Coyote Oldman Night Voyage

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Coyote, who is the creator of all of us, was sitting on his cloud the day after he created Indians. Now, he liked the Indians, liked what they were doing. This is good, he kept saying to himself. But he was bored. He thought and thought about what he should make next in the world. But he couldn't think of anything so he decided to clip his toenails. ... He looked around and around his cloud for somewhere to throw away his clippings. But he couldn't find anywhere and he got mad. He started jumping up and down because he was so mad. Then he accidentally dropped his toenail clippings over the side of the cloud and they fell to the earth. They clippings burrowed into teh ground like seeds and grew up to be white man. Coyote, he looked down at his newest creation and said, "Oh, shit.”
Sherman Alexie, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

The Fukushima Secrecy Syndrome – From Japan to America | Common Dreams

The Fukushima Secrecy Syndrome – From Japan to America | Common Dreams



Will end up being the worst disaster-ever.

Obama Calls for "Opportunity for All": 8 Policies to Make It Happen | Common Dreams

Obama Calls for "Opportunity for All": 8 Policies to Make It Happen | Common Dreams



My total support. The President doesn't have the nerve.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It is eminently possible to have a market-based economy that requires no such brutality and demands no such ideological purity. A free market in consumer products can coexist with free public health care, with public schools, with a large segment of the economy -- like a national oil company -- held in state hands. It's equally possible to require corporations to pay decent wages, to respect the right of workers to form unions, and for governments to tax and redistribute wealth so that the sharp inequalities that mark the corporatist state are reduced. Markets need not be fundamentalist.”
Naomi Klein

27 Shocking Numbers That Reveal the True State of the Union | Common Dreams

27 Shocking Numbers That Reveal the True State of the Union | Common Dreams

DUMP TRUMP

WHATEVER IT TAKES

Pete Seeger: The Man Who Brought Politics to Music | Common Dreams

Pete Seeger: The Man Who Brought Politics to Music | Common Dreams



Heaven has been blessed with one of the greatest storytellers ever.

BENEDICTION

“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that, through your love, you can make a difference in this world so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen.”

Embracing the Prophets - Walter Brueggemann on Confronting Today's Pharaohs

SUNDAY MORNING HYMN: Of Monsters and Men, live acoustic at The Lowlands Festival 2012

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER-LEAVING THAT IS SO HARD

It is difficult to leave home

     And, very differently,

   It is difficult to leave slavery.

It is difficult to leave home,

     But people do it.

          Graduates do it.

          Soldiers do it.

          Job seekers do it.

      We depart the comfort and familiarity and affection of home,

          but sometimes to depart to freedom, and

                                        new well-being, and

                                        fresh fulfillment of all sorts.

It is difficult to leave slavery,

         But people do it.

             Our ancient people in Egypt left Pharaoh,

             our black citizens have become free at last,

             and on a lesser scale,

                  addicts of all sorts depart to freedom and a new life.

But we do not want to go,

    Because it is safe and familiar and protected

         to remain “under the spell” of another power.

And having left, we yearn to return…

   to families only to find them different and strange,

   to slaveries because freedom demands too much.

So we leave and return,

     we grow and depart home and come home again;

     we choose freedom and depart, but stay enthralled

                 to too may enslavements.

We confess, as we depart and return,

     that you are the God of all of our comings and goings,

        you are the one who watches our

                going out and our coming in.

For such troubles we pray your mercy,

     that we may have courage and freedom,

     and peaceable rest.

          You homemaker.

          You emancipator.

          You, God of all of our futures.

      Give us wisdom to follow where you lead us.

Prayers for a Privileged People, Walter Brueggemann

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The nuclear arms race is like two sworn enemies standing waist deep in gasoline, one with three matches, the other with five.”
Carl Sagan

Almost Everything in “Dr. Strangelove” Was True | Common Dreams

Almost Everything in “Dr. Strangelove” Was True | Common Dreams

Court Deals 'Victory for Arctic,' Blow for Big Oil | Common Dreams

Court Deals 'Victory for Arctic,' Blow for Big Oil | Common Dreams



AN UNENDING BATTLE TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT FROM CAPITALIST DESTRUCTION FOR PROFIT.

The Infrastructure of American Democracy Is Dysfunctional | Common Dreams

The Infrastructure of American Democracy Is Dysfunctional | Common Dreams



America's brand of democracy is set up for the rich to rule, from top to bottom.

THE LIE

CASINO CAPITALISM:  TAKE FROM THE POOR AND GIVE TO THE RICH.  ZOMBIE POLITICS.

The Millionaires' Congress vs. The People | Common Dreams

The Millionaires' Congress vs. The People | Common Dreams

TOM COTTON'S RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. COTTON IS ON THE DECLINE IN ARKANSAS

VoteMatch Responses (Click here for VoteMatch quiz)
VoteMatch Question & Answer (Click on question for explanation and background)	Based on these stances: (Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Strongly Opposes topic 1: Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right (-5 points on Social scale)	Re-establish a culture of life: Strongly Opposes topic 1 Oppose stem-cell research and human cloning: Opposes topic 1 I consider myself pro-life: Strongly Opposes topic 1 No family planning assistance that includes abortion: Strongly Opposes topic 1
Opposes topic 2: Legally require hiring women & minorities (+2 points on Economic scale)	NO on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act: Opposes topic 2
Strongly Opposes topic 3: Comfortable with same-sex marriage (-5 points on Social scale)	Support DOMA and traditional marriage: Strongly Opposes topic 3 Opposes same-sex marriage: Opposes topic 3 Protect anti-same-sex marriage opinions as free speech: Strongly Opposes topic 3
Neutral on topic 4: Keep God in the public sphere (0 points on Social scale)	(No votes on which to base response)
Strongly Opposes topic 5: Expand ObamaCare (+5 points on Economic scale)	Fight against unconstitutional laws like ObamaCare: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Defund, repeal, & replace federal care with free market: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Repeal any federal health care takeover: Strongly Opposes topic 5 Supports repealing Affordable Care Act: Strongly Opposes topic 5
Neutral on topic 6: Privatize Social Security (0 points on Economic scale)	(No votes on which to base response)
Strongly Favors topic 7: Vouchers for school choice (+5 points on Economic scale)	Choice, competition, and freedom for our public schools: Strongly Favors topic 7 Opposes federal grants for education reforms: Favors topic 7 End federal monopoly on student-lending business: Strongly Favors topic 7
Favors topic 8: Human needs over animal rights (-3 points on Social scale)
Neutral on topic 9: Stricter punishment reduces crime (0 points on Social scale)	(No votes on which to base response)
Strongly Favors topic 10: Absolute right to gun ownership (+5 points on Economic scale)	Defend our Second Amendment rights: Strongly Favors topic 10 Opposes restrictions on gun purchases: Strongly Favors topic 10
Strongly Opposes topic 11: Higher taxes on the wealthy (+5 points on Economic scale)	Support pro-growth policies with simple & low tax rates: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Adopt a single-rate tax system: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Repeal tax hikes in capital gains and death taxes: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge: Strongly Opposes topic 11 Opposes an income tax increase: Strongly Opposes topic 11
Strongly Opposes topic 12: Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens (-5 points on Social scale)	No so-called "earned path to citizenship": Strongly Opposes topic 12 Supports exiting US to apply for citizenship: Strongly Opposes topic 12
Neutral on topic 13: Support & expand free trade (0 points on Economic scale)	(No votes on which to base response)
Strongly Favors topic 14: Maintain US sovereignty from UN (+5 points on Social scale)	Sponsored opposing the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty: Strongly Favors topic 14
Strongly Favors topic 15: Expand the military (-5 points on Social scale)	Well-funded military with world's most advanced weapons: Strongly Favors topic 15 Opposes reducing defense spending: Favors topic 15
Neutral on topic 16: Stricter limits on political campaign funds (0 points on Economic scale)	(No votes on which to base response)
Opposes topic 17: Stay out of Iran (-3 points on Social scale)	Jihadists attack us for who we are: Strongly Favors topic 17 Iraq War was just and noble: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Iraq and Afghanistan wars were just and necessary: Strongly Opposes topic 17 Supports combat operations in Afghanistan: Opposes topic 17
Strongly Opposes topic 18: Prioritize green energy (+5 points on Economic scale)	More oil & gas exploration & production: Strongly Opposes topic 18 Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge by AFP: Strongly Opposes topic 18 Cap-and-trade has no impact on global temperatures: Strongly Opposes topic 18 Explore proven energy reserves & keep energy prices low: Opposes topic 18 Supports offshore energy production: Opposes topic 18 Let states lease energy rights on federal lands: Strongly Opposes topic 18
Neutral on topic 19: Never legalize marijuana (0 points on Social scale)	(No votes on which to base response)
Opposes topic 20: Stimulus better than market-led recovery (-3 points on Economic scale)	Limit federal spending growth to per-capita inflation rate: Strongly Opposes topic 20 Opposes federal stimulus spending: Strongly Favors topic 20 YES on prioritizing spending in case debt limit is reached: Opposes topic 20

