Two year anniversary of the Katrina tragedy today. Hard to believe. I wanted to honor them somehow. Found this excellent article by Greg Palast. I love his work. Wrote alot about the incident at the time. Extremely angry at the lack of movement and improvement for folks in the 9th ward of New Orleans. Poorest of the poor in the U.S. Some of the projects weren't even hit by high waters yet they are locked up and tenants unable to return. Officials at all levels using the tragedy as an opportunity to condemn many areas so as to improve the upscale look and feel of New Orleans. Mowing down the culture, the history, the people. Google "Katrina" on Youtube and you will see many videos that give you a snapshot of how time still stands still in New Orleans. Cars still tipped over and homes still sitting there untouched with a red X. Deplorable. But where's the compassion? Where's the accountability? What if it was your backyard and your beloved city?
Hurricane George
How the White House Drowned New Orleans
Posted By Greg Palast On August 23, 2007 @ 12:48 pm In Articles
| 19 Comments
by Greg Palast
August 23, 2007
It’s been two years. And America’s media is about to have another tear-gasm over New Orleans. Maybe Anderson Cooper will weep again. The big networks will float into the moldering corpse of the city and give you uplifting stories about rebuilding and hope.
Now, let’s cut through the cry-baby crap. Here’s what happened two years ago - and what’s happening now.
This is what an inside source told me. And it makes me sick:
“By midnight on Monday, the White House knew. Monday night I was at the state Emergency Operations Center and nobody was aware that the levees had breeched. Nobody.”
The charge is devastating: That, on August 29, 2005,
the White House withheld from the state police the information that New Orleans was about to flood. From almost any other source, I would not have believed it. But this was not just any source. The whistle-blower is Dr. Ivor van Heerden, deputy director of the Louisiana State University Hurricane Center, the chief technician advising the state on saving lives during Katrina.
I’d come to van Heerden about another matter, but in our talks, it was clear he had something he wanted to say, and it was a big one. He charged that the White House, FEMA and the Army Corp hid, for critical hours, their discovery that the levees surrounding New Orleans were cracking, about to burst and drown the city.
Understand that Katrina never hit New Orleans. The hurricane swung east of the city, so the state evacuation directors assumed New Orleans was now safe - and evacuation could slow while emergency efforts moved east with the storm.
But unknown to the state, in those crucial hours on Monday, the federal government’s helicopters had filmed the cracks that would become walls of death by Tuesday.
Van Heerden revealed:
“FEMA knew at 11 o’clock on Monday that the levees had breeched. At 2p.m. they flew over he 17th Street Canal and took video of the breech.”
Question: “So the White House wouldn’t tell you the levees had breeched?”
Dr. Van Heerden: “They didn’t tell anybody.”
Question: “And you’re at the Emergency Center.’
Dr. Van Heerden: “I mean nobody knew. The Corps of Engineers knew. FEMA knew. None of us knew.”
I could not get the White House gang to respond to the charges.
That leaves the big, big question: WHY? Why on earth would the White House not tell the city to get the remaining folks out of there?
The answer: cost. Political and financial cost. A hurricane is an act of God - but a catastrophic failure of the levees is a act of Bush. That is, under law dating back to 1935, a breech of the federal levee system makes the damage - and the deaths - a federal responsibility. That means, as van Heeden points out, that “these people must be compensated.”
The federal government, by law, must build and maintain the Mississippi levees to withstand known dangers - or pay the price when they fail.
Indeed, that was the rule applied in the storms that hit Westhampton Dunes, New York, in 1992. There, when federal sea barriers failed, the flood waters wiped away 190 homes. The feds rebuilt them from the public treasury. But these were not just any homes. They are worth an average of $3 million apiece - the summer homes of movie stars and celebrity speculators.
There were no movie stars floating face down in the Lower Ninth Ward nor in Lakeview nor St. Bernard Parish. For the ‘luvvies’ of Westhampton Dunes, the federal government even trucked in sand to replace the beaches. But for New Orleans’ survivors, there’s the aluminum gulag of FEMA trailer parts. Today, two years later, 89,000 families still live in this mobile home Guantanamo - with no plan whatsoever for their return.
And what was the effect of the White House’s self-serving delay?
I spoke with van Heerden in his university office. The computer model of the hurricane flashed quietly as I waited for him to answer. Then he said, “Fifteen hundred people drowned. That’s the bottom line.”
They could have survived Hurricane Katrina. But they got no mercy from Hurricane George.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Next Media reform conference
Well it has just recently been announced that the next Free Press
National Media Reform conference will be held in Minneapolis, MN.
This is pretty close to my own "backyard" so I'm excited that the
Emergence will be able to bring you an up close and personal view
of the Conference. As you know if you are a regular here- this is
a critical issue to the Emergence and to our Democracy at large.
