This is a ” Spicy Bra ” and I’m gonna get me one…
I figure that if a few tears can help someone win a State in the Presidential Primary Elections
then this little Beauty should get me the world.
Shouldn’t it?
Progressive Issues
Nature Of The Beast
I’ve been told I should support Clinton-
because she’s a woman.
I’ve been told I should support Obama-
because he’s not white
and I’m not either.
I’ve been told I should not to support Richardson because then I’d be practicing Identity Politics.
When I say I like Edwards I’ve been reminded, somewhat sternly, that he’s a White Man from the South-
he’s not the candidate for people like me I’ve been told.
Next thing you know I’m going to need to start asking which water fountain I should be drinking from.
No.
I’m not trying to be funny.
That’s what I think.
It Ain’t Free My Friend
This clip is a segment from a cartoon that really bothered people- in fact this bothered them so much it was banned.
It didn’t have swear words or nasty pictures hidden in the background.
What it expressed was a thought- an idea.
A few months ago I ran some ads for a local public meeting and from that point forward have been harassed- both on my blog and in public by officials from a local government agency.
So- what is it that moves a person to ban the THOUGHTS of another person- to use intimidation to stop you from speaking? Why move forward on such an impossible task?
At least- I’d like to think it’s impossible
amm
Signs
It’s been one of those weeks,
you know
one of those weeks.
Here’s the deal-
This guy puts up a billboard and spews hate filled bile from it
every chance he gets.
What he does has been called
” thought Provoking “
The only thing that billboard provokes in me is the urge to do some serious
Projectile Vomiting.
And in case your curious- yes I’ve driven by the ” The Sign ” and in all the years I’ve driven by it I’ve learned one thing from what I’ve read on them-
TO KEEP DRIVING….
I’d advise you to do the same.
07:36 PM PST on Saturday, November 17, 2007
LEWIS COUNTY, Wash. – A longstanding controversial billboard in Lewis County is once again garnering attention. Over the years, the owner has used the board to air his opinions about everything from politicians to homosexuality.
The latest message is raising deep concerns in the local Hispanic community. The grinning face of Uncle Sam is what drivers usually see first.
Then the written message on the billboard near I-5 gets clearer:“No Mexican Olympic teams?? All the runners and swimmers are here!”
Owner of the billboard Mike Hamilton, who did not want to go on camera, says he’s trying to deliver a serious message on illegal immigration — but in a funny manner:“I wanted to use humor to draw attention to illegal immigration,” he said. “My goal in the sign is to stir things up and inspire people to educate themselves about the subject.”
Hamilton has definitely stirred things up. While residents in the area are well used to the political and pointed messages on the billboard – this time people are speaking up
. The message seems to be especially painful for the growing Hispanic community in Lewis County. According to the U.S. Census, the population of Hispanics has doubled from 3,500 to 7,000 living in the area. Many are not laughing at the message“Very hurtful – I am Hispanic and I’m proud of it and that’s really wrong,” said Adelina Petersen, resident.
Others say it’s an obvious joke that is thought-provoking. “It makes you stop and think about it you know? I mean look at all the illegal immigrants we do have here you know,” said Travis Jones.
Yeah look what’s happening to them:
FBI REPORT DOCUMENTS HATE CRIMES AGAINST LATINOS AT RECORD LEVEL
Hate crimes rise as anti-immigrant campaigns fill the airwaves and fuel anti-immigrant local ordinances
November 19, 2007 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Bureau of Investigation Hate Crimes Statistics Report released today demonstrates the real societal impact of anti-immigrant campaigns launched over the airwaves and through anti-immigrant legislation.
The report shows a sharp increase in the number of hate crimes reported against Hispanics based on their ethnicity or national origin to the highest levels since the reports were first mandated by the Hate Crimes Statistics Act.
According to the report, in 2006, Hispanics comprised 62.8% of victims of crimes motivated by a bias toward the victims’ ethnicity or national origin. In 2004, the comparable figure was 51.5%.
Since 2004, the number of victims of anti-Hispanic crimes increased by 25%.
“Anti-immigrant hatred heard on the radio and cable shows reaches America’s neighborhoods with real consequences,” stated MALDEF President and General Counsel John Trasviña. “Heightened anti-immigrant sentiment has blocked immigration reform and seeks to turn local police into immigration law enforcers thus making it more difficult for victims to report crimes.
