I Stand With Authentic Passion And Outrage

I stand with authentic passion and outrage, and with cutting through the bullshit to focus on what really matters, rather then polished 'politiking'. I loved Bernie's zooming in on the real issues right from the start, rather then pandering to American family values by reciting boring personal facts. 

I stand with Bernie's decency in citing the best line of the night in blasting the media's attention on those "damn e-mails." Check out the edited version versus the original version on The Intercept and regain a new appreciation for how the media spins the news it feed us! Yes, we are sick and tired of hearing about it. Yes, let's talk about Citizen United and how to get money out of politics. I don't care about Hillary's e-mails, but I do care about her hawkish stances in foreign affairs.

I don't mind Bernie's shouting one bit, we all should be getting angry and should be objecting to the obscenities of politics these days. I take shouting any time over threatening with the imposition of guns (Tea Party.) In conversation with Rachel Maddow, a friendly interviewer, right after the Republican debate, we can clearly recognize Bernie's depth and thoughtfulness:

I stand with Bernie on the de-criminalization of dope and the taking back of prisons and jails from private enterprise. Support of medical marijhuana is not good enough, the evidence is in, give it up already, enough is enough. This coming from a non-smoker, non-drug user of any kind (illegal, legal or pharmaceutical.)

I stand with Bernie on recognizing the importance of Snowden and believe he would be sacrificed if he did what Hillary said and "faced the music." I must admit that personally I am unsure about the NSA surveillance, on what collection of data may be appropriate and what not.

I stand with Bernie in pointing out the absolute immorality of the 1% paying less tax on their profits then the average American while lobbying Congress and buying legislation to their benefit with their influence. Yes, Bernie has it right and really should know more so then anyone, Congress is bought!

I stand with Bernie in his refusal of corporate money, but his being powered by the people with average donations of $30! Bernie raised a phenomenal $3.2 million in the week of the debate! True to character though Bernie refused the $2,700 donated to his campaign from Shkreli, the pharma poster boy of outrageous price hikes and greed of pharmaceutical companies. The money will be donated to health clinic and the Shkreli will not get his desired meeting with Bernie, the presidential hopeful. An obscene amount of money is now needed to take part in the debates, something I abhor, as we all know how many are in such dire financial need, even here in the US. Therefor Bernie's decision to work from the grass roots up with individual donations, rather then top down with super pacs deserves our support.

I stand with Bernie in the belief that we need a revolution, one happening at the polls, with our voting, with real discussions around real issues, not weapons.

Hillary never looked or sounded better then last night during the 1. Democratic Presidential Debate. As a woman close to Hillary's age I surprise myself in not embracing whole heartedly a vision of a first woman president for 2016. But being a woman in and of itself is not enough. 

Hillary's support of medical marijuana alone is not good enough, the evidence is in, give it up already, enough is enough. This coming from a non-smoker, non-drug user of any kind (illegal, legal or pharmaceutical.)

Hillary's connection and I suppose support of Monsanto, their products such as genetically modified seeds and the Round Up pesticide as well Monsanto's business practices that are horrible to those farmers not willing to go along are abhorrent and an absolute deal breaker to me.

Hillary's support of Israel with no mention of the Palestinian plight is unacceptable, business as usual as expected. Actually the debate was mum on this issue, but I assume it will come up in the future.

Hillary's support from corporate sources are well known and to my mind absolutely obscene and unsupportable. It alone should sway us to look the other way. Money can not be allowed to dominate our political choices, much less agenda. For more on Hillary's stance on the banking industry check out Matt Taibbi's latest in Rolling Stone.

This is a draft that likely will undergo still some changes, thanks for reading, your comments are welcome.

Business-Friendly!

Beware, 

'business-friendly' exploitation coming next near you!

Get angry!

Vote!

I Stand For The Strictest Possible Gun Control

Learned last night via twitter that someone I know was killed, seemingly randomly, in what usually is a peaceful community, Marin County in California. I believe this is the first victim of a homicide that I know personally. I am shocked and saddened about the senseless loss of very special, peaceful loving man that travelled the country, maybe the globe to teach us on how to open our hearts. Steven and his wife, Lokita, had been long time residents and therapists of the community at Harbin Hot Springs, but had left the community to follow their own dream before it had burned down last month. They had come back to Marin for treatment of Lokita's cancer, so the loss of Lokita's husband and main support will be all the harder. I was not friends with the couple, but I had shared the same waters, we had soaked in the same pool for countless times. I knew them, liked them and know of no one holding a grudge toward them.

