Coronaruption?

By that title, I refer both to the corruption associated with the pandemic as well as the possible eruption of disease we are potentially about to see in the U.S. You know, like India is seeing now?

Much of this blog is a consolidation of recent data and expressed ideas in my daily FB posted COVID updates. I’m simply trying to wrap my mind around what I’m reading and digest it into what it might mean going forward. It’s all just my speculation on the interpretation I have of the data I access, presented to you for comment, feedback, idea generation, something to share (or simply to laugh at…), as the case may be.

So what’s happening of late?

I’m noticing that while MN continues to push vaccinations, we seem to have peaked on folks getting them. What this means for disease spread is far from sure, as becomes clearer below.

MN Vaccination data for COVID-19 – Looks promising by Month… but not by Week, for vaccination proponents.

While some may be surprised to see this trend of Minnesota vaccine figures waning, you can count me NOT shocked. With the complete failure by the government to be honest about the data and transparent about the backrooms deals, all while we see continued actions of white supremacy throughout agencies and in the legislatures and courts… I’m surprised as many people TRUST the vaccines as do.

Though I get the calculation of risks that lead many to secure them, I’m not sure these folks all have access to vaccine data (or personal experience) that might change their minds, were they only aware of it. I’m simply operating on the precautionary principle and I realize my privilege of being a hermit in the woods is a big part of what allows me to do so. I also realize it means that folks who choose to only associate in person with vaccinated people will be out of my life physically… for a while at least. Which was something I was pretty geared for since… well, really over a year ago, so… sad but not unexpected.

There are many with valid concerns regarding these “emergency use” vaccines. We have turned our entire global population into a human experiment… with unknown repercussions to come. Already coming, in fact.

No surprise, I guess, as humans have long decided about asbestos, farming with chemicals, PFAS, and other bows down to human science (without regard for natural repercussions), which have brought similar problems… Simply something I’d hope we can all consider as we each make our own decisions about whether or not to be vaccinated. Let’s be less judgmental and more compassionate perhaps? Not so all-knowingly confident… as we lack real data to hold such confidence?

While Minnesota seems to be banking on a downward trend in figures as they happily vaccinate more of their citizens, I’m afraid their planning figures for PPE may be a bit short, if instead we continue to see hospitalizations rise. As can be seen in the tables, Minnesota is banking on supplies lasting for at least another 52 days. However, I see a couple problems with their data that might indicate a less than fully prepared plan.

First, let’s talk about the basis of their plan. As of April 2nd (nice they didn’t use April Fool’s Day but…) our managers are banking on the PPE levels in this graphic. We’re looking at 114 days worth of face masks, 105 days of face shields, 124 days of gloves, 156 of gowns, and 290 of N95 respirators. Those figures are based on a baseline usage from August 2020. They even halve those figures – if we happen to get to 2X baseline usage, which is how we get to “at least” 52 days (with the limiting factor being face shields). Note that we have ZERO days on hand awaiting delivery for face masks, gowns and N95 respirators while we have 3 days of face shields and 12 days worth of gloves awaiting delivery.

Days-on-hand of Critical Care Supplies MDH

On the whole, this seems a really great plan, eh? Well-thought out with a doubling of the baseline usage to – we assume – conservatively estimate the planning and, possibly facilitating ordering plans as well? Well, if August is a good baseline of usage, this makes sense. Let’s see if it does.

In August 2020, we were seeing an average of 10.2 ICU and 41.7 hospitalizations each day. So, if we were at even 20 ICUs and 83 hospitalizations, we’d be in good shape using this as a basis, right? However, if we get back up to November usage figures of 39.3 ICUs and 230.9 hospitalizations, we’d be at 3.9X and 5.5X the usage of August. So definitely underestimating our needs. Currently, we’re averaging ICUs of 1.7X and hospitalizations of 2.3X August 2020 figures (17.4 ICUs & 95.4 hospitalizations daily for April 2021). If trends continue for less hospitalizations, Minnesota will be ok.

However, if things take off – as we’ve seen in India – and if Minnesota returns to November levels of hospitalizations, we’d see a less rosy picture. If we halve the prepared supplies again, (to simulate an immediate uptick to a 4X rate of use), Minnesotans are looking at less than a month’s supply on face masks & shields, just about a month’s supply on gloves and gowns, and about a 2.5 month supply on N95 respirators. With almost nothing in the pipeline awaiting delivery. Yet, if we see that happen, perhaps there are no plans that might be sufficient.

And how are our Minnesota hospitals doing to remain prepared? Well, not as good as one might hope.

MN maintains 101 ICU beds and 702 hospital beds over May Day weekend.

Staffing capacities show more than 60% of hospitals are unable to maintain expected capacities for ICU or regular bed support.

Staffed ICU/Non-ICU Availability MDH

With the many variants, I’m not sure that MN is taking a proper precautionary approach… especially with many vaccinated still finding themselves infected… and even in some cases dying. While some call it propaganda, this information on vaccine development, testing, and concerns has been enlightening. I find the “propaganda” of mainstream news, alt-media, and even late night hosts poo-pooing the use of Ivermectin to be just as concerning… though I’m guessing some (having been indoctrinated by the mainstream media narrative over long months) will simply think me “crazy” for it. Even the NIH is re-considering Ivermectin FFS.

I’m more into digesting the science, examining data, looking at how cells and viruses function than simply listening to talking heads (paid to please their sponsors) and believing what they have to say. Especially when the data is so readily saying the opposite of what those talking heads are implying? It’s not just 6 people with blood clots, folks.

