Fresh Friday Finds

//asapblogs.typepad.com/news/images/2007/07/10/mccain.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.1. John McCain is insane! See MoveOn’s “10 Things to Know About John McCain“. Spread the hate, people – he certainly is. McCain opposes a woman’s right to choose. The Children’s Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God’s punishment for gay rights. Blach!

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2. Kitchen Hell! (Yes, Gordon planned to eat the lamb depicted – but was beat to the chase last summer by a predator that found the lamb on the sexy Beckhams’ estate.) After his cheesy Paris “Kitchen Nightmare” episode, Gordon Ramsey’s chef skills have proven to fail miserably when it comes to veg food. Girlie Girl: Chloe Jo and I wrote him letters, challenging him to prepare a vegan meal in NYC among fine veg dining establishments like Candle 79, Blossom, Counter, and Pure. We suggest you do the same. See our letters HERE.

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3. Scandal! Thanks to Ari at Scent of Scandal, (home of soy candles like “Double D” that smells like Melons) we find that Al Gore recently gave a speech on TED.com which is kind of like a brief addendum to An Inconvenient Truth. It’s about 30 minutes long and is quite inspiring. He’s extremely passionate and moving.

4. Oceans in Danger! Speaking of Al Gore, I had the opportunity to meetalgore and get photographed with him last night at Current TV’s advertising event. I’ve produced videos for Current in the past, and plan to do more in the future. I was shocked, however, to find beef & shrimp – two of the most notoriously ecologically destructive foods for global warming and oceans being served AT AL GORE’S EVENT. All I would eat were damned vegetable kabobs and liquor. In Peggy Bundy’s voice, “AaaaL!”

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5. Free Trade? Assasinations! The Columbia/US trade deal that Nancy Pelosi and Teamsters General Prez Jim Hoffa (official Obama supporter) are pissed-off about has to do with the fact that more than 2,500 trade unionists have been assassinated in Colombia, and very little has been done to bring their murderers to justice. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/teamsters_logo.gif

“All of these trade deals are hurting American workers, but this one is especially bad because of Colombia’s horrible human rights record,” Hoffa said. “No agreement with Colombia should be considered until the government prosecutes the killers of trade unionists and until the union killings stop. Already this year, 11 trade unionists have been killed. It will take years to address the decades of violence and impunity that has taken place.”

For more info: http://www.teamster.org/

6. Guns Germs and More Germs! Speaking of Current TV, I grabbed this news story off of their homepage:

“Amazonian tribes have called for film and television crews to be banned from their territories after a British production company was accused of starting a flu epidemic that killed four members of a remote Indian people.

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As if we hadn’t already done enough to completely fuck over all indigenous peoples, we are systematically destroying all hope for human survival after civilization. These are the only people who know how to survive succesfully (look at their track record!) outside of our civilization – when they go away, so does their intimate knowledge of the earth – knowledge we are less and less likely to recover as every single day goes by. Shame!

7. Animal Planet Goes Ape-Shit! Animal Planet’s new series RAW NATURE,//216.122.128.205/images/uploads/ANIMAL-PLANET.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. gives viewers:

“… an unprecedented and immersive look at the intersection between human nature and animal instinct. The fearless filmmakers of RAW NATURE strike out across the globe to give first-hand accounts of dedicated wildlife professionals working to help animals survive human encroachment. Among other stories, the series showcases a man who’s dedicated his life to rescuing poached sloth bears forced to entertain and dance on the streets of Agra, India, and a biologist in Sumatra who’s doing everything she can to help save the orangutan population from total extinction.”

Only time will tell if this is a legit show trying to help animals – or just another “extreme” nature show exploiting and stereotyping nature. RAW NATURE premieres Tuesday, April 29, at 9 PM (ET/PT) and airs for five consecutive weeks.

8. Organic Hemp, Greek Boating Cap. This hat is quite handsome. 100% Organic Hemp, from Ecolution.

Ecolution Organic Hemp Greek Boating Hat

9. Spring Mariners. These ‘vegetan’ slip-ons from Vegetarian Shoes UK are perfect for summer. Made in Portugal, %100 vegan.

10. Pest Pardon. Humans aren’t the only pests that thrive in spring and summer. Don’t you hate the term ‘Pest’ anyway? If you get a rodent that you didn’t invite or rescue from a lab – use the Humane No-Kill Trap. Please? It’s only $12 and you can use it over and over.

