It's almost a New Year
again
Let's not make America fear
again
Let's not throw our brothers and sisters
to the wolves
again
We could make the world a better place
again
Are you ready?
We've done it before
in days of yore
We broke the bonds of
kings and queens
We threw off the shackles
of slavery
We stood up and demanded
One Person One Vote
Again and again
we demanded a minimum wage, a living wage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_wage)
and the democratic world flourished...
But now it's dying,
strangled by the weeds
we were
so careless of.
So, I need to know - are you ready
to speak up
against those who would silence us?
Are you ready - to stand firm
against those who would
strip away your vote?
destroy your living wage?
poison your food and water, the very air you breathe?
and allow innocents to be destroyed -
- in the name of oil- in the name of money
- in the name of power
Are you ready to throw off the lies that mute us?
Are you ready to stand against the gags that deny us?
Are you ready to make this world a better place?
Can you accept the cost?
The longer we wait
the more we'll pay.
So I need to know,
are you ready?
A.J. Ponder
An early poem so it can be published before the New Year in time for resolutions. There will not be one on the 6th, because there's no reason not to make a New Years resolution to support human rights. Mine is to speak out when I see injustice, to hold our politicians to account and to join at least one local group that supports human rights and the environment.
Happy New Year everyone, also PS - a link to Mike Moore's 5 point plan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbaqst_B498 (it's basically all in first minute or so.)
A.J.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
False Prophets
Given the GOP memo published recently that included '...Just as the three wise men did on that night, this Christmas heralds a time to celebrate the good news of a new King...' and the many people who are prepared to defend a deliberate and misleading false equivalency as if the move from past to present wasn't entirely deliberate, with the double meaning left to placate the evangelicals for whom this would be blasphemy.
I'd like to remind anyone who is drawn to this false show of Christianity of what the Bible records Jesus as saying. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits." (Matt. 7:15-16b).
From what I can see Trumps fruits are blackmail, bankruptcy, lechery, and threats. And while I don't pretend to be a Christian, Trump does, and he fulfills this biblical warning: The counterfeit Christian is marked by arrogance and slander (2:10). They are "experts in greed" and "their eyes are full of adultery" (2:14).
So do not let religious friends be pulled into the sway of this false prophet who would be a king. Because Jesus was right. And the wolves he speaks of will never sate their hunger, their greed is a sickness that consumes them, it is a greed for power and love that has lead followers to death, while aggrandizing themselves.
Whatever our faith - whether we believe Jesus was the son of God, a prophet, or just someone who challenged an authority who cared for money and power, and belittled suffering - we should heed his warning, because there are always people who say they have the answers - but if their fruit is vile - if what they actually do is vile - then so are they. If we don't stand up now against the corporations who are dividing the world between them, the world we pass on to our children and grandchildren will be very grim indeed, and not the society that compassion and vision and science can build. But first we must challenge our own moneylenders. The morally criminal who trade our life health and happiness for worthless coin.
We need to stand against corporate greed
Because 1% of the world now has 90% of the money.
Because they don't pay taxes
Because they don't pay their workers a living wage
Because they steal resources from under the feet of the people they should be supporting.
Because they corrupt our politicians
Because they corrupt our media
Because they make us fight for scraps at our own table
Because they make us beg for the poisons that kill us
Because they refuse to treat those in need preferring coin
Because global warming is real
Because the earth is a finite resource
Because little children should not suffer when we can prevent that suffering
Because nobody should suffer for their faith
Because we hold the moral stance that all are created equal
Because we can make this world a better place
So I will stand,
I will stand with the millennials,
I will stand with the progressives
I will stand with Bernie, and Warren and Stein and the Greens and the unions and the Indigenous people and all those who protect the land and human rights.
Will you?
A.J. Ponder
For those who wonder why I follow American politics so assiduously - it's because that is the country used to create the narrative we are supposed to believe. That somehow minimum wages make people poorer. A lie. Proved here (http://www.citylab.com/work/2016/12/as-an-anti-poverty-measure-raising-the-minimum-wage-works/510119/?utm_source=SFTwitter) and in scientific studies.
That drug and oil and banks and the worst excesses of war require government money, but we should ignore the suffering of people whose needs would require far less, and we could then reap the health benefits of a more egalitarian population.
It is not just America. This is an issue for the whole world so please don't hesitate to add links to organisations/organizations you think can help. And DO be aware that facts change - especially if it's money that's being asked for.
There are almost too many options. So don't find heaps, find the one that best suits you and make a New Year's resolution to make a difference. Remember you can stand up for the #environment and #humanrights check out these
6 Lessons Learned Fighting Oppressive Regimes While Trying to Protect People and Planet
http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-oppressive-regimes-2162235733.html
You can:
Petition your local politicians
Join rallies for causes you believe in
Divest from banks that support oil or habitat destruction
Buy mindfully
Use power mindfully
Join groups who promote the causes you hold important - but always check to make sure they are currently as advertised. eg in NZ our Red Cross currently has most of it's money go to where it's needed, whereas the American Red Cross has a less efficient structure in getting charity money to where it's need so there may be better options.
Join Your local human rights org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_human_rights_organisations
Join Your local union or group ready to ask for a living wage eg. #fightfor15
Join your local Green Party
Join the NAACP http://www.naacp.org/about-us/
Join Amnesty international https://www.amnesty.org/en/
I'm not always the biggest fan of the UN, sometimes it seems to be captured by political and business interests, but maybe that means we need to take it back and make it for people all the more.
Support education for the less fortunate Malala.org, ACEI, Education International, GPE, Plan International, Save the Children, UNESCO & UNICEF.
There are almost too many options. So don't find heaps, even one would make an awesome New Year's resolution and make a real difference.
Merry Christmas Holiday (for those lucky enough to get a Christmas Holiday) and a happy New Year
A.J.
I'd like to remind anyone who is drawn to this false show of Christianity of what the Bible records Jesus as saying. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits." (Matt. 7:15-16b).
