Author Archives: David Green

Trump Foreign Policy Adviser Has Ties to Brutal Lebanese Militia

by David Green Posted on March 21, 2016

Mother Jones

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Donald Trump has finally announced the names of five of his foreign policy advisers, and at least one members of his new team is sure to raise eyebrows.

Walid Phares, a Lebanese academic who advised Mitt Romney’s campaign in 2012, is one of the five names Trump gave to the Washington Post during a meeting with the paper’s editorial board on Monday. As Mother Jones reported in 2011, Phares was a major player in the Lebanese Forces, one of the Christian militias that fought in Lebanon’s brutal 15-year civil war. According to Toni Nissi, a colleague of Phares’ at the time, Phares helped the group’s leader, Samir Geagea, steep its fighters in religious ideology.

“Samir Geagea wanted to change them from a normal militia to a Christian army,” Nissi said. “Walid Phares was responsible for training the lead officers in the ideology of the Lebanese Forces.”

The Lebanese Forces are now just one of Lebanon’s many political parties, but the group was responsible for one of the war’s most notorious incidents, the massacre of hundreds of Palestinians in Lebanon’s Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in 1982.

Phares is also well known as an anti-Muslim campaigner. He’s appeared on the radio show of Frank Gaffney, the conspiracy theorist who’s a foreign policy adviser to Ted Cruz.

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Trump Foreign Policy Adviser Has Ties to Brutal Lebanese Militia

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Photos: Indian Women Celebrate Holi, the World’s Most Colorful Holiday

by David Green Posted on March 7, 2015

Mother Jones

In March every year, the streets of India and Nepal come alive with color. Kids douse each other with water guns full of paint; ashrams explode with clouds of rainbow powder; friends lob water balloons bursting with chartreuse, ochre, fuchia, and violet. All to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

Girls dance at the Pagal Baba Ashram in Vrindivan, Uttar Pradesh Deepack Malik/ZUMA

Holi in the Borobazar area of Calcutta KM Asad/ZUMA

But peaceful Holi revelry can be harder to come by for some Indian women. The wild celebrations often encourage sexual harassment; “it’s almost like one gigantic frat party,” says radio producer Deepak Singh, of KOSU. Some men see it as an opportunity to “get drunk and rowdy and grope women,” he says. When I lived with a family in Jaipur, Rajasthan, we were warned away from joining the street mob during the Holi festival for fear of this type of behavior.

A girl at Pagal Baba Ashram in Vrindivan, Uttar Pradesh Deepak Malik/ZUMA

Three friends smear each other with powder in the Borobazar area of Calcutta KM Asad/ZUMA

And tens of millions of widows in India find Holi completely off-limits, as NPR’s Julie McCarthy reports. “In some parts of the culture, the women are seen as the cause of their husband’s death,” she writes, and they are discouraged from partaking in the festivities. Still, many widows buck tradition and party anyway. This year, McCarthy observed a gleeful group of widows “cavorting in the chaos of color” during a Holi party in Vrindavan, known as the City of Widows.

Widows dance during a March 3, 2015 Holi party at Meerasahabhagini Ashram in Vrindivan KM Asad/ZUMA

A widow doused in colored powder celebrates Holi at Meerasahabhagini Ashram KM Asad/ZUMA

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Photos: Indian Women Celebrate Holi, the World’s Most Colorful Holiday

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Mitch McConnell: Want My Syria Position? Wait Till Next Week

by David Green Posted on September 6, 2013

Mother Jones

At an appearance Friday at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) spoke about the Syrian civil war and the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons on the Syrian people.

McConnell did not take a position on whether the US military should bomb Syria in response to the chemical weapons attacks. “This is a tough call. I think there are good arguments on both sides,” he said. The Kentucky senator told the audience he would announce his position on whether to bomb Syria next week.

