I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou

Update... Golden Hill... Sussman... Pulses"... Anglou... "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings..."

[Photo (by NS) of a Book by Maya Angelou (front cover): "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings."]

I have an inquiry in to Annmarie Claus as to when the next rally for the "Golden Hill Nursing Home" [Keeping It County Run / Making Needed Renovations] will be held. When I have that information I will pass it on to you, along with a way that you can contact your County Legislatures on the matter. In the meantime, that is (here) "on hold" - as I feel it is important to cover the meeting that Attorney Sussman hosted (the papers did not cover this) as soon as I can get all of those materials (from videos I took; research I've done; etc) together.

For now, I want to state that Attorney Michael Sussman checks out - via an internet search - just fine. He is who he says he is - and he appears to have the best interests of Kingston - in particular Mid-Town Kingston (the area of greatest need) - at heart.

I have not been able to upload the videos I took at the meeting (probably just as well) to You Tube; so I am screening them and taking notes on what I deem to be most pertinent. Others that attended the meeting (Robert Smith, Jeannie Edwards, Ismail Shabaz (sp?) and a few other folks) are welcome to chime in; but I'm going to keep the ultimate write-up as issue-centered (versus people/personality-centered) as I can.

One thing that I can pass on - at this moment in time - is a link to "PULSES" ("Parents United Learning the Special Education System"). Attorney Sussman was accompanied by the founder of "same" - and a sheet / link to this organization was provided.

Is this ["PULSES"] organization going to be available to City of Kingston / Ulster County residents? I am not sure (I will fly an email...); but one would guess maybe. And if "PULSES" is a tool of empowerment (it sounds like it is) for these youth and their families - I say "Kudos!" [Wish you were here years ago.........]

The "Pulses" link (copy and paste in search engine line) is: www.pulses-orangecountyny.org

Other than that - for now - if anyone cares to make a list or add to a list of community activist organizations that are currently active in the City of Kingston (some are listed in the sidebar >) - "that" would be much appreciated. Along with a list of businesses - in the City limits - that employ a significant number of people.

Some of these (in both cases) were mentioned at the meeting; others were not. Any assistance here, to develop the most comprehensive outline possible - would be appreciated.

How well do the folks in this community think issues such as sexism, racism, elitism, economic inequality, education, classism and other basic Civil Rights issues are being handled? I was shocked by some of what I heard at the meeting; but heartened by a few others.

So... with a lot more pending... I will leave it there for now [my ulcers are eating my ulcers]... with a reminder that your thoughts and opinions are always welcome here [as long as they are appropriate / non-abusive] as well!

I am going to try to have the full write-up onsite by Sunday. Please (as always) - if you spot any errors - let me know. Appropriate changes (as called for) will be made.

Peace.

Brief Note... Attorney Sussman's Meeting... Golden Hill... Information Overload... You Tube Video

["Eruption"; "I Can't Stand the Rain"; as submitted to You Tube by smartdriverd; http://youtu.be/s7RSTuwKxe8]

Just so you know, the meeting Attorney Sussman hosted did take place - and a report (from my perspective) is pending. I am running behind a bit (I also want to catch up on the Golden Hill issue...); but then, no one pays me to do this...

There is a lot going on in K-town and UC right now - so a little information overload [Stay tuned; I should be able to catch up by Monday] is probably (especially from someone with PTSD / anxiety issues) to be expected.

Peace, Love and Humane Justice,

NS

Privatization VS Pirate-ization... Pic for Now... Commentary Pending...

["Privatization VS Pirate-ization"; Photo by NS]

I had planned to do my writeup on the Golden Hill Health Care Center issue, but I'm on complete overwhelm right now, so the pic will have to do. There are photos from yesterday's rally below - along with some links; and there is another blog posting on this issue further down. Hope you like the pic and idea. I thought it was cute : )

Commentary still pending.......

Some Pics From Today's "Save Golden Hill, Keep It County Run Rally"... Don't Forget... School Board and Budget Vote Today... More Pending...

Some Pics [Photos (except for one) by NS] From Today's "Save Golden Hill, Keep It County Run Rally". More Information (to go with the pics) and a Blogger's Opinion Piece Is Pending.

Remember the School Board and Budget Vote Is Also Today... And Time Is Running Short.

Use Your Voices or Lose Your Choices?

Serious Business Of Late, My Friends!

SAVE GOLDEN HILL, KEEP IT COUNTY RUN RALLY... Link and General Info

["For Those That Bloom At Any Age..."; Photo by NS]

"SAVE GOLDEN HILL, KEEP IT COUNTY RUN RALLY":
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=154288374637201

4PM - 6PM Tomorrow / Ulster County Office Building

Civil Rights Attorney Michael Sussman Hosts Open Meeting to Encourage Grass-Roots Ideas and Activism

Heads Up: On Wednesday, May 18 at 6:45 PM, Civil Rights Attorney Michael Sussman is hosting a public meeting "to solitcit ideas for new grass-roots initiatives in Kingston" ("Kingston Times"; Front Page & P. 7; May 12, 2011). Mr. Sussman is, according to this article, hoping to assist folks in starting "a grass-roots political movement to take on entrenched interests". The meeting will apparently be at 101 Hurley Avenue - but you might want to double check [and if wrong, please pass the info on to me?].

sun dancer

Happy Mothers Day!

