Musical Selection for today

Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto

The violin concerto (1939) is a transitional work: the first two movements sing sweetly and intently; the last movement burns the barn down with complex meters and new dissonances.

American composer Samuel Barber, most famous for "The Adagio for Strings", often confuses critics. He founded no school; he stuck to no one style. As a public figure, he seemed aloof from the various critical fights of American music: tonal vs. atonal, Stravinsky vs. Schoenberg, and old-guard vs. modern.

Barber distinguished himself as a melodist. Almost everything he wrote has at least one gorgeous tune or memorable theme.

On This Day

Births:

Rene Descartes 1596 - Philosopher, "I think, therefore I am"
Liz Claiborne 1929 - Fashion designer
Shirley Jones 1934 - Singer, Actress ("The Partridge Family")
Herb Alpert 1935 - Musician
Richard Chamberlain 1935 - Actor ("The Bourne Identity")

Al Gore 1948 - U.S. Vice President under President Bill Clinton

1732 - Composer Franz Joseph Haydn was born. He is known for helping to develop the Classical style.




Events:


1943 - "Oklahoma!" by Rodgers and Hammerstein debuted on Broadway. The original title was "Away We Go".
1492 - King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued an edict expelling Jews who were unwilling to convert to Christianity.

1776 - Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John that women were "determined to foment a rebellion" if the new Declaration of Independence failed to guarantee their rights.

...remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.

1880 - Wabash, IN, became the first town to be completely illuminated with electric light.
1889 - In Paris, the Eiffel Tower officially opened.
1904 - In India, hundreds of Tibetans were slaughtered by the British.
1918 - For the first time in the U.S., Daylight Saving Time went into effect.

1959 - The Dalai Lama (Lhama Dhondrub, Tenzin Gyatso) began exile by crossing the border into India where he was granted political asylum. Gyatso was the 14th Dalai Lama.

There's much more here.

...and then Jesus said

A modern Gospel in the computer age.

Many literal christian people create and forward emails that suggest that if you don't forward them (usually to ten people) you don't love Jesus or God. Some of them claim that because we haven't put "Jesus" back in our lives our country is in ruins and will get worse. So the disciples were afraid, (as usual in these circumstances) and asked the Lord, who was busy blogging at the time, about these things ...and then Jesus said:

Blessed are they who see through manipulation and idolization, for they shall not be moved by the scribes and pharisees of these days.

Blessed are they who have not created God in their image and worship a Father and Son that only exists in their fairytales and dreams for they, in not so doing may allow what Is to be known and therefore, who they and all truly are as well.

Blessed are they who do not foster their lame beliefs on others, for they do not project evil into the world that has no inherent evil and was pronounced good which has NOT changed, being of that which IS and has always BEEN and will always BE.

Blessed are they who pity and have patience with those who have no real awareness that I am in everyone and everything and that if they see me in everyone and everything they would be amazed and astonished and at peace, that peace that passeth understanding.

Blesssed are they who behold Christ within and all around them, for Creation IS the kingdom of Heaven and that creation is never separate from it's Creator and it's Creator is LOve.

Blessed are they who do not do the very things that claim to be honoring me but only keep the real me from them.

Blessed are they who forward this post to ten people immediately or they shall surely die.*


*I'm kidding.


And the disciples were amazed and astounded because they couldn't agree if he was kidding or not...and Jesus said, "duh."


me and Jesus in the EE

More Spring Photos in Newberry, SC

On this Date in History

Birthdays:

1853 Vincent van Gogh Zundert Netherlands
1940 Astrud Gilberto Brazil, singer (Girl From Ipanema)
1945 Eric Clapton [Eric Patrick Clapp] Ripley England, legendary guitarist/singer (Yardbirds, Cream, Tears in Heaven)
1964 Tracy Chapman US singer/songwriter (Freedom Now, I Got a Fast Car)
1968 Celine Dion Québec Canada, singer (I'm Your Woman)
1970 Secreteriat race horse, triple crown (1973)


Deaths:

1925 Rudolf Steiner Austrian philosopher (anthroposophy), dies at 64
1948 Mahatma Gandhi assassinated in New Delhi
1966 Maxfield Parrish US painter, dies at 95
2002 HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother dies at Royal Lodge, Windsor, at 101

Events:

0239 -BC- 1st recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet
1533 Henry VIII divorces his 1st wife, Catherine of Aragon
1778 Playwright Voltaire crowned with laurel wreath
1842 Ether was used as an anaesthetic for 1st time by
Dr Crawford Long (Jefferson GA)
1858 Pencil with attached eraser patented (Hyman L Lipman of Philadelphia)
1867 US purchases Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000 (2¢ an acre-Seward's Folly)
1870 15th Amendment passes, guarantees right to vote regardless of race
1870 Texas becomes last confederate state readmitted to Union
1889 John T Reid opens 1st US golf course (Yonkers NY)
1919 Gandhi announces resistance against Rowlatt Act
1932 Amelia Earhart is 1st woman to fly solo cross the Atlantic
1953 Einstein announces revised unified field theory

There's a lot more here.

Picture is of Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night." Click on it or his name above for link. Second picture is Maxfirld Parrish's "Daybreak." Then, of course, Gandhi.

Bull's-eye on Beavers

In The State Newspaper today:

Bull’s-eye on beavers
Dams causing damage, so rodents will be killed

The city of Columbia — weary of beavers building dams and swamping nearby sewer lines and manholes — has hired a federal agency to kill the animals.

City Council recently approved a $50,000 contract with The U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wildlife specialists will work for a year, killing beavers, breaking down dams and getting creeks and streams flowing again.

It’s too early to say how many animals will have to be killed.

The city may also get a helping hand from the animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is working with the Virginia Department of Transportation on tackling similar beaver issues.

A PETA biologist is expected to visit Columbia and see if special water-control devices can be used in lieu of killing the rodents. A combination of methods might be the solution.

The article goes on to say:

Some animal activists, including those in PETA, say trapping is inhumane and ineffective because other beavers move into the area and build new dams.

Instead, Stephanie Boyles, a biologist with Virginia-based PETA, encourages cities to use water flow devices — pipes placed underneath dams which allow water to continue to flow.

The dams are left in place and the beavers are not killed.

“It’s more cost-effective and humane to invest in these long-term permanent solutions,” Boyles said, noting they’re cheap to build and maintain. “Otherwise, the animals will continue to recolonize those sites. The problem doesn’t go away.”

