THE PEACE TREE

"He says again, 'Good fences make good neighbors.' "

2009-07-12T11:56:00.008-05:00

Poem Mending Wall, by Robert FrostSomething there is that doesn't love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; And makes gaps even two can pass abreast. The work of hunters is another thing: I have come after them and made repair Where they have left not one stone on a stone, But they would have the rabbit out of hiding, To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean, No one has seen them made or heard them made, But at spring mending-time we find them there. I let my neighbor know beyond the hill; And on a day we meet to walk the line And...

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Sunday bandits...

2009-07-12T01:54:00.000-05:00

Crashing into the surface of the icy terrain, liberty gasps in prayer, then splinters, bowed inward by a moral arrogance unable to free its own dying plea… http://www.relaywave.com/pingRelayWave.php

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Donald Reeves: 'A Very Dangerous Man'

2009-07-11T16:04:00.008-05:00

'Imagination is the word that Reeves uses with most enthusiasm to summarise his work and belief, “the view that there is always something new waiting to be born” — whether in a London parish or a Bosnian town. “And imagination for me is the entry into religion,” he adds, an imagination that combines clarity about where society is and a vision of change.' - From The Times, July 10, 2009 Cross-posted at Antimedius and at Blazing Indiscretions. In The Times (UK) - a Murdoch paper! - yesterday, there's a profile of Donald Reeves, former vicar at the landmark St James's Church - designed by...

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Yee Haw

2009-07-10T12:43:00.004-05:00

Cross posted at Antemedius and at Blazing Indiscretions. I lived in Houston for over twenty years and still never cease to be amazed at what happens in the Lone Star State. A few weeks ago, on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, there was police violence against LBGTs in Fort Worth. Now there is this ridiculous - and most likely illegal - police behaviour in west Texas:At about 12:30 a.m. on the morning of June 29, the five men were placing their order at the Chico's Tacos on Montwood when the two men made their public display of affection, sparking the ire of two contracted...

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Something white and sticky to chew on...

2009-07-10T11:48:00.002-05:00

"White on white crime is destroying the very fabric of our nation and producing an entire class of white career criminals. While the media is quick to report every little statistic and/or event relating to the black on black crime phenomenon, the words “white on white crime” are spoken with a frequency of slim to none, and slim disappeared when he was two months old, murdered by his depressed mother, wrapped in plastic, and buried in the backyard. Indeed, many white people pay absolutely no attention to crime or other manifestations of less than decent behavior in their neighborhood until...

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6,000 YEARS OLD

2009-07-09T01:15:00.004-05:00

Arizona state Senator Sylvia Allen (R) voices support for opening up uranium mining in the state. Sen Allen responds to statements by environmentalists by assuring them that the "Earth is 6,000 years old..." Twice. I decided to let Lewis Black take it from here...... http://www.relaywave.com/pingRelayWave.php

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Nothing smells, feels, or tastes quite like cowardice.

2009-07-08T14:19:00.010-05:00

Black Children Kicked Out of Pool Because They Would Change Its Complexion O! When the wind pushes the stench under the nose It’s rather obvious that bigotry’s come home. The children; buoyant in the brown skin of summer, Eyes puffed with dreams, drenched in virtue, Lips pursed upon the delights of a sun-drenched freedom, Were cuffed with glances and sour faced odium. (Nothing smells, feels, or tastes quite like cowardice.) Come children, you’re better than their incoherent worship; You should be drenched, dripping in love’s swim; Forget the gloom filled muddle of saw-toothed...

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a small amount of humanity is enough

2009-07-07T06:34:00.000-05:00

"there was a time when i was guardedly optimistic about change in america and when i tentatively wore hope on my sleeve. the death knell has sounded- i am no longer optimistic or hopeful. not just because of what i hear or see in the media- surges in afghanistan, wall street and corporates still ripping us off unchecked, federal mandates flying off the pens of the dems just itching to put them into laws- but also because i actually was forced to venture out into humanity for a week and i learned much. i hated it but i learned much. i learned that there are far more non thinking people out...

