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Yesterday, in the States, was Veteran's Day. I remember it being Armistice Day when I was very young...
Anyway, one US-centric article and one US-centric memoir-essay about war, and the wish for peace.
The Anguish of War for Today’s Soldiers, Explored by Sophocles.
By PATRICK HEALY
Published: November 12, 2009
A project uses ancient theater as a vehicle for sharing pain, learning and healing. (NYT)
( Full text in case link will not work )
Sgt. First Class Tony Gonzalez, an Iraq combat veteran from Brooklyn who was on the panel, recalled that post-traumatic stress disorder was rarely discussed when he first joined the Army. He described his own pain after his platoon captain was killed and he went to pay respects to the man’s wife, also a friend and member of the military.
And he praised the use of theater to help put a spotlight on trauma.
“I’ve been Ajax,” he said. “I’ve spoken to Ajax.”
~~
One Grizzled Veteran's Dream
Huffington Post
William Astore
Writer, Professor, Retired Lt. Colonel, Air Force
Posted: November 11, 2009 08:05 AM
( full text in case the link won't work )
On this Veteran's Day, what if we began to measure our national success and power, not by our military arsenal or by the number of new recruits in the ranks, but rather by the gradual shrinking of our military ranks, the decline of our spending on defense, perhaps even by the growing quiet of our legion posts and VFW halls?
Wouldn't that be a truer measure of national success: fewer American combat veterans?
Wouldn't that give us something to celebrate this Veteran's Day?
I know one old grizzled veteran who would quietly nod his agreement.
Professor Astore currently teaches History at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA. He writes regularly for TomDispatch.com and can be reached at wastore at pct.edu.
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Translated by Merryn Williams
If I die,
leave the balcony open.
The child is eating oranges.
(From my balcony I see him.)
The harvester scythes the wheat.
(From my balcony I hear him.)
If I die,
leave the balcony open!
thanks to ![[info - personal]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png) pollyanna in ![[info - community]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png) poetry
For no particular reason. Just enjoying life, tonight.
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Security Spending Primer:Getting Smart About The Pentagon Budget
How do people influence federal spending decisions and stop fighting over smaller and smaller “slices of the budgetary pie”? What will make our nation more secure? National Priorities Project is proud to release the Security Spending Primer: Getting Smart About The Pentagon Budget. (PDF Document) This Primer is a is a “one-stop-shopping” resource and has two main goals: ~ to provide comprehensive, easy-to-understand information on the complexity of the federal budget process; and ~ to help build the capacity of people across the United States who want their voices and their priorities to be heard in the debate over federal spending in general and military spending in particular. Even though federal spending and policy priorities have an enormous impact on individual lives, the budgeting and policy-making process remains mysterious to most Americans. NPP believes that good, concrete information strengthens social change work. In order to make our federal government more accountable, people – especially those most affected by social inequities – must play a central role in identifying the changes essential to creating better lives for themselves and future generations. They must have access to accurate information that supports effective strategies. The Primer answers the most frequently asked questions about, and supplies the most commonly requested information on, the Pentagon budget and U.S. military spending and is based on decades of experience in military budget analysis. It contains 16 two-page fact sheets on topics ranging from nuclear weapons to the employment impact of U.S. military and domestic spending choices to the military cost of securing energy. We designed these fact sheets to be read separately or as a group. We have also included a host of resources: organizational contact lists, sample NPP tools, resources lists, a glossary and more. Key findings in the primer include: ~ Total spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will exceed $1 trillion February/March 2010. From FY 2001 to FY 2008, federal grants to state and local governments increased 0.57% for every 1% increase in total federal budget authority. Yet, during the same period, federal military expenditures increased 1.47% for every 1% in total federal budget authority. In other words, as the “budgetary pie” increased, the defense slice got bigger and fatter and the “grants to the states” slice of the pie got smaller. ~ Even without including current war allocations, U.S. military spending is at its highest level since World War II. This takes into account the war-time budgets of Vietnam and Korea. Despite rhetoric to the contrary, the Obama Administration is not cutting defense. In fact, the Pentagon budget is projected to grow25% over the next decade. ~ This is an unprecedented period in our nation’s history. Two wars, staggering national debt, the economic crisis and an impending climate crisis make these extremely challenging times. At the same time, President Obama endeavors to respond to the sweeping mandate for change. NPP is indebted to our collaborators in this project: Frida Berrigan, Senior Program Associate of the Arms and Security Initiative at the New America Foundation Ruth Flower, Associate Executive Secretary for Legislative Programs at Friends Committee on National Legislation ( FCNL) Miriam Pemberton, Peace and Security Editor of Foreign Policy in Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies ( IPS) Heidi Garrett-Peltier, Research Assistant at the Political Economy Research Institute ( PERI) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Robert Pollin, Professor of Economics and founding Co-Director of the Political Economy Research Institute ( PERI) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Susan Shaer, Executive Director of Women’s Action for New Directions ( WAND) For more information: Jo Comerford, Executive Director (jo@nationalpriorities.org, 413.559.1649) Chris Hellman, Director of Research (chris@nationalpriorities.org) National Priorities Project www.nationalpriorities.org
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From their facebook Cause page:(it's a cause I support, IRL)
Help Us Wish John Well & Thank Him For His Service
In today's message:
