Sunday, September 30, 2007

The Uman Song



You'll have to check out Lazer Beams for yourself!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

What if?

It's been a while since I blogged my own words. I'm feeling as though I have run out of words. I've said it already, anything I might have to say to you. So today, in advance celebration of the equinox tomorrow, let's suppose I'm right...

Imagine what the world might be like if all people chose to look within themselves for all the answers. Imagine a world without governments and wars, because each person would be self-governing. Each person would define for themselves what is right and wrong, and in so doing would learn to respect everyone else's autonomy. Just imagine! There would be no written laws, because the Law lies only in each person's heart. There would be no jails, no poverty, no abuses against humanity. Why is it that many people find this so hard to imagine? It's the only thing that really makes sense to me. I don't understand when people hurt people. I don't get it, why anyone would ever kill another person. There's no reason good enough. So what if I am right? What if everyone really does have the ability to know the difference between right and wrong, if they'd only look within and trust their intuition? What is stopping my dream from becoming reality?

Let's take this a step further. Let's imagine the above scenario is true. What would religion look like in such a world? What if religion were defined by each individual for themselves? What if nobody ever told anyone else what to believe? What not to believe? What if the fear were gone, and people were free to find their own Divinity, inside themselves? It would not be a godless world, as some philosophers have said. It would rather be a very magical world! Religion and spirituality would be as real and important to people's lives as the air we breathe or the water we drink, because nobody would make anyone else afraid to believe the truth that lies within.

What if?

Friday, September 21, 2007

FDA attacks...

FDA CRACKS DOWN ON NATURAL HERBAL SWEETENER, STEVIA

The FDA, under pressure from the powerful sugar and artificial sweetener lobby, has issued a warning letter to Celestial Seasonings for using a popular natural sweetener in some of its teas. The letter indicates the FDA classifies the herb stevia as "unsafe", even though it is a main staple sweetener in countries like China and Japan and has been used without negative health effects by indigenous people for at least 400 years. In the FDA's letter to Celestial Seasonings, the agency aggressively condemns the use of the herb, noting that "enforcement action may include seizure of violative products". The FDA claims no evidence has been provided to the agency regarding the herb's safety, but federal records reveal the FDA has received over a thousand scientific studies regarding stevia, and all but one of them verify the safety of the herb. In sharp contrast, nearly half of the studies provided to the FDA regarding the artificial sweetener aspartame, previously owned by Monsanto, indicate serious health concerns, yet it is one of the most commonly used (and one of the most profitable) sweeteners in the U.S. The OCA has also verified the FDA has strengthened enforcement of stevia imports at the borders. Last week, the agency updated a document that mandates detainment of imported food products containing stevia.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7140.cfm

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Spy Chief says:

in the news this morning. I read this article.
So the "Spy Chief" says, Russia and China are spying on us, so that makes it okay for us to spy on everyone, even our own citizens??? And this was in testimony at a congressional hearing? Certainly our politicians aren't so easily swayed by fallacious arguments? Surely they have at least a rudimentary understanding of LOGIC! ...or, is it more a factor of the fact that they are secure in their knowledge that the typical public-educated citizen has no clue about how to think rationally? hm.....

"China and Russia are spying on the United States nearly as much as they did during the Cold War, according to the top U.S. intelligence official.

Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, says in testimony prepared for a Tuesday congressional hearing that a law passed last month expanding the U.S. government's eavesdropping power is needed to protect not just against terrorists but also against more traditional potential adversaries, such as those two Cold War foes."

...

"Congress last month hastily adopted the Protect America Act just before it went on summer vacation, propelled by McConnell's warnings of a need to close a dangerous gap in U.S. intelligence law.

Some lawmakers are now having second thoughts as the complicated law — intended to make it easier for the government to intercept foreign calls and e-mails — has come under attack by civil liberties and privacy advocates who contend it gives the government broader powers than intended.

The Protect America Act allows the government to listen in, without a court order, on all communications conducted by a person reasonably believed to be outside the United States, even if an American is on one end of the conversation."

