Poverty Is Not an Accident

Poverty Is Not an Accident
Nelson Mandela

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Things I'm giving away on Freecycle

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If you don't know about freecycle, it's a yahoo group, all over the country, dedicated to keeping stuff out of the landfills by recycling it to others who need it. It's sorted by geographical location. The albuquerque group has about FOUR THOUSAND subscribers. If you need something, or want to get rid of something without throwing it away, this is the place for you.

OH, by the way, PPU means Pending Pick Up.

OFFER: Books Old Town
Fiction & non. How to's, literature, social sciences. Many feminist orlocal or historical or queer or....ecclectic interests.They'll be available starting Friday, as it'll take a coupla days toget them out to the storage shed.

OFFER: 2 unsightly, double-burner hot plates OLD TOWN
Great designs: hot pans, hanging over burners, cracked the knobs onone. The other one has been cleaned so many times, I've rubbed thepaint off. Obviously designed by people who'd never use them. They workGREAT. They're just ugly.

OFFER: World's ugliest drier --electric OLD TOWN
It's kinda scab red. Some kid hung on the door, so you have to keep itshut with a strong magnet. It needs the "pigtail" wire, which you canfind at any hardware store for about fifteen bucks. Got it from aneighbor who swears it works great.

OFFER: Ugly, little chickens OLD TOWN
I don't yet know if they're roosters or hens. They're a motley crew ofhalf breed muts. If you can catch em, you can have em.

OFFER: vinyl LPs OLD TOWN
No collector's items here: cats scratched the backs, so they won't sellfor much. Jazz, '70s rock, classical. Obscure artists like DeniseWilliams, who was discovered by Stevie Wonder. One Donna Summer, to myunending embarrassment.If you lay them over flower pots in the sun, they melt into a pot-shapefor house plants.Crappy frisbees; tend to crack.Good for leveling crooked table legs.

OFFER: Mystery microwave: Does it or doesn't it? OLD TOWN
Work, that is. I think it blew a fuse. I know the turntable motor isdead, but can be replaced. I blew up a bowl of chili inside, so it'sdecorated with chili jerky.Inside is barely large enough for a small chicken (no, not the ugly,little ones, I'm giving away.)Any obsessive compulsive tinkerers out there?

OFFER: unfinished needlework kits. OLD TOWN
Some cross stitch, lotsa needlepoint, a few of those what are theycalled? crewel? things: embroidering with yarn.When I was 20 yrs. younger, I had a horrible job. It was either doneedle work, or become a mass murderer. Unfortunately, I bore easily,so I seldom finished any. I have a filing cabinet full. gag.

OFFER: Billyuns & billyuns of glass jars OLD TOWN
They're salsa, pnut butter, etc. jars, with lids. I used them for myhomemade salsa. If nobody takes em, I'll haul them to the recyclingplace, so the Chinese can melt them down and resell them to us at wallyworld, or something. Free, dead spiders included in some jars.

OFFER: decent potting soil OLD TOWN
I'm moving with my containers, but not the dirt. I probably have acoupla hundred lbs. And, if you'd like, I'll throw in some goat- andchicken-poopy straw, for extra nitrogen. Yummy! Has some shreddedpaper, rocks and styrofoam peanuts mixed in, but that's good for theroots. I just can't lug my dirt across town again for this next move.I'll make more when I get there. Plants died in this hideous heat,anyway. sigh

OFFER: Inflatable snowman with busted fan OLD TOWN
Ripstop nylon, lighted, almost as tall as I am, and slightly fatter.Fan's busted, but here's what I did when my Halloween "Tigger" had thesame disease: I stuffed it with those packing pillows and bubble wrap.The light shines thru just fine and, frankly, the extra weight of thepacking materials keeps it from flying to Texas on windy days.So, if you need an inflatable snowman that doesn't inflate, I'm yourgal.

OFFER: Pallets OLD TOWN
I made goat fences outta em. Some are 6' long. Most are 5x5 or less.Great for alienating the Neighborhood Association.

OFFER: lotsa pens & pencils OLD TOWN
I don't know how I got so many of the lil stinkers, but if you knowsomeone who needs to write stuff a lot, I got yer back.

TAKEN, PPU: unfinished needlework kits. OLD TOWN
Going to a nursing home, to keep old people off the streets. THANKS!

OFFER: color tv OLD TOWN
Has a rabbit ear antenna hook up. You can buy one of those adapters tocoax cable, though, to attach it to a vcr, etc. That way, you can use aremote to change channels. Otherwise, you might ACTUALLY have to getsome exercise, get off the couch, walk to the TV and change the channel(gasp) by hand.Worked, last time I plugged it in. Has a pretty big screen, for an oldfart. Don't know dimensions, off hand.It's on top of a fridge I'm giving away, so the sooner you get it, thehappier I'll be.

OFFER: Dog House, in pieces OLD TOWN
It's huge. The base is about 8x4'. It's white press board, chip boardand 2x4s. We got it off another freecycler. Had to take apart, to fitin my big truck!Was hoping to reassemble for my goats, but, now that we're having tomove, I ain't takin it with me.It's a jigsaw puzzle, but, if you fix it up, it'll CERTAINLY keepanimals warm! Big enuff for the KIDS!!!

OFFER: Roll of roofing tar OLD TOWN
Got this off another freecycler. Was gonna reroof the huge dog house.Since that's going, this has got to go. White gravel, black tar paper,new roll.

OFFER: very orange, plastic construction fencing OLD TOWN
Good for keeping chickens out of stuff or in something. Very durableand doesn't rot in the sun. Had it for years, don't need it any more.It's about 4' tall and I have enough to pretty much wrap around mywhole, front yard.

TAKEN: tv, jars, spiders, pens & pencils, needlework, LPs, roofing,
And thanks to those of you who simply sent fan mail, because I made youlaugh. There will be more dead spiders, soon.

TAKEN: orange construction fence
Man, you guys'll take anything....

TAKEN, PPU: inflatable snowman
Well, THAT's a relief!

OFFER: incredibly worthless comforters/blankets OLD TOWN
They have thick, kapok batting that would be great for quilters whoaren't fussy. Or, just sew 2 sheets together to make a duvet cover. Ifyall don't take em, I'm throwing em at homeless people under the bridge.I also have some polyester blankets, kinda fuzzy.Don't ask what sizes; I have no idea.

OFFER: foam futon thingy that folds into chair/spiderman print OLD T
Incredibly ugly, but worked as futon pad. Several blocks of thick foamrubber, with a round "pillow/backrest" piece at the top.

OFFER: weird assortment of dishes & mugs OLD TOWN
Mostly, I have a stack of glass plates, but I have several, largerdinner plates, too. I have about 6 coffee mugs. I also have atremendously-unnecessary collection of plastic camping dishes and mugsand those tall Coke drink containers, like you get at the takeoutplaces.

OFFER: foam couch cushions, OLD TOWN
USed em as the back to my futon couch. about 3" thick. No covers, justfoam.

OFFER: 2 black, "iron" looking metal futon frames OLD TOWN
One has some screws loose, but who doesn't, really? It was obviouslyused by a VERY heavy person, or a bed jumper, as it's a little bendy inthe middle. The other one is just fine. I've slept & sat on both andlived to tell. When covered with padding, who cares, anyway?

OFFER: Useless bicycles, 2 adult, 2 itsy bitsy OLD TOWN
The little ones are pink & purple huffys, with white tires.The bigger ones are so-called, "Mountain" bikes, with screwed up brakeand/or gear levers. Frames ok, but.... great for tinkerers.

OFFER: stumps & logs OLD TOWN
I used them for cat scratching posts and decorations in my yard. Hardto split for wood. None over 2' tall. Good decorations, but I'mevicted, so they gotta go

TAKEN, PPU: spiderman futon, foam cushions, stumps & logs
Now, it's a challenge: what weird stuff can I find around this housethat yall will want? WHEW!I think I'm gonna let yall take most of my stuff & just get more onfreecycle, after we move. Why haul it around town?

TAKEN, PPU: itsy bitsy bikes
But the adult bikes still haunt me.

TAKEN, PPU: not bendy in the middle futon frame
Who's up for the bendy one? I swear: you CAN sleep on it! We've slept on it while camping.

TAKEN, PPU: Adult BIkes YIPPEEEEEEE!!
Apparantly, people in the east mtns. read and tinker a lot.

OFFER: Sliding windows & Glass Door OLD TOWN
This one breaks my heart. These are nice windows, got em off other freecyclers. The sliding glass door is attached easily to my porch and you'll have to help me get it down and apart.
The other 2 windows are about 5' tall. one's black and about five feet wide the other one's a lot wider and it's plexiglass.
I was going to use them to "greenhouse" my goat & chicken shed this winter. Dang.
I HATE getting evicted! Trying to find a cheap house that'll take 2 goats is a real job.
I'd throw in the landlord for free, if I could, but I don't think you'd like it.

TAKEN, PPU: worthless blankets & comforters
You're a very sporting crowd.

