Get Real’s Neighborhood

Topic of the Hour: Retribution Killings

In my previous blog, I vented a bit about illegal immigration, attitudes towards it, and the birthright that we owe ourselves our children. If you haven't read it - in passing I mentioned that illegal immigrants aren't bad people, that they are simply looking after their own. There's no shame in that. An article in the news today provided a stark reminder of the reality they have to live with when it comes to self-preservation. Summarized: In a manner reminiscent of mafia killings, a military man's family -- mother, aunt, and siblings -- was gunned down in retaliation for the man's fighting on behalf of his country against the drug cartels. Having his name put out there, acknowledging him a war hero, marked them for death.

This is the savage, animal violence they have to live with in their country, what their children are sucked into and as powerful in its own right as any lesser government. Fighting back is dealt with in cold, ruthless efficiency. Examples are made of exactly what will happen to those you love the most if you have the audacity to fight for your people. Not just in villages, but Mexico City itself. Is it any wonder their people come here for a better life?

Reading reminded me of a book I once read by Tom Clancy, called Clear and Present Danger. Plot-wise, it was simple. A man who just so happens to be friends with the president of the USA is killed by people affiliated with the cartels, and in retaliation, the president authorizes a black-ops campaign against the drug cartels responsible, under the auspice of "clear and present danger," indicating that they pose a threat to the United States itself, allowing them to wage serious violence and widespread damage on the wrongdoers. While the black-ops folks are ultimately presented to be little better (by means of the ever-entertaining Jack Ryan, or Harrison Ford if you prefer the movie) than those they are killing, the whole concept is somehow cheering, at least until the realities start kicking in.

It would be nice if such a thing were possible back here in reality, a drug war with TEETH, but in the end it runs into the same long-term problems as any other country we've gone to war with/in for whatever reason, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Eventually, you run out of easy targets and civilians start dying, if they haven't already. And of course, despite its problems Mexico is our neighbor and ally; trespassing on the sovereignty of a nation on our own doorstep is crossing a dangerous line, not like doing it overseas in a country where it won't spill over our borders.

When the fantasy is gone, and the reality kicks in, it's a sharp reminder to me that not all of the worst violence is to be found on other continents among religious fanatics. Some of it is chillingly close to home.

A very happy Winter Solstice to all my friends on Vox!!

I'm looking forward to a year filled with new books and travel. I'm also looking forward to unexpected things. I think this year will bring something new. Maybe fruits from some faraway place. Maybe I'll make an art film or study some unusual mammal with an umber and scarlet coat.

I hope you all discover novel things too, and have a great Holiday with your loved ones! May our planet be blessed as well.

Cheers!

Could these Garmin ads be any more bizarre? Campers watch out for that Yeti.....

 

It is totally flipping cold and dry here. It's kind of neat to see icicles hanging off the banisters and windows, but sheesh, running is brutal. The bricks and sculptures I used for my garden are frozen into the ground. Anything left outdoors cracks and breaks. I'm finally over my sinus problems, though. 

A few days ago we finally broke down and bought some holiday lights. The house was completely dark every year while other houses have a shiny blue and white glow or colorful lights around their trees.  I was browsing some bookstores and ran across some literature about Yule. I was struck by how important warm, glowing lights are this time of year. Fires, candles. Strings of lights and happy snowmen glowing against the bitter ice and snow.

I was looking for winter book suggestions, and wouldn't you know it, the goddess of Ecology was listening. As I wandered the nature aisle I found the most wonderful treasure: the Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals. I've never seen a book as incredible as this. 934 pages of all-out beauty. Stunning, cutting-edge data on over 5,000 mammal species.

 

 

Some highlights:

Group living of european rabbits in the chalk and dune land warrens

Nonstop motherhood of honey possums

Form and function of the carnivore body plan

Mammals of the middle Eocene

I am in love with this book. I think our lights and this reading will keep me warm all winter. I so recommend this book if you have any interest in mammals. I recommend a latte or a spiced hot chocolate in your local bookstore-cafe while you browse the nature section. On Saturday our bookseller had hired a violin-cello quartet to play holiday music while people browsed and drank coffee. A lovely evening!

 

I was having a laugh with a Botanist friend of mine about the Evolution debate. Although questioned by Creationists,150 years of additional evidence has essentially solidified the Theory of Evolution, even without Darwin. We're finally seeing this same pattern with Global Warming. New evidence is making the theory stronger as time goes on.

