Whale Song

This is a beautiful article reminding us how much we have yet to know. Who said ART is unique to homo sapien sapiens?

May 31, 2007
Op-Ed Contributor
Speak Whale to Me

By DAVID ROTHENBERG
Cold Spring, N.Y.

IT’S no surprise that the mother and calf humpback whales that wandered many miles up the Sacramento River, but that yesterday disappeared, presumably into the Pacific, did not respond as hoped to attempts to lure them downstream by playing recordings of whale noises. When it comes to sounds and songs, these animals behave in mysterious ways.

Consider the beautiful music that whales make, which became known to us 37 years ago when “Songs of the Humpback Whale” was released — and went on to become one of the best-selling nature recordings of all time. The whales’ long, drawn-out melodies thunder on, loudly enough to be heard underwater for a distance of at least 10 miles. Five- to 20-minute songs — marked by repeating phrases, rhythm and even rhyme — are sung over and over for hours on end.

Because only the males sing, scientists long assumed that their songs were mating calls directed at females — like bird song in spring. But observation of humpback whale behavior has revealed that females actually pay no attention to the males’ singing.

Other explanations have been proposed: that males sing to warn other males away, for example, or that the songs act as some kind of beacon to help migrating whales navigate.

The most recent theory on why whales sing comes from James Darling, a researcher who for many years has carefully observed the interactions of singing humpback whales near Maui, Hawaii. Mr. Darling has observed that males singing alone usually will join up with another male for a brief but almost always friendly, or at least conflict-free, interaction. And so he thinks it is likely that male whales sing to one another. During breeding, their songs somehow may help them to cooperate, and to recognize their closest male associates.

Whale song has another unexplained aspect that no bird song possesses. Across a single breeding ground, and in some cases across the reach of an ocean basin as large as the North Pacific, the whales all sing essentially the same tune. And as the season progresses, they collectively revise it, adding new melodies and taking others away. Over several mating seasons, songs are entirely changed. (Today’s humpbacks would not recognize the music on “Songs of the Humpback Whale” from 1970.)

The whales evolve their common songs simultaneously even though some of them are much too far apart from one another to hear the changes at the same time.

How do they know what new notes to choose? What guides the changes they make? Scientists don’t know, and hardly know how to find out.

Because the whales that were in the Sacramento River are females, whale songs probably would not have lured them downstream. So marine biologists tried playing feeding calls. This strategy worked 22 years ago when Humphrey, another humpback, was stuck in the same river. This time, it didn’t work.

It’s not easy to tell great whales what to do; it is even harder to figure out what drives them. But it is encouraging to see how many people have rallied round the cause of this stranded family.

There may be a reason whales have been drawn more than once to swim miles up this particular river. The more we observe them, the more we may learn.

David Rothenberg, a professor of philosophy and music at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is the author of “Why Birds Sing” and the forthcoming “Thousand Mile Song: Whale Music in a Sea of Sound.”

Omaha, somewhere in the middle of America

I'm in Omaha!
Immediately upon arriving Mom drove us from the airport to a nearby wildflower field (sanctuary?) and commenced harvesting a fresh bouquet for our home. She looks innocent, but she's really a conniving thief armed with scissors in her glovebox. Watch out. ;)

(There are beautiful photos but I can't figure out how to upload them from our iBook to Blogger. Have patience with me.)

Some initial observations about Omaha, versus Portland:

1. Things are far apart. Nick and I can walk to places, but it takes a really long time and you have to cross major roads to get places. Omaha is not pedestrian friendly, even in 'Midtown' where we live. And it's even worse in the suburbs, which is most of the city.
2. Omaha is older. Walking around our neighborhood, it's clear that our city was settled 50-100 years before Portland. Lots of lovely old brick houses and amazing trees.
3. People are friendly. Clerks talk to you and people say hello on the sidewalk.
4. Recycling and picking up litter are not priorities. An environmentally-conscious Free-Trade coffee shop served us smoothies in styrofoam cups (which are illegal in Portland.) Ew.
5. My friend's super-cute one-bedroom condo, close-in, built in 1930 with hardwoods, picture molding, crystal doorknobs, etc. . . is selling right now for $63,000. It would go for $250,000 in PDX.
6. BIG SKY! I missed this aspect of the midwest. The Nebraska rainistorms this week have been magnificient. I'm looking forward to a summer of Weather.

