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We salute the Grammy nomination of the late great Dave Van Ronk's final concert album:
". . . and the tin pan bended and the story ended . . ."

CONGRATULATIONS! Watch the 47th Grammy's and look for DVR's Wife and Producer, Andrea Vuocolo Vanronk, and our beloved Christine Lavin [who helped edit it]
February 13, 2005 8PM on CBS.

click here
William Valdez is our Son-in-Law Extrodinaire.
You can support our troops via this site, and support William, personally, if you wish. His TFT ID is 1862195
Thank you!

Listen to Hober

US Faces of the Fallen:

•US Fatalities in Iraq

•US Fatalities; "Operation Enduring Freedom"

 

I just heard from Dr. Parent regarding Yoko. He's such a kind and caring man. Here's the scoop:

He gave her a huge dose of a cortizone type of drug to help her breathing. They took x-rays, and the preliminary look shows fluid around her heart and /or a tumor. She has had heart failure is his guess. His options were to have her go to a hospital in Lynnwood for a workup, because she has so many things wrong with her, they would do a sonogram of the heart, and take care of her 'round the clock, work on her insulin, breathing, heart, lungs et al, or she could stay the weekend at the UBAC (Useless Bay Animal Clinic) and he would come over frequently to check on her, but he can't be there 24x7.

As of now, he will be taking fluids from around her heart using what I imagine to be similar to an amnio type of needle they use to check babies in the womb. The most vital thing was to get her breathing again, hence the cortizone shot -- but she has all these problems that the care conflict with eachother -- her asthma, her diabetes, her heart -- the meds all exacerbate things, and it's a fine line to walk, and it takes time and care to try to find the balance.

So, I left it that she'll stay with Dr Parent. I am to phone about 3:00 today, and maybe, if he thinks it won't stress her out too much, I can visit her. He says right now she's resting. When I asked for his thoughts about her future, he says as of now, recovery is 50/50 -- so we wait and pray and hope she fights the good fight, and that she can rest. She is in good hands after suffering all night long. It is unreal that since May 11th, she could degrade so much. I hope she can breathe easily soon...I know that after the cortizone shots, she usually perks up soon after...to work so hard to breathe is demoralizing -- she needs to rest, relax, sleep, inhale the good air, exhale the toxins.

I will wait by the phone for any updates from the Doctor, until I call at 3:00.

I love you my dear Yoko, my friend, my girl...you've always been here for me, I hope I'm choosing the right path for you now, and you know that I'm here for you as best as I can be. I'm sending positive healing light, loving light and protective white light your way always.

xo+

 09:58 AM - link -    

I just dropped my beautiful Yoko off at Dr Parent's. Her breathing is very laboured -- but I was both excited and horrified that when I picked her up to put her in the car to go, she showed agitation and she meowed...is that a will to live...or am I inflicting more stress on my little girl?

Dr. Parent said that there is hope, if there wasn't he wouldn't be suggesting these steps...the first part is to see why her breathing is so rough on her, she had her cortizone shot earlier this month, so this is not goodness. They are to take some xrays of her chest, but dang it all, the darn machine is being serviced, so they will not know anything for an hour. I'm to wait here at home for a call.

They still are thinking hydration, then, if warranted, kitty IV which would mean she stays at the Vets, and also start the insulin today, even though they can't really have the most accurate readings on her blood levels if she's not hydrated fully.

I don't want "heroic measures" for my girl, unless she does. She was so pissed at my taking her to the car and the vets. How much can she know about vets are to make her feel better, more comfortable, healthier? She knows there are needles, and separation, and poking, prodding, and she is the best patient they probably ever had, she endures this all will grace. But, does she have a clue that these "tortures" are the very things that gives her relief to breathe easier?

Marilyn says I should talk to her. She says she tells parents of infants to tell their kids what's going on even if they don't have the language to communicate and comprehend -- that on some level there's maybe some "connect" that allows them to "know". So, I talk to Yoko. But actions speak louder than words methinks. Can she know that I'm not "throwing her away" that I'm trying to do the very best for her?

Damn, it's the effing weekend too, and if they choose to keep her, then she's there alone all weekend. Dr. Parent and Dr. Howell discussed together Yoko's "case" yesterday, and they determined that keeping her at home with me would be familiar and less stressful (in theory)...so to have her not come home scares me because they are closed on Sat and Sun and she'll be alone.

He mentioned the word "hospitalized" -- I don't know if that means not staying in Freeland or not.

