Shocking new book!

Naomi Klein, a noted Canadian journalist, has written a book that will shock and awe you and make you mad as hell. But it will also empower you because you'll understand what the heck is going on instead of feeling bamboozled or at the mercy of US decision makers who spend our hard earned tax dollars only to set up their multinational corporate friends to profit from disasters, attacks and news that stuns us.

The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism is the meticulously researched story of how those in power have used it to take advantage of the most vulnerable among us after a disaster of any kind (including war), giving huge rebuilding contracts to their multinational corporate friends while using tax dollars, well-intended volunteers and even the American military to assist in this process.

Essentially it describes creating a socialist nation with the multinational corporations benefiting from and sustained by government decisions and money that strives to privatize *everything* without any regulation or oversight.

Like Blackwater, one of the private armies (run by a right wing Christian extremist) hired by the Bush administration to fight on behalf of the US, which has been free to do as it wishes without any accountability, even when it is accused of killing innocent civilians in Iraq.

Did you know that the horrific torture of Iraqi citizens in Abu Ghriab (almost none of whom had anything to do with terrorists, but who were arrested off the street in hopes of torturing information out of them) was instigated by a private company? Interestingly, only soldiers were photographed with the abused prisoners and held responsible while little or no mention was made of the private company involved.

A nation that instilled this Milton Friedman free-for-all economic template, Chile, saw its economy implode from greed, malfeasance and misfeasance since everyone was out for himself without any regard to the nation or the welfare of its people. The US supported its abusive anti-democracy leader, Augusto Pinochet, called a tyrant by even conservative The Economist magazine.

Please do not take my word for any of this. Read the book and be enlightened so you need not feel victimized again when folks like Bush and Cheney tell you what is happening when you see for your own eyes what they say is not true. Like when Louisiana was still neck deep in water months after the levees broke (money to fix the levees had been diverted to Iraq) while we were told by "the authorities" that progress was being made.

Suddenly, unhappily, after reading "The Shock Doctrine," we can see that we're really not crazy. That we really are seeing the truth of this outright treasonous corruption, no matter what "authorities" tell us to deny that truth. Klein explains this so clearly with so many examples, we'll actually be able to predict what "they" will do next when they attempt to manipulate us, usurp our democratic power and misuse our tax dollars.

The idea is to scare you so you'll give up any decision-making powers you might have to those "in charge;" in fact, going on to manipulate you to actively support their decisions, especially when they ask for more tax money.

They then go on to cavalierly pick the pockets of us average folks while lining the pockets of the multinationals and those in charge.

In case you haven't heard the latest attempt to rewrite history, Karl Rove - the architect of the Republican mess we're in - is now writing a book insisting that Congress made the mistake of voting us into Iraq, not the Bush administration. Sort of like those who deny the holocaust, he's trying to deny his role, as well as that of President Bush and Vice President Cheney in pushing us into the bloodletting quagmire.

Spas and intrigue!

I've never had a spa day, but one of my actors is treating me to one later this week - the best part is that we're sharing the event!

Soakings, massages, mani-pedis, facials, the works!

She is one of the reunion folks of whom I spoke earlier - she was taken away because her sister was in a coma from a very serious car accident; she had to be with her in another state. But her sister's well into a full recovery and she's back! Ready to go, on top of her game.

I'm very excited and ready to receive all that pampering!

Perhaps we should arrange for a ride home since I'm not sure I will be able to drive after so much kneading, indulging, spoiling, and warm temperatures (I normally thrive in a very cool environment - global warming is not my friend).

I imagine myself emerging a flattened gelatinous mass of protoplasm, oozing my way home.

What a treat! Truthfully, the joy of sharing the day chatting with this fantastic woman is just as thrilling as the thought of all that spa intrigue!

'cause to me, time is the greatest gift we can give anyone.

My current favorite YouTube video by a whisker .....

Feline friends chat about the new Desperate Housewives season.

Caution: you may hurt yourself laughing

This is one of those youtube moments in history that everyone involved wishes would disappear - and all of us watching feel a little guilty laughing so hard many have suggested wearing Depends before clicking the url.

As Stephanie Miller says: "We can only think, 'Bless her heart.'"

