February 3, 2008 archive

This is just my second video and I’m having to work around the fact that I don’t know what I’m doing…which can be an obstacle, so the following is rough and a bit long but I hope you’ll find it interesting enough to watch.  And thank you very much if you do.  

“25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50…

Ready or not, here I come!”

Remember the game?  Hide ‘n Seek?  Well, that’s how we began the game in “the Circle,” the name for our neighborhood.  We ended the game with the chant, “Ally ally outs in free.”

There have been, and will continue to be, essays written here and elsewhere about the devastation on America’s Gulf Coast. Eloquent, heart-felt songs and words written by and about American people whose lives will never been the same after Katrina hit and the levees failed.  Lives marked today by neglect; plain and simple neglect. Some say this neglect isn’t benign- but designed.  I’m not going to delve into that subject today; I just see what I see and it isn’t good.

What I see on the Gulf Coast is just one example of the neglect that so many Americans experience here in “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Our veterans, our homeless, our children– far too many Americans suffer from neglect. Sadly, there are far too few of us with the time, energy, money and inclination to put them back together.  I’m one of those strapped Americans.

But, I’ve got an extra $5. In fact, I’ve got extra $10.  And today, I know where to send it.  NENA (The Lower Ninth Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association). If you have an extra $5, $10, $15, $20… maybe you could send it on as well.  It might buy someone a meal.  It might buy them nails to repair what’s left of their home.  It might send them hope.

And then maybe we can whisper, “Ally ally outs in free.”

And imagine the day we can yell it as loud as we did when we were kids.

Thanks.

NENA’s priority needs are:

1.) Building Materials: nails to studs to wire.

2.) Money

3.) Gift Cards: Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, Win Dixie Food Stores, Dollar General, Family Dollar  

Send to:

NENA

PO Box 3920

New Orleans, Louisiana 70177

504-373-6483  

I posted this before, but now that there are two candidates left to chose from and I vote Tuesday; I wanted to acquire as much additional information as I could before voting.

Garcia pushes for IHCIA in State of Indian Nations

National Congress of American Indians President Joe Garcia on Thursday called on Congress to pass the long-overdue Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

– snip –

The last time the Senate considered the bill, it was derailed by last-minute objections from the Department of Justice. A “white paper” that outlined constitutional issues was used by Republicans to delay passage in September 2006.

I feel less than optimistic about Native American concerns. The recent year has been very difficult and heartbreaking. Since it’s a long list, I will summarize what I am aware of by saying that vital Native American concerns failing within the courts and within congress are far outweighing Native American concerns succeeding within the courts and within congress. So, I will be direct in what I want.

What is the invisible hand of the market?  Proponents make it sound like it will save us all.  All you have to do is believe.  Have faith.  Deregulate.  It’ll take care of things.  Just you see.  “Trust me.”

Let’s break this down.

Step right up Ladies and germs and make your entries!

There are no rules, no guidelines, and no real time limit. If we don’t use it now, we MAY use it later. I must admit that I have certain prejudices, I love OPOL’s eyes and the space theme and would be thrilled to have designs that incorporate them.

As Zwoof did here in a draft of his early entry

But it doesn’t HAVE to be a tweak or variation of OPOL’s excellent design…if you want or need to come up with something completely different and original, please do NOT hesitate to go for it! In spite of my prejudices….it will be the decision of the community, through a vote or series of votes that determines the winer, so my prejudices are not really germane! Or Tito!

OK, I can’t think of anything else to say! I’ll be happy to answer any questions in the comments.