Call & Response - Slavery in Our Time

I attended a showing of the new movie about human trafficking, Call+Response—a good film about a horrific subject. Slavery. I was encouraged to see the young people involved in activism on this issue. Our local Flathead High School, and the newly formed Flathead Abolition Movement hosted the showing.

I learned a lot. People are still bought and sold into slavery on our shores (and others, too). How can we know about this and watch it continue.

It's the triune function of Money / Drugs / Human Slavery. It's not personal, it's profits.

If you're interested, go to the website: http://www.callandresponse.com/home.html.

If you want to do some little thing to show support, buy the music. I love it. The title "Call and Response" is rooted in music. The intro explains. Go to this iTunes web page.

Or do something else. . .whatever moves you. There are lots of issues to apply our energies to these days. Choose where you fit.

Montana's Food System

Up until the early 1950's Montana produced nearly 70% of the food Montanans ate. We were a net exporter of many foods. After Worle War II we lost capacity for production as export capabilities increased.

Watch the video . . . highly recommended!

Peace All Over the World ~ Episode 23

A new year, a new decade....

Federal Prop 8 Trial Starts

The trial to bring in to question California's Proposition 8 which prohibited gay marriage in 2008 began today in San Francisco.

If you live in the right city, you can watch the trial via live feed. Here is the notice on the American Foundation for Equal Rights webpage:

Watch Prop. 8 Trial Live
JANUARY 9, 2010
A live video and audio feed from the upcoming Proposition 8 trial in San Francisco will be available for public viewing in federal courthouses elsewhere in California, and in Oregon, Washington and New York, it was announced today. Video and audio of the trial, which is scheduled to begin Monday, January 11, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. (PDT), will be distributed via electronically secure means to the federal courthouses listed below.

View the list of cities at AFER.

The trial was scheduled to be made available live on YouTube, but that plan was changed.

Reporting from Washington - The U.S. Supreme Court, acting on an appeal from conservative defenders of California's ban on same-sex marriage, overruled a federal judge in San Francisco today and blocked video coverage of the trial on YouTube.

In a brief order, the justices said they were halting the move by U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker "permitting real-time streaming" of the trial, "except as it permits streaming to other rooms within the confines of the courthouse in which the trial is to be held."

Read the full article at the L.A. Times.

Watch Rachel Maddow's interview of Plaintiffs' attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies:


Read Laura Flanders review at The Nation: Willing to Reconsider.

Lots of Tweets about the trial. Look here.

Will continue updating . . .

The Criminalization of Protest

Here is a snip from the article "The Criminalization of Protest":

On the Friday afternoon before the G-20 meeting kicked into high gear, a student at the University of Pittsburgh snapped a photo showing a University of Pittsburgh police officer directing traffic at a roadblock. What’s troubling is what he’s wearing: camouflage military fatigues. It’s difficult to discern a practical reason why a man working for an urban police department would need to wear camouflage, especially while patrolling an economic summit. He’s a civilian dressed like a soldier. The symbolism is clear, and it affects the attitudes of both the cops wearing the clothes and the people they’re policing.

Read the full article The Criminalization of Protest - Police and politicians ignore the First Amendment when we need it the most.

What Happened to Senator Max?

What do you think when you see this video clip:



The Senator office hasn't exactly denied alcohol as an excuse for the manner of his speech, his spokesperson's statement only references possible smear tactics. (See Montana senator denies being drunk during floor speech; Crapo, Risch decline comment.)

Wouldn't it be interesting if we could call up Senator Baucus and ask him directly? Just get an honest face-to-face answer to the question of his state during that speech?

I recently wrote to both Jon Tester and Max Baucus about the health care bill. I guess I can say I was naive in thinking I would receive a real-live-person response. I received a real-live paper form letter from Tester, plus an increase in e-mails from his office, and nothing from Baucus. They're busy, right?

This is the state of our political world. I believe we would be astonished if we really knew how little the actions of our representatives have to do with benefiting you and I.

The thing to consider is....what's the damage?

Health Care Bill

Not sure what got into me this morning. The internet makes it easy to send off communications to just about anybody. Like Senators for instance. I have a feeling that if H.R.3200 - America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 finally makes its way through Congress, it will not inure to my benefit.

I sent the following notes to Montana Senators Tester and Baucus:

Senator...have you carefully examined the effect of the Health Care bill on business owners who might already have health insurance in place for their employees?

Have you proven to yourself that passing the Health Care bill will truly benefit a preponderance of the citizens of Montana?

Have you carefully considered its impact, especially given our income levels, which are decreasing daily due to multiple factors?

