amomholdsmany's Blog

Solomon7,

You need to rewrite your post and "click" the tab so that "comments" are accepted.  Otherwise, no one can comment and your post is a statement, rather than a dialogue.

 

I know a few competent construction workers who are, for the moment, available as they're awaiting the opening of a new foundation before they start a new project.  You can write to me at amomholdsmany@aol and we can figure out what you need and if these guys can help you remedy this frightful situation.  This is the second home-salvaging remedy I've been asked to put together in 2 weeks because of disreputable construction companies.  What is the matter with these people??? 

 

Congratulations on your new baby.  While conditions for parenthood are never ideal -- always an hurdle one way or the other -- your ingenuity will bring out the best in you and you can take the solace which we all know is so sweet -- that you did the very best you could against what is, truly, the "wolf at the door."   Best of luck and Godspeed.

Well, friends, Liberty and "the Cong" have outdone themselves and we welcomed a litter of ten (yes, ten) incredibly beautiful Labra-doodle/Chow (Chowda-doodle?) pups into our doggie nursery between 3AM and 6AM on October 2.  They are really quite something to see.  They're a little young yet to take pictures because I think that the flash wouldn't be too good for their eyes -- but this event will certainly motivate me to figure out how to use the web cam that came with this computer (lying dormant until somebody shows me how to use it -- Xan??)

 

There are five females and five males, all black; some w/ slight white markings at the collar bone, e.g. "one dot," "two dots," "bow tie," "dove," "crusader cross," etc.  They're sleek and look like baby seal pups absent the hereditary Chow Chow furry mane.  They are exceptionally large for 3 day old pups and have inherited their Mom's exceptional height and Dad's unique Chow physique.  They'll be quite a showpiece for a mix pup.

 

Mom is highly attentive while Dad looks in curiously at them and settles down outside the nursery quite pleased with himself.  Uncle Jussy's checking in, just waiting for them to get big enough for some serious play. 

 

This message is especially for Chloe-Jean.  If you want one, you're pup will be ready at Christmastime (then age 12 wks), will be fully housebroken w/ first shots and have the wonderful traits of their parents and Uncle Jussy:  highly intelligent, great guardian and hunter/ess.  Yours is the pick of the litter. 

 

Please email me at amomholdsmany@aol.  Thank you, Fox25, for the opportunity to share our treasures with a family who lost theirs through no fault of their own.  Families have to stick together these days, right, folks?

We are pleased to announce that we are expecting Libby to whelp in a matter of days.  The "Cong" sired this litter around August 5, so sometime next week -- she'll have her litter.  She's a 120 lb. loveable, very large (tall) Labra-doodle w/ short, black, curly coat and the "Cong" is 100 lb. pure, gorgeous Chow Chow, long, straight, fluffy black fur, tightly curled tail who looks and acts like a regal, settled teddy bear.   Both parents are exceptionally clean, beautifully behaved and terrific w/ kids.  Uncle Jussie (pure Shetland Sheepdog) couldn't be happier.  He loves to play!  We want the pups nurtured by their parents so that they acquire these excellent traits.  At the earliest, the pups will be ready for their new homes around Christmastime. 

 

Please be assured that references will be especially carefully checked.   In most cases, there will be a fee to assure responsible ownership.

 

The purpose of this blog is not to advertise "pups for sale."   We've plenty of prospective owners that know us, the parents and want their pup (especially at Christmas -- great timing, Libby!), which is sure to be big, smart, loyal, loveable, very handsome dog.  Only families which will welcome us back for a visit -- so Libby can be content that her pup is safe and not just missing ~~ perish the thought~~.

 

The exclusive purpose for writing this post is to find how to contact the family that lost their beautiful white shepherd to an hit & run driver a few months back.  Please let me know at amomholdsmany@aol.  I promised this family a pup and want to make sure that family has "right of first refusal" because they had to endure such sadness for losing their dog in such a way.

 

Thanks, friends.

I STAND AT THE DOOR

((An Apologia for my Life) by Sam Shoemaker (Oxford Group)

I stand by the door.  I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out. The door is the most important door in the world -- it is the door through which men walk when they find God.  There is no use in my going way inside and staying there when so many are still outside and they, as much as I, crave to know where is the door.  And all that so many ever find is only the wall where the door ought to be.  They creep along the wall like blind men with outstretched, groping hands, feeling for a door -- knowing there must be a door -- yet they never find it.  So, I stand by the door.

 

The most tremendous thing in the world is for men to find that door -- the door to God.  The most important thing that any man can do is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands and put it on the latch -- the latch that only clicks and opens to the man's own touch.  Men die outside the door, as starving beggars die on cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter.  Die for want of what is within their reach.  They live on the other side of it and die because they have not found it.  Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it, and open it and walk in and find Him.  So, I stand by the door.

 

Go in great saints; go all the way in -- go way down into the cavernous cellars and way up to the spacious attics.  It is a vast, roomy House, this House where is God.  Go into the deepest of hidden casements of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood.  Some must inhabit those inner rooms and know the Depths and Heights of God -- and call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.  Sometimes I take a deeper look in.  Sometimes venture in a little farther but my place seems closer to the opening.  So, I stand by the door.

 

There is another reason why I stand there.  Some people get part way in and become afraid lest God and the Zeal of His House devour them.  For God is so Very Great and Asks all of us.  And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia and want to get out.  "Let me out!" they cry.  And the people way inside only terrify them more.  Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled for the old life.  They have seen too much.  One Taste of God and nothing but God will do anymore.  Somebody must be watching for the frightened who seek to sneak out just where they came in -- to tell them how much better it is inside.  The people too far in do not see how near these are to leaving -- preoccupied by the Wonder of it All.  Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door but would try to run away.  So, for them, too, I stand by the door.

 

I admire the people who go way in.  But I wish they would not forget how it was before they got in.  Then they would be able to help the people who have not yet even found the door.  Or the people who want to run away again from God.  You can go in too deeply and stay in too long and forget the people outside the door.  As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place -- near enough to God to hear Him and know He IS there but not so far from men as to not hear them and remember they are there too, seeking but not finding the latch that only their hand can open.  So, I stand by the door.

