we need to speak up strongly & forcefully now--to set the record straight, once again! Please call in lines to newspapers too. When we don't speak up, it is taken as weakness, and [in some cases,] it is true. This "new," different guy is "rushing socialism and massive guncontrol." [The same policies were interpreted very differently] when they were [suggested by] the neoconmen bankers, etc, along with the bush Cabal's "free for all" de-regulation legislation to grease the skids of cronie unbridled capitalism.<br /> <br />Once again, as when Clinton came in, we have to clean up. [The economy, military, foreign policy, and government are]a real, real mess-- not imagined. I know the Fed reserve Rueben, Summers, Greenspan were fully in charge during the time of bush; and they're still there!<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9089106.post-27016491974613038932009-04-05T10:21:00.000-05:002009-04-19T10:22:56.760-05:00Hopeless Reaching for Goddess*******<br /> <br />Happily, the most important things in our lives do not at all depend in any way on our belief in them. Whether we believe it or not, Goddess is Love; and even if we lack the ability to believe, She remains Love. Even when Love is inaccessible, or incomprehensible, It/She is still present within the Core-mind, deep inside you and inside me. Even when we have lost the ability to cry out (or, in) to this Love, It/She knows our sufferings; She heals us through each other.<br /> <br /> <br />She enters the heart most often through our discovery of personal helplessness. That means that we must completely give up on, abandon, any personal desires to "fix" our lives, and step out of Her way.<br /> <br />We cannot solve every problem in the universe; but at least, we can share our tears and fears.<br /> <br />So, whether you know it or not, Love is an interior Force for good that is always working to heal you-- make you whole. But please try to be patient, for healing does take time. If you want to discuss this or any related matter personally, please give me a quick call. [The number is (513)737-LOVE (5683).]<br />*******<div class="blogger-post-footer"><br />
Visit the main site at http://www.loveministries.org !</div>Richard S. T. Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074991032201855959noreply@blogger.com0