In the archives you'll find footage and text from this years
conference in Memphis (as well as the still moving quote from Bill
Moyers on the right)because it strikes at the very core of a vital
tool for the Emergence. I encourage you to take a few minutes to
view Bill Moyers amazing speech on the Plantation mentality that
exists in our culture today and why we are helping to breed this
detrimental chasm through the lack of diversity in Media Ownership.
Just click on the Emergence archives or search in YouTube to view this
historic speech.
Net Neutrality is still at the forefront of
a free media (keeping the internet from being bought up by all the
big corporations)- if we lose the internet we will really have to
swim upstream without a paddle. As FCC Commissioner Copps has
said, the Media is owned by the public trust but the public has to
take a vested interest in what is happening right beneath their
noses or it will lose it forever. Copps is voted down time after
time in opposing the further deregulation and the pressure is on by
the big companies who show no sign of slowing down. Murdoch just
gobbled up the Sacred Dow Jones if you are looking for examples.
I experienced the transformations first hand from the small radio
station owned by my Father to the Legendary Top 40 that was gobbled
up by Chancellor then Clear Channel communications while working
as an on air host/copywriter in the mid 90s. We must demand that
lower powered FMs be viable in big and small cities, Public Radio
remain public and non profit, and replace the cap and limits on the
number of newspapers, TV and radio stations that can be owned in a
market by one corporation no matter the name they give it. The next
2 months I'll be posting updates as the FCC reviews the legislation
for further deregulation. If Copps loses out and not enough speak out
further deregulation would mean conceivably one or two companies
could own every radio station, TV station, Internet provider, and
newspaper. Which pretty much sends chills up my spine. Inform yourself.
Keep your eyes and ears open. Jill
from freepress.net
Mark your calendar: the next National Conference for Media Reform will be held in Minneapolis, June 6-8, 2008.
Join fellow activists, media makers, educators, journalists, policymakers and concerned citizens in calling for real and lasting changes to our nation's media system.
2008 provides us with a great opportunity to put the issue of media reform in the national spotlight. Join us in Minneapolis and help us build this critical movement.
Registration will open in a few months. But you can keep tabs on NCMR 2008 by joining our mailing list.
National Media Reform conference will be held in Minneapolis, MN.
This is pretty close to my own "backyard" so I'm excited that the
Emergence will be able to bring you an up close and personal view
of the Conference. As you know if you are a regular here- this is
a critical issue to the Emergence and to our Democracy at large.
In the archives you'll find footage and text from this years
conference in Memphis (as well as the still moving quote from Bill
Moyers on the right)because it strikes at the very core of a vital
tool for the Emergence. I encourage you to take a few minutes to
view Bill Moyers amazing speech on the Plantation mentality that
exists in our culture today and why we are helping to breed this
detrimental chasm through the lack of diversity in Media Ownership.
Just click on the Emergence archives or search in YouTube to view this
historic speech.
Net Neutrality is still at the forefront of
a free media (keeping the internet from being bought up by all the
big corporations)- if we lose the internet we will really have to
swim upstream without a paddle. As FCC Commissioner Copps has
said, the Media is owned by the public trust but the public has to
take a vested interest in what is happening right beneath their
noses or it will lose it forever. Copps is voted down time after
time in opposing the further deregulation and the pressure is on by
the big companies who show no sign of slowing down. Murdoch just
gobbled up the Sacred Dow Jones if you are looking for examples.
I experienced the transformations first hand from the small radio
station owned by my Father to the Legendary Top 40 that was gobbled
up by Chancellor then Clear Channel communications while working
as an on air host/copywriter in the mid 90s. We must demand that
lower powered FMs be viable in big and small cities, Public Radio
remain public and non profit, and replace the cap and limits on the
number of newspapers, TV and radio stations that can be owned in a
market by one corporation no matter the name they give it. The next
2 months I'll be posting updates as the FCC reviews the legislation
for further deregulation. If Copps loses out and not enough speak out
further deregulation would mean conceivably one or two companies
could own every radio station, TV station, Internet provider, and
newspaper. Which pretty much sends chills up my spine. Inform yourself.
Keep your eyes and ears open. Jill
from freepress.net
Mark your calendar: the next National Conference for Media Reform will be held in Minneapolis, June 6-8, 2008.
Join fellow activists, media makers, educators, journalists, policymakers and concerned citizens in calling for real and lasting changes to our nation's media system.
2008 provides us with a great opportunity to put the issue of media reform in the national spotlight. Join us in Minneapolis and help us build this critical movement.
Registration will open in a few months. But you can keep tabs on NCMR 2008 by joining our mailing list.
More on Lunar Eclipse
Here's the scientific data on tomorrows lunar eclipse. Energetically we feel things a tad earlier in our house (all sensitives do) and we are experiencing extreme fatigue, achiness, and nausea. Combined it feels like when you get off a spinning carnival ride and the ground has sensation that it's still tilted and moving. Mother Earth is cleansing as well all over the world. Floods, fires, hurricanes...and there's always significance for the celestial dance in the bright Universe beyond. Stay light, laugh much, eat pure and non processed foods, rest as you feel not by the linear clock as best you can and Hang on it could be a bumpy ride!
