So Lucky in Our Life

Tags

DIY, fun, local

So many blessings in the last couple months!  I don’t even know where to begin and I’m sure I will leave out several of the most wonderful things…  But I am starting to believe that some of the wonderfulness is because of our gratitude.  We are continually saying, “How lucky are we?!?”  It’s like good things just keep coming our way.  And I will keep giving thanks for it all, and hope it keeps delivering.

One of the first signs of spring are baby lambs and goats.  Our friends at Split Oak Farm have both.  Their lambs were rescued triplets from a local farm that keeps the best two of a litter and these sweeties are so small!  I never knew a lamb could be as little as a cat!  And this is at some days old.  I happened to be going for a visit with friend Connie who was helping Angie make an apron from an old linen tablecloth.  That tablecloth never looked so good as when they were finished.  A beautiful upcycle.  Anyhow, the lambs had arrived earlier that week and they were so adorable.  A few days later, Connie and I had a trip to town and so we stopped by the Farm on our way home.  Good thing!  Angie was just bringing out milk for the little lambs and we got to help!  We also got to see baby goats – four of them at the time – two new born and two a few days old, all adorbz!  Connie and I got to play farmer as we helped move two ewes to a birthing pen and relocate a momma and baby that had gotten into a wrong space.  Those goats are sneaky little devils!  All in all, I’m glad we don’t have livestock at our homestead… but I’m sure glad to have lots of farmer friends who do. 🙂

Another farmer couple, Jill & Randy at Merry Gardens Farm, are remodeling their kitchen and we (mostly Dan) are helping with the project.  They pay us good… in food!!  Every time we visit, we end up having a meal and it’s always, in part and sometimes almost in whole, harvest from their land.  We’ve had pork liver and onions, roasted potatoes, beets, and Brussels sprouts, pork chops, and Thai cabbage salad.  Yes, Thai food!!  Jill is an amazing cook and on a recent visit we had both the Thai cabbage salad and Thai noodles.  It was like a dream in rural Minnesota where most of the food tends toward the white and bland.  Her recipes for the two sauces were very similar – a mix of Liquid Aminos (GF soy sauce), garlic, peanut butter, chili sauce, oil and honey – but just different enough to give a nice contrast.  Oh, just yummy!!  And she also makes several varieties of mean tapioca pudding – my favorite.  We never leave their place hungry.

Winter at Merry Gardens is quiet in the fields but we also get to see baby piglets.  These Red Wattles are SO SWEET!! I just love their sleek ruddy coats and their sturdy little frames.  They are really manageable for the first couple weeks and then they are past the cuddle stage.  But they are still fun.  Their market pigs were cracking me up as they ran through the fields rearing up and taking off for no apparent reason.  And even the older sows and boars are wonderful.  Most of them are talkers and they are like little dogs the way they play with Jill when she steps into their pen.  They have some Mangalitsas which are like a velcro pig.  When they are little piglets, they look like sheep in their white fuzzy coats.  And maybe my favorite is Moses, the big boar who, when I call his name, comes running out to meet me like a big kid.  He has the best smile.  And he knows when I call his name I usually have food!  But his real buddy is Randy, as this video shows.  I don’t know who is cuter, Moses or Randy.  Merry Gardens Farm really love their pigs.

But it’s not all fun and games.  The market pigs require castration to prevent “boar taint”, an unfavorable smell or taste caused by the sex hormones testosterone and androstenone.  Though Randy had asked me to help last season, daughter Molly ended up being available.  But this season I got my chance to help.  It was a not difficult process and Randy made it very quick.  I had Danny film us and hope to eventually get a video posted for informational purposes.  Though it may take me a while because I realized it is much harder to watch (a requirement for video editing) than to do the actual castration.  In the moment, I was focused on trying to assure the pig was still for Randy’s process and comforted… as best I could.  Randy says it’s the hardest part of raising these guys.

Crafting has been magically happening in my life as well.  Neighbor Connie and I took a Craft Day to attend the Creative Spirit Fiber Festival and visit Anderson Fabric Outlet.  It was a wonderful event followed by a huge sale.  SO MUCH Creativity and Imagination!! My favorite gal at the fair was Lisa Jordan of Lil Fish Studio. You should check her out. She’s super fun. https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=193090157396798&ref=content_filter

And all that fiber watching ended up being a good inspiration for a project that came about due to Connie mentioning “making puppets”.  Turns out my friend Steph’s son Rook LOVES Boss Baby and I had the crazy idea that I would make him a puppet for one of the characters from the movie.  Steph said Tim was his favorite character but I knew I would have to also make a Boss Baby puppet too.  And we did!

