last summer i wrote a blunt, heart-felt, brutally honest e-mail to kate mucci, co-host of "Out There TV" (as seen on saturday afternoons, channel 12, for local corvallis residents). my e-mail inspired kate to write a column where she put forth some of my questions to the american public. sadly, only 3 people commented and they did nothing but gripe (understandably) about their own problems and whine how we need good leaders to make the changes. that was not my point nor was it kate's point. no real conversation was started. at all. the point was AS INDIVIDUALS, WHAT DO WE WANT FOR OUR COUNTRY AND WHAT ARE WE WILLING TO DO TO CREATE THIS KIND OF ENVIRONMENT?
sigh. dontcha just want to smack some people upside the head at times?! i sure did after reading the dismal commentary.
so i thought to try it again. i'm putting it out there for all of you who want a different social system. a different government. a different world. a different way of living. i will ask you those questions i asked kate. then to be fair, i'll answer them myself.
1) what kind of a world do you wish to see?
2) what kind of a government do you wish to see?
3) what do you value?
4) what would you like to see change?
5) what steps are you willing to take to make these changes?
6) what are you willing to risk (if anything)?
here is how, today, i would answer those questions.
1) my vision is pretty utopic, which i realize according to the dictionary means it's ideal but not practical. bullshit. whatever we can envision WE CAN CREATE. period. that being said, i see a world without hunger, without poverty, without homelessness, without human-created suffering. i see a world where all are truly equal. i see a world where human worth and dignity are valued over money. i see a world with small communities that are self-sustaining. i see a world where all have an equal opportunity to create meaningful work, where our god-given talents and gifts are put to use. i see a world where either bartering is the way or a world where wages are sufficient to provide for the basic expenses: home ownership, food, clothing, transportation, medical/health care. i see a world where work hours are flexible and meet the needs of the employer and employee equally. i see a world where we are encouraged and supported to heal our wounds and talk openly with one another. connect in the way we are meant to connect. i see a world where our air and water are clean. i see a world where monetarily speaking, people are equal--no more class system. i see a world where ALL work is valued. and for those who are unable to work or even unwilling, government-provided income to maintain a livable, dignified existance. (what, honestly, is so threatening to any of us if someone chooses not to work? how does it interfere with my health or happiness? i first came across that discussion in one of the conversations with god books and it's changed my view on the subject.)
2) what kind of a government do i want? a government that is honest, that represents the people, that doesn't tax the people but instead derives revenue from commerce. i want a government that takes care of its people at home and stays out of the nation building business. i want a government that promotes peace and conflict resolution. i see an election process that allows for a variety of parties to run irregardless of money. i see an election process that invites ALL parties to debate in public. i see an end to these lavish campaign dinners and instead free (or sliding scale fees) town halls. if this government does not follow the will of the people, the people can toss him/her out on the street and "hire" another. the articles mentions socialism is anethema to the american psyche. likely very true. if so, our psyche needs some fine-tuning for a fair and just society includes an equal sharing of the wealth and programs to help out those who otherwise lack the ability or support.
3) what do i value? my heart: honesty. love. fairness. kindness. my relationships. peace. quiet. health. nature. animals. my brain: money. power. fame. recognition. acceptance. justice. can these co-exist in ways so that these seemingly polar-opposites don't crush the other? heck if i know. i'm still getting to know myself.
4) what do i want to see change? an end to the chaos. an end to the lying. an end to the game playing. an end to competition. an end to this frantic lifestyle we've helped create. i want to see us look into the eyes of each other and see ourselves. see our common bond. i want our common bonds discussed. i want to see people spending more time (oh so much more time) enjoying the company of one another, enjoying nature, playing again and less time (oh so much less time) working hard to keep up with the joneses, less time working hard so that another may profit.
5) what steps am i willing to make to see such changes? well for starters, i would love to help create a small community of like-minded folks--create a new model of living. i am willing to take the risk in being open and vulnerable in sharing who i am. i am willing to demand more from my employer. i am willing to continue to write and blog and speak out about my ideas. as far as demanding more from our government--that's a tough one. i have utterly no faith in these folks. there may be a few authentic souls of course, but overall, they aren't going to see to it that we are all treated with the dignity and respect and decency and love we each are worthy of. i'm willing to help support an organized movement to create a new system--however, my focus is on a more local level. that is what i feel called to do. (in the interim though i am so flipping worn out at every level imaginable from the healing/awakening/learning work i've been doing--i could use a good 6 months in hawaii on a beach being waited on around the clock my only question of the day being "hmm, i wonder when i should schedule that massage". if i were a wealthy woman--or access to oprah's bank account-- i would have two tickets in hand yesterday!)
6) what am i willing to risk for these changes? right now? not a lot. i'm not strong enough. i feel i take a chance by posting some of my thoughts online (trust me--many of these blogs i post leave me wanting a nap). perhaps when i am stronger or when i feel more of a sense of support--when i can trust in that--feel safe--then i will be willing to be more publically outspoken. i have moments where the desire to continue forward greatly conflicts with a desire to say "screw it all"--sell our belongings, move someplace that is a lot cheaper (in terms of housing for certain), near the mountains, and make money selling crafts. do a lot less of this modern way of living and more of this 'livin' off the land'. as mentioned above, i am--we are-- in such a need of a real vacation. sigh......i can almost feel the breeze on my face.........(please though don't post a suggestion about taking a mental vacation! i do that often. i need to take my body with me!)
let's get the dialogue going!
5.07.2007
5.06.2007
Death
What a morbid sounding title. It's all I could come up with though. While I usually never have much of a problem finding something to babble on about, coming up with titles is tricky for me at times. I wonder if someone has a blog dedicated to sharing titles that we bloggers can use.
I received one of those phone calls you don't wish to receive this morning. My great uncle died. Considering he's been very sick and in hospice for the past 5 months, his death was to be expected. However, I'm never completely prepared for the words: "they're dead." Even though I didn't know him that well, and even though I have had to admit I never really liked him much and was, overall, always uncomfortable around him, it was still painful news. He's been on my mind all day.
Death hits me at this very strange, scary place, that place where I feel completely vulnerable, completely out of control. I don't like going to that place, although I know the freedom of doing so. I know to avoid that space I keep myself held prisoner in a way.
We won't be going to the funeral for many reasons. While some are logistical, most have to do with the idea that "bonding" with my family, who I have come to describe as familiar strangers, is enough to make me throw up--and I don't mean that in a metaphoric way. I remember when my grandpa died. I was 17 at the time. I adored him. Everyone stood around like zombies. I don't remember any hugging. I don't remember any real talking or reminiscing. I do remember the drinking and my cousin and her friends hurting me with their snide remarks and relentless teasing over god knows what. I remember thanking god I would be 18 soon and could thus stop attending these family events that had quite literally traumatized me since I was a child. I ended up memorializing my grandpa in my own way in the years to come. One such way was by getting married on his birthday. I remember at the time thinking maybe this would help bridge the gap in some way between me and the family. Instead I received grief for having a wedding on a weekday. Oh well. Sometimes you just gotta say 'wtf' and do your own thing.
I heard Sylvia Brown say the following this past week: "Death is a relief. A celebration. We're finally free from life on earth which is the real hell." While I don't believe it is living on earth that is hell (it certainly doesn't have to be anyway), I do believe, or want to believe, that death provides a sense of WHEW. How am I to really know that though? While I believe in past lives and have had enough strange experiences that validate some of my own, I don't recall any of my other deaths, so there is still that great unknown. That's what I fear the most--that fear of the unknown. What will happen to me? Where will I go? What if I don't make it? What if I just linger, lost and alone? My first plan is to explore the universe. A free trip. No expenses. Don't even need fuel. No need to ask some stupid human for a passport or even permission. Just an intention and as such, it is so. That is what I envision as heaven to be. As the line from Field of Dreams goes: heaven is the place "where dreams come true." There is no human interference, no rules. Just support, help. A giant YES.
So....in the meantime, I'm still living as a human on this planet. And as such, death will probably always feel like this great unknown to me--something that feels like it's in my grasp but when I reach out to touch it, it slips away.
Rock on, Uncle B. Tell grandpy and cousin S hi for me. Have a safe trip and come visit me sometime. I'm open to talking in my dreams--I do it quite often. Maybe we didn't do a very good job at connecting in the way humans are capable of. Life goes on though for both of us. Maybe we can start a new connection in a new way with a new understanding. I'd really like that.
I received one of those phone calls you don't wish to receive this morning. My great uncle died. Considering he's been very sick and in hospice for the past 5 months, his death was to be expected. However, I'm never completely prepared for the words: "they're dead." Even though I didn't know him that well, and even though I have had to admit I never really liked him much and was, overall, always uncomfortable around him, it was still painful news. He's been on my mind all day.
Death hits me at this very strange, scary place, that place where I feel completely vulnerable, completely out of control. I don't like going to that place, although I know the freedom of doing so. I know to avoid that space I keep myself held prisoner in a way.
We won't be going to the funeral for many reasons. While some are logistical, most have to do with the idea that "bonding" with my family, who I have come to describe as familiar strangers, is enough to make me throw up--and I don't mean that in a metaphoric way. I remember when my grandpa died. I was 17 at the time. I adored him. Everyone stood around like zombies. I don't remember any hugging. I don't remember any real talking or reminiscing. I do remember the drinking and my cousin and her friends hurting me with their snide remarks and relentless teasing over god knows what. I remember thanking god I would be 18 soon and could thus stop attending these family events that had quite literally traumatized me since I was a child. I ended up memorializing my grandpa in my own way in the years to come. One such way was by getting married on his birthday. I remember at the time thinking maybe this would help bridge the gap in some way between me and the family. Instead I received grief for having a wedding on a weekday. Oh well. Sometimes you just gotta say 'wtf' and do your own thing.
