Old is New

No, that's not a definition from the Newspeak dictionary. It's a title for this post of my "homework" assignment from the Explore Animation class I'm participating in on-line through the National Film and Television School.

When the World Wide Web was new, getting movement on your website was only possible by using animated gifs (graphics interchange format). I created a lot of them in the 90s, and found it amusing when they started appearing again. I hadn't made one in years, but this homework assignment  seemed like a good opportunity to remember the old and make it new again. The task was to create an animated ball with a flip book. I didn't have the supplies I needed for that project, so I created this instead! It's not a masterpiece, but it was fun to figure out how to do it in the newest version Photoshop.

Why Am I Here?

I have given up on the idea of blogging. I am not a writer. I am a journal keeper. One does not beget the other.

I began The View from Kalamazoo in 2006 after great inspiration at the National Conference on Media Reform. I had hoped to bring attention to that issue through a blog that no one knows exists — ironic and very naive.

Irony too in how invisible I feel as a person nine years later. Maybe it's that I'm nine years older, but it feels more like me fading away to be replaced by everything new and exciting. And so it goes.

Summer in the Zoo

Flowers are blooming, cyclists are cycling, students are graduating, parades and festivals are only weeks away. The countdown to summer time in Kalamazoo has begun!

If you haven't taken advantage of all the great events that take place during the summer in our fair city, I encourage you to visit Downtown Kalamazoo, Inc. for a calendar. You might be surprised to see what you've been missing!

See you downtown!

Do-Dah Parade 2010

The Hermit is Back!

During a conversation about psychopaths last night, we were reminded of this great song by Eddie Vedder from the soundtrack of Into the Wild:

Society

hmmm ooh hooo hooo

It's a mistery to me
we have a greed
with which we have agreed

You think you have to want
more than you need
until you have it all you won't be free

society, you're a crazy breed
I hope you're not lonely without me

When you want more than you have
you think you need
and when you think more than you want
your thoughts begin to bleed

I think I need to find a bigger place
'cos when you have more than you think
you need more space

society, you're a crazy breed
I hope you're not lonely without me
society, crazy and deep
I hope you're not lonely without me

there's those thinking more or less less is more
but if less is more how you're keeping score?
Means for every point you make
your level drops
kinda like its starting from the top
you can't do that...

society, you're a crazy breed
I hope you're not lonely without me
society, crazy and deep
I hope you're not lonely without me

society, have mercy on me
I hope you're not angry if I disagree
society, crazy and deep
I hope you're not lonely without me

Idiot America

My blood pressure was given a good elevation this morning when I read this:

Fox News on top: Cable net celebrates 10 years at #1 in ratings

I do NOT recommend the article. It's just bullshit from Roger Ailes.

This is why American's are SO... uninformed! Worse — filled with misinformation that they repeat over and over again as if it was fact because (as my friends mother said) they "heard it on the news." What this network broadcasts is NOT NEWS! It's propaganda, pure and simple (see my post "Welcome Back Bill" about Canada and Fox). Pure lies and deliberate misinformation.

A great little independent film that shines a light on this fact and the problem of media in general is called Outfoxed. I highly recommend it for those who crave some explanation and find this headline as disturbing as I do!

Watch Outfoxed here for free!

Please! Then pass it on.

Only People are People

It's exciting to see the energy and support building around overturning Citizens United. I am now a volunteer in the fight.

Learn more by watching this great little video, then re-post as many places as possible. I do miss being on Facebook for this kind of thing. This blog gives me a way to "put stuff out there," but NO ONE reads it.

And, for more education on the subject of our broken democracy, don't forget to tune in Moyers & Co. tonight at 7:00 p.m.

Get Your Homework Done Today

It was good to hear NPR continuing to report on the "Stop Online Piracy Act" act today. Many sites will not be available tomorrow in protest. Hope it helps!

You can join the protest too. There are many groups organizing and asking you to call your government representatives. This is just one of them. 

Welcome Back Bill!

“We were better informed when we only had three TV channels.”

That comment was made recently by a friend during a discussion about media reform. No one argued that point.

His comment led to a story from another friend about how he had to correct some misinformation (lies) his mother had been convinced were “true” from watching Fox (faux) “News.” The line she had repeated was something like, “Well, it’s because our president is a Muslim.”

Outrage filled his head, but he loves his mother dearly. So he calmly asked how she knew that. “It was on the news.” “What news Mom?” Her answer revealed all — and more.

