Think Globally, Act Locally's topics - tribe.net

"STOP BOMBING BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI'I".

2008-05-15T01:03:33Z

This petition was brought to my attention over the "Care 2" social network. I do not know if non memebers will be able to get in to sign, since my computer goes there automatically, so if someone who tries it can leave some feedback if there are any difficulties or solutions, it would be a great help. The promo copy came as follows...

I have just read and signed the petition: "STOP BOMBING BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI'I".

Please take a moment to read about this important issue, and join me in signing the petition. It takes just 30 seconds, but can truly make a difference. We are trying to reach 1000 signatures - please sign here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-bombing-big-island-of-hawai39i

Once you have signed, you can help even more by asking your friends and family to sign as well.

Mahalo Nui Loa

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Heartwood Forest Council in Ohio -- Burning Issues: Climate is a Forest Product

2008-05-08T01:29:34Z

Heartwood Forest Council in Ohio
http://www.heartwood.org/forestcouncil/index.html

Save the Date for the 18th Annual Heartwood Forest Council, Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26, 2008, to be held at Boy Scout Camp Oyo in the Shawnee State Forest near Portsmouth, Ohio.

Online Registration coming by next week. Download PDF Brochure: http://www.heartwood.org/forestcouncil/brochure.pdf

We would like to invite you to the 18th annual Heartwood Forest Council, to be held Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26, 2008, at Boy Scout Camp Oyo in the Shawnee State Forest near Portsmouth, Ohio. Hosts for this years event include Heartwood, the Buckeye Forest Council, Save Our Shawnee Forest, Voices for the Forest, Meigs Citizens Action Now!, Protect Biodiversity in Public Forests, and EarthWatch Ohio. The theme of this year's Forest Council is "Burning Issues: Climate is a Forest Product."

What is the Heartwood Forest Council?

The Heartwood Forest Council is the largest annual gathering of citizens from across the Eastern, Midwestern, and Southern United States who care about the health and well-being of our nation's forests. This will be the second time this event has taken place in Ohio, the first being at Camp Oty Okwa in 1992. We will focus on threats to our region and to human and community health, in an atmosphere of collaboration designed to form stronger personal and organizational connections. While addressing the issues we face and celebrating the work that we do, the Forest Council offers participants an opportunity to identify lasting solutions and proven action steps that will move us as a community toward a shared vision of a healthy, just, and sustainable society.

The program will begin the afternoon of Friday, May 23, and continue through mid-day, Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), and will be interspersed with ample social time, leisure, lively local music, dancing and great food. The Forest Council will be family friendly - kids of all ages are encouraged to attend.

This year's Forest Council will explore how we can nurture sustainable local and regional networks and a culture of cooperation and care. Together we will identify viable alternatives to the dominant economy and its toxic legacy of waste and prepare ourselves with the knowledge and tools to protect ourselves, our communities, and our planet. The program will consist of three days of workshops, discussions, keynote speakers, and field trips. Key program elements will include:

* Forest Issues: public lands management, roadless and other special areas, prescribed burning on state and national forests, genetically modified trees, sustainable forestry and low impact logging, land certification, and land management strategies and opportunities including the value of non-timber forest products.
* Coal, air, energy and climate issues: coal mining and processing, including mountaintop removal, room and pillar, and longwall mining, coal-fired power plants, air pollution and global climate change. We will also talk about resurgent efforts to promote nuclear power, the alternatives to fossil fuel such as wind, solar and hydropower, and the connections between forests and energy production including cellulosic ethanol and biomass.
* Sustainability issues: creating viable communities and taking responsibility for our own future; localized economies, permaculture, local and regional food production and distribution, alternative energy and transportation, traditional uses of plants and their preservation, religion and environmental protection, alternatives to the corporate control of food and seed supply; and how to sustain our minds, bodies and spirits as we seek environmental justice and transformational change.

18th Annual Heartwood Forest Council Program

Theme: Burning Issues Climate Is A Forest Product

Program Tracks:
1) Forest Issues
2) Coal, Energy and Sustainability - Positive Alternatives

Where: Camp Oyo Shawnee State Forest - Ohio

When: Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 26, 2008

Weekend Schedule:
Friday, May 23 General Goals: Introductions and Reunions

Afternoon hike - Shawnee State Forest/Park Hike
led by Kevin Bradbury - Regional Manager Shawnee and Adams Lake State Parks.

5:30-7:00 Dinner: Vegetarian Gumbo with tofu hot
dogs, brown rice, roasted asparagus, Salad
greens, vegan Cornbread, Strawberry shortcake.

7:00-9:00pm - Forest Council welcome:
Ernie Reed - Heartwood
Barb Lund - Save Our Shawnee Forest
David Maywhoor - Buckeye Forest Council

History of the Shawnee Forest:
Shawnee Nation Reflections - Dr. Cora Tula Watters
Lower Scioto Valley history Dr. Andrew Lee Feight
Flora and Fauna of Shawnee - Kevin Bradbury & Jenny Richards -

9:15 til? Campfire behind the dining hall for
planned and unplanned music, and spontaneous revelry

Saturday, May 24 General Goals: Explore the
Issues: Follow one of the tracks or do some of both:
Forest Issues - physical and economic issues
Coal, Energy and Sustainability - Positive Alternatives

6:30 - Bird Hike, Yoga Stretch or Polarity work

7:30-9:00 Breakfast: Baked Omelet with asparagus,
feta, ramps, fresh herbs with green tomato salsa,
Vegan Paw Paw cornmeal pancakes OR vegan Paw Paw
Buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup,
Tempeh/potato sausages (vegan) or sun choke latkes, Fruit

9:00-10:30 - General Introduction to the
workshops’ “burning issues” by the leaders of the workshops.

10:30-10:50 Break

11:00-12:30 Forest/Energy Issues Workshops Session 1
(The session 1 workshops will be repeated in session 2.)

Forest Issues Choices:
#1 introduction to Forest Ecology,
Prescribed Burns, Clearcuts, and certification.
#2 Introduction to Forest Economic.
#3 Specific Economic Study: Green
Fire/Heartwood Economic Impact Study in the Wayne National Forest.
#4 Prescribed Burning Issues (for those
already somewhat knowledgeable on this issue.)

Energy Issues Choices:
#1 Introduction to Local and Regional
Coal Issues & explore the whole coal cycle.
#2 Introduction to the Community Impacts of Coal.
#3 Issue of Coal Fired Power Plants, led by John Blair.
#4 Nuclear Power Issues

12:30-1:45 Lunch: Tempeh sloppy Joes, Raw Snow
Peas, Spring Potato salad with mint and peas

1:45-3:15 Forest/Energy Issues Workshops Session 2
Repeat of all Session 1 workshops.

3:15-3:30 Break

3:30-5:00 Forest/Energy Skill Building Workshops Session 3
#1 Tree Climbing Dale Wallace,
#2 Forest Monitoring David Maywhoor,
#3 Waste Issues Where Does It Go? Jeff Stant,
#4 Climate Issues 1Sky - Liz Butler,
#5 Working with Municipalities to Stop Coal Fired Power Plants,
#6 Market Campaigns Alliance for
Appalachia, Dogwood Alliance, ForestEthics
#7 Bio Mass Issues Mike Ewall and Denny Haldeman

5:00-6:00 Self Reflection Time or Movie Time or
Therapeutic Touch or Body Recuperation Massage Polarity Work

6:00-7:00 Dinner: Crumbs Bakery Ramp pasta with
Chris Schmiel's wild mushroom pasta sauce,
Roasted Veggies, Arugula salad w/ Raspberry
vinaigrette dressing and Italian bread, Vegan Tiramisu.

7:00-8:30 Music and Keynote Speaker
Music by Steve Free
Speaker Harvey Wasserman, Solartopia: Our Coming Green-Powered Earth

9:00-11:00 Music and Dancing: John Simon and Friends
11:00 Music and Dancing continued: Mothman

Sunday, May 25 General Goals: Sustainability & Cooperative Strategies:

6:30 Bird Hike, Yoga Stretch or Polarity work

7:30-9:00 Breakfast: Warm, fresh, homemade
granola, rice or cow’s milk, fruit, yogurt & biscuits with soy protein gravy.

9:00-9:20 Introduction to the Day’s Activities & Announcements

9:30-10:45 Sustainability Workshops Session #4
Sessions to introduce these topics:
#1 Introduction to growing Ginseng -
Chip Carroll with United Plant Savers! and Randi Pokladnik
#2 Principles of Environmental Justice Charlie Fredrick
#3 David Coyte Small Scale Hydropower,
Solar Power and Wind - Third Sun Solar and Wind,
Geoff and Michelle Greenfield plus Mark Donham
#4 Community Rights-Based Organizing and
Local Democratic Self-Governance Shireen Parsons
Session for people who want to work on (participated in) these topics:
#5 Emerging Corporate Campaigns RAN Alliance for Appalachia
#6 Permaculture Successes Rhonda Baird
#7 Successful Community Models ACE-Net,
Community Food Initiatives-CFI, Lost River
Community Coop, Pine Mountain Settlement School .

10:45-11:15 Break

11:15-12:30 Sustainability Workshops Session #5
This is a repeat of Session #4 workshops

12:30-1:45 Lunch: Black Bean Soup, Portuguese
corn bread, green salad w/shredded roots & miso
dressing or vinaigrette, pawpaw sorbet.

Also during lunch - Chris Schmiel Paw Paw Plenary

1:45-5:00 Field Trips, Hikes and workshops either at the camp or off site.