I heard Sylvia Brown say the following this past week: "Death is a relief. A celebration. We're finally free from life on earth which is the real hell." While I don't believe it is living on earth that is hell (it certainly doesn't have to be anyway), I do believe, or want to believe, that death provides a sense of WHEW. How am I to really know that though? While I believe in past lives and have had enough strange experiences that validate some of my own, I don't recall any of my other deaths, so there is still that great unknown. That's what I fear the most--that fear of the unknown. What will happen to me? Where will I go? What if I don't make it? What if I just linger, lost and alone? My first plan is to explore the universe. A free trip. No expenses. Don't even need fuel. No need to ask some stupid human for a passport or even permission. Just an intention and as such, it is so. That is what I envision as heaven to be. As the line from Field of Dreams goes: heaven is the place "where dreams come true." There is no human interference, no rules. Just support, help. A giant YES.
So....in the meantime, I'm still living as a human on this planet. And as such, death will probably always feel like this great unknown to me--something that feels like it's in my grasp but when I reach out to touch it, it slips away.
Rock on, Uncle B. Tell grandpy and cousin S hi for me. Have a safe trip and come visit me sometime. I'm open to talking in my dreams--I do it quite often. Maybe we didn't do a very good job at connecting in the way humans are capable of. Life goes on though for both of us. Maybe we can start a new connection in a new way with a new understanding. I'd really like that.
5.04.2007
Pet Food Recall Update
Here's the latest from the FDA.
Distressing for me to read was to see Drs. Foster and Smith's canned cat food (one variety of Country Classics) being added to the list. Even though we have a dog, we began feeding her their canned dog food a few months ago. I visited their website, assuming there would be a large ad on their front page announcing the recall. There was none. They did, however, have a link (along with the rest of their links) to the pet food recall off to the left. Even though they never use wheat gluten or rice protein in their Country Classic pet food products, and despite their statement that equipment is thoroughly cleaned between batches of food, some of their products may have been made using equipment that had been used to make the contaminated products. They also said some of their products come from Canada and overseas. WTF?! I thought. Overseas?? That can be anywhere. I sent them an e-mail and suggested they buy and make all of their pet food products right here in the states and only use facilities that make pet food products, period. And ONLY USE NATURAL INGREDIENTS. Good lord. Get rid of the fillers. THIS IS A NO BRAINER. Approximately 700 or so customers (or kitties I should say) are affected by this recall and most thankfully, there have been no confirmed reports of illness or death.
I visited Animal Crackers yesterday (they have the best bulk doggie cookies there--excellent ingredients and a LOT cheaper than Petco's selection). There seemed to be a lot more customers than usual buying the more natural pet food products. They also have a sign in the front announcing "make your own pet food, we will show you how". I began doing that months ago and now that we've had this pet food nightmare, I will be increasing that. I'm lucky in that I have a dog who will eat anything as long as I say it's "nummy". She doesn't like lettuce or broccoli but she will eat them if I say "nummy". : )
Distressing for me to read was to see Drs. Foster and Smith's canned cat food (one variety of Country Classics) being added to the list. Even though we have a dog, we began feeding her their canned dog food a few months ago. I visited their website, assuming there would be a large ad on their front page announcing the recall. There was none. They did, however, have a link (along with the rest of their links) to the pet food recall off to the left. Even though they never use wheat gluten or rice protein in their Country Classic pet food products, and despite their statement that equipment is thoroughly cleaned between batches of food, some of their products may have been made using equipment that had been used to make the contaminated products. They also said some of their products come from Canada and overseas. WTF?! I thought. Overseas?? That can be anywhere. I sent them an e-mail and suggested they buy and make all of their pet food products right here in the states and only use facilities that make pet food products, period. And ONLY USE NATURAL INGREDIENTS. Good lord. Get rid of the fillers. THIS IS A NO BRAINER. Approximately 700 or so customers (or kitties I should say) are affected by this recall and most thankfully, there have been no confirmed reports of illness or death.
I visited Animal Crackers yesterday (they have the best bulk doggie cookies there--excellent ingredients and a LOT cheaper than Petco's selection). There seemed to be a lot more customers than usual buying the more natural pet food products. They also have a sign in the front announcing "make your own pet food, we will show you how". I began doing that months ago and now that we've had this pet food nightmare, I will be increasing that. I'm lucky in that I have a dog who will eat anything as long as I say it's "nummy". She doesn't like lettuce or broccoli but she will eat them if I say "nummy". : )
5.02.2007
Late Night News
One reason why it's important to listen to your intuition. I've had a couple of friends nagging me to get a mammogram since I entered the 40's decade a little over a year ago. Something in me has always said "no". Good thing given this article I read today. I don't know why ultrasounds aren't performed instead. They're more accurate and you don't have to deal with that nasty radiation.
Here's another possible explanation for the disappearance of the honeybees (although I still like the cell phone EMF field theory the best).
How bad is the housing market and where is it headed? Here's a rather dark scenario for you to read (if you can stand the typos that is).
Anyone who watches the skies knows some of the trails laid down by planes aren't vapor considering they don't dissipate. Here's an interesting article outlining some of the reasons behind this cover-up.
I need to start searching for some good news stories. This has been a real pisser of a day and perhaps some of it is due to what I'm feeding my brain.......
Here's another possible explanation for the disappearance of the honeybees (although I still like the cell phone EMF field theory the best).
How bad is the housing market and where is it headed? Here's a rather dark scenario for you to read (if you can stand the typos that is).
Anyone who watches the skies knows some of the trails laid down by planes aren't vapor considering they don't dissipate. Here's an interesting article outlining some of the reasons behind this cover-up.
I need to start searching for some good news stories. This has been a real pisser of a day and perhaps some of it is due to what I'm feeding my brain.......
Going For A Dip In The Lake of Hell Fire
ok so the title is a little insulting. what can i say? i'm mischevious and at the same time, i'm so tired of the evangelical movement--a movement my brother is a part of.
i don't get it either. he's a smart man. a very smart man. incredibly intelligient. cautiously sceptical. contemplative. and yet he fell for the whole fire damnation mantra hook, line and sinker. of course, as he told me, it took a long time and he had a "really hard time" believing what he was being told. of course he did. his better wisdom told him he was being fed a line of shit.
what has me concerned is the stuff they are feeding my niece and nephew. according to their churches website, children are born as sinners. they lack the devine spark until they have accepted jesus christ. it doesn't matter how they live their lives. it doesn't matter how generous they are, how loving or how kind, or even how awful and violent for that matter. as long as they claim jesus died for their sins, THEN they are saved and are thus guaranteed a place in heaven. if they don't claim christ as their savior? god sends 'em into the lake of hell fire for eternal punishment.
typing that makes me shake my head and laugh. how can i not? if they believe in a god that loves unconditionally, how can they also believe in a god that would destroy that very soul he/she/it (ok, for the evangelicals, HE) created? how does this fall under the term unconditional love? unconditional love means you love WITHOUT CONDITION. no "i love you BUT". no "i love you but now i must destroy you." the two don't jive.
it really angers me, all of this religious mind control and brainwashing that goes on. it angers me that this man, this church leader, continued to feed my brother this shit until my brother finally got it. he got it allright. he got it out of fear of punishment. out of guilt. of course he would. our childhood was full of that sort of thing. i was the one who rebelled while he remained quiet and went with the flow. i listened to this church leader once. he was charismatic. he had an energy to him that commanded attention. an energy of authority. he even had me questioning my own belief system until i realized he was using fear to pursuade his followers. and fear isn't love. fear isn't god. i'll give this man this--he knows exactly what he's doing and he's very good at it.
people will do amazing things, things they otherwise wouldn't do, when they are conditioned under the principles of fear. we see this happen with cults, with which i liken the evangelical movement. my brother was searching for his own spiritual truth at the time and unfortunately, he met up with a man who taught a of a different sort of god. a god that was different than the loving, non-judgemental god he had learned about in his brief stints with other churches he had visited, in particular the lutheran church. he met up with a man who takes the bible literally (well, those sections that suit his agenda that is). he met a man who is obsessed with being respected, revered, likely worshipped. he met a man who hasn't a clue as to the real messages as taught by the man jesus. love in action.
when jesus said "i am the way" he didn't mean to worship him--he meant for us to model the example he lived. he knew how to live as one with the god within and he wanted to teach us just that. when jesus said "the kingdom of god is within" he meant it is in ALL of us. he meant that we are EACH a part of god just as he was. when jesus spoke of heaven and hell he was talking about states of being. when jesus spoke of turning our backs on god as a sure fire way of entering hell he meant when we turn away from our own devine spark, our own soul, that part of us that is god, we will experience our own state of hell. to thine ownself be true.
doesn't this make more sense? doesn't this feel more loving? it does to me. and i hope one day it will to my brother as well.
i don't get it either. he's a smart man. a very smart man. incredibly intelligient. cautiously sceptical. contemplative. and yet he fell for the whole fire damnation mantra hook, line and sinker. of course, as he told me, it took a long time and he had a "really hard time" believing what he was being told. of course he did. his better wisdom told him he was being fed a line of shit.
what has me concerned is the stuff they are feeding my niece and nephew. according to their churches website, children are born as sinners. they lack the devine spark until they have accepted jesus christ. it doesn't matter how they live their lives. it doesn't matter how generous they are, how loving or how kind, or even how awful and violent for that matter. as long as they claim jesus died for their sins, THEN they are saved and are thus guaranteed a place in heaven. if they don't claim christ as their savior? god sends 'em into the lake of hell fire for eternal punishment.
typing that makes me shake my head and laugh. how can i not? if they believe in a god that loves unconditionally, how can they also believe in a god that would destroy that very soul he/she/it (ok, for the evangelicals, HE) created? how does this fall under the term unconditional love? unconditional love means you love WITHOUT CONDITION. no "i love you BUT". no "i love you but now i must destroy you." the two don't jive.
it really angers me, all of this religious mind control and brainwashing that goes on. it angers me that this man, this church leader, continued to feed my brother this shit until my brother finally got it. he got it allright. he got it out of fear of punishment. out of guilt. of course he would. our childhood was full of that sort of thing. i was the one who rebelled while he remained quiet and went with the flow. i listened to this church leader once. he was charismatic. he had an energy to him that commanded attention. an energy of authority. he even had me questioning my own belief system until i realized he was using fear to pursuade his followers. and fear isn't love. fear isn't god. i'll give this man this--he knows exactly what he's doing and he's very good at it.
people will do amazing things, things they otherwise wouldn't do, when they are conditioned under the principles of fear. we see this happen with cults, with which i liken the evangelical movement. my brother was searching for his own spiritual truth at the time and unfortunately, he met up with a man who taught a of a different sort of god. a god that was different than the loving, non-judgemental god he had learned about in his brief stints with other churches he had visited, in particular the lutheran church. he met up with a man who takes the bible literally (well, those sections that suit his agenda that is). he met a man who is obsessed with being respected, revered, likely worshipped. he met a man who hasn't a clue as to the real messages as taught by the man jesus. love in action.
when jesus said "i am the way" he didn't mean to worship him--he meant for us to model the example he lived. he knew how to live as one with the god within and he wanted to teach us just that. when jesus said "the kingdom of god is within" he meant it is in ALL of us. he meant that we are EACH a part of god just as he was. when jesus spoke of heaven and hell he was talking about states of being. when jesus spoke of turning our backs on god as a sure fire way of entering hell he meant when we turn away from our own devine spark, our own soul, that part of us that is god, we will experience our own state of hell. to thine ownself be true.
doesn't this make more sense? doesn't this feel more loving? it does to me. and i hope one day it will to my brother as well.
