Sorry that I haven't been here

For awhile. It seems these days its harder to stay a moderate and harder to keep from feeling pressured into things that you don't agree with; specially when you know that neither side has all the answers and barely know all the questions.

I am for limited gun control, I don't think anyone needs a semi-automatic or automatic rifle or hand gun to hunt with. I'm all for hunting when done right and with honor, in other words you use all the meat from the animal you hunt. Never kill anything that is not harming you and yours or is not meant for the table to eat. Automatic and semi-automatic weapons belong in a soldiers hands and used for war.

I like the idea of the death penalty, if there is prof that the person who is up to die, is the person who did the crime. Our justice system is so flawed though that this is not a realistic expectation, not only that; but it costs far too much to keep the appeals process going and we tax payers have to foot the bill for it. Solution then is to keep the person incarcerated for life with no possibility of parole. Oh and not every single person has cable, not every single person has the luxuries that the prisoners have, so take some of those goodies away from the prisoners and give them to the elderly or to the working poor. They deserve it far more than the prisoners.

I'm pro-choice, its not my right to tell other women how to control their bodies. Its not my spiritual beliefs to make them believe the way I do or to live by the standards I set for myself. I believe we need to teach our older teens/young adults the proper uses of birth control, of safe sex and how to be responsible for their actions; not being able to blame it on some invisible devil or being, as some in the churches like to do.

I'm for parents teaching their young about how and when to use alcohol or drugs; the kind of drugs I'm talking about are the ones for traditional spiritual beliefs and those used as medicinal herbs or the chemical ones made by the drug companies to ease the illness in our bodies. I think parents need to take an interest in what is driving their child into using illegal drugs and misusing alcohol. Knowing from experience there is more going on than what ever meets the eye with being young and feeling alone.

This is where other moderates may disagree with me, but that's fine. We all have our own thoughts and space, but I think homosexuals should be able to marry. I know I'm a bit biased on this one as I am a gay female. I use the word gay for myself as I'm a Two-Spirit, in the sense of Native American standards and traditions. No, I was not formally taught about being Two-Spirit...I don't think being gay/lesbian or straight can be taught. I know from my own life experiences that one either is or isn't and if one can choose who they fall in love with gender wise, well...they are bisexual. There are more bisexual folks out there than others like to believe. They can hide better than someone like myself, they can hide in loving someone of the opposite gender and I couldn't, not with out using drugs and alcohol.

There is much more that I can say, but it will have to wait for another day as I still have much to do on this day off from the regular work grind.

The best thing to happen to politics right now!

http://tinyurl.com/234oohk
YES!!!!
This is what I've been saying for a long time!!!
I'm tired of how the far right and far left take things and just run with them, not caring that there are lot of us in the middle who don't agree with either side on many issues.

Imam says resolution to NYC mosque debate in works

Imam says resolution to NYC mosque debate in works

news.yahoo.com

 

http://tinyurl.com/3ys5vse

Ok moderates of other faiths, this guy is wanting to work, share prayer space and just see if life can be made better for all in NYC's faith community. Where are your voices to work with him and not to let others make your lives fit their version of hell?

One of my friends is said she didn't like it as it showed he was giving into pressure, but I say at least the right can't say he isn't at least trying to work with others outside of his faith. 

My friend pointed out that this would give the right a chance to take arms to other things, like cyberbombing an abortion clinic's website to keep women from being able to make appointments, like bringing unloaded weapons to a wedding chapel where a gay marriage is being performed and having signs along with the guns saying we know where you live and we have ammo. She says these are not direct threats, they are a part of first amendment, freedom of speech.

Two blocks away from the towers is not sacred ground, the site where the towers were, well I can see that as sacred ground, but with in one of the towers they had a Muslim prayer room. So WTF?????????
If they could be that open minded IN the towers, why can't folk be that open minded for two blocks away from the tower.

The right takes arms to everything anyway, they always do their best to run everyone else's lives and all because of a book that has been rewritten more times than I have had birthdays and not always with out translation errors. 

