notes from outside

Relax And Let Your Mind Drift

kassie — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:55:24 +0000

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Now playing: bipolar_nation_podcast - Episode 26: Hypersexuality and Bipolar
via FoxyTunes

Texas Turns A Blind Eye On Healthcare

kassie — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:30:05 +0000

Many thanks to Arthur Valdez of San Antonio Healthcare Now Coalition for the forwarded article. ~K.

Opinion: How long can Texas turn its back on us?
Editorial Board
Austin American-Statesman
1/25/2008

When it comes to health insurance, Texas leads the nation with the highest percentage of people who don’t have coverage. About one in fourTexans - 5.7 million people - lack health insurance. That is a disgrace. Yet, as high as those figures are, and have been for many years, they still haven’t grabbed the full attention of Texas leaders, or the general public for that matter.

Three states have enacted universal health coverage plans for their residents, and a dozen others are considering similar measures. Texas ought to be doing the same. But we have not seen movement or leadership on that front.

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The Twisted Corridors of Dreaming

kassie — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:45:49 +0000

The nightmares are growing in their intensity, causing me to question my very sanity. Tonight’s ‘double bill’ featured fascism as a theme, with two words in a blank journal which when connected with words from another book were a threat to the group think that led to much angst and stealth, a British friend named Barney my confidant and co-conspirator, another man a fearful ally of sorts. The dreams were tinged with a deep red splotchiness, not at all unlike blood and madness. Each time I woke, I lay in the dark petrified by fear. Mother woke me from the first nightmare, but despite her having played a prominent role in the dream, I could do little more than mutter a few disconnected words, my throat choked with fear, consciousness a distant shore.

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Now playing: The director on his latest documentary - Michael Apted on ‘49 Up’
via FoxyTunes

Building Toward A Sustainable Mode Of Living

kassie — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:11:24 +0000

Last night, a search for BBC2’s Earth: The Power Of The Planet yielded this little gem about green building in Bend, Oregon. Quite fascinating, even inspiring, I was disappointed that the segment was ‘blink and you miss it’ brief. So much detail not really covered by the cameraman. This is one time the HGTV production team might have come in handy, though they do tend to give things an unsettling gloss that makes everything feel so bloody packaged and even unreal. Definitely unreal for those of us who have to work for a living and aren’t blessed by a second income or trust fund. This is one thing that neither host or architect addresses in the segment below.

If we’re to have sustainable homes with more of an emphasis on natural light and an open air feeling throughout, it would seem they’d be more affordable to those of a more privileged economic bracket. That’s the crux of the problem. This type of dwelling needs to be available on a wider scale if it’s to be of any effect. One niggle: I disagree with the lack of garden as stated by the architect. In that particular case it makes sense, as the Pacific Northwest is one of the greenest places in the country. However, that’s not always the case, and often to ill effect.

We work in massive concrete slabs that bear little connection to nature. Then there is the time isolated in ones vehicle in transit to and from work. Finally, there is the conventional American crackerbox house/McMansion which has large expanses of wall with very few windows, and then ill situated at that. I believe all of this serves to further disconnect us from the natural world, which is necessary to peace of mind and soul, in my view. I’d like to see a scheme for sustainable green building that takes this into account.

What do you think?

A Very Weary Head: The Physical and Psychological Toll Of Illness

kassie — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 05:49:04 +0000

I feel weak, having spent nearly the whole of the day sprawled across my loveseat with Ken Burns’ documentary The War on a seemingly endless loop. This, and I took no promethazine last night. I thought of food, of eating breakfast, lunch, anything as the hours drifted past and the level of natural light in the room faded, the receding sunlight drawing ever nearer to my balcony door, until finally it was as if it’s presence had been a fleeting dream, such as those one has in the throes of a high fever.

Eventually I confessed my weakness and fatigue to Mother, who scolded me for not having rung to let her know of my state earlier. Food. I was hungry, but nothing came to mind, as if the cupboards were bare. I couldn’t hold my thoughts for very long. My concentration wasn’t much better. Made my way to the kitchen and tentatively prepared avocado tacos. It seemed an age in the offing. I’ve felt like this quite often of late. Thankfully, I didn’t appear as wan as yesterday when I had to leave work for a hastily scheduled appointment with one of my doctors. Yes, I’ve more than one. I was fine at the start of day, quite pleased to see my workmates and friends. In less than two hours time I felt myself sinking, pulled sideways, about to come crashing down to the floor. The sensation grew so strong that sitting provided neither comfort or relief.

I remember a bit of dialogue from Once & Again, spoken by the young girl Jessie, about how the simplest things, the most unexpected, can change your life. I’d not go that far, however, the time spent with my Doctor proved nothing less than inspirational. He left me with a sense of hope I’ve not been accustomed to in so very long a time.

I try not to berate myself for not being stronger than this weakness that claims me. If only it were limited to that, but it is not.

I’m doing something here I didn’t quite intend when I returned to blogging quite recently, after my dissolution of an emotionally abusive relationship, which would, I feared, soon take physical form. He didn’t wish me to write, for fear something about us would slip in that may prove scandalous to those who in this day and age even bother to care what their neighbours think. That, and nothing ought get back to his family. I complied with his request, to my chagrin, but with this post I am asserting my voice again, to hell with what anyone thinks. Life isn’t long enough to fret over such things.

I’d no intention of writing about my personal life, however, as I’m involved with the push for Universal Healthcare, I felt telling my own story somewhat important as I am one of those Michael Moore and Dennis Kucinich have spoken of: the under insured. Mind, I have insurance through my employer. Sadly, it only goes so far.

I’m exhausted and hungry again. The Gods must have heard my prayers, as the wren I so adore has graced me with his presence. Illness can leave one feeling isolated, utterly alone. Tonight respite has been provided from that.