Please take care of her. Let her know comfort not fear. Let her know health not illness. God Damn it all. Daddy, if you have any clout, help her please!!!

Now I guess I wait for some news. Be safe, come home soon.

 08:43 AM - link -    

It's unbearable, but what can I do? I'm literally watching my beautiful yoko fail in front of my eyes. It's just happening so quickly, this slide down the slope towards some other place, not here of this earth. She won't let me comfort and pet her, she comes out, and sits, suffers a few pets from me, then she struggles so hard to get up and away from me, to hide behind the book shelf -- I am so familiar with that feeling, "leave me ALONE!", "don't touch", and whatever you do, don't love or be nice to me.

It has been determined that she's dehydrated, how ironic is that, since one of her special "isms" and treats is to drink water from the cap of my water bottle. She and Cassie both found this such a treat of outrageous proportions...it happened when I came back from St. George Utah, Green Valley Spa, hiking the red rock canyons...it was then I started carrying a bottle around by my side wherever I go, and the two girls were curious -- what was so special? So I poured some from my bottle into the cap and offered it to them, held it, and they drank -- butting heads (buttonheads is my pet term ) pushing eachother out of the way for some licks of this oh so very special water...but I got lazy, I started to save the caps, and put two separate ones down on the floor [BTW, some how it has evolved to islands of caps, in clusters of about 9-15, gathered around the house] and I let them each drink from the caps on the floor, instead of holding the single one in my hand...I lost a lot of the intimacy of the act...but they still chose to "wow" for their water treat in the cap.

Cassie, Yoko's littermate, has been gone since August of 2000. Now, I have 2 new cats who seem to think cap-water is pretty special too -- cat see, cat do?...and it's amazing how I've accepted & adopted such bizarre behaviour, having my floors littered with many water bottle caps of all shapes and sizes. -- it's perfectly normal to me! Unless someone says something when they first come to my house, I don't even *think* to explain. And, I can tell you that they can be perils of the evening, "booby traps" my Dad would call them, especially those clear caps...it hurts like hell to step on them -- barefoot!

But, this remains a special treat -- I don't know who trained who -- but, yes, the most very special magic of the sharing of water from the same bottle and cap, drunk from my own hand, has been lost along the way of mundania -- I truly am regretting this ritual that she and I shared, this intimacy -- do you "grok"?

Yoko just came out from behind the books, and Zach is sniffing her, and Olivia is venturing behind the books, well, going near, as is Zach. Originally it was Zach's hiding place .. he's so small, he gets into and behind most everything, but Yoko has commandeered the spot, it's almost sacrosanct these past few days -- Olivia who has been known to hang out there on occasion, but it must be some "girl thing" as she will not go where Zach dares. He's there now, and Yoko is out here lying on the carpet.

Having checked things out, satisfied, Zach has emerged again. My three cats are here in this room with me. And I don't know what to do for Yoko. She is fading, literally. This is unacceptable. She can't go. I won't have it!

Truth is I know I have no say in this...I can only love her, and ask /pray that she's feeling ok...that she's not in pain and scared...that she can feel breathe easy and know love...sleep dear girl...rest and be safe...I need for you to not be hurting or feeling abandoned or alone...I need you to feel like the lovely spirit you are -- If only I could comfort you like you've done so many times in our lives. I specifically remember that time at Lagoon Pt. when Mom and Dad "got to me" and I grabbed you, not Cassie, but you, and held you, and cried until your fur was damp, and I held on to you for sanity, for grounding, for comfort, rocking back and forth, wailing on the floor, just needing...and you were there...just there...just right, absolutely perfectly, for me.

How can I be there for you?

I love you. I want you to have an easy time. I almost I could let you out at night (like you prefer -- you ladie of the evening) and let you inhale the dark air and listen to the critters and let you be totally free, but that would be irresponsible and although it sounds romantic, it would be certain death and pain for you here on this wild, coyote-full island...and it would hurt, not be "nature" /natural for you to go that way -- despite the idea of you walking off into the jungle, free and alive and at home.

So I shall keep you inside with me. And I will take you to your appt. tomorrow at 11:30 for more hydration. And, if you can rally, then Monday we go to the Vets as planned and you get your insulin levels monitored -- an overniter at the Vets (separation!), so that I can take you home, hope you eat your special food, and let me help you maintain a proper balance with daily insulin injections. Quality of life? If only you could let me in. Let me know what is your choice.