Wage Statistics
This will quiet those people who have told me I'm exagerrating or otherwise engaging in conspiracy.
*In 1960, the minimum wage was 94% of the living wage. In 2003, that number had dropped to 57%.
*In 1960, CEO pay was 41 times that of the worker. In 2004, that number had soared to 431.
*700,000 Oregonians without health care work full time.
*In 1976, the top 1% owned 22% of all household wealth. As of 2000, that number had nearly doubled to 40% (given it's 2007, that number had likely increased).
*64% of people living in poverty work full-time.
There you have it.
Bottom line, the current economy is not sustainable. History teaches us that. There will be a collapse or a revolution (or perhaps a bit of both) unless change happens immediately. There are a myriad of organizations out there fighting for the return of Unions, fighting for worker's rights, fighting for living wage jobs and health care (see below for a few examples). This is a huge battle considering some of the big corporations, like Walmart, are fighting the right for employees to unionize (just another reason not to shop at the place). These organizations are up against some of the wealthiest fuckers who want things to stay as they are. We have news for them. We're sick of being enslaved to a system that supports YOUR ass and YOUR wealth. No more. We're uniting. We're taking back our 4 acres and a mule.
oregonaction.org
hrw.org (human rights watch)
changetowin.org
*In 1960, the minimum wage was 94% of the living wage. In 2003, that number had dropped to 57%.
*In 1960, CEO pay was 41 times that of the worker. In 2004, that number had soared to 431.
*700,000 Oregonians without health care work full time.
*In 1976, the top 1% owned 22% of all household wealth. As of 2000, that number had nearly doubled to 40% (given it's 2007, that number had likely increased).
*64% of people living in poverty work full-time.
There you have it.
Bottom line, the current economy is not sustainable. History teaches us that. There will be a collapse or a revolution (or perhaps a bit of both) unless change happens immediately. There are a myriad of organizations out there fighting for the return of Unions, fighting for worker's rights, fighting for living wage jobs and health care (see below for a few examples). This is a huge battle considering some of the big corporations, like Walmart, are fighting the right for employees to unionize (just another reason not to shop at the place). These organizations are up against some of the wealthiest fuckers who want things to stay as they are. We have news for them. We're sick of being enslaved to a system that supports YOUR ass and YOUR wealth. No more. We're uniting. We're taking back our 4 acres and a mule.
oregonaction.org
hrw.org (human rights watch)
changetowin.org
5.01.2007
John Edwards wants to end poverty. Or does he...
I saw an interesting dialogue this morning on BlueOregon.com about John Edwards run for the presidency. Someone was pointing out how bothersome it was to them that John Edwards, with his multi-million dollar estate, would be talking about ways to end poverty. Another person thus responded, questioning why anyone would chastise John Edwards and his millions, especially considering he is a self-made man.
This got me to thinking about a variety of things.
1)Wages. The more you make, the more respect and worth you garner.
2) The term "self-made". Who in the hell is truly self-made? Not one of us. We've all had to rely on the help of others to get where we are. No matter how easy or difficult the road has been, someone has always come along and helped us achieve our next goal. The term "self-made" is an illusion. Those who create the most success for themselves usually have the most support. Not all are born into such a support system and not all of us have the know-how (or trust) to create such a network of support.
3)His plan to reduce/eliminate poverty. While it's a good start, it leaves out many things we as a society seem afraid to address and discuss honestly.
(a) His plan wants to raise the federal minimum wage to a measly $7.80/hour. Why do we even have a minimum wage? Why not instead have a livable wage? We need to talk about this.
(b) He wants to guarantee employment to all those who are "drug free". What does he mean by this? What about people who use marijuana for medical reasons? What about the right to privacy during people's off-work hours? This is just a sign he supports the draconian war on drugs (not to mention the invasive drug testing done by employers and the multi-billion dollar industry created as a result). This war on drugs in reality is a war on the people, usually those who are the most vulnerable, the poorest. While I agree people need to be alert and sober while on the job, on-the-job accidents also occur when workers are sleepy, stressed-out (and who the hell isn't stressed out working a minumum wage job, trying to support themselves and/or a family) or on other prescription drugs that have side-effects. We need to talk about these things rather than just paint the canvas with the illusive phrase "drug free".
(c) He wants to guarantee employment (again, with those minimum wage jobs) to those who are willing to "work hard". Who says what is hard work or not? People who are employed at such employers that pay the crappy wages ARE working hard. Anyone able to keep a roof over their heads on such wages IS working hard. Working hard is over-rated and is part of the rugged indivualistic diatribe we're all brainwashed with since birth. It wears on the body and on the mind. Instead let's talk about working joyfully. Let's focus on helping people find what makes them happy, what brings them joy, and then help them create that out in the world. Let's guarantee every one of us a livable wage. Let's talk about this rather than the mindless "work hard and you will get ahead" diatribe. Let's talk about people's abilities. We're all different. This promise of a minimum wage job if you work hard sounds like a continuation of the slave labor force. We need to work to break that--not continue it for christ sake.
4) John Edwards lifestyle. I would like to pose a few questions for Mr. Edwards. Does he think it possible for every one of us to be afforded his affluent lifestyle? Are we all worthy of such a lifestyle? (If he's smart, he'll answer "yes" irregardless of what he really believes.) If so, does he think the planet can sustain that existance for every one of us? (That answer would be no.) This needs to be discussed. We need to create a vision that outlines the basic minimum existance you and I can afford to live which does not deplete the planet and which does not cause another to go without. Then and only then when he has thoughtfully and honestly answered this question will I think of him more of a real humanitarian who truly does wish to see putting poverty to an end. Ending poverty means we must create a much more equitable playing field. And that means those with the most will have to relinquish some of those resources, or at the very least, change how they, how we live our daily lives.
I'll take all of this one step further. How about we have a system that guarantees us all the basic minimums needed for physical survival: Safe, sound housing. Cleaning running water. Healthy, fresh abundant food. Clean clothing. Health care. Sound good? I'm sure it does. Here comes the tricky part: these things are provided for all and are not dependent upon ones income. That's the part that challenges some of the values of our western world. That's the pill that would be hard to swallow. But swallow it we can. The only qualm I have about such a system is the obvious: we must have government leaders that would see this vision for us all. We must have a deep trust in our government to provide this for all fairly and equitably. And right now, we obviously do not have leaders who are capable or even interested in such concepts. They're too busy sucking off the weakest while lining their own pockets and those of the elite.
I did not have a full understanding of poverty until I lived it. I don't think anyone can have a true understanding of living in poverty until they do. If you don't know what it's like to wonder how you will pay for next months rent......if you don't know what it's like to be sick and unable to afford to go to the doctor because you do not have health insurance....if you don't know what it's like to be low on food and have to eat ramen noodles or peanut butter to get by until food stamps kick in or that next measly pay check is deposited.......if you don't know what it's like to need new clothes or furniture but you don't have the extra cash to buy such things.........if you don't know what it's like to live this way on an on-going basis and if you don't know what it's like to experience the stress and the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual effects...........if you do not know what any of this is like, you do not understand poverty and therefore, you are not fully enough aware of offering up the REAL solutions. I have an idea: for those government leaders who love to spout the "let us end poverty" mantra, let them create a series of discussion groups that are largely comprised of people who live in poverty. let those of us who have lived it or are living it offer the solutions. it begins by asking us what we need.
i'm ready to talk if they're ready to listen.
This got me to thinking about a variety of things.
1)Wages. The more you make, the more respect and worth you garner.
2) The term "self-made". Who in the hell is truly self-made? Not one of us. We've all had to rely on the help of others to get where we are. No matter how easy or difficult the road has been, someone has always come along and helped us achieve our next goal. The term "self-made" is an illusion. Those who create the most success for themselves usually have the most support. Not all are born into such a support system and not all of us have the know-how (or trust) to create such a network of support.
3)His plan to reduce/eliminate poverty. While it's a good start, it leaves out many things we as a society seem afraid to address and discuss honestly.
(a) His plan wants to raise the federal minimum wage to a measly $7.80/hour. Why do we even have a minimum wage? Why not instead have a livable wage? We need to talk about this.
(b) He wants to guarantee employment to all those who are "drug free". What does he mean by this? What about people who use marijuana for medical reasons? What about the right to privacy during people's off-work hours? This is just a sign he supports the draconian war on drugs (not to mention the invasive drug testing done by employers and the multi-billion dollar industry created as a result). This war on drugs in reality is a war on the people, usually those who are the most vulnerable, the poorest. While I agree people need to be alert and sober while on the job, on-the-job accidents also occur when workers are sleepy, stressed-out (and who the hell isn't stressed out working a minumum wage job, trying to support themselves and/or a family) or on other prescription drugs that have side-effects. We need to talk about these things rather than just paint the canvas with the illusive phrase "drug free".