From what I can see Trumps fruits are blackmail, bankruptcy, lechery, and threats. And while I don't pretend to be a Christian, Trump does, and he fulfills this biblical warning: The counterfeit Christian is marked by arrogance and slander (2:10). They are "experts in greed" and "their eyes are full of adultery" (2:14).
So do not let religious friends be pulled into the sway of this false prophet who would be a king. Because Jesus was right. And the wolves he speaks of will never sate their hunger, their greed is a sickness that consumes them, it is a greed for power and love that has lead followers to death, while aggrandizing themselves.
Whatever our faith - whether we believe Jesus was the son of God, a prophet, or just someone who challenged an authority who cared for money and power, and belittled suffering - we should heed his warning, because there are always people who say they have the answers - but if their fruit is vile - if what they actually do is vile - then so are they. If we don't stand up now against the corporations who are dividing the world between them, the world we pass on to our children and grandchildren will be very grim indeed, and not the society that compassion and vision and science can build. But first we must challenge our own moneylenders. The morally criminal who trade our life health and happiness for worthless coin.
We need to stand against corporate greed
Because 1% of the world now has 90% of the money.
Because they don't pay taxes
Because they don't pay their workers a living wage
Because they steal resources from under the feet of the people they should be supporting.
Because they corrupt our politicians
Because they corrupt our media
Because they make us fight for scraps at our own table
Because they make us beg for the poisons that kill us
Because they refuse to treat those in need preferring coin
Because global warming is real
Because the earth is a finite resource
Because little children should not suffer when we can prevent that suffering
Because nobody should suffer for their faith
Because we hold the moral stance that all are created equal
Because we can make this world a better place
So I will stand,
I will stand with the millennials,
I will stand with the progressives
I will stand with Bernie, and Warren and Stein and the Greens and the unions and the Indigenous people and all those who protect the land and human rights.
Will you?
A.J. Ponder
For those who wonder why I follow American politics so assiduously - it's because that is the country used to create the narrative we are supposed to believe. That somehow minimum wages make people poorer. A lie. Proved here (http://www.citylab.com/work/2016/12/as-an-anti-poverty-measure-raising-the-minimum-wage-works/510119/?utm_source=SFTwitter) and in scientific studies.
That drug and oil and banks and the worst excesses of war require government money, but we should ignore the suffering of people whose needs would require far less, and we could then reap the health benefits of a more egalitarian population.
It is not just America. This is an issue for the whole world so please don't hesitate to add links to organisations/organizations you think can help. And DO be aware that facts change - especially if it's money that's being asked for.
There are almost too many options. So don't find heaps, find the one that best suits you and make a New Year's resolution to make a difference. Remember you can stand up for the #environment and #humanrights check out these
6 Lessons Learned Fighting Oppressive Regimes While Trying to Protect People and Planet
http://www.ecowatch.com/trump-oppressive-regimes-2162235733.html
You can:
Petition your local politicians
Join rallies for causes you believe in
Divest from banks that support oil or habitat destruction
Buy mindfully
Use power mindfully
Join groups who promote the causes you hold important - but always check to make sure they are currently as advertised. eg in NZ our Red Cross currently has most of it's money go to where it's needed, whereas the American Red Cross has a less efficient structure in getting charity money to where it's need so there may be better options.
Join Your local human rights org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_human_rights_organisations
Join Your local union or group ready to ask for a living wage eg. #fightfor15
Join your local Green Party
Join the NAACP http://www.naacp.org/about-us/
Join Amnesty international https://www.amnesty.org/en/
I'm not always the biggest fan of the UN, sometimes it seems to be captured by political and business interests, but maybe that means we need to take it back and make it for people all the more.
Support education for the less fortunate Malala.org, ACEI, Education International, GPE, Plan International, Save the Children, UNESCO & UNICEF.
There are almost too many options. So don't find heaps, even one would make an awesome New Year's resolution and make a real difference.
Merry Christmas Holiday (for those lucky enough to get a Christmas Holiday) and a happy New Year
A.J.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Globalism vs Corporatism
We are
the people of this world
We could
join together
To gain
basic Human Rights
We can't survive
without clean Food and Water
We shouldn't have to fight
for health and happiness
The globalization of human rights
should be our goal
But the corporate lie
pulls us apart
Makes us fight over the scraps
of their bloated table
They pay the corrupt
to distract us
They pay the corrupt
to make laws against us
They pay the corrupt
to rule over us
They say we're too small to change the world
but we must
One human at a time
one step at a time
We must think globally, act globally,
because the corporates are already global
We must fight globally and stand globally
because one,
by one,
the corporates would have us
fall.
A.J. Ponder
By using the word "globalization" to mean "corporate globalization" the very corporations it is meant to implicate have managed to steer the conversation and scare us into fighting against the very people we should be supporting. It's designed to prevent us from thinking about how to make the world a better place, and instead focus on scapegoating the victims of the oppressors whose greed has turned our world inside out, in search for oil, in search of gold, in search of power. But we can do something about it. We can join grassroots organisations (organizations if you're American) that promote #HumanRights, #democracy, and the environment.
And the message for today is "Democracy is not a spectator sport - tag you're it." From, (of all places) The Big Picture RT. Not that I'd recommend them as a news source, given the Russian connection. If you're going to get your news from only one place I'd suggest Amy Goodman's Democracy Now, specifically The War and Peace Report.
the people of this world
We could
join together
To gain
basic Human Rights
We can't survive
without clean Food and Water
We shouldn't have to fight
for health and happiness
The globalization of human rights
should be our goal
But the corporate lie
pulls us apart
Makes us fight over the scraps
of their bloated table
They pay the corrupt
to distract us
They pay the corrupt
to make laws against us
They pay the corrupt
to rule over us
They say we're too small to change the world
but we must
One human at a time
one step at a time
We must think globally, act globally,
because the corporates are already global
We must fight globally and stand globally
because one,
by one,
the corporates would have us
fall.