In a pretty good world, you would battle-on, feel steady on your feet, regain your appetite, and breathe easy, chase birds, do your Yoko chirp, and regain your throne as Queen of the island, Her Royal Highness, Miz Yoko Auimeh Gillman -- Long live the Queen!!!

Please?
breathe...

 01:55 AM - link -    

This is kind of fun. I was reading SuSu's Blog and Webpage (link courtesy of WWR), and linked to this test...curiously I took it twice, and they reflect 2 very different, yet pretty real, parts of me...I wonder what would happen if I take it yet again, on a different day? Here's the results:

You are a true nature girl!


Which Ultimate Beautiful Woman are You?
brought to you by Quizilla


You are every goth-kids dream!


Which Ultimate Beautiful Woman are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

 01:16 PM - link -    

I don't know if it's wishful thinking but this AM Yoko was out from behind the books that she was "hiding", and she drank some water, food still doesn't interest her, but she went downstairs to the cat-house, so I'm hoping and thinking maybe the insulin regimine doesn't need to happen -- at least not today.

I called the Vet, and Rachel said that if she's out of hiding, it's a good sign, and that if she relapses into that behaviour again, I can bring her in tomorrow for her day of insulin regulation, and then start her daily injections after that, the 24 or 48 hours will not make a difference.

It does to me. To drop her off and leave her at the vets is killer. And if /when? I start insulin injections, they can't be stopped, and yet she still has to eat this new food, not the stuff she enjoys, so as Scarlett says, "Tomorrow is another day" ... "I'm just so tired, tired, tired...".

So, I invoke the images of magical Streaky the Supercat to help protect my kitties, and help Yoko feel better and more energetic -- Yoko Auimeh Gillman, we can do whatever needs to be done together! We "Gillman Girls" are made of sterner stuff.

Streaky

Catnipping

 08:47 AM - link -    

If this is of interest...initially I thought it was a hoax /urban legend....

Harald T. Nesvik, a Right-wing Norwegian Member of Parliament, has nominated U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush for the Nobel Peace Prize for their "decisive action against terrorism". Sign this petition to tell you agree on rejecting Bush and Blair from Nobel Prize Nomination. ..... See full petition
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"Perpetual war is not peace. Whether or not Bush and Blair's actions are justified, their extensive and expanding pursuit of warfare is not the same thing as working for peace by any definition of the word, and does not amount to "fraternity between nations, ... the abolition or reduction of standing armies and ... holding and promotion of peace congresses."

I hope that the Nobel Peace Prize committee will reject Nesvik's proposal and choose to make an award that will respect the unique prestige of the Nobel Peace Prize, and the individuals and groups who have truly worked for global peace."

There are a lot more petitions available for perusal -- no matter your position, on anything, I'm sure you'll find a flavor that suits here -- have at it.

 08:43 PM - link -    

I just got home from the memorial for Gerianne Davies, Gordy's neice, (Roger's daughter) who would have celebrated her 30th birthday this coming June 20th.

I had only met her a few times at the many-peopled Coale-fests. Even though I had already attended multiple Coale-fests, her first visit with her two girls, Madison & Morgan, a mere three years ago, she managed to make me feel welcome: like family....

In so few meetings, she left a major impact on me, so much so that I actually spoke a few words during the memorial -- I don't know what I said, if I was coherent, or anything, [and anyone who knows me, knows that I do not ever speak in public...(unless absolutely required to, such as officiating over Jenny & William's wedding...I still get the chills thinking about it LOL)] but as others shared memories of Gerianne, I knew I would regret not saying the words aloud, giving them life, about what a shining, generous spirit Gerianne was, and so definitively an integral part of the Family!

Charles, Madison & Morgan know that you're family -- it's a lifetime deal when you're a Coale.

 08:12 PM - link -    

Tiny Anatahan Island is blanketed in ash.

Its only inhabitants--thousands of feral goats and wild pigs--have perished. A churning plume of brown smoke reaches 4 miles into the air.

International Space Station (ISS) science officer Ed Lu saw it first.
"Looks like a volcano of some sort on that small island," he said on May 11th when the space station soared over the Pacific Ocean. The eruption had begun less than 12 hours earlier, and Ed Lu--who really wasn't looking for volcanoes--spotted it before any of NASA's Earth observing satellites. (The ability to notice the unusual is a key advantage of humans in space.)

 08:52 AM - link -    

I couldn't resist...