And now, one of the acts from the 1993 Miss Arizona Pageant - a trumpet solo of "Star Wars Theme." With orchestra. And choreography. And .. oh my. Well, ouch...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wffwg7pA0t8

Bush Saudi friends to beat, imprison rape *victim*

A 19 year old Saudi Arabian young woman who was kidnapped and gang raped will suffer 200 lashes as well as 6 months in jail ... because when she was raped, she was with a man *who was not a relative.*

Originally the Shiite Muslim teenager was supposed to receive 90 lashes because she broke Saudi Arabia's Islamic law that requires separation of men and women. You would not recognize who she is because women are not permitted to show their faces or bodies in Saudi Arabia.

But the Saudi General Court upped her sentence because her lawyer challenged the sentence, appealing their verdict, and she is accused of speaking to someone in the media about the case.

"For whoever has an objection on verdicts issued, the system allows an appeal without resorting to the media," reads the Saudi General Court official statement.

All seven men who raped her and beat the unrelated man she was with are also going to spend some time in jail, their original sentences also doubled, but the length of their incarceration is not known.

In keeping with the Bush administration's support of Saudi Arabia, a State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack did not criticize the Saudis, but is quoted as saying the victim's sentence "causes a fair degree of surprise and astonishment." He also notes, however, that "It is within the power of the Saudi government to take a look at the verdict and change it."

While the US administration may be surprised and astonished, other governments are outraged, calling the situation barbaric and are livid that the victim of violent sexual abuse is going to be beaten and imprisoned.

The result will be that women will not report rape in Saudi Arabia for fear she will also be beaten and imprisoned. Which of course means that rapists won't be identified, caught or punished for raping Islamic women there.

These Saudi friends are the same people to whom the US is selling billions of dollars of state of the art weapons; the majority of terrorists who attacked the US on 9-11 were Saudis, Saudis are financing those fighting the US in Iraq, and many Saudis are in fact inside Iraq, fighting US forces.

I've always wondered why the Bush administration is so upset with the help Iran is providing those fighting the US in Iraq when the Saudi assistance to insurgents financially and with personnel has overshadowed the Iranian participation by far.

These are the questions I wish reporters would ask the President at his press conferences, especially when gas prices are expected to reach $4.00/gal within the next few months thanks to our problems with the Middle East, in which our Saudi "friends" don't seem to be able to help us out and that is apparently OK with the Bush administration.

If you would like to share your opinion with the Saudi Arabian Embassy in the US, here's the contact info:

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
Tel.: 202-342-3800
Fax: 202-944-3140

Meanwhile, I should add that it is just in Saudi Arabia that women have such repressive "laws" by which they are supposed to live: they cannot be in the company of a man who is not a relative; the cannot drive a vehicle, they cannot vote, they are not to show their face or body, and they cannot hold a job.

Other Muslim nations "permit" women to do most of these things. Islamic law is interpreted and enforced differently in each Muslim nation.

Reunited and it feels so good!

The most wonderful phenomenon has glided into my life - reunions.

Several people from my past have reconnected with me, which has made my life just a little more thrilling. More, our special bond has been re-solidified, making it stronger and more exceptional than ever. There is a sense that the extraordinary bond with each person will never be allowed to wane again by either of us.

Some people drifted away, some have been distanced by less than amicable circumstances (usually cases of mis- or lack of communication) and others have moved away but are returning to this area.

They're making arrangements (or have already) to see me for extended quality time, which I love. They'll be surprised when they see the results of me working out at booty camp and changing lots of eating and lifestyle choices to be truly healthy and super fit.

The extent of the change in my appearance doesn't occur to me until they say something, then I feel great that they notice and appreciate the "new" me. Wait 'til they see me in another four months!

I tend to let people go as they wish or need to with very little need to "hang on" to them, though I certainly do miss people with whom I've bonded and formed friendships. Especially if we had fun!

The degree to which I miss people is generally equal to the level of laughter in our relationship; or it can be the depth with which we connect or the honesty and clarity with which we communicate.

Doing the things we enjoyed doing before losing touch is especially enjoyable. One particularly close friend and I had the most fabulous time last year for the holidays. I didn't know she'd be here from New York for the holidays this year! So we're going to do all the things we did last year to celebrate the season, beginning an annual holiday ritual!

There is something so rewarding to picking up where we left off with any close friend; it's especially wonderful and perhaps a little nostalgic, I think, during the holidays.

I can only say I wish this feeling of closeness, renewed communication, forgiveness and fun for everyone.

Peace out!

