larger version below the fold:
31 March 2010
30 March 2010
Trail
A kind of peaceful spot. "Kind of" because of the obvious stump in the center of the frame. Although I know that the management of this forest (in Watershed Park) is undertaken with care. I am sure that the particular tree was cut for safety reasons. But I do have to wonder why more of the tree wasn't left standing. I don't know. I would like to know more about the story of that tree. In peace, Berd
29 March 2010
Take the Bus
Last Saturday I wrote about writing three poems. Well here's one of them. It's titled, Take the Bus.
Take the Bus
It has been awhile
since I took the bus.
I see the bus all the time,
every day.
I used to take the bus
nearly every day.
It felt good
to ride on the bus.
Take the Bus
It has been awhile
since I took the bus.
I see the bus all the time,
every day.
I used to take the bus
nearly every day.
It felt good
to ride on the bus.
28 March 2010
The path TO PEACE is THROUGH PEACE! A Letter to the President
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Dear President,
War is no way to work for peace.
The way to peace is through peace.
There is no way to achieve peace when the supposed "interests" of America depend on conquest and domination, oppression and exploitation.
It is time to end these war and these polices (and economics) of domination and subjugation. It is time to begin international policies of cooperation and respect, harmony and reciprocity.
Mr. President and Administration, it is time to be honest about the destructive and oppressive relationship that America wields against the world. It is time for America to grow up and become a responsible world citizen. It is time to curtail consumption, and seek community solutions to make the world a better place for all people.
It is wrong for people to seek dominion and control over each other. There is another way. Another world is possible.
We can learn to live in harmony with each other and with the living systems of the planet, or we can continue on a path of destruction.
What is sure is that the current way is totally wrong and the cause of tremendous unnecessary suffering around the world.
Real Change is in order.
Please, take my message to heart.
Thank you for honestly and seriously considering my comments.
Sincerely,
Berd
p.s. Dear White House,
These wars are not about defense. These wars are about geo-political and economic control and dominance.
These wars are flat out immoral. These wars are illegal.
End these wars. End these criminal policies of dominance!
Yours Truly,
Berd
Dear President,
War is no way to work for peace.
The way to peace is through peace.
There is no way to achieve peace when the supposed "interests" of America depend on conquest and domination, oppression and exploitation.
It is time to end these war and these polices (and economics) of domination and subjugation. It is time to begin international policies of cooperation and respect, harmony and reciprocity.
Mr. President and Administration, it is time to be honest about the destructive and oppressive relationship that America wields against the world. It is time for America to grow up and become a responsible world citizen. It is time to curtail consumption, and seek community solutions to make the world a better place for all people.
It is wrong for people to seek dominion and control over each other. There is another way. Another world is possible.
We can learn to live in harmony with each other and with the living systems of the planet, or we can continue on a path of destruction.
What is sure is that the current way is totally wrong and the cause of tremendous unnecessary suffering around the world.
Real Change is in order.
Please, take my message to heart.
Thank you for honestly and seriously considering my comments.
Sincerely,
Berd
p.s. Dear White House,
These wars are not about defense. These wars are about geo-political and economic control and dominance.
These wars are flat out immoral. These wars are illegal.
End these wars. End these criminal policies of dominance!
Yours Truly,
Berd
Photo from Percival Landing
A couple of photos from Percival Landing this past Friday:
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Global Carbon Emissions
I found this interesting and informative tool on Google:
Here is more about carbon emissions, with information broken down in a list of countries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions#List_of_countries_by_2006_emissions
Here is more about carbon emissions, with information broken down in a list of countries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions#List_of_countries_by_2006_emissions
27 March 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Earlier this evening I went to see Annie Leonard give a talk at Orca Books about her new book. It's titled, The Story of Stuff, and it is basically an expansion on the same ideas that are part of a video she did. The video was a tremendous success, having been seen by people in hundreds of countries all around the world. The book also is showing early signs of success. One of the main messages in the video and book is that another way is possible. That is, we as a humanity can do better. We can live in a way that is not destructive. We can live in a way that instead is actually beneficial to all beings. We can live in a way that serves life, i.e. promotes health and ecological stability, etc.... Annie mentioned that she is a strong proponent of legislation that would curtail and counteract pollution and other destructive economic activities... She also talked about going through a program at a leadership institute (Rockwood), and how beneficial that experience was in terms of learning about her communication style, and ability to interact effectively, and be able to meet members of her target audience (which is pretty much everyone) where they are. She also mentioned Free Range studios for the great work they did in helping with her video. You can find more information about the Story of Stuff on the website, here. If you want to buy the book, Annie strongly recommends visiting your locally owned independent bookseller. If you don't have one of those, maybe you can buy it off of the Story of Stuff website.
After that, I wrote three poems titled, "A River," "The Illusion of Solidity," and "Take the Bus."
I also photographed some night scenes around town. There was a lot of activity downtown tonight. People seemed to be quite agitated.
I wonder if we will experience another big earthquake sometime around the upcoming full Moon.
♥☮
Berd
here are those photos (in chronological order):
After that, I wrote three poems titled, "A River," "The Illusion of Solidity," and "Take the Bus."
I also photographed some night scenes around town. There was a lot of activity downtown tonight. People seemed to be quite agitated.
I wonder if we will experience another big earthquake sometime around the upcoming full Moon.