What Town Is Named 'Armpit' of America?

Once a year, Money magazine publishes a list of the best places to live. But what about the worst place to live? What about a town that is so awful it's been dubbed "the armpit of America" by The Washington Post?

That town would be...ta-dum: Battle Mountain, Nevada. (To find it on a map: Look for Interstate-80 and then go about 220 miles east of Reno.)

 05:30 PM - link -    

I just got my new EMac with OS X and despite some frustrations, I mean this is only day 2, while I am searching for what OS X toys I can use, I found this...ain't this neat?

Version 1.0
Description
The Cherokee Language Kit for OS X provides Macintosh users with an intelligent Unicode font that displays Cherokee text in compatible applications.

System Requirements
Mac OS X 10.2
Company Information
USA
XenoType Technologies
E-mail: sales@xenotypetech.com
Availability
Commercial Product
Mac only Mac first

..of course I downloaded it, and we'll see what I can do with this thang -- kewl!

 01:01 PM - link -    

Contratulations to Sue Pyper for winning
the M*Powers /Vancouver Island Independent Music Award for Best Song 2003 -- "Before You Learn to Fly"!
Atta girl! Link to the TT Archive!

 12:21 PM - link -    

Hang on folks link up your computer, and install winamp or macamp so you can listen to Gordy Coale of TT infamy [and more importantly, my LOML] be interviewed on Whole Wheat Radio today at ~12:00 PM Pacific!

Here's the latest and greatest wisdom from Esther Golton re: WWR;
Whole Wheat Radio:

 11:50 AM - link -    

It's pledge time again at PBS...this year was another Suze Orman pledge, but did I ever mention the time when I actually made an amazingly outrageous pledge so that my "premium" would be a Dale Chihuly Litho (The Jeruselum Spears), and a tour of the Boathouse for 2?

I took Gordy with me. We took snaps of the day -- you can check them out here, but here's a link to his litho page...wow -- this guys is amazing in so many different arts.

BTW...
To whom it may concern, being of sound mind, I declare that when I die, my Chihuly litho is to go to Marilyn Kremen as a token of my sincerest friendship, love, respect and appreciation.

 01:51 AM - link -    

I am in the process of listening to WWR's Celebration of Dave Van Ronk and Esther Golton is interviewing Robin Hopper and she's talking about how she met DVR at the Alaska Midnight Sun Songwriters Camp ... if you are a musician, you should see if this suits!!!

 03:58 PM - link -    

More Sites of Interest on Dave Van Ronk, Mayor of MacDougal Street:

Interview, Jan 19, 1999 and also RIP Dave Van Ronk Feb 10, 2002 at 11:40PM by Jordan Hoffman.

Another article, "Dave Van Ronk, Urbanite" by Gary Alexander 03-07-01.

A conversation with Dave Van Ronk via WSWS.org.

 01:32 PM - link -    

As I listen to Whole Wheat Radio paying their respects and tribute to celebrate Dave Van Ronk Day, I'm trolling the web for info & links.

In addition, already more than 60 radio stations world-wide will also be participating in "Dave Van Ronk Day," broadcasting their own exclusive tributes between May 11-19th. Moreover, a number of performers are committed to paying tribute to Dave during their own individual concerts that same week including Arlo Guthrie in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Rod MacDonald in Miami, Florida, The Four Bitchin' Babes in Madison, Wisconsin, Pete & Maura Kennedy in Katonah, NY, and Guy Davis in Axmouth, England. Perhaps the most unusual live long-distance Ronk tribute take place during a performance of "Tony 'n Tina's Wedding" in Maui, Hawaii on May 18th. During the "reception" sequence, when cast members are free to improvise, actor Jonathan Kaufman will loudly request the "wedding band" to "Play a Dave Van Ronk song! Play a Dave Van Ronk song!" All fitting tribute to a great artist, long overdue.

Dave Van Ronk's Page with links at Christine Lavin's site. [note -- if you try to link to the archive from WFUV, it doesn't work anymore -- but you can read just *why* it was pulled from the archives.
[February 9, 2003 A rebroadcast of "Remembering Dave Van Ronk," co-hosted by Christine Lavin, on the anniversary of his death. (Removed per DMCA - Why?)

Here's Christine's open letter to DJs & Folk folks and musicians.

What a hoot to read this article from the NY Times in the "Fasion and Style" section ;-)! Who knew blogging was haute couture?

