HORRIFIC HEADLINES (And Why We Must Read Them)

From Merriam-Webster.com. To muse: 

• to think or say (something) in a thoughtful way
• to become absorbed in thought; especially:  to turn something over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively

In my header to this blog, I say that these are my "musings". As I have more and more begun to write on subjects of a political or world news nature, my conscience worries me to the point I often dream about it. I have stated before that I am a believer in "what you hold in your thoughts, you create in your world". As thoughts are energy, how do I justify musing about the crises in our own country, as well as around the world? Am I adding to the fear consciousness of the planet when I not only turn these things over and over in my mind, but write about them as well? And as Merriam-Webster states, "often inconclusively", in most cases, I cannot come to conclusions (or solutions) as good as or any better than our politicians or world leaders propose.

I consider myself a pacifist. How then can I justify the elated response I feel at the revelations that the United States has begun bombing in other countries, perhaps even risking killing innocent citizens? The anger I felt at the brutal decapitations carried out by the terrorists, and published in the media for all to see... is that justification for perhaps killing 100s or even thousands of innocents by our own government? But how else are we supposed to stop these merciless terrorists? "Love Thine Enemy" doesn't cut it, does it?

I have been opposed to the death penalty for many years, and feel ashamed that our state of Texas has held more executions in recent years than any other state in the Union. How do I explain my first reaction when I hear of some horrific rape and killing of a child? My immediate thought is this person deserves to die! 

From time to time I have gone on what I call a "news fast" to prevent my dwelling on so many painful events around the globe. That never lasts very long, as it is too hard to ignore the many electronic newscasts now available. When I quit watching cable (for monetary, not moral reasons), I thought it would be easier -- but it's not. 

The following article I read recently provides some salve to my conscience. The entire article is quite moving, as Courtney Martin wrote this after a visit with her parents. Her mother has been on a personal news fast herself. Consequently, Courtney brought her mother to tears as she discussed the current news. I could relate when she said that those of us who cannot tear ourselves away from news have become "scabbed over" in an effort to protect our psyches. That may have worked on my waking self, but as my dreams indicate, deep down in my consciousness I have yet to assimilate any toughness, and my tears flow as well. 

From The Unbearable Weight of World News by Courtney E. Martin

"...shielding oneself from the news is dangerous for everyone. If we, the relatively safe and privileged reader, don’t act as witnesses to the world’s violence, how can we fight against it? Is our mental comfort more important than the motivation that our discomfort might produce?

..As for viewing images of horrific violence perpetrated upon innocent victims around the world, Susan Moeller of the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda wrote:  '…we the adult audience have the responsibility of looking at it — forewarned of the horrors to be seen perhaps, but not coddled into a comfortable obliviousness.'"

Two phrases used in Courtney's article have stuck with me. One is "compassionate fatigue", which is an accurate description of what one feels after so many stories of violence that put one in emotional overload. The other is a practice that so many responsible journalists are now trying to emulate, "solutions journalism". They have their own website, Solutions Journalism, which is all about helping writers and journalists to reframe their coverage "from a more solutions-oriented viewpoint."

I need to study some of the articles on this site in order to feel better about what I put on my blog in the future. I know I've had at least one friend who wrote that she postponed opening the blog for fear of something dreadful on it. In the meantime,  if you need a shot of inspiration and optimism about the state of the world, I urge you to go to the Good News Network. There really are good things happening in our world today.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

IN THE NAME OF CLIMATE CHANGE

(Credit: Media Matters.org)

An estimated 310,000 marchers from all over the U.S. - and 150 countries of the world - showed up in NYC on September 21st to protest climate change. None of the major network Sunday news shows mentioned this historic event. I hate to think that the corporations behind these networks are against any efforts to slow down the current destruction of our planet. Not much mention has been given to the U.N.'s Global Climate Summit, also being held in New York City.

The demand for solutions, and indeed, even recognition that the problem exists, is growing. It appears that some major corporations in the U.S. are listening. We need so much more to happen, and more organizations and State and Federal Legislators to jump on the band wagon before it is too late. Do your research, and let your representatives know you want stricter laws protecting our environment. Boycott businesses who support anti-climate change views.

