Finley's Human Experience

Poetry Entry in The Journal of Compressed Arts

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:12:00 +0000

Hey All,

As some of you know, I've spent the last year submitting poetry to a variety of organizations holding contests. I currently have a submission in with Matter Press' The Journal of Compressed Arts. I'm not sure if I'll win the competition, but I was pleased to receive an email inquiring about the use of my "compression statement" (part of the cover letter) on the Matter Press blog.

You can check out my compression statement at:
http://matterpress.com/blog/2012/01/14/compression-monique-finley/
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I'll keep everyone posted on this and the other competitions! Oh, that, reminds me: I didn't win the Tennessee Williams Festival Poetry competition, just follow the link if you'd like to see who did win! Congrats to each of the finalists!

Now Vitter Wants to Drug Test Welfare Recipients to Save Tax Dollars

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:16:00 +0000

Dear Fellow Non-Pols (FYI: Citizens, not politicians),

I received another update from Sen. David Vitter. This time he thinks it would be a good idea to start drug testing welfare recipients, now, as a basic concept this sounds like something that makes sense. What you're not being told is where the money for the drug testing would come from and which drug testing companies would profit from states requiring drug testing for welfare. In one scenario, the money might come from the welfare funds themselves, which amounts to less aid to less people. In another scenario, the drug testing could be paid for through a raise in taxes, which means citizens might be paying for more bureaucracy.

Creating a new requirement for recipients and then creating another invasive function for the government is NOT actually a fix for the issue of "government waste and fraud." In fact, the suggestion is purely designed to increase "waste and fraud." It is a typically Vitter move and it mimics the attitude of the "professionals" within our entire political system:
1.) Blame the Poor (let'em eat cake)
2.) Work the Shit out of the Middle Class ("work or become poor")
3.) Corporate Welfare for the Rich (plus, Coddle the Ubër Wealthy)

If Vitter really wanted to save tax payer dollars, he'd want to confirm whether or not there is a problem with welfare recipients and drugs.
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Drug Testing Welfare Recipients (FL Case Study)
Let's take Florida (a state whose recent history is filled with "government waste and fraud") as our case study in implementing a drug testing requirement on welfare recipients (2% tested positive, 2% didn't test, 96% tested negative for drug use). So, Gov. Rick Scott's claim that welfare recipients are more likely to use drugs than non-welfare recipients really is meant to point the "government waste and fraud" finger at the impoverished who have the gall and audacity to seek government assistance. Fortunately, Judge Mary Scriven "issued a temporary injunction" that the governor plans to appeal. Apparently, Judge Scriven was concerned about the violation of privacy, illegal search and seizure, and the targeting of one class of people receiving government aid (recipients of other government funds--scholarships, contracts, etc.--are not required to drug test). And, as expected, Gov. Rick Scott, continues to claim the law is meant "to help children and get parents back to work..."

Remember earlier, when I mentioned a couple of ways to pay for this program? Well, Gov. Rick Scott decision was to make the applicants pay for the testing, if they passed the drug test the government would reimburse them. So, the 96% of applicants who paid an average of $30 per drug test were supposed to be reimbursed that money. Basically, the Florida government paid for pointless drug testing. Let's dig a little further; let's check out his information on the State of Florida's official website. Remember a few sentences ago, when I mentioned other recipients of Florida govie funds aren't required to drug test? Well, according to the Govenor's website, agencies falling under the Governor's "purview" are/will be subjected to drug testing. Take a look at Gov. Rick Scott's Executive Order No. 11-58 (pdf).

What would Gov. Scott have to gain from pushing forward legislation that targets the poor as well as government employees and also benefits drug testing facilities, labs, and product lines through guaranteed government funds?

Scott and Solantic.
From the Tampa Bay Times: "A few days before he took office in January, Scott moved his shares in Solantic Corp., a chain of 32 urgent care centers, to the Frances Annette Scott Revocable Trust. Scott co-founded Solantic in 2001 and was involved in its operation until last year. His wife's trust now holds enough stock in the private company to control it."