A.J. Ponder
By using the word "globalization" to mean "corporate globalization" the very corporations it is meant to implicate have managed to steer the conversation and scare us into fighting against the very people we should be supporting. It's designed to prevent us from thinking about how to make the world a better place, and instead focus on scapegoating the victims of the oppressors whose greed has turned our world inside out, in search for oil, in search of gold, in search of power. But we can do something about it. We can join grassroots organisations (organizations if you're American) that promote #HumanRights, #democracy, and the environment.
And the message for today is "Democracy is not a spectator sport - tag you're it." From, (of all places) The Big Picture RT. Not that I'd recommend them as a news source, given the Russian connection. If you're going to get your news from only one place I'd suggest Amy Goodman's Democracy Now, specifically The War and Peace Report.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Draining the swamp of all human decency
In New Zealand
We love our wetlands
They're beautiful places
Rich habitats
Vital to environmental and human well-being
I've heard you're draining yours -
"What of?"
I asked,
And the answer seems to be
"Of all human decency"
And the blue herons soaked
And the land was buffered from the sea
Now
there's nothing in sight
not a bird in flight
just oil
as far as the eye can...
...look out
upon the desolation
of a once fair
land.
you're draining your swamp
of all human decency
and replacing it with
nothing but snake oil
and swamp monsters
grinning through their golden teeth
and pretending they can hold back the tide.
A.J. Ponder
PS: Release the kraken. :)
PPS if you liked this poem, you may also enjoy:
I was particularly impressed with Senator Warren when she stood up to the drug companies. Her fight was my fight. For although drug regulation in America is so far away, it has had a detrimental effect all over the world. She did so, despite the bad optics, because the cause was just and right, and the consequences of failing will not only haunt America, but all the countries that through the FDA's influence allow America's drug industry to influence treatments.
#globalwarming #kraken #swamp #swampmonsters #golden #tide #oil #snakeoil #drug
We love our wetlands
They're beautiful places
Rich habitats
Vital to environmental and human well-being
I've heard you're draining yours -
"What of?"
I asked,
And the answer seems to be
"Of all human decency"
*
Where once the bullfrogs croakedAnd the blue herons soaked
And the land was buffered from the sea
Now
there's nothing in sight
not a bird in flight
just oil
as far as the eye can...
...look out
upon the desolation
of a once fair
land.
*
Yes, you heard me,you're draining your swamp
of all human decency
and replacing it with
nothing but snake oil
and swamp monsters
grinning through their golden teeth
and pretending they can hold back the tide.
A.J. Ponder
PS: Release the kraken. :)
PPS if you liked this poem, you may also enjoy:
I was particularly impressed with Senator Warren when she stood up to the drug companies. Her fight was my fight. For although drug regulation in America is so far away, it has had a detrimental effect all over the world. She did so, despite the bad optics, because the cause was just and right, and the consequences of failing will not only haunt America, but all the countries that through the FDA's influence allow America's drug industry to influence treatments.
#globalwarming #kraken #swamp #swampmonsters #golden #tide #oil #snakeoil #drug
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
The Art of Modern Warfare with Words
They shall frame you,
then they shall destroy you,
mark my words,
there is no middle ground.
First they demonised the poor
for the crimes of the rich
Then they demonised the Muslims,
to steal oil
Now they're framing the Jews
with an old lie,
an evil lie
to stop you from seeing the whole picture.
They shall frame you,
then they shall destroy you,
mark my words,
brushstrokes matter.
We, the people,
are not the threat
The threat is the obscene voice
of corporations
A voice that has corrupted
the politicians
A voice that has corrupted
the media
A voice that
calls to your fears
and twists them.
Once they've framed you,
then they shall destroy you
Mark my words
the fight is now,
or not at all
As the media bows to
the narrative,
their integrity as
bought and sold as the politicians
receiving tobacco PAC cheques
on the house floor.
They shall frame you,
then they shall call you violent
and place the gun
They shall accuse you of the crimes
they have committed
They shall pay a pittance
and take everything -
water
freedom
your very life
and when there is nothing left,
they will blame you.
So please break the frame
before it destroys you
Mark my words,
there is no middle ground -
unless you stand up -
unless you say no -
unless you yell the truth
like the smallest Who in Whoville.
Please make a noise,
just a yip or a squeak,
because
you are
our only hope.
They shall frame you,
then they shall destroy you
Mark my words,
the fight is now
or not at all.
A.J. Ponder
There is a companion poem for this piece, published 5 years ago, it's called Perspective. http://anafflictionofpoetry.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/tuesday-poem-perspective.html
So how is your world being framed?
1. Lying by Omission
2. Controlling the Debate
3. Scripting and Synchronizing News
4. Politicizing Everything
5 Chasing and creating buzzwords and memes
6. Asking the Wrong Questions
7. Closing down the topic - or airing it like the birther conspiracy long after it was dead.
8 Triviality and Distraction
9. Outright Lying
It's time to fight for our rights #noDAPL #livingwage #HumanRights #sustainability #eco #climatechange #change #education #green #impact #peace #democracy #defundDAPL #PoliticalPrisoner #environment #pollution #climate #globalwarming #solar
Peace Out :)
A.J. Ponder
then they shall destroy you,
mark my words,
there is no middle ground.
First they demonised the poor
for the crimes of the rich
Then they demonised the Muslims,
to steal oil
Now they're framing the Jews
with an old lie,
an evil lie
to stop you from seeing the whole picture.
They shall frame you,
then they shall destroy you,
mark my words,
brushstrokes matter.
We, the people,
are not the threat
The threat is the obscene voice
of corporations
A voice that has corrupted
the politicians
A voice that has corrupted
the media
A voice that
calls to your fears
and twists them.
Once they've framed you,
then they shall destroy you
Mark my words
the fight is now,
or not at all
As the media bows to
the narrative,
their integrity as
bought and sold as the politicians
receiving tobacco PAC cheques
on the house floor.