City Lights-William Pitt

Great Place to Submit Some Ideas for the City of Kingston:

"Kingston NY Neighborhood Watch 150 Good Ideas for Kingston": http://www.kingston-ny-neighborhood-watch.com/2011/05/150-good-ideas-for-kingston.html

List Made Regarding New Paltz:

"100 Ideas for New Paltz": http://100ideas.wordpress.com/

Other Places to Check Out for Ideas:

Rhinebeck

Woodstock

[Nice places to drive through... safer streets... lots of good things going on!]

Lights. Flowers that last all summer. Color. Action.

Colored Lights can also (inexpensively) make a world of difference...

[Too tired to think of anything else right now...]

Photos from Shayne Gallos Fundraiser at Mariners Harbor and the Surrounding Waterfront Area

[Beautiful Tulips Down At the Waterfront; Photo by NS]

[Bob thought this was dinner...; but there was a feast in the back room; Photo by NS; Hand by Jeremy Blaber...]

[Good Food, Good People and a Nice Place for a Good Cause...; Good Luck Mr. Gallo; Photo by NS]

[Happy Faces; Bob Smith and City of Kingston Alderman Landi; Photo by NS]

[Is This Beautiful or What? Blossoms on the Waterfront; Photo by NS]

[The New, Much Publicized Walkway on the Waterfront; Beautiful!; Photo by NS]

[I think I read that there were about 400 people at the Gallo fundraiser & there were surely a LOT of them! If I took your photo and it isn't here, it was either too blurry or someone stepped in front of the camera; whopper of a party!; Photo by NS]

[Mariner's Harbor hosted the Gallo Fundraiser and did an excellent job! Thank You. Photo by NS]

[Down by the Waterfront; Beautiful!; Photo by NS]

[[UC Legislature Michael Madsen (He always has that smile!); Photo by NS]

[The Bernardos Looked Like Happy Campers!; Photo by NS]

[All in all - "Just Ducky!" Photo by NS]

Photo from Shayne Gallo's Fundraiser [More Pending]

[Shayne Gallo's (Running for City of Kingston Mayor) Fundraiser; Mariner's Harbor; 5/4/2011; Photo by NS]

More Photos Pending - Along With Some Beautiful Photos of the City of Kingston Waterfront.

City of Kingston City Council Meeting Citizen Notes On Open Speaking Session Issues

[UC Legislature J. Provenzano; Photo by NS]

At tonight's City of Kingston City Council Meeting (Open Speaker Session), UC Legislature, Jeanette Provezano spoke on behalf of keeping the Ulster County Health Center in County (versus making a transition to private) hands. Two employees of the facility also spoke (in a similar manner) on this topic - and a very good case was built (in my opinion) for doing so.

Also discussed were issues of public safety (blocked roadways) / children on bikes with no helmets - and the registration / regulations / fees / etc. for lawn and/or garage sales.

A possible bike helmet collection and give-away is reputedly in the works.

The garage sale issue [John Burridge showed up with a petition with 511 signatures against limiting / regulating and/or charging a fee for garage / lawn sales) - and this issue seems to have been dropped (?) for the time being.

We did not stay for the rest of the City Council meeting; but what we saw / heard "was" interesting; and I wish more people would (when they can) attend.

[Flowers Outside Kingston City Hall; Photo by NS]

If I spelled anyone's name wrong - or otherwise made an error - please let me know and [if appropriate] this will be corrected. Thank you.

[Photo by NS]

Happy Spring!

Video... Colbert Report... Progressives United... Russ Feingold...

Copied and Pasted:

"Watch the video of Progressives United Founder Russ Feingold on The Colbert Report talking about the new Super PACs that corporations are using to pour millions of dollars into our elections.

If you're just an average American who wants to have a say in how our country is run, sign our "I don't have a Super PAC" pledge and join us."

["The Colbert Report / Progressives United - Russ Feingold"; http://www.progressivesunited.org/action/colbertvideo?utm_source=sp&utm_medium=e&sc=sp]

Lady Gaga - Born This Way (Audio)

Homes for Heroes - Sen. Schumer

Prescription Drug Abuse

R Maddow on GOP Hypocrisy... Direct Transfer... Big Government V Small Government... Shocking Potentialities... msnbc.com

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Hinchey Speaks on House Floor Against 2012 Republican Budget

Mayoral Candidate Shane Gallo Photos from March 2011 Midtown Kingston

Some photos from Shane Gallo's MidTown appearance and speech [Mr. Shane Gallo is in the running for the City of Kingston Mayor position [Please correct me if I stated this wrong!]

