Magdaleno

DEAR SISTERS AND BROTHERS        

 

I am becoming a bit of a fish …every time I get a chance I jump into the ocean or a swimming pool and I get to paddling around..it makes me relax and I seem to sleep better and am ready to work the next day .

 

Do something physical …run, weights, protest ..anything that circulates your blood a bit.

Or come to Miami and jump in the ocean with me.

 

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a.      new number

b.      Alberto a liar?

c.       Cubans come through Mexico

d.      Iraq soccer team wins

e.       Lectures for leno

f.        Killing don’t make sense

g.      Margarita from Nicaragua

 

 

NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR LENO      

            305-213-7366

 

Yep papa’s got a brand new phone number…NO….  I am not trying to fool, the CIA, FBI or HOMELAND SECURITY…I am just trying to get in the groove of Miami…so call me and hook me up with your voice and your heart…also put my new number on your cell.

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ALBERTO GONZALES …

            Does he have Alzheimer’s ????

 

Either the Attorney General is lying or he is suffering from Alzheimer’s…Even though he is getting all the support from the White House  he has to know that he is ruined for the rest of his life…His recent performances in front of congress will follow him and his family for ever. 

 

I am still surprised that more Latino groups have not come out and called for his resignation…he is an embarrassment not just for Latinos but for all Americans…

 

One day I will see Alberto again on the streets when he is not in this powerful office and I will tell him how offended I was and am …I once saw Alberto on the streets of Washington DC while he was visiting Senators prior to his confirmation hearing …he is a small man and it was clear that he was uncomfortable with me approaching him and raising my concerns about immigration…

 

Alberto is not the best nor the brightest but he is one of the most devious…

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Cubans Arrive to the USA via Mexico

 

Many Cubans end up coming through Mexico to the USA border it is reported by government sources.. The coast guard has made it more difficult for Cubans to land on shore in Miami. So many have decided to get to some where in Central or Latin America and eventually work their way north.  Perhaps some day soon some in the Miami Cuban Community will begin to talk about this special bond with the Mexicans..

 

This information comes form the U. S. Customs and Border Protection.

 

2006

All arrivals 10,329

Via Mexico  8,639

 

2007

All arrivals  10,433

Via Mexico   9,296

 

IRAQ PEOPLE CELEBRATE A VICTORY     

   Regional soccer champs.

This was the kind of celebration that the invasion could never bring..It was good to see the team get a victory …they beat on their neighbor Saudi Arabia..Now the next big celebration will be when our military leaves the country …

 

Just so you know the soccer team does not live nor play in Iraq…IT’S NOT SAFE…

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LECTURES AND LENO

 

I am asking you to go through your contact baskets and explore the possibilities of connecting me with universities, colleges, convention or events where they could use

An interesting and at times an entertaining speaker. This effort will put some change in the coffers of my organization and help me to do even more of the human rights work that needs to be done.

 

Also it will get me out talking to new groups and hopefully motivate them to help us CHANGE THIS WORLD.  Right now folks are planning their events and speakers for the next months. So if you have a contact out there …offer me as a possibility.

==============================================================

 

KILLING DON’T MAKE SENSE

 

Never understood and still don’t as to why we have to kill to make America safer. Killing folks on death row or IRAQ hasn’t made America safer. In fact all this killing has made me more of a humanist wanting to protect life including the lives of my enemies. More people hate us now around the world than in any time in out history. And we have destroyed way too many families in the USA with the death penalty and the war.

 

Too often our government’s use of revenge has created even more violence and pain.

 

MARGARITO ANGULO of Nicaragua

            Paid $9,000.00 to a Coyote

 

Sunday I picked up Margarito at his nephew Isidro’s apartment. Isidro is a handy man who is the middle of a bunch of projects on my patio.

 

It was 6:30 am for me and a good time for moving boxes. Margarito and I moved my boxes out of storage and into my garage… Lots of stuff.

 

In the course of the two sweat filled hours he told me of how he got to Miami and how he had to pay $9,000 to get transported. Seems that he has only $500 left to pay on this debt. Now he is sending money home to have more coffee planted on his small farm. He hopes to go home in two years and continue to work his land. Margarito has been here for one year and plans to go back to Nicaragua in two years.