(c) He wants to guarantee employment (again, with those minimum wage jobs) to those who are willing to "work hard". Who says what is hard work or not? People who are employed at such employers that pay the crappy wages ARE working hard. Anyone able to keep a roof over their heads on such wages IS working hard. Working hard is over-rated and is part of the rugged indivualistic diatribe we're all brainwashed with since birth. It wears on the body and on the mind. Instead let's talk about working joyfully. Let's focus on helping people find what makes them happy, what brings them joy, and then help them create that out in the world. Let's guarantee every one of us a livable wage. Let's talk about this rather than the mindless "work hard and you will get ahead" diatribe. Let's talk about people's abilities. We're all different. This promise of a minimum wage job if you work hard sounds like a continuation of the slave labor force. We need to work to break that--not continue it for christ sake.
4) John Edwards lifestyle. I would like to pose a few questions for Mr. Edwards. Does he think it possible for every one of us to be afforded his affluent lifestyle? Are we all worthy of such a lifestyle? (If he's smart, he'll answer "yes" irregardless of what he really believes.) If so, does he think the planet can sustain that existance for every one of us? (That answer would be no.) This needs to be discussed. We need to create a vision that outlines the basic minimum existance you and I can afford to live which does not deplete the planet and which does not cause another to go without. Then and only then when he has thoughtfully and honestly answered this question will I think of him more of a real humanitarian who truly does wish to see putting poverty to an end. Ending poverty means we must create a much more equitable playing field. And that means those with the most will have to relinquish some of those resources, or at the very least, change how they, how we live our daily lives.
I'll take all of this one step further. How about we have a system that guarantees us all the basic minimums needed for physical survival: Safe, sound housing. Cleaning running water. Healthy, fresh abundant food. Clean clothing. Health care. Sound good? I'm sure it does. Here comes the tricky part: these things are provided for all and are not dependent upon ones income. That's the part that challenges some of the values of our western world. That's the pill that would be hard to swallow. But swallow it we can. The only qualm I have about such a system is the obvious: we must have government leaders that would see this vision for us all. We must have a deep trust in our government to provide this for all fairly and equitably. And right now, we obviously do not have leaders who are capable or even interested in such concepts. They're too busy sucking off the weakest while lining their own pockets and those of the elite.
I did not have a full understanding of poverty until I lived it. I don't think anyone can have a true understanding of living in poverty until they do. If you don't know what it's like to wonder how you will pay for next months rent......if you don't know what it's like to be sick and unable to afford to go to the doctor because you do not have health insurance....if you don't know what it's like to be low on food and have to eat ramen noodles or peanut butter to get by until food stamps kick in or that next measly pay check is deposited.......if you don't know what it's like to need new clothes or furniture but you don't have the extra cash to buy such things.........if you don't know what it's like to live this way on an on-going basis and if you don't know what it's like to experience the stress and the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual effects...........if you do not know what any of this is like, you do not understand poverty and therefore, you are not fully enough aware of offering up the REAL solutions. I have an idea: for those government leaders who love to spout the "let us end poverty" mantra, let them create a series of discussion groups that are largely comprised of people who live in poverty. let those of us who have lived it or are living it offer the solutions. it begins by asking us what we need.
i'm ready to talk if they're ready to listen.
4.29.2007
Rating Local Corvallis Businesses
the following represents my experience, so take my opinion as just that.
1) the asian market on 9th street. my hub and i love this place. the prices are cheap. the service is very good. they have a big bottle of aloe vera juice for around $3. you pay a lot more for that at the co-op (and that's in bulk!). their won ton wrappers are inexpensive and can be frozen. they also have some really interesting looking vegetables.
2) q'doba. i think that's the name of the place. it's on monroe, right across from campus. mexican restaurant. LOVE THE FOOD. it's always fresh. and you can SEE the ingredients, unlike some of the other fast food mexi places here in town that look as though the food had been pureed. and the price? cheap! good service, too.
3) harry's fish market downtown. ok, so the prices are more expensive than what you would get at the local grocery stores, but the fish is always fresh, most i believe is caught that very day. the first time we visited, we were waited on by harry himself, who is very jovial and sure knows his fish. when he overheard mr. nina and i discussing our plans to freeze some of the fish, he immediately piped in saying "no no no! you don't want to ever freeze fish. it loses so much of its flavor." so we bought enough for two nights and opted to refrigerate instead. and guess what? harry is right. fresh is so much more flavorful. if we could afford it, we'd buy all of our fish here.
4) northern star. i love this place. i love the beads. the temporary tatoos. the jewelry. the clothing. the glassware. all of it.
5) richey's market. excellent customer service. good selection of the hormone-free meats. their produce section isn't always the freshest though.
6) co-op. i live on the north end, so i shop at the north store. they have a 5% reduction for those who are low income, which is wonderful. overall the staff is very friendly and some will go out of their way to help you find what it is you're looking for. like many, i wish the organic products were cheaper. the prices have come down though, overall, and i hope they continue to do so. if i could afford it, i'd buy most of my food at this place. good produce section, although i've discovered fred meyer's organic produce section is just as good and overall, cheaper. however, i have found the BEST valencia oranges at the co-op. amazingly juicy. my biggest gripe about the co-op (again, the north store) is that some of the younger clerks act as though they are at a party, often talking with one another when they should be waiting on you the customer. and given some of the things i've read in the thymes, there's a complete lack of understanding for those who live in poverty and simply cannot afford to abide by the values of the co-op: buy local, buy organic, buy environmentally friendly items....... when i read these articles i want to scream "IF WE COULD AFFORD IT WE WOULD".
7) schmidt's garden center. ok, i admit to a bias here given a couple of people in my life who have worked for him--and given my own experiences. good selection of garden supplies, although if you shop around, many of these products can be purchased for less money. that being said, the owner is a real SOB. he's racist and he's abusive to his employees. as a result, i refuse to step one foot into his store.
8) the sleep center. i do not have the space on this blog to go into detail about my very ugly experiences with this place. i'll do my best to be brief. the product they sold us was defective. and even worse, their customer service is terrible. the owners both hung up on us and refused to deal with us. some time passed, i made another attempt. (at this point we had gotten rid of the mattress set and were sleeping on an old donated foam mattress on the floor.) the male owner agreed to give us something in return--a used bedding set, which he said contained a top of the line mattress that was, at most, 4-6 years old and was in excellent condition--no stains or rips. (the mattress had been one of their family member's mattresses) and a newer box spring set, which he said was in EXCELLENT condition, which in and of itself had been priced at $500. "top of the line," he raved. i thought wow, maybe they do have a conscious afterall. so it was delivered (only after i called and REMINDED him of their promise). the result? AWFUL. terrible night sleep. i called the manufacturer of the mattress and found out it was at minimum, 10-12 years old. i also noticed a big tear. and the box spring? it had a price tag on it allright--$299. certainly not the $500 as he said. and to top it off, the box springs were NOT in perfect shape. far from it. they were uneven and collapsing. i also found a couple of other folks who had terrible experiences with this place in terms of customer service. so let me say it loud and clear: I WILL NEVER SHOP AT THE SLEEP CENTER. and i would encourage all of you to do so with caution. actually, my opinion is go elsewhere. if we had had the mental/emotional energy at the time of our original purchase, we would have taken them to small claims court.
9) Darrell's Restaurant. the food is average at best. the prices modest. but it is a fun place to go play pool.
10) new morning bakery. way overpriced. food is ok. but their desserts and coffee are excellent. a nice place to go and listen to live music and stuff yourself with one of their many pastries, cakes, pies, cookies, etc. etc. etc. the main drawback--you have to bus your own table. really strange considering their prices.
11) malcolm's. really nice guys who work there, but they've gotten way too expensive. and they overbook (kind of like doctor's offices), which means you don't always get your car worked on the day you bring it in. if you have a honda, go to university honda. their labor rates are actually cheaper than malcolm's (as of this writing). go see duke. he's a life long honda owner, very trustworthy. a good guy and an excellent mechanic.
12) the gables. while i love the atmosphere, the quality of the food doesn't match the prices. at all. over-rated, over-priced place.
13) michael's landing. again, a bit over-priced. but their desserts are really good. and their raspberry dressing and raspberry iced tea are excellent. a nice place to hang outside on their patio on a warm summer evening.
14) martinazi's. i think that's the name of the place. italian restaurant on kings. i ate there once, wasn't impressed and decided to try it again. same experience. very bland food. the price was decent, but not worth it given the quality of the food. and inside it's always messy. i wish corvallis had a good italian restaurant. that and a good quality newspaper.
15) el sol de mexico. great food. great service. very recommended.
16) the beauty bar--desiree castro. she does my hair and my spouses. i have a head full of long, wavy, impossible hair and she only charges me $25 for a cut and style ($15 for the guys). and not just your basic cut--but the works. she layered my hair and thinned it out--took about an hour--for just $25. the best hairstylist i've found in this town. (tell her i sent you and she will give me a discount.) he he seriously--she will.
17) stoker's vita world. if you have a question on ANY supplement known to man kind, this is the place to go. wes is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to health and nutrition. and if you can stand the 20 minute presentation he will likely give you (per question), your time will be well spent. (although i have to say i've been buying my supplements from swanson's--an online/catalog company. i've found their products to be of very high quality and very reasonably priced. and the BEST customer service i have run across for a mail-order company. i ALWAYS get a live operator and the phone rings only once. unbelievable in today's world. just shows you it is possible!)
anyone else care to rant or rave about any of the above or offer your own experiences with other local businesses? fire away!
1) the asian market on 9th street. my hub and i love this place. the prices are cheap. the service is very good. they have a big bottle of aloe vera juice for around $3. you pay a lot more for that at the co-op (and that's in bulk!). their won ton wrappers are inexpensive and can be frozen. they also have some really interesting looking vegetables.
2) q'doba. i think that's the name of the place. it's on monroe, right across from campus. mexican restaurant. LOVE THE FOOD. it's always fresh. and you can SEE the ingredients, unlike some of the other fast food mexi places here in town that look as though the food had been pureed. and the price? cheap! good service, too.