Off site field trips / hikes:
Shawnee Forest led by John Howard and Cheryl Carpenter
Permaculture Farm Field Trip led by Robert Klouman
At home composting led by Liska Kunn, her property is next to the camp.
Rock Run, part of the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System

Tree Identification - at the camp may be one or
two sessions held - times to be announced

2:00-3:30 Workshops - Sustainability Session #6
#1 Principles of Environmental Justice
#2 Ohio Student Environmental Coalition
Matt Reitmann, Sonia Marcus, Head of Ohio
University's Resource Conservation Office -
"Tackling Climate Change on a College Campus"
#3 Current Corporate Campaigns Scot
Qaranda, Dogwood Alliance & Linda Wells, ForestEthics

3:30 4:00 Break

4:00-5:30 Workshops - Sustainability Session #7
#1 Body Work Chris Keller
#2 Self Care… “Cloud Watching On A Horizontal Plane”

5:30- 7:00 Dinner: Veggie Curry with coconut
milk, vegan cole slaw, chocolate cake &
strawberry coconut milk ice cream (vegan).

7:00 7:30 Keynote speaker: Nancy Stranahan -
Arc Of Appalachia Preserve System

Sunday evening activities will be at a farm next
to the camp where alcohol is allowed.

7:30-8:30 Heartwood Benefit Auction & Keg Tapping Ritual

8:30 until? Talent Show! Danny Dolinger Master of Ceremonies

Monday, May 26 General Goals: Cooperative Strategies and Action Planning

7:30-9:00 Breakfast: Wild mushroom frittata;
parsnips & potato hash; vegan biscuits with hemp
& poppy seeds and nutritional yeast gravy; fruit.

9:00-10:30 Discussions about Future Actions and
Campaigns and key note speaker Brock Evans.

10:30 - 10:40 Break

10:40- 11:30 Presentation by Albert Bates, author
of Post-Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook: Recipes for Changing Times
or
10:40- 11:30 Memorials and Megan Hollingsworth grief work/ discussion

11:30 to 12:30 Closing Circle: Final thoughts, big ideas, and looking forward

12:30-1:30 Lunch: The weekend’s culinary hits revisited

1:00 Collective Action and Memorial Tree Plantings

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

PLEASE WATCH = "IN LIES WE TRUST" = IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE

2008-05-05T10:00:17Z

PLEASE WATCH = "IN LIES WE TRUST" = IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE
Join the "TRUTH REVOLUTION"..

http://www.restoretherepublic.com/component/option,com_seyret/task,video\
directlink/Itemid,40/id,559/

TORRENT WITH extras
http://www.mininova.org/tor/1375455

PLEASE READ "A Truth Soldier"
http://danieltowsey.blogspot.com/2008/02/truth-soldier.html

Make copies and share them with people you care about, make some and write
"PORN" and leave copies in malls and other places...

Only the truely informed will have any chance..

Please join "conspiraciesclub' It's loaded with thousands of Articles,links,Videos, Documents and more.. http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/conspiraciesclub/

and for Canadians please go to "canadianconspiraciesclub" to learn about Bill C-51 before it's to late http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/canadianconspiraciesclub/

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Executive Order to re-build Sustainably

2008-05-03T15:14:05Z

Executive Order to re-build Sustainably

I was just thinking with the recent bouts with tornadoes. Plus, the Hurricanes of Katrina and Rita a few years back plus other natural disasters. Why don't we organize a petition or mandate of some kind to re-build using only environmentally friendly products and install more sustainable energy systems? Rather than re-building exactly the same way, here's an opportunity to implement the positive environmental changes we'd all like to see come about.

What are some of the most effective ways to bring this about? Nows the time what with the Presidential election coming up in a few months.

Would you suggest a Petition, demand an Executive Order or what?

What are your thoughts?

--------------------

Check this out...

"After the tornado, the city council passed a resolution stating that all city building would be built to LEED - platinum standards, making it the first city in the nation to do so. Greensburg is rebuilding as a "green" town, with the help of the non-profit organization created to help the residents learn about and implement the green living initiative, Greensburg GreenTown[6].

Here is an account of the green projects on the towns official website:

Information and Resources available for residents and businesses to consider during the rebuilding process.

http://www.greensburgks.org/recovery-planning/green-or-sustainable-resources

http://www.greensburggreentown.org/links/

Wouldn't be great to see this done on a national and a global level!?!?

;

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

The Nappy Challange

2008-04-13T02:24:26Z

So many mother's have had the challenge of guilt free disposable nappies that are environmentally friendly for our planet and for our baby. Well here are some brands that are biodegradable are now available:-

Moltex Disposable Biodegradable Nappies by Moltex

NEW and IMPROVED Moltex Eco Nappies are 80% biodegradable so they are a better alternative for the environment and for your baby.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

These nappies are beneficial for the environment as they are:

The thinner liner reduces the resources used to make them.
Are packaged in a fully compostable bag.
Don''t use the harsh chemicals such as bleaches, brighteners, perfumes etc.
New Features:

Manufactured with more than 50% renewable resources from controlled cultivation.
Absorbent core now includes a new biodegradable granule keeping your baby drier while making the nappy thinner and so reducing the resources used.
Breathable protective film which is 100% bio-degradable.
Better design to give a closer fit under baby''s legs and improved performance.
These features mean that the baby benefits from optimum performance - dryness, breathability and a perfect fit. All the new features to make Moltex nappies perform better while making a bigger difference for the environment.

They are also beneficial for babies, particularly those with eczema or sensitive skin as there are:

No Perfumes - ordinary nappies may contain bleach residues or synthetic perfumes. These chemicals may react with the baby''s urine, causing a smell not found when the Eco Nappy is used.
Use Tea Leaf Extract in the Core to help with odour control. The tea leaf has also proven very effective in protecting against fungi, viruses and yeast, ie nappy rash. It contains cell constructing substances eg vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C which are essential for cell metabolism.
No Bleaches or Brighteners, no lotions and no antioxidants.
So with fewer chemicals used, there is less burden on your baby''s skin and on the environment.

Moltex nappies, like conventional nappies, do however use sodium polyacrylate gel crystals that help absorb the moisture. There are some concerns about this if it gets on baby''s skin. If you are looking for a gel-free nappy, look at our Tushies range.

*Safeties Nature 100% Biodegradable Nappies *

This is an Australian Invention, 9 years in the making, and is the worlds first 100% biodegradable disposable nappy. With a unique Cooling System and fabric outer, (not plastic!), these nappies are 100% biodegradable - and are fabric not paper!
They are affordable for everyone and are available in 4 Sizes:

Newborn 3-6kg pkt 36
Infant 5 10kg pkt 32
Crawler 6-11kg pkt 28
Toddler 10 - 15kg pkt 24

Each packet contains biodegradable nappy bags

PRODUCT INFORMATION:
This is a major breakthrough for the planet, for parents and for our babies. People have asked for a guilt free disposable nappy for a long time. Well, here it is and its competitively priced so its affordable for everyone.

The product has been scientifically tested and in normal conditions breaks down in less than six months. However, due to the arid conditions of Australian landfill, it is estimated that Safeties will break down in these dryer conditions within 6-8 months, depending on soil conditions. Included in each pack of nappies are 100% biodegradable disposal bags, which the nappies must be placed in when, disposed of.

The nappy is like any other conventional disposable and is priced competitively with the leading brands however, unlike our competitors whose nappies are paper based, Safeties is fabric based, making it incredibly soft.

Safeties Nature Nappy also has significant health benefits. Unlike conventional brands that use chemicals to draw moisture away from babies' delicate bodies, the nappy uses a grafted polymer to natural starch technology that ensures liquid is naturally and quickly drawn away from the skin, thereby reducing the risk of nappy rash and more serious conditions that result from traditional absorption methods.

Product testing has been overwhelmingly positive.

Safeties are as absorbent as the leading brands and will suit most babies for day and night use. The nappies' unique cuff system and flexible design ensures babies are less irritated and restricted when wearing the nappy.

Please select your size from the dropdown menu above!

*Tushies Disposable Eco Nappies by Tushies*

Tushies disposable nappies are a great alternative to mainstream nappies. They are Gel free (ie no sodium polyacrylate crystals), latex free, dye free, perfume free, and contain non-chlorine bleached woodpulp. They also have some cotton so their cloth-like cover creates increased softness, and an extra thick gel free padding for your baby.

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 15 replies

Join in a project with artist Mel Chin, anyone? Environmental/Human concerns...

2008-04-12T21:31:20Z

see:

www.fundred.org/

and the password is:

paydirt

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Save the date! 07/13~ Sustainability Salon

2008-04-04T19:48:28Z

I know I'm new here, and its tacky to post an event, but its going to be so much fun!
Grin*

Event Date: SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2008, 2PM-5PM
Venue: PARKWAY THEATRE, 1834 Park Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94606
Cost: FREE
Contacts: Promise privately for more details

Sustainability Salon:
Not the same old “Gloom and Doom”

The NGD Committee is hosting a multi-media teaching event. The public is invited to attend this free Salon, which will feature a mixture of video clips, moderated discussion, and a free-ranging Question & Answer session covering many current topics.

Video content will include portions from ‘The Story Of Stuff’ (featuring Annie Leonard), ‘What a Way to Go’, and the latest documentary-in-progress about the Center Las Gaviotas in Columbia.

Discussion content will center around themes raised in these videos, and include:
-Consumerism and Local activities
-Peak Oil-Petroleum and Food / Overpopulation issues
-Systems Thinking and the Design Revolution for business and home life

In other words, this event will focus on solutions that are available today, and local ways SF Bay Area residents can take steps to improve the situation at hand.

Panelists slated to appear include members of Bay Area Localize, Back To Earth Organic Catering, Post Carbon Oakland, Friends of Gaviotas, the Design For Better Living Collective, the Sustainable Business Alliance, the Bucky Fuller Institute, SWT Energy.

Sponsored by the NGD Committee and the Parkway Theatre, this event promises to open doors and spark new connections between area residents who are sick and tired of feeling like nothing can be done. In fact, there’s lots going on right now, and the Sustainability Salon will be the place to learn more.

