MaryJane In Michigan

Unprecedented in the Michigan State house is the introduction to legislation of medicinal marijuana.

Read about it here:Stop The Drug War

Medical marijuana has its place in this society, helping individuals with various diseases and conditions.

Here are some testimonials


side note: Finals are next week; I should be resuming posting daily after that.
Peace.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Spent most of last night and today cooking.

I'm pretty tired. Took a nap. Got up, had some pie! Ready for another nap.

I'm working 12 hours tomorrow. I am thankful for employment.

Peace.

The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.


Sometimes, the only way I can determine what to accept and what to change is by trial and error.
Mistakes can be opportunities to gain the wisdom to know the difference.

The Good & The Bad Of It

I've been dilerious with joy over the House win for the Democrats and then basically I became drunk with joy when we took over the Senate.

This interim time will be one to watch; the George & his Repugs have until January to do some nasty things yet.
They are technically still in control.
Don't put anything past them.

As for today, I have a virus; Extremely weak; dizzy. Doing lots of sleeping.

It's one of those dreary days; cold, rain turning to freezing rain with some thunder here and there; very strange. A good day to rest.........and think good things of the future of our country.

Peace.

Crunch Time

Tomorrow is the day; hopefully a new day.

All we have left is hope for a change in direction. We need to take back the House and the Senate.

Then, make them all accountable. The liars, cheats, the bastards who are stealing my country.

Democratic across the board. Win it back, THEN start taking names. Hold both sides accountable.

But, we have to have a majority first.

Then we clean house.

N O W, G O V O T E!!!!!!!!!!

Don't Get Played

There are really only two ways to approach life--as a victim, or as a gallant fighter; and you must decide if you want to act or react; deal your own cards or play with a stacked deck.

If you don't decide which way to play with life, it ALWAYS plays with you.

Peace.

Is Bush Delusional?

AMERICAblog talks about Bush & Rove going on about how, confidently, there will be a majority in the Senate and Congress after this next election. Do they know something we don't know? Or are they delusional?

How many electronic voting machine are there out there? Show me a paper trail and I'll show you a legitimate election.

Free Hugs

I had my mid term last night, so I got a few days before I have to work full force on my other mid term, which is a take home.

If you have NOT seen this video from youtube---it is a MUST!

Sit back. Feel the goosebumps. Cry. Enjoy.

Registration Deadlines

If you have not registered to vote--check your state deadlines here at Rock the Vote - 2006 Voter Registration Deadlines.

This is too important to wait on. Do it now.

Foley Scandal

Is it anyone's surprise the Republicans are trying to hide knowledge that they knew about Mark Foley's "little issue"?

Dennis Hastert is a slimeball for his behavior on this; amnesia is very convenient. ABC News: AP: Aide Says He Reported Foley 2 Years Ago.

Now, these are very interesting "family values". I suppose if Foley was trying to MARRY one of the Pages, the Resmugs would have cried foul; but just using them for sexual favors is ok---no sanctity of marriage lost with that, right?

Where is the FBI investigation of his computer? The cover-up? Oh, that's right---turn yourself into re-hab, admit you are gay and offer no excuses and the world will say,"Oh, ok, you have SUFFERED enough!"

We funded an investigation of President Clinton getting a blow job and we are not doing the same when it comes to underage pages? WTF????? Wake up people!!!

Research What Is Going On

If you are interested in doing some research before the elections regarding campaign finance law, lobbying, who's the biggest contributors.....etc...... head over to Opensecrets.org--Money in politics data let's us all know where the denero is coming from and who is getting it.

Also, another interesting tidbit: Repugs are scrabbling to marginalize these next elections too---WHAT A SURPRISE!!
Head over to No More Stolen Elections! | MyDem.org to be sure you are
registered and nothing fishy has happened to your voting process.

Update: working on my take-home midterm in my counseling course, but will try to keep up with posts.

Peace.

I've Been Tagged

My buddy Dusty has tagged me.

Things I'd like to do before I die:
Travel the world
Learn several languages
Read every book on my bookshelves

Things I cannot do:
eat tomatoes
avoid cheesecake :)
Tolerate racism

Things I can do:
Spin a basketball on one finger.
win at scrabble alot
listen to you without judgement

Things that attracted me to my significant other:
His sincere compassion for others
His intelligence
His love of his children

Things I like to say:
Whaaaaateva.
When the Rapture comes, we get their shit.
What do you need right now?

Books I like best:
Anything by:
Al Franken
Michael Moore
Leo Buscaglia


Movies I like to see:
Crash
Pulp Fiction
Forrest Gump

I tag for this meme:

Firecrow

What's Going On?

I used to be very consistant with my daily posts and lately, they are sporadic. That's what happens when I work full time, have 2 college courses, I'm doing 20 hours of human services volunteer work, have a theory paper to write and spend much of my time reading and hanging out on the Daily Kos.

One thing I have not missed---TELEVISION! I have not watched since I returned from my Florida Keys vacation; and I don't miss it. I have filled my time with all the things I enjoy--my pets and reading, and of course, my husband.
My two oldest children moved out two weeks ago--they got an apartment together in order to save money, so hubby & I have been doing projects around the house with are new rooms. Our youngest is a senior in high school and works and has projects of his own.

So, right now, things are ok. Bush still sucks; in fact, he gets worse everyday, but I can still type that and I have a roof over my head--not heading to the Homeland Concentration camps yet.
Say hello to Chuck!!!