Office Health

Below is an (admittedly cheesy) article I wrote for my office.

Office Health

As professionals who spend over one-third of our week in an office environment, it is extremely important that we are conscious of our health maintenance. Although our bodies naturally are vigorous and healthy, as I believe most people’s are, we need to be aware of our sedentary indoor work environment and how we can stay comfortable.

Experts suggest we pay attention to some basics:

Ergonomics:
What is the human body’s relationship to the physical environment?
F-One Ergonomics, an ergonomics consulting firm, recommends taking some of the following risk factors into consideration when planning your own ergonomically correct office space:
If your neck hurts from propping the phone on one shoulder, try a headset.
If your elbows are projected outward, lower your work surface, lower your chair armrests or move your armrests closer to one another.
If your shoulders are raised and/or tense, try lowering your work surface, keyboard and armrests. If you can still manage to keep both feet on the floor, you might consider raising the height of your chair a little.
If you spend large amounts of time using your mouse, take frequent breaks, alternate the hands you use to control your mouse, and keep your mouse close to your body in order to reduce the risk of RSI.
If you spend long hours in a sitting position, take frequent breaks, and make sure your chair allows for frequent posture change.
If there's a reflected glare on your computer screen, cover or reduce sources of light, shade your screen or move it so that light enters the room from a side angle and not the back of the room. Lower the level of light in your office.
More information about office ergonomics can be found at the following links:

http://office-ergo.com/setting.htm

http://www.healthycomputing.com/


Breaks:
Computer users may experience Dry Eye Syndrome, something that contact-wearers and women in their 30’s are more susceptible to. Lubrication is helpful, but doctors do not advocate for the use of eye drops that ‘take the red out’ as these unnecessarily tighten the eye’s blood vessels. Take eye breaks every 15 minutes for 1-2 minutes and focus on an object at a 20-ft distance. During the break, blink rapidly to refresh the tear film and clear dust from the eye surface.

To relieve tension (body and mind), stretching refreshes us and improves muscle tone.
Practice exercises from these links:

http://www.yogaeverywhere.com/keyboard/index.html

http://www.steelcase.com/na/knowledgedesign.aspx?f=10250&c=10213

http://www.mydailyyoga.com/yoga/rsi.html


Air Quality:
The EPA informs us that 6 out of 10 buildings are "sick" and that indoor air quality is the United States' number one environmental health problem. Use a negative ion purifier in your office and/or keep a window open to help with air circulation.
Live plants clean air pollutants and add oxygen and humidity to our workspace. Plus, plants are aesthetically pleasing and bring good mojo to a room!

Lighting:
The more natural lighting the better; but avoid a glare on your computer screen. If you don’t have that gorgeous corner office, see if you can replace the florescent tubes in your workspace with full spectrum lighting. Full spectrum lighting emits a natural, balanced spectrum of light that eases eye fatigue, improves your mood, slows aging of the retina and reduces glare.

Colors:
Color therapy’s affects are scientifically documented and widely used by industries as varied as merchandising to home decorating. Come see the EdgeLink office to see the colors chosen for our stimulating and productive space!

Healthy Eating:
Although sugary snacks are tempting, those empty calories only give you a temporary energy boost before the inevitable crash which leaves you feeling depleted and less able to do your job. Instead, use the company refrigerator to store fresh fruits and vegetables to keep you going. Grapes are sweet and easy to eat, and carrots pack a crunch that keeps you going! Experts also recommend enjoying some protein (cheese or nuts) and carbs in the day. However a very carbohydrate-laden, heavy lunch often results in a slower afternoon. I give my coworkers permission to ‘nudge’ me on those days!