"Social Security: Keep the Promise"... AmericasFuture... You Tube

["Social Security: Keep The Promise"; as submitted to You Tube by AmericasFuture; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3O_ZoCyCbQ&feature=player_embedded]

Domestic Violence... Cults... Gangs... PTSD... Recipes for Disaster... Community Needs...

I've been needing to do some writing for a while - but can't find the time or the willingness to probe the darkness that is (for my topic) required. Thus, I put up the following videos, which I urge you to view at your own discretion. I do not know if factnet is a viable source anymore or not. Some cult awareness resources do get infiltrated and/or bought out by cults - and I haven't done that type of research (am not up to date) in quite some time.

Why did I pick these particular videos?

1. I've always had some degree of difficulty seeing where the line gets drawn between "cults" (per se) and "gangs".

2. Most youth and other folks that get involved in cults and/or gangs (based on the research I have done) have - even before getting involved in "same" - a history of family dysfunction and/or trauma.

3. I believe that prevention is KEY - but since we are "so far gone" in "so many ways" - bringing in some professionals (in the area of PTSD / Dissociative Disorders) that know how to deal with dysfunctional family systems, cults and gangs should be a high priority at every level (local to national) of society.

4. Just my opinion... but I see a lot of "the blind leading the blind" around here - and we are going to have to do better than that if we want to find our way up and out of the mess we are in.

Just thoughts. As noted, please view the following videos at your own discretion.

PTSD in children & adolescents exposed to domestic violence

Do you know someone in a destructive cult?

Plugged In: Gang Violence Prevention

Recent Meeting at the Everette Hodge Center... Nice Song... "That's What Life Is"... by Tom Pacheco... You Tube Videos

[Recent Meeting at the Everette Hodge Center as submitted by gberke; IMG_0557 smallest - iPhone (Cellular).3gp gberke; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTv-1wgZiD0&feature=player_embedded]

["tom pacheco thats what life is"; as submitted to You Tube by MrWayneb63; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRAhYMcloeI&feature=player_embedded]

MSNBC Video... Budget Update... President Barack Obama...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

["Obama Budget deal reflects common sense approach"; MSNBC News; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42508309#42508309]

Kristin Gillibrand on "Protecting Women's Health"... "Stop the War On Women"... The Judds... Child Sexual Abuse...

["Protecting Women's Health"; KirstenEGillibrand"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTCLQxjaHvk&NR=1]

["Tell Congress: Stop the War on Women"; emilyslist;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3cEzVqJuds]

["Ashley Judd's Past Sexual Abuse"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QSlKeErtBU]

Government Shutdown? Parental Boycott of Buffalo Schools...

["Will The Government Shutdown?"; 4/8/2011 9:05AM EDT; WKBW News; http://www.wkbw.com/home/Gov-shutdown-119462579.html]

Midhudson News Link: "Area federal agencies could be hit if budget extender bill is not reached"; http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2011/April/08/fed_budget_impact-08Apr11.html

["Parents Plan Boycott of Buffalo Public Schools"; Kendra Eaglin; WKBW;
http://www.wkbw.com/home/Parents-Plan-Boycott-of-Buffalo-Public-Schools-119364294.html]

Have We No Dignity AT ALL? Bristol Palin... Teen Pregnancy Prevention... Yep. I Really Like The Song "Unforgiven"... I Do...

["Bristol Palin Paid $262k For Abstinence Ads"; "The Young Turks" (TYT); http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fvPfhU400A]

Copied and Pasted:

"In 2009, Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol joined a teen pregnancy prevention nonprofit called the Candie’s Foundation. Today, the Associated Press reported that the Candie’s Foundation released its 2009 tax information, revealing that Bristol was paid a salary of $262,500.

But a closer examination of the tax form by ThinkProgress shows that the group disbursed only $35,000 in grants to actual teen pregnancy health and counseling clinics: $25,000 to the Mt. Sinai Adolescent Health Center and $10,000 to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. View a screenshot of Bristol’s exorbitant salary below..."

Follow Up At: "ThinkProgress » Bristol Palin’s Nonprofit Paid Her Seven Times What It Spent On Actual Teen Pregnancy Prevention": http://thinkprogress.org/2011/04/05/bristol-palin-profiteer-teen-pregnancy/

2nd Source / Article About This: "Hot News & Views AlterNet Bristol Palin": http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/?akid=6796.263899.cPXO_6&id=551173&rd=1&t=3

3rd Source / Article About This: "Foundation Bristol Palin worth 332K compensation"; Road Runner; http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/9000/38426149/Foundation_Bristol_Palin_worth_332K_compensation

--------------------------------------

Commentary: As a former teen parent that worked in teen pregnancy prevention services, I made approximately $30,000 a year. Is there a benefit to having a former teen parent speak out on teen pregnancy prevention. Absolutely. It is tough! But is it tough when you have megabucks coming your way? When you can afford high quality child care? When you are basically raping (financially... my opionion) the American public?

I Think NOT.

Addressing Sexual Violence in Our Schools