Dropping Knowledge

Dropping Knowledge: The Living Library came together yesterday.
It was fantastic!
They decided not to use my personal question for the 100 they asked, but that's ok, it was beautiful.
The diversity of answers to each probing question was awesome to hear.
All people from around the world can participate in answering those 100 questions and thousands more that were submitted and will be added as this internet library takes flight.

Have a great Sunday.
Peace,
Deanna

Pow Wow

Attending a Native American Pow Wow, for me, is an experience of great fun & social gathering; spiritual, especially during intense drumming, the energy is very powerful. And the food----OMG!!!! the food--personally, frybread tastes good with ANYTHING! Today's festivities did not disappoint. I was brought back to center & nature, and family.
Peace and have a great holiday.
Deanna

My Question?

dropping knowledge is a site I have been following for the past couple years--almost from it's beginning.
It consists of 112 individuals from around the world from different cultures, races and occupations, who will gather around a vast round table to answer 100 of the world's most thought-provoking questions which were submitted on the dropping knowledge website over the past few years.

My question keeps scrolling across the site. They made an announcement that they have almost narrowed down the 100 questions, so mine going across the site seems pretty good that mine was chosen, but i'll have to wait for the final confirmation.
Wish me luck.
Peace.
Deanna

Dropping Knowledge (Updated)

I have the final list of 112 participants for the "Table of Free Voices". Click the above link.
Peace.

Too Busy To Post

School started this week.
Need I say more? I'm beginning to wonder if I bit off more than I can chew with these classes.
My counseling theory class will have me creating my OWN counseling theory, naming it & presenting it, in detail to the class.
Gee, THAT doesn't sound difficult!
I have another general human services class which requires an additional 20 hours volunteer work on top of my full time job.

Today was pretty awesome at work. My great dane Charlie was called upon to give blood to a dog that needed a blood transfusion. Charlie established that he is a pretty good blood donor candidate. What a good boy!!!!
I think the other dog is going to make it too.

I have tomorrow off. I'll try to post something of some significance.

Peace,
Deanna

Lamont Needs More Exposer

According to a poll posted by LiberalOasis conducted by Quinnipiac University shows Jomentum Loserman ahead of Ned Lamont among likely Connecticut voters.


Polling Results
August 17, 2006 Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, running as an independent, gets 53 percent of likely voters, with 41 percent for Democratic primary winner Ned Lamont and 4 percent for Republican Alan Schlesinger, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Among registered voters, Sen. Lieberman gets 49 percent, followed by Lamont with 38 percent and Schlesinger with 4 percent. This compares to a 51 - 27 percent Lieberman lead over Lamont, with 9 percent for Schlesinger in a July 20 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In this latest survey, Lieberman leads 75 - 13 - 10 percent among likely Republican voters, and 58 - 36 - 3 percent among likely independent voters, while likely Democratic voters back Lamont 63 - 35 percent. Two percent are undecided, but 28 percent of those who name a candidate might change their mind before Election Day.

"Sen. Lieberman's support among Republicans is nothing short of amazing. It more than offsets what he has lost among Democrats. As long as Lieberman maintains this kind of support among Republicans, while holding onto a significant number of Democratic votes, the veteran Senator will be hard to beat," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.

"Ned Lamont's Democratic primary win was based on a very small percentage of voters statewide. He must expand beyond this base if he is going to beat Lieberman."

Connecticut voters approve 55 - 40 percent of the job Lieberman is doing and likely voters give him a 46 - 30 percent favorability rating, with 23 percent mixed.

Lamont gets a negative 25 - 30 percent favorability rating among likely voters, with 19 percent mixed and 26 percent who haven't heard enough to form an opinion.

Likely voters say 53 - 40 percent that Lieberman deserves reelection. Among those who oppose his reelection, 24 percent cite his position on the war in Iraq.

Governor's Race

Republican incumbent Gov. Jodi Rell leads Democratic challenger John DeStefano 64 - 32 percent among likely voters, with 4 percent undecided and 28 percent of those who name a candidate saying they might change their mind.

Among registered voters, Gov. Rell leads 60 - 28 percent, compared to 62 - 25 percent in a July 20 Quinnipiac University poll, conducted before DeStefano's Democratic primary win.

In this latest survey, 44 percent of likely Democratic voters, 88 percent of Republican voters and 69 percent of independent voters back Rell.

"While observers bemoan the polarization of American politics, Connecticut voters are taking a bi-partisan path, with most Republicans backing a Democratic Senator and large numbers of Democrats backing a Republican Governor," Dr. Schwartz said.

"John DeStefano didn't get much of a bounce from his primary win in part because of all of the attention focused on the Senate race. Although Gov. Rell's 73 percent approval is down from her 81 percent score in February, she continues to have very strong approval numbers and a huge lead over DeStefano."

From August 10 - 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,319 Connecticut voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. The survey includes 1,083 likely voters with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and the nation as a public service and for research.

For additional data-Quinnipiac University
Ned needs to step it up with the voters; get out there & make his face more well known. Everyone just knows Loserman more right now.

Have a great Sunday.
Peace.

How Would A Patriot Act?

Former litigator, Glenn Greenwald's blog: Unclaimed Territory discusses Presidential law-breaking.



This lawyer, who focused on First Amendment, corporate/securities fraud issues, and civil rights cases is the author of How Would a Patriot Act? Defending American Values from a President Run Amok

Check it out.

Update: I also wrote a diary on the dailykos today: Daily Kos: What Is Your Question? visit & give mojo if you like it!

Peace.

Prepare To Count All Votes

As we get closer to election time, the need to discuss our "voting process" is a priority.

We want no stolen elections or fraud of any kind. If we are to truly be a democracy, a free nation, we must respect this process.