As of April 20, the CDC had reported a total of 7,157 cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated people and 88 deaths. However, as of April 26th, that rose to 9,245 cases and 132 deaths – an increase of 29% in cases in less than a week and 50% increase in deaths. Additionally, the CDC figures on April 13th were 5800 cases with 74 dead – meaning we’ve seen a 59% increase in cases and 78% increase in deaths for vaccinated folks in less than two weeks. Not good trends…

Something to watch closely as it appears to affect women at a higher rate. I’m wondering what the stats are on people of color, though those are not broken out in the CDC reporting.

CDC Data as of 4/26/21

The data on vaccination by race is an interesting review for MN. [scroll down for the state-by-state table] From what I can tell in a quick review, Minnesota has vaccinated more whites proportionately than other races (perhaps to be expected in a white supremacy focused society), though Asians seem to get a fair swing at accessibility. Regardless, death counts appear best for Asians, worst for whites (my guess would be that this is due to complacency and obesity… regardless of accessibility to health care) and, of course, there is NO DATA for the Indigenous to this land. FFS.

Overall, things are tentative from my perspective. And if Tim Walz and his administration still plan to allow a bunch of pipeliners to return from out-of-state in coming weeks, I’d say we better prepare for the worst.

Surely Not in My Lifetime…

Or…

How Humans May Simply Be Unable to Conceptualize Personal Mortality…

[let alone the extinction of our entire species.]

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I really thought that we’d find a way,
to share information and get folks to say,
“Holy Fuck are we fucked, hey?!?
If we’re saving ourselves, best get on our way!”

Though most folks seem, it seems to me,
happy trudging along not daring to see,
what’s coming to be?
[The end of the world – fast and furiously.]

Many listen to those who assure and deceive,
(mostly to secure more… oh, my, the greed!)
that “All is well, there’s nothing to see!”
As the dangers increase. Every day, indeed.

We’re the frog in the pot,
Not sensing the hot,
Just a bit more each day,
Makes it easy to not!

But the changes we’re seeing,
exponentially breeding,
defy the strength of our mentality…
Bringing an end… to our very Being?

How many are we losing?
How many due to choosing
to follow the deceivers?
And leave the rest of us boo-hooing.

How to know who’s talking true…
With all the misinforming cues?
That each contain a bit or two…
of fact to keeping us swilling lie-filled stew?

And to what ends,
do we depend,
on those who lie,
and truth do bend?

Are we hungry for something,
that with a bit of truth rings?
Because it’s less painful?
Than a true reckoning?

Yes, that is one way,
to survive each day,
in Blissful Ignorance,
rather than be swayed.

By the reality around us,
literally drowning us,
in cognitive dissonance…
“Hush, Baby! Hush!”

Don’t look for solutions,
or make resolutions,
let alone change your lifestyle,
that’s full of delusions!

Just keep on doing,
What you’ve always been doing,
as we wipe away the dreams…
that all our children are hoping.

Or maybe join with all those trying,
to keep humanity from dying?
Indigenous & Water Protectors,
for our Water, we’re vying.

Because Water is Life,
without Her, there’s just strife,
How can tension over this fact,
require such a big knife?

To find common ground,
and in abundance abound,
Are those feet I hear coming?
Can you hear their sound?

As hundreds and thousands and millions arrive!
All of us merely hoping to survive…
the insanity of the Corps(e),
and their endeavor to thrive.

We can’t have it both ways,
Our face or ass we must save,
meaning a bit of humility
might be what we crave?

A return to the simple day,
the natural and peaceful way,
reciprocal care for the Mother of all,
as we find ourselves willing to say…

Let’s choose life over death!
Let’s end all the mess!
Let’s take back our power,
Together we can redress!

Perhaps only in our little space,
can we put on this courageous face,
and make the changes that will bring,
success at a quick enough pace.

Putting emphasis on enough,
letting go of extra stuff,
giving up the personal excess,
so each of us can have some love?

Maybe it won’t end up saving the race,
or our planet tattered like lace,
but in the mirror we will find,
a face that we can face.

Considering… blissonance.

Courtesy not Confrontation in Clearwater County

The Clearwater County Sheriff does an exemplary job of traffic control and safety presence in multiple events along Becida Road (ClearWater County 40). He arrives at gatherings for ceremony and celebration at the Mississippi River Valley and engages with the public there in a friendly way. He shows up alone, in a simple Sheriff’s SUV, and quietly protects and serves watch over the event.

In comparison to confrontational actions we’ve seen in Aitkin County at the second Mississippi River crossing on the proposed Line 3 pipeline route, Sheriff Halverson provides a comforting law enforcement presence that assures people an ability to peacefully engage in their First Amendment rights. 

Intelligent policing involves a focus on de-escalation and equitable protections.  Sheriff Halverson provides a great example of good policing in maintaining a peaceful presence.  He does not escalate with an over-the-top police response for a simple traffic control situation on a not so busily travelled roadway in the quiet part of his county. 

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Thank you, Sheriff Darin, for your kindly humane and intelligently implemented law enforcement techniques.  I look forward to you maintaining a peaceful presence at the little bridge over the Mississippi. 

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Sheriff Darin Halverson on World Water Day with ogichidaa water protector. (Thanks, Jaci!)

If you want to give Darin a thank you for his effective law enforcement, perhaps we can encourage more to follow his lead.

You can reach Darin at 218.694.6226 or darin.halverson@co.clearwater.mn.us or

213 Main Ave. N. #102
Bagley , MN 56621

Project Uteri

So, a friend posted on FB about an upcoming hysterectomy and how she’d like art on the theme of the Uterus, which she would soon be without, as part of that process. Always up for a challenge – especially an art challenge – I gave it some consideration.

I’d recently had my own uterine adventure… a bit of a scary one – but nothing serious in the end. [Mostly just another reminder that I seem these days to sometimes be losing my mind.] So I felt some kinship with wanting to give a little love to my uterus as well.

