We Have a Violence Problem and Are in Denial

Hundreds of people gathered in Loring Park in the Twin Cities.

The recent Orlando shootings and the now, standardized reactions slapped me in the face.

• Muslim Attacks
• Verbal praise for killing LGBT community members
• Pro-gun rhetoric
• Fearmongering on all sides
• Etc...

Most of the solution to this issue seems to be centered around banning assault weapons.  While I believe we need stronger gun legislation, I don't believe that banning assault weapons is the solution.  First, it could drive a wedge between americans in the US.
Secondly, while it is true that guns are killing people, it is really the idea that violence can solve our problems that is at the root of the issue.

F16 Falcon

Please let me explain.  We, the US, in unison, use force daily against people in other countries.  We have assassination programs.  Our collective motto could be, "Assasination works!"  We have murdered US citizens without proper trial, and then we murdered their child.  Our police forces are openly racist and use violence as a preferred tool to control situations.   Our justice system kill people for killing people.

"Be careful or I will shoot you!" code. 

People drive around with huge assault weapon stickers on their cars--screaming the message that, "Don't mess with me--I will kill you!"  In a craven cry of fear.  We use violence as a favored utensil societally.

It makes sense that individuals in this society would choose to use the same methods to solve their own problems.

We mix the above with the lack of any sort of national mental health care program, continual war, continual terrorism from without and within, a widening gulf of political beliefs, an adherence to a Crusades way of thinking with the availability of guns in the US and we get the perfect mix for our situation.

If we want out of this mess we need to:

Stop using violence against other countries and peoples who don't adhere to our wishes.
Stop funding violence within other countries.
Stop celebrating violence in media, news and education
Stop using violence in our criminal justice system

Educate the public with:

• Mediation training
• Anti-violence education

Provide the US public with:

• Mental health and physical health programs for the public
• Community restorative and community justice programs run on a local level
• Free education
• Stricter gun control laws

Libraries have a role in this struggle

What can libraries and librarians do?

• Buy mediation books and invite mediators to present and educate at the library
• Provide civics classes to help people engage with and in government for themselves
• Create anti-violence programming
• Help hold community dialogues on anti-violence
• Use its influence in every way to help create a peaceful and secure society

Is this really how we want to live?

More guns does not create a secure society.  Just look at Israel for example.  I can't think of a more well-armed and trained militaristic society, yet they live their lives insecure about the next attack.

No matter how many guns you have,  you will always have to watch your back.  I would much rather live in a society where people treat one another with respect and choose not to use violence as a weapon to achieve their moral, political, religious, economic and other objectives.  Violence is an uncontrollable tool that impacts the perpetrator and the victim in a negative manner.  We need to break out of this pattern of using violence now or it will continue to worsen.

I would much rather live in a peaceful, educated, physically and mentally healthy society than one in which I have to carry an assault rifle and sidearm when going to the store.

Fan Mail

Someone is insecure in about their sexuality and is craven.

Up North: Chapter One

Its always raining in Portland

Chapter One

Juan thought he heard her say, "I love you!" as he walked away, but he wasn't sure.  He could hear his screaming heart beating and feel his blood pumping throughout his body. Was it her voice, his blood, or the rain?

It was windy

It was cold.  

It was raining hard

He was under grey skies.   They both shuffled away in opposite directions carrying withdrawn dreams turned to cash.  

The air between them cold and wet.

He walked from the ATM to the bus stop.  Tears filled his eyes and he kept wiping them with the sleeve of his black Independent trucks hoodie.

"Fuck, it’s always freezing here!"  Juan thought to himself as he walked down the street.  He had two thermals on under his shirt and hoody, denim pants and a black Dogtown beanie on. 

Oregon/Washington winters were still something hard for him. Even after 10 years.  His fingers reached to make sure he still had his wallet in his pocket.  He couldn’t believe this was all he had left.  HIs backpack, his skateboard and his wallet with few hundred dollars...

The bus finally came and he was soaking wet.  It was cool though, he thought to himself.  The bus was warm and he had over an hour to ride and then transfer to his next ride.  It was a long ride on the bus from Vancouver, WA to Hillsboro, OR--his new residence.  

Juan looked through rain splattered windows--his eyes searched for the sun.

Then he reached into his backpack and pulled out his moist book...

Things were almost completely dry when he got off the bus at his stop in Hillsboro.  It was still raining.  Now he only had to walk 2 miles uphill to his new place.

“I need some sun!”  Juan he repeated to himself as he began his walk.  

He thought about his hometown of San Jose, CA--its warmth and sunshine as he trudged through the rain into his new life.

Royal Pain in the Neck Cannabis Balm Review

Royal Pain in the Neck Balm

This week's review is on a pain balm.  I don't usually go in for these things--the only ones that work seem to make you stink and just kind of burn.   This product actually gets hot and then the cannabis properties kick in and it relieves pain.  I have degenerative disc disease in my neck, and back.  Sometimes the pain is almost unbearable.  Instead of taking a pain pill, I can rub this into my neck and alleviate the pain.  This also works well on my arthritic knees and ankle.

When you first put it on it gets hot and smells of cinnamon and menthol.  The menthol smell dissipates quicker than most--in about 10 minutes it goes away.  It leaves a hint of cinnamon smell on your skin after that.

You don't have to get stoned to alleviate your pain.  Products like this can be used before work, or anytime really.  This is non-psychoactive and really is made with love.  The owner tells me she received the recipe from her best friend's mother way back when.  Now she is trying to help people alleviate their pain with a natural, non-narcotic, non-psychoactive balm. 

This balm gets an A+ rating from me. 

If you are in the Portland area, you can get this product at the Human Collective dispensary.  It is 18.00.

Or you can order it direct from the website for 20.00.

2 ounce container contains balm with this breakdown: THC: 13.04mg CBD: 65.02mg

Here is the description from their website: 

The original all natural formula was developed in the 1980'sby Massage Therapist, Midwife and Author Sharon K. Evans. 
In 2014 the recipe was gifted to Leslie Miller.  With some minor changes and adding a few new ingredients to the mix we have the Royal Pain in the Neck Balm today.
There are two versions of the balm; Original formula without any added cannabinoids.While the second has a non-psychoactive, high CBD cannabis extract. 

So, if you have aches and pains and are in need of relief please pick up a container of this wonderful balm to get some relief.

Here is a link to the Royal Pain Balm Web site: http://www.royalpainbalm.com/

Half and Half

Half and Half

And then she wasn’t there

I can still hear her footsteps

Feel her curl around my ankles

Her meow echoes in my heart

I love you…

In Racist's Faces Since 1967

Whiteness is Identity Jacking/Identity Jacking is Whiteness

Whiteness tells us our story through the lens of our oppressor?

What does this do to truth, validity, information and the construction of knowledge?