THE POOL IS GREEN

The pool is green.  The grass is grown.  There is still stuff in the "van".  WORKCAMP 2017 is complete, and was a wonderful happening.  I love having my family together in July.  This year Jenn was on staff with us.  Dinwiddie High School was our home this summer.  It was big.  The camp was big.  

So much is changing and has changed.  Allie now has a "part-time" job with CCC in Richmond, with Refugee Resettlement.  She was made for this job.  It is such a demanding job though emotionally and physically  Without good management, they bump along doing incredible things.  She is so gifted and is learning things about the system and herself each day.  

We had a wonderful girls day yesterday....Olde Towne Petersburg, food and shopping.  We are hoping to go down to NC in Sept to see Edyth play Mother Superior in "SISTER ACT".  

We have no hummingbirds this year because of a black snake.  It seems that the slithery creatures are out in full force this summer.  John even had his own experience at Dogwood Trace golf course the other day.  I doubt he will return there to play. 

Ranim came and spent a week with us in June.  She was visiting her aunt in California, so she caught a cheap night flight and came out to play with Allie, Ellen and I.  I'll put photos up next post.  

This post is basically to say, "Yes, I am still alive and on the internet!".  Hopefully I can start keeping up now!  

BACK TO MY REALITY CHECK

Back to my reality check.

I've been whining. 

-  I have been really puny the past couple months with the only thing I can say is the "yuck".  just haven't been able to kick it.  Everyone has it....it was just getting me down.  And now my family has the stuff!

-  We had waited for approval and were so excited about finding a home for WORKCAMP 2017 at Matoaca Middle School.  Then after waiting for the published approval and telling everyone where we were going to be based this summer, Chesterfield Schools said they didn't "realize" we were going to spend the night in the school and that we couldn't be there.  So, back to tap dancing to find a place for our band of gypsies this summer.  I'm not worried....it's just that it's really putting a damper on my ability to keep folks informed about logistics.....and we ALL KNOW how I like to keep people informed:)

-  Mice have come into my house from the cold and these are mutant mice. This is a fight that is going pretty easily in my favor.

 I hunkered down with our VICKS and box of tissues to watch a new HBO documentary yesterday.  

The Children...

HBO Official Trailer of "Cries From Syria"

 It is 2 hours long.  It documents the beginning history of Syria's fight for freedom.  It explains Asad, the regime, the Syrian Freedom Army, the intrusion of  Al Quaida and ISIS.  It shows the bravery of the White Helmets and the inhumanity of resin and chlorine gas.  It carries you through the Russian bombings which continue now.  It takes you on the journey of families and orphans through gunfire and barbwire and starvation and black seas that gobble up lives.

And how is this story told?  Through the voices and interviews of young men and women....and most of all. the sheer terrifying stories of the children.

A White Helmet rescuing babies from the rubble

It is compelling, and gruesome.  It is educational and devastating.  If you need clarity about what is happening there....what our role is there....and what our role is here in our country, I dare you to watch.  It is not easy, but if you REALLY want to know the difference between a terrorist and a refugee seeking safety, don't turn away. I plead with you to watch this award winning film....take it in.

I think the reason that I am so accute in my feelings about this is because I believe that Asad's slaughtering of his own people is only a breath away from being Netanyahu's final assault on the Palestinian people.  For some reason, it is easy for leaders to justify committing unfathomable torture when they believe God is on their side.  Please click on the links above to sample what you will see.
And in our country....
There was a documentary on The White Helmets that won an Academy Award.  These are young men that are bakers, tailors, businessmen that are the first to dig through the rubble to save the children. But guess what...they were not allowed into the U.S. to be celebrated at the awards. Our country refused them entry under the new travel ban.
Some of you say, "I just can't watch stuff like that on TV."  Well, this is an opportunity to buckle up and look truth in the eyes while sitting in the safety of your own home.
You will be a wreck when you have finished watching.....embrace it...and be thankful for your life.
I'm not asking you to fill every day with stories like this, but this is one for all to see if we are going to talk about refugees, and asylum and immigration and Muslims and bans and walls and...Russians...and....

NO WALLS

The weather was bitter and blustery in Washington DC early evening this past Wednesday.  It was much like the atmosphere inside the White House where Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel was spending quality time with our new POTUS.  There was chain link fencing around the big residence....bleacher frames still standing from the inaugural.  Another wall...this one cold and silver protecting the racist activities going on inside.
There was only about 100 of us bracing the cold. ALL the key players were there though.

Linda Sasour, well known Palestinian activitist was whisked in and out under death threats to her and her family.  She is probably most recently known for being one of the co-organizers of the Women's March on DC.  

Rabbi Weiss and a group from NKUSA (Neturei Karta Organization of Jews United Against Zionism)  Again, a group that stands firm in their interpretation of the Torah, and are ostracized for their beliefs.

 Rabbi Joseph Berman, leader of Jewish Voices for Peace.  Christian, Jewish and Muslim speakers alike were there to inspire and address the following main issues:
  -  NO to David Freidman being appointed Israeli Ambassador.  He is a settler...owns real estate in settlements
  -  NO to the continuouse building of SETTLEMENTS.
  -  NO to moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem giving the Palestinians no free movement to the embassy and again dismissing the part they play in the land.
  -  NO to the Muslim ban and registry in the U.S.

Friend Kathy Drinkard & key speaker for SABEEL

  -  NO to Netanyahu and his Zionist government's aparthaid treatment of Palestinians.

  I have put a collection of videos of the speakers, photos and links to news articles at the end of the blog.  My daughter Allie shared in the experience with me.  She has such a wealth of knowledge, education and understanding of all the cultures, issues and workings of the groups and people participating in the events that we attend.  I love that she can so easily explain to me what is actually going on.  She is the "brains & understanding".  I am the "bull in the china shop":)
 We will continue to raise our voices. She and I dearly love many faces and families in Palestine.  It is not a political issue for us....it is personal!
 I quote someone I read on the internet the other day.  To me it just makes sense:
"The facts are so unbelievably simple:  Muslims are not terrorists, terrorists are terrorists.  Catholics are not pedophiles, pedophiles are pedophiles.  Christians are not far right homophobes, far right homophobes are far right homophobes.  We have NO right to judge or treat anyone differently, be it by race, religion or sexuality.  We are all genetically human so can we just start acting with some humanity?  Holy moley!"  

Click on any of the underlined links below for stories and news articles. I hope the links give you insight to the movement to free Palestine from the occupation.  It is true....there are lives at stake. "From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go!"

This is an article from the online news agency begun by two Jewish brothers,  MONDOWEISS. They interviewed Allie and I and there is also a picture.  

http://mondoweiss.net/2017/02/palestinians-advocates-netanyahu/

A worldwide organization of Christians leading the charge against racism and the treatment of Palestinians.
http://sabeel.org/

News article about the rallies
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/02/16/510764/Americans-protest-policies-of-Israel-Netanyahu-visits-DC

Web address of NKUSA - explaining the position of the Orthodox Jews present at rallies around the world
http://www.nkusa.org/AboutUs/index.cfm

I wish I was more computer literate, but I can't figure out how to get videos on here.  If you want to hear Linda Sasour and others, you can click on Alexina Portyrata's facebook page.  You can also try clicking on my FB page and under comments on this posting at #BuildMovementsNotWalls and then clicking on VIDEOS.  Sorry for my inability to geek:)

REFUGEES COMPARED TO WHAT???

 I read where someone was was comparing the fleeing refugees to people in the water after the sinking of the Titanic.  I don't even know how to understand that thinking! Today we have people who are planning to go to another country and "help" the refugees.  They know no Arabic or Greek.  They are going armed with their Bibles to "witness" to them.  They have had no classes in the history of what has happened to the suffering and their backgrounds  They do not know the names of any world leaders.