Visit:
Black Box Voting - Welcome to www.BlackBoxVoting.org, Consumer protection for elections to find out what to watch for, what we can do to keep this process from being tainted.

Peace.

Cartoon Fun

Today, we take a break from all the crap in our world & poke a bit of fun in the direction of our administration.
Visit:

Buck Fush

Human Rights

I am overwhelmed by the amount of human rights violations taking place across our globe.

I need to address these atrocities on a more detailed basis, and will do so soon.
In the meantime, visit:

Amnesty International - Working To Protect Human Rights Worldwide

Peace.

Elect To Impeach

Now that the people of Connecticut have spoken loud & clear, in fact, voter turnout was one of the largest ever, we need to bring in candidates that are strong on pursuing impeachment for this administration.

Visit:

ImpeachPAC | Electing a Congress to Impeach Bush and Cheney

Action is the key.
Peace.

Connecticut Wins!!

Ned Lamont wins the Primary for the Senate seat for the Dems!!!!!

Way To Go!!!!

Bye bye Joe................you are an ass!

Stop The Lies

Wikipedia defines a lie as follows:

A lie is an intentionally false statement. To lie is to say something one believes to be false with the intention it be taken for truth.

The Bush Administration did just that to get us into war; war with an Arab nation; war with a nation that had the resources they wanted-OIL!
The following is a 42 minute film about those lies--why we are not storming the gates of the White House is beyond me.

Stop The Lie - PNAC Documentary

You Have To Talk About It

Dialog. It is a dying concept in our great nation. Especially, war, famine, genocide......... Too political. Too uncomfortable. Too_________(fill in the blank).

To nullify dialog is to coddle the atrocities conversation is trying to repair.

Welcome to MotherSpeak is a website that promotes discussion, truth, and healing. Pain kept inside not only prevents healing, it creates more pain & strife.

Peace.

Iraqi Children

The children of war torn countries are the ones to suffer the most. They have no control over what they are experiencing.
Oh, to abolish war forever!

There ARE people out there who are trying to help, do some good and assist the children by supplying food, clothing and even school materials. One of those individuals is actor Gary Sinise. Not only was he great in Forrest Gump, he's a great humanitarian.


He co-founded Operation Iraqi Children and they help get school supplies, books, and chalkboards to the Iraqi kids. Education is the key in any country.

S T O P A L L W A R S N O W!!!!!!!!!!!

What Are Basic Needs?

When I ask myself the question: "What do I really need in this world?", I come up with the following:
-clean water
-healthy food when I have hunger
-adequate shelter
-appropriate clothing for the seasons
-the ability to receive education throughout life


BASIC NEEDS--I'm not talking cable & cell phones & SUV's---to sustain & survive.
I believe most people would agree with my short list of BASIC needs.
Now, ask yourself, "Does everyone on our Earth DESERVE these BASIC needs?" You are shouting, "Well, of course!" I am assuming.
Everyone deserves it, because we are all the same. Unfortunately, we have many individuals in our world who do not agree with that sentiment. Their behavior & actions SHOW they do not believe we are all the same & worthy of BASIC needs.
It interferes with the building of the money pile they are sitting on.

I have my BASIC needs met, so what I have extra, whether it's energy, money, help, wisdom, physical action, food,....whatever I have extra......it needs to go to someone who is not receiving BASIC needs.

Who will you help today?


The Hunger Site : Give Food for Free to Hungry
People in the World

United Way of America

Peace,
Deanna

The Issue Of Net Neutrality

The following is a list of Senators still not clear on their position with Net Neutrality.

Give their offices a call in your neck of the woods.

Akaka, Daniel K. (D-HI)
202-224-6361

Baucus, Max (D-MT)Save the Internet : Fighting for Internet Freedom
202-224-2651

Bingaman, Jeff (D-NM)
202-224-5521

Byrd, Robert C. (D-WV)
202-224-3954

Carper, Thomas (D-DE)
202-224-2441

Chafee, Lincoln D. (R-RI)

202-224-2921

Conrad, Kent (D-ND)
202-224-2043

Durbin, Richard J. (D-IL)
202-224-2152

Gregg, Judd (R-NH)
202-224-3324

Harkin, Tom (D-IA)
202-224-3254

Jeffords, James M. (I-VT)
202-224-5141

Johnson, Tim (D-SD)
202-224-5842

Kennedy, Edward M. (D-MA)
202-224-4543

Kohl, Herb (D-WI)
202-224-5653

Landrieu, Mary (D-LA)
202-224-5824

Levin, Carl (D-MI)
202-224-6221

Lincoln, Blanche (D-AR)
202-224-4843

Menendez, Robert (D-NJ)
202-224-4744

Murray, Patty (D-WA)
202-224-2621

Reed, Jack (D-RI)
202-224-4642

Salazar, Ken (D-CO)
202 224-5852

Sarbanes, Paul S. (D-MD)
202-224-4524

Schumer, Charles (D-NY)
202-224-6542

Stabenow, Debbie A. (D-MI)
202-224-4822

Talent, Jim (R-MO)
202-224-6154


I called Durbin's office and spoke with a live person.

Nothing Is Being Done

I awoke in my residence this morning to coffee brewing and my dogs greeting me to go outside. It's hot today, but sunny and quiet. Serene.

Some Lebanese children didn't awake this morning. Their temporary habitation was bombed, and they were killed.
There were 34 Youths Among 56 Dead and it will only get worse as my day goes on.
History keeps repeating itself--leaders go unchecked in their decisions, and the innocent suffer the consequences.
When will the world come to the realization that we ALL emanate from the same source?