The second lunar eclipse of the year is another total eclipse. It is a deeper event since it is the first central total eclipse since 2000.
Joe Rao
SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist
SPACE.com
Fri Aug 24, 5:30 PM ET
Tuesday morning, Aug. 28 brings us the second total lunar eclipse of 2007. Those living in the Western Hemisphere and eastern Asia will be able to partake in at least some of this sky show.
The very best viewing region for viewing this eclipse will fall across the Pacific Rim, including the West Coast of the United States and Canada, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand and eastern Australia. All these places will be able to see the complete eclipse from start to finish.
Europeans will miss out on the entire show, as the Moon will be below the horizon during their mid and late morning hours.
What to look for
The eclipse will begin when the Moon enters the faint outer portion, or penumbra, of the Earth's shadow about an hour before it begins moving into the umbra. The penumbra, however, is all but invisible to the eye until the Moon becomes deeply immersed in it. Look for a slight hint of shading or smudginess on the eastern (left) edge of the lunar disk about 40 minutes after the Moon first enters the penumbral shadow.
The most obvious part of the eclipse will be when the Moon is passing through the dark umbral shadow of the Earth. On this occasion, the full Moon will track just to the south of the center of the Earth's umbra; deep path almost through the center of the umbra which will result in a total phase lasting an unusually long 1 hour 30 minutes (the maximum possible is 1 hour 47 minutes).
Because some of the sunlight striking our planet is diffused and scattered by our atmosphere, the Earth's shadow is not entirely dark. Enough of this light reaches the Moon to give it a faint orange or reddish glow even when it's totally eclipsed.
At greatest eclipse the Moon's southern limb will pass 1,039 mi. (1,672 km.) from the outer edge of the dark shadow. This should produce a relatively dark eclipse, with the Moon glowing a dull coppery color along its lower portion and a deep brown or gray over its upper portion. SPACE.com encourages viewers to estimate the Danjon value - a five-point scale of lunar luminosity ("L") to classify eclipses - at mid-totality.
The Moon enters the umbra at 4:51 a.m. EDT (1:51 a.m. PDT). Totality begins at 5:32 EDT (2:52 PDT) and ends after sunrise on the East coast and at 4:22 a.m. PDT.
Where you can see it
As for the region of visibility for this eclipse, it pretty much is the "flip side" of the last eclipse, in March: Whereas Africa, Europe and western Asia had ringside seats for that late-winter spectacle, this time they are completely out of luck. The timing of the eclipse comes during their late morning and early afternoon hours, with the eclipsed Moon below the horizon.
Conversely, almost the entire Pacific Ocean is turned toward the Moon during this August eclipse. In fact, at mid-totality the Moon will appear directly overhead for a spot over the open waters of the Pacific, roughly 1,800 mi. (2,900 km.) south of Hawaii.
And whereas, for the March lunar eclipse those near and along the Pacific Rim could catch a brief view at dawn, while the Americas view coincided with moonrise, in August we are presented with the converse of these circumstances. For the eclipse will already be underway at moonrise for Japan and much of Australia on the evening of Aug. 28.
The rest of eastern Asia will either have the Moon rise during totality, or will see it as it is exiting the Earth's shadow.
But from North America, the eclipse occurs during the early morning hours of Aug. 28.
The Canadian Maritimes will miss totality, as the Moon will set in partial eclipse before it begins.
Across the eastern third of the United States, moonset arrives in the midst of the total phase. So, less than six months after easterners watched the Moon rise during totality, comes the opportunity to be treated to the sight of the Moon setting during totality! However, thanks to advancing morning twilight, plus horizon haze, for those living in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic States it is likely that the dim Moon (some 10,000 times fainter than a normal full Moon) will more-or-less vanish from view near or just after the onset of totality.
Over the central states, the Moon will set in partial eclipse, while emerging from the umbra; the farther west, the less of the Moon so covered. An interesting observation for watchers in this zone who have an unobstructed eastern and western horizon is to attempt seeing the partially eclipsed setting Moon and the rising Sun at the same time. The Moon will remain above the horizon for a few minutes after sunup.
From the western states, all umbral stages will be visible before moonset affording the best views of totality (in a dark sky) within the contiguous states and more than making up for being completely shut-out of a view of last March's eclipse. And Alaska and Hawaii will see the eclipse happen in the middle of their night. Mid-totality for Anchorage comes at 1:37 a.m. Alaskan Daylight Time and for Honolulu at 12:37 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time.
Coming attraction:
Should clouds interfere with your attempt to view Tuesday's eclipse, you won't have very long to wait for the next opportunity. That will come just under six months from now, on the night of Feb. 20-21. Another total lunar eclipse (the third in less than a year's time) will be visible throughout much of North and South America as well as Europe, Africa and parts of western Asia.