But Boyles concedes the devices don’t work in every situation. She’ll visit the city and assess whether they could work.

I would love to see the co-existance of humans with the natural world. I have had such a great experience while the beaver dam in Newberry was allowed to remain. It has since been destroyed.

I was priviledged to see several beavers including on one occasion the mother and a young kit. On another day, a beaver was on his back in the water munching on some leaves from an over-hanging branch. Several times I saw a large beaver making deliberations about breaches in the dam. I got to see turtles, various birds including a Little Green Heron, which was such a delight, as I had never seen one and did not know what it was for months. Of course I didn't have my camera with me that day. I saw a red-tailed hawk and watch and filmed it for almost 30 minutes. I left before he did. I saw muskrats, foxes, deer and dragonflies galore.

The night before they destroyed the dam I saw a Great Blue Heron at dusk at the edge of the pond and the next night across the street, probably wondering what happened to the pond.

The picture above is one I got from a video camera I was shooting with. Wish I had had a better camera for shooting stills. But the excitement and joy of being there was wonderful none-the -less.

When the dam was removed I could see how high the dam actually was frok it's lowest point. Roughly 6 to 7 feet and maybe 15 feet wide. It was in front of two culverts that passed under the road and the heavy rains had pushes it closer and closer to the culverts. It was only a matter of time before the whole thing would have been blocked off. I've sseen on TV where biologists have erected guards to keep dams away from culverts so the dam would not cause a problem.

Let's hope we can solve these problems with kindness towards out fellow creatures. They have so much to offer to anyone who would take the time to enjoy them.

Peace.

Frühlingsglaube (Spring's faith)

It's spring, a time for renewal and awakening. Poets throughout history have penned many a wonderful expression of man's sentiments relating to the seasons, to nature and the world in which we inhabit however briefly. German Lied or art song has many fine examples of such expression. I've been drawn to Franz Schubert's, (1797-1828) Frühlingsglaube, text by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787-1862).

Die linden Lüfte sind erwacht,
Sie säuseln und wehen Tag und Nacht,
Sie schaffen an allen Enden.
O frischer Duft, o neuer Klang!
Nun, armes Herze, sei nicht bang!
Nun muß sich alles, alles wenden.

Die Welt wird schöner mit jedem Tag,
Man weiß nicht, was noch werden mag,
Das Blühen will nicht enden;
Es blüht das fernste, tiefste Tal:
Nun, armes Herz, vergiß der Qual!
Nun muß sich alles, alles wenden.

The mild breezes are awakened,
They whisper and move day and night,
And are at work everywhere.
O fresh scent, o new sound!
Now, poor heart, don't be afraid.
Now all, all must change.

The world is more beautiful with every day,
One knows not what yet may be,
The flowering will not end.
Even the deepest, most distant valley blooms.
Now, poor heart, forget your torment.
Now all, all must change.

The picture above is of Wisteria blooming now in South Carolina. We stopped on the side of the rode to take this picture and I got a good whiff of the beautiful and delicate fragrance.

"O Frischer Duft"

There is a link to Lieder in the sidebar. What a treasure of great poetry and music from the heart of Europe and from the Romantic Period of the Arts. (1820-1910) Schubert wrote the music for Frühlingsglaube in 1820 when he was in his early 20's and the author of the poem, (Uhland) in his early 30's.

Romantic Music.

Turtle Blogging and...

Wait, two of these are not turtles. Actually,
none of these is a turtle. They're pictures silly.




Nature around Newberry.




me in the EE

Quote

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

from Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Amen.

Saw this at Got Liver?

Bob Barr Flip-Flops on Pot

From an article by Chris Frates

Bob Barr, who as a Georgia congressman authored a successful amendment that blocked D.C. from implementing a medical marijuana initiative, has switched sides and become a lobbyist for the Marijuana Policy Project.

Ironically, Barr said he will help lead the fight to give District residents a say on whether to allow medical marijuana — the very thing the “Barr Amendment” denied them in 1998. He will lobby for the rights of states to set their own medical marijuana policy without federal interference.

The four-term former Republican congressman will also work to unplug a youth anti-drug campaign which a recent study showed actually increased the likelihood that all teens would smoke pot.

“A lot of conservatives have expressed great concern over the taxpayer money that is being wasted on this poorly run advertising campaign,” said Barr, who left Congress in 2003.


more at link above...

Howard Zinn Live on G Living

War cannot be accepted any longer.

Two Anniversaries Today

Today marks two anniversaries for me. The first is a very joyous one - my two month anniversary of my liver transplant. So far I'm way ahead of the curve: no rejection episodes, liver is working great, and medication reactions are pretty much gone. Happy Day!!

The second anniversary isn't quite as joyous in that it marks the 23rd anniversary (time flies) of an F2 tornado destroying most of downtown Newberry, SC. We also had an F3 just outside of town. There was one death within the city limits and according to the NWS 10 others out in the county (I didn't know that.)

From Wikipedia:

The Carolinas Tornado Outbreak of March 28, 1984 was the most destructive to sweep through the two states since the Enigma tornado outbreak struck 100 years and 1 month earlier, according to NOAA and NCDC public records.

Weather records from March 28 indicate that an earlier tornado watch had been issued covering Northern Alabama and Georgia, and small tornadoes were reported in Barrow County (2:25 P.M., Eastern Standard Time) and Henry County (2:30 P.M., EST) in north Georgia. The first severe reports from North Carolina - golf-ball sized hail reports from Macon County, NC also occurred at this time. Severe storms began entering Western South Carolina by mid-afternoon, and tornado watches had been issued for most of South Carolina, North Carolina and a portion of Virginia.

I can remember it being a rather warm day and very sunny for most of the day. I was a senior at Mid-Carolina High in Prosperity. During last period I worked in the library and I can remember looking out the windows and noticing that the sky to the west was getting very dark. We all thought "Oh, great, thunderstorms and rain."

I also had a migraine headache that day. I had those frequently back then and they would really do a number on me. I had severe pain, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and my eyes would water. I was miserable by the time I got in my Mom's 1977 Mercury Marquis station wagon that I drove to school (the "Kitty Hawk").

I was supposed to go down to the Ritz Theatre and work on the set and some other stuff for a show I was doing with the Newberry Community Players. I was Assistant Director/Stage Manager for the show, Crimes of the Heart. Instead, because of the headache I decided to go home and take a nap before rehearsal at 7pm.

