Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein escorted off Hofstra University campus ahead of debate
Green Party presidential nominee Dr. Jill Stein was escorted off the college campus hosting Monday night’s presidential debate, her campaign said.
Nassau County police and Hofstra University security removed Stein from campus Monday afternoon after questioning both Stein and MSNBC over her credentials, Stein wrote on Twitter.
“We were immediately escorted off of the Hofstra campus after the press conference just now and told not to do any more press,” she tweeted.
Stein didn’t have the proper permits to remain on the Long Island campus amid tight security for the debate between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, Nassau County police told CNN.
“She was on the college campus, we asked to verify for proper credentials, she did not have them, and she was nicely escorted off the campus," a Nassau County police spokeswoman said.
Stein and her supporters gathered outside the campus grounds for a protest they called “#Occupythedebates” on Monday night. Neither she nor Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson achieved the 15% support in polls required to join Trump and Clinton on stage.
"By being here tonight we are standing up and standing together, we will not be silenced," Stein tweeted. "Lesser evilism is a race to the bottom."
About 2.4% of American voters support Stein for president and 7.4% prefer fellow third-party nominee, Libertarian Gary Johnson, according to the latest polling averages tracked by Real Clear Politics.
Stein campaign spokeswoman Meleiza Figueroa told ABC News the Green Party nominee hosted a "spirited demonstration … as close to the gates as possible" on Monday night but wouldn't "risk arrest." Nassau police did capture 24 other people outside the debate, Nassau police told the Daily News.
The mass arrest "doesn't appear to be anything major," a police spokeswoman said.
Both Stein and her running mate are wanted in North Dakota on trespassing and other charges stemming from an energy pipeline protest. She was arrested in 2012 outside Hofstra trying to enter the campus during that year's debate between President Obama and Republican Mitt Romney, according to ABC.
They should be in the streets shutting down corporate profits.
I have visions of semi-trucks parked across interstates and major cities occupied.
I have visions of the American government trying to figure out how to stop a determined populace that responds to injustice by standing united.
I have visions of corrupt politicians and bankers fleeing America, fearing prison.
I see, in my mind’s eye, a million people marching in unison, demanding justice.
But these visions are ripening on the vine.
We aren’t there yet.
Multinational corporations rig a “Democratic” election to appoint Hillary Clinton, who is nothing more than a figurehead for corporate profits and never-ending war…
People gather around the water cooler to complain.
Racist, white police-officers, sworn to protect and serve, MURDER unarmed black men..
Maybe we take a knee at a sporting event.
Our government poisons the water supply and the food.
Innocent children die.
But hey, football is on.
Americans have been domesticated.
We are afraid.
We are spoiled.
We are pacified.
Injustice has become entertainment.
We are too busy.
We are distracted.
As bad as all this is, when Donald Trump is President, things are going to get worse.
This is Germany 1933.
The police unions have endorsed Donald Trump.
We’ve seen what Trump thinks of protesters.
He encourages violence against them.
He touts the Second Amendment while oppressing the First.
In Trump’s America, protesters will be murdered and he will say..
“They’re disgusting. We’re trying to fix this country and these people hate it. They hate America. They got what was coming to them.”
His followers will cheer for blood in the streets.
Decades of America’s corporate greed and subsequent destruction of opportunity have led to a deep-seated desperation in our blue-collar workforce and Donald Trump has tapped into that.
Trump’s white supremacist supporters are stockpiling weapons, waiting for Martial Law, so they will have permission to kill blacks, gays, Hispanics and liberals.
They call themselves patriots.
Trump gives their movement license.
Trump fuels their fear.
Trump fills them with bravado.
“Make America Great Again” is the same code as “All Lives Matter”.
It is rhetoric that translates to “ban and bomb all Muslims.”
It is hyperbole that says “black people need to know their place.”
It is oration designed to stir the rage of people who were led to believe that it is their birthright to have superiority over others.
When Trump vomits forth hate-speech about deportation forces and punishing women who have abortions, he taps into an angry segment of our population and encourages it to creep out of the darkness.
When Trump makes fun of the handicapped, children on playgrounds follow suit.
When Trump points his tiny finger of blame, people are assaulted.
Trump is sounding the alarm to gather the forces and to round-up all those responsible for your pain and suffering.
He is the ruling-elite telling you to kill your neighbor, because they stole your crumbs.
He is fascism, come to America, wrapped in the flag.
He is paranoia personified.
Bernie Sanders was right when he said that we must do “everything in our power to stop Donald Trump.”
But you can’t ask us to vote for Hillary Clinton, Bernie.
That’s asking too much.
This was the “Democrats” election to lose.
They had two strong candidates and the GOP could not produce a decent opponent.
A year ago most liberals would have agreed that Bernie was the better candidate, but that Hillary was still better than Donald Trump.
But Hillary lied to us.
She took us for granted and she mocked us.
She insulted us and she stripped away our voting rights.
And she cheated.
She cheated in an American election against a good man.
She cheated the American people out of $238,000,000 (the amount that we donated to Bernie Sanders).
She cheated us out of our literal blood, sweat and tears, that we shed while working tirelessly, in an “election” that we never had a chance of winning.
We sacrificed far too much to just forgive and forget.
I remember telling my kids that we couldn’t afford to do certain things, because “Bernie needs our help.”
My children volunteered with me.
We went broke, driving anywhere we could to help canvas.
Speeding tickets, gas, damage to vehicle, oil changes and lost wages.
We spent the last several months trying to recover from these excursions and millions of Americans made the same sacrifices.
The “Democratic” Party’s mistreatment of Bernie Sanders and his supporters painted us into a corner.
I am terrified by the looming specter of a Trump presidency, but still I cannot bring myself to support the embodiment of everything I have spent my life fighting against.
If you were just a casual Sanders supporter (was there any such thing?) then perhaps you could just pull your Sanders sign up and replace it with a Clinton sign.
But for those of us who gave our entire lives to this movement, it is not even a serious consideration.
Sorry Bernie, I cannot vote for Hillary Clinton.
She simply does not deserve my vote.
Hillary and the DNC burned the bridges.
It is unreasonable to expect us to rebuild them.
Maybe if the “Democrats” lose an election that they could have easily won, then they will learn to listen to the people next time.
But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
A supporter of former Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders wears tape across her mouth in protest on the floor at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia
Perhaps the protests I am looking for will not be held in the streets.
Perhaps the next great protest in the United States will be held in the voting booth, where millions of liberals, that Hillary Clinton took for granted, will stand up in the face of tyranny and choose to vote their conscience instead of caving into the fear that the “Democratic” Party is banking on.
Maybe there is finally enough anger on the left to motivate them to get off their asses and actually build a true third-party for the people.
Maybe liberals will finally start paying attention to down-ballot races and midterm elections and rejecting corporate candidates in favor of true Progressives.
Maybe people will finally learn that voting with their dollars is where the real power lies and they will abstain from buying from the corporations that destroyed our democracy.
When confronted with the “choice” between being shot in the face or poisoned to death, the intelligent choice is to choose neither.
When confronted with the “choice” between someone who threatens to use nuclear weapons or someone who claims to be so ignorant that they did not know that “C” stood for classified, the rational person chooses neither.
When confronted with the “choice” between someone who will appoint alt-right Supreme Court judges or someone who secretly supports TPP, a trade agreement that will put corporate tribunals in charge of our government, the compassionate person says “HELL NO!!!”
Enough lesser-evilism!!
Hillary Clinton is pulling a Band-Aid off slowly, whereas Donald Trump is ripping it off fast.
Either way, it’s going to hurt.
Vote for Jill Stein or write in Bernie Sanders.
In an insane election, these are the only sane choices.
Some will say that this is throwing your vote away.
Nonsense.
Throwing your vote away is when you vote for someone whom you don’t believe in.
Throwing your vote away is voting for Donald Trump, a hate-monger who’s been spending daddy’s money and filing bankruptcy and charging it to the American tax-payer, while telling the people who are footing his bill that their poverty is the fault of other poor people.
Throwing your vote away is voting for Hillary Clinton, a warmonger who rode her rapist husband’s coattails into politics by representing a state that she wasn’t even a resident of, while supporting fracking and taking millions from the fossil-fuel industry.
With either one of these fools, you are doing more than throwing your vote away.
You are throwing your planet away.
You are throwing your dignity away.
You are throwing innocent lives away.
Neither have any business stepping foot in the White House and I do not and will not recognize their authority.
If you are insulted by your corporate “choice” for President, I suggest you exercise your Constitutional right to open rebellion.
Join with me in pledging to fight whichever one of these criminals is unfortunate enough to take office.
Jill Stein will be in the audience at this debate. Neither she or Gary Johnson were invited to participate as their numbers in the polls did not reach required threshold to do so. Jill Stein addresses her supporters outside venue before event. ~ JDHWB-R
Yesterday, I played the role of Archetypal Hermit in celebration of the Autumnal Equinox at Sirius Stone Circle Sanctuary, illuminating the balance of Light and Darkness... ~ JDHWB-R
A spontaneous intentional community is forming before our eyes at the Sacred Stones Overflow camp near Cannon Ball, North Dakota. Initiated by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, many Native American Tribes and ecologically conscious people have come together to protect sacred waters of the Missouri River from the Dakota Access Pipeline project that threatens to cause serious environmental harm to the land and people, should it be built to completion. Lakota "Black Snake Prophesy" is a warning about consequences... ~ JDHWB-R
Welcome To The Rainbow Warrior Prophecy
When the earth is dying, a new tribe of Rainbow Warriors will emerge to heal the earth. This prophecy fortold by Native tribes around the planet is taking place right now. Dark forces that are attempting to take over this land are working behind Governments and mega-corporations to manipulate the weather through Geo-Engineering programs. At this moment these programs are attacking the world’s food supply, resulting in increased food prices, and are part of a greater population reduction program. California is known as the bread basket of North America which is why weather manipulation and Geo-Engineering programs are causing a serious and devastating drought. There is a way to nullify the effects of their programs to restore natural balance and harmony back onto the earth. The Natives and Shamans across this planet have engaged in sacred ceremonies and rain dances during times of need. They understand that when you open your heart with love for all living things and pray to the great spirit, that love will come back to you in the form of an answered prayer.
The Battle Field
Mt. Shasta California is a powerful vortex known by many as the root chakra of the planet and is responsible for nourishing and sustaining life. This magical mountain is circled with rumors of mystical experiences, high energy vibrations and a race of Lemurian people from the time of Atlantis that exist in the mountain. This is why Mt. Shasta is an ideal place to perform planetary healing ceremonies. A power vortex like Mt. Shasta will intensify the energy that can flow through a spiritually enlightened being. This energy can be directed to manifest great wonders and activate ourselves. Using energetic techniques to open chakras will result in obtaining psychic abilities and releasing negative emotional trauma which can be replaced by a pure love vibration. Once all fears and negative emotions are cleared, love energy can flow more quickly through the body and can be directed at planetary healing. It is interesting to observe that after interacting with this energy at Mt. Shasta, animals which are sensitive to this energy will interact with us in unique ways. Mt. Shasta, along with other vortexes and earth chakras around the globe, are ideal locations to perform earth-healing ceremonies.
The effects from our healing ceremonies are measurable. The times that we go to Mt. Shasta, unexpected rain storms have covered the entire state of California. These rain storms are not predicted by any forecast or weather charts, but instantly manifest to heal and nurture dry desolate areas of the earth. They are often called ‘freak‘ storms by the news media, which draws the conclusion that something outside of meteorology science is affecting the weather and bringing rain. It is no different than how the Native peoples will perform rain ceremonies during times of drought and to bring healing energy to affected areas. It is important here to state that it is not simply the act of a small few that are entirely responsible for these outcomes, but it is the greater collective consciousness of the planet that manifests these results. There are many people around the world and spiritual beings that exist in higher dimensions that are coming together in a collective way to manifest these results and it requires the active participation of all of us, no matter where you are, or what dimensional frequency you exist. Rainbow Warrior Weapons
A spiritual warrior must use spiritual weapons. We believe that Vogel Crystals are the ideal tool of a Rainbow Warrior. These crystals were pioneered by top IBM scientist Marcel Vogel during his experiments on plant communications which were published in a book called “The Secret Life of Plants”. Marcel Vogel demonstrated that these crystals are thought amplifiers of the highest order and can pull and manipulate energy from unseen and higher dimensions. They are constructed of natural optically clear quartz crystal, and cut with sacred geometry that allow information and energy to be cohered, similar to how a ruby coheres ordinary light waves into a laser beam which can then cut material objects. Human thoughts and energy can be directed through them in a very similar manner, as a light wave is not much different than a thought form wave. As stated above, it is important to understand that these tools cohere thoughts. Crystals cut in the same shape as Vogel crystals were used in ancient Atlantis, and by the Lemurians that live at Mt. Shasta. This ancient technology is now being rediscovered and is making it’s way back into our present day world once again. Vogel crystals were first realized in a dream that Marcel had to advance the human race both spiritually and scientifically. Vogel crystals are a spiritual science and will demonstrate that these two practices can coexist. We are only just beginning to rediscover the uses and power of these crystals. Certainly, those of you that have done past life regression to an Atlantian time may be drawn to these crystals. Simply holding and meditating with these ancient sacred tools allows information and ancient teachings to flow into the conscience mind from other dimensions.
Holding one of these sacred tools when one’s chakras are opened and aligned brings about an effect where thoughts can more easily manifest into reality. Quantum Physics experiments have proven that human consciousness, or one’s thoughts, can have a measurable impact on the physical reality we experience. Dr. Masaru Emoto demonstrated how thoughts and emotions can affect the state of water. Our bodies and the earth are primarily composed of water, so you must ask yourself; how are your thoughts affecting yourself and the world around you? Once we understand this concept of being able to manipulate the physical material world with thoughts, love and intention, the 1999 hit movie “The Matrix” doesn’t seem so far off after all. In fact, this is the greater truth that the dark forces that are trying to control and manipulate our planet have long known and are terrified that we discover. It is this truth which is reason they exercise dominate control and we do not. When you hold these tools with love and learn how to direct energy and thoughts, anything can happen including healing the entire planet and removing the destructive forces that have long been dominating the human spirit. Only real holding a real Vogel crystal cut by a master cutter will quicken these manifestations. They have been programmed to not do harm, and will actually crack if they are used with the wrong intentions. These crystals are as alive and conscious as you the reader viewing this website.