Time to rest my weary head.

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Now playing: Lyric Quartet / Michael Riesman - The Poet Acts
via FoxyTunes

Dennis Kucinich pegs HR-1955 as “thought crime bill”

kassie — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 04:40:36 +0000

Courtesy The Indypendent

Kucinich on HR 1955

December 2, 2007

By Jessica Lee, The Indypendent

Democratic presidential hopeful Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) said that he believes the proposed Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act (H.R. 1955/S. 1959) is unconstitutional.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters in New York City Nov. 29, Kucinich took several questions from the audience, including my question on why he voted against the bill. Kucinich was one of only six representatives to oppose the bill, which passed the House 404-6 on Oct. 23.

“If you understand what his bill does, it really sets the stage for further criminalization of protest,” Kucinich said. “This is the way our democracy little, by little, by little, is being stripped away from us. This bill, I believe, is a clear violation of the first amendment.”

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The truth about HR-1955 and why it must be defeated

kassie — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:08:36 +0000

Courtesy The Indypendent

Bringing the War on Terrorism Home: Congress Considers How to ‘Disrupt’ Radical Movements in the United States

By Jessica Lee

Under the guise of a bill that calls for the study of “homegrown terrorism,” Congress is apparently trying to broaden the definition of terrorism to encompass both First Amendment political activity and traditional forms of protest such as nonviolent civil disobedience, according to civil liberties advocates, scholars and historians.

The proposed law, The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R. 1955), was passed by the House of Representative in a 404-6 vote Oct. 23. (The Senate is currently considering a companion bill, S. 1959.) The act would establish a “National Commission on the prevention of violent radicalization and ideologically based violence” and a university-based “Center for Excellence” to “examine and report upon the facts and causes of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism and ideologically based violence in the United States” in order to develop policy for “prevention, disruption and mitigation.”

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SPAM THE SENATE!

kassie — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:56:26 +0000

Thomas Jefferson once said, “Every generation needs a new revolution”
Now is our time!

Saturday November 10th is SPAM THE SENATE day for Texas. On this day, we will unite and let our voices be heard by sending emails to Texas Senator John Cornyn…a senator who is pro-war and anti-environment. Cornyn does not share our views and it is time for us to DEMAND change…
Go to Cornyn’s website to send him an email…it will only take a minute of your time.
Please feel free to copy and paste the following message:

“Dear Senator Cornyn,
I do not support a war for oil, I do not support damaging the environment, and I will not support you in the 2008 election. I demand change!”

We also ask that you forward this message to ALL of your friends. This is very critical in making sure we reach as many people as possible.
We will be celebrating Spam The Senate Day on November 10, 2007 between 7 pm and 2 am at the Ruta Maya Coffeehouse, 107 E. Martin St, San Antonio, TX.
The show will feature 17 bands, dj’s, and more all for free and open to ALL AGES!

Click above for Full-Sized Flyer

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Now playing: BBC National Orchestra Of Wales - Rose Defeats The Daleks
via FoxyTunes

Exit Watts, Cue Noriega…The Senate Race In Texas

kassie — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:11:17 +0000

I’ll admit that I don’t know much about Noriega. What he stands for, his affiliations are a bit of a mystery to me. That said, it’s very important to support a Democrat in the race to oust the notoriously callous John Cornyn from office. Yes, this is the same Cornyn Cadaver that voted against sCHIP insurance for all children.

As usual the neo-con/preservatives care only about unborn children as far as they can be used as pawns to manipulate a sometimes well meaning and uninformed Republican base. They don’t give a bloody damn about children once borne into this world, as demonstrated by the so-called Presidential veto of sCHIP. Thus, Cornyn must go. Can he be deported, I wonder? In that light, I’ve decided to gamble on Noriega. Yes, it’s that vital and that close a race with ‘come hunt with me’ DICK Cheney and George Bush coming to Texas to raise money for Senate Republicans. People are forking out $1,000 per plate at a local Republican fundraiser. This is easily money that could have gone toward initiatives to help the needy, uninsured children and expectant mothers, the homeless, or investment in green technologies. Those words would however be lost on this self appointed Cabal who only seek to further the class divide and war at home begun by Bush, Cheney, Rice, et al.

Turn off your TV. Get informed. Don’t listen to the propaganda. We can change the world. Here’s how we start. Remember: “think globally, act locally.”

Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine

kassie — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:52:39 +0000

I’ve been devouring everything I can on this subject, and I’m surprised that the basic theorem still seems to elude most Americans, including the main stream media, though it would, on second thought, not be in their interest to acknowledge the very real things Naomi Klein documents, which would effectively rewrite the last thirty to forty years of American history. It’s time this happened. We as American citizens need to look deep within ourselves and make the realisation that we’re better than our government. We can no longer support-and silence is a passive form of support-the class war fostered here at home by neocons using neoliberalism, nor can we through so-called free trade continue to support muderous regimes in Central America, the widespread pollution and contamination of the local ecosystems and it’s resultant damage to the health of indigenous peoples. We must wake up, and be willing to see this madness for what it is, and only then can we slay the two-headed hydra and reform our government, the very ways we live and even think. This is more crucial than anyone might imagine. Our comfort is someone elses birth defect, shanty town, and yes, slaughter. Is it worth it to have tropical fruits year-round if the ultimate cost is in human lives? Yes, the Shock Doctrine has been and is playing out here in the US, but it’s even worse for our brothers and sisters in Central America or anywhere we’ve established heinous free trade agreements with. Look at the banana in your hand. That DVD remote. Your polo shirt. You really didn’t pay anything for them. It’s time our brethren stopped carrying us on their backs.