Shameless Plug for Wildlife: Operation Migration 2009

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Tuesday November 03, 2009 · 2:31 PM PST

2009/11/03 · 14:31

Three cheers for whooping cranes! Three more cheers for the efforts of Operation Migration, a non-profit organization of the United States and Canada, to reintroduce the species to one of their native migration routes. And of course, all their volunteers and supporters.

Here's a great close-up shot from the front page of their website:

More pics and information about this fascinating project below the fold.

Altoid77

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Friday October 16, 2009 · 8:52 AM PDT

2009/10/16 · 08:52

In the season of influenza, colds, and other illness-causing viruses and germs, I am reminded of the lesson I picked up as a chaplain in a downtown Chicago hospital: the best way to wash your hands.

I know, I know. Seems basic.

Seems pretty ridiculous doesn't it? Everyone knows how to wash their hands, don't they? Well, apparently they do not.

Altoid77

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Friday October 09, 2009 · 11:49 AM PDT

2009/10/09 · 11:49

A fellow Luther College graduate friend of mine is in prison. On August 14th, after unintentionally missing an immigration hearing to merely clarify and update her visa status, Hoa Nguyen was arrested and imprisoned. On September 22nd, a judge refused an appeal to reopen her case and she is facing deportation with barred re-entry for five years.

Friends and family are rallying to her rescue. In an effort to gain broader visibility and increased support, I am seeking assistance from my motivated and good-hearted Kossacks.

Follow me over the jump for her story, links to media coverage and how to help.

Altoid77

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Wednesday September 23, 2009 · 12:42 PM PDT

2009/09/23 · 12:42

Chris Packham, a TV naturalist out of the United Kingdom, says that since pandas aren't a strong species, we should choose to let them die.

Poll

125 votes Show Results

Should we just let the pandas die out?

125 votes Vote Now!

Should we just let the pandas die out?

Yes, I hate all things cute and cuddly.

5 votes

As much as I hate to admit it, the dude's got a point.

22 votes

Undecided/unsure/need to think about it more

1 vote

Well that seems like a silly idea.

11 votes

NO! We need to preserve/conserve everything we can. Diversity & life are too important.

79 votes

Pie.

7 votes

Eff you, McCain. I just VOTED for Barack Obama. Huzzah!

Altoid77

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Wednesday October 15, 2008 · 1:07 PM PDT

2008/10/15 · 13:07

Let McCain spew whatever cockamamie non-truths and sneery mocking chuckles he wants at the debate tonight. Let him rail about the librul media and the terrrists. I can sit in my living room, sipping my microbrew and sticking my tongue out at his sorry ass. Because I just voted for Barack Obama.

And it felt damn good.

Tally another vote in the coffers for Iowa. As I told my parents on the phone immediately after, I could have filled in the bubble to vote the straight Democratic ticket but took a little longer to vote them individually because I really wanted to fill in the bubble next to the name of Barack Obama. And I did. I practically giggled with joy all the way out of the Johnson County Auditor's building.

Altoid77

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Tuesday September 23, 2008 · 10:15 PM PDT

2008/09/23 · 22:15

PETA is responsible for some weird stuff. Remember, for instance, the drink beer, not milk campaign? I am all for the ethical treatment of animals, but as a dairy farmer's daughter and once a pre-vet biology major... this is just far beyond the pale.

You can't make up stuff this bizarre (includes the text of the actual letter sent to Ben & Jerry's):

PETA Urges Ben & Jerry's To Use Human Milk

More over the jump.

Poll

262 votes Show Results

"The breast is best! Won't you give cows and their babies a break and our health a boost by switching from cow's milk to breast milk in Ben and Jerry's ice cream?"

262 votes Vote Now!

"The breast is best! Won't you give cows and their babies a break and our health a boost by switching from cow's milk to breast milk in Ben and Jerry's ice cream?"

Umm... EWWWW?!

98 votes

Thanks, but no thanks.

29 votes

I think I'll stick with soy.

19 votes

Never thought about it.... and never want to again.

55 votes

Now that you mention it... that might be kinda tasty.

4 votes

I might *try* it. For scientific purposes, that's the ticket.

9 votes

Sure. Why not?

15 votes

Dairy farming is evil. If you drink cow's milk you will die!