 

During our work moving the boxes..he also related that he was having a hard time collecting his wages from some employers. Well later that morning there we sat in McDonalds having the SUPER BREAKFAST and having a mini worker’s rights workshop. I let him know that I would help him and find others to help if had further trouble collecting his wages. He seemed happy to knowing that he had some one who would defend him…

 

 

Celebrate a Birthday

 

August is a heavy month for me regarding birthdays ….On the 7^th is the birthday of my daughter Aviva, on the 10^th is Hillary’s, on the 11^th  is Sierra’s and there are many others which I will celebrate in August. Let me know if you have an August birthday ..Mine is in September and this will be another big month for parties.

 

So take a moment and celebrate the birth date of your friends and family

 

My best

 

Leno

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LENO’S TRAVEL SCHEDULE

 

August 1-5 Washington DC

                        Outreach..building network

                       

Sept.  7-12   Seattle, Washington

                        Officiating at wedding of Rebecca Saldana and David McGraw

                                    Which is Sept. 8^th in the afternoon

                        Outreach meetings with contacts

 

Sept.  19-20  University of Colorado at Denver

Speaking event

 

Sept.  21-22  Florida Immigration Coalition

                        Orlando, Florida

 

Oct. 20^th       Seattle, Washington

                        Minority Executive Directors Dinner (tentative)

 

Oct. 25^th        Boulder, Colorado

Dead Man Walking Opera (tentative)

 

 

DEAR FRIENDS      

 

Today is a good time to learn new information …you to can expand your mind and heart….open your mind to new information.

Take time to listen, read and explore

 

          NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS..

a.    support SFIWJ

b.  maroon negroes

 

SUPPORT SFIWJ     …

 

Hi we can use you help …we can put your donation to good use.

Support change support SOUTH FLORIDA INTERFAITH WORKER JUSTICE …

 

In addition to your financial donations you could also sign up to do a house party for SFIWJ (and I will show up) or you can donate your car, jewelry, art, stocks, or anything of value… or you can use your talents to write a proposal in out behalf or get me invited to a local college or convention that might pay to have me as a speaker. There are many ways to help.

 

Send your checks to SFIWJ

 150 SW 13^th ave

 

MAROON NEGROES AND MULATTOS IN MEXICO

While some ran north others took the easier path south to escape slavery

I had heard from a Muslim brother while at the INTERFAITH WORKER JUSTICE conference in Chicago in June about black slaves that fled to Mexico to escape slavery and decided to Google this topic.

As I began to Google I found many stories and leads of stories of blacks that fled to Mexico. The Maroons as I understand it were black slaves that had lived and intermarried with the Seminole Indians in Florida. They fought on the side of the Seminoles and when the US GOVERNMENT moved the Seminoles to Oklahoma the Maroons went with them. And eventually many of them it seems went to Mexico and parts of Central America.  My brother in law Robert Woods who passed away a couple years ago carried both Cherokee and African genes as did many blacks who had been slaves of the Cherokees, lived with them and in some cases intermarried. Seems this happened within many tribes…Many tribes have mixed their blood with many ethnic groups including blacks, Latinos, whites and others….

A sad note in current history is that the Seminoles and Cherokees have both tried to expel Blacks from the tribes not wanting to share new wealth with them. This is obviously generating new law suits.

Black Slaves who fled to Mexico were welcomed more openly than some of those that went north.  Getting to the north often was just another form of abuse..Not a perfect form of freedom.

I am enclosing an interesting article by Rodriquez and Gonzales as an introduction to this intriguing search for our roots. It seems now that some immigrants streaming north and supposedly taking jobs from African-Americans (as some assert when wanting to divide us ) might be folks that in fact are just bringing some of their AFRICAN ANCESTORAL GENE POOL BACK UP NORTH…

Some have on occasion accused me of being more Black than Chicano because of my speaking style ….now there just might be some truth to this accusation..Thus I might be a CHICANO-AFRICANO-AMERICANO…hmmmm? (sounds like a coffee drink)

NOW FOR YOUR HOME WORK

African Roots Stretch Deep into Mexico

By Roberto Rodriguez and Patrisia Gonzales
© 1996 Chronicle Features – Reproduced in Mexico Connect with Permission.
Please visit the LatinoLink Pages!

