Elk On Christmas Morning 2015

I was headed across the street with a cup of coffee to the neighbors house and I caught a glimpse of some elk on the opposite side of the pond.  So I walked over to the other side to see if I could get a better look.

I was quite surprised at the size of the herd.  Usually I see them in much smaller groups. 

The 'lake' they are wading through is in actuality a pasture.  But we have had quite a bit of rain this month.

I took the video with my Samsung phone which does a great job.  My hands were shaking from the cold.  I allowed YouTube to take out the shakiness and they did a good job, but it truncated the video to some extent.  Either way it turned out pretty nice.  It was a gorgeous almost mystical scene with the mist, the sunrise and the elk ploughing through the water.

Church and State: The 1st Corinthians 13 Poem

So much passes for Christianity today.  For instance recall the anti gay marriage county clerk Kim Davis from Kentucky who has been in the news the last week or so.  She is so much in favor of dual sex marriage that she has done it a number of times.  Not one of the times she married did she marry a woman. She is completely opposed to same sex marriage and it is a religious principle for her.

The spectacle of her refusing to do her job and being jailed amidst claims of religious persecution seems preposterous to me.  I'm happy her faith did not include eating her young as Christians have been accused of doing in the early years of the faith. If it did she would have those who support her.  They would also claim persecution. You can be sure of that.

I was thinking of her antics and wondering if she would get fired for not doing her job or be sent back to jail.  That was part of the inspiration for the poem. The second part of the inspiration came from Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians.  It is called the love chapter. See if you can find a reason for Kim Davis's decision in it.

If Jesus were to return to the church today like he did when he chased the money changers from the temple would he say to the leaders: "My Father's house is a house of love, and you have made it a house of hate?"

Church and State: The 1st Corinthians 13 Poem

     Inspired by the actions of Kim Davis done in the name of Christ

      along with a couple Christian Presidents who lied us into war.

 

                           The Church has begun shouting,

                           dividing us with church and state;

                           truth in the mouths of liars

                           turns into falsehood, fear and hate.

 

                           Love is much more than a word

                           it’s a seed sown by the heart,

                           where peace springs up binding together

                           what church and state have torn apart.

 

                           When no light shines in the sky above

                           and darkness fills the land,

                           light in your heart the lamp of love

                           and undivided we will stand.

 

R.I.P Little One

On September 14 I got up and followed the cats down the hall to give them their morning meal.  I noticed that Little One did not come to eat. I went looking for him and found him lying in his litter box.  I spoke to him, he did not move.  I touched him, he was room temperature and his body was stiff.  Little One had died during the night. Little One was the offspring of Mama Cat.  She had produced three litters in her first year and a half of life. Little One was one of them. I finally caught her and got her to the vet to be spayed.  She is still pretty much wild but living inside.

I have five cats living inside now that Little One is gone.  But there are also four cats that come to the porch twice a day to be fed.  All my cats have been rescued, the ones on the porch want to be rescued too but they’ll have to find another home.

Below are Mama Cat and Little One in a picture taken a couple years ago.

Let me tell you about Little One.  He used to come in and wake me up in the morning.  Both he and Imp and Kali would come in when it was close to breakfast time.  I would feel them coming onto the bed and even in the dark be able to tell which was which by the positions they chose to lay down in.  Kali would press against my legs near my feet. Imp would straddle my legs near my knees or else lay down on my chest.  Little One would come and stick his nose in my face and more often than not scoot under the covers with me and fall asleep.  He loved to have his belly rubbed and would roll over on his back with his legs splayed apart so i could rub his belly..

  Little One as a kitten.

  

Little One waiting for kitty treats.

Little One was ‘my’ cat.  Every day when I would be sitting at the computer he would come to visit.  He would begin his visit by taking his paw and tapping my leg with it.  I’d look down and he’d more often than not peer into my eyes and I'd tease him asking “what do you want?” Little One then would look to the kitty treat container and then back to me. I knew he was there to tell me it was kitty treat time it was a game we played.  As soon as I picked up the box and the rest of the cats heard it they’d all be there. 

Here’s Little One on my lap in a fairly recent picture.

He won’t be coming to wake me up, or tell me it’s kitty treat time or sit on my lap anymore.  He’s spending his time here. 

