Soul Searching...

I am a proponent of the New American Spirituality. The New American Spirituality is the result of the blending of various cultures and belief systems which mix and mingle in our little corner of the globe. Then we, as Americans, pick and choose that which fits us best.

This is a threat to organized religions. Most religions exist on the fear of damnation, if you don't follow their mandates and precepts you will certainly receive the punishment of eternal hell. What organized religion REALLY requires to survive, is the financial contributions of their followers. With all this influence, there is not a single organized religion that has solved any global issue. In fact, MOST have made global plagues like war and famine worse. Can you imagine what would happen if all the followers of the various world religions stood up and said they would withdraw their support if their church leaders didn't undertake a position of peace and spiritual honesty?

I have recently said that atheism suits my current state of mind better than any other option. However, I think I am becoming agnostic. Whatever I am, I feel like I am wasting my time by trying to define it. What is the purpose of a label, but to place someone in a little box? Labels exist less in a climate of inclusion and more in a climate of discrimination. Labels help others point and say, "you're a ______". I really don't want to BE anything but me. A me full of joy, love and peace.

So, I will continue my personal "New American Spiritual Journey" with Kundalini yoga, Reiki and a  Zen Buddhist meditation practice. My purpose on this planet has less to do with being a nameless, faceless member of a flock and more of a life full of purpose and assistance to my fellow travelers on this Earthly journey. If you need a shoulder to lean on or an all natural homemade hair conditioner, a friend for yoga class and a cup of tea or some Reiki time, just let me know. At the end of my time here, what will matter most is that what I did was a benefit to those around me. Not how much money I tithed to an institution that is one of the wealthiest in the world. I'd rather serve at a soup kitchen.

Tuesday's rant: Chris Brown is a jerk.

I have been so busy lately that I completely forgot my MILLIONS of fans who joyfully await my viral brain dumps. I am so sorry my lovelies and I promise that it will not happen again.

Today's mind spew revolves around some of the latest drama in the world of the men-children. They are always #winners in my book.

Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about a man who lays his hands on a woman in any manner other than a loving caress. I do, however, believe that a man who has been found guilty of domestic violence can be rehabilitated. I also think that if said man has been rehabilitated, he should be aware that his behavior could forever be identified with him. This means that he will be apologizing for a long time. He should be prepared for that eventuality and ready to be making amends for the duration.

Not a mature response, I know. It makes me happy, so I'll deal with it.

Enter Chris Brown. I saw the pictures of Rhianna's face after he assaulted her. It was brutal. To be fair, I also take issue with her little duet with Eminem (an abuser himself) in his song that, in my opinion glorifies domestic violence. I never LOVED anyone's lies. Sorry, darling.

Mr Brown ALLEGEDLY broke a window at GMA today after Robin Roberts questioned him about his past. Of course his entire entourage was in the room, so I am sure they are all going to run to his defense. The broken window rained glass on Times Square. Now, Mr. Brown is taking his violence to innocent people just walking down the street.

My point? I am sick and damned tired of people like Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen, Eminem and Chris Brown who feel that they are somehow entitled to work out their puerile issues on the women in their lives. Guess what, no matter what the Bible, the Q'uran or whatever you claim validates your impotence says, YOU DO NOT, EVER, NEVER, NO WAY, HAVE THE RIGHT TO HIT A WOMAN. Go down to the bar and pick on someone who will lay you out. That's why men hit women. Because they are too cowardly to pick on someone they know will break their eye socket.

Another note, no one it ENTITLED to forgiveness. No one owes you forgiveness when you wrong them. It's a nice thing to do, forgive someone. But, you usually need to earn it.

I usually try to be more diplomatic and generous. I've just had enough with this childish behavior. Grow up Mr. Brown. You make me sick.

Grandmother, what a shiny hat you're wearing.

I am tired of people who are emotionally disturbed or have other miscellaneous issues putting their psychological garbage at my door. This is my manifesto.

If I am "selfish",  it is because I am well aware of the damage that permitting you to have unlimited access to my life would cause. If I am "controlling", it might be because you asked for my opinion or advice. Don't blame me if you ask what I think then don't like what you hear.


I understand that crazy people don't realize that they are crazy. It's an unfortunate conundrum for the insane. It's harder to get well when your brain is always telling you that you are right, even when you're wearing tinfoil to the movies.