How does the Fiber Festival factor in?  Well, when it came to hands and shoes, I decided felted wool might be the easiest option.  And it sure was… with Char’s help.  Char (of Char’s Yarn Basket just down the road from me) is an amazing artist and I knew she’d be able to help me with my project.  Sure enough, we got it done.  I believe my favorite parts of Tim are the jeans and shoes.  And his head is the best of the two puppets (Connie did the paper mache work on it).

All in all, we are truly blessed.  Even the icky stuff that seems to happen ends up having a positive impact – lessons learned, relationships strengthened.  I hope that you are feeling blessed in your life too!

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Evaluation of the Line 3 Proposal Public Commentary

Tags

Enbridge, Pipeline, PUC

As I did on a previous session of public comments on the Enbridge Line 3 proposed new line project, I am again reporting on the nature of the data for this latest round of Revised Final Environmental Impact Statement (RFEIS) Public Comments for the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

Yes, I am a glutton for punishment!!  But I am also a curious fuck and wanted to see what the commentary looked like for several reasons.  I suspected that, like last round, the Pro-Pipeline commentary would be very terse, uninformed, and belligerent.   I expected the Anti-Pipeline people to be more educated, verbose, and supportive of Indigenous Rights.

What did I find?

The Pro-Pipeline was definitely short and somewhat ignorant but not nearly as hostile as I suspected it would be.   The Anti-Pipeline was largely as expected.

Here are the details.

The listing indicated that 180 individuals had submitted comments.  I ended up with a few more so I’m not sure if this is their miscount or mine but with several hundred pages of letters, I’m not gonna be super nit-picky with the details.  I’m providing this review as a way of showing qualitatively how the two sides compared.  But if you want to count them, here they are [and yes, they AGAIN listed my name incorrectly – sheesh!]:

Mary Adams Lisa Havelin Mary-Churchill Peeples Vicki Andrews Gary Heimark Sheila Perrington Elizabeth Baker-Knuttila Ann Hess Cheryl Peters Steve Bakkum Janet Hill Doug Peterson Kathryn Beatty Jenny Hill John Pettingill Bill Bennett Kathy Hollander Joni Phillips Shannon Benzer Julie Huber Greg Pierce Ric Berkholtz Neal Illes Debbie Prestby Paul Berland John Iversen Richard Preston Reece Bertholf Carl Jarvi Curtis Proud Mike Birkeland Gary Jepson Cynthia Purchase Michael Blandford Chad Jewell Casey Quinn Dean Borgeson Barbara Job Ranee Raddohl Frank Bowker Al Johnson Rose Ragole Diana Brainard Deanna Johnson Phil Randall Annelise Brandel-Tanis Glen Johnson Kate Richardson Dave Butcher Matt Johnson Jim Roberts Mary-Kay Byers Rachel Johnson Deb Rogers Aaron Camacho Thomas Johnson Lora Schroeder Robert Chastan Bryn Johnston Leah Shwer Jaci Christenson Emily Jurgens Jennifer Smith Cyril Christo Daniel Kelley Rebecca Smith Nick Compton Matt Kesner Daniel Snidarich Michelle Crawford Kathy Koch Loren Solbergf Anne Cremons Dave Kotula Ashley Stalvig Alan Crompton Rachael Krivinchuk Michael Stang Lois Dalsin Jason Kruse Charles Staten Judy Diaz Kathy LaBerge Amy Stenseng Jimmy Dick Kathy Labriola Craig Sterle Tess Dornfield Philip LaFlamme Bud Stone Mary-Theresa Downing Craig Larson Richard Stuckey Jay Doyle Randy Lasky Walter Suronen Janet Draper Kurt Lauderbaugh Dean Swenson Eleanor Dvorak James Lawson Nancy Terhark Chris Elliot Sharon LeMay Mel Thoreson Nicholas Eltgroth Trevor Lindblom Gary Tibbitts Torrey Erickson E Lindell Jim Tjepkema Bill Erzar Gudrun Lock Jessica Tobin Jeanne Fahlstrom Mary Ludington Shelly Tocchio Lory Fedo Jason Markert Greg Todavich Cynthia Finch Terri Mathis Susan Tomte Brian Foster Nathan McKinney Bailey Troth Jamie Gaither Nancy McReady Peter Tuitt Shaun Germolus Brian Meier Wendy Ulrich Kerry Gersich Jorie Miller Joe Van Vynckt Chad Gilbert Keith Miller Nick Voss Steve Giorgi Kevin Miller Wendy Vyskocil Dawn Goodwin Mitch Mincoff Don Wagner Dylan Goudge Melodee Moniken Justin Wallace Mike Gragert Michael Monsrud Phillip Wallace John Grover Boucher Mooney Corey Weber Katie Grymala Tom Morgan John Weber Paul Gustafson John Munter Joe Wenker Shannon Gustafson Sharon Natzel Josh Yank Jaqueline Hadfield Nancy Norr David Ybarra Fredrick Hage John North Koh Zhi -You Shauna Haines Kevin OConnor Raymond Zidrick Patricia Hammel Gary Oja Tony Hansen Connie Olson Kelly Harrington Kevin Olson Brian Hartje Teresa Paris