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Marjorie Cohn

I get all excited when Marjorie Cohn posts a new article on her blog! Not that I give one whit about lawyers or how law schools are run, but it's a really good article (as all of her writing is). Check it out! :-)

Saturday, September 15, 2007

25 years ago today

Did you know about the 1,700 (or more) men, women, and children who were slaughtered at the Palestinian refugee camps at Sabra-Shatilla? I didn't. Never heard one single word of it. Not that I cared much for the news when I was 13, but you'd think someone would have said something about it, sometime, somewhere, in the years since then... link It's a heart-breaking article, but one I feel is very much worth reading and contemplating.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

frankenfoods

ALERT:
GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SUGAR TO HIT STORES IN 2008

American Crystal, a large Wyoming-based sugar company, who ironically have launched an "organic" line of their sugar,and several other leading U.S. sugar providers have announced they will be sourcing their sugar from genetically engineered (GE) sugar beets beginning this year and arriving in stores in 2008. Like GE corn and GE soy, products containing GE sugar will not be labeled as such. Since half of the granulated sugar in the U.S. comes from sugar beets, a move towards biotech beets marks a dramatic alteration of the U.S. food supply. These sugars, along with GE corn and soy, are found in many conventional food products, so consumers will be exposed to genetically engineered ingredients in just about every non-organic multiple-ingredient product they purchase.

The GE sugar beet is designed to withstand strong doses of Monsanto's controversial broad spectrum Roundup herbicide. Studies indicate farmers planting "Roundup Ready" corn and soy spray large amounts of the herbicide, contaminating both soil and water. Farmers planting GE sugar beets are told they may be able to apply the herbicide up to five times per year. Sugar beets are grown on 1.4 million acres by 12,000 farmers in the U.S. from Oregon to Minnesota.

Meanwhile candy companies like Hershey's are urging farmers not to plant GE sugar beets, noting that consumer surveys suggest resistance to the product. In addition the European Union has not approved GE sugar beets for human consumption.

Take action now to stop Genetically Engineered Sugar:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7031.cfm




HYPOCRISY QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
180 DEGREE TURN IN THREE MONTHS

May 2007:
"American Crystal Sugar Company, has no plans to grow GM sugar beets. Herbicide resistant varieties developed using biotechnology will not be allowed to be sold, given away, distributed, or planted in year 2007." (Source: Statement released by American Crystal)

August 2007:
"Here at American Crystal, we believe biotechnology is the current wave that will help feed the world." (Source: American Crystal President David Berg)

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

9/11 ....not!

nuh-uh, not gonna talk about what happened on this date in history. Sorry. Nobody wanted to talk about Hiroshima or MLK, Jr. so I won't talk about 9/11/2001.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

new hawk!

So the red-shouldered hawks are migratory and they left our neighborhood but every now and then you'd see one of them. Now there's a new hawk, a big hawk, a red-tailed hawk hunting in my yard! She doesn't seem so much larger than the other ones when sitting still, perched in a tree, but her wingspan... Oh wow! What a beautiful animal.

We were talking about this new hawk, my husband and I. My oldest daughter said, "maybe it's because you have so much more magic now that you need a bigger hawk." I said in reply that a bigger bird doesn't necessarily have more magic, look at the tiny songbirds that come to our feeder, they have lots of magic, rather it's a different kind of magic.

Friday, September 7, 2007

Free Leonard Peltier

link

The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee kindly requests that you please forward this annoucement in its entirety, please do not modify, edit, remove or add to this annoucement. Please refer to Note Section, after Leonard Peltiers' message for Leonard's address and additional information.
Respectfully,
Toni Zeidan-Co-director LPDCA

Message from Leonard Peltier:
Greetings My Relatives,
You know I was just thinking there should be a degree one could receive for having expertise on doing prison time. I think I would be called Professor Peltier, PhD. with 30 years tenure. A friend of mine said once, PhD where he is from stands for post hole digger. I think I would at this time, embrace being a post hole digger, although I don't relish the thought of fencing anything in after being fenced in myself for 30 + years.