I woke up at 5pm when my Mom shook me awake. She had a very scared look on her face. That's something that very rarely happened. My mother was a true Steel Magnolia. I could hear my dad on the telephone. That was also rare. She told me there was a tornado warning. Daddy hated talking on the phone. I realized he was talking to my sister who lived in the part of town known as "West End". We lived outside of town "in the country" in a mobile home.

Suddenly, my dad started yelling at my sister: "Get out of there!" Then he had the most horrible look on his face and dropped the phone and said to my mother and me, "Get in the car!"

I was terrified at that point and my mother was crying. We walked outside and the air was absolutely still. It looked like it was about 7pm at night with a weird orange glow to everything. The clouds were swirling and seemed like they were right above the treetops.

Daddy got us in the car and he drove. That was also weird, he always let Mama drive. We started up the drive and I asked if we were going over to Uncle Billy's house. He had a big brick house about 3 or 4 miles away and perpendicular to the path of the tornado. Daddy just shook his head and floored the accelerator when he turned onto SC 34 directing into the path of the storm. (This is the only time my father ever drove faster than 40 miles an hour!)

As I looked out the window I saw a tornado begin to dip out of the clouds into a field to our left. I pretty much knew at that point we were dead. But we kept going.

We got as far as Mt. Bethel Garmany Road and then ran into trees, power lines and debris all over the road. I thought we'd have to turn back but my dad decided to try another route. He was determined to get to my sister's house. We finally were forced to give up and go home as the police had closed off every road going into the city of Newberry. My sister later got word to us that she was fine and so were her kids.

When we got back home the steps in front of our trailer were about two feet away. I thought, "That's weird. The tornado moved concrete steps." We went inside and I opened the back door to check for damage out there and realized that the trailer was sitting hard against the utility pole. The tornado had picked up the trailer and moved it two feet and not a picture was crooked nor a dish broken. It was bizarre.

The rest of the night I listened to reports on the radio. Downtown Newberry was pretty much destroyed. Had I been at the Ritz I would have been in the middle of the worst of it and stranded. The roof was taken off the theatre and we had a good bit of water damage.

Little blessings.... a headache that caused me such pain and discomfort kept me safe during the worst storm in over 100 years. Universe works mysteriously sometimes.

Kucinich Blasts Democrats on Iraq War Spending Bill

Posted on Mar 23, 2007 at Truthdig

article includes audio
Not everyone was celebrating the passage of the Iraq spending bill on Friday. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, told Truthdig it’s “a disaster for the American people.” The presidential candidate went on to explain his dissatisfaction with his party: “It’s the same kind of thinking that led us into Iraq— that we didn’t have any alternatives.

We should be listening to what the American people had to say last October, and that is taking steps to immediately end the war. And that means to set in motion a plan to end the occupation, close the bases, bring the troops home using money that’s already in the pipeline to do so. At the same time there’s a parallel process of bringing in international security and peacekeeping forces to stabilize Iraq. And we can get that help once we end the occupation. Then you have to have a number of other steps that are taken. Most people aren’t aware that this bill that Congress passed sets the stage for the privatization of Iraq’s oil, oil industry. To have the Democratic Party involved in something like that is outrageous. Furthermore, we should be pushing for the stabilization of Iraq’s food and energy crisis. There’s no talk about that. Basically we’re blaming Iraq for the disaster that the United States and this administration visited upon them. We’re telling them, either they’re going to get their house in order or we’re going to leave. Well, you know what, this approach is wrongheaded and the Democrats should have known better and they should have done better.

If the Democrats had told the American people in October 2006, “Vote Democrat, we’ll keep the war going till the end of Bush’s term; vote Democrat, we’ll privatize Iraq’s oil; vote Democrat, we’ll give the president enough money to attack Iran if he so chooses,” the American people would have never voted Democrat.

You know, there was a lot of talk about voting with the team today. About Democratic unity. For what? For war? Are you kidding? I mean, how about unity for peace? How about unity to challenge unilateralism? How about unity for healthcare, for education, for jobs? You know, because all those aspirations are directly affected to the degree that we continue to spend more money for war. Don’t forget, we’re talking about at least a hundred billion dollars. All this money going for war. It just has to stop. We are at a turning point in this country’s history. Either we’re going to make a real commitment to peace and to diplomacy and international cooperation, or we’re going to descend into some lower circle of Dante’s Inferno where we have nothing but destruction and where we have all hope lost.

This is such a disgrace. The only "saving grace" may be the complete arrogance of the President in that he promised to veto this bill because it has time limit restrictions and we know how he hates restrictions of any kind. Mr Bush can not be wrong, ( in his mind) and he cannot be told what to do. He doesn't care what anyone else thinks except the corporate executives that support his supporting them.

Anyone making money on war should be considered aiding and abetting a crime. This is shameful and the people need to speak out if our legislators can't represent those they swore to represent: all Americans, not just the war-mongers and fear-mongers. Over three thousand of our soldiers dead for their oil.

The plan never included leaving Iraq completely. Billions of dollars have been spent building fortresses for continued occupation and protection of the oil reserves. That's what Bush means when he says things are going well. It's what he doesn't say that is of greater import.

As some of my elders would say, let us call forth divine intervention. We know that spiritual laws never fail. There will be a correction. Let's hope that all will come to a greater understanding of truth and goodwill. Sometimes we travel the wrong way down that one-way street for too long. Let's go the other way. The way of peace and understanding and kindness for all.

Bush may be a Christian of some sort, he may talk with God, BUT no one can follow Christ or Buddha by killing his enemies. Just doesn't work that way. If you are a Christian you see him in everyone, for "what you do to the least of these, your brethren, you do to me".

Jesus- was killed over 3,000 times and counting- US
Jesus- was killed over 600,000 times and also counting- Iraqis
Jesus- was displaced from his home and to other countries- over 1,000,000 times
Jesus' homes and businesses were destroyed - costs in the hundreds of millions
Jesus' oil reserves stolen- priceless


Real men love Jesus (and hate everyone else?)
Jesus: turn the other cheek
Jesus: forgive 7 times 70 times

Jesus: forgive them, for they know not what they do.







...and all the while I remain here in the EE, where there is only peace and joy for all, if you would have it.


UPDATE: here's H.R.1591

From the summaries:
Declares the sense of Congress that the U.S. Constitution grants: (1) the President the sole role of Commander in Chief; and (2) Congress the sole power to declare war.

Makes appropriations to the Secretary of Agriculture for emergency crop and livestock disaster assistance

Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage to: (1) $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after enactment of this Act; (2) $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and (3) $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day. Applies federal minimum wage requirements to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and to American Samoa.


