Questionable decision by Google to "Tailor" Itself to Chinese Government Policy

January 28, 2006 at 8:10 am (Uncategorized)

Google has made the decision to “tailor” their China news and search pages to fall in line with Chinese Government policy. This means that any dissenting voices will be eliminated from searches, news will conform to Government policy, and going against its own fine “Ten Things” principals.

“Google has custom built a web search platform that blocks access to unbiased information about Tibet, human rights and other topics sensitive to Beijing. In doing so, Google isn’t just helping the Chinese authorities by censoring “sensitive topics,” it is enabling the Chinese government’s propaganda by returning search results tailored to Beijing’s repressive policies. For example, searching on “Dalai Lama” will only bring results portraying him as a “splittist.””

Please take the time to fill out an online letter of protest to Google’s corporate heads (one button sends a letter to all parties instantly) expressing your concern over this travesty!

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The Wild Parrots of Brooklyn!

January 27, 2006 at 2:28 pm (Uncategorized)


In a fit of nostalgia, I went surfing for anything new on City Island, Bronx, New York. In 1994-1996, my ex and I lived on City Island. I periodically feel rather sad about having had to leave New York and feel the need to catch up on my old neighbourhood.

Imagine my surprise when one of the first sites I came across was included a posting about “the wild parrots of City Island“. Parrots!? City Island?!!??? Firstly, having lived there, I had not seen or heard of parrots, wild or otherwise, living on the island. Secondly, New York is obviously too cold for tropical birds to successfully habituate themselves to the (relative, compared to Ottawa) cold of the northern temperate regions…. Could they?????

How wrong I was!

Apparently, Monk (or Quaker) Parrots (or Parakeets) are not only surviving in New York. They are THRIVING! (as you can see by the photo below)

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Too Cool!

January 3, 2006 at 8:37 am (Uncategorized)

I came across this terrific site which features products which have sustainability, recycling, reusability, etc., in mind.

Everything from jewellery made from old credit cards to a hydrogen and biodiesel powered Hummer Limo, from hemp hats to a solar-powered vibrator (no… I am NOT kidding!)… it has articles on some pretty terrific (and some rather odd-ball, in the case of the vibrator) items. Check it out!

Solar-powered Vibrator (Why? I do not know….)

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