Tom Cotton is a Libertarian-Leaning Conservative.
Click here for explanation of political philosophy.

HOW TO SPOT A RIGHT-WING, CHRISTIAN, REPUBLICAN

*  Look for glowing, red eyes.

* They'll be describing Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and Bill 0'Reilly as Saviors.

*  Look for the funny smirk, which indicates the pleasure they get out of screwing you.

*  They may be wearing a white sheet disguised as a white shirt.

*  The ring on their cell phone plays "Onward Christian Soldiers."

*  Since they haven't evolved, they may look a bit rough. Sort of like a jackass.

  *  Yell out,  "Hillary For President," and watch them start to twitch. (Warning: You may want to have a straight jacket available. This one can easily get out of hand.)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Compassion is the radicalism of our time.”
Dalai Lama XIV

White House Selling "Free Trade" Deal, But Who's Buying? | Common Dreams

White House Selling "Free Trade" Deal, But Who's Buying? | Common Dreams



Obama is becoming the Ronald Reagan of the democratic party. Who would have ever thunk it?

Being Labeled a 'Radical' Is Meant To Be an Insult. History Tells Us Otherwise | Common Dreams

Being Labeled a 'Radical' Is Meant To Be an Insult. History Tells Us Otherwise | Common Dreams



I have never seen it as an insult to be called a radical or a liberal. I thank God every morning for the insight.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in His Own Words | Common Dreams

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in His Own Words | Common Dreams



IN HONOR OF A MODERN DAY PROPHET.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

Why is it those who are fighting for truth and justice are often assassinated? People begin to think that evil is prevailing. Often, those fighting for justice, equal rights, freedom, are killed for their efforts. Look at Christ, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bobby Kennedy, Che Guevara, Benazir Bhutto. Evil shot them down. One gets the notion that evil triumphs over good. But that's not so. If the liberators of the world retaliated, then evil wins. You have to hold yourself up, stay out of the quicksand of killing, guns, revenge. I had a guy e-mail me about my advocating non-violence. He said if l wasn't man enough to defend myself and my family, he would be willing to kill anyone trying to hurt us, as something of a favor. I said no thanks. He just doesn't get it. I will not resort to becoming the same as my enemy. but I wouldn't push me too far. Things can change rather quickly. And no one is perfect.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King - I Have a Dream on August 28, 1963 [Sous-titres & Su...

BENEDICTION

Here I Am, Send Me

A child once dreamed the Voice was calling his name. . .’Samuel’;

Fishermen once heard the Voice when a young man bid them follow;

And still the Voice beckons today. . .can you hear?

