On A Dime

By Judith Gayle | Political Waves

With Mercury doing it’s regularly scheduled moonwalk, providing us an illusion of backwards motion, things seem to have slowed to a stroll. On various levels, we appear to have hit that sweet spot of indecision, glad to rest there awhile. In the best of retograde tradition, this can give us a time out, an opportunity to re-think. Decisions made during a retro are subject to revision, so its best to put them off for awhile longer, if possible. Sometimes it isn’t.

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The heat is on. In northern Alaska and northwestern Canada, snow melted so rapidly that it caused serious — and unexpected — flooding. In India, where the temperature hit 120 this week, thousands of tankers have been secured to bring water to over 4,000 villages facing shortages. The death toll is closing in on two thousand, and the population is suffering dehydration and heat stroke, not to mention loss of animals and crops. This is occurring in Southern India, bordering Pakistan, but heat is already affecting the Himalayan foothills and quickly inching north toward more populous areas. Unhappily, meteorologists report that expected monsoon rains may be delayed by weather in the Pacific, exacerbating suffocating heat and drought conditions.

People are flocking to rivers and lakes in an attempt to cool themselves, although those of us accustomed to sanitation may consider that a perilous act in itself. HBO’s investigative news program, Vice, recently did a raw and disturbing piece on the human waste running through the streets of Mumbai, and the inability of millions of citizens to access safe drinking water. Fewer than half of India’s residents have indoor plumbing, and to say the waterways are fouled is an understatement, as dramatically illustrated here and here.

Flipping the coin, emergency services in Texas have been hard pressed to handle the rescue requests coming from 24 counties declared a disaster from severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes. Oklahoma has also had its share of flooding, although their death toll is not so dramatic; 20 of the 26 perished are from the Lone Star State, with an additional 13 missing.

Suffering moderate drought conditions prior to this wave of weather, which has dropped some 37 trillion gallons of water, lakes and streams are — barring additional weather emergency — not projected to return to normal until July. Considering this almost instantaneous turn-around, I rethought my desire to share some of the continual rainfall Missouri has suffered/enjoyed (depending on your point of view) with my California family and friends. You know: sometimes too much of a good thing, yadda.

Among those tragically lost in the extreme flooding was a Texas prom queen, on her way home from the dance. I found myself wondering if the locals knew they’d offered her up in sacrifice to their proud embrace of their Petroleum God, but then I ran across an article about the Texas governor signing a bill that prohibits cities and towns from banning hydraulic fracking. This technique was pioneered in Texas, by the way, with most of Texas crude coming from fracked wells. I expect them to stick with the JR Ewing mindset until the bitter end. The God of Oil remains well cared for.

Texas being Texas, the state we’re constantly warned not to mess with, the governor was reluctant to ask ‘big guv’mnt’ for a hand, even though the damage to Dallas-Fort Worth was extensive. They probably didn’t want to hear Obama declare, as he did when finally asked for assistance, that resources were available for response and that rebuilding would be a lengthy process, adding that the floods are a reminder that the nation needs to “toughen its response” to the disasters coming with climate change.

This is a concept no more welcome to conservative Texicans than those snotty un-American Advanced Placement History tests developed by elitist lefties to poison the minds of their children, but at least the Prez didn’t rub salt in the wound by mentioning the super El Niňo that promises even more mayhem. If you’re planning a vacation this year, you might want to check out this article posted on Kos. And because things can change on a dime, you might want to make it a series of long weekends or short trips.

The good news in all of this is that communities come together in a non-partisan fashion at times like this, responding with their humanity rather than their ideology, and whether we realize it or not, that lights up the planet. In Texas, volunteers are roaming through neighborhoods assessing damage and reporting debris, which in some cases towers over 20 feet high. People are still being evacuated from their homes, and community organizations are gathering resources to come to the aid of those in need.

In Nepal, where remote villages are still not accessible and helicopters are in short supply, OXFAM America — a well-respected charity group — has hired unemployed mountain guides and porters to help deliver relief. This is also a reminder that fall-out from natural disasters does not disappear over night, but requires weeks, months, even years of determined assistance from a concerned world.

In the political arena, little definitive happened this week, with Congress, happily, at recess. They will be called back early to deal with the Patriot Act on Sunday, although that too will occur under the retro, and will likely have that unsettled, unfinished quality we’ve come to expect — the kind that comes back later to nip your heels.