They shall frame you,
then they shall call you violent
and place the gun
They shall accuse you of the crimes
they have committed
They shall pay a pittance
and take everything -
water
freedom
your very life
and when there is nothing left,
they will blame you.
So please break the frame
before it destroys you
Mark my words,
there is no middle ground -
unless you stand up -
unless you say no -
unless you yell the truth
like the smallest Who in Whoville.
Please make a noise,
just a yip or a squeak,
because
you are
our only hope.
They shall frame you,
then they shall destroy you
Mark my words,
the fight is now
or not at all.
A.J. Ponder
There is a companion poem for this piece, published 5 years ago, it's called Perspective. http://anafflictionofpoetry.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/tuesday-poem-perspective.html
So how is your world being framed?
1. Lying by Omission
2. Controlling the Debate
3. Scripting and Synchronizing News
4. Politicizing Everything
5 Chasing and creating buzzwords and memes
6. Asking the Wrong Questions
7. Closing down the topic - or airing it like the birther conspiracy long after it was dead.
8 Triviality and Distraction
9. Outright Lying
It's time to fight for our rights #noDAPL #livingwage #HumanRights #sustainability #eco #climatechange #change #education #green #impact #peace #democracy #defundDAPL #PoliticalPrisoner #environment #pollution #climate #globalwarming #solar
Peace Out :)
A.J. Ponder
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
This is not a #posttruth world
Facts are not confetti
to be thrown in our faces
Journalism is not he said she said
it's the building up of a picture
a story
a truth
without partisan political
or monetary bias.
Facts are:
#StandingRock police are militarised
#WaterProtectors have been brutally injured
#WaterProtectors were met in freezing temperatures with a water-cannon rubber bullets, pepper spray and more.
There is a police blockade across an important bridge
One that would allow better access to emergency services?
Why should this be denied them?
It's been a long time since the safety of the bridge was questioned
Find an engineer already.
I mean, seriously
The lies are thin as a coat of
whitewash
Scratch the paint.
A.J. Ponder
It's said we live in a post-truth world - but the truth is the organisations that give most of us our news have failed us. "He said/she said is not the news, not when the reporter have evidence that one side is lying. But it's more than that, news has become about ratings, not about truth, it has become about what corporations want reported, because that's where the money is. So now very few sources of media are working for us. The Guardian is one of the last major stalwarts. But it can't tell the truth alone, on almost no budget. So yes, it could do better.
Standing Rock is one of the clearest illustrations of the injustices of the modern world, and the way media can ignore, twist and distort a story about peaceful people, protecting the drinking water of millions against an oil company who has bought a supplied a militarised police force who have used their new "toys" to seriously injure men and women who posed absolutely no threat to them. Something that has been clearly documented. But look now. Online evidence (as I know from a previous cause) can be quickly removed. And what cannot be removed will be discredited or muddied with false evidence. The police at Standing Rock changed their story 3 times within 24 hours after a particularly brutal action - as they discovered the protestors had footage that clearly showed their lies. (Nov 20 2016)
A girl had her arm mangled so badly she'll almost certainly never get the use of it back, another was fighting to keep her eyesight days later, after she was assaulted by a chemical weapon that would be illegal in international warfare. And hundreds battled hypothermia after being blasted by a water-canon in freezing temperatures. This is against Waterprotectors who have been so fiercely non-violent that they even managed to diffuse a pipeline worker who drove into their campsite and threatened them with a gun. (There is video)
I've seen this before. Truth turns to lies, and vicious public attacks as people are silenced "for the greater good." So remember "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither." Benjamin Franklin
Below are the techniques used to prevent us from seeing the truth. Watch out for them. And stay safe.
A.J. Ponder
Misleading Techniques to watch for:
1. Lying by Omission
2. Controlling the Debate
3. Scripting and Synchronizing News
4. Politicizing Everything
5 Chasing and creating buzzwords and memes
6. Asking the Wrong Questions
7. Closing down the topic - or airing it like the birther conspiracy long after it was dead.
8 Triviality and Distraction
9. Outright Lying
to be thrown in our faces
Journalism is not he said she said
it's the building up of a picture
a story
a truth
without partisan political
or monetary bias.
Facts are:
#StandingRock police are militarised
#WaterProtectors have been brutally injured
#WaterProtectors were met in freezing temperatures with a water-cannon rubber bullets, pepper spray and more.
There is a police blockade across an important bridge
One that would allow better access to emergency services?
Why should this be denied them?
It's been a long time since the safety of the bridge was questioned
Find an engineer already.
I mean, seriously
The lies are thin as a coat of
whitewash
Scratch the paint.
A.J. Ponder
It's said we live in a post-truth world - but the truth is the organisations that give most of us our news have failed us. "He said/she said is not the news, not when the reporter have evidence that one side is lying. But it's more than that, news has become about ratings, not about truth, it has become about what corporations want reported, because that's where the money is. So now very few sources of media are working for us. The Guardian is one of the last major stalwarts. But it can't tell the truth alone, on almost no budget. So yes, it could do better.
Standing Rock is one of the clearest illustrations of the injustices of the modern world, and the way media can ignore, twist and distort a story about peaceful people, protecting the drinking water of millions against an oil company who has bought a supplied a militarised police force who have used their new "toys" to seriously injure men and women who posed absolutely no threat to them. Something that has been clearly documented. But look now. Online evidence (as I know from a previous cause) can be quickly removed. And what cannot be removed will be discredited or muddied with false evidence. The police at Standing Rock changed their story 3 times within 24 hours after a particularly brutal action - as they discovered the protestors had footage that clearly showed their lies. (Nov 20 2016)
A girl had her arm mangled so badly she'll almost certainly never get the use of it back, another was fighting to keep her eyesight days later, after she was assaulted by a chemical weapon that would be illegal in international warfare. And hundreds battled hypothermia after being blasted by a water-canon in freezing temperatures. This is against Waterprotectors who have been so fiercely non-violent that they even managed to diffuse a pipeline worker who drove into their campsite and threatened them with a gun. (There is video)
I've seen this before. Truth turns to lies, and vicious public attacks as people are silenced "for the greater good." So remember "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither." Benjamin Franklin
Below are the techniques used to prevent us from seeing the truth. Watch out for them. And stay safe.
