"...a sense of God-consciousness..."

I received an Islamaphobic email yesterday. This was my immediate response:

"Islam has a strict moral code that also encourages generosity and concern for the disadvantaged (the mustad'afun, or oppressed) and the development of a sense of God-consciousness (taqwa) that pervades the whole of life. The world is regarded as a sacred trust (amana) from God for which humanity will be required to render an account. The world should, therefore, be properly cared for, not exploited."

from New World Encyclopedia (Sounds kind of like Christianity, doesn't it?)

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Islam

Among Islam's one billion worldwide, there are small groups of radicals who want to control and kill. Just like there are some insane Christian radicals who want to control and kill--like the head of the Air Force Academy who was punishing Jewish cadets for not becoming Christians, and Christian military chaplains who were preaching to young soldiers that our invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq were Holy Wars, a modern crusade against Islam.

I worked in New York with all kinds, including faithful Muslims who worked hard, didn't complain, and were appalled at 9/11, which they lived through like all others in Manhattan.

This radical propaganda of making all Muslims out to be terrorists is ignorant and fear-based--which the Military-Industrial complex loves and hopes to keep making billions from in its endless "war on terror" that Congress and presidents support.

You'd best be more concerned about a Congress and president that supports this, that approved legislation that can have the military arrest anyone in the world, including Americans, if the president considers them "suspected terrorists"--the term the government uses also for countless secret drone attacks that kill civilians, including innocent women and children.

You'd best be reading these three well-researched columns:

http://www.clydefitchreport.com/2013/06/nones-well-thats-orwell/

http://www.clydefitchreport.com/2012/07/july-4-our-independence-versus-todays-emergency-powers/

http://www.clydefitchreport.com/2012/05/memorial-day-recalling-and-caring-for-our-constant-brave/

Artist Catherine Armbrust Activates The Lake Chapala Projects

Mixed media artist Catherine Armbrust—recent winner of The Kinsey Institute Juried Art Show 2014 “Gallery Visitors’ Choice” award at Indiana University—is preparing to return to Mexico this autumn to implement The Lake Chapala Projects. 

The Lake Chapala Projects seek to create sculptural installations and costumed performances that interact with the water and landscape of Chapala, Mexico.   

“The lake is an important resource for the state of Jalisco—providing income for fishermen, fresh water for drinking and irrigating crops, and a revenue base for tourism,“ Armbrust explains.  “Though a major source of life, the lake is in jeopardy for various political and environmental reasons and is a constant source of debate in the region. Thus the lake is the essence of the area, acting simultaneously as a symbol of both vitality and loss.”

Armbrust became concerned about this issue during a month-long artist residency in Chapala after receiving her MFA in Fibers from the University of Missouri in late 2012.  She is in the process of raising funds for this creative venture through her Lake Chapala Projects Indiegogo campaign. 

For more information, please see The Lake Chapala Projects pages online at:

www.catherinearmbrust.com

www.facebook.com/lakechapalaprojects

www.igg.me/at/lakechapalaprojects

Punxsutawney Phil Admits Secret Pact with Fur Industry

BREAKING NEWS -- Punxsutawney Phil, the roly-poly groundhog and master weather forecaster, confessed early Monday that his recent years’ predictions for longer winters have been a scam. 

Phil, in a called press conference, admitted his stretching each year's icy season was due to a confidential agreement with the international fur industry.

"After the economic meltdown of 2008, the woodchuck community got word that furriers were searching for more economical product to offer customers," Phil confided. "Their association approached me in secret, threatening to pluck us whistle-pigs in bunches and cart us to the tanning salons. I feared for all my furry fellows, so agreed to fatten the freezing season. 

“They stressed they wanted extremely frigid temperatures before and right after Valentine's Day. They believed that husbands and lovers would flock and purchase fur coats and stoles in droves during those few days, giving a solid economic boost to their companies. What could I do? I thought, on the one paw, it would save so many of my compatriots worldwide. And, on the other paw, we'd be answering Bill Clinton's '90s call to grow the economy." 

The international fur association's office refused to comment. 

However, Joe Namath called our offices to exclaim, "I love fur coats, but I'd never wear an outfit made of the hide of those scroungy rodents!"

The Love the Land Beaver Society issued a release at our deadline saying they were appalled by Phil’s secret agreement, but with reservations.

“We understand how hard it must have been for Phil, the pressure he must have been under,” said the society’s chair Mistle Toe. “We believe the key, now that the pact’s been revealed, is to jet Phil to Alaska, where odds are great he WON'T see his shadow when he comes out of the hotel his first day there. Then we can all lower the heat both on Phil and in our homes.”

END