 Hundreds of well meaning Christians are arriving on foreign shores to evangelize where refugees have taken haven. This will be the next attrocity that these desperate families are set to face.  No, the Titanic was a pristine oceanliner filled with the globe's richest and most prestigious people wearing their diamonds and finery.  They were fleeing nothing.  They had been through no strife or killings.  They were not suffering from PTSD.  They had not seen much of their family killed in front of them.  They had not just buried their dead babies.

 Do not tell me that you are heading to a foreign shore if you voted for a president that has banned these hopeless people from our shores. If you have not educated yourself in their history and plight, DON'T GO!  If you have not demanded that they be allowed to come to our country for safe haven, DON'T GO!   If you do go, close your lips.  Say nothing.  Cry with them. Take them food, blankets, medicine, clothing, diapers and welcoming arms.  If you cannot do this without forcing them to hear your well meaning prayers, DON'T GO!  If you cannot resist the temptation to push your religious beliefs on an already religious people, then DON'T GO!

 I have purposely edited the pictures shown....they are far tame compared to the actual photos friends are sending me.  So, let this sink in.

It seems that my blog has taken a bit of a turn.  Because of the times, I am not sure that I can write about my pet Louie or my good life  On occasion I will use this as a forum to share what I have learned to be true....yes, researched or been given first hand information on what is going on.

Reality has hit....to quote Sinclair Lewis in 1935, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross."  

THIS IS WHY I MARCH

 

  I regret that I wasn't able to be among the throngs in DC on Jan. 21st, but I was honored to participate in the MARCH ON MONUMENT in Richmond the weekend of the 15th with my daughter.  I am befuddled that some still think the "march" was all about "right to life" and anti abortion.  I have observed that most of the people that look at marching in this way are those that are woefully misinformed, or untouched by issues because of their lives of priviledge or enclose themselves in a bubble..
So for those people, I gladly tell you why I marched and will continue to march.
I marched because for these reasons and they are not prioritized.  I am writing them as I list them in my mind and heart.

* I marched because I believe that our new president is a vile human being.  That he has no empathy. That he is obsessed with himself and himself only.  That he believes he can grab women by the genitals just because he is who he is.  That he is making a mockery of the American people and says he "loves the uneducated".  Any other choice would have been the usual smooth transition of power, but not with this insanity that is D.T.

*  I march because I do not want a political Zionist appointed as ambassador to Israel.

*  I march because I do not want a president that cozies up with Netanyahu, a murderer of
    Palestinian people.  A man that steals Palestinian land and continues to build settlements.

*  I march because I do not want a president that is bedfellows with a Russian dictator who has murdered thousands of Ukrainians.  I do not want a president that calls Puten a better leader than the former president of the US.

*  I march because I do not want a president that refuses to open his tax returns to show with whom he does business with and what countries he owes.

*  I march because I believe in universal health care.  I believe that what was established in the ACA was an incredible base that gave health care to millions that had none.  I do not want the ACA thrown out but tweaked to be more affordable.  I do not want children without healthcare.  I do not want to be thrown off my insurance because of a pre-existing condition.

*  I march because I want sensible gun legislation.  I do not want to take away your guns.  I just want gun owners to be sensible.  I believe that selling large magazines of ammunition to the public is unsafe in the wrong hands.  I don't believe in open carry because it is confusing to our law enforcement in determining "who is the bad guy".  I believe that the loophole of guns bought and sold at gun shows without background checks should be closed.  I believe that gun owners should be prosecuted if one of their weapons was used in the commision of a crime because of their negligence to keep their guns locked & secure.

*  I march because I want people to be brought together to find peace in the immigration issue.  I do not want Hispanic families torn apart.  I want a pathway for illegal immigrants who are productive contributors to our land to gain citizenship.  I want the poor that see our country as a beacon of light to be able to afford legal citizenship.

* I march because I do not want Muslims profiled and forced to be on "a list".  I don't want people that I love who do not share my religious beliefs to be shamed, afraid and limited in their freedom in this country.

*  I march because I do not believe in "alternative facts"

*  I march because I believe we should share in taking in refugees no matter what their country of origin is.  I think it is pious to send students and religious groups to other shores to "help with the refugees" and yet these same people voted for a president that doesn't want them welcomed and helped in our own country.