.."When (Diane) Rhem asked why Google was leaving ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council), (Google Chairman Eric) Schmidt said, 'Well, the company (Google-founded organization, Forecast the Facts) has a very strong view that we should make decisions in politics based on facts -- what a shock. And the facts of climate change are not in question any more. Everyone understands climate change is occurring and the people who oppose it are really hurting our children and our grandchildren and making the world a much worse place. And so we should not be aligned with such people -- they're just, they're just literally lying.'"...Daniel Souweine, Huffpost  

I was not familiar with the group, ALEC, when I read the above article. Checking online news and of course, Wikipedia, I see that it is considered a "right-wing", conservative organization made up of state legislators and private sector individuals who draft legislation for members to present to their own state legislatures. Here's a portion of what Wikipedia has to say:

"ALEC's political activities have received considerable scrutiny by both the media and liberal groups. News reports from outlets such as the The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The Guardian have generally described ALEC as an organization that gives corporate interests outsized influence by enabling them to collaborate with lawmakers secretly but legally.^[12][11][9] Critical coverage in recent years has led to a number of major corporations withdrawing their memberships in the organization, including Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Bank of America, General Motors, and Google." ALEC

Hooray for the businesses who have opted out. More publicity should cause many others to withdraw. I wonder how many of the oil/gas conglomerates are members of this organization? (Think Koch Industries.) I can only imagine the influence they must carry with any legislature in regards to climate change or the environment in general. Their financial support must equal or exceed any other industry's lobbying efforts. Their backing of political candidates who will support their ventures is a given. And much of this is conducted in secret!

Frequent result to groundwater caused by fracking .

(New Jersey Sierra Club.org)

The matter of "fracking" that has so many environmentalists concerned is just one example of our destruction of the planet. The money spent by Big Oil on this venture -- and for the PR they put out favoring it, would be better spent on developing the many alternate sources of energy. Energy other than fossil fuels. A friend of mine who lives in a suburb of Oklahoma City told me that in one 24-hour period, they felt 18 minor earthquakes in the OKC area. Most of the local citizens blame these occurrences - which are becoming the norm in areas where fracking is conducted - on the drilling. It is the drilling that causes the earthquakes; and the damage to the layers of the earth drilled through is allowing gas to contaminate the groundwater supplies in many areas. (See photo above.) Of course, the oil  and gas companies deny this.

The recent Climate March and the Global Climate Summit, which drew representatives from all over the world, should shed new light on a subject that has been denied too long by too many. The people and industries of the world are causing the current warming of the earth - the warmest in history. We must act now for our children's and grandchildren's sake.

Peace and love for the planet,
Marilyn

Tragedy Along With The Good

Over the past few days we have received nearly ten inches of rain here in the Austin area. This is wonderful for the lakes and our drought-ridden central Texas countryside. It's not news that Lake Travis has been extremely low the past couple of years. The lake has been down about 41 feet, which has hurt property and business owners that surround it. It's also the water supply for the City of Austin, and its shrinking has placed restrictions on water usage. We welcomed the recent rains, but we sometimes suffer from bad with the good. This good rain brought tragedy to our community.

I have mentioned that I live in Travis County, not far below the Mansfield Dam, which controls water from Lake Travis into Lake Austin (the Colorado River). I am about a city block from the water. About three blocks the other direction from my house is what is known as a low-water crossing. In the nearly two years I have lived here we have not had enough rain to make that a dangerous crossing. Until night before last, when we got several inches of rain in a short period of time. I was awakened by a loud crunching sound in the wee hours of the morning. I got out of bed, and walked through the house listening.. I thought perhaps an animal got under the house to escape the downpour of rain. I went back to bed only to be awakened again around 3:40 am by the sounds of helicopters. They appeared to be right over my house, and continued for the next several hours.

(Photo: Jay Janner, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman via AP)

Finally, on an early morning newscast I discovered that the sound that first awakened me must have been the Sheriff Deputy's car being swept over the low-water crossing bridge and onto the rocks of the creek. The deputy was checking the crossing to see if a barricade was needed. This creek is normally just a trickle, but after the deputy radioed for assistance, the other Sheriff's Department Deputies arrived and found her car submerged from a sudden flash flood. It wasn't until the water receded that they discovered the car was empty. Both front windows were down, and her colleagues held out hope all day yesterday that they would find her clinging to a tree somewhere along the banks of the creek before it emptied into the Colorado River.

Travis County Sheriff Deputy's Car
(Fox7  News)

Unfortunately, as I write this, they have found no trace of the female, seven-year veteran deputy, who, ironically, was a member of the Sheriff's Dive Team. My son Matthew came for breakfast this morning, and watched the rescue dive efforts along the banks of Lake Austin near my house. He returned to tell me there were only two divers working, and that the water was extremely murky so that the divers had to search by feel. The belts that deputies wear weigh 22 pounds, so it is likely that if she is in the water, her body will remain submerged. Matthew and I have both been very saddened by this. Matthew was a certified rescue diver in the past, and I'm hoping his empathy doesn't push him to volunteer to help with the search. A discovery like that would be traumatic to anyone -- especially to a sensitive soul like Matt.

Search and Rescue Team on Fritz Hughes Park Road
(Fox7 News)

There have been several high water rescues in the Austin area, and more rain is predicted. As the ground is very saturated, it means we may see more flooding. A Texas police officer in the area is in ICU, after being swept away by flood waters as he attempted to help a woman driver caught in the flood. Because of the Travis County rescue efforts for the Sheriff's Deputy, they were longer getting to him as he clung to a tree. 

