The plight of dairy workers

The latest issue of UTNE READER shines light on the ugly truth about conditions dairy workers face in southeastern Washington -- and elsewhere in the US, too. It calls out specifically the plight of the workers at the Ruby Ridge dairy just north of Pasco, who were fired after they signed a request for a union vote.

These workers were exercisig rights given to them through the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Find it at http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Articles 23 and 24 especially speak to their condition.

Who is looking out for these workers? Besides the good people at the Oregon Farm Workers Ministry? What do you say?

Before our nation shoves democracy down the throats of other nations, we must clean up the mess in our back yard.

Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. I want to live in an America where all the people can enjoy all the rights defined in the UN Declaration.

Peace, y'all

Peace in our time?

The largest part of the federal budget is war, paying for past ones, and supporting today's, plus subsidizing the military industrial complex and caring for our veterans.

The parts of the budget that make peace are miniscule. But they are vital.

Let's work for peace, any way we can.

Nonviolent protest in Iran today

Sojourners is a good group of people. A recent email brought to me a NYT article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/world/middleeast/10arrests.html?th&emc=th

The present situation cannot continue. I want to support the brave people facing an angry, unfair and violent government with their persistent truth and peaceful actions.

Don't know how just yet but I'll pray about it and maybe an angel will send me ideas.

Peace, y'all

Molly

Remaking America? Or just cleaning the house

Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

These are words from Obama's inauguration speech that resonate with me strongly.

Do I remake America when I patronize a local business?
Do I remake America when I fold laundry and groom the cats?
Do I remake America when I attend a fair trade bead party?

I just don't know. I think contributing to the economy helps others, and that helps remake America. So do contributions to charities.

It's just not enough.

Today I will follow the words of Candide instead, and tend the garden.

Peace, y'all

Molly

Retail abstinence phase 2

Today is the first day of February. My month-long experiment ended successfully.

I strayed from my "rules" just once. My spouse and I went out to dinner and blew $4.31 on a fast food dinner.

The best part for me is that I was able to say no to lattes right up until I was on the road on 1/29. The worst part -- I had a latte at Starbucks on 1/31 and it was heaven on earth.

But if I can go cold turkey in cold dark wet January, I can manage other times too. And I liked saving money. I will not return to my pre-abstinence spending levels.

Today I will spend a little money. I have a lunch date. But no big binge as I had envisioned earlier last month.

I have yet to tally up my expenditures and compare them with a similar month (Sept 2009, the first month I was daughter-less. I am eager to see the tally, and will do something good with the savings. Donate to food bank? Donate to Haiti? Put into investments? Make a rainy day fund? It will be fun to decide.

The other good thing about February 1 is at last cold dark wet January is over, and there will be a few signs of spring this month. Bring it on!

Peace, y'all

Molly