The FBI report should serve as a wake up call to our nation’s leaders to take action on comprehensive immigration reform, reduce tensions and safeguard the basic civil rights and liberties of all Americans.”
The report goes on to demonstrate the steady growth of anti-Hispanic hate crimes after 2004. 2006: 576 anti-Hispanic crimes against 819 victims 2005: 522 anti-Hispanic crimes against 722 victims
2004: 475 anti-Hispanic crimes against 646 victims
2003: 426 anti-Hispanic crimes against 595 victims
2002: 480 anti-Hispanic crimes against 639 victims
Founded in 1968, MALDEF, the nation’s leading Latino legal organization, promotes and protects the rights of Latinos through litigation, advocacy, community education and outreach, leadership development, and higher education scholarships.
For more information contact:
Estuardo Rodriguez: 202-631-2892
Peter Zamora: 202-293-2828
It’s Right Human
Not only do I write, I can bake a mean enchilada and fry a sinfully good lumpia on top of that I can do other things like work on Human Rights Issues.
This news article is from the Everett Herald here in Washington state and this story is about an Ordinance that I’m proud to say I’m helping to put together.
The Luis Moscoso quoted here is my husband, Jerry Hebert (also quoted) is the type of person who not only makes the world a better place…but a fun one too- Dave Somers and Roger are truly good guys and I’ve enjoyed working with them.
So I’ll stop babbling now and let you read on…
County needs commission to stand up for citizens, activists say
Members of a new group of minority-rights activists say a recent rise in racial bias and discrimination in Snohomish County is pushing them to better protect and explain the importance of civil rights.
The Snohomish County Citizens Committee for Human Rights has gained momentum on its efforts after meetings were held this summer for an anti-gay group and what was billed as an illegal immigration summit.
Members also say the community must rally against racist graffiti and swastikas recently scrawled with spray paint on fences and cars.
To make progress, the Snohomish County Council needs to approve a local human rights commission in county government to hear concerns and stand up for the rights of residents, said Luis Moscoso of Mountlake Terrace, a member of the effort.
“I do believe in the area of human rights; there’s a lot more we could be doing,” he said. “We need to take responsibility for managing the communal climate we live in here.”
Moscoso reported progress on the proposal to the state Human Rights Commission at a meeting in Snohomish on Friday.
The County Council might consider a formal proposal next spring, he said.
“I applaud this effort,” Human Rights Commissioner Shawn Murinko said. The community is the best place to respond to civil rights debates, “and it only makes good sense to form these groups,” he said.
The state panel and its staff are advising the cutting-edge effort in Snohomish County, Commissioner Jerry Hebert said.
“The community is the one driving this,” Hebert said.
Earlier this year, Everett created a 15-member diversity board aimed at ridding city government of discrimination based on race, religion, income, gender, physical ability or sexual orientation.
County Councilman Dave Somers and county finance director Roger Neumaier have attended meetings of the planning group for the countywide effort.
“We support the human rights cause that the group is working on and we are looking forward to receiving the proposal so we can review it,” Neumaier said.
Unlike the state Human Rights Commission, which enforces state anti-discrimination laws, a local commission would be a more accessible venue to discuss race and discrimination issues as they arise in the county.
“We need ongoing community dialogue that is managed in a safe venue, where everyone feels safe to come to talk about what’s going on,” Moscoso said.
It might also be able to address community concerns.
“I would like to reinforce we’re not here to solve all the problems of the world,” Moscoso said. “There already are human rights laws on the books in Washington. This would be another way to enhance understanding and implementation in our community.”
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
Get Paid WRITE!
So this Writer’s Strike…do you think it’s just about money?
Well okay, it’s about money but there’s a little more to it then that.
For me it’s all about telling people who tell stories that- ” you know what….it’s really nice of you to speak up, to share your ideas to open up your soul and mind and let anyone with a DVD player or 10.00 bucks wander around in your head for awhile…but at the end of the day your voice ain’t worth a nickle”…and I’m not joking there.
So read up on this, especially you Labor People ( okay…you KNOW who I’m talking to here ) and show a little support for your Union Brothers and Sisters.
Here are some links…educate yourselves.