From Wikipedia: "Solantic, based in Jacksonville, Florida was co-founded in 2001 by [Rick] Scott and Karen Bowling...Solantic opened its first urgent care center in 2002. It provides urgent care services, immunizations, physicals, drug screening, and care for injured workers. The corporation attracts patients who do not have insurance, cannot get appointments with their primary care physicians, or do not have primary care physicians. Solantic is intended to be an alternative to the emergency room care that these types of patients often seek, or for not seeing a doctor at all...In 2006, Scott said that his plans for Solantic were to establish a national brand of medical clinics. In August 2007, the company received a $40 million investment from a private equity firm and said that it expected to open 35 clinics by the end of 2009, with annual revenues of $100 million once all these clinics were open, compared to $20 million at the time. As of March 2009, Solantic had 24 centers, all located in Florida....Solantic was the target of an employment discrimination suit, which allegedly claimed that from a Scott-directed policy to not hire elderly or overweight applicants, preferring 'mainstream' candidates. It was settled for an undisclosed sum on May 23, 2007."

Who is Karen Bowling and what is she doing now? From the Florida Governor's website: "Karen E. Bowling, 56, of Jacksonville, is the deputy chief administrative officer for Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. She succeeds Emily Smith and is appointed for a term beginning August 30, 2011, and ending May 31, 2014...Previously, Bowling was chief executive officer of Solantic Walk-In Urgent Care from 2001 to 2011. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Electric Authority, the Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation, Associated Industries of Florida and Crime Stoppers of North Florida. She is also on the advisory board for the Jacksonville Humane Society. She received an associate degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida."

Does Mayor Brown know of Bowling's long time connections and business relationship with the governor? Is her position yet another example of the corrupt crony capitalism that continues to plague our nation?

Let us recap: Governor Scott moved his shares of Solantic to a trust in his wife's name. His former co-founder is now "deputy chief administrative officer for Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown". Executive Order 11-58 requires government agencies under the "purview" of the governor's office to begin drug testing new hires and conducting random drug screenings of previously hired, while also requiring drug testing of welfare recipients (who, as it turns out, aren't actually using drugs at a higher average than non-recipients).

With an appeal promised and the injunction only a temporary reprieve, it seems this issue is not resolved. Which also means that the governor is prepared to spend even more tax dollars fighting for a "law" based on erroneous numbers and rife with class discrimination. So much for helping children and parents.
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With out further ado: Vitter. Senator Vitter has now hopped on the Gov. Scott band wagon, as you can see in the letter below. What is ridiculous is that Vitter wants to do this on the national level...right, because it's worked so well for Florida...only, that's what proponents argue, "it worked great for Florida." As you can see from the numerous links above, that attitude is a fallacy. Yet, when the corporate elite and political elite (i.e., rich) decide to target the impoverished (i.e., unwealthy citizens) facts seldom come into play, generally they toss about unfounded accusations and unsubstantiated blame in order to instigate and hate monger.

Dear Friend,

As we face a national debt that recently zoomed past $15 trillion, I think we can all agree that reducing wasteful spending should be one of our very highest priorities. That’s something I’ve always fought for as I’ve represented you in Washington.

One step we can take to combat government waste and fraud is requiring drug testing for recipients of federal welfare benefits. Regular, random screenings would push addicts to seek the help they desperately need and would prevent your hard-earned tax dollars from being used in wasteful, destructive ways..

Even the strongest supporters of welfare would have to agree that government programs should not encourage lifelong dependency, and that the children and families associated with addiction would benefit from ending this cycle of destruction.

I recently wrote an op-ed for U.S. News and World Report in support of this policy position. Click here to read the full article, and let me know your thoughts by contacting me through my web site at www.vitter.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

David Vitter

United States Senator

So, in his traditional style of unfailing incompetency, Vitter has once again proposed a "solution" that solves nothing, creates more problems, and ultimately serves to further stigmatize the impoverished. Good job asshole!

From U.S. News: Vitter's opinion on Drug Testing Welfare Recipients. By the way, Vitter doesn't just want to drug test welfare recipients, he also wants to cut funding to federal assistance programs. He also admittedly paid for a prostitute (a crime) and has never been "punished" because the prosecutor never brought charges. And, for one last piece of reading amusement, Vitter was deemed "one of the most corrupt members of congress."

U.S. House Betrays U.S. Citizens with H. 1540: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:25:00 +0000

(Update, 1-2-2012: President Obama signed NDAA FY2012 into law over the New Years holiday weekend. Here is the link to the presidential statement released concerning Obama's "serious reservations". If his reservations are so damn serious, why sign it, why ask for the provisions? Sounds more like he's paving the way for codified authoritarianism. Remember: the Nazis were obeying the law.)