3) harry's fish market downtown. ok, so the prices are more expensive than what you would get at the local grocery stores, but the fish is always fresh, most i believe is caught that very day. the first time we visited, we were waited on by harry himself, who is very jovial and sure knows his fish. when he overheard mr. nina and i discussing our plans to freeze some of the fish, he immediately piped in saying "no no no! you don't want to ever freeze fish. it loses so much of its flavor." so we bought enough for two nights and opted to refrigerate instead. and guess what? harry is right. fresh is so much more flavorful. if we could afford it, we'd buy all of our fish here.
4) northern star. i love this place. i love the beads. the temporary tatoos. the jewelry. the clothing. the glassware. all of it.
5) richey's market. excellent customer service. good selection of the hormone-free meats. their produce section isn't always the freshest though.
6) co-op. i live on the north end, so i shop at the north store. they have a 5% reduction for those who are low income, which is wonderful. overall the staff is very friendly and some will go out of their way to help you find what it is you're looking for. like many, i wish the organic products were cheaper. the prices have come down though, overall, and i hope they continue to do so. if i could afford it, i'd buy most of my food at this place. good produce section, although i've discovered fred meyer's organic produce section is just as good and overall, cheaper. however, i have found the BEST valencia oranges at the co-op. amazingly juicy. my biggest gripe about the co-op (again, the north store) is that some of the younger clerks act as though they are at a party, often talking with one another when they should be waiting on you the customer. and given some of the things i've read in the thymes, there's a complete lack of understanding for those who live in poverty and simply cannot afford to abide by the values of the co-op: buy local, buy organic, buy environmentally friendly items....... when i read these articles i want to scream "IF WE COULD AFFORD IT WE WOULD".
7) schmidt's garden center. ok, i admit to a bias here given a couple of people in my life who have worked for him--and given my own experiences. good selection of garden supplies, although if you shop around, many of these products can be purchased for less money. that being said, the owner is a real SOB. he's racist and he's abusive to his employees. as a result, i refuse to step one foot into his store.
8) the sleep center. i do not have the space on this blog to go into detail about my very ugly experiences with this place. i'll do my best to be brief. the product they sold us was defective. and even worse, their customer service is terrible. the owners both hung up on us and refused to deal with us. some time passed, i made another attempt. (at this point we had gotten rid of the mattress set and were sleeping on an old donated foam mattress on the floor.) the male owner agreed to give us something in return--a used bedding set, which he said contained a top of the line mattress that was, at most, 4-6 years old and was in excellent condition--no stains or rips. (the mattress had been one of their family member's mattresses) and a newer box spring set, which he said was in EXCELLENT condition, which in and of itself had been priced at $500. "top of the line," he raved. i thought wow, maybe they do have a conscious afterall. so it was delivered (only after i called and REMINDED him of their promise). the result? AWFUL. terrible night sleep. i called the manufacturer of the mattress and found out it was at minimum, 10-12 years old. i also noticed a big tear. and the box spring? it had a price tag on it allright--$299. certainly not the $500 as he said. and to top it off, the box springs were NOT in perfect shape. far from it. they were uneven and collapsing. i also found a couple of other folks who had terrible experiences with this place in terms of customer service. so let me say it loud and clear: I WILL NEVER SHOP AT THE SLEEP CENTER. and i would encourage all of you to do so with caution. actually, my opinion is go elsewhere. if we had had the mental/emotional energy at the time of our original purchase, we would have taken them to small claims court.
9) Darrell's Restaurant. the food is average at best. the prices modest. but it is a fun place to go play pool.
10) new morning bakery. way overpriced. food is ok. but their desserts and coffee are excellent. a nice place to go and listen to live music and stuff yourself with one of their many pastries, cakes, pies, cookies, etc. etc. etc. the main drawback--you have to bus your own table. really strange considering their prices.
11) malcolm's. really nice guys who work there, but they've gotten way too expensive. and they overbook (kind of like doctor's offices), which means you don't always get your car worked on the day you bring it in. if you have a honda, go to university honda. their labor rates are actually cheaper than malcolm's (as of this writing). go see duke. he's a life long honda owner, very trustworthy. a good guy and an excellent mechanic.
12) the gables. while i love the atmosphere, the quality of the food doesn't match the prices. at all. over-rated, over-priced place.
13) michael's landing. again, a bit over-priced. but their desserts are really good. and their raspberry dressing and raspberry iced tea are excellent. a nice place to hang outside on their patio on a warm summer evening.
14) martinazi's. i think that's the name of the place. italian restaurant on kings. i ate there once, wasn't impressed and decided to try it again. same experience. very bland food. the price was decent, but not worth it given the quality of the food. and inside it's always messy. i wish corvallis had a good italian restaurant. that and a good quality newspaper.
15) el sol de mexico. great food. great service. very recommended.
16) the beauty bar--desiree castro. she does my hair and my spouses. i have a head full of long, wavy, impossible hair and she only charges me $25 for a cut and style ($15 for the guys). and not just your basic cut--but the works. she layered my hair and thinned it out--took about an hour--for just $25. the best hairstylist i've found in this town. (tell her i sent you and she will give me a discount.) he he seriously--she will.
17) stoker's vita world. if you have a question on ANY supplement known to man kind, this is the place to go. wes is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to health and nutrition. and if you can stand the 20 minute presentation he will likely give you (per question), your time will be well spent. (although i have to say i've been buying my supplements from swanson's--an online/catalog company. i've found their products to be of very high quality and very reasonably priced. and the BEST customer service i have run across for a mail-order company. i ALWAYS get a live operator and the phone rings only once. unbelievable in today's world. just shows you it is possible!)
anyone else care to rant or rave about any of the above or offer your own experiences with other local businesses? fire away!
4.27.2007
On Love and Marriage......
i was reading the rant this morning of a young woman who is frustrated with her spouse. they married young, had kids right away. she doesn't feel that spark anymore and feels as though she's the only one intent on working on the relationship. and yet, she laments "are relationships really this much work?!" poor thing. i've been there before.......
this caused me to reflect back on my own experiences. we live in a culture that says once you meet the right one, everything will be heavenly. we live in a culture that promotes romantic love instead of the realities of trying to mix daily life with love. i grew up like a lot of young girls, fantasizing about my prince coming to rescue me. my childhood felt like a prison at times, so i often fantasized to bring myself some relief. however, in doing so i was focused on someone else freeing me, someone else making me happy. i'd meet mr. right and everything would be wonderful.
to all searchers of love and newly married people--THIS IS AN ILLUSION. lol
mr. nina and i met in our 30's. and while the story of our meeting is indeed one for the fairy tale books (i gotta share that story one day--it really is cool and, :::sigh:::, oh so romantic), we have both had to learn that happiness is based on many factors. having a partner you feel very connected with brings an overall sense of belongingness and has, at least for us, erased a lot of the lonliness we had both felt, but it is not the miracle cure so many seekers seem to think it is.
back to the young woman's rant. yes, relationships do require work, although i don't like that word. our society is obsessed on the word "work" as though everything worth having is worth sacrificing--the more the better. (anthony hopkins laughed when told "you must work really hard". he said "i haven't worked a day in my life.") i like the phrase "tending to". it's like if you ignore your own self, you start showing signs of trouble. pay attention to your partner. show appreciation regularly. play together. check in with one another regularly. listen. most importantly, perhaps, be the kind of partner you want in return. and don't forget to snuggle and touch often--daily is best. sometimes it is in those moments of silence where everything is understood, everything is ok.
this caused me to reflect back on my own experiences. we live in a culture that says once you meet the right one, everything will be heavenly. we live in a culture that promotes romantic love instead of the realities of trying to mix daily life with love. i grew up like a lot of young girls, fantasizing about my prince coming to rescue me. my childhood felt like a prison at times, so i often fantasized to bring myself some relief. however, in doing so i was focused on someone else freeing me, someone else making me happy. i'd meet mr. right and everything would be wonderful.
to all searchers of love and newly married people--THIS IS AN ILLUSION. lol
mr. nina and i met in our 30's. and while the story of our meeting is indeed one for the fairy tale books (i gotta share that story one day--it really is cool and, :::sigh:::, oh so romantic), we have both had to learn that happiness is based on many factors. having a partner you feel very connected with brings an overall sense of belongingness and has, at least for us, erased a lot of the lonliness we had both felt, but it is not the miracle cure so many seekers seem to think it is.
back to the young woman's rant. yes, relationships do require work, although i don't like that word. our society is obsessed on the word "work" as though everything worth having is worth sacrificing--the more the better. (anthony hopkins laughed when told "you must work really hard". he said "i haven't worked a day in my life.") i like the phrase "tending to". it's like if you ignore your own self, you start showing signs of trouble. pay attention to your partner. show appreciation regularly. play together. check in with one another regularly. listen. most importantly, perhaps, be the kind of partner you want in return. and don't forget to snuggle and touch often--daily is best. sometimes it is in those moments of silence where everything is understood, everything is ok.
4.25.2007
Rosie Quits The View? Uh Huh. Tell Me Another One.
It's official. ABC has announced that Rosie O'Donnell will be leaving The View as of this June. The reason? Contract dispute. Rosie wanted to commit for a year. ABC wanted her to commit to 3 years. If she were to do just a one-year-at-a-time, this would leave open the possibility of more pay increases whereas a 3 year contract would lock in a salary.
I ain't buying it. I've had a growing feeling for months now that Ms. Rosie was gonna get the ax and that it would be disguised as her making the voluntary decision to leave.
Most of us know ABC is owned by Disney. And yet how many of us know that Disney has contributed large sums of good 'ole cash to Bushes election campaigns? Rosie has been a very outspoken critic of Bush. She's challenged the establishment. She's pointed to the missing links and inconsistencies of the events of 9/11. And in doing so, she's stirred the pot in a big way, exposing this to the audience most in NEED of such exposure--conservative, upper middle class suburbanites. Add this all up and you've got a situation that makes big corporations like Disney very nervous. Gotta find a way to make this go away. And they did.
