MLK...."How Long ? Not Long!"

(2 Minutes...from March 25,1965)

Reflections on Haiti 2 years since Quake...

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."~~
Mother Teresa

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This school is the only completed school, it is a Middle School, for 750, it is completely rebuilt since the Quake, it is the Academy of Peace and Justice, rebuilt and funds raised by artists and the film community..... APJ worked with the St.Luke Organization to create this school.
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About the work of Artists for Peace and Justice...

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About the School that APJ built...

2011 New Wing Opening Ceremony from bryn mooser on Vimeo.

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"I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?"~~
Mother Teresa
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It's been 2 years since the devastating Quake in Haiti, so much destruction and so much death, and yet the word gave and came together after that quake, and it yet it is still on many levels broken, shattered, undone....250,000 lives lost and still over 500,000 homeless and living in rubble. It bothers me that all of us gave and sent money...yet I see children still in the camps, schools still not rebuilt, and children with no shoes walking by debris piles...It is the one place my heart still goes easily and I dream of it at night and can hear creole...The streets there are so familiar and I can't explain it , but I do think my future is tied to this place....It's odd how Creole and Thai, my heart and brain understand...The only two places that have tugged at my heart...my dreams...my soul...And the world in many ways has moved on, I watched the news this morn, and Haiti was not mentioned....and that is why there are still piles of rubble there....We are so good at "Moving On" that we are not good at "Showing Up and Seeing it Through"....
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"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."~~
Mother Teresa
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This Eddie Vedder song ...about Ruins is what comes to mind about Haiti...not sure why...

"When Mitt Romney Came to Town"

( This needs to be shared far and wide, I know Newt's people made it, but....)

Monday Meditation Music....and a little bit of Wisdom

Music to take you to another place...hear crickets, wind and the trees.....and watch Sunset in Madageskar.



These are hard times, and there is much chatter, much of it devoid of compassion or really much wisdom.....Listen only to what nurtures your heart, your soul....if it is not spiritually nourishing or grounded....and saddens you, walk away....find some sun, some solace, even if it is the Light of the Moon.

"Genuine politics -- even politics worthy of the name -- the only politics I am willing to devote myself to -- is simply a matter of serving those around us: serving the community and serving those who will come after us. Its deepest roots are moral because it is a responsibility expressed through action, to and for the whole."~~Vaclav Havel
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Talk to people around you, try not to isolate yourself....No one has to get through these times alone. There is always someone out there that is suffering more than you....if you carry the burden together...it is lighter...
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"All change, even very large and powerful change, begins when a few people start talking with one another about something they care about."~~Margaret J. Wheatley

Awopradio Show for Sunday January 8th, 2012

This Sunday Awopradio will be LIVE via Ustream, you can listen and watch via Ustream, or you can also go to the Awopradio Facebook page. The Show will be at 6 PM EST with my 99 Percent report at 6:30 PM and then Perry @mommapolitico at 7:00PM with her Kitchen Table Politics. ( Please know that are show is still archived over at Blogtalkradio and we are moving and saving all of our previous shows.) During the show, we won't be able to have Calls In, but we will be monitoring the Ustream Chat Room and the Facebook Page to be able to talk to our Listeners. Kim, Perry and I do want to talk and hear from Listeners just like when we were at BlogtTalkRadio. Click the Title to get to the Ustream Link or go to the SideBar and click the Red Radio....

Our First Guest will be Lyric, an amazing singer from North Carolina who is like nothing you have heard in 10 years. If you love Funk, Jazz, Blues sung soulfully you will love Lyric. And because we have a new Format you will be able to see Lyric perform in the Liberal Loft of Kim our host down in North Carolina. This Article has an amazing write up in "Women Making Music" about Lyric and her sound, and her talent.

This Snippet from the article in "Women Making Music" by Peggy Ratusz,
"The first time I heard Lyric was the first time ninety percent of the full house audience that evening first heard Lyric. She fluttered in like a brassy butterfly; initially unassuming. She was methodical, taking her time to blow us away with her melodic poetry and her bountiful soulful voice. Whew, lordy people, if you haven’t heard of or heard Lyric, you simply must give yourself the gift. “Guitar Feet” is her latest release."