Rather than berate her, he educated her. “Mom, did you know that Canada ban Fox News because they have a law that prevents news casts from lying or misleading the public?” She didn’t believe him — at first. But a quick Internet search revealed several reports that backed him up. “Oh my God. They’re lying to your father!”

Yes, Mrs. S. They are lying — to millions of people everyday. And it’s not just the lies, it’s the ignorance it leaves us with. And it's not just Fox. Media moguls refuse to report any news story that makes them look bad or goes against their interests.

If you really want to know what is going on with politics and media in the United States today, I (highly) recommend Moyers & Co. airing on most PBS stations beginning this week.

…when you are in a polarized world, you gotta fight. You gotta be tough. You gotta be like Franklin Roosevelt. "My enemies hate me. And I welcome their hate." You know, you gotta talk about Teddy Roosevelt, about the "malefactors of great wealth." You gotta fight for the people. —Bill Moyers

It’s sad that Bill can’t retire. The void of accurate information about what is happening to our country won’t let him rest. And I for one, am grateful for his fighting spirit! Thank you Bill, and welcome back.

Resilience

I picked these from my front garden December 5. The daisy has been holding on with great hope and a fierce spirit to live.

I hope the friendship that created this beautiful garden can weather the coming winter as well as these did.

Inspiration

"When a people are mired in oppression, they realize deliverance only when they have accumulated the power to enforce change." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

American's have the power, but not the will.  A mix of stories in the news this week made me wonder why.

Is it because almost half the country is mired in the worry of being on the edge of loosing everything? Or are we just not pissed off enough like they are in Wisconsin? There are those marching in the streets, and speaking out when they've been brutalized, but our media...and the public in general remain silent. How many more stories do we have to see about corporations ruling our country before we collectively stand up and say "NO MORE!?"

We have the power. We just need the will to use it.

Grateful

...that someone is paying attention. My first reaction to this story was "DUH!"

Published on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 by Democracy Now!

Survey: Fox News Viewers Less Informed Than Those Who Don’t Watch Any News

photo: Panu TangchalermkulA new survey from Fairleigh Dickinson University has found that viewers of Fox News are less informed about world events than people who do not watch any news. The study found viewers of Fox are 18 points less likely to know that Egyptians overthrew their government six points less likely to know that Syrians have not yet overthrown their government compared to those who watch no news. Fairleigh Dickinson political science Professor Dan Cassino said, "The results show us that there is something about watching Fox News that leads people to do worse on these questions than those who don’t watch any news at all."

Abort the Supreme Court

I own a t-shirt with that statement in big red letters. It’s a “souvenir” from decades past. I think it’s time to start wearing it again.

It’s not just our legislative branch of government that’s been taken over by corporations; our judicial branch has also been bought. Judges are not immune to corruption, as many stories throughout history have shown. But, somehow I had hoped the Supreme Court was different.

Justices Thomas and Scalia participated in a Koch Industries event in October 2010, and more recently were seen at a dinner sponsored by corporations fighting the healthcare bill just as the court agreed to review the case.

Common Cause has been following this issue for some time. They have a lot of unbiased information about these and other "conflicts of interest" on their website. Educate yourself...then pass it on!

If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention. To take action and ask Justice Thomas to rescue himself, visit credoaction.com. Justice Scalia should do the same. Perhaps we should ALL be writing letters in protest to the Department of Justice and the Clerk of the Supreme Court!

My New Hero

Hope came across the airwaves this evening in the form of an interview with Sr. Minority Whip Jim McGovern (D-MA). Representative McGovern has introduced the People’s Right’s Amendment — HJ RES 88.

Admittedly, amending the Constitution is a long shot, but it is a resolution that I believe, 99% of the population of the United States will understand and support. And because of that, it just might have a chance!

American’s are fed up with the corporatocracy: the corporate takeover of our government (and media). Corporatocracy is just a new word for fascism…or at the very least, oligarchy.

You can read the amendment here and watch Rep. McGovern summarize his amendment below. Please sign the petition…and spread the word…we the PEOPLE are taking back our democracy!

Wow. July 2010 — I was so wise...where did that person go? Apparently lost in translation somewhere between Kalamazoo and Riyadh.

