We stand at a point in time when the Old Ways that deserve respect, honor and preservation are in disarray. Many generations have passed without us paying the attention required to preserve culture that arose from ways that work. Even now these ancient ways contain seeds of truth and practicality that we need at this time. Many of the really old ways have passed silently into time, without documentation, practice or the recognition they deserve. The current worship of the new is a reaction to feelings of loss that are often sub-conscious. The most evident trend toward recovery of these lost ways is the fascination with antiques and retro anything.
The point of time that we inhabit is a fulcrum between past and future. This fulcrum rests on shifting sand for many of us. The victim culture, spawned by psychobabble in the seventies, reached adolescence through constant media attention of daytime television in the eighties and nineties, now flourishes through the overuse of anti-depressants, psychoactive chemicals prescribed for children and young adults, and the rampant number of folks who cannot "feel normal" without one crutch or another. Culture, which formerly made allowances for human tragedy and actual human needs, allowing humans to grow and gain strength from the knowledge of previous generations has been eradicated. Finding our way to health, happiness, even finding a way home is now dictated by commercial interests rather than the individual, shaman, grandmother or tribal elders.
As we pass the torch to the next generations, we need to show them through our actions that there is something here worth being our best for. The planet deserves respect and compassion. Her people, no less so, need to become a focus of our attention. Not their "earning potential", not their "gross national product", not the "natural resources" that lie under their feet, in their pocketbook or over their heads. In these times, there are myriad ways to get grounded, affirm what matters and humanize our culture. I would hazard a guess that there are nearly as many ways to relocate our fulcrum to stable ground as people to traverse them. What has worked for me will most assuredly not be your path, but the realizations that have come to me because I was looking for them, and the routes that helped me find ways out of dangerous belief systems may shed light on a path that has significance for you as well.
Getting out in nature really helped me to understand what is possible, and important in this world. Seeing the profusion of life, the endless accommodation, the abiding harmony between each element, lack of malice (even in carnivores during the stalking and killing of their prey) and the endless expressions of perfection led me to see this as a possibility for human-beings as well. I jokingly tell people that the best evidence for extra-terrestrial life having made contact with humans (and interbreeding with us) is our utter inability to live as all other animals on the planet do. We need to start with the basics, creating no waste, cycling energy and nutrients rather than hoarding them. Taking our place in the web of life, instead of hacking off the threads that support our fellow inhabitants. The lofty arc of the Eagle and the skittering about of the mouse are the shorthand that allow us to remember what is truly important. Appreciation of this deep ecology has the power to change us from exploiters to co-inhabitants. We just need to slow down and pay attention.
Understanding food policies, technologies and systems that make our way of life possible has helped me to see the fallacy of "feeding the world"(through the green revolution), "higher" standards of living that supposedly come from mechanized agri-business, and the myth of increased leisure perpetrated by technocrats. Every calorie that fires our metabolism has to come from somewhere. Knowing where your calories come from might surprise you. It did me! Realizing the morally bankrupt approach that we have taken to Tobacco, Wheat, Corn, Beans, Squash, Sugar, Wheat, Meat, Milk and Eggs as well as a host of other "commodities" has changed the way that I eat and in turn has changed who I am in significant ways. A hopeful trend in this respect has been the tremendous rise of the Farm Markets, subscription farms, and the buy local movements, which honor the fact that science and technology can never find a substitute for Home-grown Tomatoes. Backyard Chickens, Victory Gardens, and Food Co-ops offer some of the surest ways to find a path to sustainability that I have found. Each of these small changes in lifestyle will teach us volumes about how to care for people and the earth, respect natures cycles, and discover a path toward a future that we can be proud of and that matters.
Looking at our housing choices and commercial buildings has taught me a great deal about our estrangement from the earth, her people, and the communities that we destroy in the pursuit of the almighty dollar. More importantly, it has shown a way to a sustainable future as well. It seems that everyone wants the perfect view. Regardless of where the sun rises and sets in relation to the house or where the cold winter winds come from. If you drive through the countryside, look at old buildings compared to newer ones. The greatest number of passive solar homes (having most of their windows facing South) were built in the early nineteen thirties. Have we forgotten that when we need the heat of the sun it is winter and in our hemisphere, that means that the sun is low in the Southern sky? Massive East, or West-facing windows assure our addiction to summer cooling as well. When a lifestyle based on what matters is achieved, one finds that there is much more need for a small window with a nice view over the kitchen sink. My grandmother knew this, her grandmother knew it as well. When did we forget this basic human need? What we love most about Frank Lloyd Wright was his ability to blur the lines between inside and out. To invite nature into the home and blend human lives with their environment. This urge, rather than being new, is universal and has been with humans since the dawn of time. This urge can be the impetus needed to rebirth a culture of nature-loving people who respect one another and the planet.
Even our relationship to water can offer clues to who we once were are and who we have become. A dear friend of mine only drinks Fiji Water. Another only drinks Perrier. My protestations have, thus far, remained unheeded. Back in the seventies, I told people that one day, water would come in single serving bottles and cost more than soda-pop. For this, I was ridiculed, labeled crazy, and scoffed at. Now, at a theater where I work, they charge four dollars per 16.9 oz. I recently purchased a caffeine and sugar laced beverage for $3 per two liters! (four times as much liquid for 25% less cost!) Is it any wonder that our bodies, in fact, are mostly water, yet we cannot grasp where our water comes from, it's quality, true cost or value? Long ago I became obsessed with trying to find clean water to drink that would not exacerbate certain health problems that I had been experiencing. City water was definitely out, because of the Chlorine. The last thing my body needed was to be sterilized by the residual chlorination process that would take place by imbibing the essential fluid.
My city water comes from Lake Michigan, thirty miles away, requiring massive electric pumps to raise it out of the lake and over the Niagra Escarpment. Since I first researched it, contaminants that had not been developed yet have made their way into that source anyway, so unless you want a micro-dose of everything from heart medication, birth controll pills and Viagra to psychoactive drugs, anti psychotic drugs and a variety of other pills, City Water here is not for you anyway. Studying the various ways that we use to "clean" water was an education in and of itself. Filtration, distillation and reverse osmosis all have extreme costs associated with them. In the end, I had to resort to finding natural artesian springs, and hoping for the best when it came to farm chemicals and other pollutants. I would make a monthly sojourn to one of several sources nearby, fill several dozen glass jugs, and use that water for cooking and drinking. My health slowly began to improve.
We all rely on Earth, Air, Fire, Water & Spirit. This is elementary. I have taken the bold step, some say it is crazy, to expect my life-support system to be clean, abundant, and protected. In this period of time, perhaps it is unreasonable to expect these things as a birthright. My desire is that in the future, rather than seeming to be ridiculous, these things again become normal. Our gifts from the Great Spirit have been defiled to the point of not being recognizable to the "primitive" cultures who once enjoyed them in a non-threatening way. In modern times we have forgotten that one person's freedom ends where another person's nose begins. My needs need never impinge on another's right to be happy, healthy or well-cared for. As we enter the new year, please put to bed the useless tools of oppression. We can no longer be distracted by the fallout of hatred, misogyny, misunderstanding, misplaced trust in the "powers that be", fallacies such as "boys will be boys" or the endless toil of "keeping up with the Jones' ". Use this time to re-kindle the spark of humanity that makes us social animals. Find out what really matters for yourself. Don't let me (or anyone else) make up your mind for you. Research whatever interests you, look hard and don't take anyone's word for anything. Get the facts, even though some may be hard to find or scare you to death! In the midst of all of this, don't sell yourself short, live your life as if it matters, because it truly does. Let the deep and abiding love that is evidenced by Creator through nature be mirrored in your life through actions and daily rituals that affirm life, rather than blindly tearing at the web of life on Earth. Remember, a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Don't cop out, all life depends on your participation in the greater scheme of things.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Great Holiday Party Ideas
This year, thanks to the hard work or many, I found a great deal of information about old ways and new age traditions that brought smiles, wry grins and insight into the meaning and value of the season. We have all known the traditional family gathering, either by participating in it or through the endlessly marketed idea of it. The image of the overly drunk uncle, or the extremely manipulative mother-in-law are stock in trade for our modern vision of the Holy Days. Just knowing that there is a better way has liberated my ideas about what the giving season can be. Rather than what it is, I am finally internalizing the fact that it can be what we make it.
Researching Saturnalia, I found guidance on the number of people to invite. The Ancient Romans believed that between three and nine guests were optimum. In my experience, this would have improved many of the gatherings that tended to be less intimate, less enjoyable and too stressful to host or attend. The discipline required to pare down a guest list seems far too difficult for most, but when practiced, it yields valuable dividends for the host as well as their guests. Some of the activities practiced during Saturnalia survive in modern times, but those that might have offended the puritanical among us have receded into hedonistic enclaves. The topsy-turvey time of year is still honored in many subtle ways and I will leave it to the interested student of history to seek this incredible information for themselves.
Several modern approaches to the season have inspired me this year as well. The idea of a Chili Dump seems the most interesting. Rather than a traditional potluck, each family brings a chili that their family might have for supper. All the chilies are dumped into a large communal pot and the chili dump melds the flavor of all the samples brought by the different families. So simple. I have also been enamored by the rise of fondue during the New Year's Celebration. Dipping in as it were to one another's lives, sharing the communal dipping sauces and the mirroring of the many tiny tidbits we consume has for the many bits of each others lives that are shared in the intimate setting, around pots filled with warm savory and sweet sauces, heated by open flame. Just the thing for a long winter's night.
Whatever your traditions, however you celebrate the winter solstice and the associated holy days, remember, it is about people, not the gifts, not the perfect meal, or the accumulation of greatness and wealth. Just being together eith those you love can have transformative power.
Enjoy it. Be yourself, and use this time of frolic and enjoyment to find out who you would like to become in the new year. You may be surprised by what you find! Remember, traditions are created by what works. If your traditions are not working for you, research what others have found in their culture, and put that to use for a change, you just might love it!
Researching Saturnalia, I found guidance on the number of people to invite. The Ancient Romans believed that between three and nine guests were optimum. In my experience, this would have improved many of the gatherings that tended to be less intimate, less enjoyable and too stressful to host or attend. The discipline required to pare down a guest list seems far too difficult for most, but when practiced, it yields valuable dividends for the host as well as their guests. Some of the activities practiced during Saturnalia survive in modern times, but those that might have offended the puritanical among us have receded into hedonistic enclaves. The topsy-turvey time of year is still honored in many subtle ways and I will leave it to the interested student of history to seek this incredible information for themselves.
Several modern approaches to the season have inspired me this year as well. The idea of a Chili Dump seems the most interesting. Rather than a traditional potluck, each family brings a chili that their family might have for supper. All the chilies are dumped into a large communal pot and the chili dump melds the flavor of all the samples brought by the different families. So simple. I have also been enamored by the rise of fondue during the New Year's Celebration. Dipping in as it were to one another's lives, sharing the communal dipping sauces and the mirroring of the many tiny tidbits we consume has for the many bits of each others lives that are shared in the intimate setting, around pots filled with warm savory and sweet sauces, heated by open flame. Just the thing for a long winter's night.
Whatever your traditions, however you celebrate the winter solstice and the associated holy days, remember, it is about people, not the gifts, not the perfect meal, or the accumulation of greatness and wealth. Just being together eith those you love can have transformative power.
Enjoy it. Be yourself, and use this time of frolic and enjoyment to find out who you would like to become in the new year. You may be surprised by what you find! Remember, traditions are created by what works. If your traditions are not working for you, research what others have found in their culture, and put that to use for a change, you just might love it!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Climate Destabilization-Not Global Warming
We got our call from Texas on Christmas this past week.
Houston was 31 F, here in Green Bay, Wisconsin we were at 39 degrees. In the hours leading up to the phone call, the news was reporting nearly two feet of snow in Texas, but here, in the hours before the phone call, many hundreds of miles North, we had received two inches of rain. The topsy-turvey world was participating in Saturnalia right along with her human inhabitants! I have studied Meteorology since childhood back in the sixties. Normally, we were taught that High and Low pressure cells were relatively small, compared to today where we have had a few in the past few years that cover the entire continent. We also learned that cells of relatively low pressure were almost always interspersed with cells of relatively high pressure. This is not the case anymore. Recently there have been more and more ridges of pressure that align several low pressure cells in groups, but no highs to speak of.
Wacky yes, unpredicted, no. Climate destabilization was the name for the effect, even before Ronnie Reagan gort into office. The term Global Warming was used successfully to obscure reality. It sounds good to me too, but the truth is more troubling. The Climate has changed. What we are experiencing is aberrant. The question now is how do you plan for and adapt to constant change? Hotter, drier, wetter, colder, windier, etc. we will all face this together and it is past time to decide together what we are going to do about it. Like the alcoholic in denial, we get mad, point fingers, act like there is no problem, but the facts keep staring us in the face. Luckily, one of the things in our corner is all life's ability to adapt. Let us hope evolution will aid us in our change, but also let us get the words right in spite of the the global media interests that want us to remain uneducated consumers with an insatiable apetite for business as usual.
Houston was 31 F, here in Green Bay, Wisconsin we were at 39 degrees. In the hours leading up to the phone call, the news was reporting nearly two feet of snow in Texas, but here, in the hours before the phone call, many hundreds of miles North, we had received two inches of rain. The topsy-turvey world was participating in Saturnalia right along with her human inhabitants! I have studied Meteorology since childhood back in the sixties. Normally, we were taught that High and Low pressure cells were relatively small, compared to today where we have had a few in the past few years that cover the entire continent. We also learned that cells of relatively low pressure were almost always interspersed with cells of relatively high pressure. This is not the case anymore. Recently there have been more and more ridges of pressure that align several low pressure cells in groups, but no highs to speak of.
Wacky yes, unpredicted, no. Climate destabilization was the name for the effect, even before Ronnie Reagan gort into office. The term Global Warming was used successfully to obscure reality. It sounds good to me too, but the truth is more troubling. The Climate has changed. What we are experiencing is aberrant. The question now is how do you plan for and adapt to constant change? Hotter, drier, wetter, colder, windier, etc. we will all face this together and it is past time to decide together what we are going to do about it. Like the alcoholic in denial, we get mad, point fingers, act like there is no problem, but the facts keep staring us in the face. Luckily, one of the things in our corner is all life's ability to adapt. Let us hope evolution will aid us in our change, but also let us get the words right in spite of the the global media interests that want us to remain uneducated consumers with an insatiable apetite for business as usual.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Lowest Crime Rate in Forty Years
All "traditional" types of crime are on the wane. Things we think of when the word crime is mentioned, murder, rape, assault, theft and property crimes have not been this low since the sixties. I don't think that we can attribute this to the fact that all the criminals have been jailed. Quite the contrary, people who have perpetrated crimes against me have never even been arrested. Oddly enough, the crimes that I have been victimized by have subjected me to ridicule from police, disbelief, or at least they have given the police a good laugh. Questioning victims as if they were perpetrators makes one wonder if cops just get off on dealing with "bad guys", or if they just get so used to dealing with criminals, that it makes them treat everyone with disdain. If we look to a larger picture, it only makes sense that as people learn to survive on less, and the economic outlook for so many continues a downward slide, there would be higher levels of desperation and propensity to steal and rob. Not so, I guess, we see crime rates falling in all areas, and for all crimes according to the FBI.
The petty sorts of crimes that hurt just one victim at a time have been replaced by crimes that hurt us all. Corporate outlaws who absorb billions in tax money and continue to make bad business decisions top my list of evil deed doers, but we seem to be at a loss for what to do with these bad boys. Law enforcement has been trained to look for footprints in the snow, leading away from crime scenes, finger prints and physical evidence that ties perpetrators to crime scenes. Now, there is even the ability to "search" the net for traces of illicit activity. Even though we have sophisticated ways of finding ordinary criminals, there is a definite lag between what is actually taking place and our response to it. If a company can be classified as "too big to fail", they can lay off thousands, pay their figurehead leader millions, and take our tax money with impunity. This double standard allows the rich to undermine our democracy in a most unsettling way. In response to these heinous crimes, it seems that some police agencies have redoubled their efforts to prosecute people who have engaged in victimless crime, growing marijuana, or God forbid, smoking it. It is confusing to see the attention we pay to trivia, while letting gross abuse of power and theft on a grand scale pass unnoticed. Profiling Muslims has become "defensible", but corporate outlaws are overlooked because we all "want to be like them", rich.
