This Tax Day, Make THEM Pay... a letter about April 18th from Michael Moore

Dear People,

Thank you for stopping by to read this every now and then blog. I hope you stay long enough to read what Michael has to say.

I find it very interesting that as of this posting we are but a few days away from Earth Day and according to Cost of this , the Wars waged with American tax payer dollars have cost the American People

This Tax Day, Michael says Make THEM Pay. Green Dove wishes it had a small amount of funds comming in on a regular basis to say YES! to peace making. Yet when you look at the fact that more than 70% of Americans paying taxes are in the $50,000 and below range and that is falling. It is easy for folks to say, we don't have it. Well what we support with our $'s will continue. What do we want to live and love for. How can we take a chance on creating a peaceful, sustainable nation. It won't be easy, because the benefactors of this current unstable state prefer it this way.

May we each find a way to love more than we fear. If not for ourselves, for the children we love.

Green Dove

...a letter about April 18th from Michael Moore
Friday, April 15th, 2011



Friends,
Do you wonder (like I do) what the tax accountants and executives are doing over at GE this weekend? Frantically rushing to fill out their IRS returns like the rest of us?
Hardly. They're taking the weekend off to throw themselves a big party and have a hearty laugh at all of us. It must really crack them up to see us like suckers scurrying around to make sure we report everything to Uncle Sam -- and even send him a check, if necessary.
The joke's on us, folks. GE and tons of other corporations will have a tax bill for 2010 of ZERO. GE had $14.2 billion in profits in 2010. Yet they will contribute NOTHING to the federal government while every last dime is soaked from us.
In the latest budget deal, our politicians could have tackled the deficit by stopping the flow of these ill-gotten billions to corporations. Instead they cut billions from "wasteful" programs that do "wasteful" things, like create new jobs, drive economic growth, and help the needy and our nation's children. It's Democracy in reverse and it sickens me.
GE spends $20 million a year to lobby Congress to throw themselves this party. But do you know what speaks louder than $20 million? 20 million votes! 20 million people, and more, standing together and taking to the streets. That starts now, with you.
This coming Monday, April 18th is Tax Day -- and that's the day when "we the people" will demand our country back from these corporations in events all across the country. You can find the nearest event to you here.
MoveOn members -- along with union, community, and environmental allies -- will gather outside the headquarters and local offices of the biggest corporate tax dodgers to deliver tax bills from the American people. And we'll demand that our leaders make these corporate deadbeats pay.
We're doing this because we don't buy into the Big Lie: that greedy teachers caused the crash on Wall Street! That the selfish firefighters sent millions of jobs overseas! That pregnant woman, infants, and children are sending us into deficit!
No, it was the big corporations that did this. It was the CEOs and the top 1% of the country. THEY brought on the mortgage crisis. THEY made off with trillions of dollars from our economy. THEY are systematically destroying the middle class. And THEY have bought and sold the very people elected to represent us!
On Monday, we will have something to say to Exxon, Chevron, and the big banks that crashed our economy and got billions in bailouts, like Citigroup and Bank of America, who pay little or no federal income tax. In fact, the IRS will likely give them a tax REBATE. If that doesn't boggle your mind then nothing will.
The Tax Day events are about sending this message: We are coming after you, we are stopping you and we are going to return the money, jobs, and homes you stole from the people. This is your tipping point, Corporate America. And I, for one, am glad it's going to happen this Monday.
If you've never been to an event like this before, this is the time. And don't go alone, because none of us can win this fight by ourselves. Plus, it's more fun and exciting to go along with friends and family to be part of real democracy in action -- not the store-bought kind Big Business gets on Capitol Hill.
I really hope you can make it. This is our chance, my friends. Take the time on Monday to make your voice heard. I can guarantee you I will. Please join me.
Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com

Emily Henochowicz Update

Saturday evening, and may this note find you well! Thanks David (Unitarian Universalist Just Peace Task Force, Bloomington, IN for sharing this information.

May we find peace within our hearts and expresses it in our thoughts, words and deeds!


Namaste and POI,

Green Dove


**********************************************************

Emily Henochowicz is the Jewish American college exchange student in Israel whose lost her left eye after being struck by an Israeli tear gas canister fired directly at her face while she and others were protesting the Israeli attack on the Gaza aid flotilla.

Emily makes reference to the violence that the Israeli military is known to use against demonstrators in the Palestinian Occupied Territories (she had thought that under the circumstances the military would behave more like it does during protests in "Israel proper"). The world rarely hears about Israeli violence against peaceful demonstrators unless an international is injured, but Palestinian demonstrators are wounded and killed in this fashion quite regularly. That is one reason Palestinians usually try to have internationals at their demonstrations, since the IDF feels much less constrained in its use of violence at an all-Palestinian demonstration, where they believe few will object to, or ever learn about, their brutality (and they are, unfortunately, correct).