A.J. Ponder
Misleading Techniques to watch for:
1. Lying by Omission
2. Controlling the Debate
3. Scripting and Synchronizing News
4. Politicizing Everything
5 Chasing and creating buzzwords and memes
6. Asking the Wrong Questions
7. Closing down the topic - or airing it like the birther conspiracy long after it was dead.
8 Triviality and Distraction
9. Outright Lying
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Stand Up
Stand up
Stand up
wherever you are
No more apologies
No more fawning to corporate interests
No more black death -
piped through someone else's land
No more abuse
Of our fellow human beings
Let's
Stop playing nice
when it comes to threats -
You think fascists respect
your acquiescence?
Yeah,
As much as Hitler respected
Neville Chamberlain?
A good man,
if not a great one.
Stand up
Stand up
whoever you are
and stand tall
knowing your life matters
racism is not "a mask"
donned on fundamentally good people
to scare their grandmothers -
It's a cancer,
a hate
that eats you
from the inside -
An affront to us all
Replacing love with hate
until only bitter loss is left
So stand up
stand up and
join me
I'm standing for
Standing Rock
I'm standing for
democracy
I'm standing for
the world we live on
What are you standing for?
A.J. Ponder
And so in that spirit three sets of links: Standing Rock, Environmental, and sites that promote democracy.
http://voter.org/ - assiting voters and fighting voter suppression
http://libertytreefoundation.org/ - promoting the popular vote winning so all states are equally important in an election in America
There is also democracy international - but I suspect the best way to promote democracy is to find a grassroots organisation in your area and get involved.
No DAPL site with petition and upcoming events http://www.nodapl.life/
There's a wonderful indigenous site, but I can't find it. Probably, hopefully incompetence
search #NoDAPL or standing rock
One of the YoungTurks {Jordan) has also been extensively covering the protests. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqSpk99bLYIRhTrDy1WU4xR5xqTDT4KCP
A.J. Ponder
PS for me, human rights are an essential part of democracy, and a clean environment is an essential human right -so
Dream it
Demand it
Democracy Now
Stand up
wherever you are
No more apologies
No more fawning to corporate interests
No more black death -
piped through someone else's land
No more abuse
Of our fellow human beings
Let's
Stop playing nice
when it comes to threats -You think fascists respect
your acquiescence?
Yeah,
As much as Hitler respected
Neville Chamberlain?
A good man,
if not a great one.
Stand up
Stand up
whoever you are
and stand tall
knowing your life matters
racism is not "a mask"
donned on fundamentally good people
to scare their grandmothers -
It's a cancer,
a hate
that eats you
from the inside -
An affront to us all
Replacing love with hate
until only bitter loss is left
So stand up
stand up and
join me
I'm standing for
Standing Rock
I'm standing for
democracy
I'm standing for
the world we live on
What are you standing for?
A.J. Ponder
And so in that spirit three sets of links: Standing Rock, Environmental, and sites that promote democracy.
Democracy
http://www.fairvote.org/ - promoting ranked choice voting - so split votes don't leave the least popular candidate in power.http://voter.org/ - assiting voters and fighting voter suppression
http://libertytreefoundation.org/ - promoting the popular vote winning so all states are equally important in an election in America
There is also democracy international - but I suspect the best way to promote democracy is to find a grassroots organisation in your area and get involved.
Environment
There are so many, I'm taking the shortcut to Wikipedia's list of environmental organizations, which includes both governmental and non-governmental organizations all around the world.Standing Rock
Amnesty international http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/amnesty-international-usa-to-monitor-to-north-dakota-pipeline-protestsNo DAPL site with petition and upcoming events http://www.nodapl.life/
There's a wonderful indigenous site, but I can't find it. Probably, hopefully incompetence
search #NoDAPL or standing rock
One of the YoungTurks {Jordan) has also been extensively covering the protests. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqSpk99bLYIRhTrDy1WU4xR5xqTDT4KCP
A.J. Ponder
PS for me, human rights are an essential part of democracy, and a clean environment is an essential human right -so
Dream it
Demand it
Democracy Now
Monday, November 14, 2016
Circle of Life 3: The facts of life
I know you've heard There's a new snake pimped out on the lawn
Promising the jewels on his back
Primping and preening and threatening
the kids
in the yard next door
The eggs
are trodden into the grass
the chickens butchered
The keys to the hen house
dangle from poisonous lips
Someone has to take the blame
Will it be the snakes?
Or will we listen to their lies?
Because in your heart you know
They blame others
for the things they do themselves
they accuse others of the things they do themselves
It's your farm
Do you dare collect up those snakes
within two years?
Or will you burn down the farm?
Dear American friends, I know you are angry and frightened and tired and outraged, but now that you appear to have walked right up to the precipice, please don't fall. There are local grass root organisations you can join that will help pass legislation to prevent voter suppression, gerrymandering and other insults to democracy. Some even call for modern systems like rank choice voting, to encourage people to vote with their principles, rather than for the lesser evil.
I say this because I believe in democracy and I believe the seeds have been sown. Reporters are being threatened with 45 years in jail for filming civil disobedience. Habeas corpus has been thrown to the wind. And millions of people have lost their right to vote. I protested in Wellington not so long ago with my daughter and we couldn't have felt safer, so it brings me to tears to see the protestors at standing rock being treated so badly. I believe that whether you agree with them or not protestors should be able to protest peacefully.