Peace,
Deanna

A Case For Impeachment

Head over to:
The Real Axis of Evil.

BushCo. needs to be replaced at once!

I sit in my humble abode and watch this manboy ruin my country, while the world spats at us and my fellow Americans look around with a dumb look on their face. Clueless.

WTF!

Deanna

It's Your Fault! No, It's Yours!

It's become normal banter now. Israel & Lebanon, who's side are you on? Who's right? Who's wrong?

Who's side am I on? The people's side. The one's getting shot, burned, blown up, and extinguished. I'm on THEIR side.

We sit in our little corner of the globe, judging who "deserves" to be punished. In our homes, comfortably typing away about how these "punishments" should be handed out & to whom.

When was the last time you fled from your bombed home in the middle of the night, only to be shot down on the street as you try to escape?

The bottom line is PEOPLE ARE DYING! ...........and that HAS to stop.

My husband wrote a diary on Daily Kos.

Give it a look.

Peace(really),
Deanna

More Freeway Bloggers Needed.......

No need to apply....everyone is welcome.

FREEWAYBLOGGER.com - Free Speech: Use It or Lose It

Peace,
Deanna

Bush's Great Policies Leave Marks On All Countries

Is there NOT a country that has not been affected by our current administrations policies?
I don't know--maybe Fiji? That's questionable also.
Check out the Daily Kos: State of the Nation to read a thread on our wonderful impact we make around the world.

And let's not forget about home--our homeland--no poverty here right?
Monies for the war are not impacting education, homelessness, mental illness, jobs, the economy, our environment, and our gas prices.
This country is ONLY a bit over 225 years old. We are babies here-----we are due for a revolution.

Until tomorrow,
Deanna

Alex Jones

Alex Jones Presents Infowars.com to Fight the New World Order -- Because There's a War on for Your Mind
Alex Jones has been one of the most outspoken critics of the current administration. He's not afraid to speak the truth.

Visit him at:
Prison Planet

Listen to Alex Jones Livehere.
Starting on July 30, 2006, Jones will have a two-hour radio show every Sunday afternoon on KLBJ-AM

Until tomorrow,
Deanna

Terror In The US

When there is another attack on US soil, I will be looking straight at my government.
There is a need to justify war against the next country(Iran), and to get cooperation from the people, we all need to get real scared again.
Pentagon Papers Author Daniel Ellsberg Says Government May Have Carried Out 9/11

Concentration camps in the USA?


Until tomorrow,
Deanna

Under The Weather

I took the day off work today; I was feeling rather sickly. I'm not thrilled with taking an entire day off, but I really needed to take care of myself. So I did. I took a pic of baby ducks in my neighborhood the other day---they always make me feel better.

Lebanon/Israel
Chimpy's 1st veto
Even a big ice ball fell from the sky locally

Not a day goes by that something isn't going on........can't change much......so better take care of me.

Peace,
Deanna

Bush, The SleezeBall

Unreal. Beyond words. You just have to look for yourself.
If Bush is not drinking again, then I am Paris Hilton.

Daily Kos: President Bush Strikes From Behind (PHOTOS and VIDEO)

My Anniversary

Today, hubby & I celebrate 7 years of marriage.

It's always a strange day because the day we were married, JFK Jr crashed his plane & died. We spent that evening watching the news.
Odd because, while we are happy, someone else's family is reflective & sad. Prayers to the Kennedy family for their loss & the many losses their families have endured. Peace to them.


We are not doing anything too exciting to celebrate--we went to dinner last night, and to a book store. (We both love to read.)
I got a great Spanish language book---trying to learn on my own. (Espanol muy dificil!)

Peace,
Deanna

Help Your Environment

As I have stated in prior posts, what we do to the environment and our wildlife, we do to ourselves. We are connected.
That's why it is so important to work on global warming now.
It's normal for humans to gravitate towards routine. We do things a certain way, it works; we continue. But, what we are doing to the Earth is no longer serving us any more; we are hurting it.

Visit:
Sierra Club Home Page: Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet for explanations & ideas. We each must become proactive in this endeavors.


Peace,
Deanna

10 Reasons To Leave Iraq

Ten Reasons Why the U.S. Must Leave Iraq : Resources : Wage Peace Campaign : AFSC

They Get It

What do many Iraq veterans think?
Take a look at their site.


IVAW Home - Iraq Veterans Against the War



Peace,
Deanna

On The Record

The Bush administration has changed it's collective story on Iraq several times. We have to give them credit, they KNOW how to manipulate information for their own agenda. They also downright lie without blinking an eye. What's exceptional & unusual to me is the American people buy it. In fact, we seem to eat it up.
For anyone truly interested in FACT, can visit:

Iraq on the Record

This is really what the administration has said.

Peace,
Deanna

Drug Info.

As many of you know, I'm working on my Substance Abuse Counseling Certification. During summer, I'm doing research on the "War On Drugs".
Here's a link if you want to know anything about drugs, what's in them, what they do, how the policies affect Americans.....etc...



Common Sense for Drug Policy

Have a great Sunday.

Peace,
Deanna

No Sweat!

Busted Tees - Jokes you can wear! Funny T-Shirts!



My boss is on vacation, which pretty much means--I'm NOT! I have been working extra hours and taking care of many issues she would normally handle.
It's highly irregular that I would miss a post, but yesterday, I did.

Having pointed my current situation out, it brings me to other workers around the globe. I really have no place to complain, I do not labor in a sweat shop.