The Parkway serves food and beverages of many kinds. For a full preview of their menu, go here: www.picturepubpizza.com For more about the NGD committee, visit google-groups and search under ‘Design-For-Better-Living’.

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Earth Hour - Saturday, March 29th from 8 pm to 9 pm

2008-03-28T14:32:26Z

This year's Earth Hour - taking place on March 29th (Saturday!) from 8-9 pm local time. Nearly 200 cities spanning the globe and millions of individuals and businesses (form mom-and-pop joints to multinational corporations) have pledged to take part by turning out their lights for this symbolic hour. Organizer, World Wildlife Fund is encouraging people to use the time to engage in eco-friendly activities.

From candlelight dinners in San Francisco to glow-in-the-dark ultimate frisbee at the Illinois Institute of Technology, it's a time to get eco-imaginative. To see how you can get involved, visit http://earthhour.org.

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Survival Center

2008-03-17T16:25:38Z

Survival Center

"Obvious something serious is happening politically, economically, geologically and environmentally. How you prepare for these changes will determine your well being in the very near future. It is about the Future — yours. Are You Ready?

It is our individual responsibility to get ready and be prepared for any emergency that may come our way. We have already seen that no group or agency is standing by to come and "save" us.

The Survival Center has the Knowledge and Experience to assist you in preparing for most any emergency that may come your way.

New "Basic Preparedness" The 3 DVD Home Study Course -

""Basic Preparedness" the preparedness book, an American Classic, and Now "Basic Preparedness" The 3 DVD Home Study Course takes you inside the Why's and the How-To of Being Prepared To Be On Your Own for Extended Periods of Time.

If you are really, really, really serious about being prepared for what ever may come your way, and want to be prepared to be on your own for extended periods of time, then this 3 DVD series and the book “Basic Preparedness” is a must have. This is One of a Kind.

This 3 DVD Preparedness series Home Study Course is a 6 hour overview of the Why’s and How-To of getting Prepared. It was filmed before a live class. Only One of its kind!

You have to Want to be Prepared for what ever may come your way and you have to Want to Survive.

“Basic Preparedness” The 3 DVD series is 12 sections plus an addendum and a Mini tour through the Survival Center Store.

The book “Basic preparedness” is used as the text book for the Class.

The DVD Chapters are:

1. Introduction
2. Children
3. Bird Flu & Pandemics
4. General Preparedness
5. Food Storage
6. Grain Mills
7. Water, Water Storage, Water Filters
8. Home Canning
9. Medical - Kits & Supplies
10. Mini Field Trip
11. Self Defense
12. Shelters, Above & Below Ground
Addendum
Mini Tour through The Survival Center’s Store

http://www.survivalcenter.com

;

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Engaged Ethics and Democracy Vs. the Total Society and the Rule of Arbitrary Law : Examples and References ( from Tribe Ethics and Morals )

2008-03-16T22:19:39Z

Title "Engaged Ethics and Democracy Vs. the Total Society and the Rule of Arbitrary Law : Examples and References" ( from Tribe Ethics and Morals )

Keywords : universal human rights and "well-ordered societies", John Stuart Mill, United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and related treaties, Total Society ( Medieval Christianity, Radical Islam, Stalinism, Fascism, etc. ), internationally oriented democracy, Nobel Peace Laureates HH the Dalai Lama and Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, Rio Earth Summit, Dr. Vandana Shiva and sustainable environmental democracy, prosocial behavior, Aquarian Conspiracy.

Summary: This is an brief overview of some of the main principles in universal human rights as related to Total Societies, with some key references to significant people and books. It is based on the concept that arbitrary and oppressive social order, whether politically or religiously based, is self-contradictory, unstable and irresponsible by definition, and that history shows Total Societies to be inherently dangerous and destructive, and that they can and must be fought when overly aggressive.

A counterpoint is outlined in terms of John Stuart Mill, key United Nation treaties and the necessity of balancing shared human and social concerns based on global interdependence and "inalienable" human rights ( as advanced primarily by references and citations to be followed up by interested readers ). The basic ideas of universal rights and responsibilities and "sustainable environmental democracy" are then put forward together. These are promoted as a necessary alternative to any and all total societies and as an alternative to advancing social and cultural destruction throughout the planet.

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759; (b1706 - d1790)

"Concepts such as truth, justice and compassion cannot be dismissed as trite when these are often the only bulwarks which stand against ruthless power."
Aung San Suu Kyi, elected leader of Burma ( presently imprisoned by military junta ), Nobel Pease Laureate

"No defeat baby, no surrender."
Bruce Springsteen

"Whenever I despair, I remember that the way of truth and love has always won. There may be tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they may seem invincible, but in the end, they always fail. Think of it: always." -- Mohandas K. Gandhi

"Today's world requires that we accept the oneness of humanity. . . In the context of our new interdependence, considering the interests of others is clearly the best form of self-interest." HH the Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Laureate and Mahayana Buddhist teacher

Re TMIbo on Tribe Ethics and Morals:
"Evil is as evil does. I would define evil as that which seeks chaos over order. Or destroys order to create chaos, take your pick."

K T answers
Democracy is a kind of "social chaos", compared with Fascism, Stalinism, Medieval Roman Catholicism, and "Radical" Islam ( e.g. Afghanistan under the Taliban ), and the People's Republic of China. Those latter systems are all about social control of the many by the few, and their capabilities for crushing human rights are renowned throughout the world and throughout history. They also don't work, as history has shown again and again by the collapse of totalitarian regimes.

Know this: where books are burned or banned, individuals and groups are or will be jailed or banned or tortured or even burned to death. The Christian Middle Ages were also known as the Dark Ages, and a lot of the history represented the subjugation of pre Christian beliefs and lifeways, including the Burning Times, and also official Ex Cathedra opposition to scientific thought and research.

Thus, there is an obvious and inherent set of problems in elevating social order AS SUCH over AND ABOVE basic human freedoms such as democracy and freedom of speech, and that clearly includes so called moral or idealistic systems of belief or "faith based societies". . . even though basic freedoms are also problematical in practice.

So, a social system based on psychological or cultural control of private persons, one which opposes freedom of thought or belief( intellectual anarchy etc. ), will eventually progress towards tyranny unless opposed. It has happened all over the world in different ways. This is a now a major problem in the world today, with the rise of broadly based low-intensity to medium intensity paramilitary attacks on democratic societies and institutions worldwide.

We all have to pay attention to this, or eventually humanity can lose much or most that has been gained in progressive human culture and society, because progressive society and culture can be restricted or banned outright, as happens in one party or one religion states and social orders.

The first problem is
What is the social recourse for mistakes or bias or unlawful behavior by a ruling social order?
The second problem is
Who shall decide which kind of social order shall prevail?
The third problem is
What shall be done when a ruling social order determines to make war on another, outside social order?

After all, every one can see that Fascism, Stalinism, Medieval Roman Catholicism, and Sunni Islam, and Post-Marxist Chinese "Communism" are all fundamentally incompatible! Who then is to rule? "There can be no agreement on the basis of exclusivist dogmas. Each excludes the other." ( K T )

So to this we can add a fourth problem: Isn't it true that while claiming to support and maintain order, totalitarian systems actually create massive chaos and destruction?
This is clearly demonstrated in Cambodia under Pol Pot, in Afghanistan under Mullah Omar and the Taliban, in Germany under Hitler and the Third Reich, in Russia and Eastern Europe under Stalin, and in China under Mao during the Cultural Revolution.

And that is why the United Nations, following World War II, in 1948 approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ( See http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/lang/eng.htm ) This reads in part,

"Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people. . ."

The "order over chaos" social alternatives to democratic society and human freedom, whether derived from religious or nationalist or internationalist dogma, ALL fully fit the definition of Total Society, in which the individual has few or no rights, and the state claims basically arbitrary control over the most essential aspects of human life and freedom.

This is a crucial point : absolutist or primarily one-sided social control is a form or mechanism that can be "religious", or "nationalist", or "internationalist". The *process* is what matters, *not* the dogmatic content per se. Such a process is what distorts and even destroys human society, specifically and especially while claiming to promote "coherence" and "order" and "harmony". Violent and arbitrary oppression of many diverse people both near and far is by definition the opposite of those claimed values.

That is, an authoritarian-leaning society or Total Society, to the extent that it is authoritarian or Total in practice, is
a) NOT well-ordered society
b) NOT designed to advance the good of its members and
c) NOT effectively regulated by a ( truly ) public conception of justice.

"Justice" means "rights" and the balancing of rights through corresponding responsibilities among people. This is well developed in the writings of John Stuart Mill. But a Total Society is one in which rights are arbitrarily abridged. It was not so long ago that the Civil Rights movement ( 19th and 20th C. ) brought upheaval to the American South.

Ironically, it was a broad and ever larger set of American citizens who worked for peace and freedom for blacks in the Southern states for blacks ( often illegally or under direct attack by police ), and many blacks were Christian but still oppressed by a basically Christian society / slave system that was clearly worse than Imperial Rome. In Rome, slaves could read and write, and some were Greek scholars. In the American South, black Christian slaves were not allowed to learn to read and write ( the Bible, etc. ) by their Christian masters. So that is an example of a Total Society in recent American history, and one that was conclusively overthrown.

In the above example, it is clearly unfair and therefore unreasonable that some Christians were allowed to go to school and some were not. That's arbitrary abridgement. Basic rights means no arbitrary abridgement, i.e. that the laws and basic rules of fairness apply throughout society, to all human beings.

The main point here is that laws and social systems are always distorted in total Societies, that basic rights are arbitrarily abridged so that the few apply law to the many, while basically remaining above the law. And that is the opposite of a reasonable civil society, whether it is Medieval Catholicism or Nazi Germany or black slavery in the American South or Stalinist control of Eastern Europe.