May 18, 2003
Dating a Blogger, Reading All About It
By WARREN ST. JOHN

Rick Bruner's awakening to the power of the written word came by way of a throwaway line, typed one afternoon in the cerulean glow of his I.B.M. ThinkPad.

Mr. Bruner, a 37-year-old Manhattan marketing consultant, keeps a Web log, an online diary known as a blog. After coming in for some
sporting abuse from a friend who told him blogging was a waste of time, Mr. Bruner wrote in his blog that the friend "was fat and runs
like a girl," adding that he was sure the friend would not be offended "because he doesn't read blogs." With a push of a button, the
comment was published on Mr. Bruner's site, www.bruner.net/blog, and accessible to anyone with a computer.

A few days later, though, that friend's curiosity about blogs was awakened after all. He quickly found Mr. Bruner's site and was "deeply
aggrieved," Mr. Bruner said. Their friendship barely survived the episode.

"It was a big wake-up call," Mr. Bruner said. "Sometimes it's good to have an editor."

cartoon by Felipe Galindo

[go ahead -- read the entire article ...] -- BTW, did I ever mention I don't read Gordy's blog for the sake of the relationship? ;-)

 08:52 AM - link -    

I never ever thought I'd ever think a bank was stellar -- but my bank, US Bank, here on the Island had "cat treats"!!! All of the drive thru windows cater to dogs with doggie treats, so, as I took Yoko home from the Vet appointment, I made a quick stop to deposit money in the bank, and I asked for a cat treat (tongue in cheek) and...holy moly...they gave me /Yoko one!!! She was thrilled, and so am I. Kudos to US Bank in Freeland, WA!

 03:15 PM - link -    

I found this of interest , and the photos are amazing -- I hope they will have more!!!

In Italian Dust, Signs of a Past Jewish Life
By ANDRÉE BROOKS

ENOSA, Italy — Amid rolling pastureland about 180 miles southeast of Rome, dust is flying. Workers carefully dig through crumbling sandstone deep beneath the surface of a grassy hillside. Stout wooden beams support a makeshift entrance and a labyrinth of newly exposed passageways that lead into an ancient underground maze. A loopy string of construction lamps illuminate the way.

Arch discovered in Catacombs Venosa, Italy


Work by Abba Man Halfon, an astrologer of 15th & 16th century

 01:55 PM - link -    

I don't always read the mailings from Dr. Weil, but serendipity played a part, and not only did he talk about the herb of the week being Garlic, and all it's benefits, but mentioned the following -- and article that follows is a good reminder:

With ongoing war coverage in Iraq, SARS, and other anxiety-provoking news stories blaring at you from the television, radio, and newspapers all day, it can be hard to feel calm. That's why I think taking some time away from the news is good for your health. I know this task can be difficult, but try it for one day. I think you'll be surprised by how much the news can affect your overall mood.

Three of the major challenges to our mental health today are stress, anxiety and depression. Fortunately, there are any number of simple steps we can take in our daily lives to regain a sense of balance, feel better and live calmer more satisfying lives. ..read the entire article.....

 01:28 PM - link -    

I just discovered that when one cries that "silent cry" where the tears stream without sobs, and without end, that it feels, to the skin, very much like an open wound bleeding...the warm, salty flow that won't be staunched....

But it isn't the physicality of one's life's blood pouring out, methinks it's the essence of the soul being emptied, maybe that's why it's a clear, light reflective, substance, and why the heart hurts when one cries -- yet, when one "cuts" oneself, the heart doesn't hurt as it pumps blood, instead, the physical pain is located at the point of trauma....go figure.

Curiouser and curiouser....

 11:52 PM - link -    

I guess I have been lax of late regarding my personal entries. I guess that's because I'm emotionally overwhelmed right now .

Thank god/dess that I had an appointment with Marilyn today -- she is an amazing touchstone and sanity check for me -- more than she will ever ever know.

We talked about me (of course ), and a lot about dealing with an aging parent that is without a life-mate. I'm talking about my Mom, Geraldine Elinor Gillman, in particular. I am so at a loss as to what is the best thing to do for my Mom as she struggles into this world solo.

Lately, she's been depressed -- after 4 years, I think that she is finally emerging from the "anger stage" of grief into the realization that he's really not here (although there is some residual anger ). It's so hard. Can you imagine being married to someone for almost 51 years -- living with the same person for that long, sharing the same bed, the same space?