When engaging in these kinds of practices, you are opening yourself up to spiritual vulnerabilities, and it is important to properly protect oneself. Learning mantras or prayers to call for God, Archangel Michael or other spirit guides to protect you, or wearing protective pendants will prevent physical and psychic attacks.
The Divine Plan Unfolding
The rainbow warrior prophecy told by the Hopi and other Native American tribes is unfolding. It has been foretold that when the earth is dying, people of all races across the planet will come together and spread love. They would lead by actions, not words, they would connect with ancient knowledge and teachings, and use their love to make the earth green again. They would be called “The Warriors Of The Rainbow”. This is indeed a time when prophecies will be realized, and great wonder and balance will soon return to the earth. We can see it happening everywhere.
This is a spiritual battle against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places – Ephesians 6:12
Just as there is spiritual wickedness in high places, there too is spiritual goodness in even higher places. God, his Angels the 5th dimensional Lemurian beings and others are all working with us to change the landscape of this planet and they very much want to work with all of us to save the world. It’s important that we learn to tap into these energies and raise our vibrational consciousness to properly bring harmony and peace back to this earth. This is not a physical fight. This is a spiritual battle against spiritual forces. True magic is the ability to connect with and use these spiritual forces that are waiting for us to awaken to them. We can all be Rainbow Warriors with a pure heart, an open mind and the desire to make this world a better place. When your chakras are opened and aligned and project your intentions with your heart, anything you believe to be possible, will be. This website is a resource for us to come together and learn these sacred ceremonies to bring balance back to nature and heal the earth. We can do it together. The prophecy of the rainbow warriors is happening around the globe. If you hear the calling, contact us to find out about our next planned meetings and take your role to save the planet. Participate in our forum to discuss these spiritual teachings to activate yourself to your true spiritual self. We can also offer free Reiki healing sessions. When you give your love to the earth, it comes back to you with such an intense feeling of joy, happiness, and a connection of oneness we realize we all share a common destiny. We live with pure hearts and love this earth. When you surrender yourself to a greater cause, and be of service to others, a feeling of divine love will overcome you that is so powerful it will change your life and soul forever.
The One
People Universal Community Switchboard Project is designed to serve
multiple localized intentional communities from a decentralized Hub in
each community.
Each Switchboard Hub requires only a smartphone,
tablet, laptop, or desktop computer with Internet access for online
telecommunication (person-to-person and group conference calls) plus ear
buds/headset audio with microphone if needed. Members within each local
intentional community interface is connected by their Switchboard Hub
through an electronic online bulletin board program with individual
posts (i.e work offered or needed, inter-communal ride caravans,
meet-ups, food and material exchanges, etc). Then amateur "ham" radio
operators plus CB (Citizens Band) "walkie talkie" communications would
augment the Internet-based network in event of "signal jamming" and/or
the failure of parts or all of the global electrical grid and/or
telecommunications networks ( i.e. an Earth-facing Coronal Mass
Ejection). A worldwide project is designed to replicate within each
localized intentional community having many decentralized locations for
Motherboard Hubs which are fluid, and will include participation of
every emerging Micro-Nation of the New Earth Nation/Project (membership
willing). Media plug-in for this project is the Internet, beginning with
The Conscious Consumer Network on alternative media, and going viral
via social networks and word-of-mouth.
Inter-linked Switchboard
hubs on the Internet (each one acting as an intentional community seed)
connect for larger projects involving multiple intentional communities
(i.e. for free energy projects and transportation co-operatives;
work/share arrangements plus pooling of human and material resources to
realize goals in common. Many hands in many locations make this project
sustainable. Information resources are always available on the subject
of individual Sovereignty, the full responsibility and liability of
every participating human being (Eternal Essence IN-body) teaching that
every decision made is to be in synchronicity with the well-being of the
whole of humanity. This means total cooperative decentralization of
governance at the individual level shared with everyone who affected by
this process: i.e. the members within an intentional community and
interfaces between two or more intentional communities achieving common
goals. The Creative Commons (free sharing of ideas) backed by the
proverbial “Golden Rule” of human interaction is KEY to success. This
includes teaching of the completed work done by the OPPT (One People’s
Public Trust) via lawful filings at the UCC (Uniform Commercial Code)
level which duly foreclosed on all banks and perceived “governments”
worldwide, ending inter-corporate rule and all debt slavery systems on
planet Earth via reconciliation to Prime (God; sum total of every living
manifestation in the Universe).
This project is designed to
foster unity of the One People on a local and global scale, through
transcendence of all systems of contrast (hierarchy/inequality). Anyone
everywhere has the option of participation via connection to any local Switchboard Hub seated within an intentional community or Motherboard
Hub. Zero discrimination with regard to ethnic, cultural,
religious/spiritual, economic, or sexual orientation of any Eternal
Essence IN-body manifestation as a human being is inherent in the Golden
Rule, which is collectively INforced by the One People, who are Absent
Limits.
