83rd Annual Zilker Park Kite Festival (2011)

I was very excited about attending the 2011 Zilker Park Kite Festival.  I prepared our kite the night before, charged 4 backup batteries for my cameras, polished the lenses, oiled my bike chain and formatted my flash drives.   The next morning, I packed oranges and cashews into my pre-packed photo-bag, strapped it to my back and headed out for a day of kite and photo fun.  
(click on any picture to enlarge)

I expected to see a scene like last year:

(photo credit to somethingtocelebrateblog)

However, this is the scene I was greeted with: 

Let me begin by saying I truly appreciate and respect the men and women of the Military,  National Guard and the Texas State Guard.  These amazing individuals have dedicated their lives to the idea of protecting me, my family, my community, state and nation.  

My deepest gratitude for your service.

"The Texas State Guard (TXSG) mission as a branch of the Texas Military Forces is to provide mission-ready military forces to assist State and local authorities in times of state emergencies, with homeland security and community service through Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA). To augment the other two branches of the Texas Military Forces, the Texas Army National Guard and Texas Air National Guard as force multipliers"







I asked numerous soldiers why they were there.  Each responded in the same manner: "We are here to aid with security."  

 




After numerous such responses, I went to the "Command Tent" and the officers gave me their attention as I asked why they were there.  The gentleman who addressed me advised me that his troops had been working hard all year and this was their reward.

Wouldn't it be  a better reward to give them the day off and let them enjoy Kite Day with their families?  



Would they be any less vigilant in watching over their community if they volunteered without the uniforms?






I don't think so.
 

Rather than inculcating a military presence into the consciousness of our community, maybe we could focus on continuing to strengthen the bonds our community is famous for.

The command center was the recruiting center, located between the restrooms and the primary drop-off/pick-up points for the school buses that shuttled families in - supervised by the Guard.

There must be other venues more appropriate for a military recruiting tent.

 If organizers believe that a recruiting tent for a branch of the Texas Military Forces is necessary at the family (children's) kite festival, maybe they would consider a proximity away from arriving families and an agreement to maintain conformity with other vendors and organizations. 

I respectfully request that uniformed soldiers not be involved in ANY security or policing duties.

In retrospect, can we agree there are better ideas than setting a military perimeter around a children's festival? 

Although most of the TXSG was courteous and respectful, a good number appeared to find the presence of a long-haired guy on a bicycle with a camera in South Austin to be a concern.

 

 



 






























This is a family kite festival and there is no need for a military presence or this level of security.

After contacting the organizers of the festival with my concerns, Billie McCulley contacted me let me know that "...Amazingly enough we have fewer than 20 members who are able to work the fest..."  "...we rely heavily on volunteers, usually numbering in the 800s." 
          "...This year we asked the Texas Guard to volunteer and to set up a recruiting booth."  

"...The Guard is a gallant and patriotic organization that sounded like a group of volunteers who could help us take care of 30,000 attendees."    

I let her know I am thrilled that the TXSG wants to volunteer their talents in security and logistics, but that it's a concern when done by the same people in uniform. The children that attended this function looked at generous volunteers offering up their time and saw military uniforms instructing them where to go and running security.  From my "Keep Austin Weird and America Free" perspective, I view this as a potential slippery slope for our community culture.

Ms. McCulluey asked me to come to one of the Kite Festival Planning Meetings to voice my concerns and to share some of the ideas I have to let more people know about the festival and how they can contribute.  You know I'll be there!

The ‘Kite Tournament’ was created by The Exchange Club of Austin in 1929 with a mission to encourage creativity in children. It is still owned and run by the club.

I've attended the  Zilker Park Kite Festival for years before we became residents of Barton Hills. We love our neighborhood, our park and our community.  We look forward to attending again...When my backyard is military uniform-free and filled with children flying kites in a creative, care-free environment.

Please help get the word out!  This is not a city event.  This is an organization that needs inspired, creative, committed help.  It doesn't cost anything to volunteer.  