Experts suggest eight glasses of water each day for optimal health, and herbal teas(rather than coffee) are a great way to get that in. Remember that caffeine actually depletes the vitamins and water in your body.

A Supportive Office Environment:
Aware of these helpful ideals, make a deal with your coworkers to live health-fully, creatively, and productively!

Council Crest: the view

I like being a tourist around my own home.
Recently my grrrl J and I went to Council Crest Park in Portland. Council Crest is thought to be the highest point in Portland at 1073 feet above sea level. This spot was originally called Talbot's Mountain, after its pioneer settlers, but was also once known as Glass Hill and later called Fairmount, the name of the road that encircles it. According to legend, it got its name because it was here that Native Americans held meetings and built signal fires. The Portland Streetcar, in the old days, used to bring citydwellers up here to enjoy the view and play at an amusement park. You can see all the major volcanoes from this vantage point. Mt. St. Helen's is behind me.


Monkey in a tree!

Furano, Hokkaido, Japan!

Hurrah! We were notified of my assignment from the JET Programme!

We were given our first choice -- Nick & I will be living on Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, in a town called Furano. OMG!

The hilights from my research this morning:

- average 8 meters powder snow each winter (best skiing in the country)
- lavendar fields
- local cheese and wineries
- nicknamed 'the navel' because it's right in the middle of the island
- 2.5 hours from Sapporo, which has BEER! (Sapporo and my favorite -- Oregon's Rogue Brewery)
- the name "Furano" actually originates from the Ainu (Hokkaido's natives) word furanui - fragrant flame

http://www.outdoorjapan.com/features/ojfeature-furano.html cycling around the area
http://hometown.infocreate.co.jp/en/hokkaido/furano/furano-e.html town homepage
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/hokkaido/furano.html tourist website about area

To review our plans, I will leave Portland this Sunday 5/27, be in Omaha for 2 months, and we'll leave for Japan on August 4.

Peace at Mt. Fuji

At Mt. Fuji in Japan, on Sunday May 20th, 10,000 people will gather for a Symphony of Peace Prayers Ceremony. Many others worldwide will also join for meditation and prayer. Early risers can meditate with this horde at the appointed hour of 6 AM on Sunday. If you're interested, there's a website: www.globalpeacemeditationprayerday.org

GW: Suprise! He did something nice!