Twin Avenues of Participation: Being in Service (Giving) and Being in Commitment (Receiving)
Image at top is afree kitchen at the 2016 Rainbow Gathering near Danby, Vermont USA.Image at bottom is the 1981 mobil homes workshop in Nambassa, New Zealand. ~ JDHWB-R
UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, BERNIE SANDERS SHOULD BE MADE THE NOMINEE
In Solidarity with the Facebook group "Occupy DNC Convention July 2016" I have sent a copy of this letter to the DNC, with final paragraph of my own composition, as of yesterday (September 12, 2016) asking the Democrats to BE the Party of the Common Good ~ JDHWB-R
Donna Brazile, Interim Chair Democratic National Committee 430 South Capitol Street Southeast Washington, DC 20003
Dear Members of the Democratic National Committee
I represent a large segment of the American people that demand that Hillary Clinton is removed immediately as the Democratic candidate to be replaced by Bernie Sanders.
In addition to the fact that it is common knowledge the primary election was rigged in favor of Hillary Clinton, she is plagued with scandals, she is dropping in the polls, she is widely disliked and she is unelectable. The single most important reason that Hillary Clinton should be disqualified from the presidential race, however, is the fact that she is facing serious health issues.
It is unethical, irresponsible and unconscionable to allow Hillary Clinton to risk her health and her personal well-being. We demand that the DNC make the humane decision in regards to Hillary Clinton and the moral decision in regards to the future of our country.
Bernie Sanders is the ONLY candidate who can beat Trump. Not Hillary Clinton, not Tim Kaine, not Joe Biden. We demand justice for Bernie Sanders and justice for America. Save the Democratic Party before it’s too late. Remove Hillary and run Bernie Sanders as the Democratic candidate.
We will not support Hillary Clinton based on the fact that her reckless judgment and disregard for the law disqualifies her as a credible candidate for the presidency. Our support for Sanders is non-transferable. We believe Bernie Sanders is the only qualified candidate who can win against Trump.
For the sake of the Party, for the future of America and in order to beat Trump in the general election, we demand your support of Bernie Sanders as the Democratic nominee.
The party, originally founded in 1792 by Thomas Jefferson and other “Democratic Republicans,” (not to be confused with the present-day opposition political party) was organized to represent the common good, not interests of wealthy bankers and merchants. The “Federalists” already had that covered. It is time to take back the soul of today's Democratic Party from those who have chosen to co-opt it.
Before you answer this question, Mr. Trump, look at what is happening at Standing Rock in North Dakota right now. Native Americans, the indigenous people of this continent who know it as Great Turtle Island, had lived on this land long before waves of European immigrants colonized it...Tribeswere then forcefully relocated in areas designatedas Indianreservations.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe lives near Cannon Ball, ND on one of these reservations and construction of an oil pipeline from the Bakken tar sands in the same state is threatening their water supply from the Missouri River. This tribe has been holding a peaceful vigil since April of this year at Sacred Stones encampment, standing as protectors of this water. Dakota Access Pipeline construction workers bulldozed a sacred tribal burial groundover Labor Day Weekend, following an attack by dogs brought by security personnel on September 3rd. This confrontation was succeeded by a Washington, DC district court ruling against claims made by the Standing Rock Sioux on September 9th and a subsequent temporary order by President Barack Obama halting DAPL construction, pending further examination and a meeting between oil company and tribal representatives. However, beyond construction under or bordering Lake Oahe, compliance with this order is voluntary. Tension mounts as other indigenous tribes join the Standing Rock Sioux water protectors at Sacred Stones camp, along with many of us who are descended from settlers who came from Europe and took this land yet understand the vital importance of water to humanity as a whole. It is high time that we the people take a stand against "big oil" and the House of Rockefeller, drawing a line and holding it. The power of corporate greed must be broken, so the Lakota prophesy of the "Black Snake" never manifests in our reality. Keystone XL was stopped, but the DAPL has appeared to take its place. One pipeline break andthe Missouri River could be poisonedwith dirty tar sands oil from Canada and not be fit for anybody to drink... whether we areindigenous or not!
No matter whether Mr. Trump or Ms. Clinton take the Oath of Office on January 20th, 2017, a moratorium on drilling for petroleum or fracking for natural gas is not in the political wind at this time. Jill Stein of the Green Party offers a "Green New Deal" to voters, but breaking from the mold of an entrenched two-party system is a very tall order for this year. Our best shot forstarting a political revolution in this country was the Presidential run of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, which was ultimately derailed due tobias within the Democratic Party that showed itself to be very blatant during the convention in Philadelphia. It was more of a "coronation" for Ms. Clinton than what it should have been; a clearly contested nomination between Hillary and Bernie. Meanwhile, on the Republican side of the coin, Mr. Trump breezed his way through the Primaries, in spite of his loose tongue spouting obtuse rhetoric. I AM not voting for either one. The only viable candidate, in my opinion, is Jill Stein. To choose a third party candidate is to"throw-away" my vote, which in this case is an implied vote for Trump because it is not for Clinton. I AM choosing to vote my conscience in 2016! ~ JDHWB-R
Sacred Stones Overflow Camp, Cannon Ball, North Dakota
Office of Public Affairs,Department of Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, September 9, 2016
Joint Statement from the Department of Justice, the Department of the
Army and the Department of the Interior Regarding Standing Rock Sioux
Tribe v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
“We appreciate the District Court’s opinion on the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers’ compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act.