If it was up to me, yes, we would amend the second amendment, originally designed to resist a government gone rogue.

If it was up to me, we would update our constitution to reflect our modern times.

The muskets used in the days of the creation of the second amendment were cumbersome. They took time to load and made for a very different mode of engagement from what is possible these days. 

If it was up to me, since no guns of any kind will be able to resist a government that has the potential to use targeted drones from a serious distance, not to mention nuclear weapons, we would no longer allow the endangerment of civilians by other civilians carrying assault style weapons, who are we kidding!

If it was up to me, I would ban all assault weapons from possessions of civilians.

If it was up to me, I would impose very strict background checks with a suitable waiting periods on any purchase of guns.

If it was up to me, I would demand extensive and expensive training, certification and recertification for the ability to possess a gun.

If it was up to me, I would impose liability insurance on gun owners just as we are required to have for owning (not even driving) vehicles.

If it was up to me, guns would not be allowed in public places, except for extensively trained police and security force.

If it was up to me, every gun owner would be required to have martial arts training and non-violent conflict resolution training under their (black) belts.

If it was up to me, the possession of guns would be made so expensive and troublesome that like in Japan barely anyone would want to bother with it.

If it was up to me, finally, I would find it only appropriate for gun owners to pass through a crowd of protesters, kinda like pregnant women have to when they visit clinics that provide abortions.

If it was up to me, we would do everything possible to stop this madness of deaths by gun violence, by civilians (adults and children) as well as due to police brutality.

Mark Manson amplifies a seeming lack of compassion and interaction with mass shooters prior to their heinous acts, when they expressed troubling ideas no body cared to take seriously, something that has been on my mind too.

Nicholas Kristof  in the New York Times argues with his usual eloquence and intelligence that we are all crazy for not at the very least take modest steps toward curbing the carnage that leaves America resembling a battlefield.

Jim Jefferies, the Australian stand up comedian says it best still, check him out for much needed laughs around this damn issue of gun control.

Sign this Move On petition or this petition of an attempt to ban assault weapons or any other you can support and contact your representatives and take whatever steps you can to prevent more violence.

Check on Nicholas Kristof's a lot more balanced Inconvenient Gun Facts in the New York Times on January 16th, 2016.

On A Path Less Travelled

My one winter boot was rubbing my one ankle the wrong way while my Nikon camera held a dead battery and I had forgotten to bring along a jacket to keep warm enough above 8,000 feet, so my enthusiasm waned for a hike up to to the top of the mountain. Instead, once again, we took the road, or rather trails less travelled, more like deserted, and we had a wonderful afternoon among the splendor of an already peaked fall display. Loved the Aspen leaves not only turn golden, but orange, glorious. My pocket size Canon S90 camera had to suffice for the taking of these photos.

Sumo Still 9 Years Old

Sunday Sumo Will Be 10!

After

after she had worked on her friend that used to be her best friend
and then not, and then had become again her paying customer,

after she had invited another over, for free, on a hunch,
after he had accepted and had shown up on time,
and after he had left her, both filled with kindness,

after she had taken out again,
her dogs, against her will and innate nature,
in to the freezing cold, then fed them,

she lay down, on the magic bed,
her chest yielded, her eyes closed, then opened
as she watched the flickering tea lights reflected ...

My Two Sweeties

Isabella & Sumo in their element, in the woods up above 8,000 feet.

Autumn

Poly-Ticks

Poly-Ticks = Multitude of Bloodsuckers

War Is Asinine

Watching Ray busking in his regular spot at our farmers market this Saturday morning blowing up his balloons for the kids, chatting in between, I realized Ray has all these great one-liners, he ought to entertain not only kids, but us adults. I would love to watch Ray on his own soap box spout his wisdom among plenty of laughter. To my surprise I learned that he used to be a stand-up comedian, wow, who knew!

We have become too politically correct, hence the rise of Trump. Let us all let out our own inner, little Trump. Let us all be bolder, more audacious, and a whole lot more passionate. It would be refreshing to hear real people again expressing their views with vigor and preferably lots of laughter. Let us all do our part in expressing ourselves with less caution so that the real Trump may fade away, at the very least disappear from public view and especially the US political scene.

This is how David Bedrick, Author of "Talking Back to Dr. Phil" put it: "

"I AM DONALD TRUMP

* Do you sometimes feel like the system is just not working? 

* Do you ever think that you have censored yourself too long and you would love to just let whatever you think and feel just flow freely out of your mouth? 

* Do you sense, at times, that you really know better than a lot of what passes for policy, politics, healing and more?