May 17, 2007
New York Times Op-Ed Columnist
The President and Wolfowitz
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
As Paul Wolfowitz is to the World Bank, the U.S. is becoming to the world.
We should look at the battle unfolding at the World Bank not as the story of one man falling to earth, but as a moral tale of the risks the U.S. faces unless the Bush administration spends more time rebuilding bridges it has burned all over the world.
Mr. Wolfowitz genuinely aspired to help Africa develop, but he ended up isolated, friendless and vulnerable; receiving no credit for his genuine accomplishments; and unable to make progress on the issues he cares about. And the U.S. is in a similar position today.
The similarity arises in part because although President Bush’s best-known role has been as a conservative hawk — and everything he has done in that role has been a disaster — he has also aspired to fight poverty and help Africa. And Mr. Bush has genuinely scored some major accomplishments as a humanitarian.
O.K., pick yourself off the floor: It’s true. In the world of foreign aid, Mr. Bush has done better than almost anyone realizes — or gives him credit for. It’s his only significant positive legacy, and it consists of four elements.
First and most important, Mr. Bush started Pepfar, his Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in Africa — the best single thing he has done in his life. It’s a huge increase over earlier programs and will save more than 9 million lives. Granted, it has been too ideological about promoting “abstinence only” programs, but at the grass-roots level it is increasingly pragmatic (don’t tell the White House, but the U.S. still gives out far more condoms than any other country).
Second, Mr. Bush started a major new foreign aid program, the millennium challenge account. This involves giving large sums to countries selected for their good governance and from top to bottom reflects smart new approaches to foreign aid.
Third, the Bush administration elevated sex trafficking on the international agenda. Mr. Bush spoke about it to the U.N., and he appointed a first-rate ambassador for the issue, John Miller, who until his resignation late last year hectored and sanctioned foreign countries into curbing this form of modern slavery. (Alas, since Mr. Miller left, the administration’s anti-trafficking efforts have faltered.)
Fourth, Mr. Bush has begun to focus attention and funds on malaria, which kills more than 1 million people a year in poor countries and imposes a huge economic burden on Africa in particular.
So why doesn’t Mr. Bush get any credit for these achievements? Partly, I think, because he never seems very interested in them himself. And partly because, like Mr. Wolfowitz, Mr. Bush’s approach to governing is to circle the wagons rather than build coalitions; they both antagonize fence-sitters by coming across as unilateralist, sanctimonious, arrogant and incompetent.
In December, the White House held an event to call attention to malaria. But Mr. Bush’s staff barred me from attending: They apparently didn’t want coverage of malaria if it came from a columnist they didn’t like.
I can’t recall an administration as suspicious and partisan as this one, one so disinclined to outreach, one that so openly adheres to the ancient Roman maxim of Oderint dum metuant: Let them hate, so long as they fear.
So Mr. Bush, unwilling to concede any error, unwilling to reach out, unwilling to shuffle his cabinet, staggers on. And the U.S. itself has been tainted by the same haughtiness; long after Mr. Wolfowitz has gone, and even after Mr. Bush has gone, the next president will have to detoxify our relations with the rest of the world.
Moreover, even in those areas where Mr. Bush has done well, like foreign aid, our strained relations with the rest of the world have undermined our ability to succeed. Indeed, Bill Clinton (who wasn’t nearly as generous with foreign aid as Mr. Bush when he was in the White House) has shown in recent years how much can be accomplished when a leader cooperates with partners on issues like AIDS and development. If Mr. Clinton were pursuing Mr. Bush’s development agenda, it would be in a flurry of meetings and visits and multilateralism that would be far more effective in seeing that agenda put in place.
But instead the international stage is riven in ways that mirror the World Bank itself. And it looks as if we’re drifting toward the end of a failed presidency of the United States that parallels Mr. Wolfowitz’s failed presidency of the World Bank.
You are invited to comment on this column at Mr. Kristof’s blog, www.nytimes.com/ontheground.

A Good Man, a Good Priest

Our dear Fr. Tony Tresnak died 10 years ago today.

Fr. Tony was the parish priest of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Omaha, and the coordinator of the Life Teen program in which we were very involved. He was a kind, playful, loving, wise, humble leader. He was compassionate and a true friend. He lead the Masses using inclusive language (praying to a gender-neutral God, for both men and women) and used every opportunity he could in the service to lift us adolescents up in confidence, courage and love. Just before consecration of the Eucharist, he would pause to look at us and say "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

I am grateful for this anniversary, as it reminds me of the many gifts I received from the Catholic Church of my childhood. This reminder comes at a time when I am feeling extremely angry with the Church heirarchy. Pope John Paul II was a man of strong convictions, but he was also open-minded and loving. I am loathe to compare him to the current pope, Benedict/RATzinger/The Grand Inquisitor. His heavy-handed, condemning theology is so far from my own. His silencing of liberation theologians is a clear demonstration of Ratzinger's support of the patriarchal, heirarchical, classist tradition for which the Catholic Church should be condemned. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/world/americas/07theology.html

At the same time I decry the choice of Ratzinger for pope, I am touched closer-to-home by the diocesean handling of priest abusers. I cannot even begin to describe my anger and disillusionment regarding this issue. The Omaha archbishop recently admonished a concerned Catholic who expressed her dismay with the church over these flagrant and frequent abuses. Victims and congregants should not be silenced, as that will only condone more abuse. Of course, abuse can occur in any religion, just as it can occur in any kind of family. That being said, I live in gratitude for my Unitarian Universalist congregation who does our best to invigorate the democratic process in our church community.