Audio of "Open Roads' is down below, and you can also watch the video of the same song here, there are 11 videos of her performing, all are excellent.



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At 8:30PM our second guest is Jill E .Bond, who is known to many on Twitter and Facebook, she is a political pundit from Florida.She is ranked Florida's #1 Political Tweeter, and is also a frequent guest and commentator on Progressive Radio, including Left Neck Chick and Kenny Pick's evening show. We will be talking Politics with her, and also the future of progressive radio, especially during this pivotal election year. Jill has also just begun a new venture as a columnist for the Examiner.com and we talk to her about that work as well. You can follow Jill at @JillEBond on Twitter and her site at JillEBond.com. And do check out her Political Posts on the Examiner.com where she shares the latest on the political scene as the GOP sets their sights on Florida this month. She is covering it all handily, from Santorum's underwhelming surges to Gingrichs antics....A Great Read. ( And the GOP is there after SC on January 31st, so there will be plenty to follow as things heat up.)
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(1) Article from Women Making Music about Lyric has a great interview with Lyric.
(2) Lyric Singing "Open Roads" on Reverbnation Must See Video....
(3) Lyric's Reverbnation Channel , will have you hooked....and come on and come join her fans there....
(4) Perry @mommapolitico covered the new financial agency in her Kitchen Table Politics ( KTP) and the website has plenty, from info for older adults facing financial hurdles to Foreclosure questions/concerns to Student Debt issues, So remember to share ConsumerFinance.gov with your friends or people needed financial questions answered. The site also has a nice write up about their new appointed head Richard Cordray.
(5) Please do give even just some cards and thoughts and prayers to the Fuller Family, as they are having to make more medical trips for AJ even just a little money to help them with gas would truly help them.....

It's done...finally.....Silent Fallout

It's finally done....it's available on Amazon and the Price is already reduced. ( I am not sure if that is good or bad). It will be available electronically in February, and you can email me if you want more details on that. And yes, this is my Whistleblower story....and yes, it is a bit bumpy in sections , but is is all true. Non Fiction, True Story of a NorthWest Town that fights back....( kind of chilling that is coming out in these times...) It is also available on the Publisher'swebsite.

Happy New Years....." The Great Bell Chant"

The Great Bell Chant (The End of Suffering) from R Smittenaar on Vimeo.

Thank You and Happy New Year to all of Our Amazing Listeners and Guests on Awopradio

Awopradio was just starting back in the summer, in July. And I came on the show as a guest to talk about my book, invited by Perry. At the time I was a nervous wreck, I had never done a full radio interview, and never done any interviews on the book. "Silent Fallout" was done, and I was wading through final edits and legal reviews, but I thought I should find some courage and take the plunge. On another note I have had a deep curiosity and longtime love of Radio. I miss Air America terribly and I even collect old radio shows ( on tape). So for those that think I found my courage, actually I think I found my passion. I am still shy on the radio, and Kim and Perry are relaxed and funny and that makes it all go better. I am so blessed to be able to help the show and schedule guests, and contribute to such a venture.

Kim has a Molly Ivins quality that I adore and Perry is the political wonk, she reminds me of Linda Ellerbee. And then there is Nunzia who used to work at CNN and is a true journalist. This is a top notch team....And we began inviting all kinds of guests....and amazingly enough they came, and all of them were and are wonderful. So The Video below is to thank our Amazing Guests who helped make the First 6 Months such an amazing ride. So the video below has our Amazing Guests and some of their fine works. ( Please know that we tried to find photos of @WhoDat and @EileenLeft and @Symbolman, @PirateLarry .....if I get their photos I will add them. I also added our January Guests.Please know that I am still new making videos. this is only my 3rd one, so the order is not quite right.....)) But the Video is really a way to Thank Our Wonderful Guests...
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Christmas 2011...Giving Thanks and Looking Forward....