Start HERE
Max’s place has done a few posts here and I’d say take a look at the BBC article here
And pass the word along…
amm
Diversity Commission Meeting
PLEASE NOTE: IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT AT LEAST ONE I.C.E. AGENT WILL BE ATTENDING THIS MEETING.
Maru Mora Villalpando
Community Organizer
Washington Community Action Network
La Red Activa Comunitaria de Washington
The Lynnwood Police Department will speak before the commission.
Urgency: cases continue to come, WCAN is still receiving calls
DECIDED: WCAN will attend the next DC meeting on November 14th at Lynnwood Library Conference Room, 19200 44th Ave W, at 6:45 p.m.
During the public comments we
v won’t be emotional or
v won’t try to debate the police testimonies
v We’ll be positive during public comments
PLEASE NOTE: IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT AT LEAST ONE I.C.E. AGENT WILL BE ATTENDING THIS MEETING.
If you have relationship with other communities in the area (e.g. Asian, Muslim, parents groups, etc.), help us connect to them by inviting them to this meeting.
Write On!
Until I was in my early twenties I must have had a couple of dozen Pen Pals from all around the world- of course the Internet changed all of that and now me and a few of my ” Pals” from the old days send mail via the Internet.
I think that e-mail changed the flavor of letters and only recently has some of that come back.
Another thing that changed was my stamp collection.
In ‘the day’ I’d save the envelope ( which we used to decorate ) with the stamp in the corner and I’d put them in these photo albums. Every once and awhile I’d go through them and think about how neat it was that I was writing to people in places like Scotland or Germany or somewhere here in the States.
Now days I have site meter- it’s not the same as the stamp, but on the other hand I can’t imagine that the kid I was would have guessed that one morning she’d wake up every morning to find that people from these places had read something she’d written.
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Canada | Winnipeg, Manitoba | |
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United States | Grand Rapids, Michigan | |
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United States | Oakland, California | |
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United States | Jacksonville, Florida | |
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United States | New York | |
|
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United Kingdom | London, London, City of | |
|
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Norway | Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag | |
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United Kingdom | ||
|
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Qatar | Doha, Ad Dawhah | |
|
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Romania | Constanta |
|
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Bosnia and Herzegovina | Ljubuski, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegov… | |
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United Kingdom | Barrow In Furness | |
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Czech Republic | Rudn, Stredocesky Kraj | |
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United States | Columbus, Georgia | |
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Italy | Rescaldina, Lombardia |
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Australia | Preston, Victoria |
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Netherlands | Zoetermeer, Zuid-Holland |
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Egypt | Cairo, Al Qahirah | |
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Germany | Recklinghausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen | |
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Hungary | Szeged | |
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Australia | ||
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Spain | Santa Brgida, Canarias | |
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United Kingdom | Elgin, Moray | |
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Australia | Busselton, Western Australia |
I don’t have the stamps anymore, but what I do have is a better understanding about communication- how important it is to ourselves that we are part of a community and that in that community we have a place and a voice.
It’s an important understanding to have.
Write On.
Day Of The Dead- A Celebration of Life
It’s a wonderful tradition and worth learning about- please check out the links and enjoy.
amm
From The Day of the Dead Blog:
As in many Latin American countries, Mexico commemorates the Day of the Dead or All Souls’ Day on November 2nd. The legacy of past civilizations is graphically manifested on this occasion through people’s beliefs that death is a transition from one life to another in different levels where communication exists between the living and the dead. This communication takes place once a year throughout the country…for more click HERE
A resource listing of web sites about Day of the Dead:
Ozuna Learning Resource Center/Library, Palo Alto College
Great History ” Why ” and How To ” site
Is it Suppose To Glow Like That?
| Nearby Town: | Redmond, Washington | |
| Ride Type: | Many Trails To Choose | |
| Trail Type: | Single Track 90% Fire/Gravel Road 10% |
|
| Distance: | 10.00 miles (16.09 KM) | |
| Duration: | not specified. | |
| Elevation Gain: | 100 Feet (30 Meters) | |
| Climbing: | Steep At Times | |
| Skill Level: | Something for everyone | |
| User Density: | not specified. | |
This is Nike Park here in Washington State
Doesn’t it look nice?
It is-
but here’s a little history about The Nike Park and her Sister ” Parks” across the United States from my Weird New Jersey Guys…
enjoy:
Irregular Bones 