Rights fundamentally opposed by large scale religious and political organizations can include some or all of the following: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Association and Assembly, Freedom of Worship, Freedom of Political Self-Determination through Elected Representation. ( In fact, the Vatican did not formally acknowledge the legitimate rule of democracy until 1962. )

A key example of abridged rights is the "establishment" of Nazi rule in Germany. This was *not* authorized in the national German legislature, as many think. In fact, the National Socialist regime came to power in significant part by literally holding the German legislature hostage until that body resigned to Nazi rule. It was a state coup. How is that so called "order" IN ANY WAY legitimate? Since it is not, we can all agree that order and law are *not* the same thing as legitimacy, and can in fact promote the opposite.

Thus, a total society can be established by a social force that works like organized crime, and since large scale crime is inherently antisocial, this is contradicts the most basic notions of a well-ordered society.

When TMIbo ( on Tribe Ethics and Morals ) says "I would define evil as that which seeks chaos over order", this is a deep self contradiction. Clearly, the National Socialists sought "order", and their appeal to the German people was to lead the people from economic chaos and national weakness to strength and power. The Nazis represent an evil will to power, a power that claimed to protect the people from weakness and anarchy, but evil and self-defeating because universally destructive.

Historical perspective matters greatly in this discussion, and so do the perspectives of those who have worked long term and very effectively for peace and freedom, such as Mohandas Gandhi and Albert Einstein.

Dr Einstein said:
"Politics is a pendulum whose swings between anarchy and tyranny are fueled by perpetually rejuvenated illusions."
"The unlimited desire for ever greater power seeks to become active and aggressive wherever and whenever the physical possibility offers itself."
"Democratic institutions and standards are the result of historic developments to an extent not always appreciated in the lands that enjoy them."

TMIbo publically and clearly elevates "order" over "chaos", and we can all agree that the problem is not limited to Nazi Germany or to any one specific time or place. Feudal Totalitarian Christianity, Total Society in many Islamic Nations, National Socialism and Stalinist Dictatorship of the Proletariat emphasize "order" over "chaos" ( i.e. non-Christians or Freethinkers, the so-called "International Jewish Conspiracy", feminists and those who seek freedom from Islamic rule or jihad, etc. ).

We know this because all these institutions historically have emphasized war and bloodshed to subjugate or completely eliminate opposing positions, individuals, groups and even whole societies. Up through and including wholescale genocide. The Twentieth Century was largely largely dominated by Total Societies and their massive efforts to reshape the world into their own images, up through and including unlimited warfare ( along with contervailing forces such as the Allies in World War II ).

A casual, rough estimate of the 20th Century destruction of unarmed civilians under Communist rule ( in Russia, China, Cambodia ) runs from fifty million lives to eighty million lives, perhaps more. How is that "well-ordered" ? Yes, there is a strong sense of "order" in Marxist Stalinist rule, but the cost is astonishingly severe. And Communism still failed in Russia, throughout Eastern Europe, and so forth.

The same is true of Fascism in Spain and Germany. Yes, the Fascists ruled ( established and maintained complete "social order" ), but The Third Reich fell most spectacularly, even after amazing efforts to establish control over all of Europe, and so forth. Even after all the bloodshed of World War II, which claimed over thirty million lives.

Thus we can see the repeatedly demonstrated truth of Gandhi's statement that tyrants eventually fail. This means, more generally, that no Total Society ( such as Medieval Roman Catholicism, or Fascism, or Stalinism, or Radical Islam ) is inevitable, stable, or unassailable.

I argue the reverse: I will argue that all total societies, including Post Marxist Chinese Communism and Radical Islam, are inherently unstable and are doomed to failure. One basic reason for this is very simple: the more a violent social order succeeds, the more other societies will become concerned and seek to counterbalance naked aggression.

Another fundamental reason is that oppressive social orders fail to develop the potential of many or most of their members. For example, about 51% of the world's population is female, yet women are oppressed by Total Societies. ( See "The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith", by Irshad Manji, and "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. )

That total societies are inherently unstable is demonstrated by much historical evidence. This is true of Ancient Rome and Medieval Spain, which were based on continuous conquest, which cannot always proceed. It is structurally true today becasue of fundamental ( and basically unresolvable ) problems within Post Marxist Communism and within Islam ( e.g. the Sunni Shia divide as seen historically, as well as in present day Lebanon, Iraq, and so forth ).

It has never been shown that any culture based on war or conquest is ever really sustainable as a whole. Although Sunni Islam and Shia Islam are both quite powerful today, they are not unified, and for many centuries they have fought each other. Thus to a significant extent, they weaken themselves and each other in overall terms.

Devolution of imperial power is well demonstrated in major cases, with the development of near democracy or effective democracy asa replacement. Witness the development of self-rule in India and the many countries which became free of 16th century Spanish rule ( see http://encarta.msn.com/media_461518061/spanish_empire.html ), or free of the British Empire and so on.

It is quite clear that the overall progression of human societies from the time of the Protestant Reformation to today is characterized by several trends:
1) the breakdown of large scale total societies, such as Medieval Catholism and royalist rule;
2) the breakdown of colonialism and international imperial rule;
3) the tremendous and widespread development of human rights efforts and organizations ( including nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs ) and progress towards universal human rights as principle, as model, and as main priority for large scale societies.

This is due to many major economic, cultural, and international factors, including the global rise of literacy and freer more powerful forms of communication and networking ( e.g. the internet ). It is also based on tested working models of democracy that balance rights and responsibilities through transparent and equitable means. These social models are in turn based on well developed definitions of "social contracts" as advanced by John Stuart Mill and others.

The point is to find and uphold a balance based on freedom and responsibility, consciously and mutually addressed. The claim is not that people and groups will in general come to "mutual understanding and consonance with other people" ( Einstein ), but rather all will have to come to terms with fair and reciprocal standards of rights and responsibilities which favor nor one group and which are as little arbitrary as possible, paricularly in terms of negative rights ( non-interference ).

But Non-interference is the opposite of social control as defined by any Total Society. Therefore it is in the interest of the many to seek the opposite of any one model for a total society. When the many can and do work together effectively, or at least begin to work together, then movement towards a total society can be slowed, or reversed, and basic freedoms strengthened or reestablished.

This means negotiated rights and responsibilities through a civil order that
a) accords equal rights to all individuals by default as a matter of course;
b) is negotiated through a system of law that is always independent of any specific political party ( e.g. the US Bill of Rights and the US Supreme Court );
c) is always independent of any specific religious system ( separation of church and state ), i.e. that fundamentally rejects Judaism, Christianity, Islam etc. as foundational to society and social agreements;
d) actively promotes peace and co-operation and democracy in all parts of the world
( e.g. the United Nations and interventions by democracy-backed peacekeeping forces - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacekeeping ).

Furthermore, it also means, in our time,
e) the basic idea of "sustainable environmental democracy" as an alternative to any and all total societies based on squandering resources needed for future generations. This basic concept is called "intergenerational equity", or equity between generations. This has been developed by for example the Rio Earth Summit ( 1992 ) and environmental democracy has been advanced in particular by Dr. Vandana Shiva ( see following references ).

"Universal responsibility" and "universal human ethics" have been well communicated by for example HH the Dalai Lama, a Buddhist teacher awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He says
"Human beings by nature want happiness and do not want suffering. With that
feeling everyone tries to achieve happiness and tries to get rid of suffering, and everyone has the basic right to do this. In this way, all here are the same, whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated, Easterner or Westerner, believer or non-believer ... and so on. Basically, from the viewpoint of real human value we are all the same."-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from "Kindness, Clarity, and Insight."

( See also The Global Community & the Need for Universal Responsibility - by H.H. the Dalai Lama, Wisdom Publications, Boston, 1990. )

The point is that this kind of ethic is strongly prosocial, it actively seeks peace and freedom for all, not just this group or that. The alternative, isolationist viewpoint fails, just as failing to address the Nazi threat would have been a tragic failure for the US and others, just as failing to address the threat of Taliban style Islamic rule can become a major problem for any and all democratic societies.

HH the Dalai Lama belives in and works for peace. But peace is very different than pacifism. The Dalai Lama makes it very clear that he definitely supports the war effort that destroyed National Socialism in Germany. So did Dr. Albert Einstein.
Peace therefore is not the absence of war per se, it is the active promotion of freedom and democracy, including sometimes, acts of defensive warfare.

This is acceptable by definition at the United Nations, and it is only fair. It is universally agreed theat there is a need to fight for peace and freedom. This has major implications today in dealing with long-term aggressive and expansionist social orders that develop by swiftly or incrementally burying human rights. These must be dealt with using "scalable response".

There are several principal sets of documents that frame and illuminate the issues of negotiation based civil society. These include
1) "On Liberty and Utilitarianism" by John Stuart Mill
( see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill and http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mill/ ) ;
2) the founding documents and historical development of democracy in the American Colonies, esp. the sources of American style democracy in the Iroquois Confederacy;
3) the founding documents and historical development of the United Nations
( see http://www.unhchr.ch/map.htm );

To these I would add several additional current sources:

1) information on Nobel Peace Prize Winner Aung San Suu Kyi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aung_San_Suu_Kyi
see also the book "Freedom From Fear and Other Writings", by Aung San Suu Kyi
http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Fear-Other-Writings-Revised/dp/0140253173

2) information on the Nobel Peace Prize Winner HH the Dalai Lama
( e.g. "The Global Community" http://www.dalailama.com/page.75.htm )

3) The Rio Earth Summit documents and process
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Summit

4) information and books related to Dr. Vandana Shiva
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandana_Shiva

5) Aquarian Conspiracy, by Marilyn Ferguson
http://www.amazon.com/Aquarian-Conspiracy-Marilyn-Ferguson/dp/0874774586

But politics is not something that happens "out there". Professor Todd Gitlin famously pointed out that "politics isn't where you stand on the issues, politics is how you live your life". And that necessarily involves personal principles, models and priorities, not mere acknowledgement of social "realities" and "concerns". This is why I claim that the Dalai Lama and Aung San Suu Kyi are relevant. I will offer some words from Aung San Suu Kyi and Marilyn Ferguson on the inner ethic of progressive social change.

