Let Freedom Ring!! Ecuador Grants Asylum To The Brave Julia Assange

     One of the biggest criticisms that plague our generation (18-34yrs if not a bit older) is our inability to sacrifice for the greater good. Despite the world-changing communication technology that is social media many of us are still afraid to speak out... or speak up for the injustices of our time. It's almost like we're thinking "well, at least our streets don't look like Baghdad" as our justification to become so complacent with our way of life being slowly eroded.

    Canada is known for it pristine-like natural landscape, diversity, humbleness - for the most part.  Being ostracized, threatened, and targeted isn't something anyone, much less Canadian, would be willing to risk like Mr. Julian Assange did - after all, it would be sooo out of character (see humble link). Canadian journalists would rather stick to our wasteful spending and shocking government pay raises, or some irrelevant personal choice for 18 years ago when a candidate wasn't even in power as our "scandal of the century", Nobel prize-worthy tokens of keeping our government in check.

On August 16, 2012, the Ecuadorean foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, granted political asylum for whistle-blower Julian Assange. In a speech that only real heroes can give, Assange thanked the entire Ecuadorean government and other Latin American countries that supported Patiño's adherence to their constitution on asylum laws.  See video:

Patiño's bravery is but one out of many countries finally taking a stand against America's nazi-like war on all domestic and foreign persons that dare to defy their authority.

      Safe passage for Assange to the airport has been denied by British foreign minister, William Hague, making it possible for authorities to arrest him should he emerge for the embassy at all - which, of course, only goes to highlight the moral corruption that exists within Britain's government.

     Brave people like Julian Assange or Bradly Manning have  come to embody what freedom and free-speech truly is. No longer are they simply ideals. For each day of confinement these two men suffer... is, literally, a reflection of our deepest fears should we ever stand up... and speak out. 


Free Bradley Manning! Free Julian Assange!

Never Say Never Pt 4: A Year of Clarity

To Be Originally Posted On August 15, 2012
  
       One year today I took my blinders off. One year ago today, I sought peace. Like many people, I've always wanted to be that person that truly made a difference - if not on a global scale, at least to a few whose realities have been changed by my being a part of it.

      Today marks so many special moments in my life, but not only do I remember this day to be the nauseating stink on all the compounded bullshit I was going through that whole week, it was also the most awe -inspiring and educational moment of my whole life. Scratch that. I don't think anything could beat my reaction to learning about how animal milk is really produced: once I got home, I immediately dumped the milk that was in the fridge and sitting in the freezer down the sink. You may find that to be crazy... I call it an act of liberty.

      There are many who call the incredible documentary Earthlings a propaganda piece - a feature length movie of isolated incidences that reflect nothing of what actually happens on most "organic" farms. While the statement does hold some merit - I said some, dammit - how these animals live out their lives are not their choosing. No cow wants to be separated from its calf to be used as a milking machine, no hen wants their throat snipped and head clipped off once she stops producing eggs, and no wild animal wants to be whipped a hundred times to perform tricks for a screaming crowd.  Most animals would prefer being left the fuck alone to enjoy nature's symphony and each moment of their time alive on this planet. I, being a sentient human being, am the same way.

      Aside from the series of setbacks, withdrawal systems, and frustrations that come with building new habits (i.e. suffering "the shakes" once eliminating eggs & cheese, the ridicule from others, how present my mind had to be when shopping  (I really need to get back into meditating) - and the desire to go back in eating "normally" - which was generated purely from the ridicule) I have introduced so many wonderful foods to my already plant-strong diets like zucchini, sweet yam, jalapeno peppers, sweet potato, cocoa powder and - dare I say it - white mushrooms (I know their a type of fungus, but I don't eat them all the time, sheesh! I was trying them) and just recently Almond yogurt- this is more for health reasons as I don't need this as a regular staple in my groceries and I refuse to just eat the animal-derived version. Anyways!!! It's not that I have never eaten these things before, it's just that I've never cooked with them with my own two hands. And the more I learn about and try new fruits and veggies, the more substance not depravity I have in this life-after cheese experience. When I need a "cheese" fix, I buy vegan cheese slices, use salt or butter, or make use of my nutritional yeast. But thankfully, those urges are far and few between. Besides, I still make great food without the use of cheese and eating plant-strong is all about getting creative in that kitchen.