McConnell did, however, delve a bit deeper into his views on the chemical weapons attack. “Use of chemical weapons against anybody, particularly against your own people, has been viewed for decades as simply unacceptable,” he said. That view is awfully close to President Obama’s position that the use of chemical weapons crosses a “red line” widely acknowledged by the international community.

In 2012, Obama said that “a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized. That would change my calculus.” Earlier this week, Obama hedged that by saying, “I didn’t set a red line; the world set a red line. The world set a red line when governments representing 98 percent of the world’s population said the use of chemical weapons are abhorrent and passed a treaty forbidding their use even when countries are engaged in war.”

What McConnell said at the Northern Kentucky Chamber is a boiled-down version of that statement. It remains a mystery whether McConnell will back strikes in Syria—and risk further inflaming his already hostile conservative base—or cast his lot with fellow Kentucky senator Rand Paul and oppose the strikes. We’ll have to wait until next week to find out.

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Mitch McConnell: Want My Syria Position? Wait Till Next Week

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Appeals Court Blocks Attempt by Vermont to Close a Nuclear Plant

by David Green Posted on August 14, 2013

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Warhammer 40,000: The Rules – Games Workshop

There is no time for peace. No respite. No forgiveness. There is only WAR. In the nightmare future of the 41st Millennium, Mankind teeters upon the brink of destruction. The galaxy-spanning Imperium of Man is beset on all sides by ravening aliens and threatened from within by Warp-spawned entities and heretical plots. Only the strength of the immortal […]

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Black Legion – A Codex: Chaos Space Marines Supplement – Games Workshop

The Black Legion are among the most hated foes of the Imperium, vile traitors and fearsome warriors responsible for ten thousand years of terror and murder. About this Book: This Codex: Chaos Space Marines Supplement charts the history of the Legion, along with their Warmaster Abaddon, who stands poised to lead them to victory over the Imperium. Also inside […]

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Dogtripping – David Rosenfelt

David Rosenfelt’s Dogtripping is moving and funny account of a cross-country move from California to Maine, and the beginnings of a dog rescue foundation When mystery writer David Rosenfelt and his family moved from Southern California to Maine, he thought he had prepared for everything. They had mapped the route, brought three […]

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The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition) – Monks of New Skete

For more than thirty years the Monks of New Skete have been among America’s most trusted authorities on dog training, canine behavior, and the animal/human bond. In their two now-classic bestsellers, How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend and The Art of Raising a Puppy, the Monks draw on their experience as long-time breeders of German shepherds and as t […]

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Index Astartes: Death Company – Games Workshop

When a Blood Angel Space Marine succumbs to the Black Rage, tormented by the memories of his murdered Primarch, he joins the Death Company. In battle the Death Company are sent against the deadliest foes so they might find absolution and glory in death. About this Series: The Adeptus Astartes are genetically engineered warriors, created by the Emperor […]

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Merle’s Door – Ted Kerasote

Now including a wonderful new photo insert chronicling Merle’s life, this national bestseller explores the relationship between humans and dogs. How would dogs live if they were free? Would they stay with their human friends? Merle and Ted found each other in the Utah desert— Merle was living wild and Ted was looking for a pup to keep him company. As their b […]

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Paracord Fusion Ties – Volume 1 – J.D. Lenzen

J.D. Lenzen is the creator of the highly acclaimed YouTube channel “Tying It All Together”, and the producer of over 200 instructional videos. He’s been formally recognized by the International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT) for his contributions to knotting, and is the originator of fusion knotting-innovative knots created through the merging of […]

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Index Astartes: Dreadnoughts – Games Workshop

Dreadnoughts are powerful fighting machines piloted by the entombed remains of great Space Marine heroes. Often used in shock assaults or boarding actions, Dreadnoughts are capable of using heavy weapons with deadly and brutal proficiency. About this series: The Adeptus Astartes are genetically engineered warriors, created by the Emperor of Mankind and tempe […]

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Munitorum: Chainswords – Games Workshop

