V's Version

Here is a letter that I am sending out to my representatives. Feel free to cut, copy, edit, revise in any way. But let's all give them their mandate in no uncertain terms. Click here to contact yours.


Dear Senator / Congressional Representative:

Welcome to a whole new House and Senate! Congratulations on being part of the democratic process that enables a system of checks and balances and holds our representatives accountable to the people. That said, I want to be clear, in no uncertain terms, that I am ready for some checking and wholeheartedly believe that it is time for balance in this country. I think you know as well as I that the reason why the House and Senate went Democratic is because people registered outside of the Democratic Party (myself, I am registered in the Green Party) voted for change. Here is the change that I want:

-The Constitution must be upheld. Recent decisions made in the name of Homeland Security will be overturned because the people’s rights have been eroded and the government has too much power in our personal lives.

-Equality is at the basic root of our foundation as a country. I demand equality on every level: racial, gender and sexual, – without regard to religion, ability/disability, body size or age. It is imperative that all people have equal access to the legal and economic rights and responsibilities of marriage.

-The global colonization efforts for financial gain will end immediately. I want our lawmakers and diplomats and economic advisors to come up with a solution that will get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan. I want the killing to stop immediately. I want to look into the reasons why the people of the Middle East are so angry and work to resolve those issues.

I insist – for our sakes and for that of the next generations – on immediate unequivocal and enforceable regulation on businesses to lower greenhouse gases. I want this to be done with great resistance to lobbying efforts that can weaken the resolve of even the most convinced lawmakers.

-There must be an end to the threats (veiled and unveiled) that undermine a woman’s right to reproductive choice. We both know that abortion is not a positive answer to unwanted pregnancy but it must remain a choice. In the meantime – let’s fund sexual education and prevention programs.

-The Untied States will stop funding the militaries of governments in the Middle East.

-The School of Americas will be shut down.

-I want the so-called “war on drugs” and “no child left behind” theories to be scrutinized and seen for what they are: failures. Standardized testing, increased prisons, punishment and regulation at every turn are NOT effective. People need support from our civic and public leaders before there is trouble, not afterwards.

I look forward to seeing my tax dollars work toward making the world a better place.

Beyond the Sixth (New Orleans Quilt)
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Labels: art quilt crazy new orleans louisiana katrina dyke history commission memory photograph scrap kid camera project

The last thing he said before he drifted off to sleep was, "Are roller coasters held on by momentum?"

Because I did not know the answer, I said so and we contemplated it all in the quiet of his room - with only the dim light of his shaggy dog night light and the tick tock of his alarm clock to hold us in the day. It wasn't enough and soon he had the soft rythmic sound of a boy crashed from sugar, soccer and typing as a new skill.

On nights that Dani stays in San Francisco, Pk and I pile in together (usually in his bed) with both whippets under the down comforter. We do all the things we have done for years and years in family bed. We draw on each other's backs and guess what the drawings are. We sing songs with made up words. We get to ask a question - any question at all. We tell stories and laugh and wrestle and settle and snuggle.

I'm noticing lately that the songs have become more complex. The stories have plots. The drawings are harder to decipher and the questions more poinant. I am grateful for the tender moments of requested touch - when I stroke his hair after a long day or scratch his back just because it feels so good to him with my long nails. I do not think for one minute that I will always be asked questions or that he will answer mine so willingly. But, for now, it is a sweet time of closeness as he matures more and more each day.

Did I mention that I adore being a mother? Every stage of mothering is so completely different.

"Beyond the Sixth" is in New Orleans. I'll get pix up soon and maybe even an ameteur YouTube clip!

I present you with Juan Mann's Free Hugs video clip. I thought I could predict what would happen and several times, I was wrong. I don't think it's just hormones that made me well up with emotion. No wonder it has skyrocketed to international underground acclaim. It was totally worth watching. (Thanks for sending it Pamela!)