How would you respond to this statement: this legislation really has no intention of providing affordable health care choices. Instead it is a convenient cover for the most massive transfer of power to the Executive Branch of government that has ever occurred, or even been contemplated.*

Do you agree with the statement that passing the Health Care bill will mean an increase of $70 billion of new annual revenue to insurance providers? Does this sound like a good thing to you?**

I would like to honestly hear your answers to these questions. A form letter response will not satisfy.

I know you are a Montanan. It sounds like a silly statement, but I see that very often local people elected to public office leave our state and truly forget where they came from -- that they were ever part of the same life the people they represent are still living. I am not saying this applies in your case. I am saying that as an elected officer, you should be asking the same questions we on the ground here in Montana are asking about how what our government intends to legislate might materially affect us.

Thank you.

Anais Starr

* From: http://michaelconnelly.viviti.com/entries/general/the-truth-about-the-health-care-bills
** From: http://www.truthout.org/1108091

I will understand, but not excuse, the Senators' inability to answer my questions.

The good thing—it's a new day affording us all the opportunity for new thoughts and actions and letting go of the past, and things that have not, will not, do not work.

~ Anais

New Sounds ~ Are We Listening?

Playing for Change ~ Band on Tour

They may be coming to a city near you. Support 'em. Make your own music!
~ anais

Take a Break ~ Mudra for Wisdom

Mudra hand gestures or poses are often used in yoga practice, meditation, and for healing purposes. One I am familiar with and use all the time is Gyan Mudra, shown in the photo left. Click here for more information about Gyan Muddra.

Here is the one to take a break for, the Mudra for Wisdom. Simple hand position with deep breathing. Both can have a dramatically positive effect during a trying time, or at any time.

More Remedies For What Ails Us . . .

This week a friend and I went to visit Tom Tracey of Swan Valley Herbs, in Bigfork, Montana. Tom is a master herbalist with a lot of experience. His store is a thing of beauty! He and his crew harvest much of their stock locally. I love it! I cleaned up my basement yesterday and found a copy of his Herb Reference Guide from 1989.

We went to talk with Tom to get his ideas for keeping our immune systems up and running in best form. Tom's approach is pretty common sense. Cleanse the body using heat (saunas, baths) and take an appropriate herb, homeopathic remedy or other healing/balancing substance. Add to that, what you eat, water you drink, rest and exercise. Makes sense.

Winter seems to have come early here in Montana . . . along with quite a few other places in the U.S. Change of weather always affects our immune systems. There are homeopathic remedies for symptoms created by seasonal weather changes. It's a test, and an opportunity. How will our system respond? It's a good time to keenly observe, and take steps to take care. We can re-train our bodies to adapt to change. As a homeopath, and working with myself and my family, I have seen success in remedy administration over time, bringing the recipient to the point of being less susceptible, or entirely immune, to conditions that previously had caused a dis-ease condition.

I came away from Tom's shop with some ready-made tincture, and some herbs to make my own. It's fun to make your own tinctures—and quite simple to do. Tom recommends using Everclear (grain alcohol). Use glycerine or apple cider vinegar for non-alcohol preparations. Do an internet search for more details . . . or talk to your herbalist or buy a book.

The tincture Tom calls "Lomatium Compound" contains Lomatium Root, Osha Root, Cedar Leaf, Yarrow and Usnea. I also purchased some dried elderberries (locally wildcrafted) and a couple bags of the Lomatium Compound dry. I've started my tinctures which should be ready to strain and bottle by the next full moon.

Tom doesn't have a website but if you would like to contact his shop, call 406.837.5747.

I urge everyone to look up their own local herbalist, hopefully, one who takes the time and effort to wildcraft their own herbs. Knowing and trusting your health care provider is as important as anything else. Who's your farmer, who's your banker, and where's your money applies at all levels.

~ Anais

Playing For Change ~ Episode 17

Watching the Weather?

George Ure of urbansurvival.com pointed to these news pieces:

Western MT Cold Breaks Records
MontanaNewsStation.com (11 Oct 09)

Cold Temperatures Threaten Seed Potato Crop
Missoulian (12 Oct 09)

It doesn't take a newspaper article to tell us what we're feeling. And it doesn't take a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows. Change! Things are changing. Food and energy. It's only October. Keep your eyes open. It's keenly observe time.

Capitalism ~ Who Needs It?

Last night I went to see Michael Moore's film "Capitalism: A Love Story." It's one of those good/bad ones. Good, thanks for pointing it out on the big screen, but BAD . . . an extremely bad story. We all know it. Those of us in America, we're living it. What are we going to do about it? What can we do about it . . . in each of our places? We should get together and figure it out.