To all that come here....I am so grateful to know you and talk with you and share...I would never have dreamed that this blog would still be going...here we go on the 7th year...

This year was quite a year, so much to see, watch and learn from...The World is Changing, and I can only hope that America is part of that waking up process, Occupy shook up and woke up many. And there was the Arab Spring, I will never forget watching all of it unfold this year......

And there was Japan and Fukushima...and Gabby Giffords...and the horrible incident in Norway...all lessons in courage...and that Time is indeed a Gift...Life can be so fragile..fleeting....treasure those around you and what and who they are....No One knows what tomorrow brings......

And for me...I made peace with many things this year...MS....My Book ( which is done and will be available in January). And I tried new Things I worked for Democracy For America and even explored ( and fell in love with Internet Radio)....and I found that going down to Occupy eased a lot of the pain of Poverty....and I was so lucky to have a Garden...and I took this year to come up with a Better plan for 6-6 to help him reach his NYC /Education Dreams......

And to all of you, everyone who connected to me Here, or Twitter or the Radio...I am so grateful.....I wish the best for all for the New Year. Much Love, Much Light.....Namaste....

The Power of Words....

We All Came From Somewhere Else.....A Tribute to Our "Forefathers" by Dan Fogelberg

Out of This World...( Honoring Solstice)

Requiem For a Dream with Global Footage....really Stunning..you feel like you are riding in a Shuttle looking down on Earth...

Solstice Post....And Some Thoughts about Courage and Who Matters...

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"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."~Ambrose Redmoon

About Courage....And Why It Matters....
Courage matters in so many ways, large and small and sometimes even silently. I am mentioning this issue because I am tired of watching a Smear Campaign unfold day after day over on Twitter. There is someone there who is attacking really good people, I am not even sure why, maybe it makes him feel good or "Bigger", or maybe it is for attention. But this I do know most people are having a hard time this Christmas, his attacks are cruel and baseless, and unwarranted. So many people are dealing with illness, and job issues and economic issues, his attacks could seem Petty and small minded. But they are damaging and hurting the Fabric of the Left. I have lost friends because of his attacks and lies and smearing. I have lost Followers on Twitter and Facebook and even gotten emails that were hate filled and senseless. I am and was a whistleblower, I know a thing or two about attacks, trolls and hate. Yet I have to say there is nothing worse than Hate on Our Own Side that is spun into a frenzy and fueled by people acting like Children. It is why I wrote the Cyberbullying Post, because I don't think Silence helps anyone. ( The post I wrote on Cyberbullying is here that I wrote earlier this month.)

I share here and on Twitter and Facebook..I share my life, my home, my political thoughts. And yes, I post my Home, because in many ways I open up my heart and my home to all, I share. And yes, if you are rude to me, or my friends...I shut the door, I have to.....( On Twitter or Facebook that means you are Blocked...)

So I am just saying it right here, right now. I stand by my friends, and I say what I mean and mean what I say...... And there are certain people I value, not all of them get along or are even friends...but I love them all and value them...very very much and I have told them Publicly and Privately. The past two years working on the Book there were certain people who really were a Rock ....and I am grateful...very. So as this Solstice reveals and unfolds this year , I value those in my life and also those who have been there for me....I honor Who and What you are, and I KNOW you...

Is it Wrong to want Peace here and in Twitterland ? Is It Wrong to not want to be gossiped and slammed like a Highschool nerd ? Is it wrong to want Peace for dear Friends ? (seriously I had enough of that so many years ago) Is it wrong to want Solidarity on the Left ? Is it wrong to expect and hope that People will act like adults and have Compassion ?

Signed...
Praying for Peace...We Need It.
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A Video for Solstice...

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"Every day you either see a scar or courage. Where you dwell will define your struggle. " ~Dodinsky

More Christmas Wonder...

More Christmas Wonder....

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"When peoples care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul."~~Langston Hughes
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Anonymous Donors Pay off KMART Christmas Layaway Accounts
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And a Gift for you....Stunningly Beautiful Video....just watch....

Awopradio Show For Sunday December 18th, Eric Byler of the Coffee Party and An Update from Occupy Pittsburgh ...