March 3, 1996 — In Mexico, various Indian peoples still play ancient instruments. And their songs and dances — which tell of uprisings against their masters — pay tribute to their ancestors.

These Mexicans play African “hand pianos” and perform “the dance of the black people.” Mexican “corridos” — or song-stories — tell of slave uprisings. And the marimbas of Mexico, as well as those of Central America and Ecuador, all have their origins in Africa.

All are examples of the still thriving African legacy in Mexico.

Since 1492, the history of the Americas has been forged by three cultures: indigenous, European, and African – the third root of the Americas, according to the late University of Veracruz professor, Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán, who was considered Mexico’s foremost expert on the African influence on Mexican culture.

The early African presence in the Americas is normally associated with the slave trade in the United States, the Caribbean, Brazil, Central America, Colombia and Peru. Not generally taught in history textbooks is that Mexico was also a key port of entry for slave ships and consequently had a large African population.

In fact, during the colonial era, there were more Africans than Europeans in Mexico, according to Aguirre Beltrán’s pioneering 1946 book, “The Black Population in Mexico.” And he said they didn’t disappear, but in fact took part in forging the great racial mixture that is today Mexico.

“Because of race mixture, much of the African presence is no longer discernible except in a few places such as Veracruz and the Costa Chica in Guerrero and Oaxaca,” wrote Aguirre Beltrán.

In Mexico, many of the Africans that entered came to what are now the states of Yucatan, Michoacan, Tlaxcala, Mexico, Chiapas, Veracruz, Guerrero and Oaxaca. Contrary to popular thought, they did not remain in the south but migrated throughout the whole of Mexico, where they were employed in occupations such as mining, the textile industry, ranching, fishing and agriculture. Blacks in Mexico weren’t simply slaves. Many were explorers and cofounders of settlements as far north as Los Angeles and other parts of what is today the Southwest United States.

Prior to independence from Spain, there were numerous slave rebellions throughout the Americas, including in Mexico. The first documented slave rebellion in Mexico occurred in 1537; this was followed by the establishment of various runaway slave settlements called “palenques.” Some rebellions were in alliance with Indians and mestizos even as far north as Chihuahua. In 1608, Spaniards negotiated the establishment of a free black community with Yagna, a runaway rebel slave. Today, that community in Veracruz bears its founder’s name.

The principal guerrilla fighters for Mexican independence from Spain were Indians, mestizos and mulattos. One of the primary leaders of the independence movement, José María Morelos y Pavón, was mulatto, or of African ancestry, as was Vicente Guerrero, Mexico’s second president, who officially abolished slavery in 1822. Slavery was actually not done away with until 1829.

Of note, Aguirre Beltrán’s research was not well-received in Mexico, says Gabriel Moedano Navarro, director of ethnohistory at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico. By 1946, the psyche of the Mexican nation as a mixture of Indian and Spanish blood was well-formed.

Also hidden from history is Mexico’s role as a sanctuary to African American slaves during the 19th century. Unknown to even most historians, descendants of these slaves still live in Mexico.

In the summer of 1850, the Mascogos, composed of runaway slaves and free blacks from Florida, along with Seminoles and Kikapus, fled south from the United States, to the Mexican border state of Coahuila. Accompanying the Seminoles were also ‘Black Seminoles’ — slaves who had been freed by the tribe after battles against white settlers in Florida.

The three groups eventually settled the town of El Nacimiento, Coahuila, where many of their descendants remain, including some of our distant relatives.

The African presence in Mexico is not so much denied as it is obscured. Aguirre Beltrán’s work has brought to light something most Mexicans and Mexican Americans have historically been unaware of — that they, like other Latinos, have not only Indian and Spanish blood, but African blood as well.

