Honoring Native Americans on Thanksgiving « Transition Times

http://bethechange2012.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/honoring-native-americans-on-thanksgiving/

by Jennifer Browdy de Hernandez on November 24, 2011 •



Thanksgiving in the U.S. is about gathering together with friends and family and giving thanks for being able to stuff oneself with a huge meal.

It’s one of the most important holidays of the American capitalist religion, second only to “Christmas.”

Its founding myth is the fateful meal shared by the indigenous peoples of Massachusetts with the starving English Pilgrims.  The Pilgrims “gave thanks” at that meal for the generosity of their hosts, and thus was born the tradition of a November Thanksgiving feast.

To my way of thinking, Thanksgiving should actually be a day of atonement marked by fasting, in the spirit of Yom Kippur, Lent or Ramadan.

We Euramericans should be reflecting and repenting on this day for the way our ancestors turned on their Native hosts, once the time of starvation was past.

We repaid their kind welcome with a shameful record of stealing, swindling, enslavement, displacement and deliberate infection.

We waged vicious war that slaughtered children and old people along with warriors both male and female.

We occupied their lands without a second thought, and proceeded to cut the primeval forests to make room for our livestock, roads and cities.

This pattern started with the Puritan Pilgrims in Massachusetts, and spread inexorably West, all the way to California and Texas, where indeed the brutal work had already been begun by the Spanish.

I don’t really expect Americans to give up the tradition of the jolly Thanksgiving feast.

But we do need to be mindful of the real historical background behind the custom of gathering to celebrate with family and friends.

American Thanksgiving is a holiday that honors the spirit of sharing the bounty.  When we dig into that heaped plate today, we should be giving thanks to the rich Earth that has nourished human beings for millennia, and for the Native peoples of this continent, who learned how to live in harmony with the flora and fauna of this place, cultivating the first corn, beans and squash, and craftily culling the abundant indigenous turkeys.

And we should pause in our feast to reflect on the ignoble history that unfolded after that original Thanksgiving in Plymouth MA, where America repaid her hosts not with honor, but with persecution, scorn and hate.

In the act of repentance springs redemption.  The indigenous people of this continent are not gone–they are alive and well and living among us.  Let us raise a glass to them today and give them the honor and thanks they deserve.

___________________________

I do not know Jennifer Browdy de Hernandez, nor do I believe i have ever read any of her other entries.
I plan to change that fact as soon as possible.

XOXO
Me

Please feel free to do any of the 'clicks' above. This is an amazing mindset; one we would all benefit from having within our hearts, every day.

Grandbaby Sam. WHO t/f DOES THIS?!?

Good Morning All!
Y'all remember our Baby Sam and his less than perfect entrance to our world?

I have sat on this entry since I've found out...
I have been remiss in filling y'all in on young Sam.

So here's some pictures- I believe they are very self-explanatory too.

















Daddy Chuck brought this to my attention a few days ago- Filling me in that this was done by someone he loved and trusted... (Yes, he called the police).
Quite like myself, Chuck shoots first, (then asks questions and takes names later). I am happy to report that as I type Sam and his dad are both on their way back to Wisconsin.
(Odd, but somehow that is a happy ending to something that should NEVER have happened in the 1st place).
I still fight back the tears...

Now would everyone please go hug their babies, all?

XOXO
Me

PS
One more link here if you will, I (STILL) get by with a little help from my friends.
Young Sam never did start with a fair shake.
Maybe now he can/will.

top pic credit in "It needed to be said" album here.

Kvetchin' Up!

Our Classy GOP in Wisconsin

Wisconsinites Collecting Walker Recall Signatures Get Death Threats

The campaign to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is going swimmingly well -- so well, in fact that it must be making someone (or a group of folks) incredibly nervous.

Raw Story reports:

Police in Sun Prairie, Wisc. said Monday they were investigating reports of death threats made against two activists supporting the recall of Gov. Scott Walker (R).

Wisconsin residents Heather DuBois Bourenane and Tom Peer, who live in Sun Prairie and Madison, respectively, said they received early morning phone calls on Thursday of last week warning that they would be murdered.

Peer says he was told, "If you don't stop circulating recall petitions, we will kill you."

