From the kingdom of fear and my fearless attempt to stand up against our country's use of torture

My friend, Pat Denino, who blogs at Wondering Wanderings, has been creating stick figures with signs for my anti-torture campaign, which I posted about on March 18th.

Pat picked up on what I’m trying to do and on March 19th posted "From the Kingdom of Fear," linking to my post.

Pat is an artist. Her stick figures have a life of their own. She’s created a group of them (click on picture to enlarge):
I’m a word person. I’m working on what it is I’m trying to say to the people in my community about our country’s use of torture. I’m trying to do it nonviolently, meaning without anger.

On March 11th, I first learned about Marshall Rosenberg’s book, Nonviolent Communication - A Language of Life. I’ve decided to try to apply the principles I’ve been reading about to all aspects of my life, including standing up against torture,

On page 6 of the book, Rosenberg describes the nonviolent communication (NVC) process as having four components:
1. observation
2. feeling
3. needs
4. request

Here’s my effort to apply NVC regarding torture:
1. observation: I am observing that our government is condoning the use of torture. David Cole, legal correspondent for The Nation says it so well in his comment in the March 31st issue of the magazine, "The Torture Veto," which Congress failed to override.
2. feeling: This is so wrong! On March 13th I posted "No Torture. No Exceptions," linking to the Washington Monthly special edition featuring 37 articles about why our country shouldn’t be using torture. I rest my case.
3. needs: I need to speak out about this. In a democracy, what our government does in our name creates a responsibility in us to visibly and vocally oppose actions that are contrary to what this country is all about. I am choosing to stand on a street corner with a sign showing that I’m opposed to our country’s use of torture.
4. request: I’m asking that the people in this country, starting with my community, do something to oppose torture. I don’t expect everyone to stand on a street corner, but surely those who oppose our use of torture can contact the media or our Congressional representatives.

(stick figures with a message thanks to Pat Denino)

This morning, a double-winged brown bird cheered me up

I confess, I’m feeling discouraged.
* The Democratic presidential nomination contest is likely to become a nasty fight .
* The House Democrats are expected to roll over and vote for telecom immunity.
* The true cost of the invasion and occupation of Iraq is likely to be at least three trillion dollars.
* It’s going to be a messy election in 2008. The statewide voter registration lists are highly likely to disenfranchise thousands of people.

I could go on, but my focus was changed this morning when my friend, Pat Denino, sent me a photo of a double-winged brown bird.

Pat has blogged for several years at Wondering Wanderings. Pat encouraged me to blog and helps me with technical problems. The bird photo encourages me to turn off my computer and go outside to enjoy the real birds that are chirping up a storm this spring morning.

(photo by Pat’s brother, Bob Fister)

Thinking out loud about my year of blogging

One year ago today I started blogging in earnest. This is my 347th post.

I’m particularly grateful to Pat Denino, who’s been blogging at Wandering Wonderings for several years. Without her encouragement, I never would have started.

In November 2004, Pat (I didn't know her) responded to my request to provide housing in Columbus, Ohio for recount observers and attorneys who were willing to travel to Ohio to challenge Bush’s election. Now I visit Pat at least once a year and was welcome even during her cancer treatments. Pat's hair has now grown back.

I’m also grateful to Janie Sheppard, in the photo below with her partner Bill Radtkey and their best friends, Heidi and Gerry. On July 2nd, I posted What do skateboarding and blogging have in common? I decided I ought to give up blogging as I did skateboarding a few years ago. Janie encouraged me to continue. Without her support, I wouldn’t have made it this long.

Janie sends my posts to her political allies and has been my guest blogger at least four times, here, here, here and here. She spearheaded a local to impeach Cheney, culminating in a hearing before the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors last August 14th.

Additionally, Janie, Bill, Heidi and Jerry welcome me to their home on weekends. Each time I visit, Bill prepares hot cereal made with steel cut oats and serves it with yogurt, fruit, and nuts. At their home, I get to think out loud, which is why I’m so comfortable with them.

Thanks to all of you who have posted a comment, e-mailed me about something I posted, or simply told me that you appreciate my blog.

No subprime loan needed here

Each morning, my friend, Pat Denino, sends me a photo. I thought you might enjoy this one, titled, “No subprime loan needed here.”
(photo used with Pat’s permission)

Opinions

A day or so ago I wandered on over to my friend Pat Denino’s blog, Wandering Wonderings, and found this cartoon: