On a plant ~18" tall?
Yep!
Slainte, Folks!
Cygnus
Le Bon Ton, September 1860.
13 hours ago
31 March 2009
Fruit Stork Migrates South Months Early...
Isatta Tamata?!?
On a plant ~18" tall?
Yep!
Slainte, Folks!
Cygnus
On a plant ~18" tall?
Yep!
Slainte, Folks!
Cygnus
29 March 2009
CannabiSunday
In honor of the Obama Idiocy to not view legalization from rational scientific and economic standpoints.
City, cannabis sellers try to clear the smoke left behind by Prop. 215
Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal
We've seen a new breed of entrepreneur with the passage of Prop. 215 in November.
The measure made legal the sale of marijuana for medical purposes.
Meanwhile, would-be pot peddlers and wary local civic authorities are trying to work out the kinks for an industry that has heretofore thrived underground.
There are still many points to negotiate.
The powers that be are none too happy with Prop. 215.
Voters essentially said they wanted this part of the war on drugs to come to a halt.
But those who enforce the laws aren't willing to walk away from a battle they have been fighting for decades.
So San Jose city officials are busy setting down guidelines on how marijuana will be sold.
After consulting with city attorney Joan Gallo, the City Council decided last week that outlets catering to cannabis consumers must conform to all existing rules and regulations, plus a few new ones.
For example, entrepreneurs who open so-called buyers' clubs must operate in commercial areas.
They may not deliver their product like Domino's.
And they must keep regular business hours.
Thus, they won't be competing with 24-hour Denny's--yet.
Marijuana use may be more socially acceptable in the wake of Prop. 215, but it won't be sold like cigarettes or liquor for years to come.
Still, even sales for medical purposes will take some getting used to.[1]
Three Oakland city council members have proposed raising the business tax rate on medical marijuana sales to $12 or $24 per $1,000 of gross receipts. The current rate is $1.20.[Cygnus says Quick! Somebody do the math! is that a 100 or 1,000% increase? And how does it rate per $1,000 of gross receipts compared to tobacco? Could revenue legitimately be more or less?]
The council members, Rebecca Kaplan (at-large), Nancy Nadel (district 3), and Jean Quan (district 4), said in an agenda report that the move would bring in an additional $200,000 to $400,000 in annual revenue.
Richard Lee, president of Oaksterdam University, an Oakland-based trade school for the cannabis industry, said that he has been working with the city council on this proposal. He also said the industry is fully behind it.
“We believe we should be paying more taxes, and we want to help the city more in its economic crisis,” Lee said.
He also said that the taxes should extend beyond the cannabis clubs and be applied to suppliers, and nurseries. Lee estimates that medical marijuana in Oakland is a $20 million industry, and that further taxing will help further legitimize it.
The council members could not immediately be reached for comment.[2]
Cannabis Law Reform
From NORML:
As for those tens of millions of you who believe that cannabis should be legally regulated like alcohol -- and the tens of thousands of you who voted to make this subject the most popular question in the White House's online Presidential Town Hall -- well, your voice doesn't really matter.
Asked this morning whether he "would ... support the bill currently going through the California legislation to legalize and tax marijuana, boosting the economy and reducing drug cartel related violence," the President responded with derision.
"There was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation, and I don't know what this says about the online audience," he laughed.
"The answer is no, I don't think that [is] a good strategy."
Please, go read the entire thing. And consider adding your name to the well-written form letter, to which you can amend in any way you see fit. What follows is their form-letter...
Mr. President,
You pledged "to open up the White House to the American people." I'm one of the tens of millions of Americans who believe that cannabis should be legally regulated like alcohol. I'm also one of the tens of thousands of Americans who voted to make this subject the most popular question in your online Presidential Town Hall. I'm disappointed to learn that you believe that my voice doesn't really matter.
I understand that you may oppose this position, but that is no reason to deride this issue.
Mr. President, please tell me: "What is it that you think is so funny about the subject of marijuana law reform?"
