U.S. increases tsunami aid to $350M
The United States dramatically increased its pledge to tsunami victims in southern Asia Friday, raising its contribution from $35 million to $350 million US.
The announcement followed criticism the initial contribution was too low for such a wealthy country.
cbc Canada
Daily musings of a city girl living in a small mountain town.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Tsunami
I am still so devastated by the news and images coming out of South East Asia. I can't watch the news anymore. I lost it after they showed a mother in Sri Lanka burying her 4 children and husband. It's just too much for these people to have to bare. There are entire generations wiped out for Christ sake!
It's crazy to watch the news and see places where you've actually been and met wonderful locals and had the time of your life and now absolute devastation. I finally found an article where it mentions aid getting to some people who need it. I guess that's what I what to hear. It seems to be taking so long.
I know everyone feels really broke after Christmas but if you can spare anything, click the Oxfam link in the post below. Thanks.
It's crazy to watch the news and see places where you've actually been and met wonderful locals and had the time of your life and now absolute devastation. I finally found an article where it mentions aid getting to some people who need it. I guess that's what I what to hear. It seems to be taking so long.
I know everyone feels really broke after Christmas but if you can spare anything, click the Oxfam link in the post below. Thanks.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Monday, December 27, 2004
Devastation
It's so sad.
If you would like to help.....
OXFAM Canada
Or Call The
Canadian Red Cross
1-800-418-1111
Saturday, December 25, 2004
It's Over
Christmas is done! I am void of the let down I usually feel after the hoopla is over. I get so Christmas crazy, it's crazy!
I'm kind of relieved that the buying, wrapping, cleaning, opening, cooking and then more cleaning is done.
I guess I never fully realized how much work it takes for one "to do" Christmas for their family until I had my own. Long gone are the days where all I had to do was hang my stocking, open presents and pig out on a huge meal that I didn't have to prepare. Now I'm responsible for the stuffing of the stockings, (sorry for those of you who believe in Santa) buying and wrapping all of the presents and making the huge meal that takes 5 hours to prepare and 20 minutes to eat.
But I wouldn't have it any other way. By the time next Christmas approaches I will have forgotten all of the stressful bits and once again be giddy with excitement. It's like childbirth, if you remembered how painful it was the first time, nobody would have more then one child. And there are a lot of siblings walking around out there. Nature has a way of helping us forget.
I'm kind of relieved that the buying, wrapping, cleaning, opening, cooking and then more cleaning is done.
I guess I never fully realized how much work it takes for one "to do" Christmas for their family until I had my own. Long gone are the days where all I had to do was hang my stocking, open presents and pig out on a huge meal that I didn't have to prepare. Now I'm responsible for the stuffing of the stockings, (sorry for those of you who believe in Santa) buying and wrapping all of the presents and making the huge meal that takes 5 hours to prepare and 20 minutes to eat.
But I wouldn't have it any other way. By the time next Christmas approaches I will have forgotten all of the stressful bits and once again be giddy with excitement. It's like childbirth, if you remembered how painful it was the first time, nobody would have more then one child. And there are a lot of siblings walking around out there. Nature has a way of helping us forget.
Friday, December 24, 2004
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Who needs an Ozone Layer
White House approves increased use of cancer-causing pesticide
December 16, 2004: In violation of both an international treaty and the Clean Air Act, outgoing Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael Leavitt signed off on new regulations allowing U.S. farmers who grow tomatoes, strawberries and other crops to continue using methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting and cancer-causing pesticide that had been scheduled to be phased out worldwide next year.
Methyl bromide was banned under the Montreal Protocol, a treaty signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and supported by subsequent U.S. presidents from both the Democratic and Republican parties that is intended to protect the ozone layer. Methyl bromide has been shown to cause prostate cancer in agricultural workers and others who are directly exposed, according to the National Cancer Institute.
At a conference last month on the Montreal Protocol, the United States was among a dozen nations that successfully negotiated for continued "critical use" exemptions from the methyl bromide phaseout. The EPA exemptions will allow agribusiness interests to use 19.7 million pounds of methyl bromide next year, an increase of nearly 2 million pounds over the amount used in 2003. The EPA exemptions will also allow a handful of U.S. chemical companies to produce and import 17 million pounds of methyl bromide in 2005, even though they have already stockpiled more than 22 million pounds of the chemical. The rules violate conditions that countries use up the available stockpile of methyl bromide before authorizing new production --conditions the Bush administration agreed to in Montreal Protocol talks with 180 countries just last March.