Liberty Tree is one organisation that appears to be fighting the good fight, but if you don't like it, I'm sure there are others. Some advice on surviving autocracies is on Autocracy: Rules for Survival by Masha Gessen. I found it easier to search Rule # and get the gist of the article before tackling the whole thing. It's all a bit overwhelming, if it gets overwhelming go to Rule 6# And if that doesn't help, ring a friend or phone a help line. You are strong. You are worthwhile, and you can help. Feeling helpless is the worst of it. I know because the medical bureaucracy was happy to watch my son die, but I fought, and fought, and now at last, with the correct medication he's finally stable - but only because I WOULD NOT, COULD NOT, GIVE UP.Dream it
Demand it
Democracy Now
With all the love in the world
A.J. Ponder
The Circle of Life 3 is part of a series. The Circle of Life (1) and The Circle of Life 2
(An SEP is someone else's problem, but corporate power is everybody's problem)
Thursday, October 6, 2016
PechaKucha Night and Wizard’s Guide to Wellington, Old St Pauls, 15 Oct 2016
First..apologies for not posting for so long, I've been working on books...Second... an invitation to PechaKucha Wellington...
I’ve packed my broomstick, sorted through some pictures, and I’m ready to talk at what looks to be a fun event. Most of all I’m looking forward to meeting some of my fans, and of course Jan Wigmore’s speech on Reading the Brain for Learning. and all the other presenters.
PechaKucha is a global series of live events where people can meet, inspire and get inspired, based on a format that is fast-paced and fun. PechaKucha Night (PKN) Wellington features up to 14 presenters that delight and inspire with their narratives using a specific format where each person speaks to 20 images for 20 secs/image. Total presentation time: 6 mins & 40 secs.
Get your ticket here, or at Old St Pauls on the night.
Confirmed presenters for PechaKucha Night Wellington @ Old St Paul’s include:
Pete O’Connell // Rhysonic: Acoustic music with power toolsRebecca Rice // Artists in Wonderland // Curator all things arty and historical at Te Papa //
Lindsay Smith // Richter City: A decade of Wellington Derby // Skanda Lass //
Graham Bathgate // A Centenarian Remembers
Pinaman Owusu-Banahene // ABSOLUTELY ADJOAA // The Accidental Creative Entrepreneur
Jan Wigmore // Reading the Brain for Learning //
Anya Satyanand // Divine Inspiration: Te Aho Tapu //
Mandi Lynn // What the Fark is a Chakra // Master Photographer & Mojo Midwife //
Joe O’Callaghan // Roaming Robots //
A.J. Ponder//Wizard’s Guide to Wellington //
Diego Saez Ibarzabal // Ex Tenebris In Lucem (From Darkness into light) // Architect & Lighting Designer//
To find out more go to www.facebook.com/pechakucha.welly or see www.pechakucha.org for information about PechaKucha Nights in over 900 cities around the world.
Have fun…
A.J.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
The Power of Poetry - At The Edge
I cannot tell you about the way
words writhe,
only let you feel
their power
to deceive
to comfort
to take the path
you shouldn't want
to take
I cannot tell you about the way
words fall,
only let you see
the ground
far below
and still
you jump,
we all do -
or we cower at the edge
and fall
anyway
I cannot tell you what to do,
but the only way
to stop falling
is to fight -
until you hit the ground
A.J. Ponder
okay, this poem was begun quite some time ago, but like many poems lacked the middle and the end, which came to me at last, and so I've finally managed to finish a poem I began over a month ago now.
It possibly helps that At the Edge, the collection I'm in, has just been released. And the title just fit perfectly into the poem. At the Edge is edited by Lee Murray and Dan Rabarts and contains my short story BlindSight, which I believe is well worth a read and was described as eloquent (or near enough) in this review www.mariannedepierres.com/review-at-the-edge-by-dan-rabarts-and-lee-murray-eds
So why not pick up a copy at Rona Gallery? All things going well, I'll release an extract next week, so watch out for it! :)
Have fun,
A.J.
words writhe,
only let you feel
their power
to deceive
to comfort
to take the path
 |
| Buy At the Edge RonaGallery or Amazon |
to take
I cannot tell you about the way
words fall,
only let you see
the ground
far below
and still
you jump,
we all do -
or we cower at the edge
and fall
anyway
I cannot tell you what to do,
but the only way
to stop falling
is to fight -
until you hit the ground
A.J. Ponder
okay, this poem was begun quite some time ago, but like many poems lacked the middle and the end, which came to me at last, and so I've finally managed to finish a poem I began over a month ago now.
It possibly helps that At the Edge, the collection I'm in, has just been released. And the title just fit perfectly into the poem. At the Edge is edited by Lee Murray and Dan Rabarts and contains my short story BlindSight, which I believe is well worth a read and was described as eloquent (or near enough) in this review www.mariannedepierres.com/review-at-the-edge-by-dan-rabarts-and-lee-murray-eds
So why not pick up a copy at Rona Gallery? All things going well, I'll release an extract next week, so watch out for it! :)
Have fun,
A.J.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
The Moment by A.J. Ponder
There's more than this -
more than the endless
wait
for expert idiots
who've yet
to reach the 21st century
The plane's on fire
smoke trailing
from the fuselage -
and you think
the remedy'sto look the other way?
So yeah,
I'll push
because you won't find this
without stepping out
into the abyss
of
might have been
should have been
So keep your false
promises
of tomorrow
and take the leap
because I'm tired of watching
as you
destroy the engines,
shred the parachutes
and pretend
the moment is not upon us
The moment
when today
has lost it's luster -
and
today is
almost gone
A.J. Ponder
It's been a good week, an angry week. So I hope you enjoy my angry poem :) And just so I can do the search engine thing - global warming, climate change, but of course that's not what this poem is about not really - just incidentally. I'm hoping it still works, anyway.
Thanks for dropping by, and have a great week!
A.J.
more than the endless
wait
for expert idiots
who've yet
to reach the 21st century
The plane's on fire
smoke trailing
from the fuselage -
and you think
the remedy'sto look the other way?