What exactly is a sweat shop? Well, sweat shops don't pay a living wage. That means if a living wage is, say, $1.25 in that country an hour, they are paid around 24 cents an hour. The working conditions do not fall under safety guidelines, the hours are 12-16 per day with no overtime, many workers are forced to have abortions, are killed if they try to unionize, and are stuck---sounds like slavery to me.

It's important to do your research on who is making your clothing. Are your benefiting from someone's forced slavery?


No Sweat -- Union-Made Sweatshop-Free Casual Apparel

We can stop these organizations, whose corporations are making billions off other peoples backs by NOT buying their goods.
It's about the money people and you have to hit them in their pockets before they change their behaviors.

Peace,
Deanna

Me In The Keys

Another long day--here's me in the Keys.

Peace

Homeless Vets

I am exhausted today so I will link toDaily Kos: Homeless Vets. Not one more fucking word George. My husband wrote a very good diary today.

Peace,
Deanna

Freedom

What does freedom mean to you?

It seems to mean different things to different people.

Peace,
Deanna

Volunteering

Volunteering makes the world go round.

People who help with no pay are truly inspirational.

With a world full of greedy money grabbers who never seem to be satiated, the volunteer needs to be commended.

Check out your neighborhood to see what help is needed.
VolunteerMatch: Where Volunteering Begins

Peace,
Deanna

Petition

While we work on "spreading freedom & democracy for other countries", we are slowly losing our own.
The government's tool in this is the media. If you do not know what's REALLY going on, you can't balk at it, you can't say what's on your mind because, HEY, everything's FINE, right?
Our large corporations, which have the largest number of lobbyists in Washington, are consolidating even more. Why would they do this? To become more & more powerful. So, as time goes on, a small portion of individuals will have more & more of the power to decide what is "news" & what is not "news".
We need independent news sources if we are going to stay ahead of this game.
Please sign this petition:Protect Independent TV, News, and Radio. Stop Media Consolidation! Petition . The government needs to be reminded that America is NOT asleep at the wheel.

Even though some days I really wonder.


Peace,
Deanna

Looking Past The Anger

I work in an animal hospital, while going to college for my Substance Abuse Counseling certification. This job has been a wonderful teaching experience for me regarding people and their feelings.
I can remember being in my early 20's, starting out in this business and literally taking on every single person's negative feeling that came my way--I had to fix it, make it better somehow, absorb it, and if I couldn't help them, I'd argue with them and feel like crap the rest of the day. Yikes! What a way to live! Chalk it up to inexperience & immaturity, for sure.

At 39 years old, I practice every day looking BEYOND the anger; and it's still difficult.
I see people at their worst--upset because they just found out their dog has cancer, mad because they are embarrassed because they bounced a check at our facility, frustrated because I can't give them medical advice over the phone for the vague description of symptoms their pet is experiencing & they don't want to pay for an office visit, afraid because they have been casing all the neighborhoods for their lost animal and don't know where to turn, and distraught because the dog that has been a part of their family for the last 15 years is being brought to the clinic for it's final time.
These individuals, dealing with their personal trauma, sometimes lash out at the nearest person---many times it's me.
This is not abnormal behavior, I have concluded. I am practicing listening beyond the hurtful words.
Think of how many times you have listened to a person who is distraught or frightened or very sad or deeply disappointed. Often, their words come out rambling, and make no sense at all. You may even have caught yourself saying, “You’re not even making sense.” You might even have used this as a defense during some verbal exchange. A person who listens to words rather than feelings often will throw another’s words back in their face, reciting what they have just said word for word in order to show them that they are making no sense at all. Right about then is when the other person will say, “Can you hear anything at all about how I am FEELING?”

So, that's what I am learning every day---look beyond the words.

I had a woman the other day, come out of the exam room visibly angry. Her cat was having x-rays. We had 2 technicians & 1 doctor working on her case--keeping the wild cat calm, trying to get x-rays, developing them, and interpreting them. This, of course does not take a mere 10 minutes; the lapse of time that this woman had been waiting. Mind you, we had our other 3 exam rooms filled and the other doctor in 1 of the rooms, while the other 2 rooms had to wait.
She sees the other doctor come out of his exam room & grab a cup of coffee(we keep it flowing all day as we get no breaks) and she yells at me, "I want to know what is going on with MY cat, while all of you are on coffee break?"
Now, reacting to this outburst seems sooooooooo logical. "You stupid bitch, don't you see all these other people are waiting because YOU, who did not bother to make an appointment for you sick cat, barge in forcing us to keep other people waiting!"
Instead, I took a deep breath, walked her back into the exam room & calmly said, "With some patience, we should have some answers for you very soon, I can hear in your voice how frightened you are for your cat." With that, her angry face fell away and she began bawling, sobbing; because that was EXACTLY what was going on. I had acknowledged her feelings & not reacted to her attacking. She then apologized for her behavior.
It still amazes me how it happens, but almost every time, it changes the whole scenario.
It's not a huge deal when this happens every once in awhile, but when it happens several times a day, I get spent. It takes a great deal of energy to be conscious of other people's feelings and look beyond the words.
People do not always say what they mean or mean what they say when they are distraught.

I will say it IS very good practice for my counseling career.

Peace,
Deanna

Clever Polls

It's Friday and I'm beat. I worked 12 hours & rode my bike 10.5 miles.

So, tonight, take a look at Democratic Underground. An article discussing polling tactics & misleading questions in the Gallup polls is quite interesting.
Tomorrow, I can spend a little more time on a subject.

