If I could petition the English speaking countries of the world to do one thing, please stop calling the Islamic State ISIS. I know it's pretty late in the game to make this request, but it's very offensive to me. You see, Isis is the name of my Goddess, who I have been officially worshiping since I was 16, in the year 2000, but have been drawn to since I was a small child, long before the Islamic State was in existence.
President Obama was kind enough to use the name ISIL when referring to the terrorist organization, which I appreciated greatly, but Trump is inconsiderate of the issue. I imagine the terrorists themselves also find it offensive being conflated with a pagan deity, but it is unfair to us peaceful Goddess worshippers.
I once on this blog site called the Islamic State by the term "daesh," which I heard was an insult to the Islamic State because it demoted them from a nation to a band of thugs, but the amount of attention I suddenly received from the US government, including President Obama, who was in China at the time, and Russia, who had hacked this blog along with the other things they hacked in 2016, lead me to believe I was mistaken in the meaning of the word.
It is unfair that my Goddess's name has been hijacked; Isis is a goddess of love, motherhood, representing many of the same traits as the Virgin Mary. She and we her followers do not deserve such treatment.
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Mother Nature's Big Curveballs
There are a lot of articles going around right now talking about how, if we don't change humanity's impact on the Earth NOW, millions of species will go extinct. Unfortunately, a lot of people can't pull their heads out of their asses far enough to care.
What people fail to realize is that animals, and plants, for that matter, are adapting to a world dominated by humanity, and we may not like the results. We're seeing it first on a microbiotic scale- superbugs resistant to antibiotics. We're going to see more creatures changing their habitats with climate change- mosquitoes carrying tropical diseases are moving into areas they haven't previously been recorded. We're seeing this now.
What's next? Pest insects more immune to pesticides, pollinators disappearing because the only plant they reproduce on is gone from their habitat, and lots more rodents. Raccoons will get smarter. And we'll see more of the animals we raise go feral, get diseases that can pass to our pets, and then to us.
There used to be a balance in an ecosystem, but whenever we walk in we throw everything off. We need to heal the Earth as best we can as fast as we can, or Mother Nature's going to throw us some fucking curveballs we are not ready for.
This shit is already happening, and I can't believe the government is still gambling with our planet like this... I mean, is it just that the GOP's been paid to look the other way for so long that they don't care that they've sold out their grandchildren's future? Slime balls, the whole lot of them...
What people fail to realize is that animals, and plants, for that matter, are adapting to a world dominated by humanity, and we may not like the results. We're seeing it first on a microbiotic scale- superbugs resistant to antibiotics. We're going to see more creatures changing their habitats with climate change- mosquitoes carrying tropical diseases are moving into areas they haven't previously been recorded. We're seeing this now.
What's next? Pest insects more immune to pesticides, pollinators disappearing because the only plant they reproduce on is gone from their habitat, and lots more rodents. Raccoons will get smarter. And we'll see more of the animals we raise go feral, get diseases that can pass to our pets, and then to us.
There used to be a balance in an ecosystem, but whenever we walk in we throw everything off. We need to heal the Earth as best we can as fast as we can, or Mother Nature's going to throw us some fucking curveballs we are not ready for.
This shit is already happening, and I can't believe the government is still gambling with our planet like this... I mean, is it just that the GOP's been paid to look the other way for so long that they don't care that they've sold out their grandchildren's future? Slime balls, the whole lot of them...
Monday, April 29, 2019
Finding Happiness Again, Through Psychedelics
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20180918/psychedlic-drugs-to-treat-depression-ptsd
There are many studies being done that show that psychedelic drugs can have very positive effects on stubborn forms of depression and PTSD that more conventional medications can't fix. They're effective for our veterans, and I believe they could help more broadly in our culture, where despair has taken root so deeply that violence has become commonplace.
As always, my belief is that we need to stop waging war against substances, that the government needs to regulate the market and treat addiction as a health problem. Note also that psychedelic mushrooms are being tested in treatment for addiction to other substances.
Psychedelic culture we recognize from the '60's on is all about love. I see it as a potential cure for the hate we see so prominently in America and around the world in recent years. When nothing else is working- mass violence is more and more commonplace- we need to try unconventional therapy.