 

Where?  Outside the door -- thousands of them -- millions of them.  But more important for me is one of them, two of them, ten of them -- whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.  So, I shall stand by the door and wait for those who seek it.  I had rather be a door-keeper.  So, I stand by the door.

 

Well, we're back from our ten day "summer vacation."  Every year I take my two boys and one or two friends off on a camping adventure and this year brought us to the "Little River Campground" in Gloucester.  What a beautiful and secluded, antique and lovely place --  "Little River" was originally a parochial school campground and the white w/ emerald trim buildings, some of which are dormatories of single rooms w/ shared bath, are built on pilings extending out into the Little River (a tributary of the Annisquam).  

From Exit 14 off Rt. 128, follow the W. Gloucester sign for about 5 miles, continue passed the "Wingersheek Beach" sign.  Beneath a picturesque, granite railroad trestle at a country road reverse curve, look along the left for a railroad crossing -- which road is Stanwood Ave.  Follow Stanwood Ave. and the "Little River Campground" signs down to the right (Stanwood Point) and you'll come to a parcel of land so perfect that it's a wonder that it's not better known because it is truly extraordinary. 

 As you enter there's a field of camper/tent sites w/ water and electric on the left.  The office is cheerfully decorated w/ flowers and a red, white and blue "OPEN" flag.  Up a steep little hill are more camper/tent sites and along the hill are (more modern) efficiency cottages with incomparable views, below which are the original buildings, white and emerald trimmed.   There's a dock and another dock under construction by the manager, Pete, who is a jovial, knowledgeable, gentle and welcoming soul, running the campground for the owner, Big Pete, who grew up as a boy in the area and purchased the property about ten years ago.  Big Pete was just as pleasant and welcoming and the employees truly make you feel like "family." 

The area is so restful and its beauty and natural phenomena cannot be captured in pictures.  Each building is appended with a sign, naming the building, e.g., Salty, Shady, Tree House, etc.  Sleeping is especially therapeutic with cool river breezes and absolute, unmitigated q-u-i-e-t.  Crickets only can be heard and the traffic noises and technology (which you don't realize are so prevalent) are long left behind the weary traveler, entering a place holding sacred a long-forgotten age where what is simple is special and kept that way.

Striper fishing was plentiful and after Pete (the manager) finished his chores for the day, he came to take my boys "tubing" in his boat on the river -- never asking for a fee, not even for gasoline.  The tubing lasted about three hours and as darkness approached, he took the boys for a tour of the river -- all because that's the kind of person he is -- treating his guests like "family."  Judy (Pete's wife) came to the cottage to visit on one particularly hot, oppressively humid afternoon about 5:00 P.M. after her full day's work -- only to ask if I needed any help, cleaning up after three teenage boys!!!

Don't miss this wonderful spot, within a "stone's throw" of Gloucester center, movie theater (the boys took in two movies) and all the tourist attractions.  Campers, all strangers to one another, gather by the water after dark and converse over a cold beer and laugh and talk, enjoying one another like old friends and the aroma of campfires sweetens the air.   "Little River Campground" is that kind of place.  It is the jewel of Gloucester.  I hope the Fox25 bloggers find and enjoy this spot as much as we did.  We'll definitely be back.  Thank you, Pete and Judy, for the best vacation and memories the boys will have for a lifetime.  The "Little River Campground" is the place that your grandfather would have taken you -- and it hasn't changed since his time.  With all the hype and glitz available for purchase by the vacationer -- you won't find any of that at "Little River."  Peace, tranquility, natural phenomena, lovely people and accommodations at very reasonable prices with all the extras g-i-v-e-n by generous, old-fashioned people who truly enjoy seeing that their guests are comfortable and happy.  

You can reach the Little River Office at 978.283.2616 and the website is listed under CapeAnneVacations.com.  Now that the boys have had their vacation, I think I'll take a peaceful night or two, off by myself, in a dorm on the water.  After ten days of three teenaged boys fishing, swimming, tubing, lobstering  -- I really need a rest!  See ya there!

AOL News today, 7/22/07, reports Ms. Jamie Keifer,  her sister and another male invaded the home of the adoptive mother of Keifer's 5-month old daughter.  Keifer then took physical custody of her own infant child by kidnapping the baby, tying the adoptive mother with an electrical cord, allegedly at gunpoint, while leaving the adoptive mother's 5-year old child unharmed but without adequate supervision (in light of the fact that the child's mother was tied).

This is a serious array of terrible crimes but, having defended mothers falsely accused of  "abuse and neglect," subjected to removal/abduction of their children by procedural manipulation and termination of parental rights without just cause or due process of law -- the horrendous events in Mississippi cause me to wonder if the degree of horror involved in any way reflects the horror caused the natural mother during the adoption process.

I was once called upon to measure my principles against the levy of legal proceedings when an innocent, falsely accused mother -- whose 5 children had been removed in no less than a state-sponsored home invasion -- was accused of "parental kidnapping" when she scooped the children away on a "visit," removed them from the US to her country of origin, returned to the US with one child (so that their Visas were kept in order -- as the mom was truly a law abiding citizen) -- to hide in my home from the Commonwealth in order that they could begin to recover and restore their family's integrity from this hideous, Holocaust-revisited, assault of malevolent, incompetent state agents-provocateur.

How could I turn these human beings away?  How could I, in good conscience, leave them to the savagry of the street -- or worse, the authorities?  How could I take them in without placing my family in the same jeopardy as occurred in Mississippi -- accessory after the fact of kidnapping and harbouring of fugitives?  How could I?

I could and I did.  In 1992, I welcomed the mom, dad and one child into a spare bedroom for a little more than one year, introduced them to our community and church leaders, enabled them to find employment and legal representation.