We are so fortunate to not have any of the frequent, disastrous floods we see in other parts of our country.. and other countries in the world. And when we do, we have so much help -- help not often available to others. As tragic news occurs all over the world, it is very different when it is in one's own backyard. Prayers somehow don't seem to be enough. But pray we must. For the missing deputy, for her family and loved ones, her colleagues, and for all those good people who have arrived to help in any way they can. And especially, prayers for those who put their lives on the line daily to assist the citizens of this country. We are blessed. And we are grateful. 

Peace and Love,
Marilyn

Update 4:15 pm
They have found the body of Senior Officer Jessica Hollis, age 35, in Lake Austin. May she rest in peace.

PEACE?

(Britain's Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament 1958)

• "It is indeed a dark day for South Africa when the ideals for which Nelson Mandela and so many others fought are sold to the highest bidder." Dalai Lama Refused Visa  It is unbelievable to me that the current South African National Government has once again refused to grant a visa to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, to attend the 14th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. According to some reports, this was done in deference to the Chinese government. Instead of celebrating 20 years of democracy in South Africa, they should hang their heads in shame. Many Peace Laureates have already announced their disapproval, and stated they would not attend if he were not allowed, and "will make a powerful symbolic protest of the Dalai Lama's treatment."

• "Georgia law allows legal gun owners to openly carry a firearm into stores like Kroger. The supermarket chain, the nation's largest, is complying with state law." Shame on Kroger. And shame on Georgia for passing such a law. Many states need to be condemned for similar "open carry" laws, Texas among them. A gun-control group, Moms Demand Action, has taken out full-page newspaper ads demanding Kroger change its policy. The photos they use illustrate the ridiculous differences between what Kroger does not allow (shirtless men or boys, children eating ice cream cones, etc.) and a gun-toting customer. Bravo for Moms Demand Action.

  

  (Maybe if the guy weren't so "flabby", he would be allowed as well. You think?)

There is also an article that would be funny if it were not so scary, about a professor in an Idaho State University classroom who shot himself in the foot. This happened shortly after a bill was signed into effect by Republican Governor Otter allowing those with a concealed weapon permit to carry weapons onto university campuses. The professor was carrying a loaded gun in his pants pocket, apparently without the safety on. He's lucky it didn't hit another part of his anatomy or one of his students. Idaho is one of seven states that allow concealed weapons on college campuses. Prof Shoots Self in Foot 

• September 11.. USA Today: "Officials say a Utah teacher is in good condition after accidentally shooting herself in the leg with a concealed firearm in a faculty bathroom at the elementary school where she works."...Teacher Shoots Self

How long before we hear a teacher has "accidentally" shot a student in the classroom?

We all were horrified at the news a 9-year-old girl shot and killed her instructor while using an Uzi. What were her parents thinking to give a child a machine gun? This story pointed out how many young children in the U.S. are being taught to shoot. Kids as young as 5 learn to shoot..

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

Today, September 11th, will forever remain in our memory as a day of infamy. We blame - and rightly so - a world terrorist organization for that fateful event in New York City thirteen years ago. 

We claim to be a nation desiring peace, yet push our leaders into making declarations that are anything but peaceful. Maybe those "out there" are to blame. But I believe the actions of our country have also contributed to a world where chaos and violence appear to be reigning. Consider the rise of gun owners in the U.S. Consider the "open carry" laws being passed in many states. Consider the "stand your ground laws" being passed as well. Consider the militarization of our local law enforcement agencies across the land.

Like the ripples in a pond when a stone is tossed in, the energies of fear that these warlike conditions represent spread outward into the world. How can we hold everyone but ourselves responsible? 

This happens to be the Unity World Day of Prayer. Let us pray for the families and loved ones who were lost on this day. And let us all pray for peace on earth.

Let peace begin with me,

Marilyn

The Growing Movement

My son Craig posted the following on his Facebook page September 3rd:

In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “If I were a factory worker, I’d join a union.” No president has uttered those words since – at least not until yesterday, when President Obama told a Labor Day gathering, “if I were looking for a good job that lets me build some security for my job, I’d join a union. If I were busting my butt in the service industry and wanted an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work, I’d join a union.” Obama also endorsed the “Fight for $15” fast-food worker’s movement, which is planning strikes Thursday in 150 cities.

Whether through unionization or legislation raising the minimum wage, or both, the movement is growing. Thirteen states have raised their minimum wage since January 1st. According to a new report from the Labor Department, job growth in these states has been faster this year than in states that didn’t raise their minimums. That's because raising the minimum puts more money into the pockets of people who will spend it, thereby creating jobs. Low-wage workers deserve a raise. It's good for them and good for the economy.