In times of racial discord between Latinos and African Americans, this historical confluence of cultures should serve as a reminder that both communities share common ancestors. In fact, if we probe far enough, we’re all related.

Latino Spectrum is a nationally syndicated column, distributed by Chronicle Features.
Rodriguez/Gonzales can be reached at XColumn@AOL.COM.

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Be cool my people and enjoy life

My best

leno

Dear Friends

I am disappointed that we can not get enough votes in congress to begin ending this war in Iraq…but I know that it will come …we just need to keep up the education and pressure. It is the stubbornness of George Bush and his team that is keeping this war alive. We must find the road to peace before more die.

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a.      support SFIWJ

b.      la soya

c.       conservative involved with prostitutes

d.      casa Latina

 

———————————————————————————————————

Join TODAY and become a supporter of SFIWJ     

Help… South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice

I am personally asking you my friends to become a supporter of this organization with which I work. We need your assistance today to help us continue our work to protect the human rights of workers.

We at SFIWJ work in behalf of low wage workers in one of this country’s key port cities.  The disparity of wealth is shocking and workers need a strong and effective voice.

Our small but active organization is voice for justice for all low income workers. As you know many of these workers are immigrants.

Attached to this e mail is a more detailed appeal letter that addresses our programs and our dreams for a better world. In this letter you will see the kind of work that we are doing and why our work lines up with your own activist agendas.

Please give to the best of your ability and help us to help others. Please share our letter with your own list of friends and ask them also to join you in supporting our efforts..

Together we can change the world…Join with us Today … I am counting on your support.

 

LA SOYA….SAUCE OR SALSA?

Soya Jung Harris invades Miami

After attending The U. S. SOCIAL FORUM in Atlanta, Georgia, Soya a longtime activist from Seattle began a journey that would take her further south to Miami and then bounce her up to Buffalo, New York and at some time later back to Seattle.

Well two weeks ago I was blessed to have this wonderful woman in my home in Miami…This was to share an evening filled with my version of Mexican food, and some most interesting historical and political discussions with my family and with Jack and Marilyn Lieberman (long time Miami Activists). The stories shared that night were of our history and our roads to freedom … you can learn a lot by listening to others….Lessons you can use in your work ….

Soya had a lot to offer to the mix of stories ….as the night wore  on she ate up not only her fair share of the Mexican food but she also got her fill of Miami progressive politics …not to mention some good rum…

Soya can be a delicious sauce with which to flavor your rice and dreams and also can be as hot as a Mexican salsa you can put on your refried beans or can be a fast moving LATINO SALSA DANCE ..  Thus she has become for me not just Soya but

LA SOYA… a special spice or dance for one’s life…

It is always good to have strong spirits like La Soya in your home…and in your activist life…

 

NOW FOR A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN SENATOR

He is anti gay …pro family …and southern coordinator for the Rudy Guliani presidential campaign…

Associated Press – July 10, 2007 11:23 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) – The wife of Louisiana Senator David Vitter is apparently more forgiving than she once let on.

Vitter’s phone number has turned up on a list kept by the so-called “DC Madam,” who’s accused of running a prostitution ring. Vitter says the phone records are from before he ran for the Senate. And in a statement, he says he’s made peace with his wife, and with God. He said he’s sorry for a “serious sin.”

He may have reason to be grateful for his wife’s forgiveness, judging from comments she made seven years ago. Back then, Wendy Vitter told Newhouse News Service she could not be as forgiving as Hillary Rodham Clinton or the wife of Republican Congressman Robert Livingston, who admitted to extramarital affairs and quit Congress. 

If you missed the story, I’ll tease you with this quote from Wendy Vitter, wife of Senator David Vitter of Louisiana: which I got from another source

“I’m a lot more like Lorena Bobbitt than Hillary,”

“If he does something like that, I’m walking away with one thing, and it’s not alimony, trust me.”

“I think fear is a very good motivating factor in a marriage,” she added. “Don’t put fear down.”

Last night Wendy said at press conference that she STANDS BY HER MAN…and says this is a private affair…but years ago she was willing to bad mouth Hillary Clinton …but today it is private..
I wonder when/where the Senator sleeps now?