1. John Abodeely is moving on, let's send him off with a big Thank You!
2. John has a request before he goes.
3. Share your wins with us!
1. John Abodeely has served Americans for the Arts as the Arts Education Manager and is moving on to the Kennedy Center in DC. We support the move and are sad for the loss. He is a consummate professional who has helped the Cause and the arena of Arts Education tremendously. Please feel free to wish him well at jabodeely@artsusa.org by September 25th.
"I've learned a lot. There are amazing people at Americans for the Arts. My colleagues are brilliant, wonderful, smart and have taught me so much That's been awesome. It's an amazing organization." - John Abodeely
Working together, he's helped us accomplish a lot!
2. John has a request before he goes - BLOG-A-THON GOING ON NOW!
This week, all week, 30 arts education experts from around the country will blog daily on Americans for the Arts’ new arts education blog and webpage: www.AmericansForTheArts.org/ArtsEdu cation.
Our esteemed bloggers will be talking about steps each reader can take to ensure the children in their family, schools or community have access to a great arts education.
Our bloggers will include members of the Arts Education Council of Americans for the Arts; Lucia Brawley, activist, actress, and writer for the Huffington Post; emerging leaders Jenna Lee and Kim Willey, both of Washington, DC; Mike Blakeslee from MENC; state advocacy leaders; state department of education staff; teaching artists; local program experts; and, other folks from all over the country.
But they’re just the start. You—and specifically your responses to their posts—are what this online event is truly about. That’s where you can weigh in, offer your own opinions and present yourself as an expert for readers around the country. Solutions do not come from the top down—they come from peers, colleagues, friends, and fellows well-met.
Read, respond, do.
http://bit.ly/nRYTX
3. Share your wins with us!
Based on the amazing feedback we got at the end of last school year, Americans for the Arts has created a portal for members like you to share what is working so that other people can benefit from your success.
Please share that here. http://bit.ly/WOYzB
This year, I am volunteering to help Americans for the Arts create a Toolkit for building an effective arts program in your school. I could use your help. Initially we'll be creating a guide for outlining and managing the project, establishing buy-in from all the parents, educators and students, and following up with agreed actions toward common results. Your involvement could include many forms of activity and support and suggestions are appreciated!
Early next week we'll be floating a petition your way that is sanctioned by the President of Americans for the Arts. With that said, I highly caution you to read the petition before signing it. It asks President Obama to release funds in a very proactive and thus, non-traditional way. I only ask you to support it if you truly believe in it. So, please read through it. Again, I'll send that out early next week.
Thank you for your effort, energy, attention and time.
I am grateful to you for all that you contribute to make this Cause so powerful.
Sincerely,
M******* P*********
Cause Admin
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Roy Rogers' Horse Saves Health Care
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
The Senate cannot pass a health care bill with a public option. The House cannot pass a bill without one. The public wants a public option. The insurance industry wants a private mandate. The White House is in trouble on this and is calling upon the Senate to find a way out of this dark passage.
So, Boys and Girls, return with us now as the Senators will take a page from out of the old West. They are going to do what cowboy hero Roy Rogers did when he got in a jam: Call for Trigger, the Golden Palomino. Trigger, the trusty steed who rode to glory against those phantom cattle rustlers who sold insurance against physical harm, provided however that the small town marks bought the stolen beef.
In this scene Trigger will come off his mount of glory at the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Missouri and gallop to the mount of glory on Capitol Hill, rear up a dazzling 24ft, and by his sheer electrifying presence rescue the US Senate and the Administration from today's rustlers.