Fellow Heroes, as promised:

H. 1540 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 vote and bill from govtrack.us

I pay a good bit of attention to the news, yet, I don't remember hearing about this passing in the House of Representatives back in May of 2011. I did, however, hear about the senate version of the bill passing in December of 2011 (yeah, that's now in case you were wondering). To learn more about the senate's betrayal of America follow this link. This is the House's version of a bill that declares the United States military can arrest anyone inside the United States that the government declares a terrorist. Peaceful Occupy protesters in London are currently being labeled terrorists (see my S. 1867 post).

H. 1540 passed the House of Representatives with 322 Ayes, 96 Nos, and 13 Not Voting.

That's 322 Traitors to the People.
96 Heroes to the People.
And 13, Absent to the People.

The 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the People peacefully to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

While the First Amendment exists as a complex sentence, its components are actually quite simple, regardless of what the courts may have decided over the years:

- Congress CANNOT make laws "respecting an establishment of religion"
Religious tolerance is law: Congress cannot push for one religion over another, to do so would be to establish a state-sanctioned religion. Every law that grants religious organizations special privileges is in violation of this amendment. (Sorry to break that one to America, I know it comes as a surprise).

- Congress CANNOT make laws "prohibiting the free exercise [of religion]"
Religious tolerance is law: Congress cannot prohibit religious followers from practicing their religion. There are many religions and the people who follow these religions have the right to do so without prohibition from the government.

- Congress CANNOT make laws "abridging the freedom of speech"
Free speech is law: Congress cannot create laws banning speech. Hate to break it to everyone but speech can be negative or positive (hate or love) and congress has no right to ban any of it. Isn't that great? Doesn't that suck? And, yet, isn't that one of the things that makes this an awesome place? You have the right to say whatever you want. Holy Shit, what a novel concept that totally goes against politically correct speech and every hate-speech law that exists.

- Congress CANNOT make laws "abridging the freedom of...the press"
Free press is law: Congress cannot create laws preventing the press from reporting the news. Which means all those federal organizations created by congress to monitor and police airwaves (FCC, etc.) are actually in violation of the 1st Amendment's free speech and free press clauses - oops.

- Congress CANNOT make laws "abridging the freedom of...the People peaceably to assemble"
Peaceful assembly is law: protesters can peacefully assemble and congress has no legal standing to create law that criminalizes that peaceful assembly. Yet another reason why it is imperative that protesters remain peaceful during these trying times. Bring your tents (thank you Wall Street Occupiers)! Wear your tents (thank you Melbourne Occupiers)!

- Congress CANNOT make laws "abridging the freedom of...the People...to petition the Government for redress of grievances"
Petitioning the Government for redress of grievances is law: which means that Congress is in breach of the 1st Amendment when attempting to pass legislation meant to hinder the people from petitioning their government - NDAA allows indefinite detention of anyone (citizen or non-citizen) within the United States. By this law the United States Government reserves the "right" to determine who is a terrorist (Occupy movement - ???), in essence, the U.S. Government can decide that peaceful protest to petition the government is a terrorist action.

In addition to the numerous ways NDAA shreds the 1st Amendment, citizens will also lose their Constitutional Rights guaranteed by the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments with the "indefinite" detention clause. The 15th, 19th, and 26th are arguable since they each deal with voting rights, but I strongly believe that a person being held indefinitely, is indefinitely denied the right to vote.

So, now that you know the many ways that Congress is using NDAA FY2012 to fuck citizens out of their Constitution Rights, why don't you take a minute and sign the damn Petition to OBAMA to VETO the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (S. 1867).

Please share this petition with as many people as you can.

And, remember, the only way to protect our right to free speech is to use our voices to speak our minds. Stay strong through this winter Occupiers you're doing your country a great service! Stay safe, stay peaceful! Stay loud and proud!

U.S. Senate Betrays U.S. Citizens with Senate 1867: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Subtitle D - Detainee Matters; Section 1031 and 1032)

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:05:00 +0000

Dear Readers, I regret to inform you that the American Congress has approved measures to remove Constitutional Protections from American Citizens via S. 1867 and H. 1540. Should Obama pass the reconciled form of this legislation then lawful and peaceful protesters (i.e. Occupy movement) will be deemed terrorists (it has already happened to Occupy London).