============================================================================

 

CASA LATINA ..Seattle, Washington

a story of a protest against them and how with Allies they counter protested…

The background to this is that one woman (Pat Murakami, President of the Mt. Baker Community Club) who is not Asian but has an Asian name has been organizing against Casa Latina which runs a DAY LABORERS PROGRAM ever since they got their first proposed office site.. She was able to get the first site blocked and has tried again to organize yet another neighbor hood( the central district) against Casa Latina by insinuating the most awful things about these laborers most of whom are Latinos…

At first the Casa Latina tried to be reasonable and open to all the questions but over the months they have decided that they need to have an offensive strategy which is filled with support from many allies…Casa Latina decided to take a creative approach with the help of good community allies and organize around the human rights of day laborers.

Casa Latina and its Allies learned that Pat had organized a march and rally to city hall …they of course were surprised by the response of the progressive community of Seattle..The following is a note from Hilary Stern the Executive Director of Casa Latina.

 

The counter-rally was a great success. At the 17th and Jackson site, there were about 50 of us, including day laborers, families, staff, and attendance was noted from the Non-Profit Assistance Center, El Centro de la Raza, St. Mary’s church, among other organizations. KOMO news and the North American Post was in attendance. The opposition was small in numbers (10 – 15). The police arrived and offered support to CASA Latina, and all the protestors left. Three of the protestors were from SE Seattle, the rest were the usual protestors from the Central District.   Meanwhile at the City Hall, Michael Woo led a rally, with about 25 allies.  When our day laborers and supporters arrived from our building, they were cheered by our allies.  When we joined, a total of 60-80CASA Latina supporters were in attendance, and about 15-17 opponents. More press, including, KIRO TV, Univision and KIRO 710 covered the City Hall protest and counter-protest.   At the Council meeting, four speakers were allowed from each side.  On the other side, only two speakers mentioned CASA Latina and one of them expressed support for our mission and programs  (he was there to talk about crime in SE Seattle, which he didn’t see as related at all to CASA Latina).  The other one spoke out in opposition.  The four speakers that supported us were Gary Segura, Araceli/Eduardo (her son), Larry Evans, representing Council Member Larry Gossett, and a representative from UNITE HERE union. 

 

This was great news to receive and yet another example of what we can do when we stand together..

 

Auto Safety

Every summer the news is filled with horrific auto accidents where the lives of people are taken in a quick moment. .Recently a SUV filled with high schools students swerved into the path of a semi-trailer killing all of the young women recent high school graduates. It seems that the driver could have been sending a text message when this accident occurred. Now we have lost all of these smiles and left an empty place in the hearts of their families.

I am amazed by folks on the phone, smoking or involved in some other activity that seems to distract them …If we are to survive then we must be defensive in our driving and be polite at all times while on the road…

I want ya all to come back safely…so that we can continue our struggle for justice….

My best

leno

Dear Friends

I am disappointed that we can not get enough votes in congress to begin ending this war in Iraq…but I know that it will come …we just need to keep up the education and pressure. It is the stubbornness of George Bush and his team that is keeping this war alive. We must find the road to peace before more die.

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a.      support SFIWJ

b.      la soya

c.       conservative involved with prostitutes

d.      casa Latina

 

———————————————————————————————————

Join TODAY and become a supporter of SFIWJ     

Help… South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice

I am personally asking you my friends to become a supporter of this organization with which I work. We need your assistance today to help us continue our work to protect the human rights of workers.

We at SFIWJ work in behalf of low wage workers in one of this country’s key port cities.  The disparity of wealth is shocking and workers need a strong and effective voice.

Our small but active organization is voice for justice for all low income workers. As you know many of these workers are immigrants.

Attached to this e mail is a more detailed appeal letter that addresses our programs and our dreams for a better world. In this letter you will see the kind of work that we are doing and why our work lines up with your own activist agendas.

Please give to the best of your ability and help us to help others. Please share our letter with your own list of friends and ask them also to join you in supporting our efforts..

Together we can change the world…Join with us Today … I am counting on your support.

