Activism

20091119th-us-southern-command-ussc-disaster-relief-el-salvadorSummary. In tough economic times, it’s even more essential to achieve the greatest value from money spent on defense and national security. A nation’s armed forces and military personnel must be fully trained and equipped to meet modern threats to national security. The threats we face today are like none we’ve ever faced before. For this reason, leaders in defense are redirecting resources and funding to humanitarian aid and sustainability efforts because such initiatives produce the greatest return on the investment.

Three-Pronged Approach. Natural disasters have now eclipsed terrorism as the greatest cause of death, damage, and injury. Scarcity of resources is resulting in conflicts, terrorism, and war around the world. A three-pronged approach is needed: (1) humanitarian aid to those impacted by natural disasters, and (2) development of sustainable energy solutions to reduce our negative impact on the planet, (3) creating communities of economic and agricultural abundance. The military establishment recognizes this and is taking immediate action.

New Military. At this very moment, thousands of people serving in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, National Guard, and other special forces are being rapidly redeployed to build schools, build clinics, assist in disaster relief, offer support with agricultural development, deliver humanitarian aid, and develop sustainable energy solutions. Combined military forces are now working on campaigns to deliver humanitarian aid such as the disaster relief to El Salvador. Hundreds of thousands of tons in food, water, and clothing, are being delivered and various forms of shelter are being constructed.

New Marching Orders. In the winter of 2009, one of the top leaders of the elite United States Special Operations Command  (USSOCOM) located at MacDill Aif Force Base in Florida gave the following words as marching orders [source] for those in military service as well as civilians:

Maximize family time if at all possible
Renew old friendships
Do fewer things, but do them thoughtfully
Avoid the tyranny of the ‘hustle & bustle’

Look back to the history of our great national celebrations
teach the children

Rethink and Rediscover the truly valuable things of life

Try to recognize and accept family members as friends, just as they are

Be intentional in ‘random acts of kindness’

Choose to love, accept and forgive
Read the scripture
Pray for your military, your community, and your country

Sustainability. It seem that the armed forces and military leaders have accurately identified and responded to the greatest threats to humanity. Below is an image from the Army Sustainability website. The Army has placed Sustainability as a top priority because if humanity doesn’t survive due to scarcity of resources, then there’s nothing left to defend.

20091120fr-army-sustainability-website

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Activism > Training | Effective Living > Life Mobility

20091031sa-volkswagen-the-fun-theory-initiativeSummaryThe Fun Theory, at TheFunTheory.org, is an initiative of Volkswagen that demonstrates how the enjoyability factor is an essential element in designing products that will inspire and motivate people to use them.

InnovationVolkswagen is to the automobile industry what Apple is to the world of computers and gadgets. Volkswagen vehicles include innovative design elements that are of little or no benefit other than making their cars more fun and enjoyable. For example, the VW Beetle includes a flower vase (pictured below) to bring color and and additional beauty to the inside of the car.

20091101su-vw-flower-vase-captain-oblivious-flickr-photostreamInspirational Marketing. The Fun Theory campaign itself is an example of innovation, creativity, and fun with marketing. It is similar to the funny eTrade baby commercials, where a business will create a non-traditional advertising campaign that entertains or inspires while also spreading brand awareness and affinity. The Fun Theory campaign has the grass roots social action elements of the music video, If Today Was Your Last Day by Nickelback. The campaign proves that, with a little creativity, people can be inspired to do good.

Videos. Below are some of the videos demonstrating The Fun Theory principle. The cost of advertising to reach a targeted captive audience of millions would be very expensive. However, like the eTrade funny baby commercials, these videos have had millions of views on YouTube alone.

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Lifeways

20090915tu-flower-400-DSC09582Summary. Our social problems (such as war, poverty, crime, drugs, vandalism, and exploitation) are to society what illness is to the body. Like illnesses, the majority of them are preventable and caused by human choices and actions rather than some phenomenon of nature.

Blame. The blame for our societal problems is often placed on religion, politics, or economics, with one group claiming that their model(s) will bring peace. The economic model of Capitalism is under attack by those who claim that Socialism is the answer. Political parties claim that the problems are caused by the other party and if everyone would just join their party, all social problems would go away. Religion is often blamed as the cause for most wars, although security or economic interests are often at the heart of military conflict.

Causes. It seems that whatever political, economic, and religious models are in place; corruption, greed, selfishness, ego, power, and other influences remain. The answer isn’t as simple as changing an economic model, political regime, or religion. We need a transcendent change that would result in equity and fairness for all people regardless of the models involved (political/economic/religious). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights may hold a key to solving this problem.