I decided a pendant project might be just the thing. If I could find rocks that were “uterine”… or at least could artistically be imagined into uterine-like artworks, I’d give it a go. I had just been out berry picking a few days earlier and found a cute little black rock (that I thought might be representative of a uterus no longer in use). When I initially spotted the rock, I thought, “Ah, a heart rock!” When I pulled it from the earth into my hand, it was more square. But… flipping it over, I discovered a sweet heart on it’s bottom! [Unfortunately, this was simply mud and would wash off as I further prepared the stones. 😦 ]

Healthy, Menopausal, Removed

Alongside a couple others I’d selected from my stash, I moved forward with my project plan. I found a THICK heartish shaped stone that felt “healthy” to me. Then I found a bit larger and less vibrant, yellow tinged, stone for my “menopausal” uterine representation. But I felt something was missing. I felt like, if this was a healing project, it needed some additional focus on healing.

So I found another stone that depicted a troubled uterus, a uterus in despair. I made this pendant first, praying for all those who deal with these concerns. I used black wire to reflect the toxic world in which humans now live, a world that is likely resulting in our broken uteri and failing reproductive systems… ecosystem wide. This pendant has a very simple back with almost no adornment and simple features on front with a center glimmer heart and colorful blessing seed beads around the jasper head bead of health and passion, a stone that brings the courage to face unpleasant tasks and to rectify unjust situations.

A blessing for the Impaired.

I next moved to the healthy uterus pendant wrapping it in golden wire and including an abundance of glimmering seed/seed beads surrounding the head bead – a shell, representing water, a requirement for life. Two prominent rose colored beads give a nod to femininity and the interior of the top beading hides a precious pearl at its center. The entire piece is pink with life.

Healthy

I moved on to my menopausal uterus stone, wrapped in silver wire, and with a skull head bead indicating the ending of life-bringing work. She retains a slight pinkness of life and wears a crown of pearl, again for water, though her seed beads are white and clear, no longer filled with the blood of life. Still a Queen, nonetheless.

Menopausal

Finally, I wrapped the stone that began it all. Purple wire, for her royal years of service. Dark beads of mystery and fluorite for a link to universal consciousness… Spirit. The bead choices resulted in some fun – a face appeared as I worked to add femininity with wire wraps. Though seriousness remains with the darkness hiding the fun until you look more closely. The deep glossy black head stone is crowned with and supported by deep purple iridescent seed beads.

Removed

The little “mouth” bead actually flips out from the pendant like a little blue claw. [I hope it lasts. Kind of a risk though I like it for several reasons.]

I’ve kept the Menopausal pendant but sent the other three to my friend to do with as she sees fit. I was thrilled to read about her idea, challenged to ponder it, healed by working the pendants to life, and honored to be a part of a bigger healing work. This woman, so rarely encountered in real life these three years I’ve known her now… but ever present in so many ways, has brought such love and light and blessing to my life. I am grateful for the gift of her friendship and the paths I’ve found with, and because of, her.

Entertaining in a Time of Corona

Well, for all the lock-down we’ve had, we ventured into entertaining of late. We entertained a neighbor couple Saturday evening, where the porch allowed a long evening of mostly masked conversation, with each couple enjoying their own festive cheese platter – totally failed to get early photos in all the prep and precautions.

Only the first couple “stripes” eaten…

There was one trade of beers and some shared spirits were poured. We used multiple spoons – to allow as little re-touching of items as possible – as scoops of hummus, artichoke dip & cheese dip were plunked onto dishes. Brownies were sent home. [Too much focus on beer and spirits!]

We were able to enjoy beverages, carefully share snacks, and converse (masking when we were in close proximity and when we weren’t eating or drinking). We’ve done this kind of entertaining before, with a bit less food sharing, and have found that masked interaction seems to give good protection as we’ve so far seen no apparent COVID-19. I do believe mandatory masks would go a long way toward getting us ‘back to normal’. [Though most of us realize now that we’re never going back to the old ‘normal’.]

The brownies that remained were carefully placed onto a serving dish for Sunday visitors. An older couple – who Dan & I have long admired as pioneers to our own escape of the rat race – came for their first ever HARN visit! What a thrill.

Such gratitude for the blessing of this visit.

Daughter and grandson chauffeured their trip and we all had a masked chat – first visitors INSIDE the HARN since March! We’re a week out now and all feeling good, so fingers crossed we were safe enough with our visits in Days of Corona.

Some will say we are being over cautious and some will wonder why we let someone in our safe home space bubble. We know visiting is a risk and take precautions to minimize risk. Because we live very cautiously on a daily, some who are also taking extra precautions feel our space is a safe place, in a time when it seems no place is safe.

I did not hug my 80+ friends though we threw distant hugs and gave big huge smiles that felt almost as good. I did hug my neighbor – with both of us masked and looking aside. It was great to hold someone for a bit that wasn’t Danny!

I have always been a hug person so this thing has been especially rough. It’s so hard to not just hug people but… we are very careful. While we feel we are taking risks, we’re doing so with people who also live very protected lives in Days of Corona. I guess that had been the big change for us. We basically don’t interact with folks who aren’t using precautionary principles.

The keys for us are:

• Social distancing
• Masks in proximity
• Avoiding the careless (those not respecting SARS-CoV-2)
• Careful eating protocols (limited options & prevention of interactions)
• Hand washing/sanitizing
• Not too often (allowing time to assess health after interacting, not entertaining until our town trip is shown to leave us “safe” again)

Good luck, everybody.