 

LA SOYA….SAUCE OR SALSA?

Soya Jung Harris invades Miami

After attending The U. S. SOCIAL FORUM in Atlanta, Georgia, Soya a longtime activist from Seattle began a journey that would take her further south to Miami and then bounce her up to Buffalo, New York and at some time later back to Seattle.

Well two weeks ago I was blessed to have this wonderful woman in my home in Miami…This was to share an evening filled with my version of Mexican food, and some most interesting historical and political discussions with my family and with Jack and Marilyn Lieberman (long time Miami Activists). The stories shared that night were of our history and our roads to freedom … you can learn a lot by listening to others….Lessons you can use in your work ….

Soya had a lot to offer to the mix of stories ….as the night wore  on she ate up not only her fair share of the Mexican food but she also got her fill of Miami progressive politics …not to mention some good rum…

Soya can be a delicious sauce with which to flavor your rice and dreams and also can be as hot as a Mexican salsa you can put on your refried beans or can be a fast moving LATINO SALSA DANCE ..  Thus she has become for me not just Soya but

LA SOYA… a special spice or dance for one’s life…

It is always good to have strong spirits like La Soya in your home…and in your activist life…

 

NOW FOR A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN SENATOR

He is anti gay …pro family …and southern coordinator for the Rudy Guliani presidential campaign…

Associated Press – July 10, 2007 11:23 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) – The wife of Louisiana Senator David Vitter is apparently more forgiving than she once let on.

Vitter’s phone number has turned up on a list kept by the so-called “DC Madam,” who’s accused of running a prostitution ring. Vitter says the phone records are from before he ran for the Senate. And in a statement, he says he’s made peace with his wife, and with God. He said he’s sorry for a “serious sin.”

He may have reason to be grateful for his wife’s forgiveness, judging from comments she made seven years ago. Back then, Wendy Vitter told Newhouse News Service she could not be as forgiving as Hillary Rodham Clinton or the wife of Republican Congressman Robert Livingston, who admitted to extramarital affairs and quit Congress. 

If you missed the story, I’ll tease you with this quote from Wendy Vitter, wife of Senator David Vitter of Louisiana: which I got from another source

“I’m a lot more like Lorena Bobbitt than Hillary,”

“If he does something like that, I’m walking away with one thing, and it’s not alimony, trust me.”

“I think fear is a very good motivating factor in a marriage,” she added. “Don’t put fear down.”

Last night Wendy said at press conference that she STANDS BY HER MAN…and says this is a private affair…but years ago she was willing to bad mouth Hillary Clinton …but today it is private..
I wonder when/where the Senator sleeps now?

============================================================================

 

CASA LATINA ..Seattle, Washington

a story of a protest against them and how with Allies they counter protested…

The background to this is that one woman (Pat Murakami, President of the Mt. Baker Community Club) who is not Asian but has an Asian name has been organizing against Casa Latina which runs a DAY LABORERS PROGRAM ever since they got their first proposed office site.. She was able to get the first site blocked and has tried again to organize yet another neighbor hood( the central district) against Casa Latina by insinuating the most awful things about these laborers most of whom are Latinos…

At first the Casa Latina tried to be reasonable and open to all the questions but over the months they have decided that they need to have an offensive strategy which is filled with support from many allies…Casa Latina decided to take a creative approach with the help of good community allies and organize around the human rights of day laborers.

Casa Latina and its Allies learned that Pat had organized a march and rally to city hall …they of course were surprised by the response of the progressive community of Seattle..The following is a note from Hilary Stern the Executive Director of Casa Latina.