However, important issues raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and
other tribal nations and their members regarding the Dakota Access
pipeline specifically, and pipeline-related decision-making generally,
remain. Therefore, the Department of the Army, the Department of
Justice, and the Department of the Interior will take the following
steps.
The Army will not authorize constructing the Dakota Access
pipeline on Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe until it can
determine whether it will need to reconsider any of its previous
decisions regarding the Lake Oahe site under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) or other federal laws. Therefore, construction of the
pipeline on Army Corps land bordering or under Lake Oahe will not go
forward at this time. The Army will move expeditiously to make this
determination, as everyone involved — including the pipeline company and
its workers — deserves a clear and timely resolution. In the interim,
we request that the pipeline company voluntarily pause all construction
activity within 20 miles east or west of Lake Oahe.
“Furthermore,
this case has highlighted the need for a serious discussion on whether
there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes’
views on these types of infrastructure projects. Therefore, this fall,
we will invite tribes to formal, government-to-government consultations
on two questions: (1) within the existing statutory framework, what
should the federal government do to better ensure meaningful tribal
input into infrastructure-related reviews and decisions and the
protection of tribal lands, resources, and treaty rights; and (2) should
new legislation be proposed to Congress to alter that statutory
framework and promote those goals.
“Finally, we fully support the
rights of all Americans to assemble and speak freely. We urge everyone
involved in protest or pipeline activities to adhere to the principles
of nonviolence. Of course, anyone who commits violent or destructive
acts may face criminal sanctions from federal, tribal, state, or local
authorities. The Departments of Justice and the Interior will continue
to deploy resources to North Dakota to help state, local, and tribal
authorities, and the communities they serve, better communicate, defuse
tensions, support peaceful protest, and maintain public safety.
“In
recent days, we have seen thousands of demonstrators come together
peacefully, with support from scores of sovereign tribal governments, to
exercise their First Amendment rights and to voice heartfelt concerns
about the environment and historic, sacred sites. It is now incumbent
on all of us to develop a path forward that serves the broadest public
interest.”
Important Message from Keeper of Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe. – Chief Arvol Looking Horse
Posted on August 27, 2016
I, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Nations, ask you to understand an Indigenous perspective on what has happened in America, what we call “Turtle Island.” My words seek to unite the global community through a message from our sacred ceremonies to unite spiritually, each in our own ways of beliefs in the Creator.
We have been warned from ancient prophecies of these times we live in today, but have also been given a very important message about a solution to turn these terrible times.
To understand the depth of this message you must recognize the importance of Sacred Sites and realize the interconnectedness of what is happening today, in reflection of the continued massacres that are occurring on other lands and our own Americas.
I have been learning about these important issues since the age of 12 when I received the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle and its teachings. Our people have strived to protect Sacred Sites from the beginning of time. These places have been violated for centuries and have brought us to the predicament that we are in at the global level.
Look around you. Our Mother Earth is very ill from these violations, and we are on the brink of destroying the possibility of a healthy and nurturing survival for generations to come, our children’s children.
Our ancestors have been trying to protect our Sacred Site called the Sacred Black Hills in South Dakota, “Heart of Everything That Is,” from continued violations. Our ancestors never saw a satellite view of this site, but now that those pictures are available, we see that it is in the shape of a heart and, when fast-forwarded, it looks like a heart pumping.
The Aborigines have warned of the contaminating effects of global warming on the Coral Reefs, which they see as Mother Earth’s blood purifier.
The indigenous people of the rainforest say that the rainforests are the lungs of the planet and need protection.
The Gwich’in Nation in Alaska has had to face oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain, also known to the Gwich’in as “Where life begins.”
The coastal plain is the birthplace of many life forms of the animal nations. The death of these animal nations will destroy indigenous nations in this territory.
As these destructive developments continue all over the world, we will witness many more extinct animal, plant, and human nations, because of mankind’s misuse of power and their lack of understanding of the “balance of life.”
The Indigenous people warn that these destructive developments will cause havoc globally. There are many, many more indigenous teachings and knowledge about Mother Earth’s Sacred Sites, her chakras, and connections to our spirit that will surely affect our future generations.
There needs to be a fast move toward other forms of energy that are safe for all nations upon Mother Earth. We need to understand the types of minds that are continuing to destroy the spirit of our whole global community. Unless we do this, the powers of destruction will overwhelm us.