They had an unspoken dance and rhythm worked out to such a finely tuned harmony, that there was rarely a misstep, or mishap -- Fred & Ginger at their best!

Some practical examples -- Mom would go upstairs to watch TV while Dad was downstairs doing the bills -- or Mom would be downstairs working on her Envelopes, while Dad worked the yard or washing the car.

Yet the piece de resistance, was the creative dance of watching the Mariners play -- you see Mom liked to turn the TV off if it got unbearable for her -- if the M's were doing really really badly -- but Dad tenaciously hung in there -- shouting "Oh No!" or "Come on!!!"...and since Dad had a hearing problem, his TV was always loud enough that if Mom chose to, she could aurally tune in -- or turn the set on, or go sit with my Dad on the leather couch downstairs.

Do you see how magical that was? And my Mom thought Dad didn't know how to dance ;-).

But, the balance, the perfection they achieved is all out of whack with my Dad gone. Their dance was not only a partnership, but one that included how they related to their kids, (me and Jim), their grandkids, their extended family, and their friends -- their roles were subtly defined, and on some primal level, we all understood them, and our relationships with Mom and Dad evolved accordingly.

But Mom is alone now.

And, in the best of times, I am still unable to really help fill that emptiness; those needs she has. Our dance has always been different than the one with her and Dad; or her, me & Dad...so I think I'm failing her.

It's so hard to try to manage my life, let alone another person's. I'm treading water here -- sometimes being dragged under, other times, managing to float -- especially when Gordy is really *here* for me in that "dancing" kind of way.

Mom has finally started to feel the symptoms of her age to boot -- this veritable youthful, vivacious, beautiful woman, has finally lost her "dorian grey" painting -- it's starting to catch up to her -- and to add irony to this, she's finally feeling what I've been dealing with for quite some time; the same symptoms that I have from FMS -- "dain bramage", exhaustion, isolation, depression, physical pain, memory problems, denial, etc. -- one's life tasks seemingly start to take on epic proportions, mourning what one lost, trying to learn to live with the "new" self "as is". Go figure -- we're finally "peers".

So, here's my promise to you Mom:

Mom, since you can't know how inadequate I feel, and how sorry I am that I can't be what you need, I promise you that I will continue to try my best and more, and to try to keep it together by talking with Marilyn for reality checks, but the truth is, I can only do what I really can do.
I love you more than you'll ever believe or know. I need you too. Please don't go yet.

[be safe -- come home soon...]

 04:44 PM - link -    

If this petition if of interest to you you can sign online at PetitionOnline.com

As of this entry, there were 445 signatures.
To: U.S. Congress

A Resolution for Middle East Peace

Whereas we recognize the humanity and fundamental decency of both the Israeli and Palestinian people, and wish to see them living in peace with each other, side by side in a safe Israel and a safe Palestine,

And Whereas we abhor acts of terror, violence and denial of human rights,

And Whereas the continuation of this conflict is destructive to the people of the Middle East, counter to the best interests and values of the United States, and might contribute to an increase in anti-Semitism and anti-Arab sentiments both worldwide and in our own community,

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES URGES THE PRESIDENT TO:

Support dramatic steps for an immediate end to violence and terror in the Middle East by introducing an international buffer of genuinely unbiased and neutral forces to separate and provide protection for Israelis and Palestinians and meanwhile use all of the resources of the U.S. to bring about the following resolution of the conflict:

(a) Return of Israel to its pre-1967 borders, with minor border modifications mutually agreed upon (to allow Israel to retain sections of Jerusalem with a Jewish majority as of 1993, and a few border settlements);
(b) Creation of an economically and politically viable Palestinian state in all of the pre-1967 West Bank and Gaza including East Jerusalem (except for the sections of Jerusalem that already had a Jewish majority by 1993);
(c) An international fund to provide reparations for Palestinians and to resettle Palestinian refugees in the new Palestinian state, and to provide reparations for Israelis who fled from persecution in Arab lands, and to resettle Israeli settlers within the pre-1967 borders of Israel;
(d) Recognition of Israel and the newly-created Palestinian state and peaceful relations with all surrounding Arab and Islamic states;
(e) Sharing of the water and other resources of the area and joint cooperation to preserve regional ecological balance;
(f) Active participation of Palestine, in cooperation with international forces, to protect Israelis from those who may continue to struggle against Israel even after it has returned to its pre-1967 borders, and active participation by Israel and in cooperation with international forces to protect Palestinians from those who may use acts of violence to destabilize or undermine a new Palestinian state;
(g) International guarantees of the safety and security of both Israel and Palestine, either through bilateral mutual defense agreements with the United States, or some similar arrangements with a credible international force which will protect Israel and Palestine from other states which may have hostile intentions;
(h) An international Truth and Reconciliation Commission, such as that which functioned in South Africa, to be created after the above points have begun to be implemented, and aimed at building a foundation for future trust and cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