♥☮
Berd
here are those photos (in chronological order):
The Way of the Bodhisattva
All those who slight me to my face
Or do to me some other evil,
Even if they blame or slander me,
May they attain the fortune of enlightenment!
May I be a guard for those who are protectorless,
A guide for those who journey on the road.
For those who wish to cross the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.
—From The Way of the Bodhisattva
This quote is from the back cover of "The Way of the Bodhisattva" by Shantideva, Padmakara Translation Group, Shambala Press 2008, a book I recently checked out from the library.
Or do to me some other evil,
Even if they blame or slander me,
May they attain the fortune of enlightenment!
May I be a guard for those who are protectorless,
A guide for those who journey on the road.
For those who wish to cross the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.
—From The Way of the Bodhisattva
This quote is from the back cover of "The Way of the Bodhisattva" by Shantideva, Padmakara Translation Group, Shambala Press 2008, a book I recently checked out from the library.
26 March 2010
Arundhati Roy on Democracy Now!
Arundhati Roy on Obama’s Wars, India and Why Democracy Is “The Biggest Scam in the World”
We speak with acclaimed Indian writer and activist Arundhati Roy on President Obama, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, India and Kashmir and much more. Roy also talks about her journey deep into the forests of central India to report on the Maoist insurgency. [includes rush transcript]
We speak with acclaimed Indian writer and activist Arundhati Roy on President Obama, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, India and Kashmir and much more. Roy also talks about her journey deep into the forests of central India to report on the Maoist insurgency. [includes rush transcript]
25 March 2010
24 March 2010
23 March 2010
Norman Finkelstein Talks about Israel on Democracy Now!
Norman Finkelstein Responds to Clinton, Netanyahu AIPAC Comments
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told attendees at the AIPAC conference on Monday that the US commitment to Israel is “rock-solid,” but Clinton did criticize Israel for continuing to build settlements in occupied East Jerusalem. In a defiant speech hours after Clinton’s address, Netanyahu rejected US criticism and vowed to continue building settlements. We speak with Norman Finkelstein, author of the new book, This Time We Went Too Far: Truth and Consequences of the Gaza Invasion. [includes rush transcript]
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told attendees at the AIPAC conference on Monday that the US commitment to Israel is “rock-solid,” but Clinton did criticize Israel for continuing to build settlements in occupied East Jerusalem. In a defiant speech hours after Clinton’s address, Netanyahu rejected US criticism and vowed to continue building settlements. We speak with Norman Finkelstein, author of the new book, This Time We Went Too Far: Truth and Consequences of the Gaza Invasion. [includes rush transcript]
22 March 2010
Recent Posts on OlyBlog
Check my OlyBlog blog, http://olyblog.net/blog/berd, to see recent posts about the Bruce and Berd radio show (on KOWA 106.5 FM), and also an interesting and somewhat contentious dialogue about the recent health care legislation - a complex and nuanced issue, to be certain.
...good government to serve the interests of life, and the mutual well-being of all people...
...may all people refrain from doing harm to each other...
...good government to serve the interests of life, and the mutual well-being of all people...
...may all people refrain from doing harm to each other...
Protest to Mark Seven Years of Iraq War
This past weekend (March 19 through March 21) marked the seventh anniversary of the beginning of the Bush Administration's war in Iraq. People rallied near and far. On Friday, people gathered at Percival Landing especially to mark the war. I posted the following on OlyBlog: Protest Marks Seven Years of Iraq War
21 March 2010
20 March 2010
Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, March 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwhitlock/sets/72157623536101649/
18 March 2010
Letter to Grays Harbor County Sheriff re: Missing Children, Lindsey Baum, Bohemian Grove, and Cremation of Care
Here's a letter I wrote to the Gray's Harbor County Sheriff regarding the case of Lindsey Baum and the Bohemian Grove. The following is cross-posted from OlyBlog.Thoughts about Our Electrical Future
OlyBlog: thoughts about electricity, sustainability and living harmoniously... http://olyblog.net/our-electrical-future
17 March 2010
16 March 2010
Rachel Corrie, 1979 to 2003
Here's a video that shows parts of a 5th Grade speech given by Rachel. I never met Rachel. I moved to Olympia in October of 2002. Rachel was killed in March of 2003. Rachel's death was an important event for me. My heart went out, as with so many others, with sadness - especially considering the surrounding horrible situation in Israel/Palestine.
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice
15 March 2010
14 March 2010
Back in Oly
I am back in Olympia after a being away at a 10-day meditation retreat! The retreat was awesome, maybe more details about that later.
Some Sweet Music by Joni Mitchell Below the Fold:
Some Sweet Music by Joni Mitchell Below the Fold:
03 March 2010
02 March 2010
Morning Scene
Wednesday February 17, 2010
This is in Olympia Washington. The source of the smoke is likely the Sewage treatment plant.
view larger: smoker
01 March 2010
What If You Knew by David Rovics
I really like this song, and it reminds me of a letter to the editor I recently submitted to The Olympian newspaper. Hopefully that letter will get published. In the letter I wrote about the problem when media doesn't tell the truth, and propagates hateful, fear-based and divisive rhetoric. It's a problem when media whitewashes the very serious problems in the world - keeping the reality of the violence of the USA away from the eyes of those who could and would demand change if they only knew...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYW6S3hHvrI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYW6S3hHvrI
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