I recommend more funding to these clinics that are experimenting with psychedelics, I recommend studying the culture (make love, not war), and I recommend exploring the benefits of legalizing a regulated market (safer drugs and dosing, selling to adults only, smaller prison populations, tax revenue, etc.)
There are many studies being done that show that psychedelic drugs can have very positive effects on stubborn forms of depression and PTSD that more conventional medications can't fix. They're effective for our veterans, and I believe they could help more broadly in our culture, where despair has taken root so deeply that violence has become commonplace.
As always, my belief is that we need to stop waging war against substances, that the government needs to regulate the market and treat addiction as a health problem. Note also that psychedelic mushrooms are being tested in treatment for addiction to other substances.
Psychedelic culture we recognize from the '60's on is all about love. I see it as a potential cure for the hate we see so prominently in America and around the world in recent years. When nothing else is working- mass violence is more and more commonplace- we need to try unconventional therapy.
I recommend more funding to these clinics that are experimenting with psychedelics, I recommend studying the culture (make love, not war), and I recommend exploring the benefits of legalizing a regulated market (safer drugs and dosing, selling to adults only, smaller prison populations, tax revenue, etc.)
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
The Ritual of the Witching Hour
The space was defined
Cleansed and prepared
When the stars aligned
The Gods brought there
A Priestess of Light
And a Priest of the Night
Great power of Earth
And all Heaven's might
Words of Power
Witches' Brew
Imbibed by the Priestess
To channel Truth
Removed from space
Outside of time
Their two wills merged
Boundaries redefined
God's invoked:
Anubis and Inanna
The Descent was lead by
The Psychopomp
Unlocked the gates
Removed the veils
By the River Styx
On which he sailed
He knelt at her altar
Worshipped her form
Holiest communion
Blood bond is born
For the Priestess of Light
And the Priest of the Night
Becoming as One
Through the Great Rite
In Perfect Love
And Perfect Trust
He held her until
They had enough
Ambrosia to satisfy
Olympian gods
She rose from the dead
And they set off
Back to the world
Of mortals, above
Each taking with them
Sacrement of Love
Priestess of Light
Priest of the Night
Twin flames forever
Soul mates for life
Cleansed and prepared
When the stars aligned
The Gods brought there
A Priestess of Light
And a Priest of the Night
Great power of Earth
And all Heaven's might
Words of Power
Witches' Brew
Imbibed by the Priestess
To channel Truth
Removed from space
Outside of time
Their two wills merged
Boundaries redefined
God's invoked:
Anubis and Inanna
The Descent was lead by
The Psychopomp
Unlocked the gates
Removed the veils
By the River Styx
On which he sailed
He knelt at her altar
Worshipped her form
Holiest communion
Blood bond is born
For the Priestess of Light
And the Priest of the Night
Becoming as One
Through the Great Rite
In Perfect Love
And Perfect Trust
He held her until
They had enough
Ambrosia to satisfy
Olympian gods
She rose from the dead
And they set off
Back to the world
Of mortals, above
Each taking with them
Sacrement of Love
Priestess of Light
Priest of the Night
Twin flames forever
Soul mates for life
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Use of "I" statements vs. Narcissism
All my life, people have accused me of being a narcissist. I'm not going to deny that I use a lot of "I" statements and tend to talk about my favorite subjects. In fact, those are both symptoms of my Asperger Syndrome. Honestly, I don't know any other way to communicate, partly because I don't have very good social skills, and my brain is wired very differently from most people's. My perspective is the only one from which I know how to approach the world, and my experiences are the only vehicle with which I can explore it. I am sorry this offends people.
It does not mean I don't care about other people's experiences or feelings. I love to learn new things. It does mean that as a person on the autism spectrum, the reality inside my head is the only one available to me, and the only one I am able to communicate.
It took a lot of conscious effort on my part to learn how to have a 2-way conversation, and I am still trying to figure out this whole business of social interaction. I'm doing the best I can.