AG Ellison Sues Big Oil

HOLY FUCK. This is BIG. Giving the Floor to AG Ellison today. The Press Conference was pretty sweet; starting and ending with citizen farmer testimony from Martin Nelsen and Winona LaDuke. Rolling Stone covered it too.

AG Ellison Twitter Feed Photo – Quite a handsome pic!

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AG Ellison sues ExxonMobil, Koch Industries & American Petroleum Institute for deceiving, defrauding Minnesotans about climate change

Claims violations of state and common law regarding consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, misrepresentation, failure to warn; seeks injunctive relief, restitution, and corrective public education campaign

Minnesota joins growing list of states and local governments holding fossil-fuel industry accountable for decades-long ‘campaign of deception’

June 24, 2020 (SAINT PAUL)—Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit this morning in Ramsey County  on behalf of the State and its residents to stop deceptive practices related to climate change and to hold ExxonMobil Corp., the American Petroleum Institute, and three Koch Industries entities accountable for perpetuating fraud against Minnesotans. 

The lawsuit includes claims for fraud, failure to warn, and multiple separate violations of Minnesota Statutes that prohibit consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, and false statements in advertising.In addition to an injunction barring further violation of these laws,the complaint seeks restitution for the harms Minnesotans have suffered, and asks the Court to require defendants to fund a corrective public education campaign on the issue of climate change.

Minnesota joins a growing number of governments that are seeking to hold companies responsible for harms associated with climate change. While defendants and claims vary among jurisdictions, at least 15 other plaintiffs have brought similar lawsuits to date. Plaintiffs include the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island, along with cities and counties throughout the country.

“When corporations and trade associations break the law and hurt Minnesotans, it’s my job and my duty to hold them accountable. The fraud, deceptive advertising, and other violations of Minnesota state law and common law that the lawsuit shows they perpetrated have harmed Minnesotans’ health and our state’s environment, infrastructure, and economy,” said Attorney General Keith Ellison. 

“Impacts from climate change hurt our low-income residents and communities of color first and worst. The impacts on farmers in our agricultural state are widespread as well. Holding these companies accountable for the climate deception they’ve spread and continue to spread is essential to helping families to afford their lives and live with dignity and respect. It’s only fair that, as our complaint states, ‘the parties who have profited from avoiding the consequences and costs of dealing with global warming and its physical, environmental, social, and economic consequences, bear the costs of those impacts, rather than Minnesota taxpayers, residents, or broader segments of the public.’”

The complaint asks the court to require these companies to use wrongfully-obtained profits to help Minnesota pay for the devastating consequences of climate change. Attorney General Ellison is asking for these companies to disgorge profits and to “fund a corrective public education campaign in Minnesota relating to the issue of climate change, administered and controlled by an independent third party,” and that defendants “disclose, disseminate, and publish all research previously conducted directly or indirectly . . . that relates to the issue of climate change.”

The complaint describes how these companies strategized to deceive the public about climate-change science in order to safeguard their business interests. It was uncovered only starting in 2015 that internal experts in the field of climate change at these companies were issuing warnings to company leaders about what was coming. But rather than warn the public, as was the companies’ duty, the complaint details a multi-pronged campaign of deception that the companies and API conducted over the past 30 years.

During this same period, ExxonMobil and Koch earned hundreds of billions of dollars in profits while Minnesota shouldered the costs and consequences of unmitigated climate change.

Two images released in the complaint today illustrate the campaign of deception. One is a document from Exxon Engineering, labeled “Proprietary Information,” dated October 19, 1979. It clearly asserts the reality of climate change and acknowledges that the cause is “due to fossil fuel consumption.” The other image is of print advertisements from the Information Council for the Environment, an industry front group dedicated to denying the science of climate change. The ads compare predictions of climate change to “Chicken Little” and assert that “they may not be true” — despite the defendants’ knowledge that the predictions were true.

Minnesota has a history of holding companies accountable for misleading the public. Under former Minnesota Attorney General Skip Humphrey, Minnesota prosecuted Big Tobacco for violating many of these same statutes. Doug Blanke, who worked on the tobacco litigation and headed the Consumer Protection Division while he was at the Attorney General’s office, and now directs the Public Health Law Center at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, thinks that Attorney General Ellison has a strong case. “Misleading the public about science is not a new concept,” he explains. “Unfortunately, some companies seem to care more about their bottom lines than the public’s health. But it’s a violation of Minnesota law to mislead consumers about the products you sell, and the Attorney General has laid out a powerful case that these companies did exactly that.”

Sam Grant, executive director of MN350, added, “As we come together to hold American Petroleum Institute, Exxon, and Koch Industries accountable in this consumer-protection lawsuit, it is important to be mindful that the harm caused by their bad corporate behavior is not evenly experienced. Here in Minnesota, it is our populations of color — particularly our urban African American population and our American Indian population whether urban or rural — that face the most grave health disparities, disparities contributed to by corporations that have knowingly deceived the public, distorted the science, and made tremendous profits while causing irreparable socio-environmental harm.”

“Our future generations count on our actions today,” explains Winona LaDuke, director of Honor the Earth. “As fossil-fuel companies like Exxon twist laws and deal in carbon across the world, people and governments are stopping them. I’m proud that Minnesota is stepping up.”

Juwaria Jama, the state lead for Minnesota Youth Climate Strike, explains how young people feel about this action: “As generation z, we have known about climate change ever since we were born. As children, we were told that we only had a few years to act until our future could be stolen from us. Now as teenagers, that reality is clearer. We are spending our time fighting a last-minute battle to preserve a livable world for ourselves and future generations because corporations like Exxon knew the impacts of climate change, but continued to deceive the public for decades. Exxon chose profit over people. It’s time they’re held accountable.”