On being imprisoned, I want to touch on that subject a bit. There are some who have voiced their opinion in one way or another, that I should give up after all these years of trying to win my freedom. Aside from the oppressors who put me here, some of them are people who were at times, part of theLeonard Peltier Defense Committee; others, on the fringes. My answer, to put it in a simple, colloquial phrase, that anyone can understand, .it ain't gonna happen! There are many reasons, both physical and mental, spiritualand social. The number one reason is that there aren't any women in here. That should cover the social. Eh!

Another reason, is that the struggle is not just about me. It's about life on earth, the struggle to survive, the onslaught of destructive technology, wealth mongering, by those who see the common man as nothing more than expendable beings to further their personal quest for power and affluence. I am here because, as a common man, along with other common men, I chose to try to stop the exploitation of my people. I know the Creator sent other common men at other times and other places and to other races to do the same. I am honored to be among common men. I know they tried to cause us to separate from alliances by color, religion, and geographic locale but our struggle is the same. It's against people taking more than they need. In my culture it is taught that you should not take more than you need. In Christianity, Buddhism, and Zen, as well as most other spiritual teachings, it is taught that gluttony is a sin. Violation of this teaching is the reason for global warming, and the reason for world wars, including the war in Iraq at this time.

Because of people who always seek to take more than they need, my people have suffered greatly. They are the poorest of the poor yet most still cling to the original teachings. They have fought for several generations for the exploitation of our land, illegal occupation of our land, unjust treatmenti n the U.S. judicial system, and most of all, government lies and liars that have led the American people to believe all this exploitation and violation of treaties is in their best interest. I watch TV from time to time, and I notice there are those who try to make the wars like a war between religions. I tell you my relatives, it is only a ruse to get young men to die for those who crave wealth and power over the common man.

If the many denominations of religions would stand together as one against the violation that jeopardizes life itself, it would make a major difference throughout the world. Today, more than any other time in history, you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. I may, by now, have written more than you care to read. But, from where I sit myself, it's the best I can do. The Defense Committee that bears my name struggles to help enlighten people of events and needs of people in jeopardy. I don't use the word struggle lightly. Aside from trying to raise money for attorneys and office expenses, etc., we raise money for food and clothing for needy people on reservations in urban areas. In my world, the poor are common. I am honored to be one of them, to represent them from time to time, though it be from afar. We as Native People look to the Creator's greatest manifestation for teachings, Mother Earth and her system of nature, along with personal visions, from time to time. In that, we see grass though encased in concrete, pushing its way through the cracks. We see the trees and water break down the structures of man that imprison them. We see everywhere, all life trying to follow the original instruction given by the Creator. If Iwere a blade of grass, I would grow out of here. If I were water, I would flow away from here. If I were a ray of light, I would bounce off these walls and be gone. However, I am not and unless I, at some future time, receive my freedom that was unjustly taken in the same manner as was the freedom of so many Native People before me. I can only leave here through my paintings, written words, and some other forms of communication that are sometimes available. I am in my 60's now. If I end up spending all my days here, and my last breath rides on the wind, and the moisture of my body flows to the sea, and the elements of my being make the grass grow and the trees flourish, make no mistake they can kill my body but they can't kill me. I am a common man.

The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee will continue working on my behalf and towards my freedom unless you the supporters tell me to close down the Defense Committee. Having said all this, I wish to ask you, if you can in any way help us, meaning the Defense Committee, send any donation to :
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
3800 N. Mesa
A2
El Paso, Texas 79902

Pease do so, it is a common cause. If my case stands as it is, no common person has real freedom. Only the illusion until you have something the oppressors want. Back to being a post hole digger.. I'd rather be a free post hole digger than Professor Leonard Peltier, PhD.