They are struggling to accommodate crowds attracted and inspired by a great idea.  


 If you or your organization would like to volunteer  talents & resources to help with the festival, please click here.


My hope is that others would:  Share their point of view with the sponsors of the event with respect, love, reason and ideas with an intention of positive change.  Let's continue the tradition of non-uniformed community volunteers at the Zilker Park Kite festival.

I truly believe that there is a better way.

I love you, I'm sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you. ~ Hoʻoponopono

On My Way To The Capital

I met a lady who introduced her self as, "Peace". 

She thanked me for asking before taking her photo. 

She took my hand, looked deep in my eyes and told me to have a beautiful day. 

She said nothing more.

Have Some Tea with Dr. King

Please pour yourself a cup of tea, coffee, water, etc. and sit back for a few moments and listen to a speech given by the late Dr. King.
This speech inspires me as much or more as his "I have a dream" speech.

Please give it a good long listen. You may be as inspired as I am.
Thank you, Dr. King.

RFID Tracking Used on Children in Texas Schools

Tracking devices used in school badges

Two districts are first in the area to use ID tags that raise privacy, security concerns

By JENNIFER RADCLIFFE
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Oct. 11, 2010, 10:00AM

Jerry Baker Chronicle

Sixth-graders, from left, Jacorey Jackson, Deante' Maxey, Casandra Hernandez and Kamryn Jefferson, all 11, wear special tracking badges at Bailey Middle School in Spring.

Radio frequency identification — the same technology used to monitor cattle — is tracking students in the Spring and Santa Fe school districts.

Identification badges for some students in both school districts now include tracking devices that allow campus administrators to keep tabs on students' whereabouts on campus. School leaders say the devices improve security and increase attendance rates.

Read the entire article here.

I have family raising children in the Spring district and look forward to their insights and comments.

In light of my last post, I would like to ask for people's opinions on the RFID program in the Spring and Santa Fe school districts and ideas about how to create something to impact our communities and the planet in a positive way.

Morning Music - Sly and the Family Stone

My favorite part of this performance on the Ed Sullivan show was unfortunately left out of this video. It is when Sly announced at the beginning:

"Don't hate the black, don't hate the white. If you get bit, just hate the bite."

Hope it gets your butt rockin'. It worked for me!

Morning Music - K'naan

Here's K'naan...

And his lyrics...

- K'naan Lyrics

What do you think?

McKinney/Clemente in 2008

Think that no presidential candidate cares about trillions of dollars missing each year?   Think no presidential candidate is asking real questions about 9/11?  Think again.  Think Cynthia McKinney.

This is the 1st all-women-of-color presidential ticket in US history! 

I am still amazed that hardly anyone knows about Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente. You would think that it might get a mention on the news. Somehow ABC, NBC, CBS and (fair and balanced) Fox News seemed to have missed it. 

Do you want to vote for someone who has not supported the dissolution of the Bill of Rights as Barack Obama and John McCain have? Cynthia is an option. She is running on the Green Party ticket. Rather than choosing between the lesser of two evils, how about not voting for evil at all?

Nas - Y'all My Niggas

This video smacks you in the face, it is supposed to. (Not for suitable young ears.) Don't turn it off because it isn't what you usually listen to. 

We use the word everyday

Now we don't know the capacity of this word

Are we headed for conflict or not? (Yes sir)

Because we did not break down the capacity

Of the same what (The same word)

Brothers and sisters, this is why we hung up the consciousness

We've been taught wrong

My favorite part is the epilogue.  If you don't make it to the end, this is what he has to say:

"Hey yo, I'm American born. Love America, love my people, love all mankind, all nationalities.

Ya know...I think it has just been recently where everybody started to feel like there is an elite group that runs everything. And everybody else was sheep, ignorant.

 Making all ethnicities, colors and creeds...niggas. Blind to what's really going on.
So I say take off the wool from your eyes. 