You can check out this interview with both Peer and Bourenane on Daily Kos.

Let's hope that authorities take this seriously and find whomever is responsible for harassing and threatening law abiding citizens who are participating in our democracy. Or what's left of it. It's fine to disagree passionately and peacefully about politics, but to threaten someone's life over an election is absolutely heinous.  

By Tara Lohan | Sourced from AlterNet

Posted at November 21, 2011, 4:55 pm

Hi Everyone!
It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round- But this is taking it all way out of proportion.
DEATH THREATS? C'mon-
Our "Grand Ole Badger State" seems to have a wart, or ten, on its nose.

Methinks someone is increasingly paranoid, and very very worried and intimidated.
These people issuing death threats need to be imprisoned for a long time.
Maybe they will learn how to play fair there...

XOXO
Me

Do the clicks- They do work.

Think before you drink (water). Another Crime Against Humanity

Tell your Senator: Stop dangerous fracking

*** Did you know oil and gas companies are allowed to inject huge quantities of secret, toxic fluids, directly into our drinking water - and that the EPA is currently powerless to do anything about it?

High Pressure Hydraulic Fracturing (or fracking) is a method of drilling for natural gas by pumping a mixture of water and toxic, cancer-causing chemicals deep underground, and it's already responsible for poisoning the groundwater in states across the country.

Fracking wells are spreading at an alarming rate. But even more alarming, thanks to the work of Dick Cheney and his infamous energy policy, Frackers don't have to disclose the chemicals used in their fluid, and the process is totally exempt from regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The FRAC Act, a bill that has been in the Senate since 2009, would correct both these problems. As public concern over fracking has grown, the bill has gained some momentum, but we still need more Senators actively working to pass it. Will you urge your Senator to support and work to pass the FRAC Act?

Tell you Senator: Co-sponsor the FRAC Act to protect our water from dangerous fracking.

If you've ever seen the picture of the man lighting his tap water on fire from the recent documentary Gasland, that was because of nearby fracking.¹

Fracking a single gas well uses hundreds of thousands, or even millions of gallons of water, combined with hundreds of tons of chemicals including known toxics and carcinogens.
While the exact contents of the fluid is still a secret, scientific examination reveals that it often contains diesel fuel, which includes benzene, as well as methanol, formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid and many others.²

The fluid is injected thousands of feet underground at extremely high pressure, literally cracking the earth to release trapped gas. Unfortunately, it must pass through our water table, where the fluids, along with natural gas, can leak through well casings into our drinking water.

Yet somehow, the EPA has been handcuffed from regulating fracking to keep our water clean since 2005, in what has become known as "the Halliburton loophole." Halliburton, where Dick Cheney was CEO before becoming Vice President, patented fracking in the 1940's and remains the third largest producer of fracking fluids. And in trademark Bush administration style, Halliburton staff were actively involved in a 2004 EPA report on fracking safety.

The "Halliburton loophole" (Another Bush gift that keeps on giving)- remains a dangerous legacy of the Bush Administration and if we're going to protect our water, we need to close it.

Tell you Senator: Co-sponsor the FRAC Act to protect our water from dangerous fracking.

Fracking is currently underway in 36 states. The ramifications to our water from expanded, unchecked fracking will be extreme and are only beginning to be fully realized by the public - thanks in no small part to the continued resistance of industry to disclose the poisons it involves.

An important investigative series by the New York Times recently concluded that "the dangers to the environment and health are greater than previously understood."³

In addition to toxic, carcinogenic fluids which remain underground after a well is fracked, fracking also produces substantial quantities of waste water which can be literally radioactive. According to the Times, the water is "sometimes hauled to sewage plants not designed to treat it and then discharged into rivers that supply drinking water, contains radioactivity at levels higher than previously known, and far higher than the level that federal regulators say is safe for these treatment plants to handle."

What's more, above ground spills of toxic fracking fluids are becoming increasingly common. A large spill this April in Pennsylvania dumped thousands of gallons into fields and streams, eerily, on the one year anniversary of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill.

The oil and gas industry is the only industry in America that is allowed by EPA to inject known hazardous materials -- unchecked -- directly into or adjacent to underground drinking water supplies.

While some state regulations do exist, they vary widely. But water contamination isn't constrained by state boundaries, and we need a strong baseline national standard to make sure fracking chemicals are publicly disclosed everywhere fracking is taking place, and that this practice isn't putting our nation's drinking water at risk.

Tell you Senator: Co-sponsor the FRAC Act to protect our water from dangerous fracking.

We'll deliver your petition to the Senators who have not yet co-sponsored the FRAC Act. The ten current sponsors and co-sponsors are Boxer (CA), Cardin (MD), Casey (PA), Feinstein (CA), Gillibrand (NY), Lautenberg (NJ), Mikulski (MD), Sanders (VT), Schumer (NY), Whitehouse (RI)

1. Burning Tap Water and More: GASLAND Exposes the Natural Gas Industry," Treehugger, June 25, 2010.
2. Hydraulic Fracturing 101," EARTHWORKS.
3. Regulation Lax as Gas Wells' Tainted Water Hits Rivers," New York Times, February 26, 2011

More info:
S.587
Latest Title: FRAC Act
Sponsor: Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] (introduced 3/15/2011)      Cosponsors (10)
Related Bills: H.R.1084
Latest Major Action: 4/12/2011 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held with the Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife.

Related Bill:
H.R.1084
Latest Title: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2011
Sponsor: Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] (introduced 3/15/2011)      Cosponsors (63)
Related Bills: S.587
Latest Major Action: 3/21/2011 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.

  ***  Check out the major dollar contributions by vote -click here


I just signed a petition asking my Senator to co-sponsor the FRAC Act, which would allow the EPA to regulate fracking.
Please add your voice and help build the call to pass this vital bill to protect our drinking water:
Please sign the support for these bills or maybe we say Good-Bye to our Great Lakes.
 
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/frac_act/?r_by=-4775131-YJo6_sx&rc=confemail

The Qualities of the Medicine Wheel

Native American Horoscope
       When you look at the Qualities of the Medicine Wheel you will notice dates and an animal names.
For simplicity sake, you can pick the date you were born and learn more about the animal and the Characteristics of that area on the Medicine Wheel.

Remember, that in each quadrant of the Medicine Wheel we learn things about ourselves.
We are always changing and may take on other attitudes of another area.
We are never really totally one certain trait all the time.
We may have the general qualities of one animal, however, we can take on the heir of others in order to learn more about ourselves. That is the spiraling beauty of the Medicine Wheel...