 04:02 PM - link -    

Close to home... NYTimes 05-13-03
Terror Scenes Follow Script of Never Again
by SarahKershaw

 06:26 PM - link -    

Fibromyalgia: Not All in Your Head
Thanks to brain-scan technology, this ‘imaginary’ ailment of 6 million people is proving to be very real
By Anne Underwood
NEWSWEEK May 19 issue —
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MATALLANA, 48, OF Orange, Calif., went to 37 doctors over the course of one year before she received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia—a condition involving pain throughout the body, heightened sensitivity to touch, and fatigue.
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Until recently, doctors didn’t believe fibromyalgia pain was real. They thought it was “all in the heads” of sufferers, who happened to be mainly
women. When Dr. Muhammad Yunus of the University of Illinois began studying it in 1977, colleagues warned him, “You’ll ruin your career.
These women are just crazy.”

But the fact that doctors couldn’t find a cause or a cure for some 6 million sufferers didn’t mean that the pain wasn’t there. In the past few years scientists have used powerful brain scans to prove that it is.
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The challenge now is to explain why. Recent tests suggest that people who develop the syndrome start with a genetic predisposition. The disease runs in families, and researchers have identified at least one gene that appears to be involved. But lifestyle and temperament also play a part. Often patients are workaholics who push themselves to the limit, despite years of escalating pain. Then a trigger—a car accident, a viral infection—pushes them over the edge and knocks their nervous systems out of whack.

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© 2003 Newsweek, Inc.

[BTW, when I had to "detox" /go "cold turkey" due to some meds not reacting well with some herbal supplements, I found that with no "buffer" i.e. Rx, to wear clothing actually hurt -- to blow gently on the arm, sent me to the ceiling...so I am thankful for the meds that I do have, but it's a far cry from normal for me...toes and fingers are crossed that this time they may be on to something...dare to dream?]

I can't believe I'm admitting this but I was watching the Mariners /Yankee game on TV, and Freddy Garcia was messing up horribly, as he has been doing all this year, when I started to flip channels, and lo and behold I ran into a Beauty Pagent; "The First Annual Miss Dog" -- really, I'm not kidding!!!

It was horrifying on so many levels, but like watching that accident on the side of the road despite yourself, I stayed on until the end. There are so many way that this offends, subtle and gross that I won't even try to articulate them -- suffice it to say, it exists, and I watched! LOL

BTW, did I mention it was on the FOX network...need I say more?

 11:47 PM - link -    

Regarding Games and decks of cards...I found this site -- methinks that maybe this was the inspiration for the Iraqi deck of cards, and the Greenpeace version???

This game is called Nuclear War at flyingbuffalo.com:

Here are the who latest card additions to the game:

You can also find the following games at flyingbuffalo.com:

NUCLEAR ESCALATION CARD GAME & NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION...!

 01:51 PM - link -    

If you're as overwhelmed by "Iraqi Deck of Cards" spam as I am, you might be interested in the following:

Greenpeace Launches Anti-Nuclear Parody Wed Apr 30, 7:58 PM ET
By JONATHAN FOWLER, Associated Press Writer GENEVA
In a play on the deck of cards distributed to U.S. troops in Iraq, anti-nuclear campaigners on Wednesday issued their own most-wanted list — with President Bush replacing Saddam Hussein as the ace of spades.

"It's an exact copy (of the U.S. deck) in terms of the design and layout," said William Peden, spokesman for the disarmament campaign at Greenpeace.

But while the U.S. cards were meant to help soldiers capture America's most-wanted Iraqi leaders, the Greenpeace deck is meant to focus attention on the dangers posed by nuclear arsenals, Peden told The Associated Press.
Campaigners are handing out 600 decks to delegates at a two-week meeting on the 1968 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The conference precedes a review of the 188-nation accord in 2005.
"We haven't had any negative comments — not even from the U.S. delegation," said Peden. "They're such a hot item."
Along with photographs of Bush and seven other leaders are details of the number of nuclear weapons their countries possess. The ace of spades notes that Bush has around 10,600 weapons.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is the ace of hearts in the Greenpeace deck, with around 18,000 nuclear weapons.