At the end of this post you will find a letter from David Vitter sent in response to my letter demanding that he vote YEA for the amendment removing section 1031 and 1032 from Subtitle D - Detainee Matters found in the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (S. 1867); additionally, I demanded, in the event those sections remain in the NDAA, that he vote NAY on this bill. As always, he did the exact opposite of my demands as his constituent.

The sections I mentioned authorize the U.S. Military to operate in America, where the military would be policing America and therefore American Citizens. In addition to the numerous Federal agencies that make up the already militarized police of America, S. 1867 authorizes the U.S. Military the rights to arrest and detain anyone inside of America who is deemed a terrorist by the government. Military arrest comes with the added caveats of indefinite detention (no constitutional rights) and it is not part of the U.S. Court System (Constitutional) but a military court system (war tribunals are anti-Constitutional).

Vitter proudly proclaims his YEA vote on S. 1867 (incl. sec. 1031 and 1032) - this bill passed the senate with 93 YEAs and 7 NAYs. That means of our 100 sitting Senators, 93 have betrayed the American public, betrayed their oaths of office, and betrayed the American Constitution. Only 7 sitting Senators have acted as defenders of the American public, defenders of their oaths of office, and defenders of the American Constitution. Here is a link to the vote on S. 1867 NDAA: Remember that 93 Sitting Senators are Traitors to the People, while only 7 are Heroes to the People.

The SEVEN HEROIC SENATORS Who Voted NAY to S. 1867:
IOWA Harkin, Thomas [D]
KENTUCKY Paul, Rand [R]
OKLAHOMA Coburn, Thomas [R]
OREGON Merkley, Jeff [D]
OREGON Wyden, Ron [D]
UTAH Lee, Mike [R]
VERMONT Sanders, Bernard [I]
(Update, 13 Dec. 2011: Senator Sanders has introduced a Joint Resolution to Amend the Constitution of the United States. The proposed amendment is called: Saving American Democracy Amendment. The point of the proposed amendment is to stop corporate personhood, prevent corporations from financing political candidates and political campaigns. Check out the proposed amendment. Sign the petition by Bernie Sanders to stop corporations from controlling our democracy. Corporations are not people. But the People are people.
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Petition to OBAMA to VETO the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (S. 1867)
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THE BILL: National Defense Authorization Act of 2011 (S. 1867) By following the govtrack.us link you can find out every thing you'd like to know about this bill including the names and ways of contacting every U.S. Senator. It is my suggestion that we contact every last one of these traitors and let them know that we will not stand for a flagrant dismissal of the American Constitution. Which is precisely why I wrote to Vitter and Landrieu. Only Vitter has responded:
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From: "David_Vitter@vitter.senate.gov"
To:
Sent: Friday, December 9, 2011 5:55 PM
Subject: Responding to your message

Dear Ms. Finley,

Thank you for contacting me about my vote on the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

The U.S. Senate recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act that included language to address the handling of terrorists and enemy belligerents detained by the United States. Over recent years, there have been several proposals, including the Terrorist Detainees Procedures Act, which would grant those detained as enemy belligerents for suspected terrorist acts against the United States the rights and privileges of American citizens. I do not believe enemy belligerents have constitutional privileges, including access to federal courts to question our military authority and control.

I supported the FY12 defense bill because I have great concerns about the possibility of allowing into the United States individuals who were and will likely remain a threat to our homeland security. I believe the safety and security of our country depends upon allowing the military to pursue options to maintain our security, including detaining and interrogating terrorists.

The Obama Administration has effectively created a false choice for dealing with terrorists captured overseas: either bring them to the United States to be given the full constitutional rights available to U.S. citizens in our civilian court system or release them to return to the fight against the United States. The detainee provisions of the FY12 defense bill (S. 1867), which were unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, would address this issue. Critics have launched several misleading arguments against these provisions. However, the practice of holding captured terrorists in military detention is based in long historical practice, even back to George Washington, and the provisions in the 2012 defense bill are supported by Supreme Court precedent, past practice, and common sense. Rest assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as the U.S. Senate considers legislation affecting the Guantanamo detainees.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about any other issue important to you.

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FYI: Remain peaceful, but take action. Write congress. Go to their offices and protest. Vote against everyone of the Traitors who voted for NDAA. The next post will have information regarding the House of Representatives. Remember we have two chambers to our congress and it takes approval from both chambers to send a bill to the president.Petition to OBAMA to VETO the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (S. 1867)
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To Occupiers Everywhere in America:

Congress made the laws that allowed Wall Street, Bankers, and the Rich to run away with our tax dollars. Congress repealed laws that were put in place to restrict the financial elite. The U.S. Courts have aided in the erosion of our Constitutional Rights (i.e. corporate personhood and the recently granted unlimited corporate financing of political campaigns). It is the U.S. Government, in all its infamous branches, that has slowly pummeled the Constitution to the point that Corporations are legal people and people are legal goods.