I had worked on several cases of false allegations of "abuse and neglect" and had become known for my careful, s-e-n-s-i-b-l-e work by several members of executive law enforcement, the Inspector General's Chief Investigator and an Asst. Attorney General for the Commonwealth.  I was able to call the police lieutenant overseeing the community from which the children were allegedly "kidnapped" and (then unknown to) the District Attorney's Chief Detective for Child Abuse in the county where we were  (thentofore) living in peace.  I also contacted the State Rep. and State Senator for that county and told each and all that this former neighbor and trusted friend was falsely accused, diligent and competent, loving mother, required HUMANE treatment and compassion and no further brutality of stormtrooper state workers hunting her and her children.

I could never express my gratitude:   each of the above -- while their first obligation was to "bring the fugitive to Justice," by placing her under arrest and, again, taking her child -- DID NOT.  They appreciated my trust in them as the true and sterling professionals they were/are and the Dept. of SS was not notified that the parents and child were concealed from apprehension in my home with my family for that year.

Violence can never be condoned -- either by the natural parent OR by the state employees proliferating paperwork (which also "cuts like a knife," conveniently without "film at eleven") -- this story needs to be told so that the citizens can be made aware that Massachusetts executive law enforcement recognized the needs of the citizen above and beyond the mechanics of duty and upheld the People over those they recognized as the true criminals:  The Enemy Of The Mother Is No Friend Of The Child. 

Protected by good policework in the above errand of mercy, shortly thereafter, the agents-provocateur turned their "sights" on me, my children and those which upheld us -- and there begins another story ....  Thanks.

While "political correctness" and the "politics of personal destruction" have been with us since the beginning of time --  in my 50 years on the planet, I don't remember them being ever as prevalent and travailing against us as they are today, infused into every aspect of life. 

Here's an example:  Just two days ago someone wrote a blog criticizing a celebrated Fox25 analyst for a relatively insignificant hand gesture -- actually what was in his hand during the TV segment, a cigar. 

Wasting no time -- on to Page 1 of the Fox25 blog -- under the cover of a pseudonym, the thought provoking analyst, an eloquent speaker, was "tied to the whippin' post" and the station criticized for promoting unhealthy misconduct -- while 60,000 cars puff-puff-puffed far more concentrated, noxious fumes as they passed by in the backdrop, completely unnoticed and not subject to "anonymous reporters'"criticism??? 

The reflex is to point to the man holding the cigar. 

But, "don't bother me with the facts," as one who exalts him/herself above the rest of us, thrilled to run to an accessible media, trendy "scoop" in hand to compose and publish angry and inaccurate (given the outside atmosphere) words under the complete protection of anonymity.  

The critical blog was vacated a few hours after being published and we, the People, where were not given the space to say: 

Society's renewed interest, energy and reflex to point, scoff, rally, charge and prosecute (and if not reaching a true criminal standard) then persecute other of our members in a Free society, solely on the basis of interpretation, is a strike against everyone's Liberty and a far more lethal poison which is intended, by its proponents (and its ancient beginnings), to ultimately consume us, all. 

Anonymous reporting is a filthy pasttime.  It is the unringing of the Bells of Freedom and a known hewn path to the death knoll.

Recipients of anonymous "reports" (which are not "reports" under any correct definition, but rather, euphemized, unqualified "opinions") should HANG 'EM HIGH.  Redact the name/s of the accused, publish the text/s and condemn the unknown author as the true troublemaker and, perhaps ... just perhaps ... our society may begin to heal from this invisible scourge, leaving hideous wounds on the accused but conveniently hiding the aggressor from view, free to roam, lie in wait, prey upon and scourge again, immune from behind the veil of secrecy. 

Those likewise imperfect people doing the telling should count their own sins before they, anonymously over a wide spectrum, lash out against the personal attributes and idiosyncracies of others lest they, in time, find themselves, one day, the target of an anonymous "reporter" spewing venomous words without a process by which to secure Justice.

And if a gentlemen and scholar, leader in the business community, who -- from the work it took to advance a sterling career has achieved some notoriety on the basis of time tested, valid positions -- is so easily targeted (and the verbal assault, once published, then hidden) what possible chance do you or I have to remain standing?

Thank you.

I AM AN AMERICAN

We have gathered here to affirm a faith, a faith in a common purpose, a comon conviction, a common devotion.  Some of us have chosen America as the land of our adoption; the rest have come from those who did the same.  For this reason we have some right to consider ourselves a picked group, a group of those who had the courage to break from the past and brave the dangers and the loneliness of a strange land.

What was the object that nerved us, or those who went before us, to this choice?  We sought liberty; freedom from oppression, freedom from want, freedom to be ourselves.  This we then sought; this we now believe that we are by way of winning.

What do we mean when we say that first of all we seek liberty?  I often wonder whether we do not rest our hopes too much upon constitutions, upon laws and upon courts.  These are false hopes; believe me, these are false hopes.  Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it; no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it.  While it lies there it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it.

And what is this liberty which must lie in the hearts of men and women?  It is not the ruthless, the unbridled will; it is not freedom to do as one likes.  That is the denial of liberty, and leads straight to its overthrow.  A society in which men recognize no check upon their freedom soon becomes a society where freedom is the possession of only a savage few; as we have learned to our sorrow.

What, then, is the spirit of liberty?  I cannot define it; I can only tell you my own faith.  The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the minds of other men and women; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which weighs their interests alongside its own without bias; the spirit of liberty remembers that not even a sparrow falls to earth undeeded.

The spirit of liberty is the spirit of Him who, near two thousand years ago, taught mankind that lesson it has never learned, but has never quite forgotten; that there may be a Kingdom where the least shall be heard and considered side by side with the greatest.

And now ... in the spirit of that America for which our young men are at this moment fighting and dying; in that spirit of liberty and of America I ask you to rise and with me pledge our faith in the glorious destiny of our beloved country.  I now ask you to raise your hands and repeat with me this Pledge.

Biographical note:  Learned Hand (1872-1961), a federal judge from 1909 - 1951, was known as protector of liberty and free speech and as the "10th Justice of the Supreme Court" as he is one of the most frequently cited in our legal history.  This speech, entitled "I AM AN AMERICAN' and also known as "The Spirit of Liberty" was given on May 21, 1944 in Central Park, NY.