OFFER: Pekin Ducks, OLD TOWN
I posted this on craigslist, as I wanted to require a small adoption fee, as I DON'T want these ducks eaten or abused. They can't live with dogs. They need a small pool, no more than about 4" tall, without bricks to step up on.
I have 3 females: PeeWee, Molly and Dolly
I have 3 males: Lucky, Plucky and Herman
Your choice.
They're shy of people, but fun to watch. The females quack loudest. Lucky's 3 years old, but the others are under 1 year.
They eat duck, dog, people, cat, dog, chicken food. They're quite fond of melons and mushy fruits. They'll need a dog house or some protection. They do fine in cold winters, even swimming in icy water.
These are my friends and I'll miss them very much. So, please, don't reply unless you're willing to commit some effort into some very lovely creatures. You need a fenced yard that dogs can't enter. DON'T try to keep them inside; they poop compulsively! No cages!

OFFER: apx. 1 doz. quart bottles of "Sno Bowl" toilet cleaner OLD TOWN
I found these in a dumpster, outside a dollar store. They smell kinda perfumy and they turn the water blue. They're good for disolving mineral deposits. Never used em much, but a whole case? in a DUMPSTER??? so, take as many as you need. the bottles are a little dirty, as they've been stored outside. They even have some ancient chicken poopies on some of them. We can haul them into the front yard and spray em with the garden hose.

OFFER: odd assortment of 1 gal. cans, house paints OLD TOWN
Most are latex, some are oil. indoor, outdoor. Got them from Rinchem, the place you take toxic chemicals. They let people take em on Fris and Sats, in the afternoon. Was gonna paint my truck & the dog house.
Some cans incomplete, most have been opened. LOTS of colors. More than 2 doz cans

TAKEN, PPU: toilet cleaner
You'd think our toilet would be a lot cleaner than it is, considering how much of this I had laying around! Guess you actually have to USE it, though.

TAKEN, PPU: my house paint collection
a couple of you are coming to pick thru it. If anything is left, I'll repost after the weekend.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Wal*Mart thinks social responsibility is "Crazy"

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http://walmart.feedroom.com/?fr_chl=afed84f55abea2bbd4fb7a726728c0eab5a61346&rf=sitemap

So, it's "crazy" to ride a moped -- or, perhaps, a scooter? -- to work, huh? My scooter gets NINETY MILES PER GALLON! And my electric bicycle is even MORE green, than that. BOTH can pull trailers with a hundred pound payload. I only pay $75/year insurance on my scooter, and nothing on the electric bicycle.

"Crazy:" a pajorative for someone with a mental disability. Like the mentally ill don't get stigmatized, enough, already????

Wal*Mart buys Chinese products, made by near slaves. They pollute in HUGE volumes. They underpay workers 'til they need food stamps!

I'll tell you what's crazy: shopping at WallyWorld! BOYCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Hillary needs no defenders

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http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/64689/detail/

He invokes Jane Fonda, of all people. Jane Fonda: tomahawk chop, exercise video and, now "Christian" self-promoting opportunist.

And John Kerry was just the flip side of Bush: elitist, privileged pretty boy.

And the fact that the whole thing was some sort of apologia for Hillary? She voted FOR the Iraq invasion, did she not? Don't get me started.

So, the Dixiecrat pundits and spinners have finally developed a spine? Now that seventy percent of the population opposes the wars, Bush and Congress?

Where were they years ago, before WE killed more Americans in invasive wars than died in 9/11? Where were they when our budget surplus was SQUANDERED for the likes of Halliburton and Lockeed Martin?

Imbedded sychofants; that's who and where they were.

Do I trust MSNTV? No. Do I trust middle aged, privileged white guys in suits, even if they wear pink (how ironic!) ties? No.

I think for myself. And I think I'll STILL vote the Green Party ticket.

http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/64689/detail/

new stuff

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There's some new stuff in ViriDiana: http://viridianariverstone.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

recallmarty.com

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My posted comment to http://recallmarty.com

Rogi said...
"fucksmoking" represents the elitist attitude embodied by Marty: anybody who even APPEARS to be less-than upper middle class must be disappeared from the streets of Disneyquerque. You can now be arrested for sitting too long at a bus stop. You can be arrested for SMOKING at a bus stop. You can be arrested for being addicted on public transportation. You can lose your house for having ONE WEED that's ove 4" tall in your yard; the city will condemn your house and sell it, if you refuse/can't comply. You can be held criminally liable for animal abuse if there are flies, bees or ants in your yard!

ALL of these laws are SELECTIVELY enforced, and city government openly admits that. If your neighbor wants to persecute you, the city will gleefully comply.

It happened to me. I lost my home, my pets, most of my belongings and everything in my bank acc't. when my house was "condemned" as "substandard," after a persecution campaign by the neighborhood CIA (community improvement association.)

Was I selling drugs? Was I running an auto garage or salvage yard from my house? No.

I opened my home to the neighborhood kids. I helped them with their homework, their abusive & neglectful family members. I gave them food, clothing, school supplies. I taught them: cooking, gardening, animal husbandry, auto repair, carpentry..... I took them to museums, planetariums, parks, nature preserves...

For this, the gang unit was called on me. The POLICE wrote a report in which they said I was a "paranoid scizophrenic and self-proclaimed witch" (I'd said I was a curandera.) I was immediately homeless. I was FORCED into an ambulance for a psychiatric evaluation. I was billed $400.00 for the ambulance. My animals were destroyed. Neigbhors broke in and stole most of my possessions, including my check book. Nobody in the neighborhood would rent to me. I had 15 days to pack, only during daylight hours. If I was seen there after dark, I'd be arrested for "trespass."

No drugs, guns or other suspicious crap was ever found on the property or my person.

THIS is selective enforcement.

By the way, you can't smoke a cigarette, from what the signs say, within 100' of the door to a business. Most places I shop (not big box stores), there are other business entrances, less than 100' from each other. Where can employees smoke on break? I've also heard it's illegal to smoke in your parked car at a business parking lot!

Marty isn't getting those Armani suits for nothin', folks. Who's paying him to turn this town into Disneyquerque?http://rriverstone.com

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Stigmatization

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These are my replies to the Program Director of KUNM.

Marcos,
I realize you're very busy, with many facts and details which you must remember. So, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt, and assuming you've forgotten I have PTSD.

"Paranoid" is one of many psychiatric terms which are frequently misused, in popular culture, as epithets. This furthers the stigmatization of, and discrimination against, people with physical disabilities that have been diagnosed as "psychiatric."

It is inappropriate for any supervisor to use psychiatric terminology in such a casual way with a subordinate, especially one who is challenged by psychiatric stigmatization, such as I.

Further, I wasn't being paranoid; I was asking for clarification.

I was also asking to be addressed with respect. Your reply indicates I can't trust you to do that, and I find it frustrating, frightening and discouraging.

Your reply was still unclear, and I still don't know why you've objected to my post to the ideas list.

http://www.antipsychiatry.org/stigma.htm
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is unlikely to help much, despite its aim of eliminating discrimination in employment against people with disabilities, including alleged psychiatric disabilities. As Jonas Robitscher, J.D., M.D., said in his book The Powers of Psychiatry prior to the enactment of the ADA: "The disclosure that one is or has been mentally ill can lead to rejection, and other reasons for the rejection can always be found. ... Forcing private employers to hire the disabled would raise issues of invasion of privacy and problems of enforcement. Stigmatization will continue to be a problem, and discrimination will continue to exist" (p. 241-242). In areas covered by the ADA, availing oneself of its protection will probably require large amounts of time spent in litigation and a lot of money paid in lawyer's fees, with uncertain results.

From: Rogi Riverstone
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 10:43 PM>
Subject: RE: [KUNMIDEAS-L] kunm.org/psa/ page has> misinformation.> >
"Bring something like" what?> > I have no idea why you object to my post, nor do I> see> you offer any alternative remedies.> >

I suppose I must "obey" you, simply because you've> told me to, but I don't know: why, how. I'd> appreciate> a little respect, rather than demands of arbitrary> obedience.> > Is it because Dean doesn't work there anymore?> Because, if that's your objection, the information> should have been removed from the page very long> ago,> and was public record. I simply quoted a public> website. So, I see nothing untoward that I've done.> >

-----Original Message-----> > From: Gather ideas from KUNM volunteers> > [on Behalf Of Rogi Riverstone> > Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 11:15 PM> >
Subject: [KUNMIDEAS-L] kunm.org/psa/ page has> > misinformation.> > > >

If you want more control over frequency and> > placement> > of your announcement, contact our Coordinator of> > Donor> > Relations, Dean Shelton: DeanShelton@kunm.org /> > 505-277-2163.> > > > Rogi Riverstone>

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Green apartheid

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Commentary: Green apartheid`Green economy' can be a luxury, and the gap between the haves and have-notsis widening
by Kent Paterson
Albuquerque TribuneApril 19, 2007

http://abqtrib.com/news/2007/apr/19/commentary-green-apartheid/

In the age of global climate change, green solutions are the in-thing. NewUrbanism-style living, sexy bicycles, nifty electric cars and fluorescentlight bulbs are rolled out as answers to the ecological crisis that is sinking Planet Earth.Visionaries who would've been dismissed as eccentric cranks or just plain ignored a decade ago are gaining a prominent place in the public discourse.Their solutions are interesting, innovative and futuristic.Yet, many proponents of the new green economy possess an upper-middle class bias that will only further pulverize hard-pressed working-class people if their ideas are put into practice without any fundamental changes in the political economy.

