Wednesday, October 28, 2009

a must see: Burning The Future: Coal in America

We should all see this movie. Since 50% of our electricity comes from burning coal,
we should know who is paying the highest price to enable our current use. This movie is so powerful. What is happening to the people of Appalachia, living in the world's 2nd most diverse forest on earth, is a crime. The people need our help ....


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

just for fun....Jack Johnson

i will be preordering the movie and cd!

Rethink Afghanistan

I just saw the film Rethink Afghanistan with a small group of other humans. There is absolutely nothing to be accomplished there with more military engagement. I am unclear what our military occupation has ever been about. Only a humanitarian mission could improve anything for the humans in Afghanistan. I guess you could make a case for an international law enforcement mission if it was the instigator of 911 you wanted. Hard to make that case in light of the fact that Osama was offered and our government refused him.

We should immediately cease funding the military industrial complex. I was horrified at the inhumanity we are visiting on the humans in this part of the world. Only when begin to show concern for the humans who live where earth’s natural resources and the routes to bring them to us are located, will we give the humans everywhere a chance to continue life on earth. This is the legacy I hope to leave for those who come after. If we don’t learn how to life within our means no one, including our children and grandchildren, will enjoy life on earth. Considering that we are 4% of the world’s population, using 25% of the planet’s resources, we have an opportunity to really make a difference.

If we stop using earth’s dwindling resources to fight over earth’s dwindling resources and build infrastructure we can pass on the legacy of a good life on earth. The humans in Afghanistan want the same things as we do. They love their families just like we do. The images in this movie are heartbreaking. And the fact that my tax money is funding this congressional military industrial complex adventure is abhorrent.


thank you, Rebekah, our Bellingham Code Pink , for showing this film.

sign to demand civilian solutions for Afghanistan here


I include this 10 minute segment from the film that addresses the plight of women in Afghanistan. If you watched corporate media during our occupation you would believe the myth that freedom is on the march and women are enjoying their lives as never before.


Bombs will kill women in Afghanistan
Posted by robertgreenwald on July 8th, 2009
Self immolation is a method of suicide by lighting oneself on fire. According to the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, self immolation has never been such an epidemic in Afghanistan as it is today. This is one fact that leads people to the sobering reality that our efforts in Afghanistan have done nothing for the vast majority of women there.




full post here

Saturday, October 3, 2009

one of my all time favorites.....the Power of Community

I must not forget one of my all time favorite movies, the Power of Community. I saw this movie after being introduced to the peak oil concept in 2004 at a screening of The END of SUBURBIA. The people of Cuba have lived the “beyond fossil fuels” age, albeit artificially induced. The have a lot to teach the rest of the world if we open up to the possibilities. One of my favorite moments in the movie was this quote “we have one earth and it belongs to all of us.”

I see us needing 5 things: air, water, food, safety, shelter and community is the only way we can do it. We all have something to contribute. I believe the future will bring more sharing if we choose the legacy of life on planet earth for those who come after.

The people of Cuba found a way to reinvent their lifestyle during what they called “the special period.” They had higher fossil fuel input in their agribusiness than we did when the Soviet Union fell and they lost a large part of their imports. The United States increased strict embargos during this time, making this worse. People lost weight, suffered shortages and had challenges in every part of their daily lives.

The Cubans adapted and now people who produce food (organically and locally) are the highly respected members of the community. They demonstrate how to pull together and make sure everybody makes it. I love this movie and will continue to show it and put it into the hands of anyone who will watch it.

Just ordered 3 more.

Prepare to live differently!!!! a great article by Richard Heinberg: Fifty Million Farmers




When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's economy went into a tailspin. With
imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. It is an unusual look into the Cuban culture during this economic crisis, which they call "The Special Period." The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope.
much more information here...