Check out the Amendments. There are 150 of them and most say this:
Purpose will be available when the amendment is proposed for consideration. See Congressional Record for text.

Here's a statement by Elizabeth Kucinich:

Today as the Democratic leadership celebrates the passage of HR 1591, Dennis and I are in mourning. We mourn the deaths of those who have passed and those whose lives are now on the line, both in the military and civilian Iraqis. We mourn the destruction, the ecocide. We mourn with families in Iraq and the US who will see more death and devastation. We mourn the callous and calculated political spin cloaking the Congress's hawkish support of war with the rhetoric of peace.

Congressman Kucinich voted NO. Standing firm with him on this NO vote were 13 Democrats: John Barrow [GA], Dan Boren [OK], Lincoln Davis [TN], Barbara Lee [CA], John Lewis [GA], Jim Marshall [GA], Jim Matheson [UT], Michael McNulty [NY], Michael Michaud [ME], Gene Taylor [MS], Maxine Waters [CA], Diane Watson [CA], and Lynn Woolsey [CA].

Read all here.

And from Russ Feingold:

“Today marks an important step toward ending the war in Iraq. For the first time, the U.S. Senate will pass binding legislation requiring the President to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. While this is long overdue, it is a big step in the right direction and it brings us closer to ending our involvement in this disastrous war.”

Turkey Blogging

A turkey is either one of two species of large birds in the genus Meleagris. Turkeys are classed in the order Galliformes. Formerly they were considered a distinct family, Meleagrididae, but more recently were reclassified as a subfamily (Meleagridinae) of the pheasants and their allies. Turkeys have a distinctive fleshy wattle that hangs from the beak, called a snood. As with many galliform species, the female is smaller than the male, and much less colourful. With wingspans of 1.5–1.8 meters (almost 6 feet), the turkeys are by far the largest birds in the open forests in which they live, and are rarely mistaken for any other species. The usual lifespan for a turkey is 10 years.



The Turkey is the symbol of sacrifice.
It gives life so others may live.

Many saints and mystics have Turkey as a totem. With a Turkey totem, you have transcended self. You act and react on behalf of others. This act is not a sense of moralism or guilt, but a deep knowledge that all life is sacred. What you do for others, you also do for yourself.

To have a Turkey totem is a true gift. Its gift may be spiritual, material or intellectual.
Through giving to others will you reach your own goals.

The Turkey is linked to the third eye, the seat of feminine energies within us, and the center for higher vision.

Turkey is also the symbol of the Mother Earth and her abundant harvest. All of Earth's blessings and the ability to use them to their greatest advantage are part of Turkey's teachings.

Took this picture in Newberry South Carolina same day as the Killdeer, (posted below).

Peace.

Tunnel Dream

You experience yourself moving through a tunnel into a white light or returning from the light. This may be accompanied by the sound of whooshing water. You may meet someone, or meet yourself, at the end of the tunnel, much like a Near Death Experience. While moving through the tunnel, you may move alone or see others. You can fly quickly or slowly. You can experience emotions with this dream journey, which often brings transformational messages.

(Click on picture for more dream symbology)

I had a tunnel "dream" experience a long time ago. While meditating I became aware of "traveling" towards a light, like a star, through a tunnel. I could not tell whether I was going towards it or it was coming towards me. When I got to the light, I beheld the most loving face I'd ever seen. I was immediately at peace and "enraptured." It only lasted for a few seconds and when I awoke I was in such a peaceful state I had never known before. I interpreted the face of that of Jesus, or Christ, or my higher self as we sort of melded into one another. It was the night that I learned that I did not have to get confirmed into the Catholic Church, as I was very resistant to the idea. I was happy and at peace about the world as I lie on my bed that night.

I was later told that I had managed to slip through the fabric of the 3 dimensions to witness for a short time another dimension. The message was that there is no one outside of you that can bestow upon you through "confirmation" what is already true about you: that you are one with your Creator, and all creation.

Allowing me my choice that night gave me the peace of mind to connect with and confirm who I was and will always be, an insight into who we are and will always be.

What if the rest of my classmates had that experience instead of the slap-in-the-face-by -the-Bishop one?


Amen.

Iowa Senate passes LGBT rights bill

Iowa's state Senate passed a bill Monday to extend civil rights protections to gay, lesbian and transgender people in the state, despite opposition from business interests.

The bill adds the words "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to a list of protected characteristics under Iowa's Civil Rights Act. Democrats have long supported expanded protections, and they now control the Senate, the House and the governor's office.

The chamber passed Senate File 427 on a bipartisan 32-17 vote. It moves now to the state House of Representatives, where Iowa Equality board president Sandy Vopalka expects it to have a tougher time.

Read all at link above.

Also go here: Equality Iowa

South Carolina Equality Coalition
March 8, 2007

Non-Discrimination Bills Introduced

Stop Discrimination! No one should lose their job, housing or be denied access to public accommodation because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Senator Robert Ford (D-Charleston) has introduced four non-discrimination bills! Tell your state senator to support these bills. Please take a moment to thank Senator Ford.

Killdeer with eggs

Today brought a great discovery over at the West End Cemetary. After shooting, (filming) turkeys and goats we stumbled upon a killdeer, (Charadrius vociferus) with (his/her) eggs. The males and females are similar in color.

Our book, Birds of the Carolinas by Stan Tekiela simply says:

Nest: ground: male builds: 2 broods per year
Incubation 24-28 days; male and female incubate
Fledging: 25 days; male and female lead their young to food
Food: insects

It is classified as a shore bird, but doesn't live near the shore. Has a very distinctive "kill-deer" call which we didn't hear today. It is the only shorebird with two black neckbands. It is known for it's broken wing impression, which draws intruders away from the nest. (Although I got as close as I could I did not want to upset him.)

Link to the killdeer call here.

What a wonderful gift from nature today. Thank you, Pacha Mama.

What gift has nature given you today. Did you take the time to experience any of what She has for us all?

me and Buck in the killdEEr (he he)

Liver Lessons for Living

The call came and I had a new liver. Of course, with that liver came a bit of guilt that someone else died so I could live. What spiritual responsibility did I share in this event? Because my beliefs dictate that we create that which we need in our lives there was a part of me that wondered if somehow I was responsible for my donor’s demise. Of course, I know that I cannot affect another’s reality - only my own. Still, the thought of that gift filled me with wonder, dread and hope.

-- Read the rest at Got Liver?