Here I am. Send me.

Moses protested vehemently as the Voice spoke at the burning bush;

Mary stood amazed as the Voice proclaimed impending birth;

And still the Voice beckons today. . .can you hear?

Here I am. Send me.

Rosa Parks followed the Voice to the front of the bus;

Martin Luther King, Jr. heard the Voice as the bullet shattered;

And still the Voice beckons today. . .can you hear?

Here I am. Send me.

The Voice beckons from humble places. . .

in the tears of hungry children,

in the cries of the frail and frightened elderly,

in the pleas of those whose dreams have been too long deferred;

and still the Voice beckons today. . .can you hear?

Here I am. Send me.

A timid believer pauses to listen to the Voice;

A struggling church hears the Voice and turns;

and still the Voice beckons today. . .can you hear?

Here I am. Send me.

— written by Katherine Hawker,

SUNDAY MORNING HYMN: Sarah Jarosz - "1,000 Things"

SUNDAY MORNING SERMON: Embracing the Prophets - Walter Brueggemann on Confronting Today's Pharaohs

SUNDAY MORNING HYMN: Sarah Jarosz - Long Journey

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER-MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Some of us are old enough to remember
       the balcony in Memphis,
       the sanitation workers' strike,
       the shot that broke flesh,
       the loss of Martin,
              and then the mule-drawn wagon,
                             and the funeral,
              and the riots, the violence, the fear,
                              and the failure.

All of us know the crowd in D.C.
       and "I Have a Dream,"
       the Birmingham jail,
       the broad stream of violence,
          and his steadfast nonviolence
                 in Albany and
                 in Skokie and
                 in Selma.

All of us kknow his awesome, daring speech,
     his bravery, his hope, and his generative word.
And we know the relentlessness of our government
      in pursuit of him
      and the endless surveillance and harassment
                                 of this drum major for justice.

At this distance, we have little access
    to how it was then concerning ambiguity
                           and feaar
                           and reluctance
                           and violence
                           and injustice.

We do not doubt that you have persisted
                 even beyond Martin's passion,
                 even beyond Martin's brilliance,
                 even beyond Martin's fidelity, and
                                           his loss.

We do not doubt that through him and beyond him,
     you, holy God of the prophets,
                  are still pledged to justice and
                                                 peace and
                                                  liberty for all.

We remember Martin in gratitude.....
                        and chagrin,
And we pledge, amid our stressed ambiguities,
                  to dream as he did,
                  to walk the walk,
                  and to talk the talk of your coming kingdom.

We pledge, so sure thaat your truth
      will not stop its march
          until your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

Prayers for  Privileged People, Walter Brueggemann

Wealth of Forbes 400 Billionaires = Wealth of All 41 Million African-Americans | Common Dreams

Wealth of Forbes 400 Billionaires = Wealth of All 41 Million African-Americans | Common Dreams

SOME THOUGHTS:

-I've been crawling my way towards sanity an inch at a time. It's a slow trip.
-I've seen the light. Or it could have been the light pollution coming from Little Rock.
-If you've crossed this path before, you're hopelessly lost.
-The Alchemist wasn't near as smart as I am. I've found a way to change lead to gold. Start with gold.
-The Arkansas Electric Coop keeps lobbying us to tell legislators that we need to continue burning coal in order to have cheap electricity. So I guess we have a choice: cheap electricity now, or doom future generations to climate disaster. I don't have any grand-kids, so.........
-We could elect more dummies to Congress, but I fear they are all already there.
-The great AA slogan: One Day at a Time. I'm down to One Hour at a Time.
-Heaven is up there, hell is down there. I don't buy it. They are both right in front of you. Make the choice.