Actors needed for formal screenplay reading

I'm directing a formal feature film script actor's reading for my new screenplay (written with Chris Koruga), The Herbalist ("You don't need to be Chinese to have a fearless Chinese heart.") in January for investors and industry professionals. Excellent food and refreshments will be served.

I'm looking for:
Chinese/Asian actors - all types, ages, looks, women and men
Caucasian women actors - early 20's, if you can play teen - great!
African American actors - women/men 40+

Executive Producer: Chris Koruga
Writer/director: Colleen Patrick (hey! That' me!)

Please send HARD COPY HEADSHOTS/RESUMES ONLY to:
Colleen Patrick
11328 28th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125 attn: The Herbalist

Auditions and performance will take place in a downtown Seattle studio and theatre.
Audition: Saturday, January 12
Rehearsal: Saturday, January 26

Performance: Monday, January 28

This is a *mainstream,* A-level, non-stereotyped characters script. I'm looking for performers with range for this stage performance to match the quality of the screenplay.

NO EMAILS/CALLS/ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS, PLEASE

Because of the security surrounding this project, all participants will be required to sign a confidentiality/nondisclosure agreement to prevent leaks about its content.

Deadliest US year in Iraqi war with zero progress

As one CNN reporter put it, although the military "surge" in Iraq may have seen some temporary success, temporarily healing one isolated illness, the patient may be dying.

After six years, the Iraqi government, under a hand picked Bush "leader," has once again failed to reach any agreement or come up with any plan to work together for peace and the future of the country. The factions of the civil war there remain unmoved or unconvinced to change their stands or positions, so their war will continue with business as usual, with our soldiers caught in the middle.

Which means that US soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen are losing their lives and limbs in record numbers while the Iraqi government has made literally no political progress toward peace.

Political solutions are what make peace possible, but there are none because representatives of the factions there can't figure out how to get along. Just like they haven't for hundreds of years.

Capitalism is encouraged, however, hoping that business relationships can help Iraqis put salve on historical wounds with money. The US government is funding grants to individual Iraqis so they can open their own businesses.

I'd love for Americans to receive grants to open businesses as well, but then these Iraqis have had their nation and homes and commerce destroyed by President Bush starting a war there, so it's part of a massive, multi-billion dollar reconstruction attempt.

Unfortunately as soon as reconstruction happens, it's generally destroyed by civil war fighting.

For this, the Bush administration is spending more than 2.4 Trillion dollars on this never ending war that you and I and our kids must repay (approximately $40,000 for every one of us) because it's *borrowed.*

Many billions of dollars sent over to Iraq have literally been "lost." It's been handed out like cheap candy to win over people who only turned around and spent it trying to kill US soldiers and rid the nation of the US presence. Many more billions have been squandered on mercenaries like Blackwater, a private enterprise army hired by the Bush administration to beef up the lack of American soldiers needed to fight in Iraq. Mercenaries are paid far more than US soldiers.

Several members of Blackwater have been accused of killing innocent Iraqi civilians two months ago but have not even been questioned as of today by the FBI. The military has no control over them.

Mind you, the administration is demanding much more money from congress for the military to pour down that Middle Eastern black hole without spending money needed by US kids for health care, a decaying national infrastructure and other causes that would help the USA financially, socially, structurally and individually.

But the news is not bad for everyone - under Bush/Cheney priorities, the one group benefiting is multinational corporations, people who are their friends, comrades and peers.

Booty camp report card!

Well, coach Kimae Dolan gave me the equivalent of straight A's at the end of my second month of Seattle Weight Loss Boot Camp!

I'm thrilled, and as surprised as I am to be doing as well as I am, I know I show up and give 100% every day, just as I do everything in my life. It hasn't actually just been about weight loss for me as much as becoming terrifically fit, nimble, limber, energetic, strong and healthy.

In addition to exercising out-of-doors early four days a week and following up with complimentary activities the other three, Kimae helps us review and renew our eating habits. Mine have changed drastically over the past two and a half months, and I have to say with her guidance it hasn't seemed like a big deal or difficult, but I have been highly motivated and eagerly inquisitive about learning how to do it differently and make it enjoyable.

Groats have been my favorite discovery, thanks to my friends Adrienne and Penny!

Flax bread made with and without flour have been another tasty addition to my nutrition; regular commercial bread no longer has any appeal to me.

OK, here's my booty camp report card from coach Kimae - the numbers indicate my initial test the first of September, then at the end-of-boot-camp month-long sessions in September and October (mind you, none of this is posted to brag, just to, um, inspire you. Right, right. It's all about you...).