The 2016 election frenzy now includes more names on the Republican list of potential candidates, but no new ideas — except for blow-hard Donald Trump, who tells us he knows how to stop ISIS in their tracks, but won’t go into it. Trump and wee Lindsey Graham, who gets more bizarre by the moment, are still ‘leaning in,’ not quite ready to pronounce themselves serious contenders. Pataki and Santorum, on the other hand, now join more than 20 other conservatives trying to carve out a place for themselves in the Top Ten (the only ones that will be formally invited to debate).

Carly Fiorina — yes, the same Carly that called the Chinese unimaginative and Hillary Clinton unaccomplished — believes that environmentalists are responsible for a “man-made drought” in California. And Jeb, whose older brother even acknowledged climate change as a real problem with real consequences, thinks the science still isn’t in — but apparently the money is. This weekend, Jeb will be enjoying a golf and fly-fishing retreat fund-raiser with donors from the coal industry, at $7,500 a head.

On the left, Hillary is still mulling things over, Bernie is getting — better than first reported by Jon Stewart — a closer look and new response from a public that considers anything “old” or “socialist” a throw-away, and according to the Baltimore Sun, Maryland ex-Governor, Martin O’Malley, will be announcing today. All three are committed to action in terms of climate change. On the Republican side of the fence, none of them are. That tells the tale.

I’ve got news: money and power are NOT more important than survival! I write this under flash-flood alert, expecting another round of heavy thunderstorms this evening. Tornadic action has been spotted on the eastern edge of Oklahoma (tornado alley, the flight path of the Joplin disaster), the kind that can “develop in an instant.” There are no sirens out here in the country, no warning except through radio and television, although a few years back we had the volunteer fire truck come roaring through to warn against a possible touch-down (it did, just a half-mile away). With no shelters available, people are advised to get in basements or tubs, and, barring that, lie down in a ditch (the lowest point possible) with your head covered. I refuse that option. I don’t fancy meeting my Maker face down in the dirt.

To sweeten the pot, the Weather Channel just announced the opening of hurricane season. At a time when we must expect severe events, when extreme everything — weather, politics, religion, sports — pushes the envelope of our survival, we’re being given every possible option to realize what we’ve refused to acknowledge, to look our errors in the eye and re-think our options.

Weather has always been an inexact science, and predictions iffy. It has always been a cause of anxiety for those who are vulnerable and a topic of conversation for those, like Pea Patch residents, who are close to the earth and necessities of the season. Now, it turns on a dime, delivering the unexpected with a distressing level of frequency. Obama is right, we not only have to be better prepared for weather disasters, we need to be politically active to help prevent them.

I know you always want something to do on the other side of reading one of these articles, so please crank up your word processing program and write a letter to your climate change-denying Congressperson. You’ll find their address information here. All traditional warnings about being polite no longer factor into the conversation, from my point of view, so instead of being polite, kindly be as truthful as possible. Make your thoughts clear. Here is an example:

Dear Climate Denier

After years of reviewing all the information on climate change, and experiencing the extreme weather to which we are all now being subjected, I can only determine that your political stance on this topic is not just wrong but tragically wrong.

You are putting me, my family, my friends and the planet in jeopardy, day by day, while courting the wealthy people who continue to benefit from financial gain with no thought to tomorrow, happly reaping the rewards of corporate welfare today. I hold you directly responsible for what has NOT been done to protect us all from so severe a future.

And while we will not soon agree on this issue, we can probably agree that there are more people like me than like you; polls indicate well over 90 percent of citizens agree with over 98 perent of experts affirming climate emergency. I just want you to know that I know you’re playing politics for profit and I will no longer remain silent. I will do everything in my power as an American citizen to replace you with someone more responsible to this nation and the world.

Sincerely,

your friend and fellow American,

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You in? I hope you are. We need to do all there is to do, given the severity of the issue at hand. Government works from the bottom up, and your locally elected leaders think they can ignore you when you are silent. We need to raise a ruckus!

As always, love tells us that we are responsible to and for one another. And because things can turn on a dime — even the dire projections that inaction suggests in terms of climate change — let’s rethink our lethargy and raise our voices to make our position clear. That’s the loving thing right now, so write a love letter in defense of your planet (and me, I’ll wait until Mercury goes direct to put it in the mail).

14 thoughts on “On A Dime

  1. Barbara Koehler

    Good point (in a great article) Jude, about how the flooding brought communities together. Therein lies the reason for apocalyptic seasonal weather patterns, at least on our present comprehension level. Not much concern to be found for a centuries and centuries ahead view at this point in the game, too many of us are looking out for only ourselves these days. That might be the meaning of transiting Narcissus at the 0+ Aquarius degree, the same degree of the up-coming Jupiter and Saturn cycle in 2020.