Glenn Greenwald on Obama's NSA 'Reforms' | Common Dreams

Glenn Greenwald on Obama's NSA 'Reforms' | Common Dreams

THE WAL-MART WAY

• They oppose unionization. They close stores rather than negotiate a contract.
• Unfair competition with small businesses. They’ve become so big, no one can match their price.
• They are into homogenized globalization. What’s good for America is good for the rest of the world.
• Unfair treatment of employees.
• Unfair buying practices.
• Unfair treatment of non-Christian would-be hires, employees, and makers of products.
• Endorse sweatshop clothing. They’ve even at times denied this, in spite of clear evidence to the contrary.
• They will take any tax breaks they can get from communities they build in, in spite of the fact that they are the world’s richest company and the world’s richest family owned business.
• They’ve taken on a cavalier "don’t bother challenging us" attitude.
• They buy low, sell low, and pay their employees low.

Paradise by John Prine

Toll of U.S. Sailors Devastated by Fukushima Radiation Continues to Climb | Common Dreams

Toll of U.S. Sailors Devastated by Fukushima Radiation Continues to Climb | Common Dreams

Another tragedy we, the taxpayers, will have to clean up. 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much—the wheel, New York, wars and so on—whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man—for precisely the same reasons.”
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Scahill and Rowley's "Dirty Wars" Nominated for Best Documentary Film | Common Dreams

Scahill and Rowley's "Dirty Wars" Nominated for Best Documentary Film | Common Dreams

A MUST SEE.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”
Mae West

ANOTHER GREAT VILLAGE MOVE

In an effort to keep up with the rest of Arkansas's demented, gun-crazed population, Hot Springs Village has decided to follow the carry law passed by the right-wing state legislature. Our no-carry signs have been replaced by  "Welcome to Hot Springs Village" signs, where rich, right-wing Republicans can now carry guns to protect themselves from "evil," meaning anyone of color or low social status. The Hot Springs Village Directors allow themselves the opportunity to hide behind closed doors while making decisions that might upset the rest of us, which can only be done in very prescribed instances at the municipal or county levels. We seem to have a pick-and-choose type of governance, using what is handy when the Directors agree with county laws, and making up things when they don't. I never thought hiding behind closed gates would be so interesting.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.”
Elie Wiesel

All Of Us Need To Be Very Afraid Now: "Peace Officers" Who Beat Homeless Mentally Ill Man To Death Found Not Guilty | Common Dreams

All Of Us Need To Be Very Afraid Now: "Peace Officers" Who Beat Homeless Mentally Ill Man To Death Found Not Guilty | Common Dreams

Give us a break.

THE JOKES ON HIM-THE JOKE IS HIM

Two guys meet up on a golf course in Hot Springs Village. One says to the other, "Obamacare is awful. Why do we have to keep paying for things that the poor are unwilling to get for themselves?" The other guy nods and says, "Yea. And why is it that a black man can tell white people what to do regarding anything? Isn't this America?"
The question is, Which one is Tom Cotton?

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97:

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.”
― Mary Schmich, Wear Sunscreen: A Primer for Real Life

John Prine : Some Humans Aint Human-Suggested theme song for Cotton campaign for the Senate in Arkansas

BENEDICTION

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton

SUNDAY MORNING SERMON: Tears

SUNDAY MORNING HYMN: Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER: OLD STORIES BECOME NEW SONGS

We love to tell the old, old story.
We love to sing the old, old song
    of your saving deeds of mercy and
                                            freedom and
                                             healing and
                                               newness.

We know about Exodus freedom
   and dancing tambourines.

We know about land and huge clusters of grapes.

We know about rivers of water and
              rivers of oil.

We know about the strangeness that
       the blind see,
       the lame walk,
       the lepers are cleansed,
       the dead are raised,
       the poor rejoice.

We know. Give us courage to
             trust what we know and to
             obey what we hope.

We know that the old, old story---in our telling---becomes
      a new, dangerous, transforming song. And so we sing!