Since 1965, police have arrested over 20 million Americans for violating marijuana laws, yet nearly 90 percent of teenagers say that pot is "very easy" or "fairly easy" to obtain. Do you find this funny?
According to your administration, there is an unprecedented level of violence occurring at the Mexico/US border -- much of which is allegedly caused by the trafficking of marijuana to the United States by drug cartels. America's stringent enforcement of pot prohibition, which artificially inflates black market pot prices and ensures that only criminal enterprises will be involved in the production and sale of this commodity, is helping to fuel this violence. Do you still believe that this subject is humorous?
Finally, two recent polls indicate that a strong majority of regional voters support ending marijuana prohibition and treating the drug's sale, use, and distribution like alcohol. A February 2009 Zogby telephone poll reported that nearly six out of ten of voters on the west coast think that cannabis should be "taxed and legally regulated like alcohol and cigarettes." A just-released California Field Poll reports similar results, finding that 58 percent of statewide votes believe that regulations for cannabis should be the same or less strict than those for alcohol.
Why do you choose to laugh at these people? Why do you choose to laugh at me?
The American public is ready and willing to engage in a serious and objective political debate regarding the merits of legalizing the use of cannabis by adults. The time for joking is over.
Please consider apologizing for your dismissive tone, and please consider treating those of us who believe that there are viable alternatives to marijuana prohibition with the respect we deserve.[3]
Cygnus says judging by the two articles above, looks like an economic hit--pun intended-- to me!!!
Sources:
1.http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/1997/03/31/editorial3.html?q=cannabis
2.http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/03/23/daily93.html
3.a)http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/133667/obama_should_have_taken_the_the_pot_question_seriously_at_his_public_townhall_/?page=2
b)http://magichills.blogspot.com/
Hey folks, I didn't print Livia's addendum to the letter-- it's worth few more minutes of your time to go read!
4. Go and look at THESE numbers for Federal Income Tax Revenues for alcohol and tobacco. What d'ya reckon legal marijuana would garner?
About the same, I ken. A vice less harmful than alcohol and less addictive than nicotine. Honest to all the gods it is!
See ya soon, Folks!
Slainte!
Cygnus
P.S. smokem if ya gotem...
City, cannabis sellers try to clear the smoke left behind by Prop. 215
Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal
We've seen a new breed of entrepreneur with the passage of Prop. 215 in November.
The measure made legal the sale of marijuana for medical purposes.
Meanwhile, would-be pot peddlers and wary local civic authorities are trying to work out the kinks for an industry that has heretofore thrived underground.
There are still many points to negotiate.
The powers that be are none too happy with Prop. 215.
Voters essentially said they wanted this part of the war on drugs to come to a halt.
But those who enforce the laws aren't willing to walk away from a battle they have been fighting for decades.
So San Jose city officials are busy setting down guidelines on how marijuana will be sold.
After consulting with city attorney Joan Gallo, the City Council decided last week that outlets catering to cannabis consumers must conform to all existing rules and regulations, plus a few new ones.
For example, entrepreneurs who open so-called buyers' clubs must operate in commercial areas.
They may not deliver their product like Domino's.
And they must keep regular business hours.
Thus, they won't be competing with 24-hour Denny's--yet.
Marijuana use may be more socially acceptable in the wake of Prop. 215, but it won't be sold like cigarettes or liquor for years to come.
Still, even sales for medical purposes will take some getting used to.[1]
Three Oakland city council members have proposed raising the business tax rate on medical marijuana sales to $12 or $24 per $1,000 of gross receipts. The current rate is $1.20.[Cygnus says Quick! Somebody do the math! is that a 100 or 1,000% increase? And how does it rate per $1,000 of gross receipts compared to tobacco? Could revenue legitimately be more or less?]
The council members, Rebecca Kaplan (at-large), Nancy Nadel (district 3), and Jean Quan (district 4), said in an agenda report that the move would bring in an additional $200,000 to $400,000 in annual revenue.
Richard Lee, president of Oaksterdam University, an Oakland-based trade school for the cannabis industry, said that he has been working with the city council on this proposal. He also said the industry is fully behind it.
“We believe we should be paying more taxes, and we want to help the city more in its economic crisis,” Lee said.
He also said that the taxes should extend beyond the cannabis clubs and be applied to suppliers, and nurseries. Lee estimates that medical marijuana in Oakland is a $20 million industry, and that further taxing will help further legitimize it.
The council members could not immediately be reached for comment.[2]
Cannabis Law Reform
From NORML:
As for those tens of millions of you who believe that cannabis should be legally regulated like alcohol -- and the tens of thousands of you who voted to make this subject the most popular question in the White House's online Presidential Town Hall -- well, your voice doesn't really matter.
Asked this morning whether he "would ... support the bill currently going through the California legislation to legalize and tax marijuana, boosting the economy and reducing drug cartel related violence," the President responded with derision.
"There was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation, and I don't know what this says about the online audience," he laughed.
"The answer is no, I don't think that [is] a good strategy."
Please, go read the entire thing. And consider adding your name to the well-written form letter, to which you can amend in any way you see fit. What follows is their form-letter...
Mr. President,
You pledged "to open up the White House to the American people." I'm one of the tens of millions of Americans who believe that cannabis should be legally regulated like alcohol. I'm also one of the tens of thousands of Americans who voted to make this subject the most popular question in your online Presidential Town Hall. I'm disappointed to learn that you believe that my voice doesn't really matter.
I understand that you may oppose this position, but that is no reason to deride this issue.
Mr. President, please tell me: "What is it that you think is so funny about the subject of marijuana law reform?"
Since 1965, police have arrested over 20 million Americans for violating marijuana laws, yet nearly 90 percent of teenagers say that pot is "very easy" or "fairly easy" to obtain. Do you find this funny?
According to your administration, there is an unprecedented level of violence occurring at the Mexico/US border -- much of which is allegedly caused by the trafficking of marijuana to the United States by drug cartels. America's stringent enforcement of pot prohibition, which artificially inflates black market pot prices and ensures that only criminal enterprises will be involved in the production and sale of this commodity, is helping to fuel this violence. Do you still believe that this subject is humorous?
Finally, two recent polls indicate that a strong majority of regional voters support ending marijuana prohibition and treating the drug's sale, use, and distribution like alcohol. A February 2009 Zogby telephone poll reported that nearly six out of ten of voters on the west coast think that cannabis should be "taxed and legally regulated like alcohol and cigarettes." A just-released California Field Poll reports similar results, finding that 58 percent of statewide votes believe that regulations for cannabis should be the same or less strict than those for alcohol.
Why do you choose to laugh at these people? Why do you choose to laugh at me?
The American public is ready and willing to engage in a serious and objective political debate regarding the merits of legalizing the use of cannabis by adults. The time for joking is over.
Please consider apologizing for your dismissive tone, and please consider treating those of us who believe that there are viable alternatives to marijuana prohibition with the respect we deserve.[3]
Cygnus says judging by the two articles above, looks like an economic hit--pun intended-- to me!!!
Sources:
1.http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/1997/03/31/editorial3.html?q=cannabis
2.http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/03/23/daily93.html
3.a)http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/133667/obama_should_have_taken_the_the_pot_question_seriously_at_his_public_townhall_/?page=2
b)http://magichills.blogspot.com/
Hey folks, I didn't print Livia's addendum to the letter-- it's worth few more minutes of your time to go read!
4. Go and look at THESE numbers for Federal Income Tax Revenues for alcohol and tobacco. What d'ya reckon legal marijuana would garner?
About the same, I ken. A vice less harmful than alcohol and less addictive than nicotine. Honest to all the gods it is!
See ya soon, Folks!
Slainte!
Cygnus
P.S. smokem if ya gotem...
The Ultimate Test
When the Muses first supposed this writing upon me I was thinking back to the degrees of Black Belt once that modicum of expertise was met.
In my tradition (Tukong Moo Sul Won)the only way to attain the tenth dan or level of mastery was to take the Ultimate Test.
Or maybe to go to receive your Results from that Test...
I think that is what Death is- the pass-or-fail call time for the Test you just finished: LIFE.
No, not an original idea-- all major religions have their version of the Pass-Fail moment. Pick your poison; I'll expound on mine.
I believe we humans are four-fold:
1) Body
2) ego/persona
3)Spirit
4)SOUL
BODY is just that- our physical carbon-based vessel. Or Temple. I like Temple.
Ego/persona are psychological aspects easily explored elsewhere; my basic take is, this is this is the mental perception we and others have of our Self, or that Self exposed to the world in the guise of a Mask (persona, oui?).
SPIRIT: Ah, I like this one. This is one of my favorite of the Four, if that's possible. And since mankind can envision it, so it falls within that realm...
The best definition I've yet come across for spirit (or Spirit if you prefer; depends on the moment and occasion for me..) is The Animating Life Force...
There is a definite difference between me and you as living, breathing human beings and a cadaver. For me- for us all-- that difference is an energy field known as Spirit. ( That it is an energy field can be suggested because of the heat factor--another example of sentence#1!!) I do not believe spirit to be Eternal-- that honor is saved for the Soul-- but as energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred, mayhap the spirit returns to the stew pot only to be stirred again and ladled anew the next need..
Spirit leads us to become the one we really are supposed to be in this lifetime. My personal energy manifests itself well in the area of athletics.
Maybe some are writers.
Others dance, act, paint, fly, sail, build, invent... you get the image. It's what you'd do if you had the money all the free time in the world to pursue the passion.
Soul.
Hmm... I see the Soul as judging Itself after life. Like sitting at a desk in a classroom, Solo, looking at the TEST RESULTS for the life just completed.
Now the SOUL has no option of lying to itself-- the proof is right there on the page.. er, so to speak, or to keep the analogy. "Look, I got that one right; OOH!(Cringes) Messed up there..."
That sort of thing.
Now, the Soul, being Eternal, has to come back and learn every possible lesson Life has to offer.
It has to Master Every Task. It has to suffer Every Sorrow.
I also believe it has to master Love, and when It has achieved these three it can Move On-- Graduate, if you will (or Will ha!).
To what I don't know-- maybe color me Agnostic on that point-- but I do believe It goes on to learn more.
The Ultimate Purpose or End?
:I> Beats me. Maybe a Communal Soup much like Spirit-source?
Likely, Total Reunification with Every Other Energy Source.
That thought kinda makes me happy!
And makes eerie sense...
Slainte!
Cygnus
In my tradition (Tukong Moo Sul Won)the only way to attain the tenth dan or level of mastery was to take the Ultimate Test.
Or maybe to go to receive your Results from that Test...
I think that is what Death is- the pass-or-fail call time for the Test you just finished: LIFE.
No, not an original idea-- all major religions have their version of the Pass-Fail moment. Pick your poison; I'll expound on mine.
I believe we humans are four-fold:
1) Body
2) ego/persona
3)Spirit
4)SOUL
BODY is just that- our physical carbon-based vessel. Or Temple. I like Temple.
Ego/persona are psychological aspects easily explored elsewhere; my basic take is, this is this is the mental perception we and others have of our Self, or that Self exposed to the world in the guise of a Mask (persona, oui?).
SPIRIT: Ah, I like this one. This is one of my favorite of the Four, if that's possible. And since mankind can envision it, so it falls within that realm...
The best definition I've yet come across for spirit (or Spirit if you prefer; depends on the moment and occasion for me..) is The Animating Life Force...
There is a definite difference between me and you as living, breathing human beings and a cadaver. For me- for us all-- that difference is an energy field known as Spirit. ( That it is an energy field can be suggested because of the heat factor--another example of sentence#1!!) I do not believe spirit to be Eternal-- that honor is saved for the Soul-- but as energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred, mayhap the spirit returns to the stew pot only to be stirred again and ladled anew the next need..
Spirit leads us to become the one we really are supposed to be in this lifetime. My personal energy manifests itself well in the area of athletics.
Maybe some are writers.
Others dance, act, paint, fly, sail, build, invent... you get the image. It's what you'd do if you had the money all the free time in the world to pursue the passion.
Soul.
Hmm... I see the Soul as judging Itself after life. Like sitting at a desk in a classroom, Solo, looking at the TEST RESULTS for the life just completed.
Now the SOUL has no option of lying to itself-- the proof is right there on the page.. er, so to speak, or to keep the analogy. "Look, I got that one right; OOH!(Cringes) Messed up there..."
That sort of thing.
Now, the Soul, being Eternal, has to come back and learn every possible lesson Life has to offer.
It has to Master Every Task. It has to suffer Every Sorrow.
I also believe it has to master Love, and when It has achieved these three it can Move On-- Graduate, if you will (or Will ha!).
To what I don't know-- maybe color me Agnostic on that point-- but I do believe It goes on to learn more.
The Ultimate Purpose or End?
:I> Beats me. Maybe a Communal Soup much like Spirit-source?
Likely, Total Reunification with Every Other Energy Source.
That thought kinda makes me happy!
And makes eerie sense...
Slainte!
Cygnus
27 March 2009
Taking The Night Off...
I needs rest, folks.
I'll be back in left field menana, but for now it's me and Morpheus...
Slainte!
Cygnus
I'll be back in left field menana, but for now it's me and Morpheus...
Slainte!
Cygnus
26 March 2009
More Veggie Status...
I didn't water the Garden's growth c'est soir upon abode arrival as is normal; I've been sky-watching...
And it's a New Moon.
So I sit here listening to the rain steady my senses, and scratch my melon whilst trying to figure what Picassa's momental malfeasance is...
Oh! Wait!
Look-- here's the blossoms (green bean) before the rain!!!
Now lookie: that's a buffler head nikkel on my boot, jest fer perspective.
And here's a round trip, literally, of the plot...
[BTW, the squash plant above is pictured below in the upper third of the right corner of photo, next to the Tilted Brick...]
Start at the Southern corner...
Move to the Eastern one...
And then on a Northern Front...
Y' reckon the other one is next?
Ive already eaten from this garden, Folk...
OH!!! HANG ON A SEC!!!
New leaves.. of Heirloom watermelons!!
How much more hip can we be?!!
Well.. I do compost...
So let's take a look at that pile...
And let's be damned if the cantaloupe melon rind and seed thrown out aren't about trying to branch from their Hybrid Parent.
Can't be bad, all-around...
Slainte, Folks!!
Cygnu..
And it's a New Moon.
So I sit here listening to the rain steady my senses, and scratch my melon whilst trying to figure what Picassa's momental malfeasance is...
Oh! Wait!
Look-- here's the blossoms (green bean) before the rain!!!
Now lookie: that's a buffler head nikkel on my boot, jest fer perspective.And here's a round trip, literally, of the plot...
[BTW, the squash plant above is pictured below in the upper third of the right corner of photo, next to the Tilted Brick...]
Start at the Southern corner...
Move to the Eastern one...
And then on a Northern Front...
Y' reckon the other one is next?
Ive already eaten from this garden, Folk...
OH!!! HANG ON A SEC!!!
New leaves.. of Heirloom watermelons!!
How much more hip can we be?!!
Well.. I do compost...
So let's take a look at that pile...
And let's be damned if the cantaloupe melon rind and seed thrown out aren't about trying to branch from their Hybrid Parent.
Can't be bad, all-around...
Slainte, Folks!!
Cygnu..
25 March 2009
A Question For My Gardening Readers...
In the last two days, my little garden patch has seen as much growth as in its first five weeks.
