Had a nice time at the PMT get-together. Thanks guys!

I too, am disgusted by Scientology. See (e:paul)'s journal Honestly, even if I make fun of the Pope and all, I can actually see value in Catholicism. On the other hand, I really get angry when I see the Scientologists. Their behavior is dangerous and they prey upon the weak. They moved in right next door to our Buddhist center. When one of our organization's leaders found out that they were our neighbors, they immediately began looking for a new location. He does not want anyone to associate us with them by mistake. We are moving soon.

My mother's husband personally knows someone who was used and then discarded by this group. Actually, the guy was slightly mentally handicapped and had received a rather large inheritance after someone in his family died. In Scientology, in order to advance you must spend money. While I see the need for money in religion, this is a huge red flag for me. If someone said look, if you want to be enlightened ,you MUST give us $300, I would run as far as I could. So anyways, this guy spends all of his inheritance money to advance through their programs and when it dries up, they help him fill out a credit application. Long story short, he maxes out his credit limit and then is disposed. While he was a Scientologists he was instructed not to talk to his family.

My experience next to these people has been strange. It seems like they all walk around smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee like eternal zombies in their uniforms. Yes, (e:enknot), they are FREAKS! Most of them refuse to look at me in the eye because they know I am Buddhist. One time my friend Gerry was outside and found a young kid stumbling around after getting clipped by a car while he was ridding his scooter. It turns out he was the son of a Scientologist (haha) his mother was inside the Scientology building. Other Scientology members came out (not the mother) and they refused to call an ambulance. Gerry told me that the kid's speech was slurred either indicating he was drunk, or more likely had a concussion. The Scientology people (the mother never came out) wanted to bring the kid inside and "heal" him. Gerry called an ambulance.

Yesterday I saw a young woman with young children get sucked in by their brainwashing. It really made me sad. How much money will she lose in the hopes to make her life better/happier? Her youngest kid was so cute and he kept pointing at me and wanting her to come over to "our" door. Her older kid I saw dash out of the Scientology building without her and then attempted to cross the street. I had to yell at him to watch the car that probably would have hit him if I weren't standing there. Can't say I blame him though, kids are so perceptive.

I seriously had some issues going to see Hairspray because I didn't want John Travolta to have ANY of my money. I even thought of buying a ticket to another movie, but then I thought that wasn't fair to the other actors/actresses that aren't FREAKS. Why did they choose him to play that part? Let me tell you, he isn't any Divine by any means. Divine may be the filthiest (Pink Flamingos), but Travolta is just a FREAK with lots of money. She is probably rolling over in her grave from the insult.

Good luck in Qatar. You will be missed. Make sure you get me your address and keep us updated. Can't wait to see pictures! You are truly a global citizen. Enjoy the peace proposal I gave you.

Libertad

This website is super informative about what can and can't be recycled. After reviewing the website, I found that I was unaware that I could recycle the following items in the blue bins:

1) Plastic grocery bags (I was bringing them to Wegmans)

2) Egg cartons (No, not the Styrofoam ones that indicate that they come from caged chickens)

3) Toilet paper and Paper towel rolls

4) Motor oil and antifreeze containers (I thought they were not accepted because of their toxic contents)

Other interesting thing I found is that Goodwill actually recycles computers and their components. check this out

BUFFALO, NY, March 9, 2007-- Residents now have the opportunity to have all computer and electronic products recycled at no charge. Goodwill Industries of WNY will provide free recycling of all computers and electronics dropped off at any of 10 convenient locations throughout Erie County. Some of the recycling will provide work opportunities for individuals who will be dismantling these products in Goodwill workshops. The rest of the equipment will be completely recycled by Electronic Recycling Technologies LLC, the largest computer recycler in Western New York.

Goodwill's vision is a community where individuals with barriers to independence are empowered to change their lives through work. So in addition to keeping this material out of local landfills and incinerators, you will be providing an employment opportunity for individuals with disabilities and disadvantages. Goodwill also accepts donations of useable clothing and household items at these locations, as well as direct financial contributions.

This program is for residents only. Businesses, schools and institutions may call Electronic Recycling Technologies at (716) 447-0720 to arrange recycling in compliance with all New York State DEC regulations.

Acceptable equipment for recycling includes:

* Computers
* Laptops
* Monitors, flat panel Monitors
* TVs
* Keyboards, Mice
* Printers, scanners, copiers, faxes
* Audio, video, stereo equipment
* Electronic games,
* PDAs, IPods, Cell phones, digital cameras
* Cables, cords, peripherals, parts, drives

Please no microwaves, no fluorescent tubes or ballasts.
DATA SECURITY: all hard drives received will be overwritten and erased or ground and smelted. No data or software will be left on any hard drive.

Drop-off locations and hours include

Goodwill Stores - open Monday-Saturday 10 am - 5 pm

Airport Plaza, Genesee St & Union Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14225
2655 Delaware Avenue @ Sanders Road, Buffalo, NY 14216
1119 William Street, Buffalo, NY 14206
Town Hall Plaza, 6000 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, NY 14o75
Transit Town Plaza, 4311 Transit Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221

Goodwill Attended Trailers - open Monday-Saturday 10 am - 5 pm

Airport Plaza, Genesee St & Union Rd, Cheektowaga, NY 14225
TOPS, Niagara Falls Blvd. & E. Robinson Rd, Amherst, NY 14228
TOPS, Maple Rd @ North Bailey, Amherst, NY 14226
TOPS, 4250 McKinley Parkway @ Southwestern, Hamburg, NY 14075
TOPS, Maple Rd @ Transit Rd, Amherst, NY 14221

For additional information call:

Goodwill Industries of WNY; 854-3494
Electronic Recycling Technologies LLC; (716) 447-0720

One thing that really gets to me when I'm walking down the street is people who put things in the bins that don't belong because they never bothered to inform themselves of what does. Just because you think it should be recycled doesn't mean that it will be. By not following recycling rules you jeopardize the recycling program by interfering its cost effectiveness. So if your intentions are good (which if you are recycling, I'm sure they are) make sure you know the guidelines.

buffalorecycles.com is definitely a must browse for every environmentally conscious Erie County resident. The website, although missing some links, is very informative.