 

The counter-rally was a great success. At the 17th and Jackson site, there were about 50 of us, including day laborers, families, staff, and attendance was noted from the Non-Profit Assistance Center, El Centro de la Raza, St. Mary’s church, among other organizations. KOMO news and the North American Post was in attendance. The opposition was small in numbers (10 – 15). The police arrived and offered support to CASA Latina, and all the protestors left. Three of the protestors were from SE Seattle, the rest were the usual protestors from the Central District.   Meanwhile at the City Hall, Michael Woo led a rally, with about 25 allies.  When our day laborers and supporters arrived from our building, they were cheered by our allies.  When we joined, a total of 60-80CASA Latina supporters were in attendance, and about 15-17 opponents. More press, including, KIRO TV, Univision and KIRO 710 covered the City Hall protest and counter-protest.   At the Council meeting, four speakers were allowed from each side.  On the other side, only two speakers mentioned CASA Latina and one of them expressed support for our mission and programs  (he was there to talk about crime in SE Seattle, which he didn’t see as related at all to CASA Latina).  The other one spoke out in opposition.  The four speakers that supported us were Gary Segura, Araceli/Eduardo (her son), Larry Evans, representing Council Member Larry Gossett, and a representative from UNITE HERE union. 

 

This was great news to receive and yet another example of what we can do when we stand together..

 

Auto Safety

Every summer the news is filled with horrific auto accidents where the lives of people are taken in a quick moment. .Recently a SUV filled with high schools students swerved into the path of a semi-trailer killing all of the young women recent high school graduates. It seems that the driver could have been sending a text message when this accident occurred. Now we have lost all of these smiles and left an empty place in the hearts of their families.

I am amazed by folks on the phone, smoking or involved in some other activity that seems to distract them …If we are to survive then we must be defensive in our driving and be polite at all times while on the road…

I want ya all to come back safely…so that we can continue our struggle for justice….

My best

leno

Dear Sister and Brothers

The 4^th of July was a celebration of the independence of these united states. ..with the erosion of our individual rights and the many wrong turns of the Bush administration I did not have much to celebrate… The sounds of war could be heard late into the night…these same sounds heard in another context would but be the announcement of the loss of lives, property and civility… I don’t think this is a good sound to hear for many of our soldiers suffering from the war… I pray for peace and work darn hard for justice…

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a.      Muckleshoot pow wow

b.      Irene fed leno

c.       Sicko

d.      Commute immigrant sentences

e.       Beard going white

f.        Paraguayan student needs housing

g.      Catholic mass and procession for immigrant rights

 

MUCKLESHOOT VETERAN’S POW WOW

 

On June 23^rd Jack and Michele Storms took me to a POW WOW for Veterans at the Muckleshoot’s land. It was a wonderful period of intoxication by all the cultural colors and sounds… I was a cultural tourist in the best sense… much like a child..soaking it all in …Jack was taking pictures of the almost everything …capturing the history of the moment…on occasion Michele might have taken a picture of two with a camera and her heart…

I had forgotten what a POW WOW might offer… As the Dancers lined up for the GRAN ENTRY which is where all are lined up and dance into the center stage or tent…I noticed  a beautiful woman dressed in a the most wonderful regalia …it was none other than our friend Claudia Kaufman who is now a Senator in the State Legislature in Olympia Washington.  It was good to see this new senator dancing in her tradition.

In amongst the native dancers that day were also the Filipino Veterans and Aztec Dancers. It was men, women and children all dressed in wonderful reminders of their proud heritage… While the dancing was most amazing,,, I was drawn to the various sets of drummers both men and women …about 10 groups in all …with about 8 drummers and singers around each tribal drum…These different tribal drummers took turns and their sounds went out over a great sound system to the thousands in attendance..

The drummers sang as loud as possible sending their songs to the winds which ran in four directions. …they gave their all when their turn came… you could feel the spirits of the ancestors in their songs…you could feel the spirits of the people of today and yesterday coming together…

I had an incredible time that day  and ate the largest piece of INDIAN FRIED BREAD…. it was good and brought back many good memories…

In 1969 I was the director of a state wide VISTA program in Colorado …I was a young man out enjoying my work and my youth …I enjoyed my apartment and being single…It was then that one of my Vistas asked me to take in a 15 year old boy by the name of Calvin Eagle…he was OGALA SOUIX and came from a alcoholic dysfunctional family. The courts were going to send him to reform school unless a good foster home could be found for him…Calvin interrupted my busy life as a single man but he gave me ever so much in return…he spent about two years with me…I fed, housed and counseled him and we became friends…he never went to Reform School , I missed out on a few parties being a new foster father …and I learned about Calvin’s difficult life… in the process I became proud of him and his heritage…

Native people can teach us a lot if we are willing to take the time and learn…when you have a moment go to a POW WOW and enjoy..