I have. If you have too, then we have a little "Donald Trump" in us. 

No, I don't mean literally - you need not be a racist, sexist, ego-maniac to join the club. "

Check my flickr set for more on Ray Masterson and his service dog Dawson.

Mondrianesque

Harbin Hot Springs Devastation Due To Valley Fire

Credit for these photos off facebook go to Harbin Hot Springs 

and Luiza Leite, luizaleite.com

Always a pretty bouquet in honor of those healing springs.

Favorite morning meditation & contemplation spot in the warm pool.

Long time resident of Harbin Dee (1927 - 2011) during her morning routine work out in the warm pool in 2006.

Main area of Harbin with view on the communal kitchen and showers with stairs ascending to the warm pool. 

Cats and skunks would hang near the kitchen, better be careful not to trip over them.

Harbin Hot Springs Swimming Pool

View from the trail up above over the sun deck, swimming pool and hidden the heart shaped pool where kids were welcome.

German speaking Omi, a frequent guest at Harbin, loves to smile, sing & swim.

Serenity, at the core of those hot and healing springs.

Harbin Gate Keeper to Altered States.

Deers with ferocious appetites cohabited in peace at Harbin.

Abundant trails became truly adventurous when walked at night in moon light.

Delicious blueberry pancakes for breakfast with good conversations & lots of laughter.

Harbin Restaurant with Stairs leading up to the Library.

Vegetarian meals savored among good people with open hearts and open minds.

Plenty of opportunities to come together to celebrate with ceremonies of peaceful intentions for the good of all in the warm pool.
I am certain I am not the only one feeling a need for just such, right now.

Harbin Hot Springs as it used to be, before a prior fire.

Harbin Hot Springs Now

Posterity Production posted all the photos that follow to facebook on Sunday September 13th 2015, 
after a devastating wild fire swept down the valley, through Harbin in to Middletown Saturday September 12th 2015.

The Heart, the essence of Harbin Hot Springs is still intact!
Harbin will be rebuilt. A phoenix will rise from the ashes.

Meanwhile it is up to us 'Harbingers' to nourish our inner vision of Harbin, a place of healing, of serenity, of beauty and of magic. 

We will hold it dear, and carry our vision out in to the world, bit by bit.

Harbin Lost to Valley Fire
Posted by Posterity Productions on Monday, September 14, 2015

9.18.15 PG&E: One of their power lines on contact with a tree may have ignited this fire. 

9.26.15 Update: ‪#‎ValleyFire‬ in southern Lake County is now 76,067 acres and 95%.

Today is the day of return for those that have been displaced due to the Valley Fire. It must have been a very long 2 weeks for Harbin residents who lost everything, their homes, their jobs, their community, everything. They are now all eligible for FEMA support and the collection of unemployment, thanks to the California's Governor having declared a state of emergency and thanks to President Obama's declaration of a major disaster (9.22.) with release of federal funding. Harbin's intent to rebuild is now official, but it will take time. Monday the cleaning up efforts will start. Check Harbin's website for further updates and for contributing to their Relief Fund if you are so inclined.

Update 10.16.2015 via facebook: Your donations toward Harbin residents and staff have totaled over $200,000! Please know that the result of these kind offerings serve to carry our community through a difficult and disorienting time. Should you wish to further support us in this manner please visit the bottom of the linked page.www.harbin.org

Update almost 11 months later: Faulty wiring to an outdoor hot tub caused the fire!

Bitten Off Too Much?

On the boundary of our Railyard park this Mama squirrel with tits hanging down heavy enjoyed an apple as we approached. Mama froze with a big piece of apple stuck in her mouth and did not dare move until we passed on, due to the presence of my two pups, who never noticed her up above their noses. I admit, I took my sweet time to take a whole set of pictures.

I seen probably this very same squirrel in the very same spot eating apple a few days earlier and I also noticed new tiny and very cute baby ground squirrels nearby on and around the red rocks. It always strikes me as very odd how these pesky critters evoke no aversion from me, while admittedly rats and mice still do.

Flowers Behind Ear - Pen Between Teeth

What is not to like about a man that sticks flowers behind his ears and pens between his teeth? 

No longer green behind his ears, this man writes furiously (with three pens or more) in public places in to big tomes at times. I wonder what he is writing about. He seems very private, not exactly approachable. I heard him sing in what sounded latin and watched him dance and enjoy live music. Stolen take after 7 pm on the Santa Fe plaza, with dogs, while in a hurry, with my Panaonic Lumix.

