"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. ...But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
With all that I've heard in the news recently about the non-existence of the Holocaust, this is a post that I felt compelled to publish.
If you've seen "The Sound of Music" - Germany annexed Austria in March, 1938. Germany had not yet allied with Italy or attacked Poland. Those events happened in 1939.
May 3, 1938: The Flossenbürg concentration camp opens in Bavaria, Germany, near the Czech border.
May 24, 1938: The German Nuremberg Laws are extended into Austria, with the effect of having all Jew-authored and remotely anti-Nazi books removed from Austria libraries and bookstores.
July 2, 1938: Nearly 40,000 Austrian Jews are taken into protective custody.
July 21, 1938: Legislation is passed in Germany requiring identity cards for Jews.
October 27/28, 1938, the family of Herschel Grynszpan and more than 15,000 other Jews (originally from Poland) were forcibly transported out of Germany in boxcars and left at the Polish border. Grynszpan and his family end up in Paris.
November 7, 1938: The 17-year-old Grynszpan shoots a member of the German Embassy staff, Ernst vom Rath, in retaliation for the treatment of his family at the hands of the Nazis.
November 9, 1938: Ernst vom Rath dies of his wounds.
1938 WWII timeline
This was a perfect opportunity for the Third Reich. In response to the killing, (this was also used as a way to blame Jews for what happened) orders were issued throughout Germany (and other Nazi-controlled areas) to incite, encourage, and not interfere with attacks against synagogues and Jewish-owned properties.
KRISTALLNACHT – THE NOVEMBER 1938 POGROMS
Seventy years ago, on November 9–10, 1938, the Nazis staged vicious pogroms—state sanctioned, anti-Jewish riots—against the Jewish community of Germany. These came to be known as Kristallnacht (now commonly translated as “Night of Broken Glass”), a reference to the untold numbers of broken windows of synagogues, Jewish-owned stores, community centers, and homes plundered and destroyed during the pogroms. Encouraged by the Nazi regime, the rioters burned or destroyed 267 synagogues, vandalized or looted 7,500 Jewish businesses, and killed at least 91 Jewish people. They also damaged many Jewish cemeteries, hospitals, schools, and homes as police and fire brigades stood aside. Kristallnacht was a turning point in history. The pogroms marked an intensification of Nazi anti-Jewish policy that would culminate in the Holocaust—the systematic, state-sponsored murder of Jews.
Explore the Online Exhibition » (Reprinted from: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)
Orders were given:
From Heinrich Müller to all Gestapo offices - transmitted at 11:55 p.m., November 9, 1938:
1) Actions against Jews, especially against their synagogues, will take place throughout the Reich shortly. They are not to be interfered with; however, liaison is to be effected with the Ordnungspolizei to ensure that looting and other significant excesses are suppressed.
2) So far as important archive material exists in synagogues this is to be secured by immediate measures.
3) Preparations are to be made for the arrest of about 20,000 to 30,000 Jews in the Reich. Above all well-to-do Jews are to be selected. Detailed instructions will follow in the course of this night.
4) Should Jews in possession of weapons be encountered in the course of the action, the sharpest measures are to be taken. Verfugungstruppen der SS as well as general SS can be enlisted for all actions. Control of the actions is to be secured in every case through the Gestapo. Looting, larceny etc. is to be prevented in all cases. For securing material, contact is to be established immediately with the responsible SD...leadership. Addendum for Stapo Cologne: In the Cologne synagogue there is especially important material. This is to be secured by the quickest measures in conjunction with SD.
This is just one early example of the intent and practice of the Third Reich against Jews. If you look at the timeline link, you'll see that Britain and France and the United States were informed and aware of the activities of the German military. By and large, their response was to offer Hitler territories around the world in exchange for his not attacking closer targets. History tells us how well that worked.
If you are not familiar with this period in history - please review the links provided. If you are familiar with the early Hitlerian years, please share with everyone you know.
