RENO, Nev. — So much for hugging in church. A day after Barack Obama and John McCain exchanged an embrace during a faith forum at a California megachurch, Obama called the U.S. economy a disaster thanks to "John McCain's president, George W. Bush," and chided his Republican rival's campaign team for trying to make him look unpatriotic and weak. Read Full article HERE.

The Dalai Lama has urged the world community to accept China into its ranks while staying firm on issues of human rights and democracy. The Tibetan spiritual leader spoke during a visit to France. Lisa Bryant reports for VOA from Paris. Full Article

check out the Senryu contest winners at SpaceWesterns.com John M. Whalen took first place, Larry Hodges second, and I took 3 honorable mentions. The comments my Senryu's recieved:

"Nice irony and ties to space westerns. " --Mark L. Van Name

"My nominee as weirdest, which I consider a good thing." --Mark L. Van Name

"I like the description... and I know a girl named Meg..." --Seamus Kevin Fahey

"Good images." --Mark L. Van Name

My story, 'Best Gift', was announced as a winner of the Return to Luna contest. Please check out this link for a list of all winners and honorable mentions. I'm really excited! B Return to Luna Winners

Please take time to read my first fiction publication. It is a story called 'The Fourth Horseman', and though first and foremost a science fiction story, it is also totally Buddhist and specifically mentions namo myoho renge kyo. Thanks for checking it out! The Fourth Horseman

Codex: Sukhavati

"I'll die in the wastes"
--traditional of the Ekal Marshati Horse Clans

"OK, listen up. Viagra is used to help a medical condition. That’s why it’s covered. Birth control is not a medical condition. It is a choice. Why should I or anybody else have to pay for other people’s choices? Do I have to buy you dinner before you use the birth control?"
Read the Article Here

Having lost much of their following in the West, churches are now beginning to look for opportunities elsewhere. Of course the Islamic world is out of the question. Even the most optimistic evangelist knows that the chance of spreading the Gospel amongst Muslims is nil. The obvious targets are Africa, India and the Buddhist countries of Asia.

There are now several evangelical organizations dedicated just too evangelizing Buddhists. The Asia Pacific Institute of Buddhist Studies in the Philippines offers missionaries in-depth courses in Buddhist doctrine, the languages of Buddhist countries and the sociology of various Buddhist communities – the better to know the enemy. Read more Here.

Wake UP! David Bowie w The Arcade Fire:

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it. --Edward R. Murrow

happy 4th of July!

"“Global Disruption” More Accurately Describes Climate Change, Not “Global Warming”–Leading Scientist John Holdren

Leading scientist John Holdren says “global warming” is not the correct term to use; he prefers “global disruption.” “‘Global warming’ [is] misleading. It implies something that’s mainly about temperature, that’s gradual, and that’s uniform across the planet,” says Holdren. “In fact, temperature is only one of the things that’s changing. It’s a sort of an index of the state of the climate. The whole climate is changing: the winds, the ocean currents, the storm patterns, snow packs, snowmelt, flooding, droughts. Temperature is just a bit of it.”" Read Here for the full article.

"This is a story that starts in triumph, takes a detour through farce, and inadvertently ends raising some profound questions. The triumph is one of scientific progress in the study of evolution; the farce comes courtesy of those who run Conservapedia, who apparently can't believe that any scientific evidence can possibly support evolution. The questions, however, focus on what access the US public should have to the research that their tax dollars support."
Read the full story Here.

75% blame Bush's policies for economy

Here is a list of Myths and Facts on Global Warming. The EPA's 'State of Knowledge Page. National Wildlife Federation site.

FearWatch Political Punch King Karl Obama Camp Responds Karl's Honesty blah blah blah Someone in the Republican Party needs to ask Karl to stop with the spin doctoring before their party loses all credibility.

Look Here for a Nasa site providing the evidence and information about global climate change.

"Obama raps McCain adviser over terrorism comment" Read article Here.