 A study of the Himalayas has provided new evidence for anthropogenic-caused climate change. Black soot from diesel engines and coal-fired plants has been found to cause melting glaciers in the Himalayas.

A new poll (of actual scientists, this time) shows that 97% of Climatologists believe that humans are causing climate change. And if you're confused by this cold weather, remember that climate change is not just about warming, it's about extreme patterns. So there it is, the theory is beginning to hold its own.

Thanks to WT for finding this cartoon!

 

Topic of the Hour: Illegal Immigration

This posting is long, something I've been wanting to get out of my system for awhile now. You've been warned! Still interested? Read on...

I'd like to reintroduce a concept known as the 'birthright' as it is a very old term and not in common usage anymore. Those who've heard of it likely have read about it in the Bible. The definition is very simple:

birthright (n): a right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birth ~ Merriam-Webster

That's a very basic description of what a birthright is. If you're interested in reading about the historical and biblical contexts of the word, give this useful link a shot. I should make it clear, however, that I am not approaching this from a spiritual perspective, but a secular one. This isn't about religion, but our country and our future generations.

The birthright, in its purest form, is what we pass on to our children when we pass from this world to what ever lies in the next. It could be ideas or things we learn from our parents, but it is typically the material, that which our children inherit from us. While the government is expected to take a portion of this, these possessions are first and foremost passed on to one's heirs, typically their children. This is their birthright, and commonly accepted as the childrens' due before any other, with exceptions made for surviving spouses or the wishes of the deceased.

There's nothing wrong or selfish about this. It is a fundamental unwritten rule - "First, look after your own." Good will leads us to seek to help others once that goal is accomplished, but the family is ever first before any other. That is the right thing to do, but not a right. Family first is an obligation of the strongest kind, blood. One that might be broken in extreme circumstances, but an obligation no less.

A collection of families becomes a community, and they elect representatives to speak for and represent their interests. To provide laws and protections to preserve their values or needs. A mayor of a city does not look after the needs of another city, but first their own. As the levels of community grow to state levels, the same truth continues to hold: An Alaskan governor looks first after providing for Alaskans, not the people of Michigan. Finally, we reach the last level, the federal government, which is elected to represent the interests of the American people before any other. There are some who would suggest that world government is the final level, and while I would disagree, that is a topic for another day.

That final level, the federal government, is the key. Their duty is to preserve our birthright and that of our children. Once that has been achieved, then we might look after the needs of others and do what we may to help. As I said, that's the right thing to do... but it is not a right. It is not owed to those others. First, we look after our own.

I'm a firm believer in immigration as builder of prosperity and diversity in a nation. I've worked with immigrants who work as hard and some even harder than any American at two, three jobs, so that they can support a family and send money home to others. They are taxed, they follow our laws, and they live and work besides us so that one day they might become citizens of our country. That's a fine thing.

The respect is diminished when it comes to illegal immigrants. That's not to say they do not work as hard as others - I believe that illegal immigration is driven by a desire to make a better life for oneself and one's family. That's a laudable goal. The problem, I suspect, is with ignorance of the proper channels. Unfortunately, no matter how high-minded they are, they are a drain on our country. They cannot contribute because they are not taxed, they are in violation of any number of laws by simply being here illegally, and they remove jobs from the market that should be available first to citizens or legal immigrants. In a perfect economy, with an overabundance of jobs, that particular issue would not be a concern though the other facts remain.

By their nature, they promote corruption in the industries that quietly hire them. Further, we have highminded people of our own, who believe that we are obligated to look after any who are within our borders, to the extent of draining resources that are intended for our own needy and equally deserving people.

Illegal immigrants are not bad people. They are first, and foremost, looking after their own. But what they are doing is bad for us, and we have to recognize that and deal with it in a firm and appropriate manner. Turn them aside, send them back, but tell them what the right way is. Do we even do that in this country? Or is our system purely functional - 'round em up, ship em back over the border'? It's a good question and a question I don't know the answer to. Given the bureaucracy of government, I find the latter more likely.

Musings aside, we have to remember that this country is our children's birthright, and everything that makes this country what it is, and especially its resources. If our government is looking first after the people of other countries or even placing their interest at the same priority as ours, rather than preserving the birthright, that is wrong. We owe it to ourselves and our future.

What are you hoping to find under the tree this year?

Blankets. Chai tea and movies. Books. Winter-themed items. This time of year is nice when I'm prepared. Pajamas and slippers. It's been soooo cold!