In New Mexico, examples of the new eco-classism are everywhere.The redevelopment of downtown Albuquerque provides a neat lifestyle for the yuppies who live in trendy lofts, charge their morning espresso and bagels on credit cards and cherish walking or biking to work. But an emerging eco-apartheid exists for workers who commute in jalopies from affordable sections of town, shop for cheap food at Wal-Mart and resort to payday loans to survive.

Street cars are cute additions to the New Urbanist landscape but do absolutely nothing for the many New Mexicans who live where basic bus service is either non-existent or an annoying joke.

A salient example of eco-elitism in action is in the battle over a town-home development planned for Northeast Albuquerque. Press coverage frames the fight in terms of low density vs. high density and New Urbanism vs. suburban conflicts. But the hoopla is meaningless to many - if not most - Duke City residents who can't afford either the pricey town homes or the existing single-family dwellings.

Familiar class and color lines are already etched in the changing natural -not economic - climate. While thousands of expensive new homes are sprouting up like desert wildflowers outside Las Cruces - carbon emissions reductions,anyone? - environmental refugees from last summer's Hatch flooding, the vast majority of whom are working-class Latinos, get a Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer park off Interstate 25 in Rincon.

On April 14, a new movement was launched in the United States. Called "Step it Up 2007," the coalition staged more than 1,400 actions in support of demands to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050. Step it Up promises more actions in the months ahead, including star-studded concerts in the mold of Live Aid. Movement spokesman and eco-guru Bill McKibben said that Step it Up aims to unite the citizenry across economic and racial boundaries.

"This is a global crisis that will affect all of us and requires immediate and bold action," McKibben affirmed. Noticeably absent from the April 14 actions was a clear message in solidarity with the still-displaced, low-income African-American refugees from Hurricane Katrina, who are among the first victims of environmentally excused ethnic and class cleansing. Prancing around in polar bear suits is a clever protest tactic, but organizing a national movement to ensure that all citizens have access to affordable, environmentally-efficient homes is another matter altogether.

At a public forum sponsored by KUNM-FM radio earlier this year, former NewMexico Environment Secretary Judith Espinosa was the only panel participant to cast the climate crisis in down-to-earth, class terms.

"Not everyone can afford to buy PNM's green wind power or green energy," Espinosa said. "Not everyone can afford a $26,000 Camry that is a hybrid vehicle." She raised the provocative question of why the budding green economy is so expensive when the ultimate price of our current, fossil fuel-based one is incalculable. Espinosa, who has a long history of community activism and service in working-class Chicano communities, is one of the few leaders with a green vision and an economic-justice outlook. More voices like Espinosa's are needed in the emerging climate change movement. Otherwise, it will be dominated by a well-intentioned, but well-off, white-hued green gentry.

Paterson is a writer and journalist based in Albuquerque who specializes incovering Mexico.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Email to the "Ellen Show"

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The video of the cursing baby, carrying a beer bottle, is not humor. It is child abuse. I'm sick of seeing "prison mentality" on my tv. I expect better of YOU! So, stop cozying up to gangsters, thugs and trash who have no respect for healthy life.
The guy who made that tape could get a visit from Child Protective Services for that garbage. It doesn't deserve any more attention than a news report.
Can't you do better than THAT??

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Personal Attacks

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There's a lively discussion, on the KUNM Volunteers Ideas List, about freedom of speech, hate speech and program content. You can read my replies in my Radio Blog.

Today, I had to write this:

It's funny. Heterosexual, white males are allowed to question the wisdom of pornographcally violent content in programming, and, while their opinions may be addressed and challenged, nobody says, "YOU don't know what you're talking about..."

And it's interesting that most of the defenders of free speech vs. hate speech in the Street Beat dialogue are able-bodied, straight, white guys of privilege, btw.

When I, a mixed-race, disabled, queer woman assert an opinion, I get personal attacks. Is this because the privileged find it necessary to attempt to silence, even destroy, anybody who inconveniences them with needs different than their own? Am I being told to shut up and get in the back of the bus?

Twice in the past week, I've been encouraged, by webmasters of the KUNM site, to post to the forums. I remember an attempt by one of them to "shame," silence, and discredit me for doing just that! The forums were dead; I knew that; I utilized the resource to publish commentary & poetry, based on programming and news stories.

I'm using my experience as an EXAMPLE here. I am NOT soliciting pity. I'm a very strong person, and I can CERTAINLY stand up to this. I lived in the so-called "War Zone" for 15 years and suffered the impact of a popular culture that's turning us all in to prison inmates and guards. How many of the posters here have had their crotches and breasts grabbed, on a regular basis, simply for walking to the store for groceries?

But others in marginalized subgrous, treated the same way, might not be so lucky. And I think it creates an atmosphere where others WON'T voice opinions and concerns, for fear of being singled out.

Personal attacks do NOT promote dialogue. They are unhealthy to this freedom of speech we are so adamant to defend.

This is a COMMUNITY. We ought to treat each other with respect and honor the dignity of our members.
I'm not going to shut up, just because a few people find my words inconvenient.

My concern is for those others who are more easily intimidated by an atmosphere which promotes personal attack.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Nader film in Albq. March 26

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OPENS ALBUQUERQUE •MARCH 26TH
GUILD CINEMA • 3405 CENTRAL AVE. NE 505-255-1848
WWW.GUILDCINEMA.COM WWW.ANUNREASONABLEMAN.COM
ALSO AVAILABLE ON IFC IN THEATRES! CALL YOUR CABLE OPERATOR TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION
LIMITED
ENGAGEMENT!
“BRILLIANT
AND COMPELLING!”
David Edelstein, New York Magazine
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
“GRADE A!
THRILLING, HAUNTING,
PERCEPTIVE AND
BEAUTIFULLY MADE!”
“BRILLIANT
AND COMPELLING!”
–David Edelstein, NEW YORK MAGAZINE
“RIVETING.
As much the biography of a movement
as the story of a single man.”
–A.O. Scott, THE NEW YORK TIMES
“HHHH!”
–Joshua Rothkopf, TIME OUT NEW YORK
“FASCINATING!
We are free to make up our own minds.”
–David Denby, THE NEW YORKER
“A-! SPELLBINDING.”
–Nathan Rabin, THE ONION
“EXCELLENT!
AN UNREASONABLE MAN is, like THE FOG
OF WAR, one of those opportunities to
step back, take a breath, and remember
the seething power of recent history.”
–David Poland, MOVIE CITY NEWS

Ralph Nader has become one of the most polarizing figures in American politics.
In 2000, he lost many allies and friends because of his decision to run for president.
In 2004, he cemented the hatred of many more. However, Nader used to be one of the
most loved figures in America. He fought for protections we now take for granted;
airbags, seatbelts, even the air we breathe. How does the leader of the modern consumer
movement and champion of American citizenship fall from grace? Hero or villain?
Crusader or spoiler? Right or wrong? You decide.
http://www.anunreasonableman.com

ALSO AVAILABLE ON IFC IN THEATRES! CALL YOUR
CABLE OPERATOR TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Recalled pet food BRANDS

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Everybody's mentioning the producer's name, Menu Foods. NOBODY's mentioning the BRANDS!

Please notice, as well: 2 of the most expensive foods, IAMS and Science Diet are manufactured by Menu Foods, as are some of the CHEAPEST, generic brands on the shelves!

From the Menu Foods website:


http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html

Recalled Cat Product Information
Recall Information 1-866-895-2708
Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
Authority
Best Choice
Companion
Compliments
Demoulas Market Basket
Eukanuba
Fine Feline Cat
Food Lion
Foodtown
Giant Companion
Hannaford
Hill Country Fare
Hy-Vee
Iams
Laura Lynn
Li'l Red
Loving Meals
Meijer's Main Choice
Nutriplan
Nutro Max Gourmet Classics
Nutro Natural Choice
Paws
Pet Pride
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority US
Save-A-Lot Special Blend
Schnucks
Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts Cans
Sophistacat
Special Kitty Canada
Special Kitty US
Springfield Prize
Sprout
Stop & Shop Companion
Tops Companion
Wegmans
Weis Total Pet
Western Family US
White Rose
Winn Dixie

PRESS RELEASE
Menu Foods Income Fund
TSX: MEW.UN Stock Quote Stock Chart
Other Recent News
March 16, 2007

Menu Foods Income Fund Announces Precautionary Dog and Cat Food Recall

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - March 16, 2007) -
NOT FOR RELEASE OVER US NEWSWIRE SERVICES
Attention Business/Financial Editors

Menu Foods Income Fund (the "Fund") (TSX:MEW.UN) today announced the precautionary recall of a portion of the dog and cat food it
manufactured between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The recall is limited to "cuts and gravy" style pet food in cans and pouches
manufactured at two of the Fund's United States facilities. These products are both manufactured and sold under private-label and are
contract-manufactured for some national brands.

Over the past several days, the Fund has received feedback in the United States (none in Canada) raising concerns about pet food
manufactured since early December, and its impact on the renal health of the pets consuming the products. Shortly after receipt of the first
complaint, the Fund initiated a substantial battery of technical tests, conducted by both internal and external specialists, but has failed to
identify any issues with the products in question. The Fund has, however, discovered that timing of the production associated with these
complaints, coincides with the introduction of an ingredient from a new supplier.

The Fund stopped using this ingredient shortly after this
discovery and production since then has been undertaken using ingredients from another source.