I work with Catherine Austin Fitts and Solari. Catherine has been talking about this story long before bailouts and other recent events that are making us wonder where IS the money, among other questions? Catherine was Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, appointed in 1989 by then President GHW Bush. You can read her story, Dillon Read and the Aristocracy of Stock Profits here. It's another good/bad story. Catherine writes very well; engaging and real.

So I recommend seeing the movie, and I recommend you read Catherine's story and visit her blog daily: http://solari.com/blog—she connects dots that we may not otherwise see.

~Anais

Playing For Change ~ Episode 16

Support the music. Buy their CD—I did—it's great! Click here.

Definitive Word ~ Immunizations in Montana

I have been on a path of inquiry regarding immunization requirements here in Montana. I started by e-mailing Mike Jopek, Representative for HD4, local farmer, and friend. He suggested I start by contacting State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Denise Juneau, which I did by e-mail. She passed my query to the proper person/agency.

I received a response this morning from Cathy Kendall, Administrator of the State's Health Enhancement & Safety Division. Following is the full text, my questions preceding her responses in red:

Good morning,

In response to your questions:

Will state vaccine exemption laws apply if my child goes to school and
they are vaccinating the school’s staff and students with the pandemic flu
vaccine?

No child or adult is required to receive an influenza vaccination.

-- Will informed and voluntary consent be obtained from parents prior to the
administration of a seasonal or pandemic flu vaccine?

Yes

-- Will our right to decline these shots based on our religious beliefs, or
for health reasons‹such as severe allergies/anaphylaxis to normal vaccine
ingredients‹be honored?

Yes

Let me know if you have further questions and I will search out answers for you. Thanks for the inquiry.

Cathy Kendall
Administrator
Health Enhancement & Safety Division
PO Box 202501
Helena MT 59620
406-444-0829
cakendall@mt.gov
Fax: 406-444-2955

Mary Travers 1936 ~ 2009

Mary Travers, of the folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary, died yesterday of leukaemia.

From her biography:

Mary Travers was an iconic folk singer, a dedicated activist, a writer and a poet, a mother, and, along with Peter Yarrow and Noel (Paul) Stookey, a member of perhaps the most influential folk music trio in American history.

Peter, Paul & Mary became famous for their ability to convey powerful personal and political messages through a repertoire of songs that became, for millions of Americans, an introduction to political awareness and activism in the movements born in the 60’s; movements for freedom, justice and social equity. For many, Peter, Paul & Mary became the soundtrack of their participation in an ongoing commitment to a progressive American vision of social equity, justice and freedom.

I sing some of their songs. What folk singer doesn't? I perform at Colter Coffee house in downtown Kalispell Friday night. I plan to sing for the joy of it, for the remembrance of Mary Travers, and in thankfulness for the music she created.
Mary Travers at Wikipedia

Remedies for What Ails Us

I've been listening and reading about remedies and methods of staying healthy. The precipitator being, for the most part, swine flu chatter. And I am glad to hear many suggestions for remedies and supplements that 'make sense.' The underlying premise is support the immune system.

When there is no immediately imminent event, and folks are fairly healthy, and, really, ongoing at all times, the best action is to do everything in support of the immune system. I have heard it said that there is only one thing standing between any of us and disease or illness--this would be our immune system.

So what are the basics of immune system support? Maybe these to start with:

• Don't do what you know is not good for you
• Get plenty of rest/sleep
• Drink an appropriate amount of good clean water
• Eat organic (local) food
• BREATHE!

Easy enough? As Dr. Laura Thompson said in a recent interview with Catherine Austin Fitts, doing these things alone can make a dramatic difference in immune system function.

. . . more to come.

Lomatium ~ lomatium.com / Medicine Woman's Roots

Tired of Being Serious :-((((

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you every get tired of being serious? OK...now I'm getting into this. I did a search . . . I found the book subtitle of which you see here. I don't know what it's about, and it was written in 1899, but it might be a remedy . . . for seriousness.

Yikes! And then I see that there are groups. This subtitle: Read true personal stories, chat, & get advice from a group of 12 people who all say 'I Am Tired of Being Deeply Serious All the Time'. Twelve people. Wow! I think I'm coming out of it.

Then I remembered that I sit in front of a Mac computer. I called up Photo Booth for a little introspection...or extrospection. It never fails me . . . Photo Booth and the banishment of seriousness. It just works. I record short videos. If I knew how to upload them here I might. Maybe you're thinking . . . spare me! Ah, but ye know not what ye (is that right) say.

How long did that take? We're on to something. Well . . . the whole internet is on to something!

Montana - Vaccine Awareness

I have not heard of Montana responses to recent news about possible vaccine requirements, but I saw these flyers stuck on vehicle windows at music in the park last night.

I heartily espouse edification and information. Fear and anger are not part of those. Let's be getting on this. Find more links to inform in this blog.