OCCUPIERS: Stand strong! OCCUPY CONGRESS, and stay peaceful! You are Heroes and Defenders of the Constitution!
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It is time to OCCUPY CONGRESS!!! Have some links to help:
http://occupywallst.org/forum/occupy-congress-to-effect-transformational-change-/
http://interoccupy.org/occupycongress/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Congress/118171638290728
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Congress-January-17th-2012/203536356392018?sk=wall

Remembering People Who Have Changed Our Perspectives

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:58:00 +0000

I'd like to take a moment to shout out to all the people who have inspired someone else to seek self-understanding, self-awareness, and self-improvement. Some times these moments of inspiration are unintentional and sometimes they are quite intentional.

One may meet many people in a life time and it is possible that one could find inspiration in each meeting. Though, we are often guilty of letting potential moments of inspiration pass us by, we are not ignorant of the import of such moments.

Marianne Carmichael inspired me at a very young age. She passed away some years ago (cancer), yet she is still with us (in memory).

Who has inspired you? Please leave a comment if you feel like honoring them here!

H.R. 313: New Attack on People: "Criminal Conspiracy" for Planning a Trip to Country Where Marijuana is Legal?

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:16:00 +0000

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/encourage-house-not-pass-hr-313-2011-which-would-criminalize-discussing-marijuana-use-foreign/Qtss9vq4

Have you ever spoken to someone else about using marijuana in a country or state where marijuana use is legal?

Answered yes to that question?

You plan to go? You plan to abide by the laws of two different countries or states? You even willing to leave your own country at high expense in order to abide by two different nation's laws on marijuana usage? And, now you've engaged someone else in your plan to use marijuana: you've told your friend(s) about a country where it is legal?

"Criminal Conspiracy" - conspiring to use marijuana! Shazam! Take that you law-abiding citizen! Shame on you for speaking about abiding the laws and using marijuana in a country where it is legal. Shame on you for respecting your country's laws and another country's laws on marijuana. Your country said, "no marijuana" and another country said, "marijuana okay." And, you spoke about going. You conspired. You are a criminal!

If HR 313 (2011) passes then the scenario above (two people speaking about potential legal marijuana use) would become a criminal act. The authorities (DEA, ATF, etc.) could legally charge you with "criminal conspiracy" because you conversed about a desire to use marijuana in a country where it was legal. This bill is part of the Controlled Substance Act.

Sign the petition to get President Obama to speak about HR 313 and the assault of Free Speech. Tell him to VETO if it makes it to his desk! Tell Obama: Defend the 1st Amendment Right to Free Speech! Tell Obama: Talking about abiding marijuana laws is not criminal!

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/encourage-house-not-pass-hr-313-2011-which-would-criminalize-discussing-marijuana-use-foreign/Qtss9vq4

Winter Survival Tips for Occupy Everywhere

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:46:00 +0000

Stand strong this winter! Stand together! Layer your clothing and try to stay dry. Change wet garments immediately.

Some resources:

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111028/NEWS/111029747

Snow reminders from the Times Herald-Record (not really for those in the snow-filled parks, but useful numbers.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/wntrstm.htm

Source from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service: hasn't been updated since 1998! Still useful information.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/ggw/newsletter/winter_05/winter_survival.pdf

Easy to create winter survival heater.

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/winter/wi_during.shtm#1

Outdoor in snow? Reminders!

Occupiers vs. Lawmakers and Corporate Financiers

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 06:31:00 +0000

In Tennessee, the state has begun working with TSA to harass truck drivers at weigh stations (like the various state agencies that performed this function were not adequate) and people at bus stations (like the poor waiting for transportation really need an extra moment of legalized harassment). http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15725035/officials-claim-tennessee-becomes-first-state-to-deploy-vipr-statewide