The actual purpose for the sacred site two blocks away from where the towers were is to be a mall; shopping for tourists, those who need to feel as if they are super patriotic by buying 9-11 memorial stuff.

Yep a real sacred site to mass consumerism, the biggest religion of all.

I don't count on saner minds working with this leader, but at least he is trying to hold out the olive branch of peace. That is truly more than I can say for his counter parts in the Christian communities.

From Facebook, a good place to find many good things

UN AMERICAN ? ME? THE STRAW HAS BEEN BROKEN BY KEVIN COLLIER

by Fay Easter on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 12:21pm

Un American? Me? The Straw has been broken.....by Kevin Collier on Friday, September 10, 2010 at 7:22pm.

Almost severely injured a man today, and probably would have gone to jail. I was at the local grocery store, getting some things for dinner tonight. While in the checkout, a man that was in front of me decided to strike up a conversation about the recent story of the wack-job Pastor of a church burning the Koran. He was obviously all for it, and then tied in the mosque/New York fiasco as well. He kept talking to me, anticipating that I would react favorably to his arguement, which in my opinion was completely out of line, discriminatory, and filled with hate. I of course, responded that I felt that the Pastor was a complete wacko, that this wouldn't be a story in the first place if it wasn't for the Right Wing bringing it to the forefront and tying it with the mosque fiasco, and that I would appreciate it if he kept his hate inside.


Then he did it. He said the words that would cause me to almost pummel him into a pulp, and spend the night in jail instead of drinking beer in front of my firepit while listening to the Cardinal game. That fucktard had the audacity to say that I was "Un-American". Seriously? Me? Un-American? I immediately filled with rage, and told the gentleman that I was going to move to a different aisle for his own safety, and that it would be best if he didn't open his fucking mouth until he had left the store. He proceeded to continue to egg me on, and raise his voice as I went to a different aisle. Thankfully, the cashier had gotten the manager involved, and I waited until I saw the douchebag get into his car before I left the store. You see... I really wanted to drink beer around my firepit tonight.


So of course, while driving, I thought more about what the moron said.... and continued to be filled with rage. I may not be a perfect husband, employee, brother, son, friend... but do not question if I love my country. Do not question my loyalty when you are espousing words that go against what this country was founded on.


You know what? The first documented Muslim was a dutchman who came to New Amsterdam (New York) in 1630. The oldest muslim community in America was established in 1921. There are over 2 million Muslims in America. Over 5000 muslims serve in our military and many question if the number could be larger because servicemen and women purposely held back their religion because of fear of persecution.


So here we are coming on the 9th anniversary since the World Trade Center fell.. and we have some wacko in Florida who says he belongs to a church (the church in Germany has disowned them) whose website is basically filled with nothing but hatred for muslims... they actually have a shelter for women who wish to escape Islam.... and he wants to burn the holy book, the Quran. Of course, when the story first broke, people thought "Crazy fucker" and didn't give it much thought. However, then we have people who are so called leaders taking this and tying it in with the mosque building in New York, and try and say that it's Obama's fault. So then the media gets involved.. Other wack job wingnuts don't do the RIGHT thing, which is denounce the fucker, but they politicize it.


Never mind the fact that shit like this is the reason why muslims across the world hate us. Never mind that stuff like this could get our troops (some who are muslim) killed. Never mind the fact that those who flew the planes into the Trade Center Towers were a part of a group that had a loose relationship with their faith, that they were so radical that even other muslims and muslim countries don't support them.


Well, I've got an interesting theory for you.... I theorize that there is a portion of our citizens who are becoming just as radicalized as those who attacked us 9 years ago. These people are so radical, that no matter what you tell them, if it doesn't conform with what their leaders have said, you are promptly shot down, shunned, and what could be an intelligent debate turns into a yelling match--that even if you tell them that you don't wish to continue discussing, they continue to berate, judge, and try and put the blame on somebody else. This group is right under everyone's noses, although they talk in public as if they were born again, and full of virtue,those who read between the lines know that their motives are not so pure. They are in power right now, who would rather espouse hate on tv rather than actually put the country ahead of themselves, and their group. This group started out actually ok, and has now been twisted and morphed into a group filled with racism and discrimination by the more vocal of them. The person who dared call me Un-American is most certainly a part of this group.