Peace,
Deanna

Online Games

A little break today from the seriousness of our global issues.......

my fav online game to play - Crosswise - it's like scrabble. I truly enjoy word games.

Multiplayer Online Games - Spogg.com

Thanks,
Deanna

Government Surveillance

Checks & balances has been the way of our American Government since it's beginning.
Our fore fathers knew this was needed to keep abuse of power from rearing it's ugly head.
The "ugly head" has been the Bush Administration, allowing for no Congressional approval or oversight on accessing huge amounts of financial data. There also is no discussion publicly on how this information, once obtained, is being used.

The abuse of power under our current administration is staggering. Visit:

American Civil Liberties Union website to read more on this issue and others the government is dictating.

Peace,
Deanna

Global Issues

"An Inconvenient Truth" shows us, as human beings, that certain issues blatantly affect us all as a species.
Global Issues That Affect Everyone is a web site that does just that--keeps tabs on subjects that interconnect us all.

Are we not ALL affected by poverty, racism, human rights, fair trade & arms control?

If you remove the dirty film of power & money greed, what's left are people who just want to live peacefully together.

Until tomorrow,
Deanna

Russ Feingold

The only Dem out there who does not pull any punches!

Crooks and Liars

Is Russ the ONLY Dem willing to call Bush & his administration on their crap?


Until tomorrow,
Deanna

Firecrow's Diary On The DailyKos

My husband wrote a powerful diary on the DailyKos this morning, following our viewing of An inconvenient Truth last night.
He speaks with passion about this so I wish to share it with you. Please feel free to visit the site & recommend the diary if you liked it.

A 17 year olds take on An Inconvenient Truth and the emotional impact.
by FireCrow

Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 07:18:03 AM PDT

My wife, myself and our youngest son, (he's seventeen) finally saw Gores movie tonight. We almost drove all the way to Madison WI. last weekend to see it and and then found out it would be in our city this weekend, so we postponed our viewing till tonight. I am glad we did. We were getting ready to leave just as ElizabethD put up her Saturday night WYFP diary and I had time to make a quick snarky post about Kos being the KingPin when my son came in to tell us of his plans for tonight. It of course didn't include us. At first that is.
Follow me below for just a minute so I can tell you how the movie affected him and his thoughts on the matter.


So the conversation went something like this. "Hey dad, me and some friends are going to the movies." "No shit? So are me and Mom, leaving in about ten minutes". "Which one?" "Gores movie, the one I been telling you about". "You mean the global warming thing"? "Yep, have you seen the trailer for it?"
"Nope". "Here, I got it bookmarked, check it out". That was all it took. After he watched the trailer he called his friends and said he would be going out with Mom and Dad this Saturday night. Pretty damn impressive trailer I'd say.

On the way there we listened to some classic rock station, cranked at mach10, doing one of those five in a row things, and tried to figure out if it was Black Sabbath or Ronnie Dio's band. Turned out it was Sabbath when Dio was fronting it. My wife and son were right, I didn't get a clue till they played Heaven and Hell. So much for my teen age hard rock background.
We get to the theater, the parking lot is pretty full. We left all our commie paraphernalia at home except for the magnetic "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism" sticker on the back of the minivan. I know, I know, minivan. So we sold out, hey, we got three kids and two huge dogs. Anyway.. the parking lot looked just like any other lot. Walking in we were looking for some sign that would indicate other like-minded folks were there. The only thing that stood out was a certified 1970 something VW hippy bus. Cool, things are looking up.

We get our tickets, popcorn, cherry licorice and a couple of those 1/2 gallon sodas and sit down about 5 rows from the front. There was probably about 100 people in our theater, the other ones must have been packed.
About the movie. For me it cemented my love for the man as a human being trying to do what he passionately believes, and is the right thing to do. I loved it. If you haven't seen it yet, do so. The three of us watched without blinking, I think we realized that we are so fucking hungry for some honest compassionate leadership, that it almost hurt to watch. Afterwards we were the second to last to leave. I actually felt like crying. As we were walking out there were two middle age women close to the door. We stopped and engaged them for a few minutes. After a short conversation I determined they would make good Kossacks.

My son had been relatively quiet afterwards, when we got to the car we stood outside and started talking. When I asked him what he thought, he said he had no idea it had gone this far. He said that at school and from everything he's read, it sounded like they had it under control, that they had been working on it for about a decade. He was visibly upset. When I asked him how he felt he offered that he felt like either crying, or breaking something. We spent the next ten minutes or so talking, not just about the movie, but wondering just how different the world would be right now if Gore had been rightfully sworn in as President. It was a kind of melancholy conversation until we got to talking about action. Then he told me he was going to get all his friends to go see it. He perked up a little.

Dad, I have so many ideas about what we can do. That's why I want to go into aerospace engineering, everything they do trickles down into other technologies and industries. Most of the advanced technology starts there and I would be the one designing that stuff!
Think about it, I could actually make a huge difference in how the future is shaped for all of us!
I just hope I am not too late.
We talked some more. What I saw and heard in him tonight is a young man who is conscious and aware of the world he lives in. He has fears that our generation has fucked things up beyond repair. He is angry and yet also see's how complacency has led us to this point. Both in our political situation, and the state of the living, breathing earth. He is hungry for change.
I am very proud of my son, not just because he is mine and I raised him for ten years without a mother, or because his intellect is so much more advanced than mine, but because he has a huge compassionate heart and loves the world and life. Go get'em Eddie. I believe in you.
*****************************************************
It's pretty simple kids--what we do to the earth, plants, trees, animals, we do to ourselves!
The Earth? She is not going anywhere. She will thrive. But, if we do not take care of her, she will boot our parasite asses off.

