Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Weekly Rant: Fox News Hypocrisy

I have been pretty busy lately, and thus, it has been a little while now since I last posted anything on my blog. But lately I have truly felt Jon Stewart's frustration with the idiocy and ignorance of the words and opinions that are portrayed on the Fox News Network. I'm sure many others share this frustration as well. It wouldn't be such an issue if Fox News personalities simply stated their views and opinions of politics, world news, etc., and held strong with one consistent message or opinion to their viewers. The frustration comes from the fact that these so-called "news" personalities only spit out their STRONG opinions and create a media uproar when it suits their own agendas to validate their beliefs to the public. I do not delude myself in thinking that Jon Stewart's Daily Show is an objective portrayal of current events in society. I am fully aware that The Daily Show is strictly a satirical news program that tends to support liberal views. However, Stewart does not claim that The Daily Show is an unbiased and objective news program, but instead refers to his program as "fake news". And Stewart does not advocate certain actions or beliefs when dealing with liberals, while protesting the exact same actions or beliefs when dealing with conservatives. Stewart maintains clear messages. And, as I stated earlier, I am extremely frustrated with the inconsistencies in the messages of nearly all Fox News personalities. How blatantly hypocritical can one person be? Let alone many. I believe in freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, but I cannot believe that viewers of the Fox News Network actually buy into these lies and inconsistencies. It makes me sad to think that Americans have not come further than this. Can we not, at least, identify what out values are, and stand strong behind them? Values and ideals were not meant to be changed just because the background settings have changed.
Jon Stewart does a much better job of pointing out these ridiculous inconsistencies than I ever could... so, having said that, I will leave you with several video clips to support this week's Rant.

Clips from The Daily Show, May 11, 2011: Probably the best clips to highlight my point.





Clip from The O'Reilly Factor:
Stewart/O'Reilly Battle

More Daily Show Clips:



Candy for your Walls

a href="http://livingsmallisbeautiful.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/news-brooklyn-flavorismo.jpg">In general, I wouldn't go for most wallpapers. But some wallpaper today does not look like your grandmother's wallpaper, and I have been finding myself gravitating towards modern wallpaper prints more and more. I'm a big fan of large scale, bold prints when it comes to wallpaper. And they can be hard to find.  But when it comes to the majority of wallpaper, I still find most of it too busy; too much for the eye. However, I recently discovered Flavor Paper. Their busy designs are so interesting and so colorful and out of the ordinary, that they are actually appealing. I'm super impressed. And they can also create custom wallpaper. It really is eye candy for your walls. Flavor paper: Mmmm... Tasty!

 Here are some samples for you to enjoy:

This one is called Feroz. It's a chaotic jungle theme, and can be purchased in a variety of colors. This one is Yellow Fury.  Same pattern is also shown in full scale (color: Jungle Fever).

This is Power Plant... get it? Look closely. Amidst the vines and the flowers, you might just find a light bulb, or a plug. Power Plant. Also available in several colors, this one is called Electric Company.

Kashmiri... in Sante Fe (left) and Raspberry Sorbet (right).

KABLOOM! This one is definitely an explosion of color and pattern... usually not my style, and probably won't fit really well in my house... but, for some reason, I love it! The title of this color scheme fits perfectly as well: Fruit Punch.


This one is Sakura, shown here in Deep Ellum Blues (close up) and Cherry Blossom (scale image). I'm a huge fan of Cherry Blossoms so, naturally, I really like this one.

I love this one... but I love the name even more. Flower Pedal! Obviously I'm a fan of cheesy word play. Shown in Tahiti.

Below are a few more samples of Flavor Paper wallpaper:


So go check out the rest! Visit the Flavor Paper Website!

Bungalow 5

I recently discovered the incredible furniture and accessories available from the New York based company, Bungalow 5. The furniture is unique; many pieces have the lines of beautiful antique furniture, with the colors and finishes found in modern design. Most pieces are available in a variety of colors (many are available in very vibrant colors as well) so the items truly speak to each individual buyer.

