Blood Phones

CNN is reporting on the ills of consumerism...

"They've been called "blood phones."  It's a reference to the fact that some metals used to make smartphones and other electronic gadgets are sourced from war-torn areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Experts say these "conflict minerals" help fuel one of the world's deadliest conflicts. An estimated 5.4 million people have died there from war-related causes, including disease and malnutrition, since 1998, according to the International Rescue Committee."

READ MORE HERE...

This story, and others like it, have enormous implications for humanity.   

We have placed consumerism, technology, luxury, and our "need" for the newest-now, above life.  

Maybe you're like me, and you didn't know this horrible trade existed until the exposing film, Blood Diamond was made.  The movie brought the atrocity to light in such a way, that conflict-free diamonds are now the norm (further proof that art changes humanity).   But now, every time you turn on your smartphone, snap a picture, or play Mario Kart (if that's even still a game), you're most likely contributing to mass-murder.

Here's a list of companies that are working to remedy this attack on humanity:

Intel

HP

Dell

Microsoft

Apple 

Here's a list of companies that still care more about their bottom line and their stock holders:

Nintendo

Canon

Nikon

Sharp

HTC 

Shop wisely folks.  

Tell this story.  

Tell your story.  

Make them one, because they are.

Peace,

Ross 

These are just TOO TOO GOOD!!!

I saw these yesterday and they were far too good to not pass along to you! Spend a few minutes and put a smile on your face the rest of the day...









Now you're amped!
-Ross

Money Money Money Money...

Have you been affected by the financial meltdown?

Do you know anyone who has been?

Truth be told, even if your job is still intact and you own no stocks, you've still been affected by the joblessness and economic downturn.

But hasn't the recent news been uplifting? Every night the news outlets tell us that the recovery money is being allocated and distributed. New jobs are being created. All good right?

CNN.com ran this article this morning:

"hundreds of millions of stimulus dollars were spent in nonexistent congressional districts, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board said Wednesday.

The errors, first reported by ABC News, were seen on Recovery.gov summary pages breaking down how many stimulus dollars were received in each state's congressional districts....

A report released Wednesday by the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity said it found such errors on pages for all 50 states, four territories and Washington, D.C. More than $6.4 billion in stimulus funds was shown as being spent -- and more than 28,420 jobs saved or created -- in 440 false districts, it said."

::READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE::

So, who do we trust? Heck, I had to scroll through CNN's website for a couple minutes before I noticed this. Why? If a company posted 6.4 billion dollars worth of fake income, it would be a top story that no one could miss. (I suppose I should be glad they ran it, but it seemed pretty hidden to me)

1 word. Integrity.

That's all. Discuss amongst yourselves (Mike Meyers style).

Peace,
Ross