~
But then I suspect that the boy in this case isn't actually interested in the flock, or the wolf for that matter, and cares not if even the wolf should eat the whole flock. He's much more interested in the villagers. That some should believe the boy time and time again is unfortunate. Charitably considered, he's simply unaware of the consequences of crying wolf; he may in fact suffer some affliction, and thus honestly think to see wolves lurking behind every tree.

I am somewhat inclined to consider less charitably.

~
Now is the time to be thankful. In the midst of mayhem, Vermont still blooms; the garden grows, the farmer's market begins to show its bounty and the Summer dresses finally make their welcome appearance. Of course the American, indeed world economy's still in complete meltdown, despite laughable assurances to the contrary. The Project for a New American Century's drums of war still beat for Iran. War seems inevitable as the CIA & Mossad's textbook coup attempt fails to oust Ahmadinejad. The Americans will be bombing some more innocent folks in order to give them Democracy, mark my words. Obama's electioneering lies and backroom dealings begin to seethe to the surface: gay rights, health care, executive transparency, corporate and Wall Street accountability, the economy, Israel's undue influence and ethnic cleansing... and let's not forget that thing called peace, shall we? The "Left," and the "Right," continue merging into one monstrous mass of intolerance and mutual hate. The CEO's, the bankers and the politicians continue their cheering.

It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion and at last I've finally just turned my head away.

I'll just keep working on the garden, supporting local agriculture, brewing beer, mead and elderberry wine, playing music with like-minded musicians, learning how to live with the land and teaching people how to make things with their own two hands.

It's a grassroots revolution of one, baby.

~
What a real Winter. Mud Season's finally past, at least on my road. Except for one stubborn mystery spot. I've gotten the motorbike out, starting with a seven o'clock in the morning ride at 25 degrees. Two words: snowmobile gear. The chickens made it through the Winter in their Fortress of Chickentude. We only went through half of the wood, though we did go through a lot more propane than usual during the negative temperatures of January. Or February. Whenever it was that we had a real Vermont cold-snap. There's seedlings growing in the window. These are the important things in life right now.

~
I't been a pleasure to watch the events of the past week, culminating in the sensible assertion that the state has no business refusing to issue marriages on the basis of gender. It's a first, coming from a state legislature and certainly in the tradition of Vermont, whose founders often held nature and reason above religious dogma.

It's that history which places Vermont in a unique position to do even better, and I wonder what we could achieve without the shackles of the federal American government and the collective decisions made by states so culturally disparate that we ought to, in practical terms, simply be different countries.

I've no wish to impose my values on other people and I expect the same. Isn't that the crux of the matter?

Free Vermont!

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

~

~
I'm tired of illegal American wars waged in my name, and of American financial support for the illegal wars and massacres committed by other countries. I like to think that the good people of the nation of Vermont wouldn't even think of supporting either.

Please read Robert Fisk: Why do they hate the West so much, we will ask.

And ask yourself if you really want the moral responsibility that comes with the actions of America's "representational," government. The American Congress just approved this carnage almost unanimously.

Keep on hoping for change, folks.

I remember when similar predictions for the former Soviet Union were met with scorn and derision.

~

Russian analyst predicts decline and breakup of U.S.

MOSCOW, November 24 (RIA Novosti) - A leading Russian political analyst has said the economic turmoil in the United States has confirmed his long-held view that the country is heading for collapse, and will divide into separate parts.

-Full Article

~
I've just returned from "voting," and I have to say, I need a shower.

I used to love going down to my town hall and scrawling with pencil on a piece of paper, carefully folding it and pushing it into the boxes before the assembled matriarchs of Moretown. It was the main thing that gave me hope for the future of Vermont's governance, frankly. I knew I could absolutely depend on members of my own community to count the votes honorably. It's bad enough the new town clerk wants us to vote in the Moretown Elementary School, out of parking and "safety concerns," despite the venerable town hall's 150 years of historical service & significance, but imagine my surprise when I was handed what was obviously an optical scan form. "There was a vote," she told me, though I never heard about it, "...and we voted to stop counting paper ballots by hand."

The irony is overwhelming.

So now, in no uncertain terms, I understand what she meant when she casually mentioned several months ago that she was going to "bring us into the 21st Century." When I informed my town clerk that the optical scanners were among some of the worst in terms of exit polling and recount disparities she insisted that was "...only Diebold, and this is an LHS machine." LHS was implicated in serious anomalies as recent as the last New Hampshire Primary. She didn't seem to understand that LHS only programs machines and that Diebold changed their name to "Premier Election Systems," in full understanding that no one trusts them. I looked for a name on the machine and didn't even see one, a curious fact in itself.

Sure enough, a quick image search confirms that the machine in question was a Diebold optical scanner.

I wish I hadn't voted at all now, and I will never again allow my vote to be counted on an electronic black box.

You solemnly swear or affirm that whenever you give your vote or suffrage, touching any matter that concerns the state of Vermont, you will do it so as in your conscience you shall judge will most conduce to the best good of the same, as established by the Constitution, without fear or favor of any person.

If you vote in Vermont, you have sworn, or "affirmed," to the Freeman's Oath, or, in P.C. Speak, the Voter's Oath. (I find it ironic that the new name dispenses with the word "free," and ignores the ancient history and etymology of the word "freeman," to say nothing of "man," but I digress.)

I want the self-avowed Lefties who love to hate us to do me one favor. Go to Ralph Nader's website and look at his "Issues Page." I know you just read the headlines, and I know you won't admit it, but struggle your hand to move the mouse. Do it. Should your carpal-tunnel allow it, click "Read More," when you're done reading the list. No, really. Read the list comparing McCain, Obama and Nader.