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IRENE FED LENO ….

            A humbling experience…

Last Sunday I went to speak at a Unitarian Universalist Church in Miami… the readings of the day were speeches of Cesar E. Chavez… and in my comments I mentioned Cesar and my history with him …and also talked about the many campaigns of my work with the South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice.

After my talk I met many of those attending the service …one lady could not get up from her chair…and her hands shook from Parkinson’s (I presumed) as I spoke to her (Irene)  and held her hand I found out what a great supporter she had been of the Farm workers. She like so many had met Cesar and had worked with him..The church had lunch for every one and they had by this time served her some food ..one part being a plate of melon pieces..

She was kind to me and I told her some more farmworker and Cesar stories and before I knew it she was feeding me melon pieces with her fork …although it shook she took care not to stab me.. I was humbled as we talked and this woman fed me…I hope to see Irene again some Sunday soon….and perhaps she will continue to feed this chubby bird.

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SICKO

This is a most interesting and informative film …some of it done tongue in cheek…the film is being attacked by the right wing , the bush administration and the so called health plans… of these large insurance companies

If  the insurance companies, the pharmaceutical companies  and the UNITED STATES have such good news to tell then I challenge them to take some of their millions and make a documentary and put it in the theatres… let them tell their story …if they can and lets just see how many go to see their film …

In the meantime see the SICKO and work for a UNINIVERAL HEALTH PLAN for every one…

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COMMUTE THE SETENCES OF UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS.

            What’s good for Scooter should be good for everyone.

The following are the some of the reasons why President Bush commuted Scooter Libby’s prison sentence..

I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend 30 months in prison.

My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant and private citizen will be long-lasting.

 

The crimes that scooter committed are more serious and led to the deception of the American Public and our country’s participation in a unjust war that has taken the lives of so many innocents and cost billions of dollars. He was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice…very serious crimes…

So if the president can commute the sentence of Scooter than he should be able to commute the sentences of all immigrants now and in the future in deportation proceedings… JUST A THOUGHT….

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MY BEARD IS GETTING WHITE ,,,what to do

Yesterday I noticed that the beard on my chin is seriously WHITE  and also noticed that my side burns are also turning the color of snow..not to mention the 12 majestic hairs on my wide chest……I am debating coloring these pockets.. but would like your advice….I know a lot of women friends who color over their white  spots and look younger.. how vain should I be…?? What are your thoughts..

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STUDENT FROM PARAGUAY NEEDS HOUSING

Alexandra Vasquez is coming to Seattle as part of the studies at Cornish College of Arts.  She is 19 and looking for housing in Queen Ann, Freemont, U. District, or Downtown..

You can email her mother Pili at Yapena@pla.net.py

————————————————————————————————————--CATHOLIC PROCESSION FOR IMMIGRANTS                                                                                                                                                             in Miami, Florida.

Saturday July 7, 2007 at 11:00a.m.

Mass at Gesu Catholic Church

118 NW 2nd Street

Miami, FL 33132

 

12:00p.m.

Procession to the Torch of Friendship

 

* A simultaneous prayer service will take place in Broward at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish

(3331 NE 10th Terrace, Pompano Beach).

 

On Saturday July 7th, the Archdiocese of Miami has designated a special day of prayer and action to encourage compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform.  There will be a special Mass said for immigrants at Gesu Catholic Church at 11:00a.m. followed by a procession to the Torch of Friendship in Bayfront Park.  Gesu has historically been a place of refuge and welcome for thousands of immigrants, first Cuban and more recently, Caribbean, Mexican, Central and South American.

This event had been planned weeks before the vote was taken in the senate.

SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN

The ocean is a wonderful place to go an relax ..many I found do not go in the ocean much but instead hang out on the beach and get tan…but just being so close seems to help them…me I like being out there swimming and floating..

My ocean best

Leno