      But there has to be a few of my favourite omnivorous foods I miss dearly. I'm not gonna lie... there is. I don't own a blended, but I am the proud owner of a self-powered mini food processor and I will be looking into making vegan pesto. I'm also interested in this lentil bolognese sauce, and still in search of a good alfredo sauce recipe.

      One new addition to this journey is my eating of more raw foods. Not to imply that I am now considering a raw vegan diet. I could never, won't ever... je m'excuse, I mean, I am currently having a great time working with more raw foods, and cooking them as oppose to packaged vegan stuff and I wish to continue learning more and incorporate more of these types of foods into my everyday life.

     As I look back on some of my old entries throughout this whole one-year journey, I see so much progress in such a short amount of time that, to be honest, never happened when I was in college. I thought I knew exactly who I was and what I wanted out of life, but since graduating so many of my values, my perspectives, my heart and mind have gone under a lot of redesign - some more for the better than others. Hey, I'm still human after all. I look forward to my many years ahead as a vegetarian and all the new physical and spiritual awakenings that has invoked a moral responsibility to all my choices thus far.

      As for any newbie out there who is just discovering this way of living I have only this advice: never stop learning about the issues and how you help everyday by eating this way, remember that your efforts do matter. Take all your set-backs in stride and always keep an open mind in trying new things to stay fit, healthy, morally-sane, and comfortable.

Video Inspiration: 

Best Speech You Will Ever Hear - Gary Yourofsky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6U00LMmC4

Zeitgeist Media Festival & The "Lost Generation" - A Long Overdue Discussion

     We live in strange, dangerous and controversial times. Company downsizing, technological advancements, and an over-educated population - all, among other factors mind you, are contributing to today's under-employment/joblessness climate that has become the new norm across all generations.

      While Canada has fared better in the tides of this great recession when compared to other countries, this continuum of long-term joblessness is creating what some economists are calling a "lost generation" if something isn't done. But can anything really be done? It's in a business' core interest to minimize as much expenses as it lawfully can, so who are we to demand more job creations on their part? Sure, we keep these companies at the status that they are by continuing to do business with them, but just like sheep, we'll keep doing so because a) they appear to be the only/best company in the marketplace for what they have to offer or b) we want to be able to afford the things we love no matter what the cost.

      Costs. So much blood, sweat and tears - no to mention our most precious resource: time - go into the things we purchase. But why should they have to?  If we look at the most basic things required for people to stay alive and well today, they are the least accessible if you don't have money. The Zeitgeist Movement, founded by the conscious eye of filmmaker Peter Joseph and supported by numerous chapters worldwide aim to address this issue by jump starting the conversation about doing something different. What we understand about ourselves, our planet, and our universe has vastly changed in the last 100 years, but strangely not how we govern ourselves. Okay, it has too... but not for the better: we have several new life-threatening "diseases" with no hope of funding, er... excuse me, finding a cure; poverty so severe that images we see on those daytime "sponsor a child" ads are probably the least gruesome; and a deep competitive nature that mirrors, at best, a psychopath.

      On August 12, 2012, The Zeitgeist Movement's Toronto chapter held their media festival and global food drive. It brings together people for a common cause, and an opportunity to discuss these said issues. Sparking thought and conversation on how humanity is living up to its shared ideals, and where should we be going from here as humans being, regardless of race, creed, religion, country, socio-economics and any other category that we impose to limit ourselves from making this world a place where we all can live comfortably. 

       While it is unfortunate I missed the whole festival, I made it a point not to work that day and drop off a bag of canned goods to show my support.

       Feel free to check out the TMZ's main webpage and the Toronto-chapter site if you are interested in getting involved and stay informed by joining any of their social-media groups.