Of the 192 submissions I counted, I found one Pro-Pipeline guy had submitted his commentary – the same letter – three times.  On the Anti-Pipeline side, there were two repeaters, one woman who submitted the same letter twice and one man who submitted two letters of substantially different material.   There were a total of 114 Pro-Pipeline and 78 Anti-Pipeline submissions.

In all, there were ~264 pages of letters from individuals.  [Note – one Pro-Pipeline submission  had about 10 blank or only a couple meaningless word pages in it, which I didn’t count. Looked like an internet issue.] Some of these letters were full pages and some were one line letters.  In trying to be fair about the counting, I would give a 3/4 page Pro-Pipeline letter a full count but if it was 1/2 page, only half.  For the 1-2 liner messages, I gave them 10% of a page – even though it was not truly that substantial.  And even the three-six line comments got 20% or 25% of a page.  I tried to count letters as 1/4 page, 1/3 page, 1/2 page and 1 page as best I could.

In all, the Pro-Pipeline folks submitted 36 pages of commentary.  Of these, 46 of the submissions were three lines of text or less.  Just for curiosity’s sake, I went back through the 264 pages and counted… 22 single line submissions (all but one Pro-Pipeline). Here are some of my favorites [No, I did not alter the punctuation, grammar, or spelling in any of these… and yes, these are the complete letters excluding the greeting/closing]:

• I am a Minnesota resident and 100percent for the replacement of line 3 and for the positive help to are local economies and the taxes that help the school district in the county that they cross
• I am in full support of line 3 replacement!
• this project needs to be completed ASAP!  [This exact verbiage was submitted twice, both without the capital letter to begin the sentence.]
• Build it and pull the old one out to create more job and help the economy in the area plus it will be a safer line with better coating and steel
• The EIS is more than adequate, the law’s been followed, grant the permit.  [Should I have counted this as a 3-liner???]
• JBW Consultin LLC fully supports the Line 3 endevour.  [This appears to be someone hoping to capitalize on the “endevour”…  Let’s hope their “Consultin” skills are better than their English skills.]
• This line replacement is an integral part of repairing America’s Infrastructure!!!

This was probably the best written of them all:

• It is in our community’s best interest to allow replacement of the Line 3 pipeline in a timely manner to enhance the safety of the pipeline and to reduce maintenance activities that disrupt landowners and the environment.

[I also counted about nine 2-liners, so… sixteen 3-liners.]

Here is the Anti-Pipeline 1-liner I found (I’d originally counted it as a Pro letter – my bias is showing!!)

• Line 3 makes no sense not only from an environmental and native rights standpoint, but also fro the economic standpoint of investing in an outmoded energy resource.  [So our side has typos too!  But at least I am now unconfused about a Pro-Pipeline letter referencing Indigenous Rights…]

Here’s one of my favorite short ones from the Anti-Pipeline side:

Tar sands…
> are a dirty and inefficient source of energy,
> will hurt the environment through climate change,
> and use land in violation of existing treaties.
Please do not approve a continuance of this offensive, opioid-like addiction.

Only 19 of the Pro-Pipeline submissions were more than a half-page in length and I don’t recall any being longer than a page.  I would say 12-15 were full-page submissions (again, if it was 2/3-3/4 page, I gave them a full page credit) but the majority of the submissions were very brief, 5-6 sentences or less.