An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth is playing at our local theatre tonight and my husband & I will attend the showing. I will write about it here tomorrow.

I also saw Al Gore on David Letterman last night. It was great. Letterman obviously does not like our current administration.

Until tomorrow,

Deanna

Human Rights

Amnesty International works to help with human rights. Not just American human rights or Iraqi human rights or African human rights------GLOBAL human rights.

The right to have clean food & water. The right not to be physically or emotionally abused.




As with any organization out there doing it's thing for the greater good, they need money.
If you are looking for an organization to contribute to this is a great one.
They also have a variety of items you can buy that help the cause.

Peace,
Deanna

Ojibwe Culture

My great grandmother Agnes LePage Dalbec passed away in 1993 and was well into her 90's.
She lived her entire life in northern Wisconsin & Minnesota. We called her "cookie grandma" and she had a great sense of humor and was in love with Bill Clinton. She wasn't political, she just thought he was so handsome.
I spent a lot of time with her when we would visit, but I never had the chance to talk to her about our Ojibwe heritage.
In fact, no one in the family did; my mom, cousins, and other family members learned you did not ask Gram about that.
It made her very angry.
So, from what I could gather, she had experienced a lot of racism as a younger child & woman and gravitated toward white culture. She married a French-Canadian man, Willard Dalbec when she was 14 years old. She had my Grandma when she was 15.
It's unfortunate, because there is so much I don't know. Here's a couple links on the culture & language.
It's really quite fascinating.

Ojibway Culture and History

Learn Ojibwe - Ojibwe Books, Courses, and Software

Peace,
Deanna

Not ALL Republicans Are Bad........

Long work day today:


I found a link to take a gander at today. REP America-Republicans for Environmental Protection. Amazing. And I thought all repugs were evil ;)


Until tomorrow,
Deanna

Dropping Knowledge

In 87 days, something unprecedented will take place.

On September 9, 2006, 100 talented individuals from their field of study, will gather in Berlin to answer 100 questions.
Questions picked from those submitted on their website:dropping knowledge.

A table of voices from around the world.
Who will be there? What are the questions? What will the world say? Who will pay attention?

Visit the site; submit YOUR question. What is your question?

South Central Farmers

The South Central Farmers are a group of people who have cultivated 14 acres of land in the middle of Los Angeles, California, growing food for aprox. 360 families.
Once destined to be a place for the city's waste incinerator, the city abandoned that idea after much protest. The land, which originally was obtained by the city under eminent domain to build the incinerator, now set it aside for the urban garden in 1992.
The property was sold to Ralph Horowitz in 2002 for just over 5 million dollars.

Mr. Horowitz wants to build a warehouse there. So the farmers must leave.

For the full story, click the above link and also
Circle of Life Home page where it talks about Julia Butterfly Hill and her recent tree sit in the walnut tree on the farm standing in solidarity with the farmers and other celebrities like Darryl Hannah & Danny Glover.

The land owner will sell the farmers the land, but for $16,000,000. (nice profit)

The following is taken from the farmer's website:

Accomplishments by the South Central Farmers:

1. When Michael flood and the food bank turned their backs on the poor

people of South Central. It was the South Central Farmers that

protested, marched, and attended city council meetings. In this process they were able to keep the garden open and

challenge the city on the sale of the property. The food bank had an opportunity to place its expensive lawyers on the

issue but they chose instead to fight against them and they continue to fight us.

2. The South Central Farmers began a process of

eliminating the corruption and self-serving attitudes that the agents of the food bank had fostered for over 11 years. This

included cronism, nepotism, and extornsion. In direct violation of the permit given by the city the agents of the food bank

and the food bank allowed the sale of plots to poor families. The prices began from 250 all the way up to 1000 dollars per

plot. This was horrendous. The SCFs have been attempting to remove these elements from the community garden.

3. In Feb 15, 2004, the SCF had a general assembly where two leaders were chosen democratically. The rules for

governing the community garden were discussed and the type of democracy was also decided, Majority rule. From then

on the leadership was given certain executives privileges always governed by the consensus of the community.

4. From that time on the community garden and its rules have been governed by the participatory membership of the

South Central farmers. They chose which rules they wanted to be governed by and how transgressions should be dealt

with.

5. SCFs have developed community leaders from the community garden. Some of our members have become members

of the local neighborhood councils. Some our farmers have also been encouraged to become Master Gardeners. Some

of our Farmers have developed their own economic development. One farmer currently rents 6 acres elsewhere and has

developed his own distribution system.

6. SCFs have developed opportunities for community members. We have developed the monthly farmers market.

7. The SCFs have addressed the needs of the women membership by providing them the space to have their own

cooperative space where only women work.

8. We have sustained City Council attendance, twice a week, only matched by the anti-war movement of the sixties.

9. We have developed the spiritual needs of the community by providing a monthly catholic service and a monthly

Christian service. This helps to

address the needs of the community.

10. We provide an avenue for up and coming bands during our yearly anniversary celebration. We have had two of them

and have showcases many up and coming community bands.

11. SCFs maintain an abundant and resilient seed stock that is grown in the community garden.

12. The SCFs have brought traditional Aztec dancers and ceremonies that resonate the cultural traditions of the people

who grow food.



Send letters of support to the following :


Antonio Villaraigoza
Honorable Mayor of Los Angeles
200 North Spring Street, Room 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012
mayor@lacity.org

The Face Of War

2500. It's a number that gets thrown around the newswire; talked about on the bleeps on the radio.
But what does that number mean?

