The mainstream media will follow this SCOTUS decision as a victory for the people. Dozens of “experts” will argue for and against the decision (but never for universal healthcare), framing everything in a Democrat vs. Republican setting while avoiding a real public debate on the now passé single-payer healthcare at all costs. Politicians will receive extra airtime as they praise or denounce the ruling. [More]
Archives for June 2012
We are gathered
Beloved is the word
we share round
today’s wedding of
reader and poet.
We ring this word
hither and dear
with each waltz
into the microphone.
Counterstomp
In 1984 a bioacoustic researcher was studying whale songs on the west coast. She heard news that four baby elephants were born at the Oregon Zoo, and went to see them. While there she sensed a vibration near the elephant cages. It turned out the animals were using low-frequency sounds to send messages back and forth across the zoo grounds. [More]
Trust Trek: The Next Generation
When I was seven years old I had my first encounter with the Lower Nehalem Community Trust. The Alder Creek Farm property was in the process of being purchased, and I can recall how excited I was to be on the land. The most vivid memories for me are the things you’d expect to entrance a seven year old… I can remember that there were two calves in what is now the main building, and that the dairy part of the farm was still in working order [Read More]
The epic silence of Iron Dad
Just think what Iron Dad could do. He would know exactly what to say to kids in every situation, no matter how hard. Goofball snafus would be replaced with laser-beam humor. His storytelling would never cease to amaze. Young audiences would be cheered by the knowledge that his wisdom could banish any bogeyman. [Read More]
Get your letters in to stall Walmart!
“We don’t hear much these days about Walmart or another big box store coming to the coast, but the permitting process is moving forward,” says community activist Laurie Caplan. “If you are concerned about the uglification of Hwy 101, the existing abundance of empty storefronts along the coast, the existing damage to our local wetlands, the inability of local businesses to fairly compete with Walmart and others like it, and more, then please write your three letters” [Read More]
Puttzing into summer tomfoolery
“The [Cannon Beach] Puttz is a way to have some fun as a community before the craziness of summer begins,” says Evie Alburas, a fellow board member of the Tolovana Arts Colony. “It helps us enjoy being silly. Every year I’m flabbergasted by the unorthodox things that hole creators come up with — like a big scary fishlike creature holding a Barbie in its mouth, or a ramp that shoots balls up in the air that you have to catch in baskets on your head.” [Read More]
Charles de Lint sings about Animal People
“There’s only one thing you’ve got to remember.
Everything in this world is a brother or sister.”
In addition to being a world-class author, Charles de Lint is a heartfelt folk musician. Here he offers up a message about Animal People, beings who are also featured in his mythic fiction.
Unshod
If only man did not tether us
we would fly widdershins,
kick up clods at the sun,
make clouds of turf swirl round our heels.
Instead we pace and crib to get high
in the sterile gold stalls of Olympus.
Here the social feed smells mean
and riders mimic predators.
A Bake Sale For Civics Textbooks
Last week the Yamhill County Oregon Democrats held a bake sale. The proceeds from this sale go to purchase civics textbooks for our county’s secondary schools. How about that. In the U.S.A., the country which is fond of bragging about our superiority, we have dropped the ball on nurturing our children into becoming citizens.