Impacts and costs of climate change on Minnesota

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, from 1951 to 2012, Minnesota’s climate warmed faster than both national and global rates of increase, with average annual temperature increasing by 3.2 degrees Fahrenheit in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, since 1960, the rate of climate warming in Minnesota has increased from 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit per decade from the 1890s to the 1950s to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit per decade beginning with the 1960s. These and other studies lay out many of the impacts of climate change on Minnesotans’ health and Minnesota’s environment and economy.

Pages 57–70 of the lawsuit also detail some of the many impacts and costs that Minnesota has incurred and will incur as a result of climate change that has gone unchecked and unregulated because of the defendants’ 30-year campaign of deception.

A copy of the complaint is available on Attorney General Ellison’s website. Video of the press conference at which Attorney General Ellison and other speakers announced the lawsuit will be available on Attorney General Ellison’s YouTube channel.

MPCA Hindering Public Engagement on Line 3?

So I’d heard that there was going to be a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Contested Case Hearing (CCH) on the Line 3 project. Being busy with racial justice concerns of late, I’d missed reading about it and kind of left it laying until a friend told me, on June 16th, that there was a hearing happening. A hearing about which I had heard nothing. A hearing that was happening… the next day.

While some of you may think, “It’s not like the MPCA owes you a written invitation, girl!” and I get that notion, it just seemed a little disturbing to me that the workings of the MPCA seemed a bit clandestine regarding the proceedings.

So, as directed, I went to the MPCA website for the Line 3 project and found the June 3rd Order from MPCA. It didn’t seem important to the MPCA to communicate – electronically or via mail – to these people regarding the upcoming hearing…

The order issued June 8th on the June 17th pre-hearing conference was only distributed to a few people… A notable exclusion on the list was Paul Blackburn who has been integral to the Line 3 process for some time now, which would have been evident to many of us as a shortcoming to be redressed. But, the “by the letter” MPCA, failed to include him. [Another examples of how it is time to revisit our ‘law and order’ system… as it no longer serves the People.]

The detail on the memo?

Note that this 6/8 order was not posted on the MPCA website.

Having been informed of the pre-hearing conference via friends, I decided to listen in… as did several other Petitioners who were also not informed but happened on the information through the grapevine. It’s almost like they forget a movement of thousands of Minnesotans are watching their every move. And keeping up – as we can – with their antics.

I was pleasantly surprised by the happenings in the pre-hearing conference and regret for those in the movement unable to attend. But I gave them an update via FB afterwards. Seems citizen journalism is about the only place you can get coverage for this project…

My FB post from just after the 6/17 pre-hearing conference for the Line 3 Contested Case Hearing being ordered by the MPCA.

ALJ LaFave noted that we will have a 2PM conference on this June 23rd – THAT IS TOMORROW, FOLKS – as this phone hearing stuff is really unmanageable.

He appreciated the parties working in advance on a proposed schedule but saw it as perhaps too tightly packed at the back end… raising concern. LaFave suggested moving the hearing dates up a week or so as he’d like at least 30 days for the writing of his recommendations, “given what I expect will be an extensive record”.

He noted this CCH is NOT one to determine whether the MPCA should issue the 401 Cert. This CCH is specifically limited to 5 issues of fact ID’d by PCA in its 6/8 order (you remember, that one that only a few attorneys got – not even all the attorneys on the case – and not all the Petitioners who petitioned for the CCH).

LaFave proposed WebEx to allow for SD (social distancing for those of you not yet familiar with my acronyms) and a wide range of public to observe. [YAHOO!!! Not so exciting was his continued reminder that the public has no voice in these proceedings.]

There was time spent discussing court reporting pursuant to MN 1400.4700 subpart 2 and LaFave STRONGLY URGED the MPCA to host a website (noting public interest in this case and his belief that a public website explaining what the hearing is about, issues to be decided, and a forum where folks can access info about the case) to add to transparency.

Asst AG Oliver Larson didn’t imagine this website was going to be an issue. And more discussion ensued about the Court Reporter situation. It was decided that the work will require multiple court reporters to summarize the testimony in a timely manner for the ALJ. Also decided that the out-of-state attorneys would have to file pro hoc vici, but no local rep would be needed.

Paul Blackburn reminded the ALJ that Mr. Bibeau is speaking for White Earth and he was speaking for Honor The Earth and should not be combined for response. The ALJ acknowledged thisand Paul continued, noting an objection for not noticing this hearing to the public in any way. He noted that he understand only people who got notice were parties who successfully submitted petitions but cited MN Statute 1400.6200 part 1 – which says ANY PARTY can intervene or petition to intervene. He noted if only 5 know about it, there is no way for citizens to learn about this unless a party sends them the notice. He asked that the MPCA should consider this notification process. And the judge responded: “Thank you. Enbridge?”

Christy Bruzven for Enbridge said she had a couple items to discuss next week – and asked for a protective order for info that needs to be covered under the MN Data practices act. No special provisions. Std protective order… preemptively issue it so discovery can begin.

ALJ LaFave said if the parties submit for my signature… I’ll sign. [K. this is where it got juicy.]

Oliver Larson noted he would have conversations with Enbridge – noting this is a “sticky wicket” because the MPCA wants to keep open to public as much as possible. Not sure a pro forma order will be good for all parties. [THANK YOU, OLIVER! I was glad to see your name in this thing and it seems you continue to speak for the people.]

JLF: Good to know.

CB: Anything you want to give parties to facilitate a smoother discussion?

JLF: Just got it about a half hour ago – back end of schedule looks tense/packed. CLEARLY disagreement by some parties on how long this hearing will last. Think that my guidance would be to consider moving hearing dates up b/c I think with doing this hearing on WebEx v. LIVE, experience of colleagues so far is they tend to take longer than if live and in person. Would ask parties to give this some consideration. Brief look at proposed schedules – that is what struck me.