And, if Tennessee's new harass the American People efforts aren't enough for you to think about joining Occupy Wall Street, then, perhaps Louisiana's recent move to illegalize currency (cold hard cash) will piss you all the way off. If this isn't a sign of government and banks trying to screw small business and non-bank users (i.e., the poor who often aren't eligible to have bank accounts) I really don't know what is:
http://www.klfy.com/story/15717759/second-hand-dealer-law
Don't take the news for it (bottom of page 28 and top of page 29):
http://house.louisiana.gov/Agendas_2011/Highlights_2011_Sessions.pdf
Or, if you prefer:
http://la.opengovernment.org/system/bill_documents/001/222/442/original/streamdocument.asp?1310499239

So, because I was horrified that the state that I live and do business in has now directly threatened one of the ways that I do business (flea markets)...I thought I'd do a little research on federal currency laws to see what the Federal law says...
Treasury Dept. says business owners can determine their own cash, debit, credit, check, money order acceptance policies, UNLESS there is a state law that prevents a business from setting their own policy. Basically, the Fed says that Louisiana lawmakers can do what they want, including strong-arming small business owners (who accept cash for second-hand goods) into using bank services they cannot afford. This screws the poor people who shop at second-hand stores and it screws small business owners...nonprofits (Goodwill) and government contractors (Construction - building material resale) are exempt from this state government maneuver meant to further criminalize poverty:
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Currency/Pages/legal-tender.aspx

Two words for you Louisiana: CASH ONLY!

And, in South Carolina legislation has been introduced to switch back to gold and silver currency (this guy doesn't want to use the dollar any more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-6217403-503544.html
If you prefer Mike Pitts bill (H 4128):
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/4128.htm
Interestingly, there is a similar bill in South Carolina's State Senate (S 862): http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/862.htm

It appears that Rep. Mike Pitts is a real gem, he would also like to kick the U.S. Dept. of Education out of South Carolina: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/3272.htm

A Refrain to Occupiers Everywhere

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:24:00 +0000

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9039623/a_refrain_to_occupiers_everywhere.html?cat=10
Find my newest poem on Associated Content (Yahoo Contributor Network)

This poem was inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement and the raising of global awareness!

Occupy Wall Street (links of interest), Now Occupying a City Near YOU

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:46:00 +0000

https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/
Potential declaration of the 99%.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the99declaration/
yahoo group for the 99% declaration working group

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/occupy-wall-street-planning-convention_n_1018570.html?ref=mostpopular
Huffington report on the declaration

http://www.ktbs.com/news/29464913/detail.html
KTBS covers Occupy Shreveport initial planning meeting.

http://www.ktbs.com/news/29494916/detail.html
KTBS covers Occupy Shreveport 15 October 2011 March for Solidarity.

http://www.stormtracker12.com/story/15613287/occupy-groups-pick-up-steam-spread-to-hundreds-of-cities
Occupy Shreveport planning event happened days after this...KSLA was invited to the 12 October meeting, but did not attend. The next link is the only mention of Occupy Shreveport and the clip is shorter than the commercials. The commercials I've been subjected to range from 14 seconds to 21 seconds.The clip of the Occupy Shreveport march lasts 8 seconds. A single sentence accompanies the clip. The protesters started gathering at 8:30 AM. Occupy Shreveport joined worldwide protesters in a global march for solidarity against greed (corporate and government sponsored greed). To their credit, KSLA did have a second link to a report of the 15 October protest http://www.stormtracker12.com/story/15702839/occupy-shreveport-rallies-downtown

Occupy Shreveport 15 October 2011 Day of Global Solidarity

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:57:00 +0000

Just a couple of Occupy the World news links (more coming soon):
http://news.yahoo.com/rome-protest-against-corporate-greed-turns-violent-132401879.html
(Rome, Italy)

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20111015/NEWS01/110150318/Briefly-Occupy-protest-today-Shreveport
(Shreveport, Louisiana)

http://www.ktbs.com/news/29492778/detail.html
(Melburne, Australia)

japan news, links, assistance, resources

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:19:00 +0000

http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

http://www.human-rights-online.org/Phone-numbers-books/Japan/

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/telephone.html

https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=10654

http://www.telljp.com/

http://www.telljp.com/index.php?/en/news_article/for_people_overseas_concerned_about_relatives_in_the_tokyo_area//#RESOURCES

http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-call.html

http://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/kinkyu/05.html

http://www.9tokenshi-bousai.jp/comehome/pre03.html

http://www2.wagamachi-guide.com/tokyo_bousai/search/facilitylist.asp?pno=3&flc=1&p=13&c=13209

http://www2.wagamachi-guide.com/tokyo_bousai/search/facilitycitylist.asp?flc=1&nrd=1

https://www.web171.jp/menu.php

Monique Finley
Writer/Activist/Healer
finleyexperience.blogspot.com

Dream: What else do you have to live for?