Narcissism doesn't necessarily require "I" statements or overt social missteps, such as interruptions. Rather, the hallmark of narcissism is how one judges those around them, and can be done in perfect silence. The thought, "at least I don't act like that," is all ego, and when people are irritated by certain qualities in others, those are the qualities they are most guilty of themselves. Assigning motives to another is a sure sign of something you should work on yourself.
I'm not saying I'm perfect, by any means, and know I have a long way to go in terms of personal growth. It would be nice to see other people take that same responsibility, rather than point out how it's all about me, but I respect the proscess of self-actualization, and will try to refrain from judgement. "Do unto others" is the key, and I know how painful it is to be judged. This is an analysis, not intended to make anyone change or feel bad. Self-improvement is the hardest thing in the world.
It does not mean I don't care about other people's experiences or feelings. I love to learn new things. It does mean that as a person on the autism spectrum, the reality inside my head is the only one available to me, and the only one I am able to communicate.
It took a lot of conscious effort on my part to learn how to have a 2-way conversation, and I am still trying to figure out this whole business of social interaction. I'm doing the best I can.
Narcissism doesn't necessarily require "I" statements or overt social missteps, such as interruptions. Rather, the hallmark of narcissism is how one judges those around them, and can be done in perfect silence. The thought, "at least I don't act like that," is all ego, and when people are irritated by certain qualities in others, those are the qualities they are most guilty of themselves. Assigning motives to another is a sure sign of something you should work on yourself.
I'm not saying I'm perfect, by any means, and know I have a long way to go in terms of personal growth. It would be nice to see other people take that same responsibility, rather than point out how it's all about me, but I respect the proscess of self-actualization, and will try to refrain from judgement. "Do unto others" is the key, and I know how painful it is to be judged. This is an analysis, not intended to make anyone change or feel bad. Self-improvement is the hardest thing in the world.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Open letter to Trump on 1st Amendment
Dear President-Elect Donald Trump,
Stop attacking our First Amendment.
In the past year, you have Tweeted about limiting Press rights, opening libel laws, discriminating based on religion, criticized those who have exercised their freedom of speech such as protesters (also protected by peaceful assembly laws) and the cast of Hamilton, and even threatened people's citizenship over the court-protected act of flag burning.
This is not acceptable from someone who would be our President, because this is our first and most sacred Right and Freedom. It is what separates us from dictatorships. Threatening to diminish our First Amendment in any way should be seen as nothing less than a personal threat to every citizen of the United States of America.
Get over your ego, and get used to criticism- it comes with the job. Pay attention to how often you exercise your First Amendment, and imagine if your speech and religion were threatened. Do unto others.
Presidency is not a license to make us love you. If someone criticizes you, they probably have a point. You have the choice to be a big crybaby on Twitter like you usually do, or you can look at it as the point where your job as President begins, as chief negotiator, to make our lives better. This is the Land of the Free- if you can't take it, you don't deserve to be our President.
Please prove me wrong- that you can be the best President ever by making us the most free and happy people ever. Help us trust you by being transparent. Otherwise you've set up an Orwellian nightmare. This terrifies me.
Thank you for listening.
Raven Wildchild
Stop attacking our First Amendment.
In the past year, you have Tweeted about limiting Press rights, opening libel laws, discriminating based on religion, criticized those who have exercised their freedom of speech such as protesters (also protected by peaceful assembly laws) and the cast of Hamilton, and even threatened people's citizenship over the court-protected act of flag burning.
This is not acceptable from someone who would be our President, because this is our first and most sacred Right and Freedom. It is what separates us from dictatorships. Threatening to diminish our First Amendment in any way should be seen as nothing less than a personal threat to every citizen of the United States of America.
Get over your ego, and get used to criticism- it comes with the job. Pay attention to how often you exercise your First Amendment, and imagine if your speech and religion were threatened. Do unto others.
Presidency is not a license to make us love you. If someone criticizes you, they probably have a point. You have the choice to be a big crybaby on Twitter like you usually do, or you can look at it as the point where your job as President begins, as chief negotiator, to make our lives better. This is the Land of the Free- if you can't take it, you don't deserve to be our President.
Please prove me wrong- that you can be the best President ever by making us the most free and happy people ever. Help us trust you by being transparent. Otherwise you've set up an Orwellian nightmare. This terrifies me.