The house is looking more spacious. Just a few large, cozy pieces of furniture and throw blankets for us and the cats. And winter mugs. I'm going to be reading stacks of books this year. I was browsing the local bookseller's store last night. I found a lot of great non-fiction. Yoga calendars. Travel books.

One magazine author was talking about getting gifts from people for whom she hasn't reciprocated. She said she considers that part of the ebb and flow of holidays from year to year. What a great thought. I think ebb and flow will be a theme for us this year. We don't need a lot of stuff. And to put together a good travel package so we can go anywhere and be comfortable.

**ps I apologize for any spelling errors today, or any other goofy behavior. My thoughts are obscured by pain. Nice to be among friends, though.

 

Oh my, it seems like this bone-dry air has brought back my sinus infection. Sorry I've not been around much to comment. Being that it's Solstice and time for reflection, I decided to start my new years resolution list early in order to de-stress.

I resolve to adopt a more Buddhist philosophy. I want to make life easier on myself by spending more time with smart people and ignoring extremists. I'm beginning to wake up to the value of the international community.

Check out this comment by my Malaysian neighbor mfn:

It seems like quite a number of the skeptics of climate change are coming from the North America, .. Probably they are not experiencing the bad weather, the rising temperature, the rising sea level, and the extinction of species and habitats.

That may have been the reason why european countries are advancing in eco-communalism (not communism) and slowly moving away from the extreme capitalist beliefs. They want to be independent and sovereign like the US too, by focusing on saving the environment instead of sending people to war.

I'm all for it. My mom travelled to Paris a few weeks ago and she loved it. People are much more open to dialogue and often our friends overseas spend their time searching for the truth, not preaching their version of it.

I'm looking for peace in my life and I think a good cup of tea with a well-balanced person is a good start. I resolve to look to our international neighbors to guide me towards a more globally saavy and mindful attitude. And maybe then I can get rid of this headache (with that and a Netti pot)..  :) 

  

 

It's been freezing cold, I went running at the Lake today and it's already covered in ice. Lovely, though. Downed conifer limbs, blue jays singing.

Now I'm drinking my third hot beverage (hot chocolate) and hoping to hear back from employers. Oh, did I mention, the school hasn't sent me my diploma yet? But the Registrar confirmed that I'm officially graduated. I'm not celebrating until I get the diploma in hand.

We've been consuming good movies and hot cider for Solstice. No fancy celebrations this year, til we get to my sister's. SyFy channel has 2 great holiday specials. One is a remake of Alice in Wonderland. We haven't seen it yet. The other is a really dark, modern remake of Wizard of Oz.

The second one is called Tin Man and I never thought I'd say this, but Alan Cumming is adorable as the Scarecrow. The plot is completely different and you wouldn't even recognize the characters from the original. I love, love love creative remakes, or just simple, creative films. They're in low supply these days.

Another fun plug is the new Sony Ericsson "eco phones", Hazel and Elm. (Cute, right)? They look nice and I used to love my old Ericsson before the *ahem* screen ribbon broke.

Does anyone have other fun film ideas for Solstice? I don't especially like fantasy unless it's mixed with a good plot. Harry Potter is pretty fun for this time of year. I thought the sci fi was a stretch but as long as it's not overly dramatic vampire movies or something, it's an okay medium.

 

 

This is so adorable, I wish I had seen this a month ago! These are alternative Christmas trees from Treehugger. The photo at the end of this post is a ladder. No extra purchases, no tree cut down. Someone remind me of this a year from now.

We have a norfolk pine. I like the idea of a living holiday tree - but after Solstice we can't plant it because it's an invasive species. I'm not crazy about tree farms because it creates a monoculture where a diverse forest could otherwise be. Then there's all the energy used to mulch them (again monoculture). These Treehugger ideas are genius. Oh well, I did a few things right this holiday. Hmm, let's see....(tries to alleviate guilt)...

1. I'm using newspapers and paper bags for gift wrapping. Decor on top includes ribbons from last year's gifts, dried leaves, stamps and beads. I'll post photos.

2. Saved glass milk jugs to fill with candy, instead of elaborate, plastic wrapped truffle boxes

3. Used rechargeable candles instead of wax ones (I suppose the ecological benefit of this is debatable, but at least our house won't burn down)!

4. Collected fallen branch pines for wreaths, instead of buying material (at my Lake I saw many people doing the same, dragging huge branches behind them and one woman even had an armful of toxic berries - how fun)!

5. Shopped locally and all in one town so we didn't have to drive far.

It's a decent start, anyway! Feel free to share your ideas for the holiday too. And check out this Christmas tree!