Mindfulness

Why "mindfulness?" I'll come to that. But, as an American I can't ignore the elephant in the living room which of course was John McCain in tonight's Presidential debate.

A McCain presidency is only beneficial to a very narrow group of people. It's a very simplistic, controlled world view of right and wrong. A view where everyone else is bad and we're good; We must Win at all costs, because we're right. It's a fear-based reality where the boogeyman is out to get us, and EVERYONE else is the boogeyman. We need wars, weapons, and a very jaundiced eye toward anyone who talks or looks different. It's very convenient to play on this type of fear when Obama is so clearly "different." Russians, Iranians, and yes, Obamas are the enemy. The danger of this type of thinking is that at any time, YOU could easily become one of the bad and disenfranchised. Lose your home, or job and you're on the wrong side. Make a wrong decision, lose your health insurance, go broke and you're on the wrong side. Gay or alternative lifestyle? You are definitely wrong -- and here's the real danger -- not part of the Christian Pro-Life? War protester? You are anti-American! More wire-tapping and witch hunting. NO! It must stop!

If you care about real American values, like freedom and choice, then you simply cannot vote for McCain; it's too dangerous. We've seen our rights eroding over the past eight years and after watching tonight I felt a chill up my spine at the thought of McCain/Palin being the next "deciders." We're in trillions of dollars of debt and about to take on more. We can't continue favoring only the wealthiest (or war heroes or Christians) at the expense of everyone else.

Now, back to mindfulness. I had decided I simply couldn't continue with the political ranting. As I retire from my government day job, I've been spending more and more time with creative and spiritual pursuits. Mindfulness training is my true passion. The goal is to be mindful -- not just during meditation -- but off the cushion, as well. That means considering how my speech and actions affect others. Do no harm. So, I will strive to be more mindful of my actions, but at the same time, those who aspire to the highest office in this Democracy (and I still believe it is a Democracy not a banana republic) must also. Who is the most mindful candidate? For me, that is clearly Barack Obama. If you can make another case, please post below.

Houdini Politics

When is a Republican not a Republican? It's Magic! No, it's John McCain trying to BS Americans into believing that he's not really a Republican. He criticizes the Beltway Boys yet is essentially a lifer in that club, having served 26 years in Washington. He's going to shake himself up? Oh, yeah, the maverick... a wild ass, rip roaring rebel who literally put me to sleep during his boring RNC speech. Can someone remind me, please, why he was considered a maverick? For disagreeing with his party? Read on.

He was, and is, a Reagan Republican and when we look back at St Reagan we know that trickle down economics and illegal arms trading (the Iran-Contra Affair) were disasters. But, forget ancient history, let's look at more recent times. He's a staunch supporter of the Bush/Cheney Iraq war -- in the beginning and even if it lasts 100 years, in his own words. And, voted FOR the Patriot Act -- originally (as most Senators did), but McCain voted to REAUTHORIZE in 2006, when thinking folks were voting no. The controversial Patriot Act is the law that enables wiretapping and surveillance against anyone (you or me) and we can be arrested and thrown in jail WITHOUT DUE PROCESS if suspected of "terrorist activities." (like blogging?) Check McCain's positions:
Civil Liberties | Everything.

But, if you don't care about your rights (to speak, write, practice your own religion, make choices about your own body) then vote for these "rebels." Real rebels and mavericks would not support these truly anti-American laws. Like lambs to slaughter, McCain and Palin will lead us further into repression and recession, whistling as we go, blinded by Pretty Woman and POW. Don't be fooled again.

As my friend reminded me yesterday, of Americans: fool me once (Bush) shame on you. Fool me twice (Bush re-elected, Shame on US.) Three times? Then were just damn fools!

Northern Exposure

My, my! I'm sitting here eating my Caribou Coffee bar pondering where to grab a mooseburger for lunch. I can hardly believe that Mr. McSame picked the Alaskan "MooseChick" Governor, Sarah Palin, for his running mate. Wow! At first blush, it might seem that wild women like myself might enjoy this and consider voting for the newly formed ticket. No how, no Way! As soon as you investigate this gun-totin', Moose huntin' mama, you find out she's Ultra Conservative. Pro-life and NRA lifer (an oxymoron), pro oil drilling (right into the northern nature preserves), anti-gay, extreme religious right -- the hits just keep on coming. So, forget Sarah, Plain and Tall.
What I do like is that my oddball collection of Northern Exposure videos and DVDs will increase in value. I can have a lot of fun with this, like why not download the Northern Exposure theme song to your cell phone? I might ;) (at least have a listen, it's GREAT!) Don't remember this show? Best bone up on all things Northern!