It is Washington, DC, so they promptly slap on a confused Trigger a corporate blanket with corporate logos from insurance companies: Pre-Existing Trigger. Lower Cost Trigger. Patient Access Trigger. The Senators will jump on this horse and ride straight for the sunset. Giddy-up Trigger, past that broken down Public Option dray horse. Gallop into the conference committee with full force. Charge!
I am carried away by prospect of rescue by the one horse I can believe in. Sadly, Trigger will never save us from the rustlers. He'll just stand there, mounted, in all of his spectacular equine power ever poised to spring into action, ever ready to hustle out the rustlers, or something like that.
Thank you.
Dennis
http://kucinich.us/index.php
Sept 16, 2009
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Rob Brezsny's Astrology Newsletter
September 16, 2009
http://FreeWillAstrology.com
"Everything on earth is beautiful, everything -- except what we ourselves
think and do when we forget the higher purposes of life and our own
human dignity."
- Anton Chekhov( this way to Jason Mraz pronoia )
What does it say about the current state of reality when an intelligent optimist like Mraz has such mainstream popularity? Here's what I suspect: The media may relentlessly wallow in news about what's wrong and bad and rotting, but a lot of people are resisting that hypnotic hum as they wake up to the glorious other side of the story.
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BILLY BOYD WITH BEECAKE TO EMBARK ON U.S. EAST COAST TOUR OCTOBER 6-11, 2009
Actor and musician, Billy Boyd, who starred in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy as Peregrin “Pippin” Took and contributed to the soundtrack with his original song “Steward of Gondor”, will embark on a tour of the U.S. East Coast with his band Beecake October 6-11 in support of their new album “Soul Swimming”. (credit TORn)
Tour Dates
OCTOBER 6 at 7PM, Iota Café, Arlington, VA.
For tickets, visit www.iotaclubandcafe.com or call (703) 522-8340.
OCTOBER 7 at 8:30PM, Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA.
For tickets, visit www.tinangel.com or call (215) 928-0770.
OCTOBER 8 & 10 at 10:30PM, Joe’s Pub, New York, NY.
For tickets, visit www.joespub.com or call (212) 967-7555.
OCTOBER 11 at 9PM, Passim Center, Cambridge, MA.
For tickets, visit www.clubpassim.org or call (617) 492-5300.
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| 2009-08-31 04:42 |
| So, yanno? I'm a nurse. It's my job: sometimes (often) I worry about our (communal) health... |
| Public |
| despair work, economics, environment, ethics, health, hope, native american issues, nurse-intuitive, nursing, political science |
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What I watched on TV tonight at work:
Water's Edge: Profits and Policy: Behind the Rising Catastrophe of Floods
Mountain Top Removal ( Wiki article ) ( series on youtube )
I have some thoughts about it all, but cannot avoid sinking into horrid and vicious cynicism- and while that might feel good for a moment, it's not an appropriate response for someone with my education and background. I'm trained to look at this from a community health perspective: as an RN, I have an obligation to do just that. Risk management, genetics, environmental safety- those are all within my purview as a nurse. So it behooves me to stop, just a moment longer, marshall my thoughts, and organize them so that I can pursue this with some clarity.
Because right now? I'm just pissed.
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I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library. - Jorge Luis Borges
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www.freewillastrology.com
Gemini Horoscope for week of August 27, 2009
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden because of an incident involving an apple, right? Wrong. Many biblical scholars suspect the fruit in question was either a fig, grape, or pomegranate. I mention this, Gemini, because I think you'd be wise to review your own personal myth of exile. It's time to question the story you have been telling yourself about how your paradise got lost. Evidence you discover in the coming days just might suggest that everything you've believed is at least half-wrong -- that your origins are different from what you imagine. And as for the forbidden fruit that supposedly led you astray: You may realize that it was actually a precious medicine.
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| 2009-08-23 23:56 |
| Safe Journey, Sonny Richards (from Perceval Press, Aug 19) |
| Public |
| friends, hope |
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Goodbye for now Sonny Richards. Pilamaya, He Sapa Hoksila!