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Biographical note:  Francis Bellamy, a socialist minister,  is the original author of  "The Pledge," published in 1892 in "The Youth's Companion" magazine in recognition of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the American continent.  It is daily recited in public and private schools throughout America, reinforcing the patriotic duty of each individual.  In 1954, Congress amended "The Pledge," adding the words "under God."  On June 26, 2002, Sr. Judge Alfred Goodwin of the California 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled those words an unconstitutional violation of the relatively common but unchartered phrase: separation of church and state.

Commentary:  Perhaps Judge Goodwin hadn't read or was unfamiliar with Learned Hand and Judge Hand's greater than two thousand (2,000) decisions, the most frequently quoted Judge in US history when he wrote the above, repeated here for the exquisite beauty of the wisdom and carefully crafted warning for those to come:   "It is not the ruthless, the unbridled will; it is not freedom to do as one likes.  That is the denial of liberty, and leads straight to its overthrow.  A society in which men recognize no check upon their freedom soon becomes a society where freedom is the possesson of only a savage few; as we have learned to our sorrow."

Or, must we suffer untolled greater sorrows for having shaken off the special wisdom of a reknowned Judge (sitting for more than a generation on the Bench) in favor of repeating the thrill of temptation and exhilarating experience of an "head first" dive into a shallow pretense which surreptitiously precipitates savagry; no longer surreptitious for having been meticulously defined by the knowledgeable man inscribing these words, one Learned Hand, as he prepared his speech to preserve and protect his countrymen and women and the citizens of the future, reading this today, just 63 years and a few days from the day these words were spoken in Central Park, NY, nearly 169 years from the signing of the Declaration of Independence and a mere 19 years from the 1963 Supreme Court decision which declared the public display of the Ten Commandments unconstitutional, beginning the elimination of God from His People, spawning the unchartered phrase "separation of church and state," having evolved to this day when a beloved Judge would dare not refer to the Omnipresence and Truth of Almighty God in a public forum for f-e-a-r of retribution begun by an "head first" dive into a shallow pretense which warning was most articulately and lovingly given that these are dangerous waters with no depth to contain such a "spirit," the essence of mankind and the benefactor of an humane condition where Truth has been reversed by Justice under seige,  where the bells of Freedom are tightly shacked so as nevermore to ring so that the People will forget her song and Liberty lies dying; no constitution, law or court can save her.

Fourth of July, 2007.

 

Isn't anyone as startled as am I?  Seven hundred dollars ( yes, $700.00) for a pair of women's shorts isn't the MOST ABSURD statement ever made on the morning news? 

 

Q certainly appeared somewhat startled despite her ultra-professional demeanor when holding herself together in the middle of interviewing for the fashion segment.  A model wore a pair of high & wide waisted, big buttoned, large cuffed (almost) Bermuda, khaki shorts which were said to have been crafted from a [paraphrased] "very special, expensive, luxurious cotton fabric" (said with a straight face!) which PRICE TAG IS $700.00.  Yes, $700.00.  For a pair of khaki shorts with cuffs and buttons.  No typo here. 

 

I think I'll take a pair of old, soft, well-worn cotton "Mommy" jeans, cut 'em up, take a three inch cuff and some large (alot more fancy) buttons from my button jar (for which I paid twenty-five cents ($.25) at a yard sale) and craft a pair of $700 look-a-likes for about seventy cents.  Yes, that's $.70.  No typo here!

 

With regard to the Comm. of Virginia new speeding "civil remedial fee," VB is probably correct discerning the process to have been given a "made up name" (probably by an overpaid, loftily degreed, "hoity-toity" nomenclature engineer) by which the Virginia legislature will now reap enormous sums from operators caught speeding (20 mph over the limit = $200 (negotiable) ticket + merit rating/insurance increase + an additional $350/yr for three (3) years (non-negotiable) fine -- which "made up name" permits the too clever Virginia legislature access to the enormity of this new revenue stream without having to share the money with the schools -- yes, VB -- isn't that convenient? -- as their speeding ticket revenue is earmarked for funding their schools.  "What happens in VA is sure to be coming to MA."   Perhaps Virginia doesn't have an head injury research fund -- not that clever after all, oh well ....

 

VB's analogy was "if you go 75 mph in a 55 mph zone - NOW which one of us hasn't done that recently?" - at which point the above formula is assessed against the speeding operator in Virginia as of yesterday.

 

FOX25 Morning Crew:  Listen up.  We want you at your jobs in the morning -- unhurt, not catastrophically injured and not dead.  NO SPEEDING.  NO SPEEDING.  NO SPEEDING.  What makes that so difficult?  Nice cars with good shocks?   DO NOT SPEED.  It's that simple.  You all (and your bloggers) are very intelligent, well educated, articulate, concerned, dutiful, professionals/parents (or, someday, may be).  Someone must have the ability to do the math which demonstrates UNEQUIVOCALLY that speeding increases risk - vociferously - and simply doesn't extrapolate out to more than a ten minute gain under any physical formula given the unreliability of road conditions on any given day.  YOU'RE VERY SMART.  YOU ARE LOVED BY YOUR FAMILIES AND YOUR FANS.  SMARTEN UP. 

 

Provided half the gross amount recovered is distributed to the individual school principals, equally apportioned among the students enrolled and the other one-half the gross is likewise distributed among the families of armed forces serving in combat -- I'm all in favor of such a measure which will significantly reduce the numbers of speeding cars on our roadways.  The new limitations which target teenagers are apparently working (but are extraordinarily discriminatory).  Adults which speed are more of a danger on the roadways:  1. speeding is too dangerous for EVERYONE (speed doesn't discriminate in who it maims/kills); and 2. speeding adults form a terrible example for the teens at the beginning of lifetime driving duties and obligations where, clearly, among the adult duties and obligations is to provide a good example for the youth. 