French President Jacques Chirac is the ace of clubs, while Britain's Tony Blair is the ace of diamonds. The kings feature the leaders of China, Pakistan, India and Israel — all countries with nuclear weapons.

Most of the rest of the cards contain information about nuclear weapons. The two of diamonds notes that 128,000 nuclear weapons have been built worldwide since 1945.

"The idea is to provide delegates with something that's not a boring piece of paper," Peden said. "It's something interesting and innovative that they can actually learn from — so it's an educational tool as well."

"It's actually being used by delegates in their speeches and they love it because it's full of short snappy facts about the situation of nuclear weapons around the world."

Under the nonproliferation treaty, the declared nuclear powers of the 1960s — the United States, China, France, Russia and Britain — were meant to reduce their arsenals, halt the spread of nuclear weapons and ensure nuclear technology was used only for peaceful purposes. However, the accord has failed to stop other nations from becoming nuclear powers.

In 2000, during the last review of the nonproliferation treaty, participants at a conference at the United Nations identified 13 steps for wiping out nuclear weapons, including a moratorium on nuclear weapons testing, reductions in tactical nuclear weapons and greater candor by the nuclear powers in reporting on their nuclear arsenals.

Greenpeace is also considering a nuclear-themed version of the party game Twister, Peden said. "It'll have 13 steps. We'd like to get all the delegates playing it."

Don't miss the chance to play the game online! -- you can even download a .pdf file of all the cards, or order them from Greenpeace directly.

 01:37 PM - link -    

I was a Junior in High School...and I was active in peace protests since I was 14 (jr. high). I heard about the escalation of the war, I was part of our local area demonstrations -- much later I heard about the tragedy at Kent and was stunned ...

I was on the Student Council, and also a "hippie peacenik" and that caused confusion among my peers on a High School level -- eggs were tossed at me during rally's by my friends on the council and my friends who were "jocks" -- and it was difficult for me to reconcile events in that childish fashion, looking back, I can only imagine the guilt, fear & feelings of betrayal on both sides when confused kids were ordered to fight other kids (ROTC v Students).
"Remembering Kent State, 1970," Reporter/Producer Mark Urycki's hour-long documentary, was originally aired in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the tragic events at Kent State University that are considered by many as a landmark moment in American social history.

On May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guardsman fired on a group of protestors on campus, killing 4 students and wounding 5 others. The documentary has won numerous awards from local, statewide, and national organizations including a national Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, a Clarion Award from the Association for Women in Communications, and Program of the Year from the Ohio Educational Telecommunications Commission.
Listen using RealAudio

Link for photos

 06:20 PM - link -    

If you're not a member of MoveOn.org I highly suggest you check them out and sign up -- here's an edited version of the latest email I received -- gives me the chills big time! Let's do what we can to regain our rights for free speech and truth in reporting:

"As we move toward an active campaign on the Federal Communications Committee rule change, this bulletin provides a great overview of what's at stake and how next month's decision could shape the future of American journalism. I hope you enjoy it.

--Eli"

SHOWDOWN AT THE FCC
MoveOn Bulletin
Friday, May 2, 2003
Co-Editors: Don Hazen and Lakshmi Chaudry, AlterNet

Subscribe online at: www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin

CONTENTS:

1. Eli Pariser: Why Worry About Who Owns the Media?
   
2. Jeff Chester: Showdown at the FCC
   
3. Neil Hickey: The Gathering Storm Over Media Ownership
   
4. Bill Moyers: Barry Diller Takes On Media Deregulation
   
5. Danny Schechter: The Media, the War, and Our Right to Know
   
6. Eric Boehlert: Clear Channel's Big Stinking Deregulation Mess
   
7. Paul Schmelzer: The Death of Local News
   
8. Caryl Rivers: Where Have All the Women Gone?
   
9. About the Bulletin
   

We need to demand the full picture. The MoveOn Media Corps is a group of committed MoveOn volunteers who will mobilize to push the media to fairly cover this war. The action ideas we send you won't generally take longer than 15 minutes, but to be part of the Corps we ask that you commit to taking up to one action per day. The actions could include calling media outlets when they air especially bad coverage, pushing Clear Channel radio to stop censoring anti-war songs, or writing letters to the editor. "

 10:20 AM - link -