As long as we allow people - anywhere in the world - to claim that it never happened, the chances that history will repeat itself increase exponentially!
If you have a blog, this is a wonderful use of your time and energy. I participated last year and am excited about posting again this year.
This is a perfect opportunity to share with your readers - what you know, how you help, and what they can do. There is no single way or perfect answer. Together all things are possible.
One huge misconception is that it takes legislators and laws to make a difference. Another is that it takes huge amounts of money to have an impact. The truth is much simpler.
On October 15th, join thousands of bloggers, and tens of thousands of their readers, in bringing the issue of poverty - in your country and around the world - to the forefront.
Read and write about truths, myths, and ideas. Contribute your energy and, if you can, more.
For many years, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has promoted early detection and treatment. Absolutely nothing wrong with regular check-ups. Cancer, if curable, is most curable in the early stages. (We learned that with Mark's lung cancer.)
Several well-established organizations have questioned the actions and motives of NBCAM and the pharmaceutical company behind it. I guess that it's a bit iffy when the company that makes the primary drugs approved for treating breast cancer is busily pushing 'think pink' activities. Rumor has it that more money is spent promoting these events than are actually contributed to research.
Personally, I don't know what to think. Several organizations question the apparent philanthropy that masks corporate greed. Ask the right questions before arbitarily accepting that the latest promotion is helping more than a corporate image and bottom line.
There are problems that are not being publicized by NBCAM. For example, Yoplait and rBGH, or cosmetic companies claiming to contribute a portion of the sales of their products, many of which contain estrogen-like ingredients that may actually increase the risk.
This month - and every month - make it your goal to get educated about the risks we all face everyday. Men are not immune to breast cancer, you know.
I haven't had very kind thoughts about the governor of Alaska - pretty much since I first heard about her. And my opinion just keeps getting more and more negative.
For whom, exactly, does McCain think Sarah Palin has appeal? Seriously!? Oh, that's right - those who believe that humans are more important and take priority over every other species on the planet.
Despite strong scientific, ethical and public opposition to aerial hunting, Governor Palin has…
* Proposed paying a $150 bounty for the left foreleg of each dead wolf.
* Approved a $400,000 state-funded propaganda campaign to promote aerial hunting.
* Introduced legislation to make it even easier to use aircraft to hunt wolves and bears.
From: Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
I urge you to watch this shocking video. Chances are pretty good that - if McCain is elected - this woman will be President before the 4 years are out. Can our animal friends afford that?
I DON'T THINK SO!!
As much as I don't trust Obama and crew, I truly cannot abide the thought that this morally reprehensible person could ever reach a position of national power!
For anyone in doubt - the bible was written by man to control man's behavior - just ask King James. Mankind has evolved since those days - or at least some of mankind has.
Please! Stop buying into the nonsense that organized religion and questionable politics keeps foisting upon us! Think and live beyond yourself!
Help save the planet! For all the creatures who are trying to survive here!
I realize that I'm a little late to the party, but a friend sent a link to a very disturbing YouTube video today Kill and Destroy. (Although there are no graphic images, I've chosen to offer a link, rather than embed the video.) This is, in my humble opinion, important viewing.
After watching Kill and Destroy, I started researching the information it put forth. I am - without question - not an Obama supporter - never have been, but I prefer to have my facts straight before I blithely post something. Let me tell you - it was not difficult to find information on this topic!
A quick Google search turned up thousands of related pages and sites. Some of the most compelling, though I'm not sure I agree with her politics, come from Illinois nurse, Jill Stanek.
I have never trusted Obama or virtually anything that comes out of his mouth. It is my opinion that we couldn't do worse for this country than putting this man in the White House.
For more than 30 years, the Endangered Species Act has protected wildlife at risk of extinction. Now the Bush/Cheney Administration wants to eliminate vital checks and balances that are crucial to protect our polar bears, wolves and other imperiled wildlife.
