Teabagger/Latté-Sipper Coalition?

I love the excellent articles with very conscious perspectives that you have in every issue. I thought your descriptions of recommended websites for "Un-Censored News" was a great idea. (OPEN EXCHANGE, Jan.-March 2010.) My only concern was your inclusion of the Cato Institute. There are good libertarian perspectives out there, but in my opinion this group is a very warped version of libertarianism. This group is as extremist and anti-environmental as I've ever seen. They'll complain about tax credits for hybrids, but I've never heard a peep out of them about tax credits for gas-guzzling SUVs. They relentlessly attack Worldwatch Magazine's annual "State of the World" books and have even written books to attempt to rebut them. Cato has always consistently rejected any and all concerns about the environment, as can be seen by their descriptions of all of the books they sell about energy and the environment.

The real Climategate is the daily misinformation and disinformation campaign led by the oil and coal industries and the Cato Institute, and their allies in media and government. In defense of our children, our planet and our future,

Randal is Director of the Hypnotherapy Training Institute, longtime OPEN EXCHANGE lister. See Schools.

Thanks for setting us straight, Randal. We should have noted that inclusion on our media list is not necessarily a policy endorsement. But you're right, our screening was lax here. In the words of OPEN EXCHANGE's own webmaster, "Randal is 100% correct. Cato is completely dishonest on our signature issue, the environment."

In place of Cato Institute we have posted a link to Small Government Times (www.smallgovtimes.com), with libertarian news and commentary almost as likely to criticize corporate Republicans as Democrats. For example, a recent story censured Sen. John McCain for supporting legislation which would regulate the vitamin supplement industry.

While it's practically impossible to find deep green libertarians, we're heartened that many libertarians and progressives agree on several other public policy issues:

Ending corporate welfare.
Ending pointless foreign wars.
Ending stupid drug wars.
Decriminalizing alternative lifestyles.
Maintaining the separation of church and state.
Could this be the birth of a teabagger/latté-sipper coalition?

Healthcareless

Congress' passage of healthcare INSURANCE reform, however noble the intent, does not necessarily make people healthier. Real healthcare reform would focus on prevention, nutrition, exercise, and building safer and saner communities —more community gardens, libraries, after-school sports and arts programs. "Medicare for All" could bring everyone into the medical system and cap costs, too. At worst we might have to scale back on foreign wars to help balance the budget. But changes like these aren't good for corporations' bottom line, so don't expect Big Pharma and Big Insurance to play along.

Meanwhile, your magazine's focus on personal solutions to healthcare is more relevant than ever.

Mark Simons Guitarist

I enjoyed reading your article (OPEN EXCHANGE, Jan.-March 2010), a great description of Mark Simons' musical history and brilliance. I want to add that he is an exceptional and wonderful teacher as well. My good fortune was to find Simons and I have been studying with him since.

Your profile on guitarist Mark Simons gives me yet another reason to love living in the Bay Area: There are so many wonderfully accomplished artists here and much to celebrate! Thank you for what you do.

You're welcome!

Ana Maria Sanchez: Towards Life

Ana Maria's great article it shows we can choose each moment to move towards something, instead of away from anger and fear. Thank you for this wonderful gift!

Wonderful article, Ana Maria! Thanks for the inspiration and hope! In joy,

Wow, what a spiritual transformation. A beautiful journey to a life of happiness and worthiness, well-deserved!

Ana, all I can say is what a wonderful creative journey you are on. I am also a woman on a spiritual journey, creating myself everyday. As I go through this journey I have learned to honor the gift of choices, and have made a decision to practice making the right choices everyday no matter what it takes. I want you to know I value you and your journey; you are an inspiration to all who know you and to those who will be blessed to experience your teachings. Thank you for having the courage to go within and express that your higher power is what guides you.

Blessings to all for sharing! Find Ana Maria Sanchez's listing under Counseling & Therapy.

Allah Is Green

Nice article, "God is Green." (OPEN EXCHANGE, "Healthy Living New," Jan.-March 2010.) Almighty Allah has chosen Islam to be Man's one true faith in this world. The color of Islam and Muslims worldwide IS, in fact, GREEN. So you got it right, GOD IS GREEN.... [Regarding 2012 prophesy], the forces that are leading our planet and its civilization toward an eventual Apocalypse are only being ramped up, in my opinion. This thing is on its way and will not be stopped. We are living in VERY perilous times. Brace for impact! Peace,

Our article referred to "green" as in ecology, a value which can be shared by all faiths. Regarding prophesy, we're inspired by the words of President John F. Kennedy: "Here on earth, God's work must truly be our own." Pax, Salaam and Shalom!

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