Video: All About This Eclipse Starry Night Online: Virtual View of the Eclipse All About the Moon
Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for The New York Times and other publications, and he is also an on-camera meteorologist for News 12 Westchester, New York.
Original Story: Viewer's Guide: Tuesday Morning's Lunar Eclipse
Visit SPACE.com and explore our huge collection of Space Pictures, Space Videos, Space Image of the Day, Hot Topics, Top 10s, Multimedia, Trivia, Voting and Amazing Images. Follow the latest developments in the search for life in our universe in our SETI: Search for Life section. Join the community, sign up for our free daily email newsletter, listen to our Podcasts, check out our RSS feeds and other Reader Favorites today!
The second lunar eclipse of the year is another total eclipse. It is a deeper event since it is the first central total eclipse since 2000.
Joe Rao
SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist
SPACE.com
Fri Aug 24, 5:30 PM ET
Tuesday morning, Aug. 28 brings us the second total lunar eclipse of 2007. Those living in the Western Hemisphere and eastern Asia will be able to partake in at least some of this sky show.
The very best viewing region for viewing this eclipse will fall across the Pacific Rim, including the West Coast of the United States and Canada, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand and eastern Australia. All these places will be able to see the complete eclipse from start to finish.
Europeans will miss out on the entire show, as the Moon will be below the horizon during their mid and late morning hours.
What to look for
The eclipse will begin when the Moon enters the faint outer portion, or penumbra, of the Earth's shadow about an hour before it begins moving into the umbra. The penumbra, however, is all but invisible to the eye until the Moon becomes deeply immersed in it. Look for a slight hint of shading or smudginess on the eastern (left) edge of the lunar disk about 40 minutes after the Moon first enters the penumbral shadow.
The most obvious part of the eclipse will be when the Moon is passing through the dark umbral shadow of the Earth. On this occasion, the full Moon will track just to the south of the center of the Earth's umbra; deep path almost through the center of the umbra which will result in a total phase lasting an unusually long 1 hour 30 minutes (the maximum possible is 1 hour 47 minutes).
Because some of the sunlight striking our planet is diffused and scattered by our atmosphere, the Earth's shadow is not entirely dark. Enough of this light reaches the Moon to give it a faint orange or reddish glow even when it's totally eclipsed.
At greatest eclipse the Moon's southern limb will pass 1,039 mi. (1,672 km.) from the outer edge of the dark shadow. This should produce a relatively dark eclipse, with the Moon glowing a dull coppery color along its lower portion and a deep brown or gray over its upper portion. SPACE.com encourages viewers to estimate the Danjon value - a five-point scale of lunar luminosity ("L") to classify eclipses - at mid-totality.
The Moon enters the umbra at 4:51 a.m. EDT (1:51 a.m. PDT). Totality begins at 5:32 EDT (2:52 PDT) and ends after sunrise on the East coast and at 4:22 a.m. PDT.
Where you can see it
As for the region of visibility for this eclipse, it pretty much is the "flip side" of the last eclipse, in March: Whereas Africa, Europe and western Asia had ringside seats for that late-winter spectacle, this time they are completely out of luck. The timing of the eclipse comes during their late morning and early afternoon hours, with the eclipsed Moon below the horizon.
Conversely, almost the entire Pacific Ocean is turned toward the Moon during this August eclipse. In fact, at mid-totality the Moon will appear directly overhead for a spot over the open waters of the Pacific, roughly 1,800 mi. (2,900 km.) south of Hawaii.
And whereas, for the March lunar eclipse those near and along the Pacific Rim could catch a brief view at dawn, while the Americas view coincided with moonrise, in August we are presented with the converse of these circumstances. For the eclipse will already be underway at moonrise for Japan and much of Australia on the evening of Aug. 28.
The rest of eastern Asia will either have the Moon rise during totality, or will see it as it is exiting the Earth's shadow.
But from North America, the eclipse occurs during the early morning hours of Aug. 28.
The Canadian Maritimes will miss totality, as the Moon will set in partial eclipse before it begins.
Across the eastern third of the United States, moonset arrives in the midst of the total phase. So, less than six months after easterners watched the Moon rise during totality, comes the opportunity to be treated to the sight of the Moon setting during totality! However, thanks to advancing morning twilight, plus horizon haze, for those living in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic States it is likely that the dim Moon (some 10,000 times fainter than a normal full Moon) will more-or-less vanish from view near or just after the onset of totality.
Over the central states, the Moon will set in partial eclipse, while emerging from the umbra; the farther west, the less of the Moon so covered. An interesting observation for watchers in this zone who have an unobstructed eastern and western horizon is to attempt seeing the partially eclipsed setting Moon and the rising Sun at the same time. The Moon will remain above the horizon for a few minutes after sunup.