(Posted 12.15.11)
Nothing better than Sunday Evenings to tune in and Listen up to Internet Progressive Radio. First we have the 99 Report and then we have Perry @mommapolitico with her Undercover Liberal Report ( involving a trip to a Gun Show ), at 7:30PM and then we have our Guests. We continue focus on how OCCUPY Movement is helping focus on real American issues. At 8PM we have a Report from an RN,Marcy that has been working with Occupy Pittsburgh and she will update us from her state. And then there is Eric Byler of the Coffee Party at 8:30PM who will update us multiple sites of Occupy and also share his experience of being arrested while photographing and reporting/tweeting Occupy in LA as it was raided by Police. And there will be plenty else going on as well as chatroom will be open, so please join us....7PM EST on Sunday Eve. ( Just Click the Radio over on the Side Bar.) Or you can click here too...
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LINKS to share and Read
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(1) Eric Byler Filmaker and Co Founder of the Coffee Party shares his story of being arrested while Filming Occupy LA, it is a compelling well written piece....
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Listen to internet radio with AWOP Radio on Blog Talk Radio

99 Report Awopradio Sunday December 18th....."The Bush Depression"

My Question for the Week:
Why Aren't we calling this Bush's Depression. ? Bush spent two years pretending we were not in a Recession , ignoring it , and then bottom fell out in Summer of 2008. ( Remember the Reporters were not even allowed to say the "R" word). Meanwhile Bush gave Many corporations and rich individuals tax breaks, all of this contributed to this Economic Situation. And yet in the Debates Bush or his Damage are not mentioned. And yet it's Christmas and we have kids sitting on Santa's Lap asking for a "Home" or a "Job for Daddy? "

And these are the Numbers for the Wars that the Bush Regime waged:
Cost of Operation Iraqi Freedom: $806 billion Projected total cost of veterans’ health care and disability: $422 billion to $717 billion.

Business Insider has more stats about Vets, from Prison rates to Suicide. ( Suicides are at 18 /day, 600,000 Vets Sleep on the Street per night, 29% Unemployment Rate, 236,000 Vets home from Warzones Jobless, and 26,000 Military serving lost their homes last year in foreclosure. The Wars have hurt this country, especially Our Own Military and their families.

One in Two People are Low Income....NPR...good read.
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Update on #OccupyCleveland
(1) How they helped to try to stop an Eviction in Orwell ( and it did get media coverage via Newsnet5 and MSNBC).
I was going to go and take photos and video , even had press passes ready, but got sick as a dog all week. ( Post will be up later tonight).
(2) They are now looking to occupy an empty office building downtown ( there are plenty, I am still putting together my photo montage, if anyone can help me do a Video for Youtube I really need lessons).
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More on Another aspect of the Bush years : Bank Failures
(1) Really Interesting Article on the Bank Failures and what led to them in the last decade, and how it's a bigger under reported mess than we know. 88 Billion Dollar Mess....yet why aren't we seeing Banking Regulations examined , reinstated ? and why aren't there JD investigations about these Banking 's Behaviors ?
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Who in the 99 Percent can we Help this week ?
(1) I have a post up below about the Fuller Family down in Kentucky and their battle with cancer, AJ is nine and they really are battling it, for over 4 years. Dad serves our country and is for now stationed in KY. Please help me help them have a Christmas, driving to Nashville for AJ's cancer care is really hurting their budget, read more here how you can help. They are a really wonderful Family.
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Other #99 Reports :
(1) Foreclosures And Homelessness and Displaced families really are a bigger problem than we can truly appreciate.
(2) Stats to Share with Family Over Holidays and the Stats really tell the story of Working Poor, and our vanishing Middle Class. We need to really educate people.
(3) Poverty ( especially Children) Is another aspect that needs our focus as the Economy has really effected our Children. This Christmas do try to give to Charities that are really working with Children. Salvation Army and Feeding America.
(4) Suicide Prevention tips, I mention this as it has been helpful on Twitter. Sadly due to the economy the Suicide rates are up, and also Vet Suicide rates are at 18 /day.
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FDR talking about People who didn't support his efforts on Social Security and Care of the Poor.....really interesting Parallels to the Republicans of today and their lack of concern for the Poor and Middle Class in this country...food for Thought.
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"Merry Christmas Here's your Orange" a story about the Christmases during the Great Depression in the Plain Dealer in 2008
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My Video..."Another World is Possible"