Back in the seventies, there was a pay disparity between the top CEOs and the average workers of 44-1. This meant that it would take working stiffs an average of forty-four years to earn as much as the top person in their company would make in one year. This was basically a person's entire working career, to equal one person's pay for a single year! The reasoning behind this was that top earners were smarter, better educated, under more stress, and responsible for bigger decisions that would make or break their corporation. Even though forty-four times smarter sounds impossible, forty-four times as educated sounds illogical, forty-four times more stress seems improbable and forty-four times more responsible ignores the fact that "average"workers are the ones that actually make products or provide services for which the company is needed in the first place.
Today, this pay disparity has climbed to 360-1. This means that what the average wage earner makes in a year is made in less than a single day by top "wage" earners. To equal the pay of a CEO today, a "family" of workers would require eight generations of toil to "earn" the equivalent of a single year of effort by these super-humanly smart, ultra-educated, incredibly stressed out, and uniquely responsible individuals who are "top dogs" in the largest companies the world has ever seen. Even as their corporations crumble, it is said that they deserve their unreasonable compensation. At some point, will we see through this charade? How long will we allow this insanity to continue? Is screwing a billion people okay if we only steal a penny from each person? How about a dime? A dollar? What if we force them into bankruptcy? Will we ever classify wage slavery as slavery and outlaw it? Why do we continue to look the other way? How can we support a system of all men being created equal but yet reimburse some as if they are 360 people? In this age of technological advances, we must develop our awareness, our culture, and our laws to keep pace with the lightning speed of injustice.
Letting those who have led us down a path toward inequality, have a say in resolving the problems they have created, is like letting a fox into the hen house. This is commonly the way our government deals with important issues. In Wisconsin, when "public utilities" got caught stealing 64 million dollars from residential rate payers, the utilities themselves got to decide how to spend the court ordered forfeiture. Letting insurance companies, drug companies, hospitals and health care providers tell us what they want in a "health care bill" guarantees that their interests get priority while the general public continues to get fleeced. Similarly, when the banks and some insurance companies had gotten into trouble, playing the odds with borrowed money, we gave their terrible managers a get out of jail free card. Many were able to leave their crippled companies with severance packages that exceed the lifetime earnings of 90% of all Americans. I think that bad managers should be punished. Perhaps, if they had to bear responsibility for their stupidity, lack of judgment, larcenous ways, illegal gambling with money that belongs to others, or misrepresentation that only benefits themselves, their illegal and immoral actions would cease. Lying, cheating and stealing are bad, no matter who has done them. People who are worth billions should not be exempt from laws that govern the rest of us. As happy as I am that the crime rate has plummeted, I think that we need to look for injustice wherever it occurs.
The petty sorts of crimes that hurt just one victim at a time have been replaced by crimes that hurt us all. Corporate outlaws who absorb billions in tax money and continue to make bad business decisions top my list of evil deed doers, but we seem to be at a loss for what to do with these bad boys. Law enforcement has been trained to look for footprints in the snow, leading away from crime scenes, finger prints and physical evidence that ties perpetrators to crime scenes. Now, there is even the ability to "search" the net for traces of illicit activity. Even though we have sophisticated ways of finding ordinary criminals, there is a definite lag between what is actually taking place and our response to it. If a company can be classified as "too big to fail", they can lay off thousands, pay their figurehead leader millions, and take our tax money with impunity. This double standard allows the rich to undermine our democracy in a most unsettling way. In response to these heinous crimes, it seems that some police agencies have redoubled their efforts to prosecute people who have engaged in victimless crime, growing marijuana, or God forbid, smoking it. It is confusing to see the attention we pay to trivia, while letting gross abuse of power and theft on a grand scale pass unnoticed. Profiling Muslims has become "defensible", but corporate outlaws are overlooked because we all "want to be like them", rich.
Back in the seventies, there was a pay disparity between the top CEOs and the average workers of 44-1. This meant that it would take working stiffs an average of forty-four years to earn as much as the top person in their company would make in one year. This was basically a person's entire working career, to equal one person's pay for a single year! The reasoning behind this was that top earners were smarter, better educated, under more stress, and responsible for bigger decisions that would make or break their corporation. Even though forty-four times smarter sounds impossible, forty-four times as educated sounds illogical, forty-four times more stress seems improbable and forty-four times more responsible ignores the fact that "average"workers are the ones that actually make products or provide services for which the company is needed in the first place.
Today, this pay disparity has climbed to 360-1. This means that what the average wage earner makes in a year is made in less than a single day by top "wage" earners. To equal the pay of a CEO today, a "family" of workers would require eight generations of toil to "earn" the equivalent of a single year of effort by these super-humanly smart, ultra-educated, incredibly stressed out, and uniquely responsible individuals who are "top dogs" in the largest companies the world has ever seen. Even as their corporations crumble, it is said that they deserve their unreasonable compensation. At some point, will we see through this charade? How long will we allow this insanity to continue? Is screwing a billion people okay if we only steal a penny from each person? How about a dime? A dollar? What if we force them into bankruptcy? Will we ever classify wage slavery as slavery and outlaw it? Why do we continue to look the other way? How can we support a system of all men being created equal but yet reimburse some as if they are 360 people? In this age of technological advances, we must develop our awareness, our culture, and our laws to keep pace with the lightning speed of injustice.
Letting those who have led us down a path toward inequality, have a say in resolving the problems they have created, is like letting a fox into the hen house. This is commonly the way our government deals with important issues. In Wisconsin, when "public utilities" got caught stealing 64 million dollars from residential rate payers, the utilities themselves got to decide how to spend the court ordered forfeiture. Letting insurance companies, drug companies, hospitals and health care providers tell us what they want in a "health care bill" guarantees that their interests get priority while the general public continues to get fleeced. Similarly, when the banks and some insurance companies had gotten into trouble, playing the odds with borrowed money, we gave their terrible managers a get out of jail free card. Many were able to leave their crippled companies with severance packages that exceed the lifetime earnings of 90% of all Americans. I think that bad managers should be punished. Perhaps, if they had to bear responsibility for their stupidity, lack of judgment, larcenous ways, illegal gambling with money that belongs to others, or misrepresentation that only benefits themselves, their illegal and immoral actions would cease. Lying, cheating and stealing are bad, no matter who has done them. People who are worth billions should not be exempt from laws that govern the rest of us. As happy as I am that the crime rate has plummeted, I think that we need to look for injustice wherever it occurs.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturnalia Wishes
This Holy Day Season, it is well to reflect on our past and renew our commitment to the future. In times past, prior to the injection of Christ into the season, (Whose Birthday, by the way, was nowhere near the solstice) these were times of great festivities, gift giving and rather than being a commercial extravaganza, it was a time of rest for business. No commercial business was allowed. A jar of preserved plums, candles or other small token was the rule for gift giving. Useful items that showed your friends that you were thinking about them were given. Re-gifting carried no stigma. (This was like, two thousand years before Seinfeld) Slaves were allowed to wear the best clothes of their masters, and slave owners were obliged to serve their charges if only for a few short days. It was the topsy-turvey time of year when children were allowed sweets, to stay up late, and to make the rules. The period of time between the seventeenth and the twenty-third of December was set aside for rest and relaxation, renewing personal ties to friends and family, letting by-gones be by-gones and Partying.
The Roman Saturnalia was timed to reward the mostly agrarian population after fall planting, and after harvest, with a grand celebration, honoring the God of Growth & Abundance. In times of old, the chance to revel and relax was no less necessary than it is today. Sadly, it seems, the push in modern times is toward making everything perfect. Norman Rockwell may not have created the unreasonable expectation of universal bliss and the perfect family but he definitely codified it in the psyche of most Americans. This in turn has led to tremendous feelings of lack, isolation, ambivalence, and for many, depression. We hear about commercial interests during this season ad infinitum, yet the things that matter most, the needs of people we care about, are glossed over or ignored. I would hazard a guess that in the days of honoring all men, the eternally giving nature of each of us was rejoiced in, and no one felt that they were "from another planet." Feeling part of a larger community, especially one that was whole and aligned with the Gods and Goddesses must have been resplendent. Military exploits were suspended, war could not be declared during this time, "normal" behavior was frowned upon, and all were able to abide by relaxed rules regarding social class, etiquette and decorum.
It seems that we have reached a time where if one has significant resources, these rules are relaxed at all times. The slaves never get to wear the master's clothes, not even for a week, and the idea of suspending our expectations never occurs to us. Week-long revelry is suspect, frowned upon, and considered a little too hedonistic. The idea of encouraging everyone to do it on a specific week seems to us to be over the top. Maybe if we could associate it with football, or perhaps basketball, it could be placed in context, but to get things right between the individual and a community, or to get things right between humans and the Gods, now that's nearly treasonous! It is at least anti-capitalist, and that is who happens to be ruling the day. The "Keep Christ in Christmas" people are to be commended, but capitalism has subverted and co-opted the holiday beyond what yard signs can undo. Unbridled greed and consumerism have taken the last vestiges of sanctity from the Christmas Story and are morphing to increase revenues by appealing to other faiths as well. I believe that it is high time that we put our attention back on the solar cycle, the ancient reality of restful reflection, and honoring friends and family in ways that do not encourage depletion of resources, frustrate the primal urge to have fun with the people we love or cause us to flit about in search of "deals" on the very things we hope will create an accord with folks we are obliged to recognize.
The perverse twists and turns of logic, the convoluted rhetoric and the ultra-hype of the Christmas Spirit today have taken on a new hue. Many would welcome the return of gifts like a candle, or preserved plums over Mp3 players, digi-cams, or Best Buy gift cards, but how do you fight the urge to "prove your love" when the daily fare in advertising is to give diamonds or a car? This is where we need to get creative. Recognize where the urge to make gifts bigger and bigger each year comes from. Realize that through re-aligning ourselves to things that are eternal and that really matter, may put us at odds with the current culture of "have more for less". Many may not understand at first. We must be willing to stand up for what is right, even if we stand alone at first. It may take years, but if one spends their holy days stressed out and exhausted, trying to be all things to all people, nothing is going to change. People who love you will get more and more disillusioned, and feel ever more isolated. Have fun, unbridled joy at visiting with friends and bring a tiny gift rather than a huge one. Your unrestrained joy may turn some heads at first, but it may change minds as well.
I am going to do my part by buying a few dozen candles, perhaps some figs, or walnuts to share, and invite over a small number of friends to drink a toast to life, perhaps play a little cards, or dice, and nosh on some snick-snacks. I urge everyone to take a break from the elaborate rituals of modern Christmas, and return to something you can believe in, a well deserved break from keeping up with the Jones'. Take a break from work, at least a week, from bills, they can wait, from your senses if you prefer, but most of all from expectations, for that is the most sublime. When you come back to the life you knew before the holy days, you will see it with fresh eyes. Things you liked about yourself, and your life, you are welcome to pick up again. Those you do not, will be easier to let pass. New Year's Resolutions anyone?
It has been said: "You have to be out of your head to be in your right mind." What better time to do it than just before a long winter's night? Or during one for that matter. It is time to start realizing the dreams that have carried us through the dark oppression of Capitalism. It is time to honor or neighbor and friends. It is time to take our place in Nature's chain. Instead of continuing to suck resources from the planet, repeatedly buying gifts, no matter how useless, extravagant or inappropriate, let's get down to basics. We love one another and appreciate spending time with the folks we care about. From this foundation of love, all things will grow. Economic factors have no place in holy days. Give them no quarter and they will find their rightful place among banality and vulgarity. Blessed Saturn, thank-you for our continued wealth, our overflowing cornucopia, our fertile soils, our sustenance and the opportunity to serve the planet for another year!
The Roman Saturnalia was timed to reward the mostly agrarian population after fall planting, and after harvest, with a grand celebration, honoring the God of Growth & Abundance. In times of old, the chance to revel and relax was no less necessary than it is today. Sadly, it seems, the push in modern times is toward making everything perfect. Norman Rockwell may not have created the unreasonable expectation of universal bliss and the perfect family but he definitely codified it in the psyche of most Americans. This in turn has led to tremendous feelings of lack, isolation, ambivalence, and for many, depression. We hear about commercial interests during this season ad infinitum, yet the things that matter most, the needs of people we care about, are glossed over or ignored. I would hazard a guess that in the days of honoring all men, the eternally giving nature of each of us was rejoiced in, and no one felt that they were "from another planet." Feeling part of a larger community, especially one that was whole and aligned with the Gods and Goddesses must have been resplendent. Military exploits were suspended, war could not be declared during this time, "normal" behavior was frowned upon, and all were able to abide by relaxed rules regarding social class, etiquette and decorum.
It seems that we have reached a time where if one has significant resources, these rules are relaxed at all times. The slaves never get to wear the master's clothes, not even for a week, and the idea of suspending our expectations never occurs to us. Week-long revelry is suspect, frowned upon, and considered a little too hedonistic. The idea of encouraging everyone to do it on a specific week seems to us to be over the top. Maybe if we could associate it with football, or perhaps basketball, it could be placed in context, but to get things right between the individual and a community, or to get things right between humans and the Gods, now that's nearly treasonous! It is at least anti-capitalist, and that is who happens to be ruling the day. The "Keep Christ in Christmas" people are to be commended, but capitalism has subverted and co-opted the holiday beyond what yard signs can undo. Unbridled greed and consumerism have taken the last vestiges of sanctity from the Christmas Story and are morphing to increase revenues by appealing to other faiths as well. I believe that it is high time that we put our attention back on the solar cycle, the ancient reality of restful reflection, and honoring friends and family in ways that do not encourage depletion of resources, frustrate the primal urge to have fun with the people we love or cause us to flit about in search of "deals" on the very things we hope will create an accord with folks we are obliged to recognize.
The perverse twists and turns of logic, the convoluted rhetoric and the ultra-hype of the Christmas Spirit today have taken on a new hue. Many would welcome the return of gifts like a candle, or preserved plums over Mp3 players, digi-cams, or Best Buy gift cards, but how do you fight the urge to "prove your love" when the daily fare in advertising is to give diamonds or a car? This is where we need to get creative. Recognize where the urge to make gifts bigger and bigger each year comes from. Realize that through re-aligning ourselves to things that are eternal and that really matter, may put us at odds with the current culture of "have more for less". Many may not understand at first. We must be willing to stand up for what is right, even if we stand alone at first. It may take years, but if one spends their holy days stressed out and exhausted, trying to be all things to all people, nothing is going to change. People who love you will get more and more disillusioned, and feel ever more isolated. Have fun, unbridled joy at visiting with friends and bring a tiny gift rather than a huge one. Your unrestrained joy may turn some heads at first, but it may change minds as well.
I am going to do my part by buying a few dozen candles, perhaps some figs, or walnuts to share, and invite over a small number of friends to drink a toast to life, perhaps play a little cards, or dice, and nosh on some snick-snacks. I urge everyone to take a break from the elaborate rituals of modern Christmas, and return to something you can believe in, a well deserved break from keeping up with the Jones'. Take a break from work, at least a week, from bills, they can wait, from your senses if you prefer, but most of all from expectations, for that is the most sublime. When you come back to the life you knew before the holy days, you will see it with fresh eyes. Things you liked about yourself, and your life, you are welcome to pick up again. Those you do not, will be easier to let pass. New Year's Resolutions anyone?
It has been said: "You have to be out of your head to be in your right mind." What better time to do it than just before a long winter's night? Or during one for that matter. It is time to start realizing the dreams that have carried us through the dark oppression of Capitalism. It is time to honor or neighbor and friends. It is time to take our place in Nature's chain. Instead of continuing to suck resources from the planet, repeatedly buying gifts, no matter how useless, extravagant or inappropriate, let's get down to basics. We love one another and appreciate spending time with the folks we care about. From this foundation of love, all things will grow. Economic factors have no place in holy days. Give them no quarter and they will find their rightful place among banality and vulgarity. Blessed Saturn, thank-you for our continued wealth, our overflowing cornucopia, our fertile soils, our sustenance and the opportunity to serve the planet for another year!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Republicans Stymie Universal Health Care
Today, Republicans invoked a rarely used procedural dodge to subvert Universal Health care in The United States. They forced the plan, all seven-hundred and some odd pages to be read out loud into the record. Developed by an independent congress person, this document was the best chance American Citizens had for comprehensive Health Care Reform that would protect individuals from the extractive subsidies of a "business as usual" approach to our out of control disease care system. It would have allowed every American to sign up for a medicare-like system in which the sheer number of those enrolled would drive down costs and increase access to services.
Thanks, we really need you (mostly rich, white) guys looking out for our right to no care. We need to shout from the rooftops about the continuing subsidy of large drug companies, insurance companies, and a delivery system that results in outcomes worse than Nigeria and Sierra Leone. If there were ever as reason to think that Republicans were on the ropes, this would be it! The only people afraid of universal coverage are those who are counting on the funds from ultra-wealthy lobbies to get re-elected. Good heavens, when will they learn, the most important part of their job is to represent us. The finger of the average politician, rather than being on the pulse of public will and opinion, is on the speed dial button of their largest donors!
It is criminal that the same representative that proposed the new legislation had to withdraw the proposal because of the amount of time that would be wasted reading the whole document out loud. I guess that most Republicans don't like to read. If we are to regain our place as a well-respected player on the world stage, we need to act like reasonable and compassionate people rather than thugs and poor losers. We voted the Republicans out of both the White House and Congress on purpose. They led us through a time that saw the fastest run up in inequality in the distribution of wealth that has ever occurred on the planet, and jeopardized the world economy because of the unequaled greed exhibited by a few thousand people who are making over one billion dollars per year.
Thanks, we really need you (mostly rich, white) guys looking out for our right to no care. We need to shout from the rooftops about the continuing subsidy of large drug companies, insurance companies, and a delivery system that results in outcomes worse than Nigeria and Sierra Leone. If there were ever as reason to think that Republicans were on the ropes, this would be it! The only people afraid of universal coverage are those who are counting on the funds from ultra-wealthy lobbies to get re-elected. Good heavens, when will they learn, the most important part of their job is to represent us. The finger of the average politician, rather than being on the pulse of public will and opinion, is on the speed dial button of their largest donors!
It is criminal that the same representative that proposed the new legislation had to withdraw the proposal because of the amount of time that would be wasted reading the whole document out loud. I guess that most Republicans don't like to read. If we are to regain our place as a well-respected player on the world stage, we need to act like reasonable and compassionate people rather than thugs and poor losers. We voted the Republicans out of both the White House and Congress on purpose. They led us through a time that saw the fastest run up in inequality in the distribution of wealth that has ever occurred on the planet, and jeopardized the world economy because of the unequaled greed exhibited by a few thousand people who are making over one billion dollars per year.
What Be the Rewards?
A little over two years ago, I purchased a solar panel. It is the most low tech device that I know of. Imagine a large box low and flat, like the shirt boxes that will be found under the Christmas Tree in a few days. Of course, mine is larger, (seven feet by twenty) and air tight, except for a small inlet and a small outlet. The side of the box that faces South is covered with fiberglass, relatively clear. The rest of the box is covered with insulation. People who sell more high tech devices often call this type of collector "Scorched Air" because it removes air from the house, warms it up, and brings it back into the living space. Inside the box is a bi-metal thermostat that automatically turns on the fan that blows air into the device when the temperature inside the box reaches a predetermined temperature. To keep cold air from cycling back into the house when the fan stops, two automatic dampers close when the fan is off.
Yesterday, I spent a few minutes brushing the snow off the panel and was rewarded by the soothing hum of the fan. Even though our high temp was only twelve degrees, the panel was able to bring one-hundred degree air into the house. Warmed by the sun, powered by a twenty-two watt squirrel cage fan. The entire system paid itself off in under two years. In year one, the panel provided about twenty percent of the home's heat budget. Now, due to creatively changing just a couple things, the panel is making up about forty percent of our heating needs. Rather than using unheated basement air and pressurizing the living space as I did at first, we now use air from the living space to feed the panel, increasing the efficiency and increasing the hours that the fan runs each day.
I am saving money that would otherwise be spent on energy, but this is not what makes me happiest. Knowing that with no major upkeep, this panel should last another thirty years or more makes me feel pretty good. Keeping the place comfortable without burdening the furnace feels pretty good as well. My favorite part is knowing that the sun really will come out tomorrow. During the coldest spells we get during the winter, it is usually crystal clear and the panel works all day long. In the spring and early fall, we use the extra dry and warm air to dry clothes, veggies and herbs. When it gets too hot in the house, we just unplug the entire system.
The most curious thing is that this whole system was created back in the early seventies and has been providing heat ever since. I bought the system used when trees grew up in front of the panel for a second time. The former owner installed it outside his home that was in a suburban area. When trees grew too large to let the sunshine in, he moved to a different home further out in the suburbs. Trees there grew up there too and shaded the panel again, so I bought the thirty-five year old system for about what it cost to build back in the seventies. Where I placed it, in an older neighborhood, the trees are all mature, and there is still plenty of sun, so I won't have the problems that he did.
Why do we continue to deny the fact that solar is a good way to go? Why is the focus on producing electricity, which is more difficult and expensive? I am stumped by the inability of people to see the benefit that would come from requiring similar systems on all new construction in areas that need heat in the winter.
While our elected officials talk about making progress toward energy efficiency, hoping for a seventeen percent reduction in energy use over the next two decades, or by increasing efficiency over the next generation, I have done more than twice as much with virtually no funding, in less than two months. Those who make their money on things staying the same will never get behind the changes that will require them to live on less, or to re-educate themselves. Corporados want to talk about costs, the displacement, the turmoil that they hype as the "result" of doing the right thing. My belief is that doing things wrong because they benefit business as usual is both short-sighted and irresponsible. The workers that will be displaced when we change our goal to sustainability will have to get jobs that support and enhance our planet, and her people, rather than raping it, and them. No talking heads have cogent arguments for environmental degradation. The "powers that be" are, and have always been afraid of change. We must drag them kicking and screaming into the future that we can plainly see is possible. Corporate Welfare recipients will not let go of their billions without a fight.
I hope and pray that you too will one day know the beautiful sound of "free" heat coming from the sun. This is just one tiny piece of the puzzle of how to live in harmony with the planet. There are millions of answers to the question, what can one person do to make positive change in the world. "Take your time, think a lot, why think of everything you've got, for you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not."- Cat Stevens. When we finally figure out how to mimic nature, creating no waste, living in community, with respect for all beings, we will be well on our way to solving many of the problems that plague humanity. We Believed in change. We voted for Barack. We even made him the President. Now we have to fight for him. Show the Corporate Outlaws that we mean business. Remember, The Constitution says: "One person one vote", not one dollar one vote.
Yesterday, I spent a few minutes brushing the snow off the panel and was rewarded by the soothing hum of the fan. Even though our high temp was only twelve degrees, the panel was able to bring one-hundred degree air into the house. Warmed by the sun, powered by a twenty-two watt squirrel cage fan. The entire system paid itself off in under two years. In year one, the panel provided about twenty percent of the home's heat budget. Now, due to creatively changing just a couple things, the panel is making up about forty percent of our heating needs. Rather than using unheated basement air and pressurizing the living space as I did at first, we now use air from the living space to feed the panel, increasing the efficiency and increasing the hours that the fan runs each day.
I am saving money that would otherwise be spent on energy, but this is not what makes me happiest. Knowing that with no major upkeep, this panel should last another thirty years or more makes me feel pretty good. Keeping the place comfortable without burdening the furnace feels pretty good as well. My favorite part is knowing that the sun really will come out tomorrow. During the coldest spells we get during the winter, it is usually crystal clear and the panel works all day long. In the spring and early fall, we use the extra dry and warm air to dry clothes, veggies and herbs. When it gets too hot in the house, we just unplug the entire system.
The most curious thing is that this whole system was created back in the early seventies and has been providing heat ever since. I bought the system used when trees grew up in front of the panel for a second time. The former owner installed it outside his home that was in a suburban area. When trees grew too large to let the sunshine in, he moved to a different home further out in the suburbs. Trees there grew up there too and shaded the panel again, so I bought the thirty-five year old system for about what it cost to build back in the seventies. Where I placed it, in an older neighborhood, the trees are all mature, and there is still plenty of sun, so I won't have the problems that he did.
Why do we continue to deny the fact that solar is a good way to go? Why is the focus on producing electricity, which is more difficult and expensive? I am stumped by the inability of people to see the benefit that would come from requiring similar systems on all new construction in areas that need heat in the winter.
While our elected officials talk about making progress toward energy efficiency, hoping for a seventeen percent reduction in energy use over the next two decades, or by increasing efficiency over the next generation, I have done more than twice as much with virtually no funding, in less than two months. Those who make their money on things staying the same will never get behind the changes that will require them to live on less, or to re-educate themselves. Corporados want to talk about costs, the displacement, the turmoil that they hype as the "result" of doing the right thing. My belief is that doing things wrong because they benefit business as usual is both short-sighted and irresponsible. The workers that will be displaced when we change our goal to sustainability will have to get jobs that support and enhance our planet, and her people, rather than raping it, and them. No talking heads have cogent arguments for environmental degradation. The "powers that be" are, and have always been afraid of change. We must drag them kicking and screaming into the future that we can plainly see is possible. Corporate Welfare recipients will not let go of their billions without a fight.
I hope and pray that you too will one day know the beautiful sound of "free" heat coming from the sun. This is just one tiny piece of the puzzle of how to live in harmony with the planet. There are millions of answers to the question, what can one person do to make positive change in the world. "Take your time, think a lot, why think of everything you've got, for you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not."- Cat Stevens. When we finally figure out how to mimic nature, creating no waste, living in community, with respect for all beings, we will be well on our way to solving many of the problems that plague humanity. We Believed in change. We voted for Barack. We even made him the President. Now we have to fight for him. Show the Corporate Outlaws that we mean business. Remember, The Constitution says: "One person one vote", not one dollar one vote.
Monday, November 30, 2009
What Are The Chances?
I was the lucky recipient this year of approximately 1.5 million Elderberry seeds. Of course, I planted them in the only place large enough that wouldn't be molested. If only one in one thousand makes it into a tree, that's fifteen hundred trees! What are the chances that any one acreage should be gifted the chance to grow more trees? At least for the hundred or so acres that I passed through, there is a chance, just a chance of a great profusion of life. Birds flock to Elderberry. Most times when they get ready to launch, leaving a deposit is part of their flight check. What is the chance that I would bring up bird droppings in the first paragraph? This time, 100%!
Part of the idea behind Otherfish, is the utterly malleable cultural significance of newsprint. We ain't claimin to be no high fallootin' folks or high society-types around here. The words ain't near as important as the use we get out'ta the newsprint! Entrails from fish, caught fresh that day. Upon the cutting board, or in the gut-bucket would be newsprint. To keep down flies, we just wrapped the guts up into a make-shift envelope and buried the thing whole. Being "salt of the earth" practical sort informs most of what I write here. Bird droppings and all!
Two Summers ago, my son and I went for two weeks downriver in a canoe. We went down the Wisconsin River from Castle Rock Lake, past The Dells, Portage,WI Prairie, and on to the Mississippi. We got to Wyalusing State Park while many roads were still out. They had had nearly a foot of rain overnight the week before. Everyone always said that gully washers like that always move quickly, but not the night I watched thunderheads off to the Southwest just below the Dells. 30,000 foot tall columns of light and water remained over the same place all through the night. I had never seen anything like it! Our whole trip was blessed, even the bad parts were enlightening or transformational.
We travelled at about the same rate as Joliet and Marquette did. Sliding into that ancient rhythm both calmed and transfigured me. Eyes always to the horizon, the river's fall line, the riffles and upwellings within the water, submerged obstacles, gentle inlets for lunch, or trees to escape the sun in the desert-like solar oven that can be the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. We routinely found sandy beaches too hot to walk on without shoes.
As can happen, the whole sequence of events during that fortnight led us to call it the "What Are The Chances Tour"Like a mantra that kept coming back of it's own accord, The entire event was characterized by unlikely, yet inexplicable scenarios that I believe have never been equaled in intensity or as a pure reflection of the diversity that makes up the varied culture that unfolds along The Wisconsin, an ancient transportation link.
During our trip, we met tourists, people involved in the tourist trade, fishermen, locals, retirees, thieves, kind-hearted folk, a few rude ones, defunct resort owners, from whom the river had moved away, and folks who had vast views over constantly shifting sandbars as their dining room entertainment. People living along such a river have a significantly different river in front of them at sunrise than they do at sunset. The depth and fury, or lack of it can change more in a few hours than some rivers change during the course of full weeks, or even months.
The interplay of the people and the changing waters makes for qualitatively different people. We even met a few people like us, travelling downstream, in search of something that we could not quite share in or attend to. Each time we would pull out of a place, we would ask, what are the chances? To run into a group of drunken underage kids who would keep us up all night, (one of whom, "nearly cut his hand off!") at the same place, we wondered what the chances were that the guy wouldn't charge us to stay because of the rowdies. We always fell to the conclusion that, at least for this trip, it was 100%. What were the chances that we would find restaurants who were willing to refrigerate our leftovers until morning, find folks who invited us to shower, or a pool and showers just two or three blocks from where we had set up our camp. The ride back to the river with ice from a woman who gave us spiritually inspired art. The entire trip being rain free except when we ended and didn't have to move the tent again. What were the chances? 100%.
There can only be this elusive 100% chance when you are at the limit of your resources, abilities, endurance, physical awareness, humility and ability to seek the adventure without limitations of expectation and belief. As we navigated caves, decorated by native people, on cliffs far above the river that brought the first "White Men" through this "uncharted" land, we looked upon deftly wrought lines that traced out entire trip down from The Dells. Plainly incized on the same walls were the Portage that could be taken all the way to the Lake we call ours, here in Green Bay, Lake Michigan.
The Elderberries that we plant today will change the world forever. Without an attempt to do it, nothing could result from our inaction. If we all become "Johnny Appleseeds", the change we can make is monumental. That is what is needed to change our carbon footprint. As not what you can do for yourself alone, but the Mother Earth who suckles you. I come back to the Elderberry for the fact that it is for healing. It has sixteen times the amount of anti-oxidants found in Ehinacea. By planting it, we can heal ourselves as well as the earth. Most placed that have been denuded will have to be one back to wildness through a process that involves starting with pioneer species like Elderberry, Blackberry, Service (June) berry, Sumac, raspberries, etc.
Bless you on your path to bliss, may you find a peaceful relationship with the planet and all her creatures. Namaste'. Interested in learning about your own path to sustainability, contact: ECO-Tours of Wisconsin Inc. at 1445 Porlier street, Green Bay, WI 54301, or tnsaladino42@hotmail.com
Part of the idea behind Otherfish, is the utterly malleable cultural significance of newsprint. We ain't claimin to be no high fallootin' folks or high society-types around here. The words ain't near as important as the use we get out'ta the newsprint! Entrails from fish, caught fresh that day. Upon the cutting board, or in the gut-bucket would be newsprint. To keep down flies, we just wrapped the guts up into a make-shift envelope and buried the thing whole. Being "salt of the earth" practical sort informs most of what I write here. Bird droppings and all!
Two Summers ago, my son and I went for two weeks downriver in a canoe. We went down the Wisconsin River from Castle Rock Lake, past The Dells, Portage,WI Prairie, and on to the Mississippi. We got to Wyalusing State Park while many roads were still out. They had had nearly a foot of rain overnight the week before. Everyone always said that gully washers like that always move quickly, but not the night I watched thunderheads off to the Southwest just below the Dells. 30,000 foot tall columns of light and water remained over the same place all through the night. I had never seen anything like it! Our whole trip was blessed, even the bad parts were enlightening or transformational.
We travelled at about the same rate as Joliet and Marquette did. Sliding into that ancient rhythm both calmed and transfigured me. Eyes always to the horizon, the river's fall line, the riffles and upwellings within the water, submerged obstacles, gentle inlets for lunch, or trees to escape the sun in the desert-like solar oven that can be the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. We routinely found sandy beaches too hot to walk on without shoes.