Native American Horoscope
	When you look at the Qualities of the Medicine Wheel you will notice dates and an animal names. For simplicity sake, you can pick the date you were born and learn more about the animal and the Characteristics of that area on the Medicine Wheel.Remember, that in each quadrant of the Medicine Wheel we learn things about ourselves. We are always changing and may take on other attitudes of another area. We are never really totally one certain trait all the time. We may have the general qualities of one animal, however, we can take on the heir of others in order to learn more about ourselves. That is the spiraling beauty of the Medicine Wheel
	Otter 1/20-2/18 The Otter has a sense of playfulness and a strong sense of family. This type of person is friendly, playful, bold, and good at mimicking others. Otter people have to have cleanliness and order to feel comfortable in life. Otters represent curiosity and the feminine aspects of creation, imagination, joy and love. They are service oriented and are great organizers. Often they are directed to the benefit of the Earth and its inhabitants. Take care to avoid being self-centered as this could lead to being made miserable and morose. Otter people are also broad minded and will try almost anything. They can be unpredictable and rather eccentric. Emotions affect them but rarely run deep. Self assured and reliant, they find it difficult to conform to rules and regulations. Otters are artistic, humane and dynamic.
	Wolf 2/19-3/20 Wolf people are usually teachers and guide others. They often surprise others with the subtleties of truth. Wolf is cunning, sensitive, intuitive. Emotions must run freely. Permanent relationships give a meaning to life. One hunts for underlying meanings of everything around them.Wolf also tends to be very ritualistic in day to day activities. They are able to discern attitudes, feelings and intentions of others, however well hidden they appear to be. Wolf people feel vulnerable when emotions are unbalanced. Their "prey" is philosophy, religion and mysticism. Compassionate and warm they absorb everything like sponges. Decisions are made by feelings instead of logic. Freedom is needed for wolf people. They put their heart into any endeavor on any level and it becomes a part of them which tends to make them sensitive to criticism
	Falcon 3/21-4/19 Falcons are hunters of new ideas and experiences. Fearless travelers that go after things the want, whether it be a new experience, venture or idea. They have high ideals and can lack patience and concentration. Persistence needs to be developed. Falcons have strong and powerful talons, whereas people have the capacity to rip or shred others by mere words. Balance of words of the mind and the feelings of the heart needs to be exercised. The have high ideals and are great starters but not finishers. They move quickly away from something after they get the fullest benefits from it. Restless and energetic they are designed for action. Optimistic and determined, they need to learn to rise above adversity. Their imagination exaggerates ides and are often good motivators. They speak their minds which may be deemed as tactless. Falcons are in the present, the past can be easily discarded.
	Beaver 4/20-5/20 Beaver transforms the environment for their own comfort. They are hard workers, adaptable, creative. Their patience and perseverance allows them to accomplish much. Beavers are quick learners, make stability by holding onto the environment thus they become the mast of their own lives. Beavers tend to act on dreams to make them a reality. They are always busy with work and home, which gives them security. Stability is important for Beaver people. Reliable, methodical, and  good manual dexterity. Beavers love beauty in arts, crafts and clothes - thus they have taste. They can be irritable and high strung if peace and harmony are lacking. They are generally orthodox about philosophy and religion. Risk taking is unlikely. Beaver people can be lazy and self indulgent but very practical, patient and persistent. Their world is of physical sensations and pleasures.
	Deer 5/21-6/20 Deer people blend well with the environment. They are sensitive to sounds and movement and are quite intuitive, understanding and compassionate. They have the ability to see things at a distance. Deer people are connected with higher forms of inner thoughts and perceptions which are quite accurate. They are alert and fast moving, especially in moodiness. Thoughts race through their minds and they feel the need to express themselves - often times interrupting conversations. Deer people are beautiful but can discern the deeper beauty in people, places and things. They have the ability to draw the best attributes out of people. Organization is a quality that deer people need to learn. Bubbly and expressive, they thrive on change. Full of fun and charm, but can be sarcastic as well. Deer have good communications skills - they love to talk but may listen too little.
	Woodpecker 6/21-7/21 Woodpeckers have a hard time letting go of relationships and situations of the heart which is one of the most difficult experiences for people to learn. This also coincides with strong paternal/maternal instincts These people require a comfortable and harmonious home in which their lives are centered. Sometimes Woodpeckers can become bitter if unable to share the home with someone. They need to serve their devotions to feel complete in their energy. Woodpeckers drum a beat while perched on a tree. This emphasizes that you must find your own rhythm in life. Those who get to know woodpecker people feel warm and cared for, thus making strong bonds. To the outside world they  may appear to be hard and cold. Woodpecker people have high emotions and will often play upon sympathy. These sensitive and imaginative people can be unforgiving and moody but are protective and tender.