4 votes

PETA told me to, so I guess it's the right thing to do.

6 votes

Pie... but I think I'll skip the a la mode this time

23 votes

DKos, Intimidating but Liberating, from a grateful newbie

Altoid77

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Tuesday September 23, 2008 · 10:05 AM PDT

2008/09/23 · 10:05

The participants at DailyKos continue to amaze me. Day after day there is wit and wisdom and wordplay which keeps me thinking and giggling and digging deeper.

I recently was deeply honored to receive the status of trusted user. Today, I was reminded, again, just how new to these shenanigans I am. And somehow, I feel that I should at least take a stab at voicing the story that brought me to DailyKos and the reasons that keep me here.

Follow me over the jump...

Altoid77

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday September 22, 2008 · 7:25 AM PDT

2008/09/22 · 07:25

A Danish/Irish rogue. A wandering minstrel with a liquid voice. A gentle, friendly soul. A traveler, a vagabond spirit. A story teller, a poet, a musician. (For a taste of his rich, Irish tones and tunes, go here but don't you dare tell him I sent you!)

He subtly inserts his political views into the witticisms of his craft. He uttered one of the wittiest lines of my week, to the tune of "What do you do with a drunken sailor?" while good-naturedly mocking the owner, the only conservative staff member of the pub where this handsome Celt was performing:

Altoid77

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Monday September 15, 2008 · 6:52 AM PDT

2008/09/15 · 06:52

According to the Des Moines Register the first three days of polling just after the Republican Convention shows Iowa pro Obama by 52% to 40% (MoE 4 points).

I am no poll guru, no savvy math whiz, so I have no idea about this poll's validity, the sway in the internals or anything, but I figured this is really positive news for the Midwest. Any feedback I could get on this, I would really appreciate. I am trying to absorb and understand the polling mumbojumbo.

Follow me over the jump.

Poll

169 votes Show Results

In which State should I vote for the 2008 elections?

169 votes Vote Now!

In which State should I vote for the 2008 elections?

Iowa

20 votes

Wisconsin

134 votes

Denial

0 votes

Delusion

0 votes

Eagerness

8 votes

Who cares?

2 votes

Pie

5 votes

How I Met Barack Obama, Defiant Hope revisited

Altoid77

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday September 04, 2008 · 7:10 AM PDT

2008/09/04 · 07:10

In the onslaught of Palin diaries, I feel a little drowned in drama. I thank the fellow Kossacks who have written diaries stressing a return to action. I wrote this diary as my own personal refocus on why I'm passionate and frustrated with this election, why I'm revved up to campaign, and why I'm here at Dailykos.

I met Barack Obama and the instant is forever burned into my memory.

I was one of the 20+ thousand people who showed up to hear him speak in Denver before the caucus, and one of the unlucky ones to not get inside the venue. I literally got just inside the doors before they slammed then shut, and those of us trapped in the foyer were very reluctantly driven back outside. Though I remain to listen to it outside on a lacrosse field, where Barack Obama himself came to greet us BEFORE taking the stage. By visiting both overflow rooms and us outside, he made himself nearly an hour late for his own speech.

Hearing him speak of imagining the future we wish to see, I literally said to myself "I imagine myself shaking this man's hand." After the rally, I waited.... and waited...

...and waited...

Follow me over the jump

Altoid77

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday April 04, 2008 · 11:54 AM PDT

2008/04/04 · 11:54

Farewell, my reliable friend. We logged tens of thousands of miles over the seven years we were together, and I am sorry to see you go. But be comforted -- you are not being replaced, only retired. 15 years old, and not a moment wasted. In your memory, I write this diary:

RSS

Shameless Plug for Wildlife: Operation Migration 2009

How to Wash Your Hands

Minneapolis Woman Faces Deportation -- tomorrow is Free Hoa Saturday

Let the Pandas die!

Eff you, McCain. I just VOTED for Barack Obama. Huzzah!

PETA urges use of Human Breast Milk in Ben & Jerry's. Updated.

DKos, Intimidating but Liberating, from a grateful newbie

Can't Get the Boy Outta My Head!

New Iowa Poll: Obama in Double Digit Lead

How I Met Barack Obama, Defiant Hope revisited

Ode to an old friend... bearing an Obama sticker