Emily's grandparents are Holocaust survivors and her father was born in Israel and strongly supports the Israeli government. Emily mentions that because she is a couple of generations removed from the Holocaust she does not feel the same intensity of emotion regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, particularly fear, and is thus able to look at the situation more objectively than others in her family. She decided to try to learn more about the conflict and as a result began to join some of the demonstrations against the Wall and other abusive Israeli practices.

I think that in a nutshell is what many Zionists are feeling a lot of trepidation about these days: the younger generation of Jewish Americans is not so emotionally attached to Israel or the need for a Jewish state and is coming to its own clear-eyed conclusions about them.

Note also Emily's description of the kindness shown to her and other internationals by Palestinians, particularly the woman who risked her own safety to help Emily after she was struck in the eye. This woman's home is currently under a demolition order from the IDF because Palestinians are not allowed to build homes in areas of occupied Palestine desired by Israel for the exclusive use of Jews. Considering the way Palestinians and Muslims are portrayed by the media in this country, many people are surprised to find out how kind and gentle Palestinians are in reality, and how quietly and gracefully they bear their daily oppression. I strongly recommend that everyone who is able try to make a trip to the West Bank or Gaza Strip if possible; you will likely never view the conflict the same way again.

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/8/5/exclusiveemily_henochowicz_speaks_out_art_student



_______________________________________________

1 Soldier or 20 Schools?

A friend forwarded this article. My vote goes for the 20 schools!


July 28, 2010
1 Soldier or 20 Schools?
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

The war in Afghanistan will consume more money this year alone than we spent on the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War and the Spanish-American War — combined.

A recent report from the Congressional Research Service finds that the war on terror, including Afghanistan and Iraq, has been, by far, the costliest war in American history aside from World War II. It adjusted costs of all previous wars for inflation.

Those historical comparisons should be a wake-up call to President Obama, underscoring how our military strategy is not only a mess — as the recent leaked documents from Afghanistan suggested — but also more broadly reflects a gross misallocation of resources. One legacy of the 9/11 attacks was a distortion of American policy: By the standards of history and cost-effectiveness, we are hugely overinvested in military tools and underinvested in education and diplomacy.

Continue Reading

Climate Proposals for Earth Day!

Dear Readers,

May we work well together in service to our home planet, and our collective well being. Green Dove


This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day, when 20 million Americans took to the streets and earned environmental accountability from leaders in Washington.

We have made great progress over the last 40 years, but new challenges have arisen. Decades worth of scientific study tell us, undeniably, that we are cooking the planet. Climate change is real, it's a global threat, and because of inaction in Congress, the American people are left to face it alone.

Earth Day is our opportunity to demand bold solutions from our leaders. If we step up and become advocates, we can force legislation that will address the climate crisis, secure our energy independence, and create millions of green jobs.

We must seize this moment: please add your name to our petition demanding a comprehensive climate bill.

On April 25, in the spirit of the first Earth Day, we will host a massive Climate Rally in Washington, DC. Energized citizens will join together on the National Mall and show Congress and the climate deniers that we've had enough of dirty power and that the time for strong climate legislation is now.

Your name has the power to drive this demonstration. Sign our petition and you will amplify our call for Congressional action. Together, our demand for a strong climate bill cannot be ignored.

Make your voice heard in Washington. Add your name to the petition demanding ambitious climate legislation.

During The Earth Day Climate Rally, all signers will be displayed to the crowd, and to Congress, in a visualization of the power behind America's call for a fair, ambitious and comprehensive climate solution.

Don't be left behind, please sign the petition today.

Thank you for making a difference,

Nate Byer
Director, Earth Day 2010
Earth Day Network
EarthDay.org

Saturday, April 24th! The Great Unleashing - Transition Bloomington, Indiana

The Great Unleashing - Transition Bloomington will kick-off the process of creating a 10-20 year energy descent action plan on April 24, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Bloomington’s City Hall. This event will be a one-day town meeting functioning to motivate and educate the community of the value of a less energy-dependent community. Transition Bloomington is part of an international movement that provides training for Transition Initiatives across the world and strengthens communities against the challenges of peak oil, climate change, and the economic crisis. Bloomington has become the 54th Transition Initiative in the United States and is currently the only Transition Initiative in Indiana. The Great Unleashing event will kick off the Transition Initiative and bring community members together to develop a tangible plan to form a dramatically less energy-dependent Bloomington. The Great Unleashing will be an Open Space event in which participants create and manage their own agenda and working sessions while concentr… Presenter: Rob Hopkins, Dave Rollo. Contact: Rhonda Baird. Age Range: All Ages. Cost: Free. Ticket Phone: 812-320-1058. Saturday, April 24, 2010, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM. City Hall 501 N. Morton St. Bloomington, IN. 47404. http://transitionbloomingtonind.ning.com/

AARP Health Care Video

May this note find you well cared for and our communities recognition of health and wellness as key ingredients to a peaceful world.

