The preplanned revolutions of the middle-east and the end of democracy

One would have to be incredibly naïve to believe that the protests in Tunisia, Yemen, Egypt and Jordan are mainly due to economy and “people power,” and the trickle effect of “oh it all started with the Tunisian and now other middle-eastern countries are following suit.” Of course, I was once part of the naïve crowd who believed in the power of people but as I see with my own eyes that the last of the last democracies crumpling in the United Corporate of America, I make myself sit back, analyze and question all the information presented by the media.

Today, revolutions are pre-planned. Georgia's rose revolution and Ukraine's orange revolution was organized by a billionaire living in the U.S. Chaos is created, dictators are removed and installed, religious governments are supported and highly tolerated and democracy has lost its meaning and value. You don’t believe me? Here are a few examples. Americans did not want a war in Iraq. Americans want out of Afghanistan. Majority of Americans are against America’s support of the settlements in Israel. Americans hate Monsanto because Monsanto is corrupt. They want the Fed to be audited because the fed is not “federal.” They are bunch of foreign bankers who don’t give a s--- about anything except their pockets. But none of these matter. Because America is no longer a government by the people for the people. 

I find it Ironic when Obama, Hilary, Kerry and Merkel tell Egypt not to harm protesters when at the 2009 G20 Summit in pittsburgh, American police attacked and harmed the protesters.

So, getting back to what’s going on in the middle-east. There are several things that will happen in Tunisia, Egypt and wherever else these revolutions are preplanned.

1. These countries will be left in chaos or

2. A military state will be formed or

3. Another dictator controlled by the powerful forces will be installed or

4. An Islamic government will be formed, but

5. True democracy will not take place.

Below are some links to open up your minds to see these revolutions for what they truly are – a creation of those behind the scene who will benefit immensely from people’s sufferings. And please be smart and do not point the fingers just at the U.S. Those who control our world today come from all walks of life and they dictate how things should run. They come from many nations and not just one nation! From north to south and east to west, many leaders are under their control and are told what to say and do. Right now, the average person does not know which direction Tunisia and Egypt (and perhaps Yemen and Jordan) will go, but those who instigated these revolutions have a precise plan for these countries and those plans do not include democracy. 

What's Next for Tunisia? (we don't know but they sure do)

In Tunisia, a struggle at risk of being forgotten (chaos)

Wikileaks document revealing the American government is backing protesters behind the Egypt uprising (still say it’s the “power of the people”?)

Egypt turns off internet, Lieberman wants same option for US (control of the US population)

Haas: We Should be concerned. Last thing we want to have, say, is an Egypt in chaos or an Egypt dominated by Islamic fundamentalists. (yet another Islamic government) 

Whether the unrest from Tunisia to Egypt will result in democracy is unclear (is it unclear?)

President Obama, say the 'D-Word'(say what? We're even starting to lose the "illusion" of democracy in America. What makes you think you will have it better?)

GOP pushing for ISPs to record user data (what happened to the Constitution?)

US to penalise the EU & countries which did not support the use of GM crops. (what happened to the voice of the people?)

Oversea drug trials exploit and kill poor in developing countries (chaos & corruption benefit the bigpharma)

Wall Street has hijacked Washington while “we the people” suffer (where is the democracy?) 

The Nostalgia of carefree lazy days

Photo contributor: Rosemary Ratcliff


Today was neither a good day nor a bad day. It was just a day. A day to reflect on life, love, family, work, leisure time and being just lazy. I haven’t had any lazy days lately – no time for it. Although I have had lazy moments, but it’s not easy to enjoy lazy moments because I keep looking at the clock to see how much time I have left before my next task. I find that the older I get, the more complicated life gets, especially since my elders, once middle-aged are now moving into a different category – the senior citizen category with aches and pains and many complaints. As I watch them complain, I often wonder about my own mortality. Will I become like them? How much life I have left ahead of me and will it be a quality life or will I end up in some nursing home?

When I was a child, these thoughts never even entered my mind. I used to watch my grandmother write and recite poetry, sew and Iron. Sometimes when she didn’t feel well, she’d sit in a squatting position. “What’s the matter with grandma?” I’d ask my mom. “Her stomach is bothering her,” my mom would answer. And perhaps I felt bad for a minute before my brother would whisk me off to play hide and seek. I was completely in a different world, oblivious to life’s tragedies and disappointments until after college when I was running a retail store and the responsibilities kept piling up.

And responsibilities don’t always bother me. I like being busy and having lots to do, but I also enjoy having quiet time. So here I am today missing my carefree days and wondering if I will get them back. 

The politics of human rights

Photo contributor: Idea go

Let’s face it, in a world where all ethics has disappeared, governments do not care about human rights. In fact, in the eyes of world leaders, activists are considered a pain in the rear. A handful of families who run the Corporations who run our world, our leaders and our governments prefer people who are sheep. So, why do activists of certain countries get more attention than those of other countries? Simple – it’s all due to their political relationship with the western governments. Take Saudi Arabia for example, the so-called secret society. The news everywhere rarely covers newsworthy information from the Kingdom and yet, they are one of the most oppressive regimes in the world. Have a look at Dubai and their promotion of slavery by hanging on to the passport of poor foreigners and forcing them to work for little or no pay while their ostentatious towers reach the sky. When was the last time you saw a negative coverage of Dubai in the mainstream media? So the next time you wonder why the media does not care about the activists in your country, have a look at your country’s political relationship with the forces that control our world.