At the same time, the Fund's largest customer, for which it manufactures on a contract basis, received a small number of consumer
complaints and has initiated its own recall. Furthermore, for the time being, the customer has put future orders for cuts and gravy products on
hold. This customer's cuts and gravy purchases in 2006 represented approximately 11% of the Fund's annual revenue.

"We take these complaints very seriously and, while we are still looking for a specific cause, we are acting to err on the side of caution" said
Paul K. Henderson, President and CEO, Menu Foods. "We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our products maintain the very
highest quality standards."

While the number of complaints has been relatively small, Menu is taking this proactive step out of an abundance of caution, because the
health and well-being of pets is paramount to the Fund.
In addition to changing suppliers, for production after March 6, the Fund has increased testing of all raw materials and finished goods. It is
also working closely with regulatory authorities and its customers to learn more and will take whatever additional actions are appropriate. The
Fund estimates that based on currently available information, this recall could cost between $30 million and $40 million, which will be
financed from a combination of internally generated cash flow and bank credit facilities. Furthermore, the Fund is aggressively producing
product, utilizing a different supplier for the ingredient in question, to replenish customers as quickly as possible.

In order to determine whether cat and dog food in their possession is subject to recall, consumers should refer to the list of brand names
("listed products") at www.menufoods.com/recall. This will be available by 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007. Products not identified on the
website can continue to be used.

Menu is the leading North American private-label/contract manufacturer of wet pet food products sold by supermarket retailers, mass
merchandisers, pet specialty retailers and other retail and wholesale outlets. In 2006, the Fund produced more than one billion containers.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Menu Foods Income Fund
Consumers
1-866-895-2708
Website: http://www.menufoods.com

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

KUNM Show Promotes Discrimination

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

A volunteer at KUNM posted an email to the volunteers' ideas list, with a link to a letter in the UNM "Daily Lobo"

KUNM Show Promotes Discrimination
http://media.www.dailylobo.com/media/storage/paper344/news/2007/03/19/Opinion/LateNight.Kunm.Show.Promotes.Discrimination-2780196.shtml


The Program Director replied with some limp arguments about how the program in question, "Street Beat," is broadcasting programming that wouldn't be heard anywhere else.

Here's my reply:

I have a great idea!

Let's get some students, volunteers and community members with an interest in art for a project!

Let's send them out with dump trucks and shovels to collect feces from male bovine.

We'll have them bring it up to the 3rd floor lobby in wheelbarrows and smear it all around the lobby, leaving big piles for people to walk through!

It'll be an art installation.

True, people will slip and fall in it. It'll cause diseases. Lots of people will suffer, because the smell will drift all around the community. It'll affect progamming, staff efficiency and the number of people willing to either volunteer at, or contribute to, the station. We'll have a pretty bad reputation, all over the state. It'll be dangerous and counter-productive.

But we'll say it's art and freedom of speech, even though everybody else calls it a steaming pile of bullshit.

If Nazis broadcast that crap, someone would complain to the FCC and we'd lose our license. That's in addition to the protesters outside.

We're just lucky so few people even listen to a program that's produced by people who don't even interface with the KUNM community, staff, listeners or other volunteers.

People are DYING from hate speech. We need the air time for REAL programming.

As to outreach and inclusiveness, we need to look to our own house. When a former Volunteer representative to the radio board can sit in a General Meeting and blithely question the capabilities of a staff member, simply because that person has no bachelors degree, without any interest in that person's life story, AND that person is Black, AND it is said in the presence of another staff member who is struggling to complete said degree, how can we not say we've alienated the hell out of the community we're supposed to be serving? Prejudging people, based on tickets, economic privilege, ranks and credit ratings is just as oppressive as racism, sexism and homophobia. Nobody -- including me -- challenged that person in that General Meeting. It has been a source of constant shame and frustration for me, ever since.

I can't worry about the consequences. The State of New Mexico, PARTICULARLY Gay men in rural areas, NEED a voice, not excuses.

Monday, March 05, 2007

3rd World Farmer

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http://www.neodelight.com/webgames/3rdworldfarmer

Found this completely by accident. It's a game. It won't work, unfortunately, on WebTV.

It's EXTREMELY difficult to play.

Here's a hint: don't scrimp on health or knowledge. Don't think within the paradigm of sexism. Work your ass off. Don't be sentimental about older, ailing family members. Get your infrastructure on, ASAP.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

sleeping in truck

Well, mostly, we slept in our truck, which is a van conversion, moving
van from Penske rentals. The box is 10 ft. tall by about 20 ft. long.

I put a futon frame & mattress inside (both dumpster finds).

The 1st nite in Kansas, it was raining HARD. By the time we were on the
outskirts of Ks. City, the rain was turning to snow & the snow plows
came out.

I was worried, of course.

We were driving around an industrial area near the airport, when I saw
this HUGE building, incomplete, with a real estate sign out front. There
was no construction equipment, so I figured nobody would be back the
next day. It was larger than a wal+mart, with HUGE doors.

So, I drove the truck inside and hid it behind a wall.

We were out of the snow, out of the wind, out of sight. YOU try to hide
a huge, yellow truck, so you can sleep in the streets!

I'll write more later. I'm facing an interruption.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Paula Gunn Allen benefit

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> > Contact: Kerrie Lynn
> > (404) 524-0304
> > Charis Books, Atlanta
> >
> > NATIVE WOMEN WRITERS READ AT BENEFIT FOR PAULA GUNN
> > ALLEN
> >
> > Seven Native women writers will read Friday, March 2,
> > at 8 PM at Charis Books.
>
> The reading is in honor of
> > Paula Gunn Allen, the Laguna writer whose
> > groundbreaking study The Sacred Hoop, established the
> > field of Native feminist studies. Gunn Allen's home
> > was destroyed by a fire in October, and she has been
> > hospitalized as a result of injuires sustained in it.
> >
> > Paula Gunn Allen's many honors include an American
> > Book Award for her 1990 Spider Woman's Granddaughters:
> > Traditional Tales and Contemporary Writing, a National
> > Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and the Lifetime
> > Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of
> > the Americas. A scholar and a creative writer, her
> > many books include Life is a Fatal Disease: Collected
> > Poems 1962-1995, The Woman Who Owned the Shadows, and
> > Grandmothers of the Light: A Medicine Woman's
> > Sourcebook. She received her M.F.A. from the
> > University of Oregon and her Ph.D. from the University
> > of New Mexico. After a distinguished teaching career,
> > including professorships at UCLA, Berkeley, and the
> > University of New Mexico, she retired in 1999.
> > Writers participating in the event include Kimberly
> > Blaeser (Anishnabe), Allison Hedge Coke (Tsalagi /
> > Huron), Heid Erdrich (Anishnabe), Diane Glancy
> > (Cherokee), LeAnne Howe (Choctaw), Evelina Lucero
> > (Isleta /San Juan Pueblo), Janet McAdams (Alabama
> > Creek), and Deborah Miranda (Esselen/Chumash). The
> > writers will read from Gunn Allen's as well as their
> > own work.
> >
> > Each of the poets has recently published a volume of
> > poetry in Salt Publishing's Earthworks series of
> > indigenous writers. Erdrich's The Mother's Tongue,
> > Glancy's Rooms, Howe's Evidence of Red , and
> > Miranda's The Zen of La Llorona appeared in 2005, the
> > inaugural year of the new Earthworks series. New books
> > include Blaeser's Apprenticed to Justice and Hedge
> > Coke's Blood Run. Series editor McAdams will also read
> > from a new collection, Feral. Novelist Lucero will
> > read from her award-winning Night Sky, Morning Star.
> >
> > More information, including directions, can be found
> > on the Charis Books website at
> > http://charis.booksense.com or by calling (404)
> > 524-0304. Gunn Allen's books will be available for
> > purchase, and donations will be requested for the
> > Paula Gunn Allen Fund. Admission is free.
> >
> >
> > ^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
> > http://www.janetmcadams.org

Sunday, February 11, 2007

greetings from Larned, KS

http://larned.org/
There's nothing to do here. We got a hotel so we can take showers b4 we
meet a lady to film at the Santa Fe Trail Ctr., near Ft. Larned. We look
pretty funky, so a shower's in order. Slept 2 nites in the truck: La
Junta, Colorado and Dodge City, KS (a truly ugly town; don't bother ick,
but La junta and neighboring Las Animas, CO were nice). COOOOOOLD in da
truck!

Osa, the cat, is doing fine. Great traveling cat; likes to stay inside &
never panics.

We were in Bent's Fort, CO yesterday, filming. http://www.nps.gov/beol/

Had 2 cats follow me all over the fort. People will think they have
8,000 cats there, as I don't think I got one shot without a cat butt in
it. They don't, according to the locals, usually follow people like they
follow me. Great. I'm a cat magnet!

Well, Ma's outta da shower, so I guess it's my turn now.

C U L8ers.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Forgot to post this one

Re: I've nearly killed myself, but...

Group: news:alt.discuss.clubs.public.arts-lit.misc.rriverstone Date:
Thu, Feb 8, 2007, 5:58am (MST-1) From: (Rogi Riverstone)

I got my NM driver's license yesterday.

Took Ma to work & hit the thriftstores.

I've been thinking that a futon frame & light mattress would be more
comfortable than inflated mattress on floor. And what happens if we
spring a leak?

Well, as I was parking the truck outside the 1st thrift store, I saw
that the neighbors were throwing out thin box spring and mattress set.
Took mattress; doesn't weigh much.

