Wednesday, May 29, 2013

One Love



I don't post as much here in blogtopia. I am working in a branch of social services these days, which is very demanding, but there are golden moments when I really feel like I am making a difference & realize that being in this meaningful service mode, makes me feel like I love my job.
Keep on keepin' on.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

I ain't gonna study war, no more


Memorial day thoughts from a worthy Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
MLK jr's "Silence is Betrayal" speech on war. 
You can substitute "Afghanistan" for Vietnam & the sentiment still rings true. 
Mandates of Conscience.
Society gone mad on war.
War is an enemy of the poor.
The US using massive doses of violence to solve it's problems.
The greatest purveyor of violence in the world today, my own government.


Friday, May 24, 2013

OCCUPY THE FOOD SUPPLY! GET YOUR MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO ON...



I think my blogger pals are in the know. We have a right to know if our food, the very sustenance we need for life, has been messed with. This sign really nails it-- because from the maker's of Agent Orange, Roundup & BGH (Bovine Growth Hormone) for milk.... what could possibly go wrong?
Get out there & march on Saturday. Sign the petition to repeal the anonymously introduced Monsanto protection act..... We have a right to know!











Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Your help is needed


A call to action!
Long time community activist David Oaks is a friend in need. It all happened in the blink of an eye- he went to get his cat from the loft in his workspace, his shoes were a little bit wet & David fell from the ladder & "broke his neck completely" on Dec 12, 2012. David is now paralyzed, not expected to ever walk again, and has limited use of his arms & hands. Everything has changed, and so much needs to be changed- like retrofitting the house to be wheelchair accessible, and a vehicle w a wheelchair lift. Did I mention the growing stack of medical bills that health insurance will not cover? David has been in the hospital with surgeries & complications, & physical therapy/rehab up until May 17. David will need a caregiver, round the clock. 

The local activist community had a fundraiser gathering last night, and they asked people to please put the word out & ask others to help. Even ask people who do not know him, if they can pitch in & do a random act of kindness, by making a contribution.

David has been an activist for mental health advocacy for many years. In 2009 UTNE READER listed David as One of the Top 50 Visionaries of the World*

http://www.utne.com/Science-Technology/David-Oaks-Director-MindFreedom-International.aspx

Please send your check directly to: 

David W Oaks Irrevocable Trust 

c/o Chase Bank 

1100 Willamette St. 

Eugene OR 97401 

Reference account number 3008433244 in the memo line of your check. 


Also donations can now be made via the web on Paypal

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=0B3vu7umEaeekGI-SBwvuaINzgV4dTWAmhagiW4sxWGIWVOoVq-U4SO9HIC&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d14f86393d55a810282b64afed84968ec

PLEASE DO SHARE THIS REQUEST & THANK YOU !

Friday, May 17, 2013

Memo to Monsanto

The March Against Monsanto is happening on a Worldwide level, May 25, 11 am PST (3 PM EST). 

Currently, marches are being planned on six continents, in 36 countries, totaling events in over 250 cities, and in the US, events are slated to occur simultaneously at 11 a.m. Pacific in 47 states.


Find lists of where Marches are planned at this link.

From the official site:




On May 25, activists around the world will unite to March Against Monsanto.

Why do we march?

  • Research studies have shown that Monsanto’s genetically-modified foods can lead to serious health conditions such as the development of cancer tumors, infertility and birth defects.
  • In the United States, the FDA, the agency tasked with ensuring food safety for the population, is steered by ex-Monsanto executives, and we feel that’s a questionable conflict of interests and explains the lack of government-led research on the long-term effects of GM products.
  • Recently, the U.S. Congress and president collectively passed the nicknamed “Monsanto Protection Act” that, among other things, bans courts from halting the sale of Monsanto’s genetically-modified seeds.
  • For too long, Monsanto has been the benefactor of corporate subsidies and political favoritism. Organic and small farmers suffer losses while Monsanto continues to forge its monopoly over the world’s food supply, including exclusive patenting rights over seeds and genetic makeup.
  • Monsanto's GM seeds are harmful to the environment; for example, scientists have indicated they have contributed to Colony Collapse Disorder among the world's bee population.

What are solutions we advocate?

  • Voting with your dollar by buying organic and boycotting Monsanto-owned companies that use GMOs in their products.
  • Labeling of GMOs so that consumers can make those informed decisions easier.
  • Repealing relevant provisions of the US's "Monsanto Protection Act."
  • Calling for further scientific research on the health effects of GMOs.
  • Holding Monsanto executives and Monsanto-supporting politicians accountable through direct communication, grassroots journalism, social media, etc.
  • Continuing to inform the public about Monsanto's secrets.
  • Taking to the streets to show the world and Monsanto that we won't take these injustices quietly.




One march on one day will not fix the Monsanto problem. If having the march bring some awareness, then it is worthwhile. If so many other countries at least have labeling to identify the GMO factor, there is not reason why we can at least know what the 
ingredients are or are not. 

Check out the Monsanto website so you can know that farmers can spray round up herbicide, where unsurpassed weed control goes hand in hand with proven crop safety. 

Not buying it!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Words of Wisdom


"Action is more important than prayer"

HH Dalai Lama
He stated that he himself meditates & prays daily, 
but gave a call to action~
Called upon the age 30 & below crowd to shape their Century. 

Don't focus on differences, but the Oneness of Humanity

Friday, May 10, 2013

Mother's Day




Very few women have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.... 
but Mother Theresa received the Nobel Peace Prize~

In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, "for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitutes a threat to peace."

She refused the conventional ceremonial banquet given to laureates, and asked that the $192,000 funds be given to the poor in India, stating that earthly rewards were important only if they helped her help the world's needy.

When Mother Teresa received the prize, she was asked,
"What can we do to promote world peace?"

She answered "Go home and love your family."

Building on this theme in her Nobel Lecture, she said: "Around the world, not only in the poor countries, but I found the poverty of the West so much more difficult to remove. When I pick up a person from the street, hungry, I give him a plate of rice, a piece of bread, I have satisfied. I have removed that hunger.

But a person that is shut out, that feels unwanted, unloved, terrified, the person that has been thrown out from society—that poverty is so hurtable and so much, and I find that very difficult."

Speaking of Nobel Laureates, the Dalai Lama spoke here yesterday. His message included the following concepts~

• We are all brothers & sisters
• The Oneness of Humanity is the foundation of inner peace, and world peace
• The more you have a sense of concern for others, you benefit yourself by doing so
• "In terms of community, Action is more important than prayer".
• The 21st Century should be the Century of Dialogue. 





Saturday, May 4, 2013

Higher Consciousness & thoughts about Peace

Om Mani Padmi Hum
The mantra of compassion ~ Jewel of the Lotus Flower

The Dalai Lama is going to grace my town next week, for the first time. It is much anticipated, and a large sector of the community is abuzz about it. To have such a Spiritual leader present awakens us to a higher consciousness. Peace & Compassion are what we want & need in life, and at time I think how do we get there from here?
There was a "Tibet Night" celebration last night, and as a part of the event, local kids made Peace themed prayer flags, with poems and or art.  These two peace flags/poems really spoke to me.






The yellow banner had the line "Peace is nothing", which at first struck me as being a sad statement. As I gave it more thought, I realized the "nothing" part could mean Peace is no problems, no issues, or in the Zen aspect, "No Mind", or a mind at peace. 
Right next to it hung another prayer flag that contained the line:
"Peace is pretty much everything"

the next line read:"but wrong"
"Peace is a choice everyone has to make"



Prayer Flags with children's Peace art & poems
break up the concrete void.