Clement "Sonny" Richards
RAPID CITY - Clement "Sonny" Larvie Richards, "He Sapa Hoksila," left this world Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Sonny was born April 23, 1942, in Kadoka, S.D., to Edison and Gertie (Larvie) Richards. He grew up in Rapid City and was raised by his grandparents, Charles and Angeline Larvie. Sonny was the first world champion men's fancy dancer and constantly dominated men's powwow dancing in the 1960s and 1970s. He was well known for doing trick roping dancing. His unique style of dance and dress changed and influenced the way people viewed powwow dancing and can still be seen today. In 1963 Sonny met his wife, Mary Ann Brown, a Navajo from Ganado, Ariz., when she came to Rapid City to enroll in a nursing program. They married Jan. 25, 1964, and from this union they had five children: Vivian (Mike Quick Bear) of Rapid City, Chuck (Bridgit) of Fort Belvoir, Va., Clement Jr. (Gerri) of Box Elder, and Rosalyn Minor (Lance) of Box Elder. Sonny also has an adopted son, Jason James of Edmonton, Canada. In 1963, Sonny met the famous Lakota Iyeska Frank Fools Crow, who took Sonny as his apprentice and taught him how to help people of all walks of life. Since 1975 to the moment he passed, Sonny walked the best he could in balance and humility. He extended his hand, his soul, his sense of humor and his home to help others unconditionally regardless of their race, creed or social status. Sonny loved the Lakota way of life and served as an ambassador for Lakota spiritual ways, especially helping young people stay sober and achieve in this way of life. He worked passionately to preserve the Lakota language and rituals. He was elected to serve as a Bear Butte board member after the fire in 1995. In 1969 Sonny became the first Native American officer in the Rapid City Police Department. Working in community relations, he was minority people's liaison with the justice system. He worked with the police department until 1980 when he took an early retirement due to health problems. In the 1980s he was employed as the Title VII Bilingual Education Program home liaison officer with the Rapid City Area Schools. He served as a cultural adviser and linguist. During this time he also was an adviser to the Wicokini Dance Troupe. In the early 1990s, Sonny met screenwriter John Fusco and they became good friends. He assisted John in making three major films by serving as the Lakota cultural adviser for Thunder Heart, Dream Keeper and Hidalgo. Sonny is also survived by three siblings: Gerald (PZ) Larvie, Shirley Larvie and Lester Larvie, all of Rapid City. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Angeline Larvie; his father and mother, Edison and Gertie (Larvie) Richards, and his wife, Mary Ann (Brown) Richards. He will be deeply missed by his 16 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family members from around the U.S., Canada and Europe. Sonny was loved and respected by many; his legacy and example will be carried on in the hearts of those who knew him best. Sonny's family appreciates all the support and prayers that have been offered during this time of change. (from Rapid City Journal)
http://www.percevalpress.com/
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| 2009-08-02 09:51 |
| Binary |
| Public |
| hope, poem |
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Binary
maybe what we are is, we're
in orbit around each other
and that orbit is the center
of everything else around us
and that orbit is why we can't touch:
our centers of gravity
our magnetic fields
there's too much gravity
too much energy.
if we touch, there will be solar flares
of such magnificence
and a black hole
and the universe,
the universe will end.
or we'll become like one sun,
two suns in a stable orbit
there will be one center
and that center
that center might hold.
if we remember to touch
if we remember
each other.
jm patterson 2 aug, 2009
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Infrequent updates as time allows.
[Gone Fishing (c) u n c o m m o n@flickr]
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Maurice Sendak's Arbuthnot lecture, Descent into Limbo, in the Summer/Fall 2003 issue of ALA's Children & Libraries ??
I'd really appreciate it. I'm slowly transcribing the video http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/65 but a) I keep getting caught up in the lecture and missing my place and b) I can't listen well at work, because 'my' lad is sleeping so no turning up the sound or earphones (the one might disturb him, the other I might miss something, a change in his breathing, for intstance).
Thank you in advance. .doc, .rtf, .pdf- they all work for me. And please let me know if I need to pay you for costs, copying, postage, anything like that.
Pass the word for me? I can really use this transcript for some articles I'm writing for An Ounce of Prevention. Thank you so very very much.
(I'm also looking for an article by Patricia Moccia, RN, from American Journal of Nursing ca 1992, titled "Are We Dying for Nuclear Weapons?" I have a paper copy someplace, but not handy, and not enough time/money to go through ordering it online/uni library. Just in case someone here can access it "free" (your time/trouble will be reimbursed in some way- fic, postcards from Europe, some other research I can do for you) I'm asking. Thanks!)
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| 2009-05-08 12:55 |
| Friday, Friday |
| Public |
| amazon, car, despair work, economics, fun, hope, peace-work, sleep, star trek, uni |
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The good news: my Facebook Cause, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons is gaining members. You can be one!
The Happiness Project.
I managed to get the car to the mechanic's without its either blowing up or falling to pieces on the freeway. We'll find out what we find out, eh? It's an '88 Volvo wagon- I'm sure it's got a few miles left on it, if it can just find them.