    The chart for the present cycle between Jupiter and Saturn (that runs out in 2020) holds clues to answers for many (perhaps all if you are patient) dilemmas we’ve experienced since 2000. Take for example, the Patriot Act law situation. There is a little sextile in the 2000 Jupiter-Saturn chart between Mercury at 27 Gemini and Isis at 27 Leo (which conjuncts Pres. Obama’s North Node at 27 Leo). If we extend that sextile to the U.S. Sibly chart and combine it with the Sibly Pluto at 27 Capricorn, a Yod is created putting U.S. Pluto at the apex point of release.

    I like to think of Isis in this case as symbolic of Restoration, or putting the parts back together. If that’s the case then it would be a good thing for Obama’s life path (NN). However, Rand Paul’s natal South Node (been there done that) at 29 Capricorn conjuncts the Mars in the Patriot Act chart at 29 Capricorn and both are very close to the U.S. Pluto (the apex of the Yod formed with the Jupiter-Saturn chart’s sextile of Mercury and Isis + Obama’s NN).

    Adding to the picture is Mercury in Paul’s chart at 5 Aquarius and the Patriot Act’s chart Neptune at 6 Aquarius (conjunct the U.S. Sibly South Node and the Jupiter-Saturn chart’s Neptune, both at 6 Aquarius) which provides filibuster fuel. Filibuster and Restoration (Gemini and Leo) put pressure on U.S. Pluto (Capricorn) to Adjust (quincunx action stemming from Yod pressure of sextiling Mercury and Isis.) It’s showtime in the USA.

    The New Moon at 25 Gemini on June 16 should initiate new rules regarding the Patriot Act as it falls only 2 degrees from the old Jupiter-Saturn chart Mercury (that sextiles Isis and the Obama NN) which will have, by then, nudged the U.S. Pluto death-grip hold on Congress. It is also opposite the Patriot Act chart’s Chiron at 25 Sagittarius (10/26/01, 10:55 AM EDT, DC)

    Ever so grateful for your suggested letter to 18th century congress holdovers. (For me that’s Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell. Oh well.) Now we’re talkin’ and no punches held. I will pass it along to my Indiana friends!
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  2. Gary Burris

    Thanks Judith,

    I don’t believe any amount of torrential rains,floods,tornadoes,earthquakes (fracking),heat, pestilence,crop and food supply disruptions will stop the fingers of the Texicans,and Okiehomans from voting “R” come 2016. Even if communities are United in crisis!-until recognition of common values washes away that Scarlett letter “R” which reflects US/Them. I have had hope for some time for the pickup of steam for a third party middle, where most of us reside, for 2020. Maybe 2016 will truly create that potential.Even if a Big Bad old Socialist paves the way!

    Bummer for the travel report. I guess I will just hang out along SoCal beaches with my poncho as the hurricanes sweep in the epic waves and moisture. Surfers will be happy campers! Haven’t seen a typhoon north of Cabo hit in years.

    I’ll make sure to have a piping hot carne asada burrito in hand as I wash out to sea. Wouldn’t want to meet my maker without one or face up in the dirt or pine box! what was up with that lie in the ditch thing anyway-in Kansas ours were always full with water when the tornadoes hit and I was around and in more than a few.

    You and the Piggles stay safe and don’t go floating down Turtle Creek.

  3. aWord

    Be safe, Jude. I don’t know what’s headed to NoCal, but I do know that I was pressed hard by the powers that be to trek up here. Astrology says “be in a state of confusion now” and so I am. Nonetheless, the community is strong here — of the “Oklahoma” musical variety; if your crops should fail we’ll give you the shirt off our back — genuinely good neighbors but don’t bother with the menusha. Well, I’ll be taking in the new environment for awhile, but does seem to be about half and half strong Dem and strong Pub here. Might have to stop into Dem headquarters (right around the corner) just to get a picture of the demographics. I do get, however, that most peeps have the environment in mind; no doubt the history here lends itself to remembering the life-giving value of the land and sea.
    I am musing…may all be well with you and yours in the Pea Patch…….and those in India, Alaska and Texas too.