As can happen, the whole sequence of events during that fortnight led us to call it the "What Are The Chances Tour"Like a mantra that kept coming back of it's own accord, The entire event was characterized by unlikely, yet inexplicable scenarios that I believe have never been equaled in intensity or as a pure reflection of the diversity that makes up the varied culture that unfolds along The Wisconsin, an ancient transportation link.
During our trip, we met tourists, people involved in the tourist trade, fishermen, locals, retirees, thieves, kind-hearted folk, a few rude ones, defunct resort owners, from whom the river had moved away, and folks who had vast views over constantly shifting sandbars as their dining room entertainment. People living along such a river have a significantly different river in front of them at sunrise than they do at sunset. The depth and fury, or lack of it can change more in a few hours than some rivers change during the course of full weeks, or even months.
The interplay of the people and the changing waters makes for qualitatively different people. We even met a few people like us, travelling downstream, in search of something that we could not quite share in or attend to. Each time we would pull out of a place, we would ask, what are the chances? To run into a group of drunken underage kids who would keep us up all night, (one of whom, "nearly cut his hand off!") at the same place, we wondered what the chances were that the guy wouldn't charge us to stay because of the rowdies. We always fell to the conclusion that, at least for this trip, it was 100%. What were the chances that we would find restaurants who were willing to refrigerate our leftovers until morning, find folks who invited us to shower, or a pool and showers just two or three blocks from where we had set up our camp. The ride back to the river with ice from a woman who gave us spiritually inspired art. The entire trip being rain free except when we ended and didn't have to move the tent again. What were the chances? 100%.
There can only be this elusive 100% chance when you are at the limit of your resources, abilities, endurance, physical awareness, humility and ability to seek the adventure without limitations of expectation and belief. As we navigated caves, decorated by native people, on cliffs far above the river that brought the first "White Men" through this "uncharted" land, we looked upon deftly wrought lines that traced out entire trip down from The Dells. Plainly incized on the same walls were the Portage that could be taken all the way to the Lake we call ours, here in Green Bay, Lake Michigan.
The Elderberries that we plant today will change the world forever. Without an attempt to do it, nothing could result from our inaction. If we all become "Johnny Appleseeds", the change we can make is monumental. That is what is needed to change our carbon footprint. As not what you can do for yourself alone, but the Mother Earth who suckles you. I come back to the Elderberry for the fact that it is for healing. It has sixteen times the amount of anti-oxidants found in Ehinacea. By planting it, we can heal ourselves as well as the earth. Most placed that have been denuded will have to be one back to wildness through a process that involves starting with pioneer species like Elderberry, Blackberry, Service (June) berry, Sumac, raspberries, etc.
Bless you on your path to bliss, may you find a peaceful relationship with the planet and all her creatures. Namaste'. Interested in learning about your own path to sustainability, contact: ECO-Tours of Wisconsin Inc. at 1445 Porlier street, Green Bay, WI 54301, or tnsaladino42@hotmail.com
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Hundreds of Known Killers Evade Police Daily
Having lost a third loved one to Cancer this year alone, my perspective may be a bit skewed, but the facts speak for themselves. Over four hundred compounds routinely created & released by humans fall into the category of known or probable human carcinogens. There are other substances that are called mutagens, which create genetic mutation in humans and teratogens, which cause genetic damage in the person's offspring, not the person exposed. Remember DES? Dimethyl-ethyl-stilbesterol was given to women during pregnancy and resulted in horrifying genetic damage. Even after this compound was banned for humans, it was still given to chickens to increase productivity.
Although nothing can take back the damage we have already done to our bodies and the environment, certain simple steps can reduce the threat posed by these killers and eliminate the deaths of millions of loved ones in relatively short order.
There are dozens of crazy things that we do on a daily basis. I'm not going to recite the litany of insane, stupid or senseless things that humans do. I'm just flabbergasted that chemicals are extended consideration that people would never be given. If I were responsible for the deaths of thousands, nay hundreds of thousands of people, millions over the course of a generation, would I be exonerated because it would hurt the economy? No. People are "innocent until proven guilty", but these chemicals, even when proven guilty, are used with relative impunity. They continue to get away scott free. I'm struck by the odd dichotomy that exists in our heads. When a person builds a commercial workshop, they may be required to vent toxic or carcinogenic compounds out of the building, "protecting" workers from exposure to these harmful chemicals. Neighbors are then exposed to the same chemicals that would eventually kill workers or sicken them if they were in the contaminated building for eight hours per day. Shut-ins who live down the block are then exposed to these chemicals all day long, even in their sleep. Back in the Seventies, I lost my first grandmother to Cancer. Back then, commercial interests claimed that they knew nothing about dangers of hazardous compounds like perchloroethelene, merchloroethelene, or the other commonly used dry cleaning chemicals that killed her.
Doctors wanted to try to fix a lifetime of poisoning, but they were unwilling to say that the chemicals killed her. In private, they would admit that the chemicals she used daily were surely the cause of her suffering and death, but they wanted us to fund cancer research rather than blow the whistle on the true cause. The results of our actions cannot be divorced from our actions any longer! Hoping to stem the rising tide of Cancer without stopping the creation and release of these culprit compounds only points out a mass hallucination or nationwide (worldwide?) psychosis.
We have plenty of evidence on the hundreds of compounds that are killing us. We just don't have the will to protect ourselves from the damage that they cause. Since we have a history of looking the other way, these chemicals and compounds are not even questioned, taken into custody, or locked up forever to prevent future deaths.
I often wonder why we wear pink ribbons, walk or ride our bikes to fund "finding a cure", when there is more than enough evidence to ban these substances outright. It takes a fraction of the will needed to change public policy to wear a ribbon, to give a dollar (or hundreds) or to walk or ride a bike. Personally, we all get to prioritize what is important to us, what we are willing to do or work toward, but we don't get to decide which of our friends and loved-ones will be taken from us by Cancer, or when. The pain and anguish is always the same. If we all made concerted efforts to reduce our dependence on these vile killers, it would go a long way to saving our friends and family from early, and immensely painful death. Even "Cancer-survivors" go through living hell. Living under the cloud of remission brings it's own terror and no one should have to live with that either. We need to spend our time educating ourselves about where these carcinogens come from, who stands to gain from their use, and why we have not realized our own part in their creation and distribution. Rather than just taking (absorbing) our unfair share of these offenders, we need to treat them as the killers they are. Stop accepting death as the wages of business as usual, ask the hard questions, and act with the knowledge that humans are more important that some fool's pocketbook.
Although nothing can take back the damage we have already done to our bodies and the environment, certain simple steps can reduce the threat posed by these killers and eliminate the deaths of millions of loved ones in relatively short order.
There are dozens of crazy things that we do on a daily basis. I'm not going to recite the litany of insane, stupid or senseless things that humans do. I'm just flabbergasted that chemicals are extended consideration that people would never be given. If I were responsible for the deaths of thousands, nay hundreds of thousands of people, millions over the course of a generation, would I be exonerated because it would hurt the economy? No. People are "innocent until proven guilty", but these chemicals, even when proven guilty, are used with relative impunity. They continue to get away scott free. I'm struck by the odd dichotomy that exists in our heads. When a person builds a commercial workshop, they may be required to vent toxic or carcinogenic compounds out of the building, "protecting" workers from exposure to these harmful chemicals. Neighbors are then exposed to the same chemicals that would eventually kill workers or sicken them if they were in the contaminated building for eight hours per day. Shut-ins who live down the block are then exposed to these chemicals all day long, even in their sleep. Back in the Seventies, I lost my first grandmother to Cancer. Back then, commercial interests claimed that they knew nothing about dangers of hazardous compounds like perchloroethelene, merchloroethelene, or the other commonly used dry cleaning chemicals that killed her.
Doctors wanted to try to fix a lifetime of poisoning, but they were unwilling to say that the chemicals killed her. In private, they would admit that the chemicals she used daily were surely the cause of her suffering and death, but they wanted us to fund cancer research rather than blow the whistle on the true cause. The results of our actions cannot be divorced from our actions any longer! Hoping to stem the rising tide of Cancer without stopping the creation and release of these culprit compounds only points out a mass hallucination or nationwide (worldwide?) psychosis.
We have plenty of evidence on the hundreds of compounds that are killing us. We just don't have the will to protect ourselves from the damage that they cause. Since we have a history of looking the other way, these chemicals and compounds are not even questioned, taken into custody, or locked up forever to prevent future deaths.
I often wonder why we wear pink ribbons, walk or ride our bikes to fund "finding a cure", when there is more than enough evidence to ban these substances outright. It takes a fraction of the will needed to change public policy to wear a ribbon, to give a dollar (or hundreds) or to walk or ride a bike. Personally, we all get to prioritize what is important to us, what we are willing to do or work toward, but we don't get to decide which of our friends and loved-ones will be taken from us by Cancer, or when. The pain and anguish is always the same. If we all made concerted efforts to reduce our dependence on these vile killers, it would go a long way to saving our friends and family from early, and immensely painful death. Even "Cancer-survivors" go through living hell. Living under the cloud of remission brings it's own terror and no one should have to live with that either. We need to spend our time educating ourselves about where these carcinogens come from, who stands to gain from their use, and why we have not realized our own part in their creation and distribution. Rather than just taking (absorbing) our unfair share of these offenders, we need to treat them as the killers they are. Stop accepting death as the wages of business as usual, ask the hard questions, and act with the knowledge that humans are more important that some fool's pocketbook.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Health Care vs. Disease Care
I have been trying to decode the mystifying Health Care System since I was a child. At age seven I was diagnosed, behind closed doors, as having "Green Bay Throat". My Mother, being ignorant, asked what could be done about it. The doctor said, "Move away from here." Back then there were still a number of practical souls working in the field of medicine. He would tell us in private that the he and his colleagues knew that the chemical soup we were breathing day in and day out had the effect of depleting my immune system and that there was no way to counter the damage that pollutants were doing to my body. We asked if he would document this Green Bay Throat, but he refused. Citing the fact that he would never work again if he stood up to speak the truth in a town run by the paper mills.
I know now that virtually everyone looked the other way regarding the use of air and the water as dumping grounds for all kinds of hazardous material. The practice still takes place, although we have reigned in some of the most obvious and easily reduced waste streams. Now we face the insidious onslaught of chemicals that are harder than ever to clean up or avoid. Doctors still tell us precious little about the effects of prescription medication, lawn "care" chemicals and agricultural waste in our drinking water, the hazardous compounds created by chlorination of water, or the over four hundred toxic chemicals routinely found in the air we breathe in most major cities. We have not stopped looking the other way. This in turn leads to hazards to our health, well being and ability to lead lives that are characterized by optimum health. We spend more on health "care", as a percentage of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) than any nation, but our outcomes for this spending are way down the list. Last I heard, we rank 47th in most major indicators for health. Oddly enough, with all the talk about Health Care Reform, why are we not asking why people in 46 countries are healthier while we continue to spend wildly and get so little in return?
The most recent flap, characterized by the right-leaning tax and spend Republicans as "Why are you taking away our mammograms? This is the beginning of Health Care rationing!" Is pathetic. I know that we live in a time of serious mathematical illiteracy, but I will try to keep this simple. Average cost of a mammogram in the US is 1,000 to 6,000 dollars. Why this should be, having a six-fold variation in price for the same procedure sounds criminal, is about as clear as the x-rays themselves. If mammograms are performed on 1,900 women between forty and fifty years of age, annually for four years, it would save one life. That would be a cost of between 64 million and 384 million to save one life. Of these tests, 60% show false positives, scaring the bejeusus out of the majority of the women, adding undue stress to their lives and leading to biopsies that incur even higher costs, risk infection and a higher percentage of false negatives because they are performed much more rarely. The math on that is a bit complicated, so I will spare you that. Keep in mind the key part, to save one life!
1,140 women would be told that there was something to be concerned about on the x-ray. When actually only one would be at risk from the disease! Yet why would the doctors not mention any of the preventative steps we should all be taking to win the fight against Cancer? The over four hundred man-made chemicals that I mentioned earlier have all been implicated in genetic damage and/or Cancer. We know more about prevention than the medical establishment is telling us. To truly reform our inefficient system, we need to start with the easiest things first. Cleaning up our act with regard to poisons in the environment would be logical. Of course, it may cause some people to do things they don't want to do. It may require people to get out of certain polluting industries or devise new ways of doing things that have made them fortunes. In the future many things will change. If we are to live healthier lives, some sacrifice will be required. Business as usual has a proven track record and it is uglier the deeper you look.
When I was a child, I lost both of my grandmothers to cancer. Back then, the doctors claimed that they would decode the disease and win the battle with it scientifically. Now it has become chic to "walk for cancer", wear pink, ride for a cure, etc. Yet we still allow BPH (Brominated Phenolic Compounds) to line our canned goods cans, leach out of baby bottles, and nipples, and come in contact with our food and water. We know that they are implicated in causing Cancer! Chlorinated Organic Compounds, created when we chlorinate water, mimic Dioxin (an ingredient in Agent Orange) and PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenols). I continue to lose friends and family to Cancer. They are dying at younger and younger ages. Living proof that we are not only at a loss for winning the fight against Cancer, but pointing out the pressing need to stem the flow of toxic compounds into our bodies. At what hazard do we refuse to see the writing on the wall? Cancer is not cute. I don't think the billions spent thus far on cancer research has yielded satisfactory results. The simplest way to beat cancer is still being overlooked and my sense is that as long as doctors are in charge, they will continue to turn away from the facts regarding prevention.
I know now that virtually everyone looked the other way regarding the use of air and the water as dumping grounds for all kinds of hazardous material. The practice still takes place, although we have reigned in some of the most obvious and easily reduced waste streams. Now we face the insidious onslaught of chemicals that are harder than ever to clean up or avoid. Doctors still tell us precious little about the effects of prescription medication, lawn "care" chemicals and agricultural waste in our drinking water, the hazardous compounds created by chlorination of water, or the over four hundred toxic chemicals routinely found in the air we breathe in most major cities. We have not stopped looking the other way. This in turn leads to hazards to our health, well being and ability to lead lives that are characterized by optimum health. We spend more on health "care", as a percentage of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) than any nation, but our outcomes for this spending are way down the list. Last I heard, we rank 47th in most major indicators for health. Oddly enough, with all the talk about Health Care Reform, why are we not asking why people in 46 countries are healthier while we continue to spend wildly and get so little in return?
The most recent flap, characterized by the right-leaning tax and spend Republicans as "Why are you taking away our mammograms? This is the beginning of Health Care rationing!" Is pathetic. I know that we live in a time of serious mathematical illiteracy, but I will try to keep this simple. Average cost of a mammogram in the US is 1,000 to 6,000 dollars. Why this should be, having a six-fold variation in price for the same procedure sounds criminal, is about as clear as the x-rays themselves. If mammograms are performed on 1,900 women between forty and fifty years of age, annually for four years, it would save one life. That would be a cost of between 64 million and 384 million to save one life. Of these tests, 60% show false positives, scaring the bejeusus out of the majority of the women, adding undue stress to their lives and leading to biopsies that incur even higher costs, risk infection and a higher percentage of false negatives because they are performed much more rarely. The math on that is a bit complicated, so I will spare you that. Keep in mind the key part, to save one life!
1,140 women would be told that there was something to be concerned about on the x-ray. When actually only one would be at risk from the disease! Yet why would the doctors not mention any of the preventative steps we should all be taking to win the fight against Cancer? The over four hundred man-made chemicals that I mentioned earlier have all been implicated in genetic damage and/or Cancer. We know more about prevention than the medical establishment is telling us. To truly reform our inefficient system, we need to start with the easiest things first. Cleaning up our act with regard to poisons in the environment would be logical. Of course, it may cause some people to do things they don't want to do. It may require people to get out of certain polluting industries or devise new ways of doing things that have made them fortunes. In the future many things will change. If we are to live healthier lives, some sacrifice will be required. Business as usual has a proven track record and it is uglier the deeper you look.