The day after Little One died Kali got onto my lap four times. She never once had wanted to be on my lap and wouldn’t stay if I picked her up and sat down with her. And Imp who had never done it before came and tapped me with his paw the way Little One used to do.  It seemed clear to me that they understood Little One was gone. 

     

  Little One in 2013

Well Little One deserves to be remembered.  I sure do miss him climbing up on my lap.

I Remember 9 / 11

I remember 9 /11 for a number of reasons. The most important for personal reasons was that 9 /11 was the date of my fathers birth date in another century.  It was also the day our highly trained and incredibly 
expensive  military failed to do it's job protecting the American people.

We saw three high rise steel buildings fall to the ground.  Subsequently a commission to investigate the crime determined that the official story was not in harmony with the facts.

I remember how the Patriot Act having been composed ahead of time was made into law by men and women who did not read it.  I remember when we learned a little of the Patriot Acts abilities that we learned we were not as free as we were the day before it became law.

I remember high ranking officials warning Americans to be careful of what they say.

I remember years of terror alert and increased difficulties in getting from one place to the other.  I remember how the psyche of the American people was filled with fear and hatred of Muslims as a result of the events of 9/11. 


So I made a little video about the gross invasion of our most private areas by government employees.  

Have a nice day.  Enjoy your flight.

*updated a little

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: a poem by David H. Roche

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Yesterday, like a cat playing with a mouse,

the storm came and left.

Today sun shines

and the cat lays on the porch licking her paws.

Who knows about tomorrow?

I wait.

Poetry and video (C) 2015 David H. Roche

Marijuana... God says it is good

Marijuana. 

Marijuana is legal for anyone over 21 to use in the State of Oregon. Oregonians have made more freedoms for themselves than most of the other 49 states.

----------------------------------------------------------

In 1970, in New York, we'd sit around cross-legged on the floor listening to The Moody Blues, Cream, The Yard Birds, and Pink Floyd telling ourselves pot would be legal soon as we passed a joint around the circle.  I had a cat who would follow the joint around the circle and want the smoke to be blown in his face. Yes that is a true anecdote.

Of course marijuana wasn't made legal, thanks to Nelson Rockefeller, Richard Nixon and their co-conspirators against this freedom. Of course a complicit and brainwashed American public making decisions based on untruths from the mouths of authority figures aided and abetted those nere do wells. Authority should always be questioned, don't forget that.

It is interesting to note that my generation, the baby boomers, have finally stood up for their rights as created beings on a planet produced to take care of them.  The article in the link at the top of the page reveals the following about my generation. 

"The image of marijuana-using seniors might seem strange, but it is the byproduct of a graying counterculture. Much of the baby boom generation was in college during the 1960s and 70s, and have had much more familiarity with the drug than previous generations."

"In Colorado, since legalization, many dispensaries have seen the largest portion of sales going to baby boomers and people of retirement age,” West said.

The folks at the sales counters agree: Their clientele has proven to be surprisingly mature."

"Our demographic is not punk kids,” added Karl Keich, founder of Seattle Medical Marijuana Association, a collective garden in Washington State. “About half of the people coming into our shop are seniors. It’s a place where your mother or grandmother can come in and feel safe."

Marijuana is a wonderful safe product.  It is an intoxicant, a medicine, a respite from a hard day at work and much, much more. You should not find yourself in jeopardy of losing your job or going to jail or having to pay a fine for using what God made and subsequently declared good. 

One may wonder if God tried it before declaring it 'good'.  Or did he just know it?

It is an socially compelling portent that the figures show so many seniors trekking to the states where marijuana is legal and where they will end their days.

I came across a remarkable product out here called BHO (butane hash oil) commonly known as 'dabs'. Believe me like the old hair care product jingle from the 1950's advertisements proclaimed, 'a little dab will do ya'.   It provides almost instant relief from what ails you from pain to depression and many things in between.  Pain and depression are conditions seniors regularly experience on their trek to the grave. In Oregon we have the freedom to choose whether or not to toke, we can even choose how and when to die.  It's nice God thought to make marijuana for us old folks. And he was right, it is good.

You can seize that freedom in your state too. Stand up for your rights!   Power to the People.

Wishing You A Happy Fourth Of July

This Fourth of July 2015 is indeed a ‘Fourth’ that

celebrates freedom in Oregon. Why? Last 

November “Oregon voters…overwhelmingly 

approved a measure to legalize recreational 

marijuana.”  The details of this new freedom are 

in the previous link to oregonlive.com. 

