July | 2012 | The Curious Autodidact

July 29, 2012

Elizabeth Warren Rocks with Christopher Lydon on Open Source

Filed under: media related,social justice,women heroes — Honilima @ 9:34 pm

Listening to Elizabeth Warren makes me smile as any regular reader of this blog already knows. Here she is speaking in MA with Christopher Lydon on his “Open Source” radio program.

Once again Ms. Warren shines with her passion for speaking up for the “little guy.” The discussion is lively and her opinions on the money matters of our country are certainly refreshing. She and Lydon speak their minds.

One can’t help but think that Senator Kennedy must be smiling from somewhere knowing she is running for his seat.

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July 26, 2012

Crossing the Borders of Time

Filed under: book related,media related — Honilima @ 10:41 am

NPR’s Diane Rehm‘s interview with Leslie Maitland about her book “Crossing the Borders of Time” is a great introduction to this incredible story and this talented author/daughter of a holocaust survivor.

Pick up the book and you will be swept away by this family story that she was so profoundly touched by her whole life that she went to discover the “rest of the story” with her skills honed by her work as a journalist for the New York Times. The book is thick at 500+ pages but it is so compelling written you will be sad when you get close to the end.

Even if you have read many books about World War II this book gives a different perspective to how one family fled Europe and the difficult life choices that were made as a result of this life saving journey to America. Maitland grew up hearing of her mother’s first love, how she had to leave him when she fled Europe as a result of the war and her telling of this tale makes for an amazing read.

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July 20, 2012

Name That Fastener…

Filed under: helpful hints — Honilima @ 10:50 am

There are plenty of days one feels there’s a screw loose.

When you are looking to find one that’s missing it is helpful to know what to ask for.

Being a big fan of visual displays of information this chart rocks. You can learn new hardware store terms and come to understand what those “dealies” are called that you needed to buy for that project you never completed!

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July 17, 2012

One Person Can Make a Difference: Melinda Gates

Filed under: environmental ideas,media related,social justice,women heroes — Honilima @ 11:57 am

Sky’s the limit!

If you are doubting that one person can rock the planet take a look at this Guardian video of Melinda Gates. Ms Gates talks about how moved she has been by the stories of women around the world who have expressed the wish to have access to more reliable family planning.

It has been estimated that more than 150 million women world wide do not have access to birth control.

We should all applaud The Gates Foundation’s resolve and Melinda’s willingness to speak up although it may contradict her religious upbringing. She has given voice to women who would never have the audience she has earned.

Her stance is brave and will liberate many women she will never meet, from the hardships of continual pregnancy, and poverty that having too many mouths to feed brings.

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