Craig forwarded this, written by Robert Reich (author, political economist) on inequality, which was on Reich's Facebook page:

"United Airlines reports it’s outsourcing 630 gate agent jobs at 12 airports to companies paying near-poverty level wages. Employees who have been with the company for years, earning middle-class wages of $50,000 a year, will be replaced by people paid between $9.50 and $12 per hour. United says it must do this to cut costs and raise its profits relative to other airlines. But United CEO Jeff Smisek gave himself $8.1 million this year. If he cut his salary just $2 million (in line with the CEO of the more successful Southwest Airlines, who gets $4 million), United would save about as much as it will by cutting the pay of those 630 employees.

The problem in America isn’t that typical workers are paid more than they’re 'worth' in the market. It’s that they have no bargaining power, while too many CEOs and other top executives have the power to pay themselves almost whatever they want. How to redress this power imbalance? Some call for stronger unions and greater shareholder say over CEO pay, but I'm increasingly of the view we have to change the organization of the corporation so that it has to respond to all stakeholders -- not just its shareholders but also its workers and affected communities."

Craig then commented, "I so look forward to Reich serving in another Clinton administration."

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

Thomas Jefferson's views at the time of The Declaration of Independence ~ "...Aristocracy, founded on banking institutions and monied in corporations...riding and ruling over the plundered ploughman and beggared yeomanry." 

On the Fourth of July weekend I watched the following program on PBS. Bill Moyers discusses the growing movement(s) in the United States. It brought to mind the blog post I wrote in 2011 We Are The 99%. I've wondered where the Occupy Wall Street movement went. As I pondered, I realize it is still alive and well (see Occupy Wall Street) among the activists in our country, and encompasses the different crises America faces today -- as Bill Moyers and Jim Hightower, progressive political activist and former Texas Agriculture Commissioner, discuss in this video.

Since 2008, 90% of the American people have lost income and wealth. The latest statistics on the distribution of wealth among the citizens in the United States shows "...the top 3-percent holding 54.4 percent of all net worth in 2013, up from 51.8 percent in 2007 and 44.8 percent in 1989." Federal Survey  (I guess this now makes most of us the 97%) There shouldn't be any question why so many are now involved in movements around the country, often using civil disobedience to draw attention to their plight. The wonder is why it hasn't brought on more protests. As the groups begin to mobilize and realize the power in joining one another, there just might be another American Revolution. Hopefully of the nonviolent kind.

I, too, "take greater heart" after hearing Jim Hightower speak and watching some of the protests taking place today in America.

American history is rife with successful movements for change. It is past time for more changes in our country. Please take the time to watch this thoughtful interview, and I believe you will agree with me. I only wish I were younger so I could take part in peaceful protests. My words will have to do.

Peace and Love,
Marilyn

KUDOS

The largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere has been built in San Diego, California. California Desalination Plant

Years ago I spent a few days of vacation on the island of Bermuda. The local houses were beautiful...mostly pastel colors, and all had snowy white-washed roofs. This was to ensure the purity of rainwater that everyone saved. I asked about water usage for the huge resort hotel we stayed in. Surely they didn't use rainwater. (I was pretty naive.) The hotel actually had their own desalination plant. From that point on, as climate change and the longer periods of drought brought more and more attention to our dwindling water supply in the U.S., I often wondered why desalination was not being used more frequently. Of course, it is not without risks -- especially to the sea life in areas where water was being pumped into the desalination plants, and it makes water more expensive, but surely the costs can be minimized with the advance of modern technology. After all, we as humans must adapt to survive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Three women's health clinics reopened in Texas as a Federal Judge struck down portions of HB 2 as unconstitutional due to requirements that prevent women from acquiring legal abortions. The closing of one clinic forced women in South Texas to drive 7-hours to the nearest clinic for women's reproductive and health assistance as well as abortions. 

Of course, this ruling might still be appealed, as the conservative Texas legislature continues to vote against women's reproductive rights issues. Texas Abortion Clinics Reopen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Two weeks ago, Massachusetts passed a gun control law that appears to be more comprehensive than any in the U.S. to date.

According to an article on Huffington Post, "The legislation allows police chiefs to ask courts to deny firearms identification cards needed to buy guns to individuals they feel are unfit to obtain them, toughens penalties for some gun-based crimes, creates an online portal for background checks in private gun sales, carves out a firearms trafficking unit within the state's police department and requires that Massachusetts join the National Instant Background Check System." Of course, the NRA opposed this bill. Massachusetts Overhauls Gun Laws Pay attention, America. We need more laws like this on the books.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And on a personal note, more Kudos to:

• My 16-year old grandson Tanner who won the TriState Area Tennis Tournament this past weekend with a tie-breaker against an 18-year old. He's pictured here with Mom and Dad and his trophy. Way to go, Tanner!

May your world be full of things deserving Kudos as well.

Peace and love,

Marilyn