I hope she starts her own show and continues the dialogue.
I ain't buying it. I've had a growing feeling for months now that Ms. Rosie was gonna get the ax and that it would be disguised as her making the voluntary decision to leave.
Most of us know ABC is owned by Disney. And yet how many of us know that Disney has contributed large sums of good 'ole cash to Bushes election campaigns? Rosie has been a very outspoken critic of Bush. She's challenged the establishment. She's pointed to the missing links and inconsistencies of the events of 9/11. And in doing so, she's stirred the pot in a big way, exposing this to the audience most in NEED of such exposure--conservative, upper middle class suburbanites. Add this all up and you've got a situation that makes big corporations like Disney very nervous. Gotta find a way to make this go away. And they did.
I hope she starts her own show and continues the dialogue.
Earth-Like Planet Found
How cool is this! Astronomers have found what they believe to be a planet that may be habitable. Of course, it's not yet known exactly what the atmosphere is or if the planet is rocky or a solid ball of ice, but so far scientific theory seems to be pointing towards the real possibility that life can exist. To which I have an idea: let's send the world's government and the elite off for a little joy ride. In my opinion, they've lost the right to live on this beautiful planet. They've stolen from and raped this planet and the vulnerable long enough. Of course the idea of humans destroying another beautiful planet is sickening, so perhaps my idea isn't that good. Any other suggestions??
4.24.2007
Is Hollywood Helping to Create An Atmosphere Of Fear?
a few years ago i watched my first foreign film, or shall i say i watched my first film that had subtitles. i had resisted doing so for a long time, my thinking being i would somehow miss out on the substance of the film due to my need to read the lines rather than simply hearing them. well of course i was mistaken. i've been greatly enjoying foreign films ever since. in fact, the majority of films that seem to touch me the most are foreign made. there's an authenticity in these films that i find missing in the hollywood film genre.
there is something about my own behavior that i began to notice the past year when watching these foreign films. i realized i often tense up in fear, anticipating that something awful was going to happen. i anticipated that the main character was going to experience an unexpected tragedy or that another character would betray or injure the main character. most of the time though i discovered that my fear was unfounded. the film went along on its merry way without any shocking surprises of exagerrated violence or betrayal or suspicion.
that got me to thinking. had i become so used to the hollywood films, which are so full of acts of distrust, betrayal and exagerrated violence? had i come to expect this of all films? my conclusion? i had. i have.
this had me feeling so sad for a time (and it still does at times), and yet it makes sense to me in that it helps explain this air of distrust that permeates our culture. this brings to mind something i once saw--a documentary i believe. people in canada, on average, do not lock their doors as we do here in the states. they also don't look at strangers as someone to automatically distrust. their crime rates are lower as well. could there be a correlation? perhaps. it's something to think about.
we have a HUGE air of "DO NOT TRUST" in our culture. strange it is to me that we have the words "in god we trust" on our coins and paper money. maybe we need to print "in one another we distrust" below. silly, yes, but it is how we think and feel in our american culture.
while i am not advocating blind trust, i think it's time for us to rethink how distrustful we've become of one another. the media pumps us full of violent images and horrifying situations where people have given another person their trust and been harmed as a result, at times with deadly consequences. however, in the overall scheme of things, these instances are rare, even though a day spent in front of the television would leave you thinking otherwise. i don't know about you, but i am tired of living in fear. it's become a national obsession. it is one of many of our what i call "social ills" that needs to be addressed. let's start talking about it.
there is something about my own behavior that i began to notice the past year when watching these foreign films. i realized i often tense up in fear, anticipating that something awful was going to happen. i anticipated that the main character was going to experience an unexpected tragedy or that another character would betray or injure the main character. most of the time though i discovered that my fear was unfounded. the film went along on its merry way without any shocking surprises of exagerrated violence or betrayal or suspicion.
that got me to thinking. had i become so used to the hollywood films, which are so full of acts of distrust, betrayal and exagerrated violence? had i come to expect this of all films? my conclusion? i had. i have.
this had me feeling so sad for a time (and it still does at times), and yet it makes sense to me in that it helps explain this air of distrust that permeates our culture. this brings to mind something i once saw--a documentary i believe. people in canada, on average, do not lock their doors as we do here in the states. they also don't look at strangers as someone to automatically distrust. their crime rates are lower as well. could there be a correlation? perhaps. it's something to think about.
we have a HUGE air of "DO NOT TRUST" in our culture. strange it is to me that we have the words "in god we trust" on our coins and paper money. maybe we need to print "in one another we distrust" below. silly, yes, but it is how we think and feel in our american culture.
while i am not advocating blind trust, i think it's time for us to rethink how distrustful we've become of one another. the media pumps us full of violent images and horrifying situations where people have given another person their trust and been harmed as a result, at times with deadly consequences. however, in the overall scheme of things, these instances are rare, even though a day spent in front of the television would leave you thinking otherwise. i don't know about you, but i am tired of living in fear. it's become a national obsession. it is one of many of our what i call "social ills" that needs to be addressed. let's start talking about it.
4.21.2007
Kucinich Has Abandoned Ship
Just when I thought the explosion of internet discussion of increased gun control the past couple of days couldn't get any worse, Dennis Kucinich, a man I have admired for his open inquiries into 9/11, chemtrails, his blatant digust for the WTO and Nafta, has decided to abandon ship by creating a piece of legislation that will, get this, BAN the use, possession, sale and transfer of all handguns for civilians. Gun owners, you have been warned. This is not a conspiracy. I checked Mr. K's website, as linked in this article, and it is indeed authentic. He has abandoned ship. And I have thus abandoned my support for him. Looks like I won't be voting in the 2008 Presidential Election. He was the only one I could embrace, even if it was at a cautious distance.
Oh how lovely it is to watch our Constitution continue to be dismantled. One of the reasons for the 2nd Amendment was to allow private citizens to own weapons to use for protection against tyranny and in those events when a militia was not around to do so. (Ever wonder why our military personnel continues to be shipped to far off lands? Perhaps there's more to it than military occupation. Perhaps it is to make us here at home more vulnerable. Think about that one.)
While I consider myself one of those bleeding-heart liberals, I support the right to own firearms. Period. People have the right to protect themselves. Taking away the handguns of private citizens is not going to stop violent behavior. Other means will be used instead. What will Uncle Sam do then? Take away our fireworks? Knives? Ban the right to learn martial arts? Remove from store shelves those ingredients that are used in making explosives?
If there is one thing that would cause civil riots, it is this issue indeed. It is a day I hope to never see transpire.
Oh how lovely it is to watch our Constitution continue to be dismantled. One of the reasons for the 2nd Amendment was to allow private citizens to own weapons to use for protection against tyranny and in those events when a militia was not around to do so. (Ever wonder why our military personnel continues to be shipped to far off lands? Perhaps there's more to it than military occupation. Perhaps it is to make us here at home more vulnerable. Think about that one.)
While I consider myself one of those bleeding-heart liberals, I support the right to own firearms. Period. People have the right to protect themselves. Taking away the handguns of private citizens is not going to stop violent behavior. Other means will be used instead. What will Uncle Sam do then? Take away our fireworks? Knives? Ban the right to learn martial arts? Remove from store shelves those ingredients that are used in making explosives?
If there is one thing that would cause civil riots, it is this issue indeed. It is a day I hope to never see transpire.
4.19.2007
Holy Crap. It's Jesus Camp!
So.... I finally watched this documentary. Hubby didn't want to see it given his religious indoctrination as a child. After watching this film I understood his refusal to watch it. I myself had a hell of a time watching it.
These days little surprises me anymore. This film, though, did just that. What I saw was no less than child abuse. For those who haven't seen it, the film documents the founding of Jesus Camp, a camp created by Becky Fischer, a Pentecostal children's minister with the sole purpose of making these children "warriors for jesus". The tricks they use follow the formula for mind control: Fear. Guilt. Repetitive phrases.
I don't know what was more shocking, more frightening. Watching this predatorial bitch brainwash these young minds (as young as 3 or so) or hearing the children speak themselves. This woman somehow thinks she's a messenger sent by god to indoctrinate our nation's children so that we may form a christian nation with christian principles, so that our children will hit the streets and "save" the "unsaved". And of course, what radical evangelical doesn't make the primary focus abortion. They're pro-life of course (although Ms. Fischer claims they have no political affiliation, no political influence). The usual evangelical mantra. They don't give a shit about ya unless you're Christian or can be converted TO Christianity or unless you're a fetus inside a womb. After that, you belong to satan. See ya at the Rapture.
Hearing the children speak is really like listening to a programmed robot. What comes out of their mouths are hate-filled phrases as spoken to them time and again by adults. These are not the words of young children. These are fearful, hateful words spoken to them over and over until they "get it". Every bit as horrifying is knowing these children's parents are not only allowing this abuse but are encouraging it.
These children are being taught to lay down their lives for scripture. As one of the camp's brainwashed little victims, Rachel, says: "it's cool" to be a martyr.
Equally horrifying is watching these young children being coerced into declaring their sins, how they are "fakes" when it comes to be servants of god, how they are to repent, all in front of the entire congregation. They may as well be beating these children with ropes. The damage to these young minds, these young hearts, is every bit as damaging.
On a rather humorous note, Ted Haggard was featured speaking at his massive congregation in Colorado. This was obviously before his REAL self was exposed for us all to see. I wondered how long it is until Ms. Fischer's REAL self is exposed as well. Wouldn't surprise me to learn she is doing the freak with another chick.
What I found disturbingly ironic (and what should put a big fat question mark of doubt into the minds of anyone who supports Becky Fischer and her agenda) is how Ms. Fischer on one hand denounces Islam while in the next breath comparing HER extreme indoctrination to that of Islam. It's ok for Christians to do it, but not the Islams. As she said "we have the truth".
No, Ms. Fischer, what you have is a belief system. We ALL like to think we are the holders of truth. But in reality, all we have are beliefs that guide us. And if you really wish to turn this nation into your version of a "christian" nation, I'll have to pass on that one. Me and the rest of the satan-guided sinners will continue to do just fine on our own.