As to the uninformed charge I make, I give this as an example of a Pro-Pipeline sentiment:

This is a long overdue needed line . The old line is failing and constantly being repaired . I c these things as I locate utilities for all pipeline projects in my area . The safety programs these guys put in place are top shelf .the environmental issues are above and beyond what’s required and the safety concerns of the pipeline are met
constantly with new technology and old they upkeep and inspect these line like no other . The money that this will bring into areas along it’s route will not only thrive while it’s going through but the tax base it will provide after that is detrimental to all plus it will employ and help our economy . Build it build it build it

OK, I admit, when I saw “Build it build it build it” as an ending to a letter, I knew I’d be picking it.  Now, reading it through, it shows some of the ignorance but really, I’m seeing how hard this is to even decipher!  What’s uninformed here?  Yes, the original Line 3 is old (and had quality issues when it was built because no one thought dropping pipes as they handled them might lead to issues down the line).  And it is constantly failing and needing repair, especially since they are pushing Tar Sands.  BUT I’d take issue with Enbridge’s safety programs.  They are NOT top notch.  In fact Enbridge has one of the worst records in the industry.  They do inspect lines but… we still have failures that are not detected by these inspections.  Best available technology does NOT mean sufficient and competent technology, just the best we’ve come up with to date.  As far as the money the pipeline will bring into the area?  Temporary jobs do not provide long-term economic support and while he says the tax base will be “detrimental”, I think he means the opposite.  And yes, I know I will pay higher taxes if a new pipeline doesn’t come through and provide.  But I’m pretty sure the risks to our much bigger economy of tourism are not worth chancing for a few jobs.  And I’m willing to pay higher taxes.

Very few of the Pro-Pipeline letters actually addressed what the PUC was requesting, whether the RFEIS addressed the four points that the PUC deemed Inadequate in the FEIS.  Most were about pipelines being the safest transport for oil, how we really need the jobs (though many will go to non-Minnesotans), energy independence (“It is time we get to the point where we’re not depending on other countries oil. Countries that fund the exact terrorism that is killing people every day!”), and how we all use oil and its products every day (“These include computers, cell phones, beauty products, appliances,
clothing and sporting goods.”).

So how many pages did the 78 Anti-Pipeline folks submit?  About 92.  Yes, 2.5 times the number of pages submitted by 40% less contributors.  On average, more than a full page per submission.  Yes, we had a few of our own short and poorly written letters and some were simply supporting the environment or Indigenous Rights.  But, by and large, the data in our letters was substantial, referencing links, news articles, and the page references in the RFEIS in question.  Most of the letters actually addressed the four items in question by the PUC.

I was pretty proud of the Anti-Pipeline showing.

When it came to form letters, Enbridge had given up on this tactic.  No pre-printed postcards for this round on the Pro-Pipeline side.  While this blog only concerns itself with self-directed letters submitted to the PUC, MN 350 and Interfaith Powe & Light did submit some pre-printed forms.  They were tallied in subsequent batches of Public Comments. As in the last go-around, many of these cards/petitions also contained verbiage, not just signed names and addresses without comment.  How many did they submit?  Over 23,000 citizens agreed that Enbridge’s New Line 3 is not good for Minnesota’s future.  Yes, the Anti-Pipeline submissions definitely surpassed those of the Pro-Pipeliners all-in-all.

As to the belligerence?  It was really not as bad as I thought it might be.  I recall one Pro-Pipeline letter saying something about putting “politics aside” and some stressing that this project has been on hold long enough.  But for the most part, the letters were civil on both sides.  Most of the outrage on the Anti-Pipeline side was regarding the racism (some called it by name) of not giving Indigenous People a voice by including a Traditional Cultural Properties Survey in the EIS or lamenting the little time left if we truly want to address climate change.  But even when an Anti-Pipeliner was short and forceful, they were often still polite…

I OBJECT- Before the Administrative Law Judge tries to make her findings, I request that you create a supplementary EIS that addresses the deficiencies in the Final EIS. Please.

So here’s the summary:

Pro-Pipeline: 114 letters, 36 pages, 21 one-line submissions, 9 two-line submissions, 15 three-line submissions, little data but lots of unsubstantiated statements.