Announced earlier this week, the Bush/Cheney proposal would severely limit scientific review by the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service of projects that could harm imperiled wildlife. And it would explicitly limit the ability of these expert agencies to consider how greenhouse gas emissions from such projects could impact polar bears, wolverines and other wildlife that may go extinct due to global warming.
Instead, agencies proposing projects such as highways, dams, mines, oil or gas drilling and virtually any other activity would be allowed to decide for themselves whether a project is likely to impact any of the nearly 1,400 species currently protected by the Endangered Species Act -- without the crucial independent review now provided by scientific experts at the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Many of these agencies do not even have biologists or other qualified staff to make such a determination.
Even worse, the new regulations would impose a brief 60-day review period, making it even less likely that anyone involved in the process will have the time or expertise to fully evaluate the potential harmful effects of a given project on sensitive wildlife or the habitat it needs to survive.
There are less than 160 days left in the Bush/Cheney Administration -- and even less time for your Members of Congress to act. Please take action now to help stop the Bush/Cheney Administration’s last-minute attempt to eliminate effective protections for the wildlife that you and I love.
Sincerely,
Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife
P.S. Two years ago, Defenders led the fight that stopped Congressional legislation that would have gutted the Endangered Species Act. Now we need your help to stop the Bush Administration from trying to do the same thing. Please take action now!
Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.
Defenders of Wildlife can be contacted at: 1130 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036
I am a huge fan of social networking, with pages all over the Internet. Thanks to these sites, I've managed to reconnect with friends from grade school, junior high and high school. Some of those relationships go back over 40 years.
Today I found a site for Paka and me to join - pets are welcome at Zootoo.com. Unlike some sites, it was really easy to build a profile and add pictures of Paka. I think I even found one of his 'relatives' - amazing similarities.
Meeting people and exploring profiles is fun, but Zootoo.com is much more than just socializing.
Sleepy Paka
All actions on Zootoo.com - adding photos, journaling, reviewing, asking and answering questions - earn points. Those points can be used to support the shelter and/or rescue group of your choice. In my case, I've chosen to help the Arizona Humane Society and Arizona Rescue Center.
I don't know about the Humane Society office in your area, but out here we're in trouble. There are so many abandoned cats, for example, that any new drop-offs are virtually guaranteed to be euthanized. Through my activities, which are interesting and a lot of fun, I can make a difference.
Please consider joining. Where else can you meet fellow pet lovers, get and give help with pet-parenting problems, and give to the organizations that need your help?
Every night, before I fall asleep, I read through the day's news on my phone. One of the sections I read faithfully is Health and I've noticed a dramatic increase in stories about Alzheimer's. With an aging population, more and more of us have or soon will have direct experience with this disease.
That's why the Alzheimer's Memory Walk, the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funding, is so important. According to the latest facts and figures:
As many as 5.2 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s.
10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's in their lifetime.
Every 71 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death.
The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.
Advances are being made. I read about a nasal spray in development that has shown significant improvement for patients with pre-Alzheimer's cognitive impairment. Such research and development needs continuing support and funding.
Walks are planned in over 600 communities - including an Iraq Memory Walk! It couldn't be easier to join or start your own team:
Sign up as a team with your friends, family, organization, or register as an individual participant.
Create your own Web site and personalize it with pictures and stories.
Set a fundraising goal and send e-mails to everyone you know asking them to join and support you.
Walk and celebrate the difference you are making in the millions of lives affected by Alzheimer’s.
All the tools you need - including Team Captain Kits - are available on the Alzheimer's Association website.
Experts differ in opinions as to the cause. Some blame overfishing, which is forcing the penguins further out to find food and leaving them vulnerable to stronger ocean currents. Another theory, that global warming has altered ocean currents, created more cyclones, and made the seas rougher. As most of the birds are newly out of the nest, either of these make a great deal of sense.
So many animals are at risk these days, thanks to global warming and pollution, it's so sad to see the young ones in trouble.