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Skeptical Eye for an Eye

2009-07-07T00:33:00.003-05:00

Historic Bible pages put online Will this tell us what we yearn to know; Ancient text translated into languages Unknown to the earth’s mortal choir, Source of so much grief and slaughter? Read all the Head-Lines http://www.relaywave.com/pingRelayWave.php

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America-A land Of Promises And Immigrants

2009-07-06T00:54:00.003-05:00

by TIME America is the land of promise. Perceived promise, broken promise, and most of all promise for the future of all who want to call America home. We are still the country most other people in the World want to come to, to live. Broken promises to be sure, but we have the courage to try and fulfill those promises, even at the expense of the pain and death of our fellow citizens. Immigrants are the life blood of our society, without which, it would not be America. Immigration is not just a tradition in America, it is the essence of America. Those who want to wall off the flow of...

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Begins July 11--Web Only: This Is Where We Take Our Stand

2009-07-05T00:00:00.002-05:00

This is Where We Take Our Stand - Trailer from Displaced Films on Vimeo. Starting Saturday, July 11: A historic new web-only series that features a behind-the-scenes look at "boots on the ground" testimony from American soldiers and veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan: "This is Where We Take Our Stand." The series tells the story of last year's Winter Soldier Iraq/Afghanistan hearings from the inside -- going beyond the testimony to the people whose lives, experiences, and struggles made that historic event possible. The six-episode series will be posted consecutively, every...

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When will they ever learn?

2009-07-04T07:34:00.005-05:00

As Americans pursue Happiness today - on this most sacred of holidays - reveling in American exceptionalism, eating hot dogs, potato salad and ice cream, they also rage war to foster "democracy" in an occupied Iraq and Afghanistan: When will they ever learn? Yeah, PP&M, Baez, Kingston Trio they've all sung it, but Dietrich's extraordinary rendition is the best IMNSHO! Ausgezeignet! I first heard Where have all the flowers gone? in 1964 (remember Vietnam?) in my high school German class. Pete Seeger preferred the German version rather than his English version; especially the lyrics....

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Award for Dr. Katz slaps veterans

2009-07-03T11:04:00.003-05:00

" I still believe in NAMI but I no longer believe in the NAMI Veterans Council. The decision to award Dr. Ira Katz for suicide prevention is akin to awarding a vampire for testing blood. Katz, as reported here (on Wounded Times) countless times, was refusing to admit there was a problem with veterans committing suicide. Everything he did, what they are awarding him for, he was forced to do. The Veterans Council is giving him an award for what it took an act of Congress to do! This is one of the stories about a soldier that committed suicide. The Life and Lonely Death of Noah Pierce text...

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2009-07-03T08:57:00.002-05:00

And he thought of those he angered, For he was not a violent man. And he thought of those he hurt, For he was not a cruel man. And he thought of those he frightened, For he was not an evil man. And he understood. He understood himself. Upon this he saw that when he was of anger or knew hurt or felt fear, It was because he was not understanding, And he learned, compassion. And with his eye of compassion. He saw his enemies like unto himself, And he learned love. Then, he was answered. from "The Balance" by The Moody Blues http://www.relaywave.com/pingRelayWave.php

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BEFORE/BEGINNING/NOW

2009-07-03T00:00:00.003-05:00

BEFORE OBAMA BEGINNING OBAMA NOW OBAMA http://www.relaywave.com/pingRelayWave.php

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Letter to Senator Blanche Lincoln (Arkansas)

2009-07-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

NewMarket Naturals, Inc. Greetings Senator Lincoln, As one of the owners of NewMarket Naturals, a “green” business here in Fayetteville, I see the urgency that the green energy / green jobs bill passes the Senate and begins to put our country on par with other industrialized countries around the world. I ask that you put aside your allegiance to any PACs or other lobby folks that may have contributed to your campaigns and vote for what is best for all of us Arkansans and Americans. We appreciate that this may be a difficult choice because money has a very loud voice in Washington but we...

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The Limbaugh Principle

2009-07-01T03:09:00.001-05:00

Rush Limbaugh Compares Al Franken's Win to the Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Vote Recount (A Poetic Justice Photomontage) O! From the foul wind blowing over America Comes this; a most colossal whore’s voice Screeching another miserably worn-out minute! The irony of his deception belies an ignoble aim Leaving fools ready to lop off someone’s head As the mythic shit-stain spews forth tired claims. He is no one’s god but his sheep. No precision Within his words, just fuel for agitation For a weak-willed herd of unconscious ovine. Let us not mistake his voice, his words for courage or fact; Let us...