Prayers for a Privileged People,  Walter Brueggeman

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral. ”
Paulo Freire

As Inequality Soars, Congress a 'Millionaires Club' | Common Dreams

As Inequality Soars, Congress a 'Millionaires Club' | Common Dreams

MOTHER GOOSE

I've talked before about women dressing like men, which I think is really funny. It's not so bad on Halloween, it kind of goes with the flow. Just the other day I was standing in line next to a pretty good looking lady who had on a man's suit, tie and a billfold stuck in her back pocket, which I don't normally look at if I know it's a man. Anyway, one of the problems with this cross-dressing is men often get the urge to goose one another. This is a primal instinct left over from the cave man days, when communication was much more tactile. Wouldn't you know it, the urge hit me at a most inopportune time. Generally you hope the urge hits you when you're in a factory. Luckily, I managed to contain myself. I'd have probably been thrown in the slammer, where a goose takes on a whole new meaning.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine.”
Ernesto Guevara

US Marines Shoot and Kill Four-Year-Old Afghan Boy | Common Dreams

US Marines Shoot and Kill Four-Year-Old Afghan Boy | Common Dreams

Only more of the same. No one should be supporting this war. It is a senseless effort to extend our influence in places where we don't belong.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Just for the record, the weather today is calm and sunny, but the air is full of bullshit.”
Chuck Palahniuk, Diary

SWEET HOME ARKANSAS

Another ice storm. This is why I moved to Arkansas? All of a sudden, the weather is matching the politics: One miserable mess.

I Was 'Misled': Gov. Christie Plays Victim in Bridge Scandal | Common Dreams

I Was 'Misled': Gov. Christie Plays Victim in Bridge Scandal | Common Dreams

It always flows downward. This guy is a typical Republican. Always looking out for himself.

We Are Bad People: Missouri Bar Owner's' Epic, In Your Face, $6 Response To Starbucks' Cease and Desist Threat | Common Dreams

We Are Bad People: Missouri Bar Owner's' Epic, In Your Face, $6 Response To Starbucks' Cease and Desist Threat | Common Dream

Great story. More corporate bullshit. He was much nicer than I would have been.  

MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

Just what we need, another war story. "Lone Survivor." I suppose there is no end to the propaganda. One holiday after another, one movie after another. Pretty soon we are going to be that military-industrial complex Eisenhower was talking about. Pretty soon is NOW.

Jim Hightower | Bastrop's new war toy

Jim Hightower | Bastrop's new war toy

How about a fire truck?

ANSWERING THE E-MAIL

-Dear Peever: I don't like undressing in the locker room. What do you suggest? (Bob, age 16)
Dear Bob: You can do one of two things. Either put your shorts on underneath your pants, thus limiting your amount of exposure, or quit school.

-Dear Peever: I have trouble attracting members of the opposite sex. Any suggestions? (Tommie, age 27)
Dear Tommie: Remember to take a bath daily, brush your teeth, change your underwear, and put on deodorant. And by the way, give up the dress, stockings, and high heals.

Peever: I have a man who keeps bothering me. I think he wants to go to bed with me. What can I do to discourage him? (Tammy, age 32)
Dear Tammy: Tell him you really like Melissa Etheridge, or shoot him. The later suggestion comes with a guarantee.

Mr. Peever: Is it ok for older people to have sex? (Sally, age 68)
Dear Sally: It's ok, but highly unlikely.

Dear Mr. Peever: How will I know when I hear the Truth? (Karrie, age 24)
Dear Karrie: The Truth is never served with fancy dishes or elaborate packaging. It is simple, alluring, openhearted, and will cause you to ask more questions than it answers. Questions initiate The Quest. Or, on the other hand, you could just listen to everything I say.

Seattle Swears In a Socialist | Common Dreams

Seattle Swears In a Socialist | Common Dreams

The Last Gasp of American Democracy | Common Dreams

The Last Gasp of American Democracy | Common Dreams

Bye, bye, Miss American Pie.