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So, when did I hear about all this? As a Petitioner for a Contested Case Hearing? Here’s what I got from MCPA’s Katrina Kessler, WELL AFTER the pre-hearing conference had concluded:

Email received by this Petitioner AFTER the pre-hearing conference had concluded.

Katrina attached the 6/3 notice of the Contested Case Hearing, but not the 6/8 hearing notice. I was so infuriated that I decided to respond:

My frustrated response to the MPCA on their shitty communication practices.

Not a good day for Chicks… in my book. Really expected women to be leading the way on this but am being sadly disappointed by the women at MPCA. And don’t get me started on cold as ice Sarah Strommen… who apparently cannot muster the strength to end a DNR contract with a Nazi aficionado at Itasca State Park [let alone provide a personal response to my concern on the issue to her]. Perhaps it does take some cajones. Glad I earned a pair in the steel industry.

So what can you do? Witness the proceedings. Help to keep the agency accountable to the people of Minnesota. And see where that takes you.

The June 8th and now the NEW First Prehearing Order are available from the MPCA. You can access the call here with a Meeting ID = 126 887 2175 and a passcode = f2RqmPD63pT. [Assuming their system works. It looks a bit sketchy to me but my recent experience is likely guiding that.

Note: If you try to go to the link from the MPCA doc, it is might not work… didn’t for me. I had to type in the address myself – which is linked above.

Good luck, everybody. And, if you’re still sticking with the game, thanks for playing.

Itasca State Park Reopening… Beware?

Much has been afoot up here near the Mississippi River Headwaters…

As I am not even sure where to start with all of it, I am going to allow a guest blog to explain the situation…

This woman seems to have done her homework.

At this point I have no idea who’s who anymore.

2020 continues to be a year of Revelations.

We ARE the POWER

I can’t help but think that this is exactly how it’s supposed to be.

Perhaps we needed a Corona virus to strike the world so that many many more would understand what it’s like to not be able to breathe as you struggle to maintain your life. Perhaps we needed the mass unemployment that she would bring to show us how fragile our illusion of security and abundance has been.

Snowpiercer seems now to be quite timely perhaps an indication of how all the injustice has finally reached a point of unsustainability.

In that movie they often openly recognized how many they needed to cull from the herd… how many children they needed to run their engine… how many they could steal. how many they needed to keep feeding…

And they only needed 26% for viability of the conductor and their elite society. The system can do with 74% less of us.

They have no bullets… Thanks, PureVPN.

We are seeing uprising in Minneapolis and now around the country. And Walz and the powers that be in Minnesota have shown themselves to have no power. All their power is illusion.

The reason our Tactics are new to our Managers is because we are awakening to our power. We are finding solidarity. The gangs are aligned. The races are aligned. We are all ages, all genders, all nationalities. No power breaks our chain. We are the power.

What of the Old Powers? Do they truly retain any power? Watch what they’re doing. They have no power.

They don’t have enough bullets to kill us all. They don’t have enough gas. They don’t even have enough sticks to beat us all. We are the power!

They continue to mine the humanity from our communities. A day at a time… Forcing us to work dirty jobs for long hours… and shit pay. I say “us” because it is not a race war. It isn’t a class war. It’s a war between light and darkness, love and fear, compassion and self-centeredness.

We are the power – they rely on us to keep the engine running. It’s time to take the engine. Time to force them to rebuild an equitable economy.

We thought we needed them to continue… but we don’t. In fact, the less we support the systems of tyranny, the more we have to sustain ourselves. The system needs us to survive… to maintain the fancy lifestyle… to continue the luxury life… to attain and retain their illusion of power. We pay the bills! [Shout out to Nicky Bradford.]

With the actions in the last weeks, we didn’t just pull the curtain aside so much as we burned it away. For all to see how powerless the powers truly are. And as we stand together and keep moving, never backing down, they don’t have the power to stop us.

Just like when we march… stay together keep moving, don’t stop going forward.

The cops don’t have any bullets. Their guns don’t have any mags. That means they have to have time to get a mag out and put it in the gun before they can kill us. That gives us the advantage. Perhaps many of them will recognize our message when we tell them… THEY are the power too.

They are the power to stop this. They are being used by the elites to maintain their luxury lifestyles and it’s time for that to end that system. It’s time for all of us to have an opportunity to live. Simply fucking live.

The National Guard are our neighbors! The powers that be are bringing in our neighbors to hold us at bay. How have they managed to continue to coerce us to surrender when we are the power?

The system had the power. The managers didn’t use it appropriately. They failed to maintain the social contract that Timmy 4 fingers so loves to extol. And now they are paying the price of their arrogant ignorance. Of their racist system. Of their heartless capitalism. That only serves a few while riding on the backs of many, including our law enforcement officers. That is the next thing to break… When we win them over? Our numbers will increase exponentially. There are many Veterans already on board, heeding the call from General Mattis regarding the protection of the Constitution.

Remember dear friend, not all our allies are real allies. This will be a hard time for those with hearts in law enforcement… those who signed up to serve the people. We need to help them find their way to the side of light and love.

Law enforcement are doing their jobs, thinking they’re doing things for good, just like all of us. But all of us have been working for our own mutual destruction… financing the very wealthy at our expense. We work to keep their engine running while we live in squalor with voiceless impotence.

We are the power! It’s not about black versus white. Or us versus them. It’s about us caring for us. Breaking down a system of greedy oppression. And healing with love… after an officer of the law murdered a citizen in broad daylight… on the asphalt… in a major US city… while fellow citizens begged the officer to have mercy and to not kill the man… all recorded live on Facebook.