Marijuana became illegal in the U.S. in the first 

part of the 20th century as detailed in the 

Wikipedia entry here.  Ironically it was 

characterized by lawmakers as a poison.  Today 

it is recognized as a valuable medicinal asset as 

the video explains as well as being a much 

appreciated recreational intoxicant.

Like many public initiatives the road to 

criminalizing the marijuana user and the plant 

itself was accomplished with falsehood and 

deceit.  Using the time honored social means of 

"racism, fear, protection of corporate profits, 

yellow journalism, ignorant, incompetent, and/or 

corrupt legislators, personal career 

advancement and greed" as Drug WarRant.com reports.

Like so many policies and laws enacted during 

that time period marijuana laws had their feet 

planted firmly in good old American racist 

principles.  

Harry J. Anslinger is the poster child for the 

criminalization of marijuana and its users. He is 

credited with approaching the American people 

with fear driven information such as the following sentiments:  

1. “There are 100,000 total marijuana

smokers in the US, and most are Negroes

Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their 

Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from 

marijuana use. This marijuana causes white 

women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, 

entertainers, and any others.” 2.“Reefer makes 

darkies think they’re as good as white men.” 3. 

“Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist 

brainwashing” 4. “You smoke a joint and you’re 

likely to kill your brother.” 5. “Marijuana is the 

most violence-causing drug in the history of 

mankind.”

To help fan the anti-marijuana hysteria into a full 

blown inferno the film “Reefer Madness”  was 

produced in 1938. Today in the second decade 

of the 21^st century the film is viewed as a joke 

and often people will get  together for a party 

while getting stoned and watching the film. 

Today the film is seen for what it is, government 

sanctioned lies and social propaganda.  As such 

it is more like a Marx Brothers comedy than a 

film with seriously needed information.

Oregon is famous for its high quality marijuana according to the THEWEEDBLOG.  But it has rivals or superiors, some say, in Colorado, Washington and California.  Today the liberty to grow has produced a new generation of avid horticulturists and entrepreneurs who are continually breeding better and varied strains of marijuana.  Along with the beautiful plant itself and the pure joy of savoring its ability to turn the mood soft and happy there are a variety of edible marijuana products and some relatively new ones like ‘dabs’. Dabs are easy to fall in love with but they do make you cough lol.  The dab consists of the concentrated essence of the plant and is sometimes close to 100%THC.  A little dab will do you for the entire day.  Two will make you sit down and fall into a daydream and more may become unpleasant as the following article in Leafly warns. 

What all this means is that the Fourth of July in 

Oregon this year will offer some expanded 

areas of personal choice to anyone over the age of 21 within its borders.  People from outside the state are welcome to enjoy the herb and its associated products as long as they are within the borders of the state and of legal age. 

Perhaps this will open up a new tourism industry where people can come for the scenery and the herb. It seems like a perfect match. 

 Be here for the Fourth.

Portents, Visions and Dreams

A contemplation of human destiny.

The Men In Blue (social satire)

Citizens today in Bumfuck Wisconsin dedicated a memorial to those who have died at the hands of police violence.   Today Bumfuck became a symbol of the out of control police state that has come to characterize many areas of the United States.

Until just recently citizens felt obligated to put up with the socially enforced siege of blue terror. This imposition on their civil liberties was considered the dues they had to pay for being on American soil. But that sensibility began to change after several high profile homicides at the hands of the men in blue. Children as young as 12 have been gunned down in playgrounds by overzealous men in blue. Today’s memorial to fallen civilians slain while just going about their lives addresses this escalating social phenomenon and provides a ‘Wake up America’ trumpet call that is now being heard all around the world. 

The high profile homicides of civilians in public view are only the tip of the iceberg when violence by men in blue is calculated.  The violence in public is often brought right into the homes of individual men in blue. This report from the website National Center For Women & Policing in their Police Family Violence Fact Sheet reveals that  “Two studies have found that at least 40% of police officer families experience domestic violence, (1, 2) in contrast to 10% of families in the general population.(3”. 

What in the world is going on? Why are those entrusted with enforcing the law and maintaining social equanimity more likely to harm their own families than the average citizen is?  It may be difficult to accept but the numbers are in and it is a legitimate question to ask. So far few acceptable answers have emerged.  What is clear is that when men in blue commit crimes against their families those crimes are routinely covered up and in some cases those who report them are sent to prison and upon release denied the opportunity for employment.