Accepting Gay Athletes

Seventy-two percent of heterosexual adults say their feelings toward their favorite male pro athlete would not change if the player revealed he is gay, according to a recent national survey conducted by Witeck-Combs Communications and Harris Interactive.

Openly gay and lesbian athletes have become far more visible in the nation's major media with the coming out of WNBA player Sheryl Swoopes and the very recent publication of the New York Times best-seller 'Man in the Middle' by former NBA pro John Amaechi," said Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications.

Read all here.

Picture is of a gay penguin couple. (Probably not pro athletes)

Peace.

Keith Olbermann Videos

If you're not watching Keith Olbermann's work on TV you're missing out on one of the only sane voices in the US news today. He's on MSNBC. Here's the link: Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

On this Date in History

Some highlights:

Births:
1845 Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen Germany, discovered X-rays (Nobel 1901)
1851 Vincent d'Indy Paris France, composer (Symphonie Cévenole)
1863 Sir Henry Royce automobile founder (Rolls-Royce)
1868 Patty Smith Hill author/songwriter (Happy Birthday To You)
1927 Mstislav Leopold Rostropovich Baku USSR, cellist/conductor/teacher (Moscow Conservatory)
1950 Maria Ewing opera singer
1963 Quentin Tarantino director/screenwriter (Pulp Fiction)

Events:
1513 Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León sights Florida
1790 The shoelace invented
1855 Abraham Gesner patents kerosene
1879 Longest championship fight (136 rounds)
1914 1st successful blood transfusion (in Brussels)
1964 Earthquake strikes Anchorage AK, 9.2 on Richter scale, 131 die from earthquake and resulting tsunami; this is the most violent eathquake in US history
1979 Supreme Court rules, 8-1, cops can't randomly stop cars
1997 39 cult memebers in California commit mass suicide (Hale-Bopp)
2134 32nd recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

There's much more at Any Day in History

Name the 50 States in 10 Minutes

Saw this at BlondeSense posted by Red States Blue.

Name all 50 States in 10 minutes. Be ready to go as soon as you click on the link here.

I had fun doing it, but pooped out the first two times and came up 4 states short each time and each time four different states. I'm going to blame that on no sleep. I finally got them all with 25 seconds to spare. Sometime the spelling got me slowed down, like well, I hate to give this one away but, Connecticut---I left out the second "c" all the time! Lord knows how I remembered to finally put it in! If you misspell they won't be added, but if you don't use caps you're all right.

To think that I used to know all the States and Capitals, too.

On the Route

Today while delivering the Newberry Observer it was nice to hear some truly inspired music on npr. Lately I've been disappointed with the music selection especially in the early morning hours when the selections have been of lessor known composers, and thus lessor inspired works. So what was it that caught my ear? Ralph Vaughan Williams' Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus for strings and harp.

"Vaughan Williams is arguably the greatest composer Britain has seen since the days of Henry Purcell. In a long and extensive career, he composed music notable for its power, nobility and expressiveness, representing, perhaps, the essence of 'Englishness'."

In 1914 he published the now famous "The Lark Ascending" Romance for violin and orchestra, dedication to Marie Hall. It is one of his most well-known pieces along with Fantasia on Greensleeves.

It is music like this that reminds me that there are no ordinary moments, there is indeed, at all times the Eternal Ecstasy waiting within every aspect of being. Waiting to be remembered and celebrated, never withheld from anyone, ever.

me in the EE

H

Hydrogen (from the Greek word ὑδρογόνο= that makes water) (IPA: /ˈhaɪdrə(ʊ)dʒən/), is a chemical element that has the symbol H and an atomic number of 1. At standard temperature and pressure it is a colorless, odorless, nonmetallic, tasteless, highly flammable diatomic gas (H2). With an atomic mass of 1.00794 g/mol, hydrogen is the lightest element.

Is this the symbol of your economic future?

South Carolina leaders are betting hydrogen will energy the state’s economy
By C. GRANT JACKSON

USC president Andrew Sorensen’s sleep is the sleep of the faithful, of a true-believer in South Carolina’s future.

In Innovista, USC’s new research campus, Sorensen is convinced the school has a plan to help take the state not just into the 21st century but the 22nd.

South Carolina is counting on Sorensen, and his counterparts at MUSC and Clemson, to be right.

The state has lost manufacturing jobs steadily over the past decade. To compete in the global economy, South Carolina has shifted from an almost complete reliance on pursuing smokestack industries. Instead, the state is investing millions in its research universities — to attract top professors and knowledge-based companies, with hopes they’ll spin off even more companies.

Read all a link above. That was in Sunday's paper. In today's paper there's more. There's an article titled: "State positioning itself to win in the hydrogen world." (Perhaps they will have a link later today or tomorrow.)

UPDATE: here's the link.

South Carolina hopes to be the nation's hydrogen headquarters, but the competition is pretty stiff.

UPDATE UPDATE: Here's the Tuesday article: Imagine a world where nothingis plugged in
Columbia mught get glimpse into future when it becomes Hydrogen City USA

"Fancy a ride on a fuel cell-powered scooter? Golf cart? Bus? You may not have long to wait."

This is good to see, living in South Carolina. I'm glad to see there are people with a vision beyond a petroleum based economy. Here's hoping that we will indeed at least push these ideas forward, if not lead the US and the world in the next era of new energy ideas and implementation.

On this Date in History

Some Birthdays: (Check out the last entry)

1874 Robert Frost San Francisco CA, poet (Mending Wall, Road Not Taken)
1884 Wilhelm Backhaus Leipzig Germany, pianist (Rubinstein 1905)
1911 Tennessee Williams Columbus MS, dramatist (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)
1930 Sandra Day O'Connor El Paso TX, 1st woman Supreme Court Justice (1981- )
1931 Leonard Nimoy Boston MA, actor (Spock-Star Trek, Mission Impossible)
1940 Nancy Pelosi (Representative-Democrat-CA)
1944 Diana Ross [Earle] Detroit MI, (Supremes, Lady Sings the Blues, Mahogany)
2233 James T Kirk science fiction captain of USS Enterprise (Star Trek)

I should have noted yesterday: 2184 Pavel Andreivich Chekov Leningrad, USSR (Star Trek-character)

Deaths:

0752 Pope Stephen II dies only 4 days after his election
1827 Ludwig van Beethoven German composer (Appassionata), dies in Wien (Vienna) at 56
1892 Walt Whitman poet, dies in Camden NJ at 72

Events:

1668 England takes control of Bombay India
1824 1st performance of Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis"
1863 Voters in West Virginia approve gradual emancipation of slaves
1872 Thomas J Martin patents fire extinguishe
1886 1st cremation in England
1895 King Alfonso plants pine sapling in Madrid, starts Spain's Arbor Day
1916 Birdman of Alcatraz receives solitary
1937 Joe DiMaggio takes Ty Cobb's advice & replace his 40 with 36 oz bat
1937 Spinach growers of Crystal City TX, erect statue of Popeye
1937 William H Hastie becomes 1st black federal judge (Virgin Islands)
1938 NBC radio performance of Howard Hanson's 3rd Symphony
1953 Dr Jonas Salk announces new vaccine to prevent polio [myelitis]
1955 "Ballad of Davy Crockett" becomes the #1 record in US
1971 "Benny Hill Show" tops TV ratings

These are the ones that stood out for me. For more visit here.

