Occupy El Paso, Day 7

We're still occupying, and there are lots of great on-going protests, meet-ups, rallies, group discussions, general assemblies, and working groups.  The outreach to other organizations and events continues as well.  Here is a photo that someone took of an Occupy El Paso march (with protesters on both sides of the street) through downtown El Paso yesterday afternoon.  (And the photo features you-know-who.)

Occupy El Paso, Day 3

Things are really coming together, with a big group of occupiers in the Placita and an even bigger group of supporters.  Those of us who have been staying the night are beginning to feel some sleep deprivation, but hopefully as time goes on we’ll get more disciplined (or not) about staying up talking all night.  Also, the cold has been pretty uncomfortable, but there have been plenty of donations of blankets and everything else we need.  The donations have been amazing!  Word is getting out, and labor, environmental groups, and artists have been making contact about participating.  We’re students, workers, the unemployed, musicians, veterans, teachers, artists, and retirees.  And our message about taking back our country and the world from the billionaires and greedy corporations is being heard. ¡No nos moveran!

Global Day of Action

These are heady days in which we are living.  People are joining together in the struggle against corporate greed and economic inequality.  We are fed up the way that our fellow human beings around the world have been robbed of a chance for a decent life and meaningful work, for health care and security, all to satisfy the desire of a tiny group of people with an insatiable appetite for limitless power and wealth.  Their greed has corrupted our political process and robbed us of democracy.  People are standing fast, with bravery and nonviolence, against brutal repression; and most importantly, there has been a rediscovery, or at least a reimagining in the social realm, of the values of solidarity, trust, and mutual responsibility for one another.  This struggle is being led by the young, who are filled with idealism and a love of freedom.  Yesterday, at an Occupy El Paso event that was part of the Global Day of Action (the official “occupation” starts here Monday), there was the sharing of food (thanks to Food Not Bombs), stories, dreams, and a witnessing to our hopes for a better future.       

Santa Teresa de Jesús

Nada te turbe;
nada te espante;
todo se pasa;
Dios no se muda,
la paciencia
todo lo alcanza.
Quien a Dios tiene,
nada le falta.
Solo Dios basta.

Let nothing disturb you;
let nothing frighten you;
everything passes;
God never changes,
Patience
obtains everything.
One who has God
lacks nothing,
God alone suffices.

My Wife’s Union Endorses Occupy Wall Street

The Executive Board of the Communications Workers of America (who represent Texas state workers through the Texas State Employees Union/CWA Local 6186) has voted to endorse the Occupy Wall Street movement.  They are one of a growing number of unions that have given their endorsement, including the United Steelworkers of America, The United Federation of Teachers, Transport Workers Union Local 100, and many others.

St. Francis of Assisi

Dear Francesco di Bernardone, I have loved you since I was a child.  It is said that your love of God was a flame that consumed you.  It is no surprise that a love as great as yours extended not only to your fellow human beings, but to the birds and fish and the wolf of Gubbio, to Brother Sun and Sister Moon, to water and fire and the humble soil.

     Help us to love Lady Poverty as you did, and the spirit of peace, so that we might also follow Christ in a spirit of humility and reconciliation and bring His love to the whole world. 

Gandhi Jayanti

Today India and the world celebrate your great soul, Gandhiji.  We are reminded that armed only with the truth and the humble spinning wheel, you freed a nation.  Today, we are also reminded that we must be willing to die for our beliefs, but never to kill for them.  We must fight violence and injustice, but begin with the violence and injustice within ourselves.  We are reminded that simplicity brings abundance, but greed brings only poverty; and that non-violence is always invincible.  Gandhi-ji ki jai!   

October

Thinning out the mugwort surrounding a small apple tree, I noticed that the tall fans of tiny flower buds smelled a little like raw latex.  Typically, the mugwort has a sweet, slightly woody scent that I am very fond of.  It usually doesn’t flower here, so this strange smell seems to be the result of the plants getting ready to bloom.  For some reason, the freeze last winter caused them to come back with a vengeance in the spring.  From being small perennials that would come up through the rocks surrounding the sturdy dwarf apple, they have become a hedge.  I think I could thatch a roof with them (which would actually be kind of cool).  The continuing hot weather has certainly not discouraged them!