Humane No-Kill Mousetrap

10 Spring Essentials

This is the 10 Spring Essentials list you won’t find on men.style.com , however, on that website you will find an obnoxious video about the rich, rotund, ‘hipster’ (what does that even mean anymore?) Gordon Hull, of Surface to Air, running around in limos and eating foie gras stuffed-hamburgers. Dude! Major gross-out! Find out why meat is not so manly HERE. I guess some of us who find ourselves in positions of influence still have no clue how to use it or what re-defining ‘cool’ is. Gordon, #1 is for you:

1. Burger at Counter

counterburger.jpgThis has to be the best burger I’ve ever had. Hands down. Oh, did I mention it’s vegan? It’s an irresistable and manly blendmarried in a fever of wild mushroom paté, house-made seitan & fresh herbs served with pommes frite. Try it along with the “Married in a Fever” martini, a perfect Johnny Cash-inspired red wine-poached pear nectar and smoked pear infused vodka that’ll send you to Valhalla. This East Village spot is great for a date, a gathering, or just a glass of organic wine.Dennis Brown

2. A Pair of Shoes

In an ideal world we’d all be dumpster-diving and thrifting, but if you must have squeaky-clean new kicks this spring (so you can play the part to get into a position of influence, to then unleash your agenda, right?), score yourself a pair of these NOVACAS ‘Dennis Brown’ shoes from the Mooshoes store, like I did. They are handmade in Portugal, eco-friendly, animal free, reasonably priced, and slick as all hell. NO VACAS means “No Cows” in Portuguese. One more reason to move to Europe.

3. The Media Empowerment Kit

MEKNot just for Teachers — Adbusters’ Media Empowerment Kit will inspire you or your students to break out of the media consumer trance! Comes with a years subscription to Adbusters Magazine, a necessity for any Discerning Brute – now that’s smart!

Originally designed as a flexible teachers’ aid, the kit features 43 lesson ideas, including personal challenges, group activities, discussion starters and eye-opening readings. Lessons are divided into three areas: Explore Your Mental Environment, Explore Your Physical Environment and Create Your Own Meaning.

4. Bubble StickersWhat War?

On the topic of creating your own meaning: jiu-jitsu advertising from a one way profit-seeking brain-fuck to an empowering, democratizing experience by participating in the bubble project. Advertisers pollute the mental environment and bombard us with branded messages incessantly. Take back a piece of public space, say something, talk back!

5. Voltaic Generator Bag

Voltaic Generator BagImagine what MacGyver would have done for one of these? The Voltaic Generator is the first solar bag powerful enough to charge a laptop. It uses high efficiency solar cells to generate power in the limited space available. It includes a battery pack custom designed to efficiently store and convert the electricity generated. It can also charge cell phones and most other hand held gadgets. Shell, webbing, mesh and lining all made from 100% recycled PET soda bottles!

6.Chino Shorts

Don’t whine. Chinos are classic, and they are so easy to find at any Salvation Army or your grandpa’s closet, there’s no need to get a new pair like these smoke-gray Helmut Lang, plaid Etro, mondo John Varvatos, and bismark blue Miu Miu. Cuff ‘em, too.

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7. A SmellHerban Cowboy

Whip yourself into shape with Herban Cowboy’s line of Organic Grooming potions. Deodorant, cologne, shaving cream, and soap! Original and Dusk scented – Soy ink on recycled packaging, organic & vegan ingredients – and hella’ sexy. No patchouli here, you dirty hippies.

8. Vegan Condoms

Vegan Condoms Did you know most condoms contain milk protein? Not so sexy. Talk about a milkshake…yuck. Vegan Glyde condoms to the rescue! They use the sexiness of cocoa powder instead, and work just as well as their milky counterparts. These flavored and colored condoms are free of animal ingredients. I like the black ones! Order a bunch here.

9. A Shelter PupShelter Pup

This is Marky. He needs a dad to hang out with. Look at his floppy ear! My friend Amy runs Sugar Mutts Rescue, it’s great if you’re in New York City. HSUS has a huge resource on adoption nationally. Adopt a New York City animal in need today from NYCACC, BARC, Sugar Mutts Rescue and ASPCA.

10. A Bike

recycle a bicycleIf you haven’t gotten a set of wheels, how else do you intend to participate in Critical Mass while showing off your short, vintage chinos and trailing a dusk-scent while charging your voltaic bag that’s strapped to your back? Check out Recycle-a-bicycle (3 locations in NYC).