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introspection

2009-06-30T04:46:00.001-05:00

when the whole world is upside down and sideways, i sometimes find peace by looking inside. it calms me and it gives me a way to recenter. in these uncertain times, i truly believe it is important to center. music and poetry are as important to me as prose- and it is one important way humans differ in the species chain. one of my favorite musicians is james blunt- who i also believe writes poetry with his lyrics. enjoy. "Tears And Rain" How I wish I could surrender my soul; Shed the clothes that become my skin; See the liar that burns within my needing. How I wish I'd chosen darkness...

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BEN HEINE'S Michael Jackson Tribute...

2009-06-29T15:48:00.005-05:00

Click on picture to enlarge... http://www.relaywave.com/pingRelayWave.php

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Public Radio Programming Pushes Commercial Banking in Poor Communities

2009-06-29T09:54:00.006-05:00

Last Saturday I heard a disgusting segment of Marketplace Money (produced by American Public Media) on "Vermont's NPR Station": Banking on the previously unbanked, praising the opening of commercial bank branches in the poor neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Just the kind of feel-good/do-gooder programming that would appeal to Vermont Public Radio's successful, smug, elite listener and donor base: we know better, so let's help the poor people who don't! But the copy was was straight from the marketing departments of commercial banks. No matter what their public relations people will tell you,...

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ARE YOU REALLY FUNNY?

2009-06-29T00:00:00.003-05:00

Take a quiz to see if you have what it takes to be a stand-up comedian... Don't worry. It's designed to go easy on you... ARE YOU FUNNY OR UN-FUNNY? » Create Quizzes http://www.relaywave.com/pingRelayWave.php

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Crisis in Honduras This Weekend! [Updated,12:00 PM 6/28/09]

2009-06-28T00:00:00.003-05:00

caption: Supporters of deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya confront soldiers in an armored car near the presidential house in Tegucigalpa on Jun, 28, 2009. [Source: Orlando Sierra/AFP/Getty Images] Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has denounced what he refers to as an attempted coup against his administration and calls on the people of Honduras to defend the rule of law. The ruling oligarchy of Honduras is represented by the country's Supreme Court and Congress, and it is defended by the armed forces. These forces are in conflict with the democratically elected president, Manuel...

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SATURDAY SONATA - Tony Rice + Dawn Landes

2009-06-27T10:19:00.006-05:00

Tony Rice guitar , Jerry Douglas dobro , Sam Bush mandolin , Mark o'Connor fiddle, Mark Schatz Bass and Béla Fleck on banjo. The highlight of the "Legends of Flatpicking Guitar" DVD. dawn Landes & the WST Band put a bluegrass spin on the Peter, Bjorn & John song "Young Folks" Straight Lines song by dawn Landes featured on the album "dawns music + straight lines" available in the UK OCT 6, 2008 and on itunes Directed by Ben Dickinson. http://www.relaywave.com/pingRelayWave.php

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(Friday's Head-Line Poetry) WOUNDED SCAMP

2009-06-26T01:03:00.000-05:00

Gay Exorcism Video Come! Manifest thy vigorous and crippling glory, Spit thy upright venom atop my prone and unclean Skin, rend it complete to partial bone and space, But above all, Lord, keep thy charlatans away. Michael Savage Threatens Media Matters Staff O Savage, steal your mask away, place your microphone down low So your sheep might not listen in…“Take heed. They’ve already come for you, Seeking to blunt your influence, your shtick. They’ve attended your airwaves And found a loathing drone of inhumane righteousness and complete poppycock Clearly, since you’re still yappin’, they felt...

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Michael Jackson (50) Passed Away Today!

2009-06-25T19:12:00.005-05:00

Very sad news today. Michael Jackson (50) died. News reports are saying he died of a heart attack. For years he has been very thin and in not the best of health. Stress and the media assaults on him probably had a lot to do with it. Although he had been charged in a couple of court cases, he was always found not guilty. We in America believe in innocence until proven guilty, so for any haters out there who say harsh things about Michael but say they believe in "the rule of law" should remember this. I always loved Michael Jackson and his music. He and his family were so talented. The first...

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