Labor Day (sic) Moose Mama Update: Thankfully the wild web stories that little Twig (or is it Trig) is Palin's baby and not her grandson were false. Her teenage daughter is pregnant. These people breed like rabbits and that's my concern with the famous Pro-Life stance. What if we all wanted 5 - 10 kids and they were all procreating as soon as their hormones allowed? The planet is too crowded now. More of us need to be as responsible with human offspring as we are with our pets. The real immorality is allowing humanity to increase exponentially when we don't have the resources to manage what we have now.

And, finally, open message to big mouth James Carvelle: Shut Up! Let them run her for VP. Wish I could play poker against you (showing your hand.) If you force her out, McSame might wise up and get a real contender. duh!

Infinite Galactic Gateway

Only those who know me really well will know what I mean when I say "my contract has expired." I felt it was my Mission - my life's purpose to publish my PKD/ "end times" novel on this auspicious date.
It's extremely difficult to watch this date pass by and my important message remains unfinished.

My novel starts with Doomsday hype surrounding the Great Cosmic Alignment of 1982 and ends with some ideas about the Solstice of 2012: which is 12-21-2012 and the end of the Mayan calendar. Why can't I complete this project? I struggle constantly with my resistance. (Maybe it's not yet time?)

The mystical and mysterious meaning of these dates will be included in the story -- because I'm not tossing in the towel or giving up yet. The concepts in AKS just become more complex and more crucial. Sigh -- it will emerge eventually, and in time to reveal 11:11 and 2012 prophecies. It must!

So, this date (in '08) belongs to the Olympics and Clay Aiken (America's singer) whose son was born at 8:08 AM on 08-08-08. And, to my tragically tainted John Edwards whose entire exceptional career is now ruined over the personal intimacy he shared with a documentary producer. In the future only cloistered, emotionally impoverished prudes (or Mother Theresa and the Dalai Lama), can qualify for US President. Now that is tragic. We'll never have another handsome, passionate John F. Kennedy in this tabloid climate. Our paranoid population prefers McSame, and is too ignorant to see that the likes of him and Bush are the reason for wars and why terrorists hate the USA. Yes -- my Galactic Gateway to Infinity is tarnished and thankfully, now it's gone.

Total Solar Eclipse

From Canada to Outer Mongolia, millions of people observed a Total Solar Eclipse today. For those of us in the US, who could only enjoy in Second Life, here's a fun page with a video replay.

Total eclipses (solar or lunar) have always been considered omens. But, regardless of your beliefs or thoughts, it's an awe-inspiring phenomenon. It's amazing that the earth is just the right distance from the sun and moon so the moon can appear to perfectly eclipse the sun. Any variation in those distances would not create the perfect obscured effect. (You can observe demonstrations of this fact on the various sites here.)

I thought I remembered a total Solar Eclipse from my childhood, but according to this map there would not have been one where I grew up (in the Midwest) since before I was born. The one in 1991 passed sort of close to New Mexico, and I recall going out on the plaza during the day using the "pin hole in paper" method to view it on a piece of cardboard, since we didn't get the total effect here.

If you want to plan for the next total Solar Eclipse visible in the US, here you go. (It's not until 2017, so you have some time ;)

Wesak Moon

Two months since I posted -- wow! I know why. I had decided that blogging was bogus. Why should I put all my personal thoughts and feelings on the web for every weirdo to view? Why publish a book, then, if that's the attitude? Why bother with anything?
OK, that said, I've decided to only post material that would be beneficial -- not just ranting and raving as I was before on the old blog and even here.

Yes, Tolle got to me. I was listening to Eckhart Tolle before, during and after his Oprah "outting." Not that kind of outting -- his unveiling to the public. I think he's the "real deal" and very inspirational.

and, now for Wesak -- a Festival for the full moon in May . It's the highest holy day (s) for devout Buddhists. Vesak (pronounced way-sak), commemorates Buddha's birth, death, and enlightenment and occurs every year on the full moon in May. Many devotees wear simple white clothing and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe and meditate on the Noble Truths and Eight Precepts. Since the actual Wesak Moon is Monday (at 8:11 pm MDT), I'll begin the ceremonies now (Sunday) and try to hold the intention during the phase of the moon. Always difficult on work days, but that's the most important lesson; staying centered in the face of adversity. Om mani padme hum