Well Covered

I really liked your last cover (Jan-March 2007) with its focus on healthy relationships, rather than hyper-sexuality and unattainable physical perfection.

Thanks, Murray. We received several similar comments. Our younger readers (see above) apparently liked it, too!

Global Warming Skeptic

There is no question we are in a warming period. The magnitude of contribution by humans is the question. If the transfer of heat from the inner planet to the outer planet is considered in the ocean/atmosphere calculations, I wonder what the result would be. This overlooked mechanism is possibly the largest heat transfer to the ocean. Weather scientists are missing what they cannot see below them—it's out of sight so it is out of mind. The greatest weather control for the US is probably El Nino, and no one knows what causes it.

The biosphere flourished every time there was heating. During the last heating around 1000 AD, grapes grew in NE Canada—that's why the Vikings called it Vineland. Maybe heating is good.

I'm a Greenie. So I'm in favor of any cut back in emissions just from a pollution standpoint. What to do? Every country should cut back an equal percentage. Other nations want the US to lower our levels first, but why should we? China and India and Russia are much less efficient at controlling their pollution than the US. For the US to do this [as recommended by the Kyoto Protocol] would be the ultimate expression of socialism.

We appreciate your letter because it gets to the heart of the global warming "controversy," which is less controversial than you realize. (See "Global Warming Update" in this issue's Healthy Living News.) The overwhelming consensus of climatologists worldwide is that human activity is 90% responsible for global warming. Unless we curtail our CO2 emissions we could experience unprecedented disaster: flooding of every major coastal city, worldwide drought, and massive disruptions of agriculture. As one scientist put it, "Would you eat a sandwich if I told you that there was an 80% chance it contained the deadly botulism virus?" The risk of continuing potentially suicidal behavior far outweighs the inconvenience of making changes now.

What to do? The United States generates almost 1/4 of the world's CO2 pollution, the largest man-made contribution to global warming. As the world's biggest polluter it is our responsibility to be in the forefront of change. Conservation and alternative energy technologies are key. If we phase in hybrid cars and LED bulbs, better insulate our homes, and shut down or upgrade coal burning power plants, we would greatly reduce our CO2 emissions. Investing in solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, and (arguably) nuclear energy technologies will also move us toward sustainability.

Where we lead, China, India, Russia, and other nations will inevitably follow. Let's lead responsibly!

Healing The Spirit

Because a few months ago my cured colon cancer returned to the liver, concern and chemo have left me spiritually and physically spent.

Although not Catholic, as a child I went often with my spiritually eclectic mother to Novena's at a wonderful little red church just off 7th and 50th street in New York. I loved attending, and still have the same little blue Novena book - which, now being a Senior, is almost threadbare.

This morning, for the first time in many years, I searched for my Novena book, found it, and went through the complete service—words, songs, Latin refrains. After the Novena, I went to my bookshelf to get one of many health books, and out fell to the floor your article I had cut out from the OPEN EXCHANGE MAGAZINE, called "The Simplest Way Home to God: Practicing the Presence." The article was dated April 2004!!

The topic was how to remain in the Present and in the Presence of God, to call on God and say: "I am in the Presence of God!" This totally resonated because, as a church choir member, I've always LOVED a selection called CORAM DEO - IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

I usually say GOD BE WITH ME, but not that wholeheartedly. But now I'm going to continuously wholelheartedly affirm that I'm the Presence of God RIGHT NOW!! in all I do. You also said "We are all a gateway or 'crossing' of the Divine into this dimension, so we are divine, so receive the gift NOW!" That is such an astoundingly exquisite understanding! Thank you!!

Tobias Lars, author of the OPEN EXCHANGE article that so touched Louise, kindly forwarded this letter to us. This reinforces our belief that healing the spirit is ultimately the most powerful healing that can occur.

Sign Me Up!

I love your publication and have been picking it up when I can for many many years. I read that you can mail to people upon request. If so, please sign me up!

Subscriptions are free for Northern California residents, so consider yourself subscribed! You can also find complete listings, events calendar, special features, daily news updates, and archives online at www.openexchange.org.