	Salmon 7/22-8/21 Salmon people have wisdom and strength of purpose. They are usually blessed with longevity and old age. Through friction and disturbances they still move gracefully. Resisting changes causes emotional upsets, so a lesson to attain mastery of the emotions is needed. Salmon people have great determination, energy and enthusiasm to see tasks to the end, much like the salmon on the spawning journey. Sometimes arrogant, their warmth wins them over. They are bold and uncompromising in their views, which makes them very convincing. Tough on the exterior, inward they are tender hearted and can be easily hurt. These dramatic people often inflate problems out of proportion. Judgements are not always sound in decision making. Salmon people are extremely generous, creative, trusting and proud. They anchor and find security at home. Quiet meditation will help find balance you need.
	Bear 8/22-9/21 Brown Bear people are self reliant and much prefers the familiar surroundings including a calm emotional level. They usually are compassionate healers because the feelings run so deep. Bear's imagination runs often to see things more clearly. The Bear connects to the unconscious and subconscious ideals of life. They are very adaptable to life's situations and can handle stress effectively. They have an innate ability to fix things, material and emotional. Hardworking and careful, bears easily lose sight of main issues so they must break down tasks into smaller ones for accomplishment. Bear people struggle with self expression with tendencies of becoming pushovers in relationships. Bear's tough side however makes them independent in business ventures. They are very dependable and hard working after getting past other's expectations. Their good nature is wonderfully apparent.
	Crow 9/22-10/22 Crow people are not loners. They feel secure with other people and work best in groups. Crow people are not loners. They feel secure with other people and work best in groups. Crows have a strong sense of loyalty and have the ability to turn thoughts into reality. Confidences and trusts are kept with Crow people. Taking time to look within and gain inner strength helps make those important decisions without hesitation. Crows may have the appearance of not having courage and strength, but discerns quite well situations that may be dangerous. Masters of alchemy, crows can transform desires into reality. Crows often have difficulty in making choices, however, when those choices are made they act with vigilance. Talkative and good natured they love and thrive on new experiences. Cheerful and fun, yet annoying and bothersome. Crow people may have a two-sided work ethic: workaholic and lazy. Easy going crows love groups and come alive in social settings. Their excellent negotiating skills is marked by their balance for justice. These people can be indecisive and gullible also romantic and easy going. Crow people need to balance the mind with the emotions.
	Snake 10/23-11/22 Snake has the power of transformation and renewal. They are sensitive to situations and can smell trouble. When changes need to be made in their life they do adapt by donning a new attitude, likened to shedding the old skin. Snake people may need to learn to keep their tough exterior outwards since they are open and friendly to everyone. This is a tough lesson to learn. Snake people act in inopportune moments, often causing stress and anxiety. The art of timing needs to be learned. They have a disturbing way of seeing right through you. Slow to anger, they can strike when provoked. Snake people need to balance the wounding with healing aspect of their being. They are noted for their magnetic personalities and a behavior for opposites: impulsive/rational, patient/intolerant, spiritual/materialistic. Snakes move slowly in endeavors but speed up when needed and tend to make a lot progress when there are obstacles surrounding them.
	Owl 11/23-12/21 Owl people conduct themselves proudly. They have good insight to what they set their minds on. Owl people feel drawn to "secret" realms of thought so they need to be kept grounded in reality. Often they can be withdrawn seeming to be reclusive in nature. Owls see things prior to the true illumination of ideas, thoughts and feelings. They also have excellent hearing and can discern what is or is not being said. Owl is associated with hidden wisdom. Keen eyes and strong wings, they silently move in life. Fun-loving and jovial, owls are independent and outgoing. They cannot be confined in mind or spirit. They express what they feel with a seemingly harsh attitude. Self-centered in nature, they would rather talk about subjects that interest them. Adventurous and explorative, they like making their mark on life but are rarely satisfied. Owls need to focus on one clear goal, since they tend to scatter their energies, for they possess the will and determination to achieve it.
	Goose 12/22-1/19 Goose people have imaginative minds to set out on new frontiers. They are often perfectionists with a high enthusiasm for life. Goose finds frustration when dreams are not realized immediately. Patience needs to be learned to attain the goals that are desired. Goose people have made imprints  early in their life that needs to be nurtured whether those imprints are good or bad. The impossible becomes manifest for Goose. They have a wonderful sense of teaching others. Ambitious and resourceful, they can tap into their inner strength to attain desires. Goose people are aloof creatures and tend to take things too seriously. Stress and anxiety results. Pessimism and depression sets in when they are not understood, which could lead to destructive to behaviors. Usually Goose has &many connections with people, however, only calling a few friends. They have a tendency to regard nature above humans. They are persistent and ambitious along with demanding and selfish. Goose people exude a tough outer appearance but deep down they have good hearts. Balancing the range of traits is a welcome challenge to Goose people, and much needed.

