A Bad Idea becomes a Good Idea!

For years I conducted a class entitled "When does a really Bad Idea become a Good One?" You know, that moment when the really Bad Idea all of a sudden becomes a Good idea. Examples are just about every trespass you can think of including scooping up Americans of Japanese descent, the Holocaust, slavery, murder etc. etc. etc.
Now we have three kids who took action when their very Bad Idea become a really Good idea. There were lots of other choices available but they acted on what they must have determined was a really Good Idea.
After all these years of my various involvements I am more certain than ever that some, if not all, of the solutions are in how we educate kids. I could go on and on, but I'll spare you the gymnastics. My book "Trust Kids" lays it out as only kids can do. http://tinyurl.com/ojycvuy

Universal Giving

Sometimes nice things come right out of the blue!! Thank you Universal Giving for your support.

"Our NGO of the Week is Let Kids Be Kids! They are committed to advocating on behalf of those who do not have a voice in society. Remind of you someone we'll be celebrating soon?

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., we're celebrating the work of this organization, which does so much to create equality and promote a better standard of living for all."

http://tinyurl.com/gsjbmnu

Courage

Too bad only a few stand up to bullies. 

You know, the NRA, Republican fear merchants, racists, homophobes, misogamists etc.

"Get up - Stand up for your rights!"

Photograph: Linc Gasking/NHM

Helping Syrian Refugees

Thank you Emily Cherkin for saying it so well. The only thing I'll add is that when Emily and I taught together the reading of "Night", the kids doing projects, as if they were in one of the prisons, Emily playing her violin as one prisoner did while force marching in knee deep snow away from the Russians and most importantly were the times Bronka visited. Bronka asked a simple question. "Would you speak up for me?" I said yes, as did everyone else. We have made a donation The Compassion Collective.

"I have felt deeply troubled for a long time now about the crisis facing Syrian refugees. As a middle school teacher, I taught a unit on the Holocaust, and the stories facing these modern refugees calls to mind many parallels. A former teacher and mentor of mine, and a survivor of Auschwitz, Bronka, would come and share her story with my students, and the most important thing she taught me (and my students) was that hating the Nazis solved nothing. Even after all the unspeakable things that were done to her and her family, she did not hate them. In other words, Love wins. Today, another hero of mine is Brené Brown, and she, with other leaders, have started The Compassion Collective, a plan to offer aid to Syrian refugees by asking all of us to make small (under $25 donations) to show that even in small amounts, we can make a difference and show that Love can triumph over Fear. So today, I am choosing Love. I am choosing not to give into the fear that generates hatred. I am remembering Bronka. If you feel so moved, and would like to learn more, please follow this link and share on your own pages:”

http://thecompassioncollective.org

Shame on you America

Its too easy when your voice is buried within the mob.
Are you the person, the very person, who is willing to speak to this child's parents and tell them there is no help in America for them.

If you're not willing to look these people in the eye and tell them to stay out than do something to reverse the shameful decision to destroy their hopes.

"Get up - stand up for your (their) rights!"

Man-of-War

Please, before you go to sleep tonight, think of ways you can reach out and help all the creatures out there-----humans as well. 
Portuguese Man-of-War. Okay, you better be paying attention if you're in the water with these beauties as your goofing around with one could be the last thing you ever do. We may not "like" every creature in the world but we can respect their role in the big picture leaving them alone to do their thing. "The Man - of - War has an otherworldly appearance—especially when illuminated by the rising sun—is perhaps not the most bizarre thing about the Portuguese man-of-war. The animal is actually made up of a colony of organisms working together, with the gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, "sailing" above. Below are three more separate polyps, including tentacles that in some cases can extend 165 feet."
Let Kids Be Kids advocates for the rights of all those in the animal kingdom. Yep, humans too-----And, in particular, all those Men of War out there.
Photograph by Matthew Smith, National Geographic

Initiative 1401 Passes with 70% Approval

I

Initiative 1401 wins in Washington state with 70% Approval

Thank you Washington voters for passing Initiative 1401, making Washington the first state in the country to help save 10 endangered animal species groups from extinction by a vote of the people.

Thank you for all your support towards our advocacy on this important issue.