Seeking Good. There has always been a community of sometimes widely dispersed yet mysteriously cohesive people seeking to do good. These people are found in all religions, nationalities, political parties, ethnicities, and in various times of history. There have also always been people who are self seeking, ego driven, selfish, sectarian, insensitive, and inhumane. These people also are found in all religions, nationalities, political parties, ethnicities, and in various times of history.

About Villains. American physicist Steven Weinberg, apparently understood the physics of human nature when he stated, “With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil—that takes religion.” Of course, a world-view that sees only good and evil is overly simplistic. Yet, for purposes of this article, these labels will be used.

Failed Religious Leaders and Institutions. It’s true that religious institutions, indeed any institution, can potentially establish a mechanism that pressures good people to think and/or do evil. Villains depicted in plays or movies often seem to be aware of their evil deeds, yet callously unconcerned. These villains are sometimes examples of real-life villains. The most interesting fiction and real-life villains are those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. The failings or hypocrisy of some religious people, particularly leaders, is a favored topic among those who would like to criticize religions. It’s true that bad people sometimes are drawn to religious practice and institutions for the purpose of:

  • Hiding behind religion and posing as pious in an effort to whitewash their villainy and true character.
  • Twisting religious teachings to support their own agenda, and justify their evil teachings and behavior.
  • Using positions of power to manipulate large numbers of people and thus creating a following.
  • Using the celebrity status of religious leadership to boost their ego, fame, power, and influence.
  • Using religious observance as a means to balance the scales and feel okay about other things in their life know are wrong — such as the pastor or religious leader engaged in infidelity, drug use, alcohol abuse, gambling, or some other self-destructive behavior.

Religion’s Potential for Good. Those who desire to do good in this world, and make the world a more peaceful and livable place for all, are comprised of religious and non-religious people. Some people see and embrace religion as an effective personal tool for more efficiently serving others and working toward a better world. Such religious people  find that religious practice and study can help strengthen character and develop insights into the human condition. So, religion is simply a tool, intended (hopefully) for the good of the individual and society, yet unfortunately misused at times.

The Matter of Salvation. No single religion “is the answer” to the world’s problems. Increasing the number of people (religious and non-religious) who desire to individually and cooperatively do good and help heal the planet — this is the answer to the world’s problems. Most devout believers in any religion will tell you that their religion, in itself, is not going to eliminate all problems from a person’s life or the world. Religion can help people endure life’s hardship and grapple with life’s challenges, but not eliminate them. The primary point of disagreement between religions is with regard to salvation. Some sectarian religions preach that theirs is the only faith and practice that will ultimately lead to salvation and eternity in heaven. Yet even these religions would acknowledge that it’s not enough to simply put on a badge of membership to a group. According to the devout, you must truly, ultimately, have a one-to-one relationship with God. Teachings such as those found in the Christian scriptures of Matthew 7:21, Matthew 21:28-32, and Romans 2:13-15, suggest that it isn’t those who are self-proclaimed religious zealots (of any religion) that will be saved, but instead those who do right and good. In this, the humanists and people of religious faith are in agreement. This writing does not intend to define which religion, or denomination, has a corner on salvation and truth, but instead the point of this writing is to inspire people toward obedience to their inner conscience and impulse to do good, regardless of their religion or lack of religion (see Paul’s plea of Romans 2:13-15).

God’s Existence Proven in Nature. The argument is made that God’s existence is proven simply through observation of the order, beauty, and complexity of nature. The Christian scripture frequently sited is Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” While this is a persuasive argument, it leaves out the question of nature’s brutality, either in the animal world where lions ruthlessly tear apart their prey, or seen the the indiscriminate devastation of an earthquake, tsunami, or hurricane. These characteristics of nature don’t support the notion of a “loving and caring” God, but instead a chaotic and irrational universe. So, the relationship between the nature of God and the nature of nature remains an incongruous mystery (unless it reveals that God is harsh and randomly destructive).

Good Will Triumph Over Evil. The idea that good will triumph over evil is a common theme found in many stories, plays, and movies. At the outset of this brief article, it was established, or at least the premise was set forth, that a universal community of inherently good people have existed throughout all time, in (and out) of every religion, and among all nationalities and ethnicities. It has been said that a positive future is possible, and inevitable, if we believe it to be so. If we don’t believe it is so, then it isn’t (or won’t be). Our actions are our shared future are simply the fruit of a tree that we call faith, hope, and belief. Our thoughts are the sap of that tree — for nourishment, or a withering demise.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 5 June 2009

ResourcesForLife.com Launches the Small Car Society

Iowa City, Iowa |12:18 PM

photo-789662jpgSummary. ResourcesForLife.com announced the launch of the Small Car Society.