We have been decorating our living room with vibrant greens, peacock blues, and bright oranges (mostly in the accessories). Most of our furniture is more neutral. But we have been looking at adding one or two furniture pieces that tie in with our brighter color scheme. While I wouldn't put all of these pieces into one room... Bungalow 5 offers many furniture pieces that are available in the colors we are looking for (as seen below).



We have also been decorating our bedroom with chocolate browns and very pale blueish grays. In contrast with the bright colors in our living room, we wanted our bedroom to be soothing and calming. Bungalow 5 offers plenty of pieces that fit in with our bedroom theme as well.


You can check out more awesome designs by visiting the Bungalow 5 website: www.bungalow5.com

Weekly Rant: Seal Slaughter

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am passionate about animal rights and saving the diversity of wildlife on this planet. It is difficult to explain the anguish and despondency I feel when I hear about the pain and suffering that humans inflict on animals. Some people believe animals don't have souls. Some believe animals cannot reason. People use these beliefs to justify their cruel behavior towards animals. But "the question is not 'can they reason?' nor 'can they talk?', but rather 'can they suffer?'." (Jeremy Bentham) And the answer is yes. Because of this, I am strongly opposed to the Canadian Seal Hunt (among many other things). Besides, "what is the good of reason and intelligence when all you do is use it to harm others?" (Peter Hammarstedt).



The following is an excerpt from Peter Hammarstedt's essay "Defending Whales and Seals". This essay (among many other essays from extraordinary people) can be found in Ingrid E. Newkirk's book "One Can Make a Difference":



The Canadian seal slaughter that I witnessed still gives me nightmares. People call it a 'hunt' but I have yet to meet a single hunter who would call bashing baby seals over the head with clubs, 'hunting'. I was there in 2005. The ice was absolutely surreal, heavenly, like a world made of broken fragments of mirrors that sparkle in the light, that reflect the colors of the rising and setting sun. It is a wonderland where mother seals come to have their babies, to leave them to bask in the sun, feeling that they are totally safe, being miles and miles away from man. Not realizing that the boats will come, that human greed will catch up with them and reduce them to a bloody pulp.

Humans don't belong there at all. We must go there to confront the seal killers, to film what they do, to report their indefensible acts of unspeakable cruelty to the world, to witness their despicable acts that violate the International Seal Protection Act. We see an entire world of white turn to red as the seals' blood runs across the ice. There are suddenly carcasses everywhere as babies are killed with the blunt or sharp ends of the Hak-a-piks, and stomped, kicked more than once, sometimes six times or so with the sealers' cleated boots.

During the Hunt, I found myself running from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They're there on the ice to protect seal killers, not seals. I had video evidence and I didn't want them to seize it. But they tackled me and knocked me to my stomach. I lay there, practicing passive resistance, my arms held behind my back. As I turned my head, there, just two or three meters away, was a pup. I was so close to her, and her eyes and my eyes were linked. I do believe she knew the difference, she knew I was not a sealer. As long as I lay there, she was safe.


More information about the Canadian Seal Hunts:
"Since 2003 over 1.7 million seals have been butchered. Seals are normally clubbed to death. If still alive, once a seal is clubbed it is skinned alive. Organizations that photograph, or film the hunt without government permission risk imprisonment in what is a huge propaganda and censorship campaign. In Canada the sealers are protected by the 'Seal Protection Regulations' if you see a sealer club a seal pup and you don’t have a permit to witness the slaughter you can be arrested, jailed and fined up to $100,000 or sent to jail for a year."

'Please visit Canadian Seal Hunt (www.canadiansealhunt.com) to learn about how companies like Costco sell seal oil capsules. Also learn about these companies who manufacture products from dead baby seals: Prada, Pajar, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Birger Christensen, Versace, and Vogue Furriers. Also learn about why you should boycott these sea food restaurants Red Lobster, & Long John's Silvers.'

Although I do not always agree with Peta's methods, I do agree with their fundamental ideals with regards to the treatment of animals. Posted below is an online "flyer" from Peta urging public outcry against the seal hunt. I would urge each of you to do so as well. Contact public officials. Sign online petitions. Help to end the brutality.