Last night, I took Ma to her acting class. I saw a futon frame beside a
dumpster, threw it on the motorcycle rack and it's now in the driveway!
Free bed!
I bought spray disinfectant for the mattress. Today, I'll remake the
bed: frame over carpet, mattress on that, inflated mattress over that,
covered by thick blanket, to keep cold mattress from freezing us, eighty
billion other blankets over that.

At the Goodwill clearance center, I found two, HUGE pillows, printed and
cut out like a giant barracuda and a giant sword fish. They're 5' long
and about 2' wide, at the widest. They'll be good "huggy" pillows. We
both like pillows betw. our knees, to keep our hips from getting stiff.

This way, I won't have to take all our bedding out to the truck.

I also sewed two large pillows out of old, thriftstore beach towels,
stuffed with packing peanuts. They'll absorb sweat, dry fast, be easy to
clean. We can use them on the ground, picnic benches....whatever.

The last things I'll need to do will be to pack refrigerator foods, fill
cats' water tub, grab small litter box, pet carrier & popcorn can of
food for the 1 cat (Osa: means "lady bear" in Spanish) we're taking.
I'll have to pack clothes and video/photo/recording equipment tomorrow.
Ma changed all the litter boxes this morning; trash comes today.

Last things are turning off heaters & extra electric (like COMPUTERS!),
giving neighbors housekeys and leaving, I guess.
If I've forgotten anything, it's not cuz I haven't tried to plan.

OH! Musn't forget to pack webtv, kbd, small vcr and small tv! shoot!

cat got out

It's an hour 'til we leave, and Ivan isn't anywhere he can hear me call
him.

I hate to leave him out for nine days. I'll leave out food & there's
plenty of water, if he doesn't come home by the time we leave.

My neighbors can keep an eye on him. But I sure hope he doesn't go in
Grace's yard. She's the neighbor on the other side of our house. She's
constantly calling city agencies, incl. Animal Control, trying to get us
in trouble. She does it to the whole neighborhood, but us, in
particular. She screams, she cusses, she throws trash in our yard, she
threatens us constantly. One time, she called Animal Control on us
because there was a SKUNK in the empty lot behind her house! She told
Animal Control our goats stank. The guy came out & said, "I thought that
was strange; goats don't stink!"

I only let my cats out while Grace is at work or sleeping. He got out
last night and hasn't come back. sigh.

Well, other than that, we're just about ready to leave. Ma's packing the
last of her stuff right now & will pack the WebTV, VCR & TV in a few
minutes.

We should be well into Colorado tonight.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

powering truck

We're probably gonna buy an inverter on the road. I was talking about
one of those line splitters. I also use them to power extra lights,
radio, etc. on my electric bike.

I also hope we can buy one of those coffee pots that plugs into cig.
lighter. Ma's bringing her cell phone charger, too.

That lamp that plugs into cig lighter has long enuff cord it can stretch
into the back of the truck; it's for road emergencies, etc.

We'll need an inverter b4 we go to Burning Man festival this summer, for
sure.

Also: we found a 5500 watt generator at BigLots for $450. We didn't buy
it yet; want to compare prices, wattage, etc. first.

We'll need generator at Burning Man, so I can project my table/scope art
video. There's no electric, water, etc. on the land; you bring
everything in and take EVERYTHING out.

Monday, February 05, 2007

I've nearly killed myself, but...

the truck is packed & ready to go. We have a comfy bed on an air
mattress.

We're cooking with sterno and disposable bbqs I found on sale at the end
of last summer for a dollar each.

We have a portapotty, made of cardboard boxes with plastic garbage bag
lining.

We have an ice box, outlets for the cigarette lighter, lamp for that,
extra tires which I made into a bench inside by the bed, shelves,
clothing bar, lots of food, solar battery charger for the truck.

We also have small, solar chargers for rechargable batteries for; webtv,
video & still cameras, minidisc recorder, flashlights flashers for
bicycles (we'll chain those to the motorcycle rack on the front of the
truck), razor, cell phone, my electric bicycle, etc.

We're leaving Friday, 10am. We'll be in Trinidad, CO by nightfall, we
hope. Trinidad is kinda famous for the gender reassignment clinic there.
My g/f is m-f transexual, and would like to see it if we have time.

We're going to an historical reinactment at a fort about 100 mi. north
of there on Saturday to film.

After that, I'm not sure where we'll be, when.

The weather's warmed up here into the sixties by day. Hoping we won't
freeze to death in CO, OK, Missouri, KS.

We'll stay in hotels periodically, to check email and bathe, mostly.

I've got plenty of straw, hay, chicken scratch, kids' wading pools full
of water for goats and chickens.

I've got 6 litter boxes in the house, a 15 gal. tub of water, 32 lbs.
cat kibble in giant salad bowls all over the house for my four cats.

Neighbors will keep an eye on things, throw bread over the fence daily
for goat treats, check mail, etc.

I'm even packing laundry soap, just in case. It's a five ton moving van;
it's not like I can't take anything I want. Hell, I'm even packing some
large, stuffed animals to make the bed snugglier.

Oh, and I packed lawn chairs and this cute, wooden table that rolls up
and slides into a sack!

Man, am I tired!

Sunday, February 04, 2007

cheap long distance

I use http://www.pioneertelephone.com/

It's less than three cents/minute. There's no minimum, set-up fees,
hidden costs, ect. I also got a free 1-800 number when I signed up, so
friends can call me at no charge to them.

Friday, February 02, 2007

NOVA "Forgotten Genius"

NOVA "Forgotten Genius"
Tuesday, February 6, 2007 8 - 10:00 pm

This film tells the fascinating and largely unknown story of scientific
triumph and racial inequality. It covers the extraordinary life journey
of Percy Julian, one of the great chemists of the 20th century. (CC,
Stereo, DVI)
Build a steroid; in our online feature watch as diosgenin transforms
into adrenal hormone cortisone.

http://www.pbs.org/nova/julian

Independent Lens"Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life"

Independent Lens"Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life"

Tuesday, February 6, 2007 10 - 11:30 pm
Duke Ellington's co-composer, arranger and right-hand man, Billy
Strayhorn wrote some of the greatest American music of the 20th century.
Tune in to learn about the unheralded man who changed jazz and popular
music forever. (CC, Stereo)

Learn more about Billy Strayhorn at the companion Web site.

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/billystrayhorn

Lots of winter projects

My g/f & I are planning a 10-day trip, traveling the Santa Fe Trail from
here in Albuquerque all the way to Kansas City and back. We're shooting
video for an Independent Study project of hers at college. It'll be a
video documentary, based on a radio play she produced several years ago.

So, the truck needs cleaning out; bedding and cooking utensils need
washing; goats & chickens need extra feed (so do cats). Clothes need
packing; cameras need batteries, film, etc.

It's a lot of work. As usual, she can't help, because she works full
time and has other classes, too.

It's her last semester. She'll graduate, with honors, in May. Maybe then
I can fall apart! I've never known her without tremendous pressure on
her.

Besides all that, Dudette at http://net4tv.com Games has offered me a
job, writing about WebTV stuff for her users. I'll have a blog; it'll
have a forum, so readers can reply, etc. I'm also helping her set up
online greeting cards and email signatures.

So, I've been awful busy!

BTW: I'll be gone from the 9th through the 19th of February. We're
taking the WebTV and a small TV set with us. We'll periodically stay in
hotels. That way, we can post still photos online, check email, etc.
I'll try to post in my newsgroup and blogs then, but who knows?

Mostly, we'll be sleeping in the truck, on an air mattress, in February.
We go through Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and, of course, New
Mexico. Nothing like a camping trip, in the DEAD OF WINTER! brrr.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Native Americans & Weapons of Mass Destruction

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Compact History of Native North Americans
Great resource:http://www.tolatsga.org/Compacts.html

From: Anna G
Subject: Native Americans & Weapons Of Mass Destruction
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 8:02 PM
http://www.apfn.org/thewinds/1998/03/weapons_of_destruction1.html

[snip] "The news media these days continues on in its historic path of
the perversion of information and the facts. The drums of the daily news
still beat the population into a frenzy over some far-off leader who
threatens the world with mass destruction. The ignorant mob rushes off
to save the world for democracy while killing off millions of innocents.
Such is the nature of man and his media....."

[snip] English general Jeffery Amherst, 1763: "Could it not be contrived
to send a smallpox among those disaffected tribes of Indians? We must on
this occasion use every stratagem in our power to reduce them. You will
do well to try to inoculate the Indians by means of blankets to try and
extirpate this execrable race." The tribes "inoculated" in this campaign
were the Shawnee, Odawa and the Onondaga tribes. One native remarked
afterwards, "terrible sickness among us, nothing but dead bodies among
us."

[snip] "They are a dissolute, vagabondish, brutal, and ungrateful race
and ought to be wiped from the face of the earth." Rocky Mountain News
editorial March 1863. In that same year out of twenty-seven articles
dealing with Native Americans, twenty called for extermination. The
populace was fully indoctrinated with death towards the Cheyennes and
Arapahos. The Rocky Mountain News reported in August 1864 "go for them,
their lodges, squaws and all." The News inflamed the situation to the
point where men had no conscience for indiscriminate killing.