May the Creator bless you with all you need.
In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, who never gave up

All my relations,
Leonard Peltier

Note: Sept 12, is Leonard Peltier's birthday. Supporters wishing to send Leonard a Birthday Card, we suggest that you send the birthday cards and letters NOW, thus allowing sufficient time for mail delivery.

Leonard Peltier's address:
Leonard Peltier #89637-132
USP Lewisburg PA
PO Box 1000
Lewisburg PA 17837

Leonard Peltier Defense Committe
Email: info@leonardpeltier.net
Website: http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
Phone- 570-524-0749

International Peltier Forum email:
IPF WEBSITE: http://users.skynet.be/kola/index.htm
ONLINE PETITION FOR EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY http://users.skynet.be/kola/lppet.htm

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Go Lindsay!

Wow! That's some amazing woman, my cousin!

http://www.row2k.com/worlds/features.cfm?ID=1734


I like this photo better than the one they used for the article. :-)

sad state of affairs

well, my garden experiment didn't work out quite as planned, but it was a grand learning experience for me and the kids. We had that late frost, killed everything I planted in early April, then this drought all summer. I had maybe two or three bean pods on each plant instead of the 10-16 the package said to expect. My cucumbers got pollinated by the yellow squash and produced big yellow squashcumbers that I don't care to eat. The critters don't want to eat them either, not even the racoons or 'possums! My pineapple and avocado plants are doing really well, and the okra I planted last month are doing okay (they like it hot) so it's not totally a lost cause. I do have one remaining kale plant, it's tiny still, but not dead. The little birds love to eat the seeds from our sunflowers. I especially like the little bright yellow birds with black wings, I don't know what they are called, but they sure are pretty.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

miracles

Now that I am open to the experience, I see miracles every day. Amazing, wondrous, beautiful miracles. Some of these things might not seem so marvelous to anyone as they feel to me, and that's okay, and some of these things are far too unbelievable for me to ever share here on my blog, because it hurts me when you don't believe. But some I can share, actually I must share them with you. Like the story of the feathers.

The first feather. There's a barn owl at the zoo. The last time we went there, he gave me a feather. First, though, he bowed his head and made himself look just like a little monk. Then, without lifting his head he pointed with his beak. When I didn't understand, he picked up one foot and pointed with one long toe and his beak both at the same time. I looked where he pointed and right outside his cage was a fluffy little feather from his chest. I thanked him for the lovely gift, and he lowered his head and closed his eyes, but looked more like he was in prayer than asleep.

The second feather is a beautiful perfect feather from the wing of a crow. This one is harder to talk about. Maybe some other time. It's too big to fit in my lovely medicine bag that Randy and Claudia made, so I think I'll attach it to one of the fringes, perhaps with a clay bead my children made. We have quite a few that are too small to fit on big sister's dreads anymore. I don't know, though. Spirit is not helping me, but I feel there's something in particular I am to do with this feather. Perhaps when the time comes that I can talk about how it came to me I will know what to do with it.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Labor Day

link

McGuire introduced his idea formally at a meeting of the Central Labor Union on May 18,1882. "Let us have, a festive day during which a parade through the streets of the city would permit public tribute to American Industry," he said.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

things Grampa says, part 3

I got rather upset that nobody wanted to talk about Hiroshima, and called Grampa. I said nobody wants to talk about what happened, but how can we make sure it never happens again if we don't talk about history and learn from it? He said to me that he's given up on changing the world, that he used to think he could make a difference. He said, "World War One was supposed to make the world safe for Democracy. World War Two was the war to end all wars. And look where we are today!" I told him that he has made a huge difference in many people's lives, probably way more than he realizes, and that's all that counts.

what really matters

There are certain things that noone can take from me. My education, my heritage, things of that nature. When I graduated from college, finally, after ten years of going and quitting and going back and changing majors something like six different times, that was a huge accomplishment for me. I actually stuck with it and finished the job and that means an awful lot to me. And now that I know about my heritage and truly understand what that means to me, it's much the same as my education in that it is something totally truly mine, and nobody can ever take it away from me. That's important, you know, because there's no fear of losing it, ever.