Fr. Tony gave me God's love and affirmation. The UU tradition encourages my active participation in spreading God's love here today.

Whales

See a life-size whale! This site is pretty cool.

http://www.wdcs.co.uk/media/flash/whalebanner/content_pub_en.html

I wonder what my future Japanese friends will think of the enviro-political motivations of this site. . .

Peacemakers

Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream
words and music by Ed McCurdy

Last night I had the strangest dream
I'd ever dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war

I dreamed I saw a mighty room
Filled with women and men
And the paper they were signing said
They'd never fight again

And when the paper was all signed
And a million copies made
They all joined hands and bowed their heads
And grateful pray'rs were prayed

And the people in the streets below
Were dancing 'round and 'round
While swords and guns and uniforms
Were scattered on the ground

Last night I had the strangest dream
I'd never dreamed before
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war.



A couple pics of Mo Mack & the Peacemakers, taken at my going-away party on Sunday evening.

Oregon: Wine, Cheese, and Sea

This past Saturday and Sunday we traveled toward the coast, stopping along the way for wine and cheese. We loved Apolloni Vineyards' pinot noir and the salmon jerky at Ecola Seafoods.

We stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory and sampled dairy products. A and I approve of Tillamook's new flavors of chocolate ice cream, in case you're wondering.

Cannon Beach's famous Haystack Rock, as seen from the south along Highway 101.

Seaside, Oregon is considered the end of the trail for the historic Lewis & Clark expedition, which just celebrated its bi-centennial. We like Thomas Jefferson for initiating this curious and brave exploration.

Spring flowers in full bloom. Pretty ladies.

Washington: Mt. St. Helen's and a Lilac Garden!

This past Monday my Mom and her partner and I had a great time being tourists in Washington. We visited Mt. St. Helen's, about 3 hours (but only 50 miles) from Portland.

This grand volcano blew in 1980, and although the animals and plants and trees are returning, the devastation is still remarkable. Immediately after the eruption, nearby mountain rivers were choked with ash and pumice, some of which is carried all the way to the ocean. In 2003 the volcano spewed ash and steam again, and continues to smoke today. We hiked the hummocks (piles of ash and rock) at the base of the volcano and spotted a tiny frog on the trail; frogs are always a good indicator of the health of the land!

On the drive home we stopped in Woodland, Washington at Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens for a wonderful springtime treat. Below you can see lilac, monkey tree, camelia, magnolia, lavender and a white flowering tree I can't recall the name of (beginning with V -- does someone know?).

You Just Never Know. . .

I was stocking paper in a cabinet at work around 8:45 this morning, barely awake from a busy weekend hosting my Mom who is in town visiting. I put paper in this cabinet every day. Suddenly the heavy cabinet ripped from the wall and came crashing down upon my head along with about 60 pounds of paper, toner cartridges, and clouds of drywall. Two of the owners of the company (both very fit guys) were by my side within seconds, lifting the cabinet off me. I have no injuries but a couple little scratches. Wow!

Apparently whoever hung the cabinet did not screw it into studs, and it's amazing that it hadn't fallen before this.

This story reminds me of a time my sophomore year of college when I fell off the top bunk head first. I fell into a small space between the edge of my lofted bed and a desk. By some miracle I did not snap my neck. When my roommate TT threw on the light to see what was the matter, I had somehow entertwined my legs and arms around the bed loft poles and was hanging mid-air. No idea how. My body was scratched and my lip split, but I was grateful to be alive. TT and I wondered if an angel, or perhaps our (REAL, very opinionated) ghostly guest, had saved me. Dunno.