Why this virulent manifesto to the insane?

When someone, even someone with their own page in the DSM IV makes a comment about myself or my attitude, I take the time to reflect. I feel that every statement, no matter how bizarre, has some basis in truth. I refuse to be a wacko in denial.


If you make a comment to or about me, I sit back and let it digest. Is it valid? Is there a lesson in here somewhere? I make the choice to open myself to the universe to teach me important lessons about being a better person.

I think it's about time you bought a mirror.

Why I'm An Agitator.

First a history lesson: Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, Reverend Anna Howard Shaw, Elizabeth Cady Stanton,  Sojourner Truth,  Ida B. Wells, these are the names that we usually recognize as members of the Women's Suffrage movement.

Alice Paul

There was a smaller group, led by the indefatigable Alice Paul. She and her cohort Lucy Burns, joined NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association) to create the Congressional Union whose sole purpose was to lobby for a congressional amendment to the U.S. Constitution. NAWSA's methodology involved a state-by-state movement, whereas the Congressional Union wanted a federal amendment. This lead to Paul, Burns and the other members of the Congressional Union breaking with NAWSA to form the NWP or National Women's Party. The NWP used a more public form of lobbying, which involved picketing the White House. This picketing lead to the women being arrested for obstructing traffic. The erroneous charge of obstructing traffic resulted in their being imprisoned in the Occoquan workhouse. The charge was erroneous as the women stood in front of the White House fence and at times, were chained to it.  If you've ever seen a picture of the White House you know there certainly is not a fence running down the center of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. (Even before they shut the street down to traffic completely.) They were no more obstructing traffic than the White House itself.



Lucy Burns



Even in prison, Lucy Burns did not desist in her efforts to rally the cause. As the women were in fact, political prisoners, Burns demanded that the women be treated in kind, being provided with their own clothes, pen and paper to write their families and food. Their demands were not met. The clothes and linens with which they were provided were unwashed and infested with lice, the food contained maggots. On Burns' third arrest, she was given the maximum sentence. The night of that arrest the women were treated to, as they referred to it, the "Night of Terror". Injured women were refused medical treatment. Burns again demanded that they be treated as political prisoners with all the rights this status afforded. When she refused to desist she was shackled with her arms above her head to the bars of her cell.

The women in Occoquan were subjected to many indignities, the worst of all (in my opinion) was force-feeding. In the movie, Iron Jawed Angels, a portrayal of this makes the hair on the back of my neck go up. The women of the suffrage movement gave their lives, the health of their bodies and their energy to a right that some (if not most) of my gender take for granted; with no understanding of what it took to get us into the voting booth.

The "Night of Terror" as well as a detailed history of NWP's development and activites are detailed in the book Jailed For Freedom by Doris Stevens. Another of the courageous suffragists.

An excerpt from Jailed for Freedom featuring Rose Winslow 





Inez Millholland



For instance, I'd like to introduce you to Inez Milholland. I myself had never heard of the Vassar educated, labor lawyer before I saw Julia Ormand portray her in the movie, Iron Jawed Angels. Milholland traveled to France on a peace mission during WWI. She campaigned tirelessly for the vote across the West while dealing with pernicious anemia. During one of her speeches she collapsed, succumbing to complications of the disease on November 25, 1916, she was just 30 years old. Her last public words were, "Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?"


So, when I fight passionately for what I feel is important, when people look away because my voice might be a little too loud, I do it because of Lucy Burns. When someone refers to me as being "angry" because I refuse to back down, speak my mind and expect to be heard, I do it because Alice Paul did it first. When others want to stand back and play nice, hoping that through passivity they will achieve their goals... I reach in my pocket and squeeze my Suzie B. half-dollar, call on the spirit of Inez Milholland and let it rip. When I vote, I think fondly of those women who sacrificed to get me in that booth. I honor their memories by fighting for women and their rights.

We may no longer wear corsets, sit daintily and choose the prettiest curtains for our kitchens. Now, we choose curtains while blogging about our rights, calling our congress-people and Tweeting to get our voices out there. These bitchin' daughters of the suffragists won't stop fighting until we achieve every one of  those right they wanted for us and knew we deserved.