The Great Honey Swindle - Food Media - Food News - CHOW

http://www.chow.com/food-news/97458/the-great-honey-swindle/

Published on Monday, November 14, 2011, by Rebecca Flint Marx

The Great Honey Swindle

As if bees weren’t having a hard enough time of it lately, now there’s this: According to a report released last week by Food Safety News, the vast majority of store-bought honey sold in this country isn’t technically honey.

You see, the Food and Drug Administration requires any product labeled “honey” to contain pollen, which is reasonable enough. Unfortunately, many manufacturers seem to disagree—testing done for Food Safety News revealed that 76 percent of grocery store products claiming to be honey do not actually contain pollen. Instead, the substance lurking within the confines of those innocent-looking plastic bears is merely ultrafiltered golden sludge that probably came from China.

Ultrafiltering is a process that waters down honey and removes much of its nutritional value along with its pollen. The reason that Chinese producers love ultrafiltering is simple: honey laundering.

Like American corn, Chinese honey is cheap and heavily subsidized. In 2001, the Federal Trade Commission began imposing high tariffs on it because its abundance on the U.S. market had been driving American honey producers out of business. Since pollen is the only sure way to determine where honey originates, ultrafiltering has made it possible for the Chinese to continue dumping their honey on the U.S., often by channeling it through other countries.

And if that’s not shady enough, Chinese honey has been found to contain illegal animal antibiotics. A decade ago, tainted honey that came to the U.S. through Canada was sold to Smucker’s and Sara Lee, resulting in the recall of 12,000 cases of honey and a half-million loaves of bread.

A rep for the FDA told FSN that the organization hasn’t halted any honey imports because it has “yet to detect ‘ultra-filtered’ honey.” But should it be detected, “we will refuse entry.” Given that many in the honey industry expressed doubt that the FDA checks more than five percent of honey imports, that’s cold comfort for both consumers and bees.

Until the FDA steps up its game, you might want to be careful about where you buy. Food Safety News's tests, which were conducted by “one of the nation’s premier melissopalynologists,” found that 100 percent of honey sampled from big drugstore chains contained no pollen, as did 77 percent of the honey from big-box stores like Walmart and Costco, and 76 percent of the honey from grocery chains including Kroger, Safeway, and Giant Eagle. One bee expert told FSN that “unless you’re buying from a beekeeper, you’re at risk.”

The good news is that consumers do have a modicum of power: All of the honey FSN sampled from food co-ops, farmers’ markets, and “natural” chains like Trader Joe’s and PCC contained the full amount of pollen. And while those sources won’t do much to stem the tide of dodgy honey flowing from China, it’s probably best to take sweet relief where you can find it.

Image source: Flickr member cthoyes under Creative Commons

About all I can add is buy from your LOCAL Farmers Market-
Make a point to know your beekeeper.

XOXO
Me

(Picture from the above linked article).

Traffic Jam (Groan and Giggle)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

A driver was stuck in a traffic jam on the highway outside Washington, DC.
Nothing was moving.
Suddenly, a man knocks on the window.

The driver rolls down the window and asks, “What’s going on?”

“Terrorists have kidnapped Congress, and they’re asking for a $100 million dollar ransom. Otherwise, they are going to douse them all in gasoline and set them on fire."
"We are going from car to car, collecting donations.”

“How much is everyone giving, on average?” the driver asks.

The man replies, “Roughly a gallon.”

"The only real valuable thing is intuition." Einstein

During. And Done.

Happy Sunday!
Sunday isn't Sunday without a Packers Game. :-(
But we do play tomorrow night!

I thought I had better post these pics- before the next snow falls. (I do not see any in the forecast).
As of this morning, and having the temps rise through the night, there is no snow left on the lawns, grass or trees. We already knew it wouldn't last long.

So- Here are a few during and after' pics for you to enjoy.
If you hover your mouse over the pics, there should be an accurate description.
I think.







It was just a few days before that fell, that we were outside- & playing out in the sunshine!



Boy was that cat mad at Punk!
One little swipe as Punk nosed in a little hole that Sputty had found.
(I heard the loud and indignant "Ki-Yike" as I was taking the picture).





Sputty checking out the septic tank that was waiting to be pumped out..




And now it needs to be covered- soon. This was one of the tasks I had thought would get done on Friday when my help from Christy's family was going to be here to help out.
I had to cancel them Late Thursday night; not knowing what Casey would need that day.
I hope they can still come before it is too cold to work outside for a while...



During...




Done!









During!




Done!





And yes, there is still color in some of the maples!

My love to all.

XOXO
Me