On this Date in History

1655 Christiaan Huygens discovers Titan, (Saturn's largest satellite)
1776 Continental Congress authorizes a medal for General George Washington
1807 1st railway passenger service began in England
1857 Frederick Laggenheim takes 1st photo of a solar eclipse
1882 1st demonstration of pancake making (Department store in New York NY)
1896 Modern Olympics begin in Athens Greece
1902 Irving W Colburn patents sheet glass drawing machine
1913 Home of vaudeville, Palace Theatre, opens (New York NY) starring Ed Wynn
1916 Women are allowed to attend a boxing match
1937 It's revealed Quaker Oats pays Babe Ruth $25,000 per year for ads
1943 Jimmy Durante & Garry Moore premiere on radio
1960 DH Lawrence' "Lady Chatterley's Lover" ruled not obscene (New York NY)
1965 Martin Luther King Jr led 25,000 to state capitol in Montgomery AL
1967 The Turtles' "Happy Together" goes #1
1969 John & Yoko stage their 1st bed-in for peace (Amsterdam)
1972 America's LP "America" goes #1


There's alot more here.

EE Welcomes New Contributor

EE welcomes Buck, my partner to the blog.

He's an old blogger and has had several blogs. His latest was dum vivo canno, (while I live I sing is how he interpreted it). He has a great sense of humor and great depth of knowledge in many areas.

He also has a blog called Got Liver? which deals with his, (our) experience with receiving a liver transplant and life thereafter. The operation was January 28th around 4:00 am in the beautiful city of Charleston.

Welcome aboard!

Just Die Already....

"This is kind of pie in the sky," said Devon Herrick, a senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, a conservative think tank. "It's like saying that everyone should have a Cadillac health plan, but at Chevrolet prices. The idea that insurance companies should have to insure everyone, even those with existing health problems, is unrealistic." -- Health News

I was browsing this article on health insurance this morning when I came across this grotesque quote from a Conservative "think tank" (I'm sorry the old political blogger in me still says that's an oxymoron.)

The article concerned the fact that many, if not most, health insurance plans still leave patients of serious illness destitute. As one commentator said "The only thing worse than no insurance is paying for no insurance." How true!

For me, as a post transplant patient, getting insurance again, except for governement programs is probably a "pie in the sky" dream. Insurance companies are not in business to really provide insurance or healthcare. They're in business to maximize their profits and make their CEO's and Investors rich. It's that simple. To them, we're just means to an end - probably a new beach house or private jet.

If the folks at the "National Center for Policy Analysis" had their way, those of us needing expensive transplants, surgeries, or treatments to live should be denied. Their statement to poor or medium income transplant patients? "Just die already, OK?"

The health "insurance" system in this country is horribly broken. I'm currently stuck trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. Why? Private insurance will not insure me nor help pay for my treatment or medications. If I return to work then I will lose my Medicare/Medicaid and will never be able to make enough to pay the over $3000 a month just for medication the rest of my life. Of course, I guess maybe I could become the CEO of an insurance company, then I wouldn't have to worry. But I want to work, especially in medicine again - but I don't want to die to do it. Is that "pie in the sky"?

It's time for the "conservatives" (read Republicans) to once in their lives practice empathy and compassion. After all, they are constantly harping on how Christian they are and didn't Christ say, "What you do to the least of these, you do to me."? Think about it guys. It's not just about money - it's about life.

Original Article at Got Liver?

Law of Attraction Quiz

How Good Are You At Attracting Positives Into Your Life?

The Law of Attraction works regardless if you are working at it or not. The problem is that we can unknowingly be attracting things that we don't want. In order to attract the things you do want is to focus on the positives and to "feel good." How you answer this ten question quiz should give you a fair indication of whether your thoughts and feelings are working for you or against you.


Take the quiz here.


Here's my result:

Your life isn't too shabby. You probably live a really comfortable life. But, there's definitely room for improvement. Take this quiz response as a challenge to step out of comfortable and step into an extravagant life style.

Here's something I posted about Abraham and Esther Hicks where I rediscovered and deepened my awareness of the Law of Attraction. I went to one of the sessions with Abraham and met Esther and Jerry. I saw Esther's aura while she talked to the group. I had not seen auras before but believed others did as I was told often of the light around me as I performed.

These ideas have been used by New Thought or New Age Churches for some time. I had been involved with Divine Science and through it other organizations like Unity and Religious Science in my young adulthood. That was after growing up Catholic.

My teacher, John Suter, was a spiritualist, metaphysician, musician, mystic and I met some of the folks he knew on the southside of Chicago. He read billets and did automatic writing. He could also divine information about someone by holding an object in his hand. I tested him on that one more than once. He also was highly intuitive.

So I ask you, "What's in your wallet? How do your beliefs set you free or limit you? How well aligned with "What IS" are you? Do you recognise your addictions to what seems to be, your ideas that cannot be because seeming is NOT being?"

Peace to all.

Quote for Peace

"Peace demands the most heroic labor and the most difficult sacrifice. It demands greater heroism than war."

Thomas Merton






from Antiwar.com

Authorization for Use of Military Force

Authorization for Use of Military Force
September 18, 2001

Public Law 107-40 [S. J. RES. 23]

107th CONGRESS

JOINT RESOLUTION

To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States.

Whereas, on September 11, 2001, acts of treacherous violence were committed against the United States and its citizens; and

Whereas, such acts render it both necessary and appropriate that the United States exercise its rights to self-defense and to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad; and

Whereas, in light of the threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by these grave acts of violence; and

Whereas, such acts continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States; and

Whereas, the President has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This joint resolution may be cited as the `Authorization for Use of Military Force'.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

(a) IN GENERAL- That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.