 

$3.00+ gal. gas, $4.00 coffees, $600 I-phones, $700 "luxury" shorts (don't forget to add the luxury tax to each pair), +/- $1500 per speeding ticket -- what's next??  $20.00 for jimmies on an $100 ice cream cone?   Let the dogs bark a little, kids swim with glee, mothers nurse, can/bottlers take, ice-cream man sing the songs of olde.  Take a breath, get a grip, slow down.  Remember "all that glitters isn't gold" and that you have a purpose on this Earth and it's not to be s-t-u-p-i-d and "fall for" the next "whoopla-whoopdidoo" hype that comes "down the pike!"   $700 for shorts ... too much is not enough?   Thanks.

Hi, All, Just following up on Dave Wade's earlier blog about Farfour, telling us of the Islamafascist version of Mickey Mouse.  Alas, here is Farfour's obituary.  Whether or not Dave will be unhappy about Farfour's untimely demise, surely he and the rest of us will find the barbaric and fallacial way he was killed unsettling.  This is entertainment for children in the primitive Middle East, perpetuating terrorism, ignorance and despair: Farfour, We Hardly Knew Ya

Posted Jun 29th 2007 3:59PM by Ben Greenman
Filed under: Middle East, TV

 

Farfour, the propagandist mouse from Hamas TV, is no more. In the final episode, he was beaten to death by an actor posing as an Israeli official trying to buy Farfour's land.
"Farfour was martyred while defending his land," said Sara, the teen presenter. He was killed "by the killers of children," she added.
This brings to a close one of the strangest and most disturbing examples of propaganda in recent memory. What do you think? Are you sad to see Farfour go? Concerned about what the next character will be? Any suggestions?

The following is a complete transcription of an article which exerpts a speech given July 2, 2005 by Salman Rushdie, author of "The Satanic Verses," against whom a "fatwah" (death sentence) was issued by Iranian Ayatollah Kohmeni during the 1990s which "fatwah" remains, today, in full force and effect and Salman Rushdie lives in hiding.  It is interesting that an Iranian, having lived under radical political oppression, would have the courage to speak these scholarly thoughts while living under a death sentence.  Let those that readeth, understand.

 

DEFEND THE RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED

Salman Rushdie

 

"The moment you declare a set of ideas to be immune from criticism, satire, derision, or contempt, freedom of thought becomes impossible."  Salman Rushdie sounds the call for a new enlightenment.  7/2/05.

 

I was in Washington just before the Iraq war began in March, 2003 and was invited to speak to groups of senators from both parties.  The most obvious distinction between the Democrats and the Republicans was that the Republicans used exclusively religious language.  They discussed why they hadn't seen each other at a certain prayer meeting.  One senator said to me, in tones of genuine horror, that what he disliked most about Osama bin Laden was that he called America a Godless country.  He said: "How can he call us Godless?  We're incredibly God-fearing!"

 

I said, "Well, senator, I suppose he doesn't think so."   But his outrage at being presented as un-Godly was undeniably sincere.  He meant business.  And the increasing power of God-fearing America -- of the Christian coalition, Mel Gibson, The Passion of the Christ variety -- subsequently determined the result of the November 2004 presidential election.

 

Now here in Britain I discover another kind of Anschluss of liberal values in the face of resurgent religious demands.  One of the results is the proposal by Tony Blair's government -- under the auspices of its Serious and Organised Crime and Police Bill -- to introduce a ban on the "incitement to hatred on religious grounds."

 

The pressure of members of English PEN has wrested a late concession from the government, which has renamed the proposed offence "hatred against persons on racial or religious grounds."  But the danger the legislation carries for freedom of speech, while diminished, remain[s].  It seems we need to fight the battle for the Enlightenment all over again in Europe as well as in the United States.

 

That battle was about the church's desire to place limits on thought.  The Enlightenment wasn't a battle against the state but against the church.  Diderot's novel La Religieuse (1760), with its portrayal of nuns and their behaviour, was deliberately blasphemous; it challenged religious authority, with its indexes and inquisitions, on what it was possible to say.  Most of our contemporary ideas about freedom of speech and imagination come from the Enlightenment.  We may have thought the battle won.  If we aren't careful, it is about to be "un-won."

 

Offence and insult are part of everyday life for people in Britain.  All you have to do is open a daily paper and there's plenty to offend.  Or you can walk into the religious books' section of a bookshop and discover you're damned to various kinds of eternal hellfire, which is certainly insulting, not to say overheated.

 

The idea that any kind of free society can be constructed in which people will never be offended or insulted is absurd.  So too is the notion that people should have the right to call on the law to defend them against being offended or insulted.  A fundamental decision needs to be made; do we want to live in a free society or not?  Democracy is not a tea party where people sit around making polite conversation.  In democracies people get extremely upset with each other.  They argue vehemently against each other's positions.  (But they don't shoot.)

 

At Cambridge University I was taught a laudable method of argument:  you never personalise, but you have absolutely no respect for people's opinions.  You are never rude to the person, but you can be savagely rude about what the person thinks.  That seems to me a crucial distinction; people must be protected from discrimination by virtue of their race, but you cannot ring-fence their ideas.  The moment you say that any idea system is sacred, whether it's a religious belief system or a secular ideology, the moment you declare a set of ideas to be immune from criticism, satire, derision, or contempt, freedom of thought becomes impossible.

 

Now, with its proposed law "to prevent hatred being stirred up against people targeted because of their religious beliefs," the current British government has set out to create that impossibility.  Privately its architects will tell you the law is designed to please "the Muslims."  But which Muslims, when and on what day?

 

THE ABILITY OF THIS LAW TO PROTECT  "THE MUSLIMS" SEEMS TO ME ARGUABLE.  IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT INSTEAD IT WILL BE USED AGAINST THE MUSLIMS BEFORE IT'S USED AGAINST ANYONE ELSE.   [Emphasis and underscore added in transcription.]  There are identifiable racist and right-wing groups in this country who would argue that Muslims are the ones inciting religious hatred, and these groups will use, or try to use, this law.

 

There is no question that there also are Muslim leaders who are anxious to prosecute -- for example  --  The Satanic Verses, and will try to do so if this law is passed.  So this law will unleash some major expressions of intolerance.  [Underscore added in transcription.]