A friend forwarded this note from the AARP regarding health care. It gets a YAY from those who have seen it! What do you have to say about this, and health care for all? I definitely believe that our nation’s resources would be better served by using the bulk of funds currently wasted through the expansion of fear destruction and terror for health, reconstruction and education. Then we may begin to see light at the end of the tunnel.
*****************************************************
Dear Readers,
For the last two years, we've gotten the same old song and dance from Wall Street, big banks, and other financial institutions.
Well, we say enough's enough – so today we're releasing a funny and hard-hitting new ad that will help us garner the outrage we need to defeat Wall Street and pass the financial reforms we need. But we need your help to get it seen!

Click here to watch the video and then share it with friends!

Here’s why it's so critical that we get this video seen:
America’s seniors are hurting right now – they've lost retirement savings, homes, jobs and more. And they urgently need the Senate to pass the financial reforms that will protect them. These reforms would rein in banks’ reckless behavior and crack down on the abusive and deceptive practices used by mortgage lenders and credit card companies.

Not surprisingly, the usual suspects on Wall Street have hired an army of lobbyists to storm Capitol Hill and cripple efforts at reform. They want to keep the ridiculous loopholes, the undeserved bonuses, and the lack of honest oversight that many financial predators still enjoy.

It's up to us to fight back.

Watch our new ad and share it with your friends!
Thank you for standing strong against Wall Street’s excesses. With the help of people like you, I know we can secure the reforms that America’s seniors urgently need.
Sincerely,
Barry Jackson
Senior Manager, Grassroots

Posted by goodthyme at 6:14 AM

"Health Care Reform: A Great American Debate" - Webcast

A live webcast of "Health Care Reform: A Great American Debate" will be shown in the Monroe County Public Library auditorium on Friday September 11th from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM. This debate is being webcast live from the IUPUI Campus in Indianapolis where it is a special event for IU School of Medicine students. The local webcast has been arranged by the Bloomington-Monroe County League of Women Voters.
From the IU School of Medicine announcement:
“Join experts and national leaders for a thought provoking look at the current state of health care reform in the United States. …… Proposals under active discussions include incremental changes to our existing employer-based, health insurance model to plans involving the "public option" as well as the "single payer" or "Medicare for All" reforms.
Speakers and national guests include:
• Oliver Fein, MD, President, Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP); and Clinical Professor of Clinical Public Health at Cornell University
• Sam Nussbaum, MD, Executive Vice President of Clinical Health Policy and Chief Medical Officer, WellPoint,Inc.
• Judy Monroe, MD, Commissioner, Indiana State Department of Health
• Eric Wright, PhD, Associate Dean, IUPUI School of Public and Environmental Affairs
• Eric Meslin, PhD, Director of the Center on Bioethics, Indiana University
• Aaron Carroll, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, IUSM”

If you can’t make it to the MCPL Auditorium you can register for a live webstream that is open to the general public. To register, go to www.publichealthconnect.org and click on "Events." Select this program and follow the prompts.
We hope you will take this opportunity to hear and see knowledgeable people discuss healthcare reform.
Dave Parsons
Local Health Care Reform Advocate

Green Dove Still Here

Some have asked, "Is Green Dove still here"? The answer is yes. Not nearly as active as it was in the past. But still here. It is difficult running an entity such as Green Dove without support, so we do what we can.

We have spent a lot of time working with our projects Indiana Holistic Health Network and Local Food on the "Simply Healthy: Creating Sustainable Communities" Simply Living Fair and Wellness Expo. November 2009 will see the forth annual event! In the past we have collaborated on this community event with the Center for Sustainable Living, Middle Way Food Works, Reiki Peace and Wellness Arts, The Good Life Alternative, Local Growers Guild and others. To learn more about the event and these great organizations, visit the "Simply Healthy" website and check out the Sponsors page.

We added new info to the Children's Book List, newly updated the entry page and more.

Green Dove will be publishing new poets to the Peace Poets Gallery.

We are in collaboration with Reiki Peace and Wellness Arts and the Indiana Holistic Health Network to launch the Reiki Wellness Program - it currently has two focuses - a Reiki Wellness Program for Vets, their families and caregivers and Reiki Wellness for Victims of Domestic Violence. We will keep you posted about the Reiki Wellness Programs.

We need your support to keep things going. This year we ran into some major problems with our computer technology and it kept us down for a long time. Give us a hand! We will really appreciate it! Make a donation, $5, 10, or more if you can afford it - make your your tax deductible check to Green Dove Network-CSL and mail it to Green Dove, P.O. Box 8172, Bloomington, IN 47407

We understand that most people are on a budget. If you are a business and have a laptop no longer in use, send it our way. It will be greatly appreciated. Donate to cover phone service, 100% recycled paper, ink for a Canon Pixma printer - anything you think will help keep us afloat will be appreciated!

In a day or so, we will be posting the updated Calendar and an updated Food News so come back later and check them out.

If you have time and would like to help us, contact us and tell us what your interest is.

In peace,

Green Dove