When I was a child, I lost both of my grandmothers to cancer. Back then, the doctors claimed that they would decode the disease and win the battle with it scientifically. Now it has become chic to "walk for cancer", wear pink, ride for a cure, etc. Yet we still allow BPH (Brominated Phenolic Compounds) to line our canned goods cans, leach out of baby bottles, and nipples, and come in contact with our food and water. We know that they are implicated in causing Cancer! Chlorinated Organic Compounds, created when we chlorinate water, mimic Dioxin (an ingredient in Agent Orange) and PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenols). I continue to lose friends and family to Cancer. They are dying at younger and younger ages. Living proof that we are not only at a loss for winning the fight against Cancer, but pointing out the pressing need to stem the flow of toxic compounds into our bodies. At what hazard do we refuse to see the writing on the wall? Cancer is not cute. I don't think the billions spent thus far on cancer research has yielded satisfactory results. The simplest way to beat cancer is still being overlooked and my sense is that as long as doctors are in charge, they will continue to turn away from the facts regarding prevention.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
CYA Disease Care System CYA
The past few months have seen tremendous change in the "health care" system. By the increasing advertising I am seeing, you would think that there are no problems at all! Never mind the fact that drug companies have increased prices by over ten percent since the first of the year. Never mind the flap over better recommendations designed to save patients the stigma and stress of false positives for breast cancer. Ignore, if you can the huge increase in ads for drugs that have been proven useless in reducing heart attack and stroke. Just try to ignore the increased advertising for affordable insurance. Oh, by the way, try not to pay any attention to the rapidly increasing waistline of over half of all Americans! Like a patient who rallies just before the death rattle kicks in, the entire system is putting a good face on their horrific record, afraid that their days are numbered.
I live in a city of 100,000 people. To the numbers in perspective: Three cities this size are eliminated, or at least their population is wiped out each year through the authorized (but inappropriate) use of prescription drugs. The illegal use of these controlled substances is the fastest growing type of recreational drug use in our country today.
Prevention of disease costs less than ten percent of the treatments designed to help patients after they become sick, but the funding isn't there for that! We are breeding a race of sick folks so that people will still have jobs treating us. This is a modern example of putting the cart before the horse. I'm pretty sure that the rise in cancer and allergies are related to environmental degradation, but this aside, we have no interest in finding out because these thoughts make us uncomfortable. What makes me uncomfortable is the fact that when I moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, the doctors who "treated" me looked in my mouth and said, "Yep, he's got Green Bay Throat." They would say it in the office, but when we asked them to tell the newspaper, or at least write it down on some sort of document, they would wrinkle up their face and ask if we were crazy. These gatekeepers of "health" outright refused to go after the polluters of our air. They made enough money to move out of the valley, into the fresher air of the country.
Pardon me if I'm calling out folks who we were trained to respect, but there is fault enough to go around. Drug company representatives lie, stretch the truth, and claim statistically insignificant risks of their products. When your relative is the one dying, it won't matter if it is statistically insignificant. I have spoken with enough people who know, these corporate outlaws are protected, even encouraged by our government, no matter what they tell us. Even the insurers are to be questioned. Why do we allow them to make bets on our health? How can they be allowed to cut us off for making claims? If I were to make a bet and lose, I'm pretty sure that I would have to pay. Most questions have easy answers, this issue isn't much different. People who have a vested interest in business as usual will tell you that many of these problems are difficult to solve and "too complex" for you to understand, but don't believe it. If something looks like a red herring, smells like fish, and lurks beneath the reflective surface, avoiding the light of day, there is a good bet that it is a red herring. Shady characters hate the light of day, and people looking at them. Lets turn the lights on this decrepit system, expose the charlatans and get on with funding for prevention.
I live in a city of 100,000 people. To the numbers in perspective: Three cities this size are eliminated, or at least their population is wiped out each year through the authorized (but inappropriate) use of prescription drugs. The illegal use of these controlled substances is the fastest growing type of recreational drug use in our country today.
Prevention of disease costs less than ten percent of the treatments designed to help patients after they become sick, but the funding isn't there for that! We are breeding a race of sick folks so that people will still have jobs treating us. This is a modern example of putting the cart before the horse. I'm pretty sure that the rise in cancer and allergies are related to environmental degradation, but this aside, we have no interest in finding out because these thoughts make us uncomfortable. What makes me uncomfortable is the fact that when I moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, the doctors who "treated" me looked in my mouth and said, "Yep, he's got Green Bay Throat." They would say it in the office, but when we asked them to tell the newspaper, or at least write it down on some sort of document, they would wrinkle up their face and ask if we were crazy. These gatekeepers of "health" outright refused to go after the polluters of our air. They made enough money to move out of the valley, into the fresher air of the country.
Pardon me if I'm calling out folks who we were trained to respect, but there is fault enough to go around. Drug company representatives lie, stretch the truth, and claim statistically insignificant risks of their products. When your relative is the one dying, it won't matter if it is statistically insignificant. I have spoken with enough people who know, these corporate outlaws are protected, even encouraged by our government, no matter what they tell us. Even the insurers are to be questioned. Why do we allow them to make bets on our health? How can they be allowed to cut us off for making claims? If I were to make a bet and lose, I'm pretty sure that I would have to pay. Most questions have easy answers, this issue isn't much different. People who have a vested interest in business as usual will tell you that many of these problems are difficult to solve and "too complex" for you to understand, but don't believe it. If something looks like a red herring, smells like fish, and lurks beneath the reflective surface, avoiding the light of day, there is a good bet that it is a red herring. Shady characters hate the light of day, and people looking at them. Lets turn the lights on this decrepit system, expose the charlatans and get on with funding for prevention.
When is a Bow not a Bow? Wow! wow.
The recent fabricated flap over Obama's "tell tale" bow to foreign leaders neither shocks or amazes me. Remember the blood lust that was fabricated in preparation for both Iraq invasions which had the net effect of killing over one million (some estimates are as high as three million) innocent human beings? The same infantile "logic" is at work now. Our "friend's" enemy is our enemy. How soon we forget the slant wells that first got Iraq in trouble, not that they got caught stealing Kuait's oil, quite the opposite! Kuait was stealing Iraq's oil. Kuait got our support throughout and when no action was taken to deprive them of the stolen crude, the Iraqi leader sent troops to storm the border. It has been a while, but to refresh your memory, our blood and treasure were called upon to get Kuait back on the map. Foolishly we were investing in a tinderbox. Rather than honoring the foreign leader who had a legitimate gripe, we went in with guns blazing, terrorizing innocent people, adding another layer of oppression and death in our wake. The senseless bombing of civilian targets in the hopes of getting Saddam "by chance" only served to take out sources of fresh water and electricity effectively changing a modern, secular culture back into a third world nation virtually overnight. I watched it on CNN. It was "pretty".
My point is that we have the choice to believe whoever we want. Perhaps by honoring other world leaders instead of telling them in no uncertain terms what we want to hear, we would find a way to peace that would save lives and further our interests instead of creating untold havoc that can only breed contempt. We have trouble spending a single night without power. People in much of the world have found ways to exist with just a few hours of juice (sometimes even less) per day. The unpatriotic people who said that it was unpatriotic, or at least unamerican to say the war was wrong are now eager to question our current, fairly elected commander in chief. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, we see how flimsy their paper tigers truly are. The malarkey about what nation our President was born in, questioning his faith, color, and motivation are all ruses designed to question, not the man's ideas, not even his desire to help us regain standing on the world stage, but his legitimacy. People who find fault with intellect are as dangerous as the times we find ourselves in. Putting their faces and ideas before the public with a twenty-four hour news cycle has crippled public opinion, taken focus away from real issues, and created a culture of despots willing to say anything if it will get them a shred of notoriety.
The complete fabrication of evidence for Iraq II, as well as the strengthened alliance with Saudi Arabia, who issued passports to the majority of the 9-11 conspirators, must give us pause. When we support police states, or agencies of torture, human trafficking, corruption and terrorism of their own citizens, it cheapens us. It undermines our lofty goals of self-determination for all humans on the planet. Perhaps, if we all got behind an honorable man, with an honorable message, we would regain a bit of respect in the world. Obama's bow gave him a chance to visually confirm that he respects the leader of another country. It is a good feeling to be respected. Wouldn't it be a breath of fresh air if we were to be respected back? Sabre rattling only assures that you will have to unsheathe the weapon at some future date. Offers of meeting people on an equal to equal basis is our only hope for peace and respectability in the future.
As I told many before the election, "We may get Obama on the ticket, he may even win the election, but I guarantee even after he gets in office, we will still have to fight for him." This is the part where we have to fight. Let the media folks who incite argument, even when we all agree, know that we won't take their pablum anymore. If we let all the scared, paranoid, hateful people keep spewing their lies, who will be informed enough to see through their veil of ignorance? I contend that there are things far more important than Wall Street, more important than the earnings of insurance companies, yes, even more important than auto makers. The future of our planet may hinge on decisions we must make today. I'm all for a leader who knows enough to respect our fellow travelers on Starship Earth. Now, all we need is to convince the talking heads.
My point is that we have the choice to believe whoever we want. Perhaps by honoring other world leaders instead of telling them in no uncertain terms what we want to hear, we would find a way to peace that would save lives and further our interests instead of creating untold havoc that can only breed contempt. We have trouble spending a single night without power. People in much of the world have found ways to exist with just a few hours of juice (sometimes even less) per day. The unpatriotic people who said that it was unpatriotic, or at least unamerican to say the war was wrong are now eager to question our current, fairly elected commander in chief. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, we see how flimsy their paper tigers truly are. The malarkey about what nation our President was born in, questioning his faith, color, and motivation are all ruses designed to question, not the man's ideas, not even his desire to help us regain standing on the world stage, but his legitimacy. People who find fault with intellect are as dangerous as the times we find ourselves in. Putting their faces and ideas before the public with a twenty-four hour news cycle has crippled public opinion, taken focus away from real issues, and created a culture of despots willing to say anything if it will get them a shred of notoriety.
The complete fabrication of evidence for Iraq II, as well as the strengthened alliance with Saudi Arabia, who issued passports to the majority of the 9-11 conspirators, must give us pause. When we support police states, or agencies of torture, human trafficking, corruption and terrorism of their own citizens, it cheapens us. It undermines our lofty goals of self-determination for all humans on the planet. Perhaps, if we all got behind an honorable man, with an honorable message, we would regain a bit of respect in the world. Obama's bow gave him a chance to visually confirm that he respects the leader of another country. It is a good feeling to be respected. Wouldn't it be a breath of fresh air if we were to be respected back? Sabre rattling only assures that you will have to unsheathe the weapon at some future date. Offers of meeting people on an equal to equal basis is our only hope for peace and respectability in the future.
As I told many before the election, "We may get Obama on the ticket, he may even win the election, but I guarantee even after he gets in office, we will still have to fight for him." This is the part where we have to fight. Let the media folks who incite argument, even when we all agree, know that we won't take their pablum anymore. If we let all the scared, paranoid, hateful people keep spewing their lies, who will be informed enough to see through their veil of ignorance? I contend that there are things far more important than Wall Street, more important than the earnings of insurance companies, yes, even more important than auto makers. The future of our planet may hinge on decisions we must make today. I'm all for a leader who knows enough to respect our fellow travelers on Starship Earth. Now, all we need is to convince the talking heads.
Friday, November 6, 2009
It's Official!
Even with this week's Bullish announcement of the sale the largest transportation company in America, by famously shrewd investor, Warren Buffett, we could not bully our way out of the statistics of our spasming economy. The psychological threshold to a full scale Depression has been passed. 10.2% unemployment has been a reality in many parts of the country for quite some time, but the nationwide average crossed into this crippling territory for the first time in twenty-six years thanks to continuing fallout from the "Reagan Revolution" which promised a rosy future for everyone as more and more wealth concentrating in the top echelons of income would "trickle down" creating good jobs and security. The slash and burn approach to governmental agencies like the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), DHSS (Department of Health and Social Services), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), DATCAP (Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection) as well as a veritable alphabet soup of other agencies has led to less and less oversight, less and less protection, and ultimately less and less healthy and wealthy lives for the middle class and the poorest among us. The rise in incomes for the top ten percent of United states citizens have come from the systematic exploitation of the bottom ninety percent among us. These real losses have hit the poorest the hardest as you might imagine.
We can no longer deny that there is classism (even though spell check doesn't think so) in our culture. The poor among us are many many more times as likely to be incarcerated. As we see every day, the wealthy thieves, get off with a slap on the wrist, or perhaps a huge bonus for picking our collective pockets, while someone who tries to escape the brutal truth of their lives at the bottom of the income "ladder" ends up with years of prison for their victimless crime. Remember the "Roaring Twenties"? Wealth was siphoned off by "organized crime" through providing folks illegal goods. The same thing is going on now with huge drug cartels that do not respect international borders. When we look to the law to put them out of business, their buying power provides clout with governmental agencies that are charged with enforcing the law. Corruption is not only a foreign problem. It is alive and well in the heartland. Simultaneously, large subsidies and corporate welfare is paid for by all ofr us, but benefits only a tiny fraction of the population. In some cases we end up worse off for the expenditure of public funds for dubious purposes.
The economic terror that has been unleashed on the world is directly attributable to large cash flows that defy oversight by any governmental agency. This has to stop. Just having huge cash reserves, enough to hide in foreign banks or a stash as gold somewhere, should not give someone the air of propriety. As long as we worship dollars, we will tend to forget the value of humanity, truth or justice. Building communities that are supportive and sustainable is not yet rewarded. Without funding the necessary changes we are only demonstrating continued reliance on un- sustainable extractive economic structures. When food co-ops can form and get money as easily as a new superstore, we will send the message that there is a way to get healthy food for less money. When priorities change, it will be evidenced by the way we think about health, safety and wealth. We need to rethink what our needs are so that we can get a handle on our wants. There will be a much deeper sense of security when our basic needs can be met at lower cost.
My own situation, as a professional had improved through educating myself and keeping myself in demand. Just in the past five years, I have had to learn to live on less than half of the income to which I had become accustomed. This, at a time that prices, for most things, continued to rise. Many of the things that I thought I had worked my way up to have been taken away. Just as I was climbing out of poverty, the rules changed. Health insurance, travel, vacations of any type, gifts for the giving, etc. have all gone the way of the dinosaur in my life. The moral anguish of not being able to give one's children the things they need to thrive creates desperation in most folks. Even those who are still "making it" in this economy have had to curtail their spending on extras. What we find now is that there are less and less dollars available to flow around in the economy.
Many of us started talking about these issues as far back as the eighties. Each dollar spent in the local economy tends to circulate ten to twenty times, rewarding our neighbors and enriching our local, sustainable community. If we spend our dollars at places owned or managed by far off corporations, the money tends to fly away, never to return. The same is true of our children. If they feel that they have to move away to achieve their dreams, they most-likely will never return to enrich our neighborhoods. In my time, I was called names for what I knew to be true, perhaps by the time my grandchildren become adults, the tide will have shifted and the truth will be self-evident to our decision-makers as well as the general public.
The good that can come of this economic downturn lies in our ability to learn and grow. Knowing that what worked in the past will no longer be helpful to us and being willing to ask ourselves hard questions like: Where do we go from here? These are the new realities with which we must grapple. These are the challenges of our age. If we think positively about ten percent unemployment, we might see our way to a new place in which those ten percent went out into the world to help others, start new initiatives that build community and help take care of our children. With modest amounts of investment we could allow new businesses and new approaches to old problems to arise that would surpass our wildest dreams of what could be.
Imagine, having all of our needs met at a fraction of the cost. It is possible through time tested and readily available structures. Co-operatives for food, transit and housing are already on the rise. The local food movement has unleashed a new breed of local economies, based on food for people and profit. What begins the process of change is changing our ideas. Then we need to make the sacrifices needed to reorient our lives. This frees us up, to have the latitude to re-envision a new social and economic order that will be sustainable for the next seven generations.
Peace be with you! Blessed Be! and Namaste', your humble servant, tcs
We can no longer deny that there is classism (even though spell check doesn't think so) in our culture. The poor among us are many many more times as likely to be incarcerated. As we see every day, the wealthy thieves, get off with a slap on the wrist, or perhaps a huge bonus for picking our collective pockets, while someone who tries to escape the brutal truth of their lives at the bottom of the income "ladder" ends up with years of prison for their victimless crime. Remember the "Roaring Twenties"? Wealth was siphoned off by "organized crime" through providing folks illegal goods. The same thing is going on now with huge drug cartels that do not respect international borders. When we look to the law to put them out of business, their buying power provides clout with governmental agencies that are charged with enforcing the law. Corruption is not only a foreign problem. It is alive and well in the heartland. Simultaneously, large subsidies and corporate welfare is paid for by all ofr us, but benefits only a tiny fraction of the population. In some cases we end up worse off for the expenditure of public funds for dubious purposes.
The economic terror that has been unleashed on the world is directly attributable to large cash flows that defy oversight by any governmental agency. This has to stop. Just having huge cash reserves, enough to hide in foreign banks or a stash as gold somewhere, should not give someone the air of propriety. As long as we worship dollars, we will tend to forget the value of humanity, truth or justice. Building communities that are supportive and sustainable is not yet rewarded. Without funding the necessary changes we are only demonstrating continued reliance on un- sustainable extractive economic structures. When food co-ops can form and get money as easily as a new superstore, we will send the message that there is a way to get healthy food for less money. When priorities change, it will be evidenced by the way we think about health, safety and wealth. We need to rethink what our needs are so that we can get a handle on our wants. There will be a much deeper sense of security when our basic needs can be met at lower cost.
My own situation, as a professional had improved through educating myself and keeping myself in demand. Just in the past five years, I have had to learn to live on less than half of the income to which I had become accustomed. This, at a time that prices, for most things, continued to rise. Many of the things that I thought I had worked my way up to have been taken away. Just as I was climbing out of poverty, the rules changed. Health insurance, travel, vacations of any type, gifts for the giving, etc. have all gone the way of the dinosaur in my life. The moral anguish of not being able to give one's children the things they need to thrive creates desperation in most folks. Even those who are still "making it" in this economy have had to curtail their spending on extras. What we find now is that there are less and less dollars available to flow around in the economy.
Many of us started talking about these issues as far back as the eighties. Each dollar spent in the local economy tends to circulate ten to twenty times, rewarding our neighbors and enriching our local, sustainable community. If we spend our dollars at places owned or managed by far off corporations, the money tends to fly away, never to return. The same is true of our children. If they feel that they have to move away to achieve their dreams, they most-likely will never return to enrich our neighborhoods. In my time, I was called names for what I knew to be true, perhaps by the time my grandchildren become adults, the tide will have shifted and the truth will be self-evident to our decision-makers as well as the general public.
The good that can come of this economic downturn lies in our ability to learn and grow. Knowing that what worked in the past will no longer be helpful to us and being willing to ask ourselves hard questions like: Where do we go from here? These are the new realities with which we must grapple. These are the challenges of our age. If we think positively about ten percent unemployment, we might see our way to a new place in which those ten percent went out into the world to help others, start new initiatives that build community and help take care of our children. With modest amounts of investment we could allow new businesses and new approaches to old problems to arise that would surpass our wildest dreams of what could be.
Imagine, having all of our needs met at a fraction of the cost. It is possible through time tested and readily available structures. Co-operatives for food, transit and housing are already on the rise. The local food movement has unleashed a new breed of local economies, based on food for people and profit. What begins the process of change is changing our ideas. Then we need to make the sacrifices needed to reorient our lives. This frees us up, to have the latitude to re-envision a new social and economic order that will be sustainable for the next seven generations.
Peace be with you! Blessed Be! and Namaste', your humble servant, tcs
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
No Idea
First off, let me say that I have no idea how or why this post was created. It seems that there have been fairly large numbers of people "reading" it, but to what end, or who these people might be, I have no idea. That is because until now, there was virtually nothing here other than what looked to be a post of nothing, not a word. Touching one another or influencing one another, or touching each other deeply in ways that change lives across great distances is great, but it seems curious to me that there would be rogue devices that are just pulling down content, or lack of it, for no reason.
I have been told that if I add a photo to each post, and have a way to tease out how often they are viewed, rather than my words, that somehow this will give me a better idea of who is really reading my content. It mat seem strange but a picture might be able to help determine who is reading my work and who is not. What I prefer is to hear from those who have been influenced, those who are taking issue with what I have said or even those who are thankful for hearing my point of view. Without these things, or donations to help me continue to write, there is little evidence that I am reaching people.
My message to the fourteen readers who came across this empty post over the last three weeks, I have no idea what this was or how it got there. Believe me, when I sit down to write, I always have something to say! Even if only WTF? How can we find our way forward without the probing light of day that is shed by communication into the abyss? How can we trust one another to make reasoned decisions without mentioning any facts? How can we assume to know something if we accept the opinions of others without getting to the bottom of where their "truth" comes from?
This link is to something that I have known for a long, long time, it seems to help us to see a larger picture and I post it here to help people to understand that we frequently fear things we do not understand far more than we fear the policies that have been based on lies, fed to us with "good intentions" by others who do not have any facts, credibility or understanding about the positions that they have taken. Each of us has probably had a grandfather, uncle or father who said:"Don't ask why, just do it.", "I said so, that's why." or something to that effect. What they mean when they say those sorts of things is: "I don't know why." or "I feel uncomfortable with the fact that I don't have any good reasons to back up my position." What they are telling you to do is to bend to their will, accept power and control as our fate and to unquestioningly put yourself below them on the social hierarchy.
Just say no to ignorance. Here are some ideas, perhaps you have had a few of them yourself. Don't take my word for it. Educate yourself! This is just a jumping off point. You may want to make some popcorn before you start. If you tend to get angry when you have to suffer fools, be warned, there are a few in this film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnFJYxCx7zk
I have been told that if I add a photo to each post, and have a way to tease out how often they are viewed, rather than my words, that somehow this will give me a better idea of who is really reading my content. It mat seem strange but a picture might be able to help determine who is reading my work and who is not. What I prefer is to hear from those who have been influenced, those who are taking issue with what I have said or even those who are thankful for hearing my point of view. Without these things, or donations to help me continue to write, there is little evidence that I am reaching people.
My message to the fourteen readers who came across this empty post over the last three weeks, I have no idea what this was or how it got there. Believe me, when I sit down to write, I always have something to say! Even if only WTF? How can we find our way forward without the probing light of day that is shed by communication into the abyss? How can we trust one another to make reasoned decisions without mentioning any facts? How can we assume to know something if we accept the opinions of others without getting to the bottom of where their "truth" comes from?
This link is to something that I have known for a long, long time, it seems to help us to see a larger picture and I post it here to help people to understand that we frequently fear things we do not understand far more than we fear the policies that have been based on lies, fed to us with "good intentions" by others who do not have any facts, credibility or understanding about the positions that they have taken. Each of us has probably had a grandfather, uncle or father who said:"Don't ask why, just do it.", "I said so, that's why." or something to that effect. What they mean when they say those sorts of things is: "I don't know why." or "I feel uncomfortable with the fact that I don't have any good reasons to back up my position." What they are telling you to do is to bend to their will, accept power and control as our fate and to unquestioningly put yourself below them on the social hierarchy.
Just say no to ignorance. Here are some ideas, perhaps you have had a few of them yourself. Don't take my word for it. Educate yourself! This is just a jumping off point. You may want to make some popcorn before you start. If you tend to get angry when you have to suffer fools, be warned, there are a few in this film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnFJYxCx7zk
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Seven Generations of Service
When we grow, we pass through developmental stages. Things that we see, feel and understand change over time and when I was trained to be an educator, there was a tendency to focus on the young, since educating them was the way most teachers would make their living. My approach to education required a deeper understanding of growth stages that we pass through after the "formal" education process is complete. I have never felt that education should cease because we fulfill the requirements of any school. Luckily, I have found a profession that requires me to continue to learn, adapt and develop both skills and knowledge. Of course, what is harder to teach is attitude. Many feel that this is the hardest part of being a teacher, inspiring a curious attitude. Life long learning seems to me to be redundant, but for many, the idea of stimulating one's brain past high school, or college seems foreign. I often repeat what an older mentor said when I was a young man and a bit more impressionable, "I've forgotten more than most young people have learned." however, as my training has taught me, I do know where to look up much of that information when I need it. Sometimes knowing where to look is as important as what you find there.
We have dug ourselves quite a hole over the past seven generations. Many of our resources, (which I like to think of as gifts) are either waning, or have completely run out. Our species has run out of territory to "move on" into. Our cavalier cowboy approach to economics, land use and "development" have led to a broken economy, broken lives, broken homes and broken cities. The numbers of people falling through the cracks has increased exponentially as has our inability to resolve pressing issues. I feel that some of this is because we have been driven to distraction by stressors in our own lives. Many also find that if they look closely at nearly any problem, it seems to be systemic, and resolving it seems like it will take more effort than they can muster. I still have faith in education. I believe that if we can learn new ways of seeing, new ways of behaving and new ways to be of service to others, we can find our way out of several of the messes that we have made over past generations. What we need is a better framework for valuing our needs and critically investigating our wants.
I feel that we need to ask several important questions about each and every one of our choices, from housing to food and from energy to consumerism generally. Even the causes we support and our volunteerism can have lasting impacts on our planet and our collective future. How much is enough? Will this serve the next seven generations? Where have these things come from, and perhaps, more importantly, where will they end up? Remember that in nature there is no away, the planet works with such elegance that there is no waste, everything serves another purpose when it is passed it's "useful life". Every individual organism is an integral part of the whole. I am confident that if we can learn to become like our brothers and sisters in the natural world, we will fare much better in the coming years. We are taking some baby steps in the right direction, but to make a lasting positive change, we will need to embrace changes that will lead to sustaining the planet, it's essential resources, and the ability of future generations to enjoy a standard of living at least as high as that to which we have become accustomed.
We have dug ourselves quite a hole over the past seven generations. Many of our resources, (which I like to think of as gifts) are either waning, or have completely run out. Our species has run out of territory to "move on" into. Our cavalier cowboy approach to economics, land use and "development" have led to a broken economy, broken lives, broken homes and broken cities. The numbers of people falling through the cracks has increased exponentially as has our inability to resolve pressing issues. I feel that some of this is because we have been driven to distraction by stressors in our own lives. Many also find that if they look closely at nearly any problem, it seems to be systemic, and resolving it seems like it will take more effort than they can muster. I still have faith in education. I believe that if we can learn new ways of seeing, new ways of behaving and new ways to be of service to others, we can find our way out of several of the messes that we have made over past generations. What we need is a better framework for valuing our needs and critically investigating our wants.
I feel that we need to ask several important questions about each and every one of our choices, from housing to food and from energy to consumerism generally. Even the causes we support and our volunteerism can have lasting impacts on our planet and our collective future. How much is enough? Will this serve the next seven generations? Where have these things come from, and perhaps, more importantly, where will they end up? Remember that in nature there is no away, the planet works with such elegance that there is no waste, everything serves another purpose when it is passed it's "useful life". Every individual organism is an integral part of the whole. I am confident that if we can learn to become like our brothers and sisters in the natural world, we will fare much better in the coming years. We are taking some baby steps in the right direction, but to make a lasting positive change, we will need to embrace changes that will lead to sustaining the planet, it's essential resources, and the ability of future generations to enjoy a standard of living at least as high as that to which we have become accustomed.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Cultural Dangers of Capitalism, a Hopeful View
We have passed on such a culture of greed, that it sounds evil to put things in perspective. Holding the ultra rich to task for their behavior may make a few friends here and there if you find someone who subscribes to a spiritual tradition that honors community and detests depravity. However, most people still seem to feel that power and wealth are honorable in and of themselves. When we take the next logical step, advocating penalties for the moderately wealthy, it becomes a difficult concept indeed. Most people want to see themselves as "good". There are infinite justifications for even the most heinous crimes. Never mind that we all built and lost fortunes by riding the same "wave of prosperity" that we have just seen crash on the shore.
The status quo has not worked. As the stimulus checks continue to flow to outmoded sectors of the economy, it is hard to conceive of a way to make the changes we need to get on course. I'm not too old, or young to remember Reaganomics. When the brakes came off the banking industry, it was just a matter of time until the wheels came off. Do we need any more proof than what we have seen in just the past two years? Who will reign in the most powerful when we still share the collective (but illogical) dream of winning the proverbial lottery? Our cultural mythology asserts that we might all join them if we play our cards right. When we raise each successive generation to want more, and assure them that the sky is the limit, why do we despair when children move away, leaving their parents alone and lonely? When we praise money over people, how can we not expect children to pay for their future without caring for us? We need to reestablish a connection to one another that cannot stand for greed, theft and lies perpetrated on others in pursuit of dollars.
Capital is not inherently good, bad or neutral. It just is. Humans created it to represent something. Initially it was meant to represent commitment. Say I want something from you, if I had put in enough hours, working for capital, I could just give it to you in trade for that thing. Of course we would have to agree on the relative value. In most situations we would both walk away happy. What we have done is sold things without knowing their true worth, and traded things for them that we had no idea what they would truly cost! This would be like playing poker without having any symbols or numbers on the cards. No one said that homes would lose thirty percent or more of their value three years ago, or no one would have purchased any mortgages. Why so much big money is still in the construction trades is baffling. Like road building. The long term costs don't seem to warrant the short term gains. If a few can make money now, it doesn't seem to matter if we will all have to pay later. The spin we have had on capital in the past must shift and in some respects spin the other way. What if we asked the exact opposite question? How can we make some people pay now, so that everyone would reap benefits in the future?
I am reminded of the story of Icarus and Daedalus. The father and son who used beeswax to attach feathers to their arms. The wise old man said, "Don't fly too close to the sun." The youthful and imprudent son just laughed until the sun melted the wax, plunging him into the sea to meet his demise. There is a way to transcend our limitations. It lies in having vision, being creative, and respecting physics. Having it all, at least the way we have been doing it requires that some go without, or have theirs taken away. We must not shudder, and look away, from justice being done. Whether something is illegal or not, certain things are just wrong. In a perfect world, those who flew too close to the sun would have already drowned. Instead, we have all paid for and delivered a posh life raft, well provisioned to these criminals. As our dollar loses value, we all feel the pain that would be over already if we had just pulled the plug. We need to walk away from things that cost too much, not devise ways to prop them up. When people disregard others, or take from our collective future, we must hold their feet to the fire.
When the AIG bailout was about to happen, I asked a fellow who had all his insurance with them..."What would you do if AIG went bankrupt?" His response was enlightening. "I'd buy insurance from someone else." I heard two fellows talking about the demise of the auto industry and the same thing was discussed. What if there were no more US auto industry? We would buy cars from Korea. If they made them. Or China, or wherever. As long as the oil holds out. We have been duped into thinking that the same people who didn't make good choices in a good economy will learn from their mistakes if we just give them another chance. I'm here to tell you that I am paying daily for mistakes that will have lasting effects for decades. We are not dealing with children, who were unaware of what they were doing. These are the most wealthy, and often the best educated individuals in our nation, even their minions are making more than eighty percent of the rest of us. It is time to let these people fail, reorient our economy, and retool for the coming crash of commercial real estate. We need to take capital back, rather than squandering it on the irresponsible who value objects over people.
We do not have to look far for solutions to our current economic woes. In fact, there is a dearth of wisdom on this subject that we have overlooked for centuries. In nature there is no waste. There is no worship of power, capital or greed. There are no tax breaks for advertising, no cable TV. There are no road builders, each individual is tasked with only one objective, to either survive, or help the community survive. Riches do not accrue to individuals, and windfalls are shared amongst the community. When hardship befalls a species, all individuals amongst the species take the hit together. In a functioning, and interconnected world, we must not stand for gated communities. In the sustainable world of the future, the "haves" must help the"have-nots". I'm not advocating mindless giving or charity. These usually lead to either dependence or exploitation by the greedy anyway. What I am speaking of is a real compassion, that will allow us to find ways to help others find their way to a better life, micro loans, access to capital, that when mixed with creativity and sustained effort can grow into security and improved lifestyles.