Freedom From Fear Speech, by Aung San Suu Kyi
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Burma/FreedomFromFearSpeech.html

". . .Within a system which denies the existence of basic human rights, fear tends to be the order of the day. Fear of imprisonment, fear of torture, fear ofdeath, fear oflosing friends, family, property or means of livelihood, fear of poverty, fear of isolation, fear of failure.

"A most insidious form of fear is that which masquerades as common sense or even wisdom, condemning as foolish, reckless, insignificant or futile the small, daily acts of courage which help to preserve man's self-respect and inherent human dignity. It is not easy for a people conditioned by fear under the iron rule of the principle that might is right to free themselves from the enervating miasma of fear. Yet even under the most crushing state machinery courage rises up again and again, for fear is not the natural state of civilized man.

"The wellspring of courage and endurance in the face of unbridled power is generally a firm belief in the sanctity of ethical principles combined with a historical sense that despite all setbacks the condition of man is set on an ultimate course for both spiritual and material advancement. It is his capacity for self-improvement and self-redemption which most distinguishes man from the mere brute.

"At the root of human responsibility is the concept of perfection, the urge to achieve it, the intelligence to find a path towards it, and the will to follow that path if not to the end at least the distance needed to rise above individual limitations and environmental impediments. It is man's vision of a world fit for rational, civilized humanity which leads him to dare and to suffer to build societies free from want and fear. Concepts such as truth, justice and compassion cannot be dismissed as trite when these are often the only bulwarks which stand against ruthless power."

. . . . this is . . . For All Our Relations, and not least for the Dalai Lama and Aung San Suu Kyi. Sarva mangalam.

K T

"Our past is *not* our potential. In any given hour, with all the stubborn teachers and healers of history who have called us to our best selves, we can re-choose, to awaken. Awakening brings it's own assignments, chosen by us, unique to each of us. But whatever you have thought about yourself, and however long you may have thought it, you are not just "you". You are a seed, a silent promise. You are the conspiracy."
Marilyn Ferguson, the Aquarian Conspiracy

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Free Energy Celebration!

2008-03-13T04:14:51Z

We are organizing a free energy celebration and are looking for any participants or ideas for orchestrating such an event. The idea is to inform the masses about the benefits of free energy for communities and our environment and the repression of free energy by certain governments/corporations. We plan on using pamphlets, movies, music, public speakers, dvds, floats, and food to create an effective celebration and appeal to a diverse group of people. It's time to take matters into our own hands and defend the defenseless!

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 1 reply

LADWP

2008-03-10T23:01:28Z

I just went online this weekend to the green energy section of the LADWP website and switched my house over to 100% green energy. It was easy, (and with my small energy usage) it wouldn't cost that much. http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp000851.jsp It was so easy to switch over I wanted to see if my fellow tribers took this important first step as well!

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Looking for an Earth Woman Friendly community?

2008-03-10T22:56:50Z

There is a Meeting of the Kindred Spirits coming up March 29th! And
we do need to see some more Positive well integrated Female Energy in
this group who can work closely with others.

http://edenvillage.net/18.htm

We are still looking to organize a group of volunteers to
help out some good folks one day out of the week, with some
organic gardening and we still do need someone to take Minutes
at the next meeting.

It would be possible, I would think, if there is a single female or
two out there who is cool about living closer to the Earth then
I may be able to provide a place for you to live, for
maybe 6 months out of the year up where I live in Northern
California.

If you can simply come to our next meeting on March 29th. - T

http://edenvillage.net/18.htm

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Conspiracy History compilation DVDs torrents

2008-03-06T12:48:39Z

**************************************************

Greetings to all my relations.

This is the last step of our project History Watch. If History is
defined and known by the texts, we can now add to this definition the
recorded events of the filmed archives. Animated images are harder to
deny than printed words. Our objective is to spread out freely some of
the little broadcast, even hidden informations about our collective
History.

We put online a collection of 391 documentaries and other selected and
recut videos, to offer to a wide public the best of the infos
available on the net in english and in french. If you are interested,
you have the time, the right equipment and connection, all you have to
do is open the joint document and decompress it if needed (but normaly
your system should do it automaticaly). You'll find therein nine links
that will open the torrents for the nine DVDs we compiled (around 4.6
Gig each, for a total of a little over 41 G, being over 100 hours of
videos).

Otherwise, you can go directly to btjunkie.com and search for these titles.

11 Septembre 2001 - 9-11
Bush family & friends
Capitalist & Communist regimes
Capitalist conspiracy
Mind Kontrol - Secret Programs
New World Order - Secret Societies
Secret services - cover up - covert ops
Secret weapons - UFO
Terrorism Theories propaganda

Torrents are a system of peer to peer data transfer. The more people
download a torrent, the faster it spreads and the longer it stays on
the net. If you don't have a bittorrent software, we suggest that you
download uTorrent on utorrent.com. If you want to participate in
facilitating the diffusion of these infos about our collective
History, download these torrents on as many computers as possible,
whether it is in cybercafes. It takes one or two minutes to open up
the links and the downloading will keep proceeding on its own.

Please spread this out, take part in this action for social education
on a planetary scale. Thanks.

For more info: watch.history@gmail.com History Watch

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Dr. Tim Leary, Elvy Musikka and Los Marijuanos take Time 4 Hemp!

2008-02-25T18:57:41Z

Three great free downloads can be found at http://www.Time4Hemp.com

Time 4 Hemp TODAY - Elvy Musikka is one of only four living Federal IND patients who is receiving medical marijuana from the United States Federal Government. She was granted access to legal marijuana because of eye problems that include glaucoma. After hearing the remarkable interview we did with Deborah Busemeyer, the Communications Director for the New Mexico Department of Health, Elvy made it a point to take some Time 4 Hemp.

Music artists featured in this segment are:
Elvy Musikka
The Individuals
Lynnette Shaw
Angeline
John Denver

Time 4 Hemp MUSIC - Los Marijuanos are the new breed of Mexican Pro-Pot-Poets with 8 years under their belt they have been half way around the world. Two time (13th and 14th Annual) High Times Cannabis Cup performers in Amsterdam, Also 2 year co-headliner for the great Seatle Hempfest performing next to Kottonmouth Kings, Sir MixALot, Daz & Kurupt and Badazz from the Dog Pound and others, 5 year leaders in the Million Marijuana March in downtown Chicago, IL plus dozens of hemp fests featured in multiple magazines which include: High Times, The Source, Murder Dog, Ill Tip to name a few. Performing always for the cause, Los Marijuanos have also been featured on the Latin Throne DVD. With their strong R&B hooks sung by PonyBoy and the stories of real life situations of the Barrio and to end the drug wars and for the legalization of Marijuana this group cannot be silenced. Lots of great music from the band is included in this segment.

Time 4 Hemp CLASSICS - Dr. Tim Leary, pop icon that taught a generation to 'Drop Out, Tune In and Turn Off' took Time 4 Hemp in 1991 for one of his very last ever interviews before his death. In this interview, Dr. Leary is in rare form and very animated.

Please pass this information on to everyone you feel would enjoy hearing any of thses interviews.

Keep Strong!
Casper Leitch
Host:/Creator: Time 4 Hemp
http://www.Time4Hemp.com

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

The Story of Stuff

2008-02-23T23:56:56Z

A friend passed this to me and I have been showing it to everyone,
especially those who need it.
I showed it to one of my classes at school.

www.storyofstuff.com/
The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard

just wanted to share,
love n' peace
yellow

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

2008 Communities Conference at Twin Oaks Community

2008-02-19T18:14:27Z

My name is Suede and I live at Twin Oaks Community in Louisa, VA. This year I'm co-organizing the Communities Conference at Twin Oaks for my 2nd year, though the conference has been happening for many years now. Thought I'd post some basic info on the conference for those interested in learning about community, expanding knowledge or just meeting new people. Feel free to contact me with any questions about Twin Oaks or our conferences.

In Community,
Suede Machete

Here's the info:

The Communities Conference is a networking and learning opportunity for anyone interested or involved in co-operative or communal lifestyles. Join us for a weekend of sharing and celebration!

Friday August 15 through
Sunday August 17, 2008
$85 (sliding scale) includes
meals and camping

With workshops and events focused on
~ Intentional relationships
~ Group process
~Collective child raising
~ Creating culture
~ Forming communities
~ Sustainability
~ Appropriate technology
~ Community economics

Music
Dancing
Slide shows
Campfires
Swimming
Magic
More!

Respond to:
Twin Oaks Communities Conference
138 Twin Oaks Road, Louisa, Virginia 23093
540-894-5126

conference@twinoaks.org

For More Information, check out our website:

www.communitiesconference.org

Twin Oaks also hosts a Women's Gathering! Check that out at :

www.twinoaks.org/community...index.html

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Good Collection of Important Websites

2008-02-13T03:38:51Z

Dear Friends,

I found this important website which has links to all daily use Important Websites.

http://ihome.rapidmile.com

I recommend you to put it as your HOME PAGE and take use of it daily.

Also feel free to forward to your friends

Regards,
Namrata

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 3 replies

keep HOPE alive!

2008-02-08T01:41:34Z

LisAnne,

Your blog post "the HOPE of stemcells!" to Cal Poly Mustangs For Obama has been approved
by the group administrator.
Please go to the link below to view the group.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/CalPolyMustangsForObama

Thank you.

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Zeitgeist The Movie

2008-02-07T16:48:53Z

Filmed by Peter Joseph. One hour 56 minutes long. Made to inspire people to start looking at the world from a more critical perspective and to understand that very often things are not what the population at large thinks they are.