  4. Pisces Sun

    Great article, thank you for always raising the level of our awareness! Unfortunately, the earth’s climate is, well “changing,” which means that we are entering a realm that we don’t yet know. We can’t predict the usual weather, let alone the new weather. We used to be able to rely upon the farmer’s almanac, which relied upon historical records, observance of astronomy, the seasons, the earth’s patterns, nature’s patterns, including her animal life, and bird migratory patterns, but all of this is in disarray. This is changed and will continue to change, there is no turning back. We have to adapt. The question is, can we forestall where we are, or do we continue to cause anthropogenic damage?
    As much as I want to exert pressure on Congress, climate change is such a sophisticated issue, and their minds are so simple (or they want to frame it so simple), that no letter will sway their opinion. It will require much, much more. Us/them is how it is debated because when it comes down to anything that discusses survival that is the only way the human can process the complexity of it all and unfortunately the entrenchment occurs. I have always liked the approach by the Framing Institute who has worked with this nation’s aquariums to bring attention to the issue of climate change, very simply by showing its effects in simplistic fashion.
    Whenever blame starts, deaf ears follows, we have to find a better way, all of us. It can start with the choices we make, how do we support the oil companies we blame? How do we support the power companies? How do we support the freight movement, that is the consumerism that gets our goods to us? Do we buy locally? Act locally, influences globally. This small steps can make global changes and give each of us a feeling of empowerment. Together we can also make a difference, but if we begin with vinegar, it falls on deaf ears.

  5. Michael Mayes

    I’m in! Just last night at work I was waiting on a family at this pizza joint I’m working at for the summer. Anyhow, I was removing some dirty dishes from the table, and the older couple (grandparents) were talking about how some pond somewhere (I missed that part) doesn’t freeze over anymore, and how they used to be able to ice skate on it. Then, the mom (the younger one), probably in her 40’s or 50’s, and obviously a climate change denier, quipped “The pond’s not freezing anymore because of global warming”. Then she scoffed, and her tone, which I can still hear, makes my pulse race in anger. Thanks for the letter idea, I’ll use it to process some of the anger.

  6. Barbara Koehler

    A holistic picture can be perceived when combining the energy patterns of major planetary cycle charts. Regarding the future of governments and the humanity they serve as they skirt around the climate change issues, we can look to societies prime astrological indicator, the Jupiter-Saturn 20 year cycle.

    In 2020, when Jupiter and Saturn begin their new cycle, Sedna will be at 27+ Taurus and square the U.S. Sibly chart Moon at 27+ Aquarius which suggests domestic problems for the U.S. regarding water and/or the life of creatures and plants living there.

    Back in 1891 when Neptune and Pluto began the cycle they are presently in, Venus was at 27+ Cancer. By the time the 2020 Jupiter-Saturn cycle starts, Neptune and Pluto will be within orb of a sextile, an aspect considered by a notable astrologer in these parts to be a working tool. One way their sextile could prove useful is by utilizing the 1891chart’s Venus at 27 Cancer in concert with the 2020 chart’s Sedna at 27+ Taurus who will be quincunx the Galactic Core (GC) at 27+ Sagittarius. Regardless of whether or not you consider this an actual Yod /Finger of God pattern (a 2020 planet sextile a 1891 planet, both quincunx a 2020 Galactic Core), we can learn a lot from the GC and the energy that will be activated.

    The 2020 GC in turn will be sextile the 1891 (Neptune-Pluto conjunction) chart’s Uranus at 27+ Libra, and they both (2020 GC + 1891 Uranus) will quincunx the 2020 (Jupiter-Saturn conjunction) Sedna in Taurus, the same Sedna that will wreak havoc on the U.S. Moon she will square.

    Within the 2020 Saturn-Jupiter chart there is a grand cross between Moon at 27+ Pisces opposite Pandora at 27+ Virgo, both square the GC at 27+ Sagittarius opposite Chaos at 27+ Gemini. Sedna at 27+ Taurus sextiles Moon, trines Pandora, is quincunx (as noted above) the GC and semi-sextile Chaos. Sedna will be an important figure (symbol) during the 20 year span the 2020 Jupiter-Saturn conjunction represents. We as a whole will be working out knotty problems, but we WILL have to address them (grand cross will see to that) and they will include Climate Change.

    For the U.S. specifically, the 1891 Neptune-Pluto cycle chart carries a tie to the U.S. Pluto at 27+ Capricorn, not only through its Venus in Cancer opposite the U.S. Pluto, and it’s square from Uranus in Libra to the U.S. Pluto, but also through the 1891 chart’s Industria (industry) at 28+ Capricorn retrograde. This means that the 1891 chart has an inherent T-square with an open leg in Aries at 27-28 degrees. Transiting Uranus will reach that point in June, 2017, and transit there until October 2017, returning again in March, 2018. I’m certain that at that time, climate issues will not be a topic that can be put on the back burner by industry moguls nor climate-change deniers in government.
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