From the western states, all umbral stages will be visible before moonset affording the best views of totality (in a dark sky) within the contiguous states and more than making up for being completely shut-out of a view of last March's eclipse. And Alaska and Hawaii will see the eclipse happen in the middle of their night. Mid-totality for Anchorage comes at 1:37 a.m. Alaskan Daylight Time and for Honolulu at 12:37 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time.
Coming attraction:
Should clouds interfere with your attempt to view Tuesday's eclipse, you won't have very long to wait for the next opportunity. That will come just under six months from now, on the night of Feb. 20-21. Another total lunar eclipse (the third in less than a year's time) will be visible throughout much of North and South America as well as Europe, Africa and parts of western Asia.
Video: All About This Eclipse Starry Night Online: Virtual View of the Eclipse All About the Moon
Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for The New York Times and other publications, and he is also an on-camera meteorologist for News 12 Westchester, New York.
Original Story: Viewer's Guide: Tuesday Morning's Lunar Eclipse
Visit SPACE.com and explore our huge collection of Space Pictures, Space Videos, Space Image of the Day, Hot Topics, Top 10s, Multimedia, Trivia, Voting and Amazing Images. Follow the latest developments in the search for life in our universe in our SETI: Search for Life section. Join the community, sign up for our free daily email newsletter, listen to our Podcasts, check out our RSS feeds and other Reader Favorites today!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Eagle Medicine
My husband and two children recently took our second day trip up to the Mississippi headwaters and Lake Itasca near Park Rapids, Minnesota. We decided to splurge and rent a pontoon for a few hours to explore the Lake even further this time. Previously we had ventured out on Kayaks. After driving the boat for just a few minutes we picked out a spot to drop anchor and swim and have a picnic lunch on what couldn't have possibly been a more gorgeous day.
Almost immediately after we dropped anchor my husband noticed a bald eagle above the tree line. We all saw it right away by where he was pointing. As soon as we noticed and said hello to this majestic creature--it flew closer until it was directly above us circling as if to say "I'm so glad you see me!"
I hadn't read the "Eagle" chapter in my Medicine Cards book for a while but I knew it well. Still, I am always amazed at how at different times, different things resonate or jump out that I didn't really feel before. And so I was eager to read about Eagle medicine again that night when we returned home. Once again we were strengthend and touched by its Truth.
Immediately we recalled the mysterious and magical story of the dancing Eagle feather from our first trip to the Black Hills several years ago. This brilliant white feather was literally twirling just above our head in absolute mid air as we were entering a park and it stopped us dead in our tracks! It was attatched to nothing like an optical illusion the brain tries to comprehend. We looked at each other to be sure the other was seeing it and that we weren't imagining it. Reaching out to touch it we were certain it wouldn't actually be there. It was and it's now framed and in a special spot in our bedroom beside the picture of the Bald Eagle that swooped down toward us on our Honeymoon. What a glorious way to begin a lifetime together. Indeed Eagle medicine has always been nearby. An Apache I corresponded with in a Spiritual forum online said this feather that danced before us in the hills of Black Elks's homeland was a great Honor of the Great Spirit given to us because we walk the True Path with Spirit. He also said the feather actually carries the strength of Spirit in it! This most recent sighting in what our children aptly named "Eagle Bay" on Lake Itasca reminded me of this at a time when we truly needed it most.
Mother Nature provides all the lessons we are seeking to learn and all the answers to our obstacles along the way. Of course we know now that just stepping outside for Her fresh air is enough to heal your energies. But also I'm hear to tell you as a caucasian that is constantly seeking to know the culture and wisdom of the Native Americans, when you bring in the Animal kingdom and truly experience this that you have heard or read about you will feel so connected to Spirit that you will only seek to understand it and practice it further!
Here's the full excerpt on EAGLE from "Medicine Cards" St Martins Press- a book I highly recommend in the energies right now-- it's by Jamie Sams & David Carson www.medicinecards.com I know you will find it as moving as we do.
Eagle represents.... "Spirit"! Eagle medicine is the power of the Great Spirit- the connection to the Divine. It is the ability to live in the realm of spirit and yet remain connected and balanced within the realm of Earth. Eagle soars, and is quick to observe expansiveness within the overall pattern of life. From the heights of the clouds, Eagle is close to the heavens where Spirit dwells. The feathers of the Eagle are considered to be the most sacred of healing tools. They have been used for centuries by shamans to cleanse the auras of patients coming to them for healing. Within the belief systems of Native American tribes, Eagle represents a state of grace achieved through hard work, understanding, and a completion of the tests of initiation which result in the taking of one's personal power! It is only through the trial of experiencing the lows in life as well as the highs and through the trial of trusting one's connection to the Great Spirit that THE RIGHT to use the essence of Eagle medicine is earned.