Copyright 2011 Michelle Cahill

TAKE THAT DOMA!!!!!

We interrupt our previously scheduled programming to bring you this news:

Today, the MAGNIFICENT Obama Administration declared DOMA unconstitutional and asked the DOJ to discontinue their defence of the bill.

"After careful consideration, including a review of my recommendation, the President has concluded that given a number of factors, including a documented history of discrimination, classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a more heightened standard of scrutiny. The President has also concluded that Section 3 of DOMA, as applied to legally married same-sex couples, fails to meet that standard and is therefore unconstitutional. Given that conclusion, the President has instructed the Department not to defend the statute in such cases. I fully concur with the President’s determination."

-Attorney General Eric Holder's statement as reported by Feministing


I am sure that the religious right will have something to say about this matter. Though their concerns have more to do with persecution and discrimination. There is really no arguing with them anymore, which is why I have included the following link for those who need a retort to their baseless claims.

The Bible Supports Same-Gender Marriage
By: Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards

Need I remind people that Jesus never ONCE discussed homosexuality in the Bible. Now, I'm sure someone will find a hidden gospel under a rock entitled, "Hearken the Homos: You're All Going To Hell". and "Christians" everywhere will have "proof" that homosexuality is wrong. Oh, well... women, gays, people of color... we'll never be safe.

At least, today, we have something to celebrate!

Dear Governor Quinn,

 On February 18th, you addressed the people of Illinois regarding your plans for the financial future of our state. You expressed several demands for consolidating our debts and eliminating programs in order to save money. Calling for bipartisanship within the community of lawmakers, at one point you said, "Put it out there for all to see. Saying no is not enough unless you are willing to offer real alternatives."

During the course of your speech you said, "Since taking office, I have reduced our spending every year. No area is above review."  Yet, in 2010 during the worst of the crisis, you felt the state was financially capable of providing your staff with pay raises. While most employees would agree that a paycheck should equal the responsibilities and effort required by a position, you and your staff are the servants of the people of the State of Illinois. You work for us, we do not work for you. Yet, we are increasing the pay of your staff when we are struggling to make ends meet, feed our families and in some cases find jobs. A reduction in the unemployment rate does not mean that there are people who are not still unemployed. I do not believe that your staff has made changes within our state that were effective enough to warrant a raise. The people of Illinois are being taxed and asked to give, give, give. When will your staff volunteer to do the same?

In response to the shellacking your office took as a result of this faux pas on your account, you compromised by making your staff take 24 unpaid days off. This resulted in a 9.2% salary cut and a savings for the state of $18 million. This, however, did not affect the salaries or pensions of the staff. I believe the people of the state would like to know how a 30% pay increase for Louis Bertuca was going to be offset by a 9.2% cut.

While this took place last year, I feel that it is an effective example of the nature of your policies as Governor.

You have again targeted the state's social services as the group that will feel the greatest effect of your budgetary restraints. Last year while your staff received financial increases, our state's most desperate people were left to struggle. You said during your address, "...we should never lose sight of the fact that our greatest asset is our human capital." 

What is your definition of human capital? The people who attend expensive fundraising dinners or the people who serve the food and mop the floors at those very same dinners? Human capital includes people who utilize our state's services. Women who are victims of domestic violence seek safety within in the walls of our struggling shelters. The women who then move into transitional living and are trying to rebuild their lives. The women seeking employment to support their children. These women are our state's human capital.

You want to ensure that our state's children receive the proper training in order to gain success in post secondary education and later in business that will benefit Illinois. What about the children that are living in violent homes?

72% of women going to a shelter bring their children with them and 21% bring 3 or more children with them. If, through your budget cuts, you make it harder for women to access shelter, you are making it more difficult for them to provide safety to their children.

Boys who witness domestic violence are more likely to batter their female partners as adults than boys raised in nonviolent homes. Not only do shelters provide life saving security to the women and children who are victims of domestic violence, they allow an opportunity to regain a life and sense of normalcy for these children.

"Longer-term proposals to reduce the incidence of violence include providing assistance and job training to women, thus according them the opportunity to acquire the external resources they need to end violent relationships. Other long-term proposals advocate counseling and other intervention strategies for perpetrators. Still others underscore the need to conduct community education efforts to promote awareness of assistance available for victims and to reduce community tolerance of domestic violence."