Imagine if we sent each of our young men to Afghanistan armed with only one hundred fruit and nut trees. Promising to let them come home when they found someone willing to help care for them until they would provide their harvest. Who would shoot at them? If we honestly could face people and say that when we leave, you will be better off than when we came, and here are the tools to prove it. What a difference we could make! Ask your neighbor if he needs a hand the next time you see him toiling. You might be surprised where it will lead. Give of yourself as if others mattered. I think you will find that at first many will distrust you, because they have been indoctrinated into a mindset of greed and lack. Persist and you will find many more who will take and take, but never give anything back. They too have their eyes clouded by despair and a sense of lack. When you leave them behind and keep giving, you will find a fertile soil of like-minded folks who truly want to recreate Eden, and with them continue to plant the seeds of harmony with nature, rewarding important work with respect and being able to live much better on far less than anyone ever imagined.
We can turn the tide of environmental and economic destruction, but only by obeying the laws of nature. When people make terrible mistakes, they should also pay terrible consequences. When we find a way to live better on less, we should shout it from the rooftops. As long as we try to defy the laws of nature, we will continue to be left out in the cold, experience the boom and bust of our own creation, and be left empty and alone when we need others the most. Please, don't forget that we all rely on the same planet, we have all received gifts from our ancestors, and we all want to pass on a live-able world for our children. Do what thou will, but first do no harm.
Blessed Be!
The status quo has not worked. As the stimulus checks continue to flow to outmoded sectors of the economy, it is hard to conceive of a way to make the changes we need to get on course. I'm not too old, or young to remember Reaganomics. When the brakes came off the banking industry, it was just a matter of time until the wheels came off. Do we need any more proof than what we have seen in just the past two years? Who will reign in the most powerful when we still share the collective (but illogical) dream of winning the proverbial lottery? Our cultural mythology asserts that we might all join them if we play our cards right. When we raise each successive generation to want more, and assure them that the sky is the limit, why do we despair when children move away, leaving their parents alone and lonely? When we praise money over people, how can we not expect children to pay for their future without caring for us? We need to reestablish a connection to one another that cannot stand for greed, theft and lies perpetrated on others in pursuit of dollars.
Capital is not inherently good, bad or neutral. It just is. Humans created it to represent something. Initially it was meant to represent commitment. Say I want something from you, if I had put in enough hours, working for capital, I could just give it to you in trade for that thing. Of course we would have to agree on the relative value. In most situations we would both walk away happy. What we have done is sold things without knowing their true worth, and traded things for them that we had no idea what they would truly cost! This would be like playing poker without having any symbols or numbers on the cards. No one said that homes would lose thirty percent or more of their value three years ago, or no one would have purchased any mortgages. Why so much big money is still in the construction trades is baffling. Like road building. The long term costs don't seem to warrant the short term gains. If a few can make money now, it doesn't seem to matter if we will all have to pay later. The spin we have had on capital in the past must shift and in some respects spin the other way. What if we asked the exact opposite question? How can we make some people pay now, so that everyone would reap benefits in the future?
I am reminded of the story of Icarus and Daedalus. The father and son who used beeswax to attach feathers to their arms. The wise old man said, "Don't fly too close to the sun." The youthful and imprudent son just laughed until the sun melted the wax, plunging him into the sea to meet his demise. There is a way to transcend our limitations. It lies in having vision, being creative, and respecting physics. Having it all, at least the way we have been doing it requires that some go without, or have theirs taken away. We must not shudder, and look away, from justice being done. Whether something is illegal or not, certain things are just wrong. In a perfect world, those who flew too close to the sun would have already drowned. Instead, we have all paid for and delivered a posh life raft, well provisioned to these criminals. As our dollar loses value, we all feel the pain that would be over already if we had just pulled the plug. We need to walk away from things that cost too much, not devise ways to prop them up. When people disregard others, or take from our collective future, we must hold their feet to the fire.
When the AIG bailout was about to happen, I asked a fellow who had all his insurance with them..."What would you do if AIG went bankrupt?" His response was enlightening. "I'd buy insurance from someone else." I heard two fellows talking about the demise of the auto industry and the same thing was discussed. What if there were no more US auto industry? We would buy cars from Korea. If they made them. Or China, or wherever. As long as the oil holds out. We have been duped into thinking that the same people who didn't make good choices in a good economy will learn from their mistakes if we just give them another chance. I'm here to tell you that I am paying daily for mistakes that will have lasting effects for decades. We are not dealing with children, who were unaware of what they were doing. These are the most wealthy, and often the best educated individuals in our nation, even their minions are making more than eighty percent of the rest of us. It is time to let these people fail, reorient our economy, and retool for the coming crash of commercial real estate. We need to take capital back, rather than squandering it on the irresponsible who value objects over people.
We do not have to look far for solutions to our current economic woes. In fact, there is a dearth of wisdom on this subject that we have overlooked for centuries. In nature there is no waste. There is no worship of power, capital or greed. There are no tax breaks for advertising, no cable TV. There are no road builders, each individual is tasked with only one objective, to either survive, or help the community survive. Riches do not accrue to individuals, and windfalls are shared amongst the community. When hardship befalls a species, all individuals amongst the species take the hit together. In a functioning, and interconnected world, we must not stand for gated communities. In the sustainable world of the future, the "haves" must help the"have-nots". I'm not advocating mindless giving or charity. These usually lead to either dependence or exploitation by the greedy anyway. What I am speaking of is a real compassion, that will allow us to find ways to help others find their way to a better life, micro loans, access to capital, that when mixed with creativity and sustained effort can grow into security and improved lifestyles.
Imagine if we sent each of our young men to Afghanistan armed with only one hundred fruit and nut trees. Promising to let them come home when they found someone willing to help care for them until they would provide their harvest. Who would shoot at them? If we honestly could face people and say that when we leave, you will be better off than when we came, and here are the tools to prove it. What a difference we could make! Ask your neighbor if he needs a hand the next time you see him toiling. You might be surprised where it will lead. Give of yourself as if others mattered. I think you will find that at first many will distrust you, because they have been indoctrinated into a mindset of greed and lack. Persist and you will find many more who will take and take, but never give anything back. They too have their eyes clouded by despair and a sense of lack. When you leave them behind and keep giving, you will find a fertile soil of like-minded folks who truly want to recreate Eden, and with them continue to plant the seeds of harmony with nature, rewarding important work with respect and being able to live much better on far less than anyone ever imagined.
We can turn the tide of environmental and economic destruction, but only by obeying the laws of nature. When people make terrible mistakes, they should also pay terrible consequences. When we find a way to live better on less, we should shout it from the rooftops. As long as we try to defy the laws of nature, we will continue to be left out in the cold, experience the boom and bust of our own creation, and be left empty and alone when we need others the most. Please, don't forget that we all rely on the same planet, we have all received gifts from our ancestors, and we all want to pass on a live-able world for our children. Do what thou will, but first do no harm.
Blessed Be!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Paganspace.net turns two on my Birthday!
24,000 members share everything from recipes to gardening advice and from Athame selection to Zebra mussel mulch tips (especially helpful on calcium deficient soils) Isn't it ironic that such a large online community would have started on the cusp of Libra and Scorpio. Just like me, it's a bit quirky, but if you look into it, I think you will like the people you find there.
In the Moon of My Birthday, need for ritual discussed
Ah, yes. Ritual as mask. An insight that I had not thought of in quite the same way before. Just as the mask allows "permission" to transcend our normal state, this transcendent state also allows us to become a conduit for the will (will becoming reality) of a force of nature, a plant, an animal or yes even a deity. Like channeling, man... I am thinking about the "tribes" who use ritual dancing and masks to enter trances that allow them to take on the character of deities.
In our highly westernized and intellectualized existence, we may not have to dress like Athena, Hildegaard, or Rasputin to call in the energies of these powerful spirits. We just name them. Theoretically, as long as you can "thought experiment up" the proper seat of power that you are interested in, burning the right candle, or quoting the right passage is window dressing anyway and holds no true power by itself. Actions, props, and incantations are not the energy, only mnemonic devices to spur our awareness of eternal forces.
In any case, of course ritual is vital! Without rituals, all is mundane. Ritual is like the structure that becomes a conduit for our energies to feed into as well as draw on the All. If one cannot create a process for doing this, or don't want to, I am not sure that one has experienced the transformational aspects of discipline. That is why many labor for months on a costume for the one night that the veil between worlds is thinnest! The amount of energy you invest always effects the quality of what you come away with!
I have always been of the belief that you have to get out of your head to be in your right mind. Regimentation is what allows us to be set free of the mundane. Imagine, in a spiritual sense, what it would be like to be a magnificent artist whose media of choice is colored pencils. If you only had one of each color pencil in every location that you routinely passed through. This ad hoc way of organizing would lead to tremendous costs of time and energy as each color had to be found and remembered. How much art could you make this way? How complicated would making your art become? How would your life improve if you had a pencil case, or better yet a subdivided pencil case that had groups of associated colors?
The organization of ritual has the benefit of putting our conscious mind to bed as it were, this allows us to be less fettered than we were before the process was begun. By calling the quarters, and recognizing that we are relative to all things, we open a whole new set of possibilities. Activating these energies is best done when there are lifeguards, experienced coaches or shamen around. Not on one's own. Some heavy changes can occur when in trance. Having an elder, with prior experience in this "new" territory, on hand is crucial to assuring positive outcomes. The recent "sweat-lodge" deaths point this out quite clearly. It is tragic that some people with a little knowledge are still trying to lead others through rites that require a lifetime of study in addition to the wisdom of the ancients to be effective. We all seek enlightenment, but at what cost?
In our highly westernized and intellectualized existence, we may not have to dress like Athena, Hildegaard, or Rasputin to call in the energies of these powerful spirits. We just name them. Theoretically, as long as you can "thought experiment up" the proper seat of power that you are interested in, burning the right candle, or quoting the right passage is window dressing anyway and holds no true power by itself. Actions, props, and incantations are not the energy, only mnemonic devices to spur our awareness of eternal forces.
In any case, of course ritual is vital! Without rituals, all is mundane. Ritual is like the structure that becomes a conduit for our energies to feed into as well as draw on the All. If one cannot create a process for doing this, or don't want to, I am not sure that one has experienced the transformational aspects of discipline. That is why many labor for months on a costume for the one night that the veil between worlds is thinnest! The amount of energy you invest always effects the quality of what you come away with!
I have always been of the belief that you have to get out of your head to be in your right mind. Regimentation is what allows us to be set free of the mundane. Imagine, in a spiritual sense, what it would be like to be a magnificent artist whose media of choice is colored pencils. If you only had one of each color pencil in every location that you routinely passed through. This ad hoc way of organizing would lead to tremendous costs of time and energy as each color had to be found and remembered. How much art could you make this way? How complicated would making your art become? How would your life improve if you had a pencil case, or better yet a subdivided pencil case that had groups of associated colors?
The organization of ritual has the benefit of putting our conscious mind to bed as it were, this allows us to be less fettered than we were before the process was begun. By calling the quarters, and recognizing that we are relative to all things, we open a whole new set of possibilities. Activating these energies is best done when there are lifeguards, experienced coaches or shamen around. Not on one's own. Some heavy changes can occur when in trance. Having an elder, with prior experience in this "new" territory, on hand is crucial to assuring positive outcomes. The recent "sweat-lodge" deaths point this out quite clearly. It is tragic that some people with a little knowledge are still trying to lead others through rites that require a lifetime of study in addition to the wisdom of the ancients to be effective. We all seek enlightenment, but at what cost?
Monday, October 12, 2009
"Shootin' the Moon!"
Just as futile as dropping one's drawers. Now we will see our paltry affect but only after spending many more millions! Fresh water could be assured for all humans on earth for less than it costs us in bottled water in The United States each year. Without investing in true humanitarian aid, we have no right to muck about in space!
Harvest Time 2009
Reflect on what you have planted. Yesterday I harvested dozens of large potatoes. I had planted some tiny little seed potatoes, the largest of which was about the size of my thumb. I planted them in poor soil, not suited for root crops. I fully expected that they would become compost, but... During the growing season I weeded them twice, and mulched them several times with grass clippings. what I pulled out of the ground yesterday was nothing short of miraculous! Rolling out food from a small plot (4x8 feet) I got to thinking about life. We plant seeds of hope, or discontent, doubt, or inspiration. Much like casting seed in our gardens.
Virtually all the earth is covered with soil. To be sure, some soils are more yielding than others, but for the seed, the only thing that exists is it's own will to survive. We can only reap what we sow. The earliest insane people, (and some still exist today) are those who plant lemon seeds and expect apples, or who plant spinach and are confused when iceberg lettuce won't grow! Society, like the rest of the earth is destined to grow, cultivate and give birth to generations of life that both rely on and exploit resources laid down by previous generations. Certainly we can see the results of some actions, but other affects of our behaviors are obscured by time. The people who envisioned the railroads could not comprehend the demise of the Buffalo, nor could those who thought up the interstate highway system imagine a time that we would become addicted to oil, or so preoccupied with securing the last drops of it for our use. Sometimes the very goal of certain actions undermine our ability to see clearly the results of what we are doing. Like what happens below ground with each and every plant, this obscured part is as important as the parts we can plainly see.
Please study your "seed" carefully before you spew it. Once released, the resulting growth can spiral out of our hands. Unlike potatoes, our thoughts and ideas can grow legs. Luckily for us, this is true with true, just and compassionate thoughts and ideas. It is with certainty and great hope that I say, we do have the ability to improve both the quality and amount of "good seed" available for planting. It just takes a commitment of time and energy in the short run. Try improving the quality of your seed by turning off the talking heads. Meet others in your community who seek positive change. Understand that crime is at it's lowest point ever. Don't succumb to the fear of everything that is touted by the media. Focus on each ting that you engage in fully. Study the results of your actions. Read labels. Always remember that by the time each product reaches us, an enormous amount of human energy, resources, and intention have made it possible for us to make a choice. Everything we use has an effect, and also realize that by leaving an object on the store shelf rather than buying it plants a seed as well. The seed of feeling secure enough with what we have has the potential to grow into a future state of being able to give away surplus, without feeling lack. We continue to do the best we can with what we've got. In spite of what our bank account says, we live a very rich life. This site is dedicated to everyone who wants to inject more life into their years, enjoy the adventure of a life well-spent and to learn what we can do to heal the rift between humankind and nature.
While I was rolling out several weeks worth of potatoes from a shady spot behind the garage, my wife was harvesting about two grocery bags full of greens. For $0.95 invested in a packet of seed, we ended up with $10-20 worth of vital, nutrient laden food that grew, literally before our very eyes! Anyone can sow the seeds of ignorance, hatred and malice, underestimating the ability of our species to adapt. The fruits of the harvest that follows that course of action are not healthy for anyone. The time has come to step up to the challenges that we face daily and to study our best course of action, learn to live with and love one another, and forgive those who have trespassed against us. Taking a positive stance, removing the blinders of oppositional thinking and renewing our hope and the goodwill that follows from it, we can create a better life for the next seven generations.
Virtually all the earth is covered with soil. To be sure, some soils are more yielding than others, but for the seed, the only thing that exists is it's own will to survive. We can only reap what we sow. The earliest insane people, (and some still exist today) are those who plant lemon seeds and expect apples, or who plant spinach and are confused when iceberg lettuce won't grow! Society, like the rest of the earth is destined to grow, cultivate and give birth to generations of life that both rely on and exploit resources laid down by previous generations. Certainly we can see the results of some actions, but other affects of our behaviors are obscured by time. The people who envisioned the railroads could not comprehend the demise of the Buffalo, nor could those who thought up the interstate highway system imagine a time that we would become addicted to oil, or so preoccupied with securing the last drops of it for our use. Sometimes the very goal of certain actions undermine our ability to see clearly the results of what we are doing. Like what happens below ground with each and every plant, this obscured part is as important as the parts we can plainly see.