MONDAY MORNING SING-ALONG: Black Dog Alison Krauss Robert Plant (+playlist)

EDITORIAL FROM LARRY FRAZER

The Board of Directors voted 4-2 (Cooney, Bryant, Bateman, Shelton supporting; with Leeming, Atkins not supporting) to hold secret meetings on the subject of Property Owner liability (Association finances).  This is not only a violation of the Board members fiduciary responsibility to the Members (Owners) but a direct conflict of the Board’s own Shared Value “Open Communications”.  This is becoming common practice of persons in responsible positions to disregard those rules they don’t want to honor.  Every Member should write to the Board member supporting these closed meetings and alert them to the fact that the Members are capable of understanding the finances that are their obligation and Members don’t need Directors who may poses lesser knowledge or experience making secret decisions behind their back.

I take particular exception with Director Cooney’s assertion that businesses have closed meetings excluding “owners” who stand liable for financial decisions.  And yes, Mr. Cooney, the Property Owners are just that, the OWNERS.  All moneys obligated by the Association represent a liability against every lot in the Association.  The POA staff is employed to execute functions of the Associations and meet responsibilities to the Owners.  The GM, Mr. Twiggs, is employed by the Board on behalf of the Property Owners to manage the day-to-day operations in a manner to minimize Owners’ costs while maintaining and preserving the Associations assets and providing services.  In short these “closed door meetings” are about “taxing” Members and spending Members money.

Director Shelton is in error in his assertion that this represents appropriate cause for “closed door” meetings, while the only cause for “closed door” or “executive sessions” meetings is for employee disciplinary actions or legal actions.  There are no other reasons for “closed door” meetings.

I do not see any knowledge base on the Board that is not replicated throughout the Association and in many cases Members posses’ greater knowledge and experience in these matters than any Board member.  Considering the statements by either Cooney or Bryant, it is ludicrous to imply that the Members cannot understand the subject matter of these meetings.

Board actions relative to the future of the Association is of prime importance to all Owners who have varying financial investments in this Association and stand responsible for financial liabilities. 

The Board should immediately rescind their decision to meet behind closed doors, honoring their own Shared Value for Open Communications, and announce meeting times and places so all Property Owners interested can attend.  Furthermore, no decisions should come out of this task force that expands the financial liability of Property Owners without consensus.

I encourage all Property Owners to weigh in on this issue with the Board members since it is your pocket book on the line.

Larry Frazer

BENEDICTION

VENGEANCE IS MINE, SAYETH THE LORD. STAY AWAY FROM IT.

SUNDAY MORNING HYMN: This Hard Land (Kilkenny 07/28/13)

SUNDAY MORNING SERMON: Countering Pharaoh -- Walter Brueggemann

SUNDAY MORNING HYMN: Man of Constant Sorrow

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER

Breathe in all that is of God,
Love, joy peace, compassion.
Breathe out all that is not of God,
Fear, anxiety, worry, greed.
Breathe in all that is of God,
Mercy, justice, righteousness,humility,
Breathe out all that is not of God,
Selfishness, injustice, indifference, acquisitiveness.
Sit quietly before your God and breathe in life.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Do you know what vengence is, Tim? It is a dark mirror in which we cannot see ourselves.”
Patrick O'Leary, The Gift

SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW WARNING LABELS ON ALCOHOL

• Consumption of alcohol may cause stupidity.

• The result of using this product may be a baby.

• Consumption of alcohol may make you temporarily believe you are Superman. Do not try to fly or try to beat up anyone named Bubba.

• Use of this product by a minor may make you think you’re an adult.

• Consumption of alcohol may make you believe that 4 inches is actually 10.

• Excessive use of this product may cause you to pee your pants.

• Before opening, remember, the life you destroy by excessive use may not be just your own.

Rhythmic Circus "Boogie Monster"

COMING TO HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE: Rhythmic Circus 'Feet Don't Fail Me Now' - 'Circus' Music Video