Monday, July 28, 2008

The weird and wonderful web; earth's kinkiest sites

From vibrating panties to psychedelic toads

I think I figured out that www doesn't stand for world wide web, but weird and wonderful web. I am constantly being amused and entertained by the kinky and crazy things I learn about humanity by surfing the internet. Take sex, for example. According to Dan Savage, there is a sexy forum or chatline for every inclination you can think of, plus several hundreds more that you would never think of.

Do you want to find a pair of vibrating panties? No problem. Here is a 7-function remote control vibrating thong. Or maybe you're looking for some lovely penis jewelry. Here is a handsome frenum loop ring. And we can't forget sexy cage pants.

Or maybe it's not sex but drugs that you're after. Well, where else but the internet would you look to get some magical Amanita muscaria mushroom caps. By the way, these are Latvian grade A caps. No stems included, of course. Want an hallucinogen from closer to home? Well, why not pick up a Colorado river toad or two. Just milk their warty little glands, dry up the venom and light up. I hope you don't think I'm making this stuff up. My imagination isn't that good, trust me.

Ok, we've covered sex and drugs. How about rock and roll? That's too easy. Here's a story that has 'em all beat: "Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll in Ancient Egypt." As I said, there's a very good reason why I love the Internet. It's more entertaining than reality TV. That's for sure!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Drs Swamy and Kalyanaraman Honored for Protecting Historic Rama Sethu

Dr Subramanian Swamy, PhD, visiting professor of Economics, Harvard University and former Union Law Minister of India, and Dr S. Kalyanaraman, Director, Saraswati River Research Center, and President of Sri Rameshwaram Rama Sethu Raksha Manch, received awards in Dallas, Texas for their courageous effort in protecting the historic Rama Sethu, from being destroyed by the Government of India in the name of a development project.

Rama Sethu is the original Sanskrit name given to a bridge built by the legendary King Rama, who crossed over to Sri Lanka from India to fight the King of Lanka, Ravana, recover his wife Sita, and restore Dharma (Order) in the land of India. While it is difficult to establish the exact historical age of these events, the bridge is thought to be at least 5000 years old, if not much older, making it the oldest causeway built across an ocean channel. The Rama Sethu is referred to in numerous ancient Sanskrit texts and scriptures, as a man made structure, and in recent times, it has been vividly photographed by both NASA and Indian Satellites.

When India fell under Colonial rule, the British renamed this construction as "Adam's Bridge". The Government of India, in recent years, has been trying to establish a Shipping Channel between India and Sri Lanka, by breaking and destroying the continuity of this ancient structure. Hindus in India and around the world have been protesting and fighting this decision of the Government of India, and have demanded that the Rama Sethu be declared a monument of historic importance and a world heritage site. On May 8th, 2008, the Supreme Court of India directed the Government of India to go back to the drawing board to see if it can create an alternate shipping route, and at the same time, study the Rama Sethu as a monument of historic importance. It is yet to be seen if the Government of India will comply with the Court's direction, and thereby uphold due constitutional process, or continue on its path of destroying the Rama Sethu, dis-regarding the Supreme court's direction.

Sanatana Dharma Foundation, (www.sdfglobal.org) a Dallas based Non-Profit organization inspired by the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, (www.acharyasabha.org) the apex body of Hindus in India, presented the "Hindu Dharma Rakshaka Kshatriya Award" to Dr Subramanian Swamy & Dr S. Kalyanaraman on the occassion of the Hindu Unity Day organized at the DFW Hindu Temple in Dallas, Texas on July 19, 2008. Speaking on the occasion, the President of Sanatana Dharma Foundation, Kalyan Viswanathan, said that "This award, a first of its kind, has been instituted to honor and celebrate the 'Kshatriya Spirit', specifically the courage shown by Hindus in taking risks and standing up to fight for the protection and preservation of Dharma. The word Kshatriya is a Sanskrit word that refers to the royal and noble class of Hindus who historically defended their nation, and the Dharma of the land."

The Highlight of the Hindu Unity Day Event was the speech by Dr Subramanian Swamy on his personal experiences during his defense of Rama Sethu in the Supreme Court of India, which was greeted by a spontaneous standing ovation. In presenting the "Hindu Dharma Rakshaka Kshatriya" Award, his fearless defense in the Supreme Court of India, getting a critical and timely stay order, the subsequent withdrawal of the Government of India's petition, and the later Verdict of the Supreme Court were all highlighted.

Dr S. Kalyanaraman made a scholarly presentation on the River Saraswati, highlighting the recent research findings, the origins of the Vedic civilization on the banks of River Saraswati and the fact that it holds the central "Key" to the re-writing of the history of India and re-establishing the real historicity of the Vedas. While presenting the Award, his dedicated research in supporting the struggle of the Rama Sethu, and his pioneering contributions in researching and resurfacing the River Saraswati were lauded.

Symbolizing Hindu Unity, Representatives of Dallas Chapters of several organizations like the Art of living Foundation, Ammachi Satsang, Hare Krishna ISCKON group, Gayatri Parivar, Brahmakumaris, Carribbean Mandir, Chinmaya Mission, Hanuman Temple, Sathya Sai groups and other prominent Hindu personalities from the local Dallas-Fort Worth community in Texas, were present at this unique event. Dr Subramanian Swamy's latest book "Rama Sethu Symbol of National Unity" was released and distributed at the Event, to key members of these organizations and other prominent members of the community.