Truely ground breaking and likely to be one of the most inflential movies of the decade.

www.zeitgeistmovie.com

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 2 replies

Eckhart Tolle: Allowing for the New Earth to emerge..

2008-02-07T03:43:50Z

great video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx526pO9UV0

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Congestion Pricing Poll

2008-01-31T16:39:38Z

The SF Business Times asks: Is it fair to ask users of a resource -- Doyle Drive, in this case -- to pay for it through a toll? Give them your opinion by visiting http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/poll/

If you are not familiar with the SF Bay Area, Doyle Drive connects Golden Gate Bridge traffic to San Francisco.

From http://www.sfcta.org/content/view/275/94/

Doyle Drive is the primary highway and transit linkage through San Francisco, between counties to the south (San Mateo and Santa Clara) and to the north (Marin and Sonoma). As a multimodal corridor, Doyle Drive currently carries:

91,000 weekday vehicles
17,000 weekday transit riders
127,000 weekday persons in cars
144,000 weekday persons in all modes
To put this in perspective, the entire 74-mile Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system carries about 250,000 passengers per day.

Doyle Drive serves many non-work related trip purposes, particularly on weekends (tourism and recreation). But on weekdays, it is most heavily used for work trips, which account for 88% of total use during peak hours and 48% during off-peak hours.

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Marc Emery, Prince of Pot, takes Time 4 Hemp!

2008-01-30T04:53:04Z

Marc Emery is called the 'Prince of Pot' and claims to have sold more marijuana seeds than anyone in the world. To date, no one has disputed that claim. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, he is the founder of Cannabis Culture magazien, and considered by the U.S. government to be the biggest drug kingpin in history.

Just days before embarking on his 16-city 'Farewell Tour Across Canada' (and a few short weeks before entering prision for a 10-year stay), Marc was nice enough to sit down and take Time 4 Hemp.

Featured Music Artists:

The Individuals
Muck Sticky
Negative Index
Bob Marley
John Lennon

If you get a few minutes of free time, check out my new MySpace Time 4 Hemp Group Site at:
http://groups.myspace.com/ATime4Hemp

Please be kind enough to share this information with everyone who you know would enjoy these free downloads.

Keep Strong!

Casper Leitch
Creator/Host: Time 4 Hemp
http://www.Time4Hemp.com

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Vote to support a free Community WaterBaby Clinic!

2008-01-18T23:47:56Z

Please cast your vote to support my project of facilitating a free monthly WaterBaby CranioSacral Therapy Clinic in a therapeutic warm salt-water pool in my community!

http://www.ideablob.com/ideas/1225-WaterBaby-CranioSacral-Therapy-

This grant will be able to fund my training in AquaCranial and rental of a therapeutic pool for a years' worth of free community clinics for babies, pregnant women, and new parents.

Please support this project - every vote counts!

Thanks!

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Destroy the Great Pyramid before 2012!!!

2008-01-04T02:10:27Z

You and me are living in a peculiar time wouldn't you agree? Many people feel they might actually become witness to the End of the World (or, as we know it). If you have pondered this also, you might want to keep reading. I'll try to break down, in common language, why I think we live in 'special' times, what I think will happen, and what I think we should do.

Mayan Prophecy:

For as long as humans existed, they have at certain points in time believed the End of the World had arrived, when nothing actually happened. This is for some proof enough that the whole end-of-the-world thing is nonsense, and needs no further investigation.
How can anyone look into the future anyway? Not so difficult actually, we do it all the time. The only things you need in order to look into the future is knowledge of cycles, and experience with the cycle. You know the cycle of your washing machine, the processes it goes through, and how long it takes. You can look into the future and estimate if the sun will still be up to dry the laundry, since you know about that cycle as well. People look into the future all the time, and plan their actions according to knowledge of cycles like pregnancy, menstruation or the seasons. If a cycle is longer that the general life span of a human being, the information about the cycle is recorded on a medium, to pass on to future generations, which is exactly what the ancient civilizations did.
Those tablets, documents and artworks become like a road map of time, especially if positioning of stars and planets have an affect on our human experience, which a lot of scientific evidence suggests, and 'spiritual' people firmly believe. The Mayans were such believers, and speak of a cycle 25,800 years long with a certain point within that cycle where our Sun will line up directly with the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. According to their calculations, this event, which they call the "Sacred Tree", will occur on December 21, 2012.
Is it the 2nd coming of the sun? Is the "New World Order" the antichrist? There is a heap of different perspectives on this 2012 subject online, and I leave it up to you to make your own conclusions. I'm not even sure if this has been backed up by science and astronomy,
but we only need to learn here that if at least the Mayans seemed to believe this to be true, and recorded it, perhaps others do too.

One Truth:

This demands that they believed there was ultimately One Order and One Truth to the way of the Everything, Universe, or whatever you wish to name it, much like every religion does, even science. I believe so too, and I assume that many different cultures and religions contain fragments of knowledge of it. Many 'different' cultures and religions have shared such truths and recycled them, or purposefully changed them to fit an oppressive agenda. Is it a coincidence that even Iran's leader Ahmadinejad firmly believes the awaited Mahdi is near, and many christians are preparing for Jesus' 2nd coming? Also we now have a prophet in the form of Al Gore, with his doomsday scenario's, as our global corrupted and dysfunctional leadership is preparing for world war 3. The internet has blasted open total access of information, and it seems as if we are living in the times of revelation. The worlds religions grow stronger, with more fanaticism than ever, inspired by each other's hatred, violence and repression, back in full force since September 11th. The U.S. Government is becoming increasingly more violent and oppressive towards the American people, and other nations, with permission of governments worldwide.
Many people strongly believe 911 was like Nero's Rome, and Hitler's Reichstag, an attack on us, from our leaders. An attack on our civil liberties, gathering momentum, but from who and why?

Rotten Apples:

Unfortunately, our planet seems te be controlled by a small group of people, which has passed that control down for generations. They controlled the land and orchards as royal families in Medieval times, and now they control it through finance, business and government.
The knights who collected the physical taxes with their swords are now outfitted with handcuffs, guns and computers. You see, all these hundreds of apples they claimed ownership of, start to rot in a couple days, and they can't eat them all themselves. So those who claim to own land and the fruits it bears, need an exchange medium that doesn't rot, like metal coins or paper bills. The concept of exchange is based on the presumption that a human can own land, fruit or even other life like cattle. A sad delusion; the only thing we own on this planet is our body. And we really don't even seem to own that, as it is required to report in the factory for 'employment', or on the battlefield for 'deployment'. How is it possible that humanity allows this?

The Pyramid:

In order for a few to control so many, they use hierarchical structures of authority, creating pyramids of possession and power, and reflect that in every aspect of society. In the military, in schools, homes, sports, companies, etc. you are positioned somewhere on the pyramid; most people start at the bottom, a few people are born at the top. It is evident that our planet's abundance is greedily controlled with these pyramids and it is evident to me that together with the "property-illusion" this is the only real problem this planet faces. All other problems are mere symptoms. war, starvation, poverty, crime, and even many seemingly 'natural' problems like disasters, diseases and extinction of species. All these are after effects of the growth of these pyramids, as people desperately try to climb them, trampling those below them, including Mother Earth. The bigger the Pyramid, the more possession and power for those at the top, and the more degrading and miserable the situation at the bottom is. People that rise to higher levels on the pyramid, or are born there, are not likely to give up their position as they know what awaits them below. People like you and me, with generally 'normal' lives, but not so much compared to the lives of people in Somalia for one. With a system like this, the most uncompassionate, unemphathetic people around rise to the top, or are born there and raised by these intelligent psychopaths. Of course the ramification of the pyramid shape is that most people are at the bottom, carrying the heaviest weight, putting the ones on top in a fragile position. They need to keep those at the bottom distracted from looking up, so they create distractions.

"We versus Them"

One of these is fascism, the highly delusional, contagious and effective -"we" versus "them"- syndrome. Some examples are Christian vs. Muslim (marketed heavily since 9-11), Nazis vs. Jews, Humans vs. Animals, or "consciousness vs. matter". In reality All is ultimately One, and variety in this Universe is created through subdivisions of polar opposites. For example, the subdivision of a human being is Male/Female, opposites indeed, yet when you zoom out one level, you will conclude they are both the same thing. The strength of the pyramid relies on the belief of those below in the illusion of separation. All violence, murder and massacre is the result from this concept of we vs. them, or even "we vs. everyone else", and these ideas are propagated through scriptures, religions and media.
Not only does it serve the divide & conquer technique, but it also gives people enemies to fear, and leaders to run to for security. Another scheme they use to distract us from looking at the top of the pyramid, is by giving mindless & destructive entertainment, elevating the artists involved to 'star' heights, and giving them a great abundance of wealth. Millions of dollars for something as fun as acting in a movie, or recording and performing music, while those behind the conveyer belts get minimum wage.
This way, us below might consider a higher position on the pyramid something that people deserve in relation to their talent and great work. As young children we always look at other people for inspiration and guidance, and most of us have had their idols.
Some of these 'celebrities' are so special that they have many talents, and appear in music, movie, tv and videogames. This leads a child to believe that there's a range of specialness to humans, and their success in live will depend on how special they are. They give us rags-to-riches stories so we think the ones at the top deserve to be there, while in actuality they are there because of their lack of emotional sensitivity, and their successful efforts of keeping the pyramid's base distracted from looking up.
Because the answer to all our problems is up there, out in the open, at the top of the Pyramid.