*  I march because I believe that women should receive the same pay as men if they are doing the same job.  I believe that the minimum wage should be raised so that single parents trying to provide for their families will have a way to climb out of poverty.

*  I march because I understand that Planned Parenthood and organizations like it are so much more that what the religious right labels them.  I want poor women to be able to go to a place where they can receive pre-natal care, vitamins, ultrasounds, and instruction in childcare.  I want poor and young women to have access to birth control .  I do not want young women who need birth control to have a place to go for free to get answers so that they don't have to continue having babies and living with their parents.

* I march because I do not want the government telling me what I can and cannot do with my body.  I do not want  a government that partners with drug companies making choices in medicines different than what my physician says is good for my treatment.

* I march because I believe in science.  I believe that climate change is a real happening.  I do not want funds cut that are used to study and improve our use of energy.  I do not want my grandchildren to have a world where plants and animals are extinct because of our greed.

*  I march because I believe in a free press.  I do not want a president or press secretary that yells at journalists.  I do not want a president that restricts what the press can say and where they can say it.

*  I march because I do not want lower and middle income families to pay taxes while corporations and the wealthy pay no taxes.  I do not want a president that does not pay income taxes that are used to support the military, elderly,  infrastructure, public education...and the list goes on.

*  I march because I do not want a president that mocks the disabled.

*  I march because I do not want a president  (R) Senator John McCain is not a hero because he was "captured in Vietnam"  I do not want a president that says he likes "his heros not to be captured".  I do not want a president that says he knows more than career military generals about ISIS.

*  I march because I do not want a president that labels women by numbers.  I do not want a president that says if a woman doesn't have "boobs" than she can't be a 10.  I do not want a president that calls his own daughter "a nice piece of ass" and that if she wasn't his daughter, he'd probably date her.

* I march because I do not want a president that name calls other that don't agree with him...called people "Pocahontas" & crooked. I do not want a president that labels people as rapists and murderers because they came to the US seeking a good life for their families.

*  I march because I do not want US ambassadors in every country given an ultimatum to be out of their embassies by noon on inauguration day with no one to replace them to continue peaceful dialogue until another ambassador is appointed.

*  I march because I do not want a president that talks defiantly about saving jobs in the US but has his own clothing line produced in China and children in third world countries because he can make a better buck.

*  I march because I do not want a N. Dakota Native American tribe to be shafted by oil companiesI want a president that is more concerned about the well being of native Americans and the contamination of their water supply .  I want a president that can encourage the pipeline be diverted some so that the Sioux are not endangered.

*  I march because I believe that God created us all equal...and that includes gay and transgender Americans.  I believe that there should be no discrimination in healthcare benefits and civil or religious marriage ceremonies.

*  I march because I do not want a president that relies on the advice of S. Bannon who pulled his children from a school because it "had too many Jews".  I do not want a president that associates with the alt-right which is just another label for the KKK.  I do not want a president who says he doesn't know the name David Duke.

*  I march because I do not want a Secretary of State that is the CEO of Exxon and I shouldn't have to explain that.  I do not want B. DeVos to be Secretary of Education when she never attended a public school, nor did her children.  I do not want J. Sessions as Attorney General when he has been known to spout racist remarks and judgements.

* I march because I want the patriots that are the FBI and CIA to be respected and not called "Nazis" by the president.

*  I do not want a president that threatens cities and their mayors with no federal funding unless they do things his way.  I do not want a president that out of all the songs in the world chose dance his first inaugural dance to  "My Way"

*  I do not want a president that I saw from a podium say "I like wars."  I want a president that understands the young lives of the men and women that he can send into harms way.

I could continue but I think by now you should be able to understand that women, men and children marched all around the world for many different reasons on many different levels.  The millions in other countries don't care about our right to life laws.  They marched because they are disgusted by the rhetoric of who we have chosen to represent us.  They march because they do not want him or his ideas in their country.  Neither do I.

I apologize for typos and run on sentences, but I thought it better to be focused on what I felt than on grammer.