Smt. Ranna Jani, President, DFW Hindu Temple in Texas speaking on the occassion on behalf of the Temple, thanked both Dr Subramaniam Swamy & Dr S. Kalyanaraman for coming to Dallas and sharing their experiences with the participants. On the second day, a workshop was organized, where challenges facing Hinduism today, were discussed. Presentations on the state of Hindu Temples in India, challenges posed by Christianity and Islam were also discussed. The session was very interactive, and educational, as per the feedback received.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Alternative Medicine Becoming More Common

As more consumers become aware of medical alternatives to health and healing, physicians and other health professionals face the challenge of deciding what procedures, modalities, and therapies might be incorporated into their practice or recommended for patients to consider through alternative health practitioners. According to a recent survey by Jackson & Coker, a significant number of healthcare providers are using some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to enhance their own health and well-being, or they have introduced certain facets of alternative medicine into their patient care.

"Our concern in commissioning this survey was to assess the extent to which health professionals are drawn to non-conventional forms of medical treatment, either for themselves or their patients," mentions Sandra Garrett, president of Jackson & Coker. "As Eastern and Western medical approaches become more blended in the healthcare field, important decisions must be made as to what treatments are acceptable according to customary medical standards of care and also covered by medical insurers."

The survey, entitled "Healthcare Providers' Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine," (http://www.jacksoncoker.com/newsletter/Long_6282008.aspx?sc_cid=1-Press2-JCIR3-V1N64-) was sent during June to thousands of physicians and other health professionals throughout the United States, with nearly 300 individuals responding.

The vast majority of participants (76%) held a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, versus a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO). Sixty percent were males. The largest age category was 50-59 (33%). Forty-five percent of respondents have been practicing medicine from 15-40 years.

The health practitioners surveyed learned about complementary and alternative medicine through various means: formal medical training (13%), seminars on holistic medicine (21%), and self-teaching or interaction with colleagues (25%). The types of alternative modalities, therapies, and treatments with which health providers were most familiar included: herbal medicine, massage therapy and reflexology, yoga and meditation, chiropractic treatment, biofeedback, and acupuncture. Other approaches with which they were less familiar included: hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, Tai Chi, and Ayurvetic medicine. The last two are common to Eastern medical practice.

The survey queried respondents as to what heath measures they personally hope to achieve in using some form of CAM. The results were as follows:

Stress relief 19.0%

Improve general health 15.6%

Pain management 13.3%

Improve mental alertness 11.4%

Weight reduction / control 9.3%

Reduce hypertension 8.2%

Overcome insomnia 7.8%

Lower cholesterol 5.9%

Control diabetes 3.5%.

A key survey question asked, "To what extent do you use CAM approaches in your own medical practice?" The responses were as follows; 4% frequently, 44% occasionally, and 22% not at all.

Thirty percent of respondents indicated their intent to incorporate more CAM procedures into their medical practice, whereas 28% felt they might be included to do that and 31% replied 'probably not."

The reasons prompting healthcare providers to consider adopting more CAM procedures or techniques included their personal belief in CAM, growing patient requests, additional sources of revenue, and more favorable view by insurers.

On the matter of insurance reimbursement, a slight number (2%) had experienced significant problems with medical insurers in the past, 11% had encountered some difficulties, and 26% had experienced major problems in dealing with insurers.

The survey pointed out, interestingly, that only a small number of doctors (15%) believe that as complementary and alternative medicine becomes more acceptable within the healthcare field, more insurers will provide approved reimbursement. Sixty-two percent felt it was either "not too likely" or "probably unlikely" that insurance coverage will substantially increase in the foreseeable future.

Another key question was asked: "From your perspective, do physicians tend to draw a line between CAM procedures that are acceptable versus non-acceptable to Western-trained clinicians?" A few of their comments are noteworthy:

• "I draw the line on anything that isn't proven scientifically. Unacceptable are those treatments that only target the practice's bottom line."

• "Yes, only those that have stood up to the test of controlled studies are accepted."

• "No. It seems to me to be driven almost entirely by personal preferences / exposure."

• "Doctors are not properly trained in the use of alternative medicine and therefore are very reluctant to use them in their practice."

• "I believe that most physicians are fixed in their mind set about 'scientific medicine' and 'alternative medicine," and it is difficult to change their mind set."

• "Probably not. From my experience, physicians who discount CAM tend to lump all CAM modalities together regardless of their actual credibility (or lack thereof) and toss out proven methods such as acupuncture regardless of the results."

The survey commentary concluded with an interview by a board certified Internal Medicine doctor who incorporates certain aspects of complementary medicine into her medical practice.

One of our favorite sources for news and opinions about alternative medicine is New Age Journal.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Indiana Jones helping protect UNESCO heritage sites

In coordination with the release of the feature film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, a grassroots initiative dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the protection of UNESCO World Heritage sites, Friends of World Heritage, is inviting individuals to test their World Heritage knowledge using an interactive and educational online Adventure Quiz (http://www.friendsofworldheritage.org/). After taking the quiz, the adventurers may get the chance to win a trip for two on an Indiana Jones travel experience The contest closes July 18, 2008.

"For nearly three decades, we have been virtually transported with Indiana Jones from our living rooms to many iconic World Heritage sites around the world, Petra, the Taj Mahal and the City of Venice, are just a few," said Katherine Miller, executive director of communications and public affairs, United Nations Foundation. "Through this online campaign and travel contest, we hope to educate and inspire travelers towards preserving and protecting these treasured site for future generations to experience and enjoy."

In addition to launching the quiz, we also worked with Frank Marshall, of the Indiana Jones™ films to create a public service announcement about the importance of preserving World Heritage. In his message, Frank Marshall shares the following thoughts on the connection between his films and World Heritage: "Just as Indy chased (relics) because he believed in the importance of their preservation, I believe in the preservation of the amazing places where Indy chased those artifacts … World Heritage sites belong to us all, and it is up to all of us to work together toward their preservation."

To view the PSA, and for more information about the Quiz and contest, visit www.FriendsofWorldHeritage.org.