Again today I am grateful to be okay! You never know what might get ya. Or who might save you.

P.S. Maybe I'll write about our ghost some other time. She is a good story.

All you need is love. . .

I am proud of Oregon! Today's post is an article from The Oregonian:

Landmark vote grants domestic partnership
Oregon - The law will give same-sex unions the benefits the state offers married couples
Thursday, May 03, 2007
BILL GRAVES The Oregonian

Gay and lesbian couples in Oregon won the state benefits of marriage Wednesday in the second of two legislative victories that mark the biggest advance for gay rights in state history.
The Oregon Senate cast a 21-9 vote in favor of a bill to create legal contracts, called domestic partnerships, for same-sex unions. The vote comes just two weeks after the Legislature passed a bill banning discrimination against gay couples. Gov. Ted Kulongoski says he will sign both bills. The two pieces of legislation make Oregon law among the most gay-friendly in the nation.
Oregon joins nine other states and the District of Columbia in recognizing same-sex unions by granting them at least some of the rights of marriage.
In Oregon, same-sex couples will register in their counties to enter into a domestic partnership that will give them all of the state benefits of marriage. It also gives them the responsibilities -- including the possibility of having to pay child and partner support in the event of a dissolution.
The partnership, however, will not carry legal authority outside Oregon or with the U.S. government. As a result, all the federal benefits of marriage, such as the right to file a joint tax return, remain out of reach for Oregon gay couples.
Still, the law means Kelly Burke of Portland will not have to lug around a power of attorney or other legal documents when she takes Dolores Doyle, her partner of 19 years, to the hospital for care. Doyle has made 51 visits to doctors since she was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer. In one emergency, Burke recalled, Doyle struggled at home to breathe. Burke called a hospital for guidance, she said, but the nurse refused to talk to her because the law sees the two women as strangers rather than committed partners.
But that will change under House Bill 2007, the domestic partnership law. Burke was on hand in the Capitol to see the Senate vote Wednesday. "I'm just so thankful to finally have recognition for our family," said the mother of two children. "It is tremendous. Just tremendous."
The Oregon Family Council, a Christian organization that led the battle against the gay-rights bills, has no plans to refer either measure to the November ballot next year and is turning to other issues, said spokesman Nick Graham.
Other groups could try to refer one or both of the measures, though to do so, they would have to go through the expensive process of gathering 55,179 signatures within 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.
Basic Rights Oregon, the state's largest gay-rights group, will be focusing in the near future on defending its victories and on educating the public about the rights and protections for gay residents that take effect Jan. 1, 2008, said spokeswoman Melissa Chernaik.
"Right now, we're in the mode to protect it, implement it and celebrate it," she said of the legislation.
The gay-rights movement is taking a similar posture on the national level after a series of legislative victories in New Hampshire, Washington state, Vermont and elsewhere, said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, based in Washington, D.C.
"This is really an unprecedented period in our movement's history, and it comes after so many years of being on the defensive, taking it on the chin," he said. "The first step is to preserve those victories."
Estimates based on U.S. Census counts say there are about 11,000 same-sex couples in Oregon who will be affected by the domestic partnership law. Several couples said they will seek the partnership.
"The state is finally recognizing us as a family," said Kevin Bailey-Gilliam, 29, of West Linn, who has been with his partner, Alex Bailey-Gilliam, 34, for 10 years. They showed up at the Capitol on Wednesday with their three children.
Diane Hall, 73, and Tamara Diaghilev, 79, of Eugene said they probably will seek a domestic partnership. In addition to practical benefits, it makes a "huge difference to be accepted for who we are," said Diaghilev, a counselor.
Ken Hindes and Ron Wold, both 59, of Eugene have been together nearly 30 years and welcome a domestic partnership for the security it brings. But it does stop short of marriage, Wold said. "It is kind of separate, but not equal," he said.
Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown introduced the bill on the Senate floor, noting it represented a "giant step forward for gay and lesbian citizens" in Oregon. Only one of the seven senators speaking on the bill during a 30-minute debate opposed it. Sen. Roger Beyer, R-Molalla, said the bill modifies at least 274 marriage laws without explicitly showing what those changes are. "How in the world do you know what you are voting on?" he asked.
Another Republican, Sen. Frank Morse of Albany, supported the bill. "Our task today," he said, "is to define how big is Oregon's heart."
After the Senate vote, a small group of supporters gathered with legislative leaders to celebrate and eat cake. Among the group was former Gov. Barbara Roberts, who said she was happy to see civil rights for gays take a major step forward after three decades. "Oregon is a better place today," she said.
The Oregon victories for gay-rights supporters come after a series of defeats and a long history of fending off attacks. The conservative Oregon Citizens Alliance tried four times -- in 1988, 1992, 1994 and 2000 -- to pass initiatives that would roll back protections for gays against discrimination, declare homosexuality "perverse," and bar government and schools from sanctioning or promoting homosexuality. The first passed, but was overturned by the courts. The other three failed.
After a brief victory in 2004, when Multnomah County issued marriage licenses to 3,000 couples, gay-rights supporters saw a series of defeats at the ballot box, in the courts and in the Legislature. Voters approved Measure 36, which declared marriage legally valid only between a man and a woman. The Oregon Supreme Court ruled the Multnomah marriages were invalid and null, and gay-rights legislation that passed in the Senate died in committee in the House.
But while on the surface the gay-rights movement has repeatedly hit stormy waters of opposition, there has been a steady undercurrent of progress over the past two decades, says Dominick Vetri, professor at the University of Oregon law school.
Cities, counties and private businesses quietly adopted protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Attacks galvanized gay-rights forces and fostered sympathy for gay causes among more Oregonians, who became more familiar and comfortable with their gay and lesbian neighbors, he said.
And while Oregon gay-rights advocates savor their victories, they have not lost sight of their ultimate quest: to give same-sex couples the right to marry. A lawsuit filed by Basic Rights Oregon two years ago continues to move through the courts. On the Senate floor Wednesday, Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, said she will be among those pushing for "full equality under the law," which is to say, same-sex marriage.
"It is shameful," she said, "that in the name of equality, we must set up a system of inequality."