Honest Abe! The crookneck squash is determined to shade every other close-by greenery out of existence. The tomato plants-- every living one-- have DOUBLED in size, as have the green bean stalks. And one of the green beans has decided to mimic the tomato seedling and sprout BLOSSOMS!!! (Too late in the eve for photos-- soon, I promise!)
It is about the blossoms that I proffer question: my gut says pinch them off and allow the energy to fuel new vegetative growth...
The other thought is to let them remain, to let the plants and Mother Nature do their bidding.
I'm gonna pinch, I think.
But I'll wait until I've (first) photographed the proof, and until I hear back from fellow green thumbs and thumbettes...
Thanks for the help, folks!
Gads, I love watching labor pay off! :D
More soon, folks...
Slainte!
Cygnus
Honest Abe! The crookneck squash is determined to shade every other close-by greenery out of existence. The tomato plants-- every living one-- have DOUBLED in size, as have the green bean stalks. And one of the green beans has decided to mimic the tomato seedling and sprout BLOSSOMS!!! (Too late in the eve for photos-- soon, I promise!)
It is about the blossoms that I proffer question: my gut says pinch them off and allow the energy to fuel new vegetative growth...
The other thought is to let them remain, to let the plants and Mother Nature do their bidding.
I'm gonna pinch, I think.
But I'll wait until I've (first) photographed the proof, and until I hear back from fellow green thumbs and thumbettes...
Thanks for the help, folks!
Gads, I love watching labor pay off! :D
More soon, folks...
Slainte!
Cygnus
24 March 2009
As Miserable As Ever...
Or More So, is all I'd add...
Heard a story about a monk living in a Zen Monastery.
His fellow students/travelers heard this young one had reached the state of Enlightenment.
Curious to learn more, they grouped and found their way to their friend...
"So," one monk asks reverently, "we hear you have reached an enlightened state..."
"Yes," the pupil answered, with a genuine smile and a brightness to his eyes his brethren had not noticed before.
And he stood after the one word, continuing to smile.
Finally impatient for a reply, all of his peers began questioning at the same time:
"How?"
"What is it like?"
"How does it feel?"
Same smile, same eye-gleam, the monk had only one response:
"As miserable as ever."
Folks, I'm with the Monk on the misery scale. Seriously.
Or I may have him bested there...
My question is-- "WHERE THE F#*K IS THIS LIGHT?"!!!
Any of you folks seen from this monk's perspective?
Anybody chanced or figured upon the REASON we are here?
I got excuses galore-- what I'm after now is REASON-- solid, tangible REASON for what the hell I am supposed to be accomplishing here (as in On This Earth...).
Don't come back with some buls$h!t about some Higher Purpose or other spiritual tripe... today ain't the sell-day for that rigamarole.
WHAT.
WHY.
These are my questions.
Peanut Gallery? Your Turn!!
Slainte.
Cygnus
Heard a story about a monk living in a Zen Monastery.
His fellow students/travelers heard this young one had reached the state of Enlightenment.
Curious to learn more, they grouped and found their way to their friend...
"So," one monk asks reverently, "we hear you have reached an enlightened state..."
"Yes," the pupil answered, with a genuine smile and a brightness to his eyes his brethren had not noticed before.
And he stood after the one word, continuing to smile.
Finally impatient for a reply, all of his peers began questioning at the same time:
"How?"
"What is it like?"
"How does it feel?"
Same smile, same eye-gleam, the monk had only one response:
"As miserable as ever."
Folks, I'm with the Monk on the misery scale. Seriously.
Or I may have him bested there...
My question is-- "WHERE THE F#*K IS THIS LIGHT?"!!!
Any of you folks seen from this monk's perspective?
Anybody chanced or figured upon the REASON we are here?
I got excuses galore-- what I'm after now is REASON-- solid, tangible REASON for what the hell I am supposed to be accomplishing here (as in On This Earth...).
Don't come back with some buls$h!t about some Higher Purpose or other spiritual tripe... today ain't the sell-day for that rigamarole.
WHAT.
WHY.
These are my questions.
Peanut Gallery? Your Turn!!
Slainte.
Cygnus
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