Please study your "seed" carefully before you spew it. Once released, the resulting growth can spiral out of our hands. Unlike potatoes, our thoughts and ideas can grow legs. Luckily for us, this is true with true, just and compassionate thoughts and ideas. It is with certainty and great hope that I say, we do have the ability to improve both the quality and amount of "good seed" available for planting. It just takes a commitment of time and energy in the short run. Try improving the quality of your seed by turning off the talking heads. Meet others in your community who seek positive change. Understand that crime is at it's lowest point ever. Don't succumb to the fear of everything that is touted by the media. Focus on each ting that you engage in fully. Study the results of your actions. Read labels. Always remember that by the time each product reaches us, an enormous amount of human energy, resources, and intention have made it possible for us to make a choice. Everything we use has an effect, and also realize that by leaving an object on the store shelf rather than buying it plants a seed as well. The seed of feeling secure enough with what we have has the potential to grow into a future state of being able to give away surplus, without feeling lack. We continue to do the best we can with what we've got. In spite of what our bank account says, we live a very rich life. This site is dedicated to everyone who wants to inject more life into their years, enjoy the adventure of a life well-spent and to learn what we can do to heal the rift between humankind and nature.
While I was rolling out several weeks worth of potatoes from a shady spot behind the garage, my wife was harvesting about two grocery bags full of greens. For $0.95 invested in a packet of seed, we ended up with $10-20 worth of vital, nutrient laden food that grew, literally before our very eyes! Anyone can sow the seeds of ignorance, hatred and malice, underestimating the ability of our species to adapt. The fruits of the harvest that follows that course of action are not healthy for anyone. The time has come to step up to the challenges that we face daily and to study our best course of action, learn to live with and love one another, and forgive those who have trespassed against us. Taking a positive stance, removing the blinders of oppositional thinking and renewing our hope and the goodwill that follows from it, we can create a better life for the next seven generations.
When I first began The Otherfish Wrap
Back in the day, we had two competing newspapers in my town. One was large, and exquisitely conservative. The other was overwhelmed by their own "underdogism". My own belief is that there is nothing inherently good about being an underdog, but neither is there anything patently evil about being the biggest fish in a small pond. In a youthful reaction to these two opposing forces, The Otherfish Wrap was founded. At the time, I worked in a print shop, and fanzines were the rage amongst my cohort of punks, tree huggers, and freaks. Looking around for a forum for intelligent discussion of topical issues, finding none, I took it upon myself to start a vehicle for thoughtful outsiders to share perspectives and converse about issues that are important to all of us as well as our neighbors. Rather than crying wolf, as our smaller newspaper nearly always did, or telling people not to worry (about critical issues), or to worry (about false threats) as the Gannett-owned paper did, The Otherfish Wrap took a hard look at decisions that have lasting impacts on the environment, human health, education, welfare and security.
Many of my friends, acquaintances and even some strangers have encouraged me to develop a cable access program that features meaningful conversation about these important points. In time it may come to that, but for now, this is my forum. cheaper than printing and distribution of my "paper", and far more accessible, The Otherfish Wrap exists here for your enjoyment. Rather than constantly seeking diametrically oppositional belief systems, my goal is to find points that all people can agree on and try to educate everyone about ways to tailor their own lives to reflect deeper truths that have direct effect on our quality of life. I shy away from those who demonize and dehumanize their opposition, so I try not to be one of "those guys", however, when you have egg on your face, I will point it out to you. Like a good friend, I'm not going to let things go, just 'cause they make you uncomfortable. Holding one's feet to the fire is considered torture, ask any witch, but when the fire is of your own making, don't expect me to let you walk away from it either!
Living, as I do, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I have always been a bit of an outsider. First and foremost, I'm not a big football fanatic. I do love great defense, because I was around for the "Glory Days" of the Green and Gold, but I also realize that the Greeks invented sport to keep the public distracted from politics. The technique still works today (as do glib, self-righteous and close-minded talking heads) and I believe that this alienation of people from the decision making process. This in turn directly affects us, and in my opinion this is pathological in a society such as ours that has little respect for the birthright of individuals to clean air, unadulterated water, healthy food and a living wage. Sports rarely have real world value, and the amount of attention we pay to these things waste time that could be spent solving problems. We must also ask ourselves, why we waste so much time on issues that are reportedly "unsolvable" by pundits. The erosion of human rights and Liberty have not been justified by any threats, real or imagined. The Otherfish Wrap is my own personal attempt to question the logic behind the fear tactics that are being perpetrated on the people of the world for the profit of a few and at the expense of us all.
I may not fit in because of several other things that are unique to my experience, but these cannot be covered in a short post here. Suffice it to say, my own experience has led me to revel in study, unlike many folks I have known, I thrive on learning. Those who are like me know that this is both blessing and curse. Going with the flow is out of line for those who see the pressing need for change. I'm suspicious of the "experts" that they find for every "crisis" that "arises". Recognizing that opinions are like a**holes, can we not see the fallacy in recognizing every delusional, opinionated "expert" that is paraded out for the cameras in today's media? Needless to say, if you are a Fox News Junkie, you won't like what I'm doing here. I would encourage you to open your eyes, and mind, to the truth that I'm seeking. You may be surprised at what you will learn.
My children have asked, "Why does news have to be bad?" I'm here to prove that it doesn't have to be. In my seeking for answers, I am given courage to continue my quest for solutions that honor life, honor individuals, and respect both the dreams and aspirations of those who are willing to feel, learn and grow in the direction of the highest good for all people and the planet that we must all share. I invite you to take a ride with me on the way back to Eden. Truth needs no support to stand. Lies need to be constantly shored up and buttressed to survive. I will have none of that. Speaking truth to power has created most of our martyrs. I don't expect that to stop, but in the end, we have two choices. To put our heads in the sand, or to bravely stand shoulder to shoulder against repression.
Each day, it helps to ask, Whom do I serve?
Blessed Be, and may your answer become, the next seven generations! Namaste' T. C. Saladino
Living, as I do, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I have always been a bit of an outsider. First and foremost, I'm not a big football fanatic. I do love great defense, because I was around for the "Glory Days" of the Green and Gold, but I also realize that the Greeks invented sport to keep the public distracted from politics. The technique still works today (as do glib, self-righteous and close-minded talking heads) and I believe that this alienation of people from the decision making process. This in turn directly affects us, and in my opinion this is pathological in a society such as ours that has little respect for the birthright of individuals to clean air, unadulterated water, healthy food and a living wage. Sports rarely have real world value, and the amount of attention we pay to these things waste time that could be spent solving problems. We must also ask ourselves, why we waste so much time on issues that are reportedly "unsolvable" by pundits. The erosion of human rights and Liberty have not been justified by any threats, real or imagined. The Otherfish Wrap is my own personal attempt to question the logic behind the fear tactics that are being perpetrated on the people of the world for the profit of a few and at the expense of us all.
I may not fit in because of several other things that are unique to my experience, but these cannot be covered in a short post here. Suffice it to say, my own experience has led me to revel in study, unlike many folks I have known, I thrive on learning. Those who are like me know that this is both blessing and curse. Going with the flow is out of line for those who see the pressing need for change. I'm suspicious of the "experts" that they find for every "crisis" that "arises". Recognizing that opinions are like a**holes, can we not see the fallacy in recognizing every delusional, opinionated "expert" that is paraded out for the cameras in today's media? Needless to say, if you are a Fox News Junkie, you won't like what I'm doing here. I would encourage you to open your eyes, and mind, to the truth that I'm seeking. You may be surprised at what you will learn.
My children have asked, "Why does news have to be bad?" I'm here to prove that it doesn't have to be. In my seeking for answers, I am given courage to continue my quest for solutions that honor life, honor individuals, and respect both the dreams and aspirations of those who are willing to feel, learn and grow in the direction of the highest good for all people and the planet that we must all share. I invite you to take a ride with me on the way back to Eden. Truth needs no support to stand. Lies need to be constantly shored up and buttressed to survive. I will have none of that. Speaking truth to power has created most of our martyrs. I don't expect that to stop, but in the end, we have two choices. To put our heads in the sand, or to bravely stand shoulder to shoulder against repression.
Each day, it helps to ask, Whom do I serve?
Blessed Be, and may your answer become, the next seven generations! Namaste' T. C. Saladino
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Jingoism: Whom Do You Serve?
I have lived through several periods of flag waving during my lifetime. First, there was the Kennedy inspired Space Race. Perhaps I was the only one who thought that the whole thing was ill-conceived, too expensive and pointless, but it got the whole of the USA behind a single purpose. Even though some conspiracy theorists thought it was just a hoax, acted out in the desert, perpetrated on the American people. Sadly, the massive waste of resources and the legacy of looking elsewhere for meaning continues to limit our collective imagination. We clamored to "space travel" as if sending people to the moon would do more than "prove something" to those "Godless Russians". I guess we at least proved that the Moon was not made of cheese! Billions were spent, and billions more continue to be spent trying to escape this planet, even if only with rovers and robotic labs to test the waters (or for water) elsewhere in the solar system. Would someone please tell our scientists that there are far more important jobs to do here at home?
When Kennedy was assassinated, there was another period of flag waving. We rightly mourned a hero who had passed. One of JFK's bravest acts was to speak truth to power. Some still believe that is why he was killed. When enemies of the people were in charge, positive change was not possible. Wealth and paranoia ruled the day, not intellect or compassion. When the President came out in favor of a more humane future for our country, he challenged the very fabric of life in these United States. Later, the hippies tried valiantly, to use the flag as a symbol of resistance, and were condemned for it. Many forget that Thomas Jefferson said: "God help us if this country should go another twenty years without another Revolution of this kind." The "America, Love It Or Leave It." crowd forgot that we have a right to reform the government if it is not meeting our needs. Fighting for change is American, even if you get killed for it! Heroes never just go along with the crowd. They stand out from it. In our country we admire those who stick to their beliefs in spite of what the majority have decided. Even the Revolution was fought by a strong willed minority. The majority were willing to stick their heads in the sand. Bet you never learned that in school!
The Bi-centennial was probably the most Red, White and Blue period that I had lived through until 9-11. (that's a noun now.) In spite of double digit inflation and growing awareness that we still had racism, class warfare, unequal distribution of wealth, educational and drug problems, serious social issues, crumbling infrastructure and that the military industrial complex had more to say about our government than the voters, Americans stood in line at thousands of parades, dressed in flag-adorned jump suits, wearing our flag emblazoned hats, with flag key fobs, listening to music played on guitars painted to look like Old Glory, drinking lemonade out of Red, White and Blue cups. It was truly amazing. We still thought that we could do anything. After all, in spite of the escalating Cold War, the only righteous superpower was us! We had tamed virtually every corner of the land, if not the hearts of the people.
As the Century came to a close, we got fired up once again, when people (from Saudi Arabia) attacked The World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and tried to attack some other US target. We know that World Trade has many victims. Far more than the three thousand who lost their lives that day. Look into the eyes of Chinese factory workers, or the children there who "recycle" computer parts. We have all seen the suffering of child laborers, sex-trade workers, indentured servants and sweat shop slaves. This turmoil and abuse is only possible when posh consumers turn their attention to something glorious, something glamorous, something pure and idyllic, like our flag or their own sparkling image. Most Americans feel that we have a right to our way of life. I stand for the fact that there is no pride (or there should not be) in abusing people around the world so that we can remain insulated from the reality of their suffering. Terrorism is wrong of course, but so is the terrorism of economics. The family who feels the need to sell a child into slavery is as much a victim of terror as someone who is afraid to go to the mall, or ride a bus, or go to a sporting event. I would go further and say that the terror perpetrated through economic means is more insidious.
I personally live every day knowing that my home is worth less than I owe on it. When it gets paid off I will have paid over twice what it is worth. I have lost virtually all of my hope of ever retiring. I am just one illness away from having to declare bankruptcy, My children are coming into a world of rapidly diminishing prospects, and even though some are saying the worst is behind us, we have not yet had the crash of the commercial real estate market which will dwarf the recent housing crash. Living under constant threat from terrorism (which by definition can only hurt a tiny fraction of the population) pales in light of the fact that we all suffer daily with business as usual in the land of the Red White and Blue.
"Take America Back" has been my rallying cry since 9-11. We can't shop, or travel our way out of this one. We have to recreate an America that is worthy of respect. Not because we threaten or cajole others to respect us, but because we have earned it. We need to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves to us, not connive and engineer ways to dehumanize and exploit our neighbors. Love truly means letting go of fear. Remember though, it is our duty to make sure our government is doing what needs to be done, not just providing a crutch for the wealthiest among us, not just candy-coating statistics to show us an America we can be proud of and certainly not painting Red, White and Blue the corporations and entities that hold power, money and greed up as their Gods! Get involved! Try going to see what goes on at school board meetings, city or town halls, attend a rally, heck go meet your neighbors. In these times, slowing down enough to meet your neighbors can be a political act! We have the power, if we are willing to take it, to change this country into something we can all be proud of. When we get that done, we can wave the flag with true pride, not manufactured patriotism.
When Kennedy was assassinated, there was another period of flag waving. We rightly mourned a hero who had passed. One of JFK's bravest acts was to speak truth to power. Some still believe that is why he was killed. When enemies of the people were in charge, positive change was not possible. Wealth and paranoia ruled the day, not intellect or compassion. When the President came out in favor of a more humane future for our country, he challenged the very fabric of life in these United States. Later, the hippies tried valiantly, to use the flag as a symbol of resistance, and were condemned for it. Many forget that Thomas Jefferson said: "God help us if this country should go another twenty years without another Revolution of this kind." The "America, Love It Or Leave It." crowd forgot that we have a right to reform the government if it is not meeting our needs. Fighting for change is American, even if you get killed for it! Heroes never just go along with the crowd. They stand out from it. In our country we admire those who stick to their beliefs in spite of what the majority have decided. Even the Revolution was fought by a strong willed minority. The majority were willing to stick their heads in the sand. Bet you never learned that in school!
The Bi-centennial was probably the most Red, White and Blue period that I had lived through until 9-11. (that's a noun now.) In spite of double digit inflation and growing awareness that we still had racism, class warfare, unequal distribution of wealth, educational and drug problems, serious social issues, crumbling infrastructure and that the military industrial complex had more to say about our government than the voters, Americans stood in line at thousands of parades, dressed in flag-adorned jump suits, wearing our flag emblazoned hats, with flag key fobs, listening to music played on guitars painted to look like Old Glory, drinking lemonade out of Red, White and Blue cups. It was truly amazing. We still thought that we could do anything. After all, in spite of the escalating Cold War, the only righteous superpower was us! We had tamed virtually every corner of the land, if not the hearts of the people.
As the Century came to a close, we got fired up once again, when people (from Saudi Arabia) attacked The World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and tried to attack some other US target. We know that World Trade has many victims. Far more than the three thousand who lost their lives that day. Look into the eyes of Chinese factory workers, or the children there who "recycle" computer parts. We have all seen the suffering of child laborers, sex-trade workers, indentured servants and sweat shop slaves. This turmoil and abuse is only possible when posh consumers turn their attention to something glorious, something glamorous, something pure and idyllic, like our flag or their own sparkling image. Most Americans feel that we have a right to our way of life. I stand for the fact that there is no pride (or there should not be) in abusing people around the world so that we can remain insulated from the reality of their suffering. Terrorism is wrong of course, but so is the terrorism of economics. The family who feels the need to sell a child into slavery is as much a victim of terror as someone who is afraid to go to the mall, or ride a bus, or go to a sporting event. I would go further and say that the terror perpetrated through economic means is more insidious.
I personally live every day knowing that my home is worth less than I owe on it. When it gets paid off I will have paid over twice what it is worth. I have lost virtually all of my hope of ever retiring. I am just one illness away from having to declare bankruptcy, My children are coming into a world of rapidly diminishing prospects, and even though some are saying the worst is behind us, we have not yet had the crash of the commercial real estate market which will dwarf the recent housing crash. Living under constant threat from terrorism (which by definition can only hurt a tiny fraction of the population) pales in light of the fact that we all suffer daily with business as usual in the land of the Red White and Blue.
 | |
| Copyright Tony C. Saladino 1984 used with permission by The Otherfish Wrap 2009 | This is during a brief trip to Italy. Although I have lived many decades more, this curiosity and creativity has not weakened in my personality. I have more gray now, but have learned nearly three times the lessons I had before then. My buttons were: Bread Not Bombs, Teach Peace, 1984 and No Bozos! I still wear the self-made belt buckle created when my fist love bloomed. |
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