Thank you for listening.
Raven Wildchild
Monday, November 21, 2016
Why We Should Care About Trump's Tweets.
Kellyanne Conway asked reporters, "Why do you care?" when asked about President-elect Trump's tweets scolding the cast of Hamilton. “In other words, who is to say that he can't do that, make a comment, spend five minutes on a tweet and making a comment and still be the president-elect?” she continued.
Trump posted several tweets on the subject.
Donald J. Trump
So here's my explanation as to why we SHOULD care.
1. Trump thought it was important enough to post on a public forum, and Twitter is currently the only news we are receiving directly from Mr. Trump. Asking about his opinions is not only valid, but essential to our understanding of the man who holds power over our future.
2. Trump didn't tweet about his first 100 days, leading us to wonder why he's more concerned about lashing out at people with a different opinion than laying out his agenda.
3. He demanded an apology for rudeness, which is one of the most hypocritical things he could do.
4. Trump exaggerated the offense that wasn't even offensive, and there's a name for this: gaslighting. His behaviors frequently fit the patterns of emotional abuse, and this should not be ignored. This is how domestic abusers talk about the women they batter.
5. It makes us wonder if Trump will complain EVERY time someone uses free speech to an end with which Trump disagrees, or if he may take a harsher tactic once he is in power. This is truly terrifying.
6. He's twisting the truth again. Hamilton's cast tried to be polite, even calling Pence "sir," but it doesn't fit Trump's petulant narrative of how "very rude" the whole world is to him, so he "rebranded" it as "harassment." His spreading of misinformation and closing out the press mirror famous grabs for power, and now nothing the state-owned media of Russia says can be trusted. Freedom of the Press and Speech are essential to an informed democracy.
7. We have been warned about Trump's love for revenge, and though he may candy-coat it with victim-blaming, unleashing his Twitter followers is a classic Trump move to make sure the people he disagrees with truly are harassed. He destroys people financially and socially all the time, and it often starts with a tweet. Will he up the ante as President? Who is next?
8. Has Conway seriously never heard of Orwell's 1984?
Trump posted several tweets on the subject.
Donald J. Trump
The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
He also claimed the cast had "harassed" Pence, though the Veep- elect said he wasn't offended. The cast spoke from the stage, saying “we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir.”
Conway's defensiveness on the issue is notable. She accused the reporter of "assigning malice and wrongdoing to him where it doesn't exist," and attempted to deflect the question by saying that Trump's 100-day agenda was more important. More on that exchange can be found here.
So here's my explanation as to why we SHOULD care.
1. Trump thought it was important enough to post on a public forum, and Twitter is currently the only news we are receiving directly from Mr. Trump. Asking about his opinions is not only valid, but essential to our understanding of the man who holds power over our future.
2. Trump didn't tweet about his first 100 days, leading us to wonder why he's more concerned about lashing out at people with a different opinion than laying out his agenda.
3. He demanded an apology for rudeness, which is one of the most hypocritical things he could do.
4. Trump exaggerated the offense that wasn't even offensive, and there's a name for this: gaslighting. His behaviors frequently fit the patterns of emotional abuse, and this should not be ignored. This is how domestic abusers talk about the women they batter.
5. It makes us wonder if Trump will complain EVERY time someone uses free speech to an end with which Trump disagrees, or if he may take a harsher tactic once he is in power. This is truly terrifying.
6. He's twisting the truth again. Hamilton's cast tried to be polite, even calling Pence "sir," but it doesn't fit Trump's petulant narrative of how "very rude" the whole world is to him, so he "rebranded" it as "harassment." His spreading of misinformation and closing out the press mirror famous grabs for power, and now nothing the state-owned media of Russia says can be trusted. Freedom of the Press and Speech are essential to an informed democracy.
7. We have been warned about Trump's love for revenge, and though he may candy-coat it with victim-blaming, unleashing his Twitter followers is a classic Trump move to make sure the people he disagrees with truly are harassed. He destroys people financially and socially all the time, and it often starts with a tweet. Will he up the ante as President? Who is next?
8. Has Conway seriously never heard of Orwell's 1984?
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