---------------

Push-Up: 21.5/23.6/*29.6* per minute: EXCELLENT increase here CP! You're one of only 10 people in the entire September Session to have increased her test numbers for the push-up. You should be very pleased with your progress here. These numbers speak to a strong improvement in upper body and core strength as well as overall endurance. Well done!!

**Another strong and steady increase on the Push-Up here CP**

Bum Lift, 35/21: The decrease here reflects both a proper use of form and the endurance of the extra minute added for testing. The numbers here tell me you were working slow and strong, actively lifting the leg, not swinging by on momentum. These are the kind of numbers we want to see for this type of exercise.

Great job here!

Overhead Bicep, 26/35.6: Again, an excellent increase in an area where most participants will decrease with the additional minute added for testing. Great show of endurance and a progressive building of upper body strength!

Plank, 15/63/*100* from an out loud count: Excellent numbers here CP. Shows a dramatic increase in strength and stamina. Very good core utilization as well (Good for toe push-ups!).

**Seriously, that last Plank was amazing!!!!**

I am just so impressed with your progress! Everyone has done really well on their Fit Tests, but you are one in just a few to have strong consistent increases overall.

Iraq "weapons of mass destruction" stories a hoax

CBS's Sixty Minutes' reporter Bob Simon finally told the factual story that had been swirling in rumor for nearly seven years: that the person who provided stories about "weapons of mass destruction" supposedly being developed by Sadam Hussein were completely false.

His nickname was Curveball, an Iraqi refugee who wanted to live and work in Germany. To help his cause, he fabricated stories he thought might give him a leg up to get the equivalent of an American green card to live and work in Deutchland. Phony stories of manufacturing biochemical materials in Iraq.

All untrue, and in fact, German intelligence, when they released his stories, noted in every case that everything he said "could not (as in NOT) be confirmed."

UN inspectors reported there was no evidence of Iraq developing "weapons of mass destruction." They were pulled out when President Bush sent in soldiers to fight his imaginary villain.

The Bush administration was so adamant about going to war with Iraq, they passed on the bogus stories. Even US UN Representative Colin Powell quoted a report about the "eyewitness" who was in fact no eyewitness at all.

Curveball claimed to be a biochemist, and by golly, wouldn't you know, the slightest, most elementary investigation of his education and work history showed everything he claimed about his background to be false.

This is why nearly 4,000 Americans have lost their lives in the civil war that the US fomented, why nearly 30,000 of our troops have been injured, most of them seriously.

The head of the CIA, George Tenent, did not pay attention to German intelligence warnings that "Curveball's" stories could not be confirmed, nor Tenent's bosses, who also received the same information.

This is the reason other nations objected to the incursion of a sovereign nation, Iraq, by the US. They consider the war illegal because there was not a shred of evidence that showed American security was in jeopardy. Some argue even planning the war against Iraq and Iran is illegal, against international law.

When you go to the CBS 60 Minutes page, the video of the story is nearly 15 minutes long; one US intelligence officer who warned others that the information was not enough to start a war is included in this report and has a stand alone statement as well.

By the way, the Iraqi refugee who lied to German intelligence did get his card to live and work in the country and could not be found.

Please remember this malfeasance, incompetence and misfeasance of office when you hear about the need to bomb Iran and start another war. The only result of George Bush's "avoid a third world war" rhetoric is higher gas prices, filling the already full pockets of his oil industry and stock market playing buddies beyone their wildest dreams.

Nothing has changed in Iran over the past several years, but since the Bush administration won't talk with them, apparently the President wants to go to war with people he doesn't talk to.

Meanwhile, because the Bush adminstration moved troops from the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, where Osama bin Laden (behind the 9-11 attacks on the US), al qeda, and the Taliban are holed up, havoc is now wrecked in that area. Unless that area is restabilized, ultra-conservative Muslims stand a chance to take over there, which could be a frightening development because Pakistan, thanks to the US, already has nuclear weapons. Iran does not.

Congress tried - and failed - to impeach Bill Clinton for a reprehensible personal, but private, failing.

I don't understand why impeachment proceedings are not already underway against George Bush and Dick Cheney for their reprehensible and unforgivable public failings to every person who has lost life and limb in a senseless, useless, never ending war in the Middle East - a war that has destabalized the world - for which there was not a single fact, no endangerment of our national security or a single reason to fire the first shot.