What haunted me throughout the film, and continues to do so at this moment, is the thought that these children are going to be out in society, functioning as adults, in a few short years. This movement is growing. What began as a group of adults who formed their own belief system AS adults has turned into a cult where children are now the pawns, where children are being forced to adopt the views of the adults around them, without being given the option not to. This is far worse than what most of us experienced in church growing up. Sure many of us had freaks at the pulpit, preaching a bunch of crap while twisting the values of love and peace and respect. However, most of us weren't forced into being "warriors for jesus". Most of us weren't coerced into walking the streets in order to recruit new members. It's one thing when adults do it. It's all together something different when children do. It's wrong. It needs to be stopped. Now.
These days little surprises me anymore. This film, though, did just that. What I saw was no less than child abuse. For those who haven't seen it, the film documents the founding of Jesus Camp, a camp created by Becky Fischer, a Pentecostal children's minister with the sole purpose of making these children "warriors for jesus". The tricks they use follow the formula for mind control: Fear. Guilt. Repetitive phrases.
I don't know what was more shocking, more frightening. Watching this predatorial bitch brainwash these young minds (as young as 3 or so) or hearing the children speak themselves. This woman somehow thinks she's a messenger sent by god to indoctrinate our nation's children so that we may form a christian nation with christian principles, so that our children will hit the streets and "save" the "unsaved". And of course, what radical evangelical doesn't make the primary focus abortion. They're pro-life of course (although Ms. Fischer claims they have no political affiliation, no political influence). The usual evangelical mantra. They don't give a shit about ya unless you're Christian or can be converted TO Christianity or unless you're a fetus inside a womb. After that, you belong to satan. See ya at the Rapture.
Hearing the children speak is really like listening to a programmed robot. What comes out of their mouths are hate-filled phrases as spoken to them time and again by adults. These are not the words of young children. These are fearful, hateful words spoken to them over and over until they "get it". Every bit as horrifying is knowing these children's parents are not only allowing this abuse but are encouraging it.
These children are being taught to lay down their lives for scripture. As one of the camp's brainwashed little victims, Rachel, says: "it's cool" to be a martyr.
Equally horrifying is watching these young children being coerced into declaring their sins, how they are "fakes" when it comes to be servants of god, how they are to repent, all in front of the entire congregation. They may as well be beating these children with ropes. The damage to these young minds, these young hearts, is every bit as damaging.
On a rather humorous note, Ted Haggard was featured speaking at his massive congregation in Colorado. This was obviously before his REAL self was exposed for us all to see. I wondered how long it is until Ms. Fischer's REAL self is exposed as well. Wouldn't surprise me to learn she is doing the freak with another chick.
What I found disturbingly ironic (and what should put a big fat question mark of doubt into the minds of anyone who supports Becky Fischer and her agenda) is how Ms. Fischer on one hand denounces Islam while in the next breath comparing HER extreme indoctrination to that of Islam. It's ok for Christians to do it, but not the Islams. As she said "we have the truth".
No, Ms. Fischer, what you have is a belief system. We ALL like to think we are the holders of truth. But in reality, all we have are beliefs that guide us. And if you really wish to turn this nation into your version of a "christian" nation, I'll have to pass on that one. Me and the rest of the satan-guided sinners will continue to do just fine on our own.
What haunted me throughout the film, and continues to do so at this moment, is the thought that these children are going to be out in society, functioning as adults, in a few short years. This movement is growing. What began as a group of adults who formed their own belief system AS adults has turned into a cult where children are now the pawns, where children are being forced to adopt the views of the adults around them, without being given the option not to. This is far worse than what most of us experienced in church growing up. Sure many of us had freaks at the pulpit, preaching a bunch of crap while twisting the values of love and peace and respect. However, most of us weren't forced into being "warriors for jesus". Most of us weren't coerced into walking the streets in order to recruit new members. It's one thing when adults do it. It's all together something different when children do. It's wrong. It needs to be stopped. Now.
No Solicitors In Corvallis Oregon
We have one of those signs next to our front door. Homemade. It used to read "No Solicitors Divine or Otherwise", but then due to a rain/wind storm, that one got ruined, so I put up another one that simply reads "no solicitors".
I need to add the "devine or otherwise". The religious converts (Jehovah's Witness and Mormons) are in full swing lately in my neighborhood. They woke us up this morning with a knock on the door. I smiled and pointed to the sign. "Oh, we weren't sure if that meant us," the man said. I said it did, then shut the door, but not before the young woman said "have you noticed the cruelty that is being played out around the world?"
As I shut the door I reflected on her statement. If I were quicker on my feet and well, ok, more awake, here is what I would have liked to say to her: "Around the world? Honey, look around your immediate surroundings. LOOK AT WHERE I LIVE. I pay almost $700 a month for this dive just so some home owner can increase his net worth. You see that open window? Want to know WHY it's open this early in the morning? Because this place has so much fucking water under it the humidity levels get upwards of 70%. That is so unhealthy. The owner knows this but he doesn't care. I would say that falls under the definition of cruel. And let me ask you this. Are you allowed to be a church leader? No? Is it because you're a woman? Of course it is. I would say that falls under the definition of cruelty as well. And that older man who is accompanying you. He has on a very expensive suit. He probably lives in one of those mansions up near Timberhill, right? Of course he does. He's white, he's male and he's a church leader. Does he share that wealth with his congregation? Does he make sure everyone who enters his church has a safe, secure, sound and affordable home in which to live? Of course he doesn't. That again seems rather cruel to me. And one last thing. Dishonesty is pretty cruel as well. Why do you folks knock on my door and pretend to be so interested in who I am, asking me if i need anything, when in reality you are only here to convert me? At least be honest with me. When you visit my house, simply say "hello I am here under the request (pressure) of my church to convert you. if that is of no interest to you, we will not be helping you."
Perhaps I will type up a letter stating what I really want to say to them, make some copies and stick them in an envelope, label it for these folks. They'll probably walk away, shaking their heads, and saying what most brainwashed religious nuts do: "we'll pray for you."
I need to add the "devine or otherwise". The religious converts (Jehovah's Witness and Mormons) are in full swing lately in my neighborhood. They woke us up this morning with a knock on the door. I smiled and pointed to the sign. "Oh, we weren't sure if that meant us," the man said. I said it did, then shut the door, but not before the young woman said "have you noticed the cruelty that is being played out around the world?"
As I shut the door I reflected on her statement. If I were quicker on my feet and well, ok, more awake, here is what I would have liked to say to her: "Around the world? Honey, look around your immediate surroundings. LOOK AT WHERE I LIVE. I pay almost $700 a month for this dive just so some home owner can increase his net worth. You see that open window? Want to know WHY it's open this early in the morning? Because this place has so much fucking water under it the humidity levels get upwards of 70%. That is so unhealthy. The owner knows this but he doesn't care. I would say that falls under the definition of cruel. And let me ask you this. Are you allowed to be a church leader? No? Is it because you're a woman? Of course it is. I would say that falls under the definition of cruelty as well. And that older man who is accompanying you. He has on a very expensive suit. He probably lives in one of those mansions up near Timberhill, right? Of course he does. He's white, he's male and he's a church leader. Does he share that wealth with his congregation? Does he make sure everyone who enters his church has a safe, secure, sound and affordable home in which to live? Of course he doesn't. That again seems rather cruel to me. And one last thing. Dishonesty is pretty cruel as well. Why do you folks knock on my door and pretend to be so interested in who I am, asking me if i need anything, when in reality you are only here to convert me? At least be honest with me. When you visit my house, simply say "hello I am here under the request (pressure) of my church to convert you. if that is of no interest to you, we will not be helping you."
Perhaps I will type up a letter stating what I really want to say to them, make some copies and stick them in an envelope, label it for these folks. They'll probably walk away, shaking their heads, and saying what most brainwashed religious nuts do: "we'll pray for you."
4.18.2007
The "Real" Reason Why Don Imus Was Fired?
This would make a bit more sense to me considering the filth spouted by talk radio hosts on a daily basis and considering Imus has a history of making such insensitive remarks. Although I might add, take this article with a grain of salt. It is, afterall, an op-ed piece by Sorcha Faal. Anyone able to come up with the audio between Tim Russert and Imus backing up this assertion, please let me know.
A Possible Explanation: Why Are The Bees Disappearing?
Could it really be so simple? Could humans and our obsessive need to be wired 24/7 be the cause? If this isn't enough of a reason to toss out our damn cell phones or at least greatly restrict our addictive need of them, I don't know what is.
I've noticed a trend the past year. When I give out a phone number to say, for example, a potential employer or doctor's office, I am now asked for my cell phone number. I'm no longer asked if I even have one. It's just assumed I do. Sorry, I don't own one. And if they are indeed messing up the bees ability to navitage, I can guarantee I never will.
I've noticed a trend the past year. When I give out a phone number to say, for example, a potential employer or doctor's office, I am now asked for my cell phone number. I'm no longer asked if I even have one. It's just assumed I do. Sorry, I don't own one. And if they are indeed messing up the bees ability to navitage, I can guarantee I never will.
4.17.2007
The Virginia Tech Shootings: The Day After
I watched the first 45 minutes or so of today's convocation. It was heart-wrenching to watch the photos of those who were murdered. Smiling faces, so many of them so young. None of them likely knowing their life would be ending so early.
Then there was the face of the young man who did the killing. Also so very young. His life, too, ending so early. And not surprisingly, learning that he kept to himself. As the man on television went through a brief list of details about this young man, all I could think of was "no surprise there."
What was troubling to me was the labels that were put on him. "Moody." "Social outcast." "Loner." Labels only describe the behavior and are such, so limited and often judgmental. They do not describe the cause, the reasons behind the behavior. I hope the media doesn't glorify his memory with labels. That won't solve a thing.
As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, there is a real opportunity to heal here. An opportunity to talk at a level we still continue to fail in doing. It's so long past the time to remove all of the masks we wear. It's so long past the time to stop the finger pointing. The blaming. The judging. Well perhaps not stop. It's human nature to do these things. But maybe we can really begin to talk without censoring ourselves. And then keep talking until the anger has been expelled, and the pain reached. Once the tears begin to flow, you know you've found the place when things can be understood (or at least accepted), when healing can begin.
I watched Oprah today for the first 20 minutes or so. The conversation again was more about pointing the fingers at others. The audience practically went nuts with applause when one man sternly said Don Imus is a racist and there is no one to blame but himself for his comment. Ok, fine. So he holds that belief. Why? Let's examine that.
Sigh. We get keep getting so close...........
Then there was the face of the young man who did the killing. Also so very young. His life, too, ending so early. And not surprisingly, learning that he kept to himself. As the man on television went through a brief list of details about this young man, all I could think of was "no surprise there."
What was troubling to me was the labels that were put on him. "Moody." "Social outcast." "Loner." Labels only describe the behavior and are such, so limited and often judgmental. They do not describe the cause, the reasons behind the behavior. I hope the media doesn't glorify his memory with labels. That won't solve a thing.
As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, there is a real opportunity to heal here. An opportunity to talk at a level we still continue to fail in doing. It's so long past the time to remove all of the masks we wear. It's so long past the time to stop the finger pointing. The blaming. The judging. Well perhaps not stop. It's human nature to do these things. But maybe we can really begin to talk without censoring ourselves. And then keep talking until the anger has been expelled, and the pain reached. Once the tears begin to flow, you know you've found the place when things can be understood (or at least accepted), when healing can begin.
I watched Oprah today for the first 20 minutes or so. The conversation again was more about pointing the fingers at others. The audience practically went nuts with applause when one man sternly said Don Imus is a racist and there is no one to blame but himself for his comment. Ok, fine. So he holds that belief. Why? Let's examine that.
Sigh. We get keep getting so close...........
Who I Used To Be......
i was remembering some of the old beliefs i used to have. it's hard for me not to laugh today...not necessarily at myself, but how ridiculous some now seem to me. perhaps though, most, if not all, weren't really beliefs i held. perhaps the truth is that they were someone elses beliefs that were spoon fed to me. and i being the trusting, naive little sponge, soaked it all up. and in doing so, my own voice was left alone in the dark. thank god she's a screamer. : )
here they are in no particular order:
1) i used to believe the gay lifestyle was sinful and that gays and lesbians were going to hell.
2) along those lines, i used to believe in a real place called hell. you know the deal. fire and brimstone. damnation. a devil with the pointed ears and, in my vision, really bad teeth.
3) i used to believe in a god that was male, complete with penis and chest hair. he had an issue with women, too. he didn't like them speaking out too much. again, thank god my inner voice is a screamer.
4) i used to believe women were subservient to men (oh geez, is that a hard one to own). men were the head of the household--their needs came first. (thanks mom.) holding that attitude started my whole struggle with anxiety and panic. put your needs last long enough and you start to lose it.......
5) i used to believe in our government. i used to believe everything they told my television monitor.
6) i used to believe in the american dream. now i see it for what it really is--just a dream. and until people wake the fuck up and demand a different, fairer, just and better society, it will continue to be only a dream.
7) i used to believe people who lived in poverty were worthless, lazy and stupid. life made sure i swallowed, digested and eliminated that pill.
8) i used to believe my family would be there for me no matter what. another equally bitter pill to swallow.
9) i used to support the minimum wage laws. no longer. if it's not a living wage, it's slavery. criminal. period.
10) i used to believe my vote really counted. now with seeing how easy it is to rig a voting machine and upon realizing people are often appointed by a select few THEN elected, well you get the picture.......
11) i used to believe i could have it all if i worked hard enough. tell that to my frazzled, fatigued brain and body. it's a myth created to keep us enslaved to "how things are". the media only shows us those people whose hard work paid off. they fail to spotlight the millions whose hard work does not pay off.
12) i used to believe i had to earn my worth.
here they are in no particular order:
1) i used to believe the gay lifestyle was sinful and that gays and lesbians were going to hell.
2) along those lines, i used to believe in a real place called hell. you know the deal. fire and brimstone. damnation. a devil with the pointed ears and, in my vision, really bad teeth.
3) i used to believe in a god that was male, complete with penis and chest hair. he had an issue with women, too. he didn't like them speaking out too much. again, thank god my inner voice is a screamer.
4) i used to believe women were subservient to men (oh geez, is that a hard one to own). men were the head of the household--their needs came first. (thanks mom.) holding that attitude started my whole struggle with anxiety and panic. put your needs last long enough and you start to lose it.......
5) i used to believe in our government. i used to believe everything they told my television monitor.
6) i used to believe in the american dream. now i see it for what it really is--just a dream. and until people wake the fuck up and demand a different, fairer, just and better society, it will continue to be only a dream.
7) i used to believe people who lived in poverty were worthless, lazy and stupid. life made sure i swallowed, digested and eliminated that pill.
8) i used to believe my family would be there for me no matter what. another equally bitter pill to swallow.
9) i used to support the minimum wage laws. no longer. if it's not a living wage, it's slavery. criminal. period.
10) i used to believe my vote really counted. now with seeing how easy it is to rig a voting machine and upon realizing people are often appointed by a select few THEN elected, well you get the picture.......
11) i used to believe i could have it all if i worked hard enough. tell that to my frazzled, fatigued brain and body. it's a myth created to keep us enslaved to "how things are". the media only shows us those people whose hard work paid off. they fail to spotlight the millions whose hard work does not pay off.
12) i used to believe i had to earn my worth.
4.16.2007
Shooting at Virginia Tech (and others like it) is not about guns. Instead it is about something much deeper. Let's begin the conversation...
I watched in stunned sadness as word came out that 33 young people were killed today by someone who was obviously desperate, out of control, feeling they were out of options. Given the person who committed this ugly, violent act committed suicide, we may never know all of the reasons why. In the immediate term, most people don't want to know why. In the long term though, most of us ask that question. Why? What makes someone just snap like this?
I've read some posts today about the shooting and there are some who are using this as a reason to advance their anti-gun agenda. If private gun ownership were outlawed, this wouldn't have happened, they argue. While I understand their passion, it's a flawed argument, one I would think we all would understand by now.
You know the saying. "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." Perhaps the more accurate way is saying "People kill people and sometimes their weapon of choice is a gun." We can insert a myriad of items in place of gun: knife, axe, hammer, bomb. Or hands. While a gun provides the option of harming or killing more people than a knife or other such weapon, taking away guns from all citizens is not going to stop this kind of senseless killing.
It is time to talk about our culture in a new way, in a way that's never been done before (at least not in any real public format). I'm not just talking about violence and how it is glorified on television and in the movies. That's been talked about enough. I'm talking about what we value in this society. How we treat one another. How we FEEL about ourselves, about one another. Our fears, our hopes, our dreams. Our pain, our anger, our prejudices. Sorry folks but until we truly get "touchy feely" with one another, we're going to continue to miss the train on this gun and violence issue. Today on Oprah the conversation has begun on Don Imus' thoughts and his following firing. I watched the show for the first 30 minutes (missed the last part--had to tend to doggie duty and get back to work) and did not see ONE person admit to any of his or her own racist, sexist, etc. thoughts. And that's too darn bad. Having an open honest candid conversation as Miss Winfrey advertised it as MUST include that finger being pointed in our own direction as well and not just about what we can do differently but what our own thoughts and actions are and how they contribute to this particular social problem.
I realize I am speaking about two different issues here: gun violence and racist thoughts. But they are related in their own way. Both are the results of unacknowledged pain and fear. We must begin talking about our American Way of Life. Rugged individualism. Capitalism, or shall I instead say greed (not personally against a for-profit system--just against that profit outweighing human dignity, value and worth). Competition. We must ask ourselves what we value and how we define worth.
People shooting others. People shouting racist thoughts. There are reasons why people do this. We must understand why and talk about it. There is a real opportunity for healing here. A REAL OPPORTUNITY. Life keeps tossing these things out at us. Wouldn't it be nice if we actually got it for once as a collective whole?
I've read some posts today about the shooting and there are some who are using this as a reason to advance their anti-gun agenda. If private gun ownership were outlawed, this wouldn't have happened, they argue. While I understand their passion, it's a flawed argument, one I would think we all would understand by now.
You know the saying. "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." Perhaps the more accurate way is saying "People kill people and sometimes their weapon of choice is a gun." We can insert a myriad of items in place of gun: knife, axe, hammer, bomb. Or hands. While a gun provides the option of harming or killing more people than a knife or other such weapon, taking away guns from all citizens is not going to stop this kind of senseless killing.
It is time to talk about our culture in a new way, in a way that's never been done before (at least not in any real public format). I'm not just talking about violence and how it is glorified on television and in the movies. That's been talked about enough. I'm talking about what we value in this society. How we treat one another. How we FEEL about ourselves, about one another. Our fears, our hopes, our dreams. Our pain, our anger, our prejudices. Sorry folks but until we truly get "touchy feely" with one another, we're going to continue to miss the train on this gun and violence issue. Today on Oprah the conversation has begun on Don Imus' thoughts and his following firing. I watched the show for the first 30 minutes (missed the last part--had to tend to doggie duty and get back to work) and did not see ONE person admit to any of his or her own racist, sexist, etc. thoughts. And that's too darn bad. Having an open honest candid conversation as Miss Winfrey advertised it as MUST include that finger being pointed in our own direction as well and not just about what we can do differently but what our own thoughts and actions are and how they contribute to this particular social problem.
I realize I am speaking about two different issues here: gun violence and racist thoughts. But they are related in their own way. Both are the results of unacknowledged pain and fear. We must begin talking about our American Way of Life. Rugged individualism. Capitalism, or shall I instead say greed (not personally against a for-profit system--just against that profit outweighing human dignity, value and worth). Competition. We must ask ourselves what we value and how we define worth.
People shooting others. People shouting racist thoughts. There are reasons why people do this. We must understand why and talk about it. There is a real opportunity for healing here. A REAL OPPORTUNITY. Life keeps tossing these things out at us. Wouldn't it be nice if we actually got it for once as a collective whole?
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