The memorial to fallen innocent citizens at the hands of men in blue is not an actual reality, but should it be?  Should America have a place within its borders where those killed unlawfully by the men in blue are honored and remembered?

This is Pie In The Face News with ideas to make you think reporting from fictional Bumfuck Wisconsin, where Scott Whatshisname lives. 

The Doug Hughes Incident: a prelude to an uprising

I read about and listened with interest to the account of the man, Doug Hughes, who grabbed the national attention by his flight to Washington DC and his illegal entry into the airspace around the nation's capitol.  His purpose, as most know by now, was to make a statement about the rich and the corporate class which are buying, literally buying, the influence of lawmakers which in turn are selling the average voter out in favor of their wealthy patrons. Bravo Doug Hughes.

Democracy Now interviewed Doug Hughes on April 22, 2015.  You can watch the interview at the link.

To follow up with the ground breaking work of Doug Hughes wouldn't it be nice to see 535 people show up with placards made of photographs of their elected representatives indicating whether or not they have been bought by the wealthy class and the corporate interests of the nation?

Imagine 535 people, OR MORE, each holding up a placard with the mug of each elected representative for the entire nation to see so the people can get an idea of how bad the problem is and which of their elected representatives are aiding and abetting the problem!  What a free speech spectacle that would be!

When that is complete the next election should finish the political careers of the ones which have sold the American people to the highest bidder.  If not the American people deserve what they get and they should just shut up and let the country be lost.

Below is the famous speech made by Mario Savio during the Free Speech Movement in Berkeley California 1964.

In the video below is the 45th anniversary 
remembrance of the Free Speech Movement. Mario was so influential that his work is celebrated annually at the 
University. Only those who oppose free speech celebrate the work of his adversary Clark Kerr.  

  

POWER TO THE REAL PEOPLE!!!!!

I Got A Little Angry This Morning After Reading About Kristen Lindsey

The woman in the news story, Kristen Lindsey, killed a cat with her bow and arrow.  She was so proud of her activity she posted a picture herself holding a cat with an arrow through it's neck. Guess what her occupation is.  Kristen Lindsey was at the time of the killing of the cat employed as a veterinarian 

That's a mind blower isn't it?  It makes me happy she did not become a medical doctor. Just imagine what she might be shooting in Texas if logic follows logic. Her employer canned her ass. Apparently they felt it was not a good representation of their business.  Good for them, I'd certainly think twice before allowing Kristen Lindsey to treat my cats.

I have six cats. Four of the cats were feral like the one killed for sport and fun by Kristen Lindsey. (see update below the cat was not feral it was a neighbors pet) I rescued most of my cats after seeing how hard the life of a feral cat was.  It was quite an adventure and I had as much fun and learned a lot just like Kristen Lindsey.  However she and I learned different things.

This is Kali from the first litter of rescued kittens. I didn't get her inside soon enough and her feral nature lingered for a long time, but now she will come in and sleep with me during the night.

Below is Mama Cat with a litter that was born inside.

Some of Mama Cat's Kittens were taken by a 

local veterinarian and instead of using them for

target practice the good doctor found homes for 

them.  I kept two of the litter.  Imp and Little 

One. They're my buddies now. 

All of these kittens are descendants of the 

Yellow Tomcat. The Yellow Tomcat came to

my porch and I began to feed him. A valuable 

lesson began to be taught to me. 

I had no previous experience with feral cats.

Feral cats  are not domesticated cats who no 

longer have a home with a human family. Feral

cats are wild animals.  Their wild feral nature is 

residual in them and it leaves by degrees. It 

requires patience and compassion to live with 

cats which are rescued in this way.

Below is a photographic tribute to the Yellow 

Tomcat. He met his fate along the side of the 

road. Before that he would show up bloody and 

limping. Feral cats have a hard life. Humans can

have compassion on them or they can treat 

them like Kristen Lindsey the unemployed 

veterinarian does. Enjoy the video I made in 

memory of the Yellow Tomcat.

Update:  It seems that the cat hunted down and 

shot by Kristen Lindsey was a family pet.    Oh 

well, the cat whose name was 'Tiger' is dead 

and the veterinarian will,hopefully,never be

allowed to treat an animal again.

Ms. Lindsey truly peed in her chili.