Ben Okri tells us… We have seen the jackals. We saw the jackals consume a fellow man… and it has driven us past the limits that have been holding us back all this time. The world watched as the jackals consumed an innocent.

Once we have seen the jackals we can no longer pretend they do not exist. We hear this over and over: “Did you watch the video?” The response? “Yes… twice.” Because we cannot comprehend what was seen on the 1st watch.

You witness him shift his weight on that knee crushing a man into the ground. Cutting off the blood flow to his brain until he died. The jackal knew what he was doing… he knew who he was killing… it was not suffocation from a health issue… it was not a heart attack… it was murder.

George’s nose was broken from the face plant on the pavement and, useless, he couldn’t breathe. All he had was his trachea… and that was being crushed… restricted.

Yet the police cannot be restricted. And they refuse to restrain themselves.

No warnings no words from the police simply flash bangs – tear gas – rubber bullets – marker rounds.

I just pray that we don’t stop. We cannot stop this time or it’s game over… we’re dead if we allow them to continue to crush us into the asphalt taking every bit of life we have as they continue to build their palaces in the suburbs and stoke the stock market with trillions of our tax dollars. While the human heart of our economic engine dies of heart dis-ease.

This is a perfect storm: people without income watching their children slowly starve with no food security, no financial security, no health security, no housing security. What the fuck is there left to lose?

As we wait for the man to come and take the rest of what we have away… for his own consumption. The final thing they take is our breath… our life.

So let’s all use our breath to speak up.

This should have changed with Rodney King. But all that taught them was to figure out how to do it without being caught. As they increased their armor – left over from the atrocious wars the U.S. creates around the world. We are seeing now how that amped up, riot gear festooned, militarized, terrified force is destroying our own country.

Now every citizen is a journalist & every journalist has a camera in their pocket… and we are speaking up.

We continue to reveal the illusion of their control… the illusion of their power.

We are the power. It’s time for a power outage. Let’s stop supporting their machine and force them to rebuild a system works for us all.

What Happened in Minneapolis

There is SO MUCH to cover, folks. If you want to see what happened, feel free to troll through my FB timeline to see what happened. There is much yet to comprehend… for all of us. But the media is CLEARLY giving a distorted vision of the situation. AND, it appears we are going to continue to struggle as Bob KKKroll has decided to NOT LET THAT PHOTO OF CHAUVIN IN ORANGE gain ANY GOOD WILL with the PEOPLE. He IMMEDIATELY has noted that the officers were fired without due process. Oh, you mean like GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED WITHOUT DUE PROCESS??? Not gonna win this one, Bob. Pretty sure this guy is DONE..

Because, if he’s NOT? If we don’t ALL STAND UP NOW? We are FUCKED.

Will we be watching video some day with our grandchildren of how CHINA flew in to save the day as the US Government annihilated its citizens with militarized law enforcement? NO!! The US Military is so HUGE that American Citizens, when fired upon by their own military, will have NO COUNTRY who can defend us from our own government.

And sadly, our government has aligned with the WHITE SUPREMACIST FORCES and… now even the DEMOCRATS are speaking in their language. CALLING FOR MORE FORCE AND CONTROL instead of RECOGNIZING the BRUALITY that our BIPOC citizens are experiencing? REALLY out of touch. REALLY TONE DEAF.

So, this is for people who are curious about what has been happening in Minneapolis over the last week. It is in now way complete but it highlights some of the things that you will find in the livefeeds and media – things we have witnessed as we stood with those RALLYING FOR JUSTICE in the Cities.

WARNING: THERE IS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE And, for those of you who don’t have time to binge watch all that follows, you can simply watch Snowpiercer. And figure out which part of the train you are in, and what you will do going forward. OK, here we go…

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This is the most violent of it all, though happens in ironic calm. This is the video that started it all for me. Tuesday morning seems like decades ago but it is still viscerally real to me. I can still feel that primal scream ripping from my throat as I raged at that motherfucker to get off of GEORGE FLOYD.

Later, we get videos showing GEORGE FLOYD being detained and how NOT RESISTING it is… And a (one day? felt like days…) later, the video of GEORGE FLOYD being beaten in the car before he was murdered. As you want the situation unfold in order, it shows clearly what happened on Memorial Day. And we must ALL REMEMBER.

I will say, the beauty of the words and happenings seem so magical as this unfolds. The way the crowds gathered, moved, and cared for each other organically. You will see that throughout. This happened on Memorial Day and it will be remembered as the day that we STOPPED focusing on military ‘accomplishments’ and turn to a world where we REMEMBER to CARE FOR EACH OTHER… AS RELATIVES. WE ARE ALL RELATED. I also believe that The KNEELER will be remembered as the first one to kneel and bring militaristic hatred CLEARLY to our consciousness so that ALL COLONIAL power can learn to KNEEL before the PEOPLE.

THE PEOPLE are more important than the culture of money, power, and prestige where only the largely WHITE, WEALTHY Americans have been living.

OK – so Tuesday, the protest begins. We see people gathered together, mourning and grieving – processing through all the anger… centuries of anger. We see many people moving toward the 3rd precinct where Chauvin worked. At 1:14, Niko talks about how movements work. 1:20 in, shit starts going down… someone throws eggs, waters, rocks at the station in anger (that Niko soon explains). You see protesters protecting the space working to prevent further damage – you see this time and again… at 1:36 you see the police come in – unannounced. No warnings, no interaction before they just start shooting. 1:37, the attack the press and it is quite disturbing. Reinforcements arrive at 1:40:30 and at 1:41:09, they attack Justin Goeman, a citizen journalist. (we’ll hear more on him later) and soon the police begin shooting at will and in excess on citizens. Just before 1:52, Niko is hit again with projectiles – HE IS PRESS AND THE ONLY ONE IN THE AREA. They throw shock blasts directly into the trees. Little fires start everywhere.