Another factor that gets calculated in the equation is if a leader can be controlled. After the recent revolution, Tunisia may have a new leader who gives more liberty to their citizens, but if that leader does not succumb to the needs of the families who run the corporations who run our world, mark my world, that leader will be replaced by another who is willing to kiss many behinds in order to keep his/her power and fill-up his/her bank account in various countries such as Switzerland even if he/she violates all aspects of human rights.

A good example is Iran. Iran had democracy in the 50s, that democracy was squashed by corporations and western governments and replaced by dictatorship so that they could get free oil. In the meantime, the shah tortured all opponents of his regime and there was little coverage of it in the news. Then the west decided to remove the Shah because it no longer needed Iran’s oil. They had found a new oil provider with richer oil fields. During this transition at least 30,000 were tortured and killed. Still little coverage in the media. And today…well…the world had shut up about the entire Iran thing until recently when Iran continuously increased its influence in the middle-east. 

So, there has been more coverage of the Iranian activists but for how long? Perhaps until another deal is struck under the table. And after that, the well controlled media will zip up their lips and instead cover some cat who got caught in the tree or a reality TV star who cheated on his wife. That is the politics of human rights. Nevertheless, as activists, we do what we can in our own limited way to bring voice to the innocent and the oppressed. 

10 tips to overcome Depression and Migraine

Photographer: Salvatore Vuono

Once in awhile, Depression and headaches are normal in your life. But when they happen too often, then you need to take care of the problem. Many situations, such as an illness, loss of a job or a relationship gone wrong, may affect your psychological health. What indicates a healthy mind, body and spirit is how quickly you bounce back from depression and migraine headaches. So here are some tips that have helped me in my life and I hope that they will help you to a fast recovery.

1. Limit your television time. The radiation from T.V affects your brain and television in excess has been linked to depression. Basically limit your time when you use all technologies – PC, Cell Phone and etc.

2. Don’t just go to a gym or a closed space to exercise. Get out doors and go for a long walk, preferably somewhere with lots of trees. The walking, the fresh air and the sun or the clouds (yes, the clouds!) increase the serotonin in your brain and help make you feel better.

3. Don’t read or watch the News 24/7. Sometimes all the bad news can sour your mood. I should know. I'm a human rights activist.

4. Change your diet. Toxins in foods cause Migraine and depression.

Vegetarian: I once sat at a lecture given by Charlotte Gerson and she told us how both she and her father got rid of their migraines permanently by avoiding animal products and yes, that includes milk, eggs, cheese and yogurt. Also, if you can afford it, eat only organic or if you have a garden, plant your own food. Pesticides and toxins stay in your system and cause havoc on your body. But if organic food is too expensive for you, then wash your fruits and veggies in ½ cup vinegar and ½ cup water, leave it there for about 15 minutes and dry.

Carnivore: If you can’t live without animal products, then you must eat only organic. Also, do your own research or subscribe to Dr. Mercola’s newsletters who will teach you all there’s to know about animal products. Non-organic meats and products come from animals which are injected with antibiotics and are given garbage food to feed on to make them plumb and suitable for Corporations to make fat profits.

Also, Stay away from caffeine, sodas, diet sugar, fried foods and junk food. They have a tremendous negative impact on depression and migraine headaches because they’re filled with toxins. Better to learn to like herbal tea and to replace junk food with organic raisons, dates and fruits.

5. Get at least 6-8 hours of sleep. Your brain cannot function properly without adequate amount of sleep. If possible, it’s better to always go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. 

6. Keep your colon clean by juicing. Drink 8 oz vegetable juice, 8 oz carrot juice and 8 oz fruit juice everyday. It is really important to have regular bowl movement everyday so that your body can get rid of all the toxins that enter your body from the air, water and food. FDA & EPA do not have your best interest at heart. They work for corporations!

7. Avoid drugs and go for natural supplements. My favorite websites for learning about what’s good for you are DR Mercola’s, Natural Health News and Gerson (With Gerson, you need to be a patient or buy their books/dvds or attend their seminars but it is well worth your money.)

8. Meditate – Meditation is really hard for many because they cannot sit still. Some people have told me that when they shut their eyes, all they can think of is their problems. So, here’s a trick, let the problem come to your head, take several deep breaths and let it out and then say, I will deal with you after I’m done with my meditation and then let it go. Keep doing this with each problem that comes to your mind until your mind goes blank. If this still doesn’t work for you, then put on a mellow classical music, lay down and cover your eyes with an eye mask, take in a few deep breaths, and allow the music to relax you for 5-10 minutes.

9. Keep a journal and write down your feelings about the person who dumped you, the bills that are piling up on your desk, the pain you have in your legs or whatever else you want to write about. You may even want to write a letter to that person you’re so angry at just to get your feelings out. You can always discard it later or perhaps decide to send it – whichever works for you. 

10. Make good friends. I have a handful of great friends and a loving family. When I fall into depression, I don’t want to call anyone. But my family and friends are persistent like me and somehow figure out a way to find me. As they push me and I grumble and respond in irritating tones, I eventually come out of my shell and chat which always makes me feel much better.