Sadly, there are those uninformed people who drank the Bush Kool-Aid and continue to spread venomous, inflammatory anti-Muslim, anti-Middle Eastern information, based only on hateful bigotry.

Waterboarding

Is torture.

Torture is illegal - against international and national law. It's a preferred torture because until an autopsy, there generally is no physical evidence of torture when it's used.

The reason President Bush's new Attorney General candidate is already compromised is because the CIA (cough/sneeze- used waterboarding) "may" have waterboarded suspects they captured.

If the AG declares to congress that he finds waterboarding against the law is that he would find that he might have to take legal action against CIA employees who are identified as using it under orders. That would put the administration and individual CIA agents in for legal action against them if the AG believes they've broken the law on two levels: 1) issuing the order, 2) carrying out an order that is illegal. The Nuremberg Trials declared that soldiers do not have to obey an illegal order.

Much as the Bush administration claims torture is helpful to flipping suspects, and anyone in the adminstration who disagrees with them is fired.

Here are the facts:

1) Torturing enemy combatants only makes them hate the US even more because they believe we're such hypocrites - claiming to be this positive, peace-loving, humane nation when we are allowed to use torture.

2) Think of how patriotic you would feel resisting torture to turn on your country. Senator (R-AZ) John McClain knows how that feeling all too well. Torture inspires a patriotic courage because it makes the enemy feel inhumane, less than human. So when you're tortured you do talk. But you lie. You buy yourself more time before you have to deal with that pain again. The time it takes them to figure out you've lied. You tell them anything in order to get them to stop. You confess. Tell them anything they want to know - in the way they want to hear it, which in most cases is not true.

3) Torturing the enemy gives them the excuse they need to torture US soldiers. Soldiers are put at extraordinary risk when they hear of the CIA or others torturing suspects. If the suspects are killed during torture, somehow the word gets out and the enemy does all it can to make the lives of US soldiers a painful, horrific hell. If you don't already know, I'm a US Air Force veteran.

4) Those outside the US claiming they know we use waterboarding give the US no credibility in its insistence that human rights be a negotiating issue.

These are just a few reasons torture only backfires, especially when it's given to people who already think we are the embodiment of Satan.

Stephanie Miller's father, William Miller who ran as Barry Goldwater's vice presidential running mate in 1964, was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials, that put notorious Nazi's on trial for crimes against humanity. Stephanie reports her father told her he got more information out of his adversaries playing chess with them than others did torturing them to get information.

Believe me, I used to think that torture was the only way to get violent people to talk, but found out to my shock that in fact the less violence used on violent people, the more apt they are to flip and give accurate information. It just requires more ingenuity, relationship skills and understanding the enemy. If you have those elements, getting correct information can be much faster than getting bogus info, then taking a bunch of time and costing lives in the process, only to find out they lied.

Talk about propaganda - during the "cold war" between the US and Soviet Union? The Soviets were told - and they believed it - that we Americans were *cannibals.* That we would kill, cook and eat them if we won the cold war.

Imagine what the folks fighting us in the Middle East are told about us - and how their animosity only elevates every time an instance like Abu Ghraib takes place. Only in this case instead of being rumors that could be denied by the Bush administration, we actually saw photographic and heard audible evidence of the US torturing and abusing prisoners - who were not even identified as insurgents.

Good vibes!

The executive producer and his partner are thrilled with the first draft of the new screenplay; November is dedicated to finessing and rewriting it to make it as perfect as it can be.

We'll have an actor's reading -- where I cast actors to portray the characters in a sit-down read - in December for potential investors, film industry folks and "earthlings" - real people - after which we're creating a production schedule unless it's picked up by a studio -- which wouldn't happen until the Writer's Guild of America strike is over.

What a lot of work -- research, details, character development and dialogue finessing. But I must say I'm very proud of it.

Wow. It feels so good to have escorted this high caliber script through a powerful, quality first draft, on its way to an excellent finish.

Next month I'll be finessing my two romantic comedy feature scripts and either talk with non-signatory producers or do what I can to get the scripts produced or sell them without crossing the WGA "picket line."

What an enriching experience this last script development and writing has been. I love writing scripts that have so much substance and depth they change my life. I guess that's why I write -- all four scripts I've worked on this year have been like that. VERY kewl.

I may even take a day off to play in honor of the work!

I'll let you know every detail as soon as I am free to disclose everything!