Eagle reminds us to take heart and gather your courage, for the universe is presenting you with an opportunity to soar above the mundane levels of your life. The power of recognizing this opportunity may come in the form of a spiritual test. In being asttute, you may recognize the places within your soul, personality, emotions, or pysche that need bolstering or refinement. By looking at the overall tapestry, Eagle teaches you to broaden your sense of self beyond the horizon of what is presently visible. In learning to fiercely attack your personal fear of the unknown, the wings of your soul will be supported by the ever present breezes which are the breath of the Great Spirit!
Feed your body but more importantly feed your soul. Within the realm of Mother Earth and Father Sky, the dance that leads to flight involves conquering of fear and the willingness to join in the adventure that you are co creating with the Divine. You are being put on notice to reconnect with the element of air. Air is of the mental plane and in this instance it is of the higher mind. Wisdom comes in many strange and curious forms and is always related to the creative force of the Great Spirit.
If you have been walking in the shadows of former realities, Eagle brings illumination. Eagle teaches us to look higher and to touch Grandfather Sun with your heart, to love the shadow as well as the Light! See the beauty in both and you will take flight with Eagle. Eagle medicine is the gift we give ourselves to remind us of the freedom of the skies. Eagle askes you to give yourself permission to legalize freedom and to follow the joy your heart desires. (end of excerpt)
I encourage you to educate yourself on the wisdom of the Native Americans using this book or any other that resonates with you in these amazing times we live in! Once you begin to open up to this beauty all around you you will truly be amazed at how often the Animal Kingdom is able to comfort, teach and delight you!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Feed is up and running!
And we're off! Technology has come a long way in just the last few months and thus far the GOOGLE takeover of the blogosphere/YouTube land has been a wonderful injection of hassle free blogging. The possibilities are endless no matter how tech savvy you are.
I've always said that the internet will be a very vital tool for Team Light! It is easily one our last Frontiers for true FREE SPEECH!
Energetically for all of us it's time to "put the pedal to the metal" as my beloved mentor Hope has so appropriately put it and so it is that I have set up feed capability for the blogosphere! You will now see the link on the right hand side with my other website links.
Podcasting is still the endgame and I'm in full research and development mode. OF course I'm also a busy Mom with son in Football, daughter in dance, and back to school time not to mention my "day job" as pretty busy professional voice!
So we're still probably T-minus 2 months away from the first cast....but the content is piling up and I feel it's going to be a terrific journey.
I look forward to adding my interviews of the many spiritual elders out there doing great work to get us through the chasm and adding my voice to the blog which is as some of you know the more natural means of delivery for me! And in the meantime, thanks for stopping by and happy READING!
I've always said that the internet will be a very vital tool for Team Light! It is easily one our last Frontiers for true FREE SPEECH!
Energetically for all of us it's time to "put the pedal to the metal" as my beloved mentor Hope has so appropriately put it and so it is that I have set up feed capability for the blogosphere! You will now see the link on the right hand side with my other website links.
Podcasting is still the endgame and I'm in full research and development mode. OF course I'm also a busy Mom with son in Football, daughter in dance, and back to school time not to mention my "day job" as pretty busy professional voice!
So we're still probably T-minus 2 months away from the first cast....but the content is piling up and I feel it's going to be a terrific journey.
I look forward to adding my interviews of the many spiritual elders out there doing great work to get us through the chasm and adding my voice to the blog which is as some of you know the more natural means of delivery for me! And in the meantime, thanks for stopping by and happy READING!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Emergence and finances
I've been trying to find a way to incorporate the financial news I've been reading in Businessweek and USA TODAY Money into the Great Emergence for some time now in an Energetic snapshot of where we've been, where we are and where we need to go.
Coming back from a spontaneous 100 mile or so drive to a Drive In Movie theater in the middle of nowhere so that our kids can experience the "thrill" of the Drive in- I came across a great interview on Coast to Coast AM with Catherine Austin Fitts. Catherine is a very reputable financial adviser who has worked in the Bush Administration and has a website that ecompasses Financial changes and sovereignty in the New Reality like nothing I've seen thus far. A real experienced linear education coupled with a spiritual recognition for urgent need to educate and change an entire system of Old world money. Now that's what I call a bridge builder! Here's an excerpt:
The Solari Opportunity is to transform our world by withdrawing our deposits, purchases, investments, currency and attention from banks, media, companies, and other institutions who are not acting in our best interests, and to shift them to institutions led and financed by people who manage in alignment with our values in an effective, transparent and accountable manner. The Solari Opportunity is to to shift wealth and power back into balance with the interests of families and communities in a manner that promotes excellence and the creation of new wealth. We do this by taking responsibility for our economy, by forming Solari Circles and -- where there is significant local business and citizen support -- new ways of circulating resources in our neighborhoods and networks. As we engage our attention and our transactions in a more financially intimate manner, we support a rising Solari (Pospicle) Index worldwide.