Vicious close combat weapons, chainswords employ sawing blades of adamantium teeth that literally crew through flesh and bone with equal ease. In the hands of a skilled warrior these weapons can easily lop off limbs and heads in a spray of torn meat. About this series Weapons are the tools of war and with them soldiers ply their bloody trade on countless wor […]

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Perfect Puppy In 7 Days – Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, MS

With 400 photos and a step-by-step plan, this puppy book visually guides you through socialization, potty training, and life skills while making the process fun. Dr. Marty Becker; “America’s Veterinarian” of Good Morning America, says, “This is like no other puppy book you’ve seen before. It’s not just about teaching you […]

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Appeals Court Blocks Attempt by Vermont to Close a Nuclear Plant

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Hemp Flag to Fly Over Nation’s Capitol on July 4

by David Green Posted on July 3, 2013

Mother Jones

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A hemp flag will fly above the Capitol on our nation’s birthday this year to celebrate a recent legislative victory for the cannabis lobby.

Growing hemp is illegal under federal law. Even in the 11 states where cannabis cultivation is technically allowed under state law, federal law trumps that unless the feds grant farmers specific permission. In June, Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.) introduced an amendment to the farm bill in the House that would allow colleges and universities in states that permit cultivation of the plant to grow industrial hemp for research purposes. The amendment passed by a vote of 225 to 200. The farm bill it was attached to failed in late June, but Polis’ request to commemorate the amendment’s success by flying a hemp flag on July 4 had already been submitted. On Wednesday, the Capitol’s flag office granted the request.

“Last month, I was proud to hold an American flag made of hemp on the floor of the House of Representatives as I joined my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in favor of a commonsense amendment to the farm bill,” Polis said in a statement Wednesday. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) cosponsored the amendment.

Hemp is a type of cannabis plant and a cousin of marijuana. It is used to make a range of products, from paper and cloth to biofuel and auto parts. Polis, whose home state allows hemp cultivation, wants to see the plant made legal throughout the US. In the statement Wednesday, he touted “the important role hemp can play in America’s economic future.” As Pierce Willans of Policy Mic explains:

The US is the world’s number one consumer of hemp, with total sales reaching $500 million dollars in 2012. Unfortunately, that money is benefiting Canadian, rather than American farmers. 90% of the hemp consumed in the United States is produced in Canada, where it has been legal since 1998… Many farmers would love to see hemp made legal here, so that money could be used to boost the U.S. economy, rather than Canada’s.

Colorado wasn’t the only state pushing for hemp legalization through the farm bill. Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also advocated for an amendment to the Senate version of the bill that would have removed hemp from the federal government’s list of controlled substances. Senate Democrats blocked consideration of the amendment.

The lawmakers argue that hemp is unfairly stigmatized; the plant is different from weed in that it contains negligible amounts of the mind-altering compound THC. “Hemp is not marijuana,” said Polis, “and at the very least, we should allow our universities—the greatest in the world—to research the potential benefits and downsides of this important agricultural commodity.” (Polis has also introduced legislation to legalize marijuana nationwide.)

Besides, nothing could be more patriotic. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp. And the first American flag was made of hemp. The hemp flag flying over the Capitol on Thursday will be the first since the government began outlawing the plant in the 1930s.

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Hemp Flag to Fly Over Nation’s Capitol on July 4

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10 Reasons to Wear Yoga Clothing Made From Organic Bamboo

by David Green Posted on June 13, 2013

Organic yoga clothing comes from a wide variety of natural materials. Of all the eco-friendly fabrics out there, bamboo has some truly unique benefits. It’s good for the planet as it’s growing, and it’s good for people who wear clothing derived from the plant’s fibers. Here are the top ten reasons why your yoga pants should be made from bamboo.

1. Bamboo is highly sustainable. Only about a third of the bamboo culms growing in a forest are harvested in any particular year. The younger ones are left to grow for another year or two, thus providing energy for new shoots to emerge.

2. Bamboo is completely organic. It grows well without using any chemical pesticides and fertilizers. This keeps the soil and water free from pollutants.