“By creating tough new penalties for trafficking products made from these animals, Washington joins other major port states like California, New York and New Jersey in passing laws that close loopholes allowing the black market to thrive for endangered species products.  

With I-1401, Washington state does its part in the fight to save elephants, rhinos, tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, pangolins, sharks, marine turtles and rays. Starting December 3, parts and products from these animals will be illegal to sell, including ivory trinkets, tiger pelt rugs, and traditional folk medicine made from rhino horn or pangolin scales. Truth is an elephant needs its ivory tusks more than we need an ornament. A tiger needs its fur more than we need a floor covering and a pangolin needs its scales more than we need medicine proven to be ineffective.

I-1401 establishes a model for citizens, legislators and leaders across America – and around the world – to end the demand that fuels the extinction of animals in the wild. Other states now have the opportunity to build upon what Washington has started by achieving victories of their own. In 2016, Oregon voters will be faced with a similar initiative, and when it passes, three major west coast states will have laws banning the sales of endangered species products. With each victory, we’re one step closer to ending extinction.”

Fred Koontz, PhD, Vice President of Field Conservation, Woodland Park Zoo

Get up - Stand up for your rights!"

ATTENTION: all College/High School students.

Walk off campus and refuse to return until the country makes sure you are safe. Do not return until sane gun laws are passed!!

Seriously, your financial impact "may" be what it takes to get these greedy self serving bastards off their asses to protect you, and the rest of us.

"Get up - Stand up for your rights!"

Our plant friends...

 Please, before you go to sleep tonight, think of ways you can reach out and help all the creatures out there-----humans as well. 
Never forget these other creatures that bring us so much while we go about doing whatever it is we do all the time. A different view of Woodland Park Zoo, the critters tht .bring so much peace, beauty and tranquility
Let Kids Be Kids advocates for the rights of all those in the animal kingdom. Yep, humans and plants too-----
And, in particular, all those Beautiful Plants out there.
Photos: MBarrettMiller/©Connemara Productions

Who was that Masked Man?

"Why do I write? It's not that I want people to think I am smart, or even that I am a good writer. I write because I want to end my loneliness."
(this book was written so the little pugilist would know what the other guy cared about at the time of its compilation...)

Memories

Memories of those that were and are not -

Cilla Black

R.I.P

Cilla Black

Paul McCartney said Black's 1972 interpretation of the "Long and Winding Road" was how he always intended the song to be sung.

Cilla singing a Long and Winding Road.

Animal personhood in Trigueros del Valle

Animals as non-human residents!!! Maybe, with all the American shootings, we could extend this to people animals!!??
"A Spanish town has become the first in the world to give human rights to animals.
In the town of Trigueros del Valle, which has a population of just 300 people, politicians have voted overwhelmingly in favour of giving cats and dogs rights.
The town council voted to define the beloved pets as “non-human residents”, which gives them similar rights to its citizens.
Pedro Pérez Espinosa, the town’s Socialist mayor, said: “Dogs and cats have been living among us for more than 1,000 years.
“And the mayor must represent not just the human residents but must also be here for the others.”
The Renedo Declaration consists of 13 articles, including "all residents are born equal and have the same right to existence" and "a resident, whether human or non-human, is entitled to respect".
The new pet protections were welcomed by animal rights groups.
Campaigners, Rescate 1, said: “Today, we are closer as species and we are now more human thanks to the sensitivity and intelligence shown by the people of Trigueros del Valle.
“This is a great day for humans and non-human citizens alike.”
It is a landmark decision in Spain - a country which still allows the controversial “sport” of bullfighting.
There are hopes that the monumental ruling could lead to an end to bullfighting, which has been banned in certain regions, but still attracts audiences in areas such as Madrid and Seville.
Bullfighting will not be allowed in Trigueros del Valle, which now forbids “any action that causes the mutilation or death of a non-human resident”.
Yet while areas, including Catalonia, have banned the blood sport, the Spanish government is considering a new law that could make bullfighting part of the country's national heritage.
The move could prove disastrous for animal rights advocates as it would provide tax breaks to promoters and allow them to ignore local authority bans.
International animal rights groups have welcomed Trigueros del Valle's “milestone” decision, which they hope will influence other authorities.