Sumo Settling In

Sumo settling in for movie watching.

Still Alice perfect any day, but especially perfect for a rainy afternoon.

Indian Market Art Santa Fe 2015

Donn Clark

Angelina Josephina

Angelina Josephina 

There is great beauty to be found

in those that hold a God or Goddess,

a Higher - or as I prefer a Lower Power

near and dear.

But it may be time to show more of our outrage

over 'religilous' hypocrisy.

I have never felt a need to explain or defend

my religious beliefs, or lack thereof,

nor have I felt a need to attack or ridicule others

in regard to their faith,

except when it concerns outright hypocrisy.

My Mom was a devout Catholic, 

believer in the bearded old guy up in heaven.

Ever since 4th grade,

when we learned that the earth was round

that really there was no up or down,

to look up to God in heaven

had become utter nonsense.

I did not have the heart though 

to debate such matters with my Mom. 

After all Mom gave credit to Mother Mary 

to have gotten her through WW II alive. 

Whatever gets us through,

stick or stones,

gods or bones,

was, is and will be good enough for me.

 I have great admiration
for those that seek to follow the will of their god, 

for those that are willing to lay their egos aside,

for those that seek thy will be done - not mine,

for those that offer their lives in service to their god.

Alas, it is a slippery slope.

Story of Isaac by Leonard Cohen

never fails to grab me.

A scheme is not a vision 

and you never have been tempted 

by a demon or a god.

Too easy to fall victim to deceit.

Lower self masquerades as virtuous higher self,

wrecks havoc with self and other,

the stories of oh so many gurus, 

preachers & teachers,

men and women we put on pedestals to revere.

Maybe it is time,
maybe we ought to be more like Bill Maher
expose the hypocrisy
challenge the hold religions world wide claim on societies.
No need to be mean about it,
but clear and firm because
enough is enough!

Take inspiration for your own hold on reality
and your own speaking out against bullshit
from John Oliver's Televangelists.

Sad & Bad

Called 911 on a guy in the bushes unable to get up yesterday evening. I tried to help him, but it was challenging. The guy nicely dressed in a light blue shirt and khaki shorts with a kind face had too much booze he admitted and simply wanted to go home. He pleaded with me not to call the cops! I got him to scoot over towards the bench and crawl kinda on it and eventually the ambulance came with 3 friendly, strong guys. Since he could not walk on his own they took him, against his will to St. Vincent Hospital. He pleaded with them to just give him a lift home "just a few blocks." No, they could not do that. "I will be worse off at the hospital, don't arrest me, I have no record." I felt sad and bad. Should I have gone home and gotten my van and attempted to give him a ride home? Would that have been enabling? How far to go when offering help? Was calling 911 truly helpful to the man? His knees and elbows were bruised and scratched, I guess from the fall in to the thorny bushes, his fly was open. With thunder's promise of a rain storm, for a moment I almost believed I did the right thing. But the storm passed us by, again, hm ...

Kid

Indian Market 2015

My Best Shot

I Stand With Planned Parenthood!

This is the year of 2015!

We are not going back!

Republicans did lose their moral compass. 

Harry Reid, Sen. Minority Leader

Short only 14 lousy votes (53 - 46, R needed 60 votes.)

Fact Check Planned Parenthood

"The U.S. government prohibits the sale of fetal tissue for profit and requires separation between researchers and the women who donate fetuses. Some schools go further, requiring written consent from donors." Learn more on how fetal and adult tissues are used in science, learn the facts and stop the blame and the assumptions and the demonizing of one institution that has done so much good.

Canine Meet & Greet

Dawson, Ray Masterson's service dog, a Husky meets a 9 month old pup, thankfully not for the first time. My dog Isabella-girl takes no longer kindly to impolite doggies that show no respect and get in her face. But Dawson, now 7 years old, has become a very friendly  dog, Ray has taught him well. He was not always mellow, as a pup he used to explode at my dogs and we would have a barking frenzy on our hands. This year has got me dodging dogs and has gotten me very tired of dog custodians that do not pay attention and are not proactive in avoiding unpleasantries. This little cutie here is a 9 month old male and a handful, but the lady says she always checks with others about her pup approaching, which I sure appreciate. I did notice though how Ray gave Dawson cues to take it easy with the little one. Shocking the dirty looks I get from those on the other end of the leash that somehow feel insulted when I pull my pups away in an effort to avoid conflict and keep our dogs safe!

 Balloons Are Free

- Tipping Is Expected

Boy Meets Girl

All Smiles