After decades in development, the unveiling of the Small Car Society comes at a time when thse use of small cars is on the rise as people are seeking ways to save money and save the planet.

“Small cars represent one of the fastest growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world.” GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson [Source|Print]

The Small Car Society is best known for their Parking Ticket Relief Program. Members of the organization voluntarily pay parking meters and parking tickets for small car drivers. The program is part of an initiative lobby local city governments to allow free parking for smaller cars.

For more information, visit www.SmallCarSociety.org

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Activism

skate-board-loopSummary. The music video of the song What About Now by Daughtry is an inspirational God’s eye view of the world renewing and healing hopeful work going on all over the earth.

The video is available on iTunes and for viewing on YouTube.

 

Health

Ask your doctor if intense dark chocolate truffles
with espresso roast coffee might be right for you.

Summary. On 19 July 2007, Starbucks and Hershey publicly announced that they would be partnering to manufacture a new line of chocolates, including Espresso Truffles.

World Medical Opinion. Members of the world-wide medical community have not been timid about declaring the health impact of dark chocolate and coffee, and they are calling this combination of ingredients nothing short of a cure for cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, headaches, depression, and cavities.

Dark chocolate … lowers high blood pressure, say Dirk Taubert, MD, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Cologne, Germany. Their report appears in the Aug. 27 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. [source]

Want a drug that could lower your risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and colon cancer? That could lift your mood and treat headaches? That could lower your risk of cavities? If it sounds too good to be true, think again. Coffee, the much maligned but undoubtedly beloved beverage, just made headlines for possibly cutting the risk of the latest disease epidemic, type 2 diabetes. [source]

“Our study demonstrated impressive enhancement of endothelial function following the acute consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa,” said David L. Katz, MD, MPH, principal investigator of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center study and director of the Prevention Research Center. “The results are exciting because they show that dark chocolate, a highly-popular treat long associated with pleasure, has health promoting properties as well.” [source]

Safe Harbor Statement and Disclaimer. The official press release (below) includes a safe harbor statement with these words: “Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.” The Amazon disclaimer that accompanies the product description states, “…not intended to substitute for advice given by a physician, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. You should not use this information as self-diagnosis or for treating a health problem or disease. … not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.”

Our Opinion. This is a deliciously potent over-the-counter pharmaceutical-grade food product that combines intense dark chocolate infused with bold Starbucks espresso roast coffee. Unlike costly pharmaceuticals, this product costs around 50 cents each piece (a $5 box contains about 10 pieces).

Recommendation. Based on the currently available scientific information, we would suggest you try these chocolates. We would also offer the following disclaimer: “Content on this site is for reference purposes and is not intended to substitute for advice given by a physician, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional.” [source]

Side Effects and Disclaimer. Ask your doctor if intense dark chocolate truffles with espresso roast coffee might be right for you. Side effects may include lowered blood pressure, reduced risk of diabetes, reduced instances of headaches, and elevated mood. Contact your physician if you experience happiness, positive attitude, better health, and overall wellness.

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STARBUCKS & HERSHEY PRESS RELEASE

When Coffee Dreams, It Dreams of Chocolate

Starbucks Coffee Company’s Global Consumer Products Group and The Hershey Company Announce Agreement to Launch Premium Chocolate Platform

SEATTLE, Wash. and HERSHEY, Pa., (July 19, 2007) – Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq: SBUX) and The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced a development and distribution agreement that will help transform the premium chocolate segment. The companies will create and market a new Starbucks-branded premium chocolate platform in the United States starting this fall.

“Chocolate is the perfect complement to coffee and tea and has long been a part of the coffee-house experience. We are excited to bring premium chocolate inspired by Starbucks coffee and cafe flavors to Starbucks customers and chocolate lovers,” said Gerry Lopez, president, Starbucks Global Consumer Products Group. “Creating a new chocolate platform is another way for us to extend the Starbucks Experience outside of our stores and enhances the coffeehouse experience.”

Expert chocolatiers are developing products that translate Starbucks coffee-house flavors into delicious and distinct chocolate products. The premium platform will combine the highest quality chocolate with Starbucks beverages and cafe flavors, as well as delectable fruits, nuts, herbs and spices. In addition to innovative flavors, this platform will offer new forms and packaging and will be available in a broad range of retail channels such as food, drug and mass merchandise outlets across the United States.