3. Bamboo removes large amounts greenhouse gases from the air. If you tested equal areas of bamboo forest and hardwood forest, you’d find that the bamboo forest is able to produce 35% more oxygen.

4. Bamboo prevents erosion. When other textile crops are harvested, the land is stripped of nutrients and soil is lost to wind and water erosion. But a bamboo forest is all connected by one root system. This helps bind the soil in place while holding in moisture.

5. Bamboo doesn’t need any irrigation. Natural rainfall is all the water it needs. Compare this to cotton, which is an extremely thirsty crop. Did you know that almost 3% of the total water used by humans goes towards irrigating cotton fields?

6. Bamboo yoga clothing extremely soft and smooth. The reason is because the bamboo fibers possess a naturally rounded surface. You can even observe this by looking at bamboo under a microscope. This smoothness makes bamboo clothing very soft like silk. Even people with skin allergies can wear it.

7. Bamboo fabric wicks away moisture and is highly absorbent. When you sweat, bamboo will help you feel drier by taking up the excess moisture. This is one of the best reasons to wear organic bamboo yoga clothes.

8. Bamboo is breathable and good for regulating temperature. When it’s hot out, you will feel cooler. And when it’s chilly, you can wear a layer of bamboo for insulation.

9. Bamboo clothing blocks up to 98% of UV rays. This lessens your odds of developing cancer.

10. Bamboo has antibacterial properties. If you’ve used bamboo towels, you may have noticed that they smell cleaner for longer time and can be washed less often. This helps water conservation.

These were just a few of many good reasons why bamboo is the best organic yoga clothing you can wear. As more yogis become aware of environmental issues, bamboo is sure to become an even more important source for eco-friendly yoga clothing.

If you’re interested in organic yoga pants and want to learn more, check out this website.

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The Benefits Of Buying Organic Clothing

by David Green Posted on June 11, 2013

Even with our knowing of the negative impact that unsustainable habits can have the environment, the decision to commit to environmentally friendly practices is occasionally difficult to do. Although, a growing number of individuals and businesses are trying hard to go green. For instance, wind energy is becoming more widespread. Additionally, there are a lot of little things that the rest of the people can implement to help out the environment. One of those things is to wear organic clothing.

Maybe you are familiar with the concept of organically grown food, but you might well not be so familiar with organic clothing. What is organic clothing? If we refer to organic products, we mean any that don’t add chemical pesticides to the water and soil. This helps support biodiversity within the ecosystem.

Cotton grown the old way is the most extensively used clothing material, and regrettably it’s also the one crop with the biggest environmental footprint. Are you aware that twenty-five percent of pesticides are used on cotton crops?

Organic cotton, on the other hand, is harvested without any chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, the cotton is grown through natural means. Other organic materials such as hemp and bamboo are also eco friendly raw materials for organic clothing.

One large plus of organic clothing should be the fact that it is more gentle to your skin. Due to the fact that the clothing fibers are lacking any traces of harmful chemicals, they won’t lead to skin allergies. In addition, clothing made from bamboo is naturally antibacterial.

Any time we choose organic clothing, we reduce the number of chemicals slipping into the environment. Conventional farming causes great amounts of harmful chemicals to get into the land and spread out to the watershed. That is a growing source of health issues in these times. But if we opt for organic clothes, we are supporting the efforts of organic agriculture which don’t harm the ecosystem.

A number of organic clothing fabrics such as hemp and bamboo are very durable. They still look great after many washings and last longer than non-organic fabrics.

Whenever we select to wear environmentally responsible apparel, we are making a positive impact on the lives of all the people who grow clothing fiber crops. Their communities and homes are safe from an exposure to a toxic influx of chemicals that originates from large scale agricultural methods.

If you think about all of these benefits, we should not be surprised that a larger number of clothing manufacturers are switching over to making organic clothes.

Are you interested to read more about organic clothing, including which fashions are current? Go ahead and click on the link to learn more.

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