Looking forward to the Sand Creek massacre, Colonel John Chivington
expressed the thought of many when he said, "Well, I long to be wading
in gore." Chivington headed a 700-man, 5-battalion army who massacred
the Cheyennes and Arapahos at Sand Creek November, 1864. The report
Chivington gave of the senseless slaughter of the Native Americans as
reported in the Rocky Mountain News stated it was, "one of the most
bloody Indian battles ever fought." The News went on to elaborate that,
"Cheyenne scalps are getting as thick here now as toads in Egypt.
Everybody has got one and is anxious to get another to send east." The
battalion didn't meet with much resistance.

One chief, Black Kettle, flew an American flag in front of his tepee,
assuring his tribe of safety. Previously, the tribe had willingly
disarmed themselves as a gesture of non-hostility. They only kept those
weapons essential for hunting. When Black Kettle saw the firing begin,
he raised a white flag on the same pole as the American flag and told
his people to gather under the flags. Of the 600 tribal members present
only 35 were estimated to be braves. The other braves had been sent off
to hunt being assured of the protection of Fort Lyon. The rest were old
men, women and children. Only a few escaped alive. Black Kettle's wife
was shot several times but lived.

One senator who visited the horrible scene, walked among carnage more
terrible than words can portray. Soldiers who saw the battle ground the
following days described it in the following language: "All manner of
depredations were inflicted on their persons," "women and children
mutilated in the most horrible manner," "all cut to pieces", "nearly
all, men women and children were scalped," "worse mutilated [sic] than
any I ever saw before." The senator who saw and heard these atrocities
assembled an investigational debate about the slaughter. Chivington, the
Colorado Governor and the general public were invited. During the debate
the question was asked, "Would it be best henceforward, to try to
'civilize' the Indians or simply exterminate them?" "Exterminate them!
Exterminate them!" the crowd roared. Some said the roar was like a
battlefield cry loud enough to raise the Denver Opera House roof. The
congressional committee did nothing.

Almost four years later another congressional committee, composed of
generals from the U.S. Army and other officials met for seventy-two
days. The final report stated: "It scarcely has its parallel in the
records of Indian barbarity -- men, women and infants were tortured and
mutilated in a way which would put to shame the savages of interior
Africa." But the Rocky Mountain News won the day for the bloodthirsty
colonel. Nothing was done to Chivington for the slaughter, that he
termed, "the most bloody Indian battle ever fought." He took his
notoriety on the road as an after-dinner speaker.

Later, Theodore Roosevelt's comment on the Sand Creek massacre was, "a
righteous and beneficial a deed as ever took place on the frontier.".

Another comment of Roosevelt's concerning the Native American plight
was, "I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead
Indians, but I believe 9 out of 10 are, and I shouldn't like to inquire
too closely into the case of the tenth.".

Despite congressional evidence to the contrary, the Rocky Mountain News
reports still held the feeling to Roosevelt's day and, as we shall see,
far beyond.....

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Goodwill laptop

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

I bought a mac powerbook for $50. at http://shopgoodwill.com
It came from a gov't. subcontractor in Wash., DC
It's in perfect shape, just a minor crack near the power plug.

It had been thoroughly tested by the folks at Goodwill.

I always recommend http://shopgoodwill.com before eBay.

It's easy to navigate; it's more secure; most items are WAY cheaper;
shipping is a SET fee & nobody hides profits that way; ALL the money
goes to charity; they're prompt and they're honest.

You may not find what you're looking for the first time. But they have
an excellent, internal search engine, also easy to navigate. If you
return several times, even in one week, you'll probably find it.

Monday, January 29, 2007

What about alternative transpo?

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what about alternative transpo?

Group: news:alt.discuss.talk.science Date: Sat, Jan 27, 2007, 1:09am From: (Rogi Riverstone)

I've lived in the burbs; in small, rural towns; in Los Angeles and lotsa stuff in between.

I have an electric bicycle (good for up to 2 hrs, if I pedal, too, before recharge -- and I bought a solar-powered battery charger for it) and a 49cc gas powered scooter (apx. 100 mile per gallon). I pull a bicycle trailer behind them. I can bring home a 50 lb sack of goat feed and a bale of hay. Or a week's worth of groceries.

I grow a lot of my own food. I'm raising the goats in a suburban backyard for milk. I also have chickens, ducks and a huge vegie garden. I dumpster dive.

I shop thriftstores, flea markets and yard sales. I also online shop for used merchandise at eBay, but my preferred site is http://shopgoodwill.com I bought my g/f a mac laptop there for fifty dollars! Online shopping is DELIVERED!

My g/f & I recently purchased a HUGE moving truck for five thousand bucks. It gets ten miles to the gallon. We only use it for major hauls and emergency trips. Otherwise, she uses a standard bicycle and I use my motorized bikes. But, on long trips, we drive the truck with the bikes packed inside. When we get to the city we're going to, we park the truck and ride the bikes.We spend less than fifty dollars a month in gas on BUSY months.

We don't NEED cars!

I could haul two children in my bike trailer -- it's what it was designed for -- and put another in a kiddy seat on my back wheel. I have saddle bags on front and back tires for tools, purses, extra bungie cords, etc.I can carry an adult human in that trailer. I used to carry my pit bull in his dog kennel on it. Hell, I could haul my GOATS, if I had to!

No: insurance, license, big repair bills...We bypass most traffic jams, cuz we can get on the sidewalks or ride around barracades. We have weatherproof clothing for all seasons.

Personal passenger cars are unnecessary, for the most part. Before we got the truck (which we drive less than once a week), if we had a long trip, we'd either take a bus (we took one to Mexico, recently) or we rent a car.We've each lived like this for about twenty years now. And we have more of our income to spend on more important things.

How to make peat planter pots?

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

My buddy, Ronny, is contemplating peat pot designs. My reply follows, to which R W added the suggestion of window screening, which I whole heartedly endorse.

I think the compression idea is a good one.I'm thinking you could line a flower pot with fine-mesh chicken wire, orrabbit fencing (if you can find some that's not too stiff to shape).Then, line it all with the peat. Then, shove another flower pot inside,to shape it.I'd turn the whole thing upside down and weight it with like bricks,concrete blocks, rocks...and leave it someplace sunny and dry for a fewweeks.I wouldn't use glue, per se. I'd mix in something sticky, like sugarsyrup or eggs beaten in water. That'd bind it.Mixing some paper pulp in would help, too.With my paper pulp, I mix in cheap, white flour, a little carpenter'sglue, and latex paint. Holds up for years!

Hillbilly Housewife

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http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/
I wish I'd written this!

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Winter Blahs

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winter blahs

http://games.net4tv.com/games4tv/blog/article/273/

I live outdoors a lot, even when it's freezing and windy. I have my
chickens, ducks and goats. I ride a 49cc scooter and an electric
bicycle. I have tons of weather-appropriate clothing. Albuquerque is hot
and bright in the summer and can be pretty cold in the winter.
I do more indoor stuff in the winter, true. But it's stuff that cheers
me up: webpage stuff, cooking, going through my archives (I'm an ametuer
museum archivist, kind of) for memories about which I write. I have my
cats, who are indoors when my grouchy neighbor next door is home (she
hates everything, and cats jump walls.)

We rent movies from an online service. I'm learning to make my own, for
the local, cable access station. I'll be posting short ones at myspace,
google, youtube, blogger. We go to local theatre productions. We go to
the dollar movie plex, and stop at the Goodwill clearance center
afterward (we recently bought a laser jet printer and a scanner, both
working great, for ten bucks each there.)

I'm also a volunteer at the local, community radio station. I work in
Albuquerque Radio Theatre. Occassionally, I get paid for half hour,
independent productions. I do everything from our home computers, burn
it to disc and take it to the station. It's nice, kind of like webtv: I
can sit in my jammies and do broadcasting!

I love the holiday parties; I cook extravegant and
impressively-presented goodies for potlucks and gatherings. I also
experiment more in winter with cuisines I don't know all that well:
Eastern European, Thai, African, etc.
After holidays, I start cleaning out the kitchen for the early harvests
that'll come from my spring garden. I plant seed to start in window
shelves.

I go to thrift stores and shop http://shopgoodwill.com in the winter. In
the summer, I'll go to yard sales and the flea market.
Winter's when I do most of my online posting, as I have more time to
read what people are thinking and respond to it. Summers, I'm running
around the yard with tools and stuff. My shoes are too dirty to come
indoors & I don't have time to flop in front of the TV.

I connect with people I love and we catch up on what's going on in our
lives.

Winters are just as nourishing as warm weather, for me.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Ronny

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

Ronny lives in an old house in Eastern Texas. He loves to describe how he fusses over the place, the things he scavanges for it and all the work he does. Right now, he's working on a large, back room. But it's really cold there, too, and sleeting. So he asked, in my newsgroup yesterday, if he should work or not. I ended up replying with my own chores.