The alliance will draw on the premium expertise of Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company. Artisan Confections’ unique portfolio consists of some of the world’s finest chocolate, including Scharffen Berger and the exquisite truffles of Joseph Schmidt.

“Starbucks is one of the world’s leading brands among consumers seeking a unique experience,” said Christopher J. Baldwin, Senior Vice President, President North American Commercial Group, The Hershey Company. “Hershey’s chocolate expertise, distribution and selling capabilities combined with the strength of the Starbucks brand will help transform the high-growth premium chocolate segment. Our product development is focused on value-added chocolate and coffee-based products that will provide consumers with a new experience and accelerate growth in this key segment. Customers clearly value the Starbucks brand, and early customer feedback has been outstanding.”

Cocoa beans, like coffee, are an agricultural product that affects the livelihood of many people around the world. Starbucks and Hershey share a passion and focus to purchase cocoa that is socially responsible, economically viable, ecologically sustainable, and meets specific quality standards.

“Starbucks and Hershey share a deep dedication to making a positive difference in the communities where they live, work and do business,” said Thomas K. Hernquist, Senior Vice President, Global Chief Growth Officer, The Hershey Company. “We look forward to working together with Starbucks to extend our work that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of farm families in the world’s cocoa growing regions.”

Hershey is committed to promoting sustainable cocoa farming and plays a leadership role with industry partners, governments, international agencies and cocoa communities to develop programs that promote economic and social development and environmental conservation in cocoa-growing communities around the world. Hershey’s cocoa sourcing guidelines will help to improve farmer incomes, ensure responsible labor practices, protect the tropical ecosystem. Hershey also supports organizations such as The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) and The International Foundation for Education & Self Help (IFESH). Both Starbucks and Hershey support the World Cocoa Foundation.

Starbucks has recently developed its Cocoa Practices Guidelines and Scorecard which are being piloted for a two-year period beginning June 1, 2007. The Cocoa Practices were developed to reflect Starbucks C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) Practices, the Company’s coffee buying guidelines, and are similar in structure and criteria areas. The program is designed to evaluate and recognize producers of high-quality, sustainably grown cocoa. To become a Cocoa Practices supplier, farmers, processors and exporters must meet minimum requirements and demonstrate best practices which are subject to independent verification under the guidelines. Hershey’s and Starbucks will work together to pilot and implement these practices for this platform. To learn more about Cocoa Practices and Starbucks commitment to sustainable cocoa production, please visit www.starbucks.com/cocoa.

Safe Harbor Statement:
This release contains statements which are forward-looking. These statements are made based upon current expectations which are subject to risk and uncertainty. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: The Hershey Company’s ability to implement and generate expected ongoing annual savings from the initiatives to transform Hershey’s supply chain and advance Hershey’s value-enhancing strategy; changes in raw material and other costs and selling price increases; Hershey’s ability to execute its supply chain transformation within the anticipated timeframe in accordance with its cost estimates; the impact of future developments related to the product recall and temporary plant closure in Canada during the fourth quarter of 2006, including Hershey’s ability to recover costs incurred for the recall and plant closure from responsible third-parties; pension cost factors, such as actuarial assumptions, market performance and employee retirement decisions; changes in Hershey’s stock price, and resulting impacts on our expenses for incentive compensation, stock options and certain employee benefits; market demand for Hershey’s new and existing products; changes in Hershey’s business environment, including actions of competitors and changes in consumer preferences; changes in governmental laws and regulations, including taxes; risks and uncertainties related to our international operations; and such other matters as discussed in The Hershey Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2006.

About Starbucks:
Starbucks Coffee Company provides an uplifting experience that enriches people’s lives one moment, one human being, one extraordinary cup of coffee at a time. To share in the experience, visit www.starbucks.com.

About The Hershey Company:
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products. With revenues of nearly $5 billion and more than 13,000 employees worldwide, The Hershey Company markets such iconic brands as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, and Ice Breakers. Hershey is the leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate segment, with such brands as Hershey’s Special Dark, Hershey’s Extra Dark and Cacao Reserve by Hershey’s. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate offerings as Scharffen Berger, known for its high-cacao dark chocolate products, Joseph Schmidt, recognized for its fine, handcrafted chocolate gifts, and Dagoba, known for its high-quality natural and organic chocolate bars. Visit us at www.hersheynewsroom.com.