The Elite:

Those who do look up, speak of an Elite, that is secretly planning global control; a story so cliché you might chuckle here, perhaps the reason why it is so cliché. There are all kinds of stories out there as to the origins of these families, including alien DNA bloodlines and such, and again I leave it up to you to make your own conclusions. It is however worth mentioning here that many people believe that those at the top of the pyramid have always generated the major wars from both sides, and that World War III will not be any different.
Is it possible that a multi-generational elite is working towards a global empire? Is this something you witness around you? You might live in Europe, and have witnessed the change of currency there. All money was collected, and exchanged for the Euro. Who collected the money, who printed the new money, and for who? How do they know how much to print? Who decides the value of an apple? It was them, at the top of the pyramid, and it shows how big the pyramid already is. Now they are working on the "Amero" in the US, and I'm sure we'll get universal medical care soon, with required microchip implant mind you. Yes, it is possible, if not likely, that this 'obscured' elite exists, and there is a lot of valuable information on this subject online. Wasn't it Bush Senior himself who in September 11th 1990 coined the term "New World Order"? What? 11 years before 11-11-2001 when the big 11 in new york was attacked? The same 11 as in the $ symbol, or the two pillars of Solomon? What's up with these 11's?

The Rabbit Hole:

For as long as man existed, it has discovered truths about the world he lived in, truths about reality. Truths such as the inevitability of death, or that fire is warm, truths which he can use to plan his activities. With these pyramid structures it becomes possible to keep knowledge at the top hidden from those below. People are "initiated" to this knowledge when they are considered 'ready' by those above them, who know they need successors. The elite certainly uses knowledge of reality for their agenda on a material level, with advanced weaponry, telecommunications and machines to name but a few, but they also seem to believe in a non material level - the paranormal, witchcraft and magic stuff. Even though Bush Junior pleads us to not allow ridiculous conspiracy theories, he himself is part of the Skull and Bones society. I'm sorry, but having a secret club with skeletons and secret meetings is more ridiculous than the people wondering about them, unless you guys have some really cool secret knowledge - which makes conspiracy theories all but ridiculous.
There is reason to believe that the elite at the top of the pyramid uses occult knowledge on numerology, astrology, symbolism, ritual and even sacrifice, besides modern technology, to increase their chances of success. One look on your dollar bill will tell you.
Actually, many people worldwide firmly believe in this spiritual world, and even though always opposed by science,
string theory and quantum physics seem to move into the spiritual domain. It is as if science deals with the separateness of everything, and spirituality focusses on the interconnectedness of everything, yet upon further investigation this is just a spectrum of polar opposites meeting in the middle. I think the popularity of the 'scientific' atheist perspective is a result of the military campaigns against the Gnostics, Cathars, and of course the burning of "witches" on the stake, which pushed personal spiritual experience into the dungeons of the pyramid. It seems as if those above us at the top of the pyramid don't want us to find out the Truth. If that's the case, perhaps that explains why the world is being so radically changed by them, perhaps because the Mayans were right about 2012,
and they want to have their global Pyramid ready for this mysterious date.

Religion:

If you are a devout Christian or Muslim, or any other organized religion, you will probably feel that you already know the Truth, since it is written in your holy scriptures. But do you really feel with your whole being that it is the Truth that the Almighty Creator has written those books for us? There are a lot of very disturbing, conflicting and violent passages in those books, as well as some beautiful teachings.
Can you find it in your heart to give the Almighty the respect He/She is due, by believing he gave us free will, imagination, a conscious and intelligence, among all the other things we need to try to make the right decisions in our unique situations? I personally believe that the All is so glorious and perfect, that creation is perfect, has been, and always will be, and doesn't need an instruction manual. It doesn't need a Great Flood for Plan B. And yet, with all these 'blasphemous' thoughts, I still feel a strong connection with the All. Is it possible the All will create this connection with anyone seeking it, regardless of religion, culture, ritual or intention? I believe so, and I suggest to the devout among you to consider an even closer relationship with the All, where you truly believe in the perfection and glory of the almighty.
Where you don't have to invent strange excuses for the derogatory, hypocritical, and violent characteristics attributed to your god through the scriptures. Where you don't have to be afraid of laws written on paper, but gratefully use your free will to make the decisions you feel are in correspondence to the way of the All. And where you respect God's decision to give each individual a spark of life and free will, confident that all roads lead back to him, live and let live. "Your freedom to punch ends where my nose begins."
Perhaps not for you, but for millions of people around you, these scriptures have done more wrong than good, and need to be taken less seriously. I'm suggesting that your connection with the All will increase if you have faith in yourself, and start filtering the scriptures for what they are worth. Have faith and trust that the All has made you in his/her image. That you are a tiny holographic cell of the All, and as such have all the answers safely stored within. Findings of modern technology support the idea of a holographic, fractalized universe, with "Sacred Geometry" woven throughout it.

Atheism:

On the other side of the spectrum we find the atheists. They wonder why scriptures and religion have such a strong hold on so many people? I think that is because they feel a connection, a connection with the All. Some atheists argue none of it is real, but these people feel the connection is real, and don't want to let go of this feeling. We are all connected, regardless of what vile and disgusting scripture, behaviour or worship people surround it with. Instead of denying this connection, we should argue that people can let go of the scriptures without losing this sacred connection. We all are perfectly capable of living together harmoniously if we live in accordance to the logic and flow of the All. We need to use a balance of logical intelligence and emotional intuition, to filter the crap of the scriptures of all traditions,
and the Truth and Order of the universe will emerge, and set us free.

The Solution:

The only things we need to do is to stop supporting the Pyramid, and realize that property is theft, as Proudhon noted,
that the fruits of Mother Earth belong to all of her inhabitants equally. Bloody revolutions don't work. Revolutions have to come from within, for people just need to drop their destructive habits. We need to realize we are all connected, and that separation is an illusion.
I believe, and many others with me, that the All is the ultimate Parent, and has ensured we all can always "call back home", from wherever we are in the universe. The phone will always be answered. There are telephone booths all around us, all we gotta do is pick up the phone, and the All will comfort us, guide us, teach us, and make us laugh, or it will help us through the darkness back into the light. The call might not always be pleasurable, there might be tears, letting go, fear, self-reflection, and such. But if you prepare for the call, and surround yourself with your loved ones in a comfortable and familiar environment, I believe your phone-call with the All will be productive and helpful. I don't suggest a prank-call. The telephone booths I am talking about here are Entheogens.

The Light:

Did you know that the only organism that can break down nuclear waste is a Fungi? A mushroom basically? Did you know you have a neurological landscape that looks like mycelium? That your brain neurons and astrocytes are similarly arranged to the mycelia network? A.k.a the mushroom's underground web below the forest floor? These patterns are even discovered in outer space, between solar systems. Quantum 'String' theory speaks of a similar web. Or how about this one - that all humans, and probably loads of animals, produce DMT naturally in their physical body? And scientific study suggests this DMT is responsible for spiritual experiences and the alien-abduction phenomena humans experience? With meditation techniques, you can probably trigger the secretion of DMT, and feel drastic emotional or mental changes. DMT is also the active ingredient of Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew people have consumed for years.
There are those that suggest the small photonic light your DNA transmits is the light people see inside, while under the influence of DMT. Will the coming photon-belt launch a psychedelic DMT trip, as part of the DNA-upgrade, wheter you like it or not? And did you know a full grown amanita muscaria might resemble a cup, and hold some psychedelic rainwater? You could walk through the forest, pick it up and drink from it, leaving some people to suggest this magic mushroom might be the fabled 'Holy Grail'. In the past, the US Military tried LSD on soldiers to see if it could be useful for mind control, but they discovered instead that LSD made people 'enlightened', more aware of the interconnectivity of everything, aware of the Truth. Soldiers dropped their guns, and picked up flowers in awe of the beauty and glory of God. Psychedelics like MDMA continuously proof very beneficial in trauma therapy and humans with terminal diseases. The psychedelic African root Iboga is extremely powerful against addiction, curing some heroin addicts instantly. The benefits of the Marihuana plant are seemingly boundless.

The Darkness:

Why is it the liquor stores, pharmacies, and streets are flooded with all kinds of drugs, except for Iboga, Peyote, Amanita Muscaria, Psylocibin, Ayahuasca, LSD, Salvia Divinorum, etc. etc. Except for the "psyche-delics", the "mind clarifying" plants? Because the international "War on Drugs" is a war on psychedelics, and has resulted in the world we see today. In light of the hypocrisy of this war, I dare to state we need to re-connect with these psychedelics. I believe it is the most basic of solutions, and they are way more safe than cigarette's, pharmaceuticals, crack and alcohol. I think it is especially important for our younger generations, as it is the ultimate right of passage, if done with the proper respect, education, care, timing and love. We all long back to our 'childhood happy carelessness',
and I suggest the only reason we've lost it is because we were not given our rites of passage, our psychedelics. Instead we get schools with pyramid structures, where some teenagers feel so disconnected that we see more suicidal massacres nowadays.
Most of these kids were on anti-depressants, not MDMA or Ayahuasca. At home a perpetual horse-and-pony show is blasted onto billions of retina's worldwide through television, internet and handhelds, solely for the purpose of misdirection and distraction. Will Brad Pitt ever marry Christina Aguilera? I believe a good psychedelic trip will benefit people and families, and the internet provides sufficient information for all to do it safe and wisely. Perhaps instead of prozac, try and and visit the forest's pharmacy. Mother Nature's pharmacy.
You go to her for your food, so what's wrong with her medicine? Who tell us they are wrong? Right, those above you...
Believe in your own judgement, not in the judgement of those above you. It's your choice.
Even though I believe people need to "call back home" more often, I strongly discourage the macho "getting F'd up!" approach. "How many do you dare to eat?" is the same as "How fast do you dare to drive this car?", and will get you in trouble. It is this sort of reckless carelessness that results in a "bad trip", and if you aren't like this, the chances of having one of the most wonderful times of your life are huge. A great mindset, a comfortable familiar setting, the right dose, the right choice of psychedelic, proper preparedness, a company of people that you completely love and trust, and an experienced "trip-sitter". These are the ingredients that will almost certainly guarantee a good time, and inspire you for a lifetime. If we want, we can drop the pyramid, and pick up the pieces. Drop our money, and share the abundance. Us below will have to welcome those that fall down from the top with open arms, if we ever want to make something really beautiful on this planet. Entire industries and avenues of 'employment and deployment' will evaporate, and we need to welcome back everybody that drops their weapons, or had a part in such destructive or meaningless industries. The wealthy need to give up their wealth, and the poor need to forgive them, a tough process with which the clarifying and connecting properties of psychedelics can help. With voluntary mutual cooperation we can turn this planet around.