Now the Hermit is restless and ready to emerge from slumber. The injustice taking place across the planet shook me awake. But, the injustice in our own (so-called) democracy is what jolted me out of my bed. I can't stop thinking about how we are repeating the ugliest parts of our history. And not just on Wall St. It's everywhere. Not sure how to start, but I know where:

The Never-ending Lesson

We all embrace life from our own perspective.
— K. Grahm, March 9, 2010

I was reading through my journal in an attempt to find answers to how I could have been so wrong about something when I came across this bit of wisdom from a phone conversation with a friend of mine. The topic of perspective came up earlier today as well, so I was inspired to make this post. More journaling wasn't enough.

A journal is good for keeping track of how we embrace — or reject life's challenges. I'm always amazed by the great insight and advice I have for myself, yet fail to listen to. Seven months ago I was excited by the incomprehensible vastness of the universe and all the possibilities that perspective held. I was letting go, and welcoming all things new. Today, I feel like I've been sucked into a black hole and can't see past the horror enough to escape the downward spiral. But, I know this too shall pass. Sometimes you have to be beaten against the rocks before you learn to go with the flow of the river.

Perspective indeed.

Sometimes I Miss The Gazette

I dropped my home delivery of the Kalamazoo Gazette a couple of months ago. Mostly because my employer cut my hours and I needed to make some budgetary choices. Fortunately, when I need a "fix" of local news, I can read it online.

This story caught my eye. Funny what small towns consider "news." Though this was in the "food" section it still struck me as funny. A story about a giant cake!

Worthless Democrats

November 4, 2008 was a huge relief. January 20, 2009 was a great celebration of that relief. I thought I could relax a little around politics. Not so. And, I'm so sick of it! Here's my latest (I write them all the time) letter:

Dear President Obama:

I understand that the job of governing the country is very different from running for the office. I’m sure it’s had surprises even for you. While I really appreciate you finally coming out strong on health care, we all elected you to be equally as strong on other issues — and in your decision-making. We put our trust — and hope — in you. I feel let down by you, and all those Democrats that rode your coattails into office, every single day! I am so sick of the pandering. Why? We voted for YOU! What do you hope to gain from that? It makes you look ALLl look so weak and indecisive.

With all do respect sir — please — stand up against these obstructionist Republican’s every chance you get! Moving the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to military courts is one HUGE example. I even read a headline today that said it was “flip-flopping,” and, I have to agree. Stand your ground Mr. President, and command those other Democrats to do the same. It’s what we elected you for.

How is this Possible?

I still cannot grasp it, but it's true. It's March 2, 2010. That means I've walked the Earth for 50 years.

While making a journal entry this morning, I was struck by the idea of making a list of 50 things to do when I'm 50. Chances are I will revise it throughout the year. It's really not all that interesting, and somethings are kind of far-fetched, but this is what I came up with on the spur of the moment. I just wrote them down in the order they came to mind.

50 Things I’d Like to do in My 50th Year

I've removed the list to post and update on my refrigerator. This was prompted by the fact that #1 is NEVER going to happen. I will move on, but I will never "get over Bacon Man." And, I need to replace "clean out the basement" with "see Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me" and find a good replacement for some of the other mundane stuff.

As Hilarywho said, if I do half of it, it will be an accomplishment. And I think Canada is a good place to start!

Kickin’ Some Republican Ass!

These idiot Republican’s had the audacity to stand up in front of God and everyone to blame the ONE year of the Obama administration for the past TEN YEARS+ of greedy REBUBLICAN policy for the mess our country is in. What a bunch of delusional people!

But, Obama (still) rocks! He is very impressive — and he set them straight. It’s very hard to listen to their “questions” (I admit, I muted them a few times). But, this is worth the hour of your time to listen to. He’s asking them to step-up and lead — something they STILL don’t get!

Watch it here.

This is the guy we voted for. I hope to see more of him in the future.

A Pebble Cast

Today I threw a pebble into my community pond. I treasured watching every ripple it created and was amazed at the instantaneousness of it all.

I planned a meeting a couple of weeks ago with two of the organizers from ERACCE. We got together over coffee to talk about what I might know about anti-racism work in Battle Creek.

At one point in the conversation I mentioned I was looking for volunteer opportunities. Almost as soon as I said it, a woman one of my associates knew walked in. I was introduced to “Denise from Fire.” As I was introduced, she was told I was looking to volunteer. Seems all I had to do was throw that first pebble.

And so, I’m off to expand my view of Kalamazoo!