writch's wramblings

It's not moonshine, it's sunshine.

4^th of July Report

I hadn't thought about it that night, but the fact that I didn't hear and see any fireworks is itself remarkable. I don't think I've gone through any of the standard holidays without seeing something.

Of course, we're still burning, so that's sensible. It was campfireish this morning, but the sky is almost the right shade of blue, and I can see the hills to the west again.

One of the nice things about California is the LACK of dodos shooting their guns off on these holidays. I don't mind the birdshot so much, but the bigger pellets can really cause some damage when they come back to earth. It used to scare the shit out of me in Albuquerque (all night long, and BIG guns, like .357s and 9mm clips).

It's Illegal to Torture Him ...

I got this in email this morning. I guess since they can't tear people's fingernails out and such, denying them proper medical care is the best they can manage to legally torture someone:

Leonard Peltier is a citizen of the Anishinabe and Dakota-Lakota Nations. A participant in the American Indian Movement, he went to assist the Oglala Lakota people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the mid-1970's where, on June 26, 1975, a tragic shootout occurred.

He has been wrongfully convicted in the deaths of two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and has been illegally incarcerated since 1976 who would be able for a parole hearing soon

Leonard suffers from diabetes. To date, his diabetes has been managed by diet but this is difficult to do when the prison won't give Leonard a test kit by which to monitor his blood glucose level. Two weeks ago, Betty Ann Peltier SolanoeaCoordinator for Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee wrote to the warden at Lewisburg asking that Leonard be given a diabetes test kit. She offered to purchase an approved kit if the prison cannot provide one. She hasn't received a response from the warden.

(Leonard has been) suffering with a severe headache and other symptoms... When he was finally able to get tested at the prison infirmary, his blood sugar measured 300. The highest blood glucose reading should be less than 180 mg/dL (one to two hours after eating).

All supporters are urgently requested to contact and request a blood sugar testing kit for Leonard Peltier:

Warden
USP Lewisburg
US Penitentiary
2400 Robert F. Miller Drive
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Phone: 570-523-1251
Fax: 570-522-7745
E-mail: LEW/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV

Also contact:

D. Scott Dodrill, Regional Director
Northeast Regional Office
US Custom House
2nd & Chesnut Street
Philadephia, PA 19106
Phone: 215-521-7301
E-mail: NERO/EXECASSISTANT@BOP.GOV

Harley G. Lappin, Director
Federal Bureau of Prisons
320 First Street., NW
Washington, DC 20534
Telephone: 202-307-3198

Be respectful, but firm. The situation is life threatening. After many years of high blood sugar, Leonard is at serious risk for kidney failure and the need for dialysis, blood vessel damage in the eyes that can lead to blindness, and nerve damage in the feet that could lead to the need for amputation. Supporters should also remember that Leonard already suffers from a heart condition. Heart disease is, in fact, the number one cause of death in people with diabetes.

For more information about Leonard:
Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee
PO Box 7488, Fargo, ND 58106
Phone: 701/235-2206

Ike's Warning

Always a good one to reflect on. As you recall, Dwight Eisenhower was the commander of European operations in WWII, and a Republican. He's not some kind of peacenik. He's just correct.

He might have been the last actual President of the 'republic' as it were. Kennedy was our first real 'Emperor'.

Visualize Whirled Fuel!

Nietzsche and Game Theory

N: "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger!"

G: "You have survived the adventure with the (insert adversary here), you have advanced a level, and your hit, life, and karma counters are restored to a higher level.

Is there REALLY any difference between these statements?

From my new Bud, Maralize Legijuana®

http://www.myspace.com/maralizelegijuana has a cool site.

Here's some interesting images: