The Media were just showing us what government officials were saying. They did not question, because that would be unpatriotic.  We put our trust in the government because we wanted to stand as one, especially after 9/11. Our patriotism was exploited.

But the government officials are not sending their brothers and sisters to the front lines. Like many middle class Americans, I have family in the military and I would not want them in harms way unless our country is in real danger.

Perhaps the reporters should have actually investigated their stories, but it is so much easier to just relay the lies...

When you see that the Diamond Ring on display at your local jewlery store, you might think of it as a symbol of love, happiness, and wealth.  Some see it as a symbol of  civil conflicts, poverty, misery, and criminal or terrorist activities. 

A diamond that is bought for $20 from a conflict area could be sold in the USA or the UK for over $100,000.  The huge markup would be motivation for many individuals or companies to purchase conflict diamonds. However, the current system in the USA/UK is self-regulated. Therefore, the company is in charge of itself in making sure that it is following the law (not buying conflict diamonds or forging documents for the diamonds origin)


So remember next time you want to buy a diamond, the real cost may be more than two months salary....

 DONT BUY DIAMONDS (BUY FAKES IF YOU HAVE TO)! SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT "BLOOD DIAMONDS" AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME!



________________Links_You_May_Want_TO_Check_Out__________________

Conflict Diamonds: Jewellers keeping consumers in the dark
A survey of diamond retailers by Amnesty International and Global Witness

The true cost of diamonds - Kimberley Process
Agency Actions Needed to Enhance Implementation of the Clean Diamond Trade Act

Idea #1: 
Political Dolls




Besides making buttons or T-shirts, I think a fun political campaign idea would be to design satire dolls. You can dress them up however you like and make them say crazy things when you pull their strings. They can be made of any media, from plastic to paper. I am sure vodoo dolls would be very popular too.

Dolls May include Warnings like:

May inflate the National Debt

Brain Not Included

Guaranteed war starter

May Increase Taxes

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Idea #2:
Political Satire Product Ads

With all of the movie stars having their own product lines, did you ever think about what political product lines would be like? Kerry selling flip flops? Bush selling bull crap? You decide by creating an advertisement for a political product!

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Idea #3:
Artwork Inspired By Current Events
Bansky 

"Soldier with Spraycan" (Royalty Free)

People have always created artwork that is inspired by what is going on in the world around them. From Edvard Munch's "The Scream" to Bansky's "Soldier with Spraycan",the artist has expressed their thoughts and feelings without speaking a word. Years later, people can just look at their art to know what were the important issues at that time. 

For this brickfish campaign, create a piece of art that is inspired by today's issues. You can draw it, paint it, sculpt it, make a collage from newspaper cuttings... any way you want to get your point across.

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Idea #4:
Political Cartoons
They are in every newspaper, so I am sure you have read many political comics. Have you ever tried to create one? For this campaign, you would create a political comic that shows what you care about from a humorous point of view. Address hard hitting issues with laughs and people will remember what you are trying to say.

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Idea #5:
Letter of Action


Have you ever written a government offical requesting action? From complaining about raising taxes to the need of increased school funding, your letter can make a difference. Is there an issue locally or nationally that you think needs more attention? Well, here is your chance to write that letter and enter it into a blog campaign. Who knows, maybe you will actually send it too!

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If you want to show additional support for these ideas, you can fill out the brickfish political survey and put the following when prompted for a brickfish user name: ambrosialea
You can only fill out the survey once, so make sure this blog is the one you want...

FACT: A 100 lb woman in narrow high heels exerts more pressure-per-square inch when walking than a 6,000 lb elephant in bare feet!

Image from: http://www.nyu.edu


This blog is about those evil torture devices that you may know as stiletto high heels with pointed toes. They force much of your body weight into a squeezing point. They also require quite a balancing act which even with practice, can not come close to someone using your entire foot. How many times have you seen someone in these things fall on their face? I just saw someone fall at their high school graduation on the way up the stairs to get their diploma. That was embarassing.

Ladies: you were not made to be walking around on your toes all day! You have an entire foot for a reason! How is wearing these every day any different than the old Chinese tradition of foot binding ? Because it does no permanent damage? Think again! Ask any foot or back doctor and they will tell you different. 
 
Ashanti, R&B star photo from http://www.ashantithisisme.com/
"I have two bones in my foot which are growing out of place from wearing pointy shoes" -Ashanti


I have an aunt that wears these type of shoe every day for the last 20 years. She is always taking them off at the table because they are uncomfortable, and it makes me want to loose my lunch. Not just because they are feet, but because they are the grossest feet I have ever seen. They have become almost claw-like. Her toes have deformed to be lumpy knobs pointed down and toward the center of her foot. Her middle toe appears to be the longest, but I think that is just because it is the least bent.  She also has a lot of back problems she complains about, but refuses to stop wearing those ugly shoes anyway.

Women always buy these type of shoes a few sizes too large so that the foot is not forced as hard into the pointed toe. Then that unused part of the shoe starts to bend upward as they walk. Once the shoe has been worn a few times, it starts to resemble that of an elf.
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NEW>>>>>>>>>>>WORN A FEW TIMES>>>>>>>>>>SANTA'S HELPER?

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Is This Attractive to you?

So why do women wear these torture devices? I have heard "because men like them".... Oh, sure....but they like any kind of heel, it doesnt have to be the terrible pointed toe skinny heel combination! How about some round toe chunky heels or wedges? Please the guys without hurting your feet!


I call for a boycott!
I ask that you do not vote for this blog. Just spread the word about the evils of these shoes.- Thanks

******TELEPHONE TRANSCRIPT*******
The following would resemble what would happen If I gave the interview....

 



 






































********** END OF PHONE CALL***********

The following was free verse inspired while sitting outside listening to The Beatles

I close my eyes to absorb it all
but it absorbs me
sounds of rich tone and rhythm
I need not listen any more
the music and I are one
I do not feel my body
yet I am moving with the notes
I do not hear the song
I am the melody
this form has no boundaries
sound echoes without walls
I become the universe
everything within my reach
I feel close to heaven and God
then abruptly it all ends
what once took up the cosmos
now in a tiny body
with shaky hands and longing heart