Map of Occupy Communities World Wide

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:44:00 +0000

Occupy Shreveport

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Occupy Shreveport solidarity march to be held 15 October 2011. The marchers can meet at the Union Hall beginning at 8:30 am (for sign making and other preparation). The protesters will meet at the Caddo Courthouse around 10 am for opening remarks and instructions for protesters. The march will begin at 10:30 am.

House of Representatives: Do NOT pass H.R. 313 Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Change.org|Start an Online Petition »

Occupy Wall Street

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:42:00 +0000

Hey all,

As a matter of course (i.e., seven classes of homework), I'm a little behind in my posts. I'll be linking my twitter feed up to the blog, so you all will have access to what I've been passing along when I get short breaks!

Please watch this short clip:

Now is the time for us to get together, to get a dialog going between the peoples of this world and the governments that claim to "represent, defend, and protect" the peoples of this world!

Check out these websites:
Occupy Wall Street
Occupy Together

More links and info coming very soon! We are the 99%!

Dear Russia

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 21:24:00 +0000

I must apologize to my readers...I promised you all a number of poems about Russia (the winning country of my stats poetry competition) over the course of July and I have only provided you with one poem displaying my vague knowledge of Russia. I hope you will forgive a poet who falls back on the old cliche of life getting in the way of good intentions.

That said, I hope you'll forgive me. There will be more poems with Russia as subject, fear not! They arrive at unannounced intervals...I'll put them up as I create them!

As always,
in peace,
Monique

Fall 2011 Classes Begin

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:07:00 +0000

I'm excited to say this semester is now underway. I've got Latin again and German this year which just pleases me to no end. I have a new Latin professor and I'm interested in how he will differ from my prior instructor(s). BTW: I'm psyched about physics and psychology (forgive me). Senior Sem & Tutorial for English plus an Independent Study (class I forgot about). That, my friends, is what you can call a "full load". I do feel confident (today), but talk to me again around finals and we'll go from there.

I still owe my apologies to my Russian readers, I promised multiple poems that I have thus far failed to produce. I stand by my vow to deliver, though I must graciously decline promising date and time. Look for them. They will pop up when you least expect it.

As always my friends and foes...

Merry Meet!

Monique Finley

Finley Experience "International Views Contest" Poem One

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:05:00 +0000

To: Russia (With the Poet’s Sincerest Apology)

What bravado and arrogance--
this writer, this pen--?
How little known so large a land,
so far away? And, I wonder
if those far off inhabitants
would forgive me my ignorance?

I bet a number I might try my hand
at a foreign view of a noble land,
where long held customs stand
frozen listening to some blues band
as their singer sings throaty tunes
and the sultry folks swing their sway
attuned to the need to move to continue
on in that jocund hips sway kind of way.

Or, so all the American movies portray.

I rack my brain
for everything, anything
I can recall about Russia,
the USSR, the Soviet Union,
and all I know for sure:

these veritable names are variables
of a geographical mass subject
to reorganization and redistribution
at a pace that frightens at least one
similarly stationed nation.

An unimaginable testament,
lives lost to the competitive races:
Stalin’s five-year plans versus
McCarthy and his anti-Communist
choke-hold on my nation, either way.
friend turned enemy turned friend again.

Watch, now, as yours sells mine seats
onboard ships sailing into inner space,
for a per seat price set in no less than
eight digits before the decimal place.

Earth bound issues seemingly floated away
in the haze of one last frontier just barely
big enough to hold the hopes of all of us
and waiting to be tamed by our combined
strengths and diversities as we leave
behind the local for the global, perhaps
one day down the road we’ll develop

the universal.

~Monique Finley
7-11-2011
_____

Finley Experience "International Views" Contest Results

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:55:00 +0000

Okay, peeps, the first year (May 2010 through May 2011) International Views (Stats) contest are in:

Russia 92
Slovenia 49
France 39
Germany 35
Canada 32
United Kingdom 31
Denmark 26
Japan 19
Iran 13

While Russia is the winner, I'd like to thank every reader-where ever you may be! Come check out the Russia themed poetry that will appear in this blog throughout July 2011
Peace,
Monique

Finley Experience International Views Contest UPDATE

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 05:57:00 +0000

The long awaited for results for the Finley Experience 1st Year Stats "International Views" Contest shows Russia as the winner. I will post the view totals within the next few days. Russian viewers, please stand by and look forward to your winnings in July (Poetry Subject: Russia).