Another World Is Possible - how to make a free slideshow

99 Percent Occupy Fall 2011 ( test video....)

The 99 Percent Occupy Fall - free slideshow maker

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I am trying to figure out how to make Youtube videos...Music is by Josh Woodward "Ovethrown"

Tacky Christmas ....More Dec. 14th

My Attic...My Tacky.....and Christmas Lights...( I think it needs more Lights....I have Blue and White up...So far...)The Christmas Tree was from the local Dollar store, under 10 dollars...( and we are waiting to see how long it takes for 20PoundWonder Kitty to bring it down...as you all remember he took down my Tree two years ago...in under 24 hours...so far we are now on day 4 ..so I have some hope). I made all the ornaments over the years , some with 6-6 and some before he was born, and they have traveled all over the Country with us....My fascination with Lights and Tacky Christmas started with my Grandmother Flo, or Mimi as we called her...she would drive us around in the evenings we would sit in the back seat eating Silber 's Cookies and look for the Best Lights, the more the better, the tackier, gaudy the Better...and she would play christmas carols on the Radio....And when my son was little I did the same with him for many years....So even now I find myself searching yearning for Lights and Music....That is all i really need to know it is Still Christmas.
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One of my Favorites....Greg Lake singing " I Believe in Father Christmas"

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And some Sax..The Christmas Song....( and yeah, it's Kenny G...)

Let's Help Give This Amazing Military Family Fighting Cancer a Real Christmas

Last year I shared my refugee work with you all, an Iraqi Family needed our Help getting Settled and Welcomed to the States, and that family with the wonderful pregnant mother and the 5 children was so blessed by you all. This Christmas I am sharing another Family that needs our help and our love. I want to tell you about the Fuller Family, they are a wonderful Military Family that is on a path that needs our Love, Prayers, Light and Support. Dad Adam serves our Country proudly and is now stationed in Kentucky. Their son AJ has been battling Medulloblastoma, brain cancer for over 4 years. He is a really special little boy, feisty, funny and really a Fighter. And his Big Sister Delainey, who they call Laine or Lainey is really amazing as well. AJ is 8 going on nine and Laine is 11 years old. For AJ's Cancer treatments he needs to travel all the way to Nashville, which is alot of gas money twice a month. ( They are a Military Family, money is very tight, and that Trip twice a month is really eating into the budget on all levels).

And the Reason I am blogging about them, is because there is no money for them to have a Christmas, and they are a family that is helping Serve Our Country, while AJ is Fighting Cancer. We Need to help them with their Battle Against Cancer, and we need to also help them have a Christmas as a Family. If you want to help you can email me to learn more. Any Money that is raised here on the Radio I am buying them Gas Cards and also Walmart Give Cards as that is the Closest Store to them and that way Mom can go pick out some Special Christmas goodies for AJ and Lainey. You can also follow me on Twitter @watergatesummer if you want to help Tweet This and raise money and support for them.

This is the Website that explains more of their situation ( written by Ann AJ's Mom, it is called the Caring Bridge.

This YouTube Video has more of their story, and was made my Ann and AJ to tell their story...that has gone on for over 4 years....



The Address is in the comments....
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December 19th Update:::
I want to thank Twitterland, AWOP Radio Listeners, and Watergate Summer readers:
Thank you all so so much, I was able to send Mom Ann a Walmart Gift card so she can go get Christmas goodies for Lainey and AJ and also some gas money. I sent it all off yesterday and some huge homemade cookies, and I also learned from Ann that others folks had sent goodness in the mail...I am humbled and so grateful that you all are so giving ....and generous....even in Hard Times. Thank you again.....