Out with the old America, in with the new. End all racism, all injustice, all oppression to poor people...any people anywhere on this planet. Let's come together. A new day is rising!"   ~Nas

More than 1 in 100 Americans is now in Prison

(Image from BBC)

The Orwellian comment of the week award goes to Paul Casses, a law professor gifting us with his insight from the University of Utah:

“It’s terrible we have to incarcerate so many so the rest of us can live safely,” he said. “But that’s the price of living in the most free society in the world.”

What? To have the most free society in the world, we must imprison more of our people than any other society in the world? Sir, you are an authoritarian hack.

We now have more than1 in 100 Americans is in jail. There are approximately 2.3 million Americans currently serving time. That is more than ANY other country in the world, including China which has a paltry 1.5 million of it's 1.3 billion people behind bars. Per capita, our incarceration rates are beyond staggering. The Chinese have over a billion more people than we do, yet a million fewer people in prison.

You can the report from the Pew Center on the States here.

Power to the People

I stumbled across this video after the most recent Republican debate. It's not quite morning music, but it gave me pause. This is Democratic Presidential hopeful, Mike Gravel, singing(ish) "Power to the People". He may not be allowed to debate, but they can't stop him from singing. :) As with all of my presidential postings so far, this is not an endorsement...just thought it was a fun video.

dj mike gravel & rx conspiracy

Police State - Go Skateboarding Day

It's a new world...Torture is what the "good guys" do, skateboarding is a crime, and police hand out beatings to children to help them understand how dangerous the sport can be.

To check out more about Go Skateboarding Day, click here.

Spy Cameras in Bagdad

Cameras have been placed throughout Baghdad to help track "insurgents".
I suppose this is what democracy looks like, as the only way you can tell this isn't the U.S. is the lettering on the street sign. We have tracking cameras throughout our "free" country and are apparently applying this technology in our "War on Terror".
(image courtesy of Yahoo)

The application in Iraq is exactly the type of usage that privacy advocates have feared in the United States. I suppose we will only use our technology against insurgents, speeders, anti-war activists, terrorists and other select "evil-doer" groups.

(Thanks to Seattle DOT and Edmunds.com for the other pictures above)

Keith Olbermann on Waterboarding

Keith Olbermann special commentary for 5 November 2006:

Bill Moyers on

Bill Moyers addresses the argument over presidential power in his segment, "When the President does it, does it make it legal?" I found the historical perspective particularly interesting.

It's about 10 minutes long, but worth watching.

Dodd Threatens to Filibuster Fisa Bill

Senator Chris Dodd is attempting to place a hold the Senate FISA renewal bill because it grants retroactive immunity to telephone companies their role in the Bush administration’s warrantless eavesdropping program. I can't believe more of our representatives haven't spoken out more quickly.

Oh yes...I guess I can.



Take a peak at Dodd’s FISA petition. My favorite line is his opener:

"The Military Commissions Act. Warrantless wiretapping. Shredding of Habeas Corpus. Torture. Extraordinary Rendition. Secret Prisons. No more."

"If the bill that ultimately reaches the Senate floor includes immunity and does not adequately protect the privacy of Americans, I will fight it vigorously with every tool at my disposal.”

Finally!!! Let's hope that Representative Stark & Senator Dodd's recent outspokenness is an indicator that more will be walking in and singing a bar of "Alice's Restaurant."

If the reference above escapes you, you can click here to hear Arlo sing "Alice's Restaurant".

Chertoff: Illegals Degrade the Environment

My blog entry for International Blog Action Day for the Environment:

This is an interesting article where Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff states that Illegals degrade the environment:

"I've seen pictures of human waste, garbage, discarded bottles and other human artifact in pristine areas," Chertoff said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "And believe me, that is the worst thing you can do to the environment."

Of course, he thinks nothing of the 670 miles of fencing the U.S. is putting up along it's southwest border that will likely have a direct impact on the surrounding environment and animals attempting to reach water. (Projected completion: year-end 2008.)