Anti-Pipeline: 78 letters, 92 pages, 1 one-line submission, many multi-page submissions, lots of evidence backing up the statements saying that the RFEIS continues to be inadequate.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.  Deny the Certificate of Need.  Kick Enbridge’s New Line 3 Tar Sands Pipeline to the curb.

Update 3/15/18: The public Utilities Commission voted to accept the RFEIS as Adequate. You can read more on my FB post from that date.

 

Updates in the Pipeline Fight

Tags

Enbridge, Honor The Earth, Line 3, Pipeline

On March 4th, Honor The Earth held a fundraising event to mark the 27th Anniversary of the largest inland oil spill in these United States.

And when they say “Feast”, they mean Feast!!  We ate from real dishes and drank from real cups – part of HTE’s goal to reduce waste, but it made the whole event feel more elegant and like a family dinner.  I feel so good to be a part of THIS community.

Frank Bibeau brought smoked whitefish and bread from Ball Club, MN that was so delicious… wonderfully balanced salt and fat ~  morsels that greased your fingers as you plucked the flesh from the skin.  I’d never had this before but I am already looking forward to the next chance I will have to try it.  Annie Humphrey made a thick and hearty pork stew with hominy, carrots and potatoes and a mildly sweet, full of fruit wild rice pudding with whipped cream.  Oh! And she brought fry bread.  It looked wonderful but, alas, I could not partake of it.  Dan says it was good!

But the real draw was not the food, as wonderful as it was. With speakers like Scott Hall, retired KAXE journalist, who described the scene and its aftermath from first hand experience, to Frank Bibeau, Leech Lake Tribal Attorney, who spoke on the 1855 Treaty Rights giving  us all a historical perspective, it was a very informative event.

Annie Humphrey’s musical interlude was beautiful and again I was brought to tears as she player her Helper Song, a spiritual chant calling for support in times of need.  An unexpected speaker from the crowd, a young man named Dallon (I am likely screwing up this spelling) spoke from the heart about the losses of Tullibee he has noted since the oil spills have occurred.  These fish (aka Cisco, Herring, Lake Herring) are a part of the ecosystem and when they drop in population, it affects the other species of fish who depend on them for food.  These Tullibee are the canary in the coal mine so to speak for Minnesota’s waters.

“Even slight changes in temperature and oxygen levels can cause die-offs of this sensitive fish.” ~ Jim Umhoefer, Star Tribune 2/3/2015

 

The keynote speaker was Winona LaDuke, Executive Director of Honor the Earth, a a non-profit organization founded by Winona and The Indigo Girls (Amy Ray and Emily Saliers) to raise awareness and financial support for Indigenous environmental justice.

Winona brought the Honor The Earth biodiesel bus with gorgeous artwork by Votan; a copy of the mural in Duluth.  We love supporting HTE events whenever we can.  And while Winona cannot possibly make all the events for this large organization, it is nice when she does.  She has been at many I have attended and she never fails to give a down-to-earth discussion of what’s happening in the movement.

Today she spoke about how we are done with “bad ideas”.  It’s not a good idea to put a pipeline through the wetlands and watersheds of northern Minnesota, especially when the dangerous poison being transported is not supporting this region.  I agree, why risk our clear waters for Enbridge’s tarry sludge that will only increase the effects of climate change?  I do live in Clearwater County for goodness sake.

Winona explained that if Enbridge brought an idea for renewable energy to Minnesota we’d like them a lot more.  Indeed.  But what she did fail to mention was her recent Letter to the Editor that we found in the Bemidji Pioneer’s online page on arriving home that evening.  She may not have realized it had been posted.

It looks like our neighboring Beltrami County is gearing up to support Enbridge, a Canadian Corporation.  At the February 20th County Commissioners meeting, a request from the Sheriff’s Department to beef up their forces with a mutual aid agreement was approved by the Commissioners.

“It’s to respond to matters such as protest activities that we perceive may occur in the future. It’s about sharing resources among the law enforcement agencies in northern Minnesota, if the need arises.”  ~ Sheriff Phil Hodapp

Sheriff Hodapp feels that the possibility for protests is “very likely” as he references the pending decision on Enbridge Energy’s Proposed Line 3 request.

Winona’s LTE recognized the lone “No” vote by Commissioner Tim Sumner (District 4) saying, “it is nice to see courage.”