Spring 2011: Finals Over, Still Missing Reiko, Module Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:15:00 +0000

Okay folks we've got three bits for updates:

Made it through another semester, this one was by far the most difficult. There has been so much going on in the world and in my life, so much tragedy, yet, even in the peek of tragedy I see much to be thankful for, much to smile about, and much left to do. We cannot overcome death, but we can work together to improve everyone's quality of life.

I still have not heard from Reiko Muller, my friend I believe to be in Japan. I have scoured videos and pictures from Japan hoping to see her walking by or somewhere in the background. To no avail. I wont stop looking. And, if anyone knows her or if anyone has been contacted by her, please leave me a comment, send me an email, just let me know she and her little girl are alive.

Tomorrow the Gay Politics Module begins. This will be the final module taught by Dr. Rodney Grunes at Centenary College of Louisiana. I'm excited to be able to attend his last module, and saddened that a man who has done so very much for educating the community about LGBTs is retiring. I'm also honored to have spoken at his last four modules and to have been asked to speak again at this last module. Eventually (read as this summer) my CV will be updated with all kinds of awesomeness!

My friends, that's all for now.
Monique Finley
Writer/Activist/Healer

(*Update 17 Dec 2011: hadn't updated this post, my bad. Good news though not confirmed by sight. Was told Reiko was not in Japan at the time of the March 2011 tsunami and nuclear meltdown. So happy she's alright. Still worried about her family and all the Japanese people, especially since the nuclear reactors can't be move from the fault lines at Fukishma, which means thought they haven't won the battle, they're still under threat of an even worse catastrophe. Stay strong Japan).

Japan Earthquake

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 07:34:00 +0000

I have a friend I believe to be living near Tokyo. Her name is Reiko (pronounced Leiko) Muller. I was unable to get her contact information before I stopped working at Horseshoe. I'm putting the word out, so if anyone knows her, please contact me through this blog, just leave a comment.

Also,
Google and some students from Boston have created a people finder app to help locate people who may be or are missing in Japan. Japan Earthquake People Finder app. (Thanks to Monyunna for sending me the link).

More information will be posted. However, it is 2:22am and I still have a little ways to go before I'm finished with the midterm that is due tomorrow at 2pm and my first class is at 9:45am. So, while I hate to say anything negative about education, my midterm dims greatly in comparison to what the brave Japanese people have endured and will endure in the months and years to come.

I am very worried about Reiko and her family. I have no idea how close they live to the epicenter or the nuclear reactors.

Reiko,
You and all your family are in my thoughts and heart!

Monique Finley
Writer/Activist/Healer

*Update (5 April 2011): The message I posted has disappeared from the Google App mentioned above, I'm not sure who has the option of deleting a message or why anyone would delete it. You can also use the ICRC's missing person list.
**(17 April 2011): The message has returned. No word on Reiko, I've combed too many videos, pictures, my heart to you Japan!
***(14 August 2011): I received a message via FaceBook that Reiko is alive and well! To everyone who attempted to find her, thank you for your efforts! My heart goes out to everyone who is still looking for family and friends. Good Luck in your endeavours!

David Kato Remembered in NY

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:16:00 +0000

Human Rights Campaign article about New York remembrance of David Kato, murdered Ugandan gay rights activist.

Our hearts mourn the loss of David Kato. And, our fists clench in anger. We must work together to stop this senseless violence against homosexuals in Uganda and across the globe.

UPDATE 13 November 2011
http://news.yahoo.com/uganda-jails-murderer-gay-activist-30-years-084747229.html
David Kato's murderer sentenced to 30 years. No public trial, but very serious sentence!

Little Boy Dresses as Daphne from Scooby Doo, Mother gets Flack from Christian Preschool and Mothers

noreply@blogger.com (Monique Finley) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 03:53:00 +0000

For a first person account of small-minded bigotry regarding a young son and his Daphne Halloween costume follow the links in order:

http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2010/11/02/my-son-is-gay/

http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2011/02/03/epilogue/

Many people could take a lesson from this mother, she is supporting her child by allowing him to be a child.

Monique Finley
Writer/Activist/Healer

Dream: What else do you have to live for?