PETA UK Director, Mimi Bekhechi, said: “Trigueros del Valle's legislation marks an important milestone and shows that times are changing for human understanding of who, not what, animals are.
“Our society is evolving, and history shows that the law evolves with it. Not that many years ago, many human beings were treated like 'things'.
“Married women and children were simply the property of men, and many people of African descent were also considered to be property.
“Thankfully, today, other forms of discrimination and prejudice are being discarded as people come to realise that all animals, human or otherwise, are emotional, intelligent beings who experience pain, love, joy and fear.
“Eventually, it will be understood that legal rights cannot rightly be decided by species any more than they can be determined by gender, age or skin colour.
“PETA are pleased that Trigueros del Valle has advanced the cause of respect for others, and we hope the influence of this legislation will spread. One day, we will look on our treatment of these animals with shame, as many of us already do.” #yeson1401
Photo: M Barrett Miller

Trump as Yosemite Sam

Hey Republicans!!! 
(pardon my mirth) 

You Wanking Thorny Devils created Trump by NOT SPEAKING up when he went after the President for being foreign, kinda black, not a citizen, a socialist, a communist, lazy, dumb, stupid, privileged etc.

So, NOW you complain!?!!

You deserve whatever he brings to you...

Wolf

Please, before you go to sleep tonight, think of ways you can reach out and help all the creatures out there-----humans as well. 
Wolf. When at the Woodland Park Zoo I always wander by to say hello to the four wolves who live rather contently not far from the Grizzlies, Elk, Porcupine, Sea Eagle and all sorts of visiting birds. The cool thing is the four can move away from any prying eyes should they want some deeper peace. Some time I'll tell you about my encounter way up in Grand Prairie, Alberta, hours off the path, when I came on a Grizzly tearing up an Elk while a Black Wolf sat watching about fifty feet further out - a great moment.
Let Kids Be Kids advocates for the rights of all those in the animal kingdom. Yep, humans too-----
And, in particular, all those Wolves out there.
(Photo: M Barrett Miller).

Whispers on Beyond...

Beyond the Black Stump

The sale of my books help support the work of Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.

'Beyond the Black Stump" will arrive soon on Lulu Publishing, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Amazon etc ( Oh, I'll let you know-- )

"…All things in the world are two. In our minds we are two, good and evil. With our eyes we see two things, things that are fair and things that are ugly…We have the right hand that strikes and makes for evil, and we have the left hand full of kindness, near the heart. One foot may lead us to an evil way, the other foot may lead us to good. So are all things two, all two…”

                                                Letako-Lesa (Pawnee)

How to take action...

I am proud to share that we, Let Kids Be Kids, Inc., are listed under the footing, "How to Take Action" at the bottom of this very informative, moving and positive article about a man changing the world for many.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION ;
Let Kids Be Kids Inc. brings people together with various organizations committed to solving challenges. Take action: Help fund phone calls for death row inmates.

See article:  http://tinyurl.com/pl3fduj

God's Little Acre!

At noon the Seattle Mennonite's hosted an Open House/Dedication Ceremony of their new coffee shop for those needing a little respite. It's aptly named "God's Little Acre." GLA, as its' referred to, offers coffee, whatever food has been donated, an impressive cooking area for those wishing to cook what they bring in, 2 showers, lockers, 2 washer/dryers, and as one man said his "kick back lounge" where he can feel good about himself. 
Thats the point. 
Underscoring the message that "you deserve it" by creating a great space for many not feeling so great about themselves. (photo of the fella on the street is the not so desired option).

See Let Kids Be Kids website links for more information.

Ants - Our Friends

Please, before you go to sleep tonight, think of ways you can reach out and help all the creatures out there-----humans as well. 
Ants. Yep, where would the world be without them? They seemingly hold much of it together for the rest of us in all sorts of cool ways. Through moving of soil by nest building activity and by collecting food they affect the level of nutrients in the soil. This can indirectly impact the local populations of many animal groups, from decomposers such as Collembola, to species much higher up the food chain, like us. More than 10,000 known ant species occur around the world. They are especially prevalent in tropical forests, where they may be up to half of all the insects living in some locations.
Let Kids Be Kids advocates for the rights of all those in the animal kingdom. Yep, humans too.
And, in particular, all those Ants out there.
(Photo: photo National Geographic )

See Let Kids Be Kids for more info.