 

Already, at a threatre in England's second-largest city, Birmingham, rioting Sikhs have forced the closure of a play set in a Sikh temple by a young woman writer of Sikh origin.  Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti -- and the government has said nothing to criticise what was effectively criminal action.  The novelist Hanif Kureishi made one of the best comments about the affair, when he noted that the theatre where Bezhti ("Dishonour") had been performed was a temple, too.  Evangelical Christians caught on quickly and protested against the BBC's screening of Jerry Springer -- The Opera. 

The response of many British writers on this issue has revealed striking failures of perception.  I took issue with Ian Jack, editor of the respected literary magazine Granta, when he said that he was happy to support the British police when they defended Rupert Murdoch's printing plant in Wapping, London, from striking, printworkers in 1986, but did not think that the Birmingham theatre and its play should be protected from the threatening Sikhs.  Forgive me for not seeing the logic of the principle of "self-restraint."  It seems to me to be a liberal failure to say that even though we don't understand what is upsetting those who say they are offended, we shouldn't upset them.  That's condescension.  That's saying "you can have your little religion over there in the corner and we won't fool with you."

 

This article is adapted from Salman Rushdie's speech  to English PEN at the launch of its "Free Expression is No Offence" campaign in January 2005.

 

What this kind of attitude ultimately does, and what the government's law will do -- even with the late amendment conceded thanks to the persuasive advocacy of English PEN -- is to undermine a principle of free expression which affects everyone in Britain, religious or not.  If we cannot have open discourse about the ideas by which we live, then we are straitjacketing ourselves.  This is the starting-point of the Enlightenment.

 

IT DOES MATTER.  PEOPLE HAVE THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO TAKE AN ARGUMENT TO THE POINT WHERE SOMEBODY IS OFFENDED BY WHAT THEY SAY.   [Emphasis added in transcription.]  It's no trick to support the free speech of somebody you agree with or to whose opinion you are indifferent.  The defence of free speech begins at the point when people say something you can't stand.  If you can't defend their right to say it, then you don't believe in free speech.  You only believe in free speech as long as it doesn't get up your nose.  But free speech does get up people's noses.  Friedrich Nietzsche called Christianity "the one great curse" and "the one great immortal blemish on mankind."  Would he now be prosecuted?

 

There is a long tradition of irreverent, raw and critical remarks about religion in Britain.  From eminent thinkers to the country's favourite comedians like Rowan Atkinson in the BBC comedy Blackadder, muttering "Bad weather is God's way of telling us we should burn more Catholics."  Even if the government doesn't think that such remarks will find their way into court prosecutions, the very possibility that they might, at the discretion of the state's senior legal officer, the attorney-general, will be enough to bring down the curtains of self- and corporate censorship.

 

It will be a sad day if what remains a bad law comes into effect in Britain.  IF IT DOES, IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO DISOBEY IT AND HAVE IT TESTED IN THE COURTS, WHICH ONE HOPES WILL RECOGNISE ITS MANIFEST ABSURDITY.  [Emphasis added in transcription.]

 

The way things are done in Britain often makes them seem local, even technical, rather than a matter of principle.  Government spokesmen in London justify their actions in terms of the need to close (an) unacceptable loophole" rather than on the need to be God-fearing, or by claiming that this is a God-fearing country.  But the example set by the United Kingdom parliament on this issue is a signal to the world.  It should not be that freedom of thought and speech and of the imagination can be closed down by bigots.

 

(Copied in entirety from http://www.opendemocracy.net/author/Salman_Rushdie.jsp
)

Thank you.

 

This is the full text of proposed HR 1592, as passed by the House of Representatives on May 3, 2007 for thoughtful review and courteous commentary by our FOX 25 Participants.  Thank you.

Legislation > H.R. 1592 (110th U.S. Congress: 2007-2008) H.R. 1592: Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 Colors Show Changes Since Previous Version of Bill Removed Text Inserted Text Changed Text (Hide Colorized Changes)

HR 1592 RFS??

 

110th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1592 ??IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 

 

 

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

---

 

AN ACT

To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007'.

 

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF HATE CRIME.

In this Act--

(1) the term `crime of violence' has the meaning given that term in section 16, title 18, United States Code;

(2) the term `hate crime' has the meaning given such term in section 280003(a) of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (28 U.S.C. 994 note); and

(3) the term `local' means a county, city, town, township, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State.

 

SEC. 3. SUPPORT FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS BY STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.

(a) Assistance Other Than Financial Assistance-

(1) IN GENERAL- At the request of State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agency, the Attorney General may provide technical, forensic, prosecutorial, or any other form of assistance in the criminal investigation or prosecution of any crime that--

(A) constitutes a crime of violence;

(B) constitutes a felony under the State, local, or Tribal laws; and

(C) is motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim, or is a violation of the State, local, or Tribal hate crime laws.

(2) PRIORITY- In providing assistance under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall give priority to crimes committed by offenders who have committed crimes in more than one State and to rural jurisdictions that have difficulty covering the extraordinary expenses relating to the investigation or prosecution of the crime.

(b) Grants-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General may award grants to State, local, and Indian law enforcement agencies for extraordinary expenses associated with the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.

(2) OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS- In implementing the grant program under this subsection, the Office of Justice Programs shall work closely with grantees to ensure that the concerns and needs of all affected parties, including community groups and schools, colleges, and universities, are addressed through the local infrastructure developed under the grants.

(3) APPLICATION-

(A) IN GENERAL- Each State, local, and Indian law enforcement agency that desires a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by or containing such information as the Attorney General shall reasonably require.

(B) DATE FOR SUBMISSION- Applications submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be submitted during the 60-day period beginning on a date that the Attorney General shall prescribe.

(C) REQUIREMENTS- A State, local, and Indian law enforcement agency applying for a grant under this subsection shall--

(i) describe the extraordinary purposes for which the grant is needed;

(ii) certify that the State, local government, or Indian tribe lacks the resources necessary to investigate or prosecute the hate crime;

(iii) demonstrate that, in developing a plan to implement the grant, the State, local, and Indian law enforcement agency has consulted and coordinated with nonprofit, nongovernmental violence recovery service programs that have experience in providing services to victims of hate crimes; and

(iv) certify that any Federal funds received under this subsection will be used to supplement, not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available for activities funded under this subsection.