Well here's the deal. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of hearing from these people. I want to hear from the silent ones of their group. I want to hear from those who are intelligent, who have values, who believe that this country is the greatest country in the world, and yes, we need to fix some things, but we are not so egotistical that we refuse to have an intelligent discussion, and do nothing instead of compromise. I want to hear from those silent ones who have great ideas for our country-- who care about our children, our jobs, our elderly, our sick and less fortunate, our economy. I want to hear from those who are willing to roll up their sleeves, work with people that they may not agree with on some issues, and get stuff done.


I'm done with Glen Beck. He's a fraud. I'm done with Sarah Palin. She's worthless. I'm done with John Boehner. I'm done with Newt Gingrich. I'm done with Charles Krauthammer. I'm done with Bill O'Reilly. I'm done with Rush Limbaugh. I'm done with those people who continue to put themselves above the country. I'm done with those who say things that go against what our country was founded on. We are a melting pot. We are made from many races, religions, creeds. WE are supposed to be a tolerant country. We are supposed to be a country of freedom. We aren't supposed to be a country that forces somebody to hide their religion when they VOLUNTEER TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY! We aren't supposed to be a country that actually gives creedence to a wack job who chooses to burn a holy book of another fucking religion! These people I listed above... they are the leaders of this new terrorist group. These people are the ones that others should be questioning if they are AMERICAN.


That being said, I am an AMERICAN. I love my country. I am in debt to those men and women who have fought all over this world protecting my freedom. I am thankful to those lawmakers, judges, Presidents who have written meaningful legislation that gives me the freedom to bear arms, the right to vote, the right to say what I want, the right to practice whatever religion I want, the right to protest something that I oppose. I am thankful that I have the chance to pursue happiness. And being that I'm an American, I turned the other cheek on that gentleman today. And to those leaders of the new terrorist group here in America... I drop my trousers and show you both cheeks.

Pagans gather in Washington, DC on 9/15 to celebrate Lady Liberty League's 25th Anniversary

Pagans gather in Washington, DC on 9/15 to celebrate Lady Liberty League's 25th Anniversary

For immediate release

Please share widely.  Post to blogs, websites, e-lists, Facebook, Twitter,
elsewhere.


LADY LIBERTY LEAGUE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF PAGAN RIGHTS ENDEAVORS

On Wednesday, September 15, 2010, Lady Liberty League will be celebrating
its 25th Anniversary with a reception in Washington, DC.

The reception is free and open to the public.

It will be held from 7-9 pm at the Universalist National Memorial Church,
1810 16th Street Northwest, Washington, DC

National and regional Pagan Rights activists, spiritual leaders, and
practitioners of many traditions will be taking part in this interfaith
celebration.  Participants include those from Washington, DC, Virginia,
Maryland, North Carolina, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Wisconsin, US
Virgin Islands, and elsewhere.

Founded in 1985, Lady Liberty League (LLL) is a national and global Pagan
civil rights and religious freedom organization.  LLL is coordinated by
Circle Sanctuary, an Ecospirituality center and Shamanic Wiccan church that
has been serving Pagans worldwide since 1974.

This special evening includes networking, refreshments, and remarks by
Selena Fox of Wisconsin, Lady Liberty League's Founder and Executive
Director, and Patrick McCollum of California, LLL Chaplaincy Affairs
Director and among this year's recipients of the Hindu American Foundation's
Mahatma Ghandi Award for the Advancement of Religious Pluralism.

The evening will include an overview of the history and accomplishments of
Lady Liberty League, including its origins in September 1985 in the
networking that defeated federal anti-Wiccan legislation.

Lady Liberty League activists and Circle Sanctuary ministers from across the
country will be helping with the reception.