From:
"Rogi Riverstone"
Date:
Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:31:51 -0700

I'm sorry, Ronny, I didn't see this 'till almost seven thirty, tonight
I know. Weather here's been pretty miserable, too. 'course, I'm not
that
far from you, either. I've still got snow ice in my back yard. It
snowed
about 2 feet, three weeks ago, and it's still lingering. My duck ponds
get so frozen, the ducks literally skate on em in the mornings!
I had to go out and shore up my goat shed. I wedged bedding hay into
the
chinks the wind blew through. I also installed some red light bulbs, to
keep the chickens & goats warmer at nite. I have 7 chickens, huddled
around one, red floodlight bulb tonight. Goats seem comfy on their new
beds of straw with a lamp on them.
I hate working in the cold. I get all stove up and can barely waddle
around out there.
A neighborhood restaurant closed last week. They threw what the didn't
sell at their moving sale in the trash. Tomorrow's trash day. So, I
took
my goats and pulled my kid's wagon down the alley to scavange. Mostly,
I
wanted the 5 foot tall, silk-leaf ficus tree they'd thrown out. But I
got some other junk, too.
Brought it all home and fixed the tree with a splint on one broken
branch. Fluffed out the leaves and have it standing in my driveway,
with
other baskets & containers I use for planters. They all have dried &
silk flowers in them for winter. Come spring, they'll be full of herbs,
flowers and some small vegies.
Today, I washed the Dish Mountain in the sink. I also continued my war
with Microsoft about not being able to post in alt.discuss
I called Oasis DSL. We're getting DSL hooked up here. We have 5
computers in the house, along with my webtv. So, I'll be able to use
the
landline for webtv and my g/f can use internet on PC at the same time.
And we could both b on PC internet on 2 computers at the same time.
I can't remember what else I did today. Mostly puttering, as I recall.
It's good to have you back in my ng!
Your house sounds like fun!

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Burning Man tickets on sale tomorrow!

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

We're not buying ours, just yet, especially after reading THIS! Yipes!

But we're going, I hope.

Date:
Tue, 16 Jan 2007 10:36:12 -0800
From:
"Andie Grace" jackrabbitspeaks

Subject:
BManUpdate:V11:#5 TICKET INFORMATION
Jack Rabbit Speaks
Volume 11, Issue #6
January 16, 2007
TICKET INFORMATION
(Unsubscribe info at the bottom...)
Off we go..tickets to Burning Man 2007 go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday,
January 16) at 10 AM PST at http://tickets.burningman.com .
A note to online ticket buyers: to use our online ticket buying system
you will need to have your browser's cookies turned on and have
javascript enabled. This is standard for most browsers these days, but
if you want to double check yours prior to the big day use the "check
your cookies and javascript here" button at the bottom of
http://tickets.burningman.com . Also, we recommend using browsers other
than Internet Explorer 7 which has known issues with how it handles
cookies - we wouldn't want anything to hinder your experience!
Should you find yourself with questions or in need of support while
getting your tickets online, please visit
http://tickets.burningman.com/contact and browse through the pull-down
menu of topics to see if your question is answered there.
A Note from Our Tech Department about Ticket Launch
The date that Burning Man tickets go on sale is always a big day around
here. Participants who have bought tickets on the first day of sales in
the past may recall that things didn't go as smoothly as we all would
have liked. Since we moved the sale of the lowest priced tickets from
mail order lottery with a money order to the internet, a variety of
technical challenges have been encountered. These challenges, created
by
the overwhelming initial demand, have made that day a test of our
collective character - ticket buyers, our ticket partner, and our
staff.
This past winter, as we evaluated our plans for the coming year and
beyond, we faced a difficult decision: Do we switch to the services of
some other vendor who may be able to handle the initial load, but may
not be prepared to support our unique event operations and who would
probably charge higher fees? After much deliberation, remembering that
relationships and collaborative efforts should be valued over
commodified transactions, and also that we have a robust community of
highly skilled and knowledgeable technical volunteers who could be
asked
to help, we knew we had to try it one more time, Burning Man style.
Since that time, the Burning Man organization and many members of our
technical staff and volunteer teams have been collaborating with In
Ticketing to improve the technology supporting the ticket launch. A
systems administration brainstorming session took place in March and
the
entire technical process, from queuing application and database design
to the specifics of managed server solutions, was discussed. Provisions
were put in place for sharing and review of design documentation, the
execution of volume load test scenarios, and other important
milestones.
In addition to providing feedback and review of the newly designed
system and architecture, this fall, members of the Burning Man 'sys
admin' team contributed significantly to the volume load testing
efforts.
As we prepare for the ticket launch, there are still some variables
that
are out of our hands. And it's also impossible to completely predict
the
buying behaviors of thousands of Burners as they eagerly participate in
a financial transaction via computer. Should you feel it's necessary to
get your tickets on the first day, please keep in mind that many other
like-minded burners have been similarly inspired, and that this project
has already been a successful collaboration which will hopefully
benefit
the community at large.
We're all looking forward to Wednesday!
Your Burning Man Tech & Ticketing Teams
{============================================================}
==================ADMIN ON AND OFF THE JRS====================
{============================================================}
Email us or questions@ any time with questions.
PLEASE NOTE: Post requests cannot be guaranteed. The JRS is sent
sporadically, and sometimes compiled many many days before it is sent,
so there may be some lag time between your submission and your post
appearing. We cannot post every request, and we can't guarantee a JRS
will go out in time to cover your event. To improve your chances:
SEND TO jackrabbitspeaks@burningman.com. JUST HITTING REPLY WILL CAUSE
YOUR
REQUEST TO DISAPPEAR INTO A DEEP, DARK HOLE. Really. Your post will not
go out if you just reply to this email. Please type "POST REQUEST"
in your subject line to make it past the SPAM.
For questions: questions@burningman.com
Old rabbits: http://www.burningman.com/blackrockcity_yearround/jrs/
On and off this ride:SUBSCRIBE:
bman-announce-subscribe@burningman.com
UNSUBSCRIBE: bman-announce-unsubscribe@burningman.com
If you are trying to unsub and it doesn't work, please send us an email
and give us as much information as possible. Are you sending from a
different address? You'll get an email to which you must respond to
complete the request.
Andie Grace, Actiongrl
Office of the Jack Rabbit
www.burningman.com
_______________________________________________
bman-announce mailing list
bman-announce@burningman.com
https://lists.burningman.com/mailman/listinfo/bman-announce

Peace Talks: Ralph Bunch

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

Just finished transcribing this for Paul http://paulingles.com for his Peace Talks radio show.

INGLES: Ralph Bunch, an outstanding athlete and scholar in school at UCLA (suma cum laude, phi beta capa) delivers the class valedictory address at his graduation. Even in his twenties, the words in his speech, which he called, “The Fourth Dimension of Personality,” seemed to hold what will drive him, throughout his entire life. Let me read a little bit of this. It says:

“Man learns and knows. But he does not do as well as he knows. This is his weakness. The future peace and harmony of this world is contingent upon the ability of the world – yours and mine – to affect a remedy.”

This is really a signpost for the rest of his days, wasn’t it?

URQUHART: Absolutely. Just to go back a bit, he was headed for the usual kinds of employments: what passed for an education for young, Black men in Los Angeles, in 1919 – 20. His grandmother, who was virtually illiterate, had insisted that he not have that kind of education, that he go into the serious kinds of subjects that white boys went into. In Ralph’s case that was very much politics -- international politics -- and political science.

Once that field had been opened up to him, he realized the extraordinary gap between knowledge and actual performance, particularly in the political and diplomatic world. In that speech you just quoted, he really outlines, for himself, what he was going to do. This is interesting, because what he was set to do was to become an academic. He was an academic, basically, all his life. It is one of the reasons why he was so successful in the U.S., because he had a very powerful, analytical mind and he was fired by a passion for justice, and a passion for trying to resolve problems from which many human beings suffered. He made it a rule that there was no human problem, which was not susceptible to some kind of improvement, no matter how long it took. This is one of the reasons why he was such a good negotiator. It is an extraordinary thing to see a young man, who’d come afire (as he had, already) sketch out – almost unknowingly – the course he was going to take.

INGLES: In the documentary, you talk about the importance of “drafting,” in peace negotiations, or in drawing up the League of Nations’ charter. It’s something you said Bunch was good at, throughout his career. Could you elaborate on this and suggest what Bunch could do so well that is still crucial for negotiations of all kinds today?

URQUHART: My vision of Ralph – who I spent more hours with, in my entire life, than anybody else – is of him, hunched over a legal-sized pad and a whole supply of pencils, and writing in a whole number of things. Mostly, it was formulas, to try to get ‘round problems that had come up during the day. He was a great perfectionist. As I said, he was an academic. Ralph’s great genius was to be able to listen, all day, to two or three or whatever it was sides to a conflict and then, in the night, to write up a form of words which they could all accept. This means you could move forward. The great, classic example of this was the Armistice Agreements between Israel and her five, Arab neighbors, which he drafted and for which he got agreement in 1949. This was one of the reasons why he was so good at negotiations. He could intuit, in his own mind, the problems, the fears and the difficulties of the people with whom he dealt – not least, the kind of reception they were going to get when they got back home, if they’d given away too much. He could get all that working, with the objections they had made to some previous proposal and he could reformulate that proposal in a way that would give everybody just enough leeway to get through. It’s something that very few people can do. To do it, you have to have, first of all, an enormously acute, analytical mind and, secondly, a very great capacity for understanding the difficulties of other people.

INGLES: What you’re talking about is a capacity for empathy.

URQUHART: Absolutely. One of the generals whom Ralph employed in the Middle East once said that Ralph had the kindest eyes that he’d ever seen. I think it was true. He was a person who really had an unusual appreciation and liking for his fellow human beings. Curiously enough, it is not necessarily a very common quality. He really cared about the whole idea of helping people in trouble. Those are the people he was interested in. He was surprisingly little interested in very important people, celebrities, that kind of thing. He didn’t mind about them, at all. He was deeply interested in the lives of ordinary people and how he could improve them. That gave him a very great motivation for getting on with these extremely difficult subjects.