Our Ancestors foretold that water would someday be for sale. Back then this was hard to believe, since the water was so plentiful, so pure, and so full of energy, nutrition and spirit. Today we have to buy pure water, and even then the nutritional minerals have been taken out; it’s just empty liquid. Someday water will be like gold, too expensive to afford.
Not everyone will have the right to drink safe water. We fail to appreciate and honor our Sacred Sites, ripping out the minerals and gifts that lay underneath them as if Mother Earth were simply a resource, instead of the source of life itself.
Attacking nations and using more resources to carry out destruction in the name of peace is not the answer! We need to understand how all these decisions affect the global nation; we will not be immune to its repercussions. Allowing continual contamination of our food and land is affecting the way we think.
A “disease of the mind” has set in world leaders and many members of our global community, with their belief that a solution of retaliation and destruction of peoples will bring peace.
In our prophecies it is told that we are now at the crossroads: Either unite spiritually as a global nation, or be faced with chaos, disasters, diseases, and tears from our relatives’ eyes.
We are the only species that is destroying the source of life, meaning Mother Earth, in the name of power, mineral resources, and ownership of land. Using chemicals and methods of warfare that are doing irreversible damage, as Mother Earth is becoming tired and cannot sustain any more impacts of war.
I ask you to join me on this endeavor. Our vision is for the peoples of all continents, regardless of their beliefs in the Creator, to come together as one at their Sacred Sites to pray and meditate and commune with one another, thus promoting an energy shift to heal our Mother Earth and achieve a universal consciousness toward attaining Peace.
As each day passes, I ask all nations to begin a global effort, and remember to give thanks for the sacred food that has been gifted to us by our Mother Earth, so the nutritional energy of medicine can be guided to heal our minds and spirits.
This new millennium will usher in an age of harmony or it will bring the end of life as we know it. Starvation, war, and toxic waste have been the hallmark of the great myth of progress and development that ruled the last millennium.
To us, as caretakers of the heart of Mother Earth, falls the responsibility of turning back the powers of destruction. You yourself are the one who must decide.
You alone – and only you – can make this crucial choice, to walk in honor or to dishonor your relatives. On your decision depends the fate of the entire World.
Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of humankind.
Did you think the Creator would create unnecessary people in a time of such terrible danger?
Know that you yourself are essential to this world. Understand both the blessing and the burden of that. You yourself are desperately needed to save the soul of this world. Did you think you were put here for something less? In a Sacred Hoop of Life, there is no beginning and no ending.
Chief Arvol Looking Horse is the author of White Buffalo Teachings. A tireless advocate of maintaining traditional spiritual practices, Chief Looking Horse is a member of Big Foot Riders, which memorializes the massacre of Big Foot’s band at Wounded Knee
“The unreal is more powerful than the real. Because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. Because it's only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last Stone crumbles. Wood rots. People, well, they die. But things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on.“
— Chuck Palahniuk
Stories really do have a lot in common with each other—whether they are in books, films, or spoken: they all have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
But the similarities don’t end there; they also have something else in common with each other: an x-factor.
Or, at least the stories that we can connect with do—the ones that we don’t just hear; the ones that actually speak to us. The ones that have characters we care about. The books that we can’t put down. The movies we cringe at; when we yell at the screen, well aware of what is about to happen, and yet, are still surprised none-the-less when it does…
These movies, books, and stories might not look like creatures that could in anyway be related—and yet, pull back the skin; rip out the tendons and muscles; you’ll eventually make a surprising discovery…
They all have the exact same skeleton: the monomyth.
The Call to Adventure
Follow the white rabbit down the hole, and into another world. One hidden deep inside the core of humanities’ collective subconscious. One that is strange and frightening, and yet simultaneously familiar and comforting.
Free yourself from the fictional prisons that the corporate elite, and political aristocracy have caged your imaginations in, and escape to an ancient world where our ancestors quested to find the meaning of life, the universe, and everything.
Imagine that right after you read the spinach green text above on your browser, you really did hear two knocks…
How would you feel?
What would be going through your mind?
Suddenly, that fictional world that was once a safe and entertaining refuge, has transformed into a gateway to another realm. One filled with unsettling possibilities…
What if it wasn’t just a story? What if it wasn’t just fiction?
This is the primary element that makes transmedia such an exciting development in storytelling. The third wall separating the participant from the story can now be knocked down. Instead of reading, listening, or watching the story unfold, they actually become a part of it.
This interaction is a key element missing from most commercial projects that have been mistakenly labeled “transmedia.”
Red vs. Blue
“I imagine you feel a bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole…you were born into bondage, born inside a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for your mind… take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes…”
— Morpheus, The Matrix
That rabbit hole? It’s deep. Really deep. Tens of thousands of years before the first ancient cave paintings were just figments in their creators heads, the capacity to tell stories—and the need to hear them—was hardwired into our DNA.
