One Creative Cat

Anyone who's ever had a cat will appreciate this. But think about it... why shouldn't every stair be savored?

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http://digg.com/pets_animals/Slinky_Cat_4

'Obama's Challenge': A Transformative Opportunity

Robert Kuttner has reported on elections for more than 30 years. His new book, Obama's Challenge, looks at the Herculean obstacles the president-elect faces — and what it will take to tackle them.A great interview by Terry Gross. Outlines some common sense, practical stuff that I think most of us have realized, but seems to escape Washington.Check it out: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96694999

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Eve Ensler and her life's passion of helping abused women

Listen and you cannot be unmoved. The level of abuse of women and children around the world leaves me speechless. Eve Ensler reminds me once again that I have to do something about this.We hear of hunger. We hear of disease. Do we hear of women being beaten for eating ice cream? Or not having dinner ready for their husband? Or children forced into sexual slavery, tortured and beaten? It's not entertaining. It's definitely not easy to hear. But I am scared that we, once feminists, are afraid of that word and what it stands for. And in that fear, we are betraying the women of our world. We may have rights and respect in this country (although many still do not, and much work needs to be done), but in most of the rest of the world, women are treated as throw-away objects.I've seen it in Israel, Egypt, China, Eastern Europe... and I've seen it here, in our own country -- first hand. The insecurity of our world cannot tolerate the real strength of a woman, so they beat them down. They make them believe they have no strength, so many women never even become aware of this immense power within them.Our world persists in believing the lie that physical strength and dominance are meaningful. Would that any of those hellbent on displaying their "strength and bravery" would ever even attempt to endure the pain of creating life, perhaps they would have more respect for it. Or if people could witness, first-hand, as I have, a mother's unwavering love and sacrifice, the strength of taking on the medical establishment, and the countless hours of comforting special needs for a disabled child. Perhaps if we could comprehend the strength and power of this love, we would bow in humility and respect -- for women, for each other, for the most powerful life purpose of nuturing and loving life.

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