“Beltrami County’s decision sends a message that protecting the rights of corporations over the rights of people is acceptable. It is troublesome. Many of us were at Standing Rock and experienced extreme violence at the hands of police, military, paramilitary and other forces upon us. Northern Minnesota is not North Dakota; we neither have the oil interests slathering our politicians (one would hope), nor do we have the hatred for native people that earned North Dakota the nickname “the Deep North.” Or do we? Now is the time, Beltrami County, to decide if you are willing to seize people’s land, and shoot at them, to ensure the profits of a Canadian pipeline company. Now is the time to make a decision not to do that. ” ~ Winona LaDuke, LTE Bemidji Pioneer 3/4/18

Here is a story from two days after the hearing.  It appears that Commissioner Reed Olson (District 2) quickly regretted his “Yes” vote.

“When I was driving home that Tuesday night, I thought about it and I wished that I had not voted for it. I don’t know if we understand the power that we’ve given over to the office of sheriff,” Olson said. “It gives the sheriff, and this has nothing to do with Phil (Hodapp), but the sheriff position in Beltrami County the ability to declare a perceived future state of emergency, to put together law enforcement in a preemptive move to block what might be unrest.”

“So, what I wish we would have discussed, instead of how quickly can we get police and sheriff deputies out for protests, maybe a better discussion could have been about engaging the community and ensuring we have a safe environment for people to peacefully and legally protest.”

“My concern is when we’re looking at the potential for determining peaceful protests as a state of unrest.  If there are going to be protests in Beltrami County over pipelines, what we really need is for people to understand on all sides is that law enforcement is there to protect the rights of individuals to peacefully protest and demonstrate as well as to protect the rights of property owners. That they’re a neutral party there to keep people safe and not there to act as the security service for multinational corporations.”  ~ Beltrami County Commissioner Reed Olson

I bet the officers in North Dakota thought they were not acting “as the security service for (a) multinational corporation”.  But that’s what it looked like.  And with Tiger Swan agents at their sides, that is indeed what they ended up becoming.

I am wondering how this affects Clearwater County and if OUR County Commissioners must give their own concurrence vote.  Of course, Clearwater County is largely in Enbridge’s pocket since we’ve been sucking on their teat for so many years.  They think of Enbridge as a “friend”, even though the recent closing of an old folks home in their base city of Clearbrook showed NO INVOLVEMENT by Enbridge to save the place. Not a very good friend for our elderly…

Reed Olson said to the Bemidji Pioneer, “But, sometimes we have to stop and think out what are all the implications.”  RIGHT?!?  I believe that’s what your job is!  It angers me that no one thought to slow down the process in order for enough information to be gathered to truly understand what was being voted on at the Commissioner’s meeting.

Ironically, in January, Reed Olson brought up the idea of televising the County Board meetings and having them available for live streaming.  What a concept!  Letting the public SEE what their Commissioners were doing.  The motion failed in a 3-2 vote.  And, yes, it was Tim Sumner who was also in favor of Reed’s idea.

These are scary times in my neck of the woods.  But there is also much to give hope.

The Water Protectors are ready to Stand for Clean Water.  The Tribes are ready to Fight for Treaty Rights.  And the Valve Turners are ready to Risk Freedom to Stop Fossil Fuels.  Many voices are crying out in support of Mother Earth.  Many letters are being written, posters are being raised, steps are being taken… in hopes we can help prevent the further destruction of our planet.

Minnesotans for Pipeline Cleanup (MPC) is a group that gives me hope.  Along with St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, MPC held a press conference this past week.  They are spreading awareness about a new report that explains abandonment and its risks.

“A new study released today by Minnesotans for Pipeline Cleanup outlined the different results and consequences of abandonment, including from an economic standpoint, as well as environment and wildlife standpoint.” ~ Clayton Castle, Lakeland Public Television

In conjunction with a release of their report, MPC is releasing a video series telling the stories of landowners, their experience with Enbridge, and the expectations they now have.  This first trailer exposes you to these landowners and an upcoming blog will give more details on their concerns.   Stay tuned.

The Aftermath of a School Shooting

Tags

common sense, guns

Just before my first blog posted on the school shooting in Parkland, I got a message from an old college friend to call when I got a chance. Not thinking anything of it and having a moment, I called right away.  Two and a half hours later I was still in shell-shock.  Her daughter was at the school in Parkland during the Ash Wednesday shooting.