INGLES: Did he also have a skill for being present and, I assume, an extraordinary skill for listening?

URQUHART: He was an incredibly good listener. In fact, I think it was Moshe Dian – who was, at that time, an up-and-coming general in the Israeli Army – who once described, during the Armistice Agreements that Bunch would sit there, for hours, just looking at the person who was speaking, absolutely unmoving, and you could, somehow, see this knowledge, being received into some central area of his brain and being filed accurately, so that he could pull it out later on.

INGLES: Ralph Bunch, Jr., what do you think was at the core of his conflict resolution philosophy, which made him successful?

BUNCH: He was a tireless worker. As a family, we didn’t see him very much. He was a good father, but he wasn’t home a lot. He was an excellent listener on both sides to a conflict. He knew how to relax people with humor. Only after studying about it, thinking about it, for quite some time was he able to find compromises that seemed to appeal to both parties. He’d never believe that fighting it out was a solution. He started out with a bias against armed conflict. Through humor, and long hours, he was able to assure the parties that they were going to get the semblance of a fair shake on both sides of it.

INGLES: How do you recall him, communicating the message of nonviolence, tolerance and conflict resolution to you and your sisters? Was there something conscious, that you can recall, about conversations that the family would have in those times?

BUNCH: I think it’s more living in the ‘40s and ‘50s. I don’t think we appreciated an America – we look back on it now and say, “God, that was a great time!” It was a great time for our country, after the war. We were heroes, obviously. We had a strong economy. It was just very clear; he didn’t think fighting was the solution to anything. What we all learned, after the Second World War, was, “this is not the way forward. There has to be a better solution.” That’s what he believed in and, hopefully, that’s what the United Nations did. And, hopefully, it can recreate itself in a way that the world will look to it for conflict resolution, as opposed to what’s happening to us today.

INGLES: Ralph Bunch faced conflict over race relations and over warring countries, throughout his career. He confronted all of those directly. He earned his reputation as a peacemaker and a skilled negotiator. I wonder if some of the overriding principles that he followed, and techniques that he applied, individuals can pick up on in everyday life.

COVINGTON: I think one of the most important things, as Ralph Junior has said is that Ralph Bunch – and, I think, everyone else who is a good peacemaker and negotiator – begins by being a good listener. Beyond being a good listener, they are genuinely interested in the well being of other people and other groups. That’s something that I certainly see in what’s missing in a lot of what’s going on in the current situation: when you have people who are only concerned about themselves, or their particular party or country, and not as much concerned about the well being of the world. Then, you’re always going to have problems. It’s difficult to make peace, if you’re not genuinely concerned about the people you’re trying to make peace with.

INGLES: Your work is, often, on a smaller scale. What about the application of those principles?

COVINGTON: Same thing. I find that, when I go into a conflict situation, I try to go into it, looking at it as though what I’m going to do is not only important to the people with whom I’m working – the people who are in conflict – but it’s important to me. I feel that everything we do is the ripple in a pond. If we’ve got a small disagreement over here, it causes ripples and more ripples. Pretty soon, you end up with a tidal wave. But if you can begin to smooth out those ripples, you end up with a peaceful body of water. I feel we are all, very much, intertwined: far more than we know.

INGLES: Bill, I’m interested in your personal journey of discovery with this project, the documentary on Ralph Bunch. A statement that I read, in an interview that you gave, admitted that you, as an African American, didn’t know as much about Ralph Bunch as you felt you should have known, when you began this process.

GRAVES: That’s quite true. I really didn’t have too high of an opinion about Ralph Bunch, because I really didn’t know anything about him.

INGLES: If you didn’t have too high an opinion of him that must have been based on some undercurrent about him and his history right?

GRAVES: Yes, that’s quite true. I felt, like so many people that I knew at the time, that he wasn’t really a very effective person. He was just involved with a whole lot of white people who were not interested in the Black experience. It came to pass – as I did this research on him –that I came to realize that he was a very powerful thinker, a very complicated individual, who was a master in conflict resolution. Once he got into the United Nations organizations – and even before that – he chanced to become involved in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, working closely with Eleanor Roosevelt, and getting the Declaration accepted – endorsed – by the United Nations, which is no small fete.

INGLES: He ended up going to Harvard for graduate school. Your documentary points out that Black civil rights leaders had their eyes on him, even when he was only about twenty-five years old, as a future leader.

GRAVES: In an interesting and curious way, he is a kind of a precursor to Barack Obama. Barack Obama is the closest thing, I think, to Ralph Bunch, as far as I’m concerned. Ralph Bunch was very much involved in these various initiatives. The thing that really bothered him all along, throughout his career – particularly in the early part of his career – was simply the fact that America, the American creed, was something that, even though it had all these lofty words that talked about freedom, democracy and liberty for all, the Bill of Rights and so on, he really thought that was all just so much air, small talk. He knew that it was important to put teeth in those words. “Freedom” and “Liberty for All” had to be words that were more than words. They had to be reality.

$75 for GOAT FOOD?!!!

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com


$75 for GOAT FOOD?!!!

Well, part of the problem with Willy's willy has been diet. I've been
letting them eat a diet of almost exclusively grain. Grain feed has too
many minerals in it, which forms urinary tract stones.
So, since our big truck is in the shop, my neighbor got her pickup and
she drove me & her sister to the feed store, mostly for the adventure.
I bought: 4 alfalfas, 4 bedding straws & 3 bales of timothy grass.
The goats had a ball, helping me move it from the front to backyard. We
just threw it over the wall when we got back, and it was in a pile
about
five feet tall. They'd run beside me and jump up on the pile. I'd grab
a
bale or 2 on my cart to haul it into the back yard and they'd race
around with me.
I "flaked" a few bales of the alfalfa onto the ground and Willy jumped
and pranced all over it. He and Nilly would get into head butting
fights
over it, over me, and over who was going to torture the rooster.
The rooster's name is Fido. When he was a chick, Rachel & I thought he
was a hen. But he's all rooster, now. He's a little bit in love with
me.
I rescued him from the more macho roosters, when he was young. He
learned to follow me around the yard, like a puppy.
Now, he has a love-me/hate-me attitude toward me. He does the Rooster
Dance around me: trying to seduce me, so I'll have sex with him (which
I
won't.) He still follows me all over the yard. Sometimes, though, he
jumps me. He comes at me, claws first, and smacks me in the ankles.
Nilly won't tolerate that. Whenever he tries to charge me, if she sees
him, she'll attack him with her horns.
So, today, the goats were playing socker with Fido, whenever he got too
frisky.
There are several hundred pounds of feed and bedding out there now, and
the goats are leaping and jumping, running, climbing and eating their
hearts out.
The chickens are scratching and nibbling in the alfalfa flakes.
I had to change all my clothes, it made me so itchy.
Just made lunch of Ranch Style beans with jalepenos, quesidillas and
burritos. So, we're fed and happy, too.
Rachel's geeking out, installing software on some of our computers. I'm
vegging, watching my soaps & surfin the web.
Willy's going to be ok. He finished the last of his penicillin
injections yesterday. Poor guy. I hated shooting him in the butt.
He's still not peeing great, but he's peeing. He's playful. He's
eating.
He's not complaining.
A few, more days -- especially eating that good food -- and he'll be
alright again.
But SEVENTY FIVE DOLLARS???? jeeees.

Ms Pumpkin Head



You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

This is Ma, my girlfriend. I bought her a neoprene ski mask for xmas, so she'd be able to protect her face from cold, while riding her bike. It's below freezing today. Normally, she doesn't like me to post pix of her online. But, under such circumstances, why the hell not?


Friday, January 12, 2007

philosophy ng

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:26:08 -0700

Subject: Fwd: A QUESTION FOR ALL YOU PHILOSOPHERS



When the U.S.A. has finally squandered all its resources, when it
becomes so environmentally degraded that the wealthy move
off-continent,
the people of this country will change their song.

By then, of course, the damage will be irreversable. So the tune will
be
quite shrill with regret.

Until then, as long as there's a Mall Wart open somewhere, they'll drag
themselves --on their knees, if they must-- to their own exploitations.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

email to Heather Wilson

You are reading http://livinginthehood.blogspot.com

Ms. Wilson,

One of your latest ads really scares me. It's why so many of us are worried about the Bush Administration's approach to the war on terrorism, the "Patriot Act," etc.

Ms. Wilson, it's not wrong for an official to request an actual warrant, signed by a judge, before searching someone's property or "tapping" their phones, whether or not they are suspected of possible terrorism.

We cannot allow our fears to cause us to compromise the most valuable resource we have in this country -- the main thing that sets us apart, even from other democracies: the United States Constitution.

People are playing fast and loose with our rights, calling it necessary for security, and undermining our citizens' rights to live without fear of an autocratic system. Locking people up, without access to attorneys or suits to protest the constitutionality of the detainment, illegal wire tapping, spying on US citizens and legal residents: these are the tactics of dictators and fascists.

I love my country. I love it because we have a legal document, the Constitution, which guarantees real protections from potential abuses of power.

Your ad is really terrifying. It threatens the very foundation of our nation.