2012:

If nothing happens, we might by then have established paradise on earth, and happily look forward to the year 27,812. If something great happens, we will be ready to integrate it into our sustainable earthly paradise, and take it to the next level. If the earth explodes, we'll meet again. Either way, there should not be a Great Pyramid of Tyranny in place, I assume, and we should all dedicate the next years of our lives to the destruction of the Pyramid, the New World Order, to the best of our individual capacity. This is the moment billions of humans have talked about for millennia... now what are you going to do? If something as huge as the realignment of our planet with the center of our galaxy can't make us all synchronize a global effort, then what will? We need to have a good look at the Pyramid, not at global warming. Distraction, remember?

-------------------------

I dedicate this Tribe to the creation of a mycelium-like network of humans that are ready and willing to climb down the Pyramid together, and build a paradise on the ground as equals. I have faith that we have all the knowledge and infrastructure we need to solve all the problems that emerge from this drastic change. Maybe 10 years from now Buckingham Palace will host art galleries, live music, restaurants, libraries? Do you dare to dream of a Global Paradise?
Share your dreams here with us, and let's make it happen!!!
http://tribes.tribe.net/destroy-the-pyramid

Love,

Ramon

PS: The Great Pyramid in Egypt doesn't need to be destroyed imho :)

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Think cosmically

2007-12-26T21:15:28Z

think cosmically, and at the same time think globally, and act locally.
just a thought.

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 2 replies

Healing Through Storytelling

2007-12-24T18:40:29Z

Everyone,

One of our greatest means of healing from emotional trauma and getting through turmoil is by telling our stories. Particularly when dealing with losses and grief - storytelling is a spiritual salve. I am working to enliven and preserve the African Griot storytelling tradition below and hoping folks will support our community effort.

Griot Soul Films, an Oakland-based non-profit film company dedicated to producing complex film images of Black and Black Connected communities, and providing community members tools and training to do the same.

Our current project community funded and we've gotten a lot of positive press both nationally and internationally. We need more community involvement and the Winter Holidays are a great time to connect! We need your support...

Please check out our website at www.griotsoulfilms.org and our trailer at www.afterellen.com/blwe/12-14-07

....and consider making a holiday donation of any size. Our long term vision is to create a bank of holistic stories, both narrative and documetary, told with integrity which spark healing, critical dialogue, and positive community action.

Thanks for taking the time!!!!

DJ

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Ohio Secretary of State confirms 2004 election could have been stolen

2007-12-17T16:57:49Z

Ohio Secretary of State confirms 2004 election could have been stolen
by Bob Fitrakis & Harvey Wasserman
December 14, 2007

Ohio's Secretary of State announced this morning that a $1.9 million official study shows that "critical security failures" are embedded throughout the voting systems in the state that decided the 2004 election. Those failures, she says, "could impact the integrity of elections in the Buckeye State." They have rendered Ohio's vote counts "vulnerable" to manipulation and theft by "fairly simple techniques."

Indeed, she says, "the tools needed to compromise an accurate vote count could be as simple as tampering with the paper audit trail connector or using a magnet and a personal digital assistant."

In other words, Ohio's top election official has finally confirmed that the 2004 election could have been easily stolen.

Brunner's stunning findings apply to electronic voting machines used in 58 of Ohio's 88 counties, in addition to scanning devices and central tabulators used on paper ballots in much of the rest of the state.

Brunner is calling for widespread changes to the way Ohio casts and counts its ballots. Her announcement follows moves by California Secretary of State Deborah Bowen to disqualify electronic voting machines in the nation's biggest state.

In tandem, these two reports add a critical state-based dimension to the growing mountain of evidence that the US electoral system is rife with insecurities. Reports from the Brennan Center, the Carter-Baker Commission, the Government Accountability Office, the Conyers Committee Task Force Report, Princeton University and others have offered differing perspectives that add up to the same conclusion.

Coming in the state that decided the 2004 election for George W. Bush, Brunner's confirmation of the electoral system's vulnerabilities adds huge new weight to the charge that the Buckeye State's vote count was stolen.

In a series of investigative reports dating to well before the 2004 election, the Columbus Free Press and Freepress.org have documented several dozen different means used by the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign to steal the official 2004 vote count.

The final official tally for Bush---less than 119,000 votes out of 5.4 million cast---varied by 6.7% from exit poll results, which showed a Kerry victory. Exit polls in 2004 were designed to have a margin of error of about 1%.

In various polling stations in Democrat-rich inner city precincts in Youngstown and Columbus, voters who pushed touch screens for Kerry saw Bush's name light up. A wide range of discrepancies on both electronic and paper balloting systems leaned almost uniformly toward the Bush camp. Voting procedures regularly broke down in inner city and campus areas known to be heavily Democratic.

In direct violation of standing federal election law, 56 of Ohio's 88 counties have since destroyed all or part of their 2004 election data. The materials were additionally protected by a federal court injunction in the King-Lincoln-Bronzeville federal civil rights lawsuit (in which we are attorney and plaintiff). To date, no state or federal prosecutions have resulted from this wholesale destruction of presidential election records, including 1.6 million ballots, cast and uncast, needed for definitive auditing procedures. However, two Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) election officials have been convicted of felony manipulation of an official recount. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer, the state's largest newspaper, recently editorialized that there is "no evidence" the 2004 election was stolen, but omitted mention of the destruction of the electoral records by more than half the counties in the state. The Plain-Dealer and other mainstream media have consistently ignored findings by the Free Press and others indicating widespread manipulation and theft of the kind Brunner has now confirmed was eminently do-able within the Ohio system.

Brunner says "the results underscore the need for a fundamental change in the structure of Ohio's election system to ensure ballot and voting system security while still making voting convenient and accessible to all Ohio voters." Among other things, she advocates replacing touch-screen machines with optical-scan units that include a paper balloting system.

The study was managed by the Battelle Corporation, and conducted by Columbus-based MicroSolved Inc., SysTest Labs of Denver along with a consortium of academic subcontractors. It was reviewed by a dozen county officials, and included scrutiny of voting systems produced by Election Systems & Software (ES&S), Hart Intercivic and Premier Election Solutions (formerly Diebold).

Brunner is the Democratic successor to Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell, who administered the 2004 election as Secretary of State while also serving as state co-chair of the Bush-Cheney campaign. The report comes as part of her pledge to guarantee a fair and reliable vote count in the upcoming 2008 presidential election.

Under Blackwell, Ohio spent some $100 million installing electronic voting machines as part of the Help America Vote Act, passed by Congress in the wake of the scandals surrounding the 2000 election. Former Ohio Congressman Bob Ney, HAVA's principle author, now resides in a federal prison, in part for illegalities surrounding his dealings with voting machine companies.

Blackwell, who was defeated in a 2006 race for the Ohio governorship, outsourced web hosting responsibilities for the 2004 vote count to a programming firm that also programmed the web site for the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign. Blackwell's chosen host site for the state's vote count was in the basement of the Old Pioneer Bank Building in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the servers for the Republican National Committee, and the Bush White House, were also located.

Brunner has now recommended that all Ohio's voting be done on optical scan ballots, with reliance on central tabulation. Voters with disabilities could use AutoMark machines with bar coding devices that allow the marking of ballots with little or no additional assistance.

"It's a testament to our state's boards of elections officials that elections on the new (federally) mandated voting systems have gone as smoothly as they have in light of these findings," Brunner said.

Conversely, it is also a testament to the ease with which the 2004 election was stolen by election officials who had clear conflicts of interest aimed at keeping George W. Bush in the White House.

--
Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman are co-authors of HOW THE GOP STOLE AMERICA'S 2004 ELECTION & IS RIGGING 2008 (www.freepress.org) and of WHAT HAPPENED IN OHIO? (The New Press) with Steve Rosenfeld. THE FITRAKIS FILES are available at www.freepress.org, where this article first appeared. Wasserman's SOLARTOPIA! OUR GREEN-POWERED EARTH, A.D. 2030, is at www.solartopia.org.

http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/19/2007/2920

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies

Volunteer opportunities with an oakland based organization fighting gentrification

2007-12-10T23:41:37Z

Do you have an interest in social justice and community organizing?

Come volunteer with
Just Cause Oakland!

Who we are: Just Cause Oakland is a membership-based organization building a powerful voice for Oakland's low-income tenants and workers. Our mission is to create a just and diverse city and region by organizing Oakland residents to advocate for housing and jobs as human rights, and to mobilize for policies that produce social and economic justice in low-income communities of color. You can find more information on our work at www.justcauseoakland.org.

Who we want: We are looking for reliable, flexible volunteers with a commitment to racial and economic justice to help support our work organizing against displacement and gentrification. We love volunteers with some experience in community-based organizations, but are also committed to providing training and support to first-timers as well.

Volunteer opportunities include: Giving rides, administrative support (including data entry, copies, helping the office run smoothly, etc) campaign research, tech support, media tracking, fundraising, Spanish translation and interpretation (native Spanish speakers especially appreciated), and more! We hope that volunteers will make a commitment of 6 - 8 months and be able to do between 2 - 4 hours of work a week. Most activities will fall on Monday through Friday, but Saturday events and activities are also fairly frequent.

Interested? Contact us at victory@justcauseoakland.org

posted in Think Globally, Act Locally - 0 replies