I am Sick of Smoke

Literally. I take public transportation and am a pedestrian. I spend a lot of time standing at busstops. And every morning I have to walk through clouds of other people's chemical-soaked tobacco. I immediately feel it in my lungs and soon the headache begins. I am frustrated. Don't I have the right to breathe clean air? Do they notice how their actions affect others (not-to-mention, their own health)?

I am trying to resist finger-wagging in this post, out of compassion and love for those with nicotine addiction. One of my best friends smokes and wishes not to. I want this post to be an expression of my voice - one person - who is physically, negatively affected by smoke.

There are well-funded campaigns to assist peole with shedding this deadly addiction, and I laud that work. Some anti-smoking sites:

for kids: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/watch/house/smoking.html
for young adults: http://www.thetruth.com/
for everyone: http://www.no-smoke.org/
http://www.getoutraged.com/
shocking and personal: http://www.sptimes.com/News/61599/Floridian/He_wanted_you_to_know.shtml

Standing to Save the World

http://www.standingwomen.org/english_story.html

Please stand with us for five minutes of silence at 1 p.m. your local time on May 13, 2007, in your local park, school yard, gathering place, or any place you deem appropriate, to signify your agreement with the statement below. We ask you to invite the men who you care about to join you. We ask that you bring bells to ring at 1 p.m. to signify the beginning of the five minutes of silence and to ring again to signify the end of the period of silence. During the silence, please think about what you individually and we collectively can do to attain this world. If you need to sit rather than stand, please feel free to do so. Afterwards, hopefully you and your loved ones can talk together about how we can bring about this world