That’s the untapped power of myth. A power humanity long ago tossed aside as a relic. It’s not that surprising.
After all, who needs candles when you have a flash light?
Right?
But candles don’t need batteries; they don’t need to be recharged.
And while the light they shine isn’t as revealing—or as bright—very few couples I know, would like to sit down for a flashlight-lit dinner for two.
Yes, as an analogy, that was a bit more like a rubber band than a paperclip. But sometimes you need something that can stretch. In our modern age, with our rigid world views, we can try to categorize everything in neat little piles. But it won’t always work…
Eventually, when the piles get too big, a paperclip will either have to bend, or snap. Rolling up the universe in a tube of myth might be a little less organized, even a little messy; but it can get the job done, when a paperclip can’t.
Am I suggesting that we throw away the paper clips of science, math, and physics, and replace them with stories?
No, of course not…
That would be just a silly as throwing out all the rubber bands in our desks; after all, you never know when you might need one—ask McGuyver…
Unfortunately, that’s precisely what most people have done by the time they reach adulthood. They’ve tossed out the rubber bands of myth—or the few that they desperately cling to have snapped long ago, and no longer serve a purpose.
When we‘re told by society to “grow up,” to put the myths we've carried with us since childhood into the trash—it leaves us ill equipped to deal with reality.
You heard right…
Parent’s often lament that children don’t come with instruction manuals. But they do…
Myth, Legends, Folklore, and Oral Narratives were the cultural transmission devices of our ancestors. These “stories” gave children their worldview, linked them to the other members of their society, taught them laws and cultural taboos, and gave them a map with several paths to follow into adulthood.
Today, myth may feel like a forgotten and lifeless tuber, dissected in high school English classes, or studied under microscopes of intellect in universities—but, if it’s planted, watered, and given time to grow, you will find that ancient myths are seeds. Seeds that massive trees of unlimited creative potential can grow from. Today, most people dismiss myths as quaint and ancient bedtime stories. Fictional night lights that humanity conjured up in our infancy to help cope with the harsh, unforgiving, and unfathomable world we lived in.
Today, when someone says something is a myth, they mean it is fantastical, untrue, and unimportant.
But there are some people who refuse to let myth fade into mediocrity. The founder of the Modern Mythology website, James Curcio is one of those people. His recently published study, The Immanence of Myth makes it abundantly clear that myth wasn’t just important to our ancestors, but still serves a vital role in the modern world. He explains that myth hasn’t disappeared: it’s just hiding in plain sight.
While traditional scholars are busy trying to find the “tree“ of modern mythology, they are completely oblivious to the fact that they are standing in the middle of a forest of them. Mr. Curcio’s study collects works from a number of scholars, artists, and self-styled social “misfits” that have seen the forest, and the trees, and have taken it upon themselves to explore this newly discovered world of contemporary myths:
“If myth is something long dead, a corpse exhumed with philosophical disinterest, then please consider this work an attempt at necromancy. But if myth is considered something dangerous; full of falsities, dead ends and mazes luring the unwary into a fugue of superstition, then consider it a whispered pass-phrase into another world: the world beyond the wallpaper. A world that recognizes the real is in the effect rendered, rather than in the thing symbolized. Conflicting fictions drive Holy wars. How is a history born of spilled blood unreal? How is it meaningless, even if all the Gods are just shadows cast on the wall by finger-puppets? Myth is not dead, nor is it false; it is living, and misunderstood…”
— James Curcio, The Immanence of Myth
The monomyth isn’t obvious unless you are actually looking for it. Even Marguerite Labbe, author, and scholar of comparative mythology and folklore, was not always aware of its existence. She explained for me the moment when she first realized that a very similar story was being told throughout many different cultures:
“I first started noticing it (monomyth) in college…because before, I always read for pleasure and I didn’t really read looking for any kinds of motifs. But I found it very fascinating that most cultures had it—some kind of great flood story. That was completely fascinating to me. What you might have always thought was a story in the Bible growing up, suddenly took on a whole new meaning, because how was it that all these other different cultures came up with the same story? It brings a certain element of truth that you think might not have been there before.”
Though some may debate if the great flood actually occurred, the fact that knowledge of this natural (or fictional) disaster was passed down for hundreds or even thousands of years without any written record, is a testament to the power of myth.
But the truly amazing thing about myth is how the same plot elements and motifs keep showing up in so many different places and times. This was one of the first things that Mrs. Labbe commented on:
“Seeing these similarities is really fascinating. Especially in cultures that are so diverse…the Navajo, the Finnish…the Celtic…the Aztec—completely different cultures, completely different parts of the world. They were all very different in tone and feel, and the types of stories they come up with, but there were also many similarities as well.“
This is but the first on many posts exploring the monomyth, and it’s modern manifestations. Make sure you check back, or subscribe to my RSS feed for the additional updates…