"Catering to a handful of big chemical and agribusiness interests, the Bush administration is actually expanding the use of this dangerous, ozone-destroying chemical," said David Doniger, policy director of NRDC'sclimate center. "More methyl bromide means more ozone depletion and higher risks of skin cancer, cataracts and immune diseases for millions of Americans."
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Sure Rummy
We believe you. shame on us for thinking you are insensitive.
"I am truly saddened by the thought that anyone could have the impression that I, or others here, are doing anything other than working urgently to see that the lives of the fighting men and women are protected and are cared for in every way humanly possible," he said.
"And I hope and pray that every family member of those who have died so bravely knows how deeply I feel their loss."
Rumsfeld has been a lightning rod since the war began in March 2003, but criticism recently intensified after a Tennessee National Guardsman in Kuwait asked him during a question-and-answer session with soldiers on Dec. 8 why he and his comrades had to scrounge for armor to protect their vehicles.
Yahoo News
"I am truly saddened by the thought that anyone could have the impression that I, or others here, are doing anything other than working urgently to see that the lives of the fighting men and women are protected and are cared for in every way humanly possible," he said.
"And I hope and pray that every family member of those who have died so bravely knows how deeply I feel their loss."
Rumsfeld has been a lightning rod since the war began in March 2003, but criticism recently intensified after a Tennessee National Guardsman in Kuwait asked him during a question-and-answer session with soldiers on Dec. 8 why he and his comrades had to scrounge for armor to protect their vehicles.
Yahoo News
To Be Continued?!?
~Amazing Race~
You've got to be kidding! I don't like "to be continues". I also didn't like how much they played up kendra being motion sick in the promos. this year seems to be a bit more manipulative than other years.
I absolutely love kris & jon. It is no nice and refreshing to see a couple who are enjoying themselves and everything around them. kendra and her ugly drawl have got to go. and I still have hayden's annoying voice ringing in my head, "baby? baby?" come on ladies, let's just call the guys by their first names, really, people have done it for thousands of years. it can't be that hard!
The cab driver kicking jon & victoria out was a highlight for me. awesome. and I can't believe the nerve of jon, to bitch and moan and confront gus and hera about the plane tickets! they didn't take YOUR tickets, they did an ingenious thing called using another travel agent! I was hoping that gus was going to go all CIA on his ass. no such luck.
I feel really bad for lori and bolo, I hope they can catch up. It looked hopeless but with this show you never know...
You've got to be kidding! I don't like "to be continues". I also didn't like how much they played up kendra being motion sick in the promos. this year seems to be a bit more manipulative than other years.
I absolutely love kris & jon. It is no nice and refreshing to see a couple who are enjoying themselves and everything around them. kendra and her ugly drawl have got to go. and I still have hayden's annoying voice ringing in my head, "baby? baby?" come on ladies, let's just call the guys by their first names, really, people have done it for thousands of years. it can't be that hard!
The cab driver kicking jon & victoria out was a highlight for me. awesome. and I can't believe the nerve of jon, to bitch and moan and confront gus and hera about the plane tickets! they didn't take YOUR tickets, they did an ingenious thing called using another travel agent! I was hoping that gus was going to go all CIA on his ass. no such luck.
I feel really bad for lori and bolo, I hope they can catch up. It looked hopeless but with this show you never know...
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
Bench Snoozing
CALGARY- an alberta judge who fell asleep during a sentencing hearing has apologized to the lawyers and the drug dealer who was testifying at the time, but has refused to declare a mistrial. "there is no positive way to determine how long I was asleep". Stated Judge Moore, 73 ~Yahoo Canada.~
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
this was the best movie I saw in 2004. I realize it is a few years old but it is just so so good. thanks naomi!
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Favourite Things 2004
the shins, mr. clean magic erasers, john kerry, lost, bounce out, collapse, fun in hawaii with martin, watching my boys have a blast in the ocean, pee wee's playhouse finally coming out on dvd, long break from the in-laws, having three mornings a week to myself, anthropologie skirts, santa cruz lemon lime soda, watching the amazing race with poppy, wonder woman on dvd. well... those are some of my favourites what are yours?
Friday, December 17, 2004
Idle Blog
I can't stand when blogs just stay idle for a really long time. Sorry. 4 months since I last posted, pathetic. I'm going to try and get back on track. Hang in there.
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