The details she shared were shocking but they are hers, not mine to share.  She simply wanted to talk to someone outside the area.  As might be imagined, there is a pall over the towns surrounding the school.  And the effects, especially to kids, parents, and teachers so closely related to the event will likely continue to be quite heavy for some time to come.  And will affect everyone involved for the rest of their lives, no doubt.

To realize how close I was to this shooting made me see that these things affect more of us than we might imagine. The connections radiate in all directions.  For every child killed, the child has two parents (at least), and often siblings, four grandparents (at least), aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, family friends and neighbors.  I’m in an outer ripple of a light splash for a child who came home from Douglas this Valentine’s Day.  Not a family member, not a neighbor, just an old college friend who lives across the country.  And I feel heartbroken.  I well up with tears as I talk with my friend, I hold back a sob as she talks about her experience and I imagine what this must be like for her.  And I imagine that a thousand fold because this group of affected people goes into the thousands, into the millions I’d venture.  We are all connected in so many ways.  And another’s pain is our pain.  None of us likes when a loved one is in sorrow.  The pain may lessen the further out in the ripples you go, but the pain is there nonetheless.

Listening to her, and talking with others and reading about the shooting, the ramifications are heartbreaking.  Here are some of the things we might not think about.  But our children do.  And parents who’ve experienced the dreaded wait, they do too.

• Sarah Crescitelli, a 15-year-old, texting her mother during the shooting,“If I don’t make it I love you and I appreciated everything you did for me.”
• The 7-year old girl who tells her mother, after a “shooter drill” at her elementary school, “Mommy, I need new shoes.”  “But, honey, we just bought you those shoes.”  “Yes, Mommy, but the lights go on when I walk.”
• The parent waiting outside Douglas to pick up his child, watching the chaos unfold, not knowing if he would be getting bad news instead.

What’s happening?

Well, lots of people are talking.  For now.  I am hopeful, in the short attention span we often have in America, we do not forget this issue by the time November rolls around.  Voting out the NRA-financed members of our government is a good start to being able to find solutions.  The NRA has been funding the problem for some time and they currently have more sway than the millions of Americans who have been affected by mass killings and school shootings.

What’s planned?

A Nationwide Walkout at 10 AM on March 14^th ~ Seventeen minutes to commemorate the lives lost at Douglas.

A March 24^th Protest in Washington, D.C.  Cameron Kasky, Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg, Alex Wind and Jaclyn Corin – these teens are stepping up to stop the madness that has gone on too long. They are organizing an event to make their voices heard and to bring about change.  The time is NOW they say, to talk about solutions.  It’s NOT too soon.   The students at Sandy Hook in New Town, Connecticut were too young, these teens say, but they are not.  Now is the time to take action and the NRA is their first point of attack. Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg sent a challenge to all politicians.   Either you Stand with the Children or you side with the Child Murderers.  NRA support is a badge of shame now.

A Nationwide Walkout April 20^th – To commemorate the anniversary of Columbine and to stand for change to prevent these mass school shootings.

And perhaps they will solve even more of our problems.  Emma noted that the gun control issue is “just the first thing” they are focusing on.  They are not just calling B.S. to our politicians in general, they are also calling out 45 on his thoughtless, self-centered tweets.

Thank God someone has the balls to stand up and say what we’ve all been thinking.  The Children will lead us where the Media and Congress have failed.

I’m seeing much hatred, rage, and meme-throwing – yes, I use them too.  But we need to get to real solutions.  We need to talk about real answers.  I personally like the ABC approach I read about: Assault Rifle (AR-15) Ban, Background Checks for all, Closing Gun Shop Loopholes.  I also support Waiting Periods and Limits on Ammo purchases.  And Requiring a License for Buying Ammo and making Ammo REAL Expensive – unless you’re on the range.  How about AR-15s ONLY at shooting ranges?  Kind of like the Army does, they leave the weapons on the range.  They aren’t carrying AR-15s back to the barracks. The MPs carry only handguns.

You don’t like those solutions?  Give me yours.  But I’m not buying that people “need” or “should have” the right to own semi-automatic rifles like that.  What is the basis of their need? And is honoring their desire for an AR-15 more important than protecting our children?  I cannot fathom how.

For a real look at what might work, The Rand Corporation has done a study and it shows what some ideas might do.