Providing Refuge: The Value of Domestic Violence Shelter Services
SHARON A. CHANLEY
University of Illinois at Springfield

JESSE J. CHANLEY, JR.
HEATHER E. CAMPBELL
Arizona State University
 
 
Domestic violence shelters are a lifeline for people in need. Making it more difficult to turn a life around and create opportunities is putting our state into fiscal and personal debt. It is the responsibility of those who can to help those who cannot. We cannot close the doors and shutter the windows on domestic violence. Ignoring it will not make it go away. It is our responsibility to maintain a place for safety and understanding.

Advocates who are employed with shelters and the volunteers that spend precious time there assist shelter residents with counseling, employment training and job searches as well as the navigation of government's complicated systems. Advocates assist with obtaining restraining orders and locating transportation for children so they can continue attending school. These precious angels receive very little compensation for their efforts and in the case of volunteers, none at all. We cannot afford to lose them.
 
If a woman can obtain a safe place to live, she can also access job training and employment. This, Governor Quinn, would lead to more tax revenue. Especially in this time of need our shelters are all the more important. As I am sure that you are aware, in times of economic crisis, partner violence increases.
 
"We built the first skyscraper – Chicago’s Home Insurance Building– allowing our cities to climb into the sky."  Through our unwillingness to provide help to those who need it most, the only thing in Illinois that will ever reach the sky will be our skyscrapers. As long as we knowingly allow our citizens to struggle we can not hope for success, nor would we deserve it.

I understand the need to trim the budget and tighten the collective belts of Illinois. However, the choice to cut funding for community resources will only create more financial strain. If an alcoholic does not have access to a treatment facility, drives drunk and kills a mother of two, then the people of Illinois will be paying to support him in prison. If a woman cannot find refuge for herself and her children and is murdered by her violent spouse, who will provide care for the children while their father is in prison? This is the sad side effect to a lack of resources. This is not necessary. We can change the future of the state by truly investing in our human capital. Our people.

I hope that you will take this into consideration when setting the budget in stone, Governor Quinn. When I voted for you in this past election, I voted for you hoping that you would be fair to all the people of Illinois. Please do not disappoint us.

Sincerely,

Michelle Cahill

Click here for Governor Quinn's speech.


Copyright 2011 Michelle Cahill





 


Quinn's budget and substance abuse programs.

Going Vegan Week 1

So, the whole going vegan thing is going well... well, down the drain. I've been vegetarian for three four days. I feel better, lighter, and less congested. (I mean congested in the middle not chest congestion.)

I am Buddhist, I'm also an atheist, I'm really not sure how that works out... but, anyway. Buddhists, for the most part, do not believe in the ingestion of meat. The theory is in order for you to have the meat to eat, an animal had to die. So, you are effectively ingesting death and with that, the pain and suffering of the animal as it died. Not to mention that killing someone/thing goes directly against the Buddhist principle of non-violence.

I killed a gnat once. He was seriously pissing me off, flying in front of my eyes and in my nose. After I squished him on the TV screen I cried for a few minutes. Who am I to end the life of another? (Am I really that devoted to the blissful sanctification of life or do I have emotional issues? Who knows!)

Because I do not see the actual process of ending the life of my "food" does that make it acceptable? Are there alternative ways for me to get protein and other benefits that would normally come from meat? Absolutely.

Now, onto the question of veganism. I have heard the opinions of people who think that veganism is an unhealthy lifestyle choice. I don't necessarily agree. There are lots of options for replacing nutrients. I am, however, finding difficulty with the eggs, milk and cheese aspect. I am Irish, we drink A LOT of milk.

I know that if a cow is not milked, the milk in her udder will curdle and make her very ill. Hens lay eggs every day. In my opinion this is a normal, natural thing. More harm would come from not milking the cow. The hen's eggs would go to waste if not collected. Maybe I am whitewashing the issue, because I really like eggs, I absolutely love cheese and I doubt that I could live without milk.

I do my best, I only buy cage free eggs. The milk I am not so sure about. I need to research where my dairy products are coming from and make the decision of whether to continue to include those items in my diet. When I get to it, I'll let you know.