RNC...DNC...police violence...kissing evangelical ass....

This shit is crazy.

I recently received an email from a dear friend of mine, detailing the police violence in Minnesota toward the peaceful protesters. Granted, there were protesters that broke the law and did indeed become violent. However, they were by *far* in the minority. The reason my friend began actively disseminating this information was because one of his personal friends, and former member of EarthSong Sanctuary (a neopagan group formerly active in Chicago, IL), is the star of a recent YouTube video in which he is repeatedly beaten and tasered by police. If you are so inclined, you can view it here www.kare11.com/video/player.aspx . After being tasered an estimated total of four times, he was sent to jail and denied medical treatment for a length of time, in which he had the taser barbs still stuck in his left hip.

I posted his original email to a pagan yahoo group that I belong to, and did the sparks ever fly! Apparently, asking for support for a friend is too political to be discussed on a forum that restricts politcal posts during an election year. Granted, my post was about a sensitive topic, but political? I didn't tell anyone how to vote, who to vote for, what I thought of the government, or even what the government should do about it. I distributed information and asked that those who wanted to should call the goverener and speak out against the violence. Regardless of party affiliation and political inclination, violence committed by those who should be *protecting* civilians is a big problem.

People are touchy these days. I think it's because we've lived in a happy bubble for the past decade or so, and the fact that things are changing and our lives might have to shift a bit is too much pressure on the glossy membrane that covers our priveleged and sheltered existence. Maybe that's why instead of taking action against, or in favor of, the war in Iraq, most Americans seem content to just have their Sunday bbq's and hang an American flag from their car window. I'm sure it's one of those small acts that can change the world...bitch, please.

At the DNC, there was a moment of hope. At least for me. Evangelical pastor Dr. Joel C. Hunter made the closing benediction for the convention with a prayer that was genuinely moving...even for a wild, dirt-worshipping pagan such as myself. He interuppted the prayer for a final instruction, in which he told the audience that he wanted everyone to end the prayer according to their own personal faith tradition, in an effort to represent the fact that America promises freedom to all religions. You can check that out below



Unfortunately, he got so much grumbling from his evangelical cohorts that he had to write a letter explaining his choice in ending the prayer. Basically, it says, "I didn't want people to worship other gods. I just meant that people of other Christian faith traditions should end the prayer their way, but still praying to Yaweh." Again....bitch, please. I don't think he really meant that, considering he mentioned all other religions, but I guess he had to say it in order to keep his congregation and his other crazy Christian comrades.

And so, I offer my own prayer for America's future. And you thought Barack Obama wanted radical change... ;-)

"Spirits of the feral blood
 Dark fae eyes in the wild wood
 Fly thee now from the Earth and Stone
 From the Flesh
 The Claw and Bone!
 Tear and render
 The threads that bind
 Enslave and master
 The spirited mind!
 O Spirits that dwell at the razor's edge
 That fill with awe
 And strike with dread
 Awaken now our Triple Souls
 To make anew
 From hands of old!"

Peace and joy to all that moves and dances! (that means everything!)
 

Hey there, live journalers! 

After many years of goading, pleading, and begging, I have started my own live journal and thus begun my literary leap into the interwebs. Glad to be here.

I fully intend on using this space to talk about all of the many experiences, thoughts, desires, and inspirations that I feel are worth sharing. There's a lot of facets to this shiny rock, so who knows what you'll see.

I thought about giving a brief bio here, but then I figured it would be best for you to figure me out the same way everyone else does...by slow observation.

I will, however, say that if you're into the mystical, the natural, the hip, the fun, the thoughtful, and the scandalous, be sure to check back with me sometime soon ;)