Two thousand five hundred.

Each number is a face. A son. A daughter. A father. A mother. A human being that once thrived in life, took in fresh oxygen into their lungs, laughed at jokes, cried, slept, smiled.

Now, there is silence. The only sounds come from the grieving loved ones they have left behind. And they are not happy sounds. I think the most horrific sound is from a mother who was just visited by the army on her doorstep. It is a piercing, high-pitched wail. A sound no mother should ever have to make or anyone should ever have to hear.

Someone's heart is breaking right now.

Thank you to Ava from Peace Takes Courage.

Peace to all,
Deanna

Bush-The Idiot Son Of An Asshole

I have a great deal to read today - Daily Kos: State of the Nation& Bushflash.com- Anti-War, Anti-Bush media worldwide! and 2 books I'm in the middle of.

Plus, chores, chores, chores.......so today, enjoy a little music from the Bushflash site. Thanks Eric!

IDIOT SON OF AN A**HOLE-AND HE'S OUR PRESIDENT!!!


Talk to ya Sunday,
Deanna

Internet Strangulation

Another long day today.......so more discussion on the stripping of Internet freedom:
The Native American communities are also being urged to write their Congressman & senators regarding the possibility of seizing the internet by fatcat corporations who just aren't rich enough.

Saving the peoples' right to know: Fight Internet strangulation

If Net Neutrality does not pass, our every move will be tracked on the internet and the price of information that is now FREE will cost us.

This administration talks about Freedom & Democracy, but all it wants is to take these things away.

Peace,
Deanna

Jesus Was A Good Dude

The Rev. Jim Rigby is pastor of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin, Tex. and he has written a most thought provoking article onAlterNet about what we have done in our culture to make Christ the benevolent dictator.

I grew up Catholic. I went to catechism, went to church with my grandmother, had my first communion & confession; I was never confirmed. As a teenager, I stepped away from the church. Neither of my parents went to church regularly, despite coming from strong Catholic families. It wasn't important to me, but I did have that feeling of "wrongness" because I didn't go. I got over that eventually when I got out in the real world & started researching religions/dogma/spirituality.

I do not consider myself a Christian. Immediately when some people find this out about me, they instantly judge that I must not believe in God. This, I believe, is what contributes to this great separateness that religions create. "My religion is better than yours", Mine is the one TRUE religion""If you don't believe in the G-d I believe in, you will go to hell.".....in that one moment, these people have stepped away from what Jesus was trying to accomplish--that we are all one.
We have given Christ a crown. I do not believe this is who Jesus is. Over the centuries people have created a fear around religious leaders---follow the doctrine & you will reap the rewards(heaven) ; don't & you will be punished(eternal damnation).
Well, that's pretty cut & dry--don't be bad! Geez, do ya think it's about the control?

From 25 years old & on, I have believed strongly that God is all about us being the best we individually can be and nothing more. He wants us to be happy & love each other. I don't believe he is check marking all the things I do to "be worthy of His love". I am already worthy of his love just by being. When we do good things for ourselves & others, it makes us feel good; it brings us to a place of spirit naturally. Our problems stem from the fear that we have to behave a certain way to please God (be good God fearing Christians). Humans created God fearing, not God.

How would the world be different if we believed God wanted nothing from us?

Peace,
Deanna

Speak Out Now!

Where are our young voices? Our college progressives with endless energy to fight injustice?
This is your future!
Speak Out Now! is an
Institute for Democratic Education and Culture is the country's only national not-for-profit organization that promotes progressive speakers and artists on campuses and in communities. Committed to social, political, cultural and economic justice, Speak Out encourages critical and imaginative thinking about domestic and international issues through artistic and educational forums nationwide.
Check out their calender & see what you can do to help.

Peace,
Deanna

I Just Had Lunch........

......leftovers from last nights dinner. (Meatloaf sandwich & a soda)
My husband & I live paycheck to paycheck. If we want extras(vacation, cable, dinner out, a weekend trip), we have to save for it. But, food.....we don't go hungary. We may be too tired to cook, or say, "There's nothing to eat.", but there is always food in our middle class home.
I've blogged about hunger in America before & it's worth a rewrite.
There are children waking up with no breakfast before school and going without dinner at night. There are seniors who have to choose between medications they need and food.
Last year,America's Second Harvest fed almost 3 millions senior citizens alone. And this, happening in the richest country in the world.also seeCenter on Hunger and PovertyThe young & old are who suffer the most.

Peace,
Deanna

We Only Have One Earth.....

....so we need to take care of her. We also need to treat her inhabitants with dignity & respect.

EarthRights International is an organization that does just that.


They document human rights and environmental abuses in countries where few other organizations can safely operate. They expose and publicize earth rights abuses through campaigns, reports and articles.

Organize the human rights and environmental activist communities around earth rights issues. They are at the forefront of the movement to hold corporations accountable for fair human rights, labor, and environmental practices no matter where they do business.

Litigate in U.S. courts on behalf of people around the world whose earth rights have been violated by governments and transnational corporations. For earth rights abuses against villagers in Burma, they brought the landmark lawsuit, Doe v. Unocal Corp.

Teach people about their earth rights and remedies, especially people living under repressive regimes. They train villagers and refugee women to testify at the United Nations and other international agencies. They run the EarthRights Schools for activists in Southeast Asia and in the Amazon.

Advocate for those who have been harmed, and fight for better earth rights protections at every level, from the local to the international.

The earth does not need us to survive, but we absolutely need her to survive. We need to understand that & behave accordingly.

Peace,
Deanna