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Lifeways

Summary. The Gullah Man is an ambassador, artist, and edutainer (educator and entertainer) for his city, Savannah, Georgia. He welcomes visitors, makes art, recites poetry, inspires, and shares love. His hand crafted roses and other objects made out of palm reeds are beautiful works of art. The High Definition video below was recorded by Jon Nelson using a Canon 5DMKII DSLR (Digital SLR) camera in video mode. The entire production process and workflow are described on Jon’s website.

 

Effective Living

Summary. On 6 May 2009, in a Public Radio broadcast of The Story, Dick Gordon interviewed Doug Rodriguez, the Principal of Miami Central Senior High. This is an amazing and inspiring story that every educator should listen to. Click here to download the MP3 audio of the interview.

“President Obama recently outlined the administration’s accomplishments during his first 100 days in office. Today we talk with another man who has taken the reins of a troubled institution during unprecedented times. In December, Doug Rodriguez was asked by his superintendent to take over a school that received five failing marks in five years- Miami Central Senior High If the school failed again, it would be taken over or shut down. Doug has been charged with turning things around in a matter of weeks. The test scores came back last week and to his great pleasure, Doug says the data shows tremendous improvement already.” [More]

This radio interview is a syndicated broadcast produced by North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC. The studio of WLRN Public Radio for South Florida assisted in the production of this radio interview. The Story is produced by American Public Media.

 

Activism

Summary. When commercial television advertising goes above and beyond the norm to offer humor, hope, or inspiration, we like to promote and acknowledge such efforts. We consider this kind of advertising a form of marketplace activism. Here are some examples from Vodafone in India. Thanks to Makur Jain for bringing these ads to our attention.

Happy to Help – Compilation

Happy to Help – Short

India Independence Day

Change is Good

Ballet

Swimming

 

Activism > Environment > Power

Summary. The United States represents 4% of the world’s population, yet consumes 25% of the world’s oil. We’re using 21 million barrels of oil every day. Over 70% of our oil usage is imported. That’s 700 billion dollars a year in dollars leaking out of the United States – a situation that will soon bankrupt us. [Source: PickensPlan.com]

Automobile Dependency. In the United States, 750 people out of 1000 have a car. As a result, our economy is in peril. We are running into trade deficits and are trillions of dollars in debit. Automobile dependency does to a country what it does to an individual. In China, 44 people out of 1000 have a car. China is now a superpower in the world, with 96% of their population relying on bicycles, walking, and public transportation. Yet, we rely on China for most of the products we rely on for daily life. So, it’s clear that a country need not depend heavily on the automobile to be a successful superpower.

Natural Gas as a Bridge Fuel. Oil tycoon and billionaire, T. Boone Pickens explains that natural gas is sufficiently abundant that it should serve as a bridge fuel for about 20 years while we develop an alternate fuel for transportation in the United States. In a video from his private jet he states, ”… Natural gas would be the only bridge fuel that we could use for the next 20 years until we get to the next generation of transportation fuel which would probably be the battery or hydrogen or something else. Now that one’s so far out you’ve got to worry with that because I’ll be gone by then, but I’ll be [with you] clear up to the natural gas bridge fuel.”

The Pickens Plan. The T. Boone Pickens Plan addresses this problem with a solution that will help the United States become more self-sufficient and sustainable by using solar, wind, and natural gas. From the Pickens Plan website: ”America is in a hole and it’s getting deeper every day. We import 70% of our oil at a cost of $700 billion a year – four times the annual cost of the Iraq war. I’ve been an oil man all my life, but this is one emergency we can’t drill our way out of. But if we create a new renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil. On January 20, 2009, a new President gets sworn in. If we’re organized, we can convince Congress to make major changes towards cleaner, cheaper and domestic energy resources. To get this done, I need your help. Check out the plan. If you think it’s worth fighting for, please join our effort.”

Video. Please watch the video below for an introduction into the problem and the solution. It may take a short while to load.

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Choose Your Advertising. The topical advertising links below are provided by Google AdSense. In providing these links, we give our site visitors the option to view advertising or not. We don’t necessarily endorse the advertisers generated by these links, but they are supposed to be context relevant and for that reason you might find them helpful. These links will take you away from our site if you don’t right click and choose to open them in a new window or tab. We’re currently experimenting with this form of advertising. Let us know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. In particular, if you find advertisers listed here that are offensive or misleading, contact us and we’ll have them blocked. Our filtering of ads ensures you get the most useful advertising possible. Click on a topical link below to view a page of ads related to that topic.