Sunday, October 28, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Gamble
“Leroy bet me I couldn't find a pot of gold at the end, and I told him that was a stupid bet because the rainbow was enough.” - Rita Mae Brown
“A man's gotta make at least one bet a day, else he could be walking around lucky and never know it” - Jim Jones
“I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.”
- Ashleigh Brilliant
“A man's gotta make at least one bet a day, else he could be walking around lucky and never know it” - Jim Jones
“I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.”
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
What in the world?
1. In August in Atlanta, televangelist Thomas Weeks was arrested for allegedly beating up and threatening to kill his estranged wife, televangelist Juanita Bynum, in a hotel parking lot before a bellman rescued her. (Weeks blamed Satan for the incident.) [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 8-27-07]
2. Pastor Walter Steen pleaded guilty in Detroit in August to tax fraud and was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He had started the God Will Provide Tax Service in 2005, but prosecutors said 1,573 out of the 1,578 returns he prepared for clients claimed tax refunds. [Detroit News, 8-2-07]
3. Led by California, more than one dozen states are preparing to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for its dismal record on regulating greenhouse gas emissions. N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer has called for states to “step into a void created by a failure of federal action” and denial of the “scientific evidence” about global warming. States are hoping to remove EPA obstacles that limit the states’ ability to regulate emissions standards. (NY Times)
2. Pastor Walter Steen pleaded guilty in Detroit in August to tax fraud and was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He had started the God Will Provide Tax Service in 2005, but prosecutors said 1,573 out of the 1,578 returns he prepared for clients claimed tax refunds. [Detroit News, 8-2-07]
3. Led by California, more than one dozen states are preparing to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for its dismal record on regulating greenhouse gas emissions. N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer has called for states to “step into a void created by a failure of federal action” and denial of the “scientific evidence” about global warming. States are hoping to remove EPA obstacles that limit the states’ ability to regulate emissions standards. (NY Times)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Make a difference
“Don’t walk away because you think you can’t make a difference. Pick a cause! Be a citizen! Vote! Tell your governments what you want them to do and what you will not tolerate that they do on your behalf!” Louise Arbour (former Canadian judge and chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda)
I was at an important session last night. The Calgary Foundation celebration was a follow-up on its Vital Signs report card where Calgarians indicated that they are unhappy and embarrassed by situations and issues in this prosperous city. Residents gave barely passing grades to issues as diverse as education, disparity, housing, health and wellness, arts, and environment. The report is meant to spur discussion and hopefully action in improving the 12 areas surveyed.
In the midst of the evening, Eva Friesen- President of the Calgary Foundation, gave a brief history. She concluded that in 2007 TCF had assets of $334 million had collected more than 445 million in 2006 and granted $33 million. I was surprised at the applause that this received because what I heard was that over $300 million dollars was tied up, accomplishing nothing, while the city was crumbling around us. Imagine what half the foundation's assets might be able to 'solve'.
“The most powerful people in a democracy are individuals.” President Jimmy Carter.
I was at an important session last night. The Calgary Foundation celebration was a follow-up on its Vital Signs report card where Calgarians indicated that they are unhappy and embarrassed by situations and issues in this prosperous city. Residents gave barely passing grades to issues as diverse as education, disparity, housing, health and wellness, arts, and environment. The report is meant to spur discussion and hopefully action in improving the 12 areas surveyed.
In the midst of the evening, Eva Friesen- President of the Calgary Foundation, gave a brief history. She concluded that in 2007 TCF had assets of $334 million had collected more than 445 million in 2006 and granted $33 million. I was surprised at the applause that this received because what I heard was that over $300 million dollars was tied up, accomplishing nothing, while the city was crumbling around us. Imagine what half the foundation's assets might be able to 'solve'.
“The most powerful people in a democracy are individuals.” President Jimmy Carter.
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