(4) DEADLINE- An application for a grant under this subsection shall be approved or denied by the Attorney General not later than 30 business days after the date on which the Attorney General receives the application.

(5) GRANT AMOUNT- A grant under this subsection shall not exceed $100,000 for any single jurisdiction in any 1-year period.

(6) REPORT- Not later than December 31, 2008, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report describing the applications submitted for grants under this subsection, the award of such grants, and the purposes for which the grant amounts were expended.

(7) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

 

SEC. 4. GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Authority To Award Grants- The Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice may award grants, in accordance with such regulations as the Attorney General may prescribe, to State, local, or Tribal programs designed to combat hate crimes committed by juveniles, including programs to train local law enforcement officers in identifying, investigating, prosecuting, and preventing hate crimes.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

 

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO ASSIST STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Justice, including the Community Relations Service, for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 such sums as are necessary to increase the number of personnel to prevent and respond to alleged violations of section 249 of title 18, United States Code, as added by section 7 of this Act.

 

SEC. 6. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN HATE CRIME ACTS.

(a) In General- Chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

 

`Sec. 249. Hate crime acts

`(a) In General-

`(1) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person--

`(A) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and

`(B) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--

`(i) death results from the offense; or

`(ii) the offense includes kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

`(2) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, in any circumstance described in subparagraph (B), willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person--

`(i) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and

`(ii) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--

`(I) death results from the offense; or

`(II) the offense includes kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.

`(B) CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED- For purposes of subparagraph (A), the circumstances described in this subparagraph are that--

`(i) the conduct described in subparagraph (A) occurs during the course of, or as the result of, the travel of the defendant or the victim--

`(I) across a State line or national border; or

`(II) using a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce;

`(ii) the defendant uses a channel, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in connection with the conduct described in subparagraph (A);

`(iii) in connection with the conduct described in subparagraph (A), the defendant employs a firearm, explosive or incendiary device, or other weapon that has traveled in interstate or foreign commerce; or

`(iv) the conduct described in subparagraph (A)--

`(I) interferes with commercial or other economic activity in which the victim is engaged at the time of the conduct; or

`(II) otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce.

`(b) Certification Requirement- No prosecution of any offense described in this subsection may be undertaken by the United States, except under the certification in writing of the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, the Associate Attorney General, or any Assistant Attorney General specially designated by the Attorney General that--

`(1) such certifying individual has reasonable cause to believe that the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person was a motivating factor underlying the alleged conduct of the defendant; and

`(2) such certifying individual has consulted with State or local law enforcement officials regarding the prosecution and determined that--

`(A) the State does not have jurisdiction or does not intend to exercise jurisdiction;

`(B) the State has requested that the Federal Government assume jurisdiction;

`(C) the State does not object to the Federal Government assuming jurisdiction; or

`(D) the verdict or sentence obtained pursuant to State charges left demonstratively unvindicated the Federal interest in eradicating bias-motivated violence.

`(c) Definitions- In this section--

`(1) the term `explosive or incendiary device' has the meaning given such term in section 232 of this title;

`(2) the term `firearm' has the meaning given such term in section 921(a) of this title; and

`(3) the term `gender identity' for the purposes of this chapter means actual or perceived gender-related characteristics.

`(d) Rule of Evidence- In a prosecution for an offense under this section, evidence of expression or associations of the defendant may not be introduced as substantive evidence at trial, unless the evidence specifically relates to that offense. However, nothing in this section affects the rules of evidence governing impeachment of a witness.'.

(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 13 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

`249. Hate crime acts.'.

 

SEC. 7. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

 

SEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Passed the House of Representatives May 3, 2007.

Attest:

LORRAINE C. MILLER,??

Clerk??1st SessionH. R. 1592AN ACTTo provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes??.

Legislative Support for Marriage Amendment Remains Solid VoteOnMarriage.org Strongly Refutes Globe Story   Dear Marriage Supporters,   Many of you have probably read today's Boston Globe that Marriage Amendment support in the legislature is slimming.   Nothing could be further from the truth!   No legislator has made such a pronouncement, and the Globe's foray into supposition, citing unnamed sources, is irresponsible and calls into question whether their editorial bias on this issue is slipping into their reporting of the facts.     Legislators in support of the Marriage Amendment have said they see no validity to the Globe's reporting relative to vote switching.   This appears to be an effort on the part of the Boston Globe to create inevitability that the Marriage Amendment is losing support - in the absence of evidence!   Let the Boston Globe know you don't appreciate their running stories without quoting sources in an effort to influence the outcome of a very important citizen issue.  Write a letter to the editor of the Globe today:  letter@globe.com   Even Bay Windows, the gay and lesbian newspaper which had in the past reported the names of every legislator who they believed might switch their vote, has been silent recently, further indicating that the Globe has gone far afield of responsible journalism.   Legislators who support the citizens' right to have a voice on marriage have been pressured by their leadership, the Governor, and even U.S. Speaker of the House Pelosi.    It's time for outside voices and speculators to back off and let legislators represent the people who elected them, without fear of reprisal or even political manslaughter by their leadership.   Please send a letter to letter@globe.com, and plan now to attend the June 14 Constitutional Convention at the State House to show your support for the Marriage Amendment! Thank you!    

These are recommended for treating diabetes and are taken from "Prescription For Nutritional Healing," 3rd Ed., Balch and Balch, (c) 2000, Avery Press. The dosages are for ADULTS. Children's dosage is usually 1/4 - 1/3 measure, depending upon body mass.  Be sure to inform your physician.  Most physicians are not educated in phyto-physio/nutritional engineering  and competent treaters are happy to advance their knowledge and provide their patients with the comfort these approaches may bring.  While there is little likelihood of side effects as this is a "food based" approach, be certain your MD runs a routine check because side effects can occur and serious attention to prevention is strictly advised. 