What can you do today?  If you are struggling with the aftermath of this shooting, find help.   Be sure you are talking with others, giving yourself space to heal, and finding productive outlets.  Grief is a process.  But balance the grief with hope and optimism.  I think watching these young activists in Florida is a good way to stay hopeful.

And their efforts are already affecting Minnesota’s race for governor.

During the last election cycle, as a Bernie supporter, I became VERY disillusioned with our political system.  Bernie would have beaten 45.  I’m sure of it.  Alas, that’s an argument that no one can never prove. But these kids are already bringing me hope that perhaps our political system CAN return to health.

Over the time since we’ve moved here, we’re seeing the same takeover in Minnesota that we saw in Indiana. The Republicans took over the government slowly and eventually took the Governorship and then began driving out the main Democratic leader, Superintendent of Schools, Glenda Ritz.  It was unbelievable how there would be meetings on Education to which she was not invited.  The Republicans kept taking more and more of her power away.  Of course, they didn’t want real education or teacher supports, all the things Glenda had run on and won in a state becoming more deeply red every cycle.  She took a position Democrats had not held since 1973.

Now we’re watching the same pattern materialize in Minnesota – where we moved because it was more progressive. (Well, and because there’s water.)  Things have been reverting more and more conservative. The Republicans are pushing a fear agenda in their efforts to pit Rural against Urban and it’s working. Division is the friend of the corporate and powerful… It keeps all us peons fighting amongst ourselves while they do as they wish.

This year, Minnesota’s Democratic Governor is stepping down. And it looks like the DFL (Democrat-Farmer-Laborer) party is going to support Walz, a white male candidate – largely because he’s a DINO (Democrat in Name Only) – and they are afraid of being too progressive with any of the three female candidates, all far more progressive than Walz.
But last Tuesday, Walz released a statement noting that he’s listening to these kids.  He’s donated all the NRA funds he’d received and will take no more. And he’s agreed to an AR-15 ban in Minnesota.  Sounds like a real come-to-Jesus experience!

I don’t think that’s enough, but it shows that he’s definitely realizing he may need to fight to hang on where he sees real political trouble.  And we need to keep letting the politicians know where they are in trouble.  From gun violence to climate change to fair wages to health care.

But rather than accept the candidates who “change stripes” to meet the demand, I say we bring in those who KNEW What The Fuck was needed in the first place!  Erin Murphy supported a ban on assault rifles BEFORE the latest shooting and uprising of the constituents-to-be.  These progressive candidates are a more trustworthy place to give our support. So much less likely to, once elected, go back to original plans, with full explanations of why they “simply cannot do what I really wish I could and had promised I would do…”

Closer to home, Bemidji has had it’s own fluff-up last week.  English teacher, Gina Marie Bernard organized “a “Women’s March Youth EMPOWER” walkout at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, at the high school. The plan is to have students, teachers, school administrators and parents leave school buildings across the country for 17 minutes.”  The next day, the Bemidji Pioneer reported:

Bemidji Area Schools Superintendent Jim Hess said he didn’t support a Bemidji High School teacher’s call for students and faculty to leave class next month to protest school shootings, and the teacher told the Pioneer the event has been cancelled.

So… those in power can just cancel a walkout, eh?  Do they comprehend that the very nature of a walkout indicates it is an act of civil disobedience?  That it’s not about asking permission but taking to the streets to express outrage?  I’m betting this decision by Mr. Hess spurs the event to be even larger than it would have been had he just let the movement grow on its own.  Never tell a teen what they cannot do.  I’m wondering if this Superintendent ever had children…  Instead:

District staff are weighing other options, which include a plan to speak to students about gun violence during homeroom on March 14, when the walkout was planned, or to meet at the school’s flagpole before school.

I’m betting those students may well do as they please.  Kind of like those in Florida who ignored 45’s attempt to control the situation.  People are ready to take matters into their own hands.  Administration has had plenty of time, and they’ve done nothing.

Two days later, my letter to the Editor posted.

In the end, if we are not teaching kids that they have a right to freedom of speech, and that this country was BUILT on nonviolent civil disobedience, WHY are we teaching them at all?

And do we think the efforts of these Douglas HS kids are working?  Well the criticism they’ve garnered seems  to indicate that thosewho oppose them are pretty scared.  And that’s where the fear needs to be in politics.  The power of the people CAN bring this country back to its senses. If only we can keep our focus.

Photo Credit:  CNN –  This is also a link to Emma’s entire speech.