As you can imagine, I was outraged when gray wolves were delisted in March, with several states planning wolf hunts for this fall. With a population of only about 2,000 in the area, the species is not nearly sufficient to withstand 'culling'. As the judge pointed out, the genetic diversity in the Rockies wolves is far from where it needs to be.
The order isn't permanent, and government attorneys may yet appeal the decision. Let us hope that it becomes and stays permanent.
I have a great interest in protecting the environment, helping animals, and just trying to do the right thing. Sadly, I don't have a bank account that allows me to financially support all of the causes in which I believe.
Thanks to the Greater Good Network, and their sponsors, I don't have to be the Sultan of Brunei in order to help.
One of the easiest ways to help is by resetting the home page on your browser. Simply pick one of the websites in the network - I chose The Animal Rescue Site - and every time you visit the Internet, simply click on the "Click Here to Give" button on the main page. It doesn't cost you a dime, but the sponsors will take that 'click' and donate to the cause that you've chosen.
Every time I visit my homepage, I give .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. And I am not alone! Yesterday, July 10, 2008, 303,764 clicks contributed 182,258 bowls of food; in 2007, actions at The Animal Rescue Site funded the value of 42,724,313 bowls of food for animals in need.
I know that I couldn't, personally, contribute enough to make a drop in the bucket. But, working with The Greater Good Network, I - and you - can do wonders.
We were watching this video from YouTube earlier and, being the skeptic I am, I had to look into this. According to Snopes, this is a True Story. Although, it's not quite what it seems.
These domesticated elephants are trained to use the paintbrushes and recreate the same picture, over and over. When they want a new color, they drop the brush. Obviously, they are not able to pick up a paintbrush, so their trainers give them a new one. That is, beyond the repetitive training, the only intervention by humans in the 'painting' process.
The organization that trains these elephants and sells the artwork offers this mission statement:
The Asian Elephant Art & Conservation Project (AEACP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the diminishing number of Asian elephants left on our planet through its work with domesticated elephants. The AEACP raises funds through donations and the sale of artwork created by elephants in order to fulfill its mission.
Asian Elephants are seriously threatened in the wild, with populations estimated at less than 35,000. I'm not certain that I agree with teaching an elephant to paint, but I do support any efforts to protect these beautiful animals.
Now, I'll admit to being a bit of a cynic and stories like this one just don't help. Given China's history of prevarication, do we really believe that this is actually more than a protest against government restraints and abuses? Or is it something manufactured to make them look like they're taking care of business?
On the other hand, it's not exactly a comforting PR stunt - making up a serious threat to foreign journalists, athletes, and visitors. It makes me wonder if this is just an excuse to increase Chinese persecution in Tibet and the surrounding regions. I suppose it would be a valid reason, if it really was terrorism.
I've never believed in throwing political issues into the Olympics, but this year - I just don't know. Many world leaders have chosen to 'miss' the opening ceremonies. Maybe it is time to talk about boycotts.
Obviously, this is a subject near and dear to our hearts.
Tell someone: The need is great and growing.
* More than 95,000 people are in need of an organ for transplant. * Each day, about 77 people get the organ transplant that gives them a second chance, but 17 to 19 others die because they did not receive an organ transplant. * More than half the people on the waiting list for a donated organ are racial or ethnic minorities. Chances of getting a transplant increase if donor and recipient share the same racial/ethnic background. OrganDonor.gov "April is National Donate Life Month"
Since 2003, April has been designated as Donate Life Month. There are 30 days in which you, your company, and your school can make a difference in the lives of people who need organ transplants. Programs exist for a myriad of applications.
Decision Donate is an instructional program for high schools, that helps students make informed decisions about becoming an organ donor.
The Workplace Partnership provides information about businesses that make donation information available to their employees. Find out how to get your company/employer involved.
As harsh as it may sound - when you're dead, you're dead. How incredible is it that from one death, the life of at least eight (8) people can be improved/saved? Don't think about death, think about life. Commit to Donation