I encourage you to Google her name, visit her website and sign up for the free newsletter and audio seminars to get educated. The more that we can educate ourselves the easier the transition can truly be! www.solari.com
When I get the Emergence to PODCAST capabilities she's in the top 2 of most desired guests. Along with the Save Darfur Coalition team. Catherine provides some TRUTH and EMPOWERMENT in navigating through the current mortgage crisis like nothing else out there. I hope you find it as invigorating and helpful as I did.
The current Tsunami of energies bring to mind this quote and I apologize
I forget the author "It's always Darkest before it goes completely Black!" Sounds terrible but try to have a sense of humor and keep in mind it's not just an End it's a process through to something so beautiful only the soul can comprehend. And the End of the Old ways is not only beneficial but necessary for the New Beginning. Peace B with U -Jill
Coming back from a spontaneous 100 mile or so drive to a Drive In Movie theater in the middle of nowhere so that our kids can experience the "thrill" of the Drive in- I came across a great interview on Coast to Coast AM with Catherine Austin Fitts. Catherine is a very reputable financial adviser who has worked in the Bush Administration and has a website that ecompasses Financial changes and sovereignty in the New Reality like nothing I've seen thus far. A real experienced linear education coupled with a spiritual recognition for urgent need to educate and change an entire system of Old world money. Now that's what I call a bridge builder! Here's an excerpt:
The Solari Opportunity is to transform our world by withdrawing our deposits, purchases, investments, currency and attention from banks, media, companies, and other institutions who are not acting in our best interests, and to shift them to institutions led and financed by people who manage in alignment with our values in an effective, transparent and accountable manner. The Solari Opportunity is to to shift wealth and power back into balance with the interests of families and communities in a manner that promotes excellence and the creation of new wealth. We do this by taking responsibility for our economy, by forming Solari Circles and -- where there is significant local business and citizen support -- new ways of circulating resources in our neighborhoods and networks. As we engage our attention and our transactions in a more financially intimate manner, we support a rising Solari (Pospicle) Index worldwide.
I encourage you to Google her name, visit her website and sign up for the free newsletter and audio seminars to get educated. The more that we can educate ourselves the easier the transition can truly be! www.solari.com
When I get the Emergence to PODCAST capabilities she's in the top 2 of most desired guests. Along with the Save Darfur Coalition team. Catherine provides some TRUTH and EMPOWERMENT in navigating through the current mortgage crisis like nothing else out there. I hope you find it as invigorating and helpful as I did.
The current Tsunami of energies bring to mind this quote and I apologize
I forget the author "It's always Darkest before it goes completely Black!" Sounds terrible but try to have a sense of humor and keep in mind it's not just an End it's a process through to something so beautiful only the soul can comprehend. And the End of the Old ways is not only beneficial but necessary for the New Beginning. Peace B with U -Jill
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Darfur and China
Tell Your reprepresentatives and Leaders of CHINA the following from Savedarfur.org
The first genocide of the 21st century has been ravaging Darfur for more than four years, costing up to 400,000 lives and displacing millions of innocent civilians. While the U.S. and the international community have made some efforts end the slaughter, those albeit limited efforts have been obstructed at every turn by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. How has Sudan's dictator been able to continuously and successfully thwart UN Security Council resolutions, numerous cease-fire agreements, and growing international pressure? With a lot of help from friends in high places, most notably from China.
China is Sudan's largest trading partner, buying roughly 70% of Sudan's oil, and one of Sudan's largest suppliers of arms. China also has proven time and time again to be Sudan's protector on the UN Security Council, and a key part of their diplomatic heat shield reducing the effect of international diplomatic pressure. While China has recently shown some willingness to be helpful, including the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan, there is much more that China must do before they stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution to the crisis in Darfur.
I therefore write today to urge you to cosponsor House Resolution 422 introduced by Representative Barbara Lee or Senate Resolution 203 introduced by Senator Bob Menendez calling on China to do more to end the genocide in Darfur.
I hope you will join me in speaking up for those in Darfur who cannot speak for themselves.
The first genocide of the 21st century has been ravaging Darfur for more than four years, costing up to 400,000 lives and displacing millions of innocent civilians. While the U.S. and the international community have made some efforts end the slaughter, those albeit limited efforts have been obstructed at every turn by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. How has Sudan's dictator been able to continuously and successfully thwart UN Security Council resolutions, numerous cease-fire agreements, and growing international pressure? With a lot of help from friends in high places, most notably from China.
China is Sudan's largest trading partner, buying roughly 70% of Sudan's oil, and one of Sudan's largest suppliers of arms. China also has proven time and time again to be Sudan's protector on the UN Security Council, and a key part of their diplomatic heat shield reducing the effect of international diplomatic pressure. While China has recently shown some willingness to be helpful, including the appointment of a Special Envoy for Sudan, there is much more that China must do before they stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution to the crisis in Darfur.
I therefore write today to urge you to cosponsor House Resolution 422 introduced by Representative Barbara Lee or Senate Resolution 203 introduced by Senator Bob Menendez calling on China to do more to end the genocide in Darfur.