Ah, what the hell. It's all good news, isn't it? The only thing is, I won't be seeing Star Trek today at 1:30, so that's $8.00 I'm considering donated to the cause of Hunter Urban's college fund. Just something to look forward to then, innit? Bones McCoy, I'm on my way.
Alrighty then. Since I can't ship any books, go to Star Trek, or stay up any longer, and I am graduating AND raising money for my Cause, I think I'll get some zzzzzs. Yay for nights off!
And blessings on your heads, y'all. Each and every one of you.
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| 2009-05-07 18:53 |
| Despair-work, Peace-work, Hope |
| Public |
| despair work, ethics, facebook, friends, hope, networking, peace work, twitter, wordpress |
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If you've followed along for any length of time, you know that I'm a big fan of what Joanna Macy calls 'despair-work'. Interestingly, this is not work in which one admits despair and then gives up. This is work in which one admits to despair being present, then uses the energy gained by that admission to generate new energy: to create hope, in one way or another.
I've joined the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War in their ican project, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. I'm inviting you to join me, by donating, by spreading the word, by believing this can be accomplished across the lines of nations and over the objections of corporations and armies, through the work of concerned, dedicated, connected individuals- a fellowship of the many, if you will.
The secondary cost of maintaining nuclear weapons stockpiles is part of what the GreenhamCommonWomen worked to make apparent, what Eric and David Thiermann, in their difficult but beautiful film The Last Epidemic demonstrate in clear and personal way, what Joanna Macy Rogers from her practice of Engaged Buddhism names Nuclear Guardianship. The thing is done, it cannot be undone, but it can be put into balance: not the balance of bomb for bomb, because that is no balance, but the balance of action and care.
I'm inviting you to join me, and bring your friends, family and co-workers. Invite your government, corporations, churches, synagogues, mosques. There is room for everyone to do this work, and many hands make light work.
As Aragorn said: There is always hope.
Today, I bring this sliver of it and hold it alight. Please, join me in carrying the fire.
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Table of contents for Despair-Work, an essay by Joanna Macy on the weight of the Nuclear Age on each/all of us, whether we are consciously aware of it or not, and some ideas of what can be done for/by each of us to ease that burden.
Part one: Introduction, Ingredients of Despair, Symptoms and Suppressions
Part two: Validation,
Part three: Feeling, Imaging, Waiting
Part four: Community
Citations and references page [external links]
This essay became her book Despair and Personal Power in the Nuclear Age.
And some related links: Deep Ecology, Nuclear Guardianship, Non-Violent Peace Force, Yes! Magazine and Critical Will: Force for Nuclear Disarmament.
ETA: I've been asked why I'm keeping this at the top of my page?
Because it's relevant. Because this essay saved my life when I first read it in 1982. Because it's thoughtful writing. And because now, instead of two countries with [relatively] stable nuclear warhead programs, there are [actually, do we even know how many?] at least 6 with nuclear warhead capability. / (ETA- am letting it slide down a ways for now- doesn't mean I won't relink it at the top at some point.)
I don't know about you, but that weighs on me something terrible. I'm so grateful to have ways to relieve that burden which are practical and do-able.
ETA to add Rebecca Solnit's Library of Hope (including hope in the dark) from Tom Engelhart's Tomdispatch, courtesy of Perceval Press.
ETA 4.16.08 to add Waging Peace and the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.
Thank you, you who read, ponder, come back, read again. If ever you'd like to talk about this with me, I'm available. Just drop me a note here.
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And how I love the Greenham Common Women.
Were any of you there? Do you know someone who was? Any chance I can interview you/her (possibly him, if he was inside the fence) while I'm over in London or even in e-mail?
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Speak Its Name has a call out for well-written Lesbian Historical Romance.
To further that cause, and in the name of getting the most bang for a buck I can, I'm posting this list of books that are for sale at EnjoyIt which might be useful for research, reading, or sharing. Some lesbian, some historical, some factual, some fiction, some seemingly odd until you realize they're snapshots of a period of time- but if (when? maybe) I attempt something in this vein, these will have been some of my references.
In regard to amazonfail: yes, my shop's an Amazon Associates shop. I'm looking at other places: Alibris.com, Biblio.com, but right now it's still all posted up at Amazon. I'm shipping until May 25th, then it goes on hiatus until mid-July.
To spare the FL, a cut before the list of books, which I hope tickle your imaginations and help produce glorious new works!( Read more... )
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