Be Subversive – Eat Real Food!

I came across a rather interesting article on AlterNet this morning – an interview with the author of a new book on food, nutrition and the politics thereof – “Michael Pollan Debunks Food Myths“.

I always thought I was being conservative or traditionalist by cooking from scratch…seems that I am a subversive even in my cooking habits:

Wexler’s Questioning of Sec. Rice

I received another email notification. In it, Rep. Wexler provide a link to this video “Wexler Confronts Condi on Iraq War Lies” (below) of his questioning of Sec. Rice. Although she denies ever having made a statement that she knew to be false, she never really answers his question…

On a side note, CBS News has posted an article on its website – Former Democratic nominee for President George McGovern gives his opinion regarding the Impeachment of Vice President Cheney. “McGovern: Impeach Bush, Cheney Now“

Edit:  I just want to add the following quote from the article I mentioned above.

“House Speaker Pelosi has likewise dismissed calls for impeachment, suggesting that hearings would detract Congress from other business, or might create a backlash among voters in November 2008, thereby threatening the Democrats’ current hold on the majority. “

I think failing to impeach could cause a backlash to threaten the Democrat’s current hold on the majority.  When such a high percentage of Democratic voters have been calling for an end to the war and impeachment of Cheney, don’t you think they will be quite upset that their candidates have failed them?

Meeting My Mother

In a previous post “A Letter to My Mother“, I mentioned:

“When I was 3 years old, my parents divorced. Somehow, my father got custody of me. Unheard of in the very early 1960’s. Well, he left me with his mother (for 5 years until he remarried) and prevented my mother from having any further contact with me. When I was 18, I asked him for some data on her so I could find her – like a birthdate. He told me he “did not remember”. I still remember my ex-husband’s birthdate, but perhaps he was “just being a guy” in not remembering birthdates. Finally, when I was about 26, my mother contacted him (again). He relented and gave her my address. (More on this whole story in a later post).”

Here is some more of the story:

My Story

(Photo from Great Mind Wallpapers – click on image to find this and more beautiful wallpapers. I posted it here because I needed some beauty in the midst of all the current doom and gloom).

Zathryn Priest of “A Never Quiet Mind” is a young novelist who happens to suffer from bipolar disorder. On his blog, he occasionally shares his personal experiences. He is an inspiration, I recommend you check out his site. Recently, he has begun a “Depression Awareness Project” where he invites people to share their stories of fighting depression, suicide, and other mental illness problems. He hopes to make this e-book freely available with the intention of raising awareness.

A while back, I wrote a letter to my mother and posted it here. I mentioned a little of my own history and promised more later.

In support of Zathryn’s project and to fulfill my promise, I will begin my story. I will file these entries under “My Story”. I give Zathryn permission to any or all of my story as he sees fit as regards the “Depression Awareness Project”. I hope it helps. It may help me to write it.

The title of this blog “Out of the Void” has a very specific and personal meaning for me.

Update on Impeachment of Cheney

Yesterday, I received an email update from “Wexler Wants Hearings”.

Apparently our Attorney General is refusing to enforce our law. I find this rather disturbing.

What the Attorney General seems to be saying is that the very people suspected of wrongdoing can tell the witnesses of that wrongdoing not to show up to testify before Congress. He refuses to enforce the subpoena by Congress of these witnesses. Reminds me of when George Bush was governor of Texas. He let the greatest polluters of our state write the pollution laws…in essence, letting criminals write the laws…seems nothing changes.

Read (contents of Wexler’s email) for yourself (Click on link in second paragraph for the video coverage):

Our Constitution is under threat and the most basic principle of checks and balances is being undermined. Not since Watergate has a president so openly disregarded the will of Congress.

During hearings in the Judiciary Committee yesterday, I told Attorney General Michael Mukasey that I called for impeachment hearings because of the stonewalling and blatant abuses of the Bush Administration. He responded by stating that he will NOT enforce a contempt of Congress citation against Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten for refusing to testify before Congress. The video is here: Wexler questions AG Mukasey on Impeachment and Contempt

Alberto Gonzales may be long gone, but the Bush Administration continues its executive overreach with the new Attorney General.

We can debate the need for Impeachment hearings. We can argue its effects on the election or our agenda. But one thing is abundantly clear:

If Congress’ right to require testimony is undermined, then our country’s leaders – Democrat, Republican, or Independent – will be immune from accountability.

The power of the subpoena – to call officials before us – is one of the most fundamental safeguards in our system of government. To have it effectively discarded – by virtue of the President instructing Administration officials to ignore a congressional subpoenas and not even appear before Congress – is unprecedented. The idea that the Attorney General would willingly defend this position – despite Congress’ constitutional right to call such witnesses, is outrageous.

Impeachment hearings could render this moot: The President, Vice President, and all officials under them would no longer invoke executive privilege. There would be no more smokescreens.

In one week, I will be delivering my letter calling for impeachment hearings to Chairman John Conyers. Already, 16 Members of Congress have joined my call, including 3 Judiciary Committee members. I am hopeful for more in the coming days, but it is important for you to reach out to your representative in Congress to express how you feel. You can view the current list of signers, here: New members of Congress added to letter to Chairman Conyers

I do not know how Congress will react, but I do know this: I will pursue this course aggressively. I will not compromise away the constitutional role of Congress. Your support is invaluable. Please know that I am working everyday to ensure that the Bush Administration is held accountable.

Please continue to support this movement at www.wexlerwantshearings.com.

Yours truly,

Congressman Robert Wexler

Evolution of Christianity?

The more I read, the more questions I have.

I used to love Greek and Egyptian Mythology. In High School, we had a new program that allowed us to choose electives. I took Greek Mythology and World Religions as part of this opportunity. I did not think much in terms of comparing these mythologies with each other or with Christianity. Recently, this has changed.

Apparently there are more similarities than I ever imagined!

I have done a lot of reading these past few weeks. This is a very complex subject and I certainly have no where near expert understanding. One of the problems is that I find various sources give differing dates for particular events and even for when a specific civilization was in existence. I also find various versions of the stories within specific cultures. Even so, I have come across some interesting ideas. According to my current understanding of what I have read…