Among the national Pagan leaders already planning to take part in the
reception include Marci Drewry of Virginia, Director of Military Affairs,
Sacred Well Congregation; Holli Emore of North Carolina, Executive Director,
Cherry Hill Seminary; and Peter Dybing, First Officer-Elect, Covenant of the
Goddess.

The site is on the bus line and is a short walk from the Dupont Circle Metro
station. Free parking has been arranged in the Masonic Library parking lot
across the street.

The LLL Reception is being produced by Lady Liberty League, with the
sponsorship support of a variety of national and Washington, DC metropolitan
area Pagan churches, organizations and businesses.

Those interested in attending should RSVP
* Via the LLL Reception Page on Facebook: http://tinycc.LLLdcreception
* Or by contacting Jeanet Ewing: jeanet@circlesanctuary.org; cell:
703-489-5406.

Those interested in being a Sponsor can do so on-line:
www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty or by contacting Deb Morris:
deb@circlesanctuary.org  

Those wanting more information about the venue should contact David Ewing:
david@circlesanctuary.org

More information about Lady Liberty League
Email: liberty@circlesanctuary.org; Phone:(608) 924-2216
Follow LLL on Twitter: @LadyLibertyLeag
Follow LLL on Facebook: http://tiny.cc/LLLfbfans


Pagan News Media: Thursday, September 09, 2010

From a friend of mine and I agree

FYI....

Dear Friends and Family,

After seeing and hearing FOX News’ Glenn Beck, and his lies about our President, Barack Obama, it became impossible for me to sit still, and say nothing. That would have been too reminiscent of the saying from WWII, “The only thing needed for Evil to succeed, is for Good People to do nothing.”

I do attempt, every day, to be a Good Person. Clearly I don’t always succeed, but the thoughts and the attempts are there. Having seen that person in action, along with his colleagues, railing against the President and the Democratic Party, I felt it impossible to say nothing, to do nothing. While my original web site, WBC (Watch Bush Cheat) is no longer up and running, my only way to get the word out is by imposing upon you all, by sending a message to a distribution list. Hopefully, some of you will agree with me, and pass this message along to your friends. If you disagree, please, simply delete this email. It is not going to become a constant thing.

That was my disclaimer. Now, the message:

I still have about 12 minutes left, from my original 15 minutes of fame. FOX News’ Glenn Beck is outrageous! What a Richard he is. (Think about it - the nickname for Richard is ...?)

Seriously, Republicans will do anything, especially use the Big Lie, and they have surpassed the way the Nazis used the Big Lie in the 40s.

If you tell a big enough lie, and do it often enough, at some point, most people will begin to believe it. Republicans are counting upon people believing their lies enough, to be able to stop President Obama from succeeding on anything, especially the Health Care issue. Beck and Bush and their people count on Democrats not really doing their due diligence, not checking for the truth, and allowing President Obama to be slandered and lied about, so they can use fear and misdirection, to keep people from learning the truth. They are even trying to make the people believe that the economic problems this country is having is the fault of the Democrats, not the Republicans. Even though when Bush took office, he inherited the largest surplus this country ever had. He then turned it into the largest debt we have ever had, and passed that debt along to Obama!

If the population learns the truth, they will vote Republicans out of office in droves.

So, your assignment, if you wish to take it, is to learn the truth - remember, the truth shall set you free.

Don't take my word for it; definitely don't take the Republicans' word for it; do the fact checking yourselves, and then you will see just how evil these people, these Republicans, really are.

Cheers!

Again, if you check your facts, and you agree with this message, please pass it along. Hopefully it will help start a groundswell of opinion, to turn back Mitch McConnell and Glenn Beck and all the other Big Liars of the Republican Party, so that the Truth can come out. Do remember that no one owns the Truth. The Truth will certainly set you free.

And once more, thank you all for your patience, to become just a bit more informed. Let this be the beginning of the end for Republicans who know only how to lie to scare the public.

Some of the best news I've heard yet

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100310/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_health_care_overhaul

And McCain is a co-sponsor and from what I read this is bipartisan!