"Essentials" are:           Dosage is: 
Alpha-lipoic acid, as directed on pkg.
Chromium picolinate, 400-600 mcg daily
Diabetic Nutrition Rx, as directed on pkg.
Brewers' yeast, start w/pinch, increase o/time
Garlic/Kyolic, as directed on pkg.
L-Carnitine+L-glutamine+taurine, 500mg 2xday/ea
Quercetin, 100 mg 3xday
Vitamin C (to aid absorbtion) 1,000-3,000mg/day
Raw adrenal glandular, raw pancreas glandular and thyroid glandular, directed on pkg.
Vanadium, as directed on pkg.
Vitamin B complex**, 50 mg 3xday
  ** + biotin + inositol, 50 mg/ea day
Vitamin B12 + folic acid, as directed on pkg.
Zinc, 50 - 80 mg day/NOT TO EXCEED 100 mg collectively from all food sources per day

 

Herbs include: "Beanpod" tea detoxifies the pancreas,  "bitter melon," "cedar berries," "dandelion root," "fenugreek seeds," "ginseng tea," "huckleberry," "juniper berries," "bilbery," "buchu," "goldenseal," & "uva ursi."

The PFNH book lists categories that are divided into "essentials" (copied above),  "very important," "important" and "helpful" items. This way the person can identify which are "essential," etc. and not have to purchase all supplements all at once, avoiding an otherwise very costly undertaking.

 

This book is a GREAT help for mom -- the family "nurse" -- in that, generally, all illnesses (with thorough explanations in layman's terms, including little known information -- a very easy read) are presented (with the healing compounds) in alphabetical order in the second and largest section of the book.  If you employ (w/ MD's ok), I know you'll see the diabetic/other sufferer experience improvement in short order.   I purchased my copy at Walgreen's (which, I believe, keeps a copy in the pharmacy department to assist customers in their "vitamin" purchases).  It is also available at Vitamin Shoppe and, I'm told, on Amazon.com. 

 

Dr. Andrew Weis, this country's foremost and best known MD with a naturo-perspective and forty+ years' clinical experience in this area also has valuable recommendations.  He's spoken recently about his "excitement" with the data showing interventive properties available in the spices of the Far East for treatment of inflamation, the cornerstone of many common illnesses.  Check for his website and his many books on the subject of natural healing.  Jeffrey Rubin MD is another well known physician who relies on nutritional formulas in his medical practice and his books and website are accessible.

 

My family has struggled through serious illness to wellness using a phytochemically based formula where traditional, Western (synthetic/chemical) medicine was not only useless, but incredibly dangerous and our prognosis was severely limited/prohibited.   Undaunted, we were best served by products, trademarked as "Phytopharmica," "GNLD" and "Amazon Herbs" (no relation to Amazon.com).  If anyone wants directions to access these products or needs nutritional agents for another illness (Aging/Asthma/Arthritis to Wilson's Disease), send an email to my pseudonym at aol (amomholdsmany@aol) and I'll be happy to send you the information.    

Godspeed, grace your efforts and bless you in your healing.

Hi Cindy and fellow gardeners,

I'm so glad Cindy's given us an invitation to join her in her garden. And, Cindy, I'm glad you've got Russell's to help you get started. The first year will bring the best memories and the most work. I'm in my "nth" gardening year and 6th on this plot. Please write a post or contribute to this one as we move from Spring prep to Summer care to Autumn harvest so that all our regional gardeners can have a place to share our wisdom, experience, adventures, bungles, odds-n-ends.

Mine is an inner-city garden in which I encourage the little kids in the area to grow along with it. There are SO MANY little kids absolutely amazed that vegetables can be grown in the yard and do not originate in the supermarket. While they see the pictures in science class, their understanding "blooms" when they actually see the progress, learn to be gentle with the plants and encouragement to get their hands dirty.

While I'm a fledgling amateur (city born and reared), I would recommend to you, Cindy, that (1) you NOT expose the roots of plants you intend to transplant to direct sunlight. Roots love darkness and I've found that when I protect roots from harsh sunlight, they take to their new space "happier" than those which roots are distressed even from a minute's sun; (2) you read up on companion gardening and incorporate into your "plot plan" not only where to place plants this year, but how you will use this year's space next year. For example, you want to plant cukes this year where you'll put tomatoes next year. I'm going to look up the rasberries for you. They may leave harsh phytochemical residue (and then, again, they may not) in the soil which could (or not) affect what takes their place; (3) for ease of watering, and for Caleb's enthusiastic participation -- there's no greater fascination than a baby with a watering can -- get a large "rubbermaid" type of barrel with a tight lid. Fill it with water and keep SECURELY covered (drowning hazard). Brush off the bottom of the little guy's (and your) watering can then submerge to fill -- keeping the lid tight at all times. Your water will stay clean as particles will sink, prevent bug and mosquitoe breeding and it's much easier than tangling with the hose all afternoon to have clean water/rain water handy. Also, an informed 20-mo. old makes weeding a breeze -- but watch out for the bees; and (4) do something in the garden ever day, even the littlest chore, "every little bit helps."

One request: my garden is 99% recycled materials. If I see something out on trash day and it would make a nice addition, I employ economy over recalcitrance and have scavenged nearly all our tools and whimsey. If anyone's throwing away any picket fencing, please let me know at amomholdsmany@aol and I'll come and get it. I only need about 35ft. -- our dogs require stronger borders than chicken wire. We're very resourceful because, in the inner-city, in order to reach to an higher standard, well, you just have to be.

Thanks so much for this segment. And, tell Gene that an "an early Spring morning" and "an early morning in mid-Spring" is the distinction he gracefully fumbled when introducing you this morning. You won't "get sick of this in two weeks." From this moment on, you can look forward to tranquility (VB doesn't know what "tranquility" is) every day and a future gardening with your children's children. Two last words: sturdy rubber gloves and perennials, perennials, perennials. Don't shy away from invasives: fresh mint grows like grass and gives iced tea a thoughtful touch and a delicate aroma.

Catch ya later! I've got to go borrow a tiller and find some fence! Thanks.