So yeah,
I'll push
because you won't find this
without stepping out
into the abyss
of
might have been
should have been
So keep your false
promises
of tomorrow
and take the leap
because I'm tired of watching
as you
destroy the engines,
shred the parachutes
and pretend
the moment is not upon us
The moment
when today
has lost it's luster -
and
today is
almost gone
A.J. Ponder
It's been a good week, an angry week. So I hope you enjoy my angry poem :) And just so I can do the search engine thing - global warming, climate change, but of course that's not what this poem is about not really - just incidentally. I'm hoping it still works, anyway.
Thanks for dropping by, and have a great week!
A.J.
Friday, March 4, 2016
Pants on Fire
So
You think you know
the toothiness,
the truthiness of that
fact.
Chew it over
spit it out
Just watch
those words
Some are more fiery
than others
Watching political debates in my house often involves much eye-rolling at the shocking mis-statements of the candidates. So it's nice to know that there's a website dedicated to sifting fact from fiction, truths from untruths. There's no more need for "truthiness" (thanks Stephen Colbert) if you visit http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/
Of course if you want some fun you can go straight to the "pants on fire" page, or check out your least liked American politicians ;)
I'm not so sure why we're so fascinated by the American election, we're on the other side of the world, but then I don't know why we all like hot sauce... ;)
Have a great week,
A.J. Ponder
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
My Dragon Pal and Me from Galivant
A little bit of fun - besides, what's a song but poetry set to music? Composed by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. Apparently the song was inspired by a song Glenn and his wife made up called Tina and the Meatloaf" designed to help convince their kids to eat meatloaf. Described as sunshiny and innocent...
I hope you enjoy.
If you enjoyed My Dragon Pal and Me, it comes from the amazing show Galavant. If you want to check out the show and can't find it, it does stream from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Galavant-Season-1/dp/B00RMG22LU - I must warn you - I have a dragon.
I can only hope against hope that there's a third season... :) I guess it's the perfect example of not everything I think is amazing is popular - I mean who wouldn't love a medieval panto that can't anything seriously, let alone the third wall?
Have a great week,
A.J.
P.S. don't forget to look after any lizards you see...just in case.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Now We Are Old and Cynical
The Folk asked the Gov
And the Gov asked the Corporate
"Can we have a little bit of
Butter with our bread?"
The Corporate said, "Certainly
We'll go and tell the cow now
Before we go to bed."
The Corporate
They plotted
And went and found
Some cutlery -
So Folk took the crumbs
And the Gov asked the Corporate
"Can we have a little bit of
Butter with our bread?"
The Corporate said, "Certainly
We'll go and tell the cow now
Before we go to bed."
The Corporate
They plotted
And went and found
Some cutlery -
"We'll not share the butter
When we can eat the meat
Instead."
Corporate planned the propaganda and
When we can eat the meat
Instead."
Corporate planned the propaganda and
Went back to the Gov and said
"We'll keep
The meat
But you can take
A little
Bread."
The Gov
Took the bread
And went back to the
"We'll keep
The meat
But you can take
A little
Bread."
The Gov
Took the bread
And went back to the
Folk and said,
"There isn't
Any butter
You can work
For crumbs
Instead."
"There isn't
Any butter
You can work
For crumbs
Instead."
So Folk took the crumbs
And they hungered and they hated
And Nobody won while the old Gov was bought
And still old Corporate plotted
But for nought,
For Nobody's
A winner
Now
The cow
Is dead.
A winner
Now
The cow
Is dead.
A.J. Ponder, once again with apologies to AA. Milne.
This satirical piece is based on The King's Breakfast, was a bit more difficult than it first appeared, which is why it's a few days late. Hope you enjoy, I'm thinking about creating similar pieces for a small collection of Now We Are Old And Cynical.
(Yes, I am aware of the "When we were Fifty" and "Now We are Sixty" but although I haven't seen either for a while, I'm confident this is a different take, however well worn the forms. :)
Enjoy your week
A.J.
This satirical piece is based on The King's Breakfast, was a bit more difficult than it first appeared, which is why it's a few days late. Hope you enjoy, I'm thinking about creating similar pieces for a small collection of Now We Are Old And Cynical.
(Yes, I am aware of the "When we were Fifty" and "Now We are Sixty" but although I haven't seen either for a while, I'm confident this is a different take, however well worn the forms. :)
Enjoy your week
A.J.
Author of The Sylvalla Prophecies and a whole lot more, including short stories and books for children. Check out my bibliography on my website here at PonderBooks.com or my latest series, Blood of the Fae, below.
Journey into the Underworld with Ruby, her sister Pearl, and their kick-ass, bumbling grandparents/ as dragons attack the Library of Alexandria and Dream City falls pick up your copy here. (Amazon aff link)
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Dragon Time
When you live with dragons
There's a roundness to loss,
A completeness
It's waiting,
everywhere you go
everything you do,
every movement slowed
as you wait
for the rush of wings
cold and sharp
as hope
and just as fleeting.
That's the thing with dragons,
you're their natural prey,
and they're patient
patient as time
A.J. Ponder
Have a great week everybody, and keep safe from dragons :)
A.J.
Find my stories and support my writing on ko-fi And tell me which poems you'd like to see in my upcoming poetry book—2024
Friday, January 22, 2016
Thank you to my blog followers...and kidnap yourself today!
 | |
| Read Miss Lionheart's preview on Amazon |
Read William Cook's review on Miss Lionheart's blog,
and see what all the fuss is about.
Or just kidnap yourself to mad scientist territory today...
or keep an eye out for the paperback launch in April 2016! :)
It seems so long ago when I was putting up the first Miss Lionheart ebook, it was very exciting, and now the compendium is here, I'm absolutely thrilled. I hope you have nearly as much fun rading it, as I did writing this whacky adventure. :) But you know for those people who prefer a book to hold, the paperback is coming soon.
A.J.