(b) War Powers Resolution Requirements-

(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION- Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.

(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Nothing in this resolution supercedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.


Approved September 18, 2001.


Congressional Resolution on Iraq (Passed by House and Senate October 2002)

Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

in it:
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.): said "The power to declare war is the most solemn responsibility given to Congress by the Constitution. We must not delegate that responsibility to the president in advance."

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio): said "Congress and the administration were being driven by fear" [24] and that "the 133 votes against the measure were 'a very strong message' to the administration."

From Russ Feingold's Why I Oppose Bush's Iraq War Resolution

"Both in terms of the justifications for an invasion and in terms of the mission and the plan for the invasion, Mr. President, the Administration's arguments just don't add up. They don't add up to a coherent basis for a new major war in the middle of our current challenging fight against the terrorism of al Qaeda and related organizations. Therefore, I cannot support the resolution for the use of force before us."

Rep. John M. Spratt Jr. (D-S.C.), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee: "predicted during the House floor debate that 'the outcome after the conflict is actually going to be the hardest part, and it is far less certain.


Fooled Again by Gordon Prather

On this Date in History

1721 Johann Sebastian Bach opens his Brandenburgse Concerts
1832 Mormon Joseph Smith beaten, tarred & feathered in Ohio
1837 Canada gives blacks the right to vote
1882 German scientist Robert Koch discovers bacillus cause of TB
1883 1st telephone call between New York & Chicago
1898 1st automobile sold
1930 Planet Pluto named
1937 National Gallery of Art established by Congress
1947 Congress proposes 2-term limitation on the Presidency
1955 1st seagoing oil drill rig placed in service
1958 Elvis Presley joins the army (serial number 53310761)
1962 Mick Jagger & Keith Richards perform as Little Boy Blue & Blue Boys
1964 Kennedy half-dollar issued

Religious Observances:
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Gabriel, patron of postmen, telephone workers

Thought for the day :
" No one is so happy or sad as he imagines. "

See the sidebar under references for link to site for more interesting births, deaths , events and more.

Thanks to South Carolina Rep John Spratt

An email from MoveOn:

Dear MoveOn member,

We're one step closer in the fight to end the war. Today the Iraq Accountability Act passed Congress. For the first time, Congress passed a real deadline to end the war—by fall of 2008. Your representative, Congressman John Spratt voted right and helped make that happen.

This was a very hard vote for members of Congress. But Rep. Spratt supported Speaker Pelosi in her strategy to wind down this war. Can you write him a quick note to say 'thanks' for bringing us one step closer and to keep up the fight until all our troops are home?


There's no question that this bill was not as strong as most of us would have wanted—-and we're going to keep fighting together to bring the troops home sooner than next year. But it's an important step forward, and at today's vote 63 of the 71 members of the Out of Iraq Caucus voted for the bill. All but 2 Republicans voted against it.

Now the fight moves to the Senate. If Senators also pass a hard timeline to end the war then this plan goes to the President.

If he makes good on his promise to veto it, he'll be forced to stand up in front of the American people—a strong majority of whom want to set a date to end the war—and argue for a war with no end. And he'll have to veto funds for the war along with the timeline and send the whole thing back to Congress.

Here's my letter to Representative Spratt :

Honorable Rep. Spratt,

thanks for voting to set a date to end the war. I appreciate your stand on ending the war and want you to continue to push leadership to bring our troops home sooner. We must take stronger steps to rein in the President on his failed strategy in Iraq.

I hope humanity will move quickly towards peaceful resolutions of conflicts and learn from this mess that there is a better way. The motivations for this war may never be well known by the masses or accepted by a large segment of people. But we can and should honor our brothers and sisters at arms to only use them when there is NO OTHER WAY and only in self-defense.

This has been and continues to be a sad chapter in American History and I'm glad to see that you are making attempts to "change the course." The power of the Executive Branch and the willingness of a passive and willing legislature, (until now) has brought about such a disdain, distrust and dislike to put it mildly from citizens here and abroad.

Thanks for all you do to stop this madness. I wish I could applauded our Senators, but alas, they are party and presidential loyalists to the end.

Here's the news report from thne AP:

Dems challenge Bush with Iraq timetable

WASHINGTON - The House voted Friday for the first time to clamp a cutoff deadline on the
Iraq war, agreeing by a thin margin to pull combat troops out by next year and pushing the new Democratic-led Congress ever closer to a showdown with
President Bush.


The 218-212 vote, mostly along party lines, was a hard-fought victory for Democrats, who faced divisions within their own ranks on the rancorous issue. Passage marked their most brazen challenge yet to Bush on a war that has killed more than 3,200 troops and lost favor with the American public.

He dismissed their action as "political theater" and said he would veto the bill if it reached his desk. The Senate is about to take up its own version.


The President knows Political Theator---that's all he knows. At least that's all he does...hmmm... Political Theator of the Absurd...that's it.



John Spratt is the Chairman of the House Budget Committee.
The State has called John Spratt "a bridge-builder who can reach across party lines." National Journal featured him on its cover as "a stand-out" in Congress, comparing his legislative skills to the "best infielders in baseball." In Washingtonian magazine's survey, Congressional staff voted him a "Workhorse" and "House Member I'd Like to See Win the Presidency in 2008."


Thanks, John.

On this Day in History

I've added a new link in the Reference category, the last segment on the sidebar. "Anyday Today in History." You can search any day you wish. It's very detailed. They list birthdays, events and MIAs, holidays, religious observances and religious history.

Here's a few events for today:

1743 George Frideric Händel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres in London
1839 1st recorded use of "OK" [oll korrect] (Boston's Morning Post)
1891 1st jazz concert was held at Carnegie Hall
1896 Umberto Giordano's opera "Andrea Chénier" premieres in Milan
1903 Wright brothers obtain airplane patent
1912 Dixie Cup invented
1925 Tennessee becomes 1st state to outlaw teaching theory of evolution
1966 1st official meeting after 400 years of Catholic & Anglican Church

South Carolina's new constitution of descrimination

South Carolina officially banned gay marriage Thursday as legislative leaders ratified a constitutional amendment approved by voters in November. South Carolina was among eight states with gay marriage bans on the ballot last year. The measures passed everywhere except Arizona. And to think I moved here from Arizona!

The Constitution now reads, "A marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in this state."

It prevents the state and local governments from legalizing any sort of domestic union of gay couples or recognizing those made in other states.