Remember what East German citizens were told as the Berlin Wall was being built? It was for their own protection...to keep out the fascists. Now the Bush administration and many of our "representatives" claim we need to build a wall for our own protection...to keep out the Islamofascists.

What do you think?

Feeding the Hungry is Illegal in Orlando!

"Principles have no real force except when one is well-fed."
-Mark Twain

Making certain that needy people have enough food to eat can be illegal in Orlando. The city has a ban on feeding more than 25 homeless people at a time and it's first legal victim, Eric Montanez of Food Not Bombs has just been found innocent.

Feeding poor people is a crime?!? In what right-wing fascist run world is this OK?

After pointing out that feeding the homeless and hungry is a crime in Orlando Jeff Deal of Orlando's Channel 9 Eyewitness News reported: (click here for video)

"And, of course, all of this all started because city leaders felt there were too many homeless people gathering in one location. They felt this was a public safety issue that the public could be in danger with all of those people."

Can't you just smell the objective reporting? I bet he just packed his face with corporate franchise food and had a $7.00 coffee just before his report.

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
~Emma Lazarus, 1883

Habeas Corpus Restoration Act

Take 10 minutes away from Survivor, CSI, X-Box or whatever else may be taking precedence in your life and contact your representatives to let them know how you want them to vote on the restoration of habeas corpus. They are your representatives, after all.

A quote from the site:

"We all want to make America safe from terrorism, but becoming a nation that sanctions the unlawful detention of its own residents -- detaining and jailing them without the chance to appear before a judge -- does not make us safe. Instead, it violates a value that we have held dear for centuries -- safeguarding our individual freedom before arbitrary state action."

I can tell you that my representatives, John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchinson, both currently expect to vote against the restoration of habeas corpus. (What?) See how your representatives stand by clicking here or on the chart above.

Please take note that the Republicans are planning to fillibuster against the restoration of habeas corpus to counter the impact of the 2006 Military Commisions Act.

Whose freedoms are we fighting for?...
And where did my habeas corpus go?

Peter King - Too Many Mosques!

New York Rep. Peter King, a prominent House Republican, said "we have too many mosques in this country" and "we should find out how we can infiltrate, we should be more aggressive" to use the NYPD as an example, I think we should give the NYPD a medal for the job they did at the Republican convention" in a recent interview with Politico.



Deserve a medal? What do you think?

Senator Kerry, Role Model?

University Police drag off and taze a university student (Andrew Meyers) after "the honorable" John Kerry called on him to ask questions after a lecture at the University of Florida.

The police did not like his questions or his tone and grabbed his arms to drag him off. They did not Mirandize him, they did not advise him if or why he was being arrested when as officers grabbed each arm. The student made a "poor decision" and resisted their arrest/assault after questioning if and why he was being arrested. Then, as there was an ant pile of the serve and protect crowd on and around him, they made the decision to taze him.



I find two things particularly disturbing: A number of the students in the auditorium began to cheer as these thugs in uniform were violating his civil rights. What the hell has happened to college students? They line up to go through metal detectors and get searched, but they won't speak out for a fellow student? Where would they ever learn such a behavior?

The second item I find so unsettling? The example John Kerry set for all of those hungry young minds. This man who wanted the top position in the country and to swear an oath to"... protect and defend the Constitution". Do you feel he proved himself as a defender of the Constitution? Did he say, "This is America, let the boy speak."? I think the young man made his point.

Not only did Senator Kerry not object to watching this young man be stripped of his civil rights, dragged off and tazed; he decided to ignore the situation and continue lecturing. Senator Kerry did what all good Americans are being trained to do, act like nothing is happening as your fellow citizens are being carted off for disagreeing, questioning or some other heinous infraction like being brown.

Mr. Kerry, your actions were disgraceful and you are a disappointment to your constituents.

I thought students were encouraged to ask questions in a university setting, but maybe that's just my pre-9/11 thinking.