Author of Quest, Prophecy, Omens, Miss Lionheart and the Laboratory of Death, Wizard's Guide to Wellington, Attack of the Giant Bugs - a You Choose Science Adventure & The Frankie Files.
Find my stories and support my writing on ko-fi And tell me which poems you'd like to see in my upcoming poetry book—2024
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Into the Woods: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
Was watching the movie/musical Into the Woods tonight, and couldn't help but think of the famous lines of Robert Frost's famous poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Mostly because of the famous lines:
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
Unfortunately it seems as though the poem's still under copyright, fortunately it's still available on the internet, apparently officially, here at http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171621
It's a remarkably famous poem, interestingly penned in a few moments after an all nighter on a work somewhat more recalcitrant. Life can be like that...with miles to go before any sleep!!!! :)
Have a great week people,
A.J. Ponder who is about to venture into the woods! Or more accurately, into a top secret land not heretofore seen...
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
Unfortunately it seems as though the poem's still under copyright, fortunately it's still available on the internet, apparently officially, here at http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171621
It's a remarkably famous poem, interestingly penned in a few moments after an all nighter on a work somewhat more recalcitrant. Life can be like that...with miles to go before any sleep!!!! :)
Have a great week people,
A.J. Ponder who is about to venture into the woods! Or more accurately, into a top secret land not heretofore seen...
Monday, January 11, 2016
There's a Star Man - Goodbye David Bowie
You have to hand it to Ziggy
he had those spiders,
what rock star doesn't?
But Major Tom
and his shirts,
there's nothing we could do
But dance,
dance the night away
whirled along
by the silver haired
silver tongued
fey
the one and only David Bowie
You decided
what kind of magic spell to use
no one needed the crystal
the power was in you
to turn the world
If we can sparkle he may land tonight
So come on
let's dance,
dance the blues away
The moonlight a puddle of silver
reflecting
the angel
on the dance floor
A.J. Ponder
Goodbye David Bowie, ashes to funky, you were the lord of the dance floor, and greatly missed - although you work lives on....
Sad news, but an amazing life, and a legacy that will not be forgotten -
Ziggy Stardust,
A Space Oddity
and more songs are available on Bowies Official utube site https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialDavidBowie/videos
A.J.
Author of Quest, Prophecy, Omens, Miss Lionheart and the Laboratory of Death, Wizard's Guide to Wellington, Attack of the Giant Bugs - a You Choose Science Adventure, and The Frankie Files
he had those spiders,
what rock star doesn't?
But Major Tom
and his shirts,
there's nothing we could do
But dance,
dance the night away
whirled along
by the silver haired
silver tongued
fey
the one and only David Bowie
You decided
what kind of magic spell to use
no one needed the crystal
the power was in you
to turn the world
If we can sparkle he may land tonight
So come on
let's dance,
dance the blues away
The moonlight a puddle of silver
reflecting
the angel
on the dance floor
A.J. Ponder
Goodbye David Bowie, ashes to funky, you were the lord of the dance floor, and greatly missed - although you work lives on....
Sad news, but an amazing life, and a legacy that will not be forgotten -
Ziggy Stardust,
A Space Oddity
and more songs are available on Bowies Official utube site https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialDavidBowie/videos
A.J.
Author of Quest, Prophecy, Omens, Miss Lionheart and the Laboratory of Death, Wizard's Guide to Wellington, Attack of the Giant Bugs - a You Choose Science Adventure, and The Frankie Files
Find my stories and support my writing on ko-fi And tell me which poems you'd like to see in my upcoming poetry book—2024
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Happy 2016 - time to break out the structured poems again?
The New Year is always time for resolutions, even when they're resolutions not to have any New Year resolutions.
I'm keen to keep up the blogging, but write fewer poems, while reintroducing a few more structured poems, especially poems around special events.
Maybe I'll even manage a New Year sonnet, or even maybe a Christmas one. There's something about the constraints on old fashioned poetry that, as a poet, I think are worthwhile pursuing. In the meantime, This Year of Fire, is as good a New Year poem as any, it's a near-traditional sonnet, although it's very dark. I admit, I really wasn't sure about it at first, but it's grown on me. And I think that's always a good sign with poetry - since it's considered a good sign for music and other art forms!!!
Anyway, Happy New Year everybody, best wishes to everyone who follows this blog, and a sad final farewell to 2015, and of course the Tuesday Poem, which was the impetus to me blogging most Tuesdays, although I do hope to keep that up in 2016 and beyond.
cheers to you, my readers, and to the New Year, may it be a good one.
A.J.
Author of Quest, Prophecy, Omens, Miss Lionheart and the Laboratory of Death, Wizard's Guide to Wellington, Attack of the Giant Bugs - a You Choose Science Adventure, and The Frankie Files
I'm keen to keep up the blogging, but write fewer poems, while reintroducing a few more structured poems, especially poems around special events.
Maybe I'll even manage a New Year sonnet, or even maybe a Christmas one. There's something about the constraints on old fashioned poetry that, as a poet, I think are worthwhile pursuing. In the meantime, This Year of Fire, is as good a New Year poem as any, it's a near-traditional sonnet, although it's very dark. I admit, I really wasn't sure about it at first, but it's grown on me. And I think that's always a good sign with poetry - since it's considered a good sign for music and other art forms!!!
Anyway, Happy New Year everybody, best wishes to everyone who follows this blog, and a sad final farewell to 2015, and of course the Tuesday Poem, which was the impetus to me blogging most Tuesdays, although I do hope to keep that up in 2016 and beyond.
cheers to you, my readers, and to the New Year, may it be a good one.
A.J.
Author of Quest, Prophecy, Omens, Miss Lionheart and the Laboratory of Death, Wizard's Guide to Wellington, Attack of the Giant Bugs - a You Choose Science Adventure, and The Frankie Files
Find my stories and support my writing on ko-fi And tell me which poems you'd like to see in my upcoming poetry book—2024
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