THIS IS DESCRIMINATION IN THE LAND OF THE FREE!

Almost 80% of SC voters approved the amendment last year.

Why are so many people who would not be immediately affected, whether financial, morally or any other way by gay marriage or civil unions, be so adamant about denying rights for the relatively few people whose lives are greatly affected by such stupidity made into law? Why?

And this guy is a Republican from Texas

Defund the War by Rep. Ron Paul

The $124 billion supplemental appropriation is a good bill to oppose. I am pleased that many of my colleagues will join me in voting against this measure.

If one is unhappy with our progress in Iraq after four years of war, voting to de-fund the war makes sense. If one is unhappy with the manner in which we went to war, without a constitutional declaration, voting no makes equally good sense.

Voting no also makes the legitimate point that the Constitution does not authorize Congress to direct the management of any military operation – the president clearly enjoys this authority as Commander in Chief.

But Congress just as clearly is responsible for making policy, by debating and declaring war, raising and equipping armies, funding military operations, and ending conflicts that do not serve our national interests.

Congress failed to meet its responsibilities four years ago, unconstitutionally transferring its explicit war power to the executive branch. Even though the administration started the subsequent preemptive war in Iraq, Congress bears the greatest responsibility for its lack of courage in fulfilling its duties. Since then Congress has obediently provided the funds and troops required to pursue this illegitimate war.

Here's a new approach: Congress should admit its mistake and repeal the authority wrongfully given to the executive branch in 2002. Repeal the congressional sanction and disavow presidential discretion in starting wars. Then start bringing our troops home.

If anyone charges that this approach does not support the troops, take a poll. Find out how reservists, guardsmen, and their families – many on their second or third tour in Iraq – feel about it.

Read all at link above at AntiWar.com


Video: GOP presidential candidate would 'reinstate Constitution'


Rep. Ron Paul on War, Peace, and the News Media


.

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson

In Utah, an Opponent of the ‘Culture of Obedience’

“There’s a real resistance to change and an almost pathological devotion to leaders simply because they’re leaders,” he said, in describing fellow Utahans who do not share his views and who in large numbers support the president (and gave him 72 percent of their vote in 2004). “There’s a dangerous culture of obedience throughout much of this country that’s worse in Utah than anywhere.”

Mr. Anderson, a 55-year-old lapsed Mormon* and former civil litigator with a rich baritone and a mane of patrician-silver hair, is no stranger to strong talk and political stances that leave his audiences breathless with exasperation, admiration or sometimes a mixture of both.

Critics and supporters alike agree that Mr. Anderson — whose given name is Ross but who is known by almost everyone here as Rocky, with no last name necessary — is genuinely passionate and devoted to the causes he has brought to the mayor’s office, including global warming, genocide in Darfur, gay and lesbian rights and the war in Iraq.

Mr. Anderson announced last July that he would not seek a third term, saying he wanted to devote the rest of his life to grass-roots organizing involving human rights and global warming. He said in the interview that he had not made specific plans.

Salt Lake City Mayor's Website

Video: Salt Lake City, Utah mayor slams 'dishonest, war-mongering' Bush from Aigust 31, 2006 at Raw Story.


Bill O'Reilly Shows His True Depth With Salt Lake City Mayor


My limerick for Bill O'Reilly:

There once was a man named O'Reilly
Who thought of himself oh so highly
With artful Aggression
He gained some attention
And also a new name: O'Lielly

*lapsed Mormon:When a Mormon stops accepting the binding truth of prophetic revelation, he effectively becomes a lapsed Mormon. I never heard that term before and I've known some LDS folks and some very well.

I have heard of a Jack Mormon: The term Jack Mormon is a slang term that originated in the nineteenth century. It was used to describe somebody who was not officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or LDS Church), but who was friendly to Church members and Mormonism, sympathized with them, and/or took an active interest in their belief system.

In today's Mormon culture, the term "dry-Mormon" is its equivalent. Sometime in the early to mid twentieth century, the term changed culturally to refer to someone deemed by LDS adherents to be an inactive or lapsed member of the LDS Church who maintained good relations with and positive feelings toward the Church. It has also been used humorously to describe Church members who were registered Democrats in the early 1980s.


me in the EE with RockEE

Turtle Blogging

Turtle is the oldest symbol for the Earth.

It is the personification of goddess energy
and the eternal Earth itself.


If you have a Turtle totem, you must be mindful of returning to the Earth what she has given you. Honor the creative source within you. Use water and earth energies to create a harmonious flow in your life. Ask the Earth for assistance and her riches will pour forth.


Picture taken today March 21, 2007

Celebrations

Two celebrations for today.
First day of the Vernal Equinox. First Day of Spring. The sun passed over the equator last night around 8:00 pm. So the 21st is the first day of spring.
The word equinox derives from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night).

Second it's Johann Sebastian Bach's birthday! Born in 1785 on this date. Maybe that's why I've been going over some of his music. Some two part inventions for piano(Klavichord), a French Suite, preludes and fugues and some of the other music he wrote for keyboard.

I've performed the Max Pirani transcription titled "Arioso" many times. I also sang in the "Magnificat" with The Arizona Masterworks Chorale in Phoenix under Mary Ann Dutton. My initiation to the group was the "Carmina Burana" of Carl Orff. Then Verdi's "Il Trovatore", concert version, and another standout was Ward's, "The Earth Shall be Fair". I have so many happy memories of singing with this fine group for the few seasons that I did. Besides our Phoenix performances at Symphony Hall where I also sang with the Arizona Opera later on, we sang in Flagstaff for the Summer Festival.

I auditioned for the tenor part in the Magnificat but I didn't get the part. Mary Ann praised my attempt although I was so new to singing then. I worked very hard on the piece and of course was disappointed but not discouraged. I went on to sing solo parts in many oratorios in the years ahead. My teacher, a few years later, Rico Serbo, taught me at Mary Ann's beautiful home in the Phoenix area for a time when he had only an apartment there.

Sorry ....so much about my stuff on Bach's Birthday, but I need to remember these things right now, I've been out of sorts for so long. Well, back to the studio, I'm coming Johann!

Qoutes:

"Why waste money on psychotherapy when you can listen to the B Minor Mass?"
Michael Torke

"Thus o’er my pipe in contemplation Of such things - I can constantly Indulge in fruitful meditation, And so, puffing contentedly,On land, at sea, at home, abroad,I smoke my pipe and worship God."


Peace.

me and Bach in the Vernal EEquinox