In the evening, citizens gathered around the 3rd Precinct shouting at officers. Until they started getting sprayed with mace by the police.

And you get evening coverage of how the cops protect the liquor store… 25 minutes in… I called it a Cop Zoo. 26:30 you hear them ask the cops to “not kill him” and to “show us we can trust you”. 44 min is the remains of the cop’s shootout. You can see the teargas cans, concussion grenade and marker rounds. About an hour in cops shoot a young black girl with a megaphone – you can see how threatening she is. 1:15 Niko walks through remaining crowd noting the rain brought down the crowds.

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Day 2 of protest – Wednesday, early on we see people again congregating in protest. You can see at 9 minutes the now fortified barricades of police… and now, of protestors – THEY WILL HAVE PROTECTION from the projectiles being fired at them. And, within a minute, they get fired on – this is about what the scene looked like when these overzealous and overarmed cops began the violence for the day. And seconds later, just before 10 minute mark, police begin firing on the citizens from the roof. [Love the dude at 10:55] Just watch minutes 9-12 for a good idea of what went down. 13:44 you see a seriously injured person being cared for my fellow protestors… as they take additonal fire from police. And more of that as milk is used to treat eyes. This “Battle of Lake and Snelling” is one of the key early places where protestors saw how savage the police could be.

When everyone returned later, they’d installed concrete barriers instead of their bike rack system. [WOW are these cops are REALLY putting up barriers!!] They continue their protocol to not recognize citizens with any verbal response. Volleys of teargas are thrown without notice and rubber bullets are fired, not into the ground as designed, but directly at people’s heads.

One guy fell sharply to the ground – hit just as the livestream dropped (because Niko of Unicorn Riot had ALSO BEEN HIT – he by a marker round – yep, they fired at press indiscriminately through much of the early days). (PHOTO???). Watching that man fall limply to the ground as the camera went dead was traumatic. [On a later feed, he met up with Niko again, and showed him the 8 (as I recall) staples in his skull from the injury. It was, as horrible as it was, quite funny as the guy notes that he thinks he’s smarter now. Protesters – Always seeing the up side…]

Cops Antagonizing and then Macing Protesters with their HANDS in the air.

Thursday night brought a new element of destruction. The autozone fire does appear to be a police officer instigation as Umbrella man instigated destruction – the destruction that started all the rest. He was ID’d by his ex-wife as St. Paul police officer Jacob Pederson.

Later, MPD was spotted slashing tires of vehicles in the parking lot – so these people had NO ESCAPE – JOURNALISTS and REPRESENTATIVES were parked in the lot. This piece includes much of the evidence and also evidence of police destroying a peaceful protest supply in Kentucky. These tactics are being used NATIONALLY as if this is a PLANNED METHODOLOGY for dealing with AMERICANS expressing their first amendment rights.

Arnold: Thursday night to Friday – turned into hell. The ppl ended how??

Friday had a Peaceful March – Andrew Mercado, our NEW PUBLIC MEDIA LEAD, gave an interview with KXJB Fargo. He explained that the previous evening was pretty hellacious and then the reporter noted that the kneeler had been arrested. His curiosity just made me cringe…

Pedro, tell us, are the Black People still angry? [OMFG white ppl]

All Lives Matter p house on fire example.

NBC Summary Eric Garner’s Mother Full CUP FOOD camera footage

Me Sunday AM

The protests Tuesday night were

BULLET IMAGE

Justin Tanker Truck Video. https://www.facebook.com/100009766301949/videos/1142807782721421/

THE SHADOW? CAN WE FIND IT?

Andrew – gives Black perspective from a local. https://www.facebook.com/armercado93/videos/10214563426714249/?t=4302

As you learn more, you realize what a beautiful person they chose as our martyr for the future. Our friend Keri Pickett speaks sweetly of this gentle giant that was a fixture in the neighborhood. He was loved by so many.

And he was big. Timberwolf’s Stephen Jackson had just sent boxes of clothes to GEORGE FLOYD – his “twin” friend. Two days later, Stephen was at the protest. Perhaps this moved Celtic players, like Enes Kanter, to join the protest in Boston.

Being the largest black man in the street, GEORGE FLOYD, was likely the reason he was targeted – to SHOW THE POPULACE that they could take out their biggest and best. A MESSAGE KILLING.

And we hear his story… from the BBC. Why is there not GREAT AMERICAN COVERAGE of this MAN GEORGE FLOYD? Oh, because we’re still fighting over whether or not “all cops are bad” or if “looting isn’t protest”. Uh, OK, Whitey.

Mandala – a PORTAL – woman shouting for him to get OUT of her circle. SAFE SPACE. PORTAL TO SAFETY – they desecrated it and we put it back and PAINTED IT THIS TIME.

He went to prison and came out a good man. I am sure his Mama met him, on that street, and what she said was maybe something like this: “It’s OK, baby. Come on Home. They got this from here.”

Here’s how it ended last night 3AM and with a beautiful poem XXX. SO MUCH LOVE, TEACHING, SHARING, LEARNING, PATIENCE HELPS!

Thanks to the MANY MANY CITIZEN JOURNALISTS who have MIRACULOUSLY come together to create this story. For ALL to see.

• Darnella Frazier and all the early footage providers. CNN especially for their short video montage.
• Unicorn Riot
• Andrew Mercado
• Also thank you to the portions of un-white-washed coverage by CNN, WCCO, KARE 11, KSTP, MPR. Oh, and all the WHITEWASHED coverage too. It helps us know where we need to teach you.