I hope you will join me in speaking up for those in Darfur who cannot speak for themselves.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Darfur update
AU: Africans can make up Darfur force By MOHAMED OSMAN, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 36 minutes ago
The African Union chairman said Sunday that outside troops would not be needed for the new Darfur peacekeeping force in Sudan because African governments had committed enough soldiers.
The Sudanese government is adamantly opposed to non-Africans playing any major role in the hybrid U.N.-African Union operation that was authorized by the U.N. Security Council on July 31 and will be made up of 20,000 peacekeepers and 6,000 civilian police.
The comments from AU chairman Alpha Oumar Konare appeared to contradict statements made by the U.S. envoy to Sudan, Andrew Natsios, that the government in Khartoum would have to accept non-African troops in the beefed up force because the continent does not have enough trained soldiers to fully staff the peacekeeping contingent.
"I can confirm today that we have received sufficient commitments from African countries that we will not have to resort to non-African forces," Konare said following a brief meeting with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum.
Disagreements over the composition of the mission were a major reason the authorization was delayed for months despite mounting pressure for Sudan to accept help end nearly four years of internal conflict in which more than 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been displaced.
Konare gave no details about which countries had pledged forces but several African nations have made announcements regarding troops.
In addition to the AU forces currently in Darfur, that are expected to stay on, Nigeria, Malawi and Rwanda have offered to deploy another battalion each, about 2,400 troops total, and Senegal has said it will triple its contingent to 1,600.
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt and Ethiopia also have pledged to contribute troops or add to current contingents for a joint force.
According to the U.N. resolution, the composition of the force must be decided by Aug. 30.
2 hours, 36 minutes ago
The African Union chairman said Sunday that outside troops would not be needed for the new Darfur peacekeeping force in Sudan because African governments had committed enough soldiers.
The Sudanese government is adamantly opposed to non-Africans playing any major role in the hybrid U.N.-African Union operation that was authorized by the U.N. Security Council on July 31 and will be made up of 20,000 peacekeepers and 6,000 civilian police.
The comments from AU chairman Alpha Oumar Konare appeared to contradict statements made by the U.S. envoy to Sudan, Andrew Natsios, that the government in Khartoum would have to accept non-African troops in the beefed up force because the continent does not have enough trained soldiers to fully staff the peacekeeping contingent.
"I can confirm today that we have received sufficient commitments from African countries that we will not have to resort to non-African forces," Konare said following a brief meeting with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum.
Disagreements over the composition of the mission were a major reason the authorization was delayed for months despite mounting pressure for Sudan to accept help end nearly four years of internal conflict in which more than 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been displaced.
Konare gave no details about which countries had pledged forces but several African nations have made announcements regarding troops.
In addition to the AU forces currently in Darfur, that are expected to stay on, Nigeria, Malawi and Rwanda have offered to deploy another battalion each, about 2,400 troops total, and Senegal has said it will triple its contingent to 1,600.
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt and Ethiopia also have pledged to contribute troops or add to current contingents for a joint force.
According to the U.N. resolution, the composition of the force must be decided by Aug. 30.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Artic Tale
Can you imagine spending 15 years in the Arctic documenting the lives of polar bears and walruses as they struggle against their environment and the added challenge of the climate crisis?
That's just what filmmakers Adam Ravetch and Sarah Robertson did, and they turned their work into one of the most beautiful films of the year.
"Arctic Tale" follows the story of Seela -- a walrus calf -- and Nanu -- a polar bear cub -- on their journey from birth to parenthood. In addition to the day-to-day challenges they face, global warming has caused the sea ice they call their home to decline by 30% over the past half a century. Polar bears hunt on sea ice, and walruses rest on it when they come out of the sea. Without it, their survival in the desolate arctic environment is impossible.
Queen Latifah beautifully narrates the story, which my daughter Kristin helped write. While the film is both heartwarming and humorous, it truly brings to life the damage the climate crisis is doing to our planet. -Al Gore
Learn more about the film and find out where it's playing near you by visiting:
http://www.arctictalemovie.com
That's just what filmmakers Adam Ravetch and Sarah Robertson did, and they turned their work into one of the most beautiful films of the year.
"Arctic Tale" follows the story of Seela -- a walrus calf -- and Nanu -- a polar bear cub -- on their journey from birth to parenthood. In addition to the day-to-day challenges they face, global warming has caused the sea ice they call their home to decline by 30% over the past half a century. Polar bears hunt on sea ice, and walruses rest on it when they come out of the sea. Without it, their survival in the desolate arctic environment is impossible.
Queen Latifah beautifully narrates the story, which my daughter Kristin helped write. While the film is both heartwarming and humorous, it truly brings to life the damage the climate crisis is doing to our planet. -Al Gore
Learn more about the film and find out where it's playing near you by visiting:
http://www.arctictalemovie.com
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